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donna1.bsky.social
Book lover, editor, feminist. Formerly longest serving publisher of the Virago Modern Classics 📚 Currently reading 'A Memoir of My Former Self' by Hilary Mantel; 'War & Peace' by Tolstoy; 'Tolstoy Together' by Yiyun Li; 'Deacon King King' by James McBride
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I took my friend for a surprise birthday day out, and it was magical. Charleston, followed by celeb spotting the magnificent John Agard, who read, right there & then, the poem he was writing. Unforgettable.

submitted 8 days ago • 1 comment

Bloody hell - this is exciting!

submitted 9 days ago • 1 comment

Tentatively planted the asparagus bed. It's a long-term relationship - even if they don't die, I won't be eating them for 2 years.

submitted 18 days ago • 0 comments

I've resisted binning the kids' lockdown art projects for long enough 😟

submitted 43 days ago • 0 comments

Victoria Amelina Looking at Women Looking at War

submitted 78 days ago • 0 comments

As part of #SaveThePCC, we are looking to cement our status as a culturally significant institution. We need examples as to why you love what we do & want to hear your most cherished memories of the cinema. So tell us: #ILovePCC because… Tell us here: princecharlescinema.typeform.com/ILovePCC

submitted 80 days ago • 8 comments

I am having the most perfect morning. Rare lie-in.

submitted 92 days ago • 1 comment

I miss Hilary Mantel's writing so very much - her wry, knowing, humane take on the world. This book is just wonderful - I am savouring every page. Everything from Robocop to Jane Austen. Here she is on the 2016 US election but the words are being whispered in my ear as if written today.

submitted 93 days ago • 0 comments

I'm really sad to see the 'closing down' signs on my local WHSmith - & to read of its wider demise. Although it's derided, in poorer areas Smiths is often the only place to buy books - and access is everything. Yes, we'd all love a local indie, but I've never lived anywhere close to one.

submitted 99 days ago • 2 comments

Obsessed with this site & have wasted many hours wondering how to incorporate ecclesiastical items into home decor. (Would a pulpit be a good standing desk? I want the confessional box, but how?... Ooh, that silk alter cloth is a steal, a bit Pucci. Blinds?) #LapsedCatholic churchantiques.com

submitted 99 days ago • 2 comments

Been to my first party of the New Year - it's as glittering & waspish as I'd hoped. I've paid my respects to the aunt, taken in the men's various heights, admired beautiful Helene admiring her own beautiful shoulders. I like Pierre, so young & unaware. 1st impressions of W&P -surprisingly funny.

submitted 113 days ago • 1 comment

My kids actually took note of something I said I wanted to do last year and bought me these for Christmas, with their own money. I was so touched. Tonight, the long-awaited journey begins - #WarandPeace with @yiyunli.bsky.social

submitted 115 days ago • 1 comment

Ooh, Merry Jolabokaflod! Very happy with my present 😊

submitted 128 days ago • 0 comments

Bons mots, delivered completely deadpan, by my 15-yr-old in the last few days. Did you mean to choose your most eccentric clothes for parents' evening? Why DO you cackle like that? Withering, I tell you! Withering!

submitted 135 days ago • 1 comment

Well, I needed a pick-up and I must say I'm finding this rather delightful. Serendipitously, it's set during the festive season. 'The WomEn in Black' by Madeleine St John (not to be confused with 'The WomAn in Black' which, other than sartorially, is its polar opposite.)

submitted 135 days ago • 0 comments

There is so much wrong with this article that I can't quite fathom where to start.

submitted 136 days ago • 1 comment

While watching the final series of Wolf Hall, I've spent hours gazing at the photos I took of the magnificent Holbein exhibition earlier this year. He and Mantel breathe such life into the Tudor court. The men & women are fully human & fallible in their work. Masterpieces.

submitted 136 days ago • 1 comment

Semi-colon party all night long! Say what? Semi-colon party all night long!!

submitted 138 days ago • 33 comments

The novel by I'm most thrilled to see included in @sandtclassics.bsky.social 's new list is 'The Country of the Pointed Firs' by Sarah Orne Jewett, which I discovered during lockdown. It's a consoling marvel of a book and not nearly as well known as it deserves to be.

submitted 147 days ago • 1 comment

These beauties are from @sandtclassics.bsky.social, a new classics list brilliantly curated by Brandon Taylor & Allison Woodnutt. The choices are inspired & the quality is 🤌 Bravo! I love innovations in classics publishing - here, instead of an introduction, there's a dialogue between 2 readers.

submitted 147 days ago • 1 comment

This is a fantastic charity that uses surplus food and helps to alleviate loneliness and food poverty in communities. They're new here, so please take a look, share, maybe even volunteer.

submitted 148 days ago • 0 comments