Bryan's Reading in 2023

Hi, I am Bryan and have been reading a hundred books a year or more for the last 13 years.
Last year I managed 126 books, an average of 450 pages and would like a repeat this year.
I read mainly modern fiction, classics and fantasy.
Good luck to all of us this year !

Happy New Year!

Happy reading in 2023!

Happy New Year, Bryan.

All the best for a great year of reading, and I am looking forward to picking up lots of recommendations.

Thanks Jennifer, Pam and James, Happy New Year and kind regards to you too.

1. Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson, 438 p.

Kate's latest novel about the people of the night clubs of 1926 London, concentrating on Nellie Coles the notorious owner, the police after her, and the young girls gravitating towards the big city with dreams of fame. Not her best work but as always I enjoy her characters and her wry observations.

2. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, 390 p.

I really enjoyed this witty and wise take on women's roles in early 1960s, with Elizabeth Zott determined not to accept less than equality. Recommended.

3. Carrie by Stephen King, 242 p.

One of my challenges this year is to read a Stephen King novel every month that I haven’t read yet - I’ve read maybe fifteen.
Some of my classic reading is fairly dry at times so the idea is that a regular page turner will be good.
Carrie was King’s first novel and it showed, with a basic and predictable plot.
Next month Salem’s Lot and I expect a big improvement !

>8 bryanoz: I have been working it out and realise that it is now well over forty years since I read Carrie, which is a sobering thought. I remember enjoying it at the time, although I recall that I preferred 'Salem's Lot

Hi James, I hope Salem's Lot is an improvement, then Pet Sematary, I'm not sure after that.
I've read 19 King novels, 8 of those in the Dark Tower series, and really enjoyed The Green Mile, 11.22.63, and It. Good luck with your reading.

4. Collected Poems by W.B. Yeats.

I'm probably the only one here who has a fatal attraction to book lists :).
Years ago I came across The Novel 100 and 'worked' through that list but more recently I found thegreatestbooks.org, a megalist compiled from 130 "best of" book lists.
So every so often I'll read whatever is next on the list with the aim of completing the top 500 in the next 5 years or so.
Coming in at 155 is Yeats' poems, now I am not the greatest fan of poetry (although I loved the sheer exuberance of Leaves of Grass), but it was interesting to take my time and read 10 pages or so a day. I didn't find many of his works particularly memorable but I appreciated the sentiment and word play.

5. The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams, 783 p.

The first couple of hundred pages was a gradual introduction to the fantasy world and the main character Simon and others, then things quickly develop with sorcery, intriguing fantastical beings and war looming. I'm invested in the narrative and looking forward to The Stone of Farewell in February.

6. The Johnny Maxwell Trilogy by Terry Pratchett, 560 p.

Almost finished my Pratchett rereads, only Good Omens to go, this is a collection of his three YA novels starring Johnny Maxwell. Good fun.

7. The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1182 p.

Many enjoyable hours spent with the master detective Holmes and Watson, I particularly enjoyed A Study in Scarlet, The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Valley of Fear.

8. The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart, 548 p.

Second in the Drowning Empire trilogy and a weirdly interesting and original fantasy story.

>11 bryanoz: You're not alone. I also love lists and am definitely tempted by The Novel 100. Here's another, which you've probably already come across: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/aug/17/the-100-best-novels-written-in-eng...

Hi Pam, thanks for the List, I note I have read 73 of them and some like New Grub Street I should get to in the next couple of years. I see you are off to a great start with your reading this year !

9. The Warden by Anthony Trollope, 201 p.

Another challenge this year is to read Trolloppe's Barsetshire series of 6 novels, they have been on the classic book shelves for years so it is time !
The Warden is the introduction to the series and an observation of the financial ethics of church officials in a rural town in England, published in 1855.
I trust the plot expands in the next novel Barchester Towers which I'll read in later February.

10. Rejoice, A knife to the Heart by Steven Erikson, 412 p.

Best known for his brilliant fantasy series Malazan Books of the Fallen, Erikson takes a different approach to our planet's first contact with an alien race. With a critical look at human's self destructive ways this is a thought provoking and intriguing novel.

11. The Settlement by Jock Serong, 302 p.

In Jock's third novel focusing on an aspect of Australian history, we see how the aboriginal people were moved from Van Dieman's Land onto a totally unsuitable island. This is an unsparing, vivid and gripping story and recommended.

12. The Memory of Babel by Christelle Dabos, 447 p.

Third novel in Christelle's The Mirror Visitor series, a unique and creative young adult fantasy. Looking forward to the final novel The Storm of Echoes later this month.

So I managed 12 novels in January at an average of 497 pages, happy with that !

13. Stone of Farewell by Tad Williams, 589 p.

Second in the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn fantasy trilogy and an engaging story that has me invested for sure! Next month is the finale To Green Angel Tower, over a thousand pages!

