Bexley Book Buzz discussion

I'm currently reading "The End of the World Running Club" by Adrian J. Walker.

It's a post-apocalyptic tale - an asteroid has hit the Earth, causing widespread devastation to the UK in particular and the northern hemisphere generally. The book focuses on one man - Edgar Hill - and his struggle to survive against the odds. Edgar has been separated from his family and must travel from his home in Edinburgh to Falmouth to try to find them and secure a place on one of the ships sailing south away from Europe with survivors. The roads are too clogged with abandoned vehicles and debris to drive, so Edgar (unfit and overweight though he is) is forced to run the whole 500+ miles to try to reach his destination before the ships set sail.

Its plausible description of the almost instantaneous end of "society" and "civilization" is horrifying. It's easy to relate to Edgar's plight - he isn't your typical hero figure - he is very human ; selfish, lazy and bad tempered. There's also lots of dark humour in the book to help lighten the mood.

Although it isn't your typical heart-warming Christmassy tale, I'm enjoying this book very much - despite the subject matter, the book is full of love and hope and reminds us that it shouldn't take the end of the world as we know it for us to realize what truly matters.

The End of the World Running Club

What are you reading at the moment? Tell us what you think of it.

I'm reading We were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates. It's about an American family - father, mother, three sons and one daughter - who seem to have it all. The oldest son excels at football, the middle son is precociously intelligent, the daughter is pretty and popular, the youngest son is the darling baby and the parents adore them all. Their chaotic lifestyle - on a farm with horses, cats and dogs - is full of humour and love. That is until Marianne, the daughter, is attacked while at her prom - and everything falls apart, spiraling rapidly out of control.

I'm loving this book. It's heart-warming and funny but also deeply disturbing. It's the first book I've read by Joyce Carol Oates but I'll definitely be reading more.

We Were the Mulvaneys

I'm reading Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz and really enjoying it. At its heart its a typical 1950's style crime novel, very Agatha Christie-ish but surrounding this story is the effect that it has on the editor of the publishing company of the author and how she eventually takes on a real life mystery concerning the author himself.
I am so engrossed in this book and can't wait for the denouement which will bo doubt come at the end!

I think there must be something about the Christmas period that makes me want to read something dark and brooding - I've just finished my second dystopian, end-of-the world style novel - this time it was "Seveneves" by Neal Stephenson.

The moon has been struck by an unknown force, splitting it into seven chunks which will affect the Earth so much it will be an extinction-level event for all life on the planet. The first part of the novel focuses on the attempt to use the International Space Station as a life raft for humanity, while the second part looks at how the Earth has fared 5,000 years on from the catastrophe.

Although there was too much scientific detail in the novel for me (I skim read parts where it got too tedious) I persevered to the end. There are lots of interesting ideas to mull over - I still find myself thinking about some of these now, over a week after finishing the novel.

Maybe something lighter for my next read though! ChickLit perhaps?

I'm most of the way through Sojourn: The Legend of Drizzt, Book III by R.A. Salvatore.

Drizzt is an iconic name in the Forgotten Realms setting, and this trilogy covers everything you've ever wondered about this character, his origin, and his journey to become the heroic drow elf we know today. Amazing battle scenes, character development, and insight into this massive and detailed fantasy setting.

I think the first book in the trilogy is the strongest, but am still getting a lot out of Sojourn

I'm reading Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien. It was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2016 although it didn't win. I've only just started but it focuses on a Chinese girl and her mother who live in Vancouver, and there seems to be some untold family history that we will no doubt discover more about.

I chose the book because I find fiction can be a great way of learning about history or culture, and apparently a lot of this is set during the Cultural Revolution under Mao Zedong. I'm hoping it will be as good as Wild Swans by Jung Chang.

I just read the blurb on this and it sounds really powerful. It's no doubt full of interesting cultural and historic details too - let us know how you get on with it :)

I'm reading "Prophecy" by S.J.Parris. This book has been chosen as the title for this year's Cityread London (an initiative delivered in libraries where we all share our experiences of reading the same book with a series of events throughout April).

It is an Elizabethan whodunnit set in London and would appeal to anybody who reads C.J.Sansom. This novel is the second in a series and I am really looking forward to reading my way through the sequels..

I'm reading Coming Up For Air by Orwell. I'm about 3/4 of the way through. Not the best of his I've read but still good. The opening reminds me quite a bit of Laurie Lee's autobiographies.

