Christmas Catalogues - Mr B`s Emporium of Reading Delights

Mr B’s Christmas Catalogue 2013
1
This is the story of Rosie Revere...
Merry Christmas Everyone!
And welcome to Mr B’s Christmas catalogue for 2013. We’ve searched far and wide
and tracked down the most enticing 76 titles of this year, reviewed each one and
gathered them all together here to make your Christmas shopping an absolute breeze!
To order or enquire about any of these books (or any others for that matter) give
us a call on 01225 331155, email us on [email protected] or pop into the shop.
We’re giving a festive 10% off all of the books in this catalogue from now until
Christmas day and of course all titles (and thousands more) are available to buy in
store or online at www.mrbsemporium.com
A gigantic thanks goes out to the wonderful David Roberts (www.
davidrobertsillustration.com) for this year’s brilliant catalogue cover featuring
the stars of his two fantastic children’s picture books Iggy Peck and Rosie Revere
(you can read more about Rosie below) and for providing Rosie’s very own orange
graph paper as our backdrop
Happy reading to you all!
Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty & David Roberts
HB - £9.99 - Abrams (Children’s Picture Book)
The second book from the author/illustrator
combination that brought us “Iggy Peck, Architect”
takes us back to the same classroom to meet Iggy’s
talented friend Rosie. Whilst Iggy spent his days
building “churches and chapels from peaches and
apples”, nuts, bolts, gadgets and gizmos float
Rosie’s boat – or rather launch her helicopter.
The blushing heroine learns from some hilarious
first attempts that if at first you don’t succeed,
trying again might just pay off, as she battles
her way to zany engineering glory. The ingenious
rhyming text combines impeccably with the intricate
pictures full of comic detail (just wait for the
page with the whole class’s bonkers inventions –
including a one-girl mobile disco) to make for the
finest children’s picture book of 2013. So great,
we begged David Roberts to draw Iggy and Rosie
together for our cover!
Raise a Glass, Christmas is here
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Maps by Aleksandra Mizielinska & Daniel Mizielinski
HB - £20 - Templar (Children’s Picture Book)
Books for map addicts have graced the pages of our
Christmas Catalogues before, but never one that appeals
to younger and adult readers alike and that combines
content and design as perfectly as this. Between
beautiful blue, cream and terracotta covers lie 52 maps
on double-page spreads in similarly harmonious tones.
First each continent is shown with countries, capitals
and, idiosyncratically, the fish and crustaceans that
grace the surrounding waters (in a modern take on the
“here be monsters” maps of yore). Then you dive into
the national maps – illustrated to bursting point with
major landmarks and surrounded with drawings of national
dress, dishes, wildlife, crops and whatnot, all with
tiny accompanying notes. The countries selected are a
brilliantly random blend of the major and the wildcard,
so that you discover as much about Namibia as about
France. A breathtaking wanderlust-inducing treasure.
Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
PB - £12.99 - Atlantic Books (Fiction)
This novel is a real delight from start to finish, an odd
and romantic love story between highest high tech computer
wizardry and leather and velum Gutenberg tech. Our hero
sets out on a quest to solve a bibliographic puzzle that
has obsessed and defeated humanity for centuries. And with
the secret of eternal life at stake, he faces off against an
ancient secret society with help from Ukrainian hackers, the
mighty Google and a handful of astrolabs. With a sly sense of
humour, a cracking plot and a strangely optimistic view of
the future of the printed word this is a must for paper and
ink fans and terabyte and download geeks alike.
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And so are our favourite
Nic’s favourite: Southern Cross the Dog by Bill Cheng
HB - £14.99 - Picador (Fiction)
My most astounding read of the year begins with the atrocious
1927 Mississippi flood that displaced thousands and that separates
young Robert Chatham from his parents. He crisscrosses the scarred
landscapes of a waterlogged South carrying a talisman against
unrelenting misfortune and encountering a magnificently drawn cast
of unhinged characters that includes blues musicians, a scurrilous
promoter, fur trappers and a seriously troubling waterborne salvager.
Juliette’s favourite: How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid
HB - £14.99 - Penguin (Fiction)
A startlingly relevant yet ultimately timeless tale of the rise
from rags to riches of a young Asian boy, with agonising twists and
turns, loves and losses as his pursuit of wealth leads to inevitable
sacrifice and moral dilemmas. Told through an ingenious second person
narrative putting the reader at the heart of the action, it is
cleverly crafted, thought provoking, beautiful and generous. I was so
bowled over I read it twice.
Kate’s favourite: The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton - HB - £18.99 - Granta (Fiction)
An exquisite novel – The Luminaries is a richly atmospheric 19th
Century mystery set in a New Zealand gold-mining town, where a
secret meeting has been called to discuss three curious events
that occurred one evening. My book of 2013 may be 832 pages, but
every chapter dazzles with drama and intrigue and I found myself so
gripped by the constantly shifting, overlapping narratives that I
flew through this heavy tome in no time. Oh, and it also happens to
be 2013’s Man Booker winner!
