It’s almost a month since my birthday, and I’ve been meaning to write about the books I was given – a nice little pile, thoughtfully chosen by some lovely friends. Some are due to my canny circulating of my Amazon wishlist; some is friends encouraging me to try something different.
Packing My Library by Alberto Manguel
The first of two books from my friend Clare – I love Manguel, and I love reading about people’s libraries. I’m not sure if this will make me want to do a mad cull (I suspect not) but I’m excited about spending time with Manguel in his library.
Mr Pye by Mervyn Peake
And the second – I had this on my Amazon wishlist because it was compared with Miss Hargreaves in Barb’s review – or, rather, in the comments to it. Yep, that’s enough for me to want to read something.
Familiar Studies of Men and Books by R.L. Stevenson
‘To a man of many books’, as my friend Epsie has dedicated this to me – a great title and an author I’ve been intending to read more of!
The Glorious Thing by Christine Orr
Epsie always introduces me to such interesting authors – and, living in Scotland, often chooses Scottish authors. I had never heard of this 1919 novel, but it sounds so up my street – a perspective on WW1 in Edinburgh focusing on the role of women.
The Last Interview by Oliver Sacks
From my friend Malie, who knows how much I love Sacks. I may need to gear myself up to cope with this one…
The Illustrated Dust Jacket 1920-1970 by Martin Salisbury
Oh my word. This book could not be more something that I want. Indeed, it was in a Weekend Miscellany a while ago – a simply gorgeous overview of dustjackets in that period, replete with as many beautiful illustrations as you could wish for. Thank you Malie! This book is basically my soul.
I also got some books that aren’t novels or biographies etc. – a wonderful Lebanese cookbook (I love Lebanese food so much, and I’m excited to try it), a guidebook to Slovenia, from my Slovenian colleague Jasmina whom I’ve promised I will visit Slovenia (and do really want to), and from Lorna a collection of poems in lieu of a card (that I want to write about soon), and The Snooty Bookshop by Tom Gauld – funny book-based postcards in a book. I just have to decide whether or not to keep as one book all to myself, or send elsewhere.
An eclectic and wonderful collection of gifts!
What well-trained friends you have that they all buy you such perfectly selected books! The Manguel is wonderful, though my own reaction was to want to hoard my books rather than give them away. The Glorious Thing sounds intriguing and the dustjacket book sounds like the perfect gift! Happy reading (and happy belated birthday)!
Ooooh, lovely books Simon! I haven’t read Mr. Pye for decades but I loved it to bits. But then I love Mervyn Peake (I helped run the Mervyn Peake Society for a while back in the day). I even wanted to move to Sark for a while after reading it. It’s worth seeking out the adaptation from the 1980s if you can too (that’s if you like the book). And RLS! Look forward to your thoughts on that one whenever! :D
Amazingly, I have read Mr Pye – I can see the similarities in a way to Miss Hargreaves! The others all sound perfect choices for you.
If you want to go to Slovenia you should watch Travel Man with Richard Ayoade! Here’s a link to the Ljubljana episode: https://www.televisioncatchup.co.uk/travel-man-48-hours-in/slovenia-245620
How lovely – what brilliant friends you have!