UK Book Club discussion

3 Down, only 47 to go....
Wolf Hallby Hilary Mantel
Twilightby Stephenie Mayer
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - which I'm half way through and loving...

I've finished The Shadow of the Wind - it was great. A real page-turner, but beautifully written too... (Twilight dwindled into insignificance next to it!)

4. New Moon by Stephanie Mayer. Anyone would think I was enjoying the saga.... Personally, I think they're wildly overated, but my friend who is a big fan wants me to finish the lot.

5. Forgot to mention Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Have been meaning to read it for years - have finally got around to it. A quick, satisfying read. The future described is not so distant - especially the 'sea-shells' that everyone wears in their ears to listen to music!!

I was thinking "6 books and it's only January", but then I realised we're already in the second week of February... Hmmm, not sure if I'll make the 50!

6. The Arrival by Shaun Tan - aha! graphic novels, now that's the way to chalk-up books quickly!!!

6 books in 6 weeks - that's alright. Have to read a book a week to get 50 in a year (excluding 2 weeks) so you might be alright! :)

Liz wrote: "4. New Moon by Stephanie Mayer. Anyone would think I was enjoying the saga.... Personally, I think they're wildly overated, but my friend who is a big fan wants me to finish the lot. ..."

My friend made me read them too, at first I did think it was a bit lame and Bella too mopey by far but must confess the series became a guilty pleasure in the end!

7. I've just finished Daughter of the Bride by Francesca Segre, for my book club. Much of the time it's funny, some scenes are very well observed, but it's not really my cup of tea and the heroine really began to bug me after the half-way stage.

The author is actually a member of the book club.... Rather than us all give our opinion on it (ie argue over it), this time she's going to tell us about her experiences getting published instead. Should be interesting....

Your bookgroup meeting sounds good, it'll make a change to have a different focus won't it? I'd like to know how it goes...

8. Getting through the Stephenie Meyer's, (finally got the spelling right)... Eclipse

Picking up my copy of The End of Mr. Y, by Scarlett Thomas, from the library tomorrow

Em wrote: "Your bookgroup meeting sounds good, it'll make a change to have a different focus won't it? I'd like to know how it goes..."
It's next Wednesday, should be interesting....

Absolutely! We discussed The Girl with Glass Feet at my book group yesterday evening. It was a pretty lively discussion since as usual noone had the same opinion on anything (except the food which everyone liked!) We've decided on Wuthering Heights for our next meeting, one of my friends always brings a classic. I read it ages ago but I'm quite looking forward to re-visiting it. I think I would've preferred the other choice which was The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo but I plan to read it soon anyway.

I remember getting very annoyed with both Heathcliff & Cathy - they're just their own worst enemies!

The Girl with Glass Feet sounds interesting, what side of the argument did you come down?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is on my to read list too. So many books, so little time!!!

Max, my little boy is in a 'Noddy' mood at the moment, we've had the same one every night this week - aargh!

I can't remember how I felt about Heathcliff and Cathy, I think I was about 18 (maybe younger) when I read it and my only recollection is finding it a bit downbeat. At that stage, I liked my romances to have a happy ending so preferred Jane Eyre! That's why I'm glad to have a reason to pick it up again, it'll be interesting to see if my perspective has changed now I'm older and wiser. Well,probably not that wiser actually but definitely older.

I've written a review on The Girl with Glass Feet, the ethereal mood, atmospheric description and the eccentric characters appealed to me but not to everyone in the group. One or two felt that the description was too much for the first half of the book but got into it by halfway onward. One of our group is French and English being her second language she was a bit stumped by some of the imaginary wildlife - I don't want to spoil the book for you but can you imagine what she'd make of the phrase "moth winged bull" - I wondered if I'd got it right myself!

We're partial to Enid Blyton too, Aimee is 4 chapters into The Island of Surprises - we're reading it together. However, Jolie refuses to read anyting except school books and the Disney Princess Annual this week.

I'd be interested to hear how you get on with Mr. Y. I really enjoyed til 3 quarters through. Hated the ending.

