Date: Wednesday, 8 February 2017
Present: None - a late cancellation
Horrible. And that's just missing dinner!
The book was ghastly.
Friends, book discussions, food matching and food sharing. A private book group. Warning: may contain spoilers.
Wednesday, 8 February 2017
Thursday, 15 December 2016
#107 The Trouble with Goats and Sheep - Joanna Cannon (Choice: Gill F)(Venue: OTE)
Date: Thursday December 15 2016
Present: Nic, Jen, Gill C
I *think* this is the one that started with promise - conjuring eighties music and clothes and atmosphere - but then shrivelled and died, a forgettable and unaccomplished "If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things" wannabe. Still, it was Christmas so it was Xmas Book Swap night.
Present: Nic, Jen, Gill C
I *think* this is the one that started with promise - conjuring eighties music and clothes and atmosphere - but then shrivelled and died, a forgettable and unaccomplished "If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things" wannabe. Still, it was Christmas so it was Xmas Book Swap night.
Thursday, 10 November 2016
#106 - The Invisible Library - Genevieve Cogman (Choice: Jen)(Venue: Library, St Martin's Lane}
Date: Thursday 10 November 2016
Present: Jen, Gill C, Nic
Today, 16 February 2020, I am about to start catching up on 20 book group books and a similar number of dinners, which I reckon is about 19 books and dinners fewer than it should be. Anyway, if notes and reminiscences are sketchy, I've got my excuses in.
So, the venue was clearly a winner on theme and, as I recall, the food was decent too. The chat was mostly about Brexit, Trump and #metoo (topics which we have been discussing ever since!). I can't remember what we said about the book. I know Sabine had read all three by Christmas though. My lasting impression was that we thought it was enjoyable but, with the benefit of hindsight, I can tell you it is not memorable.
Present: Jen, Gill C, Nic
Today, 16 February 2020, I am about to start catching up on 20 book group books and a similar number of dinners, which I reckon is about 19 books and dinners fewer than it should be. Anyway, if notes and reminiscences are sketchy, I've got my excuses in.
So, the venue was clearly a winner on theme and, as I recall, the food was decent too. The chat was mostly about Brexit, Trump and #metoo (topics which we have been discussing ever since!). I can't remember what we said about the book. I know Sabine had read all three by Christmas though. My lasting impression was that we thought it was enjoyable but, with the benefit of hindsight, I can tell you it is not memorable.
Wednesday, 12 October 2016
The no-book book group (Venue, Sabine's choice: Adulis, Oval)
Date: October 10, 2016
Present: Nic, Gill C, Jen, Sabine
With no book to discuss, we discussed all the books! So, if you wonder where the comments in past reviews come from, this evening was the source of those partial memories and gut feelings that remain even when the detail of the books has been lost in the mists of time and wine.
At Adulis, we ate lamb, beef, chicken, lentils, chickpeas, spinach, sour flat bread (injera); drank sweet beer, honey wine and lemon water; and caught up on a summer of unofficial reading (for those who weren't put off reading for life by The Golden Notebook!).
Roll on, book group. 10 years and counting. The intention is to reinvigorate, pick up momentum and start eating and drinking together regularly, possibly with books to review over aperitifs. So we've given Jen first pick ...
What could possibly go wrong?
Present: Nic, Gill C, Jen, Sabine
With no book to discuss, we discussed all the books! So, if you wonder where the comments in past reviews come from, this evening was the source of those partial memories and gut feelings that remain even when the detail of the books has been lost in the mists of time and wine.
At Adulis, we ate lamb, beef, chicken, lentils, chickpeas, spinach, sour flat bread (injera); drank sweet beer, honey wine and lemon water; and caught up on a summer of unofficial reading (for those who weren't put off reading for life by The Golden Notebook!).
Roll on, book group. 10 years and counting. The intention is to reinvigorate, pick up momentum and start eating and drinking together regularly, possibly with books to review over aperitifs. So we've given Jen first pick ...
