Devon Book Club discussion

Yeah its incredible. I've seen so much. I live right next to the Arc De triumph.

I'm actually about to have my french lesson. its awesome living in central Paris and jet setting it back to the UK for visits or work. going to miss my time here :)

Anyone here speak French too?

Not yet ventured into french literature just yet!

It sounds wonderful! I speak French, but nothing like as well as Carol (Dobson). She's the lady to ask about French literature...

Kathy wrote: "It sounds wonderful! I speak French, but nothing like as well as Carol (Dobson). She's the lady to ask about French literature..."

Hi James. Thanks for joining us and for introducing yourself. As a fellow North Devonian (though incomer of 20 years standing), I look forward to meeting you on your return. I speak holiday French and can get by converationally to a degree but a long time since I've read works in French. I love Balzac but not up to date with many current French authors - though did recently read Laurent Binet's HHhH, was was stunning. Look forward to hearing more about your foray into french literature.

Hi James. Glad to hear you're enjoying Paris. I studied French literature at the Sorbonne for a year and lived just behind the Sacre-Coeur: a great year!Once upon a time my French was very good, but middling to rusty now. I've found that a helpful way in to French literature is to read parallel texts - Penguin do a good one for short stories.....

Hi James, Welcome. Pleased to see you in our Devon group. I probably shouldn't mention this here, but if you're interested in reading French books, the Francophonie group on Goodreads reads a book in French each month. This month we are reading Michel Bussi and last month it was Ken Grimwood's Replay.

Thanks for the warm welcome guys. I think the literature is still afar from my grips. speaking is one thing understanding their literature is quite something else!

Would be nice to pop along to the local meets.

Carol wrote: "Hi James, Welcome. Pleased to see you in our Devon group. I probably shouldn't mention this here, but if you're interested in reading French books, the Francophonie group on Goodreads reads a book..."

The more links the merrier Carol. No competition between sites - we are just confident in knowing we are the best haha

James wrote: "Thanks for the warm welcome guys. I think the literature is still afar from my grips. speaking is one thing understanding their literature is quite something else!

Would be nice to pop along to th..."

That wodl be great james. We ahd our first just over a week ago at Totnes Book Shop - went well so I am going to set up another - maybe in Crediton or Bideford Book Shops; when I get a minute I'll talk with them and see what I can arrange.

If you, or anyone else, has any other ideas for getting together please suggest them.

Jenny wrote: "Hello there,

My name is Jenny, and I have been living in Devon for the past ten years. I've been any author for many years, and just love to read. Pleased to meet you.
Jenny Kane x"

Hi Jenny and welcome - we've met on Twitter! Currently enjoying "Romancing Robin Hood" on Kindle.
Ruth

Hi everyone!

Relatively new here, but hello nonetheless! I live in Devon, near Exeter right now, and joined in order to discuss books more, and hopefully meet and make some friends!

I love most genre of book, but I take a particular interest in both horror, and non-fictional biographies/war books.
That being said, I recently read A Fault In Our Stars, by John Green and I swear it's changed me!

So, please feel free to chat with me about anything :)

Charley xx

Hi Charley. Welcome to the group.

Thanks Carol! :)

I'm not sure really how this whole thing works, any advice?

Charley xx

My computer skills are not of the best, so it has taken me a bit of time to find my way round Goodreads, which I initially found very confusing!
Click on the Discussions section at the top right of the page, and then you can see all the discussions which are going on. Have a look at the topics and see if anything interests you and then just post a comment. This is a very friendly group so I am sure you will enjoy it here. Best wishes, Carol.

Welcome Charley. Good to have you on board. Just pitch in whenever something piques your interest! :)

Kathy wrote: "Welcome Charley. Good to have you on board. Just pitch in whenever something piques your interest! :)"

Hi Charley and welcome. Ive sent you a longer message which you'll find in your inbox (top of the screen next to your profile picture). Great that you've joined us. As the others say, we are a really friendly group and new memebrs are always welcome. In fact, spread the word and encourage any other book lovers to join us.

