Trashionista

October 7, 2011 10:12 PM

NaNoWriMo - Just a few weeks left!

November is almost here, which means there's just a matter of weeks until it's time for National Novel Writing Month - the global race to write a novel in just 30 days.

NaNoers are set the goal of 50,000 words in the space of a month, with participants all over the world, from first-time writers to published authors. The NaNoWriMo site also offers plenty of advice and forums for all genres and communities. Wherever you are, join a NaNo meetup!

Of course, it'll be NaNoVember here at Trashionista and we'll be covering National Novel Writing Month with some great features and interviews from NaNo writers. Want to join in? Then simply drop us an email.

Signed up? Or still undecided? Head on over to the official NaNoWriMo site to find out more!

Posted by Elle Symonds on October 7, 2011 in Book related, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (11)

August 29, 2011 10:37 PM

BOOKISH TREATS: Book print nails

Different? Yes. Downright gorgeous? Definitely. For the fans of nail art among us, here's a little something for the book geeks - book print nails. (Squee!)

I've seen a couple of tutorials on the web recently about how to create this adorable pattern (and I swear I'll be devoting an evening to recreating it this week.) But here's a quick how-to from one Tumblr:

You will need:

a small glass of rubbing alcohol or vodka

10 strips of newspaper (bigger than your nails)

Light nail polish. white, clear, light pink, etc. Then:

Dip your nails in the alcohol for a while so the whole nail is wet

Press a strip of the newspaper on your nail and hold firmly for 30 seconds. do NOT move the strip, keep it firm.

YOU'RE DONE! Now go over with a clear coat so it'll last.

Hmm, sounds easy, but we'll see!

Posted by Elle Symonds on August 29, 2011 in Book related, Bookish products | Permalink | Comments (14)

August 26, 2011 11:24 PM

NEW RELEASE: What the Nanny Saw

If you enjoyed 2008 novel The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy. you'll be happy to hear that Fiona Neill's latest novel, What the Nanny Saw, has just been released. The book is all about nanny Ali, who's about to witness some scandalous family secrets. You can check out the trailer below too.

Nanny required to take care of needs of busy professional London family.

When penniless student Ali Sparrow answers Bryony and Nick Skinner's advertisement her life changes overnight.

She is catapulted into the privileged and excessive world of London's financial elite. At first everything is overwhelming - from twins who speak their own language to a teenage girl with weight issues and a son almost her own age. Then there is Bryony, who has one eye on her dazzling career and the other on Ali's failings.

When boom turns to bust and a scandal erupts that suggests something corrupt has been hatched behind the Skinners' front door, their private life is suddenly public news. And as Ali becomes indispensible, she realizes she's witness to things she probably shouldn't see.

But is she principled enough to keep the family's secrets when the press come prowling for the inside scoop? Or will she dish the dirt on the family who never saw her as anything other than part of the scenery?

 

Posted by Elle Symonds on August 26, 2011 in Book related, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (6)

August 22, 2011 9:20 PM

NEWS: Book your tickets for the Festival of Romance!

There's still time to get your hands on some tickets for October's Festival of Romance, and it looks set to be a fantastic weekend!

The brand new literary festival celebrating romantic fiction will be taking place on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd October at Hunton Park (near Watford, Hertfordshire). Romantic fiction fans will be able to meet their favourite authors, attend some great workshops and take part in the Festival of Romance Ball and Awards.

Head on over to the Festival of Romance online community, or click here to book your tickets!

Posted by Elle Symonds on August 22, 2011 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (8)

August 19, 2011 10:18 PM

BOOKISH TREATS: The designer hardback collection from Virago

Posted by Elle Symonds on August 19, 2011 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 1, 2011 11:47 PM

NEWS: The New Rose Short Story Prize

[With thanks to Chick Lit Club for this news.]

If you're a short-story writer, then here's a snippet that may interest you! Author Miranda Dickinson has launched a short story competition on her blog, Coffee and Roses, and you could take part.

The New Rose Prize 2011 gives unpublished authors the chance to win a place on one of RNA-nominated author Ruth Saberton's writing holidays, along with signed goodies. Runners-up will receive a short story critique from judge Jamie Guiney.

The competition closed on August 31st, so there's still plenty of time to enter! For more information about the contest, head on over to Coffee and Roses.

Posted by Elle Symonds on August 1, 2011 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (6)

July 31, 2011 12:42 PM

BOOK NEWS: New website for The Language of Flowers

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh is to be published on August 18th, and you can now visit the stunning new website that's been set up for the book.

Not only can you find out more information about the novel and read an exclusive extract,  but you can send a beautiful virtual bouquet to a friend or loved one, using the language of flowers to make the perfect choice!

Click here to visit the website, and be sure to check out the synopsis and trailer below!

The Victorian language of flowers was used to express emotions: honeysuckle for devotion, azaleas for passion, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it has been more useful in communicating feelings like grief, mistrust and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings.

Now eighteen, Victoria has nowhere to go, and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. When her talent is discovered by a local florist, she discovers her gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But it takes meeting a mysterious vendor at the flower market for her to realise what's been missing in her own life, and as she starts to fall for him, she's forced to confront a painful secret from her past, and decide whether it's worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.

The Language of Flowers is a heartbreaking and redemptive novel about the meaning of flowers, the meaning of family, and the meaning of love. 

Posted by Elle Symonds on July 31, 2011 in Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

July 27, 2011 12:14 AM

NEWS: Katie Price misses Guinness World Record

Previously we posted about Katie Price's attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the biggest book signing, currently held by former world chess champion Anatoli Karpov (1,951 copies in 8 hours in 2006). Katie's attempt was held today at the o2 Academy in Leeds with her new novel The Comeback Girl, but she was unable to beat the record.

All fans who attended the event will have their names printed in Katie's next book, Santa Baby, which is out this autumn.

Katie said: "Wow! That was amazing! What a shame we didn't quite break the record but we were close. Thanks so much to everyone who came along to support me. It's been a really brilliant day and I loved every minute. My fans really are the best and it was great that so many of them came out to tr an help me do this."

Better luck next time Katie...

Have you read The Comeback Girl? If so, what do you think? Leave a comment and let us know!

Posted by Elle Symonds on July 27, 2011 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (15)

May 10, 2011 6:38 PM

BOOKISH TREATS: iPhone book cover cases from Out of Print

New York-based fashion brand Out of Print, which promotes classic literature via pop culture clothing recently launched a range of iPhone 4 cases.

Out of Print has teamed up with UK accessory designers Speck to launch the series of cases, which offer a selection of classic book covers to display on your iPhone, including Moby Dick, The Great Gatsby and The Catcher in the Rye. They're gorgeous too! Personally I love the Catcher in the Rye cover but alas, I've yet to succumb to the iPhone lure...

To find out more, head on over to the Out of Print website.

Posted by Elle Symonds on May 10, 2011 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

April 5, 2011 9:16 PM

Bloomsbury's '247 Tales' competition for young writers

Yesterday we posted about Inkpop's Midsummer Night's Dream competition for young writers (there's still time to enter!) and we've just been alerted of another comp that's open to budding writers aged 10 - 16.

Entrants of Bloomsbury's '247 Tales' competition are to pen a story using only 247 words or less. April's contest is now live with a story from bestselling writer Celia Rees, with the theme for this month being The Joke.

Every month a Bloomsbury author will write a 247 tale on a given theme before it's over to the UK's young writers to pen their own miniature story. The monthly winner will receive a selection of books and a framed copy of their story, along with seeing their 247tale featured on the website.

To find out more, check out the website. And good luck!

Posted by Elle Symonds on April 5, 2011 in Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (12)

February 18, 2011 3:02 PM

NEWS: Fiction Writing with Guardian Masterclass

Guardian Masterclasses have announced a new fiction writing course with authors Adam Foulds, Sarah Hall and Hanif Kureishi, which will take place on the 9th and 10th April at Kings Place, London. The course is workshop-based, which combine writing exercises with discussions about technique and editing skills.

How does the relationship between a writer's intuition or free expression, and the materialisation of character and subject matter, really work? Why does style and perspective matter? What makes for naturalistic dialogue and a realistic landscape? Can the trajectory of a story be planned or might it be 'found' retrospectively after the first draft is finished, then marshalled in the next stages? What do readers enjoy reading and is the writer obliged to take this into account while writing?

Three of the country's finest writers will offer their expert guidance in exploring these fundamental questions. Writers at all stages are welcome.

For more information, and to find out how to take part, check out the Guardian Materclasses website here.

Posted by Elle Symonds on February 18, 2011 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

January 11, 2011 3:59 PM

NEWS: Curtis Brown opens writing school

Literary agents Curtis Brown are the first to open a writing school, it was revealed on Saturday.

The course is set to run in Curtis Brown's offices for three months, from 5th May to July 21st.

According to The Bookseller, fifteen students will be selected in March on the basis of a synopsis and 3,000 words of a novel. The course will cost £1,600 and will receive a weekly evening class and a number of extra sessions run by leading writers and other publishing professionals. They will also receive a critique from a Curtis Brown agent.

To find out more about the course, head on over to the Curtis Brown Creative website.

Posted by Elle Symonds on January 11, 2011 in Book News, Book related | Permalink | Comments (4)

January 3, 2011 11:56 PM

IN THE NEWS: 2010's Bestsellers

On Saturday, The Guardian's John Dugdale gave us an interesting glimpse into last year's list of bestsellers, which he describes as 'unrelievedly dispiriting', claiming that cinema has had a big influence on the books in question. Here's a snippet...

At first glance this year's Nielsen top 100 is unrelievedly dispiriting. Too many of the strongest fiction performers are musty, movie-sustained pre-2009 titles - from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (1) to Eclipse (6), Twilight (7) and New Moon (9) - that this year's paperbacks were too feeble to overthrow. The entire chart contains just one new, ie hardback, novel for adults, Martina Cole's The Family (58). Throughout there's a reliance on cinema to sell novels and TV fame to sell memoirs and cookery titles, a sense that books are helpless without a piggyback ride from another medium.

What do you think? Click here to read the full article.

Posted by Elle Symonds on January 3, 2011 in Book News, Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

December 31, 2010 6:54 PM

Trashi's Top 10 Books of 2010 (part two!)

It's New Year's Eve, so before we crack open the wine and celebrate our entrance into 2011, here's part two of Trashionista's top ten reads of the year!

What were YOUR favourite books of 2010? Leave a comment and let us know!

5. The C Word by Lisa Lynch
Lisa Lynch, author of blog Alright Tit, released memoir The C Word in April. The book documents Lisa's life after discovering that, at just 28, she had breast cancer. The book is written in such a witty way, with Lisa's hilarious and wonderful personality shining through, and makes you feel even closer to her as she shares her stories, from the beginning and through to treatment. Lisa is one brave and inspiring lady!


4. The Hating Game by Talli Roland
The Hating Game is Talli Roland's recently-released debut; an original and funny tale of strict maneater Mattie Johns, who signs up to a reality dating show to earn money to save her flagging business. However, there's a catch. This isn't any regular dating show. Not when all of the contestants are your exes, anyway - especially if they want revenge...



3. The (Im)Perfect Girlfriend by Lucy-Ann Holmes
Following on from Lucy-Anne's novel 50 Ways to Find a Lover, in which actress Sarah Sargeant sets out to find Mr Right, is The (Im)Perfect Girlfriend. Sarah's back, and she's happy with her seemingly perfect new man. He's even talking about kids. But when she discovers a photo of his ex in his Filofax just as she's due to fly to LA, Sarah can't help but wonder if he's right after all...


2. Getting Over Mr Right by Chrissie Manby
One of the funniest books of the year has to be Getting Over Mr Right. Chrissie Manby is well-known for her great stories but this is the best so far! Ashleigh is devastated when she's dumped (via Facebook) by perfect man Michael. But rather than get over it, Ashleigh's determined to get him back. The problem here? Michael thinks it's over for good. And when he gets another girlfriend, things start to take a turn for the worse. Ashleigh is swiftly turning into a stalker ex who'll do anything to win her man back. And we mean ANYTHING.

And at number one...

1. Katy Carter Wants a Hero by Ruth Saberton
There's no doubt about it - the top spot just has to go to Ruth Saberton's Katy Carter! The novel by Ruth (who writes books for Little Black Dress under the name Jessica Fox), was released in April. Heroine Katy is far from perfect but that doesn't mean she can't dream about her very own charming hero. A hero that she writes about, too - usually in the back of kids' exercise books. Teacher Katy is a wannabe writer in love with her own prince who comes in the form of high-flying banker James. But when a dinner turns into a complete disaster, Katy's promptly dumped. With no home to return to, Katy sets off on an unexpected adventure that not only involves hilarious mishaps, but sends her to the hero she really deserves.

Happy New Year!

Posted by Elle Symonds on December 31, 2010 in Book related, Books | Permalink | Comments (9)

December 30, 2010 6:11 PM

Trashi's Top 10 Books of 2010!

The new year is almost upon us, so we thought we'd see out 2010 with a countdown of the year's best reads. There have been so many fantastic releases, from established authors and debut writers alike, and it was hard to choose just ten! But here they are - Trashionista's Top 10 Reads of 2010 (part one!)

Check back tomorrow for part two, and in the meantime, we hope everyone's having fun getting ready for the new year celebrations!

10. A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff
Isabel Wolff, author of many titles including Forget Me Not and Rescuing Rose, delighted us all earlier this year with her latest book A Vintage Affair; an addictive read about Phoebe, who opens a vintage clothing store. When she's called to the house of Mrs Bell to collect some garments, the old lady begins to tell Phoebe her sad story, and with it, Phoebe begins to work through her own.

9. Della Says OMG! by Keris Stainton
Despite Della Says being a young adult read, we had to include it! This debut novel by previous Trashionista editor Keris focuses on teenage Della, who's getting ever closer to the boy she likes. But when her diary suddenly goes missing, and scans of pages containing her most intimate secrets start appearing on Facebook, will Della be able to find out who's behind it before more of her secrets are revealed?

8. Mousetrapped by Catherine Ryan Howard
Catherine's non-fiction book Mousetrapped gains a place in our top ten as it's one of the most wonderfully-written books we've read this year. In Mousetrapped: A Year and a Bit in Orlando, Florida, Catherine decides to leave Ireland in favour of sunny Orlando, for a job in one of the happiest places on earth. Supposedly. Not long after arriving, it dawns on her that not everything is as it seems, Disney included. Catherine's witty writing and hilarious stories make this an absolutely great non-fiction book - even if you're not a fan of Orlando.

7. Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
Everyone's favourite shopaholic Becky Bloomwood (well, Brandon) returned earlier this year in Mini Shopaholic, the latest installment in the bestselling series. The long-awaited book followed on from Shopaholic & Baby, and saw Becky take on the shops yet again - only this time, with toddler Minnie in tow. And Minnie has to get her expensive tastes from someone, right?



6. The Finishing Touches by Hester Browne
The Finishing Touches, the beautifully-written and heart-warming tale from the author of The Little Lady Agency, is about modern girl Betsy who's determined to save one of London's once-renowned charm schools from financial ruin. As the school belonged to her recently deceased adoptive mother, Betsy's convinced that the school is failing due to its outdated curriculum about etiquette, and so she sets out to transform the school into the first modern-day finishing school full of lessons in what matters to the 21st century lady. Including love...

Posted by Elle Symonds on December 30, 2010 in Book related, Books, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (4)

December 7, 2010 1:48 AM

TUESDAY THREE: Cute covers for your Kindle

It seems as though the Kindle is the one of the must-haves for book fans this year. Granted, there have been plenty of blog posts around recently from the book lovers who swear that they won't give in to the lure of e-readers. However, for some, the Kindle (and other e-readers) have proved to be a handy device for those on the go, or want an easily accessible library at their fingertips.

Whether you own a Kindle already, or are hoping one awaits you on Christmas morning, we've scoured handmade craft site Etsy for some of the nicest Kindle covers. Check 'em out...

Cupcake sleeve cover for Kindle and Nook - This gorgeous sleeve is designed to protect the Kindle, Sony Ereader and the Nook. It's lined with felt to give your reader extra cushion, and of course, is made in a lovely cupcake design. It's also available in blue from Etsy shop Tha Meow Designs.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory e-reader cover - SpoonfulofChocolate specialises in recycling book covers, turning original book jackets into beautiful, unique bags and now, e-reader covers. The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory cover is my personal favourite, but there are plenty more over at the SpoonfulofChocolate Etsy store.

IPad / Ereader case with adjustable strap - If you're looking for something that's easier to carry around, check out some of the designs by kreatedbykim. Above is one of her gorgeous e-reader case designs, which is padded and comes with a detachable, adjustable strap. It's also got a handy front pocket. Admittedly I'm in love with this one and have yet to get a Kindle! Take a look at kreatedbykim's store to see more lovely items.

Posted by Elle Symonds on December 7, 2010 in Book related, Bookish products | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 22, 2010 10:40 PM

CELEB READ (Kind of!): Tabloid Girl

Telling tales on celebrities almost always make a good read. Piers' Morgan's The Insider books, along with Jessica Callan's Wicked Whispers lifted the lid on life in tabloid journalism with their scandalous memoirs. And February saw the release of another interesting title in a similar vein. Tabloid Girl follows the life of showbiz reporter Sharon Marshall and dishes the dirt on what life is really like working for a tabloid.

'I didn't know I was starting a life where I'd be asked to do three impossible things before breakfast, and be sworn at by four celebrities by lunch. I just thought, hey, I've got a job on a tabloid.' Sharon Marshall was a tabloid reporter for ten years. Along the way she saw and did some Very Bad Things. She also had a spectacularly lousy love life. It took the entire decade to realise the two may be connected. In her hilariously honest memoirs she reveals what really goes on behind the scenes at a major tabloid newspaper. What lengths will a tabloid hack go to, just to get the story? What do celebrities (secretly) do to get into the headlines? And can a job which involves fighting with popstars, pretending to be a swinger and provoking a fuming Jeremy Paxman ever make you marriage material?  

Posted by Elle Symonds on July 22, 2010 in Book related, Books, Memoirs | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 15, 2010 11:20 PM

COMPETITION: Win a copy of A Vintage Affair

We recently told you about the new release of Isabel Wolff's A Vintage Affair in the States - and now you can win a copy!

Here's the synopsis of A Vintage Affair:

 

A Vintage Affair, Isabel Wolff's 8th novel, is about Phoebe Swift, a textiles expert, who gives up her plum job at Sothebys' in order to fulfil a long held pipe dream - to set up her own vintage dress store, Village Vintage.  But as Phoebe arranges the glorious old gowns, suits and 'cupcake' prom dresses in her sun-filled shop she is struggling with a recent trauma - her best friend Emma has died and Phoebe feels responsible.  Then she meets an elderly Frenchwoman, Therese Bell, who has a collection to sell - apart from one garment which she'll never part with - a child's sky-blue winter coat from wartime Provence.  Behind the  coat is a heartbreaking story.  In 1943, the then 12 year old Therese had promised the coat to her best friend Monique, who was in hiding from the Nazis; instead, she betrayed Monique and has lived with the guilt ever since.  Phoebe's friendship with Therese, and her own growing obsession with the fate of Monique is to change Phoebe's life forever.  A Vintage Affair is semi-historical, and can be characterised as a story of fashion, friendship, regret and redemption. It also has mystery, romance and comedy in addition to the pleasure of the beautiful clothes that Phoebe sells.

Trashionista has three copies of the book to give away to lucky readers. To be in with a chance of winning, simply email the editor (elle.symonds [at] gmail [dot] com), with 'A Vintage Affair' in the subject heading. The competition closes on 1^st August 2010.

 

Good luck!

Posted by Elle Symonds on July 15, 2010 in Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 17, 2010 11:07 AM

THURSDAY PICK: My So-Called Afterlife

With paranormal fiction currently dominating the Young Adult sections of bookstores everywhere, it's refreshing to come across a book that's not reminiscent of the vampire trend. My So-Called Afterlife, which was released in February, is the debut novel by Tamsyn Murray, and tells the story of fifteen-year-old ghost Lucy Shaw. The book is said to be hilarious, so we can't wait to read it! Here's the blurb...

I knew it was time to move on when a tramp peed on my Uggs..." Meet Lucy Shaw. She's not your average fifteen year old - for a start, she's dead. And as if being a ghost wasn't bad enough, she's also trapped haunting the men's toilets on Carnaby Street. So when a lighting engineer called Jeremy walks in and she realises he can see and hear her, she isn't about to let him walk out of her afterlife. Not least until he's updated her on what's happening in her beloved soaps. With Jeremy's help, Lucy escapes the toilet and is soon meeting up with other ghosts, including the perpetually enraged Hep and the snogtastic Ryan. But when Jeremy suggests Lucy track down the man who murdered her, things go down hill. Can Lucy face up to the events of that terrible night? And what will it cost her if she does?

A wonderful debut novel which, as well as being laugh-out-loud funny, is full of insights, compassion, and love.

Click here to check out Tamsyn's website.

Posted by Elle Symonds on June 17, 2010 in Book related, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

April 27, 2010 9:26 PM

IN THE NEWS: Liz Jones on The Carrie Diaries

With the upcoming release of Candace Bushnell's The Carrie Diaries, it's not surprising that Carrie/SATC fans are debating about the book. Today, controversial writer and Daily Mail columnist Liz Jones gives her view on the the brand new novel, and just what makes Carrie Bradshaw special. In it, Liz writes:

In the book, Carrie is 17 and longing to get to Manhattan to make it as a writer. She has two sisters, a coterie of female friends, one gay friend, a smoking habit, is a whizz at maths, has a predilection for cocktails, but as yet no laptop or Mr Big.

She is a virgin, a status she has held on to long after her friends, even the nerdy ones, have fallen by the wayside. She is a romantic, an optimist.

She is also a dyed-in-cashmere feminist. She doesn't want to get married or have babies, but she does want love.

So, even though I love Carrie, did I love this book? Afraid not.

Want to read more? Click here to view the full article.

Are YOU going to read the Carrie Diaries? Tell us your views.

Posted by Elle Symonds on April 27, 2010 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 22, 2010 9:38 PM

The Rowan Coleman Short Story Competition

If you're an aspiring writer, then you may be interested in the following news. Rowan Coleman, author of The Happy Home for Broken Hearts and The Accidental Family, recently posted on her blog about her new short story competition.

Fancy winning some creative writing mentoring from Rowan herself, agent feedback, tea and cakes at Random House and a host of other exciting prizes? Well, here's your chance.

To enter, you must submit a short story, of no more than 1,000 words, on the subject of STARTING OVER. Obviously, this must be an original story that has not been published elsewhere.

The competition is open to all UK residents who do not have a publishing contract or agent.

To read more about this exciting competition, check out the rules and how to submit, then head on over to Rowan Coleman's blog to find out more.

Good luck!

 

Posted by Elle Symonds on April 22, 2010 in Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 15, 2010 6:42 PM

IN THE NEWS: Could you be a ghostwriter?

We're all aware by now that some celebrity biographies (and novels) aren't exactly penned by the stars themselves (see: Price, Katie.) Ghostwriters are paid to do the hard work without gaining any of the glory. Could you do it? 

The latest podcast on Guardian Books, 'The art of the ghostwriter', delves into this very subject. Click here to listen. 

Posted by Elle Symonds on April 15, 2010 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 29, 2010 7:29 PM

RECENT RELEASE: Stephanie Meyer, Queen of Twilight

With the increased fame of the Twilight saga, we knew it wouldn't be long before Stephanie Meyer's biography hit the shelves. And here it is. Whilst passing through a bookstore recently I couldn't help but notice the book cover featuring the phenomenon herself, Ms Meyer. Whereas I'm not personally a huge Twilight fan, this does look interesting. Here's a bit more about the bio:

On 2 June, 2003, Stephenie Meyer had a dream that would change her life forever. She dreamt of a young girl and her sparkling vampire lover lying in a field, and that dream became Twilight. Now, her vampire romance novels have become a publishing phenomenon, selling over 70 million books worldwide, and have been translated into 37 difference languages.

Click here to visit Stephanie's official site.

Posted by Elle Symonds on March 29, 2010 in Book News, Book related, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 24, 2010 12:25 AM

NEW RELEASES: Foursome, Mr Almost Right and Big Girl

It's almost the end of March, but the past couple of weeks have seen some fantastic new releases from well-known authors. Jane Fallon's Foursome, the latest novel following Got You Back, was released on March 4th. Eleanor Moran's Mr Almost Right also hit the shelves this week/fortnight, and Big Girl by renowned author Danielle Steel was published in hardback earlier this month. Want to know more about these titles? Then read on...

Foursome by Jane Fallon

Rebecca, Daniel, Alex and Isabel have been best friends since university. Rebecca married Daniel, Alex married Isabel and, for twenty years, they have been inseparable. But all that is about to change... When Alex walks out on Isabel, Rebecca thinks things can't get any worse. But then she finds out the reason why and she's left harbouring a secret she'd rather forget... And there's more upheaval to come in Rebecca's life as her emaciated, neurotic, self-obsessed colleague, Lorna - her arch nemesis at work - suddenly becomes a regular feature in her social life. Rebecca's once-happy foursome is now a distant memory and with hearts broken and friendships fractured, it seems that change is never a good thing. Or is it?

Mr Almost Right by Eleanor Moran

What happens when you meet Mr Right, then find out that someone's got there first? Do you: a) bury your feelings, convince yourself that nothing can ever happen between the two of you and try to move on? Or b) fail miserably to bury your feelings and repeatedly act like an incompetent fool in front of him? In Lulu's case, it's a bit of both. When she meets Charles, a handsome and sophisticated actor, he seems like the perfect catch - until she finds out about the wife and children. But when Lulu and Charles end up away on location together, sparks fly and suddenly everything gets complicated... Lulu tries to confide in Alice, her twin sister and best friend, but she's too distracted by her new relationship with gorgeous but rage-filled Richard. When will she learn that sexy bad boys do not make good boyfriends? And for Lulu, can love conquer all, or is she just a walk-on part in the oldest story in the book?

Big Girl by Danielle Steele

Two sisters, two very different lives - Victoria - a chubby little girl with blond hair, blue eyes and ordinary looks - has spent her whole life being second best to her perfect younger sister Gracie, being told that she is a disappointment to her parents, and unable to win their approval. While waging a ceaseless war against her weight, enduring her father's belittling comments about her appearance and seeing her academic achievements go unacknowledged, she knows that she has to get as far away from home as possible. Home is Los Angeles, where beauty and appearance are all. She moves to New York City, where she finds a job she loves - as a high school teacher - amongst the sleek and slinky of Manhattan. Her lifeline to her family is through Gracie - they couldn't be more different, but they love each other unconditionally. Victoria finds her own life in New York, while her battle with her weight continues. And then a chance encounter starts an incredible chain of events. But can Victoria really leave behind all the hurt, neglect and loss that she has tried to forget and step into a new and fulfilling future? And whatever the scales tell her, she is determined to cherish who she is.

Are there any new releases you've loved? Looking forward to any in particular? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Posted by Elle Symonds on March 24, 2010 in Book related, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

Your chance to enter the 'Wicked' Young Writers' Award

If you're a young writer (or know of one!) and reside in the United Kingdom. then the Wicked Young Writers' Award may be of interest to you. The competition is open to writers from the age of 5 to 25 - it;s the first of it's kind to reward writing excellence through such a broad age range.

Interested in entering? Here's a bit more info...

Entrants will be divided into five different age categories, and the winning 20 entries from each will be invited to a prize ceremony to be held in the autumn. The overall winner from each category will receive four tickets to see the London production of Wicked, along with the opportunity to meet the cast! The lucky winners will also get a writing master class from one of the Wicked Award judges.

In addition, the 100 winning entries will be published in an anthology.

Entries must be no longer than 750 words. Here are some more Wicked facts from the website:

Wicked tells the untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two girls who first meet as sorcery students. As the audience follows them on their extraordinary adventures in Oz that will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West, they are encouraged to look at things differently by exploring themes of friendship, trust, tolerance, bullying, the use of propaganda and the manipulation of public opinion.

Over 250,000 pupils have seen Wicked as it enters into its fourth year at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, and in 2009 the Women of the Future Awards acknowledged the show's leading ladies as role models for young people today when it named Dianne Pilkington and Alexia Khadime winners in its 'Art and Culture' category.

You can find out more about the Wicked Young Writers' Award (or enter online!) by visiting the official site.

Good luck!

(Thanks to Chicklish for this news.)

Posted by Elle Symonds on March 24, 2010 in Book News, Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (3)

March 23, 2010 12:27 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Eat, Pray, Love

The trailer for Eat, Pray, Love - the big screen adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir - has finally been released!

The movie will star Julia Roberts as a journalist who sets out to change her life after a divorce. You can view the trailer here (and find out more about the movie) at the official movie website.

Leave a comment and let us know what you think!

If you aren't familiar with Eat, Pray, Love, here's the synopsis of the book:

It's 3 a.m. and Elizabeth Gilbert is sobbing on the bathroom floor. She's in her thirties, she has a husband, a house, they're trying for a baby - and she doesn't want any of it. A bitter divorce and a turbulent love affair later, she emerges battered and bewildered and realises it is time to pursue her own journey in search of three things she has been missing: pleasure, devotion and balance. So she travels to Rome, where she learns Italian from handsome, brown-eyed identical twins and gains twenty-five pounds, an ashram in India, where she finds that enlightenment entails getting up in the middle of the night to scrub the temple floor, and Bali where a toothless medicine man of indeterminate age offers her a new path to peace: simply sit still and smile. And slowly happiness begins to creep up on her.

(Thanks to Five Minutes Peace for this news!)

Posted by Elle Symonds on March 23, 2010 in Book News, Book related, Memoirs, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (13)

March 17, 2010 10:17 PM

RNA Award Winners!

The Romantic Novelists' Association yesterday presented their awards in honour of the RNA's 50th anniversary. The winners were announced at the Pure Passion Awards lunch in London.

Authors Joanna Trollope and Maeve Binchy each picked up a Lifetime Acheivement Award for their contributions to the genre. Joanna Trollope said: "I am amazed and thrilled to be given this, and so touched, too. Of course it means a lot in itself, but it means even more to me because I have such admiration and respect for the RNA, which must be one of the most professional and supportive of literary associations around, as all its aspiring writer members know, and of course, I was one of them, once...So my pleasure and gratitude are very heartfelt."

Lucy Dillon scooped the Romantic Novel of the Year award for her book Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts, and Nell Dixon picked up the award for Love Story of the Year for Animal Instincts, published by Little Black Dress.

RNA Romantic Film of the Year, chosen by the general public via Lovereading.co.uk, was won by An Education (written by Lynn Barber, movie script by Nick Hornby.)

In addition, the Romantic Comedy Award was presented to Jane Costello for The Nearly-Weds, and the People's Choice Award - a new award which recognises new or developing authors - was won by Louise Douglas for Missing You.

Katie Fforde, Chair of the RNA, said: "The new awards introduced to celebrate the RNA's 50th year not only showcase this fantastic, best-selling and popular genre but also provide a wonderful excuse for readers to get to know new writers across the diversity of themes and plots that comprise the romantic fiction genre. These Pure Passion Awards have enjoyed a higher standard of entries than ever before but the judges were unanimously won over by Lucy Dillon and Nell Dixon, whose character development and storylines kept us hooked to the very last page. Clearly the public, who were invited to vote for their favourites for the first time in the new People's Choice and Romantic Film Awards, were equally as excited by the books as they pointed us to the clear winners."

Congratulations to all of the winners!

Posted by Elle Symonds on March 17, 2010 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 5, 2010 12:37 AM

BOOK TRAILER: Before I Fall

Kirsty over at Novelicious recently posted these fab trailers for Lauren Oliver's new book, Before I Fall. The book was released on March 4th (watch this space for a review!) and there are two trailers - a UK version, and one for the US.

Click here to view the UK trailer...

...and here for the US version!
 

What do you think? Leave a comment and let us know!

If you haven't yet heard about Before I Fall, here's the synopsis:

They say that when you die your whole life flashes before your eyes, but that's not how it happened for me Sam Kingston is dead. Except she isn't. On a rainy February night, eighteen-year-old Sam is killed in a horrific car crash. But then the impossible happens: she wakes up in her own bed, on the morning of the day that she died. Forced to live over and over the last day of her life the drive to school, skipping class, the fateful party she desperately struggles to alter the outcome, but every morning she wakes up on the day of the crash. This is a story of a girl who dies young, but in the process learns how to live. And who falls in love... a little too late. Before I Fall is a brave and complex novel about the territory between life and death. As astonishing as The Lovely Bones and as luminous as Jenny Downham s Before I Die, it will make you want to live every day as if it were your last.

Find out more about the book at Lauren Oliver's blog.

Posted by Elle Symonds on March 5, 2010 in Book News, Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

February 12, 2010 10:11 PM

RNA's Pure Passion Awards

The RNA (Romantic Novelists' Association), yesterday launched a new set of awards in celebration of the Association's 50-year anniversary.

The Pure Passion Awards will include not just the Romantic Novel of the Year and Love Story of the Year awards, but also some new honours - The People's Choice Award. the Rom Com Awards, and Romantic Film of the Year.

According to the RNA website, the Pure Passion Awards will be promoted nationally in both libraries and retail outlets. Author Katie Fforde, Chair of the RNA, said "In our 50th year we are celebrating with more awards and more opportunities which provide a wonderful opportunity for readers to be introduced to writers they may not yet have heard of.

"We are proud to showcase contemporary women's fiction, chic lit, sagas, and historical fiction.  Some are written by newcomers and some by more established authors. What links them all is that they have been selected by discerning readers to be loved by everyone."

The winners will be announced in Kensington on Tuesday 16th March.

Click here to read the full story.

Here are the shortlists...

The Love Story of the Year
The Notorious Mr Hurst, Louise Allen, Harlequin Mills & Boon
Animal Instincts, Nell Dixon, Little Black Dress
Always the Bridesmaid, Nina Harrington, Harlequin Mills & Boon
Fair Deception, Jan Jones, Robert Hale
The Wedding Party, Sophie King, Hodder
Claimed for the Italian's Revenge, Natalie Rivers, Harlequin Mills & Boon

The People's Choice Award
Missing You, Louise Douglas, Pan
Remembrance Day, Leah Fleming, Avon
I Heart Hollywood, Lindsey Kelk, Harper
Rich Girl Poor Girl, Lesley Lokko, Orion
Heiresses, Lulu Taylor, Arrow

The Romantic Comedy Award
Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend, Jenny Colgan, Sphere
The Nearly-Weds, Jane Costello, Simon & Schuster
50 Ways to Find a Lover, Lucy-Anne Holmes, Pan
Rumour Has It, Jill Mansell, Headline Review

RNA Romantic Film of the Year
Confessions of a Shopaholic, Sophie Kinsella, Black Swan (Transworld)
An Education, Lyn Barber, Penguin
The Time Traveller's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger, Vintage (Random House)
Twilight: New Moon, Stephanie Meyer, Atom, Little Brown

Posted by Elle Symonds on February 12, 2010 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

February 8, 2010 10:27 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Carol Snow

Carol Snow is the author of upcoming novel Just Like Me, Only Better (and I cant wait to read this!) Here, Carol talks about Just Like Me, her inspiration, and of course, a whole load of lookalikes... (Click here for the book synopsis!)

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer.
Struggling single mother gets hired as celebrity double for imploding young Hollywood starlet. That was thirteen words. Do I get extra credit?

What inspired you to write Just Like Me, Only Better?
Inspiration came in pieces. First: Ten years ago, during the heyday of Friends, I was at a housewife-populated Pokeeno party (don't ask) in Scottsdale, Arizona, when Lisa Kudrow walked in the door: there was her face, her hair, her height, her mannerisms. Only it wasn't Lisa Kudrow -obviously -- but if I had seen the same woman walking down the street in L.A., I would have sworn it was. When I asked her if anyone had ever commented on the resemblance, she said oh, sure: all the time. Plus, a kid had just asked for her autograph at an amusement park and didn't believe her when she said she wasn't Kudrow.

Second: A few Halloweens ago, in the midst of her meltdown, I dressed up as Britney Spears. To come up with costume specifics, I Googled her and could not believe just how bizarre her life was. Obviously, she had some, shall we say, "mental health issues." But the poor girl couldn't go anywhere without being mobbed by paparazzi just waiting for her to do something crazy. I thought: what is it like to live with that kind of scrutiny?

And, third: My husband works with a man who's a dead ringer for Jack Nicholson - and whose daughter works as an Angelina Jolie celebrity double at parties and corporate events. I don't know how that happens from a genetic standpoint, but it sparked some ideas!

Do you look like anyone famous?
When I was eleven, people said I looked like Nadia Comenici. Unfortunately, I couldn't do gymnastics like her. Also when was eleven (it was a big year, apparently), my eyebrows were frequently compared to Brooke Shields's. Since then, we have both embraced facial waxing.

Where do you write your books?
I usually write on a couch in my office, with a cat on my lap and a computer on my knees. It's terrible for my posture but quite cozy.

What is your favourite chick-lit book?
Most of my favorite chick-lit books were published before the term was coined. Compromising Positions by Susan Isaacs had a huge impact on me. Not only was it compulsively readable, it gave me the first inkling of the kind of books I hoped to write someday.

Who is your favourite heroine, and why?
Kinsey Millhone, Sue Grafton's private eye, is self-sufficient, tough, crafty, and wry: in other words, not like me at all.

Do you have any tips for readers who would like to become published authors?
Ask yourself: Do I like spending long stretches of time alone? Do have large reserves of self discipline? Can I take criticism? Do I love writing more than anything else? If you answer "yes" to all of those things, great! Now spend the next 10-15 years honing your craft before worrying about publication. If you've already put in that kind of work and have a finished manuscript, you can fast forward to "Find a good agent." I've recommended Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents so many times, the guy should be giving me a cut of his royalties.

What are you currently reading?
I just finish Richard Price's Lush Life. It was dark, violent, and made me question humanity's capacity for altruism and redemption. I really liked it!

Are you working on anything else at the moment, and if so, can you tell us?
Yes. And no.

Thanks, Carol!

Posted by Elle Symonds on February 8, 2010 in Book News, Book related, Irish Authors | Permalink | Comments (11)

January 29, 2010 9:43 PM

NEWS: Celebrity memoirs are here to stay, apparently

Just when you thought you'd seen enough of them over the Christmas period, it seems as though celebrity memoirs will not be going away anytime soon. According to The Bookseller, publishers believe that the memoir market is 'here to stay', despite poor sales last year.

Books from celebrity favourites such as Ant and Dec and Peter Kay will continue to grace the shelves, with some new additions in 2010. Michael McIntyre, Michael Parkinson, Russell Brand and Keith Richards will all each have memoirs released later this year.

Non-fiction director of publisher Hodder & Stoughton, Rowena Webb, told The Bookseller: "We certainly do think the celebrity memoir is here to stay . . . people are looking for strong stories, big careers and very often people who can write themselves. Those people who span the generations, books that the whole family can gather around and listen to."

And Katie Price, aka Jordan, will be releasing yet another memoir - entitled I'm Still Standing - pretty soon. (Like we didn't see THAT one coming.)

To view the full article, click here.

Posted by Elle Symonds on January 29, 2010 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Memoirs | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 12, 2009 4:47 PM

Personalised novels from Firebox and Prezzybox

We mentioned the fabulous recycled book purses last week, and now there's another fabulous gift idea for book lovers - this time, from gift site Firebox. Ever fancied a more glamorous life? (Or a REALLY adventurous love life?) Then the You Star novels allow you (or your friend/partner) to feature in a raunchy novel that's fully personalised.

The site offers three books with an, erm, raunchiness rating - starting with Indecent in Italy, a fun, romantic tale. Followed by Safari Nights, a bit more racy and suggestive, and Fever in France, which is described as 'highly explicit, graphic and sexual.'

More about Indecent in Italy:

When the daily grind causes our starring couple to drift apart, our hero plans to reinvigorate their relationship with a romantic and sensual weekend in the French Riviera. Rousing their passions amongst the breath-taking white sands of the Mediterranean, trouble strikes as our leading lady attracts the unwanted attention of a powerful local gangster. The couple becomes separated whilst in the mountains, leaving their destiny in jeopardy as our heroine is kidnapped and dragged away to a secret villa.

Realising the fate she is facing, our hero struggles against all odds to try and save his love, facing not only the gang but mother nature in the process. In the adventure that follows our couple become unwittingly embroiled in an exciting, yet dangerous, world of diamonds and vast wealth as they are pursued across Europe by mysterious, sinister forces.

To order one of the You Star novels, you'd need to head on over to Firebox.com and fill out a questionnaire for your chosen novel, which will ask you for details about yourself (or the person you're buying it for!) such as looks, profession and partners' details. Each book is approximately 160-180 pages long and costs £26.95

Alternatively, if you like the idea of a personalised novel but would prefer one of the classics, then the range of personalised books at Prezzybox might be for you! The site offers personalised classics such as Romeo and Juliet, Pride and Prejudice, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and even Dracula. Check out the full range here.

[Pic from Firebox.com]

Posted by Elle Symonds on October 12, 2009 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (6)

October 8, 2009 11:54 AM

Handmade book purses from Etsy

I love a bookish gift, and was delighted to come across A Spoonful of Chocolate Hope on Etsy. (Ha! Now there's finally something that I really want for Christmas. And if you're searching for the perfect gift for a book lover - IT'S OVER HERE!)

A Spoonful of Chocolate Hope offers beautiful bags and passport holders made from recycled hardback books. The store has plenty of classics available, including Jane Eyre, The Chronicles of Narnia and Little Women.

The bags are gorgeous - and if you're interested in having one of your own hardback books made into a purse, you can specifically order - and not to worry, the book won't be harmed. In fact, you can get it re-bound to match the bag itself.

As well as bags and passport holders, a Spoonful of Chocolate Hope also sells frames, chocolate spoons and keepsake boxes.

To take a look, click here for the Etsy store.

Posted by Elle Symonds on October 8, 2009 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 5, 2009 12:07 PM

IN THE NEWS: Jordan's autobiography set to be 'banned'

Katie Price, aka Jordan, faces having her latest autobiography banned by bookstores - as chains see the memoir as 'milking' fans.

According to The Sun, glamour model Jordan's latest autobiography - which is her fourth in five years - could be 'boycotted' by major chains. The book is set to tell all about her split from Peter Andre (why am I not surprised here?) and would be released in the run-up to Christmas, alongside the autobiography of Pete himself.

Katie Price has already 'written' (*cough*) a series of novels, and was signed by Random House three years ago to pen a series of childrens' stories. A source at the publishing house said: "Bookshop managers are really worried. They fear this latest book could do more harm than good for business and are seriously considering shunning it altogether. Booksellers do not want to annoy their customers by putting out yet another autobiography from the same person who has already had three printed. It seems to them as though she is trying to milk her fans for everything they've got."

Blackwell bookstores have stated that branches would not be stocking the book unless copies are requested. A Blackwell spokesman said: "She has done three already. This is not a book we would say to our readers, 'You must buy'." Waterstones have agreed that the book will only make it into their stores if it was seen as 'the right thing to do.'

Of course, Christmas is the time for celebs to cash in with their life stories, and personally? I think it's refreshing to see that major bookselling chains are taking fans and customers into consideration.

Do you agree that booksellers should decide not to stock certain books? Tell us your thoughts!

Posted by Elle Symonds on October 5, 2009 in Book News, Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 27, 2009 6:45 PM

Meg Cabot and Read Our Lips

Meg Cabot and Michele Jaffe have created an advice vlog entitled Read Our Lips which they are hoping to turn into a regular feature. To find out more click on the clip below, or visit her website.

Posted by Helen Redfern on March 27, 2009 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sarah Waters' New Website

Fans of Sarah Waters should check out her new website. Sarah's new book, The Little Stranger, is out at the end of May but you can read part one of chapter one on her site. Three more extracts will be added over the coming weeks. The site also includes Sarah's top ten ghost stories, frequently asked questions and a gallery of the books that have been adapted. Well worth a look.

Posted by Helen Redfern on March 27, 2009 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 20, 2009 8:48 PM

Marian Keyes' St. Patrick's Day Message

I am a little late with this, but here is the fabulous Marian Keyes' St. Patrick's Day message. Talking about sales of This Charming Man, insomnia and painting a dog green. I kid you not.

Posted by Helen Redfern on March 20, 2009 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

February 28, 2009 7:33 PM

Marian Keyes news

There are some Marian treats coming up.

She will be reading from This Charming Man in Borders, Oxford Street, London on Thursday March 5th with a singer called VV Brown. VV has recorded a cover of This Charming Man by The Smiths which I believe she will be singing (VV that is, not Marian).

Also Marian will be appearing on The Paul O'Grady Show on Tuesday March 3rd (Channel 4, 5pm). Set your recording device now. More information can be found in her newsletter.

Related posts: Marian Keyes news and more | Book Review: This Charming Man

Posted by Helen Redfern on February 28, 2009 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 24, 2009 10:17 AM

Agatha Christie's House

As a big fan of Agatha Christie I was incredibly excited to read on the BBC this morning that her summer house is now being opened up to the public by The National Trust. Previously only the gardens of Greenway House near Dartmouth in Devon were publicly accessible.

Now, the public will have access to the drawing room in which Christie spent summer evenings reading her novels to family and friends, who had to guess "whodunit", and the author's bedroom, with its view down the River Dart, as well as the dining room and the "fax room", which will display her enormous output of novels.

Guess where my summer holiday is going to be this year?

Related posts: Helen's Heroines: Jane Marple | Agatha Christie's Marple

Posted by Helen Redfern on February 24, 2009 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

February 15, 2009 5:20 PM

The New Romantics

What do Kate Harrison, Lucy Diamond, Matt Dunn, Sarah Duncan, Veronica Henry, Jojo Moyes and Milly Johnson have in common? Well, they have just set up a site called The New Romantics, a group dedicated to promoting commercial novels that deal with relationships and love...

If you head on over to their site you'll find events, reading group campaigns and on line promotions. Right now they have a fabulous competition where you can win one book a month for a year.

There is also a debate coming up in Richmond-upon-Thames entitled What's Love Got To Do With it, along with more information about the authors, links to their blogs and extracts from their books.

Posted by Helen Redfern on February 15, 2009 in Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 14, 2009 1:11 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Lost in Austen - the movie!

Yes, Lost in Austen is being remade as a feature film!  If you didn't catch this ITV1 miniseries, it was a charming culture-clash romp where a contemporary Austen fan (played by Jemima Rooper) discovers that the bathroom in her flat is a gateway into the world of Pride and Prejudice.  A sort of Narnia story for grown-up ladies.  And perhaps a few gentlemen.

Now Hollywood - presumably having run out of originals to remake - are adapting this twist-on-the-original for the silver screen. 

But unlike many big screen "reimaginings", Lost in Austen is unlikely to be tarred with the "wacky" brush. Original writer Guy Andrews is penning the screenplay, and Sam Mendes, who won an Oscar for directing American Beauty (and who is married to corset-aficionado Kate Winslet) is set to produce.

Of course, none of this guarantees that it won't be Americanised or sensationalised, but we here at Trashionista are awaiting more news with bated breath.

Related posts: THURSDAY FLICK: Lost in Austen | FRIDAY FLICK: Lost in Austen (again)

Posted by on February 14, 2009 in Book related, Classic Novels, Film, Movie News, You heard it here first! | Permalink | Comments (11)

February 11, 2009 10:32 PM

Penguin leather-bound classics

Here at Trashionista we love us some paraphernalia from Penguin Books - so much so that I've privately started calling it "Penguinalia".

Now Penguin Books have collaborated with leather goods designers Bill Amberg to produce six modern paperback classics bound in soft calves' leather.

The titles are

• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
• A Room with a View by E.M.Forster
• The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald
• The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
• Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
• Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote

Leather is usually used to bind hardback books, but these soft bindings have been specially designed to "become more beautiful" each time they are handled!  Each book comes with a leather bookmark, and you can buy them for £30.00 apiece.

Related Penguinalia: Penguin deck chairs | Penguin book bags | Lovely Penguin pencils

Posted by on February 11, 2009 in Book related, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 28, 2009 5:18 PM

The Secret Life of Evie Hamilton

We mentioned The Secret Life of Evie Hamilton back in October last year where I admitted to never having read any of Catherine's books before. If you're the same then you can read the first two chapters to see if you want to buy it or not. Brilliant.

Ooh, by the way if you're a fan of Catherine Alliott then you must check out The Telegraph for an interview and photographs of her home.

Posted by Helen Redfern on January 28, 2009 in Book Extract, Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

January 27, 2009 6:43 PM

Romantic Novel of the Year 2009

The shortlist has been announced for the Romantic Novel of the Year by the Romantic Novelists' Association:

Thanks for the Memories - Cecelia Ahern
The Last Concubine - Lesley Downer
Star Gazing - Linda Gillard
East of the Sun - Julia Gregson
Sophia's Secret - Susanna Kearsley
Before the Storm - Judith Lennox

Anyone read any of the above? Do let us know what you thought of them if you have.

The winner will be announced in February.

Related posts: Ex-Girlfriends United | Romantic Novel of The Year 2008

Posted by Helen Redfern on January 27, 2009 in Book related, British Authors, Cecelia Ahern, Romance | Permalink | Comments (8)

November 26, 2008 10:13 AM

Bad Sex In Fiction Award 2008

Shire Hell by Rachel Johnson has won this year's Bad Sex in Fiction Award. Tom Fleming, deputy editor of Literary Review, said,

all the entries were equally awful this year, but Rachel Johnson had the worst metaphors, and the worst animal metaphors.

As an example she compared her male protagonists light fingers to a moth caught inside a lampshade. Rachel described her win as an absolute honour. [via The Guardian]

Related posts: Review: Notting Hell | The Bad Sex in Fiction Award

Posted by Helen Redfern on November 26, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

Meg Cabot TV

We do tend to talk about Meg Cabot just a tiny bit here on Trashionista, so you may already be aware that the final book in the Princess Diaries series is out in January. If you need reminding of what happened in the previous book, number nine, then you can go to the Meg Cabot TV page on the HarperCollins site where Meg herself quickly brings you up to speed using Buffy action figures. Naturally.

If you have never ever read a Princess Diaries book, then those same publishers have also very kindly put the whole of the first book online.

Related posts: Interview: Meg Cabot Part I | Interview: Meg Cabot! | More Meg Cabot

Posted by Helen Redfern on November 26, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

November 5, 2008 11:38 AM

More Meg Cabot

Sorry, but I just found this and had to share it. Meg talks about how she researches and plans her books... and how many books she's written that haven't been published (clue: it's a lot!).

Posted by Keris on November 5, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

October 31, 2008 8:25 AM

50 Best Chick Lit Blogs

Yes, I know, Trashionista is *the* best chick lit blog (at least in my *cough* unbiased opinion), but there are others...

The Love Coach (with the fab tagline of "Helping nerds date since 2008") has put together a list of the 50 Best  Chick Lit Blogs and we're right there at the top. I thought that meant we were number one (Number! One!), but they're actually arranged according to subgenre with Classics, Romance, Lad Lit blogs (and more) also included.

It's a great list (we've recommended quite a few of the blogs on it ourselves) so check it out.

Posted by Keris on October 31, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (10)

October 30, 2008 11:14 AM

Adopt a Word for charity

This isn't *strictly* book-related, but it's such a cool idea I had to share it with you.

Pick a word, "adopt" it for £20 and it's yours for a year (you get a certificate and everything!) and the money goes towards helping children with speech, language and communication difficulties.

Sadly, "Trashionista" has already been adopted. Pah. Find out more here.

Posted by Keris on October 30, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (4)

October 23, 2008 7:54 AM

British Library Release Recordings Of Writers

Rare recordings of some of the greatest writers have been released by the British Library. 30 British writers and 27 American can be heard speaking and, in some cases, like Virginia Woolf, they are the only surviving recording of the writer.

The CDs also include Arthur Conan Doyle, Daphne du Maurier, F Scott Fitzgerald and Evelyn Waugh. [via BBC and The Telegraph]

To hear Virginia Woolf you can go to the BBC Website.

Related posts: Best Women Authors of All Time | Brideshead Revisted

Posted by Helen Redfern on October 23, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 17, 2008 12:22 PM

Spread The Word 2009

As with last year, the people behind World Book Day have compiled a list of books designed to get you talking. They have a long list of fifty titles for you to vote on, which will be reduced to a shortlist of ten. Included in the list is Julie Buxbaum's The Opposite of Love and one I particularly like the look of, The Good Plain Cook by Bethan Roberts. Last year's winner was Boy A by Jonathan Trigell.

Anyway, you should go and vote for your favourite, you could win £100 of book tokens.

Related posts: World Book Day 2008 | Ten Books You Can't Live Without

Posted by Helen Redfern on October 17, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

October 13, 2008 11:48 AM

Have you ever stolen a library book?

I just thought I'd ask since, apparently, library books worth £600,000 have gone missing in Wales over the last two years. [via booktrade.info]

Of course, the intention may not be to steal, it may just be that you have a library book that you haven't returned... I know I have. Years ago, we moved quite a distance and, when I unpacked at our new home, I found that my husband had packed a bag of books that should have been returned to the library. It was too far to take them back and, for a while, I kept them, but I felt guilty every time I looked at them and ended up donating them to the charity shop.

So is it just me or have you got some guilty library books hanging round your house too?

Related posts: Would you pay to borrow books from a library? | New York's library hotel | Most borrowed library books

Posted by Keris on October 13, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (4)

September 19, 2008 11:17 AM

Bibliotherapy

A group of authors, including Alain de Botton, have established a shop offering stressed-out readers therapeutic solutions via books.

There will only offer 55 titles at a time, but they come along with "prescriptions" for a way of life that is more fulfilling and less stressful. [via Booktrade.info]

If you like the idea, but think the above sounds just a leetle *cough* pretentious, then check out Bibliotherapy by Nancy Peske and Beverly West, So Many Books, So Little Time by Sara Nelson or Book Lust by Nancy Pearl.

Posted by Keris on September 19, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 18, 2008 7:09 AM

The sorted books project

I read about the sorted books project on the Guardian website. It's a way of arranging your bookshelves so that the titles on the spines tell a story.

I have to admit, although I liked the idea, most of the examples given went over my head. I did, however, enjoy this one by Emma at Stuff I've Read: Somewhere A Cat Is Waiting / To Kill a Mockingbird / In a Dark House / Bad Kitty.

Related posts: How do you arrange your bookshelves? | Chick lit for little chicks

Posted by Keris on September 18, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 16, 2008 2:32 PM

Cecelia Ahern plans world domination

Her TV show has just started in the UK and her latest best-selling book is out in paperback and now... she's only gone and written a play!

The one-woman show - called "Mrs Whippy" - will be performed in   Dublin in October, starring Dublin actress Marion O'Dwyer. Based on Ahern's 2006 novella, it's apparently the bitter- sweet story of a 46-year- Dublin woman called   Emelda, who is going through a rough time in her life.   For comfort she turns to her only true friend: ice cream.

[via the Irish Independent]

Posted by Keris on September 16, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (4)

September 15, 2008 8:38 PM

Want to chat to Claire Allan?

Well, you can!

Publishers Poolbeg are hosting a live webchat with the author of Rainy Days and Tuesdays and the new Feels Like Maybe tomorrow evening (Tuesday, September 16) at 7pm local (Irish!) time. Be there or... you know.

Posted by Keris on September 15, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

Jane Austen Festival

If Lost In Austen has got you yearning for a bit more Jane Austen, then from 19 - 28 September Bath is holding the Jane Austen Festival. Included in the list of events is a special production of Northanger Abbey, a costumed promenade and dance workshops. More information can be found on the Jane Austen website.

Related posts: Jane Austen Week | The Jane Austen Centre

Posted by Helen Redfern on September 15, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 5, 2008 3:07 PM

ebook Reader on sale now!

Penguin have launched "ebook Tasters" to coincide with the launch of the new Sony Reader, which has gone on sale today! The ebook Tasters allow readers to sample the opening chapter of top Penguin titles for free. (Thanks, Diane!)

While that's all very interesting, I was more excited to discover that the Sony Reader has gone on sale today! I had no idea. I really, really want one. Better start saving up. Has anyone tried one (or the Kindle) yet? What do you think?

Related posts: Ebooks - the future of reading? | Harlequin's Valentine Sony Reader

Posted by Keris on September 5, 2008 in Book related, Technology | Permalink | Comments (3)

September 3, 2008 12:27 PM

Jodi Picoult interview

I admit, I'm a little bit obsessed with Jodi Picoult. Probably because she is *so* successful and *so* prolific that I feel like the more I read about her, the more likely it (whatever "it" is) will rub off on me. Ah well, I can dream.

Anyway, there was a short interview with her in the Guardian yesterday, in which she reveals her influences and the theme of her next book.

Related posts: Trashionista interviewed her too! | Nineteen Minutes review | The Tenth Circle review  

Posted by Aigua Media on September 3, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 2, 2008 4:37 PM

Which fictional characters do you wish were real?

I feel we must have addressed this issue before, but I can't seem to find it, so let's just do it again, eh?

Author Carrie Harris has a list on her blog of five book characters she'd like to invite to a party. Which, of course, made me wonder who I'd invite to my own imaginary party...

I'd have to start with Michael 'Mouse' Tolliver from Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City series. Then I think I'd have one of Marian Keyes' female characters, but I'm not sure who without rereading all of her books... I'd quite like Heather Wells from Meg Cabot's Size 12 Is Not Fat series... and then I need a couple of hot men, don't I? Obviously, I'm thinking Mr Darcy, since he's the hottest male character evah, but he might be a bit intense (a bit?), so how about Joe Morelli from Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series and Prince Nicolas from Hester Browne's latest, What the Lady Wants, (he's not actually my type usually, but I fancied him like mad while I was reading the book).

 

So now, over to you. Which fictional characters would you invite to an imaginary party?

Posted by Aigua Media on September 2, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (11)

August 27, 2008 2:08 PM

Book and movie snap: Love and Other Disasters

I never intended this to be a series, but it looks like it might (even if it's just a series of two!). Mooching around IMDb as I tend to do, I discovered this movie:

 

Sounds a lot like Liz Rettig's recent YA book, Jumping to Confusions, don't you think?

Related: There's no such thing as an original idea

Posted by Aigua Media on August 27, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (7)

August 21, 2008 1:01 PM

Kylie Stillman's book carvings

I don't know what I'd do without Apartment Therapy; they're constantly introducing me to absolutely gob-smacking book artists.

This time it's Kylie Stillman, who carves bonsai trees into the side of stacks of books and a range of birds into open books.

I'm not usually a supporter of destroying books (although I'm not entirely sure why not), but when the result is this beautiful...

Related posts: Beautiful book art | Turning books into art

Posted by Keris on August 21, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (4)

Penguin Books launches dating site!

It's true. Publishing behemoth, Penguin, has launched a dating website in conjunction with Match.com.

"Ever wished real life could be as romantic as a novel?" begins the introduction. Members will be asked to write in their profile about the last book they read and will also be able to search through the site’s other profiles for mentions of their favourite book. Plus Penguin authors including Julia Llewellyn and Adele Parks will write articles for the site.

I think it's a great idea (one of the first things that appealed to me about my husband was that he was "a reader"). What do you think? Would you use it? [via The Bookseller]

Related posts: Celebrity books and chick lit "a turn-off" | Jane Austen's Guide to Dating | Penguin Celebrations' gorgeous covers

Posted by Keris on August 21, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 18, 2008 11:47 AM

Karen Quinn's Holly Would Dream promo

You know I loved Karen Quinn's latest, Holly Would Dream? Well I also enjoyed this book promo. As Karen put it in her newsletter, "it’s not a boring film of me droning on about my brilliant work" and it's not. It's good fun. Check it out.

Related posts: Karen Quinn movie news | The Ivy Chronicles casting news

Posted by Keris on August 18, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 15, 2008 9:00 AM

Book displays at Anthropologie

I would probably have to count US store Anthropologie as one of my favourite shops, despite the fact I've never set foot in one (I've spent plenty of time on their website, though).

Having seen this amazing book display on Apartment Therapy, I'm even more determined to get myself to a branch next time I'm in the US.

Related posts: Olivia Cheung's Lightbook | Beautiful book art | Jonathan Callan's book sculptures

Posted by Keris on August 15, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 14, 2008 3:08 PM

Make a book rack from a coat hanger

Apartment Therapy has a link to instructions on how to make a book rack from a wire coat hanger. Read it here.

I was most interested in what the designer uses it for - she has hers by the front door for library books that need returning. That is something I could definitely do with. How about you?

Related posts: Would you pay to borrow books from a library? | New York's Library Hotel | Make your own floating shelf

Posted by Keris on August 14, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 12, 2008 11:43 AM

Author Allison Pearson sued by Miramax

I've wondered more than once what happened to Allison Pearson's follow-up to the massively successful, I Don't Know How She Does It.

In July 2006, I wrote that the book - I Think I Love You, it was called - was to be released in September of that year and would be a "coming-of-age novel, set in the '70s and the present day, about teen obsession, rites of passage and one girl's infatuation with David Cassidy". But it never materialised.

