Hello fellow book bloggers. The whirlwind of putting the house on the market, selling in two days and getting in contract for another put my head in a spin. While I had finished two books prior I've yet to get it together for reviews. Those two are coming up next week as I have to have a goal. And I need some fun time that doesn't involve boxes, bubble wrap and labels 😊
Currently reading Elena Ferrante's book The Story of a New Name, the second in the trilogy, with Susan as a buddy read. I like it better than the first book and the story picks up where book one left off.
I had finished The Book Club by Roisin Meaney and couldn't remember if I posted it so...here it is.
The Book Club by Roisin Meaney grabbed me by the name of the book as well as the setting. A book club and it's in Ireland - yes, please. Just about all of it takes place in Ireland with some London memories thrown in. I enjoyed the mentions of Doolin, Cliffs of Moher and Nenagh, all places we have visited years past.
The main characters are listed in the front so I bookmarked that page for reference as I read. A makeshift library was created by Beth Sullivan as the town didn't have a library for the residents and the book club met in this cozy book filled cabin. The location was near the Sullivan home off a cliff with ocean views. That might be a deal breaker for me - moving to a town without a library. Good for Beth creating an impressive collection for the readers in town.
Beth is a 72 year old retired widow who has had her share of tragedy. Her only daughter, son-in-law and a granddaughter were killed in a car accident. Immediately after the accident her other granddaughter named Lil dropped out of college, stopped speaking then then moved in with her grandmother. This is important to the entire story line.
The story weaves in and out with several characters overlapping each other's lives. Not one single unlikable character in the book. Next door to Beth we have Tom, the newest addition to the community who has moved from Dublin to the Kerry coast. He is renting a house from Beth located next to hers. The empty house was her deceased daugher's so you know there will be emotional moments over that. Tom also has a secret and he doesn't reveal that to his new community.
The characters are well developed so I had a good mental picture of them and the dialogue was smooth. A coastal Kerry setting, a book club, a pub, a gift shop and nice people made this a feel-good book. While I wasn't tempted to abandon the book there were things that I wish had panned out differently near the end.
For instance, we eventually learn what Tom was hiding but it doesn't come up until near the end of the book. It's something people may not be comfortable with had they known about it without understanding the circumstances. Also Lil's constant writing in a notebook to communicate, as it's evident she has no medical reason to remain silent, got a little contrived. Things wrap up quite neatly but so quickly at the very end...meaning a few pages from the end. All the secrets and turmoil could have been introduced earlier, in my opinion, instead of a rushed ending. It leaves the reader to come up with their own conclusions to what happens to certain characters.
That said, I would read another of Irish author Roisin Meany's books as I was kept interested and love the setting. 3.5 stars
Loki
Last but not least - have a look at unbridled joy. Loki rolling in the sunshine.
Sharing with Deb at Readerbuzz for Sunday Salon and Joy for British Isles Friday.
Ohmygosh Loki is too cuuuuuuute rollee-pollee-ing in the sun!
ReplyDeleteWhen do you have to be out? When can you move in? When does all the boxing ennnnnnnnnnd???? So stressful. Be sure to treat yourself throughout the process with an ice cream or a coffee or whatever is a treat for you and the hubs.
Thanks, Jinjer! He does love a good roll in the grass and sunshine. He will miss his field to run around but we do have a small yard so that's good. We need to be out mid June and close on both houses. Ours first and then the one we bought. Believe me, a treat will be acquired!
DeleteLoki will just need to learn to make tighter circles when he runs. Ha ha.
DeleteWhew! You are crazy busy right now. I still feel trauma from the last time we moved, forty years ago, with all our rocks (husband) and books (me). lol. Enjoy all the good parts of sorting through your things and your new place, Tina.
ReplyDeleteDeb, we have been in this house 33 years so the inventory is sizeable. It certainly makes you look at different items and realize you don't them. Thanks for the good wishes!
DeleteJust keep telling yourself that in another month, this will all be behind you. That is, once you've unboxed the last packing box! ;) I feel for you. We have moved a half dozen times in the past 36 years and every time I swear it's the last. I don't mind the actually packing and unpacking; it's the stress of selling and buying homes. Never again!!
ReplyDeleteLoki knows how to relax and enjoy the sunshine. Our Annie-dog would do the same and it always made me smile.
The Book Club sounds like something my mom would enjoy. If you had rated it just a little higher, I might be tempted, but I'm leaning into books that have really wowed my friends with 4-5 stars.
Les, oh I do remind myself of the short time frame here and have been doing a little packing every day. Our anniversary is coming up in June - 41 years married - and we have moved five times in that span. It's always more "stuff" that somehow gets accumulated. The bigger the house, the more room to store things you forget about until...now.
DeleteI liked the Roisin Meaney book and would try another one. It;s light reading for sure.
Thank goodness for Loki photos. Brings joy to me to see him having fun in the sun. Reading about a book club in Ireland near the ocean is pretty hard to beat. And we will see what becomes of Elena and Lila in Book 2. I'm hoping something happens good for them? But I might be reading too slowly or too little per day. I will check in soon.
ReplyDeleteSusan, Loki brings a smile to my face too. I love his antics when gets some sun time. I'll email you with my progress on the book. Elena and Lila are good friends and yet there is a streak of pettiness between them as well.
DeleteThat is a quick turnaround on real estate. My head would be spinning, too. A book club in Ireland sounds like a terrific basis for a good story.
ReplyDeleteJoy, I loved the scenes in Ireland and the cliff walk to the ocean. And a book club!
DeleteYes, we were surprised it sold so quickly and we still had showings scheduled for the weekend but...a good offer came in and with the way the market is these days, we accepted.
Ocean, Ireland, I'm going to look for a copy as soon as I finish with this comment. Loki looks like he's having a great time! I love animals so much, but mostly dogs.
ReplyDeleteVicki, I think you'd like the book. Can't wait to read your review :-) I just received another puzzle with dogs and once I put it together I can pass it on to you if you'd like. It will be quite a while before I can get to it though.
DeleteAww, love those Loki pics!
ReplyDeleteThat's great news about your house sale and purchase! But also, a lot of work I am sure.
ReplyDeleteI would totally have picked up The Book Club!
Have a great week!
Loki is adorable!!
ReplyDeleteLoki looks so happy! My dog is a shade gremlin so he doesn't do much rolling in the sun. Whew! Tired just thinking about your moving whirlwind. The Book Club sounds wonderful and like a perfect reading when things are chaotic book.
ReplyDelete