Teesdale u3a

See Calendar for dates of meetings.

We aim to read and discuss a variety of genres and literary forms. We have recently read short stories (Jane Gardam), biography (Leonora Carrington by Joanna Moorhead), as well as novels. We favour those works that make us think, give us good discussion, challenge our prejudices – about literature and more besides – and take us into new territory.

We rate our books on a scale of 1-5 on the basis of would we recommend them to others, though we also think about how good they are in terms of provoking interest and discussion. Each of us chooses the monthly book in turn and leads the discussion of their chosen work. A report about our meeting appears in the Forum.

Currently we are about eight in total and that seems to us the optimum number for a book group, any more and it is difficult for everyone to contribute. We have had attendances of three and that too is good, because there is the opportunity for depth and considering comparative work and authors.

We also have some laughs.

Recent novels we have read with their ratings are:
Slow Horses by Mick Herron (3.5)
Mr Pip by Lloyd Jones (3.5 with a 5 for its discussibility for book groups)
The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes (2.5)
Days Without End by Sean Barry (4)

Latest Group Reports

• Good Description, But ....
  The Glassmaker by Tracey Chevalier This novel by the author of Girl with a Pearl Earring has an unusual structure in that it features the same individuals of a family but places them in different time periods set over about 500 years. The conceit is that time within Venice and its lagoon ‘slips’ as a… Read more: Good Description, But ....
• July 2026 - My Cousin Rachel
  This novel is set in Cornwall and Italy in 19th century and is a story of intrigue, suspense, naivety and romance, dishonesty, manipulation and punishment. Du Maurier, in the first chapter, skilfully unfolds the misery and mystery of our protagonist, Philip’s, forthcoming future. Philip is brought up in an all-male household by a kind but misogynistic… Read more: July 2026 - My Cousin Rachel
• June 2026 - Reading in Bed by Sue Gee
  One of the (several) joys of a reading group is that you are introduced to books that you wouldn’t otherwise have read. Another is that even books you don’t particularly care for can generate stimulating and enjoyable discussion, and for that reason alone it may be worth persisting with a book which you might otherwise… Read more: June 2026 - Reading in Bed by Sue Gee
• April 2026 - Precipice by Robert Harris
  This remarkable novel opens in the summer of 1914 and documents the true story of an affair between Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith and Venetia Stanley, a rich young aristocrat to whom he wrote as many as three letters a day.  Astonishingly, given their highly confidential content, all of Asquith’s letters on which the book… Read more: April 2026 - Precipice by Robert Harris
• April 2026 - Report by Kate Bailey
  This month's book "Show don't tell" was a lively collection of short stories by a relatively unknown (in the UK) American author, Curtis Sittenfeld.  Her earlier book "American Wife", based loosely on the life of Barbara Bush, was a best seller and these short stories similarly reflect Sittenfeld's apparent obsession with mid-life, college educated and… Read more: April 2026 - Report by Kate Bailey