Devon Book Club discussion

Now reading the new . Have read previous booksand found them quite depressing - and this take on an Irish family isn't much different but is so beautifully written it doesn't matter!

Have just reserved A Game For All The Family. Found outit is set in Devon but sadly doesn't qualify (again!). Mixed reviews and Sophie Hannah is a new author to me. Anone read anything by her?
Current read is - historical set in Esher and Egypt. Not too emotionally taxing. Currently in Taunton and there is some lovely music drifting across the river possibly a busker ouside the theatre.

Sue wrote: "Have just reserved A Game For All The Family. Found outit is set in Devon but sadly doesn't qualify (again!). Mixed reviews and Sophie Hannah is a new author to me. ..."

YOu keep finding books and authors that don't fit our challenges - we'll have to invent one that does - is there a consistent theme to them?

Sue wrote: "Now reading the new . Have read previous booksand found them quite depressing - and this take on an Irish family isn't much different but is so beautifully writt..."

I read The Gathering a few years ago and came to much the same conclusion. I quite enjoyed it, although it was a bit bleak but havent been tempted to read more by her.

Ian wrote: "Sue wrote: "Now reading the new . Have read previous booksand found them quite depressing - and this take on an Irish family isn't much different but is so beaut..."
Finished and it was very, very good. Basically mother and 4 children. Individual stories of each of the children and their lives then they all get together for Christmas. Tthen they get on with their own lives. Lot of surprises - not a bit like The Gathering, which only the Irish part of my book group enjoyed!
Ian I read what takes my fancy! Involved in a number of challenges but I reserve what I want to read from the library (free at the moment unless it's an ou county loan) then work through with the ones others have requested taking priority! No rhyme or reason.
So onto my current read which is brilliant.
Oh and I have found a new one for the DBC set in Devon and it's by Belinda Bauer so lucky me!

Sue wrote: "Ian wrote: "Sue wrote: "Now reading the new . Have read previous booksand found them quite depressing - and this take on an Irish family isn't much different but..."

That sounds good - and agree free reading is the way - contrained reading becomes a duty not a pleasure. Be interested to hear about the Belinda Bauer book.

Iwalked along Bear Mountain Trail in the Connecticut woods yesterday,so today it seemed appropriate to start reading A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson.It has already made me laugh out loud many times and I have frightened a squirrel.

Carol wrote: "Iwalked along Bear Mountain Trail in the Connecticut woods yesterday,so today it seemed appropriate to start reading A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson.It has already made me laugh out loud many t..."

I gather this book has just been made into a film with Robert Redford and Nick Nolte. I haven't read it yet but it'll be interesting to see if it translates. The trailer looked very funny.
Hope you're having a good time over there, Carol.

Until the film came along I hadnt heard of Nick Nolte for a long time. I believe at one point he was on the streets.

Carol wrote: "Iwalked along Bear Mountain Trail in the Connecticut woods yesterday,so today it seemed appropriate to start reading A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson.It has already made me laugh out loud many t..."
Sounds like you're having a wonderful time. You'll have to post a picture un our taking a book for a walk section

Have just started . Early days but like the writing style.

Kathy wrote: "Have just started . Early days but like the writing style."

Not someone I've read. Be interested to hear about it in due course

Tottered round part of Chesapeake Bay in 90 degrees yesterday, then returned home to air conditioning and Diana Gabaldons book, Outlander and was transported to the misty Highlands.What a wonderful story and beautifully written .

Carol wrote: "Tottered round part of Chesapeake Bay in 90 degrees yesterday, then returned home to air conditioning and Diana Gabaldons book, Outlander and was transported to the misty Highlands.What a wonder..."

What a contrast between misty highlands and the heat of your holiday. Glad you are having such a good time.

And I see youve been wildswimming again Ian. North Devons a fantastic place to do that.
Have nearly reached the end of Outlander and have been very surprised to find they have suddenly crossed the english Channel. Has anyone else noticed that.?

