Stoke Book Chat - July
Stoke Book Chat met on Wednesday 17th July for a cosy evening of hot drinks and lots of book talk. We discussed the golden age of detective novels, the Victorian Language of Flowers, the Great British Sewing Bee, plus a cornucopia of other topics.
Death in White Pyjamas; and Death Know No Calendar by John Bude (Series: Superintendent William Meredith; British Library Crime Classics)
Two of John Bude’s Golden Age mysteries. In Death in White Pyjamas a cast of actors & a playwright have gathered in a country home to read through a script, but one of their group is found murdered in the grounds wearing somebody else’s white pyjamas. In Death Knows No Calendar detective fiction enthusiast Major Tom Boddy is investigating a deadly shooting with no shooter in a locked artist’s studio. Our reader enjoys how Bude cleverly sets up the scene, plus the books are a great snapshot of society at that time.
Charles Heaphy was an artist, explorer, surveyor, and soldier. The first New Zealander to win the Victoria Cross.
Well worth reading.
Adventures with Emilie : taking on Te Araroa trail in 138 life-changing days by Victoria Bruce
This autobiographical work is Victoria’s story of an early life full of trauma as a child in the Australian welfare system. Despite struggles with drugs, she is determined to get an education, and attends university, and becomes a nurse. She also becomes a mother, and this book is about how walking the Te Araroa trail, which spans the length of New Zealand, with her daughter Emilie is not only a physical challenge, but also becomes an emotionally redeeming, life-affirming, feat.
Behind the Seams : My life in creativity, friendship and adventure by Esme Young
Esme Young is one of the judges of the very popular TV show The Great British Sewing Bee. She is an interesting person and has a collection of animal skulls, and wears amazing necklaces. She has had a range of unusual jobs over her lifetime, including starting fashion label Swanky Modes with three friends and working as a costume designer for movies – Bridget Jones’ Diary and The Beach.
A Cyclist’s Guide to Crime and Croissants by Ann Claire
Nine months ago, Sadie Greene ditched her sensible office job in suburban Chicago and bought a sight-unseen French bicycling tour company, Oui Cycle. When Sadie’s hometown friends and her former boss, Dom Appleton, arrive for a nine-day cycle tour she’s determined to give them a great tour – cycling, picturesque scenery and lots of croissants – all is going to plan until Dom ends up dead. Sadie realizes she must investigate herself to save her fledgling business, help her friends and bring justice. Our reader loved the descriptions of scenery, food, and landmarks in this cosy mystery.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart
Our reader was initially drawn to this book about nine-year old Alice Hart, who goes to live with her grandmother June, a flower farmer who raises Alice on the language of Australian native flowers. As our reader progressed through the book, she realized it reminded her of another earlier novel The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. We chatted about the Victorian system of meanings for flowers.
A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
Told through the eyes of Bailey this book follows Bailey’s reincarnation as four different dogs with connections with different humans. It’s a story about discovering love, meaning, and about the special role of dogs in our lives.
A Dog’s Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron
Another from W. Bruce Cameron – A Dog's Way Home is the story of Bella, a pit bull puppy rescued by Lucas Ray, and her seemingly impossible and completely unforgettable journey home to him.
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr
Sweethearts is about a girl who goes through trauma with a friend. Jennifer and Cameron are social outcasts, and friends with each other until Jennifer disappears. Years later in high school Jennifer (now Jenna) and Cameron meet up again and confront their shared past.
The Boy Next Door by Megan Cabot
This book is written in an email.
Doll Bones by Holly Black
A doll that may be haunted leads three friends on a thrilling adventure in this delightfully creepy novel from the New York Times bestselling cocreator of the Spiderwick Chronicle
