Retro Reads discussion

She's comfort reading for me too. Not exactly cosy, but definitely comforting.

#2
book number 1
Junior Miss by Sally Benson
finished 1/20

3 stars
my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Poster 4

Book 5 - Anderby Wold

If you enjoyed South Riding you'll like this.

For a first book it was strongly written

Cphe wrote: "Poster 4

Book 5 - Anderby Wold

If you enjoyed South Riding you'll like this.

For a first book it was strongly written"

Done for you Cphe!

#10 reporting:

Book #1: “The Good Shepherd” by C.S. Forester
Finished January 23, 2025

4-star read for me. I wasn’t sure this was going to be a good selection, but I was engaged in this story of a convoy crossing the North Atlantic during WWII. I knew my husband would enjoy it because he likes maritime adventures. When he’s finished it, we’ll watch the movie.

Tom Hanks wrote the screenplay and starred in the film “Greyhound.” It won the Academy Award for Best Sound in 2021.

Wow, that looks really good - so, it's a novel but based on how things really were in WWII, is that right Kate?

#11 with book 2. The Gulls Fly Inland 3.5*s
Finished on 22/01.

I enjoyed this novel, but it felt a bit distant from what was going on. The characters were often more like sketches, so I didn't really feel I got to know them but I did enjoy the period details of life in Europe and US in the lead up to WW2.

#7

Book #2
Mystery of the White Knight 4 stars
This is a very good mystery.

Kate, Tania & Amanda - I have added your books to the tally.

Amanda wrote: "#7

Book #2
Mystery of the White Knight 4 stars
This is a very good mystery."

Good to hear - ive read this author’s Professor Peter Shandy and Sarah Kelling mysteries and enjoyed them very much. I’ve never heard of this title, I hope I can get it!

#5 with book 4, The Kingsclere Mystery by Moray Dalton. I have enjoyed later mysteries by the author (this was her first), but this was more of a gothic romance, not my thing at all!

2 stars from me, finished Jan. 25. Here’s my review, such as it is: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Susan in NC wrote: "#5 with book 4, The Kingsclere Mystery by Moray Dalton. I have enjoyed later mysteries by the author (this was her first), but this was more of a gothic romance, no..."

Added for you Susan!

#13 jumping in to this year's pool!

Book no.1: Water Weed: A Golden Age Mystery by Alice Campbell
Finished 1/30/25
4 stars

Kudos to whomever put this one in the pool! I'd never read Campbell, but will be checking out other books by her in the future. It was a very compelling read - a little bit too long maybe and dragging a bit before ramping up for the ending - and with a dénouement that felt somewhat ahead of the time.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "#5 with book 4, The Kingsclere Mystery by Moray Dalton. I have enjoyed later mysteries by the author (this was her first), but this was more of ..."

Thank you, dearest!

#8 finished my 1st book Smouldering Fire today, 1/30.

4 star review.

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

Added your books for you, Jenn & Jackie. I've nearly finished my second read for the group

Jackie wrote: "I have liked some Norah Lofts but don't find her anything like Heyer. I'd be interested in why others think that."

#1

Book 2 The Devil in Clevely 4.5★
Finished 4/2.

I think where people thought I would love Lofts because of my great love for Goeorgette Heyer were right. There was absolutely none of GH's humour & lightheartedness, but there was impeccable research, strongly drawn characters & great worldbuilding. I am very glad to have finally read this author.

#15

I've finished reading my second book, Mama's Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes. This book was the inspiration for I Remember Mama, the long-running television series, movie, and play. It's story told through a collection of vignettes about a Norwegian-American family in turn-of-the-century San Francisco and their inimitable matriarch. Enjoyable look at a very different time. As Mama would say, "it was good."

Sharon wrote: "#15

I've finished reading my second book, Mama's Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes. This book was the inspiration for I Remember Mama, the long-running television series, movie, and play. It's story ..."

Added for you Sharon. Do you have a finish date for this book? It helps me keep track. :)

#13

Book 2: Call for the Dead by John Le Carré
Finished 2/8/25
4 stars

The first by Le Carre and first featuring George Smiley. More mystery than spy, perhaps, but completely enjoyable!

Jackie wrote: "Wow, that looks really good - so, it's a novel but based on how things really were in WWII, is that right Kate?"


Yes. It’s fiction based on fact.

#5 with book 5, A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara W. Tuchman, fittingly 5 stars from me for this brilliant dissection of the tumultuous 14th century; I had forgotten my first read several decades ago, but being much older and living in these strange, tumultuous and turbulent times, I found it strangely satisfying and comforting, finished today, February 13 - here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Susan in NC wrote: "#5 with book 5, A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara W. Tuchman, fittingly 5 stars ..."

Added for you Susan

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Sharon wrote: "#15

I've finished reading my second book, Mama's Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes. This book was the inspiration for I Remember Mama, the long-running television series, movie, and pl..."

Yes, I finished Mama's... on Feb. 9th. I'll include the date next time. For now, here is a link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... Happy Valentine's Day! :)

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "#5 with book 5, A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara W. Tuchman..."

Thank you!

No 4

Book 6

Silver Canyon

Hi everyone,

It might help Carol keep track of us if we remember to use this format for reporting books read--

reader number:
book number:
book title:
date finished:

Thanks Cindy. The rating is nice too, but people don't have to do that if they don't want to.

