Bibliomaniac's Book Club: February's Read **Extra**

FEBRUARY'S BIBLIOMANIA IS FOR 

CLAIRE FULLER

Here is an **EXTRA** bit of Bibliomania:

An *EXCLUSIVE* interview with Claire Fuller where she talks about both of her books.

Synopsis for Swimming Lessons: 

Ingrid Coleman writes letters to her husband, Gil, about the truth of their marriage, but instead of giving them to him, she hides them in the thousands of books he has collected over the years. When Ingrid has written her final letter she disappears from a Dorset beach, leaving behind her beautiful but dilapidated house by the sea, her husband, and her two daughters, Flora and Nan.

Twelve years later, Gil thinks he sees Ingrid from a bookshop window, but he’s getting older and this unlikely sighting is chalked up to senility. Flora, who has never believed her mother drowned, returns home to care for her father and to try to finally discover what happened to Ingrid. But what Flora doesn’t realize is that the answers to her questions are hidden in the books that surround her. Scandalous and whip-smart, Swimming Lessons holds the Coleman family up to the light, exposing the mysterious truths of a passionate and troubled marriage.

Synopsis for Our Endless Days:

1976: Peggy Hillcoat is eight. She spends her summer camping with her father, playing her beloved record of The Railway Children and listening to her mother's grand piano, but her pretty life is about to change.

Her survivalist father, who has been stockpiling provisions for the end which is surely coming soon, takes her from London to a cabin in a remote European forest. There he tells Peggy the rest of the world has disappeared.

Her life is reduced to a piano which makes music but no sound, a forest where all that grows is a means of survival. And a tiny wooden hut that is Everything.

Hi Claire and welcome again to Bibliomaniac's Book Club. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions on both of your novels. It's a real privilege to be able to ask you so much about "Swimming Lessons" and "Our Endless Numbered Days". 

(These questions have been written with a book group discussion about the similarities and differences between them in mind.)

Both books are set in the past – what appeals to you about writing in another decade? Is there anything you have to take into consideration when writing in the past? Is the level of research the same for someone who might set their book in a more distant past?

With my first book I made Peggy about my age, which meant that her story had to start in the mid 1970s. Also, I wanted her and father to survive in the forest undiscovered for many years, and I don’t think that would be possible today with modern technology. So for practical reasons it needed to be set in the recent past. 

And because I don’t plan my books, I just start writing, the same thing happened with Swimming Lessons. I started writing about an old man on a windy beach with his dog, and then realised I wanted to back to his earlier life, so again I ended up in the 1970s without really planning for that to happen. 

I’m sure there’s a lot more research to be done with books set in the more distant past. 

Both books centre around the relationship between a father and a daughter – and a mother and a daughter. What appeals to you about writing about this dynamic?

Again, both those things happened without me planning them. But family dynamics are always interesting. 

Both your books have explored families that are dysfunctional. Which family did you find easier to write about? 

A difficult question! I don’t think either family was more difficult than the other. Just different. 

Both books use locations which are removed or isolated (the forest and the sea). Are there any other themes or motifs that you think appear in both books?

That was deliberate. With Our Endless Numbered Days, the location needed to be isolated, but with Swimming Lessons, it was more that I wanted to write about nature again, rather than needing where they lived to be remote. Both books perhaps use nature as a force that the characters have to work with or overcome – Peggy with the forest, and Ingrid with the sea. And both books are about disappearances. But in Our Endless Numbered Days the story stays with the disappeared, whereas in Swimming Lessons it follows the left-behind. 

Imagination, memory, communication, being lost and the truth are key themes in both books. Can you think of any examples of each of these ideas in both novels?

I'm not going to answer this one because it would probably run to a couple of pages! But it would be a great one for a book group to discuss! 

Repeated metaphors and images are also used as effectively in both titles. Can you find any examples or find your favourite image in both books?

A favourite in Our Endless Numbered Days are the lists. James makes them on bits of paper and then on the walls of the cabin, each becoming more disturbed as he unravels. And then Peggy writes a list of the things she has missed, most of which is food. You can’t beat a list in a book!

