We gathered as usual with our small piles of books ready for convivial conversation with many recommendations for excellent novels.
This month’s reading was quite poignant as we heard of the demise of the late Pope Francis. Also, currently at the cinema showing at Westland Entertainment Venue, many of us saw the film ‘Conclave‘. This was an adaptation of the book by Robert Harris and it certainly set the scene for the ensuing conclave for the new Pope. We now know we have a newly elected Pope Leo.
The books we read this month were ‘My Father’s House‘ by Joseph O’Connor and ‘We All Live Here‘ by Jojo Moyes.
‘My Father’s House’ by Joseph O’Connor
We’ll start with the reason for our debate and opinions which had been generated by ‘My Father’s House’, which had become so topical. Ruth had recommended this book, and this was her second reading which made it even more enjoyable. She found it very moving and learnt a lot about our protagonist Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty through the voices of the other characters. Lyrical writing with the tense build-up to Christmas Eve with excellent characters setting the pace. The way Rome was described was sensuous. In 1943, Rome was occupied by the Germans but the Vatican City was neutral. She said there is a second sequel using the same characters. Overall, very impressive writing.
Faye read it on Kindle but thought it may be better on Audible. She will read it again to become more absorbed.
Carol read it for a second time and found she absorbed and enjoyed it better this time. Hugh O’Flaherty was a quirky character but that was probably part of the job.
After hearing our discussion Sandra and Theresa will now read it.
In the future we will wait for the paperback of Joseph O’Conner’s next book. Ruth recommended this one too – ‘The Ghosts of Rome‘ – being the second book in a trilogy.
‘We All Live Here’ by Jojo Moyes
Faye loved it and said it was like going into a house and being involved with the characters. She felt the guilt of the main character but loved it as it was alive.
Bob said the characters were really well described with realistic interaction, especially between the two men, the main characters. He found it very interesting and enjoyable.
Carol thought Jojo took her readers right into the timing and had them involved in her life. Carol particularly liked the boozy friend! She writes with a human touch. Theresa had not read this one but enjoys her books as they are very readable.
What else have we read this month?
Theresa showed us a Woman’s Weekly short story – ‘Murder of Crows’ – as she read it and really enjoyed it. She also read ‘Hunted‘ by Abir Mukherjee, saying she was hooked but it could have been shorter. She also read a Nicola Upson novel ‘Sorry for the Dead‘. Summer, 1915: a young woman falls to her death at Charleston Farmhouse on the Sussex Downs. But was it an accident? She said this had an interesting timeline.
Bob read another Anthony Horowitz novel, ‘Marble Hall Murders‘, a whodunnit which he thoroughly enjoyed. He also read Richard Coles’ ‘Murder before Evensong‘ saying it was OK, but he would not read another by this author. Sandra added that she also found the author unappealing.
Ruth read ‘Juice‘ by Tim Winton. She has read and really likes his books. Dystopian. Juice is a 2024 climate fiction novel by Australian writer Tim Winton set in a future Australia devastated by climate change and capitalist exploitation. A person driving a solar driven vehicle who finds an abandoned mine. Trapped. Scary! She really enjoyed this one.
She also read ‘Thames: A Sacred River‘ by Peter Ackroyd. She found the history of the early settlement fascinating. After that Ruth read ‘Pachinko‘ by Min Jin Lee. We read this a while back but the history of South Koreans having to leave to live in Japan was enlightening.
Ruth read an article about the 14 books that everyone should read to change your life. Ruth had read them all so this 14th was the only one she hadn’t read.
Sandra read ‘The Kellerby Code‘ by Jonny Sweet. She found it an odd book, but it was compulsive reading. Several murders but the ending was worth waiting for!
Carol told us about ‘The Rose Labyrinth‘ by Titiana Hardie. She also read Janet Hancock’s ‘The West in Her Eyes‘ and is still enjoying it. She highly recommended Elif Shafak’s ‘There are Rivers in the Sky‘. We have chosen this one for next month.
Liz read both the books for this month and thoroughly enjoyed them both for their totally different styles of writing, time, place and characters. A really good month’s reading.
Next Month
Next month we will read:
- ‘There are Rivers in the Sky’ by Elif Shafak.
- ‘Guilty by Definition’ by Susie Dent.
A reading feast awaits us so enjoy these novels and we will meet again in the Lounge of Westlands Entertainment Venue at 12 noon on Tuesday 10th June 2025.