Thanks to Pat Rayner for hosting us at her new home in Potts Point. The view from the roof was amazing so please share pictures. Our very first book group meeting was at Pat's place at Dundas, and the book was Elizabeth Jolly's Milk and Honey. Pat placed a carton of milk and a jar of honey on the letterbox that time, but I didn't think to look out for a cup of hot milk on the doorstep of number 17 yesterday. We were too busy with the mechanics of our journey and the newness of an inner-city post-car location. All worked well. We met our newest member too, Cathy Forster (I'm not sure if I've spelt her name right!) who established herself as a confident and positive contributor right from the start.
The book, Hot Milk by Deborah Levy, had its fans and its detractors. But the detractors read it to the end and also had plenty to say about the characters, the themes and the language. A voice from a younger generation, a 25 year old daughter, negotiating her identity, her 'archaeological study' of her own relationships. All up it was a successful book group book, which stimulated lots of discussion, probably because some people didn't like it, but they cared.
We settled down to tea and coffee with lamingtons and biscuits, to decide on the March book, which was decided very quickly. We will consider end of life issues, with the main book a fiction: The easy way out, by Steven Amsterdam, and if people have time for another, to round out the view, they can also read: Dying: a memoir by Corey Taylor.
We also voted for the best book of 2016 by show of hands. Clear winner was The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood.
We have had a change of venue in the following months. The February meeting (Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe) will now be held at Sue Ellyard's place with the March meeting at Margaret's newly renovated Kirribilli home. Thanks to everyone for their contribution to another year of book group. Welcome to our new member!
