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Laura
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Feb 09, 2025 01:04PM
After finishing My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier, and loving it so much (gave it a 5-star review) I decided to finally read another classic of hers, Rebecca. It's definitely a different writing style, but am still really enjoying it.
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I love Rebecca! Daphne du Maurier is a favorite of mine. I love her writing style. I hope you enjoy Rebecca, too!I am currently reading 1984.
Vickie wrote: "I love Rebecca! Daphne du Maurier is a favorite of mine. I love her writing style. I hope you enjoy Rebecca, too!I am currently reading 1984."
I absolutely loved 1984. When I was younger, I tried reading it several times but could never get into it but picked it up the other year and could not put it down. I'm so glad I tried it again.
With Rebecca, I'm finding it rather predictable. I have not seen any of the film adaptations of it either, but with every 'mystery' I guess ahead of time what it is. I'm only 68% through so I still have a way to go, but I do hope it surprises me soon.
Fingers crossed you end up liking it!Yeah, 1984 is pleasantly surprising me. I wasn't sure how much I was going to like it being that I don't read this kind of subject matter too much, but I'm glad it's keeping my interest!
My Goodreads friend Heather Day Gilbert is a writer I've often mentioned here, and a favorite for both me and my wife. As of yesterday, we started reading her newest novel,
Queen of Hearts (2024). Though she's not a new writer in the mystery genre, as this book is a stand-alone work of psychological suspense, it's a new departure for her; she likes to read novels in this subgenre, but hasn't published one of her own until this one.
Yes, Laura, I agree... Although I usually enjoy the movie, the book gives many more details to pull the story together, e.g. background, character's thought process, etc. My father-in-law gave me a copy of GWTW many years ago, and it was a great read -- hope to reread one day.
Speaking of GWTW and movies, Scarlett is now, or soon, playing on Netflix. It was written as a continuation of GWTW. I read it some years ago... and while an okay story that I did enjoy, it's nothing like its predecessor as the characters seemed somewhat tamed but I think the author tried to show them with some of their "spiritedness". Knowing Netflix, they'll spice it up somehow, but I'll give it a chance.
Reggia wrote: "Speaking of GWTW and movies, Scarlett is now, or soon, playing on Netflix. It was written as a continuation of GWTW. I read it some years ago... and while an okay story that I did enjoy, it's nothi..."I actually have that book, Scarlett! I plan on reading that sometime in the future. I still haven't finished GWTW yet as I keep getting sidetracked, but am 75% done with it. I'm not enjoying it as much in the middle as I did in the beginning, so it's been slow going for me, but plan on finishing it soon.
I'll look for that Netflix show as well. Thanks.
Robin of Sherwood, the book I started this morning, is the fourth and final installment of The Clerk of Copmanhurst's Tales, a Robin Hood re-telling by my Goodreads friend, G.K. Werner. I greatly enjoyed the first three volumes, so I'm looking forward to this one with much anticipation!
That's so funny Werner, as I've just come from watching an episode of the 1960s TV serial, which we're working though daily yet again. This is the one where when Chris was a child and watched it at a neighbour's house (they didn't have a TV) he came back and told his father that he'd seen the real Robin Hood (Richard Greene).For the books, the favourite in our house is J. Walker McSpadden's The Adventures Of Robin Hood & His Merry Outlaws. (There are numerous editions of it, but this is the one I managed to replace recently. It had been "loved to death"!)
As far as I know, the TV version never aired in our area when I was a kid (of course, in my growing-up years, we only had three channels!). if it had, I'd probably have liked it, just as Chris did. :-) I've never read the McSpadden book; the classic re-telling that I latched on to in my childhood days was Robin Hood by Henry Gilbert. It was one of the very first books I read independently, at the age of six or seven, and helped form my lifelong liking both for classics and for historical fiction.
Werner wrote: "As far as I know, the TV version never aired in our area when I was a kid (of course, in my growing-up years, we only had three channels!). if it had, I'd probably have liked it, just as Chris did...."Aw, you don't know what you were missing, Werner! Here it is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adv...
