Let’s talk about books… and why reviews matter

What an exciting week for the Books at 60 reviewers! Following his wonderful review of Muddy Boots and Silk Stockings, John Reid received the following:

Thanks very much, John Reid, for mentioning my book on the Women’s Land Army in Bedfordshire, England, [“We wouldn’t Have Missed it for the World”] in one of your recent reviews of fiction, “Muddy Boots & Silk Stockings”.

                How did you come across my book in Australia?

                Best wishes

 Stuart Antrobus               
British Women’s Land Army Historian, Bedford, England

John and Stuart have corresponded further as obviously they share a common interest. This just goes to show firstly how far Starts at 60 reaches and secondly the power of reviews, or for that matter the written word. A book review in Australia on Starts at 60 reaches someone on the other side of the world – well done John.

Then another of our reviewers, Karen Jones, couldn’t wait to share her new book purchases, some financed by book vouchers from Dymocks – these are so appreciated throughout our community and by our reviewers. What do you think of Karen’s choices?

In the photo is  All the Light We Cannot See. Vivienne Beddoe reviewed this novel when it was released, some months before it won the Pulitzer Prize. Last month my “real world” book club read it and for the first time any of us could remember (and some of us have been members for many years) everyone enjoyed/loved this book. Interestingly, we still managed to have some spirited discussion – proof of the saying, no two people ever read the same book.

After the beauty and history of last week’s featured library, I thought we might have a look at a rather more modern library this week. Zaha Hadid’s Library and Learning Center in Vienna is a complete contrast to the magnificence of Admont Abbey Library in Austria, but to my eye, it has its own magnificence; I love the juxtaposition of curved and angular line.

Can you imagine the wonder of future generations when they look at this building? In much the same way as we look at ancient monuments, they will marvel that someone could design this awesome building to house books!

Do you know a beautiful library we can share?

Happy reading everyone

Karen and the Books at 60 Team

Join the Starts at 60 Book Club for more great reading recommendations!