October books

[callmemadam]

The Future Homemakers of America, Laurie Graham. Behind the times as usual, I’ve only just read this book, first published in 2001. I seem to remember Laurie Graham, years ago, contributing humorous little items to Woman’s Hour. She’s come a long way, because I loved this book. It starts on a US Air Force base in Norfolk, in 1952, where a group of wives (that literally defines the women at that time), all friends, meet their first real Englishwoman when they gather to watch the train carrying the body of King George VI pass by. Culture shock ensues. Everyone eventually leaves the base but the women keep in touch, one particular event during their stay having long-running and unforeseen consequences. The passage of the years is marked, rather oddly, by the printing of newspaper headlines of the time; the Coronation, the assassination of Kennedy etc. Once I’d got over my initial irritation at the narrative voice, I was really hooked. This is funny, sad, funny again. There is also quite a lot about planes, for those who like that sort of thing.
Mustn’t Grumble, Terry Wogan. OK, I fess up, I simply dote on Terry. Having heard the Today programme from 6.00 I am only too happy to switch over to hear a Paul Simon song and some laughing at the kind of pompous nonsense all too prevalent on the other side.
Quayle of the Yard, Paul Trent, 1935. How could I resist such a title? I’d never heard of Paul Trent but looking at the list of titles in the front of the book, I see he must have been a popular writer in his day. Unfortunately, this is one of the very worst detective stories I have ever read, and it’s going straight back to the charity shop it came from.
Danger Point, Patricia Wentworth. I didn’t care for this one as Miss Silver plays so little part in it. No real detection.
The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets, Eva Rice. again. In spite of my criticisms I know I will read it again.
Rainbow Valley, L M Montgomery
Rilla of Ingleside, L M Montgomery
Bleak House, Charles Dickens. Goodnesss knows how often I've read it before but this time it saved my life, or at least my sanity.
The Railway Children, E Nesbit. Read this again after watching the film (again). The film is another life saver for me.
The Gum Thief, Douglas Coupland. Very clever. Microserfs is still my favourite.
31 Songs, Nick Hornby. I don’t share all his musical tastes (have never got the point of Springsteen, for instance)but what a good book. How many people can write so intelligently and with such love about pop music?
The Blue Castle, L M Montgomery. Not my favourite though I know many people love it. I may have given up LMM for a while. We'll see.

In other news, my sister is still staying with me and has now progressed through Jo of the Chalet School and Princess. I think we may have a convert here. How many visits to get through the lot, though?

Comments

[land-girl.livejournal.com]

I really liked The Future Homemakers of America, too. We read it for Book Group (while there were still enough of us who had read the book each month to discuss it), and we did pick a few minor holes in it, but mostly we really enjoyed it and felt that it had a lot to offer.

I would love to read more of LM Montgomery ... I don't think I read beyond Anne of Ingleside.

31 Songs is still on my pile of things to read - I don't know why, I have wanted to read it for years!

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

The first two Anne books are the best. Magic for Marigold is nice and the three Emily books.

[wardy.livejournal.com]

I myself am in dire need of some new literature to get stuck into! Saturday's planned visit to the library can't come fast enough!

Wardy

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Lucky to have a library! Ours is under constant threat.

[wardy.livejournal.com]

Barely a minute after reading your reply, I was informed that our local library will soon be shutting down for 6 months for refurbishment!

Wardy

[sloopjonb.livejournal.com]

Glad to see you back. I too liked 31 Songs, and I too have never seen the point to Springsteen (although he did write Blinded by the Light).

I don't know what my favourite Edith Nesbit is ... possibly The Treasure Seekers, just for the narrative voice, or Five Children and It, for the grumpy Psammead ...

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

The Treasure Seekers is probably my favourite, too.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

The Railway Children lacks the humour of her other books but I do still enjoy it. Good news for the children of Edinburgh!

[debodacious.livejournal.com]

I am not big on Springsteen either. My Friend Charlie is, though, and made me go and see him years ago - as it was a sellout I looked hopefully for a tout to offer me vast sums of money so I could spend the evening in the car reading the book I had, of course, brought in my handbag. But they didn't, alas, and the concert went on for about a hundred years (well, four hours) and I was so grumpy by the end I could hardly speak.
But I forgive him for all of it for his part in Because The Night which I lerve.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Funnily enough, ever since posting this I've had Born in the USA in my head. Don't even like it!

[gghost.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that you are back. Have you ever read any of E. Nesbit's supernatural short stories? They are wonderful.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Thank you. No, I haven't read the ghost stories. I must look out for them.