BOOK CLUB
For further details of Group 1's next meeting please see Carol at the Information Table at our monthly meeting or give her a call.
Next month we shall be discussing Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
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OCTOBER 2023
We met this month to discuss The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Was this book designed to generate a discussion on the nature of beauty? Evelyn was "beautiful" - that was what everyone knew about her. However, ideas of beauty do change. How many stars of yesteryear would now be considered "beautiful", Marilyn Monroe? Lauren Bacall? Who nowadays would we class as a real beauty, of a kind that would last? Is character now considered more important than looks?
We generally agreed that it was quite well plotted, in that loose ends were tied up; for example why she chose that particular person to write her memoirs. Most of us, however, thought that the book was a few husbands too long and was pretty repetitive in showing the many ways this beautiful woman used marriage to manipulate people and situations to her advantage and to hide her (and her friend's) true sexuality.
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SEPTEMBER 2023
The group met this month to discuss Songbirds by Christy Lefteri. Those of us who could attend the meeting all agreed that this is a beautifully written book, although it addresses some really distressing issues. We agreed with Jodi Picoult (another author we have read and enjoyed) who said "I've never read anything quite like Songbirds" We also agreed with another reviewer who says that it is "a beautifully crafted novel that sits at the intersection of race and class". The story focuses on the disappearance of one of the many almost "invisible" maids in Cyprus and some of the people who care enough about her to investigate what has happened.
Some of us also attempted Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell (an optional extra this month). This met with a more mixed reception - some of us really enjoyed it, some of us couldn't even finish it as it was such a plod.
We shall be meeting next month to discuss The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
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AUGUST 2023
Another enjoyable meeting took place this month (only one member couldn't make it, due to grandparenting duties) The book we were discussing was Three Things about Elsie by Joanna Cannon. Sadly, it was a thumbs down for the book - yet another group of old ladies in a retirement complex, with a bit of a mystery going on to keep them going. Quite a few authors seem happy to jump on this band wagon. We did find some humour in it, but not much else. Not all had quite finished the book (and at least one of us gave up part way through) but the majority felt the dignity of the elderly is not upheld when they are portrayed in this way.
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JULY 2023
We met on a lovely July morning at Vicky's place (Carol is our usual gracious hostess) We had a good discussion about A Man Called Ove - we all agreed that we had enjoyed reading it and reminded ourselves of many snippets that had been enjoyable.
We were less enthusiastic about the other book we read last month - Where Angels Fear to Tread. The majority of us did not find this an enjoyable read, partially because there were so many unhappy outcomes for most of the characters. A lovely lunch rounded off a very pleasant morning.
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MAY 2023
We met this month to discuss “My Sister's Keeper” by Jodi Picoult. A couple of us chose not to read the book as it was clearly going to contain emotional triggers linked to their personal lives.
Those of us who did read it agreed that this is a skilful writer who frequently addresses medical / legal issues in very good, often complex storylines. This book was a great example. Whilst being an uncomfortable and often distressing read, the viewpoints of each of the main characters made it a fascinating and thought provoking book which generated a lively discussion. We all found ourselves asking "what would I have done in the same situation?"
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MARCH 2023
This month we met at Lilian's house, to discuss two books: Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons and The Guest List by Lucy Foley.
Cold Comfort Farm received very mixed feedback - most of the group didn't enjoy it at all, while a couple of us found it rather fun, if a little odd, bearing in mind that it was written as a parody of other books written at the time.
The Guest List was enjoyed by more of the group (but not by all) as a modern who-dunnit with some questionable aspects in terms of plotline.
A lovely lunch was provided by Lilian, and a delicious cake by Doreen.
Next month we shall be discussing The Midwife Murders by James Patterson.
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FEBRUARY 2023
We've been reading a variety of books this month, so we all had something different to talk about. Once again, a good selection was added to our list for a monthly group read (if we are lucky enough to be able to get sufficient copies from the library).
We also reflected on the books we read and discussed during 2022. Whilst we didn't all agree about all of them, the top 3 scored more highly than any of the others. The firm favourite was The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes, followed by Still Life by Sarah Winman and then Mrs England by Stacey Halls.
We will be tackling 2 books to discuss at our next meeting - Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons and The Guest List by Lucy Foley.
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JANUARY 2023
We met at Toni's place for a change this month. Instead of discussing a particular book, we had all been reading our own choices over the festive period. As each of us spoke about the books we had enjoyed most, it quickly became apparent we now have a diverse list of really good books to read and discuss more fully over the next few months. Book chat turned into general chat over a buffet lunch followed by yummy offerings provided by group members. Next month we shall be discussing a selection of mystery novels provided by the library, after which we hope to get back to all reading and discussing the same book.
