MADreads

Talking good books

May 9th, 2008 Jane J. - Central Library

It’s been a good book group week for me.  The greatness came from my loving both books I had to read.  I always like getting together with others to talk books, but sometimes finishing the assigned book (just using the word assigned takes me back to college!) can be a bit of a chore.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m almost always glad to have read the book whether I liked it or not.  But to read two assigned books and greatly enjoy both?  That’s a little rarer.

The first of my groups was with friends and co-workers and the book was Diane Setterfield’s The Thirteenth Tale.  In Setterfield’s novel quiet, bookish Margaret Lea is asked to write the biography of the renowned, but mysterious, Vida Winter.  Vida is an aging author who has always kept her past secret.  Though her reasons for picking Margaret are not immediately clear, Margaret will eventually learn why and perhaps puzzle out her own past in the process.  I realize most of you probably read this eons ago when it came out, but I’d held off for some reason.  Now I’m glad I did because I could come at it fresh for book group.  Moody and suspenseful, this was a fabulous read and made for great discussion as well.

The second book was for the mystery book group I lead here at the library. 

Blatant Book Group Promotion Alert!!  If you’re a mystery reader and want to talk about them, come on down.  We meet at 2 pm on the second Thursday of the month at the Central library (there are other library book groups if this one doesn’t work).  The Central mystery group is very informal and fun and we’d love to have you join us.  Next month we’re reading Farthing by Jo Walton.

Heartsick by Chelsea Cain wasn’t as well liked by the rest of my group because of the graphic nature of some of the scenes, but I read it in one sitting and can’t wait for the next.  Heartsick is homicide Detective Archie Sheridan who spent ten years trying to find a serial killer who ended her spree by nabbing him.  Gretchen Lowell tortured and killed many, many people.  But for reasons known only to her, after ten days of torment, she decided to let Archie go and turned herself in.  Two years later Archie is still barely getting by.  Called in to head another case of serial murder, Archie isn’t convinced he’s ready, though he does have a plan .  Gretchen and Archie’s relationship is dark and twisty but fascinating all the same.  And I’m looking forward to the sequel due out in September.

As I said, a good week for book group choices.  How about your?  Has your book group read anything good lately?

Entry Filed under: Literary Fiction, Mystery, Recreational Fiction