So that this list won't interfere with the original sign up post, I'm sharing it here on its own. These are just a few of the titles that I'd like to search out next year.
1. Love, Nina: Despatches from Family Life / Nina Stibbe
This new book is made up of letters from Nina to her sister at a time when she was nannying for a family who had lots of literary pals -- sounds really fun, especially after reading this review at Pickle Me This.
2. Letters of a Portuguese Nun / Mariana Alcoforado
A classic and one I am really in the mood to reread. I first read this in university, and the only commentary I could find on it was in French, so my French got a bit better ;)
3. Letters of a Portuguese Nun: uncovering the mystery behind a 17th Century forbidden love / Myriam Cyr
But that leads to this book, fairly new, a study of the controversy behind the original letters (who really wrote them?)
4. Sabine's Notebook & The Golden Mean & The Gryphon / Nick Bantock
I reread the first volume of this artbook series this year, and need to read the next ones shortly.
5. Dear Enemy / Jean Webster
This is a follow up to Daddy Long Legs which I read many years ago and enjoyed then. Haven't read this one.
6. A Woman of Independent Means / Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey
It's a Virago. No more needs to be said...
Fun list! I am currently reading a nonfiction book you might like, To the Letter by Simon Garfield. It's a breezy sort of history of letter writing. Very enjoyable so far.
ReplyDeleteArgh, forgot to add that one to the list! It looks really fun. I loved Garfield's earlier book on the discovery of aniline dyes, Mauve, so hope I'll like this one too -- the subject matter can't be beat!
DeleteHave you read Charlotte Gray's book about the history of Canada through letters?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder -- I haven't, and really should, considering my interest in letters & in Canadian history!
DeleteOh, I have Dear Enemy (which came in my Daddy Long Legs books). Perhaps will read it soon. And you will like Love, Nina! I was thinking I should let you know about it.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
You convinced me to get myself a copy by reviewing it yourself :) Sounds great.
DeleteI'm taking note because I need some good suggestions :)
ReplyDeleteI do love the Griffin & Sabine books. Aren't those wonderful.
There will be good suggestions via other people's reading all year too - one of the best things about challenges :)
DeleteLetters From a Portuguese Nun is part of what Madeleine L'Engle's book, The Love Letters, centers around. (Probably you know this already.) That novel is one of my favorite books of hers; now I need to find a copy of Letters From...
ReplyDeleteI have Love, Nina, too, and when I read the first few pages I immediately loved it. We'll talk, shall we, when we're done?
Just had it sent to my Kindle. THANKS for the link! xoxo
DeleteMadeleine L'Engle's book is where I first heard of these letters :) Then I had to read them for myself. Enjoy!!
DeleteI'll be getting my hands on Love, Nina asap, so yes indeed, will be looking forward to other thoughts on it!
I loved A Woman of Independent Means--that is a book I would happily reread! I am going to try and read a few books of letters next year--didn't do very well with it this year, though I did very much enjoy Letters from Constance (also a Virago). Have a really lovely Holiday Melwyk!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'd like to read Letters from Constance as well -- there are so many wonderful Viragos that I have yet to get to!
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