Hope you all enjoy the festive season and receive nice books for
gifts.  Also hope 2009 proves to be a happy and healthy year for all.

Recent books I have read are: -

"Things I want my daughtrs to know" by Elizabeth Noble.

"For...ever" by Emilie Richards

"A sound like Thunder" by Diana Bachmann - anyone who is interested
in reading about Guersey during the war would find this good
reading.  I was keen to learn more after reading "The Guernsey
Literacy & Potato eel Pie Society".   If any of our librarian members
can recommend other books about the Channel Islands, please share.

"Shattered" by Mavis Marsh.

"The Ravenscar Dynasty" by Barbara Taylor Bradford.    Really enjoyed
this book and am now reading the second in series.

"The Life story of the well known Psychic Medium Sue Nicholson" by
Sue Murray "A Call from the Other Side.    You will enjoy this book
if you enjoyed the tv series "Sensing Murder" as Sue N took part in
that programme.

"Secrets" by Lesley Pearse - a nice easy read and good book to
switch off and enjoy.

Do you add up how many books you read each year?   Certainly it is
wise to keep a list as memory not always reliable.

Again, Merry Christmas to all.

Lyn Tod, Banora Point, where it is stormy.

 

All the best Margaret from the group  for a successful knee replacement and speedy recovery.  

 

Lyn

 

 

Am intrigued by your comment, can you tell us why ?

the second book last month was "The Nature of Monsters" by Clare Clark, I am afraid I didn't get past the first page and most didn't get past the first chapter.

I found this book to be almost pornographic in the opening pages, one of the ladies was worried about saying this, because she thought we might think her a prude.

It then goes into quite macabre medical practices.  When you read the reviews on the net, that is explained by medical thought at the time, i.e. what outside influences had on pregnancy.  Actually when you read the reviews it sounds like an interesting book, but not to my taste.

 

I have started this months book, "The Northern Clemency" by Philip Hensher,  I can't say I am enjoying the opening pages, I did notice that it was on the the top ten list in the Australian on the weekend, so I will keep going.

Has anyone else read this book?

 

hugs

Lyn Middleton

Gold Coast

 

 

--- In QuiltersWL2Read@..., "B.J.M.Trading"
<barlyn@...> wrote:
>
> Hi all
>
> I am replying to an earlier message from Lyn to talk about what we
are reading if we belong to a book club.
> I have been on holidays hence the late reply.
>
> My bookclub meeting was yesterday, it is run by the local library
and they do a great job.
>
> the last 2 books we have read have been great.
>
> September  was
>  "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson, he was a
Swedish Social conscience journalist,(he died before the books were
published.
> The girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the first novel in his
Millenium trilogy, the next book in the series will be released in
January.
> It was voted Swedens best crime novel of 2005, published in English
in 2007.
>
> I really enjoyed this book, I don't usually read crime fiction, it
is described as a tale of contemporary culture and corruption.  Great
Read.
>
> October was
> "The Tenderness of Wolves" by Stef Penney
>
> the SMH says she writes with spare beauty and fierce intelligence.
> I also enjoyed this book, although I must say only the librarian
and I did. No one else liked it , couldn't follow the characters and
plot.  I and the librarian thought the characters and plot interwove
well.
> Another review I read, said at the start they thought there were
too many characters, but was gripped by the tale and ended saying the
book was brilliant.
> It is set in Canada, winter 1867, the author has never been there
and actually suffered from agraphobia whilst writing the novel and
found it difficult to get the bus to the library for her research.
Great read.
>
> I thoroughly enjoyed both books.
>
> I love belonging to the book club and admire the work the
librarians put into research for books and rounding them  up for us
to read. We usually get 2 books to read and a theme, last month was
Classic American Literature, my favourite american classic is "The
Grapes of Wrath".
> the second book last month was "The Nature of Monsters" by Clare
Clark, I am afraid I didn't get past the first page and most didn't
get past the first chapter.
>
> If you are still reading I will let you know next month what our
bookclub  is doing.
> BTW last month I also read, Salvation Creek and Helen Garner's the
Spare room, which I thoroughly enjoyed, thought they both had a lot
in common, in a way, maybe because of the ages of the women, I like
reading about women "of a certain age" so if anyone one has others to
recommend ... I didn't even read any of the above  whilst on holiday:-
) I read "Love in a Torn Land" by Jean Sasson, true story about a
Kurdish woman in the time of Sadam's gas attacks, enjoyed as well.
>  If anyone knows me they will realise I have had a good holiday,
because usually I don't have the energy to write like this. :-)
>
> hugs to all
> Lyn Middleton
>

