Thursday 22 April 2010

Persephone in Spring: The Biannually has Arrived!


The postman has just delivered the latest Persephone Biannually on this beautiful, sunny Spring day and the cover is fitting.  Included was a charming bookmark to match the book Dimanche and Other Stories by Irène Némirovsky.

As you may already know, the two books for Spring/Summer 2010 are that mentioned above as well as Still Missing by Beth Gutcheon.  Being a knitting enthusiast, I also adore the bookmark for Still Missing which is a closeup of a sophisticated-looking ribbed knit.  The Persephone Books website reveals that they will be publishing another Monica Dickens novel in Autumn/Winter as well as the very first Persephone diary!   Entitled The Persephone Ninety, it will feature the ninety endpapers along with details of each and the first line of each book.  I'm tempted, very tempted...

A quick perusal of the Biannually reveals a number of interesting articles and tidbits such as information and reviews of the two Spring/Summer books and the short story Dimanche. There is also an article about the Blitz and a piece about a Norwegian island.  As usual, the magazine is punctuated by gorgeous and colourful pictures from the period and plenty of reviews including blog reviews from my favourite bloggers. 

Of particular interest is the news that the Persephone Forum will be launched on the 1st June and the first book up for discussion will be William - an Englishman, followed by Mariana in July.  The forum sounds like a wonderful opportunity to interact with other like-minded readers and to exchange views and opinions on each book in the Persephone line.

I'm looking forward to Persephone Week, although I may only be able to contribute for part of the week as it falls upon my birthday.  I'm off to enjoy the sunshine and sip a cup of freshly-picked mint tea with my Persephone...  I hope you have received yours (or will do soon) and will enjoy it too.

9 comments:

verity said...

Envious!!! I am at work and desperate to get home to see it, especially as I hear that I am featured in the bloggers comments. I just ordered the two new books, along with another, which means I have only 10 more to collect (!), and am also really excited about the Autumn books.

Happy afternoon!

Hannah Stoneham said...

Thank you so much for posting this... I will not see mine for *over a week* so it is a good teaser...

Thanks for sharing

Hannah

Paperback Reader said...

I delighted in mine this afternoon. I am very excited about the Persephone Dairy; it sounds exquisite.

Enjoy your Biannually and any new purchases it may bring. I'm glad you will be joining us for part of Persephone Reading Week.

Elaine said...

Christina - thank you for your kind message over on Random Jottings. I note from your side bar that Mapp and Lucia are apermanent favourite. I am finding them great comforting reading at the moment. I also received my Persephone biannual today and am pleased to see another Monica dickens is planned.

Cristina (Rochester Reader) said...

Elaine: welcome to my blog! Yes, I love the Mapp and Lucia series dearly and they are indeed a comforting read. I am also very fond of 'Secret Lives' and have the other two Tillingesque novels saved up for later. Thank you for visiting and I hope you are well :-)

Thomas Hogglestock said...

Oh, I hope I don't have to wait too long for my Biannually to show up in DC. I would love to have it before Persephone reading week.

Anonymous said...

Oh goodness isn't it such a lovely read? I've flicked through mine and am saving the short story by Nemirovsky for a luxurious Sunday read over bank holiday weekend. I can't wait for the diary either - and Persephone week falls during my birthday, too! I wonder if we share the date?! (6th?)

A Bookish Space said...

My Biannually was waiting for me when I arrived back from my weekend break. I have had a quick look through, but am saving it for the long weekend :)

Cristina (Rochester Reader) said...

Thomas: Welcome to my blog and thank you for commenting! Ah, Persephone Week... it is just around the corner. I hope you'll have it by then too :-)

Booksnob: The Nemirovsky looks tantalising and I spotted a book of hers in Waterstones the other day that looked intriguing. I think I shall be adding her to my list.

Mine is two days after yours! I hope you have a wonderful birthday! :-)