Devon Book Club discussion

Annie wrote: "Ian wrote: "Annie wrote: "DrMama wrote: "Hi Annie,
Welcome! You might like to try the stories, as there is such a breadth and Ballard's work does vary in scope and … public appeal. Some folk might ..."

Thanks

Hi Ian, Red Riding Trilogy - the stench is 'good' in a powerful way, though hard to stomach. It's not just bleak and not just gruesome - though undoubtedly both (but these by themselves are far from rare) - it's sort of State of Denmark-type rotten. A moral, spiritual, existential rot.

I feel like I did a disservice to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, so want to set the record straight. It's based on well researched fact and written by an interesting woman from Kentucky. I'm so glad I read this on International Women's Day. The perfect choice really. It's about a library service run by single women on their own horses. They carried books, newspapers, and homemade scrapbooks of recipes etc to people in very hard to reach mountain areas against all odds, such as wild animals, rough terrain and dangerous people. The book has a collection of photos at the back which are fascinating. The other side of the story is about the discrimination faced by blue skinned people of whom I had never heard.

So it's quite a fascinating read and I know I'll never forget it because I never knew any of this stuff before I read it. I really admire what the pack horse women did.

I heard about this book through goodreads where they reviewed JoJo Moyes book on the same subject. I had read that this was better researched and well written. As it's written by a Kentukian I preferred to choose this author. It's not the best of books I've read, but it is interesting.

Sorry to interrupt the Red Riding thread.

Annie wrote: "Hi Ian, Red Riding Trilogy - the stench is 'good' in a powerful way, though hard to stomach. It's not just bleak and not just gruesome - though undoubtedly both (but these by themselves are far fro..."
Hi Annie,
Sounds just up (one of) my street(s). I have intended to read David Peace's work for years … but there are just too many books that are wonderful: plus lots that briefly lure, and then seem such a mistake!!

Karen wrote: "I feel like I did a disservice to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, so want to set the record straight. It's based on well researched fact and written by an interesting woman fro..."

Thanks for your update on this book, Karen.
I did not see your original message, but this recent message.
For an obstetrics/midwifery degree at the oldest midwifery service in the usa (in Kentucky), this story was required reading. Not this version however. The Kentucky librarians assisted those early nurse-midwives to know about impending births or troubles with mothers, babies, or family. They were like a news service of sorts due to their wonderful & amazingly heroic service to readers & writers!
So I should check out this version. The author is touted & I seem to recall being aware of her for other reasons.
Much gratitude for your followup message.
~j

Janet wrote: "Karen wrote: "I feel like I did a disservice to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, so want to set the record straight. It's based on well researched fact and written by an interes..."
That's really interesting Janet. Thank you. It definitely does explore the important signposting they did. The service was essential on so many levels. You should definitely read it with that background in mind.

I'm reading 1984 which is a bit of a mistake in view of what is happening worldwide at the moment. When you read a dystopian novel as the world enters its own dystopian phase it's not very reassuring. I might have to pick up a comfort read to give me some balance and take a break!

Karen wrote: "I'm reading 1984 which is a bit of a mistake in view of what is happening worldwide at the moment. When you read a dystopian novel as the world enters its own dystopian phase it's n..."
Yes, a brilliant book, Karen, but very disturbing at the best of times. Not sure I'd cope with it at the moment!

I've just started Traitor's Purse, a Campion mystery. Margery Allingham was such a good writer it's a comforting and reliable pleasure.