I used to dash home to see it, but think it must have been repeats as we only had BBC until the early 60s and this was ITV (independent). As I said, Chris's family didn't yet have a TV at all.
Now when we watch it we can tell the singer of the theme song was American, as he sings "R-ar-bin Hood, R-ar-bin Hood, riding through the glen" (and we don't have glens in England - that's Scotland! LOL) There are also (Australian) kookaburrahs in Sherwood forest apparently ... but you don't notice these things as a child, and the stories were great. Today's was "The Challenge" (which is mentioned at the end of the wiki article) though I prefer the traditional retellings.
Here's the theme song, following the firing of a bow for anyone who remembers it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbyYr...
"Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Riding through the glen
Robin Hood, Robin Hood, With his band of men
Feared by the bad, Loved by the good
Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Robin Hood
He called the greatest archers to a tavern on the green
They vowed to help the people of the king
They handled all the trouble on the English country scene
And still found plenty of time to sing"
Ah!
Hmmm! Apparently, a number of episodes from the series are available for viewing on YouTube, at this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... . I'll have to check that out, when I get a chance!
Today I started The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. His book, The Frozen Deep, is one of my all-time favorites. I just loved the intensity of Wilkie Collins's writing and how he portrays his characters. I have read reviews of how good The Woman in White is, and knew I just had to read it. I borrowed the e-book and audiobook with Amazon Prime, and started it this evening, and so far, I am enjoying not just the writing but the actors narrating as well.
Hope you enjoy The Woman in White as much as I did. Yes, it was kind of weird in some ways, but I was pulled in to the story.Can't decide which book to read next... hundreds to choose from... started Map of the World recently, but after 71 pages I found it just too depressing for me right now.
Reggia wrote: "Hope you enjoy The Woman in White as much as I did. Yes, it was kind of weird in some ways, but I was pulled in to the story.Can't decide which book to read next... hundreds to choose from... sta..."
I've never heard of A Map of the World, but if you find it too depressing, I will definitely stay clear of it. I do not handle depressing books all that well.
I'm actually finding The Woman in White difficult to continue. I had back surgery on the 12th, and didn't get home from the hospital until late on the 15th, so I really haven't been in a reading mood because of all my pain I'm trying to manage. This is actually my first time on Goodreads since before the surgery, so I feel like I'm behind. At this point, I do not know if I even want to continue with The Woman in White or not. I wonder if I just need an easier read, something light and fluffy to get my mind away from my present circumstance and not have to try and concentrate post-surgery.
So sorry you're in pain, Laura! Thoughts and prayers.
I'm thinking of you too Laura, and wishing you well 🤗The Woman in White is a marvellous book, but will still be there when you feel more in the mood for it! I recommend you read something you know you'll enjoy - a real page-turner.
Over a period of about nine years, I read and liked the first several books of the Kim Oh series (now renamed the Real Dangerous Girl series) by K.W. Jeter. But I lost respect for his artistic integrity after he changed the protagonist's ethnicity from Korean to white, and rewrote all the books to change all the character's names. :-( I've now started on a back-to-back read of the last two books, Real Dangerous Ride and Real Dangerous Plan, just because I want to see the completion of Kim's arc (no matter what she's called). But I don't plan to promote either book by reviewing it.
We were speaking of Gone With the Wind and Scarlett a few posts back. I had forgotten it was on Netflix, but also discovered it is on Tubi (which is free) as well.
I've just started reading A Wrinkle in Time -- better late than never, I guess. ;-)It's reminding me very much of Sophie's World which was a disappointment for me. I'm also wondering if Gaarder might've gotten the idea for his book from L'Engle...
I've read them both Reggia, and the similarity hadn't struck me at the time, although now I can see what you mean. Both have philosophical content - in fact Sophie’s World is little more than a vehicle for explaining the main ideas of major Western philosophers. The "story" as such is very thin, whereas A Wrinkle in Time is more about the characters facilitating the ideas, and it is spiritual rather than philosophical. At least, that what I thought 🤔
"Little more than a vehicle..." Yes, I was excited for some philosophy lessons, but so disappointed in the tale itself. Thanks for the feedback, Jean! :-)
I found it a struggle at times, but my brother loved it! Would you believe there is a board game based on Sophie’s World? 😲 It involves picking cards and explaining various philosophical theories. I can't remember how you move round the board, but I do remember wishing it was multiple choice, as it's so tough.
