Thursday, 4 June 2020

Wine, Books & More May Roundup




Here is a quick look at what the Wine, Books & More book club were reading through the month of May:

Lord of the Flies – William Golding
Read it in high school and it made a huge impact on my life.  Now going to reread it and see what I get out of it as an adult.



Gone Missing – Linda Castillo
Really, really enjoyed it. You get a real sense that you are there. Each book keeps getting better.

I thought it was really weird and quirky. Although it was a nice interlude.

It Started with Paris – Cathy Kelly
Good light read, can’t stop laughing.

The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood
Re-reading it.  Liked it in the past and still really enjoyed it. 4 stars

Middlemarch – George Elliott
Supposedly the greatest novel ever written. 19th century, small town life in Britain. Enjoyed it but can definitely tell it was written in the 19th century.

Normal People – Sally Rooney
Watched the TV series but haven’t read the book. Supposedly very faithful to the book.  Based on an Irish couple and focuses on the class inequality between them and their developing relationship. Quite sad but really interesting.

Five Lose Dad in the Garden Centre – Bruno Vincent
Very middle class British humour. 2 stars


The Standing Chandelier – Lionel Shriver
Quick read. He’s great at observational stuff and reading into motivations. Based on man and women relationships. 4 stars. A novella from "Property: A collection"

Calling Major Tom – David M Barrett
Becomes an accidental astronaut. Very contrived British humour.

Clash of Kings – George R R Martin
Really enjoying. Very clever character presentation.

Set in WW1 and based on a true person. Hard to read and get a bit fed up with the characters.

What If – Randall Munroe
Random questions people ask and their scientific answers. Interesting read.

Elements of Eloquence
Well written book on the origins of words and phrases.

The Genius of Birds – Jennifer Ackerman
Non-fiction book looking at the cleverness of birds especially crows and ravens.

Heart Sick – Chelsea Cain
Written in 2007. Focuses on a female serial killer and the disturbing relationship she builds with a lead detective. Really great read. A bit graphic at times but fascinating psychological thriller.

The Warehouse – Rob Hart
Reminiscent of the Black Mirror tv series. It’s not too far from where we are now. Slightly terrifying view of the possible future.

The Problem of Pain – CS Lewis
The purpose of the book is to address the issue of pain and suffering in the world and why God lets it happen.  Interesting so far. CS Lewis was very clever and a man of his time.

The Light Brigade – Kameron Hurley
Fantastic read. Mix of Starship Troopers and the Edge of Tomorrow. Soldier in a future not far from ours starts experiencing time very differently to everyone else. 5 stars

History of the number 0. Good book. Reminded me that high school math was a long time ago!

Infamy: the crimes of Ancient Rome – Jerry Toner
Brings Rome to trial both by today’s standards and also ancient Roman standards.

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