A little book talk

Did I ever tell you how much I love reading and not only that but that I am craving beautifully done editions? That I judge a book by it's cover and take an immense pleasure out of a lovely binding? That fine print gives me a high and gold cut pages fulfill my bookish desire?
There has been a lot of talk about the latest Penguin Classics linen covered edition.
Coralie Bickford-Smith has designed gorgeous covers, much acclaimed and well received! I have not heard so much about a book edition in a long time. You can read an interview with her about her ideas and approach to book covers here.


Today I began my own collection with a copy of Thomas Hardy's 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles'.



The first page...



The edition comes with an extensive introduction, which I love, since I know little to nothing about the book and it's author.
And I have my eyes already on a few others in this collection:





Aren't they just so gorgeous?

Talking of beautiful editions, lately I have been reading Helene Hanff's '84 Charing Cross Rd.' a small book with a collection of letters, exchanged between her in New York and 'her' bookseller in a small bookstore in London, from the late 40' until the late 60's.


This charming and heartwarming correspondence was practically all about beautiful books and first and rare editions, the philosophy of reading and the way we learn through the discovery of writers. At the same time it's a slice of history, taking you back to a time after the Second WW, the hardships of the postwar era, especially in England. This small volume moved me to tears at times and made laugh, all I want in a book.
Her feisty character and the humour in their letters made it so worthwile to read.
Since I love to immerse myself in a story and all what comes with it, I watched the movie with Anne Bancroft in the role as Helene Hanff, Anthony Hopkins as the bookseller and Judy Dench as his wife. Made in 1986 the movie has the feel of a old classic, slow, quiet and seemingly old fashioned. But I loved it anyway, since the characters of the book came to life in a sweet and true form.
The New York Times wrote her obituary and you can read it here. She died at age 80, on April 9Th, 1997 one day after my daughter was born...



The follow up story to '84 Charing Cross Rd' is 'The Duchess of Bloomsbury Rd' and when you liked the first one, you practically can't wait to read this one too! Which I did!

Remember I had posted here on letters? It's still all in the spirit of reading letters and writing some of my own!

I hope you enjoy a good book these days!

XX
Victoria


Pictures by Victoria Zlotkowski and via Penguin.com