The Mock Turtle

The new thread for books we have read or given up on this year. I have not started anything new yet, I am half-heartedly reading a romance called An Unfortunate Vow or similar. It is average. I need to finish a non-fiction book about Scotland Yard* and return it to the library then start on The Lacuna for book club.

*I can't read it for long at once because man, there were some grim murders in Victorian times.

An Inconvenient Vow.

I've set my target as 52 books this year, of which half will be in English, half in French (so doing my homework will count towards my target :)) ) but the selection on Amazon First Reads isn't inspiring me much. How can a book about the 1960s be "historical fiction"?

I never set myself a target, other than maybe matching/beating the previous year's number. I'm currently re reading a Rebus novel, as I unpacked a box of books last week, and came across it. There's a few books I want to read so I might pop to Waterstones at the weekend

I set my target for another 100 books, which I found manageable. Again, the proviso is that I work completely alone (I speak to my colleagues for half an hr a day) I have audiobooks on constantly. I also run on my own most days, again, audiobooks are on.

I finished The Cracked Mirror - I figured out the twist pretty early on, which is rare for me as I like to go with the flow with detective/mystery novels, but it just popped into my head.

As mentioned in the previous thread I'm making it my mission at the minute to finish all my half-started books before starting anything new.

Love the new title.

I've set my target at 52, so a book a week which works for me as as realistic reading rate.

I've nearly finished What you are looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama which I picked up on a whim in Waterstones as I thought A might like it. It's six short loosely interconnected stories set in Tokyo and I've really rather enjoyed it - it's a nice easy read, very gentle and sweet, but still nicely written.

I’m reading All Fours which I’m not enjoying but I’m kind of intrigued about the point of it so will finish it. It seems a bit “hey look at me and how casually graphic I can be about sex, masturbation and orgasms”. It’s a bit coarse but like it’s trying to be cool.

I have started River East, River West. Not sure why I left it as the final Women’s Prize choice now. I heard it was meant to be funny, but I don’t think it is.

Cerise wrote: ↑Thu Jan 02, 2025 1:44 pm I’m reading All Fours which I’m not enjoying but I’m kind of intrigued about the point of it so will finish it. It seems a bit “hey look at me and how casually graphic I can be about sex, masturbation and orgasms”. It’s a bit coarse but like it’s trying to be cool.

I've finished All Fours and it was erm quite something. I think I enjoyed it though - it was quite pulpy in places and very unnecessary, but well written enough that I could forgive it that. I'm making my friend read it so we can discuss, it is that sort of book.

I just had to go back to the old thread and find what I said about All Fours - I'm still not really sure whether I actually enjoyed it or not! I had to finish as well though, as I remember having absolutely no idea where it was going when I was reading it!

Cerise wrote: ↑Thu Jan 02, 2025 1:44 pm I’m reading All Fours which I’m not enjoying but I’m kind of intrigued about the point of it so will finish it. It seems a bit “hey look at me and how casually graphic I can be about sex, masturbation and orgasms”. It’s a bit coarse but like it’s trying to be cool.

Ordered :lol: (99p on Kindle)

I've also ordered a sample of the China Room and the Bass Rock after reading Bats and Flora on the old thread.

I never have a target. But I would be happy with 45/50 I think

You had Marth at graphic about orgasms, Cerise. ;)

Kenickie wrote: ↑Thu Jan 02, 2025 3:32 pm You had Marth at graphic about orgasms, Cerise. ;)

:lol: :wave:

rosy wrote: ↑Thu Jan 02, 2025 12:45 pm I've set my target as 52 books this year, of which half will be in English, half in French (so doing my homework will count towards my target :)) ) but the selection on Amazon First Reads isn't inspiring me much. How can a book about the 1960s be "historical fiction"?

I set myself a challenge of reading in French, last year, and didn't get very far. I bought a Kindle on the advice of a French friend and joined Babelio, hoping for inspiration, but really didn't know what to look for. Would you mind sharing your French titles?

I'm a voracious reader, when the mood takes me but, all too often, I struggle even to finish our local Book Club book of the month. This month's is The Island Swimmer. Must do better. :))

Everyone needs a little something!

Seriously though. It’s like “And then I bought some bread and went back to the room and knocked out four orgasms.”

It was talked about in the Sara Cox book programme which is what made it ring a bell when I saw the title. Obviously I had completely forgotten what they talked about so I’ll watch it again when I’m finished.

Yes, Flora, that’s exactly how I feel about it. I have no idea where it’s going. There’s a bit that’s hugely frustrating me but I’m trying to reserve judgement until I learn whether there’s a reason for it.

Good thread title!

I have set goals and also set up an account with The StoryGraph, to test the waters of using something other than Goodreads.

Hoping Marth enjoys her graphic sex. :))

I'm reading The Push by Ashley Audrain. She is very good at writing about the dark side of motherhood, and it's a bleak start to the reading year but it was in my book pile for ages so it was time.

I failed miserably in 2024 so whatever I read this year is a bonus
I've just started
Chris Van Tulken - Ultra processed people - why do we eat stuff that isn't food

I've set myself a goal of 22 books for this year, which should be manageable.

My goal is to read more books this year than I did last year. I’ve discovered Libby and am borrowing library books to my phone cos I can’t get them on my Kindle.

So far I’ve finished the latest Rebus (Midnight and Blue) which was great and read two Taylor Jenkins Read books (After I Do and Maybe In Another Life) - both more formulaic than her others but good easy reads.

I’m now reading Eligible by Curtis Sittenfield.

I finished The Pact by Sharon Bolton on new years day so am on the hunt for something new. There is the latest Aussie-noir from Chris Hammer but its a tenner and that feels a lot of a Kindle book.

Enjoyed Eligible. Am now reading, years after everyone else, Eleanor Oliphant.