Karen wrote: "I'm reading 1984 which is a bit of a mistake in view of what is happening worldwide at the moment. When you read a dystopian novel as the world enters its own dystopian phase it's n..."
Yes, although I had a serious … 'senior' moment when I read your post, thinking '1984'?? I think I've read that? I think I've still got that?? Oooh... I wrote essays on it!! And 'yes' it's still on the shelf, and still brilliant, tho' I'm not planning a reread! My current reading is no less dystopian in it's own way … in that I'm working my way through Hilary Mantel's Thomas Cromwell trilogy. I have a cold (just a cold!) so it's been bizarre to be happily snuggled up with so much conniving, double-dealing and death! Meanwhile I've still got most of my 2020 '100' tbrs, which I lined up at New Year in a 'read or throw' attempt tp clear the shelves. Best so far is The Loney, which in it's own way is seriously disquieting, people-based-uncanny and also riveting. Another must-read is Reading Allowed: True Stories and Curious Incidents from a Provincial Library: a wonderfully heartfelt, funny and illuminating book about a writer working part time in a public library. It points-up, beautifully, how important libraries are in our communities, and really hits home on how Society would suffer if they are lost. So ... support your local Library!!!

DrMama wrote: "Karen wrote: "I'm reading 1984 which is a bit of a mistake in view of what is happening worldwide at the moment. When you read a dystopian novel as the world enters its own dystopia..."
I'm a huge fan of libraries and get all my books from the local library, and if they havent got it, they put it on their list to buy! Marvellous service.

Karen wrote: "DrMama wrote: "Karen wrote: "I'm reading 1984 which is a bit of a mistake in view of what is happening worldwide at the moment. When you read a dystopian novel as the world enters i..."

Agreed!! Devon Libraries (run by Libraries Unlimited) are wonderful. Every time I spot a new tome that I fancy - whether it's in a book blog or a TLS Review - I always check Devon Library' listings, 1st ... it's amazing how many recent, important non-fiction works they have. Wonderful - I would be lost without them, as trips to Exeter Uni are expensive, time-consuming and hardly 'eco'. Mind you … Uni Libraries seem to be going into lockdown, with so many books 'only' online for current students, that I'm no longer sure that I can still access (never mind take-out) many books now - even as an alumnus.

I love Margery Allingham just what you need at the moment, comforting and a happy ending.

Annie wrote: "Hi Ian, Red Riding Trilogy - the stench is 'good' in a powerful way, though hard to stomach. It's not just bleak and not just gruesome - though undoubtedly both (but these by themselves are far fro..."

I am so sorry for the delay in responding. My last 3 weeks have been Covid-19 dominated I am afraid. Sounds like a powerful read but one for more cheerful times perhaps

Karen wrote: "I feel like I did a disservice to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, so want to set the record straight. It's based on well researched fact and written by an interesting woman fro..."

HI Karen - sounds very inspiring. Amazing how, through history, people have triumphed over adversity.

Karen wrote: "I'm reading 1984 which is a bit of a mistake in view of what is happening worldwide at the moment. When you read a dystopian novel as the world enters its own dystopian phase it's n..."

Interesting choice. I wonder if we read these kind of books differently when we are in our current reality. Some warning bells in there - whilst our nation rightly accepts current conditions, it is a timely reminder of how close that takes us to an authoritarian state - we need to make sure we guard our liberties in the next year or two so that they can be restored when the crisis is over

Kathy wrote: "I've just started Traitor's Purse, a Campion mystery. Margery Allingham was such a good writer it's a comforting and reliable pleasure."

Hi Kathy - sounds just the ticket for a bit of escapism

My reading over the last few weeks:
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World, The Camomile Lawn - both outstanding, in very different ways. Elif Shafak builds a book around the idea that the brain continues to function for a short while after the organs stop working, and Mary Wesley's classic (A Devon writer) is set in the WW2 and tells the stories of a rather dissolute group of young people, The Woman in the Window (entertaining but ultimately disappointing) and currently reading The Stray Cats of Homs, set in Syria - am enjoying it - very revealing of life under Assad.

I recently read Mama Day by Gloria Naylor. Fascinating, set partly in New York but mostly on an Island which is not claimed by any state and populated entirely by ex slave families. Magic and old beliefs clash with modern ideas.

Ian wrote: "My reading over the last few weeks:
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World, The Camomile Lawn - both outstanding, in very different ways. Elif Shafak builds a boo..."
I love Mary Wesley's books, especially The Camomile Lawn. This might be a good time to revisit them.

