Next Meeting: Tuesday 8th January, 5.30-5.45pm at Costa Coffee, Longfield centre
All information is taken from http://www.lovereading.co.uk
Our Book for December
Toast by Nigel Slater
The
Sunday Times Bestseller and the biggest memoir of the year from
Britain's best loved food writer.TOAST is Nigel Slater's truly
extraordinary story of a childhood remembered through food. Whether
relating his mother's ritual burning of the toast, his father's dreaded
Boxing Day stew or such culinary highlights of the day as Arctic Roll
and Grilled Grapefruit (then considered something of a status symbol in
Wolverhampton) this remarkable memoir vividly recreates daily life in
sixties suburban England.His mother was a chops-and-peas sort of cook, exasperated by the highs and lows of a temperamental AGA, a finicky little son and the asthma that was to prove fatal. His father was a honey-and-crumpets man who could occasionally go off 'crack' like a gun. When Nigel's widowed father takes on a housekeeper with social aspirations and a talent in the kitchen, the following years become a heart breaking cooking contest for his father's affections.
But as he slowly loses the battle, Nigel finds a new outlet for his culinary talents, and we witness the birth of what was to become a lifelong passion for food. Nigel's likes and dislikes, aversions and sweet-toothed weaknesses form a fascinating and amusing backdrop to this incredibly moving and deliciously evocative memoir of childhood, adolescence and sexual awakening
Our choosen classic is Emma by Jane Austen
Review of Starter for Ten by David Nicholls
Our readers liked the easy reading, although it was not griping, the book proved to be an enjoyable read. Although those who had read One Day by the same author, felt there was no comparison as that is by far the better book. Although having made the connection that David Nicholls was the writer of the TV series Cold Feet, we did think the dialogue was well written.
We discussed leaving home in the absence of the internet and the mobile phone and perhaps this gave cause to the need for clean underwear that was given Brian (the main character) by his mother before his departure to university, which seemed odd to Brian as this was not going to help him achieve the intellectual prowess he thinks will come to him. Still it did bring to life those family values that we hold dear even today!We drew comparison with Educating Rita, where her outlook and attitude changed as she became more educated but some self-doubt remained.
We also saw a flip-side to Catcher in the Rye (see September blog) in terms of communication and indecision, here the main character was confused and isolated. Although Brian was confused and trying to find his identity, he did have some support from his family. Although Brian made some mistakes he was able to make a fresh start and still had family to rely on.
