si: reading in 2024
Forum2024 ROOT Challenge
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1si
Hello, I'm Simon. Welcome to another year of my half-hearted attempts to control the piles of books around my home!
Happy New Year everyone. Hope you all have a great reading & ROOTing year. I am setting a target of 25 books. Anything on my shelves including rereads plus DNFs ( where I have given the book a reasonable shot) will count.
Summary (Non-roots marked with *)
01 The Fellowship of the Ring - JRR Tolkien
02 The Two Towers - JRR Tolkien
03 The Return of the King - JRR Tolkien
04 The Reason I Jump - Naoki Higashida*
05 Crooked House - Agatha Christie *
06 New Maps of Hell - Kingsley Amis *
07 Small Things Like These - Claire Keegan *
DNF Blonde - Joyce Carol Oates
08 By River And Sea - Mary Entwistle
09 No Way To Treat A Lady - William Goldman
10 Mimi's Tales of Terror - Junji Ito*
11 Mr Pye - Mervyn Peake
12 True Grit - Charles Portis*
13 The Big Jump - Leigh Brackett
14 Supernatural Horror in Literature - HP Lovecraft*
15 A Month In The Country - J L Carr
16 Francis Firth's West Midlands - Clive Hardy
17 Study For Obedience - Sarah Bernstein*
18 Antarctica - Claire Keegan*
19 Checkpoint - Nicholson Baker
20 Lincoln's Dreams - Connie Willis
21 The Watchmaker of Filigree Street - Natasha Pulley
Happy New Year everyone. Hope you all have a great reading & ROOTing year. I am setting a target of 25 books. Anything on my shelves including rereads plus DNFs ( where I have given the book a reasonable shot) will count.
Summary (Non-roots marked with *)
01 The Fellowship of the Ring - JRR Tolkien
02 The Two Towers - JRR Tolkien
03 The Return of the King - JRR Tolkien
04 The Reason I Jump - Naoki Higashida*
05 Crooked House - Agatha Christie *
06 New Maps of Hell - Kingsley Amis *
07 Small Things Like These - Claire Keegan *
DNF Blonde - Joyce Carol Oates
08 By River And Sea - Mary Entwistle
09 No Way To Treat A Lady - William Goldman
10 Mimi's Tales of Terror - Junji Ito*
11 Mr Pye - Mervyn Peake
12 True Grit - Charles Portis*
13 The Big Jump - Leigh Brackett
14 Supernatural Horror in Literature - HP Lovecraft*
15 A Month In The Country - J L Carr
16 Francis Firth's West Midlands - Clive Hardy
17 Study For Obedience - Sarah Bernstein*
18 Antarctica - Claire Keegan*
19 Checkpoint - Nicholson Baker
20 Lincoln's Dreams - Connie Willis
21 The Watchmaker of Filigree Street - Natasha Pulley
5rabbitprincess
Welcome back and have a great year! I love making reading plans, but I also like reading whatever I want...for me I guess planning my reading and actually reading are two separate hobbies :)
6connie53
>5 rabbitprincess: So true! I can spend days just rearranging my tree-books and loving every minute.
10si
>5 rabbitprincess: >6 connie53: Reading plans and rearranging books, help keep the winter blues away.
>7 mstrust: Thanks Jennifer. Happy reading.
>7 mstrust: Thanks Jennifer. Happy reading.
11si
>8 cyderry: Thanks for setting up the group Cheli. Hope you have a better year in 2024.
>9 Jackie_K: Happy new year Jackie.
>9 Jackie_K: Happy new year Jackie.
12MissWatson
Happy New Year, Simon, and good luck with the ROOTs.
13si
>12 MissWatson: Thanks Birgit, happy reading!
14si
1/25
The Fellowship of the Ring by J R R Tolkien
This seems like the year to finally read The Lord of the Rings.
The Fellowship of the Ring by J R R Tolkien
This seems like the year to finally read The Lord of the Rings.
16si
2/25
The Two Towers by J R R Tolkien
I was considering taking a break before the third book; but reading it straight through may be the way to go.
The Two Towers by J R R Tolkien
I was considering taking a break before the third book; but reading it straight through may be the way to go.
