The days immediately after Christmas are dangerous ones. Lounging about on holidays, intoxicated by a surplus of goodwill and boozy Christmas cake, I had far too much time to consider what books my shelves were lacking after the gift giving had concluded. So I gave myself a little present: one day’s salary to spend on books. It’s my money and I gave it to myself but that did nothing to lessen the giddiness I felt in spending it. The first order I placed was, of course, for Persephone books and they arrived last week, all gorgeous and grey. Here’s what I picked out: 
The Fortnight in September by RC Sherriff – I heard so many wonderful things about this over the summer and early fall (when it felt like an inordinate amount of people we’re talking about it) that I couldn’t not order it. It sounds wonderful and cosy and I really don’t need anything more from a book. Also, I completely adore the endpapers.
Doreen by Barbara Noble – Can I ever read enough about evacuees? Some of my favourite books as a child were the volumes of Kit Pearson’s “Guests of War” trilogy, about a pair of English children evacuated to Canada during the war, and since then I’ve loved reading novels, histories, and memoirs on the topic. This title, about a child torn between her mother and the family that takes her in, has appealed to me from the moment I first heard of it.
Bricks and Mortar by Helen Ashton – I’m intrigued by this one, for both its male protagonist and the glimpse it promises of his profession (architect), though I’ve read comparatively few reviews of it.
Family Roundabout by Richmal Crompton – this is the one I’m most excited to read. I’ve never read anything by Crompton before (that’s right, William and I are complete strangers) but everything I’ve heard about this makes me certain that I will love it.
The Home-Maker by Dorothy Canfield Fisher – my library teased me for over a year with this title, showing it ‘on order’ in their catalogue. At the end of November, it suddenly disappeared and I was left bereft. But no more, now I have a copy of my own.
The rest of my books are still enroute (a few were pre-orders) so I may wait until they’ve all arrived before talking about them…or I may not. But I simply couldn’t wait to show these beauties off. As usual, Persephones take priority!
The Captive Reader 
Ooh lucky you – there is something so nice about new Persephones and they are so photogenic.
I can’t think of any book purchases that consistently delight me as much as new Persephones! And yes, they are so pretty that I just get a ridiculous amount of joy looking at and photographing them. For sheer entertainment value, clearly a wise investment!
Enjoy!
Thank you, I’m sure I will!
Isn’t it strange, just when publishing houses are making more and more brightly coloured book covers, the elegant grey Persephones stand out from the crowd, head and shoulders above the rest, with their photogenic covers? And, of course, excellent books within those covers!
They make quite the statement, lined up along the shelf with their understated, uniform covers, and I feel wonderfully peaceful just looking at them. Much better than loud, clashing book jackets!
Hurray for Persephones! And your beautiful flowers.
Naturally I am thrilled about Family Roundabout, which is how I found Persephone, and still probably my favourite.
Bricks and Mortar I bought in, erm, 2004 I think. And I still haven’t read it.
I couldn’t resist showing off the flowers as well as the books – a pop of colour to set the books off to best advantage. I remembered that you were enthusiastic about Family Roundabout when I was placing the order and I know you like Crompton, so I can’t wait to find out what I think of it!
Persephones are so beautiful. I only have two, but I intend to have more!
It’s an addiction, Joanne. Once you start, you just want more and more!
Great photo, for starters – Persephone should use that in their marketing materials!
Let me tell you, you are in for such a treat with those choices! Family Roundabout, The Fortnight and The Homemaker are three of my absolute favourite Persephones, and I have been meaning to read Doreen and Bricks and Mortar for a long time, so I will eagerly await your thoughts on that.
A day’s salary on books? My goodness me. I think that sounds marvellous. Though WHERE I would put them all is a problem.
I think the photo is rather pretty and was quite eager to share, so I’m glad you like it too! And I’m thrilled to hear that I picked out not one, not two, but three of your favourites! Now I’m absolutely sure I’ll enjoy them all (in fact, I just finished reading The Home-Maker, which I adored).
The shelving is definitely becoming a problem. I choose to live in denial for now.
