Devon Book Club discussion

What have you read recently that you would recommend?

Whilst on holiday I really enjoyed The Luminaries and Room. For a more challenging, big (but wonderful) read I also recommend 2666

I read Canada whilst on holiday - a beautifully written. I would also recommend the last book I read - The Elegance of the Hedgehog.

Sonia wrote: "I read Canada whilst on holiday - a beautifully written. I would also recommend the last book I read - The Elegance of the Hedgehog."

ive never read Richard Ford - must give him a go. Hedgehog already on my list

I know we're all grown ups here but really you must read 'I Am Otter' and vote for it in the best picture book category on the main site. If you haven't met Otter yet please go and visit her website www.iamotter.co.uk it's a perfect way to cheer yourself up. unless of course you have an aversion to otters.

Ley wrote: "I know we're all grown ups here but really you must read 'I Am Otter' and vote for it in the best picture book category on the main site. If you haven't met Otter yet please go and visit her websit..."

well, that's quirky. another one for the thread on books for small children

Ley wrote: "I know we're all grown ups here but really you must read 'I Am Otter' and vote for it in the best picture book category on the main site. If you haven't met Otter yet please go and visit her websit..."
Thanks for this recommendation Ley. You're right - definitely cheer up material! I think I might save this as a favourite...

Haha - great recommendation, got to love that otter, I wonder if he will lend me the ASPV! Saved to favourites for future reference, thank you Ley!

Oops,due to excitement re otter I forgot to post a recommendation! So, how aboutLife After Life, Americanah and anything by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Ian wrote: "Sonia wrote: "I read Canada whilst on holiday - a beautifully written. I would also recommend the last book I read - The Elegance of the Hedgehog."

ive never read [a..."

Ian wrote: "Sonia wrote: "I read [book:Canada|12872236] whilst on holiday - a beautifully written. I would also recommend the last book I read - The Elegance of the Hedgehog."

ive never read [a..."

Ian wrote: "Sonia wrote: "I read [book:Canada|12872236] whilst on holiday - a beautifully written. I would also recommend the last book I read - The Elegance of the Hedgehog."

ive never read [a..."

My first Richard Ford too, recommended by Michael Lloyd of our parish!

Sonia wrote: "Ian wrote: "Sonia wrote: "I read Canada whilst on holiday - a beautifully written. I would also recommend the last book I read - The Elegance of the Hedgehog."

ive n..."

Is Michael a big reader? will have to encourage him to join us

Recommend Valente, Catherynne especially 'Deathless but have read several of her books now and liked all of them.

Ley wrote: "Recommend Valente, Catherynne especially 'Deathless but have read several of her books now and liked all of them."

looks interesting. not heard of her before - another for my growing list

Ian wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Ian wrote: "Sonia wrote: "I read Canada whilst on holiday - a beautifully written. I would also recommend the last book I read - [book:The Elegance of the Hedgehog|296..."

Sent him an invitation earlier. He is indeed a great reader. Many a work meeting is accompanied by recommendations from the Lloyd family!

I have just finished reading Lila by Marilynne Robinson, the third novel in the Gilead series - which is not sequential. The three books coexist and concentrate on particular aspects of the same story. All three novels are beautifully written and bring the fictional Iowa town of Gilead to life. The character of Lila,the much younger wife of the elderly preacher Ames, is sensitively portrayed mainly through her own lonely musings about her life of abject poverty and lack of belonging. I hope there will be a fourth book in this series - maybe depicting the life of Lila's and Ames' son... I wait with anticipation!

Just read Sense & Sensibility which was a fantastic modern version of this classic tale. If you're an Austen fan (Ian!) then I totally recommend. I've not read any Joanna Trollope before but will certainly be giving her a try again, any recommendations gratefully received.

'We are All Completely Besides Ourselves' by Karen Jay Fowler'

'The Book Thief'

'The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders' <- What a hilarious story!

Megan wrote: "Just read Sense & Sensibility which was a fantastic modern version of this classic tale. If you're an Austen fan (Ian!) then I totally recommend. I've not read any Joanna Trollope..."

