Expelliarmus!

A very select group met at Chez Gerrard to discuss Harry Potter last night - Jean, Lisa, Jonathan and myself. Poor Andrea thought it had been changed to next week and so missed out on a discussion of one of her favourite books. You'll have to put your views on the blog, Andi.

What did we think of the book? Well, slightly disappointing after the previous ones and awkward in parts as J K Rowling tried to tie up all the loose ends from the previous six books. Lots of favourite characters played only bit parts in this last volume and others were lost in the last great fight (poor Dobby). It was quite biblical in parts - sacrifice, redemption, love triumphant - hmm.

Still, she's a great story-teller and hurtles the reader along at a rattling pace. Not only has she got children reading again - and using their imagination - but she has a fan club of adults, too, who evidently like their stories to have a high moral tone, want to know that good will always triumph over evil and somewhere along the way, will have fun with all the fairytale characters of centaurs, wizards, giants, and so on. Ah, but can we believe in a middle-aged fatherly Harry???

We all gave the book 8, and I hear from our member on sick leave that she would give it 9. It would be interesting to know what the rest of you made of the book (if indeed you read it).

Our next book will, as you know, be Taken for a Ride by Neil Roland. As it's set in Didsbury, Jonathan thought it would be good for us to have our next reading group meeting at the restaurant named in it "Jem & I". Jean has recommended the place and has kindly volunteered (after some pressure) to organise for us on Thursday 11th October - tatto the date on your right arm and keep a sharp lookout for Jean's message as she informs us that she doesn't get much time to look at her emails.

Then, rather than having a poety - or even poetry - evening in November, Jonathan suggested (yes, he was in good form again) a literary talk at Waterstones followed by cocktails at Panacea which he will organise. (He was very James Bondish last night, wearing a very lovely shirt obviously made by some well known designer and drinking vodka martinis).

And for Christmas A Suitable Boy at The Market if our darling Andi can arrange that for us.

And for January - oh yes, Christmas is on the way, dears, mince pies are on sale in Asda and white haired men up and down the country are fattening themselves ready for a season in the grotto at Debenhams - we shall have The Number 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith.

Nanny x