Stoke book chat - October
A small but enthusiastic group of 8 readers met to discuss what we've been reading.
There is no set book or need to register, just come along to Stoke Library on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 5:30pm and chat to others about what you've been reading lately!
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Well written and full of likeable characters who meet and inspire and advise Harold Fry as he walks the length of England. This is book 2 in the series and our reader enjoyed it but the ending was unexpected.
View from the Second Row by Samuel Whitelock
Very well written by Samuel himself with lots of photos, family anecdotes about three generations of All Blacks and three brothers in the team. He is the most capped All Black and the book is full of the trials and tribulations of the game as well as his life now as a farmer. A very interesting account of his life.
The Lighthouse by Christopher Parker
A New Zealand novel full of mystery and intrigue. Quite mystical. Would appeal to younger readers.
Miles to go by Pauline O’Regan
A memoir of her life being brought up on the West Coast, then as a nun and then as principal of Villa Maria girl’s school in Christchurch. One of several books she’s written, it’s a very funny story of her life and positive aging. It was written when she was in her 80s and brought on lots of chuckles.
The Clique series by Lisi Harrison
Finally completed this series! With characters growing up and moving on overseas and into careers, the series ended well. Suited to a younger audience.
People shaped creatures who eat books, or eat minds, but have no written language or ability to write or type. They eat books to get information and to learn. This is a very easy book to read, with elegant writing and ethereal concepts, it’s descriptive but not overwhelmingly so. Reminiscent of the Handmaid’s Tale in places. An amazing read.
The Nightmare Man by Tessa Krailing
A short story about the son of a policeman and a rash of burglaries in their town that link back to their home. Classic horror from the 1980s.
Cheerleader by Caroline B. Cooney
Reminiscent of 1980s and ‘90s horror, a vampire appeals to the selfish behaviours of teenage girls to turn unpopular girls popular, but ofcourse there are consequences!
A really well written 007 style thriller, utterly unputdownable. An elaborate, intricate and interconnected story that has some laugh out loud moments. Looking forward to getting into the sequel – The Year of the Locust
Moonlight Market by Joanne Harris
This book is described as similar to Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, but despite some interesting ideas, our reader found it to be disappointing and not as good as Harris’ other works like Chocolat or Peaches for Monsieur le Cure.
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
This has the same characters as Osman’s first book The Thursday Murder Club. Not as good as the first book only because it was a bit more far fetched with stolen diamonds, lots of bodies, and MI5 involved. Still a page turning read with likeable characters and our reader will continue with the series.
Three generations of one family, centred around a family tragedy that the main character, a teenage girl, can’t remember. Our reader didn’t particularly enjoy it as she felt the author was trying to shock, and it came across as overly melodramatic. The writing was good, but the ending was not great.
Very reminiscent of The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss this is outstanding dark academia set at Oxford University where young orphans are brought to combine words with silver to harness the power of language. Would have liked to have more of the main character’s back story, but it’s full of fantastic ideas.
There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak
This is a book our reader will immediately re-read. It follows water and rivers, set in different centuries and with different characters along the Tigris and Thames rivers. A very well researched and beautiful book.
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
Strout brings her two series together with Olive Kitteridge and Lucy Barton finally meeting. Strout writes very human characters and ordinary people. Very charming and honest.
Set in the middle of the North Island, an amazing novella mixed with poetry about one woman trying to juggle young children, marriage and a job during a volcanic eruption. Might be our reader’s best book of the year.
