Read Scotland 2014 discussion

I'm planning to read 8 books and will blog about them, but also list them here. I'm only reading books by women.

1/8 was Cauldstane


by Linda Gillard

For now I'll just say it was wonderful and I really enjoyed it.

2/8 A Rip in the Veil



by Anna Belfrage

Timseslip, witches and Covenanters during Cromwell's Protectorate. A very interesting period in Scottish history.

3/8 Wildfire at Midnight


by Mary Stewart

Young divorcee arrives on Skye for a rest, only to discover her ex-husband among the guests. And that there's been a murder. Lots of clambering about on the Cuillin, really rather exciting. It was Mary Stewart on top form, I thought, she usually does write quite believable characters.

The mountain setting was perfect for Read Scotland.

I popped this onto my Nook recently so will try to read it for the Scottish challenge as it sounds rather good. I just finished her Touch Not the Cat and quite enjoyed that too.

Hello my new English friend! The one whom I assume to also be cat and flower-loving, by the name 'Geranium Cat'! Am I right? We have Mary Stewart in common.

She hasn't been on the list I've showed. I've collected her for years but savour her, at leisure; perhaps a novel per year. I'm sure I have this one and will walk down our sidewalk, to our library building and check. Today there is large fluffy snow, blanketing the atmosphere and keeping the temperature warm; very near 0C. Sincerely, Carolyn. http://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2013/11...

Hello Carolyn! Yes, you're quite right. And I know it's funny that I only talk about dogs but that's because we don't have a cat any more. I would love to again sometime though. Oh, and I do love flowers :-)

I like Mary Stewart very much, my favourite is Thornyhold - have you read that one? I might read Stormy Petrel or Rose Cottage next - they might be the only two I've never read. Jodie

Is this a black & white beauty a portrait of your cat? Come now, being a cat person (or animal person) has nothing to do with whether we have them at home. In fact I hesitated a few times late last year, because you solely mentioned dogs. Our 7 gather round us as we read. :)

We got over a bad experience with the south neighbour's poorly-positioned (and never walked) dog. The in-your-face location rather ruined our life last year. Inside and out, I had no peace for 1-1/2 year. So distressed was I, first mustering courage to speak with them, second after they refused to move her cage; I couldn't bear to welcome spring. Friends to the west have a noisy two, we hope they will do something with by spring. They understand it isn't fair to be blared at, just for talking in one's own yard! If a dog is well cared for; they definitely are very cute. People's harmless pets have always been welcome to pass through our yard and I enjoy any animal at other homes. Joy has returned. We garden a great deal, starting in May.

Believe it or not, I've collected up a storm but only read "Thunder On The Right" so far. It was good but I believe I sold it to a used book shop. I gift or trade those I don't need to keep.

Geranium wrote: "Hello Carolyn! Yes, you're quite right. And I know it's funny that I only talk about dogs but that's because we don't have a cat any more. I would love to again sometime though. Oh, and I do love f..."

The only one of hers I've read is Rose Cottage. I enjoyed it.

Peggy, I definitely shall be reading Rose Cottage, but it's not set in Scotland, I think, so maybe the other first.

Carolyn, yes, the black-and-white cat was my last darling. She was such a sweet girl, but a hunter of epic talents.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with your neighbour's dogs - there's no excuse for that sort of thing. Actually, our two do tend to bark when there's a lot of activity next door, but we always bring them in if they won't stop. And where we live is so isolated that it's no bad thing that they bark at unexpected comings and goings. I'm glad you are able to look forward to gardening this year. I'll be starting in May too, I have too much work on in April.

I'm deep in the country too and couldn't believe how hard it was to sit and look at the stars. People let pooches 'bark themselves out'. I'm grateful for people like you, who teach the darlings not to go on and on. Yes, if I'm walking to YOUR house it's okay! They should comment on who's approaching their home. Not drive me out of mine. For 1-1/2 year I couldn't have a cup of coffee in my lawnchair or open a window. Anyway that's over; with prayer that the next renter of that government-assisted house next to us, has a school of goldfish! Heeheehee!

Very often I see other dogs at the yard sales we peruse or being walked in the city (maybe being walked is key) and am amazed at how quiet they are. I pet them and enjoy the sweet faces, looking up at you, so glad you are saying hello. It's lovely yours read with you.

Oh, your cat is gorgeous! I've never had a black & white. Mine hunt too well but I can't bear to let them get away with mice or birds. If only they would go after mosquitoes and deer flies instead of the lovely dragonflies and butterflies we wish to attract. Anyway they're trained enough that if I say "leave the birds" or gesture a hand away from the birdfeeders, they get it. I asked for sturdy slippers so I can march outside urgently, if they don't listen at once. ;-)

We garden the first week of May because in hardiness zone 3, that's the earliest risk-free frost date. You, Cath, and I (and anyone else) must talk about gardens soon! I should clean up our library building and get pre-seeing underway. I have a wish to live in a place where plants could peter themselves out, not be shut off by frost. We sure see how strong plants are, how quickly they grow to take advantage of Manitoba's warm seasons.

