What are you reading 2023.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

It did. It was the title that kept it in my head all that time. I've been keeping an eye out for a copy for years. Vital work, providing tea in times of stress.

[Bronwyn]

I just finished Queen of Vaudeville about Eva Tanguay. It was really interesting. She led quite the life and was such an influence on culture at the time, it’s unfortunate she’s so forgotten.

Next up is, finally, The Tortoise and the Hare! :)

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

https://greyladiesbooks.co.uk/ A link to the Greyladies website, as I can' t put it in the comments. They do some very interesting books. I have ordered Silver Street, which looks interesting, and I so enjoyed Business as Usual.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

I'm looking forward to seeing what you make of The Tortoise and the Hare.

I've never heard of Eva Tanguay, was she American?

[Bronwyn]

Mostly? Lol. She was born in Quebec but the family moved to Massachusetts when she was young. She was a huge vaudeville star who inspired Mae West among others. She was really interesting!

[Bronwyn]

I don’t think most people have heard of her. I never had. I spotted the book by chance and was fascinated. :)

[Susan in NC]

I just finished Middlemarch last night, had been on my TBR for years. The prose was dense, but interesting characters and story. I enjoyed it, not as much as Trollope, but glad I finally read it.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Susan in NC wrote: "I just finished Middlemarch last night, had been on my TBR for years. The prose was dense, but interesting characters and story. I enjoyed it, not as much as Trollope, but glad I final..."

Conhratulations. I hope I can get to this before the year is out. I might take a week off work for it.

Bronwyn wrote: "I don’t think most people have heard of her. I never had. I spotted the book by chance and was fascinated. :)"

If I ever see it, I' ll pick it up.

[Susan in NC]

I will pass on this tip, Tania, which I found among the reviews for the book. A couple of fellow GR readers doing it as a buddy read set themselves a goal of three chapters a day, so it wouldn’t take forever. I thought that was sensible, and did the same. I also listened to the audiobook through Audible and Scribd - two different narrators, I liked them both, but Audible allows more control as to playback speed, so I probably listened to that one more often. It took about a month, reading 2-3 chapters a day (sometimes more if I was really into it!)

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Thanks Susan, that seems a very sensible way of doing it. I shall save it for when the nights are drawing in.

[Susan in NC]

Wise lady!

[Sandybeth]

I am working my way through Barsetshire too, although I may have to postpone the rest of my journey until Christmas as I have so many books on my shelf and Kindle to read before I buy anymore Thirkell! I loved Cheerfulness Breaks in I think it was one of my favourites so far.
I am on the second Lord Peter Wimsey novel Clouds of Witness and it is very entertaining.
One series I am really enjoying is by Bella Ellis. I have read the first The Vanished Bride and the second The Diabolical Bones: A gripping gothic mystery set in Victorian Yorkshire The series takes the Brontës and turns them into amateur detectives. The characters are really brought to life and you can imagine where they got the ideas for their novels. It is very clever and fab for a Brontë nerd like me.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

The Bella Ellis series is yet another one I'd like to get to. I have ordered the first one from the library. They don't have the Jane Austen series yet.

I have just finished The Square Circle by Denis Mackail. It's a bit like Greenery Street, but instead of focusing on one married couple, it focuses on the residents of a London square. Not as delightful as Greenery Street, but very good.

Internet Archive has been taken to court by four publishers, and may have to remove a lot of its books so I've been reading the more obscure ones before the deadline for this which is tomorrow. I don't know how it will be affected, but at least I have now read as many of the ones that might no longer be available. I only use Internet Archive for the books that are out of print and otherwise unavailable, so I hope I will still be able to do so. The Square Circle rarely even turns up on ebay. Fingers crossed. Simon Thomas reviewed No leading lady: An autobiography by R.C. Sherriff, which is on there; he made it sound excellent, so hopefully I'll get the opportunity to read that.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

I have just got back from WOMAD, which along with all the music and dance, also has a book tent run by Mr B's Emporium of Books, (famous Bath bookshop); whilst there I really enjoyed a talk given by Mike Dilger about his new book, One Thousand Shades of Green: A Year in Search of Britain's Wild Plants all about looking for plant specis during lockdown. I picked it up and have been reading it over the weekend and it's just as engaging as the talk was. I really love reading lockdown nature writing and this is a great example.

[Susan in NC]

Oh, that sounds delightful-I found it encouraging to hear of signs that Nature bounced back just fine when we were all out of the way. I saw a documentary last year on a British nature photographer who chronicled bees in his garden. It was lovely, and I learned so much! Of course he had the film skills to show amazing angles and up-close “you are the bee” moments. It was very well-done and creative.

