Trashionista

Another reason to buy Miranda July

Keris mentioned Miranda July's No One Belongs Here More Than You yesterday, but did you know she's already won an award for it? July won the 2007 Frank O'Connor award last weekend for the short story collection, beating off stiff competition.

This is the third year of the award and the previous winners are Yiyun Li for her debut collection, A Thousand Years of Good Prayers (2005) and Haruki Marukami for Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman (2006)

Funnily enough I almost bought the Haruki Marukami yesterday in Borders but bought Toni Morrison's Beloved instead. I wish I'd bought it now.

[Source]

Is there no end to Jordan's talents?

I was browsing Amazon, looking for cover images to accompany the articles I’ve written about Jordan, when I came across Katie Price’s Perfect Ponies series. Eh? Is that the same Katie Price we know and love as Jordan? The photo certainly looks like Jordan (or a big-busted Barbie doll), so I have to ask you, readers, do you know anything about the Perfect Ponies series, and is that really Jordan?

Related Posts: Jordan outsells the Bookers | Jordan can’t even make it to number one on the most discarded list | Angel by Katie Price ('Jordan')

Lipstick Jungle coming to Living

Lipstick Jungle, the TV series based on Candace Bushnell's book of the same name, is coming to Living in the UK. Here's the trailer. What do you think?

[via TV Scoop]

BOOK REVIEW: Switchcraft by Mary Castillo

Reviewed by Jill Hart

Mary Castillo, a hot new Latina novelist, shakes things up with her newest title, Switchcraft. Castillo gives chick-lit a twist as her heroines, Nely and Aggie, end up in each other’s bodies.

Nely and Aggie have been friends for years, but have grown apart since the birth of Nely’s baby. In an effort to reclaim their friendship, and also in hopes of speaking to her dead mother, Aggie signs them up for a weekend getaway at Guru Sauro’s New Age Spa.

Once they arrive at the spa, things go a little haywire. During their session with the guru, they end up “switched.” They confront the guru, who says he can’t switch them back until the next new moon, 28 days later.

There is nothing they can do but try to muddle through living each other’s lives. Aggie (in Nely’s body) must care for 18-month-old Audrey, avoid the advances of Nely’s husband, and fend off her control-freak mother-in-law. Can she manage it without wrecking Nely’s marriage?

Nely (in Aggie’s body) heads to Aggie’s boutique. What she finds is a lack of customers and a store going down the tube. Can she come up with a plan to save Aggie’s business? And how will she handle Kevin, a man she despises, but who Aggie considers a good friend? Can she successfully avoid him without costing Aggie her friendship?

Switchcraft has a unique plot – a little bit Freaky Friday, but way more fun. The only thing I didn’t like about the book was the overuse of curse words. Not my taste, and it broke my concentration when reading. Overall, I loved the plot and the twists in the storyline. A great book for chick-lit fans.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try In Between Men by Mary Castillo or Life Swap by Jane Green

MOVIE MAGIC: My Best Friend's Girl

This week I thought we could turn our imaginary casting hats to one of the most popular chick lit books of recent years - Dorothy Koomson's My Best Friend's Girl.

Since I *still* haven't read it (I know, I'm a very bad chick lit fan), I can't make any suggestions, but I know the book has a lot of fans amongst Trashionista readers so help me out.

If you were making a film of My Best Friend's Girl, who would you cast in the main roles?

Related: Marshmallows for Breakfast review

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Sookie Stackhouse v Paige Winterbourne

Last week’s winner was Tilda Goodnight – she was everyone’s favourite Jenny Crusie heroine.

This week we’ve got two supernatural chick lit heroines, both from America, both with a series of books. Give a warm round of applause to Sookie Stackhouse and Paige Winterbourne.

Sookie Stackhouse

The Books: Dead Until Dark, Living Dead in Dallas, Club Dead, Dead to the World, Dead as a Doornail, Definitely Dead & All Together Dead. Wow. Charlaine Harris has certainly been busy.

Supernatural Ability: She can read minds

Men: Bill, a recently turned vampire (within the past 200 years), Eric, a powerful ancient vampire, Sam, her boss and a shapeshifter and Quinn, a Were-Tiger. For a woman who started the series as a virgin that’s not bad!

Who’s Out To Get Her?: Half the supernatural world, while the other half are try to protect her. Sadly it’s often her own lovers trying finish her off, but if you sleep with vampires and they get hungry what should you expect?

Paige Winterbourne

The Books: Dime Store Magic & Industrial Magic by Kelley Armstrong

Supernatural Ability: She’s a witch

Men: Lucas Cortez, heir to the Cortez Cabal, the supernatural Mafia. Sadly the Cabal and Paige really don’t like each other.

Who’s Out To Get Her?: The Cabals, other witches who don’t like her ways, demons and half-demons… shall I go on?

Conclusion: Witchcraft is a better supernatural ability than mind reading but Sookie’s got the tastiest men - I never thought I’d fancy a vampire until I read about Eric!

Over to you - who wins the battle of the supernatural chick lit heroines?

BOOK REVIEW: Five Things I Can't Live Without by Holly Shumas

If you're a regular Trashionista reader, you'll know how excited I was to read Holly Shumas's debut novel, Five Things I Can't Live Without, and I wasn't disappointed.

It's the story of Nora Bishop who is the very definition of a woman who thinks too much. She calls it her "meta-life" but it basically means she can't live in the moment because she's always second-guessing, questioning and analysing everything. Can't think why that appealed to me so much!

Realising her heart's not in her job, Nora quits, but doesn't know what she really wants to do. When a friend asks for her help rewriting her internet dating profile, Nora thinks she may have found her niche.

Each chapter begins with the dating profile of various characters (some more than once and including Nora herself) and it's a surprisingly successful device. I loved seeing how Nora developed through her profile alone, but there's more to the book than that. Holly Shumas is a marriage and family therapist and it shows, Five Things I Can't Do Without is warm, wise and, dare I say it, emotionally intelligent.

