Book club - December 2019

We reviewed Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce

Generally, the book was well received especially as it was her first novel.

The author’s first hand knowledge of the legal profession was reflected in the storyline as was the stereotypical mother’s guilt arising from choosing a career over staying at home with the children.  

Tyce did a very good job at developing the characters and although they were not particularly likeable the pace of the book kept the reader’s interest until the end.  Some thought the plot line was very predictable and perhaps a few of the scenes a little too graphic.  

The overall score for the book was 7.3 out of 10 putting it amongst our more popular reads.  

Our next Book Club will take place on Thursday 20th February 2020 when we will be discussing The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Lesley Powell

ps Following on from the success of our evening book club, we are hoping to start another group in the daytime.  If you are interested in joining, please contact either Dee or Lesley Powell

Book club - October 2019

We reviewed The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal

Although most people found the book difficult to get into at first, it was felt the story became quite absorbing and the characters developed very well

The description of Victorian life was in-depth and all the factual information was an added bonus 

Overall, we gave the book a score of 7.6 out of 10  

Our next Book Club will take place on Wednesday 4th December when we will be discussing Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce

Lesley Powell

Book club - August 2019

We reviewed The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz

With one exception, we all enjoyed the book and found it an easy, enjoyable read.  It was felt the author had been very true to the spirit of Sherlock Holmes and, indeed, it was the first time the Conan Doyle Estate had authorised a new non-Doyle Sherlock Holmes pastiche.  

We gave the book a score of 7.7 out of 10. Our next Book Club will take place on Thursday 17th October when we will be discussing The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal

Lesley Powell

Book club - July 2019

We reviewed The Lie of the Land by Amanda Craig.  

The book concerns an estranged couple who, due to financial reasons, are forced to move from London to Cornwall.   The story follows them as they try to adapt to their new situation where priorities and relationships are totally different to their City lives 

There is also a rather unconvincing murder mystery running along in the background  

It was felt the book was very predictable and a little too descriptive in parts although it was refreshing to see the dynamic shift when the traditional husband and wife roles are reversed  

There were some interesting factual elements to the book and various insightful commentaries on human emotions  

Overall the book was given 6 out of 10 

Our next Book Club takes place on Thursday 19th September when we will be discussing House of Silk by Antony Horrowitz

Lesley Powell

Book club - June 2019

Club members enoyed reviewing Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng.

The book is set in a small town in Ohio where two families from very different backgrounds come together, each harbouring their own prejudices and beliefs.  The story is about relationships and how the characters interact with each other, and also react to situations.  

The book was well received and we awarded an overall score of 8.4 out of 10.  

Our next Book Club will take place on Thursday 25th July when we will be discussing The Lie of the Land by Amanda Craig.Why not join us ?

Lesley Powell

Book club - April 2019

We reviewed The Hurting by Lucy Van Smit.  

The overall consensus was that the book was decidedly underwhelming: contrived, over-dramatic and lacking in depth.

The overall score of 4.5 out of 10 was a sad reflection of Book Club members' view of the book.

Our next Book Club will take place on Thursday 6th June when we will be discussing Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng.All members welcome

Lesley Powell

Book club - February 2019

Our Book Club was held on 28th February when we reviewed ’The Tattooist of Auschwitz’ by Heather Morris.  

The book received a very mixed reception with some being moved by the story whilst others were left feeling a little let down by the lack of substance.  Overall the book gained an average score of 5.7 with individual scores ranging from 2 to 9 reflecting the diverse views of members.  

The next Book Club will take place on Thursday 25th April 2019 at 7pm when we will discuss 'The Hurting' by Lucy van Smit.  If you are interested in joining or would like further information, please contact me or Dee or Alison.  

Lesley Powell

Book club - January 2019

At our New Year meeting we reviewed A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.  All agreed the book was beautifully written drawing the reader into the story as it unfolded over a span of 30 years set against the backdrop of Communist Russia.  

At the end of the evening, we gave the book a huge thumbs up with an average score of 8.8 out of 10. 

The next Book Club will take place on Thursday 28th February at 7pm when we will discuss 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz’ by Heather Morris  If you are interested in joining or would like further information, do please contact me

Lesley Powell

Book club - November 2018

At our third Book Club meeting we reviewed ’The Keeper of Lost Things’ by Ruth Hogan.  

The book was considered by some to be quite lightweight and although a ’nice’ story it seemed to lack substance.  At the end of the evening, we gave the book a very average 5.5 out of 10.

The next Book Club will take place on Thursday 10 January (7pm) when we will discuss 'A Gentleman in Moscow' by Amor Towles.  If you are interested in joining or would like further information, please contact Dee or Alison.