All

The Clan are off to Cornwall tomorrow, and my student days finished today – after being up all night packing, I waved farewell to Magdalen and went on my way. And now I shall be away from the world of computers for a week. while Our Vicar and The Carbon Copy stride manfully along the Cornish Costal Path, and I accompany Our Vicar’s Wife in a gentler holiday of painting and reading, and tending to the burning brows of said manful walkers.

So, you ask, which books to take? Thought I’d let you know which will be coming with me. The selection was pretty much taken from those left on my university shelves, and consequently not a great deal of thought has gone into the choices. Heresy, I know, but they all look promising nonetheless. And I’m afraid not a hint of the 21st century. Cornwall isn’t the right place for gritty.

I failed to find pictures of the books in question, so here are the novelists instead. They make rather a nice collage, don’t you think? If you fancy a little challenge, have a guess who these figures are…
Ok, time up.

-Monica Dickens, One Pair of Feet (top left) – loved One Pair of Hands enough to make it a swift inclusion in the 50 Books You Should Read… (more of these now that I’m reunited with my bookshelves), and I have high hopes that this book will be equally enjoyable

-Elizabeth Myers, A Well Full of Leaves (top right) – no, this novel is not a mass effort, nor is ‘Elizabeth’ a pseudonym for this enormous family. It’s the nearest I could find to a picture of Elizabeth, because I believe she is in this Powys family photo, since she married Llewelyn Powys. Her letters were my favourite book of the last year, so intrigued by the literature

-Nancy Mitford Omnibus (bottom left) – The Pursuit of Love, Love in a Cold Climate, The Blessing are all included in this collection, and I just know I’m going to love them.

-Tove Jansson, A Winter Book – this one has been on the cards since The Summer Book was the first book in my list of fifty. Karen, fancy a joint read?

See you all in a week – might even show you the paintings I do, if you’re lucky!

Just wanted to say sorry for my absence of late, and promise that I will be back asap, with my report on Maggie O’Farrell’s The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, amongst other bits and bobs.

As Christopher Robin might say:

Here we are again, and the final part of the Oxford Tour (TM) is about to presented before your eyes. I feel a little guilty that Academic Oxford has played such a background role in this tour, but perhaps this is an accurate representation of Stuck-in-a-Book’s Oxford… Certainly for the past two weeks.

#14 Ashmolean MuseumAgain, my stolen map helpfully highlights this little place for me. I went there in my first year (indeed, it was the site of my epiphany that the T-shirt I was wearing, emblazoned with ’66’, was also the number of my college room) but haven’t been since. This picture is included in the tour, really, because of its representation of old-meets-new. Oxford may be the oldest university in England, but it keeps moving too…

#15 27, Beaumont StreetMy doctor. Even the most functional of buildings is beautiful – thankfully, I’ve only been through its doors to receive a few injections for a trip to The Philippines last year.

#16 Beaumont BuildingsA little arbitrary – but this is one of my favourite streets in Oxford. For those of a keen disposition, you might have thought I’d said the same of St. Michael’s, but that was my favourite shopping street. Beaumont Buildings is beautiful, but more than that it is very still, very quiet and peaceful. Not sure quite how to put my finger on it – but if you ever make the trip to Oxford, and want to find the eye of the hurricane, go to Beaumont Buildings. Or Plantation Road, off Woodstock Road, off the top of the map.

#17 Wellington Square GardenA lovely little enclosed garden, in a square, where I’ve often wandered with a book and bottle of water. The last time I was there, two people dressed as pirates approached me, and asked whether or not I’d mind taking their photograph. “Oxford is weird” swiftly becomes a mantra necessary for survival.

#18 G&D’sG&D’s numero duo. But this one is George & Davis, not George & Danver, like the last one. Who knows why? No, neither do I.

