Recent Acquisitions

Posted on | September 6, 2010 | 27 Comments

Ahem. I seem to have acquired a good few books over the last month. A number of these, if not all, have transpired from my recent desire to return to my reading roots and the above reflect my true and yet diverse reading tastes. Very few of the titles are actually new fiction but those that are follow a pattern of series reading or timeless fiction.

Bought: Verity and I visited the Notting Hill Book Exchange recommended by Simon T, which allowed us to indulge in our favourite activity of book shopping whilst culling some of our collection (I exchanged over twenty books for six others and credit for my next visit). Anyway, I came away with six books that I have been wanting to read and/or own.

Fireflies by Shiva Naipaul: Shiva is the younger brother of V.S. Naipaul and Fireflies is a family saga novel that has been on my radar for some time but the novel is out-of-print.

Lark and Termite by Jayne Anne Phillips: a review by Jill of Fizzy Thoughts brought this novel to my attention a few months ago; I borrowed the book from the library, read the first fifty pages and realised it was a book that I had to own. When I saw a perfect copy of this for a £1 in the bookshop I gladly added it to the pile.

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers: I have read and enjoyed McCullers’ novella, The Ballad of the Sad Cafe, and been looking for a (pristine) copy of her critically-acclaimed first novel in the silver Penguin edition.

Hetty Dorval by Ethel Wilson: I read this Persephone book during the first Persephone Reading Week but had borrowed it from Verity. I can never leave an unowned Persephone in a secondhand bookshop.

Rule Britannia by Daphne Du Maurier: this is not a novel I have come across mention of before but I would like to own (and of course read) all of Daphne Du Maurier’s books one day and picking up good copies secondhand makes a start at least.

Rabbit Redux by John Updike: I have still to review it but I read and adored Couples by Updike last month and good not resist picking up another of his novels (in a matching white Penguin edition); now I need to find Rabbit Run before starting the Rabbit series.

I also separately bought copies of The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon and The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen. The former was mentioned by Kim of Reading Matters at book group last winter and then chosen as this month’s read; the latter is a book I have been very curious to read, one Steph raves about and the buzz surrounding Franzen’s forthcoming novel has reminded me to finally read this one.

Received from publishers: Some of my favourite publishers conveniently publish older books and as I have been craving older books in my reading, I requested some, along with receiving a few newer and forthcoming titles.

After enjoying A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood, Indira of Vintage Books generously sent me Mr Norris Changes Trains and Goodbye to Berlin.

Excitingly Alexandra of Scholastic Books sent me a copy of Mockinjay by Suzanne Collins, the third in the Hunger Games trilogy. As the book was under international embargo I received it on the day of its UK release and read it immediately; my review is forthcoming.

Sophie, Judith and Zoё each sent me a Virago title. Zoё sent me the paperback edition of Margaret Atwood’s The Year of the Flood; I have been seeking more Atwood in my life but I’m undecided still which novel to read next. Sophie and Judith, respectively, sent me the latest Virago Modern Classic titles: Desert of the Heart by Jane Rule, a reputed lesbian classic, and When Rain Clouds Gather & Maru by Bessie Head, a double-header from the prominent Botswanan writer.

The lovely Kirsty of Oxford World Classics sent me a number of classics to fuel my current craving, especially for Dickens. I am already rereading Great Expectations, one of my favourite Victorian novels, and looking full of anticipation for The Pickwick Papers and The Old Curiosity Shop. I also shamelessly requested a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas after a real hankering to read it (it should last me a while on its own…) and Kirsty sent me Tarr by Wyndham Lewis, a modernist novel that I am intrigued to read as my Master’s degree covered the modernist period.

Hand Me Down World by Lloyd Jones is his latest novel. I loved Mister Pip when I read (and recently reread) and look forward to reading his new novel. John Murray amazingly invited me along to a dinner with Lloyd Jones, who is visiting from New Zealand to promote the book, and other book bloggers, publishers and book industry people. It was an exceedingly enjoyable evening with fascinating bookish chat and Lloyd kindly signed my proof copy of the book.

