This is such a great, knowledgeable post! As a HSP, I love cozy, comfort reads. I dropped out of my thriller book club, but I’m trying it again. 😆Now I do love cozy mysteries and Golden Age mysteries. And I love a good old-fashioned, atmospheric, page turner. What comes to mind is Mary Stewart and Daphne du Maurier. So, I relate to much of what you wrote here.
Thanks so much for commenting, I really appreciate it! I'm glad the post resonated with you. A thriller book club sounds like a lot of fun (though I could see where it might get a little intense depending on which books are read). How do the books get chosen?
Seeing as you enjoy Golden Age mysteries--have you ever tried the Mr. Mottley series by Ellen Seltz? I think these would be right up your alley and were very charming/interesting. The author has a background in theatre, and it really shows. Here's a link to her Goodreads page if you'd like to check them out: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9827032.Ellen_Seltz
I love Daphne De Maurier's books as well, though I've only read two, I think. Which of hers is your favorite? And which Mary Stewart would you recommend? I tried one, but it was a bit too slow.
So, our Thriller book club is run by one of the co-owners of our local, independent bookstore. She chooses the books, and she's very honest about choices--they'll always be new releases, hardcover, and make money for the bookshop. This didn't used to be the case, but now that she's so busy with bookshop duties sometimes she hasn't even read them before she picks them--LOL!
I haven't tried the Mr. Mottley Series by Ellen Seltz. I will definitely check those out! Thank you so much for the recommendation!
My favorite of Daphne du Maurier will always be Rebecca (I know probably cliched). I had been on my way to reading her to zero, but then tried to read Jamaica Inn a few months ago. It was an Oh no! for me. But Rebecca is one of the few books that holds up to re-reads for me.
Mary Stewart hmmm...I'm trying to think of a fast-paced one. I think of her books as being slow, so probably not your cup of tea...I find life is too short to read books that aren't to our reading preference. For instance, I don't read her Arthurian Legend books. Moon-spinners remains a favorite of mine probably because I can hear the voice of Haley Mills in my head as I read it (she starred in the 1964 movie adaptation). I just got from my library book sale _The Spell of Mary Stewart_. It has 3 of her novels in it: This Rough Magic, The Ivy Tree, and Wildfire at Midnight. I have to check as I might have read one of two of those (I can never remember titles), but regardless, I'm so excited for it. If any of them stand out to recommend, I'll let you know. Okay, thanks again for the incredibly engaging post!
Oh, I love this--I like newsy, talkative responses, so thank you for that. :) I really do think you'll love the Mr. Mottley series if you try it--please let me know if you do and it was a good fit.
I really, really liked "Rebecca" as well. I think because I read "My Cousin Rachel" first, I preferred that one, but Rebecca is a classic. Have you watched any of the film adaptations of "Rebecca"? I thought the most recent one on Netflix was pretty true to the storyline but it's been a few years since I read the book so I might be mis-remembering.
Thanks for the Mary Stewart recs. I will try again when I need a slower read. :) I'm very much a mood reader, so sometimes I want things very fast-paced and "thrilling" and other times I need something calmer and quieter. I have a couple of hers on my shelves at home, so I'll have to check the titles. I appreciate your insights there, as I don't know many people who like vintage/gothic fiction.
I put the Mr. Morley series on my wishlist. I’ll let you know my thoughts!
The only adaptation of Rebecca I’ve seen is the first one. The old Hitchcock black and white. Didn’t even know there was a Netflix version. I’ll have to check it out.
Hope you find a Mary Stewart you enjoy. I like “old-fashioned” or as I say “old-timey”. And you’re right, I think folks who do are in the minority.
Excellent article that offers a great framework for understanding the connection some people have with reading. Also, the accompanying picture is magnificent! I've been to that bookstore -- in fact, that's where my profile pic was taken!
Oh wow, thank you, Danny! I appreciate you taking the time to comment and am glad the article resonated with you. And that's so cool that your profile pic was taken at Leakey's! When did you go to Scotland? What were your favorite places?
Oh, I love that! We were mostly in Edinburgh but took a bus and stayed in Inverness two nights. When we go back (note, I said when and not if!) I would like to get further into the Highlands and see an island or two as well. Sky must have been phenomenal. :)
What a wonderfully informative article. Recently a close friend was in an accident. In the hours after her surgery my current library read helped so much with alleviating stress and providing a distraction for better sleep. Reading benefits are real! Thanks, J.P. for exploring this topic.
