In my last post I may have unintentionally misled some of you in regards to the identity of the publisher playing host to me at the moment.  Although Virago and Persephone Books are an imprint and publisher, respectively, that I would love to work for and where most of you thought my placement is, I am actually at Random House HQ in Pimlico.  Vintage Books and Vintage Classics are imprints mentioned frequently on Paperback Reader because -as with Virago and Persephone- my preference when it comes to literature is backlist as opposed to frontlist titles especially classics or neglected classics.  I am working in the CCV division, which encompasses the literary imprints of Jonathan Cape, The Bodley Head, Yellow Jersey, Square Peg, Harvill Secker, Chatto & Windus, Vintage, Vintage Classics and Pimlico.  Working on nine imprints of prize-winning books and authors (and the potential Booker prize-winning C by Tom McCarthy) during one of the busiest times of year -with the upcoming Cheltenham Literary Festival and the publication of the high-profile titles for sale in the lead up to Christmas in full swing- is exciting and enriching.

My first week has flown by in a buzz of activity with every task and day varied, highly-pressured and  insightful.  A wealth of experience is being had and also fun.  I love to be busy and thrive on it and there is so much to see, learn and do in CCV with never a dull moment.  Yes, there are tasks that could be considered mundane and administrative in nature -photocopying and mailing out- but I am truly loving all of the different aspects of the publicity department; I have also designed fliers, made up showcards for book events, sent author mail, sought and compiled reviews, drafted party invite lists, planned other parties and events, data entry and I also putting my book blogging and digital experience to good use.

Of course I love being surrounded by the books and some of my favourite authors’ work -Rushdie, García Márquez, Morrison, Coetzee, Murakami are all published there- but publishing is a business and although a passion for the product is tantamount an understanding of how publishing works is an essential requirement for working in the industry.  My brief time so far in Random House is providing me with that crucial insight.

I will, however, share some of the bookish joys here on my site.  On Thursday I had a lunch consisting of several recipes from Nigella Lawson’s new cookbook, Kitchen; the RH canteen cooked up a storm to celebrate the premiere of Nigella Kitchen premiering that night on BBC2.  I can testify that the Pappardelle with Butternut Squash and Blue Cheese and the Panzanella (bread salad) are both completely and utterly delectable.

Lunch on Friday was spent with my mentor, Lisa, who kindly offered me anything on her Vintage Classics shelves after we discussed our shared love for classics; a spare five minutes later that afternoon and some exercise of restraint on my part resulted in the conservative pile above.

I’ve been wanting to read Yukio Mishima for some time but Simon of Savidge Reads convinced me to start with The Sailor Who Fell From Grace with the Sea, which I thought back to when perusing some Mishima books on the shelves.

I mentioned a couple of months ago that it was the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of The L-Shaped Room by Lynne Reid Banks this year, which meant that I had to read it; Lisa gave me the fiftieth-anniversary edition (click on the title link to see the cover) and I plan on reading it next.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood was my first Atwood novel and remains a favourite.  Vintage Classics are reissuing it with a striking new red and white cover for its twenty-fifth anniversary (click on the title link to see the cover), The Handmaid’s Tale is as pertinent in its dystopian vision of the subjugation of women as it was when first published.  My copy of the book is one I loaned and never received back so I could not resist owning it again especially with its new jacket design, which I love.

Cancer Ward by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is the favourite book of one of my closest friends, consequently one that has been on my wishlist for some time.  I couldn’t resist taking a copy of this when I saw it especially as I was meeting the same friend for dinner that night (she is currently based in the US so it was great to see her); we discussed the Soviet novel a little over dinner and she then told me that it took her a month to read, which she had neglected to mention before.

Speaking of Russian literature, Lisa gave me an amazingly beautiful hardback edition of Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak, a new translation -the first since the 1958 original- to celebrate Harvill Secker’s Centennial (the bookbag I brought the books home in also commemorates the imprint’s landmark).  I read Doctor Zhivago years ago for a Slavonic literature course at university and would love to reread it one day especially in this lovely snowflake copy and its new translation.

Coincidentally I am at present reading a Vintage Classics book -as you can see on the right-hand side of the post- for the Riverside Readers.  The lovely Polly of Novel Insights chose On the Beach by Nevil Shute as this month’s book; I am particularly thankful to her as I was supposed to read this for a Writing the Disaster module at uni several years ago and didn’t.

I hope to be able to share more books with you next week.  In the meantime feel free to ask me any questions you may have about my placement or Random House in general.

]]> http://www.paperback-reader.co.uk/2010/10/03/publishing-experience/feed/ 34 http://www.paperback-reader.co.uk/2010/09/06/recent-acquisitions-15/ http://www.paperback-reader.co.uk/2010/09/06/recent-acquisitions-15/#comments Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:00:23 +0000 Paperback Reader http://www.paperback-reader.co.uk/?p=2669

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?

]]> http://www.paperback-reader.co.uk/2010/09/06/recent-acquisitions-15/feed/ 27 http://www.paperback-reader.co.uk/2010/07/15/claires-corner-15/ http://www.paperback-reader.co.uk/2010/07/15/claires-corner-15/#comments Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:55:21 +0000 Paperback Reader http://www.paperback-reader.co.uk/?p=2547

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?

]]> http://www.paperback-reader.co.uk/2010/07/15/claires-corner-15/feed/ 35 http://www.paperback-reader.co.uk/2010/03/27/recent-acquisitions-9/ http://www.paperback-reader.co.uk/2010/03/27/recent-acquisitions-9/#comments Sat, 27 Mar 2010 17:01:50 +0000 Paperback Reader http://www.paperback-reader.co.uk/?p=1842

When I arrived home from London earlier this week I was greeted to a number of book parcels, which cheered me some after a dreadful train (well, six trains) journey and five-hour delay due to signal failure on the west-coast and and then a smashed car window awaiting us. There are a couple more proof copies and early birthday books that aren’t photographed but the latter will hopefully have others to join it in a few days…

The proof copies that are featured were unexpectedly sent to me by Sceptre and Windmill books, respectively; the first is the much-anticipated new novel by David Mitchell, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, and the other is Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey, which has been receiving some very favourable whispers in the book world.

Victoria from Virago (Abacus is another imprint of Little, Brown) offered to send me a copy of Hearts and Minds by Amanda Craig after reading my response to the Orange longlist; this is one of the shortlisted titles that I am most looking forward to reading and whilst I was in Glasgow Verity text me to inform me that it is “AMAZING”.  Now I am conflicted whether to read it before the other Orange title that I am desperate to read: The Still Point by Amy Sackville… which do you suggest I read first?

Virago also sent me a copy of Wilderness Tips by Margaret Atwood after I won it in one of the Twitter competitions they regularly hold. This is a collection of some of Atwood’s short stories and one of the few books of hers that I didn’t own.

I was also the delighted recipient of the Man Booker-winning The Conservationist by Nadine Gordimer from Bloomsbury; I have been wanting to read more Gordimer since reading July’s People earlier this month.

Contests to win a signed copy of Solar by Ian McEwan have been hosted by a few bloggers recently and I was the lucky winner from Simon of Stuck-in-a-Book.  The premise of the novel doesn’t appeal to me all that much but I have a feeling that it’s going to continue to be discussed this year and I’d like to be privy to the content!

I am not a fan of posts that are simply means to show off books that bloggers have been sent by publishers and I realise that this one is quite abundant with books that I have received directly from publishers… if it’s any consolation, I caved and bought The Still Point and Don’t Tell Alfred by Nancy Mitford (in the cute edition that some of you are and aren’t as fond of as I am) as I was keen to read both.

Have you acquired and/or read any of these?