Six Books Arrived And I’m Giving Them Away
Now seems like a good time to talk about them
I went out earlier to find a woman, parcel in hand, looking in some dismay at our postbox. It has seen better days. It’s a little ramshackle, and the ivy has started to grow inside.
“I’m not sure it’ll keep the rain off,” she said with Olympic-standard understatement. “I think they’re books.”
I thanked her for her thoughtfulness and retrieved the box from her. It contained half a dozen gems: books I’ve bought to give away as Christmas presents.
When Ellie Jacobson ✍🏻 suggested looking back over cherished reads, this delivery seemed tailor-made.
1. My Socks Have Gone Bonkers
My Socks Have Gone Bonkers is a gem of a book of verse from Dale Neal — hairdresser by day, poet by night. I have two little girls to buy for and this will make the perfect present for one of them.
Dale Neal’s verse is excellent and will make them laugh, as will the illustrations.
2. Horse Of A Different Colour
Horse of a Different Colour is the book heading for the second little girl. Magic realism and ponies by Melodie Trudeaux. It has been out for a while, but the sequel, Horse Of The Same Colour, is due out soon. I’m hoping if they enjoy this one, they’ll hop on to the next.
Full disclosure: Melodie Trudeaux is my alter-ego.
3. The Day Jack Sacked His Therapist
The Day Jack Sacked His Therapist is a cleverly crafted novel by Marie Gameson. The eponymous Jack is revealed through the eyes of others for most of the book, which kept me on a knife-edge because of the way the story unfolds.
I love to find something really unusual and this book had that quality from the start. This is definitely an adult read and I knew at once whose Christmas stocking this would be going in.
4. Colin Who?
Colin Who? is the autobiography of actor Colin Spaull who is one of those people whose name you might not know (hence the title, I guess) but who you’ve probably seen on either the big or small screen. He started out as a child actor in popular TV dramas, then graduated to regular spots in soaps, dramas, sitcoms, sci-fi adventures, and sketch shows.
In his younger days, he made a film with David Niven, and is one of a handful of actors to have appeared in both the original and the new Doctor Who series.
Colin Who? is destined for a friend who loves autobiography.
5. The Reality Exchange
The Reality Exchange is a debut science fiction novel from James Vigor who — I was not surprised to learn — is an experienced gamer. His take on futuristic space travel has nuances that hint at sophisticated computer gaming, with a depth of knowledge to lend credibility to the story. It was another of those books that stood out for me for having a really clever idea at its heart.
The book is probably pigeonholed as a young adult read, but it’s heading for someone my age who appreciates good science fiction. And hey, we’re both young adults at heart.
6. I Used To Be
I used to be is a stark, very well-written but poignant tale by Mary Brown. She was an experienced non-fiction writer by the time she wrote it, but it is her first novel. She planned it after hearing William Golding talk at a literary festival but took decades to get round to writing it. It wasn’t so much that Golding’s writing inspired her — though she says she loves his books — but that she fundamentally disagreed with the premise behind Lord of the Flies.
It’s a shame that Mary Brown doesn’t seem inclined to write her autobiography. That would be a fascinating read and would sort my autobiography-loving friend’s present for next year.
Another few boxes of books, a space rocket or two, and some Lego, and we’re all set for Christmas.
Thanks to Ellie Jacobson ✍🏻 for the inspiration:
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