On Monday I had the day off, so I decided to go to Hidcote National Trust because I’m young and vibrant. It is a really beautiful garden and June seems like the perfect time to see it. After a wander, I spent quite a while sitting there, reading The Feast by Margaret Kennedy in preparation for the next episode of ‘Tea or Books?’
But while I was up that way, I thought I’d google for local secondhand bookshops – and that’s how I came across Draycott Books in Chipping Camden. It’s less than an hour from my house and somehow I haven’t been before?? Will certainly be rectifying, as it’s a lovely little shop – a great selection of books, affordable and in nice condition. Apparently there’s also a cat, but sadly I didn’t see him/her.
If it weren’t for Project 24, I’d have come away with an armful of books – I left behind a Pamela Frankau I don’t have, the short stories of Theodora Benson, and three boxfuls of Virago Modern Classics (although I did own most of them already). In the end, I chose two –
In No Strange Land by Jane Oliver
Like lots of us, I loved Jane Oliver and Ann Stafford’s Business As Usual, and I’ve been wondering what their other books are like. The info with the book seemed to suggest they weren’t necessarily of the same calibre – but at least this way I can find out for myself.
The Fiery Gate by Ronald Fraser
I’ve read a couple of books by Fraser, both of which were in my doctoral thesis to different extents – Flower Phantoms (where a woman turns into a plant) and The Flying Draper (where, uh, a draper can fly). Apparently The Fiery Gate is another one of his fantastic narratives – and, while his writing wasn’t particularly brilliant in the novels I’ve read, that’s enough for me to be keen to give it a try.
I’ve jumped ahead of my rationing a little, as 11 books takes me to halfway through July. And I definitely have a bookshop trip or two planned in July. I guess I might have to be particularly abstemious in August!
Interested to see what you think of the Jane Oliver since I did love Business as Usual.
Truly, I don’t know how you do it. Buying books is one of my coping mechanism. Admittedly I do have many waiting for me, even though I read a lot (150 books/year ish). Still, the temptation…
Most years it is mine too! But space is truly running out…
You’re being so restrained!! I just bought a book because someone had mentioned it on the Internet, and so it goes on …
just wait til 2023 :D
I’m fond of Fraser’s books, and this one above all, probably. He’s so idiosyncratic and has the lightest touch here with the fantastic, and it has a stronger ending than Flower Phantoms. Also, I came to own my copy of The Fiery Gate while living with my family in the nearly the exact bit of Battersea /Chelsea embankment that also serves as the book’s setting, which added an extra layer of curiosity for me.
Oo glad to know this is your favourite – thanks Jonathan!
“Because I’m young and vibrant”. That caused me to belly laugh Simon. Indeed you are and you will certainly always be younger that I am. Congratulations on your restraint in only purchasing two books.
Haha, thanks Ruthiella!
I was dropping by to thank you for sending me to Claire Keegan’s novellas — but I can’t find her here. Well, anyway, you SHOULD read her.
Oh yes, not me – but clearly I should!
Kudos to you for exercising such restraint. I need to borrow some of that because it seems my purchasing has got out of hand this year. A complete ban for the rest of the year is highly unlikely to work so your “rationing” strategy could be the answer.