Recent Acquisitions

Posted on | April 19, 2010 | 18 Comments

Last week I shared with you my birthday loot, either those I received or subsequently bought, and this week my recent acquisitions are courtesy of two generous publishers. I have received a few more books in the interim but don’t you think these books complement each other very well with their blues and blacks?

The week before last I was lucky enough to attend a delightful afternoon of (lychee) cocktails and (bookish) chat hosted by the generous people of Sceptre for bloggers and new writers. A surprise goody bag offered proof copies of new books and -photographed above- copies of The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet by David Mitchell and Mr Rosenblum’s List by Natasha Solomons; the former already has a lot of Booker speculation surrounding it and the latter sounds like just the type of delightful book that I will adore (at the time of writing this, I am about to curl up with it, hoping it will be all and everything I hope it to be).

I was also the lucky recipient of some books from Faber & Faber publishers. The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver and The Wilding by Maria McCann are both on the longlist for the Orange Prize for Fiction but I had been wanting to read them independently of that anyway. I am making my way through the Orange longlist slowly and have reviews to post once Angela Carter month (and then possibly Persephone Reading Week) have come to a close.

Faber also kindly sent me the second volume of Marina Carr plays, which I have been anticipating for some time. Marina Carr is an Irish playwright whose plays are often absurdist and heavily-influenced by myth (particularly Greek) and I enjoy both reading and seeing them performed. Recently I have been very much seeking to incorporate reading drama and theatre back into my life so this volume couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Moreover, I also have a copy of the new play by Irish writer Sebastian Barry, Anderson’s English, about an unexpected visit Hans Christian Andersen makes to the home of Charles Dickens.

Do any of these appeal to you or are you waiting to hear more about them from me or elsewhere?

Comments

18 Responses to “Recent Acquisitions”

Iris
April 19th, 2010 @ 3:11 pm

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet and The Lacuna have definitely been on my list of books I’d like to read. You’re so lucky you’ve got so many books from publishers. I do hope you enjoy them all.
Verity
April 19th, 2010 @ 3:12 pm

I am very keen to read Mr Rosenblum’s list after hearing about it from you – you are lucky to have had a copy of that!

I haven’t read either of those two Orange titles – I can’t decide whether or not I wanted to read the Kingsolver. I love her books but this one just doesn’t seem quite as appealing as some of them.
Jackie (Farm Lane Books)
April 19th, 2010 @ 3:25 pm

I’m lucky enough to have a similar selection of books to you. As you know I am a massive fan of David Mitchell and am currently savouring Thousand Autumns – reading it slowly over many weeks, so I can make it last for as long as possible!

I’m looking forward to the Orange list tomorrow. I will be reading any book that I haven’t read already. I haven’t read The Lacuna or The Wilding yet, but I have a feeling that at least one will make it. Maybe your reviews will persuade me to read them even if they aren’t there?
Simon (Savidge Reads)
April 19th, 2010 @ 3:36 pm

I finished Mr Rosenblums list over the weekend and it quite charmed me. So you have some good reading there (don’t know how far you are in). I have heard mixed things bout The Lacuna but I do wonder if its because people loved The Poisonwood Bible and compare the two? Either that or its just a bit ropey hahaha. I havent read any Kingsolver so it will be my first with no comparisons.
Steph
April 19th, 2010 @ 3:57 pm

I have to admit that I haven’t heard of most of these books, but they do look very pretty together!
Jenny
April 19th, 2010 @ 4:36 pm

I haven’t heard anything about The Thousand Autumns, but the spine is very beautiful and appealing! (Yes, I’m shallow.)
Susi (The Book Affair)
April 19th, 2010 @ 4:47 pm

The Sebastian Barry one sounds good, I’d love to hear more about that. Same goes for the David Mitchell book, which has been on my radar for a while now. Enjoy your reading.
Joanna
April 19th, 2010 @ 5:32 pm

Hi there, it’s my first time commenting here, been following your blog for some time now though.

You’ve got a really great selection there ! The Lacuna has been something on the top of my TBR list for some time now. Enjoy your books !
Teresa (Lovely Treez Reads)
April 19th, 2010 @ 5:55 pm

Oh, lucky you, Claire, getting the David Mitchell and I can’t blame Jackie for savouring it as it could be a while before we get another taste! I have The Lacuna on my TBR (I also have The Poisonwood Bible…so many books etc…). Some of my bookish friends have read and enjoyed The Wilding although I don’t have the impression it wowed them. Happy Reading!
Sara
April 19th, 2010 @ 6:14 pm

I’d be interested in hearing more about Marina Carr’s work. I’m a big fan of Joyce and a few different other dead and male Irish writers. I’d like to explore more current and female Irish writers.
lizzysiddal
April 19th, 2010 @ 7:19 pm

Got to say, that pile looks absolutely delicious!
vivienne
April 19th, 2010 @ 9:04 pm

YOu are so lucky to have publishers send you books. I didn’t realise English publishers sent books out similar to American publishers. I keep hearing about The Lacuna and I do think it is one I would like to read.
Claire (The Captive Reader)
April 20th, 2010 @ 12:44 am

The pile does look lovely – very colour-coordinated (I do love the combination of blue and black.) Mr. Rosenblum’s List has been on my TBR list for a while now, so I can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
Jodie
April 20th, 2010 @ 9:01 am

They do make a very pretty pile, haven’t seen that cover for the David Mitchell book before. I’m so excited to see your Orange reviews (finished The Help last weekend and you were right it was a fas read, finished it in two days, very satisfying).
Rosalind
April 20th, 2010 @ 9:47 am

I’m so pleased that you’re going to be including plays in your reading list and I’m a big fan of both Marina Carr and Sebastian Barry. Recently saw Sebastian Barry’s The Pride of Parnell Street in New York and almost couldn’t leave the theatre I was so emotional (I was still huddled in my seat pretending to look for something I’d dropped on the ground when everyone else had left the theatre…). Can’t wait to see your reviews of these!
Jodie
April 20th, 2010 @ 10:07 am

Excuse the double comment, but ahhh the Orange shortlist is here – what do you think?
claire (kiss a cloud)
April 22nd, 2010 @ 4:31 pm

Seriously lusting after the Jacob de Zoet. The cover is lovely, too. Still iffy about The Lacuna. Love the premise but going back-on-forth on Kingsolver’s writing. Would love to hear what you think of that.
Carsten
April 26th, 2010 @ 3:32 pm

Keen to know about ‘The Lacuna’ (now on the shortlist) as I have just reserved a copy from the library.