Charlotte recommended ‘The secret diary of Hendrik Groen 83 and 1/4.’ This book sounds intriguing- anonymously written fact or fiction, from a Dutch Care home. Said to be a joyous read. Kindle is 4.99 and paperback used copies available cheaply on Amazon market place. What do people think?

I very much enjoyed this novel, much more than I expected. I thought the characters were well drawn - could just picture the ‘new age’ mum in her Glastonbury shop. Alex was an interesting protagonist - especially enjoyed his exploration of his head injury and subsequent seizures. Liked the fact that new themes kept emerging and were developed just enough to keep the book flowing. The final part was quite sad but treated with sensitivity and had obviously been meticulously researched. An author I’ll definitely return to. How did others get on?

I will kick off the discussion of our latest read on 26th. Hope lots of you have read it. If not you’ve got a few days left.

The Universe versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence. This was suggested by Sue H. To be discussed on 26 January. Please can a few more people have a go at reading this one. In that horrible lull after Christmas you’ll have plenty of time. Happy Christmas everybody!

Difficult to know where to start. I haven’t read Dr Glas the novel by Hjalmar Söderberg,

where Gregorius, a pastor, is first portrayed, in terms of repulsion (ageing, fat, ugly, whining, sexually arrogant). This ‘follow up’ novel looks at the world purely from Gregorius’s perspective and naturally he is portrayed as a somewhat more sympathetic character - though Ohlsson only says he set out to make him human.

I liked the idea of the novel, could admire some of the writing, could recognise some of Gregorius’s struggles around love, mortality, and identity, as being things we might all struggle with, but - and there’s a big ‘but’ - I just didn’t enjoy the novel.

I found it tediously slow, dry and repetitive, and am afraid I didn’t want to dwell inside Gregorius’s head for a moment longer than necessary. He never became sufficiently real for me, so I felt no investment in him or the novel and was glad to put it down.

How did others get on? Will be interested to know.

Leo Tolstoy, renowned Russian novelist, short story writer, playwright, essayist, and philosopher. His best known works are the novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina.

Discussion starts 7th December.

If you read a book and want to recommend it to others please add it to this post. I’ll keep this post active so you can find it easily. This post is for general recommendations not for what shall we read together.

Hi Lesley
I’m sorry I never contributed to the Olive Kitteridge discussion. I am still reading and enjoying it but maybe only reading a few pages at night.
I find I’m very much into audio books now. I borrow them free with a digital library app and there’s such a huge choice. I’ve just been able to borrow Olive Kitteridge so maybe there’s a strong chance I’ll finish it 😊
I wonder if we could use Bookclub as a platform for recommending books we’ve read and enjoyed as well as a discussion group.
I’ve just finished listening to 'Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand' by Helen Simonson. Quite lightweight (not chick lit) and hugely enjoyable.

This is Diana’s choice. There are a few copies on Amazon Marketplace for a couple of pounds if you get in quickly (and don’t mind using Amazon).

This novel references back to an earlier work ‘Dr Glas’ by Hjalmar Söderberg. It isn’t necessary to read this but it might make reading Gregorius a richer experience.

We will kick off discussion on 7th December. Hope this is okay with everyone and happy reading.

So few of you are contributing - only one response to my last post - that I am wondering how much real interest there is? Let me know your thoughts. If you do want to continue then how can we liven things up a bit?

Thanks for suggestions made already. Lets have some more ideas. Specially keen to hear from newer members and from those of you who haven’t so far suggestdd a title.

I loved this book and admire the author’s ability to weave together 13 disparate stories into a coherent whole. I could identify with Olive, with her conflicting emotions, her up-front nature, her loneliness. She came across to me as a compelling character, real enough for me to be waiting eagerly for her appearance in each of the stories. I felt Strout did characters so very well. I realise now that I have read Elizabeth Strout before and will certainly do so again. Will shut up now to give others a chance to have their say ...and maybe disagree with me!

We will be discussing our October book (Olive Kitteridge) from next Saturday, 12th, so get your skates on if you haven’t finished it.

Hello Sue, Heather and Rosie. Hope you’ve seen that the next book we are reading is ‘Olive Kitteridge ‘ with discussion starting on 12 Oct. That might give you enough time to get hold of a copy and read it, but if not, then next time.

We have some new members so a warm welcome to you. I hope you will join in and read the next book, ‘Olive Kitteridge ‘ by Elizabeth Strout. I will start the discussion on Saturday, 12th October. I have read good things about this book so hope it leads to an enjoyable read and a lively discussion. I will remind you of discussion date nearer the time.

A warm welcome to new members. Hope as many of you as possible will give this next novel a go. I have seen it recommended a few times so fingers crossed it will be a good read. And even if some of us hate it then the discussion will be more lively. I will kick off discussion on Saturday 12 October and will remind you of that date nearer the time.

The blurb on the back cover....
"I sat down to read the first couple of pages...five hours later, I was still there transfixed"
Borrowed from my local library, had read a paragraph or two, took it home.
Recommended if you like a murder that is not a mystery...!

I have been looking through The Guardian Book Clinic articles that Diana posted the link to. I came across Elizabeth Strout’s name a few times. She is a Pullitzer prize winner. I was reminded that I wanted to read her book ‘Olive Kitteridge’.
Am hoping that I never did get round to reading it rather than I read it and have forgotten it!!

What do people feel about that as our next choice?

Enjoyed this book made a change from my usual crime ones. Liked that it was up to date, a bit soppy at the end but not a bad story

My thoughts: I enjoyed this novel, without necessarily thinking it was great literature. I thought it’s strength was that the male author could get into the minds of his female characters so convincingly. Well he reminded me, at least, what it was to be young, unworldly and unwise. I thought the story was a bit far fetched in places but think he just about got away with it. I read this whilst I was in hospital for a few days and it was perfect easy going reading that was compelling enough to take my mind off things.

The book is You then, me now, by Nick Alexander- hope at least a few of us will have read it.

A new author for me, gets good reviews, so am looking forward to reading this book, suggested by Clare. Discussion will kick off on 25th August. I will remind you of date nearer the time. Hopefully as many members of group as possible will join us in reading this so discussion is lively.

For any new members of the group we try to suggest books that aren’t too long, too expensive, and preferably available in kindle as well as paperback.

We have six weeks to obtain and read the book, checking in online for the discussion at a pre-determined date. Whoever chose the book is encouraged to lead the discussion. I will remind people of titles, discussion dates, and keep things ticking along.

So let’s have some suggestions....

Welcome! When enough of us are in the group I will set out some ideas for how it might work. In the meantime please be thinking of some books you’d like to suggest to the group.