My Labrador Friends Book Club - Fiction Choice

Joy

Joy

Location
East Sussex
@Jessica I'm currently reading an Amitav Ghosh, 'The Calcutta Chromosome' which I chose because I loved his Ibis Trilogy (a historical novel set in the Opium Wars, starting with 'A Sea of Poppies'), but I'm not finding this one as gripping.
Two of my favourite authors are Kate Atkins and Ali Smith (though I think the last book in Ali Smith's Seasons quartette was stymied by the unexpected pandemic.)
Are you on goodreads? I keep a record of what I read on there which is open for anyone to see.
www.goodreads.com

Joy Stephenson’s books on Goodreads (1,013 books)

Joy Stephenson has 1013 books on her all shelf: The Creeping Shadow by Jonathan Stroud, The Hollow Boy by Jonathan Stroud, The Perpetual Astonishment of ...
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J

Jessica

I love Amitav Ghosh! I've read lots of his but not the Calcutta Chromosome. I think he has a new book out too? He is one of my favourite authors. I also like William Dalrymple's non-fiction books on Indian history. I have read quite a bit of Kate Atkinson and Ali Smith though I didn't like the Seasons books as much as everybody else seemed to. Jumpa Lahiri is one of my favourite authors, if you have read any of her books? I will have a look through your good reads for ideas!
 
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Lisa

Lisa

Moderator
Location
Alberta, Canada
Speaking of India, I have two recommendations (older books but if you haven’t read them, you should)

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. Amazing writing. A fictional story but based on the author’s own experiences, which is kinda mind-blowing to consider if you read the book.

Beyond the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo. Nonfiction. The author spent a year researching a slum that had grown up to house those building the new airport in Mumbai (I think? Can’t quite remember). At any rate it is a stunning book about the ordinary people who live in heart-breaking circumstances and at times it will make you so angry at the incredible things they face, but it’s also about the amazing resiliency of the human spirit.

Highly recommend both of those!

Soeaking of violence against women:rolleyes:....
Am currently reading The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper, by Hallie Rubenhold.

Wow what a book. The crimes themselves are barely mentioned, no gory details. The killer is not talked about at all. This book explores these women who were framed as ciphers, “loose women”, etc and finally shows us who they were, and in the process gives us an unflinching look at the difficult, difficult lives facing women alone and those who existed on the edge of society at that time.
I’ve only read the stories of the first two women, but wow.
 
J

Jessica

Lisa said:
Beyond the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo.
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Funnily enough I was looking at that book today! I have a copy of it and have never read it, and was just thinking I should really read it. I think I've read Shantaram but can't remember much about it other than the cover. I spent quite a bit of time in SE Asia when I was younger and there were always copies in the book exchanges, maybe I just saw it so often that it seems like I've read it.

The Hallie Rubenhold book sounds great. I was reading about a new film about Kim Wall, the journalist who was killed so awfully in Denmark a few years ago. The film makers said they were determined not to name the killer or make it about him or give him any attention or recognition at all, but to focus only on Kim and her life. It's an important shift in perspective and reporting.
 
Lisa

Lisa

Moderator
Location
Alberta, Canada
Jessica said:
Funnily enough I was looking at that book today! I have a copy of it and have never read it, and was just thinking I should really read it. I think I've read Shantaram but can't remember much about it other than the cover. I spent quite a bit of time in SE Asia when I was younger and there were always copies in the book exchanges, maybe I just saw it so often that it seems like I've read it.

The Hallie Rubenhold book sounds great. I was reading about a new film about Kim Wall, the journalist who was killed so awfully in Denmark a few years ago. The film makers said they were determined not to name the killer or make it about him or give him any attention or recognition at all, but to focus only on Kim and her life. It's an important shift in perspective and reporting.
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Beautiful Forevers is SO good. One of the best I’ve read in the last decade for sure.

There are bits of Shantaram that are weak, but overall it’s a fantastic story, beautifully told.
 
Candy

Candy

Biscuit Tin Guardian
Location
West Yorkshire, UK
Jessica said:
All this talk of books has made me assess the "to read" pile beside my bed... don't think I need to go out looking for more :$View attachment 23659
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Just downloaded Shuggy Bain onto my Kindle today and intend to start reading it soon.
It's strange what's happened to me and reading since Covid. I have been an avid reader since childhood. My working years involved so very much contact with people that reading became my escape. However I have found that with the combination of learning to live on my own and then the restrictions necessary due to Covid I am currently more inclined to connect to people online or watch TV. I think I just need human contact now, whereas when I was working I often felt I had too much. I'm determined to get back to my reading though, when the time is right again. I'm looking forward to talking books with all you other readers, just as I would have been doing a few years ago.
 
J

Jessica

I'm actually in a similar position at the moment @Candy My bedside books are piling up precisely because I'm not reading them! I take a book to bed to read but don't read it and it lies around getting joined by more and more friends. I'm reading less than I ever have, in terms of reading for enjoyment.
 
