Our books of the year
The big reveal
I’M NOT AT ALL SURE how we can be gearing up for Backstory’s third Christmas but, somehow, it is November and so, somehow, we are.
We all approach the festive season at our own pace. Even though Denise and I have been planning Christmas at Backstory since at least July, I remain resolutely a Last Minute Man when it comes to my own shopping, and will be impressed by my foresight if I’ve made a list by mid-December.
But I recognise that some of you are a little less chaotic than that. (One customer announced triumphantly yesterday that he had just bought his last present.) And so Savannah has produced a very pretty — and very handy — new edition of our popular Christmas gift guide, stuffed full of recommendations for grown-ups and children alike. There’s a full explanation in there of how our well-received Backstory subscriptions work, too.
You can browse the collections on our website (with free delivery anywhere in the UK) or download the whole guide to browse at your leisure here. If you’re local to us, just pop in to the shop to pick one up.
We’ll be sharing each member of the team’s highlights from another year’s reading over the coming weeks in the newsletter, but to kick off, let’s reveal our overall Backstory books of the year: the two books that I most enjoyed this year, and which I think have earned their place under any Christmas tree. Denise can attest to my gleeful expression when one customer came in and bought both of them together the other day… much to be encouraged!
So, drum roll please…
Backstory’s Novel of the Year: The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
In the Dutch countryside in the early 1960s, a young woman still tends the family home, long after her mother died and her brothers moved out.
She is left to keep standards, and her own company. Then her brother’s girlfriend comes to stay, and odd things begin to happen.
We’re not surprised this engrossing, claustrophobic debut novel was shortlisted for the Booker (to be announced the week after next), but for our money it’s the year’s best.
Backstory’s Non-fiction Book of the Year: Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhirst
This is the incredible true story of a British couple who, in the 1970s, abandon their humdrum existence for the journey of a lifetime.
After selling everything they own to scrape together enough to build their own boat, they set sail for New Zealand.
But when their boat sinks in the middle of the Pacific, they are left adrift in a raft with no radio or other means of calling for help.
Their fate depends on the ocean, and on each other. A beautiful, gripping story of nature and love.
Event announcement
Jay Rayner at Backstory — Thursday 5 December, 7.15pm
Big news: Jay Rayner is coming to Backstory! We’re very excited. The award-winning writer, broadcaster and Observer critic will be talking about his first cookbook, Nights Out At Home, in which he sets out to offer “delicious, doable recipes” inspired by some of his favourite restaurant dishes. Please note the earlier-than-usual start time!
Upcoming events
THIS TUESDAY 5 November, 7.30pm Ned Palmer, A Cheesemonger’s Tour de France
Following up on his book about the history of British cheese, cheesemonger Ned Palmer sets his sights abroad to explore the cheese of France: its history, identity and landscape. We’re thrilled to welcome him to Backstory to hear about his journey around France’s cheese regions, meeting the remarkable cheesemongers who carry the torch for France’s oldest and most treasured traditions. A sample of French cheese will be included in the ticket.
6 November, 7.30pm Andrew O’Hagan, Caledonian Road SOLD OUT
8 November, 6 for 7pm Winter Session 1: Jack Mac 1st music night of the season SOLD OUT but a limited number of £5 walk-ins will be available on the night
13 November, 7.30pm Madhumita Murgia, Code Dependent
Come out to Backstory to hear the AI Editor at the Financial Times, Madhumita Murgia, discuss the new technology that’s changing our world. Through the voices of ordinary people in places far removed from Silicon Valley, Code Dependent explores the impact of a set of powerful, flawed, and often exploitative technologies on individuals, communities, and our wider society.
20 November, 7.30pm Jonn Elledge, A History of the World in 47 Borders
People have been drawing lines on maps for as long as there have been maps to draw on. By telling the stories of these borders, we can learn a lot about how political identities are shaped, why the world looks the way it does — and about the scale of human folly.
22 November, 6 for 7pm Winter Session 2: Alex Cambridge
28 November, 7.30pm Tim Shipman, Out SOLD OUT
4 December, 7.30pm Dan Keeling, Who’s Afraid of Romanee Conti?
When our friends at Noble Rot announced that co-founder and editor Dan Keeling was coming out with a book, we were of course eager to get him down to Backstory. And so we have! Who’s Afraid of Romanee-Conti is a no-fuss wine guide for novices and wine enthusiasts alike. As he visits renowned vineyards all across the world, Keeling questions why some wines seem to matter more than others, all while offering personal recommendations and insights into the winemaking process.
6 December, 6 for 7pm Winter Session 3: HerOrangeCoat
20 December, 6 for 7pm Winter Session 4: Average Ginger
The Backstory chart
Click on the links to order any of these books from our website with free UK delivery
Hardback
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney Megan loves this book about two brilliant brothers, a treat for people who know a thing or two about chess, weird siblings, grief, and thinking deep thoughts but sometimes struggling to express them to the people you love the most.
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout A hopeful novel about new friends, old loves, and how we all want to leave a mark on the world we inhabit.
The Safekeep by Yael Van der Wouden See above! Backstory’s novel of the year.
Think Again by Jaqueline Wilson The first book for adults from the children’s author with a devoted following.
Gliff by Ali Smith The newest novel from critically-acclaimed author. All about meaning - how we make it and how we are made meaningless.
Paperback
Orbital by Samantha Harvey A luminous novel about six astronauts orbiting the Earth and observing its beauty and fragility. Shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
Kala by Colin Walsh One of my favourite books of last year. A dark, twisty tale of friendship and suspicion set on the Irish coast.
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano Denise loved this book, an homage to Little Women set in Chicago.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan Back in the bestsellers again, this short novel is beautifully written and insightful. Read it now before the film comes out next week!
Brotherless Night by V. V. Ganeshananthan Winner of this year’s Women’s Prize for Fiction, coming to our Backstory fiction book club in November.
Join our club
Want to have more Backstory in your life? Why not:
Join our fiction or non-fiction book clubs, which meet every month on Zoom with each book’s author. We’ve heard from winners of the Pulitzer, Nobel and Women’s prizes, and big names like Patrick Radden Keefe, Caleb Azumah Nelson and Christina Lamb. Join for £15 a month or come to a one-off session for £16.
Take out a Backstory book subscription, tailored to each individual recipient. These start from £60 for three months (or £45 for kids) and make brilliant presents.
Happy reading!
— Tom