Here comes the Summer

Seeing as our book group isn’t your usual kind of fusty book group, we’ve decided to mix things up this month.

The “June” meeting will actually take place on July 1^st (ahem), so there will actually be two meetings in July, as the “July” meeting will be on 24^th July. 

So here are the details, and my reasons for choosing the books:

Tuesday 1^st July, 6.30pm, The Room of Lost Things by Stella Duffy

I’ve been a fan of Duffy and her sharp, brave writing for years, due to the subjects she chooses and the honest way she writes about them. This time the main character is London,- South London – and she writes about the dirtier side of our capital and its characters in a way that is passionate and poetic.

 And we’ve got a special treat for you on 1^st July as well – the author, Stella Duffy, will attend the book group meeting and will be taking comments and questions from the group. I’ll lead the questioning, so don’t feel you have to say anything if you don’t want to. You’re more than welcome to just attend the meeting and hear what others have to say.

Stella will then do a reading and we’ll have drinks and nibbles in the Blue Lounge, which Blue Lounge book group members are welcome to attend.

 Thursday 24^th July, 6.30pm, So Many Ways to Begin by Jon McGregor

Jon McGregor is a wizard when it comes to words.  His first novel left me agog and his second, So Many Ways to Begin, is even better, which is why I chose it for the group.  Looking at real lives and what goes on behind closed doors, this is a complex story told concisely and with flair.

 We’ll be taking a break in August to allow for summer holidays, and will announce the autumn/winter dates and books.

 As usual, all the books we discuss are available at Borders in Middlesbrough, where you’re entitled to a 20% discount on those books if you present your membership card.

So, whaddya think? Two meetings, one author, two lots of free food and nice cocktails? Hurrah i say!