Graham Joyce: The Silent Land: A novel
Chilling, beautiful, sad and deeply thought-provoking. Also oddly it makes us want to go skiing despite the opening avalanche. Book Club LOVED this one and the twist at the end evoked much feeling. To love someone that much is something you would wait and wait for.
Marina Lewycka: A Short History of Tractor in Ukranian
The person in charge of marketing this book must have had some sleepless nights over this title. It does lead you to believe it to be about foreign machinery. Clearly we have a thing for large chunks of Eastern European metal as we LOVED every page. The story will draw you in immediately and envelop you in the author’s dilemma. This teaches us to be more open-minded when selecting books based on their covers.
David Nicholls: One Day (Vintage Contemporaries Original)
Langtry Book Club LOVED this. They meet at university and the same day every year you find out where they went from there. It is a very honest book and reminded us of all the things we should have said and done but never did.
Barbara Kingsolver: The Poisonwood Bible: A Novel (P.S.)
As a Book Club we found this quite difficult to discuss, partly due to the fact that half of us had skim read it, and partly because it is very gritty with lots of separate story lines and we didnt really know where to start. A personal read but a very good book.
Lily Koppel: The Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming a Life Through the Pages of a Lost Journal (P.S.)
We read this book and had such a strong desire to start walking round art galleries and owning couture dresses. We misspent our youth if this true story is a reflection into the possibilities of young womanhood. Such a lovely read if not slightly risque.
Edith Wharton: The Age of Innocence
The Age of Innocence will be part of our Langtry Club Film Club season, so we thought it best to read the book first. The story is quite heartbreaking and gives a fascinating insight into how the morals of society have shifted since the 1870's. You do want the ending to evolve in a certain way, but we are hopeless romantics.
Audrey Niffenegger: The Time Traveler's Wife
A brilliantly bizarre concept, and one which kept this book at the top of the literary charts for simply ages. It takes a while to get your head round what is actually going on. The love story is realistic, although we personally would have thrown in the towel and been completely exasperated with the Time Traveller by page 2. A marmite book - you will love it or loathe it - but all the fuss was about something.
Daphne Du Maurier: Rebecca
Classic book so one to tick off on the lifetime literature list. The Langtry Club Book Club felt the main character was weak and we were utterly bemused by her husbands allure - also he nearly let a little dog be drowned - not attractive. Generated some lively debate about whether you would marry a widower and be able to live in a late wife's shadow. Worth reading with a good twist at the end.
Stephenie Meyer: Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)
Okay, so we saw the film first...but it was a BIG mistake. DO watch the film (Robert Pattinson is beyond yummy if not a little too intense), but read the book FIRST. Basically a vampire who has been alone for hundreds of years finally falls for a girl. The girl falls for the vampire - now he looks like Robert Pattinson so no shock there. It isn't straightforward due to said vampire's penchant for sucking blood - sort of an obstacle (unless you are into that sort of thing, hey, we're not judging). Apparently it is all meant to be a metaphor for promoting abstinence. Now, there is a MAJOR flaw in this plan by the author - as soon as you read this book/watch film all you want to do is pounce on the next attractive male/female available. Or is that just us? Anyway, read it.
Lauren Weisberger: The Devil Wears Prada
We read this about six months before the film came out - and we are SO pleased we did. This book is a favourite. Unlike the film, the conflicts the female character experiences are very realistic...and heartbreaking at times. It is also laugh-out-loud funny at many points too. We actually worked in that industry in London - it was cutthroat & crazy and all we ever got was a lousy free Vogue AND i'm a Glamour magazine reader! Anyway, buy it - read it.
John Grogan: Marley & Me
Ok, so I saw the film first, but then i did buy and read the book so I can legitimately write a book review on it. Its a nice story and autobiographical so you get lost in the story knowing the events actually happened. Worth a read but not my favourite book - and the film is sunday afternoon, rainy day viewing.
Various: Love Letters of Great Men
I had a poem written for me once, I was 8 and it went along the lines of 'roses are red, violets are blue...'. No one has written one for me since, (despite the fact now if they did they might get more in return than a daisy chain made in the playground field). So, as no-one is writing them for me, im reading ones written for other women. This collection of poetry was put together following the Sex and the City film but the poems were written long ago. Who knew Napoleon had such a way with words - maybe i should stop ruling out those short men afterall. So pour yourself a glass of red and curl up on the couch with this beautiful book. Lose yourself in a time when men poured their hearts out onto parchment with a quill, instead of texting 'lol' while slightly drunk at the football.
