Northbridge Book Club

北桥读书俱乐部

The last meeting of the Club was on the second Friday of February (February 10th) 2023. We missed the January meeting and the article for the December 2022 meeting was recorded in this website at https://www.u-write-read.com/2022/12/14/book-chat/

This time, the fifteen residents who attended the meeting recommended to us the following books to read in the coming month.

‘Marley and Me’ is a memoir about life with an adorable but disobedient dog, called Marley. The story follows the making of the Grogan family, from marriage to the growing children, through the family moving houses and and the parents changing jobs.

In the “Lighthouse Children’s Mother” Jennette Alpine, the author takes us into a world now gone forever, the isolated life on a remote lighthouse, in the far south of New Zealand. Many things are much the same in families everywhere, but the extra challenges of lighthouse life will set us thinking - how would we ourselves have coped? Jeanette Aplin writes with charm and disarming honesty about island relationships, and brings her perceptive eye to what is truly different in an unusual circumstances.

“The River” by Gary Paulsen. Brian Robeson survived fifty-four days alone in the Canadian wilderness. Two years later, the government wants him to head back to the wild so they can learn what he did to stay alive. This time Derek Holtzer, a government psychologist, will accompany him. But a freak storm leaves Derek unconscious. Brian’s only hope is to transport Derek a hundred miles down the river to a trading post. With only a hatchet, Brian has to build a raft to navigate an unknown river to get Derek into hospital and safety.

“East of the Mountains”. (David Guterson).  A retired heart surgeon, Ben Givens, is dying with terminal cancer. But, he refuses to simply sit back and wait. He makes a final journey through a landscape that has always sustained him and has provided him with hope and challenges.

“A Gentle Radical” by Gareth Hughes - A Biography of Jeanette Fitzsimons, the former leader of the Green Party of New Zealand.

Hughes has done an excellent job here. His research was meticulous and thorough, and he read every word Fitzsimons ever uttered in Parliament in The Hansard, and interviewed many of her closest family members, friends, and colleagues, drawing from them frank and personal insights that a less trusted biographer would not have elicited.

“A Gentle Radical” is a fascinating, inspiring, and sometimes depressing read. Fitzsimons launched New Zealand’s first climate change campaign in the late 1980s. If the then government – or any since – had heeded her calls, we might not be in the difficult position we are now in, faced with having to rapidly reduce our emissions and with a huge gap between our net zero 2050 target at the potential impact of the actions we have so far committed to.

“Newton: The Making of Genius” by Patricia Fara is an inspirational and captivating biography about the life of Isaac Newton and his extraordinary achievements. The book takes readers into the mind of the great physicist and reveals the unique brilliance that made him a genius. The insight it provides into the life and times of Newton will fascinate anyone interested in science and history.

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post: We shall watch this video “The Houses and Collections of Marjorie Merriweather Post” before we read the book, shall we? https://youtu.be/LaZWUsK3oUA Marjorie Merriweather Post (1887–1973) was an extraordinary person, not only for being the head of a major corporation but also for overseeing elegant and well-run residences and amassing collections of astounding beauty. Including portraiture, imperial Russian tableware, Fabergé creations, stunning garments and jewelry, books, and rare objects in gold, silver, and porcelain, Post’s works of art were acquired with intelligence and acuity. She was inspired by past royal and aristocratic patrons as well as countries that she admired: France, Russia, England, and Austria.

“The Murder on Mustique”. The author here is Anne Glenconner, Princess Margaret’s former lady-in-waiting. This is her first thriller fiction that skips between face and fiction, with name dropping of royals and celebrities hanging out at Mustique’s bars and hotels. Mustique is one of the many islands of the Caribbean. It is mysterious by its somewhat out-of-reach nature. It is visited by many in the celebrity elite groups all over the world, including, of course, Princess Margaret, Mike Jagger, Tommy Hilfiger, and Bryan Adams. The island boasts of beautiful beaches, calm waters and untouched, lush landscape. A murder occurring in such an island is totally unheard of.

“Portrait of a Marriage” by Nigel Nicholas. This is a very interesting book - an historical accounts of the author’s parents, particular of his mother, Vita Sackville-West, who was a lesbian with numerous lovers, including Virginia Woolf, who was well known not only for the books she wrote on feminine rights, but also for being into women. Nigel Nicholas edited a collection of his parents’ letters, and he is still remembered as the custodian of his father’s diaries. He wrote three meticulously edited volumes of Harold Nicholas dairies and revealed that his father was one of the most vibrant and immediate diarists of the 20th century. Drawing on further diaries and letters that became available later on in his life, Nigel re-edited all these diaries into one volume. 

“Daisy Jones and The Six” by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This story was inspired by Fleetwood Mac, whose superstar status in the ‘70s, infused with romantic relationships provide the backdrop of the story, done in the format of interviews being conducted. Taylor Jenkins Reid describes to us how the 70’s rock and roll scenarios look like. Everything was raw, intense and at times cruel. There are spotlights on drugs, on sex, on psychological abuses. Characters are well developed. The story is an amazing journey, full of big dreams, sorrows, and the certainty that it is never too late to find happiness.

In “Bleeding Heart Yard” by Elly Griffiths, a murderer strikes at a school reunion. Garfield Rice, one of the attendees at the reunion is found dead in the school bathroom, supposedly from a drug overdose. This is an intriguing and gripping mystery set in a mythical version of Brighton. It follows the adventures of two sisters who work together as private investigators, unraveling the dark secrets hidden in the notorious Bleeding Heart Yard. The book is full of twists and turns that keep readers’ attention till the very end.

“The Doctor’s Wife” by Fiona Sussman is a gripping, fast-paced novel that centers on the struggles of a doctor’s wife as she navigates her marriage and attempts to resist the growing forces of corruption that threaten her life and livelihood. The story is full of intense moments and stunning revelations that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

“A World of Curiosities” by Louise Penny is an enthralling mystery novel that follows the amazing detective Armand Gamache as he investigates a series of artifacts and relics with mysterious powers. Combining elements of history, science, and suspense, Penny creates a fascinating world of wonders for readers to explore. The characters are superbly developed and each chapter brings unexpected revelations and clues that keep readers engaged to the very end. This is truly an exceptional novel that will leave readers thoroughly entertained with its dynamic characters and intricate plot. “A truly good detective story,” says an influential critic.

“A Lady of Letters” is a delightful portrait of suburban life in England, full of witty observations and subtle humor. It follows an elderly widow named Irene Ruddock, whose letters to public figures about everyday local issues lead to unexpected outcomes. The story captures the loneliness and isolation that comes with old age. It shows the feistiness and courage that Irene has in voicing her opinions and standing up for what she believes in.

Amy Licence’s “Catherine of Aragon” is a powerful tribute to the struggles the first wife of King Henry VIII endured. It celebrates her courage, resilience and faith in the face of great adversity. It opens with a vivid image of Catherine standing firm and determined against all obstacles, from the injustice of being divorced from the king to the political turmoil which ensued. The language used is concise yet emotionally charges, drawing one into her story and her suffering. Amy conveys Catherine’s strength of spirit and self-belief by constantly referring to her royal lineage and her refusal to be silenced in the face of adversity. Even amidst heart-breaking loss, she maintained her pride in her ancestry and never gave up hope. Her story serves as an inspiration of faith and resilience and a reminder to all of the power and strength of a female character in the history of the United Kingdom.

“The Murder of King Tut” tells the real-life story of the mysterious death of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. It explores the theories surrounding his untimely death, and offers a comprehensive look at the ancient Egyptian civilization that propelled Tut to the throne.

From Crime to Care - we wrote a poem on this topic here:

One accomplishment of great pride, A major shift in woman’s right.

From Crime to Care bid a law goodbye, The freedom to choose coming alive.

New Zealand made it a legal fight, To protect the wellbeing of life.

No longer illegal, nor a crime committed, But rather a choice for women permitted.

Felicity Goodyear-Brown wrote this story, That New Zealanders had no worry.

With heartfelt vision and tenacious spirit, Women gained the choice of what’s fit.

We take time to celebrate this victory, For the future of our nation and her history.

Though some may still disagree with the view, That the shift from crime to care sets us free.

Richard Osman’s murder stories are a great way of exploring the darker side of human nature. It is fascinating to read about the motives and the strategies of each crime, and it can be a thrilling ride for readers who enjoy suspense. Osman’s writing is incredibly detailed, providing a vivid picture into the mind of criminals, allowing the readers to ponder the morality of the crimes committed. His stories also emphasize the importance of justice, as they often involve characters working together to find the murderers and bring them to justice.

The Long Road to Kandahar is an illuminating account of the author’s journey during her time as a journalist in Afghanistan. Throughout her journey, Sara MacDonald, the author, provides an informative and thought-provoking look at the war-torn country and her people. She begins her journey in the United States and goes firstly to Kabul, continuing through to Herat and eventually to Kandahar. During the trip, she meets with many brave and inspiring people who share their stories of courage, friendship, and resilience despite their difficult circumstances. At Kandahar, she confronts the harsh realities of war. She paints a vivid picture of the beauty and humanity that can be found in even the most dangerous places. The book takes an unforgettable look at the true cost and consequences of war.

Simon Bridges’ National Identity is a comprehensive exploration of the history and influence of New Zealand’s national identity and provides an in-depth look at how the nation has developed over time and how its identity has shaped its interactions with the world. It looks at the nation’s place in the global arena through trade, diplomacy, and cultural representation, while also examining how New Zealand sees itself and how it is viewed by others. Simon also delve into key aspects of national identity such as language, religion, population diversity, and the effects of colonization on New Zealanders. Furthermore, the book discusses how different generations have affected the national identity, and how this has changed over time. Through a wide range of topics and sources, National Identity is an incredibly comprehensive overview of New Zealand’s national identity.