Harmeet choose an Indian author and novel for the month of April. Previously published 'Q&A', the now award winning Slumdog Millionaire was the pick for this month. I had a double bad this month not managing to finish the book or the cheaters option, the movie. I was surprised, from what I did read and see, that the book and movie are quite different. So, cheating with the movie wasn't much help anyway!
We were super naughty this book club, straying from the book far too much, despite Rach's best efforts to put us back on course. Thanks Rach! We did, however, play a 'Who wants to be a millionaire' game, with questions about the book! A poor substitute for actual conversation about the book I know, but a bit of fun all the same.
1 Comment
Terri's book choice for March was the much talked about and now major feature film 'Twilight'. I was VERY excited by this as I have been looking for a new series of fantasy to get lost in (having never truly filled the void left by the final Harry Potter book). I did find it somewhat disconcerting that the 10 year old students in my class were reading the first book in the series faster than me, but in my defence, I was trying to finish three other books at the same time! I did get there in the end, just in time for a night in at Terri's to discuss. While we weren't distracted from the book because of exciting new engagements (Congrats Lou!) we did stray from the book to the film, but only because those geniuses in Hollywood did such a damn fine job of finding a gorgeous young male to play the dangerously appealing Edward Cullen. Not all found him 'magnificiant', but he certainly got my vote! I realise it's rather late, seeings as our March meet has been and gone before I've logged on to share with you all our delightful evening discussing our February book, but I'm determined to at least try and stay on top of this blogging job! Kimberly was our gracious host for Feb and her debut was an absolute treat! The book, The Glass Castle (a previous choice for Sydney) was a super choice, not only for its shear enjoyment to read but also for its topical content. Kim even treated us to an interview with the author and her bohemian mother that she found online! I personally LOVED the book, evident in the number of post-it notes throughout my copy! In short, there were many things to love about Feb's book club: love, love, loved Kim's apartment (especially her 'stick-on-the-wall Eiffle Tower and little hippo stool). Love, love, loved the cheese platter - you could write on it in chalk (it's gone on my wedding registry list for sure!). And love, love, LOVED the chocolate brownies! Last weekend, despite a major sandstorm that threatened to blow me and my 4WD off the road, I attended Dubai's inaugural International Festival of Literature, where a host of world class authors flew in to inspire, promote and sign new and old copies of their works. The festival ran for 3 days and showcased some great writers including Frank McCourt, Wilbur Smith, Lauren Child, Anne Fine, Louis de Bernieres and my all time favourite author Philippa Gregory. I was truly excited about this festival and the possibility of meeting some extremely talented writers, particularly Ms Gregory. I was excited to hear about their experiences and methods as writers as well as their thoughts on literature that inspire them and Philippa Gregory certainly didn't disappoint. She spoke about her previous works, her studies as an historian, her methods and writing process and the fact that it is indeed a learned craft (hope for us all!) that has taken her many years to master. Ms Gregory spoke about her passion for characters in history, particularly women, and how this has lead her to take their historical lives and put them into her pages of fiction that so many people enjoy. She was truly an awesome speaker. Highlight of the day? Got my new book signed and spoke to her myself! What can I say? Some people swoon after rock stars, I'm a fan of words on page! So thumbs up Dubai! I got to meet my favourite author, listen to other great writers and bump up my supply of weekend reading! A gathering to talk about 'The Gathering' Rachel bravely volunteered the kick start the Dubai club, choosing a rather confronting novel about a woman who questions her past, or rather her recollection of it, following the death of her younger brother. The Gathering by Anne Enright didn't tickle everyone's fancy......and it wasn't one of those books you carry around with you in the hope that any spare minute you have draws you into its cover (proved by the fact that only 2 members actually finished it.......don't worry, I won't name names!), but it did make for interesting conversation, which is always good for a book club! After some cheeky discussion about waxing, men and the virtues of Mills and Boon (don't scoff, they have their purpose!) we did get down to some serious 'book talk'. Surprisingly, there was little discussion of Liam, 'the body in the front room', that brings together the large Irish family portrayed in the novel. Most of us were intrigued by Veronica, the narrator, and Ada, her whore and/or nun grandmother. So much of the book jumps between memory, fantasty and reality that it is hard to know if the horrifying act of Liam and Veronica's past did happen......and who it happened to. Perhaps this was Enright's intention, to demonstrate the uncertainty of truth in one's memories. First post coming soon! |
AuthorLaura Cosgrove |