I’m finally getting around to showing you some of the books I bought myself for my birthday back in April. They’ve trickled in a few at a time because I buy most of them from England and it takes anywhere from 2-4 weeks for them to land at my humble abode in Arizona. Here’s what I’ve received lately:
Fortunes of War/The Balkan Trilogy by Olivia Manning – I’ve seen many, many bloggers rave about the writing of Olivia Manning so when I saw this volume pop up on my Amazon recommendations I decided to take a chance.
Civil to Strangers by Barbara Pym – The latest addition to my Pym collection. Don’t forget that Barbara Pym Reading Week starts tomorrow.
Mr. Skeffington by Elizabeth von Arnim – I saw this mentioned somewhere by someone (I just can’t remember where!) and thought it sounded really wonderful. I should finish The Enchanted April first, though.
The Loving Spirit by Daphne du Maurier – I own lots of du Maurier novels and have had a desire to read her lately because I am in the middle of Daphne by Justine Picardie.
In a Summer Season by Elizabeth Taylor – I’m determined to read all of ET’s novels so am slowly acquiring them.
Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier – Another du Maurier to add to my collection of her books.
Airs Above the Ground by Mary Stewart – I now own all of Mary Stewart’s suspense novels!
The Death of Lyndon Wilder and the Consequences Thereof by E.A. Dinely – Jane and Florence convinced me.
What have you purchased lately?
So, Barbara Pym Reading Week begins tomorrow and I am going to honor her by finishing Quartet in Autumn and making a cauliflower cheese (sans caterpillar) sometime during the week. I hope to participate in the BP tea party on Sunday unless I have to work. I am not scheduled that day, but my co-worker who is scheduled has been very ill this week and I might have to step in and work if she is unable to be there. If she does work then I get to stay home and have tea and eat a slice of cake that I’ll bake from a recipe in the Jane Brocket vintage cakes book. Are you going to celebrate Barbara Pym?
Have a great weekend!
A Certain Fondness 
I love seeing the new books that have arrived on other people’s TBR stacks – it’s the next best thing to them arriving on mine! The owner of my new favorite book store was just recommending The Balkan Trilogy to me. I’d read about it somewhere, and it definitely piques my interest. I’m still trying to decide which Pym I will read – I’ll be baking a cake as well, though this heat is putting me off baking or warm food of any kind.
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Did you end up making a cake? What kind? I had to work on Sunday so didn’t make a cake or drink any tea. It really is too hot for baking or tea anyway!
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That’s a lovely selection of new books. I’m particularly excited to see two Daphne du Maurier books. Two that I haven’t read either! I really must read more of her work soon. Happy reading in June 🙂
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Thanks, Jessica, happy reading to you too! Do you have a favorite du Maurier of the ones you’ve read?
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I haven’t read much myself so far. I’ve read Rebecca which I adored and a short story collection which included The Birds. I now have another short story collection of hers The Doll on my TBR pile. I am really looking forward to it!
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Love the look of these books!
I’m reading my first du Maurier, Rebecca, at the moment. Can’t believe I have waited this long to try her as it’s so good!
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Isn’t Rebecca marvelous? I read most of du Maurier’s books when I was a teen, but I’d love to reread them now.
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A lovely pile of reading to look forward to. I’ve only read the du Mauriers and the others look very tempting. Enjoy!
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I do have to say I am pleased with this stack of books – I can’t wait to read Jamaica Inn.
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What a great pile of books! I haven’t read Mr Skeffington yet but, being a huge EvA fan, I’ve got it on my shelves and am looking forward to reading it.
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I somehow have ended up with lots EvA books, but have only almost finished The Enchanted April. I like her writing, but keep getting sidetracked by flashier titles.
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Ooh a new Elizabeth Von Arnim, I’ve not heard of this one so look forward to reading your thoughts. I’ve always meant to read The Balkan Trilogy having loved the BBC adaptation in the 1980/90’s with a young Kenneth Branagh & Emma Thompson, in fact I think that may have been where they met. Happy summer reading.
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I can’t believe I’ve never seen or come across the BBC adaptation of The Balkan Trilogy! I’d love to see a young Branagh and Thompson together.
My thoughts are with you as you wait for TT!
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These all look great! I’ve read both of the Daphne du Maurier books (and enjoyed them both) but haven’t read any of the others. Happy reading!
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Thanks, Helen! It seems du Maurier is a popular favorite – and rightly so!
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Hope you got to join the tea party! I’ve a copy of Jamaica Inn, but that one of The Loving Spirit looks nice from the spine,, very pretty. I’m not joining in the Pym week this time, but I will try to if there’s another.
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I, sadly, had to work on Sunday so wasn’t able to join the tea party. I’m disappointed, but perhaps there will be another one someday.
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I hope you enjoy the The Balkan Trilogy! I was just thinking about Manning’s work the other day, remembering how much I loved that one and wishing that the NYRB would release a new edition of its follow up, The Levant Trilogy, which I have yet to read.
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I’ve seen The Levant Trilogy mentioned, but didn’t realize it was a follow up The Balkan Trilogy. Is there not a good edition in print?
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Love that edition of Jamaica Inn! The Balkan Trilogy is very well written but it does go on a bit! Have to say I wouldn’t re-read it but Manning is good at characterisation.
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I was a bit shocked to see how chunky the Manning is, but I will give it a go anyway. It might be read very slowly.
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