And the winner is....

Ste Sabine

I duly took my book selections along to the group yesterday evening and they selected one of the books I don't already have (of course), Alison Light's 'Mrs Woolf and the Servants'. We'll be discussing this one at the end of October, so I'm quite looking forward to reading it and seeing what the others think.

I was asked by a friend yesterday why I don't say much at these book groups, which set me thinking a bit. I never have any trouble chatting away inanely with friends but in a large group I tend to shut up (did I hear a distant cheer?). I think it's because someone has usually already voiced my thoughts and I can't be bothered to either repeat them or to find something else to say. So, I suppose that just makes me lazy? However, when it comes to talking about Mrs Woolf I will have to lead the discussion and think of all sorts of intelligent things to say. Ho hum. At least I have a couple of months to think about it.

Meanwhile it's onwards and upwards with Doris (see previous post) who I am getting to grips with, honest. The same friend as mentioned earlier has loaned me (unrequested) another Doris book which seems to be about her cats. I looked at it far more eagerly than I did at The Golden Notebook but she said 'If you don't hate her already, you will when you read this!'.

OK. Thanks for that.

Another friend yesterday said she had seen Doris at the Edinburgh Book Festival a few years ago and that she was very impressed with her. She held the audience spellbound and saw off a heckler with no problem and a twinkle in her eye.

I don't hate Doris, I just wish she had used a few less words. However, I've never given up on a book group read yet and I won't give up on this one. My light relief (?) is continuing to learn the alto part of the Messiah - just over two weeks to go and I feel I'm making progress. I don't know if the neighbours agree though.