Wednesday July 15th, 2020
Present: Gill F, Gill C, Jen, Sabine, Nic
A quick, easy, fun read and a frustrating tale of moral ambiguity.
Friends, book discussions, food matching and food sharing. A private book group. Warning: may contain spoilers.
Thursday, 16 July 2020
Thursday, 11 June 2020
#131 - Bel Canto - Ann Patchett (Choice: Doris)(Venue: Zoom)
Wednesday 10 June 2020
Present: Doris, Sabine, Gill F, Gill C, Nathalie, Jen, Suza, Nic
A favourite of Doris, who allegedly read it first on my recommendation. I think that must have been a false memory: nothing about the book rang a bell with me.
I did enjoy it. Most of us did, except for the ending, which was declared “not credible” by Gill F and “too movie like” by Gill C. The relationship was clearly destined to failure and, although perhaps that was the point, it left us dissatisfied.
Thursday, 7 May 2020
#130 - My Dark Vanessa - Kate Elizabeth Russell (Nathalie’s choice) (Venue: Zoom)
Wednesday 6 May 2020
Present: Nic; Doris; Jen; Gill F; Gill C; Vanessa; Sabine; Nathalie
A strong turnout for this one.
The book was universally praised despite the tough subject matter, which everyone agreed felt very real. We were simultaneously dismayed for and frustrated by Vanessa, prompting some discussion of what makes a victim a victim and the extent to which society can create a victim by telling someone they’ve been a victim. We debated Jacob Strane: was he appalled by himself? What did “I’ll ruin you.” mean? Did he try to restrain himself? Did the vasectomy mean she wasn’t the first? Was there anything different in his treatment of Vanessa versus the others? And the big question - was it a happy ending?
And as we continued to discuss in What’s App, Gill C summed it up:
“Definitely one that stays with you for a while whether you want it to or not.”
Present: Nic; Doris; Jen; Gill F; Gill C; Vanessa; Sabine; Nathalie
A strong turnout for this one.
The book was universally praised despite the tough subject matter, which everyone agreed felt very real. We were simultaneously dismayed for and frustrated by Vanessa, prompting some discussion of what makes a victim a victim and the extent to which society can create a victim by telling someone they’ve been a victim. We debated Jacob Strane: was he appalled by himself? What did “I’ll ruin you.” mean? Did he try to restrain himself? Did the vasectomy mean she wasn’t the first? Was there anything different in his treatment of Vanessa versus the others? And the big question - was it a happy ending?
And as we continued to discuss in What’s App, Gill C summed it up:
“Definitely one that stays with you for a while whether you want it to or not.”
Wednesday, 15 April 2020
#129 - The Sirens of Titan - Kurt Vonnegut (Suza’s Choice) (Venue: Zoom)
Wednesday 15 April 2020
Present: Suza, Sabine, Jen, Gill C, Gill F, Nathalie,
Well, that was a divisive book. Some didn’t finish, some hated it, some just couldn’t care about it. I rather enjoyed it.
Perhaps the whole pointless, awfulness of it all just rather chimed with how I was feeling about the current political climate and the pompous smug sense of superiority unpinning Brexit and MAGA movements. I loved the idea that our greatest achievements on earth were merely intergalactic communications that we unwittingly built for superior beings. The immense harm Rumfoord was willing to inflict and the sacrifices he was willing to make (of other people) to break away from the old religions that are used by men (and it does tend to be men) to justify sacrifice (of other people) was horrifying but a world where it isn’t worth trying to please an apathetic god does seem desirable; it does seem to hold the promise of a less judgmental and kinder future.
Present: Suza, Sabine, Jen, Gill C, Gill F, Nathalie,
Well, that was a divisive book. Some didn’t finish, some hated it, some just couldn’t care about it. I rather enjoyed it.
Perhaps the whole pointless, awfulness of it all just rather chimed with how I was feeling about the current political climate and the pompous smug sense of superiority unpinning Brexit and MAGA movements. I loved the idea that our greatest achievements on earth were merely intergalactic communications that we unwittingly built for superior beings. The immense harm Rumfoord was willing to inflict and the sacrifices he was willing to make (of other people) to break away from the old religions that are used by men (and it does tend to be men) to justify sacrifice (of other people) was horrifying but a world where it isn’t worth trying to please an apathetic god does seem desirable; it does seem to hold the promise of a less judgmental and kinder future.