Not going to happen Megan but I'm glad you enjoyed it

Lizzie wrote: "'We are All Completely Besides Ourselves' by Karen Jay Fowler'

'The Book Thief'

'The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders' <- What a hilarious story!"

Hi Lizzie - loved the The Book Thief (confess to a lump in the throat when reading it); read Moll Flandersmany years ago - one to re-read. Not heard of Karen Fowler - what did you like about that?

By the way, what is great when you mention a book or author is to add it using the link just above the comment box - then you and other people can see reviews etc

I said last night that I would post my 5 star books read in the last 10 years. 469 books read; 15 5 stars (I'm pretty picky) Here they are

1. Carlin;Invictus: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation:- Rugby, Mandela, Apartheid – moving
2. Dostoevsky; Crime and Punishment:- Characterisation, human behaviour,insightful
3. Eagleman, Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives:- Creative, inspiring, thought-provoking
4. Grassic - Gibbon:Sunset Song:- Beautiful, evocative, moving,sat quietly on finishing
5. Grass,The Tin Drum: - Powerful, insightful, contemplative
6. Grossman,To the End of the Land:- Israel/Palestine, great story, insight, moving
7. Murakami,Kafka on the Shore:- -Brilliant, imaginative, singular voice
8. Proust,In Search of Lost Time:-Long, languorous read, poetic
9. Remarque,All Quiet on the Western Front:-High impact, WW1, moved me to tears
10. Seth,A Suitable Boy:-A work of huge scale, bereft/wanting more at the end
11. Thiong’O, Wizard of the Crow:-Biting, funny, satire of foreign aid/corruption in Africa
12. Tolstoy,Anna Karenina:-A beautiful story, wonderful characterisation
13. Tressell,The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists:-Birth of socialism in UK. Of its time but relevant today
14. Suleyman X,Bilal's Bread: A Novel:-Child abuse, took me back to cases I’ve worked on, harrowing and moving
15. Vesaas,The Ice Palace:-One of the most beautifully written books I’ve read

Be great to know what you think about these and what is on your 5 star list

There's some heavy stuff in there, haven't read any of those i'm ashamed to admit. Ah well I enjoy what I do read.
I have read the Book Thief, someone mentioned above wonderful book.

Hi Ley. One or two are on the demanding side but most of them aren't. They are all very accessible (perhaps with the exception of Proust, which is an acquired taste. People get put off some of these authors cos they think they will be demanding but they really aren't at all. I really recommend to the end of the Land (a wonderful story), Sum (only about 100 pages and you can dip in and out) ... oh, they're all fantastic. Perhaps avoid Suleyman X and Robert Tressell to begin with but I don't think you'd be disappointed with the rest. I loved The Book Thief - 4 stars on my list!

Ok, I'll have to give some of them a try.

Ley wrote: "Ok, I'll have to give some of them a try."

That's the great thing about a group like this - opens us all up to work we've not tried before. Just need more time.

Ian wrote: "Ley wrote: "Ok, I'll have to give some of them a try."

That's the great thing about a group like this - opens us all up to work we've not tried before. Just need more time."
I agree: being on GR has suggested all sorts of books to me that I would otherwise have missed. The problem is there aren't enough hours in the day to read them all...

Lynne wrote: "Ian wrote: "7. Murakami,Kafka on the Shore:- -Brilliant, imaginative, singular voice
8. Proust,In Search of Lost Time:-Long, languorous read, poetic
10. Seth,A Suitable Boy:-A work of huge scale, b..."

I hope you enjoy it - I thought it was stunning.
I know what you mean about Tressell's work; to some extent of its' time - but still has the capacity to get me angry - some of the hypocrisy and employment practices of today make me feel that we havent necessarily moved that far.

Penny wrote: "Mutiny on the Bounty by John Boyne - it's probably not what you think it is. I LOVED it. Such a good, romping yarn. I couldn't put it down; the best novel I have read in years. Writt..."

