It’s been a while since I did one of these posts. There is no lack of books on my shelves waiting for me to read them, however, so I thought I’d better ask your help again.
This month, I’m featuring some of the beautiful illustrated books that I lugged along with me across the Atlantic and have not read since. I find that I’m less and less inclined to keep books that I don’t actually read or use for reference, so I want to make sure I’m cycling through the ones I own. If I’m not going to read them or pass them down to my descendants, then I’d rather pass them on to someone else who will.
Here’s a selection – which would you choose? Vote in the poll below, and if you want to add some explanation or have a hard time deciding, let me know in the comments.
- Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman (Heritage Press) – I ought to read more poetry. This edition of Whitman’s 1855 version of his masterpiece would give me a good chunk to work through.
- The Country Child by Alison Uttley (Folio Society) – I’ve been wanting to read this for ages, and nabbed this secondhand copy, but I still haven’t cracked it open.
- The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (Folio Society) – With the new Hawthorne-inspired novel Hester coming out this fall, I’ve been wanting to read this classic again. And could there be a more perfect cover design?
- David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (Folio Society) – It’s been ages since I read Dickens, and there could be no better way to remind myself of his genius than with this autobiographical chunkster.
- Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian (Folio Society) – This is one that I want to read before deciding whether to keep it or not. I thought my son might take to O’Brian’s maritime saga, but so far he hasn’t. And although I enjoyed it when I read it, I’m not sure it’s one of my all-time favorites.
- The Owl Service by Alan Garner (Folio Society) – Another one I’m unsure about keeping. I do want to read it again before deciding, though, so I can try to figure out more of what the heck is going on in this enigmatic story.
Those are lovely editions! I’m just reading a Folio copy of Cocteau at the moment and the loveliness of the book is really enhancing the experience!
Yes, that really does make the reading more of a pleasure for me.
I voted for Leaves of Grass because I think a beautiful volume of poetry is always worth keeping.
Oh, I do intend to keep that one. I could just use a push to get me to actually read it. So thanks!
In recent years I’ve read or reread the Dickens, the Garner and the Uttley titles (though I never got round to reviewing David Copperfield) – but if you’ve not yet read The Country Child then do; as befits its theme it’s as slow as the turning seasons but I found it moving and lyrical, and reading it brings welling up an angst for a way of life and an environment and either disappearing fast or long gone.
I know that your review is largely what inspired me to buy the book. Now hopefully your encouragement will get me to read it!
I love the Country Child and have probably read it three times, so I vote for that one!
It looks like the winner at this point.
David Copperfield and The Scarlet Letter seem to be musts to me.
The only other one I know is the first one, which is on my Classic TBR. I’m actually reading poetry right now, Rainer Maria Rilke.
Good luck with your project
I need to read more poetry!
I did not like The Owl Service and voted for The Country Child because I keep meaning to read it! Maybe November?
Do! We can do a parallel read maybe.
I love poetry, but I’m not that keen on Leaves of Grass. I liked but didn’t love Owl Service either. And I’m afraid I’m living amid The Scarlet Letter here in Texas and it’s not pleasant. So I vote for Dickens.
Good choice! I’m quite keen to reread that one as well.
My vote’s for THE OWL SERVICES, which I read a few years about and finished feeling like I didn’t understand half the story…
I didn’t understand it either the second time I read it but more than I did the first time. I wonder if third time is the charm or if I should just give up.
Oh, I am sesrching for The owl service in the Folio society edition. Would you like to sell it? I am a fairytale, folklore and fantasy collector who have workshops with children about my books, where we explore the book realms together and also create our own.
🦉✨🧚♂️📚 / Anneli
I am interested to sell my copy, although I had meant to reread it first. But I’d rather pass it on to someone who really wants it. Where are you located? The problem is that I am in Switzerland and shipping is expensive from here. Feel free to email me at lory /at/ enterenchanted /dot/ com to follow up.