What are you reading 2023.

[Susan in NC]

Jackie wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Just starting The Corner Shop byElizabeth Cadell. I’ve never read her, but the first couple pages made me chuckle, always promising! In my person..."

Thanks, that sounds lovely. I’m enjoying the quirky characters, interesting situations, so far!

[Susan in NC]

I just saw Brian Moore’s The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne for $1.99 on sale on Kindle US, snapped it up. I’m not familiar with the author, but read a sample and sounds intriguing.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Marilyn wrote: "Starting The Farm in the Green Mountains by Alice Herdan-Zuckmayer."

That looks rather good, look forward to your thoughts on it.

[Susan in NC]

That does sound interesting (The Farm in the Green Mountains), I’m surprised I’ve never heard of it. On to the TBR pile, thanks!

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Susan in NC wrote: "I just saw Brian Moore’s The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne for $1.99 on sale on Kindle US, snapped it up. I’m not familiar wi..."

I read it a couple of months back. It was excellent, but very sad.

[Susan in NC]

Thanks for the heads up, I’ll try and balance it with something uplifting!

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Still feeling a bit delicate, so I picked up Queen Lucia. Such a treat.

Someone, (Mela), has decided to re-start the Virago group, which has been dormant here for years, so yesterday I read the June pick which is Brother Jacob by George Eliot not one I had heard of before, but I rather liked it. Not spectacular, but a nice short read that could be read in a couple of hours.

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "Still feeling a bit delicate, so I picked up Queen Lucia. Such a treat.

Someone, (Mela), has decided to re-start the Virago group, which has been dormant here for years, so yesterday ..."

I recommend a dose of Lucia as a perfect pick-me-up! Take care of yourself, take it easy and pamper yourself a bit, sometimes you don’t feel soreness or achy bits right away.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Thanks Susan. Might fit in some Wodehouse too.😊

[Susan in NC]

Attagirl! ;)

[Diana]

I’m really happy to have discovered this reading group and have been ready through your comments in this thread. Over the years I have read and enjoyed many of the books/authors mentioned, such as Elizabeth Taylor’s and Nancy Mitford’s novels, Penelope Mortimer’s “ Daddy’s Gone A-Hunting “, Margaret Kennedy’s “The Feast”, Elizabeth Jane Howard’s Cazalet Chronicles, Andy Miller’s “The Year of Reading Dangerously“. Reading your comments made me keen to reread them!
More recently, Winifred Bogs’ “ Sally on the Rocks”, E.C. Lorac’s “Death of an Author” and Edith Olivier’s “The Love Child”. I’m not sure how I feel about the latter. I know only children often invent a playmate (as did one of my grandchildren) and I can imagine that lonely people might talk to someone who’s not there, but I am too down-to-earth to accept that this person becomes real. But I don’t want to spoil the novel for those who haven’t yet read it.

[Diana]

I forgot to mention Paul Gallico’s “Mrs Harris Goes to Paris”, which was recommended online somewhere. It was okay but I found that it was just a bit too much, like a moral tale. I don’t think I’ll be reading about her going to New York (which is included in the book) unless one of you liked it more.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

I really like Mrs 'Arris goes to Paris, I think it was the right book at the right time; I was less keen on New York, though I did like that one too.

In the intro thread you mentioned going to Tewksbury; I wonder if you've read anything by John Moore whose book The Waters Under the Earth is one of the newer Persephone books? It's set around Tewksbury, as are his more famous books starting with The Blue Field. I've not got to them myself yet.

[Diana]

Thank you, Tania. I do remember visiting the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury but haven’t read any of his work. I’ll certainly add the Persephone book to my list.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Yesterday I finished Business as Usual which was absolutely delightful; I gave it 5*s and it's definitely a keeper. Looking forward to re-reading it already.

I'm also reading A Well Full of Leaves by Elizabeth Myers. Beautiful, descriptive writing, and utterly ridiculous dialogue. I hope to finish it this evening and then move on to Jane and Prudence

[Susan in NC]

I’m about 75% through a reread of The Brandons by Angela Thirkell, which I am enjoying so much!

Also reading The Titian Committee by Iain Pears for another group.

[Bronwyn]

I made the mistake of starting more books. 😂

I was already reading Booze, Babe, and the Little Black Dress from NetGalley and He Knew He Was Right that I’ve been working on for way too long. I’m also reading Dracula with Dracula Daily.

