Picnics and books

Yesterday evening's picnic was a great success, complete with pink bubbly, the ubiquitous quiche, and a range of lovely berries! And of course, books...

There were mixed feelings about Everything is Illuminated. Some struggled to get into it, finding the style annoying. Others (the minority) really enjoyed it, found it funny and very sad - I am coming to the last few pages and have to say I thought it was an original and very affecting book.

Anyway, Claire picked the short list:

1. Confidence: Ben Richards
2. Butterfly House: Marcia Preston
3. Sick Notes: Gwendoline Riley
4. The Vanishing Acts of Esme Lennox: Maggie O'Farrell

And the winner this month is: Confidence, by Ben Richards

Next month, Nic's picking the shortlist and we're back in the pub.

Reading Current

Back with John Harding now - One Big Damn Puzzler - brilliantly inventive third novel. Such a natural touch in everything he writes. Authentic , original, honest and without affectation.
It's also a hugely funny novel - laugh out loud funny in fact. His style may not be as beautiful as Colm Toibin but he is an irreplaceable talent.