50 books to read before you die discussion

Our group read for January 2017 from our open nominations is I Capture the Castle

I am over half way through this now and I must admit I'm thoroughly enjoying it. Love the beautiful descriptions of the English countryside, very atmospheric. I think Austen fans will enjoy this.

Kayleigh wrote: "I am over half way through this now and I must admit I'm thoroughly enjoying it. Love the beautiful descriptions of the English countryside, very atmospheric. I think Austen fans will enjoy this."

Are you finished yet, Kayleigh?

I think I'll be able to get to this before the end of the month. Don't know anything at all about it. Not a Janite, though.

Is anybody else out there reading this one?

Completed a day back. What surprised me the most was the writing style. It doesn't feel dated at all. It just flowed and is in parts funny, exasperating and charming (like Cassandra)
The best coming-of-age story I have read. Not one of my favourite genres. And my first from a female POV.
Loved the book title - how she captures the castle and everyone inside with a pen

This is another book I wish I had read as a young teenager! It would have meant a lot to me.

***POSSIBLE SPOILERS***

I enjoyed the book very much, but I found it surprisingly hard to read because I got very emotionally invested in the characters, and did not want to see them get hurt (except for the father, he was a real piece of work!). I loved the first section of the book (first notebook) best, then I found myself slowing down in my reading as things started to change for the characters.

I would have given the book 5 stars, but I wasn't crazy about the ending. I kept hoping that Cassandra would fall in love with Stephen- I think he truly loved her, and would have made her happy. Simon seems like he would be a good and amiable friend, but a horribly unreliable life/love partner. I think that someday, if she does get involved with/married to Simon, there will be a time that she will look back with deep regret at what she could have had with Stephen.

PS- I really can't stand the father, but I would love to read his books! :)

Suki wrote: "This is another book I wish I had read as a young teenager! It would have meant a lot to me.

I enjoyed the book very much, but I found it surprisingly hard to read because I got very emotionally i..."

Spoiler?

I finished this yesterday. I didn't realize until I was at the bear-in-the-railway-station incident (my favorite part, btw) that my audio book was abridged. So, I think I missed out on quite a bit.

Kayliegh thought that Austen fans would enjoy this. I agree. It's the sort of story line she would write. Two impecunious young sisters strive to win the hearts of two wealthy brothers. Though I think I enjoyed it more than I would have if Austen had written it.

Suki wrote: "This is another book I wish I had read as a young teenager! It would have meant a lot to me.

***POSSIBLE SPOILERS***

I enjoyed the book very much, but I found it surprisingly hard to read because..."

Michael wrote: "Suki wrote: "This is another book I wish I had read as a young teenager! It would have meant a lot to me.

I enjoyed the book very much, but I found it surprisingly hard to read because I got very ..."

I didn't like the dad too. Couldn't believe how he just ignored the needs of everyone who depended on him. There were just so many ways he could have atleast tried to earn some money.