This week, I’ve been following the twists and turns of Novak Djokovic’s visa problems and attempt to play in the Australian Open. I won’t try to record them all or my views on them, ( Read more... )

On Windycross Moor: Mabel Quiller-Couch. Collins, inscribed 1936

I probably wouldn’t have posted about this book, although it features a minor character with a remarkable name Angela Brazil would have envied, Thirza, if it hadn’t been a while since I posted a book review. I haven’t read a lot of girls own books recently.

This is about ‘early ( Read more... )

Jane Runs Away from School: Joanna Lloyd. Blackie (inscribed 11 Oct 1947)

This book is set in the Bramber Manor/Catharine (Kate) Maitland series, focused on new girl Jane Duncan. ( Read more... )

Terry’s Only Term: Ethel Talbot, Blackie

I had a quick look at what I’ve had to say about Ethel Talbot’s books in the past, and realised how much she likes this ‘Girl’s name descriptive word Term’ formula for titles. ( Read more... )

A Time to Dance: Robina Beckles Willson, Collins 1962

It’s not often that a book leaves a song playing in my mind, but this one did. Its title comes from the passage in Ecclesiastes, reminding us that there is a time for everything. So, from when that passage is read at a wedding and becomes a mottod for one of the characters, the Byrds ‘Turn! Turn ( Read more... )

A quick word on the tennis, first, mainly the US Open. ( Read more... )

The School at Skelton Hall: Elinor M. Brent-Dyer, Girls Gone By Publishers, 2008

I almost feel unworthy of posting my reaction to ‘The School at Skelton Hall’, because after I read it, I went back to read Ruth Jolly’s considered introduction for this GGBP edition, which discusses the plot, setting and the creation of a new school by E B-D for the ( Read more... )

Bright Island: Mabel L. Robinson, Hutchinson

You make assumptions when you pick up the next book on your ‘to be read’ pile, some of them encouraged by its design and age. In my defence, Hutchinson boasts that this is published in the same series as ‘Christine, Air Hostess’ and ‘The Intelligence Corps Saves The Island’, which I’ve read, although I ( Read more... )

A Little Princess: Frances Hodgson Burnett, Puffin 1073 reprintRereading February has been happening this year again (although I’m counting it as between 8 February and 8 March). This is the third book I’ve reread as part of that. I’d put it on the reread pile a while ago, although knowing there’s a new adaptation of ‘The Secret Garden’ arriving ( Read more... )

Skate School: Stars on Ice: Kay Woodward. Usborne, 2010.

There are fewer pages without italics on them than there are pages with. This is the wrong ratio. It’s not just the dialogue of teen ice skater Frankie and friends, it’s the prose around it describing her thought process. Frankie attends ‘ Skate School’ AKA the Ice Palace AKA the boarding ( Read more... )