I'm on the third volume of Alan Johnson's autobiography, which deals with time as General Secretary of the Communication Workers' Union and his move into politics.

I have enjoyed all three books. He writes well, has lead an interesting life and seems honest. Being reminded of what it was like to grow up in the 50s and 60s was also interesting, as he's not much older than I am

I've just finished reading "Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend", which is about a young Swedish bookshop assistant who travels to small town America to visit her pen pal Amy, who is an elderly American lady. Unfortunately, when she arrives she finds that Amy has died and she is just in time for her funeral.

The book is about how the townspeople take Sara under their wing and about how they change each other, through sharing books. It was a nice uncomplicated read - perfect for a cozy evening in front of the fire!

It was one of the Richard and Judy titles in 2016 as well.

Steve wrote: "I just read the blurb on this and it sounds really powerful. It's no doubt full of interesting cultural and historic details too - let us know how you get on with it :)"

I finished it a few days ago, It was quite the epic family saga (three generations) and I learnt a lot, primarily about how horrible the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution were on an individual level.

I have started to read City of Endless Night by Milo Hastings. I picked it up based on it being a dystopia, which I am rather partial to. Although I realised when I started reading that it was written in 1920!

So far so good, it's set in 2041 (so not long to go now) in Berlin, which has become an entirely roofed-in city of sixty levels, sheltering 300,000,000 humans. The protagonist manages to accidentally infiltrate the city so we are following it from his point of view as he learns what life is like for the citizens.

Ed wrote: "I'm reading Coming Up For Air by Orwell. I'm about 3/4 of the way through. Not the best of his I've read but still good. The opening reminds me quite a bit of Laurie Lee's autobiographies."

I've loved everything I've read by Orwell but I haven't read this yet. Must add it to my list. I didn't like Laurie Lee's Cider With Rosie at all - so it will be interesting to see if I enjoy Coming Up For Air.

I'm about 100 pages into The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. It's been on my "to-read" list so I treated myself to the cost of a reservation fee.. :)

I am enjoying it so far. It begins with Cora, a young girl who is a slave on a Georgia cotton plantation, and her escape with a literal underground railroad. Interested to see where it will take us. I believe it is supposed to contextualize the history of American racism and the continuity between slavery and present day issues.

I think that Cider With Rosie is the weakest of the trilogy, I loved As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning and Moment of War.

I`ve just started reading The Silk Roads:a new history of the world, y Peter Frankopan...
It's a Christmas gift book, and one to 'dip into' rather than plough through in one go, but it does make you realize that there's more to the world than just the Western World...
And that there's a lot of history!

Sharon wrote: "Ed wrote: "I'm reading Coming Up For Air by Orwell. I'm about 3/4 of the way through. Not the best of his I've read but still good. The opening reminds me quite a bit of Laurie Lee's autobiographie..."

Sharon wrote: "Ed wrote: "I'm reading Coming Up For Air by Orwell. I'm about 3/4 of the way through. Not the best of his I've read but still good. The opening reminds me quite a bit of Laurie Lee's autobiographie..."

Yes, I must try reading something by George Orwell again...Any suggestions?

1984, Animal Farm or Coming Up For Air are all good.

I've just read the Daphne Du Maurier short story 'The Birds'. Not at all like I expected. If you've never read it - or only seen the film - give it a try and see what you think.

I'm reading Private Citizens by Tony Tulathimutte. It's his debut novel. It is about four millennials. Two boys, two girls who all graduated from Stanford. At the moment it seems to be a case of looking at how shambolic their lives are in their respective ways.

I like the writing but I think it largely appeals because I too, am a Millennial!

Ed wrote: "1984, Animal Farm or Coming Up For Air are all good."

Thanks, Ed ~ I'll add try 'Coming up for air' some time.

Determined to finish reading all the Man Booker Prize winners, I'm currently reading G by John Berger. It's interesting in terms of the historical themes it covers but it's leaving me cold. The characters are pretty wooden and not particularly likeable. I need to feel empathy for a character to really be able to enjoy a book. I can see why this won the Booker but it's not a good read for me.

Next up is Midnight's Children which I gave up on years ago. I can't give up this time if I want to complete my challenge (I don't usually continue with a book if I'm not enjoying it, though - life's too short...)

