April's Book Club Review

Book reviewed this month

Everything, Everthing by Nicola Yoon

Margaret was our hostess this month, nibbles provided by Frances.

This novel can be found in bookshops in the young adult section. This was a new genere as reading material.
The book was enjoyed by the group, who appreciated its subject matter, everyone was in agreement that Maddy's mother was a real piece of work.
Lively debate ensued as different aspects, twists and turns were discussed.
As this book has now been made into a film , the group are considering viewing to compare notes on how the book has translated to the big screen.

As always members of the group brought in a large number of swops  these are all books they have read during the month. So far Gill holds the record for the most books read.
Any books not swapped, with the donators permission are taken to a local charity shop, so other like minded readers can benefit


Our next book is


Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes,  this is currently on show in the cinema

Also readers may wish to read

27th Kingdom by Alice Thomas Ellis, unfortunately this is out of print, so it may be your local library for a copy or second hand book sellars

Our next meeting is on the 31st May.

Yes, here is a picture of most of the book group doing what we do so well - eating! And before anyone reports identification problems, apologies for the picture quality. Blame the lighting, camera phone, photographer, a long thin table so we couldn't get everyone in, or whatever. There was a better one, but Frances looked as though she was handing down a pretty stiff sentence in court, and we don't want to upset our friends......

After all that, our pre-pre-Christmas bash was on 4th November at Miller & Carter - the old Dick Turpin. We met in the bar, which was just as well as that long thin table made communication a bit difficult but it was a happy evening, the food was good, our waitress was lovely and conversation was entertaining and (as always!) enlightening. We don't know what the other end of the table talked about, but our 'half' discussed anything from dog training to what sort of bath we would fit when really decrepit; manipulative children to gardening; Christmas to WI; local, national and international politics to books, and more.

So to books. Our book-to-read was 'Exposure' by Helen Dunmore. Those of us old enough to remember the Cold War found it quite chilling, but a rattling good tale and highly recommended - a war refugee, a family fighting to stay together, the psychological and physical shenanigans of the country's spymasters and an unexpected twist at the end. We found ourselves discussing it over the phone, at the WI film group on the 1st and the WI meeting on the 2nd as well as at the bar on the 4th.

At the end of the meal the Secret Santa books were distributed - to be read and reported on at our next meeting. The books were the result of Gill and Margaret spending a happy and dusty evening trying to reduce Margaret's 'library'. They managed to remove 120 books and what Santa didn't use went to Richard House. Gill is quite a ruthless organiser!

It's a bit early, but best wishes to all readers for a very happy Christmas and New Year.

WHAT WE DID ON SEPTEMBER 20th

1. Met
2. Ate
3. Discussed chosen book
4. Listened to 3 offering on the world of work (see last blog)
5. Discussed all the other books we had read other than 3 above
6. Talked a lot more
7. Arranged a meal to beat the general Christmas eating
8. Sorted the 'Secret Santa' reads for January's meeting (date to be fixed)
9. Went home after more of 2 and 6

Better expand, I suppose, now I've actually accessed the blog....

1. Ten of us met.

2. Thanks, Victoria, for providing a great selection of eats.

3. Book was 'The Illusionists' by Rosie Thomas. As usual, comments were mixed. some couldn't put it down, others found it hard going, too long, felt the ending was weak or the main character wasn't developed strongly. All of us found the depth of research into Victorian theatre and the production of illusions fascinating. Some of the descriptions of late C19th London were almost Dickensian. Not sure what the score was, but there's a sequel, so look out for it!

4. A new venture for us, suggested on the spur of the moment - no more than 500 words on our introduction to the world of work. Victoria wrote about her determination to teach and her first experiences. Jo wrote about her time as a care assistant in a haunted house. Margaret wrote about her first Saturday job at the Co-op in Romford in 1962. It was all good humoured and well received and good material for the archive, so don't throw them away ladies! Hopefully we'll do something similar in the future.

