tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post4343360658749934847..comments2024-03-28T11:17:43.586+00:00Comments on Read-warbler: Catching up - three reviewsCathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06371069000185280668noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-18193724117564067532020-07-22T23:11:54.900+01:002020-07-22T23:11:54.900+01:00Rosemary: It took me a little while to get into Th...Rosemary: It took me a little while to get into The Village but it was so worth persevering. As you say, such depth. And a bit heart-breaking in a way, I could hardly believe the suggestion that was made at the end to this lovely couple. Brilliant book. I shall try The New House by Lettice Cooper soon.<br /><br />Yes, I saw the special lockdown Richard and Judy daily book programme a couple of months ago and they reported that sales of books have gone through the roof during lockdown. It's nice to hear of someone benefitting from this horrible situation. <br /><br />Devon library seems to have quite a lot of Persephone books so I've reserved a couple that way. Have also picked a couple up on eBay, I could probably get more if I tried but they're never very cheap. I don't get the newsletter these days so I can't remember much about it. It wouldn't surprise me if it was London-centric, most things seem to be. Those of us who live in the far corners of the country might as well be in the far corners of the 'galaxy' for all the notice that gets taken of us.<br /><br />Cathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06371069000185280668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-87823229350919082352020-07-22T11:24:09.887+01:002020-07-22T11:24:09.887+01:00Cath, I am so glad that you enjoyed The Village, i...Cath, I am so glad that you enjoyed The Village, it has been one of the books of 2020 for me so far. I think it has such depth once you get into it. I even felt sorry for Wendy by the end.<br /><br />I do know one publisher quite well and she says they have been rushed off their feet during all of this - it is quite a small organisation, so even her house has been full of stacks of books waiting to be posted. I am very pleased for them, they produce beautiful hardbacks, and excellent paperbacks too. <br /><br />I agree with you about Persephone - their books are expensive, and much as I love them I do get slightly riled by their newsletter sometimes, it often seems to me to be very London-centric and a bit smug. Despite that I am - of course! - always thrilled if I find one in a charity shop, although this is a rare occurrence as I don't think many people part with them. I was lucky with the Marghanita Laski, as I discovered I had an ancient hardback on my shelves that I must have picked up years ago. If it hadn't fitted my project I'd probably never have opened it - which is one reason why these themed reads really work for me.<br /><br />RosemaryRosemaryhttps://sconesandchaiseslongues.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-36966149773245059562020-07-18T09:26:28.845+01:002020-07-18T09:26:28.845+01:00Yvonne: I think some books are not meant for us an...Yvonne: I think some books are not meant for us and for you that might be Once Upon a River. There are many, many books that I know others have enjoyed but I don't feel even remotely inclined to try and that's fine, each to his own as they say. The Village I wouldn't have down as your kind of thing either by the way. :-)<br /><br />Crossed Skis might be though, you could have 'skiing' as a little mini reading theme for the summer. LOL!<br /><br />No worries about the typos, I know those kinds of days. Have a good weekend.<br /><br />Susan: I think part of the problem with Once Upon a River is that Diane Setterfield had such a massive success with The Thirteenth Tale and whatever she wrote after was bound to recieve extra scrutiny and criticism. <br /><br />Judith: I had to laugh as I'm suffering from Too Many Books syndrome too. I'm actually removing books from my shelves very successfully at the moment, the trouble is I'm replacing them on my Kindle. I've probably bought between 20 and 30 books since March which is a bit ridiculous. I have heard that the publishing indiustry has not suffered during the pandemic as people have rediscovered reading. <br /><br />Cathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06371069000185280668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-10684014160172423442020-07-17T02:11:58.120+01:002020-07-17T02:11:58.120+01:00Hi Cath,
Just today received my copy of Crossed Sk...Hi Cath,<br />Just today received my copy of Crossed Skis! Took a bit of a while, but it's here. I am now suffering from TOO MANY BOOKS syndrome, which actually is a huge blessing, but one that prompts some anxiety. Which one first, and second?? Looking forward.Judithhttps://readerinthewilderness.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-69680981132276077682020-07-16T19:02:48.841+01:002020-07-16T19:02:48.841+01:00ONCE UPON A RIVER has been on my TBR list ever sin...ONCE UPON A RIVER has been on my TBR list ever since I heard about it. I just haven't gotten around to reading it. CROSSED SKIS is one I've never heard of. It sounds excellent, though. I love that kind of premise - a group of strangers together in an exotic setting when suddenly they realize everything (and everyone) is not as it (they) seems. Yes, please!Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05344704891037668456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-34240701299813584392020-07-16T11:34:11.578+01:002020-07-16T11:34:11.578+01:00PS. Sorry for the typos, it's just one of thos...PS. Sorry for the typos, it's just one of those days where the hands and brain don't want to work together!! :)Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14821114534056290177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-43325692616609663092020-07-16T11:32:33.442+01:002020-07-16T11:32:33.442+01:00Hi Cath,
