As you might have noticed, we’re edging ever closer to February and Reading Independent Publishers Month! Hopefully you’ve all been trawling your TBRs to find suitable reads, or even purchasing the odd book or three to help support our smaller presses. However, I thought it might be nice to share a few images of some of my indie books – let’s face it, gratuitous pictures of books are always fun, and this also might give you a few ideas for interesting reads, should you need them. So here goes!
First up, let’s take a look at Fitzcarraldo Editions, the subject of Lizzy and my Fitzcarraldo Editions Fortnight last year:
These are books from the publisher I’ve read – quite a few of them actually! And all were marvellous, whether blue fiction or white non-fiction titles. However, I still have some unread:
All of these look wonderful, and there are also some ARCs hanging about the house too. There will definitely be Fitzcarraldo titles read during February – watch this space to see which ones! 😀
Next up let’s have some Versos:
Verso are a left-wing publisher with a wide range of publications from politics and philosophy to fiction and biography (and they do a diary and a notebook…) I signed up for their book club last year and haven’t regretted it – some fascinating physical books (and shedloads of ebooks) have come my way and I am also certain there will be Verso books appearing in Febuary’s posts. I mean, look! A Saramago I haven’t read yet!!
A more recent discovery for me has been Little Toller:
A smaller collection of these so far – but both were recent successes (the Skelton is here and the Thorpe here). I have another Little Toller lurking which promises to be just as good!
One of my all time favourite indie presses is Notting Hill Editions, and I have a larger collection of these:
NHE produced beautiful books, often essay collections or anthologies, but also works which are unclassifiable – but all are wonderful, and since they published my beloved Perec and Barthes they’re always welcome on my shelves. Plus, they *also* do notebooks… ;D
Let’s see what else I can track down – well, here’s a few things from another lockdown discovery, Sublunary Editions:
Based in the USA, they publish all manner of fascinating texts in different formats and I’ve loved what I’ve read from them so far. Like many of the indies, they push the boundaries in terms of both form and content, which is wonderful.
Based ‘oop North’ in Manchester, Comma Press produced some amazing books; as well as two wonderful collections of M. John Harrison’s shorter works, I loved their Book of Newcastle.
Here are the MJH books; Comma is definitely an imprint worth exploring!
A publisher I’ve been reading for a bit longer is Pushkin Press and here’s some of my collection (probably not all of them, as I they’re not all shelved together):
Not shown here are my Russian author Pushkins which are on my Russian shelves. But you can see a few other interesting publishers like Peter Owen, Calder, Granta and Melville House Press (assuming they’re all indies…)
Some poetry next, in the form of Bloodaxe Books:
Again, this is not all my Bloodaxes – I have several on the poetry shelves and also the TBR. The great Basil Bunting features here and plenty of stuff which hails from Newcastle. Really, I should consider doing a month of reading only poetry…
Back to US publishers, and here we have some works from NYRB Classics – again, I’m presuming they count as an indie press. I’ve read a *lot* of their books and have many TBR – always fascinating, and lovely to see them reissuing so many lost works.
And last, a couple of more recent finds, in the form of Fum d’Estampa and Renard Press:
Here you can see a few of my Fum d’Estampa titles – beautiful translations from the Catalan, and in such lovely covers. At least one of their books will be featuring in #ReadIndies month! And next to them is the beautiful shiny edition of Woolf’s “A Room of One’s Own” from Renard Press – here is another image:
Both of these indies are presses I’ve subscribed to, and haven’t regretted it; a regular supply of interesting and beautiful new reading material has been helping keep me sane in these pandemic times.
So there you go – just a few of the indie books on my shelves. There are so many other publishers I could have mentioned or featured, had I more time and space (and been able to find them – where *is* my small collection of Peirene Press books???) But hopefully this might give you some ideas of what to read during February – there are riches to be found from independent publishers! 😀
Jan 18, 2021 @ 08:38:08
A brilliant testament to the breath and depth of independent publishing!
Jan 18, 2021 @ 08:43:02
Thank you! And this is only some of the indies I own – they really do bring out some marvels! 😀
Jan 18, 2021 @ 09:05:15
Impressive collection. I see you have a Canadian QC Fiction title lurking in there, too – another fine indie
Jan 18, 2021 @ 11:52:31
They are – I’ve only read the one so far but it was a stunner! 😀
Jan 18, 2021 @ 10:01:48
I have several indie published books. I have two library books from Magabala, an Indigenous centered publisher I may share in February. It is good to highlight the work all of them do during difficult times.
Jan 18, 2021 @ 11:52:06
Oh, wonderful – it would be great to see indie presses around the world featuring!
