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September 29, 2006 12:14 PM

Trashionista Recommends: Buzz, Balls and Hype

Buzz, Balls and Hype is author M.J Rose's regular update on the world of books and publishing, and it's always fresh, fun and interesting. A PR specialist as well as author, M.J has an interest in both sides of the book world.

I loved this blog by guest author Josie Brown on the right name for your book. (No, not the title, the author needs the right name!- You can vote for the one you like best). And last week, M.J linked to this video which conveys those rough times all writers have... (but don't watch it if cartoon violence freaks you out!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 29, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner

Back in 2001, Jennifer Weiner was a single Philadelphia newspaper journalist who wrote novels in her spare time. In 2006, she's a famous and highly successful chick-lit (although she apparently hates the term!) novelist with a husband, daughter, and cash from Hollywood in her back pocket. We've reviewed all of her other books (including her latest, The Guy Not Taken), recommended her blog more times than I can count- and she's been the subject of a Trashionista Spotlight profile. So it's a little scandalous that we've never reviewed her debut novel Good in Bed.

The story of Cannie, who finds out her boyfriend Bruce has left her for another woman by reading about it in his new magazine column, it addresses issues of family, self-image and love in a way we hadn't seen in chick-lit before. Cannie isn't a Bridget Jones style diet-obsessive- she has phases where she's unhappy with her body, but generally she likes being a larger lady. And she is, we're assured, very good in bed...

If Bruce thought that their break-up was going to destroy Cannie, he was wrong. At first, she's betrayed and devastated, but gradually she starts to re-assess the relationship and realise that she's better off without him. And then he comes back into her life, bringing an added complication... But that's not all she has to think about! Bruce getting a column spurs Cannie to concentrate on her own writing, and good things start happening there, too. And then in a moment of low self-esteem she signs up for a weight-loss workshop and realises one of the doctors there seems to have taken a special liking to her...

This book is unpredictable, yet has a happy ending- but one where not everything is solved. It's more realistic than that. (In fact, I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't one more final conversation settling things between Cannie and Bruce, but that perhaps wouldn't have been very realistic). On the other hand, Cannie's writing success story seems miraculous in terms of the time span of the book but gives the novel a fairy-tale aspect which I think many readers will enjoy and feel she deserves. My only real criticism of the book is that Cannie is supposedly happy with her body, with not being thin. She exercises, is confident and has a good life (when she's not being dumped in the national press, that is) but there's too much mention of how she looks and what she wears for her to come across as truly happy. She should be able to be happy with being a larger size, of course- I'd love there to be more different-sized women in chick lit who aren't desperate to be thin. But with Cannie we're not there yet... Again, maybe because Weiner wants to be realistic? Despite these slight qualms, the writing is so good that I still loved every second of this book. I laughed, I cried... and I only read it by accident!

You see, I was in one of those book clubs where you have to send in a form each month or you're sent the book-of-the-month and the month that Good In Bed was the BOTM, I'd forgotten. I almost sent it back unread but something compelled me to keep it and I'm so glad I did. It's one of my favourite chick-lit books of all time: sharply written with an aspirational yet poignant story and a lot of heart, you'd have to be a hard-nosed Trashionista not to love it.

Rating: 5 out of 5

*Did you know?* A few years ago, Good In Bed was bought by HBO (makers of Sex And The City, of course) to be turned into a TV series, then... nothing.

Like this? Try Conversations With The Fat Girl by Liza Palmer; In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 29, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Television | Permalink | Comments (4)

Adora Svitak- the eight year old bookaholic who puts us all to shame!

Two days ago, Keris brought us news of an eleven year-old with a book deal- now here's an eight year old!

American Adora Svitak practically defines the term "genius overachiever" and makes the rest of us look, quite frankly, a bit dim. A fan of books on French philosophy and debates about politics, her book Flying Fingers (from www.aultbeapublishing.com) contains writing advice for those of us less prodigious, along with samples of some of her four hundred short stories and poems.  She's even been on Oprah. Oh yeah- and she routinely reads three novels a day, but hey, who doesn't?! (Oh yeah- me...)

[Via The Mirror].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 29, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, New Releases, Non Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

MOVIE NEWS: Five Men Who Broke My Heart

It's been a big week for movie news this week, hasn't it. Yet another one in the pipeline is Susan Shapiro's memoir Five Men Who Broke My Heart, the screenplay of which is being written by Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin, authors of the highly successful The Nanny Diaries and the highly unsuccessful Citizen Girl.

Posted by Keris on September 29, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, Movie News, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

FRIDAY FLICK: Animal Attraction

Based on Laura Zigman's book Animal Husbandry, Animal Attraction was called Someone Like You in the US. How's that for confusing? Starring Ashley Judd, Greg Kinnear and Hugh Jackman, it's the story of Jane, a producer for a daytime talk show who, after the sudden end of a relationship (with fellow producer Ray) comes up with the Old Cow/New Cow Theory based on an article about livestock she reads in the paper: whenever a man is in a relationship he starts to see the woman as an old cow and goes looking for a new cow to, um, service, never to return to the old cow.

Having really enjoyed Animal Husbandry, I must admit I didn't have particularly high hopes for this film, but it's actually very sweet; it reminded me of an extended Sex and the City. Ashley Judd is great, her best friend, played by Marisa Tomei is hilarious, Greg Kinnear is convincing both as a sweet-talking charmer and as a sleaze and Hugh Jackman .. well, Hugh Jackman is a revelation. I finally realised what all those Wolverine-obsessed friends of mine have been going on about all these years.

Despite the cliched ending - why do all chick flicks have to end with a chase? - it's a really enjoyable film (but, seriously, it's worth watching just to see Hugh Jackman shirtless).

Posted by Keris on September 29, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

Now The This Is (Not) Chick Lit Comic Strip

Now the This Is/This Is Not Chick Lit controversy has been immortalised in a Patricia Storms comic strip featuring Jennifer Weiner, Rachel Pine and friend-of-Trashionista Lauren Baratz-Logsted.

Whatever next?

Posted by Keris on September 29, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Recent Release, Short Story Collections | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 28, 2006 5:33 PM

THURSDAY THREE: Assistant Lit

I ranted a while ago about the numerous chick lit sub-genres and then, in her review of See Jane Write, Luisa mentioned Assistant Lit. Well it may sound far-fetched, but it's actually one of the most successful sub-genres. (Laura Zigman's long-awaited new book, Piece of Work, is yet another example.)

Just in case you're unfamiliar with the term, Assistant Lit does exactly what is says on the tin - it's a book where the main character works for someone who is usually glamorous and most likely a pain in the pants.

It would be remiss of me not to start with the most famous example, The Devil Wears Prada, particularly since the film is finally out next week. I think everyone probably knows what this one's about, but just in case ... Lauren Weisberger worked as assistant to Vogue editor Anna Wintour and then wrote a book about Andrea Sachs who gets a job as assistant to Miranda Priestly, editor of Runway magazine ... and she gives her a dog's life.

Hop over the cut for the other two books.

The Second Assistant by Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare is about Elizabeth Miller who takes the job of second assistant to an executive at a glitzy Hollywood agency and soon finds it's not all glamour. Mimi Hare used to be a Hollywood executive so she presumably knows what she's talking about.

The Nanny Diaries by, yes, former nannies Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin follows the New York adventures of Nan as she attempts to take care of 4-year-old Grayer while dealing with his mother, Mrs X's increasingly outrageous demands.

So which is your favourite Assistant Lit book or *evil laugh* do you have an ex-boss you could write your own book about?

Posted by Keris on September 28, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Devil Wears Prada, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (3)

MOVIE NEWS: Cancer Vixen

I can't wait to read Cancer Vixen*, Marisa Acocella Marchetto's graphic novel about her diagnosis of and subsequent recovery from breast cancer, so I was excited to hear Cate Blancett is in negotiation for the film rights.

You can watch the book's trailer here.

* instead of "victim", you see?

Posted by Keris on September 28, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

Reading Dawson's Creek

By special request from Diane, yet another TV show I've never seen. I know! (But if you think I was too busy having a life to watch all this stuff you'd be sadly mistaken.) Dawson's Creek was supposedly about a bloke called Dawson, but all I ever heard about was Pacey and Joey (Katie Holmes before she was the future Mrs Cruise). They lived near a creek, talked a lot and all snogged each other. Does that summarise it? Diane?

And are there books? You betcha! There's an official companion to Seasons 1 and 2 and an Official Scrapbook with a foreword by the show's creator Kevin Williamson. There's even an official Postcard Book!

Read on over the cut for more, much more ...

Troubled Waters is the unofficial guide containing the usual episode and character guide. There's also a "fanatic's guide" called Way Too Much Information.

Fiction-wise there's there are some novelisations like Calm Before the Storm and Major Meltdown but there's also the Dawson's Creek Suspense Trilogy, starting with Lighthouse Legend, which sees the Joey, Pacey and Dawson solving mysteries. Kind of like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. Probably. It was close, but even better than that is My Fantasy Dream Date With ... James Van Der Beek (amongst others).

Talking of James Van Der Beek, if you're so inclined there's The Boy Next Door: The James Van Der Beek story, a biography of Joshua Jackson, Girl Next Door: All About Katie Holmes (from 2000) and a more recent biography (which might be a little more interesting).

Also available - and I love this - are school curriculum materials (presumably out of date, but still) like
The Beginning of Everything Else. They come with an audio CD and you can download the worksheets from Macmillan's site. (Examples: "Here is a picture of Joey and Dawson at the end of the story. What is each of them thinking?" "Read Dawson’s movie script on pages 10 and 11 again. Dawson is going to make a movie of Pacey’s rescue of Joey. Write Dawson’s movie script ..." "A year after the end of this story, Joey and Dawson are talking together. Write their conversation.")

There's even a book of sheet music of the Songs from Dawson's Creek for "piano/vocal/guitar".

Related posts: Chick Lit Authors' Favourite TV Shows / Reading Desperate Housewives / Reading Alias / Reading Friends / Reading Sex and the City / Reading Angel

Posted by Keris on September 28, 2006 in Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Series, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: But Enough About Me by Jancee Dunn

Jancee Dunn has been a Rolling Stone reporter and an MTV veejay and But Enough About Me is a memoir mixed with anecdotes - often disguised as tips - about interviewing rock stars. (For example, 'It can be done: manipulating your way into the kitchen cabinet' heads the story of how Jancee managed to talk Dolly Parton into showing her around her apartment.)

Growing up in New Jersey as part of an extremely close family, Jancee never dreamt she'd one day be flying around the world interviewing rock stars for the world's most famous music magazine and after reading But Enough About Me I can't quite believe it either. Read on to find out why not.

Given her background, I expected Jancee to be cool. She's not. Well, she is in that this book is honest and funny, but not in the way you would expect a Rolling Stone writer to be, i.e. she's a self-confessed dork. She seems too nice, too sweet, too shy to have had such an amazing career and you don't really get much of an indication from the book as to how she managed it. One minute she's an assistant at Rolling Stone, the next she's got her first interview and then she's off. It's not all sweetness though, there are some dodgy boyfriends and an unfortunate cocaine episode (of course), but there's very little celebrity dirt-dishing. Funnily enough though - particularly for a showbiz gossip-hound like myself - the best bits of the book are the memoir parts rather than the rock star parts (Ha! Rock star parts. Sorry.).

Jancee has the most charming family and the bits about her sisters (whether about their childhood or their relationships as adults) and parents are lovely. In fact, rather than wishing I worked at Rolling Stone (I would never, never, want to interview Johnny Rotten, let alone have that be my first interview, as was the case for Jancee) I was left with an extreme case of family envy. The only off-note for me was that the romantic subplot (with, of course, a happy ending) seemed unnecessary. Can't we ever have a book about a strong, capable, successful woman which doesn't end with her living happily ever after with a man? Having said that, by the end of the book I felt like I knew Jancee and really wanted her to get her happily ever after.

If you're at all interested in music or journalism or even if you remember the Eighties (although if you can remember the Eighties you weren't really there, right?), you'll love this charming and funny book.

Jancee also has a great blog where you can read outtakes from the book and watch clips of her time on MTV (if you can get them to work, which I can't).

(I've included both the UK and US book covers because I much prefer the US cover for once.)

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Tabloid Love by Bridget Harrison

Posted by Keris on September 28, 2006 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 27, 2006 4:24 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

On Monday, I talked about what a great book Out of Sight is, and Keris agreed, but she also said she preferred the film. (Controversial!... but then it does star George Clooney).

So many books, especially our favourite chick-lit ones, are made into movies that we even devote a weekly Trashionista feature to them: Friday Flick.

But I want to know how you feel about film adaptations. The upcoming release (next Friday, 5th October, with selected previews this weekend) of the hotly-awaited The Devil Wears Prada makes this a timely debate: can the film ever really be as good as the book, or is something always lost in translation?

Tell us: from book to film- is it a Yay or a Nay (if you HAD to choose!) and why? And we want to know what you think the best and worst adaptations are... go on, let rip!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 27, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Friday Flick, Movie News, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (7)

Movie News and Trashionista news!- London is the Best City in America

Laura Dave's debut novel, London is The Best City in America, has had a lot of buzz since its release this summer- not least because Reese Witherspoon has optioned the rights and plans to turn it into a movie! [Via Bookburger- a wonderful site!]

And the good news for you (and us, of course!) is that Laura is among a select group of chick-lit authors who are guest-blogging exclusively for us next week- so stay tuned!

And of course we'll be reviewing the book!- When 'we' get some time to put our feet up and read it instead of gazing at it wistfully on 'our' desk, that is... Read more about Laura at lauradave.com

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 27, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Mama Lama Ding Dong by Ayun Halliday

With both novels and real-life stories of bad motherhood ("bad" in this sense meaning not aspiring to Bree Van De Kamp levels of anal retentiveness, let's face it) being so fashionable right now, Ayun Halliday's Mama Lama Ding Dong is very timely.

An improvisational theatre performer and fully-fledged arty hippie type, Ayun is the epitome of laid-back motherhood. Her relaxed attitude to germs, mess and stress is very refreshing! In this memoir (her fifth, but the first to be published in the UK), she talks about her unique approach to motherhood, her life before and after children- and some rather intimate details of her two labours.  But as I've said more than once, I'm not really the maternal type, so this kind of book has to be really good to keep me hooked! Read on to see if it was...

Breathe a sigh of relief Trashionistas, because this is a motherhood memoir that any woman can enjoy! (Although the mention of a mucous plug might be just a little TMI for some tastes...) Mama Lama... is a feel good story about being yourself and having fun- even if you have children or are on the verge of giving birth! Ayun and her family are loving and happy, but far from conventional- they dress their little boy in girls' clothes if they fit him and look cute and their little girl was born with an extra thumb! Plus, their ultra-aggressive cat has an embarrassing sexual fetish..

At the same time as being offbeat and entertaining, the book is also very realistic about the stresses of family life (and the tendency for a mother's needs to always come second to their children's). Ayun admits to walking down the street, breasts flapping, completely unaware, because she was so used to breastfeeding she'd forgotten to check she wasn't exposing herself as she strolled... she also knows some people might disapprove of the fact that her kitchen floor isn't anything like clean, despite her efforts. And she admits to jealousy over her husband's freedom, even though she wants him to work.  But she does her best!

Divided into sections including "The Daily Grind" (pretty self-explanatory- the day to day details of full-time motherhood) "The Way We Were" (the birth stories of Halliday's two children- including her daughter's traumatic delivery and stay in the neo-natal ward) and "Hot Dates" (the fun, or in some cases "fun", of holiday seasons with kids in tow), if this book doesn't fill you with admiration for the difficult job of parents, I don't know what will.

But it's about much more than that- a popular author and founder of handwritten zine The East Village Inky, Ayun Halliday's creative drive is impressive and inspiring, too. She has even taken advantage of the trend for virtual book tours to promote this book- turning full-time motherhood into a great force for innovation! Read it and weep- I mean laugh.

Rating: 4 out of 5

*Did you know?* This is one of those name-change books, originally titled The Big Rumpus in the USA (you can read an extract there <<).

More about the book and the author (and her family).

Like this? Try Having It and Eating It by Sabine Durrant.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 27, 2006 in American Authors, Memoirs, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

11-year-old signs book deal

An 11-year-old Chinese girl has signed a publishing deal after emailing her manuscript to the chief executive of HarperCollins!