Between Nora, her friends and her clients, various relationship issues are raised and examined. Like life, not all are resolved, but they're interesting and thought-provoking.

I think I might be making this book sound more serious than it is. It's a lot more serious than I expected it to be, but it's still a fun read that I didn't want to put down. I can't wait to see what Holly Shumas does next.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Pug Hill by Alison Pace

BOOK NEWS: No one belongs here more than you by Miranda July

I intended to feature this book when it first came out, but never got around to it. I'm glad I didn't, because now I've seen Miranda July's fabulously inventive website so I can tell you about that too (it's made up of photos of the top of her fridge - no, really - go see!).

I'm not a huge short story fan, but this collection has received rave reviews so I'm willing to give it a whirl. Has anyone read it?

Related posts: 1500 stories, 20 days and a writer who won't give up | The Guy Not Taken review | Sexy Shorts for the Beach review

BOOK COVER: Life As We Knew It

This week I thought I'd share a book cover that makes me happy. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer.

Apart from having a beautiful cover, it also sounds like a fantastic book:

Told through the diary of Miranda, almost at the end of her sophomore year, it's the story of what happens after a meteor hits the moon, pushing it off its axis and causing worldwide earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes. All the things Miranda used to take for granted begin to disappear. Food and gas shortages, along with extreme weather changes, come to her small Pennsylvania town and her family is forced to make tough choices while they consider their increasingly limited options.

Related posts: Afloat by Jennifer McCartney | The Almost Moon cover | New Jennifer Crusie collaborations

Harlequin go e-book crazy

Harlequin have announced they will make their entire frontlist catalogue available on e-book, publishing both print and digital books at a rate of 120 per month.

Lucie commented yesterday that e-books are not really the green option they’re supposed to be as people tend not to recycle electrical products, and there are a lot of heavy metals and plastic that go into their production.

I haven’t tried one but I don’t think I’d like to read a book from a screen. I’m sure it would be tiring on the eyes, and nothing could replace the sensual pleasure of a book.

[Source]

Related Posts: Ebooks: The future of reading? | Melanie Lynne Hauser news: Supermom sequel and new e-book
| Valerie Frankel e-book

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Journalist Danuta Kean recently spoke at the Publishers Publicity Circle about blogging. She said that publishers should think carefully before encouraging their authors to start blogs, since blogging involves a lot of work and doesn't necessarily attract a lot of readers. But on the other hand a good blog is one of the few places where an author is able to brand their personality and establish a relationship with readers.

I absolutely love author blogs: Meg Cabot's brightens my day, I look forward to Jennifer Weiner's increasingly infrequent - but always worth the wait - posts and have learned a lot from Jennifer Crusie's various blogs.

But are you interested in authors' blogs? Do they make you more (or less!) likely to read their books? Basically, blogging authors - Yay or Nay and Why?

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

Green books from HarperCollins

Environment Times reports that HarperCollins are to print the majority of their books on environmentally friendly paper. The first green book, The Loner by Josephine Cox, has already hit the shops and from October all mass markets paperbacks will be printed on FSC paper.

As a consumer you’ll be able to tell if your book is green as all HCUK FSC books will have a logo on the back.

So, will it make a difference to you? Personally if I’m deciding between two books then I can see the books greenness being a deciding factor.

Let’s do a quick poll – do you want environmentally friendly books?

[Source]

Peek at Jenny Crusie's office

If you enjoyed the Guardian’s writer’s rooms article then you should pop over to Trashionista favourite Jenny Crusie’s blog, Argh Ink. She’s just had a massive clean up operation in her office and has blogged all about it. That’s two of my favourite things – Jenny Crusie and a tidy office – in one place.

Related Posts: SPOTLIGHT: Jenny Crusie | AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jenny Crusie | The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jennifer Crusie, Eileen Dreyer & Anne Stuart

BOOK REVIEW: Perfectly Plum: unauthorized essays on the life, loves, and other disasters of Stephanie Plum, Trenton bounty hunter edited by Leah Wilson

Reviewed by Sarah Painter

Personally, I can’t get enough of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum bounty hunter novels, so I was most excited to get my hands on Perfectly Plum. It’s an (unauthorised) essay collection all about Stephanie Plum and her adventures in Trenton, New Jersey. Okay, so I probably would have been more excited about a new Plum novel, but this is a close second. Plus, it includes offerings from novelists such as Shanna Swendson and JA Konrath and - eep - Trashionista’s very own Keris Stainton.

The essays range from pure fun to the more thoughtful, and cover topics like The Stephanie Plum Diet, Exploding the Myth of the Jersey Girl and Noir in the Plum novels.

I particularly enjoyed the investigation into Stephanie’s car insurance options and Karen Kendall’s description of Ranger as Hairy Godmother.

Naturally, there is a whole section devoted to the sticky question of Stephanie’s love life: should she choose Joe Morelli or Ranger? Or stick with her pet hamster, Rex? He’s a cheap date, after all…

If you’re a fan (and you’d really have to be to ‘get’ this collection), this is a great book to dip in and out of – preferably with a supply of Tastykakes Butterscotch Krimpets on the side.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich

AUTHOR INTERVIEW & COMPETITION: Isabel Wolff

Isabel Wolff is one of the earliest chick lit writers, with The Trials of Tiffany Trott being published way back in 1999 so we're excited that she agreed to answer our questions. Her latest novel is Forget Me Not ... read on after Isabel's interview to find our how you can win one of 10 - 10! - copies.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Garden designer Anna has a baby,  an ex, a peculiar au pair and a huge family mystery.

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

In the basement of our house with my earplugs in so that I'm not too tempted to go upstairs and play with my children.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Rachel's Holiday. Not just because it's good, but because it was the first chick lit book I ever read, as I was asked to interview Marian Keyes about if for the Telegraph. I loved the novel's combination of pathos and humour which is something I aim for in my own books.