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NOVEMBER 2022
The Reading for Pleasure group met on 14th November to discuss, amongst many things, The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. Vicky could not be with us, but wrote such a good account of her feelings about the book (it was her recommendation). Most of us agreed with Vicky, either entirely or for the most part. The book was enjoyed by all and stimulated a lively discussion.
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OCTOBER 2022
The Reading for Pleasure group met on Monday 10th October, chattered a lot as usual, eventually we got around to discussing ‘A Gambling Man’ by David Baldacci.6
There were mixed feelings about this book. Some really enjoyed it, while others really didn't. Some couldn't even bring themselves to finish reading it as they found the quality of writing or the plot was just not for them. Chattering continued as some of us made our way to the Turner's Hill café for lunch
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SEPTEMBER 2022
This month we met in the beautiful garden of Peter and Jean Wardrop on a lovely September morning. It was inevitable our initial conversation should be about the death of Her Majesty the Queen and to recall the joy she brought to our lives.6 Our choice of book was ‘Mrs England’, by Stacey Halls. Here is a novel with Gothic undertones set in the wilds of Yorkshire. Ruby May, a Norland Nanny, finds employment with a mysterious and disfunctional family and sets out to solve their many problems. This book was received with mixed feelings, but on the whole we agreed it was an easy and enjoyable read.
It was good to have Diane Pope with us again after suffering illness and isolation for so long. We wish Diane continued progress to recovery.
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AUGUST 2022
This month we have been reading Still Life by Sarah Winman. Five of us managed to get together at Carol's (we were all sorry that Jean was unwell and unable to play hostess) All those present (and Jean via speakerphone) agreed that they had enjoyed the book, and many delightful little snippets popped up in our chat as we remembered favourite sections and characters and conversations. There was a bit of controversy about the "Italian lessons" in the final chapter that some felt unnecessary and others quite enjoyed. It is such a beautiful book, with richly drawn characters and locations (the east end of London and Florence) The description of the devastating flood in Florence and it's aftermath were fascinating. Lovers of art, history, Florence, the Italian language and way of life would enjoy this book. We had a nice lunch in the Turner's Hill café after our meeting.
We will be reading Mrs England (Stacy Halls) for our September meeting.
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JUNE 2022
It was a lovely morning, made even better by the weather, Vicky's garden and pizza al fresco.
Next month we shall be discussing Still Life by Sarah Winman.
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MAY 2022
This month’s book, Still Life by Val McDermid. We all agreed that it was well written with a complex plot involving two investigations and well-developed characters. Some of us found it a bit of a plod, however. Our usual lively conversation was continued over lunch at Turner's Hill Cafe.
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APRIL 2022
The reading for pleasure group gathered once again this month. After the usual chattering we eventually got around to discussing the book we have been reading - Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney. Not everyone had completely finished it, so discussing it without letting them in on the twist at the end was quite challenging. However it seems that, for once, we all really enjoyed this. A well written and easy to read book with so many mysterious goings on - thankfully it all gets explained eventually. Not all of us guessed what was really going on.
We then adjourned to Reyna's brasserie to treat ourselves to a celebratory lunch for Carol's birthday.
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MARCH 2022
The Reading for Pleasure group met, on 14th March, to discuss The Appeal by Janice Hallett. The book was the Sunday Times Crime Book of the Year 2021.
It's a complicated story presented in an unusual and somewhat challenging style (emails, texts and WhatsApp messages) We decided that most of the characters (with the exception of Poppy and Woof the dog) were unlikeable and tended to be liars, cheats and/or whingers.
Whilst we didn't all enjoy the book, we did agree that it's good to challenge ourselves and read outside our comfort zone occasionally. It certainly led to a lively discussion.
We then adjourned to the Turner's Hill Cafe for lunch, as usual.
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FEBRUARY 2022
We met on 14th February to discuss (among other things) The Temptation of Gracie by Santa Montefiore. The general agreement was that this was a well written book, which was easy to read, with a plot that was perhaps a little too good to be true. It certainly brought back memories of time spent in Tuscany (and Italy in general) so talking about the book then lead to lively reminiscences of holidays and associated memories (some more enjoyable than others, as it turned out)
We then turned to some poems, Valentines related of course, which were very entertaining, after which we adjourned to the Turner's Hill café for lunch.
Our next book will be The Appeal by Janice Hallett
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NOVEMBER 2021
Last month we ventured into the realms of ‘chicklit’ and read I've Got Your Number, by Sophie Kinsella. Two of us enjoyed this light hearted and amusing book. However, the rest of the group were not so impressed and found it frivolous and lacking in reality. This is a book for a long train journey or perhaps one to read on a cold winter evening with a glass of something warming. I think that I've Got Your Number is chicklit at its very best.
