Persephone started to reprint books by forgotten authors, mostly female, in 1999. They only publish five each year with their special grey covers making them look rather exclusive (and easier to spot in secondhand book shops!). 128 published so far.
I have a shelf of their titles and also have some of the books they've reprinted but in the original publications. For instance "Few Eggs and No Oranges" by Vere Hodgson, a wartime diary which I had in its original covers long before I knew about Persephone.
Each grey book has front and end papers featuring a material pattern from the era of the original date of the book and every book also comes with a matching bookmark.
The Persephone Biannually, is like a small magazine and has a short story, details of forthcoming titles and reviews of previous titles plus news of the events they have in their shop in Lambs Conduit Street in London.
Most of the books I possess have been found second-hand although a very kind blogger and blog reader who was downsizing a couple of years ago sent me and some other people 3 or 4, which was handy and very kind. I've been able to pass some onto a friend when I've found duplicates and was given one to review on the blog by the publishers in 2016.
There are many that I know I would never read so have no intention of collecting all 128! especially as they are now £13 each when new. My favourites apart from "Few Eggs" are the other books from wartime by- Mollie Panter-Downes " Good Evening Mrs Craven" and "Minnie's Room". Also by the same author " London War Notes" which I found on amazon the year before Persephone re-printed so that isn't in the matching grey cover either.
All that doesn't really answer why I collect them or why I also have a collection of WWII Home Front books ( some still to read) almost all of Angela Thirkell's novels of Barsetshire.( haven't read all these yet either). All the Miss Read books ( I've read all these twice). The whole set of ABC crimes by Sue Grafton ( Except Y and Z - she died before doing Z ) ( I'm up to L!). The set of Elizabethan Mysteries by Edward Marston (still some to read of this series too) and his Medieval Mystery series ( all waiting to be read) as well as a collections of books about folklore, countryside and "quite a few" other books.
Back in February 2015 on the old blog, when we were at the smallholding I took photos of all our books, we had 1,482 but some went before we left the smallholding and a lot more went when we moved here to the cottage. I'm still sorting, sifting and selling......... another £13 worth went off to Ziffit this week. So a lot less than a thousand now but I'm still looking for Persephone books and old golden age crime that I haven't read - I found 5 Dorothy L Sayers at the Debenham Yard sales last weekend, so a few books still coming in too.
Not sure what I'm doing yet to fill this weekend, one thing for definite plus a car boot sale probably. Maybe a church visit and I suppose I'd better do the ironing.
I was pondering why weekends are the hardest to cope with and I think it's because I spent most of our married life looking forward to Col being at home at the weekend so we could work together on the smallholding.
I mustn't dwell on that thought.
Have a lovely weekend folks
Back Monday
Sue
I used to love getting the Persephone books catalogue - thank you for reminding me that I've been meaning to place an online order - it's just so hard to make up my mind as to which one I want! What a wonderful collection you have.
ReplyDeleteThank you it's always a treat to find one in a charity shop.
DeleteI must look up the Persephone books - they are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteA little bit special I think
DeleteYou’ve triggered my interest in Persephone books. Before moving twice in a few years my collection of books included nearly all of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers, Miss Read, PG Wodehouse, Mary Jane Staples, Ellis Peters and Charlotte Heyer along with many others. It was hard to part with them and this was before Ziffit, so they went to friends or jumble sales! I did keep my WWII books though!
ReplyDeleteI've got 3 shelves of WWII home front books and there are many more around that I've not got. Always on the lookout.
