Hello, friends! I hope you’ve had a lovely week despite the scary and tough events we’ve faced in the world. These are the books that have come to me in the mail to cheer me up and I’m proud to say that every single purchase was inspired by reading a blog post or on a recommendation from a blogger. Here they are:
Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayres & Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey – Inspired by Vicki.
Mariana by Monica Dickens – Inspired by Teresa.
Loving and Giving by Molly Keane – Inspired by Ali.
Black Narcissus by Rumer Godden – Inspired by Nicola.
High Rising by Angela Thirkell – Inspired by Katrina, and Lisa, who is a great Thirkell fan.
Thanks for leading me to some exciting books!
Here are a couple of interesting links that I came across this week:
Wondering what Mary Stewart book to read first or to read next? Here is a quiz that will help you decide!
Can you believe there is a Barbara Pym doll??
What are the characteristics of a good historical novel?
I should have a pretty hefty New Arrivals report for you next time because it was my birthday on Wednesday and oh did I treat myself! Books will be arriving by the armload!
Have a beautiful weekend.
**If you haven’t heard – Mary Stewart Reading Week will be September 15-22, 2013**
A Certain Fondness 
I haven’t read any of these books. I am eager to hear what you think of them. Happy birthday and reading 🙂
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Thanks, Jessica! I think I will get lots of happy reading out of this stack.
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Happy belated birthday! What a wonderful collection of books – so much good reading there. I’m also a big fan of Peter Wimsey and Miss Pym (really of all Josephine Tey’s books). I’m looking forward to your other new arrivals – and your reviews.
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I am loving the Tey. She is so funny yet astute. I wish there was another Miss Pym novel, but I will settle for her other books.
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What a lovely group of books (and I’m happy to see Miss Pym & Gaudy Night in there). I’ve still not read any Thirkell, and really must do that. It is a pile of books that would gladden my heart to see sitting waiting for me next to my reading chair.
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I have to say this was a really great mail week! A bunch of gems here for sure. I haven’t read Thirkell yet either so am looking forward to High Rising.
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Happy reading!! I love the Barbara Pym doll with her cat!
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Isn’t the cat fantastic? If it wasn’t $40 I’d buy it.
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Happy Belated Birthday! I’ll be eager to see which books you treated yourself too, and I hope you enjoy Mariana in the meantime. That Barbara Pym doll is fantastic! And I actually have been wondering which Mary Stewart novel to read first, so that quiz was great. My result was The Ivy Tree, so I just requested it from the library.
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I’ve just started The Ivy Tree and I like it lots. I think it is going to be a great one.
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I am envious of that gorgeous pile of books. I haven’t read any but would love to read them all.
Hope you had a very happy birthday, 🙂
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Thanks, Cat! My birthday was pretty swell.
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Mariana is wonderful. Happy Birthday Reading.
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Thank you! I’m looking forward to Mariana.
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Hurray for the Virago edition of High Rising! You would not believe all the typos in my Moyer Bell copy. I’m trying to get Wild Strawberries (book 2), but it seems to be unavailable at the moment. Mariana is such a good book, and I must try Dorothy Sayers.
Just love the Barbara Pym doll!
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I’m so glad I waited until I could find a copy of the Virago High Rising. I’ve been wanting it forever, but haven’t found it available in the US.
The Barbara Pym doll is maj!
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What a great pile, I have read quite a few of them – High Rising of course, but I think Gaudy Night is my favourite apart from that. Have a good weekend, even if you can’t extend your birthday celebrations!
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Working Saturday and Sunday quashes any kind of celebration 😦
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Oh yay! I hope you enjoy Mariana–and all the coming birthday treats.
Gaudy Night is one of my favorites, but if you haven’t read Stong Poison or Have His Carcase, I strongly recommend reading them first. I think you can enjoy Gaudy Night without them, but the story means so much more if you’ve experienced Lord Peter and Harriet’s relationship from the beginning.
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Thanks for the tip, Teresa! I haven’t read the books you mentioned so I will make sure to read those before I start Gaudy Night.
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Happy belated birthday! That is a fantastic pile of books. I’m a huge Thirkell fan so am thrilled to see High Rising there and also count Mariana and Gaudy Night as two of my favourites. Enjoy them all!
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Thank you, Claire! I think this is a particularly good haul. I can’t wait to start High Rising.
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What a great pile of books! I haven’t read any of them yet but they are all books that I would love to read. I’m looking forward to the Mary Stewart week – the quiz has told me I should be reading Madam, Will You Talk next, but I’ll decide nearer the time!
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Madam, Will You Talk? is one of my favorites! It has a great heroine. I’ll promote the reading week more when Pym reading week is over in June.
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Nice!! The only one of those I’ve read so far is Mariana, which I loved. And look at all those pretty Viragos!!
I really want to read Angela Thirkell but I fear getting sucked into another enormous series. I need to make some progress on my TBR shelves before I do.
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I don’t read series so I am open to getting sucked into one! In fact, I think I am craving it.
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Happy (late) Birthday! It’s nice to treat yourself for these special occasions! And what a lovely pile of books you have. I always know when I am going to go read blog posts to have paper and pencil in hand as I always end up with a list of new books I want to read. I loved Gaudy Night and would love to reread it, also loved Mariana–you are in for a treat there. And how exciting to hear of a Mary Stewart readalong–will look forward to hearing more (and…reading along with you!).
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Thanks, Danielle! My reading life would be very lame if it wasn’t for blogs. I’m really looking forward to the MS reading week and am trying to plan some fun stuff for the week.
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Happy birthday! A doll… not sure what to think about that, even if it’s creative. I’m so used to seeing shorter Persephones, seeing your copy of Mariana there was a shock. It looks good, though. Would love to hear your thoughts on the Godden 🙂
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Thanks!
Mariana does seem chunky, but the print is pretty big.
I’m really looking forward to the Godden – I’ve wanted to read her for a while now.
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Belated birthday greetings! Enjoy reading those great books in the spring sunshine.
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Thank you, Nicola! Our spring sunshine is here, but it is getting much too hot to sit outside 😦
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