The New Fifty Books A Year Thread 2020

These are my first of 2020.

1. Waiting for the Other Shoe, Maggie Handley
A reading group choice about adoption. None of us enjoyed it.
2. ‘Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas, Adam Kay
An easy short read, and enjoyable, though I found the constant long footnotes distracting.
3. Haven’t They Grown, Sophie Hannah
The GN Book Club choice. Disappointing, imho.

DH bought me Jonathan Coe’s Middle England. It’s the last in a trilogy, so I’ve just started the first, The Rotters’ Club. So far, so good - I definitely won’t be skimming or ditching.

I have two distinct categories of books I don’t like. The ones I’m really not keen on, which I skim through to the end, just to find out what the conclusion is or to see if they improve. And the ones I really can’t stand, that get ditched as soon as I realise they’re on the list. I count the skimmed ones as read, but not the ditched ones.

Just started “Everybody Died So I Got a Dog” by Emily Dean. It’s a biography and so far it is very funny, but tissues will be required later, I think!
Was slightly disappointed with Kate Atkinson’s “Transcription”; I thought it was a bit ‘ham fisted’.

#3 The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

James Clavell's books made a huge impression on me back in the day - I remember coming across the concept of FGM in one. A horrific description - the picture has stayed with me ever since.

I read the Salt Path in less than a day - I loved it! Mark Wallington's "500 Mile Walkies" is one of the very few books I have read more than once and loved, and as their walk was inspired by that very book I was hooked from the start. It also reminded me a bit of the Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, in the way that they just decided to keep on going, although they weren't really properly equipped.

Since then I have read a couple more books, one in German, which wasn't very good, and one by Caimh McDonnell. Although I said above I rarely read any books more than once, I am absolutely addicted to his books and could start again as soon as I've finished one.

I rather messed up the organisation on my Kindle, and lots of books I have already read have now re-appeared in the "To Read" section, so I fear I will be reading quite a few for the second time over the next months. Usually I don't even notice till I'm more than 2/3 of the way through!

I read the Salt Path recently and was a bit disappointed with it as I didn't think it lived up to the glowing reviews. It didn't quite do it for me and I thought it was just an OK read. Spotting a couple of inaccuracies about the path probably didn't help.

I'm currently re reading Tai Pan by James Clavell, author of the wonderful Shogun.

@Caramac I too enjoyed My name is Eva, so much so I pre-ordered her next book Burning Island, which is due to download in a few days. Will be adding it to my digital library of reads

2nd book read - Half a World Away by Mike Gayle - 2 children adopted by different families, the differences in their lives and their reunion. Enjoyed this book, another easy bedtime read.
3rd book completed is the first of a trilogy by Shari Low - One Day in Winter, following 24 hours in the lives of people all connected to each other although they may not be aware of it.
On to the 2nd of the trilogy now....

Book 5 Unnatural Causes by Dr Richard Shepherd
Described as the life and many deaths of Britain’s top forensic pathologist and this is exactly what it is. Dr Shepherd tells us of his training and career alongside his family life. His cases include several headline cases which most of us will remember. Less famous but still very interesting cases have had name changes.
I found the processes of post-mortems and court cases most interesting. A well written book.

Book 2 was My Sister’s Bones by Nuala Elwood. It’s for my book group. It’s not the sort of book I’d normally read, I guess it’s a thriller, though I’m not entirely sure of the genre. It was quite good, I wanted to know what happened next. However, I’m quite familiar with the town it’s set in and got cross at the artistic licence taken with the descriptions!

Book 3 Also for book group. The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad. It’s quite an old book (2003) but it provoked a lot of discussion.

Book 4 My Name Is Eva by Suzanne Goldring
I enjoyed this where Eva has survived WW2 but continues to write to her beloved husband who did not survive. She is now in a home for the elderly where she feigns forgetfulness to avoid answering awkward questions about her past. I loved how she ‘got one over’ her niece by this play acting as Eva remains as sharp witted as ever.

Forgot to say I managed to read 49 books last year! Hopefully, I will manage the full 50 and possibly more during 2020!

My first book for 2020 was 'Tell Nobody' by Patricia Gibney. It is #5 in a series.
Almost finished #6 'Final Betrayal' and will probably start #7 'Broken Souls' in a day or two!!
(I'm inclined to 'batch read!!)
I will then start on 'The Salt Path' recommended by my daughter.

I just finished The Salt Path, it was so descriptive I felt along for the treck, and learned so much from it- A beautiful, inspiring read-

Two good reads I had for Christmas were 'The Prime Ministers' by Steve Richards and 'A year in the White House' by Jonathan Sopel. Both fun to dip in and out of.
I tend to leave books I don't much like on one side for months before admitting to myself that I'm never going to finish them. Will be bolder this year.
Current bedside book is the latest (I think) Donna Leon, 'Unto us a child is born'. Gets off to a slow start.
Thanks for all the recommendations of The Salt Path, so many of us are going to read it now we should have a thread within a thread in about April!

I've just finished reading "Haven't they grown" ( no question mark) by Sophie Hannah, and was disappointed by it. I'm reading a Maeve Binchy novel on my kindle now, "A week in winter" which I am enjoying - though I've always enjoyed her books. Im also dipping in and out of Mary Berry, "The autobiography" which is an interesting and easy read. When I've read these, my next one will probably be the Trevor Macdonald aotobiography my DH bought me for Christmas.

Just finished ‘Wakenhyrst’ by Michelle Paver. Wasn’t sure about this book when I started it, but I couldn’t put it down and ended up eking it out because I didn’t want to get to the end! It’s described as a ghost story but it really isn’t; its much darker and more rooted in realism than that. Very suspenseful. Next book will be Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker, which I read last year but as it was on a library waiting list I didn’t have time to savour it. DD bought me a copy for Christmas.

maytime2, I get where you are coming from when a good read comes to an end-

Late joining here and my first post - hello all - an avid reader, so am hopeful of completing the 50 books!
First completed read of the year is The Pearl Locket by Kathleen McGurl. Story of a family over two time periods the 1940s and present day. An easy read with some emotional moments.

Finished ‘Haven’t they grown’ by Sophie Hannah. This book for me was fast paced, with more conversations between characters than details, therefore it could be quickly read and if I skimmed a little I didn’t miss anything! I did engage with it though.
I get my books from the mobile library. It comes every four weeks and I can order online, books that I want to read. Also I can use an app called BorrowBox as a library member and get free ebooks and audible books online.
My next book is ‘Dead in Devon’ by Stephanie Austin.

I have just finished 'The Yorkshire Shepherdess" by Amanda Owen from the tv programme 'The Yorkshire Farm'. I really enjoyed this book and admire the way the live their lives. It wouldn't suit most people but they all seem to be happy with their lot.

I decided to list all the books I read last year and it totalled 76, I would never have believed it if I hadn't written them down. I did this so I could look out for favourite authors. I tend to read when I go to bed and if I wake early before I get up and in the bath!

I finished Melmoth last night. It didn’t get any better. I hated everyone in it. I wish I’d followed through on Urmstongran’s advice.

Today I finished reading ‘A Place Called Freedom’ by Ken Follett.. I really enjoyed this book although I felt the ending was a little abrupt. I’m hoping there is a sequel. I have a few more Ken Follett books on Kindle and will look to see if I’ve already got it.
Follett’s research ensures his books are interesting and educational, in the context of history and social justice.
@Crocky I’ve been to the Rame Peninsula, breathtakingly beautiful.

When I am reading a book that is really enjoyable I feel sad that it is coming to an end. That to me is a sign of a great read. Unfortunately it does n't happen that often, even less now as I am getting older.