The Summer Book by Tove Jansson (Cindy 197)

The Summer Book by Tove Jansson tells the story of Sophia, a young girl, and her grandmother spending the summer on a small, isolated island. Through a series of brief, episodic moments, the two share conversations, explore nature, and navigate their emotions—particularly the quiet grief over Sophia’s mother. Their relationship blends affection, tension, and understanding, as Sophia’s curiosity meets her grandmother’s calm, reflective wisdom. The novel gently explores themes of childhood, aging, loss, and the passage of time, finding depth and meaning in ordinary, everyday experiences.

Marks out of 10: 9's all round loved by all.

Words used to describe it: Profoundly beautiful, beautifully simple and descriptive, charming, meditative, role model for my old age

Next book

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler (Jackie)

Next meeting 

28th June at Carolyn's 

The Overstory by Richard Powers (Naila 196)

 

The Overstory unfolds through the intertwined lives of nine characters whose personal histories are each shaped by encounters with trees—from childhood bonds to scientific discovery to ecological activism. As their paths gradually converge, they become part of a larger movement to defend forests from destruction. The novel reveals how human stories are brief branches of a much older, deeper living system, suggesting that the fate of people and trees is inseparable..

Marks out of 10  between only a couple of marks 7 - 8.5

Words used to describe it: rewards the effort, multi-layered,  difficult, too long, 'almighty nature above all'

Next book

The Summer Book by Tove Jansson

Next meeting 

30th May at Jackie's

27th June at Carolyn's 

Tender is the Night by Scott F Fitzgerald (195 Mandy)

 

A poignant and lyrical novel set in the glittering world of 1920s and 1930s Europe. It follows the glamorous but troubled lives of Dick and Nicole Diver, a wealthy American couple living on the French Riviera.

Dick, a charming psychiatrist, is married to Nicole, a beautiful heiress recovering from mental illness. Their seemingly perfect life begins to unravel as Dick’s professional ambitions fade and Nicole’s strength grows. The novel explores themes of psychological fragility, moral decay, and the disintegration of love under the weight of personal sacrifice and societal pressure.

Fitzgerald’s final completed novel, it is both a tragic romance and a critique of the American expatriate dream, written with haunting beauty and emotional depth.

Marks out of 10  between 5 -  9 

Words used to describe it: fantastic prose, difficult read, pros

Next book

The Overstory by Richard Powers

Next meeting 

30th April at Cindy's

All that Glitters by Orlando Whitfield (Rowena 194)

All That Glitters is Orlando Whitfield’s sharp, unsettling memoir of his years working inside the contemporary art world — a place he portrays as dazzling, absurd, and quietly corrosive. Beginning as a young gallery assistant full of enthusiasm, Whitfield is gradually drawn into a culture driven by money, status, and manipulation, where relationships are transactional and authenticity is rare.

At the centre of the book is his complicated friendship with a charismatic art dealer whose charm masks a pattern of exploitation and deceit. As Whitfield becomes more entangled in this world, he begins to see how easily ideals can be compromised and how the industry’s glamour often hides moral emptiness. Both personal and observational, the memoir exposes the pressures, illusions, and ethical grey zones of a market that thrives on spectacle. It’s a story about ambition, loyalty, and the cost of looking the other way — and about what happens when the shine finally wears off.

Marks out of 10 between 8 & 9.5 so highly rated. 

Words used to describe it: facinating, interesting, intreguing, droll rose, eye opening, illuminating.

Next book

Tender is the Night Scott F Fitzgerald

Next meeting 

26th March at Naila's

In Ascension by Martin MacInnes (Anna 193)

In Ascension follows the life of Leigh Hasenbosch, a marine biologist from Rotterdam whose childhood is shaped by a tense, emotionally distant family and a deep fascination with the natural world. When Leigh joins an oceanographic expedition to study a mysterious deep‑sea organism, her journey begins to stretch far beyond scientific research and into something more existential. As the mission unfolds, Leigh becomes part of a groundbreaking international project that pushes the boundaries of human exploration — from the deepest trenches of the ocean to the outer reaches of space. The novel gradually expands from intimate personal history to vast cosmic scale, asking what it means to search for origins, connection, and purpose.

MacInnes blends science, philosophy, and quiet psychological insight, creating a narrative that moves from the claustrophobia of family life to the awe of the unknown. In Ascension is ultimately a story about curiosity, survival, and the human desire to understand our place in an immense and ancient universe. The book generated a good discussion into life, and the fact we are all stardust. Interesting the way it wove tech and the storyline, although we felt the female protagonist was not accurate, although an interesting character.

