Deborah Moggach fever!

Builth Wells Reading Group with Deborah Moggach April 2015

Yes, that's right we had a talk from THE Deborah Moggach, and what a fascinating talk it was too.  I'm not going to try and write up everything we talked about verbatim - as we know my note taking isn't that good - but also I couldn't capture just how wonderful the evening was.  So instead I'll give you a flavour of the things discussed and send you on your merry way to read some of Deborah's novels! 

We started off by talking about Tulip Fever - seventeenth-century Amsterdam is a city in the grip of tulip mania, basking in the wealth it has generated. Sophia’s husband Cornelis, an ageing merchant, is among those grown rich from this exotic new flower. To celebrate, he commissions a talented young artist to paint him with his young bride. But as the portrait grows, so does the passion between Sophia and the painter; and as ambitions, desires and dreams breed an intricate deception, their reckless gamble propels their lives towards a thrilling and tragic conclusion.  [From Deborah Moggach website]

Deborah went on to describe how the book came about and her real passion to tell the story.  It has also been made into a film which is due for release later this year so watch this space...meanwhile read the book :)

We were then treated to a bit of back story around Deborah's newest book 'Something to hide' which is due July this year, how the idea for the book came from different sources pieced together over several years to create a story which crosses continents. 

We also had a lengthy q & a session where we picked her brain clean about information about the characters in the books, how different the 'The best exotic marigold hotel' film is to the book and the differences between the book world and the film/tv world.  So many questions that I didn't manage to capture them all but you can take my word for it that it was a fascinating talk and I'll never look at Barry Norman the same way again.

If you want to know more check out Deborah website or even better check out one of her books (oh yes the puns are back) from the library.

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

This blog post comes to you from Jan Munday (because yes I missed yet another meeting):

This book has been in various bestseller lists for some time and several of us had looked forward to reading it and seeing what the hype was about.

It turned out to be intriguing on many levels, although not everyone liked it. Some thought it a bit slow and annoying in parts.

We were all impressed by the historical research behind this novel by a first time author, which made you feel as if you actually on the streets of old Amsterdam of the 1680s, walking along the canal-side. The evocation of the smells was particularly vivid!

This book is a page turner and we found it kept our attention throughout.

Some of us found the first part of the book quite “dark”, with a feeling of magic in the air or of something mystical happening. This effect was thought to lessen somewhat later in the book.

Those not enamoured of the book were not convinced of the relevance of the miniaturist character and thought there was enough in the story without that person and the miniature house. However, others felt differently. It was considered the central theme around which the rest was built, that the house and its dolls reflected real people and their lives and secrets, produced via the surreptitious study of everyone by the miniaturist. The house could be a comfort to Nella, the central character, a country born, naïve girl, who is lonely and lacking in confidence, but she also seems to hate or fear the house. She seems to mature quite quickly under the desperate situations she finds herself in, and we thought this might be because she feels the figures have encouraged her to take more control of her life.

We could see how restricted women were in this society, not allowed to run businesses or even visit their husband’s place of work without his permission. The feminist hackles rose all round about this!! Interestingly, another central character, Marin, Nella’s sister in law, was unmarried by choice (not deemed at all suitable in this city at this time) and appears a very strong woman with the household under her eagle eye. However, we spotted a hidden sensual side to her with her fur lined bodices and sugared walnuts. Yet another secret!

We all felt the claustrophobic feeling due to strict Lutheran / Calvinist societal restrictions came over very well, as does the hypocrisy displayed by the wealthy merchants with their jewellery, fine clothes and feasting. Even the priest was not averse to being bought off to provide a burial place for Marin when she dies in childbirth. Money is dominant here, and in the God versus guilder contest, the guilder wins every time.

The trial and execution of Nella’s husband Johannes is described in graphic detail and the feeling of horrible despair made it seem as if we were there watching and we thought there was likely an element of revenge and / or jealousy involved, with an old rival of his being the accuser and lying witness to what was considered to be a disgusting act.

