The Classics Club announced a Women’s Classic Literature Event for 2016 and I thought it would be a good idea to take part in it. I have a shelf full of Viragos, some of which I’ve owned for years, but I’ve only got around to reading about half of them so far. This event is just what I need to get me moving to read the rest of them – well maybe that’s a wee bit ambitious, but I certainly intend to read as many as I can fit in. It’s about time I concentrated on reading books that I actually own anyway.
So the books that I still have to read from this shelf are:
1. A Favourite of the Gods by Sybille Bedford
2. Her Son’s Wife by Dorothy Canfield
3. Crossriggs by Jane and Mary Findlater
4. The World My Wilderness by Rose Macaulay
5. Jasmine by Bharati Mukherjee
6. Salem Chapel by Mrs Oliphant
7. Not So Quiet by Helen Zenna Smith
8. On the Frontier by Stevie Smith
9. A Dedicated Man by Elizabeth Taylor
10. The Harsh Voice by Rebecca West
11. Chatterton Square by E.H. Young
I’m definitely going to read Crossriggs by Jane and Mary Findlater soon because that can also count towards the Read Scotland 2016 Challenge – there’s still time to join in with that challenge if you fancy it.
I want to read Her Son’s Wife soonish, but if you’ve read and loved any of the books in this list maybe you could recommend them to me as books to get to sooner rather than later.
On another related subject – what do you think of the new Virago publications? I must admit that I prefer the old green covers, they have messed up my nice green shelf as far as I’m concerned by changing the colour and style. I really don’t like change just for the sake of it – do you think it’s my age or something?!
I thought Salem Chapel was a bit dreary – especially compared with Miss Marjoribanks – but I read it years ago, and I’m due for a re-read. Some of the other authors & titles are new to me (Helen Zenna Smith & Stevie Smith), so I’ll look forward to hearing more about them. And I absolutely agree with you about the change to the covers!
Lisa,
Oh dear, and Salem Chapel is quite a chunkster too, I haven’t read anything by Oliphant before but I know that Miss Marjoribanks (pronounced Marchbanks!) is very well liked.
Looks like you’ve got some good reading ahead! I wonder why Virago changed their covers? All that green looks so nice on a shelf and also makes them easy to spot among other books.
Stefanie,
Yes I often quickly scan secondhand bookshops for green Viragos and they just jump out at you. I think people nowadays just feel they have to change things for no reason at all, it’s very annoying though.
Katrina,
I’m very interested in your list of titles, and this challenge sounds fascinating. I’m so overwhelmed work-wise today, this very day, that I can’t see myself marching forward on this particular challenge. But I can’t wait to read your thoughts as you read the books.
Yeah, Orhan Pamuk’s a man, but I could do a Snow readalong. I’m just afraid that I’m slower than you are at finishing a book these days. The first 40 pages of Snow were marvelous, as I recall.
Judith
Judith,
I’ve been devouring books as I’m lucky enough not to be doing much more than reading. Our weather has been terrible over the last few months so I’ve just been keeping out of the rain! I’ll probably read books and if you happen to read the same ones at some point in the future – we can compare notes. I hope you’re enjoying your work, I’m intrigued.