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2022-09-26 19:59
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2022-09-05 10:00
Summer Reading Challenge 2022
2022-08-08 20:11

Book Club

Our friendly Book Club meets on the third Tuesday of the month in the Library at 3.30pm. We welcome anyone who enjoys reading and likes
talking about books. We don't do 'lit crit' but we discuss why we like/didn't like the book choice. We exchange tips on recent reads that we think others might enjoy, and then wander on to a wide range of subjects. You don't have to buy the books – we take turns to choose a book from a Cambridgeshire Libraries multi-copy list. If you are interested in joining us, send a request to Sally via info@haddenhamlibrarycambs.co.uk or give your contact details to a Library Volunteer.

 

Upcoming read:

Next month we'll meet on Tuesday 21 July at 3.30pm, in the library. to discuss the historical fiction novella ‘Small Things Like These’ by Claire Keegan.  All welcome, and no need to buy the book as we have enough loan copies for everyone.

 

To join us, speak to a Library volunteer, or drop a line to info@haddenhamlibrarycambs.co.uk.

APRILBOOK GROUP REPORT

 

Hemingway's 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' was a really divisive novel. There were those who thought it rightfully a classic, one of the best war novels ever, beautifully written, exceptional and clever. One convert said it was incredible, but a book she'd never have read without being a member of our book group.

Then there were those who didn't finish it: most gave up around page 200, because it's very, very boring, with overly long descriptive passages and SO many conversations. The novel takes place over a three and a half day window, and one can only take so much detail and existential splurge. It was also felt that amidst the madness of today's geopolitical landscape we just weren't willing or able to put ourselves through it.

A question that periodically arises at book group is 'why do we read' and those who managed to read 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' felt it 'should' be read because it was 'real history' of the Spanish Civil War, and it demanded to be read. So if you are of that ilk, then do read it. However the naysayers have the win this month - but by only one vote.

I will end with a quote that Sally, our book group organiser, picked out of the novel and which resonated with all of us:

Anselmo says, "To kill them teaches nothing. You cannot exterminate them because from their seed comes more with greater hatred. Prison is nothing. Prison only makes hatred. That all our enemies should learn."