Bailey Hill Bookshop, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BG

2011-10-05T02:19:00.000-07:00

Bailey Hill Newsletter October 2011

The weather is more like summer as we write, but with autumn only one weather front away, we are looking to reward you for your devotion to your Local Independent Bookshop with the Guardian Indie Loyalty Card - launched in the Guardian on 1st October. And to give you some thoughts on what to buy why not come to our book launch for Wessex Diaries by Guardian writer John Vallins. Local poet and publisher James Crowden will be here and is happily supplying cider and cheddar. Oates and Musson will also be supplying treats to celebrate the impending opening of their cafe upstairs in the bookshop.

With Christmas in mind we also give some thought to ensuring learning can be fun with a series of books for children's science and maths (fun? surely not...). We also include some more gift ideas and samples of our new Christmas cards.

We hope you will be inspired by our reader's review of Wuthering Heights to remind you just how good the classics are.

And finally, if you want to become a published author (or simply an unpublished one), read on for details of a series of exciting writers' workshops at Queen Camel.

The Guardian scheme to promote Independent Book Sellers

We are participating in the new loyalty scheme for Independent retailers, being run in conjunction with the Guardian Newspaper. This rewards readers with a choice of free books once they have reached a set amount of purchases from participating Indie Booksellers.

More details as launched in the Guardian on 1st October or online.

Events

Book Launch - Wessex Diaries by John Vallins

Saturday 15th October 10 am - 1pm

A regular contributor to The Guardian’s Country Diary column, John Vallin's sketches are small gems of country life preserved not in aspic but subtle prose. With beautiful Illustrations by Castle Cary artist, Tim Millar, and a forward by Alan Ruisbridger the book has been very attractively produced by Frome printers Butler and Tanner and would be a lovely Christmas present for lovers of the West Country.

Writers' Workshop

Local novelist Susan Elderkin is bringing her popular Writers Workshops to Queen Camel. Saturday afternoon workshops on the first full week-end each month will be aimed at novice writers, those looking to shed old habits or perhaps kick start their writing after a lull.

A series of Sunday morning surgeries will also be held to help anyone in the throes of writing a book or simply thinking of writing one.

Known for her lively and innovative approach, Susan is the author of two critically-acclaimed novels (Sunset over Chocolate Mountains and The Voices) and was named by Granta magazine in 2003 as one of the 20 Best Young British Novelists. She has taught on several of our top writing MAs, including Birkbeck, Goldsmith's, and Manchester.

To find out more, visit www.susanelderkin.com or call 01935 850700.

Robert Goddard Signing

Bailey Hill was pleased to host a very successful book signing by Robert Goddard. Many of his devoted readers came to get their hands on signed copies of his latest thriller - Blood Count. Welcome refreshments were provided by our friends next door at Oates and Musson.

Children's Science Books

How weather works

Why do hurricanes happen? What is a tornado? Why does it snow? And are we really changing the climate?

Tackling both normal and extreme weather events using pop-ups, pull tabs and booklets, this interactive book provides useful background for Key Stage 2 geography and science. Hardback £12.99.

Feel the force

Explore mechanics, forces, sound, light, heat and other aspects of physics, with interactive novelties, fun experiments to try, and humorous comic-book style illustrations. Tackles Key Stage 2 and 3 science subjects in a fun and accessible way. Hardback £12.99.

50 Amazing things kids need to know about mathematics

50 extraordinary scenarios explore key maths concepts in a fun and lively manner that will fascinate children. From winning the lottery to beating world records, making music to making loads of money, this book breaks down number crunching in a way that excites and entertains. Hardback £6.99.

50 Amazing things kids need to know about Science

The perfect head start for children aged 7+ to the fabulous fundamentals of science. From the bottom of the ocean to outer space, this brilliant book reveals 50 of the most amazing things that science can do. Find out what keeps planes in the air, how explorers survive in the south pole and how to stay alive if you’re struck by lightning. Hardback £6.99.

Early Thoughts for Christmas...

