Pocket Bookclub is not enamoured with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein or the monster in the book. This a story we retell and reimagine over and over. In fact, Frankenstein is 200 years old this year. It has captured our collective cultural imagination but the source just did not stand up for us. Let's start with who … Continue reading “I left the baby on the bus and now I’m going to fall into a delirious fever”
Tag: book reviews
Pocket Bookclub gets bloody and goes to hell
This month the Pocket Bookclub dove into a vat of bloody organs and the genre of crime fiction with Hades by Candice Fox. Homicide detective Frank Bennett has an intriguing new partner. Dark, beautiful, coldly efficient, Eden Archer is one of the most enigmatic colleagues Frank has ever worked with—that includes her brother Eric, who’s … Continue reading Pocket Bookclub gets bloody and goes to hell
Pocket Book club and salty tears
Salt Creek by Lucy Treloar made me cry three times. One time was while I was walking to work (I listened to the book). I got in the elevator, having barely wiped away my tears. My work colleague was in the lift and I did not even see him. I was still on the Coorong in … Continue reading Pocket Book club and salty tears
Pretty Baby, Ugly Baby and book reviews
Have you ever seen an ugly baby? I was never one of those clucky women who melted at the sight of a baby. But, I don't think I have ever seen an actual ugly baby. As I have been comparing the publishing and writing process to being pregnant and giving birth, the next logical analogy … Continue reading Pretty Baby, Ugly Baby and book reviews
Pocket Bookclub talk about brunch coats and Miles Franklin winner
It says something of the age of Pocket Book club members that we all know what a brunch coat is and remember our mothers' wearing one. Perhaps we wore one too but we were not willing to admit it. A bit like duchess for a dresser, brunch coat has fallen out of favour. I have … Continue reading Pocket Bookclub talk about brunch coats and Miles Franklin winner
Bookclub cold on The Snow Kimono
When you Google The Snow Kimono, Mark Henshaw's 2014 book, Google will offer you 'The Snow Kimono explained' as a predicted search option. You can't go into this book with expectations of neat tidy bows. Omura's father, in the Japanese section of the book, buys and European jigsaw puzzle. He loves puzzles and he is … Continue reading Bookclub cold on The Snow Kimono
I’m going for Stella
Back when I was in boarding school, we were treated differently to the boys. For example, while the boys seemed to have the run of the small town we had to jump through several hoops on Sunday to be allowed downtown on Tuesday afternoon. Somehow, we needed to be protected and had fewer rights as a … Continue reading I’m going for Stella
Pocket book club is in love
In the 5 year history of the Pocket Book Club, I only remember two books that have been unanimously loved. Not just, we all like it, it was good, but we all love it. The first loved book was the purely eccentric The History of Rain by Niall Williams and second love fest occurred last night with … Continue reading Pocket book club is in love
Amy Poehler and Boston Beans
The Pocket Book has said No Thank You to Amy Poehler's memoir Yes Please. Marianne chose this book which her daughter loves. Sue's daughter loves it too. Clearly, there is a lot of love for Amy but when we had to choose a food to compare her book to (had to because why not?) - … Continue reading Amy Poehler and Boston Beans
Pocket Bookclub is mildly euphoric
Is it even possible to be mildly euphoric? I think that is an oxymoron. Nevermind. Euphoria by Lily King was Jane's selection for Pocket Book Club's chilly July meeting and we were pretty happy with it. The book raised a discussion (thanks to Marianne) about what is truth and what is fiction. Euphoria is based very loosely … Continue reading Pocket Bookclub is mildly euphoric