This is such a great, knowledgeable post! As a HSP, I love cozy, comfort reads. I dropped out of my thriller book club, but I’m trying it again. 😆Now I do love cozy mysteries and Golden Age mysteries. And I love a good old-fashioned, atmospheric, page turner. What comes to mind is Mary Stewart and Daphne du Maurier. So, I relate to much of what you wrote here.
Thanks so much for commenting, I really appreciate it! I'm glad the post resonated with you. A thriller book club sounds like a lot of fun (though I could see where it might get a little intense depending on which books are read). How do the books get chosen?
Seeing as you enjoy Golden Age mysteries--have you ever tried the Mr. Mottley series by Ellen Seltz? I think these would be right up your alley and were very charming/interesting. The author has a background in theatre, and it really shows. Here's a link to her Goodreads page if you'd like to check them out: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9827032.Ellen_Seltz
I love Daphne De Maurier's books as well, though I've only read two, I think. Which of hers is your favorite? And which Mary Stewart would you recommend? I tried one, but it was a bit too slow.
So, our Thriller book club is run by one of the co-owners of our local, independent bookstore. She chooses the books, and she's very honest about choices--they'll always be new releases, hardcover, and make money for the bookshop. This didn't used to be the case, but now that she's so busy with bookshop duties sometimes she hasn't even read them before she picks them--LOL!
I haven't tried the Mr. Mottley Series by Ellen Seltz. I will definitely check those out! Thank you so much for the recommendation!
My favorite of Daphne du Maurier will always be Rebecca (I know probably cliched). I had been on my way to reading her to zero, but then tried to read Jamaica Inn a few months ago. It was an Oh no! for me. But Rebecca is one of the few books that holds up to re-reads for me.
Mary Stewart hmmm...I'm trying to think of a fast-paced one. I think of her books as being slow, so probably not your cup of tea...I find life is too short to read books that aren't to our reading preference. For instance, I don't read her Arthurian Legend books. Moon-spinners remains a favorite of mine probably because I can hear the voice of Haley Mills in my head as I read it (she starred in the 1964 movie adaptation). I just got from my library book sale _The Spell of Mary Stewart_. It has 3 of her novels in it: This Rough Magic, The Ivy Tree, and Wildfire at Midnight. I have to check as I might have read one of two of those (I can never remember titles), but regardless, I'm so excited for it. If any of them stand out to recommend, I'll let you know. Okay, thanks again for the incredibly engaging post!
Oh, I love this--I like newsy, talkative responses, so thank you for that. :) I really do think you'll love the Mr. Mottley series if you try it--please let me know if you do and it was a good fit.
I really, really liked "Rebecca" as well. I think because I read "My Cousin Rachel" first, I preferred that one, but Rebecca is a classic. Have you watched any of the film adaptations of "Rebecca"? I thought the most recent one on Netflix was pretty true to the storyline but it's been a few years since I read the book so I might be mis-remembering.
Thanks for the Mary Stewart recs. I will try again when I need a slower read. :) I'm very much a mood reader, so sometimes I want things very fast-paced and "thrilling" and other times I need something calmer and quieter. I have a couple of hers on my shelves at home, so I'll have to check the titles. I appreciate your insights there, as I don't know many people who like vintage/gothic fiction.
Happy we connected here!
Glad you’re open to chatty responses back to you!
I put the Mr. Morley series on my wishlist. I’ll let you know my thoughts!
The only adaptation of Rebecca I’ve seen is the first one. The old Hitchcock black and white. Didn’t even know there was a Netflix version. I’ll have to check it out.
Hope you find a Mary Stewart you enjoy. I like “old-fashioned” or as I say “old-timey”. And you’re right, I think folks who do are in the minority.
Glad to connect with you on bookish things!
Excellent article that offers a great framework for understanding the connection some people have with reading. Also, the accompanying picture is magnificent! I've been to that bookstore -- in fact, that's where my profile pic was taken!
Oh wow, thank you, Danny! I appreciate you taking the time to comment and am glad the article resonated with you. And that's so cool that your profile pic was taken at Leakey's! When did you go to Scotland? What were your favorite places?
We were there about exactly 2 years ago, actually. Inverness was great. And we stayed for several nights on Skye, which was was incredible.
Oh, I love that! We were mostly in Edinburgh but took a bus and stayed in Inverness two nights. When we go back (note, I said when and not if!) I would like to get further into the Highlands and see an island or two as well. Sky must have been phenomenal. :)
What a wonderfully informative article. Recently a close friend was in an accident. In the hours after her surgery my current library read helped so much with alleviating stress and providing a distraction for better sleep. Reading benefits are real! Thanks, J.P. for exploring this topic.
That’s fantastic that your friend was able to find a little relief through reading, Michele. I love that! Thank you for sharing this. 😁