Women's Classic Literature Enthusiasts discussion

It's time for the June nominations.

There is no theme this month and you can nominate two books that haven't been read in the past three years.

They must have been written by a woman. Please make sure the books were published before 1972. Please state if you can lead.

Nominations will end on the 20th.

I nominate Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I have never read this, but have always meant to. Can lead.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a five star book Emily, I hope it wins and if not, buddy read it. This classic is unforgettable.

I nominate Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard by Eleanor Farjeon and Business as Usual by Jane Oliver and Ann Stafford (the illustrator). I can lead if either wins.

Martin Pippin: "Originally written for adult readers, “Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard” is remarkable in several ways. To begin with, it derives from a Sussex singing game called “The Spring-Green Lady,” the music of which is reprinted at the end of the book. In Farjeon’s framing narrative, the minstrel Martin Pippin happens upon the weeping Robin Rue, whose beloved Gillian has been locked in a well-house inside an apple orchard by her farmer father. What’s worse, she is guarded by six milkmaids, all resolute man-haters. Martin determines to help sad Robin by procuring the six keys that will free Gillian from her prison. He will accomplish this formidable task partly through his charm, but mainly through his storytelling...." excerpted from a review by Martin Dirda in WaPo (https://www.washingtonpost.com/entert...)

Business As Usual: an epistolary novel following recent grad Hilary Fane supporting herself in 1930s London for a year before returning to Edinburgh to marry her fiancé.

Nidhi wrote: "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a five star book Emily, I hope it wins and if not, buddy read it. This classic is unforgettable."

It absolutely is a 5 star read and unforgettable!!! I have read it twice and would read it again. :)

I would love to read Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard! I love Eleanor Farjeon.

I would like to nominate The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton and Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain—The House of Mirth because the Gilded Age is all the rage right now, on TV and in historical fiction publishing; and Testament of Youth because a story of Europe convulsed by war seems like a timely thing to read about these days.

So I can find everything later:
Lady Audley's Secret
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard
Business as Usual
The House of Mirth
Testament of Youth
The Country Girls

I nominate The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien.

Abigail wrote: "I would love to read Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard! I love Eleanor Farjeon."

I am a fan, as well, and have heard great things about this one.

Marilyn wrote: "I nominate The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien."

I teach classes on banned books and am creating one on books banned in the author's home country. This book was banned in Ireland, so it is on my radar.

☯Emily wrote: "I teach classes on banned books and am creating one on books banned in the author's home country. This bo..."

This book is on my tbr list because I am wondering what The Establishment was so afraid of.

So it is now time to vote for June's book. Please have votes in by April 26th.

The choices are:
1. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
2. Lady Audley's Secret
3. Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard
4. Business as Usual
5. The House of Mirth
6. Testament of Youth
7. The Country Girls

Those eligible to vote are:

Emily
Ginny
Carol She’s So Novel
Hannah
Anastasia Kinderman
Francis
Charlene
Carolien
Marilyn
Carol
Kathleen
Suzann
Nidhi
Eileen
Lisa - South Africa
Florence
Quinn Smells Books
Lauren
Nanette
Janice
Abigail
Lusy
Lisa Bianca
Elizabeth
CindySR
Indeneri
Jan Z
Library girl reading
Lotte
Kelly


Please let me know if I missed your name and I will correct that.

I vote for Martin Pippin. Thanks!

I vote for The Country Girls.

House of Mirth Please

I am not sure why I did not get any of the above until now.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Testament of Youth

I vote for Lady Audley’s Secret.

Jan wrote: "I am not sure why I did not get any of the above until now."

GR has been having notification problems for days now; hence the lower engagement than normal. Dammit.

Carol wrote: "
GR has been having notification problems for days now; hence the lower engagement than normal. Dammit."

More like months! Some of my GR friends have changed their names to reflect that they aren't receiving notifications.

Funnily enough, I normally get every GR bug going, but I haven't had this one yet.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Carol wrote: "
GR has been having notification problems for days now; hence the lower engagement than normal. Dammit."

More like months! Some of my GR friends have changed their names to reflect t..."

Indeed. I’m getting the usual 5% of my notifications, but no decrease lately.

I vote for A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Just so I remember it- here is an interview with Edna O'Brien about Country Girls.

https://vimeo.com/675863542

There were several on this list that I want to read but June 2022's book is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

okay

I need to remember to take my copy out of the box that is supposed to be in storage for the next 3 months and keep it with me. I read it a few years ago and am looking forward to a reread.

I read it decades ago.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn e book is on sale right now.

☯Emily wrote: "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I have never read this, but have always meant to. Can lead."

Emily just let me know if I need to make the threads for you.

I haven't had a chance to join in with any of books so far this year, but I'm going to read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn! I've had it on my TBR forever, so really looking forward to reading and discussing :)