Monthly Book Group

Each month I host an open meeting in Woodbridge in Suffolk. We used to meet in the town's bookshop but now gather together in a nearby hall. We usually focus on modern fiction and the discussion regularly attracts around 20 people, men and women, of all ages. Everyone is welcome to join in but please let me know you are planning on coming along. Sign up to the e-newsletter here to receive details. Scroll down to take a look at the titles we've read over the year, and view the archive for past discussions.

NEW - Book Group in Framlingham at Ottie and the Bea - details here

Woodbridge Book Group List for 2009

1st November 2009
by Jane Gardam

Humorous characterisation, and gentle description, it was considered an enjoyable book.

4th October 2009
by Anne Tyler

Cover image and blurb was considered misleading, and the group felt so much more could have been said in the book.

6th September 2009
by William Boyd

A light read which was disappointing in its lack of depth. The author writing as females was considered ineffective.

2nd August 2009
by Muriel Barbery

Another book which divided the group: some found it intriguing and atmospheric, others were frustrated.

5th July 2009
by Kazuo Ishiguro

A puzzling book which some championed, but others felt disappointing.

7th June 2009
by Sam Savage

Most found this a charmless account of life as a rat.

3rd May 2009
by Mohsin Hamid

A deceptively easy read but with the author's on words and difficult themes to explore, this proved a thought-provoking discussion.

5th April 2009
by Sarah Waters

An atmospheric account of wartime London for women, with the reverse chronology adding an interesting element.

1st March 2009
by Andrew O'Hagan

A dark book with no likeable characters, however the two men who attended enjoyed it.

1st February 2009
by Stieg Larsson

Taken out of their comfort zone, most enjoyed this book but a number of members were very distressed by the account of violence towards women.

4th January 2009
by Bernhard Schlink

Comparisons with the film added to a fascinating discussion. The dilemmas of guilt and responsibility across the generations in Germany were explored.