Here we are once more to support independent publishers by reading and reviewing their fantastic output. Trading conditions haven’t got any easier for Indy publishers since Lizzy and I launched Reading Independent Publishers Month in 2021, and so we hope you’ve got your book stacks all ready to dive into.
I’ll quickly recap on the two rules that apply to #ReadIndies:
- Reading material (whichever format, whichever language) must come from publishers who are currently operating as independents.
- Self-published titles are not eligible.
There will be no Mr Linky this year, so please alert us to your reviews by using the #ReadIndies hashtag on your social media platform of choice, or by leaving a link in comments below.
What am I planning to read?
Our badge this year features publishers in the Indie Press Network, and I *will* try to read from those imprints as much as possible. However, my intention is to read as many of the indies which I already have in the stacks, as I shared in my end of January post yesterday, and there is an interesting range of possibilities!
What is most unusual is that Lizzy and I have identified a title we have in common: “Lady Molly of Scotland Yard” by Baroness Emmuska Orczy, published by Renard Press. (ISBN 9781804470718), which we’re going to buddy read and review on 29th February. All welcome to join in.
Talking of Renard Press, do check Lizzy’s blog later today for her interview with Will Dady, founder of Renard Press and the Indie Press Network. It’s very enlightening about the pressures small publishers face and makes us really proud to be supporting them through Reading Independent Publishers Month.
madamebibilophile
Feb 01, 2024 @ 08:12:32
Hooray! I have many plans, which will not all be realised 😀
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 01, 2024 @ 10:00:06
Excellent – so do I. I think my pile of possibles is a bit over-optimistic…🤣
Janakay | YouMightAsWellRead
Feb 01, 2024 @ 10:35:58
I love this event and am so glad you’re sponsoring again. Even if I’m usually too disorganized to participate, it’s fun to see what others are reading. Also — I get lots of ideas about new publishers to try!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 01, 2024 @ 11:31:43
Always so happy to promote indies – they create some of my favourite books and you’re right, it’s a great way to get ideas about what to read next!!
Calmgrove
Feb 01, 2024 @ 11:13:20
As I’ve already mentioned I’m well into #ReadIndies this year, thanks to you and Lizzy – on my second title with at least two more lined up and a few other possibles located while rooting through my shelves… 🙂
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 01, 2024 @ 11:42:20
That’s good to hear, Chris – I’ll be very interested in seeing what you read. And it’s great fun discovering what indies you have tucked away in the stacks… 🤣
Cathy746books
Feb 01, 2024 @ 11:20:13
I need to have a good look at what I have and see if it qualifies as an Indie. I can’t imagine I’ll come up empty-handed 🙂
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 01, 2024 @ 11:29:02
Excellent! There are so many options, and if it helps you raid the TBR, even better!!
Margot Kinberg
Feb 01, 2024 @ 12:04:04
I love that you’re doing this, and I can’t wait to see the publishers and authors you choose! What’s great, too, is that one can use this to trim the TBR or one can use the library/bookshop. That’s quite flexible, and I think it can make for a wide range of reading, too, since there’s a variety of different indie publishers. Looking forward to it!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 01, 2024 @ 15:43:52
It’s an event very close to my heart, Margot, as I think the indies are wonderful, and yes, there’s a huge variety! The trouble now will be deciding what to read!
Jane
Feb 01, 2024 @ 14:06:23
I’m in for Lady Molly; I’ve just read Lizzy’s interview and went over to the INP page and that title stood out! I’m very good at shopping to a deadline, a little bit worse at reading to one and much worse at reviewing but I’ll try. . .
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 01, 2024 @ 15:43:06
Oh, great! It does sound wonderful, and there are so many great choices via the INP too! Look forward to your thoughts!
Linda
Feb 01, 2024 @ 16:41:47
I’m joining in! Good time to re-read Notting Hill Editions “Drawn From Life, Selected Essays of Michel de Montaigne” since it’s been ages. No longer on social media, I’ll post my review here but I remember loving this one!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 01, 2024 @ 19:41:06
Wonderful! I loved this one too, so will look forward to your thoughts!
Caroline
Feb 01, 2024 @ 17:19:52
I’m not trying to be too optimistic but I might be able to squeeze in something especially since it’s OK to review something that’s been published in another language than English.
But I also have a lot from Graywolf Press.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 01, 2024 @ 19:40:44
Excellent – will look forward to seeing what you choose. Always happy to have other languages featuring! 😊
Caroline
Feb 02, 2024 @ 06:04:47
That’s great. 😊
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 02, 2024 @ 14:49:18
👍
State of the TBR February 2024
Feb 01, 2024 @ 21:33:57
Liz Dexter
Feb 01, 2024 @ 21:38:00
I’ve just laid out a few on my State of the TBR post but have many more to choose from. Not all tiny presses but some co-operatives, which is always fun. I’ve always got some Fabers. What about OUP? I mean, it’s not an imprint, but it does feel too “big”???
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 02, 2024 @ 14:50:45
Excellent – so glad you’re joining in, Liz! And yes, I think we do include University presses – although we’re going for small this year, any indie will do!
Reese
Feb 02, 2024 @ 03:08:35
Lady Molly is fun! I read it a few years ago, but from Project Gutenberg.
I’ve got a couple of Archipelagos I hope to read & some Coach House (Canadian) as well.
Thanks for hosting!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 02, 2024 @ 14:49:51
I’m looking forward to Lady Molly.
