Trashionista

Shiny news round-up

What's been happening in Shinyland this week?

Anna picks her favourite kids TV shows (and two of them are mine too!) [TV Scoop]

The women of Sex and the City + Oprah = happiness [Catwalk Queen]

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BOOK EXCLUSIVE! Feels Like Maybe

Author, journalist and occasional Trashionista reviewer (look out for her review of the new Marian Keyes on Monday), Claire Allan's second book is coming out in August and she's allowed Trashionista to exclusive reveal the cover. Lovely, isn't it?

Feels Like Maybe is is the story of Aoife - 32 and in an on/off relationship with sexy singer Jake. When she finds out she is pregnant, he decides the relationship is most definitely off and leaves her before the pee has time to dry on the stick. Desperate to get him back- and convinced she can- Aoife doesn't tell her parents back home in Derry about her impending arrival until her episiotomy stitches are healing. She then has to return home to face the music - baby in tow and sanity absent without leave.

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TELEVISION NEWS: May Contain Nuts

John O'Farrell's satirical novel, May Contain Nuts, has been adapted for ITV. It focuses on Alice, an over protective parent of the extreme variety, who wants only the best for her children. She is worried about their diet (are they eating too much gluten?) and the cars on the road but most of all she is worried that her eldest is going to fail the entrance exam to the exclusive school where every parent's hopes are pinned. So, she decides to take the exam in her daughter's place...

This two parter stars the wonderful Shirley Henderson (Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter and Jude in Bridget Jones) and will be shown in the UK in June.

Related posts: Television News | Marina Lewycka on funny women writers (it's related, honest!)

BOOK REVIEW: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks be E Lockhart

I've loved all of E Lockhart's books, but I have to admit I was a bit afraid to read her latest, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, since a couple of friends whose opinions I respect really didn't like it at all. Well, I don't respect their opinions anymore*, since I loved it.

Frankie attends the exclusive boarding school that her father and sister (and father's father, etc.) attended before her. When she started there, she was in her sister's shadow, but now that her sister has left - and Frankie has experienced some physical "blooming" - things are looking up.

* only joking.

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BOOK NEWS: Coleen Style Queen

The trend for celebrity children's books is showing no signs of slowing down. Following in the footsteps of Madonna, Kylie is doing it with her Showgirl Princess,  Jordan with the Perfect Ponies, Geri with Ugenia and now...Coleen McLoughlin.

Yup, following news of her five book deal, the girlfriend of Wayne Rooney has launched a series of books about a fictional character called Coleen. She is just an average girl who is into boys, her friends and, of course, fashion. Coleen, like her namesake, likes to look stylish and offers style and fashion tips and even how to customise your clothes.

Related posts: Celebrity authors | Coleen McLoughlin gets a five-book deal

Animal index cards

I sat up straight with excitement when I saw this picture on (where else?) Apartment Therapy.

How cute are they? These Hiroshi Sasagawa index cards serve no purpose except to look like you've got animals poking out from between your books. Which is absolutely fine with me.

Related posts: Bedtime Stories bedding | Booklamps | Book Clock by Mxyplyzyk

BOOK NEWS & COVERS: Chelsea Handler

How brilliant is this title? Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea.

I didn't read Chelsea Handler's first memoir, My Horizontal Life, but Diane quite liked it and I'll certainly be reading this one for the title alone.

I'm not wild about either of the covers, though.

Related posts: Pun lit? | Baby Proof's three covers

BOOK NEWS: Goodnight, Beautiful

I recently started Dorothy Koomson's My Best Friend's Girl, but I didn't make it past the first chapter. Not because it was bad, but because it was too sad. I just couldn't read it.

Thankfully (because I loved Marshmallows for Breakfast), Dorothy has a new book coming soon(ish).

Goodnight, Beautiful is the story of Nova Kumalisi, who would do anything for her closest friend, Mal. So, when he asked her to be the surrogate mother for him and his wife, Nova agreed, in spite of her fears about how it would alter their friendship. Eight years later, Nova is bringing up their son alone, and she and Mal don't speak.

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BOOK NEWS: Ugenia Lavender

We reported on Geri Halliwell and her new incarnation as a children's author last year. The first book simply titled Ugenia Lavender is out now. She is a “brave and sassy” nine year old with “loads of energy, tons of attitude and brainwaves like thunderbolts of lightning”. Each book comes with three stories, Big News, Top Tips and puzzle pages.

Released later this year are Ugenia Lavender and the Burning Pants, Ugenia Lavender Temple of Gloom and Ugenia Lavender The One and Only.

Related posts: Geri Halliwell writes children's book | Freckleface Strawberry by Julianne Moore | Celebrity Authors

Penguin deck chairs

Summer is almost here and what could be better than sitting outside with a great book and, well, sitting on a deckchair that looks like a book? I love these fabulous handmade deckchairs with classic Penguin designs from iwantoneofthose.com.

You can choose from Chandler's Big Sleep (green), Mansfield's The Garden Party (orange), Bernard Shaw's Man and Superman (red) and Bates' Country Life (yellow).

Related posts: Penguin book bags | Lovely Penguin pencils and more | Penguin Celebrations' gorgeous covers