ramblings about Ransome, etc.

Goodness gracious! I just finished unpacking, and discovered that while I was in Britain, I bought 36 books. I left one behind (Gaudy Night) and re-sold one (The Picts and the Martyrs), but I carried 34 home yesterday, as well as two books on CD. I mean, we’d planned to buy books - why else go to Hay-on-Wye? - but I had no idea I’d bought so many. No wonder my bags were so heavy!
I only finished three of the books I bought while I was traveling: a rather nice small copy of Northanger Abbey, Gaudy Night(we went to Bath and Oxford, so I was inspired to finish those), and Picts.
I’d brought And Ladies of the Club... on the plane, and finished that as well. Given that it was a bestseller when it came out (what a snob I am about bestsellers!), I think it has held up remarkably well. I don’t think it will be a classic someday, but I wouldn’t mind if it were.
I picked up all sorts of books - nearly all by British authors, and many from 1920-1950, an era which I like quite a bit. My favorite was one that I had never dreamt existed: a version of Margaret Irwin’s Royal Flush, adapted for children. It seems funny now, because while Royal Flush alludes to homosexuality, poisons, and strange passions, it’s all off-stage. I wouldn’t have thought a children’s version was necessary - but I’m glad it exists, because I didn’t find a copy of Royal Flush while I was in Britain. This children's version will tide me over for a while.
I don't know why, but I suddenly felt I had to re-read The Picts and the Martyrs; I scoured Hay-on-Wye for a cheap copy, and read it within a day or so. Ir's one of my favorite Arthur Ransome titles. Funnily, my favorite Ransome books are almost by default. I don't like books where the action is imagined, so that knocks out Missee Lee and Peter Duck. I'm bored by birds, so there goes Coot Club, Big Six, Pigeon Post and Great Northern?. Funnily enough, I met a Ransome enthusiast when I was in Scotland, who said that every Ransome Society (not sure of the official name of the group) meeting takes place somewhere where alcohol is available.