BOOKGROUP - FINGERSMITH

It's book group tonight and we are reading the novel 'FINGERSMITH' by Sarah Waters. A few years ago we read her first book - 'Tipping The Velvet' and it was fabulous, so when I saw this in the bookshop earlier this year I had to buy it. I'm yet to find out what the other girls think but those I have spoken to throughout the month have been loving it.

I'm facilitating the discussion tonight and in my research I came across this trailer for the BBC production of 'Fingersmith'. For those of you who aren't readers, I've heard this production is fantastic, as is their 'Tipping the Velvet' production.

Wish me luck and I'll let you know what they think.

The Secret Scripture

We've just chosen our May Bookgroup book and it sounds fascinating...



Nearing her one-hundredth birthday, Roseanne McNulty faces an uncertain future, as the Roscommon Regional Mental hospital where she's spent the best part of her adult life, prepares for closure. Over the weeks leading up to this upheaval, she talks often with her psychiatrist Dr Grene, and their relationship intensifies and complicates. Told through their respective journals, the story that emerges is at once shocking and deeply beautiful. Refracted through the haze of memory and retelling, Roseanne's story becomes an alternative, secret history of Ireland's changing character and the story of a life blighted by terrible mistreatment and ignorance, and yet marked still by love and passion and hope.

Drop In And Visit

We did Little Women for book group this month and discovered this gorgeous home.

This is where Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women and it is the inspiration for the home the March Family lived in! I love finding treasures like this.

TWILIGHT - Discussion Questions

A few people have asked about book group discussion questions and as I don't know how else to share them I have had to post them here - sorry to those of you who haven't read the book. Hopefully there are no spoilers for anyone wanting to read it.
I have borrowed a few questions from fan forums and I thank those people, whoever you are.

TWILIGHT - Stephanie Meyer

Were you able to suspend disbelief? Did you think SM created a real and believable story?

Did you find the characters engaging and did they ring true?

Did you have a real sense of Bella experiencing a typical first love even though there was nothing typical about her or her first love. Did you think Bella's reactions were realistic?

Did you feel the tension as Edward was learning to control his hunger?

Who was your favourite secondary character and why?

Meyer says that the concept of "choice" is an important one to her. How does the book illustrate that concept?

Do you think that Bella is a strong or a weak woman? Is she a good role model for young women? How does she fit with your view of feminism?

What about Edward as a role model for young men?

Which character (main or secondary) do you relate to most? Why?

What was your first impression of Twilight? Did you think that it was a good introduction to the series? Why or why not?

What was your first impression of Edward and the Cullens?

What if the main roles were reversed? Do you think the story would have been similar if Bella was the vampire?

Why is it that Bella's blood calls to Edward more than anyone else?

Why does Bella accept that fact that Edward is a vampire so quickly?

What are your opinions about Bella & Edward's relationship, and why?

Do you think that the fact Bella had to take care of her Mother, and to an extent, Charlie, attracted her to the strength in Edward – someone was taking care of her for a change?

From Charlie’s point of view, what do you believe is his opinion of Edward before, then after the run-in with James, Victoria, and Laurent?

Did Stephanie Meyer's portrayal of Vampires appeal to you or do you prefer the more traditional view? (coffins, bats, etc)

Did this book change your view of vampires? If so, how? Is it a positive or negative change?

What is the significance of the Cover photo? (Forbidden Fruit.)

Why the title - Twilight? (The safest time of day for a Vampire.)(originally titled 'Forks')

Does the young adult classification ever deter you and do you think that this book fits that classification?

Will you read the sequels?

Twilight, Twilight, Twilight, Twilight, Twilight, Twilight, Twilight, Twilight,

Discussion Questions, Discussion Questions, Discussion Questions, Discussion Questions,

Witch Of Portobello

Just walked in the door from bookgroup, which luckily for me was just across the road this month.

I have come to realise over the last 6 years that bookgroup has been going that there is not a lot I would rather do of an evening than sit around with a group of interesting, talented, loving women discussing literature and anything else that happens to take our fancy.

I always come home feeling rejuvenated and 'buzzy'. (and this month, rather full of chocolate cake)

This month we read Paulo Coelho's 'The Witch Of Portobello', and next month we are discussing Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road'. If you have any thoughts on either please leave a comment.

4 More Sleeps ('till James comes home!)