Added for you Cphe :)

#7

Book #3
Ten Way Street 4 stars
This was an enjoyable read.

Amanda wrote: "#7

Book #3
Ten Way Street 4 stars
This was an enjoyable read."

Added for you Amanda. I enjoyed the Scarlett I read last year.

#6
Book #1
A Song Begins / Mary Burchell
Read 02/19/2025 ; 4 stars
Comment: Enjoyed this as much as when I read it 60 years ago. Magical story telling along with wonderful character development.

Sometimes after finishing a book in this vintage I am left wishing that contemporary authors told a story more in this style rather than having a couple of hundred more pages saying - what?!
Yah can tell I'm a gettin' old :)

Lesley wrote: "#6
Book #1
A Song Begins / Mary Burchell
Read 02/19/2025 ; 4 stars
Comment: Enjoyed this as much as when I read it 60 years ago. Magical story telling along with won..."

Good to see you Lesley!

Added the book for you.

& that looks like a Francis Marshall cover.

#11
Book 3. The Enchanted April 5*s
Finished 20/02/2025

This has long been a favourite, and was wonderful to sink back into. I can almost feel the sunshine on my face; it has been so cold here that I needed something like this.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Lesley wrote: "#6
Book #1
A Song Begins / Mary Burchell
Read 02/19/2025 ; 4 stars

that looks like a Francis Marshall cover."

I thought so too! He did many a cover for Barbara Cartland's books, as well as being a prolific illustrator for magazines, etc. He had a very recognizable style.

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Lesley wrote: "#6
Book #1
A Song Begins / Mary Burchell
Read 02/19/2025 ; 4 stars

that looks like a Francis Marshall cover."

I thou..."

I chose this edition from GR's range of options because it is the one I associated with the illustrations that I recall from the serialised version in EWW.

Tania wrote: "#11
Book 3. The Enchanted April 5*s
Finished 20/02/2025

This has long been a favourite, and was wonderful to sink back into. I can almost feel the sunshine on my face; it has been ..."

Added for you Tania. This book charmed me too. & I just read Vera with a group Mela moderates (Virago Modern Classics) It is a very different book, but I loved this one too.

& near the start of the Idle Chatter thread we had come discussion of Francis Marshall's artwork. Warning; There are some much missed posters taking part!

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

Tania wrote: "#11
Book 3. The Enchanted April 5*s
Finished 20/02/2025

This has long been a favourite, and was wonderful to sink back into. I can almost feel the sunshine on my face; it has been ..."

I am reading it now and love it!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "& near the start of the Idle Chatter thread we had come discussion of Francis Marshall's artwork. Warning; There are some much missed posters taking part!

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

Lol! At the risk of being as un-PC as herself, BC was the original blonde joke :)
I never got into her books. Read one and vowed never again. I was always intrigued with just who of our library borrowers were the ones that took five and six books a week, thus re-reading them several times! Yet you could hold a reasonable conversations with most of them.

I remember her being the pink haired joke! She had a pretty tough skin - must have had. I wonder how she would have survived with modern Social Media which is so vicious (& as far as the plagiarism goes she would have deserved every barb thrown at her!)

No 4

Book 7

The Good Shepherd - 3 stars.

Much preferred HMS Ulysses which was a 5 star read for me.

#8 reporting I finished book # 2 The Enchanted April.

I just loved it and gave it 5 stars - 4.5 rounded up since the end of winter has been hanging on here - and I suspect I will want to re-read this when winter really has me down.

I didn't write a review although I know I should.

Jackie wrote: "#8 reporting I finished book # 2 The Enchanted April.

I just loved it and gave it 5 stars - 4.5 rounded up since the end of winter has been hanging on here - and I suspect I will want ..."

We’re adults who read for enjoyment, entertainment and possibly edification-this isn’t homework. You don’t have to write reviews if you don’t want to, Jackie! ;o)

well, but I sort-of want to, just don't seem to have the brainpower to do it right now.

I like to know what readers thought about the book. Likes and dislikes. I think the shortest "review" I ever wrote was one word.

I'm home - & added for you Cphe & Jackie!

CindySR wrote: "I like to know what readers thought about the book. Likes and dislikes. I think the shortest "review" I ever wrote was one word."

I realized I was overthinking it (must make all these points! so much to say!) but since that wasn't working, I just wrote a review that would be what I would say to a friend. Brief, not comprehensive.

ETA: I never include a summary of the plot in any of my reviews because that's what I don't want to know from the reviews of others until after I have read the book. Lots of reviews go on and on about "what happened" when I just want to know, did you enjoy it? why or why not? NOT what happened. .

Jackie wrote: "Lots of reviews go on and on about "what happened" when I just want to know, did you enjoy it? why or why not? NOT what happened..."

Exactly this!

CindySR wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Lots of reviews go on and on about "what happened" when I just want to know, did you enjoy it? why or why not? NOT what happened..."

Exactly this!"

I might be a mood reviewer, because it depends on the book! I'm pretty zealous in my use of spoilers though.

I find it hardest to write 2 - 3★ reviews because then I have to think about what didn't work for me.

I don't have many 1★s, but those reviews just about write themselves! 😁

Jackie wrote: "CindySR wrote: "I like to know what readers thought about the book. Likes and dislikes. I think the shortest "review" I ever wrote was one word."

I realized I was overthinking it (must make all th..."

Totally agree with your ETA! The blurb will tell you what it is about. No need to repeat that in a review!