There is an inevitability about the arrival of new books in December; as well as Christmas, there is also my birthday which occurs about a week beforehand. As my friends and family know me well, there will always be book gifts and this year is no exception. So I thought I would share them as usual – well, why break a habit?? ;D
First up, this little pile arrived from various sources on my birthday (and I did share an image on Instagram):
A fascinating selection! The top four are from Mr. Kaggsy – three wonderful books from the British Library focusing on my favourite areas of London, and a period crime novel set in the Jazz Age – I’m intrigued, and with the London books there’s another risk of a reading project… “Nihilist Girl” came from a Family Member after instructions were issued, as did “At the Existentialist Cafe” after a link was sent to my Little Brother! French Poetry came from Middle Child and the Beverley is from my BFF J. who is a great Nichols enabler…
There was a late arrival courtesy of Eldest Child in the form of this:
I follow the Bosh! boys on YouTube as they come up with some marvellous (and relatively easy-seeming!) Vegan recipes, and I’m always keen for new foodie ideas – so this will be just the ticket!
Next up, some arrivals from my Virago Secret Santa; this is a tradition we have on the LibraryThing Virago Modern Classics group and it’s such fun to take part! My Santa this year was the lovely Lisa from the USA, and by some weird trick of randomness, I was *her* Santa. Needless to say, I was spoiled….
The two Mrs. Oliphant books complete my set of the Chronicles of Carlingford – I’m very keen to get to read these all at some point. The Nemirovksy is short stories and I’ve not read any of these. And a lovely hardback of “Golden Hill” which sounds fascinating! Thank you Lisa! 😀
Then there are the Christmas arrivals! Some of these were requests/instructions and some of them my friends and family improvising.
The second volume of Plath letters was from Middle Child; the Katherine Mansfield Notebooks from Youngest Child. I long to sink myself in both…. The beautiful first edition of Beverley’s “Sunlight on the Lawn” (with dustjacket!!) is from my dear friend J. – just gorgeous…. “Sweet Caress” is from my old friend V. and I don’t think I’ve read any Boyd so I’m interested in taking a look… The rest are from Mr. Kaggsy who has been as inspired as ever. The John Franklin Bardin omnibus is a particularly intriguing; I’d never heard of the author but he seems to have been a highly regarded and very individual crime writer so I can’t wait to explore. However, Mr. Kaggsy excelled himself this year with this:
“But, Kaggsy!” I hear you cry, “you already have so many copies of The Master and Margarita!” Yes, I most certainly do, but I’ve always wanted a copy of the Folio Society edition. It seems to have been spiralling upwards in price to dizzying heights, but amazingly Mr. Kaggsy managed to track down a Reasonably Priced copy and snapped it up! Grinning like the Cheshire Cat here….
Finally, some review books have snuck in (as they say); I can’t share most of them, as the publication dates are a little way away, but one I can is this beautiful volume from Notting Hill Editions:
I love their books, and as an inveterate walker, the content looks just perfect for me. I want to get reading this one soon, so look out for a forthcoming review.
So as usual I have been utterly spoiled with new books and my only issue, as usual, is what to pick up next? Never an easy decision… Which would you choose??
Dec 26, 2018 @ 11:08:22
The Bakewell is definitely on my must read list; I envy you that. I was a bit concerned about the Penguin book because at first I read it as French Pastry(!) but French Poetry is another matter. Golden Hill is wonderful. The story line is a bit weak in places but the picture that Spufford draws of New York in its very early days is magnificent; in fact it one an award for the book that most successfully evoke the sense of a specific place and it was very well deserved.
Dec 26, 2018 @ 12:03:28
French Pastry would probably be a good thing, but not for my waistline… 😀 And I’m very excited about the Bakewell and also the Spufford, as I like his writing!
Dec 26, 2018 @ 11:50:31
As always, I am envious of your presents and your very understanding and thoughtful family! I love those books about different parts of London – look forward to hearing more about them. Both the Katherine Mansfield and the Sylvia Plath look like wonderful, if perhaps dispiriting reads (on occasion). And that edition of ‘The Master and Margarita’ is superb – one can never have too many editions or translations of it, I think!
Dec 26, 2018 @ 12:02:22
I *am* very lucky with my family and friends – they know I love books and the sort of thing I read by now, so are happy to treat me with these (there were some lovely non-book gifts too – and Middle Child’s hand-knitted mittens are very special). I really want to sink into something massive like the Plath and the Mansfield although I’m vaguely nervous about my ability to function in the real world if I do so! And yes – M&M in all its editions is essential!