Lastly we have a proof copy of Mary Ann in Autumn by Armistead Maupin sent to me my Alison of Transworld Books. This is by far the most exciting book I have yet received as a book blogger; I am a huge fan of Maupin’s Tales of the City series and this, the eight book in the series, is not released until November, and I read it immediately.

Many thanks to the publicists who contributed to my most recent acquisitions.

Have you read any of the books from this extensive installment of recent acquisitions?

Comments

27 Responses to “Recent Acquisitions”

Charlie
September 6th, 2010 @ 9:46 am

I haven’t read any, but The Hunger Games is on my wishlist (the hype has worked) and I mean to read Dickens soon. Seeing the thickness of the books in your collection there though I think I might wait a bit longer!

I’m taken by the title of the Bessie Head, from where I sit unknowing, it sounds very random and intriguing!
Susi (The Book Affair)
September 6th, 2010 @ 10:53 am

Wow, that’s quite the pile. I just finished Mockingjay and wish I could read it again. So many great novels in your pile, can’t wait to read your reviews. Some books and authors I haven’t even heard of, but your reviews might make me add them to Mount TBR. We shall see. Enjoy your reading!
Jenny
September 6th, 2010 @ 1:26 pm

I’m fixing to send my copy of The Corrections off to another PaperbackSwap user, because I never became motivated to read it in the time I had it. :/ If I eventually read it and like it I’m going to be mad at myself.
Stephanie
September 6th, 2010 @ 1:35 pm

Holy heck that’s a lot of books! I hope you enjoy The Corrections more than I did–I was not a fan!
Frances
September 6th, 2010 @ 1:55 pm

The Corrections is staring at me from everywhere I go lately including from my own shelves. It might be time.

Great additions! What really stands out are the lovely Oxford World Classics on the left. So pristine! Something about replacing worn out copies of classics that always makes me want to re-read.
Teresa
September 6th, 2010 @ 2:05 pm

Wow! That’s a lovely stack of books! I’ve only read a few of them. Some (The Corrections, Monte Cristo) were not successes for me, but I loved Great Expectations and Hetty Dorval. I also like Year of the Flood, but it’s far from my favorite Atwood. (I prefer Robber Bride, Blind Assassin, and Cat’s Eye.) Almost all the ones I haven’t read are intriguing!
Amanda
September 6th, 2010 @ 2:23 pm

What a lovely pile!
Claire (The Captive Reader)
September 6th, 2010 @ 3:19 pm

Wow. What impressive piles! I used to love The Count of Monte Cristo, though it’s been some time since I last read it.
softdrink
September 6th, 2010 @ 3:46 pm

Lark and Termite looks quite nice in that pile.
sakura
September 6th, 2010 @ 4:19 pm

Very nice pile! I’ve read three books in your pile (The Corrections, The Count of Monte Cristo and Great Expectations, all of which I loved). I’ve read some Naipaul, but the other brother’s It’s funny, but I recently watched a documentary which featured The Lonely Londoners (I think it was the In Their Own Words series on the BBC) and added it to my wishlist. And I’m probably one of the few who hasn’t read The Hunger Games, but I’m very curious.
coops
September 6th, 2010 @ 4:39 pm

Fabulous haul Claire! I am very envious of your access to the new Tales of the City but I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait. I can’t read about Mary Ann without picturing Laura Linney in the TV adaptation.

It’s many years since I read Desert of the Heart so I’ll have to revisit it – both the book and the film are real lesbian classics. How wonderful it’s been released in VMC form.
yvonne
September 6th, 2010 @ 5:10 pm

Wow! that’s some pile you have there. They all look like great reads. Can we expect to hear from you about Xmas time, when you get to the bottom?
Steph
September 6th, 2010 @ 5:18 pm

Oh, what a wonderful haul! I’m so glad you have finally procured yourself a copy of The Corrections – it can be a difficult novel, but it’s so very good. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it!