14. Salem's Lot by Stephen King, 751 p.

Stephen King's second novel where he modernises Bram Stoker's Dracula. The novel takes its time to build up the tension to good effect, a satisfying but not too scary vampire story.
Pet Sematary next in March.

Salem's Lot was my very first Stephen King book - I was in 6th grade. I loved it; still one of my favorites of his.

Enjoy your trip to Barsetshire and especially meeting that Proudie woman!

Thanks Jennifer, I read The Last Chronicle of Barset some years ago but can't remember much about it.

15. Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis, I read this as part of my The Greatest Books challenge, the book is ranked 230 but I thought it was just an ok story.

16. What Ho! The Best of Wodehouse by P.G. Wodehouse, 560 p.

Thoroughly enjoyable to spend sometime every day with the witty writings of the irrepressible Wodehouse !

17. Lost Illusions by Honore de Balzac, 682 p.

An interesting account of both provincial France and Paris in the early 1800s, and the precarious nature of attempting to rise above one's social status to achieve fame and wealth.

Number 162 on the greatest books list.

>17 bryanoz:
Like the mother in The Music Man, I have never read Balzac.
But I did sort of get the impression that going from there to Wodehouse (or vice versa) would be a sort of a whiplash effect?

Hi Shel, if you are ever interested in Victorian classics Honore de Balzac is worth a try, his Father Goriot is a good starting point.
With 3 or 4 books of different genres happening at once whiplash is an accepted risk, bring it on !

>30 bryanoz:
I don't know if I'm interested in Victorian, but I'm willing to give it a try. :)

18. Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope, 526 p.

Second of the six novels in the Chronicles of Barsetshire and an ironic and enjoyable look at political/religous manoeuvres in an 1800s English town. Most importantly, who will marry Eleanor ?

19. The Republic by Plato.

Happy to have read this classic and to ponder Plato's requirements for a good society. Not sure I agree that poets are a bad influence on the youth but hard to argue that the best leaders would be philosophers.

Greetings, Brian!

Just stopped in to see what you're reading as we sometimes like the same books.
Very interested in your Stephen King project. I've read many of his and notice that I have 4 King titles on my TBR shelves. The Stand was one of my favorites.
I met him once at a library conference when he signed a book for me.

Hi Nancy, I remember we did share interest in lots of books, hope you are going well.
I read King's The Dark Tower series last year and although it was an 'uneven' and sometimes bemusing read (including his own appearances), it reminded me of his story-telling ability.
I have read some 20 of King's books and will read one a month this year (and probably keep going until I have finished them all).
Pet Sematary is coming up, then The Dead Zone and Under the Dome. Are you reading any King books soon?
Kind regards.

I like the sound of the Stephen King Project!
My Kings so far:
Carrie, Jan23, ok.
Salem's Lot, Feb23, good.
The Shining, good.
The Stand, very good, need to reread.
The Dark Tower series, 8 books, weird but good!
It, very good, reread this Dec.
Misery, very good, scariest King book so far.
The Eyes of the Dragon, very good.
Gerald's Game, good.
The Green Mile, fantastic!
11/22/63, fantastic!
The Institute, good.
Fairy Tale, 2022, good.

Probable Kings coming up.

Pet Sematary March
The Dead Zone April
Under the Dome May
Four Past Midnight June
The Talisman July
Black House August cowritten with Peter Straub and on the shelf so better read them.
Not sure after this, open to suggestions.

New Sebastion Barry novel, Old God's Time, exciting !

I've read the first 4 on your 'so far' King list.
The Library Policeman from Four Past Midnight really creeped me out when I read it.

Recently, I finished the Mr Mercedes trilogy and loved those. One of the worst bad guys I've come across . .

I'm eager to read the new one, Fairy Tale.
And also Dr Sleep, sequel to The Shining.
The 2 Under the Dome books are on my TBR shelves.

I will have to adjust my King Project, I see Stephen King has a new novel due in September this year, Holly, based on a character from the Mr Mercedes series and The Outsider. I have read none of those so will probably read Mr Mercedes in July, we'll see.
Beginning Pet Sematary today.

20. Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman.

Perhaps my 4th reread of this hilarious satire of good vs evil, prophecy, human fallibility and much more !

21. All the Broken Places by John Boyne.

Not sure why it took me so long to get to this book, as John Boyne is one of my favourite authors.
A sort of sequel to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas but from Bruno's sister Gretel's point of view.
I see some critics were critical of the story as being too predictable and facile, I enjoyed it anyway.

Some fiction to be published this year that I am looking forward to :

The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams 28/3.

The Secrets of Hartwood Hall by Katie Lumsden 30/3.

A Woman of the Sword by Anna Smith-Spark 4/4.

Forge of the High Mage by Ian C. Esslemont 4/4.

The Bone Shard War by Andrea Stewart 20/4.

In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune 25/4.

