Retro Reads discussion

Barb in Maryland wrote: "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 Thanksgi..."

Thanks!

Is there a cut-off date for reading the 2023 Pool? Sorry if it's been mentioned and I've missed it!

Lynnie wrote: "Is there a cut-off date for reading the 2023 Pool? Sorry if it's been mentioned and I've missed it!"

Hi Lynnie

the reads have to be finished by the 30th of November. I'll make it PST.

Thank you Carol. Glad I've started my next one then!!

Mela #18

9th book: The Corner Shop by Elizabeth Cadell - 4 stars, a charming romance (and enjoyable, but unbelievable mystery ;-) ).

PS I am catching up a bit at the last moment ;-)

Mela #18

10th book: The Summer Book by Tove Jansson - 5 stars, wonderfully touching.

Mela #18

11th book: The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare - 4 stars, a charming, interesting historical fiction for young readers.

Wow, Mela you are really on a roll! Added your last three reads.

Mela wrote: "Mela #18

10th book: The Summer Book by Tove Jansson - 5 stars, wonderfully touching."

I love the Moomins. I'm adding The Summer Book by Tove Jansson to my TBR. Glad you enjoyed it, Mela, sounds just what we need in these challenging times.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Wow, Mela you are really on a roll! Added your last three reads."

I am reading another one now. It will be the last.

Lesley wrote: "#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 wa..."

Ugh, I hated Towers in the Mist too! So disappointing!

Looks like Susan is taking the crown this year! Congratulations!

Thanks, but still five days left, I think 11/30/23 is the cut-off. But if it is me, it was thanks to such a tempting pool of wonderful titles, so thanks to everyone who contributed, I probably never would have found these books otherwise! I love this pool, really makes it easy to “expand my reading horizons” ;o)

I’m the only one close to you, I believe, and won’t be able to read two more books in time (though I’m shooting for one more). But you’re right, it was a wonderful pool year! There were several more on the list I wanted to get around to but couldn’t.

Abigail wrote: "I’m the only one close to you, I believe, and won’t be able to read two more books in time (though I’m shooting for one more). But you’re right, it was a wonderful pool year! There were several mor..."

Same here! Well done, everyone!

#9 with book 10 finished on 26/11/23.
Lucia in London 5*s.

I did find the Kitchen table drama a bit far fetched, but they are just such funny books, 5* s all the way.

Tania wrote: "#9 with book 10 finished on 26/11/23.
Lucia in London 5*s.

I did find the Kitchen table drama a bit far fetched, but they are just such funny books, 5* s all the way."
Same here, but so funny till then!

Added for you Tania.

I do have a Wodehouse on the go & I'm hoping to finish it before the deadline.

Thanks Carol. Wodehouse sounds perfect for a drab Sunday (here).

#11 - I was always one to procrastinate until the deadline ; )

Anyway: Book no. 9 - Murder in the Snow (or, Groaning Spinney, as my edition is titled).

2 1/2 stars, rounded up to 3. Gladys Mitchell is one of those authors that I always wish I liked more than I actually do and that was very much the case with this one. It was fine, but I won't remember it.
Finished yesterday, 11/25.

Jenn wrote: "#11 - I was always one to procrastinate until the deadline ; )

Anyway: Book no. 9 - Murder in the Snow (or, Groaning Spinney, as my edition is titled).

2 1/2 stars, rounded up to 3. Gladys Mitche..."

& why do today what you can put off until tomorrow? :D

My reading has slowed down as I have two non-fiction on the go - & I am a vey slow no-fiction reader.

Reader #3 with book #12, finished 11/26/2023. I give it 4 stars.

Apricot Sky

I enjoyed the lyrical descriptions of the scenery (gardens, home interiors, countryside), those were worth 5 stars. The grandchildren's glorious summer was also a winner--those children were so real to me. Cleo was my stumbling block--her love for Neil read more like a young girl's crush to me. I just didn't buy that romantic plot point.

I'll link to my review, once I get it written.

This wraps up my pool reads for the year. What a good selection to choose from. Thank you all!

Mela #18

12th book: Crewe Train by Rose Macaulay - 5 stars, an original satire (a comedy of manners).

PS The last one this year for me.

Abigail wrote: "Looks like Susan is taking the crown this year! Congratulations!"

I echo this sentiment! I've discovered lots of titles/authors that I loved via the Book Pool, that I'm not sure I would've stumbled across otherwise! And, even though I'm *probably* finished for this year there are plenty I've earmarked for future reading (from both this year and the year before).

Mela wrote: "Mela #18

12th book: Crewe Train by Rose Macaulay - 5 stars, an original satire (a comedy of manners).

PS The last one this year for me."

Added for you Mela - & congratulations on your total.

Edit; & I changed your total yesterday Barb, but I forgot to note it down.

Jenn wrote: "
I echo this sentiment! I've discovered lots of titles/authors that I loved via the Book Pool, that I'm not sure I ..."

Ditto. In particular some of the Dean St Press ones in both years look most tempting!

#12 - I got another in, but this is def my last!

