In Memory of Caroline

We lost a dear friend, Caroline McElwee, just before Christmas 2025. She was someone that I admired and will greatly miss. I thought it appropriate that we have a place to post books that we are reading in memory of her, whether it was a book she recommended to you, or a book from her library - however you want to remember her.



She was one of the awesome ones!

ETA: Link to Caroline's profile page: https://www.librarything.com/profile/Caroline_McElwee

ETA: Many thanks to Laura for this! Here is a link to Caroline's reviews: https://www.librarything.com/reviews/Caroline_McElwee

My first read for the year in memory of Caroline will be Alone by Daniel Schreiber. Caroline recommended this book back in 2023. About time I get around to reading it: https://www.librarything.com/work/27125316/reviews/253604421

Thank you for doing this, Stasia. I am not sure how quickly I will get to it but I am setting aside, in my new and growing 2026 pile of books to read, a BB I got from Caroline's review: The Notebook. She loved it and that spoke to me, too so I purchased it.

>3 jessibud2: I figure people will read what they can as they can, Shelley. There are no time constraints here. I am glad that you can participate! I have over 40 books in the BlackHole that Caroline recommended at one point or another, so it just seemed like the thing to do, to set up a thread in her memory.

>3 jessibud2: My daughter has been urging me to read The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper, so that's me on board with that one.

Everyone probably remembers that The Great Gatsby was one of Caroline's favorite books (if not THE favorite), and that she read it nearly every year. She finally persuaded me to read it for the first time in 2010, so it's time for me to revisit it.

>5 laytonwoman3rd: She got me to re-read The Great Gatsby, Linda, even though I disliked it intensely the first time I read it, lol. I still did not love it after my re-read of it, but I did not hate it quite as much :)

I am going to see if I can find a copy of The Notebook too. . .

What a lovely idea, Stasia.

I am going to read Scaffolding by Lauren Elkin which Caroline read on the 19 June 2024 and which she gave 4.5 stars, as my Caroline Memorial Read for January.

>1 alcottacre: Stasia, thank you so much for creating this thread.

>5 laytonwoman3rd: Everyone probably remembers that The Great Gatsby was one of Caroline's favorite books (if not THE favorite), and that she read it nearly every year.

Caroline's most recent re-read was n October 2025. On this 47th reading she decided to post a review for the first time. I feel strangely grateful to her for doing so: Caroline's Review, October 10, 2025

I just finished a re-read of The Great Gatsby myself, and will peruse her catalogue for other books to read in 2026.

>8 lauralkeet: No problem, Laura.

I am adding a link to Caroline's profile page so that if interested, you can easily find the contents of her library. I wish I knew how to link her reviews through the years. . .

>5 laytonwoman3rd:: I bought that one too, based on Caro's recommendation. Perhaps I'll make that my first read for 2026.

I have updated the initial post with a link to Caroline's profile page and a link to all of her reviews, thanks to Laura.

Thank you for this. I think I will have to reread The Great Gatsby in Caroline's memory.

>12 alcottacre:: Brilliant, Stasia and Laura!

>13 AlisonY: I am glad you can join in, Alison.

>14 tiffin: Most of the brilliance is Laura's, Tui!

Thank you for opening this thread, Stasia.

I plan to read The Notebook.

>16 DianaNL: Welcome, Diana. I am looking forward to seeing everyone's reads throughout the year.

I finished my first book in Caroline's memory, Alone: Reflections on Solitary Living by Daniel Schreiber, and found it to be (unsurprisingly) excellent since Caroline recommended it. Her review of it is here: https://www.librarything.com/work/27125316/reviews/253604421

Oh dear, I have been away for a while (summer, Christmas etc.) and am only hearing this news now. What sad news. I'm really sorry to hear it.

The Great Gatsby is one of hers that I have also reread a few times...though not nearly as many times as she had! Inspiration!

>1 alcottacre: thanks for setting this up

I finished The Great Gatsby by audio book in Caroline's memory (a reread for me). Review is on my thread: https://www.librarything.com/topic/377188#n9091368

I generally avoid rereading as a rule, but I'm glad I reread this - it was fantastic. I would have loved discussing it with Caroline.

