Although it's been snowing steadily, I've enjoyed a wonderfully green week as countless photos of beautiful Virago books have appeared in my reader. Obviously, Virago Reading Week is a huge success. Our tireless hostesses, Rachel and Carolyn, have compiled daily wrap-ups gathering links to our offerings: reviews, pictures, memories, contests, wishlists. My personal favorite, however, is this photo of Deacon the border collie. You must take a look... it made Zelda, our greyhound, more than a little nervous.
I managed to finish two Virago titles, Excellent Women by Barbara Pym (reviewed here) and The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty. Sadly, neither was an actual Virago edition.
Also this week, I reminisced about a favorite Virago opening from The Enchanted April and learned (via The Writer's Almanac) that two Virago authors had birthdays this week. Their write-ups on the lives of Edith Wharton and Colette were too interesting not to share.
In other exciting news, our tickets to London have been purchased! Late next month, Mr. LM and I will be visiting our daughter who is studying abroad. There are so many things we want to see and do, but of course there will be time for book browsing. I would love the company of London-area bloggers. You can bet I'll return with one of two Viragos and Persephones!
Finally, a huge thank you to Rachel and Carolyn for a job well done! Many titles have been added to my wish list and a couple new blogs to my reader. There will be more of both, I'm sure, as I catch up on the daily wrap-up posts this afternoon.
Oh JoAnn, how exciting! I've been thinking about your daughter and wondering how she is enjoying her studies in London.
ReplyDeleteThat photo of Deacon has me in fits every time I see it! So glad that you enjoyed this past week as much as I did. Wasn't it a great way to forget about the cold for a little while?
Enjoy your London visit. Isn't there a Persephone bookstore in London? If you're over on the South Bank to see a show at the National Theatre the second hand book stalls there are fun to browse.
ReplyDeleteHi it's Rachel at Bookssnob here, Blogger doesn't like me today!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for taking part this week JoAnn and for your enthusiasm. You picked some wonderful books!
How exciting that you'll be in London! I'm sorry I will miss you :( If you want any good London tips, let me know! The best one I can offer straight away is TAKE AN UMBRELLA!
I love that photo of Deacon! He looks so suspicious of everything around him.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy your trip to London. I live near London so if you need any information/tips, just let me know.
I think you should give Jane Eyre another try, I very much enjoyed it.
JoAnn, I picked up The Enchanted April at the library yesterday after reading an earlier post of yours. Looks like you have had a wonderful week in books.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting..can I come along in your suitcase???
ReplyDeleteI loved your posts this week as they introduced me to authors I've not read but am looking forward to meeting!!
Darlene - She is having a fantastic time in London - today she even got to visit Stonehenge and Bath. Have enjoyed this past week very much... you can be sure I'll keep an eye out for green covers in London (along with the beautiful grey ones).
ReplyDeleteC.B. James - The Persephone bookstore will be one of my first stops. It's not very far from where my daughter is staying. Would love to browse the second hand book stalls, too...thanks for the suggestion!
Rachel - So sorry you're having trouble with blogger today. You and Carolyn have done an excellent job this week. Thank you so much. An umbrella is on my packing list and we'd welcome any other suggestions, too. My daughter will hopefully be in NYC again this summer, so we may get a chance to meet yet!
Sam - Isn't that the most adorable photo?! I'm so excited for our trip... am studying all sorts of guidebooks, but may just consult you with any questions. Thanks!
Diane - The Enchanted April is the perfect book to take you away from the snowy mess we've all been dealing with - hope you enjoy it!
Staci - So glad you've enjoyed the Virago-related posts this week... it's been a lot of fun.
I've seen these Virago posts in my Google Reader all week but I haven't had much time to bloghop so I didn't really know what it was about. Virago is a publisher like Persephone? How cool!
ReplyDeleteAnd how exciting about your upcoming trip!! I'm absolutely jealous--we had talked about an overseas trip before I got too far along but time just seemed to slip away too quickly. I hope you'll share with us the bookstore you do go to!
Stay warm, JoAnn. I think we have another nasty spell coming on Tuesday--not very nice as we had sunny 70 degree weather all weekend!
I missed the boat on Virago all together - I didn't realize it was an imprint with many of my favorite women authors. Now I know for next year!
ReplyDeleteHave a great time in London! There is a fabulous tour company there called London Walks that does walking tours focused on a theme all over London. They are very well done and affordable to boot. There are even literary tours. www.walks.com - I highly recommend them!
From one muser to another - no, that doesn't sound quite right...from one muse to another - that's better :) thank you for your lovely comment....I'm with you on that photo of the lovely Deacon. You meet such nice people during Virago Reading Week !
ReplyDeleteTrish - Yes, Virago is a publisher like Persephone, and I plan to have several of both in my bags on the trip home. I'm jealous of your 70 degree weekend... single digit temps here and it looks like a huge storm for midweek!
ReplyDeleteBooksnyc - Thank you! I just check the website and it looks perfect. I'm sure we'll do at least one of the walks.
Luvvie - It will be a pleasure to compare musings! Virago Reading Week was a huge success.
I just found out that my father's best friend's wife, who I have known for many years, is a Pym scholar. (How embarrassing. I did not even know she was a professor.) I'll be seeing her next week and am eager to read both her book and another Pym--perhaps Excellent Women. (And Eudora Welty is one of my favorite writers, especially for her short stores.)
ReplyDeleteLifetime Reader - I'm looking forward to more Pym novels. Hope to pick up several when we visit London... they are so hard to find around here. I'll be reading more Welty, too. Just purchased her Collected Stories today.
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