New member introductions and group read planning Showing 601-650 of 1,039

[Skye]

Oh, that's nice; I liked M. M. Kaye.

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽, Moderator]

Officially the Retro Reads group is from 1920ish to 1979, but we're flexible.

[Skye]

The books must be great.

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

I'm loving the retro reads group!

[Marian]

Thank you Ladies for the explanation:)M.M.Kaye..she wrote The Far Pavilions?I have her book The Ordinary Princess.

[Karlyne]

Marian wrote: "Thank you Ladies for the explanation:)M.M.Kaye..she wrote The Far Pavilions?I have her book The Ordinary Princess."

Ack! We lost our copy of The Ordinary Princess a long time ago - my daughters loved it! The Retro Reads group is going to read one of M.M.Kaye's mysteries, next month, I think, Tadiana?

[Skye]

Marian wrote: "Thank you Ladies for the explanation:)M.M.Kaye..she wrote The Far Pavilions?I have her book The Ordinary Princess."

Yes, and that was good, wasn't it? You are someone else, again, Marian--:)

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽, Moderator]

Yes, the Death in Kashmir group read starts April 15 in the Retro Reads group. That was my favorite of Kaye's "Death in" books, so I'm glad that one won the vote. :)

[Skye]

Karlyne wrote: "Marian wrote: "Thank you Ladies for the explanation:)M.M.Kaye..she wrote The Far Pavilions?I have her book The Ordinary Princess."

Ack! We lost our copy of The Ordinary Princess a long time ago - ..."
Do you read Sydney Sheldon, James Michener, Harold Robbins, Taylor Caldwell, et al.?

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽, Moderator]

Skye wrote: "Do you read Sydney Sheldon, James Michener, Harold Robbins, Taylor Caldwell, et al.?"

The general vibe of the Retro Reads group seems to be more geared toward "cozy": nostalgic reads/older romances: Elizabeth Goudge, M.M. Kaye, D.E. Stephenson, Victoria Holt -- authors like that.

[Karlyne]

Skye wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "Marian wrote: "Thank you Ladies for the explanation:)M.M.Kaye..she wrote The Far Pavilions?I have her book The Ordinary Princess."

Ack! We lost our copy of The Ordinary Princess a ..."

I used to read a lot of Taylor Caldwell - she was a favorite of my mother-in-law. Actually, I used to read the others, too, but they didn't stick!

[Skye]

Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ wrote: "Skye wrote: "Do you read Sydney Sheldon, James Michener, Harold Robbins, Taylor Caldwell, et al.?"

The general vibe of the Retro Reads group seems to be more geared toward "cozy": nostalgic reads/..."
Oh, they are the types of books we are all reading in the Gothic Lover's group.

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽, Moderator]

Ah - definitely some overlap there.

[Karlyne]

Skye wrote: "Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ wrote: "Skye wrote: "Do you read Sydney Sheldon, James Michener, Harold Robbins, Taylor Caldwell, et al.?"

The general vibe of the Retro Reads group seems to be more geared tow..."

Those authors are considered Gothic?! Wait, which group did you mean?

[Marian]

Skye wrote: "Marian wrote: "Thank you Ladies for the explanation:)M.M.Kaye..she wrote The Far Pavilions?I have her book The Ordinary Princess."

Yes, and that was good, wasn't it? You are someone else, again, M..."

I try:)

[Annabel]

Hi, I am excitd to have found this group. I so want to talk about Mary Stewart. I've read all her romantic thrillers over and over (I must admit I haven't read the Arthurian ones).

My favourite is Wildfire At Midnight. I want to be Gianetta Drury and be a stunningly beautiful yet moody successful model who holidays in misty Scottish mountains and is menaced by murderers.

If I had to pick a Mary Stewart heroine to go on holiday with, it would definitely not be the brattish Christy Mansel from the Gabriel Hounds or the annoyingly helpless Camilla Haven. It would probably have to be either Lucy Waring or Nicola Ferris, who both seem fun to hang out with. (Vanessa March would be nice as well but probably too busy worrying about her errant husband.)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Welcome Annabel! :)

[Marian]

Welcome Annabell!

