Book Club

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  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'd like to find a jolly book for Book Of The Month for December and an easy read seeing as it will be for over Christmas, I'll take a look on Amazon and see if anything jumps out at me! I'd like for it to be decided by the end of the so I can post it for everyone. So if any of you want to make a suggestion please post before the end of the week. I understand you are all busy what with Christmas not far away. I could always give a free pass for this month so you could choose what you fancy? The choice is yours.
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just popping by before swimming to write a quick review of The Crane Wife by Patrick Ness
    I will say that if you didn't like The Snow Child you may not like this because it has a similar magical feel although is completely different. One night George is woken by a strange noise. He goes outside his (London) home to see what it is and finds a crane with an arrow through her wing. He saves her and goes back to bed. Later he can never work out if it was a dream or real. After that his life changes. Can't say more without giving it all away really!
    I enjoyed it, it was odd with a Japanese folk tale sort of running alongside. Magical. I award ****

    Picking up The Good Father by Noah Hawley today.

    I am trying to think of book Bubba. I think you know we all like dark ones and so I think it is trying to think of lighthearted ones that is tricky! We could read A Christmas Carol by Dickens. Mr F says it is short and almost a children's book.
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It could come to that, that A Christmas Carol is all that can be thought of for The Book Of The Month for December if no one can suggest anything! I know it's a totally manic time what with Christmas not far away that is why it maybe better if we have A Free Pass for December's Book Of The Month so we all can read something we want to read and review it. So if everyone's in favour of that we can do that.

    And for January 2015 Everyone get your thinking caps on for a good suggestion for a book so we can start The Book Club 2015 with a bang!! :)
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,088
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good idea Amanda :)

    A free pass.

    My review for November's book of the month (it was wasn't it??)

    Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of doom by MC Beaton

    The first book about Agatha, an early retiree who moves to the Cotswolds and finds it not so great as she initially thought having lived in London.

    Her character is well-written, she is 'odd' funny-odd and human totally imperfect like us all :)

    She feels lonely, bored and isolatedso takes up reading (including Agatha Cristie books) and cycling etc.

    The gist of the story is that she decides to try to 'fit in' and be less of an outsider by taking part in the quiche baking competition. She cannot, however cook so cheats by nipping back to London to buy one!!!

    She looses anyway, but her cheating is uncovered when someone is poisoned after eating a slice of the said quiche.

    The police conclude it to be an accident and as you can imagine this does not do Agatha's attempts to become part of the village any good at all and she is further ostracised.

    She decides it would be much better were it to be murder and proceeds to investigate with hilarious consequences.

    Along the way we meet characters who will become part of the on-going Agatha Raisin saga :)

    I have already bought the first 4 book compilation :oops:

    Just light enough for my small brain to cope with at the moment and have to award this book a 5* rating :D

    Love to you all

    Toni xxx
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Prada & prejudice By Katie Oliver
    Natalie Dashwood loved shopping especially when it was designer names, She was the heiress to London's top department store Dashwood & James. But Natalie's spending is causing the Department Store to nearly go bankrupt and at the same time Natalie's private live as London's 'It-Girl' is about to blow up in her face as her Rockstar Boyfriend has a shocking surprise to announce at an upcoming party!! Ride in Dashwood & James's Sexy New Business Exec-saviour Rhys Gordon. This book was EXCELLENT!! It had everything a woman wants Romance, Shopping, Blackmail and even has some drama! I loved it and would recommend it as an easy read.

    RATING: *****/*****
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Currently Amazon has some good deals for Kindle books I have picked up a couple for this month and also for my holiday in January. I do need to start reading books on my list that I have already got but I can't help myself when there is an offer on things!!

    Need to start writing Christmas cards that need posting and wrapping Christmas presents as there is a pile of boxes growing in the spare room!!
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,088
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I do that too Amanda, but when they're on offer you just can't resist!! :lol:

    It's my Lucy's 17th birthday this week so I have had to get some things sorted.

    Christmas tree after then :)

    I am still reading and loving my Agatha Raisin books

    love

    Toni xxx
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have picked up in the Kindle sale and started reading Rock Stars Don't Like Big Knickers by Nikki Ashton It's a really funny well written book so far, It's about this Woman who is in her 40's who works for a big house and lives in the small cottage that is part of the estate when it's sold and she is unsure whether she will still have a job. She finds out the new owner is a washed up rock star who was the lead singer of band she used to have a crush on! And it goes from there.

    Hope everyone has had a good weekend, the countdown to Christmas has started in earnest!!
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Nearing the end of The Good Father, it is really good and has kept me gripped. Will review when finished. Sent Mr F to the library today to pick up the new Stephen King. Yay!
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    The Good Father by Noah Hawley
    Paul Allen's son from his first marriage is arrested for assassinating a presidential candidate. Paul decided quickly that he needs to prove that he didn't do it, or if he did why. Most of the book follows Paul trying to work out what went on coupled with telling the story of the last 18 months of his son's life. So there are two time threads going on at the same time and two viewpoints as well.
    It kept me gripped. Did he do it? Was he set up? If he did do it why?
    Brilliant so *****

    Started the first few pages of Revival by Stephen King last night. Love Stephen King!! I know you know already!!
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I don't know if any of you have seen the sky advert but over Christmas sky are showing a drama adaption of the book 'Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Doom !! How crazy is that!! It was just Book Of The Month last month and now you can watch it over Christmas on Sky!!
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I wanted to let you know about a new book that I had an email about from Amazon. It's a romance called 'The Photographer's Wife by 'Nick Alexander'. It's worth reading up on as it does sound a lovely book.
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    With Christmas just a week away have any of you asked Santa for any books? And if so which? :presents:
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I haven't got any room for any more books, Bubba! Hence my devotion to the library. Mind you, the ones I have got, provide good insulation!!

