The Books That Made Sue

"I’ve been a bookseller at HBS for over twenty years, initially part-time, when Emily was still at junior school, gradually increasing my hours as she became more independent, until I became manager when Ian took over the business. Now semi-retired I generally work two days a week, but fill in during holidays and the run up to Christmas. I read a lot and particularly enjoy fiction based around fact, non-fiction centred on the natural world and the environment, and poetry."

Why I Chose The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy 

"When I was a teenager and already a keen reader I discovered a whole shelf of Thomas Hardy’s novels at the local library and steadily worked my way through them. As a youngster and an only child with very little experience of life they were a revelation. Hardy’s characters and the lives they led transformed the way I thought about the world, and his writing about the countryside inspired me to pay more attention to my surroundings. My favourite is Far From the Madding Crowd, but a very close second is The Return of the Native, I love the way the fictional Egdon Heath, the setting for the novel, is introduced in the opening paragraphs and features as a strong presence throughout the story. Hardy’s writing has also provided an excuse for numerous trips to Dorset over the years."

Why I Chose Death of a Naturalist by Seamus Heaney

"I decided to have a go at A-level  literature as a “mature” (I use the term loosely) student in my thirties and through that I came to the poetry of Seamus Heaney and have loved it ever since, I return to his poems again and again and discover something different each time. My particular favourites, Digging, which makes me think of my dad, Blackberry Picking, and Follower, are from his first collection, Death of a Naturalist."

Why I Chose The Madonna of the Mountains by Elise Valmorbida 

"This is a fantastic book which made a huge impression on me. It first came to my attention when I heard Elise talking about it at an event prior to publication, it captured my imagination then and has remained with me ever since. Elise kindly agreed to come and talk to our book group and it was a wonderful and inspiring session. The story is a sweeping family saga set in Italy and the central character is Maria Vittoria whose determination and resilience in the face of the extreme privations of life in the mountains during WW2 are inspiring and astounding, once you have met her you will never forget her.

It was through recommending this book that I met and became firm friends with lovely Jo, one of our ‘remote’ but very loyal customers, (she lives on Tyneside!), you never know where bookselling may lead you!"

Why I Chose The Butterfly Isles by Patrick Barkham

"I have admired and enjoyed Patrick Barkham’s writing on the environment and natural history  for years, it appeals to the nature geek in me. The Butterfly Isles - A Summer in Search of Emperors and Admirals, is an informative and engaging read and it had quite an impact on my life as it inspired me to go on a butterfly identification course, and since then I have been spending my summers trying to complete Patrick’s challenge to spot all 59 species of British butterflies!"

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