Official Man Booker Announced!

As if you didn't all know!....Bring up the Bodies is triumphant.

Hilary Mantel has done it again!  Personally, I'm really pleased ( I know Penny is! ) I think it is an inspired book, and will live and live, as Wolf Hall is sure to do.  Wonder what the third one will do??....

We predicted this would win, so we can congratualte ourselves on getting that right.

I've sent a blog to the Reading Agency, but it's not up yet, so keep an eye for it.

I hope to see you all again soon, at some of the Reader's Evenings coming up next week.

Signing off now, a little sadly......

Warwickshire Man Booker Winner is announced!

Last night in Stratford, we voted for the Warwickshire Winner 2012 and it's ( bated breath! )

Tan Twan Eng  The Garden of Evening Mists

It was an out and out winner, scoring 56 points over Bring up the Bodies (45),  Lighthouse (39)
Umbrella (30)  Swimming Home (29)  and Narcopolis (28)

We also voted for which one we think the judges will choose later on today, and the results were :

Bring up the Bodies ( 58) Garden of Evening Mists ( 53)  Umbrella ( 52)   Narcopolis ( 38) Lighthouse (34)  Swimming Home ( 31)

It was a really good evening last night, and thank you to those who came along.

I would also like to thank you ALL again for taking part, and making the shadowing exercise so much fun! I hope you all found it worthwhile, and ( you never know) we may be doing something similar again next year.

Happy Reading to you all

Less than a week to go....

I completed 'Swimming Home' fairly quickly though I did feel as a few others mentioned at our meeting in Nuneaton that it feels like a book that bears reading again. I had checked a copy out of the library and given its length will probably be able to do that after next week.

I enjoyed it and felt it was very lyrical in style. Bit of a shock to read in the Radio Times that it was initially self-published. Quite an accomplishment and proof that gems can be found in works not initially attracting a publisher.

I began 'The Garden of Evening Mists' today supplimenting my reading with its audiobook version offered by Whole Story Audiobooks via Audible. I am a big fan of Audible as it allows fans of the audio format to buy copies at a fairly low rate (subscription rate =£7.99) or less when they have sales. While often I am happy to wait until titles are offered at the library, with Audible often titles appear the same day as they are published in print.

I am loving the language of this novel. I've scheduled myself a weekend off of other commitments so that I can complete this and 'Bring Up the Bodies'. As a firm fan of Mantel and of 'Wolf Hall' I am having this for last.

Judging a book by its cover

With time very short now until we vote, I have a confession - with this group of books, I have not had the time (and, I admit, in some cases, the inclination) to read the shortlist due to various reasons. I shall abstain therefore from the voting on Monday, though will ensure I am there to help Jan out with the refreshments! For those of you who I have done a shadow reading group with before, you'll know that I DO judge a book by its cover initially so on that basis, I am going to pick my "winner" based purely on cover design (and its appeal to me and me alone so feel free to disagree!).
For me, the most intriguing cover design is Narcopolis - it is visually very stunning. However, I don't find it the most appealing - that accolade belongs to Swimming Home. Using the 'signatures' of the cover, this is the one that appeals most to me - it doesn't seem overly foreboding (Lighthouse, I'm looking at you!) nor does it look too historical/adventure (Bodies, that's you!). Dare I say it, it looks like a summer read! Garden of Evening Mists is the nicest looking cover for me - beautiful design and seems an interesting book. As for Umbrella, I like the picture but that's about it - does nothing to entice or attract me (though this may be because I struggle with Self's writing).
So, for me then, the winner is Swimming Home - most appealing cover and the one I would most want to read! How's that for scientific judging! Happy Reading!

BRING UP THE BODIES

What a pleasant relief after misty Malaya and boring Bombay, to be back in the UK with the very familiar Tudors. I loved Wolf Hall and really enjoyed Thomas Cromwell's version of events once again. It is a long story and I had to read through the last few pages very quickly. I did know Anne was beheaded. The descriptions of all the characters, their reactions and interactions were fascinating and beautifully done. Thank you Hilary Nicole

Phew! I have finally finished Umbrella and feel that I have passed a great hurdle. I have just started the Lighthouse, which seems to be more readable and then there will be only Narcopolis to go, so I am on the home strait.

Breasted the tape!

And I didn't even resort to the handy bottle of paracetamol on my desk - although the meniscus in  the Glenfiddich is somewhat lower than it was.
Well, what can I say? Not a lot of humour, although I think this is quite normal for MB. Thought provoking? Yes, as always. Literary? Mostly except for The Lighthouse, but then I have never received a satisfactory definition of literary from any of the writers I know. What did I enjoy? Lighthouse, Evening Mists. What did I have to work hard at? Umbrella, Narcopolis. My personal choice? Lighthouse. What I think will win? Evening Mists. And I have to admit, I think the writing is absolutely stunning.
Now time for Jack Kerouac and my reading group . . .