New member introductions and group read planning Showing 901-950 of 1,039

[Abigail]

We seem to have agreed on The Ivy Tree and on going in order of publication.

[Galowa]

Linda wrote: "I just finished reading My Brother Michael. What is our book for October? I'm expecting The Ivy Tree. Has anyone started reading it yet?"

Everyone has said "The Ivy Tree" comes next. I've just finished re-reading it, and I think it's the absolute best of her standalone books along with Nine Coaches, and easily comparable to her Arthurian works. ;- )

[Abigail]

Hoping to get to it shortly!

[Linda]

I will be reading it in a week or two. I've never read it before.

[Jackie]

Linda wrote: "I will be reading it in a week or two. I've never read it before."

same here: I've never read it, and should be able to in a week or two. Looking forward to it!

[Abigail]

November! Time for my favorite Stewart novel, The Moon-Spinners. At least it was my favorite back when I first read them, we’ll see if it holds up. I probably won’t be able to start for a bit because I am counting ballots at least through the 9th and my brain is too numb for reading by the end of the day.

[Linda]

I started last night.. I haven't read this since I was a teenager, and that was a long, long time ago. I liked it then.

[Julie]

I’m about to start. I may have read this but, if so, it’s so long ago I don’t remember!

[Elizabeth]

Here's the link to our group reads page, please scroll down for the Moonspinners:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...
One of my favourites, too!

[Galowa]

Misfit wrote: "Please feel free to stop by and add a note and let us know about you. What is your favorite Mary Stewart novel?

I know I read Mary's books when I was a teen ohhhhh so long ago but I only recall th..."

I just read Nine Coaches Waiting (55 years after my first reading) and I'm breathless! GREAT heroine, and I loved all the elements of yin/yang between her and the hero (not just the "romantic," though I admit the elastic in my panties may have melted...) Cue up the rocket launchers for the fireworks! lolol

[Abigail]

There were certainly some hot moments!

[Abigail]

December crept up on many of us, but thus month’s read is This Rough Magic. I won’t be getting to it till later in the month, but there are old discussion threads.

[Galowa]

Abigail wrote: "December crept up on many of us, but thus month’s read is This Rough Magic. I won’t be getting to it till later in the month, but there are old discussion threads."

Thanks, Abigail! I'll need to finish the rest of Josephine Tey before I can embark on a TRM re-read, but I'll strive to coordinate with you. I hope you're staying cozy... ;-)

[Jackie]

I can't keep up with life in general and even with reading! it's too bad, but can't imagine starting a Mary Stewart anytime soon. Maybe I can join in the New Year, which is coming up fast.

[Galowa]

Jackie wrote: "I can't keep up with life in general and even with reading! it's too bad, but can't imagine starting a Mary Stewart anytime soon. Maybe I can join in the New Year, which is coming up fast."

Hey, Jackie! ;- ) I think that's true for a lot of folks, especially these holiday months. Mary Stewart produced a relatively modest number of works, all eminently re-readable, so if you've read a particular book of hers even once, it's still possible to join in and/or follow any discussion and enjoy it, even if you aren't able to re-read concurrently. That's what I plan to do. I hope you have a wonderful December! ;-)

[Jackie]

thak you, Galowa! You, too

[Abigail]

If the consensus is that we need to skip December and resume our reading-in-order in January, that would be fine with me. Would people prefer This Rough Magic for Jan 2023?

[Galowa]

Abigail wrote: "If the consensus is that we need to skip December and resume our reading-in-order in January, that would be fine with me. Would people prefer This Rough Magic for Jan 2023?"

Great idea, Abigail, to sound out and poll the group...
I'm open, either way. ;-)

[Jackie]

I would like to wait until January.

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽, Moderator]

If we wait until January, I’ll plan to join in!

[Elizabeth]

Abigail wrote: "If the consensus is that we need to skip December and resume our reading-in-order in January, that would be fine with me. Would people prefer This Rough Magic for Jan 2023?"

Great idea, Abigail! This Rough Magic is my favourite and I would hate to miss out on everyone's comments because we're all too rushed. I've got video material of the Corfu channel that I'd like to post for you all, too!

[Galowa]

Elizabeth wrote: "Abigail wrote: "If the consensus is that we need to skip December and resume our reading-in-order in January, that would be fine with me. Would people prefer This Rough Magic for Jan 2023?"

Great ..."

Abigail, I'm beginning to sense an emerging trend! lolol ;-)

[Susan in Perthshire]

Happy to postpone the discussion of This Rough Magic to January. December is speeding by like an express train!

[Julie]

Agreed! I’m happy with January too.

[Jackie]

OK, I have the large print version requested from my library. yay!

[Linda]

How about two months for this book? I might read Christmas fiction up until Dec. 25 and then read TRM between Christmas and New Years... or postpone until January. I am happy with having more discussion in January. Hope you all have a happy holiday season!

[Galowa]

Linda wrote: "How about two months for this book? I might read Christmas fiction up until Dec. 25 and then read TRM between Christmas and New Years... or postpone until January. I am happy with having more discu..."

