Our friendly reading group had a very busy November and December, emptying those shelves ready for new arrivals at Christmas perhaps!
As the end of 2025 rolled to a close, here are the books enjoyed (or not!) causing discussion and often diversion into time, place, characters, plot and genre.
November Update
In November, we read William Boyd’s ‘Gabriel’s Moon‘. It had already earned some praise so was chosen as one of our books to read and review. It received really mixed. comments but was enjoyed by several of us.
Our second book was Sally Smith’s ‘Magnificent Women and their Flying Machines‘. Recognition of women, showing determination and success in flying. This is worth reading as it maps the history of women in aviation.
Other books read in November were numerous;
- Eddie read ‘Twilight of Democracy‘ by Anne Applebaum. This generated conversation on war and peace.
- Alan read a few – ‘Oryx and Crake‘ by Margaret Atwood; ‘Katabasis‘ by R.F. Kwang; ‘Brotherless Night‘ by V. V. Ganeshananthan.
- Ruth read ‘Ocean: Earth’s Last Wilderness‘ by Sir David Attenborough and Colin Butfield; a short story collection by Guy de Maupassant; ‘Fly with Wild Swans: My Mother, Myself and China‘ by Jung Chang and a book by Michael Morpurgo, who writes beautifully about childhood.
- Chip read the John Betjeman’s biography in verse, ‘Summoned by Bells’.
- Jenn read ‘Airframe‘ by Michael Crichton and The Brain at Rest by Dr Joseph Jebbili.
- Sandra read Grapevine by Kate Kemp and introduced us to the Canadian writer Louise Penny.
- Sharon read Margaret Meyer’s ‘The Witching Tide‘.
- Bob read Hunter Davies’ ‘The Co-Op’s got Bananas‘ and the next book in the series by LJ Ross.
- Theresa read ‘Long Island‘ by Colm Toibin and also ‘The Fellowship of the Puzzlemakers‘ by Samuel Burr. Three others were ‘Cold Snap‘ by Lindy Ryan; ‘The Resistance Girl‘ by Jina Bocarr, and Heather Morris’ ‘Cilka’s Journey‘.
- Faye read ‘Three Sisters‘ and ‘Sisters under the Rising Sun‘, both by Heather Morris. In addition, she’d read Patrick Grant’s ‘Less‘ saying it was excellent.
- Liz read ‘The Artist‘ by Lucy Steeds and highly recommended it.
Our December Picks
The books we chose to read in December were:
- ‘A Case of Mice and Murder‘ by Sally Smith, KC.
- ‘The Elegance of the Hedgehog‘ by Muriel Barbery.
- ‘The Infirmary‘ by LJ Ross.
An excellent selection to be enjoyed.
December Update
December, we enjoyed our chosen books.
Liz really enjoyed and could recommend ‘A Case of Mice and Murder‘ which is Sally Smith’s, second book. We all enjoyed the time, intriguing setting, and the crime – the denouement guessed by only one of our book group. Her second book, ‘The Case of Life and Limb‘, will reveal even more of life in chambers. By mistake, one of us by read John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men‘, but fortunately this is also another excellent read.
Mark enjoyed ‘The Elegance of the Hedgehog‘ by Muriel Barbery, as did Liz, Ruth, Bob and Alan. Andrew Miller’s ‘The Land of Winter‘ was also enjoyed by both Mark and Alan.
Alan added to his selection with ‘Drive Your Plough Over the Bones of the Dead‘. Set in Poland and a remarkable read. He also enjoyed ‘At the Edge of the Orchard‘ by Tracy Chevalier; ‘How to Stop Time‘ by Matt Haig and ‘Where the Crawdads Sing‘ by Delia Owens.
Theresa read one of Anton du Beke’s novels set in Buckingham Hotel and really enjoyed it.
Sally read the two chosen books for the month as well as ‘The Horse Whisperer‘ by Nicholas Evans. She’s already read ‘Smoke Jumper‘ by this author.
6. Eddie recommended a local author Damien Boyd, especially as his novel revealed a body in a car in Ilchester! Local intrigue!
Jenn has read at least three of the LJ Ross books – always a hook at the end urging you to read the next in the series – and ‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz‘ by Heather Morris.
Liz has read the proof of Jenny Godfrey’s second book. ‘The Barbecue at Number 9‘ and it is definitely something to look forward to when its published in March.
Secret Santa 2025
As it was approaching Christmas, we all exchanged our Secret Santa books, beautifully wrapped in seasonal paper, to be enjoyed during the lull between Christmas and New Year. Look out for news of what seasonal surprises they concealed next month!