General Chat

Any suggestions? A lighter read? I thought we'd put a list of books then have until end of month to decide?

I fancy reading Billy Connolly's autobiography but hey my choice was' Merry Christmas' and that was awful (to me).... so anything else much appreciated.

I couldnt get into 'Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence' at all!! Gave up halfway through and that isnt like me! Ive done all the David Peltzer books...'Child Called It' etc and also fancy a light hearted read! Bev x

Agree Bev entirely, Until the end of the month all ideas for books here and then we'll vote?

Here are a couple that our library's book clubs are reading at the moment, give me a min to copy the reviews ... The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber 'Gripping from the first page, this immense novel is an intoxicating and deeply satisfying read. Faber's most ambitious fictional creation yet, it is sure to affirm his position as one of the most talented and brilliant writers working in the UK. Sugar, an alluring, nineteen-year-old whore in the brothel of the terrifying Mrs Castaway, yearns for a better life. Her ascent through the strata of 1870's London society offers us intimacy with a host of loveable, maddening and superbly realised characters. At the heart of this panoramic, multi-layered narrative is the compelling struggle of a young woman to lift her body and soul out of the gutter. The Crimson Petal and the White is a big, juicy, must-read of a novel that will delight, enthral, provoke and entertain young and old, male and female.' The Colour by Rose Tremain 'Fabulous historical novel set against the background of the gold rush in New Zealand in the mid-19th century. 'The colour' is miners' slang for gold.' Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell 'Quite an amazing read - very daring! It's like a set of Russian dolls with one story nestling inside another story nestling inside ... . In all there are six novellas of equal length - covering a whole range of genres and text types - history, comedy, thriller and science-fiction ... journal, letters, memoir, best-seller, musical composition, interview and oral history. In a playful twist the protagonist of each story becomes the consumer of the story that has gone before. Our need for stories is part of our humanity, he seems to say - and always will be.' Maz. XX

Savages....lord who wrote it?? Brilliant book though.

Diane, Twice now you've found our book club interesting? Here and the other thread... Would you like to join us in reading and reviewing? All welcome..

We agreed we wanted a lighter read and I have one I want to read (because I already have it of course).. The only thing is I realise that maybe it is not a 'man's' book. Sarah Challis On Dancing Hill Sarah Challis is compared to Rosamunde Pilcher and Joanna Trollope. this is her 4th novel. Set in Dorset and Provence. and I would still like to put forward Snow falling on cedars by David Gutterson Ann Glos

Ann, I'm not averse to 'womens' books ? I found the last one I read powerful and didn't put it down --- just No Barbara Cartland or Mills and Boon please?? I actually like Maeve Binchey and anyone with stories of 'olden' days in the mills/docks etc. :))

Silver Anniversary.... was one of her good ones, short but good read Mike.

Meave i mean.

Donna according to amazon Joe Cane is that the one? Ann glos

Mike you're OK, I'd have to be pretty desperate to read either Cartland or Mills and Boone. Ann glos

Lord im not sure Ann, Meave Binchy (sorry spelling), wasnt it Silver Anniversary? Good book. And i love Barbara Taylor Bradford books.

Donna I meant Savages! Ann Glos

Ssssshhh I've read a lot of Catherine Cookson too! x What I'm going to do is take any suggestions and put as a list for next month .. have to go to bed now xx night all xx

Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier. 'A soldier wounded in the Civil War turns his back on the carnage of the battlefield and begins the treacherous journey home to Cold Mountain, and to the woman he loved before the war. Cold Mountain encompasses all the human tragedy and waste of war and a powerful love story. Moving and uplifting, brilliantly written and utterly compelling. Charles Fraziers first novel is a classic story made fresh by a spectacular talent' Something for both the lads and the lasses...I think! I just bought it yesterday so wont read it until we decide on this months selection! Bev x

This is something I would love to join in with....reading my greatest passion. Unfortunately I would not always be able to read the books suggested. Not always readily available here unfortunately. My personal library has been read, reread, and read again. But I agree Cold Mountain would be a good choice... Bought it in England on my last visit. Don't mean to harp on this subject (for anyone who read my letter) but after the hurricane that was one of the worst things for me....having to throw books away...last resort, you should see some of the ones I kept!!!! Found it very hard. Jacquie

How about 'Hard Grinding' by Mel Hutchwright? Sorry, couldn't resist that... (ducks and runs!)

Can 'Snow Falling on Cedars' - David Guterson go back into the melting pot please? I have it sitting here ready to be read, it was one of the choices last month. Amazon describes it as follows A young fisherman is found dead in the nets of his boat off an island in the Pacific Northwest. The novel tells of love and war and the ways men and women struggle for survival and redemption. Dee x