17si
3/25
The Return of the King by J R R Tolkien
Glad to have finally read this and overall I really enjoyed the experience. The Two Towers is probably my favourite of the three parts - I read three chunky paperbacks I'm owned for about a decade.
The Return of the King by J R R Tolkien
Glad to have finally read this and overall I really enjoyed the experience. The Two Towers is probably my favourite of the three parts - I read three chunky paperbacks I'm owned for about a decade.
18si
Library Paperback -
The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida
Translated from Japanese by KA Yoshida & David Mitchell.
Illustrated by Kai and Sunny.
Non-fiction. Memoir in the form of questions and answers about the 13 year-old author's experience of living with autism.
The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida
Translated from Japanese by KA Yoshida & David Mitchell.
Illustrated by Kai and Sunny.
Non-fiction. Memoir in the form of questions and answers about the 13 year-old author's experience of living with autism.
20si
>19 connie53: I can see it being a 5 star book for families affected directly by autism; as just a curious general reader I rated it 3 stars.
21si
Not counting as a root -
Crooked House by Agatha Christie
A country house murder mystery with no Poirot or Maple to untangle the clues. A very dark ending.
Crooked House by Agatha Christie
A country house murder mystery with no Poirot or Maple to untangle the clues. A very dark ending.
22si
Library Books -
New Maps of Hell A Survey of Science Fiction by Kingsley Amis
This dates from 1960 and is a series of lectures originally delivered at Princeton University in 1959. While covering some interesting points its unfortunately not a great read,
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Novella set in Ireland at Christmas time. Coal Merchant Bill Furlong ruminating on his own past faces a big decision which will affect his young family & business. A quick interesting read.
New Maps of Hell A Survey of Science Fiction by Kingsley Amis
This dates from 1960 and is a series of lectures originally delivered at Princeton University in 1959. While covering some interesting points its unfortunately not a great read,
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Novella set in Ireland at Christmas time. Coal Merchant Bill Furlong ruminating on his own past faces a big decision which will affect his young family & business. A quick interesting read.
23si
4/25
Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates
Decided to stop after 225 pages. Probably should have bailed earlier but I dislike DNFing books.
Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates
Decided to stop after 225 pages. Probably should have bailed earlier but I dislike DNFing books.
24Owltherian
hiya Simon! My names Lily or Owl i dont care which you call me! Its nice to meet ya!
25si
>24 Owltherian: Hi. Welcome to the group.
26si
5/25
By River and Sea Stories of Far-Off Boys and Girls by Mary Entwistle
Short stories aimed at children aged 7 to 10 with Christian themes and messages. Published in 1929. Illustrated by Helen Jacobs. This has been in the family since 1943.
By River and Sea Stories of Far-Off Boys and Girls by Mary Entwistle
Short stories aimed at children aged 7 to 10 with Christian themes and messages. Published in 1929. Illustrated by Helen Jacobs. This has been in the family since 1943.
27si
6/25
No Way To Treat A Lady by William Goldman
New York set ironic thriller from 1964.
After a couple of well received novels Goldman wrote this short cynical serial killer book, apparently in two weeks, and published it under a pseudonym. The fact it was a hit and Hollywood snapped up the rights probably was a mixed blessing - what sells winning over what is actually good. And for better or worse (often worse) there are ideas and themes here which reappear in his later bestsellers; particularly Marathon Man & its sequel.
No Way To Treat A Lady by William Goldman
New York set ironic thriller from 1964.
After a couple of well received novels Goldman wrote this short cynical serial killer book, apparently in two weeks, and published it under a pseudonym. The fact it was a hit and Hollywood snapped up the rights probably was a mixed blessing - what sells winning over what is actually good. And for better or worse (often worse) there are ideas and themes here which reappear in his later bestsellers; particularly Marathon Man & its sequel.
28si
Library Book -
Mimi's Tales of Terror by Junji Ito
This is a Japanese manga adapted from 'Shin Mimibukuro' a collection of real life ghost stories. A quick read with great art work. I can see why Junji Ito is highly regarded in the horror field.
Mimi's Tales of Terror by Junji Ito
This is a Japanese manga adapted from 'Shin Mimibukuro' a collection of real life ghost stories. A quick read with great art work. I can see why Junji Ito is highly regarded in the horror field.
