Stoke Library book chat August
We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 5:30pm at Stoke library. All welcome.
This self-help book is basically about living a good life by choosing your battles – deciding what you want to spend your energy on. One of the main premises of the book is that many of the problems those of us in middle-class western culture experience are side effects of having nothing more important to worry about – when a person has no real problems the mind finds a way to invent them.
This work has some similarities to Mel Robbins book ‘Let Them Theory’.
Up the Lake: the story of Rotoiti by Annette Walker
‘A beautifully crafted and illustrated book on all you want to know about Rotoiti’s natural and social history, interwoven with the Nelson author’s life spent ‘Up the Lake’.’
Interestingly, the book explores the village’s name change from Rotoiti to St Arnaud (after A French Soldier) and the author’s campaign to have the name changed back to Rotoiti.
Mustn’t Grumble: an accidental return to England by Joe Bennett
‘Fifteen years ago, Joe Bennett left England for a holiday. Now it's time to come back.
But how is the England of his memory different from the England of the motorway?
Criss-crossing the country by varying means of transport and with varying degrees of enthusiasm, Joe Bennett delivers a dazzlingly funny and poignant portrait of his homeland.’ Cover.
Our reader enjoyed this book, and our discussion about it led to recollections of her own adventures hitch hiking in New Zealand!
A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith (Series: Gabriel Ward, 1)
In this first-in-the-series barrister Gabriel Ward investigates a murder in the Inner Temple, an area of London that was home to the legal profession in the early 1900s. The police could only enter the temple with consent, so Gabriel was the perfect person to investigate.
The author, Sally Smith, was a lawyer working in the Inner Temple, which dates to the Knights Templar era.
Wolves at the Door by Steve Watkins
This ‘survival against the odds’ story was inspired by true events during the last months of WWII.
"Asta and her younger sister, Pieta, have watched in terror as Hitler's invasion spreads across Europe. Eventually, the war arrives in their city, bringing with it destruction and death. As the Nazis clash with Stalin's Red Army and relentless bombing rains from above, the girls flee to their grandparents' farm in the countryside. But no place is safe. Surrounded by enemies, Asta and Pieta are presented with one chance at escape: a transport ship leaving from the Baltic Sea."--Publisher.
Our reader thought it was absorbing and enlightening and highly recommends it.
Flight of the Maidens by Jane Gardam– a coming of age 3 girls after WW2, was also mentioned during our discussion. It is also available from Nelson Public Libraries on paper.
Old Path White Clouds: Walking in the footsteps of the Buddha by Thich Nhat Hanh
This work tells the life story of the Buddha, partly through the eyes of Svasti, the buffalo boy, and partly through the eyes of the Buddha himself. The boy is searching for a teacher, when the Buddha tells him ‘you are your own teacher’, the doctor knows the body well, but you know your own mind – you can develop, correct, and continue – you are your own teacher.
Locked In: One man's miraculous escape from the terrifying confines of Locked-in syndrome by Richard Marsh
Richard Marsh a retired policeman, suffered a massive stroke and woke up in hospital completely paralyzed but conscious. He could only see a portion of his visual field as his eyes were partially open. Everyone came to say their goodbyes. The medical consultant said we need to turn this machine off, but his wife didn’t want to make the decision on her own but wanted to talk with Richard’s children. A few days later Richard developed a blinking reflex – his only movement. This reflex saved his life, and an amazing story of recovery ensues. The movie The Diving Bell & Butterfly – features someone with the same or similar very rare condition.
Because of You by Dawn French by Dawn French
Two women (Anna and Hope) give birth to very similar looking daughters in the same hospital. Hope’s baby is still born, and Hope steal’s Anna’s baby. No one is any the wiser, but at about 18 years daughter Minni wants a birth certificate. Hope realizing that the truth must come out gives herself up and subsequently goes to prison. A little later Minni who has always had heart problems needs a heart transplant – Hope then takes drastic action to ensure Minni gets what she needs. This novel explores motherhood, love, loss and nature and nurture.
‘There are two peoples living in the city of Ursa: the Cerels and the Travesters. Travesters move freely and enjoy a fine quality of life. Cerel men are kept in wild camps and the women are no longer allowed to have children. The Director presides over all with an iron fist. Fifteen-year-old Leho can't remember a time when Cerels lived without fear in Ursa. His parents once tried to organise an uprising - his mother was blinded, and his father was taken away. But now his world is changing. Revolution is coming. People will die. Will Leho be able to save his family?’
Vianne by Joanne Harris (Chocolat series)
The prequel to Chocolat, a charming novel about how a witch and chocolatier changes the culture of a small French village. ‘Vianne’ tells the story of how Vianne became a chocolatier. Our reader highly recommends it, but it’s best to read Chocolat first.
Naomi Arnold spends nearly nine months walking the length of New Zealand on Te Araroa, fulfilling a 20-year dream. Our reader enjoyed the fact that Naomi wasn’t an athlete, yet she still did the track. She writes engagingly and there are hilarious moments along the way. Themes of getting through as a woman on her own are explored. Recommended!
All the Beautiful Things You Love by Jonathan Seidler
"Elly and Enzo love each other. Elly and Enzo are getting divorced. Now, everything must go. When Enzo suddenly walks out on Elly after ten years together, she finds herself marooned in an expensive East London flat, surrounded by all their belongings. She is shell-shocked. Inconsolable. She can't bear to look at the objects that she and Enzo collected together, those innocuous items that define the key moments of every relationship. Now she's listing it all on Marketplace..” Publisher
Our reader loved this book – Elly ends up having protracted and interesting interactions with the people who come to buy / collect the things she’s selling. The book is engaging and explores themes of what makes or breaks a relationship, what brings us together and what tears us apart.
