Book Club

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  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Amanda you take care :? we are fine - please don't worry.

    Frogmella I am so sorry :( and Legs too the poor wee girl :( nature is cruel, but it IS nature I'm afraid

    Love

    Toni xx
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Toni, Thank goodness my migraine has gone now! But got a lot to do now as it's countdown to my holiday! Lanzarote Mr & Mrs bubbadog are coming be afraid be very afraid!! So will need you to take over on the book club while away sunning myself!!
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Glad to see you are feeling better, Bubba! Enjoy your holiday. :D

    I am reading Where'd you go, Bernadette and it is fab!
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I agree with Frogmella you two have a great holiday Amanda:). I want to read Claire King's book now Frogmella :)

    Has anyone else read Binocular Vision by Edith Pearlman??

    It's very different....

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • Megrose489
    Megrose489 Member Posts: 782
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just finished reading 'Perfect' by Rachel Joyce. It's basically about two boys who are affected by an event in the life of the mother of one of them. They form 'Operation Perfect' to investigate the situation and to protect the mother. I couldn't put it down - it's both sad and funny - and the characters are wonderful. The twist at the end is beautifully handled.

    This is the same author who wrote 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry', a book I haven't read yet, but it's on my Kindle ready to go.
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Perfect is on my library shortlist, megrose. Looking forward to reading it now.

    I haven't read that book, Toni. Would you recommend it?
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    frogmella wrote:
    Perfect is on my library shortlist, megrose. Looking forward to reading it now.

    I haven't read that book, Toni. Would you recommend it?

    Dunno yet Frogmella it is a wee bit intellectual for me - all short stories which finish just as I start to like the characters :? will keep you posted.

    Megrose that's on my wishlist too :) Glad you enjoyed it - thanks for the review makes me sure it ought to be on MY kindle too :wink:

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    frogmorton wrote:
    - all short stories which finish just as I start to like the characters :?
    Love

    Toni xxx

    If I've picked up a short stories book by mistake it's always such a disappointment as you just think you're getting into a book and low and behold you're left high and dry and into the next story. :shock: :shock:

    Just thought I'd add my ten pennyworth :wink:

    Does anyone like them, it would be interesting to know?

    Luv,
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • marrianne
    marrianne Member Posts: 1,161
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh please read .The Crimson Petal and the White ....Michel Faber ,Yes its not for the fainthearted or sore wrists at over 800 pages ,but its pretty wonderful .Dickens with naughty bits ..but its heart breaking to so many tender moments its a lovely book ...................Marrianne
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    frogmella wrote:
    Glad to see you are feeling better, Bubba! Enjoy your holiday. :D

    I am reading Where'd you go, Bernadette and it is fab!


    Not away just yet! Another couple of weeks till we go! It's just all the to do lists before we go!! Will send you the dates so you know. :D
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ah, OK Bubba! Preparation is key to a good restful holiday! :wink:

    Today I have: swum my usual mile then done an hour of aqua zumba followed by dog walk and then, to top it off, I cycled to the library and back. I reckon I am allowed to spend the afternoon in the garden reading, don't you? :lol: Will finish Bernadette today then got new Neil Gaiman to read. Expect a review later today!!
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    The Sunne in Slendour by Sharon Penman

    A long book but very interesting and I feel I learnt a lot. It centres on the story of Edward IV and Richard III. How close it is to true history, I'm not sure but I enjoyed it anyway. It took me a long time to read but that was because it was a little slow in parts and I lost interest occasionally.

    3*

    Luv,
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
    This is a comedy book composed mostly of e-mails, letters, memos etc that relate to/explain the backstory of Bernadette's disappearance. There are odd bits of narrative inserted here and there told from Bernadette's daughter's (Bee) point of view.
    I found myself recognising quite a lot if myself in Bernadette - she was easily irritated by the parents at her daughter's school - she called them gnats! There was a funny scene in a restaurant where I thought "that could be me!!".
    Reading all the e-mails etc and seeing how things get misinterpreted by others I found myself rooting for Bernadette. Essentially she was misunderstood and a little depressed too.
    I enjoyed the book. It was funny and easy to read. ****/*****
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you for review frogmella, sounds a fun book to read, will keep it on my list of possible books. Realised I don't have your email address! I have Toni's so will email Toni my holiday dates so she will know them.
  • marrianne
    marrianne Member Posts: 1,161
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just finnished ,The Crimson Petal and the White.all 800 etc pages ,Feel bereft ... its not so good when a book leaves you wondering .. you get to become so involved with the characters , arthritis definately was relegated to the back burner this last week ,a book that helps you lose yourself for a couple of hours a day has to be considered worthy of review ,also looking forward to November for the final Elizabeth Jane Howard ..Cazelets book 4 OR MAYBE 5 well its set in the 50 s anyway ....also for lovers of the White Queen boxed set on Amazon Phillipa Gregory all of them ...white Queen RED queen ..ALL ABOUT wARWICK THE KING MAKER and about Elizabeth Woodvilles mother ... for easy reading check out Carole Mathews happy reading everyone ...Marrianne x
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you Marrianne for what you wrote, Could you please set out your review in the way we all do our reviews. As frogmella's is for 'Where are you Bernadette' it makes it easier to understand. What the title of the book is, The author, the review and your rating. Sorry to ask.
    Nearly finished 'Diana her true story' the updated addition so will review it in the next couple of days.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I wonder Whether Marianne might like to choose September's book of the month?? We need to start thinking..... :?

