Just For Me

If you are anything like me, most of my book buying budget goes towards books for the children. I read a lot, but tend to make do with books borrowed from my local library, my personal library or borrowed from friends. Earlier this year, when I received an Amazon gift card, yes, my immediate thought was to buy something from my wish list for my children. But it was my husband who suggested that I treat myself to something I wouldn't ordinarily buy for myself. What a fun, and difficult, prospect!

It took me nearly a month of wondering and poring over Amazon suggestions, but finally took the plunge and ordered a few books *just for me*!

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady, by Edith Holden was a phenomenally popular book in the 1970s in England; it seemed that every home had a copy of this beautiful book. And honestly, it really is a fantastic addition to any home library. Originally written in 1906, it is full of beautiful pen and ink drawings, poems, observations and notes - everything that my own dream Nature Journal would have. This is an outstandingly lovely book, and one that is easy to dip into for just a few pages.

Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature, by Linda Lear is a biography of the famous children's book writer and illustrator, and I have to confess that I although I have not read this book cover to cover, the prologue and photos have so far won me over. (I recently saw Miss Potter, with Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor, such a delightful film, which really whet my appetite to learn more about Beatrix Potter's life). If you have read this one, I would love to hear from you though - did you enjoy the book?!

The Private World of Tasha Tudor, by Tasha Tudor and Richard Brown, is just sublime. The book contains beautiful photographs of Tasha Tudor's farm and home in Southern Vermont, along with small essays written by her, and peppered with her signature-style illustrations. The effect is an utterly delightful book, and a peak into a life of simple beauty.

Sense and Sensibility: The Screenplay and Diaries, by Emma Thompson - yes, I love the novels of Jane Austen. And, although I can be a little picky on this count, I adore some of the film adaptations of Miss Austen's works. Sense Sensibility, starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslett is one of them. I won't bore you with details of how many times I have watched this film (ahem - a lot!) or how many tears I have shed over the denouement (many!), but this book containing the screenplay written by Thompson for the film, and the accompanying diaries during the filming are so lovely. If you are a fan of the film, I defy you to read the screenplay without reciting lines with Emma Thompson's clip or Alan Rickman's drawl. This book begs to be read, cuddled under blankets, preferably while it is raining, and enjoying tea and scones!

What would you add to your own Just For Me book list? 
Feel free to share in the comments; 
it's always fun to see what other treats other book lovers are enjoying!