You know how much I love this bookshop, which is truly my favorite bookshop ever. It’s the stuff of my dreams, my dream being living in the same city as this treasure, better yet, the same neighborhood, where I could stop in two or three times a week and peruse the shelves and talk to the incredibly knowledgeable staff and buy wonderful books.
I follow the shop on Instagram and the other day, they posted about a book they had been recommending to their regulars. Here’s the post:
“A recent favorite of ours has been ‘Something of His Art: Walking to Lübeck with J. S. Bach’ by Horatio Clare. Joyful, intelligent and articulate, Clare has a clear eye for both near and far. He has a most wonderful knack of looking at a woodland track on a high ridge, with its owls and goldcrests, or at the margins of a light industrial landscape, and then conjuring its early C18th century ghost to walk peacefully before the mind’s eye. In beautiful, rhythmic, resonant sentences he describes walking along the route that was taken by Johann Sebastian Bach, who, as a young man, walked one autumn 300 miles north from Arnstadt to Lübeck to visit the aging organist and composer Buxtehude. Clare also did a short series about this last year for BBC Radio 3. This is another beautifully produced book from Litte Toller Books in Dorset, with a collage by Ed Kluz for the jacket. We absolutely love this book and have been having huge fun selling it to unsuspecting customers these last weeks. One came back a week later in a state of ecstatic intoxication to take everything we have by Horatio Clare – about a half a dozen…”
I ask you, dear readers, how could I resist? It sounds absolutely wonderful. “Ecstatic intoxication!”
I decided that I would order a copy from John Sandoe Books. When I was there, I saw a stack of packages wrapped in brown paper, with their distinctive mailing label, all ready to be sent out in the post – I even took a picture of the stack – and I could think of nothing more wonderful than receiving a package from them in the mail. So I emailed them, telling them of my visit in October and my love for their shop, and my interest in the book they had written about. They responded – or rather, Christopher responded – with some suggestions as to methods of paying and with an immediate “I have reserved a copy for you.” All so personal and lovely in the way that only the British can be. (And the way only an independent bookseller can be.)
I suspect it will go out at the beginning of the week. I told Don that I’m almost more excited to see the package than the book!
I’ve decided that I will do this once or twice a year; order a book that has been published in Britain and is not yet available here; something recommended by the wise and extremely well read staff.
A present to myself.
In other news, we have started to receive screener copies of movies and series that have been nominated for Screen Actors Guild Awards. We watched Beautiful Boy last night. It’s a powerful movie about addiction and the toll it takes on the addict and his family. It’s beautifully done. Timothée Chalamet is extraordinary in the title role. Steve Carell is wonderful and touching in the role of his father. The whole cast is pitch perfect. I didn’t know that it is based on a true story until the end of the movie. I recommend it highly – it is riveting.
In the past week we’ve seen Roma (I can’t say enough about this brilliant movie) Bird Box, and Beautiful Boy – each of them incredible.
I’m going to run an errand or two (we need more drinking glasses after breaking two this week!) because I’ve been stuck in the house for four days and I need to get out!
Tomorrow: the piano parts return!
Happy Sunday.
Claudia, how exciting to be expecting a package from an independent London bookshop! I hardly buy books anymore, as my shelves are beyond full, but I occasionally buy fabric on-line from smaller outlets. I do confess that the insides thrill me more than the package itself! We saw Mary Poppins Returns last night. The movie critic on the local newspaper staff didn’t like it very much. We all thoroughly enjoyed it, and so has everyone to whom I’ve talked about it. Wet very wet today as the rain has been consistently pouring. We’re driving into San Francisco to see my parents. Made Mac and cheese with vegan hotdogs for Dad. He’s tired of the food at assisted living.
Oh, I’ll love the inside, but to see their table on the package? Exciting!
Claudia,
Your getting a book from that shop reminds me so much of Eighty-Four Charing Cross Road. I’m assuming you’ve seen that lovely movie, and if you haven’t, you must do so at once! I’ll have to order that book, now, too. It sounds wonderful!
Thank you!
~Jenny
I almost was going to write that! One of my favorite movies. Sounds like an amazing book!
X Chy
Yes, I’ve thought that more than once!
Me four – Helene Hanff on Dick Cavett. Wonderfully charming thing you’ve done, Claudia!
Happy Rainy Days to us, Wendy!
Thank you, Martha!
Packages from abroad are always fun! ;)
They are!
Claudia, I watched Bird Box last night on Netflix. Although it was engaging, I was very disappointed that the screenwriter chose to once again demonize the mental ly ill. The stigmatization and demonization of the mentally ill is why we as a society have not funded treatment or research of mental illness in the way that we have diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and so on. The mentally ill are real human beings with real feelings and real pain and real families that love them. As a member of NAMI and an advocate for those with mental illness ( my mother lived with paranoid schizophrenia, my son with schizophrenia died by suicide, and my youngest sister lives with schizophrenia) I must address the problem with this film.
