Book Views - About the Group

About the Group

We first got together as a reading group in March 2000. The original members were Jane, Jo, Lucy, Michelle, Nicky, Nicole, Ruth, Sharon and Wendy, but when Jo had to retire due to other commitments, Sarah joined us in 2002.

Not all of us knew everyone else to begin with, but we soon got to know each other. Our first meeting was at Lucy’s house when we discussed The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Lucy likes the short ones!) and we went on from there to read mainly literary fiction.

We generally read a book a month, depending on school holidays. The person hosting the meeting usually suggests a few books to choose from for the next month, but others sometimes bring books along too. We select the book by democratic vote.

Discussion about the book is a little hit-and-miss, with some books raising more issues to talk about than others. Overall, the most popular book we’ve read as a group is Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks, with the least favourite being Headlong by Michael Frayn. We have a list of questions to consider that we (very) loosely follow in our discussions.

Apart from the monthly meetings, we go out for dinner together a couple of times a year, and have been on theatre and cinema group outings too.

The first book we read as a group.

The overall favourite group book.

Jane Jane enjoys the pastries at the breakfast meetings, although she’s so slim, you’d never guess it! Her favourite author is Julie Myerson. Jane’s favourite book of all time is Year of Wonders and she loved Milly Molly Mandy as a child.
Lucy Lucy's time on the golf links has been severely curtailed recently due to her new medical career. She is currently wavering between general practice or specialising in brain surgery. Her all-time favourite book is Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth and she also enjoys reading medical thrillers. Her favourite film is One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
Michelle Michelle spends many hours in her garden, as can be seen by her magnificent pots and flowerbeds. She loves legal thrillers and historical fiction, and her favourite authors include Greg Iles and Wilbur Smith. Michelle always suggests interesting books for the group.
Nicky I’m the bossy one of the group! My favourite book as a child was Kipling’s Just So Stories. My many favourite novels include Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks and Perfume by Patrick Susskind. I can normally be found either reading a book or sitting in front of my computer.
Nicole Nicole is a thoughtful member of the group who always has a lot to contribute. Her all-time favourite book is I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb, and as a child she enjoyed Mrs Pepperpot. Nicole is always beautifully coiffed and manicured!
Ruth Ruth, like Michelle, loves to spend time in her garden and has beautifully planted pots on display. Ruth loved Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers and St Clares series as a child. Her favourite author is Barbara Trapido, and all-time favourite book is Du Maurier’s Rebecca.
Sarah Sarah is a bubbly member of the group who identifies herself with the literary character, Mary Poppins. As a child she loved The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. Her all-time favourite book is Wuthering Heights and her favourite author is Anita Shreve.
Sharon Sharon always has very informed comments to make on the books. Her favourite book of all time is The Rainbow by D H Lawrence. The group book she has enjoyed most is The Color of Water by James McBride. Sharon's the one to ask where to find the most up-to-date handbags and accessories!