
Last year I decided to have a little reading week event for Daphne du Maurier an eternally popular writer whose birthday I share. It seemed fitting to hold it the week of our birthday, and I was delighted with just how many people joined in. So with April into its second week I thought I better remind you all that as we had so much fun last year, we’re going to do it all again, well I say we – I hope some of you will be joining me.
I have kept the page up sharing reviews from last year – but I will be taking off last year’s links to make way for this year nearer the time – so if you are looking for inspiration, and want to see what everyone was reading last year I would do it now.
Last year I read:
They were each fantastic reading experiences (in fact my week was closer to a fortnight) I got quite carried away. This year? Well I have The Parasites, The Birds and other stories, The Flight of the Falcon, and Daphne’s Letters from Menabilly which was a birthday gift last year, and I could easily have acquired more by the time May 11th rolls around. There’s also a part of me that would love to read Rebecca again, despite there being a good number of Daphne du Maurier books I haven’t read. As ever I will see where my mood takes me.

If you aren’t a blogger, that really doesn’t matter – join in the conversation using the hashtag #DDMreadingweek on Twitter and Instagram, read some Daphne du Maurier books, share photos of your books or just let me know what you have read and how you got on in the comments section on my blog. If you are a blogger – please let your readers know you’ll be joining in – and alert me to any reviews of Daphne du Maurier books during the week of 11th – 17th May (or after, I know reviews take a while to come in). Most of all celebrate the life and work of a wonderful writer, who I feel is sometimes dismissed rather as a women’s writer or a romance writer. She is so much more than that, fantastic at depicting atmosphere some of her work has some quite dark overtones, touching on the paranormal in places. An extraordinary storyteller, some of her characters; Mrs Danvers, Mary Yellan, Rachel – are quite unforgettable. So, if you have never read her before, now could be your time.
I understand that many people are finding their reading mood to be pretty fickle at the moment – I am finding that myself – so I understand that perhaps not everyone will want to commit to a reading event at the moment. Still, if you find yourself able to share some du Maurier love – whether it’s a photo or a retweet – then that counts too.
If you think you will be reading along with me the week of 11th -17th May I would love to hear from you, especially if you already know what you will be reading.
I’m looking forward to it already.

Well, I can’t promise anything but if I can find one of her books on the shelves and the mood is right I shall have a go! 😀
I totally understand that. Don’t worry if you can’t manage it.
I’ll try and join in Ali, but my reading is non-existent at the moment! I’ll look forward to all the du Maurier love though 🙂
I think a lot of people are finding the same, hope you can join in vicariously.
I was going to put Rebecca onto one of my lists for the summer school this year. That’s not going to be happening is it! I was looking at three books that were all based around a particular house and Rebecca with its wonderful opening line is ideal for that. Maybe I’ll re-read it anyway.
Oh Rebecca is so good, a re-read would be great.
Lovely. I’m not making any reading plans (or any other kinds or plans) at the moment, but it’s great to have some advance notice about the dates! 🙂
Yes, I wanted to give people notice. I understand not wanting to make many plans at the moment.
Oh, I love that last photo. What a fan you are! And you have such lovely editions. Most of mine are gathered from college booksales. I did end up reading her dystopian novel last year, but finished far too late to contribute properly (still, it was very interesting)! I’ve got maybe 5 hanging around that I haven’t read yet, so I haven’t settled on one yet, but will take a look in the next while.
I do have some nice editions and they look pretty on the shelf. I hope you are able to join in this year.
I will definitely try to join in as du Maurier is one of my favourite authors. I only have one of her novels left to read – Castle Dor – so I will either read that or one of her non-fiction books.
So glad you will be joining in, I look forward to hearing about Castle Dor.
Well, I have the Rebecca that I won as part of your reading week last year, and also Jamaica Inn, which I received as part of my LibraryThing Virago group not so secret santa gift last Christmas, so if I start reading a bit before the week I think I can get both finished during it …
Ooh excellent, I can’t wait to see how you get on with them. Two brilliant du Maurier novels in my opinion.
I should do this given her/your birthdays are only a week before mine. Never read Rebecca (I know, how could I have not!!) so this would be the perfect timing.
Oh yes, perfect timing indeed. I really hope you enjoy it.
I’m not sure if I have any of hers on my TBR. I shall have to have a good look!
Well I hope you can find something. If not, there is always next year.
What beautiful editions!
They are pretty. 😊
I really hope to finally join you for the first time in this wonderful reading event. I only have one new-to-me Maurier novel on my TBR shelf, which is The Loving Spirit. However I am also really tempted to re-read the fabulous Rebecca, too! 🙂
I think The Loving Spirit was her first novel? I will be interested in hearing about it.
I think I’d like to join in… I checked out a copy of Mary Anne before my library closed!
I thoroughly enjoyed Mary Anne hope you do too.
[…] May, 2020. Simples! If you don’t have a blog to share reviews, then check out Ali’s introduction post, as there are other ways to […]
I have My Cousin Rachel on the shelf. I may join in if I read it in time. (I have it in English and I’m slower when I read in English)
My Cousin Rachel is so good, such a compelling story. I hope you can join in.
That’s good to know. Unless something comes in the way, I should be able to read it. I have some holidays and since we’re in lockdown…
[…] at Heavenali, Ali Hope has issued an open invitation to read along with her during Daphne du Maurier reading week, which is scheduled to take place from 11th to 17th May. Whether or not you are a blogger, you are […]
I already have a number of books on the go, but I have a small collection of unread DMs too good to waste. So I shall try to clear the decks and join in with All The Kings Men, (if I can find it), or I’ll Never be Young Again (which is on the Kindle, and I know where that is).