Seeing your book preferences, I cant resist recommending HHhH. This is a wonderful book - one of the best I've read this year so far. It is a fiction, but reads like a journalist's account of real historical events. It is about Heydrich, the very nasty Nazi who was behind the "final solution" and the assassination attempt by a Czech and a Slovak. Very readable, very chilling but also very enlightening about Heydrich, Himmler and that period of history. A great read.

Hi all

I'm an author living in the middle of Devon. I've been on Goodreads for quite a while but I've only just discovered this group, thanks to a tweet by Liz Shakespeare - cheers Liz! Hope to meet some of you at the event at Walter Henry's bookshop on 11th July. Meanwhile, I look forward to reading your posts. :-)

Wendy wrote: "Hi all

I'm an author living in the middle of Devon. I've been on Goodreads for quite a while but I've only just discovered this group, thanks to a tweet by Liz Shakespeare - cheers Liz! Hope to me..."

Hi Wendy. You are very welcome and I'm delighted you are joining us on 11th July. I'll give you a plug as well, alongsdie LIz and Ruth. We are going to have a wonderfully varied group of authors with us that afternoon.

I am now starting to wonder what the collective noun is for such a gathering - A scribble of authors? Answers on a postcard.

I've also sent a slightly longer message to your inbox.

Great to welcome you to the group

Ian wrote: "Wendy wrote: "Hi all

I'm an author living in the middle of Devon. I've been on Goodreads for quite a while but I've only just discovered this group, thanks to a tweet by Liz Shakespeare - cheers L..."

Thanks for the welcome, Ian!

Wendy wrote: "Ian wrote: "Wendy wrote: "Hi all

I'm an author living in the middle of Devon. I've been on Goodreads for quite a while but I've only just discovered this group, thanks to a tweet by Liz Shakespear..."

I see you are off to the Penzance Litfest - are you there as a speaker or just for fun?

Hi everyone,
Just thought I would pop me head in!
I'm relatively new to 'voluntary reading' but I am finding myself watching less TV and reading more books.. It's all rather worrying! It all started when my Father insisted I read his book, and I couldn't put it down! Anyway I'm looking forward to joining in the discussions and hearing your recommendations, I've rather a lot to learn.

Ben wrote: "Hi everyone,
Just thought I would pop me head in!
I'm relatively new to 'voluntary reading' but I am finding myself watching less TV and reading more books.. It's all rather worrying! It all starte..."

Hi Ben - you are very welcome. I've sent you a longer message to your inbox with other details. This is still a new group so all sugegstions for topics or other improvements gratefully received. What's it like having a father who is an author? What is his name? Let us know what you like to read and I am sure you will get plenty of suggestions. Best Wishes Ian

Hi Ben, Welcome.

Hi Kitty, Welcome to our group.

Hi Kitty. Welcome. I'm in the east of the country, well away from devon in body if not in spirit. My oh studied history and religious studies in Leeds, where we met. Had a walk around the uni last year ( and will do again this) - has it changed!!!

Hi Kitty. It doesn't matter where you live. Welcome. :)

Kathy wrote: "Hi Kitty. It doesn't matter where you live. Welcome. :)"

Echo that. Hello Kitty. We are delighted to welcome book loves from anywhere in the country. I've sent you a longer welcome message into your inbox. I look forward to getting to know you and hope you'll drop by opften.

Hi Lisa, Welcome to our group. I'm from Torquay, and there's quite a few of us here from South Devon.

Welcome Lisa! :)

Hello Charley, Wendy, Ben & Lisa - and anyone else I've missed who joined while I've been away on holiday.

Hi Lisa and Charley and everyone.

Lisa wrote: "Hi everyone! I saw a poster advertising this group at my local library today and thought I would check it out. I have lived in Devon for about four and a half years now; I moved here from Brighton...."

