The #1970Club – some books I have enjoyed as recommendations for next week

On Monday, October 14th, Karen and Simon will launch the #1970Club, a week-long celebration of books first published in 1970. It is very entertaining to see what everyone comes up with and when I started to consider what to read, I saw that I had already reviewed some of the best books published that year. Some of these might appeal to anyone still looking for the right book to read this weekend!

The Saracen Lamp by Ruth M. Arthur. Arthur was a gifted Scottish-born writer who wrote a handful of children’s books which are cherished by collectors and The Saracen Lamp (illustrated by the talented and prolific Margery Gill) is one of my favorites. It’s about three young women who lived in a manor house inspired by one Arthur admired in the Cotswolds. The lamp was crafted by a Saracen slave in 1300 for the original mistress of the home, and it was taken by Alys, an illegitimate daughter of the house in the 16th century, and then it is up to Perdita – in the present day, or at least the 20th century – to right an old wrong. My review.

The Twelfth Day of July by Joan Lingard. This is the first of Joan Lingard's memorable Kevin and Sadie books, set in Belfast during the Troubles. Catholic Kevin and outspoken Protestant Sadie are teenagers who live just a few blocks apart and meet by chance when Kevin gets into trouble during the July 12th festivities. No one approves of a friendship, let alone a romance, but they are fascinated by each other and refuse to stick with their own kind, even as the violence in the city increases. My review.

Death in the Grand Manor by Anne Morice. I was pleased when Dean Street Press reissued this series several years ago. Heroine Tessa Crichton is a moderately successful but amusing actress who in this introduction to the series is staying in the country with her cousin, Toby, a writer, and his precocious daughter Ellen. Toby has crossed paths with some unpleasant neighbors and when the (inevitable) death occurs, Tessa is a witness. It is a pity the investigating officer is the attractive man she met at the local pub. My review.

The Labyrinth Makers by Anthony Price. David Audley is a historian for Britain’s Ministry of Defense whose research expertise is the Middle East, when he is woken up by the telephone in the middle of the night, summoned to a meeting in London and told to dress for a funeral. This is the first in the series, not all of which feature Audley but, as I recall, each has a historical mystery at its core. My review.

The House of the Deer by D.E. Stevenson. This is the last book Stevenson wrote before she died in 1973 and it is a continuation of Gerald and Elizabeth, close-knit siblings trying to make their way in the world without family support. In the previous book, Gerald had returned to Britain after a bad experience in South Africa where he was framed for dishonest conduct. Elizabeth, a successful actress, believed in him and her beau, now husband, gave Gerald a job in security, which has helped restore his self-esteem. In this book, he is asked to substitute for his new brother-in-law at a deer hunting house party hosted by the MacAslans. The MacAslans also appear in Katherine’s Marriage and Smouldering Fire.  In this book, there is a lot of description of deer hunting, of which Gerald and I were quite ignorant but eager to learn more. Maybe not my favorite Stevensons but still enjoyable. My review.

Thursday’s Child by Noel Streatfeild. Margaret Thursday is one of Streatfeild’s most memorable heroines because she is not just a talented orphan but one with plenty of attitude! She was left on the church steps in a basket with three of everything, all of the best quality, and does not hesitate to remind anyone she is special. What is endearing about Margaret, however, is that she cares about other people, not just herself. She befriends the Beresford orphans and looks out for Lavinia’s brothers when the three siblings are separated. Margaret and her adventures are must reading for fans of children’s literature! My review.

There are other books from 1970 I have read but not reviewed: 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff, Passport to Frankfurt by Agatha Christie, God Is an Englishman by R.F. Delderfield, Love Story by Erich Segal (required if you go to Harvard), Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume, Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel, The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White, The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart, Time and Again by Jack Finney, and Charity Girl by Georgette Heyer (maybe my least favorite).  I got Troubles by J.G. Farrell and Ball Four by Jim Bouton from the library to consider but I wasn't in the mood for either.

Have you read any of these? Are you are planning to participate in the #1970Club?