Signed Books at Bailey Hill

Drop in to pick up signed copies of Sarah Raven's excellent cookery books: Garden Cookbook, The Great Vegetable Plot and Food for Families and Friends.

Following on from his successful reading and promotion, we have a dwindling number of Robert Goddard signed copies. Hurry to get the last ones...

Christmas cards now in (examples below) and don't forget we offer a personal shopping service - just give us details of the kind of things the person you are buying for likes and we will make suggestion.

More thoughts for Christmas...

Faber Poetry Series

Faber have brought out new editions for the Romantic Poets all attractively presented and price for Christmas at £8.00.

Virago Modern Classics Editions.

Virago have added to their Modern Classic Series with the following titles: With Good Behaviour - Molly Keane, An Enchanted April - Elizabeth Von Arnim, The Dud Avocado - Elaine Dundy, The Tortoise and the Hare - Elizabeth Jenkins and My Cousin Rachel - Daphne du Maurier. All priced at £12.99

Again these make lovely Christmas gifts.

Book Token Winner - Customer's Book Review

Wuthering Heights - Emile Bronte

Wuthering Heights was first published in 1847 and is the only novel by this particular Bronte sister. Being aware of the reputation this book carries as a revered, timeless classic, it was with high expectations that I began reading.

The story is told by Ellen, a maid at a grand house, at the bedside of the poorly new resident Mr Lockwood who is occupying the house for the Winter. Told in retrospect, the musings of the maid and intimate details she reveals of the characters and the workings of a house of this era make it a compelling read. We unwittingly inhabit the role of Mr Lockwood, an outsider to the events that have taken place and increasingly intrigued by the unfolding history Ellen portrays.

A picture of two houses and the frictions between their masters and inhabitants is revealed, focusing on the troubled relationship between Cathy and Heathcliff. The young lady is the masters daughter at Thrushcross Grange, whilst Heathcliff is of a similar age yet entirely different origins, having been found on the streets of Liverpool as an infant by the master of the neighbouring house, Wuthering Heights. Their influence on one another develops into a close relationship that later becomes fractured by the tensions between their two households as well as the impact their different upbringings impose.

This is a narrative that spans many generations, and the wisdom of Ellen often proves to have affected the outcome of several key events. The book drips with frustration, angst, anguish and longing and despite the sometimes brutal characteristics of the characters they remain wavering between good and evil. Often the book takes a dark tone, with violence, graves and ghosts continually reappearing subject material. It is a love story, but one that seems doomed from the very beginning. Just as those within the pages are haunted, we too are haunted by the powerful sentiments of the characters. Set against a wild backdrop of weather-beaten moors, the emotions rise and fall with the aggression of the wind and keep each chapter as vivid and enchanting as the last.

Susie Cochrane Thank you Susie for your review – you're reward is a Bailey Hill Bookshop £10.00 book token .

Enjoy your reading

Lynn, Sara, Claire and Alice.

Bailey Hill Newsletter September 2011

2011-09-11T03:05:00.000-07:00

Bailey Hill Book Shop Newsletter - September 2011

The last days of summer are accompanied by the rustling of school uniforms being extracted from drawers before being passed on to younger siblings, followed by the dragging of small heels as they are transported on shopping trips for new kit and crisp hair cuts. So this month we are highlighting some of the excellent children’s reading for youngsters to soften the blow as they return once more to formal education.

But we don’t want you to just read - do write your reviews too. We are offering financial reward for you efforts, so read and write on. James and Claire have swapped their reading hats for this month’s review and we have some exciting events coming up including a visit from top thriller writer Robert Goddard to talk about his latest works.

Read on to see which authors you can see and hear at the Bath and West Garden Show.

And for those who have been to the bookshop recently, you might have noticed the upgraded Pound Bench which now has wheels and handles: an exclusive design from Patrick who is seen pictured below demonstrating the ease with which our bargain basement reads can be placed in position on the pavement. Heartfelt thanks to Patrick: his efforts drastically reduce the effort required from the BHB Shop girls!

