37 Comments

I have two to suggest, though I don't know how obscure they are... Miss Buncle's Book by D. E. Stevenson, about a woman who writes a book and then all her neighbors in the village realize they are the characters in it... (I might have heard of this one from you come to think of it.). Then there is Some Tame Gazelle by Barbara Pym, about two unmarried sisters in an English village, one of them has always had a thing for the local (married) vicar... not much happens but if you want to paint more English village scenes...

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Such good suggestions!

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I have a couple of suggestions for illustrated reviews! Mainly because I would love to see your pictures with them. 1. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson 2. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley 3. So Brave, Young, and Handsome by Leif Enger 4. True West by Sam Shepard. There's a weird assortment for ya! :D

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Interesting! I've read the first two, not the second two.

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So Brave, Young, and Handsome I love ALMOST as much as the Kopp Sisters. True West is just weird. :D

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+1 for We Have Always Lived in the Castle.

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I doubt you can call anything P.G. Wodehouse published obscure, but, the stories in 'Wodehouse on Crime,' have some wonderful fictional pulpy book titles; The Man With The Missing Toe, Severed Throats, Gore By The Gallon, although one of the titles, 'Blood On The Banisters' was used for a novel last year.

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Oh and they are begging for illustrations!

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They are!

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In the Great Unknown, The Lad and The Lion by Edgar Rice Burroughs. He was famous for the other books he wrote but I love this one.

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Interesting! I have not read it.

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I’m honored to introduce you to a new book!

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never heard/read anything from her, what a great review, thanks

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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is close to my heart; it reminds me of where I was born and of the stories my dad told. I’d love to see an illustrated review of it.

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Oh, I love that book so much!

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The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Edwards (aka Julie Andrews, the actress). Fanciful creatures - Sidewinders, the Gazooks, the Whiffle Bird, the High Behind Splintercat, the Whangdoodle - in a fanciful land. It's a delight!

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Wow! Who knew?

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My favorite childhood book is Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright. I think it’s the only book from which I retain strong mental images: the abandoned summer homes, the drained lake bed overgrown with tall grasses hiding a small abandoned house on a former island in the center, the glacier boulder sprouting garnets, the old fashioned brother and sister with their ancient Model T and their goats…

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Can't believe I've never heard of these!

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Her Melendy series were favorites of mine when I was growing up, and I still reread them every few years. I first read the Gone Away Lake books only a couple years ago, and love those, too!

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I hope you don't think this is shameless (but, of course, it is). Running Wild Press published my cozy mystery, The Paper Pirate (not too sweet, set in a bookstore) in 2022. It received great reviews but sadly has taken its place in obscurity. Painting opportunity would be a small-town Main Street group of 19th century storefronts. I'll even send you a copy, if you'd like, even if you don't want to review it. ---Dawn McIntyre

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Okay, you talked me into it! Helps that it includes a rare book dealer! I just downloaded it & I can't promise when I'll get to it, but stay tuned!

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Your review has piqued my interest in this author and this book. Thank you! I would love to see your paintings and review of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry written by Rachel Joyce.

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Oh, good choice!

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I enjoyed this, thank you.

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I Capture the Castle.

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you know, I don't think I've read it! I will check it out.

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Well I guess foragers are folklorists! Who knew?

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Totally! Actually, that reminds ME of a book I could write about--and you'd find it very interesting! Stay tuned.

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Will do!

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I have a deep fondness for Mrs. Appleyard by Louise Andrews Kent. It’s set in New England and the chapters follow the calendar year. It’s a delight!

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Interesting! Looks like it's out of print so I'll have to hunt down a used copy.

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I adore Margery Sharp! Also, I don't recall knowing about your obsession. Great to hear about this book! Thanks.

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She's amazing! I've probably read the Martha books a dozen times. There's something so perfect about them.

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