Virago Secret Santa: Opening !!

In Australia & New Zealand it's already early on December 19, so I am creating this thread NOW!

I'm going to wait until Saturday local time to open my gifts, but why not GET THIS PARTY STARTED !!

Whoo Hoo!~!~! Happy Christmas everyone!~!
I love you all and wish you the very merriest of holiday seasons.
Christmas hugs,
belva

Ok, I guess I'm starting this party which is funny cos' I distinctly remember closing the party down last year being the last person to receive my present. It's Dec.19th now in the Philippines, 9am.

Oh, happy, happy day! My Secret Santa is Danielle or noodlejet22 and she's sent me a lovely Persephone book, the Making of a Marchioness by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It's a classic edition with a lovely cover. She also sent me a very cute penguin bookmark. I love bookmarks though I'm forever losing them so I always need new ones. Thank you so much Danielle and thank you to Christina and Laura for organizing this wonderful gift exchange for the second year. It's been wonderful and I can't wait to see what everyone else has received.

I don't know how to put pictures on this thread so I've posted them on my blog. Have a look if you're interested:The Literary Stew

*applause*
Lovely choice, tuppy...I'd love that one too!

How wonderful, tuppy!

(I'm quite tempted to cheat and sneak a peek at my gift, but I'll wait until tomorrow--at least technically. . . in a few hours!)

* smacks Christina on the hand *
No cheating, missy!

Yayyyyyy!!!!!

That is a lovely gift indeed! I really enjoyed The Making of a Marchioness, and hope you will too.
:-))

It's almost 2.00pm Saturday and have now fulfilled shopping commitments (for supplies!!) so I'm here at the party to open my gifts.

I have received Land of Green Plums by Herta Muller from my Secret Santa - this truly is just what I wanted!! - I have an order in for a copy from my local library for this title and can now happily cancel it.

My generous SS also sent me a copy of Foreign Correspondence by Geraldine Brooks - I really enjoy her writing - two very welcome additions.

Thank you Valerie for the lovely gifts.

I second TG's thanks to Laura and Christina for organising the Secret Santa this year. You have done a wonderful job!

I look forward to reading about your gifts when Saturday dawns in your respective parts of the world.

Lovely beginnings to our Great Openings!
I'm going to put *Green Plums* on my wish list at pbs right now and read for a bit so that I can come back when the clock strikes 12:00 and I can look at one of my books!!!!

Wow, what lovely presents! I just checked out the link for Land of Green Plums...it sounds intriguing!

I have vowed not to open mine until I'm sure my giftee has received hers safely. I knew it would be late but hopefully not so late it misses Christmas altogether! Patience...

..............is a virtue. Be virtuous.

Well, as I promised, I have compromised and opened one..... My very dear friend Kokipy is my generous Santa, and I have opened MY VERY FIRST PERSEPHONE!!!!! Family Roundabout by Richmal Crompton. What a handsome book! Thank you, Koki, thank you!!!!

Patience rewarded! Since I have dutifully waited until the 19th. . . Ten minutes into the 19th at that - such discipline!

Thank you, dear Secret Santa! Two beautiful Persephone Classics: Little Boy Lost and Good Evening, Mrs. Craven: the wartime stories of Mollie Panter-Downes. Both are ones that I have been craving, and both have glowing recommendations from those whose opinions I trust.

Although I have my suspicions, my Virago angel was not identified in or on the package!! Thank you thank you--and please come forward to let me know so I can properly thank you directly.

11> europhile, I'm going to wait, too, for the same reason.

>14 christiguc: Christina,- I'm your Santa! I wrote out a card for Amazon...I think it should be in the packing list inside. Anyway, I'm so glad you like the books. I'm having a very Persephone year so I also wanted to give Persephones.

>8 mrspenny: Patricia, I am so relieved you liked the books I sent to you. You have such an extensive library I had to really get my thinking cap on to chose something I thought you might enjoy reading.

I shall open my SS present later. Anticipation is so exciting.
No! casn't wait any longer. I am off to open it now. I'll be back.

My Secret Santa is Jen (outrageoussocks) and what a wonderful gift she has sent me.
Thank you so much Jen. I felt very emotional at the thoughtfulness that went into my gift. It has bowled me over.

Now to the gift: A beautiful satchel, soft and green with an embroidered Virago apple which is a joy in itself. Inside were a card and three lovely books:

A 29 edition of Storm Jameson's The Georgian Novel and Mr. Robinson.
The Virago Book of Christmas by Michelle Lovric.
Irish Cures, Mystic Charms and Superstitions by Lady Wilde, mother of Oscar.

I shall treasure all of these and once again thank you so much Jen.

I opened my present today before logging on, but I don't think I would have been able to wait even if I'd known that was a suggestion. And I'm very excited about what I found!

I have: Howard's End Is On The Landing by Susan Hill, who was looking through her books one day and found not only unread books but books she'd completely forgotten about, or remembered but didn't realise she owned. She resolved to spend a year reading only the books which were on her shelves - and this book is about that year. I've been wanting this book since I first heard about it, so it was fantastic to discover the lovely hardback when I tore off the paper.

The second book is Precious Bane by Mary Webb, in the proper forest-green VMC covering. This must be one of the earlier books they published - I remember looking at it when I was still at school and given to longing perusal of the Virago carousels in my local bookshop. It sounds from the description like a female-focused Thomas Hardy, about a passionate, independent young woman living in the remote countryside.

Really looking forward to reading both of them - thank you so much, bunnyb!

