As regular readers will know, when I started this blog in late 2013 I vowed not to buy another book until I had read all 746 unread books in my possession.

Astonishing as it seems, and most astonishing to me, I have stuck to that rule and haven’t bought a book for myself in nearly 2 years! But, like every good plan, there needs to be the odd get-out clause, a Plan B shall we say and my get out clause has been that I will happily receive books as gifts.

And I tend to be grateful. Very grateful. There are usually hugs involved, maybe squeals, sometimes tears… (you get the picture!)

So, all year, I compile a little wish list and hand it to my husband around this time of the year – my birthday. Anything that is crossed out on this list was acquired through the library or via Netgalley, so no rules were broken. Loose as they are.

The hubbie picks, so there is still some element of surprise and anything that’s left over can always be put on the Christmas list…

So this is what I got…

I am so excited for all of these.

A new David Mitchell is a must have for me, I love his writing and I love a haunted house tale so Slade House should be perfect for me.

Speaking of haunted houses, I have been a fan of Mark Z Danielewski since I read his epic House of Leaves. The Familiar is the story of nine interconnected lives, which will be told over 27 volumes. Yes, 27. That is not a misprint. Danielewski plans to publish 2 a year, so I figure that’s me in birthday presents for another 12 years at least! Plus, the books themselves are really beautiful, with stunning design, so how could I say no?!

Gabriel: A Poem by Edward Hirsch is an elegy for his son, who died in his 20s. I read this excerpt online and knew I had to read the whole thing, although I will have to time this one carefully.

I did not know the work of mourning
Is a labor in the dark
We carry inside ourselves

Though sometimes when I sleep
I’m with him again
And then I wake

Poor Sisyphus grief
I’m not ready for your heaviness
Cemented to my body

Look closely and you will see
Almost everyone carrying bags
Of cement on their shoulders

That’s why it takes courage
To get out of bed in the morning
And climb into the day

Grief is the Thing with Feathers also features a family trying to come to terms with loss as a Crow visits a father and his two sons following the death of their wife and mother and threatens to out-stay his welcome.

On a lighter note, I am already enjoying Hark! A Vagrant and Step Aside, Pops by the fabulous Kate Beaton.

Her comic strips showcase her love of history, literature and pop culture and feature ‘Straw Feminists in the Closet’, ‘Strong Female Characters’ a fed-up Wonder Woman and a hilariously disgruntled Heathcliff.

Check out Kate Beaton’s website Hark! A Vagrant and watch your afternoon disappear!

And finally, the twins bought me a colouring book. Not any colouring book of course, but the Penguin Covers Colouring In book. I’ve got my eye on the Huxley already!

 

Now, I wasn’t going to mention it, but I haven’t actually gotten around to reading the great haul of books that my husband bought me last year. Still, it’s not like they are going to go off, right? And a girl needs her fix…

So what do you think? Have you read any of these? Which should I start with?? Were there any on my list you think I should prioritise for the Christmas list?!

 

The 746 Uncategorized david mitchell edward hirsch gabriel grief is the thing with feathers hark a vagrant kate beaton mark z danielewski max porter slade house step aside pops the familiar