Retro Reads discussion

Abigail wrote: "#2, with book #12: An Episode of Sparrows by Rumer Godden. Five stars from me, reviewed here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...."

Added to your tally, Abigail! You are 1st=!

I think we’re tied. . . . There’s one more book in the pool that I want to read if I can get to it this month, but I don’t know if I’ll get to it. One for each lunar cycle?

#2 checking in with my 13th and final book from the pool, Britannia Mews by Margery Sharp. This story was quite troubling for me and although I respect the work and the author’s ambition, I gave it only three stars in the end. Reviewed here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Added your book to the tally Abigail. :)

Thanks! And I’m eagerly weaving plans for the 2023 book pool.

I think I'm finished for this year. I have company next week & have a lot on.

There are still some in the pool I want to read so that is a shame.

Hopefully something will fall off your schedule and you’ll be able to fit in a few more!

I am a pretty impetuous reader, so I don't have anything planned specifically, but we'll see how the next few weeks shake out!

I've started tallying up the reads & I've just realised that I forgot to count one of my own reads in. I think this happened because I used this novel in another group's challenge, but boy is my face red!

Whanau by Witi Ihimaera. 5★ finished 17/3 A book where not much appears to happen but actually a lot does. I'll have to go back to check if I have included it in my total count or not.

Yes my total read remains the same - I jumped from 3 to 5!

Sounds like my kind of book! On the TBR it goes.

Abigail wrote: "Sounds like my kind of book! On the TBR it goes."

He is an extremely important writer in NZ literature.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witi_Ih...

I like how you focus on local authors for your challenges.

Abigail wrote: "I liked how you focus on local authors for your challenges."

Sigh.

I wish I could do more but publishing history in NZ is relatively short - even for white males.

I was going to have Black Beech and Honeydew by Ngaio Marsh but all the reviews I have read have it as a very uninformative autobiography, so I decided not to inflict it on the group.

#8

Seems I forgot to post this one!

Book #6
The Lark Shall Sing / Elizabeth Cadell finished 30 October.
I had forgotten how soothing Elizabeth Cadell's writing style is. Such an easy but entertaining read with a family of lovely characters.

I'm adding one of the remaining two titles in the Wayne Family series to the next Pool, and before this round ends I'm hoping to have read Apricot Sky.

Lesley wrote: "#8

Seems I forgot to post this one!

Book #6
The Lark Shall Sing / Elizabeth Cadell finished 30 October.
I had forgotten how soothing Elizabeth Cadell's writing sty..."

Added to your score Lesley

& I have given you #12 in next year's book pool. There is no rush for the book selection. :)

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Lesley wrote: "#8

Seems I forgot to post this one!

Book #6
The Lark Shall Sing / Elizabeth Cadell finished 30 October.
I had forgotten how soothing Elizabeth Cadel..."

Thank you :)

#8 Lesley
Book #7
Apricot Sky / Ruby Ferguson
3 stars

Set in Scotland in summertime just at the end of WWII made for a nice, relaxing story of daily family life where father is off fishing, mother is in her element tending to visitors, children, and all that needs doing, and the children are doing what they do best - having adventure and fun.
I had the best weather to sit outside in my garden with my feet up reading this book. It was a very nice and enjoyable time.

This will be my last book in the Pool for 2022. Sad to say of my 7 books only two of them were from my list of picks, but I've enjoyed everything I've read from the rest of the group's choices. Thank you.

True words, Lesley! I’ve really enjoyed the book pool as well and appreciate everyone’s suggestions and comments.

Lesley wrote: "#8 Lesley
Book #7
Apricot Sky / Ruby Ferguson
3 stars

Set in Scotland in summertime just at the end of WWII made for a nice, relaxing story of daily family life wh..."

Added to your count, Lesley.

& I've enjoyed reading everyone's nice comments while I've been tallying the books up for an end of November total. Thanks very much everyone & I'm sorry I didn't acknowledge them at the time.

#22

book #4 Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin

I love this book and wish I had read it when it was first published. I don't know why I waited so long, Thank you to the person who nominated it on here and gave me that push to finally read it!

#5
Book #8 The Woods in Winter This is probably my final book.

