John's 50 books in 2015

Joining once again to see how I do, my reading for this year is following a cycle based on book pages i.e up to 199 pages, 200 to 299 pages, 300 to 399 pages etc up to 1,000+ pages. This should ensure that I get to read books that are in my loft and have been up there for quite a while.

Hey John! Glad you are in the 50 club again this year. I have fallen short the past 2 years, but I am going to try like heck to change that this year. Happy reading this year!

The ball is rolling now, finished my first book of 2015 very early today, 00.20am to be precise. This was Lambs to the Slaughter by Graham Yallop, Graham Yallop was an Australian Test Cricketer and Captained his country in the late 70's, early 80's. This is his account of the 1978/79 cricket season down under and the disastrous ashes series for Australia, at the time Test Cricket had been rocked by the Packer affair and the introduction of World Series Cricket and most Test nations lost star players although some like Pakistan who toured Australia in early 79 picked players who had gone to WSC whereas Australia did not. The Aussies were caned 5-1 in the Ashes and drew 1-1 against Pakistan but were let down by inept performances from players, some poor umpiring decisions and a governing body who let the players down. At the time this book was released it was said to be a sensational book that rocked the world of cricket, this was due to the way Yallop told the story of an awful cricketing year both for him and Australian cricket. It was an interesting read for me as a cricket fan and to get the behind the scene story of a fraught series that I was listening to on the radio in the early hours of the day.

I finished my second book of the year last night, To Davy Jones Below by Carola Dunn. This is the ninth in the Daisy Dalrymple series and set on ship sailing to New York, it was an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next in the series.

Book three finished last night, Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik. This is the second in the Temeraire series and I really enjoyed it, I wasn't sure you could use actual historical events and add Dragons into the mix but they work wonderfully and I look forward to the rest of the series.

Book Four finished this afternoon, The Chevalier by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles. This is the seventh in the Dynasty series and an enjoyable read, it continues the progress of the Morland family in turbulent times with the Jacobite rebellion about to begin. The Morlands continue to follow the catholic faith as the throne remains Protestant and the throne is passed around depending on birth, marriage and other circumstances and now it is to begin the Georgian era and elements of the family do not want a German on the throne. I look forward to book eight in the series.

John, question for you. My wife is on me big time to start getting rid of my 800+ books due to them taking up room in the house (as opposed to her junk which takes up about 10X more space than my books). Have you had to do anything like this and if you have, did you donate them, sell them? Any advice would be appreciated...thanks my friend!!

Hi Andy, Karen is always on about the amount of books I keep bringing into the house but it is only to wind me up as she is a book lover herself. I have around 1600 books in the loft to be read and the rest are on the book case in our bedroom and the one in the to be finished reading room which was the third bedroom. In the loft I created a shelf along one of the main beams and that is where books read are kept but periodically I have a cull and give my daughter first go at them after this I either take them to the hospital where different wards have books for patients or the clinics all have a small bookcase and they sell the books for funds for that speciality, alternatively I donate them to various charity shops, as I visit most charity shops wherever I go to purchase books I like to reciprocate and give some back. Some books we have kept as Karen is one who re-reads books, also Karen has all her cookery books, I have my art books and my large collection of Cricket books so at the moment we probably have around 2,500 books in the house. Hope some of this is of help to you my friend.

Book Five finished late afternoon, The Titans by John Jakes. This is the fifth in the Kent Family Chronicles and another enjoyable read, I just love Jakes' books and have the remaining three in this series to read on my shelves.

Good luck with your reading this year. I always enjoy following your thread. Cheers from northern California.

>10 rocketjk:, Thanks Jerry. I do try to be a bit different in the way I structure my reading and hopefully I will dig into the loft to read books I have had for quite a while. Sending greetings to you from a cool West Yorkshire.

Hey John, saw your message over on my thread. I am doing well....found an awesome job and am working steadily again. Many blessings to the Lord...
My reading is progressing fairly well this year. I am getting into some clunkers as you say, but I usually follow up with some easy no-brainers that I can finish in a day or two. I am fascinated with some English authors right now in Warhammer, Warhammer 40K, and Revelation Space novels (Alastair Reynolds). All I can say is Great Britain has some extremely intelligent and original authors that I am truly developing an appreciation for as I advance in years. Hope all is well with you. Say hi to Big Ben for me (I actually visited there back in '85....time of my life).

Book Six finished just before lunch, Revenge by Martina Cole, 612 pages. Another marvellous tale of East End villainy from an author who writes it so well. I have just got to wait for the next book by this lovely author.

