Good afternoon Bookworms!
Just a quick reminder that Bookclub is this Sunday October 6th at 8pm in the Black Lion pub on Welsh Row, Nantwich.
I'm looking forward to discussing 'The Book Thief' with you all and finding out what everyone thought.
As always, follow us on twitter @booknantwich and any questions or comments then please email nantwichbookworms@gmail.com
See you Sunday
Kate :)
Friday, 4 October 2013
Monday, 9 September 2013
Bookworms September update & upcoming reads
A very productive meeting took place last night with an interesting discussion about Harper Lee's 'To Kill A Mockingbird'.
We agreed that this was a thought provoking, well-written novel with shades of Huckleberry Finn intertwined with more serious subject matter and deeper themes of race, prejudice and loss of innocence. (Full review coming soon!)
A thorough discussion took place as to what we should read next and pleasingly lots of ideas were passed around. We've now been able to be very organised and plan which novels will be taking us through Autumn and into Winter. (See below).
As always, we will be meeting on the first Sunday of the Month in the Black Lion pub on Welsh Row at 8pm and new members are always welcome!
September 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak Meeting Sunday October 6th
October 'The Crow Road' by Ian Banks Meeting Sunday November 3rd
November 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini Meeting Sunday December 1st
December 'Coraline' by Neil Gaiman Meeting Sunday January 5th
January 'Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow'
by Peter Hoeg Meeting Sunday February 2nd
Remember to keep following us on twitter @booknantwich and any questions please email nantwichbookworms@gmail.com
We agreed that this was a thought provoking, well-written novel with shades of Huckleberry Finn intertwined with more serious subject matter and deeper themes of race, prejudice and loss of innocence. (Full review coming soon!)
A thorough discussion took place as to what we should read next and pleasingly lots of ideas were passed around. We've now been able to be very organised and plan which novels will be taking us through Autumn and into Winter. (See below).
As always, we will be meeting on the first Sunday of the Month in the Black Lion pub on Welsh Row at 8pm and new members are always welcome!
September 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak Meeting Sunday October 6th
October 'The Crow Road' by Ian Banks Meeting Sunday November 3rd
November 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini Meeting Sunday December 1st
December 'Coraline' by Neil Gaiman Meeting Sunday January 5th
January 'Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow'
by Peter Hoeg Meeting Sunday February 2nd
Remember to keep following us on twitter @booknantwich and any questions please email nantwichbookworms@gmail.com
Joy's Review of 'The Red House' by Mark Haddon
Book Review: The Red House (Mark Haddon)
Mark Haddon's best known first novel for adults, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2003) was well-rated by the bookclub, but his second A Spot of Bother (2006) less so, which meant The Red House (2012) was approached with slight trepidation mixed with hopeful expectation.
This time Haddon didn't disappoint. Although his disjointed style and array of characters was somewhat difficult to follow at first, once used to his unique writing style, his poeticism and obscurities added depth to an intriguing portrayal of a modern family.
It is remarkable how Haddon has such insight into a wide range of characters, from a young boy who lives predominantly in a fantasy world, to a teenage girl who can't decide whether she is a Christian or a lesbian, and an adolescent boy as he makes his complex journey into manhood. And that's not to mention the sexually aggressive daughter of a secretive mother and her step-father, the sister of whom is mourning the death of a stillborn baby some fifteen years ago and who's husband is revealed to be having an affair. Throw all of these characters together into the pressure-cooker situation of a family holiday in a Welsh cottage for a week, and you can imagine what the results maybe. Not only does Haddon have an understanding of the individual, but also how they work together in familial relationships.
Everyone felt that there was an aspect to The Red House that they could relate to, whether it was the location of the Welsh getaway, or the experience of family relationships, this book was enjoyed by all.
Wednesday, 24 July 2013
Update from Nantwich Bookworms
Hi Bookworms,
How is everyone finding this month's read? (Mark Haddon's The Red House) How spooky that it has links to our old friend Count Dracula our previous bookclub read!
