Persephone Secret Santa

It’s Persephone Secret Santa reveal day! That means that all around the blogosphere, participants are sharing their presents and just generally spreading the holidays cheer. A few weeks ago I got not one, but two packages from a mysterious sender bearing a lovely Persephone sticker. The sticker said the following:

…but despite that, I couldn’t resist taking a peek in time for the big reveal today. Here’s what my very generous Secret Santa sent me:

Thank you so, so much, Frances! The diary is absolutely gorgeous, and The Mystery of Mrs Blencarrow is perfect for a lover of Victorian literature like me. My lovely gifts are now back in their package, and will be placed under the tree until Christmas as soon as I get home. Thank you also to Claire for hosting the Persephone Secret Santa swap. Don’t forget to drop by her blog to see what everyone else has received.
On a personal note, I’m going home for the holidays very soon, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. I’m seeing my family, the cats and dogs I left in their care, and even my bookshelves (if I’m not too lazy to remove all the dust sheets) for the first time in months. The last few months were a little difficult on a personal level, so it will be nice to feel at home again for the first time in some time. I plan to make the very most of the season this year (let us ignore the four assignments I need to have finished by early January for now), and that will hopefully include plenty of comfort reading.
All this to say: I keep telling my myself that as soon as I get through whatever it is I have to do next, I’ll be able to blog properly again, to quit neglecting all my blogging friends, and to catch up with e-mail – but of course, it never quite works out as planned. If I disappear for a few more days, it’ll be because I’m stuck in an airport or a snowy train track somewhere. But hopefully all will go well, and I’ll be able to catch up with everything soon.
…but despite that, I couldn’t resist taking a peek in time for the big reveal today. Here’s what my very generous Secret Santa sent me:

Thank you so, so much, Frances! The diary is absolutely gorgeous, and The Mystery of Mrs Blencarrow is perfect for a lover of Victorian literature like me. My lovely gifts are now back in their package, and will be placed under the tree until Christmas as soon as I get home. Thank you also to Claire for hosting the Persephone Secret Santa swap. Don’t forget to drop by her blog to see what everyone else has received.
On a personal note, I’m going home for the holidays very soon, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. I’m seeing my family, the cats and dogs I left in their care, and even my bookshelves (if I’m not too lazy to remove all the dust sheets) for the first time in months. The last few months were a little difficult on a personal level, so it will be nice to feel at home again for the first time in some time. I plan to make the very most of the season this year (let us ignore the four assignments I need to have finished by early January for now), and that will hopefully include plenty of comfort reading.
All this to say: I keep telling my myself that as soon as I get through whatever it is I have to do next, I’ll be able to blog properly again, to quit neglecting all my blogging friends, and to catch up with e-mail – but of course, it never quite works out as planned. If I disappear for a few more days, it’ll be because I’m stuck in an airport or a snowy train track somewhere. But hopefully all will go well, and I’ll be able to catch up with everything soon.
And another lucky Persephone-grrl :)
ReplyDeleteYou make sure you absorb as much of HOME as possible, everything else comes second! Wishing you all the best!!!
Great gift! I hope that the book is a wonderful read for you!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I hope you have an amazing stay with your family and get to spend all kinds of good time laughing, eating, and celebrating. It sounds like you really need it.
Have a great Christmas and enjoy yourself over there!
Thank you, Gnoe and Zibilee! I've no doubt I'll enjoy the book :) And I'll be sure to make the most of my time at home!
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome! Hope you enjoy them, and really hope that your stay at home is everything you need right now. Merry, merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYay - we both got the same wonderful book from the same wonderful blogger!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get home safely and have a wonderful break.
What a lovely gift! I'll be interested to see your thoughts on the book as I love Victorian literature too :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great Christmas and enjoy your time at home!
Ooh, I got myself and my mum a diary too. They are so beautiful, aren't they? And The Mystery of Mrs. Blencarrow sounds suitably gothicky and Victorian. Enjoy! Is it weird that I'm excited that you'll be re-united with your bookcases back home??;P
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear you're going to have some time at home these holidays. I hope things in your next semester are better for you and not so rough on that personal level. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful time at home, I'm so glad you get to go! Love on those animals and relax and enjoy your family and friends!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful time going home for the holidays!
ReplyDeletesorry to hear things haven't been easy lately for you. I wish you a wonderful holiday back at home, with lots of feline and doggy cuddles.
ReplyDeleteAnd here's to a better and happier new year!
<3
So many pretty Persephone packages appearing. It does the heart good. And Frances generosity in also buying for verity is so nice to see.
ReplyDeleteHope you're ok luv! Time needed to recooperate well needed I guess. Hug the animals and feel cheered :)
That looks like the perfect gift for you! Enjoy your time with your family and don't worry so much about your blogging friends. We all know you're super busy with school now.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Frances lovely?! Such good choices too; the diary is a thing if beauty & Mrs Blencarrow is a great read.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time at home, Ana, and take the opportunity to relax and re-centre.
What a great gift!
ReplyDeleteOh, I want that one too! And I indulged in the Persephone diary and just love it. It's so beautiful I don't think I can write in it - I just want to enjoy all the lovely endpapers. Have a lovely holiday and good luck with your assignments.
ReplyDeleteI love your Persephone present. I hope to join in next year.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a fabulous time when you get home and get to give your lovely pets lots of hugs.
I think you are doing really well keeping up with everyone as much as you do.
I am enjoying the Persephone posts so much and will have to join next year. I've not yet read a Persephone, but my TRB pile has exploded today with them.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely gift you've received, Ana!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you miss your home & family badly! Have a smooth & safe trip home! Happy holidays!! :))
What a wonderful choice from your Santa! I've had my eye on that one. Looks like it will be a great read for the holidays!
ReplyDeleteOh, what fantastic loot! I am overjoyed at this holiday season to be getting and receiving these beautiful items and you have definitely scored some lovely ones at that!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful gift!! Enjoy your family day during the holidays!
ReplyDeleteWow, awesome gift! And enjoy your days with the family!
ReplyDeleteIt's so exciting to read about all of the Persephone books being opened around the world!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking the diary is a blank book in which to record one's thoughts? If so, as a journalist, I covet that. (In a good way ;) How very generous of sweet Frances to send you two. How very generous of you to complete my Persephone collection of Laski novels. Thank you, Ana.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely gifts! I like reading about all the gifts that were received in this swap...very fun. Have a wonderful and safe trip back home!
ReplyDeleteHave fun at home! Eight days until I go home and I seriously cannot wait. Dorothy wasn't kidding about that no place like it business. :p
ReplyDeleteAnd I really feel you about always thinking you are about to be able to get back into your normal habits of blogging. I keep waking up early and thinking, If I got up now I could read blogs and comment and that would be nice, but then it turns out I can't make myself crawl out of my warm bed and wake up properly. :(
What a lovely package! I'm glad to hear you get to go see your cats (and dogs and family, of course). I hope you share some pictures (of the cats ;))
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone! I made it home in one piece. Soon it will be catch-up time. Cat pictures may also be forthcoming ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm totally joining in on this next year!! It just looks like way too much fun :D
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your lovely presents and your time with family and your wonderful pet family too!
ReplyDelete