Thanks Penny. Sometimes, you just want a great story. I have Silver: Return to Treasure Island waiting to be read. I heard Andrew Motion talk about it at The Plough in Great Torrington some time ago. i loved Treasure Island as a child and this sounded like a wonderful written story - he read us a bit when we meet the now elderly (but still chilling) Mr. Silver

Ian wrote: "I said last night that I would post my 5 star books read in the last 10 years. 469 books read; 15 5 stars (I'm pretty picky) Here they are

1. Carlin;Invictus: Nelson Mandela and the Game Tha..."</i>

Just finished [book:Kafka on the Shore 4 stars for me. Thanks for introducing me to Murakami - will definitely read some of his other stuff. Compelling story, totally engaging characters, well weird but you get totally drawn into his world. What to read next ........?? So many to choose from on my to read list ..

Sonia wrote: "Ian wrote: "I said last night that I would post my 5 star books read in the last 10 years. 469 books read; 15 5 stars (I'm pretty picky) Here they are

1. Carlin;Invictus: Nelson Mandela and ..."</i>

So glad you enjoyed it Sonia. He has written some fantastic other novels. [book:Norwegian Woodwas fairly successfully adapted for film - and add The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle to your list - wonderful. He has a very singular style.

I love that moment before starting a new book - let us know what you will read next - and dont forget to vote in the poll if you havent done so already. Have a great weekend

Ian wrote: "I said last night that I would post my 5 star books read in the last 10 years. 469 books read; 15 5 stars (I'm pretty picky) Here they are

1. Carlin;[book:Invictus: Nelson Mandela and the Game Tha..."

Hi Ian, I love the 'last 10 years' list. I must find time at Xmas and try to map my reading over the years. I've only kept a detailed list for the last few years - ever since I first had the idea of setting up a Bookblog ... which is still only an idea. I've read about half of your list, and would strongly rate: Dostoevsky, Proust, Grass, Tolstoy, Remarque, Tressell - although not sure about 'top 10' ... must analyse. I gave up on the Seth, found it a bit thin ... language/depth-wise(?) ... but was rereading Rohinton Mistry at the time. Reread the Tressell a year or so ago, intending to write an article - but beaten to it - yet book more powerful than ever. I have the Ngugi Wa Thiong'O, and was stopped in my tracks by his other work as a student - so will put it on the 'to-be-read' pile. Great idea though, will give it a go.

I've just finished Cloud Atlas. It's a truly extraordinary book that tells six separate stories connected by a common thread. The first begins in the Pacific Islands in the mid-19th century, then we move in turn through 1930's France, 1980's America, Britain in current times, a high-tech vision of the future and, finally, a far-off dystopia set in the Far East.
What is very unusual is that initially we do not get a completed story, the book breaking off (sometimes in mid-sentence) to move to the next tale. Fortunately, later we return to pick up and complete the stories.
The author's feel for language is most impressive. He captures convincingly speech patterns from the past and the way that language may well develop in the future.
The common thread that runs through the stories is the human urge to pursue power and the consequences of that urge.

DrMama wrote: "Ian wrote: "I said last night that I would post my 5 star books read in the last 10 years. 469 books read; 15 5 stars (I'm pretty picky) Here they are

1. Carlin;[book:Invictus: Nelson Mandela and ..."

Well - a 50% strike rate is pretty good. Be interested in hearing about your top books

B J wrote: "I've just finished Cloud Atlas. It's a truly extraordinary book that tells six separate stories connected by a common thread. The first begins in the Pacific Islands in the mid-19th ce..."

Agree - read it some years ago. Clever the way he connects threads throughout - certain motifs running through the book

Ian wrote: "B J wrote: "I've just finished Cloud Atlas. It's a truly extraordinary book that tells six separate stories connected by a common thread. The first begins in the Pacific Islands in the..."

Ian wrote: "DrMama wrote: "Ian wrote: "I said last night that I would post my 5 star books read in the last 10 years. 469 books read; 15 5 stars (I'm pretty picky) Here they are

1. Carlin;[book:Invictus: Nels..."

Have you seen the film? I'd be interested to hear what other people think of it, I found the book fascinating and the film is rather wonderful too. Needs to be watched at least twice!

Ley wrote: "Ian wrote: "B J wrote: "I've just finished Cloud Atlas. It's a truly extraordinary book that tells six separate stories connected by a common thread. The first begins in the Pacific Is..."

Yes - saw the film and thought it was really well done. The book was just stunning. I could hardly put it down and I found it incredibly moving. Mandela was truly inspirational.

