Books: CHARLIE RICHARDS

New year, New Books

“It’s a city-wide display of poems centered around themes of Hope, created as a response to the difficult times that many around our world are facing”

As you're moving around Exeter this New Year, look out for poems hung in the windows of indie venues, businesses, and cafes. Poems For Hope And The City is a city-wide display of poems centered around themes of Hope, created as a response to the difficult times that many around our world are facing. We asked several poets, both published and unpublished, to share a poem with us, which they very generously did. Thanks to all who contributed - you can find a list of the poems, and where to find them, at www.bookbag.shop/poemsforhopeandthecity

Thanks to our bookseller Yaz for this month’s recommendations. Happy reading…

Jacqueline Harpman's 'I Who Have Never Known Men,' melds dystopian elements with questions of philosophy. A woman awakens in an underground realm, devoid of men, and unfolds a tale that transcends the conventional boundaries of storytelling. It's both eerie and beautiful, making you question what it means to be free, to be human, and to connect with others.  'I Who Have Never Known Men' is not just a novel; it's an experience. 

Stay true is a beautifully written memoir. Hua Hsu weaves different stories of the past, present, and future dreams together deliberately and poetically, coming together to form an intimate portrait of the author's friendships and relationships that have shaped him. It's a truly unique and moving story -an array of emotions ranging from the peaks of joy to the valleys of grief. Overall a stunning read. 

(Stay True by Hua Hsu)

Baking for Pleasure by Ravneet Gill is a delightful celebration of the pure joy that baking brings. Acclaimed chef Gill takes us on a journey to the heart – where simplicity, love, and the sheer pleasure of creating delicious treats for friends and family reign supreme. With over 80 tried-and-tested recipes, covering classic comfort bakes like chocolate-malt baked custard and the ultimate apple pie, Gill's book is a versatile guide - a unique blend of creativity and approachability.

(Baking for Pleasure by Ravneet Gill)

A favourite contemporary classic of mine, Drag Your Plough Over the Bones of the Dead is a masterpiece that blends mystery and a touch of the surreal. Olga Tokarczuk's story, set against the backdrop of a remote Polish village, unfolds with a mesmerizing intensity, propelled by the unique voice of the protagonist, Janina Duszejko. The novel explores themes of nature, animal rights, and the intricacies of human behavior, all woven into a gripping whodunit. Janina, an eccentric and fiercely intelligent narrator, guides readers through a landscape where the line between reality and the mystical becomes beautifully blurred.