Book Haul: Cheltenham Literature Festival 2018

Welcome!

It’s been a week since my last post and in between, I’ve been incredibly busy. I’ve had two hectic day trips to Cheltenham Literature Festival and also had an intense week at work. I am flagging, to say the least, but looking forward to sharing my experiences of Cheltenham Literature Festival with you all.

I had a couple of requests for a book haul blog post, and since this is my favourite type of post to read, I thought it would be a good place to start.

I didn’t have a book budget (unlike my trip to Edinburgh) so I did have to stop myself from buying ALL the books, but I did treat myself to a few. I try to avoid impulse buying books as they rarely get read, however, I was feeling impulsive so I let loose. Wild, I know.

On to the post…!

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Book #1

Title: The Raven’s Children
Author(s): Yulia Yakovleva (Translated by Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp)
Genre: Middle-grade, Russian history (Soviet Union)
Publisher: Puffin
Bookshop: The Suffolk Anthology

Near to Cheltenham Literature Festival, there is a wonderful independent bookshop called The Suffolk Anthology. I didn’t really have any specific books in mind, but I got chatting to the bookseller (I believe it was the lovely Sallie) and she recommended The Raven’s Children. I have an interest in WWI and WWII but know very little about the Soviet Union, so it really appealed.

Book #2

Title: Kindred
Author(s):  Octavia E. Butler
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publisher: Headline
Bookshop:  The Suffolk Anthology

My second purchase from The Suffolk Anthology is another book I’d not heard of before – although I’ve got a feeling I’ve probably been living under a rock with this one. For me, this is a risky purchase. It does appeal but I don’t read a lot of literary fiction so I’m going to have to make sure I read it and it doesn’t fall too far down my TBR list.

Book #3

Title: The Flower Girls
Author(s):  Alice Clark-Platts
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Raven Books

Books 3 and 4 were given to me in a goody bag at the Raven Proof Party, which I’ll be talking about in another blog post soon. This is the latest novel by crime fiction author Alice Clark-Platts and I am going to have to exercise my willpower not to prioritise this book over the others that I have to read first! I have a strong feeling this is going to be one to watch in 2019.

Book #4

Title: The Silent Companions
Author(s):  Laura Purcell
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Raven Books

I am not sure this book needs much introduction! It was the other full-length book I received as part of the Raven Proof Party goody bag and to be honest I don’t know how I don’t already own a copy. One of my the great mysteries of life. I’ll be keeping hold of it ready for a holiday.

Book #5

Title: The Farm
Author(s):  Hector Abad
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: World Editions
Bookshop: Waterstones Cheltenham

This book really is my wild card purchase of the day. It was actually the book shape that initially caught my eye and then the blurb sealed the deal. I would completely fail to explain this book well, so I’ve included the synopsis below.

Pilar, Eva and Antonio are the heirs of La Oculta, their beloved family farm hidden in the Columbian mountains. This is the landscape of their happiest memories yet also where they have faced the most violence and terror – from guerillas, drug-dealers and paramilitaries. Their fears are escalating as they stand to lose the sacred land on which they have built their identities and dreams. In rich and captivating prose, Hector Abad illuminates the vicissitudes of a family and of a people in the voices of these three very different siblings, recounting their loves, fears, desires and aspirations.

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Comment below!

I hope you enjoyed my book haul – I’ll be doing a full haul at the end of the month and it’s going to be huge, so watch this space!

Have you read any of these books? Are any of them on your TBR list? Let me know in the comments below.