Loves and Hates -it’s good to have variety, can’t please everyone!
Ashes of London by Andrew Taylor (also reviewed by Book Lovers of Southam), was absolutely loved by Bishop’s Tachbrook group. They thought it excellent, brilliant, and historically correct. Characters really did exist! It gave a wonderful description of the Great Fire.
They are looking forward to his next one (there will be a trilogy) due out in July 2018.
I totally agree with this—a very gripping novel all the way.. I would recommend it to everyone—do give it a go!
Nuneaton Life Book Club has read One Wild Song by Paul Heiney. It was written in memory of Paul and Libby Purves’s son, Nicholas, who took his own life at the age of 23.Being a sailor, Paul set out on a voyage on his own—one which he hoped to share with Nicholas.
The group were split on the book, and some found it well worth reading. It was more of a travel log than a tribute to a son’s memory, describing remote parts of the world. The style was not liked by all, but the photographs were helpful in the story.
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley, was not enjoyed by Bulkington U3A Reading Group. They said “ weird, terrible , stopped at the mechanical octopus! How did it get published? ”
Having said that, they had a good discussion (about it’s weirdness?? ) and found the characters developed well..
The book is a debut novel, published by Bloomsbury . Here is what is said about it :
Utterly beguiling, The Watchmaker of Filigree Street blends historical events with dazzling flights of fancy to plunge readers into a strange and magical past, where time, destiny, genius – and a clockwork octopus – collide.
SHORTLISTED FOR THE AUTHORS’ CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2016
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BETTY TRASK PRIZE 2016
FINALIST FOR THE LOCUS FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2016
An International Bestseller – A Guardian Summer Read – An Amazon Best Book of the Month – A Goodreads Best Book of the Month – A Buzzfeed Summer Read – A Foyles Book of the Month – AHuffington Post Summer Read – A Yorkshire Post Book of the Week
Read it if you dare!
Carol Drinkwater’s The Forgotten Summer received a good score from a group in Bulkington, although they found it too detailed on wine and olive growing….
Carol has written The Olive Harvest series which are fascinating if you like the South of France, and all it entails. I didn’t find The Forgotten Summer as well-written or as interesting.
Let us know your views.
Tuesday Night Reads in Rugby reviewed Dreams of the Good Life: the life of Flora Thompson and the Creation of Candleford, by Richard Mabey (also not popular with Stretton on Dunsmore reading group).
They enjoyed a good discussion, with the inevitable differences:
Utterly boring, written in a pretentious style
Didn’t bring Flora to life
Not much substance
Fascinating social history
Painful and too academic
Stick with it—careful reading yields many fascinating insights into wider society and individuals
I have just read Commonwealth by Ann Patchett—a very multi-faceted book about the intricacies of extended family relationships.
It is a warm and sympathetic story of modern families, beginning with a christening which changes everyone’s lives.
If you like Anne Tyler, then I urge you to read it. If you get annoyed with Americanisms, then don’t; but if you can over ride this, then you will find it a very moving and unforgettable read.
Enjoy your Summer Books !
Warwickshire Libraries 