Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it
Browsing the book reviews in one of the papers today and I came across an interesting piece about ‘the middle ground’ – a mythical place which seems elusive to most involved in modern politics. Earlier this month two friends of the bookshop, sometimes referred to as centrist dads, sold out a huge venue in London for an evening of discussion, the tone will have been a rejection of the extremes and a fondness for this mythical place. ‘Centrism’ is popular, I think for the most part because we enjoy the idea of being in the middle, the sea is calm, life rolls along and when things are quiet all is as it should be – like the centre of a chocolate orange, choose your segment of life carefully and you might even be rewarded with the extra bit of chocolate joy only found in the middle. In politics, and therefore life in general, why is the centre so difficult to find and define? That same newspaper article refers to a quote from Napoleon – ‘To understand the man you have to know what was happening in the world when he was twenty’. And therein may lie the problem – we all form our ideals at different times in history, but do we have an ability to refine them and embrace alternative views as we grow older? There’s been a plethora of books since the pandemic about how to fix our broken world, most of them lean towards the centre as the place where a repair kit is to be found. Perhaps a curious dive into a few history books, coupled with a dollop of common sense, may provide the compass we need to find this elusive land. And here’s to the plethora of books on pragmatism we could do with too.
If by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep yourvirtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
Something very spooky is afoot! It’s not long until Halloween, and this unsigned part of the newsletter is full of books to get your pulse racing. Our top pick of the week is Guess Who? Boo to You! by Katie Woolley and Grasya Oliyko, an adorable picture book to introduce the concept of Halloween to very little ones (not very scary, but very cute!). We also have Ray Celestin’s Palace of Shadows: inspired by a true story of the Winchester Mystery House in California, this is the tale of a mansion that seemingly grows bigger by the day.
In fiction, Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk is a genre-bending, feminist, gothic novel about a vampire trying to fit in in a human world. The Rats by James Herbert has been republished for its 50th Anniversary. This cult-classic shows you a horrific vision of these rodents as you’ve never seen them before. Whilst, Haunted Tales by Adam Macqueen is a collection of his finest ghost stories; these stories prove that terror lurks in many places, and the dead take on infinite guises…
In non-fiction, The Dead of Winter by Sarah Clegg is a journey through midwinter to explore the lesser-known Christmas traditions, from English mummers plays and Austrian Krampus runs, to modern pagan rituals at Stonehenge. The Moon Apothecary by Lorriane Anderson is your how-to guide to harness the full potential of the moon. Kim Kindelsperger’s Creepy Kitchen contains 60 spooky and frightening recipes, including Vanessa’s Vampire Bites, All Souls Potatoes and Merv Mummy’s Posthumous Pizza.
For Young Adults, Unholy Terrors by Lyndall Clipstone is about a young girl who must defend her community against vampiric spirits. Piers Torday is back with the first book in a new series called Midnight Treasure. For ages 9+, this is a sparkling new fantasy about two best friends who must fight werewolves and vampires to get their hands on gold. Halloween Peekaboo is great for small babies, with handles and grab-and-pull pages, this will delight little ones. Whilst Lance Bass’ Trick or Treat on Scary Street is a picture book about young trick-or-treaters who love a sinister scare.
As always, if you want anything ordering in, do let us know!
From Amber
The full newsletter with linkd to books – including this week’s Signed Editions – can be found HERE
