2025 Reading Challenge discussion

79 views
ARCHIVE 2018 > Dave's 30 book challenge

Comments Showing 1-25 of 25 (25 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by Dave (last edited Jan 01, 2019 05:50PM) (new)

Dave Lawrence (davefromjerra) | 36 comments I will post here the books I read in 2018 and some of my thoughts on each one.

1. Operation Playboy
A book about Brazilian drug traffickers and the police who chase them. The corruption in Brazil's judiciary and law enforcement made me feel a lot of sympathy for the honest cops.

2. Ready Player One
A lot of readers will be familiar with this one. I found it to be an enjoyable lightweight fantasy

3. Elizabeth Is Missing
An unusual book that is told from the point of view of a forgetful 82 year old.

4. Cold is the Grave
An Inspector Banks mystery set in the late 90s. Pretty good, but terribly dated.

5. Murder Games
I enjoyed this crime thriller. It has the shortest chapters of any novel I have ever read, usually 2 to 4 pages, with each chapter usually finishing on a cliffhanger. Makes for a punchy fast paced read.

6. Hollywood Obscura: Death, Murder, and the Paranormal Aftermath
A look at some interesting Hollywood deaths. The paranormal aftermath is a bit of take it or leave it. An okay read to while away a few hours.

7. Gwendy's Button Box
A young girl is given a mysterious box with extraordinary powers. Only a short book, I really enjoyed this one.

8. Time and Space: Footy Tactics from Origins to AFL
A book about tactics in Australian Rules football. Took me a while to finish this one. Definitely one for the fans. Tactics evolve so quickly nowadays that a book only a couple of years old seems dated.

9. Humans, Bow Down
A science fiction action tale from the king of the short chapter James Patterson. Not great literature but a fairly enjoyable fast paced read.

10. Finders Keepers
A crime thriller rather than a horror novel from Stephen King using some of the same characters from Mr. Mercedes. Engrossing, as usual from the master writer.

11. The Couple Next Door
I found this one to be a great page turner, but the central premise of the story is rather far fetched.

12. We Need to Talk About Kevin
Despite being well written with fleshed out characters, I found this book to be a bit of a slog. With the exception of the daughter, all the main characters are pretty unsympathetic.

13. The Fighter
A fairly interesting tale about an old boxer. More about his family and his current life than his exploits in the ring.

14. Killing Eve: Codename Villanelle
A book about a female assassin and the female detective who is after her. Ends on a cliffhanger, with next book due out in 2019. Really annoyed with the ending, as someone pointed out in their review half a book only deserves half marks.

15. 15th Affair
I suppose a fitting title for my 15th book of the year. An easy read but too many loose ends at the finish of the book. Looking forward to reading a book that actually has a decent ending.

16. The Wind Through the Keyhole
Described by King as Dark Tower 4,5, I found it to be enjoyable, although a little predictable.

17. Joyland
A murder mystery with a supernatural twist. Well crafted as you would expect. The main character is a budding writer, a popular occupation in King's writings.

18. Elevation
Another Stephen King about a man whose weight keeps falling while he remains the same size. A fascinating premise for a story, well done.

19. A Christmas Carol
Last book for the yrear is one I read every Christmas. A lot of supposed Christians would do well to reflect on this tale and the true meaning of Christian charity.


message 2: by Susy (new)

Susy (susysstories) Looks like you’re off to a great start Dave! Good luck with your remaining 26 reads & happy reading!


message 3: by Blagica , Challenges (new)

Blagica  | 12941 comments Best of luck with your challenge! You are making great progress!


message 4: by Dave (last edited Feb 20, 2018 02:51PM) (new)

Dave Lawrence (davefromjerra) | 36 comments Finished Book 5.
For a change of pace I am reading Hollywood Obscura: Death, Murder, and the Paranormal Aftermath. Not so sure about the paranormal aftermath, but entertaining nonetheless.


message 5: by Dave (new)

