The Bookworm's Thread 2016

Callie22

I've just finished a book called 'Doctor's Children' by Josephine Elder, which was published in 1954. She is best-known for her school stories (and she is regarded as one of the best school-story authors) but she also wrote adult novels which are really good, although they're not that easy to get hold of.

'Doctor's Children' tells the story of Barbara, a female GP whose husband leaves her and her four children. She leaves a comfortable country life to work in the suburbs providing maternity services, and the book explores how she manages her work and family, and the effect that the changed circumstances has on the family. Josephine Elder was a GP herself so the story gives a real feeling of the job and what it was like to be a woman in a very male dominated profession.

The book is set in the years preceding the establishment of the NHS, and it was really fascinating to me to read about how the introduction of a National Health Service was not universally welcomed by doctors, many of whom faced a loss of income, status and employment under the new system. It certainly made for interesting reading given the current political wranglings over the future of the NHS.

I really enjoyed this novel - it was really well written and some of the story-lines were quite 'shocking', particularly with regard to the two older children. One enters into a very inappropriate relationship and the other dabbles with Communism with terrible consequences. If you're a fan of the kind of novels that get republished by Persephone then I think you'd enjoy this.

mumps

VfM4meplse wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

:T Brilliant, a "whodunnit" with an unexpected twist.

I hadn't thought of it like that but it is quite funny isn't it. I think I'm a bit distracted with other things, actually I have read a few whodunnits lately so maybe I need a change.

If I'm feeling down, really down, my guilty secret is Georgette Heyer books. Its funny really as they aren't at all what I normally like but if I feel ill or down the divine heroines and gallant heroes make me feel, I can't think of how to describe it, cosy is as close as I can get. Bit like a mug of hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows, oh and chocolate sprinkles. That's what I make for my grandson if he is having a hard time at school or a falling out with his best friend and it has the same sort of effect. I suppose they are light, not demanding and like a pair of old slippers (not that I wear slippers.)

Maybe I should go and dust one off.

VfM4meplse

Wk 5: I bought this from the chaz this evening:



It's not a thick book, but offers a fantastic insight into the detailed logistical planning behind a period TV series - broadcast over 20 years ago, this one is a classic.

Gentle reminder (as if it were required!):

greentiger

I'm still struggling with "The Versions of Us" by Laura Barnett. I'm finding it very confusing. If it hadn't been a gift from DD I might have given up - i only ever gave up on one other book in my life, can't remember title (it must be about 40 years ago, right enough) but it was scifi; I can usually make it to the end, just out of stubbornness.

lollyfin

I've just finished The Wise Mans Fear by Patrick Rothfuss and thought it was as brilliant as the first in the series. I found it to be one of those books where you lose yourself in another world and now I'm finished it I don't know what to do with myself

Wednesday2000

mumps wrote: »

If I'm feeling down, really down, my guilty secret is Georgette Heyer books. Its funny really as they aren't at all what I normally like but if I feel ill or down the divine heroines and gallant heroes make me feel, I can't think of how to describe it, cosy is as close as I can get. Bit like a mug of hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows, oh and chocolate sprinkles. That's what I make for my grandson if he is having a hard time at school or a falling out with his best friend and it has the same sort of effect. I suppose they are light, not demanding and like a pair of old slippers (not that I wear slippers.)

I feel that way about the Elly Griffiths books about the character Ruth Galloway. I really look forward to a new one.:)

Goldiegirl

Book 6
St Peters Fair by Ellis Peters





The fourth book in the Cadfael series, and becoming way too predictable - I'd guessed who'd 'done it' almost immediately.


I have the next book in this series to read, but I'm going to wait a while before I read the next one, as these books have a real formula feel about them


Sadly only 5/10

Callie22

Goldiegirl wrote: »

I have the next book in this series to read, but I'm going to wait a while before I read the next one, as these books have a real formula feel about them

Sometimes I think it's never a good idea to read too much by the same author all at once. I quite like Jodi Picoult but a few years ago I went on a bit of a binge and read far too many of her books one after the other, and I haven't been able to read one since. It got to the point where it felt like I was reading the same story but with slightly different characters - they all had the moral dilemma, the legal battle led by the embittered lawyer with a complicated personal life, and a slightly twisty resolution. I still think that they are good books - 'Plain Truth', 'Nineteen Minutes' and 'Handle with Care' were all ones I enjoyed - but I don't think I'll read any more for a few years.

S_Wales_Saver

Not been posting, but I enjoyed the Jennifer Haymore books. I'd say they were a 6/10.

Blood kiss by J R Ward was as good as expected. It's always a gamble when an author starts a new series (well this is an offshoot of her main series really) but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely a 10/10 (at least lol)

A few Mils & Boon romances kept me occupied until the first of the next series I'm reading was available for me at the library. This is a series of historical romances set at the time of the French Revolution..I enjoy the regency period but usually read the English side of it so this is a bit different. The books are by Joanna Bourne and I'm liking the first one so far.

I see that Dana Stabenow books are being recommended. I've never read her, but always been keen to do so, in part because I love Alaska. Does she write series, or if not what would you start with?

S_Wales_Saver

I meant to say that I've just been looking at boarding school story books for seven yr old granddaughters. While looking, my own daughter,their aunt (who remembers the St Clare's and Mallory Towers books from her own childhood) came across the Chalet school books by Elinor Brent-Dyer. She had never seen them, although I remember reading quite a few as a child. Anyway she's now hooked. And this from someone whose usual reading is literary fiction and thrillers. Lol