St Albans Book Group

2012-01-15T07:20:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

The next book group will take place on Tuesday Febuary 7th (the FIRST TUESDAY in the month NOT the second to avoid Valentines Day). It will be at 7:30 in The Goat in St Albans like normal.. We are reading the Robert Goddard book In Pale Battalions.

We've also chosen the book for March. We are reading Tiny Sunbirds Far Away by Christie Watson. The march meeting will take place like normal on the second tuesday of the month - which is the 13th.

For new member we generally sit at the back on the right and you should recognise us by the books on the table. We are always oprn to new members and if you would like to join just send us a quick email so we know to expect you!

Summer Update

2011-07-31T02:59:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Firstly St Albans Book Group continues to meet - even though I haven't updated this blog for ages!

In June and we read Tickling the English by Dara O'Briain - we weren't particularly impressed although we did have a good chat about it.

In July we read The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. Sadly again we didn't think it was that great either

Hopefully we will do better on Tuesday August 9th at 7:30 at The Goat in St Albans. When we are reading The Summer Book by Tove Jannson.

In September we will be reading Spring Heiled Jack by Philip Pullman.

We are always welcome to new members but please send me a quick email so we know to to expect you.

Philip

March Update

2011-03-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

The book group met this month to read Juliet Naked by Nick Hornby. Generally people found it enjoyable, readable - but not a book one would read again.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday April 12th when we will be reading Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller.

We've also decided on the book for the May meeting - we will be reading The Silver Sword by Ian Serrailler.

We will be meeting in The Goat in St Albans as usual and kicking off around 7:30.

If you would like to join us we are always open to new members. Just email me at stalbansbookgroup@googlemail.com so we know to expect you!

Philip

See you next time!

Philip

Feb and March meetings!

2011-02-06T12:27:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

The book group met in January to read Breakfast at Tiffany's. We had an interesting chat about a very atmospheric book.

The next meeting is on Tuesday February 8th. We will be reading 'Sister' by Rosamund Lupton. As usual the meeting starts at 7.30pm at The Goat in St Albans.

For March we will be reading Juliet Naked by Nick Hornby and the meeting will be on Tuesday 8th.

If you'd like to join just us send me a quick email so we know to expect you!

Book Group 2011!

2011-01-04T12:39:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

We had the book group party in December and survived a meeting without a book to discuss for once!

The next meeting is on Tuesday 11th January in The Goat in St Albans as normal. We will be reading Brekfast at Tiffanys by Truman Capote.

The February meeting will be on Tuesday 8th at 7:30 as well. We will be reading Sister by Rosamund Lupton.

See you next week!

Philip

Book Group Update!

2010-09-19T11:45:00.000-07:00

Hello,

The last book group update was in June - we have been meeting since - I've just been a bit rubbish in updating the website.

Since the last update we have read The Rehersal by Elenor Cattton , and Dracula by Bram Stoker, and in the most recent meeting Paul Torday's The Irrestible Inheritance of Wilberforce.

Next month we will be reading First Love, Last Rites by Ian McEwan. It's a volume of short stories - which is a first for us - and like any Ian McEwan has plenty of talking points! The meeting will take place on Tuesday 12th October in The Goat in St Albans.

We have also chosen our book for November (Tuesday 9th) which is Master Pip by Lloyd Jones.

We always welcome new members and if fancy coming along just send me an email so we know to expect you.

Hope to see you soon. Philip

June Update

2010-06-13T07:07:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

The book group met on Tuesday last week to discuss One Day by David Nicholls. It was a very clever book which was mostly enjoyed and provoked some lively discussions. Thanks to everyone who came it was a really nice evening.

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 13th July. We will be reading The Rehersal by Elenor Catton a book about a high school sex scandal!

We have also no decided on the book for our August meeting on Tuesday 10th August - we will be reading Dracula by Bram Stoker.

Both meetings will be at 7:30 in The Goat in St Albans as usual.

If you would like to join the group you are welcome to - if you could just send me an email to let know to expect you that would be great!

See you next time.

Philip

May Update!!

2010-05-16T09:08:00.000-07:00

Hello,

The book group met in May to discuss The Amityville Horror: A True Story by Jay Anson. We all quite enjoyed the book but I was the only one to find it scary!

