Book Rate
Is there any more delicious treat than a mailbox stuffed with a manilla envelope containing a much-awaited book? As a little Christmas present to myself this year I located four of the published volumes of a new favorite author, Alice Van Leer Carrick. At 3 to 6 dollars a piece–one of which was inscribed by the author herself in a gorgeous angular script–I consider myself to have done quite well! They’ve been showing up over the past few days (the third arrived this afternoon) and the pilgrimage down the winding drive to the mailbox has become a thing of enchantment. I’ve been reading my favorite, The Next-to-Nothing House, out loud to Philip since it came on Saturday, and as he doesn’t seem to mind I guess he’ll end up getting the whole thing…
Look for a review coming soon–I’m half-way done at this posting. And if you love old houses and old furniture and old ways, I urge you to lay your hands on anything by this 1920’s era kindred spirit. “A room without books is a dead thing,” she writes. Nothing could fall more perfectly in line with my decorating scheme than this!
Has anyone else heard of Alice Van Leer Carrick, or am I championing a resurgence of appreciation for her works?
I’ve never heard of her. American? British? Are these children’s stories? Is there another author that you would compare her books with?
This book can be enjoyed online at this site:
http://hearth.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=hearth;idno=4399769
The Hearth library contains other old books that can be read online, though only this one by Mrs. Carrick.. See this link for a complete listing.
http://hearth.library.cornell.edu/h/hearth/browse.html
~~Rhonda 🙂
Alice Van Leer Carrick was an American author who was a featured columnist in ‘House Beautiful’, and was later on the editing staff of ‘Antiques’ magazine in the 1930s. I can’t think of anyone I’d compare her to–Martha Stewart meets Elizabeth Goudge, maybe?? More coming in my review. 🙂
Thank you so much for the tip, Rhonda! I’ll be sure to check for other old books I’m interested in there, too…
How have I missed your lovely site? I have thoroughly enjoyed my visit here today. You are going on my blogroll, I think!
God bless.
I can’t wait to read your thoughts on this book — she sounds like someone you’d enjoy having over for a cup of tea. (And I love those manila envelopes in the mailbox too!)
I haven’t heard of her! Looking forward to your review… 🙂
Lanier – just the cover image and the name of this book have me coveting your
copy! I must try to find one of my own…. You know me, a ‘next to nothing house’
in any form, would be a treasure!! I can’t wait to hear all about it. : )
I just ordered my copy today, Lanier. Can hardly wait to open this treasure!
Thank you, ladies, for being so excited about my new discovery. 🙂 This will be a fun review to write!