What could possibly go wrong?
Thursday, 25 August 2016
#105 - The Golden Notebook - Doris Lessing (Choice: Gill C) (Venue: OTE)
Date: August 25, 2016
Present: The hardcore (Nic, Gill C, Sabine)
Views from the 29th floor, that both Gill and Sabine were somewhat wary to enjoy, insufficient chairs (even though there were only 3 of us) but lots of yummy tapas-ish food - including the best gelato (courtesy of Sabine) - and great conversation, after early dismissal of the book! We were reading this since May, which speaks ... volumes (see what I did there!).
"I was so excited when at Kindle 75%, I reached the end!!! The rest was an interview with the author which I felt entitled to skip" - Nic
"Tried ones patience! Dated" - Sabine (on her second reading, which is worthy of an award in itself!)
"More intelligent than me" - Gill C (which, no-one else agrees with, BTW)
"Oh my God" - Jen
Footnote: This actually marks 10 years since our first meeting, August 2016. Lucky we opened some bubbles!
Present: The hardcore (Nic, Gill C, Sabine)
Views from the 29th floor, that both Gill and Sabine were somewhat wary to enjoy, insufficient chairs (even though there were only 3 of us) but lots of yummy tapas-ish food - including the best gelato (courtesy of Sabine) - and great conversation, after early dismissal of the book! We were reading this since May, which speaks ... volumes (see what I did there!).
"I was so excited when at Kindle 75%, I reached the end!!! The rest was an interview with the author which I felt entitled to skip" - Nic
"Tried ones patience! Dated" - Sabine (on her second reading, which is worthy of an award in itself!)
"More intelligent than me" - Gill C (which, no-one else agrees with, BTW)
"Oh my God" - Jen
Footnote: This actually marks 10 years since our first meeting, August 2016. Lucky we opened some bubbles!
Thursday, 28 April 2016
#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
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
Thursday, 31 March 2016
#103 - The Three Evangelists - Fred Vargas (Choice: Doris) (No meeting)
Date: March 2016
Present: None
A last minute cancellation in no way reflected the enthusiasm for this book, which had charming characters and an interesting plot:
"Brilliant" - Nic
"Great - read all her other books as a result" - Sabine
"Great" - Gill
"Fab!" - Jen
Doris takes an early lead for this year's awards.
Present: None
A last minute cancellation in no way reflected the enthusiasm for this book, which had charming characters and an interesting plot:
"Brilliant" - Nic
"Great - read all her other books as a result" - Sabine
"Great" - Gill
"Fab!" - Jen
Doris takes an early lead for this year's awards.
Tuesday, 23 February 2016
#102 - Brave New World - Aldous Huxley (Choice: Shubha) (No meeting)
Date: February 23, 2016
Present: none
Even the hadrcore fail sometimes. Was I skiing? Is this when Gill lost her dress?
In any case, a Shubha classic:
"Dated" - Nic
"Not interesting enough these days" - Sabine
"Bit dull" - Gill
"Been here before" - Jen
Dissenting thoughts in the comments section, by all means!
Present: none
Even the hadrcore fail sometimes. Was I skiing? Is this when Gill lost her dress?
In any case, a Shubha classic:
"Dated" - Nic
"Not interesting enough these days" - Sabine
"Bit dull" - Gill
"Been here before" - Jen
Dissenting thoughts in the comments section, by all means!
Wednesday, 20 January 2016
#101 - The Art of Murder - Carlos Jose Somoza (Choice: Nic) (Venue: The 10 Cases, Covent Garden)
Date: January 20, 2016
Present: Gill C, Sabine, Nic
Our 101st book kicked off our tenth calendar year and three, who must be considered the hard-core attenders, met to welcome in the new year with fine foods and good wines.
