Devon Book Club discussion

Ditch wrote: "Hi Jane. My grandparents arrived back from India around then too, so my mum could be born (they were missionaries). They ended up in Devon during the war. Is your novel already published? Incidenta..."
Hi Ditch... That sounds interesting. Where abouts were they in India?
Yes, my book is available on Amazon. Take a look at my goodreads page to find out more. Next time I'm in Shaldon I'll check out the cream teas!

Jane wrote: "Good evening everyone... Nice to have found you! My connection to Devon is through my novel, Dance with Fireflies. My debut novel is based on my Anglo-Indian grandmother's life. She arrived in Engl..."

Your book sounds fascinating. Ill check it out. Im loving the way this group is networking people but also revealing hidden aspects of Devon life. A tip for Goodreads use. If you talk about a book or author, you can create a link by using add book/authohttps://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... just above the comments box as in Dance with Fireflies

Thanks Ian... Great tip :)

Ditch wrote: "Hi Jane. My grandparents arrived back from India around then too, so my mum could be born (they were missionaries). They ended up in Devon during the war. Is your novel already published? Incidenta..."

Such interesting connections, Ditch

Pene wrote: "Hi I'm Pene and I live and work in Seaton. Love all things bookish and will happily talk books of any genre."

Welcome Pene. Great to have you with us. I'll send you a longer welcome message later when I have a bit more time (am away this weekend)

They lived near Hyderabad. My grandfather was a headmaster in an Indian boys school in one of the villages - he ended up with a King George Jubilee medal for his work and spoke 3 Indian langauges moderately well.

Ditch wrote: "They lived near Hyderabad. My grandfather was a headmaster in an Indian boys school in one of the villages - he ended up with a King George Jubilee medal for his work and spoke 3 Indian langauges m..."

Fascinating. Do you have any written record oif his life and expreriences?

No, sadly.

Welcome Pene. Great to have you with us. I'll send you a longer welcome m..."

No worries Ian, I've started making myself at home!

Pene wrote: "Welcome Pene. Great to have you with us. I'll send you a longer welcome m..."

No worries Ian, I've started making myself at home!"

Glad to hear it. Great to have you with us

Ditch wrote: "No, sadly."

That is a shame

Although originally from Buckinghamshire, after 31 years of living in Mid-Devon I moved to Tavistock in 2014, and I’ve lived more than half my life in this beautiful county. A wonderful old Mid-Devonian called Gwen told me I was now eligible to be an honorary Devonian, and I love to think that this might be so. My writing is centred in Devon and around Dartmoor – which I now view from a different angle in Tavistock – although it has links in Ireland and the Lake District as well. In fact I don’t think I could live anywhere else now! The writing has been dubbed ‘social science fiction’, mixing reality with fantasy and the idea that life never follows the expected path. Losing Time
I’m most grateful to this group already, for helping with the Kindle update, and I look forward to future inter-action with its members. How exciting!

P.R. wrote: "Although originally from Buckinghamshire, after 31 years of living in Mid-Devon I moved to Tavistock in 2014, and I’ve lived more than half my life in this beautiful county. A wonderful old Mid-Dev..."

Welcome P.R. I've lived in Devon for about the same time so hope I also share the honorary Devonian status. Great to have you with us and lovely toe welcome another author. I'll send you a separate message with a few more details but, in the meantime, hope you'll drop by often and enjoy the group.

Ian wrote: "P.R. wrote: "Although originally from Buckinghamshire, after 31 years of living in Mid-Devon I moved to Tavistock in 2014, and I’ve lived more than half my life in this beautiful county. A wonderfu..."

Thank you so much Ian! I'll definitely do that :)

P.R. wrote: "Ian wrote: "P.R. wrote: "Although originally from Buckinghamshire, after 31 years of living in Mid-Devon I moved to Tavistock in 2014, and I’ve lived more than half my life in this beautiful county..."

