I’m picking up this occasional series where I look back at book ‘hauls’ of the past… and see how many of the books I’ve actually read. Yes, it’s an exercise in self-flagellation. Or, who knows, maybe I’ll have read all the books?! (Narrator: this will never be the case.)
I’ve gone back to 2009 and 2011 before – this time it’s 2012. And one of my many trips to Hay.
The Overhaul #3
The original haul post is here.
Date of haul: February 2012
Location: Hay-on-Wye
Number of books bought: 18
If you click through, you can even see the whole photo from which I took my Twitter banner pic. WHAT an incentive. Here, one at a time, are the books and whether or not I’ve read them – and why.
- Father by Elizabeth von Arnim
I’ve not only read this one, I gave a paper on it an Elizabeth von Arnim conference! I think it’s an unfairly neglected one – find out more about what I thought.
- Elizabeth of the German Garden by Leslie de Charme
Not read this one yet – and I did read a different biography of E von A by Jennifer Walker, so will probably hold off for a bit.
- Off the Deep End by Christopher Morley
I don’t think I’ve read any more Morley since this trip, let alone this one.
- The Iron Man and The Tin Woman – Stephen Leacock
The Boy I Left Behind Me – Stephen Leacock
I have read some Leacock since this trip, but… not these.
- Borrowed Plumes by Owen Seaman
It all started so well, didn’t it? I was very intrigued by this signed book of parodies… and I remain intrigued.
- Concert Pitch by Theodora Benson
I did read this one! Sadly it was not very good. It was very confusing and a bit of a trudge. Still on my shelves, though I’m not entirely sure why.
- Daisy’s Aunt by E.F. Benson
And I read this one, with much better results. A total delight of a novel, not a word of which made any logical sense – but you can forgive it, and even revel in it, when a book is this fun to read.
- The Initials in the Heart by Laurence Whistler
I edged closer to reading this when I read Anna Thomasson’s excellent book about Rex Whistler – Laurence’s brother – and Edith Olivier. But I have to concede that I did not, in fact, read it.
- The Windfall by Christopher Milne
I’d read this before I bought it, so… free point!
- Surviving by Henry Green
Sigh, I really must read more than one single book by Green. I have not read this.
- A Casual Commentary by Rose Macaulay
I think I’ve read this? In fact, I think I read much of it before I bought it. I’m counting it as a yes.
- The Gentlewomen by Laura Talbot
Yep, read this Virago! Re-reading my review from last year, I’m reminded what an unusual and interesting style it had. Must look up more Talbot. Because, if this post has taught us nothing else, it’s that I need more books.
- Mr Scobie’s Riddle by Elizabeth Jolley
Foxybaby by Elizabeth Jolley
I almost pick up Mr Scobie’s Riddle this week! But… I did not. I still haven’t read any Jolley novels.
- The Only Problem by Muriel Spark
Not only have I read this, I did so only a month or so after I bought it. It was during Muriel Spark Reading Week, and it remains one of my favourite Spark novels. It looks at hostages and the Book of Job…
- Stepping Heavenward by Richard Aldington
I still love Dolphin Books, but I have not read this.
- Ivy and Stevie by Kay Dick
Yes! Loved these interviews with Ivy Compton-Burnett and – to a lesser extent – Stevie Smith.
Total bought: 18
Total still unread: 10
Total no longer owned: 0
I must say, these posts make me feel *so* much better about the amount of books I’ve bought and never read. There are soooo many of them…..;) That was a very nice haul, though – none of which I’ve ever read!
We’re all in this together! I’m always pleasantly surprised if I’ve read any of the haul, tbh
Same here – you’ve just made me feel so much better about the numerous books I have bought and have still to read. And this week I borrowed another 5 from the library AND bought one in a charity shop. I comfort myself with the thought that I could have much more expensive, and much more destructive, hobbies.
Haven’t read a single one of the books in your list, so now I have an excuse for buying even more….
Hah! I’m so glad that everyone is in the same boat. But you can definitely justify supporting the local library and charities!
I’ve read 2 Elizabeth Jolley and loved both but neither were the titles you mention. Great, cos that means there are more for me to enjoy
Excellent! I think Kim of Reading Matters recommended her to me. Mr Scobie’s Riddle will have to come off the shelf for Project Names.
I love these posts Simon. Your side comments are hilarious.
Thanks :D
As an exercise in self-flagellation and making other people perk up about their own book buying proclivities, this is excellent. But hey, some people drink, take drugs or gamble with their money…
Haha! Yes, much more socially acceptable.
Such a feast of books here, thank you! Please read the Leslie de Charms biography of Elizabeth v Arnim soon – it is written by von Arnim’s daughter, Liebet, and is a well-written comprehensive read, whereas the other biog is very light weight in comparison. I didn’t know about Father, I have read a lot of von Arnim’s (Pastor’s Wife my favourite) but I think she wrote about 40 books? Please tell me more re EvA’s society/conference.
Thanks Rose! The society does conferences quite often but the last one in England was a couple of years ago – I think if you google it you’ll find more info, but I haven’t done anything with them since the conference!
Thank you! Have also now got Daisy’s Aunt on kindle, free! But your copy looked lovely.
What can I say that other people haven’t already said? Like them, I look at my stacks of unread books, and am comforted that you’ve read less than half this haul – I like to think my reading rate is slightly higher, but I may be fooling myself!
Sometimes it’s best not to find out and live in blissful ignorance!
Just adding my voice to the chorus of people you’ve made feel much better Simon :-D
Haha, it’s a public service!
I love these posts and now I’ve gone a bit random with my reading system, I think I should do one!