Retro Reads discussion

Sorry to hear about the weather! I’m housebound too at the moment—bad reaction to a flu shot.

Stay safe! Supposed to drop 30 degrees here overnight, from a very unseasonable 80 to a rainy low of 55 in time for Halloween tomorrow’

#12
Book #8 Mapp and Lucia / E.F. Benson
Finished 4 Nov 2023
Rating 4.5 stars
Review This series just gets better with this being the best so far! I really enjoyed both Mapp and Lucia, particularly their vying with each other and the reactions of those around them.
But the best was surely Lucia's 'disappearance' and all the drama that ensued.
On to the next in series.

Lesley wrote: "#12
Book #8 Mapp and Lucia / E.F. Benson
Finished 4 Nov 2023
Rating 4.5 stars
Review This series just gets better with this being the best so far! I really enjoyed..."

I am nearly finished, I think I like Lucia in London better but it is a tough competition!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Lesley wrote: "#12
Book #8 Mapp and Lucia / E.F. Benson
Finished 4 Nov 2023
Rating 4.5 stars
Review This series just gets better with this being the best so far! I..."

I loved Lucia in London, but I found myself laughing out loud a lot in Mapp and Lucia. I have to say both are show Benson's great wit. To be honest for me he's better than Wodehouse!

Lesley wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Lesley wrote: "#12
Book #8 Mapp and Lucia / E.F. Benson
Finished 4 Nov 2023
Rating 4.5 stars
Review This series just gets better wit..."

I get that, for me, depends on my mood - sometimes Bertie is so dim, I want to wallop him - don’t know how Jeeves bears it! Other times, it’s just pure joy.

I never tire of Lucia world - it’s so snobbish and ludicrous and pointless, and I could never behave like her, but the cattiness and pure audacity take my breath away! One of my old used paperbacks had a brilliant reviewers comment on it, about how absolutely nothing they tried to one-up each other in mattered in the slightest, but they attacked the issue with Napoleonic ferocity!🤣🤣

Here it is I found it in my review, I had to include both quotes, because they are brilliant (back when journalists and reviewers could write), and they so perfectly sum up Benson’s brilliance:

On the back of my book, it says of the six-book saga: “Set in the precise middle of this luxurious sextet is the crowning work “Mapp and Lucia”, a saga of propriety wherein the greatest rivals in the history of England meet for the very first time. Never before has that exquisite creature Lucia faced a foe of such dastardly cunning. Never before has the United Kingdom seen such an extraordinary battle for power. And never again will the provincial rich of England between the wars be depicted so perfectly, so forcefully, and with such devastating humor.”

Another reviewer said succinctly on a previous edition I owned, "Nothing that Lucia and her enemy, Miss Mapp, did was ever of the slightest importance, but they did it with Napoleonic strategy, Attilan ferocity, and Satanic motive."

#15 reporting:

I finished “A Coffin for Dimitrios” by Eric Ambler yesterday (November 6)! That’s my #5 book. 🥳

The movie version was on TV at different times/day all through October. Peter Lorre would not have been my choice for Charles Latimer. I thought Latimer needed to be portrayed in the movie as having a bit more of a backbone and intelligence. It is difficult, however, to portray the inner dialogue of characters that we read in a book transfer to the silver screen.

I will acknowledge that I have led a sheltered life. I knew there would be treachery and espionage but was surprised at the sex & drug trafficking in this 1939 book. I can understand why Ambler is someone who is said to have paved the way for Le Carré and Ludlum.

A 4-star read for me.

Susan in NC wrote: "Here it is I found it in my review, I had to include both quotes, because they are brilliant (back when journalists and reviewers could write), and they so perfectly sum up Benson’s brilliance:


O..."

LOL! Both quotes say it perfectly!!

Lesley wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Here it is I found it in my review, I had to include both quotes, because they are brilliant (back when journalists and reviewers could write), and they so perfectly sum up Bens..."

Yes, I thought so too!

Kate wrote: "#15 reporting:

I finished “A Coffin for Dimitrios” by Eric Ambler yesterday (November 6)! That’s my #5 book. 🥳

The movie version was on TV at different times/day all through October. Peter Lorre ..."

I was surprised, too, Kate, but I guess we’ve sadly learned more about trafficking, and that wartime/civil upheaval allows it to flourish.

I agree, Peter Lorre would not have been my choice, either.

Susan in NC wrote: "Kate wrote: "#15 reporting:

I finished “A Coffin for Dimitrios” by Eric Ambler yesterday (November 6)! That’s my #5 book. 🥳

The movie version was on TV at different times/day all through October...."

Maybe they couldn't get Humphrey Bogart... Who would have been excellent, IMO.