    If you can give me a book to forget arthritis for a few hours sometimes you can count me in!!

    When are you off Amanda?

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • marrianne
    marrianne Member Posts: 1,161
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks everyone ,Thinking I am now on the right track ,dont think I will get to read JULY /AUGUST choices now on catch up ... but as a newcomer not to evil A but to book club ,bit nervous to choose next choice .. but thanks so much for this great topic ,readmARRIANNE ing has saved me so many times over the years and I will read PRACTICALLY anything still love a rummage into the childrens book case favourite probably BLACK BEAUTY ...OR ..THE CASTLE OF ADVENTURE .......I am excited at the prospect of haveing a book chosen for me ...but if nothing is chosen well I know I keep on a bit but failing The Crimson Petal ... a sweet book by Carole Mathews riches to rags and back again .. an easy enjoyable story .The only way is up ....springs to mind ,............I am inclined to waffle on so will keep looking for other suggestions .happy reading everyone ..........Marrianne :)
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Marrianne

    Glad you are enjoying the book club. You will get the hang of it - no-one is nasty here, we just all loved reading like you :)

    Regarding choosing a book for us all....

    We all felt that at first that we didn't want to choose a book that otherd didn't enjoy.

    BUT if we have no other suggestions I think we ought to try The Crimson Petal By Carole Matthews

    Love

    Toni xxx

    PS like you I find reading has on many occasions kept me sane, not least when my Dad died then later the loss of my Mum :)
  • marrianne
    marrianne Member Posts: 1,161
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Toni ,Thanks for going for my book choice s ...Well got them muddled :lol: ..I said I tend to waffle ...anyway here goes ..could it be ............The Only Way is up Carole Mathews ...or The Crimson Petal and the White or some one else choose .. guess it will be getting good moveing to christmas season lots more choices Think a new Sue Townsend is on the way love Adrian ..oh and HelenFielding with a new Brigitte Jones ,sorry about going on again but I know Toni you will choose wisely you all do choose great mixed bag but its true for us all here a lovely bit of escapism from sad things or just chores has got to be good ...........Marrianne :)
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Welcome to the book club, Marrianne! We do all love reading here! I am also happy to go with the Crimson Petal. It is tough choosing BOTM - I think we all agonise over it. Too much probably! :oops:
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I just finished The Ocean at the end of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
    This was officially an adult book but is sort of a fairy story. It is about a boy whose family's lodger kills himself and that sets off a weird dark forces thing. The boy meets the girl who lives down the lane, with a pond that she claims is the ocean. Things are not quite what they seem at her farmhouse. This is a magical story, very fantastical and, as with all of his books, it is quite dark too.
    I have enjoyed it and award ****
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    frogmella wrote:
    I just finished The Ocean at the end of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
    This was officially an adult book but is sort of a fairy story. It is about a boy whose family's lodger kills himself and that sets off a weird dark forces thing. The boy meets the girl who lives down the lane, with a pond that she claims is the ocean. Things are not quite what they seem at her farmhouse. This is a magical story, very fantastical and, as with all of his books, it is quite dark too.
    I have enjoyed it and award ****


    4* tempting Frogmella..... :) Thanks for agreeing we should try the crimson petal.

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Everyone, firstly may I say welcome to Marrianne, sorry for being a bit harsh to you about doing reviews. :oops: Totally forgot you where new my heads been all over the place last couple of weeks hope you forgive me! :(

    And Toni, yes we could go with Marrianne's choice for BOTM but there seems to be a bit of confusion!! The Crimson Petal is written by Michel Faber. Carole Matthews book that Marrianne suggested was The Only Way Is Up. So we have 2 different books to choose from!! Which one do you think would be good for BOTMor would you prefer to go with both so there is a choice?
    Kindle prices:-

    Carole Matthews - The only way is up:-£4.49
    Michel Faber - The Crimson Petal and White:-£4.00
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi all, sorry to have been absent. Had a septic abscess which turned into a systemic infection and I ended up in hospital. Feeling better now, thankfully. Done lots of reading, and have lots to catch up on here.

    Hi Marianne, nice to welcome another reader! I find it helps take your mind off things, my kindle solved the pain in wrist and elbows problem. :D

    I am behind on the BOTM sorry!! I also have the Harold Fry Pilgramage book downloaded, but haven't got round to reading it yet. Will have to look out for Perfect.

    Toni, was the Binocular book good?

    Frogmella, you are so active it is an inspiration, when you consider how much pain you were in at the start of the year!

    Bubba, I hope you have a good holiday and apologies for not being around. I haven't been a good right hand person lately. If you want to pick someone else I understand.

    Quick hello to Lindalegs and Megrose.

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