Strictly Books

jingle wrote:Maybe you could choose us the next title?

I've started a book list thread and from that have selected some from the top of the list that I like the look of for our next read. Anyone have a particular favourite ?

You Deserve Nothing (Alexander Maksik)
Gripping story of power, idealism and morality.

The Report (Jessica Francis Kane)
Compelling novel about Britain's worst civilian disaster of the Second World War.

The Somnabulist (Essie Fox)
Spellbinding tale of lost love, grief, murder and madness in Victorian England.

Grace Williams Says It Loud (Emma Henderson)
Spirit-soaring story of betrayal, triumph, loss and love against the odds.

The Radleys (Matt Haig)
Tale of a suburban family with a very big secret.

The Hidden Child (Camilla Lackberg)
Crime novel about a Swedish writer who finds a Nazi medal amongst her late mother's belongings, and the chain of murders her discovery sets off.

Night Road ( Kristin Hannah)
Moving, haunting story of two inseparable girls and the summer their families will always remember... and could never forget.

A Visit from the Goon Squad (Jennifer Egan)
Captivating, wryly humorous story of temptation and loss.

Moonlight Mile (Dennis Lehane)
Crime thriller about a missing teenager with a tragic past.

The Lantern (Deborah Lawrenson)
Tale of romance and mystery.

Wow, you've been busy Lucielle! Thanks so much for doing this. I've had a quick look at the summaries on Amazon, and the ones which would interest me most are in bold. However am happy to read any of them (the only type of book I really don't like is a slushy romance).

Lucielle wrote: I've started a book list thread and from that have selected some from the top of the list that I like the look of for our next read. Anyone have a particular favourite ?

You Deserve Nothing (Alexander Maksik)
Gripping story of power, idealism and morality.

The Report (Jessica Francis Kane)
Compelling novel about Britain's worst civilian disaster of the Second World War.

The Somnabulist (Essie Fox)
Spellbinding tale of lost love, grief, murder and madness in Victorian England.

Grace Williams Says It Loud (Emma Henderson)Spirit-soaring story of betrayal, triumph, loss and love against the odds.(this would probably be my first choice, though doesn't sound like an easy read at all)

The Radleys (Matt Haig)Tale of a suburban family with a very big secret.

The Hidden Child (Camilla Lackberg)Crime novel about a Swedish writer who finds a Nazi medal amongst her late mother's belongings, and the chain of murders her discovery sets off.

Night Road ( Kristin Hannah)Moving, haunting story of two inseparable girls and the summer their families will always remember... and could never forget.

A Visit from the Goon Squad (Jennifer Egan)Captivating, wryly humorous story of temptation and loss.(I'm wavering on this one, it sounds interesting but might be a bit too arty in style)

Moonlight Mile (Dennis Lehane)
Crime thriller about a missing teenager with a tragic past.

The Lantern (Deborah Lawrenson)
Tale of romance and mystery.

I went through the longer list on the other thread, and there's another book which caught my eye, called Even the Dogs by Jon McGregor, which is about the death of drug addicts. The style of writing sounded quite interesting, could we add that to the list of possibilities? (though if you deliberately discounted it Lucielle then no problems). Also, we'd previously suggested Woman in Black (though I think Allsewn said she'd already seen the film)

Sax and Allsewn - please don't be influenced by my choices! I'm happy with any of the above, and thanks again Lucielle


EDIT : Sadiesamba, just noticed you're online (I guess it's tomorrow morning for you!!)( in autumn? ) Would be great if you joined us for the next read.

Hello everyone, I spoke to my gym buddie last night, who is a manager at Waterstones and asked her for some recommendations the first one she said was one we have mooted before
Fifty Shades of Grey- I really like the sound of this one

others were-

Rules of Civility
Pursuit of Men
Salmon fishing in the Yemen
( obviously this is a film out now so I would want to read this first if I was going to see the film-I'm tempted just because it's Ewan McGregor!)

thoughts....? (hoping to improve the weather!)
PS please do join us SadieSamba would be lovely to have some more on board.


Edit- oops have just seen Lucielle's new thread of suggestions so will re-post this there too

I've amalgamated our book choices which are:

Fifty Shades of Grey
Woman in Black
My Last Duchess
The Hidden Child
Rules of Civility
Pursuit of Men
Salmon fishing in the Yemen
Grace Williams Says it out Loud
The Radleys
Night Road
A visit from the Goon Squad
Stone's Fall
The Somnambulist
The News Where you are

My thoughts are:
Fifty Shades of Grey
We should all read at some point. Whether we'll be bold enough to do a review on it, I'm not sure. It would be interesting to see! This week it is 4th on the UK book list across all genres, but has been criticised for it's bad writing "The writing is abysmally bad. I cringed several times." So be warned it may not be a literary masterpiece but it could make us quite happy.