>21 AlisonY: I had a very similar experience -- I'm not a re-reader generally, but was really glad I re-read Gatsby.

>20 dchaikin: No problem, Daniel.

>21 AlisonY: >22 lauralkeet: Well, Caroline got me to re-read it and that is saying something since I did not like it the first time I read it, lol. I am glad to see that you both enjoyed your re-reads of the book!

For February, I will be reading Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark in memory of Caroline.

>24 alcottacre: I thought Red Comet was excellent, and was particularly interesting on stuff that doesn't get so much attention in every bio of Sylvia. It is very long, and it is a huge hardback book - I was very relieved when it came up as a 99p Kindle deal just as I started reading it - I could look at the hardback for photographs etc, but it was much more comfortable to read on my Kindle.

>25 elkiedee: Thanks for the input on Red Comet, Luci. I will have to see how much it is on the Kindle even though I own the paperback edition. I do not do a lot of reading on my Kindle, preferring the paper books, but I may have to make an exception for this one.

>24 alcottacre:, >25 elkiedee: I too thought Red comet was an excellent read. It was very balanced in the treatment of Sylvia's relationship with Ted Hughes, rather than making one of them the angel and the other the demon, as seems to happen too often.

>25 elkiedee: and >27 Sakerfalcon: I was interested in the detailed account of Sylvia growing up in the 40s and 50s, and her development as a writer. Her father died very young and her widowed mother was ambitious and aspirational for her children, but money was always incredibly tight, and if Sylvia could get paid for magazine stories or win cash prizes, alongside more typical teenage jobs like babysitting, she could buy clothes and meet some of her other living costs as a student. I think this background was incredibly important in establishing Ted Hughes as someone who could make a living as a writer and poet, because she was already experienced in researching the market, selling her work and Ted's, looking for writing related ways of earning money.

I think it's the most feminist biography I've read of Sylvia Plath, well that and a book which is a kind of biography of a hotel in New York City and some of the women who stayed there: The Barbizon Hotel: The New York Hotel That Set Women Free - though that subtitle doesn't really describe my memory of the book so well. I meant to write a review, and have just realised it is three years since I read it!

>27 Sakerfalcon: >28 elkiedee: I am not quite 50 pages into the book so Hughes has not yet made an appearance. I read a biography of Plath many, many years ago but do not remember a single thing about it. I suspect that it was one of those with the angel/demon thing going on.

Thank you for the mention of The Barbizon Hotel, Luci. I will see if I can get hold of it soon.

Bitter Fame by Anne Stevens was apparently very influenced by TH's sister Olwyn, so probably demonises Plath.

By talking about feminist literary biography, I would say I don't mean a book that demonises a man such as TH, or men in general, or is about a woman as a victim. Red Comet is very detailed about all her life, writing, education etc, and all the other people who played a part in her life and development.

>30 elkiedee: I just read about how Olwyn hated Sylvia, so I suspect you are right about Bitter Fame.

I have never thought about a book being a feminist literary biography, so appreciate the clarification, Luci.

I just read The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper, a 5-star read for Caroline. I remember being intrigued when she posted about it on her thread. Seems like just yesterday but it was actually 2023. What took me so long? It's a wonderful book. You can find my review on the book page if you're interested.

>32 lauralkeet: The Notebook is one of Caroline's recommendations that I hope to get to at some point, Laura. I am very happy to hear that you enjoyed it so much!

As soon as I am done with Red Comet for my February memorial reading, I will be reading Middlemarch and the Imperfect Life by Pamela Erens. I reread Middlemarch last year for the third? fourth? time, so I am looking forward to reading this one.

For my April memorial read, I am going to read Writing in the Dark by Will Loxley.

>33 alcottacre:: Stasia, re The Notebook, I've been reading it in between other books and have just been loving it. It doesn't suit my brain to read it in one go at the moment, but it is just about perfect for an interlude with a cup of tea and a biscuit.

>36 tiffin: That is great, Tui! I am glad you are enjoying it. I need to get to it one of these days. If only my local library would cooperate in getting it!

