I originally posted this on Facebook but I thought I'd add it here too for the record.
Book list for 2015
I completed 27 this year – same as last year according to my
Shelfari site. And I still have Catch 22
as a WIP.
At the start of the year I was a bit predictable, either
reading authors I’ve read before or a family recommendation but later in the
year I signed up for the Woman and Home Reading club – they nominate a book
each month in the magazine and there is also a linked Facebook page. This has added more variety and challenge to
my reading. I’ve also joined a spin off
from that page that, hopefully, will further push the boundaries. This means 3 books to read by the end of
January. At that rate my 2016 list
should be longer.
1. Balancing Act –
Joanna Trollope
This is the story of a family run business and how the
return of a family member disrupts the dynamics. Trollope always seems to have a good feel for
family relationships.
2. The Target –
David Baldacci
I discovered Baldacci last year. He writes action thrillers about spies and assassins.
Just my genre.
3. Death Message –
Mark Billingham
Billingham writes detective stories – the main character
is DI Tom Thorne. Easy to read and great
if you’re a fan of that genre. Some of
them have now been televised with David Morrissey in the lead role.
4. The Burning
Girl – Mark Billingham
5. Lifeless – Mark
Billingham
(I often read several books by the same author back to
back!)
6. Gone Girl –
Gillian Flynn
Recommended by offspring.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
7. Dark Places –
Gillian Flynn
This came as a multibuy with her other two books and was
another good read about a woman questioning her memories as a seven year old
girl which led to her brother being convicted of murder. The story tells how she sets out to unravel
the mystery.
8. Sharp Objects –
Gillian Flynn
This was actually her debut novel which I read last.
9. The Coffin
Dancer – Jeffrey Deaver
I got into Jeffrey Deaver having watched the film “The
Bone Collector” featuring the character of Lincoln Rhyme a quadriplegic
criminalist. Usually I prefer to read
the book before watching the film but having read the Bone Collector I’ve since
read several Deaver books and this is another Lincoln Rhyme story.
10. The Geneva
Trap – Stella Rimington
Rimington was the first woman Director General of MI5 and
has written a number of spy thrillers around the character of Liz Carlyle. The Geneva Trap was #7 in the series. I don’t think I’d buy any more but if they’re
on Kindle for 99p or in charity shops I’d add them to my TBR collection.
11. One Shot – Lee
Child - Jack Reacher #9
I’m a fan of the Jack Reacher Series and have read random
books from the series usually picked up in charity shops but am now working my
way through in order if possible.
12. The Hard Way –
Lee Child – Jack Reacher #10
13. Bones Never
Lie – Kathy Reichs
This was passed on to me by my daughter. I’ve read most of Kathy Reichs's books and
always enjoy them.
14. The Other
Child – Lucy Atkins
Another psychological thriller but I really did not like the main character and found some of her actions at best improbable.
15. Bad Luck and
Trouble – Lee Child – Jack Reacher #11
16. The Changing
Room – Jane Turley
I came across Jane through a blogging link. She’s a very funny lady and her book was very
apt for me – dealing with a family that included a wife at a crossroads and a
mother with dementia but done in a very humorous way.
17. The A – Z of
You and Me – James Hannah
This was the first Woman & Home recommendation I
read. “Ivo has all kinds of everyday joy in his life - he's young, he's in
love, he has friends who promise to stand by him if life ever goes wrong. Then
one day, life does go wrong. He makes a mistake, and it's big and
unforgiveable. Now time is running out and his life is falling apart. But he's
going to put it together again. His own way. This is a story about how far love
must stretch to gather a life in pieces. And how strong friendship never
dies.”
It was a debut book that got good reviews and nominations
for prizes but for me it was an OK read but not something I’d shout about.
18. Etta and Otto
and Russell and James – Emma Hooper
This was the next W & H book and was more of a
challenge. “Etta's greatest unfulfilled wish, living in the rolling farmland of
Saskatchewan, is to see the sea. And so, at the age of eighty-two she gets up
very early one morning, takes a rifle, some chocolate, and her best boots, and
begins walking the 2, 000 miles to water.” It was very atmospheric but a bit confusing at
times.
19. Never Forget –
Lisa Cutts
Another crime genre series this one featuring Nina
Foster, a former kidnap victim who grew up and became a police officer. Nothing special but an easy read.
20. The Pocket
Wife – Susan Crawford
A psychological thriller with amnesia playing a large
part. I found I couldn’t sympathise with
the main character though.
21. Hell’s Corner
– David Baldacci
Another assassination thriller.
22. The Daughter –
Jane Shemilt
This is the story of a daughter going missing and how the
family cope with the investigation that follows. It’s a bit confusing as it switches between
two time frames. I enjoyed it but not
the ending. No spoilers here!
23. The Girl on
the Train – Paula Hawkins
I sneaked this from my daughter while she was away and read
it very quickly. I enjoyed it despite
the mixed reviews.
24. Wolf Winter –
Cecilia Ekback
This was another W & H book. Much harder than the previous ones. Many readers gave up on it. I nearly did but hate to leave a book unfinished
and persevered. It’s a murder mystery
but it’s set in Swedish Lapland in 1717 which is very bleak, especially in
winter. It’s also quite slow. Again not something I would recommend but
glad I could say I’d finished it.
25. In Bitter
Chill - Sarah Ward
This was the final W & H book for the year and was a
murder mystery set in Derbyshire. It
follows the fictional story of Rachel Jones who was abducted in 1978 with her
friend Sophie. Rachel returns but Sophie
was never found. Basically a who-dunnit?
but a good debut book.
26. Better than
Before – Gretchen Rubin
Well I read this in an effort to rid myself of bad
habits, form good ones and stop my very bad habit of procrastination. It was interesting but more about the way the
author had changed her ways rather than providing much advice on how to change
yourself.
27. Me Before You
– Jojo Moyes
Oh so sad!
Definitely lived up to the hype and have the tissues handy if you read
it. Hard to say more without spoiling it.
