NOVEMBER 2021
Due to non-availability of library books we discussed books that members had read previously:
Dreaming in Colour by Charlotte Vale Allen. A mother escapes with her child. Pursued by husband. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Dear Mrs. Bird by A J Pearce. Set in 1940 during WW2. Thoroughly enjoyed giving the description of wholesome. Lots of funny incidents mentioned such as rationing, romance, fire watching.
Elton John’s autobiography. Father left home and had 2 more children, close to stepfather. David Furnish changed his life radically. A jolly good read.
Royal by Danielle Steel. A story about a princess sent away to safety during WW2 where she falls in love and is lost forever. An enjoyable story of family and royalty.
The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes. A story is about packhorse librarians set in Depression America. Five extraordinary women journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond delivering literature to isolated farms etc. .Very much enjoyed.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. A reread of a much loved novel. A love story, a satire , a comedy all of which reflected society at the time. Absolutely LOVED.
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OCTOBER 2021
The Forbidden Promise by Lorna Cook
The novel was about a wealthy Scottish family who lived a privileged life style. The daughter met an airman who had crashed his plane into a nearby loch. She was strangely the only person to hear the plane come down and helped rescue the pilot who she almost immediately fell in love with. He did not want to re-join the war and she kept him hidden for some time. As she had done this dreadful thing she was banished from the family home and subsequently trained as a nurse and carried the child that was the airman’s.
The novel was set in two time zones, the 1940s and 2020. Strangely, no mention of Covid but this could be due to artistic licence.
The novel was felt to be very readable by 5 members and “okay” by one. Some felt it to be cliched and predictable . The story has a twist that no one guessed but is better left to be discovered by the reader. A good holiday read.
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SEPTEMBER 2021 Somebody I Used To Know by Wendy Mitchell
This is a story about a woman affected by early onset dementia. This person was able to hold down a very important job, bring up two daughters on her own, run for miles to keep fit and still be able to keep the garden maintained and hang wallpaper with no problems at all. Almost a superwoman.
Unfortunately, she still became afflicted with this most dreadful of diseases at a very early age. Diagnosis was difficult and acceptance was even more so. However, she was able to hold down her job for quite a while and also belong to charities dealing with her disability and hold important roles within the charities. She was able to travel using public transport to big cities including London and developed coping strategies to enable her to do this. She included her daughters at all times without burdening them.
The book was enjoyed by most of group although one abandoned it as too distressing to read. It was felt to be well written (ghost writer). One person absolutely loved the book as the subject was felt to be pertinent and the aspect of early onset particularly interested this person.
Recommended reading was the main comment.
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AUGUST 2021 The Innocent Wife by Amy Lloyd
Very mixed responses to this novel, which was based on fact.
An English woman had volunteered to get involved with a man in death row for murdering a young child. It did seem that the prosecution and defence were found wanting in his original trial and he was released. Before release he had married this woman.
It seems that he hadn’t murdered the child but the wife found photos that proved he was guilty of previously murdering many other young girls. Absolute scum of the earth.
I didn’t think I would enjoy this book but did get into it quite quickly and, yes did enjoy to some extent. One member was bored and not interested, one felt she had to finish the book, two quite enjoyed it, one felt this was “real life”. A mixed response as you can see that didn’t quite reflect the comments at the back which were “ compelling, gripping, fantastic thriller”.
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JUNE 2021 Inspire by Ben Fogle
I had really looked forward to this book and was disappointed. I have found this with other celebrity authors before. I suppose they are good at what they “do” but can’t really “write”. So many adjectives and so much about living in the wild and about this being so good for mental health.
One member really loved the booked though and enjoyed reading about his exploits. One got very cross with him. “Why does he think it’s so good to leave your family and responsibilities for months on end to partake in dangerous pursuits?”.
One did not like it all. Two others were ambivalent. So as you can see, mixed responses. It sparked a cheerful debate which we all enjoyed though. We chatted and laughed for ages.
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MAY 2021 Moving by Jenny Eclair Our first physical meeting - YIPEE!
Five members thoroughly enjoyed this book but one member was not keen on it.
A very readable novel, full of gritty realism and believable characters. Made you sad and made you laugh. I think we will read more by this author.
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APRIL 2021
Individual reviews of books selected by members.
Notes From A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson. A thoroughly enjoyed travel book. Informative and amusing.
The Sunbird by Wilbur Smith. This was set in Africa and the author demonstrates his research and love if the country.
A Dr. Karin finds an ancient hidden city but is threatened by terrorists who believe ancient myths. Really enjoyed. A real page turner
Moonshine by Victoria Clayton is about a young woman who had an affair with a politician and when this was exposed had to escape to Ireland. Found to be an absorbing and satisfactory read.