Lucinda’s favourite: The Infatuations by Javier Marias
HB - £18.99 - Penguin (Fiction)
A stunning piece of storytelling from an acclaimed Spanish author. The
Infatuations is a sustained interior monologue that is also a suspense
filled page turner! When a young woman becomes obsessed by the ‘perfect
couple’ she sees every morning at the café on her way to work, she
manages to inveigle her way into the life of the wife when tragedy
strikes. Seeing the world solely through her eyes, the plot subtly
shifts, twists and builds and you never know what revelation is around
the corner.
reads of the year
4
Ed’s favourite: Joyland by Stephen King - PB - £7.99 - Titan Books (Fiction)
This novel came out quietly with almost no media attention which
is a great shame because it’s huge fun and feels genuinely
as though the author is fully kicking back and just enjoying
himself. It’s neatly formed and tells the coming of age tale of a
young man employed over the holidays in a down-at-heel fun park
that may be haunted and in which a murderer is still at large.
The thriller aspect is definitely not the author’s main concern
though, think more “Stand by Me” than “It”.
Libby’s favourite: The Last Banquet by Jonathan Grimwood
HB - £14.99 - Canongate Books (Fiction)
I am a sucker for historical fiction but this is by far the best I’ve
read this year. It follows the charismatic Jean-Marie Charles D’Aumont
as he negotiates life in the years leading up to the French Revolution
in a quest to sate his unusual taste for bizarre foods. It’s a novel
crammed with dramatic and sexy courtships between different strata of
the French aristocracy, plus pet tigers, a stint in a cell and plenty
of Roquefort; colourful, foodie and seriously compelling.
Emma’s favourite: Heap House by Edward Carey
HB - £12.99 - Hot Key Books (Children’s 12+/Fiction)
This book was a shoe-in for my book of the year. A crumbling old
house, a gothic landscape, mysterious talking objects, a very
dysfunctional and peculiar family, and a hero and heroine unlike
anyone you’ve ever met before, all brought to life with Carey’s weird
and wonderful illustrations. With echoes of “Gormenghast”, this first
part of a new trilogy will appeal to all ages, and I can’t wait to
delve into this intricately imagined world again!
Tom’s favourite: Satantango by Laszlo Krasznahorkai
PB - £8.99 - Atlantic Books (Fiction)
Lost in the Hungarian backwoods of this novel, a grizzly cast
of characters awaits your arrival. Astounded by Krasznahorkai’s
gorgeous lyricism earlier this year, I knew immediately this book
would be a real keeper. This is the story of a self-destructive
community struggling to survive; a lost cause until the surprise
return of a long lost resident. It’s dark, dank and desolate but
highly stylised with a pinch of the Romantic; it’s perfect escapism
from the worries of the Boxing Day clean-up.
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And stories and sagas
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt - HB - £20 - Little, Brown (Fiction)
A haunting novel about a New York boy who survives an accident that
kills his mother and sees him make away with a ring and a small,
luminescent painting. The ring leads him to a dusty antiques shop, a
captivating girl and a kind-hearted craftsman. And the painting leads
to trouble! I loved the masterful crafting of this novel, the bold
Dickensian-style characters and those oh-so-clever plot twists that
kept me reading way past my bed-time!
I Was Jack Mortimer by Alexander Lernet-Holenia
PB - £12 - Pushkin Press (Fiction)
Once again Pushkin Press pull out a stunner from the dusty treasure
chest of forgotten Central European literature. It’s a grim Viennese
night and Sponer, our inept hero, can’t get an answer out of the
gent in his taxi. The bullet through his throat could explain that.
Cue panic, a glut of poor decisions and Sponer is soon on the run
and utterly entangled in the affairs of the recently deceased Jack
Mortimer.
The Burial by Courtney Collins - PB - £12.99 - Atlantic Books (Fiction)
I loved this book, set in the dusty bushlands of 1920s Australia,
where the fugitive Jessie is on the run from her chaotic life. The
writing is lyrical and haunting and the narrative reads almost like
a Western; full of cattle rustlers, gritty horse chases and murders
along with a fascinating heroine based on a real Australian convict.
This novel is one I have found myself dwelling on months later.
The Hired Man by Aminatta Forna - PB - £11.99 - Bloomsbury (Fiction)
The contemporary Croatian setting for his novel is exquisite – a
bucolic microcosm of hilltop copses, hidden lakes and wild flowers.
But, without explicit mention, the Balkan wars cast a shadow
from early on. When Laura and her children arrive at The Blue
House, Duro befriends them. But the house’s restoration, and his
involvement in it, opens up old wounds and local divisions in this
superb dramatic tale of friendships and betrayals.
giving laughter and fear
The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-mi Hwang
PB - £9.99 - Penguin USA (Fiction)
Cooped up in the henhouse, Sprout is an ungainly, thoughtful hen,
growing increasingly depressed about being a production line for eggs
sold at market. As plucky as she is clucky, her yearning for space
and motherhood drives her to a daring escape and new challenges as an
outsider in the barnyard. Illustrated with enchanting line drawings,
this recently just-translated tale of persistence and following your
dreams has been enjoyed by a paltry 2 million readers in South Korea.