Great - just sent you a message including some details of an author event linked to World Book Night and Launch of Libraries Unlimited which may interest you

Hello all, Hello Ian
Despite sharing great grandparents, Ian and I only met for the first time recently when he told me about the Devon book group. What a great idea! I love books and I love Devon but join you from outside the county. Originally from Hampshire I now live in Warwickshire. I particularly enjoy books which explore relationships. I mainly enjoy contemporary novels.....Maggie O'farrell, Joanne Harris, Kate Atkinson, Ian McEwan...really liked 'The Chidren Act'...it raised so many important issues, Sebastian Foulkes etc. but do enjoy some of the classics as well. Avid fan of Thomas Hardy in my teens and still promising myself to revisit his novels one day. I don't get as much time as I would like to read at the moment but look forward to being part of the group, hear about what others are reading and maybe take part in some of the events you run? Another excuse to come to your beautiful part of the world! .....not that I need one!
Best wishes
Linda

Linda wrote: "Hello all, Hello Ian
Despite sharing great grandparents, Ian and I only met for the first time recently when he told me about the Devon book group. What a great idea! I love books and I love Devon ..."

Hi Linda. Great to have you with us. This book club often feels like an extended family and now it truly is! A little tip. When you mention a book or an author you can click on the add book/author link just above this box e.g. Thomas Hardy and it hyperlinks you to the author, their work, book reviews etc.

Ian wrote: "Linda wrote: "Hello all, Hello Ian
Despite sharing great grandparents, Ian and I only met for the first time recently when he told me about the Devon book group. What a great idea! I love books and..."
Thanks Ian ..that's really helpful

Linda wrote: "Ian wrote: "Linda wrote: "Hello all, Hello Ian
Despite sharing great grandparents, Ian and I only met for the first time recently when he told me about the Devon book group. What a great idea! I lo..."

I aim to please

Linda wrote: "Hello all, Hello Ian
Despite sharing great grandparents, Ian and I only met for the first time recently when he told me about the Devon book group. What a great idea! I love books and I love Devon ..."

Hi Linda. Welcome! I lived for a while in Warwickshire (near Stratford-upon-Avon - chaos!); there is some really lovely countryside in the county, and great history too. Whereabouts are you? Look forward to hearing about your reading.

Hi Kathy
I live in a small village near Stratford. Beautiful town. But to be avoided at peak times! Wonderful to have the RSC on my doorstep though. You're right. Beautiful countryside here...just miss the sea! I am reading The Both of Us by Ali Smith as part of my local Bookclub at the moment. Not sure what I think about it yet!

Hi (again) Kathy

The title of the book I mentioned I'm reading is actually 'How to Be Both' ........must have been thinking of another book. Apologies for any confusion.
Linda

Linda wrote: "Hi (again) Kathy

The title of the book I mentioned I'm reading is actually 'How to Be Both' ........must have been thinking of another book. Apologies for any confusion.
Linda"

That's interesting: another friend of mine is reading that with a book club and isn't sure what she thinks about it yet either!

To go back to the Stratford thing - I think the theatre definitely makes up more than a little for no sea. Used to love to go to The Swan in particular but haven't been since the revamp.

Hi Linda - great to catch up with you again, welcome aboard! The authors you have mentioned are all favourites of mine, too -and I was an avid reader of Thomas Hardy novels in my late teens, after being introduced to The Mayor of Casterbridge as an A level text. I am currently reading The Book of Dave by Will Self for our Reading Group's choice for this month - never read anything by him before but it's going well so far!

Hi Angela
Thanks for your note. Really nice to hear we share similar taste in books. My first Thomas Hardy was Tess of the d'Urbervilles and thereafter I was hooked! Would be interested to hear what you think of Will Self's book....I've not read any of his books. Hope we will get a chance to meet up again sometime.
Linda

Linda wrote: "Hi Angela
Thanks for your note. Really nice to hear we share similar taste in books. My first Thomas Hardy was Tess of the d'Urbervilles and thereafter I was hooked! Would be interested to hear wh..."

Will Self is clearly incredibly clever. I've read a few of his books - most recently Umbrella which was a really difficult read - stream of consciousness approach and lots of words that I'd never come across (I don't mind a challenge but this got irritating after a while - felt like they were there to say "look how clever I am").

I wasnt sure I wanted to read mroe of his work but I am loving The Book of Dave: A Revelation of the Recent Past and the Distant Future - incredibly clever, acerbic and amusing. Very inventive - you have to work at the first chapter a bit to get into a futuristic "mokni" (Dave is a London cabbie) but well worth the effort. A hard reading seession of the weekend to finish in time for group discussion on Monday

Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found out about this group through various links on Facebook.