The Woman in Black
I have decided I won't read this at the moment. I have to be in a special mood to read anything really scary and as I have no idea when that mood will come, I've decided to put it on hold until I'm ready.

The Hidden Child
Three of us have said we would like to read this (one of them is me).

Stone's Fall
For those who like historical novels. This one is Edwardian and looks interesting.

The Somnambulist
This is set in Victorian times and looks pretty dramatic.

A visit from the Good Squad
The News Where you Are
Both of these are humorous.

Can we narrow the list down, preferably to one ?

Well can narrow down to a few
Are we looking for June book? thought Hunger Games 3 of ud reading re May?


Woman In Black. really fancy reading think thou the film might get
me first
The Somnamblist really fancy this book
The Radleys looks different & humerous Yes please
Rules of civility


I have gone right off fifty shades of grey- sick of reading about rave/bad reviews in press
last 2 weeks. Yesterdays headline dubbed it Mommy Porn ewwwww
put me right off

When do you think you'll have Hunger Games finished Sax/Allsewn? It's a fairly quick read (well, I found it so, until my younger child made off with my copy...I'm now having to 'book-share') I was thinking we'd probably have it finished and reviewed before the end of April?

If we're looking at a May book, then can I suggest The Hidden Child (which as Lucielle says, 3 of us have favoured)

I think I'm with Sax re. 50 Shades of Grey - poor reviews, plus I don't think it's my kind of thing tbh. Though if some of you read it, I'd be very interested to hear what you think as I'm curious about it being so popular and I'd trust your judgements.

It's getting rather complicated trying to decide on choices by 'virtual group'!! Would it be easier if we take turns to decide (and if its a book that some don't want to read, then they can just skip that one).

If you think that's an easier system, then I'll go first and choose the Hidden Child (assuming we get Hunger Games done by end April, Hidden Child could be the May book). Hope I'm not sounding bossy here!

No way do you come across as bossy! I see it as enthsiasim & love the fact we have
a book club! Great to read others views.
Fifty shades of grey is a sort of soft look at bdsm! Do know some people re Bdsm fetish & they mmm
gave it a thumbs down.Once got dragged to the BDS open event in B'ham!My eyes bulged
& blinked at some of the dress/items not my cup of tea
Shall start Hunger games & see no reason why cannot finish in a week.Once I start
a book i tend read for hours!
Can happily go with majority for bok choice if one totally i couldn't read id wait for
next book

Or could pick a theme each mth? Thriller,murder,comedy,autobiography?
I found Norman Wisdoms very moving

Sax

jingle wrote:It's getting rather complicated trying to decide on choices by 'virtual group'!! Would it be easier if we take turns to decide.

I think it would - are Sax and Allsewn happy with this idea?

jingle wrote:If we're looking at a May book, then can I suggest The Hidden Child (which as Lucielle says, 3 of us have favoured).

OK, shall get on to the library.

jingle wrote:If you think that's an easier system, then I'll go first and choose the Hidden Child (assuming we get Hunger Games done by end April, Hidden Child could be the May book).

We now have to decide the order of people choosing. I don't mind going last. So it's Jingle, Sax or Allsewn (or vice versa - can we toss a virtual coin? ) and then me.

Jingle wrote: Hope I'm not sounding bossy here!

It's difficult using just words - it can sometimes come across differently than intended, but, no, not at all. Good suggestion!

As said previously happy to go with majority vote! unless a book i have strong opinions on!
Jingle ive start Hunger Games as on own weekend expect to finish it& post review!
The hidden child ok with shall check library first. Swopping Before I go to sleep with
best friend for The Help!As need watch pennies now!

Sax
loving the book club even if Virtual i still feel as if all sitting in wine bar reviewing book with glass of chablais
with friends

Hello everyone Hunger Games arrived today so will be finished well before May- I'm happy to go with majority so I think it needs someone to get a grip and decide, not bossy at all!
Like the idea of having different genres each month and I would quite like a humorous one- sorry can't see far enough down the page to see what genre Hidden Child is- I've not heard much about it? Happy to go with it though, whatever!

allsewnonbyhand wrote:Like the idea of having different genres each month and I would quite like a humorous one- sorry can't see far enough down the page to see what genre Hidden Child is- I've not heard much about it? Happy to go with it though, whatever!

The Amazon summary..
Crime writer Erica Falck is shocked to discover a Nazi medal among her late mother's possessions. Haunted by a childhood of neglect, she resolves to dig deep into her family's past and finally uncover the reasons why.
I avoided reading any reviews, but noticed it gets quite a few 5 stars, and quite a few 1 stars....so could be a 'love it or hate it' book. It's from a Swedish crime series featuring Erica Falck and husband Detective Hedstrom, but I'm assuming (hoping) it'll be readable without having read the series.

