In this time of social isolation, I have spoken to a number of our members and they are taking great solace in reading. If you don’t get a mention this time I will be ringing you for the next Newsletter, so don’t feel left out.
I have reread Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout because I bought her new book Olive Again and needed a refresher, followed by The Dutch House, Ann Patchett, I am now into Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, heavy going but I think I will enjoy it.
Janet has read and mostly enjoyed The Glass Room by Ann Cleeves, a bit corny features `Vera’ from the TV series. From Frasers to Freezeout by Ian Stapleton, a history of the Treasure family and the Dargo High Plains, Virals by Kathy Reichs, too terrible to finish, Woman in a Green Dress, by Tea Cooper, this also was pretty corny, and Bushranger Country by Alan Sharpe, story of most of Australia’s bushrangers.
Heather has read Escape from Kabul, We That Are Left by Lisa Bigelow, set in Melbourne in 1941 made for good reading, Tuscan Rose by Belinda Alexander, Miss Muriel Matters by Robert Wainwright, an Australian girl, who went to the UK to work joined the suffragette movement, and chained herself to the fence of the House of Commons, demanding women get the vote.
Lyn has continued with her interest in history with Mrs. Kelly by Grantlee Kieza, the astonishing story of Ned Kelly’s mother. Daughter of the Empire by Raymond Feist, a story of magic and murder, The Temptress, passion and murder in Happy Valley.
Lorraine has read The Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett whilst Noelle found 2 books on her top shelf by Andre Brink a South African author, Chain of Voices an historical account of apartheid in the country north east of Cape Town. The second book Wall of the Plague is written in a similar vein to Geraldine Brooks, a relevant line in the book is anything that can keep one person away from another is a wall of the Plague. Rings true in the present time.
Rae has enjoyed Wearing Paper Dresses by Anne Brinsden, a story based in a small settlement in the Mallee, a beautifully written compelling story with well drawn characters and an understanding of country Australia, loved this one. The Glovemaker by Ann Weisgarber, an enjoyable, engrossing easy book to read, this is set in the USA in 1888. Deborah Tyler, a glovemaker lives in an isolated settlement of a few Church of Latter-Day Saints families. The families had moved by wagon from the larger Latter-Day Saints communities because they didn’t agree with the multiple wife policy. An interesting insight to the Latter-Day Saint movement.
So keep reading and you will receive a phone call from me very soon to see what you have been reading.
Geraldine McCorkell