I’ve just been away for a week to a lovely cottage on the Dinefwr National Trust estate with some friends. It’s in Wales, and only just over an hour away from Hay-on-Wye… so naturally we took the trek to the UK’s foremost book town.
It was nice to see, this time, that one or two bookshops had opened since we were last there – and I don’t think any had closed. That’s against the trend of Hay visits – and it will probably never reach the highs of 20+ years ago, but while the Cinema Bookshop is still there, it’ll always be worth a visit. I went to eight bookshops, and bought something in all but one of them. Most excitingly, I held a copy of Two People signed by A.A. Milne! I didn’t buy it, because it was £350, but it was very exciting to hold a book that AAM had held. (Speaking of Milne, I’m on the latest episode of the brilliant podcast Lost Ladies of Lit talking about One Year’s Time by Angela Milne – check it out wherever you get podcasts.)
Ok, without further ado, here is the exciting haul of books that I brought back with me from Hay-on-Wye…
Strangers May Kiss by Ursula Parrott
After really enjoying Ex-Wife (reprinted by McNally) I was so pleased to come across another of Parrott’s novels. There aren’t any cheap editions on abebooks, so this was a bit of a coup for a few pounds.
No Peace for the Wicked by Ursula Torday
To be honest, I picked this up because Ursula Parrott had put ‘Ursula’ in my mind – turns out Ms Torday wrote a lot of books, and No peace for the Wicked includes scenes in a boarding house: yes please! It’s also very scarce, so another good spend of £3.
The House of Defence by E.F. Benson
Limitations by E.F. Benson
The Princess Sophia by E.F. Benson
The Weaker Vessel by E.F. Benson
Benson was so very prolific that I haven’t even heard of these books, despite having been a fan for years. I’ll always snap up an EFB, and he is at that perfect level of scarcity – where his books probably will turn up at some point, but it’s a delightful surprise when they do. A couple of these are little Everyman-style editions, and I’ve long learned the wisdom of checking those shelves of small hardbacks – it’s often just endless sets of Forsyte Sagas, but sometimes something more unexpected shows up.
The Artless Flat-Hunter by Joanna Jones
Since one of my favourite things in fiction is house-hunting, I was never going to ignore this satirical non-fiction about the chaos of flat hunting. So up my street that I can barely believe it exists.
A Late Beginner by Priscilla Napier
Anytime I find a Slightly Foxed edition I don’t own, you know it’s coming home with me.
The Professor’s Legacy by Mrs Alfred Sidgwick
I seem to have quite good luck finding Mrs Alfred Sidgwick in the wild. I’ve read a handful now, and Cynthia’s Way remains the most fun – but I’ll keep getting more.
John Dene of Toronto by Herbert Jenkins
You might know I adore his frothy novel Patricia Brent, Spinster, so I couldn’t resist another of us – especially one with a Canadian connection.
The Handyman by Penelope Mortimer
For an author who is so renowned and respected, there are a lot of her novels I know nothing about. The Handyman was her final novel, from 1983.
Spinsters in Jeopardy by Ngaio Marsh
I enjoy Ngaio Marsh’s books, but anybody at all could have written a novel called Spinsters in Jeopardy and I’ve have snapped it up.
My Arnold Bennett by Marguerite, his wife
What a decorous way of putting your name on a book! I’ll always go for a personal memoir over a scholarly biography, so this is right up my street.
Those United States by Arnold Bennett
Speaking of Bennett, I couldn’t resist a little volume of essays with his take on the US. Having read some of his other essays, I suspect it won’t be the most balanced or complimentary.
Testaments Betrayed by Milan Kundera
I love Kundera and have almost all his books – I hadn’t come across this non-fiction book before, so have added it to my teetering pile of unread Kunderas.
The Holiday Friend by Pamela Hansford Johnson
Important to Me by Pamela Hansford Johnson
I have mixed success with Pamela Hansford Johnson but am certainly happy to try another. I don’t remember hearing much about The Holiday Friend – do any PHJ fans know if it’s a good’un? Important to Me, meanwhile, is non-fiction about things PHJ likes, and that can only be charming.
Family by Susan Hill
Susan Hill’s non-fiction is always engaging. I’ve heard a lot about Family, about losing her very young daughter, and will be keen to read when I can steel myself for it.
Return Journey by Beatrice Kean Seymour
Ending with one I know nothing about – but the Cinema Bookshop had a handful of Beatrice Kean Seymour novels inscribed to a friend, and I thought I could take a gamble on one.
I’m delighted with my haul – one of the most exciting Hay hauls I’ve had for a while. Where would you start? Anything you are particularly interested in, or recommend?
I wish there weren’t an ocean and Canadian postal rates between us: I’d happily ship my non-Mapp & Lucia Bensons to you as I’m doing a major edit of my bookshelves. I have about a dozen American first editions I’m letting go.
oh gosh, what a sacrifice to make! I am sorry not to be closer, but I hope they’ll find a good home.
I always enjoy your ‘books I have bought’ lists and nearly always want to see them on my own bookshelves and this list is no exception!
Thanks Kerry! They’re always so fun to write.
Delightful! I for one am keen to hear more about the Jenkins book – who can resist Canadian content?
I think it could well be one of the first I read from this haul!
Patricia Brent still brings me so much joy. Let me know if you’d recommend this other!
Aw lovely! I will definitely let you know when I read it :)
So many books, I love this post. It makes me wish I lived nearer to Hay-on-Wye. Is the beautiful cat in your photo yours! He/she looks so like one of our cats – the same black head and neck and mix of black and white back!
It is my favourite place in the world! And yes, this is lovely Hargreaves -he likes to be centre of attention always, of course!
What a super haul and you also demonstrate it’s impossible to take a book photo without a cat inserting itself into proceedings!
Haha, absolutely! He thinks everyone should be looking at him at all times, and he’s right.
How wonderful, what a collection.
I was so pleased with the haul.
I totally understand that.
I would also have been drawn to the Arnold Bennetts. I didn’t know about Susan Hill’s loss. I’ve always found her a prickly character. It would be interesting to read more of her nonfiction to get a better sense of her.
When I saw her speak in person, she was so much gentler than I was expecting – I think something gets lost in translation, esp for her online persona (when she used to be active).
On my only visit to Hay-on-Wye I was overwhelmed! I came thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis close to ending up having to pay extra weight for my bag on my flight home. Next time, I’ll take a mostly empty suitcase, just to be sure!
Haha! I understand that. There is so much temptation there, and lots of bargains to be found too.
Such great finds. I would have been drawn to many of them, particularly the Bensons!
It’s such a thrill to find a Benson! I must be due reading another one soon.
Another great haul. And some great bargains too. Now you need another holiday to catch up with your reading! I look forward to the reviews.
Luckily I have another holiday in a few weeks!