Devon Book Club discussion

Am in the middle of Washington: A Life, by Ron Chernow, a Pulitzer prize winner.Washington: A LifeReally enjoying it.

Jane wrote: "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..."

Lots of people loved Life After Life - though I've not read it myself. What other books do you enjoy?

Carol wrote: "Am in the middle of Washington: A Life, by Ron Chernow, a Pulitzer prize winner.Washington: A LifeReally enjoying it."

I have never really got into biographies - I am probably missing a lot - though I am part way through Brief Candle in the Dark: My Life in Science by Richard Dawkins, which I am enjoying

Ian wrote: "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 th..."
Thank you so much for your kind words, Ian - delighted that you enjoyed it! And sorry for the slow response - I've been away.

I'm reading the invention of wings by Sue Monk Kidd. It's about slavery, a story of a white girl and her slave. Partly based on historical fact which for me makes a book more enjoyable. Beautifully written. I enjoyed secret life of bees by her too

I'm enjoying The Invention of Wings
A really interesting story about slavery. Alternative chapters by a white girl and her black slave. Beautifully written. I'll be sorry when I've finished it

Ruth wrote: "Ian wrote: "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 bee..."

My pleasure Ruth - genuinely meant. A thoroughly enjoyable read. Hope you had a good break - somewhere with history or just a beach holiday?

Megan wrote: "I'm enjoying The Invention of Wings
A really interesting story about slavery. Alternative chapters by a white girl and her black slave. Beautifully written. I'll be sorry when I've ..."

Thanks Megan - looks like a lovely book. I've not read Sue Monk Kidd but many people have said her work is wonderful to read. I've added to my to read list

Megan wrote: "I'm enjoying The Invention of Wings
A really interesting story about slavery. Alternative chapters by a white girl and her black slave. Beautifully written. I'll be sorry when I've ..."

I've just realised that I have actually read her work - The Secret Life of Bees- that was a lovely book too

I have two books on the boil at the moment - both utterly excellent in very different ways. One is Tin Sky, a WW2 locked-room mystery set in Ukraine, 1943, with a Wehrmacht cavalry officer as the investigator. Wonderfully rich and textural in detail and a compelling set of puzzles to solve. Something like a mix of Bernie Gunther and the C J Sansom historical murder-mysteries...

The other is On the Move: A Life, the autobiography of Oliver Sacks. I've read much of his non-fiction and the story-behind-those-stories is fascinating - revealing and intriguing...

Rowena wrote: "I have two books on the boil at the moment - both utterly excellent in very different ways. One is Tin Sky, a WW2 locked-room mystery set in Ukraine, 1943, with a Wehrmacht cavalry ..."

Sounds like two great books. Just reading my first CJ Sansom - Dissolution - enjoying it so far

LIFE AFTER LIFE. I'm currently reading Kate Atkinson's Life After Life for the Book Club I lead. It was suggested by one of the members (who is not going to be able to attend the next meeting) and, with too many other commitments, I'm really struggling with it. Would appreciate any comments any of you have to make on the storyline, characters, theme, anything pretty please.

Hi Mel - I read it a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. It does take a bit of getting into as there are time switches , and the possible life or death 'what if' options for the main character. Also quite a host of other characters to meet. I thought the premise was intriguing and original, and I would very much like to read the sequel A God in Ruins. Hope that is helpful!

I'm currently reading A God in Ruins, without even realising it was a sequel! It stands up as a good read in its own right. I'm afraid I can't help you in your quest for comments though Mel as I haven't read Life after Life.

Alison wrote: "I'm currently reading A God in Ruins, without even realising it was a sequel! It stands up as a good read in its own right. I'm afraid I can't help you in your quest for comments though Mel as I ha..."

I'm sure you will enjoy Life after Life then Ali! The narrative is built around Ursula Todd, Teddy's sister. It explores the nature of infinite possibilities, and mainly takes place during World War 2. I am looking for my copy of it to lend you, but maybe I read it on my Kindle then deleted it, as I can't find it - sorry!

Angela wrote: "Hi Mel - I read it a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. It does take a bit of getting into as there are time switches , and the possible life or death 'what if' options for the main character. Als..."

Thanks Angela, I'll persevere, but with so many other things going on at present - visitors and my own Work in Progress - I'm not finding it the easiest of reads I must confess.

Alison wrote: "I'm currently reading A God in Ruins, without even realising it was a sequel! It stands up as a good read in its own right. I'm afraid I can't help you in your quest for comments though Mel as I ha..."
Thanks Alison. Good to know there's a sequel.

No problem Angela, I can always get it on my Kindle

Mel wrote: "LIFE AFTER LIFE. I'm currently reading Kate Atkinson's Life After Life for the Book Club I lead. It was suggested by one of the members (who is not going to be able to attend the next meeting) and,..."

Hi Mel, I read it a few years ago, and it still resonates with me. I found it difficult at first - not helped by reading it on a Kindle, as I wanted/needed to keep flipping backwards and checking I was remembering who was who. Once I settled into it I was deeply impressed by the structure, the continuance and yet development of characters, and the careful nuance of change as various paths changed, diverted, were perverted or ended. As always I found most of the writing superb: I think I've enjoyed all the KA I've read - even the weakest 'Jackson Brodie'. I keep meaning to read 'God in Ruins' but too much 'stuff', too many books, not enough lives ...

Ian wrote: "Bear with me folks, I am a novice at this so having to learn as we go. I've just realised that, if we all comment on our current read as a new topic, the page is going to rapidly get out of control..."

I've just started reading Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I have it as an ebook on my kindle. It was recommended by a friend who said it was really good if long, Enjoying it so far, about 5% read, the advantage of kindles, they tell you how much you've read. Apparently I can skip through the detailed description of the battle of Waterloo!
We'll see.

