A member of our united family is moving to Pontefract soon and as part of a moving in pressy we're sending a copy of JB's The Licorice Fields Of Pontefract and asked an author to sign and dedicate a book of walks around the region. I'm reuniting with Betjeman after a few years, triggered by the visit to his museum and trip to his grave and old house when down in N Cornwall. I know ebooks have their place and Kindle is really popular, but picking up my old books showed me again just what we are losing. The browning pages, smell and feel of these old friends adds something a piece of plastic never can. And when lifting one collection to read, an old foxed newspaper cutting of his Times Obituary fell out. How would you tuck that into a kindle? JB was so wonderfully eccentric and quintessentially English. It was a beautiful journey with him. I love good enticing titles, and his books, Continual Dew, Old Lights For New Chancels, A Few Late Chrysanthemums et al do it for me.
In contrast, I have also been working on a novella we are shortly to publish by photographer and jazz singer Paula Rae Gibson. A fascinating stream of consciousness about coping with her husband's death and moving on. There was one piece that grabbed me about an exhibition she went to, ostensibly to escape from the rain. On a wall two videos were playing, one showing a woman giving birth, another a woman dying, synchronised so they happened at the same time. Whether this was real or not (must ask) it makes an impact, no mistake.
We've had two sad deaths recently, dear Kate Edwards and Anne Lewis-Smith, both great poets and by happy or unhappy coincidence, we published the last collections of each. Both were so happy with their books, Kate sent a card to us and Anne sent an amazing letter, including snippets fabulous gold purse out of sheep's ear, I go to bed with a smile on my face (and an ability to write nonsense!) This has taken on a poignancy today, with the news of her death. Fortunately she lives on through her words.
And an update on my pens. Remember dawn was fearing it would become a habit and I would soon collect more. Well, to that early Parker 45 and Osmiroid, you can add a Swan Mabie Todd, Parker 61, and an unknown maker from 1930's with beatiful 'cracked ice' design. Still not got hold of an old Conway Stewart though, so my school-day revisit is currently incomplete. Family visit this weekend, so work suspended and social life starting now. A long, but rewarding week.
I agree with you about books, Ronnie; half the pleasure is holding them and sniffing them! That said, will be you releasing any of your titles as ebooks? It seems to be the thing, as you say.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I took stocks for Sir John when I went to pay him a visit. What a fantastic story that sinkininny church has!