January 2021 saw our book club members discussing a variety of books they had read over the Christmas break; something from the "Santa Sack".
Pamela - "HOUSE KEEPING". by Marilynne Robinson. 1980.
A lengthy book that took a long time to read. Set in Montana, 2 young girls are left with their grandmother, expecting their mother to return. She never does. Not plot driven. Looks at relationships, personal growth, very much about character development. Narrated by Ruth, one of the orphaned girls it's a sad story. The children are concerned about issues of abandonment, instability and intransience. A dense story that requires deep thought.
Kris - "THE LADY IN THE LAKE". Raymond Chandler.
Philip Marlowe, an experienced PI from LA, is called to solve the disappearance of not 1 but 2 women. Whilst published in 1943, it's very well written and a good read.
Judy A - "THE HAPPIEST MAN ON EARTH". Eddie Jaku.
Eddie, a Jewish and living in Germany in 1939, was arrested, imprisoned in a concentration camp and survived. He overcame incredible hardships and cruelties but tried to focus on positivity and hope. Eddie made a promise to smile every day. In this memoir Eddie, nearly 100, recalls how he dealt with life's struggles and lived to become the happiest man. Eddie still gives talks at the Sydney Jewish Museum.
Pat - "WHAT ALICE FORGOT". Lianne Moriarty.
Alice, on a treadmill in her gym, falls and hits her head. When she recovers consciousness Alice has lost 10 years of her memories. She thinks she's pregnant with her 1st child, happily married and living in a different time. Alice slowly discovers her 'current' life - with 3 children, a separation from her husband and a very different lifestyle. Changing and evolving relationships, societal changes over 10 years and failed hopes and expectations are now Alice's life.
Pru - "THE WIFE AND THE WIDOW". Christian White.
A good title that intrigued Pru immediately. Written in alternate chapters, there are 2 separate stories and one wonders how they are linked. A big surprise is in store. An easy read and very imaginative by an Australian author.
Julia - "FAIR WARNING". Michael Connolly.
Crime, fiction. The main character is Jack McEvoy who becomes a suspect himself in a missing person case. A real life new site that reports on very tough issues is part of the story. Jack uses current detective practices to solve the case.
Bev - "THE SURVIVORS". Jane Harper.
Set in a small, seaside town in Tasmania, a young backpacker is found dead on the beach. At the same time, a previous resident returns after many years to help his mother pack up the family home. Her husband, with increasing bouts of dementia, needs increased care so they must leave. Old wounds and secrets come to the surface. The case of a girl, missing 20 years, is recalled. Suspicions and theories abound.
Wendy - "SOURDOUGH'. Robin Sloan. 2017.
Satire, sci fi, fantasy..... Lois is a computer programmer, gamer, nerd. Living in San Francisco she lives for work, has long hours and a poor diet. She arranges for delivery of soup and sour dough, becomes involved in the process of cooking and joins a 'secret' market that brings technology to food production. A weird and funny story with themes of automation, progress, traditions, high ideals and food snobs.
Judy De La - "THE GIFTS OF READING".
An anthology of essays, including Robert MacFarlane, about books, poetry, reading, sharing, the importance of books.
Rosemary - "COMMONWEALTH". Ann Patchett. 2016.
Family saga, moves forward and backward. A kiss followed by an affair then divorce sees 2 marriages dissolve, then the families blend. Complicated relationships with humour and tragedy. Very entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable.
Claurene - "HOW TO MAKE GRAVY". - Bio of Paul Kelly.
Well known Australian song writer and performer. For one Christmas he was asked to write a book. He chose 100 of his songs and placed them in alphabetical order. Each song has the words on one page and then Paul's thoughts, comments and inspirations written on the facing page.
Connie - THE GIVER OF STARS. Jo Jo Moyes.
A book given to Connie by her granddaughter. 1932 - A well to do English city girl meets American man, falls in love, marries and moves to his farm in Kentucky. Appalachian Mountains the back drop. A huge culture shock, ignored by busy men in the family, staff look after the home - she's bored and unhappy. She meets a group of women from the farming district, very different to her usual friends. They form a book club (access to books so rare and difficult to obtain so treasured). Travel by horse, over hills, through snow to meet. Many in the community very poor so cannot afford to buy books. Women bond deeply, value each other, good friendships form. Very enjoyable.
Charis - "HISTORY TODAY". A magazine.
Such a variety of topics - slavery, politics, economics, Trump and the election etc. Charis is enjoying the variety of subjects presented and finds enthusiasm in many of the articles.
Jo - "THE TENDERNESS OF WOLVES". Stef Penney.
Fiction crime. A 17 year old boy disappears in a forest. Upon investigation there have been a number of children who have d isappeared over time. Someone from Hudson Bay Co. investigates. Book looks at aspects of Indian culture as its revealed a tribe had found a child in the wilderness and helped raise it.
Joan - "BREAKER MORANT". Peter Fitzsimmons.
Historical recount of Boer War and the story of Harry 'Breaker' Morant. Harry was used to life in the bush, hardy and capable. Somewhat of a larrikin. Boer War 1899 - 1902. Harry in Carbineers - tough, rough soldiers. After a revenge patrol he is arrested, tried and along with Hancock executed. The man behind the myth. Last words - "Shoot straight you b....." Accessible history, an honest recount.
Lesley - "BOY SWALLOWS UNIVERSE". Trent Dalton. 2018.
Eli Bell, 12 years old, lives in chaotic circumstances. His mother, whom he loves very much, had a drug addiction, his father is an alcoholic, his brother Gus is an elective mute caused from a near catastrophe in earlier life and Eli's best friend is an ex con. They all live in the western suburbs of Brisbane, very working class, full of struggles and endemic challenges.But Eli is bright, sensitive and wants a better life. He looks to men and asks' "are you a good man?" A series of bizarre situations follow including selling drugs, violence, crime etc. The many themes include first love, poverty, class struggles and the drug underworld. Eli has hope, his coming of age sees him rise but still retain his love for his family. Difficult sections so not an easy read.
Judy J - "H IS FOR HAWK". Helen Macdonald.
The world of Falconry with all its terms, the processes and rituals of owning and training a hawk is the basis for this book. A women, Helen, bereft with inconsolable grief after the death of her father, immerses herself in the world of falconry. Determined to train a goshawk, Helen slowly sees, and gains strength, from the power and determination of the hawk. Depression, grief - not an easy read about a woman's journey.
Lyn - "ANXIOUS PEOPLE". Fredrik Backman.
Full of sliding door moments. A robber fails to finish his crime. Strangers enter the narrative and their brief encounters changes the course. Really about character development rather than plot driven.
Sheila - "THE MUSEUM OF FORGOTTEN MEMORIES". Anstey Harris.
Around 120 years ago, in Victorian England, there was a museum. Now it's dusty and dilapidated. A woman and her son, (her late husband being a descendant of the original owner) move into the museum. They are not really welcomed into the home but the dusty exhibits, beautiful gardens, views etc enchant the women. She wants to restore it and, as this happens secrets are revealed. The house is filled with clever people and hidden secrets. Sheila knew it was going to be a good read from the first page.
