We concluded another very successful and enjoyable year of our Third Thursday Book Club with a chance for everyone to share their thoughts on the "Best Book" they had read this year.
JULIA ~ THE LAST CAMEL DIED AT NOON by ELIZABETH PETERS This is the 3rd book in this series of murder mysteries set in Egypt in the 18th century. Amelia Peabody is the main character, but the books also feature her amazing husband and their children. There are about 20 books in this easy to read series.
BEV ~ THE CROCODILE ON THE SANDBANK from the same series. She also has read several other titles, enjoying them all. Amelia Peabody was a spinster, who after inheriting money travels to Egypt, to indulge her passion for Egyptology. Not only does she meet her future husband but becomes involved in a murder. Great fun to read said Bev.
JUDY 3 ~ ALL THE LIGHT YOU CANNOT SEE by ANTHONY DOERR Described as beautifully written book, it tells the story of 2 children during WW2. One is a young German boy, Werner, who is selected to join the Hitler Youth as he has a penchant for, and an uncanny expertise with radio. The other is a young bling girl who father works at The Museum of Natural History. Eventually their paths converge in St Marlo when the Germans invade Paris. Thoroughly recommended by Judy.
PRU ~ LAST WORDS by MICHAEL KORY This author writes crime/suspense stories with a supernatural twist. While Pru recommends his books, she thought this title was disappointing.
TAM ~ DI MORRISSEY is one of Tam’s favourite authors. She likes the fact that her books are set in an Australian location and follow a well-tried formula. They usually involve an environmentalist, a journalist, a romantic interest and a bad guy trying to destroy the environment. Always a good holiday read.
PAULINE ~ THE ESSEX SERPENT by SARAH PERRY Published in Aug 2016, this historical novel is set in Victorian London and an Essex village in the 1890s. Two very different people fall in love despite their opposing opinion about the rumours of the possible return of the Essex Serpent from the marshes. Pauline loved the beautiful language, descriptions of the countryside and thought it had a slightly Gothic feel to it. She really enjoyed it.
CONNIE ~ THE WATERS OF ETERNAL YOUTH by DONNA LEON Having been introduced to the Inspector Brunetti books by another Book Club member, Connie has now read the whole series and eagerly awaited this most recent published title. She loves the books because of the descriptions of the city of Venice, their way of life in the city, their food, the family and seeing how things grow and change through the years. She has also bought a recipe book featuring many of the dishes described in the stories and referencing them to the featured book.
DIANN ~ A TOWN LIKE ALICE by NEVILLE SHUTE The book is based on the true story of a group of women who were forced to march through the jungles on an island in Malaya. Diann described it as a ‘gem of a read’ and relates to the good values expressed and intertwined with a tale of love.
JUDY J ~ THE ICE CREAM MAKERS by ERNEST VAN DER KWAST Translated form the Dutch, it tells the story of 4 generations of ice cream makers who live in the mountains of Italy. They spend each summer in Rotterdam selling ice creams and creating new flavours. It describes the fate of 2 bothers whose lives take very different course, one slaves all day over an ice cream machine while the other travels the world as a poet. An interesting twist brings them together but under unexpected circumstances. Many good moments in the story.
SHEILA ~ IN TOO DEEP by JAYNE ANN KRENTZ This story, one from the Arcane Society series, is described by Sheila as an easy, good fun, holiday read. Set 400 years ago, the people have paranormal powers and use these to protect others like them against people who want to lock them up. The books are well written and interesting because they are different.
CHARIS ~ THE MAP THAT CHANGED THE WORLD by SIMON WINCHESTER This book tells the story of William Smith, who in 1793, found that by tracing the placement of fossils uncovered during his diggings, he could map the layers and the underside of the London and its surrounds. An amazing and fascinating story.
JOAN ~ ROBIN DE CRESPIGNY’S poignant letter to a long-dead family member. It recalls a birthday cake, a significant friendship and a betrayal. This story was originally written for a Women of Letters event at the Ubud Writers Festival.
JUDY 4 ~ MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON by ELIZABETH STROUT Exquisitely written, melancholy language, painfully sad, this short book was thoroughly recommended by Judy. It’s a story about the emotional complexity of family life and the inescapable power of the past. Lucy wakes up in a hospital to find her estranged mother by her side!
