I put 'summer' in the library search page and up came all sorts of books I really don't want to read - with twee titles like 'Summer at the Little Cornish Cafe' -not my favourite sort of reading. Luckily there were a few that were more appealing and I reserved three.
While I was waiting for them to arrive I read a book with Summer in the title from my own shelves. This was actually finished while it was still Spring - but as a Spring book was slow to get to me from the library it doesn't really matter anyway - I'm not being judged!
So this was my first for Summer. One of the Dean St Press/ Furrowed Middlebrow collaborations (and hooray that there may be more after all) reprinted in 2022.
Molly Clavering was a writer living in Scotland and a neighbour and friend of D.E.Stevenson. Clavering's books are very similar to DES, family stories where nothing much happens but interesting for a look at the people of the time (1930's to 1950s).
Mrs Lorrimer's Quiet Summer was written in 1953 and may be slightly biographical.
Miss Douglas and Mrs Lorrimer are friends in a busy village in the Scottish Borders, both are writers but Lucy Lorrimer is more well known. However, during the summer in question she is having a break from writing. Grace(or Gray) Douglas has never married but Mrs Lorrimer is married to The Colonel, retired but very active in The British Legion and caring for his old dog Lucy, and has four children and 5 grandchildren who all hope to gather at their mother's home for the summer holiday.
Once she has sorted out where they will all stay she then has to be involved with sorting out their problems. One daughter doesn't seem happy in her marriage, a daughter in law is bored after flying planes through the war and her youngest son seems to be in a terribly bad mood after the break up of a relationship.
In the middle of the organising of meals with housekeeper Nan, tennis parties, sherry parties and calling on newcomers, an old flame of Lucy's turns up in the village.
A gentle story of it's time.
Scott of Furrowed Middlebrow blog has written several times about Molly Clavering,
HERE, especially when Dean Street Press published several of her books along with this one.
These are the three that arrived on the mobile library for me, which I'll be reading in between all the crime fiction that arrived at the same time .
Back Soon
Sue
I must take down "One Summer's Grace" from the shelf and reread it again. A lovely autobiographical story of a sailing trip undertaken by broadcaster Libby Purves and her young family. I think they live quite near you, Sue.
ReplyDeleteThey live near the Suffolk Coast so not near me now
DeleteGentle stories where nothing much happens can be most enjoyable and not at all challenging, so a pleasant change from more muscular literature.
ReplyDeleteI've not got the patience for anything heavy or challenging nowadays!
DeleteYou’ve just reminded me I had intended to ‘read autumn’ but never got round to it. Here’s hoping for better luck with winter.
ReplyDeleteThe scene in your header of the oak tree and a winding lane under a blue sky had a very Thomas Hardy look about it.
I found there are not many books with Autumn in their titles when I looked so that might be a problem.
DeleteHope you get a chance to read some Winter books through your winter
I have rather set reading aside this year - just overwhelm I think. But your post reminds me I mst find some new inspiration; there is nothing like sitting in the sun, on the beach, with a good book... even if I do nod off a little these days!
ReplyDeleteI have so many books and could happily read all day but have to do housework now and again!
DeleteThat sounds like a nice gentle start to your Summer reading. I'm currently reading The Wartime Kitchen and Garden. I don't really know how that happened, I didn't plan to read it but I'm already halfway through.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have ever read my copy of that book all the way through, although I have read lots of bits of it
DeleteI love little books where nothing much happens, but life just patters along...kind of like reading blogs, isn't it?!
ReplyDeleteI can't cope with too much seriousness in books or sadness now.
DeleteStill can't read your blog - it's still private
Sue, send me an e-mail. Debby_hornburg@yahoo.com. I will send you an invitation.
DeleteAnything with cuckoo in the title would attract me, I just love the haunting sound of their call, and don't hear it often these days.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
I've not heard a cuckoo for several years , used to hear them often .
DeleteThe book is a children's book but sounds interesting
Reading books about the seasons is nice light reading. This book seems to revolve around a Summer family gathering with the mother providing guidance to her adult children. Very relatable.
ReplyDeleteIt's a story very much of it's time of the 1950's.
DeleteI read a lot too, Sue. But I've never chosen books to match a season. Hope you enjoy yours! Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteI started reading books for Spring after finding one that looked interesting and had the idea to carry on though the seasons
DeleteIt's funny how we put pressure on ourselves at times. As you say no-one is checking on what books you are reading. This book sounds perfect for sitting in the garden on a Summer day. Although not sure when that's going to happen!
ReplyDeleteIt's been really cold in Suffolk today and rain on and off - no sign of Summer at all
DeleteAs always, some interesting titles/ authors to consider. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome - I like to share book ideas
DeleteInteresting reading. Gentle stories are sometimes the perfect summer reading.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Have you read Summer in Fehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/345309.Summer_in_Februarybruary by Jonathon Smith? It's about Munnings and I can recommend it.
ReplyDeleteHave you read, Miss Buncle’s Book by D.E.Stevenson? I loved it!
ReplyDelete