Books For Potential Group Discussion Archived 2019

[Patricia Nolan Stein]

I'd like to do a discussion on "A Wayside Tavern" (1980) or "The Old Priory" (1981)---two of Norah Loft's final novels. I love both of them!

[Patricia Nolan Stein]

I visited Bury St. Edmunds last summer. It's a beautiful town and I was in awe, walking around the streets and admiring the ancient architecture. I felt Norah Lofts' "spirit" with me the entire time!

[Sallie]

Did you walk by her ancient house, Patricia?

[Patricia Nolan Stein]

Yes! It was wonderful. I first visited Bury St. Edmunds several decades ago with my Mom, who loved Norah Lofts' novels as much as I do. The town square and shopping district were smaller then, but the house was beautiful, as are all the ancient homes there. On my visit last summer, I noticed the town center has become trendy and "upscale"--but the spirit of the community remains the same. I love it there. Bury St. Edmunds combines the old with the new beautifully. It's a great balance. The people are very friendly and the taverns are great.

[Sylvia]

Hi Patricia! So wonderful to read your comments about Bury St. E. Sallie, who responded to your post above, also visits the town, and years ago received an invitation to visit with Norah in her home! She told us about the visit elsewhere on this forum, and maybe Sallie can tell you where she relates that visit (under NL Biography, maybe?).

We have already discussed "A Wayside Tavern" and "The Old Priory" previously, but both discussions are open for new comments. You can access them via the "Discussion Topics" list by clicking on "Discussions" in the top right corner on any page here.

Marie has just begun a new discussion of Lovers All Untrue (LAU). Please join us in this discussion!

[Barbara]

Sylvia wrote: "Since LAU has been chosen, I have locked the four threads from the former discussion ending in 2014, so that we won't mistakenly comment on the old read."

Good thinking Sylvia !

[Barbara]

Hi Everyone , well Spring is underway here in Australia, whilst I guess many of you are falling into Autumn ( see what I did there ha ha )None of that really has anything to do with our starting a new Group Read, but I was thinking maybe it is time , now after our last very successful LAU one.

What do you all think? Any ideas for the book if we are ready to move ?

[Sylvia]

Have a lovely Spring, Barbara! In Ohio, so far our first of Autumn is very HOT! I have been missing all of you and am ready to tackle any NL book that is chosen for discussion. During our "rest" I got a large print of Heaven in Your Hand (short stories) and discovered that I had never read it! What a joy!

Just for one consideration, I will throw out a title we have never completely discussed - "The Lute Player." It has been on my mind since the discovery and reburial of King Richard III's body several years ago.

[Judy]

I'd be happy with "The Lute Player"; haven't read it for quite a few years. A couple of others for consideration: "The Little Wax Doll"; "The Lost Queen"; "Silver Nutmeg".

[Robin]

Out of the ones suggested so far, I'd go for Silver Nutmeg. It's been so long since I've read it I barely remember it.

[Sylvia]

A discussion of Silver Nutmeg was undertaken alongside Scent of Cloves back in 2010, and concluded in 2012 with 92 posts. You might want to read over that discussion before deciding if we need to cover it again. It is found under the heading "Far East Novels."

(I was a new member then, and some of my remarks make me cringe! You all were always a patient lot.)

[Barbara]

Hi Everyone

I'm happy with either of the Far East ones , notwithstanding Sylvia's point above , or the Lute Player .
We did Queen in Waiting ( I think also known as Eleanor The Queen? ) which comes before TLP historically, in 2015.

Oh or the Lost Queen, very sad tho it is .

[Sylvia]

I, too, would also enjoy The Lost Queen, as Judy suggested and Barbara seconded. I've only read it once, and had never heard of this tragic queen. We have never done a discussion of this book either!

[Barbara]

It's looking a bit like The Lost Queen . What do others think? I remember, apart from the tragedy of Caroline's life, which of course really happened, there is also one of NL's wonderful minor characters, Alice the ex foundling...

[Marie]

The Lost Queen gets my vote!

[Donna]

I checked to see if I had read The Lost Queen as I remembered. I found my rating and comments about it on My Books list on the Goodreads site. This is what I wrote four years ago: "I found this novel by Lofts far less compelling than other historical fiction by her that I've read this summer. Perhaps that's due to my having seen the movie 'A Royal Affair' about this topic earlier this year."

