Kelston Boys' High School

44,560 pages read and 3,263 team points

Team members

A Basingstoke Boy

3,641 pts

(2,680 pages read)

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny

By Kiran Desai

5 stars

While only a fraction past halfway, this is a must read and a poignant re-introduction to Karin Desai, two decades from "The Innocence of Loss". My colleague's review is a fine summary of the characterisation and themes.
Saraswati

By Gurnaik Johal.

4 stars

This is a powerful novel in its worldwide dimension and coverage of diaspora. It is intensive in presenting its specific and broader subject - a river and its source for everything - water. Its complexity is demanding upon the reader. A novel I feel I should re-read with a deeper understanding of beliefs and faiths of the characters presented. A challenge I am prepared to accept
The Land in Winter.

By Andrew Miller

5 stars

Brutal, at times, as it backdrops - the harsh, relentless English winter of 1962 / 1963 - Andrew Miller's "The Land in Winter" deserves its award for historical fiction and its place in the 2025 Booker Prize shortlist. It evoked memories as a child of the important events and images as the lives of doctor Eric and his wife Irene, farmer Bill and his wife Rita lose their previous patterns and become entangled and impacted by their contacts, their pasts and the savage weather in increasing measures. There are, they are, casualties. Their resolve is challenged. Sixty-plus years on it is a highlight.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

By Taylor Jenkins Reid

4 stars

An interesting read. Sufficient variety in approach to sustain interest.
Chinese Cinderella

By Adeline Yen Mah

3 stars

Worth reading.
Sole Survivor

By Maurice Gee

3 stars

Reflective of the third generation of this trilogy. A sense of accomplishment in its completion.
Meg

By Maurice Gee

4 stars

As a Westie, I appreciated the depiction of Loomis and its place in C20th Auckland.
He'll Be OK

By Celia Lashlie.

4 stars

The discussion of twenty, even ten, years may have dissipated, however it rekindles so much of current relevance, for another generation to read.
Plumb

By Maurice Gee

4 stars

The elements of the "tour de force" it was regarded, when published nearly fifty years ago were obvious.

16 - 0 - 1

Add pages read

Kelston Boys' High School

44,560 pages read and 3,263 team points

Team members

adam

Chelsea

Sarah V

A Basingstoke Boy

RebeccaD

Lisa

SophieL

Naseemun

Makiko

JMO

Dave

Miss Chris

jaz

Jake

Kathleen

Leilani Heather

A Basingstoke Boy

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny

Saraswati

The Land in Winter.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

Chinese Cinderella

Sole Survivor

Meg

He'll Be OK

Plumb

Kelston Boys' High School

44,560 pages read and 3,263 team points

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