Swordbird, Nancy Yi Fan's fantasy novel about tribes of warring birds, is to be published worldwide in English next year.

Written in response to learning about the war on terror while Nancy was at school in New York, Swordbird is about local woodbird tribes, the Cardinals and the Blue Jays, who find themselves pitted against each other in a search for precious food supplies - some of which have mysteriously gone missing. Fighting breaks out and an evil hawk turns the tribes against each other as part of a plan to take over the forest. He enslaves captives from surrounding tribes and is forced to build an impregnable fortress in which to confine all the woodbirds. [via The Guardian]

If you like the sound of it, but can't wait until next year, carry on over the cut for an alternative.

Clive Woodall's One for Sorrow, Two for Joy is about a land where Magpies rule, their dominance achieved by systematic genocide and slaughter. To stop them, Kirrick, a lone robin who witnessed the massacre of everything he loved, must undertake a journey beyond all reckoning. Through danger and deceit, Kirrick soars to all corners of the land, rallying those who would fight to save Birddom. In an epic conflict of bloodied beak and razor-sharp talon, of undaunted courage and unspeakable evil, of love, loyalty, and wings of honor—the battle for very soul of Birddom is about to begin. [via Penguin]

Yep. It seems Bird Lit has arrived.

Posted by Keris on September 27, 2006 in Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (4)

Louise Bagshawe headed for Parliament?

Trashionista fave Louise Bagshawe is in the running to become an MP.

The author of bonkbusters including Sparkles and Monday's Child is one of four Conservative candidates appearing in a primary at Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill this evening.

[via icsouthlondon]

Posted by Keris on September 27, 2006 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Mary Sharratt

Mary Sharratt is an American writer currently living in England. A review of her third book, The Vanishing Point - for which she's undertaken a book tour in costume (hence the photo) - is coming soon.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:
 
Summarizing a 369-page book in 15 words is very difficult, but I'll try!
 
"A 17th century woman searches for her sister who has vanished in the Maryland wilderness."

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)?
 
I write in my study, which looks out on a sheep pasture. In the background, there's Pendle Hill, famous for its legends of the Lancashire Witches and of George Fox, who climbed the hill to receive the vision that inspired him to found the Quakers. The surrounding area was also the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. There's so much history here, which is a real inspiration for my historical fiction. When I'm blocked, I can go down to the fence and commiserate with the sheep who come in hope of treats. If sheep could read, I would have a huge cult following.

Often my writing process is aided by mind-altering substances, such as strong coffee and chocolate. Especially chocolate. There is always a bar of Cote d'Or in my desk. I write my first drafts longhand with a Lamy fountain pen. I love the physicality of writing and the sound of pen on paper. And with all that physicality, you need chocolate.

Your favourite chick-lit book?
 
This may or may not count as chick-lit, but Mary McCarthy's novel, The Group, seems like the prototype of the "girls about town" narrative. Originally published in 1963, the novel concerns a clique of eight women who graduate from Vassar in 1933 and how their lives evolve. The book covers the ins and outs of dating, sex, birth control, career, marriage, and child-rearing. The tone is light and satirical, and the book addresses issues that feel fresh and contemporary. One of the characters, for example, appeases her "progressive" pediatrician husband by submitting to a tyrannical breastfeeding regime. It appears there's nothing new about the breast vs. bottle debate, or about young parents allowing child rearing manuals written by "experts" to silence their own natural instincts.   

Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why?
 
There are so many heroines I love, so it's tough to pick just one. Lily Briscoe in Virginia Woolf's novel To the Lighthouse has a special place in my heart. She's an artist struggling to find herself and take herself seriously as a painter in a society that diminishes women with artistic ambitions.

What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers?
 
Sit down in a chair and write. Try to write every day. Most people, if they cut out the time-wasters in their life, can commit to an hour or two a day, even if they have to write on the train to work or during their lunch break. Books and classes can help, but it all boils down to how much time and effort you are willing to commit to your own writing. Develop a schedule you can stick to. Enjoy the process as much as you can. It's so much more rewarding than watching bad television!

Writing groups can be wonderful, but try to find one with people in it who actually write and don't just talk about writing. And don't forget to read. Our greatest teachers are other authors who get it right. Buy books and give them to friends. You want to support the industry that you hope will one day support you. If every aspiring writer bought one new book a month, not just best-sellers but work by new  and less famous authors, the publishing industry would go through a sea change and be encouraged to publish more new writers.  

What are you reading at the moment?
 
Emma Darwin's lovely debut novel, The Mathematics of Love, which I'm reviewing for the Historical Novels Review. I'm enjoying it.  

What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)

My current work-in-progress is a ghost story called The Art of Memory. Inspired by the 19th century English gothic novel and pre-Raphaelite paintings, the book is set in and around Manchester, England during the Industrial Revolution and the present day. The theme is that the past never dies—the souls lost in the tumult of historical progress and change keep haunting and exerting their influence on contemporary lives.   

The novel concerns a dysfunctional American family that experiences a devastating blast from the distant past when the father, Will, goes to Manchester on business. He encounters a mysterious young woman who calls herself Angel. She lures him into her flat, serves him drugged tea, and then steals not his money or his credit cards but snapshots of his wife and daughter. When circumstances force Will to relocate to Manchester, his 16-year-old daughter begins to receive mysterious communications from a stranger who speaks to her deepest dreams and desires. It is up to Will to try to disentangle his daughter from this web. In doing so, he must unravel Angel’s true identity and purpose.

Posted by Keris on September 27, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 26, 2006 12:30 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Atlas Shrugged

Angelina Jolie has apparently signed up for a movie version of Ayn Rand's classic novel, Atlas Shrugged. Apparently Brad (you know, Pitt) is in talks to co-star.

Has anyone read the book? I tried to read The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand's other famous novel, years ago, but gave up, flummoxed, very early on. Comments on IMDb include 'arrogant book written by a miserable woman' and 'second greatest book ever written' so now I am, of course, intrigued ...

[via The Book Standard]

Posted by Keris on September 26, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (2)

SPOTLIGHT: Emily Giffin

This week's spotlight shines on a new chick lit superstar, Emily Giffin.

Emily was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and got a law degree before moving to New York where she worked in litigation. 

After moving to London just after 11 September 2001, Emily gave herself six months to make a go of writing.  Within a year she'd not only found an agent and signed a two-book publishing deal, she'd also got married.

A return to the US was followed by the birth of identical twin sons, Edward and George, and her first book Something Borrowed was followed by Something Blue (featuring the same characters, but from a different perspective).  

The recent release of her third novel Baby Proof has confirmed Emily's popularity.

The movie rights to Something Borrowed have been sold (to both Drew Barrymore's and Reese Witherspoon's production companies) and Emily apparently wants Patrick Dempsey to play Dex (I'm totally on board with this suggestion!).

Did you know? Emily was student manager of a basketball team whose members included actor Marc Blucas who played Riley in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Continue over the cut for Emily's bibliography (but don't forget to read our interview with Emily).

Something Borrowed
Something Blue
Baby Proof

Posted by Keris on September 26, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (5)

BOOK REVIEW: Never Say Never by Melissa Hill

Never Say Never by Melissa Hill is a fantastic read for anyone who has ever thought ‘I wonder what we’ll all be doing in 5 years time?’. Telling the story of group of friends who met at college, and are still more-or-less friends many years later, this book is set mainly in Ireland, (as about 98% of chick lit seems to be these days!) and will have you thinking in an Irish accent long before the end.

The group of friends provides all the traditional characters; the single mum, the all-work-and-no-play entrepreneur, the new mother who neglects her friends combined with childless and proud, the ‘living abroad so too good for the old town’, and explores how the experiences they’ve had over the years change their relationships for better or worse.

The three main characters, Leah, Robin and Olivia, show how fate has played a part in changing their lives. With a fantastic twist to the plot that I don’t think even the most suspicious reader would guess, nothing is ever quite what it seems until the very end. To get you there, there’s something for everyone with some very fanciable male characters and some inspiring and irritating women!

What I particularly enjoyed was understanding how the characters react to the events that shape their lives – some people can take everything in their stride and some let things wear away at them until they define who they are. It’s a good reminder that not everyone sees the world in the same way – and that it’s important to keep talking…

There are parts of the book that feel a little like the author kept her options open for as long as possible when deciding how the book should end – but as long as you don’t mind occasionally wanting to shake at least one of the characters to tell them to ‘snap out of it’, it’s a good read. [Emma Tazewell].

Rating: 4 out of 5 – another few chapters on the end and it would have been full marks.

Like this? Try Why Not? by Shari Low; Angels by Marian Keyes.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 26, 2006 in Girly Stuff, Irish Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

TV News: Jane Eyre (Yes, we're latecomers!)

Feel free to give us a metaphorical rap on the knuckles for this one, loyal readers! Call ourselves a site bringing you book news?? We're going to be spending the rest of the day in the corner of the classroom with our Dunce caps on. (Sorry Keris, I realise you might have had other plans!)

And why, you might ask? Well: we've told you about an illustrated version of Jane Eyre, gave you a heads-up about romantic fiction programme Reader, I Married Him (whose title is taken from Jane Eyre)- heck, we even mentioned the book in passing in last week's Thursday Three!

And yet somehow the news that one of the most popular classic romantic novels by a woman EVER had been adapted into a major new BBC TV series wasn't ever on our radar! ('Duh' doesn't quite cover it, does it?) It's on Sundays at 9pm and repeated the following Sunday afternoon- but you probably know that already...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 26, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Television | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: Princess Diaries Seventh Heaven by Meg Cabot

As you might have noticed, we love Meg Cabot around here, but her adult books don't sell anywhere near as many copies as her young adult books, particularly the Princess Diaries series, so we felt it was time we reviewed one. And, luckily for us, there's a new one out - the seventh Princess Diaries novel - Seventh Heaven.

Don't be put off by the fact that these books are aimed at young adults (we're certainly not) - this series, featuring reluctant princess Mia Thermopolis, is chock-full of Cabot's trademark humour and charm and should be read by young and, um, not-so-young alike. (In fact Marian Keyes recommended the Princess Diaries books when I last spoke to her .. yeah, okay, it was at a Waterstone's reading.)

Seventh Heaven sees Mia's grandmere at her Machiavellian best, Mia falling out both with best friend Lilly and boyfriend Michael (by trying to turn herself into a 'party girl') and a rejection for Mia's story No More Corn! (about The Boy Who Hates It When They Put Corn In The Chilli).

What I love the most about this series is all the characters - even minor ones like Mia's bodyguard Lars or Michael and Lilly's parents The Drs Moscovitz - feel like old friends. For days after I finished reading this book (and I read it in a day) I found myself looking forward to getting back to it and then being disappointed to remember I'd finished it. Luckily, Cabot is so prolific I won't have to wait long for the next one.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Related posts - What we thought of Meg's Size 12 Is Not Fat and Queen of Babble / Chick Lit for Little Chicks

Posted by Keris on September 26, 2006 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (9)

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Expanded Books

If you've been paying attention to Trashionista in recent weeks, you'll know that Meet the Author is a fab site featuring authors talking about their work and Vidlit is an innovative book trailers website.

Well, Expanded books is a fabulous mix of the two! Featuring pictures or anecdotes from books, along with interviews with their authors, these three-minute video clips are entertaining, informative- and can help you decide if a book is right for you. Featured authors include Tabloid Love author Bridget Harrison and bestselling medical thriller writer Tess Gerristen. Plus, How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk (that would be nice!)

I can't help wondering how authors feel about all this technology though- Jane Austen never had to make a video or go on a talk show, do modern writers despair of having to be "on show"? Or do they like having a reason to get dressed and leave the house?!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 26, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Recent Release, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Times gears up for an all-male Christmas

Two days ago, The Sunday Times previewed the books they think will be big this Christmas. As we told you yesterday, celeb memoirs are especially big this year- something the newspaper acknowledges, mentioning Stephen Gerrard, David Hasselhoff, Rupert Everett, Peter Andre (!) and Gary Barlow. As for fiction, although there's a token mention of Janet Fitch and Margaret Atwood releasing books for the American market, it turns out that the big names to look out for in Britain this autumn are:  "Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton, Charles Frazier, John Grisham, Robert Harris, Stephen King, John le Carré and Thomas Pynchon."

I can't work out if the blokes at The Times are sexist or just a bunch of old fogies, but I don't for one minute believe that literary quirk Thomas Pynchon or Charles "Cold Mountain" Frazier will outsell Marian Keyes or Lauren Weisberger this Christmas! Come on Sunday Times writers- How about you do another article highlighting all the great books by women that have been released this year?

Update: The ever-insightful Galleycat sees my point!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 26, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Devil Wears Prada, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 25, 2006 2:01 PM

BOOK NEWS: The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris

Fans of Joanne Harris's lovely 1999 novel Chocolat will be thrilled to know that her new book, out next May, features Chocolat's heroine Vianne Rocher, now living in Montmartre, Paris.

But will Johnny Depp, um, I mean Roux, be in it ... ?

Posted by Keris on September 25, 2006 in Book News, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

Celebrity Memoir Mania

Celebrity memoirs are worth big bucks to celebrities - Big Brother winner Pete got a reported £1million advance for his - and publishers alike, and with Christmas approaching, get ready for a celeb book frenzy.

Don't worry if you haven't started your Christmas shopping there will be an estimated 60 to choose from - Michael Palin (for dad), Terry Wogan (for mum), Gary Barlow (for me, please), Kerry Katona, Peter Kay, Rupert Everett, Billie Piper, even Corrie's Julie Goodyear.

It's hard to know who (if any) have actually written the books themselves and who's had a ghostwriter, but as long as there's plenty of gossip and bitching (probably less of this from Michael Palin, admittedly) then who cares?

What we thought of Teri Hatcher's Burnt Toast

Posted by Keris on September 25, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (6)

BOOK REVIEW: You Could Do Better by Stephanie Lehmann

Recently we mentioned Stephanie Lehmann's television-obsessed blog and now she's written a television-obsessed book.

You Could Do Better is described as '... an irresistible new novel about a woman trying to choose between the man of her dreams - and her fiance ...' If you can resist a line like that, you're a better woman than me. Hop over the cut to see if the book lives up to it.

Daphne works as a curator at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York, so obsession with TV is part of her job. But she also uses TV as a way to avoid engaging in real life (who doesn't?!) - her parents are dead, her former supermodel sister Billie is a mess and sex with her boyfriend Charlie is only average.

But when Charlie proposes Daphne almost misses it because she's too busy watching a fictional proposal on TV. Luckily she catches on and accepts but then when Charlie starts to lose patience with her television habit and she meets a sexy and available TV producer, Daphne starts to wonder if maybe she's settling for Charlie .. if perhaps she could do better.

I really loved this book. Daphne could be an unlikeable character, but her worries are so relateable and understandable I didn't find her unlikeable at all. Stephanie Lehmann weaves real TV shows seamlessly into the plot - and has some interesting things to say about the history of US sitcoms - and has created a very foxy hero in Jonathan Hill.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Pug Hill by Alison Pace

Posted by Keris on September 25, 2006 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

Book News: It's Vintage, Darling!

This lovely-looking new book had me at "hello, what's this?"

It's Vintage, Darling! by Christa Weil instantly appealed to me as I'm a vintage obsessive from way back (remember when we used to call it 'second-hand'?) With tips on how to tailor your second- sorry, vintage wardrobe to suit your figure and style, rather than just having an odd mish-mash of un-matching outfits (hmm, someone's been peeking in my wardrobe, haven't they?) as well as hints on spotting classic items and inspirational stories of finding perfect outfits, it sounds like perfect escapism.

The subtitle is 'how to be a clothes connoisseur'- something the ladies over at our sister site Catwalk Queen are already experts at! Over at the new shiny forums, you can even ask the CQ girls for advice. (And there's a Trashionista section too, of course, book lovers...)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 25, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Neverending Story- collaborative storytelling for all!

How do you fancy writing a story with a celebrity? (All right, it may be more of a 'celebrity'...)

The Neverending Story is a literary project with a difference. Yes, it never ends! But also, it's a chance to see your literary efforts on the internet and in print (in the books of stories the site plans to make) and to participate in a potentially huge story-writing community. Anyone can start a story, and anyone can add to an existing story until it reaches the desired word length set by the site (between 65,000 and 100,000 words). Act now, and you could add to Kajagoogoo star Limahl's story! (Well, he sang Neverending Story, they had to ask him to join in, didn't they?)

