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I'm so looking forward to this & have had a lot of fun mulling over my ideas!

Rules

1 The Book Pool will run from the 1st of January till the 30th Of November 2024. Books started before the 1st of January or finished after the 30th of November will not be counted.
2 Members who want to select books, please do so by the 31st of December - PST. This year I have made a slight change. You can only change your mind about the books you have chosen until the 20th of December. (PST) Members who add their books on or after the 21st of December can't change them at all. This is so the planners amongst us can organise their reads. No books can be added after the 31st of December.
3 Everyone taking part will be given a number - for example I will be #1.
4 Anyone else can still join in after the 1st of January, but can't add books. There is no obligation to read all the books - or any of the books. This includes the books you selected to be part of the pool. This isn't just a fiction book pool - Non fiction, later books in a series, YA & books for older children are all fine!
5 First publication date should be 1900-1980.
6 Everyone selects up to 5 books. If someone has already selected one of your choices, please don't select it again.
7 No Georgette Heyer (I moderate a group for her books) /group/show/.
8 If you join this group or decide you want to join the Book Pool after the 31st of December, that will be great, but you can't add books to the book pool.

If you are uncertain of anything just check the previous challenge (other than the one rule change)
or ask me!

Members taking part

#1 Carol She's So Novel 13 books + 1dnf
#2 Abigail 3 books
#3 Barb in Maryland 7 books
#4 Lesley 3 books
#5 Sharon 6 books
#6 Susan in NC 12 books + 1 DNF
#7 Tania 8 books
#8 Lynnie 5 books
#9 Jenn 4 books
#10 Kate 4 books
#11 Peggy
#12 Elinor 3 books
#13 Darlene
#14 Mela 10 books + 2 dnf
#15 Jackie 8 books + 1 dnf
#16 Cindy SR 8 books + 1dnf
#17 Katy
#18 Amanda 16 books
#19 Cphe 13 books
#20 Joanne 6 books

* ** ***

* aka The Runaways
** aka The Unconquerable
*** aka The Battle of Wednesday Week

My Selections

1. Island Magic / Goudge Elizabeth Finished 10 October 2024; 4 stars
2. Summerhills / D.E. Stevenson
Finished 13 January 2024 ; 3 stars
3. The Clan of the Cave Bear / Jean M. Auel
4. Blue Camellia / Frances Parkinson Keyes
5. The Immigrants / Howard Fast

The English Air / D.E. Stevenson
Finished 24 May2024; 4 stars

Added for you Lesley. I have quite a few Frances Parkinson Keyes books - I wonder if I have that one.

Hi
I was #3 for the 2023 pool and would like to keep my number.
Here's book 1:
Men Against the Sea
and 2: Sugar Candy Cottage

Book 3: Sally-Ann

Book 4:The Wreck Of The Mary Deare

Book 5: The Thirty-Nine Steps

I'd love to join for 2024. My selections are:

Molly Clavering, Near Neighbours

Babara Pym, Excellent Women

Elizabeth Fair, Bramton Wick

Christianna Brand, Fog of Doubt

Frank Baker, Miss Hargreaves

I’ve been looking forward to this, compiling a list with titles I’ve been hearing about, and wanted to read!

1. Troubles by J.G. Farrell
2. Quartet in Autumn by Barbara Pym
3. The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett
4. The Black Wings by Moray Dalton
5. The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by David McCullough

Phew! Finished! & welcome to the challenge, Sharon.

Some great titles there. If anyone is wondering why I have changed their cover, I do look & try to get the most readable title (or failing that, author) but it wasn't possible with all books. :)

I realise I forgot to list mine!

The Conqueror's Wife
Breakfast with the Nikolides
Linnets and Valerians aka The Runaways
The Saint Meets The Tiger
Tender is the Night

Sorry for anyone who wanted a particular number. Next time message me to book a spot! :)

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Sorry for anyone who wanted a particular number. Next time message me to book a spot! :)"

Like you’re a cafe ‘call for reservation’�� Thanks for all you do, lady!

Susan in NC wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Sorry for anyone who wanted a particular number. Next time message me to book a spot! :)"

Like you’re a cafe ‘call for reservation’�� Thanks for all you do, lady!"

hahahahahaa! I aim to please! & I'm really excited about some of the selections!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Phew! Finished! & welcome to the challenge, Sharon.

Some great titles there. If anyone is wondering why I have changed their cover, I do look & try to get the most readable title (or failing that,..."
Carol--great job! Your cover changes are not a problem--anything to make those thumbnails more readable.
Now for the sad part--you left out Abigail's choice of The Mingham Air. Oops!

