Book Club

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  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Nearly Finished the Dave Ghan Book, will review it soon!
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hope everyone has a enjoyable weekend, fingers crossed it's a sunny one so we can all sit in the garden and relax and read!! :)
  • Tubby
    Tubby Member Posts: 177
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have finished Twelve Years a Slave at last! I am afraid that it did not improve for me from start to finish. The writing was just a list of facts - I did this, I saw that, this happened to me etc. It was like an uninteresting diary and did not, as I hoped really explore slavery other than showing that it was bad - something that I was already aware of. I wanted much more depth than this book gave me about the feelings of the slaves. I would not recommend this book to anyone and only finished it as I wanted to be able to comment on the whole book and I kept hoping it would get better. I am sure that the recent film brings the story of the main character's story to life much better than the book did. Of course, this is just my opinion and I know that many others have enjoyed it but this one wasn't for me :oops:
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Dave Ghan, Depeche Mode & The Second Coming By Trevor Baker

    I've been looking forward to reading this book being a Depeche Mode fan and it didn't disappoint. It went chapter to chapter from the beginning of when the band first got together and tried to get management and getting their 1st album deal, album by album and tour by tour. It also went into deep detail about lead singer Dave Ghan's drug problem and how he went into rehab and beat the drug addiction and came out stronger and even got his own solo career as well as getting back with the band and came back as a stronger group and even got better as a group. If your a Depeche Mode fan (which I realise not everyone is!) you will really enjoy this book, which my OH is going to read next!

    Rating:- *****
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello bookworms :)

    I have read the Rosie Project - rather I listened to it - Australian accents!!! :shock: It was funny yes :lol:

    Amanda I like the new avatar ;)

    Nice to meet you Hannah.

    When I EVER get a minute I must list all the books I've read while Lucy has been poorly - Hannah a kindle is a Godsend :)

    Tubby 12 years a slave doesn't appeal to me either, but I think that's because I can't cope with upsetting things ATM

    Oh but I forgot - I have a manual book It's called 'Under the Frog' by Tibor Fischer. It's about a group of Hungarian basketball players at the time of the uprising in 1956, (when my own Father escaped to England). The reason I haven't read it is because, although it is advertised as funny, I am worried it might be upsetting.

    Rightyho must get on

    tablets to sort out etc

    love and ((())) to you all

    Toni xxx
  • Megrose489
    Megrose489 Member Posts: 782
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    At the moment I'm reading the third in the Small Change trilogy by Jo Walton. Farthing is the first, then Ha'penny and finally, Half a Crown . They are murder/political thrillers set in an England where there was a 'peace with honour' with Germany, who agreed not to invade England, two years into the Second World War. The English government and Adolf Hitler now have a friendly alliance and England has become a fascist country. Perhaps that sounds dry, but they're fast-paced, with interesting characters, and I found it difficult to put them down. I ordered them from the library, but, of course, the first and third arrived, but no sign of the second one! So I bought that for my Kindle so I could read them in order. If you like thrillers with an historical flavour, I can recommend them.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    These are all the books I read while in hospital with Lucy:

    The Second Life of Amy Archer by R.S. Pateman I can only remember this as being dissatisfying :?
    Lacey's House by Joanne GrahamI know I liked this book
    The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton I also enjoyed this one
    The Other Daughter by Rose Trevithick
    The Fault in our Stars by John Green This one is really really worth a read
    The Dead Wife's handbook by Hannah Becker (weird I can remember that!)
    What Alice forgot by Liane Moriarty (another memory one but not as good as 'before I go to sleep')
    The love of my Life by Louise Douglas Not as good as I had hoped nor very memorable :oops:
    My Sister's Keeper by Bill Benners In my opinion a weak almost psychological thriller..that's all I remember other than the second main character was a wheelchair user...who got better in the end.
    If I'm Dead by Marcia Clark I can't even remember it!
    One step too far Tina Seskis Now this was good connteporary fiction with a twist :)
    You against me by Jenny Downham Conetmporary fiction again, but well-written.
    The last letter from your lover by Jojo Moyes contemporary fiction - good as usual
    Until you're mineby Samantha Hayes I didn't get who had 'done it' until about 2/3 of the way through so good in my opinion

    Not sure whether it was because of what was happening or not, but I can't remember much so, Amanda, I have struggled to remember them at all well :oops:

    Can I recommend 'A Fault in our Stars' though? an excellent 5* read in my opinion. Lucy's friends have all read it so you can guess it's relevant to what is happening to us ATM and pretty accurate - a tearjerker

    Love to you all

    Toni xxx
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Toni! It is lovely to hear from you on the book club!! I loved the fault in our stars too, but I would never have recommended it to you given your recent events! But I am glad that you enjoyed it. When my mom was ill with breast cancer I recommended a book to her but had forgotten that one of the characters also had cancer. Turned out my Mom didn't like reading about it. Whereas I found it almost made it easier for me to deal with, reading about someone else going through it. If you know what I mean? As usual I am struggling to articulate what I mean! I am useless at writing. :oops: :roll: I recently read Looking For Alaska by John Green too, and it was also good. Lucy might enjoy it?

