I forgot to commend you on your haul of 'Bought 2008' books. You make me feel positively as if I'm slacking. We have three shared acquisitions for 2008, though non of mine are tagged as they were all gifts, two Viragos 'Miss Mole' and 'The Misses Mallet' and 'In Cold Blood'. I look forward to comparing notes!

Lähettänyt: finebalance 5:26 pm (EST) Jun 16, 2008

You guessed - I'm saving for a serious buying spree in Hay. I'm off there next week to catch the tail end of the literary festival. I have been hectic too this year and don't seem to be getting as much read, which makes me feel even guiltier about buying more.

I haven't yet read the Syme Papers, though I loved the one of his I read last year - I think the title was 'Either Side of Winter' but I'm not entirely certain!

It sounds like you've had a fantastic haul of books recently. I'd be too jealous if I wasn't holding out hopes for Hay. Hope all is well with you - and I will drop you a proper note to catch up, hopefully after Hay. Best wishes, Alison

Lähettänyt: finebalance 8:18 am (EST) May 22, 2008

Hello,

I only acquired my copy of "The Gentlewoman" recently and I haven't read it yet. I always go a phase of admiring books,picking them up and putting them down, reading the synopsis and the authors biography and the like before I read the book.

I have never seen anything else by Laura Talbot either.

Thank you for the positive report - "The Gentlewoman" now on my shortlist to take on holiday in September!

Jane

Lähettänyt: FleurFisher 10:53 am (EST) May 21, 2008

Interesting library. Will add you to the list, with your permission.
JN9F

Lähettänyt: johnnyninefingers 2:05 pm (EST) Sep 1, 2007

Thank you so much, artymiss, for reminding me about Serious Pleasures (congrats on finding it, BTW - it's wonderful when that happens and makes one look at Noel Edmonds in a new light) - I do actually have this book (persuaded my Late Sainted Mother to get it for my birthday, in fact) but had completely forgotten that I had lent it to a so-called friend before I began to use Library Thing! A quick phone call (with just the smallest hint of shirt) has reminded him that I have been reminded. Memo to self: new tag needed. It is an excellent book, although I remember it being panned when it came out - too frivolous, I suppose.

Philip Hoare has also written a Coward biography, which is apparently good - got it from Fara (those Romanian orphans wear mink and guzzle gin from dawn to dusk thanks to us)for a pound a couple of months ago. The Tennant biography adds weight to my self-deluding theory that the people who don't do all that much lead the most interesting lives - don't you think Sassoon seems a bit dreary in comparison?

No, I haven't read the Hyde biography of Wilde yet, but have heard that it is definitive (though it will have to go some to beat Richard Ellmann). Wilde biographies are building up - the McKenna one is full of interesting smut, as is (I hope) The Stranger Wilde by Gary Schmidgall. I got that and A Life in Letters the other week, when someone with similar interests to me offloaded a few boxes at the Notting Hill Housing Trust shop, little knowing that I was lurking behind cards and gifts with big Sainsbury's canvas bags......

Lähettänyt: red_guy 3:00 pm (EST) Aug 28, 2007

Thanks for the suggestion to the Virago group. I have three or four shelves upstairs of them that I haven't read yet...sigh...but as I read them, I'll put them up.

And congrats on the Persephone books! I'd kill for some of those!

Lähettänyt: shawnamuffin 1:08 pm (EST) Aug 20, 2007

Just into chapter three of 'Eva Trout' and absolutely loving her writing. It was preceded by a writer I could not get into - Elaine Dundy and 'The Dud Avocado' which was a LT group recommendation - but did not like it. Bowen is such a superior writer, she surpasses most everything else.

Yes - I like Gardam, also William Trevor...........well had better not get into a list of favs as this message would not end.

Thanks for making contact and am flattered you have added my library to your favourites.

Karen

Lähettänyt: kiwidoc 4:00 pm (EST) Aug 19, 2007

I didn't think I had what you might call a collection of biographies, but now you've pointed it out, I suppose I do. Thank you for being envious - I'm envious of yours in return, and they do dovetail very well, don't they? A lot of areas & themes in common, although you're a bit more Bloomsbury with me steering more towards the Sitwell/Beaton gang.