If, like us, you love reading and enjoy a chat about books and other things, followed maybe by coffee or lunch or something, don't be disappointed if you find there are no places in the existing two groups. Why not set up a third book club? We will give you loads of help and support in getting things started, and the libraries are always very pleased to see us!!
Did you know that you can use your library card to borrow up to thirty items from Cheshunt Library (and any Hertfordshire Library).
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MARCH 2020
This month we each chose our own book to read and this gave us a diversity of authors to talk about. Among these were Anne Cleeves the winner of the Duncan Lawrie Dagger for her book Raven Black and author of the famous 'Vere' series, Baroness Orczy who created the iconic Scarlet Pimpernel and the twice time Booker prize winner Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf Hall. We had each chosen a poem to read and these were amusing and thought provoking. After a morning of literary discussion and poetic delight we went out to lunch.
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DECEMBER 2019
This month our author was Victoria Hislop who is a popular and much admired write The book, The Sunrise, is about the chaos that Famagusta in Cyprus was plunged into when Turkey invaded the island. Hislop has done extensive research into this tragic period. She tells her story through the lives of two families, one Greek Cypriot and one Turkish Cypriot. Together they live in the luxurious and now abandoned hotel The Sunrise and experience the dreadful conflict at first hand. This is a story of love and loyalty, tragedy and terror.
Several members of our group have visited Famagusta and for me their knowledge of the area brought the book to life and that dreadful period of history into focus.
Once again we looked back on a year of reading and realised what a very variedly selection of novels we had chosen to read. We voted for our favourite book of the year and that book was ,The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Our second choice was Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. All the books I have written about can be borrowed from Cheshunt Public Library.
We wish you all a very happy New Year and a peaceful 2020.
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NOVEMBER 2019
Only one member of our book group really enjoyed our choice this month. The rest of us appreciated the humour, excellent writing and colourful characters, but it still failed to give us the enjoyment we expect from a best selling novel.The book is White Teeth by Zadie Smith. Her debut novel, written in 2000, received a chorus of praise and she was likened to Dickens and Salman Rushdie. The story follows the fortunes of two families from Bangladesh and Jamaica who are living in Willesden. The problems of racial and cultural differences are highlighted with humour and sensitivity. Beware much bad language!!!
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OCTOBER 2019
The Ayre Affair,. our choice of reading this month, takes place in an alternative version of 1985 England where the Crimean War still continues and where Wales has declared independence. Technology has taken a leap forward and animals once extinct now abound the planet.Our heroine, Thursday Next, is a literary detective, who specializes in looking for stolen texts that have gone astray. This most unusual and quirky debut novel received good reviews from the critics, but from this reading group it was thumbs down.
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AUGUST 2019
Our book choice this month produced mixed feelings within the group . The Late Show by Michael Connelly is the story of the trials and tribulations of brave and resourceful Rene Ballad, an American detective working the night shift in the LA police. Personally I found it a little boring (not all of the group agreed with me) until just halfway through the book when Ballad finds herself naked and tied to a chair in an empty room and grimly awaits the return of her abductor. However she lives to fight another day and to find herself in the pages of other books by Connelly.
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JULY 2019
Our choice of reading this month gave us a lively hour of discussion. “The Trouble with Goats and Sheep” by Joanna Cannon is a debut novel. It is an unusual portrayal of suburban life in 1970s Britain with the disappearance of Mrs Creasey at its core and of the antics of ten year old Grace and Tilly who visit their neighbours in search of Mrs Creasey - and God. There are delightful observations and some very original writing in this story, but it leads to a frustrating end with many questions left unanswered.
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APRIL 2019
The humour of Dawn French is known by all of us who watch television. She has now broken into the world of books and this month we read her novel “According to Yes”. I think, and very much hope, that this book is not meant to be taken too seriously.
When Rosie Kitto, an eccentric thirty eight year old primary school teacher bounces into the lives of the wealthy American Wilder Bingham family living in Manhattan, she changes their lives forever. Employed to be a modern day Mary Poppins to the Wilder Bingham twin boys she extends her remit to other members of the family. Not only does she change the lives of the twins, but also the lives of their grandfather, father and older brother. Rosie's romp with the members of the family makes for some amusing reading. This is a light and happy novel if at times a little unbelievable.
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MARCH 2019
This month we read “The Midnight Line”, by the American author Lee Childs. Retired military policeman Jack Reacher is big, bold and brutal with an inquisitive mind. When he finds a West Point Class ring in a pawn shop he is on a quest to return it to its rightful owner. So begins a journey into the world of drug addiction and supply and Jack Reacher and his companions are faced with the full horror of the consequences of war. Our group had differing opinions about this book. However it opened up a lively discussion
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JANUARY 2019
This month it was thumbs up from everyone in the reading group for 'Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine', by Gail Honeyman. Eleanor Oliphant leads a simple, organised life. She goes to work every day, wears the same clothes every day, orders the same lunch every day, and every weekend she buys two bottles of vodka. Eleanor Oliphant is happy - or is she? One day a simple act of kindness changes her life forever and Eleanor has to learn to learn to live in the real world.
