It’s time for the monthly What’s On your Bookshelf? link up .
I’m looking forward to you sharing what you’ve read at our monthly link up co-hosted with my friends Deb from Deb’s World, Donna from Retirement Reflections and Joanne Tracey – Author. Remember to check out what has been on their bookshelves as well.
The last month has been very hectic so I have been unable to indulge in my passion for reading. The two books I read were also long and could not be rushed but I would definitely recommend both to be added to your TBR pile.
I also have some exciting news to share with you from our Simply Stunning Book Club group which will follow my reviews.
Book Reviews What’s On Your Bookshelf? – May 2025
Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens – 5 stars
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens is well known and was chosen by Deb for our Simply Stunning Book Club Classics read for April/May. We all know the quote ‘Please sir, I want some more”, and yet, I don’t remember ever reading it as a child. I have vague memories of the stage musical and a movie but those memories are of a light hearted theme which the story of Oliver Twist is not.
Originally written in instalments for the Pickwick Papers in 1836, it also had the subtitle: The Parish Boys Progress. The first book was published in November 1838.
Charles Dickens wrote about Victorian social issues and Oliver Twist, set in 1830s in London and surrounds, tells the story of a boy born in a workhouse, to a dying mother. He is raised in the cruel world of state care and so begins his story.
I found this book difficult to read at times because of the way children in particular were treated. Yet, the brilliant writing and depth of characters drew me in. Charles Dickens was only 25 when he wrote the book but what insight into the Victorian era.
Oliver is shown to have a pure heart, despite his life which prompts us to look at Nature or Nurture. It is a book about Evil vs Good. Another character, Nancy, despite not being able to escape the life of domestic violence, prostitution and crime shows a character who tries to help Oliver escape her world regardless of the consequences.
It is a harsh reality to read and at times I found it overwhelming. These feelings reminded me of why Charles Dickens is such a wonderful writer. He takes the reader through the depths of despair of the poor, and uses sarcasm and humour to make fun of those who treat the poor with such disregard.
You might also like to read a recent book The Scent of Oranges by Kathy George which is about Nancy’s story. I reviewed it in a previous WOYBS? post.
The Flight of Gemma Hardy – Margot Livsey – 4 stars
I didn’t make the connection when I started reading The Flight of Gemma Hardy, that it was a modern take on Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. I was doing some diving down rabbit holes and came across this information. Óf course! I thought the story seemed vaguely familiar and then it all made sense.
Set in 1960s Scotland, orphan, Gemma Hardy goes to live with her uncle (her mother’s brother) in Scotland after the death of her mother and then her father an Icelandic fisherman.
Gemma is strong willed and yearns to reconnect with her family (if any still exist) in Iceland.
I enjoyed the book although some parts were a little slow and seemed repetitive. The characters probably lacked the depth of Jane and Mr Rochester, yet it held my interest until the end.
It’s a 4-stars from me and if you enjoyed Jane Eyre you will enjoy meeting Gemma Hardy
Stunners Classic Book Club – Exciting news!
Coming soon…
For the past four years the Simply Stunning Classic Book Club – Jo, Debbie, Donna and myself – have met regularly (sometimes monthly, sometimes less often) to discuss books. The books we read to discuss are classics – the clue is in the title. Some have been modern classics and some have been childhood classics, but everything we’ve read can be considered a classic for some reason.
We began by reading everything by the Bronte sisters, moved on to everything by Jane Austen and have branched out since then. These days we take it turnabout to select a book and have books by Dickens, Virginia Wolfe, Aldous Huxley, Evelyn Waugh and Oscar Wilde – to name a few.
Some we’ve all loved, and a couple we’ve all agreed we wouldn’t be re-reading them anytime soon. Some have split us down the middle, some we’ve appreciated only after we’ve talked about it, some have stayed with us long after the discussion was over. Some have been re-reads, some new reads, some glad-I’ve-read-it-but-never-again-reads. Repeatedly, we’ve found ourselves amazed at how current some of these themes are.
Here are the books we have read including our latest Wind in the Willows which is bringing back childhood memories for me.
One thing they all have in common is how they’ve sparked a good, robust discussion – not just about the books and the story, but the rabbit holes we find ourselves running down as we research the author, the history of the place and the time the book was written, and other fun facts. We have all learnt SO much – not just about the books we’ve read, but each other.
In a way it’s been like studying literature and history but without the exam and essay bits, learning without fear of judgement. I know that I always come away from our Book Club discussions with new perspectives and ideas I had never thought of when reading the book.
And now you’ll get to join us – virtually, that is. Beginning with our next book – Wind In The Willows by Kenneth Graham – we’ll be recording our Zoom sessions and publishing it as a podcast on Substack. We’d love for you to join us… you can subscribe here.
Podcast Guests – New Books
Two recent podcast episodes have been with authors of new books. Firstly, Judy Smith has debuted with her first novel ‘The Golden Years’ Glitch’ proving you are never to old to achieve your dream. The second book, The 9 Lives of Woman by Christine Maree Mason, is a fascinating read which would appeal to women of all ages.