The site also features poetry and reviews and is entirely free to join, but you have to become a member before you add to or submit work.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 25, 2006 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

MORE ON MONDAY: Out of Sight by Elmore Leonard

If you've never heard of Elmore Leonard, you'll doubtless have heard of Out of Sight, made into a 1998 film starring J-Lo (before she was J-Lo) and the Cloonster. Or you might have heard of some of his other books: Get Shorty, Jackie Brown, Be Cool...? Leonard is a living legend. His books have inspired Tarantino and many other movie makers, and with their fast pace, snappy dialogue, pop cultural references and just general hipness, it's easy to see why.

Out of Sight is the story of Jack Foley, a career criminal who's become a celebrity in the bank-robbing business and who's hatched an elaborate plan to break out of jail and evade the law. He makes it out of jail, but deputy US Marshall Karen Sisco is smarter than the cops he usually has to give the slip to, and she's not about to let Jack go without a fight...

Like all Elmore's books, this one is so cool! It's very cinematic, with little description and lots of talk (he's one of the masters of dialogue) and lots of action (never a dull moment). There's violence and bad people in Out of Sight, but it's not dumb violence- it's always integral to the story and adds an air of authenticity. And Elmore always stops before it gets too much- which is perhaps why his books appeal to as many women as men. This is the kind of book where you're actually cheering on the 'bad guys', but you feel for the good guys too. I love this mix of moral complexity and escapism. The characters are morally complex, too- Karen Sisco's job is to bring in Jack Foley, but after being taken hostage by him for a few days, she feels herself falling for him, and is conflicted about putting him back behind bars...

I read this book after seeing the film years earlier, and I'm glad I did it that way round- I imagined Sisco and Foley as Lopez and Clooney (they allegedly hated each other, but it made for great sexual tension, which is a large part of the book too).

A quote from The Guardian on the back of the book says, "Out of sight contains all the best qualities of Leonard's writing: humour, black and good; timing; just the right amount of action, and major cool."  Too right. Leonard is one of the coolest writers of all time- effortlessly conveying the struggles of the criminal underworld. It almost spoils the illusion to discover he's an eighty-something white guy from a posh area of Georgia...

Rating: 5 out of 5

*Did you know?* Out of Sight was the inspiration for Karen Sisco, a short-lived TV series that was actually not half bad (ITV1 used to show it at around midnight) and which starred Robert Forster (Max Cherry in Jackie Brown).

Like this? Try One Shot by Lee Child.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 25, 2006 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, More On Monday, Rating: 5/5, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 22, 2006 2:24 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Flicka

One of my favourite novels growing up was My Friend Flicka by Mary O'Hara (it's possibly the book that inspired my friendship with an imaginary horse, but let's not go into that now) so you can imagine I was pretty excited to see it's been made into a movie called, simply, Flicka.

It stars Alison Lohman and country singer Tim McGraw and comes out in the UK on the 13th October (it was released in the US in July) so I'd better start polishing my invisible saddle ...

Posted by Keris on September 22, 2006 in Book related, Classic Novels, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

Books that get left behind?

As holiday season draws to a close for another year, what happens to the books you've read by the pool?  Most of us have read books that are great trashy beach reads, but one read is enough, so what to do with it then? Well, you could use BookCrossing to send it on a journey around the world, or you could plead heatstroke and just...dump it. Galleycat reports that the most-commonly abandoned books are celebrity autobiographies, with Paris Hilton's in top place, and Jordan's "autobiography" A Whole New World in third place (Jose Morinho was second, FYI).

What have you abandoned far from home? (And I'm just asking about books here!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 22, 2006 in Book Websites, Book related, Celebrity Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

Blurb- make a book! (plus Playaway-listen in a new way!)

You're probably already familiar with the publish-on-demand services of  Lulu (which is how Thomas Dowler created his novel), but have you heard of  new company Blurb? (I love that name!)

From what I can gather, you just download their free software, create your book (you have to have written it first, obviously) and then it's available to buy via their website. Pretty much the same as Lulu, but Blurb is in a fledging stage so at the moment they can only ship to North American addresses. Still, if you want to self-publish and be a bit different, Blurb might be the way of the future... and not just because I like saying it so much. Blurb!

In other book technology news, our sisters at Shiny Shiny are covering the Playaway- an ingenious device that allows you to listen to a book the second you buy it, as it is audio book, headphones and player all in one... find out more!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 22, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Mr Nice Guy by Thomas Dowler

Just two days ago, I was asking if men can write romantic fiction and now I get to weigh in with my opinion as I review Thomas Dowler's debut novel, Mr Nice Guy. The story of the book is as interesting as any fiction: we covered it a few weeks ago, but to recap- fed up of getting rejections on his manuscript, Thomas took things into his own hands and is self-publishing, giving away his debut novel as a FREE! e-book and audio book, via his website. It's also available to buy, and being an old-fashioned sort (I much prefer books in paper form), that's the format I chose to review...

The story of Dan Fisher, who is dumped by girlfriend Claudia for being "too nice", and re-thinks his outlook on life and love as a result, it's an attempt to move into Nick Hornby/Mike Gayle/Tony Parsons territory... But does it work?

Well, yes, pretty much! I'd say this book is more on the Mike Gayle side of things, but I certainly enjoyed it more than Tony Parsons' latest. If I had one criticism it would be that Dowler seems to be trying to appeal to everyone- without being too stereotypical, most women (or women like me, anyway) don't want to read the detail of a football match or know about anyone's toilet schedule, or worse, their masturbation schedule.  (This is only a VERY small part of the book, but more than one reference to each bodily fluid should be an author's limit, in my opinion!)

I just think if the author had tailored the book slightly more to what a female audience wants to read, it would have been straight-up chick lit from a bloke's perspective rather than trying to appeal to men and women. Men might still enjoy it too- but "know your audience" is what I'm saying, I guess!

That makes it sound like I have reservations about this book, but I really don't. The main plot and sub-plots were well-written, the characters well-drawn and likeable except where they're not supposed to be, and Dan is a nice guy- but not unbelievably or sickeningly so. It's written in a very pacey, snappy style, with short chapters which I enjoyed and never felt jarred by. In fact, I felt the book was brilliantly paced as I never got bored or wished we were with another character. I enjoyed the fact that I knew what would happen at the end of the book- but I was still kept guessing a little, and there were some unexpected twists and turns... it wasn't predictable but it did deliver the happy ending I hoped for.

As to why a publisher hasn't jumped all over this novel, I'm really not sure. It's certainly better than several of the books I've read in the last two months (mentioning no names...) and I can see lots of people enjoying it. I wish Thomas Dowler lots of luck in the future, and if anyone's looking for a male perspective on love, I'd happily direct them to Mr Nice Guy.

Can men write about romance? You betcha!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Mr Commitment by Mike Gayle.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 22, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: Gulp! by Gabriella Goddard

A little while ago we hosted author Gabriella Goddard on her virtual book tour to promote Gulp! Gulp! is a "seven day crash course to master fear and break through any challenge", something I sure most of us would love to be able to do.

Before I do anything else though, let me remind you of our Gulp! competition. We've got two copies of Gulp! to give away and to win one all you have to do is email us at editor@trashionista.com and tell us about the challenge you would take on with the help of Gulp! Our favourites - or those we think most need Gabriella's help - will win a copy.

Carry on over the cut to see what I thought of Gulp!

The seven day course which Gabriella outlined in her own post is explained, summarised and recapped - so even complicated issues (and there are some) are easy to understand. Each chapter ends with a practice - questions for you to complete so that you can see how the ideas apply to your situation. This is followed by an Action Plan which includes my favourite thing about Gulp! - there are different actions depending on "the size of your Gulp! and how nervous the situation makes you feel": Espresso, Mediano and Grande. This is great for someone impatient like me. I can start with Espresso and work my way up to Grande.

I've read a lot of self-help books and the problem is that it all makes perfect sense and seems inspiring when you read it, but then you stop reading, go back to life and forget all about it .. until you find yourself buying another self-help book. What I'm saying is, it's hard to say if Gulp! works, but it's certainly interesting and thought-provoking - I have marked an awful lot of pages to return to - and if you follow Gabriella's advice, I'm confident you'll be able to crack any challenge.

Posted by Keris on September 22, 2006 in Competition, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Self development | Permalink | Comments (0)

FRIDAY FLICK: Mean Girls

You may not know that Mean Girls was based on the non-fiction book Queen Bees and Wannabees by Rosalind Wiseman (I didn't until Luisa told me).

It was recommended to me repeatedly following my review of Kaavya Viswanathan's How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild and Got A Life. Unlike me, Gemma read the book before all the plagiarism accusations, but was struck by its similarity to Mean Girls. Gemma was absolutely right - the similarities are startling. But what about the movie?

Lindsay Lohan is Cady Heron who has previously been home-schooled in Africa and is facing high school for the first time. She's befriended by a couple of "misfits" - Goth girl Janis and her gay best friend Damian - but (because she's "hot") soon attracts the attention of the "Plastics" - Regina and her two dim cohorts. She agrees to spend her lunch breaks with them and report back to Janis and Damian on the stupid things they say and do, but soon she's becoming one of them - changing the way she talks, dresses, even failing "math" (which she's great at) to get closer to a boy.

It all sounds like typical teen movie fare - and it is - but it's also clever and absolutely hilarious (the screenplay was written by Tina Fey - famous in the US for Saturday Night Live and who also plays Ms Norbury).

I absolutely loved it.

Posted by Keris on September 22, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

September 21, 2006 11:58 AM

Reading Angel

As you know, I'm only just starting to catch up with Buffy and now there's Angel too. I've reached the point in my Buffy-watching (season 4) when I apparently need to start alternating episodes with the first season of Angel and who's got the time? Honestly, all this great TV to catch up on. I need to cut down on sleeping or something (cos I can't cut down on reading, of course!).

Anyway, there are, of course, reams of Angel books. Five Seasons of Angel features essays by Jennifer Crusie and Sherrilyn Kenyon. The unofficial guides include Once Bitten and Reading Angel and the official guide is The Angel Casefiles.

Carry on over the cut for more Angel.

There's Angel fiction too, written by Jeff Mariotte, who has also written a Charmed book, Mirror Image. There's even an Angel graphic novel: Angel Spotlight.

Related posts: Reading Desperate Housewives / Reading Alias / Reading Friends / Reading Sex and the City / Chick Lit Authors' Favourite TV Shows

Posted by Keris on September 21, 2006 in American Authors, Non Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (10)

BOOK REVIEW: Mixed by Angela Nissel

I loved Angela Nissel's first book, The Broke Diaries, which was taken from the blog of the same name that she wrote as a VERY poor student in Philadelphia in the nineties. Her second book, Mixed takes on a completely different subject: growing up mixed race in the eighties, and how it affected Angela. It touches on her parent's divorce, her self-esteem issues, family relationships, romantic relationships and mental health issues.

And it's brilliant.

Angela Nissel (pronounced 'nizzle') was born to a white father and a black mother, and that's what she always told anyone who questioned her about her origins- which they often did, and still do. Growing up, she never knew anyone who looked like her, and in an effort to reassure her, her mother would tell her that swarthy-looking white people were mixed-race, too. This culminated in Angela giving a school report on well-known biracial TV star, David Hasselhoff... and her mother re-thought her tactics.

When her parents split up, Angela, her mother and brother (who had darker skin than hers) moved to all all-black neighbourhood, where Angela still didn't fit in. Back and forth she went to different schools, never fitting in, always singled out and adding to the problem bu being deeply uncomfortable in her own skin.  This book moves from the hilarious to the heartbreaking within pages- and I mean that in a good way!

It's not a heavy book, and it's not a long or difficult read at all. Somehow Angela manages to be both moving and thought provoking whilst never hectoring, lecturing or allowing herself to become a victim. She's been through some difficult times and struggled to fit in as a child (and a young adult) but she's now made peace with herself and her life so far. I'm sure it helps that she's happily married, living in L.A and working on Scrubs as a consulting producer, too...

Seriously though, this book made me evaluate my own attitude to race- I think most white people are like the people Angela meets, who class her as black. But isn't she as much white as black? Or does being mixed race automatically make you part of the black experience (whatever that may be)? We'd all like to think race isn't important, but aren't we classifying people every day without even thinking about it? The quotes at the start of each chapter were illuminating and brought homes these points. This book made me think, while entertaining me, making me laugh and just generally being a joy to read. That's not an easy feat so I can't wait to see what Ms Nissel writes about next...

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try My (So-Called) Normal Life by Erin Zammett.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 21, 2006 in American Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chicken Lit (no, really)

Now I know these books came out ages ago, but I just saw this (make sure you click on the slide show) and it made me laugh so much I had to share.

The first book - Bitter With Baggage Seeks Same is only £3.00 on Amazon UK (plus there's a sequel).

Posted by Keris on September 21, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff | Permalink | Comments (1)

THURSDAY THREE: Inspired by Nancy Drew

Nancy Drew never seemed to have as big an impact in the UK as she did in the U.S, where she's something of a cultural icon for women and young girls. I remember reading one or two of her mysteries as a "tweenie" and enjoying them, but it was all about Enid Blyton (and later Paula Danziger) for me. So what's with all the interest in Nancy Drew from U.S authors? She seems to have had a huge boom in popularity lately. Perhaps as the world seems more unstable, we get all nostalgic- if only global problems could be solved by Nancy journeying down to Mystery Creek or the haunted mansion and sorting things out...

How Nancy Drew saved my Life by Lauren Baratz-Logsted is the story of nanny Charlotte Bell, who moves to Iceland to nurse a broken heart and work for the mysterious Edgar Rawlings. Everything is not as innocent as it first seems, as Charlotte is inspired by both Jane Eyre and Nancy Drew as she tries to work out what's going on...

What will the next books be? We could send for Nancy Drew or you could continue over the cut to find out...

In Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew and the woman who created her, Melanie Rehak asks if truth is stranger than fiction, revealing the behind-the scenes fighting between Nancy's creator and syndicate writer Mildred Wirt Benson and tracing Nancy's development and how she reflected the feminist movement. You can read an extract here.

Finally, and taking the theme to its logical conclusion, we we have Nancy Drew's Guide to Life by Jennifer Worick, a pocket-sized summary of Nancy wisdom.

*And if you never got into the Nancy groove, it's not too late! You can buy a starter set of Nancy novels (and I see they've made efforts to update her, too).*

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 21, 2006 in American Authors, Classic Novels, Crime / Mystery, Girly Stuff, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (9)

Trashionista Recommends: The5Spot

I've just discovered a blog by five fab chick lit authors: Megan Crane, Liza Palmer (whose Conversations With the Fat Girl we loved), Jane Porter, Caprice Crane (review of Stupid and Contagious coming up) and Holly Shumas.

It's a great read and they're blogging a lot (tongue-in-cheekily) about this, which I couldn't even face writing about. (They've had hoodies made!)

Posted by Keris on September 21, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 20, 2006 12:35 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Lauren Baratz-Logsted has to be one of the hardest-working women in chick-lit. Not only does she have three books of her own out this autumn, but she's the editor of much-talked about anthology This is Chick Lit. And she somehow found time to talk to us, lovely author that she is...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer: Not fair! I have four books coming out this fall! How Nancy Drew Saved My Life: a contemporary Jane Eyre-ish comic gothic set in Manhattan and Iceland. This Is Chick-Lit: an anthology, the title of which says it all. Vertigo: literary fiction set in the Victorian era with erotic/suspense undertones. Angel's Choice: serious YA about a pregnant high-school senior on track for Yale.

Continue over the cut for more...

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)?

My windowless basement.  [Ah- no distractions!]

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Nick Hornby's About A Boy :)  [Aha!- although it's not really a romance book...]

Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why?

Elizabeth Bennet from Pride & Prejudice, because she's smart and she gets Mr. Darcy.

What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers?

Read, read widely, and always remember: the only person who can ever take you out of the game is you.

What are you reading at the moment?

Old Filth, by Jane Gardam.

What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!) I'm in limbo. I've handed in revisions for all three books I have coming out in 2007, so now I'm just working on promoting the four 2006 titles. But never fear. I'll write again soon... :)

Thanks Lauren- that's great advice. Good luck with ALL your books!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 20, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Interviews, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (15)

Meg Cabot reads Trashionista (Probably)

While I'm on the subject of inspiring authors, I noticed that Ms Cabot seems to be blogging about a lot of the same stuff we're blogging about! The new Bridget Jones scandal, This Is Chick Lit and See Jane Write.