Great idea, Linda! No one should be "prevented" from reading Mary Stewart ever. Read and re-read! ;-)

[Heather]

I found Mary Stewart last year and I just LOVE her books!! Are there other authors out there similar to this style?

[Abigail]

Romantic suspense was a big genre back in the day. You might take a look at Helen MacInnes, who wrote Cold War-themed romantic thrillers. Also, while Elizabeth Peters is best known for her comic mysteries involving nineteenth-century archaeologists in Egypt, she also wrote some very good romantic mysteries.

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽, Moderator]

Hi Heather! Some of Susanna Kearsley's books are similar to Mary Stewart's in tone. But I've been looking around for years and never found anyone quite like Stewart. :)

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽, Moderator]

Has anyone started This Rough Magic yet? I'm a few days late but I'm pinning the old discussion threads to the top of the Buddy Reads for everyone's convenience. See you there!

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ wrote: "Has anyone started This Rough Magic yet? I'm a few days late but I'm pinning the old discussion threads to the top of the Buddy Reads for everyone's convenience. See you there!"

I am joining yall! It's been a few years since I read it.

[Jackie]

I finished last week! I really loved my re-read.

[Linda]

I read it at the end of December... great novel!

[Judith]

This is my favorite MS novel. I re read it every couple of years.

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽, Moderator]

I just got a notification from Amazon that the Kindle copy of This Rough Magic is temporarily on sale for 99 cents, if anyone is interested. I already have 2 (maybe 3) hard copies so I think I'm good. :D The Kindle sale is probably limited to the US, sorry.

[Lacey]

Awesome! I’ve been trying to decide what to read next, and I’ve been on a Mary Stewart kick lately. This’ll be my first read through TRM 🤩

[Teri-K]

Nothing planned for February?

[Abigail]

I believe Airs Above the Ground is the book for February.

[Elizabeth]

Abigail wrote: "I believe Airs Above the Ground is the book for February."

Ooh, great! I was just wondering whether to stop listening to Wives and Daughters for the nth time, pull my socks up, and start something new for a change, so another Mary Stewart reread is just the thing.

The annual Goodreads Challenge always makes me grin. Ever since I learned how to read, I've been trying to read less, not more!

[Teri-K]

Abigail wrote: "I believe Airs Above the Ground is the book for February."

Thank you! I'll go track that one down - I remember loving it before.

[Abigail]

I love Wives and Daughters! Both the book and the BBC adaptation, which alters some things but in a good way, I found.

Airs above the Ground has a special place in my affections because I once got to ride a Lipizzaner. My riding instructor in Los Angeles was an Austrian immigrant whose brother was one of the trainers. He had bought one of the (brown) horses that had failed the training program—but the horse did know one of the “dance steps,” how to rear up and freeze, as I discovered when I accidentally made the leg movement that was the cue. We were on a cliff path high above the Pacific at the time, so I was plenty scared! And my teacher, Egon Mertz, just sat there and laughed. I was such a little thing, only eight or nine years old, and the horse’s back was so broad, that I was in no danger.

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽, Moderator]

One of my favorite scenes in all of Mary Stewart are in Airs Above the Ground :)

[Linda]

Oh how exciting, to be on a cliff above the ocean when the horse rears up and holds that position. I would have been terrified! But great experience, to look back on.

I'm currently reading North and South! But I'll put it on pause a few days while I read Airs Above the Ground!

[Teri-K]

Linda wrote: "Oh how exciting, to be on a cliff above the ocean when the horse rears up and holds that position. I would have been terrified! But great experience, to look back on.

I'm currently reading North a..."

I love North and South - I'm rereading it right now. I'm about half way through, and taking my time so I can really enjoy it.

[Elizabeth]

Well, this is a great pleasure! At least three Elizabeth Gaskell fans in this group! But we're veering wildly off topic. Sorry, I know I tempted you!

[Teri-K]

Elizabeth wrote: "Well, this is a great pleasure! At least three Elizabeth Gaskell fans in this group! But we're veering wildly off topic. Sorry, I know I tempted you!"

You're forgiven, lol

I think one of the things I love about Gaskell is also a strength of Stewart - I love books about ordinary people. I'm rarely interested in reading about a billionaire, actress, or political leader, unless it's historical. And even then I've always preferred learning about the plain folks and how they lived. Both of these authors give you interesting stories about people you could know.

They also have a strong sense of place. I really enjoy a Stewart book where I feel like I've tramped through the hills with the MC. Gaskell also evokes places strongly - rural or urban. I can feel the her heroines walking through the city, or lingering in a country garden.

So there, we're back on task. haha

[Abigail]

Excellent points, Teri-K!

[Linda]

Good analysis, Teri-K !!! I think Stewart's locations are more colorful and exotic than a smoky north-England factory town, but I do definitely get a sense of place in North and South!

[Teri-K]

I can't find the discussion pages. Could some kind soul help me, please? I'm feeling a little lost. Thanks!