The Foundling Boy by Michel Deon - PB - £9.99 - Gallic Books (Fiction)
An unashamedly escapist foray into the France of the inter-war years,
following the fortunes of a baby found on the steps of a housekeeper
and her husband’s cottage. As he grows up, Jean develops a sense of
wanderlust that takes him beyond the realms of his own village and
then his country’s borders. However, this golden age of tranquility
is destined to be cut short. The narration is a delight and at times
gloriously tongue-in-cheek.
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
PB - £8.99 - Canongate Books (Fiction)
Shortlisted for this year’s Man Booker Prize, this captivating multilayered novel explores a clash of cultures when Ruth finds a diary
washed up on the shores of a beach off the coast of Canada. The diary
is written by a young Japanese girl who has an incredible story to
tell, one that will stay with you far beyond the final pages. Inspiring,
and profoundly moving, this is easily one of the best pieces of fiction
this year.
Dreams and Shadows by C. Robert Cargill
HB - £14.99 - Orion (Fiction)
This incredible debut novel is easily my favourite fantasy book of
the year; a deliciously dark modern day fairytale, and an absolute
must-have for Neil Gaiman fans. It follows two young boys caught in
a parallel world full of every single mythical and magical creature
you could ever dream of; from angels and wizards, to fairies, djinn
and tricksters. Best book cover of the year too, if you ask me!
6
7
And bugs and birds
Our Songbirds by Matt Sewell - HB - £10 - Ebury (Nature)
Strong contender for the most charming book in the
catalogue, with a native British songbird highlighted for
every week of the year. Matt Sewell’s simple, but accurate
watercolour illustrations imbue each bird with buckets of
character, whilst his quirky descriptions are a perfect mix
of information, irreverence and wit. As a result, you don’t
need to have any ornithological leanings to be caught in its
spell.
Cat Sense by John Bradshaw - HB - £20 - Penguin (Nature)
From the author of the best-selling “In Defence of Dogs”, finally
comes a book for all us cat-lovers out there! This book gives you
a truly fascinating history of our feline friends, from being
worshipped as gods, and feared as demonic slaves, to them now being
the most popular pet in the world; outnumbering dogs three to one!
Here, Bradshaw gives us not only the history of the cat, but also
an insight into cat behaviour, including helpful tips and facts to
keep your cat happy!
A Sting in the Tale by Dave Goulson - HB - £16.99 - Vintage (Nature)
Even if you aren’t interested in bees, perhaps you should be
- without them, there’d be no Christmas feast…in fact there’d
be very little food at all. Dave Goulson’s book is as much a
glorious celebration of the bumblebee (and there is much to
be gobsmacked by, like their strong homing instinct or how
their core temperature isn’t much different to ours) as it is
an analysis of how changing countryside management has been
devastating for the humble bumble.
Ivory, Apes & Peacocks by Alan Root
PB - £8.99 - Vintage (Biography/Travel Writing)
Good, old fashioned, frontline naturalism where if you wanted to
find out about animal behaviour, you got stuck in and observed
at close quarters. For Alan Root, the study of African wildlife
spawned a successful nature film-making career. Sketches and
illustrations accompany the eye-opening accounts of stalking rare
species, exploring inside termite mounds and getting up close and
personal with gorillas.
Memories distant and near
8
The Bucket by Allan Ahlberg - HB - £10 - Penguin (Memoir)
Allan Ahlberg’s masterpieces for toddlers such as “Peepo” and
“Each Peach Pear Plum” are cast-iron favourites at Mr B’s.
This beautiful, nostalgic memoir laden with wit in its prose
and poetry sections, gives us a remarkable insight into what
inspired some of these classics. We learn about Allan’s early
life as he is adopted and brought up in a Black Country town
in the ‘40s, including memorable descriptions of a bygone era
brought to life with his daughter Jessica’s illustrations.
Meeting the Devil: A Book of Memoir by London Review of Books
HB - £25 - Cornerstone (Memoir)
Anthologies are strange beasts that often don’t stand up to prolonged
scrutiny. This superbly conceived collection of memoir writing
though is one to read cover-to-cover. In the 35 year history of
The London Review of Books many astonishing moments of original
autobiography have appeared in its pages. Here are the best moments
from Julian Barnes on not winning literary prizes, to Tariq Ali at
large in North Korea, all capped off with a preface from talking head
extraordinaire, Alan Bennett.
Ammonites & Leaping Fish by Penelope Lively
HB - £14.99 - Penguin (Memoir)
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a “celebrity” biography and
this is how Mr B likes his: no ordinary memoir – this is as much a
view of the changing world as a record of the life of one of our
great novelists, Penelope Lively. She is refreshingly forthright on
the matter of old age itself – managing to be both philosophical and
realistic. Each chapter of her life is beautifully written: the grand
event sits alongside the intimate and not a word is wasted.
Pondlife: A Swimmer’s Journal by Al Alvarez
HB - £14.99 - Bloomsbury (Memoir)
The octogenarian novelist, poet and literary critic records years
of morning swims in his beloved Hampstead Heath ponds and, in the
process, drip-feeds tales of growing old and of his hectic literary
life. Every dip is beautifully captured – you’re soon familiar with
the flora, fauna and hardcore swimmers. You groan with Al at the
crowded “tepid minestrone” ponds of July and shivering admiringly at
his bitter January plunges.