Sorry about so many gram atical errors.Am on a tablet, not computer.

Carol wrote: "And I see youve been wildswimming again Ian. North Devons a fantastic place to do that.
Have nearly reached the end of Outlander and have been very surprised to find they have suddenly crossed the ..."

Yes - I love it Carol. The coastline around Devon is just so beautiful. Was in the sea at Sidmouth last night - was a bit lively but fun. Taking the wetsuit to our event in Sidmouth tomorrow - though I may not wear it in the bookshop!

My wife & I walked along Sidmouth prom yesterday at about 5.30. There was a chap in the sea opposite the cricket club braving the huge waves. Was that you by any chance, Ian?

At the Sidmouth event yesterday I picked up one of our esteemed book club authors books - Western Approaches by Graham Hurley. I'm partial to a good crime novel - and this is shaping up to be exactly that! Not sure how I've missed your books before Graham, but you've got a new reader here!

B J wrote: "My wife & I walked along Sidmouth prom yesterday at about 5.30. There was a chap in the sea opposite the cricket club braving the huge waves. Was that you by any chance, Ian?"

Ahh. No - we'd finsihed by then. I came out of the water at about 5.00. Waves were a bit frisky! What a shame we didn't know you were in Sidmouth. We'd just come from our book shop event - it went so well. I'll post more on that later

Alison wrote: "At the Sidmouth event yesterday I picked up one of our esteemed book club authors books - Western Approaches by Graham Hurley. I'm partial to a good crime novel - and this is shaping up to be exa..."

I've got that one too Ali and will read when I get the chance - soooo many books on my reading pile!

Ian - I think BJs comment was in regard to Friday night, not last night?!

Alison wrote: "Ian - I think BJs comment was in regard to Friday night, not last night?!"

So it was - my mistake!

Yes, we were there on Friday, just passing through on our way to a family get-together.

B J wrote: "Yes, we were there on Friday, just passing through on our way to a family get-together."

Ironically, I swam there on Thursday and Saturday - but not Friday.

Alison wrote: "At the Sidmouth event yesterday I picked up one of our esteemed book club authors books - Western Approaches by Graham Hurley. I'm partial to a good crime novel - and this is shaping up to be exa..."

I read it when it first came out and thoroughly enjoyed it. Trouble is I think I'll need to read it again before tackling the sequel as it was a while ago and I do love a series!! Thought his talk was very entertaining. Lots of interesting books from the other speakers for my list too. (Think I'll have to do a challenge 'not the devon book club', when I finally get the official one finished!) Excellent event - thanks to all the organisers.

Sue wrote: "Alison wrote: "At the Sidmouth event yesterday I picked up one of our esteemed book club authors books - Western Approaches by Graham Hurley. I'm partial to a good crime novel - and this is shapi..."

Haha. I am so glad you enjoyed Saturday Sue - I thought it went realy well and I had a lot of fun too.

Sooo - back from holiday and a lot of excellent reading. By way of a quick summary:
Belinda Seaward's The Beautiful Truth - opened my holiday reading and I loved it. Belinda was one of our guest authors at Sidmouth and I felt certain Id enjoy her work. I wasn't disappointed. I would thoroughly recommend this book
Emma Healey's Elizabeth Is Missing - again, enjoyed (if that is the right word) this book - an insightful exploration of dementia - perhaps a little predictable in the back story but, otherwise, a good read
Terri Nixon's The Dust of Ancients- not a genre I would normally read but, having met Terri at our events, I was keen to do so. I read it in a day, around the pool mainly (the heat somewhat at odds with the wild Cornish mood) and the story carried me along. I enjoyed the imagination behind the narrative. If you like fantasy and books with a local scene, try this one
Elena Ferrrante's My Brilliant Friendwas a revelation. I was held throughout by her account of friendships and coming of age in the first of her Neopolitan trilogy
Finally, Ian McEwan's The Children Act. I am usually disappointed in McEwans work- after Amsterdam (my favourite of his work) but, again, this one held me throughout. Keenly observed true to life cases in the Family Court set against the backdrop of the Judges own private dilemma's. Would recommend this one too.