[Susan in NC]

I finished Cluny Brown: A Novel by Margery Sharp for this group the other day, then Business as Usual by Jane Oliver for another group, but it would fit well in this group, as well - delightful look at a young woman working in London in the 1930s, all told through letters and memos. Now I’ve got a Georgette Heyer and a mystery,Murder on the Marmora on the go - rather forgettable, but entertaining and I can listen to the audiobook while I knit.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Susan in NC wrote: "Oh, that sounds delightful-I found it encouraging to hear of signs that Nature bounced back just fine when we were all out of the way. I saw a documentary last year on a British nature photographer..."

Me too. I love naturw writing and have read some great lockdown stuff, Goshawk Summer: A New Forest Season Unlike Any Other was my favourite. I'm lucky in that there are some wonderful places around me for walking and my Dad is a bit of an expert, so he's great at pointing things out. He has been running a dormouse project for 30 odd years, so I have been out with him while he's been checking the boxes. Dormice aren't something most people will get to see, being both arboreal and nocturnal. He has a friend who is an expert on bees; it's amazing spotting them when you know a bit about them, truely fascinating.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Susan in NC wrote: "I finished Cluny Brown: A Novel by Margery Sharp for this group the other day, then Business as Usual by [author..."

Apologies for being a bit late with this, but I have set up the threads for this months books, so the [book:Cluny Brown|55814637] one is there now.

I loved Business as Usual and it would be a great fit for the group some time.

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I finished Cluny Brown: A Novel by Margery Sharp for this group the other day, then Business as Usual[bookcover:Business as Usual|..."

I thought so, too.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Maybe next year? I would ceryainly be up for a re-read. Btw, did you read the Handheld Press copy, or the American one? It seems that some pertinent peices wrre cut out of the American one.

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "Maybe next year? I would ceryainly be up for a re-read. Btw, did you read the Handheld Press copy, or the American one? It seems that some pertinent peices wrre cut out of the American one."

I am glad I was able to read the Handheld Classics edition through Scribd, I saw that as well, about pertinent bits being omitted in American edition. I would definitely be up for a reread next year, it’s fun and quick and charming.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

That's good to know. I should look into scribed.

[Bronwyn]

August is Women in Translation month, so I’ve started Convenience Store Woman. I want to read Kristin Lavransdatter, but it might be a bit much for me right now - my brain feels like mush so much lately, I just can’t operate well in summer. :/

[Bethany]

Bronwyn wrote: "August is Women in Translation month, so I’ve started Convenience Store Woman. I want to read Kristin Lavransdatter, but it might be a bit much for me right now - my brain feels like mush so much l..."

I've also had trouble concentrating this summer! Convenience Store Woman is certainly an easy read, though I wish I had liked it more. Maybe it's because it's Norwegian, but Kristin Lavransdatter definitely feels like a winter read!

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

We have been having a rather cool, wet July here but whenever anyone complains about the rain I remind them what's happening in southern Europe. Oddly, despite the name, I feel The Summer Book by Tove Jansson feels quite cool. Maybe it's something to do with Scandinavian literature.

[Bronwyn]

Yeah, it’s a weird little book. I had to work today or would have finished already. I’m curious how it ends up…

I loved The Summer Book (not as much as Fair Play), and agree it seems like cool weather. Those Scandinavians. ;) Maybe that’s part of it with Kristin Lavransdatter, it’s not the right weather, lol. :)

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

A couple of days ago, I finished He Went For a Walk by Dorothy Evelyn Smith. A lovely, heartwarming story about a young boy who just missed being bombed when he left the flat he was staying in to go for a walk. He's resued by a deserter who decides to help him get back to his home in Yorkshire.

I'm now enjoying The Happy Exiles by Felicity Shaw, a social comedy set in a colonial outpost.

[Bronwyn]

I finished Convenience Store Woman and then read The Creak on the Stairs, an Icelandic mystery.

I plan to continue with Women in Translation month but had a library hold come in, so am reading Testimony about the evangelical movement. I’ve been listening to a former fundie podcast and have gone down that rabbit hole a bit. 😂

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Oh I do love libraries. Simon Thomas recently reviewed No leading lady: An autobiography by R.C. Sherriff on his blog and it sounds great. Online, copies are priced at around £120, but a quick look showed me that my library had a copy, so I am now reading it. I also plan to read The Fortnight in September this month. It's been a couple of years since I last read it, but it's a favourite.

[Antoinette]

I agree, Tania, Fortnight in September is a favourite. I am reading Angel right now by Elizabeth Taylor. What an interesting character Angel is!

[Susan in NC]

I’m currently reading our October book, All Done by Kindness by Doris Langley Moore, because it sounded delightful, and is also in the book pool of another group!

[Bronwyn]

I didn’t continue with Women in Translation month.. I just couldn’t find anything that interested me at the time and went through a bit of a lull because I did want to and it broke my momentum.

