Retro Reads discussion

Abigail wrote: "Stay safe, Susan and all those in the path of the storm!"

Thank you, dearest!

Ding, ding, ding!

There's a Book Bub deal on Saratoga Trunk today (Saturday, January 15).
Just grabbed it, since I (to my shame) have never actually read any Ferber--though I've seen the movies.

Susan in NC wrote: "And, finally, thank you, thank you, to Carol for setting all this up, I think this will be a highlight of my reading year - not just the books I’m reading, but the experiences of GR friends, it’s l..."

Another Susan in NC seconds that emotion.

Susan in NC wrote: "Terrific review, I read that one last year for the first time, while listening to the wonderful Emilia Fox narration, and I absolutely agree - exciting, entertaining, audacious, but not to..."

Happy book memories ;0)


Carolien wrote: "Book #1 Death in the Andamans
4 stars
I really enjoyed this one, solid plot and characters, but the setting is unusual. My review is here: https://..."

Really want to try this one. Well, let’s face it, I’d like to read most of the book pool...

And yes, the Furrowed Middlebrow website is so tempting.

Susan wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "And, finally, thank you, thank you, to Carol for setting all this up, I think this will be a highlight of my reading year - not just the books I’m reading, but the experiences o..."

👋🏻 Hi, neighbor!

I think I have updated everything - let me know if I have missed anyone out!

Hope the engagement events all went well, Carol!

Hear, hear🥳

Susan in NC wrote: "Hear, hear🥳"

I've answered you both in the Idle Chatter thread! :)

Thanks!

#17 - Katy Lou
Book # 2 - Demelza by Winston Graham- 4 Stars

Great read, I really love Demelza and her good impulses. Of course I am now hooked on this series and plan to read the rest leisurely during the rest of the year. I doubt it will take me until December to finish these.

Katy wrote: "#17 - Katy Lou
Book # 2 - Demelza by Winston Graham- 4 Stars

Great read, I really love Demelza and her good impulses. Of course I am now hooked on this series and pla..."

I will definitely read the third one this year. :)

#5 --Barb in Maryland
Just reporting in, as I haven't read anything yet. My first attempt (I shall not name the book) turned out to be the Wrong Book for me at this time. Besides which, the print in the paperback the library had was tiny, thus adding to my reading woes. I have great hopes for my second attempt. Stay tuned...

Susan wrote: "Ding, ding, ding!

There's a Book Bub deal on Saratoga Trunk today (Saturday, January 15).
Just grabbed it, since I (to my shame) have never actually read any Ferber--though I've se..."

Susan, I have just started Saratoga Trunk and I have to say I am disappointed in Ferber's descriptions of the African American characters. I take into consideration the times in which a novel is written and I know Ferber was not racist. However, you and others in the thread might feel differently. Just a heads up!

PS: For your first Ferber I suggest So Big or my favorite Giant

Barb in Maryland wrote: "#5 --Barb in Maryland
Just reporting in, as I haven't read anything yet. My first attempt (I shall not name the book) turned out to be the Wrong Book for me at this time, Besides which, the print i..."

Good luck, Barb - small print is a scourge! I’ve requested large print versions of two of MM Kaye’s “Death in…” books. So please my library happened to have them!

Thanks, Cindy, for the recommendations, good to know.

CindySR#snowday! wrote: "Susan wrote: "Ding, ding, ding!

There's a Book Bub deal on Saratoga Trunk today (Saturday, January 15).
Just grabbed it, since I (to my shame) have never actually read any Ferber--..."

I enjoyed So Big last year which is why I want to read Saratoga Trunk. Thanks for the heads up, Cindy. I might rather go for Giant based on your recommendation.

#17 Katy Lou
Book #3 The Woods In Winter by Stella Gibbons

Read on my Kindle in a late night sitting. A curious story that is a wonderful description of an odd set of characters. 4-stars.

Glad you enjoyed it, Katy Lou! So did I (though I can’t count it here in the book pool because I stole a march in 2022 and read it in December). I thought the author really sustained the characters well, and the central figure never lost interest for me.

#17 Kathy Lou
Book # 4
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
5-stars
Great reading, what an adventure!

Katy wrote: "#17 Kathy Lou
Book # 4
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
5-stars
Great reading, what an adventure!"

Glad you enjoyed it Katy!

Wow, plowing ahead, Kathy Lou! Four down already! I’m only on my second.

Katy wrote: "#17 Kathy Lou
Book # 4
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
5-stars
Great reading, what an adventure!"

Glad you enjoyed it, Katy! I’d add it to my TBR, but it is so cold here in NC right now, I don’t think I could handle it - maybe this summer! ;)

#9 Jenn

Book 1: The Woods in Winter - I'm always down for reading more Stella Gibbons! It's nice that's there's so much readily available these days, as opposed to just CCF - which was the case when I first read that one and immediately wanted more!

I did quite enjoy this one and think that Ivy is such a dynamic and memorable character.

Jenn, I haven't read Cold Comfort Farm, but after reading The Woods In Winter I have added CCF to my reading list.

Jenn wrote: "#9 Jenn

Book 1: The Woods in Winter - I'm always down for reading more Stella Gibbons! It's nice that's there's so much readily available these days, as opposed to j..."

You're on the board now Jenn!

#15
Welp, I finally finished Saratoga Trunk by Edna Ferber. Here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

CindySR#tsundoku wrote: "Welp, I finally finished Saratoga Trunk by Edna Ferber. Here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Hi Cindy
Added your book.

