Bookworms 2020

ruby_eskimo

Finished A Court of Mist and Fury yesterday - found that I couldn't put it down and while the main character did a complete 180 compared to the first book, I was really happy with it.  Have reserved the next one at the library but have heard it isn't that good.

On to Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, another library book.  Have realised that I'm reading a lot of non-fiction lately which I don't have a problem with but also feel the need to try and break it up a little bit with some escapism.  Have 7 more books of my own to get through before I can start on the ones I've bought during lock down, which isn't too bad seeing as it was like 40 odd when I first started this year!

Ditzy_Mitzy

I've finished 'Watership Down' and I did shed a tear or two at the end.  It's an excellent book, full of subtleties that remain relevant today and isn't just for children.  It's more than suitable for children, however, and would be a treat for the brighter ones who can engage with the issues of environmentalism, authority, liberty and societal organisation.  Each chapter begins with a quote taken from a good quality source, too, which provides a nice introduction to all sorts of other reading material for those interested.  
The writing, bar the occasional laboured simile, is of a consistently high standard.  It's straightforwardly modernist, typical second-half twentieth century, and is generally unadorned: favouring action over introspection.  It is about rabbits, so this is a rather effective means of avoiding anthropomorphism or sentimentality.  Adams writes action extremely well, and is good at controlling pace and tension.  It's a simple plot, but that doesn't really matter.  
The English rural landscape, plants, seasons and farming are vividly evoked in unflashy style, which is a good fit really.  Again it's a nice thing for children to read about as it's a subject that seems desperately unfashionable these days.  There are plenty of tales of urban life, making 'Watership Down' a pleasing contrast.

Wednesday2000

I remember crying at the film of Watership Down.

I finished The Comparison Cure and next up is a book on my kindle that I again started and didn't finish. 10% Happier - Dan Harris.

ruby_eskimo

I also cried at Watership Down, brings back memories of watching the Animals of Farthing Wood too which also made me cry!

Finished Born and Crime by Trevor Noah and found it really interesting to see the lived experience of Apartheid from someone who kind of fell between the different sides in the conflict.

Now on to Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie which has been on my to-read list for a long time, pretty much since it came out.  Have two books to return to the library tomorrow and another 4 to pick up  

Wednesday2000

Wednesday2000 said:

next up is a book on my kindle that I again started and didn't finish. 10% Happier - Dan Harris.

I'm still reading this. It is actually very interesting as Dan Harris worked as a journalist and he puts lots of fascinating stories about world events he covered in his career.

ruby_eskimo

Haven't finished Americanah yet but I did start and finish Unfollow by Megan Phelps-Roper yesterday as I couldn't wait to read it when it came in.  It's yet another non-fiction book about the Westboro Baptist Church aka the most hated family in America and it was so interesting to see an insider view (which may or may not be biased) and what it was like leaving the safety of a family and a home.  I seem to have developed a weird love of books about cults so you might see a few more popping up here and there.

Charly27

Hi all not much reading done last week. But I have finished Susan Wiggs ‘Snowfall at Willow Lakes which I gave 3 stars. I’ve started the next one in the Chronicles ‘Fireside’ book 5 but it may be time for a break after this. I’m already hoping the two characters in the first chapters who quite obviously dislike and deeply distrust each other, don’t end up in bed together. I’ll be surprised  if they don’t but disappointed if they do, if that makes sense. I’m ready for a bit more depth. 

LuckyLondonLucy

Hello everyone – I’m a newbie here (first post!) and only spotted this thread as I love all things books!  Have read through it all and have added so many new titles to my TBR list!

I’ve done a crazy amount of reading over lockdown – I thought I’d let you see my ratings:

A Walk in the Woods, Bill Bryson 3*

Once upon a River, Diane Setterfield 3*

Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen 3*

Stillhouse Lake, Rachel Caine 3*

Don’t Look Now, Daphne du Maurier 4*

The Foundling, Stacy Halls 3*

Outlander, Diane Gabaldon 2*

The Salt Path, Raynor Winn 3*

Hamnet, Maggie O’Farrell 3*

The Women in the Window, AJ Finn 2*

The Rembrandt Secret, Alex Connor 3*

When God was a Rabbit, Sarah Winman 3*

Golden Hill, Francis Spufford 2*

A Million Little Pieces, James Frey 4*

Thank You Jeeves, PG Wodehouse 2*

The Dutch House, Ann Patchett 4*

The Sunday Lunch Club, Juliet Ashton 2*

Me Talk Pretty One Day, David Sedaris 3*

The Passage, Justin Cronin 2*

Where the Crawdads Sing 4*

Mudlarking, Lara Maiken 5*

The Five, Hallie Rubenhold 5*

Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austin 2*

The Dream Daughter, Diane Chamberlain 3*

Mythos, Stephen Fry 3*

Beneath a Scarlett Sky, Mark Sullivan 4*

She lies in the Vines, Benjamin Stevenson 3*

Conversations with Friends, Sally Rooney 2*

Pure, Andrew Miller 3*

Sometimes I Lie, Alice Feeney 2*

What Alice Forgot, Liane Moriaty 4*

Karin Slaughter, The Last Widow 3*

A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles 5*

Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy 4*

The Widow, Fiona Barton 2*

Frenchman’s Creek, Daphne du Maurier 4*

Call the Midwife, Jennifer Worth 5*

Several of these are Audible books (which have been keeping me company during the long lockdown strolls!).  Currently reading When we were Orphans, Kazuo Ishiguro (so far really enjoying it) and IT, Stephen King (on Audible - not bad!).

Am so glad I discovered you all!

Lucy

ruby_eskimo

Welcome @LuckyLondonLucy there was me thinking I'd read a lot during lock down but I think you may have beaten me!  A lot of really good books on your list and a few I've now added to my TBR.  

Still plodding away with Americanah - haven't had much time to read last week but should have it done tonight.

LuckyLondonLucy

ruby_eskimo said:

Still plodding away with Americanah - haven't had much time to read last week but should have it done tonight.

I read Americanah last year and really enjoyed it.  I think she's a wonderful author - Half a Yellow Sun is also excellent!