While I've been away, it seems like people have started to get excited about the Second Persephone Reading Week, so I thought I would take the opportunity to write about it on my blog today. Persephone reading week started out last year, when, with a week off work, I decided to read a Persephone book every day. It was such a joyous experience that I decided to repeat it with my next week off work, Claire from Paperback Reader joined in, and it turned into a rather spectacular blogging event with people across the world reading Persephone books, taking part in competitions, blogging about their reading and entering giveaways.
So, we're doing it all again! The fun runs between 3rd and 9th May, and will be hosted here at the B Files and over at Paperback reader. There aren't any rules; to participate all you need to do is to read a Persephone book. You can read more if you like, and hopefully if you have a blog you'll blog about your reading too. If you don't, then Claire or I can put posts up on our blogs. Each day we'll round up the Persephone posts (you'll be able to post links in the comments of our blogs) so that everyone can share in the Persephone fun.
What will I be reading? Well, there are only 5 Persephone books that I have yet to read, three of which I own, and the other two I hope to own by then (I'm still not quite complete with my collection of books, but I have read the others in different editions).
I have waiting:
Julian Grenfell (Mosley)
The expendable man (Hughes)
The hopkins manuscript (Sherriff)
and hoping to obtain:
An interrupted life (Hilsum)
The gardener's nightcap
I'm sure it hasn't escaped your attention that 2 more Persephone books will be released on 22nd April, and I shall be ordering those from the shop to add to my selection.
Maybe it'll be time for me to do a reread of some of the books - it has been a long time since I read Family Roundabout. And I must find a recipe that I can bake to share with you all!
I'm away for Persephone reading week, but I'll try to read at least one in advance and then schedule a post.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that you've read them all - I'd love to see a big post in which you summarize all the Persephone books - perhaps pick out the best, arrange them into groups? Having read them all is such a great resource, so would be very useful to people like me who haven't read many.
I'm so looking forward to reading about everyone's choice. There's a title or two that I have in mind but wrote to Claire that sitting in front of the shelf on the day and seeing what calls to me will be my modus operandi.
ReplyDeleteA summary of all the books you've read would be a great feature of Persephone Reading Week but it would be a huge undertaking, I'm sure, and one that you may not have time for?
ReplyDeleteI'm dithering between deciding which books I'm going to read and, like Darlene, deciding that week and even during the week (as I did last year, influenced by others' experiences).
I'm very excited! I'm so pleased that I decided to join you last year and that others' followed suit :)
Oh my god! I had no idea that you had read that many. That is very impressive! So pleased to have you as a guide. Can't wait for my own new books to arrive. Vicariously enjoyed all the excitement last time and now really looking forward to participating.
ReplyDeleteI've just ordered Someone at a Distance and Cheerful Weather for the Wedding in preparation for Persephone Reading Week. Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you have read all but five. I think I have only read five or six so far. There is no way I will be able to read a book a day, so I am cheating somewhat. I have read Whipple's High Wage but I'm not going to blog about it until Persephone Reading Week. I have about 8 titles on hand to choose from as well so I will definitely be attempting a few that week, just not sure which ones.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for Persephone Reading Week! Doreen is here on the shelf, but I'm really hoping to acquire another Dorothy Whipple, too.
ReplyDeleteJackie - good idea but would be a big undertaking! The synopses on their website are pretty good. Glad you'll still be able to join in, even if away.
ReplyDeleteDarlene - I think that is a good way of proceeding!
Claire - I remember rapidly finishing one of the ones I was reading in order to be able to lend it to you!
Frances - thank you! I just love the books and haven't been able to stop devouring them!
Claire - both of those are great choices!
Thomas - I just haven't been able to resist them.
JoAnn - me neither! I enjoyed Doreen.
Ooh, I'm looking forward to this, and to reading everyone's posts. Not to mention reading some new Persephones! I ought to be receiving three new ones in the post before long, so I'll save them for that week in May!
ReplyDeleteDear Verity -
ReplyDeleteI would love to join this reading wek if I may... i am not sure what i will read yet but it sounds like a wonderful opportunity for further Persephone flavoured discovery!
thanks for sharing and inspiring such events!
Hannah
Whoa, how can you survive with only 5 Persephones left to read??? But then rereading is a beautiful thing in itself. YOu are awesome!
ReplyDeleteSophie - which 3 did you recieve? I hope they arrived.
ReplyDeleteHannah - I'm glad you'll be joining in.
Claire - at least there are two new ones out this week!
I only have five on my shelves that I have been saving for just such an occasion. Okay, so I'm quite sure I won't devour them all, but I'll at least read one in the spirit of persephone reading week and write a review.
ReplyDeleteHeather - ooh! Five is still a good number to choose from :)
ReplyDeleteI'm normally not free for these events and it annoys me no end, but this time I think I can participate! Wooo! I'm not a quick reader so I'll probably only manage one but, always optimistic, I've taken two off the shelf - The Village by Marghanita Laski and New House by Lettice Cooper.
ReplyDeleteCath - glad it works out this time :)
ReplyDelete