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin 2/5.

The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence 11/5.

The Last Gift of the Master Artists by Ben Okri 11/5.

Blade of Dream by Daniel Abraham 20/7.

Holly by Stephen King 1/9.

The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft 26/9

A Stroke of the Pen by Terry Pratchett 5/10

Light Over Liskeard by Louis de Bernieres 12/10

Here, and Only Here by Christelle Dabos 26/10

The Navigator's Children by Tad Williams 7/11

22. The Pavilion in the Clouds by Alexander McCall Smith.

Lent by a friend this was a nice, cosy read, I have his The Sunday Philosophy Club here and will bump it up my TBR list.

23. The Brightest Star by Emma Harcourt.

I am always trying to source interesting historical fiction for the lovely Christine, she enjoyed this and the blurb was intriguing enough for me to read it.
"A thirst for learning and a passion for astronomy draw an extraordinary young woman deep into the intellectual maelstrom, political complexities and religious extremism of Renaissance Florence."
An enjoyable read.

24. My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout.

A book club read, I've read Strout's celebrated Olive Kitteridge but found it only ok, and it is the same with Lucy Barton. No need to read the rest of the series.

25. To Green Angel Tower by Tad Williams.

The epic and satisfying conclusion to the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy published in 1993.
I note Tad Williams has returned to this fantasy world with the recent Last King of Osten Ard series and I will be reading it soon.

26. Pet Sematary by Stephen King.

No secret that Stephen King rates this as his scariest story and while I still find Misery scarier,
this novel certainly has its moments.
I read this in a few days, completely wrapped in the story and helplessly trapped as the inevitable, terrible conclusion loomed.

>49 bryanoz:

I have not read Misery but this past Saturday I saw the theatre production and it was marvelous with spooky set and great and eerie lighting effects! The cast of 3 - Annie, Paul, and the sheriff - did a fine job though I heard audience members talking about matching Kathy Bates, who won an Oscar for her role in the film. I had not seen the movie either so I went home and watched that too. Kathy Bates was brilliant!
I'm now reading Dr Sleep.

I haven't seen the movie, should one day I guess, the role of Annie would be pivotal and not easy, I've heard Kathy Bates was great, perhaps it will be too scary for me...
I should read Dr Sleep sometime soon given it is the sequel to The Shining, I will be interested to hear your thoughts.

27. The Waves by Virginia Woolf.

An experimental novel (aren't all of her novels experimental?) in which we experience events through the lives of 6 different characters/friends. Interesting.
Ranked 175 on the greatest books.org

28. The Storm of Echoes by Christelle Dabos.

The fourth and final volume of The Mirror Visitor fantasy series, an endlessly imaginative YA series.

Great to see the author has a new book out later this year.

>53 bryanoz:
OK, that caught my interest. I just checked out the first one.

Hi Nancy, hope you enjoy A Winter's Promise, it caught my eye years ago as the front cover blurb announced it had won a French First Novel Creative writing award!
More recently I came across Frances Hardinge's Fly by Night and really enjoyed it, if you haven't heard of it a recommendation, regards

29. The Book of Roads & Kingdoms by Richard Fidler.

Book club read, Fidler looks at the rich history of Baghdad and surrounding lands, not my interest usually but the author includes many curious snippets of information that kept my interest up.

30. Read Dangerously by Azar Nafisi.

The author is Iranian, lives in the USA and uses various novels to question the political approaches in those countries, particularly concerns with freedom and women's rights.
This book is an important examination of the power of writers and their fiction to challenge how we think and interact with others.

31. Independent People by Halldor Laxness.

An Icelandic classic, we follow Bjartur who is a struggling farmer obsessed with sheep and not being reliant on anyone else. Interesting read.

32. Something Fresh by P.G.Wodehouse.

Fun first novel of Blandings Castle.

33. Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry.

Need to ponder this review.

34. Doctor Thorne by Anthony Trollope.

Third book in the Chronicles of Barsetshire series and a cosy, predictable story of money, marriage and love. Trollope seems more confident in his abilities in this novel, with many asides between author and reader, which I enjoyed.
"I quite feel that an apology is due for beginning a novel with two long dull chapters full of description. I am perfectly aware of the danger of such a course. In doing so I sin against the golden rule which requires us all to put our best foot foremost, the wisdom of which is fully recognised by novelists, myself among the number." p.20
"It has been suggested that the modern English writers of fiction should among them keep a barrister, in order that they may be set right on such legal points as will arise in their own little narratives, and thus avoid that exposure of their own ignorance of the laws, which now, alas! they too often make." p.525
Stuck at home with a cold so read this in 3 days.

>14 bryanoz: You could totally count the collections and novels as separate books… at least I do 🙂. It’s been about 2 years since my last Holmes read-through I think.