Hi Lisa. Lovely to welcome you to the group. As you can see, it is a friendly place and I hope you will drop by often. Best Wishes Ian

Ian wrote: "Wendy wrote: "Ian wrote: "Wendy wrote: "Hi all

I'm an author living in the middle of Devon. I've been on Goodreads for quite a while but I've only just discovered this group, thanks to a tweet by ..."

Well spotted, Ian! I'm on a Q&A panel with 3 other SilverWood published authors for the festival's Publication Day.

Wendy wrote: "Ian wrote: "Wendy wrote: "Ian wrote: "Wendy wrote: "Hi all

I'm an author living in the middle of Devon. I've been on Goodreads for quite a while but I've only just discovered this group, thanks to..."

Sounds great. Look forward to hearing how it goes. Have a great time

Hi everyone, I'm new to the group and just wanted to say hello! I live near Ivybridge in Devon, and i read as much as i possibly can, although free time is sometimes an issue as i have 3 kids. I read a variety of genres, some of my favourite authors are Stephen King, Sarah Waters, Margaret Atwood and Karen Maitland. I'm looking forward to hearing what other people are reading.

Jayne wrote: "Hi everyone, I'm new to the group and just wanted to say hello! I live near Ivybridge in Devon, and i read as much as i possibly can, although free time is sometimes an issue as i have 3 kids "

Hi Jayne - lovely to hear from you and thanks for joining us. Despite the children, youve managed to get in quite a bit of reading and I can see from your favourites list that you have wide-ranging tastes. I am sure you will find plenty in common with othe group members. Once again, thanks for joining us and I hope you will drop by often.

Hello Jayne. I live near Kingsbridge - good to welcome another member from this 'end' of the county!

Hello Everyone,
I'm John, an incomer to Bideford a year ago from darkest Woking. My wife and I went to the "Meet the Authors" gathering yesterday at Walter Henry's Bookshop in Bideford, and had a wonderful time.
My reading habits are fairly catholic, but I particularly enjoy some of the 20th century series novels such as the 12 books of Anthony Powell's "A Dance to the Music of Time." The 1st in the series, "A Question of Upbringing," gives a good flavour of the rest, which cover overall a period from the 1910s to the 1950s. Rather like Evelyn Waugh's "Sword of Honour" Trilogy (which I can also recommend) Powell's series is very loosely autobiographical, and many of his fictional characters have real life historical counterparts.
Those who like the above and have not come across the C.P. Snow "Strangers and Brothers" series might enjoy them. Once again the books parallel Snow's own career both pre and post 2nd War. Probably the best known titles in that series are "The Masters," The Sleep of Reason" and "Corridors of Power."
There; that should keep you busy! All the best,
John

Hi John - it was great to meet you both yesterday afternoon, glad you enjoyed the event, and thanks for the reading recommendations. Bideford is a lovely town, and so lucky to have its own independent bookshop.

John wrote: "Hello Everyone,
I'm John, an incomer to Bideford a year ago from darkest Woking. My wife and I went to the "Meet the Authors" gathering yesterday at Walter Henry's Bookshop in Bideford, and had a..."

Thanks for those recommendations John. I confess that they are not ones that I've read. The only Waugh I have read is Decline and Fall - but that was some years ago. You might notice that in my post, the book reference is highlighted. Tip number 1 for newcomers - when you refer to a book or an author, you can find them by clicking on "add book/author" just above the comments box. That gives you a link so that everyone can easily find the book and any reviews.

Looking forward to getting to know you better in the coming weeks. What are you reading at present?

Hi Ian,
Thank you so much for bringing together yesterday's inspiring event at Walter Henry's in Bideford. It was very good to meet local authors and have my reading choices expanded and discover the Devon Book Group.
I've been trying to add current reading to my profile but the software doesn't want to know. I'm currently reading (and occasionally skipping bits of!) A S Byatt's Possession. My alternative book is Robert McFarlane's The Old Ways which I find much more absorbing as it entices me out to explore ancient trackways around the country - even if only in my imagination.

