Christmas meeting 2012 - Monday 10 December

The final meeting for 2012 is being held at Moa's Nest in St Luke's shopping mall on Monday 10 December.  We have reserved an area for the group from 7:30 pm.  We will be able to purchase drinks, and the manager has promised to leave the cafe machine going for us - so bring your wallets.

The best entrance to use is the upstairs level entering opposite the movie cinemas.

The locals will be walking there, leaving at about 7:20 pm.

In all the excitement, don't forget to bring along your copy of The Heather Blazing

As the Earth Turns Silver by Alison Wong

From the late nineteenth century to the 1920s, from Kwantung, China to Wellington and Dunedin and the battlefields of the Western Front - a story of two families. Yung faces a new land that does not welcome the Chinese. Alone, Katherine struggles to raise her children and find her place in the world. In a climate of hostility towards the foreign newcomers, Katherine and Yung embark on a poignant and far-reaching love affair ... 

This book gave us a lot of food for discussion - our own impressions of Wellington, understanding how different groups struggle to integrate into our world.  

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with the rest of the group.

Book selection for 2013

 So everyone has replied to the survey about books for 2013.  Thanks for making the effort.   Here are the results…

A book that has been read by 3 or more people is not being included in the list, so if you want to read these books, you will need to source them yourself.  They are

Caleb's crossing by Geraldine Brooks

Jane Austin book club by Karen Joy Fowler

The Larnachs by Owen Marshall

At home: A short history of private life by Bill Bryson

The Hare With Amber Eyes by Edmund De Waal

The top 25 books that are part of our selection are (in order)

Cellist of Sarajevo, The by Steven Galloway

Something for the birds by Jacqueline Fahey

Paris Wife, The by Paula McLain

In the place of fallen leaves by Tim Pears

Various pets alive and dead by Marina Lewycka

Hand that held mine first, The by Maggie O'Farrell

Before I Go To Sleep by SJ  Watson

Conductor, The by Sarah Quigley

Get on the waka by Witi Ihimaera

Anil's ghost by Michael Ondaatje

State of Wonder by Ann  Patchett

Madonnas of Leningrad, The by Debra Dean

Bright star; Beatrice Hill Tinsley, Astronomer by Christine Cole Catly

Memory Palace, The by Mira Bartok

Cutting for stone by Abraham Verhese

Started early, took my dog by Kate Atkinson

Access Road by Maurice Gee

Degrees of separation by Laurence Fearnley

All that I am by Anna Funder

Every last one by Anna Quindlen

Sense of an ending, The by Julian Barnes

Truth by Peter Temple

When God was a rabbit by Sarah Winman

Colour, The by Rose Tremain

Life Like Other People's, A by Alan Bennett

Unfortunately there is no guarantee that we will get these books, but at least it has been a lot more democratic this time.   I hope you enjoyed the whole process.

Bulibasha The King of the Gypsies

Our October meeting hosted by Jackie discussed Bulibasha The King of the Gypsies by Witi Ihimaera.  There was a lot of references to other Ihimaera stories (the hockey game in the Beginning of the Tournament), Maori mythology and other ancient mythologies, to other authors/poets (eg the Highwayman), and  movies and songs that our readers knew.  This made the reading of this book a richer experience.

We also had a great catch up with Jan, who was attending her first meeting since April.  Welcome back Jan.

New Zealand Book Council Newsletter

Hi everyone, if you are interested in reading the New Zealand Book Council Newsletter click here

Next meeting tomorrow night!

Yes, book group is this Monday.  It has come around fast!  See you at Jackie’s home at 7:30 pm.

If you have the catalogue of books to choose next year’s titles, please bring this along as well.  Thanks

Back when we were grown-ups by Anne Tyler

September 2012 meeting - we met at Freda's home.  It was a small meeting, with just Marlene, Mary, Jackie, Denise, Freda and Yvonne there.  The discussion was fun, as we had a fun book to discuss.

Back when we were grown-ups by Anne Tyler.

All the different characters, with names that didn't exactly roll off your tongue
- 99 year old Poppy who is planning his birthday party
- Rebecca's mother and aunt
- Will, whom Rebecca walked away from, twice.
- Joe who we only meet in others recollections of him.
- the grandchildren and partners
- a business in an old building with the plaster falling down....

But would you recommend it to others to read.

PS: next meeting is at Jackie's home.

What we have already read

We have been together since April 2007 - that is a lot of books.  To see what we have already read check out...

Books 2007-2008

Books 2009-2010

Books 2011-Aug 2012

Let's get started

Hi everyone
Time to get you that step further than the mobile phone.  Here is your chance to have your say about the books we have read....
We would love to hear from you.
Yvonne