Bel Lamington was a young woman who lost her parents when she was very young. She had gone to live with her aunt and they had been very happy together. When her aunt died her country house was sold and just enough money was left to enable Bel to train as a secretary. Bel said … Continue reading Bel Lamington by D.E. Stevenson (1961)
Book Reviews
The Child From the Sea by Elizabeth Goudge (1970)
The Child From the Sea is an historical novel written by Elizabeth Goudge which she based on the life of Lucy Walter (c. 1630–1658), a woman descended from Welsh royalty known to history as Charles II’s first mistress and thought by some to have married him before he became king. History has not been kind … Continue reading The Child From the Sea by Elizabeth Goudge (1970)
April Listening
I go through phases of listening to podcasts and audiobooks, depending on what I'm doing. While I'm working on domestic tasks, sewing, walking or driving are the times that tend to work for me. At my monthly face to face book club, we were talking about busyness, the use of social media and the general … Continue reading April Listening
The English Air by D.E. Stevenson (1940)
The English Air by D.E. Stevenson was published in 1940, and like other authors who wrote during the early years of WWII when the outcome was so uncertain, (e.g. Nevil Shute and Helen Macinnes) it provides a unique perspective. Letters between the author and her publisher included in the Furrowed Middlebrow edition of the book emphasises … Continue reading The English Air by D.E. Stevenson (1940)
Bats in the Belfry by E.C.R. Lorac (1937)
E.C.R. Lorac is one of the pseudonyms used by the prolific British crime author Edith Caroline Rivett (1894-1958) who until more recently had largely been forgotten. I’ve read a couple of her books and I've liked this one the best so far. It's the thirteenth book out of forty-six written by Lorac that feature Chief … Continue reading Bats in the Belfry by E.C.R. Lorac (1937)
April Blether
'To a generation for whom everything which used to nourish the imagination because it had to be won by an effort, and then slowly assimilated, is now served up cooked, seasoned, and chopped into little bits, the creative faculty (for reading should be a creative act as well as writing) is rapidly withering, together with … Continue reading April Blether
Spring Magic by D.E. Stevenson (1942)
In his Introduction to Spring Magic, Alexander McCall Smith writes that D. E. Stevenson’s books, ‘…eluded the sort of classification that reviewers and scholars like to engage in. They are not simple romances; nor are they anything that would today be recognised as thrillers. They are in a category of their own: clearly-written straightforward tales … Continue reading Spring Magic by D.E. Stevenson (1942)
Biggles in the Baltic by Captain W.E. Johns (1940)
I can’t believe I’m writing a review of a Biggles’ book. In spite of scouring secondhand shops and Lifeline sales for at least two decades with my offspring as they built up their collection of Captain W.E. John’s books, this is the first of his books that I’ve ever read. It’s surprising how many grown … Continue reading Biggles in the Baltic by Captain W.E. Johns (1940)
Death at the Bar by Ngaio Marsh (1940)
A darts night at the Plume of Feathers, an old-fashioned pub at a small village in Devonshire, turns into a crime scene. Lawyer Luke Watchman, his cousin, Sebastian Parish who is a handsome and celebrated actor, and their friend, Norman Cubitt, a distinguished artist, are visiting the village after a year’s absence and are staying … Continue reading Death at the Bar by Ngaio Marsh (1940)
1940 Book Club
Every six months Simon and Karen ask people to read books published in the same year and put reviews online wherever you put reviews (blog, GoodReads, Instagram, etc.). Any sort of book from anywhere in the world is welcomed – the only rule is that it was first published in 1940. I'll be reading Death at the … Continue reading 1940 Book Club
journey & destination 