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Kate wrote: "#15 reporting:

I finished “A Coffin for Dimitrios” by Eric Ambler yesterday (November 6)! That’s my #5 book. 🥳

The movie version was on TV at different times/day ..."

Oooooo, yeah!

Kate wrote: "#15 reporting:

I finished “A Coffin for Dimitrios” by Eric Ambler yesterday (November 6)! That’s my #5 book. 🥳

The movie version was on TV at different times/day all through October. Peter Lorre ..."

Added for you Kate. I was gutted that the Ambler I own wasn't this one. I'm still keeping an eye out for it at Op shops & Little Free Libraries.

Susan in NC wrote: "Here it is I found it in my review, I had to include both quotes, because they are brilliant (back when journalists and reviewers could write), and they so perfectly sum up Benson’s brilliance:


O..."

Benson is my favourite New To Me author for this year!

I just love his writing, I have two ancient used titles, Paying Guests and Secret Lives, that I wanted to put in the ‘24 book pool, but I was afraid no one would be able to find them! They are non-Lucia books, but quite funny, you can see Major Benjy and Daisyesque characters in each!

#11 checking in! I'm determined to get at least a few more titles in before this year's challenge ends. Thus ...

Book no. 8 - Chip of the Flying U.
3 1/2 stars, rounded up to date.
Finished last night 11/8.

Definitely a comfort read. You knew from the beginning how it would all play out, but still a charming journey. And a reminder to myself that I *do* actually like westerns!

Jenn wrote: "#11 checking in! I'm determined to get at least a few more titles in before this year's challenge ends. Thus ...

Book no. 8 - Chip of the Flying U.
3 1/2 stars, rounded up to date.
Finished last..."

Added your book, Jenn.

& I have my 10th book completed - Mapp & Lucia. I'm trying to decide if the ending was too farcical for me but I loved most of it so I think it will still be 5★ (& I'm going to up non Book Pool Lucia in London to 5★ as well)

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Jenn wrote: "#11 checking in! I'm determined to get at least a few more titles in before this year's challenge ends. Thus ...

Book no. 8 - Chip of the Flying U.
3 1/2 stars, rounded up to date.
..."

Dearest, in all things Lucia, less than 5 stars is an insult- I agree with your ratings completely!

I couldn't rise to 5★ for Miss Mapp she was just too unlikeable!

But these books are gems!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I couldn't rise to 5★ for Miss Mapp she was just too unlikeable!

But these books are gems!"

Ok, fair enough, she is breathtakingly awful…not sure if it’s the blatant hypocrisy or the spying on her neighbors I find worse.

Jenn wrote: "#11 checking in! I'm determined to get at least a few more titles in before this year's challenge ends. Thus ...

Book no. 8 - Chip of the Flying U.
3 1/2 stars, rounded up to date.
Finished last..."

This is one I’ve been wanting to read.

November 12, 2023: #14 Elinor here with Book #7, The Feast by Margaret Kennedy. Four stars. It was darker than I expected, although with some more amusing bits, and very well written. e.g. "For he was a Liberal—the kind of Liberal which turns pink in blue surroundings and lilac at any murmur from Moscow." But what an ending -- talk about your Divine retribution!

Elinor wrote: "November 12, 2023: #14 Elinor here with Book #7, The Feast by Margaret Kennedy. Four stars. It was darker than I expected, although with some more amusing bits, and very well written. e.g. "For he ..."

Elinor--one of my GR friends, who read it last year, likened it to a medieval Morality Play. I amused myself by trying to match up the victims and the Seven Deadly Sins.

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Elinor wrote: "November 12, 2023: #14 Elinor here with Book #7, The Feast by Margaret Kennedy. Four stars. It was darker than I expected, although with some more amusing bits, and very well written..."

Ok, you guys are killing me, pulling me back in the pool!

Susan in NC wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "Elinor wrote: "November 12, 2023: #14 Elinor here with Book #7, The Feast by Margaret Kennedy. Four stars. It was darker than I expected, although with some more amusing bi..."

Pulling us back in the pool, where we will drown in books!

Susan in NC wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "Elinor wrote: "November 12, 2023: #14 Elinor here with Book #7, The Feast by Margaret Kennedy. Four stars. It was darker than I expected, although with some more amusing bi..."

I live to serve--Bwahaha!
Come back in, the books are still warm.....

Peggy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "Elinor wrote: "November 12, 2023: #14 Elinor here with Book #7, The Feast by Margaret Kennedy. Four stars. It was darker than I expected, although with ..."

Lol!

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "Elinor wrote: "November 12, 2023: #14 Elinor here with Book #7, The Feast by Margaret Kennedy. Four stars. It was darker than I expected, although with ..."

Perfect…🤣

Added your book, Elinor!

#3 with book # 11, read 18 Nov 2023.
A Winter Away

A delightful book. 4 stars. Now to investigate the author's other titles.