Coincidence? I'm not so sure.

(Meg, if you're reading, there's a review of Princess Diaries 7 coming up and unlike the Queen of Babble review, it's a rave.)

Posted by Keris on September 20, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yet more lookalike book covers

This is my favourite book cover lookalike yet. Jennifer Weiner's In Her Shoes and Best Fetish Erotica.

Funnily enough, I couldn't remember the title of the lookalike book so I emailed Jennifer and asked her. Being a total sweetie, she emailed me back the following day and then blogged about it herself. I inspired Jennifer Weiner. Hee.

Posted by Keris on September 20, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

Google Book Search- free books! (as long as the copyright's expired...)

Last week we told you about one way to get public domain books via your computer, and now here's another- thanks to Google. Google Book Search allows you to read any classic books in their collection (for which the copyright has expired) by downloading books as a PDF file. The website explains how it works:

Click a book title and you'll see some basic information about the book. You may also see a few snippets of text from the book showing your search term in context. If the publisher or author has given us permission through our Partner Program then you'll see a few full pages from the book and if the book is out of copyright, you'll be able to page through the entire book. [my emphasis].

[Via The Guardian].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 20, 2006 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (0)

Darcymania!

I love the title of site darcymania.com (that has to be some hotly-contested virtual real estate!) Home of the author 'Rika', she uses it to display her Pride and Prejudice fan fiction. There's only one story so far but intriguingly, there's a version for 13 year olds and over, and one for 17 years and older (are we entering into slash fanfic with that one? I daren't look!)

As you might guess, she's certainly not the only one, there's  a whole internet community of Janeite fan-ficcers.

I must see if knightleymania.com is taken...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 20, 2006 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (2)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Remember when I told you about Reader, I Married Him? Well, host Daisy Goodwin got herself into a little hot water last week when she suggested that few men enjoy, or enjoy writing, romantic fiction. We occasionally take a look at chick-lit by men, and Galleycat tried to prove her wrong, but what do you think?

Today's Yay or Nay: Can men write romantic fiction as well as their female counterparts? (And if you're a male writer travelling through these here parts, don't be shy!)

Tell us Yay or Nay- and why!

[Don't forget it's Yay or Nay day at Hippyshopper, Bridalwave, Corrie Blog, Catwalk Queen, Kiss and Makeup, The Bag Lady, Shoewawa and Shiny Shiny, too!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 20, 2006 in Book related, Girly Stuff, Television, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (12)

BOOK REVIEW: Confessions of a Failed Grown-up by Stephanie Calman

I loved Stephanie Calman's Confessions of a Bad Mother (subtitled: in the aisle by the chill cabinet no-one can hear you scream!) - I was relieved to find there are other mothers who are bewildered and improvising - so considering I also don't feel at all grown-up (I bet you're shocked to hear that, aren't you?) I was really excited about reading this book.

Did it live up to expectation? Read on over the cut to find out.

Stephanie is married with two children. She's (sometimes brutally) honest about her marriage, her children, her parents and upbringing and she writes movingly about her father's death, but there is a laugh (or at least a smile) on every page. Plus I lost count of the times I said, 'That's just like me' or 'Listen to this!' to my husband (who just rolled his eyes).

She doesn't want to exercise (but she really wants to eat - scoffing pillow chocolates within seconds of arriving in a hotel room), she lets her children watch Saturday Night Fever (and if I remember anything about that film it's that it's not suitable for children) and thinks about leaving her husband (but decides that once you've got the kids up and packed, it's easier just to stay), and she can't believe she's allowed to drive. In other words, she's a real woman.

Reading this book is like reading emails from your funniest friend - the one who always understands, makes you feel better and then makes you laugh until you wet yourself. Probably.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try The Shops by India Knight or Marian Keyes's Under the Duvet and Further Under the Duvet

Posted by Keris on September 20, 2006 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

September 19, 2006 10:27 AM

Best book in the world

No, I'm not going to tell you what it is! (But you can tell us...)

Fantastic idea for a site The Best Stuff in the World has a book section, where you can vote for your favourite. Current contenders include Pride and Prejudice, 1984 and Richard and Judy prizewinner The Time Traveller's Wife. Plus ten people are bringing down the tone with the not entirely earnest suggestion of "boobies." (That one might just clinch it if we don't all go and vote ASAP!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 19, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fan fiction pays big

For years, fan fiction (or 'fanfic' if you're in the know) has been a dirty little secret on the internet (no, not that kind of dirty- that's 'slash fanfic' and you can find out about that on your own!- just secretive and looked down upon). It's totally understandable that avid Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings fans want to re-write and re-live aspects of the stories they love, adding new scenes and  characters and sharing them with other fans in online forums, usually anonymously. But isn't it a little, erm- sad?

Apparently not, now that fanficcers (OK I made that word up) are getting $150,000 book deals for writing about the continued adventures of the Pride and Prejudice clan or Harry Potter's grandparents. Plus, apparently Meg Cabot used to have a go, too!

Hmm... publishers, have you seen my vignette about Bridget Jones's mother's uncle? It's really good...

[Via an admittedly sceptical Galleycat].

Update: Miss Snark has the right idea!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 19, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

MOVIE NEWS: Starter for Ten

David Nicholls's very funny debut novel, Starter for Ten has been made into a movie starring Shameless's James McAvoy and comic actress Catherine Tate.

Starter for Ten was one of those books I started reading expecting to love it, but found myself slightly disappointed, but if it can make Jeremy Paxman laugh, there must be something to it! The screenplay has been adapted by David Nicholls himself (well, he is pretty experienced, having written Cold Feet and all!).

Looks like it might be out at the end of October anyway.

Posted by Keris on September 19, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Keira Knightley as Jordan?

Apparently if her life story Being Jordan is ever made into a film, Jordan would like Keira Knightley to play her. [via Socialite Life]

Sounds great. I'd like to suggest Leonardo diCaprio as Gareth Gates, Chris Rock as Dwight Yorke and The Rock as Peter Andre!

Now you see, I was joking to begin with, but now I really want to see it.

See what we thought of Angel, Jordan's first foray into fiction.

Posted by Keris on September 19, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Debut Novels, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Playground Mafia by Sarah Tucker

The success of The Ivy Chronicles has spawned a whole new sub-genre in mummy-lit: school-related madness mummy-lit. (It's rather a mouthful of a sub-genre).

Unlike TIC, Sarah Tucker's book isn't based around the schools admissions process -although the narrator does makes mention of that several times- but is about an intimidating group of PTA mothers who can make a parent's life very miserable: The Playground Mafia. When Caroline moves to an exclusive suburb of London and her son Ben starts at the local infants', her best friends Heather and Eva (who handily both live in the teeny-tiny catchment area too) warn her to stay on the good side of mothers (-in both senses!) Sarah, Karin and Felicity- or else. At first she doesn't take them too seriously, but then she starts to see what the "mafia" can do...

And therein lies a problem. Not just for Caroline and her friends as they are at first overpowered by and then try to outwit the P.M (Playground Mafia), but for me too. This isn't a bad idea for a book, and in fact isn't a bad book, but it has more problems than the author perhaps intended. The most obvious one being that it's rather- well, boring! No matter how interesting a concept, trying to stretch it to 452 pages when it's more of a 252 page plot is never going to work. And any book with 'Mafia' in the title should really pull no punches and keep you on the edge of your seat- not the edge of sleep...

There's a couple of possible love interests for Caroline and a hint of intrigue here and there, but then everything works out okay in the end (surprise!) This all happens with very little suspense because the book is too long. Some ruthless editing could have improved this book by 50%, but length isn't the only problem, unfortunately. It's very cliched too, with a main character who hates her ex-husband, loves her son and shopping for clothes and has a mother who is a little on the critical side. Hmm, I've never seen that done before... But my biggest criticism and I think the reason (other than it being too long) that it drags is that the author is too far along the 'tell' end of the show don't tell spectrum.  She describes events for pages and pages, and I can tell she's put a lot of effort into doing so- but a paragraph with a little speech or a revealing action would often have been far more interesting and effective, in far fewer words.

So what are the good points about the book? Well, the nasty characters are well-created and the book is much more lively when they're around. In fact, all the characters are well-drawn, even if some of them are on the stereotypical side. I also think this could have been a fabulous story, had it been executed slightly differently (and in fewer words).

I've mentioned before that I'm not in the slightest bit broody, and so books about motherhood don't always appeal to me. But I stand by what I said then: if they're interesting enough, I'll thoroughly enjoy them anyway. Unfortunately, this book wasn't- and I didn't.

Rating: 2 out of 5

Like this? Try Wife in the Fast Lane by Ivy Quinn.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 19, 2006 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 2/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

SPOTLIGHT: Liz Young

Well this week I've attempted to shine the spotlight on Liz (sometimes known as Elizabeth) Young, but she turns out to be an enigma, wrapped in a mystery, shrouded in .. well, you get the picture.

All I could find out was the following:

Elizabeth Young started writing after a variety of jobs that included being part of an airline cabin crew, modelling for TV commercials in Cyprus and working for the Sultan's Armed Forces in Oman. She has two daughters and lives in Surrey with a fat cat, a barmy spaniel and a saintly other half.

And that tiny bit of info was cobbled together from about five different sources! But her books are popular (and have had great reviews here, as you'll see over the cut) so does anyone - anyone! - know anything about her?

Carry on over the cut for Liz's bibliography.

Asking For Trouble (which was re-released as The Wedding Date)
Fair Game
A Girl's Best Friend
Making Mischief

See what we thought of the film version of Asking For Trouble, The Wedding Date.

Posted by Keris on September 19, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (8)

September 18, 2006 9:30 AM

M. Apostilina is finally released in the UK

...Or rather, her first book is, at long last! She's the lovely author who shared her excellent tips for new writers with us last month, but up until now her books haven't been published in the UK.

Meri Sugarman, Psycho Queen (the first in a series set in a university sorority house) will be available from October 2nd, but you can pre-order it now.

Interestingly, the book's undergone a name-change for a British audience- they obviously think we're not sufficiently familiar with the term 'hazing', not having that cruel tradition at our universities (we just drink 'til we throw up, instead... much better).

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 18, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

Men and marriage plus WIN! a copy of Thirty to Wife!

Long gone are the days of the commitment-shy lothario, it seems- at least in the book world. A new book, The Engaged Groom, isn't, as I first thought, about a cheating husband-to-be, but for men who'd like some involvement in their wedding plans (as they should!) Marry Me is a book about Carey Marx's search for a true love and marriage and new release Thirty to Wife is about a man's experience of the run up to getting married- sharing his thoughts and feelings with humour and honesty- and a few useful tips! I love its subtitle: The Tell-All Groom's Guide to Weddings - How to Get Hitched Without Losing Your Mind or Your Fiancee. What more could you ask? Well, how about a free book?

Visit our sister site Bridalwave before Friday for your chance to win a copy of Thirty to Wife! (You don't even have to be getting married!)

Plus check out the author's very handy website (if you are getting married, or thinking about it...)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 18, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, British Authors, Memoirs | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bridget's pants go for £2,000

More Bridget Jones news for you! The famous big pants from the first film (I presume they used another pair for the second!) were sold last week in a charity auction, making £2,000 for The Royal Parks Foundation. Hugh Grant had written a special message on the pants for the lucky winner, who was not identified (disappointingly!)

Anyone with Bridget withdrawal symptoms should check out a new forum for all things Bridge.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 18, 2006 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have not actually read this book ...

A friend just sent me the link to these Amazon reviews written by someone called Jon Swift.

He claims not to have actually read any of the books he's reviewing, but despite this (or perhaps because of it!) he's very funny. For example, here's his review of James Frey's A Million Little Pieces:

'I have not actually read this book but James Frey says that only 12 pages of his book are untrue and I think that's a pretty good average. I think it's a great and compelling book and recommend it highly. Only 12 words of this review are untrue. Can you guess which ones they are?'

Posted by Keris on September 18, 2006 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

9/11 Chick Lit?

An article in the Chicago Sun Times asks 'Is the chick lit world ready for 9/11 plot?'

The piece, by Debra Pickett, begins 'It's easy enough to imagine the plot: Bond trader's Wall Street widow finds herself falling in love with rough-around-the-edges firefighter. But, somehow, the 9/11 chick-lit novel has not been written.' She suggests that 9/11 has featured in literary fiction - citing Jonathan Safran Foer and Jay McInerney (there is also, of course, Claire Messud's new book) - but not yet chick lit (although terrorism played a role in Helen Fielding's Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination) and suggests that, in chick lit, 'Real tragedy must be distant enough to be mentioned but never truly felt' going on to say 'A heroine who is slightly overweight and has had some bad luck with men is sympathetic. One who is six months pregnant and has lost her husband to a terrorist attack is simply too frightening to contemplate.'

As I'm sure you can imagine, I disagree. Marian Keyes has proved time and time again - most recently with Anybody Out There? - that chick lit can and does tackle much darker subjects than 'shoes'n'shopping' and I certainly think Marian is capable of giving us a 9/11 chick lit book. But is any other author? And do we even want a 9/11 chick lit book? Since New York is such a chick lit staple, it's certainly a valid question. What do you think?

Posted by Keris on September 18, 2006 in Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

MORE ON MONDAY: The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby

Jean-Dominique Bauby was the editor-in-chief of French Elle and the father of two young children when he had a stroke that left him completely paralysed with "locked-in syndrome". In other words, he had full consciousness, but was unable to move anything except for blinking one eye (the other eye was sewn shut to prevent infection).

Someone - he doesn't explain who - came up with a system in which the alphabet is rearranged in order of the letters used most frequently in French and then the person with whom he wanted to communicate would read this alphabet and Bauby would blink to alert them to stop at the required letter. And in that manner the entire book was dictated. I know. It's incredible. But is it readable? Carry on over the cut to find out.

I heard about this book years ago and have always wanted to read it, but I was put off - in a strange way - by my expectation that it would contain some secret of life, some advice on how to live that perhaps I wasn't ready for (who wants to know how to live when there's so much good stuff on the TV?!) and at first I was disappointed that it didn't.

I expected Bauby to be serene and accepting and wise and he really isn't. He's just a man, trapped in a failing body, angry that he's missing out on his life and upsetting his friends and family, annoyed when an orderly forgets to turn off the TV, and, by the end of the book I found that just as inspiring as whatever life lessons I thought he might provide.

What this book teaches and what I believe Bauby wanted to convey is that this could happen to anyone at any time. The things he thinks about aren't big life questions, but lighthouses, beaches, a cup of coffee with a friend. In other words, the things we all take for granted.

So, yes, the lesson of the book is take time to smell the roses because, well, you know, we're all dying - in other words, something we all know anyway - but the incredible lenghs Bauby went to to get the message across reinforces the fact that we really should pay attention. No matter what's on TV.

Posted by Keris on September 18, 2006 in Memoirs, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (6)

September 15, 2006 1:26 PM

Daily Lit- books to your inbox

We've told you about authors in your inbox , and explained how to get books direct to your mobile phone, so I guess this was the next logical step: books delivered via email from Daily Lit.

Once books are in the public domain (ie. copyright on them has expired; so we're talking the classics) they can be shared in whatever form users wish. So why not read a book in manageable daily chunks, for free? Do you like the idea of a daily dose of literature in email form?

Find out what Star's inbox is full of (brace yourself!) over at Shiny Shiny.

Related links: More ebook stuff from Trashionista and Shiny Shiny.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 15, 2006 in Book News, Book related, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Ya Yas in Bloom by Rebecca Wells

Never one to let a book fad pass me by (not when it comes to chick-lit, anyway) I devoured the book Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood back in 2000. I was less keen on its prequel, Little Altars Everywhere, which was written after the success of the first book. And now Rebecca Wells and her gang of southern belles are back, in Ya Yas in Bloom.

So... is it a Ya Ya too far?

Honestly, yes. 

Don't get me wrong, this book's nicely written and enjoyable enough, but totally and utterly unnecessary. There's really no story here, just a loosely linked series of vignettes re-telling the story from the first book (and not as well, because really, what else is there to say?) There's no narrative to speak of and really no point, but it's enjoyable enough fluff, at least... Thankfully, it's a lot less dark than Little Altars, whose hints at child abuse seem to have been quickly forgotten. 