At some point in the proceedings, we conceded the book was interesting, though neither Sabine nor Gill really enjoyed it. Whilst I initially struggled with the concept of human art, I soon found myself thinking "Saatchi would buy it" and the weird became normal and, though the murder mystery felt a little obvious, I will read The Athenian Murders at some point.
"Interesting concept but wore off towards the end" - Sabine
"The novelty wore off" - Jen
Present: Gill C, Sabine, Nic
Our 101st book kicked off our tenth calendar year and three, who must be considered the hard-core attenders, met to welcome in the new year with fine foods and good wines.
At some point in the proceedings, we conceded the book was interesting, though neither Sabine nor Gill really enjoyed it. Whilst I initially struggled with the concept of human art, I soon found myself thinking "Saatchi would buy it" and the weird became normal and, though the murder mystery felt a little obvious, I will read The Athenian Murders at some point.
"Interesting concept but wore off towards the end" - Sabine
"The novelty wore off" - Jen
Wednesday, 25 November 2015
#100 - The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks (Choice: Mark) (Venue: Boisdale, Bishop's Gate)
Date: November 25, 2015
Present: Mark, Sabine, Gill F, Nic
Our 100th book marked our finale for our 9th calendar year.
A hard-to-find venue (for me, anyway!) but worth it - excellent meaty food, good red wine and great conversation with top travel tips to South Africa imparted to Gill F by Sabine.
On the night, my recollection is it was considered disturbing but good with a real sense of menace conjured by the returning brother but, perhaps, that was just me because:
"Didn't enjoy it" - Gill C
"Ok, pretty weird" - Sabine
"Hated it. One for the boys" - Jen
Present: Mark, Sabine, Gill F, Nic
Our 100th book marked our finale for our 9th calendar year.
A hard-to-find venue (for me, anyway!) but worth it - excellent meaty food, good red wine and great conversation with top travel tips to South Africa imparted to Gill F by Sabine.
On the night, my recollection is it was considered disturbing but good with a real sense of menace conjured by the returning brother but, perhaps, that was just me because:
"Didn't enjoy it" - Gill C
"Ok, pretty weird" - Sabine
"Hated it. One for the boys" - Jen
Thursday, 29 October 2015
#99 - Pure - Andrew Miller (Choice: Alex) (Venue: Boro Bistro, Borough High Street)
Date: October 29, 2015
Present: Alex, Shubha, Gill C, Nic
The food was great, the staff had top knots, the book was well received, generally, but there's always one, eh?!.
"Pleasing" - Nic
"Really enjoyed this one" - Sabine
"Good read" - Gill C
"No!! Wordy & ponderous" - Jen
Present: Alex, Shubha, Gill C, Nic
The food was great, the staff had top knots, the book was well received, generally, but there's always one, eh?!.
"Pleasing" - Nic
"Really enjoyed this one" - Sabine
"Good read" - Gill C
"No!! Wordy & ponderous" - Jen
Wednesday, 16 September 2015
#98 - The Martian - Andy Weir (Choice: Gill F) (Venue: Polpo at Ape and Bird)
Date: September 16, 2015
Present: Jen, Gill F, Gill C, Sabine, Nic, Doris
A very well accepted book choice and very well accepted fennel meatballs, amongst other goodies, which included frito misto and little pizzas - much better than the Spud-u-like with which we were threatened in advance.
Generally, the book was exciting, though there was a little too much science for some.
"Loved this. Fave so far" - Jen (so we know how she's voting at Chrsitmas)
"Enjoyed the first half despite not being into sci-fi" - Sabine
"Felt like it was always going to be made into a film" - Gill C
Present: Jen, Gill F, Gill C, Sabine, Nic, Doris
A very well accepted book choice and very well accepted fennel meatballs, amongst other goodies, which included frito misto and little pizzas - much better than the Spud-u-like with which we were threatened in advance.
Generally, the book was exciting, though there was a little too much science for some.
