A Load of Old Bones

A visit the other day by Suzette A Hill, author of the Francis Oughterard books, has led to us ordering one. Now, OK, I've not read A Load of Old Bones yet, only dipped into a few pages but I've not come across something so wittily amusing since The Discrete Interventions of Verdon James by Julian Roach (We'll have a few of those back in stock any day now!)

If the rest of the book reads as well, we'll have the rest of the series in soon.

Suzette lives not so very far away and if all is as expected, perhaps she'll come over for a signing later in the year.

Film to Book

If a good film makes the original book sell well, we should be in for a busy time.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel or, as it was originally published, These Foolish Things, by Deborah Moggach is one I've made the effort to see and though the film was entertaining, I didn't think much of the cricket scenes. That pitch was far too short.

The other two are We Bought a Zoo by Benamin Mee and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, which is the big hit.

There is one MORE but the book of John Carter of Mars (A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs) isn't so easily available and I understand the film made a huge loss. Shame. I quite enjoyed it. Perhaps because I first read it about 50 years ago. (The book was published in 1912!)

Anyway, the three pictured above are all in stock.

Homecoming - a second opinion

You know how great I think Jenny Wingfield's The Homecoming of Samuels Lake is.

Well, here's a link to a second (and more) opinion.

http://lesleysbooknook.blogspot.co.uk/

Not to be missed and perfect for a reading group.

Jane Bailey Visit

We were very lucky today to receive a visit from a lovely author friend of ours, Jane Bailey. She is shown in the photo with close friend John.

Jane is the author of two books we have sold consistently since we took over the shop, Tommy Glover's Sketch of Heaven and Mad Joy.




They are also two of my favourite books.

There has not been a better war-time tale about a child evacuated into the countryside, since Goodnight Mr. Tom, than Tommy Glover's Sketch of Heaven and the mystery that is central to Mad Joy makes the pair of them equals.


If you've not tried either, be in touch soon as Jane was kind enough to sign a few copies of both books for us.

Jane has a site http://www.jane-bailey.co.uk/ on which you can find a short video made here in the shop by Sky Arts.

Photos of the 'Signing'

In case you missed finding the excellent photos of the signing to be found on the Edith Appleton site, here's a direct link -
http://www.edithappleton.org.uk/Updates/Signing120317.pdf

Thanks again Dick.

School Visits

On World Book Day this year, Thursday 1st March, I toddled along to both Dormer House School and to Lower Swell C of E Primary to talk to the children. We chatted about books and bookshops, writing a book and publishing it and of course, I told them about some of my favourite books.

The children and many of the teachers were dressed as characters from books. Perhaps I should do that if I get asked again! I'd make a great Hobbit. As usual at this type of event, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Perhaps the children did too because I received lovely cards from them, as you can see here.

Thank you all very much!
Tony

Nurse at the Front - Link

A footnote to A Nurse at the Front.

Dick has kindly mailed me with a link to an address with lots more information on Edie and the diaries etc -
http://www.edithappleton.org.uk/