The Book Vault

On a more positive note (see last post!) I have this email from @themillyjohnson.bsky.social followed by five email orders and counting! Sign up for the latest news, which is that Milly's next book Let The Bells Ring Out is coming, we will have signed copies plus free gifts from Milly.

#booksky

I intend to read some earlier work when time allows.

Sad to read this earlier. I've personally backed at least three books at crowdfund stage. That authors have been left without reward for their work is scandalous (I am trying to be polite, other terms are available). Support authors, artists and others who may have been affected any way you can.

Happy #yorkshireday

Photo of books, with Seascraper standing up in centre. A bleak and foggy morning with the sun barely coming through the haze, and the siloutte of a working horse and cart as our protaganist works along the beach at low tide, combing for shrimp.

Quick review - recently finished Seascraper by Benjamin Wood, which is on the Booker longlist yesterday. An evocative read of a young man ploughing a lost way of life, with thoughts of a different path in music accelerated by the arrival of an excitable American. Highly recommend.
#booksky

Already had the first request to order! Let The Bells Ring Out from @themillyjohnson.bsky.social published on 23 October, more details to come...

#booksky

We have this and many other @blpublishing.bsky.social titles in store - hardback collections, Tales of the Weird, Classic Crime.

I am currently reading, highly recommend. If that is a phrase, the coffee hasn't fully worked yet.
#booksky

Photo of pavement chalkboard with The Book Vault in white capital letters, then in red Romance and Romantasy Book Club, starting today! 5.30 - 7pm, ask inside for details. Part of the shop window visible to the side with Bluey and Peter Rabbit Orchard Toy games/puzzles, and part of an art book of Alice in Wonderland.

Starting today! An open club, a place to meet people & talk all things romance. We will look to set up reading groups for those interested, and any other ideas people may have.

Drop in any time, help us choose a club name! We will post updates on future dates and plans.

#booksky

As previously advertised and reviewed, the new edition of MADI from @alexdecampi.bsky.social and @manmademoon.bsky.social is in store now!

#booksky

Photo of a pavement chalkboard, with writing - The Book Vault. Reading is Cool! (And We Have Air Con). Taking in store with bookshelves and tables in the background, too much sunlight to take a photo without sign reflection outside!

We are open! Photo of our sign before it went outside (too sunny . Lots going on town, Barnsley Pride, Brassed On music, and the start of the Summer Reading Challenge at Barnsley Libraries. Come & enjoy what's on offer, and support independent stores to keep Barnsley thriving!

#booksky

I have a few books from @rachaelsmith.bsky.social (plus copies in store) and look forward to this book. Always excelleny and distinctive artwork and writing addressing life issues.

Though I now realise that Spiderlight is a reissue, hardback coming in September.

Looking at Netgalley for the first time in a while and once more wondering if @aptshadow.bsky.social ever sleeps. Also resisting the temptation of @caimhmc.bsky.social next Stranger Times novel and will read something coming out in the next few weeks.

#booksky

I received an advance of this last week, looking forward to reading. #booksky

Photo of books, focus on the new paperback edition of Rare Singeles from Benjamin Myers, with a couple of small badges and a Rare Singles mugmat in the design of a record. Left over from the hardback release just a couple of freebies available! Also in shot Sarah Maas House of Flame and Shadow, A J West The Betrayal of Thomas True, and Poor Girls from Clare Whitfield, all new-release paperbacks.

Quick review - Rare Singles, one of my favourites from 2024, out now in paperback. From @benjaminmyers76.bsky.social, a story of Northern Soul, finding a new drive and interest in life, unexpected friendships and communities, against the backdrop of past splendour on the Yorkshire coast.
#booksky

Photo of romance themed books facing out on a few shelves. A range of new and recent titles from HD Carlton, Jo Thomas, Mia Sheridan, Navessa Allen, Kaliane Bradley, Abby Jimenez, Kennedy Ryan among others.

We are starting a romance/romantasy book club! Launch event Wednesday 16 July 5.30 - 7pm. Suggestions and ideas for a club name are welcome...

