Not at Home | Litsy

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

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I'm way behind with my #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub reads but have every intention of catching up!

I enjoyed this one though I really felt every frustration that Miss MacFarren experienced. I'm glad Maxine was there to provide relief.

#52bookclub (set in the 1940s)
#gottacatchemall (Whimsicott: whimsical character) @PuddleJumper

Ruthiella This one was really nail-bitingly tense for me! Glad you enjoyed it and could also double up on other prompts! 😀 7d

PuddleJumper 🎉🎉 7d

LeahBergen Just as @Ruthiella said … this one made me anxious 😆😆 (edited) 6d

See All 6 Comments

Ruthiella @LeahBergen Justice for Jimjams! 😭 6d

LeahBergen @Ruthiella Yes! 😭 5d

kwmg40 @Ruthiella @LeahBergen Poor Jimjams! 😢 5d

39 likes6 comments

rubyslippersreads

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

Nicky and Sadie do NOT approve this message. 😼

Except for that slightly anti-feline quote, I loved this book. Every character was interesting, even (or maybe especially) when they were unlikeable. Poor JimJams!

#FurrowedMiddleBrowClub

Sace I can see myself rereading this (despite the anti-feline vibe 😂). 5mo

Ruthiella Poor Jimjams! 😢 Love the cover! 5mo

LeahBergen Oh JimJams!!! 😭 And I hadn‘t seen this cover before. How cool! 5mo

quietjenn Oo, love that you found this cover! 5mo

CarolynM That is the best cover! 5mo

42 likes5 comments

quietjenn

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

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Realizing that I never posted about the #furrowedmiddlebrowclub book in March, mostly I guess because I finished while I was sick. I should've expected to be tense and anxious, based on other Moore books and that was certainly the case here. As predicted, I did a lot of internal screaming 😂. In a good way, though!

Ruthiella I also did a lot of nail biting! 😬😂 5mo

LeahBergen I was caught off guard by just how anxious this book made me! 😂 5mo

CarolynM It was a great read, if a little disturbing 😳 5mo

Cathythoughts Great review! Stacked 👍🏻❤️ 5mo

58 likes4 comments

CarolynM

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

#BookReport for March

Not a great reading month. Not at Home was my favourite for the month.

52 likes

bookandbedandtea

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

March wrap up. Not At Home and Here One Moment are tied for my favorites.

19 likes

Sace

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

Exactly!!! What was Jimjam‘s owner thinking?? I feel so bad for that little terrier. 😭

Ruthiella Agree. Poor Jimjams. He deserved better. 💔 5mo

49 likes1 comment

bookandbedandtea

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

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I don't know that I've ever been so glad to finish a book! The end was satisfying and I loved Elinor throughout (and Maxine! And Mory!) but this was super stressful reading! 😵‍💫 Langley Moore has created an absolutely diabolical character in Mrs Bankes. Despite the tension, this was really good.
#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

Ruthiella Awesome! Would the end be so satisfying if the beginning hadn‘t got under our skin the way it did? 🤔 5mo

LeahBergen You made it through! 😆😆 5mo

bookandbedandtea @Ruthiella No, I think we definitely have to go through all the trauma to properly enjoy the ending. 😱 5mo

bookandbedandtea @LeahBergen I feel so relieved! What an uncomfortable story. 😬😁 5mo

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Sace

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

I have to agree with Miss MacFarren and Joss. Antonia should be kept far away from animals. Like others, this book is kind of stressing me out 🤣

#FurrowedMiddleBrowClub

bookandbedandtea The birds and then the dog! This book is TOTALLY stressing me out! 🫣 6mo

LeahBergen I know!!! 😬😬 5mo

Sace @bookandbedandtea the…dog? I haven‘t gotten there yet, but I‘m getting the impression I am going to be upset. 5mo

See All 6 Comments

Ruthiella It totally stressed me out too. Hang in there. 😥👍 5mo

bookandbedandtea @Sace I'm so sorry! I had just read that part, and, being quite upset myself, I wasn't thinking of being careful about spoilers. Again, I'm sorry to have mentioned it. But, yes, brace yourself. 5mo

Sace @bookandbedandtea no worries at all! I had already seen some comments so I suspected something anyway. 5mo

53 likes6 comments

Sace

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

Image from Google.
I am really enjoying this one. Harriet is a busybody who really doesn‘t help anyone 🤣

#FurrowedMiddleBrowClub

bookandbedandtea Harriet is so annoying! Elinor needs better friends. 6mo

51 likes1 comment

bookandbedandtea

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

Y'all! Mrs Bankes hasn't even moved in yet (although a bunch of her stuff has been sent) and I. Am. Stressing. Out!