Today, on The Bookseller, I read this:

Miramax Film has sued British writer and Daily Mail columnist Allison Pearson for breach of contract for failing to deliver a promised novel.

The film studio accuses Pearson of accepting $700,000 five years ago in return for the rights for an unpublished book titled I Think I Love You.

The suit, filed on Friday in Manhattan federal court, said although Pearson accepted the money in August 2003 under a two-year contract she failed to deliver the novel and ignored requests by Miramax since 2006 about the book's whereabouts.

Yikes. And $700,000? No news on the movie version of I Don't Know How She Does It, but since it was being produced by Miramax, you have to assume this will have some impact...

Posted by Keris on August 12, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

August 11, 2008 5:08 PM

93-year-old debut novelist... well, just read this

I love this story. The Guardian has a piece today about Lorna Page who, at aged 93, wrote her debut novel, A Dangerous Weakness, which is described as a "raunchy, feminist, thriller".

As if that wasn't thrilling enough, Page has used the advance and royalties to buy a detached country house, and she's invited contemporaries to move out of their care homes and in with her.

"Care homes can be such miserable places. You sit there all day staring out the window with no one to talk to," she said. "I thought it would be lovely to give a home and family life to one or two people who would otherwise be sitting around there. It's nice for me too because at my age it's handy to have someone to live with. Now every book that sells will help towards making a home for someone."

How lovely is that?

Related posts: World's youngest author | 11-year-old signs book deal | Sorry, we had nothing on older authors...

Posted by Keris on August 11, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 7, 2008 1:50 PM

Candace Bushnell's 'salon'

Because I'm incredibly nosy, I love to see authors' homes (when Marian Keyes' house was featured in Red magazine, I could not stop looking at it!).

Anyway, this room pictured is Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell's living room. Or, as Apartment Therapy had it, "salon". I'm liking the pink.

Related posts: Book news - One Fifth Avenue | Reading Sex and the City | Friday Flick - Sex and the City

Posted by Keris on August 7, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 5, 2008 10:15 AM

A Brenda Janowitz short story

I really enjoyed Brenda Janowitz's debut, Scot On the Rocks, and I'm looking forward to reading the follow-up, Jack With a Twist.

In the meantime, I'm happy to be able to read a short story Brenda has written for the Red Dress Ink website: Based On a True Story fits between the two books and looks like another good read.

Plus look out for the chance to win a copy of Jack With a Twist, as soon as I get caught up with my emails...

Related: Brenda Janowitz guest blog

Posted by Aigua Media on August 5, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 1, 2008 11:25 AM

TV News: Agatha Christie's Marple

This weekend sees one of the last Agatha Christie's Marple with Geraldine McEwan as the leading lady (Julia McKenzie will be taking over in the future). Towards Zero has a great cast list. Dame Eileen Atkins, Tom Baker, Paul Nicholls, Greg Wise, Alan Davies and Saffron Burrows.

It will be shown on ITV1 on Sunday 3 August at 8pm.

Related posts: Jane Marple | Agatha Christie

Posted by Helen Redfern on August 1, 2008 in Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 14, 2008 3:59 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Brideshead Revisited

Brideshead Revisited, the novel by Evelyn Waugh, is once more being adapted for the screen. This time it is being made into a film and will star, amongst others, Emma Thompson and Michael Gambon (Dumbledore).

The film, which will be out in October, is going to diverge from the plot of the novel and will therefore differ from the television serial which stared Jeremy Irons.

Click here to see the trailer.

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 14, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 11, 2008 10:07 AM

TV News: The Washingtonienne

HBO are piloting The Washingtonienne, a Washington-set comedy based on the book of the same name by Jessica Cutler. Sarah Jessica Parker will be the executive producer. [via THR.com]

SJP is going to be extremely busy, especially if the rumours of a sequel to the Sex and the City movie are true (please be true).

Related posts: The Ivy Chronicles Casting News (again) | Sex and the City poster

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 11, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (2)

July 4, 2008 10:36 AM

MOVIE NEWS: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

So, you've read all the books - more than once, got all the DVDs that have been made so far and are desperate for the next film to come out (or is this just me?). Sadly, we have another four months to wait (the release date for both UK and US is 21st November) but in the meantime, if you hop over the cut, there are a couple of stills which have just been released from the new movie.

Want more? Then click here.

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 4, 2008 in Book related, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 3, 2008 9:24 AM

Nanny Diaries authors Stand Up To Cancer

Nanny Diaries authors Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Krause have written an article for the charity Stand Up To Cancer.

When I would tell people that my mother was undergoing treatment for cancer, I frequently got the impression that the listener was flashing to a paler-than-normal Meryl Streep baking cookies and lovingly throwing a costume party to cheer up her grieving family.

Read the full article here.

Dedication, McLaughlin and Krause's latest book, is out in paperback any time now. Diane and I both loved the book and I really like the new cover.

What do you think?

Related: Laura Zigman blogging on breast cancer

Posted by Aigua Media on July 3, 2008 in American Authors, Book covers, Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

The New York Times disregards chick lit (surprise!)

As Jennifer Weiner writes on her blog:

And the New York Times Book Review doesn’t think there have been any recent novels written about work except for Personal Days and Then We Came to the End.

This is great news, because it means that I hallucinated In the Drink and Piece of Work and The Second Assistant and The Devil Wears Prada and Chambermaid and Sammy’s Hill, and I Don’t Know How She Does It, and Citizen Girl, and I can now write them all myself! (Surely the reviewer and his editors didn’t just ignore them because they’re, you know, women’s work.)

Whenever I read something like this, my first instinct is to sigh dramatically, sometimes bounce my head of my desk, and then sit in a "oh, what's the point?" funk for up to half an hour. Maybe someone should send reviewer Mark Sarvas the above collection of books...?

Posted by Aigua Media on July 3, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (4)

July 2, 2008 8:44 AM

Marc Acito on NPR

I wrote about NPR a couple of weeks ago when Jen Lancaster recommended a book in You Must Read This. Now honorary chick litter Marc Acito has launched a new series in which authors pick their favourite three books on a single theme.

Marc has chosen "desperate housewives" as his theme. Click here to see (or hear) his picks (which includes one of Trashionista's favourite books).

Related posts: How I Paid for College | Attack of the Theatre People

Posted by Aigua Media on July 2, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 27, 2008 9:57 AM

The Ivy Chronicles casting news (again)

I thought I'd bring you some exciting movie news today instead of the usual Friday Flick. I know we've already told you that The Ivy Chronicles is being made into a film and we've also reported on the rumour that Catherine Zeta Jones was linked to the project. Now, following the huge success of Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker has been lined up for the main role.

Apparently Warner Bros offered SJP a choice of roles (they were so keen to cash in on her recent success) before she settled on The Ivy Chronicles. [via Empire]

Related posts: Wife in the Fast Lane | The Ivy Chronicles

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 27, 2008 in Book related, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 20, 2008 11:51 AM

MOVIE NEWS: I Don't Know How She Does It

We announced on Trashionista, nearly two years ago, that I Don't Know How She Does It, the novel by Allison Pearson, was going to be adapted into a film and Nicole Kidman's name was mentioned by Keris as a possibility.

Now I've discovered Nicole's name is attached to the film according to some movie database sites. It was going to be developed by Sydney Pollack and his production company, Mirage Enterprises, but since his death in May many of his projects have been thrown into limbo.

[Via Yahoo News]

Related posts: Yay or Nay Wednesday | I think I'll love it

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 20, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (4)

June 18, 2008 12:30 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Sarah Addison Allen

Both Keris and I (along with many Trashionista readers) loved Garden Spells, the debut novel by Sarah Addison Allen, so I thought I'd find out more about her.

Born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina she has a B.A in English Literature which she describes as like "being able to major in eating chocolate". Her father is a retired journalist and she credits him as the reason she became a writer. Meanwhile Sarah's great aunt tried to shape her and her sister into ladies, but in Sarah's words "we're just a little bit wild". Possibly like their mother who, aged fifty, dyed her hair red and got her nose pierced.

Sarah started writing seriously in 1994 and although she sold a few small things, it wasn't until twelve years later in 2006 that Garden Spells was sold. It was supposed to be a simple story, not magical at all, "but then the apple tree started throwing apples". It has been released in fourteen countries.

The Sugar Queen is her new book (already out in the US) but it isn't a continuation of Garden Spells. She does mention however, the possibility of a sequel or prequel to Garden Spells in the future. In 2009 her third book, Quintessential Carolina: Barbecue and Cake will be released.

She has a lovely shiny website where I got a lot of this information. Check out the home page - it made me crave a Wham bar.

Related posts: Spotlight archive

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 18, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (8)

June 13, 2008 10:19 AM

FRIDAY FLICK: Sleeping with the Enemy

I didn't know this film was an adaptation, but it is. Based on the book of the same name by Nancy Price, this psychological thriller was released in 1991. (Which is what, seventeen years ago? Eek.) Starring Julia Roberts, after her success in Pretty Woman, this demonstrated a whole different side to her acting skills.

Julia plays Laura who lives in a beautiful ocean view house on Cape Cod with her husband Martin (Patrick Bergin). To outsiders their life looks idyllic, but in reality Laura's husband is abusive and possessive. She suffers at his hands for a long time, until a boat trip during a storm she falls overboard, presumed drowned. Her husband knew she couldn't swim.

In flashback we see how she has faked her own death and then moves on to Iowa changing her name to Sara where she hopes her husband never finds her. Unwittingly, though, she has left behind some clues...

I saw this film a short while ago, after not having seen it for years, and even though I knew the ending I was still in suspense. Martin looks a normal enough bloke (critics have said he wasn't scary enough) but I think the fact he looked so normal made him more frightening. We don't know what people are like just from looking at them on the street.

If you have never seen this film (and surely everyone has, unless of course you are a lot younger than me) then watch it. It may appear a little dated now, but if you are into thrillers, especially female led ones (and how many of those are there?), then this is a great film for you.

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 13, 2008 in Book related, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 12, 2008 1:58 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Sarah Waters

Sarah Waters, author of Tipping the Velvet, Affinity, Fingersmith and The Night Watch, has won an array of awards including South Bank Award for Literature, Author of the Year at the British Book Awards, the Betty Trask Award and she has also been shortlisted for the Booker and Orange Prize.

She was inspired to write her debut novel whilst working on her PhD thesis researching lesbian historical fiction. Tipping the Velvet was the result and is a book set in nineteenth century Britain. She is extremely research intensive for all of her books and for this one in particular she studied nineteenth century pornography. The Daily Telegraph praised this novel and said, "This could be the most important debut of its kind..." In 2002 the BBC adapted it into a TV drama.

All her books have lesbian themes which she describes in an interview as "at the heart of her books" and also "incidental" as it is just because of her own sexual orientation. She goes on to say it makes sense to call herself a lesbian writer (or even a historical writer), but at the same time she is just a writer. Saying this, it makes no difference as her novels are praised the world over (they have been translated into at least twenty four languages) by the mainstream and the gay and lesbian press alike.

Thursday Trailblazer archive

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 12, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 10, 2008 1:43 PM

TV News: Little Dorrit

Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens is being adapted by the BBC into a fifteen part television series. It has a stunning cast list including Tom Courtenay (The Golden Compass), James Fleet (Four Weddings), Emma Pierson (Hotel Babylon), Amanda Redman, Ruth Jones (Gavin & Stacey), Mackenzie Crook (The Office), Freema Agyeman (Doctor Who), Maxine Peake (Shameless), Annette Crosbie (One Foot in the Grave), Matthew Macfadyen...oh the list is endless.

I am looking forward to playing spot the actor (and watching a Dickens' adaptation, obviously).

The series is part of the autumn line up for BBC1.

Related posts: Tess of the D'Urbervilles | Miss Marple |

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 10, 2008 in Book related, Classic Novels, Television | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 9, 2008 7:41 AM

TV News: Miss Marple

Miss Marple was one of the first heroines I posted about on Helen's Heroines, so I was delighted to hear about the new series of whodunits that are currently being filmed. In recent years the part of Miss Marple has been played brilliantly by Geraldine McEwan, but after her recent retirement Julia McKenzie (pictured) will now play the meddlesome sleuth. Geraldine, however, still has Miss Marple films to be shown on ITV this year, Nemesis and Towards Zero.

Julia McKenzie's first Marple will be A Pocketful of Rye which will also star Helen Baxendale, Matthew MacFadyen, Wendy Richard, Prunella Scales and Ralf Little.

Related posts: Agatha Christie | More TV News

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 9, 2008 in Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (3)

June 6, 2008 10:49 AM

TV News: Secret Diary of a Call Girl

It seems that ITV can't get enough of Secret Diary of a Call Girl, based on The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl, the blog to book by Belle de Jour. As reported a short while ago a second series is currently being filmed. Now it has been reported that Billie Piper has signed up for a third series already, before the second has even been aired.

The first series has also been sold to America and will be aired from 16 June. The second series will start in the UK in September.

Related posts: Billie Piper's book adaptations | Growing Pains | Secret Diary of a Call Girl

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 6, 2008 in Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (12)

FRIDAY FLICK: Sex and the City

For those of you who haven't seen it yet, Do Not Panic, I will not be giving any details of the plot away. Promise.

Sex and the City - the movie starts four years after Big flew to Paris to find Carrie. At the end of the final series Miranda had moved to Brooklyn with Steve, Charlotte was happily married to Harry and about to adopt a little baby and Samantha, recovering from cancer, was having a fabulous relationship with Smith. It all ended in a brilliantly satisfying way and still brings tears to my eyes when I watch it with the song You Got the Love beating out with Carrie walking down the street in New York.

So. What has happened to the four women and their partners in four years? And how on earth is the film going to measure up to the series?

In answer to the first question...well, I'm not going to tell you. I will tell you that I loved the film and it certainly did measure up. Yes I am a fan, but the two friends I went with hadn't seen all the series and they still loved it. All the characters you want to see are in it. It is very much Carrie based, more so than the series, but just like when you adapt a film from a book, adapting a film from a series will mean some things in the formula and style are going to have to change slightly. On the whole I found it faithful to the series although I'm not going to say any more here because I would have to give examples.

There are some very funny laugh out loud moments and some very emotional moments. I happily blubbed away with the rest of them. What I found quite disconcerting though, wasn't just the fact there was a huge audience that laughed when I was used to watching it on my own on DVD, but also the graphic scenes that Sex and the City is so famous for. Sitting four rows from the front and on a huge screen was a lot different to watching it on my little TV at home.

I know people have complained that it was slightly too long, but to be fair, I didn't want it to end. When is the next one coming out?

Related posts: Friday Flick archives

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 6, 2008 in Book related, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (4)

June 5, 2008 10:20 AM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Maeve Binchy

Since picking up a battered copy of Light a Penny Candle as a teenager, I have been a huge fan of Maeve Binchy. I don't know if it was the gentle way in which she wrote, the fascinating characters or just her ability to write a gripping story that had me hooked, but it wasn't until I started to research her for this post that I realised how phenomenally successful Maeve is.

Described in the Irish Independent as "the mammy of all the best selling chick lit writers", Maeve was 43 when her first novel Light a Penny Candle was published in 1983. Born in Dublin in 1940, she worked as a teacher, then travelled to Israel to work on a kibbutz. Whilst out there she frequently wrote home and it was one of these letters that her Dad managed to sell to the Irish Times. She went on to become an extremely popular columnist for them.

After moving to London to be a journalist, she had several short story collections published including Central Line and Victoria Line. Then in 1983 her hard work (she started writing at 5am in the morning before going on to her full time job) paid off. She sold her first novel for a reported £52,000, the biggest sum at the time for a first time novel.

Maeve has sold around £50m books in nearly 40 countries. An amazing figure. She writes about her own experiences of time and place with her writing style alternating between the story of one woman, a pair of friends or a group of interlocking stories. Her main characters are predominantly female and deal with the changing problems of Irish women.

In 1995 Circle of Friends was made into a film with Minnie Driver and Chris O'Donnell. In 1999, Tara Road was picked up by Oprah's Book Club. Her secret to success? She writes as if she is talking. She insists she doesn't have a style but just chats away on the page.

Bibliography

Along with her numerous short stories the following novels have been published:

Light a Penny Candle

The Lilac Bus

Echoes

Firefly Summer

Silver Wedding

Circle of Friends

The Copper Beach

Glass Lake

Evening Class

Tara Road

Scarlet Feather

Quentins

Nights of Rain and Stars

Whitethorn Woods

The Maeve Binchy Writer's Club (not a novel but an excellent book on writing)

Related posts: Thursday Trailblazer archives

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 5, 2008 in Book related, Irish Authors, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (3)

May 30, 2008 11:23 AM

FRIDAY FLICK: Girl with a Pearl Earring

Art really isn't my bag but after reading Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier I was so taken by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer's painting of the same name I nagged encouraged my husband to buy me a print for my wall. The book is historical fiction, inspired by the painting and uses the pearl earring as a focal point.

Taking place in Delft, Holland (famous not just for the painting but its blue and white pottery) in 1665, the story follows Griet (Scarlett Johansson), a sixteen year old who is employed as a maid in the Vermeer household.

Vermeer (Colin Firth) sees Griet's interest in painting and secretly gives her lessons in mixing paints.  Vermeer's patron, van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), commissions him to paint Griet as he has become quite taken by her. Vermeer borrows his wife's pearl earrings, who isn't best pleased when she finds out.

Not only was the book a bestseller, it was also critically acclaimed, so the film itself had a lot to live up to. If you are not a fan of slow, deliberate films this is not for you. I, however, found the film entrancing. The smoldering and intense Colin Firth and the tension between him and Scarlett was wonderful. I did prefer the ending in the book, it felt more complete, but other than that the look and feel of the film matches both the novel and the painting perfectly.

Related posts: Friday Flick archives

Posted by Helen Redfern on May 30, 2008 in Book related, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (1)

MOVIE NEWS: Harry split into two

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final book, will be split into two parts in the film version. It is said to be impossible to cram all 608 pages of the book into one film.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is due out in November 2010 and Part 2 in May 2011. As a huge fan myself I think this is a great idea. It means the magic will continue a little longer and I do like to see as much of the book as possible in the film.

The decision, however, has been met with some cynicism. After all double the film means double the profit for the studios. As Daniel Radcliffe explained though in the Los Angeles Times, the seventh novel doesn't have any subplots that could be cut. "It's one driving, pounding story from the word go."

Related posts: Eighth Harry Potter? | Nymphadora Tonks | Guardian disses JK Rowling

Posted by Helen Redfern on May 30, 2008 in Book related, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (3)

May 27, 2008 1:43 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Jane Austen Handheld

Jane Austen Handheld, a spoof of Pride and Prejudice, is set to be released later this year. The film will star Stephen Fry as Mr. Bennet with Carrie Fisher said to play Mrs. Bennet and Lily Allen as Lydia Bennet. According to the IMDb website it is "Re-telling the story of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice through the lens of a fly-on-the-wall documentary crew". Interesting.

Dr. Luka Kovac from ER (Goran Visnjic) will be playing Mr. Darcy. (I was going to post a picture of him but have gone for the delectable Stephen Fry instead).

Related posts: Jane Austen goes hip-hop | Pride & Prejudice the film | Becoming Jane

Posted by Helen Redfern on May 27, 2008 in Book related, Classic Novels, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (6)

May 23, 2008 11:39 AM

FRIDAY FLICK: Runaway Jury

The Runaway Jury by John Grisham is, by far, my favourite Grisham book. I went through a period of reading all of his books and this is the one that stood out. I was extremely anxious then when I heard they were making a film of the book and substantial changes were going to be made. Why do they do that?

If you have never read any of Grisham's books, you should know that most of them are about law and lawyers and plaintiffs and juries all woven into a tight, juicy plot. The Runaway Jury - the book - is about a woman taking a large fictional tobacco company to court claiming that her husband's premature death was because of the cigarette manufacturers. Runaway Jury - the film - changes substantially in that the cigarette manufacturers are replaced by firearms dealers. As I was a big fan of the book, could the film have the same effect on me?

The basic premise of the film is the same. There is a jury consultant (Gene Hackman) who can communicate illegally through jury selection with the defence attorneys. One of the potential jurors is Nicholas Easter (John Cusack) who works in a video game store and tries to get out of jury duty. The judge refuses and he is picked. What starts off routinely, then becomes odd. The jury start to behave strangely, someone is controlling them and soon it appears they can be bought...

When a book is adapted you can't expect every single detail to appear in the film. It's impossible. In Runaway Jury the film, there are irritating departures from the book. There are gaps in the plot and often a lack of realism. If you have read the book and want to watch this film, pretend you've never read it and in return enjoy a tense, slick and exciting thriller.

Related posts: Friday Flick archives

Posted by Helen Redfern on May 23, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (3)

May 12, 2008 12:06 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Wuthering Heights

Following news on Trashionista last week about an adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, we have now come across the news that there will be a new version of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights to be filmed.

Natalie Portman was going to star as Cathy but she has dropped out due to other commitments. Heathcliff is tipped to be Michael Fassbender (I had to look him up) an Irish-German actor who has starred in 300 and The Real Life of Angel Deverell. I have never heard of him or his films, but still, I think the photograph of him demonstrates the passionate and dark side of Heathcliff's nature. Does it not? [Via Empire]

Related posts: Movie News | Wuthering Heights gets graphic | Wuthering Heights named Britain's favourite love story

Posted by Helen Redfern on May 12, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (3)

May 9, 2008 11:28 AM

TELEVISION NEWS: May Contain Nuts

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

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

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

Posted by Helen Redfern on May 9, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Television | Permalink | Comments (2)

May 7, 2008 11:48 AM

MOVIE NEWS: Jane Eyre

The Canadian actress Ellen Page has been cast as Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre in a new adaptation due to start filming at the end of this year. 

This is the first period film for Page, who was Oscar nominated for her part in Juno. She also starred in X-Men 3.

The classic novel about a governess and her master, Mr Rochester, is one of the most filmed adaptations of all time. It is being developed by BBC Films. [Via Empire]

Related posts: Wuthering Heights gets graphic | TV News: Jane Eyre

Posted by Helen Redfern on May 7, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 30, 2008 2:43 PM

MOVIE NEWS: An Invisible Sign Of My Own

Aimee Bender's novel An Invisible Sign Of My Own is being adapted for the big screen and America Ferrera has signed on for the starring role.

The quirky story is about a twenty-year-old loner, Mona Gray, who as a child turned to maths for salvation after her father became ill. As an adult, Mona teaches the subject and still relies on numbers to keep her world safe and ordered. Will love change that forever?

[Via Hollywood Reporter]

Related posts: Movie news archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 30, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (7)

April 29, 2008 12:53 PM

Authors take on Tesco

Lad lit king and Trashionista fave Nick Hornby is among the authors taking on Tesco this week. Also involved are Marina Lewycka, Mark Haddon and Deborah Moggach

Putting their morals above book sales, the group has condemned the supermarket for prosecuting a Thai business leader who spoke out against Tesco’s expansion. They say Tesco is using "deeply chilling" techniques to silence its critics and that the action is a breach of human rights.

[Via Bookseller]

Related posts: More book banning madness | The Complete Polysyllabic Spree

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 29, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 25, 2008 11:18 AM

Angels And Demons casting news

Remember we told you about the film adapation of Dan Brown's Angels And Demons?

Well, today the news is out that leading lady Ayelet Zurer (who?) is to be joined by the very lovely Ewan McGregor. He will play an insider at the Vatican who helps Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks).

[Via Empire]

Related posts: Bad Mother's Handbook casting news | Yet more Shopaholic casting

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 25, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (6)

April 24, 2008 5:16 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Susan Elizabeth Phillips has written historical romance, contemporary women's fiction and romantic comedy.

She received the Romance Writers of America Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 and has won numerous other awards including Borders Best, the American Library Association Genre Fiction Award,and a clutch of RITAs.

However, according to Susan's blog, she started to write "completely by accident".

Susan left her high school teaching job when her first son was born to stay at home. Her best friend lived nearby and the two used to swap books and talk about what they liked and didn't like.

One day, for a laugh, they decided to write a book together. They submitted the first half to Dell and got an offer. Just like that! Susan says: "I never tell this story at writers' luncheons for  fear I'll have to duck flying french rolls."

The book was historical romance, titled The Copeland Bride and published under the pen name Justine Cole.

Afterwards, Claire decided to follow her own ambition of attending law school.  However, Susan had well and truly been bitten by the writing bug and she set about learning how to write a book on her own.

The result was published under her real name - Susan Elizabeth Phillips - and she hasn't looked back since.

Susan lives in Illinois with her husband Bill. She has two grown up sons and is a keen walker.

Bibliography:

Risen, Glory (1984)
Glitter Baby (1987)
Fancy Pants (1989)
Hot Shot (1991)
Honey Moon (1993)
It Had To Be You (1994)
Heaven, Texas (1995)
Kiss an Angel (1996)
Nobody's Baby But Mine (1997)
Dream a Little Dream (1998)
Lady Be Good (1999)
First Lady (2000)
Just Imagine (2001)
This Heart of Mine (2001)
Breathing Room (2002)
Ain't She Sweet? (2005)
Match Me if You Can (2005)
Natural Born Charmer (2007)

Related posts: Spotlight archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 24, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (3)

April 23, 2008 2:17 PM

Bad Mother's Handbook casting news

ITV adapted Kate Long's Bad Mother's Handbook last year, but it's also being made into a pilot for a TV series by ABC in the US.

Alicia Silverstone has been cast as the mother (who has a sixteen-year-old daughter). She seems kind of young for the role to me; what do you think?

[Via TV Squad]

Related posts: Author interview: Kate Long | Top 10 chick lit film adaptations

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 23, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 22, 2008 1:05 PM

MOVIE NEWS: The Oxford Murders

Ooh, I like the look of The Oxford Murders. It's out this week and is adapted from an award-winning novel of the same name by the Argentine mathematician and writer Guillermo Martínez.

It's a thriller, but with addded mathematics and philosophy. Set at Oxford University, Professor Arthur Seldom  (the wonderful John Hurt) and his student Martin (Elijah Wood), work together to solve a series of puzzling murders...

Related posts: Movie News archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 22, 2008 in Book related, Crime / Mystery, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 21, 2008 1:24 PM

Jennifer Weiner podcast

Jennifer Weiner did an author event at the Free Library in Philadelphia early this month to promote Certain Girls.

For those of us who missed it, the library has very kindly made it available as a podcast. Woo-hoo! Jennifer's says (on her blog): "Download, and hear me talk about the Jew thing, balancing work and motherhood, and why you should never try to breast-feed in a sweater dress."

Related posts: Author interview: Jennifer Weiner | Top 10 chick lit books

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 21, 2008 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Podcasts | Permalink | Comments (5)

April 18, 2008 2:31 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: O Brother Where Art Thou?

I am a big fan of the Coen brothers - their films are witty, intelligent and quirky as all get out. O Brother Where Art Thou is no exception.

Loosely based on Homer's epic poem The Odyssey, the story follows three depression-era convicts who escape a Mississipi chain gang and go on a quest for treasure.

George Clooney shows versatility and great comic-timing as the silver-tongued ringleader, Ulysses Everett McGill. There are various nods to The Odyssey - John Goodman plays a one-eyed baddie (a cyclops), the gang meet the sirens, a blind seer, and at one point Pete appears to be turned into a frog - and a multitude of visual and verbal jokes.

John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson play the other escapees, while Holly Hunter is Everett's estranged wife.

The bluegrass soundtrack is outstanding, the performances sparkle and the director of photography, Roger Deakins, uses an old-time colour palette that gives it a unique feel.

This is actually one of my favourite Coen movies - gentler and more relaxed than some, but still whip-smart and hysterically funny.

Related posts: Friday Flick archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 18, 2008 in Book related, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (3)

Freya North's top ten romps and romances

Freya North reveals an (unsurprising) love of romance novels and lists her top ten favourites for the Guardian.

I have to say I agree with her inclusion of Jane Eyre, Maggie O'Farrell's After You'd Gone (although I would be tempted to list The Distance Between Us instead) and Mary Wesley. I haven't read Moll Flanders or Tom Jones, though, have you?

Related posts: Jenny Colgan's life in books | Freya North wins Romantic Novel of the Year

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 18, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 17, 2008 10:56 AM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Stella Gibbons

Stella Gibbons' Cold Comfort Farm often appears on top ten lists and it also features in my teetering to-be-read pile.

It's a parody of the pessimisitic rural novel (typified by Thomas Hardy), and features a feisty, melodramatic family called the Starkadders. It was made into a film (for TV) in both 1968 and1995. The later version was adapted by Malcolm Bradbury and starred Kate Beckinsale, Joanna Lumley, Stephen Fry and Ian McKellen.

Stella was born in 1902 and had a turbulent upbringing. Her father, Telford, was a doctor but also a drunk, depressive, and given to violent outbursts and dramatic scenes.  When she was eleven her father threatened to commit suicide, begging the young Stella to stop him. She would later put this (and much else) into her autobiographical novel Enderbury Heath.

Stella completed a diploma in Journalism at London University, wrote prose parodies and published poetry. Her first job was with a news service called the British United Press and then with the London Evening Standard.

In 1930, she started at the Lady magazine where she reportedly wrote Cold Comfort Farm in spare quiet moments and on the train to and from work. She had already published a poetry collection, The Mountain Beast, and counted Virginia Woolf as an admirer. She also met her future husband - actor and opera singer Allan Bourne Webb - whom she married in 1933. They had a daughter together, Laura.

The success of Cold Comfort Farm prompted her to leave the Lady and write full time. Something she continued throughout the rest of her life.

She published her last novel in 1970 but continued to write for her own pleasure. When she died, in 1989, Stella bequethed her unpublished work, including two more novels, to her grandsons.

Partial Bibliography

The Mountain Beast (poetry)
Cold Comfort Farm
The Priestess (poetry)
Endbury Heath
The Untidy Gnome
Miss Linsey and Pa
Roaring Tower and Other Stories (short stories)
The Lowland Venus (poetry)
Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm (short stories)
The Bachelor
Westwood
The Matchmaker
Conference at Cold Comfort Farm
Beside the Pearly Water (short stories)
The Charmers
Starlight
The Snow Woman
The Woods in Winter

Related posts: Thursday Trailblazer archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 17, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 16, 2008 2:42 PM

Page Boy book stand

I just saw this on thekichn and I  need it now! It's a Page Boy folding book stand.

Not exciting, you may think, but you'd be wrong... I adore reading while I eat (two of my favourite pastimes combined!), but it can be tricky. The logistics of fork-handling, the danger of sticky-pages and the aching wrist from holding the book open at the right angle...This gizmo will put reading right back on the menu (sorry).

Related posts: Ex-libris table | Abracadabra bookmark | Book bags

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 16, 2008 in Book related, Bookish products | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 11, 2008 8:46 AM

Galaxy British Book Awards 2008

Lovely JK Rowling has been awarded an outstanding achievement prize at the Galaxy British Book Awards.

Also honoured were Ian McEwan (I bet he loved getting one alongside JK!), Khaled Hosseini and Ewan McGregor. Gordon Brown praised Rowling for her charity work and for books that had "the whole country reading".

I was also rather pleased that Katie Price's My Pony Care Book lost out the children's book of the year to Francesca Simon's Horrid Henry (a staple in our house) and the Abominable Snowman.

[Via BBC]

Related posts: Chocolate and books - delicious! | Book Video Awards

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 11, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 10, 2008 4:03 PM

Rate My Book Cover

You know we're obsessed with book covers, right? Well, we're not alone... Galleycat is calling for a Go Fug Yourself for book covers (well, Trashi is getting close!) and Greenleaf Book Group has launched a website called Rate My Book Cover.

Small presses and self-publishers can submit their cover art for rating before they go to print. The site aims to improve book packaging quality, and declares: "Your Mom won't tell, but we will!"

Related posts: Does a book cover matter? | US versus UK covers

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 10, 2008 in Book Websites, Book covers, Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 8, 2008 3:27 PM

The Chick Lit debate continues...

I just read a very convincing argument from Dorothy Koomson over the term 'chick lit'. She thinks it should be renamed pronto (and makes an excellent suggestion for the new name). Check it out here.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Weiner gives her usual balanced, intelligent answer to the chick lit question in an interview on her blog and Meg Cabot weighs in with her own take on the term; hop over the cut to read it.

Whatever. People who have a problem with it are usually other authors who don’t write it, and no one is reading their books because they’re so gloomy and boring and don’t have fun scenes with girls spying on their boyfriends and doing pretend kung fu moves in the dark like in Megan Crane’s English as a Second Language.

Meg goes on to make some intelligent, well-balanced points of her own, but I love her first reaction!

Related posts: Did Janet Evanovich invent Chick Lit? | If it's good it can't be chick lit

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 8, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (11)

Jane Austen goes hip hop

Screen Gems is planning a hip-hop musical version of Jane Austen's Emma. Yes, you read that right - a baggy-trousered dance-culture Emma.

Written by Tyger Williams (Menace II Society) and shifted to a high school, the film aims to cash-in on recent dance movie successes. To appeal to modern youth, the title is likely to be Emme. I'm far too old to comment on this...

[Via Empire]

Related posts: The Jane Austen calendar | Jane Austen's Guide To Dating

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 8, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (4)

April 2, 2008 9:53 AM

SPOTLIGHT: Christina Jones

Christina Jones was born in Oxford and grew up in Berkshire. According to her website, she lived in a very happy, tight-knit, working class community, and has drawn on the idea of close community for her writing.

Christina wrote short stories and articles while working in a series of random jobs - everything from factory worker to night-club dancer. Apparently, she was sacked from nineteen of her twenty-seven jobs for writing at work!

Luckily, it all paid off. Christina joined the Romantic Novelists' Association (RWA) in 1993 and was voted runner-up in the New Writers' Scheme in 1995 with Dancing in the Moonlight - a 40,000 word novella. At the RWA Awards Lunch, an agent suggested to Christina that she try full-length fiction. She wrote Going The Distance, which was sold straight away and chosen for the 1997 WH Smith Fresh Talent Promotion.

Things you may not have known about Christina Jones...
Her father was a circus clown.
Not only is she an avid fan of horse racing, but her grandfather was a jockey.
She has seventeen rescue cats. You can read all about them here.

Bibliography
Dancing In The Moonlight (novella - originally published by My Weekly Story Library)
Going The Distance
Running The Risk
Stealing The Show
Jumping To Conclusions
Walking On Air
Nothing To Lose
Tickled Pink
Hubble Bubble
Seeing Stars
Love Potions
Heaven Sent

Related posts: Spotlight archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 2, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (4)

Lisa Jewell's study

I do love Lisa Jewell so I was very excited to read, in her latest newsletter, that there was a short film about her  study on YouTube. Look!

Related posts: Lisa Jewell spotlight | 31 Dream Street review | Writers' rooms at The Guardian

Posted by Aigua Media on April 2, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 1, 2008 6:58 AM

MOVIE NEWS: Malice In Wonderland

A new take on Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland is being filmed in the UK. The producer, Albert Martinez-Martin has moved filming from Sunderland (the film was going to be titled Malice In Sunderland) to Southend for reasons of "funding."

Mischa Barton is to star in the movie as a US student utterly disorientated in a strange city after she is hit by a London taxi.

[Via BBC]

Related posts: Penguin Classics covers | The Old Curiosity Shop

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 1, 2008 in Book related, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (3)

March 28, 2008 9:20 AM

FRIDAY FLICK: Catch Me If You Can

Based on the true-life story of Frank W Abagnale, master-con-man, Catch Me If You Can is adapted from Frank's autobiography of the same name.

Frank's story as a charming fraudster is an amazing one. Before his nineteenth birthday he had spent millions of dollars passing fake cheques and had impersonated a Pan Am pilot, a doctor and a prosecuting lawyer.

The film features Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Abagnale and Tom Hanks as the FBI agent hot on his trail and is directed by Steven Speilberg.

It would be hard to make a dull movie out of material this good, but I particularly like the way Frank's character and relationships are exlored.

From his adored father (played by Christopher Walken) to Carl Hanratty, the FBI agent who pursues and eventually catches him, Frank shows himself to be strangely upstanding in his relationships and is a sympathetic anti-hero.

A thoroughly entertaining tale, if a little over-long. I now want to read the book!

Related posts: Friday Flick archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 28, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (3)

March 27, 2008 12:57 PM

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Buffy v Wonder Woman

In the last grudge match, we had a battle of the side-kicks and Lula won out. Well, she's pretty handy with a Taser... This week, we turn to comic books for two female super-heroines; Buffy (the vampire slayer) and Wonder Woman.

Buffy

The comic books: Buffy (created by Joss Whedon) was originally a terrible film and then a wonderful, seminal TV series and, finally, a comic book. The books continue where season seven of the TV series finished, with young women around the world waking up to Slayer strength.

Likes: Shoes, shopping, her friends (the Scoobies) and pointy sticks.

Dislikes: Bumpy foreheads, The Master, math.

Loves: Angel (yum!), Spike (bad boy yum!) and Giles (in a totally platonic Watcher-Slayer kind of a way).

Preferred Method of Kicking-Ass: Kick-boxing, karate, slayer-strength, amazing jumps and, of course, the sharp pointy stick.

Wonder Woman

The Comic Books: Created by William Moulton Marston and first published in All Star Comics in 1941, Wonder Woman is looking pretty damn good for her age. In 1975, Wonder Woman got a TV series starring Lynda Carter and in 2006 the comic book incarnation got a relaunch with some of the stories written by Jodi Picoult.   

Likes: Animals, Greek mythology (Wonder Woman was often described as "beautiful as Aphrodite, wise as Athena, swifter than Hermes, and stronger than Hercules" and her friend Etta Candy.

Dislikes: Bad guys. Wonder Woman has had a fair few enemies over the years, including Doctor Poison, Doctor Psycho, and the Duke of Deception.

Loves: Steve Trevor, her crime-fighting partner.

Preferred Method of Kicking-Ass: Well, she has super-human strength and throws some painful-looking 'kapow' punches and flying kicks, but Wonder Woman has another trick up her sleeve... The Lasso of Truth. Oh yes.

Conclusion: It's a very tough call. Both Buffy and Wonder Women are strong women with more ass-kicking power in their little pinkies than the rest of us put together.

Wonder Woman has been around a long time and been credited with too many powers and weapons to list. However, Buffy is a resourceful fighter and tough-as-nails; as well as saving the world several times, she has died twice. Will Wonder Woman's show-stopping costume tip the scales in her favour? You decide...

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 27, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Supernatural, Television | Permalink | Comments (10)

March 26, 2008 2:42 PM

The Ivy Chronicles casting news

The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn is being made into a film. Yes, I know we already told you this but wait - there's more!

Having worked together on Ocean's 12, producer Jerry Weintraub is being reunited with Catherine Zeta Jones. I assume she'll be playing the main character Ivy Ames. It's been a while since I read the book, but she strikes me as a good choice. What do you think?

[Via Hollywood Reporter]

Related posts: Book Review: Wife In The Fast Lane | Karen Quinn competition

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 26, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (2)

Another reason we love Meg Cabot

This really needs no introduction. (Except that one.)

 

Related: Little Women interpreted by Meg Cabot

Posted by Aigua Media on March 26, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 19, 2008 2:32 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Jojo Moyes

I only heard about Jojo recently - her book Silver Bay was shortlisted for the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award (look out for the review coming tomorrow!) but when I did my research, I discovered she's been writing books since 2002 and Silver Bay is actually her fifth.

She won the RNA Novel of the Year Award in 2004 for Forbidden Fruit and was short-listed in 2006 for The Ship of Brides.

Jojo was born in 1969 in London. Prior to writing fiction, she worked at The Independent for ten years, including stints as Assistant News Editor and Arts and Media Correspondent.

Jojo now writes books full-time and lives on a farm in Essex with her journalist husband and three children, plus some "badly-behaved animals including an ex-racehorse and several rescued battery hens."

Jojo's third child, Lachlan, was born profoundly deaf. He had cochlear implant surgery and Jojo wrote about his (and her) experience of this for the Mail On Sunday.

Want more? Well, since it's you...Jojo has a blog and has just announced the title of her next book - Night Music. It's due out this summer and this is the blurb from Amazon:
The Spanish House has long been known as an architectural folly to locals, and is now nearly derelict to boot. When its reclusive owner dies intestate the Spanish House is left to his city-dwelling niece. For Isabel, recently widowed, the house is a potential lifeline -- the only hope she has of providing for her two children. But for neighbour Matt McCarthy, the house is revenge -- on the family who ruined his father. For his wife it's the key to the perfect family life, while a struggling property developer sees in it a whole new future. As desires clash and intertwine, lives and loves are demolished -- and the Spanish House becomes a true folly indeed...

Jojo's Bibliography:

Sheltering Rain
The Peacock Emporium
Foreign Fruit
The Ship of Brides
Silver Bay

Related posts: Spotlight archive

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 19, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 14, 2008 5:34 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Rosemary's Baby

Yep, it's another completely unnecessary remake of a classic!

Rosemary's Baby, Roman Polanski's chilling horror, is being remade by Platinum Dunes. Based on Ira Levine's 1967 novel, the original film starred the wonderful Mia Farrow. She played the pregnant woman who is disturbed by the increasingly strange behaviour of her husband and neighbours, and who begins to wonder what she is going to give birth to...

I have enjoyed some remakes (The Thomas Crown Affair springs to mind), but I can't help feeling they are rather pointless... What do you think?

[Via Empire]

Related posts: Movie News archive

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 14, 2008 in Book related, Movie News, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

More on My Sister's Keeper movie

Jason Patric (The Lost Boys, Sleepers) has joined the cast of My Sister's Keeper. He will play the girls' firefighter father.

Hollywood Reporter also tells us that Thomas Dekker (Heroes) is to play "the older sister's boyfriend and fellow cancer survivor." I don't remember that character in the book (although it is a long time since I read it). Does anyone else?

Related posts: Movie Magic: My Sister's Keeper | More My Sister's Keeper News

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 14, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (6)

March 13, 2008 12:08 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Grace Metalious

Born in 1924, Grace is most famous for writing Peyton Place (1956). The book sold millions worldwide and remained on the New York Times bestseller list. It was also made into a successful film starring Lana Turner and Lee Philips.

Peyton Place explores the dark secrets of the residents of a small New England town, and was denounced by critics as 'trash'.

She went on to write a further three novels, although none (unsuprisingly) enjoyed the same level of success.

Grace was criticised in the day for writing a racy, popular book - sound at all familar? In reply, she famously said, "If I'm a lousy writer, then an awful lot of people have lousy taste."

Grace was born in New Hampshire into a poor family with an absent father, but began writing at a young age. She married in her teens and became a housewife and mother, but despite financial hardship, never stopped writing.

Sadly, she died of alcholism in 1964.

Bibliography:

 

Peyton Place
Return to Peyton Place
The Tight White Collar
No Adam in Eden

Related posts: Thursday Trailblazer archive

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 13, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (2)

Whatever happened to Jezebel Bright?

I think I'm almost as intrigued about the books authors didn't write as the books they did. In fact, Mslexia magazine has a regular item called "Bottom drawer" which is about just that.

Do you remember reading that Jennifer Weiner was writing a book called Jezebel Bright, about a female superhero? I couldn't wait to read it! And then ... it didn't come out. Jennifer explains why on her website:

"I wrote it, read it, decided that I wasn’t in love with it, and set it aside for the time being. I hope to get back to it some day."

And I hope to read it some day!

And if there are any authors reading this (and I know there are!), I'd love to hear about the books you haven't written.

Related posts: Jennifer Weiner | WIN Jennifer Weiner's Good In Bed | In Her Shoes review

Posted by Keris on March 13, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 12, 2008 2:47 PM

Yet more Shopaholic casting news

Eep! One of my favourite actresses - Joan Cusack - has signed up to the Shopaholic movie along with John Goodman. They will play Becky Bloomwood's parents.

Then, I read on Digital Spy that John Lithgow, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lynn Redgrave, Leslie Bibb and Julie Hagerty have also joined the cast.

Related posts: More Shopaholic casting news | First photo of Shopaholic movie

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 12, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Movie Magic, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 11, 2008 5:48 PM

TELEVISION NEWS: No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Do you remember we told you about Alexander McCall Smith's No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series being turned into a film?

Well, we were right about it being directed by Anthony Mingella and about jazz singer Jill Scott playing Mma Ramotswe, but the film failed to materialise at Christmas (sorry, but Trashi does not rule the world... I admit, it would be so much better if it did.)

Instead, the adaptation is now going to be followed by a thirteen-part-TV-series, with the film-length pilot to be broadcast this Easter. According to the BBC, anyway...

Related posts: Blue Shoes and Happiness review | The Good Husband of Zebra Drive review

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 11, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

Book Video Awards 2008

We've been banging on about book trailers for a while now and they've certainly been growing in both popularity and quality, but the new Book Video Awards should up the ante across the board.

The awards are a new scheme between the National Film and Television School (NFTS), Random House, The Bookseller and Play.com. Students at the NFTS were challenged to make a book video for Matt Beaumont's Small World, Lauren Groff's Monsters of Templeton and The Outcast by Sadie Jones. Hop over here to see the winning trailers.

Related posts: Book Trailerpark | The Manny's trailer

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 11, 2008 in Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (3)

March 7, 2008 11:19 AM

FRIDAY FLICK: Stardust

I adored Neil Gaiman's book, Stardust, so was immoderately excited when I heard it was being filmed.

Better still was the news that it was being partially shot on the beautiful Isle of Skye, and that the talented Claire Danes, Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer were all on board. 'How can it fail?', I thought, with uncharacteristic optimism...

Joyously, it didn't.

With lots of british comedy actors - including Julian Rhind-Tutt, Mark Heap, David Walliams, Mark Williams, Ricky Gervais, and Sarah Alexander - playing 'spot the actor' was almost as much fun as the action.

Charlie Cox, a relative unknown, played Tristan Thorn. He has a softly handsome, 'everyman' kind of face, that is perfect for the boy-turns-to-man adventure story.

Robert De Niro does a fantastic comedic turn as a camp sky pirate and Michelle Pfeiffer is every bit as good as I expected as the witch intent on cutting out the heart of the fallen star (Claire Danes).

Jane Goldman's screenplay is good, but loving the book as much as I do, I was bound to find fault... It's a little more schmaltzy and 'Hollywood' than Gaiman's original work, but this is a minor criticism. It really is super fun and one I'd recommend even if you're not usually a fantasy fan.

Related posts: Friday Flick archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 7, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Friday Flick, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (5)

March 6, 2008 1:51 PM

World Book Day 2008

It's World Book Day today (in the UK) and hurrah for that! In addition to free £1 book tokens for school children, there are special edition £1 books to buy (one of which is by the wonderful Neil Gaiman).

The organisers also held a Spread The Word competition, and today the winner has been announced. Boy A by Jonathan Trigell, a controversial novel about a child offender, was crowned the Book To Talk About.

Related posts: World Book Day's Quick Reads | Ten books you can't live without

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 6, 2008 in Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 5, 2008 5:24 PM

Brian Dettmer's Book Autopsies

If you wince when people fold down the corners of pages or break the spines on books, you may want to look away now... Artist Brian Dettmer has cut into books,  revealing the artwork within and creating these amazing sculptures.

[Via InspireMe]

Related posts: Stanford Kay | Mickey Smith's book photographs

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 5, 2008 in Book related, Bookish products | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 4, 2008 5:08 PM

Stumbling on book sites

Are you all familiar with StumbleUpon? It's a toolbar on which you can record sites that you like and then get recommendations for other sites it thinks you might like. Or something like that. Anyway, I've been doing some Stumbling and I've found a few entertaining book-related blogs.

My favourite is Book-A-Minute. Like the Guardian's Digested Read, it's a collection of novels distilled to their essence. Like Pride and Prejudice:

Mr. Darcy: Nothing is good enough for me.

Ms. Elizabeth Bennet: I could never marry that proud man.

(They change their minds.)

THE END

Not book-related, but story-related is One Sentence, which is basically true stories told in, yep, one sentence. Romantic, sad, funny and totally addictive.
 

Finally, there's What Should I Read Next? I bet you can guess what that one is for. You literally just type in the title of a book you like and it suggests other books you might like. You know, like we do at the end of our reviews. The matches just seem to have been picked up from Amazon, but I still find it strangely addictive.

Trashionista Recommends archives

Posted by Keris on March 4, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 29, 2008 4:27 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Shakespeare In Love

It is a windy and wet February 29th and I'm feeling a little blue... What better way to cheer myself up than with a filmic favourite? An incredibly romantic, well-acted filmic favourite, that's what!

Shakespeare In Love came out at the end of the nineties and enjoyed huge success. Gwyneth Paltrow wowed audiences and critics with her performance as the beautiful Viola De Lesseps (managing to shine despite the show-stealing turn from Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth).

Shakespeare In Love has a fabulous screenplay by Oscar-winning writers Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard. It manages to be self-referentially funny, clever, and genuinely touching all at the same time.

The cast is star-studded with Geoffrey Rush, Joseph Fiennes, Simon Callow, Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, and Ben Affleck, ably directed by John Madden (Mrs Brown).

Shakespeare In Love isn't just for English Literature students. It's a sunny smile of a film, filled with exuberant performances and good cheer.   

Related posts: Friday Flick archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 29, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (1)

Top 30 rude writers

Something for the weekend? Nudge nudge, wink wink... Time Out has compiled a list of "London's 30 most erotic writers".

The list is depressingly light on female writers, though, with only three out of thirty: Molly Parkin, Mary Robinson and Lady Caroline Lamb. Surely women are better represented in erotic fiction than that?

Related posts: Erotic fiction on your 'pod | Book of the year lists

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 29, 2008 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 27, 2008 6:01 PM

Waterstone's The Writer's Year

Waterstone's wants to celebrate the most important part of the book-bookseller-reader cycle; the credit card. No. Not really. Waterstones will be celebrating The Author, of course.

With a variety of activities planned throughout 2008, both online and in-store, The Writer's Year kicks off with the Waterstone's Guide To Getting Published (here).

Related posts: A novel in a year | Virtual bookshops

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 27, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 26, 2008 3:55 PM

TELEVISION NEWS: The Tenth Circle

Wow, Jodi Picoult's work is certainly adaptation-friendly. In addition to a TV movie of Plain Truth and the Hollywood version of My Sister's Keeper, Lifetime has made a movie of The Tenth Circle.

It stars Kelly Preston, Ron Eldard and Brittany Robertson and it airs on television in June this year. Jodi has put a couple of photos from the set here.

Related posts: Author Interview: Jodi Picoult | Jodi Picoult spotlight

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 26, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

Lani Diane Rich reads to you

You know I told you about Lani Diane Rich's new book, A Little Ray Of Sunshine, and how fabulous it sounded?

Well, the book is out now, but there's more... Lani has made a recording of herself reading the first chapter and it's available for download on her website. Thanks Lani!

Related posts: Lani Diane Rich interview | Jennifer Crusie, Lani Diane Rich and Anne Stewart podcast

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 26, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

February 22, 2008 12:58 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: High Fidelity

This week I'm going to revisit one of my favourite book-to-film adaptations, High Fidelity.

There was a great furore when this film was being made, because the director relocated the story from London to Chicago. I may even have joined in with the hand-wringing over the Americanisation. However, I, and the rest of the Hornby-loving world, need not have fretted...

High Fidelity is a triumph of a film. The script is witty, the characters just as quirky and brilliant as in the book, and, and this is such a big bonus, it stars John Cusack.

Jack Black and Todd Louiso are funny, but also touching, as the assistants in Rob's record store, and Iben Hjejle is perfect as Laura, the love of Rob's life (if only he could admit it).

Plus, it's got Joan Cusack (one of my all-time favourite actresses) as Laura's best friend, Liz, and Tim Robbins as the new-age new-boyfriend.

I just re-watched High Fidelity for this piece, but typing this makes me want to go and press play on the DVD again.

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 22, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 21, 2008 6:35 PM

The Best of the Booker prize

A new, one-off prize has been announced to celebrate forty years of The Booker prize. Called The Best of the Booker Award, it will honour the best overall novel from the previous winners.

The public will be asked to choose from a shortlist of six books (created by a judging panel). The bookies have already picked Yann Martel's Life Of Pi as favourite to win.

Related posts: Booker Prize longlist | Carnegie Medal winners

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 21, 2008 in Book related, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 20, 2008 8:48 PM

MOVIE MAGIC: The Yiddish Policeman's Union

Michael Chabon (The Wonder Boys) and the Coen brothers in the same sentence? Yep, it's my dream come true. Well, one of my dreams. There's the one with Clooney and Depp and Cusack, but we'll gloss over that...

The Coen brothers are going to adapt Chabon's The Yiddish Policeman's Union. It's a tale set in an alternate-reality Alaska, with an alcoholic cop investigating the death of a heroin-addicted chess prodigy who may or may not be the Messiah. Can't wait.

Related posts: Movie Magic archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 20, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Movie Magic, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 19, 2008 8:10 PM

Classic romance comic-book-covers

Yes, again this would've been better posted on Valentine's Day, but what can you do? Entertainment Weekly has a selection of 25 classic comic-book romance covers for your delight and delectation.

Chosen from the golden age of pulp romance, this retro treat harks back to a simpler time; when the only lipstick was red and lines like 'my scandal-smeared love' were just the beginning...

Related posts: Women in comics | Avril Lavigne Manga

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 19, 2008 in Book covers, Book related, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

Who's your Number One Perfect Chick Lit Hero?

Members of the Romantic Novelists' Association have voted Johnny Depp as the Number One Perfect Romantic Hero in a poll to mark Valentine's Day. (Yes, I know it was last week - but there's been so much to tell you!)

According to these authors, a romantic hero should be gorgeous, deliciously sexy, intensely masculine and have a commanding presence. Well. Yeah.

Carry on over the cut for the full Top 10.

The top ten male celebrities voted the Perfect Romantic Hero were:

1. Johnny Depp
2. Daniel Craig
3. Sean Bean
4. Richard Armitage
5. Hugh Jackman
6. Colin Firth
7. Alan Rickman
8. Pierce Brosnan
9. George Clooney
10. David Tennant

Interestingly, for me this highlights a difference between romantic fiction and chick lit, since I think only half  of the men on the list would work as chick lit heroes.

I can see Hugh Jackman, Colin Firth, George Clooney and David Tennant (with Daniel Craig at a stretch) as the hero of a chick lit book. The other five? Not so much. No, not even Johnny Depp. Too grungy. (Although, you know, I still would...)

Of course, you may disagree! Who is your Number One Perfect Chick Lit hero?

Related posts: Who are your favourite (fictional) chick lit heroes? | Hollywood Cupcake competition - the result!

Posted by Keris on February 19, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (8)

February 15, 2008 2:07 PM

Jennifer Crusie, Lani Diane Rich and Anne Stewart podcast

We've recommended the Will Write For Wine podcast before, but this week's episode deserves a special mention.

Lani Diane Rich, Jenny Crusie and Anne Stewart get together at Jenny's house in Ohio and talk about collaboration (and wine, of course). Since Jenny and Anne worked together on The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes (with Eileen Dreyer) and they are all currently working on Dogs & Goddesses, they've got a lot to say...

What are you waiting for? Go listen!

Related posts: Podcasts archive | Crusie/Mayer writing workshop

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 15, 2008 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Podcasts | Permalink | Comments (2)

FRIDAY FLICK: P.S. I Love You

I went to see P.S I Love You this week. It's adapted from the Cecelia Ahern novel, which I haven't actually read (gasp!)

Anyhoo, if I was a proper film critic, I would proceed to eviscerate this film. The tone is all over the place - pathos, comedy, tragedy, and slap-stick mixed up in a stomach-churning manner.

The book is set in Ireland, but the film is largely set in New York (no surprise, there) and Scottish actor Gerard Butler plays the Irish husband, Gerry, with a supremely dodgy accent. 

The facts of Gerry's illness and eventual death from a brain tumour are glossed-over to get straight to the important business of Hilary Swank looking immaculate and wistful as Holly, the young widow.

The pace is a tad slow with constant flashbacks to the seemingly-perfect Gerry, and the Hollywood version of Ireland is laughable (Holly's new Irish love interest, William, sings in a pub, works on a farm and part-time as a coastguard. Okay, then.)

I would also say that the idea of a dying man setting up a load of letters for his future widow, with advice on getting on with her life like 'go and do karaoke' is one of those things that you will either view as desperately romantic or pathologically-creepy. I must admit I lean towards the latter...

However, despite its faults (or perhaps because I'm a soppy soul) P.S I Love You still managed to tug my heartstrings. I loved Lisa Kudrow and Gina Gershon as Holly's sassy best friends and Kathy Bates was brilliant as her mother. In fact, Hilary Swank really showed her true acting worth in a heart-breaking scene between Holly and her mother.

And yes, I cried. A little bit.

Related posts: PS I Love You trailer | Hilary Swank injured in filming

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 15, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Cecelia Ahern, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (8)

February 14, 2008 1:53 PM

New York's Library Hotel

As if New York wasn't already the best city in the world, it's got a Library Hotel!

The Library Hotel is the first hotel ever to offer its guest over 6,000 volumes of books organized throughout the hotel by the Dewey Decimal System. Each of the 10 guestroom floors honor one of the 10 categories of the DDC and each of the 60 rooms are uniquely adorned with a collection of books and art exploring a distinctive topic within the category it belongs to.

Oh my.

[via Petit ver epicurien de livre]

Related posts: What's your favourite bookshop? | Karyn Bosnak's favourite bookshop | Sophie Kinsella's favourite New York hotels

Posted by Keris on February 14, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 12, 2008 5:36 PM

HarperCollins to give freebies

HarperCollins has launched a new scheme that will see complete books available online for free for a limited time (a month per title).

The publisher is interested in seeing how free access to the texts affect sales. Two of the confirmed authors in the scheme are Neil Gaiman and Paolo Coelho.  

Gaiman is no stranger to offering his words for free. He keeps a wonderful blog, and has some stories on his website. He explains that it is about finding new readers. He said: "I very much doubt that I discovered a single one of my favourite authors by buying a book."

Related posts: Harper Teen FanLit | Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 12, 2008 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (1)

February 7, 2008 4:08 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Erica Jong

Erica Jong wowed the literary scene with her debut novel, Fear of Flying, in 1973.  With a strong female protagonist - the  unforgettable Isadora Wing - and frank, relationship-centred content, there is no doubt that published today, it would've had a pink cover...

Henry Miller said: "This book will make literary history...because of it women are going to find their own voice and give us great sagas of sex, life, joy and adventure."

I remember reading Fear Of Flying as a teenager and being blown away by Isadora. Yes, she was confused and filled with internal struggle, but she was smart and funny, too. She was striving for balance in her life, and for a way to get what she wanted and needed (both in her relationships and creative work) - and she didn't apologise for her sexuality.

Erica followed Fear of Flying with How To Save Your Own Life (which picks up Isadora's story three years later), six other novels, poetry, a chidren's book, a memoir and non-fiction work on Henry Miller, Witches, feminism and writing.

Erica is a graduate of Barnard College and Columbia University, where she studied 18th Century English Literature. She also attended Columbia's graduate writing program. She has taught literature and writing all over the world.

Erica has been married four times. Her third marriage (to the novelist Jonathan Fast) produced a daughter, Molly Jong-Fast (who is also a novelist).

Novels:
Fear of Flying
How to Save Your Own Life
Fanny, Being the True History of Fanny Hackabout-Jones
Parachutes & Kisses
Sylock's Daughter (formerly titled Serenissima)
Any Woman's Blues
Inventing Memory
Sappho's Leap

Related posts: Best women authors of all time | Chick lit is a feminist issue

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 7, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (1)

February 6, 2008 6:23 PM

Latest WGA strike news

Vanity Fair has cancelled its famous after-show Oscars party in support of the Writers Guild of America strike.

This latest blow comes just as hopes are raised for an agreement between the WGA and the Hollywood film studios. The word on the net is that a deal is taking shape to end the three-month-long strike and that meetings are being set up for this Saturday.

[Via Reuters]

Related posts:  Golden Globes ceremony cancelled | Writers and producers resume talks

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 6, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Movie News, Television | Permalink | Comments (2)

Heather Wells series optioned for TV

It's official, Meg Cabot really is taking over the world... And hurrah for that! Her Heather Wells series (Size 12 Is Not Fat,  Size  14  Is Not Fat Either and Size Doesn't Matter*) has been optioned by ABC Family for a TV series.

Heather Wells is an ex-teen-pop-star and amateur sleuth and, like most of Meg's fabby ideas, I think it will translate well to the screen...

* Titled Big Boned in the US

Related posts: Little Women interpreted by Meg Cabot | Meg Cabot's new Scholastic series

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 6, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Television | Permalink | Comments (5)

February 5, 2008 6:43 PM

WWII Keep Calm poster

Ever since I saw this reproduction WWII poster in Sarah Waters' study (okay, a picture of her study), I've coveted it. It's so encouraging, so apt, so British.

Having tracked it down (at the Victorian and Albert Museum shop) I thought I'd share the joy. Who doesn't need to be reminded to keep calm on a daily basis?