Book Seven finished a short while ago, The Apocalypse Watch by Robert Ludlum. It is a while since I last read a Ludlum and I should have read some earlier, this was a really good read the pace was good and I will read more of his soon.

Book Eight finished a short while ago, An Absolute Scandal by Penny Vincenzi, 890 pages. It brought back memories of the Lloyds insurance troubles of the late 80's / 90's and how many people thought that it was the wealthy getting payback time. In this book it reveals that it was people that had savings that had been accrued from inheritances, redundancy etc and how they had been urged to become a name and they were also caught out by unscrupulous agents who were trying to protect the really rich. I have nearly completed my first reading cycle and have enjoyed my challenge so far.

Finished my ninth book of the year Duncton Quest by William Horwood, this is the second in the Duncton Chronicles. I have absolutely loved reading this and will have to read the third one soon as it has been a while since I started the first. This is a tale of moles and the trials and tribulations of a mole called Tryfan who is trying to maintain the power of the stone against the Northern Grikes who are fanatical about the way of the Word. It is the mole equivalent of The Lord of The Rings and it emotional, heart rending and loving and you will want to read more.

Book ten finished a short time ago, this is the first cycle completed. New York by Edward Rutherfurd, 1017 pgs is another masterpiece from this author, it tells the story of New York through the eyes of one family from Dutch origins from the mid 1600's to the present. It's chapters are starting at a particular year with the real people involved but the story revolves around the real people and the history of this great city.

Book Eleven finished a short while ago, Something Borrowed, Someone Dead by M.C.Beaton. Once again Agatha Raisin is in the thick of investigating and getting herself into a spot of bother. In the nearby village of Piddlebury a rare incomer has been found dead apparently poisoned by Elderberry wine but nobody seems that bothered about it. Parish councillor Jerry Tarrant hires Agatha to investigate but receives a frosty welcome and no one wants to talk to her or any of her colleagues. It appears that it is a village that time forgot but what is going on and are villagers being blackmailed to keep quiet, as Agatha continues to try and find the murderer, will she be next to be bumped off. A nice gentle read and provides a laugh or two.

Book twelve finished late last night, Theodore Boone: The Accused by John Grisham. This is the third in the Theodore Boone series and young Theodore is having a bad week, first of all the re-trial is called a mistrial as the Accused has done a runner and then as he leaves school he finds that someone had deliberately slit his tyre, the following day a rock is thrown through the window of his room at his parents law firm and he is stopped for no reason by the local policeman. This is bad but things get worse, the next day the police come to school to see him about a robbery at a computer store in town and when his locker is opened some of the stolen items are in his locker, after going to the scout meeting he comes out to find his tyre has again been slit, who has got it in for him and why? Theodore has to get support from his parents, uncle Ike and his school friends to get him off the hook and unmask the real perpetrator. This is a really enjoyable read and I look forward to the next one in the series.

Finished book Thirteen at around midday, Summer's End by Danielle Steel. This was an enjoyable read from the master romance writer, Deanna has another summer on her own and decides to get painting again, her husband does not like this and humours her but she continues and via a friend meets Ben who runs a gallery and wants to represent her. Things go well until late in the summer when a few events make Deanna look at her life in a new light, what will she do if anything. This may not be everybody's cup of tea but I intend to read all Ms Steel's books, eventually.

Just finished book Fourteen, Be Careful What You Wish For by Jeffrey Archer. This is the fourth in the Clifton Chronicles and it is a fabulous read, Archer back to his best. Once again he has left a cliff hanger ending and I am desperate to get hold of book five, the way he sets out the story and the pace, twists and machinations keep you reading and not wanting to put it down. Mr Archer was interviewed on BBC Breakfast last week and as much as the presenters tried to get information out of him he managed to keep tight lipped whilst giving just basics hints, he also explained why what was going to be a five book series had to move to seven and told them that he just has to live to Seventy-Seven to complete the series, he is Seventy-Five.

Finished book Fifteen a couple of hours ago, Love Hunt by Fiona Walker. This is the fourth and last in the Lodes Chronicles although the next book she wrote has most of the characters that are in the Lodes series, this ties up the goings on in Oddlode and the Vale of the Lodes. The Cottrell family are up to their eyes in deceit, infidelity and how not to run a business that should be easy in a place where people have more money than sense. It is an enjoyable romp in the Cotswolds that ties all the ends up.