For about a week these lovely parcels have been sitting on my dining room table:


I opened them over breakfast this morning. I love the little birdhouse ornaments; my Santa clearly knew of my bird geekiness. The card read, "I hope you enjoy these books! I had great fun scouring local shops with your taste in mind!" And my, did Santa ever scour; in fact, she went a bit over the top! I was both stunned and thrilled. The reveal:

- The Republic of Dreams, by Nelida Pinon
- The Man who Loved Children, by Christina Stead
- The Ant Heap, by Margit Kaffka
- The Post Office Girl, by Stephan Zweig
- Morte d'Urban, by J.F. Powers
- Two Days in Aragon, by Molly Keane (VMC)
- At the Still Point, by Mary Benson (VMC)

I have tried to make these images smaller but LT is ignoring the code to adjust the height. You will just have to live with it!

Christina, you are so kind & far too generous. You've increased my VMC collection, enhanced my reading of literature in translation, and broadened my literary world view in so many ways. Thank you so much for the gifts and your friendship !!

I am thrilled with all the choices here. Some I know, some I don't. I am however sooooo sorry for any lady who got her first Persephone. You're sunk!!! You will buy the lot!

Laura and Christina - you have been brilliant again thanks for organising all of this.

Thank you dear Lisa for your lovely card and good wishes. I feel so spoiled - we finished lunch and then I broke into the brown box containing three gifts.... each wrapped so carefully....

Life and Fate by Vasily Grossman - a book in the genre of Tolstoy judged to have been so 'dangerous in the Soviet Union that not only the manuscript but the ribbons on which it had been typed were confiscated by the state - Life and Fate is an epic tale of World War II and a profound reckoningwith the dark forces that dominated the 20th Century'. A wonderful volume - thank you.

Resistance A Woman's Journal of Struggle and Defiance in Occupied France by Agnes Humbert - a secret journal of one woman's indomitable spirit and tribute to those who did not survive. My friends are getting to know me so well! Thank you Lisa.

The History of Love by Nicole Krauss of which I have heard and read so much! What a decision I now have - which will I read first and in what order. Thank you so very much for giving me such a lovely decision dear Lisa!

You know what is bowling me over the most? The care and thoughtfulness which has gone into the selections so far. Absolutely delighted with the kindness here.

ETA: I love that one of us got the Virago Christmas book...have been hunting for that one ever since that photo of the angel on the bicycle got posted.

Julie, that is spooky. I looked at Resistance in the library this morning and thought of you.

Oh Fleur - lovely to see you ! Yes that book had ben beckoning me for some while - hence my thrill at getting a beautiful *new* copy.

ooh -- a beautiful green-covered Virago, by an author to whom I have not yet been introduced: F.M. Mayor's The Third Miss Symons. Thank-you so much, Sue (vestafan). It goes on the top of my bedside reading!

I just finished that book Jane and thought it excellent!

Me Secret Santa is Belva and she sent The Virago Book of Christmas and That Lady. Today is a great day for cuddling up to read as it's cold and rainy here. Thank you Belva and Merry Christmas everyone! I also wrote about this wonderful exchange on my blog.

I am happily settling down now to a cup of English breakfast tea, a tin of which was included in the lovely package from my Secret Santa. I am also admiring the lovely Persephone grey cover of Monica Dickens' Mariana, and wishing that I could set everything else aside and begin to read it right now! Many heartfelt thanks to my very generous V.S.S., Heather (hjelliot)!

>Julie: The History of Love is a beautiful, wonderful book; and Jane, The Third Miss Symons is a remarkable character study that I found absolutely gripping.

All the Virago Secret Santas out there have made such excellent choices! There will be a lot of happy reading in the New Year!

Finally, it's morning and here I am opening my lovely wrapped gifts from bleuroses (Cate), who was my very dear introduction to the virago group. Let's see, big one first...
Ho ho! The illustrated virago book of women travellers! Brilliant. I shall look forward to perusing at leisure and learning more about these incredible women.
And...a beautiful green virago! The Rising Tide by M.J. Farrell (molly keane). I haven't heard of this one but I love the cover and the description on the back sounds great. "...Cynthia enters the jazz age and on the surface her life passes in a whirl of fox hunting, drinking, and love making. But the ghosts of Garonlea are only biding their time: they know the source of their power, a secret handed on from one generation to the next..."
My favorite time period, well done Cate!
Thank you to Cate my secret santa and to Laura and Christina for the VSS organization!

That's funny! I just posted mine and see Rob posted his while I was typing! Hope you enjoy Mariana Rob!

Ditto The History of Love which I read when it first came out. She is the wife of Jonathan Safran Foer - I think.

32 ~ Yes I read that somewhere!

Aren't we all enjoying a feast of wonderful books!
The Virago Book of Women Travellers ooooh - another dangerous book. It inpsired me to begin collecting the Virago Travellers.

What a beautiful and festive morning this is! Really excellent books here given with so much thought and care. This group is the best!♥

My VSS has bestowed upon me an amazing FIRST BRITISH EDITION - oh, did I mention that it is a SIGNED FIRST BRITISH EDITION of Wild Decembers by Edna O'Brien!!!!

Rob, I'm completely overwhelmed, thank you so very much!

Coincidentally, I recently read something about her Country Girls Trilogy and ordered it from pbs!

Heather, after reading your profile, the Illustrated Virago Book of Women Travelers was the obvious choice for you!! Its a lovely, lovely book - and yes, as Julie says, very dangerous!

Another recommendation for The History of Love here. Might be up for a reread this year!

It's interesting how Cate gifted Heather, Heather gifted me, and I gifted Cate. What a neat little holiday triangle!

Just to say I'm waiting until Christmas Day to open my secret secret santas! Whee!

Oh, some lovely gifts have been received!

Wandering_star, I'm so relieved that you are pleased with yours!

I have travelled home through the night and brought my gifts from the lovely janeajones with me, although I'm going to keep them to open until Friday - thank you so much!

