Meeting Details
| Frequency | Monthly (September to June) |
| Time | 1.45 pm on the third Friday of the month |
| Duration | 1 3/4 hours |
| Location | Castle Street Centre |
| Coordinator | Clare Courtier |
What we do
As a group we plan a programme of reading for up to about a year in advance. For each meeting a member introduces the chosen work, and this is followed by a discussion. The books we choose are mainly novels, both classic and modern, but, for variety, we may include a play, a selection of poetry, and/or a biography. We also have regular 'Own Choice' sessions at which members have an opportunity to discuss any book which has interested them.
We are not just a 'reading group'. We like to look in some depth at various aspects of the work in question, such as: How is it structured? What themes are explored? Is the description effective? Are the characters believable?
This is a friendly group and would appeal to anyone with a love of reading and lively discussion. We usually gather a few minutes before 2 pm and begin each meeting with tea/coffee and biscuits. However, at the moment we have 24 members so hope to start a second group in 2009.
We try to keep down cost by borrowing sets of books from the County Library service, and by buying cheap, paperback editions.
Reports
July 2010
During the spring and early summer we have read the play, “An Inspector Calls”, by J.B. Priestly; a collection of poetry, “The Rattle Bag”; the harrowing description of life in Iran, “Reading Lolita in Tehran”, by Azar Nafisi; and “Shirley”, by Charlotte Bronte. The discussions are always interesting and, although there is rarely total agreement about whether or not the book is “a good read”, there is general approval of the variety of works. These include books which many people say they would never normally have opened or, once started, finished, but they are glad that they persevered! We look forward to the books for Autumn, starting with “Sea Room”, which we know was enjoyed by the Tuesday Book Club.
Next term’s books are:
- September 17th: Sea Room, by Adam Nicholson
- October 15th: The Final Solution, by Michael Charbon
- November 19th: Enduring Love, by Ian McEwan
Clare Courtier
March 2010:
At the January meeting, voting for the favourite book read in 2009 resulted in a tie with “The Book Thief”, by Markus Zusak and “Rogue Herries”, by Hugh Walpole gaining the most votes. Both of these books were discussed fairly early in the year, so must have made strong impressions. In February twelve of us went to The Joshua Tree in Kendal for “Christmas lunch”; we shall certainly repeat this event as it was greatly enjoyed by everyone who went.
The summer programme offers a variety of different sorts of books. On May 21st we will be discussing “Reading Lolita in Tehran”, by Azar Nafisi. On June 18th the collection of poetry “The Rattle Bag”, edited by Seamus Heaney and Ted Hughes, and on July 16th “Shirley”, by Charlotte Bronte. There is no meeting in August.
Clare Courtier
November 2009:
After the successful U3A Coffee Morning in September unfortunately once again we have a waiting list. Perhaps a third book reading group could be started? We were delighted to welcome Anne back in October to lead a lively discussion of ‘The Island’ by Victoria Hislop. In 2010 we have tried to order most of the books in sets from Carlisle Library so that people do not have to buy too many. The first session of the year, on January 15th, is open for everyone to introduce and talk about a book that they have recently read and enjoyed (or even disliked!). Also, for the first time, we will be voting on the books we read in 2009 to see what is our Booker Choice of the Year.
On February 19th we will be discussing ‘The People’s Act of Love’ by James Meek, followed by ‘Arthur and George’ by Julian Barnes on March 19th. On April 16th we will look at, and perhaps read a few sections of the play ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J B Priestley. It looks like an interesting programme.
Clare Courtier
