Book Suggestions for the group to read

[Antoinette]

My copy of Harriet does not come till March with my subscription, so will join in discussion then. Unless my library has a copy ( which I doubt)

[Gina]

Thanks, everyone! I will add Harriet to our bookshelf for Feb. :) And I'll add my thanks, Tania, for keeping everyone organized!!

[Tania]

In the introduction thread MaryE suggested Saplings by Noel Streatfeild, would that suit people for March?

[Tania]

Looking back, I see that Doreen and The New House get a thumbs up, so we could schedule those in foe the coming months.

[Dianne]

I would prefer saplings or the new house because I can only find expensive copies of Doreen at the moment. Thanks for doing this now because it can take me a while to source Persephone books.

[Tania]

Ok, shall we start with Saplings in March and The New House in April?

[Dianne]

Sounds great!

[Tania]

Marvellous. ☺

[Cynthia]

Cool, I have both and haven't read them. Just finished "On the Other Side".

[Tania]

Great stuff. : )

[Antoinette]

Sorry, I don’t own either, so probably won’t join in. I will check to see if my library has either though.

[Mary]

Yes wonderful ! I have The New House in a Virago edition ( early green version ) mind you if I saw the Persephone edition of probably want it too..lo!

[Tania]

Antoinette wrote: "Sorry, I don’t own either, so probably won’t join in. I will check to see if my library has either though."

There is a copy of The New House available to borrow on Internet Archive if you're a member there. If not, it's free to join, its basically an online library. https://archive.org/details/newhouse0...

[Alwynne]

I've read Saplings and not sure I'll have time to reread it but will definitely try to fit in The New House been meaning to read it for a while now.

[Tania]

Excellent news.

[Antoinette]

Thanks, Tania!

[Alwynne]

Not sure if we're still doing the group read of Cooper? I've finished it now and although I found it flawed as a novel I thought it was fascinating for its perspective on interwar England, a little like Howards End it's a state of the nation narrative disguised as a book about a family and their attachment to a house.

I've reviewed it here but would love to discuss it!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tania]

Yes, I'm planning to start soon. I've set up threads for it now.

[Gina]

I hope everyone is enjoying The New House! Tania and I were looking ahead to the next few months, and we'll plan on doing Doreen in May. I thought we could do a couple of the newer Persephones for June and July - A Well Full of Leaves by Elizabeth Myers and The Other Day by Dorothy Whipple. How does that sound?

[Tania]

Exvellent. I did read The Other Day a few years ago, but happy to revisit, and A Well Full of Leaves looks really good.

[Antoinette]

I have read Doreen and really loved it!! I don’t own the other two, so may not join in. I already have a subscription to Persephone books and “try” not to buy too many in between as I am so behind.

[Tania]

Antoinette, do you have some unread books you'd like to suggest for future reads?

[Antoinette]

I have many, Tania. But I have a feeling, many have been read already.
Have 2 more Dorothy Whipple’s- Because of the Lockwoods and High Wages.
Greenery street; The Rector’s Daughter. I am not at home currently(in Hawaii), so can’t look at my shelves. If I have time, I may reread Doreen again- but May will be a very busy month for me.

[Dianne]

these sound great! I am just catching up after a busy spell at work and will order the upcoming reads. :)

[Tania]

Re-reading is fine, most of the books we've read lately have been re-reads and the two Whipples you mention are the only two I haven't read yet. Happy to read one or both of those if others are keen.

Enjpy your holiday.

[Mary]

Antoinette how nice ! I’m envious , love hawaii …
I’m currently reading Because of the Lockwoods .. loving it …

[Antoinette]

I’ll be reading that one soon, Mary! Glad to hear you are loving it.

[Mela]

I recommend reading:

Midsummer Night in the Workhouse
There Were No Windows
Earth and High Heaven.

If there are rules about nominations - I couldn't find them. So, I have chosen three books.

[Gina]

Antoinette and Mela, thanks for the suggestions! I will add those to the list for future months. We always like a good re-read. :)
And for June and July's books, inter-library loan might be a good option? I've had success with that in the past when I haven't been able to order more Persephone Books. And A Well Full of Leaves is available on Kindle in the US for about $4: https://www.amazon.com/Well-Full-Leav...

[Mela]

Gina wrote: "We always like a good re-read. :)"

I checked the titles on the read-shelf. I didn't find them, that was why I suggested them. Aren't there (on the list with read books) all already read books by the group?

[Tania]

Mela, I don't think the ones you've suggested have been read by the group before. I definitely own There Were No Windows, I don't think I own the other ones yet. One of the drawbacks of the uniform covers is that I'm no longer sure which ones I have; I no longer buy them when I go to the shop as I have to get through my pile of unread books.

