The Marble Collector by Cecelia Ahern will be featured on the Radio 2 Book Club on Monday 14 December.
The book was selected with the help of a panel made up of Reading Agency and library staff from across the UK.
We have 5 reading group sets (10 copies in each) available to win – just take a look at our Noticeboard.
Read an exclusive extract from The Marble Collector and take a look at these discussion questions for your reading group.
The Marble Collector
A forgotten childhood. A discovered life.
What if you only had one day to find out who you really were?
When Sabrina Boggs stumbles upon a mysterious collection of her father’s possessions, she discovers a truth where she never knew there was a lie. The familiar man she grew up with is suddenly a stranger to her.
An unexpected break in her monotonous daily routine leaves her just one day to unlock the secrets of the man she thought she knew. A day that unearths memories, stories and people she never knew existed. A day that changes her and those around her forever.
The Marble Collector is a thought-provoking novel about how the most ordinary decisions we make can have the most extraordinary consequences for how we live our lives. And how sometimes it’s only by shining on a light on someone else, that you can truly understand yourself.
Selection panel review
Our reading panel of staff from The Reading Agency and public library staff really enjoyed The Marble Collector – here are some of their comments:
“Beautifully written story of a daughter’s search to uncover the hidden life of her Father, whilst he is recovering from a stroke. At times emotionally challenging, exploring the fear of ridicule her father felt because of his love of marbles, the book presents a heart-warming story of a child trying to understand her Father and come to terms with the fact that all parents and individuals often hide behind a ‘mask’ in order to confirm to society’s ‘norms’. Highly recommended read.”
“This was an engaging read and I learned a lot about marbles! The story itself was intriguing but also compelling. There were lots of interesting dynamics – father-daughter, mother-daughter, mother-son and husband-wife. It was the story of an emotionally restrained family.”
“Fergus’s story is rather sweet, sad and moving…The denouement I found charming. In a Notebook-sort-of-way it was uplifting and warming, and instantly made me think that there will be a film adaptation not long in the making.”
About the author
Before embarking on her writing career, Cecelia Ahern completed a degree in journalism and media studies. Her first novel, PS, I Love You was a number one bestseller. Her successive bestselling novels are Where Rainbows End, If You Could See Me Now, A Place Called Here, Thanks for the Memories, The Gift and The Book of Tomorrow. In 2008 Cecelia won the award for Best New Writer at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards. Cecelia lives in County Dublin.
A word from Cecelia
“I’m honoured and excited that my latest book, The Marble Collector, has been chosen for the Radio 2 Book Club. This is a novel about family, identity and the secret parts of ourselves that we hide from others, and I hope that all of the Radio 2 listeners will connect with the ideas behind the book. I’m delighted to have the support of The Reading Agency too and knowing that my book will reach even more readers through their reading groups and libraries means so much to me. I hope you enjoy this book and I look forward to hear the discussions around it in December.”
Get involved
Tune in to Simon Mayo’s Drivetime show on Monday 14 December to hear a live interview with Cecelia Ahern talking about her book.
Win 10 copies of The Marble Collector for your reading group – we have 5 sets to give away!
Have you read The Marble Collector or any other books by Cecelia Ahern? You can share your thoughts with us on Twitter, or post a review. You can also follow author Cecelia Ahern on Twitter.
Want to find out more? Take a look at the Radio 2 Book Club Twitter feed or find out more on the Radio 2 Book Club website.