I started Summer Will Show for #nyrbwomen23 on Instagram. I also really want to start my new McNally Editions but decided I should finish the last of my previous bunch, so am reading Troy Chimneys. So far Troy Chimneys is the one I pickup most…

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

I really must get back to that series; I think Miss Bunting is my next books. A couple of years ago I read two books by Carola Oman, that were also set in Barcestshire, Somewhere in England and Nothing to Report. I'd quite like to re-read these ones too.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

I'll be nterested to see what you think of Troy Chimneys, I have this one but haven't read it yet. I loved Where Stands a Wingèd Sentry and The Feast by her, both 5*s.

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "I really must get back to that series; I think Miss Bunting is my next books. A couple of years ago I read two books by Carola Oman, that were also set in Barcestshi..."

Thanks, I’ve never read those! Love Thirkell’s humor, anything like her, I’d be willing to try.

[Bronwyn]

I’m really enjoying Troy Chimneys so far! I really liked The Feast but it didn’t quite hit five stars for me. So far (at about 60%) this one will. :)

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Good to know, I' ll try to get to it soon. Thanks

[Bronwyn]

We had a long drive today and so I’ve finished. I loved it so much. Some books just work at the right time and I think the timing of The Feast for me was just off, but this was right. The framing took a moment to get the hang of, but once I did it just flew. I really hope you like it.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

I've picked up a short story collection,Standing Her Ground: Classic Short Stories by Trailblazing Women, I love the Elizabeth Gaskell one, which is also the longest. Some of them are just a bit too short.

I also started Charlotte Fairlie by D.E. Stevenson. Her books are always good for a little light relief.

[Bronwyn]

I’ve been struggling with Summer Will Show once I hit the revolution stuff. I just can’t do anything military/adjacent. :/

So I’m taking a bit of a break and have started Twice Lost by Phyllis Paul, one of the upcoming titles from McNally Editions. It’s really interesting so far and I’m intrigued to see where it goes. (That’s why I haven’t officially quit SWS as I do want to know how it all goes, so hopefully this break helps.)

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

I've heard good things about Twice Lost.

[Susan in NC]

I’m just starting Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, a Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick from my library. I really enjoyed Travels with George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy, and wanted to read more of his nonfiction- right before Independence Day seems a good time!

Also reading Middlemarch by George Eliot and for my current mystery, Post After Post-Mortem: An Oxfordshire Mystery by E.C.R. Lorac, a Golden Age favorite.

[Diana]

I’m almost finished with my reread of Angela Thirkell’s “High Rising” before starting on the next in the series, which I’ve been meaning to do for a while. Susan reminded me recently as she wrote that she was reading “The Brandons”. Thank you.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

I'm about halfway through the Barsetshire series and really should get cracking with it so I can re-rwad High Rising.

Susan, I reallyvenjoyed Post After Post-Mortem: An Oxfordshire Mystery. I must pick up another one of hers soon.

I've been meaning to read Middlemarch for years but find the size rather daunting. I think I will take a week off in the autumn and read it, (or at least start it).

[Susan in NC]

Diana wrote: "I’m almost finished with my reread of Angela Thirkell’s “High Rising” before starting on the next in the series, which I’ve been meaning to do for a while. Susan reminded me recently as she wrote t..."

You are welcome, I love Thirkell! Enjoy.

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "I'm about halfway through the Barsetshire series and really should get cracking with it so I can re-rwad High Rising.

Susan, I reallyvenjoyed [book:Post After Post-Mortem: An Oxfordshire Mystery|6..."

Yes, I’m finding rereads of the Barsetshire series from the beginning are a real treat! The post-war books have been hit or Miss for me, also harder to find!

I love Lorac, I had never heard of her, but I belong to the Reading the Detective group (I know there are other members here), and we have members all over. One of our challenges has been finding nominations for monthly polled reads - some books are available in UK but not elsewhere, or in US but nowhere else! I was looking through the British Library Crime Classics titles and found Lorac; we’ve read a few, and I’m hooked! She was quite prolific, but Her books are being rereleased in no particular order, so I just snap them up whenever I see them on Kindle, or treat myself to a paperback reissue when I find them.

“Middlemarch” has been on my TBR for years, but I have a used hardcover and find reading 3-4 chapters a day works; I listen to the audiobook to keep me moving on pace! I know it will take awhile, but I’m enjoying it so far. I’ve been on my nonfiction kick, but not reading big chunky classics, and missed it. I’m trying to get back to it, balancing both along with group reads.

[Diana]

Do you know Shedunnit, Susan? I joined the bookclub a couple of years ago and it is well set up and very enjoyable with a lot of interesting discussion. It’s run by Caroline Crampton and she gives short introductory talks on Golden Age Detectives and crime, etc. and interviews people in bonus episodes. ECR Lorac is popular there, too.

[Susan in NC]

The podcast? I’ve heard others mention it, haven’t listened myself. Thanks for the recommendation!