Rebecca Wells' talent for creating a rich, evocative world is still evident- she writes great characters and I can't blame her for wanting to re-visit them. Who wouldn't like to spend a bit more time with the beguiling Vivi Abbot Walker and co.? But fans of Sidda will be disappointed as she's relegated to the background here, and Baylor is the only "tres-petite" to have a storyline- although that works as he's very sweet. I enjoyed most of the book, but it doesn't really add up to more than the sum of its parts. Cynically, I couldn't help wondering if this was a cashing-in opportunity... Wells must have other ideas and she certainly has the ability to execute them- I'd love for her to create a new and exciting fictional world.

It's  not a bad way to spend some time, and newcomers to Wells would probably enjoy it more than I did, but there are other books out there which do the same thing a lot better- Divine Secrets, for a start.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 15, 2006 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

Booker Prize shortlist- predictions proved wrong (again)

The shortlist for The Booker Prize, the biggest event in literary luvvies' year (at least in the UK) was announced yesterday.

Not for the first time, the judges have confounded expectations, with previously short-odds authors like David 'Cloud Atlas' Mitchell out of the running. For your information and delectation, the shortlist is...

The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

The Secret River by Kate Grenville

Carry Me Down by M J Hyland

In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar

Mother's Milk by Edward St Aubyn

The Night Watch by Sarah Waters.

For what predictions are worth, Sarah Waters is the new favourite to win the prize, worth £50,000 (and an increase in book sales, of course!) The lucky author will be named on October 10th- and we should be prepared for anything...

Have you read any of the nominated novels? Tell us what you thought: editor@trashionista.com

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 15, 2006 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tolstoy Lied: Putting the Lit in chick Lit?

A review by Michael Dirda in the Washington Post begins with the following assertion, 'Any genre, no matter how seemingly common or commercial, may serve as the foundation for a work of art. Perhaps even chick-lit.' Chick lit as art? Say it's not so!

But, yes, Tolstoy Lied by Rachel Kadish is the tale of Tracy, a young New York professional woman who has problems at work (a colleague has taken a dislike to her) and worries about her love life (a "dependable" ex-boyfriend is marrying someone else). She has a "well-meaning" family and a "nosy aunt" who are suggesting it's time for her to settle down. She's got both a female best friend who's about to get married and - yes! - a gay best friend. It's written in a "brisk sassy first-person".

Sounds like chick lit, yes? Well, no. Carry on over the cut to find out why it's (apparently) not.

According to Dirda:

'Kadish clearly aims to give all these stock items an intellectualized twist. Naturally, Tracy's best friend at work is a witty, gay guy, but he's also a hot professor of British Literature. Tracy's graduate student Elizabeth is not only sensitive and brilliant, she's diligently writing a dissertation on Emily Dickinson. When the new lovebirds go on their first date, it's to a play based on the poet H.D.'s infatuated and doomed relationship with Freud. Back at the office our heroine keeps a photograph of Zora Neale Hurston on the wall.'

So it can't be chick lit because these characters aren't brainless? I see. But don't get too worked up just yet. Even though it's better than chick lit, Dirda's still not impressed: 'Perhaps my view of Tolstoy Lied as an attempt to "transcend" the chick-lit genre is simply an aggressive, masculinist misreading.' You see, he thought the 'Lied' of the title referred to a German word for an art-song, so is disappointed to find it refers to Tolstoy's assertion, at the beginning of Anna Karenina, that 'happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.'

He thought it was going to be 'wise and mournful' but found it was just 'a reasonably entertaining academic chick-lit novel' after all. What a shame.

But why did he expect it to be anything else? Because Rachel Kadish is a graduate of Princeton University and earned her M.A. in fiction writing at New York University. She has received a Koret Award, a Pushcart Prize, and citations in the 1997 and 2003 editions of The Best American Short Stories. In other words, she's a 'serious' author. And yet, apparently, she's writing chick lit. Imagine.

Posted by Keris on September 15, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

FRIDAY FLICK: Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

Based on the novel by Fannie Flagg, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe stars Mary Louise Parker (seen more recently in Weeds and The West Wing) and Mary-Stuart Masterson (seen not that recently in Sixteen Candles and Benny & Joon). Because they've each got three names that start with Mary, I always used to get these two actresses mixed up. When I sat down to watch this film thinking I'd seen it before and hadn't really enjoyed it, I found I'd mixed it up with Boys on the Side which starred Mary Louise Parker along with - swoon - Matthew McConaughey (I must've enjoyed that. I'll have to watch it again.)

Meanwhile, back at the Whistle Stop Cafe ...

Kathy Bates plays the delightfully-named Evelyn Couch. Evelyn is overweight and fed up. When visiting her husband's aunt in a care home, she meets Ninny Threadgood (Jessica Tandy) who starts (completely out of the blue, actually) telling her the story of Idgie Threadgood (Masterson) and Ruth Jamison (Parker). Ninny's story is then interweaved with Evelyn's realisation that there's more to life than she's been allowing herself.

I really enjoyed this film. There's nothing new or startling (then again, it is fifteen years old) and it probably turns out just how you expect it will, but 15 minutes in, I was in tears. Like Fannie Flagg's books, this is one for a Sunday afternoon with a pot of tea and a box of biscuits (fried green tomatoes optional).

Posted by Keris on September 15, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (4)

September 14, 2006 4:51 PM

The Book People's bargains

British bargain books site The Book People has some special offers at the moment that might interest Trashionista readers- all six of Richard and Judy's summer reads 2006 for a measly £14.99 (a saving of £27, apparently), the first four Ma Ramotswe stories for a total of £7.99 and all six of Jane Austen's books (the new re-releases with pretty covers) for just £8.99. They also have Jordan's latest, if you're so inclined...

Order online by 9th October using the code 146F and delivery is free.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 14, 2006 in Book Websites, Book related, Classic Novels, Memoirs, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

Even more lookalike book cover

I'm like a dog with a bone with these snappish book covers, I know. But look at these books by Meg Cabot and Andrea Semple:

I may as well also take this opportunity to tell you that the sequel to Size 12 Is Not Fat has changed its name from Phat Chick to It's Not Over Til the Size 12 Chick Sings to Size 14 Is Not Fat Either.

Posted by Keris on September 14, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Yes Man by Danny Wallace

When Danny Wallace realised he'd been saying no far too much and limiting his life as a result, he decided to say yes more. Well, not more - all the time. To everything. "Every favour, request, suggestion and invitation."

Yes (yes!), I know it seems far-fetched, but Danny Wallace is a man who has formed a collective (not a cult!) and started his own country, so saying yes to everything should have been a piece of cake.

Read on over the cut to see if it was.

Well, yes. And no. He won £25,000 on a scratchcard, but then lost it again almost immediately. He learned that accepting an invitation from your ex-girlfriend to join her and her new man for dinner leads to an extremely uncomfortable evening. But not as uncomfortable as being asked, 'Are you looking for a smack in the mouth?' He buys a car, he meets a girl, he even goes to see We Will Rock You. And his life improves immeasurably.

If you've ever seen Danny Wallace on TV, you'll know how charming and funny he is and that totally comes across in the book. You want to go to the pub with him, look after him, be his best friend. Some aspects of the book stretch credibility, but I for one didn't care.

I really want to say 'should you read it?' but that's too cheesy even for me. So just read it, okay?

Watch the Yes Man book trailer here.

Like this? Try The Year of Yes by Maria Headley or Marry Me by Carey Marx

Posted by Keris on September 14, 2006 in British Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

THURSDAY THREE: Bridget, meet Carrie...

"Bridget Jones meets Sex and the City." Yep, that old chestnut. Sounds like it would be the perfect way to describe a chick-lit novel, doesn't it? It's pretty much an author's dream to hear their work is an amalgam of two of the most influential books in the whole genre (unless you were aiming for something a little more Martin Amis-esque, of course!) But it's been overdone. Some reviewers still seem to think it's an original remark, and trot it out at every opportunity. It's been devalued by being used about every author who so much as mentions Manhattan.  Let's stop the madness! And discuss whether these three contenders are worthy of the cliche...

First up, Tabloid Love by Bridget Harrison, and this one actually IS well described as a cross between Bridget Jones's Diary and SATC- it's a memoir about a single British girl called Bridget looking for love in NYC, who has a Carrie-style relationships column in a popular newspaper. No wonder the quote on the cover is actually from Candace Bushnell herself...

Second, we have Girls' Poker Night by Jill A. Davis, this time a novel but again about a young woman in NYC who's looking for love (kind of). And playing some poker (which is more of a Desperate Housewives kinda thing, no?) This time the label "Bridget Jones Meets Sex and the City" is from Library Journal- and I'm not convinced.

What will the third book be? Read on to find out (I'll make it worth your while!)

Amy Cameron's Playing with Matches is a collection of true-life tales from herself and other women, focusing on disastrous dating. As you can see from the above link, the first line of its blurb is "Part Sex & the City, part Bridget Jones’s Diary." Quelle original! Read a wry/mocking article on this overexposed/lazy book description here.

In other Canadian book news, Leah Mcclaren's debut novel has also been described in the press as... well, take a guess! Watch this trailer for her book The Continuity girl [warning: lots of flashing lights] however, and marvel at the surprising use of the phrase "sperm bandit." Now that's not a phrase book reviewers see every day!

(These last two books appear to only be available via Amazon.ca at present).

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 14, 2006 in American Authors, British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Opinion, Television, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (0)

TV News: Reader, I Married Him

Make a note in your diaries for 9pm this coming Monday (18th September) because no self-respecting Trashionista will want to miss a new three-part series, Reader, I Married Him, on BBC4. Presented by Daisy Goodwin, it focuses on the continuing popularity of romantic fiction and traces its origins. Goodwin will be speaking to Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella and Jilly Cooper about why their books are so popular, as well as looking at heroes and heroines in classic romantic fiction (that'll be Mr Darcy and Jane Eyre then...) You can watch a trailer via the website and you'll also find a quiz to test your knowledge of romantic fiction (I got a respectable 8/10 but  my ignorance of Barbara Cartland's oeuvre let me down!) and a competition to win a full set of Jane Austen's novels.

And here's a piece from the Woman's Hour archives about whether men will read romantic fiction.

Enjoy! (And let us know what you think).

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 14, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Girly Stuff, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Romance, Sophie Kinsella, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 13, 2006 10:47 PM

Trashionista Recommends: Heart of Tartness book club

The five romance writers who blog collectively at The Lipstick Chronicles have started a "Heart of Tartness" online book club.

Their first book is The Cinderella Pact by Sarah Strohmeyer (one of the five bloggers, funnily enough!) and the focus of the discussion is Women and Self Worth:

"Are we, like the hair color urges, worth it? What keeps us from accepting and loving ourselves just the way we are? The Pact in the book is made by three friends who vow to change their weight. Do they lose anything with the weight? Do they gain anything in return?"

Read the book, drop by, leave a comment. You know, just like you do here.

Posted by Keris on September 13, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Girly Stuff, Romance, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: A Boy of Good Breeding by Miriam Toews

I unabashedly adored A Boy of Good Breeding. Oops! Think I'm supposed to keep you in suspense about my verdict for a little bit longer, but when you read something this great you want to tell everyone about it as quickly as humanly possible! A fugly cover and a quirky story with some oddly-named characters (you'll see) might not sound like the makings of a modern literary classic but trust me, they are.

Mayor Hosea Funk is intent on keeping the population of Algren down to 1500, so it will officially be Canada's smallest town and the Prime Minister will pay them a visit on July 1st, Canada Day. But with all manner of new arrivals coming to town and some older residents stubbornly refusing to die, his plans look set to be shaken. Young single mother Knute and her daughter Summer Feelin' (yep!) are just the latest to arrive...

Hosea's ledger of "newly moved to town" and "dead or dying" is going to need some careful juggling, as he has Knute and S.F's arrival to balance along with the insistent pleas of his girlfriend Lorna, who's about to dump him if he doesn't show some willingness to move in together. The story also focuses on S.F, Knute and and her family, including her parents Dory and Tom (an old friend of Hosea's who isn't doing too well, and may be about to make an appearance in the "dead or dying" column himself...)

If any of this sounds slightly farcical, that isn't at all how it's written. As the book progresses, we learn more about the character's motivations and the novel is heartfelt and moving. There's occasional silliness and moments of great humour, but written in a wry, observant way that's always intelligent and never carries a joke too far.  It's easy to believe in this quaint little town with its slightly unusual residents, as the characters are never as weird as they sometimes initially seem.

A Boy of Good Breeding is superbly written and the kind of book you want to re-read immediately. It didn't surprise me to learn from the inside back flap that every one of Miriam Toews' books (and some of her journalism) has won awards.

A recent Guardian article pondered whether there's been a scarcity of good "Can Lit" (ie. Canadian books from talented authors). As long as Miriam Toews around, the answer is clearly no.

Rating: 5 out of 5

*DID YOU KNOW?* A Boy of Good Breeding was originally published in 1998. It was re-released recently after the huge success of Toews' last novel, A Complicated Kindness, last year.

Like this? Try Between Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 13, 2006 in Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jenny Colgan's wedding cake and more!

Over on our sister site Bridalwave today, you can find out where chick-lit stalwart Jenny Colgan got her wedding cake (and order one of your own, if you're so inclined!) Plus, a couple of weeks ago, they featured news of Trinny and Susannah's latest book: a guide to dressing for weddings.  With five of my friends having got engaged in the last year, I think I might need to take a look at that...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 13, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff | Permalink | Comments (0)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

I think it's time for another Marian Keyes Yay or Nay, don't you? This time we're turning our attention to her non-fiction works, Under The Duvet and Further Under the Duvet (largely inspired by the fact that I bought the latter last week!)

SO... How do you feel about one of Trashionista's firm fiction faves moonlighting as a journalist? Do you enjoy her non-fiction or should she stick to the stories- Going under Marian's duvet (so to speak!): is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

[Don't forget it's Yay or Nay day at Hippyshopper, Bridalwave, Corrie Blog, Catwalk Queen, Kiss and Makeup, The Bag Lady, Shoewawa and Shiny Shiny, too!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 13, 2006 in Girly Stuff, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (5)

Chick Lit authors' favourite TV shows

On her website Jennifer Crusie has a fabulous article entitled The Five Things I've Learned About Writing Romance from TV.  I'm fairly sure I once read she said she'd learned more about writing from watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer than from any writing guide. 

So what other TV shows do our favourite chick lit authors recommend?  Well, Stephanie Lehmann, author of You Could Do Better (review coming soon) has dedicated her blog to asking that very question.

Continue over the cut to find out what you should be watching.   

Joshilyn Jackson and Diana Peterfreund are also Buffy bonkers (sorry), while Shanna Swendson is a fan (I think that may be putting it mildly) of (Buffy creator) Joss Whedon's Firefly and Alison Pace is glued to Grey's Anatomy (and Beverly Hills 90210). 

So it seems if you have a hankering to write chick lit you could do worse than to start saving up for Joss Whedon's back catalogue (but watch Grey's Anatomy for Dr McDreamy). 

Posted by Keris on September 13, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Television | Permalink | Comments (4)

BOOK REVIEW: Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich

Twelve Sharp is the latest in Janet Evanovich's enormously popular Stephanie Plum series. 

I usually like to save Evanovich's books for a long journey or holiday and then read them in one sitting and while I didn't manage that with this one, it was still great fun to find myself in the company of Stephanie, Morelli, Ranger and Grandma Mazur again.  (Do you know, I can't quite believe they don't really exist!) 

Remember Ranger has a daughter?  No?  Neither did I, but he has and in Twelve Sharp she's been kidnapped by a Ranger wannabe.  With the police after him for his daughter's abduction, the real Ranger has to go into hiding and so Stephanie finds herself both looking for Ranger's daughter and on the trail of fake-Ranger while avoiding fake-Ranger's wife (who isn't too keen on Stephanie's relationship with real-Ranger) and trying to convince Morelli that her relationship with (real-)Ranger is purely professional. 

It's not quite as confusing as it sounds and it's not quite as fabulous as some of Evanovich's earlier books, but a below-par Plum book is still considerably more entertaining than many other books out there. 

If you like this, try The Rocky Road to Romance by Janet Evanovich and Fashion Victim by Sam Baker

Posted by Keris on September 13, 2006 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

SPOTLIGHT: Andrea Semple

This week the spotllight's on British author Andrea Semple.

