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

Third Monday of every month 7.30pm

January 2025 - Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

For 1960's women life is simple; look after the house, care for the children, have sex on demand and the dinner ready at six! Hmmm, that's what most 1960's men seem to think anyway. But what happens if you are both beautiful and intelligent and want to do things your own way? Well, you could try presenting a live cooking show...

Bonnie Garmus' tongue in cheek narrative style (and the wonderful dog's point of view) belies some pretty dreadful challenges for women and people that don't quite fit the "norm". Elizabeth Zott is not worried about men, relationships or having children. She is a chemist and wants to research Abiogenesis. However, in a male dominated environment, where women exist as secretaries at best, her life is made difficult, very very difficult, and nothing goes to plan.

By creating Elizabeth as a straight talking feminist hero, Bonnie Garmus brings much humour and many laugh out loud moments to the story. This serves to make the darker and often outrageous aspects bearable but does not diminish their impact. The novel shows us a sweeping range of injustices, towards women and those that are seen as outsiders, at the hands of men in powerful positions. Dysfunctional family life, homosexuality, religious hypocrisy and rape all feature. Elizabeth, however, is not just a survivor, she is a challenger. The chance to present a live TV show, and cast aside the directions she is given, is a catalyst for change that even Elizabeth has not envisaged.

There are a few moments in the novel that don't quite ring true, even for the era in which it is set, but this was a lively story, with much to discuss, and enjoyed by our readers.

Book club score: 8.5/10

February - It ends with us by Colleen Hoover

Set mainly in Boston USA, this novel examines a young woman's romantic life and reflects on her upbringing through her recordings in a teenage diary. We soon discover Lily's history growing up with a father who regularly beat her mother and her growing relationship with and kindness towards a homeless student, Atlas, from her school. Step forward approximately eight years and Lily meets Ryle Kincaid, a handsome and charismatic Neurosurgeon (our thoughts were that he was a controlling, arrogant, **** from the start, but then we are not in our early twenties!). The surface is glossy, sexual and romantic, however Ryle has deep seated anger issues following a tragedy in his childhood. While her dream business flourishes and his career goes from strength to strength seemingly small misunderstandings trigger a pattern of violence towards Lily from which she has to find the determination to escape.

There was a strong message in the book about violence being unacceptable whatever the root cause and finding the inner strength to leave. The story was based on some of the author's own experiences and probably aimed at a younger reader than our group, (that, shall we say, has a bit more life experience). Although none of us enjoyed it we all felt that if someone could be helped by reading about Lily's relationship with a man she thought she loved, then it was worthwhile. There were happy outcomes for Lily and the positive message through Atlas' character that much could be achieved in spite of a difficult childhood.

Book club score: 5.8/10

March - Wave Walker by Suzanne Heywood

Many of our book club meetings start with questions about the book and the first question this time was "Did anyone find those parents annoying?". The answer was a resounding "Yes!". Suzanne Heyward's recollections of her childhood and teenage years spent on board the yacht "Wavewalker" were disturbing to say the least. Following her father's dream to sail in the wake of Captain Cook's third voyage, the family set off, originally with sponsorship, to sail via South America to Australia and home again. After the first part of the journey very little when to plan as her father insisted on continuing their passage and funds ran out, exposing the family and a small, changing, crew to storms, 50 foot waves, injury, armed threats and almost completely ignoring the children's need to build friendships and have an education. Alongside this was Suzanne's heart wrenching accounts of her dysfunctional relationship with her mother, who appeared would do anything for their father, while she held on to her G&Ts, but not her children and demonstrated a preference for her son at Suzanne's expense.

It seems that Suzanne was a very strong, intelligent and determined young person. She found her own way to education and developed huge resilience. Some of our group found elements of the book repetitive and boring, however that is what Suzanne's life became before she was able to return to England and build her own life. There were periods of reconciliation with her parents during her adult life but subsequently they refused to see her again when she told them she was writing this book.

Book club score: 6.8/10

April - The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

"In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are." (from Novel's first line).

Sisters Vianne and Isabelle have already had difficult starts in life. Their mother dies when they are young and their father, deeply distressed by his WW1 experiences in France, is unable to cope with the loss of his wife and distances himself from his daughters. Vianne is quiet and co-operative but falls pregnant at 16 and marries her beau. Isabelle is rebellious and daring, challenging authority and running away from schools and people she hates. When the Nazis invade lives are forever changed and each of the sisters find their own ways to stay strong, fight for good, and survive.

The book illustrates the challenges and hardships for those in occupied territory. Every day becomes a risk whether helping friends and family, finding food or establishing escape routes for Allied Airmen. Who, if anyone, could be trusted? There are heart breaking moments when sacrifice is made, children are torn away from their mothers and in the horrific treatment of Jewish people and anyone viewed as a saboteur by the Nazi's. Ultimately the strength of love and family bonds shine through.

Kristin Hannah's writing mostly gave a believable feel to life in France for ordinary people during the war. It was perhaps a little spoilt by the over use of American terms in her descriptions and some of the dialogue. There was a sense of danger throughout and the suspense of knowing whether both sisters survived was cleverly kept to the end of the story.

Book club score: 7.9/10

May - When All is Said by Anne Griffin

Aged 84, lonely following the death of his wife two years before, an Irish farmer sits, with determination, at the local hotel bar to raise a toast to the five people who brought the greatest influences to his life. Reflecting on joy and love, sadness and regrets Maurice's history is revealed. This novel was an interesting way to tell a life story that not only reflected on the man's life but changes in Ireland too. The subject matter is thoughtful and encompasses poverty, abuse and bullying, learning difficulties and a multitude of different relationships. All were handled with sensitivity by the author and raised many questions for our group to discuss including who we might wish to raise a toast to in our lives. Several readers did not like the main character, Maurice, but all found it an easy, accessible read. At the end there is a letter to a son and an inevitable outcome. A poignant novel with a few laughs along the way.
Book club score: 7.5/10

June - Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

July - That Bone Setter Woman by Francis Quinn

August - The Sewing Machine by Natalie Fergie

September - Light Over Liskeard by Louis de Bernieres

October - Songbirds by Christy Lefteri

April - The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

November - A Place Called Winter by Patrick Gale

December - The Book of Beginnings by Sally Page

January 2026

The Strange Disappearance of Bollywood Star by Vaseem Khan