Virago Modern Classics discussion
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I am currently reading The Stone Angel. Reviewed on the latest episode of Backlisted I moved it up my TBR pile and it is meeting their hype.I have a number of VMCs on my TBR pile which I am hoping to get to this year.
I have two by Molly Keane which I am hoping could meet prompts in the Irish Readathon in March Good Behaviour and Two Days in Aragon
For the Summer I have Losing battles, and The Birds Fall Down
For Victober in October I hope to read the final book in the Carlingford Chronicles series Phoebe Junior
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I have already read "The God Behaviour" and I want to read more by the author, but I can't find a copy of "Two Days in Aragon". I hope to read in March Keane's The Rising Tide or Time After Time.
I will try to read with you "Losing Battles", and "The Birds Fall Down". I am not sure I will have enough time in Summer but I will try.
And definitely, I would like to read "Phoebe Junior" in October. (Sadly, I wasn't able to participate in 2023 in Victober.)
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Mela wrote: "I also am planning (hope) to read this year (besides mentioned above) The Parasites by Daphne du Maurier."I definitely recommend listening to the Backlisted podcast before reading The Stone Angel. It gave me insights that I wouldn't have thought of (it didn't spoil the story) and informed me about Margaret Laurence. One little titbit was that when she lived in the UK she stayed in same village as Elizabeth Taylor (unfortunately not known if they met).
I also have two Daphne du Maurier books on my pile My Cousin Rachel and The House on the Strand
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I loved both of them.
I loved all I have read by du Maurier so far (10 books). Some a tiny bit less, but all got not less than 4 stars from me.
Mela wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Mela wrote: "...I also have two Daphne du Maurier books on my pile My Cousin Rachel and The House on the Strand"I loved both of them.
I loved all I have read by du Maurier so far (1..."
I read Rebecca a long time ago, and then forgot about du Maurier. Last January I read Jamaica Inn and really enjoyed it. So when I found Frenchman's Creek and the two listed above secondhand I grabbed them. Du Maurier tells a good story.
Sonia wrote: "Mela wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Mela wrote: "...I also have two Daphne du Maurier books on my pile My Cousin Rachel and The House on the Strand"I loved both of them.
I loved all I have read by du Maur..."
I'm a big DuMaurier fan (although I didn't much care for Frenchman's Creek) I can recommend The Scapegoat (which is available on Virago)
The Virago I most want to read is The Custom of the Country (although I won't be reading in that format), but after finding the last two Whartons I read a bit disappointing, I'll be waiting till the end of the year.
I'm such a Goodreader that I do have a physical to-read shelf! On it are Testament of Youth, Vera & short story collection That Kind of Woman: Stories From the Left Bank and Beyond (although that includes a Wharton short story!) - all Virago editions
I also love Daphne Du Maurier. I've read the Cornish based ones several times. Currently listening to Rebecca, narrated by Anna Massey.I'm planning to read the lesser known books this year
The King's General,
The Flight of the Falcon,
Hungry Hill,
The Glass-Blowers,
The Scapegoat
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I'm such a Goodreader that I do have a physical to-read shelf! On it are Testament of Youth, Vera & short story collection That Kind of Woman: Stories From the Left Bank and Beyond (although that includes a Wharton short story!) - all Virago editions"
I am adding (into my notes) "The Custom of the Country" for December as a buddy-read with you. I will add a thread then in the folder Buddy reads. Let me know, Carol if you prefer another month.
Do you want to read "Vera" and "Testament of Youth" this year too? I could try and do a buddy-read with you in e.g. April and May, or in Autumn.
"That Kind of Woman" isn't on the VMC list, at least not the one on virago.co.uk.
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The King's General,
The Flight of the Falcon,
Hungry Hill,
The Glass-Blowers,
The Scapegoat"
I haven't read yet three of the mentioned above: The Flight of the Falcon, The Glass-Blowers, The Scapegoat. When do you want to read them? If you want I can set a buddy-read with you for these novels. Just one a month, because I have many other plans (obviously too many groups on GR ;-) )
Mela wrote: "Carol She's So Novel ꧁꧂ wrote: "...The Virago I most want to read is The Custom of the Country (...) I'll be waiting till the end of the year.I'm such a Goodreader that I do have a physical to-re..."
Regarding Custom of the Country - yes please! & December would be great!
Vera & Testament of Youth - Could we leave for now? I'm scared of overwhelming myself.
Looking at my edition of That Kind of Woman: Stories From the Left Bank and Beyond on the back cover it says Virago New Fiction. Does that make a difference?
I'm interested in a group or buddy read of The Glass Blowers as long as it is April or later.
I have some Virago non-fiction texts I’d like to read this year.-Dust Tracks on a Road Zora Neale Thurston’s autobiography)
-West With the Night (Beryl Markham’s memoir)
-The Virago Book of Women Travellers
-Moll Cutpurse
I also have a Virago history of suffragists (but I can’t remember the title)
The Transit of Venus - I've had in my TBR mountain for ages.Angel - I've only just started reading her novels.
Mela - I'd love a buddy read of those three with you though was thinking maybe starting April or May and reading one every two months? Carol - yes to starting in April or later for me too.
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Of course!
Carol She's So Novel ꧁꧂ wrote: "Looking at my edition of That Kind of Woman: Stories From the Left Bank and Beyond on the back cover it says Virago New Fiction. Does that make a difference?"
Yes. VMC is a collection of books that Virago published as Virago Modern Classics. There are many books published by Virago that aren't in the VMC collection.
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Angel - I've only just started reading her novels.
Forgot to mention The Seventh Cross"
I tried to read "The Transit of Venus" two years ago, but I abandoned it rather fast. Perhaps I will try someday again, but not yet.
I have read "Angel" - and loved it, like all by the author.
If you want to do a buddy-read with these books - feel free to open a thread in a folder for it when you will read it.
I will read with you "The Seventh Cross" this year, if you like. What do you think of November?
Edit: We will probably read "The Seventh Cross" in March, so we will see first how the poll ends up.
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-Dust Tracks on a Road Zora Neale Thurston’s autobiography)
-West With the Night (Beryl Markham’s memoir)
-The Virago Book of Women Travellers
-Moll Cutpurse..."
I don't know what books you mean (third and fourth).
I don't have access to the two first books, but of course, if you want to do a buddy-read with these books - feel free to open a thread in a folder for it when you read it.
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February - The Stone Angel (Sonia) --> here a thread for discussion
March
April - The Glass-Blowers (Lynnie, Carol) --> here a thread for discussion
May - A Jest of God (Sonia) --> here a thread for discussion
June - The Scapegoat (Lynnie) --> here a thread for discussion
July - Losing battles (Sonia) --> here a thread for discussion
August - The Birds Fall Down (Sonia) --> here a thread for discussion
September - The Flight of the Falcon (Lynnie) --> here a thread for discussion
October - Phoebe Junior (Sonia) --> here a thread for discussion
November - Challenge (Daniela)
December - The Custom of the Country (Carol)
Please, Sonia, Lynnie, and Carol, if you change your mind or want to make changes - let me know.
[If someone suggests and finds another reader to do buddy-read - let me know, I will add the book to our list. ]
Mela wrote: "Summarizing for now what buddy-reads we have for this year (it isn't finished, just to gather all suggestions):February - The Stone Angel (Sonia)
March
April - [book:The Glass-Blo..."
These dates look fine for me.
JosephineBookwyrm wrote: "I have some Virago non-fiction texts I’d like to read this year.-Dust Tracks on a Road Zora Neale Thurston’s autobiography)
-West With the Night (Beryl Markham’s memoir)
-The Virago Book of Women ..."
I have this edition of The Virago Book of Women Travellers. I read it a long time ago, but would reread if you wanted to make it a year project reading a couple of the stories (of your choice) each month.
Do read Dust Tracks it is very interesting. I have not read West with the Night, but will keep an eye out for a secondhand copy.
Mela wrote: "Summarizing for now what buddy-reads we have for this year (it isn't finished, just to gather all suggestions):February - The Stone Angel (Sonia)
March
April - [book:The Glass-Blo..."
Thank you Mela, looks good.
Sonia wrote: "JosephineBookwyrm wrote: "I have some Virago non-fiction texts I’d like to read this year.-Dust Tracks on a Road Zora Neale Thurston’s autobiography)
-West With the Night (Beryl Markham’s memoir)
..."
Hi Sonia,
I have copies of all those books except for “the women travellers” which I have on hold at my local library. Maybe we could discuss favourite chapters in one comment thread rather than month by month (as I will only have the book for a month).
I’ve recently read references to the life and adventures of Beryl Markham in several fiction and non-fiction books and bought a copy of her autobiography (published by Virago). If you manage to find a copy let me know. I’m interested in a buddy read. Also looking forward to reading Thurston’s autobiography.
JosephineBookwyrm wrote: "Sonia wrote: "JosephineBookwyrm wrote: "I have some Virago non-fiction texts I’d like to read this year.-Dust Tracks on a Road Zora Neale Thurston’s autobiography)
-West With the Night (Beryl Mark..."
When you get your library hold ask Mela to set up a thread. Have a quick look through the index, pick say 10 that interest you and we can start with those. I will keep an eye out for Markham’s book, I have a feeling I have seen it on my travels.
I have The Virago Book of Women Travellers too. I like this idea - I'll ave to see if I can find it.
Sonia wrote: "JosephineBookwyrm wrote: "Sonia wrote: "JosephineBookwyrm wrote: "I have some Virago non-fiction texts I’d like to read this year.-Dust Tracks on a Road Zora Neale Thurston’s autobiography)
-West ..."
Thanks for the suggestion Tania. Will do that soon.
I hope you find the Markham book. I’m not sure if she’s a good writer but it sounds like it will be an interesting tale.
Mela wrote: "Cphe wrote: "The Transit of Venus - I've had in my TBR mountain for ages.Angel - I've only just started reading her novels.
Forgot to mention The Seventh Cross"
I tried..."
Will join in for The Seventh Cross in March - thank you
Not found the Markham book yet, but thought I would share what I recently picked up secondhand bookshopping. Probably will be for next year.The Orchard on Fire
The Sleeping Beauty
The Gentlewomen
The Judge
The Odd Women
Aleta Day
Jenny Wren (looking forward to reading what the group said about this)
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The Orchard on Fire
[book:The Sleeping B..."
Remember, you can nominate them also for one of this year's month-reading.
If you want to do a buddy-read this year, there is a free spot for November. I could read with you one of those three: The Orchard on Fire, The Gentlewomen, or Aleta Day.
Or if you want to suggest them for a buddy-read for the next year - remind me of them when I open a thread for next year's plans.
Mela wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Not found the Markham book yet, but thought I would share what I recently picked up secondhand bookshopping. Probably will be for next year.The Orchard on Fire
[book:..."
Thanks I will have a think about nominating for a group or buddy read. Thought I would list what I had bought in case others had them and wanted to read.
Am looking forward to July's buddy read of Losing Battles by Eudora Welty. This will be the final of her novels to read. My first was Delta Wedding, and after having a read of the first few pages of Losing Battles I can feel the same energy and exuberance. Welty's descriptions bring the place alive, and the bustle of the multi-generational family is going to give me lots of stories, gossip and hopefully some delight.Hope others can join in, and am looking forward to chatting in July when the thread is set up.
I am planning on starting The Birds Fall Down at the beginning of August. It has been on my shelf for a few years and am looking forward to reading it. For me, it is a bigger book than I normally read so expecting to read it throughout the month.
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Mela wrote: "I don't have much time for reading this month, and when I have, I am mostly too numb to read something "deeper". I am going to catch up on group reading in August."I have just started The Birds Fall Down. I think it is going to be good/interesting, but it is detailed. I won't be upset if this is not the right time for you.
Hi MelaI'm sorry but I don't think I will have time to read The Flight of the Falcon in September. I'm a mood reader and several mystery books that I've been looking forward to have all been recently published and I want to read those. :)
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I'm sorry but I don't think I will have time to read The Flight of the Falcon in September. I'm a mood reader and several mystery books that I've been looking forward to ha..."
No problem. I understand. I am in a similar situation sometimes too, when I want to participate in a few group readings but suddenly I am in the mood for different books. In such cases, a month is way too short ;-)
I will try to read "The Flight of the Falcon" in September. Perhaps someone will join.
If you do read it I'll be interested in what you think of it.
Virago Modern Classics
Books mentioned in this topic
The Flight of the Falcon (other topics)The Flight of the Falcon (other topics)
The Birds Fall Down (other topics)
Challenge (other topics)
The Orchard on Fire (other topics)
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What books of VMC would you like to read this year? What are your plans?
Put here the list of these books. Mark when you read one. And perhaps this way, find someone for a buddy-read.