I purchased a Book Spa as a birthday gift for my daughter in 2023. It’s been a long time coming (I reserved a place for myself too) and we finally made the trip to Mr B’s in Bath this week. The Book Spa involves chatting with a member of the bookselling team over tea and cake to gain an idea of our interests. Nethmi then collected a tower of books for us to browse. (The Reading Spa includes £60 to spend on books, plus a Mr B’s mug and cloth bag and a £10 gift card for future purchases.) Here is the stash of books I chose.
I went with a broad range of requests (and likewise my daughter) but these are the books I took away with me:
A novel written in second person: How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid. A riveting tale of one man’s journey from impoverished rural boy to corporate tycoon.
A memoir: PriestDaddy by Patricia Lockwood. Lockwood and her husband move back into her parents’ rectory, where she learns to live again with her family’s simmering madness, and to reckon with the dark side of her religious upbringing.
Novel in translation (French): The Mystery of Henri Pick by David Foenkinos. Story of a book sensation.
Novel set in a distant country (Buenos Aires, Argentina – the novel also happens to be in translated): Elena Knows by Claudia Piñeiro. Rita is found dead and the case is quickly closed but her sickly mother is determined to find out who is the perpetrator.
An introduction to a world I know nothing about: The Turnout by Megan Abbott. Set in a ballet school where an interloper upsets the balance of this tightly knit community.
An outstanding debut novel: Everything I Never Told you by Celeste Ng. About growing up in small town Ohio as the daughter of first-generation Chinese immigrants.
Picture book suitable for my yet-to-arrive grandson: Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett. I was sold on this book when a toddler entered the shop and started reciting the words.
Another good thing about investing in a book spa is that a list of every recommended book is compiled. I’ve already downloaded and have begun listening to The Girls by Emma Cline (another title in the debut novel category). I’m thoroughly enjoying the narration by Cady McClain and the rich, sensory prose.
Have you read any of these books? If so, please leave a comment – I’d love to know what you think!
the writer is a lonely hunter 
Ooh! What a fantastic gift!
We had a great time!
It sounds like you and your daughter had a great time!! What’s not to like about being around books and and tea and cake? I can’t think of anything better LOL! I’ve read Celeste Ng’s book “Everything I Never Told You” and absolutely LOVED IT!! I think you will, too, Gail, because she delves deep into family’s and relationships like you do. Happy reading 🙂
I’ll have to sneak Celeste Ng’s book to the top of the pile!
I loved Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere. I want to read this one too!
I read The Girls and loved it.
What a fabulous gift.