General Chat

Very true Ann, thats why i wanted to join the book club. I found i was sticking to authors i knew and never knew which new ones to try. By doing this in a way the choice is made for you even though you participate and the results can be quite surprising.
Today i picked up the new Book Quarterl magazine. Does anyone else get this?
Cathy

No, don't think i have seen that one cathy.

Ann
Glos

I didn't read either of the books chosen as I could not get them so I read A Thousand splendid suns..... I enjoyed this book but must admit there were a couple of times that I did not. It opens your eyes to how the women are treated in Afghanistan. I would recommend this book but, won't say too much as I notice someone has put it up for a suggested book this time.

2nd book I read was Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and didn't want it to end. It's a true story written by author on her experiences as a midwife in the east end of London in the 50's and they were a lot in the slums of that area,

For those of us to remember the 50's you will enjoy this book. For those of you born much later you will appreciate how lucky you are.
The Midwives going to their patients on their bikes, and how the men of the east end respected them as they cycled down their road.
A truly lovely read.

They do the Books Quarterly Magazine in Waterstones. I think its about £3 but if you have a loyalty card you get it free. I have been getting it for the last couple of issues and its great.
It reviews all the new books coming out , so i then make lists of all the books i want to read..which is ever growing!
Cathy

Masie i have also read Call the Midwife. A fantastic book. I was reading its the first of three books that Jennifer Worth is writing. Her next one is Shadow of The Workhouse so that will be on my agenda.
Cathy

Sorry review a bit short.

Five people you meet in Heaven ..
Loved the start and thought that the charecter of Eddie was well drawn.
Was disappointed when reading about The Phillipines (and coal mining?). As food (or the lack of it) was an issue, surley the prisoners would have been put to work cultivating it.
Then the Ruby part of the story plus death of Eddie's father just didn't ring true at all.
The premise though was quite interesting. Just felt that the aurthor had run out of ideas trying to find the five people.
Will probably not read another book by the same author.

The River .....
I enjoyed reading this book. Did have to keep checking the date and doing my sums as to who would be how old when.
Thought that Isabell was the sort of person who appears to be coping yo the uninformed outside world but was still affected badly by the deaths of her children.

amused by Robert and his family having broad feet and not wearing shoes. I can relate to this. My feet are broad too and I hate to wear shoes. (Maybe I have some as yet undiscovered St Kilda Blood!!!)
I thought that it was a good first Novel by Tricia Wastvedt and will look out for more books written by her.
Perhaps too it would make a good tetevision-movie.

Tess

Right, well I did managed to finish The River today as it was due back at the library and even though I stuck it out to the end, I stand by my earlier comments, I was hoping that I would find it easier to get into the story as it went along, but alas all the jumping around of timelines was annoying. I don't think I would ever read anything by this author again.

Michelle

thanks Michelle. have you changed your name??

Ann
Glos

Sorry, "little miss late" reporting in :))
Was unable to get Five people you meet in Heaven but in the UK soon so will look out for it
The second book did get me confused (easy done) as was forever putting it down to other things and having to restart bits as the time shifts got to me a bit. I also found that some bits just seemed to disappear and not be followed through,such as the parents.
I really think I need to reread, poss on trip back to UK when I can sit and read from start to finish.
Sorry for such a dismal review

xx Jill

nudge for Newday...