I didn't even know a film had been made. The cast looks good. I'll make sure I see it - that's assuming we're talking about the film of Cloud Atlas!

I think the conversation shifted to Invictus but I also think a film of cloud atlas has been/ is being made.

Ian wrote: "I think the conversation shifted to Invictus but I also think a film of cloud atlas has been/ is being made."

Yes it has, with Tom Hanks, Halle Berry and Jim Broadbent - that was the 'good cast' I mentioned.

B J wrote: "Ian wrote: "I think the conversation shifted to Invictus but I also think a film of cloud atlas has been/ is being made."

Yes it has, with Tom Hanks, Halle Berry and Jim Broadbent - that was the '..."

Ah, got it!

Ian wrote: "B J wrote: "Ian wrote: "I think the conversation shifted to Invictus but I also think a film of cloud atlas has been/ is being made."

Yes it has, with Tom Hanks, Halle Berry and Jim Broadbent - th..."

It was the film of Cloud Atlas I meant.

New book time for me. Want something short and light ahead of my plan to read Les Miserables in the New year. Any suggestions from anyone?

Depends what you like.

Sonia wrote: "New book time for me. Want something short and light ahead of my plan to read Les Miserables in the New year. Any suggestions from anyone?"

How about something like One Day by David Nichols - was an easy, feel-good read

Ian wrote: "Sonia wrote: "New book time for me. Want something short and light ahead of my plan to read Les Miserables in the New year. Any suggestions from anyone?"

How about something like One Day by David ..."
Have read One Day - not keen.

Ley wrote: "Depends what you like."

Open to suggestion - but fancy a page turner- like character driven stuff mainly. Have thought about a crime novel - but would have to be old school - not into anything too graphic ... ! Way too squeamish!

Sonia wrote: "Ley wrote: "Depends what you like."

Open to suggestion - but fancy a page turner- like character driven stuff mainly. Have thought about a crime novel - but would have to be old school - not into..."

Hmm - I enjoyed Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close; The Notable Brain of Maximilian Ponder (quirky but fun); Reading Lolita in Tehran (thoughtful); The Road Home; a chinese detective novel ( a bit like MOrse) - anything by XIALONG QIU;or any of the Larsson Stieg books.......

Ian wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Ley wrote: "Depends what you like."

Open to suggestion - but fancy a page turner- like character driven stuff mainly. Have thought about a crime novel - but would have to be old sch..."

Have you tried Jonathan Safran Foer's Everything Is Illuminated, made me laugh and cry. Mad, dreadful, wordplay, macabre yet moving.

Cloud AtlasCloud Atlas was the first book we read in our Book group. It was cleverly written, but I did not enjoy it, feelings in the group were mixed. I haven't seen the film yet, but hope to at some point.

Sonia, Mo Hayder,Peter James and Ian Rankin wrote some good page turners.

An interesting range of books here suggested by TED, the ideas network:

https://www.facebook.com/TED/posts/10...

Ian wrote: "13. Tressell,The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists:-Birth of socialism in UK. Of its time but relevant today"
..." I expect you have seen this Ian but will include the link as it is quite remarkable: http://is.gd/wxZMhx all 1706 handwritten pages of the original novel.

In the book I'm currently reading - The Year of Reading Dangerously: How Fifty Great Books (and Two Not-So-Great Ones) Saved My Life the author suggests that the novel badly needs editing but Tressell died before it was published and that if it was carefully edited now it would be a lot more accessible to a wider audience.

I must say I was put off because it seemed to repeat itself a lot even though the message was important. Agree that it deserves it's status as a national treasure though.

Lynne wrote: "Ian wrote: "13. Tressell,The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists:-Birth of socialism in UK. Of its time but relevant today"
..." I expect you have seen this Ian but will include the link as it is qui..."

Thanks for taking the trouble to end me this Lynne. I had read the preface (was in my copy of the book). I agree with the point about editing but I forgave it that lack of polish as i thought the central message was so powerful - especially at its time. Interestingly, there is a Twitter group that links to The Association of the Ragged Trousered - which was launched in July 2012 In appreciation of the book. They occasionally post discussion on the book too.