Just about halfway through The End of Mr. Y - I think the real weirdness is just about to start.....
I'm totally engrossed at the moment (although the intellectual discussions between characters sometimes feel a little self-indulgent). A friend of mine said she didn't like the ending either, so I will just have to read on and find out....

Em wrote: "I can't remember how I felt about Heathcliff and Cathy, I think I was about 18 (maybe younger) when I read it and my only recollection is finding it a bit downbeat. At that stage, I liked my roman..."

I'm with you on Jane Eyre!
Oh, and Walt Disney has much to answer for...

9. The End of Mr. Y by Scarlett Thomas. I'm still trying to work out how I feel about this book.

It starts out as a literary mystery, then halfway through the story transmutes into a sci-fi/fantasy adventure, with many mind-bending pontifications on quantum physics & philosophy thrown in along the way.

It's a real page-turner, but I can't make up my mind if it's wonderful, pretentious, or plain ridiculous - maybe it's all three!

The ending is very like 2001, leaves you thinking 'what the....?'

I've never heard of this book before, do you think you'd recommend it despite your mixed feelings about the ending?

Yes, I think it's well worth a read. I can see it's one of those books that divide opinion...

It certainly is one of those 'one of a kind' books, isn't it? I'm reading her new book atm - Our Tragic Universe - and it's promising to be just the same *laughs* can't wait!

I'm the same with that book Liz, I think I liked it but there are still moments where I think did I? It certainly stands out as unique in my mind :-)

Liz wrote: "Em wrote: "Your bookgroup meeting sounds good, it'll make a change to have a different focus won't it? I'd like to know how it goes..."
It's next Wednesday, should be interesting...."

Hey Liz, How was your book group?

10. Arabian Nights and Days by Naguib Mahfouz. I thought this would be right up my street, but I was slightly disappointed - I think my expectations had been too high. It took a while to get into, partly due to the incredibly short chapters that cut into the flow and then the long Arabic names that kept tripping me up.

11. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. Well, at last I can return the whole stack of Twilight books to their rightful owner - all 2,444 pages of them. Been there, done that, now when do I get the Tshirt?

OMG! there's another one - Midnight Sun - at least it's short...

I don't think it's finished is it? That's why it's so short!

Em wrote: "I don't think it's finished is it? That's why it's so short!"

Are that explains it...

My friend who is the "Twi-hard" told me that an unfinished draft was leaked on-line and it's put her off writing any more of that book. As far as I know that's up to date info but she could've changed her mind...

12. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. Glad I've read it, but don't think I'll feel the need to read it again...

13. Netherland by Joseph O'Neill. So disappointing...

Liz, I take it you did not really enjoy the Twilight novels? My wife has been given a copy from a friend who is a big fan (seems to be the way it is spread). :)

I think that she will pretty much hate it.

Peter wrote: "Liz, I take it you did not really enjoy the Twilight novels? My wife has been given a copy from a friend who is a big fan (seems to be the way it is spread). :)

I think that she will pretty much h..."

I know many people who have loved them and I was prepared for some escapist fun, but they just weren't for me. I think my expectations were set high due to the incredible popularity of the series...

I found the middle two books (New Moon & Eclipse) more interesting than Twilight itself. The plot of the last one, Breaking Dawn stretched credulity to breaking point (although it made me laugh out loud for all the wrong reasons!!)

That's my experience, let me know how how your wife gets on with them!

Peter, warn your wife that Bella is a bit well, weak and moany especially in the 1st book! I thought they the series was good for a light diversion and I quite enjoyed them for this reason. However, I will confess that had I read them when I wsas 14 I would have loved them a whole lot more!

OK. I'll make sure she reads it. As an experiment! :)

I'm still wading through The Victorians by A.N Wilson. Non-fiction always slows me down... Thought I could make up the numbers by adding the books I'd read for work... Is that cheating?

14. The Filmmaker's Guide to Production Design by Vincent Lobrutto

15. Making Music Videos: Everything You Need to Know from the Best in the Business by Lara M Schwartz

16. Production Design - Architects of the Screen by Jane Barnwell

17. By Design: Interviews with Film Production Designers by Vincent Lobrutto

I tried that tactic! :)

I'm intrigued to know what you do if you have to read books such as those?

