A good variety of books discussed and crossed the table this month.
The Debs of Bletchley Park and other stories, book by Michael Smith tells of the young women who were recruited for code breaking work at the top secret Bletchley Park and the lives they gave up. A necessity was the ability to speak and understand German, a creche was even provided for the children. Mrs. Mahoney’s Secret War by Gretel Wachtel. Gretel helped protect fugitives hunted by the Gestapo, passing on secrets to the resistance she learned from her work, she was eventually arrested in 1945 and liberated as the British Army advanced. Also enjoyed was The Plantagenets: The Kings Who Made England by Dan Jones. The English Royal Dynasty that ruled England from 1154-1485, highly recommended for lovers of history. Annette Kellerman: The Australian Mermaid by Grantley Kieza, the true story of Australian Swimming champion and Hollywood star Annette Kellerman. Having read Grantley Kieza’s previous books, our reader’s anticipation was not met in this book. Daughter of the Ganges a memoir by Asha Miro. Asha, born in India, was adopted by the Catalan family and lived in Barcelona, this is the story of her journey into her past. An interesting book was Drawn Testimony by Jane Rosenberg: My Four decades as a Courtroom Sketch. Jane describes her time in courtrooms, a very good memoir and worth a read. Picture You Dead written by Peter James, an ordinary couple dreamed for years of finding something priceless buried amongst junk in a car boot sale. Our reader felt this was written for TV. The Shipping News by Annie Prouix has been around a while but a good read, a reporter from New York moves to Newfoundland for a fresh start. Melania and Me by Stephanie Winton Wolkoff. Stephanie is an American businesswoman who writes about working for and friendship with Melanie Trump, sounds interesting. Just the Sisterhood by Cathy Kelly is set in Ireland - two sisters embark on a journey of self-discovery. Cathy is a popular author. Black Sheep by Judy Nunn, an historical novel about a prosperous sheep farming family and the young man they let into their lives, the usual high-class book from this author. The Butterfly Woman by Madeleine Cleary - a debut novel set in 1863 amid the brothels of Little Lonsdale Street, where all walks of life could mingle - received a tick of approval. Walking Free by Dr Munjed Al Muderis, the true story of a young man who fled Iraq as a refugee spent time, in a detention centre and went on to become a pioneering surgeon. The Governor, his Wife and his Mistress, an historical novel by Sue Williams, had special meaning for our reader whose family can be traced back to that time. The Whitest Flower by Brendan Graham, historical fiction set in 1845 during the Great Famine in Ireland, a sad book. The Jam Maker by Mary Lou Stephens, published in 2025, relates to the history of jam making in Tasmania, love and friendship and rags to riches, very enjoyable. The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer, Clover works as a death doula in New York City. The Night on the Darling River by Darry Fraser, this book started well but didn’t really click with our reader. Our usual crime writers Harlam Coben’s Nobody’s Fool was great, and John Grisham The Abduction, a simple story at teenage level. A Woman of Courage by Tania Blanchard, inspired hy a true story this historical fiction was excellent. Little Italian Bakery by Valentina Cebeni - the smell of freshly baked bread, lemon and aniseed, a lovely read. One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus, a young adult mystery novel but quite enjoyable.
See you all in July.
Geraldine
The Debs of Bletchley Park and other stories, book by Michael Smith tells of the young women who were recruited for code breaking work at the top secret Bletchley Park and the lives they gave up. A necessity was the ability to speak and understand German, a creche was even provided for the children. Mrs. Mahoney’s Secret War by Gretel Wachtel. Gretel helped protect fugitives hunted by the Gestapo, passing on secrets to the resistance she learned from her work, she was eventually arrested in 1945 and liberated as the British Army advanced. Also enjoyed was The Plantagenets: The Kings Who Made England by Dan Jones. The English Royal Dynasty that ruled England from 1154-1485, highly recommended for lovers of history. Annette Kellerman: The Australian Mermaid by Grantley Kieza, the true story of Australian Swimming champion and Hollywood star Annette Kellerman. Having read Grantley Kieza’s previous books, our reader’s anticipation was not met in this book. Daughter of the Ganges a memoir by Asha Miro. Asha, born in India, was adopted by the Catalan family and lived in Barcelona, this is the story of her journey into her past. An interesting book was Drawn Testimony by Jane Rosenberg: My Four decades as a Courtroom Sketch. Jane describes her time in courtrooms, a very good memoir and worth a read. Picture You Dead written by Peter James, an ordinary couple dreamed for years of finding something priceless buried amongst junk in a car boot sale. Our reader felt this was written for TV. The Shipping News by Annie Prouix has been around a while but a good read, a reporter from New York moves to Newfoundland for a fresh start. Melania and Me by Stephanie Winton Wolkoff. Stephanie is an American businesswoman who writes about working for and friendship with Melanie Trump, sounds interesting. Just the Sisterhood by Cathy Kelly is set in Ireland - two sisters embark on a journey of self-discovery. Cathy is a popular author. Black Sheep by Judy Nunn, an historical novel about a prosperous sheep farming family and the young man they let into their lives, the usual high-class book from this author. The Butterfly Woman by Madeleine Cleary - a debut novel set in 1863 amid the brothels of Little Lonsdale Street, where all walks of life could mingle - received a tick of approval. Walking Free by Dr Munjed Al Muderis, the true story of a young man who fled Iraq as a refugee spent time, in a detention centre and went on to become a pioneering surgeon. The Governor, his Wife and his Mistress, an historical novel by Sue Williams, had special meaning for our reader whose family can be traced back to that time. The Whitest Flower by Brendan Graham, historical fiction set in 1845 during the Great Famine in Ireland, a sad book. The Jam Maker by Mary Lou Stephens, published in 2025, relates to the history of jam making in Tasmania, love and friendship and rags to riches, very enjoyable. The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer, Clover works as a death doula in New York City. The Night on the Darling River by Darry Fraser, this book started well but didn’t really click with our reader. Our usual crime writers Harlam Coben’s Nobody’s Fool was great, and John Grisham The Abduction, a simple story at teenage level. A Woman of Courage by Tania Blanchard, inspired hy a true story this historical fiction was excellent. Little Italian Bakery by Valentina Cebeni - the smell of freshly baked bread, lemon and aniseed, a lovely read. One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus, a young adult mystery novel but quite enjoyable.
See you all in July.
Geraldine