Ley wrote: "I recently read Mama Day by Gloria Naylor. Fascinating, set partly in New York but mostly on an Island which is not claimed by any state and populated entirely by ex slave families. Magic and old b..."
I loved that when I read it - but it seems a long, long time ago! Aaaaggh! It led me to try several others by her - all good … just that I cannot remember the titles! I wonder if they are still on the bookshelf? Will check, but thanks for the reminder!

Ley wrote: "I recently read Mama Day by Gloria Naylor. Fascinating, set partly in New York but mostly on an Island which is not claimed by any state and populated entirely by ex slave families. Magic and old b..."

Mama Day sounds really good. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll add it to my list.

Ley wrote: "I recently read Mama Day by Gloria Naylor. Fascinating, set partly in New York but mostly on an Island which is not claimed by any state and populated entirely by ex slave families. Magic and old b..."

I like the sound of that Ley. One to add to my list. Did it reveal anything new to you?

Kathy wrote: "Ian wrote: "My reading over the last few weeks:
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World, The Camomile Lawn - both outstanding, in very different ways. Elif Shafak ..."

Was the first of hers I'd read but shall certainly read others

I've just finished reading Cold Mountain. It's my sister's favourite book. It's a really good time to read this novel because it's not a novel you can rush at. It's a slow, descriptive journey of a man injured by war finding his way back to Cold Mountain with his stories along the way, while the woman he fell for finds independence in her own fight for survival. It's beautifully written and takes you out of this dystopian world we live in nicely, but I have to admit I found myself skimming through bits of description, which is a failure on my part.

Karen wrote: "I've just finished reading Cold Mountain. It's my sister's favourite book. It's a really good time to read this novel because it's not a novel you can rush at. It's a slow, descriptive..."

Maybe those bits aren't written well enough but it sounds like a great book. I'll go check it out. I've read several books (see my Covid-19 post) but am currently reading Devon writer Sophie Duffy's Betsy and Lilibet, which I'm enjoying

Thoroughly enjoyed reading An American Marriage. I'll definitely read other novels she's written.

Hi Karen - hope you are well

New writer to me- what did you enjoy about it?

I've just finished Betsy and Lilibet by our own Sophie Duffy - a lovely book - I am just about to post a review

Thoughts on An American Marriage:
I enjoyed her style of writing. An easy, yet intelligent, read with a well developed storyline that moves along with likeable characters.

Roy’s arrest is a result of discrimination, based on a woman’s assumption of the perpetrator who insists this man was the man who committed the crime. He is innocent. He helped her out earlier. Her assumption isn’t questioned. He is a hard working man who has made his own way out of his working class background. He is on the up and up when this happens.

It’s a moving story of how this incarceration affects his life and marriage, and how it affects the people around him. The characters are well drawn, full of personality.

Life happens in this story. It unfolds with consequences. It’s not all bad and sad. There are moments of joy and warm heartedness.

The author highlights the injustice of the American judicial system, told from a black American perspective it’s voice speaks to the reader very effectively. It’s very subtle. It's not told through the trial of the man, it's told through the consequences.

Karen wrote: "Thoughts on An American Marriage:
I enjoyed her style of writing. An easy, yet intelligent, read with a well developed storyline that moves along with likeable characters.

Roy’s arrest is a result..."

Sounds like it covers some interesting themes.

I've discovered a wonderful writer Jan-Phillip Sendker and am reading The Art of Hearing Heartbeats - which is a beautiful book. I know that it is going to be one of my favourites for 2020

It was very interesting from the point of view of the black experience in America at the time. Also the difference between being raised in an orphanage to be totally independent and being raised in a large extended family.

Currently reading Voltaire's Calligrapher by Pablo de Santis. I picked it up Ages ago from the library for sale shelf, probably the ones that end up in the staff room after being offered to the public. Fascinating and strange, involves the beginnings of the terror In France, Voltaire, obviously, and automota. Fairly slim book.

Ley wrote: "Currently reading Voltaire's Calligrapher by Pablo de Santis. I picked it up Ages ago from the library for sale shelf, probably the ones that end up in the staff room after being offered to the pub..."