Hello everyone,
  I've been reading your suggestions with interest and finally have
time to respond. This is my first post to this site.
I am a quilter/book group leader in Orange County, California.
We just met yesterday for our monthy book group meeting to discuss
Tim Winton's BREATH. We had a great discussion especially since many
of our members' children are or have been surfers living here in
southern California. Most of us had never heard of the author and
were pleased to be introduced to this Australian. Beautiful writing.
This is only the second book that we have read as a group that takes
place in Australia.

Other good book discussions this year were:
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan, (fiction, Frank Lloyd Wright, mistress)
Abundance by Sena Jeter Naslund (Historic fiction, Marie Antionette)
Molokai by Alan Brennert (Hist.fiction, Hawaii leper colony)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (fiction, Germany WWII)
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky (fiction, France WWII)
All of these books were well written, well researched and all of them
had some historic basis. I love books that not only make you think
and teach you somthing, but also touch your heart.

Our book group has been meeting for 10 years and could send you our
entire list, but not sure if I can send an attachment on this forum.
Our next book will be Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson (takes
place in Norway).
Happy reading!
Lynne Sales

left to Die by Lisa Jackson - very surprised at how it ended...anybody
read this thriller?

Philip Pullman his Dark Series.
Realise these books are for teens but really a good read. About other
worlds.  Northern Lights is the first in the trilogy. The Amber
Spyglas and The Subtle Knife.  Felt there was a fair bit off violence
for the market it is written for.

Also The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman.

Joanne van Os.   Outback Heart the story of Rod Ansell the real
Crocodile Dundee, was the movie story line taken from Rods life the
reader can make up their mind.   Found this a very intersting listen.
I had it on Audio Disc read by the author.   I did require a good map
off West Aust and the Northern Territory to follow where they were
living.
As I have spent many months in Kununurra and been thru the top end
found places familiar.

Well worth the read or list to on audio.

I am now reading Harry Potter  and the Order of the Phoenix.  Yes way
behind but I do need time to quilt

Janet Evanovich series One for the Money Two for the Dough and so on.
No good if you cannot take a few profanities thrown in,  well all
over the place.

Yet to order Stephanie Meyer  Twilight  heard so much about her.
Anybody else read her books.

Robyn
Bear fabric collector
Greenbank 4124

Goodevening All..
My latest read is Emilie Richards
I like her books and sometimes they have quilty themes
We are organizing a new email so I will be off till then,,,Sue

I thought that We Need To Talk About Kevin was one of the most
powerful books I've read this year. I still think about it every now
and then.... which I think is a measure of a great book.

One book our book club read recently was  Q & A: A Novel by Vikas
Swaru. I would highly recommend it. Had I read the blurb I probably
wouldn't have picked it, but I couldn't put it down once I started
reading. It has a very clever plot.

I've just purchased our current book club book, The Nineteeth Wife by
David Ebershoff and can't wait to start. It's the parallel stories of
a young man expelled from his modern breakaway Mormon family/community
and Ann Elisa Young, who was the 19th wife of Brigham Young, Prophet
and Leader of the Mormon Church. She campaigned against polygamy in
the US as a result of her experiences. Just to add spice to the story,
it's a murder mystery too!

Unfortunately I'm caught up in the grip of Michael Connelly and Lee
Child at the moment, and am voraciously reading whatever books of
theirs I can lay my hands on, so my book club reading is on the back
burner for a few weeks.

