Before diving into the pit of chaos, a little reflection and a little remembrance is time well spent.
It’s a bonkers world, there’s too much going on – too much noise, too much chaos, too many financial graphs, far too much incompetence, too much shouting, too much anger – not enough reflection and considered thought. Fortunately, there are still consistencies in life, and one of those is our ability to remember. The Armistice of 11th November 1918 brought to an end the fighting of World War I and every year since then the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month has signified a time of reflection and remembrance. For many, this day has become a time to remember not just those who have paid the ultimate price for their country, but others we love who we lose during the passage of time. Before diving into the pit of chaos, a little reflection and a little remembrance is time well spent.
The writers we remember most from the period of the First World War are the ‘War Poets’ – Wilfred Owen, Robert Graves, Siegfried Sassoon, Rupert Brooke and Robert Service amongst many, many others. But it is a poet from another age, William Wordsworth, who perhaps best explains why poetry has become synonymous with the reflection found in the written word in times of conflict – ‘Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.’
‘In Flanders Fields’ by John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
If one book could summarise the week it would be Rebecca Yarros’ Iron Flame. I’ve lost count of all the customers racing into the shop looking to devour this! In this sequel we travel back to Basgiath where the tests for Violet are only just getting started. Our other top pick of the week is A Place Apart by Caroline Chapman, a lovely coffee-table book that takes a deep-dive into artists’ studios: from the skilful techniques employed in a Renaissance workshop; Michelangelo’s agony and ecstasy while painting the Sistine Chapel; the murky world of the artist’s model; the looting by Napoleon of Veronese’s masterpiece; Van Gogh’s wretched first studio; how Gericault painted his Raft of the Medusa; the way Rodin worked in his plaster-spattered environment and the ateliers of the Impressionists in Paris.
New in fiction, Paul Aster brings us his new novel, Baumgartner: a haunting work that follows a retired philosophy professor after the death of his wife. This is an exemplary novel that captures Auster’s writing at his best. We also have The Mantis by Kotaro Isaka (author of The Bullet Train) – a fast paced thriller telling the story of stressed assassin, Kabuto, who’s trying to find the perfect work/life balance.
In non-fiction there’s one word on everyone’s lips ‘Plot’! The Plot by Nadine Dorries has been flying off the shelves this week; it’s an exposé on Boris Johnson’s reign in parliament, that will probably have you wincing throughout. From the hit podcast, we also have the eponymous The Rest is History; it’s a whistle-stop tour through the past – from Alexander the Great to Tolkien, the Wars of the Roses to Watergate. Diane Purkiss’ English Food is a peak into the history of English cuisine that shows us English food is anything but bland: trial by ordeal of bread, a fondness for ‘small beer’ and a war-time ice-cream substitute called ‘hokey pokey’ made from parsnips – this book is both an education and an entertainment.
Perfect for puzzle lovers – the brilliant The World of Hercule Poirot is now available. This 1000-piece jigsaw’s fun doesn’t stop once you’ve assembled it, as there are 33 hidden clues in the finished piece that references Christie’s Poirot novels. We also have Legends and Landmarks Puzzle Book by Ordnance Survey. These are mystical quizzes for the whole family, featuring over 40 fantastic maps dug up from the OS archives.
For children, The Gruffalo and Friends Advent Calendar by Julia Donaldson is the perfect thing for any child in your life now that December is drawing closer. Each day holds a special activity book from the world of Julia Donaldson, bound to get the little ones excited for the big day. We also have the excellent A House for Christmas Mouse by Rebecca Harry: Mouse is very excited for Christmas, but first she needs to find a home to spend it in! On her way through Treetop Forest, she meets Fox, Bunny and Bear, all in need of a little help – which she gladly offers – but as the sun sets, it looks like she won’t have anywhere cosy to spend Christmas. Luckily, her new friends are about to reward her generosity with a very big surprise…
As always, if there’s anything you need help with, or anything you need ordering in, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
From Amber
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