Devon Book Club discussion

So, having finished Emma by the singular (thank goodness - oops, controversial) Jane Austen (compelled to read for our reading group discussion next Monday - but I'll report on that next week and link it to a new Devon Book Club initiative) I have begun work on my previously mentioned TBR list.

I am setting off on my virtual (and sometimes actual) walk along the South West Coast Path. You may recognise the start of the trail at Minehead from the picture I just posted. And my chosen book - Blue Goldby our very own David Barker

Set in the near future, climate change and geopolitical tension have given rise to a new international threat - a world war for water.

There have been some great reviews of the book and I have been looking forward to reading it since talking with David about it early last year and then meeting him at our Dartmouth event in November.

After reading Emma, I'm ready for a bit of excitement!

Incidentally, if you love Jane Austen and are a fan of Emma, do respond and tell me why? It is a puzzle to me.

Blue Gold was published on 11th May 2017 with Urbane Publications.
David's sequel, Rose Gold, is due out this May. More of that in due course

You can find out more about David and his work here:
www.davidbarkerauthor.co.uk
@BlueGold201
Some blogger reviews of Blue Gold:
http://nexttotheaisle.blogspot.co.uk/...…
http://www.bookpleasures.com/…/Blue-G...
http://www.geekadelphia.com/…/david-b...

And, I'm off on my virtual (and sometimes actual SW Coast Path challenge)

The first book from my TBR list to be read this year was David Barker's Blue Gold, which I reviewed yesterday. I reckon that I am probably somewhere around Lynton! I wont pretend I took this picture but I have previously been on this part of the path - so beautiful.

I'd love to hear about what's being tackled on your TBR pile - and please post some photos as well. You can do the walk from your armchair if you prefer - but you might just inspire someone else to take their book for a walk.

A recap on the challenge, for those who missed it:

The aim - to tackle your To Be Read (TBR) pile whilst enjoying the 630 miles of the SW Coast Path from the comfort of your chair (if you so wish - but by all means get out for a walk if you can).

Starting from Minehead:
3 books gets you to Westward Ho!
5 books to Padstow
10 books will see you all the way to St. Ives
That's a pretty tough section of the journey, so take your time!
13 books get you to the Lizard
18 books to Par (that is an easier stretch so reading speed will increase)
After 22 books you will have made it through Plymouth and South Hams as far as Torcross
You are heading towards the Jurassic Coast now so the going gets touch in parts so
25 books will be a good achievement as you arrive in Seaton
30 books will complete the path as you arrive tired but fulfilled at South Haven Point.
Feel free to walk it in a different order if you choose, post pictures of any stretch you cover on foot - and include a picture of a book too.
To help you please find a map of the path and the SW Coast Path website address.
Also, to get us started I've posted a picture of a book, a few scenes and a lovely piece of driftwood that I found nearby t(here's a story in there somewhere) , on the Bucks Mills beach from a walk there a little while ago
https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk...
No rush - take as long as you want - and enjoy the peace and beauty

Tweet from Janet Braund Few - "I love this book (Turning the Tide) by @LizShakespeare . Follow it up with Devon writer @wendy_percival's Malice of Angels set in a disguised Hartland. Lynton = @PamelaVass Seeds of Doubt then @OTooleyAuthor's Time Tunnels to Ilfracombe #Devonbookhour This is fun can we list suggestions somewhere

I loved Liz Shakespeare's book which I read a while ago.
I am going to start my travels with The Witch of Exmoor- Margaret Drabble. The other two for this leg I found are The Secret of Crickley Hall - James Herbert (Lynmouth) and The Last Night - Cesca Major (Lynton and Lynmouth) but the above also look good too! So may have to have a rethink!

Sue wrote: "I loved Liz Shakespeare's book which I read a while ago.
I am going to start my travels with The Witch of Exmoor- Margaret Drabble. The other two for this leg I found are The Se..."</i>

Am I right in thinking another of James Herbert’s books [book:The Spear is set in North Devon? I read it years ago when I’d first moved to Devon. If I remember correctly, part of it is set in a fictional house in Stoke, near Hartland Quay. It may have even influenced the setting of my last 2 Esme Quentin novels!

Sue wrote: "I loved Liz Shakespeare's book which I read a while ago.
I am going to start my travels with The Witch of Exmoor- Margaret Drabble. The other two for this leg I found are [book:The Se..."