Carry on over the cut for Isabel's excellent writing tips and more ... including a chance to win a copy of her latest book, Forget Me Not.

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

Becky Sharp in Vanity Fair. Although she's  ruthless and sometimes heartless, at the same time I admire her for using her brains and wit to advance herself in a society that cares only for money and connections.

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

1. Make sure you truly want to write - it's a very hard and solitary life.
2. Read a lot and go to films a lot so that you immerse yourself in your chosen genre.
3. Plan your novel in as much detail as you can otherwise it's like trying to build a house without architectural  plans.
4. Get one good friend whose opinion you value to read it as you write.
5. Aim to do at least a little each day so that you see the book grow.
6. Don't talk about it - do it.
7. Never give up.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Memory Garden by Rachel Hore, author of The Dream House. It's her second novel and is set in Lamorna Cove in Cornwall - I'm loving it.

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

It'll be called One of a Kind, and it's about a girl who runs a vintage dress shop; she loves restoring the clothes so that they get to live another day, but there's something in her own life, sadly, that she's unable to restore and which, ultimately, she must come to terms with.

What question have you never been asked in an interview, but think you should have been? (Tell us the question and answer it too, if you like!)

Q.  What do you think makes a good writer? 

A.  I believe that to be a good writer you need to have two things: firstly, a sharp eye so that the book is filled with the detail needed to it vivid and real. The second thing you need is an understanding heart - not necessarily a kind heart, otherwise you couldn't make the moral judgements that you have to make about your characters, but you need to understand their foibles and failings so that the book has subtlety, humanity and depth.

Thanks, Isabel!

For a chance to win one of 10 copies of Forget Me Not, email us (subject line "Forget Me Not") with your name and address (so we can send you the book if you win) before midnight GMT on Tuesday 9th October. Good luck!

Jordan outsells the Bookers

She may not be the most discarded book, but the big-breasted beauty that is Jordan is outselling the Booker shortlist. That’s the combined sales of every single book on the Booker shortlist. Crystal has sold 159,407 copies while the Booker books can only manage 120,770. Blimey! I wonder if she’ll be nominated next year…

[Source]

Related Posts: Angel by Katie Price ('Jordan')

Do you need help reading?

I didn’t realise I need so much help reading, but as the wonderful Levenger website has six items under reading tools, it’s obvious that I do. From US$8 for a book bungee (a bookmark that keeps your book closed, pictured) to US$58 for an Ibis magnifier (probably one for when I’m a bit older) there should be something for every book lover.

Related Posts: For the book lover who's got everything | Personalised bookmarks | Maddie Powers' book purse

BOOK NEWS: Amber Benson

Since I'm still working my way (very) slowly through the Buffy canon, I'm not familiar with actress Amber Benson who played Tara (although after googling her for a photo, I now know just who she is), but I've just read that she's signed a three book deal on the basis of the following:

Death's Daughter, the story of a young woman trying to make it as a young urban professional in NYC who slowly comes to realize that her father is actually the Grim Reaper and that she must rescue him after he's kidnapped by unknown forces in order to save her entire family (not to mention the world).

Cool.

Related posts: Reading Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Reading Angel | Chick lit authors' favourite TV shows

BOOK REVIEWS: Does Snogging Count as Exercise? and Does Glitter Count as Camouflage? by Helen Salter

Reviewed by Luisa Plaja of Chicklish

Holly Stockwell is fourteen and has never been snogged, which is clearly bordering on abnormal according to the magazines she and her best friend Poppy read. She hates exercise in all its forms but has had the misfortune to be born into a sports-mad family. She also fancies Poppy's brother Luke, but Poppy seems to be dumping her for the gorgeous and rich Claudia. What's a girl to do?

In the sequel, Does Glitter Count as Camouflage?, I hope I won't be giving too much away when I say that... Holly may think she has the boy she wants now, but first she has to go on holiday with Poppy. And anything could happen, so she'd better start taking relationship advice from anyone who'll give it. Meanwhile, Poppy seems to think it's a good idea to change her looks to get her man. And, through all the chaos, why is there now an exercise bike in Holly's bedroom?

I can't recommend these two books enough as gorgeous, laugh-out-loud-funny reads. Anyone who's ever sat through a French lesson at school will especially adore the French jokes - there are plenty in both books. The characters feel like people you know and love (or love-to-hate, in the case of Claudia), and the plots keep you reading, enjoying and occasionally cringeing for England. Utterly teen and brilliant fun.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try "... Startled by His Furry Shorts!" by Louise Rennison

TUESDAY THREE: Shop til you drop

This week I thought I'd look at an alleged chick lit staple: shopping.

Of course I had to start with the queen of shopping - Becky Bloomwood. The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic, the first of Sophie Kinsella's super-successful series is a laugh-out loud cautionary tale of what happens when you lose track of your spending. Becky Bloomwood is a financial advisor who hasn't got a clue how to save. From racing away from work to buy designer scarves to filling her house full of greetings cards for no apparent reason, her impulse spending makes even the most seasoned shopper look like a spendthrift. Despite her (many) faults and unbelievably stupid spending sprees, our heroine is still the kind of character you can't help rooting for throughout. From the hilarious letters to her bank manager that start each chapter to the tales of her burgeoning romance with the lovely Luke Brandon and her warts-and-all friendship with Sloaney Suze, the pages fly by.

But what if you're not a seasoned shopper? How do you know what to buy? Well India Knight's gorgeous, The Shops, will help with that. 'The Shops: How, why and where to shop' is an unashamedly self-indulgent gem filled with tales of the author's shopping excursions and littered with product recommendations, shopping favourites and gift ideas. Whether you're a seasoned shopper or the kind of person who dreads a trip to Oxford Street, this book is a mine of information and a great read to dip in and out of. It covers everything from maternity clothing to organic food, and is full of top tips, personal recommendations and silly stories. Invest in it now and halve your Christmas shopping time!