So - a great selection of holiday reads.

Am reading a lot of non-fiction on the American War of Independence at the moment for research purposes, so won't mention those. However, I have also just bought Sharpe's Enemy and Sharpe's Tiger so am dithering about as to which one to read first!Sharpe's EnemySharpe's Tiger

Carol wrote: "Am reading a lot of non-fiction on the American War of Independence at the moment for research purposes, so won't mention those. However, I have also just bought Sharpe's Enemy and Sharpe's Tiger s..."

Cant help you there Carol. Haven't read any of those

I haven't read any of the Sharpe novels, but I've read all of Cornwell's other books. It hadn't really struck me how odd that is. Thinking about it now, it's probably because his other books tend to form short series set in different periods, but the Sharpe series seems overwhelmingly long.

Just started reading 'Tigers in Red Weather' by Liza Klaussmann. It has mixed reviews so...we'll see :)

Roslyn wrote: "Just started reading 'Tigers in Red Weather' by Liza Klaussmann. It has mixed reviews so...we'll see :)"

Not an author I'd heard of before, though I see from the review that this is her debut novel. Be interested to hear your thoughts on it. I've just been looking at your profile books - I see your top rated book is I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes. I have heard of it, but not read it. The subject matter looks demanding and it is a long book. What did you like about it that you gave it 5 stars (obviously not something you do often)?

Currently reading The Well which is set somewhere in the west country but no sure where, although I suspect not Devon, only from a phrase about another farm in Devon, but could be wrong. The author was born in the west country but cant see where. The subject of Where My Heart Used to Beat, the new Sebastian Faulks spent his early life in Devon, although most of the novel is spent in Italy.

Ian wrote: "Roslyn wrote: "Just started reading 'Tigers in Red Weather' by Liza Klaussmann. It has mixed reviews so...we'll see :)"

Not an author I'd heard of before, though I see from the review that this is..."

Hi Ian, I'm progressing well with 'Tigers...', slow start but finding it quite readable now. The Terry Hayes book was quite gripping and an 'easy' read, I felt really drawn in. Pilgrim is the agent set a fiendishly difficult task of tracking down a terrorist ( the Saracen) hell bent on trying to annihilate the population of USA. Partially told from the 'Saracen's' side, which I found very interesting. This was a 'Bourne' style story that had much more layers and depth. I guess if you read a lot of this genre then it might be 'old hat' but I'm a bit of a newbie and personally, I enjoyed this roller coaster of a story, you might too :)

Hi Ian and Sue, sorry not to be in touch. Very busy working on next book. Lyn F.

Sue wrote: "Currently reading The Well which is set somewhere in the west country but no sure where, although I suspect not Devon, only from a phrase about another farm in Devon, but could be w..."

An interesting looking book Sue. What is your view of it so far?

Roslyn wrote: "Ian wrote: "Roslyn wrote: "Just started reading 'Tigers in Red Weather' by Liza Klaussmann. It has mixed reviews so...we'll see :)"

Not an author I'd heard of before, though I see from the review ..."

Thanks Roslyn. Not the kind of book I'd udually be drawn to but recommendations are always worth following up. Sometimes, a good roller coaster novel is just the ticket.

Lyn wrote: "Hi Ian and Sue, sorry not to be in touch. Very busy working on next book. Lyn F."

Quite right too - what is holding up book 3? Actually, I think it is reading The Luminaries, which I see you've just completed. Did you enjoy it? (I think we will allow some relaxation). I read it whilst on holiday last year and loved it. Very readable, very clever, if occasionally predictable.

I'm reading and I'm about half way through. It's an unusual book which, for me, was a little too whimsical in the opening pages. Fortunately it hasn't continued that way and I'm really enjoying it so far. It's set in Cornwall, in a fictional village called St.Piran.