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽, Moderator]

Delighted to meet you, Annabel! Now you have me trying to figure out which Mary Stewart heroine I'd most want to go vacationing with and have as my bestie. :) Lucy and Charity may be at the top of my list.

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

Me too Tadiana! That's fun to think about. I think my bestie would be Lucy for sure.

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

Welcome Annabel. :)

[Annabel]

Hmmm, when I eagerly applied to join this group, I forgot that you are the people who will immediately be able to out my name as a cover story. Yes, I picked Annabel as a pen name in honour of Mary Stewart.

The only reason I am using a pen name is because I am a civil servant in the UK and didn't want to embarrass my employers by having written a book.

Anyway, that confession out of the way, I can move on to wondering which MS hero I would go on holiday with. Nicholas would be too moody, Simon too prone to quote Ancient Greek. Mark might be the best choice because he at least understands the concept of a holiday and has his own boat...

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽, Moderator]

Annabel (and anyone else who's newer to this group), you should check out the Buddy Reads thread and click to be notified of new posts. That's where we decide what to read next as a group (as well as do a lot of general chatting). Currently pending MS group reads: Wildfire at Midnight in May and Thunder on the Right in July.

Here's the link (to what's currently the last page): https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Katy]

Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ wrote: "Annabel (and anyone else who's newer to this group), you should check out the Buddy Reads thread and click to be notified of new posts. That's where we decide what to read next as a group (as well ..."

I'm wondering if we could have a buddy read schedule thread? That way we could check a bit more easily as to what is coming up?

[Skye]

Welcome, Annabel.
I adore Mary Stewart, and I have my copy of Nine Coaches Waiting, but I haven't begun reading it again, yet.

[Annabel]

Oops sorry I meant I would love to do the Wildfire group read! Do you read a chapter at a time and compare notes? And do you assume everyone is rereading or do you avoid spoilers?

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽, Moderator]

Annabel wrote: "Oops sorry I meant I would love to do the Wildfire group read! Do you read a chapter at a time and compare notes? And do you assume everyone is rereading or do you avoid spoilers?"

Everyone reads at their own speed. We have three or four discussion threads for different sections of the book, but (except for the designated Spoilers thread) you're supposed to use spoiler tags around any spoilers in your comments, and mention the chapter that they're in, so others will know whether it's safe for them to open your spoiler tag. It works pretty well.

Let me know if anyone has questions about how to use spoiler tags. You can click on "(some html is ok)" above the comment box for these and many other formatting tips.

[Skye]

Thanks so much, Tadiana!

[Teaqueen]

Welcome Annabel!
Loved your questions! My fave heroine is Charity so would pick her for a travel partner. However just picked up The Moon-spinners today for a re-read and Nicola is quite fun as well.

[Annabel]

Hi Teaqueen. Charity would be great for demanding driving routes. But I do love Nicola Ferris too. I have wondered if she is the youngest of them - MS never gives much away on ages (although my namesake Annabel Winslow is definitely 27) but I think Nicola is only 18 or so?

[Teaqueen]

Nicola is 21.

[Fiona]

I have been lurking on this group for quite some time, and it puzzles me that no-one seems to like the Merlin series. To me they are definitely her best books, although I like "Wildfire at Midnight" and "Thornyhold". I was about 14 when I read "The Crystal Cave" for the first time, and it blew me away. Merlin is such a strong character, and very different to T H White's portrayal of him in "The Once and Future King" (younger, and more human, I think). Obviously everybody's taste is different, but I would be interested to know why the Arthurian series isn't as popular.
Fiona

[Katy]

Fiona wrote: "I have been lurking on this group for quite some time, and it puzzles me that no-one seems to like the Merlin series...."

Oh I love the series & it was what encouraged me to read more of Mary Stewart's books. The Arthurian series is my favorite still of all of her books.

