Devon Book Club discussion

World Book Night is on April 23rd. How many of their 20 slecetd titles can you read in the three months to end of June? This is your Spring Challenge. Dont forget that Challenges #1 and #2 are running all year. Challenge #4 is your quarterly challenge. You can find all the books here http://www.worldbooknight.org/books

Ian's asked me to post my review of The Martian by Andy Weir to start this thread off. So here goes:
Mars has a population of one, an unwilling inhabitant who has been abandoned for dead by his fellow astronauts and who lacks the means to communicate with Earth. As Mark Watney says, he is the first person to be alone on an entire planet. He is, however, not a man to accept the inevitable and attempts to survive long enough for the next mission to land in four years time. He might have the whole of the red planet at his disposal, but the lack of atmosphere means he is restricted to his habitation pod, his vehicles, or his space suits. He is a scientist and he factually details every aspect of his scientific endeavours to control his environment. He constructs his own potato farm, to try and extend his food supply, even although he knows he will fall far short of what he needs.
The reader lives and breathes Mars, just as he does. We experience the cramped, unpleasant, smelly conditions in the habitation pod. We experience his efforts to traverse the red terrain. We experience his hopes, his defeats, his humour, his cheerfulness, and his extreme resourcefulness. He is an American hero, writ large. Even the potatoes he uses to start his potato farm, were originally intended to be eaten for Thanksgiving.
An exciting, thrilling story, absorbing from beginning to end.

Carol wrote: "Ian's asked me to post my review of The Martian by Andy Weir to start this thread off. So here goes:
Mars has a population of one, an unwilling inhabitant who has been abandoned for dead by his fel..."

Great review Carol, thanks - I will read it. NOt ordinarily my thing but you've sold it to me

Re: The Martian. There will be a film of it coming out in November and in yesterday's Times it said that the film director, Ridley Scott, will be making a short film to accompany it which will be in virtual reality. If you pay more you can wear visors and headphones which make you feel immersed in the same conditions as Matt Damon. Sounds interesting.

Carol wrote: "Re: The Martian. There will be a film of it coming out in November and in yesterday's Times it said that the film director, Ridley Scott, will be making a short film to accompany it which will be i..."

Interesting indeed

I've just finished reading Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West by Blaine Harden. this is a pretty horrific account of conditions inside one of North Korea's worst labour camps for political prisoners. Shin was born and grew up inside the camp and is the only known person to ever manage to escape from the camp. His experiences are shocking. Not an easy read.
I also read Dead Man Talking by Roddy Doyle which is a Quickread. Has quite an enjoyable twist to this short story. An entertaining quick read (took me barely a couple of hours to finish).

Skellig by David Almond. Another nice easy read from this challenge. It's written for older children and a lovely magical tale.

Ellen wrote: "Skellig by David Almond. Another nice easy read from this challenge. It's written for older children and a lovely magical tale."

Thanks for all the entries Ellen. They are an interesting range of titles. Am looking forward to the WBN event itself

Another couple of Quickreads from this challenge: Chickenfeed by Minette walters, a short story about a true crime murder, and Street Cat Bob: How one man and a cat saved each other's lives. A true story. by James Bowen which is a nice little story about how a friendship with a cat gave a recovering drug addict the motivation to put his life in order. Nice easy reads :-)

Ellen wrote: "Another couple of Quickreads from this challenge: Chickenfeed by Minette walters, a short story about a true crime murder, and [book:Street Cat Bob: How one man and a cat saved each..."

They sound quirky

I have already read After the Fall, When God was a Rabbit and Spring Tide. All were really good, especially Spring Tide as I really like scandi-crime. Have ordered a couple of the shorter books as have sime train journeys coming up. Have wanted to read Harold Fry and Water for Elephants for a while and will possibly read Skellig after recommendations here.

I have just started to read Honor by Elif Shafak. I have previously read When God was a Rabbit and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.