I'm stil sitting on the fence a litt...Hi Cath,<br /><br />I'm stil sitting on the fence a little, even after your thoughtfully worded review of 'Once Upon A River'. I think it will be one of those books I might remember if I have a real gap in my scheduled reading, at that isn't likely to be anytime soon!<br /><br />'The Village' is definitely off my radar. Your review was lovely and honest and really made my mind up that it just isn't one for me.<br /><br />'Crossed Skis' is looking good to go for me though, so one out of three isn't too bad! By coincidence, the book I started yesterday as a review request by Harper, 'Chalet' is also about skiing, although as there are two storylines, told in two parallel timelines of 1998 and 2020, I should imagine that the narrative and dialogue is a little more liberal than in your book. So far it is going really well and I am just waiting for the two stories to come together. If all goes well than I might keep on a roll and try 'Crossed Skis' next!<br /><br />I hope that Peter continues to recover and that you are both well :)<br /><br />Yvonne xxYvonne @ Fiction Books Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14821114534056290177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-20516047675041821722020-07-16T11:10:04.073+01:002020-07-16T11:10:04.073+01:00Mary: Isn't it funny that we seem to have had ...Mary: Isn't it funny that we seem to have had the same experience with these two books. I just couldn't have cared less when I first tried The Essex Serpent and stopped after two or three chapters. The second time I was more prepared, finished it and enjoyed it. So there you go. Cathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06371069000185280668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-1847709630468415712020-07-14T21:18:18.695+01:002020-07-14T21:18:18.695+01:00Ha! Your comment about The Essex Serpent hit the m...Ha! Your comment about The Essex Serpent hit the mark with me, too. Another one I couldn't finish, but at least I own it, so will try again in good time.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11587652444835060129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-20549205045130488222020-07-14T09:31:39.134+01:002020-07-14T09:31:39.134+01:00Margaret: Yes, I definitely think Once Upon a Rive...Margaret: Yes, I definitely think Once Upon a River is a reread candidate. Another one I must read again is The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry. A similar sort of book I feel.<br /><br />I'll be reading Little Boy Lost at some stage. As long as I'm fully prepared to be affected then I'll be ok but I shall wait until I'm in the mood, which might not be for a while. <br /><br />There are now a few BLCC authors whose books I look out for. Freeman Wills Crofts is one, and also E.C.R. Lorac, those two are always very dependable.<br /><br />Tracy: E.C.R. Lorac (and Carol Carnac) is well worth a try, I've really enjoyed several of her books. <br /><br />The Village was good but yes, Persephone books are quite expensive which is why I don't own many. And I've been lucky as I've picked a few up secondhand. <br /><br />I've found that this lockdown period has been good for diving into books that've been on my tbr pile for years. Quite pleased with how many I've managed to get rid of!<br /><br />Marg: Yes, The Thirteeth Tale was massively popular, which can be difficult in some respects as it must be hard for an author to follow a very popular book. <br /><br />Sam: Good luck with finding Once Upon a River at the library. That's one of the things I've really missed... obtaining cheap or free copies of books that I don't really want to buy. Hopefully our library will be open soon and I can get back to that. <br />Cathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06371069000185280668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-82264109740122220832020-07-14T09:14:52.639+01:002020-07-14T09:14:52.639+01:00Pat: 800 pages???? Oh, heck. I agree and in fact t...Pat: 800 pages???? Oh, heck. I agree and in fact the Geoffrey Peret book, 'Jack', is giving a completely different perspective on the family. Even so, I think they must've had an idyllic childhood.<br /><br />Mary: I think it's quite understandable that you struggled with this at the beginning of lockdown. I honestly don't think I would have had the patience with it that I have now. Worth another try perhaps at a loate date, I've had a few books that I've stuggled with on the first attempt but on the second they clicked and I've ended up loving them. The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry was one instance.<br /><br />Diane: Yes I have a few unread Persephones too, and I plan to get to them soon!<br /><br />Kay: yes thanks, my husband's doing ok, not quite there yet but getting there. I think you have to be in the mood for a book like Once upon a River. <br /><br />Lark: I've been terrible during lockdown, adding books to my Kindle willy-nilly. I gather the book trade did very well during lockdown and I am not at all surprised to hear it. LOL!