Cate - we have a blizzard here so I am working on the computer - hence many posts to this site. If you grew up in the 60's in England you read The Country Girls as a matter of course. There is a line in one of the books - or possibly in the movie - where they are sitting on bar stools in a pub. In an effort to attract men one says to the other "Cross your legs and try to look fast." (Fast being our word, at that time, for sexually available). Anyway, my friends and I used to sit in pubs and say that to each other. You must let us know if the books have stood the test of time.

I've delayed writing this thank you because I've been happily browsing through a lovely Persephone title - Plats du Jour by Patience Gray and Primrose Boyd, with illustrations by David Gentleman (and the bookmark). Thank you so much Julie (Eurydice) for this lovely and thoughtful gift. I will definitely try some of these recipes, although the first one I turned to at random, Carp braised in red wine, looks slightly daunting! There's several inches of snow outside - the perfect opportunity for putting my feet up with a glass of wine and a mince pie and getting lost in a book.

Festive greetings to all secret Santas!

I don't know how anyone who has their package can possibly wait. You have far more discipline than I would have, I'm afraid.

Oh, Oh, Oh!!! My Santa (Parmaviolet) did SUCH a great job of picking for me! I received a beautiful green copy of The Enchanted April which was on my wishlist, The Eye of Love by Margery Sharp which for some reason I didn't realize Virago had even published, and Oleander, Jacaranda, a memoir by Penelope Lively. I love her writing, and I'm looking forward to reading about her childhood in Egypt.

I have a concert out of town tonight with a lot of down time between rehearsal and performance, and I'm rubbing my hands with glee, trying to decide which of these three lovelies to take with me as backstage reading. Thank you, Nicky! I am smiling and smiling!

It is very exciting to read about all these wonderful books, which tell of the givers' thoughtfulness in choosing. Very moving!
:-))

This is all so exciting to me even though I have decided to wait until the 25th for the unwrapping of my gifts.
Danielle;
I am so pleased that you are happy with the books I choose for you. I can just see you on that bicycle, hair flying, racing down the lane!~! Hurrying to open more Christmas gifts no doubt.
And I have The Virago Book of Women Travelers but have never heard of The Illustrated Virago Book of Women Travellers! I am sure it is wonderful!~! What a thoughtful gift.
And bleuroses;
to be gifted an autographed first British edition of Wild Decembers by Edna O'Brien!!!!
I am just WOWed by the care and thought that this group has put into this endeavor.
Thank you Laura and Christina for this beautiful opportunity to unite our hearts as well as our minds.
Merry Christmas everyone.
belva

Julie - I'm very happy you liked the books. It was fun to pick them out, and I have an interest in reading them myself now too.

I think I might have received the first gift here - it arrived December 1.

Three wonderful books - I don't know how my very generous Secret Santa knew just what to pick for me! Two of them are short story collections (I love short stories) and two might be considered a bit subversive, perfect for me! I will certainly enjoy them all!

Wayward Girls and Wicked Women - a short story collection edited by Angela Carter, who is the author of my first Virago Secret Santa gift! And this is my second official Virago - yay!

Good Evening, Mrs. Craven by Mollie Panter-Dones, a collection of short stories published in The New Yorker during WWII. And my first Persephone! Yay again!

And the third wonderful book is Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon, a 'sensation novel' which looks delicious, if I do say so myself...! I think this may be the first one I read.

I can't quite tell who the books are from though....I tried but could not match up the name on the packing slip with the LT names of those participating....I want to thank you VERY much, Secret Santa, for these wonderful choices!

-LisaMorr

I just got back from the Christmas Revels with Maren and am enjoying catching up on the festivities here. All this puts my in the Christmas spirit!

I totally caved!
Thank you! Thank you, Kokipy, for Family Roundabout! Of course, the first thing I thought as I read the introduction was, "I really need to find a copy of one of the William books." And behold! Book #2 was the first, Just William. And finally, another Persephone!!!! Dear K. paid better than good attention to my love for Elizabeth Taylor, and I now have The Other Elizabeth Taylor by Nicola Beauman!
Beautifully chosen and wonderfully generous!

Greetings to Christina, Maren, and all Viragoites!

This was a fine day, but kept me far too distant from both my Virago package and the keyboard! Warmest thanks to Peggy (LizzieD) for her wonderfully kind card, and a trio of books - Braudel's The Structures of Everyday Life, Rose Tremain's The Road Home, and my first Virago/Beacon Traveller, Amelia Edwards' Untrodden Peaks and Unfrequented Valleys! I've peeked into the beginning of the Tremain, already! The Structures of Everyday Life I've looked at wistfully in bookstores before, and walked away without, given the budget for the day. So that is superb. And who would not be pleased with a brave Virago traveller for a guide? I suspect I will soon go on a trip to the Dolomites, warm and tea-laved, despite the snow outside.

It is a thoughtful, excellent selection.

Sue (vestafan)- I looked at many Persphones for you (cookbooks and war-time novels and history, especially) and finally settled on one I had been thrilled to receive from Christina, recently. I hope you will enjoy yours as much as I have mine!

Well I wasn't expecting green books, but my clever Santa has found not one but two not in my library - The Curate's Wife and The Sheik.

Thank you so much Maren!

Oh, my! I was away for the weekend and was greeted this evening on my return with my wonderful Santa's gift - safely packaged from the cold and wet, on the inside beautifully presented in a nice resuable bag - two Viragos - The Play Room, by Olivia Manning, and Under the Green Moon by Maree Giles. Both authors are new to me, and both books look wonderful. I am so excited! thank you, Bernadette! you have finally put me in the seasonal mood. I can't wait to dive in......

What an exciting weekend! It's lovely to share in the joy with you all and all such wonderful and thoughtful gifts.

