But coming home I feel like I
Designed the buildings I walk by
One of the benefits of aging is the opportunity for regularity – those repeatable experiences which afford a level of familiarity which in turn make life a little easier but without compromising on joy. That’s of course not to diminish the great value in curiosity and seeking out the new, which along with love, are perhaps some of the greatest gifts in life. But from time to time it’s nice to stick with the familiar. Re-reading a favourite book, cooking a particular dish, a fondness for a special pub, a beer which never fails to deliver, a view which always inspires, spending time with friends you’ve known for a lifetime. Sometimes the chase for the new overlooks something beautiful but old. A look at the shelves and those books you’ve kept and cherished all these years will likely tell two stories: the one printed on the pages, and the other about how that book came to be yours. Perhaps a gift, a recommendation, a prize at school, a little treat for the self, or a message from a loved one – there’s a story behind each, unwritten on the pages, but printed in the memory.
‘Station Approach’ – an extract from the lyrics of the song of the same name by the poets that are Elbow. From the album ‘Leaders of the Free World’ – no record collection is complete without it!
I haven’t been myself of late
I haven’t slept for several days
But coming home I feel like I
Designed the buildings I walk by
You know you drive me up the wall
I need to see your face that’s all
You little sod, I love your eyes
Be everything to me tonight
I never know what I want but I know when I’m low that I
I need to be in the town where they know what I’m like and don’t mind
The streets are filled with goths and Greeks
I haven’t seen my mum for weeks
But coming home I feel like I
Designed the buildings I walk by
You know you drive me up the wall
I need to see your face is all
You little sod, I love your eyes
Be everything to me tonight.
Songwriters: Guy Edward John Garvey / Craig Lee Potter / Richard Barry Jupp / Mark Potter / Peter James Turner
Station Approach lyrics © Salvation Music Ltd
From period romance to twisty crime, there’s something for everyone’s taste in fiction this week. We have the Indie Exclusive edition of Stephen King’s latest novel, with beautifully illustrated endpapers, and The Elopement has clever embroidery details embossed into both sides of the jacket – books are truly a thing of beauty! In non-fiction, the emergence of AI, new discoveries at Pompeii, and brain health are all explored in timely, expert prose. And for little ones, a very cute dinosaur lift-the-flap book mirrors the funniest of them all.
As always, if there’s anything you need, just pop by or reply to this email!
From Sophie
Feeling curious? Click on the book covers below to explore the book.
The full newsletter with links to books – including this week’s Signed Editions – can be found HERE
