What we've been reading recently
David Szalay, Curtis Sittenfeld, Robin Wall Kimmerer and other team recs
Tom is having a well earned rest this week in sunnier climes but the shop has been abuzz with activity, especially as over the last couple of days we have celebrated World Book Day with visits from children at four local schools all keen to exchange their tokens for one of the World Book Day titles.
Savannah, Sally and I have loved admiring some spectacular fancy dress costumes and the excitement of our young customers and the concentrated deliberation over which book to choose.
That deliberation of what to choose in a bookshop doesn’t leave you when you have outgrown World Book Day though, which is why our “What we’ve been reading recently” display at the front of the bookshop is proving popular with both the team and our lovely customers.
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.
Have a lovely weekend and enjoy the sunshine — Denise
Our book of the month: Flesh by David Szalay
hardback, £18.99
If you haven’t read any David Szalay before then you are missing a treat. His brand new novel, Flesh, is our Book of the Month for March.
Wow! What a novel. I loved David Szalay’s previous (All That Man Is and Turbulence) and this clever, propulsive story about sex, money and what it means to be an outsider or an insider lives up to his reputation. Devour it! – Tom
You can order it from our website or pop into the shop for a free coffee when you buy a copy. We also have signed copies available in the shop as David popped in this week on his trip over to the UK.
Tom recommends
Cuckooland by Tom Burgis paperback, £10.99
New in paperback, I really enjoyed this searing tale of the seedy underbelly that fuels British politics.
The Boyhood of Cain by Michael Amherst hardback, £16.99
A gently written novel about a boy’s slow loss of innocence thanks to the maladies and misdeeds of the adults in his life.
Denise recommends
Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld hardback, £16.99
A treat of a short story collection. Fans of Sittenfeld’s novel ‘Prep’ will love the return of Lee Fiora at her school reunion in one of the stories.
Mongrel by Hanako Footman paperback, £9.99
A compelling debut following the narratives of three women finding their place in the world.
Savannah recommends
Time Of The Flies by Claudia Pineiro paperback, £12.99
IN: The Graphic Novel hardback, £22
A wonderful graphic novel about connection between people - black and white drawings interspersed with these fantastic and moving colour spreads.
Darby recommends
James by Perceival Everett paperback, £9.99
An incredibly powerful novel that retells Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s perspective. It deals with heavy themes but is also fast paced and full of adventure.
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer paperback, £10.99
I finally got to this after so many recommendations! A beautifully written book about interweaving scientific and indigenous wisdom to restore our relationship with the earth and all the beings that occupy it.
Sally recommends
The Ghost by Robert Harris paperback, £9.99
After loving Conclave I’m working my way through Harris’ back catalogue. Extremely readable thriller.
Everything’s Fine by Cecilia Rabess paperback, £9.99
If you like BBC’s Industry you will enjoy this should they, shouldn’t they romance set in New York.
Upcoming events at Backstory
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
24 March, 7.30pm Wright Thompson, The Barn
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
9 April, 7.30pm Lucy Mangan, Bookish
16 April, 7.30pm Paul Sinton-Hewitt, One Small Step
23 April, 7.30pm Marcel Dirsus, How Tyrants Fall