Paul’s Comments (group member since May 17, 2009)

Paul’s comments from the Hayes Kent Library Reading Groups group.

Tuesday 02 August 2011
Thanks to all who attended this afternoon's book group where we discussed Joanne Harris - The Lollipop Shoes.
The member who chose this book did so because she has enjoyed Chocolat, and this is a 'sequel' to that, but only in the fact it features some characters from that book.
Some members had not read Chocolat (yet), but believed the book stood alone without having done so.
Basically it is a story of good vs evil in my opinion, between witches?
It was agreed my the majority of the group that it was a very easy read and kept you interested in the main.
overall 3/5 for this month's read.
I hope all have a great August and look forward to seeing you on the 6th September where we will be discussing Salley Vickers - The Other Side Of You.

Thursday 28 July 2011
A thank you to all who attended this evening's book group where we discussed Jeffrey Archer - A Prisoner Of Birth.
This was for some of the members the first time that they have read Jeffrey Archer and where surprised by how quickly the story hooks you. Even though you half expected what the ending would be you needed to see how it all sorted itself out, I personally liked the short chapters and dialogue. The only major bad point was perhaps the length of the book being at just over 600 pages.
This book was given 4/5 by the members.
I hope all have a great August and look forward to seeing you on the 25th where we will be discussing Maggie O'Farrell - The Hand That First Held Mine.

Tuesday 07 July 2011
Thanks to all who attended this afternoon's book group where we discussed Lesley Pearce - Remember Me.
Apologies for the late posting.
A book that some members had read previously and generated a lot to talk about.
In 1786 a fisherman's daughter from Cornwall called Mary Broad was sentenced to be hung for theft. But her sentence was commuted, and she was transported to Australia, one of the first convicts to arrive there.
Amazingly based on a true story, it was said by some members that they sometimes forgot that fact as some of the things that happened where rather far fetched in their minds.
A score of 3/5 was given for this month's read.
I hope all have a great July and look forward to seeing you on the 2nd August where we will be discussing Joanne Harris - The Lollipop Shoes.

Thursday 30 June 2011
A thank you to all who attended this evening's book group where we discussed Irene Nemirovsky - Fire In The Blood.
First of all apologies for the late posting, having missed the last meeting due to ill health, I needed to speak to other members about the above book.
It was the second book by Irene Nemirovsky read by the group, Suite Francais being the first.
Once again it was agreed by all what a good read, if short this time and predictable, by the author.
After reading Suite Francaise I was a bit worried that I wouldn't enjoy this one because of how much I had enjoyed the first, but had needed not to have worried.
I personally think she has a touch of Iris Murdoch about her bit think I might be alone there.
This book was given 5/5 by the members.
I hope all have a great July and look forward to seeing you on the 30th where we will be discussing Jeffrey Archer - A Prisoner Of Birth.

Tuesday 07 June 2011
Thanks to all who attended this afternoon's book group where we discussed Kathryn Stockett - The Help.
Set in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1962, Kathryn Stockett’s first novel is narrated by three women: Aibileen and Minny are both black maids working for ladies from the cream of white society, while Miss Skeeter is the 23-year-old daughter of one of those pillars of the community. Aibileen has raised 17 white children, but her own son has been recently killed in an accident at a lumber yard; Minny is forever losing jobs because she talks back to her employers; and Miss Skeeter, so called because she looked like a mosquito when she was born, is ungainly and unmarried and seemingly the only one of her class able to see there might be something unjust about their society.
It was agreed by all what an excellent read this was, the characters were all likeable and believable. It was also hard to believe that the book was set in the early 60's.
A great first novel from the author, overall 5/5 for this month's read.
I hope all have a great June and look forward to seeing you on the 5th July where we will be discussing Lesley Pearse - Remember Me.

Thursday 26 May 2011
A thank you to all who attended this evening's book group where we discussed Angela Young - Speaking Of Love.
A book that generated a lot of discussion but most of it very negative. The characters were unbelievable.

The tale we hear is about Iris who is a storyteller, her daughter Vivie, and Matthew, who was Vivie's childhood friend. All 3 take turns to tell their story, about how Iris has a mental breakdown and how her and Vivie become separated when Vivie was very
The book centres around mental illness and the impact that can have on families. Treatment and care is explored and how other people relate to those that are ill. Story telling is the biggest part of the novel with Iris having been told stories when she was a little girl and carrying the tradition on.
This book was given 4/5 by the members.
I hope all have a great June and look forward to seeing you on the 30th where we will be discussing Irene Nemirovsky - Fire In The Blood.