Although two people didn't like this book, most of us were glad to have read it and enjoyed it. It threw up lots of interesting comments and opinions.

Who are you again?

Last post was 17th November huh?  Well I didn't think it had been that long but the internet never lies!

Since then we've had two meetings and managed a book list for the start of the year...which seems slightly redundant now but hey you might want to go back to them.
In December we had our Christmas do and a fascinating talk from Rev.Neil Hook on science fiction and were tasked with reading H.G. Wells War of the Worlds and The Time Machine.  We talked about these at our last meeting on February 4th...that's the royal we as not only do I completely forget to write blog posts I forget to attend meetings too!

Anyhoo, the book we will be discussing at our next meeting, Wednesday 4th March,  is Jessie Burton  "The Miniaturist."

We've also been asked to have a think about how the group is run as we're bursting with capacity at the moment with over 18 members (quite possibly the largest book group in the world...see above comment about the internet never lying) and we even have a waiting list...whodda thunk it!?  So if you have any fancy ideas on how we can manage the group better so we can get the range of views and opinions let me know in the comments below. Who knows I might even reply ;-)
 

Most influential authors/books/poems/plays...

For last Wednesdays' meeting we each were to bring a list of 5 books or a combination of books and significant authors which we feel have importance; could be ones you come back to repeatedly or stand out for you for any reason. It could be anything fiction, non - fiction, poetry, children's books, anything at all!

I tried to keep up as much as possible, and have missed most authors, but its better than nothing.  So in no particular order:

• Maus
• Persopolis
• The three musketeers
• Once in future king (which is on radio 4 right now)
• The left hand of darkness
• Famous five
• If by Rudyard kipling (poem)
• The kite runner
• The sense of an ending
• 50 shades of grey
• Ricky ticky tavi by Rudyard Kipling
• The railway man
• Wild swans
• Touching the void
• Scotts last expedition
• Tender is the night
• Jude the obscure
• Jane Eyre
• Emily Dickinson collected poems
• Taking off Emily Dickinson clothes
• The personal history of Rachel Dupree
• The promise
• The golden fleece
• Black beauty
• Arthur C. Clarke
• The taxidermist daughter
• The fire people
• One day
• Not without my daughter
• Alice in wonderland/through the looking glass
• The book of nonsense
• Children's garden of verse
• Penguin poets book 10 - Liverpool poets
• Cosmos
• Issac asimov
• Sons and lovers /Kangaroo
• Anna Kerririna
• Middlemarch
• Tam o Shanter by Rabbie Burns
• Misery
• The lady in the van
• Border country
• Stones in his pocket - Murray Jones (play)
• Janet and John/ Spot the dog
• Agatha Christie
• Wuthering Heights
• Merchants of Venice
• In pale battalion - Robert goddard
• Mad dogs and Englishmen
• Til death us do part
• Cry of the curfew Kathy farmer
• Delia Smith complete cookery course
• Harry potter (series)
• My sisters keeper

Quite a list, eh? I've had to try and keep the rest of the blog post short to fit it all in!  If you have read any of these and want to add your thoughts pop them in the comments below.

Our last meeting of the year will be held on Wednesday 3rd December at 7pm in Builth Wells Library. As its December we will have some party nibbles and be talking about our favourite books of the year as well as a talk about science fiction by our very own Rev. Neil Hook.  If you haven't been before this is a great meeting to start with and get to know all our friendly faces.

Hope to see you there...hands off the mince pies though, theyre mine!

Sorry, no joke here

The title is my way of apologising for not updating the blog since July.  I have a list of excuses but the main one being I was off having a baby...good excuse I reckon!

Anyway back to why we are here.  I've unfortunately missed the past two meetings but can tell you that 12 Years a Slave had a luke warm reception and generally the group thought it was ok but were surprised by the hype around both the book and the film.  I'd love to hear from anyone as to wether the book or the film was better. Both the book and DVD are available fromn the library and you can also download the ebook version from the Wales ebook service for free here.