You might also like to listen to the podcast episodes HERE
Dates for the Diary 2025
The What’s On Your Bookshelf? Link Up dates for 2025 are listed below. Make a note in your diary as a reminder as we would love to have you join us.
The link for What’s On Your Bookshelf (WOYBS) is open on the third Friday of each month at 8 am (AEST) – that makes it sometime on the third Thursday of each month if you’re in the northern hemisphere…
May 15/16
June 19/20
July 17/18
August 14/15
September 18/19
October 16/17
November 20/21
December 18/19
Happy reading and remember to pop over to read what books have been on my co-hosts shelves.
Deb from Deb’s World,
Donna from Retirement Reflections
Joanne Tracey – Author
28 Comments
I don’t think I’ve ever read Oliver Twist. My grandmother & and great-grandmother spent time in a poor house. I might find it too close to home to read.
Exciting about the opportunity to listen in to your meetings!
Oliver Twist was heart wrenching at times, Bernie so you would need to steel yourself or take breaks reading it. I’m glad I read it though. I kept comparing my grandsons’ lives to that of the children in Oliver’s time and just can’t imagine it. x
The Golden Years glitch sounds interesting. Big fan of Grandma Moses so sounds like this might be up my alley, mentally speaking.
Hi Lydia, The Golden Years Glitch is a fun book although it does have serious issues about starting over later in life. x
Nice idea to make a podcast of your book club books.
Hi Barbara, I will have to make sure I do my homework before our next book club meeting as it will be recorded! LOL 🙂 I’m looking forward to a new challenge. x
I remember reading Oliver Twist many, many years ago. I went through a phase of Charles Dickens. I wonder if I would still like him now. I love the Bronte sisters, Emily, in particular. I wrote a paper about her in school…such a fascinating yet tragic family.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Hi Marsha, our Classics book club members all agree that life experience changes perspective and we see the books in new light compared to when we read them in younger years. I’m going to England in September and hoping to visit the Bronte sisters Hayworth. x
Hi, Sue – I greatly enjoy reading your reviews. Your review of Oliver Twist is spot on. I haven’t (yet) read The Flight of Gemma Hardy, but your candid review piqued my curiosity. I greatly look forward to our next recorded book club discussion. I recently finished Wind in the Willows and will let it percolate for a bit. <3
Hi Donna, I loved The Wind in the Willows when I was younger and have just started reading it for book club. I will be interested to hear your thoughts. x
I haven’t read any of your books this month, but think I’d love The Flight of Gemma Hardy, so it’s now on my list. Your exciting news is very exciting. I look forward to your book club podcast. What a great idea.
I think you would enjoy Gemma Hardy, too, Jen. I was thinking of you as I read it. Hopefully the podcast will be well received but I will have to be on my game, that’s for sure! x
A great list, Sue – love how you’re delving into classics.
Hi Toni, I’m enjoying the classics. Reading ones I haven’t read before and revisiting others that I have. x
Great post Sue, I haven’t heard of the Gemma Hardy one so will add it to my list. Your review of Oliver Twist was fabulous!! Our exciting news makes me nervous the closer it gets :). Thanks for being a great co-host and for all your input.
I think you will enjoy Gemma Hardy, Deb and I will be interested to hear your thoughts now that you know that it is a modern take on Jane Eyre. x
The 9 Lives of Women is going on the TBR list!
I hope you find it interesting, Olivia x
Ooh exciting podcast news! I’ve signed up and look forward to hearing about your book chats
Thanks, Janine. I’m looking forward to a new challenge with the Book Club. x
I know the story of Oliver Twist well, but I don’t think I ever read it – or at least I don’t think I finished it! I do like Dickens’ writing and haven’t read all of his books. So many classics that I haven’t read!
I thought I had read it Kym, but like many classics I found I hadn’t. x
I may well revisit Oliver Twist. I feel I know the story so well, but I haven’t read the book in decades. I missed the linkup unfortunately as I was late to publish this month’s book post.
Hi Gail, like many classics I thought I had read Oliver Twist and discovered I hadn’t. Hopefully you can join us next month as I always enjoy your reviews. x
Great review and that podcast sounds interesting. I follow a few bookish podcasts, but haven’t listened in awhile. Too busy listening to audiobooks…haha
Hi Kirstin, yes life does get busy and I don’t listen to many podcasts myself these days. I’m looking forward sharing our book club discussions in this format. xx
Would love to join in your reading and sharing of the Wind in the Willow. When will the discussion or podcast be available? We are headed out of town on Thursday for a week. Wonder how quickly I could read the book. I am not a fast reader at all, though. So excited to hopefully join you in the near future if not this month.
Pinned the Gemma book for consideration with my book club. Love the cover. And I do tend to judge books by their covers!!
Hi Leslie, we are having a book club meeting next week so I assume the podcast episode will air soon after that. Jo is leading this so I’m sure we will get more details to share soon. x