The book group will next meet on Tuesday 8th June in the The Goat in St Albans at 7:30 as normal. We will be reading One Day a novel by David Nicholls (who also wrote Starer for Ten).

The next meeting after that will be on Tuesday 13th July and and we will be reading The Rehersal by Elenor Catton. It's described as follows described as follows:

"A high-school sex scandal jolts a group of teenage girls into a new awareness of their own potency and power. The sudden and total publicity seems to turn every act into a performance and every platform into a stage. But when the local drama school decides to turn the scandal into a show, the real world and the world of the theatre are forced to meet, and soon the boundaries between private and public begin to dissolve."

If you would like to join us you welcome to do so just send me a quick email to the address on this page so we know to eexpect you!

Hope to you all next time!

Philip

Update

2010-05-09T12:31:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

Last month the book group met and read the Boris Johnson novel 72 Virgins - which is an enjoyable romp.

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 11th May and we are reading The Amityville Horror! It will be at The Goat aiming to start at 7:30 as normal.

The June meeting will take place on Tuesday June 8th and we are reading the One Day - by David Nicholls - (the chap who wrote Starter for Ten) £7:30 at The Goat as normal.

Hope to see you all next time!

Philip

March Update!

2010-03-15T13:10:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

The Book Group met on Tuesday 9th March to discuss The Broken Shore by Peter Temple. I think we were underwhelmed by this book although found the portrait of Australia interesting.

Next month we will meet on the second Tuesday in the month as usual which will be Tuesday 13th April to discuss the Boris Johnson novel 72 Virgins (£2.69 from Amazon Marketplace).

We have also decided on our book for the May meeting. We selected from a shortlist of horror books and will we will be reading The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson (Amazon Marketplace). This meeting will be on Tuesday 11th May.

As usual our meetings will be at The Goat in St Albans aiming to start at 7.30.

If you would like to join us - you're welcome to do so - just send me a qucik email so we now to expect you-:-)

Philip

February Update

2010-02-17T14:28:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

We met on Tuesday the 9th Feb to discuss The Piano Teacher by Janice Lee. On the whole we enjoyed it although thought that it was inaccurately named - frankly the Piano not really being very significant in the book.

We will next meet on Tuesday 9th March to discuss The Broken Shore by Peter Temple (it's on offer at Waterstones!). This crime novel won the Golden Dagger for best crime quite recently. We will meet at 7:30 at The Goat in St Albans as usual

We have also decided what we will read for our April meeting. We will be reading 72 Virgins by Boris Johnson (cheap on Amazon Marketplace) and will meet on Tuesday 13th April at 7:30 in The Goat.

We also decided that the theme for the next shortlist will be horror.

If you fancy joining us just send me an email (the contact details are on the top left) so we know to expect you.

See you next time!

Philip

First update of 2010!!

2010-01-17T12:22:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

The book group met on this month to discuss Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, this title was by far out most challenging title and opinions on it were mixed. Although those did enjoy found it very worthwhile. Thanks to everyone who braved the cold conditions and made it.

Next months meeting will take place on Tuesday February 9th and we will be reading The Piano Teacher by Janice Y K Lee (Amazon uk).

Our book for Tuesday 9th March meeting (which we also decided on Tuesday) is The Broken Shore by Peter Temple.

It won the "Gold Dagger" award for crime fiction in 2007. Also I understand it is available in Waterstones for the very reasonable price of £3.99 in the crime section.

We will be meeting in The Goat in St Albans at 7.30 as usual. If you fancy joining please send me a quick email so we know to expect you!

Thanks

Philip

January Meeting

2009-12-14T12:57:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

The book group met earlier this month for a Christmas meal and to discuss The Christmas Carol. We had a lovely time and I remarked on the similarities between the original novel and The Muppet's Christmas Carol (apart from all the puppets of course).

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday January 12th in The Goat in St Albans. We will meet at 7:30 to discuss Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (reduced hugely at Amazon). This is the recent Booker winner that is set in the Court of Henry 8th.

We have also chose the book for the February meeting - we will read The Piano Teacher - by Janice Y K Lee (quite cheap at Play.com). The book is apparently Tenko meets Remains of the Day!

If you fancy joining us send me an email and we'll see if we can fit you in!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Philip

Christmas Meeting!