    I am really enjoying The Queen's Gambit atm, it's another take on Katherine Parr and is a page turner for me.

    Tubby, I am sorry you didn't enjoy 12 years a slave. I suppose it was just a memoir, not a story as such, and also written such a long time ago when language was a lot more stilted. I hope you are enjoying the rosie project better?
  • Tubby
    Tubby Member Posts: 177
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Frogmelia

    The Rosie Project is great - enjoying it very much. Also reading Life after Life by Kate Atkinson which I struggled with at first but enjoying it very much now.

    I love to write too as well as read and although I don't profess to be a good writer myself, I do like to read well written pieces. I know Twelve Years a Slave was written a long time ago but so was Wuthering Heights and Great Expectations etc. I appreciate that they are different types of book but if something is written well it shines through.

    I have read most of the Booker Prize Short List books 2013 and in my humble opinion the winner The Luminaries was average, at best, but A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki was excellent as was A Testament for Mary. As with all of these things, I guess it is a matter of opinion...

    Frogmorton - I will add A Fault in Our Stars and Frogmelia The Queens Gambit to my lists. They sound fabulous and I look forward to some R & R at Easter to catch up with them all.

    I am so enjoying hearing everyone's thoughts as I have few people I can talk to about books and I love them so much - thank you :D
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It is nice to read other people's suggestions isn't it Tubby :)

    Life after Life is on my kindle too.

    Frogmella - I'm still here very busy, but still reading....missing the forum a lot too.

    The Fault in our Stars was excellent, partly because it says early on (slight mis-quote probably)...." There is on one thing as bad (worse?) than being a kid with cancer is being the parent of a kid with cancer...."

    TRUE!!! and don't I know it.

    See you soon bookworms

    k030.gif

    love

    Toni xxx
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you Toni for reviewing all the books you have read while in hospital with Lucy, you have a fantastic memory!! Will add The Fault in our stars to my read list, might read it on my holiday actually.

    Megrose489, thank you for letting us know about the The Small Change Trilogy it's good to know about different styles of books, so now anyone who is into Thriller books could try these and they may enjoy the twist of history.

    Tubby, You have read many books, you should be the wise one of The Book Club!! Your right it's such a breath of fresh air to talk to people who also enjoy books. That's one of the reasons I started The Book Club

    I'm in a quandary don't know whether to read The Rosie Project now or carry on reading 12 Years A Slave? because The Rosie Project seems a quick and easy read while 12 Years A Slaveis a long read and you need to concentrate on the story! Ahhhh don't know what to do!! :shock:
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Anybody else get the e-mail from a certain high street bookseller today with the shortlist for the Baileys prize (used to be orange prize)? I have just put two of the books on my reserved list at the library - A girl is a half formed thing and The undertaking. Also reserved Burial rites which is on there too. Not sure about reading the Donna Tart. I loved The Secret History and read it loads of times but couldn't get on with her second book at all.

    I am really enjoying Queen's Gambit. Even though I know what is going to happen it is still really tense with all the courtly plotting by Gardiner et al!
  • Tubby
    Tubby Member Posts: 177
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Bubbadog - decisions, decisions. I am a little biased in terms of encouraging you on which book to read BUT one thing I would say is that, although not a very happy subject (or a very good read - my opinion) Twelve Years a Slave is not a hugely long book and is not hard to read in the literal sense. The language is simple and it is not difficult to understand, it is a tough subject which describes some shocking things but it doesn't drag the story out - in fact, it probably doesn't 'drag' it out enough. If you are definitely going to read both I would do the slave one first knowing that you have the treat of The Rosie Project to come....a bit like eating 'nasty vegetables' before you get to the lovely pudding!
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Frogmella, No I didn't get an email about the Baileys prize :( , So there was a list of good books on there this year, at least your post has the titles of them so we can check out the books and get them if we think there are something we will enjoy reading. Thank you for doing that.