Oh, the stress of it all Sue haha - Glad to have you walking along. I think I may keep catching glimpses of you up ahead of me somewhere

Janet Braund Few also alerts us to Winston Graham's A Grove of Eagles for Falmouth

Wendy wrote: "Sue wrote: "I loved Liz Shakespeare's book which I read a while ago.
I am going to start my travels with The Witch of Exmoor- Margaret Drabble. The other two for this leg I found are ..."

Ooh - I don't know - I wonder if anyone else can help us out here? I'll post and ask about it on the Twitter and FB page too

Hi Ian,
Is this Challenge supposed to be made up of books set in. or written in Devon (or by Devon authors)? I had got the impression it was just any books from the TBR pile - and I have plenty of those.
PS Still waiting for your further comments on 'Emma'. Meanwhile, you might want to look at @K'brdg Library Rdg Grp's discussion summary, about 'Persuasion': it is on the Library Facebook page. NB I do love, JA, but I think 'Emma' is at/near the bottom of my list

DrMama wrote: "Hi Ian,
Is this Challenge supposed to be made up of books set in. or written in Devon (or by Devon authors)? I had got the impression it was just any books from the TBR pile ..."
I think I may have muddied the waters a bit! When Ian announced this challenge i.e. reading books off your tbr pile, I said I thought it would be nice to read books set in the location. (I did the Devon Book Club one with books set in Devon). I cant use twitter for some reason I can't fathom only here and fb so I dont know what was decided! Guess some will do as originally intended- I think Emma fits that category- and others may choose 'my' way! Sure either will be fine and we'll find a load more books for that tbr pile!

Hi, Thanks for that Sue. I'm semi-committed to reading the various Man-Booker Prize winners from the last 50 years - or at least the ones I have not already read. So those books seemed a good idea for the Challenge. As I seem to own about 12 that I have not read (news to me) it seemed like a good idea, as I'm desperate to get rid of books! Cheers, Carole (aka DrMama)

Good luck with those Dr Mama. Please let us know how you get on. I try and read 2/3 from the short list each year but rarely pick the winner!

Sue wrote: "Good luck with those Dr Mama. Please let us know how you get on. I try and read 2/3 from the short list each year but rarely pick the winner!"
I have Richard Flanagan'sThe Narrow Road to the Deep North lined up first. However, I had just started reading The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann, and I think that will take some time. It's part of a 'read-along' with Dovegreyreader; and, as it's a 'classic' I've never read, I went for it. The tbr pile is taking over the house!

DrMama wrote: "Hi Ian,
Is this Challenge supposed to be made up of books set in. or written in Devon (or by Devon authors)? I had got the impression it was just any books from the TBR pile - and I have plenty of..."

Do it however you want Carol - I am light on rules and hi on fun!! I didn't limit it to books written by Devon writers or set in Devon. Sue chose to do it that way and that is a really interesting take on it - so, just do whatever works for you. It should be a pleasure and the SW Coast Path bit was just a bit of added fun.

DrMama wrote: "Sue wrote: "Good luck with those Dr Mama. Please let us know how you get on. I try and read 2/3 from the short list each year but rarely pick the winner!"
I have Richard Flanagan's[book:The Narrow ..."

Richard Flannagan's book is wonderful - if harrowing. I also heard him interviewed in the World Book Club - if you haven't found that you can listen to archived interviews - just put it in your search engine. Worth listening to the interview

Ian wrote: "DrMama wrote: "Sue wrote: "Good luck with those Dr Mama. Please let us know how you get on. I try and read 2/3 from the short list each year but rarely pick the winner!"
I have Richard Flanagan's[b..."
Thanks for that Ian, I've made a link and will listen once I'm reading it - I'm already having doubts about the 'Magic Mountain'! I'm sure it's wonderful, I just don't seem to have the time right now to sink into it.

DrMama wrote: "Ian wrote: "DrMama wrote: "Sue wrote: "Good luck with those Dr Mama. Please let us know how you get on. I try and read 2/3 from the short list each year but rarely pick the winner!"
I have Richard ..."

My pleasure - just not enough time for all these wonderful books. Do recommend the podcast. Harriet Gilbert is, I think, the best interviewer of writers - always inquiring, never fawning

So my first book is finished. . Not much was set there apart from some sections near The Valley of the Rocks. Dont think I have ever been there but will when the weather is a bit warmer. The book was interesting - really a story of family dynamics/ dysfunction. Didn't love it but was definitely worth a read if only for Drabble's role as narrator. I may zig zag a bit as I didnt get my route sorted first and now I'm going to stay a while and admire the view!

