What we've been reading recently
Anne Tyler, Kaveh Akbar, Gary Stevenson and other team recs
THERE ARE TWO QUESTIONS every bookseller is asked several times a day. The answer to the first — “is this out in paperback?” — is simple, and almost always no. (Publishers usually wait between 8-12 months after first publishing in hardback to bring out the paperback, though Smiths is sneaky and sells “trade paperbacks” — bigger, more expensive paperbacks — of a small number of big releases as “airport exclusives”.)
The second is trickier. “Have you read anything good recently?” they’ll ask. And for some reason your mind will often go blank. You’ve read a couple of proofs but they’re not out yet, so they won’t do. And there was that book you read for an event, but that’s not really it either. But what about, you know, for fun? Bugger. Can’t think right now. Can I even read?
To compensate for this surprisingly frequent amnesia, we’ve introduced a new, permanent but ever changing display at the front of the bookshop: “What we’ve been reading recently”. Here you’ll find our comments on the latest hardbacks, hardbacks that we loved that have just come out in paperback but also random things we happen to have read that might have been published last year or last century (looking at you, Sally ;)).
From now on, too, we’ll intersperse the regular newsletter with this occasional round-up of our top recs. If you like the sound of anything, pop into the shop or you can order any of them from our website with free delivery anywhere in the UK. So forward this to all your friends and then they can be Backstory customers, too.
I hope you enjoy this, well, first edition. And scroll on to the bottom for a recap of upcoming events at the shop, too — Tom
Our book of the month: Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
hardback, £14.99
This is a perfect February read. A gorgeous novel about a separated couple reunited for their daughter’s wedding. It is fantastically charming and, at only 176 pages, it will probably only take you three days, too. This one has gone round the whole team and we all endorse it.
Check out our gorgeous window, designed by my very talented colleague Savannah, with lovely flowers by Petals of Balham on Hildreth Street. You can order it from our website, or pop into the shop for a free coffee at the same time since it’s our book of the month.
Tom recommends
The Trading Game by Gary Stevenson paperback, £10.99
Just out in paperback, I really enjoyed this fast-paced memoir by a working-class Londoner who rose to be one of Citibank’s top traders before growing disillusioned.
The Art of Friday Night Dinner by Eleanor Steafel hardback, £26
I’m loving this gorgeous, super-easy cookbook for one, or for a party. The essays are as nourishing as the food. “If you’re the only one who is going to eat, why not be generous with yourself?” Amen to that.
Denise recommends
The Book of George by Kate Greathead hardback, £16.99
I loved this funny and moving portrait of George, one man who represents countless others.
The Imposters by Tom Rachman paperback, £10.99
This is a clever novel made up of stories by Dora, a Dutch novelist who is finding living in a post-truth pandemic world too much.
Savannah recommends
Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey hardback, £20
A dark fairytale set in the Alaskan wilderness about a young mother and her daughter choosing a life in the wild.
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar paperback, £9.99
A fantastic mosaic of a novel about (barely) recovering alcoholic Cyrus Shams, an Iranian-American struggling poet obsessed with martyrdom. It’s brilliant.
Darby recommends
Strange Beach by Oluwaseun Olayiwola paperback, £12.99
I absolutely devoured this poetry collection. The language and lyricism were stunning as Olayiwola explores queerness, love and change.
44 Poems on Being With Each Other by Pádraig Ó Tuama hardback, £20
This is such an amazing poetry anthology — perfect for anyone who struggles with poetry because Ó Tuama does an incredible job of analysing each poem.
Sally recommends
The Artist by Lucy Steeds hardback, £16.99
A brilliant novel set in the isolated south of France after WWI. A budding journalist is off to interview a famous reclusive artist, who is looked after by his seemingly quiet niece…
The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry paperback, £9.99
Less about the monster and more about what fear does to people, particularly in small communities. A historical slow-burn.
Upcoming events at Backstory
12 February, 7:30pm Marianna Spring, Conspiracyland SOLD OUT. Order the book
18 February, 7:30pm Rachel Thompson, The Love Fix
Just after Valentine’s Day, we’re excited to welcome sex and dating journalist Rachel Thompson to Backstory. Her book The Love Fix discusses modern dating, interweaving research, interviews, and her own anecdotes.19 February, 7:30pm Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund, Get In SOLD OUT. Order the book
26 February, 7:30pm Sophie Elmhirst, Maurice and Maralyn SOLD OUT. Order the book
10 March, 7.30pm Charlie Colenutt, Is This Working?
14 March, 7pm Poetry Open Mic Night No need to book, sign up at the door
19 March, 7.30pm Ellen Jones, Outrage
26 March, 7.30pm Nicola Dinan, Disappoint Me
1 April, 7.30pm Orlando Whitfield, All That Glitters
2 April, 7.30pm Roopa Gulati in conversation with Diana Henry, Indian Kitchens