And glad to hear you have some titles lined up – looking forward to hearing which ones they are! 😀
February is Reading Indies Month – Hopewell's Public Library of Life
Feb 02, 2024 @ 15:49:28
hopewellslibraryoflife
Feb 02, 2024 @ 15:54:07
My intro post is up! Thank you for hosting! https://wp.me/p5r4Xk-gnJ
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 02, 2024 @ 19:27:56
Co-hosting! And most-welcome!
heavenali
Feb 03, 2024 @ 10:30:41
Sorry, I am so behind in my blog reading at the moment. I love independent publishers, so read indies is a reading challenge I look forward to. I have lots of potential reads on my shelves and have started with a mystery from the British Library.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 03, 2024 @ 11:47:15
Glad to hear you’ve got lots to choose from, Ali – this is one of my favourite reading events too! And I’m reading a BLCC at the moment myself!
Third crime is the charm #7 : Nice, Tokyo and Los Angeles | Book Around the Corner
Feb 04, 2024 @ 11:10:23
JacquiWine
Feb 04, 2024 @ 16:35:54
Lovely to see the return of this event, which I love for its focus and flexibility. I’m trying to read from my TBR right now, but as it’s full of stuff from indie publishers I’m certainly not short on choice. Looking forward to seeing what you’ll be showcasing during the month!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 04, 2024 @ 17:42:46
The flexibility appeals to me too – I like to be as free in my reading choices as I can too. I love to support indies, and like you I have a TBR bulging with their books so the hardest thing will be actually deciding what to read!!
Reading Indies 2024 – BooksPlease
Feb 05, 2024 @ 09:48:50
Book review - Grace Dent - "Comfort Eating"
Feb 07, 2024 @ 08:01:51
Marcie McCauley
Feb 07, 2024 @ 20:39:34
You know I’m always up for this one. I’ve got a post planned for later this month (as well as the one that I posted, ahem, slightly in advance of the date) and look forward to seeing what you-and others-are reading from various indies around the globe.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 09, 2024 @ 10:03:40
Excellent! There are some really interesting posts so far – and some great ideas for future reading!!
Winding Up the Week #364 – Book Jotter
Feb 10, 2024 @ 10:45:47
Lory
Feb 11, 2024 @ 06:45:08
I am pleased to participate with The Collected Schizophrenias from Graywolf Press! https://enterenchanted.com/nonfiction-reader-challenge-the-collected-schizophrenias/
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 11, 2024 @ 15:19:40
Wonderful, thank you! 😀
Recent #ReadIndies Recommendations – findingtimetowrite
Feb 11, 2024 @ 12:30:32
Cathy746books
Feb 11, 2024 @ 19:29:27
I’m not sure if my review of The Widow’s Children by Paula Fox qualifies, but the publisher WW Norton was an American Independent as far as I can see!
https://746books.com/2024/02/09/no-291-the-widows-children-by-paula-fox-readindies/
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 11, 2024 @ 19:47:09
It certainly does Cathy – thank you! 😀
Book review - Alastair Humphreys - "Local"
Feb 13, 2024 @ 08:00:17
hopewellslibraryoflife
Feb 14, 2024 @ 17:35:13
My first review is up! https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2024/02/14/review-the-golden-girls-getaway-by-judy-leigh/
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 15, 2024 @ 10:07:21
Excellent – thank you!
In Italy by Cynthia Zarin | JacquiWine's Journal
Feb 15, 2024 @ 07:06:06
Book review – Paul Clements – “Jan Morris: Life from Both Sides” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Feb 15, 2024 @ 08:02:40
Book review - Jon Bounds, Jon Hickman and Danny Smith - "Birmingham: It's Not Shit: 50 Things that Delight About Brum"
Feb 17, 2024 @ 08:00:36
Book review - Andrew McMillan - "Pity"
Feb 23, 2024 @ 07:35:21
Hackenfeller’s Ape by Brigid Brophy | JacquiWine's Journal
Feb 25, 2024 @ 07:07:26
This Reading Life
Feb 26, 2024 @ 11:14:43
I suspect this will be my only entry this year, but it was lovely.
https://bronasbooks.com/2024/02/26/dancing-in-the-shallows-clare-reddaway/
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 26, 2024 @ 16:01:32
Excellent – thanks for taking part and I’ll check this out later!!
Book review - E. M. Ward - "Forest Silver"
Feb 26, 2024 @ 11:30:42
Radz Pandit
Feb 27, 2024 @ 05:55:02
I’ve had a slow reading year so far, but I’m glad to contribute to ReadIndies. I just posted my review on Barbara Comyns’ Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead. Published by Daunt Books and Dorothy Project, I have both editions 😀 https://readersretreat2017.wordpress.com/2024/02/26/who-was-changed-and-who-was-dead-barbara-comyns/
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 27, 2024 @ 09:32:14
Excellent – will check this out! I have the Virago edition myself, it’s a book which has been through a number of publishers!!
Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead – Barbara Comyns – Radhika's Reading Retreat
Feb 27, 2024 @ 05:58:33
The Fledgeling by Frances Faviell – BooksPlease
Feb 28, 2024 @ 08:29:12
Margaret
Feb 28, 2024 @ 08:32:08
I’ve just posted my review of The Fledgeling by Frances Faviell, published by Dean Street Press – https://booksplease.org/2024/02/28/the-fledgeling-by-frances-faviell/
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 28, 2024 @ 11:20:46
Excellent! Thanks for taking part!!
Book Review: For Now It Is Night (2024) by Hari Krishna Kaul and translated by Kalpana Raina, Tanveer Ajsi, Gowhar Fazili and Gowhar Yakoob #ReadIndies2024 – Literary Potpourri
Feb 28, 2024 @ 13:47:03
Vladivostok Circus by Elisa Shua Dusapin (tr. Aneesa Abbas Higgins) | JacquiWine's Journal
Feb 29, 2024 @ 07:05:12
Book Review: Nocturnal Apparitions by Bruno Schulz and translated by Stanley Bill #ReadIndies2024 – Literary Potpourri
Mar 01, 2024 @ 15:15:19