Book club 2026

Winter holiday season got busy didn’t it. My last post was about LIARS, just about to start All My Mothers so boy do we have some catching up to do so I’ll keep it sweet.

We met at Everyman in October to chat All My Mothers, and let me just say All My Bookclub Girls loved it. I’d four starr’d it, if I’m honest, but I’m putting it down to finishing it on audio and maybe not giving it enough of my attention. (October is a busy month and I think I had a lot on.) But yeah. If you’re looking for a book club read - or something to reignite your love for reading - this is the one. Everyone loved it.

Next up was our November read, My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. Well. I went away on hols at the end of October, with the family, and my every intention was to settle down with this paperback and consume it. Reader, I kept picking it up and putting it down and reaching for something else. I read Just for Today, by Nell Hudson, cover to cover, finishing the final pages as our plane landed. I enjoyed that. I did not enjoy or even get further than 1/3 the way through My Brilliant Friend. And guess what. Neither did anyone else - bar one - in the group. It was a tough one for all of us, but I was glad to know we’re all on the same page, if you pardon the pun.

(The box for November, despite the book being a flop, was beaut)

I had intended to take the holiday season off but Sara offered up a fave read of hers, Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors, and we all agreed to find a copy in a charity shop/on kindle/wherever we could and meet for a chat in January. Book club, it seems, is now an entity that can survive without my constant leading it forwards.

We met early this year in a very noisy pub on a Friday evening, none of us very well practiced at being out in the world on a weekend. I’ll keep it brief: this book for me is already one of my top reads of the year. I love starting January on a good book. There is a lot to chat about in this book, but it’s also lovely and poetic and full of gorgeous sentences and characters and connections between people. 5 stars. Loved.

And the girls revealed that they have been missing the boxes. So I thought, let’s ease back in.

So here’s the plan. This month, March, we’ve all found copies of The Wedding People by Alison Espach. Have you read it? Are you tempted? Grab a copy (borrow or library or buy from an independent would be my preference!!!!!!) We’re meeting online on March 18th for some discussion, some networking, journalling and reflection on how books have changed our outlook on our lives. Come and join us! I believe books can bring likeminded people together and that, in my opinion, is where the magic happens. Even if you read the book last year. And also, if you’re local, get in touch and I’ll let you know the meetup info.

The next read will be revealed very soon. There will be a limited run of the gorgeous book boxes, containing the book and a couple goodies. With the box comes the info to log into the online call, as well as the meetup info. I hope you can join for this one!

I do really love reading and I love that so many of you have enquired about book club this year. Hoping to have you in the club. x x Nic