Devon Book Club discussion

I read Azincourt a while back on my husband's recommendation - not normally my genre, but Bernard Cornwell certainly knows how to write a page-turner and I thoroughly enjoyed it x

Thank you Clare. I think I will choose Azincourt for February's History read. I'll let you know how I get on with it.
I see you're a member of another group on historical research for readers, or something similar. That sounds very interesting - one of my favourite things about reading historical fiction is pursuing the little alleyways of our past. Sometimes means a much-delayed finish date on the book, but the journeys are too fascinating to miss out on!

I'm reading Jamaica Inn atm and am really enjoying it. Initially it felt melodramatic but the writing is so good that I quickly became swept up in the story. The moor is described wonderfully - pitch perfect. Just the book for these dark and stormy nights. :)

Loved Jamaica Inn so descriptive, but Rebecca still remains my favourite.

Helen wrote: "Loved Jamaica Inn so descriptive, but Rebecca still remains my favourite."
I agree, Helen. Hard to beat the story/characters of Rebecca.

About half way through The Noise of Time. Really enjoying it. The way he builds up fear then throws in a comedic sentence. Tells of shostokovich and his life and fears. I didnt like his Booker winner much but glad I gave him another go. It is only 180 pages but you need to read slowly and reread much to really enjoy. I dont know a huge amount about the period so thats a bonus. Of course it is told from one viewpoint!

Am in the middle of Sweetland by Michael Crummey, a novel about a small island and its inhabitants off Newfoundland, and have also just started Saratoga by Richard M Ketchum. Saratoga is, as you might guess, about the battle of that name in the American Revolution. It is 545 pages long but amazingly husband bought it for free as a second hand copy from Amazon, and just had to pay postage of £2.86. Authors of these detailed non-fiction books must take years to write them.

Reading The Red Notebook and The Good Liar. Both are very good. Difficult to decide which to pick up first. (One was too big for my handbag so started fhe other).

Ian wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Currently reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog - passed on by my cousin - not a book I would normally read - but it's good. Quirky characters, seemingly quite a gentle read but then t..." I loved this book, gentle philosophy and love spark through as you learn more about the characters, and it's funny.

I'm just about to start The Night Manager. We've been recording the BBC programmes so we can watch them close together. This is one of the few le Carres I haven't read and thought maybe I'd enjoy the series better if I had. Is anyone else watching it?

I'm the same as you Kathy - I'm saving them on sky planner to watch together. Friends say it is very good though, so enjoy!

I'm watching The Night Manager as I was recommended it by a couple of people from my local book group.
I'm really enjoying it as are others in the family, it's not often that we all agree on what to watch!

Excellent! Looking forward it.

I read two books last week on holiday - Just a Little Run Around the World: 5 Years, 3 Packs of Wolves and 53 Pairs of Shoes and A Tale for the Time Being; both wonderful books - although vastly different. Rosie Swale Popes book is the true story of her 20,000 mile, 5 year run around the world - a most moving and incredible story of endurance and commitment. The Ozeki book is a novel - a Canadian writer finds the diary of a 16 year old Japanese girl washed up on a beach, together with a Kamikaze pilots watch and some letters. A beautifully written and highly engaging read. I recommend both

Currently reading The Wordsmith's Tale
Very interesting and well written so far.

Ley wrote: "Currently reading The Wordsmith's Tale
Very interesting and well written so far."

Hi Ley - let us know how you get on with it - not an author I am familiar with - have you read him before?

No, spotted it at work and thought it looked promising, so far so good.

Ley wrote: "No, spotted it at work and thought it looked promising, so far so good."

Sometimes the unknown (to us) authors can bring great surprises

Helen wrote: "I'm watching The Night Manager as I was recommended it by a couple of people from my local book group.
I'm really enjoying it as are others in the family, it's not often that we all ..."

Just completed binge-watching The Night Manager, it made really good viewing, another gem from the BBC. Anyone read the original le Carre novel?

Angela wrote: "Helen wrote: "I'm watching The Night Manager as I was recommended it by a couple of people from my local book group.
I'm really enjoying it as are others in the family, it's not ofte..."

I have, Angela, and enjoyed it very much. It was intriguing to see how many features of it the scriptwriter had changed for the series.

Hi Kathy - did you prefer the novel to the series? Maybe I should read some more le Carre, the only one I have read is The Constant Gardener some years ago, which I enjoyed. I seem to remember the film was good too.

I loved 'Tinker, Tailor...' and 'Smiley's People' to read, as well as 'Constant Gardner' and other more recent ones. I've been tempted to read 'The Night Manager' since Kathy first posted her comments, just ... so many books, too little time.

I think I did, Angela, though it's hard to say: they were very different creations so I appreciated them on a different level. I love le Carre's use of language in his writing so, as well as his characterisation and clever plotting, I enjoy reading his books for that reason. I particularly enjoyed all the 'Smiley' stories.