Events

The Bath and West Garden Show September 2nd - 4th

We will be at the Bath and West Garden Show supporting author signings by local gardener Joe Hashman (better known as Dirty Nails); Sarah Raven, who will be giving a talk on Picking, Conditioning and Flower Arranging, and Anthony Woodward - author of Garden in the Clouds which has been positively reviewed here at BHB. A signed copy of any of the above authors’ works would make an excellent present (sorry to mention the C word, but in the retail trade we do look forward to Christmas...!)

For more details go to http://www.bathandwest.com/national-gardening/95/

Robert Goddard - Book Signing

Tuesday September 20th 11.00 - 12.30 at the Bookshop

Robert Goddard will be visiting us to promote his latest novel Blood Count, a thriller revolving around Edward Hammond, a surgeon who performs a life-saving operation on a Serbian gangster who subsequently stands trial for war crimes at the international court in The Hague. Hammond becomes involved in the quest for a hidden fortune in another fast moving action-packed thriller from a master of the genre. There is always a selection of Robert Goddard’s works in Bailey Hill so come and hear him speak and browse the titles to get your signed copy. Light snacks will be served.

Children’s Reading

One of the most satisfying aspects of the book selling is supplying children’s books and getting them reading. We had a really pleasing piece of feedback this summer from a local teaching assistant who told us how her own children started reading a lot more after she had brought them into the shop and let them choose the books they wanted to read. She was so pleased by how much more they were reading and how this was reflected in big improvements in all their school work. It is well known that reading is the most important factor in educational success and we do what we can to find interesting books for reluctant readers to enjoy.

Usborne Reading Programme

A superb series of books that covers all primary school ages and abilities in reading, the Usborne Reading Programme provides an excellent supplement to books used at school. Starting with simple phonic reading books, they build up in complexity to the retelling of timeless texts like Hamlet and Kidnapped. They even provide an easy way for Mums and Dads to brush up on any classics they might have missed....

Titles such as The Revealing Story of Underwear, Rubbish and Recycling and The Story of Toilets, Telephones and other Useful Inventions enjoy particularly high levels of popularity with youngsters!

The books are nicely produced, with lively writing and clear illustrations. They capture the imagination and build the confidence of even the most begrudging young reader who might otherwise find reading difficult or dull. The books are even colour coded to make it easy for children, adults (and booksellers) to understand what level they are aimed at. dull. The books are even colour coded to make it easy for children, adults (and booksellers) to understand what level they are aimed at.

See Inside - Lift the Flap Books

Another great series by Usborne which combines fun and education - two words not often seen in the the same sentence to a younger audience. The books cover a wide range of subjects from Ancient Egypt, Your Body and Mathematics.

The Maths book includes a maze on which you lift a flap and have to solve it in order to get to the next room. Another page has a game of Snakes and Ladders in which you need to add and subtract to make your moves. Learning through fun and games.

Sticker Books

Some things never lose their appeal and the Usborne Sticker books are as popular today as when we were still just sticking pictures of WW2 airplanes next to a gleaming new Concorde or ponies frollicking in a pristine meadow. There is something strangely compulsive about a bit of sticky paper and a book to apply it to, but today’s publications are even more ambitious.

Although Sticker Dolly Dressing is high in the adhesive best sellers, other themes include Impressionist Painters, Modern (and Classical) languages; a World Atlas, Maths, and Flags of the World (parents can test themselves on this too - so useful for those pub quizzes).

Reviews

Write a review and win a BHB £10.00 book token

We are offering a £10.00 book token to children or adults who submit reviews of a book they have recently read and enjoyed. It need not be too long or even too intellectual, we just want you to give an idea of the story and why you would recommend it to other readers.

Just email it to us at shop@baileyhillbookshop.co.uk or bring it into the shop. Any review featured in the newsletter or around the shop will be awarded an exclusive £10.00 Bailey Hill Token.

In the meantime you will have to read our reviews......