"Loved this. Fave so far" - Jen (so we know how she's voting at Chrsitmas)
"Enjoyed the first half despite not being into sci-fi" - Sabine
"Felt like it was always going to be made into a film" - Gill C
Friday, 31 July 2015
#97 - An Officer and a Spy - Robert Harris (Choice: Jen) (No Meeting)
Date: July 2015
Present: None
Not our finest year for meetings but, perhaps, Jen's finest year for book choice - as witness the comments below:
"Excellent" - Nic
"Love it. Interesting historical 'faction'." - Jen
"Great" - Sabine
"Very Interesting story" - Gill C
Present: None
Not our finest year for meetings but, perhaps, Jen's finest year for book choice - as witness the comments below:
"Excellent" - Nic
"Love it. Interesting historical 'faction'." - Jen
"Great" - Sabine
"Very Interesting story" - Gill C
Tuesday, 30 June 2015
#96 Enormity of the Tragedy - Quim Monzo (Choice: Jane) (No meeting)
Date: June
Present: None
Another meeting fail, this time for a book fail (though we never let a bad book, alone, come between us and dinner and drinks!).
Comments:
"Ugh" - Nic
"Weird" - Sabine
"Dreadful" - Jen
It seems Gill C couldn't even find words!
Present: None
Another meeting fail, this time for a book fail (though we never let a bad book, alone, come between us and dinner and drinks!).
Comments:
"Ugh" - Nic
"Weird" - Sabine
"Dreadful" - Jen
It seems Gill C couldn't even find words!
Thursday, 28 May 2015
#95 - The Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins (Choice: Gill C) (Venue: Booking Bar and Restaurant, St Pancras)
Date: 28th May 2015
Present: Jen, Sabine, Gill C, Nic
The food was enjoyable and the live piano act was loud. So loud, Gill asked them to turn him down! Others will have to work hard if they fancy picking up "most appropriate venue" this year though.
Comments, collected latterly:
"Compelling" - Nic
"Ok but not as good as Gone Girl" - Sabine
"Much better than the film" - Gill C
"Kept me turning pages" - Jen
Present: Jen, Sabine, Gill C, Nic
The food was enjoyable and the live piano act was loud. So loud, Gill asked them to turn him down! Others will have to work hard if they fancy picking up "most appropriate venue" this year though.
Comments, collected latterly:
"Compelling" - Nic
"Ok but not as good as Gone Girl" - Sabine
"Much better than the film" - Gill C
"Kept me turning pages" - Jen
Friday, 1 May 2015
#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
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
Tuesday, 31 March 2015
#93 - Dissolution - CJ Sansom (Choice: Doris) (Venue: ?)
Date: March 2015
Present: Sabine, Gill F, Doris and Jen?
So many details lost in the mists of time but this was when an unofficial book group favorite became an official choice so success was assured. Comments gathered subsequently:
"Great" - me
"Loved it and read all the others" - Sabine
"Brilliant" - Gill
"Yay!" - Jen
Present: Sabine, Gill F, Doris and Jen?
So many details lost in the mists of time but this was when an unofficial book group favorite became an official choice so success was assured. Comments gathered subsequently:
"Great" - me
"Loved it and read all the others" - Sabine
"Brilliant" - Gill
"Yay!" - Jen
Wednesday, 25 February 2015
#92 - Not that kind of Girl - Lena Dunham (Choice: Shubha) (Venue: Mishkin's Covent Garden)
Date: February 25, 2015
Present: Jane, Sabine, Jen, Gill F, Gill C, Shubha and Doris
I missed what seems destined to win "Best attended" award of the year and, sadly, the ensuing discussion. Comments gathered subsequently:
"Argh!" - Nic
"Ugh" - Sabine
"No, thank you" - Gill C
"Yuck" Jen
I'd be interested to hear about the food.
Present: Jane, Sabine, Jen, Gill F, Gill C, Shubha and Doris
I missed what seems destined to win "Best attended" award of the year and, sadly, the ensuing discussion. Comments gathered subsequently:
"Argh!" - Nic
"Ugh" - Sabine
"No, thank you" - Gill C
"Yuck" Jen
I'd be interested to hear about the food.