I am really surprised you don't have more Barbara Pym, - looking at your books I can't imagine an author you might like more. I've only got the three (they rarely show up in charity shops, more's the pity but always keep my eyes peeled for more. Every one I've read is a jewel.

I too have only recently discovered Charity shops. The ones round here are astonishing, unfortunately - everything virtually mint and 50p paperback, and not much above a pound hardback. As you say, things are now getting out of hand....

I've added you to my 'interesting libraries'. I hope you don't mind.

Lähettänyt: red_guy 6:03 pm (EST) Aug 6, 2007

Hello artymiss, and thanks for the kind words about my username and userpic (that photo makes me laugh every time I look at it!). You have an impressive library, and I look forward to revisiting it when my schedule allows. Thanks for saying hello.

Lähettänyt: spinster_with_cats 4:03 pm (EST) Jul 30, 2007

My favorite Margery Sharp is The Foolish Gentlewoman. I also liked Cluny Brown and The Gypsy in the Parlor, but really, I have never been disappointed in any of her books.

I know what you mean about those TBRs! Good reading! :)

marise

Lähettänyt: marise 12:41 pm (EST) Jul 29, 2007

Thanks for checking out my library and congrats on Palladian! I've noticed you have a wonderful selection of VMCs. I will be interested in hearing about your new Holtby book after you have read it!
marise

Lähettänyt: marise 3:00 pm (EST) Jul 27, 2007

If you ever remember the name or author of that book about Darwin's daughters, I'd be very interested! The book I read about Emma Darwin was Emma Darwin: The Inspirational Wife of a Genius by Edna Healey. The book was much better than its crap title might lead you to believe! Emma Darwin was a descendent of Josiah Wedgewood and actually spent a lot of time at her family's house very near where I live.

Lähettänyt: miss_read 3:00 pm (EST) Jul 27, 2007

Yes! Period Piece is fantastic, isn't it!? I recently read a biography of Emma Darwin which tied in really nicely with it.

By the way, I posted Palladian to you today! :)

Lähettänyt: miss_read 2:35 pm (EST) Jul 27, 2007

Oooh, we do have lots of books in common! You have Eve Garnett's Further Adventures of the Family from One-End Street and Holiday at Dew Drop Inn! Not many others have those! Wow!

Lähettänyt: miss_read 4:57 pm (EST) Jul 26, 2007

I've read "Saraband." I found it beautifully-written and evocative, although I confess that my poor brain felt a bit muddled at the end. I see that we share Elizabeth Taylor and Rose Macaulay as favorites. I especially love Macaulay's "The World My Wilderness," "Told by an Idiot," and, of course, "The Towers of Trebizond." Sylvia Townsend Warner didn't quite make my favorites, but in addition to the popular "Lolly Willowes," I absolutely loved "The Corner That Held Them." I read it in April, and the spell it cast is still lingering.

By the way, "artymiss" is a brilliant user name.

Rob (via the Virago Modern Classics group)

Lähettänyt: rbhardy3rd 3:48 am (EST) Jul 25, 2007

Hi Michelle,

Sorry to say, I haven't read Saraband yet. All of my books are still in boxes
after our big move - and I was trying to find my copy to have a look at it
after you asked. Still haven't found it!

I was researching Eliot Bliss - and was surprised at how little there is on the
web about her.

I must confess, I have more viragos that I haven't read. Life just keeps
getting in the way of my reading!

Hope your summer is going great!

Cate

Lähettänyt: bleuroses 12:24 pm (EST) Jul 23, 2007

Michelle,

'Shelley Circle' sounds a useful tag and I did a quick 'Power edit' this morning. Still thinking about whether or not to apply it to novellas like 'The Aspern Papers'. I notice you have Richard Holmes 'Shelley: The pursuit' - which I have from the library at the moment, and you also have 'Sidetracked' - I'd not come across this, but was wondering if it is a follow up to 'Footsteps' - which I have (£1.00 in the charity shop) - and which I read when it first came out - wonderful book which staid with me for years - hence the rebuy.

Richard Holmes reviewed Ann Wroe, 'Being Shelley', in yesterday's Guardian - a good review - the second good review I've read. A few weeks ago both Wroe & Todd were jointly reviewed in the Observer.

