Persephone Reading Weekend – Welcome!

Posted on | February 25, 2011 | 49 Comments

Welcome to the start of Persephone Reading Weekend. Verity and I are very excited to be hosting another blogging extravaganza celebrating our love of the dove-grey covered volumes published by Persephone Books. This is the third time that we’ve run an event and hope that you will have fun joining in, whether it is your first time or third!

Before the reading commences, we have some house-keeping and a run-down of how the weekend will operate. If you have joined us during previous reading weeks, then the weekend will run in the same way but a couple of days shorter! The format of the event is simple, in order to participate all you need to do is read a Persephone book and tell us about it! If you have a blog, you can write a blog post, if you are on librarything, you can review it there, or you could write about it in the comments on this post or on Verity’s welcome post. Verity and I will be writing round-up posts at various points over the weekend and to make it easy for us to share all of the posts, if you write a review on a blog, or on librarything, if you could put the link in the comments to either the welcome post on my blog or on Verity’s blog. Please feel free to use the button above on your posts!

Nicola from Persephone Books has kindly provided us with a number of seconds* to use as prizes over the weekend. There are 10 on offer – here are which ones and how to win them! This is not only a handy reference for you to keep track of what is coming up during the weekend, what you have still to enter and what to look forward to, but it is easier for us to keep track in a central location.

1. First book giveaway: William – An Englishman; to kick off the giveaways, the first ever Persephone book. We will make a random draw from everyone who links to our blogs over the weekend
2 + 3. Roundabout giveaway: Two copies of Family Roundabout are up for grabs – one for people commenting on this welcome post and one for people commenting on Verity’s welcome post (there is nothing stopping you commenting on both to double your chances).
4+5. Favourite post of the weekend: We will be awarding a duo of books to the person who writes our favourite post of the weekend – one of the most recent Persephones, The Winds of Heaven, along with There Were No Windows (if Nicola Beauman was allowed favourites among the books she publishes then this one would be one of them.)
6+7. Claire’s Temporarily Missing Competition: my competition will be announced later today and there will be two copies of Still Missing to be won.
8. Verity’s Photo Competition. Verity will be posting her photo competition at lunchtime today where there will be a chance to win a copy of Mariana.
9. New Persephone Reader Giveaway #1. Persephone Classic edition of Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day for anyone who doesn’t own a Persephone book – details of how to enter coming up on Saturday morning on Verity’s blog.
10. New Persephone Reader Giveaway #2. Persephone Classic edition of Little Boy Lost giveaway, to be drawn from anyone who is reading their first Persephone this weekend (just mention that when you post).

We hope you enjoy! Happy reading and don’t forget to specify if you’d like to be entered into the draw for Family Roundabout.

*disclaimer* please note that the books we are giving away are remainder copies so may have some defects – the majority of these are un-noticeable but some are a little grubby. All are minus their matching bookmark. All are in need of a loving home. Competitions are open internationally, but we will be posting the prizes by the cheapest method available.

Category: Competitions, Persephone Reading Weekend
Tags: Persephone Books

Comments

49 Responses to “Persephone Reading Weekend – Welcome!”

vivienne
February 25th, 2011 @ 8:53 am

How exciting! Happy Persephone Reading weekend! I was very excited and up early to finish my post. Now if I can just get one more book read by the end of the weekend!
Harriet
February 25th, 2011 @ 9:30 am

I’ve started reading They Knew Mr Knight by Dorothy Whipple — and will blog about it at the end of the weekend. I’m loving it!
Emma
February 25th, 2011 @ 9:51 am

Very exciting! I have to say I am one of the humble few that do not own a Persephone book. My bookcase looks somewhat bereft round about now…
Charlie
February 25th, 2011 @ 10:13 am

Just about to post my intro post and looking forward to starting my book!
kiss a cloud
February 25th, 2011 @ 10:33 am

Happy Persephone Reading Weekend! I am too excited. I will be posting soon later today, as I begin The Fortnight in September. How kind and generous of Nicola once again. I’ve been very very curious about William An Englishman because I haven’t seen anyone blog about it yet and I feel like it’s something. And have heard so many good things about Family Roundabout from Simon T and others. Can’t wait to begin!!
Joan Hunter Dunn
February 25th, 2011 @ 10:35 am

