Reading Challenge #1 2015

[DrMama]

Timescale?? Oh dear. I missed that part, I'm still waiting for 'events/appts/etc' to stop, so I can have time at my desk to write and work, as well as usual reading, never mind do the 2? 3?? challenge reads!!

[Angela]

About to start book number 2 for this challenge:I have opted for Murakami's Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki and his Years of Pilgrimage - here goes!

[Ian]

Alison wrote: "I really enjoyed this book Kathy, so hope you do too. You've still lots of time left til the end of March!"

Im half way through The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell so think I will finish the challenge. I am enjoying it and am curiious to see whether he can end it well as all the plot links join up. Seems to be his preferred style - short storeis that connect. Intrigued.

[Kathy]

I finished Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World a few days ago. I sometimes find my impression of a book changes with a bit of distance so try not to rush to comment. I liked Murakami's fluent prose and his descriptions and I very much enjoyed the gentle dry humour, but I still can't say I enjoyed the book as a whole. I'm afraid I found it rather slow and I struggled to engage with the plot.

[Ian]

Kathy wrote: "I finished Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World a few days ago. I sometimes find my impression of a book changes with a bit of distance so try not to rush to comment. I like..."

Not one I've read. I love his work and this is on my to read list so I'll get to it eventually. Have you finished the challenge now? What do you think of Challenge No 4?

[Kathy]

Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I finished Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World a few days ago. I sometimes find my impression of a book changes with a bit of distance so try not to rush to c..."
I'm afraid I haven't finished yet, Ian. I have The Bone Clocks waiting for me! I have a horrible feeling I'm going to be cutting it rather fine.
I may not have enjoyed the Murakami as much as you clearly do but it was good to read something completely new - something I might not have considered before.

[Ian]

Kathy wrote: "Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I finished Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World a few days ago. I sometimes find my impression of a book changes with a bit of distance so try not ..."

Ahh Bone Clocks - I'm 50 pages away from completion - but it is 600 pages so a pretty big read. I'll be interested in your take on it if you do read it - I think it lost its way in the final third but I enjoyed the first two thirds

[Kathy]

Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I finished Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World a few days ago. I sometimes find my impression of a book changes with a bit of distan..."

Oh dear. 600 pages? It's on my kindle so I hadn't realised. Now I'm sure I'll be tested to finish it in time.

[Ian]

Kathy wrote: "Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I finished Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World a few days ago. I sometimes find my impression of a book changes with a b..."

afraid so - with my supreme moderator powers I'll grant you an extension on the challenge if you decide to go ahead! Only a 3/5 for me

[Ian]

So, completed The Bone Clocks and therefore completed challenege No 1. I enjoyed the first two thirds but then felt the book lost its way and I largely lost interest. The earlier "hooks" were intriguing but did not deliver in the end for me.

[Kathy]

Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I finished Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World a few days ago. I sometimes find my impression of a book ch..."
Thank you Ian! I'll definitely go ahead because I'm determined to read it, but sure the extension will be needed, I'm afraid.:)

[Ian]

Kathy wrote: "Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I finished Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World a few days ago. I sometimes find my impression ..."

Consider it done - will be interested to hear what you think of it. Challenge # 4 is posted mind! But that is pretty elastic

[Angela]

Just finished Murakami's Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki. Took me a while to get into this one, but enjoyed it more and more as the story progressed - and would have liked just one more chapter to find out what the outcome was for Tsukuru and Sara! I have now read a handful of novels by this author, and although they all tend to be variations on a theme, I find that the quality and tone of Murakami's writing continues to draw me in with its sense of intrigue and disquiet.

I have decided to finish this challenge now, as David Mitchell's novels unfortunately don't inspire me - I once started Black Swan Green, as it was our RG book, but couldn't get past the first 50 pages. Having checked out his other titles, and watched the film of Cloud Atlas, they are too far rooted in fantasyland for my liking. Maybe I should give the other D Mitchell a go!

[Sue]

I have read Margaret Forster's Rich Desserts and Captain's Thin: A Family and Their Times, 1831-1931, which is a history of the Carr's biscuit factory in Carlisle. Easy to read and a fascinating insight into it's Quaker beginnings and how it developed.

Just David Mitchell to go! Lucky it's a 31 day month!

[Ian]

Sue wrote: "I have read Margaret Forster's Rich Desserts and Captain's Thin: A Family and Their Times, 1831-1931, which is a history of the Carr's biscuit factory in Carlisle. Easy to read and ..."

Excellent Sue - better choose one of David Mitchell's thinner ones - I just read The Bone Clocks but it was a bit of a beast! If you ask nicely I may grant you an extension ha ha

[Kathy]

Sue wrote: "I have read Margaret Forster's Rich Desserts and Captain's Thin: A Family and Their Times, 1831-1931, which is a history of the Carr's biscuit factory in Carlisle. Easy to read and ..."

I'm in the same boat, Sue. But I've already bought The Bone Clocks so I'll have to bite the bullet (and be late, I fear)

[Carol]

Going to fail miserably on the Challenge, I'm afraid. Have bought Cloud Atlas,have read one of Murakami's, and decided against Margaret Forster when I looked her up. Have, however, read The Martian, which is on the latest Challenge list, so hooray!