Dec 26, 2018 @ 14:19:13
Wow what wonders! Very interested to hear about the Nichols, the Mansfield and the Plath. I keep hearing such good things about William Boyd too, I wonder if I should take a closer look. I loved Dimanche and other stories. Enjoy your new books.
Dec 27, 2018 @ 11:30:37
Thank you! There certainly is plenty to keep me busy for a while…
Dec 26, 2018 @ 14:33:36
Wonderful ! Being a keen walker myself, I’ve put Beneath my Feet on my wishlist. And the books about the different London districts as well ! The M&M is gorgeous. Mr K is a wizard ! Enjoy ! (I know, too many exclamation marks).
Dec 27, 2018 @ 11:30:00
Excellent! It’s a good read so far. And yes – Mr. Kaggsy certainly is a good book enabler!
Dec 26, 2018 @ 18:55:05
You’ve certainly done well this Christmas – I did laugh when I saw another edition of The Master and Margarita!
On a completely different topic – what is the year for the next Club?- I’m sure you announced it but I can’t find it anywhere!
Dec 27, 2018 @ 11:29:30
I really *had* to have that M&M! And the year is 1965 – the reading week is in April.
Dec 26, 2018 @ 21:36:58
Ooh wonderful! I had Lisa and she had me last year and I mightily confused her by using her Very Useful Sized Box to send her books back to her in! She sent me a copy of Golden Hill, too! I would read the Oliphant and maybe we can do them together … once I’ve finished at least the Barsetshire Trollopes! Happy birthdaymas – I have the same issue, as you know, with my birthday in January. At the moment, there’s not room on my TBR for Christmas acquisitions, even!!!
Dec 27, 2018 @ 11:28:29
LOL! I bet that threw her! I’d love to embark on the Oliphants at some point, although I really need to clear the decks a bit – as do you, by the sound of it, particularly with a birthday coming up! 😀
Dec 26, 2018 @ 22:15:42
Mrs TD and I recently acquired that Bosh cookbook- some great ideas. Also some good titles in your haul. I summoned a measly 5
Dec 27, 2018 @ 11:21:30
I must admit I can’t wait to try out the Bosh recipes – they look fab! And I think 5 isn’t measly – *any* new books are good!
Dec 27, 2018 @ 01:35:35
Have a very happy birthday! The Spouse has his on January 6 and has sometimes felt a bit overlooked because it’s during the festive season but clearly your family and friends have Done The Right Thing!
I am with you on the Folio books. They are so beautiful, the papers, the covers, the illustrations, I don’t have many but I treasure the ones I’ve got.
Dec 27, 2018 @ 11:20:48
Thank you Lisa! Yes, my peeps have always been pretty good about separating the two events, which *does* make me happy! And yes – with my love of M&M I just *had* to have this edition to add to my collection. Like you I don’t have many Folios but the ones I have are lovely! 🙂 Happy birthday to your Spouse for 6th!
Dec 27, 2018 @ 03:43:21
Lovely books. I’d like to look through the Camden one. I love that area. Not familiar with the other two areas you got books for. Like the red covers. I tried without luck to get a copy of Writers on Walking but can’t find one anywhere. I”m wondering if it’s entitled something else in Australia. Looked on Amazon and book depository but no luck. Lots of other books by him. On well, I don’t need another book on walking. I just really like them. I’ll look forward to hearing how you go with all these. Lol. Just like you’ll look forward to the thousands of reviews I’ll do during 2019. Lol. Happy New Year.
Dec 27, 2018 @ 11:19:14
Mr. Kaggsy picked the areas of London I love the best! I used to hang out in Camden Town during the 1980s so this will bring back happy memories. And I’ve regularly bemoaned the fact that the Soho/Charing Cross Road area is being stripped of all its character. The walking book is called “Beneath My Feet” but I don’t know if Notting Hill Editions are available in Australia (although some of their titles are released in the US by NYRB). It’s proving to be a great read so far. Happy new year to you too! 😀
Dec 27, 2018 @ 14:09:29
What a beautiful stack. Oh, the folio book, amazing! I love the photos. Congrats on the new additions.
Looking forward to your reviews.
Dec 27, 2018 @ 14:34:41
Thank you! Yes, the Folio edition is so beautiful and I’m really glad to have it in my collection! 😀
Dec 27, 2018 @ 19:41:38
What a lovely load of books! Not knowing where to begin is entirely understandable and a wonderful dilemma to have 🙂
Dec 27, 2018 @ 19:46:31
It is indeed – I mustn’t complain about having too much choice!
Jul 05, 2019 @ 06:09:49