Hello, everybody --

I'm just reporting in to say that I thought I'd have a hard time waiting until the 19th to open my Secret Santa package, but that Sweet Husband is persuading me to save them until Christmas Day. I have taken the gifts (note the S!) out of the mailer as I discovered that Secret Santa (who isn't exactly secret anymore) had posted that it would be OK to take them out. So they are wrapped and waiting patiently on my sideboard, safely out of reach of the wee'an, who was definitely intrigued by the mailer and called it, in her learning-to-talk spoonerific way, a "kapage."

>18 englishrose60: Valerie, I'm so happy you like your present and that you now have a few new treasures in your collection! And, hopefully, a handy way to carry around one or two....

This whole experience really has made this a very special holiday for me. And it's not even over yet! Goody!

ok, squealing like a Mitford here: my Secret Santa package arrived! Four, count 'em, FOUR beautifully wrapped books. I'm baking this afternoon but have just taken 2 dozen banana muffins out of the oven prior to putting a cake in, so am taking a break to ~open~ these gifts.

One: Christmas rose paper...das is ein rose ensprungen and ensprungen it is *rip rip tear rip* The Getting of Wisdom by Henry Handel Richardson in a Virago edition (black)...which I do not have! AND an Australian author, so expanding my slowly growing Australian collection.

Two: lovely holly paper *grunt peel peel...rip* The Sugar House by Antonia White, another Virago edition!

Three: Father Christmas paper *pop...slid right out* Strangers by Antonia White...yet ANOTHER Virago! Faboo cover on this one too. Oh boy, short stories! Perfect!

Four: oh my goodness Atonement by Ian McEwan! I don't have it...hooray, hooray!

Cario/Deborah, you have outdone yourself. What a beautiful box of treasures this is and how delighted I am with every one of them. Thank you so very much for these superb Christmas gifts and the effort you put into choosing them.

Feeling quite overwhelmed. A cup of bracing tea is called for, along with a fresh muffin.

Thank you again.

Excellent! Now, that leaves three of us, methinks....Parmaviolet, squaredancer and I.
Who will get the package first?
:-))

Sorry to keep my Santa in suspense, but I am saving mine for opening on Christmas day - or as long as my willpower holds out!

Hooray! I'm so glad that your package finally arrived, Tui! Sorry it was delayed. I got caught up in the end of semester crunch (which is still going on) and was also waiting for one last book to arrive. I am so glad you haven't read Atonement. I saw that we share many McEwan's and was surprised not to see this one in your library.

So now I can rip into my packages, too, right? Which happen to be from . . . tiffin (Tui). I'm setting aside the last two Shakespeare papers that I have to grade for a little gift opening break . . . .

And there are four festively wrapped presents inside my envelope, three in holly berry paper and one in matching green.

#1: a lovely bookmark featuring an old world map design and a saying by Confucious: "Wherever you go, go with all your heart." (I will remember that when I leave for London next month!). It will be the perfect accompaniment to my latest read, The Frozen Thames. AND--ahoy, mateys! Sticky notes featuring our favorite Pirates of the Caribbean, Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom!

#2: A bird ornament for my tree, tastefully painted with holly and the word "JOY!" My tree isn't up yet, but I have hopes of getting to it before my daughter arrives on Christmas Eve.

#3: The Sirens Sing of Murder, a mystery by Sarah Cauldwell, who will be a new author for me. Young English barristers and, according to a review on the back "the best realized narrator since Dr. Watson!" I'm looking forward to getting into this one. (I will take your advice and try to find the first in the series before I start.)

#4 Ooh, I saved the best for last: Pillion Riders by Elisabeth Russell Taylor! A VMC, of course. I am thrilled--I now own almost all of Taylor's VMC editions.

tiffin, Tui, thank you so much for the wonderful, thoughtfully chosen gifts! I will think of you and all my lovely Virago friends every year when I hang that little bird on my tree. You have all brought much joy into my world.

Paola - I also am waiting for my package. The mailman hasn't yet arrived after the terrible storm but perhaps it will be in the next day or two.

I have been out of town and I had thought of waiting until Christmas but I am so delighted at seeing others open their presents that I think I might open mine tonight when I get home (from work I actually got to the airport about 1:00 am this morning).

#49 I am so glad you liked them. I admit when I started looking at your library I was daunted at the prospect of finding anything you didn't already have. I think the virago fairies must have been watching over and shining their little green lights to help me find you some green covers.

It's wonderful to read about all the openings!

My present's with Tim in Basel, but he's promised to bring it home with him, so it'll be here on Christmas morning! He said it was too beautifully wrapped for him to open. Then it will fly back with us next week. I didn't want to wait till Jan 2 to open it.

The Sirens Sing of Murder, a mystery by Sarah Cauldwell, who will be a new author for me

You are in for a treat, Deborah! Sarah Caudwell is fantastic!

>56 Cariola:,60
I'll second that, Paola. Unfortunately, she had only written four books before she passed away.

Cushla! Thank you.

I just got home from work and opened my beautiful card (such kind wishes) and packages. (I had not peeked.) I got two green Virago Storm Jameson novels that I did not have. Love in Winter and None Turn Back Which look fantastic and are in a time period I love. And Howards End is on the Landing which I have not ever seen and am so excited to read. No doubt I could go through a year of reading my unread books as well. How exciting! Thank you so much. I am feeling quite spoiled.

Oh and you may tell Teresa I love the pink scribble. I love having a signed book!

Cario Debo, so glad you relented and opened your package. I could NOT find the first Sarah Caudwell anywhere so just grabbed the one I did find. She's very wry and yet cosy. I'm so glad you liked your books.

Guess what, tiffin? I just ordered a copy of the first book (I hope it's the first), The Shortest Way to Hades, from paperback swap.

