The Lark | 
pickI've read and enjoyed many of Nesbit's children's books, but didn't realize that she had also written a handful of “adult“ novels (in the sense that the main characters aren't children). Like her books for younger readers, this one was full of fun and humor, with likable characters and some silly scrapes. My biggest issue was that the ending felt really abrupt. I definitely needed to know more about the futures of all these characters, and ⬇
#doublespin I'm early this month! But it was such a fun read. Just what you'd want in an adult book by one of your favorite children's writers -- basically just her characters grown up some but still talking in the same way and having similar adventures, with some added romance. Disappointing ending though -- not unhappy, but way too abrupt.
(cont.)
pickThis was a fun #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub read about 2 plucky girls making their way after WWI with lots of good luck and plenty of good intentions. The writing was witty, the characters all likable, overall a very uplifting read. I enjoyed especially when Lucilla had to take on a Jane attitude when Jane was down. Turnabout was well done.
The ending was a tad abrupt and I will note my issues with that last chapter in the comments with a spoiler tag…
rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Kimzey, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, LeahBergen, batsy, Cathythoughts, Ruthiella
pickThoroughly enjoyable! I love the two girls‘ enthusiasm and determination (and naivety) to make things work even though they may not have the best business sense. Wonderful dialogue and amusing too. They really had a lark. 👍
@batsy Lovely choice for this month‘s #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub pick, and thank you for gifting me this book years ago. (Finally read this after all these years!😂😘).
rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Jess_Read_This, Kimzey, catebutler, CarolynM, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, Cathythoughts, Ruthiella
pickAn incantation in the woods on St. John‘s Eve sets the stage for a series of adventures and happy coincidences as cousins Jane and Lucilla make their way in the world after being left in reduced financial circumstances by an unscrupulous guardian. The optimism, humorous mishaps and memorable characters made this an enjoyable tale. I‘m looking forward to reading more selections with the #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub .
Reading these three in May with #PemberLittens #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub
#ChildrensClassicRead2022
I adored the tagged book. It was like a #FurrowedMiddlebrow fairy tale.
I‘m behind on Jane Austen at Home (a lovely gift from @slightlyfoxed ) and “Scraps,” but hope to catch up soon. ⬇️
pickWhat can I add to what my #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub friends have already posted so astutely about this book? 😃
Nesbit was primarily known for her children‘s books and while this was aimed at adults, it definitely also has a smidge of a fairytale to it. Set just after WWI Jane and Lucy leave school, only to discover their guardian has squandered their inheritance. Undaunted, they look on the bright side and forge a new (and more exciting) future.
rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, MaureenMc, Kimzey, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, BookNAround, Centique, EvieBee, batsy, Tamra, sarahbellum, Cathythoughts, SamanthaMarie
Hello, #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub!
I thought I‘d post a record of our reads to help out our newest members when they‘re choosing their picks for us to vote on. The first two titles were random buddy reads that formed our group and the rest were members‘ choices.
@catebutler , you have our July pick and @elkeOriginal has September. Would you two like to offer up your choices now for us to vote on? It‘s helpful for those ordering overseas. 😊
pickJane & Lucilla leave school & assume they'll embark on a life of independent means, but are informed by their guardian that he has gambled away their money & they will have to make do with the house+500 pounds. Jane declares that instead of seeing it as hardship, they're going to see this as A Lark. There's a touch of fairy tale magic to this tale, which reminds me of the charm & optimism of Nesbit's children's books. An utter frothy delight.
pickOrphan cousins Jane & Lucilla have just left school when they discover they have been cheated out of most of their inheritance. Their high spirits & generous natures attract a wide variety of new friends while their efforts to make ends meet don‘t always go to plan. Fabulous characters, gentle humour & a story that resembles old fashioned children-on-summer-holidays type books made for another lovely #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub read.
rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, Centique, batsy, Tamra, Cathythoughts, Ruthiella
pickJane and her cousin Lucilla are fresh from school in the aftermath of WW1 when they discover that their guardian has gambled away their inheritance and they are left with only 740 and a cottage. Through various money-making schemes they meet, and have a lasting effect, on their new neighbours.
A sweet and witty tale for whenever you need a little “lark” of your own. Loved it!
#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub
rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, elkeOriginal, Centique, batsy, Tamra, Cathythoughts, Ruthiella
pick😂 I had a giggle over Lucy scoffing at Decorum. This was a funny scene!
