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Shiny news round-up

Cbass 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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Posted by Shiny Media on May 9, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK EXCLUSIVE! Feels Like Maybe

Feels_like_maybe_05Author, 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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Posted by Shiny Media on May 9, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2)
In Categories: Book News

TELEVISION NEWS: May Contain Nuts

Shirley_henderson_2John 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!)

Posted by Helen Redfern on May 9, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
In Categories: Book related, British Authors, Television

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

51vhnmm8ykl_sl500_aa240_ 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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Posted by Shiny Media on May 9, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
In Categories: American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Young Adult

BOOK NEWS: Coleen Style Queen

31j4mmv5hal_sl500_aa180_ 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

Posted by Helen Redfern on May 9, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
In Categories: Book News, Celebrity Authors

Animal index cards

Animalcards1I 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

Posted by Shiny Media on May 9, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
In Categories: Bookish products

BOOK NEWS & COVERS: Chelsea Handler

51x01n0mtql_sl500_aa240_51jzarjxbl_sl500_aa240_ 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

Posted by Shiny Media on May 8, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1)
In Categories: Book covers, Book News

BOOK NEWS: Goodnight, Beautiful

Dorothy_koomson 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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Posted by Shiny Media on May 8, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1)
In Categories: Book News

BOOK NEWS: Ugenia Lavender

Ugenia_lavender2_2

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

Posted by Helen Redfern on May 8, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
In Categories: Book News, Celebrity Authors

Penguin deck chairs

Penguin_deckchairsSummer 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

Posted by Helen Redfern on May 8, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
In Categories: Bookish products