Gustave Flaubert: Madame Bovary (Penguin Classics)
Bought this book as it is meant to be his (the author, Gustave Flaubert's) greatest work. Also I always think if you buy a book which has been made into a film you can always cheat if it becomes dull. Well, this one doesn't and the film version does not do it justice (what! I watched the film afterward, I promise - it even has a different ending!) The story is basically about a women who has read too many great works of romantic poetry, gets married too young and then becomes restless when her life does not resemble anything she dreamed it would. She goes on to have a series of ill-fated affairs. A modern day version would be me watching Dirty Dancing a million times, then marrying Butlin's version of Patrick Swayze, only to find he has a penchant for Liza Minelli & Steps. My version isn't written quite as eloquently as Madame Bovary so I suggest you buy the book and give it a read.
In the month of October we are reading The Finkler Question by Harold Jacobson:
Langtry's theme currently is Langtry Laughs and this is apparently comedy writing at his best. We have downloaded this onto the Kindle and are all ready to settle down for a good read in this sunshine. Check back for review and discussion at Book Club. Comments and reviews from Langtrites always welcome!
The older we become, the surer we become, that relationships are fleeting and often temperamental passions. The older we become, the surer we become that great literature lasts forever.
The current Langtry relationship status is 'attached with a lush beau'...however we still find ourselves rolling over when the lights dim...not in any perverted sense, but to flick on the night light and open up this book.
The author immediately invites you into a very realistic and gritty Victorian London. His writing style is such that he captivates your imagination and creates the urgent need to read more and discover more of this horrid and enthralling world. You can almost smell the stench of the back alleyways he takes you through, on your journey to meet the characters.
The main story revolves around a young prostitute named Sugar, who despite her wit and unrivalled intelligence, engages in techniques and activities which would shock even the most liberated 21st Cenury woman. The fictional men who frequent her brothel repulse you from the pages and you actively will her to find a way out.
You will learn far more about Victorian London from this book than from any Dickens novel. This book is not for the faint-hearted. If you expect a love story....this is not the book for you. There must be something quite unique and odd about us, that sees us escaping our quite pleasant reality in favour of a less content fictional one.
Click HERE to download The Langtry Club Book Club 2011 information
Langtry Literature is complementary to members. It allows us to become fabulous, well-read women so we can head home smug, basking in our intellect.
We meet at Grand Jersey at 6.00pm and discuss the latest book over tea and biscuits. It is a lovely way to get to know members on a more personal basis.
The Langtry Book Club is a vehicle for discussion of ideas about literature and any other topics members deem relevant. For 2011 meetings will be based on a theme with a suggested book and authors. However, please bring along any books in that genre which you have read and think may add to the discussion.
We LOVE LOVE LOVE curling up with a great book (or Kindle for the techno happy amongst us). We are even contemplating buying a love seat sized sofa, not for our other half to share, but so we can get all cosy with a blanket, a mug of white tea (our new thing) and a story.
If reading is geeky then we are embracing geek chic in a BIG way.
This month the Book Club theme is Fantasy, now this does not mean the leading man is called Fabio with a long flowing mane (NOT OUR FANTASY WE MIGHT).
From vampires to galactic hitchhikers, fantasy is a major genre which readers tend to love or hate. As Langtry Living is about getting out of your comfort zone this is a good opportunity to try something you might not normally read. Popular fantasy stories include Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight and the Philip Pullman Trilogy, while authors such as Kazuo Ishiguro bring fantasy into the literary domain with works like Never Let Me Go. We strip away the settings and look at the stories beneath.
Suggested reading: The Silent Land, Graham Joyce
Date: Tuesday 5th April
Time: 6pm
Location: Grand, Jersey
Surely Friday, Saturday or Sunday would be the best day of the week...no no no, we LOVE Tuesdays. Why? Langtry Literature of course, what else could it possibly be.
The theme for February's Langtry Literature is Romance.
Scanning our bookshelf, whilst dodging Harry Potter and the holiday bought Jilly Cooper (the shame), we clearly are a sucker for literary romantic heroes. The Chairman from Memoirs of a Geisha, Yuri from Doctor Zhivago, or Mr Darcy from Pride and Prejudice...any of them would do.
We will look at the genre and some of literature's greatest romances.
What determines whether a book is romantic fiction or simply a love story? Are you calm and poised like Jane Bennett or do you suffer the Marianne Willoughby hysteria? Can you invest as much emotion in a Mills & Boon compared to a Graham Greene? Speaking of whom, can you do The End of the Affair justice on film?
Does a love story need all the drama? Shouldn't it just be easy and plain sailing, and how you imagined it when you were little and read Cinderella? In our experience it does seem anything worth something involves some hurdles and freak-outs...although we would still love Cinderella's glass slipper.
Bring along your favourite romantic novel and we will bring the refreshments.
6pm
Tuesday 1st February
Grand, Jersey
Discussion point for next Book Club:
Who is your favourite Jane Austen Heroine?