Jan 18, 2021 @ 10:06:04
What great publishers! I need to pick through my shelves – I have a nice lot of Persephones and Dean Street Press books, thankfully, and a British Library title – I thought my one about Stormzy was indie but turns out to be a Penguin imprint! Only doing it off my TBR, obvs …
Jan 18, 2021 @ 11:51:45
There are some great indies to choose from and hopefully you have something suitable on the TBR! I am trying to mainly read what I have too, so this will be a useful exercise!
Jan 18, 2021 @ 10:55:32
Lovely post as always, Kaggsy, and you’re dead on about the pics — it’s always so much fun to have a peak at other readers’ shelves. Your indie press month has already accomplished quite a bit, as far as I’m concerned; I’ve never (shame, I guess) paid much attention to publishers and now I’ve started looking about to find the small, unusual ones (dare I say I’m now “woke” on the issue? At any event, Sublunary & Renard were great discoveries). And, of course, such a wonderful excuse to add a title or four to the groaning, overloaded shelves . . . .
Jan 18, 2021 @ 11:51:11
Well thank you, and I’m glad you liked the images!! And if we’ve started to raise awareness of indie presses that has to be good. As for the shelves – let’s not talk about them….. ;D
Jan 18, 2021 @ 12:32:50
Absolutely glorious!
Jan 18, 2021 @ 14:12:45
I think so! So many beautiful indie presses and books!
Jan 18, 2021 @ 14:48:22
Many many great choices over here as far as independent publishers go and new authors to read. Sadly NYRB isn’t listed as an independent here, I think because they’re owned by the company that publishes the magazine. We’ll just have to give them honorary status.
Jan 18, 2021 @ 15:39:10
There *are* a lot of choices – and shame that NYRB doesn’t count, though I shall continue to love and enjoy their books!
Jan 18, 2021 @ 16:21:16
What a great range of books! I have two just purchased from Bluemoose Books lined up as well as one from Peirene Press.
Jan 18, 2021 @ 17:19:32
Lovely! Great publishers to support!!
Jan 18, 2021 @ 16:24:04
Beautiful books by indie publishers, Kaggsy! Thanks for hosting Indie publishers month! I got some Fitzcarraldos during Christmas 😊 I have been a longtime fan of Pushkin Press. The Verso Book of Feminism looks so wonderful! I want to read that! Thanks for sharing 😊
Jan 18, 2021 @ 17:19:16
Thanks Vishy! I’m glad you have some titles which will be appropriate for February! Can’t go wrong with a Fitzcarraldo for a start!
Jan 19, 2021 @ 13:09:59
Looking forward to it, Kaggsy! The latest Fitzcarraldo I got was Ben Lerner’s The Hatred of Poetry 😁 I see that in your stack too 😊 Looking forward to comparing notes with you on that, sometime.
Jan 19, 2021 @ 14:01:44
I keep thinking I should get started on that one – we shall see how February goes! 😀
Jan 19, 2021 @ 18:40:52
Happy reading 😊
Jan 19, 2021 @ 18:53:10
😀
Jan 18, 2021 @ 17:04:53
What a gorgeous array of independent publishers on your shelves. I have plenty I can read next month including Persephone, Handheld, Charco, Peirene, NYRB and Fitzcarraldo, as well as Dean Street Press.
Jan 18, 2021 @ 17:18:40
Lovely choices there Ali – plenty of good reading for February! 😀
Jan 18, 2021 @ 17:30:24
what beautiful collections of books, Renard and Little Toller especially!
Jan 18, 2021 @ 18:44:08
I love both of those presses. In fact, I love all the indie presses I’ve read – such interesting books and texts!!
Jan 18, 2021 @ 18:24:14
You might like this directory of independent publishers … you might but your bank balance might not! 🥴 http://www.indiepublishers.co.uk/independent-publishers
Jan 18, 2021 @ 18:42:30
Noooooooooooooo!!!!!
Jan 18, 2021 @ 19:03:47
It’s not all bad news – British Library Publishing is listed. You’ll definitely like that.
Jan 18, 2021 @ 19:14:58
Phew…… ;D
Jan 18, 2021 @ 18:54:57
NYRB has another Czapski title coming this year: Memories of Starobielsk: Essays Between Art and History Paperback – June 22, 2021
Jan 18, 2021 @ 19:15:26
Yes, I have an ARC of this – looking forward to it very much. His Proust essays books was stunning!
Jan 18, 2021 @ 20:59:06
there have been some great small publishers appear the last ten years they make up most of the books i review
Jan 18, 2021 @ 21:29:48
There have – they publish such incredible books!
Jan 19, 2021 @ 08:08:54
I have some books of these publishers but nowhere near as many as you. The only independent publisher I buy very regularly is Gray Wolf Press.
Didn’t spot them on your piles.
Jan 19, 2021 @ 10:12:50
No, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book from Gray Wolf, but having had a quick look at their site the titles look very enticing…. ;D
Jan 19, 2021 @ 10:21:19
I was wondering if I should throw the bait. 😁They gave fabulous books. I reviewed one about the use of time in fiction. Love it.
