News
BPS Review of Red Queen, Juan Gomez-Jurado ( December 2023)
The plot had, in one person’s words “ a lot of breadcrumbs” but not necessarily all followed through or even explained, leaving us either frustrated or ready to read the sequel already.
BPS Review of Rogues, Patrick Radden Keefe ( Nov 2023)
We did have some great debate on the strength of this book – on the role of women in a crime mobster’s life, on the crazy spending of a wine collector, on Donald Trump and reality TV, on defending the defenceless, and on the relationship between victim and perpetrator. All very engrossing subjects!
BPS Review. Queen of Dirt Island, Donal Ryan ( Oct 2023)
And there is plenty in this story to talk about. Not least the strict 500 word per chapter structure, which had as many fans as detractors. Whilst it gave some people impetus to keep engaged and reading, it also perhaps made the book more ‘ put-downable’?
BPS Review of Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver ( Sept 2023)
As Dickens famously said himself, “Make them laugh, make them cry, make them wait”. Which is precisely what Kingsolver did too.
French Braid, Anne Tyler ( April 2023)
Anne Tyler’s own words – it’s all about character. And that is what many of us enjoyed. A book steeped in the reality of ‘domestic fiction’, about families that perhaps have carried grievances which other family members don’t even realise, about how hard it is to be ‘yourself’ whilst fulfilling a particular role in the family, about ultimately being able to find a life outside of the family, either alone or with another partner, that makes you feel more of a person, or a truer version of yourself.
The Line Becomes a River, Francisco Cantu ( May 2023)
It certainly prompted a range of reactions, and became an interesting book to discuss, if ultimately leaving us feeling somewhat overwhelmed and depressed at the state of affairs described.
Black Butterflies, Priscilla Morris ( June 2023 )
Black Butterflies apparently took around 13 years to complete and this comes across, it is chock full of small but significant incidents and details
BPS Bookclub, Feb 2023 : The End of the World is a Cul De Sac, Louise Kennedy
All agreed that Kennedy has an amazing command of the language, not least in her culinary and botanical knowledge, but with a nod to Irish myth and history. These details make for a rich reading experience.
BPS Bookclub Review : Cloud Cuckoo Land, Anthony Doerr ( January 2023)
The entire structure of the book has been likened to a jigsaw puzzle. Some readers went along for the ride, confident that the puzzle would be solved in due course. Some actively enjoyed looking for clues and connections. For others it triggered way too much anxiety and irritation about what the heck was going on.
BPS Bookclub, March 2023 : The Spy and the Traitor
It is a readable, page turning route into history, with great insights into the Cold War and as such really recommended for anyone seeking to engage a bit more with history lessons! It was also a good book club choice with so many details to ponder.