29si
7/25
Mr Pye by Mervyn Peake 'with drawings by the author'
A comedy with fantasy elements 1st published in 1953. Mr Harold Pye arrives on the island of Sark hoping to convert the locals to his personal brand of religious doctrine. After some initial success events (or God, perhaps) conspire against him resulting in his increasingly odd behaviour.
Probably best read with as little knowledge of the plot as possible. But still enjoyable if you already know the ending.
Mr Pye by Mervyn Peake 'with drawings by the author'
A comedy with fantasy elements 1st published in 1953. Mr Harold Pye arrives on the island of Sark hoping to convert the locals to his personal brand of religious doctrine. After some initial success events (or God, perhaps) conspire against him resulting in his increasingly odd behaviour.
Probably best read with as little knowledge of the plot as possible. But still enjoyable if you already know the ending.
30si
Library Book -
True Grit by Charles Portis
Famous western from 1968 which has been filmed twice.
Mattie Ross tells the story of her father's death and how, at 14 years old, she hired a Federal Marshal to track down his killer.
Fairly short and funnier than I expected - mainly due to Mattie's wonderful dead-pan monologue throughout.
True Grit by Charles Portis
Famous western from 1968 which has been filmed twice.
Mattie Ross tells the story of her father's death and how, at 14 years old, she hired a Federal Marshal to track down his killer.
Fairly short and funnier than I expected - mainly due to Mattie's wonderful dead-pan monologue throughout.
31si
8/25
The Big Jump by Leigh Brackett
SF story from 1950s.
Arch Comyn is determined to discover the fate of friend Paul Rogers who has disappeared during a space mission which successfully trialed a revolutionary form of travel.
First half of book is a hard- boiled mystery story as Comyn fights and bullies his way into the Cochrane family and onto the second test flight. Second half is more flight into the unknown, strange new planet science fiction.
The Big Jump by Leigh Brackett
SF story from 1950s.
Arch Comyn is determined to discover the fate of friend Paul Rogers who has disappeared during a space mission which successfully trialed a revolutionary form of travel.
First half of book is a hard- boiled mystery story as Comyn fights and bullies his way into the Cochrane family and onto the second test flight. Second half is more flight into the unknown, strange new planet science fiction.
32si
Not counting as a ROOT -
Supernatural Horror in Literature by H P Lovecraft
An extended essay written in 1927, and revised in 1934, by the horror writer HP Lovecraft. Interesting to read his opinions on early horror stories and his particular favourites. The essay doesn't go into great details about any particular work; though it does highlight writers Lovecraft believed particularly talented in writing about his own genre of interest, cosmic horror.
Supernatural Horror in Literature by H P Lovecraft
An extended essay written in 1927, and revised in 1934, by the horror writer HP Lovecraft. Interesting to read his opinions on early horror stories and his particular favourites. The essay doesn't go into great details about any particular work; though it does highlight writers Lovecraft believed particularly talented in writing about his own genre of interest, cosmic horror.
34si
>33 connie53: Probably wise! I discovered Stephen King books and Hammer horror films at an impressionable age and never completely recovered.
36si
9/25
A Month In The Country by J L Carr
Tom Birkin looks back at a summer in 1920 when he restored a church mural in northern England.
This is a reread for me. I enjoyed it more than before - not particularly sure why. J L Carr was a very idiosyncratic writer whose novels varied in subject. I own one, maybe two, I still need to get too.
A Month In The Country by J L Carr
Tom Birkin looks back at a summer in 1920 when he restored a church mural in northern England.
This is a reread for me. I enjoyed it more than before - not particularly sure why. J L Carr was a very idiosyncratic writer whose novels varied in subject. I own one, maybe two, I still need to get too.
37Jackie_K
>36 si: This one is on my wishlist. It is the subject of the very first Backlisted podcast (which I highly recommend, I've discovered all sorts of forgotten classics through it, and even if I'm not interested in the book they're discussing, it's still a great listen).
38si
10/25
Francis Frith's West Midlands by Clive Hardy
Collection of photographs from 1890 to around 1968 taken from the Frith Photographic Archive.
Francis Frith (born Chesterfield, England in 1822) was a very successful business man, who after making one fortune in the grocery business started a photographic company which made a major contribution to early picture postcards.