Tuesday 03 May 2011
Thanks to all who attended this afternoon's book group where we discussed Danielle Steel - HRH.
An author that has an avid following, it was mentioned by the members who have read previous Danielle Steel books, that has a set formula for her books that can be quite predictable.
Several members had read her novels when they were much younger, but really didn't enjoy the book now, you may not be surprised to know that it was the first Danielle Steel book that I have attempted to read, which inevitably failed !!
The story of a princess, from a real European country, trying to make a life for herself seemed very apt with the Royal Wedding taking place while we read the book.
I have to say I will not read or attempt to read another Danielle Steel book, as several members also mentioned.
overall 2 out of 5 for this months read, which is a better score than I thought it would be !!! lol
I hope all have a great May and look forward to seeing you on the 7th June where we will be discussing Kathryn Stockett - The Help.

Thursday 28 April 2011
A thank you to all who attended this evening's book group where we discussed Jed Rubenfeld - The Interpretation of Murder.
This months read had already been read by the Tuesday Group who weren't impressed by it at all, but the Thursday Group was totally different, which I think proves how wonderful the Book Groups are.
Most members agreed that it was a well written book, and most of the characters were interesting enough to keep you going. As with the Tuesday Group we all thought the description and atmosphere of 1909 New York was very evident.
I personally am looking forward to reading the author's next book, which features the police detective, Littlemore, from this one.
This book was given 4/5 by the members.
I hope all have a great May and look forward to seeing you on the 26th where we will be discussing Angela Young's debut novel Speaking Of Love.

Tuesday 05 April 2011
Thanks to all who attended this afternoon's book group where we discussed Mary Ann Shaffer - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

The novel is set in 1946 and is in the form of letters, mainly to and from the central character, Juliet Ashton, a successful writer who becomes, wholly coincidentally, involved with a group of people on Guernsey who lived through the wartime German Occupation. The characters are thoroughly engaging and Mary Ann Shaffer (although born in the USA) manages to capture the English voice of the time beautifully.

It was commented by several members that the book was 'twee'. A style of book, along with diary entry ones, that I usually do not enjoy reading, but this I really did like.

The postal system must have been as good as emails in those days! It was sad to read that this is the only book published by Mary Ann Shaffer and good that her niece tidied it up at the end. The last pages make sad reading for that reason. Overall the group found that it is a quirky quick read with a satisfactory ending and some fun characters that you grow to admire. The descriptions of the child Kit are especially well drawn.

I hope everyone has a splendid April and look forward to the next meeting at the beginning of May where we will be discussing a book that has just been read by the Thursday Group, Jed Rubenfeld - The Interpretation of Murder.

Thursday 31 March 2011
A thank you to all who attended this afternoon's book group where we discussed Andy Allsopp - Barring Mechanicals.
A big thanks to Andy for coming along to the meeting, with his bike, to discuss the book.
A book that was enjoyed by the majority of the group, it's about how Andy overcame a medical condition, where a doctor said he would never be able to ride again, and how he set about joining an organised cycling event which saw him cycle From London to Edinburgh and back, on a recumbent bicycle, a bicycle he designed himself.
Through sleep deprivation and humour it is a well written book that can be read by people that haven't got a clue about cycling (like me!!)
Overall 5/5 was given for this book.
Hope all have a good April, look forward to seeing those that can attend at the end of April where we will be discussing a book that was only read by the Tuesday group last month Jed Rubenfeld - The Interpretation Of Murder.

Tuesday 01 March 2011
A thank you to all who attended this afternoon's book group where we discussed Jed Rubenfeld - The Interpretation of Murder.
Good to see all 12 members at the meeting this month, some members had read or attempted to read the book previously.
It was agreed by all that the murder and subsequent police investigation set in 1909 New York was a good read.
But the introduction, or the padding out as some members said, of Freud and Jung was needless and made the book very hard going, several members commented less is more in the case of this book.
This will be the read for the Thursday Group for May, so maybe some different points of view will be given.
Overall 2 / 5 for last month's read.
My apologies for not attending the last two months, due to a personal bereavement.
Hope all have a good March, look forward to seeing those that can attend at the April meeting where we will be discussing Mary Ann Shaffer - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

Thursday 24 February 2011
A thank you to all who attended this evening's book group where we discussed Philippa Gregory - The Virgin's Lover.
A really good meeting, where we welcomed new member Christine, and a book that got a lot of discussion.
Some members decided to read the book as fiction, as some of the historical facts were, to them, a bit far fetched.
Overall 4/5 for this month's read.
My apologies for not attending the last two months, due to a personal bereavement.
Hope all have a good March, look forward to seeing those that can attend at the end of the month where we will be discussing a book written by the son of Margaret, one of our members, Andy Allsopp - Barring Mechanicals, we hope to be chatting with Andy at the next meeting.

Tuesday 07 December 2010
A very big thanks to all who attended this afternoon's final Tuesday book group of 2010, where we discussed David Ebershoff - The 19th Wife.
Weaving together two stories, one historical, one modern, it brings new light on the rise and fall of American polygamy among the Mormon people.
It was agreed by all that the book was excellently written, but many preferred the historical part of the novel.
I personally think that it would have been a better read if the book was split in two separate parts, rather than how it was written. The writing styles of both varied vastly.

