Well, the rains, they cometh. Hopefully that means I can curl up indoors and fight off Reader’s Block (I know I keep mentioning it, but it’s a bit of a worry with the pile of Shiny New Books to read, although mine is nothing compared to Victoria’s). But I’ve still rustled up a book, a link, and a blog post…
1.) The link – I put together another quiz for OxfordWords – this time, can you spot titles borrowed from other books? I think this is the post I’ve had most fun creating so far. Let me know how you did!
2.) The book – Can I be mammothly indiscreet for a moment? Almost every publisher has been wonderful about providing books for Shiny New Books – either to us or to a band of willing reviewers. The exception is Fourth Estate, who have ignored all of our emails – but, damn their eyes &c., they also publish some very intriguing-sounding books (and I’m sure they have v good reasons for not being able to reply!) It’s played in their favour, as we’ve ended up buying the books ourselves and sending them off to reviewers – and today I ordered a beautiful reprint of Penelope Fitzgerald’s Charlotte Mew and Her Friends. They’ve also reprinted lots of her novels in equally striking covers.
3.) The blog post – my Shiny New Books co-editor has done her own Q&A – you’re too late to ask the Q, I’m afraid, but you can read the A – part one and part two.
Thank you for starting this meme off, and for the links Simon – I enjoyed answering the Qs! On another tack, it'll be interesting to see if 4th Estate get in touch …
What larks! Such a ball with the quiz. Only 8 right. fiendish stuff Simon!
The Mew cover is wonderful. And I got 9 on the quiz which is the best I've ever done on one of these so I'm dead chuffed!!
I love the cover of that Fitzgerald too – I have read a few of her books – some I loved like Offshore – others were well a tiny bit odd though not unenjoyable.
I also scored an 8. Fun idea for a quiz.
I just read 'The Beginning of Spring' and completely loved it. A masterpiece. I much prefer it to 'The Blue Flower'. Have now downloaded three of her very early books to have my very own book hibernation.
Pleased to get 9/10 – had to really think about it.
Sue
I love these covers of Penelope Fitzgerald books, I bought one in the new Foyles Saturday – no bookshop jaunt is complete unless you leave with a Fitzgerald.
I got 6/10 but, ashamedly the answers I got right were all guesses.
8 out of 10. Not too shabby!