5. Included 'The reader on the 6.27', 'The girl who saved the king of Sweden', 'Black Country', 'I see you', 'The Herring in the library', 'A hologram for the king', 'The crimson petal and the white', 'The rogue lawyer', 'Liar, liar', 'Orphan X' etc. So many books, and for those who use the library and can't remember which ones they've read, we heard that Carole's mother puts a small pencil mark in them before she takes them back.

7 and 8. Pre Christmas meal is Friday 4th November at Miller & Carter. Gill is going to help with a much needed cull of Margaret's book collection for the traditional 'Secret Santa'.

And that's about it for this meeting. A warm (if a bit noisy) welcome to any readers who would like to join us in January - contact Margaret via WI.

Book Club July 2016 - Cross Sticks and Spoonerisms (you had to be there)

Nine of us met on a hot and damp July evening to discuss our latest book, Me Before You, by Jojo Moyes. As usual we were fed and watered very well - thank you very much to Eirlys. 

We agreed that we will be reading one book each time, and also that there is no pressure to read it if that is not possible sometimes. Members are still very welcome to come along if they haven't managed to read the book. We also agreed that we would be careful not to reveal the ending of a book to those who may not have finished it yet. 

Most of us enjoyed the book, though to varying degrees from 'quite enjoyed' to 'couldn't put it down'. Several people said they knew what was going to happen, though many were also hoping for a different ending, right up until the inevitable conclusion. It was felt that the subject matter was portrayed sensitively and with humour and that the lighthearted, funny female lead Lou balanced the more melancholy character of Will very well. We found the story moving, in particular the part about the tattoo and the wedding dance were mentioned. 

The sequel, After You, which some had read, was felt to be disappointing. The character of Lou, who had become independent and purposeful with the encouragement of Will, lost this in the second book, where she was not as proactive. We also felt there too many characters in the sequel.

Some of us had seen the film and felt that although not every single thing in the book had been put into the film, it was an accurate representation, when often films are considerably different. We felt this was because Jojo Moyes herself was responsible for the screenplay. 

At some point during the hilarity of the evening, a little creative writing was suggested! We heard some hilarious stories about our experiences of work, and for those who would like to, we thought it might be fun to write 300-500 words on the subject of 'The World of Work (or How I Started)'. There is no pressure to take part, nothing will go any further than between the members of the book club and nothing will be published on the blog! If tonight's stories are anything to go by, we can look forward to some entertainment next time!

Our next book was chosen and this will be The Illusionists by Rosie Thomas, the author who wrote the Kashmir Shawl which we read as a group a few years ago. We'll be meeting on a Tuesday next time, the 20th September, at Margaret's house. 

Happy Reading!

This is a bit late - sorry all! Eleven of us met on 8th June and it was good to welcome Jenny back after all her eventful travels, and to welcome new member Maureen.

Our 'book under review' was 'The Little Paris Bookshop' by Nina George and the discussion was very animated. All agreed that the descriptions of France and the countryside as the barge progressed south from Paris were excellent. After that, about half of us really enjoyed the story and characterisation and the rest of us were a bit 'iffy' (comments such as 'I got bored half way through'...). If you've read the book or not, here are a few questions! What did you think of the characters? Some of us were frustrated by Jean and Cuneo, who didn't seem to be able to get over their lost loves. Some wondered why Manon had just left a letter for Jean and not talked to him about her reason for going. and why on earth didn't he open the letter - leaving it for Catherine to do years later (general answer - men!!)? Why did Luc put up with Manon having a lover? What about the strange author of 'Southern Lights'? And then there were all the references to the books on the barge and how they were suited by Jean to the needs of various readers. Some of us found so many literary references just a little pretentious.

So.... having had a good chew of the rag, the book group went on to do what it excels at, discussing the usual eclectic mix of other books we had read since our last meeting. The Excellence of the Hedgehog. The Secret Keeper. Life after Life. In the Unlikely Event. The Butcher's Hook. The Cake Shop in the Garden. The Reader on the 6.27. Icons of England. Return to the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul. And so on. Lots of reviews, laughter, gossip (sorry - news exchange), refreshments and everything else that makes for an enjoyable book group meeting.

