Roar like a Lion!
We’ve had a number of signed editions over the last few months for which we’ve been able to offer specific dedications from the author to the reader – it’s been a fabulous thing to do, and it appears to connect authors and readers a little more closely in spirit when they’re not able to do so in person. Of course it’s been interesting to see the variety of messages which readers would like to have in their books, they are mostly filled with joy and excitement with many of them to be given as gifts. Of particular note are some of the dedications included in the recent book by Alastair Campbell – But What Can I Do? Not only has his book been a best seller, but Alastair’s commitment to writing hundreds and hundreds of dedications shows a real passion for the book’s message, and a respect for his readers. It’s clear that a great number of these books are being given as gifts, handed down from one generation to another. These dedications have a theme – you can make the world a better and more just place, if only you try. The gift which is being passed on is really the message – the world is what all of us make it – for good or bad, each of us can have an influence, be bold and speak up. Sometimes it’s on a grand scale, sometimes it’s the small stuff. Regardless, each of us has the ability to positively contribute to how the world is which we see before us – that includes you! That that positive message is carried along with a book is not only heartening but speaks volumes of the power of the written word – that book you hold in your hand is the seed from which great things will grow.
Alastair quotes in his book some lyrics from the Emeli Sandé song, Read All About It – here’s an extract in lieu of our usual poem – if you haven’t heard Emeli’s song for a while (it is 11 years old!) seek it out, it’ll leave you standing tall.
You’ve got the words to change a nation
But you’re biting your tongue
You’ve spent a life time stuck in silence
Afraid you’ll say something wrong
If no one ever hears it how we gonna learn your song?
So come on, come on
Come on, come on
You’ve got a heart as loud as lions
So why let your voice be tamed?
Maybe we’re a little different
There’s no need to be ashamed
You’ve got the light to fight the shadows
So stop hiding it away
Come on, come on
I wanna sing, I wanna shout
I wanna scream ’til the words dry out
So put it in all of the papers,
I’m not afraid
They can read all about it
Paul McCartney’s 1964, Eye of the Storm is one of this week’s pick of the week, and it’s beautiful. The book dives into McCartney’s never-before-seen archive of 35mm film from 1963 and 1964, when Beatlemania had swept the globe and there were four names on everyone’s lips. We’re offering this coffee table treasure at a discount price of £45 (RRP £60). We also have American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer in the spotlight. This biography by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin forms the basis for Christopher Nolan’s new film ‘Oppenheimer’,’ due out 21st July…you know what they say: the book is always better!
The new non-fiction releases this week appear to be very exciting: in This is Europe Ben Judah asks what it is to be European, looking at the landscape and interviewing Europeans from far and wide; Evan Hughes explores America’s opioid addiction in The Hard Sell – soon to be a film staring Emily Blunt; Fevered Planet by John Vidal examines why all pandemics and epidemics originate from nature; Helen Czerski looks at the beauty of the ocean in Blue Machine; whilstSusan Cain teaches us how to turn sorrow and grief into empowerment and celebration in Bittersweet.
We have some great fiction too! The Roughest Draft is co-authored by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka – it’s a summer romance set beneath the Florida sun. The perfect beach read! Y/N is an experimental novel by Esther Yi, ‘crackling with the intellectual sensitivity of Elif Batuman and the sinewy absurdism of Thomas Pynchon,’ this novel is for anyone looking for something to break boundaries. Equally as absurd, Lauren Forry’s novel The Launch Party is an Agatha Christie-esque, locked-room mystery set on the moon. Lastly, Kalynn Bayron’s YA slasher You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight is your typical Final Girl story…with a twist.
And, if you’re looking for just the thing to occupy a young genius, look no further than Everything You Know About Sharks is Wrong! to learn more about these fascinating fishes!
As always, if there’s a book you can’t find, call us and we will try our best to source a copy for you.
The full newsletter with links to books can be found HERE
