Retro Reads discussion
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Book Pool
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Book Pool 2022.
Susan in NC wrote: "It was fun, I thought- if you find the book, I hope you enjoy it!..."Got a copy :0)
Susan in NC wrote: "I just saw a coming attraction for the film last night, I was so excited, I thought it was in our book pool!..."
Me too :0) Seems we have to wait for September now but it does look good.
Mod
Book #10 Lost Horizon by James Hilton. I found I owned another book from the pool! Other than in parts it became a bit talky-talky I loved this one. & the talky-talky brings up some points that still apply 4.5★ Finished 19/7.
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "#1Book #10 Lost Horizon by James Hilton. I found I owned another book from the pool! Other than in parts it became a bit talky-talky I loved this one. & the talky-talky brings up ..."
Great to hear, this was on my list of Pool TBR books! Just got a stack of library books I requested, though, so will have to wait…
#8 Book #3 On the Beach / Nevil Shute 07/16 4 stars
This is the third time I've read this book. I remember the plot very well by now, of course, but there's those little details I've either forgotten, or perhaps not seen previously. Possibly because my focus has changed with time and age. Interesting to compare the perceived reaction of people to societal upheaval from then to now.
Mod
Book #3 On the Beach / Nevil Shute 07/16 4 stars
This is the third time I've read this book. I remember the plot very well by now, of course, but there's those li..."
Good to see you Lesley! Added your book to the count.
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Lesley wrote: "#8 Book #3 On the Beach / Nevil Shute 07/16 4 stars
This is the third time I've read this book. I remember the plot very well by now, of course, but t..."
Yes, been MIA. My Dad got COVID, was put into hospital with breathing probs, high fever which affected his kidney function and bleeding from the bowel. Surprisingly he came right, got a negative COVID test and came home. However, six weeks later he had an adverse 'turn' which put him back in hospital. Over the five days there he gradually declined and slipped away on 29 June, in the glory of his 100th year on this earth - just 6 months to the day from celebrating his 100th birthday on 29 December.
He always had impeccable timing :)
Mod
Book #3 On the Beach / Nevil Shute 07/16 4 stars
This is the third time I've read this book. I remember the plot ver..."
Oh Lesley I am so sorry! But nearly 100 - that is amazing.
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: “Book #10 Lost Horizon by James Hilton. I found I owned another book from the pool! Other than in parts it became a bit talky-talky I loved this one. & the talky-talky brings up ..."So happy you enjoyed it :O)
Lesley wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Yes, been MIA. My Dad got COVID, was put into hospital with breathing probs, high fever which affected his kidney function and bleeding from the bowel. Surprisingly he came right, got a negative COVID test and came home. However, six weeks later he had an adverse 'tu..."Sorry to hear that - even at nearly 100, it is always too soon. Sounds like he was a character though.
Lesley, I’m so sorry for all your family has gone and is going through. I can tell from your description that your father was treasured.
Lesley wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Lesley wrote: "#8 Book #3 On the Beach / Nevil Shute 07/16 4 stars
This is the third time I've read this book. I remember the plot ver..."
Lesley, sincere condolences on losing your dad - but impeccable timing, indeed!
Thank you all for your sympathies. You are right, Abigail, my Dad is a treasure. He was widowed twice in his life, and was still living in his own home, doing for himself with some home care assistance until his last five days of life. He was a very clever man who as a bookbinder, showed me how to love and respect the physical book, while my Mum fostered the love of reading.
Lesley wrote: "Thank you all for your sympathies. You are right, Abigail, my Dad is a treasure. He was widowed twice in his life, and was still living in his own home, doing for himself with some home care assist..."You are a wonderful tribute to both parents!
I didn’t have any bookbinders in my family but there was a strong community of them in Los Angeles and they, along with the rare book dealers, took me under their wing a bit when I was growing up., so I too care deeply about fonts and white space and paper and end papers and so on. Lovely people—as those who combine art and craft so often tend to be. What a great heritage for you!
#20 Book no 3, finished on 24/07 Ross Poldark 4*'s.