Thank you for organising this weekend. I’m reading Round about a pound a week and have posts planed for each day. Yoday it’s Miss Buncle.
Tweets that mention Persephone Reading Weekend – Welcome! | Paperback Reader -- Topsy.com
February 25th, 2011 @ 10:56 am

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by blinkingmouse, Paperback Reader. Paperback Reader said: Welcome to Persephone Reading Weekend! http://www.paperback-reader.co.uk/2011/02/25/persephone-reading-weekend-welcome/ [...]
Cristina
February 25th, 2011 @ 11:11 am

Thank you for hosting this again! Such a bumper event with great competitions and prizes!
Please enter my name for the ‘Family Roundabout’ draw – I’ve been wanting to read this book for ages.
So exciting!!!
Happy reading
michelle
February 25th, 2011 @ 11:19 am

My 1st Persephone Reading Event! Can’t wait to join in the fun. Although I am another one of those humble few that do not own a Persephone, I have started reading A London Child of The 1870s by Molly Hughes, in the Oxford University Press edition. It has been a delightful read so far. This will be my first “pseudo” Persephone book. I hope that still qualifies me for the New Persephone Reader giveaways? Also, please count me in for the Family Roundabout draw. I have read many good things about it and wouldn’t want to miss the chance to get my hands on this gem. Hopefully by the end of this weekend, (and all the generous giveaways!) I would be a proud owner of one of those lovely authentic dove grey covers at last.
Thanks again for hosting this event!
CW: Aurora Leigh, by Elizabeth Barrett Browning « The Zen Leaf
February 25th, 2011 @ 1:23 pm

[...] it’s a Persephone book, one of only four that interest me. I figured it would be perfect for Persephone Weekend, but alas, the book was extremely dull and I gave it up around page 80. It was very correctly [...]
Karenlibrarian
February 25th, 2011 @ 2:04 pm

Hooray for Persephone Reading Weekend! I have two drawings planned and hopefully three book reviews. I already have a copy of Family Roundabout but I really want to read William, an Englishman — I’ll just start linking to both your posts. I can’t wait to read all the great reviews and postings. I know this will be a dangerous week for my TBR shelf!
motheretc
February 25th, 2011 @ 2:05 pm

Thanks for hosting this event! I don’t own any Persephones yet, but actually have Miss Pettigrew out from the library this weekend, so please don’t enter me for that one. I also just posted a brief review this morning of the first Persephone I have ever read – The Making of a Marchioness – at http://motheretc.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/the-making-of-a-marchioness-frances-hodgson-burnett/.
Rachel
February 25th, 2011 @ 2:40 pm

Oh we are going to be in for some fun! Thanks for hosting this Claire (and Verity) – it’s going to be hard work for you, for sure, but well worth it from all the exciting posts I’ve seen so far today! I have read my Persephone already as I know I’m going to have a busy weekend, but I am thoroughly enjoying all of the posts!
Susan in TX
February 25th, 2011 @ 2:43 pm

I have Little Boy Lost awaiting me as soon as I get a break today, and am looking forward to all the reviews this weekend. Thanks so much for hosting once again!
Claire - The Captive Reader
February 25th, 2011 @ 3:03 pm

I am so looking forward to this weekend! Many thanks to you and Verity for hosting it.
Iris
February 25th, 2011 @ 5:25 pm

I hope I get to finish “High Wages” this weekend & post on it on Sunday. I was so excited to finally open my first official Persephone book. I am being super careful to not crease it etc

I hope this weekend will be a big success again
heather
February 25th, 2011 @ 7:25 pm

Oooh, the third annual
Persephone Reading(Week)end! I am so excited! I’ve linked your websites on librarything, I’ve spent the morning on both quizzes, and I started reading The Mystery of Mrs. Blencarrow by Mrs. Oliphant last night! Woohoo!
Family Roundabout by Richmal Crompton | A Literary Wayfarer
February 25th, 2011 @ 7:25 pm

[...] Persephone Reading Weekend, hosted by Paperback Reader and cardigangirlverity, is going on right now, and I encourage everyone to join and pick up a Persephone. Persephone Books publishes books, fiction and non-fiction, by forgotten, mostly female authors. [...]
Virginia
February 25th, 2011 @ 7:27 pm

I would love to participate in the Family Roundabout giveaway, especially since I just wrote a post on the novel: http://aliterarywayfarer.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/family-roundabout-by-richmal-crompton/ . Thanks to you and Verity for hosting this weekend!
Adrienne
February 25th, 2011 @ 7:52 pm

I was so excited that I began reading first thing this morning … and just finished!

