Wishlist

Pretty covers are something I can't resist. Especially cloth or leather-bound ones with lots of illustrated elements and a title done in a gorgeous font. Now throw one of my favorite illustrators into the mix… and it's love at first sight.

Flora Waycott recently posted the cover she designed for the B&N collectible edition of the Secret Garden. Of course it is absolutely stunning… just look at it! Wanna guess how much it costs? Only 9 dollars! I kid you not. Promise.

The Secret Garden actually happens to be a book I'd been wanting to read for a while. So her timing's quite perfect!

Anyway, I strongly urge you to check out Flora Waycott's work. I myself follow her on facebook and just love seeing her posts pop up. She's always starting fun projects that allow her to make wonderful series of illustrations. So enjoy!

Mixed Shelf #23

As you could see in my Christmas gifts post, I was lucky enough to receive the Puffin in Bloom books. Not only are they stunning, but I'm so looking forward to reading all the stories! Needless to say, I started the first right away.

Wanting: the Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Another classic I am very much looking forward to is the Secret Garden. I did quite recently purchase the movie, but I might order the book soon too, and read that first. And if I do, I'll definitely go with the Penguin Threads edition above, which looks like it has an embroidered cover. Even the inside shows the back of the original embroidery.

goodreads // available here

Reading: Heidi by Johanna Spyri

I can only describe Heidi as adorable! Her enthusiasm is very contagious and inspiring. She's not always rewarded for her impulsive actions, but she sure is fun to read about. Anyway, I know some things about the story, but am thankfully still unaware of how it'll end. Although I'm sure I'll find out soon enough. I don't have many pages left!

goodreads // available here

Waiting: the Lottie Project by Jacqueline Wilson

Now that I rekindled my love for Jacqueline Wilson books, I picked up my old copies from my mom's place. I hope to re-read them soon. Starting with the Lottie Project, which was probably my favorite. I don't recall the entire storyline, but I do still remember a couple of things, and I am 100% sure I absolutely adored this book. I hope I will even now!

goodreads // available here

Are there any children's classics -or newer releases, for that matter- that you really enjoy?

Mixed Shelf #22

On a bit of a whim, I ordered a recent release of one of my favorite authors growing up. I absolutely sped through it, and actually already finished it this week. It was wonderful, so I thought I'd still share it in a Mixed Shelf post.

Wanting: The Penguin Complete Novels of Nancy Mitford

I have to admit I'm actually quite unfamiliar with Nancy Mitford, however the things I did hear were positive. Apparently she had a wonderful sense of humor, which makes her high-society satire stories very entertaining -and incredibly fast- to read. So I am quite intrigued. And the wonderful cover doesn't hurt either, right?!

goodreads // available here

Reading: Opal Plumstead by Jacqueline Wilson

As mentioned, I used to love Jacqueline Wilson! And as it turns out, I still do! This was a marvelous read. I related to Opal on a bunch of levels, and  share her passion for art, fairies and women's rights. I got so invested in this story, that I could hardly close the book at night. To sleep again, I resolved to reading the last 150 pages one afternoon.

goodreads // available here

Waiting: Three Novels of New York by Edith Wharton

I don't think I need to explain this was a cover-buy. Even the back contains a beautiful illustration instead of a synopsis, as do the gorgeous French flaps. As a cherry on top, it has deckled edges! Also, it was an absolute bargain, so I really could not resist. I do, of course, intend to read it as well. They are well known classics after all.

goodreads // available here

Have you picked up any childhood favorites again recently? Or have you read any of the authors above?

Wishlist

Books have always made me smile -and I'm sure they always will-. Especially pretty books. And as far as I'm concerned you can't get a whole lot prettier than these Mr. Boddington's Penguin Classics.

I know a lot of pretty editions come with a price tag, but these are actually very affordable. So even if you wanted the whole set -6 classics: Jane Eyre, Little Women, Sense and Sensibility, and the ones above-, you wouldn't be that broke after. So enjoy!