Hatchards is the oldest bookshop in London and I was very agreeably surprised to read the outcome of a Hatchards poll of their customers as to their favourite book of the last 200 years.
You can read the Guardian article here.
I was also interested to read an article about the distinctive smell of old books, you can read it here if you’re interested.
I love the smell of books, old and new. I used to have a quick look around to see if anyone was looking in my direction when I was in bookshops, before burying my nose in whichever book I was looking at, but nowadays I don’t care if people think it’s a bit weird.
In the Guardian review some authors have chosen their favourite books of 2015. It seems like no time since they were doing that for 2014. It’ll come as no surprise to you that I haven’t read any of the books mentioned by any of them. I intend to read the Kate Atkinson and Ali Smith books at some point though.
Has anyone got any others from this list which they would recommend?
I do love Hatchards and always want to go and visit when I’m in London.
I really want to read the Kate Atkinson, especially as I loved Life after Life.
Jo,
Jack really enjoyed Life After Life but I’ve yet to get around to it. I found When Will There Be Good News quite depressing and it put me off her for a while.
I’ve read three of these: Nora Webster (liked it), The Buried Giant (very good), and Vanity Fair (I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this). I haven’t heard of most of the books – where have I been?? I must read more widely. đŸ™‚
Margaret,
That’s just exactly what I was thinking – I haven’t heard of most of them.
I’ve just had a look at Hilary Mantel’s choice ‘A Notable Woman’ – it looks very interesting! I wish I’d kept a diary regularly, I only manage it in spurts.
Margaret,
I’ve never managed to keep a diary, despite having a mother who did, and I know she found it useful to be able to look back on to remind herself of things.