4 stars
A big 'thank you' to Abigail, who reviewed this in 2021 and piqued my interest in this book. Having it in this year's Book Pool was just the incentive I needed to actually read it.
I'll post a link to my review once I write it. (still organizing my thoughts... )

Lynnie, I totally agree with you. I found it in the new section at my library and was very glad I did, but surprised it wasn't actually new.

Glad you liked it, Barb! It was one of a few that I put on my book pool list and then read before the book pool started so I couldn’t count it, sigh. At least it gave satisfaction to others!

Lynnie wrote: "#22

book #4 Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin

I love this book and wish I had read it when it was first published. I don't know why I waited so long, Thank you to t..."

High praise! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it!

I actually just started it (and one other pool book) last night, in an attempt to get one or two more in before it ends. We'll see how it goes

Added to your count, Lynnie.

I have started I had missed that this one was in the pool, even though I'm running the pool & my edition has the exact same cover! 🤡 Really good so far!

#22

book #5 Bramton Wick by Elizabeth Fair

I squeezed another one in and finished this last week. First time reading Elizabeth Fair and I enjoyed this gentle and witty story of post war village life. Will certainly read more by this author.

Lynnie wrote: "#22

book #5 Bramton Wick by Elizabeth Fair

I squeezed another one in and finished this last week. First time reading Elizabeth Fair and I enjoyed this gentle and ..."

Added to your tally, Lynnie.

Barb in Maryland wrote: "#5
Book #8 The Woods in Winter This is probably my final book.

4 stars
A big 'thank you' to Abigail, who reviewed this in 2021 and piqued my..."

Hi Carol--looks like you missed adding this to my tally.
I'm firmly declaring this to be my final book for the 2022 pool.
I've really enjoyed the experience. There are still books that I want to read--they've been added to my massive TBR list. Thank you for organizing this.

Barb in Maryland wrote: ".Hi Carol--looks like you missed adding this to my tally.
I'm firmly declaring this to be my final book for the 2022 pool."

I've added this to your total now, Barb. Sorry about that.

Could everyone else check to make sure I have their totals right?

#1

Book #13 Assignment in Brittany This book was written during WW2 Incredible about how much it reveals about (some) thought processes at the time. The romance is really sweet. 5★ Finished 29/11 (NZ time)

This makes me 1st= with Abigail. Will Abigail's competitive side come out & will she sneak in another read? 😉

Definitely my last read from the pool though. I'm hoping to reread my favourite book of all time & then it will be short stories all the way till the end of December.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "#1

Book #13 Assignment in Brittany This book was written during WW2 Incredible about how much it reveals about (some) thought processes at the time. The romance is really sweet. 5★ F..."

Congrats, Carol! Okay. I'm curious--which is your favorite book of all time? (I'm guessing it is by GH...)

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Okay. I'm curious--which is your favorite book of all time? (I'm guessing it is by GH...)

& you would be right. Devil's Cub

Nah, I’m not competing—though how did I miss Assignment in Brittany on the Book Pool list? I do enjoy Helen MacInnes and might have reread it, but have to turn to reading a few books before I can recommend them for my real-world book club’s 2023 list.

Abigail wrote: "Nah, I’m not competing—though how did I miss Assignment in Brittany on the Book Pool list? I do enjoy Helen MacInnes and might have reread it, but have to turn to reading a few books before I can r..."

Well, like I said upthread I managed to miss it & I compiled the list!😁

Just a reminder that the Book Pool closes soon. :)

& the Book Pool 2022 is closed (but if you read a book & forgot to post it here, just post now) 😊

The Most Popular Book
Dear Hugo with 6 readers

Runner Up
Death in the Andamans by M.M. Kaye with 5 readers

We had quite a few books with 4 readers so I won't list them all.

Reading Champs!
1= with 13 books each Abigail & Carol She's So Novel
Runner Up Jenn with 11 books

But congratulations to everyone! Enjoyment & discovering new books/authors is the important thing!

& as I expected, my favourite read from the pool was Demelza but On the Beach was my most thought provoking.

Most likely to still read will be due to all the enthusiastic reviews here!

Thanks for the recap! Looking forward to next year.