Bookclub Wrap-up
Welcome to the (my) most anticipated event of the year – the inaugural end-of-year bookclub wrap-up with our local Tara Library Book Club!
This year, we have our usual suspects:
Jude, the one who reads at midnight;
Marion, the one who speaks in jokes and riddles;
Jenny, the one who is wise and not at all like the rest of us;
Catherine, the one who reads anything and everything;
Kat, the newest member who won over the book club in 5 minutes;
and Leslie, the one who has a hidden copy of “Spare” under her pillow (she may say otherwise).
Of course, we can’t forget Sam (that’s me!), the one who speaks too loudly for a librarian; and Kaylie, the one who has to put up with to the loudest librarian.
As we gather around with our recent reads and a generous supply of snacks, we dive into some fun and quirky questions that reflect on our year of reading. From the most memorable plot twists to their most favourite all-time book, no topic is off-limits. So, grab a cup of tea, sit back, and enjoy the laughter and camaraderie as we wrap up another fantastic year of book club adventures!
Which book had the most ridiculous plot twist that made you go, “wait, what?”
Kaylie, Marion, and Jude all agreed that ‘The Mother’ by Jane Caro had the wildest plot twist. It triggered a great discussion around the table and this book was the absolute stand out. High praise, indeed!
I may have (very sneakily) snuck it onto my Goodreads TBR list. As one of the faces of the library – I obviously knew this book existed. For sure.
If you could only eat one snack while reading a book, what would it be?
Leslie: Cashews
Kat: White Chocolate and Macadamia cookies
Jude: Macadamias in the bath, while the poor cat is forced to watch from the stand as the serenity washes over her face. Don’t fret, everyone: the cat is quick to splash her back to reality every now and then.
Personally, I’m OBSESSED with Maltesers. You can always find Maltesers in my home – they complete me.
What book would you recommend to someone who’s never read a book before?
Kat: “My Life as a Cat” by Charlie Sorosiak. (It might be your purrr-fect start to reading ;-))
Catherine: “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte or “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte. You can’t go wrong with the classics.
Leslie: “The Chocolate Maker’s Wife” by Karen Brooks
Marion: “Horse” by Geraldine Brooks or “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt.
And if you know me at all, you’d know what I’m about to say: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that a person yearning for a new book must be in want of this one.
Which book would you never admit you read in public?
Jenny and Marion: “Spare” by Prince Harry. Though they may consider reading it if they had a paper bag to hide it.
Catherine and Jane: “50 Shades of Grey” by E L James. Nuff’ said.
Kat: “Claimed” by Ellie Kelly.
Jude: “The Twilight Series” by Stephanie Meyer
And then there’s me, trying to pretend I haven’t read ALL of these. It’s a hard life, really. But honestly, I’m proud to say there’s not much I wouldn’t admit to reading. I’m quite comfortable with my reading choices, thank you very much! 😄
What are your all-time favourite books?
Kaylie: “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. Though, to be honest, she did say “Dumbo” at first but wanted to sound all literary and stuff.
Catherine: “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell
Jude: “The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant
Kat: “The Mirror Cracked” by Agatha Christie
Marion: “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte
Leslie: “Peter the Great” by Robert K Massie
Jane: “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell
Jenny: “Absolutely cannot choose!”
And as for me, I can’t say it again. It will be tantamount to nagging you all into reading Pride and Prejudice. If that is a possibility though…read it. And read it again. And then read all the variations and unofficial sequels. You’ll thank me later.
As we get ready to sign off at the end of the year, we hope you use this wonderfully varied list to start fresh in the new year with some interesting new reads! Whether you’re classically inclined or living dangerously, there’s something in this list for everyone.
Don’t forget that while our libraries are closed over Christmas and New Year, Borrowbox, uLibrary and Hoopla never close! They will be available for all your reading, viewing, and listening pleasures!
Thank you for joining us for our Bookclub wrap-up with Tara Library Bookclub and from our book club to yours, we hope you have a fantastic holiday season full of love, life, and plenty of books!
Sam