Hi Lee - sounds fascinating. Voltaire such an interesting figure.

A friend and I are reading through all the Charles Dickens novels that we have never read. I read a lot, when I studied - and then taught - English Literature, but there are still some I'm ignorant of, so I have (only just!) started The Pickwick Papers. Otherwise I am 'still reading' some I was reading last week (if not the week before!) The Lodger Shakespeare: His Life on Silver Street, The Dawn Watch: Joseph Conrad in a Global World and Hilary Mantel's The Mirror & the Light. I am generally a slow reader and reading 3 at once, seems to make it worse, but I will come back when I have finished! I did finish Mountains of the Mind: A History of a Fascination by Robert Macfarlane … and it is exquisite: especially if you like your auto-bio-factual-spiritual books to be fairly detailed, erudite and scholarly. It is basically a homage to climbing, the people who dare to climb - even though they may die - and the amazing exploits, discoveries and history that is connected to mountains, geology, and mountaineers. Some may find it heavy - it's definitely not a 'boy's own' romp - and it does not ignore all the death and agony of climbing, but for anyone who has ever loved hillwalking, mountaineering or climbing - or even just wished that they could do it - then this is a treasure. Made me want to dig and out my crampons … although I may just go to the local Climbing Wall when lockdown is finally over!

DrMama wrote: "A friend and I are reading through all the Charles Dickens novels that we have never read. I read a lot, when I studied - and then taught - English Literature, but there are still some I'm ignorant..."

What an interesting post. Thanks Carol. Did you climb then?

I love Dickens though haven't read any of his books for probably 20 years now (other than a Christmas Carol to the children). I will revisit at some point. I still have a soft spot for Bleak House.

The Mirror & the Light is waiting to be read but may be one I settle too when we have longer evenings

DrMama wrote: "A friend and I are reading through all the Charles Dickens novels that we have never read. I read a lot, when I studied - and then taught - English Literature, but there are still some I'm ignorant..."
Yes! For many years I was a member of the wonderful 'Hull Climbing and Mountaineering Club' - although I was always a bit of a wimp. I eventually settled for long, serious scrambles / walks - or lesser rambles - until climbing walls began to appear, when I found a new lease of life. I was delighted when the climbing wall opened near Bovey, as it is more to my taste than the mega-ones at Exeter or Plymouth. However, it is ages since I've been … so it's definitely on my list once lockdown is safely over and places are open.
I studied Victorian literature, and used to teach it, but my favourite was/is George Eliot's work. Out of Dickens' books Bleak House and Our Mutual Friend are favourites, although Great Expectations is the one I reread the most.

I adore Dickens. Bleak House and Out Mutual Friend are favourites. I love his word craft, his humour, his empathy, his ridiculously convoluted plots, his utterly delightful characterization...

And at the moment I am reading Rob Macfarlane's Underland which I am finding all but unbearably rich and affective.

Annie wrote: "I adore Dickens. Bleak House and Out Mutual Friend are favourites. I love his word craft, his humour, his empathy, his ridiculously convoluted plots, his utterly delightful characterization...

It is 'really' well worth a read! I have not read any of his other books, although I follow his twitter-feed. I've had 'M of the M' since it was published in paperback, but have only just read it all. Fellow climbers/mountaineers who I forced it on - years ago - found it too academic, but I loved it … including all the refs and looking some of them up. I do want to read more of his, but this one only made it to the tbr shelf, because - before Lockdown - I lined up 200 of my 'never-read' books, arranged them as alternating fact/fiction, and committed myself to reading them all. So far, the non-fiction is doing much better, while 'Pickwick Papers' is an extra, as my pal is reading all her non-read Dickens, so I thought I would join her. So … it might take me a while to get to more Macfarlane.

DrMama wrote: "DrMama wrote: "A friend and I are reading through all the Charles Dickens novels that we have never read. I read a lot, when I studied - and then taught - English Literature, but there are still so..."

Fascinating what interests we all have :)

Annie wrote: "I adore Dickens. Bleak House and Out Mutual Friend are favourites. I love his word craft, his humour, his empathy, his ridiculously convoluted plots, his utterly delightful characterization...