Charming little tiptoe through the tulips. 🌷🌷 Perfect period escapist fiction.
#furrowedmiddlebrowclub
Started in on this #furrowedmiddlebrowclub read, and am just burning my way through it. I'm pleased to find it just as delightful as the second time around, but with lots of things I don't at all remember. Such plucky gals!
It‘s #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub time again and I‘m just cracking this one open.
How is everyone enjoying it so far?
@CarolynM @catebutler @Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm @LeahBergen @quietjenn @rubyslippersreads @Ruthiella @Tamra @batsy @Centique @elkeOriginal
‘I shall always respect the mumps for getting us this extra month‘s holiday. I wish it had a prettier name - Mompessa, or something like that; we have the time of our lives amid all this ancestral splendour.‘
I love it.
Mompessa!!
And I love chapter One 💫💫💫 #Furrowedmiddlebrowclub
I've started on The Lark, going very slowly, and truly relishing every sentence. "Bacon is an admirable brain tonic". ?
I've noticed that after a breakfast involving bacon, it really does feel like everything can be conquered and the world is your oyster ?
#furrowedmiddlebrowclub
Happy May Day reading friends! This is a reminder that our #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub pick for May is The Lark by E. Nesbit, called “A novel for grown-up children” in the Dean Street Press edition introduction by Charlotte Moore.
The rough plan is to read and post any thoughts and/or reviews starting mid-month, though really any time is fine. We aren‘t fussy. 😊
Wanna be tagged or removed from the tag? Let me know!
rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, MaureenMc, Kimzey, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, BookNAround, EvieBee, batsy, Tamra, sarahbellum, Cathythoughts, SamanthaMarie
#FurrowedMiddleBrowClub It‘s nearly May, so The Lark is down from the shelf … and Lisa says hi 👋🏻
@batsy I saw this at the library and picked it up as I remembered you #furrowedmiddlebrow lot are going to read it soon. And then my other books were bails so I ended up reading it early. (I‘m clearly not cut out for buddy reads 😂) So I‘ll not say a word about it but look forward to hearing you talk about it next month!
Hi #furrowedmiddlebrowclub gang, it's time to pick the May read & I was thinking youthful hijinks 🌞
Would you prefer The Lark, about two young cousins who try to make their way in the world after their inheritance is squandered, or Visiting Moon, a kind of middlebrow British Brady Bunch? 😆 I'll keep voting open till Sunday.
@CarolynM @catebutler @Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm @LeahBergen @quietjenn @rubyslippersreads @Ruthiella @Tamra
pickAnother ~7 hours, this time mostly ebook for #sharreadathon but with some audio for #paganbuddystudy 🧚🏻 spent the rest of the day walking around with this little girl & contemplating existence— an absolute lark
#GratefulReads #BookGiftedToYou
This book was gifted to me by @batsy 🙏😘
I hope the book doesn‘t have to wait any much longer for me to get to it. 🙈
And a few more books I received for Christmas. 💕
Today is my happy day! Received two parcels in the mail! One is the #150PnPCoverParty goodies and then THIS! An early birthday surprise from @batsy ! Thank you, my friend, you are so thoughtful in selecting the two books, both I‘ve not read. One to cheer me up, the other sounds like something I‘d enjoy. Absolutely love the bookmark and the notebook. What a pleasant surprise 💕😘
pickI wasn‘t far wrong in my previous post - only one wedding in the offing in the end - but there was a string of late twists and turns growing ever more improbably before coming screeching to an end. And yet I still liked it. Exactly like a children‘s adventure book but for adults - lots of frolics but very little actual peril so it‘s a bit like a warm hug of a book. Nice and safe.
About two thirds of the way through this now - and I sort of hate myself because I love books about distressed gentlewomen who find strange but acceptable for ladies ways of earning money when they‘re left insufficiently well provided for to maintain their lifestyles. In this one the girls turn to: floristry and luck into a big old house for free. I have high hopes for a double wedding to end it. 😉
#192025 - 1922 @Librarybelle
#100YearsofBooks
#FourFoursin24 - Lupine Goldmine @lauredhel - unbelievably, this is my last slot, so I've completed this challenge already!!! I was really vibing with the prompts this year 😂
#GottaCatchEmAll - Character Gets Cozy (Dubwool) @PuddleJumper
#BookSpinBingo 5mo