Share the enjoyment of good books in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. First Thursday of every month. New members welcome.
Novel Conversations book group reading list 2024-2025by hickoryfarm
This is the 2024 -25 book list for Novel Conversations, the Beaverbrook library English book group. This year we are reading fiction that spans the centuries: from the fears of dark age England to current challenges around gender identity. We will read two very different murder mysteries, the story of a small Canadian town where 19th century values and customs are turned upside down, two classic novels about the intriguing worlds of high society and Cold War spying, as well as a couple of books about families in difficulties. This year's list is shown below. These books were suggested and selected by our group members. We meet in the library at 1:30 - 3:00 pm on the first Thursday of the month from September to June, in Meeting Room A. New members are most welcome at any time. While we have a core of regular attendees, this is a drop-in book group and we would love to have you join our interesting discussions. Usually drinks are available and perhaps a cookie!
A classic novel of upper class New York society in the 1870s. Newland Archer, a wealthy lawyer, grapples with the constraints of a rigid class bound society. Movie and book versions in the library. Book club kit will be available Sep 5, Margaret to lead.
In 19th century the arrival of a mysterious and glamorous spiritualist with her darkly attractive companion, leads to a degree of upheaval in the town. Oct 3, Ellie to lead
A US family's fifth child proves to be different from all his older brothers. The challenges he faces, even with the support of his family, as he works to realise his own place in the world illuminate the current struggle around sex and gender. Nov 7, Petra to lead
A campus novel, a library novel, a work of magical realism: Shepherd deftly blends all three in an engrossing tale involving maps, murders, and rooms that are not there. dec 5, Joe to lead
Set in the 1930s, the story tells of a young widow's decision to start a bookshop in a small coastal town. The reactions to her success are varied and surprising. Jan 2, Hilary to lead
A murder mystery, set in a first nation, where solving the crime may tear the community apart. Feb 6, Kama to lead)
Elfrieda, a world-renowned pianist, glamorous, wealthy, happily married: she wants to die. Yolandi, divorced, broke, sleeping with the wrong men as she tries to find true love: she desperately wants to keep her older sister alive. Book club kit available Mar 6, Sandra to lead
A veteran spy wants to come in from the cold to retirement. He undertakes one last assignment in which he pretends defection and provides the enemy with sufficient evidence to label their leader a double agent. Book club kit available. Apr 3, Pat to lead
Set in dark ages England, the book examines personal and community memory through the story of Axl and Beatrice. They are a long-married couple who set off to search for their son, long missing from their lives and memories. May 1, Margaret to lead
Cyril Conroy combines luck and a single canny investment to begin an enormous real estate empire, propelling his family from poverty to enormous wealth. His first order of business is to buy the Dutch House, a lavish estate in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia. HIs family will pay the price of his decision. Book club kit available. Jun 5, Barbara to lead