Marks out of 10 - between 5 and 7.5

Words used to describe it: awesome, interesting, irritating, frustrating, turgid, chore - but

Next book

All that Glitters by Orlando Whitfield

Next meeting

February 12th at Mandy's 

Without Reservation by Jeremy King (Emma 192)

Jeremy King’s Without Reservation is a memoir that distills half a century of experience in hospitality into broader lessons on life, leadership, and resilience. Drawing on his journey from co-founding London landmarks such as Le Caprice, The Ivy, and The Wolseley to more recent ventures, King reflects on the art of communication, empathy, and decision-making. Through anecdotes of hosting cultural icons and navigating crises, he shows how restaurants serve as microcosms of society—teaching patience, discipline, and the value of human connection. Warm, witty, and insightful, the book is less a manual on running restaurants than a meditation on how hospitality can illuminate universal truths about people and relationships.

We discussed the the anecodtes, the slightly pompous style, although there were some interesting bon mots dropped in amongst the tales. An interesting book that created an interesting discussion.  

Marks out of 10: between 6 - 8

Words used to describe it: pompous, very interesting, nostalgic, encycolpedia of anecdotes, entertaining, insightful, 

Next Book

In Ascension by Martin MacInnes

Next Meeting

49 Delorme St - Rowena's

15th January 

The Safekeeping by Yael van der Woulden (Cindy 191)

Set in the rural Dutch province of Overijssel in 1961, The Safekeeping follows Isabel (Isa), a solitary 28-year-old woman living in her late mother’s home—a house her family acquired during World War II under morally ambiguous circumstances. Isa’s life is governed by routine and a near-obsessive attachment to the house and its contents, which she believes are being tampered with or stolen. Her world is disrupted when her brother Louis asks her to host his new girlfriend, Eva, for the summer. Eva is Isa’s opposite: vibrant, curious, and socially bold. Initially repulsed by Eva’s presence and behavior, Isa’s feelings evolve into a complex obsession and eventually a romantic relationship. As the summer unfolds, tensions rise, secrets surface, and Isa’s grip on reality begins to unravel.

The novel explores themes of memory, identity, and the lingering shadows of the Holocaust. It reveals that the house Isa cherishes was once the home of a Jewish family forcibly removed during the war, adding layers of guilt and historical reckoning to Isa’s emotional journey. We discussed how the Dutch are blunt and forthright in their speach and this was apparent in the language used in the novel. How the children were 'unparented' and the consequence of this. The lack of position Isa had within the family - the consequence of being a girl, woman's place in society and their lack of agency. 

Marks out of 10: between 8 and 9 so hightly marked.

Words used to describe it: interesting, frustrating, disturbing, haunting

Next Book

Without Reservation by Jeremy King

Next Meeting

Thursday 27th November

at 

Anna's 49a Bronsart Road 

The Emperor of Scent: A True Story of Obsession and Perfume by Chandler Burr (Naila 190)

 

The book follows Luca Turin, a brilliant and unconventional biophysicist with an extraordinary gift for identifying and describing scents. Turin challenges the scientific establishment with his radical theory of smell—suggesting that we perceive odors not by shape (as traditionally believed), but by vibrational frequencies of molecules.

Burr chronicles Turin’s journey through the perfume industry and academia, highlighting his battles with skeptical scientists, his poetic obsession with fragrance, and his struggle to publish his controversial theory. The story unfolds like a scientific thriller, complete with intellectual intrigue, political maneuvering, and moments of revelation.

Naila, brought some scents for us to smell and give short reports of what we could describe them as - very difficult. Interestingly enough the classic scent Chanel No 5, none of us got, although we did say we knew the smell but couldn't place it. It was an interesting exercise of trying to recoginise a smell without it's packaging! 

Marks out of 10: between 4 - 6

Words used to describe it: poorly written, frustrating, informative, needed an editors pen, impenitrable, 

Next book

The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Woulden

Next meeting 

Tuesday 21st October at 67 Mendora Road

The Ballard of Sad Cafe by Carson Macullers (Mandy 185)

 

Carson McCullers’ novella is a masterclass in melancholy, with prose that feels both sparse and lyrical, she invites readers into a backwater town where emotional isolation is as tangible as the sweltering heat.