Hailed as 'the new Marian Keyes' (even though the old one's still going strong), Andrea Semple worked in PR, as a journalist, and in nightclub management in Ibiza before taking three months off to write her first novel, The Ex-Factor. She swiftly landed a two-book deal and wrote her second, The Make-up Girl, in nine months.

Aged 28, she lives in Leeds with her boyfriend, author Matt Haig. She's got a great website full of chick lit info ("Write like a girl") and author interviews and also publishes a handy writing tips newsletter.

Oh and she's written a fab defence of chick lit.

Did you know ... she has a namesake who teaches "the art of sensually and erotically undressing"?

Carry on over the cut for Andrea's bibliography.

The Ex-Factor
The Make-up Girl
The Man From Perfect

Posted by Keris on September 13, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 12, 2006 5:50 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

This book is the first in the Otherworld series, where Kelley Armstrong has created a world where your neighbour could be a witch, werewolf or who knows what else. It’s probably best we don’t know! (I must warn you that this is categorised under horror in the bookshops, but don’t let that put you off, I’ve seen a lot worse on Jerry Springer...)
Bitten concentrates on Elena Michaels, the only female werewolf on the planet. She’s determined to make it in the real world away from her pack. She’s trying to play at being human. It’s only when her pack leader calls her back to help with an uprising that she realises what she’s been missing and what a bad state her pack are in.

So it’s up to Elena to save the day.

This is probably the best book in its genre, mostly due to the amazing love story that in revealed between the action. It makes you want it for yourself, apart from the werewolf bit of course! Her imagery is so good that the characters expand in front of you like holograms. So it’s not surprising that it’s going to be made into a film in the near future. My only complaint is that the end of this book leaves you gasping for more. So it’s lucky for us that the next book, Stolen, is waiting on the bookshelves, also featuring the lovely Elena. If you want a gutsy female heroine that can kick ass better than her male opponents and have a good laugh at them while she does it, then this is the book for you. [Angela Richardson]

Rating of 5 out of 5.

Like this? Try Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 12, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Series, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (1)

Buy A Friend A Book

Buy a Friend a Book week, an encouragement to be generous and, (you won't be surprised to learn) buy a friend a book, is four times a year, once a season... The next week is at the start of October, and we're going to participate! As well as nagging you to flash your cash and buy a good friend a good book (we'll have suggestions for you nearer the time, but here are some suggestions from the site) we're going to have a special guest blogger or two, and a book giveaway! Stay tuned.

Other participating sites:  Bookblog, Front Street Reviews, Life's Weirder than Fiction, West of Mars.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 12, 2006 in Announcements, Book News, Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

MOVIE NEWS: Perfume

Perfume by Patrick Süskind was a huge bestseller in 1989 (and is Martine McCutcheon's favourite book, as she's said in more than one interview!) but as The Guardian reports, it was always considered unfilmable until now, as it's about a detective with an extraordinarily sensitive sense of smell- something that's not that easy to portray on film!

Getting the rights to the film from the reluctant author had also been a problem... Uber-directors Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick (before his death, I assume) were both lined up to direct at different times, and pulled out- but now it's finally been filmed in its native Germany starring Dustin Hoffman and Alan Rickman, and was released a few days ago in Germany to a mixed critical response. See it in the UK from September 14th.

[Via The Scotsman.]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 12, 2006 in Book related, Modern Fiction, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Amazon Unboxed- TV and movies direct to your screen

Remember when I told you that Amazon.com was selling groceries online? Well, with Amazon Unbox they're now expanding their core market and offering TV and films for download, straight to your computer screen.  As with Amazon DVDs, you can choose to buy or rent- so there'll be no need to clog up your bookshelves with DVD cases if this takes off!

There's a fairly limited range at present but you can watch episodes of Buffy or 24, or see more of the divine Mr Mcconaghey in film Failure To Launch, amongst others.

Excitingly, there's an introductory offer that allows you to watch your first TV show free. You need to download special (free) software but it all seems fairly straightforward. (I couldn't find anything on the site that said whether UK customers could use it or not, so if anyone has experience of this, please let us know!)

And don't forget Amazon Fishbowl- Amazon's free insider look at books, film and music, presented by Bill Maher.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 12, 2006 in Book Websites, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 11, 2006 10:30 PM

Trashionista recommends: Zinio

Occasionally - and you'll be shocked by this - occasionally, I don't want to read a book. Sometimes I just want to sit down with a cup of tea and flick through a glossy magazine. But I favour American magazines. I don't know why. They just seem somehow more glamorous, more stylish, more grown-up than the British ones. But they're also more expensive and harder to get hold of.

Except they're not. Because at Zinio you can subscribe to US magazines and read them online. Unlike me, you may not be sad enough to get over-excited at being able to turn the page just like a real magazine, but perhaps you'll be excited about a year's worth of US Elle for $12.00. That's about £6.50 or 50p per issue! (If you are in the US, it's pretty cheap for print mags too, e.g. $15.00 for Vanity Fair for a year.)

Check out a free sample issue of Seventeen (chosen for the Justin Timberlake cover) here.

Posted by Keris on September 11, 2006 in Girly Stuff, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (0)

CNN on Chick Lit

This interesting article on CNN.com includes a typically spirited defence of chick lit from Marian Keyes:

"I actually think it's quite a serious movement," Keyes said in a recent phone interview from her home in Dublin, Ireland. "It's articulating the concerns of this unique generation of women. I wasn't getting the answers I needed from magazines, so I started writing about people like me."

Make sure you also click on the video link to see Farrin Jacobs and Sarah Mlynowski talking about chick lit and their book, See Jane Write (in which they reveal the original title of the book was 'Like Life, But Funnier').

Posted by Keris on September 11, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

Veronika Asks, authors answer

Veronika Asks is a fantastic new resource for book lovers! Featuring interviews with chick-lit authors like Lauren Baratz Logsted, editor of much-talked about anthology, This is Chick Lit (we have our own interview with her coming soon!) and teen chick-lit author Michele Jaffe, as well as reviews of authors like Melanie Lynne Hauser and Apostilina, it's just wonderful.

Perhaps most impressive, you can also read the site in French if you parlez-vous Francais, and you can send in questions for upcoming authors via email if you wish.  Check out the site for more!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 11, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Girly Stuff, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (2)

And in hoax news...

It's all going on in the world of literary scams! Customers who were disappointed when James Frey turned out to have been lying about his exploits in "memoir" A Million Little Pieces, will be entitled to their money back- but there are conditions. [Jennifer Weiner said on her blog that she was searching for her copy!]

And JT Leroy, the male, mysterious, shy and scandalous (he allegedly worked as a cross-dressing prostitute) author of cult novel Sarah, was recently revealed to be a woman, Laura Albert, who is defending herself in a recent interview.

What happened to writers working hard, starving in garrets and not causing any trouble?!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 11, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

MORE ON MONDAY: Dorothy Parker: What Fresh Hell is This? by Marion Meade

If you haven't heard of Dorothy Parker, you'll at least have heard one of her poems ("Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses-" yep, that's the whole poem!) or witty/barbed remarks ("If all the girls who attended the Yale prom were laid end to end, I wouldn't be a bit surprised"; "She runs the gamut of emotions from A to B"... etc.) One of the founder members of the Algonquin round table, an influential group of writers in 1920s and 30s New York, Dorothy Parker was a gossipy journalist, well-known short story writer, clinical depressive with a tendency to suicide attempts- and a famous wit.

"What Fresh Hell is This?" was her favoured reply to anything from the doorbell or telephone ringing, to a friend's new outfit. It's also the title of Marion Meade's magnificent biography.

From her grandparents' lives, through to her childhood, disastrous love life, alcohol abuse and depression, this is a through and brilliantly well-researched look into the life of Dorothy Parker.  Pondering whether her fiction is underrated (due to sexism or her own inability to take herself seriously, perhaps?) or just not as good as her male counterparts, and why she married an alcoholic and a gay man (surely the ultimate in self-sabotage?) as well as why she was such a funny and warm woman in print but an often spiteful human being, Meade pulls no punches.  Parker comes across as frequently nasty and misguided, but talented and ground-breaking too- she was one of the first female Hollywood screenwriters, campaigned vigorously against the death penalty and helped set up the Hollywood Anti-Nazi League.

A lot of her mental instability could probably have been helped by modern treatments, and perhaps if she hadn't drunk as much as she did, she could have been happier and made better decisions.  But maybe part of her enjoyed being a tortured artiste.

This is a hefty book, with a large index and impressive photo collection.  It's sometimes heavy in tone as well as volume, but well worth reading and not hard to whizz through, as the story of Dorothy Parker's life, whilst often sad, is always compelling.

Rating: 5 out of 5

*Did you know?* Jennifer Jason Leigh won plaudits for her portrayal of Dorothy Parker in the 1994 film, Mrs Parker and the Vicious Circle.

Dorothy Parker is an inspiration for many women writers including Sandi Toksvig and Nora Ephron.

Like this? Try My Life So Far by Jane Fonda; Postcards From the Edge by Carrie Fisher.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 11, 2006 in American Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK NEWS: The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud

Set in New York mostly before, but also just after, the attacks of September 11th, Claire Messud's fourth book, The Emperor's Children has been longlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

Read an extract and an interview with the author here.

Posted by Keris on September 11, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 8, 2006 12:09 PM

Paul Burrell, Give it a Rest!

I generally ignore/avoid/am oblivious to any and all news about book serialisations, Princess Diana's untimely death conspiracy theories etc.

But even I in my ignorance can not fail to notice the biggest publishing news of the season: Paul Burrell's written a book (yes, another one!) about Diana. Called The Way We Were (he keeps getting camper, that man!) I'm sure it tells you much more than you ever wanted to know about his close friendship with the princess... Hmm, I hope all my friends sell stories on me after I've gone!

Apparently he fled to his home in Florida (I guess dishing on Di is profitable) to escape the media furore this week... wise move.  A family friend of Diana is unimpressed with his actions: "To say that he is addicted to the spotlight is an understatement, it is as if he cannot help himself." [Via Galleycat.]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 8, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (6)

Bloomsbury is 21

To mark the classic publisher Bloomsbury’s 21st birthday next year the company is issuing 21 special paperbacks to represent Bloomsbury through the years.

The books will feature an interview with the author, an introduction by a fellow writer (for example Alexander McCall Smith on Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone) and a reading guide.

The list includes all-time classics such as Jeffrey Eugenides' Middlesex, Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson and Jenny Colgan's favourite book John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany, alongide future classics like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clark, Donna Tartt's The Little Friend and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.

[via Publishing News]

Posted by Keris on September 8, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

Richard and Judy Christmas Book Party

If you're missing Richard and Judy now they've gone into hiding/on holiday until January, don't despair! The Richard & Judy Christmas Book Party Show is coming on December 9th... an hour-long, one-off special of Christmas book recommendations- focusing mainly on non-fiction for a change- to help you with your Xmas shopping. (Oops! said I wasn't going to mention it again, didn't I? Sorry!)

According to Publishing News: "There are five categories – illustrated coffee-table titles, food/drink books, humorous stocking fillers, celebrity-led books or notable autobiographies/biographies, and children’s books, covering every age group and including fiction.
  Five books will be featured in each category with members of the public, along with celebrity reviewers, discussing the titles. Two further celebrities will join Richard and Judy in the studio to discuss the finalists, with a studio-based vote for ‘the ideal Christmas title'"

Competing books will be announced shortly after October 16th.

[Via The Bookseller and Publishing News.]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 8, 2006 in Book News, Book related, Richard and Judy, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Great Indoors by Sabine Durrant

I agreed with Danielle that Having it and Eating It, Sabine Durrant's first novel, was a great page-turner, witty, fun and with something to say.  The Great Indoors, however, is a little different... It's story of Martha Bone, a lonely, perfectionist antiques store owner, and her two sisters who are all reunited after the death of their step-father.  Secrets and people from the past start to turn up again and Martha's past comes back to haunt her- and makes her realise she wants more from life than her sheltered existence. 

I know that sounds like a great platform for some interesting fiction, but the truth is- it isn't.

I was very disappointed with this book.  Yeah, it's got a kitschily-cool Cath Kidston cover (and you know how important covers are to Trashionista!) but focusing on a staid and socially inept main character- and worse, telling her story in the third person so we relate to her even less- just doesn't work. Martha seemed like an extreme and rather unkind caricature, and I wasn't sure what the author was trying to say about her: that antiques store owners are all fuddy duddies? That women who don't want children are sad and lonely?

There are flashes of the fun and humour we saw in Durrant's first book -I liked the way the chapters were organised into rooms, which added to the story- but a lot of sadness and sentimentality, too.  She's still a witty and talented writer, but this book left me hugely unsatisfied and feeling rather depressed.  Keris wrote about the "sophomore slump" (bad second book syndrome) and this is unfortunately a prime example.  I see Durrant's third book, a teen chick lit title, is getting much better reviews on Amazon than this one did, so hopefully she shook off the slump and moved on to better things! I won't give up on the author, but I'd be happy never to see this book again...

Rating: 2 out of 5

Like this? You'll like Having it and Eating It by Sabine Durrant a lot more! And for an author who can write unsympathetic characters wonderfully, try The Pursuit of Alice Thrift by Elinor Lipman.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 8, 2006 in British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 2/5, Rubbish Books | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot

Meg Cabot's adult novels haven't yet achieved the enormous success of her teen books, but this year has seen the release of the first book in each of two new adult series. The first Heather Wells mystery, Size 12 Is Not Fat received mixed reviews and so did Queen of Babble, but I was dying to read it anyway.

So does it reach the usual Cabot heights? Well, in a word .. no. (Cue stunned gasps from everyone who knows me!)

Carry on across the cut to find out why not.

Lizzie Nichols is 22 and has just graduated. Some of the criticism of both Size 12 Is Not Fat and this book is that it could easily be one of Meg's teen books if it wasn't for the subject matter and I wonder if that's why she's made Lizzie 22. But even for 22, Lizzie is unbelievably immature. Oh she's sweet, but too naive to be realistic. And not just because she uses the word 'stiffy' about six times in the first fifty pages.

As the title implies, Lizzie can't keep her mouth shut. She talks a lot and she can't be trusted to keep a secret. Following a disastrous trip to London to visit her appalling boyfriend (who she's actually only previously spent one night with) she gets the train to Paris to visit a friend who's working at a French chateau and spills all her secrets to the handsome hunk in the next seat. And guess what? He's the son of the owner of the chateau. Did you see that coming? No! Me neither! (I'm being sarcastic.)

Once Lizzie gets to the chateau this book improved immeasurably. Despite being embarrassingly dopey, Lizzie is very sweet. Her friend Shari and Shari's boyfriend Chaz are great characters (as is Lizzie's grandma who sadly disappears from the book after the first 100 or so pages) and Luke (the chateau-owner's son) is gorgeous.

But .. but .. it just wasn't that special. It was sweet and funny, but it wasn't very original and I hate to say it but this type of story was done a lot more successfully by Sophie Kinsella in Can You Keep A Secret?

If you like this, try Can You Keep A Secret? or The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

Posted by Keris on September 8, 2006 in American Authors, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

FRIDAY FLICK: How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days

Based on the self-help satire by Michele Alexander and Jennie Long, How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days stars the ever-gorgeous Matthew McConaughey, and Kate Hudson who I find myself liking more and more (but not in the same way I like Matthew).

Kate plays Andie, a journalist at Composure magazine who suggests a feature on the dating mistakes all women make (being too clingy, baby talk, incessant phonecalls, etc). Her editor challenges her to drive a man away in 10 days. Matthew (swoon) plays Benjamin, an ad exec who, conveniently, accepts a bet to make a woman fall in love with him in 10 days (in order to win a prestigious diamond account). Of course they end up dating each other with - yes - hilarious results. No, really.

For their first date Andie is "herself" - sexy, funny, charming - but once she's got Benjamin hooked she turns on the dating no-no's and Benjamin is alternately flummoxed and horrified, but of course he can't dump her. Kate Hudson plays kooky/crazy brilliantly and Matthew McConaughey is so effortlessly charming that it really works.

I loved this film. It's funny, looks great (not just Matthew; it's set in New York) and while there was no chemistry between Kate Hudson and Luke Wilson in Alex & Emma, Hudson and McConaughey's makes the screen crackle.

Plus it's got the line: "If I had a nickel for every time I got in a fistfight during a chick flick .." What's not to love?

