The Bookworm's Thread 2016

Ladybird2

Callie22 wrote: »

I can really recommend Streatfeild's adult novels too. They're not that easy to get hold of but Persephone have republished 'Saplings', which is a really moving story about a family during WW2.

Thank you Callie22 for this recommendation. I borrowed Saplings from my local library and have just finished reading it. I really enjoyed it and hope that Persephone republish some more of Streatfeild's adult books. The story was very well written and totally absorbing.

Callie22

Ladybird2 wrote: »

Thank you Callie22 for this recommendation. I borrowed Saplings from my local library and have just finished reading it. I really enjoyed it and hope that Persephone republish some more of Streatfeild's adult books. The story was very well written and totally absorbing.

I'm really glad you liked this one Persephone haven't published any more of her adult novels to date (I think that Greyladies publishers own a lot of the rights to Streatfeild's adult novels), but if you liked this then there are a couple of other Persephone reprints you might like. 'Doreen' by Barbara Noble is a similar kind of novel, about a couple who take in an evacuee and decide they'd like to adopt her. 'Family Roundabout' by Richmal Crompton tells the story of a matriarch and looks at how she tries to control her family, and 'The Winds of Heaven' by Monica Dickens was also really enjoyable - that's about a widow who ends up moving between her children. If you're up for something of a reading marathon then I can also really recommend Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazalet series, which starts with 'The Light Years'. There are five books in the series, which follows an extended family through the 30s, 40s and 50s. Incidentally all five are for sale with the Book People for £6.99 at the moment, which is an absolute bargain as they're big books (and these editions have lovely covers!)

(And as an aside, I mentioned Monica Dickens earlier and if you're looking for something lighter then I recommend two of her 'biographical' novels - 'One Pair of Hands' where she leaves her life as a debutante to go into domestic service, and 'One Pair of Feet' where she goes to train as a nurse. They're very readable and funny.)

pollypenny

Oh, I used to love Monica Dickens. Her books bridged the child - adult gap when I was about 13.

Anyone remember The Egg and I by Betty MacDonald? Her books were good, too.

I've just finished Close Call by Stella Rimington. Wow! So timely British-born ethnic Asian lads plotting to blow up major sites in Paris initially, then Manchester. Gripping, especially the last quarter of the book.

Ladybird2

Thank you again Callie22 - I've added your new recommendations to my list. It has been some years since I read any Monica Dickens and I shall look forward to reading The Winds of Heaven. I am lucky in that there is an excellent library where I live so that I don't have to buy many books these days. Very money saving!

I have read all the Cazelet books twice and really enjoyed them. I bought the complete set from The Book People (very good value book sellers) for my Mum to read. I had read all of Elizabeth Jane Howard's standalone novels in the past and I'm just starting to re-read them again.

carolbee

Oh, I'm loving this thread, now write down all the suggestions and order from our library, we don't pay to reserve books, and it also shows our little library is being used.

Some I have read, but want to re-read, I couldn't possibly buy everything I want to read, and love a real book.

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions.

Happy reading

cairndog

JackieO wrote: »

That's how I got them ,my library is brilliant and charge nothing to reserve books, and email me when they are in The new Stuart Macbride book is really good read a good chunk lest night in bed :):)

Wow JackieO you get amazing service from your library!! Most seem to charge for reserving which is probably to pay postage when they send a card to tell you the book's in. Email is a better idea but my branch has low staffing so wouldn't have time.:shocked:

carolbee

cairndog wrote: »

Wow JackieO you get amazing service from your library!! Most seem to charge for reserving which is probably to pay postage when they send a card to tell you the book's in. Email is a better idea but my branch has low staffing so wouldn't have time.:shocked:

I'm in Kent too, like JackieO, our library service locally is superb.
I believe in using it or losing it! We must be very lucky here.

Callie22

pollypenny wrote: »

Anyone remember The Egg and I by Betty MacDonald? Her books were good, too.

I have this one, and a couple of her other autobiographical novels - 'The Plague and I' (about her time in a TB Sanatorium) and 'Anyone can do anything', which is about her difficulties in finding work during the Depression.

I think my favourite is probably 'The Plague and I'. The subject matter is a bit grim (and she doesn't spare the details!) but she's a great writer and very funny. It's one of those 'rainy afternoon' books that you can just read again and again, like a lot of Monica Dickens.

S_Wales_Saver

Thanks to all those who suggested other school stories for the seven yr old twins (as well as some for the ~~yr old aunt lol)

I haven't finished my 5 book series yet. Just about halfway on book four. The series is set in France and Britain during and after the French Revolution - not what I usually read, though one of my favourites is the British Regency period with the French emigr!s often mentioned. It's proving to be a good series, although I'm ready now for some vampires/werebeasts or supernatural folk. I know there are some in the pipeline, as I still suggest titles to my local library (when I worked there, urban fantasy was MY speciality)

So glad we all use our local libraries. In Wales all reservations are free JackieO provided they can be sourced from within Welsh library authorities. This is a huge help for those who read older books and particularly series. Moorland Dynasty anyone?

[Deleted User]

carolbee wrote: »

I'm in Kent too, like JackieO, our library service locally is superb.
I believe in using it or losing it! We must be very lucky here.

Indeed I am really pleased with the KCC and their service in the Libraries.I have a reasonably big library close to where I live in Rainham, and I also use the satellite Hempstead Library where one of my DDs live, when I go to Book Club.

Its only a little library there which might have closed without the resourcefulness of the very helpful staff.They not only run a book club there, but also a walking group and a knitting group (I go to that one as well:))and a genealogy group you can use their computers for .

Its so important to use as many of the facilites as possible as the council look at the 'footfall' when they are thinking about cutting services