(Picture is of the only botanical print in my house 😉🌼)
#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

LeahBergen Right? This book gave me anxiety 😆😆 6mo

bookandbedandtea @LeahBergen I read a few more chapters this evening then had to give myself a break. Guess I'll be reading this a little at a time. 🫣 6mo

28 likes2 comments

CarolynM

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

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What to do when someone tramples all over your clearly set boundaries, breaks every promise they‘ve ever made and flagrantly lies whenever convenient, all with a smile on their face? No, not a politician, a thoroughly unsatisfactory tenant! Miss MacFarren‘s response, supremely well supported by the remarkable Maxine, is a delicious revenge. I felt a little sorry for Joss, but he was so easy to manipulate! And Jimjams😢
#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Jess_Read_This, Kimzey, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, LeahBergen, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, Tamra, bookandbedandtea, Teresereading, Sace, kwmg40, Ruthiella, Sparklemn, julieclair, willaful, MrsK

LeahBergen Haha! Great review! And I love the photo - don‘t let her in to your lovely home to muck up your things! 😆😆 6mo

Leftcoastzen Beautiful flowers!💐 6mo

Ruthiella Beautiful picture! 😍 For a good portion of the book, I was so stressed on Elinor‘s behalf. 🫣 6mo

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JenlovesJT47 How long do we have to read this one? I haven‘t started it yet 😳 6mo

quietjenn What a pretty picture. 6mo

Centique Wow those flowers! 😍 6mo

CarolynM @LeahBergen Thank you. And there is no way I‘d have her through my garden gate, let alone in my house! Ugh! 😆 6mo

CarolynM @Leftcoastzen @Centique Thank you - they are a sweet gift from a friend😊 6mo

CarolynM @Ruthiella Thank you 😊 I was a bit tense in the early stages, then I got cross, but once Maxine got started I was just laughing😆 6mo

CarolynM @JenlovesJT47 There‘s no time limit, you can read it any time you like. We will be starting a new Furrowed Middlebrow book in May, but no worries if you are only just getting around to this one then, or even later 🙂 6mo

CarolynM @quietjenn Thank you 😊 6mo

TrishB You have a very belated birthday book ready to collect! I‘m not sure if you get notification so just letting you know 😘 6mo

74 likes12 comments

Ruthiella

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

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Be free my little friends!

Oh Jimjams. I had flashbacks to Mr. Jones in “Murder While You Work” 😱🐶💔

Quiet, middle aged Miss MacFarren takes in a lodger to make ends meet. Mrs. Banks comes with great references…but something‘s not right. Should have listened to your gut instinct Elinor MacFarren! This is a kind of domestic horror (the housekeeping kind-no blood or guts) with a little romance & film satire tossed in.

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Jess_Read_This, Kimzey, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, LeahBergen, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, batsy, Tamra, bookandbedandtea, Teresereading, Sace, kwmg40, Sparklemn, julieclair, willaful, MrsK

LeahBergen Oh, Jimjams! And those starving little birds! I could‘ve killed that woman!!! Wasn‘t she FOUL? 6mo

LeahBergen And you are so right … the domestic/housekeeping “horror” was so anxiety-inducing that I thought I might need some meds! 🤣🤣 It was like my worst nightmare. 🤣🤣 6mo

Ruthiella @LeahBergen She did not suffer enough! 😠 I‘m not sure the psychology was right. I‘ve known children responsible enough to care for pets! 😱 6mo

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LeahBergen @Ruthiella Exactly! Me, too. 😠 6mo

quietjenn I am still pretty early in the book, but yes! I keep wanting to yell "There is a housing shortage! You can be choosy! If you take an instant dislike, there is a reason!' 6mo

Ruthiella @quietjenn You‘re gonna do a lot of shouting! 😂 6mo

CarolynM I love your photo and opening line 🤣 What a horror Tonia was! But I loved Maxine😆 6mo

Ruthiella @CarolynM Thanks! 😊 Maxine was delightful! 6mo

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LeahBergen

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

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Middle-aged spinster, Miss MacFarren, is reduced to taking in a lodger at the end of WWII. Mrs. Bankes comes highly recommended and seems perfect but problems arise on the very first day. To save her beautiful house filled with antiques, Miss MacFarren must find a way to somehow rid herself of this horrible tenant and a course of “domestic warfare” begins. I loved it and think it‘s now my favourite book by this author!

