Welcome to my reviews for the Library Lookout. This is where we will look at the books I read with my local library Book Club. Look out for the title above.
We have read a real mix, but most of them I have struggled with. Howevere I can’t wait to share these with you.
Here is the book I joined on and the most recent book.
See you by the Lookout when it opens soon.
Xxx
Library Reading Group issue 1
Months/Year: December 2025
‘All the World’s a Stage…’
William Shakespeare
24th September 2026
Hi my fellow players,
I want to show you my new bookshelf, where I get to add a few books at a time. However, as you can see here, I have only placed one so far, it was just so I can introduce the new shelf to you and it gets it’s moment in the spotlight. Normally there will be two-three snap shots in each issue.
As I mentioned a little while back I have struggled with a lot of the books, but I still want to share them with you because we have had such a wide range of authors and genres. Some of my reviews are super short so you can dip in and out. Just to warn you there may be a crossover with both the Book Club pages and the Series Sofa. If I have enjoyed, or am reading my way through a Series I simply place them on the coffee table for you to peruse if you wish. I will share my thoughts on each one on there.
At this reading group we meet on the first Saturday of each month. It’s a lovely group of people in Dorchester Library and Learning Centre. It feels a brilliant space to share our thoughts on books that are a complete box of chocolates, we never know what we will get. We look at the cover and like to have a go about what it may be like, but we have no idea what it will throw at us. Its always a mystery because it is also hidden behind a white piece of paper with my name on. I love being part of this Jackpot.
However, the first couple of books may have started out strong acting contenders, whilst reading and listening though, they quickly became understudies for me.
Coming straight out to take the first bow is Booth by Karen Joy Fowler
Author: Karen Joy Fowler
Book cover
Did it have an audiobook?
Yes. Here the audiobook info.
Narrator: January LaVoy
Audiobook length: 13 hours, 44 minutes (unabridged)
Started: 22nd November 2025
Finished: 4th December 2025
Reading stars: **
Reading ease: 1/5
Enjoyment level: 1/5
Reading formats: Audiobook/paperback
Genre: Historical fiction
First published: 1st March 2022
Original language: English
Pages: 480
Would I recommend? I wish I could have been able to say yes. However, the length of this got to me. It was particularly wordy with a very cramped writing style. It was hard working out what was real history and was fiction. I wanted to be able to recommend this because I love my Shakespeare but Booth was so hard.
Key quote –
‘Is that what real acting is, the moment you stop pretending? And if so, can a person ever be sure, even offstage, even in the parlour of his own house, that he isn’t simply acting a part? All the word’s a stage etc, etc. you don’t have to be the son of a Shakespearean actor to have such thoughts.’
A quote about Edwin
My quick – fire thoughts
The Shakespeare quotes is what kept me going on this book. Also the fact that it was the first in the Library Reading Group. If it wasn’t for both those things, I would have given up and put it on my Did Not Finish pile. I do not like it when this happens so I refuse to give up if I get passed the halfway mark. I found it so hard to follow and stay focused.
I will not be reading an encore. I think we all found Booth a struggle. I would be interested to find out what you think if you have braved the tempest winds.
Our next issue will cover three months of reads.
I take my bow with grace, the ink in my quill is running low.
I hope you have enjoyed this, let me know.
Yours,
Hatty