Here’s a link to my post:
http://someofakind.blogspot.com/2011/02/persephone-reading-weekend.html

I also would love to be included in the Roundabout giveaway.

Thank you for hosting such a fun event ~
Jo
February 25th, 2011 @ 8:07 pm

Have my first Persephone Book blog post up.

Still reading my first book The Home-Maker and loving it.

Thanks for hosting this event I have found some new lovely blogs to read already!
Cristina
February 25th, 2011 @ 9:20 pm

Hi Claire. My review of ‘Cheerful Weather for the Wedding’ is up on my blog: http://rochester-reader.blogspot.com/2011/02/cheerful-weather-for-wedding-persephone.html
Thanks.
skirmishofwit
February 25th, 2011 @ 10:09 pm

Thank you so much to you and Verity for organizing all this, Claire! I’m so excited it’s started
Col (Col Reads)
February 26th, 2011 @ 1:50 am

This is my first Persephone Reading event. I’m reading Good Evening, Mrs. Craven, and listening to Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. Here’s the link to my kick-off post:

http://colreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/persephone-reading-weekend-begins-chill.html

I’d love to be entered in the Family Roundabout drawing. Thanks, Claire and Verity!
Lyn
February 26th, 2011 @ 2:08 am

I’ve just reviewed Still Missing,
http://tinyurl.com/4gzsflu
Please don’t enter me in the competitions. I’m very lucky, I have all the Persephones, I’ve been collecting them almost since the beginning. How wonderful that other readers, new to Persephone, will have a chance to win copies.
Brittanie
February 26th, 2011 @ 3:02 am

This is a great idea. Thank you for hosting. I am excited also.
Christine
February 26th, 2011 @ 6:42 am

How exciting! I’m very much looking forward to the coming week, and to hopefully winning my very own Persephone, fingers crossed!
Jodie
February 26th, 2011 @ 12:14 pm

This is my live blogging post for the weekend http://bookgazing.blogspot.com/2011/02/persephone-reading-weekend-dimanche-and.html YAY so looking forward to catching up with everyone elses posts and reading Persephone.
Allie
February 26th, 2011 @ 2:09 pm

I’m in the middle of my very first Persephone (Mariana) and I am LOVING it. I just wrote a little intro post:
http://aliteraryodyssey.blogspot.com/2011/02/persephone-reading-weekend-and-mariana.html

Thank you for hosting such a wonderful event!
Carol
February 26th, 2011 @ 3:36 pm

OK, Claire, sorry I didn’t read the instructions! Here’s my post on Monica Dickens’ “Mariana.”

http://carolwallace.wordpress.com/2011/02/26/monica-dickens-mariana/

Thanks — I love seeing all the excitement here.
Buried In Print
February 26th, 2011 @ 3:45 pm

What wonderful Persephone-ness to find this morning. Well it’s still morning here, albeit ‘morning’ in the weekend sense, rather than the weekday ‘morning’ sense. (Yes, I prefer the weekend variety of morning, by far.) I’m still choosing my Persephones for the weekend, which is one of the fun-est parts I think. Thanks for hosting, Claire! (Please don’t enter me in the draws.)
Persephone Reading Weekend: Little Boy Lost by Marghanita Laski « She Reads Novels
February 26th, 2011 @ 5:37 pm

[...] Reading Weekend is hosted by Claire and Verity. For those of you who are new to Persephone and wondering what this is all about, [...]
Helen
February 26th, 2011 @ 5:48 pm

Thanks to you and Verity for hosting this event! I’ve just posted my review of Little Boy Lost, which I loved.
http://shereadsnovels.wordpress.com/2011/02/26/persephone-reading-weekend-little-boy-lost-by-marghanita-laski/

Oh, and I’d love to be entered into the draw for Family Roundabout. Thanks!
Sasha
February 26th, 2011 @ 7:30 pm

I’m so thrilled to be part of Persephone Reading Weekend–it’s my first time, and my first Persephone reads. FINALLY, hahaha. Having just posted my first review, I’m even giddier.

