The New DISUK Book Club List - Reading Persuasion by Jane Austen

[Dimplenose]

I haven't totally given up on pillars of the earth but thought I should remind everyone that discussion of "Sugar Queen" starts next week. With a lot of people tied up with New Year commitments please feel free to join in at anytime over January to leave your comments.

And remember that comments about previous books from the list are still welcome anytime after the discussion for that book has been declared open. (Who knows you may get my final comments about Pillars one day. )

If you've not joined us before we try to read a book per month and the booklist can be found on the first post of this thread. Feel free to drop in as you fancy, no invitation necessary!

 

[irongirlof12]

I got a head start on 'the sugar queen' as i was off ill and easily managed it in a day, mid Dec. what a fab read when you are ill

I have forgotten what books come next?

 

[Dimplenose]

I got a head start on 'the sugar queen' as i was off ill and easily managed it in a day, mid Dec. what a fab read when you are ill

I have forgotten what books come next?

Yes, I found Sugar Queen quite a quick read too.

The next book is My Best Friend's Girl by Dorothy Koomson. (The complete list can be found back on the first post of this thread.)

 

[natalielongstaff]

Ive read the sugar queen

 

[Dimplenose]

Happy New Year!!!!

I enjoyed the Sugar Queen although it wasn't at all what I expected. It had been suggested under the fantasy genre - which it was, I was just expecting something more with elves and trolls etc.

Somehow, I knew that Della-Lee was a ghost right from her first appearance - I'm not sure if the cover was too much of a give away or if I'd read a comment on Amazon.

I was quite irritated by Josey being called Oldsey, but just as I was thinking I'd missed something it was all explained.

A very lightweight story, but fun, readable and just right for this very busy time of year.

 

[natalielongstaff]

I really enjoyed sugar queen, i didn't spot the ghost bit I also loved the bit about the books appearing when they were needed !! wish they would do that in my life.

I thought josie was quite weak where her mother was concerened and was very glad when she took contol of her life.

A good book, I enjoyed it a lot

 

[Dimplenose]

It did irritate me that Adam had to have a more priviledged background that it at first appeared - university/lawyer etc. Wasn't a being a postman good enough for Josey!?

 

[natalielongstaff]

It did irritate me that Adam had to have a more priviledged background that it at first appeared - university/lawyer etc. Wasn't a being a postman good enough for Josey!?

The class devide was very evident throughout the book, highlighted by the relationship between her mum and the cab driver.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I thought I might sit this book out. I downloaded this onto my Sony Reader before I went on holiday, but over the course of two long haul flights and a week's holiday, I never picked up my reader. I finally started reading the book when I was waiting for the train back to Manchester. I found the first 20 pages or so really hard work, but I stuck at it chiefly because I had a few hours to kill and nothing better to do. I am so glad that I did. In the end I had trouble putting the book down.

I had not cottoned on to the fact that Della Lee was a ghost. I just thought she was very odd, but strangely likeable. I loved Chloe from the beginning. It took me a while to warm to Josey, but in the end I really liked her. I would have loved to find out for sure if Josey and Chloe were really sisters.

Corinna

 

[webb-rileys6-60]

I figured out that Della Lee was ghost about halfway through the book and was also irritated by the maid calling Josey 'Oldsey' until it was all explained.

I would have liked a little more description on Josey's appearance. It was briefly mentioned that she was overweight - but by how much? Curvey? A bit plump? Or grossly obese?

I would also have liked a bit more of a description on Adam regarding his disfigurement from 'the accident'. I didn't really feel the author gave much away about 'the accident' - i wanted gorey details!

My understanding was that Josey, Della Lee and Chloe WERE sisters.

I totally agree that is was a lightweight, fun read, just right for this time of year!

 

[Dimplenose]

My understanding was that Josey, Della Lee and Chloe WERE sisters.

Yes, that's what I thought the conclusion was too.

 

[irongirlof12]

I figured out that Della Lee was ghost about halfway through the book and was also irritated by the maid calling Josey 'Oldsey' until it was all explained.

I would have liked a little more description on Josey's appearance. It was briefly mentioned that she was overweight - but by how much? Curvey? A bit plump? Or grossly obese?

I would also have liked a bit more of a description on Adam regarding his disfigurement from 'the accident'. I didn't really feel the author gave much away about 'the accident' - i wanted gorey details!

My understanding was that Josey, Della Lee and Chloe WERE sisters.

I totally agree that is was a lightweight, fun read, just right for this time of year!

I agree, did enjoy it tho and again not a book i would have chosen for myself.

I loved the choc/sweets thread throughout and I would LURVE to try a 'lemon drop' I would love a secret stash of food so i guess it played on our emotions of having some private space/time

 

[Dimplenose]

Just bumping this to see if anyone else would like to *** their thoughts.

Also reminding you that you have just over two weeks before we start to discuss "My Best Friend's Girl".

 

[Dimplenose]

Hello, I hope you've used all the snow days we had earllier in the month to catch up with your reading.

I just wanted to invite everyone to the discssion of "My Best Friend's Girl" which is due to start tomorrow (but feel free to start today, if you'd like to)

I'm off to write my review - see you soon.

 

[Dimplenose]

My Best Friend’s Girl

Overall a good read but rather disappointed at how it fizzled out half way through.

I was surprised that this book wasn’t set in America – I’d always assumed it was.

This was like reading two different books as the focus changed so much part way through.

I loved the first part – although I found it very sad and moving. Some things really grated like Nate not knowing he was the father when his name was on the birth certificate – or don’t unmarried dads have to be present at the registration to get their names on the certificate any more? I was expecting anguishing waits and DNA testing.

The thought that any mum would allow their child to be cared for by the parents that had abused her as a child was also unbelievable.

Tegan herself was rather too good to be true. Uprooted from home, sick dying mother, abusive grandfather, reintroduced to someone she hadn't met for 2 years, settling into a new town and school and she didn't turn into the child from hell testing her new mum at every oporunity seems rather far fetched too.

I was waiting for a gritty and emotional struggle about cross cultural adoption but felt the book ended up being a rather predictable story of which boyfriend to choose.

 

[Dimplenose]

Anyone else read it?

 

[natalielongstaff]

Anyone else read it?

i did, it was a while ago though and im struggling to recall it

 

[Dimplenose]

i did, it was a while ago though and im struggling to recall it

That doesn't say a lot for the book.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I am behind again as usual and I am just in the process of purchasing the ebook now. Will start to read this tonight and join in with the discussion as soon as I have read it.

Corinna

 

[irongirlof12]

didn't read this months as i was ploughing through another Ken Follett