DeleteZiffit are getting more choosy on what they will take now - it seems
I havent heard of Persephone before,although I have got a feeling that I saw the catalogue in a charity shop last year.The reason I remember that is because the cover attracted me to it...but I didnt buy it because it didnt mean anything to me!I must admit that I have got rid of loads of books in this last couple of years.Alot of them Jamie Oliver,Nigella type books.They were all bought from charity shops and were just taking a load of room up...although I have kept my cookery books from the 1940s.They are much more useful and I love seeing the frugal way our Grandmas used to cook!...I know what your saying about weekends being hard..my Mam says the same thing.I tell her all about you and your loss.Her heart goes out to you because she knows what you are going through.She will say to me,Hows your friend Sue doing?.I think she thinks that you live around the corner and we have a cup of tea together each day!.She doesnt understand all this blogging stuff!.Well I hope that you have a lovely time at the carboot and bring home some bargains for your Grandkids,xx
ReplyDeleteEven though I don't know you or where you live I would love to live round the corner so I could pop in for a cuppa! Send love to your Mum and thank her for asking after me.
DeleteI do enjoy your book posts Sue. I have "devoured" books all my life but just recently don't seem to have the concentration, hopefully that will change. Looking forward to seeing your carboot finds. Debating whether to go to ours, but do I really NEED anything?!
ReplyDeleteI didn't bother with the big Saturday Boot sale too HOT! but will probably pop to the local Sunday one - I also need nothing except for Shirley Hughes books and more toy cars for Jacob!
DeleteMy sister introduced me to Persephone books, and I usually get one for Christmas - I don't think there is anything in their catalogue that I wouldn't want to read! I didn't realise that they only publish five a year.
ReplyDeleteI love books from the 1930s and 1940s, I've got the whole set of Dorothy L Sayers in second hand paperbacks. Have you read Mollie Panter-Downes 'One Fine Day'? It's about adjusting to life after the war.
I think weekends can be hard because that's when people who work all week are doing stuff as a couple or as a family, I don't like to intrude on their time together - and it highlights the fact of being on your own. You find ways to adjust.
A friend gets given some for her birthday and Christmas from her children - lucky lady. I'm now choosy over which books get "allowed" into the house.
DeleteYes I have a copy of "One Fine Day" a good story, must read it again as it's a quick read small book
I have been to the Persephone book shop in London. We found it quite by chance: as you might imagine it is magical. Moving here I too have got rid of so many books, we now use the library. To start with in order to prevent one more vital local facility from biting the dust? Hythe library is buzzy and a lovely place to visit, I come away with the oddest of selections, as it is on the way into town, it is easy to take ones back that don’t suit. I am now on a mission to look in charity shops for Persephone books for you, if that is okay?
ReplyDeleteLX
I bet the shop was a treat to visit.
DeleteIt would be lovely if you find any Persephones. I'll pay postage!
I love the Persephone books and have a few myself (and love the accompanying bookmarks) and pore over the catalogues looking for the occasional treat - so hard to choose! Shelf space is tight in my household but I still live in hope that a gap will magically appear.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few I wouldn't want to read and some I've tried and not finished. I'm always eager to see what they are publishing
DeleteI hated weekends when dip was away for months at a time, it felt that all doors were shut to me. I really felt it if I could hear other families enjoying each others company. I always tried to do things with the boys but at the same time I felt so lonely. I did learn to keep busy but sometimes that just added pressure. hope you enjoy this weekend. xxx
ReplyDeleteI feel as if I'm always going out to find something to do whereas before I really like being at home - need to find a compromise
DeleteYour doing well Sue, but know how you feel. I am less lonely when absorbed in a hobby and happy with my own company but then really need to have a conversation with like minded friend. Take care x
DeleteThe grey covered Peresephone books are lovely-they combine my two great loves of fabric and books- I would just love to look at them all. Enjoy your car boot visits and hope you find some great bargains as always.
ReplyDeleteThank you - not so many bargains nowadays
DeleteHello. I'm Alex and I've just started following your blog. Just thought I'd introduce myself and say hi as I'm following via Bloglovin' and wasn't sure if I'd show up on your stats! I'm a nearly 50 year old woman (so many see Alex and think 'man' so thought I'd clarify!). I live in Tiverton Devon.
ReplyDeleteHello Alex, thank you for commenting, you live in a lovely part of the country.
Delete(Male readers are welcome too!)
Your taste in books is exactly the same as mine! Must try Edward Marston as he is the only author who hasn't yet come my way.