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
#91 - Shantaram - Gregory David Roberts (Choice: Nic) (Venue: Salt 'n' Pepper, Leicester Square)
Date: January 20, 2015
Present: Shubha, Jen, Gill C, Gill F (first outing!), Nic
The second meeting for the book that keeps on giving ... and giving.
It was long but enjoyable with, I thought, a hint of the "Count of Monte Cristo" in the episodic nature and Lin's uncanny ability to demonstrate a new skill whenever occasion called. Other comments:
"Enjoyed it" - Sabine
"Nah! Really? Shaggy dog story" - Gill C
"Enjoyable if far-fetched and too long" - Jen
The food was pretty good and they gave us all free bangles.
Present: Shubha, Jen, Gill C, Gill F (first outing!), Nic
The second meeting for the book that keeps on giving ... and giving.
It was long but enjoyable with, I thought, a hint of the "Count of Monte Cristo" in the episodic nature and Lin's uncanny ability to demonstrate a new skill whenever occasion called. Other comments:
"Enjoyed it" - Sabine
"Nah! Really? Shaggy dog story" - Gill C
"Enjoyable if far-fetched and too long" - Jen
The food was pretty good and they gave us all free bangles.
Monday, 1 December 2014
Christmas 2014
So the much anticipated results of the 2014 boOkSCARS are finally here. It has taken 2 months for me to collate, count, recount, double check, triple check and post these results (and it didn't help that I lost the sheet with the results written down on for a month!), but here they are:
Booker of the Year (Best Book) - I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Blooper of the Year (Worst Book) - Memories of my Melancholy Whores
Best Discussion - Gate of Angels
Most Disappointing Book of Promise - Westwood & Memories of my Melancholy Whores
Biggest Improver - Shantaram
Most Apt Venue of the Year - Lowndes Bar & Kitchen at the Jumeirah Lowndes (Westwood)
Best Venue of the Year (Food) - Shantaram (Roti Chai)
Best Moment (Yay!) - Northern Lights (Polar bears in armour and witch romances!)
Best Moment (Eek!) - The Ocean at the End of the Lane (A witch burrowing into foot!)
Best Nice Character (Male) - Iorek Byrnison (Northern Lights)
Best Nice Character (Female) - The Hempstock Women (The Ocean at the End of the Lane)
Best Bad Character (Male) - Gerard Challis (Westwood)
Best Bad Character (Female) - Mrs. Coulter (Northern Lights)
Worst Food - B Bar (The Ocean at the End of the Lane)
Dishonourable Mention (Blooper of Bloopers) - Spring Snow (Still)
Honourable Mention (Booker of Bookers) - To be decided
Booker of the Year (Best Book) - I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Blooper of the Year (Worst Book) - Memories of my Melancholy Whores
Best Discussion - Gate of Angels
Most Disappointing Book of Promise - Westwood & Memories of my Melancholy Whores
Biggest Improver - Shantaram
Most Apt Venue of the Year - Lowndes Bar & Kitchen at the Jumeirah Lowndes (Westwood)
Best Venue of the Year (Food) - Shantaram (Roti Chai)
Best Moment (Yay!) - Northern Lights (Polar bears in armour and witch romances!)
Best Moment (Eek!) - The Ocean at the End of the Lane (A witch burrowing into foot!)
Best Nice Character (Male) - Iorek Byrnison (Northern Lights)
Best Nice Character (Female) - The Hempstock Women (The Ocean at the End of the Lane)
Best Bad Character (Male) - Gerard Challis (Westwood)
Best Bad Character (Female) - Mrs. Coulter (Northern Lights)
Worst Food - B Bar (The Ocean at the End of the Lane)
Dishonourable Mention (Blooper of Bloopers) - Spring Snow (Still)
Honourable Mention (Booker of Bookers) - To be decided
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