Related posts: Guardian writers' rooms | Book-print wallpaper

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 5, 2008 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (7)

January 30, 2008 6:00 PM

BOOK NEWS: It's A Kind of Magic

Best-selling chick lit queen Carole Matthews has released a new book this month. It sounds like an intriguing break from her usual form as it comes with a sprinkling of magic. I love the wand peeking out of the handbag on the cover.

When Emma's boyfriend Leo lets her down yet again, she wishes someone could just wave a magic wand over him and bring him back refurbished as a proper boyfriend. But when Leo meets Isobel and changes in new and drastic ways, Emma isn't so happy about it. Surely, there must be more to Isobel than meets the eye...

Related posts: Book covers archive

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 30, 2008 in Book News, Book covers, Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 29, 2008 5:48 PM

Writer's caves

I'm interested in everything to do with authors and the process of writing (no, really?) and, let's face it, I'm nosy, so this was right up my street.

US Romance writer Paige Cuccaro has collected pictures of author's caves (also known as their offices, writing spaces, or kitchen tables...) I'm not sure what amazes me more; Bob Mayer's unnaturally tidy office, or the number of writers who have fantastic bay windows and gorgeous views. Take a look here.

Related posts: Writer's rooms at the Guardian | Peek at Jenny Crusie's office

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 29, 2008 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

Fancy writing a Mills & Boon?

Ever fancied trying your hand at a Mills & Boon novel? If you're an aspiring author, the chances are it has crossed your mind...

The Times has a great article with tips straight from the Mills & Boon HQ. Alternatively, go to the Mills & Boon website for guidelines on each category (Blaze, Medical, Historical etc) and get stuck in.

Related posts: Mills & Boon centenary | Mills & Boon on your mobile

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 29, 2008 in Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 28, 2008 3:06 PM

Simon Pulse Blogfest

Simon & Schuster is hosting the Simon Pulse Blogfest from March 14 - 2 7. There will be over 100 YA authors featured during the two week online event, including Lauren Barnholdt, Melvin Burgess, Holly Black, and Susan Cooper.

You are invited to submit questions for the authors in advance and the organisers will choose fourteen; one for each day of the blogfest. You see? We told you YA fiction was hot...

[Via GalleyCat]

Related posts: Chick Lit for little chicks  |  Top ten young adult books

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 28, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 25, 2008 3:57 PM

Adopt A Writer

No. Not literally. Supporters of the Writers Guild of America strike have come up with a genius idea. They have pulled together writers who blog to create the Adopt A Writer website. Featuring working writers, it aims to give an insight into writer's lives, finances and experiences of the strike.

Writing is such a misunderstood profession. People either picture the super-rich and successful or someone living penniless in a garret. Hopefully, Adopt A Writer will give a more balanced, infomed view, as well as rallying support for the strike.

Related posts: More WGA strike news | Golden Globes ceremony cancelled

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 25, 2008 in Book Websites, Book related, Movie News, Opinion, Television | Permalink | Comments (2)

FRIDAY FLICK: Charlie Wilson's War

Charlie Wilson's War is the kind of film that could go terribly, horribly wrong. A story about a Texas congressman's covert dealings with the rebels in Afghanistan (aiding them in combat against the Soviets), a main character with a flawed personality and a war film billed as 'funny'.

Of course, that's without banking on the screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. The man who brought us the West Wing - a series that effortlessly blends quick-witted, dialogue-heavy comedy with political drama.

Sorkin uses the same magic here and the script is every bit as good as I had hoped. It's moving, funny and thoughtful, and manages to cram a whole lot of story into 90 minutes without seeming rushed.

Of course his source material is also excellent. The film is based on George Crile's acclaimed non-fiction book - Charlie Wilson's War: The Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History.

And hats off to Mike Nichols for the direction, too. He navigates the different tones in the story smoothly and uses the A-list cast to great effect.

Amy Adams (Enchanted) is Wilson's personal aide and Julia Roberts plays against type as his socialite friend and confidente. Tom Hanks is fantastic as the playboy politician, but I adored Philip Seymour Hoffman as Gust Avrakotos, the maverick CIA agent who aids Charlie Wilson.  He has such wonderful comic timing combined with a genuine edginess.

If it's still on at your local cinema, do catch it. If not, put the DVD on pre-order now.

Related posts: Friday Flick archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 25, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Friday Flick, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (7)

January 24, 2008 9:17 PM

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Lula v Charity

In the last stand-off, Cranky Agnes (and her frying pan) beat Heartburn's Rachel Samstat.

I thought I'd mix it up a little for this week's match. It's true that the heroine's best mate/partner in crime/sister is often as kick-ass as the heroine herself, so I thought I'd put a couple in the ring.

Please put your hands together for Lula (Stephanie Plum's side kick) and Charity (the wise-cracking best friend in Anyone But You).

Lula

The books: The wildly successful Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich

The woman: Ex-ho, 'traditionally-built' woman with a penchant for lime-green spandex and tasers.

Loves: Tank. Works at RangerMan services and is built like one.

Kick ass?: In fairness, Lula does a great deal more falling on her ass than kicking some, but she gets a lot of the best lines. She could probably incapacitate her opponent by making them weak with laughter...

Charity

The book: Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie

The woman: Leather-mini-skirt wearing, boutique-owning, dating book-writing, best friend of the heroine, Nina.

Loves: Amaretto milk shakes, high heels, Nina, and getting revenge on rat-fink men.

Kick ass?: I love Charity. She has great lines, great clothes and great attitude. She doesn't do anything action-hero-like in the book (it's a romance) but I get the distinct impression that she would do anything to protect or avenge Nina.

Conclusion: Although Lula is pretty handy with the wrestling moves (in other words, she sits on people), Charity is smart and feisty. What do you think?

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 24, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 23, 2008 4:55 PM

Aye Write! 2008

The third Aye Write! literary festival runs from 7-15 March this year. The line-up looks fabby, with Joanne Harris, Hanif Kurishi, Iain Banks, and Val McDermid, among many others.

Plus, there are workshops on everything from writing with confidence to blogging, and a special appearance by Kathleen Turner, who is there to talk about her memoir  Send Yourself Roses. Booking has started so if you're planning a trip to Glasgow, I'd head over to the website right now.

Related posts: Chick lit at the Aye Write! festival | New prize for Scottish fiction

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 23, 2008 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

Melissa Nathan short story

The popular novelist Melissa Nathan died after a five-year battle with breast cancer in 2006. Knowing she was going to have to leave her three-year-old son was one of the hardest things for Melissa. In the last few weeks of her life, she wrote one last story, hoping to explain things to her son, hoping to comfort him after she had gone.

It's up on the Good Housekeeping website and is called Sammy's Invisible Mummy, but be warned - you will need your tissues. 

Related posts: The Melissa Nathan award | Marian Keyes wins Melissa Nathan award

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 23, 2008 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (5)

January 22, 2008 6:20 PM

New prize for Scottish fiction

Good news for Scottish writers; there's a brand new national prize for Scottish fiction.

The Clare Maclean Prize for Scottish Fiction is dedicated to the memory of Professor Mike Gonzalez of the Universtiy of Glasgow. It offers a top prize of £3000 for the best published book of the year.

Carry on over the cut for the authors in with a chance...

In the running are:
Old Men in Love by Alisdair Gray
Girl Meets Boy by Ali Smith
Gold by Dan Rhodes
The Steep Approach to Garbadale by Iain Banks
The Devil's Footprints by John Burnside
Day by AL Kennedy

The winner will be announced on 15th March at the Aye Write! festival in Glasgow.

Related posts: Chick Lit at the Aye Write festival | Prize Winners archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 22, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (2)

SPOTLIGHT: Louise Wener

You may remember Louise Wener as the lead singer of Brit Pop band Sleeper. I certainly do (I have happy memories of dancing to them in grungy nightclubs during the 90s), so I was intrigued to hear that she has a new career as a novelist.

In fact, I'm kind of behind the times; her fourth book is due out in June (titled Worldwide Adventures in Love).

I read a very well written article by Wener on motherhood in the Guardian and made an instant pact with myself to try one of her books. Okay, so I haven't quite got that far - but The Half Life of Stars is in my to-be-read-pile.

Louise was born in 1967 in London. She lives there still with her partner and daughter. And she supports West Ham United.

I found it surprisingly difficult to find out much more about Louise (post-Sleeper) - she really needs a shiny new author website...

The books:
Goodnight Steve McQueen
The Big Blind (since re-reased as The Perfect Play)
The Half Life of Stars (look out for the Trashionista review coming soon!)

Related posts: Spotlight archive

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 22, 2008 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 20, 2008 11:24 AM

JK Rowling to deliver Harvard commencement address

I know I'm probably years behind everyone else on this, but I hadn't quite realised what an amazing and down-to-earth woman JK Rowling is until I saw the documentary about her that was on in the UK over Christmas (I don't know if it has been/will be shown elsewhere, but it's worth seeking out - produced by James Runcie, it's called JK Rowling... A Year in the Life).

Anyway, clearly she's the perfect person to deliver this year's Harvard commencement address (a speech given to the graduating students). Announcing the choice, Harvard president, Drew G. Faust, said, "perhaps no one in our time has done more... to inspire young people to experience the excitement and the sheer joy of reading." And not just young people, she's inspires me and I'm heading for 40 (sigh).

[via Galleycat]

Related posts: JK Rowling is second richest woman in entertainment | JK Rowling's £40,000 book | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows review

Posted by Keris on January 20, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 18, 2008 2:21 PM

BBC National Short Story Award

Whoops! I realise that this doesn't give you a lot of time, but on the chance you have a story sitting in a drawer at home (or that you're a  really fast worker with a free weekend), I thought I'd mention the BBC National Short Story Award.

It's the largest award for a single short story, with the winner grabbing a cool £15,000. There's £3000 for the runner-up and £500 for the other three shortlisted stories.

The judging panel includes broadcaster Martha Kearney and novelist Penelope Lively.

The catch? The deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 22 January. Best get cracking...

Related posts: The Melissa Nathan Award | The Daily Mail's first novel award

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 18, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 17, 2008 4:16 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie (1890-1976) is known as the Queen of Crime. She was an extremely prolific writer with an impressive publishing record (although Meg Cabot is catching her up!)

Christie wrote 80 detective novels, six romance novels (under the name Mary Westmacott), successful stage plays, and an autobiography.

She has been called best-selling writer of all time with sales into the billions and her play, The Mouse Trap, holds the record for the longest inital run in the world.

Christie  created two of the most enduringly popular detectives ever - Miss Marple and Poirot - and many of her books have been adapted for film and television.

Her popularity continues unabated in the twenty-first century, with many new interpretations of her work. There are even comic book versions of some of her classics like Murder on the Orient Express.

Agatha didn't go to school. Her mother taught her at home until she was 16. Then she studied music in Paris.

Aged 24, Agatha married Archie Christie, a World War 1 fighter pilot. They had one daughter - Rosalind.

During the war, Agatha worked as a nurse and in a pharmacy. Her training in poisons came in very handy later for her books.

Archie asked for a divorce (because he had fallen in love with another woman), but Agatha found happiness in her second marriage. She met and fell in love with Max Mallowan, a young archaeologist she met during her many travels. They married in 1930.

Want to know more? Try her (rather swish) official website or autobiography.

Related posts: Thursday Trailblazer archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 17, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 16, 2008 12:47 PM

Atonement set to score at the BAFTAs

Having romped  home with the Best Film Prize at the Golden Globes, Atonement is now taking on the BAFTAs. It's been nominated for a whopping 14 awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best British Film and Leading Actor.

Keira Knightley received a nomination for Leading Actress, despite the heated Trashionista debate on whether she was too pretty for the role...

[Via EarthTimes]

Related posts: Golden Globes ceremony cancelled | Booker Prize longlist

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 16, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 15, 2008 4:04 PM

National Year of Reading

Seems like it's a good year to be writing for a book blog: 2008 has been dubbed National Year of Reading.

The website lists local coordinators, events and offers. The first event listed is World Book Day on 6 March, with a promise that things will really kick-off after that.

Related posts: Spread the word | World Book Day quick reads

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 15, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 11, 2008 7:50 AM

Plagiarism furore

Popular romance novelist, Cassie Edwards, is at the centre of a row about plagiarism.

A book blog (Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books) has accused her of lifting passages of text from (non-fiction) books and magazines.

Cassie has replied that she does research for her books but didn't know she was supposed to credit her sources. She added: "when you write historical romances, you're not asked to do that."

Edwards has written more than 100 novels in the last 25 years and has won the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement prize.

[Via Yahoo]

Related posts: Publishers fail to recognise Austen | How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 11, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 10, 2008 12:49 PM

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Rachel Samstat v Cranky Agnes

In the last grudge match, two YA heroines battled it out and Isabel (from Sarra Manning's Let's Get Lost) was deemed too tough to lose.

This week, we're putting two food writers head-to-head. It's Rachel Samstat from the wonderful Heartburn and Agnes Crandall from Agnes and the Hitman.

Rachel Samstat

The book: Heartburn by Nora Ephron. A funny semi-autobiographical tale of the break-up of a marriage (well, that doesn't sound very funny, but just trust me).

The loves: Mark. Current husband and two-timing fool. Also featured are a hamster-obsessed ex-husband and Rachel's good friend Richard Finkel (who is also going through a crisis in his marriage). Ultimately, though, this is Rachel's journey.

The food: Rachel is a food writer with her own show on cable. There are recipes throughout the book - and her frozen Key Lime Pie is to die for.

Agnes Crandall

The book: Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer.

The loves: Ex-fiance Troy Paradou. AKA more hair-than-brains celebrity chef. Current fiance Taylor Beaufort. AKA wonderful cook, wonderful liar. And Shane. AKA the hit man. 

The food: Agnes writes a food column under the name Cranky Agnes, and is attempting to write 'The Two Rivers Cookbook' with her ex-husband Taylor.  Agnes is a fabulous creation and the book makes you want to hear more from her. Oh, wait, you can! Crusie has kindly published some of the Cranky Agnes columns here.

Conclusion: It's another tricky one... I adore both of these writers and the heroines are both strong, smart, funny women who care about food. I wouldn't want to get in the way of a bake-off. Rachel throws pies and Agnes is pretty handy with a heavy-gauge frying pan...

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 10, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (5)

January 8, 2008 3:59 PM

Meg Cabot banned

Meg Cabot's dream has finally come true! She has been officially banned (well, book number eight in her hugely successful Princess Diaries series has, anyway). And it's all thanks to some narrow-minded nitwits in a South Carolina middle school.

Meg writes about the experience (and the evil nature of censorship) in her blog, but she says she's proud to finally join wonderful writers like J.D Salinger, Harper Lee and Maureen Johnson in the realms of the banned. Congratulations Meg!

Related posts: Call to ban Sarah Dessen's Just Listen | More book banning madness

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 8, 2008 in Book related, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

Golden Globes ceremony cancelled

The Golden Globes is the latest casualty of the WGA strike.

George Clooney is among the actors who said that they would not cross picket lines to attend the glitzy ceremony next week.

It has now been cancelled, and just a press conference will be held instead.

Clooney said: "Our hope is that all the players involved will lock themselves in a room and not come out until they finish - we want this to be done."

Come on people, you heard the man!

[Via BBC]

Related posts: Screenwriters on strike | More WGA strike news

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 8, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (4)

January 7, 2008 5:34 PM

Bath Literature Festival 2008

Booking has now opened for the Bath Literature Festival. The festival runs from 23 February to 2 March and has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years.

The impressive line-up for 2008 includes Margaret Drabble, Terry Pratchett, Joanna Trollope, Val McDermid and Martin Amis.

Related posts: Cheltenham Literature Festival | Hay Festival Winter Weekend

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 7, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jacqueline Wilson honoured

I don't know how I managed to miss this (well, I do - I generally avoid the news: too depressing), but I just learned that Jacqueline Wilson received a Damehood (the female equivalent of a Knighthood) in the New Year's Honours. Richly deserved, in my opinion (which you know the Queen always considers...).

I learned about Dame Wilson's new status via Prize Winning Gifts, an excellent new site which lists major award nominees and winners in books and music and then allows you to buy them directly.

Related posts: Most borrowed library books | Prize winner archives

Posted by Keris on January 7, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 4, 2008 5:20 PM

Lucy Diamond Is Getting Married

She is! In August! And she's writing a monthly column about it for our sister site, Bridalwave.

Check out the first instalment (have a tissue handy) today and look out for future columns all the way up to the big day in August (which is, coincidentally, when her new book comes out!).

Related posts: Lucy Diamond interview | Any Way You Want Me review

Posted by Keris on January 4, 2008 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 2, 2008 5:05 PM

Mills & Boon's centenary

Mills & Boon, one of the most successful book publishers ever, is celebrating its centenary this year. Yep, 100 years of bodice-ripping, dashing doctors, rich sheiks, and smart modern romances.

Visit the website for special offers and competitions throughout 2008.

Related posts: Mills & Boon on your mobile | Harlequin/NASCAR romances

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 2, 2008 in Book Websites, Book related, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

Want to get published?

I know that lots of you are authors-in-training and perhaps you've set 2008 as the year you will finish that novel/submit that novel/write a better novel. I know I have.

Since Miss Snark has hung up her stilettos and the Crusie/Mayer Writing Workshop has come to an end (sob!), I thought I'd recommend a couple of websites for 2008.

First up is a pretender to Miss Snark's throne, Nathan Bransford. He's an agent with Curtis Brown and seems to be dishing out the same straight-talking advice on queries. He's not as funny as Miss Snark, but not as scary, either...

For an editor's view, try Evil Editor. In addition to judging queries, he holds contests and sets writing exercises.

Or, Editorial Anonomous. This one is from a children's book editor, but lots of the advice is applicable across genres  and it's very readable.

Of course, if you haven't seen it already, Miss Snark's archive is still available and well worth a look...

Related posts: Chick lit writing tips | The Writers' Workshop resources | Tips for new writers

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 2, 2008 in Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 31, 2007 11:03 AM

Now Marisa Acocella Marchetto is blogging

I told you a while back that author Laura Zigman was contributing to a breast cancer blog and now Cancer Vixen author Marisa Acocella Marchetto has joined her.

According to Galleycat, she'll be combining essay writing with all-new illustrations.

Related: Breast cancer vixens

Posted by Keris on December 31, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

Richard & Judy's 2008 Book Club

Being featured on Richard & Judy's book club is a guaranteed sales-boost for the author, and the ten lucky writers for 2008 have been announced.

The list includes the already-bestselling writer Khaled Hosseini with his (admittedly wonderful) A Thousand Splendid Suns and Master Pip by Lloyd Jones, which won the Commonwealth Writers' book of the year award.

Continue over the cut for the full list.

Blood River  by Tim Butcher
A Quiet Belief In Angels by RJ Ellory
Then We Came To The End by Joshua Ferris
Notes From An Exhibition by Patrick Gale
The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones
The Rose of Sebastopol by Katharine McMahon
Random Acts of Heroic Love by Danny Scheinmann
Visible World by Mark Slouka

The first instalment of 2008's Book Club will be shown on January 9.

[Via Guardian]

Related posts: Richard & Judy book club to continue | Richard & Judy book club 2007

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 31, 2007 in Book related, Richard and Judy, Television | Permalink | Comments (2)

December 24, 2007 10:25 AM

Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2008

It may still be the tail-end of 2007, but the RNA has announced the long list for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2008.

Kate Lace's The Chalet Girl is there, along with Young Wives' Tales by Adele Parks and Pillow Talk by Freya North.

Susan Fletcher, who won the Whitbread for her first novel, is also in the running with Oystercatchers.

Related post: Rosie Thomas wins Romantic Novel of the Year 2007

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 24, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 21, 2007 7:40 AM

FRIDAY FLICK: It's A Wonderful Life

In 1943, Philip Van Doren Stern wrote a short story about a man who wishes he had never been born and is temporarily given his desire by a guardian angel.

Frank Capra transformed the story (called The Greatest Gift) into the 1946 film It's A Wonderful Life.

Now, I must admit, I only recently saw this classic film (thanks Kathryn!) but boy, was it worth the wait.

I guess, like most people in the western world, you've probably already seen it. In which case, you don't need me to tell you that the script is sublime, that James Stewart excels as George Bailey - the ultimate good guy struggling against the odds, or that Donna Reed is perfect as Mary Hatch, George's love.

You already know that it is a beautiful slice of retro feel-good cinema, and so much more than the sum of its parts.

If you haven't seen it, I'll just say this: It's a Wonderful Life may be the quintessential yuletide film, but it's so good, it's not just for Christmas...

Related posts: Friday Flick archive

 

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 21, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 19, 2007 10:04 AM

TELEVISION NEWS: Gods Behaving Badly

Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips has been optioned by Ben Stiller. Apparently, he's keen to develop it as a television comedy.

I am not at all surprised: The book features Greek Gods living in modern-day London, which gives plenty of scope for a series (as well as being an utterly fabulous idea). We will keep you posted...

[Via Yahoo]

Related posts: Pushing Daisies | Chick Lit authors' favourite TV | Screenwriters on strike

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 19, 2007 in Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 17, 2007 11:50 AM

Call to ban Sarah Dessen's Just Listen

A Florida School System is preparing to ban Sarah Dessen's Just Listen from its libraries.

The book is about a girl who is assaulted at a party, and finds the strength to speak up about what happened to her. But when the passage describing the attempted rape was read out at a school board meeting, chairwoman Jennifer Faliero described the book as "repulsive".

You can email your thoughts on the subject to the school board via this link.

[via Leigh Brescia. Thanks, Luisa!]

Related posts: YA author Maureen Johnson's book The Bermudez Triangle banned! | More book banning madness

Posted by Keris on December 17, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

All I want for Christmas is...

Well, there's only six shopping days (or something) left until Christmas and my major panic is pretty much over... My thoughts now, naturally, turn to myself. So what do I hope Santa leaves under my tree this year?

In order of ascending importance/desirability...

3. A book light. The Xtra Flex has an energy efficient super LCD bulb which will 'never' need replacing (it gives 100,000 hours of light) and comes in blue, my favourite colour.

2. Books. Despite writing about and reviewing books for a living, there is still nothing like opening a pile of shiny new releases on Christmas Day. Oh, the anticipation!

1. And in the number one spot this year is (drum roll) - a couple of extra hours in every day. Yep. I'm officially old; time is passing just too quickly. If those extra couple of hours could be spent in bed with my laptop, an endless supply of hot tea, and numbers 2 and 3, then so much the better...

How about you? What are you hoping to find stuffed in your Christmas stocking?

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 17, 2007 in Book related, Bookish products, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 14, 2007 3:58 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Finding Neverland

I must admit, when I sat down to watch Finding Neverland I had a lemon wedge handy to counteract the cloying sweetness I fully expected to encounter. Well, not really, but you catch my drift...  Still, I needn't have concerned myself; this is a delightful film and one that celebrates - and captivates - the imagination.

Finding Neverland is a fictionalised account of the family and events that inspired Scottish playwright J.M. Barrie to create Peter Pan.

At the start of the film, Barrie (played with understated perfection by Johnny Depp), is in a bad way. His latest play in London has flopped and his marriage to social-climber Mary, is not doing much better. While walking his dog in the park, Barrie meets four boys and their recently widowed mother, Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Kate Winslet).

Barrie becomes a playmate to the boys - taking inspiration from their imaginative games and fresh view of the world - and a friend to Sylvia. 

Despite disapproval from both his wife and Sylvia's mother (Julie Christie), Barrie stays true to friendship and his art in a truly heart-warming (and, yes, weepy) ending.

Related posts: Friday Flick archive

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 14, 2007 in Book related, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (3)

Meg Cabot title changes

In the comments to our Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match featuring Suzannah Simon from Meg Cabot's Mediator series, Robin pointed out that the series' titles were different in the US. She's not wrong.

After the first book (called The Princess Diaries, natch), The Princess Diaries series has different titles too. In the US they're called things like Princess in the Spotlight and Princess in Training, while in the UK they run from Take Two to To the Nines (via Seventh Heaven).

(While I'm on the subject, I don't like the new UK covers (left). They're boring and they look too young for the content.)

But it's not just Meg's YA books that have been renamed, I noticed the other day that the third book in the Heather Wells series is called Big Boned in the US, but Size Doesn't Matter in the UK. It's all very curious...

Related posts: TV & Movie News - Meg Cabot | What's in a name?

Posted by Keris on December 14, 2007 in Book related, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

December 13, 2007 5:23 PM

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Amy Crane v Kate Reddy

Susannah Simon kicked butt in the last (YA heroine) grudge match.

This week, we're talking about mothers and it ain't all glitter and cupcakes, that's for sure.
Amy Crane is strugggling to get her mojo back after the birth of her first baby, while Kate Reddy is trying to juggle her career, home and children. 

Amy Crane

The book: Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy

The brood: Gorgeous baby girl Evie.

On being a mummy: Wants to feel like 'herself' again. Amy loves her daugher but feels like she is pretending to be a proper mummy. Plus, she feels about as sexy as an Odour Eater and doesn't recognise her stomach as her own. She just needs... A dose of self-belief.

Kate Reddy

The book: I Don't Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson

The brood: Toddler Ben and five-year-old Emily.

On being a mummy: Kate decides to juggle her career with her children and the results are often hilarious, always poignant, and very real (despite the crazy-big salary Kate commands). She just needs... More hours in the day.

So, there you have it. Two heroines; wonderful mothers and great books. Who gets your vote?

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 13, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 12, 2007 12:31 PM

Lily Allen - literary judge

Lily Allen joins the judging panel for the Orange Broadband prize for fiction. At 22, she is the youngest ever member.

Kate Mosse, the prize's honourary director, said: "We always try to seek a broad selection of ages and experiences because it is about celebrating international women's fiction and getting outstanding fiction read by as many women and men as possible".

[Via Guardian]

Related post: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie scoops The Orange Prize

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 12, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 11, 2007 4:01 PM

BOOK COVER: Pastures New

Pastures New is the debut novel of Julia Williams, and it follows Amy Nicolson and her young son as they swap London life for country living.

Now, it could be because I'm getting in the festive mood and the illustration looks very much like a Christmas card, but I rather like this cover.

Related posts: Does a book cover matter? | Musical book covers

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Posted by Sarah Painter on December 11, 2007 in Book covers, Book related, British Authors, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 10, 2007 2:18 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Exit Music by Ian Rankin

Lovers of fascinating, intelligent crime fiction mourned the news that Exit Music was to be the final Rebus novel in the series. But, oh, what a send off.

The plot is complex with a mystery that leaves you guessing right to the end. A Russian poet has been murdered in Kings Stable Road, and, true to form, DI Rebus is soon annoying his superiors and making enemies by rattling the cages of Edinburgh's high and mighty.

It looks as if the murder may have connections with politicians, big business and even Rebus's nemesis - Edinburgh gangster Big Ger Cafferty.

Exit Music can't have been an easy book to write; tying up enough loose ends to be satisfying, while avoiding maudlin sentimentality or simple answers, but Rankin makes it look effortless.

This is one of the best Rebus books I have read (and I've read 'em all) and one I think will bear re-visiting. The relationship between Cafferty and Rebus is brilliantly drawn; both men older, maybe a little wiser, certainly more cautious. The parallels between the characters are handled with subtlety, adding depth and understanding.

Sioban Clarke, Rebus's partner, is as convincing and engaging as ever. Rankin has left the door wide open for Sioban to take centre stage, but we don't know as yet whether she will.

I salute Ian Rankin for this crowning achievement, and I raise a glass of malt to DI John Rebus. Thanks for the memories...

Rating: 5/5

Like this: Try: Any and all of the previous Rebus novels.

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 10, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, More On Monday, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 7, 2007 1:26 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Sense and Sensibility

Unsurprisingly, this film is based on Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. A book I haven't actually read since my university days, but remember enjoying...

It features not just a stellar cast - including Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Alan Rickman - but a stellar director, too, in Ang Lee.

Emma Thompson plays Elinor - the sensible one - while Winslet is her more romantically-inclined sister, Marianne. The interplay between two sisters with very different temperaments is beautifully done, and the script fairly sparkles.

Speaking of the script,  Emma Thompson proves yet again that some people are born with talent, and some are born with more talent than seems strictly fair. Not only does Thompson turn in a fabulous performance as Elinor Dashwood, she also wrote the excellent screenplay - deservedly winning an Oscar for it.

Greg Wise is perfect as Marianne's dashing - but ultimately feckless - suitor, Willoughby, while Alan Rickman plays against type as quiet, kind, Colonel Brandon. Hugh Grant acquits himself very well as Elinor's love interest - shy Edward Ferrars.

As always with Austen, the film says a great deal more about society and human nature than simply the search for a suitable husband. Thanks to splendid cinematography, stunning scenery and costumes, it looks very pretty while doing so.

It's my favourite of the Austen adaptations and the perfect Sunday afternoon film.

Related posts: Austen Week | Flirting with Pride & Prejudice | Lost in Austen

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 7, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (3)

December 6, 2007 2:29 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Louisa May Alcott

Louisa May Alcott is probably best known for Little Women, her semi-autobiographical novel. Jo March, the heroine of the story, has captured generations of hearts and minds with her feisty, strong personality.

Alcott  was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on November 29, 1832. She and her three sisters, Anna, Elizabeth and May spent their childhood in Boston and in Concord, Massachusetts.

Like Jo March, young Louisa was a tomboy. She also loved reading, writing and putting on plays with her sisters.

The family were poor, and Louisa took a series of different jobs to help out. She continued writing, though, and when she was just 22, her first book Flower Fables was published.

As well as the extremely popular Little Women, with its follow-ups, Good Wives, Good Men and Jo's Boys, Louisa wrote racy 'pot-boilers' under the pseudonym A. M. Barnard. I had no idea!

I also didn't realise that Louisa published over 30 books and collections of stories in her lifetime. Louisa died from mercury-poisoning (she had been exposed during her nursing service in the American Civil War) aged 55.

Did you know? Alcott was an abolitionist and a feminist. She supported women's suffrage and was the first woman to register to vote in Concord, Massachusetts.

The Alcott's family home, Orchard House, is open for guided tours. Or you can take a virtual look around.

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 6, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS: Boys and Girls

If, like me, you haven't started your Christmas shopping yet (seriously, what happened to November?!), then look no further.

Obviously, if you're reading this blog, you'll either be buying books as presents or putting books on your list for Santa, and so for the next couple of weeks we'll be making a few recommendations.

First up is Boys and Girls: A Ladybird Book of Childhood. I only have to look at the cover of a Ladybird book and I'm swept right back into a time "When a BlackBerry was something you picked in a country lane and not something you spent your weekend ignoring." The perfect Christmas afternoon nostalgia book.

Related posts: The Xmas Factor | The Worst Noel

Posted by Keris on December 6, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (11)

December 5, 2007 8:09 AM

Dolly Parton launches literacy scheme

Having recently read that children in England have dropped from 3rd to 19th in the world for reading skills, I was hoping for some kind of a shot-in-the-arm for the nation's literacy.

I didn't, however, expect it to come from a diminutive Grammy-award-winning country star. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library involves posting children a book every month up to the age of five and is being launched in Rotherham.

The Imagination Library is already active in 40 US states and is funded by the Dollywood Foundation.

[Via AOL]

Related post: The five books that inspired Laura Bush to champion literacy

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 5, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (2)

December 3, 2007 4:41 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice

Eva Rice, daughter of famous lyricist Tim Rice, has penned a charming book in the fine tradition of Nancy Mitford.

Set in the 1950's England, The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets, is the enchanting coming-of-age story of Penelope Wallace.

Penelope lives in a vast but crumbling family home called Milton Magna Hall. Her mother, widowed at a young age, is beautiful and difficult, while her brother, Inigo, is obsessed with Elvis Presley.

Penelope is befriended by the confident and glamorous Charlotte Ferris, and her world widens to encompass Charlotte's Aunt Clare and enigmatic cousin Henry.

I love Eva Rice's writing style - so simple and elegant - and the way she (seemingly) effortlessly evokes the time period.

It is one of those delicious reads that you finish and want to turn over and begin all over again...

Rating: 4/5

Like this: Try:  I Capture the Castle by Dodi Smith

Extra! Eva Rice's new book is scheduled for release in April 2008. It's called The Dragonfly Summer and I, for one, can't wait.

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 3, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

November 30, 2007 6:40 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Get Shorty

We love Elmore Leonard here at Trashionista and the films are often as good (gasp) as the books.

In Get Shorty, John Travolta plays Chili Palmer, a Miami loan shark who's been sent to L.A. to collect on a bad debt from movie producer Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman).

Chili is also a film buff with a script idea, and he decides to become a producer. However, he's not the only mobster who wants a piece of the film action, and double-crossing fun begins.

Stuffed to the gills with Hollywood jokes, celebrity cameos, snappy dialogue and laughs, this is a great film and a very funny satire. I love Rene Russo's turn as a B-movie actress and Chili's love interest, too.

Like this? Try: Jackie Brown

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (2)

November 29, 2007 6:36 PM

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Suze v Isabel

It seems that last week you were ambivalent about the fate of Maggie Walsh (Angels) and Sadie Nelson (The Sweetest Taboo).

Let's see if two YA chick lit heroines can spark a discussion... May I present two seriously cool sixteen year olds; Susannah Simon(Suze) and Isabel (Belle).

Susannah Simon

The books: The Mediator series by Meg Cabot: Love You to Death, High Stakes, Mean Spirits, Young Blood, Grave Doubts  and Heaven Sent.

Loves: Her ancient leather jacket, her friends.

Men: Jesse. Very hot and unfortunately dead. Haunts her bedroom.

hoe Isabel ('Belle')

The book: Let's Get Lost by Sarra Manning.

Loves: Not much. Isabel rules school with an iron fist; even her friends are scared of her.

Men: Atticus Smith. Isabel meets Smith at a party. He is lovely and seems to like her, but he's also older, and she lies to him. Lots.

Conclusion: If this was a contest based on covers, Isabel would win hands down, even though Suze has got more of them... Isabel is quite a hard character - she is not particularly likeable for the first part of the book; personally, I wouldn't like to fight her. However, Suze has lots of practice fighting ghosts (they can touch - and therefore hurt - her).

Or do you all think I should grow up and stop reading so much teenage fiction? (Don't answer that).

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Supernatural, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (5)

November 28, 2007 1:53 PM

The Writers' Workshop resources

Whether you've started scribbling, have completed your magnum opus, or are just thinking about the possibility of one day, maybe, writing a book, check out The Writers' Workshop; they've put up a comprehensive list of articles with all you need to know.

[Thanks Emma]

Related posts: The Crusie/Mayer workshop | Tips for new writers

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 28, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 27, 2007 12:30 PM

The Bad Sex in Fiction Award shortlist

I do enjoy the Bad Sex in Fiction Award. Sex is difficult to write well and you were all quick to tell us your feelings about reading about it in last year's most popular Yay or Nay!

This year's shortlist is Jeanette Winterson’s The Stone Gods, Apples by Richard Milward, Ali Smith’s Girl Meets Boy, David Thewlis’s The Late Hector Kipling, The Castle in the Forest by Norman Mailer, Gary Shteyngart’s Absurdistan, Christopher Rush’s Will and The Nature of Monsters by Clare Clark.

The winner will be announced today later today, but carry on over the cut for a taster from what you can expect.

From Ali Smith's Girl Meets Boy:

“We were tangled in each other’s arms . . . Her hand opened me. Then her hand became a wing. Then everything about me became a wing . . . a bird that could sing Mozart.”

Clearly, I'm doing it wrong...

[via The Times]

Posted by Keris on November 27, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

Spread The Word

The people behind World Book Day have compiled a list of 100 highly recommended books. Vote now for the one you think is most likely to get your book group talking and you'll be in for the chance to win £100 worth of book tokens. Hurrah!

Got a book you love that isn't on the list? There is a discussion  area on the site, where you can spread the word...

Enter here - there will be a winner chosen every week until the end of February.

Related posts: World Book Day's Ten Books | World Book Day Quick Reads

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 27, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 26, 2007 5:02 PM

International chick lit

I meant to write about this article in The New York Times (about how chick lit is emerging "From Mumbai to Milan, Gdansk to Jakarta") ages ago and I'm glad I didn't forget to because it's really interesting.

Since we most often hear that chick lit is dead, it's good to know it's actually thriving in other countries (as we know, it's far from dead in the UK and US too, but what can you do?).

Related posts: How I know chick lit is not dead | Old-timey chick lit bashing | Chick lit is a feminist issue

Posted by Keris on November 26, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 22, 2007 5:19 PM

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Maggie Walsh v Sadie Nelson

Last time we agreed that Claire Walsh (with Mammy Walsh in attendance) would kick Madeline Wolfe's behind.

This week, I'm testing the power of Mammy Walsh yet again. Our heroines are both from Chick Lit Big Hitters, and both high-tailed it to LA for a spell of non-fat food, sunshine and Hollywood glamour. Put your hands together for... Maggie Walsh and Sadie Nelson.

Maggie Walsh

The book: Angels by Marian Keyes. Maggie, the only sensible Walsh sister, leaves her husband (shocking her family almost as much as herself). An invitation from her best friend, Emily, leads her to LA where she embarks on a whole new life.

The men: Husband Garv, LA-crush Troy.

Sadie Nelson

The book: The Sweetest Taboo by Carole Matthews. This is a delicious fantasy book in which Sadie gets whisked to LA by a suitor. There she finds her feet - and another man. The only question is; which will she pick?

The men: Gill McGann - the Hollywood producer who flew Sadie from rain-soaked London to LA in order to impress her, and struggling actor Tavis Jones.

Conclusion: Both girls have two men to choose from and both experience emotional growth (man) under the Californian sun. I'm not sure I can call it... Any help, people?

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 22, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Marian Keyes | Permalink | Comments (0)

Costa Book Awards shortlist

Last year we were shocked (and depressed) to report that the shortlist for the Costa Book Awards didn't contain a single title by a female author.

The shortlist is looking a great deal more balanced this time around, with eleven out of the twenty written by women. Phew!

The list includes Scottish writer-turned-stand-up-comic A.L. Kennedy, Meg Rosoff, Marcus Sedgwick and Catherine O'Flynn.

Related posts: Booker prize predictions wrong again | Orange Prize shortlist

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 22, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 20, 2007 1:07 PM

Oprah's latest pick

What is Oprah Winfrey's problem?! I mean, I love her, I do (seriously, I can see about 80 copies of her magazine - six years' worth - from this very desk), but her book club picks are really starting to wind me up. The latest? Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth.

Yes, another already massively popular white male. What's the deal, Oprah? Pick a woman. A black author. A young author. A debut author. Just stop making me shake my head in disappointment. Because I love you. I do.

Related posts: Oprah chooses The Road | Oprah's book news | Campaigning to be on Oprah

Posted by Keris on November 20, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

November 19, 2007 11:13 AM

Little Women interpreted by Meg Cabot

Y'all know how much I love Meg Cabot, yes? Well, thanks to this video in which she reinterprets Little Women, I now also know she is completely barking mad. (And that's a good thing. Obviously.)

Can I just ask - is this really what happens in Little Women? Because I know I accidentally read the heavily edited children's version, but I didn't know about any of this!

Related posts: Size 12 is Not Fat review | Size 14 is Not Fat Either review | Little Women movie review

Posted by Keris on November 19, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (4)

Movie News: More casting news for My Sister's Keeper

Here at Trashionista, we were traumatised to hear that the so-wrong-it's-not-funny Cameron Diaz had been cast as the mother, Sara, in the film of Jodi Picoult's bestselling My Sister's Keeper.

However, I just read (on Jodi's website) that real-life sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning have been cast as Kate and Anna Fitzgerald.

Now, I don't know anything about Elle, but Dakota is lovely. Very talented, utterly adorable and, I reckon, a good choice for the part. What do you think?

Related posts: Movie Magic: My Sister's Keeper | Jodi Picoult interview

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 19, 2007 in Book related, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (3)

November 15, 2007 11:19 PM

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Madeline Wolfe v Claire Walsh

The last match saw Kate Klein make an easy win over Heather Wells.

This week I'm putting two wronged women in the ring. I know. I'm all heart. Both of these heroines discover a little too late (ie. after the pregnancy test has turned blue) that their men are schmucks.

Madeline Wolfe

The book: Kathy Lette's Foetal Attraction. Aussie Madeline Wolfe falls hard for Alex. So hard that she leaves her home and her boogie board, and crosses the world to live with him. She even tries to fit in with his stuck-up friends - who make her feel about as welcome as a fart in the bathtub. By the time Madeline realises that "Alex is the kind of man who goes through the Tunnel of Love holding his own hand," she's pregnant.

The cad: Famous zoologist Alexander Drake. He woos her with his spectacular punnilingus (he likes punning and... Well. The other thing.)

Claire Walsh

The book: Watermelon by Marian Keyes. Claire's husband James leaves her on the day that she gives birth to their first child. Shattered, she returns home to Dublin and, with the help of her mad-but-lovely family, puts herself back together again.

The cad: James. Her husband. And no, he doesn't deserve a second chance.

Conclusion: If you're a fan of Pun Lit, Madeline Wolfe is going to win you over - the woman fires out one-liners like a demented stand-up comedian - but, for my money, Claire's got to be the winner. After all,  she's got Mammy Walsh on her side and you don't want to mess with her...

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 15, 2007 in Book related, Marian Keyes | Permalink | Comments (3)

Movie News: Brick Lane

The controversial film adaptation of Monica Ali's Brick Lane is out on general release tomorrow.

Despite a brouhaha during filming (residents of the real Brick Lane protested), the film has gone on to win two awards at the Dinard Film Festival in northern France and a screening at The London Film Festival.

So, will you be rushing to the cinema to watch it? I have to confess, I haven't actually read the book yet...

Related post: Yay or Nay Wednesday: film adaptations

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 15, 2007 in Book related, Movie News, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (1)

Celebrity books and chick lit "a turn off"

Another survey - this one by book swap site Read It Swap It - has found that what you're seen reading in public can affect your chances with the opposite sex.

44% of men said there is no way they would view a woman reading The Secret Dreamworld Of A Shopaholic as attractive, and in fact they would find it "a real turn-off".

Meanwhile, over a third of women said they would actually be physically repulsed by a man they saw reading The World According To Clarkson in public.

But then both of those books have negative connotations outside simply "chick lit" or "lad lit" definitions (for example, a man might think a woman reading a shopaholic book is a gold digger, hell bent on spending his money; a woman seeing a man reading Clarkson might think he was a reactionary moron ... and she'd be right).

But that's not all!

Two-thirds of British people perceive readers of celebrity autobiographies to be physically unattractive.

Yep, you read that right. The results show 66% of adults make negative judgments about the appearance of a person they see reading Being Jordan or Beckham: My World in public.

Imagine how hideous Jeremy Clarkson would look reading Beckham: My World... *shudder*

So what do you think? Do you make judgements about people based on what they're reading? What would put you off? What would attract you and make you want to talk to someone?

Related posts: It's official: reading makes you more attractive | Poor show from celebrity memoirs

Posted by Keris on November 15, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (11)

November 14, 2007 2:42 PM

Hay Festival Winter Weekend

For those of us who managed to miss the main festival at Hay-on-Wye this year, there is a second-chance of a sort... The Hay Festival Winter Weekend.

It runs from November 30 to December 2 and guests include Jonathan Coe, Posy Simmonds, Jenny Valentine, Marcus Sedgwick, and Rob Penn.

Plus, on the Saturday night there's a Christmas Happy Hour with discounts, drinks and Christmas cheer at all participating shops.

Related posts: Best of Hay-on-Sky | Hay-on-Wye Festival's relay story

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 14, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wuthering Heights first edition smashes estimate

A first edition of Wuthering Heights sold for £114,000 - double its estimated sale price - at Bonhams yesterday.

Wuthering Heights is Emily Bronte's only novel, and it wasn't recognised as a classic of English Literature until after she died from consumption, aged 30.

The tale of doomed love between Heathcliff and Cathy was first published in 1847. Emily Bronte used a male alis, Ellis Bell, because she feared prejudice as a female author. Thank goodness times have changed. Ah-hem.

[Via BBC]

Related posts: Classic Novels archive

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 14, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 9, 2007 3:39 PM

Rereading - are you in on the craze?

According to a new survey quoted in the Guardian 77% of UK readers revisit books they've enjoyed, with 17% saying they have read a favourite book more than five times.

In my life pre-children (and most especially when I was a child/teenager myself), I used to reread books regularly. Now... Not so much.

There simply aren't enough hours in the day for all the new books I want to read (let alone the ones I need to read for review or research), but I do miss the habit. What about you? Do you still/have you ever reread your old favourites?

Related posts: Books none of us could finish | Women read more than men

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 9, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (3)

Friday Flick: Out of Sight

Mmm... Delectable. I'm afraid that is the only way to describe Clooney in this film. And, frankly, the scene in the boot of the car is one of the hottest things I have ever seen. Keris agrees with me, too. Look.

Anyway. Hotness-aside, this adaptation of the fabulous Elmore Leonard book just plain works. Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney have fantastic on-screen chemistry (oops, I'm back to the hotness again, aren't I?) and the direction is classic Steven Soderberbergh - clever and slick.

Do yourself a favour this Friday night and snuggle up with George.

Like this? Try: Jackie Brown

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 9, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (4)

November 8, 2007 1:16 PM

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Heather Wells v Kate Klein

In the last grudge match, Elizabeth Bennett effortlessly batted away young contender, Bridget Jones.

This week, it's the turn of amateur sleuths Heather Wells and Kate Klein.

Heather Wells

The books: Size 12 is Not Fat and Size 14 is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot. Heather is an ex-teen-pop-star and current assistant director at a New York college residence hall. When deaths occur in the dorm and the police seem to be dragging their heels, Heather steps in...

Loves: Snacks.

Men: Mmm... Cooper. Housemate, brother of her ex-fiance and PI.

Kate Klein

The book: Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner. Kate Klein has her heart broken and then, while on the rebound, manages to get married and have three children very, very quickly. Before she's caught her breath, Kate finds herself in stultifying Upchurch, Connecticut, wondering what the heck happened to her life. Frankly, a death in the neighbourhood is almost a welcome diversion...

Loves: Comfortable clothes, New York, her best friend Janie Segal and her super-lovely Dad. And her three children, of course, but that goes without saying, right?

Men: Evan McKenna. PI. And the man who broke her heart. Ben. Husband. The man she's not entirely sure she should've married, let alone had three children with. Oops.

Conclusion: Two fabulous heroines from two of my favourite writers. It's a tricky one. Heather is carrying a series (the third book, Size Doesn't Matter, is out in December), but I admire Kate's guts and determination. Plus, she has to be a super-sleuth while being a mummy - that earns points, right?

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 8, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery | Permalink | Comments (4)

November 5, 2007 11:33 AM

How to take a book off a shelf

I know how to do that, I hear you cry, I'm not an idiot!

Would it help if I told you the advice wasn't coming from me, but from Martha Stewart? There, I thought so.

"Rather than tug books off the shelf by the upper lip of their binding, risking damage, try this: Push in the books on each side of the volume you want, then pull it out by grasping both sides of its spine. You'll also know where to return it. Look for the two books that are pushed out of place."

Honestly, what would we do without her (and, yes, it is "sarcastic Monday")?

Related posts: Books squeezed in too tight? | Jennifer Weiner and Jane Green on Martha Stewart | Waterproof book covers

Posted by Keris on November 5, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 30, 2007 10:21 AM

Write the "End of This World"

Collaborative story websites seem to be all the rage at the minute. I've just heard about another one, launching this Thursday (1st November) - End of This World.

The site's founders will provide the first and final chapter of the story, which as the title suggests will be the destruction of the world, and the rest of the story will be written by the users.

Related posts: The Neverending Story | Do you like collaborations?

Posted by Keris on October 30, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 25, 2007 3:12 PM

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Elizabeth Bennett vs Bridget Jones

This week we’ve got two classics of English literature battling it out. One is in her 30s, the other in her 200s. You decide who wins between Elizabeth Bennett and Bridget Jones

Elizabeth Bennett

The Books: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the story of the Bennett family girls and their hunt for eligible bachelors

The Age: The Regency period, a time of social niceties and empire line dresses

Men: Fitzwilliam Darcy, an unlikely suitor who thinks he’s too good to become embroiled with the Bennett family but does so anyway

Films: Filmed for the big screen and TV numerous times, the most popular of which is probably the 1995 BBC adaptation – who can forget Mr Darcy jumping in that pond? This version started Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth

Bridget Jones

The Books: Bridget Jones’s Diary, Bridget Jones – The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding, following Bridget's search for the perfect fella - and what she does once she's got him

The Age: The 1990s, when women got drunk and wore big knickers

Men: The bounder, Daniel Cleaver and the standoffish Mark Darcy

Films: Both books have been filmed, starring Rene Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth (as Darcy again)

Conclusion: One’s a classic of literature, the other’s a classic of chick literature and we arguably wouldn’t have had Mark Darcy without his predecessor.

Who wins?

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 25, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (6)

October 23, 2007 5:16 PM

Do you like collaborations?

I want to read The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jenny Crusie, Eileen Dyer and Anne Stuart, I really do – supernatural chick lit’s my favourite - but I’m wary of collaborations. I tried Come Again by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees but didn’t get past the first chapter and the last James Patterson collaboration I read was the worst thriller I’ve ever read (I can’t remember the name – it was so bad I threw it away). I didn’t even finish the Crusie/Bob Mayer collaboration Don’t Look Down – the characters just didn’t have their usual Crusieness.

I know Keris loved The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes so I’ll put my wariness aside and give it a go. If nothing else it will be a pleasure to look at – that’s one beautiful cover!

What do you think of collaborations?

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 23, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

October 19, 2007 1:07 PM

Adele Parks is Between the Sheets at the Guildford Book Festival

It feels like there’s a book festival every week these days – when do people get time to read? The current one is the Guildford Book Festival and one of the highlights has got to be Adele Parks talking to Dorothy Koomson and Jane Fallon, followed by Mike Gayle and Matt Dunn on 26 October. Tickets are still available so if you’re in the Guildford area get yourself down there.

For a full list of events at the Guildford Book Festival click here

Related Posts: | SPOTLIGHT: Adele Parks | SPOTLIGHT: Dorothy Koomson | Getting Rid of Matthew by Jane Fallon

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 19, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chick Lit Quiz

Here’s a bit of fun for a Friday afternoon. I found this chick lit quiz over on the British Council’s encompass culture website. I got 8 out of 10 – how did you do?

Click here for encompass culture chick lit quiz

Related Posts: Chick Lit quiz!

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 19, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 18, 2007 12:19 PM

Spinebreakers

In an attempt to stop losing kids to video games, YouTube, Facebook and other diversions on the internet Penguin have launched Spinebreakers, a book site for teenagers, run by teenagers. Readers are encouraged to participate with competitions and events, book reviews and short stories. The site looks great so if you’re the mum of a teenager send your kids over and encourage them to read books

[Source]

Related Posts: YA star Megan McCafferty invites you to create a trailer | YA author Maureen Johnson's book The Burmudez Triangle banned! | I love libraries, but why don't schools?

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 18, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 17, 2007 9:07 AM

COMPETITION: Harper Perennial books for a year

Harper Perennial are offering the chance to win free books for a year to one reading group. All you have to do is email them with your experience of reading Doris Lessing’s The Golden Notebook and you’ll be entered into a competition which could see your group getting free books for 365 days.

Harper Perennial competition details are here

Related Posts: For One More Day

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 17, 2007 in Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 16, 2007 2:35 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold

"When all is said and done, killing my mother came easily."

Nothing like an eye-popping opening line to draw a reader into a story, and man did that one draw me in! The Almost Moon is a very different book from Alice Sebold's last novel, The Lovely Bones, but I predict it will make as much of a stir. While Lovely Bones traded on our fears about child murder, abduction and paedophilia, The Almost Moon tackles the difficulties of aging, divorce, and parents with dementia. It's a more mature book, with a less sympathetic narrator, but it's no less compelling. When this was offered to me for review back in July, I didn't care that it wouldn't be out until October, I grabbed it and dug straight in.

The opening chapters were pacy, tense and very dramatic, with an almost palpable tension. But then... things tailed off a little as Helen, our narrator (and mother-killer) reflected on her past. The story slowed down and I was in danger of becoming bored. Thankfully, the pace picked up again, and I was drawn into this dark (yet somehow not depressing) story.

It's all set in a twenty-four hour period, but with flashbacks to Helen's childhood which explain her relationship with her mother, her father's death, and the strange life her mother has been leading for many years. We also start to realise that Helen's moment of madness when she kills her mother is not isolated: she's been slowly unravelling for some time. Although this isn't a murder mystery, there is a sense of mystery and uncertainty: what will happen to Helen, will she cope, will she maybe even get away with what she's done? She somehow becomes a sympathetic character and Sebold's writing about people's private motivations and strange thought processes is brilliantly evocative - a real class act. I am now convinced that Alice Sebold will be writing hit books for a long time to come.

However... the ending of the book still disappointed me a touch, as I felt the author pulled her punches. But maybe she's just more forgiving and humane than I am! Either way, this book is hard to forget.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver.

**PS: I've just seen what looks to be the final, UK cover - here.  Hmm. What do you think?**

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Jenny Colgan does sci fi? She should...

Jenny Colgan talks about the book she never wrote in this issue of Mslexia. Apparently it was YA sci fi but it will never see the light of day because Jenny’s found her niche in commercial chick lit. Come on, Jenny, haven’t you heard that supernatural chick lit is all the rage now - I’m sure you could adapt your YA idea for an older audience.

Related Posts: SPOTLIGHT : Jenny Colgan | AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jenny Colgan | Do You Remember The First Time by Jenny Colgan

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 16, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

How to make friends on MySpace

Have you ever wondered how you can make over 100 friends on MySpace in one weekend? I have the answer… win the Nobel Prize for Literature! According to The New York Times Lessing acquired over 100 friends in the days following her Nobel win, but sadly for her fans Ms. Lessing doesn’t use the internet herself, her MySpace and website are run by a fan.

[Source]

Related Posts: Doris Lessing wins the Nobel Prize for Literature | Best women authors of all time

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 16, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 10, 2007 5:37 PM

A Bookworm's tour of London

Remember when I asked about literary tours? Well I've just discovered this Bookworm's Tour of London from Fodor's. It's not exactly a literary tour - it's a list of London's best general and specialist book shops.

Since London has thousands of book shops - some considerably better than others - if you're planning a trip, you should definitely take this list and check 'em out.

Related posts: What's your favourite bookshop? | Virtual bookshops

Posted by Keris on October 10, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 9, 2007 8:59 AM

Cheltenham Literature Festival

The Cheltenham Literature Festival is well under way and although Louise Doughty’s workshop is now sold out there are plenty more writing related events worth going for. Here are my personal highlights of the festival

Writing convincing dialogue - Tessa Hadley

The Story of Writing

Writing convincing characters - Matthew Sweeney

Starting to write weekend with Patrick Gale

Most of the writing related workshops have sold out so if you intend to go you'd better book soon.

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 9, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 8, 2007 4:41 PM

Miranda July on the cover of Bust

Blimey, we don't mention Miranda July, um, ever and then three posts come along at once.

The thing is, when I saw she was on the cover of fabulous US mag, Bust, I had to write about it because when was the last time you saw an author on the cover of a magazine? A non-literary magazine, I mean (and there aren't that many of those). Kudos to Bust!

Related posts: No one belongs here more than you by Miranda July | Another reason to buy Miranda July

Posted by Keris on October 8, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 5, 2007 4:09 PM

Diana Gabaldon on Second Life

I have to admit I don't understand Second Life at all. I've tried to, but it just makes my head hurt. I do appreciate that some of you may be younger, hipper and more tech-minded than me (actually, most of you probably are) and so I thought you might be interested to know that on 11 October at the Amphitheater on Bantam Dell Island (on Second Life), author Diana Gabaldon will be reading from her new novel, Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade and taking questions from readers.

Bantam Dell Island? Maybe I should learn more and we could have a Trashionista cabana or something...

Related posts: Second Life: get INSIDE books | Virtual bookshops

Posted by Keris on October 5, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

Serial thriller

Now I know this isn't chick lit so it's a bit outside our remit, but it's such a cool idea I decided to feature it anyway.

Fifteen of "the world's top thriller writers" including Jeffrey Deaver and Lee Child have come together to create the first ever multi-author serialised audio novel, The Chopin Manuscript. Each author wrote one chapter at a time, with the only knowledge of the plot coming from the previous chapter and a brief summary of the story so far.

The first chapter is available to download free from audible.co.uk on with further chapters released to the public on a weekly basis via podcast.

Related posts: The Neverending Story | Audiobooks from the BBC | Yay or Nay: Audiobooks

Posted by Keris on October 5, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 4, 2007 9:23 AM

Audiobooks from the BBC

I know how much (some of) you like audiobooks so I thought in telling you about the new BBC Audiobooks site, I'd be ambitious and try and embed a sample (of Pride & Prejudice). It probably won't work, but you have to give it a go, don't you?

Download pride_and_prejudice_9781844407743.mp3

Anyway, BBC Audiobooks has launched a new mini-site - BBC Audio Zone - through audiobook experts Audible.co.uk. With over 1400 BBC Audiobook titles available to sample and download, there's bound to be something there to tickle your fancy. You can listen to a free sampler (including a clip of Emma) here.

Related posts: Free books: Listen Up! | Bookish MP3 player cases

Posted by Keris on October 4, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Melissa Romney-Jones v Honey Blennerhesket

It’s seems that everyone’s favourite supernatural chick lit heroine is Sookie Stackhouse.

This week we’ve got a bit of a split personality. By day she’s the homely Melissa Romney-Jones, but by night she’s the glamorous Honey Blennerhesket. Which side of Hester Browne’s heroine do you prefer?

Melissa Romney-Jones

The Books: The Little Lady Agency, Little Lady, Big Apple and The Little Lady Finds Her Prince (released next year).

Looks: Comfy clothes, dark hair and Alice bands

Men: Jonathan Riley, big shot Managing Director from New York. Melissa stays with him when he has to go back to NY and she spends a lot of time waiting for him to finish work

Talent: Being at Daddy’s beck and call to sort out her family problems

Honey Blennerhesket

The Books: See above!

Looks: Heels, nipped in waists and glamorous blonde hair

Men: Jonathan Riley, but as Honey she whips him into shape and launches him in London. You wouldn’t find Honey waiting for any man

Talent: Getting awkward upper class men into shape, so they’re fit to be seen in society

Conclusion: It’s comfy and cosy v gorgeous and glam – what do you choose?

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 4, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 3, 2007 12:25 PM

Girl's Night Out with Sophie Kinsella and Friends

Sophie Kinsella, Penny Vincenzi and Santa Montefiore are having a Girl’s Night Out as part of the Wimbledon Book Fest 2007. They’ll be sitting around chatting about books and sipping the odd glass of wine, and you can join them for £15.

If you go be sure to get the goss about the Shopaholic movie!

Wimbledon Book Fest 2007 details here

Related Posts: Novel in a Year workshop | SPOTLIGHT : Sophie Kinsella | An Absolute Scandal by Penny Vincenzi

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 3, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

I love libraries, but why don't schools?

The Guardian reports that school libraries are so severely underfunded that one in 20 have banned children from taking books out on loan, while half close their libraries at break time. Not everyone can afford to buy books, and with children’s books not costing much less than adults books we need to offer our children the chance to read.

I know that my love of reading comes from childhood. My mum would take my sister and I to the library on Saturday and I would have read all my books by Sunday night. If the only chance I had of reading was from a library that wasn’t open when I needed it and wouldn’t lend me books even if I could get there what would I have done? Watched more TV I guess. I might have grown to love Eastenders, but believe me, I’d rather love books.

What about you? Where did your love of reading come from?

[Source]

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 3, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

More NaNoWriMo news

It's staggering to believe it's October, isn't it? Where did the year go? Of course, October is almost November, which means it's nearly NaNoWriMo time. This year's site is up and running with new and exciting features (although they've had to do away with one of my favourite things: the author profile with the turnable pages ... sob) and more celebrity pep talkers have been announced: Garth Nix, Naomi Novik, Neil Gaiman and Tom Robbins (Tom Robbins!) with even more to be revealed next month.

We'll definitely be featuring NaNo heavily here at Trashionista (much like we did last year) so if you're planning on taking part, make sure you let us know. (And if you took part last year, we'd love an update on your novels.)

Related posts: How NaNoWriMo can pay big bucks! | No Plot? No Problem! by Chris Baty

Posted by Keris on October 3, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

October 2, 2007 12:25 PM

Waterstone's Card

Do you buy a lot of books? Silly question, of course you do! For all those with a major book buying addiction, the Waterstone's card could be for you. You earn three points for every £1 you spend and there are regular bonus points offers. You also get the in store magazine, Waterstone's Books Quarterly, for free and invitations to exclusive events.

More information on the Waterstone's card

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 2, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

October 1, 2007 11:37 AM

Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

The Penguin Group have teamed up with Amazon.com and Hewlett Packard to find a new author, with the help of Amazon.com reviewers.

