Comments on: One hundred Penguin books

By: Nell

Nell — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:13:08 +0000

What a lovely collection! I have lots of paperbacks but am very fond of Penguins. I often buy second-hand ones and have all of Margery Allingham’s novels in Penguin.

I inherited a “Penguin bookcase” sold in Heals, from my uncle, which was designed to hold Penguin paperbacks.

I am also acquiring the lovely Penguin mugs which are so bright and cheerful.

They are a cultural icon of 20th century.

By: Grumpy Biomed

Grumpy Biomed — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:44:12 +0000

What an excellent collection, rather reminds me of the second hand department of Waterstone’s on Gower Street…have spent many a happy hour lost over there!

By: Frances

Frances — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:45:53 +0000

As a dedicated reader, I am very glad to have this site via Persephone Books.

I look forward to visiting hereabouts again soon.

By: Robbie Kendall

Robbie Kendall — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:20:09 +0000

Using the Persephone Books blog as my home page, I discover quite a lot about Britain of which I am otherwise unaware having been born and raised in the States, now living in Chicago – in this case that the early editions of Penguin were numbered. Are they still? The copy of Hazlitt recently sent to me by John Sandoe Books doesn’t seem to be. My two collections of British books are the Persephone series (now up to #86 – and which, should you choose to start reading them in order, might be best beginning with #3, then 2, then 1 before returning to 4, 5, 6, etc.) and the Agatha Christie first edition facsimiles. With the Penguin, I now have a new series to try and find and read. Thank you for the introduction.

By: bookssnob

bookssnob — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:41:01 +0000

I found you via Persephone as well – what a beautiful collection and a wonderful story to go with it. Books are the best souvenirs of life’s experiences!

You have a terrific blog!

By: Nella

Nella — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:53:23 +0000

I was directed to this blog from Persephone Books. Each day I visit Persephone Books blog where I always find a little treat to cheer me. Today I found the wonderful photo of your Penguin books with a link to your blog.
Your article was so interesting and informative. Thank you so much. I really enjoyed reading it. I too, like others who have commented, will be visiting again!

By: Wolfiewolf

Wolfiewolf — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 10:52:32 +0000

Reminded by this lovely post to look more closely at my own library, I noticed, seemingly for the first time, that Penguins have spines in different colours denoting the genre. Mine are mostly green, for crime (being a great fan of Margery Allingham) . What a simple and clever idea.

There is an interesting article about Penguin on the website of the Design Museum here http://designmuseum.org/design/penguin-books

By: The Book Shelf Project

The Book Shelf Project — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:45:37 +0000

My favourite Penguin Classic was also the first I ever bought. I loved the cover and the fact it was in mint condition, so I didn’t really mind about the content. Titled, The Social Life of Insects, I always thought it would be fairly dire to read. So I when I did actually pick it up I was amazed to find it a totally addictive read. It’s now definitely one of my re-reads that I m looking forward too!

Lovely pics and post by the way!

By: Jakub

Jakub — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 19:20:22 +0000

this is no yet another blog post, this is literature. spitalfieldslife.com is on my bookmarks list now. thank you !

By: Harriet Devine

Harriet Devine — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 08:32:21 +0000

Lovely post and lovely books. I pick up old Penguins in a desultory way but had not realised about the numberings — I shall be on the look out more seriously now.