January 2025
THE VANISHING HALF by Brit Bennett. This American novel is about twins growing up together then going separate ways and losing touch. It is about many forms of change and about things not being what they seem. Issues explored include black women passing as white, racial identity, and mother/daughter relationships. An enjoyable book although it maybe tried to deal with too much in one book at the expense of character development and depth.

Satisfaction 8; Writing style 7; Keep/charity shop: divided. Read more by author: Yes

February 2025
THE STRAYS OF PARIS by Jane Smiley. A delightful tale about a runaway horse, an ownerless dog, a raven, rats, and ducks set in Paris. They develop a community of parkkeepers, shopkeepers, a boy, and his great-grandmother. A heartwarming escapist celebration of friendship, belonging, and survival. There were mixed views about this book and it was thought that perhaps it is more suitable for children! The group enjoyed the perception of animals' extra senses and appreciated the writing style.
Satisfaction 6.5; Writing Style 7.5; Keep/charity shop: charity; Read more by author: No

March 2025
YELLOWFACE by Rebecca Kuang. When failed writer, June, witnesses her bestselling friend's death she seizes the opportunity and steals the manuscript of her next book. This develops into what happens when she publishes the book, her conscience, and the effect on her mentally and emotionally. The vagaries of the publishing world and the dark side of social media are exposed. The group disliked the main character and felt all the characters were unlikeable and shallow. An interesting concept and storyline that didn’t quite deliver.

Satisfaction 6; Writing Style 6; Keep/charity shop: charity shop; Read more by author: No

April 2025
The group changed the format this month. Gloucestershire Libraries ran a promotion featuring less-read paperbacks from their shelves wrapped up anonymously. Our group leader very kindly purchased different books for the group to read and review for the others. It was a successful and fun exercise. Nearly everyone was surprised at how much they enjoyed a book they would never normally read. The books were then exchanged amongst the group.

May 2025
STRANGE SALLY DIAMOND by Liz Nugent. A complex and disturbing psychological thriller about Sally's traumatic past. Sally slowly gains trust in people and society but as her family relationships unfold she finds people are not who and what she believed. The characters are well drawn, the book is easy to read, the writing isn’t challenging but the content is. The ending prompted quite a bit of discussion.

Satisfaction 9; Writing Style 8; Recommend: Yes;  Read more by author: Yes.

June 2025
BROKEN LIGHT by Joanne Harris. A woman who has felt invisible for decades decides it’s time for change. As she reaches menopause an extra power is triggered. This is a complex and complicated tale which is labelled 'modern magical realism'. It contains a lot of anger and prejudice against men but does illustrate how small shifts in thinking can make big waves. Most people found it unpleasant with too many stereotypes but others found it quirky and different.

Satisfaction 7; Writing Style 7; Recommend 50:50; Read more by author: No

July 2025
MY COUSIN RACHEL by Daphne du Maurier. A classic psychological thriller and the reader is left wondering about the truth. Du Maurier has an amazing skill in putting across what is unsaid and hidden yet the language is modern. Told in the first person through one of the main character’s eyes she tells the story with comprehensive attention to detail. This book opened up much discussion on the story, the characters and social history.

Satisfaction 9; Writing Style 9; Recommend: Yes;  Read more by author: Yes

August 2025
We Are All Birds of Uganda by Hafsa Zayyan. A remarkable first (and prizewinning) novel which moves between three generations and two continents. Sameer is in his early twenties, working in London but pressured to work in the family business in Leicester. His life changes when he visits Uganda. The book covers conflicts within work, family, relationships, cultures and countries. Descriptions of life in Uganda and Asian Uganda are well explored and enlightening.

Satisfaction 9; Writing Style 8; Recommend: Yes;  Read more by author: Yes 

September 2025
ON CHAPEL SANDS by Laura Cumming. This memoir focussing on a missing child received mixed reviews. It is a slow reveal of this family’s story related in a journalistic style. Atmospheric and claustrophobic setting but insightful about 1930s England. Sometimes confusing about who was the narrator and a confusing use of different names for the same people. The author is an art historian and there was interesting use of photographs and art throughout.

Satisfaction 5; Writing Style 5; Recommend: No; Read more by author: No

October 2025
BROTHER by David Chariandy. A story about life, brotherhood, family, loyalty, community and race with an undercurrent of simmering violence. This novella is full of love and compassion and has important things to say in an understated way. David Chariandy noticed the media were showing this area of Toronto in a bad light and he wanted to redress the balance. He creates little scenarios without explaining or expanding on them and leaves the reader to do the work. 

Satisfaction 7; Writing Style 8; Recommend: yes; Read more by author: yes

November 2025
ONCE UPON A RIVER by Diane Setterfield. Set in Victorian times by the Thames in Oxfordshire, this tale is full of mystery, magic, and other-worldliness. The storytelling by the regulars in the inn is central and reflects the river itself, with its twists and turns. The book prompted plenty of discussion about the stories within the story. Well-developed, varied, and interesting characters; snippets of humour run through the book. The detailed descriptions help to recreate that period in time and enable the reader to appreciate how harsh life could be. 

Satisfaction 8.5; Writing Style 8.5; Recommend: Yes; Read more by author: Yes

December 2025
MEET ME AT THE MUSEUM by Anne Youngson. A chance inquiry leads to a developing relationship by letter. A man and a woman who haven’t met open up to each other in writing and the book is based on their correspondence. This novel describes life, family and love with great attention to detail. The author explores conflicting emotions and family bonds with realism and sensitivity. An interesting style which worked really well.

Satisfaction 8; Writing Style 8; Recommend: yes; Read more by author: yes