I wound up reading Ungovernable (Victorian child rearing advice), When Darkness Loves Us (horrorish short story and novella), R.U.R. (play that originated the term robot) and The Go-Between (classic about a boy dealing with things he doesn’t understand). I’m now reading Seduction & Betrayal for #nyrbwomen23 and plan to start Gentlemen Prefer Blondes/But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

I'm going to be starting The Go-Between in a day or two. Really looking forward to it, I've been meaning to read it for years but put it off in the hopes I would forget the ending of the film.

Antoinette wrote: "I agree, Tania, Fortnight in September is a favourite. I am reading Angel right now by Elizabeth Taylor. What an interesting character Angel is!"

Angel is certainly a fascinating character, but one of the most hateful I've come across. It's still one of my favourites by her.

Susan in NC wrote: "I’m currently reading our October book, All Done by Kindness by Doris Langley Moore, because it sounded delightful, and is also in the book pool of another group!"

I will set up a thread for this one for you. I will be moving house at the end of the month, so will be busy and may be without internet access for a bit.

[Bronwyn]

Oh I feel you! I watched the newer BBC movie a few years ago and I do wish I hadn’t before reading the book. It’s such a gorgeous book though. I hope you enjoy it. :)

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Exactly the same. Ah well.

[Antoinette]

In case anyone else lives in Canada, All Done by Kindness in $3.99 on kindle. I look forward to reading it!

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "I'm going to be starting The Go-Between in a day or two. Really looking forward to it, I've been meaning to read it for years but put it off in the hopes I would forget the ending o..."

Thanks, and good luck with your move!

[Susan in NC]

Antoinette wrote: "In case anyone else lives in Canada, All Done by Kindness in $3.99 on kindle. I look forward to reading it!"

Enjoying it very much!

[Peggy]

Susan in NC wrote: "I’m currently reading our October book, All Done by Kindness by Doris Langley Moore, because it sounded delightful, and is also in the book pool of another group!"

I’ll be reading that one this month too.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

I have finished Village in a Valley by Beverley Nichols, the third in the Allways Trilogy. I still prefer the Merry Hall trilogy, but loved this one as well. Makes me want to read many more of his books, and I have a very large pile of them waiting, so all good. Mary mentioned how hard it is to get hold of these books, but I found some are on Internet Archive, here is a link to this one https://archive.org/details/villagein...

[Jackie]

I just finished Sarah Morris Remembers and loved it; will definitely read the sequel.

[Susan in NC]

Just finished the delightful and clever All Done by Kindness by Doris Langley Moore and the latest in one of my favorite historical mystery series currently being published, The Lady from Burma by Allison Montclair. Set in immediate post-war London, with two smart, interesting female leads who are best friends and run a marriage bureau!

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "I have finished Village in a Valley by Beverley Nichols, the third in the Allways Trilogy. I still prefer the Merry Hall trilogy, but loved this one as we..."

Very frustrating, I know I read one of the Merry Hall trilogy from my library many years ago, but it is longer in the catalogue! I learned from a librarian in another group - not a GR librarian, but a real one! - that libraries tend to purge older titles no longer being borrowed in book sales. Sad!

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

My library system seems to put them into storage, they are available if you order them, but not out on the shelves.

That series you're reading looks rather good, I might have to investigate.

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "My library system seems to put them into storage, they are available if you order them, but not out on the shelves.

That series you're reading looks rather good, I might have to investigate."

It’s excellent, very enjoyable! The casual open sexism women received constantly gets old, but it’s realistic.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

I'm in the middle of moving house at the moment, so I haven't got a great deal of time for reading however, I have just finished The Go-Between and it has been such a treat to sink into this in the evenings. I'm also re-reading The Fortnight in September, which is one of my favourites, and I enjoy picking it up at this time of year.

I have also just started one if the katest Persephone titles which I have been looking forward to for a long time, Out of the Window by Madeline Linford, which has a very intriguing premise. Not far in yet, but I think it will be a goodie.

I think I will listen to Sparkling Cyanide while I'm working tomorrow.

[Antoinette]

Considering you are moving, Tania, you are doing great with your reading!!

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Thanks. It's really nice to switch off with a good book at the end of the day.

[Susan in NC]

I agree wholeheartedly, I bet it’s very relaxing, especially when you’re in the middle of an upheaval like moving!

[Bronwyn]

Good luck with the move!

I’m reading The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne for #spinsterseptember, but I’m falling behind. I hope to finish before the month ends. 🤞

I’m also reading But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes, but have paused that to focus on Judith. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was really funny (and spinster-ish), so I’m looking forward to Lorelei’s and Dorothy’s further shenanigans.

I’m still reading with Dracula Daily and picking at He Knew He Was Right.

I watched the first season of A Discovery of Witches and was told I ought to read the books before I continue, so I’ve lightly started the first of those too.

It’s too many though. I’m not good at properly balancing so many! 😂