Anne introduced us to The Paper Trail by Alexander Monro, the history of paper, first made in China 2000 years ago, a wonderful invention. Anne also enjoyed The Lies of the Shiek by Tim Crawford.
Lyn had something different for us this month The Art of Love by Kate Bryan, the stories behind the romances and lives of some of the most fascinating couples of the art world. The only criticism of this book was that there were no photos, only sketches of the people written about.
As usual Noelle gave us some different reads I’m not Scared by Niccolo Ammaniti set in Southern Italy, a nine year old boy discovers a secret so terrible and momentous that he dare not tell anyone about it…. The promise by Damon Galgut gives us a glimpse into the decline and fall of a white South African farming family, a Booker prize winner this provides food for thought.
Moira bought an article from the paper about the just published autobiography of Ash Barty, a story that will be sure to please, in Ash’s words `her biggest opponent was inside her head’.
Great Cat Tales provided a laugh when the White House Cat – Slippers – rolled over and wanted a tummy scratch from world leaders as they left a meeting. Perfect Murder Perfect Town JonBenet the six-year old murdered beauty queen, written by Lawrence Schiller, doesn’t answer any questions whilst Cause of Death by Cyril Wecht, a forensic pathologist, probes the evidence in the controversial deaths of the Kennedy’s, Elvis Presley and many others. He studies autopsy reports and the conclusions are very good.
Claire had some fascinating reading in the Code Breakers by James Phelps, during World War 2 an Australian and his mostly female team cracked one of Germany’s most complex codes, an excellent book.
The wonderful Marie Cure by Robert Read gives a glimpse of her childhood in Poland and marriage to a French physicist, good story. We all love a romance - Still Life by Sarah Winman is the unlikely friendship between a British soldier and an alleged spy in wartime Tuscany.
A couple of books enjoyed by Lorraine were Girl Forgotten by Karyn Slaughter and also Murders at Fleat House by Lucinda Riley.
Whilst on murders Corrie enjoyed Murder and Mayhem.
Dorothy prefers listening to books and her favourites this time were The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth, Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner and 100 Years of Dirt by Rick Morton.
Last but not least, All Our Shimmering Skies by Trent Dalton, set in Darwin in 1942 was sometimes brutal, sometimes magical.
We will meet for our last Let’s Talk Books on the 5th December and celebrate a great year of reading some wonderful and interesting books.
Geraldine McCorkell