Recent Acquisitions

Paperback Reader — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:00:23 +0000

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?

Claire’s Corner

Paperback Reader — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:55:21 +0000

So, I’ve been blogging rather sporadically of late; all I can offer as a reason is that I’ve been busy and London was in the sweaty grips of a heatwave (the operative word being “was”). Pedicures and Pimm’s have been more appealing than posting, to be honest, but I do miss conversing about all things bookish. Anyway, I’ve been remiss in replying to comments and reciprocating but I shall try to catch up. First of all, though, I am off home to Glasgow for an extended visit. I’ll be mainly spending quality time with my boyfriend, family and friends but I do plan on some essential reading time (hopefully in the garden with a little bit of sun … a girl can dream, right?) Above are the books that I’ll be taking home with me this weekend.

Couples by John Updike is my choice for the next meeting of the Riverside Readers. It’s a book I’ve had and been wanting to read since last summer and there’s something about a New England settingthat seems summery to me; I can easily see myself reading this with a cocktail in hand waiting for the BBQ to heat up. I suspect that it’s also going to complementary the choice I made for my other book group, Peyton Place by Grace Metalious.

Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood is a book I have been wanting to read for around thirteen years (seriously, I remember wanting to borrow it from my school library and the librarian refusing; apparently the book wasn’t “appropriate” for me even though my English teachers were giving me copies of Sons of Lovers and Lolita to read at the time. Hmph). Anyway, I should really have read it by now and have been requiring more Atwood in my life recently so the long overdue opportunity presents itself.

The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle is another one I’ve been meaning to read for some time, especially after I enjoyed Drop City so much. Kim of Reading Matters reminded me of my desire to read it and describing it as a meaty summer read with lots to chew over sealed the deal!

Crow Lake by Mary Lawson was a gift from my sister-in-law who always chooses and recommends the best books to me. Living in Canada she has introduced me to several Canadian authors (Ann-Marie MacDonald, Camilla Gibb) that may have passed me by otherwise and Mary Lawson will be another. I’ve had this on my TBR since last year saving it for the perfect reading opportunity.

Looking for Alaska by John Green is a very recent acquisition and one I couldn’t resist adding to my holiday pile; after enjoying Paper Towns so much I relished the idea of immediately acquainting myself with more of Green’s work.

Mariana by Monica Dickens made it into my final selection because what summer is complete without a Persephone book, preferably of the lighter persuasion? It was between this and Miss Buncle’s Book but the cover alone of my Classic edition evokes summer to me.

A library book or two will also make it into my case but these are the books that I am itching to read whilst I relax at home. Although there a couple of lighter, absorbing reads, the bulk are books I’ll be able to sink my teeth into. Recently I’ve been reading quickly (and somewhat obsessively but more about that in another post) and I am craving longer books that I can lose myself in and some of the books I have selected should provide exactly that.

I have a major backlog of reviews so some are scheduled for when I am away and I will endeavour to be on top of things once I return at the end of July.

In the meantime, have you read any of these and what holiday reading do you have planned, if any?

Paperback Reader » John Updike

Recent Acquisitions

Claire’s Corner