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.

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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)