Geraldine McCorkell
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A smaller group than usual arrived for our August chat, but plenty of discussion took place nevertheless. The Outback Writers Festival was entered by Shirley’s granddaughter, His Name Was Mud by Tracy Liotis and received a good review, a justly proud grandmother. The Lost City of the Monkey God a true story written by Douglas Preston was enjoyed and The True Story of the Horse Soldiers in Afghanistan told by Doug Stanton was of a deployment of American soldiers after 9/11 who rode with the Afghanistan warriors to defeat the Taliban. A discussion was held on whether the book Jane Austen made her look somewhat of a radical. The Tattooist of Auschwitz had received a bad review, but those of our group who read this didn’t agree. Fiona McIntosh The Lavender Keeper and The French Province were a good read, whilst White Out by Ken Follett was not worth the effort. The Favourite, the power struggle between Queen Ann and her best friend Sarah Churchill the Duchess of Marlborough, was enjoyed. Whilst on history, Behind Closed Doors, the tragic story of how Wallace Simpson spent her final years. Her Mothers Daughter by Nadia Wheatley, an interesting memoir, whilst Transcription by Kate Atkinson, had too many people and too many time frames although a good read. The Envelope by Maurice Wills, a very sad story of Australian Orphanages from 1930’s to the 1950’s. Murder on Easey Street, the cold case murder of two Benalla girls in a house in Collingwood, the house was empty for six years until being sold and renovated. A few more books were read - a small group read many books. See you in September.
Geraldine McCorkell A smaller group for Let’s Talk Books on the first Tuesday of July, I guess the lucky ones have gone away seeking warmer weather. Quite a few books are doing the rounds after recommendations from our group, who are always willing to lend a book to another. It is interesting to listen to the different opinions given about the content of the books swapped and lent. The Cardinal (George Pell) was lent and read, leading to more comments about this situation. Laurie, our Talking Books guru, listened to The Dry by Jane Harper and thoroughly enjoyed the novel.
Colours of Gold by Kaye Dobbie. Annie an Art Restorer in Melbourne finds a painting in a cellar of two young girls. The book goes back to 1867 when a Paddle steamer captain found a girl half drowned in the Murray River, his wife named her Alice. Alice had a gift of seeing an aura around people. Eventually she runs away to the Goldfields with her friend Rosie, but there is always a man in a dark coat. Annie the Art Restorer is determined to find out more, but always sees the same man in the dark coat. A very good read. Hells Trail, a thesis written by John Williams in 1972 about the Irish Convicts and Van Diemens Land, was of historical interest. Mary Celeste the American Merchant ship discovered adrift and deserted in the Atlantic. A Canadian brigantine found her in a dishevelled condition under partial sail with the lifeboat missing. One of those mysteries worth having a look at. The Legend and the Life of Coco Chanel, great pictures, sex and excitement, this book had it all. A beautiful picture book of Queen Mary’s Doll House, complete with miniature furnishings, this is on display at Buckingham Palace. There were a few crime novels and a couple of books `not worth reading’. So sit by the fire and read and have a lot to talk about in August. Geraldine McCorkell |
About 'Let's Talk Books'Have you read a good book you would like to share with others? Bring your book along and tell the group about it. This is a casual discussion group about books, papers or magazines we have read and enjoyed. You will hear about books others have read that you may also be interested in reading. Convenor/s and contact detailsGeraldine McCorkell
0408 522 662 Meeting times1st Monday 2 - 4 pm, Seniors Auditorum Fawckner Drive.
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March 2024
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Photographs - U3A members; Benalla Art Gallery website; Weebly 'Free' images;Travel Victoria and State Library of Victoria
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