If you want to enter, then you need to be one of the first 5,000 people to register, then you have to submit your manuscript between 1st October and 5th November.

Top Amazon reviewers will whittle that 5,000 down to 1,000. Excerpts will be posted to Amazon and all Amazon customers get to rate and review, and this 1,000 will come down to 100.

After that Amazon editors will pick their top 10 finalists then Amazon customers will vote for the winner who will be announced on 7th April.

I think. The whole process looks a bit complicated to me so if you intend to enter you’d better take a look at the rules.

Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award rules

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 1, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 28, 2007 10:30 AM

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]

Posted by Keris on September 28, 2007 in Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (4)

September 27, 2007 4:14 PM

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?

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 27, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (5)

September 26, 2007 12:41 PM

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

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 26, 2007 in American Authors, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 25, 2007 11:20 AM

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

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 25, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 21, 2007 12:12 PM

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?

Posted by Keris on September 21, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (9)

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.

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 21, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

September 20, 2007 1:43 PM

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?

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 20, 2007 in American Authors, Book related | Permalink | Comments (4)

September 19, 2007 4:20 PM

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]

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 19, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 18, 2007 4:56 PM

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?

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 18, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

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.

Posted by Keris on September 18, 2007 in Book related, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Penguin Celebrations' bestsellers

According to the Penguin blog the bestsellers from the Celebrations collection are all non-fiction (The English, The Classical World, Freakonomics, The Consolations of Philosophy and Letters from America). Why all non-fiction? It’s possible, according to Colin Brush, senior copywriter at Penguin, that the stripey design is deemed too serious for fiction books.

What do you think? Have you bought one of these yet? I know I’m sorely tempted to buy the whole lot just to make my bookshelves look nice… and they are three for two, or £191.76 for the whole set, on the Penguin website!

Related Posts: Blog a Penguin classic | Lovely Penguin pencils and more

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 18, 2007 in Book covers, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 17, 2007 5:23 PM

Writer's rooms at the Guardian

Ever wondered where your favourite writer writes? If you've got that slight stalker tendency then pop over to the Guardian books and take a peak into their writing rooms.

Sarah Waters would, apparently, be happy to write in a wardrobe, and Will Self, from what I can make out in the photo, has hundreds of post-it notes stuck on his walls.

I would offer them a picture of my writing space but I don’t think they’d be interested in a photo of my lap.

Related Posts: Best of Hay-on-Sky from the Guardian

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 17, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

Miss Write competition winners ... perhaps

Remember we told you about Cosmopolitan's Miss Write competition? Well the five runners up have been announced in this month's magazine, as reported on the Best In Fiction blog.

Except that one of the listed runners-up, Nicola Brear, has left the following comment:

"It turns out there isn't going to be a Miss Write winner after all, the judges said they didn't feel any of the entries was quite ready for immediate publication so the five shortlisted names are the five finalists and that's it for another year!"

Seems very peculiar. If any of those shortlisted are reading this can you let us know what's going on?

Anyway, all the finalists' (and/or runners-up) stories sound great to me. You can read the full list after the cut.

Stacey Taylor, 24, from Cardiff, penned 'Sequel Opportunity',  the tale of a former child actress choosing between normal life and showbiz.

Elisa McGarry, 23, from Winchester, wrote 'Playing Happy Families', about a woman's battle with fertility, infidelity and insistent old flames.

Gail Haslam, 33, from London, created Kate, the heroine of 'Miss Me?', who gave up her career for love, and wound up single and unemployed - before fighting back.

Nicola Brear, 23, from Barnsley, spun a Manhattan tale of restaurants, romance and riches in 'The Restaurant'.

Kristen Paul, 26, from Hampshire, plunged us into the scandalous world of baby modelling in 'I See You Baby'.

Posted by Keris on September 17, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

Get a book deal on ebay!

When Dawn, an American mum of six, wrote a hilarious description for the "Lot of Pokemon Cards That My Kids Tried To Sneak By Me" that she wanted to sell on ebay, she could never have imagined the outcome.

The auction got almost 180,000 hits, the cards sold for $142.51 and Dawn has apparently been offered a book deal! The original post is very funny and so is Dawn's blog. [Thanks, Zoe!]

Related posts: 11-year-old signs book deal | "My book deal ruined my life" article | How NaNoWriMo can pay big bucks

Posted by Keris on September 17, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

Jonathan Callan's book sculptures

I know some of you have a problem with destroying or damaging books, but British artist, Jonathan Callan creates amazing sculptures by drilling books together to form huge "walls" of books.  [via I Love This World]

Carry on over the cut for a closer pic that shows just how it's done.

Related posts: Tracy Kendall's book print wallpaper | Mickey Smith's book photographs | How do you arrange your bookshelves?

Posted by Keris on September 17, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 14, 2007 7:36 AM

COMPETITION: Win 21 Bloomsbury books

Bloomsbury are celebrating their 21st birthday by offering you a chance to win their top 21 reads (which is a bit more sophisticated than my 21st birthday celebrations).

All you have to do is pop along to the Bloomsbury 21 website and cast your vote to find the top read (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is currently winning) and remember to enter your email address for a chance to win.

Related Posts:  WIN Carole Matthews books  | WIN I Married A Pirate |  Books at Transworld  

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 14, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jordan can’t even make it to number one on the most discarded list

According to a survey compiled by Travelodge, Jordan’s ‘A Whole New World’ comes fourth in a list of books most discarded in their hotel rooms.

So if you fancy a copy but don’t want to pay for it why not pop along to your nearest Travelodge and see if they’ve got one handy.

Read the full list over the cut.

1. The Blair Years by Alastair Campbell 

2. Don't You Know Who I Am? by Piers Morgan 

3. A Whole New World by Jordan
4. Wicked by Jilly Cooper 

5. Dr Who Creatures & Demons by Justin Richard 

6. The Diana Chronicles by Tina Brown 

7. I Can Make You Thin by Paul McKenna 

8. Humble Pie by Gordon Ramsay 

9. The Story Of A Man And His Mouth by Chris Moyles 

10. Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling

[Source]

Related Posts:  Angel by Katie Price ('Jordan')  |  Poor show from celebrity memoirs

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 14, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 13, 2007 11:07 AM

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Becky Bloomwood v Stephanie Plum

Welcome to the inaugural chick lit heroine grudge match! We have a UK vs US fight on our hands. Both contestants have the power to carry a whole series of books so please bring your hands together for Becky Bloomwood and Stephanie Plum.

Becky Bloomwood

The Books: Star of the Shopaholic series from the pen of Sophie Kinsella, Becky has starred in five books and along the way has lost love, found love, moved to New York got married and had a baby.

Loves: Shopping!

Men: Luke Brandon (now Mrs Becky Bloomwood)

Films: Plans are afoot, and rumours are that Becky will be played by Isla Fisher and that she will be American

Stephanie Plum

The Books: Janet Evanovich has written an amazing13 novels with number 14 on its way. There have also been two novellas. Stephanie spends most of her time unsuccessfully tracing criminals, blowing up cars and hanging out with Grandma Mazur

Loves: Krispy Kremes, Rex the hamster

Men: Luke Morelli, cop and Ranger, mystery man

Films: Mmm, this is a toughie. IMDB says there was a 2002 TV movie, but the forum thinks otherwise – no-one’s ever seen it. According to Janet Evanovich’s website One for the Money has been in pre-production for ever – TriStar own the rights. I will find out more and keep you posted

Conclusion: Stephanie’s got more novels, but are there too many? She also has the better men, but at least with Becky we get a bit of character progression. Becky’s big minus point has got to be her Americanisation for the film – what are they thinking?

Over to you - who wins the first chick lit heroine grudge match?

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Series, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (8)

September 12, 2007 5:32 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

This morning I read a BBC article about how the judges of the Booker Prize are faced with the daunting task of reading 110 books in a little more than four months - which works out at around a book a day. Well, I say I read the article; I actually scanned it and focussed on the important bits.

One of which was Many of us have read a novel in a day. Maybe a Marian Keyes or a Michael Crichton on a long journey. My first thought was Marian Keyes? Her books are way too long to be read in a day! Until I remembered that I read Anybody Out There in one go on a flight to Canada.

The BBC article suggests that, in this age of information, we all need to learn to read quicker. I don't. I read plenty fast enough, thanks. I have to, since I review three books per week for Trashionista. Last year (before starting at Trashi) I set myself a challenge to read 52 books in a year - I ended up reading 129.

When my former co-ed, Diane, wrote about reading as a competitive sport for The Guardian blog, the ever-pompous Guardian blog commenters questioned whether she actually retains much of what she reads. I don't. But I don't care. With books I particularly love, I remember certain details of character and plot and, often, the feeling it gave me when I read it, but books I either didn't enjoy or didn't feel that strongly about? Well who cares if I don't remember them? It just allows more space in my brain for the books I *do* love (I share Homer Simpson's theory that in order to remember something new you need to forget something old).

So what about you? What's the fastest you've read a book? Do you feel the need, the need for speed? Or do you prefer to lounge about in a book?

In other words: speed reading - 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!]

Posted by Keris on September 12, 2007 in Book related, Opinion, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (6)

Novel in a Year workshop

If you’ve been following Louise Doughty’s Novel in a Year (now called A Writer’s Year) column in the Telegraph, or bought the book (or wish you had) then here’s your chance to take lessons from the lady herself.

Louise Doughty is teaching a workshop at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, based on the Novel in a Year columns.

The one day course in on the 6th October, 10am – 4pm and costs £75.

Follow this link for booking details

Related Posts:  Read Louise Doughty's 'Novel in a Year'  |  A novel in a year  |  The Crusie/Mayer writing workshop

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 12, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 10, 2007 3:52 PM

For the book lover who's got everything

It can be hard buying books for people. Your taste might not be their taste, and you never know what they’ve already read. So why don’t you send one of these Smythson leather covered poetry books to your loved one - or better still, drop plenty of hints and get one sent to you. They cost £115 and there are four leather covers to choose from, which can be personalized with the recipient’s initials. A fantastic Valentine’s day gift, but February’s a long time to wait so why not treat yourself now.

Related posts:  The... er... Book Stool | The Self Shelf | Book Bags

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 10, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 7, 2007 5:23 PM

What Trashionista has taught me...

I may be leaving (no, I really am now!), but I have lots of good memories and have learned a lot. So here's (just some of) the wisdom I've picked up over the past year and a bit at Trashionista.

I've learned that...

- There will always be people who put chick lit down, and they will usually be people who haven't any.

- There will always be smart, savvy women writing great books. Thank God.

- Caprice Crane, Marian Keyes, Lani Diane Rich, Joshilyn Jackson, Sue Hepworth & Jane Linfoot and many other authors have the power to turn a blah day into a brilliant one.

- I really like me some non-fic chick lit.

- Some people will always spell it 'chic lit' and there's nothing I can do to stop it!

- 99.9% of authors are the most wonderful fabulous people you could ever hope to meet.

- One or two aren't. (I'll never tell!)

- Say the words "editor of a books site" and publishers start flinging books at you like there's no tomorrow. (Woo-hoo!)

- The smallest publishers are often the most polite.

- Bridget Jones's Diary is going to stand the test of time.

- Writing three reviews a week, every week can really take it out of a girl.

And of course...

- Trashionista readers are THE BEST. I'll miss you all, every one!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 7, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (8)

TV NEWS: Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series

Alan Ball, creator of Six Feet Under, will produce the vampire series True Blood, based on Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire novel series.

The pilot was shot earlier this summer with Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse, along with Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Stephen Moyer and Brook Kerr (whoever they are).

"Charlaine has created such a rich environment that's very funny and at the same time very scary," Ball told Daily Variety after first selling the project in 2005. "I bought the book on impulse, and I just couldn't put it down." [via Romantic Times and Variety]

Related posts: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris | Television archives

Posted by Keris on September 7, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Series, Supernatural, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 6, 2007 5:06 PM

GIVEAWAY: I Married A Pirate

A few weeks ago we featured an interview with journalist and debut novelist Samantha David, as part of our Summer Special.

Today: the chance to win not just a copy of her book, I Married a Pirate, but a signed copy! (UK only I'm afraid)

Carry on over the cut to find out how to be in with a chance to win...

Entries should be sent to our usual address - subject line: PIRATE - and please include your name and address (so we can send you the book if you're picked at random). Closing date is midnight GMT next Friday, 14 September. Good luck!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 6, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Competition, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Mommies Who Drink by Brett Paesel

I had a bit of a confusing time with this book, Mommies Who Drink by Brett Paesel. (This cover pic and that link are to the UK version released on 1 November, but you can buy the US version on Amazon UK now).

Anyway, back to my confusion over this book: I received it for review in unbound format - basically just a sheaf (a big sheaf!) of papers. I thought it was a work of fiction, and was reading it in that frame of mind when a few chapters in I realised it... might actually be real. I checked on Amazon and yep, it was. Oops! So I had to re-adjust my feelings about the book in the light of it being true (I couldn't think "why would the character say that?" anymore...)

So! Despite the irresponsible, shock-value title, Mommies Who Drink is not about alcoholics who loll in the gutter leaving their children unattended. It's about Brett and her group of gal pals who meet up every Friday for beers/wine/cocktails (sometimes all three) to discuss their lives and give the moms among them the chance to let their hair down after a week of play-doh and nappy changes. And er, that's it.

I know this isn't a novel so I can't really be critical of the lack of story progression, but even the best memoirs usually follow some storytelling conventions. The problem I had with this book is that it jumps about too much - it's a series of anecdotes and stories and observations that aren't really tied together by anything. There's one particular story, where the author is scared to death of flying, which is written up to a dramatic crescendo... and then just stops and we're onto the next thing. The weekly meet-ups are supposed to give some kind of sense of time passing but there really isn't any story progression. I found it a bit disappointing.

But! I did like the authorial voice, most of the time. It's good to hear from a woman making motherhood work whilst also making cynicism work nicely for her! (Even if sometimes there might be a bit too much cynicism...) And the female friendships were very well portrayed.

I just can't help wondering if turning this into a novel after all might have been the best idea...

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Motherland by Maria Beaumont.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 6, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 5, 2007 11:49 AM

PREVIEW REVIEW: Laid Bare by Gail Porter

Out tomorrow, this book just manages to squeeze in as a Preview Review... (and yes, I am leaving, I just have a few loose ends to tie up first!)

Most people (in the UK at least) know Gail Porter. Or know of her, anyway. Short, bouncy, blonde Scottish TV presenter who married a rock star, had his baby, went through a bitter divorce and lost all her hair from the stress. After all that (not to mention an overdose that nearly killed her, years of self-harm, anorexia and undiagnosed bipolar disease and a difficult relationship with her dad) it was probably inevitable that Gail write a book about her experiences. Laid Bare is that book, and there's the inevitable reference to hair loss in the title, although it could have been a lot worse...

I was fairly interested to read this but really hoping that it wouldn't be a self-indulgent wallow. Because, to be honest, if I'd been through a lot of this stuff, it probably would have been!

Luckily, Gail is a charming and charismatic narrator as she tells the story of her first fascination with the entertainment business (an obsession with the first Star Wars film) right up to... well, I won't give it away, but the book ends on a poignant note.

She writes about her days at school (she was a super-swot, who became a black belt at Karate - and so was never really picked on!) and college (in Watford, which she didn't find very exciting...) and her early jobs in TV, including a lot of time as a runner/general dogsbody. What comes across is a strong work ethic, a lot of determination and the ability to bounce back from any rejection. I was impressed. After getting to know TV production inside and out, Gail realised that her dream job was to be in front of the camera, so she made a show reel dressed as Wonder Woman (of course) and started auditioning. Soon (after a few ups and downs along the way) she was presenting Scottish kids' TV, then national kids' TV in London, then iconic programmes like Top of the Pops, where she met her husband, Dan Hipgrave of (former) band Toploader.

When she writes about her relationship with Dan, it's clear that their marriage was a whirlwind mistake, and that there's no love lost between them! She is however, grateful to him for their daughter Honey (although her post-birth pain, which lasted for months, made me seriously wince). It seems that Gail has never done things the easy way, even when she sometimes could have done. She seems to have barreled her way through life without thinking too much about her actions. When she's diagnosed with bipolar and a thyroid problem, and admits to her anorexia and self-harm, it comes as almost as much of a relief to the reader as it must have to Gail herself. However, contrary to my fears, she doesn't wallow. In fact, she sometimes could do with wallowing a bit more, and with asking for help - as it doesn't come across that she's fully dealt with her problems and I was a bit disappointed with that although maybe that's more about my own control freakery than the book itself! It's also a shame that the book ends on the aforementioned poignant note, but it is also a sweet ending, and a realistic one.

I can't see any mention of a ghostwriter anywhere, so am choosing to believe Gail wrote this herself. In which case, she has talent as a writer, as the reader definitely becomes involved in her experiences. I found this a quick read, but not a dumb one, and I learned a thing or two about someone who's been in the news a lot.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try But Enough About Me by Jancee Dunn. 

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 5, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Television | Permalink | Comments (2)

Read a book ... plant a tree

Do you worry about how many trees it takes to make a book? I must admit, it wasn't something I'd really thought about, but it probably should have been. (Particularly after all those meaty Harry Potters - won't somebody think of the squirrels!)

Thanks to a new business called Eco-Libris, I've just learned that about 20 million trees are cut down annually for virgin paper used for the production of books sold in the U.S. alone.

Luckily the company allows you to balance out the paper used for the books you read by planting trees. All you need to do is go to the website, decide how many books you would like to balance out, pay (of course) and then a tree is planted for each of these books. Plus, for every book, you'll receive a “One Tree Planted for this Book” sticker made of recycled paper. And you'll feel smug. It's win-win!

Related posts: And now for "Eco chick lit" | Get books for free ... well, almost

Posted by Keris on September 5, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 4, 2007 11:08 AM

NaNoWriMo's "Celebrity Pep Talkers"

Only two months to go until this year's National Novel Writing Month - how can that be?

One of the exciting developments this year is that each weekly email pep talk will be done by a famous novelist. The first will be crime writer Sue Grafton.

In case you're unfamiliar with NaNoWriMo, you can find all you need to know here or here. (It's much more fun than it sounds - honest!)

Related: NaNoWriMo sale

Posted by Keris on September 4, 2007 in Book related, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (3)

September 3, 2007 11:38 AM

The ... er ... Book Stool

Last week I asked if you'd use a pile of books as a bedside table (and you didn't answer!) and then I spotted this - the "Book Stool".

Pictured with magazines rather than books, The Book Stool was created by designer Arik Levy and is basically a set of cotton and nylon straps.

According to The New York Times, it's "part home organizer, part storage and part furniture."  At $39 from The Conran Shop, I think it's taking the mickey - what do you think?

Related posts: Tracy Kendall's book print wallpaper | Bookish MP3 player cases

Posted by Keris on September 3, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

MONDAY MOVIE: Paperback Hero

I discovered the film Paperback Hero a couple of months ago when I heard about a new novel with a similar premise. Since we're a full service blog (and since it's got Hugh Jackman in it) I ordered it up immediately!

The jist is that Jack is an Australian lorry driver. So he's hard-drinking, hard-livin' tough guy. He's got a soft spot for his dog, but that's it. He's a man's man. Except ... that he secretly writes romance novels and one of them has been published to great acclaim. When a woman from the publishers turns up at the diner owned by Jack's friend Ruby Vale, Jack is forced to admit to Ruby that he put her name on the manuscript and no-one knows it was written by a man, let alone him.

Since Jack's book is such a success the publisher wants Ruby to come to Sydney and do some promotion. Knowing nothing about the book, Ruby wants no part of it, until the publishers offer to pay for her forthcoming wedding to local vet Hamish. Since Ruby wants nothing more than to settle down, she agrees and she and Jack (posing as Ruby's manager) head to Sydney.

I don't need to tell you what happens do I? It's exactly what you think happens, but the film's no worse for that. As I started watching I thought it was going to be absolutely awful and, make no mistake, it's not great, but it is watchable - mostly thanks to Hugh Jackman. I found him charming in Someone Like You/Animal Attraction, but in Paperback Hero, well, he's just sex on a stick.

N.B. Since I'm now alone at the helm of Trashionista - *sniff* - I'm going to be alternating More on Monday with the Monday Movie (formerly the Friday Flick). There's no way I can read a non-chick lit book every week, plus watch a book-related film *and* keep on top of all the women's fiction out there - I'm not superwoman!

Incidentally, if you know of a book to film adaptation that we haven't yet covered - and you'd like us to cover - let me know at the usual address. Thanks!

Posted by Keris on September 3, 2007 in Book related, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 31, 2007 10:51 AM

British v American chick lit

Just read this on a blog called Bookworm Room:

As you know, one of my big complaints about British chick lit is that the “heroines” are usually needy alcoholics, something that stands in stark contrast to American chick lit, where the heroines usually live good, clean lives.

Me and the Bookworm must be reading different books since I was just thinking the opposite. *Sweeping generalisation alert* I find British chick lit to be a bit more wholesome and a tad more old-fashioned than American chick lit, which is often snarkier and edgier. What do you think?

Related: US versus UK covers 

Posted by Keris on August 31, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (13)

It's exciting seeing your book for the first time!

I really enjoyed Rae Earl's My Fat, Mad Teenage Diary and I also enjoyed seeing her reaction when she got her hands on the finished book.

Posted by Keris on August 31, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

TV News: Famous Five

I was never a big Famous Five fan - I was always more of a Secret Seven girl - but I was still intrigued to hear that plans are afoot for a new television series, described as a "reimagining" of the original books.

Julian, Dick, Anne, George - with a descendant of the original Timmy the dog - will be drawn together 30 years after their original exploits to solve "contemporary mysteries". [via BBC]

It's one of those ideas that could be brilliant or could be awful (or possibly even brilliantly awful). No dates yet so we'll just have to wait and see.

Related posts: Thursday Trailblazer Enid Blyton | Inspired by Nancy Drew |  Five books

Posted by Keris on August 31, 2007 in Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 30, 2007 9:48 AM

Who are you favourite chick lit heroes?

In my review of Caprice Crane's fabulous Forget About It, I mentioned that the character of Travis had made it onto my list of favourite chick lit heroes.

I didn't actually have a list, but then I thought ... we should compile one! So let me start you off... If I was to make any chick lit hero real, so he could whisk me away to do unspeakable things, it would be Jack from Sophie Kinsella's Can You Keep A Secret. Then again, there's Mark Darcy (albeit a bit mean and moody) and, oh my, Joe Morelli (from the Stephanie Plum series). I could go on, but I won't.

Who are your favourite chick lit heroes?

Posted by Keris on August 30, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (7)

August 28, 2007 3:47 PM

A word from the (co)editor... and that word is 'goodbye'

Yes, you read that right: I'm leaving Trashionista. At the end of the week, in fact. *Sob*

Despite being lucky enough to read and write about fabulous women's fiction for a job - and working with a great friend, and being sent free books! and the wonderful opportunities this site has given me... I'm off.

I may well be crazy, and I'm sure there will be times I'll regret it, but I just feel it's time for me to move on. Not to better things (what could be better?!), just different things. So apart from the occasional review (read what I thought of Alice Sebold's latest when it's released in October) and the probably less-occasional comment, I'll be gone by September.

So before I go, I want to thank all the lovely readers, authors, publicists and publishers who've made the last year-and-a-bit such a wonderful experience. I've discovered a lot about the world of publishing in my time as a books ed, most of it fabulous. And I've read some really good books! I've also got to thank Keris for being such a brilliant co-ed (we didn't argue, not once, even when I was *really* bossy!) and of course to ed-in-chief Gemma for setting up the blog in the first place. And to our predecessor Jenni who took us under her wing when we first started... Jeez, this is getting a bit Oscar-worthy isn't it?! Moving on...

I must admit there is the odd thing I won't miss: panics induced by the size of my review pile, the knowledge that I can't read anything non-chick lit for the next six months due to the afore-mentioned review pile, trying to think up topics for Yay or Nay (you don't know the head-scratching there's been!) ... and re-sizing pictures from Amazon every. blooming. day. Gawd, I hate resizing!

But there's much more I'll miss: reading new releases before other people (hee - sorry!), the doorbell ringing with another new delivery, getting paid to give my opinion on what I'm reading (something I'd gladly do unpaid, though I never told my bosses that!)

I know the site will continue to go from strength to strength without me - I don't know much abut what Keris has planned for when I'm gone (apart from a lot of crying, of course...), but I look forward to finding out. I may not be an editor for much longer, but you'll never stop me being a reader.

Once a Trashionista, always a Trashionista, I say!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 28, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (13)

Book tables

I saw these book stack "nightstands" on Apartment Therapy and thought they looked fantastic.

I usually have a stack of books about that size on my bedside table, but I never actually thought of getting rid of the table and just using the books. I don't think it'd work for a couple of reasons (a boisterous 3-year-old and a clumsy husband). What do you think?

Related posts: How do you arrange your bookshelves? | Dead Good bookshelf | Fold-down bookshelves

Posted by Keris on August 28, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 27, 2007 1:01 PM

Brits dream of being authors above all else

According to a new poll, author tops the list of dream jobs for us Britons, with 10% of us hoping to become one. [Via Booktrade Info]

This despite the occasional hardships, that whole 'no guarantee of success' thing and the fact that some people claim becoming an author ruined their lives. I guess we're a gutsy bunch - or we think we all do have a novel in us.

Or we just like the idea of working at home in our pyjamas, not having a boss breathing down our necks, setting our own hours, and earning JK-esque sums of money.

Yes, I think that may be it...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 27, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (1)

The £3 million book (yes, the world HAS gone mad...)

I once wrote about a really expensive book, but it was only £4,000, which is nothing these days, as it turns out!

The millionaire reader-about-town now has the option to buy a £3 MILLION book, according to the BBC. Special millionaire editions of Dancing With The Bear by British entrepreneur Roger Shashoua are made to order, and covered with 600 diamonds. The author and businessman is aiming the most expensive book in the world at super-rich Russian millionaires and billionaires, and says:

"There is so much money floating around in Russia that it seemed entirely logical to produce a book designed for the Russian market... I am just happy that conspicuous displays of consumption can now be associated with writing, rather than fashion accessories."

Personally, I think if someone has £3 million to splash on a book, it would be a lot more useful donated to a  charity than donated to a rich businessman's coffers. And almost as important, this seems like a waste of good diamonds to me...

What do you think?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 27, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (1)

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Some lad-lit blogs

How could I not know that Nick Hornby had a blog? Perhaps because it's fairly new - that's my excuse anyway... If you're as in the dark as I was, read it for yourself here. He hasn't updated in a little while, but the rest of his website is a worthwhile browse, and hopefully he'll blog more soon...

Non-fic lad lit fave Dave Gorman, on the other hand, has been updating like billy-o (as my mum would say). Read his blog here, and find out all about what he's been up to, the music on Homes Under The Hammer and the deterioration in quality of a well-known chocolate egg. It's good stuff.

Finally, sometime Gorman collaborator Danny Wallace has a website, where he doesn't blog, but does post occasional news and... 'titbits' might be the right word. There's also the chance to download some video podcasts of the author/TV presenter/head of the Karma Army...

Related posts: Top 10 lad lit | From book to blog. 

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 27, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, Non Fiction, Technology, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 24, 2007 2:04 PM

Would you get married in a book shop?

I wrote about this for our all-things-wedding sister site Bridalwave and then s-l-o-w-l-y realised it might be of interest to Trashionista readers too (it's the warm(ish) weather - it makes me dim).

The photo is of Amanda Marie Traphagan and Stephen Michael Gray, who got married at Austin, Texas's independent Book People store after meeting there when they both attended a reading by Douglas Coupland.

In addition to the family and friends who attended the ceremony, the couple requested that the store remain open and the area not be cordoned off to customers.

Have you ever met anyone at a book reading? I made a couple of (female) friends at a Marian Keyes reading once. We'd all gone alone and we bonded over our love of the Irish one and went out for lunch a bit later, but the friendship fizzled when we realised we didn't have anything else in common...

Related posts: Discworld wedding cake, anyone? | Friday Flick: The Wedding Date | Marriage and mayhem

Posted by Keris on August 24, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

Margaret Atwood's amazing invention

I read about this a while ago, but I think my brain must have filed it under 'April Fool' or something, because I forgot all about it until now.

Yes, hugely successful and acclaimed Canadian author, Margaret Atwood has invented something called the LongPen - a remote-controlled pen that allows people to sign autographs from anywhere in the world. The pen is being trialled in a record store and several bookstores in Canada, the US and the UK and could expand elsewhere if successful.

The device comprises a video screen and digital writing pad at one location and a video screen and automated pen at another. Norman Mailer and Alice Munro both used it to appear at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in Scotland, while staying in the US.

If you want to see the LongPen in action, you can find it at World's Biggest Bookstore and HMV in Toronto, Barnes & Noble in New York and Waterstone's in London (or online here). And if you do see it, don't forget to let us know what you think.

[via the London Free Press]

Related posts: Underrated cult classics | Posh is a signing sensation | Love in the book signing queue

Posted by Keris on August 24, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Behind Every Great Woman There's a Fabulous Gay Man by Dave Singleton

Is it just me? Does everyone in the world have a fabulous GBF (Gay Best Friend) except me... And if so, where can I get one?

Dave Singleton argues that every woman needs a GBF - that's why his book is called Behind Every Great Woman There's a Fabulous Gay Man. But luckily for those of us who don't have our very own Stanford Blatch, Dave is happy to advise us on how to "avoid the pitfalls of the dating game, live stylishly and be even more fabulous than you already are." Which is nice.

The book is essentially a love and style guide for women from a gay man's perspective, divided into two parts: Dating, Men and Relationships and Style, Straight Talk and Self-Esteem.

Dave begins by talking about the importance of a male gay best friend for every straight woman, and about how wonderful his female friends are. Which is lovely for them, but doesn't help those of us without a GBF, now does it?!

There are some really interesting ideas in the first part of the book, such as looking at the part you play in your unsuccessful relationships - finding out where your love insecurities come from, and breaking self-destructive patterns. There are also useful and more light-hearted tips on checking if a man 'plays for your team' or not... The second part of the book is about appearance, plastic surgery and the like and is more superficial - although Singleton advises thinking about whether you're having a procedure done for your looks or your self-esteem, which is certainly good advice.

But a lot of the advice in the book seemed to be stretched a bit thin - I felt it was a bit repetitive and could probably have been squashed into a long feature article as I'm not sure there was enough here to build a book on. Some of the chapters in the second half of the book in particular just seemed there to make up the numbers, and didn't provide much useful insight - why it's okay to wear a short skirt to work, for instance. (Do we need to be told? And I'm still not gonna...) Plus, I couldn't help feeling that perhaps the idea for the book was a bit outdated - I mean, SATC is over and GBFs aren't exactly news. This book was only published in the UK this year, but in the US in 2005, which explains a lot.

It's witty, if not particularly original, and does contain some useful ideas, but may be one to skim rather than use as your style and dating 'bible'.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Jane Austen's Guide to Dating by Lauren Henderson.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance, Self development | Permalink | Comments (3)

August 23, 2007 11:31 AM

(Quite a lot of) Caprice Crane news

Caprice Crane has been a big fave of ours since her fabulous debut Stupid and Contagious (it wasn't the former, but definitely was the latter!)

Next Wednesday, in honour of the release of her new book Forget About It (which Keris is reading at the moment - jealous!) Caprice will be the star of our author interview. (Buy the book from 27th August in the US/on Amazon or from 4th October in the UK).

In the meantime, you can watch a short film, Passing the Time, created as a sort-of trailer for the book (which will be turned into a feature film by Disney, starring Scarlett Johansson - and which meant Crane couldn't make an actual trailer proper for copyright reasons. Or something.)

Finally, if you're quick and in the Santa Monica area, you might be able to catch Miss Crane at a Barnes and Noble signing today. [Via Galleycat].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 23, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

Women read more than men; some Americans don't read at all

A new poll doing the media rounds suggests that 1 in 4 Americans hasn't read a single book in the last year (what do they do instead?!) The poll also reveals that women are reading more than men, with Republicans reading less than Democrats (maybe it's all those Hillary biographies?)

The average number of books read by those who did crack open the spines of some of Barnes and Noble's finest in the last year was a not-exactly-impressive seven. Which is still better than nothing. But if it's a country- and world-wide trend then it's sad news for publishers, authors, booksellers (and book reviewers, too).

How many books have you read this year? And how can we encourage people to read more - or doesn't it matter?!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 23, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (6)

TV NEWS: Gossip Girl

Last August we brought you news that Cecily Von Ziegesar's controversial teen series Gossip Girl was to be made into a TV series by OC creator Josh Schwartz.

Now we have some more information for you and (over the cut) a video clip!

The series centres around a group of spoilt rich girls at an exclusive Manhattan boarding school, whose antics are immortalised by an anonymous blogger, Gossip Girl. As Catwalk Queen editor Kim says, "The words 'guilty pleasure' spring to mind..."

Look out for the show in the US from 17 September on the CW. And in the UK... hopefully soon!

Carry on over the cut for a sneak preview... (and if you recognise that narrator's voice, that's cos it's Kristen Bell, aka: Veronica Mars!)

[Via Catwalk Queen].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 23, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Television, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

Book love

I've just read a great post on Publishers' Weekly about Linda Urban's A Crooked Kind of Perfect.

"You know that exhilarating crush-like feeling you get when you meet someone new who makes you laugh and laugh and feel 100% good about the world?" says Alison Morris. "You know how it is - you think you want to spend all your available free time with this person and get to know everything about them and introduce them to all of your friends, except that (let's face it) your friends are already getting sick of hearing you talk about your crush, even if they're being polite enough not to let you see them roll their eyes. Well... I'm currently having that experience. With a book."

I know exactly what she means.

I've mentioned it before, but I get a certain specific feeling in my stomach when I fall in love with a book (it could be the same feeling when you fall in love with a person, but it's so long since I did that, I can't remember).

When I had a "proper" job the feeling would be accompanied by a strong urge to bunk off work and snuggle up with the book, a pot of tea and a family bar of chocolate. Nowadays, it just means get through my work really fast ... so I can snuggle up with the book, a pot of tea and a family bar of chocolate (or today - a packet of Jammy Dodgers stolen from my son).

Today I will be reading Caprice Crane's Forget About It and I'll also be ordering Linda Urban's book (I love the cover too).

What about you? What was the last book you fell in love with and how do you know when you've found "the one"?

Posted by Keris on August 23, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

BOOK NEWS: Love, Stargirl

Last week, our interviewee Holly Shumas name-checked Stargirl (of the novel of the same name, by Jerry Spinelli) as her favourite female character in fiction.

This week, I was browsing Amazon and found that there's a recently-released sequel: Love, Stargirl. The cover alone makes me want to read it! (But what's new?)

Related: YA archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 23, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

MOVIE NEWS: The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency

I know I keep saying this, but I love the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series, and I'm really looking forward to the movie.

It's being directed by Anthony Minghella (who directed The English Patient and The Talented Mr Ripley) and stars jazz singer Jill Scott as Mma Ramotswe.

Scott is pictured with the author Alexander McCall Smith who has written an excellent piece about the experience of seeing his book brought to life in the Daily Mail.

The film will be shown on BBC1 this Christmas.

Posted by Keris on August 23, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Movie News, Series, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 22, 2007 12:31 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Just yesterday I wrote about a new book with 'club' in the title, and here at Trashionista we've reviewed (brace yourselves!):

The Tuesday Erotica Club, The Yorkshire Pudding Club, The Jane Austen Book Club, The Friday Night Knitting Club, Man of the Month Club, The Dirty Girls' Social Club, The Second Wives' Club and The Adultery Club.

There's also The Sunday Night Book Club, The Naked Drinking Club and - to be a bit different - The Book Group.

So is it time to call time on the word 'club' and ask authors and publishers to think of different titles... (there have to be other ways to bring disparate characters together) or don't you care as long as the story is good?

'Club' in the title - is it a Yay or a Nay... and WHY?

Yay or Nay archives.

[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!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 22, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (6)

Romance authors, Mills and Boon... and more unoriginal chick lit insults

Australia's Sydney Morning Herald recently featured this interesting article on romance novels, the popularity of Mills and Boon and why romance authors just can't get no... respect.

I learned about the article from a begrdging Bookninja - I love that site, but *wow* they don't love us...

"Romance as the cougar to chick lit’s fox? I think of it more like the laundry lady to chick lit’s halfwit yuppy."

Oooh - zing!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 22, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mooj bookcase

What can I say? It's a bookcase in the shape of a cow. Very a-moo-sing (did you really expect me to resist that?).

It's lifesize (available in adult and calf), on wheels, and suitable for use as a room divider. Available from Joom.

Related posts: NEL's Pack of Dogs | How do you arrange your bookshelves? | Fold-down bookshelves

Posted by Keris on August 22, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 21, 2007 3:44 PM

Read Louise Doughty's 'Novel in a Year'

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love Louise Doughty's columns in The Telegraph. Last year, she documented her progress as she  attempted to write a novel in a year, and this book, unsurprisingly called A Novel in A Year is a compilation of her weekly columns. For anyone who missed a few, or indeed missed the whole thing, this will make not only educational but entertaining reading too. I'm planning on snapping it up asap.

Incidentally, Louise Doughty's excellent columns continue but at a more relaxed pace: they're now called A Writer's Year.

Related: BOOK REVIEW: Wannabe a Writer?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 21, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Good Reads

Good Reads is a site in the tradition of Librarything and Shelfari. That is, yet another addictive book-related website for me to spend time on instead of doing anything more productive... sigh. (I warn you: once you log in, it's hard to leave, so join up at your own risk!)

The idea behind the site is simple: join up and then add books you've just read, books you want to read next and books you're reading now. You can add reviews and read other people's, get book suggestions based on what you're reading, and the best bit: add 'friends' in the same way as sites like Myspace and Facebook - you can even form groups, so you could create a virtual reading group online and have book chats over Good Reads.

So many possibilities, so many chores being ignored...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 21, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, Technology | Permalink | Comments (2)

MOVIE NEWS: Marley & Me

Me and Diane both loved John Grogan's Marley & Me (even though I didn't cry) and I've just read that it's being made into a movie with ... wait for it ... Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson. (David Frankel, director of The Devil Wears Prada, will direct.) [via BuzzSugar]

I saw John Grogan as more David Duchovny than Owen Wilson (although Owen Wilson would be great as Marley!), but still I think this could be good.

Posted by Keris on August 21, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

TUESDAY THREE: Messing about on the water

The summer theme continues with books about boats and boating (and apologies if I get any of the terminology wrong - I don't want emails telling me that "yachting" isn't "boating" or anything like that).

Sarah Mason's Sea Fever is the story of Erica Pencarrow, who longs to compete in sailing's toughest challenge, the America's Cup. When her dream finally comes true she must conquer not only the sea but also her team's prejudices - a fight she looks set to lose when she falls for a rival sailor. Review coming soon.

Love Overboard, the second of the Janet Evanovich romance novel re-releases, features Ivan who is the proud owner of a two-masted schooner, and a descendant of pirates. During the holiday season he takes a charter of passengers out every week, the success of which relies on his trusted crew. Imagine his horror when, as he's preparing to take his final trip of the season, he's greeted by Stephanie - the woman he sold his beloved family home to only a matter of weeks ago.

Jacquelyn Mitchard's Still Summer is the story of four school friends, who get together for an idyllic sailing vacation – meant to comfort recently widowed Olivia – expecting two weeks of gossip, sunbathing and drinks with little umbrellas. Instead, two days into their crossing, a single small mistake turns paradise a sun-baked hell. Surrounded by water, but with almost none to drink, with refrigerators filled with gourmet food rotting before they can used it, and a deluxe communication system ruined in an instant, the women must hide from the punishing sun and use all their strength and intelligence to try to outwit nature, their own demons and human predators.

There's a review of this coming soon(ish) too, but you'll actually find a (glowing) Amazon review written by no less than Jodi Picoult!

If the above's whetted your appetite for the water, you can also read about Katie Fforde's Dutch barge, sailing the Med, and cruising with Monroe.

Posted by Keris on August 21, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Summer Special, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 20, 2007 8:56 PM

When characters come alive...

This morning I was at the train station (I went to Nottingham for two hours - I'm such a jet-setter) when I saw a girl who made me stop in my tracks: with her short platinum hair, battered leather jacket, long legs and punkish look, she looked exactly how I imagine the heroine of the book I'm reading to look.

Spooky, or what?

Carry on over the cut to find out what I'm reading...

The book is Paint it Black, Janet Fitch's long-awaited follow-up to her excellent debut White Oleander (which I heard about back when Oprah's book club highlighted new fiction - aka: the good old days). The main character is Josie Tyrell, twenty year old artists' model and casual drug user, whose painter boyfriend has just killed herself, leaving her reeling.

I'll be reviewing the book next week - so find out what I thought of it then, but in the meantime, have you ever seen characters from a book you're reading 'appear' in real life, and been completely spooked? (I do hope I'm not the only one!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 20, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Opinion, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (7)

MORE ON MONDAY: Mere Anarchy by Woody Allen

I suspect unlike most Woody Allen fans, I first appreciated the great director's humour through his short stories rather than his excellent films (Manhattan, Annie Hall, Play it Again Sam, Hannah and Her Sisters, Manhattan Murder Mystery et al.)

His last original collection of fiction was released in 1983 and so Mere Anarchy, a slim volume which still squeezes in 18 stories, was well overdue. But does he still have the golden touch?

I have to be honest, at first I wasn't sure. I'd forgotten that Woody's wordplay can sometimes be dazzling to the point of baffling, and wished often that I knew where my dictionary was...

But once I'd got into the swing of things, I found his way with words entertaining and witty, although wry smile-funny rather than split-your-seams hilarious. The subjects these stories tackle are mostly rather ridiculous - from a man kidnapped because he looks like a famous film star to a someone who loses money after investing in a musical about the adjustable shower head. Other subjects, like nannies selling stories on their employers and the difficulty of getting a child into the right New York pre-school, are bang up to date (even if chick lit did there get first...)

One of my favourite stories was The Rejection (the pre-school one) , which made me laugh out loud. Lines like, "If Mischa could be denied this, there was no meaning in life or all of existence " effectively puncture the bubble of NYC pre-school hysteria. Strung Out, a contemplation on physics and the laws of the universe was very funny too: "I awoke on Friday, and because the universe is expanding it took me longer than usual to find my robe." But Above The Law, Below the Box Springs really made me howl with laughter - it's about some thieves who cut the tags off mattresses and it's just so silly and funny, a great cheerer-upper. (Yes, that is a word...) I'm just not sure why some of the stronger stories in the collection are towards the end of the book.

Although I read the collection straight through like a novel, as I needed to finish it for MoM, I think it would be better savoured in small morsels - the writing is so rich in wordplay it can be better appreciated in small doses and it's a shame to rush through it.

I don't know either non-Woody Allen fans would enjoy the collection or not - you have to have a certain sense of humour. In fact, I might recommend one of his earlier collections first for 'beginners' (Without Feathers contains my fave ever Allen story, The Whore of Mensa.)

But for anyone with a sense of the silly, a great vocabulary and a penchant for Woody Allen-esque humour, this is a great new book. It's nothing new and exciting, just more of the same after a long break - but that's still saying quite a lot.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 20, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Celebrity Authors, Modern Fiction, More On Monday, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Short Story Collections | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK NEWS: Hopscotch and Handbags by Lucy Mangan

Both Keris and I want to be Lucy Mangan when we grow up, and even more so now she's written a book. The Guardian columnist's debut, Hopscotch and Handbags is a girly guide to... well, being a girl, really.

Apparently it's a bit more grown up than The Great Big Glorious Book for Girls, and Cosmopolitan calls it "hilarious". It's out this Thursday, but you can order it online now.

I want to read it, and soon!

Related: Book news archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 20, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (3)

August 17, 2007 7:16 PM

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Magical Musings

At Trashionista, we love us a good group blog. So I was delighted to stumble across (seriously - who knows what I clicked to get there, I'm just glad I did) another one: Magical Musings.

Bearing the tagline "Five writers who believe no story is complete without a little magic", the bloggers write novels ranging from historicals to fantasy to romantic fiction, and you can find out more about them all here.

They have some really interesting book-related blog posts on the main page, such as what happens when one of your must-read authors falls off your must-buy list (Adriana Trigiani, I'm looking at you!) and how much sex is OK in YA? (Read it and see!)

Great. Just what I needed: another must-read bookish blog... pretty soon I'll have no time to write anything myself!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 17, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Opinion, Supernatural, Trashionista Recommends, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: The Pursuit of Alice Thrift by Elinor Lipman

Have I mentioned I'm a big Elinor Lipman fan (just three hundred times or so)?

The Pursuit of Alice Thrift was released before My Latest Grievance, Lipman's most recent novel, and I must admit, I liked it a touch more. The main character, Alice Thrift, is fairly unsympathetic: as a surgeon, she's used to science and cold hard facts, and finds interacting with people when they're not under anesthetic to be quite a challenge. But when Ray Russo waltzes into her consulting room looking for a nose job (and maybe more...) Alice and he fall in love. Or Alice thinks they do...

A reviewer on Amazon described this book as being about the poor decisions people sometimes make to alleviate loneliness, and that's true to some extent: we learn early on in the book that Ray turns out not to be the man of Alice's dreams - if she'd ever do anything so romantic as indulge in daydreams about love, that is. Alice's formerly very boring, flat lifestyle becomes a lot more interesting - but not always in the ways she would have wanted. She does, however, begin to loosen up a little and make some friends.

At first, I wasn't sure I could read a whole book about a lonely, socially inept middle-aged woman. (Doesn't exactly scream 'fun!' does it?) But I loved this book. Where Elinor Lipman is so talented is that she can turn Alice into a sympathetic character that we care about by the end of the book - without actually changing Alice's personality too much! I found this a page-turner of a read, and only wish the author could churn her books out a little bit faster...

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 17, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

The books that got celebs hooked

We've written before about the five books that encouraged and inspired us (and Laura Bush), but First Book has a new list - what book got you hooked? Nancy Drew won the public vote, but being shallow and vacuous, I was more interested in the author and celebrity favourites.

Marlee Maitlin, who played Joey Lucas, one of my favourite characters on The West Wing, voted for Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume, saying "It was the first book that spoke to me as a girl becoming a woman."

Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love chose Great Swedish Fairy Tales. "It was an elegant, hardcover tome, full of the most exquisite illustrations of trolls and witches and lost beautiful girls on dappled horses."

Mindy Klasky, author of Girl's Guide to Witchcraft chose Jennifer, Hecate, MacBeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth, by E. L. Konigsberg. "I liked the challenge of remembering the title even before I opened the book."

And actress Tichina Arnold (Everybody Hates Chris) said "The very first book I read that made me more eager to read was Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews." Ah, Flowers in the Attic. That is so getting its own post on Monday...

So can you narrow it down to one? I think I can - Enid Blyton's The Magic Faraway Tree...

Posted by Keris on August 17, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 16, 2007 3:02 PM

Adriana Trigiani's new cover

When I read Adriana Trigiani's Home to Big Stone Gap, I wanted to mention the cover, but I'd given it such a bad review anyway, I didn't want to rub salt in the wound. What I would have said was that the cover bears no relation to the content of the book.

About five minutes ago I sat down with a new book I've been very excited to read and looked at the cover ... and looked at the Trigiani cover ...

They're going after Jodi Picoult's audience.

(Incidentally, Perfect Match isn't the book I've been excited to read - it's Nineteen Minutes.)

Related posts: Musical book covers | Another cover 'snap'!

Posted by Keris on August 16, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

Keira Knightley 'too pretty' for Atonement?

Ceri Radford of The Telegraph's books blog can't decide if she's looking forward to the adaptation of Ian McEwan's World War Two-set modern classic Atonement or not. On the one hand, she loves a period drama, on the other hand... there's Keira Knightley. That alone would put me off (me-ow!) but Radford's specific problem is that the pouty one is "too pretty"  for Cecilia, who is described in the book as "plain".

Does it matter that actresses look like the characters they're playing, or is a little artistic licence understandable - we are talking about Hollywood after all!

What do you think?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 16, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Opinion, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (8)

BOOK NEWS: Julian Clary's Murder Most Fab

Following the success of his double entendre-stuffed memoir, A Young Man's Passage, Julian Clary is the latest celeb to bring out a novel - Murder Most Fab has a Janet Evanovich-esque cover and according to Janet Street Porter in Marie Claire is, "A very funny novel that charts the progress of a gorgeous boy from drama school, through to working as a rent boy and telly stardom. En route there are several murders, loads of drugs and masses of sex..."

It's out today.

[Via Woman magazine and Amazon.co.uk]

Related: BOOK REVIEW - How I Paid For College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship and Musical Theatre by Marc Acito.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 16, 2007 in Bonkbusters, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Television | Permalink | Comments (6)

Indulge yourself with Jennifer Weiner

While following a chain of articles about Jennifer Weiner that were so snotty I'm not going to post them here, I discovered something funny (and not snotty): Philadelphia's official visitor site features a self-guided tour called "Jennifer Weiner's Weekend of Indulgences".

It's a two day and night tour, calling at The Rittenhouse Hotel (where the celebs stayed while filming In Her Shoes), The Body Klinic for pampering and Le Bus for chocolate brownies. It's Weiner's recommendations rather than places from her books, which is a shame. I much prefer the idea of following in the footsteps of beloved characters.

San Francisco used to have a Tales of the City tour, but there must be more literary tours. Do you know of any? (Maybe you've been on one!)

Posted by Keris on August 16, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

Does a book cover matter?

I know we've mentioned this before - and I know you know how fixated I am on book covers - but what about you? We all know the expression you can't judge a book by its cover, but, as this Guardian blog piece points out, "How else are readers supposed to judge books before they've read them - except by how they look?"

So I have questions for you:

Does the cover matter to you?
Is there a book you love with a cover you loathe?
Is there a book you hate with a cover you heart?

Related posts: US versus UK covers | Judging books by their covers | Romance novel cover comedy

Posted by Keris on August 16, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (6)

August 15, 2007 4:57 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Well, we didn't get a huge number of answers to last week's Yay or Nay, but you made up for it in quality - we have some very intelligent readers out there! (Maybe flattery will induce you to be more chatty this week? *Looks pleadingly*)

Today I want to ask you what you thought of another book, by another doyenne of chick lit, Mz Marian Keyes. It's her latest, Anybody Out There? Which you've all had plenty of time to read as it's been out in hardback since last year and paperback for... ooh, a good few months!

Did you like it? (Will anyone dare say no?) - Why/why not? And if you haven't read it, do you want to? (Will anyone dare say no?)

Is it a Yay or a Nay - and WHY?

Yay or Nay archives.

[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!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 15, 2007 in Book related, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (8)

More Shiny employees catch the book bug

We Trashionistas are not the only book-obsessed Shiny Media employees, you know - oh no.

John of Shiny TV site TV Scoop was even on BBC Four book programme The Book Quiz last night, talking intelligently about literary thriller Perfume as part of one of the programme's featured book groups. Unfortunately, watching it back didn't make for a fun experience, as he reports...

In happier news, Alex of Shiny Shiny is writing a new column for our sister site Dollymix about Women in Fiction, and it's fascinating reading.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 15, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (2)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Holly Shumas

We like to strike while the iron is hot, so no sooner did Holly Shumas get in touch to tell us about her new website, than we grabbed her (in the nicest possible way) for an interview about her book, Five Things I Can't Live Without, and a few other things too...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

A woman approaching thirty needs to get out of her head and into her life.

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

At my desk at home.  I want to be one of those cafe writers, but I'm just too distractible.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

The Big Love by Sarah Dunn.

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

Stargirl, from the book of the same name by Jerry Spinelli.  It's classified as a young adult novel, though if I could write the world a syllabus, it would be required reading for everyone. She shows how magical it can be to completely inhabit your own skin. [Okay, totally adding that to my Amazon wishlist now! - Diane]

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

It's been said a million times, I know, but it's just so true: Read often, and read widely.

Study the genre you want to write in, but read outside of it, too. Figure out what your gifts are as a writer, and cultivate them.

What are you reading at the moment?

I'm almost at the end of "Then We Came to the End" by Joshua Ferris, and I'm so sad about it. It's a phenomenal book, especially if you've ever spent significant amounts of time in a cubicle. If you haven't, I think you'll like it anyway because it's so spot-on about human nature (and so funny, too!) but I'm not making any promises.

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

I'm working on a novel about a woman who discovers her seemingly devoted husband has been involved in an emotional affair for the past year. It deals with the question of whether emotional infidelity is better -- or maybe worse -- than sexual infidelity. Grand Central's 5-Spot imprint (which also published Five Things I Can't Live Without) has bought the book; now I've just got to finish writing it...

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. Is the question "What question have you never been asked in an interview, but think you should have been?" the hardest question you've ever been asked?

A. Yes!

Ingenious answer, Holly - thanks so much for chatting with us!

Interview archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Interviews, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 14, 2007 5:33 PM

(Reluctant) BOOK NEWS: That Bitch

I wasn't sure whether to write about this or not, but I know you're a sensible enough bunch to handle the bile this book spits out without letting it get to you. So I'll just advise you to be on your guard around British bookshops from September 27, when a book called That Bitch attempts to redress the balance against all those (zillions!) of women out to trap, manipulate and mistreat men. (Hmm. Let's have a closer look at domestic violence statistics, shall we?)

The blurb for this book claims: This new book tells you how to protect yourself against nasty women by understanding: why she picked on YOU, how she weaves her web of deceit, how she uses covert attacks and other tactics to beat her unsuspecting prey. Discover what makes her different from normal women who are looking for partners not victims, and how to identify her. Because she only cares about herself. She has no conscience and is capable of ruthless retribution, even though no one has actually wronged her.

Er... bitter, much?

I'm off to wash my brain out now...

Related posts: Chore Whore | Should the word 'bitch' be banned?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 14, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rubbish Books | Permalink | Comments (0)

Working for Borders could be your chance to become an author!

The book chain has launched a search for the next big thing in the literary world amongst Borders staff (yeah, I'm guessing it's too late to request an application...) The chain's 30,000 employees are all eligible to submit manuscripts for consideration - closing date January 31, 2008. [Via Galleycat].

It will be interesting to see if this results in a great find, or a damp squib. I'm betting at least some of those 30K book fans can write, right?

What do you think?

Competition archives | Book news archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 14, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

Summer Special Tuesday 3 - Change your life on holiday

Another Summer Special Tuesday Three. This week, rather than picking one place, I've picked three books that will show you how a holiday can change your life.

When her horrendous divorce is followed by a devastating break-up, Elizabeth Gilbert decides to take a year out just for herself. She comes up with a plan to spend the year pursuing three very different things in three very different countries: pleasure in Italy, devotion in India and balance in Indonesia - Eat, Pray, Love. The fact that the countries all being with "I" is coincidental, but, Gilbert thinks, a good sign. Can she recover from her past and find herself and her future all in the space of a year?

If you've ever wanted to take a year off, if you've ever wondered if there's more to life than this, if you've ever had to recover from a bad break-up - surely that covers everyone? - you'll enjoy this book.

We haven't actually reviewed the book of Under the Tuscan Sun, but we've reviewed the film and that's good enough for me. It stars Diane Lane as Frances, who, following a bitter divorce, heads to Italy to try and learn how to be happy again. Frances is only supposed to be there on holiday, but she falls for a run-down house and buys it on the spot. As you do. And you know the rest. She charms the locals, makes friends, walls fall down, things/hearts break, etc. We've seen it many times. But I never stopped wanting it to work out and I never doubted for a moment that it would.

When Felix Huber is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, he and his wife Rina decide to retire and spend however many years they have left sailing around the Mediterranean. Starting in France, they spend the next Nine Summers sailing their yacht Galatea from Italy to Greece to Turkey, even Israel.

On the way, they have numerous, significant problems - Felix suffers a stroke practically before they've set off, Rina contracts breast cancer and also has to have a potentially paralysing back operation, and then Felix has a heart attack - but their positive attitude, lovely natures and deep love for each other carry them through everything. It's a charming and inspiring book.

Has a book ever inspired you to change your life? Let us know.

Posted by Keris on August 14, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Summer Special, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ellen Meister's new cover

Yes, I know, I'm banging on about book covers again, but this time I'm being nice! I loved Ellen Meister's debut Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA and I also loved the cover (left) ... but I think I like this paperback cover (right) even more. How about you?

Jennifer Weiner's also writing about changes between hardback and paperback over on her blog.

Related posts: Ellen Meister interview | Hollywood cupcake competition

Posted by Keris on August 14, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (38)

August 13, 2007 6:52 PM

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Dear Holly

A couple of months ago, Keris told us about Holly Shumas's new book debut, Five Things I Can't Live Without. She'll be reviewing it soon, but in the meantime you might like to take a look at the author's excellent web site, which includes an interactive advice section, Dear Holly. Follow that link for questions from readers and answers from Holly herself on all manner of dating dilemmas.

Why don't more authors do this? I'd love Marian Keyes's advice on skincare and Sophie Kinsella's tips on shoe shopping...

Which author would you most like a Q & A with, and on what topic?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (0)

And in blook news...

Yes, I'm on about blooks (blogs-to-books) again - I will shut up about them soon, promise. For now allow me to indulge myself with a round up of happenings in the world of blooks...

- Excellent online feminist 'zine The F Word has an interview with notorious sex-blooker Abby Lee, aka: Girl With a One-Track Mind. Provides a different perspective on the controversial author than our review... one I can't quite get behind, but interesting all the same.

- Something I found about a while ago via our sister site Dollymix (and was saving for - er, no apparent reason): Rudely-named and very popular blog My Boyfriend is a Tw*t has been turned into a book, out now. My co-ed Keris interviews a different woman blogger each week for the site's fab Women Who Blog series - well worth a read!

More news/linkage over the cut...

- A slightly old but still interesting thingummy about blooks from The Blog Herald.

- Voracious blogger, journalist of much repute and sometime Trashionista reviewer Linda Jones has an upcoming release all about freelance writing, to tie in with her popular blog. It's tongue-in-cheekily called The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World.

- Finally, a little while ago, I wrote this. I'm still waiting for my blook deal, however...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 13, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

Blog a Penguin Classic (and get a free book and internet fame in the process...)

Here's something we found out about thanks to the lovely Camilla, editor of our sister (wedding-themed) site, Bridalwave.

Blog a Penguin Classic gives readers the chance to sign up to review one of Penguin's 1400 titles for the website - sign up, and if you're quick enough, you could be chosen to receive a free book which you'll be asked to blog about for the site.

Be warned however - you don't get to choose your title! But it could be a great way to expand your reading horizons (sort of like a bookish lucky dip).

The next batch of books hasn't been released yet but keep checking the site to stay on top of things and read the current batch of reviews here (scroll down).

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (5)

Olivia Cheung's Lightbook

You know how I love book-related products and this Lightbook by Olivia Cheung is genius.

When closed it looks like an ordinary book, but opens to reveal 'the surprise of a decorative round form inside'. The LED lights inside switch on when the book opens and off when the book is closed.

No details of price or where to buy yet, but isn't it brilliant?

Related posts: Booklamps | Bibliochaise from Nobody & Co | A toolkit that looks like a book

Posted by Keris on August 13, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

MOVIE NEWS: Shopaholic!

Is it really true? Well, yes, apparently it is. According to Coming Soon:

P.J. Hogan (Peter Pan, My Best Friend's Wedding) will direct Confessions of a Shopaholic, an adaptation of the bestselling novel by Sophie Kinsella. Jerry Bruckheimer will produce.

Shooting begins this November in New York. [via BuzzSugar]

I know we've asked you this before, but who do you see as Becky? (I can definitely see Rachel Bilson, but also, of course, Reese Witherspoon.)

Related: Shopaholic and Baby review | Shopaholic and Baby - Yay or Nay?

Posted by Keris on August 13, 2007 in Book related, Movie News, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (6)

August 10, 2007 11:40 AM

Women in comics: girlfriends and tag-alongs and also rans - oh my!

Via Bookslut, I came across this excellent piece on the shoddy way women are represented in comic books: whether treated as sex objects, subjected to horrific and humiliating (often sexualised) torture, or portrayed as simpering idiots, it seems the male-dominated history of women and superheroes has not been a very happy one. Perhaps the best answer to this problem is for more women to write about super heroines.

On a closely-related topic, it wasn't until I read a recent letter in the Radio Times that I realised that of the two women (i.e. a minority) in (the otherwise gripping and well-rendered) drama series Heroes, both of them are stereotypical females: one a blonde, pretty cheerleader, the other a blonde, pretty stripper... Sigh.

How about a super heroine for the 21st century? Maybe she could start by wearing clothes that fit...?

What else?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 10, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (4)

BOOK REVIEW: The Summer Psychic by Jessica Adams

Keris talking about Australian authors the other day has inspired me to dig out Jessica Adams's The Summer Psychic for a review - she's Australian, you see. And this book also ties nicely into our summer special (ongoing 'til the end of this month, peeps).

