Results are in

The results are in. Thanks to everyone who voted on our next two books.

Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup

Here is a chance to compare the original story with the awarding winning film (which is out on DVD this week)

Next meeting: Tuesday 7th July 2009, 7:30pm

Where: Venue to confirmed

Think about: The characters (similarities to Dickens), plot, comparison to the film.

Tip: Write down notes and ideas as they occur to you, and the pages they appear on so you can quote.

Please do not worry if you cannot finish the novel before we meet again or that you will have nothing to say. Just come along and enjoy!

After this we will be looking at...

White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

Date and Venue have yet to be arranged but hopefully this will aid you in finding a good price on these books as there are many offers around including 3 for 2.

Don't forget you are free to add things to the blog and I look forward to seeing you all soon! Happy Reading!

Next book? Vote now

At the last meeting a short list was created of possible future reads. Take a look and vote by Saturday.

• Bridget Jones Diary - Helen Fielding


• White Tiger - Aravind Adiga


• The short history of tractors in Ukrainian - Marina Lewycka


• A Spot of Bother - Mark Haddon


• Slum Dog Millionaire - Vikas Swarup


• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

How to vote: Simply write a response to this post. Votes need to be in on Saturday. The top two choices will be selected as our next two books. A post will confirm the book choices on Sunday.

Our next gathering will be on Tuesday 7th July, time and venue to be confirmed.

Chick Lit and Cocktails at Waterstones

Waterstones, Sutton are holding the above event on Thurs 21 May 7:30 - 9:30pm approx. You can meet 3 authors: Jo Rees, Imogen Edward-Jones (Hotel Babylon) and Jo Carnegie. (I've only heard of Imogen cos I watched the tv series!) I hope to go but am really busy at work, so will just turn up if I can. Thought others mights be interested. I don't know any more details so ring Waterstones if you need more info.

Openings in novels

This is something I thought I would talk about on Weds., particularly because I think Emma has a great opening to a novel. At this stage I will just quote a description from The Language of Fiction (see Literary Criticism list). "Openings are important because:
- they engage the reader
- indicate the book's style
- establish a relationship with the reader
- establish a voice
- establish a relationship with the subject matter "

The opening whets the reader's appetite for more, to ultimately "turn the page" (how appropriate!) and continue reading. I will discuss how I think Austen does this tomorrow and will blog it for people who cannot attend.

"Literary Criticism" reading list

Popped into Sutton Library to kick start the critical bit of my brain - it's a long time since I read a book to then discuss its merits (or not). Looked at some literary criticism books - the ones which are easy to read, and these appealed to me:
An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory by Andrew Bennet & Nicholas Royle;
Rough Guide to Classic Novels by Simon Mason (overview of novel only, but gives some good key literary concepts/definitions)
The Art of Fiction by David Lodge
The Language of Fiction by Keith Sanger, aimed at A-level/beginning undergraduates & combines accessible commentories with practical activities.
Letts Revise A2 series, English Literature - a study guide written by examiners so pulls out key points.
But it's a personal choice. There's lots more! When I started reading "Emma" again I realised that it wasn't so much that it's difficult to read but that Austen writes so well, there is so much packed in a sentence or paragraph. It's therefore helpful to have an idea of how to discuss a novel in order to focus on some key themes and I thought the above list might give pointers in that direction without being too "academic". Will post up some thoughts about "Openings" and "Title". Worried that I am reading too slowly, only read about a third so far!

The ABC list

We wanted a name for our book list, those books that we wanted to read in the future. Andy, the creative one, has not only come up with a name but has come up with 3 lists.

1) The A list - The attendees

2) The B list - The book list

3) The C list - The see list. The 'Great (film) Adaptations'.

Emma - Jane Austen

To kick off the Page Turners book club we agreed our first novel would be:

Emma by Jane Austen

This was chosen because most people are familiar with the basic story and it’s available on film to help you along- the Gwyneth Paltrow/Jeremy Northam (sigh) version is very good.

Next meeting: Weds 20th May 2009, 7:30pm

Where: All Bar One. RSVP to Daksha

Think about: Characterisation, plot, sub-plot, imagery/symbolism (can talk about this), style of writing, the title, key messages/themes

Tip: Write down notes and ideas as they occur to you, and the pages they appear on so you can quote.

Please do not worry if you cannot finish the novel before we meet again or that you will have nothing to say. Just come along and enjoy!