Of course some people don't like to shop and others don't think excessive shopping is ethical. But could you go a whole year without buying anything? No clothes, no books (argh!), no cinema tickets or meals out? What would you do if you weren't part of the consumer economy and only bought the barest of essentials? And how would other people react?

To answer all those questions and more, Judith Levine (along with her partner, Paul) took on a mammoth challenge: a year of Not Buying It. This book looks at issues of world economics, environmental concerns and social responsibility and in this sense is enlightening, if a bit depressing at times. It's a thought-provoking read, and I can't imagine that anyone who reads it will ever forget some of the lessons of the book.

MORE ON MONDAY: Career Helium by David Thompson

I’ve got a self-development book for you this week (surprise, surprise!), but one with a difference. Where most books of this type are a list of things to do and achieve, Career Helium by David Thompson is told in story form. It’s the story of Matt, an employee unfairly, in his opinion, passed over for promotion in favour of Tim. Matt has better sales figures, and has been at the company longer so why didn’t he get the promotion? What has Tim got that he hasn’t? Enter the mysterious Edward and Career Helium…

The author, David Thompson, has been the teambuilding expert on Big Brother’s Little Brother, and has been working in career development for over 15 years. By using the unusual format of a fictional tale in a career development book he brings you his vast knowledge in an easily digestible form. The story neatly applies the stages of Career Helium to Matt’s real life situation, and throughout the book key phrases and teachings are given space of their own, so you know exactly what you should be focused on.

I don’t want to give the secret of Career Helium away, but every piece of advice makes perfect sense, and makes you wonder *why aren’t I doing that?* If you’re after promotion and career advancement, but know you’re missing something, you might just find it in Career Helium.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try P.U.S.H. for success by Saira Khan

Books squeezed in too tight?

I try not to let my shelves get too crammed these days, but I really could have done with something like this in the past (e.g. in the university library or when I worked in Waterstone's).

The “P-hook” has been designed by Junji Itosaki of pyloneer. They come in black or multi, but are sadly as yet only available in Japan. They enable you to hook your books out without damaging them or your fingernails. [via Apartment Therapy]

Related posts: How do you arrange your bookshelves? | Fold-down bookshelves | Bedtime Stories bedding

BOOK REVIEW: Accidentally Engaged by Mary Carter

Accidentally Engaged is Mary Carter’s second novel, and it stars Clair Ivars, a psychic and talented tarot card reader. Unfortunately her talents don’t go as far as being able to read her own future so it comes as a complete surprise when she finds herself engaged to wealthy vodka manufacturer Jack Heron, especially as she’s attracted to his business partner, Mike.

But who is Mike? And is Jack’s house really haunted? And is the family matriarch really as loopy as she seems?

I’m a big fan of supernatural chick lit and this one rang all the right bells for me. There’s a dreamlike quality to the whole story (which is neatly explained at the end) and all the characters are believable and likeable.

There are secrets galore in the Heron household and Mary Carter handles it all very nicely. This is another winner from Little Black Dress.

Rating: 4/5

Like This? Try Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie

GUEST BLOG: Brenda Janowitz

When I read about the following on Galleycat, I emailed Brenda and asked her to write about it for Trashionista and she enthusiastically agreed!

Brenda Janowitz on the duelling Scots!

Imagine the thrill I got when I saw my book listed in the pages of Entertainment Weekly.  (Well, first imagine the thrill of someone telling me that my book was mentioned in EW, and then the excitement of running to the drug store, buying my copy, and finally flipping to the Books section to see my name in print…).

There I stood, in the middle of the store, smiling ear to ear as I saw my name in the same magazine as my favorite celebs, not to mention my favorite authors, and I could barely believe my eyes. 

After buying the magazine (and resisting the temptation to show the cashier my name and start screaming and jumping), I drove home in a daze. Visions of phone calls from Drew Barrymore to discuss film rights filled my head. Once I got home, I began calling everyone I ever met to tell them about my good news (and impending celebrity, no doubt).

As I made my calls, I took a closer look at the magazine and realized that my book was actually listed as one of the top five mystery books that week. Funny, I thought, my book isn’t a mystery. Unless, of course, you count the eternal question that is the basis for all of chick lit:  will she or won’t she get the guy??? (Insert dramatic ‘da-da-duuuum’ music here).

It didn’t take me long to realize that EW had confused my book, SCOT ON THE ROCKS (How I survived my ex-boyfriend’s wedding with my dignity ever so slightly intact), which came out in April 2007, with SCOTS ON THE ROCKS (A Bed-and-Breakfast Mystery) by Mary Daheim, which came out July 2007.

So, I did what any writer worth her laptop would do. I pitched an article to them: the dueling SCOTS! I suggested that they print pictures of the two book covers to see whose tartan is more authentic and then compare the books to see who really did her research on Scotland (and, in my book’s case, hot Scottish men!). It would be a fight to the finish to decide whose book is more worthy of the title, SCOT ON THE ROCKS. And maybe, since it’s EW after all, we could even have a reality show tie-in! It would be like the Highland Games, but with cuter outfits! We could each get a team of gorgeous scots to compete on our behalf (I call Ewan McGregor) and then have then compete in a variety of challenges, like slaying the Loch Nech monster!   

Or not.  Geez, being in the pages of EW has really gone to my head…

BOOK REVIEW: Neat Vodka by Anna Blundy

Having very recently claimed I haven't read a chick lit book featuring a heroine who smokes for years ... and that there are very few (in fact, I could only think of one - Rachel's Holiday) featuring alcoholic heroines too, along comes Anna Blundy's Neat Vodka featuring Faith Zanetti. Chain-smoking, alcoholic Faith Zanetti. But then I'm not entirely sure Neat Vodka is a chick lit book. The definition of chick lit has widened so much that I'm not sure what it includes anymore.

If chick lit means (as I've always believed) written in the first person, featuring a single woman with a humorous voice, then Neat Vodka is chick lit. If you think chick lit is shoes and cocktails, then it's not. But then whether it is or isn't chick lit really doesn't matter. What it definitely is is completely brilliant.

