When I was much younger than I am now I was tortured
interviewed for 2 days to be selected onto a civil service training programme.
This consisted of a series of written and group exercises and 3 one to one
interviews with variously a senior civil servant, a lawyer (the programme I was
applying for included my solicitor ‘training contract) and a psychologist (yes,
really). The application form had required me, among other things, to list some books that I had read recently. The senior civil servant commented during my interview with her that I
“...read a lot of modern fiction.” This was news to me – I just read books.
Still amazed that my reading could be categorised as such (‘modern fiction’
sounded a bit highbrow), she asked me how I chose a book. Without thinking I
launched off into a rhapsody about the joy of standing in a book shop and of the
‘book smell’. Of how some books were easier to stroke than others, and finally,
by way of example, of how I had chosen The Shipping News because the title
reminded me of the Shipping Forecast, that most British of institutions
(Cromarty, Forties, Fastnet, Dogger...) which always
reminds me of returning to England from abroad.
Plus, the cover had been
particularly strokable.
It may worry you to learn that I was accepted onto the
programme.
Concerns about the state of the Civil Service’s recruitment
methods aside, hopefully, you will have understood that whatever my merits as a
candidate to be a government lawyer, I love books. They thrill me. To me, it is
one of those true luxuries, to mooch round a book shop and browse, unchecked,
reading blurbs, flicking through the pages, stroking covers (Ok so may be
that’s a little strange) seeing if there are any recommendations to read – I
love it when book shops include staff reviews of the books on the shelves.
When I got an email on Wednesday to say that I had been selected
by Idealo.co.uk to receive £25 of books provided I created an Amazon wish list
sharing my summer reading list, and blogged about my choices, I couldn’t
believe my luck. While I read every day, it is rare these days that I have free
reign to choose my books. I am in a book club, so that accounts for one book a
month (granted, we take it in turns to choose, so I get a choice every year or
so). The other main source of books is my mum, who keeps me supplied with a
stream of books that she has already read and thinks I might enjoy. On the rare
occasions that I don’t have a fiction book or 2 on the go, I will select
something from the recently returned shelf in our small but perfectly formed
village library.
But there it was – an invitation to choose books up to the
value of £25. Any books I liked. As a summer reading list. I hurried to Amazon, but it’s been so long
since I have browsed in a book shop, that I found it hard to know where to
start. And, typically, all those titles that I had stashed in my brain from the
occasional flick through the books section of the weekend papers had abandoned
me, so I had to formulate a plan to get to a bookshop.
So yesterday, I got up early and worked before the kids got up, and then,
children deposited at school and dog walked, I made a dash for town. It was
blissful. All those lovely, lovely stories waiting to be read. I flicked and
stroked my way around the store for a happy 30 minutes before dragging myself
back home.
And so here they are, my summer reading list books:
The Cellist of Sarajevo - Steven Galloway

Much as I'm looking forward to reading The Cellist..., I expect I shall need some light relief, so my next book is:
A Year in the Merde – Stephen Clarke

Then the rest of my books are:
Notes from an Exhibition – Patrick Gale

Tideline – Penny Hancock.

Jubilee –Shelly Harris
Well, inevitable really, what with everything that's been going on, I found myself drawn to the bunting on the cover. However, once I'd read the blurb, I knew this was one for the list - the main character was a small
child in 1977, the Silver Jubilee. I was 5 then, and have memories of going to
see the Queen when she came to Liverpool and of the street tea we had afterwards.
I had a red white and blue dress, and I waved a flag. This book tells the story
of the adult that the young boy has become and of the secret that threatens his
life. It’s promising to be a book about how Britain has changed in the last 25
years, and explores racism, childhood relationships and hidden secrets.
Now, I can't wait for my books to arrive. It's paper all the way for me at the moment, but I have been thinking about an e-reader. If you are too, you could visit http://www.idealo.co.uk/cat/10672/ebook-readers.html and see what you think...
Well done, that's very cool. I adore free things! Oh and thank you very much for the recommendations because there are some gems on your list that I'd like to read too.. p.s Love your interview tale - you made it past the psychiatrist, well done again!
ReplyDeleteThe list that I came out of the bookshop with was about 3 times as long - just after half an hr - it was hard to whittle it down!
DeleteThat's a great list - you've really inspired me, I've got out of the way of reading recently and miss having a good book. I loved Driving Over Lemons too, and like the sound of A Year in the Merde. I'm planning a french adventure with the kids in the summer, so would be a great holiday read. Very keen on thrillers as well and Tideline looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteYour love of books comes across so clearly, and beautifully put as always. Have you ever been to Hay? If you haven't you must go! It would be heaven for you :)
I haven't been to Hay - I'd love to, but it's always the sort of thing that gets pushed down to the bottom of the list. May be when the kids are a little bigger (liek so many other things)!
DeleteJust thinking recently how I never get the chance to just hang out in bookshops anymore, used to be a favourite pastime. I really enjoyed 'Notes on an Exhibition', best Patrick Gale I've read! Look forward to hearing how the others go!
ReplyDeleteSince I chose it. I've noticed a few people talking positively about Notes... so I'm really glad I chose it. Can't wait for the books to arrive now!
Delete