Daydreaming Destinations - Written for Semple Magazine VI

Semple Magazine VI is out now - available here.

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The Final Four

Yesterday morning, I finished my 52 books in a year challenge... and with five weeks to spare!

Since my last post took me up to book #48, here are the final four that saw me to a complete New Year's Resolution before December even arrived...

#49 Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Year Of Pilgrimage - Haruki Murakami

After saving the most recent novel from my favourite author until the end of the challenge, I was slightly worried that it would not be worth the wait.  Though 'Colourless Tsukuru' isn't remotely as indulgently lengthy as '1Q84', features an American spelling in the title and has a distinct lack of cats weaved in to the storyline, I genuinely enjoyed Murakami's latest work.  So much so in fact, that I read it in one sitting.  If you haven't already, you should most definitely get hold of a copy.      

 

 #50 The Fashion Conspiracy - Nicholas Coleridge

This book highlighted to me one of the greatest issues with purchasing e-books in a rush.  Deprived of the luxury to quite literally judge a book by its cover, I didn't realise that I was subjecting myself to an outdated non-fiction publication that was originally published in the late eighties.  Though some of the anecdotes were interesting, overall I found that I had to force myself to keep turning the digital pages.  Probably best avoided - I read far more interesting fashion books whilst writing my dissertation (and that's saying something).

 #51 There Goes Gravity a life in Rock and Roll - Lisa Robinson

Books written by journalists are often incredibly informative and easy to read - 'There Goes Gravity' is no exception.  Considering that many of the musicians are signed to the labels that I work on at Warner, Lisa Robinson's tales of life behind the scenes with some of the world's best known perfomers were undoubtedly entertaining.  Sometimes I felt it was a shame that the writer didn't include more about herself, as I'm certain that her own personal accounts would be equally as compelling.

 #52 Eat My Heart Out - Zoe Pilger

Several magazine websites that I browse had mentioned this debut novel, so when I spotted in on sale in the Kobo store I hit download.  Now I regret that this chaotic novel was the final book in my 52 book challenge.  Perhaps this is a 'marmite' publication that some may love, but personally I found it to be utterly devoid of charm and was glad when I reached the end.

#53 Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs

Yes, there is already a #53... Why achieve when you can over-achieve?!  After the previous catastrophic choice of fiction, this fantastic creation was such a relief.  Amazingly presented and written, I would suggest that any reader who enjoys something a little extraordinary indulge in this page turner.  With the sequel due for release early next year and a cinematic adaption being directed by the inimitable Tim Burton I'm relieved that this is not the last I'll be seeing of Miss Peregrine and her band of peculiar children.  

 

The 52 book challenge - 23 to 48!

You might remember my earlier posts about my attempt at reading 52 books in a year.

I'm currently reading both books #49 and #50 - ahead of schedule!

Here are the books that have been consuming my time, since my last post as I finished my 22nd read...

(As there are so many to catch up on, I've only included images of the ones that I would reccomend).

23) Lost - Gregory Maguire 

24) Bluebeard - Angela Carter

25) The Mermaid Chair - Sue Monk Kidd

26) Mirror Mirror - Gregory Maguire

27) Temeraire - Naomi Novik

28) Shotgun Lovesongs - Nickolas Butler

29) Elizabeth Is Missing - Emma Healey

30) The Bees - Laline Paull

 

31) The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt

32) If You Were Here - Alafair Burke 

33) Nights At The Circus - Angela Carter

34) The Enchanted - Rene Denfeld

35) Lemon Grove - Helen Walsh

36) Boy, Snow, Bird - Helen Oyeyemi

37) it - Alexa Chung

38) Frog Music - Emma Donoghue

39) Last Bus To Coffeeville - J. Paul Henderson

40) The Magic Toyshop - Angela Carter

41)  Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell

42) Fierce - Kelly Osbourne

43) Friendship - Emily Gould

44) Diary - Chuck Palahniuk

45)  The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy - Rachel Joyce

46) The Miniaturist - Jessie Burton

47) Not That Kind Of Girl - Lena Dunham

48) #GIRLBOSS - Sophia Amoruso