Dave Lawrence (davefromjerra) | 36 comments Book 6 finished, 2 months in, so on track to get to 30. I've got a recent Stephen King collaboration Gwendy's Button Box up next.


message 6: by Blagica , Challenges (new)

Blagica  | 12941 comments You are doing great! Hoping March is a great month for you.


message 7: by Dave (new)

Dave Lawrence (davefromjerra) | 36 comments For book 8 I am reading my first non-fiction book of the year. Time and Space: Footy Tactics from Origins to AFL a book about the evolution of tactics in Australian Rules football.


message 8: by Blagica , Challenges (new)

Blagica  | 12941 comments A book is a dream that you hold in your hand. I hope that April brings you many more five star reads.


message 9: by Blagica , Challenges (new)

Blagica  | 12941 comments “Reading brings us unknown friends” While the warm weather is coming I hope you make some new friends in May!


message 10: by Dave (new)

Dave Lawrence (davefromjerra) | 36 comments Blagica wrote: "“Reading brings us unknown friends” While the warm weather is coming I hope you make some new friends in May!"

Thanks Blagica, but for us in the Southern hemisphere winter is coming. Although living in the tropics it's not that cold.
Having slowed down a little, have just started a new James Patterson.


message 11: by Blagica , Challenges (new)

Blagica  | 12941 comments Dave I hope Winter gives you a chance to curl up with some awesome books =)


message 12: by Dave (new)

Dave Lawrence (davefromjerra) | 36 comments 9 down and 21 to go. A bit of holiday time to catch up and get back on target. Going to read a book about bushrangers, followed by a Stephen King.


message 13: by Blagica , Challenges (new)

Blagica  | 12941 comments Awesome plan hoping July is productive for you.


message 14: by Dave (new)

Dave Lawrence (davefromjerra) | 36 comments Finished 2 more. Just about to start We Need to Talk About Kevin


message 15: by Dave (new)

Dave Lawrence (davefromjerra) | 36 comments About half way throughThe Fighter. I will need to get a wriggle on to get to 30 :-)


message 16: by Dave (new)

Dave Lawrence (davefromjerra) | 36 comments Downloaded Ulysses onto my iPad. May be more of a long term project. Been a bit busy for reading lately but plan to start a new book soon.


message 17: by Blagica , Challenges (new)

Blagica  | 12941 comments You are on your way to having a great year in books! Do you have a book you still can't wait to read?


message 18: by Dave (new)

Dave Lawrence (davefromjerra) | 36 comments Hi Blagica, can't say there is a book I'm particularly excited about, but I'm sure I'll read a good one soon.
Finished Killing Eve: Codename Villanelle. Apparently there is a TV series with the characters in it.


message 19: by Readin Resa (new)

Readin Resa  (resa8790) Dave wrote: "Hi Blagica, can't say there is a book I'm particularly excited about, but I'm sure I'll read a good one soon.
Finished Killing Eve: Codename Villanelle. Apparently there is a TV ser..."


The TV series is AMAZING !!!!!!


message 20: by Blagica , Challenges (new)

Blagica  | 12941 comments I think that is with Sandra Oh.


message 21: by Dave (new)

Dave Lawrence (davefromjerra) | 36 comments Just finished a James Patterson 15th Affair. time for a Dark Tower novel from Stephen King.


message 22: by Susy (new)

Susy (susysstories) Dave wrote: " time for a Dark Tower novel from Stephen King."

Cool. I'm starting the series in January, re-reading the first 3 installments.


message 23: by Dave (new)


message 24: by Dave (last edited Nov 27, 2018 09:11PM) (new)

Dave Lawrence (davefromjerra) | 36 comments Almost into December and just 13 books to go! Going to start on 16th Seduction. Hopefully will tie up a few of the loose ends from 15th Affair


message 25: by Dave (new)

Dave Lawrence (davefromjerra) | 36 comments Done for 2018. Managed 19 books. Will set my goal for thirty again in 2019.


back to top