Inspired by Ali’s great post yesterday on her lockdown book-buying habits, I decided to take a stock of books I have acquired since lockdown started for me, on 16 March.

Like Ali, I’ve spent A LOT of time in the house. I have a condition which makes me vulnerable, so I can literally count on my fingers the number of times I have been out of the house in the last 4 months.

In terms of shopping –  which I haven’t missed at all – I have been to the supermarket once and No Alibis, my favourite book shop once and that’s it.

I try to buy all my books from independant shops and avoid Amazon as much as possible (apart from Kindle books) so have been delighted that No Alibis brought in an online ordering service while they were closed. All I had to do was email them my order, buy store credit over PayPal and wait for my books to arrive, all the while giving my business to my favourite shop. What’s not to like.

So, over the last three months, I’ve managed to acquire quite a few new books, alongside a few proofs, more than I would have thought for someone trying their best to stay indoors!

Here’s what has come in to the house since lockdown – purchases are on the left of the picture and ARCs are on the right!

PURCHASES

Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi

I’ve never read Oyeyemi and thought this would be a good place to start.

A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa

I have been so excited to get my hands on this one since I mentioned it during Reading Ireland Month

American Wife by Curtis Sittenfield

Lots of people whose opinions I respect have said this is great. And I believe them.

Tongues of Fire by Seán Hewitt

Continuing my commitment to reading more poetry this year, I’m very much looking forward to this debut collection from a very exciting new poet.

In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado

I haven’t got round to reading Her Body and Other Parties just yet, but loved the sound of this structurally interesting memoir.

Our Little Cruelties by Liz Nugent

Liz Nugent’s thrillers never disappoint and I would have bought this anyway, but I ws doubly keen to own it once I found out that I’d been thanked in the Acknowledgements!!

Inventory by Darran Anderson

Another memoir, this time about a childhood growing up in Derry, Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

Where Are We Now? by Glenn Patterson

Sure how could you go past a new novel from the brilliant Glenn Patterson and not buy it? This new novel looks at love in middle-age.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

It feels like everyone on bookish Twitter is reading The Vanishing Half, but I get the feeling that this book will live up to the hype.

SIng Backwards and Weep by Mark Lanegan

I do love a music memoir and am halfway through, wondering how Lanegan ever got out of it all alive and able to tell the tale.

ARCS/ PROOFS

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donohue

A new historical novel from Emma Donohue? What’s not to like?

The Ditch by Herman Koch

I read and loved The Dinner by Herman Koch in my pre-blog days. Hoping this is as interesting.

The Liar’s Dictionary by Eley Williams

The new book from the author of Attrib. is getting rave reviews so I am looking forward to this one!

Strange Flowers by Donal Ryan

Donal Ryan is a wonderful writer and if you haven’t read him yet, then sort that out right away! Strange Flowers explores what happens when a daughter, missing for years, returns home.

Blue in Chicago by Bette Howland

Bette Howland was once called the most exciting writer of her generation by Saul Bellow, but only wrote three books and has been largely ignored. This short story collection aims to bring her work back into the spotlight.

The Truth Must Dazzle Gradually by Helen Cullen

I recieved this just the day after I had posted my 20 Books of Summer choices, otherwise it would have been in that pile! If I have to swap out a book – this will be my forst choice of replacement.

True Story by Kate Read Petty

Literally the only thing I know about this is that it has four covers. To be honest, that’s enough to pique my interest!

Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell

I think most of you know that David Mitchell is my favourite author by now.  I went into No Alibis to pre-order and the lovely staff handed me this instead. I may have done an excited dance. I’ve still pre-ordered the hardback because it looks like the most gorgeous thing, but I have been dying to read this book since I heard David read from it at HomePlace last year.

And here I am with David at HomePlace last year (any excuse!!)

So, that’s my acquisitions over lockdown, it’s a lot but it could have been worse I suppose. How was your book buying during lockdown? And do you plan a shopping blitz now that the bookshops are open again?

 

 

Uncategorized david mitchell glenn patterson liz nugent new books