Literature Recent Picks

December 2008

The underlined titles will take you directly to our catalogue.
Some featured items are linked via a book cover to a bookseller to enable you to read more information.

Don't stop me now, by Jeremy Clarkson.
"There's more to life than cars. Jeremy Clarkson knows this. There is, after all a whole world out there just waiting to be discovered. So, before, he gets on to torque steer and active suspension, he takes time to consider: the madness of Galapagos tortoises; the similarities between Jeremy Paxman and AC/DC's bass guitarist; the problems and perils of being English; God's dumbest creation. Then there are the the cars: whether it's the poxiest little runabout or an exotic, firebreathing supercar, no one does cars like Clarkson. Unmoved by mechanics' claims and unimpressed by press junkets, he approaches anything on four wheels without fear or favour. What emerges from the ashes is rarely pretty. But always very, very funny." (Amazon)

Writing for children, by Linda Strachan.
"Many people want to write for children but are often unaware of the wide variety of markets to choose from or how to find the right publisher for their idea. Aimed at both established and aspiring writers, this book aims to offer advice on the whole publishing process from initial idea through to final publication and beyond. All the key areas of children's publishing are covered: picture books, fiction, poetry, plays, non fiction, educational books, books for reluctant readers. There will also be useful advice for the newly published on publicity, setting up a website, tax and accounting, and handling school/library author visits." (Amazon.co.uk)

Grumpy old couples, by Judith Holder and Jenny Eclair ; illustrations by Ruth Murray.
We all know about the jungle of 'dating.' But once you've found your 'special' friend you'll have to pretend you like their taste in music, be nice to their mother and pick up their socks, and that's only year one. By the time you get into grumpy old middle-aged land, you're firmly on farting terms and over-familiarity has bedded in. The only thing to do with the whole business is to laugh over it, which is the idea of this book." (Book jacket)

The everything guide to writing research papers : ace your next project with step-by-step expert advice!, by Cathy Spalding.
"That important paper is due soon and you don’t know where to start. You’re out of ideas and out of time. Don’t panic –writing great research papers is not as daunting a task as you think. It’s just a process – and with ‘The Everything guide to writing research papers” you can master this process in no time.
Professional educator and writer Cathy Spalding guides you step-by-step through the writing process – from brainstorming ideas to polishing the final work. With dozens of time-saving tips on organisation, research, and revision, you’ll find the actual writing easier than ever before." (Book Jacket)

Voltaire in exile : the last years, 1753-78, by Ian Davidson.
"In Voltaire In Exile, Ian Davidson has recreated this brilliant period in the life of one of the giant figures of the Enlightenment. And by painstakingly translating the rich correspondence between Voltaire and his family, members of the Court at Versailles and the French intellectual elite, Davidson allows us to discover Voltaire the artist, the campaigner, the aesthete, the lover, the humorist. The result is a wonderfully vivid portrait of this extraordinarily funny, iconoclastic, complex and above all ferociously intelligent individual: 'the unique man of the century'." (Amazon.co.uk)

The Oxford dictionary of literary terms, Chris Baldick.
"The best-selling Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms (formerly the Concise dictionary) provides clear, concise, and often witty definitions of the most troublesome literary terms from abjection to zeugma. It is an essential reference tool for students of literature in any language. It is now available in a new and expanded edition and includes increased coverage of new terms from modern critical and theoretical movements, such as feminism, and schools of American poetry, Spanish verse forms, life writing, and crime fiction. It includes extensive coverage of traditional drama, versification, rhetoric, and literary history, as well as updated and extended advice on recommended further reading and a pronunciation guide to more than 200 terms. New to this edition are recommended entry-level web links updated via the Dictionary of Literary Terms companion website." (Amazon)

Cancel your own goddam subscription : notes & asides from National Review, by William F. Buckley, Jr.
"Influential and infamous author and journalist William F Buckley delivers wit and wisdom in this hilarious political gift book. Like most magazines, American publication the "National Review" has always published letters from readers, but in 1965, the editors decided that certain letters merited different treatment - either because of the distinction of the authors, the skill with which they were phrased, or else their simple outrageousness. So there began to appear a second column, called "Notes and Asides", in which letters were personally answered by the editor, quintessential conservative William F Buckley. Occasionally the column printed letters he had written to others as well. The selections in the book, culled from four decades of columns, include exchanges with such luminaries as Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Auberon Waugh, John Kenneth Galbraith and many others. There are also hilarious exchanges with ordinary readers, as well as letters from Buckley to various organizations and government agencies." (Amazon)

Stage directions : writing on theatre, 1970-2008, by / Michael Frayn.
""Stage Directions" covers half a lifetime and the whole range of Frayn's theatrical writing, right up to a new piece about his latest play, "Afterlife". It is also a reflection on his path into theatre: the 'doubtful beginnings' of his childhood, his subsequent scorn as a young man and, surprisingly late in life, his reluctant conversion. Whatever subjects he tackles, from the exploration of the atomic nucleus to the mechanics of farce, Michael Frayn is never less than fascinating, delightfully funny and charming. This book encapsulates a lifetime's work and is guaranteed to be a firm favourite with his legions of fans around the world." (Amazon.co.uk)

The riverside Chaucer, Geoffrey Chaucer ; general editor, Larry D. Benson.
"The third edition of the definitive collection of Chaucer's Complete Works, reissued with a new foreword by Christopher Cannon. Since F. N. Robinson's second edition of the The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer was published in 1957, there has been a dramatic increase in Chaucer scholarship. This has not only enriched our understanding of Chaucer's art, but has also enabled scholars, working for the first time with all the source-material, to recreate Chaucer's authentic texts. For the third edition, an international team of experts completely re-edited all the works, added glosses to appear on the page with the text, and greatly expanded the introductory material, explanatory notes, textual notes, bibliography, and glossary. In short, the Riverside Chaucer is the fruit of many years' study - the most authentic and exciting edition available of Chaucer's Complete Works." (Amazon)

The mature student's guide to writing, by Jean Rose.
"fear, and mature students are twice as likely to drop out of Higher Education in their first year than younger students. Through its use of conversational and supportive tones, "The Mature Student's Guide to Writing" puts readers at ease assisting the transition to academic study. The author makes no assumptions in terms of readers' prior knowledge - explanations are full, and each chapter contains an introduction and a summary. There are also exercises and many examples of students' writing. This accessible book will be an invaluable companion for the mature student, guiding them through what they need to know in order to write clear English." (Amazon)

From New Zealand:

How to survive the morning: new poems, by Kevin Ireland.

Lighted windows : critical essays on Robin Hyde, by Robin Hyde.

The love school : personal essays, by Elizabeth Knox.

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