[Bronwyn]

Oh I love Shedunnit. I wish I could afford the book club. :)

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

I've been reading a few things that fit in with the Jane Austen July readalong, A Charming Place: Bath in the Life and Times of Jane Austen, which was short and fun, possibly a bit niche for some, The Other Bennet Sister, P&P from Mary Bennett's pov, Which was really good, and made me re-think poor Mary, and Northanger Abbey, which is actualky one of my favourite JA novels. I have the audiobook of Lady Susan from the library next.

I also just finished Mr Kronin. I had been wanting to read more by Susan Alice Kerby after I read Miss Carter and the Ifrit; I would love to see more of her books back in print, but I think that is rather unlikely.

[Antoinette]

Never knew about the Jane Austen readathon, Tania. Good timing as I have been reading her anyways.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Lots of youtube videos on it, and a GR group. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n4ZCPSR... here's this years announcement, with suggestions from one of the hosts. You might find some interesting vids given your upcoming course.

[Antoinette]

Tania I am always amazed how you manage to keep up with so much. Thank you:)

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

For the most part, I skim it. 😀

[Susan in NC]

Thank you, I didn’t know about the Jane Austen Readalong, but I did recently readJane and the Year Without a Summer !

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

I keep hearing that that is a really good series. Have you read the earlier ones? Should they be read in order?

[Bronwyn]

Posted in another group what I meant to post here. 🤦‍♀️

I’m currently reading Queen of Vaudeville about Eva Tanguay. It’s fascinating. I saw it in the gift store at work (The Henry Ford) about a decade ago and always wondered why they carried it as it doesn’t have anything to do with the mission of the organization, but it turns out the Benson Ford Research Center has a lot of papers about her.

I was reading Summer Will Show but finally quit it. I really enjoyed the beginning section, but once I got to the revolution stuff I just couldn’t. I didn’t find it interesting at all and didn’t even care much what happened. I didn’t want to read it and so finally just quit. :/

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "I keep hearing that that is a really good series. Have you read the earlier ones? Should they be read in order?"

I would definitely read in order, they follow Jane’s life events, so as she meets new people, events happen in her family life, new books are published, etc. I just entered a book giveaway for the last in the series, as Jane is getting more ill; the last I read, she was not well, went to a spa to take the waters.

I’ve read every book in the series, and really enjoyed them!

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

I really enjoyed Mr Kronin, it would be lovely to see it re-published, but I don't hold out much hope of that for now.

I have started Tea and Hot Bombs by Lorna Lewis, about a young girl driving a mobile canteen through blitz ravaged London. I believe the author had first hand experience. This has been very expensive when it has popped up online, but Greyladies have re-published a copy. My copy has some great illustrations in it; I'm not sure if the Greyladies one does.

[Susan in NC]

I’m still reading Middlemarch and enjoying it, but have also started a reread (relisten) of The Golden Tresses of the Dead by Alan Bradley for an upcoming group read (different group, I should say), and I like to keep nonfiction in the mix, so started listening to Nathaniel Philbrick’s In the Hurricane's Eye: The Genius of George Washington and the Victory at Yorktown to finish up his trilogy on the American Revolution. Takes me longer to finish books, but I like having different books for whatever my mood at reading time! And depending on whether I want to knit and listen at the same time - can’t do a complex mystery, for instance, I’d either miss clues or drop stitches!

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

The Flavia de Luce series is another one I keep meaning to read.

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "The Flavia de Luce series is another one I keep meaning to read."

Oh, it is fun! The first time I read them, I devoured each as they came out. I’m noticing more on the rereads, and enjoying the audiobooks very much - Jayne Entwistle absolutely embodies Flavia for me, she’s perfect, and so entertaining.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Thanks, I' ll see if my library has the audiobooks.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Last night I finished Tea and Hot Bombs. I had managed to get hold of a relatively cheap copy as it is usually listed at well over £100. I really enjoyed it. It read rather like a boarding school story transposed to the London blitz, but it was about a part of the war effort I was unaware of; the Emergency Mobile Canteen Corps, or Emmys; mobile tea vans taking refreshments to blitzed out parts of London or transport hubs during troop movements. I did find it really interesting, but it was definitely on the lighter side of WW2 fiction. The author had done that work, and it was published in 1943, so it still had that sense od realism that you get from the books written at the time.

If anyone is interested, I would suggest buying it as it has been re-published recently by Greyladies Publishing. They tend to have short, limited runs, and once the books are gone, even they can command pretty hefty price tags.

[Susan in NC]

What a great title! Sounds interesting, I’d never heard of that war work - but definitely vital, and I’m sure resulting in some great stories.