ReplyDeleteEdward Marston is VERY prolific and recently I've thought it might be better if he stopped!. The two series I have collected (and not yet read them all)are from about 25 -30 years ago, his more recent series are Railway detective and Bow street Rivals. I read the railway ones until they started to get really repetitive and wasn't keen on the Bow street books at all.
DeleteLook him up on Fantastic Fiction for more info
I went to our local book exchange a couple of weeks ago and came out with 6 fiction books, plus one a friend gave me this week and another one from the recent Share Fair. Fiction is fine as have no problem with passing them on as soon as I've finished, but non fiction. Now that's a whole different matter!
ReplyDeleteArilx
I have rather too many non-fiction and ziffit don't want them and I'm not sure I shall read again either.
DeleteLike you I find fiction easier to read and pass onto somewhere else
Oh I love Miss Read books and have several of them. I taught primary grades for 31 years and always loved them. The lunch van and community feeling.
ReplyDeleteI was at a primary school very like Miss Reads school - lots of things were exactly as she writes
DeleteYou have a lovely collection of Persophone books. I discovered them a year or so ago and I love the inside covers featuring the Liberty of London prints. I have a Miss Read book but I haven't got around to reading it yet. Thank you for sharing some great authors. My best wishes to you, Pat
ReplyDeleteThe endpapers and bookmarks are special to Persephone I think
DeleteI love having a scan of other people's book shelves - and these books didn't disappoint! Some I already have, others I must try to track down/watch out for. I recently read 'The Children who Lived in a Barn', one I remembered from my childhood, especially the bit about haybox cookery. I couldn't believe how small a part that haybox had to play, in my mind it had almost become the cornerstone of their survival!
ReplyDeleteWe had an hour of rain, last night. The only effect was to delay the rolling out of the combine harvesters until lunchtime. The fields (clay soil) have such big cracks running through them now that I have to be careful where I walk Toby, he got his leg stuck down one yesterday. Good luck with your car boot sales.
I wish we had had an hour of rain, but no not a drop.
DeleteI loved "The Children who lived in a Barn" but only knew about it thanks to Persephone so a very recent read, I know I would have enjoyed just as much 50 years ago
I love seeing other peoples book collections!! It almost broke my heart when I had to downsize my library. I have always told my husband "You married me, you married my books." But as he pointed out things were getting way out of hand.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I know I will need to downsize the books I have even more when this house becomes too much to cope with - not a happy thought
DeleteAs with Jackie, I like to see other people's collections. My collections include Mary Wesley, Joanna Trollope (some of her more illustrious relative, Anthony),actor/writer Dirk Bogarde (not his fiction that is dire, but his non-fiction), journalist Bernard Levin, and long-forgotten writers (although not forgotten by me!) Richard Church, Cecil Roberts and Lady Fortescue (famous for Perfume from Provence, published long before Peter Mayle's account of his life there.) These are just a few 'collections' among the many hundreds, nay thousands, of books here.
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
Margaret P
I've only read Mary Wesley from your list, although some of the other names are familiar from my library days
DeleteCecil Roberts was an odd cove, to use 1950s language, Sue. He was either a 'romancer' as my late mother would've said (i.e. someone embellishing the truth or even telling 'tall stories') or he really did know the all the great and the good of the day.
DeleteRichard Church tended to write essays but also poetry. I'm not terribly keen on poetry (apart from Betjeman) but I do love Church's essays. You must've heard of Bernard Levin, journalist who wrote many years for The Times. I didn't always agree with him, but I loved his column and most of his books are compilations of his columns, but also some travel books which were based on his TV series such crossing Alps in the footstep of Hannibal, or strolling in New York. I interviewed Mary Wesley. Her reputation went before her and I was warned she didn't suffer fools gladly, but she was lovely and I was so thrilled to chat with her in her cottage in Totnes.
Margaret P
A few years ago when my friend visited from the US, we did a self guided walk in London and visited the Persephone shop. I don't own any but have read several including Few Eggs and the other wartime titles. I also have some Miss Read books and have read them all several times.I never see any in charity shops.Your collection is impressive.