Sight Unseen - Robert Goddard - £7.99

The abduction of a little girl from Avebury and the death of her sister is the starting point for this story of murder and historical intrigue from an acknowledged master of the crime thriller. The opening chapter sets the scene brilliantly with a cool detachment which draws the reader in and keeps them hooked from thereon. With a wide range of characters, Goddard keeps you guessing on who to trust and which plot line will be most significant. Will it be either of the grieving parents? The retired policeman or the private investigator? The tortuous plot takes us from London to Jersey via Yeovil (yes - Yeovil), combining a missing18th century manuscript with modern international banking, it ends with a satisfying finale.

Thrillers are not my usual chosen style, but this excellent novel makes me want to read more of Goddard’s many novels as well as reading more widely in this popular genre. JB

The Golden Mean - Annabel Lyon - £7.99

The Golden Mean of the title is the middle course between two extremes and it is this that Aristotle aims to achieve with his young impetuous student, Alexander, in this fascinating account of ancient Macedonia. Destined to become the ruler of the largest empire of the ancient world, Alexander’s upbringing has been entirely military in its content till now and Aristotle has a job on his hands.

Annabel Lyon recreates the ancient world in all its brutality with a keen eye for detail, in an unflinching depiction that reminds one of I,Claudius in its tone. It certainly brings history to life for me and informs and entertains in equal measure. CB

Enjoy your reading!

Lynn, Sarah, Claire and Alice

Really nice commentary in the Guardian

2010-08-24T06:00:00.001-07:00

My Perfect Day Out in the UK

Amy Jenkins, screenwriter – Arthurian legends and a hard boiled egg, Somerset

Sunrise over Cadbury Hill. Photograph: National
Geographic Image/Alamy

Ancient hill forts, secondhand bookshops, clotted cream teas. These are a few of my favourite things. So here's a dream day out set in the rolling hills of south Somerset. Ever since reading Hardy, I've been drawn to the sense of mystical past in the West Country: the barrows, the standing stones, the links to Arthurian legend give the place an aura both dark and exciting.

If you're coming from London, it all starts when you pass Stonehenge on the A303. Don't go in, though – the stones are almost best seen from the road. Drive on to the village of South Cadbury, just after the Wincanton turn-off, and park at the bottom of Cadbury Hill. The hill fort is thought to have been the site of Camelot and is one of the best walks I know. Climb the steep rutted lane and come out on top to breathtaking views. Make a circuit of the curving ramparts, covered now in an invitingly smooth carpet of closely cropped grass. Then walk up to the summit and the little stone monument that shows you which way to look for Glastonbury, Stourhead and Weymouth.
If it's sunny, you might want to have a picnic there (no dream day out is complete without a hard boiled egg) or, even better, buy a stunning homemade pork pie at the lovely Bramble and Sage "deli on the farm" (01963 220120, brambleandsage.co.uk) just below the hill in the village of Sutton Montis. If you want a slap-up meal, drive on to Corton Denham and have lunch at the Queen's Arms (01963 220317, thequeensarms.com). Here are flagstone floors, leather sofas and a roaring fire for inclement weather, but also a pretty garden if the sun shines.

Next stop is nearby Castle Cary, one of the prettiest hamstone towns in the area. Make sure you take in the charming Round House, built in 1779 to lock up local miscreants, and then head for Bailey Hill Bookshop (01963 350917, baileyhillbookshop.co.uk), which is the nicest I know. There's a lovely upstairs gallery where the secondhand books are kept and you are welcome to sit for hours and browse.

Now you've worked up an appetite again, head for Bruton, which is slightly dour but authentic Somerset for it. Here you can have a proper tea at the coolest restaurant in the West Country: At the Chapel (01749 814070, atthechapel.co.uk) has its own bakery, so the scones will be warm and toasty.

• Amy Jenkins wrote This Life

From article in Guardian, Saturday August 10, Travel Section

We are really greatful for her kind comments.