Next time could you tell me what number you are (you are number #15) & what number read it is? It's just a double check to make it easier for me to keep track. :)

OOPS! Sorry! Won't forget from now on!

CindySR#tsundoku wrote: "OOPS! Sorry! Won't forget from now on!"

No worries!

I’m glad you enjoyed The Woods in Winter, Jenn! Ivy is indeed an interesting character, and I was impressed with how Gibbons sustained her voice throughout. I found the book oddly suspenseful, constantly expecting the forces of conformity to crush her.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "CindySR#tsundoku wrote: "Welp, I finally finished Saratoga Trunk by Edna Ferber. Here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Hi Cindy
Added your book.

Next time could you ..."

Quick question, Carol, I’m currently reading Death in the Andamans, which wasn’t one of my five, but I read a fellow member’s review, and it sounded very appealing, and my library had it, so, do I come back and post here? If I just refer to the title, is that enough? Or do we not count books we read from other member’s lists? Thanks!

We count every book we read in the book pool.
There is no obligation to read any book.
There is no obligation to finish a book, but an abandoned read won't be counted. :)

Yes, we count any book from the pool that we read, not just our own.

Great, thanks, ladies, that’s what I thought! Just wanted to be sure! ;)

#3, Susan in NC

Read Death in the Andamans by M.M. Kaye

Not one of my choices, but so much fun, enjoyable suspenseful vibe, fabulous, exotic (warm!) location, interesting characters - 4 stars

Here’s a link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Hope I did that one right, Carol - stay safe and warm, everyone in the “bomb cyclone” of snow heading to New England- curl up with a good book about warm, tropical places! ;)

#2 here (I always feel like a heavy out of the TV series The Prisoner when I say that!):

I’ve read my 2nd book from the pool, Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

#1
Book 2 Lonely Road by Nevil Shute. Finished 30/1. This book has an unusual (experimental) start & a hero who was very unlikeable at the beginning, but by the end I couldn't put it down. Shute is such a gifted writer. 5★

Susan in NC wrote: "Hope I did that one right, Carol - stay safe and warm, everyone in the “bomb cyclone” of snow heading to New England- curl up with a good book about warm, tropical places! ;)"

Entered your book & Abigail's.

Susan, if you could just enter what number read it is as well? If I get behind it will make it easier for me to keep track. :)

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Hope I did that one right, Carol - stay safe and warm, everyone in the “bomb cyclone” of snow heading to New England- curl up with a good book about warm, tropical places! ;)"

..."

Sure! It was my third read from the pool (but not one of my five, but I guess that doesn’t matter!)

#5 Barb in Maryland

Book #1 Death in the Andamans by MM Kaye

Even though this isn't one of my favorites among the author's romantic suspense/murder mysteries, I enjoyed the book. I did roll my eyes a bit at all the gothic doom and gloom atmosphere, but it wasn't enough to put me off the book.
I give it 3.5 stars. Review to come.
And here's the review link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Katy wrote: "Jenn, I haven't read Cold Comfort Farm, but after reading The Woods In Winter I have added CCF to my reading list."

It's definitely different than this one - funnier and more broad - but it's one of my all-time favorites, so I hope you enjoy it when you get to it!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "You're on the board now Jenn!.."

Great, thank you! I've already started my next one and am eyeing quite a few others (which might even sneak in before I've finished this one). I'm really enjoying this and seeing what everyone else go for, so glad that this idea was brought to the group!

Abigail wrote: "I’m glad you enjoyed The Woods in Winter, Jenn! Ivy is indeed an interesting character, and I was impressed with how Gibbons sustained her voice throughout. I found the book oddly suspenseful, cons..."

Yes, I'm so glad she maintained her ways, right up until the end. I do think it would've been fun to see Ivy interacting with those hippies!

Barb in Maryland wrote: "#5 Barb in Maryland

Book #1 Death in the Andamans by MM Kaye

Even though this isn't one of my favorites among the author's romantic suspense/m..."

Entered your book Barb.

Barb in Maryland wrote: "#5 Barb in Maryland

Book #1--Death in the Andamans
Not my favorite of MM Kaye's romantic suspense/murder mysteries. However, it was pleasant enough and kept me turning the pages. 3.5..."

Great minds…;)

#9 Jenn

Book 2: Suds in Your Eye

This was a hoot - and a bit bawdier than I expected! I've already purchased ebooks of the other titles in the series and look forward to more adventures (and vast more quantities of beer consumed) of these ladies!

Jenn wrote: "#9 Jenn

Book 2: Suds in Your Eye

This was a hoot - and a bit bawdier than I expected! I've already purchased ebooks of the other titles in the series and look forward to more advent..."
The description on GR sounds really good!

Added to your total, Jenn!

Jenn wrote: "#9 Jenn

Book 2: Suds in Your Eye

This was a hoot - and a bit bawdier than I expected! I've already purchased ebooks of the other titles in the series and look forward to more advent..."

I learned about this one from my mother and grandmother. I’m sure they let me read it as a kid, but probably parts of it went over my head. 😄

Jenn wrote: "#9 Jenn

Book 2: Suds in Your Eye

"
So I have this reserved at my library but it's a play based on this book :

Suds in your eye : a comedy / by Jack Kirkland, based on the novel by Mary Lasswell.

It's all I could get, I hope it's very similar.