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Original poster

Book club...?

228 replies

clairesparkle · 07/11/2009 17:48

Does anyone belong to/know of/want to start a book club in Bristol? I've had a bit of a google and most I've found are closed to new members. I'm in Long Ashton but as long as it's an evening thing, can travel (a bit!)

Thanks!

OP posts:
exexpat · 02/09/2012 14:03

You'd be very welcome to join us, Sabriel (well, as far as I'm concerned - I expect everyone would agree?).

So shall we say 8pm at the Hope & Anchor if no one has any violent objections? All welcome no matter how little of the book they have read... (but come with ideas for future books).

Spero · 02/09/2012 14:14

Mrs Wembley is a wimp! I have read almost half! But I suspect that one chapter tells you all you need to know... See you at the Hope and Anchor.

MrsWembley · 02/09/2012 14:35

Oh, Spero...

I may have wimped out of reading, but I was brave enough to admit it.Wink

exexpat · 02/09/2012 14:39

I've read it all twice

(OK, first time was about 15 years ago, and I may have skimmed a lot a little bit this time)

Lamazeroo · 02/09/2012 19:52

Hello hello! Sorry about being completely off-air - we've had three solid weeks of teething from hell followed by hand, foot and mouth disease Confused
So I've given up even trying to read in the evenings and have just been going to bed with the baby. Surprise, surprise, haven't finished the book, although I've been heartily enjoying the little snatches I've managed. So interesting.
Good idea about choosing books a couple of months in advance. I might break my own record then and actually finish one.
Really looking forward to tomorrow night; see you all at the Hope and Anchor at whatever time I manage to de-latch the incredibly clingy child and slip away...

exexpat · 02/09/2012 22:47

Oh poor you, Lamazeroo - sounds like you deserve a very large glass of wine tomorrow - are you allowed one?

MrsWembley · 03/09/2012 08:19

Lamazeroo You sound like you need one whether you're allowed or not!Wink

See you all there.Smile

Lamazeroo · 03/09/2012 08:33

Oh god I didn't even mention the fact that we currently have no floor in most of the flat due to an epic plumbing issue. At least we finally have water in the kitchen though...
Sooooo looking forward to an evening out.

Spero · 03/09/2012 17:21

Sorry, I woke up on Sunday feeling a bit ropey and it hasn't gone away so I will not be coming tonight. My general lurgy and rather negative reaction to our text will probably combine into something very toxic, which I would not wish to inflict upon our group. But let me know where next and what to read!

exexpat · 03/09/2012 18:44

What a shame, Spero. Hope you're over it soon. Do you have any book suggestions to throw into the pot?

MrsWembley · 03/09/2012 18:56

'negative reaction to our text'?

Blush
xkcdfangirl · 03/09/2012 22:34

Sorry I didn't make it this time - I really did intend to. I shall definitely definitely come next time. Do we have a book suggestion?

Lamazeroo · 04/09/2012 11:18

I'm just taking advantage of nap time to very quickly post details of the book I mentioned last night. For those not present, we discussed having a teenage/young adult book for the coming month (in the hope that more of us will be able to finish it), and then also choose a book for the following month, with the aim of staying two months ahead.

This is what I suggested, having had it recommended to me by several people independently.

MrsWembley mentioned The Hunger Games, which would suit me, as I already have a copy waiting to be read.

For the following month, the only title I can bring to mind as being one I intend to read anyway is Ann Patchett's latest but I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone else suggests.

Spero · 04/09/2012 13:06

I would like the Hunger Games.

I thought the man who loved children was horrible word soup. I think I need a bit more of a narrative arc.

xkcdfangirl · 04/09/2012 16:07

I love Ann Patchett's stuff, and Lamazeroo's suggestion (Anabel Pitcher) also looks interesting. I can't say I'm massively inspired by the Hunger Games as I didn't think much of the film but I'm happy to read it anyway - so long as I'm allowed to be critical of it :)! Do we have a date/place for next meeting?

MrsWembley · 05/09/2012 16:09

Haven't seem the film yet, but very excited by the reviews so I hope it's not too bad!

I threw a couple into the mix, short(er) books which we might finish...

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep

and

^A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court'

I am determined to read more of The Man Who...(Hmm)

MrsWembley · 05/09/2012 16:10
Blush

I wish tech would bloody sort a preview button for the app!Hmm

MrsWembley · 06/09/2012 20:03

Do we have a decision yet? If it's to be The Hunger Games, can I borrow someone's copy as mine is in storeSad

exexpat · 07/09/2012 01:02

Hunger Games fine by me - is that enough votes in favour? I can go and dig out DS's copy, and try to read it fast so I can pass it on to MrsWembley.

I'd also be happy with the Ann Patchett book - over the summer I read Bel Canto, which I think one or more of you mentioned at our first book group meeting? - and it was brilliant, so happy to read more of the same. How does anyone else feel about having that one for the following month?

We also neglected to fix a date/time/location for the next meeting. October 1st?

bookwormthatturned · 07/09/2012 21:51

Hi all, sorry to have gone quiet on everyone and not have joined you on Monday but I've spent the last week with some hideous lurgi (have we been picking up the same bugs spero?) which thankfully is now subsiding.

I was looking forward to hearing everyone's experiences of reading The Man Who Loved as I found the writing style such hard going - I'm half way through and am carrying on out of sheer cussedness! Do tell me there's some exciting developments in the second half? A surprise ending? (maybe we could suggest some for a 'revised version' Grin)

MrsWembley · 09/09/2012 19:53

Any thoughts as to where we'll meet next?

exexpat · 10/09/2012 16:51

I don't think we discussed date or location. If we're doing one month from the last one, that would be Oct 1st. In which case, for purely selfish reasons, could I put in a request for us to be somewhere not too far from the Triangle (eg the pub we went to last time would be fine).

It's because I have an event I need to go to in the Victoria rooms starting at 6.30; I think it's due to finish at 8.30 and I may be able to sneak away by 8ish, but that means if we're meeting on the other side of Bristol I would probably be very late.

But of course some of you may have equally valid reasons for wanting it to be in a different area...

Spero · 11/09/2012 14:14

Oct 1st ok for me, not fussed as to venue as can drive there.

MrsWembley · 13/09/2012 21:29

Trying desperately to think of somewhere near the Triangle to meet. If it's not to be the Wine Bar then it could be the pub at the bottom of Pembroke Road, can't remember the name off the top of my head?

exexpat · 13/09/2012 22:29

Parking would be the usual Clifton issue there. We might do better either heading down towards Hotwells again (brisk walk down the hill from the Victoria Rooms for me) or up the other side to Kingsdown, maybe the White Bear or Highbury Vaults on St Michael's Hill? There is a resident's parking scheme round there, but restrictions end at 5pm so parking shoud be possible.