#19 Building of WonderNot sure what this building is – might be Dictionary of National Biography headquarters, or next door to it – but it is forever the Building of Wonder. Impossible to see now, but the floor with large windows holds floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, on all the viewable walls. That’s a lot of books. My friend Lorna and I were wandering past in the dark at some point, and could see this amazing sight. We just stood and stared in wonderment for a while.

#20 Radcliffe Science LibraryWe’ve taken a little cut down Lamb & Flag Passage, opposite the Eagle & Child pub, which CS Lewis, JRR Tolkein et al used to frequent, and now we’re by the Radcliffe Science Library. This will play a significant role in Stuck-in-a-Book’s Oxford life next year, as it is where I’ll be working next term. Isn’t it, ahem, beautiful. Met a few other library trainees today, and received the joyful news that I’ll finish work at 5pm each day, and thus be back at home in time for Neighbours…

#21 Radcliffe CameraAnd the tour finishes at the most unusual and resplendent building in Oxford – the Radcliffe Camera, or Rad Cam as we call it. I don’t think it’s possible to take a bad photograph of this building. Inside are lots of English, History and Theology books, and a unique atmosphere. To the left of it is Brasenose College, the one to which I applied, back in Autumn 2003…

Hello again – welcome to part two of the most subjective tour of Oxford you’re likely to find anywhere. What treats are in store for you today… well, let’s leap in where I left off. I’ve cleverly altered the colour of the numbering, to help you out. But hadn’t anticipated the pains and complications double figures would bring. Can’t colour within the lines.

#7 Where you will never find Stuck-in-a-BookAs part of being a Magdalen undergraduate, for various reasons, we were all given free gym membership. Yippee. I have used this opportunity a total of once… oh, no, wait – a total of never. But now I have photographic evidence that it exists – and, in walking there, got all the exercise a man could ever need.

#8 St Ebbe’sThis was my church for a couple of years, until I changed at the beginning of this academic year. I’m now at Oxford Community Church, which doesn’t appear in this tour because it doesn’t even appear on the map. Long way off to the left… Outside St Ebbe’s is the emblem of student Oxford: a bike rack. Another form of exercise with which I have nothing to do. (That was torturous preposition- ending- sentence- avoidance.)

#9 PrimarkDon’t let anyone tell you that Oxford students are sophisticated. About a year and a half ago, the rumours were proved true, and Primark opened. For those not in the know, this is a clothing store of astounding cheapness, and general stylishness. People spoke of little else for weeks, and even camped out for the opening – the next few days were spent doing Spot the Primark Shopping Bag. Or rather, Spot the Person Who Isn’t Carrying A Primark Shopping Bag, which proved far more difficult.

#10 OxStuMarginally more cultural, this dingy little office is where I spent many Monday mornings, typing out the Drama page for Oxford Student, one of the two student newspapers. My friend Phoebe and I were drama editors – because the previous one was fired, for giving his own plays enormous, congratulatory reviews. We were invited to take up the position because we didn’t know anything about drama… I’m joking, but only just. A couple of terms saw me regularly ascend these stairs, and fiddle around with Apple Macs and InDesign, losing photos and having to edit 500 word reviews into a paragraph.

#11 BookbinderNever been in here, but isn’t it interesting? Lisa informs me that Maltby is a bibliopegist, has been since 1834 without a moment’s rest, and I always enjoy glancing in this window as I pass. In fact, St. Michael’s Street is one of the nicest shopping streets in Oxford, inasmuch as it is quiet, and has independent shops, rather than chains.

#12 ArcadiaOn the same street, this is probably my favourite shop in Oxford. Arcadia sell secondhand books, mostly paperbacks with lots of old Penguins, cards, beautiful wrapping paper, and a range of nice gifts. And very friendly sales assistants, which often seems to go hand-in-hand with independent shops.

#13 WaterstonesBefore I cement my hippie ideals, scattering petals throughout the countryside and eschewing all commercialism, here is Waterstones. I must admit, I don’t frequent this bookshop as much as Blackwell’s, but Waterstones is prettier. And that is that for today – but, fear not, the tour is not yet finished. Next time I shan’t feature a single shop, so all the purchasing endeavour is exhausted.