As always, we'll be meeting on the first Sunday of the month and that makes it Sunday August 4th at 8pm in the Black Lion.
New members are always welcome and please spread the word!
Kate
How is everyone finding this month's read? (Mark Haddon's The Red House) How spooky that it has links to our old friend Count Dracula our previous bookclub read!
As always, we'll be meeting on the first Sunday of the month and that makes it Sunday August 4th at 8pm in the Black Lion.
New members are always welcome and please spread the word!
Kate
Joy's review of Bram Stoker's Dracula
Great Summer reads can have long-lasting memories, sitting in the sunshine, ice-cold drink by your side as the kids play in the paddling pool. Bram Stoker's Dracula is not something you would normally associate with this scene; more a wintery day, wrapped up by a roaring fire with a hot cup of something to warm your wits that have been frozen scared by this classic horror. Yet Dracula was the Nantwich Bookworms read for June and it was met with mixed reviews. Despite the incongruity of the novel to the season, Bram Stoker successfully transported the reader to the wild and dark landscape of Transylvania in the opening chapters of this nineteenth century gothic classic, the dwelling place of the Count himself. Written in the format of diary excerpts and letters from five main characters, we agreed that the descriptive narrative was excellent, shrouded with mystery and intrigue as we read on with bated breath anticipating the next spook.
It was interesting to read the origin of where so many adaptations have stemmed and (despite it being written in 1897) the modern definition of the Vampire that existed in ancient folklore. Adaptations from Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula to the ultra-modern Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer, all contain the main themes that are prevalent in the novel, the main ones being the role of women and sexual conventions, and religion.
We decided the novel was interesting rather than particularly enjoyable, with some parts very long-winded, unlike the faster paces of more modern literature. The dialogue too was uninspiring and tedious at times, which made this already long novel almost a chore to read. Stated as one of 1000 Books to Read Before You Die it feels good to be able to tick it off as read, and the scare-factor certainly stays with you as you expect to see the Count lurking in every dark corner, or tapping at your bedroom window in bat-form...or maybe that's just us feeble women...
Nantwich Bookworms meets on the first Sunday of every month at the Black Lion pub in Nantwich.
4th August The Red House by Mark Haddon
September To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
New members are always welcome - please contact us by email nantwichbookworms@gmail.com, or via Twitter @booknantwich or just turn up to a meeting! It is very friendly and informal - hope to see you there!
It was interesting to read the origin of where so many adaptations have stemmed and (despite it being written in 1897) the modern definition of the Vampire that existed in ancient folklore. Adaptations from Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula to the ultra-modern Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer, all contain the main themes that are prevalent in the novel, the main ones being the role of women and sexual conventions, and religion.
We decided the novel was interesting rather than particularly enjoyable, with some parts very long-winded, unlike the faster paces of more modern literature. The dialogue too was uninspiring and tedious at times, which made this already long novel almost a chore to read. Stated as one of 1000 Books to Read Before You Die it feels good to be able to tick it off as read, and the scare-factor certainly stays with you as you expect to see the Count lurking in every dark corner, or tapping at your bedroom window in bat-form...or maybe that's just us feeble women...
Nantwich Bookworms meets on the first Sunday of every month at the Black Lion pub in Nantwich.
4th August The Red House by Mark Haddon
September To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
New members are always welcome - please contact us by email nantwichbookworms@gmail.com, or via Twitter @booknantwich or just turn up to a meeting! It is very friendly and informal - hope to see you there!
Thursday, 20 June 2013
Upcoming Bookworms trips!
Hi Bookworms!
Reaseheath College are once again putting on their lovely summer outdoor theatre shows so we were thinking this would be the perfect excuse for an outing!
On Saturday July 20th at 7pm they will present an open-air garden theatre performance of SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES.
On Saturday August 10th at 7pm, they will be performing PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Tickets are £15, grounds open for picnics from 6pm, bring low backed seating and refreshments will be available!