Just finished reading The Martian. Great story - finished it in less than a day. I'm no physicist, although I've got a decent scientific education but the science is believable enough to not hinder the story- fab! I haven't really read any sci-fi for more than a decade but really enjoyed this one.

Ellen wrote: "Just finished reading The Martian. Great story - finished it in less than a day. I'm no physicist, although I've got a decent scientific education but the science is believable enough to not hinder..."
Really pleased you also liked it. It's one of the best stories I've read in years.

I have recently finished reading 'When God was a Rabbit' - a light, easy and enjoyable read, and 'Chickenfeed' - a short story telling the true story of a murder conviction in the 1920s as the author Minnette Walters believes it may have happened ( and she believes it was a miscarriage of justice wrongly convicting the suspect who was executed for the crime). I have previously read 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' and 'Custard Tarts & Broken Hearts'. I'm planning on reading 'The Martian' next following everyone's positive reviews on here!

Alison wrote: "I have recently finished reading 'When God was a Rabbit' - a light, easy and enjoyable read, and 'Chickenfeed' - a short story telling the true story of a murder conviction in the 1920s as the auth..."

Thanks Ali. I am going to read the Martian too, so we can compare notes.

Looking forward to hearing everyone's views on the Martian.

Hi, I've just audiobooked The Martian. I really enjoyed and like others am keen to see the film later in the year. I did a short review if it's useful for anyone. K
https://boothebookworm.wordpress.com/...

Hi Kelly/Boo. Really enjoyed your review of the Martian.

I have just completed Honour by Elif Shafak - a disturbing novel about a Turkish family,living in London, and the events leading up to an honour killing. I definitely recommend this book.

I've just read My Sister Lives On The Mantelpiece (a very moving read) and When God was a Rabbit which was a book of 2 halves- very much enjoyed the first half but the second half wasn't so good. I think that brings my tally for this challenge to 10 as I've read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death in the distant past. I'm not sure I can be bothered to read any of the others although I'm tempted by Honour after Angela's recommendation, and may read Spring Tide...

Angela wrote: "I have just completed Honour by Elif Shafak - a disturbing novel about a Turkish family,living in London, and the events leading up to an honour killing. I definitely recommend this..."
I've just started reading this; I'm glad it gets a recommendation. I'm only on chapter 4 but am already hooked. I started reading it last night in the wonderful Turkish café in Exeter, called The Dinosaur: also a recommendation!

Carol wrote: "Hi Kelly/Boo. Really enjoyed your review of the Martian."

I did too. Thanks Kelly. I've just started the book so haven't got far yet- not looking forward to the final paragraph now!

Emily wrote: "Angela wrote: "I have just completed Honour by Elif Shafak - a disturbing novel about a Turkish family,living in London, and the events leading up to an honour killing. I definitely..."

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday, Emily.

Ian wrote: "Emily wrote: "Angela wrote: "I have just completed Honour by Elif Shafak - a disturbing novel about a Turkish family,living in London, and the events leading up to an honour killing..."

Thanks Ian, you too.

I've just finished reading The Martian. I loved this book - I picked it up every opportunity I got and if I could have done, I'd have read it in one go as I found it so gripping! Loved the style of writing, the science is in 'easy speak' that even I could understand, and I really liked Watney's character and matter of fact 'bloke' way of dealing with everything thrown at him. Would thoroughly recommend reading this one sooner rather than later, and I definitely want to see the film when it comes out later this year.

Alison wrote: "I've just finished reading The Martian. I loved this book - I picked it up every opportunity I got and if I could have done, I'd have read it in one go as I found it so gripping! Loved the style ..."
Glad to see someone else really loved it. Andy Weir writes so well.

Carol wrote: "Alison wrote: "I've just finished reading The Martian. I loved this book - I picked it up every opportunity I got and if I could have done, I'd have read it in one go as I found it so gripping! L..."

