Note for myself: I finally am getting this posted in early February 2025, but I’m marking it for January 2023 to keep the lists with their appropriate years.
Huntingtower by John Buchan
Castle Gay by John Buchan
The House of the Four Winds by John Buchan
Years ago, a large used bookstore that had been a local landmark close to where we were living had to close down. A large effort was made in the community for the thousands of books to be given away to anyone who wanted to come to the store. Donations were being accepted to help the owner who had become ill. I went several times to look through the many rooms of many shelves and found several gems to add to our family library including some of these hardcover John Buchan books who I only knew for The 39 Steps which I reviewed back in 2016.
I liked the the first two books the best and found the third one, The House of Four Winds(a library loan) very hard to follow because of the political revolution from a made-up European country. I guess I didn’t understand their role very well. But the first two books were very enjoyable and I liked following the story through the Scottish countryside.
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| Novels set in Scotland call for cream scones. (Joy of Cooking recipe) |
I think I read this spy novel this year, but I lost track so I’m putting it in with the 2022 books. I bought it thinking Seth might like it, but I think I’m the only one who read it so far. I found it a bit confusing and now I realize it could be because the main character isn’t given a name. Yep, that’ll do it!
Anyway, this is number three in a series and maybe I should have started with number one, but somewhere in my internet browsing this particular title was recommended so I gave it a shot. They made a movie out of it, so maybe a quick re-read and then watch the movie would be an enjoyable ‘spy thriller’ evening.
Starburst by Robin Pilcher
It was a great read. I felt like I had struck gold with two new authors to borrow from the library. I don’t know when I read other title by Robin Pilcher so I’m going to add to them to this year’s list.
Starting Over by Robin Pilcher and The Long Way Home by Robin Pilcher. Neither story would I reread. I would reread Starburst.
A Peaceful Retirement by Miss Read
I feel like the backstory to me finding the first Miss Read book goes back to living in New Brunswick the first time back in 2002-2006. But I checked my archives and I can’t verify anything except that I thought I found the first ones in the Fredericton Library downtown in the two story brick building. I don’t know if I was just perusing shelves or maybe they were on display. But maybe that’s how I started reading Jan Karon’s At Home in Mitford series… I can’t remember.
But I’ve been reading the Miss Read books for years and this was a new title for me. It took a bit for me to get back into the characters of Fairacre, but it is still a whimsical read and pleasant to see familiar characters surrounding Miss Read.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
I found this photo on my phone taken in July 2022 so that’s when I must have restarted the series again. I was really cracking up over the line “I’m so homely nobody will ever want to marry me –unless it might be a foreign missionary. I suppose a foreign missionary mightn’t be very particular.”
To be able to return to this series again and again is a delight and a comfort.