Posted by Keris on September 8, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (4)

September 7, 2006 7:47 PM

More book cover snap

I heard that lovely, "national treasure", British comedy actress Julie Walters has a novel coming out, so of course I looked it up on Amazon.

The book sounds good (she's going to be talking about it on Jonathan Ross tomorrow night, if you're in the UK) and the cover's gorgeous, but - as often happens to me - it reminded me of another cover.

Carry on across the cut to see which one.

The long-awaited new novel by Amy & Isabelle author, Elizabeth Strout.

The snow, the tree, the black coat, the red text and umbrella.

But then that one put me in mind of another book. Harriet Evans's Going Home (review coming soon!).

No red or umbrella this time, but the tree, the faded colours, the typeface and yet another back view.

They're all gorgeous covers, but it's curious, don't you think?

Posted by Keris on September 7, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

Reading Friends

They were there for us and then they weren't anymore and I for one still miss them, but Friends provides a pretty poor haul, book-wise.

There's the official book of the entire series, Friends... 'til the End: The One with All Ten Years, an Official Trivia Book (do you remember what Chandler did for a living?), an unofficial guide, Friends Like Us and finally The Very Best of Friends which is, I think, an official guide to the first three seasons.

And that's it! No novels, no prequels, no cultural/feminist studies. Very disappointing.

Posted by Keris on September 7, 2006 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

Laura Zigman Interview

Laura Zigman writes great American chick-lit (especially her New-York set novels) but doesn't work fast enough for me. (What? You mean my reading speed isn't her first priority?!) I raced through her first three books, Animal Husbandry, Dating Big Bird and Her and so since early 2002 I've been waiting for something new. At last, it's almost here! Piece of Work is due September 25 and deals with the problems of returning to work after adjusting to life as a stay-at-home 'mom'. And I'm going to savour this one... just in case.

Read an interview with the talented (and slow!- sorry) author here, courtesy of mediabistro.com. (And get excited!)

AND, if you follow that first link to her website, you'll find out that Piece of Work has been commissioned by Tom Hanks' movie company (before it's even on sale! Impressive), to be made into a film starring Nia Vardalos.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 7, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thursday Three: Reality TV

Since the advent of 24-hour reality TV in the early 'noughties, the general public, filmmakers and especially authors have been fascinated with reality TV.  Here are three different literary takes on the genre...

Old School Ties by Kate Harrison satirises both the Friends Reunited trend and the cult of reality TV, as Tracy Mortimer optimistically signs up for a school reunion TV show (much like this one) only to find her fellow classmates don't remember her teenage self with as much fondness as she might have hoped...

In Sarah Mlynowski's As Seen On TV, Sunny Langstein moves to New York to star in a reality TV show called Party Girls, which follows single women-about-town. Things are complicated by the fact that Sunny actually has a boyfriend, who isn't so keen on the fact that she's found fame posing as a single girl...

Finally Lauren Barnholdt's Reality Chick is a YA (young adult- ie. teen chick lit) take on the subject in which Ally decides to sign up for a Real World-style reality show, In The House, during her first year at university.  And-would you credit it? Things don't turn out as she planned!

Are there any I've missed? What are your favourites?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 7, 2006 in American Authors, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Television, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK REVIEW: My (So-Called) Normal Life by Erin Zammett

A few years ago I followed Erin Zammett's monthly diary in American Glamour (which I read avidly at the time) with great interest but I have to admit that a strong selling factor in this book's favour was its title's similarity to my favourite TV programme of the 1990s. (Shallow, me?)

When Erin Zammett was 23, she had everything she could have hoped for: a close family, loving boyfriend, fantastic friends and fabulous job on the staff at U.S Glamour in NYC.  Then she went to a routine doctor's check-up and was told she had cancer.  And not just any cancer: CML, a chronic form of leukaemia with a survival rate of 30% at best. "No symptoms, no heads-up, just cancer handed to me on a perfectly nice Tuesday afternoon."

Determined to try anything to beat her odds, Erin wrangled a place on a trial for a new and revolutionary cancer drug, Gleevec.  If it worked, it would give her many years of good health. But there was a downside: she's have to travel to Portland, Oregon (ie. the other side of the country) regularly for monitoring, it might make her infertile, and she'd have to take it for the rest of her life.

I can understand the market for 'sob story' cancer memoirs (especially where the outcome is bad or uncertain) but this book isn't one of them.  It's actually more about love and appreciating life than it is about cancer- not in a nauseating 'I'm glad I got ill' kind of way, but in the sense that being ill gave Zammett the chance to stop and appreciate all the good things in her life, which she admits she never did before. This book is hopeful, but down-to-earth and very personal, written in a warm style, with lots of humour.  I loved the portrait of a large, close-knit family, and the stories and pictures of Erin's family weaved throughout the book.  I also admired Erin's honesty in describing the strain cancer can put on a romantic relationship! 

I hope the author will write much more about her experiences in future- but that those experiences no longer include a struggle with CML.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Read more, including an extract from the book, here.

Like this? Try My Life So Far by Jane Fonda, Tabloid Love by Bridget Harrison.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 7, 2006 in American Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'll stop going on about it soon ...

I was amused to notice that on Amazon US that customers who bought This Is Not Chick Lit also bought This Is Chick Lit and See Jane Write: A Girl's Guide to Writing Chick Lit.

Perhaps the customers are buying This Is Not Chick Lit as a guide to What Not To Write.

Also This Is Not Chick Lit seems to be outselling This Is Chick Lit. Doesn't that disprove the Not-Chick-Litters argument (that chick lit is stealing readers from more worthy books)?

Or perhaps it just shows that sticking the words Chick Lit in your title (even if you have to stick the knife into a bunch of fellow women writers) will sell more books.

Posted by Keris on September 7, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, New Releases, Opinion, Short Story Collections | Permalink | Comments (6)

September 6, 2006 11:57 AM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Emily Giffin

Emily Giffin not only writes great chick lit, but has one of the most delicious-looking websites I've ever seen (where you can read extracts of all three of her books). And (and!) she happily agreed to be our third Trashionista Interviewee...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer: Baby Proof explores the question of whether there are ever deal breakers when it comes to true love.

Find out more over the cut...

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)? In my attic office. But when I get writer’s block, I venture out of the house with my laptop.

Your favourite chick-lit book? There are so many. I love Sarah Dunn’s The Big Love. She has such a fresh voice.

Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why? There’s something about the books that I read as a child that remain the most special to me. I adore Anne (of Greene Gables). I also love Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird and Ramona Quimby. All three of these girls had such moxie at such a young age.

What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers? I would suggest that they devote as much time as they can to both reading and writing. Write in a journal every day. Write what you love. And above all else, have a thick skin. Believe in yourself. Rejection is just part of the process.

What are you reading at the moment? I just finished Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson. It was excellent. I can’t wait to dive into her next book.

What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!) I am busy at work on my fourth novel, called Love the One You’re With, due out next summer. It is about a woman--just 100 days married--who revisits an old love.

Thanks Emily!

[Photo: Jerry Bauer]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 6, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Interviews, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

Young Writers Alert!

Mark Peter Hughes, British teen chick lit author (now living in Massachusetts) is offering prizes-and presumably internet fame- for teen writers (anyone aged 13-19 on January 1, 2007) in his Wallpaper Writing Contests.  For rules and to find out more, check out his website for details.  You have until April 30th next year- so plenty of time to perfect your poetry! (or short story...)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 6, 2006 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

You all seem to love your Austen (and rightly so!) but despite Richard and Judy's book club endorsement, The Jane Austen Book Club hasn't been so universally adored and Jenni's review gave it a big fat nay.

Am I the only one who loved it, finding it entertaining, witty and well-written? *Hides under table*

Tell us: is it a Yay or a Nay, and Why?

[Don't forget to vote Yay or Nay at Hippyshopper, Bridalwave, Corrie Blog, Catwalk Queen, Kiss and Makeup, The Bag Lady, Shoewawa and Shiny Shiny, too!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 6, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Richard and Judy, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (2)

MOVIE NEWS: The Guy Not Taken

Diane loved Jennifer Weiner's new short story collection, The Guy Not Taken and now I hear Dreamworks have snapped up the film rights to the title story.

More news as and when we hear it (I know you'd expect nothing less!).

Posted by Keris on September 6, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Girly Stuff, Movie News, New Releases, Short Story Collections | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gulp!

Funny how I was just talking about Virtual Book Tours the other day and now we get a chance to host one!

Gabriella Goddard is the first UK author to undertake a virtual book tour. Read on for her top change-your-life tips and for a chance to win a copy of Gulp! : The seven-day crash course to master fear and break through any challenge.

If you'd like to win one of two copies of Gabriella's fab book (review coming soon) then send us an email telling us about the challenge you plan to take on with the help of Gulp! Our favourites - or those we think most need Gabriella's help! - will win a copy of the book.

Now on to Gabriella's excellent advice.

Just Gulp! and Get Going by Gabriella Goddard

The summer holidays are over and the grey skies of winter are looming.  But now there is a remedy for post-holiday blues – “Gulp! time”. 

Do you want a pay rise?  Is it time to change jobs?  Do you want to do something adventurous? Is it time to break up? Or is it time to start dating again?

Take advantage of your leftover summer energy and seize this moment.  Make the commitment to do something about it – right here, right now. 

Just think for a minute:

What one thing would make the biggest difference to your life over the next six months?

What is the biggest obstacle or block standing in your way?

Get started today by working through the Gulp! 7 Day programme.   And join us for Gulp! Together Week where other brave souls are pledging their Gulp! and raising money for charity at www.gulptogether.com.

After all, if not now…when?

Day 1:  Dare & Defy

The challenge is there, whether you like it or not.  So what are you going to do about it?   Face your challenge head on by writing it down and naming it.  Set yourself a deadline for achieving it and make the pivotal decision to go for it.

Day 2:  Breakdown & Breakthrough

The biggest thing holding you back is fear; fear of the unknown, fear of failure and the list of fears goes on.  Rather than tar the whole situation with the same brush, break it down and identify the specific fear trigger points.  Put strategies in place to minimise these and then focus on the positive benefits rather than the negative possibilities.

Day 3:  Centre & Connect

When you silence your mind and connect to your deeper wisdom, there is no fear.  Here there is only what is aligned to your true essence and what “feels right”.  Spend time centring yourself; meditating, taking walks in nature, doing yoga or simply breathing. Listen to what your wise inner sage has to say.

Day 4:  Imagine & Invent

This challenge could be a catalyst for really great things to come. So create “space” for new ideas and insights to emerge.  Spend some time at a café, in the park or with a group of friends brainstorming new ideas and expanding the options open to you.

Day 5:  Plan & Prepare

Now it’s time to put together a plan and start moving forward.  The C.I.G.A.R. model is brilliant for this – Current Reality, Ideal Outcome, Gaps, Actions and Review. Make sure you keep you energy levels high with good food, plenty of water and fitful sleep.

Day 6:  Focus & Flow

As you move into the “unknown”, let go of control and learn to let your intuition and instinct guide you. When you have to make a choice or a decision, tune into the situation and listen to what your gut feeling says.  As you know, it’s usually right.

Day 7:  Gulp! & Go

You’ve done the thinking and you’ve done the preparing.  You’ve even built some foot bridges.  Now it’s time to take that leap of faith.  So tie up any loose ends and just Gulp! and go for it.  You never know what’s around the corner.

© Gabriella Goddard, 2006.

Gabriella Goddard is the author of “Gulp! : The seven-day crash course to master fear and break through any challenge” (Penguin, £7.99).  A popular speaker, she is regularly featured in the national media.  www.gulptime.com

Posted by Keris on September 6, 2006 in Book News, Book related, Competition, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (7)

BOOK REVIEW: How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life by Kaavya Viswanathan

I know, I know, I'm reviewing this very late in the day, but I bought it (in Canada) after reading that all copies had been pulled and so it was selling for up to $100 on ebay. In reality, you can buy it on Amazon from £1.50. So I need to get my money's worth from somewhere.

Plus I've read a lot about the Kaavya Viswanathan scandal, but very little about whether it's actually a good book, so I decided to go ahead and read it. Hop over the cut to see what I thought.

I have to say, I really enjoyed it. Now I know chunks of it were plagiarised, but what wasn't pinched (as far as we know) was the basic storyline and, in my opinion, it's a good one. Opal Mehta has worked towards Harvard her whole life (full disclosure: this reminded me a little too much of Rory Gilmore for comfort, but let's brush that aside). The one thing Opal's never thought about is fun so when at her Harvard interview the Dean of Admissions asks her what she enjoys doing she's stumped. Afraid that the family dream is in danger, Opal's parents instigate operation HOWGAL - How Opal Will Get A Life, buying teen magazines, taping TV shows like The O.C., listening to 50 Cent and giving Opal a stunning makeover. And it works, for a time, but we all know that she's going to have to realise she needs to be herself, don't we?

I liked Opal and I really liked the love interest Sean Whalen, but the best thing about this book for me was Opal's parents. I really think they are a great comedy creation and it's a shame we'll never see them on the big screen (since, of course, Viswanathan's film deal with Dreamworks was cancelled along with her publishing contract).

It's also interesting to read this book knowing how it parallels Kaavya Viswanathan experience. Like Opal, she attends Harvard and, like Opal, she's now been involved in a scandal that surely has everyone in college whispering about her. Plus, like Opal, she should have just been herself rather than trying to copy someone else. Ha! You see, it could have all just been a clever promotional idea (if it hadn't been for all the books being withdrawn from sale).

Still - this may be an unfashionable opinion, but I feel sorry for Viswanathan. She is so young, she got a huge (and therefore hugely intimidating) contract, she was presumably under immense pressure to deliver a saleable book and she made a series of really stupid mistakes. But you'd have to be pretty heartless to read 'This is her first novel' on the back of the book and, knowing it's likely to also be her last, not feel a little bit sad.

If you like this, try The Make-up Girl by Andrea Semple or The Boyfriend List by E Lockhart (try it even if you don't like this cos it's fab).

Posted by Keris on September 6, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (8)

September 5, 2006 7:09 PM

MOVIE NEWS: The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing

Around the turn of the millennium the hot book to be seen with was The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank (it wasn't really about hunting or fishing, but about a young woman called Jane and her lives and loves told in a series of collected stories).  Francis Ford Coppola bought the Rules-parody title story and sold it to Reese Witherspoon's film company as a vehicle for the Legally Blonde star. Then...nothing.

Now, finally! Sarah Michelle Gellar is starring in a new version of the film, with the main character's name changed (to Brett- Brett?!) and by the sound of things, very loosely based on the original.  Marc Klein, who wrote the screenplay, was also responsible for good-natured but sappy Serendipity, so I'm expecting more of the same... which means, of course, that I can't wait!

[Via Glamour and Imdb].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 5, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Short Story Collections | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson

Anyone who read our interview with Joshilyn Jackson will know we're huge fans of her work, and anyone who reads this book will know why. Between, Georgia is the story of Nonny Frett, adopted into the Frett family when her fifteen-year old mother Hazel Crabtree abandoned her shortly after delivering her on the Frett's living room floor. Unfortunately, her adoption by her birth family's most hated rivals inevitably worsened the resentments that festered between the two clans, and in a town of only ninety people, it was only a matter of time before the tiny town of Between was taken to the brink of disaster by the burgeoning intra-family feud...

Nonny finds herself literally and metaphorically Between and doesn't know what to do. To add to her confusion, she's mired in indecisiveness: should she stay close to her family, continue avoiding her maternal grandmother and settle down for good with her loser-ish husband Jonno?  Or is there something (and someone) better out there if she dares to go for it?

Joshilyn Jackson's first book, gods in Alabama was a great book, but this is ten times better. Jackson has matured as an author and keeps the reader hooked without any fancy tricks or flashy revelations- which isn't to say there aren't deep-seated secrets, none of which I guessed at. This novel is tightly-bound unpredictable and pacey, but thoughtful and intelligent too. There are so many interesting characters, like Nonny's adoptive mother Stacia, who's deaf-blind, and Stacia's twin sister Genny, who is highly neurotic. It's clearly been meticulously-researched but that's never shoved down the reader's throat.  The book lovingly but truthfully recreates the deep south, a place totally unfamiliar to me but now deeply intriguing.  I think the author's love and knowledge of place is a huge factor in making this book so captivating. 