I enjoy the variation of books to read with a local reading group and I also read and review for Harlequin publishers (inc. Mira, Harper-Collins), NetGalley, a book blog site of which I am one of five ladies, and I take on requests by authors. I'm full and busy at the moment with 92 author requests which I'm working my way through.

I've also just had my first taste of beta reading and proofreading prior to publication and have just started a second. I do find it quite time consuming though.

My favourite genres are psychological thrillers, suspense and general women's fiction. I look forward to general book chat and, no doubt, picking up yet more books to read.

Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found out about this group through various links on Facebook.

I enjoy the variation of books to read with a local reading group an..."

Glad you found your way here, Angela - it was worth me posting on Kingsbridge Library's page this morning! You are very welcome. You sound liek a wonderful resource for all of us too - Im sure we will find lots in common to our mutual benefit. I hope you enjoy the group. I am sending you a longer message to explain a little more about us. Best Wishes Ian

Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found out about this group through various links on Facebook.

I enjoy the variation of books to read with a local r..."

Thank you Ian, I am all things bookie

Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found out about this group through various links on Facebook.

I enjoy the variation of books to read with a local reading group an..."

Hi Angela. Welcome! Great to have another member from the South Hams. :)

Kathy wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found out about this group through various links on Facebook.

I enjoy the variation of books to read with a local r..."

Hi Kathy, from all the groups I'm in on Goodreads and Facebook, I thought I was the only person living on that little blob of land at the bottom of Devon - great to meet you.

I like to support local authors and have bookmarked your two. I've got a mountain of a TBR pile (a bit like the ironing one) but will certainly keep you in mind to review over the next few months.

Angela wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found out about this group through various links on Facebook.

I enjoy the variation of books to read ..."

Thank you, Angela. That's very kind. You sound like you do some great work for authors, reading and reviewing. I'm sure it must be very time-consuming. It's an immutable fact of life that TBR lists never get any shorter!

There are a few representatives of 'that little blob of land' in this group though we are thin on the ground. Look forward to hearing about what you're reading.

Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found out about this group through various links on Facebook.

I enjoy the variation of books to read with a local reading group an..."
Hello Angela, you have an interesting job (especially to a local author!) Do you separate 'reading for pleasure' from 'reading for work' or do they merge into one long tbr pile?

B.A. wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found out about this group through various links on Facebook.

I enjoy the variation of books to read with a local r..."

All reading is pleasurable but I would occasionally like to pick a book for me to read instead of what others ask of me. Sometimes the reviewing can be a bit tedious especially if I've read a few books in the meantime and forget the characters names from four or five books back. I shouldn't moan about any of it because it is something I love doing and I've read some cracking books.

Angela wrote: "B.A. wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found out about this group through various links on Facebook.

I enjoy the variation of books to read w..."

And to read and not feel like you have to give a review, that's a nice feeling, too!

Hello all,

Thank you to Ian for adding me. I've been here for a few weeks but not yet had a chance to post yet. I read a lot, but also write too, and have my fourth book coming out later this year.

My favourite author is Agatha Christie, her Poirot and Marple books are just excellent. Also a big fan of Nora Robert's suspense books too, but to be honest I read pretty much anything (other than two genre's of Horror/EF). I'm also a huge history geek and collect books on ancient history and archaeology.

I look forward to chatting with you all! Cx

Angela wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found out about this group through various links on Facebook.

I enjoy the variation of books to read ..."

We do have quite a few people from South Devon who are members of the group but please help us spread the work Angela and get a few more to join. I am just thinking of our first book shop event of the year and would be pleased to do something down your way - any suggestions?

Chrissie wrote: "Hello all,

Thank you to Ian for adding me. I've been here for a few weeks but not yet had a chance to post yet. I read a lot, but also write too, and have my fourth book coming out later this year..."

You are more than welcome Chrissie - and feel free to tell us a bit ore about your work - there is a writers corner expressly set up for that purpose but be great if you could give us an introduction to it here. As you name the books, create a link to them using the add books/author tab just above this box so that we can go to the full details

Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found out about this group through various links on Facebook.

