I’ve been buying some books online and in-person over the past few weeks – quelle surprise – and I thought I’d talk you through the recent arrivals Chez StuckinaBook. Here we go, from the top of the pile…
Things I Didn’t Throw Out by Marcin Wicha
I saw someone mention Things I Didn’t Throw Out on social media, I now forget who, and ordered a copy – it sounds so up my street. It’s non-fiction, about the books and other things that are left over after Marcin grieves his mother, and uses objects as a way of looking through the past. And it’s published by Daunt Books, which is a guarantee of something good.
Virginia Fly is Drowning by Angela Huth
The first of a couple books I bought on a trip to beautiful Canons Ashby National Trust – I haven’t been before, at least not since I was a child, and I absolutely loved it. I don’t know this author, but the title caught my eye.
Choose by M. de Momet
This novel was advertised on the back of a 1940s novel I was reading the other day, and it looked very intriguing – about a woman whose husband is missing presumed dead. She marries again, and then the first husband turns up. I can’t find any information about the author, so I don’t know if it’s short for Monsieur or a name beginning with M.
A Deputy Was King by G.B. Stern
We popped into a lovely bookshop in Brackley – new and secondhand books – and I bought a couple of G.B. Sterns, including this novel which is a sequel to The Matriarch. Which I’ve owned for many years but haven’t read, but now I can read both in a row.
The Judge’s Story by Charles Morgan
I’ve read a few Morgans over the years, and I’ve bought and given away others over the years, but here’s another. Does anyone else read Charles Morgan nowadays?
Trumpet Major by G.B. Stern
And here’s the other Stern – one of the 10 autobiographical/essay/pondering/meandering books she wrote – I’ve read Benefits Forgot and A Name To Conjure With, and have a few others. They’re odd and really enjoyable.
Elephant by Raymond Carver
I’ve never read any Raymond Carver, and this slim little volume seems a good place to start – another one from The Old Hall Bookshop in Brackley.
Cobalt Blue by Sachin Kundalkar
This Marathi novel was turned into a film that I enjoyed, so doing things the wrong way round, I thought it would be good to read the book too.
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
Like a lot of us, I loved Anne Fadiman’s Ex Libris, one of the first books-about-books that did really well. This is something quite different – a non-fiction book about a Hmong refugee family in California, and their interactions with the health care system when their son is diagnosed with epilepsy.
A Slanting Light by Gerda Charles
The winners of the James Tait Black Memorial prize are always worth a shot – I bought this one partly because of that, but also because there are so few mentions of its content online, and the three reviews of it I found are all completely contradictory about the plot. Like, they talk about different casts of characters. Very confusing, so I guess I’ll find out.
Plant Dreaming Deep by May Sarton
I’ve loved a few May Sarton journals this year, and a few people recommended this one as being one of the best – so naturally I had to have it.
Mrs Hart’s Marriage Bureau by Sheena Wilkinson
And, finally, one I haven’t bought – this is a copy from the author. I tend to say no to review books most of the time, but this is the description that sold it to me:
Sheena Wilkinson’s Mrs Hart’s Marriage Bureau is a riotously funny novel with hints of Noel Coward and PG Wodehouse. It’s 1934 and Northern Irish April McVey is the new manager in the marriage bureau of the title. She’s intent on updating this failing business, much to the initial consternation of its owner. But Mrs Hart takes to April, just as April takes to Yorkshire and her newfound freedom. April’s landlady has a widowed brother, Fabian, a solicitor with a nightmare teenage daughter. Fabian lives in the shadow of his wife, now dead three years; April, for all her no-nonsense disposition and persistent sunshine, has a ghost or two of her own.
Have you read any of these books? Which would you start with?
Interesting pile! I’ve never read any of them but would probably start with the May Sarton as you like her so much!
Definitely the one I feel most confident of loving!
I have a couple of Angela Huths.Fay Weldon? having discovered Virginia Fly is Drowning in my late teens.Hard to say who she reminds me of…Fay Weldon?Penelope Mortimer?Enjoyed it hence the collection.
Oo if she’s anything like Mortimer, then that has to be a great thing.
Set in the thirties, with an interesting title and the persuasive description, Sheena Wilkinson’ novel is the one I would start with.
It certainly sounds very inviting, doesn’t it?
I would struggle to choose which one to read first because I like the sound (and look) of all of these. and although some might turn out to be disappointing I would be willing to take that risk. I think the least likely to disappoint would be the May Sarton. I have only read Journal of a Solitude but loved it and definitely want to read her other journals. I have not read anything else by the others.
As my Overhauls attest, the most likely answer is that I don’t read all of them for years and years, but I live in hope that all of them will at some point!
I’ve had to give away all of my paper books to make room in the house, but finally realized I would not have read them all anyway. I am now reading mostly ebooks because of the ease in managing lighting, font size, etc. Have a good week and enjoy your new books.
Well done!
I’ve just researched the Marcin Wicha and I think that would be the next one I would pick.
And that is where I started :D
After having enjoyed reading my first Raymond Chandler books, I’d say start with the Carver – true classic crime novel!
I think Carver and Chandler probably not that similar, but am I wrong?
Ahhh, I’m so interested in what you have to say about Charles Morgan, as I’ve just finished a re-read of Stella Gibbons’ brilliant novel, Westwood. As you know, she wickedly lampoons Morgan with the character Gerard Challis.
I had forgotten that! I’ve read A Breeze of Morning and The Empty Room by him, and they’re both very good – he appears a lot in secondhand shops, but I tend not to hear people talk about him.
Start with the funniest and the one I most want to know about, if it’s as charming as it sounds. Mrs. Hart’s Marriage Bureau.
Will hopefully get to that one soon, yes!
The Fadiman and Sarton are both excellent!
Excellent! I think I remember you mentioning the Fadiman in passing.
I haven’t read any of these although I do think I’ve read anAngela Huth in the past – enjoy your haul, and thanks for a lovely post!
Thanks Jane! It’s always fun to take a gamble on an author I know nothing about, and I am intrigued by the Angela Huth.
Nice buys! I’m feeling like I’ve been quite restrained this month so far (go me) but have two bookshop events on Sunday which will add three books to the shelves …
A bit of restraint makes the book-buying splurges all the more fun!
I was one of those who recommended Plant Dreaming Deep, so I’m delighted to see that you have it now! I look forward to hearing what you think of it.
Excellent, thank you Lunaea!
Ooh I really loved The Spirit Catches You when I read it years ago. I actually had to read it in grad school for my Masters of Social Work degree but it was no chore to read, fascinating. Very different from Ex Libris of course!