Happy weekend, folks – my brother is staying, so hopefully lots of fun will be had. Tomorrow night I’m off to see The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard, which I loved about a decade ago and am hoping to love once more. Colin, given the option of seeing this or going to a friend’s house, revealed his culture-vulture nature and chose the latter. Twins, eh?
For those awaiting a round-up of The Vet’s Daughter reviews, I think I’m going to wait ’til Monday, because there are one or two in the pipeline… instead, let’s go for a book, a blog post, and a link.
1.) T
he book – isn’t out yet, but I’m looking forward to it (and hoping maybe one will come for review… *puppy-dog eyes*) – one of the new Bloomsbury Group reprints, Mrs. Ames by E.F. Benson, as recommended by Elaine at Random Jottings. I like the new colours they’ve picked, and applaud anything and everything to do with this series. AND was chuffed to see myself quoted in their new catalogue…
2.) The blog post – is not quite new, but it took me a week to get over my jealousy… here is Naomi (aka Bloomsbury Bell) and her account of the Charleston Literary Festival. I’m not an especial fan of Carol Ann Duffy (indeed, I have read a total of one poem by her) but I am a fan of lawns and chairs and cake…
3.) The link(s) – courtesy of my online book group, who have pointed me in the direction of 50 Crime Writers To Read Before You Die (an odd stipulation… how many will we read after we die? Then again, I really hope there are books in Heaven) and a link about some very fancy books to be sold at Sotheby’s. Thanks Sherry and Curzon!
Also, I made a map of Oxford bookshops for a friend who’ll be visiting soon, which I thought I’d share with you all, in case you’re ever here… Long-term readers of Stuck-in-a-Book will remember my Stuck-in-a-Book’s Oxford photo tour in three parts (gosh, three years ago). I’m planning on doing another one at some point soon. But here’s something to whet the appetite (it’s very small, but hopefully readable if you click on it? Otherwise email me and I’ll send you a copy):
Thanks for the 50 crime writers link. I consider myself a big fan of mysteries, yet I find I have only read 8 of those on the list – and that includes Charles Dickens who I had never previously thought of as a crime writer. (I have read one William McIlvanney, but not a crime book.)
Ooo, I'll have to come back later and check out the crime writers link. As for books in heaven…not that he has the "scoop," but Randy Alcorn wrote a book called Heaven last year, and in it, he put forth that for the bibliophiles among us, there might be a heavenly library for us to organize, keep, enjoy, etc. (It was one of my favorite parts of the book!) After all, one of God's names is "the Word" — don't you think he'll have some books up there worth reading? :)
Have a great weekend with your brother!
Mrs Ames does sound delightful and reminds me that I should really catch up on reading the other Bloomsbury Group books (or at least posting the reviews of the excellent ones I have finished)!
I did costumes for The Real Inspector Hound last year. Hilarious play, and also very well-suited to multiple viewings, since it tends to take a couple goes to figure out exactly what's going on.
I still haven't read any of the first round of Bloomsbury Group books, or any EF Benson. I'll have to remedy both those deficiencies soon.
There will be books in Heaven.
I'm going to read my books on earth! For an atheist here is no afterlife to catch up on what I fail to read in "this" life.
Which Duffy poem did you read and why were you not taken with her work? I appreciate her voice (not that I read much poetry these days) and I like the poem Valentine very much indeed. Winterton praises highly her collection Rapture and what little I have read has certainly enraptured me. You can hear Duffy reading some of her love poems here.
Useful map! But how did you make it? I see it was on google maps but can't see how you put the numbers on. This is a serious enquiry as I have to make one myself!
That map is marvelous! Now I just need to get to Oxford. ;) And now I'm off to check out the crime writers!
David – plenty to choose from! I've not read crime/mysteries for ages.
Susan – that's a very good point! And God obviously likes books, since that's how He chose to reveal himself (that and in Jesus, of course).
Calire – I love the Bloomsbury Group series, so many gems (so little time!)
Anna – I loved it all over again! So funny, and really cleverly done. And yes, EFB a must – best start with Mapp and Lucia books.
Karen – I think you're right!
Peter – 'Onion', is it called? We 'did' it at school, but I hardly ever read poetry, and haven't been tempted yet.
Harriet – hope my tips via facebook have helped…
Eva – yes indeed, you do need to visit Oxford! Now that I've made the map, it would be *rude* not to… ;-)