Blue Lounge Book Group

And so the year trundles on, and with sunshine and bare arms comes our second book group meeting.

I wasn’t sure what to expect of running a book group, especially after seeing the Channel 4 show but so far, it’s been very nice to look after it.

This time we looked at ‘Something Borrowed’ and had a right old debate about whether you should read things as just fun or look beneath for hidden depths.

One person liked it because it was ‘about two old nanas’ who were like Rosemary and Thyme. Another said it reminded them of a Beryl Cook painting and another dubbed it a ‘gothic Last of the Summer Wine’.

This time we had about 20 people, some from the first group and a fair few new faces which was lovely to see. As were the 2 for 1 cocktails at the bar.

Next time we’re looking at The Good Father by Marion Husband and we’re picking our June book pretty soon, so keep checking back for updates.

….Well, actually, Whitby beach, but if you’ve been reading ‘Something Borrowed’ you’ll get my drift.

And if you have a mate who didn’t come last time but is now totally jealous of all the interesting and witty things you came back with, then bring them along. More the merrier.

It’s been a slow week for reading this week.

I’ve been starting work just after 6am so my sleep pattern is all over the shop, and I’ve spent my awake hours playing with my dog, watching tv, and going to gigs (Bilge Pump last night who were rather good).

This means I’m almost finished ‘Something Borrowed’ but not quite and I am enjoying it a lot and can’t wait to find out what you all think about it too.

To spur you on to get cracking before the next book group on 29^th April, here is a playlist from Paul Magrs, the author of our second book.

It’s an ecelectic and spooky mix and there a couple of GEMS on there…go listen!

Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker

Bauhaus - Bela Lagosi’s Dead

Dusty Springfield - Haunted

Kate Bush - Hammer Horror

Bonzo Dog Band - Monster Mash

So, how are you getting on with ‘Something Borrowed’?

I find the idea of the Bride of Frankenstein running a B+B in Whitby and solving mysteries like Miss Marple rather exciting. I also like the vast references to cake in the book, which make me hungry when I should be concentrating on reading.

Living in Middlesbrough, reading a book about Whitby is refreshing. I once spotted Juhninio on the 2p machines. It doesn’t get more showbiz than that.

Someone emailed me after the first book group, who said they would have come but didn’t see why we are reading ‘local’ books. Well, the books haven’t been chosen just because they have links to our area (Paul Magrs lives in Manchester y’know).

They’ve been selected on merit and as much as I love our capital, I find the idea that a book is better if it’s be someone from London to be rather strange.If you have any suggestions about books for the group, please leave a comment and let us know what you think we should be reading.

Oh and for those of you who didn’t come to the first one, here are some photos (taken by Nicky Peacock) of the first meeting.

Yes I know this looks cheesey. It’s meant to be ok?  Arf.

 There are even more people behind this shot. True fact!

Looking at this I need better posture

The other side of the group. Look at all the lovely people!

Remember, you don’t have to have read all of the book, or at all to come along and join in. You can even not join and just sit and listen.

God it’s easy-going innit?