Everyone was up early this morning as The Heiress is home for a quick visit to take her driver's test. Simon, thank you so much for the distraction of tagging me for a book meme! The gist of which is to choose ten books from your shelves, eyes closed, and then write about where you got them, who got them for you, what the books says about you and so on. Here we go: The Making of a Marchioness by Frances Hodgson Burnett: This cloth-bound gem came from Pickwick Books in Waterdown, a lovely shop filled with antiquarian books and run by an older gentleman, passionate about restoring books. I bought this before I ever clicked the 'send' button on a Persephone order. Keeping Their Place by Pamela Sambrook: The sub-title is Domestic Service in the Country House which calls out to me as I'm convinced that I was a downstairs girl in another life. At the age of 17, I scrubbed the stains out of a friend's parents teapot while visiting...just because. Past Imperfect by Julian Fellowes: The Dewey Divas gave a talk at our library and they very kindly brought some books for us to take home. This was the only English title left for the taking so it was inevitably mine. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: Rachel from Book Snob steered me in the direction of Her Fearful Symmetry and it became one of my favourite reads of 2009, it was so much fun, in a spooky sort of way! My thoughtful husband bought this title for me for Christmas this year, I must be one of the few who hasn't read it yet. Becoming Jane Austen by Jon Spence: R and I went to see Becoming Jane with Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy at the theatre in 2007. I love that R will accompany me to 'parasol movies' as he calls them. He says it's for the popcorn but I know that he's enjoying himself. Anyway, we had to drive directly to Chapters from the theatre so that I could buy this book. The Priory by Dorothy Whipple: The moment that I told my Across the Pond friend, Kristina, that I was going to London she wrote 'Don't buy The Priory as I have a double from a library sale'. It was going for something ridiculously inexpensive like 10p! She brought it with her, wrapped in lovely paper, when she came to call at my B&B. A wonderful day. A Place in My Country by Ian Walthew: The author and his wife impulsively buy a cottage in the Cotswolds and he writes about their settling into village life. This is something I spend probably far too much time day-dreaming about so I just had to buy the book from a sale table in Stratford. The Book Vault usually has me taking off my seat belt before the car comes to a full stop in the parking lot as it's full of lovely English titles. The Finest Type of English Womanhood: The cover is beautiful and I admit to being a sucker for beautiful cover art. I first heard about this book on Verity's blog and loving her taste in books I ordered my own copy. Set in South Africa, this was a leap for me as most of my reading consists of all things English...my way of fulfilling the ache to live there. I loved this book which tells me that I should really get out of England more often. The Jane Austen Cookbook by Maggie Black & Deirdre Le Faye: Now you would think that a cookbook would be in the kitchen and not on the bookshelves in a spare bedroom but for me, this book is all about social history. Besides, I won't be making Pigeon Pie or a Harrico of Mutton any time soon. This book was bought at a book festival, I think it was Word on the Street, in Toronto around six years ago. There were quite a few socialist free press sorts and graphic novel publishers but trust me to find Austen amongst it all. The New Tea Book by Sara Perry: At a staff Christmas party a few years ago, a co-worker gave this to me as a Secret Santa gift, along with a t-shirt that says 'Queen Bee'. Tea is a bright spot in my day and taken quite often throughout. Pat was truly thinking of me when she chose this book, the t-shirt was the cause of much laughter! That was such a nice way to re-visit some of the books on our shelves, thanks again Simon! Late edit...The Heiress is back and has passed her test!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Tagged!
Everyone was up early this morning as The Heiress is home for a quick visit to take her driver's test. Simon, thank you so much for the distraction of tagging me for a book meme! The gist of which is to choose ten books from your shelves, eyes closed, and then write about where you got them, who got them for you, what the books says about you and so on. Here we go: The Making of a Marchioness by Frances Hodgson Burnett: This cloth-bound gem came from Pickwick Books in Waterdown, a lovely shop filled with antiquarian books and run by an older gentleman, passionate about restoring books. I bought this before I ever clicked the 'send' button on a Persephone order. Keeping Their Place by Pamela Sambrook: The sub-title is Domestic Service in the Country House which calls out to me as I'm convinced that I was a downstairs girl in another life. At the age of 17, I scrubbed the stains out of a friend's parents teapot while visiting...just because. Past Imperfect by Julian Fellowes: The Dewey Divas gave a talk at our library and they very kindly brought some books for us to take home. This was the only English title left for the taking so it was inevitably mine. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: Rachel from Book Snob steered me in the direction of Her Fearful Symmetry and it became one of my favourite reads of 2009, it was so much fun, in a spooky sort of way! My thoughtful husband bought this title for me for Christmas this year, I must be one of the few who hasn't read it yet. Becoming Jane Austen by Jon Spence: R and I went to see Becoming Jane with Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy at the theatre in 2007. I love that R will accompany me to 'parasol movies' as he calls them. He says it's for the popcorn but I know that he's enjoying himself. Anyway, we had to drive directly to Chapters from the theatre so that I could buy this book. The Priory by Dorothy Whipple: The moment that I told my Across the Pond friend, Kristina, that I was going to London she wrote 'Don't buy The Priory as I have a double from a library sale'. It was going for something ridiculously inexpensive like 10p! She brought it with her, wrapped in lovely paper, when she came to call at my B&B. A wonderful day. A Place in My Country by Ian Walthew: The author and his wife impulsively buy a cottage in the Cotswolds and he writes about their settling into village life. This is something I spend probably far too much time day-dreaming about so I just had to buy the book from a sale table in Stratford. The Book Vault usually has me taking off my seat belt before the car comes to a full stop in the parking lot as it's full of lovely English titles. The Finest Type of English Womanhood: The cover is beautiful and I admit to being a sucker for beautiful cover art. I first heard about this book on Verity's blog and loving her taste in books I ordered my own copy. Set in South Africa, this was a leap for me as most of my reading consists of all things English...my way of fulfilling the ache to live there. I loved this book which tells me that I should really get out of England more often. The Jane Austen Cookbook by Maggie Black & Deirdre Le Faye: Now you would think that a cookbook would be in the kitchen and not on the bookshelves in a spare bedroom but for me, this book is all about social history. Besides, I won't be making Pigeon Pie or a Harrico of Mutton any time soon. This book was bought at a book festival, I think it was Word on the Street, in Toronto around six years ago. There were quite a few socialist free press sorts and graphic novel publishers but trust me to find Austen amongst it all. The New Tea Book by Sara Perry: At a staff Christmas party a few years ago, a co-worker gave this to me as a Secret Santa gift, along with a t-shirt that says 'Queen Bee'. Tea is a bright spot in my day and taken quite often throughout. Pat was truly thinking of me when she chose this book, the t-shirt was the cause of much laughter! That was such a nice way to re-visit some of the books on our shelves, thanks again Simon! Late edit...The Heiress is back and has passed her test!
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What a great list of books - it's so much fun to hear the stories behind books on a shelf.
ReplyDeleteI think this meme is fun and want t try it too. Let us know how the heiress gets on!
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating, Darlene, that was fun! I vividly remember the nerves surrounding driving tests (I didn't sleep for about three days before mine) - hope things aren't too angsty at your house!
ReplyDeleteGreat list of books Darlene! I got some ideas there!
ReplyDeleteSO glad The Heiress passed...I remember how awful it was when I took my tests...yes, I didn't pass first time. I was so excited when I did pass that I hugged the examiner, then got out and ran screaming to hug my examiner, who was a little taken aback, but very pleased to finally get me off his hands, I'm sure! Well done to her!
Hurrah!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely stack of books - I'm especially envious of The Priory. Congratulations to the Heiress!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely stack of books! I'm intrigued by Keeping Their Place and will have to see if there's a copy near me. I too am fascinated by the world beyond the green baize door of the kitchens.
ReplyDeleteWell done to The Heiress for passing her driver's exam!
skirmishofwit, I had a lot of fun remembering those stories! Books make wonderful souvenirs of a day out.
ReplyDeleteverity, Oh the stories you could tell...I hope you do give this meme a go! The Heiress was just beaming when she walked in the door...phew.
StuckInABook, My daughter said that she was up five times in the night. The examiners have just gone back to work after striking for over four months, right after The Heiress had completed her driving lessons! She was supposed to take her test back in August so she's thrilled that this is finally behind her.
Rachel, It's quite an emotional time to go from being so nervous to such elation, I'm sure your examiners secretly loved your enthusiasm! The Heiress certainly had a 1,000 watt smile afterwards.
JoAnn, I can't believe that it was a discard...lucky for me though! I'll pass on your congratulations, thanks so much.
makedoandread, Oh, it's a delightful book of letters and diary entries, I bet you would love it. I'll be sure to let The Heiress know she has so many supporters, thank you.
Great stories behind your books - thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIn response to your last post, I have just finished High Wages and LOVED it and I have to agree with you about Love's Shadow. I was left empty afterwards - Whipple rules!
Big congratulations to the Heiress on her driving test! And I won't tell G about the pigeon pie, because I know he'd want me to make one! K x
ReplyDeleteBloomsbury Bell, Hooray for Team Whipple! Where's the t-shirt?!
ReplyDeleteKristina, Oh yes, we'll definitely keep that one to ourselves! x
Oh, a Whipple t-shirt would be amazing! We should lobby Persephone Books to go into clothing, and whilst we are at it, a tea shop as well!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful list this is! If you like books about servants, you may enjoy Love and Dirt by Diane Atkinson. The book is a biography about Hannah Cullwick, a maid of all work, and Arthur Munby, a Victorian gentleman, who had a relationship that lasted more than 50 years. Due to the vast amount of letters and diaries that Hannah wrote and kept, the book also provided an insight to life as a servant in Victorian England.
ReplyDeleteBloomsbury Bell, I like the way you think!
ReplyDeleteA Bookish Space, Oh...this does sound like a wonderful book, right up my street. Off to have a closer look!
Don't worry--you're not the only one to not yet read that Niffenegger--I own it, too, and haven't yet gotten to it Lovely stack of books and I love hearing about them. I am going to do this meme in the next day or two as well! Glad the Heiress passed. Big sigh of relief!!
ReplyDelete