United Kingdom- BOOKS by British Authors (or set in Britain)

[Pauline]

Of course I loved Harold Fry. Who didn't?

I'll tell you who didn't like it. Every person in my book group except for me. I had recommended it and I loved it! Maybe it appeals more to North Americans than to Brits? But it was popular here. My group thought he a) should not have left wife and home and b) complained too much.

 

[Roz]

That's funny, Pauline. My memory of the book is that he actually didn't seem to complain all that much, given all the trials and tribulations he was going through. I don't think I would have come near sticking it out through that journey wearing the shoes he had on.

 

[artnbarb]

I just saw this list: Mysteries for fans of Downton Abbey

 

[Roz]

Barb, thanks for that link. I wasn't familiar with that website, and it looks like a good source for info on free or on-sale e-books. Bookbub Latest Deals.

 

[artnbarb]

I signed up for the site - and have already downloaded 2 free 'fun' reads!

 

[Roz]

And I noticed that the first deal on their list was a book we were just talking about: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, for $1.99, through Feb 7. Pauline, it looks like your book group is definitely in the minority, since that site says the book has over 17,800 five-star ratings on Goodreads.

 

[Pauline]

I have been reading the PG Wodehouse Jeeves and Wooster series (written around 1919). They are just wonderful. Every line is funny. I love how they are written in the first person of Wooster. My favorite bit:

" 'What ho!' I said.
'What ho!' said Motty.
'What ho! What ho!'
'What ho! What ho! What ho!'
After that it seemed rather difficult to go on with the conversation ..."

There are several collections on Amazon for the Kindle, some free, some cheap. There are a couple of different versions of the first few stories - it seems like he reworked his original stories at some point. "Carry On Jeeves" for $0.99 has 10 J&W stories, starting with "Jeeves Takes Charge" when Jeeves firsts comes into employment with Wooster.

This page on Wikipedia lists all the Jeeves stories.

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

I just finished Bill Bryson's latest Little Dribbling. It's a collection of essays on towns and villages he explores around the time of the Scottish Referendum so pretty recent. It's laugh out loud funny. It's sad. It's poignant. Mixed with his humorous observations is social commentary about British life. He of course, adores Britain especially England. He loves the countryside. He loves to walk. He admires the people. But he also sees the sad decline of many of the villages and towns and the fading of their unique character.
I consider him a British author even though he grew up in the USA . He's just become such Brit! His comparisons between the 2 countries although few are hilarious.

 

[Pauline]

I am reading it now thanks to your recommendation.

 

[Roz]

I haven't read Bryson's latest, but my sister told me she didn't like it as much as many of his earlier books. She said she thought his attitude was too cranky and curmudgeonly. I'd be interested to hear what Lisa and Pauline (after you finish it) think.

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

He was always a curmudgeon even in his younger days. It's part of his charm (for me anyway).

 

[Pauline]

I have been reading it here and there, not straight through. Definitely "cranky and curmudgeonly" in spots. I only read bits of his earlier book about England.

 

[Roz]

So has anyone checked out the new serialized novel, Belgravia, by Downton Abbey creator, Julian Fellowes? The first episode is just out. You can either see it on his own website, or download it for Kindle, iOS, or Android. The first episode is free, but after that you have to pay. I didn't go into Fellowes' website, since it wanted me to register, and I didn't feel like it. There is a Facebook page too, which has a few videos.

I put it on my iPad, and I think it's rather lame for an app. It includes the text and audio, but you can't switch back and forth between the two and keep your place. There are a few "bonus features" in the app but mostly they're just pictures. I'd rather read it on the Kindle, and if I wanted audio, get the associated Audible version. At least that keeps your place.

I've only read a few pages, but I'm not sure it's going to inspire me to keep buying episodes. It's not terribly well written.