November book club

Thank you so much for my copy of Hello From the Gillespie's.

It's a very unsociable book - I haven't become so lost in a book since I read the whole Harry Potter series in a week! Brilliant! Off now to finish it.

Thank you very much for my copy of 'Hello from the Gillespies'. I was away for a few days and the book was there, waiting for me! I shall get going straight away - read a few reviews and it looks like a very interesting read. I'm not a fast reader but I shall do my best to catch up. Again, a great big thank-you and I'll be back, as soon as possible.

Just started reading my free book and already can tell I'm going to like it.
I don't have any questions so far but hope to be able to post again in a day or two.

I was so pleased and excited to receive my free copy of 'Hello from the Gillespies' as I have heard about the book from different sources including coverage on radio 4 woman's hour. I started reading as soon as book arrived in order to upload info prior to end of November.
I really enjoyed the description of life in outback Australia - I feel the book has provided a real insight into the mixture of beauty and isolation experienced by families living there. I am not sure that I was able to connect with the Angela because I found her escapism into a fantasy world slightly annoying and unbelievable. I fully understand children having imaginary friends - particularly when isolated but not adults. However this is probably just me - I would be very interested for the author to talk about her inspiration for the character. The concept for the book is brilliant - it would have been good to hear more about some of the people who received the letter and if it made them more honest in their future round Robbin letters.

I've just finished this book and absolutely loved it!
Have to admit that half way through I wondered where it was going, as the story seemed to be close to the end, then BAM, Angela goes to Adelaide and it's like a whole new story begins!
Have already passed it to a family member and will be recommending it to everyone.
The characters are believable and likeable, I love the concept as it's something many of us have experience of - those boasting round robin letters from family members, it really would be refreshing if someone told the truth for a change!
Thanks so much for this book.

Thank you for Hello from The Gillespies. I loved it and read it in two days, staying up very late each night.
It is a great story and catches one in right away until the end.
Has Monica McInerney ever written such a Christmas letter I wonder?

Forgot to say, thank you for my copy that I received last week. Xxx

Well done to who ever chose this title as the December book. This is just the right time of the year to be reading it and I am sure many of us can relate to some aspect of the story. It is quite a comfortable read so just right for when things get a bit stressful nearer Christmas Day. I am only half way through but am enjoying the story, probably more than I expected to when I first started reading. Looking forward to seeing how it all ends up.

What a lovely surprise, my book arrived this morning, shall start reading as soon as possible. In the meantime, thank you so much!

Just received my copy- thank you. Started it last night so will press on- it is quite a long book & quite small print so will need lots of R&R time- whoopee!! Any excuse.

Well, Monica McInerney - which one of the characters is most like you?
I loved the book, I've passed it on to my cousin with a recommendation for her book club. Nice and easy because there's reading group questions at the end of the story.
The descriptive details in Monica's writing are just amazing.
Personally, I wanted to slap all of the children- they are so needy. I guess that comes from an isolated existence in the outback and a total dependency on each other. As does the need to escape and a rather scary naivety. Has anyone got any experience of this closed unit? Perhaps it's similar in boarding school or on Forces bases maybe.

Thanks again Gransnet and Monica McInerney, I shall be looking out for more of your books.

Thank you for my copy of hello from the Gillespie's which arrived today. My postman must have been delayed. Will start reading this weekend, just finishing some decorating will have sometime to relax. Can' t wait.

Well I've finished the book and I loved it. Really, really loved it. So much so that I started it last night and hardly put it down all day. I don't want to give anything away, but I could really relate to the main character and the reality of her family life in a busy household. I shall take myself off to see what else she's written forthwith.
Cari now that I've read it I can honestly say that I wouldn't have minded if I had been charged excess postage for the book.

I rarely win raffles etc either, so this was a real treat. I shall start it when I've finished Thursday's Children by Nicci French.
Thank you
Regards, GrannyLondon

I'd like to ask Monica does she ever write or receive Xmas round robin letters herself?

Hello from the Gillespies arrived this morning and I've been distracted from the rest of life all day! Funny thing is is that I DO get a Round Robin Christmas letter each year from someone with that surname!! I'm now about a third of the way through, but won't reveal ALL...............just to say it is a good amusing read!

I have just received my book for Novembers read so excited will get started in the next few days. Love receiving books from gransnet

I think I can safely say I've not been lucky this time. At least if I buy it myself I won't have to rush to read and comment!

Annie, thanks for telling us about the interview on Womans Hour. Just in case anyone else wants to listen to it, I think it was on the 11th and not the 14th.

Downloaded the Kindle version today, thanks for the suggestion GN, always good to divert from my usual reading stuff

Thanks for my copy. It arrived while I was up in Aberdeen helping our 8 months pregnant DD move house. Looking forward to reading it.

CeeCee - hope you're feeling better today.

Thank you for my copy of hello from the Gillespies which arrived yesterday .