Janet wrote: "Hi Ian,
Thank you so much for bringing together yesterday's inspiring event at Walter Henry's in Bideford. It was very good to meet local authors and have my reading choices expanded and discover t..."

My pleasure Janet - glad you enjoyed it and welcome to the group. OK to try to help you with the currenlty reading issue. Not sure how youve tried to do it but try going to My Books (top of the screen); find the book then you will notice that, when you hover over it (or by the picture of the book) it will give you a little box that eiterh says read, currenty reading or want to read; to the right of that shodul be a little green box with 3 books on it. Click that and choose "currently reading" and it should add it. If it doesn't work let me know as there is more than one way to do this. Anyway - welcoem once again and drop by often.

Hi Janet - it was great to meet you and have a chat yesterday afternoon. Photos of the event are available to view on the Devon Book Club facebook page, and you can view them even if, like me, you are not a fb member!

Ian wrote: "Jayne wrote: "Hi everyone, I'm new to the group and just wanted to say hello! I live near Ivybridge in Devon, and i read as much as i possibly can, although free time is sometimes an issue as i hav..."

Thanks Ian, hope I'm replying to your comment here, it seems i lost half of my comment earlier, oops! Looking forward to taking part in the group

Kathy wrote: "Hello Jayne. I live near Kingsbridge - good to welcome another member from this 'end' of the county!"

Thanks Kathy, this group looks great, I'm looking forward to getting lots of reading inspiration!

Jayne wrote: "Ian wrote: "Jayne wrote: "Hi everyone, I'm new to the group and just wanted to say hello! I live near Ivybridge in Devon, and i read as much as i possibly can, although free time is sometimes an is..."

Goodreads can be pesky - it will be the sometimes clunky website rather than anything you did I am sure. Though I've sometimes forgotten to click post below left and wondered where my incredibly astute and inspiring comment has gone! You'll get the hang of it.

Also, if you go to the discussion tab (top right of the screen and roam around you will find older discussions (only the most recent 5 in each topic show at any one time) - lots of book discussions etc. Check out our Challenges too.

Hi Jayne - and welcome. I'm another of the South Devon contingent (Brixham). My wife & I often divert off the A38 for breakfast or lunch in the Riverbank Bistro in Ivybridge - a great spot for a leisurely meal and a read.

And hello to John, too. I've often teetered on the brink of starting the Anthony Powell series, but when I read that it chronicles the lives of hundreds of characters, and there's a 350-page handbook to help readers keep track, I find the prospect too overwhelming. Hats off to you for cracking it!

B J wrote: "And hello to John, too. I've often teetered on the brink of starting the Anthony Powell series, but when I read that it chronicles the lives of hundreds of characters, and there's a 350-page handbo..."

Now actually that sounds up my street - I like to ha
ve a big challenge each year - I read the Gormenghast Trilogy this year and last year tackled Proust's Remembrance of Things Past: v. 2/2 - took me four months but, wow, what a piece of work. Bits of that live with me still.

B J wrote: "And hello to John, too. I've often teetered on the brink of starting the Anthony Powell series, but when I read that it chronicles the lives of hundreds of characters, and there's a 350-page handbo..."
Once you start on A Question of Upbringing it quickly proves to be very easy to read (and very well written). It works well as a short stand-alone novel but, if you find you enjoy it, I suspect that you will have to carry on to the next one!

B J wrote: "Hi Jayne - and welcome. I'm another of the South Devon contingent (Brixham). My wife & I often divert off the A38 for breakfast or lunch in the Riverbank Bistro in Ivybridge - a great spot for a le..."

Thank you B J, and I agree, the Riverbank is great, lovely food and coffee. Lucky you living in Brixham, beautiful place