50/50 Books

33A: The Unit

Dorrit Weger is checked into the Second Reserve Bank Unit, where women over the age of fifty and men over sixty that are single, childless, and without jobs in progressive industries are kept for their final years. The conditions sound ruthless, as they are expected to contribute towards drug and psychological testing and donate their organs, a bit at a time, until their final donation, but Dorrit finds her situation pleasant and peaceful enough. However, when she meets a man and falls in love, there is uncertainty. Comply or escape, and if escape, then what? This episode we’re reading The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist (translated by Marlaine Delargy), up to (but not including) Part 2 Chapter 14! TWs/CWs for this book seem to be: * Organ harvesting; euthanasia; medical and psychological experimentation; loss of freedom and surveillance; mentions of suicide; grief; cheating And our Socials are: * https://twitter.com/5050_books [https://twitter.com/5050_books] * https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books [https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books] * https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books [https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books]

32B: My Friends

Mostly unnoticed lies three figures at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the world’s most famous paintings. But Louisa has noticed, and she’s determined to figure out the story of these figures, especially as the painting ends up in her care. Because this painting was born from a summer 25 years ago in which a group of teens found refuge and purpose in each other. This episode we’re finishing My Friends by Fredrik Backman! TWs/CWs for this book seem to be: * Homophobia; Foster care discussed; Rape & sexual assault mentioned; Drugging mentioned; Domestic abuse; Attempted suicide, suicidal ideation, & self-harm; Anxiety & panic attacks; Depression; Alcoholism; Grief & loss depictions; Bullying; Police Brutality; Homophobia and homophobic slurs * My Friends by Fredrik Backman – Trigger Warning Database [https://triggerwarningdatabase.com/2025/12/10/my-friends-by-fredrik-backman/] And our Socials are: * https://twitter.com/5050_books [https://twitter.com/5050_books] * https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books [https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books] * https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books [https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books]

32A: My Friends

Mostly unnoticed lie three figures at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the world’s most famous paintings. But Louisa has noticed, and she’s determined to figure out the story of these figures, especially as the painting ends up in her care. Because this painting was born from a summer 25 years ago, in which a group of teens found refuge and purpose in each other. This episode we’re reading My Friends by Fredrik Backman, up to (but not including) Chapter 28! TWs/CWs for this book seem to be: * Homophobia; Foster care discussed; Rape & sexual assault mentioned; Drugging mentioned; Domestic abuse; Attempted suicide, suicidal ideation, & self-harm; Anxiety & panic attacks; Depression; Alcoholism; Grief & loss depictions; Bullying; Police Brutality * My Friends by Fredrik Backman – Trigger Warning Database [https://triggerwarningdatabase.com/2025/12/10/my-friends-by-fredrik-backman/] And our Socials are: * https://twitter.com/5050_books [https://twitter.com/5050_books] * https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books [https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books] * https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books [https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books]

31B: Solaris

Kris Kelvin is sent to the planet Solaris to study the ocean that covers its surface, but his research is not so simple as he and the other crew are plagued with their own painful memories. Could it be the ocean creating these memories, and for what reason? Solaris raises the pivotal question: “Can we truly understand the universe around us without first understanding what lies within?” This episode we’re finishing Solaris by Stanisław Lem! TWs/CWs for this book seem to be: * Suicide, outdated language, burn injury, excessive drinking, depression, existential dread And our Socials are: * https://twitter.com/5050_books [https://twitter.com/5050_books] * https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books [https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books] * https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books [https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books]

31A: Solaris

Kris Kelvin is sent to the planet Solaris to study the ocean that covers its surface, but his research is not so simple as he and the other crew are plagued with their own painful memories. Could it be the ocean creating these memories, and for what reason? Solaris raises the pivotal question: “Can we truly understand the universe around us without first understanding what lies within?” This episode we’re reading Solaris by Stanisław Lem up to, but not including, the chapter titled: Monsters. TWs/CWs for this book seem to be: * Suicide, outdated language, burn injury, excessive drinking, depression, existential dread And our Socials are: * https://twitter.com/5050_books [https://twitter.com/5050_books] * https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books [https://www.youtube.com/@5050_Books] * https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books [https://www.goodreads.com/5050_books]