I really enjoyed this one. I found it less cosy than I had expected and more realistic. I'll move on to the next one soon.
Mod
Book no 3, finished on 24/07 Ross Poldark 4*'s.
I really enjoyed this one. I found it less cosy than I had expected and more realistic. I'll move on to the next one soon."
Added to your total, Tania. :)
I haven't posted in a while, so am doing one big update. Hope that is okay. #9
Book no. 6 - Black Narcissus - 4 stars.
It took me a little longer than I would've liked to get a grip on things - just who which nun was and what there story was - but totally entranced by the language.
Book no. 7 - Less Than Angels - 4 stars.
Very typically Pym, which is pretty aces for me, as I love her. More of an ensemble piece, centering on the lives, loves, and whatnot of a group of anthropologists.
Book no. 8 - Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - 3 stars.
I'm not a great audience for satire, as it's not my favorite thing. And, I feel that it was so much of its time that there were definitely allusions that went over my head. Enjoyable though, especially when read in small doses at a time.
Mod
#9
Book no. 6 - Black Narcissus - 4 stars.
It took me a little longer than I would've liked to get a gr..."
Added to your total, Jenn!
Thank you! I was in a wee bit of a slump, but ended up finishing a lot of things this weekend, haha.
Jenn wrote: "I haven't posted in a while, so am doing one big update. Hope that is okay. .."Nice selection :O)
#10 VéroBook 04 - Frenchman's Creek - 4* (read 26 Jul)
Enjoyed returning to du Maurier :O) Don’t except anything like Rebecca, but this gentler tale has merit nonetheless. What appears a romance feels more like a search for self, and Daphne’s writing style does shine through.
Review
Mod
Book 04 - Frenchman's Creek - 4* (read 26 Jul)
Enjoyed returning to du Maurier :O) Don’t except anything like Rebecca, but this gentler tale has merit nonetheless. What ap..."
Added this to your count, Véro.
I like your interpretation of this novel. I certainly found it hard to warm to Dona.
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Added this to your count, Véro. I like your interpretation of this novel. I certainly found it hard to warm to Dona...."Thanks Carol
Dona is indeed not very likeable at the beginning. As a romance, I’d say this fails in a way, but as a search for self, then it works much better, whether you look at the heroine or the Frenchman. I also preferred the conversations between Dona and William (very funny actually) than Dona and the pirate. And of course that sense of place that permeates everything. That first chapter was quite something - it could be a little short story, a microcosm - and the scary scene near the end (Daphne could really write horrific and tense scenes). I can see how readers who had experienced Rebecca, or other novels of hers would be somewhat disappointed.
Veronique wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Added this to your count, Véro. I like your interpretation of this novel. I certainly found it hard to warm to Dona...."Thanks Carol
Dona is indeed not very likeab..."
I agree about her ability to notch up the tension in her writing! I was one of those disappointed “Rebecca” readers - but the writing, and feeling for the place, were wonderfully immersive.
#9 JennBook no. 9: Dear Hugo
4 stars
What a satisfying, cozy read. Many have already read and raved (deservedly!) about it, that I've little to add and will just concur. It's easy to see those parallels with her friend Stevenson and I'm glad I have so many of her other titles waiting for me on my Kindle, for just the right moment when I need them.
Mod
Book no. 9: Dear Hugo
4 stars
What a satisfying, cozy read. Many have already read and raved (deservedly!) about it, that I've little to add and will just concur. It's ea..."
Added to your count, Jenn!
I always find it amazing when an author I had never heard of finally reaches me. Finally got a copy of Dear Hugo and looking forward to reading it.
Reader #16, Book #4 Auntie Mame: An Irreverent EscapadeGreat fun, a four star read. I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive after the first chapter, fearing that I am not going to like this over-the-top Bohemian, but the opposite happened, she started to grow on me. My copy had a short chapter on the writer, seemed quite an interesting character in life himself.
Mod
Great fun, a four star read. I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive after the first chapter, fearing that I am not going t..."
Added to your total, Wayne. :) Sounds like a good book!
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Wayne wrote: "Reader #16, Book #4 Auntie Mame: An Irreverent EscapadeGreat fun, a four star read. I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive after the first chapter, fearing that I ..."