Faith Zanetti is a journalist and frequent war correspondent. In the late 80s she lived illegaly in Soviet Russia and was, at the age of 19, married to a Russian who she hasn't seen since she left him long before the fall of the Iron Curtain and the day after their neighbours were brutally murdered.

Following her transfer to her newspaper's Moscow office, she is almost immediately dragged in for questioning on the double murder and learns not only that her husband (who she never actually divorced) admitted to the murder, is in prison, but has now retracted his confession and implicated her. And then things get much worse.

I was wary of starting this book. I didn't think I'd be interested in a murder-mystery set in Russia and I'm not a huge fan of heroines with substance abuse issues, but I completely fell in love with this book and all the characters. Faith is hard, bitter, strong and hilarious. Her sometime boyfriend Eden Jones is gorgeous. It's genuinely threatening and the portrayal of Russia is amazing. I've never been there and, after reading this, I'm not sure I ever want to, but it certainly sounds like a fascinating place.

There are a bunch of twists, quite a few of which I saw coming, but it didn't lessen my enjoyment of this book one bit. I actually slowed down as I approached the end because I didn't want it to finish, so imagine my excitement when I found the first chapter of the *next* Faith Zanetti novel nestled in the back. Yes, it's a series! And then, thanks to Amazon, I discovered that Neat Vodka is actually the third book in the Faith Zanetti series (would it have killed the publishers to mention that somewhere on the book?). I'm now going to read the first two and eagerly await the fourth.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

Five books everyone should read at least once

We've featured book lists before here on Trashionista. The five books that encouraged and inspired you as a reader. Ten books you can't live without. And the book that first got you hooked. But this list - five books everyone should read at least once - is Oprah approved.

The books are Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, Four Quarters by TS Eliot, The Wisdom of the Desert: Sayings from the Desert Fathers of the Fourth Century translated by Thomas Merton, Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.

How many have you read?

Book candles

If you're in the UK, you've probably seen Naked's Marian Keyes Further Under the Duvet candle (it was on special offer last time I was in Boots ... and it smells amazing), but this week we got an email from Jfay, who actually works with authors to create unique candles to accompany their books!

You can see more of her creations here, but Twin Tigers is definitely my favourite.

I must say, I like the idea of making my reading seem more of an event by lighting a themed candle ... What do you think?

Related: Under the Duvet review

BOOK REVIEW: Hot Fudge Sundae Blues by Bev Marshall

Reviewed by Melanie Allyn

I’ve never read anything by Bev Marshall, but while browsing in the library I noticed that she has written two other books, Walking Through Shadows and Right As Rain. My slightly embarrassing admission is that I picked Hot Fudge Sundae Blues because I believe in food therapy (sparingly, of course). Especially all things fudge.

Hot Fudge Sundae Blues is the story of 13-year-old Layla Jay Andrews, who falsely seeks salvation from the preacher at church. Her dual motivation was to please her very religious grandma and catch the eye of Jehu Albright (the teenage neighborhood version of Steve McQueen).  Shortly after her pious display, Wallace Ebert, a young, attractive new-to-town preacher walks into her life. He immediately falls in love with Layla Jay’s gorgeous, untamed and borderline alcoholic mama, Frieda. Wallace and Frieda abruptly marry and settle into a small blue house in town.

When she was a toddler, Layla Jay’s dad died in a motorcycle accident. Growing up, she sensed his absence from her life and clung to forged memories of him and imagined what he was like. So when Wallace marries Frieda, Layla Jay is excited to have a substitute father to fill the void in her life. But very quickly, Layla Jay begins to suspect that Wallace is not what he claims to be. She senses something dark behind the kind and gentle preacher façade he puts forth in church. But try explaining that to the comfortably smitten, oft-drunk Frieda...

Soon Layla Jay's world begins to crumble: Her step-father's true nature comes to light, her only friend betrays her, and the unsuspecting love of her life seems further and further from reach. But when tragedy strikes (twice), Layla Jay learns that it takes more than just a large helping of her mother's therapeutic desserts (hot fudge sundaes from Tastee-Freez) to heal and move forward. She eventually finds solace in forgiveness, faith and love.

I really liked this book. Bev Marshall is a great writer so I found it easy to read chapter after chapter (it was like devouring my very own sundae). Layla Jay faces some very hard decisions, but she handles them rather maturely. In fact, she is often more of a parent than her mother. Throughout the book she makes very adult decisions, but manages to preserve a sweet innocence that rings true with the reader (e.g. praying for breasts). Bev Marshall made her little heroine strong and capable of handling the intricacies and hardships of growing up, and even though I didn’t always agree with her decisions, I kept wishing I’d had a friend like Layla Jay when I was 13-years-old.

Rating: 4/5

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

MOVIE MAGIC: Vince & Joy

After the underwhelming response (in other words, there was no response) to last week's Movie Magic, can I interest you in Lisa Jewell's Vince & Joy?

I know people don't like him, but I can't help thinking of Colin Farrell for Vince (even though just the name Vince makes me think of Paul Nicholas ... who might be a bit old) and, I've got Rashida Jones (Karen in the US version of The Office) stuck in my head for Joy (despite the fact that she's American).

Any suggestions?

Your thoughts on You’ve Got Mail

Warning: Movie spoiler

There were some strong feelings about The Devil Wears Prada when we discussed it last week so today I’m asking what you thought of You’ve Got Mail?

I knew it was rom com, so I knew that Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan had to get together (them’s the rules) but I just didn’t see how it could happen. He destroyed her business! And she fell in love with him! Get a grip woman.

I watched the whole film wondering how the writers were going to wriggle out of the situation but, alas, they didn’t. They let her fall in love with the rat that ruined her livelihood.