And I do like the little toy soldier in Swimming Lessons, which represents Ingrid for Flora. I took my children to the beach a lot when they were children and my son had many little plastic soldiers that he would take with him to play with and my daughter would steal to put in her beach flower gardens. We must have lost so many soldiers in the sand. I wonder if the one Flora finds is actually one of ours?

What was the main difference between writing a debut and writing a second novel?

Expectation. I wrote my second novel before Our Endless Numbered Days had been published, so I had no idea of the reception it would receive, but I did know it had been bought by an imprint of Penguin. Of course I wanted my second novel to also be bought, but no idea if it would. The first did come much easier than the second, where I went down a lot of blind alleys and had to delete a lot of writing as I went along.

Thanks so much Claire - really interesting answers and also  - as an English Teacher!- it's fascinating to hear about how much is deliberate, planned or just emerges more organically in an author's writing. 

If you would like to read more about Claire's novels then the following links will take you to my other relevant blog posts: 

Swimming Lessons: A Reading List
Bibliomaniac's Book Club: February Read "Swimming Lessons"
Bibliomaniac's Book Club: Our Endless Numbered Days

If you would like to find out more about Claire then you can follow her on Twitter @ClaireFuller2 or via her website https://clairefuller.co.uk

You can follow me @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacuk) 

Bibliomaniac's Book Club: February's Read (PaperWeight)

FEBRUARY'S BIBLIOMANIA IS FOR 

CLAIRE FULLER

SWIMMING LESSONS by CLAIRE FULLER was published on 

26th January by Fig Tree (Penguin)

What is it about?

Gil's wife, Ingrid has been missing, presumed drowned, for twelve years. Believing to have spotted her from afar, Gil chases after her but unfortunately this results in him injuring himself which brings his daughters Nan and Flora back home to his side. As they care for him, they begin to confront the mystery surrounding their mother and her disappearance. And the answers lie in all the books around them that clutter up the shelves, hallway and practically any available space in the house.

To read my full review of "Swimming Lessons" please click on the following link:
Bibliomaniac's Review of Swimming Lessons

Swimming Lessons: Questions

• Whose story is it? 

• What do you think about the title? Is it the best title for the book? 

• What did you think about the Epilogue? Is it needed? Is it effective?

• What does the fact that the title of the books in which the letters are hidden is included at the end of each section add to the novel? What does it reveal about the characters and their relationship?

• There are lots of themes in the book which are contrasting - the most obvious being hope and grief.  How many others can you think of? Which theme did you engage in the most and why?

• What did you make of the relationship between the two sisters Nan and Flora? Was it convincing? Which sister did you feel more empathy for and why?

• Gil says "Fiction is about readers. Without readers there is no point in books and therefore they are as important as the author, perhaps more important. But often the only way to see what a reader thought, how they lived when they were reading, is to examine what they left behind." What do you think about this quote? 

• Gil regrets that he didn't tell Ingrid that he loved her more. Would this have changed the outcome of the story? Does this regret affect your sympathy towards his character?

• What did you make of the relationship between Ingrid, Flora and Nan? And the relationship between Gil, Flora and Nan?

• Which event in Ingrid's life do you think had the most impact on her or most affected her? 

Where could you hold your book group for Swimming Lessons?

• A swimming pool / a changing rooms at the swimming pool
• maybe a luxury, private pool would be more pleasant - oh, maybe a spa day is needed?!
• A library or a second hand bookshop 
• A cafe 
• Behind the bike sheds 

What could you serve?

• Pots of tea and teacakes 
• Lucozade and a Mars Bar (isn't that what everyone has after a swim?!)

What props could you use to start a conversation about "Swimming Lessons"?

• A yellow daffodil (wooden) 
• A bicycle lock 
• A book from a second hand book shop - preferably with a dedication / name or notes in....!
• Swimming membership card / Swimsuit 
• A pen and an envelope 
• A library card, a receipt, a parking ticket, a train ticket........anything that might have been used as a bookmark and 'left' behind
• A book which is referred to in the text (see Swimming Lessons: A Reading List )

Other things you could discuss:

If you were going to hide a letter to someone in a book, which book would you choose and why?

