….. my blog and I. It was six years ago today that I pressed ‘post’ for the first time.
I feel that I should say something profound, but I’m just going to say THANK YOU!
To everyone who has come by and to everyone whose paths I’ve crossed and whose words I’ve read.
It’s been lovely to meet you!
(And if you’ve been quietly lurking I’d be so pleased if you decided that today was the day to say ‘hello’.)
There have been ups and downs along the way, but I’m still so glad that I took that first step.
I thought I should do something, and it occurred to me that I could adapt Jo’s game of sixes.
Six books for each of my six years. Not necessary my favourite six, but six very good books to track my reading journey.
* * * * * * *
2008/2009
The Great Western Beach by Emma Smith
Doreen by Barbara Noble
South Riding by Winifred Holtby
Miss Cayley’s Adventures by Grant Allen
The Solitude of Thomas Cave by Georgina Harding
London War Notes 1939 to 1945 by Mollie Panter-Downes
A pitch perfect memoir of a Cornish childhood; a sensitive account of the torn loyalties of a wartime evacuee; I can think of no word but masterpeice; a lovely heroine’s adventure at the end of the 19th century; maybe the best opening of a novel ever; life in wartime London caught perfectly.
* * * * * * *
2009/2010
Love in the Sun by Leo Walmsley
Flowers for Mrs Harris by Paul Gallico
Florence and Giles by John Harding
Joanna Godden by Sheila Kaye Smith
Diamond Star Halo by Tiffany Murphy
Beside the Sea by Veronica Olmi
It’s wonderful what you find on the Cornish shelves in the library; bitter-sweet and pitch-perfect; a gothic tale in a wonderful, unique voice; if only all rural novels were; a new story with lovely roots in books gone by; a tale to leave you lost for words.
* * * * * * *
2010/2011
Miss Ranskill Comes Home by Barbara Euphan Todd
Glasshopper by Isabel Ashdown
Never No More by Maura Laverty
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Thunder on the Right by Mary Stewart
This was the year of my Crime Fiction Alphabet; I was inspired to write a letter to a wonderful heroine; in which it is proved that border terrier people can really write; oh, Delia; I was captivated; one of my mother’s favourite became one of mine.
* * * * * * *
2011/2012
Ten Days of Christmas by G B Stern
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivy
Diving Belles by Lucy Wood
The One I Knew the Best of All by Frances Hodgson-Burnett
White Ladies by Frances Brett Young
Catherine Carter by Pamela Hansford Johnson
A wonderful discovery in the basement of a used bookshop; a timeless wintery tale; the essence of Cornwall; the author as a child who loved books and gardens; I wondered and when I saw the reviews of a Librarything friend I knew that I would love FBY; I passed by her books when I was younger, but this one caught my eye years later, and I loved it.
* * * * * * *
2012/2013
The Love-Charm of Bombs by Laura Fiegel
The Pinecone by Jenny Uglow
Excellent Women by Barbara Pym
The Golem and the Djinni by Helene Wecker
Lucy Carmichael by Margaret Kennedy
The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys
Five authors and their work in wartime illuminated; and extraordinary lady, who left such a legacy; my favourite Pym; A story of magical creatures that says much about humanity; of course there has to be a Margaret Kennedy novel; a lovely little book, full of wintery words and images.
* * * * * * *
2013/2014
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
An Appetite for Violets by Martine Bailey
Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope
Tryst by Elswyth Thwaite
Four Gardens by Margery Sharp
Valentine by George Sand
Now I understand my so many so love this book; this was a wonderful way to vist the past; I fell in love with Trollope this year; a lost gem – romantic suspense at its very best; no list of this kind would be complete without Margery; I saved this book because I thought it would be special and I was right.
* * * * * * *
I wonder what happens next.
I don’t know how much longer this will go on, but for now at least I have no plans to go anywhere.
I have one or two things planned for next year, and I need to simplify things a little bit. I’ll explain more another day.
Today is for saying THANK YOU!
Fleur in her World 
Congratulations! I need to go over those lists very s l o w l y. I anticipate some buying in the future.
Thank you. There are so any books I really loved in those lists, so I’d be delighted if any of them catch your eye.
Happy anniversary! Your blog is always a pleasure to read and I love the idea of the game of sixes. Hopefully there’ll be many more years to come 🙂
Thank you for your kind words. I’ve no idea what the future holds, but I certainly have no plans to go away.
This corner of the blogsphere has always been a lovely place to visit. Congratulations, Fleur…and where has the time gone?!
I wish I knew, Darlene. It’s been lovely visiting you, in your old and in your new home.
Congratulations – Your blog is a wonderful place for a visit and a place to find some wonderful books. Thanks for your great reviews.
Thank you. I’m glad we crossed paths, because we have an overlap in tastes and I’ve also been interested in reading about books you read that I probably won’t get to, having just the one reading lifetime.
Many congratulations Jane – that’s some milestone, and I hope you’ll continue bringing us thoughts about the books you like and characters you encounter.
Thank you – I have a houseful of books and a long wishlist, so I certainly don’t lack material to write about in the future!
6 years – a huge achievement. Thank you too! Cheers from Carole’s Chatter
Thank you!
Congratulations!
Thank you!
Congratulations! What a lovely way to look back on your six years of blogging.