Thursday, 9 April 2020
Our inaugural Covid 19 Lockdown Virtual Meeting
Wednesday 8 April 2020
Present: Gill F, Gill C, Jen, Sabine, Nic
Ostensibly our first lockdown book group was to discuss The Sirens of Titan but, as Suza was down with the dastardly virus, we just chatted over a glass of wine or bottle of beer. And what a tonic that turned out to be. So much so that this, in retrospect, was the first of our weekly Lockdown Support group meetings, which would be punctuated by occasional conventional book group meetings!
Nothing is out-of-bounds; we talk about wine, food, family, anxieties, political frustrations, anger, bread and sometimes books and we always finish smiling and happier than when we started.
Present: Gill F, Gill C, Jen, Sabine, Nic
Ostensibly our first lockdown book group was to discuss The Sirens of Titan but, as Suza was down with the dastardly virus, we just chatted over a glass of wine or bottle of beer. And what a tonic that turned out to be. So much so that this, in retrospect, was the first of our weekly Lockdown Support group meetings, which would be punctuated by occasional conventional book group meetings!
Nothing is out-of-bounds; we talk about wine, food, family, anxieties, political frustrations, anger, bread and sometimes books and we always finish smiling and happier than when we started.
Tuesday, 3 March 2020
#128 - Amateur: a Reckoning with Gender, Identity and Masculinity (Choice: Nic)
Tuesday 3 March 2020
Present: Vanessa, Sabine, Gill F, Gill C, Nic
Discussed at the same time and place as The Leopard, but very lightly as a couple of attendees hadn't finished (or started, as the case may be).
Gill C, as a white-collar boxer herself, had an obvious interest in this book. But it was Vanessa, half way through it, who encouraged Gill F to buy it and give it a go.
So, will add to this review when all the results are in!
Present: Vanessa, Sabine, Gill F, Gill C, Nic
Discussed at the same time and place as The Leopard, but very lightly as a couple of attendees hadn't finished (or started, as the case may be).
Gill C, as a white-collar boxer herself, had an obvious interest in this book. But it was Vanessa, half way through it, who encouraged Gill F to buy it and give it a go.
So, will add to this review when all the results are in!
#127 - The Leopard - Giuseppe di Lampedusa (Choice: Vanessa)(Venue: Tasting Sicily Enzo's Kitchen, Panton St.)
Tuesday 3 March 2020
Present: Vanessa, Gill F, Gill C, Sabine, Nic
Slow and comically inept but friendly service, left us gathering, over a period of about 30 minutes, with no offer of drinks. However the food was really rather good: arancini; prawns with Pernod risotto; crab cakes; calamari; pumpkin; fennel and orange salad; mushroom risotto; a variety of patsas with pig cheeks, with prawns, with something else I can't remember ... all served "family style" (Corvid 19 be damned - we may have done elbow bump greetings but this book group still shares food!).
The family slide show of scenes from Sicily projected on to the back wall made this a great venue for the book discussion and, while everyone thought this was a tough read, most persevered and it wasn't universally loathed. We agreed that, with lots of atmosphere and not a lot of action, a more detailed knowledge of the place and time may have been useful to get the most out of "one of the most important novels in modern Italian literature" (Wikipedia) and "the 10 best historical novels" (The Observer). "I didn't finish it." (Nic)
I might try again. On the other hand, apparently, it is a superb movie ...
Present: Vanessa, Gill F, Gill C, Sabine, Nic
Slow and comically inept but friendly service, left us gathering, over a period of about 30 minutes, with no offer of drinks. However the food was really rather good: arancini; prawns with Pernod risotto; crab cakes; calamari; pumpkin; fennel and orange salad; mushroom risotto; a variety of patsas with pig cheeks, with prawns, with something else I can't remember ... all served "family style" (Corvid 19 be damned - we may have done elbow bump greetings but this book group still shares food!).