[Ian]

Carol wrote: "Going to fail miserably on the Challenge, I'm afraid. Have bought Cloud Atlas,have read one of Murakami's, and decided against Margaret Forster when I looked her up. Have, however, read The Martian..."

Oh well - it is only a bit of fun. Interested that you decided not to read Margaret Forster - I had never read her before but enjoyed Over. I thought it acutely observed and I would certainly read more of her work as a result of trying that one.

[Carol]

Well, I'm easily persuaded. Will perhaps try one of her's.

[Ian]

Carol wrote: "Well, I'm easily persuaded. Will perhaps try one of her's."

I can only say that I enjoyed the one I read. Wasn't a big book, so you wouldn't be committing to a big read.

[Sue]

Loving Black Swan Green and have booked a few days in Carlisle after having read my Margaret Forster one. This is turning out to be an expensive challenge!

[Ian]

Sue wrote: "Loving Black Swan Green and have booked a few days in Carlisle after having read my Margaret Forster one. This is turning out to be an expensive challenge!"

Interesting - what is the Carlisle link?

[Sue]

The book was about the Carr's biscuit factory in Carlisle!

[Ian]

Sue wrote: "The book was about the Carr's biscuit factory in Carlisle!"

aha - I take it you are dong more than touring a biscuit factory - how did the book inspire you in other ways to make you want to go such a long way?

[Sue]

I dont even know if the factory is still there!! I looked Carlisle up om the net as I was reading the book as there were some lovely descriptions in the book and current photos on line. It's not a part of the country I know so thought could combine it with the Carlisle-Settle train journey! Have since found some other recommended routes but really want to see the sea, especially the place where Carr's used to go on their yearly outings. So all a bit spur of the moment really but looking forward to it! And the kind of bizarre notion I get from time to time especially as going en route to Newcastle!.

[Ian]

Sue wrote: "I dont even know if the factory is still there!! I looked Carlisle up om the net as I was reading the book as there were some lovely descriptions in the book and current photos on line. It's not a..."

sounds fun - let us know how the trip goes

[Sue]

Will do. Might even take a book!

[Ian]

Sue wrote: "Will do. Might even take a book!"

Yes - take it for a walk on the railway!

[Sue]

Ian wrote: "Sue wrote: "Will do. Might even take a book!"

Yes - take it for a walk on the railway!"

Are you trying to tell me something?

[Ian]

Sue wrote: "Ian wrote: "Sue wrote: "Will do. Might even take a book!"

Yes - take it for a walk on the railway!"

Are you trying to tell me something? "

Haha - I'll rephrase that - take it for a walk on the train!! I would not suggest a railway for anything but the shortest of short stories

[Kathy]

I know this challenge has officially ended but since I was granted a dispensation to overrun, I plugged on. Afraid I don't find enough time for 'pleasure' reading unfortunately so I've been very slow! I have just 'not finished' The Bone Clocks. I enjoyed some of the writing very much and some parts definitely drew me in but overall, it felt too fragmented and too wordy. There is a lot of detail in there and some of it - for me - felt unnecessary and held the story/stories back.
These days, since there are so many books out there that I want to read, if I'm not enjoying it, I move on. But I did read more than half of it...
I think maybe David Mitchell is another Marmite author.

[B J]

I've read three of his so far. They are so very different that I suspect each book may be Marmitey.

[Ian]

Kathy wrote: "I know this challenge has officially ended but since I was granted a dispensation to overrun, I plugged on. Afraid I don't find enough time for 'pleasure' reading unfortunately so I've been very sl..."

I agree that Kathy - I did complete it but skipped the last third - got too silly for me - I didn't think he really knew how to end it. My favourite was the story about the journalist in Iraq - some goo dinsights there I thought.

Using my immense powers as moderator I hereby award you the certificate of completion - I think you fulfilled the spirit if not the letter of the chalelnge and that's good enough for me.

What are you turning to next?

[Sue]

Have finally finished Black Swan Green and i really enjoyed it. But needed to take breaks as it was a bit long winded in parts. His new book has just arrived for me in the library but may give it a miss. So challenge completed a bit late. Now to look at the book night titles!

[Kathy]

Ian wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I know this challenge has officially ended but since I was granted a dispensation to overrun, I plugged on. Afraid I don't find enough time for 'pleasure' reading unfortunately so I'v..."
Yes I thought the section in Iraq was very strong and quite compelling.
Thank you for my certificate! :) I've just started Hysterical Love and I'm half way through Tender Is the Night too. Quite a contrast!

[Ian]

Sue wrote: "Have finally finished Black Swan Green and i really enjoyed it. But needed to take breaks as it was a bit long winded in parts. His new book has just arrived for me in the library but ..."

Well done Sue. I think his style is a bit long-winded. Having read Cloud Atlas and The Bone Clocks I think I am at the end of David Mitchell. I have a long list of books to read from my visti to Mr B's that I havent started yet.