Looking ahead

Published on 17 January 2012 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Thanks for last night’s meeting –  I enjoyed exposing all the holes in Betrayal’s plot. We’ll find a more intriguing thriller for next time.

Just to let people know – the next group is on the third Wednesday in February – the 20th – as I’m away in Shropshire with a group of young poets the week before.

Thanks also for the book suggestions – I downloaded The Tiger’s Wife to my Kindle this morning. I can’t believe I just wrote that last sentence. Is this the slippery slope? I doubt it. But I hadn’t realised how clever those Amazon peeps are with their tantalising offers and their one click empty your bank account ways. I need more discipline.

Annabel looks great – hope people managing to find copies OK – seems like there are a lot of those big paperbacks and some hardbacks. Let me know if you have any problems.

Look forward to next month.

Happy New Year

Published on 11 January 2012 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Not too late to wish you that is it?
Hope you all had lots of lovely books for Christmas. I did – plus a Kindle which I celebrated by making a cover for. Haven’t read anything on it yet as waiting for a train ride to occur.
How are you going with Betrayal? Hope you are enjoying it. Not sure how it compares to other Scandinavian thrillers, although in terms of the Dragon Tattoo series, it’s better written and somehow less interesting. It’s all about character isn’t it? I admire the way she details the marriage and its breakdown, and the terrible things that jealousy makes people do – found this quite credible. But there were some holes in the plot that were a bit too big to ignore. Not sure if you agree – maybe we forgive the McGuffin if we are enjoying the read enough.
Look forward to discussing with you next week.

January book

Published on 28 November 2011 in Uncategorized. 2 Comments

Do you fancy any of these?
Mr Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt ( an exploration of depression)
Betrayal by Karin Alvetegen (Scandinavian thriller)
The Three of Us by Julia Blackburn (memoir: this lady is talking on 1st Dec at NCLA more details here)
Let me know any preferences? I would probably go for either of the second two (am really enjoying The Killing and have a pattern for the jumper if anybody wants to knit me one for Christmas – not necessarily THIS Christmas)
see you all soon

Dogged

Published on 22 November 2011 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Hi everybody – seem to have lost my last couple of posts here – so apologies for that. Sometimes wordpress doesn’t like me. Not taking it personally as already having a paranoid month.

Mixed reaction to Maf – I guess I was surprised! But this is a reminder that people are incredibly different in their reading tastes and bring their whole selves to each text. It’s a clear case of people being very different, even when you think you share the same tastes in most things. And it’s what makes book group an interesting experience. But really, what is WRONG with you!! Sorry.

Haven’t started our December book yet, as having a busy month workwise – but not with the required train journeys for long reads! Plus I am reading a Siri Hustvedt book which I can’t put down ..  Might suggest one from this author for next year – but do bring suggestions along or post on the site – would love your input.

Lots of music this month – Billy Bragg and Dweezil Zappa doing a set from his dad’s back catalogue – brilliant, especially when Frank joined in on a big screen. Had a fantasy about which situations I would like to return to in hologram form to take part posthumously. Book group? Anyway am being a dead poet at Colpitt’s Christmas party – come along it’s always good fun.

 

 

Great evening

Published on 6 November 2011 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Really enjoyed the discussion last night and a warm welcome to the new comers. Still thinking about Gothic novels and the difficulties of updating. And wondering why vampires retain their popularity in fiction – what’s that about? Finding a team of weirdos you can belong to? I can relate to that but then I’m a poet (not going to say and a member of bookgroup …). I’m sure there are other deep seated psychological reasons and remember my fascination for the Christopher Lee movies back in the day. But I never got the pseudo-sexual stuff – those teeth are a turn off.
On the other hand, I loved Marlowe’s Dr Faustus and found its inevitable conclusion very moving. The poor doctor being dragged down to hell with salvation just beyond his grasp. No redemption. How hard it is to see beyond the material world, the material face. I speak as one who was beguiled into spending a ludicrous sum on some face cream whilst on holiday in you know where. Well ludicrous for me at least. Same old face Colley even when lathered in goo.

September Regional Author

Published on 22 July 2011 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Hope summer is going well for all you far flung folks. I’m enjoying the torrential rain and a boxed set of The West Wing. Also seriously considering reading China Mieville after our last meet up.
Good news is that Dan Smith one of our Regional Readers for 2011 has agreed to join our September meeting and to discuss his novel Dry Season (published by Orion). This will be our first book of the new season – other choices will be posted up here shortly so keep your eyes peeled.
First meeting will be on Sep 12 at the lovely Leonard’s Cafe – those muffins were amazing, Ashleigh.
Looking forward to seeing you all again – have thoroughly enjoyed our meetings this year, really wonderful – thank you!

Fragrant Vagrants

Published on 14 June 2011 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

Well that was a splendid bookgroup – such an interesting discussion, although it exposed many holes in my grasp of the politics of red China. I thought it brought up so many deep questions (in spite of writer not being Tolstoy) about the individual vs. society, parents and children, poverty, state endorsed violence and in the end, the powerful instinct for survival. That should be enough to take anybody through their week.
A warm welcome to the newcomers and a sad farewell to Katy – we wish her all the very best in her exciting new life.
For our July group, we are all going to recommend a summer read – plus I will see if I can organise a literary type pub quiz so maybe we will have a bit of healthy competition, alongside the cakes ( Ashleigh has agreed to make us some – dribbling already).
Look forward to seeing you all on July 11th.

Tonght!

Published on 9 May 2011 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Hope you are all ready and primed for tonight’s bookgroup. Looking forward to hearing what you all think of the book, especially in the light of recent world affairs (not talking about the wedding actually).
I spent four hours yesterday digging a buried carpet off the allottment I share, so I’m just a tiny bit fragile today. Be gentle with me, book lovers.

Diwan event 30th April

Published on 18 April 2011 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Hannah has asked me to pass on some info about an event in Durham for both writers and readers. The organisation is Diwan and the event includes talks by Pat Barker and Wendy Robertson , readings and workshops.  The cost is £20 for the day or £10 concessions. Gillian Wales is the contact for more info:  gillianwales@googlemail.com

Soeey Hannah couldn’t upload the leaflet.

M J Hyland change

Published on 15 April 2011 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Sorry everybody – the M J Hyland event will now take place on May 3rd at 6.30 pm at the Living Room in Newcastle at the Newcastle NWN bookgroup – but we can go along too.