Thank you. Jo had a very good idea when she came up with sixes.
Congratulations. Six years is quite an accomplishment!
Thank you. I’ve jut kept going, because I miss it when I don’t write, and somehow the years just stacked up.
Marvelous list! Now you are six you’re “as clever as clever,” and you can keep blogging for ever and ever.
I love making lists of books! I’m not sure about for ever and ever, but I can’t imagine there being a world of book bloggers and not being part of it now.
Wow well done, happy blog birthday
Thank you!
Congratulations, and thank YOU! — for your thoughtful posts, for Briar’s fun game, for my book (!!!) and for adding so many books to my list.
Congratulations! 6 years! That’s a whole lot of books – hope there’s just as many and just as enjoyable in the next 6 years… 🙂
Thank YOU for writing. I look forward to each and every post.
Thank you – the feeling is mutual.
Happy anniversary, and thank you for writing this blog! I’ve found so many books that I love through your recommendations.
Dear Fleur, Happy 6th Anniversary and hope there will be many more yet to celebrate. have so enjoyed your blog and always look forward to your posts. All the best.
Where has the time gone?? This has long been a favorite blog-hopping stop and you have introduced me to many wonderful books over the years, so thank you. Here’s to the next six years!
Congratulations!
Thank you!
Congratulations. Those are gorgeous recommendations.
Thank you – it was lovely to be able to look back and to cherry-pick some special books.
Congratulations on your anniversary! I remember quite a few of those reviews & read some of the books after reading your review. Can’t believe six years have passed so quickly!
All my congratulations, Jane! I’ve discovered so many wonderful books and authors (Mary Stewart!) through you so I want to thank you for your blog and for writing such fantastic posts. I hope you are around for many years to come.
Congrats on 6 successful years. I love your idea for this post, 6 books for each of your 6 years blogging.
Congratulations and thank you from me too! Looking at your lists, I think I discovered your blog in 2011 – I do remember some of those titles from your posts. And I am thinking of naming the Margaret Kennedy section of the TBR piles in your honor!
Happy Blogoanniversary Jane!! Wishing you 60 more years of wonderful blogging and followers!! What a lovely game. I so remember reading your review on Lucy Carmichael by Margaret Kennedy….It was around that time I became one of your dedicated followers!!! Awesome job!! Congratulations again!!
Congratulations, Fleur! I enjoy reading your posts and here’s to many more in the future.
Well i read about 7 blogs and you are the only one who reviews unusual,great books both old and new.
A fresh,must read blog.And you do not short change your readers by only blogging occasionally or going posting very short /off piste stuff.
Happy blogaversary! I am new to blogging and I just stumbled across yours. I am glad I did. 🙂
Happy sixth blogiversary! I’ve not read any of the books you’ve listed so I think I shall have a gander at what you’ve written so find some new books to read (after I lift my book buying ban). I do have a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo, however, so that can be my starting point.
Happy sixth birthday to your lovely blog. I love reading your posts and Briar’s. Thank you for writing such a lovely blog, I find out about so many different books here, there are some on the lists above that I must now read. I hope you continue to enjoy it and I will always look forward to your posts. All the best. Lindsay x
Congratulations, Fleur and what a lovely post to celebrate with!
Thank you – I had to celebrate the books!
Congratulations on 6 years! I loved having a look at a few selections from each of your years, especially since I’ve only been on the scene for one.
So many wonderful wonderful books. Where to begin. I just started to read Mary Stewart again and other books I read 30 or 40 years ago. Love your blog – congratulations on 6 years
Congratulations Jane. I thought of you and Briar as I stomped about the North Cornwall coast this summer. Thanks for all the great book recommendations – here’s to many more! 🙂
Happy 6th anniversary to “Fleur In Her World”! May there be many more sixes to come. 🙂 Yours is definitely one of my favourite corners in the world, both virtual and real. Best wishes to you and yours, in all that the future may hold!
I’m late to the party but wanted to say congratulations!! If you started blogging six years ago then that means your blog was a wee young thing when I first started to read your excellent posts. You have inspired and enriched my reading life, that is for sure. I agree with the other comments that your reading nook is one of the best spots in the blogosphere. Yes, please don’t go anywhere!
Well done, Jane – you have been a constant inspiration to me to read more widely and to try out books I might never have encountered if you hadn’t led the way. Congratulations!
It goes so quickly. Thank you for using my Sixes as a way of showing us all lots of lovely books to read. I have read a few new authors since I have been visiting your blog and I am most greatful for the expansion in my reading.
I am afraid I am one of those “lurking”! Happy 6th birthday! I greatly enjoy reading your blog but haven’t been a commenter. Thank you for sharing your 6 of the best and will enjoy pursing these new bookish avenues, as indeed I have many of your other recommendations.
Congratulations! Happy blogiversary! 😀
Thank you!
Happy 6th birthday to your wonderful blog. I love those numerals and the wide variety of lovely books by their sides. 🙂
Happy 6th anniversary. I hope there will be many more.
I’m a lurker but I want to say Happy 6th Anniversary. Love reading your blog and hearing about Briar
(wonderful name for a border terrier).
Happy blog birthday! I look forward to reading through many years to come! My own book blog is coming up for 10 years old next year and it’s changed SO much in that time!