Books are still coming into the house faster than I can possibly read them. Even although I don’t work nowadays I still only manage to read at most two books a week, unless I’m on a vintage crime binge and then I can read more. When you consider that most weeks my book ownership is going up by four or so books, you’ll realise that I’m never going to be in a position of having nothing at all to read.
Last week I bought:
The North Wind of Love by Compton Mackenzie
The Casino by Margaret Bonham
The Ladies of Lyndon by Margaret Kennedy
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin
I was under the impression that The North Wind of Love was the beginning of Mackenzie’s ‘Four Winds of Love’ series – but it isn’t.
I’ve never read anything by Margaret Kennedy but I know lots of bloggers love her books so I’m hopeful.
I’ve also never read anything by Margaret Bonham but it’s a Persephone so I think it’ll probably be good.
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is pure nostalgia. All of my childhood books were given away by my mother when my back was turned, I think my Rebecca book was a cheap paperback, but I couldn’t resist this hardback from 1903. I love its cover and I’ve just realised that it’s a first edition, not that I’m bothered by such things, and it seems to be dirt cheap on the internet anyway.
Have you read any of these books?
I recently bought a copy of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm as well! An old paperback, in my case. Your post about A Cathedral Courtship got me thinking about it, and how long it’s been since I’ve read it. I also found a nice copy of A Cathedral Courtship, an edition with Penelope’s English Experiences – and an inscription from a previous owner in 1897!
Lisa,
After I wrote that post I realised I also have a Tales of King Arthur book by her too, I think I’m turning into a collector of her old books. That Cathedral Courtship sounds very like mine. I love books with inscriptions in them but I don’t ever write anything in my own books, maybe I should, in pencil. Maybe just my name, date and the place I bought the book.
After not having bought any books for just over a month I ordered a few from the Book Depository over the weekend including The Wedding Group by Elizabeth Taylor – the last Taylor I had left to buy. I haven’t read any of your new arrivals, but they all look great! That cover of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is gorgeous.
Anbolyn,
I think I would have bought that Rebecca book no matter what was inside it as I love the cover. I have quite a few of Elizabeth Taylor books but I haven’t read The Wedding Group.
Of those, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is the only one I’ve read, and that was when I was a child. It was a favorite book of my mother’s. I love books with what I called ‘illustrated covers’, like your Rebecca. Who needs or wants a dust jacket with a lovely cover like that.
Joan,
I have some lovely old book covers, some of which I will probably never read as they are from the Religious Tract Society!! But I couldn’t resist them.
Katrina,
I’m so glad you recovered a wonderful, era-appropriate copy of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. Kudos!
I will be curious to see how you like the Kennedy title. I’ve never heard of her, so my interest is piqued.
Ken and I must go on a used book store jaunt now that we’re in between the Winter fun season (which never really happened) and decent Spring weather. There’s the Owl and Pen, which is at least a 4-5 hour time commitment, but I think it would be fun because it is a coveted used and rare books destination. I think I can persuade him. Soon, I hope.
Judith,
It’s such a shame that your winter weather was such a let down as I know you love it. A 4-5 hour round trip seems a long way to go to a bookshop it must be really special. I hope you are lucky when you do get there.
I read The Casino last year and loved it — I’m terrible at remembering specific short stories, but I remember loving it and apparently gave it 5 stars on Goodreads. I’ve mostly had good luck with all the Persephone short story collections, though I’m terrible at reviewing them.
And that’s a beautiful copy of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. I’ve never read it but I just might have to keep my eyes out if I find one as beautiful as that.
Karen K.
I don’t think you reviewed The Casino on Books and Chocolate and we’re not friends on Goodreads – I’m sure I failed your question! So far I’ve enjoyed all of the Persephones that I’ve read so I have high hopes.