    Tubby, thank you for your suggestion, I will read 12 years a slave well finish reading it then go on to The Rosie Project. I liked your example about 12 years being 'nasty veg' and The Rosie Project being the pudding!
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Bubba
    This is the shortlist:
    Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Americanah

    Hannah Kent - Burial Rites

    Jhumpa Lahiri - The Lowland

    Audrey Magee - The Undertaking

    Eimear McBride - A Girl Is A Half-Formed Thing

    Donna Tartt - The Goldfinch

    The longlist is here: http://www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk/2014-prize/longlist-2014

    :D
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Queens Gambit by Elizabeth Freemantle
    This book told the story of Katherine Parr from the death of her second husband, Latymer, up until her own death. I had already read at least oe book, probably two, which covered this period in some way but this book really turned up the tension. It made it more clear that her marriage to Henry was almost certainly awful, that he was a jealous, powerful man who behaved like a child. Even though you know she won't burn for heresy it was still really tense when she was removed from his presence!
    I reckon ***/****

    I have started reading We are here by Michael Marshall[/b just one I picked off the shelf. NOt totally convinced I am going to stick with it tbh. Especially as The Light Between Oceans has arrived at the library.
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you Frogmella for posting 'The shortlist for The Baileys Booker Prize' and also doing a link for 'The full list for The Baileys Booker Prize' It will be interesting to see if any of the books 'wet my whistle!'
    And than you for reviewing Queens Gambit By Elizabeth Freemantle It sounds like a 'hold your interest' kind of book.


    Well TGIF! Friday has come round again, hopefully the weather will behalf it's self. It would be nice to read in the garden while he does some gardening! :D Hope you all have a good weekend. :)
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    [quote="frogmella
    I have started reading We are here by Michael Marshall[/b just one I picked off the shelf. NOt totally convinced I am going to stick with it tbh. Especially as The Light Between Oceans has arrived at the library.[/quote]


    Read the Light between the Oceans!!! It's so good. Have the tissues ready though ;)

    It's lovely to see the book-club so busy again!

    love

    Toni xxx
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Toni - I had decided to do just that! :D Looks good, can't believe how long it took for it to arrive at the library!
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,089
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    p020.gif

    For you Frogmella - enjoy it :)

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ditto Toni!! It's great to see The Book Club nice and busy again!! :)
  • krisbe
    krisbe Member Posts: 95
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I started reading The Red House by Mark Haddon on 5th March and I still haven't finished it. It is a load of rubbish and not at all amusing as it claims on the back page. Half of it I find totally unable to understand, don't know who is speaking at a time as it jumps from one person to another without saying so and gives quotes throughout from I don't know where, all of which seem totally irrelevant. I am trying to finish it as I paid £7.99, but it is so awful I cant read more than about one page at a time.
    There doesnt seem to be any story to it.
  • Tubby
    Tubby Member Posts: 177
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well I have just finished Life After Life by Kate Atkinson and it was quite good. I know that is not as raving a review as some and that is because towards the end, I just wanted it to end and not to skip back yet again. It also took me, like many others, a bit of time to get into it during which time it sat on a shelf for a little while I decided whether to carry on. I am pleased I did as there were some really excellent parts of the book which kept me reading well into the night e.g. when Ursula was in Germany. If you want something to make you think without it being really obscure or random (like many high brow book critics encourage us to read) then this is the book for you. It also makes us think about the real lives people lived during both World Wars -'Lest We Forget'.
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'd like to pass on my welcome to The Book Club to Megrose & Krisbe we have had a few new people popping their heads in lately and I've not been around to do welcomes!

    Krisbe Sometimes books do disappoint us and we do endeavour to get through it because of the cost or to be able to say we read it. I'm sorry that The Red House by Mark Haddon hasn't been for you. If you could, could you please do a review of the book so others can see what you thought of it and the rating you would give it. We would appreciate it if you can. Maybe something that has been reviewed on the site might take your fancy for your next read?

    Tubby Thank you for your review of Life After Life by Kate Atkinson it does sound a very serious book with a lot of history in it. As you say a serious high brow book. So if your into History books and want a good read this is the book for you!

    I have to admit I'm going to stop reading 12yrs A Slave and start on to something else deciding between The Rosie Project or another book I've got. I think I need to save 12yrs A Slave for when I have a lot of peace and quiet, maybe save it for my holiday. I feel like a failure as I got started on it. But when you have little furry monsters jumping on you and your OH nagging in your ear lobe you can't concentrate!! :(
  • Tubby
    Tubby Member Posts: 177
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Go for The Rosie Project you can pick up and put it down and still enjoy it! Happy reading over Easter!

    I have Burial Rites and Paris by Edward Rutherford lined up for my trip in the caravan over the weekend. I won't finish either but I will lose myself in one or the other for more than a few hours :D

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