The Summer Psychic is Jim Gabriel, an Aussie resident of Brighton who gets visions when he looks into any expanse of water (although his favourite method of fortune-telling is peering into water in the bucket from a child's bucket-and-spade set - well, why not?)

When local reporter Katie Pickard is sent to interview him about what will happen in the following year, she's skeptical to the point of being uninterested. Until Jim makes a surprising prediction: next summer, he and Katie will get married.

But Katie promptly falls in love with Pete, local musical hero (with more than a touch of the Pete Dohertys about him) and they embark on a whirlwind, if not always that romantic, relationship. Meanwhile,  Jim's predictions start to come true, and the paper Katie works for stitches him up with an untrue and unkind exposé. And Jim's colleague Courtney, a witch, seduces Katie's boss and causes all kinds of unpleasant things to start happening.

The book is full of quirky, strange characters, most of who (except Courtney) have an odd kind of charm, but I didn't really believe in any of them. When Katie falls in love with Pete, we're told about it rather than shown her love develop (or given any reason for her falling or such a waster - she's may be on the rebound from a tragic relationship, but still...) Things seem to happen in rather jumpy scenes rather than there being any kind of sophisticated progression.

One thing I was hoping for was some kind of explanation of Jim's powers, but it was all a bit wishy-washy, 'we can't possibly know how it works'-type stuff, which frustrated me. I couldn't really buy into it and I found the book's conclusion a bit sudden and the storyline rambling. Unimportant dialogue was extended and important stuff rushed over.

It's not all bad, though - Katie is an endearing narrator and Adams can write, I'm just not sure about her ability to hold a story together over the length of a novel. I'd like to see her have a go at a story with a far less complex conceit, 'cos for me, this one fell flat.

Rating: 2/5

Like this? Try An English Psychic in Hollywood by Lucinda Clare.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 10, 2007 in Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 2/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

How I know chick lit is not dead

How often do you hear or read that chick lit's time has passed? That publishers aren't interested? That readers have moved on? Monthly? Weekly? (For me, while looking for stories for Trashionista, it's daily.)

Yesterday I went to Borders to drink coffee and read the magazines without buying them (like you've never done it) and I was startled at the amount of chick lit (and a little bit of romance) in the front of store.

Read on to hear about the 48 books I spotted.

On the first table there were 11 chick lit titles, including Momzillas, A Place Called Here and Yours, Faithfully.

The next table featured seven books, including the latest from Tilly Bagshawe, Chris Manby and Belinda Jones.

Another table was groaning under the weight of 16 chicks, including Baby Proof (and its new terrible cover), Everyone Worth Knowing and Dedication.

Was that all? Nope. The hardbacks/featured books wall had a further ten, including Life on the Refrigerator Door, Freya North's Pillow Talk and Getting Rid of Matthew.

And there were four more in the chart: Maeve Binchy's Whitethorn Woods at 22, A Place Called Here (again) at 16, Marshmallows for Breakfast at 15 and Nora Roberts' High Noon at 14.

And, yes, I did get out my notebook and write them all down. And, yes, the staff do think I'm weird, but I don't care. The above makes me very happy and I hope it does you too.

(Just noticed - not a single Marian Keyes!)

Posted by Keris on August 10, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (3)

MOVIE NEWS: The Jane Austen Book Club trailer

We wrote about the upcoming film of The Jane Austen Book Club back in April and now we have the trailer to show you. I didn't love the book, but the film definitely has a good cast (love Maria Bello) and I liked the trailer (gave me the shivers), but we'll have to wait until January next year to see if it's as good as it looks.

Related posts: The Nanny Diaries trailer.

Posted by Keris on August 10, 2007 in Book related, Classic Novels, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

Wuthering Heights named Britain's favourite love story

Wuthering Heights has been named the best romantic novel of all time in a poll commissioned by UKTV Drama. The full list was as follows:

1. Wuthering Heights - Emily Brontë, 1847
2. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen, 1813
3. Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare, 1597
4. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Brontë, 1847
5. Gone with the Wind - Margaret Mitchell, 1936
6. The English Patient - Michael Ondaatje, 1992
7. Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier, 1938
8. Doctor Zhivago - Boris Pasternak, 1957
9. Lady Chatterley's Lover - DH Lawrence, 1928
10. Far from The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy, 1874

Is it just me or are there very few healthy relationships in that list? Insanity, suicide, death, bullying, um, more insanity, death and suicide ... I've only read seven of the 10 (I haven't read the last three), but still, is that what women find romantic? Really?

[via The Guardian]

Related posts: Wuthering Heights gets graphic! | Best women authors of all time | World Book Day's ten books you can't live without 

Posted by Keris on August 10, 2007 in Book related, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 9, 2007 4:53 PM

Is buying books by text the next big thing?

New York-based innovation ShopText allows consumers to buy all kinds of products via SMS text, and they've just started selling books. [Via Galleycat].Is this the way of the future? I have to say it sounds like the most dangerous book-related invention since Amazon's iClick (deadly to the credit card balance!)

Do you fancy the idea of ShopTexting for books?

I've always been under the impression that, unlike we text-obsessed (no, I said text obsessed!) Brits, Americans didn't have much time for texting (something to do with being charged for receiving them in the U.S, perhaps...) But I guess the Blackberry/Sidekick/iPhone et al. have changed all that! 

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 9, 2007 in Book related, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just what's so great about the Edinburgh books festival?

My stepsister is at the Edinburgh Festival as I type and I'm so jealous I could spit. (But I won't!)

I'd love to go myself one day, and as well as the comedy and plays I'd really, really want to go to the book festival.

This article in The Times talks about why it's just so very brilliant. Aka: rubs it in. Grr.

Related: Best of Hay-on-Sky... | Word for Word series...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 9, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

Turn unwanted books into art?!

Our sister site Crafty Crafty featured these pretty paper trees made from junk mail earlier this week, and they got me thinking... Maybe this is the perfect thing to do with all those 'blah' books that you can't face reading again, and none of your friends want to borrow?

Although if you make some as presents, be careful what you use - wouldn't want to shock your grandma with a page from Girl With A One-Track Mind!

Or you could just take your books down to your local charity shop, I suppose...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 9, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jenny Colgan's life in books

I'm trying to cut down on my magazine buying, but I haven't managed it yet and it's a good job, because I would've missed Jenny Colgan talking about books in the latest Red.

Jenny reveals that her favourite book of all time is George Eliot's Middlemarch, which I attempted to read at university and could not get through. The book that makes her cry is Ian McEwan's Atonement, which I, um, didn't finish either. She does love To Kill A Mockingbird though, as do I, so that's something.

The one book she believes everyone should read is Knowledge of Angels by Jill Paton Walsh. I haven't read it. Have you?

Related posts: Do You Remember the First Time review | Jenny Colgan's fave restaurant

Posted by Keris on August 9, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 8, 2007 11:20 AM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

It's a while since we've polled your opinions on a particular book rather than a hot topic in publishing, so today it's time to redress the balance.

Today I'm asking what you thought of Sophie Kinsella's latest, Shopaholic and Baby. Did you enjoy it, or have you had enough Becky spin-offs?

And if you haven't read it (yet) - do you want to? Why/why not? Tell us:

Is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

[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!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 8, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Series, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (11)

Booker Prize longlist announced

No sooner do I mention the Booker Prize in passing than longlist is announced for the British literary establishment's biggest prize. Nothing that I've read on there (which to be honest, doesn't make a change) but at least there are a few women nominated...

On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan is the bookies favourite to win but, as we've said before, that doesn't always mean much!

The winner, announced in October, will bag a healthy £50,000. (And, if they're lucky, increased sales too.)

Carry on over the cut for the full list.

The Booker Longlist:

Darkmans by Nicola Barker

Self Help by Edward Docx

The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng

The Gathering by Anne Enright

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies

Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones

Gifted by Nikita Lalwani

On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan

What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn

Consolation by Michael Redhill

Animal's People by Indra Sinha

Winnie & Wolf by A N Wilson

Prizewinners archive.

[Via BooktradeInfo]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 8, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 7, 2007 6:07 PM

Alice Sebold interview

I have in my sweaty (seriously - it's way too humid!) little hands an advance copy of Alice Sebold's new book, The Almost Moon. I've had a little look  at the first page and synopsis and am *very* excited to start reading it soon. Very!

We'll have a review for you nearer the time of release (October) but in the meantime, we have permission to re-print this interview with the author, which I think you'll find interesting. Enjoy!

What was it like to sit down to write a second novel after the success of The Lovely Bones?

I think all novels are a struggle, and after a big success, that still holds true. I think the plus for me was that I could pay my bills, which is huge, and people need to state right off if they've had any level of success. I can get ready-made sandwiches from a good deli instead of eating Goya chickpeas from the can. The other side of it is the increased pressure to follow up your success with another. But my definition of success has always been to write a book I believe in and to stay true to character, so no matter what, I feel very solid going out with Moon. As a writer you are responsible only for what is between hard covers. The rest you can't control. I had a subject that was haunting me, and I waited for the voice of my main character to run clear so I could tell it. As soon as I had Helen, I had my engine. Then it was just the daily unpredictable hell ride from that point forward to get it right.

What do you hope readers will take away from The Almost Moon?

I want readers to enter the reality and experience of my main character, Helen, and to take the ride with her, as it were, even if it takes them into uncomfortable or unimaginable places. To have those unimaginable and dark places more fully queried and understood by the end of the novel. The Almost Moon is asking some pretty intense questions about the relationship between love and duty, what you owe to others versus what you must do to have your own identity in the world. It is a book very much about the dangers of self-erasure.

Helen Knightly is a very different character from Susie Salmon. How was the experience of writing her different from writing Susie? Do you think readers will find it more challenging to embrace her?

Helen is a complex character. Though her actions are, on the face of it, hard to understand, the challenge for me was that, if done right, the reader might be able to see how she had gotten to this place and have compassion for her. I love Helen as I loved Susie, and I see her as I did Susie — someone strong and outside my own creation somehow, even though obviously I wrote the book and I created the character and her world. She is funny, wry, strong, and very broken in what I hope will feel like an utterly human way.

Both of your novels start with a shocking first chapter and a strong voice that hits you right away. Did you write them this way intentionally?

I believe the story should invite a reader in immediately, so my books begin directly. Neither Susie nor Helen has a lot of time to waste, and they let you know right off who they are and how they got there. Maybe this reflects my own hatred of small talk in real life. I've always preferred someone who answers the question "How are you?" with a response like "I feel like hell. My wife left me yesterday." This allows us to get to the heart of the matter, which is what human communication is about. In the book Helen says she hates the phrase "No worries," and every time I find myself using it, I think of how Helen would detest me for it! Who has no worries? It is such a lie!

Both books deal with family — troubled or dysfunctional. Why is family such a concern for you in your writing?

Though modern fiction is full these days of what I think of as high jinks narratives that splice and dice and somehow put family on the back burner, family is who we are. I don't mean this in a reverent or saccharine manner but in the idea that, for good and for bad, we cannot escape our family. They define us even if we work against what they give us or tell us or how they behave. It is a brutal reality: there is no escape, and in encountering that truth, I think writers have endless possibilities to encounter central human truths about identity, love, hate, loneliness, loss, and joy. All of it, every truth we eventually experience, exists within the idea of family first, and how it, or the lack of it, has shaped an individual's mind.

Originally published online here. Reprinted with kind permission.

Author interview archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 7, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Interviews, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

Do our young heroines need more guts?

Imogen Russell Williams says in The Guardian that they do. She's bemoaning the fact that the female characters in modern-day children's books are a bit too prim and proper (Hermione Granger, anyone?) and wants us to have more heroines like Flossie Teacake (never read any) and Marmalade Atkins (who I LOVED!)

Girls who aren't afraid to get dirty, aren't watching their weight or bothered what other people think of them. Do you agree?

Who's your favourite children's book heroine?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 7, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (8)

The importance of being low: authors obsess over Amazon rankings

Authors: how bothered are you about your ranking on Amazon? It seems some authors can't stop checking how well their new releases are selling, even up to several times a day!

There's an article in the New York Times about how distracting Amazon rankings can be, and just a few weeks ago in The Telegraph's book section I read an excellent piece on the same subject in author Louise Doughty's weekly column about being a writer (which is always the first place I turn btw!)

Author Aaron Shephard has even created a new website, Sales Rank Express so authors can access their ranking instantly.

But maybe that time would be better use disconnecting from the net, and getting on with your next masterpiece...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 7, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 6, 2007 8:37 PM

BOOK NEWS: Damage Control

This new non-fiction anthology sounds like a book most women will be able to relate to! Unless you've never had a disaster at the hands of a hairdresser, waxer, physiotherapist, plain ol' therapist...? (If so, I just might hate you!)

Damage Control is about all the things that can go wrong when you put your body/mind/life into someone else's hands...

Contributors include British author Emma Forrest and UK-to-LA transplant Minnie Driver. The success of Driver's essay has lead to talk of her being offered her own book deal, apparently... [Via Galleycat]

Related: BOOK NEWS: 21 Proms.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 6, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

MORE ON MONDAY: By Jack Rosenthal by Jack Rosenthal

No, I haven't gone mad! By Jack Rosenthal is a book... By Jack Rosenthal. Are you still with me?

Legendary TV and film scriptwriter (and husband of Maureen Lipman) Jack Rosenthal had been asked many times to write his autobiography, but he  felt he wouldn't know where to start filling a book about himself. And then he hit upon the idea of writing the whole thing as a script, divided into the decades of his life: from his parents' marriage to the present day.

Unfortunately, due to cancer, Jack died before he could complete the last decade, so in a very literal Postscript Maureen finishes it for him.

At first, it's hard to get into the swing of reading a book in script form. I've never enjoyed reading plays, and I struggled a little at the start, trying to picture what was happening and follow the story. (I don't think a career as a playwright - or an actress! - will ever be my calling I'm afraid...)

But about a third of the way through the book I got used to the format and the abbreviations, and was able to focus on the story of Rosenthal's life from World War Two evacuee to university student, Coronation Street scriptwriter to colleague of Barbra Streisand, and finally loving husband and father. Rosenthal writes with honesty, warmth, compassion and good humour and comes across as completely charming. His life story is an ordinary one with occasional incredible starry moments, which never seem to affect his down-to-earth nature.

Although I'm sad that Jack never got to write about the last decade or so of his life, and that he died of such a horrible illness, I am glad that Maureen got to write the closing chapter as she gives a closer, more personal insight into the man the reader has got to know and her chapter is incredibly moving. It conveys just how much the couple loved each other, and is poignant without being maudlin. Like the rest of the book, it's fab.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try About Alice by Calvin Trillin.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 6, 2007 in Book related, Memoirs, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Orange prize for the best... book club?

Normally when we talk about book prizes like the Orange, The Booker and more, we're talking about a prize given to a single book. But now Orange has announced the shortlist of its first award for the best book club in the country.

Six shortlisted reading groups across the country are in contention for the Penguin/Orange Broadband Readers' Group Prize, which will be announced on 28th August. You can read the list of nominated groups here (I like the name 'The Book Gluttons'!)

[Via Booktrade.info]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 6, 2007 in Book related, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (0)

NaNoWriMo sale

Remember last November's National Novel Writing Month special? Well, you may not want to hear this, but November's not actually *that* far away...

In preparation for another year of finger-splitting typing, the NaNoWriMo site is having a sale on merchandise including this cool poster (right), which is designed by Jason Munn, bears the slogan "Thirty Days and Nights of Literary Abandon", and would look gorgeous in my office. (US$35)

Also on offer is the No Plot? No Problem kit which, while not including the (excellent) book, does include daily pep talk cards, a book of "magical prose-producing coupons", a progress chart, stickers, and other goodies to help get you through those gruelling 30 days. A bargain at ten bucks.

Roll on November ... in about three months.

Posted by Keris on August 6, 2007 in Book related, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (5)

Baby Proof's three covers

Diane enjoyed Emily Giffin's Baby Proof and, although I haven't yet read the book, I know that Diane and I both love the original US cover on the left. The UK hardback cover's okay too (right), though I don't love it.

Carry on over the cut for the UK paperback cover, which is so bad I actually exclaimed out loud in Borders when I saw it (don't worry, I imagine they're used to me by now).

So cheap and nasty. So nineties. I'm sad.

Related posts: Judging books by their covers | US versus UK covers |  Judging Danielle Steel books by their covers

Posted by Keris on August 6, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

August 3, 2007 12:37 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Lipstick

Also known as Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy, this TV movie is based on Geralyn Lucas's memoir of that same name. At 27, Geralyn was a successful TV producer, married to her perfect man and seemingly living a charmed life. Then she found a lump in her breast and was diagnosed with cancer. As you might expect, it hit her like a thunderbolt. The usually organised Geralyn was sent reeling, as she realised she couldn't make a list to get herself out of this situation...

Sarah Chalke of Scrubs plays Geralyn and Jay Harrington, who was Susan's doctor in Desperate Housewives, plays a doctor again here - Geralyn's husband Tyler, who feels completely left out of her treatment as all her friends and family pile round. I thought the way Geralyn and Tyler's relationship changed was handled really well but some of the dialogue (especially Chalke's stuff to camera) was a bit cheesy and occasionally bought into all those "if you're strong you'll fight it" cancer cliches, which can be a bit offensive... But it's an oddly cheering look at breast cancer in young women and was educational, too. (Who knew they injected silicone into fake boobs - and that it could be so painful?!)

Like this (a little bit) but in book form: Cancer Vixen.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Momzillas

I have to admit to being completely superficial: the thing that grew me to Momzillas by Jill Kargman was... the pretty pink and black cover! It also reminded me a bit of The Nanny Diaries which I *heart* so if the novel itself was awful, I was going to be really disappionted. And at first, I did question the need for this book: semi-autobiographical novels about competititve parenting in Manhattan are not new, but I'd yet to read one I really enjoyed, so I was hoping this would be the one. Luckily, it was! (There must be something in that judging by cover thing after all...)

Momzillas follows San Francisco transplant Hannah Allen's attempts to fit in with the New York society mamas who are married to her husband's new NYC colleagues - and friends with her rich and frosty mother-in-law. Suddenly she's thrust into a world where $350 is a modest amount to spend on a birthday present for the child of someone you hardly know, and staying in the city over the summer (or worse, going on the subway!) just isn't done. Struggling to keep up with the snobbery, but feeling that she has to mingle with women who look down on her in order to get her daughter Violet into the right pre-school and to help her husband's career, Hannah despairs of ever feeling less lonely. So when her old Art Histroy professor from university, the one she had a mega crush on back in the day, asks her to meet up and visit museums with him, that's a perfectly reasonable thing to do, right?

As Hannah's relationship wobbles, so does her certainty that she's done the right thing in moving to New York. She also starts to care a bit less about what the ultra-posh mothers in the posh playground think of her and tries to find a niche for herself and a pre-school for Violet that isn't run by Neo-Nazis...

Can her marriage survive her re-ignited crush on her professor and her husband's crazy hours? And can she break free from all the stupid demands of Momzilla society and enjoy her new situation?

I knew that things would surely work out OK for Hannah in the end, but I enjoyed reading about how she got there. Hannah is a very likeable character (and her daughter Violet couldn't sound cuter!) and Jill Kargman's writing style is snappy and witty. I also liked the fact that Hannah's husband Josh was sympathetic rather than cruel or pathetic, as in other books of this type! I felt the book's ending was a little rushed - too much was summarised rather than shown to the reader - and I was aggravated by the narrator's description of single life as almost a fate worse than death! But I'd definitely recommend this as a great holiday read.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Nanny Diaries by Nicola Kraus and Emma McClaughlin.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

More summer reading recommendations!

Despite the weather for the last two months resembling winter (here in Britain, at least) we've still brought you lots of summer-related goodness, including competitions and summer reading recommendations from Jen Lancaster, Marian Keyes and Jennifer Weiner and er... Philadelphia.

There's still a few weeks of summer left, and as sun to bask in is in short supply, why not bask in another set of reading recommendations, this time from Salon? Here's their suggestions for summer 'chic lit' (<-- I never know if that's a clueless misspelling of chick lit or a play on words... let's assume the latter and give them the benefit of the doubt!)

What are you reading this summer? Have any summer reading guides prompted you to try a book?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

What do you think of The Open Library?

When I first read about The Open Library - a plan to build an online catalogue of every book ever published, anywhere in the world - I couldn't imagine what it was for.

But then I read the following comment from Aaron Swartz, leader of the technical team working on the site, "Right now, if you want to link to a book on the web, the main place people go is Amazon. It's kind of a bad idea for one commercial site to be the definitive source for book information on the internet, so we want to have a site that brings together information from commercial publishers, reviewers, users, libraries, everywhere."

It's bothered me in the past that Amazon is the source for book info - that can't be right, can it? And so I love the idea of The Open Library. What do you think?

You can read more - much more! - about it on the BBC.

Related posts: Most borrowed library books | Would you pay to borrow books from a library? |  Virtual bookshops

Posted by Keris on August 3, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (4)

August 2, 2007 11:52 AM

Sage advice on collaborating from Jenny Crusie and Bob Mayer

Despite the popularity of co-authored novels (especially as some of the collaborations do so brilliantly *coughNannyDiariescough*) and despite being a frequent collaborator herself (see here, here and here...) Jenny Crusie contends that it's not the easy, fun option it may sound.

Something I guess Janet Evanovich has already discovered...

Read Jenny and one of her many collaborators Bob Mayer on the subject at their excellent joint blog/teaching project, He Wrote, She Wrote.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

MOVIE NEWS: Dogs of Babel/Lorelei's Secret

I loved Carolyn Pankhurst's novel Lorelei's Secret (called Dogs of Babel in the US) and I've heard (via Huffington Post) that it's being made into a movie with Will Ferrell.

The book is about a man who, following his wife's death to which their dog, Lorelei, was the only witness, tries to teach Lorelei to talk. Ferrell, who showed he has an excellent grasp of both the absurd and, um, acting, in Stranger Than Fiction, could be perfect, but we'll have to wait until 2009 to find out.

Movie News archives

Posted by Keris on August 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Authors' summer reading recommendations

It's not just us thinking about summer reading, some of our favourite authors are doing it too (although likely in more glamorous locations).

Jennifer Weiner found Cammie McGovern's Eye Contact, a thriller about a mother and her autistic son "caught at the center of a murder that rocks an entire community" "poignant and gripping". She describes The Rest of Her Life by Laura Moriarty as "a weeper in the manner of The Deep End of the Ocean". Plus she's looking forward to reading Karen Abbott’s Sin in the Second City (check out the fab website).

Carry on over the cut to find out what Meg Cabot and Marian Keyes are reading in the pool and in bed (respectively!).

Along with Harry Potter, Meg Cabot's just read Megan McCafferty’s next Jessica Darling book, Fourth Comings, which she found "riveting" and Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s Dangerously Alice which "is good, too, though in a completely different way."

Lovely Marian found Anna Quindlen's Rise and Shine "very entertaining and witty and wry and funny and now I want to read everything else she’s written." Also Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert was "such an interesting, comforting book. It was exactly what I needed."

So what are you reading this summer?

Posted by Keris on August 2, 2007 in Book related, Summer Special | Permalink | Comments (0)

Vintage Twins pairs up old classics with newer releases

We've covered books about women who are twins and men who are twins, but never before have we written about... BOOKS that are twins.

Say what?

Publishers Vintage have had the new (and I think ingenious) idea of packaging two books together: one an old classic, the other a classic of the future - a book they think matches the old classic perfectly. 'Twins' include Middlemarch and Possession; Crime and Punishment and Ripley's Game by Patricia Highsmith and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland next to post-modernist Haruki Murakami's Wind-up Bird Chronicle. They're calling it Vintage Twins, of course.

Guardian blog readers are (as ever!) unimpressed, but what do you think? I think it's a great idea and could be very popular at (shh) Christmas...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 2, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 1, 2007 5:24 PM

A Trashi fan talks!

Trashionista reader Hannah Davies wrote a wonderful review of An Absolute Scandal for us and sent it in on spec (which all of you are more than welcome to do - especially if you have any summer-themed reviews for us!) We loved it, so we published it.

As a writer with experience of the publishing world herself, we thought Hannah's bio was also interesting enough to publish.

Over the cut she tells us about following her dreams...

"After two and a half successful years in book publishing, I have left my (secure and reasonably well paid) job in order to pursue a career in writing, both journalistic and creative. I agree that this may seem somewhat insane!

I spent my first week of unemployment pitching articles to local newspapers, arranging work experience placements at magazines, and trying to fit in work on my fledgling novel somewhere between these tasks. Having the freedom to write has made me even more determined to make this my career. I am an avid reader, but I'm trying to cut down in order to concentrate on doing things that might one day make me (a tiny bit of) money. Now that I have finished Penny Vincenzi's latest, I really hope I'll become more productive.

I see Trashionista as both an excellent source of all things chick lit and also the literary equivalent of a nicotine patch - every time I'm tempted to leave the laptop and lose myself in a novel, I allow myself ten minutes to go through your site, which keeps the craving at bay for a short while. So thank you!"

You're very welcome Hannah - and what a FAB description of Trashionista!

We'd love to hear about YOUR writing/reading experiences, and what you think of Trashionista (especially if it's nice!): email us if you've got something to share.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 1, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (3)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

On Yay or Nay this week: a non-death related question for you! Woo-hoo...

Mediabistro reports that the publicity for Elizabeth Buchan's latest novel The Second Wife will be a little different from the norm. Instead of  running up a huge advertising budget, Publishers Penguin are instead recruiting 1000 volunteers, who all get a free copy of the book, to talk it up to their friends, colleagues and family members. (Plus anyone else they come across!) The volunteers get a pack with suggested topics to discuss and the campaign will run until the end of summer. If it's successful the strategy could be used to promote other books too, harnessing that all-important word of mouth.

But does 'buzz marketing' like this work for you - do you want your friends to have an agenda when you chat? Or is it the way of the future and just an extension of recommending books to each other, i.e perfectly harmless? Are the volunteers being exploited - 1000 books is much cheaper than the cost of advertising after all - or doesn't it matter as long as they're keen to participate?

In other words... Is this whole idea a Yay or a Nay... and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

[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!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 1, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (6)

How to write chick lit

Scot on the Rocks author Brenda Janowitz is teaching a course in how to write chick lit. The course is taking place in New York (curses!) and will teach you how to:

* Create a protagonist that may or may not be based on you
* Structure your narrative so that it is more than just a bad date story
* Find your protagonist's voice
* Write realistic dialogue (just because someone actually said it doesn't make it interesting...)
* Avoid chick lit cliches (gay best friend, anyone?)
* Find the time to actually write the darn thing

Sounds great. Find more information here.

Related posts: See Jane Write review | Will Write for Shoes review

Posted by Keris on August 1, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Samantha David

Samantha David is a journalist who has written what could be the perfect summer read: I Married A Pirate is her debut novel and she'll tell you about it below, along with talking about what she's reading now, and women who prefer dogs to men (really)... And yes, we will be reviewing her book at some point, of course!

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

An original, intelligent, irreverant, quirky, laugh-aloud romantic comedy about Bohemia, personal freedom and love. [Ooh, good one! - Diane]

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

At my desk, in front of my computer, preferrably after midnight when I won't be disturbed. (I spend my days at my desk, in front of my computer, being a journalist.)

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos.

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

Flora Poste (from Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons) because she makes me laugh. Tessa Sanger (The Constant Nymph by Margaret Kennedy) because she makes me cry.

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

JDI - Just Do It.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Lady of Shalott (Tennyson), Northanger Abbey (Austen) and Scotland Street (Mccall Smith).

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

A romantic comedy about the most charming, intelligent, handsome, sexy man in the world and Rosie - who is stunningly beautiful but prefers dogs to men...

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!)

Where shall we send the cheque?

Hee... sorry, we're not asking that either, but thanks, Samantha!

Author Interview archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 1, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Summer Special | Permalink | Comments (1)

COMPETITION: Win Alexandra Potter's Me and Mr Darcy

The third of our weekly Summer Special competitions is to win Alexandra Potter's new book, Me and Mr Darcy.

When Emily Albright books herself on a tour of Jane Austen country she doesn't expect to meet any men, let alone her dream man - Mr Darcy himself!

To win a copy send email us at the usual address with your name, address and the answer to the question over the cut.

Who played Mr Darcy in the BBC's classic 1985 1995* Pride & Prejudice adaptation? 

Competition closes at midnight GMT on Tuesday 7th August. Good luck!

*Sorry

Posted by Keris on August 1, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Competition | Permalink | Comments (3)

July 31, 2007 4:27 PM

EXCLUSIVE 'Be Mine' giveaway!

Be Mine by Laura Kasischke might be a good option for your summer hols if you like a touch of mystery and don't mind being a bit scared on your sun-lounger.

Keris called it "thrilling, thought-provoking, exciting and erotic" (oo-er!) and we have 2 copies to give away to 2 lucky Trashionista readers.

Carry on over the cut to find out how to be in with a chance of winning...

Simply email us your name and address (so we can send you the book if you win), putting "Laura" in the title. We'll pick 2 names at random after the giveaway closes on August 1st.

Posted by Aigua Media on July 31, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Competition, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

First chapters on your mobile

We've mentioned ICUE before and Diane's just mentioned where to find exclusive excerpts, and now I read that Borders is doing a deal with top publishers including Penguin, Random House, HarperCollins and Bloomsbury to deliver the first chapters of forthcoming books to mobile phones.

The deal will give readers the opportunity to sample up to 30 books for free every month. The chapters are to be downloaded using ICUE technology and will come with a coupon for 20% off the actual book. [via NMA.co.uk]

My phone is far too puny and feeble for it to be of interest to me, but if you've got a good enough phone will you be interested?

Related: Mills & Boon on your mobile

Posted by Keris on July 31, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

Summer Special Tuesday Three - Venice

Yep, I'm back from my romantic mini-break in the subject of last week's Tuesday Three - Paris - and am focussing this week on Venice.

As we've already mentioned, Belinda Jones's latest - The Love Academy - is set in Venice and is the story of journalist Kirsty Bailey who is sent by the magazine she works for to attend the much gossiped-about Love Academy. In Venice. Nice work if you can get it.

I'm currently reading Marlena de Blasi's memoir, A Thousand Days in Venice, only stopping to read a book I couldn't possibly resist (about which more later), but I've enjoyed it very much so far. It's the tale of Marlena's whirlwind romance with an Italian she met while there on business. (Nice work if you can get it!)   

Not chick lit, but wonderful all the same (!) Sally Vickers' debut novel, Miss Garnet's Angel is the story of middle-aged Julia Garnet who decides to spend six months in Venice to recover from a bereavement. She falls in love with Carlo and her life opens up in ways she never imagined.

Did you know that author Laurie Graham (who Diane rather loves) lives in Venice? She writes:

I write my books in a canal-side study in the city of Venice. The only sounds that interrupt me are the gentle throb of delivery boats and the occasional tortured singing of a passing gondolier.

Well, now I'm jealous. Read more about Laurie Graham - and her life in Venice - on her blog.

Posted by Keris on July 31, 2007 in Book related, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 30, 2007 11:50 AM

Exclusive excerpts on the New York Times books site: Rules for Saying Goodbye and more

Keris has highlighted the difference between the UK and US covers of new book Rules for Saying Goodbye by Katherine Taylor before, and also talked about the fact that the author has taken offence to her book being described as chick lit. (Sigh).

Now you can see for yourself whether it seems like something you want to read (whether chick lit or not...) as The New York Times has an excerpt (the first chapter, in fact) on their website.

You can also read the first chapter of Sammy's House here and the opening of Lisa See's Peony In Love here. What a fantastic resource!

(If they ask you to sign in to read those, I'd do it - they never bug me with emails and offers).

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber

Reviewed by Diane Johnston of Corrieblog...

Judging from the blurb, I thought Debbie Macomber's Back on Blossom Street would be right up my alley. A group of women come together for a knitting class and we find out about their lives as they become friends. Well, um...I can't say the book lived up to my expectations. This book is the third novel set on Blossom Street, a little Seattle neighbourhood. Blossom Street is lined with little shops and the main narrator of this book, Lydia, spends a lot of time filling us in on the shop owners' past events, along with a good majority of the lives of the customers of those shops as well.

Lydia herself is the owner of the Yarn shop where the knitting classes take place. This book revolves around the current life crises of knitting students Alix, who's about to be married but whose wedding organizing has been overrun by her future mother-in-law and another friend, and Collette who is widowed but recently pregnant by her ex-employer. Lydia's sister also has a family crisis which affects her whole family. The story follows the three women's events.

I wanted to like this book but I didn't really. I like a bit of spice in my book, a bit of sex and humour. This had none of the first and not a whole lot of the second. Lydia, in particular, drove me to distraction. Even though she purported to be worried about her sister's family's problems, you never really felt that anxiety. It was all told almost off-handedly. She is supportive, understanding, reasonable, a great wife and mother, a great cook, advisor to everyone that knows her, confident, generous, and... well, you get the picture. She's perfect. To the point where I found her sanctimonious and boring. The other two women are flawed, make bad decisions for the right reasons, but it all works out in the end for them too.

The book has an overtone of Christian spirituality and forgiveness which makes me wonder if that was the main target audience. (There are, as well, two knitting patterns included for prayer shawls, which is the project that the students are knitting). That's not a criticism, it's just not my type of book, that's all. If you've already read Debbie Macomber's books and loved them, then you will like this one too. It's more of the same. Amazon.com calls it "saccharine prose" and that hits the nail on the head for me. It's not badly written, it's just too sweet and nice. The characters and the dialogue don't feel "real".

I want sex. I want bitchy repartee. I want to laugh out loud and maybe even sniff back a tear or two. I want to identify with at least one of the characters.

I didn't get any of that with this book, I'm afraid. Your mileage may vary.

Rating: 2/5

Like this? Try The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 2/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

Book Zone.tv

I've just discovered this website and found that the book portion is presented by an old friend of mine, Nina Sebastiane! Small world this book internet, um, world.

Anyway, Book Zone.tv has interviews with authors including Jane Moore, Belinda Jones and Kate Harrison, plus non-fiction, crime and thrillers, children's books and more (no direct links - click on Book Zone or Fiction and take it from there). [via Kate Harrison]

Related posts: Meet the Author | Expanded Books | Karyn Bosnak's new You Tube videos

Posted by Aigua Media on July 30, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dead Good bookshelf

I saw this bookshelf in Living, etc magazine and then again on one of my favourite sites, Apartment Therapy.

It's basically just a rail with a dip in it to stop the books from falling off. Would be good for the loo, I think, if you're in the habit of reading in the loo, which I'm certainly not suggesting I am!

It's from deadgoodshop and costs £40 which is pretty expensive for what it is.

Related posts: The Self Shelf | Fold-down bookshelves | NEL's Pack of Dogs

Posted by Aigua Media on July 30, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 27, 2007 4:30 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Rumour Has It

A chick flick based on a film that was based on a novel (are you still with me?) Rumour Has It takes the idea that the events of The Graduate really happened and are based on Sarah (Jennifer Aniston)'s family, something she only discovers shortly before she's due to get married to fiance Jeff (the lovely Mark Ruffalo) and which sends her into a tailspin. Because if the events of that book/film are true, then her dad isn't her real father, and she has to find the man who is...

The savaging this got from some critics lead me to believe this was going to be a total piece of trash, but it was actually a nice surprise. It might not hold up twenty years from now but I found it fun, engaging, a little silly perhaps, but I loved the conceit of the film and especially enjoyed Shirley McClaine's performance. I think Aniston is a great comic actress and this isn't great film, but it's far from a bad one. Enjoy!

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 27, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff | Permalink | Comments (2)

MOVIE NEWS: Yes Man

We wrote a while ago about how the movie rights to both of Danny Wallace's hilarious books - Yes Man and Join Me - had been snapped up and, at the time, we'd heard that Jack Black was to star in the first.

Well, we were wrong (not our fault - we got it from Danny's website!). Turns out Yes Man is now to star Jim Carrey. But don't get too excited (assuming you're excited at all), it's not due out until 2009.

Movie news archives

Posted by Aigua Media on July 27, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Movie News, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

Welsh chick lit

The stereotype of chick lit is single girl in the big city, often London or New York. While we know this isn't true, what I didn't know was that chick lit set in Wales is increasingly popular internationally.

An article by Cathryn Scott of the Western Mail featured in icWales points out that Lynne Barrett-Lee's books are predominately set in Wales and also singles out Big Cats and Kitten Heels by Claire Peate and Bells by Jo Verity, both set in around Cardiff.

Helena Earnshaw of Honno Welsh Women’s Press is quoted as saying, “The Irish definitely got in their [sic] first with Maggie O’Farrell* and Marian Keyes, but Wales is following suit.”

*no, Maggie O'Farrell's not a chick lit author and while she was born in Ireland, she actually grew up in England and Wales!

So what do you think? Could Wales threaten Ireland as chick lit central?

Related posts: The Truth About Ruby Valentine by Alison Bond | Marian Keyes interview | After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell

Posted by Keris on July 27, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

Is The Great Big Glorious Book for Girls... an insult to women's intelligence?

In The Guardian books blog, writer Melissa McClements despairs of a new book, The Great Big Glorious Book for Girls, which apparently is (according to the book's website): "... an irresistible celebration of girlhood, exquisitely illustrated, deliciously packaged and packed with exciting things to keep every girl, from eight to 80, entertained throughout the years ... It will take women back to a time when we made cup cakes with our grandmothers and a campfire with our friends, we played hopscotch, and domestic crafts were celebrated."

But are books like this undoing the good work of feminism by encouraging women and men to adopt stereotypical gender roles? Or should the liberated woman bake if she wants to? Is it patronising to have a book for 'girls' rather than 'women' and is it even more patronising to assume we all like the same traditional pursuits?

Also... is it wrong that I became very excited when I saw the website contains instructions on doing a proper french plait? (Finally!)

Related: Gloria Steinem on chick lit.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 27, 2007 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 26, 2007 1:25 PM

E Lockhart and friends on YouTube

In our interview with E Lockhart yesterday, she mentioned that sometimes she likes to write in a coffee shop with novelist friends Maureen Johnson, John Green and Scott Westerfeld. What she didn't say was that some of these writing sessions have been captured on video and posted on YouTube for our enjoyment:

Related posts: YA author Maureen Johnson's book The Burmudez Triangle banned! | Looking for Alaska by John Green

Posted by Keris on July 26, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Truman Capote

Yes, I know he's not a woman! But he's still a Trailblazer, and he created Holly Golightly so even though he was WRONG about Audrey Hepburn (he hated her as Holly and wanted Marilyn Monroe in the part) I forgive him.

The author of Breakfast at Tiffany's of course, he also wrote other novels, short stories, plays and a musical but his best work is probably In Cold Blood, the meticulously-researched (sometimes a bit too closely, perhaps!) work of 'faction', which inspired hundreds of writers to turn their pens to narrative non-fiction. The book is compelling, stark, brutal and perfectly evocative of the horrible murders it describes. It lives with the reader for a long time.

On a lighter note, Capote was a legendarily fabulous party host and gossip, and lifelong friend of Harper Lee, who used him as the basis for the character of Dill Harris in To Kill A Mockingbird. He was also openly gay in an era were being honest about homosexuality was much rarer than it is today.

Unfortunately in his later years, Truman descended into depression and alcoholism, dying at just 59, but his great works live on.

Thursday Trailblazer archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 26, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Non Fiction, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (1)

Do you read in bed?

For me, the day isn't complete unless I can turn back my bed covers and turn back my book cover at the same time: I lurrrrrve to read in bed, and doing so very rarely keeps me awake - although it may occasionally keep me up past my bedtime!

According to new research, people who work in publishing have no time or energy to read in bed, however. 45% of them prefer to hop into bed and go straight to the land of nod, whereas 47% of the general public, like me, love to curl up in bed with a good book.

What about you - do you read in bed? If not, where do you do most of your reading? (If it's the loo, feel free to fib...)

Related: What's on your bedside table? 

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 26, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (6)

July 25, 2007 5:15 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

I found this piece on the Guardian books blog interesting, as it reflects some of my own uncertainty about books like The Lovely Bones. Although I enjoyed that book (or found it a very good read; 'enjoyed' is probably not the right word for a novel about a murdered teenager...) the parts of the novel set in 'heaven' didn't ring true to me - how could they? No-one knows for sure what heaven is like, or if it even exists. Chris Power, who wrote the Guardian article agrees, saying that Lovely Bones is a very readable book but "Susie's narration softens the facts of her horrific death and throws open the door to mawkishness."

So what do you think: does a narration from beyond the grave give a book an added mystique? Or perhaps make the death in the book less harrowing? Or can it ruin things for the reader?

Is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

Yay or Nay archives. - A more cheery topic next week, I promise!

[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!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 25, 2007 in Book related, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Supernatural, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (4)

TV NEWS: Jpod

Douglas Coupland's novel about the digital generation, jPod is to be made into a TV mini-series by Canadian network CBC, reports Bookninja. Coupland (who is Canadian) also wrote the series, which will air in Canada in January 2008.

No news yet on whether it will cross over to Britain but sounds like it could be good!

More TV news: Women's Murder Club | Gentle men & Players set for TV | Chick lit on TV

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 25, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: E Lockhart

We're huge fans of E Lockhart here at Trashionista - see reviews here, here and here! - so we're very excited that she's answered our questions.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

The Boy Book - Hyperverbal teenage girl. Rogue ex-boyfriends. Exploitation of hooters. Terrors of school trip. With penguins!

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

I have a tiny tiny office/closet with dark pink walls and built-in bookshelves. There are pictures pinned up  all over and stacks of papers everywhere. I have coffee and diet ginger ale and absolute silence. Although sometimes, for variety, I write in a coffee shop with my novelist friends Maureen Johnson, John Green and Scott Westerfeld.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Bridget Jones' Diary by Helen Fielding. And the sequel, Edge of Reason. Why? Because I laughed out loud. Repeatedly.  Especially at the bit about loaning out the wonderbra in prison. I love stylized prose and outrageous situations. I adore Louise Rennison's books for the same reasons.

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

Bridget Jones makes me laugh, but for a favorite character I prefer more inner steel. Jo March, from Little Women, is probably the character I think of most often in daily life. I think about her charity, her impulse for goodness, and the way it combined with her unconventionality and her love of hilarity and storytelling. She was figuring out how to be a woman, and a writer, and a good person -- all of which are things I still deal with every day.

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

Finish your book. The big difference between me and many  equally (or more) talented but unpublished writers is that I sit down every weekday and write. I finish a project, revise extensively, and begin the next one within a reasonable time frame.  It is the discipline and the finishing that make the difference, not the talent.

What are you reading at the moment?

I have approximately twenty books going at any one time, plus audiobooks. Mainly I read chick lit, literary fiction, food books, mysteries, travel writing, and humor.

Currently in my pile:  Water for Elephants (Sara Gruen), Twelve Sharp (Janet Evanovich), Home to Big Stone Gap (Adriana Trigiani) [hope she likes it better than we did], Size Twelve is Not Fat (Meg Cabot), Laughing Gas (P.G. Wodehouse), The Bookwoman's Last Fling (John Dunning), The Coffee Trader (David Liss).

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

In the UK, the novel coming out after THE BOY BOOK will be FLY ON THE WALL: HOW ONE GIRL SAW EVERYTHING. It's about a teenage girl at a New York City art school who's a collector of odd objects and a Spider-man fan. She's also very freaked by the opposite sex, and one day she wishes she could be a fly on the wall of the boys' locker room in her high school, just to see what guys talk about when girls are not around. And the next thing she knows, she is. A fly. On the wall of the boys' locker room. She sees it all -- and I mean, all. [We've read it. We loved it.]

But truthfully, that book came out in the states in 2006, so I haven't exactly been working on it. I've been finishing The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, which is a novel about a  boarding school girl who infiltrates and eventually dominates her boyfriend's all-male secret society. It was really  hard to write because I had to devise all these complicated pranks and secret society rituals, but in the end I'm quite pleased with it. It comes out in the USA in March 2008. I don't know about the UK yet!

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!)

Question:  Would you like me to take you to a stylist who will give you the perfect haircut? Because really, you shouldn't be cutting your hair yourself any more, my dear, and I know you keep having bad stylist experiences.
Answer:  Yes please!

Thanks, E!

Posted by Keris on July 25, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Recent Release, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 24, 2007 2:28 PM

MOVIE NEWS: The Lovely Bones

Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones is one of the most successful books of recent years (and also top of a list of books you shouldn't bother to read) and now the inevitable movie details have been announced.

Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings, King Kong) has co-written the screenplay and will direct and Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada) is in negotiations to play killer George Harvey.

 

Susie Salmon will be played by Saoirse Ronan and Ryan Gosling and Rachel Weisz will play her parents.

[via BuzzSugar]

Related posts: New book by Alice Sebold | Books the British public just couldn't finish!

Posted by Keris on July 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Summer Special Tuesday 3 - Paris

I thought I'd do something a bit different with the Summer Special Tuesday 3s. Each week I'm going to pick a place and feature three books set there, which we may or may not have reviewed. (And there may be more than 3...) Ooh. Controversial!

So first up is Paris, mainly because I'm going there at the end of this week. Yes, I know I said I wasn't going on holiday until September, this isn't a holiday, it's a Bridget Jones style romantic mini-break ... with cycling (we're going to see the end of the Tour de France). But back to the books...

First up is Weekend in Paris by Robyn Sisman. Weekend in Paris is not my favourite of Sisman's books (that would be Perfect Strangers), but it's definitely escapist. Molly is given the opportunity to accompany her boss to Paris, but then learns he plans to seduce her and so runs away to Paris on her own. She then meets a bunch of people and has a life-changingly exciting weekend. In Paris.

Diane has loaned me Kate Muir 's Left Bank to take with me this weekend, so it had better be good. It's the story of a glamorous French philosopher and a gorgeous American actress. In Paris. And it looks gorgeous.

Paris Hangover by Kirsten Lobe features Klein, a New Yorker trying to find the right man. In Paris.

Paulina Porizkova's debut novel, A Model Summer is also set in Paris  as is Julia Holden's new book, One Dance in Paris and Sabine Durrant's YA novel Ooh La La, Connie Pickles (which I loved).

If you've read any of the above, let us know what you think. And feel free to tell us about your favourite Paris novel.

Plus if you've got a pash for Paris, you should check out writer Gabrielle Luthy's site - more Paris links than you could possibly ever need!

Posted by Keris on July 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Summer Special, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (5)

BOOK NEWS: Fitness Kills by Helen Barer

Here's another good reason not to go to the gym: you might get murdered...

The first in a new series by Helen Barer, Fitness Kills is a mystery in the same tradition as books like Steamed.

There’s been a murder at an elite spa in Baja, California and no one is safe, especially Nora Franke, a New York food writer who came to the spa to make over its menu. But she didn’t count on murder as the main course.

Carry on over the cut to find out more...

Nora’s life is in desperate need of a change and when the opportunity arises to become a menu consultant at a ritzy fitness spa she jumps at the chance to get out of town. Nursing a broken heart and hoping to drop 30 pounds in the process, Nora heads off full of hope. When a spa guest is found dead, she realizes she got more than she bargained for.

Unless she can solve the mystery of who’s behind the death of two of the guests, Nora might just be the next victim. As Nora digs into the spa, its history, and its curious guests, she finds more than she expected on her plate, including a second guest who dies right in front of her eyes. Then, when her ex-lover comes to her rescue, she knows she needs to solve this mystery – or die trying.

Read an excerpt here.

Related: Book news archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Series | Permalink | Comments (1)

More summer beach read giveaways from Bookreporter.com

Continuing our summer special-theme, "It wouldn't be summer without sun, surf and sizzling reading," says Bookreporter. So they're offering one reader a week the chance to win a beach bag of goodies, including a great summer read each week until August 24th.

The current book choice is Second Choice by Jane Green, and past books include The Manny and Anybody Out There? So you could find some great reading recommendations over the next few weeks, whether you win or not!

And don't forget we'll be giving books away every week for the rest of the summer, too!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 23, 2007 2:21 PM

Blair Underwood on BookVideos.tv

Last week we told you about Blair Underwood's first novel and here he is having an interesting discussion on BookVideos.tv. And, yes, looking scrumptious.

Posted by Keris on July 23, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

What's your favourite beach read?

Well, the weather's gone bad again here in the UK, but I haven't forgotten our Summer Special. Last week I asked about your holiday reading style and this week I'd like recommendations for your favourite beach read.

Which book is most likely to make your flight, well, fly by? Which paperback should we all be sure to pack?

And don't forget you've still got one day to enter our first Summer Special competition. Good luck.

Posted by Keris on July 23, 2007 in Book related, Summer Special | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hugh Jackman loves chick lit

We've previously featured a number of Hollywood stars who are big fans of book-to-movie adaptations (see "Related posts" below) and Hugh Jackman is no exception. The difference with Hugh is that he seems to be chick lit mad.

He appeared in Someone Like You/Animal Attraction, based on the novel by Laura Zigman. He's currently got If You Could See Me Now (based on Cecelia Ahern's book) in development.

Plus, he appeared, as we've already mentioned, in Paperback Hero (while not based on a chick lit book, is about a romance author).

I wonder if it's Mrs Jackman giving him book recommendations or if he's just in touch with his feminine side.

(This post was in no way an excuse to feature this photo of a shirtless Hugh Jackman and I resent any such suggestion!)

Related posts: George Clooney | Brad Pitt | Kirsten Dunst | Scarlett Johanssen

Posted by Keris on July 23, 2007 in Book related, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (3)

MORE ON MONDAY: The Complete Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby

Subtitled 'The Diary of an occasionally exasperated but ever hopeful reader", Nick Hornby's new work of non-fiction The Complete Polysyllabic Spree comprises 3 years of his What I'm Reading columns for The Believer magazine.

He starts each column with two lists: books bought that month, and books read that month, which often differ substantially! He then talks about what he read (and sometimes what he bought) that month, and why.

Anyone who's read Fever Pitch (or per haps 31 Songs) will know how good a non-fiction writer Hornby is. After falling out with the author (admittedly it was a one-sided argument) after reading his - ugh- How to be Good I was happy to find that I could still love this author's work!

His discussion of the reasons we read the books we do, and the influences on his own reading is intelligent but always accessible: although he often enjoys what could be called 'highbrow' books, his approach to them is down-to-earth. I knew I was going to love this non-snobbish analysis when in the introduction, Hornby rails against literary snobbery. He says,

"In Britain, more than twelve million adults have a reading age of thirteen or under, and yet some clever-dick journalist still insists on telling us that unless we're reading something proper, then we might as well not bother at all... reading for enjoyment is what we should all be doing."

Hear hear!

I just have a couple of slight criticisms about this otherwise excellent book: whenever Nick reads (and abandons) a book he hates, he isn't allowed to name it in his column, as the ethos of The Believer is to not slag people off. But surely he could have elaborated in this book? Second, although the inclusion of passages of books he enjoyed is probably a good idea, for me it slowed down the narrative - I wanted to find out what Nick read next!

But I raced through this, and it only inspired me to read more. Funny, entertaining and book-related - what more could a reader want?

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try So Many Books, So Little Time by Sara Nelson.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 23, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Opinion, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

But what about Christmas? *hides*

We may be firmly in summer mode right now (despite the weather) but the publishing industry is apparently now turning its attention to Christmas.

It seems unlikely that the new Harry Potter (yes, we'll shut up about it soon) will account for a large percentage of seasonal sales (everyone who wants one will surely have read a copy by then) so Publisher's News asks independent sellers who they tip as the big Christmas sellers.

Carry on over the cut for their ideas...

Predictions include high hopes for The Great Big Glorious Book for Girls and children's story The Nativity Story by Geraldine McCaughrean and Sophy Williams. Read more here.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 23, 2007 in Book related, New Releases, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

Harriet Klausner: the speediest reviewer of all time... or a total con artist? Discuss.

Debate is raging is some corners of the bookish blogosphere about reader and reviewer Harriet Klausner's claims to have written over 12,000 reviews since the year 2000. (Makes my wrists seize up just thinking about typing that much!) That breaks down to 4 books a day, 7 days a week.

So is she a freakishly book-obsessed speed reading talent? Or a book blagger rather than a blogger, who's only pretending to have read some of the books she writes about and who makes things up based on the blurbs on the back of books? The fact that her reviews are almost always 4- and 5- starred has also raised suspicion.

Read more about this whole controversy over at Bloggasm...

Related: So Many Books, So Little Time | Top 10 burning book questions.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 23, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (5)

July 20, 2007 2:39 PM

Fancy a bookswapping party?

Bethanne Patrick of Publishers Weekly writes about a bookswapping party she recently attended:

The rules were, and remain, elegantly simple: bring any books in good condition that you're finished owning. You can take the same number as you bring (although by each bookswapping night's end, this rule is usually broken). We pile the books in a central location, pour wine and beer, and grab plates of nosh.

It was easy, it was fun, and everyone went home with something new. (There are always books left over, and it's up to the evening's host to scoop them all up and keep them, or give them to a library... the latter always wins. After all, we need room for the new ones we've collected.)

Sounds great, yes? If any of my friends actually lived anywhere near me, I'd so be doing this! Has anyone actually had one of these parties or attended one?

Related posts: Tuesday Three: In the Club | Jen Lancaster launches MamaPop's book club | Book clubs - not just for books?

Posted by Keris on July 20, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (4)

WIN! A beach read with Dorothy Perkins

100 copies of The Seven Year Itch, out now in paperback, are up for giveaway in a Dorothy Perkins beach read prize draw.

The latest book from husband-wife writing team/phenomenon Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, The Seven Year Itch is about, well... that fabled seven year itch of course. According to the Dotty P website:

It's seven years since Jack and Amy got married, they're still in love, they've got a son, they're happy... except, the grass is beginning to look a little greener on the other side. Witty and honest, The Seven Year Itch is the perfect beach read for anyone who's ever asked: "Is this it"?

Carry on over the cut to find out how to win a copy.

Simply click here, fill in your details, and cross your fingers - good luck! Entries close 1st August.

Related: Summer special!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 20, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Competition, Josie Lloyd & Emlyn Rees, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Anatomy of a Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky

We've talked about Anatomy of a Boyfriend before, when the cover was causing a stir in America. I love the design and was very interested to read the book, which wasn't really anything like I expected: I thought it would be Louise Rennison-esque, instead it's more like Judy Blume...

Daria Snadowsky's debut novel is the story of the relationship between 17-year old Dominique and her new boyfriend Wes. Wes is a shy but sweet athletic/writerly type, while Dominique wants to be a doctor - hence the title of the book, she's obsessed with medical textbooks!

We follow the couple from their first meeting, through to their first semester at university, and all the ups and downs and those major 'firsts' that come with a first love...

This very much reminded me of a modern-day Forever (although with a little less um, description). It's certainly not for younger teenagers but the sexual stuff is realistic and appropriate in the context of the story. Easy to read and with some great emotional depth, I just wondered if the teenager's voices were entirely lifelike: Dom is a little immature at times where her best friend Amy sometimes sounds like SATC's Samantha. Also the relationship between Dom and Wes takes a while to get going, and I was a bit frustrated by that!

I did love the two girls' friendship and found the story very moving and well-crafted. It's quite an easy read, but definitely not a facile one. I was sad when I'd finished it and got quite emotionally involved with the characters so I'm definitely looking forward to more books by this new author. (In other words, thank you Luisa for the loan!)

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Good Girls by Laura Ruby.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 20, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 19, 2007 5:10 PM

Publishers fail to recognise Austen

There's an entertaining article in the Guardian about David Lassman, the director of the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, who decided to find out what sort of reception Austen might get if she approached publishers and agents today.

"After making only minor changes, he sent off opening chapters and plot synopses to 18 of the UK's biggest publishers and agents. He was amazed when they all sent the manuscripts back with polite but firm "no-thank-you's" and almost all failed to spot that he was ripping off one of the world's most famous literary figures."

He didn't even change the opening line to Pride & Prejudice - one of the most famous opening lines in literature - and yet only one publisher commented on it. Since my agent is currently sending my novel out to publishers, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Related posts: Austen week | Pride & Prejudice movie review 

Posted by Keris on July 19, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

Jodi Picoult on BookVideos.tv

One author I might stick in my suitcase each year (well, one of her books) is Jodi Picoult. I find her books compelling, but I also find them too similar in style to read in quick succession, so one per holiday could work out well. I was given her latest, Nineteen Minutes, for my birthday, so that could well be the first book in my holiday pile.

See Jodi talking about it - in Rome, no less - here:

Related posts: My Sister's Keeper review | The Tenth Circle review | Jodi Picoult interview

Posted by Keris on July 19, 2007 in American Authors, Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Wicked Whispers by Jessica Callan

Wicked Whispers is the new book by Jessica Callan who, if you don't know the name, was one third of the original 3am girls from The Mirror's much-copied gossip column. 3am was set up to be something completely new in the world of journalism: instead of begging PRs for the right to cover stars and being discreet about what they said, 3am laid it all bare. The 3 3am girls - or rather, women - tricked and cajoled stars into giving them photographs and quotes, hid in odd places (quite often public toilets) to get stories and mingled with the stars, placing themselves firmly in the story in a style that drew many imitators. Callan stayed at the column for 5 years, becoming 'head girl' before stepping down in 2005 to catch her breath (and presumably detox her liver...)

This memoir is her recollections of five fun-filled years of gossip. But does it make wicked reading?

Of course it does! It's not a book that dishes huge amounts of dirt on major celebrities, but there's enough goss here to surprise all but the most hardened celeb-spotter (even if she keeps some things to herself!) and I loved the insight into this style of journalism and the lifestyle (and the dilemmas) involved.

Callan shows that gathering gossip at glitzy parties isn't always as much fun as it sounds and lifts the lid on how the celeb PR game works, as well as telling a few tales on some celebrities who frankly, deserve it.

The one little thing that annoyed me was that there was at times a bit too much exposition through dialogue (and we don't like that) - for example, one conversation runs something like:

"You know that bloke John Hurt?"

"Yes, he was in --- and now he's starring in --- ... what about him?"

The author should trust her audience to either know who she's talking about or know how to look it up!

Still, I didn't have many complaints about this book: I found this a light and addictive read and raced through it, longing for more!

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Tabloid Love by Bridget Harrison.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 19, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou is one of the American greats. Her first book of autobiography, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings presents a vivid, shocking but also hopeful portrait of life as a black girl in the American deep South of the 1930s. Her five other works of memoir are just as compelling.

The author of many books including some wonderful poetry, Angelou is a distinguished literary professor and was chosen to be Bill Clinton's inauguration poet, only the second poet ever to read at a President's inauguration. She's been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and The National Book Award and is great pals with and mentor to Oprah Winfrey. She's even won a Grammy! (For a spoken-word album of her poetry, but still...)

She has to be one of the best examples of someone overcoming great obstacles to achieve her dreams: abandoned at a young age by her parents, she was later sexually abused and became mute for several years after the man who raped her was beaten to death. She spent time homeless, became a single mother at 16 and worked as a singer, a prostitute and a madam as she tried to support herself and her son. Her life was never straightforward, but her optimism was rewarded with the publication of Caged Bird in 1969.

[Image: Santa Clara University; some addictional info from Wikipedia]

Trailblazer archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 19, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (1)

GUEST BLOG: Allison Winn Scotch

I loved Allison Winn Scotch's debut novel, The Department of Lost and Found so much I asked the author to do a guest blog for us, and she very kindly agreed to tell the background to her book, or...

The Story Behind The Story by Allison Winn Scotch

When people ask what my novel is about, I mutter something about a young woman who is diagnosed with cancer and wait for the inevitable reaction:  horror.  It's as if their brains are flashing, “There is no way in freaking hell that I'd read a book about cancer."  I mean, truly, it's painfully and incredibly obvious.

So then I offer up my caveat.  "But it's really funny!  And it's not really about cancer, it's more about a young woman's journey to self-discovery, and the cancer is just the catalyst."

They nod their heads and look at me unconvinced.  You're probably reading this and thinking the same thing.  Yeah, right.

So let me rewind and explain how I got here.  Over two years ago, I lost one of my closest friends to breast cancer.  She was 31, a mother to a three-month old at the time of her diagnosis, and one of the most vibrant and tenacious women I'd known.  Her diagnosis was shocking, swift and brutal, and six months later, she passed away.  It all happened so suddenly that I literally barely had time to register that she was sick, much less gone.  Even today, I still sometimes think that I see her on the street or forget entirely that I can't call her or email her to share some news.

(Ahem, I know.  You're wondering, when does this get funny?  Hang in there.)

After the funeral, I didn't know where to put my grief. I mean, how do you box up the devastation of the most painful experience of your lifetime? Where do you put it? How do you move forward? The answer is, or at least, my answer was, to write.

A month or so after her funeral, I woke up one morning with a vision of a character who would soon become my protagonist, Natalie. She was a ferocious 30-year old whose cancer diagnosis would throw her world on end but ultimately, wouldn’t beat her. And so, I sat down in front of my computer and wrote. And wrote and wrote and wrote. Until three months later, not only did I have a completed manuscript, I'd also wrestled with a good amount of my grief. Which brings me to the funny.

