Retro Reads discussion

I have entered your books Abigail & Cindy.

I have just read my 6th book, Ice Station Zebra which was good in parts, but got bogged down by too many characters & peacock-like mutual admiring from some of the main characters. 3.5★ Finished 26/3

#4

Book #3 Dear Hugo
4 stars

I saw Abigail and Jackie raving about it, so decided to take a quick look and then ended up reading the whole thing. I can see the influence of DE Stevenson, but loved the setting and the characters.

#5

Book #3--An Episode of Sparrows by Rumer Godden.

It was wonderful! Godden had such a clear, unsentimental way with her young characters and she was so accepting of the adults (and all their foibles).
A 4 star read for me.

Barb in Maryland wrote: "#5

Book #3--An Episode of Sparrows by Rumer Godden.

It was wonderful! Godden had such a clear, unsentimental way with her young characters..."

Added your books Carolien & Barb.

Godden is indeed wonderful.

Barb in Maryland wrote: "#5

Book #3--An Episode of Sparrows by Rumer Godden.

It was wonderful! Godden had such a clear, unsentimental way with her young characters..."

This is next on my list, so glad to see you enjoyed it!

Lookit you go, Carol—6 books already!

Barb in Maryland wrote: "#5

Book #3--An Episode of Sparrows by Rumer Godden.

It was wonderful! Godden had such a clear, unsentimental way with her young characters..."

I think this will be my next one too. I loved Kingfishers Catch Fire and have been meaning to read this one for ages.

Abigail wrote: "Lookit you go, Carol—6 books already!"

Ha, I'm a tigress!

:-D

#2 Abigail

Checking in with my 5th book, Bramton Wick by Elizabeth Fair. I liked this book pretty well but could see the awkwardnesses of a first effort at novel-writing. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

BTW, I am so grateful for this group and for the book pool! The past month I’ve been undertaking a series of difficult, challenging reads, and being able to trade them off with these more lighthearted British comedies of rural life has been a godsend! Discovering new-to-me authors and informally sharing our experiences of reading them has been such a pleasure.

Abigail wrote: "#2 Abigail

Checking in with my 5th book, Bramton Wick by Elizabeth Fair. I liked this book pretty well but could see the awkwardnesses of a first effort at novel-writing. My review..."

Added this book to your tally, Abigail.
I know I haven't been asking about this, but could everyone who does star ratings note down their star rating in their post please.

Oh, sorry! I gave Bramton Wick three stars, maybe trending toward 3.5.

#1 Book 7

The Outsiders For a short book this took me a long time to read. Amazing ending but for me it was bleak & depressing. 3.5★ Finished 31/3.

It sounds pretty bleak from the description!

#8
Book 1.
Tom's Midnight Garden / Philippa Pearce
Finished 04/01/2022
Rating: 4 stars
I really enjoyed this book, both the story and the writing. When things got tense and exciting it made you read 'breathlessly'. I hope I can find more of her books to read.

I was going to embark on my rather large choice, Roots / Alex Haley, but now enticed by Barb in Maryland"s review of Godden's An Episode of Sparrows I'm thinking this will be next.

Lesley wrote: "#8
Book 1.
Tom's Midnight Garden / Philippa Pearce
Finished 04/01/2022
Rating: 4 stars
I really enjoyed this book, both the story and the writing. When things got tens..."

That is a lovely book.
Well, I’m going to try to read a couple more this month. Just found a copy of Auntie Mame and The Stone of Chastity :0)

#16 with a Q1 update. I have not not read any of the pool books yet, but have recently started One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Slowly Down the Ganges, so if all goes well will be on the board soon.

In addition to my own five picks, I have identified 9 other books from the list which I intend to read during 2022.

I have read 60/150 books for 2022 thus far.

60 books and it’s only the beginning of April? You are quite the reader, Wayne!

Wayne wrote: "#16 with a Q1 update. I have not not read any of the pool books yet, but have recently started One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Slowly Down the Ganges, so if all goes ..."

Go, Wayne! Look forward to your thoughts on both books, I’ve not read them.

Veronique wrote: "Lesley wrote: "#8
Book 1.
Tom's Midnight Garden / Philippa Pearce
Finished 04/01/2022
Rating: 4 stars
I really enjoyed this book, both the story and the writing. When ..."

Hope you enjoy Auntie Mame, Veronique! I can’t speak for Stone of Chastity, but that’s on my TBR list.

Abigail wrote: "60 books and it’s only the beginning of April? You are quite the reader, Wayne!"

I am having a good run at the moment Abigail.

Susan in NC wrote: "Wayne wrote: "#16 with a Q1 update. I have not not read any of the pool books yet, but have recently started One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Slowly Down the Ganges, s..."

Nearing the end of Ken Kesey's exposure of the fine line between in/sanity and therapy/terrorphy and quite enjoying it. Just started Mr. Newby's trip down the Ganges and already chuckling at his dry humorous narration.

Wayne wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Wayne wrote: "#16 with a Q1 update. I have not not read any of the pool books yet, but have recently started One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and [book:Slowly Down t..."

Sounds like a good balance of books to read concurrently - I like to have a couple on the go as well, usually one or the other will suit my mood.

Susan in NC wrote: "Wayne wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Wayne wrote: "#16 with a Q1 update. I have not not read any of the pool books yet, but have recently started One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and [book..."

A little taster. Eric and Wanda (wife) meets a Samudrika (mind-reader)
' "Between the ages of sixteen and twenty-six you were very poor," he said. "You are still poor but you would like to be an extravagant man. When you are angry it is not for long, but when your wife is angry, she seethes like a pot. You will be always together."

