Downton Abbey

[close] This group is for Downton Abbey fans seeking great literature and fantastic non-fiction to recreate--or perhaps broaden--the experience of watching the critically acclaimed ITV/PBS period drama! From the Edwardian era and into the 1920s (and possibly up to WWII, since we can speculate the lives of the characters after the show ends), here is where you can discuss and discover good books!

[close] Wednesday, February 17th – Wednesday, February 24th – Bestselling novelist Natasha Solomons will be taking questions from Goodreads members in a special one-week only discussion group. Post your questions for Natasha here and she'll begin responding on the 17th. Known for the bestselling novel THE HOUSE AT TYNEFORD, Solomons’s breathtaking new novel, THE SONG OF HARTGROVE HALL is available now from Plume Books. It’s a terrible thing to covet your brother’s girl New Year’s Eve, Dorset, England, 1946. Candles flicker, a gramophone scratches out a tune as guests dance and sip champagne— for one night Hartgrove Hall relives better days. Harry Fox-Talbot and his brothers have returned from World War II determined to save their once grand home from ruin. But the arrival of beautiful Jewish wartime singer Edie Rose tangles the threads of love and duty, and leads to a devastating betrayal. Fifty years later, now a celebrated composer, Fox reels from the death of his adored wife, Edie. Until his connection with his four-year old grandson – a music prodigy – propels him back into life, and ultimately to confront his past. An enthralling novel about love and treachery, joy after grief, and a man forced to ask: is it ever too late to seek forgiveness? THE SONG OF HARTGROVE HALL has it all: a love triangle, family obligations, and rediscovering joy in the face of grief, all set against the alluring backdrop of an English country estate.

[close] We're just a buncha hip ladies doin' what cool hip ladies do, and that's readin' books! In blankets we knitted ourselves (or our snuggies, right girls?!) with a cup of hot herbal tea (or red wine if we're feeling a little rebellious) in our hands and our fur kids at our sides. (NOTE: This group is NOT exclusive to ladies, men are welcome too, as long as they like cats!)

[close] I am a Children's librarian and some of my Tweens (ages 4th-8th grade) have requested we have a Downton Abbey program. The purpose of this group is to discuss Downton-esque materials that would be appropriate for Middle Grade readers. I am looking for both fiction and non-fiction etc. on England in the early 1900's-1920's. Anything on the English Aristocracy would be wonderful as well. With that, we can push the time period back into the 19th century as well.