There was a houseful again on Wednesday at Frances's, where we just about squeezed around the dining table - in order to be closer to the nibbles. Personally I was sat right by the jelly babies. Always a good place to be. In between the jelly babies, but still able to reach Frances's lovely rock cakes....
We had apologies from a couple of members, but almost everyone was there and it was a lively meeting as always, with lots of different conversations going on around the table, about books, life and everything else.
We started by discussing My Dear, I Wanted to Tell You. There were mixed feelings about it. The graphic sex and bad language was commented on, and also the violence of war is not always an easy thing to read about. Some people found the book difficult to get into.
The Light Between Oceans was universally liked by those of us who managed to read it. We felt it was a lovely, moving story and very well written. It was obvious how much research the author must have done in order to give the reader such a comprehensive insight into the life of the people working on lighthouses at that time. Some of us felt this was a book that they would definitely read again in the future.
The Shock of the Fall was also very moving, and gave us a picture of a young man with bipolar disorder. It was funny as well as moving, and also gave us a window into the mind of a person with mental health issues. We felt it was revealing both from the young man's point of view and that of the staff dealing with his care.
Those who had read the memoir Hackney Child were appalled and found it a horrific indictment on society that such terrible things had happened in recent times.
Sandra told us about a lady she is touch with, a doctor who has set up a charity to perform cataract operations on people in India. Sandra has a copy of 'A Runaway Goat', the book written by Lucy Mathen, the charity's founder, about her experiences in India with the charity. The book is available from the website at a cost of £20, which funds a cataract operation for one person in India. Some of us thought we would like to read Sandra's copy and then perhaps make a small donation, which Sandra will then pass on to the charity. if you are interested in reading the book, please speak to Sandra.
You can read more about the work of the charity at www.secondsight.org.uk
We discussed the possibility of starting a kitty to pay for nibbles at our book club meetings. The people who host meetings said they were happy to provide refreshments out of their own pocket, although those of us who aren't able to host felt they would like to contribute. It was decided that for the time being we will continue as we are, and if some people want to contribute, they can bring something along to meetings if they would like to.
We chose our new books. They are:
1. The Flavours of Love by Dorothy Koomson (our main choice, try and read this one if you can).
Optional extras:
2. Silvertown by Melanie McGrath
3. The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden by Jonas Jonasson (who also wrote the Hundred Year Old Man who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared, which we read before)
4. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
I noticed there is a short ebook 'Recipes from the Flavours of Love' which is available free on Kindle, if anyone is interested in that.
Our next meeting is on Wednesday 16th July at Margaret's house, as usual details will be emailed nearer the time.
Happy reading!
