Book Club Discussion
The purpose of this page is to provide a forum for discussion of the books read in the Costa Coffee Book Club which meets on the fourth Monday of each month in Costa Coffee, Chatham High Street. Interested readers should arrive at 2.00pm for drinks and a 2.30pm start. All are welcome.
Please use the comments box for this purpose stating which book you are discussing.
the Bookclub regular meeting was another victim of the snow. However we still decided on a book for the month: Awakening to Messiah, a supernatural Discovery of the Jewish Jesus by Rabbi K A Schneider. This book came recommended to us by a fellow Christian, avid reader, and Chairman of the Kent Branch of Christian Motorcyclist Association who is often interested in what we read as a Bookclub. Our next meeting will be held on Monday 18th February @ 2pm Costa Coffee, High Street, Chatham.
Trish hall said this on January 30th, 2013 at 9:59 am
Having read ‘Dreams from my Father’ some time ago I can confirm it is well worth taking the time to read.
murray said this on November 20th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
The book club ladies were pleased to welcome two visitors to our meeting in October and are also pleased that they wish to continue coming. Gentlemen readers please consider taking part we are not an exclusive club. We do hope any reader can share with us here online, even if you are unable to come along.
The book we have just read ‘The Last Telegram’ by Liza Trunow generally received a thumbs up from the group. Although not particularly well written, a very informative account on how silk is produced and how it was used to make parachutes during WW11. The author weaves a romance through the facts with an unexpected ending.
When we met this week we had a lengthy discussion around what type of book we wished to read during Advent. A Christmas classic? A Christian author? We finally came to the decision, that as a group we had not yet read any biographies, so we would give it a go. Our chosen book for December is: ‘Dreams from My Father’ Barack Obama. Reviews from the Amazon website: ‘This may be the best-written memoir ever produced by an American politician’ Joe Klien, Time. ‘Extraordinary… Truly moving… Obama is a born narrator, with a mastery of colour, scene and personality’ Simon Jenkins, Sunday Times. We do hope you enjoy it.
There will be no book club meet during December, however, on 2nd January 2013 we will be going to the cinema at Chatham Dockside to see The Hobbit for the afternoon showing. Everyone welcome (especially our men and young people).
Happy reading and blessings to everyone for Christmas. Trish Hall x
Trish hall said this on November 20th, 2012 at 10:32 am
Hi Murray, The Book Club is held on the third Monday at 2pm. Can’t remember when it was changed so sorry if we forgot to let you know.
Jean
Jean Jones said this on October 15th, 2012 at 5:48 pm
The next book to be read is: ‘Elephant Whisperer’ by Graham Spence and Lawrence Anthony: learning about life, loyalty and freedom from a remarkable herd of wild elephants. We invite you to join us at Costa Coffee on Monday 16th July at 2pm. We are very relaxed and there is no pressure whatsoever to purchase books, drinks or achieve reading the titles in any given timescale.
In August we will be reading two shorter books – ‘They Gave Their Lives’ by Alan Bateman together with ‘For Such A Time’ by Jenty Fairbank: The story of the young Florence Booth.
Our aim in September will be to visit IHQ coffee shop for a special book club meeting. Anyone who would like to join us and have a guided tour of the glass building that is 101 Queen Victoria Street is most welcome. Please let either Trish Hall or Major Andrea know in advance or email us at chathamsa@aol.com
On behalf of the book club members, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Costa Coffee for their hospitality and use of their premises. Happy reading.
Trish Hall said this on July 9th, 2012 at 6:23 pm
I can only re-iterate what Jean has already said about ‘Elephant Whisperer’ and I have been inspired such that we will be suggesting their next book ‘Babylon’s Ark’ as our book for September. As an aside, since Elephant Whisperer was published Lawrence Anthony has died and those same elephants knew and sensed his demise and stood vigile at his home – how incredibly amazing these animals are!
Trish Hall said this on July 9th, 2012 at 6:21 pm
I’ve just finished reading the July book, The Elephant Whisperer’ by Lawrence Anthony and Graham Spence. This is an excellent read and gives an amazing insight into how wild animals communicate with each other and, in this case, with human beings. Well written and unputdownable.
The August choice is for two short books published by the Salvation Army. In ‘For such a time’ Jenty Fairbank has cleverly drawn together writings from the diary of Florence Booth and publications of the day to create an easy to read story of the amazing first days of the SA in France. Also, of major importance is how she instigated the rescue of women/girls from prostitution and the creation of the Mother’s Hospital. Not read the other book yet ‘They gave their lives’ by Alan Bateman. Looking forward to the discussion on 16 July – and the coffee.