Balancing Act by Joanna Trollope - the story centres around a pottery company run by one determined woman and her three daughters. The men in the family become less passive and slowly the family unravels. Cliched ending with everyone becoming involved and integrated. Felt to be a good book with well-described characters.
Crisis by Felix Francis. Harry Foster, a lawyer, is called to Newmarket stables where a fire has occurred and seven valuable horses are slaughtered and human remains have been found. Lots of twists and turns and thoroughly enjoyed.
One August Night by Victoria Hislop. This is about a girl who left a leper colony cured of her leprosy. The story tells how she gets back to ordinary life. Not one of Hislop’s best but really enjoyed.
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MARCH 2021
We all picked a book to read or reread and passed on our views to other group members.
A Trilogy by RF Delderfield where a gentleman leaves the army in 1857 after fighting in the Zulu War. He marries a runaway daughter of a mill owner and sets up a haulage business. Horse drawn vehicles give way to the railway and the novels describe their lives and progress. A jolly good read
Another read a series of books about a Detective Inspector Hillary Green. She was widowed after a car crash at beginning of story. Her husband turns out to have been very much a “bent copper” but Hillary is totally unaware of this until she finds a million pounds in an off shore bank account. Enjoyable read.
Moon Island by Rosie Thomas Mary Duhane is 14 and is brought to Moon Island with her sister by her father to fetch some normality to their lives after the death of their mother. Mary discovers mysteries that need uncovering and she also has to confront truths about herself and her family. Good read.
Restless by William Boyd. This is an espionage novel and it tells the story of a woman whose mother was recruited by the British Secret Service in WWII. The novel cleverly intertwines the lives of the mother and daughter and the ending is totally unexpected. Highly recommended.
Tales From The Farm by The Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen. A lighthearted read about her years 2019 to 2021. An easy and humorous read.
City of Thieves by David Benioff which was about the Siege of Leningrad.
I had to abort this book as the horrors it covered really disturbed me but I WILL READ IT. I then started to read:
What Lies Between Us by John Marrs. I had to abandon this when I realised a daughter was keeping her mother captive with chains to her ankle and a bucket for her toilet. I WILL READ IT.
Then Lost Continent by Bill Bryson. Not one of his best in my opinion but interesting as it covers most of the states in the USA when he is touring around them.
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FEBRUARY 2021
We all picked a book to read or reread and passed on our views to other group members.
Patronising Bastards by Quentin Letts
A fiery right wing journalist. I found myself totally agreeing with lots that he said, recognising patronage where previously I had not but it was difficult to read criticism about people I really admire, like Stephen Fry and Sandi Toksvig. A good read though.
Here and Now by Santa Montefiore
A difficult subject as dealing with dementia of one member of a family; a family member who had spent her life taking care of others and being a leading community member. A familiar story that found the family trying to deal with and handle with this truly vile disease. Well worth reading.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
It is set in a complex of homes for retired people. The author describes his characters with great reality. The story is described as funny, complex and moving as it touches on assisted death, illegitimacy, defrocked vicars, petty crime and murder. Book thoroughly enjoyed.
Where The Crawdada Sing by Delia Owens this was recommended by the Duchess of Cornwall -personally?
The story follows the life of a young girl who grows up isolated and abandoned by parents and family from the age of about six. A separate storyline was the investigation of a supposed murder of a local young man and as the two stories intertwine, makes for a surprising ending.
In The Woods by Tana French
Not given a good review. It’s and is about the murder of a 12 year old near an archaeological site in the woods. The reader found the story drawn out and found the detail unnecessary. Although the reader did not enjoy this book at all, it may suit those who like murder mystery tales.
Lastly, Dreaming in Colour by Charlotte Vale Allen
A woman flees from an abusive husband and finds work caring for an older woman whose niece once had a best friend who was also abused. The story follows the developing relationship between the three women and describes the abuse suffered by wives. A well written, absorbing read with interesting characters.
I was so interested in seeing the diverse choices and very interested to get reading these books.
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JANUARY 2021Between Oceans by M L Stedman
Was enjoyed by all members apart from one who wasn’t all that keen but didn’t think it a bad read. The book is about a family who lived a solitary life. The man earned his living by being responsible for a lighthouse, which provided fascinating information.
His wife was unable to have children, which caused terrible mental health problems and ended up with them caring for a child that was not theirs. However tenderly they cared for that child they deprived her mother of caring for her own child causing her dreadful issues and of course depriving the child of her own mother.
So so sad. It was felt that the author magnificently described the harrowing situation.
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