South Manchester Book Group

We're a friendly and open reading group, and we share a love of books and discussing them with other people. We meet every fortnight, but you don't have to come to them all. It's dead simple; choose a book you like the sound of, read it (or even part of it) beforehand and turn up with a few ideas and money for beer / wine / flirtinis. It's very informal, and we're quite a friendly bunch.

We meet at a pub in Didsbury around 8 pm. We can usually be found on the table with the books and flirtinis.

We've become rather popular recently so unfortunately aren't accepting new members just at the moment. But please drop us a line on the Contact Us form and we'll add you to our mailing list.

Our reading list, past, present, and future, appears here and a short version of what we’re reading next is here.

Book Reviews

The Lifeboat — 14 March 2013

Just finished The Lifeboat ! What a fantastic book.

I've always dreamed of tossing in a boat full of seamen ...


The Master and Margarita — 28 March 2013

Just finished The Master and Margarita ! What a fantastic book.

I've always dreamed of tossing in a boat full of seamen ...


The King in Yellow — 3 April 2013

Just finished The King in Yellow ! What a fantastic book.

I've always dreamed of tossing in a boat full of seamen ...


Sea Glass — 11 April 2013

Just finished Sea Glass ! What a fantastic book.

I've always dreamed of tossing in a boat full of seamen ...


Royal Flash — 21 November 2013

Just finished Royal Flash ! What a fantastic book.

I've always had an interest in flashing.


Necessary Lies — 19 December 2013

Just finished Necessary Lies ! What a fantastic book.

I can't wait for Santa to come down my chimney.


The Demolished Man — 14 May 2014

Just finished The Demolished Man ! What a fantastic book.

I've always dreamed of tossing in a boat full of seamen ...


Ragnarok — 23 May 2014

Just finished Ragnarok ! What a fantastic book.

I would have posted this earlier, however I was helping a naval friend of mine procure a quality boat that would enable him to manoeuvre other vessels. This proved unexpectedly difficult, and was very frustrating for my naval friend. However I finally located one.

Yes, I gave the captain a good tug and now he's very happy.


Flowers for the Judge — 5 June 2014

Just finished Flowers for the Judge ! What a fantastic book.

I nearly didn't have time either. I was on board helping the ships cook load the galley ready for tonight's meal, a delicious chicken casserole. Unfortunately the galley door jammed shut, and this upset the cook.

However, after I stuffed my cock through his porthole he was very happy.


The Shining — 14 August 2014

Just finished The Shining ! What a fantastic book.

I nearly didn't have time either, what with my recent journey by coal fired ship to the capital of New South Wales.

Yes, I've spent all week steaming into Sydney.


Child 44 — 14 July 2016

Just finished Child 44 ! What a fantastic book.

I nearly didn't have time either. My friend the captain needed help with the rope mooring his ship, and also wanted me to replace all of the tapering spar attached to ship's mast to spread the head of a square sail.

Yes, I tugged on his cable and then took his full yard.


Slade House — 7 November 2016

Just finished Slade House ! What a fantastic book !

I nearly didn't have time either. My friend the captain was very upset as he'd nearly collided with the pier due to some rusty navigation aids. However he was a lot happier after he watched me rub oil into some buoys and then buff them up afterwards.

I've always dreamed of tossing in a boat full of seamen.


Golden Hill — 16 December 2016

Just finished Golden Hill ! What a fantastic book !

I nearly didn't have time either as I've been looking for the perfect spa bath. It's an extremely difficult decision, as it depends on so many factors. Apparently the key things to consider are the depth of water, its temperature, and mineral content.

I prefer 12 inches hot and hard.


The Plot Against America — 23 February 2017

Just finished The Plot Against America ! What a fantastic book !

I nearly didn't have time either as I'd been at the local Highland Games.

I was admiring the contestants in the caber competition, and had a go at tossing one or two myself.


The Information Officer — 23 March 2017

Just finished The Information Officer ! What a fantastic book !

I nearly didn't have time either as I was meeting a bird-watching friend. There wasn't much to look at, but he was eventually able to show me twelve finches.

I've always dreamed of tossing in a boat full of seamen.


Emil and the Detectives — 6 April 2017

Just finished Emil and the Detectives ! What a fantastic book !