Thank you Carol. Well, Reader #16 will start reading book #5 soon, They Came to Baghdad
#9 JennBook no. 10: Mrs Harris Goes to Paris & Mrs Harris Goes to New York
4 stars
Such an airy, feelgood read. Both Paris and New York have their charms, although I do think that the Paris tale is the stronger of the two. I'm glad that this pool has finally spurred me to read it, since it's been on my shelf for ages. I'll definitely check out the new movie as well. My introduction to the tale came initially from the tv movie from the 90s with Angela Lansbury!
Mod
So pleased you enjoyed it. I hadn’t even heard of the older adaptation. Apart from here, I ‘discover’ titles/authors through all the publishers bringing back these gems but also podcasts (Backlisted / Tea or Book) and blogs such as Simon’s Stuck in a Book.
#5 Barb in MarylandBook #6
The Lark Shall Sing
4.5 stars
What an absolute delight! For all that I devoured every Cadell title that I could get my hands on back in the day, I somehow missed this one. So happy to finally read it. And now on to the other two connected titles...
Review to come.... but it won't be as eloquent as Abigail Bok's!
Mod
Book #6
The Lark Shall Sing
4.5 stars
What an absolute delight! For all that I devoured every Cadell title that I could g..."
Added to your tally, Barb!
Thanks for the kind words, Barb! I adored The Lark Shall Sing too, and rushed out to buy the other two in the series as well. I want to keep hanging out with those characters!
Abigail wrote: "Thanks for the kind words, Barb! I adored The Lark Shall Sing too, and rushed out to buy the other two in the series as well. I want to keep hanging out with those characters!"I loved this one too and read them all in a big gulp (pre-Book Pool!). Hope you enjoy the rest of your time with them.
Abigail wrote: "Thanks for the kind words, Barb! I adored The Lark Shall Sing too, and rushed out to buy the other two in the series as well. I want to keep hanging out with those characters!"I love this trilogy too, although the first book is my favorite.
Mod
Checking in! I DNFed one of my 5 but finished my 4th,
These Thousand Hills
my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Unfortunately this is as far as I can go with the pool. I have over extended myself with challenges and have to try and get in as many as I can before year's end.
Reader #16, finished Book #5, They Came to Baghdad3,5 stars from me for this entertaining light reading of international intrigue. I fingered the scoundrel quite early, but was not sure what his crime was. One of those where the questions should not be too searching.
#9 JennBook no. 11: Tryst
4 stars
I loved this, but feel like it's difficult to say much more without being very spoiler-y. But I'm very glad that I read it!
Mod
Added your latest reads.
Jenn you are now the leader!
Cindy I hope you are able to be around for a discussion about the Book Pool for next year.
I have some thoughts but I have a busy day today & I want to discuss them with Tadiana first. :)
Mod
Absolutely, this group features one of my favorite types of books, vintage, like me! 😁 and I have learned just what I can and cannot handle as far as challenges go.
Jenn wrote: "#9 JennBook no. 11: Tryst
4 stars
I loved this, but feel like it's difficult to say much more without being very spoiler-y. But I'm very glad that I read it!"
I’m so glad you liked it, since it’s one of my favorites.
Peggy wrote: "I’m so glad you liked it, since it’s one of my favorites."
I think that you and your enthusiasm for it is one of the reasons I originally bought the ebook : )
Finally got around to reading Apricot Sky by Ruby Ferguson. I enjoyed it in a mild sort of way but didn’t love it as much as some other readers did; reviewed here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....Reader #2, book #9.
Mod
Added. :)
& the poll is up in the Georgette Heyer Group if you haven't seen it.
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Retro Reads
Books mentioned in this topic
On the Beach (other topics)Dear Hugo (other topics)
Demelza (other topics)
Death in the Andamans (other topics)
Dear Hugo (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Elizabeth Fair (other topics)Elizabeth Fair (other topics)
Laurie Colwin (other topics)
Laurie Colwin (other topics)
Ruby Ferguson (other topics)
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Thanks Carol