Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
2016 Plans
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Martha's 2016 Plan
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26. A book everyone is talking about The Girl on the Train, 5th Sep
Admittedly it's more like everyone WAS talking about this, as I'm pretty late to the party, but at the time people wouldn't shut up about this book! See review here
27. A book with a beautiful title (in your own opinion)
The Quality of Silence, 18th May. Review here
28. A biography, autobiography, or memoir
I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban, 14th May
Malala's story is amazing, but I found the book itself a little heavy, due to the emphasis on the history and politics of Pakistan. See review here
29. A book by an author who writes under more than one name
The Fire Child by S.K. Tremayne aka Sean Thomas, finished 9th Sep 16. See review here
30. A fairytale from a culture other than your own
31. A work of young adult fiction
Divergent, 26th Mar 16
Another one where I'm a bit late to the party, but I really enjoyed this! See review here.
32. A historical fiction book
The Miniaturist, 11th Jan
One of the most frustrating ends to an otherwise very promising book I've ever had the misfortune to encounter! Full review here- contains spoilers.
33. The 16th book on your TBR
The Firebird - 21st May
Ooh this was gorgeous, I fell completely in love with Rob McMorran, what a sexy beast! See review here
34. A book about mental illness
Reasons to Stay Alive, 15th Apr
I didn't realise how much I needed this book until I'd inhaled it in less than 24 hours. Read it, read it, read it!!! Full review here
35. An award winning book
Americanah, 10th Feb
Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in 2013, I really enjoyed this book and the challenges it throws up about culture and race. Full review here
36. An identity book - a book about a different culture, religion or sexual orientation
The Argonauts - 22nd June 16
Didn't love it! It was more of an intellectual stream of consciousness than I had anticipated. See review here
37. A book that you've seen the movie of but haven't read
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - 26th May
38. A book about an anti hero
Six of Crows - 22nd Nov
Kaz Brekker is sort of an anti-hero, certainly questionable morality!
39. A previous suggestion that did not make it into the list
The Color Purple, 5th March
I chose this because I'm part of My Shared Shelf, Emma Watson's feminist book group. However, this book fits perfectly for "Re-read a book you feel deserves a second chance". I read this book several years ago, but I barely remember it and given how many people were raving about it in OSS, I thought I'd give it another go. They certainly weren't wrong, it's a fantastic work of art. See review here
40. A novella from your favorite genre
Cruel Crown, finished 6th June 16
Features two novellas, Queen Song and Steel Scars. I don't really have a favourite genre, but I've really got into YA Fiction this year! See review here
41. A book about a major world event (fiction or non-fiction)
All the Light We Cannot See, 24th Feb
A beautiful book set in WWII - Full review here
42. A top 100 fantasy novel
The Handmaid's Tale, 16th Jan
Found this one to be a little over-hyped if I'm honest. Full review here
43. A book about a thing that goes bump in the night
The Midnight Palace, 18th Apr 16
One of Carlos Ruiz Zafón's earlier works (The Shadow of the Wind came three years later and is one of my all time favourites), this is an absorbing YA ghost story. Not quite as good as his later brilliance, but I still enjoyed it. Full review here
44. A book you're embarrassed to read in public
He's a Stud, She's a Slut, and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know, 24th Jan
I'm almost equally as ashamed to admit that I was embarrassed to read this novel in public as I was embarassed - I'm a feminist and proud to be so, but I suppose the title of the book is quite provocative, and there is still an unfortunate reputation that feminists are angry man-haters, which the title does little to combat. In terms of the book itself, there are plenty of valid points that are unfortunately undermined by the author's brazen arrogance and excessive use of sarcasm! Full review here
45. A book related to a hobby or passion you have
46. A crime story
Case Histories, 7th Jan
A pleasant surprise, I'll definitely be continuing with this series. Full review here
47. A book with a type of food/drink in the title
milk and honey, 13th Aug
A beautiful book of poetry about trauma, love and loss. Highly recommend it, but trigger warning for sexual abuse See review here
48. A dystopia
Station Eleven, 17th Mar
Ooh this was a good'un! What a wonderful dystopian story that wasn't overly political or full of zombies! Full review here
49. A book with a great opening line
Pride and Prejudice, 31st July
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife
50. A book originally written in a language other than English:
Norwegian Wood, 11th March
Oh so disappointing! Bland characters, slow storyline, a couple of casual rape jokes (why not eh?). Mystified as to how this book became so popular. Full review here
51. A short story from a well-known author
A Faraway Smell of Lemon: A Christmas Story by Rachel Joyce, 2nd June
Author of the Unlikely Pilgramage of Harold Fry
52. A book published in 2016
EU Referendum 2016, 25th Apr
A simple, readable summary of the facts surrounding the EU debate. Regardless of which side you support, this is a momentous choice and as such it is everyone's duty to learn about both sides of the argument before making it. See review here
I felt the same way about Me Before You - everyone else seemed to love it but I found it a bit meh. I wonder if the film is better than the book?I also have the Miniaturist on my bookshelf so I will brace myself for an anticlimax at the end! It's such a shame when a good book has a rubbish ending. Makes me wonder why their editor didn't say "now, about that ending....".