Book Club for August is One Day by David Nicholls. We have finally had some time to sit down and have a read and LOVED IT.
All Langtry Lillies you have a couple of weeks left to complete it until we get together over some drinks to natter about it.
Here is the synopsis...
'I can imagine you at forty,' she said, with malice in her voice. 'I can picture it right now.' He smiled without opening his eyes. 'Go on then.' 15th July 1988. Emma and Dexter meet for the first time on the night of their graduation. Tomorrow they must go their separate ways. So where will they be on this one day next year? And the year after that? And every year that follows? Twenty years, two people, ONE DAY. From the author of the massive bestseller STARTER FOR TEN.
We meet at The Grand Jersey at 5.30pm for 6.00pm and discuss the latest book over a nice drink and some nibbles.
It is a very good way to get to know other members on a more personal basis and it is a lovely, laid-back way to spend a Tuesday evening.
It also has the benefit of helping us become fabulous well-read women so we can go home smug at our own intellect.
We have included questions in our Book Club Bundle...Download Langtry Literature - The Langtry Book Club. They do give away some of the plots, so make sure you only read them once you have read the book! The questions act as a guideline as we inevitably will deviate from the book!
The second Langtry Club Book Club book has been voted on, and the majority of members chose...
The Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming a Life Through the Pages of a Lost Journal by Lily Koppel.
The meeting will be held on 28th July at the usual location at 6pm.Do not worry if you do not completely finish the book, as with Rebecca, there will always be members to fill you in - and besides the topics which wil be discussed with this book are universal to women.
Drunk
Ed Sheeran: Plus
You will listen to this song and feel he can read your mind. My current beau would be worth a really good glass of Malbec...but no-one is ever worth a bottle.
Wicked Game
Chris Isaak:
If any man will ever seduce us with a tune...it is this one.
Your Song
Ellie Goulding:
Elton does it well...Ellie does it better. An original twist on beautiful lyrics. P.s Our eyes are blue.
Rolling in the Deep
Adele: 21
This song even has our male housemate converted, good thing as we play it on LOUD.
Flowerbed
Take That: Progress
It is a little bit late, but the gesture and lyrics are a little bit lovely.
You Can't Always Get What You Want
The Rolling Stones:
Nope you can't - but you do seem to always get what you need (even if it takes a while to realise it).
Your Body Is a Wonderland
John Mayer:
We once knew a boy who played guitar and sang this better than Mayer - sigh.
Sexy Chick
Paloma Faith: Live Lounge, Vol. 4
One of the best cover versions ever made. We desperately want to be that sexy chick.
Wish You Well
Katie Herzig: Apple Tree
Listen to 'Wish You Well' - just gorgeous.
New York
Paloma Faith: New York
We are not entirely sure whether the man in the song left her for the city New York or if that is an analogy of an actual women. We love it regardless and are also slightly jealous of the fabulous name she has.
Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)
Florence & the Machine: Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)
Takes a couple of plays but has fast become a Langtry favourite.
Feel My Love
Bob Dylan: Dylan (3CD) (Deluxe Edition)
I never appreciated Dylan until I grew up a bit, thought he sounded depressing and out of tune. Feel My Love is gorgeous, as is Adele's version she recorded for Radio One.
For Lovers
Peter Doherty: For Lovers
'Im running away with you, that's all I ever do'. This song was given to us in the most romantic gesture of our life so far - most romantic notion and fits the start of a relationship before the part where you start discussing who buys the next bottle of fairy liquid.
Perhaps Love
John Denver: John Denver - Definitive All-Time Greatest Hits
A beautiful song played at the funeral of a very special man who one Langtry Lady loved very very much.
Both Sides Now
Joni Mitchell: Both Sides Now
Joni Mitchell could make The Mr Blobby hit sound meaningful - but thankfully we dont have to hear that confirmed. This is a profoundly beautiful song.
Where Does the Good Go
Tegan and Sara: So Jealous
Place 'Where Does the Good Go' on repeat - its genius.
Grace
Jeff Buckley: Hallelujah
The Alexandra X-Factor version of Hallelujah is a swear word to us. If it's not Cohen or Buckley it's not for our ears.
Trouble
Ray LaMontagne: Trouble
A boyfriend bought us this once as a sentimental gesture - it is titled 'Trouble' which tarnished the romance a little...we were trouble in the end sadly. The relationship ended but I kept the CD. It is beautiful with truly wonderful lyrics - we nearly saw him live once but procrastinated - silly silly us.
Under the Influence
Terra Naomi: Under the Influence
The album cover looks like this might be angry female music - it isnt (she is only slightly annoyed). We love 'Not Sorry' and suggest you plug in your headphones and indulge in some 'me time' and listen to it.
