You may be aware that 2008 marks the 30th anniversary of Virago Press. While I had a few of those distinctive green covers in my book collection for a while, it wasn't until a few years ago that I really took notice of just who Virago Press was and what those covers stood for. Ever since I've been keen to collect them and am always on the lookout for them at library sales and used bookstores.
"'A tempting change' boasted one of Virago's first posters. Now, Virago can look back with pride on over thirty years of success – in both tempting and changing the world – and, with confidence look forward to a new era of publishing books that speak volumes about the lives of girls and women."
"One of the most vigorous, stylish and successful British publishing imprints, Virago is the outstanding international publisher of women's literature. It is the largest women's imprint in the world and has made commercial success of publishing books of quality and originality."
This article, which appeared in yesterday's Observer (via Kate S.) has inspired me to mark the occasion. Although my own history with Virago Press doesn't go back terribly far, I do hope it is a relationship that will now continue. In honor of the anniversary I'd like to make it a project to read at least five Viragos over the course of the rest of the year (or more perhaps). Actually it was my intent this year to have an ongoing project of reading Virago and Persephone titles (switching back and forth), but I quickly became sidetracked and have read only one Persephone. I definitely plan on reading Antonia White's Frost in May at some point, which was the first Virago Modern Classic published, but otherwise I'll just pick and choose from my growing collection. If anyone would like to read along, please feel free. There's a complete list of titles published by Virago here. If you happen to be a fan of Viragos, check out Justine Picardi's blog. She's working on an article about Virago Press, which I hope I'll be able to get my hands on when it's published. She's asking for reader's views on the books, and it's interesting reading everyone's comments.
As for my first Virago? It was Precious Bane. I loved the book. I found it at my favorite used bookstore. It was the green spine that caught my eye and I pulled it down off the shelf and knew I had to have it. That's what started my Virago habit. It's been a while since I've added to my collection...I think I may have to go in search of a few more Viragos. Any favorites? To be honest, I'm not usually very discriminating (they all sound good to me!), as long as it has that green cover I'm sold.