2009-11-22T03:36:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

The book group met on the second Tuesday of November to discuss Metroland by Julian Barnes. Although a few of us enjoyed itin general most people found it underwhelming.

The next meeting is on Tuesday 8th Decemebr at the Peahen in St Albans where we will be meeting for our Christmas meal! We are booked in for 8pm although we will gather from 7.30pm. We are reading a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Existing members will find further details in the most recent email.

Our January meeting will take place on Tuesday 12th back at The Goat. We will be reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. This is a bit of a departure for us as it's a new book still only in hardback and a bit of an epic!

If your interested in joining us send me an email we may not be able to fit you in straight away - but will let you know when we can.

Philip

November Update!

2009-10-25T04:23:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

The book group met in October to discuss Nothing to Fear by Matthew d'Ancona. I think we all enjoyed it but didn't consider it a great work of literature!

Our next meeting is on Tuesday November 10th at 7.30pm at The Goat like normal. We are reading Metroland by Julian Barnes - (I got it for a bargain £2.50 from Amazon Marketplace!)

At the meeting we decided on our book for the Tuesday 8th December group, we will be reading "Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. As it's our Christmas meeting we will be meeting at The Peahen in St Albans for a meal as well as our normal book discussion. The table is booked for 8 pm.

Hope to see you all in November.

Philip

New Book Group Update!!

2009-09-19T00:45:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

The book group met on Tuesday 15th to discuss Scottsboro by Ellen Feldmen. Overall we found the book a rewarding read if a little hard going at times -we also identified several weaknesses in the text! Overall it was a great meeting and another record attendance - thanks to everyone who came.

We will next meet on Tuesday October 13th when we will be discussing "Nothing to Fear" by Matthew d'Ancona (Find it at Play.com). We will meet at 7.30pm at The Goat as usual.

We have also decided on the book for our Tuesday November 10th meeting. We will be discussing Metroland by Julian Barnes (You can find it at Play.com). At The Goat at 7.30pm like normal.

If you would like to join our book group I'm afraid we're full at the moment - but please still let me know - as we may be able to fit you in in the future.

Thanks!

New Update

2009-08-17T15:14:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

The book group met again in August and we had another good meeting and another new member joined us!

We discussed Ben Elton's Blind Faith. Many of us were suprised by how much we enjoyed it although it was a little ridiculous in places!

At the meeting it was suggested we change the date for our September meeting so more people could make it. Taking this on board the next meeting will take place a week later than usual on the Tuseday 15th September.

This will give you all an extra week to get through the book which we have chosen which is Scottsboro by Ellen Feldman .

We will meet at 7:30pm towards the back in The Goat in St Albans.

We also decided the book for our October meeting which is scheduled to take place on the 13th October. We will be reading Nothing to Fear by Matthew D'Ancona.

Thanks

Philip

July Update!

2009-07-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

Hello!

The book group met in July to discuss The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga. It was good meeting with some new members in attendance although overall I think we found the book a little disappointing.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday August 11th when we will be discussing the Ben Elton book Blind Faith (£5.49 from Play.com). As usual we will be meeting in The Goat in St Albans at 7:30pm.

We have also decided on the book for our Tuesday 15th September meeting. We will be reading Scottsboro by Ellen Feldman (£5.99 from Play).

New members are welcome - although if you could send me a quick email first so we know you are coming that would be great.

Thanks

Philip

Another Book Group Update!

2009-06-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

Hello,

The book group met in June and we had our best attended book group (again!).

We discussed Company of Liars by Karen Maitland. Which we all enjoyed it - even if we found it quite gruesome in parts...

Next month we will be reading The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga (£3.99 from play.com). The meeting will take place on Tuesday 14th July at 7.30pm in The Goat in St Albans.

We also agreed what we will be reading for our Tuesday August 11th book group. We decided on Blind Faith by Ben Elton (£5.49 from Play.com).

New members are welcome - just send me a quick email first so we know to expect you!

Thanks

Philip

Book Group Update!

2009-04-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! The book group met in April and we had our best attended meeting yet!

We discussed Freakonomics which got a mixed reaction from the group but inspired a great discussion ranging from sumo wrestling, Internet dating and to how honest you are at the coffee machine!