As I was writing, it became clear that I was using the book as a tool for healing, and because of this, never once did it occur to me to drag the prose or the plot down in maudlin, heavy-handed themes. Because, come on, as anyone who has ever been touched by cancer knows, the last thing you need in this situation is something else to remind you of the horror of the experience. So instead, I placed Natalie in humorous situations (her first experiences smoking pot, her increasing obsession with The Price is Right, her top 5 list of celebrities she wants to sleep with), and showed (I hope) that you can keep your sense of humor (and your sense of life) even while battling this insidious disease.

Since The Department of Lost and Found has come out, I've received notes from a variety of people whose lives (for better or worse) have been affected by cancer, and nearly all of them have told me that the book has helped them heal in some way. And most of them delighted in the fact that while I still took the time to highlight the difficulties that cancer can wreak, both physically and emotionally, I also made the point that it doesn't have to break your spirit. And that, in fact, it can even bolster it.

So to cancer I say, screw you. If I can eke a laugh out of the disease, then I'm certain that it's not unbeatable. A cure can't be too far behind.

(c) Allison Winn Scotch 2007

Related: Cancer Vixen

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 19, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Guest blogs, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (6)

Kate Spade book covers

We tend not to be embarrassed by anything we read here at Trashionista, but if we were, we'd cover up with these downloadable Kate Spade book covers (click on Downloads). In fact, if Please Don't Eat the Daisies was on the front, I'd use this to cover anything I was reading. You can also find Kate's Summer Reading List. A woman after my own heart.

[via Happy Mundane and Apartment Therapy]

Related: Waterproof book covers

Posted by Keris on July 19, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

July 18, 2007 5:12 PM

What's your holiday reading style?

I have been known to spend months honing my holiday reading list. I don't want to risk taking anything I'm not going to enjoy so I have to read at least the first chapter of every possibility. Then I need to make sure there's a balance between fiction, non-fiction, popular and "literary" fiction. I usually like to include a book that I've wanted to read for a long time, but haven't got around to.

I'm perfectly willing to accept that I may be barking mad and that you're all backing away from your computers right now, but what about you? Do you save books to take on holiday? Do you have any fail-safe holiday authors? Or do you just pick up your books at the airport and hope for the best? Or (gasp!) maybe you don't take any books on holiday at all! As part of our so far loosely defined but still fabulous Summer Special, we'd love to know.

Posted by Keris on July 18, 2007 in Book related, Summer Special | Permalink | Comments (6)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

The big lit news of last week (it happened after last week's Yay or Nay Wednesday, okay?!) was that Sebastian Faulks has taken over Ian Fleming's gig as writer of the James Bond novels. The new Bond book, which was kept a closely-guarded secret until it was finished, will be released in May 2008 and is called Devil May Care. Its release will mark 100 years since Fleming's birth. [Via The Guardian].

But what do you think to the concept of taking over a popular series after the writer's death - is it a heart-warming tribute or close to sacrilegious? Are there any great series that should be revived, or should they always die with the author? And if you're a writer, do you care what happens after you die or do you want your work left alone?

SO: passing the literary baton: is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

[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!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 18, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, Series, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (4)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jessica Gregson

Jessica Gregson's debut novel The Angel Makers sounds like a fascinating read. It's about the women in a small Hungarian village at the time of the First World War who spontaneously start murdering their menfolk. Incredibly, it's based on a well-documented true story. (Of course, we'll be reviewing it). Here, she answers all our questions...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Based on a true story about some very strange events in a small Hungarian village…

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

Mostly in bed, to be honest, last thing at night, though I’m not above sneaking in a couple of thousand words while I’m at my day job!

Your favourite chick-lit book?

I don’t read a lot of chick-lit, but I absolutely love Marian Keyes, and was really impressed by her latest book, Anybody Out There? My all-time favourite book by a woman would probably have to be The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter.

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

This is a difficult one, and a fairly obscure choice, but I’m going to go with Lucia Barclay, from Janette Turner Hospital’s book, “The Last Magician”. I read the book when I was sixteen, and it had an enormous affect on me – it was the first time I can remember finding a character that was so easy to relate to.

Carry on over the cut for more!

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

It’s a bit of a cliché, but: just write. I was talking to a friend about this the other day, and I think it’s very easy for new writers to get hung up on things like form and structure, the idea that there’s a Right or Proper way to write a novel – but really, there’s not. Tell a story from beginning to end, and don’t worry if you think it’s awful as you’re going along: the most important thing for a first draft is to finish it – anything else can be fixed later. I spent years trying to write that perfect first chapter, or even first paragraph, but that sort of approach is a waste of time.

What are you reading at the moment?

I’m in the middle of about five or six books, actually! The one I’m carrying with me to read on trains is “The Buddha of Suburbia” by Hanif Kureishi, which I’m thoroughly enjoying.

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

My second novel is also based on a true story about the experiences of some Turkish immigrants in Australia during the First World War. In some ways it deals with similar themes to The Angel Makers, particularly the experience of being an outsider, but it’s proving to be a very different book to write. I’m also working on a completely unrelated PhD in international development!

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!)

Why do you write? It’s a fairly fundamental question but one I’ve never been asked. And I think I write for the same reason as I do almost everything – because I’m absolutely fascinated by people, their motivations and the strange and wonderful things that they do.

Thanks Jessica!

Interview archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 18, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (1)

Guardian disses JK Rowling; her publisher disses Asda

(Now is not the time to point out that 'diss' isn't the hippest of vernacular - and no, nor is 'hip'; I'm a writer not a rapper).

Nicholas Lezard is pulling Potter to pieces in his latest piece on the Guardian books blog. As someone who got bored 50 pages into Order of the Phoenix, I'm not the hugest JK fan (although I think she seems lovely and is very very clever). But saying her prose is "toxic" seems a bit much, no?

If you're of the opposite opinion to Lezard, make sure you don't head to Asda for your copy when it's released worldwide on 21 July - i.e. this Saturday! Potter Publishers Bloomsbury claim the supermarket chain has unpaid bills dating back 3 years and so it will not be supplying the shop with precious copies of the latest installment.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 18, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Series, Supernatural, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

July 17, 2007 4:24 PM

Bookslut prefers misery lit to chick lit (oh-kay then...)

Much as I find literary book blog Bookslut an informative and (mostly) enjoyable read, they have got it in for chick lit big time over there. (To each her own? Not so much).

On the site today, Jessa Crispin suggests that the current glut of books about women having nervous breakdowns (yes, apparently there is such a glut) could be an extension of "the chick lit backlash", suggesting: "Perhaps writers were as desperate as readers like me to see a female character be portrayed as a whole person."

So portraying a woman as a whole person = writing about her in the depths of misery? Wow, I feel invigorated. Better put down my fantastically entertaining books about women dealing with the ups and downs of modern life and read about some real women for a change!

Remind me, I forget (I'm just a simple-minded chick lit fan): is life supposed to be all about misery for the modern day woman?... Or about reading what I want and enjoying myself?

I know which I prefer.

Your thoughts, please...

Related posts: Chick lit is a feminist issue | Gloria Steinem on chick lit

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 17, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (5)

BOOK REVIEW: The Tuesday Erotica Club by Lisa Beth Kovetz

Four women from very different backgrounds form an unlikely writers' alliance in Lisa Beth Kovetz's debut novel, The Tuesday Erotica Club.

All have different jobs at a New York law firm when newly-pregnant Aimee decides to start a weekly writing group, which quickly becomes a weekly erotic writing group. Her friend Brooke is quick to join, as is older associate Margot, who has a reputation for being a bit scary. Secretary Lux is a latecomer to the group and with her distinct lack of writing skills, wildly coloured clothing and hair and tough attitude, isn't a welcome addition.  But she doesn't care. As the group becomes a regular fixture for all four women, all of their lives begin to change in dramatic ways and Aimee, Brooke, Margot and Lux realise they need each other's support more than they ever could have guessed...

As you might suspect from the title, there's a certain amount of erotic writing in the book, as we are treated to the women's creative efforts. It just stops short of being too much, but probably isn't for the squeamish about sex. However, the real plot of the book is about the importance of female friendship and it's a very good, well-crafted read. Unlike some other books I've read recently (e.g. this one), when the chapters alternated viewpoints, I didn't find it hard to keep them separate at all. And all the women became sympathetic characters by the end of the book, even the ones who didn't start out that way!

I just have two slight reservations: I felt that the character of Lux was maybe a little too naive at times, and I felt that maybe we didn't need to read quite so much erotica (I know, the clue was in the title!) - sex may sell, but this book doesn't need any gimmicks to keep readers hooked.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 17, 2007 in American Authors, Bonkbusters, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (6)

BOOK NEWS: You Never Call! You Never Write!

I may not be Jewish or have a Jewish mother (I guess those two things tend to come together) but I still think this book looks like fun.

You Never Call! You Never Write! promises to be "A mixture of stereotypes, culture and fable... told earnestly and humorously by Joyce Antler."

More information here.

Book news archives | Non fiction archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 17, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 16, 2007 5:30 PM

It's official: reading makes you more attractive!

A piece by Sarah Crown in the Guardian's Culture Vulture blog has just come to my attention via Brain Stab. And, despite the fact that it's from August last year, I thought it was interesting.

Apparently, according to a survey carried out on behalf of Borders, books play a crucial role in influencing our opinions of strangers. Half of the 200 adults asked admitted that they would look again or smile at someone on the basis of what they were reading.

A third of those surveyed said that they "would consider flirting with someone based on their choice of literature". This interests me particularly because one of the first things that attracted me to my husband was that he was a reader.

But it's not all good news: erotic fiction, horror, self-help books and chick lit were all deemed turn-offs, whereas the genre most likely to help you pull is the classics, followed by biography and modern literary fiction - "think Zadie Smith and Sebastian Faulks, rather than Dan Brown and Martina Cole," says Crown.

So, shamelessly nicking Crown's questions because I couldn't have put it better myself: "What, books-wise, does it for you? And are there any books that would put you off absolutely, no matter how attractive the reader?"

Posted by Keris on July 16, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

Make your own 'hidden passage' bookshelves* (I dare you!)

Normally it's Keris bringing you fabulous book-related furniture news like this and this, but at last I have something to show you! Who doesn't love the idea of one of those bookshelves like you see in a film (or in Ugly Betty, except there it's a wall of shoes rather than books) which swivels round to reveal a hidden room? Well now you can turn any doorway into a turny-roundy bookshelf thing - provided you're handy enough with a hammer, that is.

The instructions look a little too complicated for moi (my mum and I once put a flat-pack desk together - or rather, we tried to: big mistake) but I'm sure some of you could handle it. And the end product looks pretty good. [Via Bookninja].

*No smutty innuendoes about passages, please. Thank you.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 16, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hmm... looks like Janet Evanovich collaborative novel is off, for now. Boo!

After telling a rather complicated tale of rumours and suspicions, Galleycat revealed today that the Jenny Crusie/Bob Mayer-esque collaboration between Janet Evanovich and Stephen Cannell has fallen into trouble.

Said Janet to the 'cats, "Steve [Cannell] and I ran into scheduling problems. We still have an active partnership but the project is on hold right now. As of right now we haven't a publishing date."

But not to worry, as a self-proclaimed workaholic, I'm sure she'll bounce back with another book before long!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

Maria McCarthy's writing for publication workshop

Put Saturday 8th September in your diary if you're interesting in going to Cardiff for a writing workshop with journalist and author (of The Girls' Guide to Losing Your L-Plates, which Keris loved) Maria McCarthy.

Maria says she'll be giving advice on getting fiction, non-fiction and journalism published including developing feature ideas, approaching editors, getting an agent and copyright and business matters. The workshop will be held from 2-4pm at Chapter Arts Centre, Market Road, Canton, Cardiff  and costs £10 (£8 concessions).

For more information or to book a place, check out Maria's website.

Related posts: Review: Wannabe A Writer? | Review: See Jane Write

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 16, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 13, 2007 6:03 PM

BOOK NEWS: 'Style from A to Zoe' by a stylist to the stars

I may be a little fashionably-challenged at times, but we do love our fashion lit here at Trashionista, so we were interested to hear that Rachel Zoe, controversial stylist to the stars, is set to put her pen to paper. I say 'controversial' because she's been accused of pushing Nicole Ritchie to lose stupid amounts of weight (which she denied). I also say controversial because the young stars she dresses (including Lindsay Lohan and Misha Barton) tend to have real 'love them or hate them' wardrobes.

Anyway, whether you love her style or aren't really bothered, her book Style from A to Zoe: The Art of Fashion, Beauty, & Everything Glamour will be out in October.

[Via our fabulous sister site Catwalk Queen].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Celebrity Authors, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (4)

Armistead Maupin on Open Book

Earlier this week I was oh so lucky enough to meet one of my favourite authors of all time, Armistead Maupin, when he came to my local Waterstone's to talk about his latest book, Michael Tolliver Lives.

He was charming, funny and all-round delightful and I'd recommend you go and see him if you get the chance (the dates on his site say tonight's his last appearance, but I know he's doing more, so check back if you want to catch him), but just in case he's not coming to a bookshop near you, you can listen to his interview with Radio 4's Open Book show here.

While I'm on the subject, can we just take a moment to bask in the gorgeousness of the new US cover of  Tales of the City (left) and compare it with the new UK cover (right), which I do not like at all.

Posted by Keris on July 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

MOVIE NEWS: The Nanny Diaries trailer

The Nanny Diaries is probably the most eagerly awaited chick lit adaptation since Bridget Jones's Diary.

The trailer states coming this spring, but I've checked on IMDb and they have a date of 7 September, which doesn't bode all that well. What does bode well is that Laura Linney's in it. I love Laura Linney. Anyway, let us know what you think.

Related posts: Citizen Girl review | Dedication review

Posted by Keris on July 13, 2007 in Book related, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (4)

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Bookarazzi

You know how we love blogs to books (and, for that matter, books to blogs) here at Trashionista? Well, now there's a website especially for bloggers with book deals.

Bookarazzi features almost 50 authors, including Caroline Smailes, Lucy Diamond, Kate Harrison and Sarah Salway. There's a group blog, plus articles about writing, publishing and books. Regular posts will include 'Where I write' and 'How I got published'.

Trashionista Recommends archives

Posted by Keris on July 13, 2007 in Book related, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 12, 2007 2:43 PM

And now for "Eco chick lit"

Our ethical consumerism sister site, Hippyshopper, has discovered yet another chick lit subgenre: Eco chick lit.

MaryJanice Davidson's Sleeping With the Fishes features Fred the mermaid, a marine biologist investigating pollution in Boston Bay, aided and abetted by a sexy merman (or as he prefers to be called a "Prince of the Undersea Folk") and an equally attractive fellow marine biologist.

We've already features Aimee Ferris's Girl Overboard, which has a similar marine ecology theme. Anyone know of any others?

Related posts: Undead and Unwed review | Assistant Lit | Model Lit?

Posted by Keris on July 12, 2007 in American Authors, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nope, there are no original ideas

You know I mentioned the forthcoming novel Ms Taken Identity (in which a failed male novelist decides to write a chick-lit novel under a female pseudonym, becoming a better man through the process and rocketing to fame and bestsellerdom) and...

its similarity to Colin Bateman's Chapter & Verse (the story of a fading author's  bizarre attempt to reignite his career by drunkenly re-editing his rejected literary masterpiece into a chick-lit bonk buster and hiring a beautiful actress to impersonate this new publishing star)?

Well, thanks to author Maureen McGowan*, I discovered Paperback Hero, in which a handsome roadtrain driver becomes a top-selling romance novelist, but (being a 'man's man' in the Australian outback), chooses his best friend, Ruby Vale's name as a pseudonym.

Who knew it was such a popular theme? Has anyone seen Paperback Hero?

*and how gorgeous is Maureen McGowan's website?

Related posts: Friday Flick: Animal Attraction | Movie News: The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom | Imaginary friends (Hugh Jackman in Cecelia Ahern's If You Could See Me Now)

Posted by Keris on July 12, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Helen Fielding

Of course. Couldn't really leave her out seeing as she started all this chick lit lark! (Maybe).

Whether you think Helen Fielding, Jane Austen, Nora Ephron, Gail Parent or even Janet Evanovich invented the genre, what's pretty clear is that Helen Fielding helped make it what it is today. Her newspaper columns detailing the life and loves of one Miss Bridget Jones made both her and Bridge cultural icons and had publishers on both sides of the pond jumping on the chick lit bandwagon. It has to be the best-known and most-loved chick lit novel of all time, ever. (And it's the number one choice for fave chick lit novel in our author interviews!)

Fielding's inspired lots of modern-day writers and even many years later her best-known book is still a touching and brilliantly witty read. Bridget Jones's Diary is everything a chick lit book should be: funny, satirical and entertaining with a main character we can relate to.

And that's what makes Helen Fielding a Trailblazer.

Thursday Trailblazer archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 12, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (1)

MOVIE NEWS: Evening

I must admit I hadn't heard of the book Evening by Susan Minot before I saw adverts for the film. But the ads definitely caught my eye: this new adaptation of Minot's book stars Claire Danes, Toni Colette, Meryl Streep and Glenn Close, among others! According to the film's website, it's about a mother-daughter relationship... which I'm guessing doesn't always go smoothly (or else why make a film about it?!)

No news on a UK release date yet but we'll keep you posted.

Movie news archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 12, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

Get a new dictionary and help a charity at Waterstones

As a child, my mum was so excited by her first dictionary that she made it her bedtime reading for weeks. Ah, the '50s '80s were a more innocent time, weren't they?

But who doesn't love a good dictionary? For writers they're pretty essential, which is why I know some of you will be interested in a Waterstones offer that not only gets you money off a brand new dictionary, but helps a charity, too!

Carry on over the cut to find out how it works.

Hand in any old dictionary at your local Waterstones book shop, and they'll give you a voucher for £15 off the new Collins dictionary - instead of £35, this mammoth volume will cost you just £20. And your old dictionary will be sent to Book Link, a charity that sends books to schools in Africa. 

(It says on the site that this ended in June, but it's been extended until August, so if you need a new dictionary you might want to buy it soon!)

Related: Donate spare books to charity.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 12, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (3)

July 11, 2007 4:21 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week, the film and literary worlds were all-a-flutter with the news that Sex and the City is to be made into a movie - after years and years of rumours and speculation it is (apparently) really going to happen. I guess Kim Cattrall decided to just grit her teeth and make nice with SJP... or something. (I'm just speculating, that's not libel!) Anyhoo, what I want to know this week is whether you think it's a good idea.

Should a good thing be left well enough alone? Or are you chomping at the bit to find out what happened next for Carrie and co.? Do TV series ever make good films - if not, will this be the exception? And if you are keen on the idea, what should happen next? (Hey, you never know who might be reading!)

In other words: SATC - the movie: is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

[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!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 11, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Television, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (9)

'Blah' books - let's name and shame!

A friend of mine recently read Robyn Hardyn's Journal of Mortifying Moments.

"It's okay," she said. "Very predictable and not what I was expecting."

I said the exact same thing last year, when I bought the book in the hope that it'd deliver the gossip-fest that the cute, pink and downright appealing cover promised. Did it? No. But that's not to say that it's a BAD book - just... well... not as good as it looks.

I figure 'blah' is the ultimate word to describe books like these. Take another potential scandal-fest - Diary of a Manhattan Call Girl. Judging by the blurb, this title was full of wit - yet in reality, it was completely void of laughs. And, seemingly, an ending. Pity really, as the book had SO much potential to be a laugh-a-minute read.

It was one of those dreary chick-lit efforts which make you want to jump up, grab the nearest Bic, and proclaim that your newest life goal is to write a girly masterpiece ten times better than the yawn-inducing disappointment you just read.

So what becomes of the 'blah' books? The books that have so much potential, but just don't live up to their expectations?

Do you throw it out the window? Use it as a doorstop?

Or are you like me? - I sigh heartily, put it back on the shelf and use it as an example of what NOT do to when I'm writing my own stuff. (And bitch about it on Trashionista. Like, duh.) There are some titles as to which readers have questioned publishers' sanity - Citizen Girl, anyone? - and it drives me round the bend at times to see a really good set-up wasted.

Granted, some authors have it. Some can take a small everyday situation and make it hilarious. Others? Well, we can't all be blessed with the gift of humour.But what about you?

Which books do YOU think you could have written better?

Posted by Danielle Symonds-Yemm on July 11, 2007 in Book related, Girly Stuff, Opinion, Rubbish Books | Permalink | Comments (9)

July 10, 2007 4:13 PM

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: LouderVoice.com

LouderVoice is an interactive reviews site where readers can post reviews of films, restaurants, TV shows and of course, books. A new Twitter-based feature now makes it even easier to add your reviews to the site - this article on Twitterati explains how it works.

And! If you have Twitter and haven't added us yet, please click here and do so, asap - Keris updates that thing like a crazy lady. (And I mean that in a good way).

Trashionista Recommends archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 10, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, Technology | Permalink | Comments (10)

Gloria Steinem on chick lit

Journalist and feminist icon Gloria Steinem's article for AlterNet entitled "In Defense of the 'Chick Flick'" also included some excellent comments on chick lit:

"... if you think back to your school days, much of what you were assigned as great literature could have been dismissed as "chick lit." Indeed, the books you read probably only survived because they were written by famous guys.

Read the rest of her comments over the cut.

"Think about it: If Anna Karenina had been written by Leah Tolstoy, or The Scarlet Letter by Nancy Hawthorne, or Madame Bovary by Greta Flaubert, or A Doll's House by Henrietta Ibsen, or The Glass Menagerie by (a female) Tennessee Williams, would they have been hailed as universal? Suppose Shakespeare had really been The Dark Lady some people supposed. I bet most of her plays and all of her sonnets would have been dismissed as some Elizabethan version of ye olde "chick lit," only to be resurrected centuries later by stubborn feminist scholars."

And this is my favourite bit:

"Indeed, as long men are taken seriously when they write about the female half of the world -- and women aren't taken seriously when writing about themselves much less about men or male affairs -- the list of Great Authors will be more about power than about talent."

Related posts: Chick lit is a feminist issue | Marian Keyes on The Weekender | In praise of chick lit (at last!)

[via After Ellen]

Posted by Keris on July 10, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (1)

Erotic fiction on your 'pod

Virgin Books has made its erotic fiction - including the Black Lace, Nexus, Cheek and Erotic Memoir - lists available for digital download with Audible. [via The Guardian]

So if you're embarrassed to be seen reading erotic fiction in public, you can listen to it on your MP3 player and no-one will ever know...

Related: Free Books: Listen up! | Mr Nice Guy by Thomas Dowler | Playaway - listen in a new way

Posted by Keris on July 10, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

TUESDAY THREE: Fathers and daughters

Mothers and daughters, sisters, grandmothers ... what family relationship haven’t we looked at? Yep, fathers and daughters. As a relationship, I think it’s rather under-represented in chick lit, but I’ve found three books with a bit of a father-focus.

In Hester Browne's The Little Lady Agency, Honey's job is to help hapless men by doing all the things women do best - shopping, socialising and generally charming the pants of people. She's a rent-a-girlfriend of sorts, getting gay men off the hook with their mothers and buying christmas presents for difficult secretaries. But the line between Melissa and Honey gets blurred when she meets the gorgeous Jonathan, who just happens to be the roundabout reason she started the agency in the first place.

Chaos ensues as she tries to keep her business running, justify her job to her best mates, keep her ex-colleagues off the trail, cope with her overbearing dad. Honey’s dad is really one of the most appalling and hilarious father’s in fiction. I loved to loath him!

Marina Lewycka’s debut, A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, is predominantly the story of Nadia and Vera’s father, Nikolai. He’s always been eccentric, but when he announces, two years after their mother’s death, his plans to marry a young Ukranian woman neither of them has met, the sisters are concerned. Their concern increases when they finally do meet Valentina - a brash, big-bosomed woman, who is clearly only interested in their father for his money and British citizenship. Their father though, is smitten.

Valentina and her son Stanislav move in and Valentina’s treatment of Nikolai soon changes. He is no longer her “holubchik” (little pigeon) he is “no-good-bad-stink-corpse”. The sisters realise they have to get Valentina and Stanislav out of their father’s life, but how?

Maggie Alderson's Cents & Sensibility is about Stella’s struggle to manage her relationship with her jet set playboy boyfriend, Jay, but the secondary theme of the book is the relationship between Stella and her father Ham. The family set up is completely ludicrous – and yet charming and utterly believable, and against your better judgement you can’t help but love it, and feel a part of it.

Posted by Keris on July 10, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (5)

July 9, 2007 11:26 AM

Fold-down bookshelves

I'm surprised every week at the fantastic book-related products I discover, but these gorgeous shelves made me gasp. They fold down when you need them and the upright slats can act as bookends.

They cost $439 from Picked by Hand, but I don't know if that's just for one shelf (although I suspect it is).

I'm so excited about them that I've stuck another couple of pics over the cut.

Related posts: The Self Shelf | NEL's Pack of Dogs

[via Apartment Therapy]

Posted by Keris on July 9, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

Snap!

I was interested to read this on Sarah Weinman's Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind blog:

Dan Begley's MS. TAKEN IDENTITY, in which a failed male novelist decides to write a chick-lit novel under a female pseudonym, becoming a better man through the process and rocketing to fame and bestsellerdom...

"I'm pretty sure I read this book, or at least a different idea of it, a few years ago..." said Ms Weinman. What book was she talking about?

Colin Bateman's Chapter & Verse, which is the story of a fading author, Ivan Connor, and his bizarre attempt to reignite his career by drunkenly re-editing his rejected literary masterpiece into a chick-lit bonk buster and hiring a beautiful actress to impersonate this new publishing star.

So what do you think? Are they too close for comfort or is there room for lots of different books on similar subjects?

Related posts: Another cover 'snap'! | What's in a name? | Who is Lucy Jackson?

Posted by Keris on July 9, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

TV News: The Book Quiz

Our sister site, TV Scoop, has alerted us to the news that a new reading-related quiz is starting soon on BBC4.

Chaired by David Baddiel and with Germaine Greer as one of the panellists, it's a show that brings together a love of books, a slew of quick wit and good humour, and a chance to test your book knowledge (which you know we love to do!).

It starts on Tuesday 17 July at 11pm (oh dear, that's my bedtime; I'll have to tape it).

Related posts: Cecelia Ahern's television show | Television Without Pity review | Chick lit authors' favourite TV shows

Posted by Keris on July 9, 2007 in Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

Megan Crane explains... The Concept of the "Frenemy"

Keris loved Megan Crane's new book, Frenemies... but what exactly is a "frenemy"?

The author explains...

The Concept of The Frenemy

I was suspended somewhere at 35,000 feet, on a flight from New York to Los Angeles, when I decided that I wanted to divorce all my friends. I didn't arrive at this decision lightly. The fact was, I loved my friends. I just kind of wanted to kill them all with my bare hands.

The feeling passed (perhaps it was brought on by the in-flight entertainment, or stale pretzels) but I revisited it many times as I set about writing my third book. The concept of the frenemy was something I had thought about quite a lot over the years. While I imagine men must have them too, I'm not so sure they have the kind of frenemy women do. My friends (yes, the ones I occasionally wanted to legally separate from, because I enjoy complicated relationships) and I had so much experience with various versions of this phenomenon that we gave our frenemies a name long before we heard the term "frenemy" on Sex & the City: that girl.

That girl was the one who, when you were young and didn't know any better, you admired ferociously with that specific female-only blend of anger and envy. Because really it wasn't about whether or not you liked her. You hated her. You wanted to be her. Usually all at the same time.

As you grew older, you realized that the very traits that made her that girl were the traits you identified in women you would never be close to the moment you met them. These women, simply, violated the Girl Code. Maybe they were overly-familiar with someone else's partner. Or they seemed unable to perform even the most basic steps of female intimacy rituals. A normal woman might say, "he's a complete loser" or "what are you talking about, you look hipless in those jeans." That girl was more likely to say things like, "he's not your type at all, he's all about the perfect girl, you know, who dresses well and is a size four" or "the thing about style is that not everyone looks good in the trendiest things."

(Just let them sink in. Ouch, right?)

Some other that girl 'tells': They hung out exclusively with men and were conversant on the latest sports statistics and couldn't believe other girls were so annoying about the sports thing. They failed to understand— or worse, refused to understand— about shoes. They maintained that PMS was a fairy tale and said things like it's all in your head or chocolate is such a myth, you should try a three-mile run. Meanwhile, when it suited them, they could become so helpless and afraid and trembling that they could scarcely make it up a flight of three stairs without the assistance of a big, strong, preferably handsome male.

Men, naturally, failed to see the atrocities committed by such women. "That girl is so cool," they would say. "She's just like one of the guys." Or, "I don't know why you can't be nicer to her, she's just lonely and insecure." Yeah, right. About as lonely and insecure as, say, Angelina Jolie.

I thought the very least I could do, as a sort of penance for secretly wishing to divorce my friends, was to write a book that uncovered the perfidy of that girl.

Which I did, only to make a startling realization. We were all that girl to the women who dislike us. And I suspect that many of us have been a frenemy, too. More often than any of us would like to admit.

Copyright (c) 2007 by Megan Crane. Reprinted by permission of Hachette Book Group USA, New York, NY. All rights reserved.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 9, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hide your PSP behind a book (don't ask me why!)

We've featured fake book covers before, but those were to hide an actual book behind (as well as gross people out, let's face it!)

Now Sony has created a similar solution for gamers: if you don't want to be seen playing your PSP (I'm not sure why that would be the case, but go with me on this) you can slip a pretend book over it and seem like an extra-erudite Dante fan. [Via Trendhunter]

PSPSPS.tv, Shiny's popular PSP-dedicated blog, is the place to go for more PSP-related news and fun.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 9, 2007 in Book related, Technology | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 6, 2007 11:11 AM

MOVIE NEWS: Sex and the City

Woo! And indeed hoo!

According to IMDb, the long-awaited Sex and the City TV movie will start shooting this autumn.

All four of the original women have signed up: Kim Cattrall, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis and the film will be directed by the show's longtime director Michael Patrick King, based on a new script he's written.

Related posts: Reading Sex and the City's Samantha | Thursday Three: Bridget, meet Carrie | Love Walked In review

Posted by Keris on July 6, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Movie News, Television | Permalink | Comments (7)

FRIDAY FLICK: Starter for Ten

I started reading David Nicholls' debut novel, Starter for Ten in Waterstone's one day and absolutely loved it. I thought it was going to be one of those novels that's just so funny and familiar and fabulous. I was actually a bit disappointed - it didn't live up to the promise of the first chapter, but even so I was pleased to see it had been made into a film.

Set in 1985, Brian (McAvoy) heads off to Bristol University and is excited to find they're putting together a team to go on the TV show University Challenge. Brian used to watch it with his late father and it's always been his ambition to compete.

As he and his teammates prepare for the show, he falls for the gorgeous and posh Alice, befriends cynical and political Rebecca, struggles to continue a relationship with his best friend from back home and tries to deal with his mother's new relationship.

Funnily enough, the University Challenge part is the best bit. It's genuinely exciting and Mark Gatiss is brilliant as Bamber Gascoigne. (I still can't accept that they teams aren't really on top of each other though.)

James McAvoy is cute and charming and he carries the film really. Yes, it's perfectly predictable, but it's also perfectly enjoyable.

Friday Flick archives

Posted by Keris on July 6, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Friday Flick, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 5, 2007 3:47 PM

BOOK NEWS: Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books

I've just read that Sarah Wendell and Lay-Ping “Candy” Tan of the very funny and very popular Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books blog, have signed a deal to write a book based on the blog. In other words "a funny, somewhat bitchy and adoring look at the world of romance novels." [via Dear Author.Com]

Sounds great. Diane and I will be cutting and pasting printouts to make our own Trashionista annual. Probably.

Book news archives

Posted by Keris on July 5, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Jackie Collins

Bit of a departure this week because Diane's laid up with a migraine so I'm subbing for her!

We haven't featured Jackie Collins much here at Trashionista and we really should. Drop Dead Beautiful is her 25th book and she's got 400 million books in print worldwide. I haven't read any for a long time, I must admit, but she's a member of the elite club of books-I-read-in-one-sitting, which I'm sure she's just thrilled about. Anyway, here's Jackie on Wall Street Journal online talking about why she's just so marvellous.

[via Galleycat]

Posted by Keris on July 5, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (1)

Like to read in the bath?

This Hot & Steamy Erotic Baths For Two is a Soapdish Edition: a series of soapdish-sized books printed on a unique waterproof, tear and stain-resistant material. I'm. Not saying. Anything.

Except that other books in the series include Tao of Bathing and Soothing Soaks and they cost £3.99 each.

Posted by Keris on July 5, 2007 in Book related, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jill Smolinski

Earlier this week I told you just how much I enjoyed Jill Smolinski's second novel, The Next Thing on My List (pretty cover too, don't you think?) and now here's our interview with the lady herself...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

June Parker is trying to complete a life list for a friend who died before she had a chance to finish it herself.

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

I wander around the house writing on my laptop.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes - for that matter, ANYTHING by Marian Keyes.

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

Elizabeth from Pride & Prejudice - which I know isn't typically thought of as chick lit, but since it was the inspiration for Bridget Jones's Diary, I personally consider it the grandmama of the genre.

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

Just sit down and write. On a first draft, don't worry about whether it's any good - it's probably not. That's what second drafts are for. It can be helpful to get feedback as you go, but choose your readers carefully. Giving your precious pages to someone who is frustrated at their own inability to write is like handing them a loaded gun ... pointed right at you. Most of all, don't stress it. Along the way, you'll probably feel doubt. You'll feel like you're writing the worst thing ever written. It's normal. Take a walk around the block, eat a cookie, eat two cookies if necessary, and get back to your writing.

What are you reading at the moment?

Gone with the Wind. Reading it was always on my "things to do before I die" list, but I didn't know it's more than 1,000 pages long. I'd better live a good long time if I hope to finish it.

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

Another novel and also a blog where I chronicle how I'm trying to do one thing every day that I've never done before.

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!)

I've never been asked if it was difficult choosing between being a writer and a supermodel. I don't know why.

Thanks Jill - and good luck with that list of your own!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 5, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (3)

July 4, 2007 5:16 PM

TV News: Lost in Austen

According to Gareth McLean of The Guardian, ITV are planning a series called Lost in Austen, about Amanda, who lives in a rented flat in Hammersmith with her boyfriend Michael and escapes from her troubles with a glass of wine and Pride and Prejudice.

After an argument with Michael, Amanda discovers a bonnet-wearing woman in her bathroom who introduces herself as Elizabeth Bennet. Soon the two women swap places and Amanda finds herself living Pride and Prejudice for real - including meeting Mr Darcy. [via Feeling Listless]

Sounds marvellous, don't you think?

Related posts: ITV's Jane Austen season | Austen week | The Austen backlash begins

Posted by Keris on July 4, 2007 in Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jenny Crusie on book covers

Remember when I raved about the US cover of the Crusie collaboration, The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes? As it turned out, I was a bit previous and the US cover actually turned out to be pretty similar to the UK cover.

Last week, over on her fabulous blog, Argh Ink, Crusie related the journey that led to that gorgeous final cover. This week she's doing the same for her novel with Bob Mayer, Don't Look Down. It's fascinating (and funny, of course) reading.

Related: Jenny Crusie interview

Posted by Keris on July 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 3, 2007 1:27 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolinski

As soon as I heard the concept of Jill Smolinski's The Next Thing on my List, I was hooked:

June Parker's life is plodding along nicely (or so she thinks) when she has a car accident on the way home from a Weight Watchers meeting (she just has one or two pounds to shift, you see). Her passenger, Marissa, who she barely knows, tragically dies, and June finds in her possessions a list, entitled “20 Things to Do By My 25th Birthday.”

Full of guilt over her Marissa's death, June decides to take on the challenge of completing the list in her memory...

But it's not easy: some of the things on the list are pretty challenging "Change someone's life", for example. Others, like "make Buddy Fitch pay" are simply puzzling - who is this mysterious Fitch man, and what does he need to pay for, exactly? And how?!

Still, June is committed to her task, and with just a few months to go before Marissa's birthday, she speeds into action to finish the 18 items on the list that Marissa didn't get round to - finding her own life is totally transformed in the process.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was a fun, entertaining read with some depth to it, too. And its message, that we should all dare to do the things we want to do (but are scared of) before its too late may not be a new one, but it's presented in a throughly readable, endearing way. I recommend you read it!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Twenty Times a Lady by Karyn Bosnak.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

Discover the New You with Kiss and Makeup's book giveaway!

Not content with giving you books for free here on Trashionista, our sister site Kiss and Makeup is in on the action too: they have 3 copies of beauty bible Discover The New You by Ceril Campbell to give away.

Says KAMU editor Charlotte: "Although beauty junkies will probably know about most of the book's product recommendations, everyone can benefit another of her tips: remember to smile! Those who aren't so handy with a make up brush will appreciate the plethora of information on all aspects of beauty - from applying false lashes to choosing a hairstyle for your face shape."

Sounds good! (Chuck me a copy, someone...)

Click here for details on how to enter.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 3, 2007 in American Authors, Announcements, Book related, Competition, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (4)

TUESDAY THREE: Overboard!

When Diane mentioned the other day that we’d recently featured a couple of books with the word “Overboard” in the title, my Tuesday 3 radar went ping! (Tuesday 3 radar, £2.99, Argos. Probably.) So grab your life jacket as I splash out on three very different overboard books!

Love Overboard,  the second of the Janet Evanovich romance novel re-releases, features Ivan who is the proud owner of a two-masted schooner, and a descendant of pirates. During the holiday season he takes a charter of passengers out every week, the success of which relies on his trusted crew. Imagine his horror when, as he's preparing to take his final trip of the season, he's greeted by Stephanie - the woman he sold his beloved family home to only a matter of weeks ago.

The story chronicles the week aboard the 'Josiah T Savage' and then the aftermath, as the season draws to a close and everyone moves back onto dry land. Ivan struggles to regain his landlegs, and has to restrain himself as Stephanie refuses to return any of the approaches he makes. And then supernatural things begin to happen... what's haunting the house?

Sarah Smiley’s Going Overboard is subtitled "The misadventures of a military wife." It's a memoir of a year in the life of Sarah, whose husband Dustin is in the navy and, in this perilous political climate, often abroad in rather dangerous situations. Which means that Sarah is home alone with their two young boys, alternately worrying herself sick and cursing her husband for having joined up in the first place.

Aimee Ferris’s debut YA novel Girl Overboard focusses on the aptly-named Marina, whose ambition is to be a Marine Biologist. Leaving her ski-loving boyfriend behind in Vermont, Marina sets out on a six-week study tour of the Caribbean, where she'll be given the opportunity to swim with and learn about sharks, turtles and dolphins. Along with the inevitable teen angst and snogging, there's a message about ecology and endangered species making Girl Overboard as educational as it is entertaining.

Posted by Keris on July 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Non Fiction, Romance, Tuesday Three, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

Bridget Jones Online Archive

Isn't the internet great? Following Diane's fab Bridget Jones reminiscences, I mentioned that I used to have the original newspaper columns. This led me on my own trip down memory lane which led, inevitably, to Wikipedia, where I found that the original columns (along with some other great stuff) are online.

Yes, hotfoot it over to the Bridget Jones Online Archive and party like it's 1995!

8st 13, alcohol units 2 (excellent), cigarettes 7, calories 3,100 (poor).

Related posts: WIN! A copy of Bridget Jones's Diary | Bridget Jones's Diary review (book) | Bridget Jones's Diary review (film)

Posted by Keris on July 3, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 2, 2007 11:56 AM

YA star Megan McCafferty invites you to create a trailer

Big fan of (famously plagiarised) YA chick lit author Megan McCafferty?

Why not show your love by entering her contest to make a trailer recapping the plots of the first 3 novels in her famous Jessica Darling series (so that's Sloppy Firsts, Second Helpings, and Charmed Thirds). The trailer should be 3 minutes or less, and Megan will blog about entries as they come in, before picking her favourite - the creator of which will win a bag full of signed books.

So why not give it a go? - You couldn't possibly do worse than this...

More details and how to enter here. [Via Galleycat].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jordan/Katie Price gives birth

Call her what you will (glamour model, TV 'star', 'author'), but Jordan/Katie Price has given birth to her first daughter by Caesarian section at London's famous Portland Hospital. [Via Star Trip].

And! her second novel, Crystal has just been released, too: good timing!

Reports that her baby girl would be named after her new book were pooh-poohed by Jordan/Katie and her husband Peter Andre.  (Anyone know what name they did go with?)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 2, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK NEWS: The New Yorkers by Cathleen Schine

Yep, I'm judging books by their covers again, but in combination with the title, who could possibly resist Cathleen Schine's latest?

Set on a quiet little city block near Manhattan’s Central Park, The New Yorkers is the story of a music teacher named Jody who falls under the spell of her neighbor’s dazzling smile one fateful day while she is out walking her beloved dog, Beatrice. But the object of Jody’s newfound affection becomes smitten with a younger woman - whose youthful pup wins his heart as well. [via BookReporter]

Dogs and New York? I'm so there. 

Posted by Keris on July 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Decor Project

We've featured different ways to display your books before, but never anything like this. While it's not practical, it looks great.

But it's not meant to be practical, it forms part of The Decor Project by Canadian artists, Hadley & Maxwell. The artists asked several curators, gallery owners, and art collectors for permission to enter their homes. They then rearranged the interiors and took photographs, before putting everything back in its place.

It "crosses the boundary between public and private space" apparently. [via swissmiss]

Related: Mickey Smith's book photographs

Posted by Keris on July 2, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

Cult Classic week recap - that's a wrap!

Well, that was fun! Thanks for joining us for cult classic week last week on Trashionista. Between daily power cuts of 3-6 hours (!) I somehow managed to fit in some reading and writing about cult classics and it was a great time all round.

In case you missed anything (maybe you had power cuts too?) here's a recap of some of the week's highlights:

- Welcome to CC week!

- Future cult classics

- Jen Lancaster interview

- Review of Bridget Jones's Diary

- Review of Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

- Underrated cult classics

- Me and Bridget Jones: then and now

Plus more great stuff to read in the cult classic archives.

This week, we're back to normal: so that's more great reviews, giveaways and book news - don't go anywhere!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 2, 2007 in Announcements, Book related, Cult classic week | Permalink | Comments (4)

June 29, 2007 5:34 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Who doesn't love a bit of Marilyn Monroe on a Friday afternoon? (Or anytime, in fact!?) I know our ed-in-chief Gemma is a big fan (if you ask nicely she might show you the pics of her dressed as Lorelei, Marilyn's character in this film... or she might not! Sorry, Gemma...)

Anyway! In Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Marilyn and Jane Russell (Dorothy, the sensible brunette - of course) go on a cruise to have fun and meet men, and succeed in doing both, though not without the odd scrape along the way, and of course, they have to sing as they go...

It's not the best movie starring either of these iconic actresses, but it is a bit of fun, and based on Anita Loos's cult classic novel. It also features "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend", a number that's dazzling in more ways than one... (and was the inspiration for Madonna's Material Girl video, of course).

Carry on over the cut for a clip!

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Cult classic week, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK REVIEW: Sheila Levine is Dead and Living in New York by Gail Parent

I'd wanted to read Gail Parent's 1972 novel Sheila Levine is Dead and Living in New York for some time, ever since Jennifer Weiner classed it as her favourite chick lit novel on her blog, in fact. It could certainly be called a cult classic: those who know of it seem to love it, but it's out-of-print (though available second-hand on Amazon) and pretty under-appreciated.

Our eponymous heroine Sheila has moved to New York after graduation and is pretty much living the Sex and the City dream: working, partying, young free and single... but she's desperately unhappy. Not only is she a touch chunky, she's - wait for it - she's single. The SHAME. And in fact, never having heard of feminism, she's so depressed by the fact that she has no hubby to take care of her, that she's planning her funeral already. For when she commits suicide. Yeah - that'll show 'em!

You might think that the storyline of the book is entirely satirical, and at first I thought so too - but then I read the quotes from reviews at the start of the book, calling it "real" and "sad but true", as if all single women in their twenties are so desperate for a man and kids that they'll kill themselves rather than get it. I can't imagine reading this book in the early 70s - I imagine the black comedic feel was probably a revelation back then but reading it in 2007 was a strange experience and I found I didn't relate to the novel at all. Sheila is too self-deprecating to be releatable and the only sad thing here is how much she hates herself.

Rather than the chick lit novel I expected, Sheila Levine's sense of humour is re-he-ally dark. There's no denying this book is funny and that Gail Parent is a very talented writer with a quick wit. But I wish she'd put it to another use instead and never even suggested that women of her era felt this way.

I expected a good laugh, an interesting plot and a dash of nostalgia. I was disappointed: I got a character who hated herself for no good reason and a book that left me with a bit of a nasty taste in my mouth.

Mainly for the quality of Parent's writing, I'd give it..

Rating: 3 out of 5

But I'd rather read a Weiner!

Like this? Try Postcards from the Edge by Carrie Fisher or Girl, Interrupted.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Cult classic week, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Me and Bridget Jones: Then and Now

AKA: Why I'm feeling nostalgic now cult classic week is drawing to a close, by Diane...

I remember hearing the buzz about Bridget Jones's Diary almost a decade ago.

In the autumn of 1997, I was a fledgling student of English Language and Bridget Jones, the paperback, had landed in the bestseller charts (not for the last time). "Hmm," I thought, "I might like to read that..." so, cheapo student that I was, I asked for it for Christmas. I loved that it started at Christmas/New Year, with Bridget bemoaning the exact post-Xmas anticlimax I was experiencing. I may never have tasted a sip of Chardonnay (still don't like it), been to Cafe Rouge (I finally made it last year!) or had the pleasure of Una Alconbury's turkey curry buffet (!), but I identified with Bridget, even as I knew she was exaggerated: a satirical version of all women's insecurities.

Most of all, BJ made me feel better about myself. Like her, I'd often woken up fuzzy-headed from a hangover with all my clean tights in my washing basket and the good looking but smarmy men never took ME seriously either... (but good riddance!)

Re-reading BJD recently, I was full of trepidation: would I enjoy it as much a decade on?

Thank goodness, I did. I'd forgotten how funny Helen Fielding really is (Olivia Joules put me off her for a while!) and what a charmingly confused character Bridget is. And I hated Daniel and loved Mark's Darcy-ness all over again. I read it whilst in the grip of a horrible virus, and it was the perfect pick-me-up. It was also a big nostalgia-fest: full of pop culture references from the late '90s, a time I remember very fondly. Remember when the lottery was shown during Blind date? In fact, remember Blind Date?! And Gladiators (ugh - Bridget didn't like it either).

It didn't seem like it then, but it really was a more innocent time, and we were all full of optimism abut the new government and the future of Britain.

I wonder when we'll recapture that again - and what Bridget would think of Gordon Brown...

WIN! Your copy of the book here.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 29, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Cult classic week, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (5)

Three Lives & Company bookstore

It's been a while since I've waffled about an independent book shop, but when I saw this picture I couldn't resist. Situated in New York's Greenwich Village, Three Lives & Company describes itself as follows:

THREE LIVES is an anachronism.
It is the shop around the corner.
A touchstone in a neighborhood.
A place with a human face and a cast of characters.
84 Charing Cross Road colored by the time and place.
A haven for people who read.

Who could resist? [via Karin Gillespie]

Related posts: Virtual bookshops | Karyn Bosnak's favourite bookshop | UK's only gay bookshop under threat

Posted by Keris on June 29, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

Jenny Crusie merchandise

Wow. Jenny Crusie's web presence is increasing every day. She's got numerous sites, forums and blogs and now her own merchandise range!

The range includes items to promote Jenny's next book with Bob Mayer, Agnes & the Hitman (the apron is from the Cranky Agnes Promos), Crusie Mayer Writing Workshop kit and Cherry Gear ("cherries" is the collective name for Jenny Crusie fans).

I love this apron ($16.99), not just because, as we know, Cranky Agnes looks like me, but also because I love the tagline for Agnes's Mob cooking book: "Leave the gun. Make the cannoli." Genius.

Related posts: Don't Look Down review | Jenny Crusie interview

Posted by Keris on June 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 28, 2007 3:26 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Following my review of this wonderful book earlier today, Phillipa left a comment asking if rumours of a film are true. And they are!

Due for release next year, the screenplay has been written by David Magee who wrote Finding Neverland and Simon Beaufoy who wrote The Full Monty, so it's in pretty safe hands!

Carry on over the cut for the - possibly controversial - casting news. 

Dunebug's Amy Adams is to play Miss LaFosse and Frances 'Fargo' McDormand is Miss Pettigrew.

Yep, they're both American and I'm not sure how I feel about that. They're both great actresses, but still, weren't there any British actresses available? Or doesn't it matter?

(There are some British cast-members, including Stephanie Cole, Ciaran Hinds and Shirley Henderson.)

Posted by Keris on June 28, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (5)

Underrated cult classics

You know those cult classics that a small band of people love and a lot of others haven't even heard of? Well I'm making it my duty today to share with you some well-loved books that deserve an even wider audience. They could all be described as chick lit, so don't let the fact that none of them were written in the last 50 years hold you back from picking one up and having a darn good read!

Carry on over the cut to see my selection (and suggest your own!)

In Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford. No-one can satirise the upper classes like Nancy Mitford, and this tongue-in-cheek portrayal of an eccentric aristocratic family during World War Two is very witty and unexpectedly moving - a brilliant read.

Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M Delafield. Before Bridget Jones and prior to mum-lit, the Provincial Lady kept a 1930s diary featuring her absent-minded husband, unruly children and her own shoddy housekeeping. Tongue in cheek and very well-written, don't let the perhaps stuffy-sounding title put you off, this is a great book (with lots of sequels if you really like it!)

The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy. This will disabuse you of the fact that the past was a much more innocent era, and fast.  Sally, the American heroine of Dundy's debut novel dies her hair pink, stays out all night drinking and smoking (and avoiding drugs) and generally living the debauched, bohemian lifestyle... in the 1950s. Fab, fun and definitely chick lit-ish, this is a great summer read that a LOT more people should have read.

What do you think?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 28, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Cult classic week | Permalink | Comments (8)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Maggie Leffler

Written during her medical residency, Maggie Leffler's book, The Diagnosis of Love, received a rave from no less than Elinor Lipman! Maggie answers our questions below. (Two author interviews this week - we're spoiling you!)

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

A young woman physician runs away to England to start her life over.

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

I love to write in coffee shops or sitting outside when the weather is nice, a rare thing in Pittsburgh.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank

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

Oh, that's a hard question, because there are so many to choose from! I love Sophie Applebaum, the main character in The Wonder Spot, and I also love Sophie Stanton, the main character in Good Grief [called Sophie's Bakery for the Broken-Hearted in the UK], because both women are strong, wise, hysterically funny and utterly recognizable.

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

Join a writers group if you can.  It's a great way to get feedback. And don't give up!

What are you reading at the moment?

The Whole World Over by Julia Glass.  I loved her first book Three Junes so much that I had to pick this up.

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

Another novel about two women who were in the "supporting cast" of The Diagnosis of Love.

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!)

After rewriting the same novel so many times over the course of seven years, did your family and close friends ever doubt that The Diagnosis of Love would be published? 

They may have doubted it, and I don't blame them!  But for the most part, everyone was supportive of the process, even as they agonized alongside me.

Thanks, Maggie.

Posted by Keris on June 28, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (0)

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Dodie Smith

I've been meaning to "do" Dodie for some time, and as it's cult classic week on Trashionista, what better time to honour the author of one of the first, and most fabulous YA/crossover novels: I Capture The Castle. A favourite of many modern authors (as Rachel Johnson will testify), ICTC is the charming, funny and sometimes emotionally raw tale of Cassandra, a romantic 17-year old who can't wait for her first love... but who finds things don't always work out the way you expect.

Of course it's The Hundred and One Dalmatians for which Dodie became famous (and she apparently got very cross if people spelt 'dalmatian' wrongly so I checked I'd got it right!) but she yearned to be a more 'serious' writer than her best-known works would suggest. She was a huge fan of Henry James and championed many modern novelists she admired, among them a young Julian Barnes. Smith also wrote plays (best known is Dear Octopus) and was passionate about the theatre. But her talent was for more lighthearted (but very well-constructed) fiction - and there's nothing wrong with that!

In her personal life, she was a survivor: a bit of a loner, she would escape to her school's library and find company in books. Orphaned by the age of 18, she struggled at first to support herself, but clearly she survived in the end, although struggled for money in her later years, after the death of her husband Alec Beesley with whom she had a very loving (if, it is thought, purely platonic) relationship for many years.

Read this: I Capture The Castle. Plus, if you're interested in learning more about this unconventional and opinionated writer, I highly recommend Valerie Grove's wonderfully entertaining biography Dear Dodie, which is easy-to-read yet very well researched.

Trailblazer archives.

[Picture via BBC]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 28, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Cult classic week, Thursday Trailblazer, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

June 27, 2007 6:32 PM

WIN! A copy of Bridget Jones's Diary

You've read the review (haven't you?!), you've probably seen the film and read (and watched) the sequel, but would you like to win a brand spanking new movie tie-in version? Yes? That's good, 'cos we have five to give away thanks to the lovely people at Picador!

Here's what to do to be in with a chance of winning: just send us an email with "Bridget" in the title, and your name and address in the body of the email (so we can send you a book if you win). Sorry, UK only.

Look out for more fabulous giveaways in the next few days - there's something for everyone, coming up on Trashionista! 

Posted by Aigua Media on June 27, 2007 in Announcements, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Cult classic week, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

You'll now no doubt all be aware of Tina Brown's book, The Diana Chronicles, released in time for the ten-year anniversary of Princess Diana's death. (Find out what The Guardian thought of it here).

So my question to you this week is simple: do you want to read it, or not? Is it an honourable tribute, or exploitation?

Do you care?!

Basically: is it a Yay or a Nay - and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

[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!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 27, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, New Releases, Non Fiction, Opinion, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

You may have heard of this one... can anyone reading Trashionista not have read this book (if so, why?)

Although Marian Keyes's Watermelon was technically the first chick-lit book, Bridget Jones's Diary (BJD) started as a column in the Independent a year before Watermelon was published. Helen Fielding's modern (cult) classic captured the zeitgeist of a generation, introducing us to Mark Darcy, Daniel Cleaver, Una Alconbury, the concept of f***wittage and the importance of Chardonnay.

Plus it introduced us to one of the literary heroine of the nineties: Miss Bridget Jones...

In case you don't know the storyline, a quick reminder: Bridget Jones keeps a diary of her year, which starts with her being introduced to a snobbish man she instantly hates, Mark Darcy, progresses via disastrous dinner dates, job humiliations and bad boyfriends like Daniel Cleaver until she ends up with the man who was right for her all along...

I re-read the book for this review, so I could give it a fair rating and check that nostalgia hadn't made me remember it as better than it was. Not only was it at least as good as I'd remembered, it's actually got better with time: the cultural references may not be as relevant, but Bridget's insecurities and observations may be even truer now than back when this was published. (Women seem to go to even greater lengths to try to please men, for a start...) None of us know what classic s will still be in print (if we still have print books) in a hundred years time. But BJD definitely deserves to be one of them. It's a cult and a classic.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Cause Celeb by Helen Fielding.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 27, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Cult classic week, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (9)

What do you think of Tankbooks?

With timing perfect both for the UK smoking ban and our own Cult Classics Week, Tankbooks are literary classics miniaturised to fit into an authentic-looking cigarette packet (with flip-top lid, cellophane wrap and foil insert).

Books available include Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, Rudyard Kipling's The Man who would be King, and Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Unsurprisingly, they go on sale as the smoking ban comes in on July 1st and you can pick them up for £6.99 from various book shops, along with Selfridges, Urban Outfitters and Paul Smith. [via Retro To Go]

But what do you think? Are they brilliantly designed and entertainingly tongue-in-cheek, or tasteless (and, presumably, tricky to read)? (Between Tankbooks and Karin Slaughter, this could also be Bad Taste Week!)

Posted by Keris on June 27, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

What Bridget Jones taught us...

To whet your appetite for my review of Bridget Jones's Diary and a very special cult classic week competition, I thought I'd share: What I learned from Bridget Jones.

Here's just a few of the lessons the cult heroine shared with us. From her failures, we all can learn...

That mini-breaks are the height of romance/the ultimate test for a relationship.

Never to take fancy dress invitations too literally.

The older generation conducts extra-marital affairs via department store coffee shops.

Never wrap meat in blue string.

Always check for post under the interior doormat.

1471 is not your friend.

Lotto scratch cards, smoothies, cigarettes, mini pizzas and alcohol can all be extremely addictive...

The man called Darcy is always the hero.

Are there any  I've missed?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 27, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Cult classic week, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jen Lancaster

I'm reading Jen Lancaster's first book, Bitter Is the New Black, on Diane's recommendation and I'm loving it. Jen's latest book is Bright Lights, Big Ass.

As this is Cult Classics Week, Jen's choice of favourite chick lit book fits in perfectly. Over to Jen:

Please describe your latest book in  15 words or fewer:

A humorous look at how NOT sexy-in-the-city urban life can be.

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

I used to write in bookstores and coffee shops, but due to our home’s gravity problem, I keep dropping my laptop computers and now it’s easier (and less expensive) to use a desktop.  It’s located in the alcove off my bedroom.  It’s convenient for my dogs so they can comfortably lie on the bed and stare directly into my soul while I try to write.  (Yeah, no pressure there.) 

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Hands-down, it’s Bridget Jones’s Diary.  I’ve read it no less than twenty times and it makes me laugh with each reading.  Helen Fielding was the first author to so neatly capture and immortalize the real life of post-collegiate, but not-yet-suburban women.  In one scene, Bridget works from home in order to be more productive and ends up taking a seven-hour nap, which made me wonder if Fielding had been spying on me. 

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

I love Bridget and also Becky Bloomwood from the Shopaholic series because they’re both so delightfully real with their foibles and imperfections.  (However, when I finally grow up, I want to be Patsy and/or Edina.) 

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

Write for yourself, not an audience.  That way, you know at least one person will be happy and what ever you put down will sound so much more genuine.  Also, writing is a muscle that gets stronger the more you exercise it – so do it as much as you can and I promise you’ll see results.

What are you reading at the moment?

I have three different books going at any one time.  Right now I’m in the middle of Mary Janice Davidson’s Undead and Uneasy, Laurie Notaro’s There’s a (Slight) Chance I Might Be Going to Hell, and Christopher Buckley’s Boomsday.  Admittedly kind of a schizophrenic mix, but I’m enjoying all of them for their humor and distinctly different writer’s voices.

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

My next book comes out in May 2008 and it’s called Pretty Fat.  It’s a true story about trying to lose 50 pounds by every means possible (and despite rampant laziness and an inflated sense of self-worth.)  I’ve hated the process but am delighted with the results and hope readers are, too!
 
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 is: “Would you like to meet Vince Vaughn?”  And the answer is yes.  Yes, I would.

Thanks, Jen.

Posted by Keris on June 27, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Cult classic week, Interviews, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 26, 2007 7:46 PM

Karin Slaughter's knitting contest

We've talked about Knit Lit on Trashionista before, but crime author Karin Slaughter's taken it to a whole new (and creepy) level.

Having commissioned patterns for a Ted Bundy Knit Hat and a Jeffrey Dahmer Boiled Wool Book Bag, she's running a competition on her website for the best versions of each. Great prizes, but I think it's in pretty poor taste.

What do you think?

Related post: Karin Slaughter latest writer to get graphic with her next novel

Posted by Keris on June 26, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Competition, Crime / Mystery | Permalink | Comments (5)

June 25, 2007 7:25 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby

Nick Hornby came to most women's attention (sorry to be gender biased, but I think that's true!) with High Fidelity, his excellent lad lit novel about a music obsessive and his estranged girlfriend.

But if you haven't read Fever Pitch, you've missed a trick. The memoir of Hornby's obsession with Arsenal might be a bit much if you're a mad-keen Chelsea or Man Utd. supporter, or if you're American and think football's called soccer...(I tease!) but even if you're not a fan of the 'beautiful game', there's still a lot to enjoy in this book. It's a raw and touching story abut the power of sport to transform the emotions and the sense of belonging and bonding that football can provide. Even if you don't like sport, it's hard not to be won over by Hornby's enthusiasm and the excitement and tension at the end of the book is palpable.

I admit, I wouldn't ahve picked this book up had I not loved High Fideltity, or if it wasn't handy on my Dad's bookshelf. But I'm so very, very glad I did.

It's a cult classic of the footie field and beyond!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 25, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Cult classic week, Memoirs, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Prize Winners, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

NEL's Pack of Dogs

This bookshelf makes me rather stupidly happy.

Designed by NEL, there are a few different pieces, all based roughly on the shape of a dog, and available in different sizes and positions. They can apparently work as a side table, stool, bench, bookshelf, magazine rack, newspaper holder, bookends, etc.

Check out The Style Files for more (the dog lying on its back is rather fab too).