<br /><br />Cathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06371069000185280668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-8166060771857758442020-07-13T20:25:00.606+01:002020-07-13T20:25:00.606+01:00Strangely enough, of these three, the one that has...Strangely enough, of these three, the one that has me most curious is the one you're most ambivalent about, the Setterfield book. I like stories from that period and the setting appeals to me. With any luck, and a little library cooperation, this one is going on my hold list.Sam https://www.blogger.com/profile/17448913705757509608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-81824665924373446092020-07-13T12:44:50.340+01:002020-07-13T12:44:50.340+01:00I loved The Thirteenth Tale but I haven't read...I loved The Thirteenth Tale but I haven't read this one yet.<br /><br /><br />Have a good week!Marghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13508430635744720721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-42646702938847222742020-07-13T00:42:14.047+01:002020-07-13T00:42:14.047+01:00The first two books definitely have me interested....The first two books definitely have me interested. I thought I had read something by E.C.R. Lorac, but I have not. My husband has read Murder by Matchlight and I think he has another one by her. I would also mostly be attracted by the setting, but I am sure the story would be interesting too. <br /><br />The Village also sounds very good and interesting. I will just have to decide how much I am willing to pay for a copy. But as I have enough books already, I will take my time looking for it.<br /><br />I am not sure about the Diane Setterfield book. I have her first book, The Thirteenth Tale and have had it since 2006, when it was new. But I still can't decide whether to read it or not. Someday I just have to dive in a give it a try.<br />TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-60051101725486422432020-07-12T18:06:30.892+01:002020-07-12T18:06:30.892+01:00I loved Once Upon a River - it's a multi-layer...I loved Once Upon a River - it's a multi-layered book and I also think I'll re-read it sometime.<br /><br />I read Little Boy Lost first and then The Village. At first I thought The Village wasn't not as good as Little Boy Lost, which I loved, but as by the end I was convinced I was living in the village, amongst these people at the end of the war. It’s not as heart-rending as Little Boy Lost, but it is absorbing reading.<br /><br />I haven't read any of the Carol Carnac books, although I have read a few of her E C R Lorac books and thought they were good, so I'll look out for them.Margaret @ BooksPleasehttp://www.booksplease.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-20148132448493102762020-07-12T17:09:28.757+01:002020-07-12T17:09:28.757+01:00Yay for good books. And all of these sound really ...Yay for good books. And all of these sound really good. I don't need any more books on my TBR list, but I'm adding these anyway. :)Lark https://www.blogger.com/profile/13777891312147377769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-23252309571823510142020-07-12T15:27:47.903+01:002020-07-12T15:27:47.903+01:00Good to read your reviews, Cath. Hope your husban...Good to read your reviews, Cath. Hope your husband is doing well in his recovery and you're faring well too. I think I might have the Setterfield book on my Kindle, but not something I'm interested in right now. Take care!Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13495669354860191042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-39504835321921729482020-07-12T15:08:45.280+01:002020-07-12T15:08:45.280+01:00Reading your book thoughts Cath reminded me that I...Reading your book thoughts Cath reminded me that I have a few unread Persephone books on my loft shelves. I should get to those soon. I have the Setterfield book as well but, this last week I'm feeling easily distracted.(Diane) Bibliophile By the Seahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10519875632878992728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-69543444345431265192020-07-12T13:09:57.188+01:002020-07-12T13:09:57.188+01:00Thanks for your viewpoint on Setterfield's boo...Thanks for your viewpoint on Setterfield's book. Perhaps I will try it again in time. Was one of those who couldn't seem to get past the first few chapters, but that was probably a result of trying to read it during the initial days of the lockdown when I was a bit distracted. Your observation about the many characters introduced early on and no clear idea initially of where things were going is likely why I gave it up. Clearly, my mind was elsewhere at the time and I wasn't in a frame of mind to to sort it all out. :)Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11587652444835060129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958492963483272678.post-79554280446282371052020-07-12T12:49:50.505+01:002020-07-12T12:49:50.505+01:00You are, as always, moving right along!! I sent f...You are, as always, moving right along!! I sent for a new book on JFK. As usual I sent for it by the review.. AFTER I ordered it I looked farther down and found out it's over 800 pages!! It might be a while until I get to it lol I did enjoy The 9 of Us. I kept thinking this is from the youngest female child..one of the boys views might be different.?DesLilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02582481597658080464noreply@blogger.com