December Books

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.

Recommended Reads

PWWI recommended reads:

Victoria Hislop – The Island, The Return, The Thread

Phillipa Gregory

Joanne Harris – Gentlemen and Players

Woman in White – Wilkie Collins

Hilary Mantel – Wolf Hall

Kate Atkinson

Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden

Wild Swans – Jung Chang

My family and other animals – Gerald Durell

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis De Bernieres

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

The Help by Katherine Stockett

The Manchester Man by Isabella Banks

Billy Hopkins Anything Goes

Saturday Night, Sunday Morning by Alan Stillgoe

Love On the Dole by Walter Greenwood

Johnathon Livingston  Seagull

November Books

NEW VENUE! Next Meeting Tuesday 13th November, 5:30pm, Prestwich Ice Cream Parlour.

All information is taken from http://www.lovereading.co.uk/

Starter for Ten by David Nicholls

It's 1985 and Brian Jackson has arrived at university with a burning ambition - to make it onto TV's foremost general knowledge quiz. But no sooner has he embarked on 'The Challenge' than he finds himself falling hopelessly in love with his teammate, the beautiful and charismatic would-be actress, Alice Harbinson. When Alice fails to fall for his slightly over-eager charms, Brian comes up with a foolproof plan to capture her heart once and for all. He's going to win the game, at any cost, because - after all - everyone knows that what a woman really wants from a man is a comprehensive grasp of general knowledge...Starter for Ten is a comedy about love, class, growing-up and the all-important difference between knowledge and wisdom. Are you up to the challenge of the funniest novel in years?

Classic: Emma by Jane Austen

Beautiful, clever, rich - and single - Emma Woodhouse is perfectly content with her life and sees no need for either love or marriage. Nothing, however, delights her more than interfering in the romantic lives of others. But when she ignores the warnings of her good friend Mr Knightley and attempts to arrange a suitable match for her protegee Harriet Smith, her carefully laid plans soon unravel and have consequences that she never expected. With its imperfect but charming heroine and its witty and subtle exploration of relationships, Emma is often seen as Jane Austen's most flawless work.

October Books

Next Meeting Tuesday 2nd October, 5:45pm, Costa Coffee, Longfield centre.

All information is taken from http://www.lovereading.co.uk/

The Island by Victoria Hislop

On the brink of a life-changing decision, Alexis Fielding longs to find out about her mother`s past. But Sofia has never spoken of it. All she admits to is growing up in a small Cretan village before moving to London. When Alexis decides to visit Crete, however, Sofia gives her daughter a letter to take to an old friend, and promises that through her she will learn more.

Arriving in Plaka, Alexis is astonished to see that it lies a stone`s throw from the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga – Greece`s former leper colony. Then she finds Fortini, and at last hears the story that Sofia has buried all her life: the tale of her great-grandmother Eleni and her daughters and a family rent by tragedy, war and passion. She discovers how intimately she is connected with the island, and how secrecy holds them all in its powerful grip...

Classic: The Catcher in the Rye

A 16-year old American boy relates in his own words the experiences he goes through at school and after, and reveals with unusual candour the workings of his own mind. What does a boy in his teens think and feel about his teachers, parents, friends and acquaintances?

Lovereading view...

A great teenage classic since its first publication in 1951, The Catcher in the Rye is now 60 years old. Holden Caulfield is the ultimate outsider; he is expelled from school, falls out with his friends and finally suffers a nervous breakdown. The book is a scathing attack on American society in the 1950’s seen through the eyes of one the most fascinating central characters ever created. Originally banned because of liberal use of profanity and powerful portrayal of teenage angst, The Catcher In The Rye has now been deemed essential reading for growing-up.