Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Yesterday was what I would call a “Big Mail Day.”

In the morning, well before our regular mail delivery, I noticed four packages on our porch steps. I had ordered four books from Book Depository (the books were published in England) and I’d been waiting for them. Three of them were on the steps, along with a package for Don.

Then, when the mail came, the only thing in the mailbox was the other book I was expecting from Book Depository.

Then Don went to the post office for the first time in a few months to buy some stamps and check our PO Box, and there were two envelopes waiting for me, along with a package.

And then, later in the afternoon, Amazon left a package on the porch containing my new puzzle.

I’ll share what was in the package at the post office tomorrow. By the way, if you decide to send me something and you want me to see it soon after it arrives at the Post Office, send me an email. Our post office is extraordinarily tiny with very little space in which to maneuver around other people. So we don’t tend to stop in there. We will if we know we have something waiting for us.

The books. You know I love Miranda Mills’ account on Instagram. I first noticed that my beloved Mary Stewart books had been reissued by a British publisher, Hodder and Stoughton, last year when Miranda mentioned it. I read all of her books as a teenager and young adult and I kept them for years and years; tattered paperbacks of the old variety, much smaller than today’s versions, which I read again and again. During the course of several moves, I lost them. These new editions are quite lovely, with beautiful cover illustrations. So I decided to collect them.

I also discovered, via Miranda, that another favorite author whose books I devoured – PD James – has been reissued by Faber and Faber. Again – I’ve lost those books over time, including one that was autographed by James in person when I went to hear her speak while I was living in Cambridge, MA. “Lost” is perhaps the wrong word. They’ve been passed on to others, donated, and in the case of the dreaded shed, were still in my possession but too musty to keep. Not everything needs to be replaced by a long shot, but some favorite authors do  need to be replaced. And James and Stewart are two of them.

I’m collecting the James as well. And I’ll be rereading them. James is one of the best mystery writers ever.

I started with my three favorites of Mary Stewart.

And I’m buying James in order of publication.

Gorgeous cover illustration from the London Transport Museum collection.

All of the James books have cover illustrations by Angela Harding. I love her print work – she also did the gorgeous cover for The Salt Path. The illustration is continued at the bottom of the spine, so when they sit on a shelf together, it’s quite the visual treat.

I have more on the way. Once a month, I order one or two. The prices are quite inexpensive and Book Depository ships them free of charge.

I get enormous comfort from having these books here in my home, soon to be on the shelves. As I said on Instagram yesterday, they’re old friends.

It’s supposed to hit 72 degrees today, but we’ll pay for that tomorrow with thunderstorms and high winds. Lovely. We may take a short drive this afternoon if the sun comes out. It was very, very foggy this morning.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.