Kathy wrote: "I'm reading and I'm about half way through. It's an unusual book which, for me, was a little too whimsical in the opening pages. Fortunately it hasn't c..."

I read one of his last year The Notable Brain of Maximilian Ponder and loved it. Funny and moving. Have followed him on Twitter since - an interesting man.

Yes, i enjoyed that book too Kathy. I have also read his "the Coincidence Authority" which is super and quite clever, better than the whale book. (Sorry, I'd put in a link but I'm on the app and it can't do book links yet)

Ellen wrote: "Yes, i enjoyed that book too Kathy. I have also read his "the Coincidence Authority" which is super and quite clever, better than the whale book. (Sorry, I'd put in a link but I'm on the app and it..."

Added here for you Ellen The Coincidence Authority. Funny - I hadn't heard of him until last year. Amazing how many authors pas us by. I discovered him because I needed an "I" for my annual alphabet challenge and discovered him on the library shelf. That's why I do my challenge - helps me to find new authors each year.

Ellen wrote: "Yes, i enjoyed that book too Kathy. I have also read his "the Coincidence Authority" which is super and quite clever, better than the whale book. (Sorry, I'd put in a link but I'm on the app and it..."
Thanks Ellen. I think I'll be reading that one too then. I like his style.

Ian wrote: "Sue wrote: "Currently reading The Well which is set somewhere in the west country but no sure where, although I suspect not Devon, only from a phrase about another farm in Devon, bu..."

The Well was beautifully written i terms of the countryside. But imho it was too long. It turned into a whodunit and the effects of the drought on the outside world didnt feature much - but then I suppose it was called The Well, which is the name of rhe farm. Probably more of a 'beach read'.

Where My Heart Used to Beat was an interesting read linking ww1 and 11. Not as good as Birdsong - then nothing is for me. I'm not knowledgeable of ww2 battles and this explained some of the history.

Now reading The Heart Goes Last for something completely different!

Sue wrote: "Ian wrote: "Sue wrote: "Currently reading The Well which is set somewhere in the west country but no sure where, although I suspect not Devon, only from a phrase about another farm ..."

The Atwood book looks really good. Someone else must have recommended it as it is on my to read list and I didn't think I'd heard of it before. Be pleased to hear what you think of it.

Hi, am new to the group and thought I'd share what I've just read and am currently reading - have just finished 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' by Truman Capote. Having never seen the film, have got the DVD but it's in storage - with the majority of my books, I wasn't sure what to expect but really enjoyed it as a character study and I loved seeing the development of Holly Golightly.

I'm now reading the 'Children's Act' by Ian McEwan which is really good. Although it's a small book it's taking me longer than I thought to read it as it's very detailed, however I'm not being put off by the legal element which I have been in books previously.

Judith wrote: "Hi, am new to the group and thought I'd share what I've just read and am currently reading - have just finished 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' by Truman Capote. Having never seen the film, have got the D..."

Welcome Judith and thanks for the post. Ive not read Breakfast at Tiffany's but did readIn Cold Blood last year and really enjoyed that.

I read the The Children Act last month and enjoyed it more than other of Ian McEwans work. Some of it didnt engage me but I enjoyed the dilemmas and, like you, was not put off by the legal scenes. A good read I thought.

Just finished Africa Junction. Sorry that I won"t be able to be at Crediton to hear more about the book. Anyway, this is quite a challenge to follow initially as time and place shifts with every chapter. But as the connexions became clearer it was an engrossing read. The author obviosly knows Africa and as the novel shifts between Senegal, Mali, Ethopia amongst others the descriptions draw you in. Sadly only a couple of chapters set in Exeter so couldn't count for my Devon reads!

Sue wrote: "Just finished Africa Junction. Sorry that I won"t be able to be at Crediton to hear more about the book. Anyway, this is quite a challenge to follow initially as time and place shif..."

Sounds like a good read then. Shame you cant join us on 14/11. You are a hard task master on your Devon reading challenge!