Alfresco booksellers #4 South Bank Book Market, London I turned up on the South Bank just as everything was being packed away last night, but that proved to be financially prudent. Second hand books in the capital have an obvious London tax added to their price; more so in such a touristy area, and along with the mandatory copies of The Beach and at least one of everything by Nick Hornby, there were a good few political history bits and pieces that I could have bought. Despite the price hike, you generally find less Catherine Cookson or Mills and Boon shite in London. The Portable Nietzsche edited by Walter Kaufman (1966) I’ve been getting more and more interested in philosophers like Nietzsche, Kant and Sartre since I started reading them for uni. This book has the added quality of being perfect for posing with by the banks of the Thames on a spring evening. Margaret Atwood - The Handmaid’s Tale (1987) I’ve always found the title of this book to be really irritating. Doesn’t it seem like it should be The Handmaiden’s Tale? Still, this is another example of a novel so ubiquitous that you just have to pull your finger out and get it read. Here’s hoping it doesn’t turn out to be another Lovely Bones…

Alfresco booksellers #4

South Bank Book Market, London

I turned up on the South Bank just as everything was being packed away last night, but that proved to be financially prudent. Second hand books in the capital have an obvious London tax added to their price; more so in such a touristy area, and along with the mandatory copies of The Beach and at least one of everything by Nick Hornby, there were a good few political history bits and pieces that I could have bought. Despite the price hike, you generally find less Catherine Cookson or Mills and Boon shite in London.

The Portable Nietzsche edited by Walter Kaufman (1966)
I’ve been getting more and more interested in philosophers like Nietzsche, Kant and Sartre since I started reading them for uni. This book has the added quality of being perfect for posing with by the banks of the Thames on a spring evening.

Margaret Atwood - The Handmaid’s Tale (1987)
I’ve always found the title of this book to be really irritating. Doesn’t it seem like it should be The Handmaiden’s Tale? Still, this is another example of a novel so ubiquitous that you just have to pull your finger out and get it read. Here’s hoping it doesn’t turn out to be another Lovely Bones…

--Tagged under: alfresco booksellers--

--Tagged under: nietzsche--

--Tagged under: margaret atwood--

Alfresco Booksellers #3 Castle Street Market, Macclesfield There are two types of outdoor market in the north west of England. There’s the farmhouse-chutneys-and-local-crafts kind that appear in travel guides, and then there’s the kind where you can buy knock-off porn DVDs and ten pairs of polyester sports socks for a quid. Macclesfield market is trying its best to inch into the first category, but when everyone already knows where to buy their porn from, why change anything? There is a little glimmer of excitement in there though, as I discovered a hefty chunk of trestle tables presided over by a dude with a load of old paperbacks. Chances are that he robbed them from a house in Bollington with an open window, but I can easily overlook my scruples when everything’s 80p. It was, largely, crap, but there was a biography of Neil Young that I nearly bought, and a copy of Whit by Iain Banks which I did buy. I really don’t like those boring, figurative, black and white designs that are used for all of Iain Banks’ covers, but it does help you pick them out from over two hundred Barbara Cartland novels. Iain Banks - WhitPublication date: 1996Publisher: AbacusPrice then: £6.99Price now: 80pPurchased from: Market dude in Macclesfield From the synopsis: “Innocent in the ways of the world, an ingénue when it comes to pop and fashion, the Elect of God of a small but committed Stirlingshire religious cult: Isis Whit is no ordinary teenager.”
Alfresco Booksellers #3


Castle Street Market, Macclesfield

There are two types of outdoor market in the north west of England. There’s the farmhouse-chutneys-and-local-crafts kind that appear in travel guides, and then there’s the kind where you can buy knock-off porn DVDs and ten pairs of polyester sports socks for a quid. Macclesfield market is trying its best to inch into the first category, but when everyone already knows where to buy their porn from, why change anything?

There is a little glimmer of excitement in there though, as I discovered a hefty chunk of trestle tables presided over by a dude with a load of old paperbacks. Chances are that he robbed them from a house in Bollington with an open window, but I can easily overlook my scruples when everything’s 80p.

It was, largely, crap, but there was a biography of Neil Young that I nearly bought, and a copy of Whit by Iain Banks which I did buy. I really don’t like those boring, figurative, black and white designs that are used for all of Iain Banks’ covers, but it does help you pick them out from over two hundred Barbara Cartland novels.



Iain Banks - Whit
Publication date: 1996
Publisher: Abacus
Price then: £6.99
Price now: 80p
Purchased from: Market dude in Macclesfield

From the synopsis: “Innocent in the ways of the world, an ingénue when it comes to pop and fashion, the Elect of God of a small but committed Stirlingshire religious cult: Isis Whit is no ordinary teenager.”