Also have Americanah on my shelf because I bought a collection of 3x Chimamanda Ngoze Adichie books which I had been eyeing up for a long time. Read Half of a Yellow Sun which was an eye-opener. From the reviews I think Americanah might be even more up my street so really looking forward to that one.
Happy 2016 reading!
Lisa wrote: "I felt the same way about Me Before You - everyone else seemed to love it but I found it a bit meh. I wonder if the film is better than the book?I also have the Miniaturist on my bookshelf so I w..."
Thanks Lisa! I read so many reviews of Me Before You where the reader supposedly dissolved into tears in the last 100 pages, so perhaps that built it up too much for me - though I can well imagine I'll cry at the film!
Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings about the Miniaturist - to be fair I read a lot of reviews that didn't seem to feel that way, so perhaps what resolution was given was satisfying enough for them. Otherwise it's a really enjoyable read, so definitely give it a go but don't hold me responsible if you find yourself wailing into your pillow at the end of it (I genuinely did that!) :D
Is Half a Yellow Sun along similar lines about African and American culture/race? She's such a brilliant writer, the first piece of hers that I read was We Should All Be Feminists and I found that she can say things which some may find controversial, but she does it in a way that makes it really hard to argue with!
Happy 2016 reading too!
Updated after finishing Of Mice and Men (how has it taken me this long to read a book that's this good?!)Now reading All the Light We Cannot See for 39. A previous suggestion that didn't make the list: A book set during WWII
Updated after finishing All the Light We Cannot See which I decided to use for 41. A book about a major world event rather than 39.Moving on to The Awakening, possibly for 15. A book set more than 100 years ago
Updated after finishing The Awakening - only 95 pages so I breezed through it, but it wasn't particularly enthralling...Moving on to Grace Williams Says It Loud for 20. A book with a first name in its title
Abandoned Grace Williams Says It Loud - I gave it 100 pages but just couldn't get into it. Or the excessive references to a variety of bodily fluids.Just finished Everything, Everything which I enjoyed very much indeed!
Now moving on to The Color Purple - a little behind on the reading for Our Shared Shelf - most likely for 39. A previous suggestion that didn't make it into the list
I loved The Color Purple! Beautiful story, I can see why Emma Watson chose it. I've moved on to Norwegian Wood for 50. A book written in a language other than English
Station Eleven did not disappoint, YAY!I've just started Look Who's Back, not sure if it will fit in this challenge. Maybe 38. A book about an anti hero - I would say that Hitler is certainly lacking in "conventional heroic qualities"...
I'm reading Look Who's Back for Week 50 (a book first written in another language) - it looks quite tongue-in-cheek funny on the face of it. Wondering if it will successfully translate from the original German as I'm sure there will be lots of cultural nuances in there that might not mean the same here. Will be interested to see what you make of it!
So glad you're reading it too Lisa! I'm about 60 pages in and I'm not finding it as funny as I'd hoped but there's still over 300 pages to go, so hopefully it'll pick up! I kinda think with this subject matter it has to be funny otherwise it would just be weird / controversial? Ah well, look forward to hearing what you think of it :)
I'm glad you liked The Color Purple and Of Mice and Men! I love both those books. I'm also pleased to find another person who doesn't like James Bond. I can barely sit through the films (the only one I've somewhat enjoyed was Skyfall), so I really applaud you for being able to read the books. He's the worst!
Haha thanks Francesca! It was pretty painful, I definitely won't be reading any more!
I had a little mess around and moved Everything, Everything to 3. A book from the Goodreads Choice Awards 2015 so that I could have Divergent for 31. A work of young adult fiction - I loved it! Consequently I'm now taking a non-ATY detour to read Insurgent and Allegiant Film tie-in edition, really starting to love YA!
Lisa did you get anywhere with Look Who's Back? I lasted 126 pages and gave up, I just couldn't get into it. I think if you don't find it funny, then it's just one long monologue about the Volk! Though I didn't find it particularly offensive which I know some people have.
I can understand the feeling, I binge-readed the 4 Divergent books in one week last year! The 1st was the best, but I found them all entertaining and compelling :)
That so often happens with these series, I thought the first Hunger Games was the best too! Is Four any good? Are you supposed to read it in order? To be fair it's a redundant question, I'm already on Allegiant so it's too late to read Four in order!
