Kilchrenan Book Club: 2025 Reads Round-Up
23 October 2025
Hello from the Kilchrenan Book Club!
As the nights draw in and the mist rolls over the loch this morning as we write, there’s nothing better than curling up by the fire with a good story and a cup of something warm (and maybe a sweet treat!). We’ve been busy reading a mix of uplifting, mysterious and thought-provoking books over the past few months, and thought we’d share a few short reviews with our neighbours (and any curious readers further afield).
So, here’s what’s been keeping us reading and talking so far this year!
The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club by Faith Hogan
This one was always going to strike a chord with our group — after all, quite a few of our members can be found bobbing about in Loch Awe or jumping into Loch Etive from Kelly’s Pier! The story follows three women in an Irish coastal town who form an unlikely friendship, united by the simple joy (and shock!) of wild swimming. It’s heart-warming and hopeful, touching on love, loss, and the healing power of community, themes that felt very close to home.
It’s not high drama or heavy going, but that’s part of its charm. It’s about finding courage in small acts and friendship in unexpected places. Perfect for anyone who loves an easy-going read and a bit of sea air — even if just in spirit.
Book club member quote: “Do you remember that nasty nun.. I quite liked her character actually!”
The Christmas Train by David Baldacci
A completely different ride (pun intended)! This one’s a cosy, and at times romantic, adventure that takes place aboard a train crossing America just before Christmas. Think snowstorms, old flames, quirky fellow passengers and a dash of festive magic. It’s the sort of book that asks to be read with a mince pie in hand and a blanket round your knees.
We all agreed it was light, funny and full of seasonal charm. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need when it’s dark by four o’clock and the rain’s lashing the windows.
Book club member quote: “It’s like a feel-good film in book form”.
Dissolution by C.J. Sansom
From tinsel to Tudor England! This historical mystery, the first in Sansom’s Shardlake series, follows a lawyer-turned-detective during the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII. It’s dense with atmosphere — candlelight, cloisters, corruption — and has one of the most memorable sleuths in historical fiction.
A few of us loved losing ourselves in the detail of the period (and felt slightly smug about recognising bits of Latin from our schooldays), while others found it a tad long. But everyone agreed: it’s smart, intricate and thoroughly transportive. One for history buffs and mystery lovers alike.
Book club member quote: “Who knew medieval sexism and murder could be so gripping?!”
The Sea Detective by Mark Douglas-Home
We loved this one, and not just because it’s set on the west coast of Scotland! The novel introduces Cal McGill, an oceanographer who uses his knowledge of tides and currents to solve mysteries, including a haunting story involving two missing girls.
It’s atmospheric, intelligent and quietly emotional. The sea itself feels like a character: unpredictable, beautiful and sometimes cruel. We were delighted to find a Scottish crime novel that captures both the landscape and the people so well. Several of us have already gone on to read the rest of the series.
Book club member quote: “So good, I read it twice.”
The Outrun by Amy Liptrot
This memoir was especially moving for our group because one of our members recently moved to Kilchrenan from Orkney, and said Liptrot’s descriptions of island life, its fierce weather and fierce beauty, felt spot-on.
The book follows Amy’s return to Orkney after years of addiction and chaos in London, as she tries to rebuild her life surrounded by the wild sea, birds and wind-swept cliffs. It’s raw, poetic, and deeply human — the kind of book that makes you want to pull on a waterproof and head for the hills. We found it both humbling and hopeful, and it sparked a great chat about nature, recovery and belonging.
Book club member quote: “Truly inspiring story of one woman’s struggle with alcohol.”
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
If you haven’t yet met Ove (pronounced “Oo-veh”), you’re in for a treat. He’s a grumpy, lonely widower with a strict sense of order and a heart that slowly, quietly expands as he’s drawn into the lives of his quirky neighbours.
At first, we weren’t sure what to make of him — he’s not the easiest man to like! It’s a story about grief, kindness, and unexpected friendship, told with gentle humour and buckets of heart.
Book club member quote: “A bit slow and meandering for me- I like a good page-turner!”
And that’s a selection from our little bookshelf for the year so far- from Tudor intrigue to tidal mysteries, from Orkney cliffs to festive trains. If any of these sound tempting, you’re always welcome to join us at the next Kilchrenan Book Club meeting. Email hello@kilchrenanhall.co.uk for the WhatsApp link to get the details.
Until next time, happy reading!