Hi R_Rose, thanks for the thought, I am also in the Big Fat Book Challenge where we are tallying our reads of 500 pages and over, with a slight bias to books over a 1,000 pages. So that's why I'm happy to count the Holmes collection as one book. I suppose it was all inside one cover so I count it as one book, if I wanted to count them separately I would source the different books.
More importantly I enjoyed the stories, happy reading !

>63 bryanoz: That makes sense. I don’t think I’ll ever be in a big fat book challenge… I procrastinate starting anything more than about 350 pages. Holmes is different to me because it’s short stories, not linear. But best wishes on all your reading goals!

>52 bryanoz: I just got The Waves from the library. I will start it next.

OH dear--------------I don't think I can read The Wave. I started it and just couldn't get interested.

Hi jbegab, The Waves was not a flowing read and I concur with your difficulty.
From memory her Orlando was more accessible if you still want to read Virginia Woolf, happy reading.

>67 bryanoz: Thanks. I will keep that in mind.

35. Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan.

Debut novel and first in the Powder Mage fantasy trilogy. Combining an intriguing magic system and engaging plot and characters, I'm happy to see where the series goes, next up The Crimson Campaign.

36. Doctor Sleep by Stephen King.

My local library had this on the shelf so it is next in the Stephen King Project.
Sequel to The Shining, Dan Torrance has grown up into a troubled man who uses his shining skills to assist the dying. He encounters a girl with far more power than he has but she is about to be in mortal danger. A good read.

37. Boy's Life by Robert McCammon.

I really enjoyed this coming of age saga of 12 year old Corey growing up in southern USA in the early 60s. Entwined with his family life and friends is murder, civil rights, gun fights, dinosaurs, and much more. An engaging and rewarding read and I will definitely read more McCammon. His Matthew Corbett historical fiction series looks really interesting.

38. The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith.

Recently I quite enjoyed The Pavilion in the Clouds by McCall Smith so thought I would try this one, first in a series. It was ok, but not engaging enough for me to pick up the rest.

39. Enola Holmes. The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer.

The misadventures of Enola Holmes, the unwanted younger sister of Sherlock, great fun !
Will continue the series, and the telemovie was great too.

I've read all the Enola Holmes books except for the last one. There are 8 in the seriea. I loved them!

Thanks Nancy, I'll read them all.

40. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna.

Feel good story of a modern day witch being hired to tutor three magical children. An enjoyable read.

>75 bryanoz: Sounds like fun! I just reserved it the library.

Nancy, I think you will like it !

41. Under the Dome by Stephen King.

Published in 2009, this is a sci-fi novel that looks at what might happen if a small US town was suddenly cut off from the outside world. As one might expect from Stephen King the situation quickly descends into a nasty power struggle and the reader is left wondering how the chaos will resolve and who will survive?

Going to check out Enola Holmes. Sounds like fun!

Ok, l have Under the Dome on my shelf.
I have been reading some Stephen King lately so l guess l’ll try that one.

#78 R_Rose I think you'll enjoy it and there is eight in the series, with Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose to be published this November.

#79 Nancy, I wouldn't say its his best book but it quickly becomes a captivating saga, hope you enjoy it.

42. The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams.

Since her debut novel the brilliant The Dictionary of Lost Words we have been eagerly awaiting her next book, and it doesnt disappoint!
The blurb:
"When the men of Oxford University Press leave for the Western Front, Peggy, her twin sister Maude and their friends in the bookbindery must shoulder the burden at home. As Peggy moves between her narrowboat full of memories and the demands of the Press, her dreams of studying feel ever more remote. She must know her place, fold her pages and never stop to savour the precious words in front of her.
From volunteer nurses to refugees fleeing the horrors of occupation, the war brings women together from all walks of life, and with them some difficult choices for Peggy. New friends and lovers offer new opportunities, but they also make new demands - and Peggy must write her own story."

43. The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schalbe.

Will chronicles his mother's last year and the books they shared.
A touching biography of loss and the joy of good books.

44. The Sea, the Sea by Iris Murdoch.

An interesting classic.

45. My Own Lightning by Lauren Wolk.

Sequel to Wolf Hollow and a great addition to the life and trials of Annabelle, a life affirming and recommended story.

46. Framley Parsonage by Anthony Trollope.

Fourth in the Chronicles of Barsetshire series and I am enjoying the slow, cosy nature of Trollope's writing.

47. Different Seasons by Stephen King.

A collection of four novellas, all of which were interesting reads, particularly Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption and the amazing Apt Pupil.

48. The Crimson Campaign by Brian McClellan.

Second book in the Powder Mage trilogy and I'm engaged in the characters and story and happy to read on.

49. Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King.

A Stephen King novel with a difference - it is only 304 pages and it is one continuous monologue with Dolores Claiborne being interviewed by the Police about the suspicious death of her employer.
A compelling read.

>67 bryanoz: I just put Orlando on hold. I hope I like it better than The Waves. I'll let you know.