Are there any books from the list that Ingrid used to hide a letter inside that you now think you'd like to read? (Swimming Lessons: A Reading List )

Gil enjoys looking at what people wrote or doodled inside the margins or on the pages of books. What do you think - should you write in a book or not? Do you make notes in a book or not?

Have you ever found anything inside a book? Have you ever left anything inside a book? 

Gil and Ingrid's initial letter writing is very romantic and Ingrid begins by writing a prophecy about their future. Write your own letter to your future self, yourself as a child, to your children or partner about what the future may hold for them. 

The line "what's the worst thing that could happen?" is repeated a lot in the novel. What are your thoughts about having this attitude to life and decision making? 

If you liked this book and want to read similar novels try:

To read a few more interviews with Claire Fuller click on the links below:

Claire Fuller: **Extra Interview**
An Interview with Claire Fuller


CLAIRE FULLER



Claire Fuller trained as a sculptor before working in marketing for many years. In 2013 she completed an MA in Creative Writing, and wrote her first novel, Our Endless Numbered Days. It was published in the UK by Penguin, in the US by Tin House, in Canada by House of Anansi and bought for translation in 15 other countries. Our Endless Numbered Days won the 2015 Desmond Elliott prize. 

http://www.clairefuller.co.uk

ClaireFuller2

Click here to read my review of Our Endless Numbered Days and Bibliomaniac's Book Club discussion of Our Endless Numbered Days 

Bibliomaniac's Book Club: Our Endless Numbered Days
Bibliomaniac's Review of Our Endless Numbered Days

For more reviews and recommendations for Book Groups you can follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacuk)

Bibliomaniac's Book Club: February Read (PaperLight)

FEBRUARY'S BIBLIOMANIA IS FOR 

AYISHA MALIK

SOFIA KHAN IS NOT OBLIGED 

 published by Bonnier Zaffre in January 2016

What is it about?

"Brilliant idea! Excellent! Muslim dating? Well, I had no idea you were allowed to date.' Then he leaned towards me and looked at me sympathetically. 'Are your parents quite disappointed?'

Unlucky in love once again after her possible-marriage-partner-to-be proves a little too close to his parents, Sofia Khan is ready to renounce men for good. Or at least she was, until her boss persuades her to write a tell-all expose about the Muslim dating scene.

As her woes become her work, Sofia must lean on the support of her brilliant friends, baffled colleagues and baffling parents as she goes in search of stories for her book. In amongst the marriage-crazy relatives, racist tube passengers and decidedly odd online daters, could there be a a lingering possibility that she might just be falling in love . . . ?

Click here to watch a clip of Ayisha reading the opening chapter from Sofia Khan

To read my full review please click here:

Bibliomaniac's Review of Sofia Khan is not Obliged

Sofia Khan is not Obliged: Questions

Watch this video of Ayisha chatting about why she wanted to write Sofia Khan, what sort of heroine she wanted Sofia to be and what she hoped readers would take away from her novel. Have a chat about anything that strikes you or you find interesting........

You Tube Video of Ayisha Malik talking about Sofia 

How did you find Sofia as a character? Did you like her? Relate to her? Sympathise with her?  Malik wanted to create a "character who readers would fall in love with and would perhaps stop that immediate link between Muslim and terrorists in people's minds". Did you fall in love with Sofia? 

The book opens with a quote from Sofia's blog: "Yes, I'm Muslim, Please Get Over It." Did you get over it? How much is this a book about being Muslim and how much is this a book about being a young woman in today's society? 

Malik uses a lot of extracts from blogs, emails and diaries. Did this work for you? 

"Some people like shopping, some people like therapy, I happen to like praying." How did you find this aspect of Sofia's character? How does this element add both comedy, empathy and depth to the novel?

"Yes, that scarf thing." Sofia's hijab is frequently referred throughout the novel and often becomes a point of discussion or contention within her own family as well as her wider community. Apart from the obvious, what else is it being used to symbolise? 

