Before I go to sleep- S J Watson

Meeting date- Friday 8th June 2012



We all loved this book, we were all kept guessing until the end. Do you have any idea what it would be like to wake up every morning and find you had no recollection of your family and home? In the story this is exactly what happens to Christine. However everything is not exactly how it seems...

Good Omens- Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman

Although set around the religious idea of Armageddon, this book we felt was not necessarily a religious story. A cult book which explored the relationship between two character of either side of the spiritual battle field. Characters included a witch, witch hunters, angels & demons as well as a chosen child & a bunch of friends & dog.
It features footnotes which seem to explain English habits to the Americans. General view was its an interesting relatively quick read but not one many of us would recommend.

We need to talk about Kevin- Lionel Shriver

This was a difficult book to get into due to some of the language choices. It is written in the form of letters from Kevin's mother Eva to her husband Franklin from whom she has now separated. The letters start at the very beginning when she met Franklin. It talks about her mixed feelings about her pregnancy and the birth of Kevin.

Some people that once past the difficult beginning were absolutely gripped.
The bottom line is the debate about whether a child is born evil or conditioned that way due to failings on the parts of the parents.

Although you may think you know the end of the story, there was a definitely unexpected element which took us all by surprise.

The film stays extremely close to the book just as disturbing !!

Rivers of London- Ben Aaronvitch

This was a new genre for many of us, this has being described as urban fantasy. The story is based around a young mixed race constable in the Metropolitan Police who becomes involved in a case involving ghosts, magic and river deities.

It is set in the modern day and for those who know London its interesting to read descriptions and the history of the city. It is a really well researched book for history and police procedures.

Not a bad book but definitely one for people who enjoy fantasy books, a tell tale sign is that a majority of us will not be reading the second book- Moon over Soho.

When God was a rabbit- Sarah Winman

A quick enjoyable read about a young girl growing up.
Comments included- amusing & touching & like her sense of humour.

The hand that first held mine- Maggie O'Farrell

A story set in two times, the 1950's and present day. It tells the story of Lexie striking out on her own and Elina today coping with motherhood after having her first baby. This book touches on the relationships of both of these women. A touch slow at first but a gentle tear jerker with a very good twist. An easy & enjoyable read.

The thirteenth tale- Diane Setterfield

A book enjoyed by everyone, yes EVERYONE! The author leads you through a fascinating tale that ends with an amazing unexpected twist that no one could guess. Everyone would happily recommend.

The book thief- Markus Zusak

This book tells the story of Liesel, a nine-year-old girl, who is living with a foster family on Himmel Street. Her parents have been taken away to a concentration camp. Liesel steals books. This book is a story of: a girl; an accordionist; some fanatical Germans; a Jewish fist fighter; and quite a lot of thievery. The story line was unique, narrated by ‘death’ and the ending was quite devastating. The book still haunts me but it provided me with a perspective of war from the other side.

Fallen- Lauren Kate

A very mixed response, I absolutely loved it, passed it onto my sister who loved it, we both read the following two and are awaiting the fourth released in June 2012. However, most of the book club found its really aimed at teens & one said it was b#####ks!! No taste I say!
But as for the book- its not vampires or witches but a love story that spans a lifetime, I really don't want to spoil it by saying too much about the storyline.
The characters are well written & although I haven't read Twilight myself I'm told it's Twilghtesque!

The lovely bones- Alice Sebold

A novel that takes two dark subjects- violent murder and the afterlife.
A tear jerking fictional story of Susie Salmon, murdered at a young age, who narrates the story of the afterlife, in "her heaven" and her family's path through life without her. A rollercoaster of emotions- sadness, joy, anger, fear and love.

Red lotus- Pai Kit Fai

The story is set from the early 1900s to the 1940s and is centred around three generations of women: a grandmother, daughter and granddaughter. The story illustrates unwanted female children being sold and brought in China. The characters are strong and with each generation managing to deal with the obstacles in their way.
A well written book with characters that you desperately wanted to succeed against all the odds.  A really gripping end, happily reccomend.

Room- Emma Donoghue

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Room is an original and thought provoking book. Told from the point of view of five year old Jack, who lives with his mother in a Room. Describes the events of his life in graphic detail so simply and innocently that the impact is terrifying. This is not a book that we 'enjoyed', but we felt it is a book worth reading. Thought provoking and, in the light of recent news stories, completely plausible. A few events were a little ‘far fetched.

Overall, we would recommend to a friend.

The best a man can get- John O'Farrell

This book explores the dream of a thirty something father to have it all...the wife & children but with a place to escape from the wife & children. He sets up a studio flat on the other side of London. His flatmates have no idea about Michael's family which gives him the chance to live a bachelor style life while his wife thinks he's working away to provide for them.
Not a popular book, maybe it doesn't appeal to women as much as men, an easy read but abit predictable & not one anyone would recommend.

