#144 - Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Grams (Choice: Sabine)(Venue: Heddon Street Kitchen)

May 4th, 2022

Present: Jen, Gill C, Gill F, Sabine, Nic

Our first post-Covid meet-up. The restaurant was chaotic, the service almost non-existent, one of those times when you had to repeatedly beg and plead to be allowed to pay and get out. It was also one of the first times most of us had seen the calories on a menu - we weren't fans. Who really needs that when they are eating out?!

As for the book, it was very well received by those who had read it (all but me) and I adored it when I finally got caught up. The talk was brief so as not to spoil my experience. Gill F was "Gripped at the first page". Top marks. Everyone should have a SixThirty. The jury is out on the already announced Apple TV dramatisation. 

Pass the sodium chloride and let's get stuck into the food. 

#136 - Your House Will Pay - Steph Cha (Choice: Sabine) (Venue: Zoom)

Date: ? Did we even talk about it? Ah, yes but when, exactly, I couldn’t say. 

Present: ?

The trouble with Kindle is one only sees the title and the author once! Hence, albeit, that I initially couldn’t remember (writing in September 2021) this book, I then saw a What’s App saying I was ready to talk about it and it came flooding back. We all found this a powerful and uncomfortable and challenging read - not challenging to read, that is, but thought-provoking. 

#126 - 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World - Elif Shafar (Choice: Sabine) (Venue: Kazan, Wilton Street)

Date: Tuesday 22 October 2019
Present: Vanessa, Suza, Nic, Doris, Gill F, Sabine

Suzanne's inaugural LGAG - two new members in two meetings! It felt like we were getting some momentum, though life has a habit of getting in the way and this was no exception.  Our next meeting (fingers crossed) will be March 3rd 2020.

The venue was most appropriate, the food was tasty and the table was surrounded on three sides by banquette, which made for convivial conversation.

The book was well received - novel and well-written - although the ending divided people. It seems I was alone in finding the whole concept horrifying (imaginative, well-written, compelling but horrifying). Are we really aware we are dead for over 10 minutes, alone with our thoughts and the knowledge that it is all over, just wondering if and when we'll be found. That time to consider, reminisce, regret seems horrendous and still haunts me.

#124 The Awakening (Y Byw sy’n Cysgu) - Kate Roberts (Choice: Sabine) (Venue: Bryn Williams, Somerset House)

Date: Wednesday 19 June 2019
Present: Gill C, Jen, Sabine, Nic

A Welsh chef for a Welsh book - though we all read it in English. (I bought the Welsh but it's one for the - distant - future!).

The restaurant was hard to find and comprised of a succession of rooms which is challenging for the staff so service was friendly but a little inept. Orders were misunderstood more than once. However, everything that came out was absolutely delicious, especially the smoked salmon. Heading back this week (February 2020) with some fellow Welsh expats.

The book was a quiet, gentle novel conjuring another time and place.

#122 Home Fire - Kamilla Shamsie (Choice: Sabine)

Date: Unclear

Present: None

Almost an official choice - initially filler for our speedier readers but eventually read by most!

Doris: thought Home Fire was fantastic 

Gill C: It’s very good.

#120 Little Fires Everywhere - Celest Ng (Choice: Sabine) (Venue: The 10 Cases)

Date: Monday 17th December 2018
Present: Gill C, Gill F, Nic, Sabine, (Jen, Alex, Cloddagh, Conn)

Also discussed at our Christmas gathering and, generally, the more popular choice. A rollicking good read filled with fascinating characters.

Nic: I raced through Little Fires.
Gill F: I raced through it too.

#110 The Brain that Changes Itself - Norman Doige (Choice: Sabine)(Venue: The Welcome Collection, Euston)

Date: Thursday 11 May 2017
Present: Sabine, Nic, Mark, Jen, Gill C

Brilliantly apt venue choice so we indulged in a bit of culture and education prior to dinner, which was adequate.

On the book, "Interesting" seemed to be the consensus.

Gill F: interesting but not gripping
Jen: Book is very interesting but I must admit I am struggling. Needs more brain power than I’ve got spare after work these days.

I never finished it, although it definitely was interesting, but I gave it to my Dad though and he rocketed through it.

#104 - My Brilliant Friend - Elena Ferrante (Choice: Sabine) (Venue: Vico, Cambridge Circus)

Date: April 28, 2016
Present: Sabine, Gill F, Jen

In a shock outcome, Nic and Gill C fail to turn up to a drink and food opportunity. Was this the lost dress day?

No comments therefore on the venue, food or conversation, although this book equipped us all to have some knowledge of the subject of this Autumn's big identity reveal and an opinion on artistic identity and privacy.

Subsequently collected comments:
"Atmospheric" - Nic
"I liked it v much" - Sabine
"Enjoyable enough to read books 2 and 3" - Gill C
"Confusing! Too many people" - Jen

#94 - Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Choice: Sabine) (No meeting)

Date: May 2015
Present: None

One of many meeting fails this year but that in no way reflected the reception for the book.

"Good" Nic
"Good" Gill C
"Thought provoking. V interesting observations on difference" Jen

#85 - Life After Life - Kate Atkinson (Choice: Sabine) (No meeting)

Apologies: All

And so the run of poor attendance continues for the year.

The book however was almost universally liked (by those who've subsequently had chance to comment).

Jen found it very Kate Atkinson and did not enjoy the vehicle, whilst appreciating it was clever.  However, this was the closest we have got to criticism.  The said, I loved, loved, loved it so, it is likely that, had Shubha read it, she would have been a very vocal critic!  Given my review, I don't believe she's rushing off to buy it.

Unless something spectacular comes along in the next couple of months, this one will get my vote for book of the year!