Happy Bank Holiday to those it affects – and Happy Persephone Reading Week, which is just kicking off! Thanks to Claire and Verity for organising it. For those not in the know, we’ll spend the week reading as many or as few Persephone Books as we can, posting reviews and thoughts and competitions etc. – all in praise of that very wonderful publisher. In the incredibly unlikely event that you don’t know who Persephone are, see more here.
So, this post is to see which Persephone Books you’re planning on reading? I was going to be all spontaneous, 
but got less so as I thought about it. I’m definitely re-reading Miss Ranskill Comes Home by Barbara Euphan Todd, because my book group are discussing it in a fortnight’s time. I’m keen to read Little Boy Lost by Marghanita Laski, and it’s getting ridiculous how often I’ve intended to read Saplings by Noel Streatfeild. What with Jude the Obscure on the go, that might be more than enough for the week… we’ll see.
Let me know if you’re joining in (those four of you who I already know won’t be, don’t worry about letting me know!) and which books you’re considering… or if you fancy a recommendation, I’ll do my best!
I'm definitely participating. I'll be reviewing a few books I've already read but haven't reviewed yet – They Were Sisters and Fidelity. I'm currently reading To Bed With Grand Music.
I'm reading Someone at a Distance as I think I must be the last Persephone Books fan that has not yet read Dorothy Whipple. I've actually started it and so far am enjoying it greatly. I think I will only manage one, but maybe I can read/reread one of the shorter books. I also think I'm due for a book order–it's been at least a year since I've bought any and I am afraid I've probably been dropped from their mailing list (and of course I want more Persephones!).
I will be reading Mariana by Monica Dickens. It is my first book by them but I have been poring over the website and catalogue. The only thing holding me back is price. :)
I'll be reading Cheerful Weather for the Wedding and maybe a few surprises, depending on how quick the library is with its transfers this week! I have Someone at a Distance sitting in my TBR pile, but I'm saving that for as a treat for later in the year. Persephones are few on the ground here and must be rationed!
I may be one of the few who didnt know very very much of Persephone so I was glad for the link as I did go and read it up. thanks.f
Wow, what a stack of dove gray goodness.
I'm definitely readingFew Eggs and No Oranges, and then waffling which of my other three unread Persephones to go for. Have to ration the ones I have! :)
Ah Si – Jude the Obscure, written by a man who knew his Dorset (c.f. the Moths tale) and indeed his Oxford. A book that has the great advantage of a plot that runs chronologically rather than what my grandmother would call "jumping about". I think I've been recommending Jude to you for well over a decade.
PS – am I one of the four not expected to be readaing Persephone?
I'm in the middle of To Bed With Grand Music and thenI'll see where my mood takes me. I'm hoping too to read a non-Persephone by a Persephone author, or maybe an "if you like Persephone you'll like this too" book. If only there were more hours in the day!
Thanks for the promotion Simon! Hope you have fun joining in
Ha, Simon, this post amused me and I LOVE your infectious enthusiasm. You have always been such an advocate for Persephone Reading Week.
I did plan some books last month but now I'm taking the whimsical approach and reading where my mood takes me. I am currently reading Brook Evans, which I picked up on Friday before seeing you.
I'm definitely taking part but I don't think I'll have time to read more than one book – so inconvenient having a job and friends, really! I've picked up Housebound to start on today and I'll see what else I can fit in.
Jude the Obscure is one of my favourite books – I LOVE depressing books so much. Which is why I love Hardy in general. Tess of the D'urbervilles, as well – I mean, talk about putting you through the wringer! The letter under the mat still haunts me!
Despite being "on the road," I did pack a couple of Persephones to join in the fun. I'm reading Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day right now and I also have The Making of a Marchioness with me. (I'm not sure if I have another one with me or not — we packed a small crate of books for the trunk of the car [I think ya'll call it a "boot"] to be our portable library while we travel through the northeastern U.S.) I'm hoping to find a bookstore along the way that will have some more, but I know I can't count on it. At any rate, I'm enjoying Miss Pettigrew and participating in my first Persephone Week! :)
It's the"Montana" stories by Katherine Mansfield for me. I have neglected her for far too long & it's time to get re-aquainted.
Whipple's High Wages is already reviewed and up on My Porch. Still to come this week is The Making of A Marchioness, Greenery Street, and the Runaway. Plus a few other bits and bobs in between.
I finished my first Persephone, Hetty Dorval, just in time for Persephone week. It was one of my purchases when I went to the shop on Friday. (The others were Every Eye and Tell It to a Stranger.) IO doubt I'll manage it, but I'd love to find time to read another this week, either one of the new purchases, which are all short, or one of the several longer books on my shelf: Someone at a Distance, The Village, House-Bound, Mariana, and Family Roundabout.
I picked up The Carlyles at Home, by Thea Holme, during my last excursion to Lamb's Conduit Street, and today seems like just the sort of rainy Monday to give it a read. Thanks!
I have a persephone related book on the go which i'm a bit excited about, and am planning to read making conversation next, then if there's any time left I'll see what looks good…
I'm going to read Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. I have been saving it especially for the Reading Week and it will also be the first Persehone I have read (I suspect the first of many).
I'm just starting Little Boy Lost by Marganita Laski. It's my 3rd Persephone – but I have about six more on the pile …