Ship of Fools Book Club 2025

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  • SarasaSarasa All Saints Host
    I'm re-reading Frost in May ahead of leading the book group next month. It is one of my favourite books and I can already think of lots of questions about it.
  • CaissaCaissa Shipmate
    edited March 24
    Thanks, Tukai.
    January- The Mould in Dr Florey's Coat by Eric Lax-Sandemaniac
    February- Frost in May by Antonia White-Sarasa
    March-Orbital by Samantha Harvey-Nenya
    April-City of Secrets by Stewart O'Nan-Tukai
    May-
    June- The Wounded Sky by Diane Duane-Lamb Chopped
    July-
    August-
    September-
    October-
    November- The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy Sayers-Trudy
    December-The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett-Mili

    [Edit: correcting April book title - Arethosemyfeet, Heaven Host]
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    Sarasa wrote: »
    I'm re-reading Frost in May ahead of leading the book group next month. It is one of my favourite books and I can already think of lots of questions about it.

    I read it many years ago and enjoyed it, but can't remember much about it. I've managed to bag a secondhand copy from our local charity bookshop and am looking forward to reading it and to the discussion.
  • Read it 30+ years ago and it gave me the shivers. Antonia White spent several years in a boarding school run by the same religious order which ran the gulag and it appeared that little had changed between her time ( Edwardian) & mine ( 1960s)
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    Oh, yikes. Could I be remembering a different book?
  • CaissaCaissa Shipmate
    30 pages left in this month's book. Shall finish it this evening.
  • SarasaSarasa All Saints Host
    I won't say too much ahead of next month but my re-read of Frost in May is making me realise there could be rather a wide range of re-actions to it.
  • CaissaCaissa Shipmate
    Finished the Florey book on Wednesday evening. Looking forward to the discussion.
  • CaissaCaissa Shipmate
    edited March 24
    Looking to cover five more months.

    January- The Mould in Dr Florey's Coat by Eric Lax-Sandemaniac
    February- Frost in May by Antonia White-Sarasa
    March-Orbital by Samantha Harvey-Nenya
    April-City of Secrets by Stewart O'Nan-Tukai
    May-
    June- The Wounded Sky by Diane Duane-Lamb Chopped
    July-
    August-
    September-
    October-
    November- The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy Sayers-Trudy
    December-The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett-Mili

    [Edit: correcting April book title - Arethosemyfeet, Heaven Host]
  • SarasaSarasa All Saints Host
    In the What We are Reading 2025 thread there has been a bit of discussion of Remarkably Bright Creatures. The general consensus is it would make a good Book Clube pick. What do others think?
  • jedijudyjedijudy Heaven Host
    I would enjoy a discussion of 'Remarkably Bright Creatures'!
  • CaissaCaissa Shipmate
    Is somebody offering to facilitate it? Does it also have a Canadian publisher?
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    Remarkably Bright Creatures seems to have a a number of publication iterations but I am not sure how to find the definitive answer to that question @Caissa .

    I read the book relatively recently in my real life book group and quite enjoyed it, but have no interest in rereading it. However, I would be interested in what other people thought of it - I always read the book discussion threads, even if I haven't read the books. So if no one else wants to facilitate I could do that in May, on a sort of "Facilitation Lite" basis. That is, I could start the thread and then post a few - probably not very in-depth - questions to start things rolling. That would have to be earlier than usual as I'm away the week of 20th May.

    Very happy to defer to someone else if they want to do it.
  • TrudyTrudy Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    I found it pretty easy to obtain here in Canada when I read it a few months ago -- my library had it. I'd like to join in the discussion, but would rather not facilitate.
  • I'm reading it right now. But I'm on to facilitate right after that, I think, for the first time, with the Diane Duane book. Not impossible, but ...
  • MiliMili Shipmate
    I have been looking for book ideas online and thought 'West With Giraffes' by Lynda Rutledge sounded like a good read. I see the other new suggestion is also about a person and an animal, but the themes are quite different and 'West With Giraffes' is historical fiction so is a different genre too. Here is a summary on the author's website https://www.lyndarutledge.com/disc.htm If people are interested I would be up for leading a discussion mid-year.
  • SarasaSarasa All Saints Host
    Sounds interesting and I wouldn't mind reading it.
  • CaissaCaissa Shipmate
    Nenya- That would be great for May.
    Mili- July, August September and October are currently open. Pick your poison.
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    Caissa wrote: »
    Nenya- That would be great for May.
    Ok; put me down for that, then.
  • CaissaCaissa Shipmate
    edited March 24
    January- The Mould in Dr Florey's Coat by Eric Lax-Sandemaniac
    February- Frost in May by Antonia White-Sarasa
    March-Orbital by Samantha Harvey-Nenya
    April-City of Secrets by Stewart O'Nan-Tukai
    May- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt-Nenya
    June- The Wounded Sky by Diane Duane-Lamb Chopped
    July-
    August-
    September-
    October-
    November- The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy Sayers-Trudy
    December-The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett-Mili

    [Edit: correcting April book title - Arethosemyfeet, Heaven Host]
  • MiliMili Shipmate
    I will take July please
  • CaissaCaissa Shipmate
    edited March 24
    January- The Mould in Dr Florey's Coat by Eric Lax-Sandemaniac
    February- Frost in May by Antonia White-Sarasa
    March-Orbital by Samantha Harvey-Nenya
    April-City of Secrets by Stewart O'Nan-Tukai
    May- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt-Nenya
    June- The Wounded Sky by Diane Duane-Lamb Chopped
    July-West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge- Mili
    August-
    September-
    October-
    November- The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy Sayers-Trudy
    December-The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett-Mili

    [Edit: correcting April book title - Arethosemyfeet, Heaven Host]
  • SarasaSarasa All Saints Host
    My real life book group are reading Heartburn by Nora Ephron this month. It is a very easy quick read and interesting as a reminder of what life was like in the late 1970s. Happy to lead in August if anyone thinks its a good idea.
  • CaissaCaissa Shipmate
    That sounds like a wonderful idea. Do others have thoughts?

