Something Weird, and Bad...

Something weird (and bad) has been happening recently - somehow my time doesn't appear to behave the way it usually does (I pray this is temporary). I feel as if I'm rushing about trying to stop up the holes of a sieve as my time pours away. Anyone recognise this feeling?

That's how I missed the last meeting - a clash of things that I needed to do.

Still, I'd like to share my thoughts on the books for the month:
The Man Who Loved Children - I could not read this! I hated that mother and cringed at every cruel remark and evil deed against her children. She really touched a nerve for me. Consequently I only got through about 30 pages.
I Capture the Castle - Sorry, but I have to give a double negative this month - I really had no idea where this story was heading and so just could not sustain it.
At least this month's reading looks  more promising!

I think David was right we need take a look at our reading list and discuss some changes at the next meeting. I've already got some ideas I'd like to put forward and I think we should compile a re-vitalised list. Anyone got any thoughts on that? David?

Want to know what I, (like a good, dis-obedient Book Club Organiser) read this month?
Anna Karenina.
And I'm still reading it. It's long, but so what? I've an idea where it's going, and I want to go with it.
Anyone else read it and got any comments to make? (don't tell me the ending please).

Ok, so get your name down for next month and let's make it a cracking, fun and informative evening for all. See you there!

Hazel

February Meet Up

Richard Dawkins and his non-fiction book 'The God Delusion' so grabbed our attention on Thursday evening, that our second read, The Men Who Stare at Goats, barely got a look in (ironically).

Proof in itself of the power of religion. In fact it was clear to me that my attempt at an analysis of the text, in written form no less, was superfluous to requirements and probably inadequate (and I'm not complaining here). So, my attempt at introducing more structure to our meetings was a flop! Hey ho, that's the way it goes.

But we had a great evening, with three new members - Mark, Glenys and Katalin making a substantial contribution alongside Joe, David and Janine (Janine's appearance was a lovely surprise since we thought she was in the NT!). What a pooling of knowledge and insight there was.

David, who, relative to me at least, is a walking encyclopaedia, had me fascinated whilst he patiently explained the details of History, Biology, and Geography that gave background to the book. Details I missed when I was apparently too busy daydreaming in the classroom 35 years ago.

It seems that we're a relatively small informal group, who enjoy the unpredictable flow of conversation that emerges in the cosy environment of The Three Monkey's and that this is what sets us apart from other book clubs. I like it that way. I just hope that our members do too. Am I right, or am I wrong?

Anyway, this month, for our meeting on 1st March the reading is:

The Man Who Loved Children - Christina Stead

I Capture the Castle - Dodie Smith

Sorry David - I know you're not impressed. David recommended the following (click the links):

The Existential Jesus
Reflections of Consciousness in The Bicameral Mind!

and, not a book but interesting:
Hammurabi

I found both of these were available at the library.

November meeting

Erin, Ben, Joe, Lynn (a new member), Elaine, Hazel F, Julie and myself met at the 3 Monkeys last night, and, amid the lasagne, muffins, salad and coffee, discussed the merits and responses to The Handmaid's Tale, which were variously, disturbing, thought-provoking, enjoyable and unenjoyable.

Joe read the wrong book - Freedom, by Jonathan Franzen, which he was glad of, because he adored it (Joe - it was, in fact, a recommendation by Sue from last month. I think he would like to thank you Sue.) It so grabbed him that he turned into a hermit and ate into it's not insubstantial body with gusto - apparently. The suggestion was made that it could be a good read for the summer break.

I managed to bring the conversation around to A Prayer for Owen Meany, last month's read.

Room was our 2nd book for the month. With some interesting insight from Ben and Hazel Funch, we were led into a discussion about what 'reality' is and how that differs depending on life experience and perspective.

Erin, as always, was well-informed and spoke eloquently about all the books and re-told a short story from DH Lawrence, one of our authors for next month. I was particularly impressed by Erin and Ben's attendance since they also had a birthday party to go to. Thank you Erin and Ben for your valuable input.

Now for next month we have:

So Much for That, Lionel Shriver
Lady Chatterley's Lover, DH Lawrence

current reading

Current reading for the 4th April 2012 meeting:

The Life of Pi   Yann Martel
My Sister Sif  Ruth Park 

Future Reading

May

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet  David Mitchell
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close  Jonathan Safran Foer

June

We Need To Talk About Kevin Lionel Shriver
Our Sunshine  Robert Drewe

July

The Shadow of the Wind Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Batavia  Peter FitzSimons

August
Cider with Rosie  Laurie Lee
Get Shorty  Leonard Elmore

September
Through the Looking Glass  Lewis Carroll
Dubliners  James Joyce

October
Girl Interrupted  Susanna Kaysen
Cloud Atlas  David Mitchell

November
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man  James Joyce
Where I’m Calling From  Raymond Carver

December

The Catcher in the Rye  JD Salinger
Catch 22  Joseph Heller

Reserve reading list, for later...
A Thousand Splendid Suns  Khaled Hosseini
The Secret History  Donna Tartt
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
A Town Like Alice  Nevil Shute
Far from the Madding Crowd  Thomas Hardy
Freedom Jonathan Franzen

First Birthday!

Thanks to everyone for last night; David, Erin, Sue, Mary, Pomi, Julie, Elaine and new member Rhonda.
Lively it was, just as a first birthday should be, and looking forward to many more perhaps? I hope so.

You probably guessed that we meet on the first Thursday of every month?

Our venue is The Three Monkeys in West End, our start time 6.30pm, although, in line with our relaxed approach, late-comers are welcome since we don't 'get down to business' until about 7pm.

Having shared our thoughts on the current reads (2 choices a month) and partaken in some culinary or liquid delight (or both) it's all over by about 9pm.

We're flexible, open-minded and friendly, so come along, why don't you?