If you are in the area join us! A chance to meet people, talk. We will be setting up reading groups for those interested, meetings every two weeks.
#booksky

Photo of romance themed books facing out on a few shelves. A range of new and recent titles from HD Carlton, Jo Thomas, Mia Sheridan, Navessa Allen, Kaliane Bradley, Abby Jimenez, Kennedy Ryan among others.

We are starting a romance/romantasy book club! Launch event Wednesday 16 July 5.30 - 7pm. Suggestions and ideas for a club name are welcome...

If you are in the area join us! A chance to meet people, talk. We will be setting up reading groups for those interested, meetings every two weeks.
#booksky

Photo of Ian McMillan, holding and pointing at one of the copies of My Sand Life, My Pebble Life which he had just been signing. A rack of wrapping paper immediately behind Ian.

Good to catch up with Ian McMillan this morning, buying a book from store and more that he had ordered. You can do that too!

And signing more copies of My Sand Life, My Pebble Life. An ideal summer read, entertaining stories of coastal journeys through the years.

#booksky

Monday means a day off work to get my motorbike MOT'd, sitting in a corner of the garage and starting on Solvej Balle, On the Calculation of Volume part 2. Good continuation so far! Where are you and what are you reading, recs and reviews welcome...
#booksky

Unbound authors’ statement on the collapse of the publisher. Please read it and share. If you want to know what really went on, here are some answers:

For me, The Stranger Times is the best comedic SFF series in recent years, so tricky to get all elements to come together in one book never mind across four and counting.

Good news from @caimhmc.bsky.social, more Stranger Times! Have started on The Dublin Trilogy, all good stuff.
#booksky

Photo of part of our romantic fiction section with various books facing forward - Haunting and Hunting Adeline, new Beth O'leary, Emily Henry and other hardbacks, new Navessa Allen, Tessa Bailey, Emet North paperbacks. More shelves out of shot below, more books in YA, SFF and elsewhere!

BOOK VAULT NEWS

So, who wants to join a romance/romantasy group?! We are setting up a group in store, starting date tbc., 5.30 - 7pm approx.

Optional reading groups, a chance to look at & buy books, talk to people, get involved.

Stay tuned for more details!
#booksky

Vianne signed copies in store. And on the soon TBR stack, Part 2 of On the Calculation of Volume from Solvej Balle, as Tara, in a time loop living the same date over and again. Whilst others relive the same day Tara is able to change, move, perhaps find a a way to break this pattern.
#booksky 2/2

Photograph of hardback book of Vianne, Joanne Harris, sitting on top of other books. I have a copy at home, this is one of our signed copies in store.

Photo of the paperback edition of On The Calculation of Volume part 2, by Solvej Balle.

Review & preview. Recently finished Vianne by @joannechocolat.bsky.social, excellent writing as always. From arrival in France following the death of her mother, we discover Vianne's background as Vianne discovers her interests, affinity with others, and possible future paths in life.

#booksky 1/2

Pavement blackboard, The Book Vault in white writing at the top (we will do a more arty thing when time allows!), and a quote - Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything. A quote from a character in Frank and Red, by Matt Coyne.

We have a new toy! Inaugural quote from @manvsbaby.bsky.social, Frank & Red.

If you have any favourite booky quotes let us know and we may add them to our list!

#booksky

Every guy with a tragic backstory (in a movie):

A white mug with the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction logo holds a spray of lavender next to a stack of the eight books shortlisted for this year's prize: North Continent Ribbon by Ursula Whitcher Remember You Will Die by Eden Robins The City in Glass by Nghi Vo Archangels of Funk by Andrea Hairston The Sapling Cage by Margaret Killjoy Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera The West Passage by Jared Pechaček Blackheart Man by Nalo Hopkinson

We're thrilled to present the shortlist for the 2025 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction:

Heavens to Murgatroyd.

What a bin fire.

I know it can't solve everything

but Leonard and Hungry Paul by @ronanhession.bsky.social

Is a literary salve for the soul.