--Tagged under: alfresco booksellers--

--Tagged under: iain banks--

Alfresco Booksellers #2 Manchester Book Market The above photograph demonstrates the inherent flaw in attempting any outdoor activities in Manchester, one of the rainiest cities in Europe. Generally speaking, it pisses it down. The good people at Manchester Book Market have, thankfully, undertaken extensive survival training though, so as long as you choose your moment to dodge the torrents running off the tarpaulin, it’s still worth pulling the galoshes on and heading to St Ann’s Square. While the second-hand options are admittedly limited, I ran the Catherine Cookson gauntlet on one of the charity stalls, where paperbacks are 50p and hardbacks only a quid. Elizabeth Wurtsel - Prozac Nation (1998) I’m not a massive fan of those misery memoirs that now have their own section in Waterstones, but there’s only so many times you can read about a book reflecting demoralised society and resist it. Plus, I’m kinda intrigued how a book about depression can be any more than just “Don’t feel like writing anything today. Going to bed for a bit.” Perhaps it’ll teach me a bit about being grateful for stuff. Andrew Collins - Where Did It All Go Right? (2003) I think this is where one of those trendy disco jockey types would use the phrase “on the flipside”. Andrew Collins kinda takes the piss out of that whole self-pity genre by writing about how he’s had it pretty good on the whole. He’s one of those entertainment journos that make you laugh about light-hearted things on the radio, in magazines, or on those lobotomy-friendly talking heads shows. I’m a sucker for that stuff, and Andrew Collins used to present a fantastic radio show with Stuart Maconie back in the dim and distant 1990s, so I have every faith that his childhood recollections will be more amusing than all that desperately tiresome rubbish about child abuse and midnight beatings.
Alfresco Booksellers #2


Manchester Book Market

The above photograph demonstrates the inherent flaw in attempting any outdoor activities in Manchester, one of the rainiest cities in Europe. Generally speaking, it pisses it down. The good people at Manchester Book Market have, thankfully, undertaken extensive survival training though, so as long as you choose your moment to dodge the torrents running off the tarpaulin, it’s still worth pulling the galoshes on and heading to St Ann’s Square.

While the second-hand options are admittedly limited, I ran the Catherine Cookson gauntlet on one of the charity stalls, where paperbacks are 50p and hardbacks only a quid.



Elizabeth Wurtsel - Prozac Nation (1998)

I’m not a massive fan of those misery memoirs that now have their own section in Waterstones, but there’s only so many times you can read about a book reflecting demoralised society and resist it. Plus, I’m kinda intrigued how a book about depression can be any more than just “Don’t feel like writing anything today. Going to bed for a bit.” Perhaps it’ll teach me a bit about being grateful for stuff.

Andrew Collins - Where Did It All Go Right? (2003)

I think this is where one of those trendy disco jockey types would use the phrase “on the flipside”. Andrew Collins kinda takes the piss out of that whole self-pity genre by writing about how he’s had it pretty good on the whole. He’s one of those entertainment journos that make you laugh about light-hearted things on the radio, in magazines, or on those lobotomy-friendly talking heads shows. I’m a sucker for that stuff, and Andrew Collins used to present a fantastic radio show with Stuart Maconie back in the dim and distant 1990s, so I have every faith that his childhood recollections will be more amusing than all that desperately tiresome rubbish about child abuse and midnight beatings.

--Tagged under: alfresco booksellers--

--Tagged under: andrew collins--

--Tagged under: elizabeth wurtzel--

Alfresco Booksellers #1 The Spanish dude who smokes roll-ups underneath the overpass on Oxford Road, Manchester, UK (at least I think he’s Spanish, he might just be drunk) Selling anything outdoors in Manchester is a bit of a gamble. Just being outdoors is a bit of a gamble, as we generally have 48 weeks of rain-sodden winter, broken only by our current 30 degree heat and its full complement of Biblical storms. For those brave enough to take their eyes off the passing clouds for long enough to browse the trestle tables though, there are some decent bargains to be had. Being right by the universities, there are plenty of textbooks from the 1980s featuring out-dated theories on climate change, as well as the obligatory collection of sci-fi serialisations; Star Wars and Discworld books and things with guilt edging that mention “vulcans” and “temptresses from Lizard Island”. There was also a sweet-looking kids book from the 60s about cowboys and Indians which I nearly bought for the fluoro-shirt the dude on the cover was sporting, but then I thought that just would have been silly. Anyhow, Mr Spanish Smoker appears to have stumbled across a local skip positively heaving with quality modern fiction recently, so I came away with an impressive haul, and only £20 lighter. Isaac Asimov - Buy Jupiter (1988 edition) I’ve never read any Asimov before but my Dad reckons he’s worth a go for more cerebral sci-fi. He was also President of the American Humanist Association before Kurt Vonnegut took over, so I’m guessing he’s alright. Roald Dahl - Kiss Kiss (1977) The blurb on the back says you’ll like these stories if you have “a taste for the sick”. That’s me! Joshua Ferris - Then We Came To The End (2008) I’ve already read this book, but it was borrowed and I totally fucking loved it, so I’ve decided to take the plunge and invest in my own copy. It feels like I’ve got custody of the kids back after the divorce. A.M. Homes - This Book Will Save Your Life (2007) What will I do, I wonder? Jump in front of a bus before me? Gobble up the poisoned fairy cakes? Nick Hornby - Fever Pitch (2000) I’ve never been that big on Nick Hornby, but I did come fourth in our Fantasy Football League last season so I’m assuming I’ll connect on some level. Arthur Miller - Death Of A Salesman (2000) Full of someone’s GCSE notes. Fascinating use of symbolic inferiority and auditory cues, so I hear. Rick Moody - The Ice Storm (2004) I’ve seen the film several times, and adored it, so I’ll probably hate this book. DBC Pierre - Vernon God Little (2004) A Booker winner, and set in Texas. Incapable of being crap. Ali Smith - Hotel World (2002) I love love LOVE Ali Smith. The Accidental is one of my favourite books ever, so I’m looking forward to this. She was born in Inverness and I was born in Inverness, so we’re pretty much like sisters. Zadie Smith - On Beauty (2006) I’m reading White Teeth at the mo, so it’ll be nice to see where she decided to go after all that hype. Evelyn Waugh - Black Mischief (1980) I’ve read a couple of Waugh books now. I fell for Brideshead Revisited in a big way, but then Vile Bodies wasn’t so hot. This one looks like it’s been soaked in unapologetic racism for several centuries. Edmund White - A Boy’s Own Story (2002) Anything about *affects Orson Welles grave yet hopeful voice* the GREAT AMERICAN DREAM pricks my ears up. Especially when it all comes crashing down horribly.
Alfresco Booksellers #1


