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)
Books for Teens
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)
John Macnab by John Buchan (1925)
Two distinguished highflyers had separately been to see Dr. Acton Croke. Both were suffering from a common ailment - they had all grown too competent and comfortable and their doctor had given them both the same diagnosis and suggested treatment: “You’ve got to rediscover the comforts of your life by losing them for a little…You … Continue reading John Macnab by John Buchan (1925)
Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini (1922)
Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini is an exciting adventure story which begins around 1685 when King James II was on the throne of England.Peter Blood was a thirty-two year old Irish physician who had taken service with the Dutch under the great admiral de Ruyter and fought against France. He spent two years in a … Continue reading Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini (1922)
Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery
Rilla of Ingleside was published in 1921 and is the eighth book in the Anne Series which began with Anne of Green Gables in 1908.Rilla is Anne’s youngest daughter and the story begins just prior or the start of WWI when Rilla is fifteen years of age.The tone of this book is more sombre than … Continue reading Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery
An Episode of Sparrows
An Episode of Sparrows is another perceptive and sensitive novel by Rumer Godden. Godden’s writing is spare and unsentimental with a gritty realism, but also much beauty. In the preface to this book she wrote: 'Finally the time came when I had to tell myself miserably, “You have squandered, muddled, and wasted everything, everything from opportunity … Continue reading An Episode of Sparrows
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (1967)
The Outsiders is a coming of age sort of story which works really well, probably because the author wrote the book when she was just seventeen years old. It is told very simply and directly from the viewpoint of Ponyboy, a fourteen year old ‘Greaser.’ The author captures the main character’s personality and concerns … Continue reading The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (1967)
Ten Favourite Books of a 15 Year Old
I asked my 15 yr old daughter to write a few words about the books she's enjoyed - she reads A LOT, so the following are books she's read or re-read recently or those that first came to mind about an hour ago when I asked her. Seven Daughters and Seven Sons - Barbara Cohen … Continue reading Ten Favourite Books of a 15 Year Old
Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey (1946)
Miss Lucy Pym’s mission in life had been to teach schoolgirls to speak French, which she had done for four years until her remaining parent died and left her two hundred and fifty pounds a year. Lucy supplemented her living by giving French lessons from time to time and spent her spare hours reading … Continue reading Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey (1946)
The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells (1896)
In January of 1888, a brig sailing between Samoa and California, discovered a man floating alone in a small open boat and rescued him. The man was Edward Prendick. Eleven months earlier he had been on a ship which collided with a derelict vessel and he was thought to have drowned. The tale … Continue reading The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells (1896)
journey & destination 