November 2013- The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

The Rosie project is a laugh out loud awkward romance with the adorable Don, the anal protagonist in search of a wife. Don, designs and distributes a questionnaire for potential partners to help sort the unsuitable from the suitable types, early on. They mustn't smoke or drink and must be punctual. Rosie who is none of these needs the help of a geneticist, Don, to find her real father. Don begins doing things out of character, learns to mix cocktails and to dance on this crazy ride. 


We mostly loved the book except for some kooky moments: the escape out of an apartment in New York and the revelation of Rosie's father, not as strongly written as the rest. Anyway here are the scores:

Alison             7

Anna              7.5         

Annette          10

Cheryl            9.5           

Deb                 8              

Genieveive    9

Megan            5   

Phil                 9

Average      8.12

October 2013- Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Beautifully written all the way with lovely main characters like the prim and proper Englishman Major Pettigrew (born in India) and the gorgeous Mrs Ali a Pakistani shopkeeper (born in England). They try to keep a friendship and yearn for more against the backdrop of gossipy village life.

Anna             8        

Annette         8

Cheryl           8.5           

Deb               7             

Genevieve   8   

Kristy             7

Phil                8

Average      7.78

What we have done

This has been slow in coming. This is what we have done since April this year with scores.

June

100 year old man that climbed out of the window and disappeared / Jonas Jonasson         

           

                                                      Anna               8

Annette           6

Cheryl             8

Deb                 9

Genieveive      8

Kristy              2

Megan             9             

Average    7.14

A Swedish Forrest Gump, Kristy hated Forrest Gump.

July

Vanity fair / William Makepeace Thackeray     

                                                                 

Annette          7.5

Cheryl             7

Deb                 9

Kristy              7

Megan             8

Average  7.7

Alison is still reading this one. Go Alison!

August

Lola Bensky / Lily Brett

                                                                                  

Anna               8

Annette           8

Cheryl             8

Deb                 6            

Megan             5

Phil                  9

Average   7.3

We had fun dressing up and nibbling on fashionable food of the late sixties.

September

When god was a rabbit / Sarah Winman

                                                                                

Anna               6.5

Annette           6.5

Cheryl             7.5

Deb                 6

Genieveive      7

Kristy              6

Megan             7

Phil                 6

Average 6.5
Liked very much by everyone but the second part of the book let it down with too much going on which affected the overall score. The second half needed more cohesion and relevance to the first part.

April 2013- The Uncommon reader and Mrs Queen takes the train

A pleasant evening was had by all. We did not need to come from far which enhanced the jollity of the soiree. It was lovely to see the ladies in gloves and hats, one misses those little details so much these days.

The Uncommon Reader: beautifully written and engaged us in a lively discussion on reading. Written as a novella (longer than a short story but not as substantial as a novel) Bennett was able to focus the book on the topic of The Queen's reading without the distraction of sub plots and other characters. His choice of The Queen as subject was perfection as background information was unnecessary.

Alison           8
Anna             9
Annette         7.5
Cheryl           8.5
Deb               9
Genevieve    9
Kristy            7
Megan           9
Phil                9

Average 8.44

Mrs Queen takes the train: Megan was not amused by references to my state of my need and need of medication. Genevieve felt the book ended rather poorly. 

Alison           6
Anna             7
Annette         8
Cheryl           8.5
Genevieve   7
Kristy            8
Megan           7
Phil                7

Average 7.3

The Uncommon reader and Mrs Queen takes the train

This April we're reading two books where an Elizabeth Windsor HRH, takes center stage.

The uncommon reader by Alan Bennett is a gorgeous story in 124 pages of what happens when the Queen steps into the mobile library van outside the palace kitchens. Rather the offend the librarian she borrows her first library book, and so begins a new passion for reading. The Queen is clearly not herself and her new hobby turns the place upside down.

In Mrs Queen takes the train she is even less than her usual self when feeling forlorn she boards a train for Edinburgh, to have a last look at the Royal yacht Brittannia. The book has some surprising depth and isn't all comedy.

March 2013- All that I am by Anna Funder- we came, we drank and we talked

A lot has been written (and read) about the Holocaust and Nazi Germany. The topic presented may have just been too much of the same for some, for others we found it provided a different view. Annette sought out more info on the topic that inspired the book. Cheryl had to push through parts of the book as did others, and Deb who scored a 2 only managed to read the first hundred or so pages.

The scores are:
Alison           6
Anna             7
Annette         7
Cheryl           5
Deb               3
Genevieve
Kristy            4
Megan           3
Phil                8

Total 43, average score 5.4

And I'm really sorry Genevieve I can't remember what score you gave the book so let me know and I'll add it.

All that I am / Anna Funder

The book for March is Miles Franklin award winner All that I am by author and model look alike, Anna Funder.
The story was inspired by her real life friend Ruth Blatt, a member of the Nazi resistance in the years leading up to World War 2.

See Stephanie Dowrick, a social commentator and interfaith minister's review

http://www.stephaniedowrick.com/blog/anna-funders-all-that-i-am/

February 2013- Wonder by RJ Palacio

WONDER

R. J. PALACIO

"I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse. " August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid--but his new classmates can't get past Auggie's extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 "New York Times" bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie's point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community's struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. "Wonder is the best kids' book of the year," said Emily Bazelon, senior editor at Slate.com and author of "Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy." In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel "a meditation on kindness" --indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can't blend in when you were born to stand out.
http://www.bookdepository.com/


Everyone enjoyed a light read after "Middlesex" but that does not mean that this book was without substance. It is a book packed with issues that are dealt with beauty and empathy. The characters are likeable and believable. The author cleverly uses the characters to unfold the story without judgement.

We all enjoyed the book and were keen to discuss the authors accuracy in describing our discomfort in reacting to encountering people with severe deformities. 

This is a likeable book about a difficult subject. School aged readers could easily access and enjoy.

Kathy 9
Annette 10
Cheryl 10
Deb 8
Kristy 9
Alison 7
Megan 7
Genevieve 9
Anna 10

Average rating: 8.7

Thanks to Cheryl for providing multiple copies of the book.