UK Book Club discussion

Looking forward to having a new challenge for 2011! In fact, just looking forward to New Year in general, I love the chance to start afresh and with good intentions (even if it does go pear shaped by February!)

So history is first genre....

I have just read The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne which I deserve double points for as it was one of the books on my shelf I haven't read yet!

A simply told tale which considers Auschwitz from the perspective of a 9 year old boy, an emotive story which achieves alot within a very thin volume.

Another historic book for the challenge!

Traitors of the Tower by Alison Weir is a quick read, a whistle stop tour of seven "traitors" who lost their heads at the Tower of London from 1483 to 1601. Written in a straight forward style, this book is accesible and easy to read.

Em wrote: "Another historic book for the challenge!

Traitors of the Tower by Alison Weir is a quick read, a whistle stop tour of seven "traitors" who lost their heads at the T..."

I read this last year - surprising what you learn in such a small book! I really like this kind of thing.

Yes, you're right - you learn alot and because it's a quick read you don't become engrossed or weighed down in too much detail.

Have read Every Man for Himself by Beryl Bainbridge which is a short novel set on the Titanic. Initially I thought it a clever book which made lots of insightful observations about the social elite of the day but didn't feel that invested in the characters involved. However, as the book progressed I found myself increasingly drawn into the action on an individual, emotional level as well as the grander scale of the ultimate fate of the Titanic.

I found The Ruby in Her Navel by Barry Unsworth on my Dads bookshelves and thought I'd check it out since it fits our genre for the month. It's set in the Norman era - not a period of history I'm altogether that familar with however, I felt that the book was very well researched. There is alot of detail about the political, religious and social background (there's even a fair amount of description devoted to the fashion and costume of the day!) I may have learned a thing or two in the process of enjoying a story of subterfuge and betrayal.

Looks like the history theme is going to continue into February for me.... my in person book group has selected The White Queen for next month!

I have nearly finished one more historical book which is A Time to Dance, a Time to Die: The Extraordinary Story of the Dancing Plague of 1518 by John Waller which explores the underlying reasons for a dancing plague which afflicted many people during the middle ages.

Crime and Detection Novels for February...

Having read the third of this series - Morality for Beautiful Girls last month and really enjoyed it, I have returned to the beginning and just finished The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. These books are great, easy to read and full of quirky characters, good humour and homespun wisdom.

Em wrote: "Crime and Detection Novels for February...

Having read the third of this series - Morality for Beautiful Girls last month and really enjoyed it, I have returned to the beginning and ..."

I read several of these a few years ago, and really enjoyed them. I missed the T.V. adaptation, but was told it was pretty good. I quite fancy trying some of the other, different, books he's written.

I plan on reading more of his books too... I'm mixing it up for now though and am eight chapters into my first Ian Rankin which has quite a different feel altogether!

I have really enjoyed Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin, excellent characterisation and a great plot - I'll certainly read others in the series.

Now I must, must, must read my book club choice of The White Queen but I've got one last book for the February genre challenge - picked up One for the Money by Janet Evanovich on audio book to start on Monday.

I've been enjoying the Rankin books as well; I'm slowly working my through the Rebus series. I also enjoyed both of the tv mini-series, with both John Hannah and Ken Stott playing Rebus. I also really enjoyed One for the Money and the other Stephanie Plum books, Em. It's nice to find a book that has laugh out loud moments in them. Great series.

I borrowed the Rankin from my Dad who has absoluely loads of them so I reckon I can work my way through his copies. Also, it's nice to have some books in common with my Dad - we both read alot but not necessarily the same books. Looking forward to the Stephanie Plum - the blurb looks promising...

I have read or got all but one of the Stephanie Plum series and love them. Grandma Mazzer is just out of this world!

Em wrote: "I have really enjoyed Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin, excellent characterisation and a great plot - I'll certainly read others in the series.

Now I must, must, must..."

I loved all of these, Em. You've got treats in store!!

Just finished One for the Money by Janet Evanovich which was fabulous and very, very funny.

So I'm all set for the classics, the plan is to read David Copperfield by Charles Dickens and try to finish Gone With the Wind which keeps looking at me reproachfully, only half read on the bedside cabinet!

Hi Guys
I have read all of the Rebus books. They are great. If you like Scottish police books Try Stuart McBride a bit more gruesome but a great read also Quintin Jardine his books take a bit more concentration and he deals with the top echelon of the Scottish police in fact I am reading "Aftershock" at the moment I am 3/4 through and I have just a glimmer who may be the villein

Hi Stan, thanks for recommendation, I may well try the Stuart McBride at some point soon - I really enjoyed the Rebus.

I'm about to start my "offical" classic books for this month but in addition I've just re-visited a classic from my childhood... Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

Our Book Club is going to read I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith another classic from my childhood.

Thanks Stan for posting about Jardine- Stuart MacBride is in fact a bit too gruesome for me (though overall I like his writing) but I will definitely try Jardine.

I am nearly through David Copperfield which is an AMAZING book - I love it. Reckon I'll need another week to finish the last 200 or so pages.

Still have 300 pages of Gone With the Wind, think this'll take me a few more weeks as mainly reading it in the bath!! Too much information??

