I was hoping to pick up at least 7 books from the mobile library today but Rachel rang yesterday to say the van was off the road and wouldn't be round. She's put my reservations ready to go on the delivery van to Stowmarket Library where I'll pick them up next week.
I'd already run out of library books so had been reading from my shelves anyway - and had already finished this very old (1947) small book that had been on my shelves a while - but where from and why?
This is the first of Bell's non-mysteries I've read and I enjoyed it tremendously. Tracing the fictional mid-sized town of Haverington through the war, beginning to end, it offers a fascinating glimpse, á la Winifred Holtby's South Riding, of the practical logistics of wartime—accommodation of refugees, rationing, bombs, and all. Its flaw for me, probably introduced by a publisher who felt the logistics themselves wouldn't sell books, is a melodramatic romance element that's rather drab, but it's nevertheless a fascinating read.
I enjoyed it too as the details about village life through the war and the machinations of the women in the WRVS is interesting. The in-fighting and back biting reminded me of the much more well known book 'Nella Last's War, The Diaries of Housewife 49'.
Now to pick another from my shelves to read....................
Thank you everyone for comments yesterday on the Art Exhibition. There were over 400 pieces on show so I only photographed a few.
Another hot one today - hope you are all managing to stay cool enough. I had the front door propped open for a through draught yesterday and couldn't believe the amount of traffic going by - I think everyone who would normally walk to school, shop, doctors etc was driving with air-con on to keep cool! Or maybe I don't notice it when doors and windows are shut.
Even though I have many books here to read I still can't resist the lure of the library. I reserved another title yesterday. There are many books which I enjoy, but know that I will only read once. We now have a free bookshelf in the town too. Everytime I drop a load off I come back with more! Arilx
ReplyDeleteMy idea of a disaster is no books to read! Always some here but need the library for new books
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ReplyDeleteI like the sound of that book . I have always had an interest in the social history of ww2 & the aftermath . Perhaps because I remember it being spoken of so much as a child . I recently read London Can Take It by Valerie Braunston & really enjoyed it . We finished our holiday in your area last Saturday in 30 degrees to arrive home to a more bearable Yorkshire but the heat followed us
Wendy in York.
I remember enjoying that book too.
DeleteHope you had a good holiday down here!
I remember reading that Furrowed Middlebrow post! But I didn't follow up the book at the time.
ReplyDeleteWe've had the front door open too in the afternoons, makes such a difference.
Something must have made me look it up and purchase - spent more than my usual for secondhand books too- whoops
DeleteSounds like a book I would enjoy, I'm interested in the domestic detail of how households managed in WW2, nothing fun or interesting about it for those at the time.
ReplyDeletePenny
We even played 'wars' when I was small, running into out playhouse when we heard a plane in case we got bombed! It must have been so close in peoples memories in the 50's and 60's
DeleteI think many of us find it fascinating to read about WW2 because our parents and grandparents lived through it. And often life out in the country was far removed from the experience of the city dwellers.
ReplyDeleteI guess in the 60's the war had only been over for 15+ years and we know how quickly 15 years go by!
DeleteI have had to keep the upstairs windows shut as I think that is where the bats were coming in to be cooler. A couple may have come down the blocked chimney into the cupboard in the kitchen (door was ajar). I have the front door shut too - face south here - to keep heat down and blardy flies OUT. THe constant buzzing of bluebottles around the cat bowls drives me mad. Said bowls are all covered with kitchen roll to stop them laying their eggs.
ReplyDeleteI imagine many people are chosing to drive instead of walk anywhere.
Sorry you haven't got the Library visiting this week, but I am sure you have a goodly supply of books at home to read/re-read.
My living room is SW facing so very hot in the afternoons but by then I'm usually flat out on the settee with an icepack, a wet flannel and a book!
DeleteOur living room is south east facing and gets unbearably hot even with the windows and thermal blinds closed, so we ventured out to the library yesterday to have a change of scene. We had completely forgotten that they don't have air con and were soon on our way back out! We ended up in the village pub for a lemonade whilst sitting reading in their ice cold lounge. Bliss.... It was a very uncomfortable night for sleeping though....
ReplyDeleteAngie
I've survived with ice packs from the freezer, wet flannels and doing nothing between 9am and 8pm!
DeleteIt is most unusual for your library book delivery to cancel. Good you have your own book supply at home.
ReplyDeleteThe high heat seems to be throughout Europe. I suspect air conditioning sales will increase after this severe heatwave.
You've reading an interesting book. The 50's showed the aftermath of the WWII. I remember being at school and having air aids whereby everybody went to a long hall/bomb shelter and sat against the wall until the all clear alarm sounded.
It really doesn't happen often that they have to cancel. They used to have reserve driver and a spare mobile library van in the County for when needed but of course finances mean they were cut.
DeleteToo bad about the library delivery. I'm lucky to have my library close enough to drive to and so I am never without a library book. Stay cool!
ReplyDeleteI can drive to libraries but I'm on a one woman mission to keep the mobile library going for those who can't!
DeleteWell, now I have to see if I can get a copy of this book too !! Sounds great. Dawn P. Albany, GA USA
ReplyDeleteIt's very old and now expensive online
DeleteIt's a shame about the library van not delivering your expected books,. You'll enjoy them all the more when you collect them.
ReplyDeleteVery true although not many crime. They are on their way to Stowmarket Library.
DeleteI'm reading from my shelves too. It's amazing how much has accumulated there!
ReplyDeleteAlways, always too many books and too little time!
DeleteOh, I am a reader too! And I love reading and having books to read. And if not, I do have some favorites I have read over and over again. Lovely post, my friend.
DeleteLucky it was. A good’un!
ReplyDeleteI am reading from my shelves as well, and considering the number of unread books there and on my ereader I will be doing so for awhile.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
We could do with some of your heat here. We're being buffeted by gale force, icy winds and rain. The forecasters are saying stay inside and don't travel unless essential... like you, except opposite! Oh, and stay away from the shore as there are very heavy surges. Planes not flying out of our airport, and neither is the Interisland ferry going! "Cancelled due to severe southerly gales and massive swells in the Cook Strait." You certainly wouldn't want to be on one anyway!!
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