Finished book Sixteen, The Distant Hours by Kate Morton just before tea time. This is the third book by this author and I just love her books. Edie Burchill is the deputy at a very small publishers and on this particular Sunday she is visiting her mum when a re-directed letter is delivered and it causes a shock to her mum. Mum dismisses the letter and Edie is intrigued, she speaks to her aunt Rita who gives her a box of letters sent from Edie's mum to her gran when she was evacuated during WWII. From this letter springs a story of a well to do family who live in an old castle in Kent and the secrets they hold to the secrets that Edie's mum is keeping hidden and Edie is determined to find out what went on. This is a lovely read and I didn't want to put it down and look forward to the next Kate Morton that is on the book case.

Book Seventeen finished just a few moments ago, Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones. I have thoroughly enjoyed this book so much so that I have read the last 250 pages today. This is a drama of love, war, greed and revenge in medieval Barcelona, the book tells the tale of a young serf in 14th century Spain who is on the run from his feudal lord. The boys fortunes are changed when he gets involved with the building of a church and from then his life has its ups and downs. I would definitely recommend this book as one to read or put on your list to read.

I have finished book Eighteen a short time ago, I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes. I really enjoyed this book and have struggled to put it down, I would definitely recommend this for your reading list. To continue my cycle I am currently reading Duncton Found which is the 900+ book and for the 1,000+ it is going to be Hawaii by James A. Michener.

Book Nineteen finished late last night, Duncton Found by William Horwood. This is the third and last in the Duncton Chronicles series and brings things completely up to date. I will shortly be finishing the last in my second cycle of my reading challenge, it has been a strange month for me reading wise but I hope to get back on track in May.

Last book in my second cycle finished very late last night, Hawaii by James A.Michener. This is a vast read covering Hawaii from the settlers from the south pacific through to the American missionaries landing in 1823 and on through to the late nineteen fifties. It is an interesting and well told story by a magnificent writer who I love.

Finished book Twenty-one this morning, A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh. This is the first Inspector Alleyn novel and I really did enjoy it and look forward to getting acquainted with the Inspector. This is the first book in my third reading cycle.

Book Twenty-Two finished last night, The Case of the Murdered Muckraker by Carola Dunn. This book ten in the series and Daisy Dalrymple is in America and though under protection for her own good she still stumbles across a crime that only she can solve with maybe some assistance. Another good read and I look forward to the next one.

Book Twenty-Three finished a short while ago, Confession of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson. This is the first in the Confessions series and it was a little bit different and enjoyable.

Finished book Twenty-Four, Alex Cross, Run by James Patterson, this is the twentieth in the Alex Cross series and was one of the creepier ones.

Earlier today I finished book 25, The Casual Vacancy by J.K.Rowling. I have enjoyed this book and can see that the recent T.V adaptation changed quite a bit with different characters having different things happen to them and the ending has been changed from the book. I am looking forward to her Cormoran Strike books which I will get to later in the year.

Book Twenty-Six finished just before lunch, Patriot Games by Tom Clancy. I must say that I really enjoyed this book and since it has been out quite a while I haven't even seen the film. I am looking forward to following Jack Ryan and his sons escapades in the following books in the series.

Book Twenty-Seven finished a few minutes ago, A Glimpse of Stocking by Elizabeth Gage. I have had this book on the shelves for quite a while now and with it being a big one (755 pages) it suited this years challenge. It was a good read telling the tale of three women who are linked with each other but do not know it and for quite a while neither does the reader. I must say that I enjoyed this books as I did with a previous book by this author that I read at least ten years ago.

Book Twenty-Eight finished very late last night, Kiss and Tell by Fiona Walker, 883 pages. This is a stand alone novel but has one or two characters from her Lodes Chronicles series but concentrates on the world of show jumping and all the trials and tribulations, machinations and sexual energy around this sport of the wealthy and how love can help a so called loser turn his life around all for the love of a bossy but body conscious young lady. I really enjoyed this book as it follows the mistress of this genre Jilly Cooper and long may it last.

I have just finished book Twenty-Nine of 2015, Red Rabbit by Tom Clancy, 928 pages. I must say that I enjoyed this book and am really liking Jack Ryan snr, and look forward to the next one in the series though it may be later in the year or into next year.

Finished my 30th book of 2015, The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F.Hamilton, this finishes my third cycle and now just need to read five books in eighteen days so I can select my big reads for my holiday. This book is the first in the "Night's Dawn" trilogy and I am looking forward to the books two and three in this series.

A short while ago I finished book Thirty-One, Enter a Murderer by Ngaio Marsh. This is the second in the Inspector Alleyn series and I must say I really enjoyed it and look forward to the other three I have of these.