Good luck jbegab !

50. A Blink of the Screen by Terry Pratchett.

Compilation of his shorter fiction, great fun.
His nonfiction collection is next.

51. The Secrets of Hartwood Hall by Katie Lumsden.

Debut novel, recently published and a thoroughly enjoyable homage to Victorian Gothic literature, hope she is busy writing her next novel.

>90 bryanoz: I started Orlando, probably won't finish it, but it does seem better than The Waves.

> Good on you for trying again Janice, but if an author is not for you it is perfectly ok to move on, cheers.

52. The Dead Zone by Stephen King.

An interesting premise, as Johnny Smith awakens from a long-term coma with psychic abilities, which leads to the question, if you knew ahead of time that someone was going to start wars and kill millions, should you take them out?
Another King page turner.

>94 bryanoz: Thanks. I always wonder about me----the books that are supposed to be great literature, frequently don't appeal to me. I do love to read though. 😊

>96 jbegab: I know what you mean Janice, the description of great literature sometimes indicates how unreadable a novel is, such as Finnegan's Wake or Clarissa.
Which of the 'great reads' have you enjoyed?

53. A Woman of the Sword by Anna Spark Smith.

Her most recent fantasy novel looking at war from a woman warrior with children's perspective, a unique approach I think and very readable.

>97 bryanoz: Does To Kill a Mockingbird count?? I like that one. It seems to me that most of the great literature I have read was when I was in school, and being the rebel I am, I most certainly did not enjoy it.

>99 jbegab: Hi Janice, To Kill a Mockingbird certainly counts! Have you read the 'sequel' Go Set a Watchman, an earlier story with Scout as a young woman. I have heard that Harper Lee was reluctant to publish an earlier 'less polished' story but under her publisher's pressure and the offer of much $, it was published in 2015. It was no Mockingbird but I enjoyed it, happy reading !

54. Forge of the High Mage by Ian C. Esslemont.

Latest novel in the epic fantasy world of the Malazan Tales, just brilliant !

End of May update, 58 books read, 27,162 total pages, 468 average pages, happy with my reading so far and on track for 120ish books read.
Some favourites...
Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus.
All the Broken Places, John Boyne.
To Green Angel Tower, Tad Williams.
Good Omens, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, reread.
Boy's Life, Robert McCammon.
The Bookbinder of Jericho, Pip Williams.
Different Seasons, Stephen King.
The Secrets of Hartwood Hall, Katie Lumsden.
Forge of the High Mage, Ian C. Esslemont.
Brighton Rock, Graham Greene.

>100 bryanoz: Yes, I did read Go Set a Watchman. I also enjoyed it.

55. Limberlost by Robbie Arnott.

Highly recommended by my local book shop but I found it just an ok read.
Ned is a 15 year old boy living on an orchard in Tasmania hunting rabbits to make enough money to buy a boat. His life is shaped by nature and the wild animals he encounters.

56. The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope.

Fifth volume of Trollope's Barsetshire series and I am enjoying spending time with the charming and eccentric characters of this part of England in the 1800s, particularly the Dale family in this case.

57. Brighton Rock by Graham Greene.

My first Greene and won't be the last, I'll admit I wasn't keen on the blurb- street gangs at war in 1930s England- but I was quickly swept up by the characters, particularly Rose and Ida and read the novel in two days.

58. The Autumn Republic by Brian McClellan.

Finale of the Powder Mage trilogy, I found it an ok fantasy series, I was a little disappointed in the last book as my favourite character Ka-poel was hardly seen.

59. Stoner by John Williams.

Classic story of a farmer boy who goes to college to study agriculture, but is entranced by English Literature and becomes a scholar. Gradually I became entrapped by the narrative particularly as William finds some joy amidst a disappointing life.

60. The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

As England is about to become involved in WW2, Ada and her brother are relocated to the country, away from their abusive mother but to a lady who doesn't want them.
An enjoyable children's novel about persistence and redemption. I will read the sequel.

>109 bryanoz:
I liked both of those, and also A Place to Hang the Moon by K Albus, another novel about evacuating British kids during WW II.

Thanks Nancy, that book looks good and I'll read it soon. I'm reading these to find some YA novels for a friend's daughter who is interested in WW2 but not that keen to read fiction.

>111 bryanoz: I enjoyed Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein which is set in WW2. My boss at the time recommended it, and I found it great, and hadn't realised that it was intended as a YA novel.

Hi James, thanks for the recommendation, I read it years ago and forgot all about it.
It will be a good one for my friend's daughter, thanks again.

Behind with posting again...

61. The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe.

Read this modern classic as part of my Greatest Books project, it is ranked 183.
The novel begins with Sherman McCoy who lives in New York with a high-flying job, beautiful wife and child, the perfect life. However with one wrong turn his whole life is over-turned and he is plunged into a living hell. Enjoyed this frenzied parable of not taking our lucky lives for granted.