More to add to the TBR list!

After finishing the editing for my newest release in March, I was finally able to return to reading for fun. Waiting on my Kindle was 'Saint Odd' by Dean Koontz, a title I had been waiting ages to read, being a big fan of the Odd Thomas series.

Unfortunately, despite it being the concluding part of the series, I found it to be the most disappointing. It lacked the energy, suspense and drama of the other instalments. Yes, the ending does lead towards an actual close to the series, but for me it seemed to be a weaker conclusion that it deserved.

I am currently reading 'Lair' by James Herbert. I have fallen in love with every one of his books I have read so far and am gripped within the first 20 pages already.

Next on my list will be 'Angel' by Anita Waller. I was fortunate to have Anita's help to edit my latest book and can't recommend her debut 'Beautiful' highly enough. A must if you love psychological thrillers, or any genre at that.

'Angel' is the eagerly-awaited sequel.

Chris wrote: "After finishing the editing for my newest release in March, I was finally able to return to reading for fun. Waiting on my Kindle was 'Saint Odd' by Dean Koontz, a title I had been waiting ages to ..."

I'm not familiar with any of those authors - that's one of the things I love about this group - so many recommendations (mind hard to find the time to make anything but a dent in them!). A top, Chris, (and others) - when commenting on a book you can leave a link to it or the author by clicking on add book/author just above the comments box as in Lair - that gives us a link to more information, reviews etc

Currently reading Virginia Baily's wonderful novel: Early One Morning. Italy will be entered on the Challenge map v soon!

I am currently reading Memoir of a Revolutionary Soldier by Joseph Plumb Martin. He enlisted in the Continental army and fought in the Revolutionary War in America. Most of the accounts of this time are seen through the eyes of the rich and famous. Plumb Martin was, however, an ordinary soldier, so it is very interesting to see the war from his perspective.

Angela wrote: "Currently reading Virginia Baily's wonderful novel: Early One Morning. Italy will be entered on the Challenge map v soon!"

Hi Angela, I loved Ginny's book and also recommend her first novel (for which she won the McKitterick Prize) Africa Junction. It's a many-stranded novel, and some readers don't seem to like the 'jumping around' but I think it works well.

Just finished James Rebanks's "The Shepherd's Life", as recommended to me by an Exmoor sheep farmer! It's both a personal memoir and an insight into a way of life that's been crucial for shaping and maintaining the landscape over centuries, yet remains invisible to many of us who visit the Lake District. (Or anywhere with upland sheep farms, I suspect.) It's superbly written with both passion and perception, and I'd highly recommend it.

Ruth wrote: "Just finished James Rebanks's "The Shepherd's Life", as recommended to me by an Exmoor sheep farmer! It's both a personal memoir and an insight into a way of life that's been crucial for shaping an..."

That's really interesting Ruth. Good to get some non fiction recommendations too

Just finished A God in Ruins found it very moving. Anybody else read it?

Helen wrote: "Just finished A God in Ruins found it very moving. Anybody else read it?"

No - I've not read any of Kate Atkinson, though I know lots of people love her work. What was moving about A God in Ruins?

I've just finished Italian Shoes by Henning Mankell - which was OK but didn't do much for me. It is our readings groups book for this month. Don't think I'd have chosen it otherwise. Just started A William Boyd book, Restless - think it was recommended by B.J. Another new author to me so looking forward to this one

Ian wrote: "Helen wrote: "Just finished A God in Ruins found it very moving. Anybody else read it?"

No - I've not read any of Kate Atkinson, though I know lots of people love her..."

Hi Ian,
I have not yet read 'God in Ruins' but I aim to. My Reading Group and I are great fans of Kate Atkinson, and read her first novel Behind the Scenes at the Museum years ago: I'd definitely recommend that one. I think 'A God in Ruins' is a sequel to Life After Life, so best try that first. 'LAL' is unusual, as she keeps starting a story, ending it, then beginning again ... but I admired it. She also writes the 'Jackson Brodie' detective books (some have been televised) which the group also love. I cannot remember which is first, but think it's 'Case Histories'.

We also read 'Italian Shoes' and were unsure about it, but I think we'd been expecting a Wallander! At that point I'd only read the first Wallander(?) which I had thought very thin, although the later ones are more complex and powerful. By comparison to that I thought 'Italian Shoes' was more ... literary ... but didn't quite work. However, some in the group adored it, and we had a cracking discussion, but this was many years ago - and before we started writing summaries - so I cannot remember much ... Mind you, details of the novel are flooding back, as I type, so it must have had something. Why weren't you keen?
Yesterday, we met to discuss Painter of Silence by Georgina Harding, which we all adored. It is her third novel, and we were just as enamoured of her first novel The Solitude of Thomas Cave: A Novel, when we read it a few years ago. 'PofS' is set partly in Stalinist Romania - in the eastern city of Iasi - and partly in 1939 on a Moldavian Estate. It's beautifully written, lyrical yet almost sparse in some ways, and very open, so the reader is working things out and putting shreds and clues together as the read progresses. She is a sensational writer, and I can't understand why she is not more widely known.