It's terrible as a board game too! Even my husband didn't really enjoy it (and he read Philosophy at Oxford). I hope no parent buys it for their children ... it was quickly re-donated back to the charity shop where we bought it!
Lol, thank you, Jean... I will not let myself be tempted if I should see this game.
While waiting for the next novel I'm going to read to arrive by interlibrary loan, I'm dipping into the anthology
A Century of Great Western Stories, which I gave my wife for Christmas back in 2012, but have never read myself. (It's edited by John Jakes, who began his career as a writer of Westerns, and always remained a fan of the genre.) This one goes on my "being read intermittently" shelf.
Started a variation of the tale of Pride & Prejudice the other day, The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow. It is about the middle Bennet sister Mary. This is not my first variation regarding Mary that I've read. The other one was The Forgotten Sister: Mary Bennet's Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Paynter. That one I enjoyed very much, and so far I am enjoying The Other Bennet Sister as it is written in the style of Jane Austen.
Curious to know what angle these two books take on Mary. In the P & P itself, I thought Mr Bennet was a bit harsh with her here:"What say you, Mary? for you are a young lady of deep reflection, I know, and read great books and make extracts."My thoughts are that she at least took the trouble. Or maybe it's because I related to her, I read many things but am fully aware that my understanding is not well-studied or educated.
Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how.
I like to give her credit for trying. She showed piety even though it came across a bit severe, especially to her younger sisters. In my book, she gets something for effort. ;-)
There are similarities between the Mary of The Forgotten Sister: Mary Bennet's Pride and Prejudice and The Other Bennet Sister, both have them described as dull and plain, however they are more complex than that. Yes, their father was harsh with them in both cases, but in The Other Bennet Sister Mr. Bennet at times seems to relax his harshness with her and then displays it to her all over again.In both books, Mary is quite relatable, always feeling left out, and whenever she gets attention from a male, it seems it's always the wrong type of male, meaning below her station and was told to thwart him off, even though no other male would have her. It seems her family wants her to remain alone the rest of her life.
Also in both books, is a coming-of-age story of Mary, and you cannot help but fall in love with her character and root for her. However there some differences, mainly the story and how they achieve happiness. In The Forgotten Sister: Mary Bennet's Pride and Prejudice, it is more of an inward story of how Mary grows up, whereas in The Other Bennet Sister (from what I've read so far), it seems it is an 'outward' way of her growing up and realizing her worth, if that makes any sense.
As far as The Other Bennet Sister with how much I've read (69% of the book) I am enjoying it immensely, and hoping for a HEA, and if there isn't, I will surely be disappointed and will not recommend the novel. With The Forgotten Sister: Mary Bennet's Pride and Prejudice, I do recommend it highly as I've read it twice and enjoyed it thoroughly both times, and I wouldn't mind reading it for a third time either.
I hope this helps, and sorry for such a lenghty response.
A book I requested by interlibrary loan arrived yesterday, so I've started reading it today. It's
The Hounds of Skaith by Leigh Brackett, the second book in her swords-and-planet SF The Book of Skaith series. The first one, The Ginger Star, earned five stars from me last year; so I'm looking forward to this read, and hope to finish reading the trilogy before the end of this year.
Undercover Colorado Conspiracy by Jodie Bailey, part of Harlequin's Love Inspired (Suspense) imprint, is a book I gave Barb for Christmas last year. Neither the book nor the imprint initially interested me very much; but nevertheless, we decided it was one we could read together, and we started a bit over a week ago. (I'd meant to post about it here earlier, but got sidetracked at the time!)
I've begun one that's been on my TBR pile for a while, a look at the 'other' Oxford beyond the tourist sites: Isolarion: A Different Oxford Journey.
