Thanks so much to everyone for stopping by. Since Devon was a soldier, I really wanted to be as accurate as I could. I remembered stories my parents told me about being in Britain during the Second World War. I am still stunned that people coped with it and it became sort of a part of everyday life. My grandfather and great-grandfather used to stand in the doorway of the house when planes would drop bombs in the street. Once, one hit somewhat close, and the force of it, knocked them over, and sent them rolling down the hall. They were rolled up in the hall carpet. I just can't imagine such a thing. I love doing the background work and reading for a book. Right now, I've been studying the work of anatomists, and it is really amazing. There was actually a Dr. Dolittle type of character in England who kept all kinds of exotic animals on his country estate.
Thanks, Pam. I love researching, as I learn all sorts of interesting things. I have a Regency Christmas novella out now, and it was fun to learn about Christmas traditions then.
Hi Teresa, When I was yung, I loved the Bobbsey twins, and Enid Blyton's books such as the Famous Five. Then it was Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. I wanted to make sure I got every book in the series.
Maureen, That's a great idea--to set a minimum. And the summer is such a perfect time for reading. I'm going to have to remember to keep track of my daughter's reading this summer. Both she and my son love to go--they want to take out more books than I can carry home.
Rachel, Thanks so much. I remember my mom taking me to the library. Even when we would travel to England to visit family, we would go the local libraries. I worked in my local library as a teenager. I was supposed to shelve books, but spent too much of my time reading them, and got in trouble.
Susan, I was a Nancy Drew fan too, and now my daughter is interested. And I adored Victoria Holt! My mother-in-law would get large print versions, and I'd wake up early to have the chance to read them before she wanted them back.
Hi Crystal, Thanks so much for dropping in. Perhaps it's very common for women to pass their love for reading along to others. My daughter is becoming an avid reader, and I'm thrilled.