The walking and even the gardening has been put aside, and I’m spending a lot of time reading whilst it rains outside. My cousin has just published a comprehensive history of the parish of Bolton by Bowland. (Spot the B connection). He has lived there for many years and has spent much of his time researching the history, geology, genealogy, ecology and everything else interesting relating to the village and surrounding area. I’m already well through my complimentary copy and have learnt so much more of our nearby neighbourhood and English history in general.
(Our Craven Parish. Bolton by Bowland. John Pallister. ISBN 978-1-911138-39-6. Amazon doesn’t stock it. When I see John next week I’ll find out where it is available.)
That brings me to that other subject – my aversion to Amazon. I don’t like to be controlled by some giant all invading corporation. I have no wish to subscribe to Amazon Prime when I try to order a paperback. Can one control the internet? I suspect not. Unfortunately all of us are hooked, even by innocently reading this post you are being tracked. I use the independent Blackwell’s or Abe books wherever possible. I now find out that Abe, even though they support smaller suppliers, is connected to Amazon! What is the future for independent bookshops? They need the internet to sell their hidden volumes and yet Amazon must be contributing to the physical bookshops closing every week. “both the water of life and the river of death” is a quote from Simon Armitage, our current Poet Laureate
I’m presently into Simon Armitage, with an ongoing project to visit the Stanza Stones, his poems carved into Pennine rocks by Pip Hall. http://www.stanzastones.co.uk/
Walking Home by Simon, his journey on the Pennine Way back to his home in Marsden. is a book I have just finished. A modern troubadour paying his way by poetry recitals in a variety of venues along the way. I found his writing engaging and romped through the volume. So it was back to Abe for the follow-up Walking Away. a similar trip bringing to life the SW Coastal Path. All Points North is a gritty and amusing predecessor. He certainly does have a passion for observation and words.
It’s still raining, so I will start on something different, the next book. A Celebration of Lakeland in Winter by a John Pepper. A recommendation from George at Lakeland Walking Tales ‹ Reader — WordPress.com That’s the value of blogging and linking into far more professional sites than mine.
My simple reading list is endless, and maybe I have added to yours.
Loved Simon Armitage’s books, I had one as an audiobook read by himself which was lovely. Couple of other suggestions, indie booksellers online, hive.co.uk is often cheaper than the big A, and bookshop.org (not cheap) supports independent retailers. I didn’t know Abe was part of A. There’s always wob or alibris for cheap second handers.
Thanks for the pointers.
Just realised your blog name reflects Simon Armitage’s title, plagiarism or reverence?
The more I search through those online book sites the more they seem to be inexorably connected.
When I started the blog I had never heard of the book, the blog name came more from an exploration of why I walk, and what walking away symbolises. I think I noticed the book title when I tried to Google my site more recently. Last week I thought I should probably read it! It’s on my ever expanding to-read list.
You know where not to buy it.
On the subject of ever expanding projects somebody wrote of the balance of what is desirable and what is achievable in one’s inevitably diminishing time. I culled my lists to a manageable size. And then you give me more.
I admire your attitude. I’m still working on the principle I can read faster or live forever. Neither principle is workable, achievable or desirable.
My attitude to physical activities has been established by all the injuries one has to deal with Anno Domini. Speed reading is needed for the rest.
I’ve yet to get to grips with Simon Armitage (I’m always a bit slow to catch on). Much as I hesitate to take issue with you, I’ve always found your blog to be one of the few most worth linking into on WordPress. George, of course, is also right up there. July has certainly been a time for catching up on the reading, while the weeds in the garden, and the grass go crazy.
Not slow – just selective. Try ‘All Points North’
I only occasionally buy stuff off Amazon if it’s absolutely not available from anywhere else as I find their packaging is extremely wasteful – I once ordered an item which was less than the size of a pack of A4 paper and it came in a humungous great box with loads and loads of paper packaging 🙁 I’m not familiar with Simon Armitage but then I’m not really into poetry. I did wonder if he was maybe the son of historical fiction author Aileen Armitage as they are both from Huddersfield but it would seem the surname and town are only coincidences.
Simon’s writing is much more than poetry. His ‘All Points North’ is an incisive and humorous look at Yorkshire culture and life.
I try to buy from independent sellers wherever possible, it just takes a little longer to search.
I have worked at and stayed at the farm where Peppers book is based. It’s a great read and true life. I have been snowed in there and got lost up in the hills in a complete foggy day. I love the place. Enjoy.
As for Amazon. You have no need to join prime. It’s not much different in my opinion than what people used to buy with catalogue companies. You can also find things on Amazon that you search high and low to buy in the shops and fail to find. When Amazon offer me a free week or a month on prime I take it and then cancel it before it ends. You also get far more choice than anywhere else I can think of and postage is sometimes free. I find Amazon useful. Others may not agree but that is the choice we make.
Just started Pepper’s book.
I can’t be bothered with all the fuss of joining and then cancelling Prime. The profits going into an amorphous American company who abuse their staff and don’t pay their taxes, in my opinion. As you say we all make our choices.
I use Amazon to buy ebooks for the Kindle – but only when they’re in their daily deal or sales. I search for second hand books too and where possible, when I find something I want, I try to find the sellers own site if they have one. Other than that I buy new books from real bookshops or online from Hive. Consequently I have too many books!
I rather like Simon Armitage and have read his 2 walking books – I think he comes across as a bit of a grumpy Tyke in those 😂. One of my work colleagues lives in Marsden and has met him – he visited their house. I was quite jealous when she told me!
I have heard Simon on the radio, a natural speaker.