I haven’t bought very many books lately, mostly because I’ve bought these – and they are not cheap. The shipping alone from Persephone is a pretty penny, but one that I feel is completely justified – and the same goes for the Slightly Foxed editions. Quality over quantity for me these days!
I’d always planned to order London War Notes by Mollie Panter-Downes from Persephone when it was released last month. When I was placing the order online I decided to also get the latest novel published by them, Vain Shadow by Jane Hervey, and I also ordered Few Eggs and No Oranges by Vere Hodgson. I’ve already read a big chunk of London War Notes and am so glad I have it and the others to look forward to over the summer.
I have a subscription to the Slightly Foxed Quarterly, which I just love, but I’d never bought any of their books. When I saw a post on Facebook about Silver Ley by Adrian Bell I was really intrigued. It’s Bell’s story of learning to be a farmer in Suffolk just after WWI. I adore stories about people ‘going back to the land’ so I ordered this right away. Reading more about the book on the SF website I realized that Silver Ley is a sequel to Corduroy – so I ordered that too!
Have you bought any exciting books lately?
A Certain Fondness 
Those are lovely stacks of books! I was shocked at the shipping costs, with my recent Persephone order. I’ve been ordering used books, which were lessential expensive. So I won’t be ordering in huge quantities from Persephone, but that’s good for my TBR shelves. I haven’t ordered anything from Slightly Foxed yet, but I’m sure I will be.
I hope you enjoyed your long holiday!
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Yes, the shipping is a bit of a heart stopper – I only order a couple of times a year. I had a really nice holiday, thank you! I’m sad it’s over. 😦
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I’ve just bought London War Notes – and I have the ‘Few Eggs’. There’s something so satisfying about having those lovely grey covers on my shelf. I wish I could afford to buy them all.
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Me too, Vicki! I’d love to have a bookcase just full of dove grey.
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I made a beeline straight for Persephone once in London and picked up a copy of London War Notes. My husband laughs at the notion that my books come home in my carry-on but I don’t want to risk losing such prized possessions. And you are going to love ‘Few Eggs…’!
I bought five books before my trip, five books while in London, and there are two to place on order…severe denial here regarding shelf space.
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I am with you on the carry-on for your books – there’s no way I’d want to risk losing them in transit. And I also understand the shelf space denial. I just got two new bookcases last year and am already out of room!
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Beautiful books!! I have Few Eggs… waiting on my shelf, too, and need to check out the Slightly Foxed Quarterly.
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I love the SF Quarterly! It is so engaging and inspiring.
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Persephones are gorgeous and so tempting – very jealous! 🙂
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They are too tempting!
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I love Persephones but haven’t bought any new ones for a while. I’ve been too distracted by other books, I think! I do want to read London War Notes as I enjoyed Good Evening, Mrs Craven.
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I loved Good Evening, Mrs. Craven too – such a great collection.
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Oh, if only Persephones and Slightly Foxed editions were more available over here…I have such a hard time choosing!
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I wish they were in our shops but it is kind of fun to get mail from England!
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I got my hands on a lovely copy of Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier in my favourite charity bookshop recently. I am really looking forward to reading it. I hope you enjoy all your new books 🙂
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Oh nice find! I hope you enjoy it.
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I am sailing joyfully through Martin Millar’s latest — a farce set in ancient Athens, such a delight — and apart from that am surviving on (wonderful) library books. London War-Notes sounds so great; I’m looking forward to reading it myself. It sounds like it’s meeting your expectations of it?
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Totally meeting my expectations – I love Panter-Downes’ writing and it’s such a thrill to read her famous war notes.
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Oh, you have done well! Unusually I’ve managed to resist the new Persephones, but that’s only because I have London War Notes already and I can see that the library has Jane Hervey on order.
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To be able to check out Persephones from the library – fantastic!
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I do so love buying new Persephone books. I will definitely be getting Vain Shadow and London War Notes in my next Persephone purchase.
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They are just so attractive inside and out. A double pleasure.
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Blown my hardback budget for the year already! I really must reign it in a bit with the book buying and use the library more. Nice Persephones.
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I’d be completely broke if it wasn’t for the library!
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Few Eggs is fantastic – Vere Hodgson writes about important world events and little everyday things, like flowers in the park, which makes for a fascinating read. I’m hoping to call at the Persephone shop on my next day out in London for a copy of London War Notes.
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