Since I’m in a bit of a hurry, I’ll try to write about these quickly and reply to comments later today. I haven’t written about my library books much before, because… well. It’s embarrassing how many I take out at one time without being able to read them all! A very sad side effect of working in a library, daily surrounded by such excessive temptation! But I am excited about these books, because they’re part of my new comfort reading plan.
First off, Elizabeth Jenkin’s The Tortoise and the Hare (which I found out about through the NPR summer reading list linked by The Captive Reader here) and I was absolutely thrilled to see this on my library holds shelf, because just look at the cover! Virago! With the same painting that’s on Cheerful Weather at the Wedding in the Persephone Classics edition! It almost made me think it was the other book for a moment, but at any event, I’m interested in reading it as I see through trying to find a picture of this cover online, that she was a friend of Elizabeth Bowen’s.
Then Miss Buncle’s Book by D.E. Stevenson, a true Persephone Book, here on inter-library loan.
And three Georgette Heyers, The Reluctant Widow, These Old Shades and Black Sheep. I’m not sure which to start with and I’m still waiting for The Grand Sophy which seems to be most popular at the library.
The Pirates Mixed-Up Voyage by Margaret Mahy is one of the most delightful charming books ever and I was reminded of it after reading this review about one of her teen books over at things mean a lot.
Then The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie since it’s the second Miss Marple after Murder at the Vicarage which I recently quite enjoyed. (I meant to write a short review of it this week too, but am becoming busier than I thought)
And lastly, another inter-library loan of another Persephone, To Bed with Grand Music by Marghanita Laski! I’m still debating which Persephones to order for my birthday in a few weeks, so hopefully these will get me in the mood for deciding.
a few of my favourite books 
I’ve read and enjoyed both The Reluctant Widow and Black Sheep. Reluctant Widow has a bit of a gothic parody feel to it whereas Black Sheep is set in Bath, with an ‘older’ heroine and all that that implies. Not sure if that helps you decide! 🙂
I think I might start with Black Sheep, I like older heroines (witness Miss Marple! ;)) and Bath. Sounds a bit like Persuasion!
See, I didn’t want to mention Persuasion, because I think it’s mean to compare Heyer to Austen (who would live up to that?!), lol. It has a very different feel from Persuasion, but it’s still fun. I think the heroine in Black Sheep is like 29 or something, so she’s not a Miss Marple (who I love too), but approaching spinster status for the time. 😉
I would recommend starting with These Old Shades or Black Sheep. While The Reluctant Widow is by no means bad, the romance is very downplayed in favor of the mystery. The other two are much more satisfying as romances — but I guess it depends on what you’re in the mood for! 🙂
I do like mysteries, but I was wanting a bit of light romance too. I guess I’ll see…
Haven’t read any of those Heyer’s so can’t suggest one but I’m sure they’ll all be fun.
I am on a library ban at the moment so that I can whittle down some of my stacks. Granted, I keep buying books so I guess that’s not working quite like I expected – haha…
Enjoy your loot!
Oh my goodness, I’ve never heard of anyone giving themselves a library ban! Lots of people talk about not buying any books instead, but I cheerfully do both. (I work in a library, I can’t help it!) In some ways I suppose a library ban would be a relief for me because I’m always trying to juggle how much can I read at once before I have to return them, I take out too many, don’t read them, feel silly, hog them in my apartment for long months, etc. At least buying them you can wait until you do want to read them. Anyways! Thanks for stopping by, Iliana. 🙂
I love the Miss. Marple books. She’s just such a fun character! I always picture her as Margaret Rutherford too, who played Marple in the original movies.
Hi Katherine, I’m really liking Miss Marple too, I just gobbled down The Body in the Library in one evening already! I haven’t seen any of her movies or tv shows though, except a very small bit of the one currently on.
I stop myself from taking out so many books from the library so I don’t have to reloot or take books back unread. I’ve been doing very well!
Enjoy your loot!
Thanks Linda, yes I try to keep my library count down these days too, I think blogging helps me to have more focus in my reading. (Although even if you return a book unread at least it still circulated and that shows the library that it’s popular!)
Great loot! I just started my first Persephone, The Making of a Marchioness.
The Miss Marple book is so good, although I really love everything by Agatha Christie 🙂
I really want to read The Tortoise and the Hare, but haven´t found the book in English over here yet
Happy reading!
Hi Bina, thanks! I hope you enjoy The Making of a Marchioness, it is a bit odd. I’ll be interested to see what you think of it.
While I detested The Grand Sophy myself, it’s very Pride & Prejudice-like, so you might well enjoy it! Of the Heyers you’ve got, I’d recommend starting with These Old Shades — I’ve only skimmed it but it looks quite funny.
Georgette Heyer, ftw 🙂 I just finished reading ‘The Grand Sophy’ after a bunch of librarians told me it was the Best Heyer Regency Ever. It made, I admit, for extremely fun reading and think you will find it was worth the wait.
Good haul! Do tell us how you get on with Heyer. I’ve never read her and I’m intrigued.