This group is for people who like to read a book and discuss it with others. We will choose a book each month from titles suggested by members of the group. We will then return for an on-line discussion at a pre selected date which will be 6 weeks later. Important that we suggest books which are readily available, not too expensive, and not too long. ** Please note that this is a book discussion group. Business posts will not be accepted and members posting these will be removed from the group.
Open Loop 54
Discussion of Plainsong by Kent Haruf (Edited)
A new author for me and a good discovery. It took me a little while to get into this story but I’m so glad I persevered.
I loved the blend of tenderness and grittiness. I like the characterisation and found the various people very believable. I thought some of the descriptive passages were wonderfully written. The description, for example, of the dead horse being dragged to the field was very easy to picture.
Liked it a lot! What did others think?
Next book is The Colour of Heaven by James Runcie
This has been suggested by @LizS3 and is another new author for me. Last month’s author, Kent Haruf turned out to be a real hit, so always good to try new people.
Discussion will start on 19 August.
NB I noticed more than one book with that title so make sure you get the James Runcie one.
Hi everyone, it’s great to have 54 members in the group but there are only half a dozen of us who actually read some, or all, of the recommended books and join in the discussions. It would be great to have more involvement from the rest of you. Please join in - if only occasionally. We’d love to hear from you!
Next Book is Plainsong and discussion will start on 18th June.
Oop, sorry folks, in a previous post I said discussion would start on 16th but I meant 18th June. I try to stick to Saturdays. Anyway the 18th is fast approaching so get stuck in.
Just a reminder that the next book is Plainsong by Kent Haruf. There is also Plainsong 2 (Eventide) - that’s not the one we’re reading!
Discussion starts 16th June.
Discussion of The Weather in the Street by Rosamond Lehmann (Edited)
Cutting it fine! I’ve just finished reading this at 5.20 am.
I think it’s a very satisfying novel, true to life, with entirely believable characters. She manages to portray the affair with total accuracy and sensitivity, the highs and lows, the waiting around - the wondering - and the inevitable spluttering end.
Although it’s set in the 1930’s, and in a social milieu completely at odds with today, somehow it remains relevant and timeless. I think that marks it out as a classic.
I think she’s a wonderful writer but I didn’t enjoy or understand everything. I don’t think I was ever clear about Simon, and Olivia’s relationship with him - was this ever made clear? And at times I got lost in who everyone was, lots of people drifting in and out of the story but remaining superficial characters. This didn’t bother me, I think they weren’t central to ‘the affair’ but I did get lost at times, especially in the part where she was describing Amanda Cunningham and her party.
All in all, a rich work and I’m glad I’ve read it. I wonder if others agree?!
Next book is The Weather in the Streets by Rosamond Lehmann. (Edited)
Am sorry I keep confusing people by dithering about the next book but this is definitely it!
Discussion kicks off on 30th April
My next suggestion is Rosamond Lehmann’s The Weather in the Streets.
This is supposed to be a classic romance. It’s from 1936 but seems to appeal to modern day readers. I think I have read her before but my memory defeats me. Shall we give it a go? Plenty of inexpensive copies out there.
I think I’ll choose the next book if that’s okay with folks. I’m thinking of Olive Again by Elizabeth Strout. It’s a follow up to Olive Kitteridge which was very popular. I can’t remember whether we read that in this group or whether it was in my other book group.
Has anyone already read Olive Again?
And can we have ideas for the book after next please?
I came to The Maidens having just read The Inheritors by William Golding. Rest assured I will not be subjecting this book group to that particular torture. It’s about the first meeting of Neanderthals with Homo Sapiens and is a hard, hard slog…picture many pages of description of logs.
So basically I was desperate for something light and easy. The Maidens completely met my need. I picked it up with enthusiasm each evening, curious about the next twist or turn, never getting down hearted by the death of yet another young woman. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
But I also, sadly, think it was a dreadful book! I’ll not say more for now - over to you!
We will be discussing The Maidens from next Saturday (12/3) so hope some of you have read it. There is still time if not!
Next Book: The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
People seem keen to carry on with the group so here’s the next book. This was suggested by Viv some months ago but was rather expensive. Prices have come down now and there are several copies in Amazon Marketplace, if you don’t mind second hand.
Discussion will start on Saturday 12 March. Would be lovely if some members who don’t normally join in would give it a go - we’d love to hear from you.
So few people are contributing these days I’m wondering whether this group needs closing, revamping, or anything else that would put some sparkle into it? Thoughts and suggestions please?
