Not that I'm a loser or anything like that, but I'm not usually the person at the company Christmas party taking home the raffle prizes. Recently the planets aligned and I became stupendously lucky all of a sudden, winning a photo contest and two draws through blogging and a sweatshirt from the library. Wouldn't you know it though, getting cocky I bought a lottery ticket and my luck ended right then and there. C'est la vie and really, would I want to run the risk that all that money could possibly affect who I am anyway?
My smile could not have been any brighter at finding a copy of, Mapp and Lucia, by E.F. Benson, courtesy of Rochester Reader, in my mailbox. A few days later, South Riding, by Winifred Holtby arrived, ever so cheekily sweetly, accompanied by a copy of O Pioneers! by Willa Cather. Book Snob is convinced that she can illuminate me to the joys of American literature and will not rest until I experience this book for myself. Shy away from nothing lest you face a force to be reckoned with named, Rachel!
Dropping The Heiress off after an overnight visit this past Sunday, R and I browsed a few second-hand shops in the blustery downtown area of Kitchener. I should know better than to wear flats without socks there, it's always so much colder! The only thing my search was yielding was a stiff neck from tilting my head to read the spines. Then what do I spy but R walking towards me holding a copy of, A Wreath of Roses, by Elizabeth Taylor, I think he was saying something like 'do you have this one?' Honestly, the only thing I saw was a fabulous book surrounded by a halo of light. Then, back he goes and quickly spots, Miss Mole, by the wonderful E.H. Young, only the very book I've most wanted to read since being completely enamoured by, William! Spotting green spines has made these bookish outings a great source of fun for my husband as he takes great pleasure in being way more successful at it than I am.
Somewhere between here and Paperback Reader's house there is a copy of, The Winds of Heaven, by Monica Dickens. Lady Luck struck again during Persephone Reading Weekend leaving me almost embarrassed to claim another prize, almost. I think that saying the Brits have of 'all your Christmases and birthdays coming at once' applies here because if you are a book lover it is the best gift there is and that is exactly how I am feeling at the moment.