I'm reading The House at the Edge of the World at the moment and thoroughly enjoying it, though it is quirky. Have a feeling someone else mentioned reading it a while back but can't find the post now.

Now just begun reading Dance with Fireflies by Jane Gill, about a young Anglo-Indian woman's experience of coming to England to live in the 1930's. Have a good feeling about this book, I'm already hooked!

Kathy wrote: "I'm reading The House at the Edge of the World at the moment and thoroughly enjoying it, though it is quirky. Have a feeling someone else mentioned reading it a while back but can't..."

I read it and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Somerset have a 'big read' - Dark Tides- Chris Ewan, who is coming to talk at the library in July. Set on the Isle of Man, and very good so far.

Sue wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I'm reading The House at the Edge of the World at the moment and thoroughly enjoying it, though it is quirky. Have a feeling someone else mentioned reading it a while ..."

Perhaps we should try a Devon Book Club Big Read for the Summer - what do you think?

With a meet at the end with the author? Perhaps a local one?

Sue wrote: "With a meet at the end with the author? Perhaps a local one?"

What an excellent idea - but, how to choose?

If you want to read my latest novel, Chosen? I can do a special price for members of the Devon Book Club. It's a story about a dashing American seeking the help of Evie Adams (a counsellor in Exeter) in order to find his biological family (in Dartmouth) and the mystery surrounding it. It also addresses the topic: you may be chosen by your adoptive family, but have you been cheated of your biological one? See The Herald Express for further details, or listen to my interview with Fitz on BBC Radio Devon http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03w4.... It's 1 hr 22 minutes in and lasts about 20 minuts.

Mel wrote: "If you want to read my latest novel, Chosen? I can do a special price for members of the Devon Book Club. It's a story about a dashing American seeking the help of Evie Adams (a counsellor in Exete..."

Thanks Mel - if you get a moment would you mind reposting this in the thread "new from Devon Authors". That way offers from local authors don't get lost in the general posting

Ian wrote: "Mel wrote: "If you want to read my latest novel, Chosen? I can do a special price for members of the Devon Book Club. It's a story about a dashing American seeking the help of Evie Adams (a counsel..."

I would if I could, Ian. Not sure how to find the thread.

Mel wrote: "Ian wrote: "Mel wrote: "If you want to read my latest novel, Chosen? I can do a special price for members of the Devon Book Club. It's a story about a dashing American seeking the help of Evie Adam..."
Hi Mel, I saw the Herald Express article about you. Well done. LOL.

I've just starting 'The Blind Assasin' by Margaret Atwood. I haven't read anything by the author since studying 'The Handmaid's Tale' at school.

Mel wrote: "Ian wrote: "Mel wrote: "If you want to read my latest novel, Chosen? I can do a special price for members of the Devon Book Club. It's a story about a dashing American seeking the help of Evie Adam..."

Hi Mel - if you scroll down the discussion topics you'll find "Writers Corner" Its the first topic in that folder - let me know if you have problems and I'll do it but better if it comes from you - and it will stay highlighted for longer

Judith wrote: "I've just starting 'The Blind Assasin' by Margaret Atwood. I haven't read anything by the author since studying 'The Handmaid's Tale' at school."

Pretty well anything by Margaret Atwood is going to be good - she is such an accomplished writer - and writes such different books. This one is on my reading list so be great to hear what you think of it

What a miserable, wet Sunday - but I made the most of it by finishing local author Ruth Downie book "Ruso And The Disappearing Dancing Girls". Loved it - what have you been reading this weekend?

Britannia, 117 AD
Primitive, cold, and a touch damp
Welcome to the most remote corner of the Roman Empire
This is a real page turner. The main character is a "medicus" in the Roman Army - a murder mystery with a difference - imaginative and evocative, a really enjoyable read. I can recommend it and shall certainly read more of the series

Currently reading:

Twelve Years A Slave for the Book Group I run

Various books on Devon customs for research

Between the Realms by Cheryl Straffon for an audiobook I am narrating

About 20 nonfiction books for national book awards I am judging


That's enough really!

Helen wrote: "Just finished A God in Ruins found it very moving. Anybody else read it?"

Hi I read it recently (actually on audiobook) and really loved it. Teddy was such a wonderful character and it was so understated but often so moving. I had to pace myself to take it all in. Also read Life After Life before this, which I liked, but was amazed how different this was, despite the links between the two books. :-)