Thus Was Adonis Murdered 1981
The Shortest Way to Hades 1984
The Sirens Sang of Murder 1989
The Sibyl in her Grave 2000

There you go.

Oh dear tiffin since I could click on the links then I could see that this was a series that had been recommended to me before. I may have to add these to the list. How fun.

(I'll third (or is it fourth?) the Sarah Caudwells! I don't know anybody quite like her.)
(Another mystery writer that some of you might enjoy who also died too soon is Kate Ross. Anybody read her Jullian Kestrel novels?)

Tui and Debbie - how funny that the two of you had each other! Sort of like the little triangle with Heather, Rob & myself!

Peggy, I read The Broken Vessel and Cut to the Quick when they were published in the mid-nineties - and loved them! I gave my copies away and rather forgot about them. I didn't realize she died early. I need to look into Whom the Gods Love and The Devil in Music.

Sarah Caudwell has been on my list for a long time. Guess I need to bring her up a notch!

Oh, Peggy, I really like those too. I own Cut to the Quick and The Devil in Music, as well as her two short stories. I've read the other two novels through the library, but I really want to find copies for my library.

Oh right, this is the Opening!! thread. I came here because I have a lovely "festive mailer" package from Aviddiva containing a beautiful book-shaped(!) card and three(!!) wrapped presents.

*rip, tear*

Mama Makes up her Mind and other Dangers of Southern Living by Bailey White - Liz, I bet that's the one that made you laugh. Thank you so much Liz; how did you know that I have really been in need of a laugh lately.

*squeal* Britannia Mews from my wishlist!

and as if that weren't enough - a lovely green Virago, Full House by Molly Keane. I love what I've read of her so far.

Thank you so much Liz!!!! What great choices.

I'm off to make a pot of tea and discover the dangers of Southern living. :)

Those sound great, SQ. A laugh, a want, and an unknown by someone you know! Good stuff!

{taking a break from shortbread baking}

Ack, now I have to order another one from PBS!

I will echo the sentiments about Sarah Caudwell. She is among the very best. Of what gender, however, is Hillary?

aha, that's the great unsolved mystery. The perfect androgynous detective/academic!

Well I cracked and opened before Christmas! The lovely Julie got me:

Middlemarch, which I love, but have never had my own copy of, so I was delighted to get that!

A Room of One's Own, again, which I love, but don't have a copy of - wonderful!

and two I have never heard of

a lovely green Nina Bawden, A Woman of My Age, which sounds wonderful and I cant WAIT to read it, and a gorgeous orange penguin, The Soft Voice of the Serpent by Nadine Gordimer, which I had never heard of before (the ignorance!) so I am also very excited to read that.

What a wonderful, generous and interesting bundle of books! Thank you so much Julie!

Merry Christmas everyone!

xx

You are very welcome dear Rachel - I am so very glad that you rejoiced at your package as I took your profile comment about second hand, older and unloved books into consideration. I am looking forwad to seeing what you think of Nadine Gordimer.

Happy Christmas dear friends - wherever you are ...
x

And a very happy Christmas to all of you from me too!
Love and hugs.
:-))

Happy season of light, dear fellow readers, whether you express that as Christmas, the solstice or Chanukah or just plain old getting out of bed with a grin. I think it is super that our shared love of reading has brought us together from all around the globe, making it a warmer, more loving place. Thank you for your many kindnesses, your humour and laughter, your constant gratitude for life (not just as a response).

Happy Christmas everyone, and thank you for all making this group so lovely!

#62 Maren, I'm so glad you loved your present. It was fun stalking you and now I really know what a dramaturg does too!

It's Christmas morning here and the kids were up at 5.50 - they are **sharing** their new toys, and the hit of the morning is the new PlayDoh with a spaghetti machine. I am hoping for a quiet half hour in the playroom with a strong coffee, marmite toast and my book.

Our big Christmas present is due at the airport at 10 and he is bringing my Secret Santa present. I'll be back on here as soon as is seemly to report !

Awww Cushla - how romantic!

Lovely, Cushla, really lovely!

My present is a beautiful Persephone book (only my third), The priory by Dorothy Whipple. I haven't read anything by this author before, but I'm really looking forward to this.

Thank you so much, Mother U - great present!!

A very happy Christmas to everyone.

Oh! I loved The Priory!
Happy reading!!!

May hope and peace light up our world throughout the holiday seasons. Best wishes to you Viragoites and your families out there.

I will tag on to Jane's lovely Christmas symbol and wish all Viragoites and their families a very happy Christmas and best wishes for the festive season.

May all my friends be filled in body with good food and in mind with good books throughout this festive season and beyond.

>70 sqdancer: You're welcome, sqdancer -- I hope you enjoy them all!

This is such a wonderful group to have stumbled upon off the internet -- I feel priviledged to "know" you all! May the warmth that exists here enhance your holiday celebrations, whatever they are, and continue to radiate throughout the new year. Merry Christmas!

We are getting ready for a party down the street, but like everyone else I wish you all the best for the day ahead (and for those of you Down Under, the day that is half over). I know I have some good books to unwrap tomorrow!

Thank you Patricia (mrspenny) for the wonderful presents!! They're safely home. I am really thrilled.

Teresa unwrapped them and found a pretty card, a lovely Australian calendar, The Ghost at the Wedding (which looks great, and only 3 copies on LT!), and a beautiful green copy of A Little Tea, a Little Chat by Christina Stead. They both look like books I will love.

And thanks again to Laura and Christina for organising what is quickly becoming a great holiday tradition!

OK, so it isn't quite December 25th like I said, but I did open my Santa's gift tonight, as tomorrow I will be going to the land of dial-up.

