Virago 50th Anniversary Reading Project 2023 - September

2023 sees us celebrating 50 years of our favourite publisher, Virago!

We have set up a reading project to choose books from a section of the VMC catalogue in sequential order, and after some discussion on other threads, have decided to go for equal sections rather than trying to divide up the 50 years and fit books into this by publication date!

To aid us, we will be using our Virago Collection Tracker which can be found in the Group Wiki.

In September, our seventh month, we can choose from books numbered 491-560. These run from My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier to A Woman in Berlin by Anonymous. There is plenty in this section for lovers of Daphne du Maurier as it includes many of her titles, but there is also the wonderful Muriel Spark, Simone de Beauvoir, Alice Thomas Ellis, Janet Frame, Barbara Pym and many other favourites. It will be lovely to see what people choose!

This should be a fun way to explore our collections, reconnect with our Viragos and help celebrate the 50 years! We'll look forward to hearing what you choose to read, enjoy and share with us in the monthly threads! :D

Thank goodness the books I own for this month are shorter than last month's! I'm looking at
A woman in Berlin
Desert of the heart
Loitering with intent
Memento mori
Diary of Helena Morley

I am leaning towards reading Nightingale Wood by Stella Gibbons, but I'm also thinking of The Glass Blowers by du Maurier.

>3 NinieB: I've read Nightingale Wood twice. It's one of my favorites.

>4 kayclifton: Ooh, that's a great recommendation, thank you!

I plan to re-read some Barbara Pym this month.

I intend to reread Loitering with Intent by Muriel Spark. When I reread books I usually check the rating that I gave to the book the first time and compare it with my reaction on the second reading. I find it interesting.

>2 Sakerfalcon: Yes, that *can* be an issue! Muriel Spark is often short and sharp, so a very good choice! :D

> I started Desert of the heart as it was close to hand!

I gave up on reading Loitering With Intent as I began to recognize the plot line and the ending. I intend to read Farewell to Fairacre by Miss Read. I enjoy visiting the villages of Fairacre and Thrush Green and following the lives of their inhabitants.

I finished Desert of the heart which was a great read. Evelyn has moved to Reno for the required 6 weeks in order to get a divorce. While staying in a boarding house she meets young, self-assured Ann, who grew up in Reno and loves the desert landscape. The two women start a cautious friendship as Ann shows Evelyn the secrets of the desert and life as a Reno native. The desert and casino settings are excellent, springing to life from page, and they make the perfect background for the women's relationship.

I will read Memento mori next.

Finished Memento mori, which was a darkly humorous read. It proves that getting old is not for the weak or faint hearted!

Now I've started A far cry from Kensington.

>12 Sakerfalcon: A Far Cry from Kensington felt like a distant voice from the 1950s--made me think.

>5 NinieB: Nightingale Wood was delightful. And when I put it back on the shelf, I was reminded that I have another Stella Gibbons available to read--Bassett. I can't wait!

>6 kac522: I've just started re-reading Excellent Women by Barbara Pym (VMC #543), and I'd forgotten just how very funny it is!

I have just requested When Rain Clouds Gather by Bessie Head. According to Wikipedia she was born in South Africa but is considered Botswana's most influential writer. She was very politically active, a member of the "Pan Africanist Congress" and deeply influenced by the principles of Mahatma Gandhi.

Finished Excellent Women by Barbara Pym (VMC #543) and it was as Excellent as it was 10 years ago, when I first read it. Very funny and lots of tea.

I just finished reading When Rain Clouds Gather and I have added it to my list of favorites.