20 Books of Summer (Winter) 2022 - Wrap Up

This reading challenge was hosted by Cathy @ 746 Books and ran from June 1st to September 1st, the winter months here in Australia.

In that time, I read a total of twenty five books and wrote reviews for nine. I still have some reviews in the draft stage which will be posted at a later date.

My list was drawn from my NetGalley shelf (which included titles for book

Classics Club Spin #30: The Number Has Been Announced!

The result of the Spin has been announced. It is #5!

In the 20 books I'd listed for this spin, five were set in Australia and I was hoping for one of these.

Well, I'm very happy with the outcome of the spin as I Know My Love by Catherine Gaskin, set in 1850s Australia, was #5 on my list. I need to read this book by August 7th, 2022.

Gaskin is more famous for her other novel set in colonial Australia, Sara Dane, which was my introduction to this author in my early teenage years.

Cheerfulness Breaks In by Angela Thirkell Book Review

Synopsis

It is summer 1939 and the social event of the year is about to take place: Rose Birkett, a flighty beauty with a penchant for breaking engagements and hearts, is finally getting married, and the whole village - especially her parents - breathes a sigh of relief.

By autumn, however, summer weddings seem a distant memory as war reaches Barsetshire. While the younger generation throws itself into the war effort with cheerful aplomb, older residents remember the last war keenly, and are fearful.

When an entire London school of evacuees arrive, as well as a number of refugees, the village rallies round to accommodate them. Some inhabitants, though, fail to welcome the newcomers with open arms.

Summer Half by Angela Thirkell Book Review

Synopsis

To his parents' dismay, Colin Keith - out of the noble but misplaced sense of duty peculiar to high-minded young university graduates - chooses to quit his training for the Bar and take a teaching job at Southbridge School. Little does Colin imagine that he will count among his pupils the demon in human form known as Tony Morland; or that the master's ravishing, feather-brained daughter Rose will, with her flights of fancy and many admirers, spread chaos throughout school and village. Humorous, high-spirited and cleverly observed, Summer Half is a comic delight.

My Thoughts

Tangled relationships and quirky characters abound once more as quiet and unassuming

Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge 2022 My Sign-Up Post

Hosted by: Carol @ Carol's Notebook
Challenge period: 1st January to 31st December, 2022
Sign Up: Ends March 15, 2022
Aim: To read any book that is from the mystery/suspense/thriller/crime genres. Any sub-genres are welcome as long as they incorporate one of these genres.
Challenge Hashtag: #CloakDaggerChal

Chunkster Reading Challenge 2022 My Sign-Up Post

Hosted by: Becky's Book Reviews
Challenge Period: January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Sign Up: Here
Aim: To read as many books over 450 pages in length as you like during the challenge period.

A blog is NOT required to participate.

For this challenge I've selected books that I own. A couple of them I've read, but not reviewed, and as

Aussie Author Reading Challenge 2022 My Sign-Up Post

Hosted by: Jo at Book Lover Reviews
Challenge period: 1st January to 31st December, 2022
Sign Up: Anytime during the year
Aim: To showcase the quality and diversity of the books being produced by Australian authors.
Social Media Tag: #AussieAuthor22

All the information and how to join is here on the sign-up page.

This year I'm participating at the same level as last year.

August Folly by Angela Thirkell Book Review

Synopsis

It's August in the Barsetshire village of Worsted, and Richard Tebben, just down from Oxford, is contemplating the gloomy prospect of a long summer in the parental home. But the numerous and impossibly glamorous Dean family - exquisite Rachel, her capable husband and six of their nine brilliant children - have come for the holidays, and their hostess Mrs Palmer plans to rope everyone into performing in her disastrous annual play. Surrounded by the irrepressible Deans, Richard and his sister Margaret cannot help but have their minds broadened, spirits raised and hearts smitten

My Thoughts

After three novels, I'm becoming familiar with what to expect from Angela Thirkell: lots of quirky characters, multiple romances, upper

A Literary Christmas 2021 Challenge

Hosted by: In the Bookcase
Challenge period: Now to 31st December, 2021
Sign Up: Now
Aim: To read and review as many Christmas-themed titles as you can from a list you

The Demon in the House by Angela Thirkell Book Review

This is the third book in Angela Thirkell's Barsetshire series and recounts the mischief Tony Morland gets up to during school holidays, most of them during the summer break.

Synopsis

This is the frighfully frustrating story of Tony Morland who first appeared in High Rising. A sweeter demon doesn't exist than this 12 year old with a gift for disconcerting remarks and getting what he wants from his mother.

Boys will be boys, and little Morland is no exception, boasting, bragging, breaking windows, messing about in boats and demanding breakfast in bed, all very much to the despair of his mother, Laura. More than anything, Tony is desperate for a bicycle and although Laura is certain he'll come home in

Wild Strawberries by Angela Thirkell Book Review

This is the second book of Angela Thirkell's Barsetshire series, which focuses on the Leslie family of Rushwater House and their welcome and unwelcome guests.

Synopsis

Pretty, impecunious Mary Preston, newly arrived as a guest of her Aunt Agnes at the magnificent wooded estate of Rushwater, falls head over heels for handsome playboy David Leslie. Meanwhile, Agnes and her mother, the eccentric matriarch Lady Emily, have hopes of a different, more suitable match for Mary. At the lavish Rushwater dance party, her future happiness hangs in the balance...

My Thoughts

I think I may be one of the few people that did not fully appreciate the comedy or the romance in this novel. Having enjoyed High Rising, the first book in the series, I looked forward to this one. Although it started promisingly when Lady Emily and her family are introduced through the observations of the local vicar, I didn't take to

High Rising by Angela Thirkell Book Review

Back in May 2021, Kay @ Whatmeread announced a challenge to read Angela Thirkell's Barsetshire series in order, starting with High Rising in June. While I've managed to keep pace with the reading, my reviews haven't, a situation I'm hoping to remedy before the end of the year.

Synopsis

Successful lady novelist Laura Morland and her boisterous young son Tony set off to spend Christmas at her country home in the sleepy surrounds of High Rising. But Laura's wealthy friend and neighbour George Knox has taken on a scheming secretary whose designs on marriage to her employer threaten the delicate social fabric of the village. Can clever, practical Laura rescue George from Miss Grey's clutches and, what's more, help his daughter