I was going to finish this piece with the sentence *I bet it was written by a man*, but then I remembered it’s a Nora Ephron film…

Related Posts: Movie Magic archives

The Oxford English Dictionary approves of WAGs

Are you a WAG or a Yummy Mummy (or do you want to be?) because I've got some good news for you - you're official!

WAG and Yummy Mummy are two new terms that have made it into the Oxford English Dictionary, so you can go out and marry as many footballers as you want, all with the backing of the OED.

Also making it in is the term Get your ya-yas out, which I thought was a strange way of saying show us you t***, but apparently means to enjoy yourself uninhibitedly.

You learn something new every day.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Caridad Pineiro

I bumped the author interview back a day this week in order to fit in with Caridad Pineiro's blog tour. Since I'm currently sleeping in a T-shirt for her The Calling vampire series, it was the least I could do!

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Sylvia Amenabar believes men are dogs, even sexy undercover detective Carlos Ramirez. When her mother Virginia tries to set things right by bringing Sylvia's dad into the mix, their lives will never be the same again.

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

Although I write on the train to and from work every day, my favorite place to write is up in my home office, sitting on the couch with the television on. My favorite time is in the early morning hours, when it's totally quiet and still in the house.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

I love Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series. The explanations to the loan people in the first book had me laughing out loud.

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

I love J.D. Robb's Eve Dallas. Even though that series is about a kick-butt detective, there's a strong nod to the fashionista in all of us when Eve battles her partner and all her friends whenever they want to dress her up or do a makeover.

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

Being a published writer is about writing on a regular basis and never giving up. Even after being published you will face rejection, but with each rejection you learn more and grow as a writer. So, never give up!

What are you reading at the moment? 

I am reading Midnight Brunch by Marta Acosta. It's a great cross-genre vamp chick lit book.

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

I'm working on the concept for the next CHICAS story. I think this one will be about Adriana and her best friend/lover Riley. I think we can all identify with falling for our best friend and the fear of losing that friend to love. I'm also working on the next set of books in THE CALLING Vampire series (which will be out in 2008 and 2009).

What question have you never been asked in an interview, but think you should have been? (Tell us the question and answer it too, if you like!)

The question no one has ever asked is "Are you a fashionista?" The answer is a big maybe. I love elegant things of all kinds, which is why I loved the setting and styles in the CHICAS books. But around the house, I'm basically a jeans and t-shirt kind of woman. Do I love those big dress-up events? Definitely, but I rely on my daughter's awesome fashion sense to help me select what to wear.

Thanks, Caridad!

MOVIE NEWS: Paddington Bear

I love Paddington - I mean, who doesn't love Paddington? - but I'm not sure about the planned live action movie announced earlier this week.

The first film based on Michael Bond's classic series of books will be produced by David Heyman, producer of the Harry Potter movies, but no casting or other information has yet been announced. [via BBC]

But having just sat through most of the Garfield: the Movie, I'm not on board with live action films of cartoon characters. What do you think?

Movie news archives

BOOK REVIEW: The Trophy Wives Club by Kristin Billerbeck

Reviewed by Jill Hart

Kristin Billerbeck, who has been credited with being one of the first authors to bring chick-lit to the inspirational market, is back with a brand-new title, The Trophy Wives Club. While the title may make it sound like a book for women who want to snag millionaires (or millionaires who want to snag trophy wives), the book has much more depth to it than that.

So, how can a book about trophy wives deliver any type of inspiration? The key is finding out where the title really comes from. Haley Cutler sets out to do just that. Haley is a typical trophy wife – married to a successful Hollywood producer and used to a lifestyle that includes great clothes, great hair and expensive shoes. The problem? Her Prince Charming has just walked out on her.

After seven years of living a pampered, care-free lifestyle Haley must figure out how to make it on her own. She quickly realizes that she doesn't have many marketable job skills and that the $700 Giuseppe Zanotti's she's drooling over will pay for eleven days in the not-so-high-class motel she's staying in. She also has her husband's lawyer, the remarkably handsome, but incredibly self-righteous, Hamilton Lowe to deal with. What's a girl to do?

Then she hears about a group called "The Trophy Wives Club." This sounds like the perfect place to learn how to make her ex-husband squirm and get the type of settlement she deserves. However, when she attends her first meeting, she's surprised by the attitudes of the other women in the group. They've all been through rough divorces and yet there's something peaceful about them. How can that be?

Billerbeck, author of What a Girl Wants, writes another stand-out novel for inspirational chick-lit fans. The book covers the painful topics of separation, divorce, bitterness and forgiveness. Readers of Billerbeck's popular Ashley Stockingdale series will be pleasantly surprised by this very different, yet very poignant novel.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Truth About Ruby Valentine by Alison Bond

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Tilda Goodnight v Sophie Dempsey

Stephanie Plum won the last grudge match – it seems Becky Bloomwood's love life wasn’t a match for the woman who has Ranger and Joe Morelli

Today we’ve got two Jennifer Crusie heroine’s battling it out in the ring. Connected by Davey Dempsey, both ladies are trying to hold their kooky families together, but which one has got what it takes to win the chick lit heroine grudge match?

Tilda Goodnight

The Book: Faking It, a tale of art forgery, theft and deception where no-one is quite what they seem

Loves: Painting

Men: Davy Dempsey, conman

Family: Her ancestors are forgers, mum is desperately trying to escape reality, sister has two personalities, and don’t even start on her father. Her niece seems normal though

Sophie Dempsey

The Book: Welcome to Temptation, the Dempsey’s are in Temptation, Ohio to make a documentary that quickly becomes a porn movie. Then a dead body turns up

Loves: Film quotes

Men: Phin Tucker, Mayor of Temptation

Family: All her family are conmen, even the one’s trying not to be

Conclusion: Arguably two of the best Jenny Crusie novels, and for me Tilda’s in my top five all time favourite heroines, but what about you? Who wins this week?