Came across a book with such beautiful prose from a Christian author I've never heard of before, Charles Martin. I'm enjoying When Crickets Cry so much, that it makes me want to read more from this author already.
That's my favourite, Vickie 😊 It's a good year for it too - the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. So I definitely want to fit in a reread of one of her novels this year, as well. There are lots of celebratory events planned in England, particularly in Hampshire where she was born and lived much of her life. Numerous events and celebrations are planned throughout the year in locations like Winchester Cathedral, Jane Austen's House, Chawton, and Bath. All these events will honour her work and life, with Jane Austen's fans welcome to join in the festivities.
Are there any celebrations planned in the USA, do you know?
The Bluefield Univ. Book Club (which isn't really a "club" --it's just monthly events for book discussion that folks can come to) is sponsored by the library; and my library colleague Paula and I have talked about having an Austen-themed meeting next fall in honor of the significant anniversary. (We always offer light refreshments, so naturally this occasion would feature tea and Regency-style snacks.) I don't know of any other planned U.S. celebrations offhand; but then, as I often say, I live under a rock. :-)
I'm with you, Werner, I live under a rock as well, lol. So I'd have to do some internet sleuthing, Jean, to see if I can find anything. That's cool, though, that she's so honored over there.
That sounds great Werner! I think local events like that are a good way to raise awareness, too.
Not to worry Vickie - like both of you I usually have my nose in a book - but this one is so Big here!
Took a while, but I can say I've gotten into 10 Marchfield Square: a pair of building residents are hired by the landlord to look into the death of another tenant.
In another group, I'm taking part in this month's common read of The Case of the Late Pig by "Golden Age" British mystery writer Margery Allingham (I started a bit late). It's a reread for me, but my previous read was as a teen, so there's a fair bit I don't remember (though I do recall the identity of the culprit!). This is the eighth novel featuring the author's series sleuth Albert Campion, but the only one (and as far as I can recall, the only sample of her work) that I've read.
Bionic Jean wrote: "That's my favourite, Vickie 😊 It's a good year for it too - the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. So I definitely want to fit in a reread of one of her novels this year, as we..."I'm not aware of anything yet, but am planning on re-reading Mansfield Park (it's been a couple decades) in preparation for a mini-class on it. However, I'm definitely on the lookout for something local. :-)
* * *
Just finished Out of Africa. I enjoyed most of the book, but the last 20% was filled with short anecdotes which threw me off a bit. The last couple chapters did weave back in to her story.
Unfortunately I missed the chance to see it on Netflix, it must've just been removed the day before! That was what spurred me on to finally read the book.
As often between long reads, I'm reading a McCall Smith book, this time from the Sunday Philosophy Club Series, The Geometry of Holding Hands. Incidentally, after finishing the above, I thought to look up if he was at all influenced by Isak Dinesen, and found that he was indeed quite moved by her writing. I know he also has a great fondness for Africa having lived there himself, especially Botswana, which is quite evident, of course, in his #1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.
Later this month, I'm expecting to spend a few days in the area of Harrisonburg, Virginia, visiting family. On such trips, I usually spend some time in the public library there (long story!), during which I generally read intermittently in a short story collection, since the format is better suited than a novel or monograph for long hiatuses between spurts of reading on multiple visits, that may be spread over a couple of years. Here at home, I'm already intermittently reading a story anthology, but it's not one that library has.However, both that library and the BU library here do have an omnibus edition of every Father Brown mystery that G.K. Chesterton ever wrote (albeit in different printings by different publishers, and with different editors). So, I've also begun intermittently reading
The Father Brown Omnibus, which has long been on my to-read shelf. That will give me a head start, and let me continue the read for a bit after returning home.
Currently reading
His Unexpected Heiress by Sally Britton, which precedes the book that I just finished, Her Unsuitable Match. I do wish I read His Unexpected Heiress first. However, I am enjoying it; it is a nice escape read.
Myself and Strangers: A Memoir of Apprenticeship by John Graves. Glad I read his wonderful Goodbye to a River: A Narrative first for context.
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