The second book discussed was The Catcher in the Rye which was a re-read for some group members.  This was our choice of a classic for this year and the views quite polarised between those who liked the book and those who did not. It's always worthwhile to have something we don't all agree on, makes it a more interesting and lively session.

A big welcome to Ann - Marie who has joined the group. *waves

After discussion, we decided to reschedule November's meeting from the 5th to the 12th, due to it being Bonfire Night, with all the commitments people will have towards children and care of animals.

To recap what is intended for that meeting:

 

Each to bring a list of 5 books or a combination of books and significant authors which you feel have importance for you; could be ones you come back to repeatedly or stand out for you for any reason (if there is one particular book or author you really dislike, do include!).

Fiction, non - fiction, poetry, children's books -------any genre you like.

Everyone will be asked to briefly describe the item and give reasons for the choice; we want to make sure everyone has opportunity to contribute at least one from their list.

It might be as well to bring paper and pen; someone else's title or author might spark your interest!

 

Until next time, happy reading :)

Library Service Consultation 2014 : A Sustainable Library Service for Powys

The library service is undergoing a review of its branch services and would like you to review and comment on its proposals. If you click on the link below (or visit the Powys County Council website) it will take you to the page where you will find the main proposals for consideration - you have a chance to comment on those proposals and even make further suggestions on how you feel the library services should become.

Library Service Consultation 2014

The Somme Stations by Andrew Martin

At our last meeting we discussed The Somme Stations by Andrew Martin, we also welcomed our newest member to the group David (*waves enthusiastically).  As it was quite a sombre subject I decided not to do my usual "comedy" pun but fear not they will be back worse better than ever soon.

On the first day of the Somme enlisted railwayman Jim Stringer lies trapped in a shell hole, smoking cigarette after cigarette under the bullets and the blazing sun. He calculates his chances of survival - even before they departed for France, a member of Jim's unit had been found dead.

During the stand-off that follows, Jim and his comrades must operate by night the vitally important trains carrying munitions to the Front, through a ghostly landscape of shattered trees where high explosive and shrapnel shells rain down. Close co-operation and trust are vital. Yet proof piles up of an enemy within, and as a ferocious military policeman pursues his investigation into the original killing, the finger of accusation begins to point towards Jim himself . . .[From Amazon UK]

Although seventh in a series this book reads very well as a stand alone story however the group felt that reading previous titles in the series would have helped give some detail and depth to the main character.  This was a problem throughout in that although the majority of the group enjoyed the story we felt overall it was lacking in terms of depth of the characters and any great detail.  We also found the ending and tying up of the mystery to be very hurried.

Where this book really stands out is the description of the war, the battle, the railways in fact anywhere where the author has based the story on fact and used information from historical documents.  That's not to say it wasn't a good book it just needed a lot more detail and to be double the size it was for their to be any substance.

There is a fantastic podcast from the Faber and Faber (the publisher) website available here which includes an interview with the author, well worth a listen!

We also had a lengthy discussion about the War(s) including a discussion about how Germany marks the dates, thank you to Jan for pointing out this article from the BBC Website.  Of course if you want to know more Builth library has a great deal of resources both in print and online, check them out.

And so from a quite serious read to a very summery read, just in time for everyone's holibobs, next month we will be discussing A Cottage by the Sea by Carole Mathews...

Grace has been best friends with Ella and Flick forever. The late-night chats, shared heartaches and good times have created a bond that has stood the test of time.  When Ella invites them to stay for a week in her cottage in South Wales, Grace jumps at the chance to see her old friends. She also hopes that the change of scenery will help her reconnect with her distant husband.  Then Flick arrives; loveable, bubbly, incorrigible Flick, accompanied by the handsome and charming Noah. 
This is going to be one week which will change all their lives forever...

Now fair warning the library catalogue may be down for a bit as the library swaps over to a new computer system but there are plenty of copies available.  Best bet is to pop your head in and ask Sue/Jenny for some help tracking one down.

See you next time, 7pm Wednesday 6th August, Builth Wells Library, High St, Builth Wells :)