The Alchemist

Dear Booklovers,

Many, many thanks for yet another wonderful book club meeting the Saturday before last. This time hosted by John Macaulay at Chateau-Macaulay – thank you for your hospitality and generosity, it is so much appreciated – it also allowed for our acclaimed literary facilitator Anthony Kendrick to be present for much of the discussion.

I might just add that after having nominated the book and volunteering to host John then realised he should probably have a refresher in terms of reading the book. As a result of this revelation John was able to keep a book store open in Newtown late on the Friday night beforehand, after having rung ahead and promised he would pay in cash. All in the name of the BookClub. Quite dramatic. Quite amusing.

(As a personal anecdote) February’s meeting reminded me of a bookclub I attended a few years ago. It was called “Tasteful Thoughts’… It was hosted by a lovely couple and it basically meant we would gather for scrumptious food, discuss the book and then give the all important rating of the current book and vote for the next!

This month’s The Alchemist left us with the following ratings from around the room:
Simon (firstly, welcome back!): 5
Kiran: 2
Lucy: 5
Tom: 4 + 1
Tess: 5
Theresa: 8
Back to Tess, after Theresa’s response Tess changed her rating to 6!
Chris: 2
John: 7
Anthony K: remains unknown, whereabouts unknown too.

Other special mentions for the book club this month:
Generally – to all in attendance (from this email list) as it was the first book that was actually completed by more than one or two people!!!

THIS BRINGS ME TO THE NEXT MAJOR POINT:
The next book is Nineteen Eighty-four by George Orwell. THIS IS QUITE A LONG READ. START READING NOW!!!

I am also (as requested by some of the membership) issuing an extension. (I’m such a teacher). I propose the next meeting be on Saturday 14th April (the weekend after Easter). This gives everyone an extra 2 weeks to read the book. I hope this is accommodating, the date is always flexible so let me know if there are alarm bells ringing already.

Apologies if this email has taken too much of your day – but I am very passionate about reading hence the book club but I can’t be sorry for that.

Signing off ……. Now.
Lucy