Of other books that have been mentioned I'd prefer The Lute Player, which is one of my favorite NL books. I will follow Sylvia's suggestion to read the commentary that's already been posted here about Cloves and Nutmeg.

[Sylvia]

I enjoyed reading The Lost Queen, simply because I had never heard her story, but I do think The Lute Player is an excellent read (which has also not been discussed). It seems like the reader feels the endless waiting and longing of Berengaria for King Richard, but meanwhile the unforgettable characters around her keep us enthralled.

[Barbara]

It's looking divided between TLQ and TLP .....perhaps if someone feels strongly enough to volunteer to lead one or the other, then we could go with whichever that one was. Does that sound an idea?
If no-one wants to, l will, though l hope someone does want to.!

[Barbara]

Anyone not had their say on what our next book is? Or anyone wanting to volunteer to lead ?

We have very generous notions of what constitutes leadership of a group read, so no one need feel intimidated , I promise!

[Barbara]

Hi All, we are not letting this fade away - are we......?

[Werner]

I've been following the posts on this thread, but haven't contributed to the discussion because I know it's not practical for me to take part in a common read in this group at this time. My reading schedule is pretty well blocked out for the rest of this year already (and I've made commitments to two of my Goodreads friends that their books will be the first two things I read in 2018). Sorry I can't be of any help with this!

[Marie]

I'm in for the read and discussion. I bought TLQ at the beginning of October, so I have a preference for that.
However, if our as-yet-unnamed leader prefers TLP, I'm happy to be part of that discussion.

[Sylvia]

I get the feeling that there are only maybe 4 of us on board for a new discussion at this time, and only two titles are being considered. I am happy to follow along with either title, and I believe Barbara is also happy with either. The question of a leader seems to be holding us up.

If nobody else is willing to lead, I will start off a discussion, but as you know, I am too blind to read ahead, so all of us will have to make an effort to stay on topic and keep forging ahead. But I will put out the suggestion that if Donna is willing to lead us, we will discuss The Lute Player, and if Marie is willing, we will discuss The Lost Queen. However, Marie, you just led our last discussion, so I am sorry for even asking you this soon. What are your thoughts on this? And if none of us move quickly, Barbara will probably get drastic! This will likely be our last discussion this year.

[Marie]

School is in session, so I can't commit to leading. I found TLP on my shelves, so I'm ready for either!

[Donna]

Sylvia wrote: "I get the feeling that there are only maybe 4 of us on board for a new discussion at this time, and only two titles are being considered. I am happy to follow along with either title, and I believe..."

Marie wrote: "School is in session, so I can't commit to leading. I found TLP on my shelves, so I'm ready for either!"
Thank you for asking, Sylvia, but my health prevents me from making commitments of time and leadership that I may be unable to provide. Sorry.

[Sylvia]

Thank you, Marie and Donna, for weighing in. I remember you saying before your last lead, Marie, that you couldn't lead during the school year, and Donna, I certainly understand the health issues. Maybe one of our spry but silent members will come forth!

[Barbara]

Looks like it's me then. That's OK . I have a slight preference for The Lute Payer so will go with that unless there is a deus ex machine moment from someone ha ha.

I'm afraid I can't start til I get back from Melbourne, that 'll be sometime after next Tuesday, if that's all right ?

[Sylvia]

The pause is good for me. Maybe I can get a chapter in by then! Thanks for volunteering, Barbara. Maybe we can cover The Lost Queen first next year.

[Donna]

Thanks for moderating our upcoming discussion. I'll have reread at least one chapter by next Tues.

[Marie]

Lovely, Barbara! I can get a chapter done by next Tuesday to be ready for discussion sometime after your return.

Thank you!

[Judy]

Patricia Nolan Stein wrote: "I'd like to do a discussion on "A Wayside Tavern" (1980) or "The Old Priory" (1981

I would read those with you

[Peggy]

I read The Lost Queen years ago but none of the story remains with me, very unusual for a Lofts book. I'd prefer The Lute Player. Maybe the three mods can split up the four main sections of the book (the first section is just a little over 20 pages long) so one person doesn't have to carry the whole book?

[Sylvia]

Judy, even though it was a while back, we have previously discussed The Old Priory (2012) and A Wayside Tavern (2014), so we will probably discuss NL titles not yet covered before we do those again, but the threads are still open if you would like to add to them.

