Bookshops gear up for second 'Super Thursday' as 355 new titles hit shelves

Bookshops are gearing up for another bumper Super Thursday with around 355 new trade hardback books hitting the shelves (1st October), with some warning of a "creaking" supply chain.

Big hitters include Mrs Hinch's memoir This Is Me (Michael Joseph), David Attenborough's Life on Our Planet (Witness) and Ian Rankin’s A Song for Dark Times (Orion). A string of titles by big name authors from Claudia Winkleman and Andrew Marr to Hilary Mantel and Michael Rosen will also be appearing in shops.

The biggest publishing day of the year comes just weeks after the bumper spread on 3rd September featuring more than 230 trade books, and Hazel Broadfoot, who runs Village Books in Dulwich, south London, told The Bookseller both dates have been “an embarrassment of riches”.

She said: “I think the September Super Thursday had more titles that were really well suited to our market. That said there are some crackers out—Ian Rankin and David Attenborough should do really well for us. We’ve had a lot of interest in The Haunting of Alma Fielding. Mantel Pieces looks great, as does The Lost Spells which is gorgeous. I also like the look of The SS Officer’s Armchair and a personal favourite for me is The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths.

“There are also a load of big new paperbacks out. It’s a really strong season—there are so many titles selling really strongly and we’re already bursting at the seams.”

However, Richard Drake at Drake The Bookshop in Stockton-on-Tees, was less convinced by the big day and warned customers and stores almost had too much choice.

He said: “There are so many books coming in every day and given there was a Super Thursday in September it just seems part of a conveyor belt. On the one hand new books is always amazing. There are some incredible looking books like The Lost Spells, Mantel Pieces, The Abstainer, Tiger Tiger—though these aren't all 1st October titles—and a huge number of signed copies allow us as indies to offer something different. On the other hand if we are awash and not sure what to stock how are customers supposed to choose?”

Drake said the media attention generated by Super Thursday would help and could drive more customers to stores, particularly with Bookshop Day coming up on Saturday (3rd October) but he was worried “things may get lost in the huge pile”, especially indie titles. He also warned the supply chain was “creaking”.

He said: “Books that were due to be published have been delayed and books that were supposed to have arrived have got stuck in the system or arrive late which is not ideal given that the perception is that Amazon can deliver next day. Customers are generally amazed that orders arriving the next day is an option, so maybe we need to temper expectations this autumn. The over-riding positive is that we are all looking forward to some amazing window and table displays, with this year's plethora.”

Bea Carvalho, Waterstones fiction buyer, said the new titles bode well for the autumn with an “impressive and varied selection”, calling it a “true gift to bookselling”.

Pulling out some highlights, she said: “In fiction there is something for everyone in today’s selection – from a new title from Graham Norton to Sayaka Murata’s brilliantly creepy Earthlings which is sure to surprise and delight fans of her Convenience Store Woman. Ian Rankin’s A Song for The Dark Times is one of crime fiction’s absolute highlights this year, and we have seen some exceptional pre-orders for it: we look forward to it arriving in shops today. Elsewhere in crime, Start Turton’s debut The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is a huge favourite of our booksellers, so we have been extremely excited for his second novel, The Devil and the Dark Water, which is equally thrilling and original.

“Today also sees the release of Hilary Mantel’s second new title for the year in Mantel Pieces, which will prove essential literary gifting this Christmas. The non-fiction line up also includes Mrs Hinch’s new book which is sure to see some great first day sales. There are also, happily, plenty of books for booksellers to really champion and handsell, such as Women’s Priz- shortlisted author Natalie Haynes’ Pandora’s Jar, and Kate Summerscale’s brilliant The Haunting of Alma Fielding.

“The children’s selection is similarly robust, boasting new titles from Tom Fletcher, Sir Tom Moore, Katherine Rundell, and of course Will You Be My Friend by beloved author Sam McBratney, who sadly passed away last week.

“We look forward to sharing these books and the wider selection with our customers throughout the autumn period and beyond.”

Zool Verjee, head of marketing and publicity at Blackwell's, said: “The quality of books being published this week and throughout the rest of the autumn gives us great grounds for optimism despite the challenges of the ongoing situation with coronavirus. The fact is that now and over the coming months, book-lovers have the best choice they’ve ever had when it comes to books for themselves and gifts for others.

“Of particular significance for us is David Attenborough's immensely important new book, A Life On Our Planet, the broadcaster's witness statement and vision for the future. This is an urgent and essential book that aims to instil the will for change to protect and restore our planet. Many of our booksellers believe this is a book that should be read widely and to make it more accessible, we are selling it half price this weekend across a number of our shops.”