Category: Community Groups
“Managing Expectations” by Minnie Driver
OFF THE SHELF
“Managing Expectations” by Minnie Driver
We all really enjoyed this book. It is not an autobiography but rather accounts of episodes in Minnie Driver’s extraordinary life. It is hilarious, happy, poignant and sad. She writes so well about trying to understand the relationships and events that have formed her; her family and friends from England, New York, California and back again. Indeed, how she manages her life in good times and bad. From the very first sentence it is a page turner and hard to put down. We scored it 8/10 and highly recommend this book as a good read.
Tricia Coulthard
Blue Skies At Cosmeston
LIVING WITH CANCER STROLLERS
Blue Skies At Cosmeston
Waterproofs were not needed as the strollers gathered under blue skies at Cosmeston. Signs of Autumn were everywhere…fallen, golden leaves, red berries and bushes bulging with blackberries. Sweets were also in abundance as two birthdays were being celebrated!
“Perfect” by Rachel Joyce
“Perfect” by Rachel Joyce
Rachel Joyce wrote the bestselling novel of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, so the Page Turners had high expectations for another of her novels, “Perfect”. Perfect tells the story of two 11-year-old boys who plot to save their mother after she has a car accident; an accident she is not aware of. Class divisions, mental health, emotional abuse are some issues running through the book, culminating in a terrific twist at the end. Some Page Turners thought the book was a slow, unhappy, dreadful story with characters they couldn’t warm to or like. Others thought Perfect was a tragic, moving , well written novel with many characters who found themselves to be victims of their circumstances. It was scored a 6…so far from Perfect. What are your thoughts?
What Made Everyone Laugh so Much
Famous Lines by John Masefield
A Waiter in Paris by Edward Chrisholm
OFF THE SHELF
“A Waiter in Paris ” by Edward Chrisholm
As a young unemployed and disillusioned graduate, Chrisholm is invited to move with his then girlfriend to Paris. He is determined to learn French and to do this he seeks employment in a well-known and elite restaurant at the edge of the Seine.
His unflinching and brutally honest descriptions of life as a lowly employee, first as a runner and then the slow, often gruelling pathway to becoming an accepted member of the team as a waiter. He describes the dark underbelly of the restaurant business and the cutthroat hierarchy that keeps everybody in their place. Chrisholm captivates the disparity between the glamorous dining experience of the guests and the often-harrowing experience of the workers, from immigrant migrants desperate to eke out a living to the scheming coworkers who aim to get the best tips by any means possible.
Chrisholm’s observations move through the year it takes to get ‘some-way’ to acceptance (never fully), charts the breakup of his relationship and what it feels like to live hand to mouth in the beautiful city of Paris. This is an insightful book that will make you appreciate the waiters who work in these busy restaurants.
As a group we gave this an 8 out of 10.
Tina Alwyn
“The Phone Box at the End of the World” by Laura Imai Messina
“The Phone Box at the End of the World” by Laura Imai Messina
This novel is loosely based on a true story, following the Japanese tsunami that devastated Tohoku in 2011. Yui, a radio show host, and Takeshi who is a surgeon have suffered great losses in their lives, and the story follows their slowly developing relationship after an initial encounter at Bel Gardia where the phone box is situated. The concept of a wind phone is beautiful – a safe space where people can reveal their unspoken thoughts and memories to their loved ones, helping to heal their grief after loss.
Opinions were equally divided over who did or did not enjoy this book. The scoring was 6.5/10. Thank you Sandra for providing delicious eats and ripe plums from the garden.
Socialising and Coffee Just as Important
LIVING WITH CANCER STROLLERS
Socialising and Coffee Just as Important
Why is there a picture of people sitting down when there should be a description of the latest monthly stroll at Cosmeston? That’s because just as important as the exercise from the walk, is the socialising and coffee, tea or ice cream at the end! Join us to find out more!