"It sounds like a death sentence," Wanda said. She was not pleased with the way he used his talents. '

Wayne wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Wayne wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Wayne wrote: "#16 with a Q1 update. I have not not read any of the pool books yet, but have recently started [book:One Flew Over the Cuckoo's N..."

Lol! I see what you mean about the humor, delightful! Well, Wanda clearly doesn’t agree…

#3, Susan in NC

Book 5 from the pool, #4 from my list

Apricot Sky by Ruby Ferguson

Rating: 5 very happy stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

finished: 4/3/2022

I absolutely adored this delightful book, I had no idea going in, beyond the blurb, but the MacAlvey family in the summer of 1948 was the best company, especially in these turbulent times. Can’t recommend highly enough, here is a link to my review if interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

that looks good, Susan, thanks for the review. and my library has a copy!!
oh boy, another author to love!

Jackie, thanks so much - it really was fun and touching, funny in unexpected places (as life often is) - I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks Susan, I think I'll start this one this evening, sounds wonderful.

Tania wrote: "Thanks Susan, I think I'll start this one this evening, sounds wonderful."

Oh, I hope you enjoy- she drew me right in with the first few pages, describing the setting of Kilchro House, sounds like heaven!

#16 - Finished book #1, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, on 5 April 2022. I rated this four stars.

I need to order my thoughts on this one, so will add a short review soon.

I'm back! :)

I've already entered my one.

#1

#8 Frenchman's Creek by Daphne Du Maurier. Du Maurier is a favourite author of mine, but this title was a DNF for me when I was young, probably because the heroine is so unlikeable (& probably based on Du Maurier herself) Well written & ahead of it's time though. 3.5★ Finished 05/04.

OK, I think I have got everyone's books, but if I missed anyone, please let me know.

Wayne could you edit your post # 181 to show it is the first book you have read? I need that to help me double check my figures.

Hope the wedding went off smoothly and no COVID!

Abigail wrote: "Hope the wedding went off smoothly and no COVID!"

Thanks Abigail. The wedding itself went smoothly. The brides were beautiful. :)

Mazel tov!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Abigail wrote: "Hope the wedding went off smoothly and no COVID!"

Thanks Abigail. The wedding itself went smoothly. The brides were beautiful. :)"

Congratulations, glad everything went smoothly, I imagine it was a huge relief with all usual wedding stress plus Covid fears!

#8
Book #2 An Episode of Sparrows / Rumer Godden
Finished 04/08/2022
4 stars

I came late to Rumer Godden. In fact it was through Carol and this group that I read my first Rumer Godden book. I've enjoyed each of her books I've read, and this was certainly no exception.

Reader #16 with Book #2, Slowly Down the Ganges (Book 1 of my five suggestions). A 3,5 star read. Eric NewbyEric ewby did not quite entertain me this time around as he and his wife Wanda, splashed, pushed and sometimes boated down the river. The Ganges is a remarkable river though, and I will certainly read a bit more about its highly polluted water, regarded as holy by millions of Hindus.

Wayne wrote: "Reader #16 with Book #2, Slowly Down the Ganges (Book 1 of my five suggestions). A 3,5 star read. Eric NewbyEric ewby did not quite entertain me this time around as he ..."

Added this to your tally, Wayne. :)

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Wayne wrote: "Reader #16 with Book #2, Slowly Down the Ganges (Book 1 of my five suggestions). A 3,5 star read. Eric NewbyEric Newby did not quite entertain me this time..."

Thanks Carol

Reader #5
Book # 4 Lost Horizon by James Hilton.
3.5 stars Enjoyable enough, review to come.

ETA 4/17/2022: And here's a link to my review--
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Reader #5
Book # 4 Lost Horizon by James Hilton.
3.5 stars Enjoyable enough, review to come."

Added to your count, Barb!

*20 - Tania

I have just finished my second book from the pool, Apricot Sky by Ruby Ferguson, which I loved and gave 4*s. And now I fancy a holiday in the Scottish Highlands.

Short reveiw here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Tania wrote: "*20 - Tania

I have just finished my second book from the pool, Apricot Sky by Ruby Ferguson, which I loved and gave 4*s. And now I fancy a holiday in the Scottish H..."

I loved that one, too, took awhile between library books that had to be returned, but it was always a pleasure to sink back into and revisit the Kilchro House family!

Tania wrote: "*20 - Tania

I have just finished my second book from the pool, Apricot Sky by Ruby Ferguson, which I loved and gave 4*s. And now I fancy a holiday in the Scottish H..."

Great review, and I agree about the similarities to Stevenson (haven’t read Miss Read), but with more humor- definitely welcome at this time!

Also agree about the Highlands holiday- I want to see that view that had Mrs. M. dropping her knit stitches!

It was, like spending time with old friends.

Tania wrote: "It was, like spending time with old friends."

Perfectly put, yes! And I was so impressed with how she got inside the children’s heads, especially Primrose, on their first boating adventure, as she lays in the warm sun. I had a flashback to childhood summers, that perfect contentment on a perfect day outdoors- hadn’t felt that in years! That alone was worth a star in my rating! ;)

I loved the children, I was hoping Elinor and Cecil would warm up a bit and felt sorry for Trina's children, who did seem to want to be able to join in more. It did bring back memories of summer days in the woods and fields, or floating down the river with not a care in the world. Very relaxing.

#2 here, clocking in with my 6th book, Five Windows by D. E. Stevenson. It was pleasant enough but I didn’t love it. So far my favorite Stevenson book has been Vittoria Cottage, and as Stevenson has claimed that its sequel, Music In The Hills, is considered one of her best, I may search for that for a future read.

I gave it 3 stars and my review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....