Devon Book Club discussion
Book Club Challenge
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Around The World in 80 Books 2020-2023
Sue wrote: "Angela wrote: "Australia - Sydney: The Secret River by Kate Grenville. Another Reading Group choice, which was ok but didn't inspire me to read any other books by this author. A story..."I have been wanting to read this book since I heard/read about it when it first came out! It will be interesting to find out what others in the group have to say about it when we meet tomorrow evening. It's good to know that you enjoyed the series, Sue!
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea - Barbara Demick read for North Korea. Very interesting and readable book about some of the people who manage to reach South Koea. Lots of detail about life in the north, their escapes and problems settling in to their new lives.
Coninidentally South Korea. The Vegetarian - Han Kang. Sadly I didn't really like this one. It's about what happens in a family when one of them turns veggie. It was more about mental illness than anything else and as a veggie was a bit cross with the whole scenario. Different cultures I suppose.
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Hmm - basing a book around the theme of vegetarianism is an interesting idea - hard to pull off I imagine
Ian wrote: "Sue wrote: "Coninidentally South Korea. The Vegetarian - Han Kang. Sadly I didn't really like this one. It's about what happens in a family when one of them turns v..."I'm just about to read her novel Human Acts Human Acts. I've heard good things, but have not read anything else. Will let you know.
Just finished The Book Thief for Kingsbridge Library Reading Group. Mixed feelings. I'll try to remember to report back on the Group's response. All our discussion summaries are on K'brgde Lib Facebook page.
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I read the book thief some years ago - I remember being moved by it. A very poignant story - why the mixed feelings?
Oh Dear! So hard to explain. The Reading Group is meeting tomorrow, so I'll talk it through with them and see if I can come up with some sort of explanation - as well as feedback from the group.
I only recently discovered that The Book Thief is classed as a young adult novel, but it certainly had me hooked when I read it as a middle-aged adult!
Bulgaria. What Belongs to You. Paints an interesting picture of the country but is really the story of a gay American teacher and the local boy he has a relationship with. Explicit at times and overwhelmingly sad. A novel of power, longing, exploitation and poverty.
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That does sound good. I like books that are strong on character.
I just finished a beautiful book called The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng. A 5 star book and I don't give those lightly. Set in Malaya it weaves the story of a retired Chinese judge, who was imprisoned in a prisoner of war camp int eh second world war by the Japanese. Her sister died there and she promises to build a garden in her memory. She seeks out a gardener, the former gardener of the Emperor who takes her on as his apprentice. The backdrop is stunning (in the mountains), her emerging story very poignant, her relationship with her mentor develops as slowly as the garden; survival, loyalty, betrayal, memory, history (Malayan independence, post-war reprisals, Japan/China tensions) - its all in there. The story would be good on its own but the writing is of astonishing clarity and beauty. It is as atmospheric and delicate as the mountain mists. Japanese gardening, art and hiromono (an exquisite form of tattooing) weave their way through the story. Form, contemplation, beauty all examined as the garden and her apprenticeship develops.
A top book and I recommend it heartily
Ian wrote: "I just finished a beautiful book called The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng. A 5 star book and I don't give those lightly...."Yes, I read that book and thoroughly enjoyed it too. His other book
The Gift of Rain is also excellent and well worth a read.
Recently finished this wonderful Pulitzer prize-winning novel, based in both Germany and France during World War 2. It follows the lives of two children (one French, one German) who become caught in the conflict for very different reasons.Please place on map location for Essen,Germany. Has anyone else read it? Would love to have a chat about it!
I've just finished reading this as an ebook, I absolutely loved it, it was so insightful about the way people get caught up in situations they can't control. I had an odd question via Amazon from a guy wanting to know the significance of the key which MarieLaure gives to Werner, he seemed to think it was vital to understanding the book. I really didn't know what to say to that.
He also said that he thought the book was over written and too clever. Well it takes all sorts.
Ley wrote: "I've just finished reading this as an ebook, I absolutely loved it, it was so insightful about the way people get caught up in situations they can't control. I had an odd question via Amazon from ..."
