Lately, there has been an issue with stacked books. R and I have been out searching for a new bookcase but haven't been able to find one that seems just right.
While I was cleaning the house yesterday I remembered that The Heiress used to have a bookcase for her Disney paraphernalia. The white shelving no longer belonged in her grown-up bedroom. A massive print of Audrey Hepburn has taken over that space. Hmmmm, I wondered...
The Heiress had told me the night before that she had a 'free day' and would appreciate sleeping in - for a very long time! It was 9:30 am and I realized that I would never be able to carry the shelving up from the basement by myself. There was only one thing to do. "Sweetheart, are you awake by any chance?". After explaining in a pleading voice The Heiress very politely replied "Such dilemmas". She really did, no swearing or anything! Now I have room for my new Persephones when they arrive next week. And not to worry, The Heiress promptly went back to her room and fell fast asleep.
Lately, there has been an issue with stacked books. R and I have been out searching for a new bookcase but haven't been able to find one that seems just right. 
While I was cleaning the house yesterday I remembered that The Heiress used to have a bookcase for her Disney paraphernalia. The white shelving no longer belonged in her grown-up bedroom. A massive print of Audrey Hepburn has taken over that space. Hmmmm, I wondered... 
The Heiress had told me the night before that she had a 'free day' and would appreciate sleeping in - for a very long time! It was 9:30 am and I realized that I would never be able to carry the shelving up from the basement by myself. There was only one thing to do. "Sweetheart, are you awake by any chance?". After explaining in a pleading voice The Heiress very politely replied "Such dilemmas". She really did, no swearing or anything! Now I have room for my new Persephones when they arrive next week. And not to worry, The Heiress promptly went back to her room and fell fast asleep.
How lovely, a Persephone shelf! I found Someone at a Distance in a charity shop last week for £1.99 - I've read it before, but didn't have my own copy so now I'm looking forward to a re-read. I keep an eagle eye for them secondhand - those distinctive grey covers help! - but for some reason, although you'll often see a Miss Pettigrew, the others are rare finds. And it always slightly puzzles me why people part with Miss P. It's such a charming book.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I love that Persephone shelf, and it is always SUCH a relief to have new bookshelves and not to worry about where to put new acquisitions.
ReplyDeleteBTW - I wonder, Anonymous, if Miss P is more frequently given as a gift than the other books? Since it was made into a film. I know several of my friends who have only encountered Persephone through this book. And it seems to me that gift-books are the ones that most often end up in charity shops & c.
Which makes me wonder, I wonder which are the Persephone bestsellers? it'd be really interesting to see figures on sales for each title.
Oh...those shelves would keep me busy for a long time! I love that you have one just for Persephones. I've got a couple of Susan Branch's books, too - they're beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I really envy your charity shop book sales. I met a lady from Vermont while in London that had purchased 40 books from Oxfam shops! I think that verity could be on to something regarding the Miss P book.
ReplyDeleteverity, I have often wondered the same thing about the number of each title sold. You made me laugh at the relief of new shelf space:)
JoAnn, I know! There wasn't the time to spare yesterday, just get the books on was my thinking. My Persephone's are not even in numerical order - shocking!
Ooh, I love the idea of numerically ordered Persephone books :) How many do you have now?
ReplyDeleteverity, Fifteen now and once my latest order arrives there will be eighteen. It's quite funny how every Sunday, when R checks our lottery numbers, it's mentioned that if we win I can order the whole lot. It's a sickness really but a good one. How many do you own?
ReplyDeleteOoh, that would be lovely. I have to confess to having calculated how much it would cost to own all of them. I have 32, plus waiting for one more. I think I have all of the ones that I want now, as I have read some of the others in other editions from the library...So, I might manage not to break my book-buying-fast if I visit the shop next week - the bag, notebook or mug wouldn't count, right?! But I'm sure they'll be bringing out new ones soon...
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you're right about gift books. As for bestsellers, I'd rather assumed they were the titles they brought out in the brighter covers.
ReplyDeleteverity, There's a mug? LOL!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, That very well could be as I've read people like to own both covers.
What a luxury, they must be people whose lottery tkts came up! (You know, you can buy the complete set ... I think it costs about £600-ish. Of course, if you won the lottery you could also buy a bigger house with more shelves!)
ReplyDeleteActually, what I really meant was that the classics series seems to have more mass appeal, don't you think?
They look so lovely in a row! And yes, mine are arranged numerically... K x
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, Oh yes, especially as there are many like me that are a sucker for a pretty cover.
ReplyDeleteKristina, That makes sense but I have to say that I will be tempted to place my Whipples together:)
Such lovely shelves!
ReplyDeleteI too have a Persephone shelf, with fourteen titles on it and an acquisition made yesterday yet to be added.
According to Persephone the best-selling title is Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and the best-selling author is Dorothy Whipple.
I very much want a Persephone notebook but when I went in to buy a bag yesterday, I was most disappointed as instead of the lovely grey one that looks like the book there was a plain, beige jute one instead.
Paperback Reader, It must have been disappointing to find beige jute book bags. Persephone and beige, I don't think so! Glad to hear that you found a new addition to your bookshelf though.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice daughter! I have no room for either my Persephones or my Viragos, so they are in stacks. My unread Persephones stacked on top of a small bookcase in my bedroom and the others in my book room. Yours look so nice all lined up there! And it's nice there's room for growth, too! Presentation counts for something anyway! :)
ReplyDeleteDanielle, I love that you have a 'book room'. If you're like me you covet one of those libraries in old English country homes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely display of Persephone titles! They lookd perfect against the white-painted shelves....
ReplyDeletePersephone is a growing addiction for me, I'm afraid. I just finished Miss Buncle's Book and am about to begin Alas, Poor Lady. (How could one resist such a title?!)
BookishNYC, I purchased Alas, Poor Lady in May while I was in London. An irresistable title in deed!
ReplyDelete