What a fun afternoon we had talking about our reading and discussing a wide variety of topics arising from our love of reading. Many books were swapped and lent across the table. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee written in 1960 the comment was how different this book is to what we read now. What the Night Brings by Mark Billingham latest mystery in the Tom Thorne series, the criminal is targeting police. Outback by Patricia Wolf two missing backpackers in the outback, a good mystery read. The last novel written by Sidney Sheldon, Are You Afraid of the Dark, two widows find themselves under attack and are drawn together, was enjoyable. The Killing Ground by Jack Higgins was reviewed as a `good story’. Violets Are Blue by James Patterson is the 7th book in the series featuring Washington DC Alex Cross, a good mystery read. Ma He Sold Me for a Packet of Cigarettes by Martha Long, a teenage mother in the slums of Dublin in the 1950’s, this was not an easy read and our reader felt disappointment in the ending. The Bark Cutters by Nicole Alexander is a rural saga through four generations with a better ending than the previous book. Still Alice by Lisa Genova is a moving novel about a woman with early Alzheimer’s disease. The Paris Wife by Paula McLain, bohemian Paris in the 1920’s this is the story of the relationship between Ernest Hemingway and his first wife Hadley Richardson, a great story of the time this is set in. A feel good story Fr. Bob, The Larrikin Priest by Sue Williams a look at the tireless work Fr. Bob did for people in need. Limestone Road by Nicole Alexandra a soldiers journey home from Egypt to South Australia, a little bit of history in this one, our reader recommended it. A daunting but very interesting read was Why Us? Why Not by Leslie Falkiner-Rose. Leslie chronicles her family’s journey when her husband is diagnosed with Leukaemia sometimes sad sometimes funny. Lies Damn Lies and History this is the 7th book in the popular Chronicles of St. Mary’s series and was nominated for Readers Favourite Science Fiction in 2016. Outlawed, Outcast and Forgotten by Peter C. Smith was described as `horrible’. Also tried was Suburban True Crime by Emily Webb and Dead Souls by Ian Rankin neither were recommended. Lee Child author of Blue Moon didn’t disappoint whilst The Secret Years of Dame Zara Holt by Kimberley Freeman began a great discussion and much laughter on the why and how of the disappearance of Prime Minister Harold Holt. Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy, when four strangers meet on a Greek Island their lives are changed forever. Needle in a Haystack by Karly Lane had some good points and some ordinary points, so perhaps something else to choose to read. The Partner by John Grisham he seldom fails to tell a good yarn. Must Love Flowers by Debbie MacComber a feel good story of two women at different stages of life go on a path of renewal, quite a good read. Deception Creek by Fleur McDonald set in the Flinders Rangers this rural suspense novel was also recommended. The Scene of the Crime by Lynda La Plante was described as disappointing and predictable.
Our last gathering is on Monday 1st December for a chat and afternoon tea to finish off 2025.
Geraldine McCorkell