What a wonderful gift to yourself! I think that’s brilliant! And that is a gorgeous photograph with the tulips and grey books.
It was a lovely way to end the year, picking out the books, and the deliveries have certainly gotten 2012 off to an enjoyable start! And I’m so pleased you like the photograph.
The books are beautiful, even more so in your layout of them, especially that close up with the arching tulips. I love the idea of giving oneself a day’s pay to spend on books. Enjoy them, Claire.
Thank you, Penny! I love the movement of tulips and the pink next to the grey books was too pretty not to capture.
Lovely pictures, thoughts. Next time I’m in London I vow to visit the Persephone store!
I was trying to remember when I first discovered Persephone books. I’m pretty sure it was a recommendation from Amazon UK. I went back through my orders. My first purchases were in 2003.
I purchased: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Few Eggs and No Oranges, and Mariana. I was in seventh heaven to find this publisher. Also on that order: four Virago Modern Classics plus Yesterday Morning, and Dear Dodie (I had just finished I Capture the Castle). The order cost 90 pounds (20 just for shipping!) with an exchange rate of about 1.6.
I didn’t know anyone who read Persephone books. I was isolated in the boon docks of the USA. @:-( So, many years later, I was thrilled to find first Simon’s blog and through him yours and many more. You guys are great — so wonderful to feel part of a group of like-minded readers.
I got to visit the store when I was in London in September and it was a thrilling experience. The novelty of being surrounded by all of the books at once made me giddy. You definitely discovered the books long before I did; I didn’t even hear of them until the end of 2009, when I started reading book blogs. No one I know aside from bloggers has even heard of Persephone Books so I heartily agree with you on the joy of being able to share these books within the online community!
Lovely book choices! I also treated myself to heaps of new books this month (this seems to have become a January tradition for me) and am anxiously awaiting their arrival. Sadly, I did not get around to ordering any new Persephones, but I have several that I’m eyeing for next month.
I’ve not read Family Roundabout” yet, but Richmal Crompton is a brilliant writer and so very funny. I highly recommend the William stories if you ever have a chance to read them (they were actually written for adults originally and are so much fun!).
At the darkest, most depressing time of the year, the arrival of book parcels definitely brightens my days and I’m pleased that I’m not the only one treating themselves to a little winter treat!
I’m sure that if Family Roundabout goes well (and I’m confident it will), that I’ll be racing to track down more of Crompton’s works, starting with William!
Love your picture, and agree with Rachel that Persephone should use it in their marketing. I finally ordered my first “greys” this past fall. Greenery Street (on your recommendation, of course :)), Miss Buncle’s Book, and The Children Who Lived in a Barn. Family Roundabout and The Home-Maker are high on my wish list, so those may be on the next order. I’m trying to space them out enough to actually read the ones I have before the next order — crazy talk, I know! Enjoy your new books!
Oh Susan, yay! I’m so excited that you’ve joined the cult with your first Persephone purchases. Given that I haven’t read more than a third of the ones I already own, I have to admire your plan to space out your orders. But it’s really nice just getting to look at them and know that if I want to read them they’re right there.
Beautiful! I read a Dorothy Canfield Fisher book late last year (Understood Betsy) and liked it so much that I want to read another.
Wonderful! I actually read The Home-Maker today and it was fabulous, so, like you, my first encounter with Dorothy Canfield Fisher has made me eager to track down more of her work!
I’ve only read maybe a half-dozen Persephones, but I think you have my two favorites there. I read both The Home-Maker and Family Roundabout last year, and they’re both wonderful!
Excellent, Teresa! I managed to read The Home-Maker today and, like everyone else, loved it. Now I can’t wait to get started on Family Roundabout!
Nothing wrong with splurging on Persephone’s! I want them all (naturally :P), but I have to make do with staring at your pictures for now, since I cannot affrod to buy new books for a while. Very nice flowers, too, btw!
Stare all you like! Their appearance brings almost as much pleasure as their contents.
That is such a gorgeously composed picture at the top.
Thank you, Jodie!