Having been scarred by Carnation and New House Mistress which I hated I was wondering which of the stand alones that have been republished by GGBP people would recommend buying (i would love to buy them all but bearing in mind the book budget!) I loved Monica and the La Rochelle's, and I have recently enjoyed the Lost Staircase and Chudleigh Hold. I will probably buy Fardingales but are any of the others that are up just now worth trying to justify buying?

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She is too fond of books and it has turned her brain - Louisa May Alcott

Book blog: https://GiltAndDust.WordPress.com

I love the Lorna books and would say they're definitely worth buying if you can get hold of them. I like Kennelmaid Nan and the Skelton Hall books.

I don't see me rereading Judy the Guide and I wouldn't spend much on it.

I've only read four of the non-CS EBDs, two of which were The Lost Staircase and Chudleigh Hold. The others were the two Janeways books: A Thrilling Term At Janeways and Caroline the Second. I enjoyed them both, but overall preferred Caroline the Second. I found the prefects in Thrilling Term so unbelievably up themselves and patronising that it rather spoilt what would otherwise have been a very fun read.

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'I'm sorry, I only play for sport.' - Lara Croft

I liked "A Thrilling Term at Janeways". This was my first not-CS EBD and, to me, it is the distillation of much of EBD's writings.

"The Feud In The Fifth Remove" was pretty week. Pleasant enough but rather routine.

Thanks for the replies, although I think I might struggle a bit more to get the Janeways and Lorna books as they are out of print with GGBP. It's always nice to have something to save up for though

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She is too fond of books and it has turned her brain - Louisa May Alcott

Book blog: https://GiltAndDust.WordPress.com

Betula O'Neill of Topsy Turvy Books had all four titles listed in her latest catalogue, which went on-line yesterday. The "other half" of Topsy Turvy, Sally Dore had at least three of them in her half of the catalogue. It's worth taking a look, Brie; the prices are either the same as directly from GGBP or a little more for each title, postage will be extra.

I'm really enjoying Fardingales. I also really enjoyed Skelton Hall. Monica Turns up Trumps is probably my favourite though.

Oh dear I should not have looked at those catalogues!! So many books, so tempting! Two CS titles I missed when they were republished are on there quite reasonably, plus now the Lorna, Janeways, and Skelton Hall books...how to decide?

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She is too fond of books and it has turned her brain - Louisa May Alcott

Book blog: https://GiltAndDust.WordPress.com

I really like the first Lorna (which has a brief mention of Josephine M Bettany), don't think the second is quite so good, though still enjoyable. Haven't re-read Skelton Hall for years, they are quite short, there are others better, such as the two Janeways books if you are limited in how many to buy. Feud in 5th remove is OK, but another I've not re-read for years. They both liked dogs is another I like, and Fardingales.

My two favourites are Kennelmaid Nan and Elizabeth the Gallant. The former, for me, shows the passion EBD has for dogs and I love the way she incorporates lots of useful information about caring for animals in what is really a very good story. I know some people have problems with the latter but I really love it as a depiction of life in that era. In particular I think the characterisation is excellent, as is the fear of not know if someone is friend or foe.

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The writer's credo: 'Sometimes you've got to sacrifice the things you like' (Delta Goodrem - Born To Try)

I love The Lost Staircase and Chudleigh Hold is transformed from am average adventure story simply by the introduction of Auntie!

Monica is great - it's a real favourite of mine, too. I did like Lost Staircase, but more for the CS connection than for the book itself, if that makes sense. I wasn't so fond of Chudleigh Hold. The first Lorna book was great, too. I couldn't get on with the Janeways books.

The second Skelton Hall book is the only EBD I've started but not finished, and the first one wasn't great for me either.

Got a real soft spot for Kennelmaid Nan, however, also like the Lorna books and Monica Turns up Trumps but all time fave is The Lost Staircase.

After a fun afternoon of agonising over the topsy turvy catalogue I ended up plumping for two CS titles I don't own! Which wasn't the plan at all. I'll need to see later in the month if I can justify any others... . I've got plenty to look forward to after this thread which is nice though (although rather expensive).

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She is too fond of books and it has turned her brain - Louisa May Alcott

Book blog: https://GiltAndDust.WordPress.com

My absolute favourite - I think I like it even better than the Chalet series - is "The School by the River". A wonderful story - Ruritanian location, music, international students, a mystery, a drama.... EBD must have been at the height of her powers when she wrote it (oh, and we meet Elisaveta's future husband who, at the time, is little more than a boy).

Oh good - the School by the River came in the post this morning.

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Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?