It’s The Overhaul! The latest in a series where I look back on previous book shopping trips and see what I’ve read, what I’ve got rid of, and what is embarrassing me by the length of time it’s been on my shelves.
The Overhaul #6
The original haul is here – it was just before I did Project 24 in 2010 (only buying 24 books throughout the year), and I went out on a high!
Date of haul: December 2009
Location: The Bookbarn, Somerset
Number of books bought: 17
More Women Than Men by Ivy Compton-Burnett
The Last and the First by Ivy Compton-Burnett
Elders and Betters by Ivy Compton-Burnett
Men and Wives by Ivy Compton-Burnett
This was around the time I was buying up lots of ICB novels, as you can see. And the difficulty with ICB’s identikit titles is that I’m never quite sure which I’ve read. Well, I’ve definitely read Elders and Betters and More Women Than Men, and I’m pretty sure I’ve read Men and Wives. This might be the best start of an overhaul ever! Will it keep going?? I wouldn’t have thought so.
A Wreath of Roses by Elizabeth Taylor
I read this a few years ago when I was speaking at a literary conference on a panel with someone who was discussing this novel – and it’s such a good one. I don’t remember many details, but I think it had quite a gothic influence – along with Taylor’s beautiful sentences and profound insights, of course.
An Autumn Sowing by E.F. Benson
I have read a lot of EFB (and bought a lot of EFB) since 2009, but I have not read this one.
The Match Maker by Stella Gibbons
Another author overflowing on my shelves even though I’ve not actually read all that many. And I haven’t read this one.
A Child in the Theatre by Rachel Ferguson
I was so excited to find this book! And you can imagine that I read it super quickly after finding it. Erm, wait… *checks notes*… I have still not read it. This got off to such a good start?
Anne Severn and the Fieldings by May Sinclair
I have not read this. I didn’t even remember it existed until I saw this – but I do still have it.
Mary Olivier: A Life by May Sinclair
I have also not read this. How did neither of these become candidates for Project Names last year?
Staying With Relations by Rose Macaulay
I have read this! Sadly it is the worst Macaulay I’ve read – all about archaeology and being abroad and nothing much to grab in the narrative, I’m afraid.
Grand Hotel by Vicki Baum
I bought this after seeing the film, which is wonderful. I have not read it, and I haven’t seen it for a while… I think I must have given it away, possibly because I realised I was unlikely to read a book that long.
High Table by Joanna Cannan
I thought about reading this earlier this year, and that’s got to count for something.
Guard Your Daughters by Diana Tutton
Ha, you BETCHA I’ve read this! Several times, in fact, and I’m delighted to say it’s back in print with Persephone now.
Red Pottage by Mary Cholmondeley
I have now read this late Victorian novel and it is BONKERS and brilliant – sensationalist and over-the-top, but also pensive and New Womany.
The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence
I’d already read this one when I bought it. Cheat!
The Silent Traveller in Oxford by Chiang Yee
Someone who worked at the Bookbarn was very keen to press this on me when he heard I lived in Oxford. I have not read it yet…
Total bought: 17
Total still unread: 8
Total no longer owned: 1
These posts always make me feel so much better Simon!
I’ve actually bought far fewer books this year, as I buy most while browsing in charity shops, and I haven’t been in any for months. When I was at the supermarket recently, i noticed that a Barnardo’s shop which had had its shutters down since March had re-opened. After getting the groceries, I hurtled over there, started to look for the books – and could only fid children’s ones. ‘How odd’ I thought – till I went outside and looked at the shop sign again ‘Barnardo’s Children’s Shop’…..
The only one of this list that.I have is Red Pottage. You’ve definitely encouraged me ti read it now! And thanks for the warning about that Rose Macaulay – I buy anything I see of hers as I love The Towers of Trebizond so much, but I don’t have this one and now I’ll know to avoid it. I do have some of the other Silent Traveller books, including Edinburgh – and no, of course I haven’t read them.
Best read recently was The Monarch of the Glen, which I’d had mouldering on my shelves for a very long time. It took a little while for me to get back into Mackenzie’s rather eccentric style, but once I had I loved it.
Excellent! And how funny about the Barnado’s shop :D
I hope you enjoy Red Pottage. And Macaulay is mostly wonderful, but yes, no need to rush towards that one…
I’ve bought so many Mackenzie novels in the past couple of years – must get on with some, though don’t have that one. Yet!
LOL! Some interesting titles there, Simon. If you *have* got rid of Grand Hotel it’s a shame, because I read and loved the reprint a while back. If you come across another copy I recommend it… ;D
Haha, this was when I was running out of book space (i.e. forever) and I just ditched the long books :D
Ooh! I can get Red Pottage on ebook from my library, no waiting! Will give it a try.
I was such a big Ivy Compton-Burnett fan in my late teens – but yes, as you say, I cannot remember which ones I’ve read and which not. The titles are a bit tricky to remember.
I did read and review High Table by Joanna Cannan – it had a lot of great observations about the Ivory Tower of academia, but also shows a changing world and a weak person who cannot quite change with it.
https://findingtimetowrite.wordpress.com/2019/01/14/academia-or-life-joanna-cannans-high-table/
Simon please read A Child in the Theatre and report back! I’d never heard of it and (for obvious reasons) went off to look for it straight away. No sign of it on Amazon or abebooks. Longing to know what it’s about. It’s a title I actually considered for my own book (about being a child in the theatre).
I second this!
An Autumn Sowing is a splendid novel, among my favorite Bensons. I hope you’ll read it soon. I read my first ICB this year and it won’t be my last. I’ll keep my eye out for Red Pottage as that title keeps popping up.
Please do read Silent Traveller in Oxford! Chiang Yee is a keen observer and a generous soul – also an artist. I think you’ll enjoy him very much.
These always make me feel better. I can see that I have a Persephone coming up where I read the book I bought with it what feels like YEARS ago (but can’t be – I think I’m conflating two trips to Muswell Hill Oxfam Books!). I’ve realised I’ve bought a whole SHELF of books since lockdown started, oopsie.
8 out of 17 is pretty good! I shudder to think about my own stats should I venture to tally my reads versus boughts!
Hahaha! What a comfort it is to read this. I am particularly pleased by the idea you have lots of books by an author but have hardly read any. I have that problem too! (E.F. Benson is one of mine.)
But I have to say, they all sound great so you have something nice to look forward to!