Hi Ley - glad you enjoyed it as well! I think this would be a great book for reading groups, too. Hmm, hadn't really thought about the significance of the key - is it something about moving beyond hatred and the importance of human kindness? I would like to think so! I definitely didn't feel that the book was over written or too clever - like all excellent novels, it can be read and enjoyed on a variety of levels.
Angela wrote: "Ley wrote: "I've just finished reading this as an ebook, I absolutely loved it, it was so insightful about the way people get caught up in situations they can't control. I had an odd question via ..."
I think the person who asked the question had totally missed the point of the story, it seemed to me to be about how war messes up both sides and about forgiveness and redemption.
Ley wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ley wrote: "I've just finished reading this as an ebook, I absolutely loved it, it was so insightful about the way people get caught up in situations they can't control. I had an od..."
Sounds about right to me, Ley!
Turkey, specifically Istanbul, is the location for what has been my favourite novel so far this year:
by Elif Shafak. Our Reading Group choice for this month, and a fantastic read - such a clever novel. Ian has already posted a great review of it, but I would really like to recommend it to everybody. We shall be discussing it at our monthly meeting tonight, so looking forward to that! I have also read
by this same author, and I'm keen to read her other novels, too. Saw her being interviewed at Hay last year - a fantastic experience!
Czech Republic. Utz. As this hadnt been boowed since 2002 I didn't have high hopes but I really did enjoy the somewhat quirky story of a man obsessed by .......porcelain! Set over a period of political unrest his veered from history, classics and contemporary life. Not very long either!
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That looks really interesting - my kind of book
Colombia. As part of my Gabriel García Márquez fest I have compleated Leaf Storm, which was his first published novella. Enjoyed it more than One Hundred Years of Solitude, which I'm struggling with.
Sue et al, are you aware of this second free online course? 'Reading Macondo: the Works of Gabriel García Márquez' by University of Los Andes on FutureLearn:https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/m...
Thank you Rosie I think that's what I'm doing or it may be the first. Already a week behind and someone has ordered next weeks book!!!! So now reading out of order and still hating 100 years
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Arrgghh - how can you hate it - one of my favourite all time books sob - what don't you like about it? I loved its cyclical nature, the magical realism, the biting insight and the sheer exuberant imagination. Mind- our reading group read it and most agreed with you - perhaps I have odd tastes
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I must update the map. I would have loved to have done the course but I just don't have the time at the moment
Sorry Ian just find it boring. It gets better then suddenly it isn't any more. I think it's the magic realism. Iove hardy so it's not the descriptive passages that are getting to me. Over half way now!!!
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Ah well - cant win em all haha
Chronicle of a death foretold One Hundred Years of Solitude Love in the Time of Cholera - read these three in recent years and thoroughly enjoyed all of them: a great collection of quirky characters, and caustic political commentary. However, I wouldn't recommend the film version of Love in the Time of Cholera -very weird!
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Happy Boxing Day everyone.
I've been tidying up our and have decided to resurrect our Around the World in 80 Books Challenge. It was very active a couple of years ago and lots of you loved it so I thought I'd breathe some new life into it.
The idea (taking as long as you want) is to read 80 books, each set in a different country and post something about them as you go. You choose your route, your authors and any genre. Details of the books posted so far are here - https://www.goodreads.com/…/2134312-a...-…
The idea of the challenge is to share worldwide literature and to introduce us new authors .
There is no rush - take as long as you like. To help you on your way, you can include any books you've read in the last year if you wish - entirely your call.
I'll keep track of the posts (leave them here, on Goodreads or on our Twitter account) and let's see how the pilgrimage develops.
We also have a world map which you can find here https://www.mapcustomizer.com/…/Readi...… on which I plot the books and locations as you post them. You can zoom in and out. I love seeing where a book is set. The example below is The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai.
Hope you will join in with me and have fun with this. Let me know if you need any clarification.
Excellent. Love reading from other countries. Mind you I’m still going round the sw costal path! Love your lists btw - my pile is going to get higher as I’ve missed a number that look really interesting. Belated seasons greetings and a big thanks for all your hard work
Ian wrote: ""AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 BOOKS"Happy Boxing Day everyone.