Ley wrote: "Ian wrote: "Bear with me folks, I am a novice at this so having to learn as we go. I've just realised that, if we all comment on our current read as a new topic, the page is going to rapidly get ou..."

On my list but I never quite get around to reading it - let us know how it goes

I've had it on my kindle list for ages but after talking to my friend about it decided to dive in. I'm enjoying it a the moment. It's a bit like anything written at that period, you have to train your brain into the style a bit.

If you'd like to start reading my latest novel, Chosen? - second in the Evie Adams series and set in Dartmouth and Kingswear - my publisher has set up a Kindle Countdown which means it's FREE TODAY (Saturday 3rd Sept) with a diminishing discount for the next seven days. The story is about the mystery surrounding the adoption of a dashing American and, as the front cover suggests, the Higher Ferry features in Evie's thinking as she attempts to unravel the situation. I'd be very grateful if you'd think of writing a REVIEW after reading.

Not sure whether this is the right place for this, but if you want to read my latest novel Chosen? - second in the Evie Adams series -about the mystery surrounding the adoption of a dashing American, and set in Dartmouth & Kingswear, might I suggest that you DOWNLOAD TODAY (Saturday 3rd Sept) FOR FREE! My publisher has set up a Kindle Countdown, whereby the discount reduces over the next seven days. I'd love for you to write a review on Amazon afterwards, and

Thank you Mel - I've just downloaded it now

Sorry about posting twice. The first post disappeared - hence the second one. Didn't mean to bombard anyone.

Mel wrote: "Sorry about posting twice. The first post disappeared - hence the second one. Didn't mean to bombard anyone."

Haha - the joys of Goodreads - it does that sometimes! Happy that you've posted here but also feel free to put updates in the Writers Corner folder - there is a thread for updates from Devon authors.

Hope that Chosen does well

Thanks Ian. Will do. I'm perfectly au fait with FB, Twitter, Amazon, LinkedIn and updating my own website www.melmenzies.co.uk but Goodreads - bah-humbug! Never quite sure what I'm doing.

Ian wrote: "Mel wrote: "Sorry about posting twice. The first post disappeared - hence the second one. Didn't mean to bombard anyone."

Haha - the joys of Goodreads - it does that sometimes! Happy that you've p..."

Ian wrote: "Mel wrote: "Sorry about posting twice. The first post disappeared - hence the second one. Didn't mean to bombard anyone."

Haha - the joys of Goodreads - it does that sometimes! Happy that you've p..."

So where do I have to go to find the writers' corner? she asked, flushing with embarrassment at her stupidity.

Mel wrote: "So where do I have to go to find the writers' corner? she asked, flushing with embarrassment at her stupidity."

Don't be embarrassed, Mel. Goodreads is a strange beast to work round! Scroll to the top of the page and look to the right where Devon Book Club categories are; click on Discussions and when that page comes up, scroll down again. Writers' Corner is at the bottom with various sub-categories.

Kathy wrote: "Mel wrote: "So where do I have to go to find the writers' corner? she asked, flushing with embarrassment at her stupidity."

Don't be embarrassed, Mel. Goodreads is a strange beast to work round! S..."

What Kathy said haha - or you can just scroll down the home screen

Reading Spiderwebwhich is set in .......... somerset! Not read anything by Penelope Lively for a long time !

Sue wrote: "Reading Spiderwebwhich is set in .......... somerset! Not read anything by Penelope Lively for a long time !"

Don't think I've ever read any of hers.

The Attenbury Emeralds by Jill Paton Walsh. I'm loving it!

Jane wrote: "The Attenbury Emeralds by Jill Paton Walsh. I'm loving it!

"

Not sure why but I've never been drawn to these books. What is it that you like so much about it - perhaps I should give it a go

If you enjoy evocation of period, beautifully written relationships, and intricate plotting then do give it a go. It isn't ever going to be hugely fast paced, but it draws you in and keeps you there. Remembering that Jil Paton Walsh is operating with a set of characters from somebody else's brain and writing in somebody else's era the sheer virtuousity can't be overstated.

Yeah. I like them. A lot.

Jane wrote: "If you enjoy evocation of period, beautifully written relationships, and intricate plotting then do give it a go. It isn't ever going to be hugely fast paced, but it draws you in and keeps you ther..."

You've persuaded me. I like character and relationships - not overly bothered about pacy plots

Lizzie - Barista in training. wrote: ""

Hi Lizzie - are you enjoying this one?

I've been keeping summer in North Devon going by reading this novel by one of our very own local authors - never realised so much went on in our quiet corner of Devon! I've just completed it, so it must now be officially autumn!

About to start A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara - a long 700+ page book, shortlisted for the Booker 2015 and winner of eh Baileys Prize for Women's fiction - really excited about reading this one

Apprentice in Death. Just finished. It was good, but not as good as most of the series

Not read any of hers, must try one sometime

Jane wrote: "Apprentice in Death. Just finished. It was good, but not as good as most of the series "


I've not read either. I need an "R" for this years alphabet challenge so I shall give her a try - what is the best one do you think?

Ian wrote: "Jane wrote: "Apprentice in Death. Just finished. It was good, but not as good as most of the series "


I've not read either. I need an "R" for this years al..."

You could try Brotherhood in Death. I liked that one a lot

Lizzie - Barista in training. wrote: ""

Looks good Lizzie - is she a favourite author?

Jane wrote: "Ian wrote: "Jane wrote: "Apprentice in Death. Just finished. It was good, but not as good as most of the series "


I've not read either. I need an "R" for t..."

Thanks - a trip to the library tomorrow then!

Well I enjoyed the first book in the Faiewick series so I guess you can say that.