Work Experience - Two Fresh Pairs of Eyes

2010-07-09T07:38:00.000-07:00

Hi!

My name is Sarah Woods, and I've spent the last week doing work experience at Bailey Hill. So I'm going to say a little about how I've spent my week!

Day 1: Met the very nice (other) Sarah, and the very nice owner, Lynn. Learnt how to use the till; tho managed to mess it up quite a few times during the week! Opened the order and sorted all that out; then set to work on Project One: The Childrens Section.

So I tried to sort the whole section out; learnt about tapping the books into a straight line with another book, then learnt the hard way that you cant just do it with your hand! After kinda managing to slot all the lose books into place (dont look at the left of the second picture!) I set a couple out for display, trying to work through the classics that I'd really enjoyed myself at that age; starting off with the Michael Morpurgo, Stig of the Dump sort of end, then working up to the Lord of the Flies, 1984 'proper' novels that really introduced me to literature. Its amazing how satisfying setting the whole thing in order was, and sorry to anyone who saw me prowling around over the next few days, trying to protect my shelves from disorder!
Other activities of the day included watering the plants, learning how to cover the second hand dust jackerts of some gorgeous books, took all my fingernails and only half the stickers off a big pile of architectural textbooks from Bruton with a huge helping of lighter fluid (all the tricks of the trade), and of course a lovely lunch from the deli two doors down!

Day 2: On Tuesday I had the pleasure of meeting Clare and her daughter Verity, who was also getting some work experience. Whilst I set to work on the upstairs, she got down to the proper dirty work of cleaning all the brass on the outside of the shop (making me feel very guilty, but lucky!)! But her efforts were definitely appreciated (by everyone who walked past) and at the end of almost two whole days of scrubbing, and thanks to one helpful passer by who suggested lemon juice, the shop looked amazing!

Right down to the door handle...

Day 3: Wednesday was cleaning and clearing day! After doing the order again I set to work polishing and cleaning up a lovely pile of secondhand books, then covering them and pricing. It might have been a bit tedious, but I can't imagine how anyone coped in the days of paper! At the same time Verity put the finishing touches to the gleaming outside of the shop, then set to work on the gardening and cookery.

Then the afternoon brought time for cleaning up the Nature and Religion sections, finding some odd books,like 'How to raise a scorpion as a pet', or '1000 images of cats'.

Day 4: Thursday became the day of cataloguing; learning to find my way around all the websites, gathering all the info anyone could ever hope to need on the secondhand books I'd cleaned and covered during the previous days, right down to measuring them with a ruler! I was really impressed by the systems used and the complexity of it!

A cleaned, covered, catalogued and photographed book! Sucess!

Day 5: Friday started with a little more catalogue work, but it was finally finished! Then the task was to photograph all the books for their website listings, which surprisingly didnt take that long (but sorry to anyone I blocked on the stairs whilst doing it!) Then it was into the window! This consisted of agonising over my choice of books (I'd been given something of a free reign to make it my own - it was children's section all over again!) which seemed like it took forever; especially as Clare had beaten me to my idea of a classicly themed window with her use of the unbeatable 'Very Hungry Catapillar' in the Children's window. It was on to Plan B therefore, which was me raiding the poetry section for all the Faber & Faber editions I could find (they're gorgeous and simple, and very very good) and having all the fun of aranging them in something resebling a rainbow - if I had to recommend one book to anyone whose ever had to do Latin/Greek, or ever thought they should read Homer, or has just seen the film Troy, then it would be Christopher Logue's fantastic adaptation - War Music. Then I filled out the bootom with some of the gorgeous selection of cards and lovely second hand set; and managed not to fall over or knock things over too much!

And this blog is the result of that afternoon and a generous icecream :)

My time here has been a lot of fun, and hard work, but I feel really satisfied with everything I've been able to do; which makes me wonder whether instead of trying to read English at Cambridge, my destiny instead is to find immense satisfaction as a cleaner of some sort! It was a privaledge and a pleasure; even though it did seem that everytime I left the shop the people poured in!