I'll move onto Shelley when I've finished Richard Ford's Frank Bascombe trilogy - my problem is that Frank is so laid back that my picking up and ploughing on is pretty lackadaisical.

Best, Peter

Lähettänyt: peterbrown 6:56 am (EST) Jul 22, 2007

Yes taken about 50 years ago when I started school - I've still got teddy - and now he happily shares his life with my Wife's teddy...

I picked up on your collection because you also have Janet Todd's 'Death & the maidens' - mine arrived yesterday - so not yet read. I'm interested in a number of books around and about this period - in a general non-scholarly way - and the way in which the Shelley story has transmuted over the years into a number of stories.

I note you also get a number of Books from Charity shops - yep - brilliant value - & some real finds over the years. Best, Peter

Lähettänyt: peterbrown 1:10 pm (EST) Jul 21, 2007

I don't think you're cheating! But the reason I didn't go for the 18th century novel module was that I'd studied a number of the books before and just couldn't face re-reading them (Clarissa in particular).

No ideas for the dissertation yet - I'd like to do more on the Austen/Slavery connection, but it's such well worn territory that it's going to be hard to find an 'angle' it keep it fresh.

You can add favourite authors from the particular author's page - there's an option to click on the options on the right hand side of the page.

Jessica

BTW - I hated the exam - glad to have it out of the way.

Lähettänyt: Rivercassini 7:39 pm (EST) Jun 1, 2007

Hi Artymiss,
Yes, indeed, I'm currently studying (or trying to anyway) with the OU on the Literature MA course. I thought long and hard about doing the 18th novel unit this year, but in the end opted for Literature and Nation instead, but it was a close thing and I don't really have a good reason for choosing one over the other. I was lucky enough to be able to buy a lot of books related to the course from a friend who did the course last year. It's really saving time because I don't have to travel to the library so often as I did last year. How are you getting on with your studies?

Rivercassini

Lähettänyt: Rivercassini 12:38 am (EST) May 21, 2007

Oh sorry, I misunderstood what LibraryThing was saying. Well, The Element of Lavishness is marvellous - I carried it around for months reading a couple of letters at a time, to avoid finishing it too soon. Her letters are wonderful and William Maxwell is pretty good too - the effort they made to write each other beautiful, fascinating letters is very impressive. Highly recommended. I got my copy very cheaply from a US supplier via Amazon Marketplace, btw.

Lähettänyt: catalpa 1:46 pm (EST) May 6, 2007

Hello there - a very belated reply to your comment. The Flint Anchor is very good - although I'm very biassed as I've never come across a STW that I didn't like. It's loosely based on her own family history and is the story of the family of a Norfolk clergyman - he has a tippling wife and rebellious daughters. Some of the descriptive passages are marvellous, especially the clergyman skating on the pond. I see you have the Element of Lavishness - what did you think of it?

Lähettänyt: catalpa 7:29 am (EST) May 6, 2007

Greetings.

I just finished Rebecca Brown's THE CHILDREN'S CRUSADE last night and am looking for someone to discuss it with. The ending (the last two sections) confused me. Was her relationship with Stanley incestuous? There is the merest hint of that. Where is she supposed to be at the end (that rocky garden)? What is the purpose or meaning of the children that terrorise and enslave her? I realise that much of the book is an allegory and that the bulk has to do with her parent's separation but I just couldn't figure out the end. That bit with the old people and the bus. Anyhow, I notice that you have the book in your collection and I'm hoping you've read it.

Any insights would be appreciated.

Lähettänyt: blakefraina 7:34 am (EST) Feb 27, 2007

I confess I bought 'The Brontes went to Woolworths' based entirely on the title (and probably from the previously mentioned bookshop in Hay). It is a while since I read it, but my recollection is that the book is equally quirky - and very enjoyable!

My copy of LI also comes from the same source in Hay. I have to admit that I haven't yet read it. Another one to go to the top of the pile! I'm also intrigued by Djuna Barnes. In my ignorance I hadn't heard of her until the other week, when I found her reviewed in (of all things) American Vogue (don't ask!). Apparently her novels are being reissued in the US. I was intrigued by her story - and see you have her biography. Have you read much of her work? Not that I should be buying any more books until I've read at least a few of my unread pile...

