The Readers discussion

I am with Thomas on the resolution for reading this year with regards to trying to stick to my shelves. I have 100+ books to read. I started a book reading challenge, in fact I started two but already know I won't be continuing with it. I think my reading habits tend to be quite diverse anyway.

Books I want to read this year:

I won Paul Auster's - 4 3 2 1 so am looking forward to reading that one. I am waiting for my book store to stock The Refugees by Viet Thanh Nguyen. Other than that, like I said, 100+ books ready to go.

I will be following you guys as per usual for future recommendations.

I've SOOO been looking forward to 4 3 2 1 - I got in on audio the minute it was out - because Paul Auster narrates it himself and I love his voice - so I'm listening to that - at 37 hours it might take a while :-) :-)

Other new books I'm excited about are
Lincoln in the Bardo & I See You

I love the idea of reading books from the banned countries Thomas! (and I still don't understand why there aren't any countries that ACTUALLY sent terrorists to the U.S. on the list, like Saudi Arabia - but what do I know ;-p )

Resolutions; read 150 books/novellas, and then I discovered, that of all the books I own, that I entered into my Goodreads profile when I joined back in 2011, there are still 204 I haven't read - so I want to read some of those (and some of my other 1000+ unread books)!

My careless husband left me untended in a huge bookstore yesterday :-p so sofar this year I've bought 26 new books :-) Mainly graphic novels.

Btw Simon, looking to do bookie things? Perth Writers Festival is on the weekend of the 24th this month (just saying) also my other favourite bookie thing to do is in August. The University of Western Australia hosts an amazing book sale for charity every year. I still have two boxes worth of books I haven't read yet from there. Yep, boxes!

Also I am visiting Europe in July and will be in London for a week or so. I want to visit a bookstore that is not Waterstones Piccadilly (my default) so looking for your recommendation of your favourite book store.
I'm already planning to visit Shakespeare & Co. in Paris.

There are two threads on this topic.

Robin Bo wrote: "...visit a bookstore that is not Waterstones Piccadilly..."

I know you asked Simon, and he will no doubt chime in, but I have more than a few (I think) great suggestions for bookstores in London. I'm using a numbered list, but these are in no particular order:

1. The original Daunt Books on Marylebone High Street. The owner is now the CEO of Waterstones or something like that, but this is a lovely shop in terms of selection and surroundings. They now have multiple locations, but this one is the most atmospheric. If you do indeed go to this Daunt's, it isn't far from The Wallace Collection which is a wonderful, out-of-the-way art museum in an old mansion that is lovely to visit and not at all crowded compare to the other bigger deals in town. https://www.dauntbooks.co.uk/marylebone/

2. Heywood Hill in Mayfair. I've never actually been here, but it is high on my list. It is old school and has connections with Nancy Mitford. http://nyti.ms/2lCOZqK

3. John Sandoe books just off the King's Road near Sloane Square. Crammed full of books in the most delightful way. http://www.johnsandoe.com/

4. Primrose Hill Books. This one is a little further a field but if you you are near Primrose Hill, this is a delightful, tiny, shop that makes you want to buy everything. http://www.primrosehillbooks.com/

5. If you have any interest in Persephone books, their shop on Lamb's Conduit Street is delightful and not far from the British Museum. It is also about a 10 minute walk to Gay's the Word and near GTW is Skoob Books, a second hand academic bookshop.

6. The book tables set up under the bridge near the South Bank Centre are always good for browsing for used books.

7. Charing Cross Road isn't what it used to be when it comes to book stores, but the Foyles there is mammoth and there are still some indy used places. (Have you read 84, Charing Cross Road?!) And closer to Trafalgar Square, Cecil Court just off CCR is a nice little stretch of used and antiquarian shops.

I'm going to be in London briefly at the end of August and hope I can get back to some of these. Wouldn't it be fun if we could all meet up and do a bookshop crawl. Damn continents and schedules.

Louise wrote: "My careless husband left me untended in a huge bookstore yesterday ..."

LOL

Thomas wrote: I'm going to be in London briefly at the end of August and hope I can get back to some of these. Wouldn't it be fun if we could all meet up and do a bookshop crawl. Damn continents and schedules.

I love the idea of a London bookshop crawl! But I'm in the wrong hemisphere, let alone the wrong continent.

I commented on the show notes, but will shine in here. Both Thomas and Chris of Wildmoo Books (and The Book Cougars, another wonderful bookish podcast) have inspired me to make this the year of Cather. I have read 2 Will Cathers recently and am finishing up Alexander's Bridge. For March: O Pioneers!

Chime, not shine