Tania’s Comments (group member since Jan 30, 2022)

Tania’s comments from the Retro Reads group.

Susan in NC wrote: "I’ve started to get a taste, I plan to carry on, but have another book going right now! I picked up the kindle when you told us about it, here’s my cover:
, yup, same!

I..."

I certainly agree about Claude, though I suspect he will be quite prominent. I imagine his refusal to promise not to touch the key will be cropping up later.

All very intriguing so far.

Brilliant. I will also try to catch up with Swallows and Amazons.

I'm sorry I noticed this so late but Thalia is currently free. I think this only lasts until midnight tonight. Not sure about timelines, but if it follows UK timelines, that is about 5 hrs from this post. 8with a small amount to spare). We are due to read it in October. Hopefully people who would like to take part will see the message.

I am really late posting this, for which apologies, but I have only just seen it; Thalia is currently free on kindle. I think these deals only last until midnight Friday, so if anyone wants it and sees this, go now. I am reading it with Carol next month. Here's your chance to get it free if you want to join.

I don't set a reading goal as I don't want to feel I *must* read a certain amount of books. I understand why this works for some people, but for me, I read for pleasure and don't eant to feel pressure, (albeit one I have set myself, for myself) to read. I feel that enough from library books that all come in at once, or ARCS that have to be read by x date, and that probably keeps me reading more than a personal goal would.

#11
Book 4.
High Wages 5*s

One of Dorothy Whipple's ealier books, it has a touch of melodrama towards the end, but her characterisation is just so good. Nice to read about a young girl carving out a successful career in the 1910's.

CindySR wrote: "#2
book number 4
That Callahan Spunk
finished 5/7

2 stars
my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I find that title far too off putting, will definitely be steering clear of it now.

I tend to turn to audio books; ones that I know and love. For me, this would typically be Jane Austen, P.G. Wodehouse or Agatha Christie, all of which can be found free online via Librivox, Internet Archive or Youtube. I don't have to wait for them, I don't have to concentrate, (I already know how things will turn out), I can just sink into the world they have created and enjoy it.

I just looked, and it is available on Kindle Unlimited in the Uk if anyone uses that. I will still keep an eye on it.

I would be interested in reading Thalia. It sometimes comes up free on kindle, so I will keep an eye out and post here if/when it does.

I have the notify box checked, but it very often doesn't work anymore. I also have to remember to go to the 'discussions' to see anything.

What a great question, it has already sent me looking in the library stacks. Sadly no Ruth Park, now that does look interesting. Jane Aiken Hodge is another author I have long been meaning to try. One day...

P.G. Wodehouse and Agatha Christie have been favourites since my teens, and the two I return to most often for comfort. Honourable mentions to Georgette Heyer and E.F. Benson, also already mentioned. Other favourites of mine:

Dorothy Whipple such a compelling storyteller.
Elizabeth von Arnim she can be so funny.
Beverley Nichols love his garden trilogies.
Barbara Pym more comfort reading.
Marghanita Laski each book is completely different.
R.C. Sherriff so much more than just Journey's End.
Elizabeth Taylor for a bit of bite.
B.B. The Little Grey Men was probably my first love.

#11
Book 3. The Enchanted April 5*s
Finished 20/02/2025

This has long been a favourite, and was wonderful to sink back into. I can almost feel the sunshine on my face; it has been so cold here that I needed something like this.

What wonderful treasures. I've not read these ones, but Ivwould like to now.

#11 with book 2. The Gulls Fly Inland 3.5*s
Finished on 22/01.

I enjoyed this novel, but it felt a bit distant from what was going on. The characters were often more like sketches, so I didn't really feel I got to know them but I did enjoy the period details of life in Europe and US in the lead up to WW2.

She's comfort reading for me too. Not exactly cosy, but definitely comforting.

Thank you.

Susan in NC wrote: "#5 with book #3, another funny five-star treat that truly brightened this dreary freezing January, Jeeves in the Morning by P.G. Wodehouse"

I don't think I had spotted that one. I think I might have to dig it out as it is equally bleak here. I was also thinking of reading The Enchanted April shortly, that is also a good one for bringing sunshine into my life.

#11 with book 1, After the Funeral by Agatha Christie finished 17/01. 4*s.

I thought I had read this one, but apparently not. Great to find a new to me Christie to read. There aren't too many of those left now.

I have had this one lurking on my kindle for years; glad to have the excuse to finally read it.