    We watched twelve years a slave this week and thought it was really good. As always, with book to film, there were bits missing like his running off into the bayou etc but it was really good!

    I am enjoying the Stephen King and have another to pick up from the library before xmas. I must look at ordering the Agatha Raisin - I have seen some in there so I might just be able to pick it off the shelf.

    I have broken up form school now so have much more time to read and post. yay!!! :cheesygrin: :cheesygrin:
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Revival by Stephen King
    This was a really good book up until the last 30 or so pages. In a similar way to Under the Dome it seems like he had run out of steam and wasn't entirely sure how to wrap is up. The basis was a young boy met a pastor who could do amazing things with electricity. he didn't stay a pastor that long, a bad thing happened, and then he moved away. Later in his life the boy met him again and by then he could do even more amazing things n his carnival show. Some of these things (miracle cures etc) appear to come at a price.
    I enjoyed it but felt a bit short changed by the ending so ****

    I have started The view on the way down by Rebecca Wait
    I read 80 odd pages in bed this morning so reckon it is good.

    I did pick up an Agatha Raisin in the library, a Christmas one, but when got it to the desk it had been reserved so I, generously, let it go. It is the season of goodwill and all that after all!

    happy Christmas reading bookworms! :cheesygrin: :cheesygrin:
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I WANT TO WISH ALL BOOK CLUB USERS A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS & BOOK FILLED 2015!!! :carolers: :rudolph: :rudolph:
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I echo your sentiments, Bubba! And would like to add on an extra month JUST for reading!!! :xmas_lol: :xmas_lol: :xmas_lol:
  • Tubby
    Tubby Member Posts: 177
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi All

    I am really sorry but I have been very quiet on here and I have missed you all. I have been incredibly busy and Christmas :rudolph: has well and truly got in the way. I haven't stopped reading and I am currently about half way through [Lamentation] by C.J. Sansom which is, so far, excellent.

    I promise to return a little more often in 2015 but in the mean time I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful Happy New Year :cheesygrin:

    Tubby (aka Kay)
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,088
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Merry Christmas Kay :cheesygrin:

    and to every other Book club bookworm. Especially Amanda for setting this up.

    I intend to watch Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Doom today on TV. It will be the second thing I have watched the first being 'Call the Midwife' recorded and watched late last night :)

    Another month just for reading?

    What a fabulous idea :carolers:

    I didn't receive any books for Christmas, but some kindle vouchers so I can choose my own :wink:

    Love and hugs to you all

    Toni xxx
  • ichabod6
    ichabod6 Member Posts: 843
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Page 100 - what an achievement for this post.
    Long may it continue to thrive.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,088
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    ichabod6 wrote:
    Page 100 - what an achievement for this post.
    Long may it continue to thrive.

    Aw thanks Ichabod :xmas_cheesygrin:
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm so proud of The Book Club & it's members. I started it thinking it would last a week maybe two but to still be going at the end of 2014 & PAGE 100! well what can I say (choked up) except to you all I wish you a happy 2015!!! :xmas_smile:
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hey Bubba! Books help to keep us sane!

    I finished The view on the Way Down by Rebecca Wait over the holiday. It is about a family torn apart after one of the sons dies. the circumstances surrounding the death aren't clear at the start neither is the reason that the other son goes away the day of his funeral. The daughter, who is a lot younger than both boys, ends up a chubby, lonely child being bullied at school. The book follows the unravelling of the family several years after the death of the eldest son. The truth is slowly revealed and the main focus of the chapters shifts so that we see things as they after for Emma, the daughter, and Jamie the remaining son along with some from mom and dad's point of view too.
    This was far from a cheerful read but I did enjoy it. So ***/****

    I am currently reading a book of True Blood short stories that carries on where the main series finished, or rather expands on some characters. It is light easy reading just the job!

    Happy new Year if I don't drop by before!
    xxx
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,088
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Happy New Year Bookworms :)

    t07063.gif

    Amanda - 100 pages :xmas_cheesygrin:

    You should be proud of yourself.

    Missing Suzygirl though -I hope if she ever pops in she knows we miss her.

    I have the View on the Way down on my kindle to read Frogmella. Just finishing Hidden by Catherine Mcenzie. Think it must have been a kindle 'offer'???

    Then I have another Agatha Raisin to read :) YIPPEE!!

    Love
    Toni xxx
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you the frogs for your messages! I had a lovely Christmas & New Years eve, Not long till my holiday so want to finish Rock Stars Don't Like Big Knickers really enjoying it when I have sometime to myself to read!! (OH still off for Xmas!!) Next week will be getting ready for Holiday so will decide what book to read while away!!

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