9
And books to make you think
The Metaphysics of Ping Pong by Guido Mina Di Sospiro
HB - £12.99 - Yellow Jersey Press (Sport)
The noble art of Ping Pong has often been looked down upon as
a second rate sport. Obviously not as mindnumbing as golf, but
a close second. This excellent account sets out to put that
slur to rest and recast it as the thinking man’s game. After
the overconfident author is destroyed by a room full of cheery
octogenarians he begins a fascinating journey into the science of
spin and the philosophy of blade and little plastic ball.
Mindfulness & The Natural World by Claire Thompson
HB - £8.99 - The Ivy Press (Psychology/Nature)
Part of The Leaping Hare Press’ gorgeously produced “Mindfulness”
series, this is self-help at its most simple and elemental. Forget
the seminars and the science, access to the natural world is all you
need: walking on a sandy beach in bare feet really can give you a new
perspective on life and alter your mood. Interspersed with insight from
famous thinkers like Darwin and Thoreau, Claire Thompson’s book is an
antidote to stress – perfect for Christmas then!
David & Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell
HB - £16.99 - Penguin (Psychology)
Malcolm Gladwell’s celebration of the underdog is fascinating and
uplifting at the same time. Always one for turning perceived wisdom on
its head, his latest offering explores how starting from a position
of weakness forces innovation and can often lead to a better, lasting
period of strength. From height impaired basketball teams to a top
trial lawyer who left school unable to read. Writing those New Year’s
Resolutions has never looked so worthwhile.
The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver
PB - £8.99 - Penguin (Psychology/Science)
Nate Silver is the man you need alongside you when queuing at
Ladbrokes. In 2012 he aimed his spreadsheet wizardry at the US
Presidential election – and correctly predicted the result of all
50 states. In this fascinating book Silver explains how to sift the
real indicators from the “noise” of this age of information overload,
looking at everything from the economic crisis (prediction fail) to
the weather and including a crash course for any budding poker champs.
or grin ear to ear
10
Much Loved by Mark Nixon - HB - £10.99 - Abrams (Gift/Humour)
A gallery of bears, pandas and other soft-toy companions that
have been cuddled to within an inch of their furry little
lives. Photographer Mark Nixon, inspired by his son’s adoration
for his Peter Rabbit companion, decided to document other loyal
friends battered by love. Serious face-on portraits, vital
statistics (Bobo, Age 34, Height 12”) and comic testimonials
from owners, make for a sleek funny book that completely avoids
the naff trap.
Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris
PB - £12.99 - Abacus (Humour)
The world’s wickedest sense of humour returns with eye-wateringly
funny essays on everything from the trials of keeping sea turtles
as pets to the uselessness of phrasebooks. This is a great
starting point if you’ve never tried Sedaris - his trademark
self-deprecatory style is ever-present (he urges book tour
attendees that they can find preferable subjects than him to
photograph) as are his brutal assassinations of life’s nonsenses.
Tintin: The Art of Herge by Michel Daubert
HB - £30 - Abrams (Art)
Blistering Barnacles! Who couldn’t love a book that looks this
good? It really needs to be seen in the flesh to appreciate
how gorgeous it is, in its chunky square format with red
page edges. Inside improves the effect, with artefacts from
Herge’s collections that inspired his art, sketches and
unfinished works and panel after panel of clean-lined genius
illustration. The whole story of his work is here, finishing up
with the filming of the latest Tintin blockbuster.
You’re All Just Jealous of My Jetpack by Tom Gauld
HB - £12.99 - Drawn and Quarterly (Graphic Novel)
This book is comfortably my contender for funniest book
of the year, from one of my graphic novel heroes. It
takes wondrous side swipes at pretentious literature
and lowbrow fiction alike and invariably hits the mark,
especially with his biographies of literary greats
in three or four panels. His life of Hemingway is
totally on the money as is his cover’s poke at fiction’s
sniffiness towards good old sci-fi.
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13
And tomes to inspire
Things Come Apart by Todd McLellan
HB - £19.95 - Thames & Hudson (Photography/Design)
What a great project! To take apart and in some cases literally
explode, everyday objects and then lay out the component pieces.
The result is extraordinary and often mystifying, as common
things become alien and you can marvel at the engineering and the
beauty of the working bits of a piano or a cheap printer. What
inquisitive person (or geek) could not be moved by the sheer scale
of tiny tiny screws?
The Library by James Campbell - HB - £48 - Thames & Hudson (Architecture)
Take a breath bibliophiles, this is the most stunning pictorial
celebration of havens for the loaned book that we’ve ever seen. From
the bombastically ornate Baroque library perched above the Danube
at Melk in Austria to beautiful monochrome Japanese collections of
linen-wrapped sutras tucked away in pigeonholes, the book takes us on
a chronological world tour ending with some fiercely modern steel and
glass superstructures that are a slap in the face to those premature
calls for the death of the book.
