by Rosamunde Pilcher, 1978
What a great book! Victoria, Oliver, & Thomas go to Benchoile in Scotland-meet the Dunbeath’s Roddy, John – John & Victoria end up together at the end, Oliver a playwright – but oh – what a jerk! Stole Thomas from the Archer’s, hooks back up with Victoria – leaves them both. Roddy’s stable house burns – John saves Thomas, loves Victoria. (I can’t remember ANY of this story on 4/5/2020. I’m typing just what my book report back in 2007 said.)
by M.M. Kaye, 1978
Over 900 pages – set in 1800s – India & Afghanistan. British rule India – Ash, Juli, Wally – EPIC – Ash main character from birth to young man. What a life! What he went through, not accepted by Britain or India. His thoughts and ideas could have saved 1000s of lives – they wouldn’t listen to him. Still he told them (Cavagnaro, etc.). They invaded Afghanistan – won one battle – forced Amir to set up a mission – ended up getting slaughtered – just as Ash warned. Afghan people don’t want any other country ruling them. Hate the infidels. And this was just the last 100 pages – went all through his trip with 2 princesses to Bhithor – the evil kingdom – falls in love with Juli, his childhood friend in the palace. Years later, he rescues her, marries her, takes her to Kabul, then escapes Kabul to find their own valley in the mountains – the Far Pavilions.
by Peter Bowen, 2006
Yuch! Don’t waste any more time on this “Montana” author – nothing good about him.
by Herman Wouk, 1951 (Pulitzer Prize winner for 1951)
One of the best books I have ever read! Willie Keith, WWII Navy, serves Queeg, a poltroon (wretched coward), end up taking over ship in a typhoon, court-martialed. Keefer chickens out – lies – on witness stand. Looks good – gets ship (the Caine) and he’s almost as bad as Queeg. Willie grows up – rich, spoiled Princeton Kid – loves May Wynn & finally gets it. What a fantastic writer – a fantastic book!!!
by Mary Stewart, 1980
A children’s book not just for children. John & Margaret go on a picnic in Bavaria w/parents. While parents are napping, they go exploring in the forest. Come upon a cabin in the woods, meet a man who is a “werwolf” and embark upon an adventure to save him, Mardian, from the evil spell that Almeric has put on him.
by Mary Stewart, 1957
Set in French Pyranees – 2 cousins, Gillian & Jennifer. Jennifer goes to convent to find Gillian – mystery – she’s dead – but Jennifer figures it out – it was someone else. Jennifer finds her finally – w/help of Stephen.
by James Hilton, 1933
“Shangri-La – Conway – is it real? Lamasery – Lama – He died – centuries old – picked Conway to succeed him. Conway left with Mallinson. What happened to Mallinson? He died? He was the skeptic. Conway started to believe him. Left with Lo-Tsen, the little Manchu they both loved. Sounds like the whole thing was true. She aged and dropped him off (Conway) at a convent. Then I think he made his way back.”
You can tell I didn’t really know about this book when I wrote the above in 2007. I am writing this in 2019, 12 years after reading it, and my memory tells me I didn’t like this book.
by Mary Stewart, 1964
Lucy visits her sister on the Isle of Corfu. A dolphin swims with her – she and Max save it, fall in love, solve the mystery of the near death of Spiro and the death of Yanni (not a main character). What beautifully written details – the walk down through pine forest, stream, rose garden, to the sea. Loved it!
by Maeve Binchy, 2001
Irish-Dublin-Tom & Cathy start dream catering business and they are the best. They both are with others (Marcella & Neil) but end up together at the end. Yahoo! Neil is a jerk and so is his family – the Mitchell’s. Marcella wants to be a model but at 25, finds out she’s too old, except for porn. Maud & Simon – twin 9 year olds adopted by Cathy’s Mom (Lizzie) and Dad (Muttie). Muttie bets on horses – all his life. Ends up winning an accumulator on Christmas day – 130,000 pounds!!! (Walter – the evil cousin – don’t forget about him!)
by Anita Shreve, 1999
Page-turner. Pilot’s wife coping with his death in plane crash – mystery – was it a bomb or suicide – set in New Hampshire coast – plane crashed in ocean off Ireland. Turns out he had a secret marriage and 2 kids in Ireland – and it was IRA involvement that caused bomb in plane.
by Jan Karon, 2005
Last Mitford book – good – got tired of them!
by Jan Karon, 2001
He does a nativity scene for Cynthia. Hope Winchester becomes a believer (Happy Endings Book Store), falls in love with Scott.
by Jan Karon, 2001
Pastor Tim hits a man and his dog due to diabetic shock – kills the dog, man is okay – Baptist pastor – nice guy! Never thanks Hessie Mayhew for the gorgeous arrangement she brought him. He gave to head nurse. I don’t know about that – oversight on Jan Karon’s part?) One of the best Mitford books.
by Maeve Binchy, 1994
757 pages – Helen McMahon disappears from Lough Glass leaving her husband and 2 kids. Kit, her daughter, finds a note to Martin & burns it – it was a suicide note, Kit thought – but it really wasn’t – it was an explanation to Martin from Helen of why she was leaving them.
by Anne Tyler, 1995
Delia Grinstead, married to Sam, a family doctor; three kids, walks away from them while on a beach vacation. Ends up living in a new town, Bay Borough, for a year and a half. Comes back for daughter’s wedding – ends up staying. Couldn’t put down (helped that we had snow days and Christmas holidays).
by Elizabeth Berg, 2005
What a quick read! Bette Nolan loses her husband, John, to cancer. Leaves Boston, drives to Midwest, picks a town, a house, starts a new life. Opens a store, ‘What A Woman Wants,’ renews friendship with 3 old college roommates. Doesn’t open store until the very end. Great book! Loved all of her lists of “things” – things to put in her store.
by M.M. Kaye, 1963
Zanzibar – historical – slave trade – cholera. Majid Sultan, Hero Hollis, Rory Frost. LOVED this book. A lot of it was true-the rebellion, cholera, Salme eloping. Really long book, though.
by Jan Karon, 1999
Cynthia and Father Kavanaugh go to island church on White Cap. Frenchwoman, Helene Pringle, rents the rectory in Mitford – steals the angel. Is an heir of the Baxter’s. Morris Love, organist with Turrette’s Syndrome and deformities – starts out as enemy, becomes friend, comes to Jesus.
by Alexander McCall Smith, 2000
Mma Ramotswe finds out what happened to an American young man 10 years ago. Mma Makutsi takes a case–doesn’t seem to turn out as wonderfully as Mma Ramotswe’s. Mr. J.L.B Matekoni adopts 2 children.
by Alexander McCall Smith, 1998
Gentle read about Mma. Ramotswe and her beloved Africa – Botswana. She opens a detective agency with the money from the cattle her father kept. She solves mysteries for clients and friends. Really, really interesting and smart! Sweet, sweet tales.