Books and Babies
on Lynn Sellwood (The Gambia), 29/Apr/2010 11:48, 34 days ago
Bookclubs are fascinating and I'm sure the one I belong to is no exception. We are the "Old Toms" named because the members live or have lived in St Thomas Drive. We have been meeting every 6 weeks or so for over three years and never fail to have a good discussion about the book choice or the issues it throws up. This week we read a children's book, War Horse by Michael Morpurgo. For some, it was too simplistic and lacked depth and avoided the hard parts of war. For others it was a moving account of what war can do to individuals and the impact beyond the human cost. A couple of our group admitted to hard throats and teary eyes. I had been to the play at the National and was ready for the story and frankly my view is that it works wonderfully on stage for adults.We have agreed the next seven books for our group. One reason is that we wanted a range of categories and I needed the list so I could buy the books and take them with me to The Gambia and send my thoughts and comments to the group. I thought you might like to share the list so....Presumed InnocentScott TurowThe Cellist of SarajevoSteven GallowayLondon, The BiographyPeter AckroydPlain Tales from the HillsRudyard KiplingThe Little StrangerSarah WatersSnobsJulian FellowesBrooklynColm ToibinNow to babies and my attempt to insert a photograph (above). This is a picture of my friend, Eugene (who lives in New York) with his daughter and granddaughter, (who live in Germany). I am delighted for him that he was able to travel to see her and I can feel his pride and overwhelming love and joy in the fact that he is a grandaddy. Eugene and I have been friends since I was 19 years old. We both took part in educational exchanges. I went to Pennsylvania and he came to Nottingham the following year. There is almost nothing we don't know about each other and I value his friendship deeply. I love his wife, Barbara too. See next photo!I have been informed of lots of babies being born to friends and acquaintances in the last couple of months so a special "shout-out" for Tina and Erskine for the birth of Sky and Leon and Aisha for the birth of Kaidie.Just to keep you up-to-date the weight loss is painfully slow with 6lbs so far but weigh-in is on Sunday so I'm hoping for another two pounds and a further 7lbs during May.The election is only a week away and I am preparing for two days over the weekend to deliver leaflets in the ward. I have persuaded my friend Sally to come on Sunday (my birthday) so be prepared for further photographs.