Great expectations- Charles Dickens

Such a hard book to get into! About time we did a classic but not the easiest!
The story of orphaned Pip, some amazing character descriptions, exciting plot with twists & turns. To be honest I couldn't get into it, loved the BBC adaptation but those who did get through were pleased they did & would recommend it.

Sister- Rosamund Lupton

This is the story of sisters Beatrice and Tess. Beatrice gets a phone call to say Tess is missing, she gets on a plane back to London to help find her.
Beatrice struggles to come to terms with the loss of her sister, she wants to know what happened to her sister at whatever cost.

This book is a debut from Rosamund Lupton and was voted No 1 read in Richard and Judy's book club 2010.

It certainly is a good read, you felt Beatrice's pain at the loss of her sister, the funeral scene was very poignant a real page turner that kept you guessing till the end.

The letter in the bottle: A mothers story- Karen Liebreich

On a winter's day, a bottle shaped like a tear washed up on the Kent coast. It contained a letter written in French, a lock of hair. Only one thing could be known for certain - that the writer of the letter was a mother, grieving for her lost child, Maurice. Moved by the woman's heartache Karen Liebreich sets out on an epic journey to piece together the mother's story.
This book was hated by most of the group (described as a big disappointment) and loved by just one (Liebreich enthusiasm was infectious)! We would not recommend this to a friend.

The legacy- Katherine Webb

The story features sisters Erica and Beth Calcott who inherit Storton Manor from their unloving grandmother Meredith. The story cleverly tells the story of Erica dealing with her sisters depression, her feelings for her childhood friend Dinny and the disappearance of her cousin Henry in 1986. Erica begins to delve into her family history through photographs and letters hidden in the attic.
The second story told throughout involves Erica's great-grandma Caroline.
The two threads work well together and are brought together very well in the end including an interesting twist.

The help- Kathryn Stockett

A book enjoyed by all. A very touching story based around black women known as The Help. They cuddle, dress, bath, feed & love the white children they care for however have to have separate bowls, cutlery and toilets! All through the beginning of the book we imagined this was set a long time ago, however as songs & new items are mentioned you realise this was set more recently.
Beautiful written, you can picture the characters & may shed a tear or two.
Definitely a recommend read.
As a book club we are watching the film will let you know what we think.

The five people you meet in heaven- Mitch Albom

We spent a long time on our discussions on this one, it really makes you think. A very quick, easy read which at times means you may miss bits. It makes you think about the subject of life & death & how the twists & turns of life & those you meet influence your life.
The message touches on forgiveness & is beautifully written & may well bring you to tears.
Definitely one to add to my top ten, have since read Mitch Albom's For one more day, Tuesdays with Morrie, & Have a little faith, reduced to tears in each.

The white woman on the green bicycle- Monique Roffey

This book is set in Trinidad in the mid-50's. It is based around a couple called George & Sabine Harwood who arrive in Port of Spain. George quickly settles & feels at home whereas Sabine longs for London suburbia.
The book is in two half's with the first part told from George's viewpoint starting from him as an old man, the second half told by a young Sabine. We all preferred the second part & felt it flowed better.
I found it fascinating to learn about the history of Trinidad & passed it on to a friend who grew up in Trinidad who thought the historical parts were well written & fairly accurate.
Not a real favourite but a pretty interesting read.

Sacred Hearts- Sarah Dunnant

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An enjoyable historical novel. In 16th century Italy daughters of nobility were well married off if their families could afford sizeable dowries, or they were shipped off to a convent to be brides of Christ. The story follows the life of Serafina as she is forced to enter the convent. An amazingly well written, fascinating tale of not only Serafina but other nuns within the convent some also forced but some through choice. A mixture of convent politics, herbal medicine, religious outlooks and the emotional journey of the characters who come alive as you read. Highly recommended, had me googling more about the fascinating convent lives.

Blacklands- Belinda Bauer

I was concerned this would be too much for me to read as based around a child's murder, however I unexpectedly enjoyed the book.
Steven Lamb, a 12 year old boy begins to communicate with a serial killer in prison in order to find his uncles missing body, his uncle had disappeared as a boy only a year younger than Steven. He feels that finding the body will in someway mend his grandmothers heart and give some peace. It was unnerving to hear the serial killers thoughts and twisted thinking. The tension built up and left you desperate to have it all end well. Great if you like a psychological thriller and well worth a read even if not your usual choice.

The curious incident of the dog in the night- Mark Haddon

This is the story of Christopher Boone a fifteen year old boy who has autistic spectrum disorder. Christopher is a gifted mathematician with a photographic memory who is trying to deal with a family breakdown. It helps the reader understand how an autistic person may view the world.
It's a coming of age story told with honesty and humour, a really enlightening and fascinating book.

Our very first book..... one Day

One Day On 15th July 1988. Emma and Dexter meet for the first time on the night of their graduation. Tomorrow they must go their separate ways. So where will they be on this one day next year? And the year after that? And every year that follows? This book tells the their story for Twenty years, on ONE DAY: 15th July. Mixed responses from the book club: 'couldn't put it down' to 'predictable slush!' Overall, we would recommended to a friend.