C. wrote: "I'm deep in the country too and couldn't believe how hard it was to sit and look at the stars."

I looked at your blog, Carolyn, and I'm deeply envious of your library building! That's the sort of thing I need, but it's so damp here I don't think the books would like it much. Your cats look gorgeous too, I love your blog header with them all being lynxes in the snow.

In a normal year I reckon on early May being about the first safe date for gardening (heaven knows what will happen this year, it's so mild at the moment). I suspect Cath will be safe to go ahead a bit earlier, as I know she's not far from where my mother lives. I've bought my seeds and seed compost ready, though, and I should definitely sow sweet peas soon, or else they won't have time to flower! Must make some greenhouse space. My problem is that we don't have hot summers here - last year was an exception, and the first year since we came here that we've had a good tomato crop. I was amazed when I first went to Canada to realise that we live further north than anywhere I'd visited! But lacking a continental climate, it's not great for annual crops and flowers. It will be interesting to compare notes.

I'll double check where it is you live! I grow *wonderful* crops and flowers but annual is the key. Some are perennial and more would be in a climate of longer mildness, yes. But nature sure does grab the opportunity for life firmly. To witness how fast in occurs in the Canadian prairies, knowing +30C weather is short, is astonishing.

In my "Ethereal" or "Gentle Spectrums" reading challenge, an upcoming activity is going to be to show our plants. I'd also love to get something started at 'RIEDEL Fascination' for exchanging seeds (they are one of my prizes for all groups anyway, book taste can be personal / picky). Not least, anyone who admires my babies is sure to have me burst into a smile. Thank you, Jodie! My blog's banner doesn't depict ALL of them. Heehee! 6/7 have been bathed, our Siamese will join the clean, soft ranks tomorrow.

4/8 Secrets in Prior's Ford



by Eve Houston

A very quiet little book set in a small village in south-west Scotland. It did have a feel of the area, which is nice as it's the first in a series. I liked the newly-widowed Clarissa who is not at all sure whether she can stand on her own feet - would it be easier to carry on being gently and kindly bullied by her step-children? Secrets abound, but very little actually happens. A nice, restful read.

5/8 To Love and Be Wise



by Josephine Tey

The perfect Golden Age type of mystery, set in an English village, with an attractive policeman (Inspector Alan Grant), a nice sidekick (Sergeant Williams), a number of sympathetic characters, and a twist in the tail. I think it could be my favourite of the Grant books so far.

Geranium wrote: "4/8 Secrets in Prior's Ford



by Eve Houston

A very quiet little book set in a small village in south-west Scotland. It did have a feel..."

Sounds wonderful putting it on my list!

6/8 My Friends the Miss Boyds



by Jane Duncan

I reviewed it here (hope the link works): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

7/8 A Deadly Measure of Brimstone



by Catriona McPherson

Great fun, nice mystery set in what used to be one of our neighbouring market towns, Moffat. It was quite recognisable!

Geranium wrote: "7/8 A Deadly Measure of Brimstone



by Catriona McPherson

Great fun, nice mystery set in what used to be one of ..."

Her books are fun! Love the covers!

8/8 Legend in Green Velvet

by Elizabeth Peters

What a hoot! I've got to admire the author for brio, but there were bits that made me howl.

Books 9 and 10: The Boggart and The Boggart and the Monster

and

by Susan Cooper

Two lovely stories for children, set mostly in The Highlands

11:

Death of a Kingfisher by

M.C. Beaton

12:

Northanger Abbey

by Val McDermid

Not a resounding success, I feel. I enjoyed it at first but by the end it felt a little too much like an Edinburgh Festival gazetteer.

Brief review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

13. The Singing Sands



by Josephine Tey

Glorious! My favourite of her books!

14. Orkney



by Amy Sackville

Not a favourite - it seemed too obvious where it was going and spent too long getting there for me.

I own "The Singing Sands" but get far more out of series volumes if I follow their sequence. However I'm glad to hear Josephine praised highly: regularly.

C. wrote: "I own "The Singing Sands" but get far more out of series volumes if I follow their sequence. However I'm glad to hear Josephine praised highly: regularly."

I agree about reading in sequence, Carolyn, but don't always find it practical - I read most of them when I was younger and as I came across them. The Singing Sands was new to me, though, and I just loved it. When I've collected them all I will get round to re-reading them in order, though.

I know about inpracticality. My shopping list is all about filling in volumes, to move along with what I might own for decades. I clearly don't budge from the preference. ;) After years of used book hunting or gathering gift certificates, it is unbelievably rewarding to read it. The other thing is that my memory grabs detail like a sponge. If there is even one piece of information given in earlier volumes, I just love it. :)

So tha hard and longer way, yes but it pays off. One area in which I'm considering skipping it is with someone who has millions of volumes and my 25c copy is #30. Usually I persevere (Kate Kingsbury, Agatha Christie, Rex Stout, Dorothy Sayers) but there are some I'm unsure I'll like and my solitary book is a ways in. Pierre Audubon, Joanne Fluke, Michael Innes, Julian Symons. I'm tempted. Josephine doesn't have many. :)