Next meeting is on Wednesday 27th July at Eirlys's home. Details will be sent nearer the time. We'll be discussing 'Me before You' by Jojo Moyes. Until then, happy reading!

Book Club April 2016

Many thanks to Alison for sending me her notes from the last  meeting, as I couldn't be there. 

Book Club met in April, hosted by Eirlys. As always this popular group was well attended by its membership. 
At the last gathering we agreed that we would have one must read, with a possible two extra reads.  
"All the light we cannot see" author Anthony Doerr, was read by 7 of the group. The style of writing was an interesting concept, each main characters story was told in individual chapters, linked by a thriller type mystery running alongside. The book was well written and very descriptive in content, in fact one of the members knew the book location. References to the Hitler Youth and the WW2 were very harrowing, whilst this was in context with the story, some of the ladies found the book difficult to read.

 "Tight Rope" author Simon Mawer was read by 4 of the group. This was a sequel to the "Girl who fell from the Sky". As with many sequels the group felt that this book was not as good a read Again the torture descriptions experienced by the heroine were very gritty. At times its was difficult to follow were in the story you were. 

 "Rose of Tibet" author Lionel Davidson was read by 3 of the group. A re release of a book which is very much if it's time. A brilliant travelogue for Tibet, where apparently the author had never been.

In addition the book group members between them read a further 26 books, some from new authors, along with well established writers. It great to see that the group have a wide literary taste.  

 A discussion on what we wanted from the Book Club took place, decisions made were

 One book to be read and reviewed at each meeting 

A brief narrative to be submitted to the chair if you are not able to attend in person 

Each member will bring a book recommendation with brief description, a poll will be taken and the winner is the next book group read. 

 Date of next meeting 8th June, read "Little Paris Bookshop" author Nina George.

Book Club February 2016

We were almost a full house at Margaret's for our February meeting. There were 11 of us - two members were missed but we had three lovely new members, and we were very pleased to welcome them.

We discussed our Secret Santa books and many others that we had read over the past few weeks - my little notepad and I struggled to keep up! Here are some brief notes on some of the books:

The Woman Who Went to Bed For a Year by Sue Townsend - funny, thoughtful, brilliant, loved it.

I Do Not Sleep by Judy Finnegan - an easy read, well written.

The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta - well written, unusual, thought-provoking, interesting.

Four Meals For Fourpence by Grave Noakes - interesting social history memoir.

The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul by Deborah Rodriguez - intriguing. Highlights the unfair treatment of women in Afghanistan. The author had a cake shop in Kabul, so could write from experience of living there.

Daughter by Jane Shemilt - liked it, but felt 'enjoyed' wasn't the right word. A daughter is missing, and the events in the book peel off layers of the family relationships.

Moving by Jenny Eclair - too complex, like several books in one. Not as good as Life, Death and Vanilla Slices by the same author.

Emma by Alexander McCall-Smith - good read, well written. Like a modern Jane Austen novel.

Kate Morton books - Distant Hours, The Lake House and The Secret Keeper were all mentioned, several people like these.

The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan - about a man who inherits an elephant. Very funny.

The Glass Painter's Daughter by Rachel Hore - very interesting to learn some of the history of glass painting.

The Year I Met You by Cecelia Ahern - refreshingly light. Enjoyable to read about a voyage of discovery.

These are by no means all the books we talked about - it was a very busy evening!

We will be meeting next on 20th April, details will be emailed to members nearer the time. The books we will be discussing (amongst others, no doubt!) are:

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (this is our main choice, so please try to read this one if you can. The others are extras)

The Rose of Tibet by Lionel Davidson

Tightrope by Simon Mawer (this is the sequel to The Girl Who Fell to Earth, which we read for Book Club some time ago)

Happy Reading!