Related posts: What the Dog Did review | Booklamps |  The Self Shelf

Posted by Keris on June 25, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

Jennifer Crusie's tagline competition

Jennifer Crusie is asking for help from her readers for the sequel to Don't Look Down.

The book within the next Agnes book needs a catchy tagline: can you think one up? (I can't,  slogans fox me - I'd be terrible in advertising!)

If you think you can help the great Ms Crusie with your brilliant word power, click here to find out more. [Via Nicola Pedley]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 25, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 22, 2007 12:24 PM

Jen Lancaster launches Mamapop's book club

I know, I can't seem to shut up about Jen Lancaster or Mamapop lately (maybe next week...?) but this I had to share: Jen Lancaster, Mamapop.com's resident author/avid reader, has just launched their book club with the inaugural (little political pun intended!) read: The Washingtonienne, Jessica Cutler's infamous blook.

If I wasn't on a book buying ban (I've got too many!), I'd be tempted to join in myself... Perhaps it's a choice for you if Richard and Judy's picks for this summer don't appeal?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 22, 2007 in American Authors, Bonkbusters, Book Websites, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (3)

FRIDAY FLICK: Jackie Brown

How I loooove Jackie Brown. Based on Elmore Leonard's book Rum Punch (which is now often re-labeled Jackie Brown), it's the story of... would you believe, Jackie Brown?

She's a stewardess who gets mixed up with a dangerous crowd when she becomes a drug runner for extra cash. Samuel L Jackson plays Ordell, the bad guy out to shut her up while Robert Forster's career got a revival when he was cast as Max Cherry, bail bondsmen and all-round good guy who's fallen hard for our eponymous heroine. But what are Jackie's plans? Is she taking the infatuated Max for a ride and can she outwit Ordell?

Director Quentin Tarantino made this an iconic film of the late '90s, popularising Kangol hats in the process! I may have seen it two or five times, and it's still a great watch - Pam Grier is perfect as Jackie. *DID YOU KNOW?* Jackie Brown is Tarantino's homage to the '70s cinema movement known as Blaxploitation (Shaft etc.) and he changed Jackie's surname from Burke to Brown in honour of Pam Grier's portrayal of Blaxploitation heroine Foxy Brown.

Like this, but with George Clooney: Out of Sight.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 22, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (5)

Carnegie Medal winners announced

Meg Rosoff has won Britain's most prestigious children's literature prize with her second novel, Just In Case.

Philip Pullman's Northern Lights has won the vote for the best Carnegie book of all time, the Carnegie of Carnegies.

Related posts: Phillipa Ashley's Decent Exposure wins the Joan Hessayon New Writers' Scheme award | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi scoops the Orange Prize

Posted by Keris on June 22, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Prize Winners, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 21, 2007 7:25 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: You tell us!

Yep, call it a cop-out or call it (more accurately of course) gauging mass opinion, this week I'm asking you, the reader to tell us: who's your favourite Trailblazer? By Trailblazer, we mean someone who did something new and exciting, left their mark on the literary world. I've got lots of ideas for future weeks but this week, I want to hear from you.

It could be a chick lit author, a "classics" type, or even a man(!)... or it could be someone we've already featured (scroll down to see them all). It could even be a few people!

Tell us who your Trailblazer is...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 21, 2007 in Book related, Opinion, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (7)

Just (don't?) help yourself! - How self-help books could sabotage your love life...

I'm not someone who believes in judging people by their choice of reading matter. (Actually in all honesty that's probably not true: I just don't like to be judged myself!) Anyway, this entertaining article in Nerve.com is all about the problems that being a regular visitor to the self-help section can cause when you're looking for love.

What do you think: should self-help books be hidden at the start (or even during) a relationship? Or if you really like someone, doesn't it matter? Or (say it ain't so!) have you never even read one and don't really care?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 21, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

Win books from the Strand Bookstore

How I love New York's Strand Bookstore. It's got 18 miles of books. 18 miles! (Hey, I'm doing a 13 mile walk in New York; maybe I can do it in the Strand!)

To celebrate its 80th birthday this year, the Strand has a competition: nominate your top 5 books of all time and win the 80 books with the most votes. It's only open to US residents, but feel free to let us know your top 5 books of all time, won't you. [via sk*rt]

Related posts: Booksellers on MySpace | Virtual bookshops 

Posted by Keris on June 21, 2007 in Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 20, 2007 5:30 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Kathryn Finney

I believe Kathryn Finney's first book, How to Be a Budget Fashionista should be on every woman's bookshelf, so I'm delighted she's joined the ranks of our interviewees!

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

How to Be a Budget Fashionista: The ULTIMATE Guide to Looking Fabulous for Less

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

For some strange reason I can't sleep on airplanes, so I do most of my good writing on them. Also, can't forget my mobile office (aka Starbucks). I also like to write while watching Oprah.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Guilty Pleasure:  The Shopaholic series.  When I want to expand my mind: Anything by Amy Tan and Jhumpari Lahri.

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

I don't have a favorite, but I tend to be drawn to characters that challenge our concept of humanity. 

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

Don't talk about it, BE about it. The difference between writers and aspiring writers is that the former writes. You  can't sell a book, if you haven't written anything down.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Barack Obama book (the first one) and Young Broke and Fabulous by Suze Orman

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

My second book which, drum roll please, will be about fashion. I have a fiction book somewhere inside of me that I will start to work on at some point.

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!)

Question: What did your mom think about the book?

Answer: She loved it.

Thanks, Kathryn!

Posted by Keris on June 20, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Interviews, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (3)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Now, I think a hardback book makes a lovely present, especially if it has a gorgeous cover, like this one.

But Henrietta Clancy in The Guardian books blog puts forward the opinion that a paperback is better: more portable, easier to read and who cares about the pretty?!

So I'd like to know what you think: in the hardback vs paperback wars, who wins?

Hardback books: is it a Yay or a Nay... and why?

And! I nearly forgot... I said I'd give my opinion of women-only prizes like the Orange this week. Well... I love 'em. The Orange consistently shortlists books that sound 10 times more appealing to me than those that win, say, The Booker, And most literary prizes still favour men, so I think it's still needed, too!

Yay or Nay archives.

[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!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 20, 2007 in Book related, Opinion, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (8)

Richard & Judy's Summer Reads 2007

Oddly, announcements of Richard & Judy's book club picks are usually everywhere, but this one seemed to sneak out with nary a squeak! I had to check a few times to make sure it was actually a new list!

Now that I've established that it is indeed 2007, yes it is summer, and I'm not telling you something you already know (hopefully), you'll find the full list over the cut.

Week 1
Wednesday 4th July 2007
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

Week 2
Wednesday 11th July 2007
Relentless by Simon Kernick

Week 3
Wednesday 18th July 2007
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Week 4
Wednesday 25th July 2007
Salmon Fishing In The Yemen by Paul Torday

Week 5
Wednesday 1st August 2007
Getting Rid of Matthew by Jane Fallon
(We've read it and loved it!)

Week 6
Wednesday 8th August 2007
The Savage Garden by Mark Mills
(I started reading this a while ago, but it reminded me too much of another R&J book club pick - The Shadow of the Wind - so I stopped.)

Week 7
Wednesday 15th August 2007
How to talk to a Widower by Jonathan Tropper
(I've heard great things about Jonathan Tropper, so I'm most intrigued by this one.)

Week 8
Wednesday 22nd August 2007
The Other Side of The Bridge by Mary Lawson

More details on the book club site.

Posted by Keris on June 20, 2007 in Book related, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Manny's trailer generates a lot of buzz...

That's according to Galleycat, who have all the news on the trailer of Holly Peterson's debut novel, The Manny.

It may just be one of the most disturbing things I've ever seen...

Carry on over the cut to see it! Let us know what you think.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 20, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Technology | Permalink | Comments (7)

Jen Lancaster's summer read recommendations

Hot on the heels of The Philadelphia Inquirer's recommending beach reading, the very funny and fab Jen Lancaster gives her selection of great summer reads, and hints at what she'll be talking about next. (Here's one clue).

You can find out more from this post at great pop culture blog Mamapop.com (You don't have to be a mama to love it, I'm a biiiiig fan.)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 20, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 19, 2007 1:38 PM

Penguin books in hairdressers

Publisher Penguin has unveiled a new partnership with hair salon Toni&Guy, which will see the publisher place a range of titles in 30 London salons. The books - including new titles by Marian Keyes, Lisa Jewell, Adele Parks and Jane Green - will be available to borrow and read during appointments and will be replaced on a monthly basis.

Penguin General marketing executive Ruth Spencer said: "It provides Penguin with a new channel with which to reach readers. As well as picking up a magazine to flick through during their appointment, clients will also have a choice of books. We know that books are seen as a way for women to wind down and relax, but with the wealth of entertainment options currently available to consumers coupled with increasingly hectic social schedules, making time to pamper yourself, is difficult." [via The Bookseller]

Related posts: Marian Keyes TV weekend | Free chick lit from Wilkinson Sword   

Posted by Keris on June 19, 2007 in Book News, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

The hidden cost of Waterstone's promotions...

Is suddenly not-so-hidden as a leaked letter reveals it can cost publishers up to £45,000 for book chain Waterstone's to promote their new release. Of course, we all knew that was the practice, and that those front of store promotions were never chosen on merit... but surely it's time to stop the nonsense now?

Read all the sordid details here.

[Via Bookslut].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 19, 2007 in Book News, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Taste of Italy wins New York Book Festival prize

Friend-of-Trashionista Lucie Simone's e-book A Taste of Italy has won the New York Book Festival Competition for best e-book. You can find the full list of winners here.

The 2007 New York Book Festival will take place this Saturday, June 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. near the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. The event is free and open to the public and includes author readings, live music, children’s storytelling, clowns performing children’s face-painting and twisting balloon animals, book signings, vendor demonstrations and food.

Related posts: The Hay-on-Wye Festival's relay story | Word for Word series at New York's Bryant Park

Posted by Keris on June 19, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (1)

Win five fab books with Shiny Shiny!

As if all the Trashionista competitions we give you aren't enough (some very exciting ones coming soon, I promise!), our sister site Shiny Shiny is giving readers the chance to win FIVE fab Friday Project books, including A Girl Called Madonna and Confessions of a Chatroom Freak.

Find out more, including how to enter, by directing your mouse in this direction.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 19, 2007 in Announcements, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Competition, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK REVIEW: The Department of Lost and Found by Allison Winn Scotch

Ever since I heard about Allison Winn Scotch's debut novel, The Department of Lost and Found, I've been looking forward to reading it. It's about Natalie Miller, political assistant to the senator of New York (shades of Hillary Clinton!) who's a total workaholic. Then one day her boyfriend Ned discovers a lump in her breast and... I'm trying not to use a cliche like 'her whole world turns upside down' but honestly, her whole world does go A over T.

Not only does Ned pick the time immediately post-diagnosis to confess he's been planning on leaving her for another woman, but coping with chemo knocks Natalie for six, and her relationships with those closest to her start to change, too. It's scary stuff.

But that doesn't mean this book is downbeat: it's thoughtful, it's informative about breast cancer treatment, and I often read it with a lump in my throat. But it's also funny and silly at times, and Natalie is endearingly flawed. Sometimes she's more worried about getting the answers on The Price is Right, or why her big love Jake left her than the fact she has cancer. But other times she stares death head on, and wonders what she's given to the world and if she's ready to die.

Allison Winn Scotch wrote this book after her best friend died of cancer, in the hope that writing a slightly happier ending would be cathartic. I hope for her sake that it was, but she certainly did her friend justice with this very entertaining and yes (another cliche) heartwarming read.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Lady Luck's Map of Vegas by Barbara Samuel

*Allison Winn Scotch's late friend, Elizabeth Anne Prostic, has a foundation in her name - visit www.metacancer.org to find out more.*

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 19, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 18, 2007 11:34 AM

Bedtime Stories bedding

This bedding, designed by Tiago da Fonseca as part of Project Sleepless, is not only gorgeous, it's practical too.

It has several separate sheets containing a traditional bedtime story so you can turn the "pages", making you warmer (or cooler). Genius. [via The Style Files]

Related posts: Bibliochaise from Nobody & Co | Booklamps | Tracy Kendall's book print wallpaper

Posted by Keris on June 18, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 15, 2007 2:22 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: The First Wives' Club

An oldie (ish) but a classic (ish). Three great older (ish - OK, I'll stop!) actresses, Bette Midler, Diane Keaton and Goldie Hawn starred in this divorced women's call-to-arms way back in 1996. The three play wives who've all been dumped for younger women (one of whom is played by Sarah Jessica Parker) and vow to take revenge. So they form The First Wives Club.

"Don't get mad, get everything!" is their motto and they set out to do just that. This film is frivoulous and fun as long as you don't take it too seriously or expect too much. The women would probably be better off getting on with their lives and not seeing themselves as victims, but I guess their anger is justified and writing this was probably very cathartic for the sadly now-departed Olivia Goldsmith, who based the book from which this came on her own experiences.

Ouch.

Like this, in more ways than one: Heartburn.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl's Guide to Why It Often Sucks in The City, or Who Are These Idiots and Why Do They All Live Next Door to Me? by Jen Lancaster

Wow, who could resist a subtitle like that? Not me, so I didn't.

Bright Lights, Big Ass is Jen Lancaster's follow-up memoir* to Bitter is the New Black, the story of her descent from rich dot-commer to almost-starving author, and the life lessons she learned along the way. In the new book, Jen's new favourite shops are Target and Ikea, she uses the library and public transport instead of bookshops and cabs and she even faces up to her phobia of gynae exams (in a hilarious chapter inolving a cautionary tale about hospital paper gowns). Lancaster is such an engaging and entertaining author with a bubbly personality that you can't help but warm to her and enjoy spending time absorbing her life.

But I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as Bitter is the New Black...

I wanted to know what happened between the time Jen decided to work on her book and the start of the new book, I wanted to know about the book stuff like meetings with Jen's editors and agent and what the marketing strategy was and... OK, I'm a book geek. But other readers might be curious too. I also felt (hey, let's make it three in a row) - it could have been a bit more... (say it with me, people:) cohesive! There isn't a definite trajectory in this book as there was in the first: Jen focuses on her more minor ups and downs (awful neighbours, having to temp for a while, transportation 'issues')and does so very well, but there isn't the tension of the first book. Which is good, as I don't want Lancaster to go through anything awful... but it makes slightly less interesting reading and is a collection of funny and random events more than a narrative.

It's still fun, fab and very worth reading, though and I can't wait for the next one!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster.

*Huh - I haven't reviewed one work of fiction this week! Next week I will, promise...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK NEWS: I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids

I don't know what would tempt me to read this memoir/advice book more: the refreshingly honest and funny title...

...or the gorgeously yummy-looking front cover. (Go see).

And I don't even have kids!

Watch a video from the authors if you'd like to know more.

Related posts: The Hot Moms Handbook | Confessions of a Failed Grown-up by Stephanie Calman

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Self development, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

Marian Keyes wins Melissa Nathan award for Comedy Romance

Marvellous Marian Keyes has won the inaugural Melissa Nathan award for Comedy Romance for her book Anybody Out There. Judges Jo Brand, Joanna Trollope, Jessica Hynes, Gaynor Allen and Sophie Kinsella awarded Keyes the £5000 prize in memory of author Nathan who died from cancer in 2006. [via Booktrade.info]

Posted by Keris on June 15, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (1)

Anyone read any Kris Radish?

I must admit I bristled when I read the following in an interview with American author, Kris Radish:

Michael: You bristle at the term ‘chick-lit,’ don’t you?

Kris: Oh slap yourself! (laugh) Here’s what I have to say about that. They can say anything they want about what I write, put me in any category they want, but I like to think I’ve created a new genre called “babes who have been there.”

I think my characters are more defined, more elegant, and have more depth than the writing you read in so-called “chick-lit.” Now that’s not to say there’s anything wrong with “chick-lit.” it’s just that the women I write about have already had their mini-vans, have taken motorcycle driving lessons and have been down a few roads – that’s how I categorize myself.

But then as I read on I really love the sound of her books. Even the titles: The Sunday List of Dreams, Dancing Naked at the Edge of Dawn, Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral...

Radish apparently has around half a million books in print and Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral has been optioned for a movie, and yet I've never heard of her! Have any of you?

Posted by Keris on June 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

Manga for young women

With Meg Cabot's manga sequel to Avalon High out next month, the Wall Street Journal online take a look at the entire manga for young women phenomenon. [via Galleycat]

Related posts: DC Comics launches Minx | Avril Lavigne manga | Manga romance

Posted by Keris on June 15, 2007 in Book related, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 14, 2007 5:50 PM

Is Kerry Katona the new Jordan?

It seems like she's trying to be, according to Galleycat: she's releasing a ghost-written novel about a "glamour" model whose life takes a downward turn... called Tough Love, it's out in October this year and er... sounds just the tiniest bit familiar.

I'm sure Iceland shoppers will be queuing in the aisles for a copy... maybe.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 14, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (4)

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Judy Blume

Continuing with both the Judy Blume theme and the kids's writers theme of the last week or so, it's about time we honoured Judy Blume as a true Trailblazer. A revolutionary author for children and teenagers, Blume began tackling subjects no-one wants to talk to their parents about as far back as the early 1970s.

Taking on such taboos as religion, periods, masturbation, sex, bullying and even the Holocaust, Blume had all teenagers' concerns covered and managed to write books which covered serious topics in a reassuring way whilst making the plot and characters more important than the 'message'.

Her iconic book Forever, an honest (somewhat explicit) novel about a couple's first sexual relationship, taught generations of girls and boys what to expect from their 'first time' without either scaring kids off or glorifying sex... quite a feat. Her books are well-written and always go beyond the topics they cover to create realistic people with feelings young adults can relate to. It's that, rather than any sensational reading material, that keeps generations coming back to Blume.

Unfortunately, some adults can't see beyond depictions of subjects they're uncomfortable with, and Blume's books are often banned from school and even public libraries. But her readers appreciate her, as do The National Book award people: in 2004 they gave her Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.

Trailblazer archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 14, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Girly Stuff, Thursday Trailblazer, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Writers Revealed

Writers Revealed is a live weekly podcast hosted by HarperCollins senior online marketing manager and editor and publisher of the literary magazine Small Spiral Notebook, Felicia Sullivan.

The show features live discussions, book giveaways and author interviews. Leslie Bennetts (author of The Feminine Mistake), Joshua Ferris and Michelle Goodman, and John McNally have already appeared with Julianna Baggott, MJ Rose and Curtis Sittenfeld coming up. You can listen to previous shows online.

Trashionista recommends archive

Posted by Keris on June 14, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, Podcasts, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 13, 2007 6:42 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

In last week's Yay or Nay you were unanimously opposed to the idea of dissing your ex in print ("Get a shrink and get over it already!" as Lucie very validly said).

Also last week, the winner of the Orange prize for Fiction was announced... but should she have been?

Do we need a literary fiction prize just for women, or are mixed prizes like The Booker enough? Does women's fiction need a special prize of its own, or can we compete amongst the men (and win) without discrimination?

What do you think: The Orange Prize - Yay or Nay, and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

[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!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 13, 2007 in Book related, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (7)

Book trailer for Sleeping Around

This trailer left a bit of a nasty taste in my mouth - no (really disgusting) pun intended. I'm not sure yet how I feel about all these promiscuity memoirs that seem to be appearing, particularly following the popularity of so-called call-girl lit. On the one hand, yes, I'm fine with women expressing their sexuality, etc., on the other hand isn't it just exploitation (even if the women are exploiting themselves)? But most of all, I just find this trailer pretty tacky. What do you think?


Related posts: Two takes on call-girl lit - is it sexy or squalid? | Dork Whore by Irish Bahr | My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler

Posted by Keris on June 13, 2007 in Book related, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (5)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant

We've had a mother-son interview before, but this is the first mother-daughter writing combo to talk exclusively to us at Trashionista! And I'm excited they did, as I loved their books - Steamed and Simmer Down - and can't wait for the next in the series (Turn up the Heat, out March '08). In the meantime, we have this great interview...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Jessica: Humorous and romantic culinary chick lit mystery set in the Boston restaurant scene. Recipes included!

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

Jessica: I write in my office surrounded sticky notes with book ideas scrawled across the yellows squares. I have visions of becoming totally organized and working in a neurotically neat space, but I suspect that will never happen. For reasons I don’t understand, there is no overhead light in my office, but I do have a grow light for my plants which casts a bizarre pink glow throughout the room, so that makes for an interesting atmosphere. (The neighbors must wonder if aliens have landed their ship in our house.)

Susan:  Outdoors, often on the back steps.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

J:  simply adore The Hazards of Sleeping Alone by Elise Juska. (By the way, this is one of those books where the cover doesn’t match the story.)

S:  Pride and Prejudice. Or maybe Emma. Yes, is Jane Austen the true mother of chick-lit?

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

J: Charlotte from Elise’s book is such an interesting and endearing character and her faults make her progress all the more meaningful. I love flawed characters; I mean, who wants to read about somebody completely perfect?

S: Elizabeth Bennet, who married the eternally irresistible Mr. Darcy.

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

J: Start writing! It sounds obvious enough, but I know many “writers” who have yet to put anything down on paper. Don’t hem and haw over everything you write because you can always go back later and edit, delete, or expand on whatever you’ve written. I hate writing the first few paragraphs of a book so I often just skip ahead and write the opening lines later, otherwise I might sit poised over the keyboard for days waiting for some brilliant line to come to me... Do not try to copy another author’s style or your writing will be disastrous. I love Elinor Lipman’s books [me too! - Diane], but never in a million years could I write the way she does - I can only imagine how hideous my attempts would be. Show your work to someone. Anyone. As terrifying as this is to new writers, you must have someone else read what you’ve written. Be open to feedback and constructive criticism because that is how you improve!

S: If writing does not come naturally to you, quit trying. Read instead!

What are you reading at the moment?

J: Pick Your Poison by Leann Sweeney.

S: Anne Tyler’s Digging to America.

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

J: I’ve been busy gathering materials for our website and am itching to get writing again. My mother and I are getting ready to sign a contract for two more books in the Gourmet Girl series so we will start plotting the fourth mystery very soon.

S: I was outlining my second cat lover’s mystery, but Holly Winter’s malamutes leapt in and shoved the cats aside, so I am writing my nineteenth dog lover’s mystery.

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!)

Jessica: Your husband is a chef so you must eat like a queen all the time, right? A: Yes, it’s foie gras and fancy chocolate cakes for dinner every night. Okay, not exactly, be we do eat well. My husband, Bill, works most nights so I’m often left to fend for myself. When he is home and cooking, his food is always spectacular.

Susan: What is a Harvard-Radicliffe summa doing writing dog mysteries, cat mysteries, and chick-lit? Answer: Having fun.

Thanks so much, Jessica and Susan!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

What book first got you hooked?

The ever-interesting Bookninja asks and answers the ever-interesting question: "What book first got you hooked on reading?"

That's because book charity First Book is running a What Book Got You Hooked? campaign to raise awareness of its objectives: donating books to low-income families. This summer they'll have given away 50 million copies. Now that's impressive. (And nearly as many books as my to-be-read pile contains, ha ha.)

Anyway, to answer their question, for me... it was probably something by Enid Blyton.

How about you - What book first got you hooked?

Related: Donate spare books to charity.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 13, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (8)

BOOK REVIEW: Forty Camel Girl: Letters from Turkey by E. Grace Beyler

Shiny Shiny's deputy ed, the lovely Alex Roumbas, reviews a recent read she thinks Trashionista readers will enjoy: Forty Camel Girl is available to buy from the website (above), and Alex highly recommends that you do so - read on to find out why...

In 1969, at the age of twenty six, E. Grace Beyler found herself bound for Turkey with her fiance, Hakan, ready to live with his family while he completed mandatory army service. Not yet speaking a word of the language and full of the independence of her American upbringing, she faithfully wrote home to her parents in the United States chronicling her experiences. Beyler has now drawn on these letters to create a funny, moving diary of this pivotal period in her life in Forty Camel Girl: Letters from Turkey.

Beyler's letters describe not only a turning point in her own life, but that of the nation she adopts as her temporary home. Describing the westernisation of Turkey and the enduring legacy of Ataturk, Grace is also forced to examine international attitudes to US foreign policy which remain strikingly relevant nearly forty years later. Beyler's alternately moving and hilarious accounts of learning to love and communicate with her new extended family take place against the backdrop of the shifting place of Turkish women in society and news from home such as the imminent deployment of her brother, Bill, to Vietnam. Written with passion and humour, Forty Camel Girl: Letters from Turkey is a highly readable personal memoir definitely worth missing your tube stop for.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Dork Whore by Iris Bahr.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 12, 2007 7:48 PM

JK Rowling honoured with Blue Peter special!

Surely all wannabe women writers relate/aspire to JK Rowling's rags to riches story, especially as she seems like such a jolly nice lady (sorry, went a bit Enid Blyton there).

Blue Peter obviously thinks highly of her too as they're honouring the famously reclusive author with a special edition of the kids's programme (but you can watch it too, we won't tell..) Children can even enter a BBC competition to attend the filming - find out how here if you know someone who might be interested.

The programme will air on 20 July, the day before the next Harry Potter is released.

[Via TV Scoop].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 12, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Series, Television, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

Karin Slaughter latest writer to get graphic with her next novel

Crime writer Karin Slaughter is the latest female author to sign up to produce a graphic novel. The number one bestselling author will produce The Recidivists for Arrow.  [Via Book2Book]

Should be interesting (and perhaps gory...?)

Related posts: Jodi Picoult, Wonder Woman? | Wuthering Heights gets graphic!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 12, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

House for sale with built in bookclub

We're all for book clubs at Trashionista, but would you buy a house if one of the conditions of ownership was that you had to host one?

A historic Dorset rectory for sale for £700,000, specifies in the deeds that an established book club must be allowed to continue to meet there.

The club has been meeting at the house for more than ten years, and when the owner, Gilly Savage, moved, members were worried it would have to fold. Instead Savage instructed her solicitors to add a clause to the deeds that the new owner had to continue to host the club on the third Thursday of each month. [via The Guardian]

It's a good story and all, but couldn't one of the other members have hosted it...?

Related posts: New Tesco book club | The Daily Mail book club | Book clubs - not just for books?

Posted by Keris on June 12, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

TUESDAY THREE: Working in TV

We've looked at chick lit heroines who work for newspapers, magazines and in PR - how about television?

Stephanie Lehmann's You could do better was described as '... an irresistible new novel about a woman trying to choose between the man of her dreams - and her fiance ...' and if you can resist a line like that, you're a better woman than me.

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...

When TV producer Carly McKay - heroine of Lani Diane Rich's The Fortune Quilt - goes to interview a psychic quiltmaker, Brandywine Seaver, she has no idea that her life is about to change completely ... until, that is, Brandy gives her a reading on a quilt she's made for Carly. Carly doesn’t believe in psychics, but when her TV show closes down, her runaway mother returns after 17 years and her best (male) friend tells her he’s been in love with her for years, she returns to the arty town of Bilby to ask Brandy what the hell’s going on.

Partly due to the town's charms (not least sexy neighbour, Will) and partly because she's afraid to go home, Carly finds herself making a life in Bilby, but when the quilt inspires her to make things right and get back what she’s lost, Carly's forced to risk everything she’s found.

Apparently the latest, hottest trend in Manhattan - more popular than the Birkin bag, better than Jimmy Choos - is The Manny, or male nanny, and this is the subject of Holly Peterson's debut novel. Jamie Whitfield is at the end of her tether with her husband Philip, an overgrown spoiled rich kid who can never have enough money and who spends all his time at work, away from Jamie and their three children.

Jamie's also trying to break a huge national story in her job as producer at a major news network and it's not going smoothly. More importantly, the problems in her marriage are brought into stark relief by her growing attraction to Peter, the Manny...

Posted by Keris on June 12, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 11, 2007 3:58 PM

What's your "Judy Blume moment of truth"?

In honour of the release of the fabby-looking Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume, Beth Kendrick of  The Literary Chicks.com is asking the above question. (Your moment might be that "that all the really cute, sporty boys preferred your busty, bubbly best friend to you, just because you were a freakishly flat-chested introvert who preferred Sylvia Plath to Seventeen,"  says Kendrick). Read more here.

Did you grow up with Judy Blume? I loved Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself and Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. Blume created teenage characters with real concerns that girls could relate (and sometimes aspire) to...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 11, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

Want to cook Austen's eggs?

No, that's not some weird new metaphor ("wow, she really cooked Austen's eggs!") but a genuine recipe from a book called Kafka's Soup. It's "a history of world literature in 14 recipes" written and illustrated by Mark Crick and Jane Austen's eggs feature, along with Viginia Woolf's clafoutis and, yes... Franz Kafka's soup. [Via The Independent].

Readings in Paris have apparently gone down a treat! Would you fancy eating your way through it?

Related posts: Dirty Sugar Cookies by Ayun Halliday | Movie News: Julie and Julia.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 11, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK NEWS: Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster

I loved Bitter is the New Black and will be reviewing her latest, Bright Lights, Big Ass soon, so I was excited to hear about Jen Lancaster's next book, which she's currently both writing and losing weight for:

Called Pretty Fat, the book has another of Lancaster's trademark subtitles: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover If Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big; Or, Why Pie Is Not the Answer, and is "the story of the heretofore-unabashedly-plus-sized Jen's quest to lose fifty pounds in six months by any means possible", according to her website.

Book news archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 11, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 8, 2007 6:04 PM

Oprah's book news - a new book club pick and a traitorous relative

After much speculation, Oprah has picked the not-exactly-new (but critically acclaimed) Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides as her next book club pick. Anyone read it? I hear great things...

Also, you may have heard this already but it bears repeating: Oprah's Dad is writing a book. About Oprah. That he "forgot" to tell her about. Nice man. [Via Galleycat].

Related: Oprah chooses The Road.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 8, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Modern Fiction, Non Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (7)

FRIDAY FLICK: Riding in Cars with Boys

Based on Beverly Donofrio's first memoir of the same name, Riding in Cars with Boys stars Drew Barrymore as Beverly, following her journey from rebellious 1960s teen to... well, I'm not going to spoil the plot but suffice it to say she has a few ups and downs along the way to becoming a successful author, not least of which is falling pregnant while still in high school and agreeing to marry the father, an unreliable stoner (played well by Steve Zahn). The excellent Brittany Murphy plays Beverly's best friend Fay who is in the same situation, and the two girls struggle to get used to marriage and motherhood while Beverly, independent and unconventional, wonders if there'll ever be more to life.

Drew Barrymore is always heartfelt and emotionally honest, and this is at times a heartbreaking film. She portrays Beverly very honestly as flawed but well-meaning and helps this rise above the standard teenage-mum movie. This is a good film with a happy ending that might make you (me) shed a tear or two along the way.

Like this: (well, a teeny bit): Girl, Interrupted.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 8, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Friday Flick, Memoirs | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Art of Undressing by Stephanie Lehmann

After really enjoying You Could Do Better, I was looking forward to Stephanie Lehmann's new book, The Art of Undressing. Except it's not a new book at all! First released in the UK in March this year, The Art... was actually written in 2005. (Those sneaky publishers!) Anyway, the fact that this is a slightly older book might be why I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I hoped I would.

It's about Ginger, a 25-year-old trainee chef who has always felt overshadowed by her mum Coco, a former stripper who now teaches the art of seduction... with Ginger as her mortified assistant. Ginger has a lot on her plate (ha! no pun intended): her sulky teenage stepsister and cold father are still reeling from the death of Ginger's stepmother, who was more of a maternal figure to Ginger than Coco has ever been. Plus Ginger's boyfriend Ian treats her badly, but when she dumps him and tries to seduce Tom, the hottest man at chef school, she doesn't have much luck there either. Does she need to cast off her sneakers and chef's whites and learn to be sexy just like mommy?

That's what the novel can't seem to decide: whether Ginger should conform more to society's expectations of sexually available young women, or whether she should stay true to herself. Whether she's repressed and uptight, or just her own person, with different morals to her mother. At the end of the book, we're left with the tentative feeling that Ginger is starting to relax and be more true to herself without being all uptight about it, but I think the novel tries to please both those people who think stripping is just a bit of fun, and those who find it exploitative. In the end, it doesn't quite please either. And although Tom had his moments of charm, I didn't think he was good enough for Ginger!

I do like Stephanie Lehman's style of writing, she combines real emotion with a fast-paced story, and had clearly done her research on the stripping 'industry' and the food one. The most realistic moments of the book were those which focused on Ginger's complicated family dynamic. Having a "blended family" myself, I thought she portrayed that particularly well.

But I never felt Ginger really learned to feel good about herself, as her own person, and that was disappointing.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Marsha Mellow and Me by Maria Beaumont.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 8, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

"My book deal ruined my life" article

Get out the tiny violins before you read this article in The New York Observer.

Learn how a $100,000 advance isn't that much after all and why Jessica "Washingtonienne" Cutler can't pay her AmEx bill.

Turns out writing's just like any other job - some people don't enjoy it.

Related posts: From blog to book | £1.5million for Dawn French's memoirs | The curse of the second novel

Posted by Keris on June 8, 2007 in American Authors, Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 7, 2007 7:03 PM

BOOK NEWS: Shoe Addicts Anonymous

Simultaneously playing into every chick lit stereotype (pink cover, shoe-theme, gang of girly mates? check, check check!) and yet at the same time looking like a dang good read, Shoe Addicts Anonymous is a new book by Beth Harbison about well, yes, a group of shoe-loving gals.

But those gals happen to be "the wife of a controlling politician, a debt-ridden eBay addict, an agoraphobic phone sex operator, and a nanny for the family from hell". Which is a bit different, you must admit! More about the book here and read an excerpt here. [Via EarlyInk.com]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 7, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (3)

Deborah Moggach on the Tulip Fever adaptation

In an article in The Times, author Deborah Moggach explains how the film adaptation of her novel, Tulip Fever, became a bit of a 'mare.

Related posts: Adaptation | Based on the novel by... | Deborah Moggach on the new Jane Austen covers

Posted by Keris on June 7, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Nora Ephron

Back in the early '80s, before anyone else thought to put together food-themed semi-fictional novels, Nora Ephron brought out the irresistible Heartburn, about a betrayed pregnant wife who cooks to stay sane. It's very funny, even over twenty years later.

Nora was always something of a pioneer: she was an early feminist and wrote on this and other hard-hitting topics for Esquire magazine as well as writing lighter articles on a range of subjects, which later were turned into essay collections including Crazy Salad and Scribble, Scribble.

She's also fiercely funny and clever, the screenwriter of my favourite film When Harry Met Sally, mother of two boys, an excellent non-fiction writer and blogger and a big player in Hollywood. What more could you ask for in a Trailblazer?

Read this: Heartburn.

Watch this: When Harry Met Sally.

Don't mention this: Bewitched.

Trailblazer archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 7, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Non Fiction, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie scoops The Orange Prize with Half of a Yellow Sun

I wish I was more of a gambler as I'd been saying for weeks that this would win: Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (right) has been named winner of the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction, for her novel Half of a Yellow Sun (also a Richard and Judy pick). She scooped £30,000 along with her award - nice!

Meanwhile Canadian author Karen Connelly won the 2007 Orange Broadband Award for New Writers for her debut novel The Lizard Cage. (And that's 10K for her, if you're interested).

[Via BBC News; Image: BBC]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 7, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Recent Release, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 6, 2007 2:46 PM

Marina Lewycka on funny women writers

Great piece in The Times by A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian author Marina Lewycka.

Of course we know women can be just as funny as men (and often funnier), but some men still struggle with the concept (shocker).

But when I think about it, the three funniest books I ever read (I'll stick them over the cut in case you're interested) were all written by men. What about you?

1. Frank by Frank Skinner
2. Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About by Mil Millington
3. The Best A Man Can Get by John O'Farrell

Posted by Keris on June 6, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (9)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week, I asked if you were excited about the swathe of upcoming Hillary Clinton biographies. Most of you said NAY, but my co-ed Keris admitted she'd be intrigued if they raked up new dirt. (Me too!)

This week: from one betrayed woman to several more - The Other Woman is a new collection of real-life stories from women about love and betrayal. Authors include Mary Jo Eustace, whose husband Dean McDermott left her (and their children) for 90210 star Tori Spelling. She spills all the details of her husband's betrayal - but should she? Is it a great form of revenge, or a little undignified perhaps?  [Via Mamapop]

And would you want to read this book?

Tell it to us straight: Yay or Nay - and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

[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!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 6, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Television, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (5)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Martina Reilly

Martina Reilly's latest book, All I Want Is You, is out tomorrow (and will be reviewed here soon). Can I just say, looking at that photo, does she not just look like the sweetest person ever? When I go to Ireland to force Marian Keyes to be my friend, I might have to call in on Martina Reilly too. (Be afraid, Martina. Be very afraid.)

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

My latest book is about Poppy Shannon - a woman who had it all to lose and did!

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

I write all my books sitting on my bed, propped up with pillows with copious amounts of coffee on standby. It probably explains why my back aches so much.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Sophie Kinsella's - Shopaholic and Sister.

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

My favourite heroine has got to be Alessandra Cecci (The Birth of Venus - Sarah Dunant) because she was so spirited and determined and managed creatively to live (and die) in the way she wanted.

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

I would tell anyone who wants to write to just go for it - sit down and write. And to remember that nothing you write is set in stone - as a writer you have to be open to suggestion and change. The suggestions will come (hopefully) from others that you trust with your story and the change will come from yourself, when you realise that your characters can and do have a life of their own.

What are you reading at the moment?

Imperium - Robert Harris

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

I'm working on a story about a girl called Hope, who, through a tragic accident ends up suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Her two friends bring her back to her home town to recuperate, little realising that home is the last place Hope wants to be, not with all the secrets she has.

Hope ends up receiving counselling for PTSD which allows me to give the reader glimpses into Hope's past. And what a past it was!!! It's a funny, gentle but serious look at motherhood, daughterhood and friendship.

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!)

What is your main aim when setting out to write a book?

To create great memorable characters, emotional, funny interesting scenes and a cracking page-turner of a plot.

I feel this question is important, especially as an Irish writer, as in this country (Ireland) there is a very snobby literary tradition. Women writers penning contemporary fiction are not taken seriously at all. In my opinion unless a book (popular fiction or literary fiction) sets out to do the above, it fails as a book. Any book that sacrifices character/plot/scene for beauty of language and purple prose passages is just an incomprehensible poem!  (Whew - got that off my chest!)

Well, you know we agree with that! Thanks, Martina!

Posted by Keris on June 6, 2007 in Book related, Interviews, Irish Authors, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (4)

US Vogue editor Anna Wintour champions Fiona Neill's 'Slummy Mummy'

A more unlikely pairing I have yet to hear of! The perfectly-groomed Anna "Nuclear" Wintour, inspiration for the boss in The Devil Wears Prada, couldn't be much further from Lucy Sweeney, the heroine of Fiona Neill's The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy, who's often to be found in a state of utter frazzlement.

Yet the latest issue of Vogue features an excerpt of the book, with Wintour saying it "plays with the chaos and comedy of 30-something metropolitan maternity and brings it to an unexpectedly moving conclusion". The book is out in the US on 5 July, and couldn't have had a better endorsement. [Via The Independent, via Booktrade info].

I told you chick lit and fashion were inextricably linked!

Fashion Lit archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 6, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 5, 2007 5:31 PM

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Spirited Woman Circle

The Spirited Woman Circle gives readers a chance to participate in a series of one-hour phone "telechats" with famous women authors and industry insiders.

For the first half hour Spirited Woman's Nancy Mills interviews each guest and in the second half-hour you're able to ask your own questions.

Forthcoming authors include Hillary Carlip (curses - that was today) and Carly Phillips and previous authors have included Janet Fitch and Fannie Flagg.

Trashionista recommends archives

Posted by Keris on June 5, 2007 in Book related, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

I've been hearing great things about I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You for ages now (I even picked it up in New York two years ago, but then had to put it back when my sister reminded me there wasn't any more room in my suitcase). Ally Carter has written adult novels, but I'd Tell You... is her first book for Young Adults.

Cammy attends the exclusive and prestigious Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women. The residents of Roseville believe Gallagher Girls to be spoiled and privileged, having no idea they're actually spies-in-training. Cammy's mother is the headmistress and Cammy's spy skills are prodigious, but while she excels at Covert Ops, she's clueless where boys are concerned. So when she meets Josh she treats dating as a mission, with its own invented identity.

At the same time as trying to crack the boy code, Cammy's dealing with gorgeous new teacher Joe Solomon, new student Macey, a secret she can't tell her best friend, Bex, and, you know, schoolwork and studying.

I adored I'd Tell You... For some reason, quite a lot of YA books seem to be part of a series and so you finish the book knowing that you're going to have to read another to learn everything you want to know. That wasn't the case with this book; it was one of the most satisfying books I've read for ages. But I'd really love to read more about the Gallagher Girls and I'm in luck: Cross My Heart and Hope To Spy is out in October.

Like this? Try After Eight by Meg Cabot

Rating: 5 out of 5

Posted by Keris on June 5, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Rating: 5/5, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

GUEST BLOG and GIVEAWAY!: Katie Fforde

Katie Fforde, veteran chick lit writer, writes exclusively for  us about her new book, Going Dutch (find out how to bag a copy over the cut!) and...

Why sailing floats my boat by Katie Fforde

Ideas for books sometimes take you by surprise.  Going Dutch is a combination of two ideas, neither of which I'd really considered before.

The first idea came when I was chatting with some other writers about older heroines.  Although I didn't say so at the time I thought the last thing I wanted to do was to write about a women who was fifty.  Wondering why, I felt it was because I am quite settled in my life at that age and therefore wasn't interesting material.  Then I thought about the many women whose lives change drastically at that age and suddenly I did want to write about one.

We've had Accacia, our Dutch barge about five years now and I knew one day I'd have to write about her, but for me settings like that have to 'cook ' a bit in my mind before they're ready to be put into books.  When I'd had the idea about the older women, which I was worried could be a bit too similar to many other books if I wasn't careful, I thought, 'put the poor woman on a barge to make things a bit different!' 

There's a lot of Jo in me, or should that be the other way round? I love our barge, love all boats really, but only when they're safely tied up and I'm drinking a gin and tonic or something. The last thing I would ever want to do is go for a sea voyage in one. Going down the Thames and up the Medway was quite exciting enough for me. (It really was exciting coming home when there was a very thick early morning mist and we couldn't see a thing.)

It was after we'd got to Chatham that I endured the boat inspection bit which I put in the book. I was frantically editing at the time, perched on a high stool in my little cabin. Every time I heard anyone approach I leaped off my stool, closed the lid of my laptop and emerged with a smile on my face, wondering what had happened to the saloon since I’d last tidied it. I’d rather foolishly bulk bought Roses’s chocolates at an outlet store and had them sitting round in bowls for people to eat. No one was allowed off the boat without a handful, but we still didn’t win the Best Barge competition. It was a bit like comparing your very ancient, ill kempt old mongrel to a thoroughly groomed Afghan hound at a dog show.

If that's whetted (or wetted - ha ha) your appetite, email your name and address to editor@trashionista.com (with 'Katie' in the title) and three lucky readers will be chosen to win a copy of Katie Fforde's latest, Going Dutch! SORRY - UK only this time.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 5, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Guest blogs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 4, 2007 1:19 PM

Beach read recommendations from Philadelphia

I've been saving this 'til June as I thought any earlier might be too soon for us Brits! Jennifer Weiner's old stomping ground The Philadelphia Inquirer gives its summer reading recommendations, with some great-sounding books by women, including The Department of Lost and Found by Allison Winn Scotch, whose novel turns cancer into a fun topic to read about (I don't know how, either, but we will be reviewing it later in the season).

What do you want to read this summer?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (2)

MOVIE NEWS: The Old Curiosity Shop

A good old-fashioned British film, this adaptation: Charles Dickens' The Old Curiosity Shop will star Derek Jacobi, Zoe Wanamaker, Martin Freeman and Gina McKee.

And, as our sister site Corrieblog reports, Bradley Walsh, aka: Danny Baldwin will also star.

Movie news archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 4, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Movie News, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

US Cosmo's Fun & Fearless Fiction party

Galleycat's got a great piece (and fab photos) on Cosmopolitan (US) magazine's Fun & Fearless Fiction party. Guests included Jane Green, Jodi Picoult, Sara Gruen, Amy Sedaris, Candace Bushnell, Cecelia Ahern and more. (What I wouldn't have given for an invitation!)

I had to pick out this great quote from Jane Green: "I'm proud to have been part of the chick lit movement from the very beginning," she said, "but I understand the frustration over the derivative writing that followed. Chick lit has been around for about a dozen years, and people have been saying that it's dying for 11 of them. But if there wasn't a market for the better writers, they wouldn't have the longevity they do."

Posted by Keris on June 4, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 1, 2007 12:06 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Romeo + Juliet

Before Baz Luhrmann decided to make Moulin Rouge (not to mention one of the worst ads of all time), he burst into movie-making with this colourful adaptation which brought Shakespeare bang up-to-date whilst keeping the original language.

To say that it's dazzling would be an understatement: a modern soundtrack, technicolour sets, NYPD Blue-style camera work and the chemistry between a pre-Titanic Leo Dicaprio and a post-My So-Called Life Claire Danes made this a modern classic (based on a classic classic...)

It's fun, fabulous, and educational - what more could you want?!

Like this (but not even an eighth as good): Marie Antoinette.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 1, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

Two takes on call-girl lit - is it sexy or squalid?

Tracy Quan, author of the (fictional) Diary of a Manhattan Call Girl which has been optioned by Sony Pictures and Darren Star, talks exclusively to Bookslut. Quan admits she's been accused of glamorising prostitution. On her fabulously insightful publishing ishoos blog, Danuta Kean talks about 'The Squalid Truth About Call-Girl Lit'.

We'd love to hear your thoughts: do you love it or hate it?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 1, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (2)

May 31, 2007 7:45 PM

New Tesco book club

Jumping on the book club bandwagon is supermarket chain, Tesco, who have teamed up with Random House publishing to offer one Tesco special book each month. Books will be branded with Tesco Book Club branding, feature extra content and include a special bookmark (ooh!).

The launch title, Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir, will be followed by One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson in July. [via Galleycat]

Did you know that over £1 in every £8 of UK retail sales is spent at Tesco? Amazing, isn't it?

Related posts: Richard & Judy archives | The Daily Mail book club | Oprah chooses The Road

Posted by Keris on May 31, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

PREVIEW REVIEW: The Sleeping Beauty Proposal by Sarah Strohmeyer

Out on 21 June, The Sleeping Beauty Proposal is Sarah Strohmeyer's second fairytale-themed fiction, following The Cinderella Pact.

Despite its name, The Sleeping Beauty Proposal is a modern-day story about 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 not to Genie.

So Genie's best friend  Patty comes up with a plan: as Hugh goes back to his native England to promote his book (with his new fiancee in tow), Genie will just pretend that he did propose to her after all. It's full steam ahead to a wedding that may or may not have a groom...

I love the concept of this novel: although it may sound a bit silly, Strohmeyer pulls it off. She also has lots of interesting points to make about the inferior way single women are treated in modern society and the way an engagement ring can open doors - even if its a cubic zirconia one you bought for yourself! (But then again, her characters seem to still want to get married rather than buck the system and be unconventional).

It was a little obvious how the book would end, but there were enough surprises along the way to keep it interesting. It made me a bit anxious to think what would happen when everyone found out the engagement was fake so I'm not sure how realistic it was that Genie would have been able to keep up the charade, but I guess truth is stranger than fiction and this is a fairytale, albeit a modern one... But why does the villain always have to be an Englishman?!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try London is the Best City in America by Laura Dave.

More wedding related gossip and news over at our sister site Bridalwave.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 31, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK NEWS: 'Abduction' (book tour cancelled)

After the sad case of missing four-year old Madeline McCann hit the news, the UK book tour for Barbara Gowdy's novel Helpless, which is about the abduction of a nine-year old girl, has been cancelled.

The book has been out in hardback since March in the US and is released on 7th June in the UK, where it might hit a bit too close to home for some readers. [Via Galleycat].

Book news | Book related.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 31, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (10)

Free chick lit from Wilkinson Sword

Reading a very funny interview with Marian Keyes (is there any other kind) in the Metro newspaper online, I discovered she's part of a promotion with razor company Wilkinson Sword.

Buy any promotional razor during May (you'd better be quick!) and June (oh, that's okay then) and you can send off for a free book.

Carry on over the cut for details.

Along with Marian's Further Under the Duvet, there's Maggie Alderson's Cents and Sensibility, Jane Austen's Emma. Life Swap by Jane Green, Catch Me If You Can by Nicci French and The Weekend Weight-Loss Plan (er...).

Plus the Wilkinson Sword site features a short (but entertaining, of course) interview with Marian and an excerpt from Anybody Out There. It's almost enough to make me shave my legs...

Posted by Keris on May 31, 2007 in Book related, Marian Keyes | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 30, 2007 5:47 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

As election fever hots up in the US, a lot of attention has turned to the most famous prospective Presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton. Galleycat reports that at least three H. Clinton biographies will be rushed out this summer (does that mean publishers don't think she'll get the democratic nomination?) so what I want to know is this: after her own (admittedly tepid) memoir, Bill's autobiography, and eight years of seeing and hearing from her as First Lady...

Do you want to read any more about Hillary? Is there more to learn, anything you specifically want to know? Or aren't you that bothered?

Tell us Yay or Nay - and why!

Yay or Nay archives.

[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!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (5)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Joanna Barrett

Joanna Barrett's The Men's Guide To The Women's Bathroom is a great read, out now in the US and in the UK with Little Black Dress. A witty romp through ladies' bathroom secrets, it has generated a huge amount of buzz, and will be made into a movie by Hugh Jackman's production team. So without further ado, here's what Joanna had to say when we grabbed her for a chat...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

The Men’s Guide to the Women’s Bathroom reveals the secrets behind the door marked “Women.”    

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

I write everywhere!  In fact, I’m answering these questions right now in the waiting room of my dentist’s office!  (Hey, if he’s going to make me wait, I may as well get some work done!) I think Tolstoy wrote War and Peace while waiting for the dentist. 

While in the midst of a novel, I sit in front of my computer in a bathrobe.  I often do not shower nor wash my hair.  I eat takeout and stare into the refrigerator abyss for something sweet.  I tend to ignore the phone and any semblance of a social life.  It’s a lonely time.  When I finish, I like to hear the hum of the printer as it prints out all those pages.  Such a comforting feeling, indeed.  P.S.  Is this too much information? [Not at all! I know the feeling... - Diane] 

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Pride and Prejudice, of course! 

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

I like writing about women with moxie. I loved former Texas Governor Ann Richards. She was a larger than life character. She’s probably the only person in the world who could get away with telling George W. Bush that he was “Born with a silver foot in his mouth.”

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

It helps to heed the old adage “Write what you know.” Why waste time inventing a story when your story is right in front of you? Of course, the most important part of writing is to put it down on paper. It’s only an idea until it becomes words on a page! I think the best book on the subject is On Writing, by Stephen King. [I do too - Diane]

What are you reading at the moment?

I try to read a book per week. This keeps words flowing through my head in order to make my own writing better. One of my favorite books is A Widow for One Year, by John Irving.

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

My second novel [Killing Carlton] is due out on Valentines Day, 2008. Its heroine, Madeline Piatro, is in a relationship with a beautiful and yet very bad man. When this man breaks her heart and steals her business idea, she hires a loveable mob hit man to get revenge. And what woman doesn’t secretly yearn to do this!

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!)

(I’ve never been asked this question!) That is…I’ve never been asked the question of what I’ve never been asked. Ha! Get it!

Actually, I wish someone would ask me whether I collect real-life stories to use in my novels. I have a good answer for this: yes! While writing The Men’s Guide to the Women’s Bathroom, I used some phenomenal quotes I overheard in women’s bathrooms. Please email me at jobarrett@jobarrettbooks.com if you have a fantastic bathroom story of your own!

And check out Joanna's website at jobarrettbooks.com. Thanks Joanna!

Interview archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Movie News, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: The Idea Boutique

Now here's a good idea: a blog where authors answer the age-old question, "Where do you get your ideas from?"

So far, The Idea Boutique's respondents have included Lois Winston, Lauren Baratz-Logsted and Carly Phillips, although Lani Diane Rich's answer ("Target.") is still my all-time fave.

Trashionista recommends archives

Posted by Keris on May 30, 2007 in Book related, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Hay-on-Wye Festival's relay story

I was so busy envying New Yorkers their book festival that I forgot to mention Britain's best festival: Hay-on-Wye. Every year I promise next year I'll go and every year I ... miss it (next year, definitely).

If, like me, you haven't made it, you can read all about it on the Guardian's website, including the relay story, with chapters written at Hay each day by prominent authors (including, so far, Dave Eggers and Beryl Bainbridge).

Related posts: In defence of romantic novels

Posted by Keris on May 30, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

Read 'Cancer Vixen' online at The First Post

I was surprised (in a happy way) to learn that daily news website The First Post is featuring Marisa Acochella Marchetto's Cancer Vixen online, for everyone to read (yay!) 

I'd still recommend buying the book but you can now see why it's so good by clicking here.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 29, 2007 5:15 PM

Miss Snark says goodbye

Miss Snark, the wisest and wittiest blogging book agent (and a huge George Clooney fan) has hung up her heels for good: she'll blog no more.

If you never got around to reading her fabulous advice, don't worry: it's all there in the archives. But the Snark has "gone dark". *Sob!*

Book websites.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 29, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: My Latest Grievance by Elinor Lipman

Frederica Hatch is the happy but precocious daughter of two university lecturers, brought up on campus at the small (although not very well-respected) Dewing College. She's always been doted upon by her loving parents, and treated as an equal rather than a child - so she's surprised to find her father's been hiding the secret that he was once married once before.

When Frederica turns 16, she finds out the truth as her dad's ex wife, the glamourous and incorrigible Laura Lee French gets a job at Dewing and proceeds to manipulate everyone around her...

This is the eighth of Elinor Lipman's novels, and definitely one of her best. As ever, Lipman is witty, stylish and unpredictable and I loved the turns this book unexpectedly took. It even made me  cry towards the end! Lipman is simply a great writer, so despite the name, My Latest Grievance was nothing but a pleasure to read. (Boom boom!)

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Inn at Lake Devine by Elinor Lipman.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

Does chick lit "undermine the women's movement"?

In an interview with The Oregonian newspaper to promote her latest novel Little Stalker, author Jennifer Belle reveals she's not a fan of the term "chick lit":

"It's beyond condescending! It's an incredibly detrimental term for women. A generation ago we were coming up with terms like 'Ms.' and having a movement to help women and raise our pay, and now we're coining these demeaning phrases."

When the interviewer suggests that it's women who buy chick lit, Belle adds, "I just think it's sad that women are undermining the women's movement. I want to write things that are important and last, not something with a pair of legs upside-down on the cover."

A lot of criticism of chick lit seems to focus on the covers rather than the content and I'm surprised Jennifer Belle has done the same. "I want to write things that are important and last" is a perfectly reasonable goal that has nothing to do with "a pair of legs upside-down on the cover."

And I'm sure Belle would be the first to admit that she sold a lot more copies of her first novel, Going Down, by being marketed as chick lit rather than literary fiction. (Whether you can complain about the feminist implications of the term "chick lit" when your first novel was called "Going Down" is a whole other topic...)

What do you think?

Related posts: Review: High Maintenance by Jennifer Belle | Chick lit is a feminist issue | Marian Keyes on The Weekender

Posted by Keris on May 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

Living with a writer: mixing art with life...

I love Sue Hepworth's blog, and while I was reading recently, came across this story which illustrates what it's like living with an author... (Gus is the hero of Plotting for Beginners, just to give you the context). Poor writers' spouses...

Related: Top 10 books I reviewed in 2006.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 29, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 28, 2007 7:46 PM

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Dogs & Goddesses

We love Jennifer Crusie. We love Lani Diane Rich. We even love books about dogs (like this one and this one). So how excited do you think we are about Dogs & Goddesses, a new group blog by Jenny, Lani and Anne Stuart (who we don't know yet, but are sure we'll also love)?

Once upon a time, three writers decided to do a novel about three ordinary women who meet at a dog obedience class and discover they’re descended from ancient Mesopotamian priestesses. Well, you had to be there.

Plus there are nine talking dogs. What's not to like? [via Nicola Pedley and Argh Inc]

Related posts: New Jennifer Crusie collaborations |  Will Write for Wine

Posted by Keris on May 28, 2007 in Book related, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK NEWS: Non-fiction from Lisa Alther

Our fabulous Guest Blog by Levi Asher on 1970s chick lit highlighted the importance of Lisa Alther's iconic novel Kinflicks to the genre.

Alther hasn't had a novel out since 1995's Five Minutes in Heaven, but her first nonfiction work, Kinfolks: Falling Off the Family Tree - The Search for My Melungeon Ancestors, is out now and getting great reviews.

Related posts: Top 10 chick lit precursors | Best women authors of all time

Posted by Keris on May 28, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

GUEST BLOG: Laura Kasischke

Laura Kasischke is the author of  Be Mine, an erotic thriller that has been compared to American Beauty (we'll have a review coming soon). Here, she guest blogs excluisvely for Trashionista on:

What lies beneath...

It seems too much of a cliche to be true - that beneath the glossiest facades, you'll nearly always find grit. Surely there are women who present to the world a picture perfect surface, and, beneath it, there's precisely the kind of competence and content you would have imagined. Why, then, does it seem so often that it's the happy-seeming couples who shock us with their bitter divorces? The shining pillars of the community whose private lives, revealed by some scandal, turn out to have been full of sordid secrets all along? Is this just in fiction and film, or is that in itself art imitating reality?

There was a sign at the edge of the town I grew up proudly proclaiming us to be "America's Home Town." I assume this was supposed to be a good thing. Our streets were kept dazzlingly clean. Our stores were closed on Sundays so that we'd have nothing to tempt us away from our churches. I was always a bit ashamed of my family. There had been some years without a lot of money, and let's just say the house was not always kept clean, and my father could be found in the back yard, shirtless, with a beer rather often in a neighborhood where neither of those things was condoned.

But we were, basically, pretty happy, I think. If you drove by our house, pretty much what you thought was going on behind the curtains was what was going on. We threw dishes on occasion. We threw our arms around each other, too. I thought everyone was as dull as we were, but that some people kept things looking nice at the same time.

Across town, I had a friend with a much nicer house, and a mother who wore high heels and pearls and stockings to do yard work. She seemed so happy, that mother. There were freshly-baked cookies set out on the kitchen counter every day at 3pm, just when my own mother was settling down with a cigarette to watch a soap opera, saying, wearily, "Can't you go find something to do?" One day, after a few of those cookies, my friend took me to the immaculate upstairs bathroom and showed me, in the back of the toilet tank, where her mother kept two floating bottles of vodka. "My dad said he'd kill her if she didn't quit drinking." She took me into the bedroom then, and showed me where her father kept his gun.

It might have been around then that I started to wonder if maybe one of the things that was happening in the dichotomy between the outward perfection and the secret shame was that the reason for so much emphasis on appearances in the first place was that there was something to hide. Was that why that couple-friend of ours used to spend so much time kissing passionately on our couch when we'd invite them over for a simple dinner? I always looked at my own husband with a bit of deflated confusion after those two left, until the wife moved out of their house one day while the husband was at work, taking everything down to the last spoon in the drawer.

Rumour was that he tried, after that, to burn the house down, "to get her back," but the neighbors smelled smoke and called the fire department. You could have knocked me over with a straw when I heard that news. Despite what I feel I've learned, I walk around just like everybody else, with my jaw hanging open half the time, saying, "Who would ever have expected that?"

What do you think - is truth stranger than fiction? Does art imitate life, or vice versa? (Thanks for a very thought-provoking blog that gave me a shiver, Laura!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 28, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Guest blogs, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (3)

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Early Ink website

This site sounds like an exciting idea: Early Ink's aim is to help publicise new books so it features all the news on books about to hit the shops, and even excerpts that you can print out, PLUS audio and video promos. [Via CrusieMayer.com]

"Help build buzz for your favorite author's next book by leaving comments or by linking its preview to your choice of social bookmarking Web sites," says the site.

Sounds good for authors and readers alike - just the sort of site we like!

Related: Trashionista recommends | Book websites

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 28, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, New Releases, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posh's new read asks - do you want to be a 'Skinny Bitch'?

Journalist Ursula Hirschkorn in the Daily Mail says no: not if it involves reading books like diet tome Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin, which is apparently a fave of her thinness,  Mrs Victoria Beckham.

Since Posh was seen reading (yes!) the book, it's been doing big business, which is a bit sad really, considering one of the recipes involves making a 'pretend' fried egg... Just say no, kids.  [Diane]

Non-fiction archives.

