I wouldn’t say I’ve gone on a spree, per se, but I have bought a few books since Lent ended and my book buying was permitted again. A few of those have been online, some were in Oxford, and some were on a trip to London yesterday. More on that trip soon, but – for today – the books…
The Reader Over Your Shoulder by Robert Graves and Alan Hodge
I’ve been meaning to read their book The Long Weekend for a long time; this one looks quite different but also interesting. It’s a handbook for writing, but the bit I’m looking forward to is where they quote their contemporaries (from Lytton Strachey to Cicely Hamilton) and point out where they’ve written badly.
An Irrelevant Woman by Mary Hocking
Mary Hocking Reading Week starts any minute, courtesy of Heavenali, and my book arrived just in time to kick off.
The Prose Factory by D.J. Taylor
I’ve bought a few new books recently – as in new-new, rather than secondhand – which isn’t very like me. This one is an overview of literature since 1918, recommended by Deborah Lawrenson on Instagram. I think I might take it on holiday at the end of April.
Moranifesto by Caitlin Moran
Another new book, this one with birthday voucher from my friend Malie. I love Moran’s columns, and particularly her book Moranthology, so I’m excited that another one is out.
The Charleston Bulletin Supplements
I have a vague idea that I already own this… but it’s supplements to Virginia Woolf’s childhood newspaper. Classic me. There’s no such thing as too much Woolf.
Cat’s Company by Michael Joseph
A lovely looking book about cats. I can’t remember quite what angle about cats, but… cats.
All the Days and Nights by William Maxwell
I think I’ve got all of Maxwell’s novels, though I’ve not read all of them by any means – but I didn’t have Maxwell’s short stories. Reading his letters makes me think he’ll be brilliant at the short story, and Rachel assured me he was on our podcast.
The Beginning of Spring by Penelope Fitzgerald
I have so many Fitzgerald novels that I’ve yet to read, but I can’t resist another one that matches the set I have… plus, I’ve loved two of the three I’ve read, which is pretty good odds.
The Hopeful Traveller by Mary Hocking
This is the first Hocking I ordered, but then Ali told me that it was a sequel to a different novel – one that seemed impossible to find. Well, no longer, I suppose, since Bello are reprinting it!
Miss Ogilvy Finds Herself by Radclyffe Hall
This is a collection of short stories; I’ve previously read the title story of the collection, as it makes for very interesting comparison to Lolly Willowes, but none of the others.
Limbo by Aldous Huxley
This is a sweet little copy of some Huxley stories. Or perhaps novellas. They all seem pretty long.
Evergreens by Jerome K Jerome
Some short stories from JKJ. Apparently I bought quite a few collections of short stories, particularly in relation to the number I actually read… but it’s been too long since I read Jerome.
What’s For Dinner? by James Schuyler
Waterstones Piccadilly has a lovely section of independent publishers’ books, and that includes a selection of NYRB Classics. I knew I wanted to buy one of them, and chose the Schuyler – having loved Alfred and Guinevere last year. And what a curious title.
Buried For Pleasure by Edmund Crispin
And another Crispin to enjoy, after having laughed my way through The Moving Toyshop.
And there we have it! There is another book or two on their way through the post, but I wanted to get the post up today. Plus, I don’t want you to know the depths of my post-Lent spree. Ok, yes, spree is what it was.
Yes Mary Hocking reading week started today in fact. The Hopeful Traveller is a sequel to A Time of War which is one of the harder ones to find, although one of the first batch re-issued by Bello. An Irrelevant Woman is very good I think, I await your thoughts.
Very interested in that Radclyffe Hall – only read The Well of Loneliness but that one is not even one I’ve heard of.
I will clearly have to buy A Time of War sooner rather than later! My reading of An Irrelevant Woman makes me wonder – as I’m sure you’ve done many times – why she isn’t better known. So good.
I’ve not read The Well of Loneliness, somehow, or indeed anything by Hall except that one short story – but I’m stockpiling books by her!
Hmmm, that sounds like a spree to me! Good haul, though.
You could be right ;)
Enjoy your new books!!
Thanks Kailana!
A gorgeous list! and that is a spree.
I’m pretty pleased with my post-Lent finds! And I’m coming to accept ‘spree’.
Not a spree at all… but that’s only because I dread to show you the haul I have from Lyon… Nice mix!
Haha! I need to see this haul now, Marina…
Nice collection Simon! Spree? Well, why not? Glad you’ve got another Crispin – I really do love his books. The Huxley is intriguing – I read some of his stories a while back and really liked them so I’ll be interested to hear what you think about this one.
It seems to be one in one out, with Crispin, as I seem to have lost The Moving Toyshop now. Maybe it made like the toyshop and disappeared!
I’ve not heard of those Radclyffe Hall short stories, am going to need to seek them out. And the Charleston Supplements are on my wishlist in case you do already have them … You will enjoy the D.J. Taylor; I’ve reviewed it for Shiny and it’s very good and thorough, and lots of familiar names for us in there. Happy reading!
I will check next time I’m in Somerset, and if it’s a duplicate then I’ll send one your way, Liz :)
Now SNB is live I will go and review your DJ Taylor review – exciting!
Haha, you so have gone on a spree! Hope you enjoy them :)
I plead guilty!