Jean said this on July 6th, 2012 at 9:30 am
One Tuesday Morning is another gripping book. It follows the lives of a New York fireman and a business man. They met on the stairs of the north tower and were incredulous of how alike they were. One survived and was in a coma. We are able to discover how one influenced, in a wonderful way, the other, by a journal he’d kept. I can recommend the book. “It is a love story….tender,poignant,commemorating the tragedy and heroism of September 11 and portraying the far-reaching power of God’s faithfulness and a good man’s love.”
Irene Maycock said this on June 16th, 2012 at 12:18 am
This month’s Book Club was held at Costa Coffee in Chatham at 2pm on the revised 3rd (not 4th) Monday of the month. A new member joined us for a lively discussion of ‘Call the Midwife’ and ‘The Sugar Girls’ – both set in the East End of London, although at different times. The next book chosen for the book club to read is ‘One Tuesday Morning’ by Karen Kingsbury. ‘Strangers with the same face. Only one will leave the Twin Towers alive.’ Why don’t you join us in reading this and commenting on the website! Or, come to the next meeting on Monday 18 June, 2pm at Chatham Costa Coffee.
Jean Jones said this on May 21st, 2012 at 8:36 pm
We met on Monday evening though a last minute venue change found us at The Quarters. The second meet in March meant that only Jean had managed to finish ‘Over the Dale’ by Gervase Phinn the 2nd book of this month.
However we had a good discussion around plans and would like to announce the next two books. The first being a fairly short book we were encouraged to read by Jess Boughton in her review of the same in ‘the Salvationist’ entitled ‘Shopping’ by Michelle Gonzalez. Our other suggested read is Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth.
We will meet next on the 23rd April2012 at the revised time of 2pm everyone welcome.
In the meantime, having read ‘The Help’ in February we are holding a film viewing of this at Trish & Dons on Friday 13th April @7.30pm all readers welcome to join us. For further information please speak with other book club members.
Happy Easter, happy reading, enjoy!
Trish hall said this on March 28th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
The Book Club currently meets on the first Monday of the month (5th March 2012 being the next meeting) @ Costa Coffee, High Street, Chatham 6.30pm for refreshments with the meeting commencing at 7pm. We do aim to finish promptly at 8pm. However, due to circumstances beyond our control we need to alter the day in the month we meet to the 4th Monday in the month. Therefore, on Monday 26th March we will meet again and then on the 23rd April.
Everyone is welcome, and we do have a number of people who cannot make the meeting but do read the books we choose as our monthly read. Likewise if you are one of these people, please make yourself known to either Trish Hall or Major Andrea and you too can have an opinion shared and a chance to choose the monthly book.
Trish Hall said this on March 1st, 2012 at 11:34 pm
the Help – an “unputtable down” book, sadly with a lot of truths in it. I can only hope and pray that these prejudices have gone and do not resurface at any time in the future. The book also highlighted yet again how brave people are to “voice” their opinions, even with the risk of retaliation.
Marjory Hudson said this on February 23rd, 2012 at 10:22 pm
I have just finished January’s book…. The Help.
A really good read and I am sure there will be a great amount of discussion about it…. Most people would have a view about the stories with in it. It is fictional but very factual.
Margaret & David Sutton said this on February 9th, 2012 at 8:33 pm
We read “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett and I would like to thank Jean for recommending this book to the group. It took me a little while to get into, I persevered and so glad I did. It opened my mind and re-affirmed my opinion that there is never an excuse for discrimination and I found myself embarrassed to be white.
Trish Hall said this on February 9th, 2012 at 8:33 pm
“I dared to call Him Father” – This is my second reading of this book. These are my comments:
1. Amazing way that God still communicates through dreams.
2. Bilquis’ obedience to God, otherwise the “Presence” left her.
3. Bilquis took everything to God in prayer.
4. Bilquis’ bravery in becoming a Christian and opposing generations of her family’s beliefs.
5. The emphasising at the end of the book that more tolerance is perhaps needed by everyone in understanding the differences between east and west, i.e. cultures, customs, etc.
Marjory Hudson said this on January 9th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
December’s book in deep contrast to Nineteen Minutes is I Dared To Call Him Father by Bilquis Sheikh. An inspiring personal testimony by Bilquis of her conversion and baptism in the Holy Spirit from Muslim to Christianity. Profound and passionate I found the book to remind me of my First Love experience with Jesus. Not a heavy book to read and one I would sincerely recommend. A great source of encouragement.
Trish Hall said this on December 24th, 2011 at 12:33 am
Nineteen minutes by Jodi Picoult. Had an interesting discussion about bullying and the relationships between parents and children. One comment in the early part of the book which has stayed with me is that when a baby is just born you can see the holiness in their eyes!
Jean Jones said this on December 5th, 2011 at 9:19 pm