Art as Therapy by Alain De Botton and John Armstrong
HB - £24.95 - Phaidon (Art/Psychology)
A thought-provoking, beautifully-illustrated insight into the trendy
practice of art therapy. What can Manet’s asparagus teach us about
relationships or Turner’s landscapes tell us about hero worship? How
can the history, techniques and colours of a painting educate us
about ourselves? Alongside images of the selected masterpieces, the
authors introduce a fresh perspective of art theory which aims to
achieve a greater understanding of art and our problems. Ditch the
emergency Green & Black’s and head to a gallery instead!
The Non-Conformists by Martin Parr
HB - £30 - Aperture (Photography)
There have been many books from this photographer over the
years but I have always wanted one which focused not on his
gaudy colour saturated work but on his wonderfully observed
and much quieter early black and white years. Finally just
such a book has arrived and in a very pleasing compact format,
allowing us to delight in the early excellence of this master
observer of the extraordinary ordinary.
Like the ones we’ve put here
14
Vintage Fashion & Couture by Kerry Taylor - HB - £25 - Octopus (Fashion)
A seriously stylish journey through 20th Century fashion, led by a
seasoned expert in vintage couture. Kerry Taylor guides us through
the decades, documenting key designers from classic Chanel to
cutting-edge McQueen and identifying those glossy fashion icons who
would define the look of their era. But the real buzz of being in
the hands of a fashion connoisseur are those dreamy inside stories;
the Schiaparelli dress rescued from a moth-infested trunk and the
couture treasures found in a dusty attic!
The Makery by Kate Smith - PB - £14.99 - Octopus (Craft)
Fancy making your own present for someone this Christmas? Well
now you can thanks to this inspiring and fun-filled book from The
Makery in Bath! Featuring all kinds of easy-to-follow projects
for your home or wardrobe; from crochet slippers and bookends to
wrist warmers and decoupage pendants! This will make a brilliant
gift for anyone who is new to the world of crafts, or for those
looking to expand their crafting horizons!
Rock the Shack edited. by S. Ehmann and S. Borges
HB - £35 - Gestalten (Architecture/Home)
Another strong visual treat from the mighty Gestalten who this
time have surveyed the world’s sheds, cabins, saunas, artistic
retreats and other wood-clad hideaways. Who wouldn’t lust after
these personal havens? From the luxurious to the deeply weird,
they all speak of the human need for a little space to call one’s
own and disappear. We forgive the Scandinavian bent, because
goodness knows those guys know how to put a shack together!
Low Tech Print by Caspar Williamson
PB - £19.95 - Laurence King (Design)
Just when I felt secure that I had every printing book worth
owning along comes a new little beauty. Within a matter of pages
I had found a whole bunch of new artists to follow, admire and be
vaguely/very jealous of, including our very own in-shop artist
hero Stanley Donwood. This is a cutting edge mix of invention,
inspiration and instruction.
15
And tales of the past
The Fishing Fleet by Anne De Courcy - PB - £7.99 - Phoenix (History)
For European women during the days of the Raj, India represented
fine husband hunting ground. Armed against the heat and humidity by
a trusty ‘topi’ few of them knew what they were letting themselves
in for. Away from the lavish parties and polo matches, married life
might mean being sent to a remote outpost and an unforgiving climate.
Full of personal testimony, Anne de Courcy’s book reveals the
extraordinary lives of these intrepid Victorian women.
1914 Poetry Remembers edited by Carol Ann Duffy
HB - £14.99 - Faber & Faber (Poetry)
The poetry of WWI is amongst the most memorable that has ever been
written and this incredible project from Carol Ann Duffy is a
wonderful example of poetry’s power to capture history and portray
it anew. “1914” pairs the work of writers from the Great War to that
of a selection of fantastic contemporary poets who have chosen their
favourite WW1 poems and written their own work in response to it. I
loved Billy’s Collins’ moving answer to Wilfred Owen’s “Futility”.
Children of the Days by Eduardo Galeano - HB - £16.99 - Penguin (History)
Tying this wonderful book down to any one section is nigh on
impossible. It is exactly the warm, funny, thought provoking,
little bites of history that some historians would sneer at and
yet it gives flesh and humanity to a subject that should never be
just cold hard facts alone. Whimsical almost poetic nuggets with a
definite Latin American lilt which often set the head spinning. I
loved it.
Catastrophe by Max Hastings - HB - £30 - Harpercollins (History)
So much has come out on 1914 in the last few months that it
takes an author of Hastings’ stature to make a stand out book.
His history is, as ever, bold; an attempt to tell the story of
Europe’s slide to war and that first bloody year from the lowliest
to the loftiest viewpoints. But it is his more controversial
conclusions and his myth busting that really set this apart and
make it one of his best.
or of wordplay made clear
To the Letter by Simon Garfield - HB - £16.99 - Canongate Books (History)
In our technology-loving era, enthusiasm for letter writing is sadly
waning. Luckily, Simon Garfield – the man who made typefaces (“Just my
Type”) and maps (“On the Map”) sexy and hilarious - is on the case
with this fascinating treatise about the importance of keeping in
touch via the postman. To the Letter celebrates some of the greatest
correspondents ever (from Jane Austen to Jack Kerouac) and regales a
plethora of funny/moving/jaw-dropping stories with the humble letter
as the star of every tale.
