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The Reading Group
The Reading Group
Author: Elizabeth Noble
What starts out as a lark of an idea, born from a glass of wine and a need to socialize, turns into a forum for five very different women who walk complicated paths--but soon discover the power and importance of friendship.
ISBN-13: 9780739455401
ISBN-10: 0739455400
Publication Date: 2002
Pages: 429
Rating:
  • Currently 3.2/5 Stars.
 6

3.2 stars, based on 6 ratings
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The Reading Group on
Helpful Score: 10
I was disappointed with how little focus there was on the books they read and the monthly discussion. You could hardly even tell who said what in those meetings, the dialogue was often not assigned to a character (like with "Harriet said" or "Clare pointed out"). It seemed like the author threw the books and meetings in as an afterthought. "Oh crap, I guess they better actually read a book or two considering the title!"

I was also annoyed with how much the author 'tortured' her characters. Everyone went through agonizing dilemma after agonizing dilemma. We hear about the book-of-the-month for a page or two, then we get 30 pages about how they deal with their dilemma. When the next month came along... rinse, repeat. It got so angsty I got bored. They made so many stupid choices I couldn't care about the characters. You'd think that a book called "The Reading Group" would have more focus on the meetings, you know, maybe a few good *reading group* scenes. Apparently logic failed there.

There was one thing I liked about the book... the British phrases and words. They're why I even bothered to finish reading. But they're no reason to start reading.
reviewed The Reading Group on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
Quick, engaging read. It's not really a book about a reading group, but more of a book about the lives of a few interesting women.
reviewed The Reading Group on + 37 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
engrossing story of 5 british women who are in a book club. Their lives intersect in interesting ways. And a bonus...their book discussions suggested several books that I would like to read or reread.
reviewed The Reading Group on + 49 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
This book follows 5 people that are in a reading group. Each chapter starts out with the book that they read in a month with a short summary. The rest of the chapter follows the friends and their lives. The books that they have read for the month are also intertwined with their lives. This book made me want to check out some of the books that they read.I enjoyed the way these friends' lives changed during the book.
reviewed The Reading Group on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
One of the best female bonding books I've read in a long time. Smarter than your average "chick lit," too!
Read All 62 Book Reviews of "The Reading Group"

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reviewed The Reading Group on + 391 more book reviews
WoW What an awesome book-This novel follows the lives of woman whose own lives begin to mirror their book choices.
reviewed The Reading Group on + 13 more book reviews
A very enjoyable light read about a reading group in England.
reviewed The Reading Group on + 32 more book reviews
The story of five women's lives over the course of a year as they meet monthly to read and discuss books. Good story!
StacyJ avatar reviewed The Reading Group on + 87 more book reviews
Loved it! Made me want to start a reading group of my own.


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