62. The Proxy Bride by Zoe Boccabella.

A book club read that I wan't looking forward to it, but I found the story quite interesting.
More to follow...

63. Always by Morris Gleitzman.

Always is the seventh and final book in the 'Felix' series which began with Once in 2005.

An excellent series for readers 10 years and older who will experience the horrors of war and racism through the eyes of an naive but positive boy, and somehow this becomes a positive and inspiring story- well done Morris Gleitzman!

64. The Stories Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin.

A story of the transformative power of books and bookshops. A little too predictable for me but an ok read.

> 116
I just reserved 1st in the series at the library. Thanks for the tip!

>117 bryanoz:
Not a fan of A.J. Fikry. The 'health twist' ruined it for me.

>109 bryanoz: I just finished the sequel to The War That Saved my Life. It was OK. I think I liked the first one better though.

Hi Nancy, I'm confident you will appreciate the series.

Hi Janice, I might pass, thanks.

65. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi.

Paul was a young neurosurgeon, husband and aspiring writer who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. This memoir is a powerful reflection on life and the question of what is important when death is imminent.

66. Needful Things by Stephen King.

A stranger opens a new shop in Castle Rock. Anyone who enters finds a very desirable object, which they can just afford, as long as they play a 'prank' on someone else in the town.
As more people become involved the town edges closer to chaos.
I found the story quite compelling and noticed some connections to other King novels. Some were to Cujo, the novella The Body, and I think The Dark Half which I haven't read. Next I am reading Mr Mercedes and the other novels in the series leading up to the new Holly in September, but after that I will probably read King's other books in their publication order so as to best get the connections.

67. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene.

A short novel set in London before and during WW2 where a novelist has an affair with a friend's wife. This affair ends and it only years later that he finds out why. An engaging narrative.
250th on the greatestbooks list.

68. In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune.

I thoroughly enjoyed this futuristic story of a boy being adopted by a family of robots. A quest is involved and the characters (and readers) learn about love and belonging, as in TJ Klune's earlier works. Many very funny moments with the robots Nurse Ratched and Rambo as a bonus!

>124 bryanoz:
Another BB! Just reserved it at the library.

69. The Forgetting Moon by Brian Lee Durfee.

Debut fantasy novel and first of a trilogy, this was a very epic, original and absorbing fantasy story, I will definitely reading the sequels The Blackest Heart and The Lonesome Crown.

70. Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon.

I thoroughly enjoyed McCammon's Boy's Life and so tried his historical fiction set in 1699 South Carolina. Well, another fantastic read with action, intrigue, romance, and more. I was hooked from the first chapter and read keenly until the very satisfying end. This is the first of the Matthew Corbett series and I am in!

I am about to start reading The End of the Affair by Graham Greene. I do hope Ilike it better than the one I tried earlier by him.

Janice, at least if you don't like it, it is a short novel!

71. The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher.

Interesting fictional recount of Sylvia Beach and the genesis and evolution of The Shakespeare & Co Bookshop. Her involvement with James Joyce and controversial publishing of Ulysses was a major focus, I must reread Ulysses soon.

72. The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson.

Recommended by a friend and an intriguing account of rare birds being stolen from a museum collection to provide feathers for fly tyers, who would have thought?

I just finished The End of the Affair by Graham Greene. Not a fan.

#131 Sorry to hear Janice, at least it is a short read.

73. The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope.

Final book of the six novel series based in fictional Barsetshire in the 1850s (I think).
We follow up on important characters from the previous novel, Lily Dale and John Eames, and the storylines of the Crawleys, Grantlys, Hardings and Proudies continue.
A fitting end to a very enjoyable series and I will be reading Trollope's Palliser series, also six books, early next year.

74. Collected Stories and Other Writings by John Cheever.

My next read in thegreatestbooks.org challenge was John Cheever's short stories, published from the 1940s to 1970s. I enjoyed many of these, particularly The Enormous Radio, The Swimmer, and Montraldo. His thought on short fiction :
"But one does not ask of a short story does something happen? One asks is it interesting."
And his stories are certainly that.

75. The Claverings by Anthony Trollope.

I read this classic as part of a Librarything Group Read (thanks Kathy and Liz) and although it was not as accomplished as The Way We Live Now or the Barset series I was happily engaged right to the pleasing (although I was a little worried about Harry's temptation for riches) conclusion.

76. Mr Mercedes by Stephen King

77. Finders Keepers "

78. End of Watch "

Mr Mercedes was published in 2014 and begins a crime thriller trilogy featuring the retired cop Bill Hodges, the autistic Holly Gibney and the Merc mass murderer Brady Hartsfield.
I am not the keenest crime reader and these are not King's best books but I was happily engaged with the story.

79. Beatles '66. The Revolutionary Year by Steve Turner.

An interesting and extensively researched account of The Beatles in 1966, the year they decided to stop touring and made the brilliant Revolver album.

