It is the summer of 1911, the Carney Sibley is back home in her beloved town of Deep Valley, Minnesota. She's looking forward to hosting a month-lo...
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May 25, 2010
Emily
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The close of Carney's sophomore year and the beginning of her junior year at Vassar bookend the events of the summer of 1911 in this wonderful, gentle, and funny book, which is an offshoot of Maud Hart Lovelace's well-loved semi-autobiographical Betsy-Tacy series.
I probably shouldn't say this very loudly in the company of Maud Hart Lovelace fans, but I like Carney Sibley better than Betsy Ray. It doesn't entirely make sense. Betsy is ambitious and wants to travel and become a writ More...
I probably shouldn't say this very loudly in the company of Maud Hart Lovelace fans, but I like Carney Sibley better than Betsy Ray. It doesn't entirely make sense. Betsy is ambitious and wants to travel and become a writ More...
Mar 22, 2010
Abigail
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Maud Hart Lovelace, whose ten-book Betsy~Tacy series offers a delightful record of three young girls growing up in late nineteenth and early twentieth century Minnesota, also wrote three tangentially related titles, set in the same fictionalized town of Deep Valley. Carney's House Party is one of these (along with Emily of Deep Valley and Winona's Pony Cart), and although the HarperCollins reprint I read lists it as the second in the series, it was published first, in 1949. As it is my understan
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Jul 23, 2011
Katie
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Re-read 7/23/11.
This book was a childhood favorite that I still really love! It's part of the Betsy-Tacy collection, which is a series of books based on the author's childhood. Most of them are in Betsy's point of view, but this one is Carney's. It's set the summer after Carney's sophomore year of college in the early 1900's. And knowing that this is when the author really grew up gives the book's setting so much authenticity!
Anyway, Carney hosts a house party, where seve More...
This book was a childhood favorite that I still really love! It's part of the Betsy-Tacy collection, which is a series of books based on the author's childhood. Most of them are in Betsy's point of view, but this one is Carney's. It's set the summer after Carney's sophomore year of college in the early 1900's. And knowing that this is when the author really grew up gives the book's setting so much authenticity!
Anyway, Carney hosts a house party, where seve More...
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Nov 04, 2009
Treasa
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This book automatically gets 4 stars for being part of the Betsy-Tacy series. It was wonderful to read about the same characters, but from a different perspective since this book focuses on Carney rather than on Betsy.
For the first part of the book, Carney spends a great deal of time thinking about Larry, her sort-of boyfriend who moved to California when they were in high school (she is now a rising junior at Vassar). They have written to each other every week ever since he moved aw More...
For the first part of the book, Carney spends a great deal of time thinking about Larry, her sort-of boyfriend who moved to California when they were in high school (she is now a rising junior at Vassar). They have written to each other every week ever since he moved aw More...
Dec 26, 2010
Lawrence
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I find that this is the first really "subtle" book of the Deep Valley series. It is definitely more adult. These are people who are thinking of their personal futures. As a group, they have each other's support, but they realize that their futures are what they as individuals make them --- that is, they must choose alone aided by their own native wit and feeling. Thus, Carney makes, first, the "small" choice to have Isobel out to Deep Valley as a relatively long term hous
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Aug 22, 2008
Shelley
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8/22/08: I read this one a little more critically than I did the first time. For one, as much as I like Sam, he is so much more flawed than any of the other male characters, I think. Did Maud like his counterpart? He was so grumpy and his way or the high way and pushy. I did admire the way he was saving up to buy Carney's ring cash, though, since it was so important to her.
One of my biggest issues with this series came up again, though. It's been one year since the last book in the s More...
One of my biggest issues with this series came up again, though. It's been one year since the last book in the s More...
Nov 04, 2010
I loved Carney and her story a lot. As someone from the West who went East for college, I completely identifed with her frustration and difficulty fitting in with the girls from the East. At several points throughout the book I found myself nodding in agreement at some of her obseravtions. I liked her "foreheadedness" and her difficulties becoming closer with Isobel. Their friendship, close yet with prickles was similar to some friendships of my own. Fantastic story, still relatable.
