We enjoyed discussing a range of titles both fiction and nonfiction this month. Book Chat welcomes new participants and takes place at Elma Turner Library on the second Tuesday of each month from 10.30am.
Our connection with animals
Books on animals featured frequently on our reading piles this month. Beastly by author and artist by Keggie Carew, about the human connection with animals, and how that relationship has changed over time. A thought provoking, poetic read that also explores the rewilding movement. Panda Love by Ami Vitale, a collection of beautiful images of these amazing creatures as well as fascinating facts and information. New Zealand's Biggest Year by Harry Boorman and Felicity Boorman, an honest portrayal of the highs and lows of birdwatching along with honest maps and photos
Also in nonfiction reads, we enjoyed Thunderclap by Laura Cumming which looks at 16 century art, especially the works of Carel Fabritius. Heavily influenced by the author's relationship with father, the only disappointment was the lack of reproductions that were not detailed enough to compliment the text.
Cosy crime for autumn
Our readers are loving some cosy crime reads for autumn including The Cost of Living by Rachael Ward, full of likeable characters that balances cosy with darker themes.Other cosy mysteries we enjoyed for autumn included titles from Simon Brettand Peter Boland. Jane Marple is back in Marple: twelve new stories by Agatha Christie, 12 new stories by 12 well known authors including favourites Elly Griffiths, Naomi Alderman and Kate Mosse.
What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama is another good cosy read, charming and simple.
Thrills and mysteries abound
An air of mystery surrounds the new teacher in school in Pet by Catherine Chidgey. Dynamics and rifts between kids on cusp on teenage years rang true. Relationships and Justine’s emotional journey are written about convincingly in this psychological thriller. Another Kiwi thriller we enjoyed was The Glasgow Smile by Chris Stuart, the local author's second book set in Melbourne while southern noir linking historical racial tension to present day American issues in All the Sinners Bleed by S.A Crosby felt slightly cliched and simplistic - this wasn't as good as anticipated.
Popular fiction that hit the spot (or didn't)
Believable and compelling narration by a 9 year old child and a fantastic grandmother character were the highlights of Fight Night by Miriam Toews an intergenerational story, which was highly rated by our reader, as was The Island of the Missing Trees by Elif Shafak set across the Greek/Turkish divide. Shafak includes some narration by a fig tree in this richly evocative and beautifully written novel.
Access Road by Maurice Gee a classic New Zealand story complete with Gee's excellent ability to write evil characters so well.
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler is a tragic family drama with aspects of cruelty, and a very distressing read.
The Swift and the Harrier by Minette Walters is a visually immersive historical novel set in Dorset during the Civil War featuring a female physician, unusual for the time. Unlike Walters' suspense novel, this is an escapist mix of romance and adventure.
