Book Club

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  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,088
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hah Amanda!!!

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    Not easy concentrating when you have kitties to look after and love :D

    Frogmella - that book also sounds good :shock: my list is growing. Hope Hester is ok tonight and you sleep like a log

    Love

    Toni xx
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hester was better by lunchtime yesterday and we slept through - although they wake up for breakfast with the light so we are, even on a bank holiday, awake at 6am!

    Started The fault in our stars last night and it is really good so far!
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Had to give up on Worth Dying for due to it starting to drag on. I was 3/4 of the way through, so here's my review.

    Worth Dying for by Lee Child

    This book started promising, the fact the main character 'Jack Reacher' was an interesting character and kept me interested. By the middle of the book the plot started to drag and I was starting to loose interest, I battled on hoping for the story to pick up but I gave up 3/4 of the way through.I know a lot of bookies enjoyed it but sadly I just think this type of book isn't for me.

    Rating:-**
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I finished The fault in our stars by John Green yesterday.
    This is another teen book, it just won the Richard and Judy book of the season I think. It is about Hazel, who is a teenager with terminal cancer. She meets Augustus at support group and the book follows their (short) story. Despite the grim circumstances the book manages to be funny as well as sad. It made me laugh and cry. It also helps put some things in perspective!
    Anyway, I thought it was good so ****/*****

    I am now going to finish the last half of the fifth Game of Thrones book. I started reading the series before watching the TV show, but have to say they have done a good job translating it to the small screen!
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've start reading A Street Cat called Bob by James Bowen it has started off really great just from the 1st couple of chapters you learn about James Bowen's life which is very interesting and how caring he is. And you learn about Bob the cat's characteristics which are funny. I'll review it properly when I've finished but anyone who owns a cat or just loves cats it's a must read!!
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have loved the Game of Thrones books. The first three were brilliant, I thought the fourth one slowed down a bit. I have been reading the fifth one around other books. My library loans e-books too. I don't have a tablet though so I will stick to my real books!
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Have you read the Dark Tower series by Stephen King? Only because it is also an epic, 7 book series!
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just finished reading The Survivors Club by Lisa Gardner

    It was about 3 rape victim who form a club to get over their ordeal, and how they try to bring the killer to justice.

    I really enjoyed the plot, a gripping read ****


    Now reading The Help it is a really good book, can't believe that in 1962 outside toilets were still being built for African americans, disgusting :cry: However the book is about how things are changed, loving it.
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oooh, I loved The Help. I too was amazed at how racist people were and so recently too. I just couldn't get my head around it. But, I suppose, that is why I liked the book so much - it made me think. The film adaptation wasn't bad either.

    I have read at least one Lisa Gardner book and think I enjoyed those too.
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I enjoyed them, lots of characters from is other books pop up. It is long - be warned!
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I saw the film 'The Help' I really enjoyed it, I know a lot about apartheid in South Africa, Nelson Mandela and Biko because I studied it for my English Lit A-level. If you want to see a really good film about it all check out a film called 'Cry Freedom'. Very shocking and moving.
    On a happier note, still enjoying 'A street cat named Bob'.
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I will add it to my list, Bubba. We also watched Invictus which sowed some of that too. Glad you are enjoying your book. I am waiting for my book of the month to get to the library so carrying on with Game of Thrones.
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Wow! Mind you I have read all the True Blood books so far and I think there might be getting on for that many of them. But they are pretty easy/trashy reads so don't really count!
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've just finished A Casual Vacancy by J K Rowling

    This book was okay but I felt that it had too many 'main' characters and it was hard to remember who was who, doing what, with whom and where :shock: I think the author also made the mistake of talking about a family/character but not telling you enough to keep you interested in them before moving on to another set of people. :roll:

    I also felt that sometimes it was aimed more at a teenage read than an adult one and therefore had a bit of a wandering target.

    I didn't really get into it till I'd read 150 pages but I think that was because it took me until then to get to know everyone involved. :|

    In the end I did enjoy it but it took me a long time to get there.