I nearly didn't have time either as I was meeting my bird-watching friend who has some interesting birds in the thicket. He keeps a young chicken, but tells me there are also wild breeds there. I can't wait to see his woodcock, poulet, and swallow.

I've always dreamed of tossing in a boat full of seamen.


I, Robot — 20 April 2017

Just finished I, Robot ! What a fantastic book !

I nearly didn't have time either, after a very embarrassing incident. I was visiting my friend the captain on his new ship. It turns out what he said was actually “All hands on deck”.

I must get my hearing tested ...


The Last King of Scotland — 30 November 2017

Just finished The Last King of Scotland ! What a fantastic book !

I nearly didn't have time either as I was talking to my friend the captain. He was telling me he's just been on a sailing course in Poole.

‘In Dorset ?’ I asked him, and he said he'd recommend it to anyone.

I've always dreamed of tossing in a boat full of seamen.


The Maltese Falcon — 14 December 2017

Just finished The Maltese Falcon ! What a fantastic book !

I nearly didn't have time either as my ship's mast had snapped in two during some nautical activities. My friend the captain said I should get a more substantial one and then take it myself to the ship yard to have it fitted. Unfortunately the new mast was too big to fit in the hold. It was all very upsetting. However, after a bit of work we were able to lash it onto the aftermost upper deck of my ship.

Yes, with a big hard mast in my poop deck I'm a lot happier.

I've always dreamed of tossing in a boat full of seamen.


Northern Lights — 17 May 2018

Just finished Northern Lights ! What a fantastic book !

I nearly didn't have time either as I needed to pick up some buoys for various upcoming nautical activities. Unfortunately my back had gone due to some previous nautical activities. It was all very upsetting.

Fortunately my friend the captain had some lifting gear installed on each end of four girders in his ship. Unfortunately I had nothing to put it in to take it back to my ship. Fortunately I was able to transport it back to my vessel using the on-board cask used to hold a day's drinking water.

Yes, once I got his eight winches in my scuttlebutt I was a lot happier.

I've always dreamed of tossing in a boat full of seamen.


Homecoming — 31 May 2018

Just finished Homecoming ! What a fantastic book !

I nearly didn't have time either as I have been helping my friend the captain who's just got a new jobs as a EU fisheries inspector. It's hard work and involves picking up Spanish fishermen and inspecting their fish nets for irregular size tackle.

I've always dreamed of tossing in a boat full of seamen.


The Secret Speech — 14 June 2018

Just finished The Secret Speech ! What a fantastic book !

I nearly didn't have time either as my formal dining wear had become stained during some nautical activities. Luckily I was able to pop down to the laundry for a quick tumble and to put some starch in my dickie.

I've always dreamed of tossing in a boat full of seamen.


Never Let Me Go — 26 July 2018

Just finished Never Let Me Go ! What a fantastic book !

I nearly didn't have time either as I've been busy learning about the latest cheese production methods. Last night's demonstration was how to put a strong blue vein in Caerphilly.

I've always dreamed of tossing in a boat full of seamen.


Cat's Cradle — 9 August 2018

Just finished Cat's Cradle ! What a fantastic book !

I nearly didn't have time either as it's been election time here on the high seas. I was very keen to hear what the candidates had to say but unfortunately missed the hustings when I was last in port due to some nautical activities.

Fortunately my friend the captain said he'd bring his MP onboard so I could listen to his policies. However I was up in the crow's nest at the time, so the MP had to climb up to speak to me. Unfortunately as he was doing so he got stuck in the hole in the mast platform through which he had to pass in order to get to the crow's nest and so had to be helped through by my friend the captain. It was all very upsetting.

Yes, I was a lot happier once he'd managed to get his member through my lubber's hole.

I've always dreamed of tossing in a boat full of seamen.


Under the Frog — 23 August 2018

Just finished Under the Frog ! What a fantastic book !

I nearly didn't have time either as I've been looking after the local port whilst my friend the Harbour Master is away.

Unfortunately the last ship to arrive had considerable difficulty in getting alongside the wharf so as to be able to move all the goods it was carrying onto the wharf. It was all very upsetting, and the ship's hold was eventually emptied.

Yes, I was a lot happier once he'd managed to unload his cargo into my receipt and storage area after a particularly long and hard docking.

I've always dreamed of tossing in a boat full of seamen.