On Friday, Simon T. stared a quite delightful meme, a “little this-book-that-book-this-book-that-book sort of post.” I’ve had so much fun reading other people’s responses (indeed, it was the mention of Elizabeth Gaskell by Audrey that had me reaching the morning for my current read) that I just had to fill it out for myself! And I’m so pleased that I had a freshly acquired book to share for question #4!
1.) The book I’m currently reading:
Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell – On a rainy, lazy weekend afternoon, what could be better than an old favourite?
2.) The last book I finished:
Born Round by Frank Bruni – I finished this just before bed on Friday evening and am still not entirely sure what I think of it. It’s disturbing and rather upsetting (particularly the sections recalling his adolescence and early adulthood) but quite engaging. I loved the final chapters detailing his first months as food critic for the New York Times.
3.) The next book I want to read:
The Priory by Dorothy Whipple – I have never read any Whipple and I’m in quite a Persephone-y mood right now. I think this would be just the thing to suit me.
4.) The last book I bought:
The Years Between: Diaries, 1939 – 1944 by Cecil Beaton – picked up this morning (along with The Piano Shop on the Left Bank by T.E. Carhart) in the very crowded, very damp book tent at a local school fair.
5.) The last book I was given:
Miss Buncle’s Book by D.E. Stevenson – yes, I had to think all the way back to Christmas to remember when someone (aside from a publisher) last gave me a book. And I still haven’t read it! I love anticipating a great read, perhaps too much, which is why I have let it sit for so long. However, now that Miss Buncle Married is readily available maybe I shall be able to read this and shift my anticipation to its sequel.
Oh good! A Whipple review to look forward to! You have some great books on parade here, Claire. The Cecil Beaton would be really interesting and I’m another one who has had Miss Buncle’s Book languishing on my shelves for far too long.
My memory had to go all the way back to Christmas, too, when I also received a Persephone (Little Boy Lost). I so need to read something by Elizabeth Glaskell, which I have not yet.
Oooh… a lovely collection there. I envy your Whipple 🙂
Read Miss Buncle! You’ll love it 🙂
The Gaskell looks wonderful too and must be a great read based upon the excellent TV series I saw (I do seem to watch more classics than I read – yikes!).
Miss Buncle’s Book has been on my list for SO long…and you’ve almost convinced me to read Wives and Daughters before North and South. This has been such a fun meme.
Wives and Daughters is perfect for a rainy day. Hope you like The Piano Shop on the Left Bank – I picked it up last year and loved it!
I read ‘Miss Buncle’s Book’ this year and it’s a lovely read. I’ll be looking forward to your Dorothy Whipple review as I have one of hers waiting on my shelves, but everyone seems to love her so much I’m half nervous about starting it in case my expectations are too high.
What a nice meme. I recently finished Miss Buncle’s Book and found it really delightful. I didn’t know about its popularity though and simply bought it because it had ‘book’ in the title! Hope you enjoy it.
Lovely selection, Claire! Cecil Beaton is someone I’ve always wanted to know more about…
I really want to read some Whipple too, along with Wives and Daughters.