Recent Acquisitions

Posted on | May 15, 2010 | 27 Comments

This latest installment of recent acquisitions actually filtered in book by book a few weeks ago but I haven’t had a chance to post about them until now. These all happen to be review copies sent my publishers but I do have some purchases to share soon.

Alice from Bloomsbury sent me a copy of Paper Towns by John Green, which was only published in the UK this week (it was published in the US in 2008). Nymeth has raved about it and when she raves about a book, I pay attention; I read this at the beginning of this week and will share my thoughts soon.

Katherine from Harper Press sent me The Book of Fires by Jane Borodale. This book has been nominated for this year’s Orange Award for New Writers and sounds completely riveting; I am planning to immerse myself in this soon.

Polly from Sceptre sent me Sunnyside by Glen David Gold; I haven’t read Carter Beats the Devil but look forward to reading a fictional account of Charlie Chaplin.

Sophie from Virago sent me the latest re-issued Elizabeth Taylor novel, The Soul of Kindness. To date, I actually haven’t read any Taylor but this may be the one I start with as the synopsis really appeals.

Gemma from Faber sent me both Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot (I’ve been coveting this book for so long!) and A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore. The Moore has been shortlisted for the 2010 Orange Prize for Fiction; I’ve fallen behind in my prize reading for this but would like to read this before I attend the shortlist readings earlier next month (if anyone would like to go to this then please let me know as I have a spare ticket).

Have you read any of these?

I have family visiting this weekend and a family event so I’ll probably be a.w.o.l.

Comments

27 Responses to “Recent Acquisitions”

Verity
May 15th, 2010 @ 12:26 pm

Ooh – aren’t you lucky! I’m glad you will be admitting your purchases soon too
Darlene
May 15th, 2010 @ 12:37 pm

I thought that the Taylor title looked new to me…off to read the synopsis! It’s so nice to get things other than pizza coupons and gym memberships through the mail. Although, I do suppose too much of one requires the other.
Stujallen
May 15th, 2010 @ 1:17 pm

some great buys ,got lorrie moore on my wishlist ,all the best stu
Jackie (Farm Lane Books)
May 15th, 2010 @ 1:36 pm

I’m interested in The Book of Fires, so I look forward to seeing what you make of that.

I didn’t realise that Paper Towns wasn’t out here – I have seen it so often in the blogging world that I just assumed it was.

Enjoy your new books!
Claire (The Captive Reader)
May 15th, 2010 @ 1:40 pm

A colourful pile! I haven’t read any Taylor yet either, so I’ll be interested to hear what you think of her!
Julia
May 15th, 2010 @ 2:32 pm

Ohh, I loved The Soul of Kindness- definitely my favourite Elizabeth Taylor so far.
Steph
May 15th, 2010 @ 3:23 pm

Your book stacks are always so colourful! Love it! I haven’t read any of these, but I’ll look forward to hearing your thoughts on them!
softdrink
May 15th, 2010 @ 3:46 pm

Ooooh, Paper Towns…sit back and enjoy the ride! Or, the road trip, in this case.
Frances
May 15th, 2010 @ 4:30 pm

Lovely pile but have not read a one although A Gate at the Stairs is one of my to-be-reads. Curious about the Elizabeth Taylor too. Love when you post these photos!
Andreea
May 15th, 2010 @ 6:01 pm

I haven’t read any of them, but they sound great. Happy reading to you!
la prima de Audrey
May 15th, 2010 @ 9:19 pm

I’ve really enjoyed A Gate at the Stairs.
I’ve recently bought a novel by E. Taylor but haven’t read it yet. I like your blog.
claire (kiss a cloud)
May 15th, 2010 @ 9:55 pm

Really enjoyed Paper Towns! Hope you did, too..
Nymeth
May 15th, 2010 @ 10:15 pm

I’m eagerly awaiting your review of Paper Towns, Claire!

And oh, I love Old Possum. Judging by the spine that seems to be a lovely edition. Enjoy your new books!
Novel Insights
May 15th, 2010 @ 10:36 pm

I started reading Sunnyside and sadly did not love it. However I didn’t finish it and perhaps I was just in the wrong mood for it! Looking forward to your reviews of the other books
Simon T
May 16th, 2010 @ 10:06 am

I must confess, I really don’t like the repackaged Elizabeth Taylors… I much prefer the bottle-green Virago editions, and I have quite a few of those. The next one I want to read is A Wreath of Roses, and I actually have that in an old hardback.
Darren @ Bart's Bookshelf
May 16th, 2010 @ 10:19 am

I’ve had Papertowns on my shelves for months, I really need to try and clear some space in my reading schedule to make space for it!
anothercookiecrumbles
May 16th, 2010 @ 1:11 pm

I read an amazing review of A Gate At The Stairs a few months back, and finally managed to get a copy recently. Am reading the new David Mitchell now, but will be reading it straight after.

Looking forward to your thoughts on it (as well as the others).

The Sunnyside book bang in the middle adds so much colour to the image! Love it.
Sasha
May 16th, 2010 @ 8:47 pm

Sunnyside is just so happy, haha. I’m afraid that if I see this around these parts, I’d buy it for that.

I’ve heard many good things about Paper Towns, but I’ve had no luck, so far, in finding a copy of any of his books. Also, I’mre still thinking about how to articulate how I feel about A Gate at the Stairs.

PS – I keep forgetting to tell you that I’ve received your Angela Carter book! And, man, I love those Suicide Bunnies. I want a ton of them, hahaha.
Joan Hunter Dunn
May 16th, 2010 @ 8:57 pm

Old Possum brings back fond childhood memories. Perfect for this horrid cold wet weather.
Nicola
May 16th, 2010 @ 9:52 pm

Oh I want that Taylor and I’ve been pondering about whether to get the Lorrie Moore after seeing a good review of it in The Sunday Times. Do let me know how you get on with it.
Alison M.
May 17th, 2010 @ 11:44 am

I’ve read “Carter Beats the Devil” not with any great enthusiasm I have to say. hope you enjoy it more than I did.
Simon (Savidge Reads)
May 17th, 2010 @ 7:27 pm

Will be interested to see your thoughts on Sunnyside, I got sent it last year and tried it… I will simply say its never featured on the blog make that what you will. Mind you I didn’t dinish it so I wouldnt have written about it anyway.

Very interesting in The Book of Fires, thats one I have had my eye on. I must read The Boy Next Door have had that for ages. I don’t want either of them to beat Evie though… not that I am biased, so envious of you going to the Orange bits and bobs!
Rebecca Reid
May 18th, 2010 @ 2:59 pm

I too have heard how wonderful Paper Towns is. Maybe someday I’ll give it a go!

What a lovely book stack!
Lija
May 18th, 2010 @ 6:43 pm

An enviable haul!

Still looking for a date for the Orange readings?
Vasilly
May 18th, 2010 @ 10:37 pm

I haven’t read any of those! They all look so good. Happy reading!
Mystica
May 24th, 2010 @ 3:50 am

It will be ages since I get my hands on any of these and would like to know what you think of Paper Towns
Helen Smith
June 2nd, 2010 @ 9:15 am

Hello, I love Angel by Elizabeth Taylor but haven’t read any of her others, though I keep meaning to. I’ll look out for The Soul of Kindness.

I really enjoyed Carter Beats the Devil – it was one of those books I kept giving to friends or recommending to them, with mixed results, as not all of them enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to Sunnyside. It will be interesting to see what you make of it.