#9. Wednesday’s Child by Peter Robinson.
Royal Dress Code in Hot Weather
Are late deals a thing of the past ?
Happy New Year readers, welcome to the new 2022 "50" books challenge. All readers are welcome, as always that figure is aspirational, don't let that number deter you if you wish to partake and don't think you will reach that number, it really doesn't matter.
Please come to this thread to tell us what you are reading, whether you liked it or not. I would also mention audio/Audible can also be included in your tally.
Here's to a new year of enjoyable reading.
#9. Wednesday’s Child by Peter Robinson.
I really enjoyed the ones I’ve just finished, and would certainly recommend them:
7. Somebody’s Mother, Somebody’s Daughter, Carol Ann Lee
8. The Beekeeper of Aleppo
They were both very thought-provoking and illuminating in very different ways. One the story of Peter Sutcliffe’s victims and their families, and the effect that his awful crimes had on them all, the other about Syrian refugees, their lives in their home country and their journey across Europe to England.
#8 finished yesterday - The Dressmakers Gift, by Fiona Valpy.
#8 A Minefield Full Of Penguins T B Carter.
A review of the book calls it a mix of James Bond and Game of Thrones with a nod to Terry Pratchett. That's pretty accurate. Quite bonkers but very enjoyable.
#9 Along Came A Spider James Patterson.
My husband is a huge JP fan and recommended that I try the author's Alex Cross books; this is the first in the series. I enjoyed it very much but am somewhat daunted by the fact that there are over 30 books (and counting) in the series ?!
Persevere Juno, they`re great!
The Stranger turned out to be very good. Just started After Anna, by Alex Lake.
Book 3 From Shetland with love by Erin Green. An easy enjoyable read. Very predictable but undemanding to just relax with.
Book 4 A Change of Circumstance by Susan Hill. This is book 11 in the Simon Serrailler series - just didn’t realise there were that many until I counted them up to write this. Have read them all and think this latest is one of the best. Had to read it quickly as a loan from the library and can’t be renewed as lots of reserves for it. This series of books seem to be both crime and family and I would recommend the whole series but best read in order.
#10 Bernadine Evaristo, Girl, Woman, Other - enjoyed this; felt it was a bit earnest to start with and ‘educational’ but soon drawn into the kaleidoscopic stories. Loved the fresh, light writing style.
No 5 This Much Is True by Miriam Margolyes. It’s her memoir. Do not read if you are sensitive about swear words and frank sex talk.
She really is quite a silly woman but there are also some v interesting bits.
After Anna was very good, now on book 10, Close My Eyes, by Sophie McKenzie.
I’ve just given up halfway through
10. The Killings at Kingfisher Hill, Sophie Hannah
It’s written as an Agatha Christie, starring Poirot. It seemed promising at first, but dragged so much. I checked the reviews - a lot were saying this, and it sounded as though the plot didn’t get any less daft, so it’s winged its way back to the virtual library I borrowed it from. I’m a bit disappointed as I’ve enjoyed some of Sophie Hannah’s books, and have read every Agatha Christie.
Does anyone read novels or crime books or romance or fantasy? Or it is just worthy books?
I've just finished This Much is True by Miriam Margolyes. Blimey! I agree with SueDomin's advice. I have now started 'Be Good, Love Brian', an account of how Brian Clough took two disadvantaged boys under his wing. Written by one of the boys. Fascinating.
I read “A Terrible Kindness” Joe Browning Wroe last week. Set primarily at the time of the Aberfan disaster, it’s a story of duty, redemption, forgiveness and community. I was 11 in ‘66 and remember the tv pictures. The story follows a newly qualified embalmer called to help with the children.
Sad but intriguing book.
Rosalyn69
Does anyone read novels or crime books or romance or fantasy? Or it is just worthy books?
I haven't seen many worthy books touted on here. There are plenty of recommendations for novels and crime books, if that's what you're wanting, plus a few that are romances. I'm not sure about fantasy - it's not my sort of thing.
Maybe check through the thread?
I have been moved to tears by the kindness shown by Brian Clough and
his whole family to these two boys in
'Be Good, Love Brian'. Truly wonderful people.
#10. Dead Right by Peter Robinson.
Rosalyn69
Does anyone read novels or crime books or romance or fantasy? Or it is just worthy books?
For crime novels, I recommend books written by Peter Robinson, Ellie Griffiths, Susan Hill, Cara Hunter to name just a few.
The Lying Room by the excellent duo of Nicci French. A super plot with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing.
Rosalyn69 I hope you feel welcome to join in.

#7 was Dark Corners by Ruth Rendell, her final novel. I enjoyed it as much as usual and found the final sentence quite moving: “And now it was all over.”
#8 was School Days by Jack Sheffield. An easy read but enjoyable.
“9 was Murder by the Book, edited by Martin Edwards, a miscellany of short stories published at different times in the twentieth century. Very enjoyable.
Hello, TerriBull and all the avid readers on here?.
So many interesting recommendations, I'm going to look at/ download samples of In Plain Sight, Put a Wet Paper Towel on it, Frostquake, A Terrible Kindness...thank you ladies!
I gave up on the Cecilia Ahern, How to Fall on Love, I might revisit it later. I got sidetracked by finding a few Norah Lofts' titles on kindle unlimited, I'm enjoying her historical novels, incredible detail, sense of time and place, and good strong narrative. I remember my Mum and Aunties reading her novels from the library when I was young.
So, my titles read to date...
#1 The Man Who Died Twice, Richard Osman
#2 The Lost Queen Norah Lofts
#3 Scent of Cloves Norah Lofts
#4 Anxious People Fredrik Backman
( I had to reread it for our Book group at the end of January, cos I can't remember details after a few weeks. I used to have a great memory!)
#5 The Grit in the Pearl Lyndsey Spence ...fascinating, well documented biography of Margaret, Duchess of Argyll.
#6 The Lobotomist's Wife Samantha Greene Woodruff...interesting fiction loosely based on the person who carried out the disastrous procedure on Kathleen Kennedy, JFK's poor sister.
#7 Behind the Scenes at the Museum Kate Atkinson. Not my favourite K.A. novel, but I persevered to see the loose ends tied up.
I'm not sure which book I'll start reading tonight. I've downloaded American Dirt for our Book group at the end of the month, but I'll keep it til nearer the time so it is fresh in my mind for our discussion.
Close my Eyes got better towards the end. Book 11, not started yet, will be The Funeral Boat, by Kate Ellis.
Book 2 was Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose. I had read it a long time ago and couldn’t remember much about it.
Book 3 is non-fiction. Mediaeval Europe by Chris Wickham, enjoying it very much.
Oh, I like that!
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join the discussion, watch threads and lots more.
Register now »Already registered? Log in with:
Gransnet »Get our top conversations, latest advice, fantastic competitions, and more, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter here.