February – a marvellous month of #ReadIndies!

February has been quite a month, and I have so enjoyed hosting Reading Independent Publishers Month. This is the sixth time the event has taken place, and I missed having my lovely co-host Lizzy this year; as you know, she sadly passed away last November and this year's event is something of a tribute to her. I've been so happy to see the wonderful response from fellow bloggers who've shared their thoughts and their…

https://kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2026/02/28/february-a-marvellous-month-of-readindies/

“I will show you fear in a handful of dust.” #readindies #thewasteland

My final book for #ReadIndies is from a publisher who's a huge favourite of mine, and I did wonder if I would get it finished in time as it's a bit of a chunkster! Fortunately, I embarked on reading it at the start of the half term break and after some struggles (which I'll go into later) I sailed through it; I've had this particular volume for a while, but obviously the timing was right!

https://kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2026/02/27/i-will-show-you-fear-in-a-handful-of-dust-readindies-thewasteland/

“I love a dedicated second-hand bookshop as much as the next collector.” #parisfantastique #readindies

Confingo Publishing is an indie press based in Manchester, and they have an intriguing list of titles on their books. They've appeared on the Ramblings before as they issue Dave Haslam's 'Art Decades' series of intriguing, slim volumes and I've read three of these so far. However, one of their recent newsletters alerted me to the fact that they also publish another…

https://kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2026/02/25/i-love-a-dedicated-second-hand-bookshop-as-much-as-the-next-collector-parisfantastique-readindies/

“… stay under the radar.” #readindies #corylusbooks

I'm happy to be able to share my thoughts today on a book from a really interesting indie press - Corylus Books. As I mentioned when I reviewed another title they released, "Black Storms", they specialise in bringing new voices into English, with a specific focus on European crime which might not usually get translated. I very much enjoyed my earlier foray into their fiction and they very kindly sent me another title…

https://kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2026/02/23/stay-under-the-radar-readindies-corylusbooks/

“The thought had flashed through his mind that he might not be the most eccentric person on the train.” #readindies #pushkinpress

For me, February is of course Reading Independent Publishers month and all the books I share will be from indie presses of all kinds. However, it's also Hungarian Literature Month, hosted by Stu at Winstonsdad's Blog, and I was very keen to join in as I do love translated literature. I had a half-hearted rummage in Mount TBR, hoping that…

https://kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2026/02/20/the-thought-had-flashed-through-his-mind-that-he-might-not-be-the-most-eccentric-person-on-the-train-readindies-pushkinpress/

“…poets are the greatest of all lovers.” #readindies #michaelwalmer

Today I want to share my thoughts on another book from Michael Walmer; my last post was on one of his older titles, but today's is on a brand new release, and an interesting one at that! The title is "The Worshipper of the Image" and the author is Richard Le Gallienne. I'd come across neither author nor title before but was keen to explore this book as the blurb makes it very tempting.

https://kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2026/02/18/poets-are-the-greatest-of-all-lovers-readindies-michaelwalmer/

“I have measured out my life in used books…” #renardpress #readindies

One indie press which needs no introduction here on the Ramblings is Renard Press. I've been a huge fan of their books for years and am happy to support them via monthly subscription. The range of works they release is always impressive, from new works, lost classics, essays and poetry to non-fiction - their books are always interesting as well as being beautifully produced.

https://kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2026/02/16/i-have-measured-out-my-life-in-used-books-renardpress-readindies/

“I just have a queer streak.” #readindies #godlike

One thing I often find about indie presses is that they're great at picking up books which might have otherwise gone under the radar. Whether a new title or a reprint which didn't get the attention it deserved, so many works are saved from obscurity by indies. Today's book is a case in point, as it's one I would have picked up on its initial release, but it somehow passed me by; now, however, it's been rescued by NYRB…

https://kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2026/02/13/i-just-have-a-queer-streak-readindies-godlike/

“…the inevitable limitations of music written on a page.” #readindies #discord #jeremycooper

It's entirely appropriate that I should read a Fitzcarraldo book for #readindies, as this event grew out of a previous one, Fitzcarraldo Editions Fortnight, which Lizzy and I co-hosted back in 2020. Both of us had a great love of their releases, and in fact I do still have some unread volumes hidden in Mount TBR. However, today's book is a new title (published tomorrow), and…

https://kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2026/02/11/the-inevitable-limitations-of-music-written-on-a-page-readindies-discord-jeremycooper/