Jan 19, 2021 @ 10:56:26
LOL! I shall definitely have to explore their catalogue!
Jan 19, 2021 @ 20:28:36
IIRC, they are one of the North American publishers who have picked up some of the books you’ve been reading in your Fitzcarraldos. So maybe you have read some after all!
Jan 20, 2021 @ 11:11:53
Oh, that’s interesting – I’ll have to check that out! 😀
Jan 19, 2021 @ 08:46:03
Such beautiful collections you have there, Karen, and it’s lovely to see them all lined up on your shelves! The Little Toller books look particularly appealing, I must admit. Is their focus the natural world? I’m guessing so from the books you’ve mentioned…
Jan 19, 2021 @ 10:12:15
Thanks Jacqui! They’re a bit scatterd all over the house at the moment – one day I would like a dedicated book room with everything together…. And yes, Little Toller describe themselves as publishing new and classic works about “nature, wildlife and landscape” – the ones I’ve read so far have been superb.
Jan 19, 2021 @ 11:43:50
These look amazing! It’s a shame February is a short month… 😂 I was meaning to ask if there is a list of the indie publishers included? I saw the image but not sure if I’ve missed any! Already starting to make plans
Jan 19, 2021 @ 11:47:07
LOL, I know – I could easily fill two months or more!! As for who’s included, there’s no list as such (though Lizzy has linked a UK list of indie publishers in the comments here). I guess just read whichever indie you want to… ;D
Jan 19, 2021 @ 15:53:36
Some amazing books in there, Karen! I have titles from Fitzcarraldo, Archipelago, Charco, Peirene, Tilted Axis, Handheld to look forward to, so I think I am all set for February 🙂
Jan 19, 2021 @ 16:00:00
Thank you! Yes, so many indies to choose from that the hard part will be whittling them down. You have some great publishers there! Can’t wait! 😀
Jan 19, 2021 @ 17:07:34
Oh, the mention of Little Toller and Silberry Hill brings back good memories, that was an enjoyable book.
Jan 19, 2021 @ 18:53:48
It was – I absolutely loved it! 😀
Jan 19, 2021 @ 18:26:09
What beautiful books!! I feel jealous! So much good reading in those stacks and on those shelves!
Jan 19, 2021 @ 18:53:35
Definitely is – choice is a lovely thing to have, especially during this lockdown…
Jan 19, 2021 @ 20:30:07
I’m so glad you’re doing these focus posts, to help us remember about the upcoming event. Even when I’m enthusiastic about something, there are just SO MANY BOOKS, that it’s entirely possible for other reading projects to eclipse a new plan that’s been more freshly planted in my reader’s mind. I haven’t yet peeked at my shelves with this in mind, so hopefully this weekend I’ll do just that, in advance.
Jan 20, 2021 @ 11:11:32
I know – so many possible challenges and projects!! I hope you can find something suitable and indie – and hey! you get the chance to rummage in the stacks! ;D
Jan 19, 2021 @ 21:55:42
Gosh, you certainly won’t run out 😀 I’m thinking Dean Street Press, Persephone, Mike Walmer, and Fitzcarraldo for mine.
Jan 20, 2021 @ 11:10:51
No – it’s very unlikely I’ll run out of books in my lifetime…. ;D And those are four good indies you’ve got there!
Jan 20, 2021 @ 18:57:41
You certainly have a lot of options to choose from – but with so much choice how on earth are you going to decide which to read??. Rummaging through the shelves must have been good fun 🙂
Jan 20, 2021 @ 19:15:17
That *is* going to be the hardest thing. I like having choice but I could easily do two months of indies. But I *did* have fun rummaging in the stacks! 😀
Jan 21, 2021 @ 17:34:14
I really look forward to this, I may have already given myself a head start… I will need it though, my plans include Peirene Press, Notting Hill Editions, Folio Society, Persephone (I’ll give it one last chance, this time with Miss Pettigrew) and some Swedish publishers.
Jan 21, 2021 @ 19:02:28
Definitely worth starting in advance…. (I have….) But I’m so glad you can join in – some great publishers, and I hope you geet on with Miss Pettigrew – I think it’s a great joy and the most wonderful escapism!
Jan 22, 2021 @ 09:32:31
Ooh this post is dangerous, as are the comments! But I’m brave and curious. 😂
Jan 22, 2021 @ 09:56:48
LOL! There are *so* many indies to choose from – if you follow Lizzy’s link to the list it’s quite boggling! But such wonders to be discovered!
Jan 22, 2021 @ 22:38:56
I hope to get involved with Indie Month in February as I have several weird and wonderful books that I’m hoping to read, and re-read, and hopefully blog about—the last part is always the most difficult for me.
Jan 23, 2021 @ 12:29:27
Excellent! Weird and wonderful is good!!