2013, I like what I have seen of you so far. Admittedly, we’re only half a day into the new year here but it is off to a glorious start. My mother and I both turn into slightly crazy and very superstitious old Czech women on New Year’s Day, strictly policing the family to ensure that the traditions that will ensure an excellent year are carried out: a long walk (for health), no meat until dinner, and then a dinner that includes ham (for luck) and lentils (for money). As far as traditions go, you could do far worse. We had a lovely family walk on the beach, the lentils are soaking, and the ham will soon be put in the oven. A successful 2013 is ensured.
I don’t generally make resolutions for the delightful reason that I am perfectly happy with my life. 2013 is going to see a few changes – I’ll be leaving the company where I’ve worked for the last four and a half years and searching for a job in my chosen field – but they should all be for the better. I’ll be studying and travelling through the spring and early summer and already I have had great fun planning the Lake District portion of this summer’s trip to Europe. The rest of the itinerary is up in the air but that part at least is booked. And I will be coming south after that (looks like it will be the second week of July) to visit with any and all available blogging friends in Southern England. That, I am sure, will be a highlight of this year.
While I haven’t set any particular reading goals for 2013, there are a number of books calling out to be reread. In January, I’d like to read Pride and Prejudice in honour of its 200th anniversary, as well as join Simon’s Cheerful Weather for the Wedding readalong. After that, I’d like at some point to reacquaint myself with the Provincial Lady, reread the early books and catch up on the more recent ones in Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell series, and rekindle my love of the Mortmain family from I Capture the Castle.
I would also like to work through some of the books on my shelves I haven’t yet read. I have a huge number of Persephone books waiting and I am hoping to start with The New House. The Talisman Ring and The Quiet Gentleman are two of only a small handful of Heyer books that I have never read before and that obviously needs to be remedied quickly. I picked up a few books from Greyladies towards the end of 2012 so will have to try those, starting with The Day of Small Things and A Young Man’s Fancy. The Mitford sisters’ letters have been sitting on my bookshelf partially read since Christmas 2009, which is a travesty. And though I just received it this Christmas, I am itching to delve into Artemis Cooper’s biography of Patrick Leigh Fermor (and will then obviously have to read/reread all his travel writing as well as his letters to Debo).
There are a few dozen other books – at least! – that I’m hoping to get to this year and library holds have accordingly been placed. I am planning to spend more time in Trollope’s Barsetshire than Thirkell’s, am looking forward to a few history books on continental Europe in the aftermath of the Second World War, cannot wait to read about What Matters in Jane Austen?, and am looking forward to relaxing with new books from both Katie Fforde and Susanna Kearsley.
Yes, 2013, I think I am going to like you.
The Captive Reader 
A very happy New Year – I agree that so far, 2013 is going well! and so far I’m sticking to my book budget.
I see so many wonderful things in your book list above. You mentioned two of my very favorite Heyer novels – I adore the Quiet Gentleman of the title, as well as the rest of the book, which has one of Heyer’s most Austenesque characters. I received a couple of book gift cards for Christmas, and now I’m thinking that I need to use one of them on the Fermor biography. I already have What Matters in Austen on order, pending its release date, and it’s probably the book I’m most anxious to read, though I’m also hoping to read more of Lettice Cooper’s books this year. I found the book of Mitford letters easily the most fascinating of anything I’ve read on them – such distinct voices – though having read others helped with the background & context.
I didn’t make a book budget which is just as well: I ordered 8 books today, 6 of them Persephones.
I am very, very excited to read both of these Heyer titles. Rereading her books last year and reading Jennifer Kloester’s biography of her has definitely put me in a Heyer-esque mood. I remember when I was first discovering Heyer how I read her books one after the other. I am not sure I could do that anymore but right now I certainly feel like trying!
I usually lurk, never sure what to put, but have to say how much I enjoy your blog and look forward to reading about your year – especially the lake district which is on my doorstep! Happy New Year x
Thank you for de-lurking for a moment, Karen! It is wonderful to hear from my ‘silent’ readers and to know that you are enjoying the blog. I have only visited the Lake District once before and I am so excited to return. Lucky you to have it on your doorstep!
A very Happy New Year, Claire and your proposed reading pile looks wonderful. I read The Mitford Girls last years and have been intending to start on the Letters ever since – something to look forward to. The Beekeeper’s Apprentice is another I keep meaning to read. I hope you have a great month of reading.
The Mitford Girls is what started my fascination with the Mitfords eight or nine years ago, having only been familiar with Nancy and Diana before that. The more I read, the more fascinating I find them!
Thanks for spreading the word about Cheerful Weather – I keep forgetting and remembering that it’s happening.
You will love the rest of the Mitford letters (prepare to be distraught as, one by one, they die) – it was my very favourite collection of letters until I read the Townsend Warner/Maxwell letters.
Always glad to spread the word, Simon, especially since it is to encourage others to read one of my favourite Persephones. And I know I will love the letters!