Brilliant, glad you might be able to join in.
Ooohhh, how wonderful! I’m in. I have The Scapegoat on my shelf, which I’ve been intending to read in order to write about the theme of doubling in Rebecca, My Cousin Rachel, and The Scapegoat. I’ve also been wanting to reread The House on the Strand. Thanks for the motivation!
Fantastic, it sounds like you’re all set for a great reading week.
[…] May 11th to 17th, Ali is hosting a reading week dedicated to our one and only du Maurier! You can join in the […]
[…] Dor would come at the perfect time for Ali’s Daphne du Maurier Reading Week in May, but as I have plenty of time to read at the moment I would be happy to get one of the […]
I’ve only just discover Du Maurier but as my mum has all the books on her shelves I will be raiding them to read more. The Flight of the Falcon whetted my appetite for me. Count me in for joining you in May.
Oh brilliant, looking forward to seeing what you choose to read.
Looking forward to it. I’ve been saving a copy of Hungry Hill since last year to read during #DDMreadingweek.
Oh excellent, glad you will be joining us.
This would be great to join in. To my shame, I’ve not read any du Maurier so this could finally be my chance to read Rebecca!
Ooh well Rebecca is just wonderful, I envy people reading it for the first time. I really hope you enjoy it.
I definitely want to participate again this year, I’ve narrowed it to three which are all available through iBooks: Rule Brittania, Mary Anne and The Flight of the Falcon. I’ll have to go back and read the posts from last year to help me make my choice though it might be fun to read one of the same as you! I did love The House on the Strand, I think it’s my favorite du Maurier after Rebecca so if you choose that one you’re in for a treat. Thanks again for hosting!
A re-read of Rebecca is certainly tempting, but I will probably read one of the books I haven’t read yet. Looking forward to seeing what you choose to read.
[…] left it behind temporarily in favor of Daphne Du Maurier’s Mary Anne, which is my pick for Ali’s Daphne Du Maurier reading week celebration, May 11 through 17. (I have until the end of May to get Adam Bede read. It’s much […]
I am so glad you are doing this again Ali – thank you! I am planning to read The House on the Strand, Jamaica Inn and also look at Ella Westland’s book Reading Daphne. Can’t wait! 😀
Two brilliant Du Maurier novels there to look forward to. I don’t know anything about Ella Westland’s book, look forward to hearing about it.
I would love to participate but I’ve read so many of her books already that it might be difficult. But I’ll try and see if I can find something. I remember someone mention a title that was rarely reviewed but sounded terrific.
I hope you can join in, there are several biographies around I believe and the letters if you haven’t read those. Though getting copies might be an issue.
I hope so too. Getting copies is a problem. Something might be available for the kindle and I might even have a book on Cornwall on my piles somewhere.
[…] literary festivals and author events, popping up here and there and, last but not least, Ali’s Daphne Du Maurier […]
What fun! Count me in, please! The King’s General is my favorite, closely followed by Rebecca. There are so many I still need to read!
Me too, enough for several years of #DDMreadingweek. I hope you enjoy whatever you choose.
[…] up next? Well, excitingly, it’s my dear friend Heaven-Ali’s Daphne Du Maurier Reading Week coming up this month. I won a copy of “Rebecca” in her giveaway last time she did this […]
This is very interesting and I’d love to join. Just wanted to know whether we read only books written BY Daphne du Maurier or is it okay to read any book ON Daphne du Maurier too.
Reading a biography of Daphne du Maurier would definitely count. Great idea.
Well, it is not exactly a biography but rather a fictional take on du Maurier. Hopefully it’ll turn out to be interesting.
Here’s my sign-up post:
https://ahotcupofpleasureagain.wordpress.com/2020/05/04/reading-event-daphne-du-maurier-reading-week/
Lovely thank you.
[…] Interested? Details can be found here. […]
Love this. Looking forward to joining you next week 🙂
Oh fabulous, enjoy your Daphne du Maurier reading.
This reading week is a perfect fit for me. Thank you for creating a platform to talk about du Maurier, whom often falls between a lot of labels and other readathons.
So glad you will be joining in with Daphne du Maurier reading week. Hope you enjoy whatever you choose to read.
[…] just begun this book as I am participating in the Daphne Du Maurier Reading Week, hosted @ Heavenali. Too early to say anything about […]
[…] begins Heavenali’s Daphne du Maurier week. I knew I wanted to participate but wasn’t sure how to fit it into my A Post a Day in […]
[…] friend Ali, who is running a Daphne Du Maurier Reading Week this week, has always been somewhat scandalised that I haven’t read any DDM novels in my […]
[…] It’s Daphne du Maurier Reading Week, hosted by HeavenAli over on her blog. […]
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[…] second book read and reviewed for Ali’s Daphne Du Maurier Reading Week and I’m quite proud of myself for that! I read and wrote a review to publish during the Week […]
Just scraping in on the last day of #DDM Reading Week, here’s my thoughts about The Glass-Blowers: https://anzlitlovers.com/2020/05/17/the-glass-blowers-by-daphne-du-maurier/
Thanks for hosting!
Brilliant, thank you. Updating the page with links later.
[…] week is #DDMReadingWeek hosted by Heaven Ali and I needed very little encouragement to dig out some titles by Daphne Du Maurier (1907-1989) from […]
[…] read this for Daphne Du Maurier Reading Week, May 11–17, 2020, but got distracted and finished too […]
I’m late but here’s my review: https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2020/06/01/review-house-on-the-strand-by-daphne-du-maurier/
[…] week is #DDMReadingWeek hosted by Heaven Ali and I needed very little encouragement to dig out some titles by Daphne Du Maurier (1907-1989) from […]