At its heart is Miss Amelia Evans—a towering, enigmatic figure who rules her store with grit and independence until the arrival of the peculiar Cousin Lymon. Their unlikely alliance briefly transforms the store into a bustling café and focal point for the community. Yet this glimmer of connection is fleeting. The return of Marvin Macy, Amelia’s cruel ex-husband, sets off a chain reaction that exposes the fragility of affection and the cruel asymmetries of love.

The book generated an interesting discussion about the sparce prose, the evocation of time and place. How unpleasant all the characters were and the possible duplicity of of Cousin Lymon and his probable alliance with Marvin Macy to bring about Amelia's downfall. It was a harsh book. 

Marks out of 10: TBC - between 6 - 10 so highly rated by this group.

Words used to describe it: effervecent, what's the point, unlikeable, cruel, condensed, complicated, intense

 

Next book

The Emperor of Scent: A True Story of Perfume and Obsession by Chandler Burr

Next meeting

18th September at 7 Lonsdayle Mews, TW9 3NH 

The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng (Jackie 184)

Set in 1920s colonial Penang, The House of Doors follows Lesley Hamlyn, a British expatriate whose life is upended when the writer W. Somerset Maugham visits her and her husband. As Lesley confides in Maugham, she recounts two intertwined stories: the scandalous 1911 murder trial of her friend Ethel Proudlock, and her own secret affair with a Chinese revolutionary, Arthur Loh, linked to Dr. Sun Yat Sen.

The novel explores how personal histories are shaped—and sometimes exploited—by those who tell them. Maugham, struggling with his own identity and career, sees in Lesley’s confessions the material for his next literary success. Through layered storytelling, Tan Twan Eng examines themes of colonialism, gender, secrecy, and the ethics of storytelling, while reimagining real historical events and figures.

Unfortunately, we all enjoyed this book, when we all enjoy a book, the discussion is not as great.  All of us have decided to look more into the novels of Somerset Maugham. It was interesting to note the lack of autonomy women had, even at this time. The constraints of society and the life of a 'colonial'. 

 Marks out of 10 - highly marked by us all between 7 - 9

Words used of describing it:  facinating, inciteful, evocative, absorbing, remarkable.

Next Book

The Ballard of the Sad Cafe by Carson Maccullers

Next Meeting

Friday 25th at July at Naila 36 Lysia St

Sept at Cindy

Oct at Emma 

Nov at Rowena (hopefully)

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe (Carolyn 183)

Tom Wolfe’s The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test is a landmark work of New Journalism that chronicles the psychedelic adventures of Ken Kesey and his band of followers, the Merry Pranksters, during the 1960s counterculture movement. The narrative follows their drug-fueled cross-country journey in a brightly painted school bus named Furthur, as they promote the use of LSD and challenge societal norms.

The book blends firsthand reporting with literary techniques to capture the essence of the era’s experimentation with consciousness, community, and rebellion. Central themes include the clash between individual freedom and societal constraints, the exploration of new spiritual and philosophical frontiers through psychedelics, and the fragmentation of the American Dream. 

Although the book generated a good discussion about the rise of the counter culture in America in the late 60's and early 70's none of us managed to finish reading the book. The idiomatic language used, the lack of a narrative and the reportage style was off putting. We all understood and apprieciated the detail, but didn't find it easy. Those of us who had experience of acid completed our education!

 Marks out of 10 - between 1 and 8

Words used of describing it:  self indulgent, impossible read, essential for understanding, illuminating, disappointed, difficult read.

Next Book

The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng

Next Meeting

Wednesday 25th June at Mandy's

July at Naila

Sept at Emma

Oct at Cindy

Nov at Rowena (hopefully)

Horse by Geraldine Feeney (182 Anna)

 

Horse is a historical novel that intertwines three timelines centered around Lexington, a legendary 19th-century racehorse. In the 1850s, a young enslaved horseman, Jarret, helps train Lexington, revealing the overlooked role of Black horsemen in American racing history. In 1950s New York and 2019 Washington, D.C., a painting and skeletal remains of Lexington spark investigations by an art dealer, a scientist, and a historian. Their stories connect across time, exposing racial injustice and forgotten histories. Inspired by real events, the novel explores memory, identity, and the legacy of slavery.

This book generated a good discussion about slavery, horse knowledge, the relationship with animals and between people.