I enjoy the variation of..."

Hi Ian, I'll try to spread the word about this group but a lot of my older friends just don't do the social media side of the internet. I would love for some sort of book events more local to me and I'm sure that the Harbour Bookshop in Kingsbridge and the Totnes Bookshop would be happy to host an event. I've been to a couple of book signings at the Harbour Bookshop and although small, they are very friendly and accommodating. The big 'unfortunate' for me is that I'm leaving the UK on 11th April for three months so wouldn't be able to attend anything just yet.

Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found out about this group through various links on Facebook.

I enjoy the ..."

Yes - we know Cliff at Totnes - Do you think the Kingsbridge one could hold 25-30 people - that's roughly what we normally get to these events. Maybe we can do the south in July or September (I'm planing May, July, September and November - with a country garden books and bubbles and beach, books and BBQ in the summer sometime). Plenty of chances for you to meet up with us.

3 months abroad sounds exciting - what's that all about (if you dont mind me asking)

Ian wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Hello all,

Thank you to Ian for adding me. I've been here for a few weeks but not yet had a chance to post yet. I read a lot, but also write too, and have my fourth book coming ou..."

Thank you Ian.

I write Thrillers and, two of which have been released as part of a three book series.
Integrate
Temperance

I also write Historical Fiction/Suspense.
Among the Olive Groves

I have another two historical fiction/suspense books in proves, one of which is being released later this year, the other that is next up for editing!

Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found out about this group through various links on Facebook..."

Hi Ian,

The Harbour Bookshop in Kingsbridge couldn't hold that many people but the library could. It might be an idea to contact them and also ask for them to put a notice up somewhere so lots of people get to see it. There's also Harbour House which central in Kingsbridge and has rooms for hire - http://www.harbourhouse.org.uk/roomhi... I would be around for a July event so long as it wasn't in the first week.

My three months away is purely for pleasure and doubles as a reading and reviewing marathon. I'll be active on Goodreads and should start to see my 2016 Reading Challenge filling up.

Chrissie wrote: "Ian wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Hello all,

Thank you to Ian for adding me. I've been here for a few weeks but not yet had a chance to post yet. I read a lot, but also write too, and have my fourth bo..."

Excellent - thank you - plenty there for our members to get their teeth into

Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found out about this group through various links..."

Sounds wonderful. We might do something like we did in Crediton where we start at the library then wander down to the bookshop - are they fairly close?

Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found out about this group throug..."

Yes, very close, and if if could lead to sales the bookshop would be over the moon.

Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found out about this ..."

Sounds like a plan - can you give me a contact for the bookshop - I could aim to set it up for second half of July so you are back.

Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found ..."

This is a link to the bookshop and there is a 'contact us' at the bottom of the page - http://harbourbookshop.co.uk/ I haven't got time to call in to make an introduction and ask for names with getting ready to go away but they've been very friendly and helpful when I've been in.

Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've..."

Great thanks - i'll take it from there

Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've just found ..."
Hi Ian, I'm sure that Kingsbridge Library would be happy to have folk dropping in. In the past, I think (?) ... they have worked with the bookshop who have maybe set up a stall when the Library has evening author talks/visits (can't be certain, it's a while since I was at an evening talk). I think they mainly have weekday/ afternoon talks now ... but if the DBC 'Meet' was to be on a Saturday, the Library is only open in the morning.
Hope that helps. Kingsbridge Library Manager, Maria is lovely - you will see her contact details on the Library website. Nb another consideration is whether there are any other events on over the Summer, there is a lot going on! Cheers, Carole.

Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Angela and live in Kingsbridge and I've..."
Hi Angela,
I'm Carole, and I live in the South Hams too, not far from Kingsbridge. I love Kingsbridge Library: the staff are all so wonderful, and the Reading Group is a joy - it was the first thing I joined when I moved to the area. Kathy and I have chatted on here a little, but have not yet managed to meet, despite her appearances at the Library! Maybe a Kingsbridge event could round up all the South Hams crew, if you are away for the Totnes meet. Your work sounds intense - I wish I could be so focused. Good luck with all new projects, and enjoy the trip.