Claire, I like you. I found you when I was searching for posts about a brand new obsession – Persephone books – and I have dipped my toe in your blog today. I am very jealous of your Christmas stack, and have added you to my reader so I can enjoy your posts all year long. 🙂
Oh, thank you, Christine! Persephones are a very worthy obsession so welcome to the cult! 😉
Oh, how I miss those mountains!
I can highly recommend the Mitford sisters letters – they are fascinating. Pity no one writes letters like that any longer.
I was thinking about what I want to re-read this year, and so far I have Elizabeth Jane Howard’s 4 volume Cazalet Chronicles on my list. Have you read those? They follow a middle-class English family from just before the beginning of WWII to just after its end. Great characters. Wonderful stuff!
No matter how many other mountain ranges I visit, these are still my favourite.
I am just starting The Light Years (having started it and possibly even finished it once before but having never really gotten into the story) and hope this will be the year I catch on to the Cazalets!
What a lovely day it sounds that you’ve had. I wish I had some kind of tradition like that–it sounds really nice. I love your plans and your book piles. I am going to read the Strachey, too, it sounds so good and I hope to read a Heyer or two–I’ve not read any for a few years and I miss her stories. I am going to have to get my hands on that bio of PL Fermor! I love his writing and need to read the second book of his travel trilogy–seems I heard the third was indeed going to be published–yay. I’m looking forward to hearing all about your reading this year. Best wishes! 🙂
I am not sure my brother or father are so fond of the traditions; they always seem to forget and will be halfway through making salmon salad at lunch before my mother or I arrive and (in horrified tones) ask what they think they are doing. Fish is even more forbidden than meat, which has something to do with good luck and it swimming away if you eat fish…I don’t question the superstitions, I just enforce them! Still, it is nice to have traditions and the walk is particularly nice.
Sounds like a wonderful year indeed! Best to you!
And to you, dear Susan!
Your enthusiasm for the new year and for your cherished books is contagious, Claire. A great way to start 2013. Happy New Year.
Thank you, Penny. All the best to you for the new year, as well.
Two lovely Greyladies! I think the Day of Small Things is one of my favourite comfort reads, only I always need tissues (box of!). Happy New Year to you, and 2013 sounds like a wonderful one for you!
I loved The Proper Place (and cried over it) so am very eager to see what I think of The Day of Small Things. I only discovered O. Douglas last year but she grows on me the more I read of her.
Dear captive reader,
Glad to hear you are coming to the Lake District in July. Have you come across Hugh Walpole’s Rogue Herries series ? A quartet encompassing social and political history of England from 1700’s to late Victorian era, both in Northern Lake District ( Keswick area) and London.
Rogue Herries
Judith Paris
The Fortress
Vanessa
Probably earlier than your usual remit but worth looking out for.
Enjoying your blog, takes me back to the books my mother read, Angela Thirkell, DE Stevenson etc. Ann Bridge is good too – I have just found Peking Picnic again. Another favourite is Verily Anderson; Spam tomorrow, Our Square and not in front of the children.
Sent from my iPad
I haven’t read any Walpole yet, Judith. I contemplated reading some of his books in 2012 for my Century of Books reading project but did not end up doing so. Since he was a contemporary of a number of my favourite authors, I have been looking forward to trying his work and it sounds like this series would be a great place to start. Thanks for the suggestion!
I absolutely love that you aren’t making any resolutions and that you are happy with your life -so refreshing!
I, too, plan to spend lots of time in Trollope’s Barsetshire this year. I am currently reading Barchester Towers and am amazed by how perfect it is.
Best wishes to you for 2013!
Isn’t Barchester Towers perfect? I love Trollope. I only discovered him in 2011 but we are so perfectly suited for one another 😉 I am listening to a dramatization of Doctor Thorne (which I read last spring) on my iPod right now and that is making my daily walk even more enjoyable than usual. I can’t wait to get started on Framley Parsonage! There are so many books I want to read in 2013 and the only problem right now is the urge I have to start them all at once.
What a lovely pile of books, and your summer holiday plans have me green with envy. I’ve *still* not visited the Lake District.
I just read Diary of a Provincial Lady for the first time and loved it. It gets better with every page. I only hope the rest in the series delight me as much as the first did.
I am really excited about this summer, Diana. It has been about five years since I was last in the Lake District and then all too briefly. This year I’ll have a solid week there and I can’t wait!
I am thrilled to hear you’re now acquainted with the Provincial Lady!
2012 was so unrelentingly awful that I am almost afraid to hope for good things out of 2013. But I am hopeful anyway! A little bit. Cautiously hopeful that I am going to like 2013. With two Patrick Ness books and a Neil Gaiman book coming out this year, I think it’s reasonable to expect good things.
I am sorry that 2012 was not good for you, Jenny, but the only thing to do is hope that this year will be much, much better! And with those three books to be excited about, you certainly have something to look forward to.