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽, Moderator]

I'm not sure what exactly is holding me back with her Merlin series, since I love the fantasy genre. I guess I just have vague memories of getting bored with it after the first book. But that was so many years ago that I really need to give it another try.

[Debbie]

Hi Fiona! I haven't read the Arthurian series yet, but I am looking forward to it Someday. I have had the four books for a couple of years now and haven't gotten to them yet. (You know how that goes!) But I am looking forward to seeing this familiar story told with Stewart's touch!

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽, Moderator]

Kathy wrote: "I'm wondering if we could have a buddy read schedule thread? That way we could check a bit more easily as to what is coming up..."

Sigh. No, because I'm not a particularly organized person. I'll see if I can set up our site and bookshelves to do it, though.

Is anyone interested in becoming a co-moderator and helping us be more organized? Feel free to PM me. It would be helpful if you're familiar with how GR group features work.

[Fiona]

There is a 5th book in the series, "The Prince and the Pilgrim", but it is much weaker than the others. "The Wicked Day" (about Mordred) is very sad.
Fiona

[Teaqueen]

I read The Crystal Cave when I was in my 20's and loved it. Went on to read the Hollow Hills and maybe the 3rd one and stopped there. I'm not a fantasy person by nature so I've never done a re read of these novels. Since all that was a long time ago...would be fun to read again then finish the series.

Stewart's suspence/romantic novels are more my style of reading so I am naturally drawn to those rather than the Arthur books.

As far as popularity… Do fantasy or Aruthur fans mention these books? Are people surprised that she writes two completely different styles of books? The funny thing is… I'm a huge fan of children's lit… And I've never read her children's books.

[Skye]

Hi Teaqueen, welcome aboard.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Fiona wrote: "I have been lurking on this group for quite some time, and it puzzles me that no-one seems to like the Merlin series. To me they are definitely her best books, although I like "Wildfire at Midnight..."

I liked The Crystal Cave a lot. I have the Hollow Hills & I'm hoping to get it read this year.

I know different moderators have suggested to GR having a group calendar. It's not too hard to keep track of things in single author groups, but I can see it would be a useful feature for Retro Reads.

[Theresa]

I have never read The Crystal Cave (or any in the Merlin trilogy) either! Although my daughter purchased the three-in-one hardback copy. But I love her other books. I will have to try the trilogy for a summer read I think.
I have been thinking of who I would choose for my heroine-buddy-vacation-person and I think it would be Linda Martin! (just in case we got in a bind... she seems pretty resourceful! complete opposite to me : ) Linda's empathy for the lonely little Philippe (and her ability to make friends so quickly with a nine year old. I think he was nine?) is admirable.
Also welcome to the new members (I am pretty new myself!) This is such a nice group.

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

This is a nice group. :D

I have read the first two Merlin books but didn't finish the third one. I still want to and go on and finish the series. If there is a buddy read of those I would join.

[Teaqueen]

Have just discovered a marvelous blog on MS called "Mary, Queen of,Plots". The blogs author lives in Edinborough and has access to many of Mary Stewart's manuscripts and papers. So there is so much background information on MS that is wonderful for us that love her novels.

Take a peek....
https://marystewartreading.wordpress.com

[Peggy]

I love the Merlin series. In fact, I really should reread them. :)

Fiona wrote: "I have been lurking on this group for quite some time, and it puzzles me that no-one seems to like the Merlin series. To me they are definitely her best books, although I like "Wildfire at Midnight..."

[Katy]

Teaqueen wrote: "Have just discovered a marvelous blog on MS called "Mary, Queen of,Plots". The blogs author lives in Edinborough and has access to many of Mary Stewart's manuscripts and papers. So there is so much..."

That is very cool.

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

Wow! Thank you. I'll check that blog out.

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

Yes!! I just took a little look from my phone. I'll have to open up the laptop now. Looks like the blogger keeps it current.

[Skye]

If you get the link, Debbie, send it my way.

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

Hey Skye. It's just above in Teaqueen's post. I just clicked on it and it took me right to it. :)

[Fiona]

Just had a look at this site - well worth a read