80. The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton.

A very humorous historical fantasy but the idea of houses flying around put me off so no need to read the other books in the series, the lovely Christine really enjoyed the humour and is reading the other two novels.

81. A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning-Wroe.

William Lavery has just graduated as an embalmer when the Aberfan mining tragedy strikes so off he goes to assist. The horror of it all leaves deep scars, will he be able to get over his past and be there for those he loves? I enjoyed this story with a difference.

82. The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix.

The premise sounded intriguing but somehow I was not engaged with the narrative, I found the main character Lynette annoying so that didn't help.

83. Pamela by Samuel Richardson.

I found this a painful read as the heroine goes from being cruelly harassed by her boss to then marrying him as he decides to treat her nicely.
Reminded me of Clarissa, another Richardson with another story I didn't like, no more Richardson needed.

84. The Blackest Heart by Brian Lee Durfee.

Second in his Five Warrior Angels trilogy and this is epic fantasy at it's finest! I'll be getting to the final book The Lonesome Crown(1067 pages) soon and it will be awesome!

85. Girl in the Walls by A.J. Gnuse.

I was quite captivated by this quirky story of a girl living undetected in the walls of an old house.
Is she a real person or a ghost, and how long can she remain undetected, and then what?

86. The Taliban Cricket Club by Timeri N. Murari.

Review to come.

Books read so far this year up to date!

87. The Queen of Bedlam by Robert McCammon.

Second book in the Matthew Corbett series and it is a rivetting historical mystery based in 1702 New York.

88. The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene.

89. The Outsider by Stephen King.

Stephen King continues his crime series, this time featuring Holly Gibson who has to detect how a violent criminal can be proven to be at the crime scene but also have an airtight alibi?
An enjoyable story and a prequel to the just published Holly which I will read when my copy arrives!

90. If It Bleeds by Stephen King.

One of King's recent short story collections, I read it because it contains the novella If It Bleeds, which concerns the character Holly, who features in the new novel Holly.
Anyway the four stories were pretty good and if my tally is correct I have now read 33 out of 76 Stephen King books, so plenty to be going on with for the next couple of years.

91. The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence, 566 p.

First book in the new fantasy trilogy by Lawrence, but somehow the story lost me; started well but I was quickly confused (happens more often than I think it should?).
I finished the book but am in no hurry for the next one.

92. Night Shift by Stephen King.

King's first collection of short stories published in 1976, some good and some okay, I enjoyed 'Quitters, Inc.' and 'The Man Who Loved Flowers.'

Stephen King project - 34 books read.

93. A History of Heavy Metal by Andrew O'Neill.

I got into music in the early 1970s just when bands like Deep Purple, Led Zepplin and Black Sabbath were soaring, and I have been into heavy music and riffs ever since. This history of heavy metal was a fun look at bands and heavy music through the years.

94. A Very Long Engagement by Sebastien Japrisot.

95. Firestarter by Stephen King.

As the result of college experiments on her parents, a girl is born with the ability to create fire by thinking about it. Of course secret government agents are desperate to capture her and her father and in typical Stephen King fashion this does not go to plan! Not his best work but still an engaging story.
S King Project - 35 books read.

The lovely Christine and I have been travelling for the last 4 weeks or so, we are in Athens today, and I had forgotten how much this impacts negatively on my reading !? Not the worst problem to have I know. I haven’t been able to access LibraryThing at the last place we stayed and my travelling notes don’t match with my LibraryThing thread so that has been putting me off posting here but I’ll post anyway and make adjustments when we get home in a week or so.

96. The Ember Blade by Chris Wooding.

First in an epic fantasy series that has an intriguing plot, engaging characters, cliffhangers and humour. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will soon be reading the newly published sequel The Shadow Casket.

97. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen.

An early work of Jane Austen’s that I felt began well but lost its way as the narrative progressed.

98. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.

The first Verghese I have read and a very enjoyable Indian family saga it was, straight onto ‘Bryan’s Best 100 Novels’ and highly recommended. I will find and read his earlier Cutting for Stone soon as I can.

Kalimera!

Kalimera Pam!
Visited The Durrells Spot on Corfu so am reading The Durrells of Corfu and The Alexandria Quartet, cheers!

99. The Shadow Casket by Chris Wooding?

Fitting finale to a very enjoyable epic fantasy story.

whats you favorite book so far?

Good question urmomiscool2.0, I’d have to say Boy’s Life by Robert McCammon, closely followed by The Covenant of Water, Lessons in Chemistry and Speaks the Nightbird, all new authors to me and all still writing! What’s your best book so far this year?

Back from 6 weeks of travel and still a little slow, time to update.

100. Cujo by Stephen King.

A familiar storyline and well told by King.

SKing Project 36 books read.