And while I’m no fan of Dickens, I’m envious of your Oxford World Classics treasures! So beautiful!
Stujallen
September 6th, 2010 @ 7:16 pm

A great selection I enjoy the corrections when I read it ,been looking at some shiva naipaul my self at local book sale ,be interested to see what you think of it first ,and sam seldon on my tbr pile ,all the best stu
Mark David
September 7th, 2010 @ 2:47 pm

Have you listened to the New Yorker Fiction Podcast episode that featured Carson McCuller’s The Jockey? In case you haven’t, here’s the link:

http://www.newyorker.com/online/2010/01/18/100118on_audio_russell

It’s a really good story
Darlene
September 7th, 2010 @ 7:04 pm

Glorious book porn! Thank you, Claire.

I have read none of these but for some reason, unknown to even myself, I’ve been coveting The Pickwick Papers.
BuriedInPrint
September 7th, 2010 @ 8:53 pm

I just started The Corrections over the weekend (started, as in read just 20 pages); I’ve been wanting to read it for ages but, oy, when does one “find” time for a novel that size! It looks, however, as though it will read very quickly, as the characters have already piqued my interest. It’s nice to know you’re heading in its direction as well.
Anothercookiecrumbles
September 8th, 2010 @ 8:47 pm

Wow! I don’t even know where to start. I didn’t know Lloyd jones had a new book out – like you, I loved Mr. Pip and enjoyed The Book of Fame as well. Hope this one meets the expectations.

I’ve been meaning to read Updike’s Rabbit series forever, but not had much luck in the secondhand bookstores yet. Best of luck on the Rabbit, Run front.
claire (kiss a cloud)
September 10th, 2010 @ 6:31 am

We have some overlaps again, yay! I’ll be reading The Old Curiosity Shop, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, and The Corrections soon. The Count of Monte Cristo is on the wish list.
Colleen (Books in the City)
September 11th, 2010 @ 4:34 pm

The Corrections had been on my shelf for 5+ years but I am now 75% through it and regretting having left it so long. Hope you like it too!
bybee
September 12th, 2010 @ 1:48 am

What a gorgeous stack…I especially love the Penguins. I also was not a fan of The Corrections. I am a big fan of the Rabbit quartet.
kimbofo
September 12th, 2010 @ 1:09 pm

I’m pretty sure you will love Carson McCullers’ The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. I read it a few years back when I ran my own online book group. I’ve since acquired a few of her other novels but not yet gotten around to reading them.

I loved The Corrections when I read it in 2004 (??). I’m looking forward to the new one, but will wait until it comes out in paperback (and the hype dies down).

Hope you enjoyed The Lonely Londoners. Have fond memories of reading it last year; it so reminded me of what it was like when I first hit these shores and experienced my first London winter.

Finally, you must tell me more about this book exchange, given that Notting Hill is within walking distance of where I live!
Jo
September 14th, 2010 @ 1:37 am

I inhaled the entire Hunger Games trilogy last week, and it is one of the few series that I have ever read that I immediately wanted to start reading again as soon as I finished Mockingjay! I look forward to your review!
Melissa
September 14th, 2010 @ 6:37 am

I’ve read The Corrections twice; there’s definitely a hump to get over at the beginning, but I love the book.

Rabbit, Run turned me off Updike forever. I’ll read Redux and the one after it because of the Pulitzer challenge, but I am NOT looking forward to it.
The Book Whisperer
September 14th, 2010 @ 8:00 pm

Nice haul Claire. I hope you’re still enjoying Great Expectations – I re-read it 2 years ago after hating it in school but this time I adored it. I really need to read more Dickens!
Lydia @ The Literary Lollipop
September 15th, 2010 @ 7:23 pm

Holy smokes! That’s quite the stack of books you got there! They all look so nicely arranged, too!
Minnie
October 25th, 2010 @ 1:06 pm

‘Fireflies’ by Shiva Naipaul (brother of the more famous V S) was one of my favourite books for years – that and its companion, ‘The Chip Chip Gatherers’. Marvellous writing, plunging you straight into another world – recognisable but exotic – and introducing you to a range of characters whose quirks & characteristics were beautifully drawn (& the reader is allowed to judge them for him/herself). Do so hope you enjoyed it, esp as now o-o-print.
So rare to encounter refs to the late, much-lamented SN’s on the blogosphere – you made my day: thank you!