For biography/memoir I'm reading The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad and if I've got time.... maybe The Bolter: Edwardian Heartbreak and High Society Scandal in Kenya by Frances Osborne as well.

Em wrote: "I am nearly through David Copperfield which is an AMAZING book - I love it. Reckon I'll need another week to finish the last 200 or so pages.

For biography/memoir I'm reading The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad and if I've got time.... maybe The Bolter: Edwardian Heartbreak and High Society Scandal in Kenya by Frances Osborne as well. ..."

David Copperfield is great, I enjoyed it too - loved all the different characters.

Just looked at The Bolter: Edwardian Heartbreak and High Society Scandal in Kenya, sounds interesting, may have to go on my to read list....

Finished The Bookseller of Kabul - an interesting and enlightening book.

I'll be moving onto The Bolter: Edwardian Heartbreak and High Society Scandal in Kenya in a few days...

Em wrote: "Finished The Bookseller of Kabul - an interesting and enlightening book.

I'll be moving onto The Bolter: Edwardian Heartbreak and High Society Scandal in Kenya in a ..."

I liked both of these books - as you say, interesting and enlightening.

Also listening to The Fry Chronicles on audio book when I'm driving. On CD 4 of 9 so far.

PS. Finished blimmin' Gone With the Wind at last!

Watch where you're driving! :0)

Female of the species - good multi-tasker! Drive, listen to Stephen Fry and plan a week of family meals all at the same time!

Stephen Fry's mellifluous tones would just distract me and lead to me damaging a tree.....also as a bloke multi tasking just not possible

Either good multi-tasking or simply unaware of causing carnage on the roads!

So then, Sci-fi/Dystopian - I think I've decided on Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks which I've just reserved from library, I've already got Containment byChristian Cantrell on the Kindle and assuming I have time as have to read another book for my in person bookgroup by 18th May, I'm going to try to squeeze in The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham.

The Day of the Triffids was great, I loved the book but have realised that if there is any cataclysmic apocolyptic events I have absolutely no survival skills - bleak prospects for me!

I know the feeling Em

Em wrote: "The Day of the Triffids was great, I loved the book but have realised that if there is any cataclysmic apocolyptic events I have absolutely no survival skills - bleak prospects for me!"

You just have to be able to outrun them. ;0).. live on a sailboat???? Not too many options, eh?

Better get prepared - some loon US preacher is predicting the Rapture will happen today. Can't see any of us this group being chosen to climb the heavenly escalator

Ian wrote: "Better get prepared - some loon US preacher is predicting the Rapture will happen today. Can't see any of us this group being chosen to climb the heavenly escalator"

Did I miss something? Been asleep all morning and dosed off around 5 again and have been finishing a book before dragging myself in the shower and dressed for work. I did keep my ear plugs in so I may have missed the big bang.

Check for triffids before leaving the house Lynne - just in case.

Think we're all safe this time

Aghhhhhhh........ my hanging basket is stalking me!

Does it carry the basket over its shoulder when it goes walkabout?

Didn't spot the triffidds but did get a bit of the wet stuff in the early hours this morning. Mind you the paths and roads were dry as a bone on my way home just now.

Night Bless and Bedbugs, my bed is calling me!

Ian wrote: "Better get prepared - some loon US preacher is predicting the Rapture will happen today. Can't see any of us this group being chosen to climb the heavenly escalator"

Anyone missing this morning then? Didn't think so.... (Does that mean we're damned for eternity instead?)

I'm sure he's just got the date wrong

Ha! We had a nutty teacher at school who was devoutly religious and enjoyed delivering assembly about the end of the world due according to him in 2000?! Freak! My school attracted eccentric teachers.

Ian wrote: "I'm sure he's just got the date wrong"

It does stand to reason, world must end some day and eventually someones going to get it right!

So looks like fantasy for June, much easier for me that Sci-fi! I've loads of it knocking around and even my book groups choice of Angelology fits the bill.

I'll need advice on fantasy. Apart from Lord of the Rings I don't think I've ever read any.....never appealed to me in the slightest....so be gentle with me people.....no 7 part epics which seem to be the norm in this genre

I thought I'd read A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin - it is one of those epic series but I'm just going to start with number 1 and see where it leads me...

My Mother in Law has lent me The Sterkarm Handshake absolutely ages ago and every time I see her asks if I've read it yet so I think that'll be my other choice. I think it's a YA book as my brother in law works for Scholastic and pretty sure they predominantly publish kids and YA.

I read that Em, years ago. Game of Thrones is brill, I read thr first three and discovered it wasn't a trilogy. Was so cross. My fantasy group are reading The Magicians

Ian wrote: "I'll need advice on fantasy. Apart from Lord of the Rings I don't think I've ever read any.....never appealed to me in the slightest....so be gentle with me people.....no 7 part epics which seem to..."

I'm not a big fantasy fan either Ian, but fantasy doesn't have to be all swords and sourcery. How about Mervin Peake's Gormenghast novels (they start with Titus Groan)? If Dickens had written fantasy it would have been a bit like this.....! I've only read the first one and mean to do the next this month. Or, I absolutely loved Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.