I'm currently teaching Production Design to MA Film Students, here in Singapore. Back in England, before children (the true meaning of 'BC'), I used to be a designer myself...

I think they should count!

What is Production Design? Is that the design of sets, etc? I have it in my head that it's the whole 'look' of the film/programme so that it looks authentic. Forgive my ignorance.

Alexandra wrote: "It certainly is one of those 'one of a kind' books, isn't it? I'm reading her new book atm - Our Tragic Universe - and it's promising to be just the same *laughs* can't wait!"
Alexandra, how was Our Tragic Universe by Scarlett Thomas?

Peter wrote: "What is Production Design? Is that the design of sets, etc? I have it in my head that it's the whole 'look' of the film/programme so that it looks authentic. Forgive my ignorance."

You're right. A Production designer is responsible for designing the world in which a film/TV show takes place. So everything from designing sets, choosing locations (& adapting them) all the way to selecting the pen a character holds or the snakes in the pit.... etc etc. Hard work, but alot of fun.

Bet you need a good eye for detail as well a degree of artistic talent/know how for a career in Production Design.

I'm interested in peoples careers as I trained in Careers Guidance/Counselling but since I had my babies about two months after I finished my post-grad I haven't seriously tried to find related work yet. Keep on thinking that I'll wait till the girls are a bit older and meanwhile I've returned to what I was doing before - I confess I may possibly be somewhat coasting career-wise!

Em wrote: "Bet you need a good eye for detail as well a degree of artistic talent/know how for a career in Production Design.

I'm interested in peoples careers as I trained in Careers Guidance/Counselling..."

I've only just gone back to work (and part-time at that) with Max now nearly four. Sadly the old job doesn't really fit with children - the hours were really long. I miss the creative buzz, but to be honest I don't think I quite have the energy to do the work justice... Teaching has its own stresses, but the timetable is more child-friendly and it's great to be back in a studio!

Liz, it sounds like a fascinating job, immersing yourself in a particular world for a time. What sort of things did you work on? Film? TV?

Yes, always a new challenge. It was never boring, though there were periods of worry/frustation!
I worked on TV mainly; comedy & drama. Shows like Dead Ringers, Smack the Pony, The Kumars and even a season on EastEnders....

Liz,
Lucky you, to live in Singapore, how exciting? Do you plan to stay there?

Merty wrote: "Liz,
Lucky you, to live in Singapore, how exciting? Do you plan to stay there?"

We may be here for a couple of years. I'm enjoying living in the 'Far East', but I do miss home from time to time - especially family & friends.

Sounds funny, but I miss my jeans - back in the UK I lived in them, out here you'd have to pay me to wear them, it's too damn hot!

It's very strange living without seasons - the heat just never lets up - except for maybe an hour while it's raining....

18. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. Oh God! another book I got all excited about at the beginning, only to feel let down by the reality.
Perhaps I need to have more realistic expectations? Then again, this writer has won the Pulitzer prize (for another novel), so she should be able to do better.... right?
Don't get me wrong, it's totally readable, a great premise, but in the end it just feels rather formulaic & contrived.

19. The Victorians by A.N. Wilson. I can't believe I'm finally finished. Non-fiction always takes me longer and this book was over 600 pages, so.....

I studied this period at school, but had forgotten much of it. I really like the way AN Wilson mixes the social history right in with the political and just when it's all getting a bit dry he throws in something salacious or humourous to liven it up...
Fascinating, but be warned, it's pretty dense reading.

I've read so many good things about Geraldine Brooks, maybe that was the problem! Glad to hear Year of Wonders is good - it's on my TBR list, along with March....

19. Frenchman's Creek by Daphne Du Maurier - The reading's slowed down as I'm back at my Dad's helping him 'downsize' from the family home....

I picked Frenchman's creek off my Mum's book shelves - it was a copy from the 70's with a great bodice-ripping cover. The book is of course incredibly chaste (written in the early 40's) and a real period piece, but light & fun to read. Doesn't match up to Rebecca, but the right kind of read for all this sunny weather!