Purple Coo Winter Read 2009

Winter Reading for the Purple Coo Book Club

Here is the list of books that have been suggested by Purple Coo members. Please make your 1st and 2nd choices in the comment box below. I'll collate the votes and announce the most popular book on the Purple Coo Book Club Forum.

Family Album by Penelope Lively

This book offers the shiny, surface of family life, but before long the murkier layers of secrecy begin to be revealed. Sounds like classic Penelope Lively country to me. Should be a brilliant read.

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls.

This book is about "a sassy straight-talking heroine for whom saving lives, taming wild horses and beating ranch hands at poker are all in a day's work. The story of a woman’s life as told by her granddaughter.

Lilla’s Feast by Francis Osborn
At the end of her life, Frances Osborne's one-hundred-year-old great-grandmother Lilla was as elegant as ever. To her great-grandchildren, Lilla was both an ally and a mysterious wonder. Her bedroom was filled with treasures from every exotic corner of the world. But she rarely mentioned the Japanese prison camps in which she spent much of World War II, or the elaborate cookbook she wrote to help her survive behind the barbed wire.

Miss Garnet's Angel by Sally Vickers

A journey of mystery and self discovery, set against a Venetian Backdrop, with more than a hint of Tobias and the Angel. A word of mouth best seller.

The Love of Stones by Tobias Hill

The reviewers called it a ‘bold and intricate novel, a complex tapestry that ranges across time and space, but with a single theme: the manipulative power of exceptional jewels.'

'A compelling thriller... Slicing through six centuries in a single sweep,’ with a theme about greed and ambition.'

The Horse Boy by Rupert Issacson

When his son Rowan was diagnosed with autism, Rupert Isaacson was devastated, afraid he might never be able to communicate with his child. But when Isaacson, a lifelong horseman, rode their neighbour’s horse with Rowan, Rowan improved immeasurably. He was struck with a crazy idea: why not take Rowan to Mongolia, the one place in the world where horses and shamanic healing intersected?

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

The story of four Chinese-immigrant women and their American-born daughters. Each of the four Chinese women has her own view of the world based on her experiences in China and wants to share that vision with her daughter. The daughters try to understand and appreciate their mothers' pasts, adapt to the American way of life, and win their mothers' acceptance.

The 19^th Wife by David Ebershoff

The intertwined narratives of Brigham Young’s expulsion of his own wife from the Mormon Church and a modern day murder mystery.

White Ghost Girls by Alice Greenway

Set in Hong Kong in 1967, two girls tumble into their teenage years against an extraordinary backdrop both sensuous and dangerous. A tale of sacrifice and solidarity and the kind of intense, complicated love that only exists between sisters.

Purple Book Club Autumn Read 2009

Autumn Reading for the Purple Coo Book Club

Here is the selected list of books that have been suggested by Purple Coo members. Please make your 1st and 2nd choices in the comment box below. I'll collate the votes and announce the most popular book on the Purple Coo Book Club Forum.

Constance by Rosie Thomas
A musician and composer is enjoying life to the full among the expat community living in Bali, so she isn’t keen to go back to England when she hears her adopted sister is very ill indeed. When she returns home it is to face some complex family dilemmas, not least that she has fallen in love with somebody she shouldn’t. An enjoyable read but not a particularly deep one.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson
You’ll either think I’m mad to suggest this book or you’ll love it to pieces. First published in the 1930s it is reprinted as a Persephone Classic. Miss Pettigrew is hopeless, out of work and desperate, until she accidently enters the hectic life of Miss LaFosse, a woman who knows everything there is to know about life and nightclubs. A real frothy laugh of a book.

Mutiny on the Bounty by John Boyne

Pickpocket John Jacob Turnstile is on his way to a lengthy prison stay when he is offered a lifeline: the job of personal valet to a departing naval captain. Little does he realize that by accepting this devil's bargain, he will put his life in perilous danger. The ship is HMS Bounty, his new captain is William Bligh and their destination is Tahiti.From the moment the ship leaves port, Turnstile's life is turned upside down, Walking a dangerous line between an unhappy crew and a captain he comes to admire, he finds himself in a no-man's land

Nation by Terry Pratchett
Not a witch or a wizard in sight. Mau is the last surviving member of his nation, until he finds out otherwise … Witty and wise from a master story teller. A funny tale about death and nationhood. Classic Pratchett.

Old Filth by Jane Gardam

A beautiful, moving, richly tragic book about the effects of childhood neglect, all with a fascinating 'British Empire' background.


Past Imperfect by Julian Fellowes

Set in era of the last years of debutante balls, the author is set a task in present time to find out something about 40 years ago, which forces him to face his own past as well as that of his friends and enemies.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
This was listed last time but as it has been requested, I include it again.
Sadism, murder, suicide and casual sex (in Sweden). An investigation into the mysterious death of a young woman and some rather suspect sexual politics. It’s meant to be excellent, though not for the squeamish.


The Rocket Boys by Herman Hickman
Insightful book about a teenage boy in West Virginia during the cold war years, but the residents of Coalwood have more mundane and personal issues to deal with rather than world politics. Described as, ‘fun and upbeat’.

