The results of our traditional end of year poll were unveiled at our annual seasonal celebration, this year at Dosa Kingdom on Boundary Road, Portslade on Thursday 5th December 2024
Favourite read
1. The Buddha of Suburbia (1990) by Hanif Kureishi (Nigel)
2. Mr Loverman by Bernardine Evaristo (Roland)
3. Pop. 1280 (1964) by Jim Thompson (Nigel)
Super-Infinite - The Transformations of John Donne (2022) by Katherine Rundell (Nick)
The Vegetarian (2007) by Han Kang (Tristan)
Time Shelter (2020) by Georgi Gospodinov (Hamish)
A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry (Robin)
Madame Bovary (1857) by Gustave Flaubert (Roland)
A Winter Book - Selected Stories (2006) by Tove Jansson (Robin)
Lullaby (2002) by Chuck Palahniuk (Keith)
Favourite music
1. Spellbound: The Collection (2015) by Siouxsie & the Banshees (Keith)
2. Asylum Years (1986) by Tom Waits (Nigel)
3. Hard Steppin' (2009) by Ikebe Shakedown (Roland)
Tavener Metaphysical: a short introduction to John Tavener playlist (Nick)
Jackie The Album compilation (2007) by Various Artists (Nigel)
Wary + Strange (2021) by Amythyst Kiah (Roland)
Robin’s Irish Rebellion playlist (Robin)
The British Stereo Collective - Iniquitous (2024) (Hamish)
Transphormer (2004) by Alter Ego (Tristan)
Ágætis byrjun (1999) by Sigur Rós (Robin)
Favourite watch
1. Clockwork Orange (1971) directed by Stanley Kubrick (Nigel)
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) dir by Michel Gondry (Hamish)
3. Oppenheimer (2023) directed by Christopher Nolan (Nick)
The Babadook (2014) dir by Jennifer Kent (Keith)
Double Indemnity (1944) dir by Howard Hawk (Nigel) Mr Loverman (BBC adaptation) (Roland)
The Skin I Live In (2011) directed by Pedro Almodovar (Tristan)
The Thing (1982) directed by John Carpenter (Robin)
Leaving (2009) directed by Catherine Corsini (Roland)
The Wind That Shakes The Barley dir by Ken Loach (Robin)
Favourite theme
1. Let’s Get (Meta)physical (Nick)
2. Spellbound (Keith)
3. England in the Seventies (Nigel)
Noir (Nigel)
Infidelity (Roland)
Ireland (Robin)
Metamorphosis (aka disturbing things made by those pesky foreigners) (Tristan)
Passing (Roland)
Somewhat Chilly (Robin)
Best book you read in 2024 (could be a Book Group choice or something else)?
NB: Street-Level Superstar: A Year With Lawrence by Will Hodgkinson
NS: Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan
RF: Mr Loverman
KH: A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
TR: The Ministry of the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson
RM: Girl, Women, Other by Bernadine Evaristo '
HW: Revolutionary Spirit by Paul Simpson
Memorable 2024 HBG moments
NB: The cycle ride is all I can think of, certainly nothing to rival Roland’s neighbour in 2023. Thoroughly enjoyable year though with some great choices.
NS: Always the ride to the top of the big hill
RF: Roland’s cosy home
RM: Nigel's conversion to Jazz, funk and soul
Best thing about Book Group in 2024
NB: The continuity and each and every one of you
NS: A good standard, good contributions, always done in good time
RF: We’re growing old together but still feeling young
TR: Continuing impeccable organisation
RM: The imminent death of key word playlists. High quality selections.
HW: The fun, the camaraderie and having the diary dates in place for 2029
What defined 2024 for you (news item, something personal etc.)?
NB: No alcohol for the first time since I was 14, dancing regularly, and the end of 13 years of Tory misrule
NS: Probably end up being Trump. Hang on, I quit my job!
RF: Well there’s a thing!
TR: Eben being in Thailand all year. Living vicariously
RM: Embracing older age
How do we make Book Group even better?
NB: Maintain the high standards of 2024 coz we surely can’t raise the bar any higher
NS: We were meant to do a walk
RF: No improvements necessary
TR: For end of year poll, go back to a Google form or email cos WhatsApp is useless
RM: Impossible. Stick to the formula that already works and has kept it going for nearly 20 years.
What else do you want to say?
NB: Don’t go changing
NS: That is all
RF: Thank you Nigel you’re bloody gorgeous
KH: HBG - you guys! Keep up the good work
TR: I thought the book choices this year were all of a very high standard. Wish I could say the same about the music (looking at you, Jackie)
RM: It is a privilege to be part of such a stimulating and thoughtful group. Thanks to all
NB:
ALBUMS OF THE YEAR - Jamie XX, The Cure, The The
SONG OF THE YEAR - Zero T - The Technique
GIGS OF THE YEAR - Ezra Collective / Kneecap / Olivia Dean at Love Supreme
CULTURAL HAPPENINGS OF THE YEAR (best of the rest - books, TV, films, festivals etc) - Love Supreme Festival 2024
RF:
SONGS OF THE YEAR
How long by sugar daddy (just heard it on Huey Morgan)
GIGS OF THE YEAR (Taylor swift, saw doctors, Billy Bragg at resident)
TR:
Bob Vylan at Rockaway
Idles at Glastonbury
Kneecap at Mutations
Black Octopus (club night)
