75 Books - Sam's 2015 Reading Challenge

[Sam]

75 books seems a reasonable jump from 50 in 2014, especially since I intend to read much more keenly this time.

I'm open to suggestions too; what should I read? I already consume an immense amount of genre fiction - specifically SF, horror and fantasy - and need to branch out in 2015. I'm particularly keen to start on good historical fiction - literary and pulpy - so I'd love suggestions for that genre in particular.

[Megan]

If you're really looking for good historical fiction, I would recommend Ken Follett books. He has a vast range of time periods, so you can choose a time that interests you the most.

[Sam]

Megan wrote: "If you're really looking for good historical fiction, I would recommend Ken Follett books. He has a vast range of time periods, so you can choose a time that interests you the most."

I've heard much about Follett; I'd never been able to get past the sheer size of the volumes, but I'll make a go of it this year. Any particular favourites?

[Megan]

I liked the Century Trilogy that starts with Fall of Giants. It is set just before the beginning of World War I.

[Cassandra]

Good luck with your challenge, Samuel! I read a lot of genre fiction too.

A few of us are planning to read Fall of Giants starting about the middle of February and run through March. I've never read any Follett books either, and I'm really looking forward to it. If you'd like to join, post here and let Zara know you're interested. If not, no pressure! :)

[Sam]

Fall of Giants it is! I've also signed up to the Buddy Read for that book and Moby Dick, never did get round to that book. My thanks to you both :)

[Cassandra]

Wonderful! I look forward to chatting with you about Fall of Giants next month. :)

[Sam]

Alan Moore and Thomas Paine and Arthur Schopenhauer were the first books of the month, coming along nicely with 'Alone in Berlin' by Hans Fallada now. Sadly couldn't quite get on with 'Sabriel' by Garth Nix, would be curious to know other people's opinions on that one?

[Cassandra]

I read Sabriel and the other books in the trilogy when I was a bit younger, but I haven't re-read them since. That said, I love a world with an interesting magic system, so I really enjoyed them. The other two books are a bit better than the first, though. What didn't you like about it?

[Sam]

I think it was because of the relationship between Ancelstierre and the Old Kingdom, to be honest - it's a scenario my brain can't quite get to fit together, though I suspect I might've found it easier had I started on the books as a teenager. The thoroughly 'classic' quest-fantasy feel of the prologue was broken somewhat by the realisation that Ancelstierre is essentially modern and the Old Kingdom is magical - they're essentially on separate planes of existence - and the two elements jarred rather than blended for me. That said, I think I'll keep at it once I'm done with 'Fall of Giants' and 'Alone in Berlin', as Nix' style was still very appealing.

[Cassandra]

That's true, Samuel. I'm not really a fan of Ancelstierre - not because it's not a cool place, but because most of the fun happens in the Old Kingdom. As the book progresses, it has less to do with Ancelstierre.