May 24, 2010
Susann
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**slight spoilers toward the end**
This is a particularly fun one to discuss at the VSC, because it's a strong favorite among the NY Chapter members, and that invariably leads to a raucous discussion.
I always enjoy my glimpse into Carney's sensible perspective. (I like things settled, too!) With my last read, I remember noticing what an excellent job MHL did with the tightened time frame of just one summer. This time around, I found myself comparing the Carney-Bonnie friendship More...
This is a particularly fun one to discuss at the VSC, because it's a strong favorite among the NY Chapter members, and that invariably leads to a raucous discussion.
I always enjoy my glimpse into Carney's sensible perspective. (I like things settled, too!) With my last read, I remember noticing what an excellent job MHL did with the tightened time frame of just one summer. This time around, I found myself comparing the Carney-Bonnie friendship More...
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Dec 31, 2011
Miriam
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Although this book isn't part of the Betsy series, it contains a lot of the same characters. It was fun to read, and as with the other books, contains a lot of interesting details about daily life during that time period.
Apr 25, 2008
Deenbat
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This is only peripherally a Betsy-Tacy book - that's really marketing hyperbole (gee... that's unusual.)
However, it is a really good story. Betsy and Tacy's friend Carney is done with her first year at Vassar, and heading back to Deep Valley for the summer. In order to make sure that she has a chance to visit with all her friends, and keep her posh Easterner room-mate entertained during her visit, Carney arranges a house-party...
This is a great example of my comfort readi More...
However, it is a really good story. Betsy and Tacy's friend Carney is done with her first year at Vassar, and heading back to Deep Valley for the summer. In order to make sure that she has a chance to visit with all her friends, and keep her posh Easterner room-mate entertained during her visit, Carney arranges a house-party...
This is a great example of my comfort readi More...
Aug 05, 2011
Kerith
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This one is still relatively new to me, when I think how many times I've read it compared to the rest of the Betsy series. It was out of print for so long, yet is such an important part of the books. Both Betsy and Joe make an appearance, too. Focusing on Betsy's friend Carney, this story takes place the summer between her sophomore and junior year at Vassar, and finally solves the mystery of what happened with her and her high school crush Laurence.
This is a lovely snapshot of summers in the mi More...
This is a lovely snapshot of summers in the mi More...
Oct 09, 2010
Christina
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Wonderful book. Re-read it for the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge because it was the only book in the Betsy-Tacy series I hadn't read more than once. Glad I did.
Jul 15, 2010
Margaret
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Not technically part of the Betsy-Tacy series but just as enjoyable, Carney's House Party is about one of Betsy's crowd of friends, Carney Sibley, and a house party she gives between her sophomore and junior years at Vassar.
Oct 17, 2010
Glorious.Clio
rated it:
So it seems that I have more in common with Carney than I originally thought. I adored this book! It was a wonderful companion to a childhood series.
Edit, 10/17/10
Just finished rereading this book. Oh, but it's wonderful. Lovelace has such a deep love of her characters, and since they're all based on her friends, it's no wonder why.
Edit, 10/17/10
Just finished rereading this book. Oh, but it's wonderful. Lovelace has such a deep love of her characters, and since they're all based on her friends, it's no wonder why.
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Oct 04, 2011
Maureen
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A re-read. I’m a major Lovelace fan; the only book I haven’t read from the Deep Valley series is Winona’s Pony Cart. I liked seeing a different perspective on love and marriage, and Betsy and Joe’s relationship. [Jan. 2010]
Jun 05, 2009
Jan
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I just gave Carney an extra star. Oh Carney, I've never enjoyed your story more than this reread. Betsy's immaturity really bugged me last time through, but this time it was all about you and your romantic story.
Jan 26, 2010
Christina
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It's so charming! I love how it shows Carney really thinking about the biggest decision of her life: who she wants to spend the rest of her days with. You're kept in suspense til the very end!
Nov 14, 2007
Laurie
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This book wasn't in our library and it was out of print for years, so I read it much later. It was the perfect dessert!!!
Oct 12, 2008
purple fluff ball
rated it:
good writing. doesnt really get you involved in it didnt even finish it. doesnt really draw you in.
Dec 17, 2009
Deb
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Why did Vassar ever go co-ed? My kid read this and wanted to go there....but alas...
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