The TBR list, or what I should have already read
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Everywhere I see on social media, bloggers are putting up their top lists of the books they have read, so I thought I’d be a little different, and post the books that are in my TBR pile that I wished I had read this year.
1. Impersonation by Tamsin Walker, Garreteer Press
Now, this looks intriguing to me, not only because it has an endorsement quote from Michael Palin (work!!), but because it’s a detective story and this is my go-to genre of fiction. It is Tamsin Walker’s debut novel, and I really enjoy discovering new authors. What makes it even more special is on the back cover, the final line of the copy reads ‘But can she do it in time to stop herself from becoming the victim of a twisted literary plot?’ A twisted literary plot?? Sounds like my kind of thing.
2. The Doll House by Phoebe Morgan, HarperCollins HQ
I’ve seen so much praise about this book that I just had to buy it! Dolls always creep me out a little bit, but I think that’s probably what has drawn me to this. Another debut novel by Phoebe Morgan, I was eagerly awaiting to start this. And I will.
3. The Scattering by Jaki McCarrick, Seren Books
Even though this was published five years ago, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t go on my TBR list. In fact, I haven’t even seen it through my door yet, but I’m still excited by it. Jaki McCarrick came to my notice through my typesetting of her wonderful play The Naturalists for my part-time job. Extremely impressed with the writing, I wanted to see some short stories.
4. The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor, Penguin
Am I possibly the only person who hasn’t read this yet? I feel deeply embarrassed. And to think that C.J. Tudor and I share a birthday too. How very un-Sagittarian of me. I don’t think I can say anymore. *hangs head in shame*
5. Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley, Hodder & Stoughton
I am a HUGE fan of Lucy Worsley, and I was excited to hear her talk about Queen Victoria at the Richmond Theatre earlier this year (and yes, I got a signed copy of that book!). Jane Austen has always been a literary figure who I have enjoyed reading, but yet know little about. I’m hoping this will help, and I’ve also bought an edition of her letters. (Austen’s letters, not Worsley’s because… strange) [not that Lucy Worsley is strange, but because it would be strange to read the letters of someone in the public eye nowadays]. *ahem* NEXT!
6. Raising Sparks by Ariel Kahn, Bluemoose
I have the lovely BookwormVaught to thank for this one. I’d always see her interacting with this writer on Twitter, and he seemed genuinely awesome, so I looked into the book. The hidden worlds of the Middle East? Yes, please. Unknown stories? Oh yes. So, when I was at the wonderful book launch of The Life of Almost (read and loved), I bought myself a copy of Ariel Kahn’s book at Mr B’s. Looking forward to it.
7. Medieval Woman by Ann Baer, Michael O’Mara Books
For this, I have the wonderful Tessa Dunlop to thank and her book, The Century Girls. A while ago, I received a letter from a lady who wanted to tell me some stories about Virginia Woolf for my book and the statue campaign. She was 103 years old. She was Ann Baer, and I went to meet her at her house. She is an incredible lady and I was completely blown away by her. She told me about her book, and it seems so interesting that I had to have it.
8. The Pier Falls by Mark Haddon, Vintage
How could I not include something by Mr Haddon? A writing inspiration (and fellow Woolf fan), I (ashamedly) didn’t realise that this book of short stories existed. What makes this one so special is that it includes illustrations by Haddon, and he is a very talented artist. Looking forward to delving in.
9. Charlotte Brontë: A Life by Claire Harman, Penguin
Rather like Jane Austen, Brontë has always been in my literary education, and I’d read and loved the book by Elizabeth Gaskell on the writer. I’m hoping to get some more insight into Charlotte, and this should inspire me to read more about her sisters and brother as well.
10. The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter, Vintage
I am ashamed. Again. I’ve had this for years, and I’m sure I studied some Carter at college or university, but it seems I’ve always overlooked this edition. Since I’ve started getting more excited about short stories, I’ve decided that this should really be quite near the top of my TBR list. But then again, I should stop buying more books to add to it. Or should I?
So there we go. Of course, if you’re reading this (and have got to the end), I should shamelessly plug my own book, Virginia Woolf in Richmond published by Aurora Metro Books. If you ask me, it’s really good. Honestly! And don’t forget to donate to the Virginia Woolf Statue campaign either!
https://www.aurorametro.org/virginia-woolf-statuehttps://www.aurorametro.org/virginia-woolf-statue
If you want to know more about me, please visit my website.
#writing #Bronte #ArielKahn #RaisingSparks #JakiMcCarrick #MarkHaddon #AngelaCarter #CJTudor #LucyWorsley #TheCHalkMan #VirginiaWoolf