Marks out of 10 - hightly scored between 8 - 10

Words used to describe it: thought provoking, interesting, slightly contrived, liked the historical aspect

Next Book

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe

Next Meeting

31st May at Jackie's in the country

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney (Emma 191)

 

Beautiful Ugly, a psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of marriage, grief, and the elusive nature of truth. The story follows Grady Green, a bestselling author whose life unravels after his wife, Abby, disappears under mysterious circumstances. During a phone call, Grady hears Abby stop her car abruptly and then silence. Her car is later found abandoned near a cliff, but there's no sign of Abby. A year later, plagued by insomnia and unable to write, Grady retreats to the remote Scottish island of Amberly, seeking solace and inspiration. There, he encounters a woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to his missing wife, leading him down a path of paranoia and self-doubt.

As Grady delves deeper into the island's secrets, he uncovers unsettling truths about Abby, their marriage, and the island's inhabitants. The narrative weaves between Grady's and Abby's perspectives, revealing hidden facets of their relationship and the events leading up to her disappearance.

Most of us were disappointed in the ending, although an enjoyable read there were too many inconcistency that annoyed us. The relationship between the protagonists was slightly unbeliveable.

Marks out of 10 - not high between 2 - 5

Words used to describe it:  irritating, disappointing, waste of time, becareful what you wish for, frustrating

Next Book

Horse by Geraldine Brooks

Next Meeting

27th April - Carolyn in Brighton

The Industry of Souls by Martin Booth (Rowena Feb 190)

'The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget. And, if the years have taught me anything, it is a wisdom of sorts.'

 The Industry of Souls by Martin Booth is a poignant novel about resilience, identity, and the impact of history on individual lives. The story follows Alexander Bayliss, a British man who was arrested in the Soviet Union during the Cold War and sent to a gulag. After decades of imprisonment and forced labor, he is unexpectedly released but chooses to remain in a small Russian village rather than return to his homeland.

On the day of his 80th birthday, Alexander reflects on his past—his life before captivity, the brutal realities of the gulag, and the deep friendships he formed with fellow prisoners and villagers. As he contemplates his fate, a revelation about his true identity and an unexpected visitor challenge the peaceful existence he has built.

Blending history, philosophy, and human endurance, The Industry of Souls is a powerful meditation on survival, belonging, and the meaning of home, showcasing Booth’s masterful storytelling and emotional depth.

Words used to describe it: soulful, uncontrolable, philosophical, uplifting, friendship

Marks out of 10: highly marked between 7 - 10, a 10 most unusual.

 

Next Book

The Proof of My Innocence by Johnathan Coe

Next Meeting

20th March

At Anna's - 49a Bronsart Road

Orbital by Samantha Harvey (Cindy Jan 189)

 

Orbital by Samantha Harvey is a contemplative and poetic novel that follows six astronauts aboard the International Space Station over the course of a single day. As they orbit Earth, circling it every 92 minutes, 16 turns around the globe in 24 hours, they experience the vastness of space while reflecting on their lives, the fragility of the planet below, and the nature of human existence. Blending lyrical prose with scientific precision, the novel explores themes of isolation, wonder, and connection. Each astronaut grapples with personal memories, philosophical questions, and the contrast between the boundlessness of space and the intimate details of life on Earth.

With its meditative tone and immersive descriptions, Orbital offers a profound exploration of what it means to be human in the face of the infinite, making readers ponder both the grandeur of the universe and the small yet significant moments that shape our lives.

We discussed the minuteness of life, the lyricism of the writing and how difficult some of us had reading this book. Some felt the lack of science although the writing was gorgeous. 

Words used to describe it: human, poetic, shifted perspective, soperific, orbital, colourful, educational, elegaic

Marks out of 10: between 4 - 9 so widely differing 

Next Book 

Mortal Souls by Martin Booth (Rowena 190)

Next Meeting

Emma's - Thursday 27th February

The Snapper by Roddy Doyle (Moira Nov 189)

 The Snapper by Roddy Doyle is a humorous and heartfelt novel centered on the Rabbitte family, particularly 20-year-old Sharon Rabbitte, who becomes unexpectedly pregnant. Living in a working-class neighborhood in Dublin, Sharon refuses to reveal the father's identity, leading to gossip and speculation in the community.

As Sharon navigates the challenges of pregnancy, her father, Jimmy Sr., struggles between his old-fashioned views and his growing support for his daughter. Despite the initial shock, the Rabbitte family, with their lively banter and strong bond, gradually rally around Sharon.

Filled with Doyle’s trademark witty dialogue and warmth, The Snapper is a story of resilience, family, and acceptance, capturing both the struggles and joys of working-class Irish life.