Wow! I think I've only read about 15 King books
Just finished Holly and I loved it.

Welcome home!

>161 bryanoz: Welcome back, and congratulations on achieving the century.

>160 bryanoz:
Now curious about Speaks the Nightbird!
Just borrowed the ebook from the library.

Hope you enjoy Nightbird Nancy, I certainly did, and the author has just had the ninth book in the Matthew Corbett published!

101. The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith.

102. A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki.

Reread for me and an intriguing investigation into time, zen and meaning of it all.

103. The Durrells of Corfu by Michael Haag.

Having visited Corfu mainly because of Gerald Durrell's books and the Netflix series, we had to buy a book or two from The Durrells Spot. Lots of information and photos from a friend of the family and worth a read.

104. Water by John Boyne. (wrong touchstone but I couldn't find the Boyne one)

One of my favourite authors and his new novel, first of a projected quadrology, does not disappoint.
Only 166 pages but a deep read with a difficult issue presented with insight and care, great read!

105. Holly by Steven King.

King's most recent book and the latest in his crime series. There are plenty of unpleasant scenes, not unexpected in a King narrative, but I enjoyed the continuation of Holly's story.

Way behind on reading updates, 113 books read so far.

106. The Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrell, long and sorry to say, boring.

107. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.

"A sweeping, emotionally riveting first novel - an enthralling family saga of Africa and America, doctors and patients, exile and home."
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed The Covenant of Water his earlier novel was an easy choice and it is a similar type of family saga with twists and turns, love and loss, and very good novel.

108. Whatever Happened to Margo? by Margaret Durrell.

Fun autobiographical account of Margo starting a boarding house.

109. Christine by Stephen King.

We all know this famous story, I found it a reasonable King read.

110. Soul Music by Terry Pratchett.

I picked this out of the bookshelf to lend to a friend, read the first few pages and couldn't stop, great fun as Sir Terry takes humorous aim at rock music! Probably the 4th time I have read this book and won't be the last.

111. The Lonesome Crown by Brian Lee Durfee.

Final book in the Five Warrior Angels trilogy and a satisfying end to a gripping epic fantasy series.

112. The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman.

A fun feminist regency story with action and romance! Recommended.

113. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday.

An amusing satire.

114. New Grub Street by George Gissing.

1891 classic looking at the age old question; is it better to write literature that is not popular, or write anything else that will sell and make money. Engaging read.

115. The Thief of Time by John Boyne.

Boyne's first novel for adults, published in 2000 and a very enjoyable story. Matthieu Zela was born in 1743 in France but stopped ageing in his fifties, and experienced the French Revolution, 1920s Hollywood, the Wall Street Crash, and many other events in the twentieth century.
In a less accomplished writer's hands this unlikely premise would be grating, but Boyne crafts a memorable, touching narrative of adventure, love and loss.

116. The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle.

A classic fantasy and delightful read.

117. The Talisman by Stephen King & Peter Straub.

I think I prefer King's fantasy stories than his horror ones, and The Talisman is an earlier fantasy book. His originality and dark edge I find fascinating and I was happily taken on Jake's journey to find the Talisman and save his Mother. I'll read the sequel Black House soon.

Hi Bryan, congratulations on reaching your goal. Happy New Year!

Here is the 2024 group: https://www.librarything.com/ngroups/24197/100-Books-in-2024-Challenge

Thanks Pam, I'll finish things here and then head over.

118. A Stroke of the Pen: the Lost Stories by Terry Pratchett.

In Sir Terry's early writing days he published some newspaper stories under a pseudonym, they are collected here with illustrations, fun read for Pratchett fans.

119. Hogfather by Terry Pratchett.

A reread and one to put me in the Hogswatch/Christmas mood.

120. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman.

I really enjoyed this hilarious but thoughtful story of a person needing money but having no other option than robbing a bank but then accidentally taking a group of people hostage, and from there things unravel quickly.

121. Light Over Liskeard by Louis De Bernieres.

A story set in the future as civilization is about to collapse. Q works for the government and decides to move to the British countryside and prepare. A different kind of novel for this author but a satisfying read.

That is my reading for 2023, 121 books totalling 58,577 pages at an average of 484 pages.
i am happy with the year's reading and will be continuing in 2024.
My favourite reads this year:
Fiction
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.
All the Broken Places by John Boyne.
Boy's Life by Robert McCammon.
The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams.
Different Seasons by Stephen King.
The Secrets of Hartwood Hall by Katie Lumsden.
Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon.
The Queen of Bedlam by "
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.
Cutting For Stone by "
Water by John Boyne.
The Thief of Time by "
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman.

Fantasy.
The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams.
To Green Angel Tower by "
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman.
The Forgetting Moon by Brian Lee Durfee.
The Blackest Heart by "
The Ember Blade by Chris Wooding.
Soul Music by Terry Pratchett.
Hogfather by "