Last night after we had gone up to bed after our meal out I finished book number 32 of 2015, The Cleaner of Chartres by Salley Vickers. This is a book I have really enjoyed and am certain Karen will love it. It is a compelling story of darkness and light and the fact that second chances are deserved. The Cleaner of Chartres tells the tale of the mysterious Agnes Morel who has a number of cleaning jobs for residents of Chartres and the Cathedral and her acts of kindness. She has had a traumatic life of serious downs and some nice ups but some people want to keep putting poor Agnes down for nothing but spite. Her tragic past is exposed and now Agnes must face up to the truth of her origins. I would recommend this book as a must read.

Last night I finished book Thirty-Three of 2015, Silent Night by Jack Sheffield. This is the eighth book in this series of books about Jack's life as Headmaster of Ragley-on-the-Forest junior school in North Yorkshire. It is the 1984/85 academic year, a time when the Miner's were on strike, Band Aid was formed, Cabbage Patch dolls were the must have Christmas toy and into 1985 the strike ended, and Live Aid was the biggest event of the year. Various school events occur during the year and some combine with village events, the teacher's are busy with organising extra curriculum activities along with the usual events such as the Nativity, Easter egg hunt etc. Once again Jack leaves us with a cliffhanger at the end of the book, all have been different but related to characters in the village or an event that will affect the school or village. This is a lovely light read that reminds me of events that I have forgotten about but lived through and I look forward to the next to be published in September.

Book Thirty-Four finished a short while ago, Gone by James Patterson. This is the sixth in the Michael Bennett series and I very much enjoyed it as it was finishing the story started in book five, I won't spoil it for readers.

Book Thirty-Five finished last night, A Line in the Sand by Gerald Seymour. It is a while since I last read a Seymour novel and so I was looking forward to it and I wasn't disappointed. Ever since I read Harry's Game and then saw it on television I have been a Gerald Seymour fan. Now I can start on my holiday reading with Private Desires by Elizabeth Adler first up.

Finished book Thirty-Six a couple of hours ago, Private Desires by Elizabeth Adler. This tells the story of Leonie who is born into a world of poverty and hardship until one Christmas when she goes home to see her mother and has saved up as much of her meagre earnings to buy her something special and it is thrown back in her face. Her mother drinks and decides to be nasty about Leonie's father, added to this the mother's latest chap decides that as Leonie's mother is drunk he will sample the daughter, Leonie fights him off and spends the last of her money on a train ticket to Paris. With nowhere to stay as passenger gives her an address and this leads her to a job, friends and much more. It is an interesting tale and tells of how some mistresses were treated in late 19th/ early 20th century France. It has been a while since I last read a book by this author and I did enjoy it.

Finished book Thirty-Seven about an hour ago, Flavour of the Month by Olivia Goldsmith. It has been quite a while since I last read a book by this author but I must say I did enjoy this tale of the machinations of being an actor in Hollywood.

Book Thirty-Eight finished last night, The Decision by Penny Vincenzi. This tells the tale of a love affair, a marriage, a child and a decision, Matt and Eliza seemed to be odd bedfellows but embarked on a love affair, they got married and then had a child and now the child makes a decision. The story starts in 1958 and follows Matt and Eliza as they embark on their lives and how their story entwines them and a number of other characters until the story ends in 1972. A lot is packed into those 14 years and not all is good and shows how attitudes were in Britain around this time period. I enjoyed this as I have enjoyed previous books by this author.

Finished book Thirty- nine late on Friday night, Once an Eagle by Anton Myrer. This was a really good read following the life of Sam Damon, from rural Nebraska to the first world war, the inter war period and then the second world war and then through to the start of troubles in Asia in the early sixties. It is a very thoughtful book and describes warfare extremely well if harrowing at times.

Finished book Forty this afternoon, The Company by Robert Littell. This was the last in my fourth cycle and finished out at 1281 pages, it was a very good and interesting read about the machinations of the CIA, KGB and other spy networks over a fifty year period.

Book Forty-One finished this afternoon, Trains and Lovers by Alexander McCall Smith. This is a stand alone novel about four people who are all strangers to each other who meet on a train and describe how love touched their lives in different ways. I loved this book and would recommend to everyone.

Finished book Forty-Two late this afternoon, How it all Began by Penelope Lively. I spotted this one on the bedroom bookcase which has predominately Karen's reading matter although I will read them as well and thought I would give it a go and I am glad I did. It is a very interesting read and just goes to show how one small incident has repercussions among many lives and this was only a minor one. A very good read that I would recommend to all readers. Next book off the rank is Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch, I have been looking forward to this series for quite a while.