I look forward to viewing Roma and Beautiful Boy today and as always look forward to your daily posts.
These are my thoughts: The film concerns a biological warfare attack that drives people to suicide. In seconds – not in days, hours, or a lifetime, but seconds. They were perfectly healthy before the attack. It’s not mental illness – it’s biological warfare, where they see their worst fears. I never once felt that it stigmatized the mentally ill. I certainly respect your feelings on this, Carolyn Marie, and obviously the subject is one you care about deeply. I understand that. But I don’t think a fictional biological attack is the same as someone dealing with mental illness in real life or on screen. It’s a horror film. Unless there’s something else that I’m missing?
I have friends who have dealt with mental illness and who are bipolar, so I certainly am – or hope I am – sensitive to this subject. Don has dealt with mental illness in his family – specifically with his late mother. We are very sensitive to those issues.
I can’t imagine the pain and worry you have been through; losing your son, having loved ones battle this illness. Sending you a hug. xo
oh, what a lovely idea … to order books from your favorite british bookstore throughout the year as gifts to yourself … good for you!
plus the piano will be set right tomorrow … good for you again!
hope you are all rested and better.
happy sunday!
kathy in iowa
ps … i second jenny’s recommendation of 84 charing cross road.
I’ve seen it. And I thought the same thing when I ordered the book!
The moment you mentioned a stack of packages wrapped in brown paper, my mind went to 84 Charing Cross Road. Oh how I loved that book, and the movie too. It’s always such a delight to visit a little independent book shop, so full of character, so lovingly curated. It gives me hope.
Order books from them Claudia. It will always be a good use of the money.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
I will. Now, I want to watch the movie again, Susan!
Hi,Claudia! Lots of kindred spirits responding today. I thought of Helene Hanff ‘s books immediately and will reread them soon. As for John Sandoe I want to live in the apartment above!Awhile back you wrote about seeing Roma and loving it. I place it in my list of ten best EVER along with Cinema Paradiso. Happy New Year to you and Don, Annette in rainy Northern California
I second that list, Annette! It was extraordinary! (And you know how I feel about Cinema Paradiso!)
Unfortunately, that’s the second floor of the shop! But I could live on that second floor quite happily!
No better treat then a special book from a special place. How exciting. I got out a little bit today and it felt good. Sunshine and fresh air for a change. Busy week ahead as 2019 starts with a bang! Hugs!
Same here – though, very little sunshine! Still, I was out and about and that’s a good thing! xoxo
I splurged this year and bought myself some books. a couple from a thrift store and a few from ebay. I got the inspiration from you. My husband buys his books, why can’t I?! The English bookstore sounds wonderful and I love the pictures!! Wish I could move there.
Claudia, I appreciate your interpretation of the film and my comments were in no way meant to challenge your or anyone’s interpretation of the film. Each viewer sees any text through her own unique lens.
As an advocate for mental health issues I must speak up when I see a misrepresentation of those with mental illness or anything which adds to the crippling stigmatization and fear around mental illness. I understood two suggested causes of the suicides in the film.
Biological warfare was suggested as a cause.
Charlie suggested the personification of human fears by way of demons or spirit entities common among several cultures throughout time was the cause.
The man let into the house by Olympia told a story of “psychos” from an insane asylum who liked the visions and were unaffected by them. The people from the asylum forced the man’s colleagues to open their eyes. Later, this man unpacked drawings of the demons and began to draw another. It was apparent that he was probably one of the “psychos” . I wish to alert people to the many different levels of stereotyping of the mentally ill that occur in this scene.
Thanks for hearing me out Claudia, and allowing me to clarify my staement.
I thought of Helene Hanff’s book, too when you mentioned the package from the bookstore in London! I’ve read several of Hanff’s books, including 84 Charing Cross Road. I had no idea it was a movie. I must see that.
I have no desire to watch Bird Box. I’m too sensitive – cannot handle anything remotely scary, especially horror. And I absolutely cannot watch Beautiful Boy. It would remind me too much of Phil and what we went through with him. :-(
The movie stars the great Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins. You should see it, Melanie.
And of course you couldn’t watch Beautiful Boy. Too painful, my friend.
How exciting it will be to receive a package from London…do share a picture of it and the book with us!
I will!
That book shop looks absolutely incredible. Could definitely spend a lot of quality time in there. The book sounds really amazing, too. I look forward to hearing how you like it. Have a great week.
That bookshop is like heaven on earth to me, Tammy. Thank you!
I love the fact that you are going to order from a favorite Brit bookstore. It’s very “84 Charing Cross Road” and who knows — perhaps on your next trip you will find your own counterparts! I do love England’s bookstores with such a big full heart. I know I spent a good deal of time in them and wish I’d discovered this one as well. I love the photos more than I can say.
I hope you get a chance to visit it someday, Jeanie!
Claudia, how exciting to receive a book from that store. The book itself sounds exciting and interesting. Congratulations and enjoy the book.
Marilyn
I will – when it gets here!