The 1st short in Four (the one focused on Four) was great, the others average. However, they introduced some characters or events, so I think it's a good idea to read them before Allegiant (and after Insurgent, to avoid spoilers). On another hand, Allegiant is full of nonsense so if you're missing 2-3 things, it won't make a big difference :D
Oh man I was SO disappointed by Allegiant :( .... on many, many levels. Damn. It was all going so well! I might give Four a go if it's in the library or something but my interest has definitely gone right down. Damn!
Back on the bandwagon, just finished How to Be a Woman for 25. A book whose main character interests you.Moving on to A Year of Marvellous Ways for 17. A beautiful cover. I love the colour, the font, the whole thing!
Martha wrote: "Is Half a Yellow Sun along similar lines about African and American culture/race? She's such a brilliant writer, the first piece of hers that I read was We Should All Be Feminists and I found that she can say things which some may find controversial, but she does it in a way that makes it really hard to argue with!"I think Adichie is a really talented writer. And as you say, she tells things like they are and in a way where it's difficult to disagree.
I've read "Half of a Yellow Sun" and some of her other books, but they are more about the war in Nigeria and about living there, as I remember. But I would recommend them. I plan on reading them again some day.
I haven't read "We should all be Feminists", but it's in my TBR!
Marina H wrote: "Martha wrote: "Is Half a Yellow Sun along similar lines about African and American culture/race? She's such a brilliant writer, the first piece of hers that I read was We Should All Be Feminists an..."Definitely give it a go, it's only 64 pages!
Finished A Year of Marvellous Ways, a charming, lyrical novel.I've been dipping in and out of The Worry Cure: Seven Steps to Stop Worry from Stopping You and Politics in Minutes in parallel, so I might try and finish one of those for 19. A non-fiction book (either), 34. A book about mental illness (The Worry Cure) or 52. Published in 2016 (Politics in Minutes)
I went to the library yesterday evening and happened across Reasons to Stay Alive, and have since inhaled it over yesterday evening and my commute this morning. I cannot recommend it highly enough, whether you have a mental illness, or know someone with one, or just need a reminder to appreciate life. It won't necessarily mean this much to everyone, but to me, it was the perfect book at exactly the right time.
Also picked up The Midnight Palace at the library, which I've read for 43. A book about a thing that goes bump in the nightThis is why I don't make plans - I go off an a tangent at a moment's notice! :p
Moving on to Martin Harbottle's Appreciation of Time for 20. A book with a first name in the title, also from the library. Still working through Politics and the Worry Cure, but they're both too heavy to do in one go!
Went off on another tangent, but I'm back on track with I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban for 28. A Biography, autobiography or memoir. Not bad, but I went in with the wrong expectations - it's very heavy on the political history of Pakistan, rather than just Malala's story. It doesn't make it bad, but it's harder to read if you're not expecting it!
Martha, I know exactly what you mean about Of Mice and Men. It is such a powerful little book. I didn't realise the book was affecting me until BAM. It blew me away.
Yes! Like a freight train to the heart, I'm afraid to read anything else by Steinbeck!
I read The Grapes of Wrath this year, and it didn't have the same impact, even though it was still beautifully written.
Finished two more: The Argonauts for 38. An identity book, and Pride and Prejudice for 49. A book with a great opening lineStill got a few more to go, starting to struggle a bit now!
Rebecca is one of my all time favourites! I wish I could forget the ending so that I could get the twist all over again.P&P is a classic too although I never particularly took to Mr Darcy (until he got out of the lake on the BBC adaptation that is!)
Haha yes having Colin Firth in my head definitely helped! I was sorely disappointed that that scene is not in the book!
Just finished The Girl with a Clock for a Heart for 4. An author discovered in 2015. I read The Kind Worth Killing at the end of last year and loved it! The Girl wasn't quite as good, but he actually wrote that before, so if he's getting better than I look forward to his third!
Finished milk and honey for 47. A book with a type of food/drink in the title and The Girl on the Train for 26. A book that everyone is talking about.milk and honey is incredibly powerful, I'd really recommend it, for women especially. I quite liked the Girl on the Train - it was certainly gripping enough to speed through, but maybe didn't quite live up to the hype. Or, at least, I've read thrillers that have really blown my socks off with twists I never saw coming - e.g. The Ice Twins - and this wasn't quite up to that level.
I'm officially admitting defeat with this one and moving on to 2017! Just two books off, hopefully I'll get all 52 this year! :)
I have yet to finish Norwegian Wood. Boring is right!
At 50, you still did a lot better than I did for my challenge last year!
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (other topics)Cinder (other topics)
Six of Crows (other topics)
Finding Audrey (other topics)
The War on Women (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Sophie Kinsella (other topics)S.K. Tremayne (other topics)
Sean Thomas (other topics)
Rachel Joyce (other topics)
Carlos Ruiz Zafón (other topics)
More...
