An Ordinary Day

Any Ordinary Day by Leigh Sales

Blog collated by Sharon

This is our first book choice for 2019 and the meeting was hosted by Jane.

Jane's comments :
The school's reaction to the death in the family is  insightful.  People generally avoid the person with the tragedy.  Acknowledging someone's difficult and tragic event is not that common but it should be done.  The most touching story was the child who was a schizophrenic who killed the dad.

Sally :
Really valuable from the priest and detective about how to speak to people.  Just say simple things and not worry about the right things to say.  Nice story of resilience.

Lee :
Leigh's voice is just how she speaks on 7:30 Report.  A book I felt I could trust.  The people who tell the stories are trusting Leigh to tell them truthfully.  They are so brave to talk about their stories.  Beautiful book.

Melissa :
Religious theme was interesting because you feel Leigh is wrestling with that herself. In the end, kindness.  Moved by the surfing incident.  No quota to traumas.  For those who can change they actually manage to go onto a better life.  Why me ? - well why not me ? The new normal as opposed to moving on or closure.

Marty :
The media is very intrusive when they approach trauma victims' families.  Helps personal recovery if they get a chance to tell what really happened.  It's free as opposed to talking to a therapist.  There are incidents where I felt she was pushy and insensitive.  Maybe that's what drove the writing of the book.

Meredith :
The appalling state of journalism.  Leigh Sales' interview tactic is actually annoying. The book is quite good but it's not been an entirely honest book because she wasn't happy to reveal too much about herself.  It's like a very long essay.  Kind of repetitive story after story.  It's highlighting the randomness of life. The book is too long.

We described the book as : a worthwhile read, unexpectedly more than interesting, thought provoking and reassuring, insightful.  A couple of 9.5 ratings.

Our next book is God Help the Child by Toni Morrison and the meeting will be at Sharon's on March 7th.

First book in 2018 : The Better Son

The Better Son by Katherine Johnson
Book chosen by Jane

Blog written by Sharon

This novel reminds us of the Lyre Bird Hill and is a bit predictable.  It was an easy read with nothing too surprising.  The boys' father was monstrous and the mother Jess had our sympathy.
A lot of men came back from the war like the way the father did.  Sadly Kip was so in fear of his dad that it ruined his life.

Some found the visit in the cave a bit tedious.  We all thought Squid was a wonderful character.  I felt the last chapters about Kip going back to the cave were interesting in that they really gave a good description of the geological aspect of the caves.

Some felt that the Road to the Far North by Richard Flanagan was better.

Why didn't Kip just come out with the truth ? It's heartbreaking what happened ...

We rated the book 7/10 and our next meeting will be at Sharon's on Wed March 7th.  Our book will be Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt.

The Last Painting of Sara de Vos

The Last Painting of Sara de Vos by Dominic Smith

Blog written by Marty

This novel which was written by Dominic Smith could well have been penned by a woman with its intrigue and warmth of emotion.

It is a story told in layers.

There are three different times and settings from Amsterdam and the Dutch
SARA DE VOS a woman artist ( which was rare in the 17th Centur) in fact it is claimed she was the first one such artist to be recognized.

New York in the 1950s finds her  rare painting "At the Edge of the Wood" a Winter scene hanging over the bed of MARTY DE GROOT a descendant (three centuries ) of the original owner.

ELLIE SHIPLEY a young Australian artist whose skill is  in restoration of old
art works and who is enticed to make a forgery of this Dutch Painting.

Its story depicts the meeting of Marty and Ellie and the intrigue of their relationship as well as the fete of the paintings.

Sydney 21st Century finds us in another setting where the two paintings
arrive for an exhibition.  The lives of two modern characters is some what unravelled. Somehow the mystery of the paintings comes to light.

The buzz of jumping from one story and time adds to the absolute enjoyment of the book.
All the characters are woven descriptively into the plot. It makes for easy reading and thorough captivation.
Indeed the research that Smith has undertaken to write a novel with such technical description is what really enhances the book and attempts to educate us in the details of an art restorer and painter.

I loved all the characters especially Sara de Vos whose life as the wife of an impoverished artist and herself a painter struggling to feed her family in C17th Holland.

The question one could ask is "who really changed the paintings?  Was it the caterers or someone else?

I think I really could say this was one of the best  books I've read in a while.

Most of the book club had positive enjoyment.
The discussion mainly centered around the use of three characters and three time period.
Each chapter jumped to a different time. Some read it is sequence rather than as written.

Our rating for this book is 8.5/10 and it's been described as "enjoyable, intriguing, delicate, learnt a lot of the art world ".

Our first book selection for next year is The Good People by Hannah Kent and we will meet at Jane's on Wednesday Feb 8th at 7:30pm.

Have a great holiday and happy reading !!

Reckoning by Magda Szubanski

Reckoning : A Memoir by Magda Szubanski

Nov 10th, 2016

Blog written by Megan



















Our rating for this book is 6.7/10 and described as mildly curious.

Our next meeting with be at Marty's on Dec 14th and our book choice is The Last Painting of Sara de Vos by Dominic Smith.