My Secret Santa Paola sent me

Love by Elizabeth von Armin, a book about "all seems set for the perfect romance -- but for the small matter of age. Chris is in the first flush of manhood and Catherine is just a little bit older. For a woman in her forties, with marriage and motherhood behind her, the notion of being thought younger than her years adds an extra thrill to courtship. But there are unforeseen obstacles to such pleasures..."

and

Poor Caroline by Winifred Holtby, about "an eccentric, remarkable for her vivid costumes trailing feathers, fancy beads, and jingling lorgnettes. Sitting alone in her West Kensington bedsitter, she dreams of the Christian Cinema Company -- her vehicle for reform." (Sounds a little inspired by Dorothy Sayers....)

Looks like wonderful bluestocking reading to me! She also sent a very sweet card featuring art by one of my favorite illustrators, Edward Gorey. (Incidentally, I teach some dance classes very close to where he lived on Cape Cod.) I'm looking forward to reading these, and I thank Paola so much for her generous, thoughtful, and beautifully green-covered gifts.

And I wish everyone a peaceful holiday, hopefully enhanced by our shared joy and love for, and generosity with insightful and imaginative literature.

(Edited to correct touchstones as best as I could....sadly after a few tries I still can't get Love to work here)

It's almost time for the Christmas Eve Service, but I too want to say thank you for your warmth, caring, intelligence, and wit - to name only a few of your sterling qualities!
Merry Christmas to you all, dear friends! And if I didn't say so before, thank you Laura and Christina, for making this particular excitement possible!

Happy Holidays, however you celebrate it. May it be joyous and bright!

Thank you all for making this group a haven of caring, intelligence, and down-right goofiness. :)

A special thank you to Laura and Christina for all they've done to make this season extra special.

As we all know, I wasn't able to join the Secret Santa this year. But at least two* fellow-Viragoites decided to make up for this by sending me surprise parcels!

I did open the packaging, as I get a lot of books passing through my letterbox and wasn't sure what they were, but not the parcels inside.

Today, just a quiet day for me and Other Half Matthew, we decided I should open the parcels that are from people only I know after our delicious croissant breakfast (warm croissants and marmalade with mead for me!). So, I already have EIGHT new books, counting the 6 pony books a BookCrossing friend sent me!

And from dear Cate, Bleuroses, Rosamond Lehmann's A Sea-Grape Tree which I hadn't come across before and looks very enticing, Dot the cat loved the raffia tied round the parcel and HOW beautiful your writing is.

And from dear Belva, Nannybebette, Dorothy West's The Wedding (and no, do not fret, I enjoy Virago authors in other coats as well as those dressed in traditional green!) which I had never heard of but looks right up my street - and a lovely message inside a card which Dot can only not copy because we don't have a full tree this year (cat with captured bauble!)

Thank you so much both, and everyone for their kindness and encouragement through a difficult year.

* I understand there is something else on the way (lucky me!!) so just wanted to quickly say that there is no post here in the UK till Tuesday now (tomorrow is Boxing Day, no post Sundays and Monday is a Bank Holiday) so don't worry if you don't hear I've got it yet... it will arrive though, I know

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I opened my beautifully-wrapped gifts (Amazon gift-wrapping is great) from Jane today and was delighted to see My Cousin Rachel and The House on the Strand by Daphne Du Maurier. Rebecca is my all-time favourite book/VMC so it's about time that I read more! I'm very excited about reading them.

Thank you, Jane!

It is so nice to read all your comments.
I have not received mine, alas, but am still hoping. The P.O. is open tomorrow, and perhaps my patience will be rewarded...:-))
I only opened two gifts so far, and one of them, from a very dear friend overseas, is a marvelous biography of Miles Franklin, a writer I love.
So, I am quite content!

I also have not received my SS but given that I have had a very productive morning present-wise I have no complaints. I have just been re-arranging my shelves to fit more books.

Bunny - I read The House on the Strand when I was 17, traveling back and forth to work in central London. I even remember where I bought it - the W H Smith's at the Elephant and Castle. I lived in a mixed gender flat (very radical at the time) and my female roommate and I read all of DuMaurier and Georgette Heyer's stuff. It was also when I discovered Margaret Drabble and Margaret Forster. Such a wonderful time to be alive! But back to DuMaurier... The House on the Strand is wonderful. Did you know she wrote The Birds and Don't Look Now? Her subject matter was very variable.

Loved The House on the Strand; if fact I have loved every book and story by Daphne Du Maurier that I have ever read.

Dear, dear romain;
I just opened my parcels. I think I like the card the best. Have been kind of down and you made me feel so good. Thank you.

In a lovely package with a crocheted Virago apple tag; my very first Gerogette Heyer, These Old Shades. Can't wait to get into it. I am actually very excited as I have heard so many of you saying such positive things about her writings and have been wanting to read her for so long. Here's hoping it's the first of a Heyer collection. The front of the book says: "rapturously romantic" and I could go for some of that about now.

We didn't have a tree or do gifts except for the youngest grandchild (7). The other grandchildren got gift cards and we didn't shop for each other. When my husband got up this morning, I told him: "Merry Christmas. I love you. You make my life so easy." and his response was: "That's enough then. We don't need presents." Isn't that precious?

In the other beautifully wrapped (this one was all kinds of Christmas hats) gift were 2 books. (you fooled me Barbara; I thought it was just one). The first is a lovely Virago green copy of Dora Bartles's (a new Virago author for me, Yea!~!) The Overlanders. I am sure I will love it. It has a "Pa" character in it. The other book looks very fascinating. The Roots of Heaven by Romain Gary and is translated from the French. This particular book won France's most prestigious award, the Prix Goncourt. When it hit the U.S. it was an instantaneous bestseller, so some of you may have read it. The locale of the book is French Equatorial Africa so I can't wait to dive into this one either. I think all of my reading plans have gone awry until I read all three of these.
Thank you so much Barbara. You really and truly know me too well and I love you for taking the time to figure me out enough to know what I would love. You went three for three. Thank you Secret Santa.
And thank you Laura and Christina for allowing us all of this love, cheer and gifting.
Christmas hugs to all,
belva

And dear LyzzyBee;
It was such a pleasure to shop for you this year and send you a little sumpin, sumpin. I hope you enjoy it.