50/52
1. A book you meant to read in 2015, but didn't
The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories, 18th Jan
Loved this! Full review here
2. A book set in a different continent
Diamonds are Forever, 17th Feb
Set largely in North America and briefly in Africa. Not a big fan of the Bond novels, but this one was better than Casino Royale and Live and Let Die.
3. A book from the Goodreads Choice Awards 2015 (winner or nominated)
Everything, Everything, 1st March
Nominee for Best Young Adult Fiction. I loved this book! Like in a hug-to-chest kind of way! It was a little The Fault in Our Stars but funnier and with illustrations. Full review here
4. A book by an author you discovered in 2015
The Girl with a Clock for a Heart, 3rd August
See review here
5. A book with a title beginning with the 1st letter of your name
Me Before You, 21st Jan
It took a while to decide how I felt about this one, but I settled on three stars - it could have been four for the story, but the writing was quite average. Full review here
6. The highest rated on your TBR
The War on Women, rated 4.90, 13th Oct
Ok probably so high because it's recently published so only a handful of ratings BUT it is absolutely deserving of it! Outstanding book.. See review here
7. A book about books
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, 19th Dec 16
See review here
8. A classic book with less than 200 pages
Of Mice and Men, 18th Feb
I have no words! Okay, I do, but I didn't expect to be hit with a tidal wave of emotion for a 120-page novel that left me in a cafe trying to pretend I wasn't crying! Full review here
9. A book that was mentioned in another book
The Tales of Beedle the Bard, 7th Sep
A gorgeous little book of wizarding tales mentioned in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that Rowling later published as an added extra. See review here
10. A book by an author you feel you should have read by now
Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella, 7th Nov 16
My friend raves about Kinsella's Shopaholic series - I still don't think they're my cup of tea, but Finding Audrey was fantastic! See review here
11. A book from the Rory Gilmore challenge
Rebecca, finished 17th June 16
I loved this! Another 'classic' I've tried out as part of this challenge, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. A gothic tale of intrigue, romance and identity, I would recommend it to all
12. A childhood classic The Railway Children, 26th June
A very sweet little book about three children's adventures near a railway. I enjoyed it, though the early 1900s language starts to grate after a while!
13. Reader’s Choice
Room, 3rd Jan
This was my first book of 2016 because I knew the movie was coming out, so I panic bought it! Glad I did, because it is a beautiful, truly unique novel. Emphatic recommendation from me!
14. A book with one of the five W’s -or H in the title (Who/What/Where/When/Why/How)
The Dog who came in from the Cold, 3rd Feb
I've really enjoyed the Corduroy Mansions series (yet to read the third) for just being gentle, easy reading. Not in a bland way, but more like curling up on the sofa with a group of lovely characters.
15. A book set in the past (more than 100 years ago)
The Awakening, 25th Feb
Published in 1899 and set "at the end of the 19th century". Not really a fan of this one, but it was only 95 pages so it's not the end of the world! Full review here
16. A book from the top 100 mystery novels
Casino Royale, 6th Feb
#53 in the Tipping My Fedora Top 100 Mysteries. Really, really not a fan of Bond (and by extension, Fleming), not least because he's a misogynist asshat. Full review here
17. A book with a beautiful cover
A Year of Marvellous Ways, 14th Apr
Gorgeous storytelling from the author of When God was a Rabbit comes with an equally beautiful cover! I love the rich teal colour, all the leaves and starfish and the font of the title - beautiful! Full review here
18. A book on a summer/beach reading list
Life of Pi - 1st Sep
#12 on NPR's Best Beach Books Ever. Wasn't a huge fan. See review here
19. A non-fiction book
Eats, Shoots & Leaves - 24th May
I could see that it was cleverly written, but couldn't really get past the fact that it was a book about punctuation! See review here
20. A book with a first name in the title
Martin Harbottle's Appreciation of Time, 25th April
Wasn't generally impressed with this, it has an innovative concept but it was far too long. See review here
21. A book from the Goodreads Recommendations page
Cinder, finished 25th Nov
See review here
22. The first book in a new to you series
Red Queen, finished 20th Apr
See review here
23. The next book in a series you are reading
Live And Let Die, finished 14th Feb
An equally disappointing read as its predecessor, managing to be simultaneously boring and wildly offensive - no mean feat! Full review here
24. A "between the numbers" book of a series (0.5, 1,5, 2.5, etc.)
Four: A Divergent Story Collection, 26th Apr
This is 0.1-0.4 of the Divergent series. See review here
25. A book whose main character is in a profession that interests you
How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran, 10th Apr 16
I know it's supposed to be a character, but as this is a memoir, it's really all about Caitlin and how she grew up into womanhood, so she's basically the main character. Caitlin essentially gets paid to write what she thinks (in the form of books, newspaper columns, whatever) - sounds like my kind of profession! I really enjoyed the book, probably the funniest I've read in a while. Full review here.