I have (rather sadly) spent most of this week in a state of great excitement about the impending publication of the Penguin Little Black Classics – 80 volumes at 80p each to celebrate 80 years of Penguin Classics. There’s a remarkably wide of range of authors represented, including many of my favourites, and so I’ve been keen to get my hands on some!
I was also very keen to buy them at a proper bookshop, rather than online, so I popped into my local Waterstones last week to find out if they would be stocking them. They told me they were going to be stocking the whole range – yay! – and when I went in today they’d done a wonderful display on the first floor next to the fiction section – I wish I’d had my camera on me, but anyway, well done Ipswich Waterstones!
I confess I came home with several of them – and I could have happy picked up the lot! – but here are the ones I chose:
And here they are, all spread out:
The top row is Russians (of course!) – Tolstoy, Leskov, Chekhov, Turgenev, Dostoevsky and Gogol.
The middle row is English language writers – Conrad, Darwin, Whitman, Wharton and Pepys.
And the bottom row is Japanese/Chinese authors – Basho, Kenko, Shen Fu and Pu Songling.
They’re beautiful little books, worth 80p of anyone’s money – and I suspect more of them might make their way into the Ramblings before too much longer…
As for other weekend purchases – well, I was restrained:
A nice hardback of “A House Unlocked” by Penelope Lively – I’ve read all her children’s books and have several adult ones on Mount TBR – but this was only 50p and sounded fascinating!
So today has been a very happy bookish Saturday! 🙂
Feb 28, 2015 @ 16:31:57
I had no idea Penguin were releasing these, so I’m glad I read your blog post! I’m sure I’ll be purchasing some…:)
Feb 28, 2015 @ 19:58:34
They’re a thing of great beauty – hope you find some! 🙂
Feb 28, 2015 @ 16:51:49
Fantastic idea – I’m sure I’ll buy some too… 🙂
Feb 28, 2015 @ 19:59:14
I hope you do – they’re just the right size when you want a quick bit of something classic!
Feb 28, 2015 @ 17:45:10
I do like the idea of those little black penguins though I have been trying not to know about them.
Haven’t read much Penelope Lively, will look out for your thoughts on it.
Feb 28, 2015 @ 20:01:58
Yes, probably safest not to know too much about them! 🙂 I’m feeling like picking up the Lively soon, though the classics are calling also! 🙂
Mar 01, 2015 @ 05:16:46
I am reading a Lively at the moment: Making It Up. It is a set of short stories based on events that happened in her life but a fictional alternative view of what could have happened if a different decision had been taken … and each story has an introduction by PL herself.
Mar 01, 2015 @ 09:54:14
Sounds good – I really want to read some of her adult stuff!
Feb 28, 2015 @ 17:54:09
I’m already planning on going into the city centre on Monday to scoop some of these Penguin 80s up. I do so love a range like this that offers a taste of something and all those tasty, tasty contrasts… 🙂
Feb 28, 2015 @ 20:02:59
Bite size contrasts are a good thing – and as the bookseller in Waterstones pointed out, whatever you choose, with Penguin you know it will be good.
Feb 28, 2015 @ 18:24:43
The little black classics are not due on my shores until April but I desperately hope a few stores stock a selection. How exciting!
Feb 28, 2015 @ 20:03:19
They *are* lovely – I hope they make it to you!
Feb 28, 2015 @ 18:39:35
Oh, they ook lovely!! A very good buy, do not be sad about it! Have a lovely weekend and enjoy your weekend, Johanna
Feb 28, 2015 @ 20:03:39
Thank you Johanna – you have a lovely weekend too!
Mar 01, 2015 @ 05:31:44
Must look out for them as I want #3 (a saga), #33 (the lovely Jane Austen) and #53 (the goblin market). Sadly my local bookshop shut down as the owner retired and has no one to take over.
Mar 01, 2015 @ 09:54:43
What a pain! I hope you find them (let me know if you get stuck because my Waterstones is currently well stocked! 🙂
Mar 01, 2015 @ 07:12:46
I do like the sound of these little Penguins but they’ll have to wait until I’ve finished my #TBR20. Lovely selection.
Mar 01, 2015 @ 09:55:11
They’re a thing of beauty, and I’m very pleased with my selection so far! 🙂
Mar 01, 2015 @ 09:09:06
I’ve still not read my set of Penguin 60s! These are attractive though … 🙂
Mar 01, 2015 @ 09:55:44
I tend to do that kind of thing, but I’m making a point of reading these – several Russians so far which have been very enjoyable! 🙂
Mar 01, 2015 @ 14:42:06
Ooh lovely! I didn’t know about these either. Hmmm …
Mar 01, 2015 @ 15:14:35
🙂 Could be dangerous…..!
Mar 01, 2015 @ 17:54:50
I saw them displayed in a local Waterstones yesterday, too. They looked really attractive but no buying at the moment. I have to get rid of books, not add to the pile.
Mar 01, 2015 @ 18:45:21
Well. since I just took about a dozen big books off the shelves to go to the charity shop, I don’t feel guilty! 🙂
Mar 03, 2015 @ 23:53:13
I wonder if these will show up here. I love Penguins.
Mar 04, 2015 @ 09:10:03
I hope they do – they’re rather lovely (and I love Penguins too!) 🙂
Book reviews – The Edwardians and To Let | Adventures in reading, writing and working from home
Mar 15, 2015 @ 22:47:46