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

TheBookHippie Oh I love the Stafford dogs! 6mo

ShelleyBooksie Love those bookends!! 6mo

Tamra Cute! 😍 6mo

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Ruthiella I found the start unbearably tense… the damage 😱the poor birds 😱 Mrs. Manders 😱! But, at the 30% mark, relief (and romance) is in the air. I hope (suspect) the comeuppance will be satisfying! 😆 6mo

rubyslippersreads Gog and Magog! 6mo

LeahBergen @TheBookHippie @ShelleyBooksie @Tamra Thanks! 😄 6mo

LeahBergen @Ruthiella I was so anxious at the start! 😬😆 6mo

LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads Pretty close! 😆 6mo

CarolynM Lovely review and fantastic photo😍 I‘m about 50 pages in and I agree it feels a bit tense so far @Ruthiella 6mo

MemoirsForMe Stunning bookends! 😍 6mo

LeahBergen @CarolynM Thanks! I can‘t wait to hear if it gives you “tchotchke anxiety”, too. 😂 6mo

LeahBergen @MemoirsForMe Thanks!😊 6mo

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LeahBergen

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

As someone who collects (odd) antiques myself … this book is giving me anxiety.

Miss MacFarren, please get rid of the “bull in a china shop” lodger. I fear for the safety of your Gallé cats! ??

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

Leftcoastzen What quirky cats ! 6mo

Ruthiella Those are quite quirky!😹Thanks for the research. I‘m also quite worried about the lodger… It doesn‘t bode well. 🙀 6mo

quietjenn I think the cats are a little worried too 😹 6mo

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Cathythoughts A bull in a china shop lodger …. Oh no 😳😂 6mo

LeahBergen @Leftcoastzen @Ruthiella They are quirky! I had to look them up and couldn‘t believe how “modern” they looked for the era. They are circa 1900 but look almost 1980s. 😆😆 6mo

LeahBergen @Ruthiella And yes, the lodger has me biting my fingernails! 6mo

LeahBergen @quietjenn 😂😂 6mo

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts It‘s seriously making me anxious! She‘s broken all sorts of things, got cigarette burns on others, and now she‘s using the expensive cats as doorstops! 😂😂 (edited) 6mo

CarolynM Those cats give me the creeps🥺 Looking forward to starting the book, though🙂 6mo

LeahBergen @CarolynM I had to look them up after the description of them in the book! 😆 6mo

elkeOriginal Lodger 😬 but cats🥰 5mo

Rissreadswithcats I love these cats! Very funky! 🩷💙 4mo

73 likes12 comments

LitsyEvents

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

Repost for @Ruthiella

Hello #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub reading friends! Our second group read of 2025 kicks off in March. This‘ll be the 3rd title from Moore that we‘ve read together. IMO her books aren‘t particularly cosy- they definitely have a few sharp edges. Let‘s see how this one turns out🤔 Read at your own pace & be sure to tag the group when you post. Anyone is welcome to join us. Let @Ruthiella know if you want to be added to the tag list

Ruthiella Thank you! 😊 6mo

28 likes1 comment

Ruthiella

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

Hello #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub reading friends! Our 2nd group read of 2025 kicks off in March. This‘ll be the 3rd title from Moore that we‘ve read together. IMO her books aren‘t particularly cosy - they definitely have a few sharp edges. Let‘s see how this one turns out. 🤔

Read at your own pace and be sure to tag the group when you post.

Any one is welcome to join us. Please let me know if you‘d like to be added or removed from the tag list.

Ruthiella @LitsyEvents 6mo

willaful Sadly I can't find this at any of my libraries, so probably will have to miss out. :-( Even interlibrary loan can't get it. 6mo

Ruthiella @willaful Well that‘s disappointing! ☹️ 6mo

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CarolynM Looking forward to this one even more than usual😃 Doris Langley Moore is becoming a favourite with me. 6mo

bookandbedandtea This author is new to me. Looking forward to it. 😀 6mo

Tamra Thank you! 😁 6mo

Ruthiella @CarolynM I know. The two we‘ve read so far have been witty and with a bite. 👍 6mo

Ruthiella @bookandbedandtea I hope you enjoy it. 😃We‘ve previously read in the group from the same author All Done by Kindness and

My Caravaggio Style

(edited) 6mo

Ruthiella @Tamra You are welcome! 🙏 6mo

LeahBergen Yay!! I‘m looking forward to this as I so enjoyed the previous two! 6mo

LeahBergen @willaful I see that there‘s a Kindle version on Amazon for $3.99 (if you read e-books) 6mo

quietjenn Thanks for the reminder. I hope we like this one as much as the other. I'm more than ok with a little bite in my reading right now. 😏 6mo

Ruthiella @LeahBergen I‘m super curious about it! 6mo

Ruthiella @quietjenn I‘m looking for to finding out what this one is about. 6mo

Kimzey Thanks! Looking forward to it. 6mo

Ruthiella @Kimzey Me too! 6mo

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Sace

Not at Home | Doris Langley Moore

Thanks to some kindle credits I got the next selection for the #furrowedmiddlebrowclub for free!

Ruthiella Awesome! 6mo

LeahBergen Yay!! 👏👏 6mo

48 likes2 comments

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