Thursday Night – Its Book Club

Its Thursday night, will I be watching Wolf Hall (new period Tudor drama on BBC for my US readers – Damien Lewis as Henry VIII), relaxing with my book on the settee maybe with a cheeky glass of red, enjoying a challenging conversation with my wife? No it is that once every six-month occurrence, the Book Club at our house. When I worked away this did not bother me too much, I simply came home a little later. Now however I am exiled to the kitchen table while the half a dozen members discuss the latest book. It is no great hardship though, particularly as I know that this group has been meeting for nearly fifteen years during which time they have discussed well in excess of one hundred books. Also I will get slipped a glass of wine, and one of the high quality cookies that are always purchased for this evening.

It was the same when I stayed with my sister and brother-in-law in London. Again once every six months or so the men were exiled to the kitchen. Here the compensation was more rewarding, as the club seemed to have a competitive nibbles thing going on. There was always an excess of the most interesting snacks to tidy-up afterwards.

I am now into the subject of book clubs, which are I think a wonderful idea, but my experience and actual research finds them to be generally formed of the fairer sex. Indeed the only male club I have come across exists only in fiction. Those of you who read the DI Tom Caton detective books by Bill Rogers will know that his club, meeting in a pub, where else, features highly. Drink, pubs, books would seem a good combination, would however the more macho culture be more embarrassed at being seen in drinking with books, I think not. Perhaps it is a challenge for my retirement.

Well this is a divide of the sexes, in the same way that Marion pointed out the diploma that I have now been accepted on in the autumn will be. She said that there would not be many women, if any, studying for a diploma in Railway History. If I am honest Marion is probably right. Still I was finally accepted today for the next academic year. I am looking forward to receiving my student card and qualifying for lots of discounts. I only need to join the forces and I will have the full Monty!!!

Well time to crack some wine I think in my lonely sojourn!!!!!