    3***s

    Luv,
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,088
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was the same Legs although I did enjoy it and of course it was v expensive too :roll:

    Right my review of March's book of the month

    Popular Music by Mikael Campisi

    Wow was this book different. :wink:

    It was about a lad growing up in the sticks in a place called Pajala....(I think) in Sweden.

    It took me a while to get my (small) head around the names/place names but once that was done I was off. It was written in the first person, with Mikael painting such a detailed picture of life in (probably) the 1960/70's in a very isolated and proud community.

    Although the language was at times rather fruity (to say the least) I found myself laughing out loud at his descriptions on various family occasions and rites of passage too. The 'sauna' the drinking, the almost tribal pride and warring between families. The fear of being seen to be 'knapsu' (not manly) and finally the Grandfather's birthday party!

    I give this book a 4.5* - it would have got a 5 but I suspect the raunchy language would offend many :)

    Love

    Toni xxx

    This is what the book club is about for me - reading stuff l would never have chosen myself.

    Thanks

    Oh yes what am I supposed to be reading now for April??? :oops:
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    frogmorton wrote:
    I was the same Legs although I did enjoy it and of course it was v expensive too :roll:

    I was lucky because my friend loaned me her copy :D There was some 'choice' language in it that too :oops: but then I think it suited the characters who used it.

    I suggested Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden for the April read. :D

    Love,
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,088
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Legs :D

    downloading as we speak :wink:

    Love

    Toni xxx

    Done :D
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hope you enjoy it Toni .....................and other book dwellers too :D

    You feel sort of responsible when it's your own suggestion :shock:

    Love,
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,088
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ah yes you do Legs

    I reckon that's why people can be a bit reticent about suggesting a title :wink:

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I think it is hard suggesting books too! You do feel responsible, especially when I know that a lot of people actually but the books rather than getting them out of the library. It feels like a big responsibility. Silly really, we are all grown ups!

    I had read mixed reviews of the casual vacancy - I will probably read it one day but having read this review I am still in no hurry!
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sorry I haven't been around for a couple of days! Friday computer had a gremlin and couldn't get on it, luckily OH has fixed it! And yesterday had a migraine which was nasty and kept me in bed all day.

    Thank you for what you said Toni and that's why I decided to start the book club so I and anyone who wanted to join could have our minds opened to different styles and type of books that we would not normally read.
    Please don't feel shy to suggest a book for Book of the Month yes we are adults and every new book someone suggests is opening our minds so please keep suggesting books and don't feel shy doing so.

    Looking forward to reading 'Popular Music' sounds right up my street!! :wink:
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have just finished reading The Help

    It is about 2 african american maids in 1960's missisippi and a white woman who writes a book about their experiences.

    I was riveted to the story, I give it *****
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,088
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi everyone

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    Ooops sorry was just reading there :wink:

    Amanda that is exactly what l mean, l would never have read a lot of books I have thoroughly enjoyed on here. thank YOU!

    Frogmella yes people do buy them so the responsibility does seem greater I agree, but Amanda IS right it's our choice being adults whether we read them or not.

    The Help is on my list too Suzy.....think l will have to give it a go for difinite with your recommendation

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • Bioluminescence
    Bioluminescence Member Posts: 42
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi all. How does this normally work, does there tend to be a book of the month?

    frogmella, I also finished reading The Fault in Our Stars as I am a fan on John Green from his various educational or vlogging youtube channels. I found this really good. I particularly liked how realistic the characters were, so often if I read teenage fiction there is a big sense of 'teenagers don't actually talk / act like that' and I think John Green got it spot on for a couple of intelligent teenagers but who still make mistakes etc. *****

    I'm not sure if this has come up (sorry, I don't have time to go through 40 pages today :P) but do you know any good books where the character or author has an illness or chronic pain or even arthritis? Preferably fiction, can be non fiction (but I don't mean a scientific guide to understanding physical effects of arthritis and medication).
  • Bertiebudgie11
    Bertiebudgie11 Member Posts: 2
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi everyone,

    I too was wondering how the forum works.

    Just reading Jeffrey Archers 'best kept secret'. It is a great read, I am a fan of his.

    X :D

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