ReplyDeleteMy Miss Read collection came together after several years of searching them out in charity shops, the Sue Grafton ABC crime seem to be around everywhere - they were easy to find. Persephones are a rare spot
DeleteOh thank you for writing this post! I was one of the readers that asked you about the Persephone books and why you collect them. I had never heard of them until I started following your blog a couple of years ago. I am a big lover of books and I loved the sound of a publishing house that published books from forgotten or out of print authors. Over the years I have had some favorite authors that were nearly impossible to find. One of my all time favorites is Elizabeth Goudge. I read many of her books when I was in my 20s and I still have some of the paperbacks. However her books are nearly impossible to find now. Amazon has a few and occasionally I can find one online somewhere. I was hoping maybe she was on the Persephone list but she does not appear to be yet. I am wanting to reread her books now and unfortunately the paperbacks I have contain print that is now too small for my old eyes!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for writing about these books by Persephone! I may have to check out some of them as they sound quite interesting!
Thinking of you,
Bonnie
I wanted to read City of bells but the copy I got hold of was teeny print but I think Elizabeth Goudges books have recently been reprinted by Hodder although what size print it will be I dont know. I'll borrow one from the library and have a look.
DeleteI have always found Saturdays the hardest Sue so I try to plan each one very carefully so that I am never sitting here with too much time to think.
ReplyDeleteSaturdays and Sundays are worse for me but I don't want to keep going out just for something to do.
DeleteIt's hard
Very impressive book collection! I would bet the weekends would be more lonely now. You'll have to cultivate new friendships now and find someone who also is in need of a companion. Join clubs, volunteer, get out and about. I'm sending you a hug across the pond. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteYes weekends are difficult, I'm not good at making friends - sadly.
DeleteThank you for this post, Sue, I haven't discovered Persephone books but I'll look out for them now. The wartime ones are certainly of interest.
ReplyDeleteI understand why weekends are difficult for you and it's still early days. As others have said, I think planning something to do is the way to go. {{HUGS}} xx
Another Sunday survived so OK today
DeleteIf I had known I would have passed my Persiphone book on to you when I had read it. I gave mine away because I didn't trust myself not to start a collection of them!! (It didn't fit with my desire to downsize though they are beautiful books - but I would not have reread the one I got).
ReplyDeleteMy mum finds Sundays the worst time and I know from her blog that Weaver finds the weekends difficult. A lot of clubs etc do not operate on a Sunday - however, my brother does a walking club and they go out on a Sunday - also the Open gardens are generally a Sunday.
Remember though it is early days and a bit of a transition period so it will be difficult for you until you find your new way.
PS Just noticed Weaver has already commented above me about her weekends!
Searching for things to do to fill my time is hard work but another Sunday survived
DeleteAnother fan of Persephone books chiming in...
ReplyDeleteI have yet to find one in the charity shops here in the US, but thanks to ABE books online I'm filling a shelf one book at a time. I actually prefer buying used books as the search is part of the fun and I'm a frugal lass. I'm always interested in seeing your collection of books pertaining to WWII. I prefer books from the 20's, 30's and 40's, especially mysteries. I'm reading an older copy of Dorothy Sayer's "Gaudy Nights" and hopefully I won't lose my eyesight with the teeny, tiny print. Oh my, that is the downside of some of the older paperbacks.
Thank you for your excellent blog! Take care - and know your readers care for you in your time of grieving and adjustment.
So true what you say about tiny print in old books, I wonder if they had better eyesight back then! I'm glad that there are several publishers now reprinting books from the 40's and 50's.
DeleteThank you for your kind words
A lovely collection Sue, they do look very smart as well as being extremely readable. I do have the strange habit of reading it in my head as 'Percy-phone' even though I do know the correct pronunciation ☺
ReplyDeleteI too am still sorting through my book collection, one day it will be down to one book case full ... well maybe with a large shelf of cookbooks in the kitchen 😉
Oh bother now I shall be calling it Percy-phone!
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