Jean F., Norah O., Linda H., Marian W., Natalie P. and Leslie L. had an animated discussion at Symposium Restaurant today.  Marian said she has been too busy to read over the holidays but is looking forward to more books in the future.  Natalie shared that her goal for 2026 is to reduce her murder mystery reading and to focus on “positive and uplifting” in her book choices.  Norah is going to try to reduce doom- scrolling!

Jean presented a lovely old Primer which had belonged to her mother and her aunt.  Jean was quite fascinated by the plethora of local rail lines!  She also presented what sounds like a good read:  “Correspondent”-(Virginia Evans)- a story centred on a woman who is aging and becoming blind.  The pertinent plot pieces are presented as letters and responses.

Norah was disappointed in her Dean Koontz book choice- (“Going Home in the Dark”) but she did recommend “The Little Liar” by Mitch Albom.

Linda enjoyed “Mother Mary Comes to Me “ in spite of uncomfortable nature of the material.  A memoir by Arundhati Roy discusses the fraught relationship with her mother against a background of political upheaval in India.

Natalie presented a Jeffrey Archer book “Endgame”.  Events around the city bid and right through to the end of the London Olympic Games – Russia and China are attempting to sabotage and disrupt the Games.  Natalie was intrigued by a postscript which informs the reader that some of the events really did occur (but which ones?)

Leslie is just over 50% through an e version of “The Cider House Rules” by John Irving.  She is particularly interested in the very detailed description of obstetrical and gynaecologic techniques of the day.  (1930’s, 1940’s).  Some intriguing characters and stories.