The Rowing Lesson by Anne Landsman
An elegy for a lost father and a beloved world on the point of disappearing. South African author who writes with fire and passion. The New York Times Book Review: "Puts readers as deep into the man as if he had been opened up on the table before us ... exhilarating" (and apparently there are 38 new and used copies for £0.01 on Amazon).

Summer Reading for the Purple Coo Book Club

Here is the suggested list of books. Please make your 1st and 2nd choice in the comment box below. I'll collate the votes and announce the most popular book choice on the Purple Book Club Forum

Deaf Sentence David Lodge

A funny/moving, witty, original and absorbing account of one man’s effort to come to terms with deafness, ageing, and mortality, plus a wayward young woman.

Five Quarters of an Orange Joanne Harris

Though still set in France this is a far darker, and my opinion, far superior novel to her other better known tales. A tragic story of revenge, sexuality, suspense and enemy occupation, with a few recipes thrown in.

One of Us Melissa Benn

Reworking of the classic Greek tragedy. Antigone with a New Labour twist.

Ring of Bright Water Gavin Maxwell

The unforgettable otter classic.

The 19^th Wife David Ebershoff

A double fictionalized narrative:

1. The life (and escape) of Anna Eliza, the 19^th wife of Brigham Young, the founder of the Mormon church

2. The life of a modern day 19^th wife accused of murdering her fundamentalist husband.

The Beach Alex Garland

The book that inspired the Leonardo Di Caprio film of the same name. Suspense, adventure and anxiety in paradise. I’ve heard it described as “Boys own stuff with drugs” perhaps not one to read if you’ve got kids travelling in Thailand in their gap year.

The Fraction of the Whole Steve Dore

A hard book to describe. The story of a man as told by his son. Good intentions aren’t always enough and often have disastrous results.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Stieg Larsson

Sadism, murder, suicide and casual sex in Sweden. An investigation into the mysterious death of a young woman and some rather suspect sexual politics.

Spring Read for the Purple Book Club

Spring Read 2009

Here is the suggested list of books. Please make your 1st and 2nd choice in the comment box below. I'll collate the votes and anounce the most popular book choice on the Purplecoo Book Forum.

A Fox in the Cupboard by Jane Shilling

Described as a 'memoir' this book tells of her single motherhood, of learning to ride as an adult and of her subsequent transition to foxhunting with the Ashford Valley Hunt.

.

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson

Cambridge is sweltering, during an unusually hot summer. To Jackson Brodie, former police inspector turned private investigator, the world consists of one accounting sheet — Lost on the left, Found on the right — and the two never seem to balance.
Jackson has never felt at home in Cambridge, and has a failed marriage to prove it. Surrounded by death, intrigue and misfortune, his own life haunted by a family tragedy, he attempts to unravel three disparate case histories and begins to realise that in spite of apparent diversity, everything is connected...

Dynamiting Niagara, or, Coming of age in Broughton Mills, by Ian Davidson

These are stories of a boy never quite coming of age in a small Lakeland hamlet in the years following WW11 (This may be difficult to get hold of)

[pub. 2005 by Handstand press, Ulverston]

Everlasting by Kathleen E Woodiwiss

A good romantic background with lots of thrills and adventure. A historical romantic novel. Looks like a bit of a bodice ripper to me, could be a fun read.

Lark Rise to Candleford by Flora Thompson

The real story behind the rather fanciful version that's now on television , Worth reading for the incredible insight into country life at the end of 19 century.

Mr Darcy's Diary by Maya Slater

A bit of fun. Ever wondered what Mr Darcy ( Pride & Prejudice) was really thinking? Well this book gives the reader just that!

Nation by Terry Pratchet

This comes highly recommended by Westerwitch, but please DON'T let that tempt you into voting for it. It's only on here 'cos she bullies me with her chainsaw...'sob!'

Promise of the Wolves by Dorothy Hearst

All dog owners/lovers will find this a fascinating story of wolves' natural urge to be with humans.

The wolf's promise?

Never consort with humans.
Never kill a human unprovoked.
Never allow mixed blood wolf to live.

This book tells of a mixed blood wolf who survives to tell the tale. Set 14,000 years ago, this is the first of a trilogy ( next book not published yet)

The Great Western Beach by Emma Smith

A delicious memoir of a Cornish Childhood between the wars.
On the back it says, in a quote by Margaret Forster - 'It's the sort of memoir that will be an antidote to the current misery ones - that rare thing, a 'nice' book.'
And Tim Smit said, 'A delight....it should be read by anybody wishing to capture the spirit of living in Cornwall through extraordinary times.'
It might be good to have a 'nice' book for a change!!
Apparently the author is 85. So, aspiring authors as many of us are, there's hope for us all yet!

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

The story of a teenage girl who, after being brutally raped and murdered, watches from heaven as her family and friends go on with their lives, while she herself comes to terms with her own death. The novel received a great deal of critical praise and became an instant bestseller.

The Peacock Spring, by Rumer Godden

First published 1975, but reissued 2004 in paperback. Coming of Age in India. An exotic and memorable story of the British elite in India. A real antidote to the White Tiger.

The Sea Lady by Margaret Drabble

Two successful people who knew each other as children, meet up again after 30 years apart. A funny and painful, potent tribute to lost dreams and harsh realities.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

Even if the reader has no interest in dogs, boys or Oedipal conflicts in the north woods of Wisconsin, they will find this book irresistible. (Allegedly)