Retro Reads discussion

@ Susan

I couldn't get that Moray Dalton in Australia for kindle but I was able to purchase The Mystery of the Kneeling Woman which looks good.

I haven't heard of this author before so looking forward to sampling the work.

Glad you could get that title! I want to read it too, apparently it stars one of her series detectives, I’m hoping to try some of his earlier cases!

I’m in a GA mystery group, and availability is a problem for our uk/European/Australian/NZ members for some of these Dalton titles. I’ve read a couple of her mysteries, and enjoyed them, I’m glad she’s being reissued.

@ Carol - Thank you - a couple more from the list which I already have in my ever expanding TBR mountain. (a few exceptions)

Was surprised how many I'd already read over the years.

Strangely enough I've never been that attracted to the current best seller lists.

Cphe wrote: "@ Carol - Thank you - a couple more from the list which I already have in my ever expanding TBR mountain. (a few exceptions)

Was surprised how many I'd already read over the years.

Strangely enou..."

Yes, most of this group are big 20th century readers. I do read some 21st century non fiction & poetry though.

#10 finished Book #1 “The Woman at Otowi Creek” by Frank Waters on January 26, 2024.

Interesting period of US history that I didn’t know much about - from just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor through the testing of the H bomb at Bikini Atoll on March 1, 1954. Plus, beautiful descriptions of a geographic area that I have not visited.

Kind of a heavy read to begin the year, but I did find it somewhat compelling, even though the “myth” of the Woman at Otowi Crossing was difficult to follow sometimes. 3.5 stars for me.

#15 reporting I finished book #2 Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont yesterday, Jan 28.

Even though it was very well written with interesting characters I rated it 3.5 stars rounded down to 3 because (view spoiler)[ the ending is so sad and her family was so awful (hide spoiler)]

Added your books Kate & Jackie.

No 19

Please add Who Killed the Curate? book no 7

Pretty disappointed with this one.

Added your books Cphe & Abigail

#1 Book 2

Linnets and Valerians 4.5★ Finished 31/1.

Loved this - more of Goudge's magical children. The book did stretch coincidence a bit far, but I didn't mark it down for that, but I did for an ending that was a little rushed.

& thank heavens for Open Library. My son has lost something & we turned the house upside down looking for it. & now I can't find this book! it is in the house, it will turn up.

#16 Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones finished 2/3

3 stars. My badly written thoughts:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

CindySR wrote: "#16 Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones finished 2/3

3 stars. My badly written thoughts:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Added for you Cindy. In future could you put what number read it is for you? It helps me if I lose track. :)

Elinor #12 here. Finished my second book #2 on February 2, Angle of Repose. It took me a couple of weeks to read this very long, dense, beautiful book but since I added it to the pool I thought I'd better tackle it. If you want a Pulitzer Prize winner and a real literary work of art, I can recommend it. It's not for the faint of heart, though.

This one and my first choice, Clan of the Cave Bear, have added up to more than 1000 pages. I think I'll shoot for something shorter and lighter next!

#8 here with my first book finished 2nd Feb Who Killed the Curate?

I gave it 4 stars, it was a good mystery with a charming protagonist. I'd like to read the others in the series if they get reprinted. I know the last one has.

Added your books Elinor & Lynnie.

#8 here with book 2 finished today Feb 6th Near Neighbours

I enjoyed it very much, endearing characters and a lovely story. It was my first Molly Clavering.

#6 with book 4, The Lark by E. Nesbit, 4 stars for this featherweight but fun story, my first by the writer, finished today, February 6.

I could see the old fashioned children’s book touch, in the sense of clean fun, not too much bad happening, and the humor - I was in the mood for a charming, lighthearted story, so it worked for me! Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

#14

3rd book: The Ballad of the Sad Café and Other Stories by Carson McCullers - 4 stars from me.

A few brilliant novellas, a few not as great but still worth reading.
Here my review.

#6 with book 5, Summerhills by D.E. Stevenson. 4.5 stars for this delightful story, I love the author and read and loved book 1, Amberwell, before Christmas so I’d be caught up and ready for this book.

