Project 24: Book #1

As mentioned, I’m only buying 24 books this year. Two a month. We’re nearly halfway through February, and I have bought my first book – so I am doing well with my rations!

It’s always interesting (to me, at least) to see which books come to the fore in a Project 24 year. It’s an opportunity to buy some of the books that might otherwise not be in my budget, and probably not so much the year for experimenting on new names – and the first book I bought, by post, is by an author I adore.

In our recent Tea or Books? episode, Claire mentioned that The Flowering Thorn is one of her favourite books by Margery Sharp. I do have quite a few unread Sharps, but I didn’t have that one. And when I googled to see which secondhand copies were available, I came across this one. Well, I couldn’t be expect to resist that cover, could I?

I’m very happy with this one as a Project 24 title, and I’m looking forward to diving in before too long.

22 thoughts on “Project 24: Book #1

  • February 10, 2022 at 12:53 am
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    Nice copy. This is one I don’t have, hunt initiated today.

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    • February 10, 2022 at 8:33 pm
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      Fab! There is a POD/ebook available, but obviously not quite as lovely.

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  • February 10, 2022 at 1:20 am
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    The only Margery Sharp I’ve read is Rhododrendron Pie, which was fun and very clever. I put Sharp on my “read more” list. Hopefully, you’ll get to Flowering Thorns soon!

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    • February 10, 2022 at 8:32 pm
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      I have that one in the Dean Street Press reprint, but not yet read. She’s so great, and thankfully prolific.

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  • February 10, 2022 at 1:23 am
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    This may also be my favorite of her books. It’s certainly a comfort read. But the cover on my book is pretty boring compared to yours.

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    • February 10, 2022 at 8:32 pm
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      Excellent! I’m looking forward to diving in.

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    • February 10, 2022 at 8:31 pm
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      I have no doubts!

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  • February 10, 2022 at 1:58 am
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    I like that cover and your 24 books idea. If I only count print books I buy, it is possible I could stick to that number, if I don’t count Kindle and Little Free Library books. I like that goal of 24 book purchases, maybe I will try it.

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    • February 10, 2022 at 8:31 pm
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      Yes, I’m still allowing myself audiobooks, which should help. Glad to have you on board!

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  • February 10, 2022 at 4:44 am
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    Oh, my, this looks delicious (at least the Amazon preview made me want to go on and on, in full Cluny Brown/Nutmeg Tree mode). And I will like any book that takes its title from Robert Burns (“…that wantons through the flowering thorn…”). But why must it be one of only 24 books in the year? It’s not expensive…

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    • February 10, 2022 at 8:31 pm
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      Yes, I love her most in Cluny Brown/Nutmeg Tree mode :) And the answer is simple – space!

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    • February 10, 2022 at 8:30 pm
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      I knew I could rely on people here :D

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  • February 10, 2022 at 6:49 pm
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    Lovely! My copy doesn’t have a dustjacket, I am coveting yours :-)

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    • February 10, 2022 at 8:30 pm
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      I am so pleased with it!

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  • February 11, 2022 at 12:47 am
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    The 1947 paperback of The Flowering Thorn features a cartoony illustration with a girl in a strapless red polka dot bikini, high heels, and a armful of bangles. Appealing to a very different crowd!

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  • February 11, 2022 at 9:56 am
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    You’ve done well to hold out for so long. I know many people are doing book buying vans but they will never work for me. Your approach is much more doable. I suspect it will make you really think about what books to buy and to treasure those you do – maybe value if the more than if you’d just bought everything in a whim?

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  • February 19, 2022 at 3:55 pm
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    Not to imply you might be tempted to cheat but books you buy for others but happen to read first do not count against any self-or-other-imposed purchasing quotas!

    Hope you are making a good recovery.

    Constance

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  • February 21, 2022 at 10:34 pm
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    Gorgeous! I’ve only read a few of her books, but I find her consistently charming.

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  • March 1, 2022 at 6:08 pm
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    Oh I loved that one, one of my favorites by Margery Sharp so far (though what could top Cluny Brown?). I only read it on ebook but I would snap up that copy in a minute if I could find one!

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