Lisa

Lisa

Moderator
Location
Alberta, Canada
Jessica said:
I'm actually in a similar position at the moment @Candy My bedside books are piling up precisely because I'm not reading them! I take a book to bed to read but don't read it and it lies around getting joined by more and more friends. I'm reading less than I ever have, in terms of reading for enjoyment.
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I was heading down that path, too, and it really BUGGED me so am working on limiting my social media and picking up my books more. And going to bed earlier so I can read before bed.
 
snowbunny

snowbunny

Location
Andorra and Spain
A FB friend recommended this book and when I looked the first review said "hopeful and uplifting". So I bought it on Audible without even reading what it was about. I listened to it over the weekend and, oh! It's so lovely! Not at all what I was expecting, but I heartily recommend it to give you the warm and fuzzies. I actually squeaked "YAAAAAAAY!!!" out loud at one point. Chicken soup for the soul.

The House in the Cerulean Sea eBook: Klune, TJ: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

The House in the Cerulean Sea eBook: Klune, TJ: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
www.amazon.co.uk

14/10, highly recommend.


Here are a few of the literary reviews coped from Amazon:

I loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect. --V.E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

It will renew your faith in humanity." --Terry Brooks, New York Times bestselling author of the Shannara series

"It's a witty, wholesome fantasy that's likely to cause heart-swelling." --The Washington Post

"The House in The Cerulean Sea is a modern fairy tale about learning your true nature and what you love and will protect. It's a beautiful book." --Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in. Touching, tender, and truly delightful, The House in the Cerulean Sea is an utterly absorbing story of tolerance, found family, and defeating bureaucracy."--Gail Carriger, New York Times bestselling author of Soulless

"Sweet, comforting, and kind, this book is very close to perfect. The House in the Cerulean Sea is a work of classic children's literature written for adults and children alike, with the perspective and delicacy of the modern day. I cannot recommend it highly enough." --Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of Every Heart a Doorway
 
Jacqui-S

Jacqui-S

Moderator
Location
Fife, Scotland
snowbunny said:
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng.
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I used this as a recommendation for our Book Club and it was chosen for us to read.
Really nicely written, but maybe not the best time to read it. I kind of think I was in need of something a bit more uplifting.
I am scouring recommendations. Enjoying audible which also allows me to do houswork/knit/ crochet or whatever at the same time.
I have quite a few paper books I need to get back to reading.
 
Xena Dog Princess

Xena Dog Princess

Location
Wellington, NZ
So I used to be a voracious reader, generally reading between 40-60 books per year. Over the past 2 years that dropped down to zero. Mojo well and truly dunzo.

Anyway, before the school holidays I spoke to the school librarian, explained my predicament, and asked her to recommend me something YA, fantasy, easy, and compelling. She recommended Cinder, book 1 in The Lunar Chronicles by Stephanie Meyer, and I finished it today! And I really enjoyed it! I didn't care that it had cheesy moments, I didn't care that the character development wasn't profound, because it was exactly what I needed. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

No more books that are chores, I'm sticking to exactly what I want to read and if that's all fantasy and mysteries then so be it :rofl:. In saying that, I think I'm going to read Olive, Mabel, and Me by Andrew Cotter next 🤗
 
Candy

Candy

Biscuit Tin Guardian
Location
West Yorkshire, UK
Xena Dog Princess said:
So I used to be a voracious reader, generally reading between 40-60 books per year. Over the past 2 years that dropped down to zero. Mojo well and truly dunzo.

Anyway, before the school holidays I spoke to the school librarian, explained my predicament, and asked her to recommend me something YA, fantasy, easy, and compelling. She recommended Cinder, book 1 in The Lunar Chronicles by Stephanie Meyer, and I finished it today! And I really enjoyed it! I didn't care that it had cheesy moments, I didn't care that the character development wasn't profound, because it was exactly what I needed. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

No more books that are chores, I'm sticking to exactly what I want to read and if that's all fantasy and mysteries then so be it :rofl:. In saying that, I think I'm going to read Olive, Mabel, and Me by Andrew Cotter next 🤗
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I was given Olive, Mabel and Me for Christmas. It's a lovely read.
 
snowbunny

snowbunny

Location
Andorra and Spain
@Xena Dog Princess I’m with you! Easy, relaxing, feel-good reads. I started listening to The Five and will finish it in time, but it’s not the light and fluffy that I need right now.

TJ Klune has become my new favourite author though. I’m on my third book of his, all of which have been very different - How to be a Normal Person was based in the real world while the first I read and the current one are in a fantasy land - but all have the same underlying themes of goodness and tolerance and make you feel like you’ve had a hug.
PS Not for those who may be offended by non-hetero relationships or hornless gay unicorns 😬
 
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