Dean Street Press has been one of my happiest reading discoveries of the last few years!

#12
Book #9 Towers in the Mist / Elizabeth Goudge
Finished: 16 November
Rating: a sad 2.5 stars
Well, I've never disliked an Elizabeth Goudge book, but this one was quite unlikeable. As a romance it was cloyingly sweet, gushy in places, and as a story it meandered aimlessly all over the place. I'm so pleased it wasn't the first book I've read by her, or I might not have read another and missed out on some of her really great works.

It's probably the last I'll read for the pool this year, but I'm very much looking forward to being a glutton on next year's selections. :)
Thank you, Carol, for organising this fun way of reading together.

Added your books, Barb & Lesley!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Added your books, Barb & Lesley!"

Thank you, Carol.
I am really looking forward to next year's pool.

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Added your books, Barb & Lesley!"

Thank you, Carol.
I am really looking forward to next year's pool."


I think we are all getting better at trying to offer a varied selection, I know first year I just went down the Dean Street rabbit hole and pulled out several I thought sounded fun! Plus Wodehouse and Thirkell for laughs…I love to laugh when I read, and nowadays, with the world on fire I feel the need of a laugh and/or escape through reading more than ever! ;o)

But since then, I’ve tried to explore more widely, find more variety - or with choices like The Game of Kings, a book I’ve heard about for years from other readers but haven’t read. So yay us, bring on the holidays for those who celebrate, hug those you love and tell them you love them, eat, drink, and be merry - and be kind - for next year we READ! (I know, we’ve all been doing that our whole lives, but it’s a new batch of books…)

It’s Thanksgiving this Thursday here in the US, which has become my favorite holiday, because it is often overlooked in the rush to Christmas and the December holidays, and it’s the only holiday that is just about being thankful and enjoying a feast with loved ones. So I just want to thank this lovely group for being such a kind, supportive, smart place to explore and discuss new-to-us books, and sometimes revisit beloved old favorites. 🥰 Special thanks to our dear Carol, who keeps us all on track with patience and good humor.

Susan--Well said!!

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Susan--Well said!!"

Thank you, dear friend, and thanks for all the new titles and authors you’ve turned me on to over the years! Have a lovely Thanksgiving.

Barb in Maryland wrote: "One of my GR friends, who read it last year, likened it to a medieval Morality Play. I amused myself by trying to match up the victims and the Seven Deadly Sins"

I hadn't noticed when I read it, but it's very simple once you know the trick, (view spoiler)[Each characters name begins with the same letter as their assigned sin; Mr Paley - Pride, Miss Ellis - envy, Lady Gifford - gluttony, etc (hide spoiler)]. I was also trying to figure it out and then someone pointed this out to me. #Kickingmyself. 😀

wonderful post, Susan in NC! and a Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Susan in NC wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Added your books, Barb & Lesley!"

Thank you, Carol.
I am really looking forward to next year's pool."


I think we are all getting better at..."

Aww, thanks to both of you!

I enjoy the pool!

For my 2024 selections I put more thought in than usual & discarded some that I thought would be too hard for this group to get hold of. & it wasn't conscious, exactly, but I chose more books by male authors than female.

Tania wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "One of my GR friends, who read it last year, likened it to a medieval Morality Play. I amused myself by trying to match up the victims and the Seven Deadly Sins"

I hadn't ..."

lol! I won’t make the November 30 pool deadline, but definitely want to read this - I read the first chapter and was intrigued right away.

Jackie wrote: "wonderful post, Susan in NC! and a Happy Thanksgiving to all."

Thanks, dear Jackie, and Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Yes Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Susan in NC wrote: "Tania wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "One of my GR friends, who read it last year, likened it to a medieval Morality Play. I amused myself by trying to match up the victims and the Seven Deadly Si..."

I'm confident you'll love it.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Added your books, Barb & Lesley!"

Thank you, Carol.
I am really looking forward to next year's pool."

I think we are a..."

Interesting, I hadn’t noticed you had more male authors - but thanks for thinking Of availability, I’m afraid I didn’t do that as much, I hope members who are interested can get the books I threw in the pool!

Well, this year I chose Angelique - & I think these books are now very hard to get hold of.

& I couldn't find a NZ or Australian book in this time period that I wanted to read & that our members could get hold of.

Tania wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Tania wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "One of my GR friends, who read it last year, likened it to a medieval Morality Play. I amused myself by trying to match up the victims and..."

Thanks!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Yes Happy Thanksgiving to you all!"

Thank you!

Susan in NC wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "Susan--Well said!!"

Thank you, dear friend, and thanks for all the new titles and authors you’ve turned me on to over the years! Have a lovely Thanksgiving."

And a Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!