For tickets please go to www.seetickets.com or contact Reaseheath on 01270 613210 or email them at conference@rreaseheath.ac.uk
If you would like any information or to let us know you'll be joining us then please email nantwichbookworms@gmail.com
Reaseheath College are once again putting on their lovely summer outdoor theatre shows so we were thinking this would be the perfect excuse for an outing!
On Saturday July 20th at 7pm they will present an open-air garden theatre performance of SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES.
On Saturday August 10th at 7pm, they will be performing PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Tickets are £15, grounds open for picnics from 6pm, bring low backed seating and refreshments will be available!
For tickets please go to www.seetickets.com or contact Reaseheath on 01270 613210 or email them at conference@rreaseheath.ac.uk
If you would like any information or to let us know you'll be joining us then please email nantwichbookworms@gmail.com
Joy's review of 'The Gift of Rain'.
Tan Wan Eng's 'The Gift of Rain' provided an interesting insight into World War Two that is not often explored or portrayed to the Western world.
From the small island of Penang, China, the reader is shown how the effects of the War reach the shores of even the most beautiful and hidden-away parts of the world. Effects that destroy relationships, strengthen mis-guided loyalties and devastate communities.
The sometimes horrific and disturbing scenes of torture and torment are incongruous to the setting of the novel, which Eng depicts majestically through imagery and metaphor. Whether recollecting long gone memories of thousands of fireflies that lit the way for a beautiful romance, or a description of the lush vegetation that crept its way up the mountain cliffs towards the sun – Eng captivates his readers from the outset as we explore a lesser known world.
Although the novel is rich in imagery, there weren't any particular characters that we felt drawn to. The twists and turns of the plot left us mistrusting of anyone in the end, and somewhat frustrated by the customary values held such as ‘saving face’ and honour, that seem to transcend more expected values like familial
love and loyalty.
Told from the viewpoint of a half Chinese and half English teenage son of an influential business man, The Gift of Rain is a coming-of-age tale that is laced with warfare, tragedy, spiritualism and friendship. Beautifully written and intriguingly ambiguous in parts, it is a recommended read from the Nantwich Bookworms.
Want to join our friendly discussion group? Put these on your holiday reading lists and come along the first Sunday of the month at The Black Lion, Nantwich 8pm. Everyone welcome
Dracula (Bram Stoker)
The Red House (Mark Haddon)
To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
All of Joy's reviews along with lots more local news and information can also be seen at www.thenantwichnews.co.uk
From the small island of Penang, China, the reader is shown how the effects of the War reach the shores of even the most beautiful and hidden-away parts of the world. Effects that destroy relationships, strengthen mis-guided loyalties and devastate communities.
The sometimes horrific and disturbing scenes of torture and torment are incongruous to the setting of the novel, which Eng depicts majestically through imagery and metaphor. Whether recollecting long gone memories of thousands of fireflies that lit the way for a beautiful romance, or a description of the lush vegetation that crept its way up the mountain cliffs towards the sun – Eng captivates his readers from the outset as we explore a lesser known world.
Although the novel is rich in imagery, there weren't any particular characters that we felt drawn to. The twists and turns of the plot left us mistrusting of anyone in the end, and somewhat frustrated by the customary values held such as ‘saving face’ and honour, that seem to transcend more expected values like familial
love and loyalty.
Told from the viewpoint of a half Chinese and half English teenage son of an influential business man, The Gift of Rain is a coming-of-age tale that is laced with warfare, tragedy, spiritualism and friendship. Beautifully written and intriguingly ambiguous in parts, it is a recommended read from the Nantwich Bookworms.
Want to join our friendly discussion group? Put these on your holiday reading lists and come along the first Sunday of the month at The Black Lion, Nantwich 8pm. Everyone welcome
Dracula (Bram Stoker)
The Red House (Mark Haddon)
To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
All of Joy's reviews along with lots more local news and information can also be seen at www.thenantwichnews.co.uk
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