A Well Full of Leaves is also available on Internet Archive https://archive.org/details/wellfullo...

[Mela]

Tania wrote: "...A Well Full of Leaves is also available on Internet Archive"

Thanks for the information.

I will recommend in this group almost only books, that are available on Internet Archive because, for Persephone's books, it is practically the only way for me to read them.

PS I always searched Internet Archive through OpenLibrary. And it didn't find "A Well Full of Leaves". Even taking regarding the error ("off" instead of "of") search engine doesn't find it on OpenLibrary :-( From now on, I am going to search directly on Internet Archive.

[Mela]

Tania and Gina, have you decided what will we read in August?
I remind you, that I nominated:
Midsummer Night in the Workhouse
There Were No Windows
Earth and High Heaven.
Could you add (if you know which ones) to the shelf to-read? I would like to plan my reading ;-)

[Tania]

I have a copy of There were no Windows. Is anyone else planning on joining in August? If we have a preference fo either of your other two choices we can read that.

I thought it would be nice to read The Fortnight in September in September if people fancy that.

[Mary]

Oh I’d go for that ! I bought it last year ( it was my first Persephone!) and really enjoyed it ..

[Tania]

Ok, I will add There Were No Windows for August, and The Fortnight in September for September.

Does anyone have any suggestions for October onwards, or want to read either of Mela's other two suggestions?

[Antoinette]

I have Earth and High Heaven in my new subscription. I think I am getting that one in the fall. Have you already read Because of the Lockwood or High Wages by Dorothy Whipple? I’d love to get to be of them.

[Tania]

I haven't read either of those ones, but I have them. Which would you prefer?

Do you know which month you'll be getting Earth and High Heaven?

[Antoinette]

Very flexible on those Tania. I love Whipple so either will be a delight. Because I live in Canada, I tend to receive the books a month late, so I think earth and high heaven will be here by September at the latest. I expect it for August though. I have at least 20 unread ones on my shelves plus the next 12 coming. I feel blessed but panicked. When will I get to them all.

[Tania]

I know that feeling, I still have about 15 un-read ones, but I'm not buying more this year, I want to reduce the pile of unread ones first.

How about Earth and High Heaven for October and we'll see if anyone has a preference for the two Whipples you mentioned.

[Antoinette]

Sounds great, Tania. Thank you!

[Judy]

Hello, I am new to this group and the Persephone books. I have loved the first three I've read. I ordered this month's book and hope to get in the USA soon so I can read before the end of month. I have a place here in Ohio that has some of the books. I can't wait to read with you. At this point, I have no opinion on what the next books we should read. Thank you all

[Tania]

Welcome to the group Judy. Look forward to reading some of these books with you.

[Mela]

Tania wrote: "Ok, I will add There Were No Windows for August, and The Fortnight in September for September.

Does anyone have any suggestions for October onwards, or want to read e..."

Great. Although, I see you added The Fortnight in September for October.

[Tania]

I haven't added it yet, that must be from a previous read. I'll take a look later when I get to a computer. ☺

[Jenn]

Judy wrote: "Hello, I am new to this group and the Persephone books. I have loved the first three I've read. I ordered this month's book and hope to get in the USA soon so I can read before the end of month. I ..."

Is that the Book Bus? I started by following her on Instagram, but have since ordered a few Persephones from there. Hoping to visit sometime, if/when I'm in the area.

[Judy]

It is the Book Bus! such a cute Book shop. it is only open about 3 days a week. But I hear they take the bus out sometimes. It's a great place for YA and children.

[Gina]

Hi everyone-
Just wanted to let you know that I've updated our "to-read" bookshelf so you can see what we're reading in October and November.
October - Earth and High Heaven by Gwethalyn Graham
November - High Wages by Dorothy Whipple

I also made a list of books suggested recently in this thread, so we will select a couple of these for December and January:

Because of the Lockwoods
Greenery Street
Rector's Daughter
Midsummer Night in the Workhouse
Lady and Her Husband
Persephone book of short stories
One Afternoon

Please continue to add suggestions in this thread!

[Theresa]

Just FYI, Earth and High Heaven is available as a free download at fadedpage.com. You can send it to your Kindle directly if you look up your "Send to Kindle" email address, found in your Amazon account under Manage your content and devices/Preferences/Personal Document Settings. It is a terrific read.

[Gina]

Theresa wrote: "Just FYI, Earth and High Heaven is available as a free download at fadedpage.com. You can send it to your Kindle directly if you look up your "Send to Kindle" email address, found in your Amazon ac..."
That's great, thanks Theresa!! :)