I haven’t updated you on my Project 24 buying for a good while – and please know that that is absolutely not because I’ve been behaving on that front. In fact, I’m getting ahead of where I should be.
Let’s go in the order I bought them, which is unhelpfully not the order that they’re pictured above.
An Avenue of Stone by Pamela Hansford Johnson
I was in a bookshop in Stirling, Scotland, a month or two ago, and didn’t want to leave it empty-handed. There were quite a few rare-ish books that I loved, but already owned. It felt like the kind of shop where I should be able to find something special – and in the end I plumped for An Avenue of Stone by Pamela Hansford Johnson, having recently loved her novel Catherine Carter. I was a little hesitant, because it is apparently the middle of a trilogy, but I figured I could start accumulating…
Adventures of an Ordinary Mind by Lesley Conger
Lesley Conger wasn’t a name I knew, but when Brad/Neglected Books posted on BlueSky, I immediately ordered a copy across the Atlantic. I love books about reading, and apparently this is one the earliest examples that Brad has come across. It’s not your stereotypical ‘busy wife and mother’ reading – she seems to lean towards the Greek classics – but I’m looking forward to delving in.
Agatha Christie’s Marple by Mark Aldridge
Agatha Christie’s Poirot by Mark Aldridge
I forgot to include these in the picture, but I found a couple of interesting looking books that trace Agatha Christie’s most famous detectives through their careers – including the genesis and reception of each book.
Crooked Cross by Sally Carson
Persephone have been trumpeting this reprint as a bestseller even before it was published – and, since it is a portrait of a selfish tyrant becoming a global leader, it is sadly all too relevant to today. I had a trip to Bath a couple of weeks ago and made sure to pick up a copy (as well as pressing Guard Your Daughters on a friend).
The Provincial Lady Goes Further by E.M. Delafield
The Provincial Lady in Wartime by E.M. Delafield
Women Are Like That by E.M. Delafield
The Babe, B.A. by E.F. Benson
On the way back from a church weekend away, I decided to stop at Canons Ashby National Trust. I just fancied a nice day out in the sunshine, and somewhere to finish that day’s book for A Book A Day In May. Well, what a nice surprise to discover they were doing a book fair in the old priory. And, oh gosh, I had the experience we all dream of in that situation.
I don’t have high hopes for this sort of thing, which is often piles of crime thrillers and paperbacks that were popular in 2005. But (as always) I headed for the ‘old and interesting’ table. And I couldn’t believe it when I spied Women Are Like That – one of the very few E.M. Delafield books I didn’t previously own, and which is only available very expensively online. And then I found an E.F. Benson stash too!
There were a few rare E.M. Delafields and E.F. Bensons that I already owned, so was happy to leave them there for another person like me to be overjoyed by. But I couldn’t leave behind these two lovely editions of Provincial Lady books – the one series that I allow myself to duplicate at whim. They are the most striking in the photo, and I am very glad to spend some of my Project 24 allowance on them. But it’s Women Are Like That which really excited me – to the point where I genuinely wondered if I were dreaming. I’ve had that found-a-book-I-really-want dream too many times!
So, yes, I officially can’t buy a book until August to keep on track, but (a) I’ve really happy with my choices so far, and (b) I actually ordered a book online this morning…
I totally understand your exaltation at the Benson and Delafield books! I am green faced as I read about them! I have Crooked Cross on order at my library; I am very much looking forward to reading it from all I have heard so far.
It was truly one of the best serendipitous finds I’ve ever had!
I love The Provincial Lady and her near counterpart, Mrs. Tim. So wonderful.
Oh yes, I’ve only read the first couple Mrs Tims (which start so close to PL that I’m surprised EMD didn’t sue!) and must read the other two.
Wow what a find! funnily enough just before I read your post I was choosing my next bookmark (I like to match a bookmark to my read) and it was Crooked Cross, crazy!
Oh it’s a sign we should get reading it!
Wow! What a serendipitous find. Just lovely :-)
So joyous!
Simon, as you know I’ve been trying to follow your example. Oh, I was so proud of myself. As of this morning, I’d purchased only eight books this year. Why, I could buy two today alone and still be on track! But then, not two hours ago, I went to a local charity shop that had put out twelve Folio Society Anthony Trollope novels at C$2.50 (£1.35) each. I bought the lot, which means I’ll have to keep my wallet in check until November. Happy as I was about the find, I did feel quite guilty. You post makes me feel less so.
Oh Brian! Oh gosh, that IS temptation, but how could you resist. Good look with the abstinence until November!
I’m so happy for you and envious of your Delafield and Benson finds!
thank you Grier!
It is always fun to hear about a good and unexpected find!
But I was thinking that the rules we impose on ourselves regarding duplicating our collection really merits an entire post! Not to mention when we allow ourselves to break our own rules!
One of mine is, “Well, what if it got thrown away because I didn’t rescue it?” Admittedly, this is more likely at a library book sale than at a bookstore.
Ohhh that’s a good thought, though a dangerous one. My only exception is Christian books – I can buy those separate to this challenge (though have only bought a couple this year).
Those Delafields are a fantastic find! So rare.
I couldn’t believe it!
Gosh, I totally get why you had to get these, but nothing until August!! I would struggle…
The fact I’ve already bought another does speak volumes :D