Wednesday 17th June
Bookclub
The Bookclub is a friendly and inclusive meet-up that happens every six weeks at The Lighthouse. We are always looking for new members and you will be made very welcome.
The Bookclub had another enjoyable meeting in May. We had some more new members and another lively discussion on a wide range of books – new and classic. Thanks to everyone who came and we hope to see you again.
This month we shared views on the classic Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway, the moving Death of an Ordinary Man by Sarah Perry, the mysterious thriller Flashlight by Susan Choi, the lyrical and ,the urgent call to arms that is Wild Dark Shore by Charotte McConaghy
The Bookclub is a friendly, informal community for anyone who enjoys a discussion on books in an informal and engaging setting.
If you want to join us just read one of the titles below (or more than one if you have time) and come along and tell us what you think. We guarantee a warm welcome and some lively discussion.
The Lighthouse Bookclub
Our next meeting is Wednesday 17 June and this month's titles are:
* Classic – To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf (≈209 pages)
A modernist novel centred on the Ramsay family and their visits to the Isle of Skye. Woolf explores time, memory, and perception through shifting perspectives and interior monologue. The narrative moves between moments of domestic life and long stretches of absence. It reflects on art, loss, and the passage of time. The novel is both intimate and formally innovative.
“A landmark of modernist fiction that reshaped the possibilities of the novel.” — The Guardian
* Factual – The CIA Book Club by Charlie English (≈336 pages)
A true account of how banned literature was smuggled into Eastern Europe during the Cold War. English traces the networks that risked everything to circulate ideas. Books become tools of resistance and intellectual survival. The narrative combines espionage with cultural history. It highlights the enduring power of reading.
“A fascinating and thrilling story of literature used as a quiet weapon against oppression.” — The Times
* Modern Fiction – Flesh by David Szalay (≈272 pages)
A novel examining masculinity, ambition, and identity across interconnected lives. Szalay explores how power and the body intersect in modern society. The narrative is stark and psychologically precise. Characters confront questions of control, desire, and status. The book offers an unsparing view of contemporary life. Booker Prize Winner
“Szalay is one of the most intelligent observers of modern life, writing with extraordinary precision.” — The New York Times
*Modern Fiction – James by Percival Everett (≈320 pages)
A reimagining of Huckleberry Finn told from Jim’s perspective. Everett reinterprets the original story with wit and critical insight. The novel examines race, language, and authorship. It challenges inherited narratives and assumptions. The result is both homage and radical revision.
“A bold and necessary reworking of an American classic that reshapes its moral centre.” — The Washington Post
* Modern Fiction – The Names by Florence Knapp (≈304 pages)
A contemporary novel exploring identity through names, language, and memory. Knapp examines how personal and cultural narratives are formed. The story reveals hidden connections across time. It reflects on belonging and transformation. The novel blends intimacy with wider social concerns.
“A striking and thoughtful debut that examines identity with subtle intelligence.” — The Guardian