"Yes, I'd like to be known for writing that one awful book that had to be edited to within an inch of its life." What sort of insight does Malik offer into the world of publishing and the office staff she works with?

"Fresh", "Funny", "Groundbreaking", "Snort diet coke out of the nostrils funny" have all been used to describe this book. Which one word would you use to sum up this novel? 

This is a book about dating. Have you ever gone on a blind date, gone speed dating or joined an online dating agency? 

This book has been compared to Bridget Jones. Would you agree?

Have a chat about how the theme of love is presented in this novel. 

Have a chat about some of the other themes explored in this book: parenting, expectations, pressure, family, friendship, death.......

Extras: 

Below is a link to a You Tube clip featuring an interview with Ayisha Malik: 

You Tube Video Clip: Ayisha Malik on What's it like to be a Muslim Woman

Where to hold your book group for Sofia Khan is not Obliged:

• Someone's front room 
• In the corner of an office 

What could you serve?

• Lemon Puffs
• Chocolate digestives 
• Coffee 
• Diet Coke 

What props could you use to start a conversation about title?

• A flyer for a dating agency or some dating profiles - or write your own!! 
• A packet of biscuits 
• vintage shoes 
• cigarettes

Quotes to start a conversation with:

“I wanted women to come across as strong, not oppressed just because they wear a headscarf, not oppressed just because they choose to follow a certain belief system. The women I know aren’t downtrodden. It gets kind of nauseating when you have to read that over and over again. And I wanted them to be relatable characters despite their ethnic or cultural or religious origin.” Ayisha Malik

"Do you really think you'll find someone who adores you as much as I do?"

"Terrorists don't wear vintage shoes, you ignorant wanker!" 

"After I'd explained about common Asian practice, not only did I feel like a black sheep, but I would have quite like to be a sheep. Sheep are not judged." 

"Emma asks a lot of questions. I find this to be a problem. Not the questions, per se, just the assumption that I have the answers. I'm not an anthropologist." 

If you liked this book and want to read similar novels try:

• Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding 
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

For more articles about Ayisha and more interviews with her about her writing, please click on the links below:

Article on Dating from the Huffington Post by Ayisha Malik

Article from WHSmith Blog on fresh talent about Ayisha Malik
Article from Buzzfeed about what writing means to Female Muslim Authors

AYISHA MALIK 



Ayisha is a British Muslim, lifelong Londoner, and lover of books. She read English Literature and went on to complete an MA in Creative Writing (though told most of her family it was an MA in English Literature – Creative Writing is not a subject, after all.) She has spent various spells teaching, photocopying, volunteering, being a publicist and a managing editor at Cornerstones Literary Agency.

Ayisha was one of WH Smith's Fresh Talent picks, Winter 2016.

Twitter @Ayisha_Malik

twenty7books.co.uk

AND DON"T FORGET TO LOOK OUT FOR AYISHA'S SECOND BOOK COMING IN APRIL 2017!



Sofia Khan is just married. But no-one told her life was going to be this way . . .

Her living situation is in dire straits, her husband Conall is distant, and his annoyingly attractive colleague is ringing all sorts of alarm bells.

When her mother forces them into a belated wedding ceremony (elopement: you can run, but you can't hide), Sofia wonders if it might be a chance to bring them together. But when it forces Conall to confess his darkest secret, it might just tear them apart.

A book to make you smile, laugh and cry, this is the story of a mixed-race marriage and a mixed-up family, for anyone who's ever struggled to balance their pride with their principles, or stuck around to try to mend a broken heart



To find out more about Bibliomaniac's Book Club and further recommendations and reviews please follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacuk)

To find out about Bibliomaniac's February PaperWeight read please click here:

"Dare to Remember" by Susanna Beard

Reeling from a brutal attack that leaves her best friend dead and her badly injured, Lisa Fulbrook flees to the countryside to recuperate. With only vague memories of the event, she isolates herself from her friends and family, content to spend her days wandering the hills with her dog, Riley.