Peggy, Barbara has agreed to lead a discussion of The Lute Player, and I believe she intends to start it on Nov. 1st.

[Barbara]

Well hello everyone , such a long time it seems since we finished The Lute Payer . Are we ready to do the next NL, whatever it might be ?

The Lost Queen seemed to be what were thinking of last, any advances on that? I just noticed in our Memorable Characters thread that Copsi Castle ranked quite high in books to read.

I am willing to lead, IF no-one wants to, whatever we choose (unless it's The Claw or Checkmate)

[Marie]

I would enjoy Copsi Castle. It’s ages since I read it.

[Werner]

I'm already committed to a shared read in another group for the month of May; and in April and June, I'm seriously hoping to finish reading the two remaining books I haven't read of James Fenimore Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales series. (All three of these books are long ones.) So I'll sit this one out, but I wish everyone else well with it!

[Sylvia]

We haven't formally discussed The Lost Queen or Copsi Castle, so either one would be great for our forum. Since Copsi Castle was brought up in another thread for discussion, I think there were at least 5 affirmative votes for it, so that choice should work well. I will vote for Copsi Castle.

[Judy]

Sounds good to me, too.

[Sylvia]

It was Tanya who first brought up Copsi Castle on the Memorable Characters thread - so Tanya, are you on board at this time?

[Barbara]

Hi all, I just realised Goodreads is not sending me emails - I seem to remember this happens from time to time, you have to re-register yourself or something I think ... sigh.

Anyway, it's looking a bit hopeful for Copsi Castle or The Lost Queen. I would prefer TLQ, but am happy for either . Yay for Fans of NL revitalised !!

[Barbara]

So, my fellow fans shall we start?

And if/when we do, can I implore us all to contribute , please ...... Just the odd comment here and there would be lovely.

[Marie]

Ready! Are we reading Copsi Castle?

[Judy]

I already re-read it back when it was first discussed as the next book. :) The old cover of my paperback was, of course, of the bodice ripper type, but the one thing I noticed in particular was how much deeper the writing was than those ever were. I'll wait to comment on the plot elements as they come up. Good to see we're at it again!

[Sylvia]

I am ready, too, just waiting for the starting date and an official thread, oh fearless leader! I have a request of all of you. If you are starting at the beginning of Copsi Castle, please watch for the county location of the castle. I am almost sure that I read it was located in Suffolk County, but I can't find it now. If it is Suffolk County, we could also watch for familiar locations and try to place Copsi Castle on our Layer Wood maps. This title was not included with the 22 titles located around Layer Wood and should be added, if accurate. I think it would be the only castle in the Layer Wood area that is the main "house" or residence.

[Barbara]

Oh, this is so good I will open a thread right away!
I am assuming no one wants to lead ? Be lovely if anyone did......if not, well, I did say said I would.

[Tanya Mendonsa]

I'm fine for " The Old Priory ", but what happened to " Copsi Castle " ? It's one of my top favourites !

[Barbara]

Tanya wrote: "I'm fine for " The Old Priory ", but what happened to " Copsi Castle " ? It's one of my top favourites !"

We are doing Copsi, Tanya. I just started the thread this morning . Not sure where you got The Old Priory from , but no matter , I am SO glad you are on board !

[Tanya Mendonsa]

On to Copsi !

[Barbara]

Hi Everyone, sorry for this belated general post . I wanted to ask if anyone had a particular preference for the way to structure our latest discussion.
My 'leading' style tends to the rather unstructured I know, and I am happy if anyone wants me to lift my game as it were ! I do understand that the way I do it can mean no-one is quite sure when they are ahead or behind the others .

Unless advised to the contrary I will continue just going along at what seems to be a reasonable pace . My only criteria really , are

- that we try as far possible to follow on/acknowledge previous posts and
- try not to do really big spoilers ( tho most of us are multiple time readers I think )

Is that OK with you all ?

PS I think CC is off to a great start!!

[Werner]

Barbara wrote: "- try not to do really big spoilers ( tho most of us are multiple time readers I think )"

For whatever it's worth, if you want to discuss something that's of a "spoilerish" nature, I've found that Goodreads' feature for embedding a "spoiler" link in a comment, which readers can click on or refrain from clicking as they wish, to be really helpful in such situations. (If you don't know how to do that, click the tiny green "some html is okay" link above the comment box.)