Book Fanatics Quiz Night and More

Manx Litfest

Lots to look forward to this September at Manx Litfest. Tickets are now on sale, and it looks like we're going to be spoiled for choice. Find out more, sign up for a newsletter and keep up with what's happening on the Manx Litfest web site.

We were talking about the Book Fanatics Quiz Night at the last meeting, and some of the group are keen to have a go if we have enough people free that night to make a team. Just a quick reminder that it's on Thursday 27th September @ 8.15 pm. at the Villa, and tickets are £8.00. Please contact Pam if you would like to join in as an Onchan Book Group team.

State of Wonder by Anne Patchett

Research scientist Marina Singh is sent to the depths The Amazon rainforest to find out how her research partner and friend Anders Eckman had died there. He was tracking progress on a new fertility drug being developed by the maverick Dr Swenson, a mentor of Marina's in a former life she would prefer to forget. Marina endures side effects from malaria drugs, insects, snakes and arrows to follow in Anders' footsteps through the rainforest and discover the mystery surrounding Dr Swenson. This book was shortlisted for the Orange Prize 2012, and Anne Patchett's Bel Canto is a former Orange Prize winner.





 

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Howard Fry by Rachel Joyce

Harold Fry seems a most unlikely hero – recently retired, modest and unassuming.
His life is humdrum in the extreme. A letter from a former colleague leads him to undertake a journey on which he will eventually confront his past, and become something of a reluctant media celebrity. Journeying through Britain on foot, wearing only his yachting shoes and without mobile phone or credit cards, he encounters a rich variety of characters along the way, who, despite having their own problems, encourage and help him on his long journey. This is a gentle, amusing and at times heart-breaking novel, which was greatly enjoyed by everyone who read it. Cath

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Howard Fry was a 5 star read for us. It's been selected for this year's Booker Prize Long List:

Nicola Barker, The Yips (Fourth Estate)
Ned Beauman, The Teleportation Accident (Sceptre)
André Brink, Philida (Harvill Secker)
Tan Twan Eng, The Garden of Evening Mists (Myrmidon Books)
Michael Frayn, Skios (Faber & Faber)
Rachel Joyce, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (Doubleday)
Deborah Levy, Swimming Home (And Other Stories)
Hilary Mantel, Bring up the Bodies (Fourth Estate)
Alison Moore, The Lighthouse (Salt)
Will Self, Umbrella (Bloomsbury)
Jeet Thayil, Narcopolis (Faber & Faber)
Sam Thompson, Communion Town (Fourth Estate

The Shortlist will be announced on Tues 11th Sept.