I've been tidying up our and have decided to resurrect our Around the World in 80 Books Challenge. It was very active a couple of years a..."
Hi Ian -
- plus: post-Xmas, good wishes!
I am happy to give 'Around the World' another try, especially as I read mainly translated Lit. However, I'm rather bad at reporting back … but I will try harder.
[NB the 2 links in your email didn't work for me!]
My first is a semi-cheat, as I am half-way through Richard Powers' The Overstory which so far is wonderful!
Carole aka DrMama/GrittyReads.
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Hi Sue - Thanks for that - I don't feel that I have done very much at all lately - life has taken over but good to be catching up over the festive season
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Happy Boxing Day everyone.
I've been tidying up our and have decided to resurrect our Around the World in 80 Books Challenge. It was very active a coupl..."
Oh No! - I'll have to check the links. Thanks for letting me know. I bought Overstory the other day - looking forward to getting to it in the NY
Great idea. I love reading books from authors around the world. I'll start off with the one I'm currently reading The Nickel Boys. That's the US for me. Set in 1960s Florida, Elwood, a young man who idolises Martin Luther King makes a small mistake and ends up in a nightmarish reform school instead of the college he was aiming for. I haven't finished it yet, but it's an uncomfortable read about segregation, discrimination, punishment and unfairness.
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Set in 1960s Florida, Elwo..."
Sounds great - I'll add to the map - which you will find on our home page under events
I just finished Switch Bitch by Roald Dahl - 4 (twisted and dark) short stories that take place in Egypt, US and France.
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Not heard of that one - now, the dilemma, where to locate it. I think I'll go for Cairo but let me know if you disagree. I confess that I didn't know that Roald Dahl wrote adult stories (very adult in this case). Do you recommend it?
Ian wrote: "Livia wrote: "I just finished Switch Bitch by Roald Dahl - 4 (twisted and dark) short stories that take place in Egypt, US and France."Not heard of that one - now, the dilemma, where..."
Yes, I do recommend it - the first 3 stories, at least. I won't tell you more, in order to not ruin the experience, but be prepared to meet some unlikable characters. I will quote a friend talking about this book (I think he sums it up perfectly): "the stories are likely to stay with you, even if a little uncomfortably and almost like unwelcome guests, for a couple of days after you finish reading them."
I didn't know it's cities, and not countries - my apologies. Is it only one city per book, no matter the borders it passes? Cairo sounds as good as any, I'm good with your choice. Thank you :)
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Not heard of that one - now, the di..."
It is countries but useful to get a local as possible so that more than one entry per country gets spread out. No really hard an fast rules. It sounds like a book that makes you uncomfortable - and, sometimes, that's a good thing
Hi Ian, I'm currently reading "Dreams from my father" by Barack Obama, would that count as America? Sarah
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Absolutely - would it be Washington or somewhere else like his home state?
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Hi Ian, I don't seem able to reply in the same thread, but the main locations are Hawaii and Chicago. I also today started The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas, Australian author and set in Melbourne
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Love your choice of books Livia - on the map
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Strange - I'll choose Hawaii then :)
Not sure if this can count. I've just finished Scoop by Evelyn Waugh, set in fictitional Ishmael which is said to be Ethiopia.
Keeping close to home: Coffin Road -Peter May for Scotland (western isles). This was my book group 'secret santa' and a reread for me. It was as good and as relevant today as it was when I read it about 4 years ago.
Sue wrote: "Keeping close to home: Coffin Road -Peter May for Scotland (western isles). This was my book group 'secret santa' and a reread for me. It was as good and as relevan..."It sounds good. I've added it to read. Thanks for the recommendation.
Kentucky, USA The Giver of Stars - Jojo Moyes. An easy and enjoyable read about a perceived willful woman who leaves Surrey and ends up with her husband in Kentucky. A travelling library service is being promoted by the President and his wife following the depression and despite objections she joins.
Devon Book Club
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Sorry you didn't enjoy it, Angela. One of my favourites and no 1 in a trilogy. She also wrote about researching her ancestor upon whom Thornhill (from memory) is based. Yes - I have read them all :).