I'm reading Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett, an unusual book where two children team up to solve a puzzle about a stolen painting. Can they beat the FBI? Set against the background of a classroom project, the story encourages thought about Art while including a mystery. Aimed at children, it reminds me of another book about a mystery painting - Michael Frayn Headlong - has someone found a missing Bruegel masterpiece?

Now that I've finished the Dark Elf Trilogy, I'm moving onto the Icewind Dale Trilogy with The Crystal Shard by R.A. Salvatore.

This has been enjoyable but doesn't feel very original so far. It feels like it lacks the character depth of the Dark Elf Trilogy and the battles have been so easily won, that there's little tension or risk of the good guys not winning. lets hope it gets a bit deeper as the story goes on!

Claire wrote: "I'm reading Private Citizens by Tony Tulathimutte. It's his debut novel. It is about four millennials. Two boys, two girls who all graduated from Stanford. At the m..."

This one looks pretty interesting Claire - have you finished it yet?

Steve wrote: "Claire wrote: "I'm reading Private Citizens by Tony Tulathimutte. It's his debut novel. It is about four millennials. Two boys, two girls who all graduated from Sta..."

I finished it. I did enjoy it, quite different from what I read. It was very character driven and not plot driven, but it brought up a lot of things to think about; technology, racism, disability. I can tell the author is extremely intelligent but it wasn't a patronizing read despite that!

I'm currently about half way through Days Without End by Sebastian Barry. The book is written from the point of view of Thomas McNulty, starting with him arriving in America from Ireland as a young boy. It details his life with John Cole, from the 1850s onwards where they serve in the US Army against the Native Americans and then enlist during the civil war.

The novel is beautiful - it has been like reading poetry, and the author invokes American landscapes like no one else I've ever read. Has had me immediately search for the authors other novels.

I’m reading Bill Bryson’s latest – the Road to Little Dribbling, another of his rambling tours around this ‘small island’…

It’s still funny, thoughtful and whimsical…But, as people have said before, old Bill is getting a bit grumpy and curmudgeonly… (Trouble is, so am I, so – maybe not as light & cheery as his earlier books – it’s still good!)

I'm reading "Instructions for a heatwave" by Maggie O'Farrell. It's a family story set in London during the long hot summer of 1976. It's very evocative of the era and reminds me of my childhood.

I remember the heatwave of 1976 clearly - I had just left primary school and was about to embark on the adventure of secondary school and spent the summer "hanging out" in the local park (mainly to get out from under my mother's feet - she was heavily pregnant, not coping well with the heat and very grumpy!!)

Rather 'out of season' but I am catching up with Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. After seeing a local amateur production, I wanted to compare it with the actual text which I had never actually read.
I can now see why people say it is their favourite Dickens' story - his glorious descriptions of Christmas in Victorian times; how the poor celebrate as cheerfully as the rich; as well as Scrooge becoming a new man - all these contribute to a real 'feel good' inspirational story.

I'm reading The Good Immigrant edited by Nikesh Shukla. It is a book of essays/short stories by various individuals - some are writers, at least one is an actor, another a comedian. It looks at their experiences or take on being considered an "immigrant" or other in Britain. It's an excellent, thought provoking read so far.

Replying to my own message to say that I'm really enjoying Midnight's Children this time round!

Caroline wrote: "I'm reading "Instructions for a heatwave" by Maggie O'Farrell. It's a family story set in London during the long hot summer of 1976. It's very evocative of the era and reminds me of my childhood.
..."

I love everything written by Maggie O'Farrell, including this one (although I wish it had been three times as long). From what I remember it includes mention of Clissold Park in Stoke Newington which is where my sisters and I spent a lot of our summers, including during the 1976 heatwave. It was in walking distance from where we lived. Have you read The Hand That First Held Mine or After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell? Two of the books on my Top Ten - both will make you cry, though.

Sharon wrote: "Caroline wrote: "I'm reading "Instructions for a heatwave" by Maggie O'Farrell. It's a family story set in London during the long hot summer of 1976. It's very evocative of the era and reminds me o..."

I've read "After you'd gone" but not the other one. I'll add it to my list!

I've just finished reading "We are all completely beside ourselves" by Karen Joy Fowler. It started off as an interesting family story about a young woman who has been separated from her two siblings - a brother and a sister. There are a few clues that her sister is special, but there is a surprise twist that I won't spoil for you all.