I would like to ask you all though, for your opinion. I've just read a
Faye Kellerman book - Mercedes Coffin - and yesterday picked up Cold
Case from the library. However, I'm not a real fan of her writing
style. I can read Jonathon Kellerman's books at the drop of a hat, but
each book I've read of hers annoys me in some way. Anyone else feel
like this, or is it just me?

Whilst being a bit critical, I listened to Patricia Cornwell's The
Front this week, travelling back and forth to work. Very short. No
real substance to the plot. Wouldn't recommend it.

Chris, in Adelaide

 

Yes, Christina, its a good idea to keep a list of books you have read.   I find I forget author’s names or book titles when I go into library or book shop.  

It would be very interesting if those of you who are in book clubs
shared with the group your chosen books.   I am not involved with a
book club right now, but in the past have been and found I was
spending too much time reading books that were not "my cup of tea".
Do tell us Pam what your final choice for club was.

"The Olive Farm" by Carol Drinkwater was a book I had looked forward
to reading as knew it was the first of several.   Whilst I enjoyed
the book in parts, I kept reading as have made a vow to finish
books.  In the past I tossed books aside if the first part was hard
going.  Guess that is why I like books by Douglas Kennedy and Jodi
Picoult who are "into it" from page one.

"Silent Sisters" by Jenny Tomlin and Kim Challinor - sad but true
story.

"Twenty Wishes" by Debbie Macomber.   A delightful read and thought
provoking in respect of the characters each making up a list of the
twenty things they always wanted to do but never did.  Maybe we
should all make up our list?

"Saturday" by Ian McEwan.   Friend had read this book and said she
wanted me to read it so we could discuss same, which we did.  I
appreciated IE's style of writing but had to push to keep reading.
Pleased I did though.

"Eden Close" by Anita Shreve.   A light and easy read.  Find I prefer
some of her books to others.

"My Forbidden Face" by Latifa.  Growing up under the Taliban - true
story of young lady and family in Afghanistan.  Good read.

"Shame" by Jasvinder Sanghera - heart rendering true story of a 14
year old girl who was shown photo of man she was to marry.  She had
seen the results of her sisters marrying men chosen by family and
their unhappy lives.However she ran away - parents disowned her - but
in the end she did well for herself.

"Prospect Street" by Emilie Richards.  I was in NZ and picked this
book up from secondhand bookshop.  Recognized the author's name and
really enjoyed the read.   "Suspenseful, powerful and thought
provoking" is the description on back of book.

"Back from Africa" by Corinne Hofmann and also "Reunion in
Barsaloi" ...... the second the third book following the
"The White Masai".   Interesting followups.  Thought Corinne was
quite mad to have done what she did, but maybe she is reaping the
benefits now moneywise.  She has obviously sent and still sending
money to improve the lifestyle of those she lived with while married
to Lketinga, a Masai warrior in Kenya.  She is certainly an effective
storyteller.

Lastly, a really delightful read and a great choice for a book club.
"The Guernsey Literacy and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann
Shaffer.   Sadly this is the first and last book Mary Ann will write
as she died earlier this year.    The novel, written in the form of an
exchange of letters, is very moving, and you enjoy each and every
character.    I have read a little about the German occupation of
Guernsey but am keen to read more.   Any recommendations please?

Do hope to hear about the books YOU have been reading.  We are a club
with 75 members and all keen on quilting and reading?????

I am working on a wallhanging that I started some years ago.  Today
I am sewing the bindings on so feel I should be getting the
champagne and streamers ready.    Seem to have so many UFO's but
like to work on whatever project takes my fancy at the time.  I also
spin and knit and this winter have made several homespun knee rugs
and baby blankets.   In between things I knit socks.

Lyn Tod, Banora Pt where it is a beautiful day.

I have just finished The Mascot by Alex Kurzem on talking book.
Brilliant. If you haven't read or listen to it then it's a must. The
story is told by a sone of his imigrant father's life as a mascot of the
Latvian Army during WWII.

Very contemplative.

Lesley