BOOK REVIEW: Sammy's House by Kristen Gore

Reviewed by Jessica Denmark of Jessica, Etcetera

When I read that there was a sequel to one of my faves, Sammy's Hill, I couldn’t get to the library fast enough. Thank goodness for home delivery!  I’m an advocate for the checking out books from the library until I decide if I want to add them to my already-far-too-large collection. This one jumped near the top of the buying list if only to complete the set.

Samantha "Sammy" Joyce, fresh off the campaign trail for her vice-presidential boss RG and fresh in love with Washington Post reporter and boyfriend Charlie, has her work cut out for her in the White House under the presidential rule of President Wye and his enemies, the conniving opposition group called the  Exterminators. When Sammy gets the hint that President Wye has slipped off the wagon, she makes fast frenemies with her fellow staffers, all of whom she suspects to the be the leak for the Exterminators, struggles to come to terms with boyfriend Charlie's quick move to the New York bureau to cover a developing story, and fends off her well-meaning but somewhat meddlesome mother, all in a single bound.

Sammy’s House is heavier in tone and politics than Sammy's Hill so there are a couple, albeit brief, monotone spots, but is nonetheless entertaining with several laugh-out-loud situations including a Say Anything reference (Lloyd Dobbler anyone? How do you NOT love that?).

While it was not quite as entertaining, it’s understood that Sammy has overcome several obstacles,  conquered some new tasks, taken on new adventures and grown up quite a bit - right alongside her readers. And I appreciated the fact that Gore recognizes her readers have aged and does similarly with Sammy. What Sammy might have done in the first book, she thinks twice about in this one; where she would have spoken her mind before, she bites her tongue; and yet remains steadfast in her stances and views to still be a relatable character. I like to think I’ve grown up a little since reading the first book too.

I absorbed the book in an almost stream-of-consciousness way, as if hearing Sammy's internal monologue.  It is definitely chick lit but for the political set that power walks the streets of D.C versus the runways or publishing hallways of NYC.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try The Washingtonienne by Jessica Cutler

BOOK COVER: Meg Cabot foreign editions

Yesterday, Meg Cabot blogged about the numerous foreign versions of her books she receives on a weekly basis (she's written a *lot* of books) and how she often doesn't know which of her books they actually are and how she certainly can't tell from the covers!

About the book on the right, she writes, "Who the heck is SHE? She kind of looks like Heidi. Only by the ocean. Did I write a book about Heidi by the ocean? Cool!"

About the book on the left, she writes, "Honestly, this one left me speechless. That better not be Heather Wells, is all I have to say. Because no one could actually be solving crimes in THAT outfit…could they???"

Aren't they dreadful? See more here.

Related posts: Size 12 is not fat review | Meg Cabot interview | Romance novel cover comedy

COMPETITION: The Sunday Times/Faber Literary Quiz

There seems to be a lot of *win a bunch of books* competitions at the moment, but this has got to beat the rest hands down. Answer 45 literary questions with The Sunday Times and you could win £10,000 worth of Faber & Faber books.

Wow - I don't think I could fit £10,000 worth of books in my flat!

Entries must be in by 28th September and the first prize is UK only.

Related Posts: COMPETITION: The Sleeping Beauty Proposal | Win 21 Bloomsbury books | Books at Transworld

Personalised bookmarks

I don’t know about you, but I always lose my bookmarks and end up using receipts or bits of paper ripped from notebooks. I might, however, have more luck holding on to a personalised bookmark, which is exactly what these are.

They’re supposed to be contact or business cards that unfold to bookmark size, but I think some quick motivational messages or pictures of my daughter would be ideal.

Related Posts: Maddie Powers' book purse | For the book lover who's got everything | Jonathan Callan's book sculptures

The UK's first culture chart isn't good news for books

The UK’s first culture chart, which brings together sales of books, DVDs, CDs and computer games, has been released and the results aren’t good for book lovers.

The top six are all DVDs, with Casino Royale coming in at number one. The highest placed book in the chart is The Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld at number ten, while the only chick lit, and only other book in the chart, is Marian Keyes’ Anybody Out There? which made it in at number 20.

[Source]

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

When I'm mooching about with my iPod on, I'm very rarely listening to music - often I'm listening to an audiobook (or book on tape as I seem not to be able to stop calling them!).

But I don't listen to fiction. I've tried, but I just didn't find it as enjoyable as actually reading a book. But it seems that audiobooks are becoming increasingly popular, so I wondered if maybe it was just me.

So it's a simple one this week: Listening to fiction - Yay or Nay and Why?

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

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: The Never Ending Story

The Never Ending Story is a website that allows you to write the next page or verse of stories and poems started by famous people and other members from around the world. The best stories are selected for printing as actual books, featuring the names (and photos if uploaded) of all the contributors.

So far, famous contributors include author Isabel Wolff (look out for an interview with Isabel on Trashionista next week), Joanne Harris and Limahl. Yes, Limahl. There's also a story by Jeffery Archer entitled Womens' Rights. Does it say something about Jeffery Archer that the apostrophe in the title is in the wrong place...?

Trashionista Recommends archives

COMPETITION: The Sleeping Beauty Proposal

Diane enjoyed Sarah Strohmeyer's The Sleeping Beauty Proposal back in May.

It's the story of Genie Michaels, who has been dating university professor and newly successful author Hugh for four years. So when he proposes to her live on TV during a talk show interview, she's amazed but gratified, and can't wait to start planning her wedding. Until... she rings Hugh and he says he's sorry, he was proposing to the love of his life, but it's not Genie!

Eep. How do you deal with that? Well you can find out if you enter this week's competition to win a copy. Learn how over the cut.

Simply email your name and address to the usual address - subject line Sleeping Beauty - before midnight GMT on Tuesday, 2nd October and the winner will be picked at random.

Good luck!

BOOK REVIEW: Following My Toes by Laurel Osterkamp

Following My Toes is Laurel Osterkamp's first novel. The title refers to Faith's psychic powers - when something bad is going to happen her skin hurts, but when it's something good in her future, her toes itch.

