Date: Wednesday 13 February 2019
Present: Sabine, Jen, Gill F, Gill C
Transcription is by turn charming, fascinating and mysterious and Kate Atkinson is one of those authors, like Hilary Mantel, who make it all seem so effortless as you surrender to them and follow willingly as they lead you by the hand wherever they want you to go.
I recommended it to our US legal team's book group when I made a guest appearance there later in the year.
The dinner was delicious.
Doris: Loved the book, will read more as I liked her prose. I also liked the different timelines.
Friends, book discussions, food matching and food sharing. A private book group. Warning: may contain spoilers.
Wednesday, 13 February 2019
Monday, 17 December 2018
#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.
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.
#119 Holding - Graham Norton (Choice: Jen) (Venue: The 10 Cases, Endell Street) Gill C, Gill F, Nic, Sabine, (Jen, Alex, Cloddagh, Conn)
Date: Monday 17th December 2018
Present: Gill C, Gill F, Nic, Sabine, (Jen, Alex, Cloddagh, Conn)
This most festive of gatherings began at the rehearsal of Jen's choir - where highlights included Labi Siffre's So Strong as well as a selection of both well and lesser know carols - and moved on to The 10 Cases for pre-Christmas chat and Xmas Book exchange. Sadly, our singing superstar was unable to stay because children are not allowed however, the convivial staff looked the other way while we had a quick Christmas drink.
Doris summed up the book when she said: I enjoyed it, quick read but better than expected.
Present: Gill C, Gill F, Nic, Sabine, (Jen, Alex, Cloddagh, Conn)
This most festive of gatherings began at the rehearsal of Jen's choir - where highlights included Labi Siffre's So Strong as well as a selection of both well and lesser know carols - and moved on to The 10 Cases for pre-Christmas chat and Xmas Book exchange. Sadly, our singing superstar was unable to stay because children are not allowed however, the convivial staff looked the other way while we had a quick Christmas drink.
Doris summed up the book when she said: I enjoyed it, quick read but better than expected.
Wednesday, 10 October 2018
#118 They Were Sisters - Dorothy Whipple (Choice Gill C) (Venue: Foxlow, Clerkenwell)
Date: Wednesday 10 October 2018
Present: Gill C, Sabine, Nic
Praise for They were Sisters:
Doris: I enjoyed the book – worth persevering
Nat: Yes, I’m really enjoying it too
Gill F: I’m enjoying too
Sabine: 445 pages is quite a big book – it certainly seemed quite a long read
Doris: I kept hoping Geoffrey would meet a painful death.
Sabine: that hope kept me reading too.
Present: Gill C, Sabine, Nic
Praise for They were Sisters:
Doris: I enjoyed the book – worth persevering
Nat: Yes, I’m really enjoying it too
Gill F: I’m enjoying too
Sabine: 445 pages is quite a big book – it certainly seemed quite a long read
Doris: I kept hoping Geoffrey would meet a painful death.
Sabine: that hope kept me reading too.
Wednesday, 4 July 2018
#117 The Story of Lucy Gault - William Trevor (Choice: Doris) (Venue: Mele e Pere, Brewer Street)
Date: Wednesday 4 July 2018
Present: Gill F, Doris, Jen
A slow, poignant book that took time to warm-up. Hopefully, dinner came out hot from the start (unless it was salad!) but I don't know because I wasn't there.
Nic: I didn’t like the book to begin with – I didn’t enjoy the language / style. But I did like the story and want to know how it resolved. I definitely got more into it. It was a bit Captain Corelli-ish in its futility but I quite like a sad ending
Sabine: agree with Nic – I was waiting for the story to start for about 100 pages! Ending was melancholic but a happy one would not have worked. Liked the description of the minutiae of Irish provincial life. And the (always scary) reminder that small things can have a big impact.
Gill C: I liked the book.
Jen: I felt that it was a very English book, for all that it was written by an Irishman. It didn’t have the lyricism of Irish English. The characters were very flat; events happened to them, rather than they driving or having any influence other than the original action by the child Lucy. I enjoyed parts of it, but overall, disappointing.
