This is one of those books that will take a while to sink in and the chances are my opinion is going to shift back and forth. Which is why it’s going to be such a good book to discuss at the French Readers Gathering in May.   There’s a distinct shift when the little French view...

Isn’t it great when ambivalence about a book shifts into genuine engagement? The shift from 1975 in chapter one back to 1963 in two and then ’65 in three annoyed but I’ve got over myself as the characters have filled out. Helen Adams’ arrival in Vietnam as a war view...

After a Christmas of urns on mantelpieces, I'm back to the reading for our upcoming Readers Gathering this May. The tally so far looks like this:   READ with my personal ratings Room by Emma Donoghue 5/5 Dark Matter by Michelle Paver 4/4 The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls view...

I'm feeling a little guilty after my last posting on this book where I commented on Jeannette Walls' 'mouth full of teeth'. That's because I've just reached the bit where, aged about 12 or 13, she confesses that she has buck teeth. Since their way of living hasn't improved, she realises that the view...

I’ve begun my reading for the next Readers Gathering in May 2012 and been lucky enough to choose an easy one to start. I don’t think any of our choices are going to be heavy chores but when you set out on something like this it’s nice to feel positive from day view...

I'm planning the next one and thought I might as well post some info here as anywhere. Several people have picked up on an earlier announcement and this is what I've circulated to date:   As yet, no one has booked and it’s not my intention to rush anyone into doing so. Instead, to help view...

As you may have seen from previous blogs about le Rieu, our very first Readers Gathering was an outstanding success – for which I am mightily relieved. Bringing together - for the very first time – a disparate group of people as a ‘reading group’ to engage on a view...