Overall liked my the majority of group, therefore a 4 out of 5 this month.
Hope you all have a wonderful December and look forward to seeing you in January, where we will be discussing this month's read Khaled Hosseini - A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all :) :)

Thursday 25 November 2010
A thank you to all who attended this evening's book group where we discussed F.Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby.
An excellent meeting thanks to the book, which generated a lot of discussion.
Many of the group had already read or/and seen the 1974 film version of the book.
A member who has enjoyed the book on the occasions she has read it before found, for the first time, that she didn't like the narrator.
This was my first time reading the book and I enjoyed it, I agreed with all members that it was a well written book, but found the characters, apart from the narrator, rather repulsive, the character of Tom more than most.
But it was said by all you need characters that you like and don't in novels.
So a really good score of 4/5 for this months read.
Hope everyone has a great December and a wonderful Christmas to all, look forward to seeing those that can attend at the end of the month where we will be discussing Sebastian Faulkes - Human Traces.

Tuesday 02 November 2010
A very big thanks to those who attended this afternoon's 4th anniversary book group where we discussed Charlotte Bronte - Villette.
A book that generated a good discussion, it was a book that suggested it was written semi-autobiographical, in some, if not, most parts.
Personally I don't enjoy these sort of books, having never read any Bronte before, I don't plan to read anymore!!
The language was hard to read at times, a whole paragraph could have been written in one line. At times it moved fast, but generally a very slow read, by me anyway.
Overall liked my the majority of group, therefore a 4 out of 5 this month.
Hope you all have a wonderful November and look forward to seeing you in December, where we will be discussing this month's read David Ebershoff - The 19th Wife.

Thursday 28 October 2010
A big thank you to all who attended this evening's book group where we discussed Sue Miller - The Senator's Wife.
Well we tried to discuss the book anyway, it's taken 121 meetings and we now have the first book that no-one liked at all, even though some read it all, and one person read it twice thinking they had missed something first time!!
This is the first book that I've failed to finish in over 10 years of the book group.
The book was so hard to read consistently, usually, even when I'm not enjoying a book, I find a character within that I like to follow to see what happens to them, not this time.
Everyone agreed that the storyline was so dull and they couldn't consentrate on what they were reading.
So only one score we could give for this book 0/5, another first.
Hope you all have a great November and see you at the end of the month where we will be discussing F Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby.

Tuesday 05 October 2010
A very big thanks to those who attended this afternoon's book group where we discussed Kate Grenville - The Secret River.
A excellent meeting for a excellent book, some preferred the first part of the book set in early 19th century London, other the second part set in Australia as convicts and those trying to find a better life and the treatment of the aborigines.
The description of life in London during the period the book is set is fantastic and hard hitting, and the way Sydney is now as to then is a marvel.
One of those books where I found I loved some characters and really hated and got annoyed with others, which in my opinion is what makes a good book.
Not surprising then that this book received 5/5 from group members.
Hope you all have a wonderful October and look forward to seeing you in November, where we will be celebrating 4 years of the Tuesday Book Group, and will be discussing a book I've not been looking forward to, lol, Charlotte Bronte - Villette.

Thursday 30 September 2010
A big thank you to all who attended this evening's book group where we discussed Anita Shreve - A Wedding In December.
A rather disappointing read was agreed by all at this evening's group, no character seemed to stand out, and very much a read that will be forgotten very quickly, which is a shame as several people have enjoyed books by Anita Shreve in the past, Light On Snow was mentioned by several.
Could only give the book 2/5 this month.
Hope you all have a great October and see you at the end of the month where we will be discussing Sue Miller - The Senator's Wife.

Tuesday 07 September 2010
A big thanks to all who came to this afternoon's meeting where we discussed Sue Monk Kidd - The Secret Life Of Bees.
A big welcome to new group member Margaret, hope you will enjoy your time with the group and enjoy the books.
A very enjoyable meeting, with a good discussion on a popular book with all. We all agreed we learnt about bees !!!
It was mentioned that it was hard to believe that it was less than 50 years since The Civil Rights Act of 1964, and how bad it actually was in the Southern States.
The main characters where liked by all, and it was thought that it was a well written book.
Personally it is a book that I would never have read if it wasn't for the Book Group, and I really enjoyed it, so at least the Book Group can widen a person's reading tastes.
An emphatic 5/5 for last month's read. Hope all have a wonderful September and look forward to seeing you all at the October meeting where we will be discussing Kate Grenville - The Secret River.

Thursday 26 August 2010
A big thanks to all who attended this evening's book group where we discussed William Boyd - Ordinary Thunderstorms.
Another classic book club read from William Boyd, the 3rd of his books that have been read by the Thursday Group.
Well written, and the areas of London mentioned in the book are totally spot on.
Agreed by all an excellent read with great characters, though I personally thought a few loose ends were left at the conclusion of the book, still loved it though.
5/5 for this month's Thursday read.
Hope you all have a great August and see you at the end of September where we will be discussing Anita Shreve - A Wedding In December.