Am nearly finished the Hunger Games. Will be very interested to hear your views....

Finally, I couldn't overlook this

Saxonsiren wrote: Once got dragged to the BDS open event in B'ham!

You were brave Sax!!

jingle wrote:you were brave Sax

Believe me i did wear a hoodie in case someone daw me & omg the sights!


page1 starting

Sax

I can imagine, Sax!

Have started up a review page for the Hunger Games. Think there may be divided opinions on this one.......

jingle wrote: I can imagine, Sax!

Have started up a review page for the Hunger Games. Think there may be divided opinions on this one.......

my eyes my poor eyes!!!! a non stop reading day , phone ignored, lunch well what lunch! Once finished the book i had to write the review thou i gave up on the tablet and " fired up the pc" (love Gene hunt for that quote!}

Written review and eyes so tired had to edit mistakes so i apologise now if i rambled!!!

Sax


hoping for a lighter book next time!!!!! Think Radleys sounds ideal !!!!

jingle wrote:If you think that's an easier system, then I'll go first and choose the Hidden Child (assuming we get Hunger Games done by end April, Hidden Child could be the May book).

Good suggestion, one book per month, tbh I couldn't manage more than that anyway. If it goes past the end of the month, on occasions, that shouldn't matter too much. I say this because there is a waiting list at the library for The Hidden Child so it's possible I won't have it until middle May. I never read during the day so, for me, it does take longer to get through a book.

Just ordered books 2 & 3 from The Hunger Games triology 50% off on amazon
also murder in madrid C J Sansom as loved Shardlake series. The Hidden child still
£5:71 & The Samnam thingy book still £5:71. Three books for under Eleven pounds
good for me. The OH groaned not more books!

Anyone fancy swopping some books?

Sax

I have my copy of The Hidden Child! Popped into library & there it was upon the shelf!
Just let me know if book choice changes! Didn't check for The Radleys or The Somnambulist!
Ill start the help then ill keep checking which book is chosen next!

Sax

I just re read The Catcher in the Rye. I love that book.

You all seem to be enjoying your book club ..... I would love to join in but sadly don't have enough time to devote to reading. I would be lagging behind all the time ! Everyone else seems to have disappeared.

Hiya Tomps! Whoohoo my books have arrived! Reading the back of Hunger Games part 2&3
it appears Katniss has to endure a second hunger games trial & soon becomes a symbol to many
to uprise against The Capitol! I shall read these two after hidden child & The Help

Tomps if you read one of previous books we all chose no matter how long took im sure we
would all welcome & be good to have another review comparison!

The books so Far

Strangers on a Train
Before i go to sleep. ( can post this to you )
The Hunger Games
The Hidden Child - May choice

Sax

saxonsiren wrote:Hiya Tomps!
Tomps if you read one of previous books we all chose no matter how long took im sure we
would all welcome & be good to have another review comparison!

The books so Far

Strangers on a Train
Before i go to sleep. ( can post this to you )
The Hunger Games
The Hidden Child - May choice

Sax

Agree completely! Always good to hear others' views, no matter how long after ours!

My Copy of Hidden Child arrived today. I'm just finishing The Art of Fielding so as soon as I'm done I'll start it. Probably this weekend.

Sax I look forward to hearing your comments on books 2 and 3 of Hunger games- interesting the little snippets you've mentioned so far...

Happy Bank Holiday weekend everyone!

Stop Press- the 50 Shades of Grey books are now £3 each in Asda!!

Hope everybody well & had a good bank holiday weekend! Started The Hidden Child a little slow so far! Thou did have a nasty tummy bug so i think my concerntration not 100%!
It seems a little quiet here is everyone ok?

Sax

Hi Sax, hope you're feeling better

I'm still waiting for my delivery of Hidden Child, probably been held up in the holiday post. Haven't been able to read anything for the past few days anyhow, as I've got a tooth abscess which has been driving me round the bend

Allsewn - did you buy 50 SoG? I'm intrigued to hear if it's worth the hype.

Hi Everyone
I didn't get 50 S of G as I only saw it advertised on way out! Haven't been back since but I think I will pick it up when I'm next in. I've started the Hidden Child, it's all a bit confusing at the moment, trying to store all the characters in my head, but so far so good.

If this rain ever stops I need to spend some time in the weed jungle that used to be my garden, so I may be a while finishing it!

my news from the BH weekend- Mr Allsewn has officially started mid life crisis and bought himself a sporty car to replace his sensible Focus....
....mind you I do have to secretly admit, it is rather fab and fun !