Sorry no lost in the stacks post yesterday. This past week was a little strange for me. I have been under the weather and felt a bit like I was walking around in a fog. I do have a 'lost' book set aside but will save it for next Friday. In it's place I thought I'd share a couple of lovely books that I recently received. One came by way of another reader who has recently started blogging (so please do drop by and say hello to her). I'm reminded time and again of the kindness of strangers, though now that I've been blogging a while I do feel like so many of you who do stop by regularly are more friends than strangers. Even though I only know you virtually I feel like I have a picture in my mind and could start chatting immediately given the chance to meet face to face. Anyway, some time ago I did something nice and the result is this wonderful book showing up on my doorstop, which I cannot wait to read.
This is such a perfect reading pair. One has stunning visuals and the other interesting historical information. Up and Down Stairs: The History of the Country House Servant by Jeremy Musson looks like it is chock full of fascinating reading. Thanks again Michelle!
"Great country houses were reliant on an intricate hierarchy of servants, each of whom provided an essential skill. Jeremy Musson captures the voices of the servants who ran these vast houses, and made them work. From memoirs, letters and wage lists to evidence from the buildings themselves, he pieces together their daily lives from the Middle Ages through to the present day."
And yes, I had to have The World of Downton Abbey: The Secrets and History Unlocked by Jessica Fellowes and foreword by Julian Fellowes. It's mostly pictures, which means these will make good companion pieces to each other. And with tomorrow's final episode of Downton Abbey, I guess I'll need something to tide me over during the long wait for season three.