I finished it over the weekend too and agree it was a great book. I did occasionally find the style and Watney's sardonic humour a bit irritating but I can forgive that in the wider canvas of the book. I did find myself moved by it at times - the idea of the whole world following one man - individualism being surpassed by a common interest in humanity. Thanks for the recommendation, Carol (and Ley I think). I probably wouldn't have read it otherwise.

Glad you also liked it, Ian. I should think it would be difficult to write a follow-up novel after that one. It will be interesting to see.

Carol wrote: "Glad you also liked it, Ian. I should think it would be difficult to write a follow-up novel after that one. It will be interesting to see."

It would probably have to be something quite different. Is he a scientist/engineer by training do you know? - I wonder whether he knew that stuff or whether he research it all. I'm assuming a physicist would say it is accurate of course. He could tell me he made a thruster engine to lift off into space by storing his very own methane and I'd believe him.

Apparently he's a bit of a genius. I'm wondering if he'll turn out to be a new Michael Crichton. Certainly hope so!

Kelly wrote: "Apparently he's a bit of a genius. I'm wondering if he'll turn out to be a new Michael Crichton. Certainly hope so!"

Certainly an impresive intellect on show in that book. I am sorry to say I've not read Michael Crichton - do you recommend him?

I'd recommend Jurassic Park. Interesting to see the differences to the film. But for me Weir has the same ability as Crichton to make mad 'science' seem plausible. You know it's bonkers, but halfway through you're thinking "dino DNA? Fair enough."

Ian wrote: "Carol wrote: "Glad you also liked it, Ian. I should think it would be difficult to write a follow-up novel after that one. It will be interesting to see."

It would probably have to be something qu..."
I seem to remember he's a computer engineer and that his Dad is a research physicist.

I believe he self published it, chapter by chapter, on his website initially. His other books were rejected. (Haven't looked him up recently, so might be wrong, but I don't think so.)

Carol wrote: "I believe he self published it, chapter by chapter, on his website initially. His other books were rejected. (Haven't looked him up recently, so might be wrong, but I don't think so.)"

Thanks all. Not sure I can quite bring myself to read Jurassic Park, Kelly, having seen the film but maybe I'll chck out some of his other work. I know what yo mean about the credibility point though - in many ways that's what makes sci-fi enjoyable - strecthing the possible to breaking point but not quite snapping it. And, lots of sci fi from 30 years ago is now fact after all

I've had Timeline recommended to me to read by Crichton Ian. Ali

Alison wrote: "I've had Timeline recommended to me to read by Crichton Ian. Ali"

ThanksTimelinelooks really interesting from the book blurb - one to add to my list. Hope you've had a great break.

In Bruge right now - home tomorrow night. Had a lovely time thanks Ian. See you next week.

Great. Have a good trip home

Just finished Spring Tide by Cilla Börjlind- it's Nordic crime fiction, set in Sweden. I really loved it and was gripped right to the end. I hadn't come across the authors before but will read more by them in future. I have to admit that I generally love this genre so was pleased to have found this one on the WBN list.

Ellen wrote: "Just finished Spring Tide- it's Nordic crime fiction, set in Sweden. I really loved it and was gripped right to the end. I hadn't come across the authors before but will read more by them in future..."

I really enjoyed it too!

I finished Gruen's "Water for elephants" yesterday so just squeezed another one in just before the end! It was a fun read- I liked how the narrative was split between him now (aged 90 or 93 he can't remember) and then (aged mid-twenties), alternating with each successive chapter. Good ending!
I think that took my tally to 12 in total :-) It was a fun challenge- lots of variety there!

Ellen wrote: "I finished Gruen's "Water for elephants" yesterday so just squeezed another one in just before the end! It was a fun read- I liked how the narrative was split between him now (aged 90 or 93 he can'..."

12 is pretty impressive. Well done. Glad you enjoyed the challenge. Lets hope we get lots of takers for Challenge #5