About the book The Lighthouse begins on a North Sea ferry, on whose blustery outer deck stands Futh, a middle aged, recently separated man heading to Germany for a restorative walking holiday. As he travels, he contemplates his childhood; a complicated friendship with the son of a lonely neighbour; his parents' broken marriage and his… Continue reading The Lighthouse by Alison Moore
Month: February 2016
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
About the book Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their differences, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into… Continue reading The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Bring up the bodies by Hilary Mantel
About the book By 1535 Thomas Cromwell, the blacksmith's son, is far from his humble origins. Chief Minister to Henry VIII, his fortunes have risen with those of Anne Boleyn, Henry's second wife, for whose sake Henry has broken with Rome and created his own church. But Henry's actions have forced England into dangerous isolation.… Continue reading Bring up the bodies by Hilary Mantel
Tiger hills by Sarita Mandanna
About the book 'Tiger Hills' is a sweeping multigenerational story set in a coffee plantation in Coorg, southern India, in the 19th century. The novel begins with the birth of Devi, a special child, who befriends a young boy whose mother has died in tragic circumstances. Reviewed by Abbotts Ann WI Best read so far… Continue reading Tiger hills by Sarita Mandanna
World Book Day 2016
World Book Day is a wonderful excuse to celebrate authors, illustrators, books and reading. In fact, it’s the biggest celebration of its kind, designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and marked in over 100 countries all over the world. There’s a whole world of books beyond the day, and Hampshire… Continue reading World Book Day 2016
The Storyteller's daughter by Saira Shah
About the book Saira always felt like an outsider. As a child growing up in Britain, she was told that she came from a far away Eastern land, a magical place that her father, the storyteller, would bring exotically to life. When, at the age of twenty-one, Saira set out to discover this magic land for… Continue reading The Storyteller's daughter by Saira Shah
The Thirteenth tale by Diane Setterfield
About the book 'The Thirteenth Tale' is an emotional mystery in the vein of Daphne du Maurier's 'Rebecca', about family secrets and the magic of books and storytelling. Margaret Lea is investigating Angelfield House. As she digs deeper, Margaret discovers tragedy and secrets about her own past. Reviewed by Sandy's Reading Group A compelling read… Continue reading The Thirteenth tale by Diane Setterfield
The Golden gate by Vikram Seth
About the book Written in verse, this was Vikram Seth's first novel. Set in the 1980s, in the affluence and sunshine of California's silicon valley, it is the story of twenty-somethings looking for love, pleasure and the meaning of life. Reviewed by Boaters Book Club With apologies to Vikram Seth Four of us sat with… Continue reading The Golden gate by Vikram Seth
An Equal music by Vikram Seth
About the book Set in the present day, with flashbacks, An Equal Music is a story about deafness, the perils of excessive love, the curious matter of nationality and how it affects lives and relationships. Reviewed by Andover U3A Reading Group This is a book that carries you along. Those members without a musical background… Continue reading An Equal music by Vikram Seth
The Lovely bones by Alice Sebold
About the book A huge bestseller in America and the UK this is a novel about life and death, forgiveness and vengeance, memory and forgetting. 14-year-old Susie Salmon, now dead, looks down on her family and friends from heaven. Reviewed by Titchfield Reading Group A moving, touching story. All the characters were believable and sympathetically… Continue reading The Lovely bones by Alice Sebold