Oops - sorry Abigail - added now!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Sorry for anyone who wanted a particular number. Next time message me to book a spot! :)"

Like you’re a cafe ‘call for reservation’�� Thanks for a..."
Me, too!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Sorry for anyone who wanted a particular number. Next time message me to book a spot! :)"

Carol, just put me in at No 4 and give Abigail her No 2 slot. It really doesn't matter to me where I slot in!
It is just a fluke I've made my choices, and decisions, early this time. No procrastinating for a change :)

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Added for you Lesley. I have quite a few Frances Parkinson Keyes books - I wonder if I have that one."

I can remember Mum having several of her books through the Foyle's Book Club back when I was a kid, and for some reason, I know not why, this title from her selection of books jangled in the back of my mind! I just hope it is for the right reason and not because it was a rare dud. :)

That is one I own, but haven't read. I may own some other author's titles as well.

Lesley wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Sorry for anyone who wanted a particular number. Next time message me to book a spot! :)"

Carol, just put me in at No 4 and give Abigail her No 2 slot. It really doe..."
You and me, both, Lesley - I started thinking about my possible pool choices a couple months ago, anytime a GR friend reviewed a book that sounded interesting and fell in the time frame of our group, I put it on my list. I wanted to be ready, not just throw out five titles in a rush, and be stuck reading them! ;o)

Lesley wrote: "
Carol, just put me in at No 4 and give Abigail her No 2 slot. It really doe..."

& done! Thanks Lesley!

Susan in NC wrote: "You and me, both, Lesley - I started thinking about my possible pool choices a couple months ago, anytime a GR friend reviewed a book that sounded interesting and fell in the time frame of our group, I put it on my list. I wanted to be ready, not just throw out five titles in a rush, and be stuck reading them!"

I had The Conqueror's Wife on my list since shortly after the last pool started. It was a favourite book from my (older) childhood & I remember it being better than Georgette Heyer's The Conqueror (which I also like)

I started working on a list a month ago & Breakfast with the Nikolaides was also a constant when it became clear I wasn't going to get it read this year. The other three have changed constantly.

I'd like to join again, but will have to think about books to add. Not as organised as some of you here. 😀

Tania wrote: "I'd like to join again, but will have to think about books to add. Not as organised as some of you here. 😀"

You're #7 Tania! :)

Thank you.

I'd also like join in again next year and need think about my books. There are already some great choices so far that I want to read.

Edited to add

1) E. M. Forster Howards End

2) Moray Dalton The Mystery of the Kneeling Woman: A Golden Age Mystery

3) Celia Fremlin Uncle Paul

4) Daphne du Maurier The Parasites

5) Stella Gibbons The Matchmaker

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "You and me, both, Lesley - I started thinking about my possible pool choices a couple months ago, anytime a GR friend reviewed a book that sounded interesting and fell in the ti..."

Same here - I wanted to read a McCullough because he died recently and I love his writing and wanted to have a nonfiction title, so it was Brooklyn Bridge, Panama Canal or Johnstown Flood. They all interested me, and fit in our time period, but this seemed most widely available!

I bought “Troubles�� after being mesmerized by his The Siege of Krishnapur years ago. I immediately ordered the next two books when I realized it was part of a trilogy. Perfect time to read the next book!

I had a Godden book, then I saw you had one of hers, and opted for the others I had on my “possibles�� list - I’ve accumulated used books over the years, like the Pym, and this lovely group gives me the impetus to finally read them!

Uncle Paul was excellent. I love Celia Fremlin and really want to read more of her novels.

Ok here I go.

1. Jane's Country Year by Malcolm Saville

2. The Wells of St Mary's by R.C. Sherriff

3. The Vet's Daughter by Barbara Comyns

4. Fraulein Schmidt and Mr Anstruther by Elizabeth von Arnim

5. O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker

Hi Tania
Looks like O Caledonia wasn't published until 1991 (we only go to 1980)

Would you mind choosing another book?

Uncle Paul does sound really good!

& (for me) there is a free version of Fraulein Schmidt and Mr Anstruther available on kindle so I have downloaded that.

Abigail wrote: "Oh, I didn’t mean to imply I wanted to be number 2 again, I was just kidding around! Very graceful of you to yield it, Lesley, and sorry for the trouble, Carol.

I see Dorothy Dunnett on the list! ..."

I’ve been hearing about it for awhile, I’ve never attempted it, I figured why not now? ;o)

Abigail wrote: "Oh, I didn’t mean to imply I wanted to be number 2 again, I was just kidding around! Very graceful of you to yield it, Lesley, and sorry for the trouble, Carol.

I see Dorothy Dunnett on the list! ..."

