The Bookworm's Thread 2016

Hobsons_Choice

Goldiegirl wrote: »

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

I read this too - and had exactly the same reaction that you did.
I've decided to stick to the C.J. Sansom's 'Shardlake' books!

THIRZAH

Dana Stabenow writes a couple of series set in Alaska. I think the Kate Shugak series is the best . The first book in the series is "A Cold day for Murder" . It was free on Kindle last time I checked.

Callie22

S_Wales_Saver wrote: »

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

I like those too I have quite a few and was (for a brief period) a member of the fan clubs ... I haven't read them much recently as most of mine haven't been unpacked yet, but I think I own most of them. It's just a shame they're so expensive nowadays, especially the later paperbacks and the hardbacks. I'll shut up about the Chalet School stories now, they are very addictive and if you get into them they lead you down all sorts of school story rabbit holes

If she likes school stories then may I also suggest your daughter tries Antonia Forest? 'Autumn Term' is the first in her Kingscote series and they are generally regarded as some of the best school stories ever written. They're probably a bit old yet for your grand-daughters - I'd recommend them for 11 and upwards - but they're great stories and some of my favourites. And if she likes those then I'd also recommend Gwendoline Courtney. She didn't write school stories as such (although some of them, like 'At School with the Stanhopes' and 'A Coronet for Cathy' have a school aspect) but they are really good 'family' stories.

Your grand-daughters might also like the Trebizon series by Anne Digby. They are a bit more modern than the Chalet School (there are boys and lots of hockey as well as the usual excitements). Anne Digby has also written some more stories based on Enid Blyton's 'Naughtiest Girl in the School' series. I have to say that Whyteleafe (the school in this series) was probably the only one of Enid Blyton's schools that I thought I'd like to go to - Malory Towers just sounded horrible!

And finally ... if they like ballet school stories then they might like Jean Estoril's 'Drina' series. Jean Estoril was a pen-name for Mabel Esther Allan and she also wrote some interesting school stories under her real name, although again I think they're probably more suitable for slightly older readers.

THIRZAH

If anyone has any Chalet School books do check how much they are worth -some are very collectible.

[Deleted User]

I am halfway through reading Lost Girl by Adam Nevill and its really odd how it talks about violent storm and climate change and crop failures and a massive increase of refugees fleeing war torn places .Set in 2053 a friend said she read it and its almost like reading today's papers at times !!!I have the two C.J. Sansom books to read next 'Dominions' and 'Winter in Madrid' they will be my next in the stack to read :):)

Wednesday2000

S_Wales_Saver wrote: »

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

I remember all those books well.:A

Gers

I was hooked on the Chalet School books - may have some still at my mum's place so must check.

I succumbed to a whim the other day and bought a couple of books by Benjamin Black. That's the pen name of Irish writer and poet John Banville. The books came highly recommended so I'm looking forward to reading them - eventually!

So many interesting reads given in this thread, thanks to everyone.

[Deleted User]

Gers wrote: »

I was hooked on the Chalet School books - may have some still at my mum's place so must check.

I succumbed to a whim the other day and bought a couple of books by Benjamin Black. That's the pen name of Irish writer and poet John Banville. The books came highly recommended so I'm looking forward to reading them - eventually!

So many interesting reads given in this thread, thanks to everyone.

I borrowed John Banville's latest, The Blue Guitar, from the mobile library recently but had so much going on in my life:( that I just didn't have the time to even start it. I wasn't allowed to renew it for another month as there was a long waiting-list for it. I'll certainly try again later though.

I'd never heard of Benjamin Black before you mentioned him but I've just searched for him on Amazon and I'm amazed his books have passed me by. I also see that there was a TV series based on his Quirke character. Again, it's news to me:o

My library catalogue has most of the Benjamin Black books so I'm going to reserve one for my next visit to the mobile library.

Thank you, Gers, for mentioning him:T

amyt13

greentiger wrote: »

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.

I actually struggled with this too. Very rarely struggle but it was a chore (out of my own stubborness) to get to the end. I didn't really care for the ending, it was just a relief to finish it!

Goldiegirl

Hobsons_Choice wrote: »

I read this too - and had exactly the same reaction that you did.
I've decided to stick to the C.J. Sansom's 'Shardlake' books!

I love the Shardlake books - I'm hoping there's going to be a new one soon - C J Sanson doesn't churn out books like some authors!

S_Wales_Saver wrote: »

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

I used to love St Clare's and Mallory Towers - actually anything by Enid Blyton.


For school stories I liked the Jennings books by Anthony Buckeridge, even though the protagonist was a boy.


From the same era, I also liked the William books by Richmal Crompton