Georgia's 25 2011

So, I'm totally new to LibraryThing. Recommended by a New Zealand friend who I met just recently, both of us not long having moved to Switzerland (I'm from the UK).She said she was trying for 75. I then worked the numbers out and thought no chance! So here I am in the 25 for 2011. Any recommendations gratefully received. Would like to read more non fiction this year.

Welcome!! Switzerland!! How beautiful!! I've always dreamed of going there!!

what type of non-fiction are you looking for?

Hello. Switzerland is a beautiful country. Not sure as to what type of non-fiction, I guess I'm open to anything really.

1. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery - an excellent read, that had me both reaching for the dictionary and the tissues. And an unexpected twist at the end.

2. My Trade: A Short History of British Journalism - I used to enjoy Andrew Marr's sunday morning programme on BBC1, so thought this would be interesting. I found it hard going in places, with a lot of politics, but well worth perservering with.

3. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer - I have to confess although I say to people I have only read this to keep up with my 14 year old daughter I have actually quite enjoyed it. It kept me enthralled from start to finish and was the easy read I needed this week.

4. Life and Laughing: My Story by Michael McIntyre - had me in stitches from the beginning. Some very interesting stories/accounts as well. A fantastic new British comedian

5. The Girl who Played with Fire - was very slow to start with, but gripping none the less. The ending was however rushed. I'm hoping the 3rd book in the series is better.

6. The Wilding C S Friedman

7. Eclipse Stephenie Meyer

8. Rushed To The Altar Jane Feather

9. Dissolution C J Sansom

10. And Furthermore Judi Dench

11. Dark Fire C J Sansom

12. Sovereign C J Sansom

13. Germania: A Personal History of Germans Ancient and Modern

14. Revelation C J Sansom

15. March Violets Philip Kerr

16. The Pale Criminal Philip Kerr

17. A German Requiem Philip Kerr

18. Heartstone C J Sansom

19. Started Early, Took My Dog Kate Atkinson

20. Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout Marie and Pierre Curie

21. The Elephant to Hollywood Michael Caine

22. The Help Kathryn Stockett

23. Playing the Enemy John Carlin

24. Winter in Madrid C J Sansom

25. Possession A Romance A S Byatt

My apologies if my "reviews" are short and not what is expected, but I'm new to this, so any hints and tips on how to write a good review will be gratefully received.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog is on my list of 'to-read' this year. I'm glad to hear that you liked it. Maybe I'll bump it up the list a bit, assuming my mother will let me borrow her copy.

If you're interested in art -- or Parisian life during the late 19th century -- you should check out Strapless. :-)

I think it's a definite one to bump up your list. I borrowed mine from a friend, so I'm sure your mum will lend you hers!

I will read almost anything and especially something that is recommended by another reader, so will see if I can find Strapless in the library here, although there is a limited number of english books, so I may have to order it. And that's a pity because I will just have to order a few more at the same time to make it worth the postage! ;0)

I have no idea how much postage would be to do this, but in the US http://www.paperbackswap.com is a pretty good choice. You mail books to other users and you get credit for the books. Then you request books and other members mail them to you. You only pay for postage to mail the book. It'd be slow, since you'd have to wait for international post, but you might look into it. :-)

Thanks, that's a brilliant idea. I'll have a look to see if there's something similar in the UK, then I can pick them up when I'm visiting home.

6. The Wilding - an excellent historical novel, full of twists and turns and a bittersweet ending. I also learnt alot about cider making.

7. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer - again I maintain to only be reading this to keep up with my teenage daughter, but I again have to admit it was a reasonable read with a good storyline.

8. Rushed to the Altar (The Blackwater Brides) - a friend passed this on to me. It was not my usual type of book - a little Barbara Cartland for me (lol) but I really enjoyed it. The story was very sweet and gripping. It is set in the Georgian period and is the 1st in the trilogy Blackwater Brides. I think I may have to get the next book, but hope it doesn't disappoint like I've found before with trilogies.

9. Dissolution C J Sansom - fantastic!!!! would definitely recommend.

10. And Furthermore Judi Dench - not as good as I was expecting, although an interesting read. More a catalogue of her work than an autobiography.

Finally, I'm getting round to commenting on your thread!!

Hello Georgia, I've come over from the 75 group to say hello (saw you on Cushla's thread). I see you are ahead of me on the C J Sansom books; I've only read the first two so far, but am very much looking forward to continuing that series.

Hi Georgia, am also visiting because I saw the link on Cushla's thread. I liked what you wrote about The Elegance of the Hedgehog with the dictionary and a box of tissues in either hand, I felt the exact same way and also loved that one.