>37 Jackie_K: Thanks for the tip Jackie.
Francis Frith's West Midlands by Clive Hardy
Collection of photographs from 1890 to around 1968 taken from the Frith Photographic Archive.
Francis Frith (born Chesterfield, England in 1822) was a very successful business man, who after making one fortune in the grocery business started a photographic company which made a major contribution to early picture postcards.
>37 Jackie_K: Thanks for the tip Jackie.
39si
Library books -
Study For Obedience by Sarah Bernstein
Antarctica by Claire Keegan
Antarctica is a collection of 15 stories; it was her first book - published back in 1999. Some of the stories felt a little too on the nose in making their point, but she is very good at quickly setting a scene and delineating characters.
Bernstein's novel is written in the first person so what is actually true is debatable. I found it heavy going in places, but having finished it a few days ago I still find myself thinking it over.
Study For Obedience by Sarah Bernstein
Antarctica by Claire Keegan
Antarctica is a collection of 15 stories; it was her first book - published back in 1999. Some of the stories felt a little too on the nose in making their point, but she is very good at quickly setting a scene and delineating characters.
Bernstein's novel is written in the first person so what is actually true is debatable. I found it heavy going in places, but having finished it a few days ago I still find myself thinking it over.
40si
11/25
Checkpoint by Nicholson Baker
Just a curiosity perhaps. This is a 2004 novel where two old college friends debate the idea of political assassinations. Told in dialogue it reads like a one-act play spit out in frustration at the Iraq war.
I picked this up more from an interest in the writer. The book isn't terrible, as some of the LT reviews suggest and unfortunately the arguments it makes haven't dated.
Checkpoint by Nicholson Baker
Just a curiosity perhaps. This is a 2004 novel where two old college friends debate the idea of political assassinations. Told in dialogue it reads like a one-act play spit out in frustration at the Iraq war.
I picked this up more from an interest in the writer. The book isn't terrible, as some of the LT reviews suggest and unfortunately the arguments it makes haven't dated.
41si
12/25
Lincoln's Dreams by Connie Willis
Early novel by Connie Willis 1st published in 1987; with a foreword from 1992 in which the author explains a little about her interest in dreams.
Complicated story to summarize so i'll just say it involves Annie, who is suffering from vivid dreams about the American civil war, and a researcher for a novelist who is obsessed with the dreams of Abraham Lincoln. Annie's dreams seem to be about Robert E Lee and that duality, Lincoln/Lee, is a motif repeated with both characters and situations throughout the book - past, present and fictional (the plot of the novelist's latest book).
Lincoln's Dreams by Connie Willis
Early novel by Connie Willis 1st published in 1987; with a foreword from 1992 in which the author explains a little about her interest in dreams.
Complicated story to summarize so i'll just say it involves Annie, who is suffering from vivid dreams about the American civil war, and a researcher for a novelist who is obsessed with the dreams of Abraham Lincoln. Annie's dreams seem to be about Robert E Lee and that duality, Lincoln/Lee, is a motif repeated with both characters and situations throughout the book - past, present and fictional (the plot of the novelist's latest book).
42connie53
Hi Simon, just trying to get up to date with all threads. You are doing fine on your reading. Almost at the half way point with two months to go. Good Job.
43si
Library book -
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley
An intriguing if not entirely successful mix of Victorian mystery, clairvoyance, steampunk, nationalism, romance and Gilbert & Sullivan; that is unless Natasha Pulley wanted to make all her main characters unlikeable by the end.
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley
An intriguing if not entirely successful mix of Victorian mystery, clairvoyance, steampunk, nationalism, romance and Gilbert & Sullivan; that is unless Natasha Pulley wanted to make all her main characters unlikeable by the end.
44si
>42 connie53: Hi Connie. Thanks for the encouragement. Its felt like a very uneven reading year so far; I have been trying lots of writers new to me - with mixed results.
45Ann_R
>17 si: It's great fun to read the LOTR books for the first time. Tolkien's writing is deceptively complex, so the books make great rereading material. I donated my paperback novels and switched to ebooks and audio; the print was just too small.
46si
>45 Ann_R: Hi Ann. I was thinking of donating my paperbacks after reading them. But all three books seem to have reclaimed their home on my bookshelves!
