London Book Club - 20 May

Hi everyone

The book for next month's book club is Carry Me Down by M. J. Hyland.  It was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2006.  Set in early 1970s Ireland, Carry Me Down is a deeply sympathetic take on one sad boyhood, told in gripping, and at times unsettling, prose. It plays out its tragic plot against a disarmingly familiar background and refuses to portray any of its lovingly drawn characters as easy heroes or villains.

I belong to the Hounslow Libraries network, and several of the libraries within Hounslow have multiple copies of the book in stock.  I'm hoping therefore that the book will be readily available in libraries throughout London and the rest of the UK, as well as available to purchase in charity shops, etc.

Given how well the venue for tonight's book club went over with everyone, we are going to have the next book club in 5 weeks' time at the same time (19:00) and the same place:

Mestizo
103 Hampstead Road
NW1 3EL London
Tel: 020 7387 4064

Nearest tube stations:  Euston, Euston Square, Warren Street

Thanks to everyone for a luvley evening last night! Looking forward to the next time.

I really enjoyed our meeting last night.  It was a great discussion and the margaritas were lovely!

I ordered the book on Amazon this morning and want to encourage newcomers to join us.  Don't be shy!

Moggs, glad to hear your FIL is doing well, and hope to see you and Mr. Moggs at the next meeting.

Realy enjoyed the discussion (and the food!) last night. I have a busy month ahead of me, but as long as I can manage to read the book in time, I'll be at the next meeting. I like the idea of working our way through Mestizo's menu!

Mr. Moggs and I may be there.  I will probably know a definite yes or no in a week or two.

I'll def. be there. Especially since I'll be missing the June one most likely.

I will be there. Started the book last night.


Newcomers are welcome so please don't be intimidated if you haven't met anyone before. I know we have loads of London lurkers!

Sorry I missed the last one - there was just too much going on & I never even got around to procuring the book .  It's 6 weeks until my wedding now, so I will TRY to get to this one.  No telling how hectic life will be right around then, as we're also going through some personal upheavel as well.

Anyway, it's a maybe!  I did really enjoy the first session, so this has been pencilled into my calendar.

Oh cool. Would be nice to see you again!

Hi all

I'm so glad to see continued interest in the London Book Club.

On the side, I am also reading a book called "Why Men Don't Listen and Why Women Can't Read Maps."  In a nutshell, one of the sidelines from the authors of that book is they say that women tend to look for a reason to meet up and chat, and book clubs are a good forum for social meetings.  And we know from experience that book clubs tend to be dominated by women.  Whether any of us have thoroughly read and digested the book would by the authors' account be immaterial, as it is a good basis for meeting up and being sociable, establishing common ground, exploring ideas whether they are necessarily directly relevant to the topic at hand, etc. 

Of course, it is ideal if we have all read the book and can speak about the content of it, but it is not absolutely necessary, in my opinion.   

My husband joined us for the last book club, having not read the book, but he enjoyed the company of all of us nonetheless.  He sincerely wants to join in the discussion next time and is trying to read the book when he can, but in all likelihood is probably not going to have time to read and digest it all.  However, he is still keen to convene with all of us, and I think that is a very good thing indeed! 

I know this is really early since we're nearly four weeks from even our next book club, but I was wondering if it'd be alright if I suggested a book for the one in June?

I know this is really early since we're nearly four weeks from even our next book club, but I was wondering if it'd be alright if I suggested a book for the one in June?

Yes, of course!  I think historically the next person to recommend a book has been the first one to step forward, so assuming there hasn't been a private agreement made outside the forum that I'm not aware of (as I wasn't one of the founders of the club), that would be you!   

I suppose it keeps things simple if the person who has recommended the next book is the one to keep track of who goes next (like passing the baton at a relay race).

You gonna tell us what book it is now or make us wait til 20 May?   

Oh sorry, right. Knew I forgot something:

Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka



Italy was a  good reading vacation for me cause it's been so long since I read anything I couldn't put down and that week I found TWO and this was one of them. Felt like my birthday.


This deals with experiences of an immigrant group that isn't usually written about but it covers so many themes like child-parent relationship and sibling relationship. All the while it's actually pretty funny and in parts absurd (in a good way.)

I thought the book was really well written, and I enjoyed it very much. It was definitely different.

I've been considering picking up that book once we are more flush.  I wouldn't mind reading it for the June book club.

Sounds good to me! I just Bookmooched a copy. (There is another one available on Bookmooch now if anyone is a user!)