Monday 20 January 2014

A Year in Books :: January

I belong to two very different book clubs. The first dates back quite a few years and when we first used to meet, we all read the same book and then got together in each others homes over some nibbles and a glass of wine to chat about the book. Gradually as the nibbles and wine grew into three course meals and several glasses the books and the discussions diminished. We no longer all read the same books but instead meet to eat and chat and we bring along books to swap... which suits us all just fine.
 
 
But I found I missed the discussions so a couple of years ago I joined another club. We meet every month at the local pub and have a different book each month, suggested by different members. The books vary enormously and we have fiction, biography, non-fiction, light reads and heavy going stuff. I don't always enjoy every book and I don't always get through every book but I do enjoy the discussion. I also like that it makes me read things I might not have otherwise considered and sometimes I am pleasantly surprised. We've just met to discuss January's book "Significant Sisters". It documents the lives of eight women who played a significant part in the feminist movement which I felt could have been really fascinating yet Margaret Forster made it deadly dull!

 
But despite reading regularly, I still have piles of books all over the house as well as dozens on my Kindle that I just don't get around to reading. So when I heard about Laura's New Year intention (so much better that a resolution) over on Circle of Pine Trees, to read a book each month and document it on her blog as a Year in Books I thought I would join in. And what is lovely about this is that you can follow the links on her post to everyone else who is joining in... which means if every you are short of ideas of what to read there will be plenty of inspiration.

 
Before Christmas Gill passed these two Peter May books onto me. I don't usually pick crime thrillers but these were so good that I read them both in quick succession. They are set on the Isle of Lewis and are incredibly atmospheric - they made me want to visit the Hebrides!

 
So for January I am going to read the third book in the Lewis trilogy The Chess Men... and when I come back in February to tell you what I'm reading then I'll let you know if it was as good as the other two!

13 comments:

  1. I have those Peter May books on my kindle app (think they were free or at least v cheap) but I haven't read them yet. Reading your review has made me think that I should - can someone make a few more hours in the day please?!

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  2. That Peter May trilogy was so gripping, especially the first one.

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  3. I love the first two books. I am waiting for the third to be available as audio book because the narrator is so brilliant. Looking forward to your review. Christina

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  4. I hadn't heard of the Peter May books before but I'll look into them now. My books for January are The Universe versus Alex Woods and The Book Thief - both read on my new kindle and both very good.

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  5. What is it about book groups that start out with good discussion and a little snack and turn to full blown dinners and not much substance? The same thing happened to our group -- I'm now group-less LOL. You have a great looking stack of books there, although the picture haunts me. I started Possession and never finished it -- must get back to it! Thanks for the Peter May recommendations!

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  6. Oh - I didn't realise bookclubs met in Pubs! I may have to join one! My friend is in a club and lent me 'The Last Runaway' which I see in your picture. I enjoyed all the history and the quilting references in it. Happy New Year! xCathy

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  7. I hope all this reading doesn't mean that you will have less textiles to show us ! : )

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  8. I am planning to read the Peter May books so I am grateful for your opinion on them. What did you think of The Last Runaway? I was incredibly disappointed in it - felt that it was lacking in something.

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  9. I have not heard of the Peter May books either, but I shall buy thoem on my kindle today. I might think about joining this group as well. Cheers

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  10. I have not heard of the Peter May books either, but I shall buy thoem on my kindle today. I might think about joining this group as well. Cheers

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  11. I can't imagine how you have time in your busy life to read Gina!

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  12. I love reading, and I've drifted away from it this past year when I started picking up cheap movies instead ... l.a.z.y. So for Christmas I asked for some new books, and my daughter delivered with about 6. I was so happy, and have started back into reading again. I'll definitely check out the reading link you've added ... a new book with a good review is great inspiration. Enjoy your next trilogy! Wendy x

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  13. Glad you liked the Peter May books, I borrowed the third book from the library and finished it very quickly, I loved it!

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