Book Group listing

Book Group meetings 

Each month we have an open meeting in a hall close to the bookshop. Read more about it here. We usually focus on modern fiction and the discussion regularly attracts around 20 people, men and women, of all ages.

November 2013
Where'd you go Bernadette?
by Maria Semple
A surprising, funny and inventive book which proved a hit with almost everyone and its presentation of relationships, communication and mental illness was thought-provoking.
October 2013
John Saturnall's Feast
by Lawrence Norfolk

General dissatisfaction with an unsophisticated plot and two-dimensional characters but the description of food and nature was considered vivid and sensual.

September 2013
Labyrinth
by Kate Mosse

A great summer read that kept most of the group turning the pages, intrigued and engrossed by Carcassonne through the ages. A few found the writing flawed.

July 2013
Beautiful Ruins
by Jess Walter

Astonishing range of subject, theme and style for one book but the description of the Italian village was declared the most appealing. Much to discuss.

June 2013
Alys Always
by Harriet Lane

Cover billing was declared misleading and some wanted a different ending, but animated debate and generally considered a great read!

June 2013
Honour
by Elif Shafak

Beautiful and compelling, but also contrived and superficial: the group was divided, but all were pleased to have read this book.

April 2013
Various Pets Alive and Dead
by Marina Lewycka

A witty and wry take on modern values for some, but others didn't feel the characters were authentic.

March 2013
Cutting for Stone
by Abraham Verghese

A month wasn't long enough to appreciate everything in this huge, dense book, but most finished it and everyone loved it. A lively discussion.

February 2013
The Paris Wife
by Paula McLain

Beautiful writing and a fascinating insight into a relationship and a literary circle, but a couple of people in the group found they didn't care about the characters.

January 2013
The Bookshop
by Penelope Fitzgerald

Beautiful, vivid, spare writing enjoyed by most, but some found the story dull and the characters poorly drawn.