I so love this group. I don't even know if I want to have a book challenge thread in 2010. This is a wonderful group and it is such a "heart" group. I feel blessed to be a part of it.
Thank you all for making it to be such a warm and welcome place.
hugs,
belva

Merry Christmas to all my VMC friends. Sorry my greeting is a day late, but I was frazzled on Saturday (changes in my daughter's flights) and cooking all day yesterday. To make up for my lateness, I'm bringing you all scoops of my Christmas dessert: Gingerbread Trifle with Lemon Cream and Blackberry Sauce:



Hope you all had a wonderful day. Happy reading in 2010!

YUM! Recipe please?

>100 aviddiva:: ditto! Sounds scrumptious.

Guess what? Today, in the mail, my Secret Santa arrived!!!!!!!!!
I had a feeling it would be coming from Grant (don't ask me why), and here it was, a package from NZ, containing two marvelous books, by and about Robin Hyde a New Zealand writer so far unknown to me: The Godwits Fly and Disputed Ground: Robin Hyde, journalist.
Thank you very very much, Grant! Today you have enriched my library with yet another interesting author.
:-))

By a process of elimination, no doubt (or perhaps it's "karma" as you were my SS last year). Thank you for your patience. I guess that means I can open mine now! Yippee!

Postscript to the above: I have now opened my gift at last (I have been so good and patient too). I'm blown away by the kindness and generosity of my SS Jane (aka Fleurfisher) who has sent me all the way from Penzance, Cornwall, in very nicely-wrapped parcels within a parcel, the following:

The Little Ottleys by Ada Everson ( a new author to me and a green VMC)

Nightingale Wood by Stella Gibbons (another VMC with a modern but very tasteful cover and in very good condition). I have Cold Comfort Farm on my current holiday reading list (yes I confess I haven't read it yet!) and this one looks like an ideal replacement for it on my soon-TBR pile.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson which I only recently added to my wishlist after enjoying the film version with Frances McDormand. This is also my first ever Persephone and a lovely copy. Of course it goes on to my holiday reading list straightaway!

Thank you so much Jane. These books will be much treasured and I really appreciate all the effort that has gone into selecting them and sending them right around the world.

Thank you also to the other VMC Group members for adding so much to my reading pleasure (and acquisitions/wants list) during the course of the year, and especially to Christina and Laura for organising the SS again. Following its progress is definitely one of the highlights of this time of year for me.

Best wishes to you all for the New Year.

Grant

My thanks to Laura (lindsacl) for two awesome presents: Fantastic Tales edited by Italo Calvino and a Carl Larsson calendar. Alas, no sooner had I opened the calendar than Beloved appropriated it for himself. Thanks you so much Laura.

You're quite welcome, Mary ... hopefully you can steal the calendar back before the year begins!

100, 101> It's a Bobby Flay recipe; you can get it here. Not difficult at all but a little time consuming--but SO worth it!

Well my dears - my SS parcel just arrived! Now I happen to know I was the very last one to get hers but I have to tell you ladies it was worth the wait. Now hold onto your hats girls because I got... drum roll... a beautiful crisp green copy of A Pin to See the Peepshow !!!!! The Virago version!!! You may drop by and kiss my feet and view it (but not touch it) any time you want.

Included with it were two Molly Keanes - Taking Chances and Two Days in Aragon neither of which I own and which I am absolutely thrilled to receive and a lovely little pin of a Bullfinch. That apart the whole thing was beautifully wrapped and presented and the card is exquisite. 3 beautiful 'Virago' ladies sitting on the pier at Blackpool in gorgeous 20's outfits. So nice I plan to frame it.

I am hugely embarrassed to say I don't know who sent it. Rosa? You will have to identify yourself dah-ling so that I can kow tow and grovel some more in a private thank you.

By the way - would anyone like my hideous 1970's Avon paperback of the Jesse book? It is now definitely up for grabs.

Just as I thought.....patience is ALWAYS rewarded!
I am happy for you, Barbara. Enjoy!!!!

P.S. I think Rosa might be ladycassilis.

I hope this comes through and doesn't make the page too huge but this is a copy of the card Rosa sent. I always wanted to wear clothes like this and would like to have got married in a 20s outfit.

http://www.ssplprints.com/lowres/43/main/4/83263.jpg

Romain, all I can say is "wow"! What a lovely parcel and how enchantingly you wrote about all of it.

How lovely! That is the kind of card I like and, like you, I always wanted to wear clothes like those.
I am firmly convinced that I was born in the wrong time.

Hooray hooray!! Your gifts sound wonderful and well worth a bit of waiting. What a fun annual event this has become ...

YAY!!!
Patience is a Virtue and Virtue is its own Reward, and when it comes wrapped in Loveliness, I'm all for it!
I bow down to your crisp, green Virago *Pin* (and you) in awe! And I remember that I truly enjoyed *Aragon.* I'd say that you were set, Barbara mea.

Romain, so pleased for you. Needless to say enjoy your gifts. Rosa did you proud.

