I’ve had a very productive week, have been busy every evening so there’s not been much time to read. I did finish The Chosen early in the week, but haven’t really clicked with anything else, though I started Frog Music by Emma Donoghue at lunch yesterday and I think it is going to be a good one. There is something about her writing that hypnotizes me and keeps me reading even if I’m not crazy about the setting or the plot (as with Room).
I’ve bought a few Viragos lately from awesomebooks.com. I like their very low prices, but sometimes the books are not in the best condition…oh well, I’m just glad to have them. Here are the green beauties I’ve received in February:
A Wreath of Roses & The Sleeping Beauty by Elizabeth Taylor – I still intend to read all of Taylor’s novels, though I have not made much progress lately.
A Pin to See the Peepshow by F Tennyson Jesse – I don’t know much about this author or this book, but doesn’t it have a fantastic title?
A Wreath for the Enemy by Pamela Frankau – I bought this after reading Scott’s post on “Possible Persephones” at Furrowed Middlebrow.
The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West – This book is on the list for the Librarything Great War Theme Read. I am behind on reading along with the group, but I hope to catch up.
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen – 2014 is the year I WILL read Mansfield Park and Emma, the two Austens I’ve never managed to finish.
I am working today so won’t be able to read until I get home in the evening, but that anticipation of arriving home and settling down with a book and a treat will get me through the afternoon of helping people print and finding books for desperate school children who have reports due on Monday (our typical Sunday crowd).
Enjoy your day!
A Certain Fondness 
I picked up ‘A Pin to see the Peepshow’ from the library when I was still at school because that title was so intriguing. The book more than lives up to it, and it is still one of my favourite Viragos. I generally find Awesome Books very good, but there’s always the odd book that looks rather more worn than I expected.
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I’m glad to hear that the Jesse is one of your favorite Viragos! That makes me feel better about buying it blind. I won’t stop using Awesome Books, but I have been a bit disappointed in some of the books I’ve received from them. I can’t find better prices anywhere else, though.
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I agree, that’s a very intriguing title! It’s also by an author I haven’t heard of before. Pamela Frankau sounds familiar, though I haven’t read anything of hers. Don’t those last-minute people drive you crazy?
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The last minute people do drive me crazy! I try not to let their desperation get into my head, but sometimes we just don’t have what they need.
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A Pin to See the Peepshow is a fabulous title – I haven’t heard of the author before, so will be intrigued to see what you think.
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I really hope the book lives up to its title!
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Great collection of books! Like you I have two Austens left – I have Mansfield Park too, but I also have Persuasion to go. Emma is fab, it’s not my favourite Austen but it is the wittiest, in my opinion.
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I’ve made it half-way through Emma twice and then have stopped for some mysterious reason – this year I’m going to make myself finish.
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Hope you got that reading in 🙂 I keep thinking I’ve not read any books by Virago but that’s because Rebecca isn’t green. I’m in the same position in regards to Mansfield Park. I haven’t been able to finish it but hope to this year!
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I did get to read last night and I stayed up too late doing it too! Maybe we should have a Mansfield Park read-a-long to get us all through it. 🙂
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I don’t like reading books in poor condition, so might have a problem with that website. Hope Frog Music continues to satisfy.
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It’s hit or miss with Awesome Books – some books are pristine and some have issues, yet nothing too major. Ripped covers, rippled pages, broken spines – I can live with it, I guess. Frog Music is incredibly good and I hope to finish it tonight.
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