And..."

I echo all that on the Dickens front. I must read Macfarlane - have heard so many good things about his work

I envy you your obvious swiftness of reading - I'm a snail.

I am now zipping through Martha Wells' Murderbot series.
Great fun these and she is an engaging writer. I am completely (and so easily) drawn into the world she ceated for this series.
In the past, I read one of her fantasys and enjoyed it, but there were other books calling to me. Now I am relooking over her works to see what else I might give a try.
I have this peculiarity where, once I enjoy an author, I want to read ALL of her work.

Annie wrote: "I envy you your obvious swiftness of reading - I'm a snail."

Interesting how we read differently. I have a friend who reads each book at least 4 times in succession - first quickly to get the story, next more carefully to examine the overall structure, then even more carefully to make sure he misses nothing

I've never met anyone else who does that but it goes to show :)

Janet wrote: "I am now zipping through Martha Wells' Murderbot series.
Great fun these and she is an engaging writer. I am completely (and so easily) drawn into the world she created for this series.
In the pas..."

Now I don't do that. In fact I try to read a new author A-Z every year to ensure I don't get stuck in a particular writers work. Again, interesting how we read so diffeerntly

Ian wrote: "Annie wrote: "I envy you your obvious swiftness of reading - I'm a snail."

Interesting how we read differently. I have a friend who reads each book at least 4 times in succession - first quickly t..."

I used to do that as an Eng.Lit. student and then later if I was teaching anything I didn't know well - and even then I would always check the latest work on books I knew. Now I will reread Reading Group books if I'd quickly devoured them several weeks earlier. Currently I'm rereading stuff I'm trying to write about - whether it's fact or fiction. NB Does your friend ever reread the books years later, and yet still see things anew, or have ideas /reach conclusions that never occurred to him before? I find that now eg: with Rdg Grp books that I've studied and even written about before … I'm convinced that there is always more to perceive.

DrMama wrote: "Ian wrote: "Annie wrote: "I envy you your obvious swiftness of reading - I'm a snail."

Interesting how we read differently. I have a friend who reads each book at least 4 times in succession - fir..."

I'll have to ask but not sure he goes back to them later

I've just finished reading Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. Brilliant! One of those books you don't forget. Its like the Emperors new clothing in reverse, only with scent, and at the core of the story is a really nasty villain. A right good yarn! I think it's one of my all time favourites.

Karen wrote: "I've just finished reading Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. Brilliant! One of those books you don't forget. Its like the Emperors new clothing in reverse, only with scent, and at the co..."

Oh - that does sound good.

I am mainly reading non-fiction Working: Researching, Interviewing, Writing by Robert A, Caro a wonderful biographer. I am writing biography and felt that this would help to keep me focused.
Strangely, since turning back to this work, after a break, I am finding it hard to read fiction. I am still ploughing through the 3rd 'Cromwell' novel by Hilary Mantel, but had to go back to the start, twice, as I could not remember who 'the endless names' were! I cannot decide if this is age, tiredness (I also begin to nod off) or that this volume is just heavier (literally and metaphorically) than the previous 2 … which I breezed through(??) I have noticed that there is (at least) 1 more page of characters listed, plus, they all seem to have far more titles and familiar names, than are listed in the character list - or that's my excuse. I think I am finally into it and following, but still I begin to nod off. I am also readingColson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad. It is quite something, with a lot of detail not really present in books I've read on the same subject. I'm afraid 'Pickwick Papers' has been put aside, but the chapters are rather like separate tales, so I hope the break won't be a problem.

Thanks for this personal share around your reading. I appreciate the subjective touch... makes me feel more like we are in conversation.
As a result of your ruminations, I am going to look into Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad. A part of my family (the Welsh part) helped the underground railroad by allowing the pack horses and people hide out in the caves on their land. I came across many books on the underground railroad through this life.... but it is your remark that this one holds more detail than you had previously read on this subject that makes me want to give it a go.
Thank you sincerely.
x j