Stoke book chat September
There is no set book or need to register, just come along to Stoke Library on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 5:30pm and chat to others about what you've been reading lately.
Although Delia and Bea are sisters, and both crave the special intimacy of close sisterhood, it has eluded them. Delia returns to New Zealand from her glamorous New York life for their father’s funeral, and the time spent together affords both sisters a chance to delve into their childhood, and reminisce about a perfect summer. Our reader loved hearing about those very New Zealand things like ‘stuffed eggs’, and the custom of ‘take a plate’.
The Clique by Lisi Harrison (and the Clique series) [Young Adult]
Our reader had completed a few more books from the Clique series - A series about a group of affluent girls who rule the school. The girls had attended camp and been expelled; accidentally flooded the nearby boys school, and developed crushes on some of the boys.
This Sri Lankan story crosses decades and ethnicities: Singapore in 1951, New Zealand in 1984, and London in 2018. The writing is both sympathetic and beautiful. You’ll laugh and cry, and learn about the social issues of the day.
I’m glad my Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Jenette’s mother’s dream was for her daughter to become a star, and she went to extraordinary lengths to ensure her daughter became just that. Despite fame and success Jennette is plagued by anxiety, and shame. She suffers eating disorders, addiction and unhealthy relationships. Then her mother dies from cancer, and Jenette discovers therapy. This book is about a woman reclaiming her life and working out what she wants for the first time in her life.
We need to Talk About Norman: New Zealand’s Lost Leader by Denis Welch
Our reader felt that this book is important because it raises the question – ‘Do we have a government of the people for the people?’ Although Prime Minister for only 21 months around 50 years ago, Norman Kirk is remembered for his ideology of the state as a force of good.
The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle by Sophie Green
Four women start swimming for different reasons: Housewife Theresa wants to get fit, while for newly widowed Marie, swimming is the one constant. Leanne feels she can rely only on herself and Elaine has recently moved from England. The women discover solace and companionship, amongst their small circle. A tender, heart-warming story about female solidarity – it’s lighthearted and moving.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
It’s the 1960s and Elizabeth Zott is a scientist – a chemist. Unfortunately, the world isn’t ready for Elizabeth Zott, and she faces much discrimination. She also falls in love with a fellow scientist Calvin Evans, and together they adopt a dog – who they name 6.30. Evans is killed in a road accident, and Elizabeth Zott discovers she is pregnant. Some years later, desperate to support herself and her daughter, Zott agrees to host a TV cooking show. While hosting the show Zott manages to encourage other women to challenge the role stereotypes of the 1960s and achieve what they have only dreamed of. A story of resilience.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
A very popular book about friends at a retirement home, who discuss cold cases. When a brutal killing takes place in their own neighbourhood the Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case.
A Life in Photography by Ans Westra by Paul Moon
"In a career that spanned six decades, the Dutch-Kiwi photographer Ans Westra (1936-2023) made it her life's work to capture the growth of a nation through hundreds of thousands of images. Her photographic catalogue is now widely thought of as a photo album of Aotearoa New Zealand."--Publisher.
A fascinating book; Westra’s work was both remarkable and at time controversial.
Set in Australia in 1914, German-born Tilly and Greta are interned in a camp in rural New South Wales. Although they come from very different backgrounds – Tilly’s family are wealthy and her father is a banker, while Greta’s father is a baker – they must together face prejudice, overcome adversity, and make their own community.
Running with Ivan by Suzanne Leal
13-year-old Leo hates his life. His father has remarried, and Leo has a new stepfamily, which includes stepbrother Cooper, who is a bully. Leo deals with his challenging family situation by finding a basement room to take refuge in, and thus he discovers an antique music box that enables him to travel back in time. Through time travel Leo discovers Czech boy Ivan, who lives in the 1940s. When World War Two finally erupts the boys are imprisoned, and Leo and Ivan must search for an escape, which sends them running – for their lives and against time.
These Days by Lucy Caldwell[e-audiobook – Libby]
Set during the Belfast Blitz during the second world war, this engaging novel follows two sisters as they navigate life at this extraordinary time in history. Audrey is engaged to be married, while Emma is in a secret relationship with another woman.
The characters have depth, and sensitivity and this is a satisfying read.
The Last Secret Agent Caldwell by Pippa Latour with Jude Dobson [e-audiobook – Libby]
An amazing and true story – I found it riveting. Pippa Latour was one of the last female special operation agents in France to get out alive after its liberation in WWII. She parachuted into occupied France in 1944 and sent 135 coded secret messages conveying crucial information on German troop positions in the lead-up to D-Day. She knew that if she was found out she would be instantly shot. Pippa spent the last part of her life living in New Zealand, and even her close family were unaware of her war-time work until quite recently.
The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay [e-audiobook – Libby]
Mary is invited by her estranged childhood friend Isabel to a two-week stay in a high-end manor house in Bath England, that specializes in Jane Austen experiences. What Mary didn’t expect was that her friend would have some sort of amnesia experience, where she thinks she’s actually living in Austen times. Throw in challenges at her place of work, and a modern-day knight in shining armour and Mary’s two weeks of peaceful retreat suddenly become two weeks of turmoil and change. A fun read, with more depth than might first appear.