I'm reading The Hare With Amber Eyes and thinking of Caroline as I read it. I was very enthused about Letters to Camondo, and Caroline recommended I read his other book too.

My May read will be Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench with Brendan O'Hea.

That's a great book, Stasia. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

By the way, May 9 is Caroline's birthday, another reason to read a book in her memory.

>40 lauralkeet: The book has been on my radar for a while now. I recently watched an episode of "Who Do You Think You Are" that featured Judi Dench - and it held some surprises.

I did not know about Caroline's birthday coming up shortly. Maybe I will start the book on the ninth in commemoration. . .

I'm trying to think of something special to do on the 9th. Perhaps a trip to my favourite garden centre to get a rose to plant in Caro's honour.

>43 tiffin: That sounds like a wonderful idea, Tui!

I am accidentally reading another book for Caroline Memorial reads this month. I signed up to read This Is Happiness by Niall Williams for a May TIOLI challenge, not realizing that it was a book which Caroline gave 4.5 stars, so I have double incentive to finish it! Lol

I've just read Go tell it on the mountain by one of Caroline's favourite authors, James Baldwin. It was she and @kidzdoc whose reviews and comments got me to read Baldwin and I am very thankful for it.

>46 Sakerfalcon: Go Tell It on the Mountain is a terrific read, IMHO. I am very glad that you enjoyed it, Claire!

ETA: I still have not decided on a Caroline Memorial read for June. It may wait until I am back from out of town. We will see.

>46 Sakerfalcon: Great! I'm glad that you enjoyed Go Tell It on the Mountain, Claire.

>47 alcottacre: I do want to read at least one book this summer in honor of Caroline, Stasia. I had chosen one, but I can't remember which one it was. This also reminds me that I haven't sent her sister the photos I took of us and other members of LibraryThing during meetups in London, including Claire, Heather, Luci, Joe, Debbi and several others.

ETA: I see that Caroline read Ripeness, which I believe is the latest novel by Sarah Moss, who is one of my favorite authors. It's received many positive reviews here, including 4½ stars by Caroline, and since I have a copy of it on my Kindle I'll plan to read it, probably in July. I'll have to go back to see if she's read either The Mandarins or Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter by Simone de Beauvoir, as I plan to read both books next month.

>47 alcottacre:, >48 kidzdoc: It was a powerful read, though so far Another country is my favourite by Baldwin. But I have a lot more to read!

>49 Sakerfalcon: Giovanni's Room is definitely my favorite Baldwin novel, although I also gave 5 stars to Go Tell It on the Mountain, and 4½ stars to Another Country. So far my favorite book of 2026 is Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas Boggs, which is easily one of the best and most insightful biographies I've ever read. I now have a much deeper understanding and appreciation of James Baldwin, and I intend to reread all of his works in order, stating with Go Tell It on the Mountain, over the next three or four years.

ETA: Caroline did read and rate The Mandarins, but it appears she didn't get to Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter, although it is in her library.

>48 kidzdoc: I have a stack of books that I bought because of Caroline's reviews, Darryl. It is just a matter of deciding which to read!

>49 Sakerfalcon: I have read several of Baldwin's books but not that one. I will have to see if I can find a copy of Another Country. Thanks for the recommendation, Claire.

>51 alcottacre: According to LibraryThing Caroline and I own just over 900 books in common, so I shouldn't have much trouble finding books to read in her honor!

>52 kidzdoc: Wow! I should think not!

I have settled on reading A Flat Place by Noreen Masud for my Caroline Memorial read in June.

>48 kidzdoc: I agree very much with Caroline's review of Ripeness - we probably both read it coincidentally at a similar time, though this must be because we had a chance to read it soon after publication. I have it on Kindle too.

>46 Sakerfalcon: Another Country is very much my favourite Baldwin too, Claire. I first read it aged 14, by mistake - it was a library copy in Leeds, which for some reason had no dustjacket, I have no idea why because library copies are regularly bound up with the jacket (as a librarian like yourself would know!) If I really was 16 this was 1983, some years after publication. I think now it would be unusual to find a more than 20 year old novel in a public library in such an edition. I love Penguin Modern Classics with introductions but I might not have ever read it or only much later - with The Color Purple - yes the Women's Press must had a huge boost from people wanting to read the actual novel behind Spielberg's film, really started me off with African-American Lit - later I read more library finds then in my pick and mix Combined Studies Degree Course - who needs to choose 1 subject when you can put your own course together? I had options in America in the 50s and American in the 60s and 70s.

