We’re not particularly good at patting one another on the back.
Tomorrow, November 19th, is International Men’s Day – a day of awareness of the issues and problems men and boys can face. Undeservedly, it seems to be a low-key affair, much less celebrated than its female equivalent. I think it’s fair to say men aren’t particularly good at shining a light on ‘men troubles’– men should be strong and capable; they should strive to help build and sustain better worlds – until they’re not and they can’t. The rate of suicide amongst men in virtually every country on the planet is higher than women, in some cases as high as 6 times greater. One area of ‘maleness’ which has always puzzled is men being able to celebrate other men – with few exceptions, it seems male role models are often just there to knock down. We’re not particularly good at patting one another on the back.
Some years ago, I was privileged to have the most extraordinary experience of men troubles – in a prison. I was there as a guest of a literacy charity, and I witnessed first-hand the trouble men can get into. Approximately half of Britain’s male prison population is illiterate, and that lack of ability to read is a huge disadvantage in life chances, often leading to re-offending on release. The great work of those literacy charities is not just heartwarming, it’s essential. Chatting with one of the younger inmates I asked which book he was currently reading and enjoying, ‘The Gruffalo’ came the reply with a beaming smile. ‘Why that book?’ was my next question to him, ‘I’ve learnt to read it to my son over the phone at bedtime’. His reply still brings a tear to my eye.
A good friend of Coles and a role model to many in the world of books is the author Andy McNab, do take a look at the work of the many literacy charities he supports including The Reading Agency. A father being encouraged to learn to read so he can share a precious moment with his son is a role model in the making.
An extract from ‘Ulysses’ by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks:
The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep
Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends,
‘T is not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and tho’
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
One of our top picks of this week is an author I adore: Joanne Harris. I went to ogle at her speak at Oxford University once, and I was in awe of how much she knew about mythology – ancient and contemporary. Her new collection of stories, Maiden, Mother, Crone, is out now. It’s a beautifully illustrated edition that contains previously published works: A Pocketful of Crows, The Blue Salt Road and Orfeia. Our other top pick is Barbra Streisand’s goliath memoir My Name is Barbra. This is a must have for any fan, with writing that perfectly reflects Streisand’s frank and witty humour.
New in fiction: A True Account by Katherine Howe is an adventure story across the wild, wild seas; for fans of Jess Kidd and Kate Mosse. Mrs Sidhu’s ‘Dead and Scone’ by Suk Pannu holds a mirror to our favourite Richard Osman’s crime, with unofficial Aunty to the neighbourhood, Mrs Sidhu, turning her hand to ameteur sleuthing. Nora Roberts is back with the first book in her new trilogy called Inheritance, a ghost story about true love surviving even after death. And if you’re a real Rebus fan, Ian Rankin has co-written a play with Simon Reade; A Game Called Malice is a classic dinner-party turned gruesome, but with Rankin’s signature twists.
New in non-fiction: Drawing People by Viktorija Semjonova is a creative, interactive journal with 100 playful prompts, so you can get your drawing skills down to a tee. Building Britannia by Steven Parissien tells the story of Britain through twenty-five of its most iconic buildings; from Maiden Castle in Dorest to the Gherkin, Parissien looks at the social, political, economic and aesthetic significance of some of the structures that have come to represent our country. In Blood on the Snow, Robert Service analyses the Russian Revolution of 1914-24 from two perspectives: Tsar Nicholas II and Alexander Kerensky’s, alongside the workers and peasants who wanted democratic socialism. History book,The Enigma Traitor, is written by Alan Turning’s nephew, Dermot Turing – a story that explains that the excellence in codebreaking was nearly betrayed by incompetence in codemaking during WW2.
Finally, new in children’s titles, we have the hilarious Jamie Smart and his new book for 4-7 year-olds, Max and Chaffy: Search for the Ice Chaffy: a snow day means that Max and Chaffy need all the help they can get searching for Ice Chaffys! We also have the fantastic M.G. Leonard with their new novel for 9-12 year-olds, The Ice Children, which is a magical retelling of the classic ‘Snow Queen’ story; and even better, we’re selling it for a discounted £8.00!
As always, if there’s something you need help with, or a book you need ordering, please call or email us!
From Amber
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The full newsletter with links to books – including this week’s Signed Editions – can be found HERE