Following a bad break-up, Faith's friend suggests she move from Duluth to Minneapolis. The itching in her toes suggests this is just what she needs, but once there she starts to doubt her abilities since everything that could go wrong, does.

In fact, before she's even arrived in town she has a run-in with an obnoxious (but sexy) mechanic, Ethan. Her roommate, Missy, is not only a phone sex worker and stripper, she's a nutcase. Struggling to find a teaching job, Faith begins work as a barista in the local coffee bar where an utterly awful customer treats her like dirt.

That's not all. Before long she's being stalked, her friend Carolyn's apparently perfect relationship is breaking down and her spoilt younger sister comes to stay. Plus she still has to go back to Duluth for her parents' taxidermy convention. Yes, taxidermy convention.

And if you think all of the above sounds farfetched, you'd be right. But the thing that really makes it unbelievable isn't the events, it's that every single character constantly behaves like an idiot. Every last one. You know some books when you can tell a character only behaves a certain way because the plot requires it? Well this book is like that all the way through. I didn't believe a second of it.

It's a shame because I liked the basic premise, but the book itself came close to being thrown across the room on more than one occasion.

Rating: 2/5

Like this? Try Me vs Me by Sarah Mlynowski (it's much better)

Further thoughts on Miss Write

Keris’s post on the Miss Write competition got me thinking. Of the 2,300 entries not one was good enough to be published. Not one? The problem seems to be that no-one was ready to published immediately, but wouldn’t the mentoring from Louise Candlish (part of the prize) have sorted that out? And how many novels (especially from first time novelists) are published exactly as they’re submitted?

Far be it from me to tell them how to run their competition – I’m not published, I’m not a publishing company and it’s not my £30,000 that was up for grabs – but it does make me wonder how a first time novelist is supposed to get published if the publishing world expects their work to be perfect.

There was an article in the Guardian books blog yesterday about books being a collective endeavour, and that’s always what I’d believed. A book might be written by one person but it’s unlikely to see the light of day without the feedback, knowledge and experience of many others.

So, what is a chick lit author to do?

MOVIE NEWS: Suburban Girl (again)

I'm intrigued by the film Suburban Girl - it's the movie of the Melissa Bank book The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing - and I've just found this interview with the director, Marc Klein on YouTube.

BOOK NEWS: Elephant by David Grant

The press release for Elephant by David Grant claims that it's GitLit. And what's GitLit? Well it's "the new fiction genre for men to express their feelings about the modern world without having to be either action men like Jason Bourne or tearful confessionals like About A Boy."

Excuse me, I thought that was Lad Lit. But there's more... 

"In Elephant, our hero struggles to combine innocence and optimism with the grinding realities of a life he’s come to disdain. He’s a forty-six-year-old corporate casualty playing the Clash on his Ipod."

Yep, sounds like Lad Lit to me. Check it out - and read the first chapter - at the website and let me know what you think!

Related posts: Top 10 Lad Lit | Whatever next? |  Fever Pitch review

BOOK REVIEW: Golden by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Jennifer Lynn Barnes was 19 when she wrote Golden. 19! Do you know what I was doing when I was 19? Following Matt Goss around London. Shut up. Anyway, Barnes' time was much better spent (obviously) since Golden is a treat.

Like the other women in her family, Felicity "Lissy" James has "the Sight" - she can see people's auras. Her mother, Katie, can find lost children. Or at least she usually can. When she is unable to find 4-year-old Cory Park until after his murder, the James family are hounded out of town and return to Katie's Oklahoma home town.

Lissy is greeted by three bitchy girls who tell her that her new school is split into "Goldens" and "Nons". They make it quite clear that Lissy is likely to be a Non and when, on Lissy's first day, she both throws up and passes out, her position is assured.

But the vomiting and fainting was a reaction to Lissy's first glimpse of her new Maths teacher, Mr Kissler. As a child, Lissy gave the name "Garn" to a really bad aura, an aura that signifies a person has done, or is doing, something really really bad. She's never before seen an entirely Garn aura until Mr Kissler's so, with the help of her younger sister, Lexie and Audra and Dylan (two friendly fellow Nons), Lissy has to work out just what Mr Kissler has done and what she can do about it.

The first three quarters of Golden are entertaining, but not earth-shattering - I wasn't excited to get back to it, but I enjoyed it as I read - but then the last quarter is absolutely fantastic. I thought I knew what was going to happen, but I was so wrong. If Barnes can come up with something as inventive and thrilling as the end of this book aged 19, Lord only knows what she'll do next.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

TUESDAY THREE: Lost in Austen

I felt the urge to mix it up a bit with Tuesday Three this week. Instead of featuring books we've already reviewed, I thought I'd choose three books we'd like to review. But still connected. I'm not an amateur.

First up ... oh, yes - the subject is Jane Austen (see how pride comes before a fall?!).

First up is Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler in which, after nursing a broken engagement with Jane Austen novels and Absolut, Courtney Stone wakes up and finds herself not in her Los Angeles bedroom or even in her own body, but inside the bedchamber of a woman in Regency England. Who but an Austen addict like herself could concoct such a fantasy?

I've mentioned Lost in Austen: Create Your Own Jane Austen Adventure by Emma Campbell Webster before, but I've just discovered it's called Being Elizabeth Bennet in the UK (and out at the beginning of next month).

The book gives the reader the opportunity to star in Pride and Prejudice. "You will be faced throughout this book with delicate challenges and dangerous choices. Whether you're accepting Mr Darcy the first time he professes his attachment, deciding to elope with Mr Wickham or avoiding a murderous Lady Catherine de Bourgh, this is a chance to rewrite Austen's most famous book. You must complete five stages - and successfully negotiate your way through Austen's five other novels - before can choose to accept Mr Darcy. But if the outcome does not suit, simply return to page 1 and create a new Jane Austen adventure."

Shannon Hale's Austenland features Jane Hayes, a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but with a secret obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and