I have a bookcase by my bed full of books TBR so I am sure there are enough to see me round the coast to Dorset! I do keep getting side-tracked by trips to Waterstones which throw up a few new MBRN (must be read now).

Jo wrote: "I have a bookcase by my bed full of books TBR so I am sure there are enough to see me round the coast to Dorset! I do keep getting side-tracked by trips to Waterstones which throw up a few new MBRN..."

I have the same problem except mine are library books! That's why I tweeked the challenge a bit or I'd never get out of Somerset! No way am I going to complete it in a year either! But I like a target 😀

Sue wrote: "So my first book is finished. . Not much was set there apart from some sections near The Valley of the Rocks. Dont think I have ever been there but will when ..."

Love it - Valley Of The Rocks is stunning - you must pay a visit. Also down through the valley there is a lovely and very safe beach. I'm loving this challenge

Jo wrote: "I have a bookcase by my bed full of books TBR so I am sure there are enough to see me round the coast to Dorset! I do keep getting side-tracked by trips to Waterstones which throw up a few new MBRN..."

Haha - the readers curse. I am sure we all empathise! 30 books sees you the whole way round - I'm sure you can manage that

Sue wrote: "Jo wrote: "I have a bookcase by my bed full of books TBR so I am sure there are enough to see me round the coast to Dorset! I do keep getting side-tracked by trips to Waterstones which throw up a f..."

You can take as long as you like - but be great to do it in a year

Reached Lynton Lynmouth with . Investigation which switches between Bath and North Devon. Psychic involved so story a bit different. Need to read the next one!
Have just read the author lives in North Devon.

In the meantime boots on and all roads lead to Woolacombe!

Sue wrote: "Reached Lynton Lynmouth with . Investigation which switches between Bath and North Devon. Psychic involved so story a bit different. Need to read the next one!
H..."

Fabulous - yes, James is a N Devon writer; I'm aware of his work, though I've not met him. Hope the walk to Woolacombe isn't too cold haha

Have completed stage 1 with a stop off in Woolacombe My Husband's Wife which was ok but with nice descriptions of the place. Drying out before next stop Tintagel.

Sue wrote: "Have completed stage 1 with a stop off in Woolacombe My Husband's Wife which was ok but with nice descriptions of the place. Drying out before ..."

Haha - you really are walking this path aren't you - lovely following your journey. Mind - its a long walk from Woolacombe to Tintagel

Stage 2 completed with and . Both light romances with a touch of the paranormal in the first. Moving swiftly on ... Well as fast as my library can help!

Sue wrote: "Stage 2 completed with and . Both light romances with a touch of the paranormal in the first. Moving swiftly on ... Well..."

Fabulous - loving the way you are finding books related to each section of the path. I've got a bit slowed down by my current choice of tbr book Amitav Ghosh Flood of Fire - am really enjoying it but it is a long one and it is taking me a while to get through it

Next up was set in Newquay. I must confess i found it interesting but a bit repetitive. A few days after finishing I saw the author's obituary in the paper. Hadnt realised she had written so much. Was good to find out what happened next.

Sue wrote: "Next up was set in Newquay. I must confess i found it interesting but a bit repetitive. A few days afte..."

You are making great progress round the coastline Sue - I'm just checking my progress as I have cleared a few off my pile but not yet had a chance to review them

Slowed up a bit! Have inadvertently read a couple out of order so will mention them when I get to the next stage. One wasThe Dead Ex (Jane Corry) which I read in 2 days!
For an overview of the whole costal path, came into the library and it is so good. The couple have got just past Clovelly and it is an interesting but heartbreaking read.

Sue wrote: "Slowed up a bit! Have inadvertently read a couple out of order so will mention them when I get to the next stage. One wasThe Dead Ex (Jane Corry) which I read in 2..."

Hi Sue - great to hear of your progress - I've slipped up on updating this thread - I must get back to it. The Salt Path was also recommended by Janet Few, so interesting to hear you praise it too.

Well I've not got very far - still stuck around St Ives. Keep getting sidetracked. Currently backtracked to Clovelly. So will contine in 2019 as I have enjoyed most of the books I've found.

Sue wrote: "Well I've not got very far - still stuck around St Ives. Keep getting sidetracked. Currently backtracked to Clovelly. So will contine in 2019 as I have enjoyed most of the books I've found."

No rush - I must resurrect this and give it another push. Must confess I neglected it myself rather