A few of my regular readers (don’t I sound like a gossip columnist?) have mentioned that they enjoy the glimpses of Oxford filtring through my general book-chat. They increased, of course, during my exam time – but perhaps you wouldn’t mind a longer glimpse (can one have a long glimpse?) into Oxford through the eyes of Stuck-in-a-Book. With that in mind, I took myself and my camera out yesterday, and made a photo tour. Things of interest to me, which wouldn’t necessarily be found in guide books. Hope you enjoy, because the Photo Tour is going to last for a few posts. Above is a map, with numbers indicating where the photos are taken, and dots for the path trodden. Nothing I and Microsoft Paint can’t achieve, when we put our minds to it.

#1 MagdalenYou’ve seen Magdalen before, so this is just to show that we’re leaving, and the door through which I go almost every day, often many times. Strange little porch to the auditorium, flanked by blue metal gates – one needs my keys; the other my ‘bod card’. Magdalen feels a little like a fortress sometimes, but at least it’s a beautiful one.

#2 Waterfield’s
The nearest secondhand bookshop to Magdalen – very close, as you can see on the map – and a source of delight to me because of this. The stock doesn’t change much, but it’s always nice to have a quick browse in there, and the books chosen for the window are always done so thoughtfully. They even had a Persephone book in the window a while ago, when it was Bloomsbury themed. Guess which one? Oxford had seven secondhand bookshops when I arrived, and is now at six (two closed; one opened) – you can tell why I like this city.

#3 Exam Schools
This is the exit out of which I came for all my exams, excepting the final one. The actual door is just to the right of the green and white tent (no idea why that was there – they’re not short on room inside the building), but for our final exam, we go out the back. Dozens of ushers stand around lunging at those with red carnations. My friend Lorna still managed to walk out the wrong door… we were waiting with flowers and balloons, and she came from the wrong direction. Oh dear.

#4 NatWest

Definitely not one for the guide books. Just to show how far I have to walk whenever I want to take out money… it’s a long journey, especially when you just want £10 to put on your laundry card…

#5 GnD’s

Look carefully for this one. Since I stole the map from their website, the GnD’s restaurants are highlighted by stars, and rightly so. These are good old fashioned ice cream parlours, and the first point of call for first years trying to work out why they ever left their comfortable, familiar homes. Note that it is called ‘George & Danver’ – this will become important later. They have tubs of wonderful ice cream, pricey but exquisite, flavours varying from chocolate, vanilla etc. to ‘Oxford Blue’ (blueberry) and a weekly ‘petition flavour’, voted for my customers. Things like chocolate and chilli, or cornflakes. Anything goes. GnD’s is renowned for being open til midnight (about the only eaterie that is) and is between the two most popular student churches – thus is generally filled with people either pre- or post- Bible study/church/cell groups.

#6 Famous Birth Place
Last one for today, and discovered when I was wandering through pretty little streets one afternoon. Accidentally discovered the birth place of Dorothy L. Sayers, and a lovely birth place it is too. More next time…

A few of you have been asking about my librarianship, as mentioned perfunctorily over on the left column, and so this post is to give a bit more information, as well as to set a literary challenge. You did so well with the twins one (must produce a list at some point…) that I’m sure you won’t disappoint here. Look out for the challenge at the bottom of the page…

So, what am I doing next year? My position has the rather grand title ‘Graduate Trainee Library Assistant’, and I received one of the Bodleian Traineeships. This means that, unlike the other departmental positions, I shall rotate through three libraries in Oxford next year (image of myself spinning on the spot, holding piles of books…) starting in the Radcliffe Science Library. As an Englicist, as we are forced to label ourselves, to avoid xenophobia (“are you an English student? ” always sounds horrifically unPC), the Realms of Science may be a little confusing. But only Our Vicar’s Wife and I, in the entire extended family, are non-scientists. We’ve learnt to adapt to their propensities to wear grey and talk about calculus.