LESLEY ~ THE LIGHT BETWEEN THE OCEANS by M L STEDMAN Tom returns as a hero from the horrors of WW1, but due to his emotionally damaged state, takes on a Lighthouse Keeper’s position for the much needed peace and quiet. He meets and marries Isabel and begins a wonderful life on the island. After she suffers several miscarriages, a boat washes up with a baby inside. Despite Tom’s misgivings, they keep the baby. But after subsequent trips to the mainland they face the moral conundrum and consequences for their decision. Lesley enjoyed the story. The film based on the book has recently been released.
WENDY ~ THE GOOD PEOPLE by HANNAH KENT This is the author’s 2nd book and set in Ireland in 1825. The ‘good people’ are the fairies and are the only explanation the people have to explain tragedies and accidents that befall them. They have no education or contact with the outside world. Wendy loved the book, and commented that the writing made you feel like you were there; the setting, the environment and the characters were so well described.
ROSEMARY also enjoyed the book but didn’t feel as though it reach the heights of the author’s first book, Burial Rites. Her current book is also based on a true event.
KRIS ~ MY BRILLIANT FRIEND by ELENA FERRANTE This is the first book in the series about 2 young girls, Elena and Lila who grew up in Naples in the 1960s. The culture and the neighbourhood were violent and education not encouraged. But Elena goes on to pursue her studies while Lila follows the norm and marries at a very young age. The book follows their friendship through the early years of their lives. They are separated for long periods but are co-dependent on each other. Kris loved the series.
LAURA - JUMPING THE
QUEUE by Mary Wesley.
Matilda, recently widowed and not close to her adult
children, decides to clean up house, pack a picnic and commit suicide.
Unfortunately an obnoxious teen arrives at her picnic and spoils the scene.
Then she sees a man about to jump off a bridge. Matilda talks him out of
jumping, takes him home and a new phase of life starts. The story is told with
humour even as tragedy is revealed. A good, character driven story.
PAT - Audio -
Marriages of Opposites by Alice Hoffman.
Set on the idyllic island of St Thomas, during the 1700's,
the story is about a young, educated woman - unusual for the time - who is
forced into marrying a widower with 3 children. All to save her father's
business. When the husband dies 10 years later, his nephew takes over the
business. There is no place for Women's rights. Eventually the female heroine
has a scandalous affair with the nephew and finally marries him, producing many
children. One is the famous painter Camille Pissarro. This book is a good read
about relationships and women's rights.
ANNE - Kingdom of
Strangers by Zoe Ferraris.
19 bodies are found in the desert, all arranged in a
particular way that send a hidden message. There is a serial killer out there. Set in Saudi
Arabia, this book is about the harsh world of immigrant workers and the secrets
hidden behind the veils of the country. A good story.
THE DRY - JANE
HARPER.
A murder/mystery set in a fictious Victorian town. Federal
police officers attend a murder/suicide - and the detective realises the victim
was a friend 20 years previously - and they shared a secret. Returning to the small town opened up old wounds for
the detective. An interesting story with a twist.
JO - FAMOUS FIVE -
Enid Blyton.
Jo loves reading all the books in the series, she grew up
with them and they are close to her heart.
DENISE - Mary, called
Magdalene by Margaret George.
The book is about the travels of Mary Magdalene as she grows
into adulthood. She was a single woman amongst men, the disciples, and so the
Catholic Church labelled her a prostitute. Mary was not stoned, but she was
vilified by the townspeople. The book is very moving, poignant and simply
beautiful.
VAL - A SPY AMONG
FRIENDS; Kim Philby and The Great
Betrayal. Ben MacIntyre.
Kim Philby came from a
privileged background, wealthy, educated, good connections. He was charming,
intelligent, married, loved socialising and liked to drink. But he fooled
everyone as he was a spy - giving information to the KGB. Philby rose to become
head of British counter intelligence during the Cold War. He was best friends
with Nick Elliott, and he along with many others in MI5 unwittingly provided
vital information that Philby fed to Russia. Eventually, as the net closed on
him he confessed and fled to Russia. So many colleagues and friends were
shocked, confused and horrified over his actions, not only for what he did but
how they were all so fooled by him