>108 aluvalibri:: P.S. I think Rosa might be ladycassilis. Yes, she is !

romain;
I agree with englishrose60 that ladycassillis did you proud. I am so happy to see someone with such a huge heart treated so dearly by another huge hearted one. Enjoy.
blessings on you both.
belva

P.S. I loved The Overlanders and found Birtles writing quite a bit Steinbeckish. (excepting the little love story part) Once I began it, I was unable to put it down. Those poor grandsons of mine. I was saying: "Oh, just go watch T.V.; Go play the PlayStation.; Oh, just fix yourselves PB & J's; {3 times}, Don't bother me, I am reading." How cruel you made me, but twas just for a day. And the little stinks told on my when their dad picked them up. hee hee!~! So you know, you have me searching for more of her works

I have to confess Belva that I have never read the woman. But she did write one of the Virago Travel books and I was looking for something you absolutely didn't have. Now I must read the thing myself!

>#117:
You did wonderfully well with all of your choices. I am, indeed, a happy girl!~!
Thank you.
hugs,
belva

Ladies! (and gents)

Many many many apologies for the long, long silence - I had an extremely busy Christmas and New Year away from home followed immediately by a speedy, snow-complicated move back to university a week ago, and since then have been frantically trying to catch up with all the work I should have done over the holidays. My organisation skills are as woeful as they have ever been.

Romain, I'm so glad you liked the gift - sorry for the lateness, again down to poor organisation on my part. I had a lovely time choosing and packing it, and I'm very happy to see it crossed the Atlantic safely!

Now, for my gift - WONDERFUL!!! I saved it for Christmas day, and it was worth it. Two individually wrapped parcels of excitement.

First up was the omnibus edition of Diary of a Provincial Lady which I've been hankering for every since I got the first volume as my VSS gift last year. Needless to say I devoured the whole thing in about two days, and then wished I'd rationed myself a bit better and made it last. I only wish there was more to find!

And then - a beautiful green copy of Young Entry! Couldn't have come at a better time, as I've been on a massive Molly Keane binge lately and had just finished all the ones I could find in my local stores. I'm currently half-way through and I think it's going to be one of my favourites by her.

To make things even better, both books were wrapped in beautiful, gorgeous PENGUIN WRAPPING PAPER! I love vintage Penguins almost as much as I love Viragos, so it was just the icing on the cake. I unwrapped *very* carefully and have used both pieces of paper to cover my noticeboards.

Thank you, Secret Santa, thank you! I'm so sorry you had to wait so long for my appreciation :(

Wow! Today I got home and there was a note through the door (on a betting slip) from our... eccentric next door neighbour, Mr Jackson (he's an elderly gentleman who moved here years ago from Jamaica. To us, he doesn't have a first name) to say we had a parcel.

And it was from Paola / Aluvalibri - another Secret Santa! You people have been just so fantastic with your Cheer LyzzyBee Up Secre Santas. This parcel had two Green VMCs, neither of which I have seen before!

Dorothy Edwards - Winter Sonata
Laura Talbot - The Gentlewoman (and the cover picture on this one includes what must surely be a relative of my substantial Dot-cat !)

wrapped in cute paper and with a lovely Edward Gorey card

I'm afraid I do read my books in acquisition order, but they will come to the top of Mt TBR in a little while and I'll be sure to review them!

Thank you again, Paola and all of you!

We love our fellow Viragoites and we love sharing things that we love!~! Life is good, isn't it?!

Yes, Belvina, life IS good!
:-))

Paola -- it pains me to think you may have had to send out my secret santa package while coping with pneumonia, and have now had to be in the hospital recently. I hope you will be feeling better soon and hope that there won't be any more illness your way for a good long while!

Goodness Paola, are you okay???

Thank you, dear girls, I seem to be fine now, and I hope it lasts!

There was no problem in sending your package when I had pneumonia, as I was not forced to stay in bed. I was just fatigued, that is all. I did not even cough, and that is very unusual!

I am glad all the packages reached their destination and we all had a wonderful celebration.
:-))

But Miss P! I don't recall you receiving your SS? Did I miss your post?

Hugs for health - always!
xx

(Psst! Cate, see message 102. )

Glad to hear you're feeling better Paola. :)

The big Ooops! *blushing*....thanks Miss B!

Cate, you blush so beautifully.

It took a while, Cate, but when the package arrived, I was amply rewarded for the wait.
:-))

Oh dear Paola, do take care of yourself, you can't be too careful.

Oh Paola, I totally missed all these posts. I'm so sorry to hear you had pnemonia. Take care of yourself. Just stay in bed and read lots of books.

Thank you, dear friends!
Astrid, I wish I could stay in bed, but I am at work.
I have recovered from the pneumonia, and the kidney stone went, so now I am praying for a very long uneventful period....;-)

Ewwwwwwwwwwww!~! Periods!~! Glad they are gone; don't miss them a bit!~! ;-)
belva

Belva dearest - from whence came that last post? Are you simply celebrating or have I missed something?????

Hahahaha - just seen it in ~133!!!!!!

I simply have to agree with your sentiment though - how liberating and simply wonderful is life!

AMEN!~!

I have to add another, quite unexpected, Christmas gift from a dear LT friend: a very much coveted copy of Illyrian Spring, inn pristine shape, which had managed to elude me so far, no matter how far and wide I looked for it.
What a nice surprise to come home to!!! I am very happy.

>134 rainpebble:: Belva, that cracked me up !!!

Rob, I think it's ok to come out from behind the couch now.

Are you telling us you have a green Virago Illyrian Spring?

YES! I do! Hurrah!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is EXCELLENT Miss P!!!

Paolina, I have been watching for one for you for ages now - that's fantastic!

Thank you, dear Tui! You can relax now.
:-))

I like how our Secret Santa "Opening" thread just goes on and on ... it keeps the holiday spirit alive!

Laura dear - I was just thinking that myself!

Laura dear - I was just thinking that myself!

Laura dear - I was just thinking that myself!

Funny, so was I! :)

I wonder if we can keep it going until next Christmas?

That is a great idea, Tui!

I don't see why we shouldn't.......I mean, the books will certainly last that long, not to mention the good will and delight!