Books We've Read

Since it's inception in 2005, members of the Nyabing Book Club have read the following books:

1. 'The DaVinci Code', Dan Brown (Michaela)
2. 'The Time Traveller's Wife', Audrey Niffenegger (Sheryle)
3. 'The Five People You Meet in Heaven', Mitch Albom (Megan)
4. 'My Sister's Keeper', Jodi Picoult (Fliss)
5. 'Desert Flower', Waris Dirie (Cathy)
6. 'Great Working Dog Stories', Angelo Goode & Mike Hayes (Michaela)
7. 'Shadows in the Wind', Carlos Ruiz Zafon (Suzanne)
8. 'A Million Little Pieces', James Frey (Kate)
9. 'The Kite Runner', Khaled Hosseini (Elaine)
10. 'Tenderness of Wolves', Sef Penny (Christie)
11. 'The Memory Keeper's Daughter', Kim Edwards (Cathy)
12. 'Two Caravans', Marina Lewycka (Megan)
13. 'Maos' Last Dancer', Li Cunxin (Fliss)
14. 'Love, Sex & Money', Liz Byrski (Sheryle)
15. "Silvermeadow", Barry Maitland + free "The Ballard of Les Darcy", Peter Fitzsimmons (Cathy)
16. 'Atonement', Ian McEwan (Kate)
17. 'Lullabies for Little Criminals', Heather O'Neill (Mel)
18. 'I Did It', the Goldman Family (Elaine)
19. A selection of Alexander McCall Smith's Books (Carol)
20. 'Magic Moments', Tom Duncan (Arlene)
21. 'A Man of Measure', Sydney Poitier (Elaine)
22. 'The Alchemist', Paulo Coelho (Rachael?)
23. 'The Vintners Letter', Peter McAra (Michaela?)
24. 'The Other Boleyn Girl', Philippa Gregory (Rachael)
25. 'The Children', Charlotte Wood (Megan)
26. 'Still Alice', Lisa Genova (Kate)
27. 'Handle with Care', Jodi Picoult
28. 'Wicked', Gregory Maguire (Christie)
29. 'Sweet Surrender', Mary Moody (Sheryle)
30. 'The Shifting Fog', Kate Morton (Carol)

I've just finished the book, "The Children", and can now understand why it received all those glowing reviews from professional reviewers.

I suppose because I went into it with the idea that it wasn't going to be anything special and had no real story to it. So, instead of reading the book for it's story, I read it for it's writing. That's something I rarely do, as I mostly use books as an escape, not as a lesson in literature.

I felt the book was beautifully written, very Australian and with great imagery. I could imagine all the places and the people. The author's descriptive writing was clever. She described tiny nuances in people's expressions so the reader could imagine the thoughts of the character without having this to be explained.

I disagree with those that mention in their critique that there wasn't a story line. The story was about the family itself. The way they were all separated from each other and were forced back together through tragedy. The sibling relationships were beautifully explored. The hurts, the misunderstandings, the rivalry were brought forth as they had to cope with their father's impending death.

The character of Tony was like a catalyst. He appeared to Mandy as a creepy weirdo and, just when she had an opportunity to mend the broken relationship with her brother, it was Tony's presence that prevented this. So, Tony's final act then brought them together and helped them begin to understand each other.

Oh, and I do agree with Stephen and Mandy when they were looking at those casts of baby's hands and feet. They are so gross! They look just like chopped off bits of baby.

I give this book an 8 out of 10.

Megan

April Book

CHARLOTTE WOOD: The Children

Almost universally unpopular! This book is one Megan chose and Bookclub was held at her place on April 14th.
Set in Australia, the reviews have given it glowing reports, e.g. 'Wood's best work yet...makes the ordinary moments glow; her sensitivity to visual detail cuts to the quick...a graceful and empathetic portrait of one family seeking to understand itself.'
or
'A vibrant, intelligent, utterly compelling work, achingly real and seductively woven'

Other reviews online were equally as ecstatic.

I didn't have a chance to read it, but have started it since our meeting. I must say, I agree with the reviewer's comments about it's reality and visual detail. I can really see what the author is describing, it's so Australian. I'm enjoying it at the moment, just for it's exploration of the family. But, I think I'll get sick of it as there doesn't seem to be much happening to keep my interest up.

Some of the comments from the Bookclub Meeting:

KATE: Did not finish, although the 90 pages I did read were a bit boring (uneventful).
CATHY: I did finish it, but didn't feel it had any depth and it certainly didn't engage me on any level.
CHRISTIE: Had potential for a great story, however, nothing ever eventuated. Kept you guessing all the time, waiting for something to happen.
MEL: A bit slow and not much body 2.5 out of 10.
SHERYLE: No comment, didn't read!
ARELENE: Took a lot to get into and never actually finished the book, but after reading the reviews (on the internet) I will give it another chance!
TINA: Found the book a bit dramatic - what a family! Enjoyed it though. Found it a bit confusing in the beginning as to what happened with the brother. 8 out of 10

I'll report back when I have finished it!

Megan

Our New Blog

Welcome to the Nyabing Book Club Blog.
This is where we will keep a record of all the books we've read and our opinions about them.
I hope you enjoy reading and posting to our Blog.

Megan