NOVEL READING III
COORDINATOR: Judith Vernier 01246 418607 judithvernier@talktalk.net
We meet in each other’s houses, a flexible, mutually agreed arrangement, on the second Friday of the month and adhere to this date unless there are fewer than 4 people available, (maximum group number is 10).
Our modus operandi is to have a list of future reads proposed by members and to select from that for the next two/three months ahead. Books are not selected in any rigid order – it depends on mutual agreement as to who will lead the discussion, how a particular book might contrast with a previous read or whether we go for a ‘long read’ – over Christmas perhaps (as we meet to eat in December).
The member who has suggested the book gives a short introduction, giving reasons for having chosen it, some information about the author and setting off the general discussion. Our choice of reads mainly from within the genre of literary fiction (though we do from time to time include a biography or a work of history) ranges from contemporary award winners to writers of the past including an occasional classic from way back. We may return to authors we have particularly enjoyed though the most lively discussions are those where there are very different opinions of book or author. Members have particular likes and dislikes, e.g. historical fiction or ‘faction’ books but it is exciting to be introduced to a writer one has not come across before or a theme which leads to further reading and research. We are a tolerant lot and, rarely, if you can’t stand getting to the end, you can just listen to why others might think it ‘a good read’.
A random selection of authors includes Bernardine Evaristo, Rose Tremain, Patrick Gale, Elizabeth Strout, Maggie O’Farrell, Anne Tyler, Delia Owens, Amor Towles, Leila Aboulela, Arnold Bennett, Naomi Alderman, Margaret Forster, Sebastian Barry, Salley Vickers, Graham Greene, Robert Harris, Kate Atkinson, Julian Barnes, Sara Moss, Catherine Bailey, Melissa Harrison, Paula Hawkins.
Come and join us – you will be very welcome to give us a try!