It was no trouble at all, Abigail. :)

Thank you, Carol. Now I want to read everyone else’s selections as well as my own. Such interesting choices, looking forward to seeing what everybody thinks. Susan in NC, I’m in NC too, on the coast. Good reading country. I’m a happy #5.

Sharon wrote: "Thank you, Carol. Now I want to read everyone else’s selections as well as my own. Such interesting choices, looking forward to seeing what everybody thinks. Susan in NC, I’m in NC too, on the coas..."

Hi, neighbor! Well, sort of, I’m closer to the mountains, in the Piedmont Triad area - stay warm, it’s freezing over here tonight��

& forgot to say to Lynnie that you are #8 & I have added your books.

Tania wrote: "Uncle Paul was excellent. I love Celia Fremlin and really want to read more of her novels.

Ok here I go.

1. Jane's Country Year by [author:Malcolm ..."

That's good to know Tania, thank you. I kept seeing it doing the rounds this summer and it sounded very good.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "& forgot to say to Lynnie that you are #8 & I have added your books."

Thank you very much Carol.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Hi Tania
Looks like O Caledonia wasn't published until 1991 (we only go to 1980)

Would you mind choosing another book?"

Sorry. I'll have another think.

Abigail wrote: "I love her Dolly and the . . . mystery series, especially the one in which the narrator is dyslexic. I kept wondering why there were so many errors in the book till I figured out that it was strate..."

Longtime Dunnett fan here--I've read them all. The Game of Kings was a challenge, but I loved that the author assumed that her readers could keep up. I was hooked on the story, the characters, etc. But now, when I have the urge to re-read, I just re-read The Ringed Castle and Checkmate for the big, emotional payoff.

Good to know! I knew at least one of my long-time GR friends was a fan, but now, with Abigail’s comments, I’m intimidated! Oh well, as you point out, Abigail, we’ve got the internet now for help��;o)

Susan in NC wrote: "Good to know! I knew at least one of my long-time GR friends was a fan, but now, with Abigail’s comments, I’m intimidated! Oh well, as you point out, Abigail, we’ve got the internet now for help��;o)"

Susan--there's a marvelous resource: The Dorothy Dunnett Companion. It will tell you everything you need to know (and then some!). I regret it wasn't available when I was reading the books back in the '70s!

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Good to know! I knew at least one of my long-time GR friends was a fan, but now, with Abigail’s comments, I’m intimidated! Oh well, as you point out, Abigail, we’ve got the inte..."

Thank you, dearest! I truly appreciate it!

I am definitely in again for next year! I have my list partially constructed, but will try to finalize (haha?) this weekend.

Will that make me number 9 (like the first year)? I would be happy with that : )

Jenn wrote: "I am definitely in again for next year! I have my list partially constructed, but will try to finalize (haha?) this weekend.

Will that make me number 9 (like the first year)? I would be happy wit..."

Yup, you're Number 9. :)

I’m excited to join again, too!

Here are my titles:

The Sword of Shannara
Terry Brooks - The Sword of Shannara (1977)

Beyond the Vanishing Point
Raymond King Cummings - Beyond the Vanishing Point (1931)

Who Has Seen the Wind
W.O. Mitchell - Who Has Seen the Wind? (1947)

The Woman At Otowi Crossing
Frank Waters - The Woman at Otowi Crossing (1966)

Lucy Gayheart
Willa Cather - Lucy Gayheart (1935)

Thank you for all you do to keep us on track!

I was shamefully inactive in this year’s Book Pool, but there are so many tempting choices, I’m going to try to do better in 2024.

Here are my picks:

Flambards - K. M. Peyton (1968)

Dawn's Early Light - Elswyth Thane (1943)

Nancy of Paradise Cottage - Shirley Watkins (1921)

Sally on the Rocks - Winifred Boggs (1915)

The Voluble Topsy: A Young Lady's Chatter About Love, Politics and War, 1928-1947 - A. P. Herbert (1928, 1929, 1947)

Thanks, Carol, for organizing this!

Thanks Kate & Peggy, I love organising this - every time we get authors I have never heard of before.

You are numbers 9 & 10 respectively & I have added your books. :)

Okay, here are my choices!

The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy
Show Boat by Edna Ferber
While Still We Live by Helen MacInnes
The Winthrop Woman by Anya Seton
The Eye of Love: A Novel by Margery Sharp

Thank you for organizing!

Ooh, I love Helen MacInnes! As I recall, that’s her most intense novel.

Jenn--Thanks for listing a Helen MacInnes book. I'm with Abigail--she was a 'must read' author for me. Nice to have an excuse to revisit her.