Novelist Susan Hill, with a house full of books (much like most of us), decides not to buy any more books for a year and, instead, read the stacks of books she’s accumulated. What follows is a series of chapters of Hill’s reading experiences and tastes. For example, Hill has never been able to get through Proust (neither have I). She rediscovers her love for Dickens and Trollope and Hardy. There are chapters on her favorite travel books (by Chatwin and Patrick Leigh Fermor), her favorite picture books, her favorite pop-up books. Howards End Is On the Landing delights with the story of Hill’s life-long love affair with reading. After reading Susan Hill’s descriptions of Penelope Fitzgerald’s The Blue Flower and The Journals of Sir Walter Scott, I wanted to drop everything and read them! Although I’m not going to give up buying books anytime soon, this was a fun experiment to follow. GRADE: A
I like some of Susan Hill’s Simon Serailler mysteries, although they are mysteries in the same way Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie books are mysteries–the big questions of life are much more important than the “lesser” mystery needing to be solved. I can sympathize with her decision to not buy more books–my New Year’s resolution for this year was not to buy any books (even from used book stores or–my favorite place–the Friends of the Library book sales) until I’d made a serious dent in my 300-plus book TBR pile (mountain). I’m doing pretty well on the not buying, but somehow the TBR pile keeps growing–thanks to family & friends who know I like to read and give me their finished books, and because I continue to check out books from the library.
My TBR pile is over 3000 books, Deb. I’ve cut back on buying and increased my donations to SUNY at Buffalo (I have another 1000 books for them). I also donate books to the North Tonawanda Library.
I guess Hill’s most well-known book is the ghost story THE WOMAN IN BLACK. The play version has been running in London for over 20 years. I know it is “beloved” by all, but I guess we’re not part of the all because we just didn’t get it at all.
This book, however, is right up my alley and I will be looking out for it.
Deb, I don’t buy any books these days but since we just the Paperback Swap group hundreds have poured in here in exchange for ones we no longer want.
You’ll enjoy HOWARDS END IS ON THE LANDING, Jeff. I try to use my public library first, but often they don’t buy many of the books I want (surprise, surprise) so I have to resort to stimulating the economy.
You’re getting more like Andy J. every day, George.
I think Andy J. keeps everything, Jeff. I’m trying to move stuff out. But more flows in!
This one sounds geat, just my kind of thing. When I get set up with computer – as opposed to this thing in a hotel lobby – I’ll add it to “the list” of things to get at the library here.
TODAY IS THE BIG DAY! We’re about to drive up to the house and go in for the first time as owners! Look for a report over on Bullhorn when we get back later today.
Sounds great, Rick! During the next few weeks, you’ll make that house your home. Books, of course, are essential.
Oh by the way, it’s raining here. Amazing.
Rain…get used to it, Rick. We’re expecting snow here by the end of the week.
Great idea and I would include taking books out of the library. After this one, of course.
I love libraries, Patti, but sometimes they just don’t buy the books I want to read. Especially paperbacks.
Got my wife a copy of WOMAN IN BLACK and she was up half the night reading it.
WOMAN IN BLACK is considered Susan Hill’s best book, Dan.
I saw WOMAN IN BLACK in a West End Theater in 1995ish. Great stuff.