Pennies on my Eyes is a celebration of the connection between war poet Wilfred Owen and Reading (through his time as a lay assistant to the vicar in the nearby village of Dunsden, and the encouragement he received from Professor Edith Morley at the University of Reading). The latest in Two Rivers Press’s series of Classic Poetry, this illustrated edition is a celebration of art rather than war, and of its power to express and process the emotions that the ongoing turbulence creates.
- A collection of Owen’s poems that demonstrates how his themes transcend the cataclysm of 1914-18 and touch our modern lives.
- Illustrations by Reading’s artists show how Owen’s words still resonate with our global experience.
- Afterword on the poet, by Jane Potter, author of Wilfred Owen: An Illustrated Life (2014).
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There are two opportunities to hear poems from the book, meet Dr Jane Potter and the artists, and find out more about Owen's connections with Reading. Both are free of charge and open to all.
Saturday 10th November at All Saints Church in Dunsden. 2.30-5pm in collaboration with the Dunsden Owen Association. At 3.30pm there will be a talk on Owen’s work and its influences from Jane Potter, poetry readings, music and afternoon tea as well as opportunities to meet some of the artists. The book will be available to buy and there is also a self-guided walk around the village (with trail leaflet or smartphone app) that could be undertaken in the morning, and a chance to see the graves of Owen’s parents and sister in the churchyard.
and
Thursday 15th November at MERL. 6-8pm with a talk by Jane Potter and readings of some of the poems.
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As a  n aside, and in case your interest is piqued, here are:  our memoir of Edith Morley, Before and After, (which doesn't mention Wilfred Owen!); and The Arts of Peace, the poetry anthology we published in 2014 to commemorate the start of WW1 and to celebrate all that is left behind in times of conflict.
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OUT NOW
PRECARIOUS LIVES
In Jean Watkins' second collection, events and lives are described in sensuous detail. Throughout, the poet is conscious of our tenuous hold on life, the perennial threats we face, as well as those more recent ones inaugurated by the coming of climate change.
Beautifully crafted and sensuous, these are poems that remind us of the world outside, perfect for those long dark autumnal evenings ...
Jean will be reading from her book at the LAUNCH on Sunday 18th November at Great Expectations. 12-2pm. We will also be taking the opportunity to remember our other 2018 poetry books, so John Froy and Sue Leigh will read from Sandpaper & Seahorses and Chosen Hill respectively, and Peter Robinson will read from the two other 2018 collections: Handling by Jack Thacker, and Nominy-Dominy by Lesley Saunders. To round off the afternoon of poetry, Kate Behrens will preview her 2019 collection, Penumbra.
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MAGIC, MEDICINE AND MIRACLES IN THE MEDIEVAL ABBEY
All are welcome at the Friends of Reading Abbey (FORA) AGM which takes place at St James's RC Church on Saturday 27th October, doors open at 2pm. The AGM starts at 2.30pm and will be followed by an illustrated talk with the title above, given by
Professor Anne Lawrence-Mathers FRHS, FSA, SFHEA,
Professor of Medieval History, University of Reading.
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Looking ahead...
We are already working on some fabulous books for 2019. Here is one of them, due in September. Rural Reading is another Geoff Sawers & Adrian Lawson collaboration which promises to open our eyes to the nature we are surrounded by, just as much as The Shady Side of Town. And I get to discuss Geoff's artwork and ideas with him in a coffee shop - I love publishing!
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CHRISTMAS SHOPPING at WATERSTONES, Broad Street
Waterstones will hold a Christmas shopping evening on Tuesday 11th Dec from 6pm until 9pm. This is part of the Living Advent Calendar for Reading’s town centre businesses (organised by Reading UK CIC). Come and chat to John and Peter, authors of Reading Abbey and the Abbey Quarter and get your book signed. There is 10% off purchases that evening (unless they're part of another offer) with a Waterstones Plus card.
You'll also get to meet Masterchef winner 2017, Saliha Mahmood Ahmed, with a selection of food to showcase her work. Her book, Khazana, a treasure trove of modern Mughal dishes, is bound to delight.
And there will be carols from Reading's Choirs.
And Launchpad will provide present-wrapping services.
And Brewdog will be serving up festive drinks and there's a chance to buy their book, Craft Beer for the People.
What's not to like?
(Incidentally, Waterstones are also hosting AF Harrold and Emily Gravett at the Broad Street shop on Sat 27th October, 7.30pm, talking about the wonderfully written and illustrated The Afterwards.)
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More shopping...
ArtLine is back - a special Winter Edition - presented by Jelly and Reading BID and showcasing paintings, original photography, drawings, limited edition prints, hanging textiles and, of course, books! All by Reading-based artists. It takes place in a load of gazebos trailing down the middle of Broad Street on Sunday 25th November 10.30am - 3.30pm.
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Looking ahead...
Lesley Saunders is working on a 'first' (for us, anyway) - a dual language collection of Maria Teresa Horta's poems, translated from Portuguese, entitled Point of Honour and due in April. Here is a picture of Lesley and Ana Raquel Lourenço Fernandes (scholarly expert in Maria Teresa's work), and Maria Teresa herself at the culmination of their work together. Ana Raquel brought champagne and Malcolm and Lesley brought some pasteis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts). Maria Teresa is about to launch her new book, Estranhezas, and there are three poems from it in Point of Honour, so we have her absolutely latest work represented.
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And finally... we are delighted that our very own author, Duncan Mackay, has been elected to the Council of the National Trust. Many congratulations Duncan! We are really excited because Duncan, influenced by the beliefs of Octavia Hill, one of the Trust's founders, is particularly motivated to bring the Trust's conservation clout to bear on urban and urban fringe landscapes. So we town-dwellers will benefit from his vision. We may even finally succeed in getting some of our books, perhaps Duncan's history of the Hill family (Octavia was the half-sister of Reading's own Arthur Hill), Whispers of Better Things, into some NT gift shops!
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