Lähettänyt: finebalance 1:17 pm (EST) Oct 9, 2006

It did cross my mind to get an HGV licence - but then I remembered I need to fit all the books I buy in my flat (and buying a bigger flat starts to get very expensive!)

I took a quick look at your blog and see you've just acquired a copy of 'Black Lamb and Grey Falcon'. It had a great review from Greg Dyer in the Guardian Review section back in August when Canongate reissued it, but I'd been holding off (not cheap for something that risks sitting on my shelves while I wait for the elusive day when I'm ready to read 1,000+ pages!). I'm very jealous of your find!

Alison

Lähettänyt: finebalance 10:55 am (EST) Oct 6, 2006

I'm very interested to see we share a book between us that no one has on this site. So where did you get [Australian Women's Stories:An Oxford Anthology]

Lähettänyt: jorghes 6:47 pm (EST) Sep 25, 2006

Hmmm... Elizabethan slang. That sounds pretty sweet! :)

Lähettänyt: Brenhines_o_Rhofiau 6:17 pm (EST) Sep 19, 2006

Hi Artymiss, we do share a lot of books! I'm afraid I haven't read the Oriel Malet yet. Have you read it and if so, did you like it?

Sharon

Lähettänyt: Ex_Libris 2:12 pm (EST) Sep 19, 2006

Hello. We do seem to have tastes in common, don't we? At one time, I used to think that nobody else in the world seemed to share my eclectic selection but, having joined LibraryThing, I'm pleased to have been proven wrong. As more of my books appear on my catalogue, I seem to discover more and more people with quite a few of my books.

I've always loved peeking at what other people collect and so this is a perfect excuse to peer through the ether!

Lähettänyt: Basbleu0 11:10 am (EST) Sep 19, 2006

Thank you for having joined the group. You are VERY welcome!!

Paola :-))

Lähettänyt: aluvalibri 3:04 pm (EST) Sep 18, 2006

Hi back!
I see that the passion we share is not only Virago! By the way, I just got three more of them on Ebay from Australia. I am also trying to figure out how my printer/scanner works (I am a bit "challenged" when it comes to things like that) so I can put the covers on Librarything.
In looking at your homepage, at the pics of your books, I saw a few I have as well, and a few I am salivating after.
I have the same exact copy of Australian women stories, which I bought in a Canberra's used bookstore six years ago; I have the letters of Virginia Woolf, which was actually the subject of my thesis at the university. I am hoping to be able to get my hands on at least a couple of the Persephone books, but unless I get them on line or buy them directly from their website, there is no other way. You cannot find them in the US (sigh, sigh, sigh, sigh.....).
Where in England do you live? It is one of my favourite countries, you know. The other is Australia.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Paola :-))

Lähettänyt: aluvalibri 6:24 pm (EST) Sep 17, 2006

I'm curious--what is the book "The Elizabethan Underworld" like? The title in itself sounds quite intriguing.

Lähettänyt: Brenhines_o_Rhofiau 11:13 am (EST) Sep 14, 2006

I'm new to Librarything and haven't yet added very many books to my library. Still, it seems we have some good books in common. This place is pretty amazing. It can draw you in for hours, can't it??!!

-Rus

Lähettänyt: rdixon98 8:37 am (EST) Sep 7, 2006

We share Madame Bovary, Clarissa, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, The Waves and Mrs Dalloway. All favourites of mine!

Lähettänyt: Picard 3:20 pm (EST) Aug 14, 2006

I'm dying to know precisely which books we share! H.

Lähettänyt: scarletslippers 5:51 am (EST) Mar 14, 2006

A bit keen on Henry James, are you? ;-)

Lähettänyt: scarletslippers 4:08 pm (EST) Mar 1, 2006

wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lähettänyt: artymiss 1:39 pm (EST) Mar 1, 2006

I used to be in a Yahoo group for Persephone readers. I think dovegreyreader is the person whose husband bought her the whole set of Persephone books for her 50th birthday.

Lähettänyt: scarletslippers 1:35 pm (EST) Mar 1, 2006

"23 persephone books!!! *pouts*"

- And those are just the ones I've read - I've got a stack of others to add that I've not yet read, hehe :D

Lähettänyt: scarletslippers 1:26 pm (EST) Mar 1, 2006