Here is a beautifully written book with humour and pathos in abundance. The portrayal of Eleanor and other characters is written with skill and insight.
This is a debut novel and I await Gail Honeyman's next book with much anticipation. I understand it is to be made into a film. Read it before you see lt.
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DECEMBER 2018
At our December meeting we looked back at the twelve books we read during the year. Our top choice was The Cleaner of Chartres. This was our most recent book and was enjoyed by everyone. The author, Sally Vickers is a writer of much imagination and vividly describes the wonders of Chartres Cathedral Her heroine is Agnes Morel, a beautiful, quiet and unassuming woman. Brought up by nuns she can now be found cleaning the cathedral each morning. Her story is one of love and tragedy and the strength of the human spirit.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and Salmon fishing in the Yemen, by Paul Torday shared second place and Stephen King's The Green Mile was our third choice. We all agreed that we have had a happy and varied year of reading.
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SEPTEMBER 2018
This month we read “Don't stop me now” by Colleen Coleman. If you want a book for the beach or a sunny afternoon in the garden this is the one for you. With a PhD under her belt Poppy has no job, no relationship and has returned home to live with her mother and step father. This debut novel is full of wit and intelligence. Poppy is an endearing character and it is a delight to see how she overcomes her many problems. This is so much more than a chick lit novel. We are treated to some very thought provoking ideas. A good read.
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AUGUST 2018
This month we read The Sapphire Widow, by Dinah Jefferies. Louisa Reeve is a beautiful young woman happily married to good looking and charming Eliot who trades in sapphires. The couple live a charmed life in their colonial mansion in Ceylon in 1935. However, Eliot dies suddenly and Louise is left to solve the mystery of her husband’s other life and to endure the consequences. This is a well written and highly descriptive novel, but the storyline is very predictable, leaving the reader with few surprises. Sadly our group gave it the thumbs down. However, some of us had read The Teaplanters Wife by the same author and assured us that this is well worth reading as are the many other books by Dinah Jefferies.
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JULY 2018
This month we read Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, a debut comedy novel by Paul Today. Although written as a comedy there is a tragic underside to this story. Dr Alfred Jones, a civil servant at the National Centre for Fisheries Excellence is a shy, academic man living in a loveless marriage. An offer by a rich Yemen Sheikh to fund a scheme to introduce salmon fishing into the desert wadis of his country with Scottish salmon is initially dismissed as impossible by Dr Jones. However, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office are eager to spend the Sheikh's money and lend support to the scheme and Dr Jones begins to believe that salmon fishing in the Yemen could become a reality. The story is written in the form of letters, interviews and newspaper articles. Surprisingly this works very well. Altogether a very good read.
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APRIL 2018
For the April meeting the group read "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley. Written in the 1930s this describes a future when all children are created artificially, and programmed from before birth to be happy with their place in society; all problems can be solved by taking a wonder drug "soma" and personal relationships are forbidden as "everyone belongs to everyone else". The book provoked keen discussion in the group about the importance of free will, whether the consumer society was a good or bad thing and the purpose of life without any challenges or difficulties to be overcome. Surprisingly easy to read it certainly proved very accurate about some aspects of present day society, but failed to imagine, for example, computers or the effects of the Pill. So thought-provoking indeed that discussion continued over lunch in the pub!
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MARCH 2018
Leah Fleming is a much loved and prolific author. She was born in Lancashire and emigrated to Yorkshire. This month we read her book “The Postcard”. On his deathbed Melissa's father begs her to research the source of a postcard. She embarks on a long and far reaching journey and the reader is drawn into a complex story. Our Reading Group was very critical of this book and we found much to talk about.
For those of you who have young grandchildren (ages 5 to 11) to entertain over the Easter hols, it may give you a couple of hours peace if you take them to the Cheshunt Library on April 10th between 10.30am and 12 where they can learn to make puppets.
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JANUARY 2018
At our first meeting of the year, we kicked off with Monsoon Summer by Julia Gregson. This story is predominantly set in India in the late 1940s when the country had newly acquired independence.
Kit, a midwife in training, marries Anto, a trainee Indian doctor, and they begin married life in a troubled India.
Kit faces prejudices of every sort firstly from her mother in law and then when she joins a women's hospital as a midwife. We are given an insight into the world of Indian women as they cope with married life and motherhood and of an India that is corrupt and struggling with new found freedom. An excellent book.
We looked back at twelve months of reading and decided that the book we enjoyed most is The Reader on the 6.27, by Jean Paul Didier Lauren and chosen by Jean Wardrop. This and many, many more books can be borrowed from Cheshunt Public Library.