The Science of Monsters by Matt Kaplan
PB - £12.99 - Constable and Robinson (Science)
Have you ever wondered what or who led to the creation of
vampires and werewolves? Or ever questioned the creation of the
fire-breathing dragon? Has the legendry Kraken ever really lurked
beneath the seas? Matt Kaplan draws on scientific research and
knowledge of the natural world to explain just what lies behind
these myths and monsters that have endured and terrified us for
centuries!
A Compendium of Collective Nouns by Woop Studios
HB - £21.99 - Chronicle Books (Art/Design)
We at Mr B’s have long been searching for a book on collective nouns
that was not dry as dust and finally we’ve found a peach. This book
is beautifully packaged and with great content but illustration is
its main draw, so much so that I found myself sorely tempted to cut
it up and frame its pages on the wall. Any fan of language and its
occasional nuttiness will love this volume.
Two Girls, One on Each Knee by Alan Connor - HB - £12.99 - Penguin (Hobbies)
I love a bit of wordplay: Scrabble, Countdown, Crosswords… Mind
you, those cryptic puzzles have their own rules and language to
understand first. With the centenary of the very first published
Crossword this December, there’s no better time for a quirky
(even the contents page is a crossword) but informative book that
demystifies these testing puzzles and tells their history, roving
from Normandy’s beaches to a cameo in Brief Encounter. If you’ve
ever stared at a 1 Down and felt clueless, this is for you.
16
17
And of lives lead to the full
The Broken Road by Patrick Leigh Fermor
HB - £25 - John Murray (Travel Writing)
If I had 10p for every time someone has asked, “when is the final
part of Paddy’s walk going to be published?”; I’d have enough to
buy a copy. It’s here. Knitted together from an early draft and
notebooks by his biographer Artemis Cooper and travel writer Colin
Thubron, the journey begun in Britain’s greatest travelogue (“A
Time of Gifts”) moves from The Iron Gates to Constantinople on a
torrent of Fermor’s inspired prose.
Man Belong Mrs Queen by Matthew Baylis
PB - £10.99 - Old Street (Travel Writing)
We have all laughed at the cack-handed anti-diplomacy of Prince
Philip, but only Baylis was so intrigued as to visit the South
Sea Island of Tanna, where the venerable Grecian is the idol of
one of the world’s most misguided religious cults. The initial
charm is the battle you wage with incredulity, but as you follow
the author’s arrival in the land of Philip-worshippers, and
discover that it’s all true, you are soon gripped by a genuinely
entertaining and well-crafted oddball travelogue.
The Spy Who Loved by Clare Mulley
PB - £8.99 - Pan Macmillan (Biography)
The story of Christine Granville, one of Britain’s most notorious
female spies and an inspiration for Ian Fleming’s Vesper. This maneating danger-addict blazed across Europe and the Middle East during
WW2, skiing and parachuting into the heart of the action. A Polish
refugee, her war effort included springing SOE agents from Gestapo
imprisonment, fleeing aircraft fire on remote mountainsides, smuggling
vital intelligence across enemy lines and leaving behind a ragged
trail of broken hearts.
Banjo by Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch - PB -£9.99 - Picador (Poetry)
A wonderfully wintry collection from Welsh poet Samantha WynneRhydderch, these poems broadly celebrate our everyday survival
of the cold dark winter months. This preamble full of humour and
sincerity draws out the warmth from the darkness, when at the
crux of this collection is the remarkable sequential narrative of
Ernest Shackleton’s voyage to the South Pole. Elegantly written and
researched, this seafaring saga is full of life, light and music in
the most isolated region on earth.
never out of top gear
18
Road to Valour by Aili McConnon - PB - £8.99 - Orion (Biography/Sport)
This excellent biography of the hitherto overlooked Gino Bartali,
elevates this star of pre-war cycling to the most heroic pantheon.
And it is long overdue, since Bartali had previously been in the
shadow of Fausto Coppi, the most charismatic and glamorous cyclist
ever. In this account we are shown the subject as a hero both on
and off his bike, standing up to the Fascists and risking his life
whilst his peers kept their heads down and played the game. A moving
story that sets the record a little straighter.
Wild Tales by Graham Nash - HB - £25 - Penguin (Biography/Music)
Follow the two-time Hall of Famer from the ragged streets of 1940s
Salford (feeding on musical scraps until the fateful night he meets
the Everly Brothers) to hedonistic late 1960s California where a
meeting at girlfriend Joni Mitchell’s house sealed his decision to
abandon the Hollies to form Crosby, Stills & Nash. From then it’s
mind-opening experiences (and substances) all the way including
Woodstock and a petrifying “sing-for-your-supper” party at Johnny
Cash’s house with Crosby, Stills, Nash, Kristofferson and Dylan!
