Whiteley WAGs WI
A modern twist on the traditional WI
BOOK CLUB
Open to members of Whiteley WAGS WI only
We meet monthly to discuss our wide choice of books.
If you are a member of our WI and would like to take part in discussions please let us know by emailing
NOTE: NOW MEETING AT
The Talisman, Park Gate
Third Monday of every month 7.30pm
April 2026
Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
March 2026
The Trial by Rob Rinder
The story opens with a murder but there is a twisty tale to discover the who, and the why, done it! Drawing both from the drudgery and high pressured experiences of early career barristers, Rob Rinder's character, Adam Green, has to cope with social situations, high flyers and competition from others in his field, while plagued with a lack of confidence and self doubt. Of course the journey to the truth is not straight forward and there are distractions and red herrings along the way. There are also has several humorous moments, especially in Adam's phone conversations with his mother.
When the truth is finally discovered does it allow for justice to be done? Our book club members had many opinions about the ending, but mostly found this novel an easy and enjoyable read.
Book club score: 7/10
February 2026
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
A large group of school boys emerge, relatively unscathed, from a plane crash and are stranded on a deserted tropical island. Without adult guidance they find they have the basic needs to survive, learn to light a fire and make plans to signal in hope of a rescue. A tussle for leadership ensues and has the elements of democracy verses autocracy. Written in 1954 this book has several terms and colonialist references which we consider outdated today, but the essence of the story is about the characters of the boys and the depths of good and evil.
There is much symbolism in the narrative: the scars on the island of the plane crash, the deep darkness of the almost impenetrable jungle of its heart that holds unseen terrors, the foreboding of an out of control fire and the head of a dead pig - "The Lord of the Flies".
This is a tough read that exposes the uncomfortable truths of human nature and gave our readers much to agree and disagree about. Whatever your opinion this is a book that makes you think.
Book club score: 6.9/10
January 2026
The Strange Disappearance of Bollywood Star by Vaseem Khan
This is the third novel in an Indian set detective series and, maybe, it would have given greater understanding to the background of Inspector Chopra's detective agency and the adoption of a baby elephant, Ganesha, if we had read the earlier two. This book had all the dazzle and opulence of a rich Bollywood lifestyle against the poverty and injustice for so many living in India and police corruption.
The main plot line was the apparent kidnapping of a major Bollywood star and playboy, Vikram Verma. A second storyline, concerning a community of eunuchs, ran along side but there wasn't a great deal to connect the two, although both involved rich and controlling mothers.
While the novel was mostly regarded as an easy but not gripping read, for many the number of supporting characters caused confusion. But it was the inclusion of the baby elephant that really divided opinion; some felt in was charming and appreciated the symbolism of Ganesha ("remover of obstacles, patron of arts and sciences, deva of intellect and wisdom"), for others it was ridiculous. What we did agree on, however, was that Vikram who had seemed so unlikable was thought well of by the end.
Book club score: 5.3/10
May 2026
Silas Marner by George Eliot
June 2026
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
July 2026
Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent