Persephone Reading Week, hosted by Verity and Claire begins on Friday.
A week ago I knew excactly what I was going to read: A London Child of the 1870s by Molly Hughes. It looks lovely, I’ve been meaning to read it for ages, and I know that the library has the out-of-print sequels.
A London Child of the 1870s by Molly Hughes
But then I read a short story by Susan Glaspell, and it made me want to pick up one of her novels. And Simon said that he thought Fidelity was rather good …
Fidelity by Susan Glaspell
And then Danielle said that Lyn had recommended Winifred Peck. And I remembered that I had a copy of House-bound tucked away …
House-bound by Winifred Peck
When I looked for that book noticed another, and I remembered how much I love Monica Dickens’ writing, and how much I want to read another of her novels. I still haven’t read Mariana, despite owning a numbered orange Penguin copy as well as the lovely Persephone edition …
Marianna by Monica Dickens
And then, with wonderful timing, the copy of Dimanche and Other Stories by Irène Némirovsky that I had forgotten ordering appeared with my name on the label on the reservations shelf in the library ..
Dimanche and Other Stories by Irène Némirovsky
So now I really don’t know.
What do you think I should read?
And what will you be reading this weekend?
Fleur in her World 
oooh I’m not sure but I did love this post. The only one of your list I’ve read is Mariana – which I loved.
It is lovely to ponder. And I do love Monica Dickens, so Mariana is a very real possibility.
I thought I knew exactly what I was going to be reading for this weekend. I was going to read the much anticipated Miss Buncle’s Book and finally try some Whipple, starting with Someone at a Distance. But then I looked to my shelves and became completely confused. Manja seems so tempting right now, as do Lady Rose and Mrs Memmary and Making Conversation and House-Bound. I really have no idea where to start anymore but I’m certainly excited to begin!
Manja is tempting me too, but it’s just that little bit too long for right now given that I have two Victorian novels in progress. And Lady Rose and Mrs Mammary is lovely, and you have just given me an idea for what else I am going to post over the weekend. Thank you!
I haven’t read any of the ones you mentioned but personally, I’d be tempted to go with ‘Mariana’ – and I love those end papers!
I will be starting with ‘Cheerful Weather for the Wedding’ followed by ‘High Wages’ and I’m so looking forward to reading everyone’s posts and comments. Such fun!
You have too lovely books Cristina, and I’m quite sure we are all going to have a lovely weekend.
All those papers are gorgeous..you should flip a coin!! LOL!!
It could come to that Staci!!
A London Child…was such a lovely read and if you can get your hands on the sequels so much the better! Mariana is languishing on my shelf but I’m working this Saturday so I chose the slim volume of Dorothy Whipple’s short stories.
I’m definitely still leaning towards Molly Hughes. though I do love Monica Dickens …
One of the university libraries in town has A London Child and I’m dying to read it so if I have time I’ll make a trip out there this weekend to get it — so glad that everyone seems to like it.
I have two nonfiction Persephones from my library (older editions actually): The Carlyles at Home and Julian Grenfell, so I’m going to try and read one of them. I’ll probably read Flush and maybe Little Boy Lost. Or Saplings. Or Fidelity. . . I have so many on my TBR shelf maybe I need to post about this and I can get some suggestions.
I’ve only read the first page of a London Child, but I am already captivated. Definitely worth a trip. I’d say.
How you chose between those others i really don’t know – good luck!
Eeesh…right now I’m bookless! 😦 I just finished a very good book, but now if I’m going to read anything, I’m going to have to get to the library (where I owe a big fine), or buy a book (and I’m kinda broke.) Oh well…I can always re-read one of my favorites, right? 🙂
I wanted to let you know that I’m doing a fun little book meme on my book blog. It doesn’t take much time, and it’s a good way to spread some link love. Check it out if you have a moment1
Ouch! An old favourite is always good though, and I will check out your meme Cindy.
I’d put all the names in a hat and draw one out, otherwise you’re always going to think you chose the wrong one. Alternatively, you could take a week of work and read them all. Why should only Universities get official reading weeks?
That might be the way to go – at least I could think that my hat chose wrong rather than me!
Oh, I love those endpapers; I hope you do read London Child – Molly Hughes used to holiday in Cornwall as a child and I am pretty sure that Cornwall features in that volume.
I think it does Verity, and did you know Molly Hughes also wrote book about her mother which is definitely set in Cornwall?
I always love this moment of indecision before embarking on a new book. For me the decision would be easy, I would go with the numbered Penguin and read Monica Dickens. Although Simon’s recent review of Gilead had me in tears and so perhaps I would be persuaded by his recommendation. I hope you enjoy whatever you choose.
Monica Dickens is definitely calling, and much as I love Penguins and Persephones, it takes a specail author for me to keep both. But Molly Hughes is calling and, yes, Simon’s recommendations are very reliable…
What a great dilemma to have! I would probably go with your first choice since you have the sequels waiting for you at the library, which would extend the reading experience. I have Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day lined up – from what reviews I’ve seen so far I’m pretty much guaranteed an enjoyable read.
It is a wonderful dilemma.
Miss Pettigrew is lovely too, and I’m sure the two of you will get on wonderfully.
So many fantastic choices! I am going to support Fidelity – I rarely see it being read and it truly is brilliant – it blew me away. Glaspell was an incredible writer.
Whatever I read this weekend, I am going to read Susan Glaspell as soon as i can. I was so impressed by A Jury of Her Peers, and I’d love to see what she could do in a novel.
I am in exactly the same position. My solution is going to be picking a book at random from the shelf on Friday.
Claire, I daren’t look at my Persephone shelves, I’d only get more confused or land on something huge, like manja or a Few Eggs. Both look wonderful, but Idon’t have enough time to do them justice this weekend. I hope the random pick works well for you.