When we discussed this book the themes of family, the lack of religion, how shadowy the mother was in her daughter's life. Although humerous, there were deeper levels - was it rape, how the child was concived. 

Words used to describe it: brazen, a laugh, nostaligic, jaunty effervecent, slippery

Marks out of 10: between 6 - 9

Next book 

Orbital by Samantha Harvey

Next Meeting 

January Rowena at Naila's

Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad (Naila Oct 188)

 

Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad is a travel memoir that chronicles the author’s journey from being an English teacher in rural Japan to becoming a successful YouTuber exploring the country's culture, history, and quirks. With humor and keen observation, Broad shares his experiences as a foreigner navigating life in Japan, from the challenges of cultural differences to the wonders of its food, landscapes, and traditions.

The book blends personal anecdotes with insightful reflections on Japan’s unique aspects, including its work culture, social etiquette, and hidden gems beyond the usual tourist spots. Along the way, Broad encounters fascinating individuals, embarks on unexpected adventures, and overcomes personal struggles, making his journey both entertaining and inspiring.

The book generated an interesting discussion about living in another country, but divided us with its writing.

Words used to describe it:  informative, inconsistent, c'ava, endearing, sparky, a book of 2 halves, unfinishable, annoying, interesting

Marks out of 10:  between 6 - 8 

Next book

The Snapper by Roddy Doyle (Moira)

Next meeting

Wednesday 27th November at Cindy's

Christmas Do 19th December at Chelsea Arts Club

The Growing Summer by Noel Stretfield (Emma Sept 187)

 

The Growing Summer by Noel Streatfeild is a children's novel about the Gareth family—four siblings (Alex, Penny, Robin, and Naomi)—who are sent to stay with their eccentric Great-Aunt Dymphna in rural Ireland when their mother falls ill. Used to a comfortable life in London, the children struggle to adapt to their aunt’s unconventional ways and the challenges of the countryside.

Their summer takes an unexpected turn when they discover a mysterious boy hiding in their aunt’s house. The boy, whose name is Stephan, is on the run and refuses to reveal much about himself. The children decide to help him, leading to various adventures as they try to keep his presence a secret while uncovering the truth about his situation.

Through their experiences, the siblings grow in confidence, independence, and resourcefulness. The summer transforms them, teaching them valuable lessons about resilience, kindness, and the importance of family.

Next book

Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad 

Next meeting

Moira at Mandy's 30th October 

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier (Jackie June 185)

 "Jamaica Inn" by Daphne du Maurier tells the story of Mary Yellan, a young woman who travels to the isolated Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor to live with her aunt and uncle after her mother's death, only to discover that her uncle, Joss Merlyn, is involved in a sinister smuggling ring that uses the inn as a cover, forcing Mary to navigate a dangerous world of violence and decieit as she uncovers the dark secrets of the inn and the treacherous moor surrounging it. 

This book was interesting in its brooding evocation of danger. The moors are an essential part of the story, goloming over the story. Generating an interesting discussion about shipwrecks, smuggling and the harsh necessities of life as a young woman in that era.

Words used to describe it: sinister, evocative, menacing, thrilling, dark and twisty, 

Marks out of 10: between 8 - 10 - highly marked and much enjoyed

Next book

The Growing Summer by Noel Stretfield (Emma)

Next Meeting

Naila's Wednesday 2nd October

The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde (Rowena 184 May)

The Picture of Dorian Gray, tells the story of a beautiful young man, Dorian Gray, who, after seeing his own portrait painted by artist Basil Hallward, makes a Faustian bargin, wishing that the portrait would age and bear the marks of his sins instead of him, allowing him to remain eternally youthful and handsome while indulging in a life of decadent pleasure; as Dorian's morality deteriortes, his portrait becomes increasingly hideous, ultimately leading to his self-destruction when he finally decides to destroy the painting, which symbolically represents his corrupted soul.

Having just seen the play in London, with the Australian actress Sarah Snook, a one woman show, where the interplay of modern social media and the obsession with self was used as a metaphor within the play. The difference between the play and the book was interesting. Wilde was a playwrite, this book seemed formulaic, where the play appears nuanced. Lord Henry comes across as a most unpleasant charachter. Every page a quote.

Words used to describe it:  complex, shallow, cruel, vain, selfish, emotionally draining, killed by his soul

Marks out of 10:  between 7 - 9

Next Book

Jamacia Inn by Daphne du Maurier

Next Meeting

Emma's 4th Sept