Finished today, February 7, here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I think I got everyone (Lynnie, Mela, Susan in NC) Apologies for not getting to this yesterday. I had a bit of a bad day. :)

Thank you, and so sorry, my friend, hope things are better today! ;o) sending thanks, hugs, positive energy your way!

Susan in NC wrote: "Thank you, and so sorry, my friend, hope things are better today! ;o) sending thanks, hugs, positive energy your way!"

Well... we have a path forward. It will be resolved. :)

I’m glad, sending positive vibes for a satisfactory resolution.☺️

#19

The Mystery of the Kneeling Woman book 8

What did you think of it, Cphe? Rating? I’ve read a few of her mysteries and enjoyed them. Do you feel this one could be read as a standalone book, or would it help to read earlier in this series? I read the Christmas themed mystery years ago (think it was book 2), and I don’t remember being confused about Inspector Collier and his team, but this is book 7, so I wondered if you can dive right in.

Only gave it 2 stars - it was too busy IMO - not having read anything else by the author I think you could read as a standalone.

Added to your count Cphe. :)

Cphe wrote: "Only gave it 2 stars - it was too busy IMO - not having read anything else by the author I think you could read as a standalone."

Thank you!

#3
Book #2 Near Neighbours , finished 8 Feb.

4 shiny stars for this warm, cozy, totally nice story. It takes a clever author to write about nice people without turning mawkish or cloyingly sweet.

That was a peach of a book!

I also loved Near Neighbors! It's a fan club!

Yes!

Mine too!!

Added for you Barb - seems to be a well loved book. :)

#6 with book 6, The 39 Steps , an unlikely adventure thriller, but I give it 4 stars for the right book at the right time, I found it a fun, fast-moving listen!

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

Well, sorting through the pool, I realized I’ve read several of the pool books within the last couple years, and can’t find several of the others - but some of them I’d like to read are available on Everand, and my subscription is up at the end of March, so I’m trying to get to the books I want to read before then!

Oh, good idea!

Near Neighbours is next up for me, so I'm doubly excited!

#5

I finished my 3rd book, The Portrait of Jennie by Robert Nathan. A hauntingly beautiful book about the immortality of love and the nature of inspiration. The perfect Valentine. 5 stars from me.

Sharon wrote: "#5

I finished my 3rd book, The Portrait of Jennie by Robert Nathan. A hauntingly beautiful book about the immortality of love and the nature of inspiration. The perfect Valentine. 5 stars from me."

Added for you Sharon - it does sound a lovely book.

Sharon wrote: "#5

I finished my 3rd book, The Portrait of Jennie by Robert Nathan."

This is another classic made into a movie that did it justice.

#19
Decision at Delphi - book 9

Cphe wrote: "#19
Decision at Delphi - book 9"

What did you think of this one? We did this as a Retro Reads group read several years ago and I enjoyed the chance to re-read it. I am a big fan of the author's work.

#16 book number 3 Storm from the West finished 2/3.
It's like The Brady Bunch in Scotland. 😁

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Cphe wrote: "#19
Decision at Delphi - book 9"

What did you think of this one? We did this as a Retro Reads group read several years ago and I enjoyed the chance to re-read it. I am a..."


Really enjoyed it - particularly the setting, characters were excellent as well. I've read it a few times over the years and it was still strong all this time later. I'm very partial to the author she always told a good story.

It’s an interesting one to read in conjunction with My Brother Michael by Mary Stewart, which is set in much the same place and time and has similar elements.

@Abigail - I've read Mary Stewart several times over the years - she is a "comfort" read. I was considering a re read of My Brother Michael not long ago.

I do enjoy MacInnes though.

Both authors, solid plots, characters, settings and atmosphere......what more could you ask for?

Yes, I love them both too!

CindySR wrote: "Sharon wrote: "#5

I finished my 3rd book, The Portrait of Jennie by Robert Nathan."

This is another classic made into a movie that did it justice."

Definitely. A rare case where the book and the movie are both amongst my faves.

Added your books Cindy & Cphe.

I liked Decision at Delphi when I reread it - just didn't love it as I did when younger.