The Spanish dude who smokes roll-ups underneath the overpass on Oxford Road, Manchester, UK (at least I think he’s Spanish, he might just be drunk)

Selling anything outdoors in Manchester is a bit of a gamble. Just being outdoors is a bit of a gamble, as we generally have 48 weeks of rain-sodden winter, broken only by our current 30 degree heat and its full complement of Biblical storms. For those brave enough to take their eyes off the passing clouds for long enough to browse the trestle tables though, there are some decent bargains to be had.

Being right by the universities, there are plenty of textbooks from the 1980s featuring out-dated theories on climate change, as well as the obligatory collection of sci-fi serialisations; Star Wars and Discworld books and things with guilt edging that mention “vulcans” and “temptresses from Lizard Island”. There was also a sweet-looking kids book from the 60s about cowboys and Indians which I nearly bought for the fluoro-shirt the dude on the cover was sporting, but then I thought that just would have been silly.

Anyhow, Mr Spanish Smoker appears to have stumbled across a local skip positively heaving with quality modern fiction recently, so I came away with an impressive haul, and only £20 lighter.



Isaac Asimov - Buy Jupiter (1988 edition)

I’ve never read any Asimov before but my Dad reckons he’s worth a go for more cerebral sci-fi. He was also President of the American Humanist Association before Kurt Vonnegut took over, so I’m guessing he’s alright.

Roald Dahl - Kiss Kiss (1977)

The blurb on the back says you’ll like these stories if you have “a taste for the sick”. That’s me!

Joshua Ferris - Then We Came To The End (2008)

I’ve already read this book, but it was borrowed and I totally fucking loved it, so I’ve decided to take the plunge and invest in my own copy. It feels like I’ve got custody of the kids back after the divorce.

A.M. Homes - This Book Will Save Your Life (2007)

What will I do, I wonder? Jump in front of a bus before me? Gobble up the poisoned fairy cakes?

Nick Hornby - Fever Pitch (2000)

I’ve never been that big on Nick Hornby, but I did come fourth in our Fantasy Football League last season so I’m assuming I’ll connect on some level.

Arthur Miller - Death Of A Salesman (2000)

Full of someone’s GCSE notes. Fascinating use of symbolic inferiority and auditory cues, so I hear.

Rick Moody - The Ice Storm (2004)

I’ve seen the film several times, and adored it, so I’ll probably hate this book.

DBC Pierre - Vernon God Little (2004)

A Booker winner, and set in Texas. Incapable of being crap.

Ali Smith - Hotel World (2002)

I love love LOVE Ali Smith. The Accidental is one of my favourite books ever, so I’m looking forward to this. She was born in Inverness and I was born in Inverness, so we’re pretty much like sisters.

Zadie Smith - On Beauty (2006)

I’m reading White Teeth at the mo, so it’ll be nice to see where she decided to go after all that hype.

Evelyn Waugh - Black Mischief (1980)

I’ve read a couple of Waugh books now. I fell for Brideshead Revisited in a big way, but then Vile Bodies wasn’t so hot. This one looks like it’s been soaked in unapologetic racism for several centuries.

Edmund White - A Boy’s Own Story (2002)

Anything about *affects Orson Welles grave yet hopeful voice* the GREAT AMERICAN DREAM pricks my ears up. Especially when it all comes crashing down horribly.

--Tagged under: alfresco booksellers--

--Tagged under: isaac asimov--

--Tagged under: roald dahl--

--Tagged under: joshua ferris--

--Tagged under: am homes--

--Tagged under: nick hornby--

--Tagged under: arthur miller--

--Tagged under: rick moody--

--Tagged under: dbc pierre--

--Tagged under: ali smith--

--Tagged under: zadie smith--

--Tagged under: evelyn waugh--

--Tagged under: edmund white--

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