Thanks Lynn and everyone at Bailey Hill! :D

New Somerset Titles

2010-05-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

In time for the warmer weather and useful for trips out and about in the county are some new local releases.

Redcliffe Press in Bristol have issued Historic Gardens of Somerset by Timothy Mowl, Professor of Landscape and Garden History at Bristol University. This is the only book of its kind and gives detailed histories, well illustrated of Somerset's most important gardens.

Of interest to local archeologists is Peter Leach's book Fosse Way Britons and Romans in Somerset. This book outlines a lot of excavations that have taken place around Shepton Mallet and areas off the Fosseway like Somerton, Doutling and Cadbury Castle. A lot of interesting information.

Finally two books on churches, both with extremely clear photographs. The general title is Keeping Somerset Chuches Alive and covers churches throughout the county and as well as what was the county in Bath. Written by Hugh Playfair the book shows how churches have adapted and improved their facilities at the same time as retaining their character. The other title is on Holy Trinity Church, Wyke Champflower. It shows many of the features of the Church, in particular the shields for which it is very well known.

Emma Cragie - Chocolate cake with Hitler

2010-05-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

Emma Craigie, a local author, popped in to sign and promote her new book recently.

Chocolate Cake with Hitler tells the remarkable story of Helga Goebbels, twelve year old daughter of the Nazi Party's head of propoganda, who spent the last ten days of her life cooped up in Adolf Hitler's bunker in Berlin. The book is selling very well and signed copies are available by the till. Emma was lucky enough to get quite a big feature in the Telegraph www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/.../Last-days-of-Hitlers-favourite-little-girl.html

We have quite a few authors who live locally and we try and promote their books in the shop. Roland Vernon, whose first book A Dark Enchantment won the Daily Mail First Novel Award has written a new book The Maestro's Voice. Maria McCann's last novel The Wilding was one of the nominees for The Orange Prize. Victoria Glendinning's book Love's Civil War has been in paperbook for about 6 months now.

We will try and feature other local authors and local events that might be of interest.

Lovely weather

2010-04-19T07:13:00.000-07:00

The lovely weather has brought everyone out: dogs, children, grandparents etc, so we are very busy and meeting lots of enjoyable people. The bookbinding session with Chris Hicks, on Saturday, went really well with lots of interested people coming along. They all wanted Chris to do a course so it was nice to see such a strong interest in this craft.

Chris is currently binding ten special copies of a new book entitled "Piper in Print" which discusses illustrations and printed epehmera produced by John Piper. Using a design based on one of Piper's paintings, each book will be bound in a different combination of coloured leather, thus making each copy unique.

His next large job will be for the Gregynog Press in Wales. This will be a book on the Castles of the Welsh Princes with wood engravings by Hilary Paynter. The edition will run to 250 copies each bound in quarter leather with a slip case.

In the meantime Chris continues with his day to day work of repairing and binding a wide variety of books for private customers and libraries.

You can visit Chris's website at www.book-bindery.co.uk or email him at chrishicksbookbinder@btinternet.com

Welcome to the Bailey Hill Bookshop Blog

2010-03-25T10:35:00.000-07:00

Hi

Welcome to our new bookshop blog. We hope that we can tell you about new books and other interesting bits that come into the shop every week, talk about books and also keep you up to date on the amusing goings on in the everyday life of a bookshop. It is a bit like Christmas every day.

We hope you can make it to our book binding demononstration with Chris Hicks who has recently moved to Castle Cary, from Oxford. We think it will be very interesting and we know we will learn something. Google his website to see his work.

Easter is traditionally a time that a lot of new books are released and we are expecting the last of the Steig Larsson Trilogy, The Girls Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest on Wednesday April the 1st. With either this or Wolf Hall you should be able to have a good choice of reading if it rains all of the Easter Weekend.

We hope that readers will join in this blog with us and let us know books they, their friends or their family have enjoyed. We think word of mouth is best as you have to be careful of the book marketing hype.