Each month I host an open meeting at Browsers Bookshop, Woodbridge in Suffolk. We usually focus on modern fiction and the discussion regularly attracts around 20 people, men and women, of all ages.
25th November 2013
Where'd you go Bernadette?
A surprising, funny and inventive book which proved a hit with almost everyone and its presentation of relationships, communication and mental illness was thought-provoking.
28th October 2013
John Saturnall's Feast
General dissatisfaction with an unsophisticated plot and two-dimensional characters but the description of food and nature was considered vivid and sensual.
30th September 2013
Labyrinth
A great summer read that kept most of the group turning the pages, intrigued and engrossed by Carcassonne through the ages. A few found the writing flawed.
29th July 2013
Beautiful Ruins
Astonishing range of subject, theme and style for one book but the description of the Italian village was declared the most appealing. Much to discuss.
24th June 2013
Alys, always
Cover billing was declared misleading and some wanted a different ending, but animated debate and generally considered a great read!
3rd June 2013
Honour
Beautiful and compelling, but also contrived and superficial: the group was divided, but all were pleased to have read this book.
29th April 2013
Various Pets Alive and Dead
A witty and wry take on modern values for some, but others didn't feel the characters were authentic.
25th March 2013
Cutting for Stone
A month wasn't long enough to appreciate everything in this huge, dense book, but most finished it and everyone loved it. A lively discussion: 20% attending were men!
25th February 2013
The Paris Wife
Beautiful writing and a fascinating insight into a relationship and a literary circle, but a couple of people in the group found they didn't care about the characters.
28th January 2013
The Bookshop
Beautiful, vivid, spare writing enjoyed by most, but some found the story dull and the characters poorly drawn.