Discussion of ‘Exit’ by Belinda Bauer.
Oh dear, where to start? It’s always good to read an unfamiliar author but Belinda Bauer hasn’t inspired me to seek out more of her work. I didn’t hate this book, it jogged along quite nicely because it’s a bit quirky, undemanding, and potentially humorous. It’s an easy read and sometimes that’s enough. But I’m afraid that on this occasion I found it distinctly lacking. The whole story was utterly far-fetched, the characters had potential but were undeveloped. I just couldn’t take it seriously and the humour didn’t reach me either. But always good to try a new author! Bauer is extremely popular and has won literary prizes so maybe I’m just hard to please. Over to you…
Reminder! (Edited)
I will kick off discussion of The Exit next Saturday 22nd - hope some of you have read it and if not there’s still time!
Our next book is The Exit by Belinda Bauer
We will discuss this from 22nd January 2022. Happy reading over the holiday folks.
In case anyone is interested, the Mermaid of Black Conch is the subject of this month's World Book Club on the BBC World Service (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p003jhsk). I found it interesting to hear the author talking and answering questions about the book
Discussion: A Gentleman in Moscow
A day later than promised, sorry!
I didn’t think I was going to like this book but I loved it. I found the characters were well drawn, though the precocity of the two young girls was a little hard to believe at times. I thought the Count was charming and he kept my interest. I could readily picture the grandeur of the hotel. I’m not sure how accurately Soviet history and Soviet culture are portrayed, but that didn’t bother me. I liked the pace of the novel, the fact that time moved quite quickly so I never got bored once.
I’ll shut up there. Looking forward to hearing other’s impressions.
We are due to discuss the ‘Gentleman in Moscow’ from next Saturday 27th. I’ve nearly finished it and will be ready but how are others doing? Would you like more time?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmore_Leonard
In case you've not come across Elmore Leonard, look out for this great writer.
Re-reading "Comfort to the Enemy" at present...time well spent.
New Members - hello! (Edited)
We have a few new members who have joined us recently. Welcome all. I hope you will be able to join us in reading ‘A gentleman in Moscow’ which we will be discussing from 27th November.
I love horror/psycho books and am currently obsessing over The Folly by David Anne. I was totally engrossed from page one but if you're squeamish, eat separately from reading as he goes into some graphic details about innards etc.!
The Next book is : A Gentleman in Moscow Edit: And after that it’s ‘Exit’ by Belinda Bauer. (Edited)
By Amor Towles - recommended by Joss - it gets good reviews. Discussion will start on Saturday 27 November.
After that I am hoping that Viv’s suggestion of The Maidens by Alex Michaelides will have come down in price a little. It would be good to give it a go as it gets very good reviews but it’s a little expensive at the moment at around £9-£12 for a second hand paperback.
The Mermaid of Black Conch: Discussion
A memorable book. I usually hate magical realism but I think Monique Roffey pulls it off. I set my scepticism to one side and just enjoyed the story, the characters, the setting, the writing. I think she handles the structure very well shifting fairly effortlessly from the 1970’s to 2015. A very talented writer I think, and that’s certainly reflected in all the prizes and plaudits she’s received.
It’s packed with weighty themes which I can come back to but am keen to know if others enjoyed it …or not…
Discussion starts tomorrow (Saturday) (Edited)
Sorry forgot to give you a bit of a reminder but I’ll be kicking off discussion of The Mermaid of Black Conch tomorrow. Hopefully we can have a lively discussion.
An excellent read - recommended
REVIEW:
"A Gentleman in Moscow immerses us in another elegantly drawn era with the story of Count Alexander Rostov.
When, in 1922, he is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, the count is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin.
Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room …"
AUTHOR: Amor Towles
Fine writing that draws you directly into a different world a hundred years ago.
Welcome to our latest members.
Hope you’ll find some books to enjoy and will join us in the very informal discussions.
The next book is The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey. I’ll kick off the discussion on Saturday 9th October.
Next Book is The Mermaid of Black Conch
This is by Monique Roffey. It gets good reviews and I have read this author before and enjoyed her, so am hopeful!
Discussion will commence on 9th October.
I’ll start with apologies.
Am afraid that I just haven’t got anywhere with this book. I did try. I had two attempts at reading it and both times gave up as I just couldn’t engage with it…too young for me I think and I can’t be doing with deathshrieks and their ilk. Found it all very off putting. Sorry, it’s just not my cup of tea. Very unlike me to give up. How did the rest of you get on?
Our next book is The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
This is Ray’s suggestion and discussion will begin on Saturday 21st August.