Dealing with themes of abandonment, betrayal, family loyalties and nature vs. nurture, this novel is addictive, thought-provoking reading that's practically perfect in every way.  I defy you not to fall in love with it!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Liked this? Try The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 5, 2006 in American Authors, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

Big Book Fetch!

Animal charity PDSA is obviously catching on to the fact that we Brits are a nation not only of animal lovers but of book lovers, too.  Their autumn charity promotion, Big Book Fetch is asking you (yes, you!) to organise a book sale at your work, home or perhaps even your local book club.  Collect second-hand books from everyone you know and sell them on (you could always buy the best ones yourself- but you didn't hear that from me!) To register to hold a sale, phone 08456031263 or click here for more information. 

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 5, 2006 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Don't Try This at Home by Katie Pearson

I don't usually lean towards the tales of motherhood, but Katie Pearson's Don't Try This at Home jumped out at me from its shelf and immediately caught my interest. With the funny title and cute cover, it's hard to ignore it. With a slightly unusual format that makes it different from all the others, it's a good read.

Successful producer Dot Davies makes the ultimate decision to quit her job after accidentally sending an offensive email to her boss. Okay, so that's her excuse – but Dot has, in fact, been contemplating the idea for a while. After having battled cancer and now facing the realisation that she's not the brilliant mother she wishes she could be, Dot swaps her well-paid job at the BBC for a new career as a stay-at-home mum.

Things are not all they're cracked up to be as Dot battles with the constant demands of her daughters rather than her boss. Husband Alex isn't entirely happy with the situation, especially with much-loved Nanny Sarah quitting to embark on a new, and very public, career of her own...

Not to mention Alex's new-found interest in the form of top beauty Jessica. And when a family problem arises, can Dot's life be as good as it used to be?

Don't Try This at Home takes a witty, light-hearted look at life as a full-time parent, with some very amusing twists. It also tackles the subject of cancer in a rather blunt manner. The book is written in email format, which can get a bit tedious when you're trying to keep track of who Dot is writing to, yet when the story develops, this unusual approach seems to work well.

However, I cannot help but feel that Dot’s emails go on for a bit, possibly to the extent of whining (oh, those ‘woe is me’ ladies really grate on my nerves) but all in all, this book is rather pleasing.

Don't Try This At Home by Katie Pearson £5.59

Posted by Danielle Symonds-Yemm on September 5, 2006 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

New newsletter news!

Just like us here at Trashionista, wonderful Jennifer Weiner's got a new newsletter that you can sign up to here (as well as a new book).

And for those of you who've been a bit flummoxed when trying to sign up to our Shiny new newsletter, you just need to put your email address in that box up there on the right and then click confirm on the next page. No need to tick any other boxes so don't worry, there'll be no spamming - honest!

Posted by Keris on September 5, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff | Permalink | Comments (0)

SPOTLIGHT: Helen Fielding

I was amazed to find that we haven't yet shone our light on the chick lit queen herself, Helen Fielding!

Helen was born in Yorkshire in 1958 and gained an English degree from Oxford. She worked as a BBC TV producer and journalist and before attaining moderate success with her first novel Cause Celeb, but it was Bridget Jones who made her really famous.

Bridget originally featured in an enormously popular column in The Independent and The Daily Telegraph. The columns were then collected into a best-selling book, Bridget Jones's Diary, and a sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, and the chick lit phenomenon we've grown to love was born (imagine a time before chick lit; dark days indeed).

Both books were made into incredibly popular films (see what we thought of the first and the second) starring Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth.

Helen's first book after Bridget Jones, Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination, was of course released with enormous fanfare, but was a critical and commercial disappointment (though what wouldn't be after Bridget Jones's Diary sold 10 million?!).

Helen now lives in Los Angeles (with neighbours said to include Jennifer Aniston, Keanu Reeves and Leonardo DiCaprio) with her partner, comedy writer Kevin Curran, and their two children (a boy and a girl) and is, apparently, semi-retired, though there are rumours of a third Bridget book.

Continue over the cut for Helen's bibliography.

Cause Celeb
Bridget Jones's Diary
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination

Posted by Keris on September 5, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Romance, Series, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (2)

Sweet Dreams

Do you remember Sweet Dreams books? They were a young adult romance series in the eighties with great titles like Lights, Camera, Love, It Must Be Magic and The Popularity Plan. I was obsessed with them and had dozens (I recently picked four up in a second-hand shop and you can get quite a few on ebay).

But do you recognise the cover girl on this book? Yep, it's Courteney Cox! [via Go Fug Yourself]

Posted by Keris on September 5, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (5)

September 4, 2006 5:25 PM

Join The Brand New Shiny Fashion Forums

Great news for those of you who don't get your fill of fashion from the shiny blogs - we've just launched the brand spanking new Shiny Fashion Forums. Don't let the name put you off, there are separate areas for all our women's blogs - from The Bag Lady to Bridalwave - where you can chat away to your heart's content with fellow fashionistas and Shiny ladies the world over. All our editors and bloggers will be stopping by to join in the fun, and it'll be a great chance for us all to get to know each other better. You'd be crazy not to be part of it!

www.shinyfashionforums.com

Posted by Gemma on September 4, 2006 in Announcements | Permalink | Comments (0)

MOVIE MAGIC: Twenty Times a Lady

Exciting news!  Trashionista fave Karyn Bosnak has revealed on her blog that she's been working hard putting the finishing touches to her screenplay for book Twenty Times a Lady.  It might be a little early for a Movie Magic, but we like to be first with the news on Trashionista, so let's get to picking! (Who knows, maybe Hollywood is reading...)

Love interest Colin is a sexy Irish Colin Farrell-a-like, but can you think of anyone better to play the role?  For Delilah, think a dark-haired Bosnak... and then there's her sister, overbearing mother and eccentric grandpa.  Not to mention all her past lovers!

Ideas?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 4, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Movie Magic, Movie News, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

If it's good it can't be chick lit

I recently read a review that included the words 'It's not like you're average chick lit book. It ran a little deeper than that.' The same day I read, 'I have to admit that I do not normally read chick lit, but [this book] is different. Firstly, it has depth of character and a well-developed, albeit predictable, plot. While it is no Jane Austen, this book has a certain charm and humour that other books in the chick lit genre lack.' While I was banging my head against the wall, a memory was dislodged. A memory of a brilliant blog post I read about this very thing. Turns out it was by the author Diana Peterfreund and she has kindly allowed us to reproduce it here.

Continue over the cut to read:

I don't like french fries. They're soggy, cold, mealy and tasteless. Oh, the hot, crisp, golden-brown ones? I don't think of them as french fries ...

The blogosphere is exploding with attacks on chick lit. Look here (and the several dozen responses that follow), here (ditto), here, and here (comment #2).*

The most interesting thing I've noted on all of these posts is that the people proclaiming the loudest about their dislike for the genre of chick lit said mainly that they didn't like the fashion-obsession and the shopping and the stupid heroines and the deus ex machina happy endings and the plotless books. To my thinking, that's like saying you don't like romance because you hate books with arranged marriages or beautiful bluestocking heroines or rich heroes or secret babies. That is not what comprises the genre, folks.

But when someone tries to make that point by presenting examples of chick lit books that don't have the qualities the chick-haters describe, the response was almost universally, "Oh, I don't think of that as chick lit."

Well, isn't that convenient! It's so much easier to dismiss an entire genre when you decide that any book that doesn't have the qualities you dislike is not part of that genre.

Sheesh. This is why so many chick lit writers are disavowing their own genre, why my own editor is describing my book as "more than chick lit." Isn't it better to say that the genre is more than what the detractors are calling it? I've read flat, shallow chick lit books that I've disliked, and I've read riveting, deeply funny, deeply moving books about women growing into their lives and taking charge and saving themselves. One of my very good writing friends say that the true romance in chick lit is about loving yourself.

To misquote agent Lucienne Diver: "Don't tell me that you space-set book with the phase-guns isn't science fiction because it's better than science fiction. Don't put down your own genre."

My book is chick lit. It's a coming-of-age story about a young woman told in a tart, funny, confessional tone. She doesn't go shopping (though I think I mention her picking up a package of underwear in chapter one), she's not an idiot (though she could probably stand to brush up a bit on her literary critics), there's suspense and drama and plot to spare and she's going to have to fight pretty damn hard for her happy ending.

I do not write in the "shopping genre." I write modern, funny, female-oriented coming-of-age stories. I don't give a damn about shoes, but it's still chick lit.

Reproduced with permission from Diana's blog. A review of Diana's book Secret Society Girl is coming soon(ish).

* Diana's post linked to a couple of defences of chick lit, but those links are sadly no longer active.

Posted by Keris on September 4, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

MORE ON MONDAY: The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

This week's More on Monday isn't a book I've just read - it's my favourite book of all time: Bryce Courtenay’s first novel The Power of One.

It's the story of Peekay, a white boy growing up in South Africa in the 1940s. We meet him first aged five and at boarding school where he is mercilessly bullied (‘I had had no previous warning that I was wicked and it came as a fearful surprise’ ), his only friend a rooster he names Granpa Chook. You won’t be surprised to hear that the chicken doesn’t make it to the end of the book. But Peekay - Peekay becomes a champion boxer - and I, for one, fell completely in love with him.

I have two memories of reading this book. The first: on a train, breathless and shocked by the brutality of Peekay’s first boxing match, glancing around the carriage expecting the other passengers to look as bright-eyed and enthralled as me. The second: lying on my bed forcing myself to slow my reading and savour the last few pages, but still finishing all too soon and in tears. I dreamt about Peekay after finishing the book - the first, last and only time I’ve dreamt about a fictional character.

The Power of One is gripping, funny, sad, inspirational. Everyone should read this book.

If you like this, try The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Did you know? The Power of One was made into a (quite good, but not as good as the book) movie starring Stephen Dorff and Morgan Freeman.

Posted by Keris on September 4, 2006 in Classic Novels, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, More On Monday, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

September 3, 2006 7:32 PM

The Only Boy For Me on ITV

Gil McNeil's popular novel The Only Boy For Me has been given the prime time drama treatment by ITV.

Showing this Wednesday (6th September) at 9pm, it stars Patrick Baladi (Neil from the original version of The Office) and Helen Baxendale (who British readers will remember fondly as Rachel in Cold Feet and American readers will probably remember less fondly as Ross's annoying girlfriend Emily in Friends).

Posted by Keris on September 3, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Romance, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 2, 2006 1:29 PM

Conversations and Cosmopolitans

There's a huge amount of book buzz around upcoming title Conversations and Cosmopolitans  (subtitle 'how to give your mother a hangover') by mother-son writing team Robert Rave and Jane Rave.  When Robert came out to his mother, it was a difficult and confusing time for both of them as they re-negotiated their relationship. Their book shares the difficulties as mother and son "tackle compelling issues such as love, dating, sexuality, body image, and identity."

If that sounds pretty heavy, it isn't! The authors also discuss: “point-if-ication,” being brainwashed into counting everything you eat and putting it into a point system; “me but Latin,” what most gay men are looking for in a potential mate; and an “M’Lynn moment,” based on Sally Field’s character in Steel Magnolias who lashes out at her friends in a fit of despair."  In other words, it's frank and funny.  It's not released until October but online magazine out.com features an extract from the book in its latest issue, and you can bet we'll be reviewing it soon!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 2, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wuthering Heights gets graphic!

No, not that kind of graphic (wash your mouth out!) 

The Radical Brontes Festival (who knew there was such a thing?!)  has commissioned poet Adam Strickson and artist Siku to produce a graphic novel of Emily Bronte's classic story.  In addition, an illustrated version of her sister Charlotte's book Jane Eyre is now available.

Looks like the Brontes are the latest literary faves to get the 21st century treatment!  Who's next?

[via Booklsut].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 2, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 1, 2006 11:31 AM

Virtual Book Tours

You know how sometimes you go into a bookshop and there's an author sitting at a table, a pile of books in front of them, an embarrassed look on their face? Well that sad scene could be a thing of the past. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, authors can go on tour without leaving their homes. They don't even have to get dressed if they don't want to. Yes, like garlic bread, virtual book tours are the future.

Continue over the cut to find out how it works.

Basically an author 'visits' a series of websites for an interview or review or they may even guest-edit the site for the day.

A popular tour - and of most interest to Trashionistas - is the Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit, created by Karin Gillespie. So you can start the day with Joshilyn Jackson, visit Melanie Lynn Hauser, drop by Alison Pace's place and say hello to Shanna Swendson. All without leaving your chair. Genius.

Posted by Keris on September 1, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: See Jane Write by Sarah Mlynowski, Farrin Jacobs

So you loved Sarah Mlynowski's novels (Milkrun, As Seen on TV, Fishbowl, Monkey Business and most recently Me vs. Me) but as you read them you had this nagging feeling. "I could write a book like this," you thought. "But where would I begin? If only a writer and her editor would share their stories and give me friendly advice..." Then - behold - you find See Jane Write, a Girls' Guide to Writing Chick Lit by Sarah Mlynowski and Farrin Jacobs. Could this be what it takes to convert you from avid reader to bestselling author?

Continue over the cut to find out.

The book is full of sound advice from big names. Sarah Mlynowski is the main one, of course - she's a bestselling author who also used to work for Harlequin. The co-writer, Farrin Jacobs, is an ex-Red Dress Ink editor. Other participants, with quotes peppered throughout, include Meg Cabot, Emily Giffin, Marian Keyes and Sophie Kinsella.

Part 1 of See Jane Write contains general information such as the history of Chick Lit and advice about how to get writing and stop making excuses. Part 2 gets into the nitty gritty: writing tips, style hints and how to submit.

I found this book fun and friendly. It didn't really say anything I hadn't read in other How To Write books (except the 'What is Chick Lit' part and the section on avoiding Chick Lit cliches), but it laid everything out in an approachable and interesting way, and I loved the sidebars (especially "It Happened To Me", with anecdotes from Sarah Mlynowski's writing life). The advice on publishers etc., however, is entirely US-centric and probably not much use for a UK author (unless you're targeting US markets).

It's great to read a how-to-write book that concentrates entirely and entertainingly on this genre and doesn't tell you off for using first person present tense. See Jane Write is also worth reading for the discussion of Chick Lit labels ("Assistant Lit", anyone?) and the ridiculous prejudice against Chick Lit (quote: "Although one BBC critic attacked chick lit by claiming the novels 'merely hold up a mirror to women's lives,' we say, 'Yeah, so what?'").

Read it and... write!

[Luisa Plaja]

Posted by Keris on September 1, 2006 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

FRIDAY FLICK: Down With Love

I have a confession to make - I watched Down With Love thinking it was adapted from a real book. It was only when I came to write this review that I found out it wasn't. There is a book, but it's the book of the film. But I watched the film so I'm darned if I'm not going to review it! Well, I say review. Here's another confession. I have no idea what to make of this film. My opinions swung wildly the entire time I was watching it.

Renee Zellweger plays Barbara Novak, the author of the smash hit book, Down With Love, which suggests that if women want to be taken seriously in the workplace they have to forget about love altogether. Ewan McGregor's Catcher Block is an award-winning journalist who decides to go undercover and make Novak fall in love with him so he can expose her as a fraud. But Barbara isn't quite what she seems and Catcher gets more than her bargained for.

For the first half hour I couldn't believe such a pile of rubbish had been made. Then I started sort of liking it against my better judgment. By the end I was sitting with a daft smile on my face (this is often how I end up watching films).

I'm a huge fan of the old Doris Day and Rock Hudson/James Garner movies like Pillow Talk, A Touch of Mink, Lover Come Back and obviously this is what Down With Love is trying to recreate. But you can't really recreate a fifties film with modern sensibilities and humour. So while the more innocent bits worked for me, some of the broader humour (Novak and Block are each exercising alone in their relative apartments, but a split screen makes it look as if they're, um, engaging in other physical activities) didn't.

It may have a serious message (about what used to be called "women's lib") or it may be a satire. I don't know. It's got David Hyde Pierce though and any scene with him in was a winner. Renee Zellweger was her usual kooky/sweet self, but Ewan McGregor was totally miscast in my opinion. He's cute and funny, but he's just not old-fashioned enough for this role. George Clooney would have been better, but Intolerable Cruelty was a similar sort of film and I didn't think that entirely worked either. (According to IMDb Down With Love and Intolerable Cruelty were both made in 2003, but that can't be right, can it?)

So, in conclusion .. I don't know. Can anyone help me out?

Posted by Keris on September 1, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)