    I just scored a 1935 edition of a Canadian classic, Anne of Green Gables. Despite my baby sister being an all things Anne fan, I have never read it. I would love to facilitate the discussion if people would like to read it in September or October. Thoughts?
  • TrudyTrudy Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    Heartburn could be fun -- I've heard of it but never read it.

    I'd be up for Anne of Green Gables too, of course. I led the discussion of one of Montgomery's lesser-known novels, The Blue Castle, last year, and would be very much up for a reread of Anne.
  • Anne would be fine.
  • SarasaSarasa All Saints Host
    Didn't we do Anne a while back. Don't mind doing it again, it s a book I love.
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    I haven't heard of Heartburn but it sounds interesting if I can source a copy.

    I don't remember doing Anne of Green Gables - it doesn't mean we didn't! - and I'd be well up for that. I've even made sure I know where my copy is, in readiness.
  • jedijudyjedijudy Heaven Host
    It's funny that I was thinking not too long ago about Anne of Green Gables and thought we had done it for our book club recently. Well, it might feel like we just did it last year (to me!) but it's been a while! There is no rule against doing it again!

    Anne of Green Gables from five years ago!
  • CaissaCaissa Shipmate
    edited March 24
    Only September is up for grabs.

    January- The Mould in Dr Florey's Coat by Eric Lax-Sandemaniac
    February- Frost in May by Antonia White-Sarasa
    March-Orbital by Samantha Harvey-Nenya
    April-City of Secrets by Stewart O'Nan-Tukai
    May- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt-Nenya
    June- The Wounded Sky by Diane Duane-Lamb Chopped
    July-West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge- Mili
    August- Heartburn by Nora Ephron-Sarasa
    September-
    October- Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery- Caissa
    November- The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy Sayers-Trudy
    December-The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett-Mili

    [Edit: correcting April book title - Arethosemyfeet, Heaven Host]
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    Sarasa wrote: »
    My real life book group are reading Heartburn by Nora Ephron this month. It is a very easy quick read and interesting as a reminder of what life was like in the late 1970s. Happy to lead in August if anyone thinks its a good idea.

    I bagged a copy of this from our local secondhand books emporium today and look forward to the discussion when it comes round.
  • MiliMili Shipmate
    Just a query for April should the title be City of Secrets?
  • TukaiTukai Shipmate
    Mili is right. I wrote it wrongly orinally.
    The April book is actually "City of secrets" by Stewart O'Nan.
    Apolgies if I got it wrongly.
    Tukai
  • MiliMili Shipmate
    No worries. I assumed it was an autocorretion. Unfortunately it's not in my library system and sounds a bit dark to be a book I would want to buy so I won't be joining in for April.
  • CaissaCaissa Shipmate
    Only September is up for grabs. April starts soon. I have enjoyed reading the first 3 books of the year. One of my favourite parts of this group is I am introduced to books, I would probably not have discovered or read on my own. For that, I am truly grateful.

    January- The Mould in Dr Florey's Coat by Eric Lax-Sandemaniac
    February- Frost in May by Antonia White-Sarasa
    March-Orbital by Samantha Harvey-Nenya
    April-City of Secrets by Stewart O'Nan-Tukai
    May- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt-Nenya
    June- The Wounded Sky by Diane Duane-Lamb Chopped
    July-West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge- Mili
    August- Heartburn by Nora Ephron-Sarasa
    September-
    October- Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery- Caissa
    November- The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy Sayers-Trudy
    December-The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett-Mili
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    So on last year's book thread @Trudy and I were discussing the author Rachel Joyce, particularly The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and the two companion books. I am currently reading The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy and have in waiting Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North. I should have finished them by September and wonder whether anyone would be interested in a discussion about The Harold Fry Trilogy?
  • TrudyTrudy Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    I’m always up to discuss the Harold Fry books!
  • EigonEigon Shipmate
    Back in January, I sent off for a copy of The Wounded Sky, since my old copy had gone awol - and the parcel has only just turned up! I'd lost all hope! And just in time for me to re-read it before the discussion begins.
  • CaissaCaissa Shipmate
    How long in total would this trilogy be?
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    Caissa wrote: »
    How long in total would this trilogy be?

    The first book is 357 pages, the second is 372 pages, the third is shorter - 137 pages. I realise it's a big read for one month, although they are easy reading.
  • Lamb ChoppedLamb Chopped Shipmate
    Would you forgive me, and point me (as the one setting the questions!) to the dates I should be using for when to do stuff? I'm afraid our dog's passing last week means my brain is completely discombobulated.

    Oh, and please pray for Diane Duane (the author of the Wounded Sky). Her husband died unexpectedly this morning, and there were financial difficulties before that.
  • CaissaCaissa Shipmate
    Questions are normally posted around the 20th of a given month. Usually, the person facilitating the book starts a thread around the first of the month.
  • Lamb ChoppedLamb Chopped Shipmate
    Thank you so much.
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