She has recently done me a huge disservice by moving thousands of miles away to live an ex-pat life of intrigue and adventure amongst the souks and spices of Marrakech. As a form of absolution, she's agreed to give me regular blog posts on her literary loves and loathes, being a voracious reader with an eye for style and substance. I imagine her reclining on a tiled rooftop, lounging on cushions, whilst reading her latest volume of choice, donning a beautifully printed kaftan, channelling something of a Talitha Getty look.
![]() |
{Talitha Getty photographed in Marrakech by Patrick Lichfield} |
She's managed to drag herself away from the roof-top jacuzzis, cocktails on the panoramic terrace and haggling for leather goods long enough to give us her first instalment. Hope you enjoy: think you're going to love her posts.
If I am ever stuck for
a present idea, I will often turn to Waterstones for a solution. The
humble and wonderful book is sometimes sadly considered to be a
“boring” gift. Well, I say there is one out there for everyone.
You want something personal? Check. Beautiful? That can be done. Not
too pricey? Absolutely. If you give it some consideration, even the
most hardened non-reader can be satisfied. I have picked a few
“classics” here, but classics which look particularly gorgeous.
This week, I propose that you judge a book by its cover. Gasp.
![]() |
{£8.99 from Penguin Books} |
People either love it
or hate it. I love it. Old fashioned English upper class life, plenty
of wit and a twist of sadness. I cannot relate to the characters’ way
of life at all but their feelings, wants and needs are all too
familiar to anyone with a shred of humanity. And it is so funny. Love
the pink on this edition - would make a good nail polish colour.
![]() |
{£12.99 from Penguin Books} |
The dear, sweet,
ever-positive Candide has his optimism levels tested beyond his
imagination in this faux naïve novella. The utterly, shamelessly
sarcastic tone is hilarious. This is the Penguin Classics Deluxe
Edition which is particularly easy on the eye. (All of the lucky
books in that series are bestowed with beautifully illustrated
covers.)
![]() |
{£6.93 from The Book Depository} |
The classic cover of
the classic novel. That blue! Those eyes. Perhaps someone you know
will be inspired by the forthcoming (and amazing-looking) Baz
Luhrmann take on this – get them the book. I’ll leave my love of
the Luhrmann for another post, maybe.
![]() |
{£8.08 from The Book Depository} |
This is the edition I
borrowed from the library where I work just a couple of months ago –
I suspect it may only be available in the USA but to be honest there
are so many gorgeous versions of this excellently witty little satire
you may be spoilt for choice. It is certainly comparable to Gatsby –
decadent and carefree Bright Young Things career around at parties
only to eventually realise the emptiness and meaninglessness of their
lives. (All the same, I would still like to spend perhaps a just
couple of months doing nothing but flying from one party to the next,
wearing beads and feathers – or sometimes a bit of Saville Row
tailoring and a top hat? – knocking back gin fizzes and telling
everyone it’s all just too shame-making, darling.) I should have
lived in the jazz age.
Now all you need to do
is write an inscription which will mean your offering will be that bit more personal and treasured forever (even if it doesn’t actually get read).
Love Liverpool Lou x.
*Note from the Editor: just found this hardback series of F. Scott Fitzgerald books, published to celebrate the 70th anniversary of his death, with beautiful covers by Coralie Bickford-Smith. With beautiful art-deco patterned foil jackets and matching bookmarks, these classics of literature would be perfect for your flapper-loving, jazz-age obsessive like Liverpool Lou.
*Note from the Editor: just found this hardback series of F. Scott Fitzgerald books, published to celebrate the 70th anniversary of his death, with beautiful covers by Coralie Bickford-Smith. With beautiful art-deco patterned foil jackets and matching bookmarks, these classics of literature would be perfect for your flapper-loving, jazz-age obsessive like Liverpool Lou.
![]() |
{anniversary edition by Penguin Classics} |
Oooh, Ed, what a find. Yes, this jazz age obsessive certainly would love a copy like that. Better get back to my rooftop lounging now...
ReplyDeleteThey do a whole series of them - the covers are all just gorgeous - would make any bookshelf look decidedly glamorous.
DeleteJonesy - a little something I found which I think you're going to love: The Book Cover Archive http://bookcoverarchive.com
Delete