After that we will read The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey.
I’m just wondering whether you’d like to read this as our next book? ‘The Mermaid of Black Conch’ by Monique Roffey. It was strongly recommended by a friend who said everyone in her book group had loved it. This book is the ‘Winner of the Costa Prize for Best Book and for Best Novel, Goldsmiths Prize shortlisted, shortlisted for the Rathbones Folio Prize, shortlisted for the Novel section of the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature, shortlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize, longlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize and longlisted for the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction’ It’s a bit more magical realism but hey ho maybe I can be converted.
I’ve read another book by her which was very enjoyable.
The Murmur of Bees: Discussion
This was a novel that felt to me as if it needed a good editor. Just a bit too long.
I don’t really know what I thought - I’m on the fence - I’m not a great fan of magical realism so couldn’t quite get my head around those bees and their affinity with Simonopio. My other concern was ‘time’ - I felt as though it was all wrong. I felt Simonopio grew up too quickly, one minute being suckled at the breast, then he was a youth, but at the same time the daughter’s wedding preparations were still ongoing. Am I alone in thinking the author messed up her timelines a bit, and I’m not referring to the zigzagging backwards and forwards?
Having been negative so far, I did actually quite enjoy the book. The bits about the Spanish Flu were horribly relevant to today! I enjoyed the Mexican historical setting and quite liked the style of writing.
I’ll be very interested in what others think. Maybe I’ll be swayed off the fence.
Reminder - Next book discussion starts on Saturday! NEW date 10th July (Edited)
Hope you’re all buzzing having read ‘The Murmur of Bees’. I’ll be kicking off the discussion on Saturday 3rd July.
Next book is The Murmur of the Bees by Sofia Segovia.
I will kick off the discussion on Saturday 3rd July. It’s quite a long book so best not to leave it until the last minute.
Happy reading!
Crow Lake held my interest throughout. I thought it was written ‘quietly’ but powerfully - a proper family saga which brings out all the characters very clearly and realistically. I could really feel their individual struggles and they all rang true.
I thought the role education plays as both an enabler and a divider was very well portrayed. It’s something that I can relate to quite strongly in my own family.
I liked the remote setting and could feel the atmosphere, mosquitoes and all. I liked this book a lot. It’s her first novel. I wonder whether her later ones are as good - has anyone read her work before?
Hi! I'm new to this forum! I am a postgraduate student at Glasgow School of Art. This semester I am participating in an elective on creative entrepreneurship, and I have developed a fictitious product and business idea for reading enthusiasts called 'Stamp'd'. As a life-long bookworm, of course, I had to centre my project around reading!
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Welcome to our latest members. The next book we’re going to read is Crow Lake by Mary Lawson. I’ll kick off the discussion on Saturday 15th May. Hope you’re able to join in with this month’s choice or future ones.
For anyone who loves science or is simply curious this is by far the best book - according to me ;)
It's mostly a collection of some challenging paradoxes and theories written for non-academics. Read it cover to cover some time ago I think in one or two days just because it was so captivating.
Anyone wants to share their favourite book?
Next Book is Crow Lake (Edited)
This is a novel, set in Canada, by Mary Lawson. It has won prizes so fingers crossed for a good read. Discussion from Saturday 14th May. EDIT- Should read Sat 15th May!
Came across this only because there was an obituary for NORTON JUSTER in the weekend press.
I'd never heard of him or this book before, but it has been a consistent top seller [for children of all ages!] since 1961.
Have you read it?
Just started and it is wonderful.
Hope you'll be tempted...either in stock, or free to order at your local library [probably].
Where’d you go Bernadette? Discussion
Well, where to start? That was something of a whirlwind of a novel! I really enjoyed it - liked the structure, found it amusing, fast paced, intriguing, and very different. A bit far-fetched in places but that’s okay -it’s just a yarn. I’m not going to say too much more now as I’m interested to know what others think.
Reminder: Discussion of the next book starts on Saturday! (Edited)
So get your skates on if you haven’t finished it yet or marshall your thoughts if you have read it already. Edit - I said elsewhere it was the 19th - that was a mistake!
Ok - seems as though there are still enough people keen on keeping the book club going. I have just had this book recommended to me.
‘Where’d you go, Bernadette? ’ by Maria Semple. It’s supposed to be amusing ‘with heart’. We can only hope! I feel I need something a bit lighter in these dark days.
Assuming people are okay with that suggestion discussion would start on 19th March.
Please everyone give it a go.