Present: Gill F, Doris, Jen
A slow, poignant book that took time to warm-up. Hopefully, dinner came out hot from the start (unless it was salad!) but I don't know because I wasn't there.
Nic: I didn’t like the book to begin with – I didn’t enjoy the language / style. But I did like the story and want to know how it resolved. I definitely got more into it. It was a bit Captain Corelli-ish in its futility but I quite like a sad ending
Sabine: agree with Nic – I was waiting for the story to start for about 100 pages! Ending was melancholic but a happy one would not have worked. Liked the description of the minutiae of Irish provincial life. And the (always scary) reminder that small things can have a big impact.
Gill C: I liked the book.
Jen: I felt that it was a very English book, for all that it was written by an Irishman. It didn’t have the lyricism of Irish English. The characters were very flat; events happened to them, rather than they driving or having any influence other than the original action by the child Lucy. I enjoyed parts of it, but overall, disappointing.
Wednesday, 16 May 2018
#116 High Rise - J G Ballard (Choice: Nic) (Venue: OTE)
Date: Wednesday 16 May 2018
Present: Nic, Gill C, Gill F, Sabine, Doris
People seemed to get nervous and picky about their food for this one!
Sabine: Do not want dog on the menu.
But we were all agreed on the book.
Sabine: The general consensus seemed “deeply disturbing”
And all agreed on the most appropriate drink for the night.
Nic: Thanks for not tossing the empty champagne bottles off the top floor.
Present: Nic, Gill C, Gill F, Sabine, Doris
People seemed to get nervous and picky about their food for this one!
Sabine: Do not want dog on the menu.
But we were all agreed on the book.
Sabine: The general consensus seemed “deeply disturbing”
And all agreed on the most appropriate drink for the night.
Nic: Thanks for not tossing the empty champagne bottles off the top floor.
Wednesday, 11 April 2018
#115 Cast in order of Disappearance - Simon Brett (Choice: Mark) (Venue: Brasserie Zedel)
Date: Wednesday 11 April 2018
Present: Nic, Nathalie, Doris, Sabine, Gill C, Gill F, Jen, Mark
Our best turnout in a long time and a thoroughly enjoyable meal in wonderful company. Surely we are the best book group in the world?! Except tonight's photo didn't won us the competition, so not everyone agrees with us. The book was very enjoyable to those who read it and those who heard it on the radio.
Nathalie Closs: Andouilles stinks of dog breath, Steer clear.
Gill F: Choucroute is another abomination in my opinion.
Present: Nic, Nathalie, Doris, Sabine, Gill C, Gill F, Jen, Mark
Our best turnout in a long time and a thoroughly enjoyable meal in wonderful company. Surely we are the best book group in the world?! Except tonight's photo didn't won us the competition, so not everyone agrees with us. The book was very enjoyable to those who read it and those who heard it on the radio.
Nathalie Closs: Andouilles stinks of dog breath, Steer clear.
Gill F: Choucroute is another abomination in my opinion.
Thursday, 8 March 2018
#114 Bird Cage Walk - Helen Dunmore (Choice: Gill F) (Venue: Prix Fixe, Dean Street, Soho)
Date: Thursday 8 March 2018
Present: Nic, Jen, Gill F, Sabine
Reasonable book, good champagne, terrible foie gras, excellent night.
Gill F: I have a bit of a headache this morning. Did someone spike my wine?
Nic: Do you think it was the first bottle that got spiked or the second?
Gill C: Never blame champagne, champagne can do no wrong.
Present: Nic, Jen, Gill F, Sabine
Reasonable book, good champagne, terrible foie gras, excellent night.
Gill F: I have a bit of a headache this morning. Did someone spike my wine?
Nic: Do you think it was the first bottle that got spiked or the second?
Gill C: Never blame champagne, champagne can do no wrong.
Thursday, 25 January 2018
#113 Ashes of London - Andrew Taylor (Choice: Jen) (Venue: Paternoster Chop House, St. Pauls)
Date:Thursday 25 January 2018
Present: Jen, Nic, Sabine
A beautiful moonlit night, with St Paul's looking resplendent - the perfect venue from which to reflect on the book. And I am sure we did talk about the book ... although I am sure we talked more about other things, as is our way.