Woodsman by Ben Law - HB - £14.99 - Harpercollins (Biography/Nature)
For two decades Ben Law has lived in the exquisitely named Prickly
Nut Wood. His home is an astonishing piece of sustainable natural
design – a beautifully “ungrand” design timber structure nestled
perfectly into its surroundings. In this inspiring blend of memoir
and nature writing, bursting with affection for England’s forests,
Ben gives a window into his life working as a craftsman and helping
others learn to use and care for the woodland environment.
The Ice Balloon by Alec Wilkinson
PB - £8.99 - Harpercollins (Biography/History)
In the 1890s there was a boom of Polar expeditions setting out to
stick their flags in the frozen landscapes around the North Pole. This
book maps the foolhardy voyage undertaken by one S. A. Andrée and
his ill-advised colleagues, who decided to fly there in a hydrogen
balloons. It wasn’t until the 1930s that their last camp was
discovered as well as never before seen diary entries and letters. A
lively and fascinating read for the armchair adventurer!
19
And of cocktails & baking
Tequila Mockingbird by Tim Federle - HB - £9.99 - Perseus (Drink/Humour)
Fruity alcoholic drinks twinned with literary in-jokes – this is a
must-have for the book lover who prefers their literature served
with a side of eggnog. Humorous literary-inspired cocktails recipes
are twinned with tongue-in-cheek synopses of classic novels, so you
can fix yourself a “Pitcher of Dorian Grey Goose” or enjoy a cool
tumbler of “Crime and Punish-mint”. Beyond the jokes, there are proper
instructions for making a mean cocktail plus a few book-related
drinking games to show-off your literary expertise.
Comptoir Libanais by Tony Kitous - HB - £20 - Cornerstone (Cookery)
Tony Kitous has been cultivating a taste for Lebanese food across
London for the last decade, and felt that now the time was right to
extend his reach to the home kitchen. I quite agree. These sumptuous
recipes are brilliantly presented in a colourful homage to Lebanese
food, capturing the opulence of flavour and aroma. This is healthy,
simple, achievable food that’s sure to impress. I can’t wait to get
stuck in – it all looks so delicious!
The Ethicurean Cookbook by The Ethicurean - HB - £25 - Ebury (Cookery)
Proving that the South West really is a foodie mecca, those lovely
Ethicureans from just outside Bristol have amassed some awesome
recipes. With an emphasis on seasonality (many of the recipes use
what’s ripening in their own famous Walled Garden throughout the
year) and heritage (the best of our ancestors’ food knowledge), their
aim is to revolutionise how we think about what’s on our plate and
where it’s come from, without sacrificing any of the enjoyment.
A La Mere de Famille by Julian Merceron - HB - £25 - Hardie Grant (Cookery)
It’s going to be a real exercise in self-discipline to make it all
the way to Christmas morning without testing these fantastic recipes
first; from blackcurrant marshmallows to caramel-centred lollipops,
I wouldn’t know where to begin. These are easy to follow recipes of
well-crafted confectionery classics. Just like your favourite box
of chocolates, this book is to be cherished and opened delicately
before devouring every last crumb of deliciousness within.
or storytime cheer
How to Wash a Woolly Mammoth by Michelle Robinson
PB - £6.99 - Simon & Schuster (Children’s Picture Book)
A must read for all you woolly mammoth owners out there.
This handy instruction manual makes the task of washing
your prehistoric pet less…well…mammoth. From filling the
tub before he slurps up the water to coiffure options,
the whole process is explained in a hilarious havocridden story with brilliantly expressive characters. Comes
complete with ads for grooming products for your hairy pal!
The Snatchabook by Helen Docherty
PB - £6.99 - Scholastic (Children’s Picture Book)
In this beautifully illustrated picture book we take a peak
into the homes of Burrow Down where all the little animals are
reading their bedtime stories… that is until the mysterious,
misunderstood and seriously cute Snatchabook comes to town.
The lullaby rhyming text of this book makes for perfect night
time reading; we love nothing more than books about how great
books are!
Professor Astro Cat’s Frontiers of Space by Dominic Walliman
HB - £15.99 - Flying Eye Books (Children’s Picture Book)
This quirky, informative picture book sees Dr Astro boldly
go where no cat has gone before…to the furthest reaches
of the galaxy! Full of fun facts and colourful characters
explaining all you need to know about space including the
possibility of extra-terrestrial life, the truth about
black holes, and whether or not the moon is made of cheese…
perfect for all budding astronauts.
A Letter for Bear by David Lucas
HB - £10 - Flying Eye Books (Children’s Picture Book)
Bear is a postman who spends most of his time either
delivering letters addressed to other people (but never
receiving any himself) or alone in his cave with a mug of hot
soup. If this paints a sad story of bear’s existence don’t
worry; it doesn’t last long! In fact, this story all wraps
up with an enviably lively festive party. The perfect wintry
bedtime read accompanied by David Lucas’ quirky illustrations.
20
21
And of unlikely heroes
Claude on the Slopes by Alex T. Smith
HB - £7.99 - Hachette (Children’s 5-8)
We adore Claude the beret-wearing dog and his sophisticated
accomplice Sir Bobblysock (who is “both a sock and quite bobbly!”).