The family slide show of scenes from Sicily projected on to the back wall made this a great venue for the book discussion and, while everyone thought this was a tough read, most persevered and it wasn't universally loathed. We agreed that, with lots of atmosphere and not a lot of action, a more detailed knowledge of the place and time may have been useful to get the most out of "one of the most important novels in modern Italian literature" (Wikipedia) and "the 10 best historical novels" (The Observer). "I didn't finish it." (Nic)
I might try again. On the other hand, apparently, it is a superb movie ...
Tuesday, 22 October 2019
#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.
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.
Tuesday, 17 September 2019
#125 Dominion - CJ Sansom (Choice: Jen) (Venue: Munich Cricket Club, Westminster)
Date: Tuesday 17 September 2019
Present: Nic, Jen, Sabine, Gill C, Vanessa
Vanessa's inaugural LGAG meeting was a rowdy affair but that wasn't really Vanessa's doing - MCC was full of suits and had the atmosphere of a rowdy city boozer. The food was acceptable. The book, however, went down much more easily.
Present: Nic, Jen, Sabine, Gill C, Vanessa
Vanessa's inaugural LGAG meeting was a rowdy affair but that wasn't really Vanessa's doing - MCC was full of suits and had the atmosphere of a rowdy city boozer. The food was acceptable. The book, however, went down much more easily.
Wednesday, 19 June 2019
#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.
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.
Wednesday, 29 May 2019
#123 Mr Bridge / Mrs Bridge - Evan S Connell (Choice: Nic) (Venue: Paladar, SE1)
Date: Wednesday 29 May 2019
Present: Nic, Gill C, Sabine
The venue was a real winner - repeat visit for me, first time for Gill and Sabine. Gill was back on for her second visit on the Saturday night but I beat her because I was there for Saturday lunch!
Sadly, the book was not such a hit. As Mr and Mrs Bridge were companion novels, we split them so a few of us read each. Only Sabine, so far as I know, made it through both. Still, it certainly raised some emotions:
Gill F: I can’t do next week. I may have killed Mrs Bridge by then though.
Jen: I got to the end of the second page and was depressed so put it down and haven’t gone back.
Nic: I gather it isn’t the popular position but I thought it was quite wonderful albeit depressing: it felt so entirely real and conjured up a place and time I am very pleased not to be. Actually, made me quite tearfully thankful for all the women that broke out of those lives and fought for everything we have and can do today.
Sabine: completely agree – it seemed such a wasted life. No wonder they were all on Valium. Definitely worth reading Mr Bridge afterwards as a lot of things become clearer. And he really loved her and working all those hours was his way of showing her. Which of course she did not understand.
Sabine: I found it worth reading Mr Bridge too as it gives much more detail / back story.
Gill C: My local book shop asked if I wanted Mrs Bridge. I politely declined.
Present: Nic, Gill C, Sabine
The venue was a real winner - repeat visit for me, first time for Gill and Sabine. Gill was back on for her second visit on the Saturday night but I beat her because I was there for Saturday lunch!
Sadly, the book was not such a hit. As Mr and Mrs Bridge were companion novels, we split them so a few of us read each. Only Sabine, so far as I know, made it through both. Still, it certainly raised some emotions:
Gill F: I can’t do next week. I may have killed Mrs Bridge by then though.
Jen: I got to the end of the second page and was depressed so put it down and haven’t gone back.
Nic: I gather it isn’t the popular position but I thought it was quite wonderful albeit depressing: it felt so entirely real and conjured up a place and time I am very pleased not to be. Actually, made me quite tearfully thankful for all the women that broke out of those lives and fought for everything we have and can do today.
Sabine: completely agree – it seemed such a wasted life. No wonder they were all on Valium. Definitely worth reading Mr Bridge afterwards as a lot of things become clearer. And he really loved her and working all those hours was his way of showing her. Which of course she did not understand.
Sabine: I found it worth reading Mr Bridge too as it gives much more detail / back story.
Gill C: My local book shop asked if I wanted Mrs Bridge. I politely declined.
Sunday, 31 March 2019
#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.
Wednesday, 13 February 2019
#121 Transcription - Kate Atkinson (Choice: Gill F) (Venue: Queen Street Dining Room)
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.
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.
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.
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