However, Lisa is soon plagued, not only by vivid flashbacks, but questions, too: how did their assailant know them? Why were they attacked? And what really happened that night?

As she desperately tries to piece together the memories, Lisa realises that there's another truth still hidden to her, a truth she can't escape from. A truth that may have been right in front of her all along.

I think there are a few words in the book blurb above (courtesy of Goodreads) that really capture the essence of this novel: brutal, plagued, desperate and inescapable. This novel is about a character who is terribly traumatised, falling further into depression each day as she tries to remember the real events from that evening and tries to understand how she can overcome the devastating loss of her best friend.

To me, this didn't feel like a conventional psychological thriller even though it is almost entirely a novel about the mental, emotional and psychological state of the protagonist. To me, this felt like an exploration of what it means to survive a tragic event; of what it means to suffer colossal mental anguish and what happens when you have witnessed a crime and yet have no memory of it. This is a novel that focuses on the internal journey of a character rather than the action of the criminal events they have physically been through.

Lisa wakes up in hospital; injured, confused, distressed and without any real memory of the events leading up to why she is there. Odd pieces of the jigsaw have fallen into place but large chunks remain missing. The importance of remembering what happened to Lisa and her best friend is for Lisa's own sense of sanity as much as for the prosecution.

"By the time the rest came back, it was too late to tell the police; the verdict had been handed down and the sentence passed." 

But Lisa's life will never be the same. She walks away from the flat her and her friend Ali shared, from the carefree life they led and their innocent life centred around having fun and "kicking back".

"She never went back to the flat. Her previous life was reduced to a small bag of belongings. Lisa shoved it, unopened, under the bed." 

Beard is able to convey the intensity of Lisa's feelings, the oppression of her anxiety and the all consuming distress she feels every single minute of her days. The narration may be in third person, but we are kept very close to Lisa and Beard is able to evoke atmosphere and tension through her well written prose.

"She would have stayed longer, but the silent pressure from her mother, the unformed questions, felt like an ever present weight on her shoulders. She was jumpy and bad-tempered. She couldn't confide in anyone for fear of making those around her even more worried." 

Beard's descriptions on panic attacks, flashbacks, glimpses of memories and adverse reactions to sounds or certain objects are effective if not unbearably intense and relentless. Despite the advice of her psychotherapist and her mother, Lisa keeps herself hidden away in isolation, knowing that even in December "The malevolent spirit of her nightmares has no respect for Christmas."

Although the mystery and tension surrounding what really happened on that fateful night isn't fully disclosed until the very end of the book (and Beard maintains a satisfying degree of suspense until the last minute) it probably won't shock or surprise many readers. However that isn't Beard's goal - or at least I don't think it is. She uses characters like the psychotherapist to explore the emotional turmoil and psychological distress from which Lisa is suffering and uses things like the "Restorative Justice" scheme to look at different ways of confronting her emotions. Beard is obviously fascinated by the work of psychotherapists and the conversations between Lisa and her therapist were very authentic and convincing. I think "Dare to Remember" travels an interesting line between being a book about mental illness and the judicial system and a novel about a murder.

There is a lot of exposition in this book and there are a lot of quite dense passages. At times the scenes are quite oppressive and harrowing. The role of Lisa's neighbour is also full of tragedy and violence; there is very little respite amongst these pages. It is interesting to watch the dynamics between them and how these two women learn to help each other but it does make for quite a weighty plot and raises several complex issues.

However there is a lot of wisdom hidden in these pages which reflects Beard's sensitivity and ability to avoid sensationalism when portraying domestic violence, depression and anxiety in her characters. In this debut, Beard has shown us that she can definitely write good prose and that she is capable of writing a book which manages complex issues.

If you are interested in the mind of the victim as much as the killer, then this will be the book for you. If you like a novel when you get completely inside the head of the main character and cannot help but become involved in their pain and anguish, then you will enjoy this. It's not a long read and you will keep turning the pages, but perhaps not because of the reasons you originally thought.

"Dare to Remember" is Susanna Beard's debut novel and is out on the 1st February 2017 with Legend Press.

For more recommendations and reviews please follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacuk)