Some Winning Reads from Hastings Library Book Chat

If you're looking for some reading inspiration, why not come along to Hastings Book Chat, the book group that meets at Hastings Library on the third Wednesday of the month at 10:30 am. At our last catch-up we discussed a good selection of period fiction, with books set in the 1950s a common thread among several titles.

The Caretaker by Ron Rash follows Jacob who has been called up to fight in the Korean War. Disinherited by his wealthy parents for marrying beneath his station, he is worried about the pregnant wife he leaves behind. He entrusts his lifelong friend, a fellow outcast and cemetery worker to look after her. This was an excellent novel chosen for its cover – one of the challenges for the recent Turn Up the Heat winter reading programme, and its story was just as good as the attractive packaging.

Absolutely and Forever by Rose Tremain is the story of Marianne who at fifteen falls in love with Simon, setting her cap at him. When fate intervenes and sends Simon away, she struggles to make a new life of her own. The book shows the narrow confines of society for girls like Marianne, but with the sixties just around the corner and women’s rights, things are ripe for change. A promising novel from a favourite author, but our reader found Marianne somewhat annoying company.

Homestead by Melinda Moustakis takes us to Alaska in 1956 where Marie and Lawrence meet and quickly throw in their lot together. Lawrence has a parcel of land and a chance to build a life; Marie sees Lawrence as a chance to escape an empty future. But it’s not going to be easy when they hardly know each other in a difficult environment. An interesting story that describes the weather really well and how it affects people.

Other period fiction included When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro – an earlier book by the author of Never Let Me Go. In this novel, he takes us back to Shanghai in the 1930s, where acclaimed detective, Christopher Banks final embarks on the case of his career – the disappearance of his parents when he was a child. This is complicated by the Japanese invasion. A beguiling novel that doesn’t give you the full story until the end which makes the plot a little confusing. Nevertheless, this is an interesting story and beautifully written.

The Women by Kristin Hannah takes us to a different field of combat – the Vietnam War, where Frances abandons her sheltered life in California to become an army nurse. The story follows the commitment and sacrifice of the women who served, their friendships and heartbreak. Our reader described the novel as “better than average chick lit” and also recommended it.

The Last Line by Stephen Ronson is set in World War II Sussex where following the Nazi invasion of France, the Channel has never felt so narrow. Evacuees arrive to be given new families for the duration, but when one disappears, war veteran John Cook investigates uncovering a disturbing conspiracy. A good story, says our reader.

Inching towards present day, we heard about Pet by Catherine Chidgey a psychological thriller that takes us back to the 1980s as well as 2014. Set in a girls school, Pet follows the story of Justine, just twelve years old and drawn to a charismatic teacher. Events take a darker turn when a thief targets the school in this twisty, gripping read from the author of popular literary hit The Axeman’s Carnival. Very dark but beautiful, said our reader.

Continuing with the thrillers is Lucy Foley’s new novel The Midnight Feast which is set in The Manor, a luxurious hotel and we’re at its midsummer opening weekend. But by Sunday emergency services are called to attend a fire and the police are investigating a mysterious death. This was a quick read and a complete page turner.

Our cosy mystery of the day was Dead Girl Gone, a much-anticipated novel by local bookshop owners Gareth and Louise Ward. Former police officers Garth and Eloise are running a bookshop, when they are drawn into a decades-old cold case. With a missing schoolgirl, a celebrity book launch, a web of crime and a threat that comes scarily close to home, there’s a lot going on in this first of a series. Our reader found it a lot of fun.

Kate Rhodes’s series set on the Scilly Isles, features local policeman Ben Kitto. In Pulpit Rock, Ben and his Swimathon mates are training when they come across a body dressed in a bridal gown. Soon he will be hunting for an obsessive killer who is targeting women. An atmospheric read with an engaging detective, and you’ll never guess whodunit.

We had a couple of action thrillers: Triple Cross by Tom Bradby, follows former MI6 operative, Kate Henderson, who is starting over in the South of France. When the UK Prime Minister asks for her help, she is soon drawn into a top secret and dangerous investigation. This book really hit the spot.

Any Minute Now is by Eric Van Lustbader, the author who gave us more books in Robert Ludlum’s Bourne series, so you know you can expect plenty of thrills. This book has two black ops agents left adrift, a Saudi terrorist needing taking down, a conspiracy involving the NSA, a cabal of mystics, and a visionary out to design a new way to wage war. A great page-turner for when you just want to unwind.

With The Long Water, Stef Penney returns with another story set in a snowy environment. This one takes us to Nordland in the Norwegian Arctic. In a small community a popular teenage boy goes missing, but when the police explore a disused mine in the mountains, they discover not the boy, but much older human remains, a decades old cold case. The discovery touches a family of outsiders and old secrets are set to emerge. A brilliant atmospheric read that shows how the cold affects people in more ways than one.

Further literary fiction included last year’s Booker Prize winner: Prophet Song by Paul Lynch. This dystopian novel is set in an Ireland that has become a totalitarian state where there is civil unrest. The story follows one family, in particular the mother and her various conflicting responsibilities. A good meaty read.

Natasha Pulley’s books often pop up at Book Chat. The Kingdoms is an alternative history, in which the main character, Joe, is suffering from amnesia. He remembers getting off a train in C19th England, now a French colony – his only clue to who he is, a century old postcard of a Scottish lighthouse. An epic read and a very satisfying novel.

Run by Ann Patchett is an earlier book that really shows her talent for writing about family and relationships. It’s a chilly winter in New England, and two brothers attend a speech by Jesse Jackson with their adoptive father. A tragic accident happens that will lead them to delve into family secrets while discussing the lengths we will go to in order to protect our children.

The only non-fiction book on the table was The End of Eden: wild nature in the age of climate breakdown by Adam Welz. This was well written and interesting books that looks at climate change issues from the point of view of wild species and natural ecosystems. It encourages us to act now to protect the natural world.

Cheering us all up was How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley - a humorous, feel-good read and surprisingly good for the genre. Alone on her 70^th birthday, Daphne decides to join a Senior Citizen’s Social Club. Fortunately she manages to dodge “gentle crafting activities”, when she makes friends with a failed actor with a shoplifting problem and a yarn bomber. A threat by the council to close the centre Daphne and a growing band of quirky characters decide to take action.

6 September 2024

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