Busy’ness and the joy of progress
There’re always a few plates spinning at Coles – busy’ness and the joy of progress it creates is built into our character – book signings in the shop, our book club, taking the Coles pop-up bookshop out into the wild, new plans for our website, seeking out lesser-known authors who pique the curiosity of us book lovers – never is there a day when there isn’t a plan being worked on. The fear of a plan not coming together should never hinder getting it started, in fact that fear should become the fuel and the motivation to see it through, regardless of success or failure.
There are many books being written at any one time – in this country alone recent statistics show some 200,000 are published every year. Some will become best sellers, some will win awards, some will become part of the cultural landscape for decades to come, some will sink without trace, some will start as great ideas but never get past the first few pages. What is certain, none will come out of a writer’s imagination without some industry, a bit of effort, a dollop of oomph. As Theodore Roosevelt said ‘It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. In this life we get nothing save by effort’.
We are living in times which call for some effort, the word ‘productivity’ is all about us, it’s de rigueur, all sorts of policies rely on it. It’s time to crack on – that treacle needs to be pushed!
Quiet Work by Matthew Arnold
One lesson, Nature, let me learn of thee,
One lesson which in every wind is blown,
One lesson of two duties kept at one
Though the loud world proclaim their enmity –
Of toil unsever’d from tranquility!
Of labor, that in lasting fruit outgrows
Far noisier schemes, accomplish’d in repose,
Too great for haste, too high for rivalry.
Yes, while on earth a thousand discords ring,
Man’s fitful uproar mingling with his toil,
Still do thy sleepless ministers move on, Their glorious tasks in silence perfecting;
Still working, blaming still our vain turmoil,
Laborers that shall not fail, when man is gone.
This week’s top fiction pick is one that I have just finished reading today! Our Holiday by Louise Candlish is set in the fictional town of Pine Ridge, somewhere near Bournemouth. The town is divided between the impoverished locals and well-to-do second-home-owners, when tensions rise and someone is murdered, no one knows who to point the finger at. This fast-paced thriller makes a perfect holiday read. Our non-fiction pick of the week is A Travel Guide to the Middle Ages by Anthony Bale: this is a hilarious take on the normal (and sometimes quite boring!) history book. Journey alongside scholars, spies and saints as we travel across the middle-aged globe – from profane pilgrim badges and Venetian laxatives, to flying coffins and encounters with princesses…How much more bonkers can it get!
Other top fiction of the week includes: The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst by Katie Lumsden, which is a homage to the classic Victorian novel, featuring gossip, class, family, scandal and romance; Conquest by Nina Allan is a unique novel about a man who goes missing when trying to meet his online friends face-to-face; Lev Grossman’s The Bright Sword is an epic fantasy based on the legend of King Arthur; and The Book of Elsewhere is written by the formidable duo Keanu Reeves and China Miéville – on a collaboration that combines Miéville’s singular style and creativity with Reeves’ haunting and soul-stirring narrative, these two inimitable artists have created something utterly unique.
We have a lot of exciting non-fiction too. Just About Coping by Dr Natalie Cawley is a therapist’s memoir like you’ve never seen before: At the psychologist’s clinic of an NHS hospital, Noah needs help with procrastination, Bill compulsively lies, Steph is coping with rejection and their therapist, Dr Natalie Cawley, is dealing with her own emotional crisis, breathing into a paper bag between patient sessions! When the Heavens Went on Sale by Ashlee Vance follows four pioneering companies as they race to conquer space travel. Paris ‘44 by Patrick Bishop is a dramatic countdown to the liberation of Paris during WW2, a pivotal moment in allied forces winning the war. Whilst, Kammy: My Unbelievable Life by Chris Kamara reveals every piece of juicy gossip from the life of one of the greatest pundits of all time: What happens when you double-cross José Mourinho? What’s it like to play with Vinnie Jones? And how did Kammy end up releasing his own top-ten record?
Lastly, for children, the brilliant Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter have released another in their range of best-selling books, this one entitled, The Dinosaur That Pooped a Superhero. For ages 3-6, join Danny and Dino on a superhero-filled adventure as they try and save the city from a supervillain called DESTRUCTO! Whilst for ages 9+ we have the inspiring book from gold-medal Paralympian, Jonnie Peacock. Written in collaboration with children’s mental health expert Laura Earnshaw, this empowering book is packed full of Jonnie’s own stories alongside practical tips and tricks, so any child can reach their potential.
As always, if there’s something you need help with, or a book you need ordering, please call or email us!
From Amber
The full newsletter with linkd to books – including this week’s Signed Editions – can be found HERE
