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of the luxury to quite literally judge a book by its cover, I didn't realise that I was subjecting myself to an outdated non-fiction publication that was originally published in the late eighties.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.