chasing bawa

I seem to be having a book splurge. Maybe it’s a remnant of Winter that I can’t quite shake off. But here’s my loot:

I’ve been meaning to read some Capuchin Classics for a while now and I couldn’t resist their 2 for 3 offer (but somehow I managed to buy 4 …):

These Charming People by Michael Arlen – short stories about the Lost Generation and the Mayfair set.

The Green Hat by Michael Arlen – Capuchin Classics’ debut title originally published in 1924 featuring a breathless and tragic heroine.

Love in Winter by Storm Jameson – set during the interwar years about a writer struggling with her work and marriage. I’ve never read any Jameson (I love her first name Storm) but have been aware of her for a number of years.

Tales of Sexual Desire by Leo Tolstoy – because I loved Anna Karenina. Tolstoy’s depiction of Anna was the first portrait of a woman written by a man that I felt was real. This is a collection of short stories. I also can’t wait to see the film The Last Station about Tolstoy’s final years.

And I found these at my local charity bookshop:

Brixton Beach by Roma Tearne – I loved her debut Mosquito and have her next book Bone China lined up waiting for me. So this was a serendipitous find!

Popco by Scarlett Thomas – I was completely stunned by Thomas’ The End of Mr. Y. It had everything I’m interested in: books, mystery, philosophy and quantum physics.

And I bought this from the lovely Highgate Bookshop on Highgate High Street where it was nice to browse and discover a new title:

War Damage by Elizabeth Wilson – I just couldn’t resist, the cover caught my eye and the plot looks interesting. How can you not want to read a story about murder amongst the bohemians of Hampstead Heath? I think it’s actually the second novel by Wilson, the first being The Twilight Hour set in postwar Britain.

And finally, I got a gorgeous little book called We Are The Friction which I first spied on Nonsuch Book‘s blog and was lusting after for months.

I’ve been rather slow with my reading recently and have only just started Affinity by Sarah Waters properly. Part of the reason is that I’ve been watching Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse season 1 and have started on Supernatural season 4. Dean Winchester, you are so hot.

I know, I know, I can hear you all saying, what about all the other books you have been promising to read? What about the Persephone Books you purchased last year? Well, Persephone Reading Week hosted by Paperback Reader and The B Files is coming up soon in May (3rd – 9th), so I’ll try and read at least one then. And the others, we’ll just have to see. At least I have a tonne of titles to choose from!