2020 Overview - Book Club Books 1-8
*insert comment about how weird a year it's been, unprecedented times etc etc*
One huge benefit to this year is that I finally got my act together and set up a book club at work - and it turns out it's where I have read the most books this year! In no particular order, book club books which have been read are as follows:
1. Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie
Suggested by: Me
Pages: 221
Thoughts: While I know this is considered a classic, good lord was it far-fetched and complicated. Adaptations definitely make it clearer to understand but it felt like such a slog!
2. Little Women - Louisa May Alcott
Suggested by: Su
Pages: 374
Thoughts: Cheekily adding this to my list when I had just finished it as it was chosen for book club. One of my absolute favourite books.
3. Dark Matter: A Ghost Story - Michelle Paver **Halloween Selection**
Suggested by: Nicola
Pages: 255
Thoughts: At first I was quite excited to start this book. I love a book which creates atmosphere and this does create it in spades. However, the plot felt highly predictable and rushed an ending which was disappointing at best. Some scares, but not sure whether it does deserve the title of "ghost story" or if paranoid nordic possible paranormal thriller would be better.
4. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
Suggested by: Nicola
Pages: 115
Thoughts: I loved this. It felt like a slow burner but I loved the creeping realisation of what happened and that there was nothing which could be done to stop it. First time reading a more "modern" American novel and would definitely read something of this era again.
5. The Binding - Bridget Collins
Suggested by: Nicola
Pages: 438
Thoughts: One of my books of the year. Starts off very slowly but by the second part, you will not want to put it down. Once I realised where the plot was going, I was hooked. Fabulous, fabulous storytelling.
6. Matilda - Roald Dahl
Suggested by: Me
Pages: 240
Thoughts: This was the first book we read for book club and it was a much needed light(ish) hearted read. It was also my first time reading Matilda and although I was surprised it wasn't much like the film, I did thoroughly enjoy it.
7. The Snow Queen - Hans Christian Andersen **Christmas book selection**
Pages: 88
Thoughts: A really delightful read and my copy had such beautiful illustrations in it!
8. The Guest List - Lucy Foley
Suggested by: Nicola
Pages: 384
Thoughts: I loved the atmosphere and intertwining plots of this book but hated the ending. It made me go "really?!" and got me quite cross that of all the characters it was that one. Curious to read her other novel, which I have been told is better.
One huge benefit to this year is that I finally got my act together and set up a book club at work - and it turns out it's where I have read the most books this year! In no particular order, book club books which have been read are as follows:
1. Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie
Suggested by: Me
Pages: 221
Thoughts: While I know this is considered a classic, good lord was it far-fetched and complicated. Adaptations definitely make it clearer to understand but it felt like such a slog!
2. Little Women - Louisa May Alcott
Suggested by: Su
Pages: 374
Thoughts: Cheekily adding this to my list when I had just finished it as it was chosen for book club. One of my absolute favourite books.
3. Dark Matter: A Ghost Story - Michelle Paver **Halloween Selection**
Suggested by: Nicola
Pages: 255
Thoughts: At first I was quite excited to start this book. I love a book which creates atmosphere and this does create it in spades. However, the plot felt highly predictable and rushed an ending which was disappointing at best. Some scares, but not sure whether it does deserve the title of "ghost story" or if paranoid nordic possible paranormal thriller would be better.
4. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
Suggested by: Nicola
Pages: 115
Thoughts: I loved this. It felt like a slow burner but I loved the creeping realisation of what happened and that there was nothing which could be done to stop it. First time reading a more "modern" American novel and would definitely read something of this era again.
5. The Binding - Bridget Collins
Suggested by: Nicola
Pages: 438
Thoughts: One of my books of the year. Starts off very slowly but by the second part, you will not want to put it down. Once I realised where the plot was going, I was hooked. Fabulous, fabulous storytelling.
6. Matilda - Roald Dahl
Suggested by: Me
Pages: 240
Thoughts: This was the first book we read for book club and it was a much needed light(ish) hearted read. It was also my first time reading Matilda and although I was surprised it wasn't much like the film, I did thoroughly enjoy it.
7. The Snow Queen - Hans Christian Andersen **Christmas book selection**
Pages: 88
Thoughts: A really delightful read and my copy had such beautiful illustrations in it!
8. The Guest List - Lucy Foley
Suggested by: Nicola
Pages: 384
Thoughts: I loved the atmosphere and intertwining plots of this book but hated the ending. It made me go "really?!" and got me quite cross that of all the characters it was that one. Curious to read her other novel, which I have been told is better.