We confirmed that our next meeting will be on Tuesday June 9th and we will be reading Company of Liars by Karen Maitland (£5.99 from Play).

We also agreed a date for our July meeting which will take place on Tuesday 14th July and we will be reading The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga (Just £3.99 from Play)

As usual for both meetings we will be meeting in The Goat in St Albans at 7:30pm.

New members are always welcome - but send me a quick email first so we know to expect you - thanks!

April and June Book Groups

2009-03-17T14:02:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

The bookgroup met again last week to discuss I Capture The Castle - we had quite a long chat about it. I think we all liked it - although it might be a bit of a girls book ...

Our next meeting will take place again at The Goat in St Albans, we will meet at 7.30pm on Tuesday 21st April. New members should know we will probably be in the bar at the back and recognisable by the books on our table!

We will be discussing Freakonomics: A Rouge Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven Levitt & Stephen J Dubner. It's (hopefully) a fun and interesting book and a slight departure from the sort of thing we normally read.

We have also decided what we will be reading for our next meeting which will also take place at The Goat at 7.30pm on Tuesday 9th June. We will be reading Company of Liars by Karen Maitland.

You'll notice that May has been missed out this is because of other prior commitments we had. However the aim is to meet once a month on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. We also aim to choose the book two months ahead of when we will read it so at the April meeting we will decide on what we will read after Company of Liars.. Hope to see you all on Tuesday 21st April.

Philip

Book Group Update

2009-02-17T12:07:00.000-08:00

Hello!

The book group met in February and discussed The Bolter by Frances Osbourne.

We found the book enjoyable, although hard going in its early stages. Upper class society (and it's loose moral code!) in the early part of the 20th century gave us plenty to talk about.

The next meeting will take place on the second Tuesday in March - the 10th - at The Goat in St Albans. We have decided to read I Capture The Castle - by Dodi Smith.

http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/311617/I-Capture-the-Castle/Product.html

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Capture-Castle-Red-Older-Fiction/dp/0099845008/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234901957&sr=1-2

If you want to join us just send me a quick email at stalbansbookgroup@googlemail.com you'll be welcome.

We've provisionally decided to read Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner for our April meeting.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Freakonomics-Economist-Explores-Hidden-Everything/dp/0141019018/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234902006&sr=1-1

http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/844443/Freakonomics/Product.html

Hope to see you there

Philip

Book Group - 2nd Meeting

2009-01-17T08:43:00.000-08:00

Hello,

The 2nd meeting of the St Albans Book Group will take place on the second Tuesday in Febuary, that is Tuesday February 10th. We will meet in The Goat in St Albans at 7.30pm.

The book we've decided to read is The Bolter: Idina Sackville - The Woman Who Scandalised 1920s Society and Became White Mischief's Infamous Seductress by Frances Osborne. It's recently out in paperback.

Play.com

Amazon.co.uk

To wet you appetite find a review of the book below.

"On Friday 25th May, 1934, a forty-one-year-old woman walked into the lobby of Claridge's Hotel to meet the nineteen-year-old son whose face she did not know. Fifteen years earlier, as the First World War ended, Idina Sackville shocked high society by leaving his multimillionaire father to run off to Africa with a near penniless man. An inspiration for Nancy Mitford's character The Bolter, painted by William Orpen, and photographed by Cecil Beaton, Sackville went on to divorce a total of five times, yet died with a picture of her first love by her bed. Her struggle to reinvent her life with each new marriage left one husband murdered and branded her the 'high priestess' of White Mischief's bed-hopping Happy Valley in Kenya. Sackville's life was so scandalous that it was kept a secret from her great-granddaughter Frances Osborne. Now, Osborne tells the moving tale of betrayal and heartbreak behind Sackville's road to scandal and return, painting a dazzling portrait of high society in the early twentieth century"

New memebers are more than welcome - if send me an email to let me know your coming that would be great!

Hope to see you all then

Philip

First Meeting

2008-11-29T01:58:00.000-08:00

The first meeting of the St Albans Book Group will take place on the Tuesday 13th January 2009.

We will meet in The Goat in Sopwell Lane in St Albans from 7.30pm - if you're a bit late then thats no problem.

Our first book will be How to be Good - by Nick Hornby.

Going forward the intention is to meet once a month on the 2nd Tuesday of that month.