Books to read this month
Hello book lovers! We’re thrilled to invite you to our online book club. This is a place where you can come together with like-minded individuals to share your love of books, engage in lively discussions, and expand your reading horizons. Whether you’re a voracious reader or just starting to develop a passion for books, you’re sure to find something you love here.
We’ll be reading a variety of genres and authors, from classic literature to contemporary bestsellers. Each month, we’ll select a book for everyone to read, and then come together for a virtual chat with the author or a discussion about the book. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends, explore new books, and deepen your appreciation for the written word.
So what are you waiting for? Grab a good book, join us, and let’s get started!
You can join in the live chat about Lessons in Chemistry on Goldster, and join unlimited live classes for just £3 per month for the first 3 months. Find out more here
Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Named as one of the must-reads of 2022, it’s easy to see why Apple TV has snapped up the rights to Lessons In Chemistry. Original and refreshing, Elizabeth Zott is one of those singular unforgettable characters you don’t come across often enough in fiction. She’s a 1960s woman who wants to unlock the secrets of life through chemistry. While she can understand chemical reactions, she hasn’t a clue about office politics or why people react the way they do to her – yet she finds a kindred spirit in Nobel-nominated Calvin Evans.
Elizabeth finds herself tossed out of university for not toeing the line, and somehow finds herself the star of a TV cooking show where she teaches her mostly female audience about the chemistry of food and self-determination – not settling for the status quo where women are underpaid, undervalued and underappreciated.
Witty and dark, it’s both a breath of fresh air and a reminder of how much still has to change for true equality.
9/10
Book Club Live Event
Join Lucinda Hawksley for a fun and lively chat about our book of the month, “Lessons in Chemistry” on Goldster. Mark your calendars for the 24th of February at 12pm and get ready for an exciting discussion about this fantastic read.
The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell
Set in Victorian London, this Gothic mystery novel sees Jenny Wilcox navigate tragedy, betrayal, dubious moral choices, and whispers of a mysterious mythical muse. The young woman, struggling to support her family, has her life turned upside down after she is hired by the wife of a West End theatre owner, to spy on their lead actress. Life seems to imitate art at The Mercury, a theatre specialising in tragic plays – and she had no idea what she was signing up for. Eerie throughout and surprisingly gory at times, this book is not for the fainthearted. Bursting with vibrant, believable characters and imagery that makes you feel like you’re there, the story will stay with you long after you put the book down.
8/10
The Sanctuary by Emma Haughton
Zoey first enters The Sanctuary against her will. While the initial plot focuses on Zoey and revealing the reasons why she has been brought there, the story develops to reveal a killer is on the loose – increasing the sense of remoteness even further. This descriptive novel will take you through a whirlwind of emotions. Who is telling the truth? What is going on behind closed doors? An exciting read that’ll keep you guessing, The Sanctuary reels you in with beautiful descriptions of this remote location, where you realise a lot more is going on than meets the eye. With many interesting characters to unpick, it is hard to know who you can trust. Despite this, the novel includes some really heart-warming scenes too, breaking up the mystery and sense of dread. This was a gripping read that was difficult to put down.
8/10
