Turn The Page ... Tuesday

I received this lovely package from Helen on Christmas Eve. She was my secret Santa for the Persephone Book Swap hosted by Claire.

What you can barely see is the awesome bookmark (which is also printed on the inside covers):

Endpaper: 'Flower vase lit by rays from a table lamp', Vanessa Bell 1934, Allan Walton, V & A

I plowed through my second (but not my last Persephone) book over the holidays. Every waking moment that was not spent cooking, changing sheets, or just being merry was spent with my nose in that beauty of a gray book above.

I loved Miss Buncle's Book. It was a hoot. It has now been added to my list of favorites and I think if you read it you would be captivated too. The storyline is so original (which is very refreshing) - Miss Buncle is in her late 30's? and is unmarried. Money has gotten tighter and tighter and she decides to write a book to try and supplement her income. Miss Buncle says herself that she is not imaginative nor creative - she writes of what (and whom) she knows. Things pick up in her little cozy village once John Smith's book (Miss Buncle's pseudo name) is published and it becomes very clear that the characters are all too real - 'down to the mole on her left cheek with hairs in it' (not an exact quote). What is really humorous is how those who recognize themselves react: 'I do not wear a wig. I just have good hair.', 'She really is attractive ... why have I not ever noticed her before', 'Why was I only mentioned once.' (again just paraphrasing).

As you read on, the book just gets better and better. Miss Buncle's Book certainly got me thinking about how I am perceived and if someone was a fly on the wall what would they observe. I'm afraid to say it's not all sugar and sweet! I better clean up my act - Miss Buncle could be watching ;-)

And if Mister Linky here isn't going to provide you with enough books to start you reading in the new year, make sure you check out Claire's post here that has all the participants in the swap. Oh, and get your pen and paper ready - you are going to find some new blogs that you love ... many of them just review books - lots of them. I know!!! How fabulous ;-P

Now, I'm sure you are just like me - a shelf (or two or three) full of books; some of which I don't even remember acquiring. Won't give them away because what if they are good ... but for some unexplained reason, you are not reading them either ... just buying or borrowing more. So. What to do? Don't worry - no resolutions here; just a bit of fun ...

2011 Turn the page ... Tuesday Challenge:

For each TTPT read one book that is on your shelf. It's ok if you don't finish it - I am pretty confident that I will pull a few down and find that I'm just not into it. No worries - I'll just let you know so in case you are so inclined to read it (like maybe it's been gathering dust on your shelve(s) too) and give you the ok not to read it (I hope you return the favor!). Liberating I think. Of course there's the ugly side to this. You will inevitably add more books to your shelves/list ... I know, I know. It's hard being a book lover but some body's got to do it.

And speaking of great books ...