>54 alcottacre: I have A flat place on kindle. Thanks for reminding me about it, and that it was one of Caroline’s books too. I’ll try to read it soon. Looking forward to your thoughts on it!

>55 elkiedee: The color purple was one of my A level English texts, which must also have boosted sales!
My copy of Another country has is a book club edition with an attractive dust jacket which no doubt encouraged me to buy it from the charity shop where I found it.

>56 Sakerfalcon: I have A Flat Place TBR on my Kindle too. Women's Non fiction prize listed in 2024, when Doppelganger by Naomi Klein won??? - not checked.

Confession: I had a crush on a gay film actor - I'm sure you know, Claire, but how well known is he in the US? I don't know if I knew he was gay but as a young man Rupert Everett was very beautiful. I thought somehow this book might be connected to the film also called Another Country . Actually it's based on a play, Another Country, set in the 1930s, loosely based on the true story of spy/traitor Guy Burgess. Everett's character is called Guy Bennett. (That's not a subtle reference).

There are lots of other books, films, musical recordings etc called Another Country too - and on Goodreads, I discovered that a so called duplicate was actually two entirely different novels wrongly merged. Baldwin and Anjali Joseph. It annoys me because I had my Librarian status removed, I think unfairly, for something with much less impact and yet no action is taken against this more serious stuff.

>53 alcottacre: Right, Stasia!

>54 alcottacre: A Flat Place sounds interesting. I'll watch this space to see what y'all think of it.

>55 elkiedee: I'm glad that you were as fond of Ripeness as Caroline was, Luci. I should finish The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by this afternoon, then I'll get started on The Mandarins by Simone de Beauvoir and Ripeness. I'll probably read both books simultaneously at some point, as it will be much easier to carry my Kindle outdoors and read Ripeness than my hefty HarperPerennial edition of The Mandarins.

That's very interesting on how you came to read Another Country, and how it influenced you to read African American literature!

>58 kidzdoc: I will keep you posted, Darryl.

>57 elkiedee: We watched the film of Another country in my final weeks of secondary school, when teaching had finished but before leaving day*. Our teacher let people suggest things to watch in class. I suspect my classmate recommended it for Everett at least as much as for the plot! I didn't become aware of the Baldwin novel until I was old enough to realise it was unlikely the two were linked!

* We didn't have exams; my GCSE English was 100% coursework, all of which had been submitted.

I just love how Caro's LT friends are carrying on with reading her book choices and recommendations. It helps to keep her *alive* for me although missing her is still a daily thought and feeling. Bless your hearts, all of you.

>60 Sakerfalcon: Wow, that sounds fun. One of my English teachers invited us to bring our records in, some time in 4th or 5th year. I definitely took in the most challenging, totally unaware of what it was, and I wasn't trying to show off, just a weirdo I guess. I hope that didn't get him into trouble and he just found anohter job, because he left not so long after.

We were really engaged in discussion. Lou Reed, Walk on the Wild Side - will come back to play with touchstones and see if they work later, but sometimes it's just interesting to play with the touchstones here. I feel that his second album Transformer is really like a collection of short stories in musical form. Also several Bowie albums, also Bruce Springsteen, also Dolly Parton... not just men, not just white people of course.

I recently heard that my French & Latin teacher at school died, aged 88, just last year. And that a friend's speculation, much more recently, that our teacher had a gay lover and rushed off to the boat train from Leeds to Paris every weekend, was probably entirely true. Eric Smith was involved in gay rights from the 1970s, and his local Labour Party. Never in a million years would I have guessed all this, but my classmate must have heard some plausible rumours on the grapevine.

For July, I will be reading Everything I’ve Ever Done That Worked by Lesley Garner for my Caroline Memorial read.

>63 alcottacre: - I read and enjoyed that one a year or so ago, Stasia.

>64 jessibud2: Good to know! Thanks, Shelley.