Here at For Reading Addicts we wanted to create another reading challenge for ourselves and our followers, something a little different, something that perhaps takes us all out of our reading comfort zone and so we have decided that the For Reading Addicts reading challenge for 2017 will feature authors from around the world.
Each month we will select books written by authors who hail from a specific country and will then share that list on our Social Media pages and groups. We will then set up a discussion event for those who are taking part to chat about the books they read and to share their experiences of reading books from authors they may not ever have come across otherwise. We will also create a poll question asking for suggestions of authors for the next month’s country.
For our December challenge, the last in around the world series, we asked our Cwts Book Club members for suggestions of authors from The UK. The list this vote produced was the longest yet running to some 44 suggestions, these are the five books we have chosen, by the authors who received most votes, for our For Reading Addicts Reading Challenge 2017 December edition.
Daphne du Maurier – My Cousin Rachel
Orphaned at an early age, Philip Ashley is raised by his benevolent cousin, Ambrose. Resolutely single, Ambrose delights in making Philip his heir, knowing he will treasure his beautiful Cornish estate. But Philip’s world is shattered when Ambrose sets off on a trip to Florence. There he falls in love and marries – and then dies suddenly in suspicious circumstances.
Agatha Christie – Murder on the Orient Express
Agatha Christie’s most famous murder mystery. Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside.
Murder on the Orient Express US
Murder on the Orient Express UK
Neil Gaiman – American Gods
After three years in prison, Shadow has served his time. But as the days and hours until his release tick away, he can feel a storm brewing. But the storm is about to break . . .Disturbing, gripping and profoundly strange, Gaiman’s epic novel sees him on the road to the heart of America.
Irvine Welsh – The Acid House
The characters in this extraordinary book are often – on the surface – depraved, vicious, cowardly and manipulative, but their essential humanity is never undermined. The Acid House is a bizarre, disturbing and hilarious collection from one of the most uncompromising and original writers around.
Roald Dahl – Treasury
And in a bit of a change from the usual books, as Roald Dahl was 4th on the list and I know a lot of you will be busy during December the final choice is any of Dahl’s Children’s stories. If you’ve never read one of his books (really?) use this as an excuse to explore the master of wickedly funny children’s literature.
This month’s books are by the authors that received the most votes, we hope that you can find something from the list to read and enjoy. If you’ve already read one of the books, you can still join in the discussion in the middle of December over in the discussion group.
Well that’s the end, we hope our reading challenge for 2017 has introduced you to authors you’ve never heard of and writing styles you’ve not encountered previously. Next year we’re going to do something a little different so keep a look out for our announcement of For Reading Addicts Reading Challenge 2018.
For Reading Addicts Reading Challenge 2024
For Reading Addicts Reading Challenge 2023 – Read a Rainbow – October