Book #10 Charlotte Fairlie / D.E. Stevenson Finished Nov. 27 ; Rating 4 stars
D.E. Stevenson writes romances where sensible, independent women find men who respect them, yet the woman remains the centre of the story. She doesn’t involve her characters in any nastiness, or dramas. She just writes a damn fine story, with a solid plot, and characters who are truly likeable.

Lesley wrote: "#12 - I got another in, but this is def my last!

Book #10 Charlotte Fairlie / D.E. Stevenson Finished Nov. 27 ; Rating 4 stars
D.E. Stevenson writes romances where ..."

Well done, you! I should finish my final read tonight.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Lesley wrote: "#12 - I got another in, but this is def my last!

Book #10 Charlotte Fairlie / D.E. Stevenson Finished Nov. 27 ; Rating 4 stars
D.E. Stevenson writes ..."

I had my wee dog in vet hospital today. Was an anxious time so reading this book lulled me into calmness and stopped me pacing :)

I hope your little girl is ok.

I'm transferring data between my old phone & my new. I've already had to go back to Noel Leeming because I couldn't put my Sim card in the new phone. 🥴

Lesley wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Lesley wrote: "#12 - I got another in, but this is def my last!

Book #10 Charlotte Fairlie / D.E. Stevenson Finished Nov. 27 ; Rating..."

Lesley, I know well those worries about beloved dogs being unwell, it’s a difficult time. I hope your sweet girl is okay soon!

Ruby has had dental problems and three weeks ago had to go in for a clean and extractions - two little incisors and a big molar. Her blood pressure dropped suddenly and they had to bring her round to sedation level. Checked all her vitals which stablised so put her under again but the same thing happened and her heart almost stopped.
So today she went back for the big molar to be removed but I asked for the senior vet this time. Just as well because she couldn't see any reason the molar needed extracting, had no problems with her blood pressure, but was upset at the bruising from last time where the catheter in her leg had been put, which caused her to have to use the area down near the foot which is uncomfortable for the dog.
So pleased I insisted on the senior vet doing the job today! Even so it has been a very long, anxious day.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I hope your little girl is ok.

I'm transferring data between my old phone & my new. I've already had to go back to Noel Leeming because I couldn't put my Sim card in the new phone. 🥴"

Carol, I realised a short while ago I have got a new phone and new number. I'll send my new number in a message.

Lesley wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I hope your little girl is ok.

I'm transferring data between my old phone & my new. I've already had to go back to Noel Leeming because I couldn't put my Sim card in..."

Make it tomorrow! I'm staring at both phones like they are coiled snakes! 😅

A friend of my daughter's used to do this stuff for us, but he has left town.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Lesley wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I hope your little girl is ok.

I'm transferring data between my old phone & my new. I've already had to go back to Noel Leeming because I couldn't put..."

LOL! I had someone do it for me so understand fully.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Lesley wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I hope your little girl is ok.

I'm transferring data between my old phone & my new. I've already had to go back to Noel Leeming because I couldn't put..."

Good luck, Carol! I thought technology was supposed to make our lives so much easier…🤪

*cautiously* I think I have got it this time.

I've told Marty this is my last phone & I want it cremated with me! 😅🤣😂

Well done you!🤣🤣

#9 with book 11. The Ginger Griffin. 3.5*s finished 28/11/23.

Not as good as Peking Picnic, which I loved, but very glad that I got to it eventually.

Tania wrote: "#9 with book 11. The Ginger Griffin. 3.5*s finished 28/11/23.

Not as good as Peking Picnic, which I loved, but very glad that I got to it eventually."
Added to your total, Tania.

I guess this is a good time to ask everyone to make sure I have got your totals right, as this Book Pool is closing soon! :)

#2 checking in with my final book, #15 for me, finished 11/28: The Rector's Daughter by F. M. Mayor. Haven’t had time to write a review.

Abigail wrote: "#2 checking in with my final book, #15 for me, finished 11/28: The Rector's Daughter by F. M. Mayor. Haven’t had time to write a review."

Added for you Abigail!

I have also added my final read for the pool Jill the Reckless aka The Little Warrior. finished 29/11. I haven't decided on my final rating yet. Some witty lines, a really neat hero & heroine, some good shots at the musical industry - but it drag a little in the middle. So 3.5 or 4★

Thank you, Carol, for another wonderful year!

Abigail wrote: "Thank you, Carol, for another wonderful year!"

We have found some good books/authors!

And you’re the battery that makes it all go.

Abigail wrote: "And you’re the battery that makes it all go."

That is such a nice thing to say -thank you!

Wishing you a happy holiday season, my distant friend!

Abigail wrote: "Wishing you a happy holiday season, my distant friend!"

It should be good! I've resigned form one of my volunteer jobs, so life should get a bit easier after the 20th of December!

Excellent! Give someone else a chance.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Abigail wrote: "Thank you, Carol, for another wonderful year!"

We have found some good books/authors!"

I wanted to chime in with another Thank you, Carol! As a new member, I am so happy to be here and grateful for this group. I think this is my people! Great ideas, great group, what a gem. :)

*blushes!*

Thank you!