A very enjoyable, though expensive, dinner in great company to mark a book which provided a thoroughly enjoyable romp through the Great Fire of London.
Gill C: Loved the book.
Present: Jen, Nic, Sabine
A beautiful moonlit night, with St Paul's looking resplendent - the perfect venue from which to reflect on the book. And I am sure we did talk about the book ... although I am sure we talked more about other things, as is our way.
A very enjoyable, though expensive, dinner in great company to mark a book which provided a thoroughly enjoyable romp through the Great Fire of London.
Gill C: Loved the book.
Thursday, 16 November 2017
#112 Eight Months on Gazzah Street - Hilary Mantel (Choice: Nathalie) (Venue: Yalla Yalla, North of Oxford Street)
Date: Thursday 16 November 2017
Present: Nic, Gill F, Jen, Gill C, Nathalie
Nathalie's triumphant return to book group - a magical night of shared food and laughter and joy - once we were all gathered in the same Yalla Yalla!
The book was very popular and well described by Sabine.
Sabine: Enjoyed the book and her turn of phrase – very different to Wolf Hall. Felt very autobiographical
Present: Nic, Gill F, Jen, Gill C, Nathalie
Nathalie's triumphant return to book group - a magical night of shared food and laughter and joy - once we were all gathered in the same Yalla Yalla!
The book was very popular and well described by Sabine.
Sabine: Enjoyed the book and her turn of phrase – very different to Wolf Hall. Felt very autobiographical
Thursday, 31 August 2017
The no-book Book Group (Venue, Nic's choice: Bibigo)
Date: 31 August 2017
Present: Nic, Jen, Gill C, Sabine
My first book group as Mrs. Berry and Gill C insisted on champagne. Well, who was I to say no? What followed as a lovely evening, fuelled by bubbles, books (read and unread), friendship and love.
In tragic news, Bibigo has subsequently closed and the adorable staff have disappeared. They treated us like royalty on this night and gave us free desserts.
Present: Nic, Jen, Gill C, Sabine
My first book group as Mrs. Berry and Gill C insisted on champagne. Well, who was I to say no? What followed as a lovely evening, fuelled by bubbles, books (read and unread), friendship and love.
In tragic news, Bibigo has subsequently closed and the adorable staff have disappeared. They treated us like royalty on this night and gave us free desserts.
Friday, 30 June 2017
#111 The Dark Circle - Linda Grant (Choice: Shubha) (Venue: None)
Date: June 2017
No meeting and, as I never read it and don't recall us ever discussing it, no comments.
No meeting and, as I never read it and don't recall us ever discussing it, no comments.
Thursday, 11 May 2017
#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.
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.
Wednesday, 5 April 2017
#109 Berlin Diary: The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent 1934-1941 - Willian L Shirer (Choice: Nic)(Venue: Brasserie Zedel)
Date: Wednesday 5th April 2017
Present: Me, Jen, Gill F, Sabine, Shubha, Nic
The food's hit and miss but Brasserie Zedel is always a charming venue. The "European Cafe" style was spot on for the book, which I found fascinating and thoroughly enjoyed, though others were less enthusiastic in their praise.
(And the American Bar afterwards was even more apt.)
Gill F: Worth getting through tho I am glad he didn’t stay til 1945.
Sabine: Excellent book choice
Carl: … very glad I pushed through.
Present: Me, Jen, Gill F, Sabine, Shubha, Nic
The food's hit and miss but Brasserie Zedel is always a charming venue. The "European Cafe" style was spot on for the book, which I found fascinating and thoroughly enjoyed, though others were less enthusiastic in their praise.
(And the American Bar afterwards was even more apt.)
Gill F: Worth getting through tho I am glad he didn’t stay til 1945.
Sabine: Excellent book choice
Carl: … very glad I pushed through.
Wednesday, 8 February 2017
#108 Hideous Creatures - S E Lister (Choice: Mark)(Venue: Jackson and Rye, save that we cancelled)
Date: Wednesday, 8 February 2017
Present: None - a late cancellation
Horrible. And that's just missing dinner!
The book was ghastly.
Present: None - a late cancellation
Horrible. And that's just missing dinner!
The book was ghastly.
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
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