In this particularly snowy episode the hilarious duo head to the
slopes for wintry adventures aplenty. Whilst Sir Bobblysock enters
a snow-sculpting contest, Claude dons his skis, but it’s not quite
as easy as it looks… I’m not sure who finds Claude’s adventures more
entertaining, me, or my six-year old niece!
Goth Girl by Chris Riddell
HB - £9.99 - Pan Macmillan (Children’s 7-10)
Mr Riddell has delivered once again with this stunning little book
of ghostly doings, domestic exploration and feisty female derringdo. My daughter was totally absorbed by the story of Ada and her
ethereal mouse, whilst for the adult reader the gothic literature
gags fly thick and fast. But the amazing illustration and packaging
(metallic purple page edges and silvery highlights aplenty) are not
the key to this book’s success; it is the story and its unfolding
mystery that will really blow you away.
Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve
HB - £8.99 - Hachette (Children’s 7-10)
When Oliver’s explorer parents suddenly go missing, he realises he
must embark on his biggest adventure yet. Armed with a whole host
of new friends including a grumpy old albatross, a short-sighted
mermaid, and an island called Cliff, he must battle the evil
Stacey de Lacey and her pesky sea monkeys! This stunning new book,
scattered with quirky illustrations from an award-winning author/
illustrator partnership is a must-have for any child eager to start
their own adventure!
Fattypuffs & Thinifers by Andre Maurois
PB - £5.99 - Vintage (Children’s 7-10)
We are so excited to see this hilarious classic back in print
complete with brilliantly funny original illustrations. The
story follows surface dwelling brothers Terry and Edmund who find
themselves in the middle of a war between two enemy nations; one the
plump but jolly Fattypuffs (hurrah!) and the other the irritable and
skinny Thinifers (boo!). Look out for the “Are you a Fattypuff or a
Thinifer?” quiz at that back of this edition! Hilarious.
that your kids will hold dear
Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
PB - £6.99 - Andersen Press (Children’s 8-12)
For anyone who has ever wanted to start their own spy club. For
anyone who has ever moved house. For anyone who wonders where
their neighbour is going at three o’ clock in the morning with a
huge suitcase and a black suit. For anyone who appreciates night
time messages spelt out with fridge magnets and Chinese food.
Even for people who don’t tell the truth one hundred percent of
the time. This amazing book is for you. Enjoy.
More than This by Patrick Ness
HB - £12.99 - Walker Books (Children’s 12+)
Teenage Seth drowns in a cold sea only to wake up in a dreamlike apocalyptic version of his childhood. Full of interesting
questions about the afterlife, prejudice and the future of our
digital generation, this is a gritty, poignant and compulsive
read with so many big reveals I daren’t tell you anymore
(other than to say I devoured it in just three days)!
The Letter for the King by Tonke Dragt
HB - £16.99 - Pushkin Children’s Books (Children’s 12+)
This wonderful Dutch classic will hold appeal for the young, and
young at heart. First published in the 1960s, it tells the tale
of one young boy who dreams of being a knight, until on the eve
of his knighthood he is sent on a perilous journey to deliver
a very important letter to the king. Beautifully told in an
almost comforting traditional style with echoes of Tolkien, and
complete with those all-important morals of friendship, honour
and courage.
Vivian Versus the Apocalypse by Katie Coyle
PB - £6.99 - Hot Key Books (Children’s 12+)
This book, set in small town America, is definitely up there
with my top books of the year. A mysterious “Rapture” steals
all the faithful members of the sinister Church of America including the parents of our protagonist Vivian who is left to
fend for herself in the impending apocalypse. Together with
her fur coat and sequin-wearing best friend and a crush-worthy
blue eyed boy they go in search of answers. This book is
brilliantly written, and full of teenage angst and wit.
22
Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household
HB - £12.99 - Mr B’s & Orion (Fiction)
In our opinion this novel written just before
World War II marked a unique high point in British
thriller writing. That’s why we went to our friends
at Orion Books and asked if we could produce our own
limited edition hardback (500 copies). Our customer,
fellow “Rogue Male” addict and celebrated artist
Stanley Donwood created our edition’s stunning cover
and there’s an incredible introduction by Robert
Macfarlane. Stanley’s drawing takes you right into
the Dorset holloway in which our hero spends much
of the novel hiding from the Nazi pursuers that
have chased him across Europe and battling with his
own frayed mind. You simply won’t read a better
hiding-under-a-Dorset-hedge-from-Nazis psychological
thriller.
We hope that you enjoyed our 2013 Christmas Catalogue and that you have
a wonderful and bookish festive season.
Remember there is 10% off all of the titles inside and that we’re here to
help every day up to and including Christmas Eve.
The reviews in this catalogue have been written by your Mr B’s team - Ed,
Emma, Juliette, Kate, Libby, Lucinda, Nic and Tom. The catalogue has been
expertly produced by our very own Kate Double with illustrations from our
very own Libby Harris. The cover was drawn by David Roberts and its
Christmas tree engineered by Iggy Peck and Rosie Revere.
** Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 9:30am - 6.30pm & Sun 11am - 5pm **
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Tel: 01225 331155
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Email: [email protected]
website: wwww.mrbsemporium.com