I popped up to Diss to the computer shop so they could update my virus protection, I'd planned to do a tour of the charity shops while there but it started to rain five minutes after I parked - wasn't expecting that so no brolly with me. I dashed into the nearest two charity shops and had a lucky find with a Persephone book I'd never seen before, and only £1.
Love the cover of this.......... 'Girl Reading' by Harold Knight 1932
It's a very short book, won't take much reading.
Persephone Books are few and far between second-hand, my last one found was in October at the Westleton Charity Book sale. They only seem to be publishing two new books each year now, often reprinting books from their back catalogue with new covers instead. Now way more expensive than a few years ago. I get an email newsletter from them a couple of times a year but since brexit they've got a bit political which is a shame, but I still scan the shelves of charity shops for their grey cover books.
While waiting for mobile library day, with another 12 books coming for me, I looked on the library website to see which of Val McDermid's Karen Pirie series were on library shelves anywhere around and found a copy of 'Out of Bounds', the 4th in the series, was on the shelves at Needham Market so called in there after the church visit last weekend. It was a good story which I enjoyed and as they seem to be filming a new TV series of only one book in three years it might be 2031 before this book gets made, I'm sure I'll have forgotten the story by then!
Back Soon
That was a lucky find. I'm a great fan of persephone books 📚
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of printing 'lost' authors and have quite a collection now - but only second-hand!
DeleteWhat a score finding a Persephone book for only £1, especially one you hadn't seen before. That cover art is beautiful too. It's always a good day when you stumble upon a literary gem like that.
ReplyDeleteI just shared a new post, you are invited to read: https://www.melodyjacob.com/
I'm always hopeful when I scan the bookshelves of a charity shop, but not often lucky.
DeleteOur Oxfam Bookshop charges much more than £1 for Persephone books.
ReplyDeleteIn general they are far more expensive than the internet so I am using them less, sadly.
Persephone have always published just two books twice a year.
The owner certainly turned on anyone who disagreed with her views on Brexit mainly, I think, because of her German heritage. It all became rather unpleasant. I still call in to the shop when I am in Bath, but have to really want a book to buy anything these days.
Oxfam charge so much for their second hand books and send so many off for pulping - which is sad. Do people who donate to them realise I wonder.
DeleteMy find was from a Break charity shop, an East Anglian charity working with children and families.
I think Break is an excellent charity, and their shops are well run, with fair pricing. I've been a little bit disappointed with the local Oxfam shops recently. The TV adaptation of Karen Pirrie is well done, I think
ReplyDeleteReading the 4th means I know what happened in the 3rd - that will be a sad series if they do it
DeletePS The online "Libby" site has lots of KPs to borrow!
ReplyDeleteSuffolk libraries have all the books - I'll borrow another sometime
DeleteThat book illustration makes me sleepy - not good at this time in the morning!
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely painting - would be ideal for a book blog
DeleteI would have bought the book for the illustration alone! Glad you found a bargain. Catriona
ReplyDeletePleased to add another to my shelves!
DeleteHelpful hint: Next time you are in a charity shop or at a weekend sale, look for another umbrella! I have 2 so I can always have one in the car! ;)
ReplyDeleteGlad you found a book you like!
My umbrella was in the car, but I wasn't!
DeleteI'm not familiar with the Persephone imprint. It sounds a bit like my favorite Virago press, publishing women writers who should have been better known.
ReplyDeleteYes, just like Virago - only more expensive. I have several dark green Virago books too. Don't think they publish in matching covers anymore
DeleteLucky find. It is a find like this that keep people coming back in the hope of finding and buying another purchase, at a great price.
ReplyDeleteSue, I’ve learnt something new today - the existence of Persephone Books.
ReplyDeleteI’ll look out for those now, they sound right up my street.
I do love that cover. Let us know if you like the book! Maybe I'll track down my own copy!
ReplyDeleteThe lovely grey Persephone books do stand out on the charity shop shelves don't they. I bet you pounce when you see one. I'm sure I've seen that 'Girl Reading' painting used as a meme. 🙂
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering why you have to take your computer in, to have your virus protection updated, Sue? Usually it updates automatically, in the background, while your computer is running...at home. I'm going to check out the Persephone books. Love, Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteI love Persephone books, but especially ‘Miss Buncle’s Book!’ and , ‘ A Fortnight in September’ .
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the Karen Pirie episodes, btw. Sal😁
Oh I do love a opshop book browse! Do enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great day when you find a Persephone book in a charity shop. I rarely buy them new anymore but when I received a generous book token as a gift I tried to buy Persephone books with it only to find they don't accept national book tokens, only their own! This really made me gnash my teeth!
ReplyDeletePenny
That's one I'd buy for the cover alone!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great cover on that book.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Out of Bounds is the Pirie I just read, the fourth in the series. There are spoilers in the third book but otherwise the order doesn't seem to matter much, although I found book 5 on my ship in Holland and was scared to read it out of order! (If I'd got desperate for reading material I'd have done it anyway.)
ReplyDelete