Book Buying #2

One of my very first posts on this blog was a mini book haul, which I named ‘Book Buying #1’. That suggests that there would be more than one, so I’m finally giving it a sequel. I don’t tend to buy multiple books in one go (largely to save my bank account from a huge hit), but I think it’s nice to update when I do.

This book haul definitely has a gothic theme to it, which is particularly fitting considering October is the designated spooky month. The three books I bought are:

• We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
• Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
• The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe

I’ve read The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson and really enjoyed it, so I definitely wanted to give another one of her novels a go. I chose this one because I think it could also have some relevance to my dissertation, so it’s killing two birds with one stone. I’m excited to read this, and it’s the shortest book in my tbr so I’ll definitely be getting to it this month.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin is a book I need to read for one of my modules, and to be perfectly honest I don’t know much about it. I’ve really enjoyed the other books I’ve read for this module, so I am quite optimistic, but this book is around 600 pages long and I definitely should have read it over summer. I’m very nervous about being able to read it in time, but clearly not enough to make a start on it yet. I’m sure my fellow literature students will be able to relate.

Finally, The Mysteries of Udolpho is another way for me to get some gothic literature into my October reading, whilst helping my dissertation research. Ann Radcliffe is one of the big names of the Gothic in the 18/19th century, so it feels only right that I should finally read it. I have read A Sicilian Romance before and I liked that, so I think I’ll enjoy this. Much like Uncle Tom’s Cabin though, I didn’t realise how long this book is- 600 pages too! I seriously need to consider how I’m going to coordinate this reading soon.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my recent book purchases. If you have read any of these books and want to let me know your thoughts, leave them in the comments!

📚🪱

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Book Buying #1

I thought it would be a good idea to keep a log of all the books I buy! Posting reviews gives you a rough idea, but like a lot of avid readers I often buy too many books that’s unfortunately get pushed to the bottom of my TBR and are left unread.

I’m currently on a COVID-induced staycation in Oxfordshire, and I bought these two books from the local Waterstones.

The first is Stephen Fry’s Mythos. It’s a retelling of Greek mythology, and aside from being on the recommended reading list for one of my modules next year, it promises to satisfy my somewhat abandoned childhood Percy Jackson obsession. I’ve heard really good things about this book so I’m excited to get started!

The second is a book I haven’t heard of before, and to be totally honest bought purely due to my love for the weird. Jasper Fforde’s The Constant Rabbit doesn’t just have a wacky cover, but the blurb completely sold me. Here’s the excerpt that grabbed me, I don’t think I could do it justice by just describing it:

The village of Much Hemlock has always been a right-wing stronghold. British. Solid. Traditional.

Then they move in. They’re different from everyone else: they have a weird religion, an aggressive vegan agenda, and too many children. They may seem quiet and peace-loving, but who knows where it could lead?

They are a family of human-sized rabbits, the result of an inexplicable anthropomorphising event half a century before.

What an interesting concept, and definitely enough to make me spend my £8.99 on this book. Of course, the themes of racism and environmentalism are clear through the mask of eccentricity, but that only strengthens my interest more.

I think both of these books will be a great addition to my ever-growing bookshelf, and they’ve been bumped to the top of my TBR list.

The Bookworm 📚🪱