Looking forward to more Persephones to read about, not to mention to actually read. Thanks Claire, and Verity.
Simon T
February 26th, 2011 @ 10:17 pm

Comment comment comment! x
M (@notarevolution)
February 27th, 2011 @ 5:49 am

Happy Persephone Reading Weekend! I’m really enjoying all the posts and pictures! Thanks to the Round-Ups, I’m discovering a lot of new blogs as well. My Google Reader is growing quickly!
Karen
February 27th, 2011 @ 10:32 am

Hi, hope you’ve all had a wonderful persephone reading weekend! I have to admit that I’m one of those few people who don’t own any persephone books, but I often find myself on their website and hoping that one day I can get myself one or two!
Philippa
February 27th, 2011 @ 11:21 am

Started Miss Pettigrew lives for a day last night finished this morning – couldn’t put it down, as I was so scared of what would become of her! Loved it.
Merenia
February 27th, 2011 @ 12:23 pm

A thousand thank you’s Claire (and Verity) for such an enjoyable Persephone weekend and for all your hard work in hosting. I am going to enjoy working my way through all the posts over the next week… a real feast.
Rebecca Reid
February 27th, 2011 @ 2:30 pm

Oh this is so fun. So many great books to read. I’d love to be entered for the roundabout giveaway. And I still don’t own any Persephones, although I have now read four.
LifetimeReader
February 27th, 2011 @ 4:55 pm

I am so excited to be participating this year! And I am looking forward to many more of these delicious books in my future.
kristin (bookmarks and teacups)
February 27th, 2011 @ 6:41 pm

I managed two more posts for the weekend – I was inspired to post a summary list of the Persephones I have owned and read, and also a mini-review of Dimanche and Other Stories.

Thanks again to you & Verity for your wonderful round-up posts!
tanabata
February 27th, 2011 @ 7:12 pm

I haven’t had nearly as much to time to read this weekend as I would have liked, unfortunately. I’ve got about 30 pages to go in Every Eye, and hope to finish it soon, but wanted to post something at least this weekend:
http://www.inspringitisthedawn.com/2011/02/persephone-reading-weekend.html
And I hope to have a review up in the next day or two.

Thanks to both you and Verity for hosting this and being such wonderful ambassadors for these beautiful dove-grey books!
tanabata
February 27th, 2011 @ 7:14 pm

Oh, forgot to say that I’d love to be entered in the Family Roundabout giveaway. Thanks!
Lady Rose and Mrs. Memmary by Ruby Ferguson | A Literary Wayfarer
February 27th, 2011 @ 8:09 pm

[...] I usually enjoy their titles. Though I hate to be a wet blanket and give a negative review during Persephone Reading Weekend, I have to be honest; it was light, but sadly, the last part of this novel was not my cup of [...]
Allie
February 27th, 2011 @ 9:40 pm

I finished my first Persephone and it was absolutely wonderful.

Here is my review: http://aliteraryodyssey.blogspot.com/2011/02/review-mariana-by-monica-dickens.html
Cristina
February 27th, 2011 @ 10:22 pm

Hi Claire. I’ve just put up a post about my initial impressions on ‘High Wages’. I love it!
http://rochester-reader.blogspot.com/2011/02/high-wages-initial-thoughts-persephone.html
I’ve also left a link on Verity’s. Thanks.
heather
February 28th, 2011 @ 1:57 am

Thanks for co-hosting Claire!
Katy
February 28th, 2011 @ 4:36 am

I didn’t realize until this evening that my midnight (in Oregon) is different from your midnight! Oh well, here’s my review anyway, at www. littlebookroom.blogspot.com, and I’m working on some more Persephone-related posts as well. I enjoyed my Persephone reads very much this weekend, and am looking forward to the next reading week or weekend! Thanks!