Mercantile // Reads + Films

Escape reality for a while with The Mercantile's list of current reads, new genres, art book inspiration,TV series and classic films that we're relying on during our time at home. Now's the perfect time to discover something new, so put these suggestions on your list for when you have a few moments to unwind.

 Debra // Owner Mercantile London

Rest And Be Thankful by Emma Glass.

"This is a visionary new voice for our time about a woman called Laura who is a nurse on a paediatric ward. A friend of the authors saw a picture that I posted and told me that Emma had returned to front line NHS care during the pandemic. So Mercantile sent her a big box of treats as a thank you both for the memorable book and for her dedication to the NHS, all of which makes a great read even better!"

.

Uncommon People by David Hepworth 

"This is the follow on from the excellent 1971 which zeroes in on defining moments and turning points in the lives of forty rock stars from 1955 to 1995".

Immunity -The science of staying well by Dr Jenna Macchiochi 

" In this book expert immunologist Dr Jenna Macciochi unravels the new science around immunity and decodes exactly what it takes to be well in the modern day, with lots of suggestions and helpful tips surrounding, diet, exercise and stress management".

Parasite (Dir -Bong Joon)

“My favourite film of the year – genius”

 The Florida Project (Dir. Sean Baker)

"Gritty, colourful and stars Willem Dafoe".

Thomas // Owner Mercantile London

The Wayfarer Trilogy by Becky Chambers 

"I'm currently into a new genre of female sci fi writers and this is the acclaimed modern science fiction masterpiece, by Hugo Award winner for Best Series, Becky Chambers. An adventurous young explorer discovers the meaning of family in a light-hearted debut space opera".

The Broken Earth Trilogy by NK Jenisin  

"I'm starting to read a lot from a genre of black female sci-fi writers and am starting the new Trilogy from NK Jenisin who has won multiple Hugo awards. This series is about nations battle not for power or territory, but simply for the basic resources necessary to get through the long dark night".

Get Carter (Dir Mike Hodges)

"This is Caine at the height of his power"



 Fhuad  // Photographer/Web Creation

Walden by Henry David Thoreau

" This was first published in 1854 and  is a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings...a manual for self-reliance. It  also contains one of my favourite quotes...If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.”

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts 

 "This is a fantastically written adventure, which is based on an extraordinary true story of the authors eight years in the Bombay underworld".

Twin Peaks Seasons 1 & 2  (Dir. David Lynch & Mark Frost)

"This was one of the most influential TV shows of the 1990s, and revolved around the mystery of who killed Laura Palmer, the local homing coming queen. As with all of Lynch's creations it is like nothing else before it and stands the test of time".

Rebecca  // Buyer/Store Manager

Soul R&B Funk Photographs 1972-1982  by Bruce W Talamon   

"Bruce Talamon saw it all during the golden age of soul, R&B, and funk. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, this young African-American photographer from Los Angeles found himself backstage with an all-access pass to the heart of the music scene and this volume captures the heart of it with beautiful images".

 Point of View: Me, New York City and the Punk Scene by Chris Stein 

"Chris Stein's was the guitarist and co-song writer in Blondie and this book shows a decade of his life.There are gritty self-portraits in the run-down East-Village apartment he lived in to shots of pop-cultural icons of the time and stunning images of New York City in that time".  

The Wes Anderson Collection by Matt Zoller Seitz 

 " One of my favourite artists and filmmakers, his style is instantly recognisable and this collection of images guides readers through his life and career". 

Lisa // Buyer

Acid For The Children A Memoir by Flea

Not a typical rock and roll autobiography, it's a raw, honest and beautifully original piece of writing, re-telling Micheal Balzary's discovery of the life changing power of music and creativity and his journey to become Flea, the bassist of Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness and Creativity by David Lynch.

"I'm re-reading this book from David Lynch as it touches on a lot of subjects but especially his commitment to Transcendental Meditation which he began in 1973 and from which he has never missed a day since. He speaks about how TM inspires his creative process and allows him to access his personal vision whilst making film and art. His much needed charity the David Lynch Foundation is incredible, working to provide free access to TM for inner-city school children, veterans and victims of violence".

Withnail and I

" Sad, funny and eccentric with a great soundtrack of the late sixties"