With the start of April, the evenings will start to stretch out like the unfurling of cramped limbs, it will feel like Spring is in the air at last.
On the other side of the Cotswolds to us here is the tiny village of Slad, the home of writer and poet Laurence Edward Alan “Laurie” Lee, most famous for his autobiographical novel ‘Cider with Rosie’. Like the works of our more local Flora Thompson, from a generation or so earlier, Lee’s descriptions of rural life paint vivid images of both the hardship and the beauty of life in the countryside. The rural population of the United Kingdom is only about 15% of the total but it seems to account for a disproportionate amount of literary output and the observations of the world about us. The importance of rural life, and in particular farming and food production, is becoming increasingly apparent – the more we connect and understand the countryside, the more we will appreciate the 15%.
This Easter will end with the start of April, the evenings will start to stretch out like the unfurling of cramped limbs, it will feel like Spring is in the air at last.
April Rise by Laurie Lee from ‘The Collected Poems of Laurie Lee’
If ever I saw blessing in the air
I see it now in this still early day
Where lemon-green the vaporous morning drips
Wet sunlight on the powder of my eye.
Blown bubble-film of blue, the sky wraps round
Weeds of warm light whose every root and rod
Splutters with soapy green, and all the world
Sweats with the bead of summer in its bud.
If ever I heard blessing it is there
Where birds in trees that shoals and shadows are
Splash with their hidden wings and drops of sound
Break on my ears their crests of throbbing air.
Pure in the haze the emerald sun dilates,
The lips of sparrows milk the mossy stones,
While white as water by the lake a girl
Swims her green hand among the gathered swans.
Now, as the almond burns its smoking wick,
Dropping small flames to light the candled grass;
Now, as my low blood scales its second chance,
If ever world were blessed, now it is.
Every year, when the Women’s Prize for Fiction is announced, there’s a flurry of excitement surrounding the books chosen. One that stood out to me from this year’s longlist, with its painterly cover and promise of stirring emotion, is Claire Kilroy’s Soldier Sailor. This tense, moving tale of the bond of family during parenthood is packed full of rage, softened by the intense love Soldier feels for her son. I expect this book, with its ability to make you wince, will be a strong contender for the shortlist. Also taking a prize spot, The Book Forger is the true story of two fearless booksellers who are suspicious of Thomas James Wise, the man taking the literary world by storm with rare first editions. They set out to discover the truth behind his claims that his books are the most valuable on the market.
New fiction is coming in fast, and we’ve picked out some of the best on the shelves: If I Survive You is a confident debut from Jonathan Escoffery, in which two brothers struggle through racism, recession, and a hurricane; and Claire McGlasson’s The Misadventures of Margaret Finch tackles fame and belonging in 1930’s Blackpool. A beautiful 50th Anniversary Edition of Carrie by Stephen King graces the shelves this week – with a copper and red foil cover and an introduction by writing legend, Margaret Atwood, this edition is perfect for fans of the classic prom-night horror. Hollie McNish’s playful, experimental style shines in her new prose-poetry collection, Lobster. In this book, she explores why the world has taught us to hate ourselves and the people around us, and how we can learn to love again.
In non-fiction, there’s an emphasis on caring for the environment with two books: Power Up gives us an understanding of where energy comes from and how it is used that will help guide us in greener thinking; and Grow to Eat is the essential book for anyone wanting fresh veg in a planet-friendly way. Rob Smith gives his top tips for growing, harvesting, and storing everything you could want for a colourful fridge full of home-grown beauties. Professor Chris Lintott explores the amazing phenomena of accidental scientific discoveries, from pulsars to possible alien life. Charles Foster writes a polemic book, Cry of the Wild, about the animals pushed to the edges of society, forced to live an unnatural life in an ever-changing world.
For younger readers, Black Hole Cinema Club is an adventure through lost cities and prehistoric monsters, but can Lucas save the day before the film ends? For really little ones, See, Touch, Feel: Play Book is a wipe clean activity book with a variety of activities to keep busy brains engaged.
As always, if there’s something you need help with, or a book you need ordering, please call or email us!
From Sophie
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