It was a thought-provoking read and I enjoyed it.

I have just finished reading "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy. It was one of those books I'd heard a lot about but never read. Still trying to think of what to say in my review!

I've just started Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck. I enjoyed Cannery Row so thought I'd try another of his novels set in the Monterey area.

I have just finished 'Instructions for a heatwave', a book Caroline recommended to our reading group at work.

It took me a while to get into the story, but towards the end I could not put the book down. I am old enough to remember 1976 (the year in which the novel is set) clearly and the family featured in the story really came alive for me. I enjoyed the end, although I don't want to spoil it for anyone.

So, thanks you Caroline for a good read and for introducing me to a new author. As the quote on the back of the book says, the Riordans will stay in my mind.

I've just read "The Power" by Naomi Alderman which has been shortlisted for the 2017 Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction.

Teenage girls, all across the world, have just suddenly discovered that they have gained a new electrostatic power, which gives them the power to defend themselves and inflict pain and injury on others. For some reason that is never explained in the book, this power is only available for females and so the balance of power between the genders is changed forever.

It was a good read and I enjoyed it, but it was a bit depressing in that the girls seemed to revel in their new-found power a bit too much and enjoyed hurting others. Maybe I'm too much of an optimist about human nature, but I'd like to think that wouldn't happen!

In any case, it is a clever look at what the world might be like if millennia of sexism went the other way and another illustration (if any were needed) that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Interesting...... it sounds like the women have a chip on their shoulder - or maybe the author is trying to get us to think about male attitudes by attributing them to women. I'm not sure that's a fair image of most men either though.
I'm intrigued about the ending and whether it was positive or depressing to the end - no spoilers though! It seems like a good reason to try the book to find out.

Currently about 2/3rds of the way through The Good Immigrant, an anthology compiled by Nikesh Shukla. Excellent book. Cannot recommend enough.

I have just finished Terry Gilliam's "pre-posthumous memoir" Gilliamesque.

I first spotted in Bexleyheath Library, but after a quick flick through decided it was a book I wanted like to buy and share with family and friends.

As you'd expect, it is packed with wonderful pictures from throughout his life and career, including some created especially for the book. He writes very well and honestly about his life, the creative process and the joy he gets from his family and work.

If you like his art or his films it's a must read.

I'm currently reading "The One" by John Marrs.

I just can't put it down! Its a psychological thriller based on an unlikely premise - science has discovered the solution to that age-old problem of finding love - you can just send in a sample of DNA and then be matched to your perfect partner.

Sounds too good to be true? It is. What happens when you are matched to a psychopath? Or someone who is 50 years older? Or someone who is dying?

I can't wait to get home and find out!

I recently read "The Power" by Naomi Alderman - this has just won the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2017 - its really thought provoking and definitely worth reading

Just finished 'PSmith in the City'. I have read a number of serious/depressing books and thought PG Wodehouse would cheer me up and restore my faith in human nature. He did!

I’m nearly finished reading Frank Barrett’s `Treasured Island; a book lover’s tour of Britain`…

Really enjoyed it, easy to dip in & out of, and lots of unusual snippets of literary history/travel guide…

Lightly written, but insightful. Very good!

I spotted that one in the library, thought it looked good. I'll keep an eye out for it next time I'm in there.

John wrote: "Just finished 'PSmith in the City'. I have read a number of serious/depressing books and thought PG Wodehouse would cheer me up and restore my faith in human nature. He did!"

“Very good, Jeeves”…

Delighted that there’s another Wodehouse fan in the forum!

Because – call me old fashioned – but my monocle nearly hit the brown Windsor when I discovered that he’s not everyone’s cup of Darjeeling… Hard to believe, I know…
TTFN
&
“Carry on, Jeeves

I'm reading Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. I don't often read much non-fiction, but I'd seen it around (on my commute), and it looked like the kind of thing I'd be interested in.

I'm enjoying it. It is the kind of "pop-history" that is eminently readable and enjoyable. I don't always agree with the author's analysis of events, but it is though-provoking, and positions things in such a way that makes you consider them differently.

I am on a rush to finish it before the weekend as it's due back and has just been reserved!

There was a buzz around Sapiens a month or two back - with the same views as you. How informative and surprising it is, as well as being readable and gripping. Good to hear another recommendation for it .