Finished book Forty-Three late last night, Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch, this is the first in the Peter Grant series and I absolutely loved it. This tells the story of Peter Grant who until January was a Probationary Constable in the Metropolitan Police Service and was looking at what branch he would like to get into at the end of his probationary period and who suddenly becomes a Detective Constable and a trainee wizard. This is a great story and I am eagerly looking forward to the next one and if you haven't read it, put it on your to read list.

Book Forty-Four finished very late last night, Toys by James Patterson. Another fast paced thriller from Mr Patterson and a standalone to boot, this is set just over a hundred years from now and the Humans are a despised species that are soon to be eliminated unless a supposed Elite who turns out to be a Human with Elite strengths can save the day. But is he being played by both sides and can he sort out what is real and what is imagined. The main theme that becomes recurrent is that whatever you are, greed and power can still corrupt.

Wow, you are catching up big-time for the year. I have been a slacker this year, focused on too many other things. I hope to correct that next year....we'll see. Hope all is well and good luck with the wedding. Thanks for stopping by...take care.

Andy

In between the rugby and lunch I managed to finish book Forty-Five, The Cry of the Halidon by Robert Ludlum. This was a good read and I much enjoyed it and look forward to more books by this author.

Finished book Forty-six this afternoon, On Secret Service by John Jakes. Jakes is one of my favourite authors and so I really enjoyed this one, his research of the American Civil War for his books is second to none and so adds to my knowledge of this period of American history. My next book is Word of Honour by Nelson De Mille, another chunkster at 752 pages. This will be my 22nd chunkster of the year so another for Lori to be amazed at, I will certainly have read 25 chunksters by year end but may get the chance to add a couple more if I can maintain my current reading rate.

Finished book Forty-Seven in the late afternoon, Word of Honour by Nelson De Mille. This has been a really good read highlighting the brutality of war and one man's fight for his honour as a soldier eighteen years after he ended his army career.

Book Forty - Eight finished this afternoon, The Aquitaine Progression by Robert Ludlum. A fast paced thriller and another Ludlum that raced up the bestseller list, I have read three Ludlum's this year after a long gap since the last I read. In the mid-eighties I read a number of Ludlum's amongst other thriller writers and having finished this one I remember why.

After my traumas this morning I managed to finish book Forty-nine, When Christ and his Saints Slept by Sharon Penman. This was a very interesting read about 12th century England and the fight for the throne of England with all the machinations and bloodfest that it entailed. Sharon Penman tells a good tale and I look forward to more of her books.

Finished book Fifty this afternoon, Spangle by Gary Jennings. This is a monster of a book running to 1276 pages telling the story of Colonel Zachary Edge who after seeing the Confederate army surrender at Appomattox stumbles across a circus called Florians Flourishing Florilegium of Wonders and is offered a living as sharpshooting star of the circus. What follows is a journey across the Eastern United States, showing in small towns and picking up acts along the way as well as losing some both to new careers or death. They make their way to Baltimore and cross the Atlantic arriving in Italy and make their way through Italy and onto Hungary thence to Russia and then on a ship to Prussia and on into France. It is a story of triumphs and tragedies, love and loss, highs and lows and penury and fortune. It was a really good read and enabled me to finish my fifth reading cycle and was my 25th big read.

Congrats on 50, John...my 2015 has been a miserable failure. I hope for better in 2016...

Hey, John....saw your message. Merry Christmas to you and yours from across the pond. Here's to a wonderful 2016 and an improved effort at 50 from me! Take care.

Finished my fifty-first book of the year, The Nursing Home Murder by Ngaio Marsh. This is the third Chief Detective Inspector Alleyn mystery and gets better and better. These are well worth a read and I have the next nine on the shelves so plenty to get stuck into in 2016.

Finished book Fifty-Two last night, The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon by Alexander McCall Smith. This is the Fourteenth in the No 1 Ladies Detective series and finds Mma Ramotswe having a couple of cases to close whilst working on her own due to Mma Makutsi being temporarily unavailable. These are delightful books set in Botswana and I have the next two to read on my shelf.

Finished book Fifty-three late this afternoon, Jubilee by Shelley Harris. This tells the tale of a photograph taken at a street party for the Queens Silver Jubilee in 1977. The story flicks between 1977 and 30 years later with Satish as the main character of the photo in 1977 and now in his career as a Paediatric Cardiologist. It took a while to get into the story but it was a good read.

Finished my last book of 2015 a short time ago, Unlucky 13 by James Patterson. Once again Sergeant Lindsay Boxer has a full workload to deal with as well as meeting up with the girls of the Women's Murder Club. Patterson knows how to keep the pace going and in this one throws another curveball into the mix with an incident that I did not see coming. Well worth a read for Patterson afficianado's.