What does my job entail? That’s kind of anyone’s guess, at the moment. A little bit of everything that doesn’t require expertise, I think – issue desk, cataloguing, mending, enquiries, technological bitsandbobs. All good fun. My personal quest (which probably doesn’t appear in the contract I still haven’t read) is to inject some colour into the Science Library, mostly through the medium of wool, and the specific form of jumpers.

And after all this… I’ll have the necessary year of experience required to get me into Library School. The mystery gets thicker – from what I’ve seen, these courses contain ominous topics such as ‘Transferral Management Skills’ and ‘Incorporative Information Science’. Going to need to buy a lot more colourful jumpers. But, in my mind, the first lesson will go a little like the sketch today… Perhaps not the first lesson; it’s a little advanced.

Onto the challenge. We’ve done twins in literature. Howsabout Literary Librarians? Where do librarians appear in literature? Body in the Library doesn’t count. Off the top of my head… Harry Potter provides stereotypes of every kind; step forward Madam Pince.

A while ago I asked if anyone had visited great bookshops, and wanted to proclaim their greatness back to the blogging world, via their own little slot on Stuck in a Book. Never one to rescind a promise (can one rescind a promise?) I thought I’d bring you a special bookshop from across-the-pond-and-up-a-bit. Canada, that is, and thanks to Janice for providing everything that follows (paraphrased by me).

Today’s bookshop is McNally Robinson’s in Calgary, Canada.

When did you find out about them?
Visiting cousins in Calgary, serendipitously while wandering on the main downtown shopping street in the city

Why are they so great?
The outside isn’t interesting, but inside it’s magic… the golden glow of sunshine on the beautiful wood floors pulled me in, and I spent the rest of the day exploring three floors; the Children’s Department kept me for two hours.

What did you buy?
Kipling’s Just So Stories, and Children’s Letters to God, a collection compiled by Stuart Hample. [from Simon – I’ve read this too, it’s brilliantly amusing!]

Contact information?
McNally Robinson are a chain-store, selling new books – www.mcnallyrobinson.com for more info.

Anything else of interest?
The children’s section of the store included the rather wonderful sign:

The Carbon Copy informs me that he couldn’t comment on my previous post; sorry about that, I’m sure it will all fall into place soon. Otherwise, any burning comments can be emailed to me, and I will try and put them up. I’m sure no-one has anything that exciting to say… but surprise me.

Today I’m going to take a leap into the torrents of literary scholasticism that are… bookmarks. Now, you don’t get that in the Times Literary Supplement. A few years ago, I decided to start using art-postcards for bookmarks, rather than scraps or paper or (Heaven forefend) folding down the page in question – so much nicer to see something from a gallery, rather than the ‘phone number you jotted down next to a doodle of the Eiffel Tower. If I were feeling sophisticated, I might refer to bookmarks as independent, non-contingent paratextual elements. But I shan’t.

So I now put a bit of thought into the type of bookmark used. A new book can’t have a very old postcard/bookmark – nor vice versa. Afterwords : Letters on the Death of Virginia Woolf, a collection of the letters sent to Leonard Woolf, which I’m currently reading, has a Virginia Woolf postcard. I thought I’d share the one I use for older, tattier books:This is the sort of thing I find fascinating – come back tomorrow if you are of less sentimental temperament. I found this postcard of Thomas Hardy’s cottage in a London postcard shop, and loved it. The Clan went to Hardy’s cottage a few years ago, and it is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen – far, far more flowers and foliage than in the postcard’s photo, perhaps unsurprisingly, but so emblematic of all I love about the English countryside.

The postcard/bookmark itself is from around 1937, as the stamp of George VI and Wikipedia inform me, and reads:
“I am having a lovely time with Jim, Joan & Caroline who has grown since last year, & is now running about all over the place, she is so sweet. Weather not too good, but is improving. Expect to be home Aug 6th. Love Elsie P”

Postcards don’t change, do they?