Posted by Aigua Media on May 28, 2007 in Book related, Non Fiction, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Girls' Almanac by Emily Franklin

Emily Franklin's The Girls' Almanac covers relationships, fertility problems, betrayals, illness, death and, ultimately, friendships: how they are formed and why they last. Following the intertwining lives of Jenna and Lucy, two women who eventually become best friends, we are taken on a tour of how people’s lives cross and what brings them together. The book is written in an unusual format. It’s not linear, instead we get a snippet here and a snippet there told in a series of short stories. First up is Lucy as she comes to terms with the death of her fiance and her mother’s second marriage. The second story is also about Lucy but this time she is a young girl with a friend called Alex. Next comes Gabrielle and Andrea, both as young girls, then Gabrielle pops up two stories later as a doctor in Bogota.

There are so many stories and time frames the characters are hard to keep up with (there’s a chart at the beginning of the book just in case the reader loses track). No sooner have we met and been given the background of a character than that story ends and we hear no more about them, which gave me the impression that the book was imparting facts rather than telling a story. Some stories were interesting but there were some I just didn’t see the point of. Unfortunately the second was one of them, which didn’t bode well for the rest of the book.

It has been said that some short stories are a slice of life but the detached way in which these stories were told left me unemotional about the characters and not really concerned about how or why their lives intertwined. [Nicola Pedley]

Rating: 2 out of 5

Like this? Try The Girl’s Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 28, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 2/5, Short Story Collections | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 25, 2007 1:25 PM

BOOK NEWS: Lost for Words by Lorelei Mathias

Lorelei Mathias, author of Step On It, Cupid (the book with the best trailer we've seen!) has a new book out now in hardcover and out in July in paperback. Called Lost for Words, it's the story of Daisy, who knows she's in love - she just doesn't know who with! Sounds like fun...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 25, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Steamed by Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant

Yes, I did read these the wrong way around! I enjoyed Simmer Down so much I wanted to go back and read the first in the culinary-mystery series by by Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant, Steamed.

Steamed takes place a little earlier in the same year as Simmer Down. Chloe Carter has just started at Social Work Graduate school and is having trouble getting to grips with the right social worker mentality especially as Naomi Campbell (not that one!), her boss at her work placement, is a bit too touchy-feely.

Chloe wouldn't mind finding a man to do a bit of touchy feely (snarf) with, but she's having no luck in the boyfriend department: first her fling with her downstairs neighbour ends badly, then she goes on a blind date with a pompous bore called Eric who takes her to a restaurant he's thinking of investing in... until he gets murdered halfway through their date, that is.

Having found the body, Chloe is both terribly shaken and desperate to know who the murderer was. Especially as the prime suspect is a rather tasty chef she wouldn't mind getting to know better... providing he's innocent, that is. However, for some reason Eric's parents have her down as his serious girlfriend, so there's that little mess to sort out too...

I thoroughly enjoyed Steamed, and just wish there were more in this series for me to read - they're addictive, fantastically escapist and well-written with a witty main character. And delicious recipes, too! What more could you want? (An interview with the authors, perhaps? Watch this space... we'll have one with you soon).

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Simmer Down by the same authors, or The Food of Love by Anthony Capella.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 25, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

Vernon God Little on stage

We noted the trend in books to stage a while ago and here's another one: DBC Pierre's Booker Prize-winning, Vernon God Little at the Young Vic.

It's the top book that British people are unable to finish. Wonder if the play's easier to comprehend.

Posted by Keris on May 25, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 24, 2007 4:03 PM

Word for Word series at New York's Bryant Park

Well, as if I wasn't already desperate to live in New York, now there's this: the Word for Word series of panels and readings.

Running from the beginning of this month (sorry, only just heard about it) to the beginning of September, featured authors include Jane Green (20 June), and Caprice Crane and Megan Crane in a "We love chick lit" panel (22 August). 

Sadly, Carmen Electra's How to be Sexy was yesterday, so we've missed it.

Posted by Keris on May 24, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

TV News: David Duchovny's 'novel' (ha ha) new series, Californication

Those crazy US TV stars just keep on recycling themselves! First Dharma and Greg's Jenna Elfman is lined up to play a literary agent, then Will and Grace's Debra Messing is a Starter Wife, now The X-Files's David Duchovny is starring in Californication (steal a title from The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, much?) a series about a troubled novelist. Not that troubled though - it's a comedy. Five has snapped it up, so we'll keep you posted about when they'll be showing it...  [Via TV Scoop].

More TV news.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Bernice Rubens

Bernice Rubens was a class act, even if the same couldn't always be said for her characters! (See the suicidal woman whose life is turned around by her diary in A Five Year Sentence for an example).

Rubens died in 2004, aged 76, having just completed her autobiography (great timing! - see, classy). Like Marian Keyes, she began writing at the age of 30 (having worked as a teacher and then a film-maker first) but then threw herself into it, writing twenty four novels plus her memoir, When I Grow Up. She won the Booker Prize in 1970 for her book The Elected Member, which established her as one of the best writers of her generation.

She was simply a great writer, with the capacity to create memorable if often odd characters and fascinating scenarios. She was also rather opinionated, laying into Martin Amis for writing a novel about the Holocaust that she found inappropriate. She described her writing as "Better than most, not as good as some." And she was probably right.

Read this: Madame Sousatzka (which appears to be shamefully out of print).

SUGGEST A TRAILBLAZER! Who would you like to see here next Thursday? Leave a comment and let us know - or if you're shy email us instead.

Trailblazer archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 24, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Memoirs, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (3)

Save your place(s) with a multi-strand bookmark

You know sometimes you read a book and want to remember certain passages, but don't want to lose your place? Well, I discovered this crafty idea at LifeHacker.com: make a multi-strand bookmark, and you can save your place whilst saving your book (no more dog-eared pages).It might not be the prettiest-looking bookmark around, but it would be handy... and you could even jazz it up with different coloured strings.

Find more crafty ideas at our sister site Crafty Crafty.

Related posts: Book print wallpaper | The self shelf

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 24, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

May 23, 2007 7:06 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Persepolis

I was fascinated by Marjane Satrapi's graphic novel, Persepolis and I knew there was a movie in the pipeline, but didn't have any hard info ... until now. The animated film, co-directed by Satrapi, will debut at the Cannes Film Festival. [via Galleycat]

Posted by Keris on May 23, 2007 in Book related, Memoirs, Movie News, Non Fiction, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (0)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

I'm still not entirely sure how this might work, but I think I understand the basic idea: Simon and Schuster, one of the biggest publishers in the world, is hoping to take advantage of Media Predict, a new company that believes the public has an eye for what media is worth (books included). You participate by playing a virtual stock exchange game, in which you gauge the worth of certain products - and the executives at Media Predict take notice.

But should books be chosen on the basis of public opinion? Isn't there the chance we might miss a classic of the future? Or do we know more than any stuffy old editors? Should we be able to decide a book's worth? The main question I really want the answer to, though is this:

Can the general public predict which books will succeed and which will flop (without even reading them)? Tell us Yay or Nay - and why!

Yay or Nay archives.

[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!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 23, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, Technology, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK REVIEW: Going Overboard by Sarah Smiley

Subtitled "The misadventures of a military wife" Going Overboard sounded very intriguing...

It's a memoir of a year in the life of Sarah Smiley, whose husband Dustin is in the navy and, in this perilous political climate, often abroad in rather dangerous situations. Which means that Sarah is home alone with their two young boys, alternately worrying herself sick and cursing her husband for having joined up in the first place.

I read a review of this which suggested that the U.S Navy and Secretary of Defence would be quaking in their boots at the revelations herein, so was looking forward to some real insider intrigue from the front lines of war... but that wasn't what this book was like at all. It's about how hard it can be to be a military dependant, something Smiley has been all her life, as her Dad was in the Navy too.

I found the insights into military life interesting, and have to admire the strength of wives (and husbands, of course) in Sarah's position. But most of the book is about the ups and downs of her time alone, and these would be true of any long-distance relationship. (I know, I've been there - never again!) Sarah struggles with her attraction to another man, long-distance arguments with Dustin, and feelings of loneliness and overwhelm. She writes about all of this very honestly, and is very open about her own flaws and frustrations, which makes her a very likeable narrator. She's also very funny, if at times frustratingly helpless! I raced through this book and enjoyed every minute, but I think I would have liked to have read something to make the Secretary of Defence quake at least a little bit!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Job Hopper by Ayun Holliday.

Related: TV NEWS: Going Overboard | More memoirs.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 23, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Bookswim: Lovefilm/Netflix for books?

This is an idea that to my knowledge hasn't reached this side of the pond yet, but it would be a great idea for book fiends like me, who want to save a few bob and slow the destruction of the rainforests, whilst still getting to read all the new bestsellers. (Authors may not be so keen, however...)

A new site called Bookswim allows Americans only (darn it!) to rent books by post in the same way that Netflix or Lovefilm (depending which side of the Atlantic you're on) does for DVDs. It costs around $20-30 a month, but there's no late fees, so if you're tied to the house, or your library card is racking up enormous fines [Keris!], this could be a godsend... [Via Galleycat].

Here's how it works if you're interested.

Related posts: Create your virtual bookshelf with Shelfari | Reader 2 - the new LibraryThing?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 23, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (4)

May 22, 2007 3:22 PM

Jodi Picoult on Radio 4's Bookclub

How I managed to miss this until now I really don't know, but I've just (about two minutes ago!) discovered Radio 4's Bookclub, in which presenter James Naughtie and a group of readers talk to leading authors about their best known novels.

The latest author to be featured is Jodi Picoult talking about My Sister's Keeper. You can listen to this show and previous shows online (here).

If you're based in London (or can get there) and would like to attend a recording, you can apply here. On Tuesday 3 July, the featured author is Armistead Maupin discussing Tales of the City, one of my favourite books of all time (I chose it for my book bracelet!).

Related posts: Oneword Radio | To the Best of Our Knowledge | Karyn Bosnak on Radio Scotland

Posted by Keris on May 22, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

TUESDAY THREE: Sex swap

I've just read an interview with Jennifer Weiner in which she says she's changed the sex of one of the characters in her new novel, Certain Girls (the sequel to Good in Bed):  "One character is getting a sex change; there’s a girl we think is going to work better as a boy. I’m sure writing it is easier than doing it in real life.”

So today I'm looking at men writing as women and women writing as men!

Jay McInerney’s Story of My Life features Alison Poole, a 20-year old aspiring actress living in New York City. Her rich father is supposed to be funding her education, but keeps flaking on her, so she has to survive on her wits (which she does brilliantly, if not always morally). She's quick-witted, clever, promiscuous and a regular drug-user who has seen and done too much, too young. Ye somehow McInerney also makes her sweet, charming and a wonderful narrator for this slice-of-life story, which is also brilliantly sharply written and very, very funny.

Jodi Picoult’s Salem Falls tells the story of Jack McBride. Accused of indecently assaulting a female pupil at the school he taught at, Jack’s reputation is destroyed overnight. Despite his continued protestations of innocence, Jack spends 8 months in jail. Upon leaving he decides to pick up the pieces, and start over. When he arrives in Salem Falls, and manages to pick up a job washing dishes at the local diner, he begins to think his life may be starting to pick up. That is until he meets Gilly, Meg, Chelsea and Whitney – a group of friends bonded closer than the outside world realises. When they target him with spiteful accusations, Jack begins to wonder if he is doomed to relive the past over and over. Once more he must fight to prove his innocence, and risk losing the woman he loves.

I thought I’d finish with a classic. Arthur Golden inhabits his heroine’s voice so brilliantly that many people actually believe Memoirs of a Geisha is a true story. The story begins in Japan in 1929. When Chiyo's mother becomes progressively ill her elderly father arranges for Chiyo and her sister Satsu to be taken away to Kyoto where they will be trained as geisha girls. Upon arrival in Kyoto the girls are separated and sold to different okiya where they will be trained. Chiyo quickly realises that the life she has been sold into is one of labour and hardship. The book follows Chiyo through her training until she becomes Sayuri, a geisha. It continues then through her experiences as a geisha, and the ways in which world events affect her. Reading it you get a real sense of what it was like to live as a geisha, but also to live in Japan during the 1930s and 40s.

Posted by Keris on May 22, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (1)

Royal Mail to release Harry Potter stamps

Yes, it's true. On 17 July the Royal Mail will release a series of Harry Potter stamps to commemorate the release of the final Harry Potter book (it's called Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows, in case you haven't heard about it...).

I think that's completely amazing, don't you? It staggers me how much JK Rowling has achieved in such a relatively short period. I don't know the woman, but I feel really proud!

Related posts: Literary theme parks | Fan fiction pays big

Posted by Keris on May 22, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

Which books would be on *your* bracelet?

Regular commenter Ms Mac said I should make this into a post, and her wish is my command! (Just imagine what I'd do if you sent me gifts, readers...) Anyway, Keris highlighted this lovely book charm bracelet, and I suggested the one thing that would make it better would be to be able to choose your own charms. If you could, which would you select?

To get you started, here's Ms Mac's selection:  "Pride & Prejudice, The Poisonwood Bible, The Handmaid's Tale (which I picked up because it was screaming at me to read and I couldn't resist and now I can't put it down), Middlesex, The Grapes of Wrath and The Kite Runner..."

What would yours be?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 22, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (7)

The Daily Mail book club features Julie Myerson (and more!)

It may not be my favourite newspaper (no offence to its readers!) but the book coverage at the Daily Mail keeps getting better. Their book club choice for May is The Story of You by Julie Myerson, and you can read more about the book and its author here.

If you want to get ahead, their June pick is The Vanishing Act Of Esme Lennox by Maggie O’Farrell and upcoming authors include More on Monday favourites Bill Bryson and Marina Lewycka (with her new novel, Two Caravans).

Don't forget you still have until July 2nd to enter their first novel competition, too.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 22, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 21, 2007 3:09 PM

TV NEWS: Women's Murder Club

Yes, yet another book to television adaptation. This time it's not a chick lit book ... but it is a show featuring a bunch of "chicks", so I figured it counted.

Based on the novels of James Patterson, Women's Murder Club features four San Francisco friends combining their talents to solve murder cases. Sounds like the Famous Five (well there's five in the photo anyway) or Scooby Doo.

[via TV Scoop]

Related posts: US date for The Starter Wife |  Lipstick Jungle news 

Posted by Keris on May 21, 2007 in Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

MOVIE NEWS: A Mighty Heart

Based on the Marianne Pearl's memoir about her husband Daniel's abduction and murder by Pakistani militants in 2002 (while she was pregnant with their first child), A Mighty Heart is sure to be a heartbreaking adaptation. Angelina Jolie stars along with (weirdly) two of the former cast of Judging Amy: Jillian Armenante co-stars and and Dan Futterman (who also co-wrote the Oscar-nominated biopic Capote) plays Daniel.

It will be released in the UK on 28 September.

Update: Gratutitous link to some gorgeous pics of Jolie and her partner Brad Pitt, who produced the film, in Cannes this weekend.

More Movie News.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 21, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

MORE ON MONDAY: Never Have Your Dog Stuffed by Alan Alda

Never Have Your Dog Stuffed is one of veteran actor Alan Alda's life philosophies. When he was young, his favourite dog died and he was devastated. So his dad had the dog stuffed, as a kind of consolation. But the expression on the dog's face was all wrong, and instead of comforting, he was just scary. It taught Alda an important lesson: you can't go back and change the past, and if you try to, you'll just create a horrifying, upsetting mess.

In this book, Alda shares his other life philosophies, and tells the story of his life - from his childhood growing up among the stars of vaudeville (one of whom was his father) to his marriage, his acting roles, and his near-death experience whilst filming in a very remote part of the world...

I hadn't realised that as well as being an actor, Alan Alda is an acclaimed writer, director and producer - and a highly intelligent and reflective person, too. He hasn't had an easy life: his mother was severely mentally ill and he had a difficult, competitive relationship with his father. Although Alda desperately wanted to be an actor, and started acting at a young age, his success was by no means guaranteed until he was lucky enough to be offered his iconic role as Hawkeye in M*A*S*H.

Books by celebrities are a dime (or rather £1.25 million) a dozen, but this one is a bit different, and digs a bit deeper. It's a chronological history of Alda's life,  but it's also a reflection on what he's learned. And he's learned a lot. NHYDS is an entertaining, heart-breaking and very intelligent read. I loved it.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try My Life So Far by Jane Fonda

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 21, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK NEWS: Courtney Thorne-Smith's 'Outside In'

Yesterday, I caught a few minutes of an old Ally McBeal and was feeling all nostalgic for the time when I watched the show (the early seasons, when it was actually good...)

Anyway!, it reminded me of something I'd read back in November and failed to blog about then (not the first time we've been tardy I'm afraid!): Courtney Thorne-Smith, who played Ally's love-rival Georgia on the show, is the latest actress to turn author, having written a 'comedic' (chick-lit?) novel, Outside In, which will be released (in the US at least) this September.

[Via Galleycat].

Related: Celebrity authors archives | More TV news and gossip over at TV Scoop.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 21, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Celebrity Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 18, 2007 11:01 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom by Jo Barrett

In Jo Barrett's debut novel, former lawyer Claire St John has left New York after divorcing her cheating husband Charles. She's now back home in Austin, Texas to write her bestselling book. About what, she's not quite sure... Then she hits on a brilliant idea: she'll demystify women for men. She'll call her book The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom. After all, the bathroom (by which she means public toilets - thank goodness for American euphemisms as that wouldn't make a snappy title!) is where Claire has received all the best (sometimes drunken) advice and where women mull over some of their biggest decisions, from 'shall I keep this baby?' to 'do I want to sleep with him tonight?' (Yes I know, those should be the other way around...)

As well as re-adjusting to life in Austin, ignoring her mother's dietary advice and running up and down the road in a bikini (don't ask), Claire is also falling for Jake Armstrong, a sexy food entrepreneur. But should she? A few discussions in front of the mirrors under harsh florescent bathroom lighting should help her decide...

In a similar way to A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, there's a book within a book here as we read both the novel and the book our heroine is creating. I enjoyed this book-within-book much more than the tractors one, though! Not only is Jo Barrett a smart, witty and talented author, but her heroine is too. The novel is full of great banter and memorable characters, and I'm sure it will translate brilliantly to the big screen.

Click here to read a sample chapter.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Time Off for Good Behavior by Lani Diane Rich.

PS: Do you prefer the American cover? I think it suits the book better.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 18, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

Great books bracelets

If you're book mad (which I imagine you are), how d'you fancy a book charm bracelet?

Each bracelet features the six titles: Pride and Prejudice, Moby Dick, Huckleberry Finn, The Great Gatsby, The Grapes of Wrath, and War and Peace so you'll look intelligent as well as stylish. Possibly. They cost $54.95 from Signals.

Related posts: Reading Is Sexy T-shirt | Bookish MP3 player cases | Nancy Drew stationery

Posted by Keris on May 18, 2007 in Book related, Girly Stuff | Permalink | Comments (4)

The Melissa Nathan award for Comedy Romance

Chick lit fans may know that tragically, popular author Melissa Nathan died in April 2006, aged just 37.

Before she died, she lay out the terms for a prize to be awarded in her name:  The Melissa Nathan award for Comedy Romance shortlist has now been announced.

The finalists include Jill Mansell, Polly Williams, and of course... Marian Keyes.

Carry on over the cut for the full list and more details.

The award ceremony will be held in London on 13th June 2007, and you can read the full list of nominees here.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 18, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Irish Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

FRIDAY FLICK: Adaptation

Adaptation has to be the weirdest Friday Flick yet. It's both an adaptation of Susan Orlean's non-fiction book The Orchid Thief (a fascinating study of a not-always-legal orchid collector's world) and a fictional film about... adapting Susan Orlean's The Orchid Thief for the big screen.

Confused yet? You will be... Nicholas Cage plays writer twins Donald (who doesn't exist in real life) and Charlie Kaufman (who actually did write the Adaptation script). In the film, Charlie is trying to do justice to Orlean's book and struggling, whilst  his brother, who has far less writing talent but boundless enthusiasm, is racking up huge success with a pulpy thriller. So Charlie decides that the only thing to do is ratchet up the tension in his script, even if it means deviating from the truth of the book...

As this is happening, we see the events he writes about with Orlean and her subject John Laroche portrayed brilliantly by Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper, who throughly deserved his Oscar win for supporting actor.

I really enjoyed this film, although I think it might an acquired taste as it's definitely very odd. And it's important to remember that the ridiculous escalation of events at the end of the movie is satirical, and not meant to be taken seriously - but it's lucky Susan Orlean has a sense of humour!

Like this (kind of): Stranger Than Fiction.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 18, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Friday Flick, Non Fiction, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (3)

May 17, 2007 4:37 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Lorrie Moore

This week's Trailblazer is a real personal favourite. J'adore Lorrie Moore.

Lorrie Moore was writing intelligent, witty, poignant and insightful short stories (and one novel) about life, love and relationships as far back as the early '80s She satirised things like America's self-help culture before most of us even knew it existed. She's smart, savvy, always ahead of the curve - and a brilliant writer, too. If I could write like anyone, it would be Lorrie Moore. (She's one of Nick Hornby's favourites too, so I'm in good company).

Moore's first book, the story collection Self-Help, was published when she was twenty-six. As well as her books, she has been published in The New Yorker, The Paris Review and in the anthology The Best American Short Stories. She now teaches at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which may be why she hasn't published a book for nine years (since Birds of America) - a situation I hope is remedied soon. 

Read this: Self-Help, or Who Will Run The Frog Hospital?

What do you think - and who's your favourite trailblazer?

Trailblazer archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 17, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Short Story Collections, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lipstick Jungle news

We told you about the TV adaptation of Candace Bushnell's Lipstick Jungle, ooh, ages ago and now our sister site TV Scoop tells us it starts on US TV this coming autumn.

Back in August last year we were all about Melissa George, but it doesn't look like she's in it. The three women are 24's Kim Raver, Brooke Shields and Lindsay Price and Andrew McCarthy's in it. Andrew McCarthy!

Related posts: Chick lit on TV | Yay or Nay: Sex and the City | Reading Sex and the City

Posted by Keris on May 17, 2007 in Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

Waterstone's Top 25 authors of the future

To mark 25 years in business, Waterstone's asked publishers, editors and agents to nominate the emergent writers likely to produce the most impressive body of work over the next 25 years.

The 25 Authors for the Future, selected from a list of 100 names, were revealed yesterday. Unlike the bookshop's recent list of the top 100 books of the last 25 years, women outnumber men.

Carry on over the cut for the full list.

Ones to watch Top 25 authors of the future:

Naomi Alderman
Susanna Clarke
Siobhan Dowd
Jasper Fforde
Julia Golding
Emily Gravett
Jane Harris
Steven Hall
Peter Hobbs
Marina Lewycka
Gautam Malkani
Robert Macfarlane
Jon McGregor
Charlotte Mendelson
Richard Morgan
Maggie O'Farrell
Helen Oyeyemi
Jo Pratt
Dominic Sandbrook
CJ Sansom
Chris Simms
Nick Stone
Louise Welsh
Ben Wilson
Robyn Young

[via The Herald]

Posted by Keris on May 17, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK REVIEW: Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan

Bonjour Tristesse is something of a cult classic and I'd been wanting to read it for a while. If I'd known how short it was, I might have added it to my 'to be read' pile a lot sooner! When it came out in 1953 it caused something of a scandal, and Francoise Sagan is actually a pen name (inspired by Proust) which the author adopted to protect her family's privacy.

French seventeen-year old Cecile and her father Raymond are very close, almost weirdly so. They're on holiday together on the French Riviera, enjoying the sun in the day and the nightclubs at night, when Raymond invites Anne, an old friend of Cecile's (long-dead) mother, to stay. His girlfriend Elsa, who is also staying with them, is less than impressed, as is Cecile - and she launches a plan to get rid of Anne which has a far worse outcome than she ever could have anticipated...

To say this novel seems to be so revered, I found it a little lacking in... something. I didn't really care about any of the characters. The writing and observations were at times very good, but the book is so small (just 108 pages) that there's little depth. The ending is a bit shocking, and left me feeling unsettled, and the book is a good read.

But I was expecting to love it, and I didn't. C'est la vie.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith.

Classic novels archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 17, 2007 in Book related, Classic Novels, Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (5)

May 16, 2007 5:00 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

If you're a long-time Trashionista reader, you'll know by now what a 'blook' is, but if you're new (hello and welcome!) you might not, so I'll explain: it's just a blog turned into a book.

The annual Blooker Prize for the best blook of the year has just been announced, and the winner (netting himself a nice wad with the $10,000 prize) is Colby Buzzell, whose memoir My War: Killing Time in Iraq most impressed the judging panel. But should it have?

From now on, US soldiers will not be allowed to write 'mili-blogs' about their time in Iraq or any other part of the world. Do you agree this is for the best? Is it okay if their time in the military is over, or is it always too dangerous a compromise to national security? Will more soldiers be traumatised if they can't set down their thoughts? Is it okay to write it all down as long as it's not published, or is it always too risky? Is freedom of expression too important to be censored in this way - or is the military right? That's a lot of questions, but it all boils down to just one:

Should soldiers be allowed to write blogs, books or blooks about their experiences? Tell us: Yay or Nay - and WHY?

Yay or Nay archives.

[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!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Memoirs, Opinion, Recent Release, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (4)

MOVIE NEWS: The Time Traveler's Wife

Yes, again. But with good reason. Finally, we've got cast members!

Eric Bana will play Henry, while, as predicted, Rachel Mean Girls McAdams is to be Clare. They're no Brad and Jen, but I can actually see them both in the roles. [via Writer Unboxed]

What do you think?

Posted by Aigua Media on May 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (3)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Gil McNeil

Having recently really enjoyed Gil McNeil's fourth novel, Divas Don't Knit, I'm delighted that she's chatting with us today. Find out her favourite female heroine, her tips for aspiring writers and what she's working on next by reading on...

Please describe your latest book [Divas Don't Knit] in 15 words or fewer:

Can you knit yourself a new life when your old one starts to unravel?

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

Mostly at home at my kitchen table, or in my office upstairs but pretty much anywhere I can find a pen.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Usually the one I’ve just finished, but my favourite writers (who I return to whenever I want a treat) include Jane Austen, Anne Tyler, Nancy Mitford,  Jilly Cooper, and Mary Wesley.

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

Again, too many for a neat list, but definitely Bridget Jones, Miss Marple, and Elizabeth Bennett.

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

Read as widely as you can, and stick at it.

What are you reading at the moment?

When I’m writing I tend to read non-fiction. At the moment I’m reading a mixture of travel and knitting books.

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

The sequel to Divas Don’t Knit.

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!)

Would you be interested in all-expenses paid trip to a luxury hotel somewhere fabulous so you can tell our readers how lovely it was?

Yes, no one's ever asked me that, either... Thanks Gil!

[Photo © Jerry Bauer]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 16, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Fashion-Lit, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

"Unconfident and hideous"? You too could be a writing success story!

I loved this quote from The Guardian's interview with literary novelist Charlotte Mendelson: "I wasn't posh and I wasn't confident, and I was really hideous".

Isn't it comforting to know that even published authors who are critically revered have their crises of confidence too, and don't necessarily have an easy life? (Although I have to say she hardly looks hideous now...)

Her book When We Were Bad is out now.

Related: Book related| Author interviews

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 16, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 15, 2007 6:47 PM

Chick lit on TV Scoop

We love rambling on about chick lit, as you know, and today I'm rambling providing a useful and insightful summary of the latest chick lit TV projects over on TV Scoop.

So if you've missed any TV news over the last couple of months, this will catch you up!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Baby Proof by Emily Giffin

Emily Giffin is a great writer. We loved her previous books, Something Borrowed and Something Blue, which took the same story from two different angles. Baby Proof takes on a new story, with older protagonists (ooh) and a more weighty subject matter. Would I still enjoy it as much?

Baby Proof is about Claudia and Ben, a couple in their mid-thirties who are happily married and perfectly matched: they both want the same things out of life, which includes not having children. But then one day, Ben drops a bombshell - he wants a baby. Badly.

Within months, they're divorced and both have new people in their lives. But Claudia can't help wondering if she was right to let Ben go so easily. Was she just being stubborn, or is she really Baby Proof?

I really like Emily Giffin's writing style: it's intelligent and thoughtful without losing the reader's interest. I enjoyed the exploration of the issues surrounding having children and the fact that Claudia is a sympathetic character, even thought she doesn't want kids (not always the case in fiction!) However, I'm not sure if it really hit upon the main reason some women choose not to have children, which is simply that they don't want them (and that's okay). Maybe Giffin wanted to leave the story a bit more ambiguous - it's certainly very balanced.

What I really want to talk about is how the book ends, but I can't or I'd give too much away. Let's just say that I would have liked to have known a little more. I felt it was a *tad* of a cop out... But still a great read.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try A Piece of Normal by Sandi Kahn Shelton.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

Jacqueline Mitchard on chick lit

Check out this wonderful guest blog by Jacquelyn Mitchard on group blog, Writers Plot. My favourite part:

Tom Perrotta wrote a very good and wry and funny and poignant book about suburban life, about a stay-home dad and various mothers both over-ambitious and predatory. Critics wrote, "What is Tom Perrotta but an American Chekhov, whose characters even at their most ridiculous seem blessed and ennobled by a luminous human aura?" and ""Suburban comedies don't come any sharper."

But they do; and women write them.

Mitchard's first novel, The Deep End of the Ocean, was the first Oprah's book club pick back in 1996. Her new book, Now You See Her, is her first novel for young adults.

Related posts: Chick lit is a feminist issue | Tolstoy Lied: Putting the "lit" in "chick lit" 

Posted by Keris on May 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

TUESDAY THREE: Imaginary friends

I had one named Mr Corbett. Once, I left my grandparents house and, on the way home, said I’d left him behind. My dad said, “That’s okay, he’s running behind the car.” What on earth am I blethering on about? Imaginary friends! This week we look at three books featuring characters that may not exactly be, you know, real.

Lois Winston’s Talk Gertie to Me features Nori, who, in just one day, loses her boyfriend, best friend and her job and gets home to find that her mother has turned up unannounced for an indefinite stay. Before too long her childhood imaginary friend Gertie emerges to dispense straight talking advice. Gertie isn’t a physical presence, but a voice in Nori’s head, and the whole book is great fun.

Shannon McKelden's witty debut, Venus Envy, finds Venus/Aphrodite/goddess of love in the Seattle area, having to matchmake mortals to appease her father (that'd be Zeus). She's horrified to find her latest challenge is Rachel, who is so damaged by previous disastrous relationships that she's sworn off men for life and fills her time with good works instead. Luckily for Rachel, Luke - a hunky local firefighter - has taken a shine to her and isn't willing to take no for an answer. With Luke already interested and Venus there to help, what could possibly go wrong? Ha.

We haven’t actually reviewed Cecelia Ahern’s If You Could See Me Now, but it’s the story of Elizabeth Egan who has everything under control apart from her irresponsible sister Saoirse. Elizabeth has to take care of Saoirse’s six-year-old son Luke. One day, a stranger unexpectedly comes into their lives. Ivan is carefree, spontaneous and always looking for adventure - everything that Elizabeth is not. In no time at all, he has crept under her skin and started to change her life in ways she could never have . She knows barely anything about Ivan - who he is and whether he is everything he seems. But it turns out he might just be a little bit magical...

And don't forget that the movie (a musical!) is currently in “active production” with Hugh Jackman as the star.

Posted by Keris on May 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Cecelia Ahern, Debut Novels, Irish Authors, Supernatural, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (3)

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Snowbooks

We don't usually recommend particular publishers, but Snowbooks is definitely worthy of a special mention. They're a small press, so turn out just a handful of books each year - but they're all of very good quality. So far we've reviewed Taking The Plunge, Drugs are Nice, Mama Lama Ding Dong and one of my favourite books of last year, Plotting for Beginners.

Not only that, but Snowbooks have a beautifully designed website, with a very interesting blog.

And you can catch up with them on Myspace and Twitter, too!

Related: Literature... on Twitter? | Trashionista Recommends.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wannabe a Writer? Head to Charing Cross Road this Saturday

Where better to launch a new book called Wannabe a Writer? than London's most literary address, Charing Cross Road?

Fiction author Jane Wenham-Jones will be signing copies of her new non-fiction book, and also giving out a bit of advice to aspiring writers. Other authors who have contributed to the book will also be there, including Maria McCarthy.

Head to Borders on Charing Cross Road this coming Saturday between 12-4 if you're interested.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 15, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 14, 2007 1:17 PM

Literature... on Twitter?

Yes, unlikely as it may seem, Twitter, which allows you to send messages of up to 140 characters to a group of friends, has become the new cool place for book geeks readers to hang out.

Twitlit brings you the opening line of a book every day, and a link to click to find out which one it is. (I haven't recognised one yet, but I'm having fun guessing!)

Bafab also have a Twitter account, as do Book Blog and Book Two.

I don't know of any chick lit authors with Twitter accounts yet, but if you do, please let us know!

In the meantime, all of us Twitter addicts have a spiritual home over at Twitterati.tv, another brilliant Shiny site.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 14, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, Technology | Permalink | Comments (2)

Upcoming bloggy book from Fussy and Finslippy

Two of the wittiest women in the blogosphere, Eden Kennedy of Fussy and Alice Bradley of Finslippy are currently at work on a new joint book about... well, they're not saying. But I can't wait to find out!

And uber-blogger Dooce is now at work on her (court-ordered) book too.

If you're a blook fan like me, this is the mother lode.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 14, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

E-readers reviewed by The Guardian and Shiny Shiny

We've talked about e-books before, but none of us at Trashionista has actually tried an e-reader, so I found this article in The Guardian, in which BBC journalist Andrew Marr tested one out, very interesting.

Inspired by that article, our sister site Shiny Shiny covers the full range of e-readers and gives you their opinion - well worth a read!

Technology archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 14, 2007 in Book related, Opinion, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nora Roberts one of Time's 100 most influential people

Nora Roberts, the prolific American romance and suspense author, was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2007. The author of more than 175 novels, she was one of only two writers on the list (the other was David Mitchell). [via Meg Cabot]

(I was surprised to see that Time's profile of Roberts was written by Andrea Sachs, since I thought she was fictional, but it turns out she's real.)

Related post: Nora Roberts' Lifetime movies

Posted by Keris on May 14, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 11, 2007 2:05 PM

Rick Stein in Du Maurier Country

The lovely editor of our sister site, TV Scoop, just alerted me to this gem, starting tomorrow night at 8.10pm on BBC2.

To celebrate the centenary of Daphne du Maurier's birth, famous Cornwall chef Rick Stein sets out on a journey to rediscover the locations of her novels including Frenchman’s Creek, Jamaica Inn and Rebecca.

Rick says, “Daphne du Maurier was a great popular novelist who also produced great literature. Like her, I’ve spent most of my life in Cornwall and can identify with her love of the place, its people, history and landscape."

Should be entertaining and an excellent way to avoid Eurovision! 

Television archives

Posted by Keris on May 11, 2007 in Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

FRIDAY FLICK: Breakfast at Tiffany's

Based on Truman Capote's legendary novel (which I liked far more than I thought I would having fallen in love with the film years ago), Breakfast at Tiffany's is the story of Holly Golightly, the most iconic of all Audrey Hepburn's film roles. Holly is flighty and mysterious, a naive party girl prone to getting caught up with a bad crowd. When she moves into the apartment building of George Peppard's Paul, he feels himself magnetically drawn to her - so much so that he might even be willing to give up his own questionable lifestyle and fall in love with her... if she'll have him.

If you haven't seen this film yet, why the HECK not? It's a classic, the ultimate chick flick! Audrey is breathtaking.

Just ignore Mickey Rooney's racist portrayal of Mr. Yunioshi (please).

*DID YOU KNOW?* BaT was directed by Blake Edwards, who is married to Julie Andrews.

Like this - 'cos it's another girly classic: Fried Green Tomatoes.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 11, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff | Permalink | Comments (2)

Karyn Bosnak on Radio Scotland

Yes, Trashionista favourite Karyn Bosnak was interviewed not in Scotland, but by BBC Radio Scotland - almost as good!

You can listen to it here via their archives. (It's the one called Fortune Tellers and should start playing straight away...)  [Via Pretty* in The City]

Related: Karyn Bosnak's favourite bookshop | Karyn Bosnak, internet superstar

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 11, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Memoirs, Technology | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Upstate by Kalisha Buckhanon

Kalisha Buckhanon's Upstate is an epistolary novel (and I was twenty-seven before I knew what that meant, so for my fellow duh-brains, it means it's told in letter form) telling the love story of twentieth-century Brooklyn-based Romeo and Juliets Antonio and Natasha.

The couple, aged 16 and 17 at the start of the novel, are at high school and in love and planning for the future.

Then one night Antonio is arrested for the murder of his father, found guilty and sent to jail.

The young lovers's world is turned upside down, but they vow to write to each other and to never let their love die...

At first, I worried that some of the Brooklyn teenage dialect would get on my nerves, but it seemed authentic and didn't disturb my enjoyment of the story.

I found this book incredibly moving and gripping - I read it in less than a day, almost forgetting to breathe at times! It's definitely one of the best books I've read so far this year and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I loved it.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman

PS: Upstate also has butterflies on the cover! BUT they are relevant to the story... Whatever next?!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 11, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

Desert Island chick lit

The writing group I belong to is currently having a discussion on which chick lit books we'd take to a desert island. Those books you've read more than once and couldn't be without.

So far nominations include Anybody Out There (that's mine), The Boyfriend List, Rachel's Holiday (the second best chick lit book of all time!) and Faking It.

So which chick lit book would you take to a desert island. And, while we're on the subject, which would you throw overboard?!

Posted by Keris on May 11, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (11)

BOOK NEWS: Khaled Hosseini's new novel

If you loved The Kite Runner as much as our former Trashionista ed Jenni, you'll be equally as excited to know about Khaled Hosseini's new book: A Thousand Splendid Suns.

It's an Afghanistan-set story of betrayal, redemption and love. [Via Glamour] So, like The Kite Runner then! It's getting some great reviews and it's out on May 22nd...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 11, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 10, 2007 2:50 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Mary McCarthy

Mary McCarthy survived a tough early life to become a successful writer: she was orphaned age six and raised by her paternal grandparents, who were abusive. She was later taken in by her mother's parents, and had a happier time with them, crediting her grandfather with the shaping of her liberal political beliefs. Highly educated (at Vassar) and an atheist (after casting off her Catholic heritage) she had a sharp mind, and a lot of opinions: so becoming a critic was her ideal job and she wrote for a range of publications including Partisan Review.

But she is best known for her books, especially her ground-breaking novel The Group, which follows the lives of eight Vassar graduates and which Cosmo called "Juicy, shocking, witty, and almost continually brilliant."  (A chick lit precursor, perhaps?)

Like Dorothy Parker, McCarthy's fiction often had an autobiographical slant, and she indeed wrote a book of memoir: Memories of a Catholic Girlhood.

Fascinated by McCarthy's legendary literary feud with her rival writer Lillian Hellman (said McCarthy once, "Every word that woman writes is a lie, including 'and' and 'the'."), Nora Ephron wrote a play, Imaginary Friends about the pair.

Like Ephron, McCarthy married multiple times: four, in fact. She died in 1989. [Some additional info via Wikipedia.org and Amazon.com]

Read this: The Group

Trailblazer archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 10, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (1)

What's on your bedside table?

Book-wise, I mean - we don't need to know about any mouldy coffee cups! Sarah Crown at The Guardian books blog asked the question last week, inspired by a regular feature in Mslexia. I'm not just linking to that because she mentioned me (promise!), but because I'm interested:

What are you reading now?

What else do you have lined up?

Basically, what's on your bedside table, and why?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 10, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (10)

Grammar Girl Mignon Fogarty's quick and dirty audiobook!

As a podcast fan, I've been aware of the Grammar Girl phenomenon for some time. If you're not, here's the scoop: it's a hugely popular website and podcast where grammar expert Mignon Fogarty (yes) gives her "quick and dirty tips for better writing". There's actually nothing dirty about it, it's just good grammar sense, delivered in a fun and intelligent way.

Which is probably why Oprah recently had Mignon on her show to explain the accept/except and lie/lay distinctions, among other points of English. According to Galleycat, the Oprah experience has created huge demand for the book Fogarty will release next year. To take advantage, she's mixed an audio version herself in super-fast time and it's available now via her site.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 10, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, New Releases, Non Fiction, Podcasts, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 9, 2007 5:30 PM

Chick Lit quiz!

Of course, we're chick lit experts here at Trashionista. And if you're a regular reader you should have a pretty good knowledge of the genre too, but do you know enough to beat me in a quiz? Well ... you might!

I've just taken iVillage's chick lit quiz and scored 80% (I was doing so well to begin with, I thought I was on for a clean sweep - doh!). Why not have a go and see if you can do better. [via The JQ Lounge]

Related posts: What kind of reader are you?

Posted by Keris on May 9, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Rowan Coleman

I was amazed to find that we haven't reviewed any of British author Rowan Coleman's books. Her first book, Growing Up Twice, was one of those put-the-world-on-hold books for me, so it's a shocking oversight. Don't worry, it'll be remedied soon, but in the meantime, Rowan's been kind enough to answer our questions.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer.

Five Women and one man find friendship, love, themselves and more at THE BABY GROUP.

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

I have bought an expensive desk and an expensive chair so I will sit at them whether I like it or not. (In bed.)

Your favourite chick-lit book?

It has to be Bridget Jones's Diary, you can't beat the best.

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

Jane Eyre, passionate, fiery go-getting and brave and all in crinoline! A woman (and a writer) way ahead of her time.

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

Write everyday, it's amazing how many people I meet who want to be writers but don't actually write anything.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Americanisation of my book The Accidental Mother. Sorry but it's true! No time to read for fun right now.

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

I'm working on my next book, I can't tell you what it's about - not EXACTLY sure yet myself.

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!)

Do you base your books on your own life and experiences? No I'm joking, I get asked THAT one all the time. No-one has ever asked me if I'd like David Tennant's Phone Numbers. And the answer is Yes.

Thanks, Rowan (a woman with excellent taste!).

Posted by Keris on May 9, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (0)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

You know how classic novels can sometimes be a bit... long?

Well now Orion has released a series of classics all of which have been "sympathetically edited" - or cruelly chopped, depending on your point of view.

Vanity Fair, The Mill on the Floss and Anna Karenina all now come in at under 400 pages for the first time ever. [Via The Guardian].

So is this a great way of encouraging reluctant readers to pick up the classics? Or is it sacrilege? Would you rather read a more pacey version that's seen the sharp pencil of a modern editor, or do you want to battle through the book as it was originally intended? In other words...

Classics in half the time : is it a Yay or a Nay - and WHY?

Yay or Nay archives.

[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!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 9, 2007 in Book related, Classic Novels, Opinion, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (6)

BOOK REVIEW: Accidental It Girl by Libby Street

I read the beginning of Libby Street's Accidental It Girl, and was hooked:

People hate me.

Some of them openly despise me.

I'd bet a couple dozen would cheer if I were maimed.

People. Hate. Me.

And why do people disapprove of our narrator/heroine Sadie Price so much?

Because she's a member of the paparazzi, of course.

When she's involved in a chase in which she totals her car and gets on the wrong side of Hollywood bad boy Ethan Wyatt, she thinks the damage is only physical. Wyatt decides to try to turn the tables on Sadie, and give her a taste of her own medicine...

I loved the theme of this book - it was interesting to read about a woman paparrazo for a start, and even more interesting to imagine what it would be like to be followed by the paps, and to learn about the tactics they use. I certainly think I'll be more sympathetic when I see grumpy-looking celeb shots in future (the photographer's probably just called them a bitch and insulted their loved ones, not to mention followed them for miles).

The outcome of the story was easy to predict, but I still enjoyed it a lot. (My one small complaint about the book is Sadie kept saying she was 'a paparazzi, when the word for one person is 'paparazzo'... but I'm a bit anal like that so don't let me put you off!)

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Fashion Babylon by Imogen Edwards-Jones and Anonymous.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 9, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

Simon & Schuster to launch author videos site

Publishers Simon & Schuster are to launch a new video website with news and insight from some of their best-loved authors (Jennifer Weiner, perhaps?)

Called BookVideos.tv, it will launch in June. [Via Galleycat]

Technology archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 9, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 8, 2007 11:23 AM

GUEST BLOG: Claire Allan

For the past couple of months, Claire Allan has been sharing her experiences on the road to publication of her debut novel, Rainy Days & Tuesdays. This month's all about mug shots, booze, hookers... oh and second books...

Thankfully the day job as a journalist gives me access to talented photographers who can be bribed with a bottle of wine to take a couple of snaps but unlucky soul who had the task of making me look all sensible and talented had his work cut out for him. I'm not a fan of my smile, so several of the shots look like mug shots.

I also have a habit of closing my eyes when the flash goes off - again this does not make for the finest image. Think Hugh Grant in embarrassing LA Hooker incident.

I contemplated going incognito as a writer and creating a fabulous pen name (think Pixie Pirelli), but Poolbeg assured me that I'm fine as I am. I'm "quirky" apparently. I think that's a complement.

Aside from that however my relationship with Rainy Days and Tuesdays has been a very distant one this month. I've set it free and relaxed into some semblance of a normal life working diligently on Book Two and continuing to plan Book Three. I look at pictures of the cover occasionally and swoon at its beauty

It has taken me a while to fall as utterly in love with my second book as with my first, but now I'm in my addictive phase of writing. I get home, throw the wee man into his bed, beg him to fall asleep (I use bribery if necessary) and sit down at the laptop. It is an amazing feeling to see the words spill onto the screen and even better to read over them later and realise they make sense.

As has been said to me just this week the second book sometimes matters even more than the first (no pressure there then!), but I'll not even think about that for now. I'll just keep writing and living vicariously through a cast characters having their share of troubles and joy in London and Derry.

The second book is more of a challenge in terms of research, as one of the characters has fertility problems. I'm so determined not to do an injustice to every woman who has been affected by this so I'm relying on wonderfully open and honest people to share their experiences with me. Thankfully, although infertility still seems to hold a certain taboo, people have been happy to share with me.

While so much of writing goes on alone, with only a laptop and a glass of Pinot Grigio for company, this research aspect has made me realise that no writer is an island. (Then again, looking at the size of me in the publicity shots...)

Amazon is still giving a release date to the UK market on June 25, so next month I'll probably be incoherent and babbling with nervous tension. I'll keep you posted.

Posted by Keris on May 8, 2007 in Book related, Debut Novels, Irish Authors | Permalink | Comments (2)

WIN 'A Piece of Normal' in our Sandi Kahn Shelton giveaway!

Yes, I said we'd do this yesterday, but I forgot it was a UK bank holiday! I bet you were all out sunning yourselves stocking up at B&Q, weren't you?

So! you read Sandi Shelton's guest blog and my review of her book A Piece of Normal last week (didn't you?)

This week, you have the chance to win a copy of this great read! Simply answer this question: Name the sisters in Sandi's book (clue here).

Email us your answer, with "Sandi comp" in the subject line and your name and address in the body of the email, so we can have the book sent to you if you win.

Good luck!

PS: Shiny Media employees may not apply. Sorry gang.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 8, 2007 in American Authors, Announcements, Book related, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

TUESDAY THREE: Lists

I do love a good list and this week's three books use lists in different, but equally entertaining, ways.

E Lockhart’s The Boyfriend List is the story of Ruby Oliver, a 15-year-old girl who's been referred to a psychiatrist after suffering a series of panic attacks. Ruby's psychiatrist notices that she's talking about boys quite a lot, so asks her to make a "boyfriend list", listing every boy she's ever had any kind of romantic liaison with, however insignificant. Most of the chapters of this wonderful book are named after one of the boys on the list, and Ruby narrates the story of what happens with each boy within each chapter, allowing the narrative to switch around, and also feeding in information about her family, her rift with her best friend and the causes of her anxiety.

Karen Bosnak’s Twenty Times a Lady is a novel about that most sensitive of sexual subjects: your "number".  You know, THAT number. Delilah Darling has just been made redundant. Even worse (in her eyes): she wakes up after a particularly  regrettable one-night stand and realizes she's now slept with 20 men. She's shocked, especially as she's just read that the average girl's number is half that... so she vows that she won't sleep with another man. Ever.

This leaves her with a bit of a problem really, as she's hoping to get married and have children eventually. So she takes her redundancy payment, her hire car and her Blackberry and sets off on a journey across America to track down her lost loves. After all, she reasons, surely one of her ex-lovers must be the right guy for her... her romantic instincts can't be that bad. Can they?

Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life is Amy Krouse Rosenthal's autobiography - kind of. It's an alphabetised account of her experiences and thoughts on life, large and small, interspersed with a chronology of her life experiences, from how she came up with the idea of the book to why she could never concentrate during Laverne and Shirley. Although it's a very funny book it's not a superficial or silly one - Amy shares some very personal facts and difficult experiences, including unexpected deaths of loved ones. It's a completely absorbing read.

Posted by Keris on May 8, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Non Fiction, Tuesday Three, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

YA author Maureen Johnson's book The Burmudez Triangle banned!

We seem to hear a lot about American school libraries banning books - Harry Potter has come under fire a lot. And Judy Blume was never very popular with parents, was she?!

But YA chick lit author Maureen Johnson was surprised to find out that her book The Bermudez Triangle was tossed from a school library in Oklahoma. One mother complained that lesbian content and underage sex and drinking were not suitable topics for her (get this) 15 year old daughter to be reading about. Fellow YA author John Green has apparently called for a letter-writing protest campaign, while Meg Cabot teases she's just jealous that her books never get banned!

Read more about it here.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 8, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Opinion, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (7)

See some stylish book reviews over on Catwalk Queen

I say 'see' rather than 'read' because lovely CQ editor Kim and her (and our) ed-in-chief Gemma have made a video in which they review some fashionable releases.

The books include The Goddess Guide and The Cheap Date Guide to Style and you'll have to watch it to see what they think.

I'm just glad no-one's asked me to make a video yet...

Fashion Lit archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 8, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction, Technology | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 7, 2007 7:57 PM

Romantic Times furore

Yesterday I was reading Teach Me Tonight and something in this post intrigued me:

The background is that on Friday the 27th of April Karen Scott posted a rather critical review of an ebook. There were a number of comments made, including one allegedly posted by Kathryn Falk, CEO of Romantic Times. Karen then responded to this comment, quoting it in full and confirmation that it was indeed written by Falk was posted here, except that when the Smart Bitches talked to Falk, she said, 'Someone took my words but that isn’t me'.

Um. Pardon? Now I generally don't read much erotic fiction, I'm not familiar with Kathryn Falk or, for that matter, Karen Scott, but who could read the above and not want to read on?

So I clicked over and read the original review, which I thought was absolutely hilarious (but, I have to warn you, very adult). I then read everything else linked to above and was left ... utterly confused, but even more intrigued.

Ron Hogan at Galleycat is of course looking into it too, but he hasn't got very far either.

Call me pathologically nosey, but I'm really looking forward to seeing how it plays out...

Posted by Keris on May 7, 2007 in Book related, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

Mickey Smith's book photographs

You may have already noticed that I don't just love to read books, I also love the look and the feel of them. The picture on the right is by the artist Mickey Smith, who photographs periodicals and professional journals (unposed!) in libraries.

Her photographs are beautiful, but they're also expensive - editions of five start at $3000. Ouch. [via Apartment Therapy]

Related posts: Tracy Kendall's book print wallpaper | Bibliochaise from Nobody & Co | Nancy Drew stationery

Posted by Keris on May 7, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

MORE ON MONDAY: Not Buying It by Judith Levine

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.

Told in chronological order, I found it really interesting reading about Judith's fluctuating attitude to the project, her occasion slips and loopholes and the conclusions she and Paul drew by the end of the year. I find it hard to go a week without buying a book, so I particularly applaud her efforts in that respect, especially when she was trying to navigate the impoverished New York library system. Also interesting was the different issues the experiment brought up in the two areas of the country the author lives: Vermont and New York.

This book was more wide-ranging than I expected: I thought it would be a personal journey, but it 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 very thought-provoking read, and I can't imagine that anyone who reads it will ever forget some of the lessons of the book.  There really is something for every consumer here...

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Sweet and Low by Rich Cohen, or my co-ed Keris's Dollymix column Giving Up...

More on Monday archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 7, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Self development | Permalink | Comments (1)

Shanna Swendson's new book: Damsel Under Stress

Lovely author Shanna Swendson, a long-time friend of Trashionista, has a new book out now called Damsel Under Stress, the third in the series which began with Enchanted, Inc and continued with Once Upon Stilettos.

In honour of the release of her new book, she's featured on Joshilyn Jackson's fabulous blog this month: read what she has to say here.

Related: Valerie Frankel talks to Joshilyn Jackson.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 7, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 4, 2007 3:58 PM

Katherine Taylor upsets Benjamin Kunkel

Remember we told you how debut author Katherine Taylor lamented how hard it was "when you're blonde and attractive and you live in LA and you've written a book about young woman in New York, not to be called 'chick lit'"? Well, she also claimed that fellow author, Benjamin Kunkel's debut, Indecision, would also have been called chick lit, had it been written by a woman:

"Indecision was ridiculously simple, I thought. And had it been a girl who'd written it, it would have had the pinkest cover in the world. It would have been the pinkest of all-time pink covers."

Carry on over the cut for Kunkel's response (clue: he's not happy) and a brilliant commentary from Gawker.

Kunkel wrote to the Observer, "Katherine Taylor is afraid of being considered a writer of chick lit. To establish her seriousness, she tells The Observer that my novel Indecision 'was ridiculously simple' and suggests that 'had it been a girl who'd written it, it would have had the pinkest cover in the world.' I wonder why, if Ms. Taylor feels like that, she allowed her editor to send me the galleys of her novel, asking for a blurb. I didn't provide one--though I read enough of Ms. Taylor's book to understand her anxiety about being taken seriously."

Taylor's response was good: "I certainly didn't mean to insult him. The irony of that whole situation is that a word like simple was too complex for Mr. Kunkel to appreciate."

But Gawker's was brilliant: "Way to underscore Katherine's point, Ben. You don't have to be a girl to write like a little bitch."

This one could run and run...

[via Gawker]

Related post: Jennifer Weiner takes on the National Book Critics Circle | Curtis Sittenfeld - chick lit author? |  This is (not?) chick lit

Posted by Keris on May 4, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (4)

FRIDAY FLICK: Iris

This week's Friday Flick is inspired by yesterday's Trailblazer, Iris Murdoch. Yes, it's Iris: the film.

Based on the first in John Bayley's trilogy of books about his late wife, Iris covers Murdoch's life from university (where she met John) to her descent into Alzheimer's. Although moving, it stops short of being depressing, and is instead a great tribute to the author - illustrating what a talented, vibrant woman she once was. Kate Winslet plays her wonderfully. As she becomes older, and more ill, she's played by Judi Dench, who looks astonishingly like Iris and portrays her with brilliant subtlety. There are moments of great humour, even in her illness, and very touching times with John, too.

In short, it's a very good, absorbing, moving film.

But carry on over the cut for my one slight beef about it...

For some reason, Hugh Bonneville, who plays the young John, didn't get as much recognition as the older John, Jim Broadbent, who won an Oscar (Dench and Winslet were also nominated), but he's very good. Perhaps that's because the male actors, despite not looking that alike, blend so well into each other. Perhaps his name could be added to the next version of the DVD cover...?

Like this (in that it also won Oscars): The English Patient.

Friday Flick archives. - We'll have something a bit more frivolous next week, I promise!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 4, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Friday Flick, Memoirs | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: A Piece of Normal by Sandi Kahn Shelton

I promised you I'd be reviewing this week's guest blogger's book, and now: I am! (Stay tuned on Monday for a chance to win a copy).

A Piece of Normal by Sandi Kahn Shelton is the story of Lily Brown, who's happy with her life. (She thinks). She works as an advice columnist for the local paper, lives alone with her four year old son Simon and is still on great terms with her eccentric ex-husband Teddy.

Then her sister Dana, who's been missing for the last ten years, turns up out of the blue, and her sudden appearance shakes up Lily's cosy existence more than either of them could have imagined...

I really enjoyed this book. It's well-written, the characters felt real to me, and I found it very witty (especially at the start of the book, before the emotional trauma begins!) I also found myself really identifying with Lily and getting incredibly angry with Dana, which has to be the sign of a good story. I couldn't believe some of the things Dana did! I wasn't sure how Shelton could make her even half-way sympathetic by the end of the book, but somehow she managed it.

I still cried at the end, though. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 (although it's a 4.5 in my heart)

Like this? Try In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 3, 2007 6:29 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Iris Murdoch

Iris Murdoch has become best known now for her descent into Alzheimer's disease and the portrayal of her by Kate Winslet and Judi Dench in the 2002 film Iris. But there was a lot more to this superbly-talented writer than a sad decline into disease.

Murdoch had a brilliant brain: in his book Iris, her husband John Bayley describes her working process. She would lock herself in her study, hard at work on her novel, for weeks on end. Then she'd emerge, relieved. She'd finished the novel now, she'd tell him... she just had to write it all down. Ironically, she had a marvellous memory and could store complex plots in her head before setting it all down on paper.  She studied at Oxford, where she met her husband and several other lovers (whether any of those relationships continued into her marriage is a matter of some - prurient - speculation).

She wrote plays and poetry too, but is best known for her novels: she wrote twenty-six between 1954 and 1995, winning the Booker Prize in 1978 (for The Sea, The Sea).

Born in 1919, she died in 1999. Murdoch's literary legacy will live on, though - many consider her one of the most significant British writers of the twentieth century, and anyone wanting to become a novelist could do a lot worse than to read and absorb her words and study (and enjoy) her storytelling technique - it's close to flawless. Hugely erudite, her books are influenced by everything from metaphyscics to the Bible... but they're also easy to read and understand even if you don't get all the references. And they will make you think.

Read this: Under The Net.

Thursday Trailblazer archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 3, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Prize Winners, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (1)

Are books unethical?

I asked yesterday if you were interested in e-books, but I'm fairly sure we all prefer to read a book in its original (paper) format. But have you considered the environmental impact of books?

In her BA Conference address on Consumer Trends, Dr Michelle Harrison of the Henley Centre showed a photograph of a crowded bookshelf and asked, "Is this unethical? Is it right to have such a display of paper in one's home? Do we feel uncomfortable about this, ostentatious even?"

As Publishing News put it, "The implication was clear - digital is greener." [via Book2Book]

It's an interesting point. What do you think?

Posted by Keris on May 3, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

MOVIE NEWS: Bergdorf Blondes

Plum Sykes has apparently been approached by HBO to create a screenplay of her debut novel, Bergdorf Blondes. [via Styledash]

Since we're still waiting *taps foot* for HBO's adaptation of Jennifer Weiner's Good In Bed, I'm not holding my breath.

Movie news archives

Posted by Keris on May 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

Meet Adele Parks

Adele Parks' new book Young Wives Tales is out today - today! - and over the next couple of weeks Adele will be out and about promoting it.

Interestingly, many of her appearances are at coffee shops rather than book shops. Is this the future, I wonder? And, if it is, what do you think about it?

Related posts: From Starbucks to Starbooks | Virtual bookshops

Posted by Keris on May 3, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mis-blurbing is common - buyers beware, says The New York Times

Is it just me, or is blurb a wonderful word? Say it with me: BLURB!

Anyway... The New York Times reports on the epidemic of 'mis-blurbing', or doctored quotes: an author says "Meh... it's all right" and next thing their glowing endorsement ("All right! I loved it!" or whatever) adorns the front cover and helps sell 10 squillion copies of a book they were only ever lukewarm about.

Apparently it's rife, so take those cover quotes with a hint of salt...

Read more in Henry Alford's excellent article (you might have to sign in first - it's totally worth it to read the NYT, I promise.)

Related: Jenny Crusie on being a "quote whore"

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 3, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK NEWS: How Sassy Changed My Life

Being British, I never read Sassy magazine, but I did have a love affair with Just Seventeen, and later adored Seventeen, its glossier American equivalent. In fact, I've been addicted to buying and reading all sorts of magazines for as long as I can remember, so if you're anything like me, you'll know how great this book sounds...

How Sassy Changed My Life: A Love Letter to the Greatest Teen Magazine of All Time is by by Kara Jesella and Marisa Meltzer and out now in the US.

Non-fiction archives | More book news.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 2, 2007 6:07 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Marian Keyes *squeal!*

I wish you could have heard the screams of excitement at Trashionista HQ this time last week when we realised we had our MOST EXCITING INTERVIEW EVER! in the bag. Yes, it's really true! We've hinted, we've teased, we've reviewed her books and talked about her on and on... and now, she's really, really here talking exclusively to you, our lovely Trashionista readers:  It's Marian Keyes, the Queen of chick lit.

Enjoy...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Anybody Out There (that’s three words gone already) is a comedy about serious issues and cosmetics (mind you, nothing frivolous about cosmetics!)

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

In bed. I would never, ever get up unless I really have to. My husband comes in every few hours and turns me so that I don’t get bedsores.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

There are so many great books, so I’ll go back to the beginning (for me), and say any of the early Jilly Coopers (not that there’s anything wrong with the later ones, but maybe they’re not chick lit).

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

Robyn Hudson in the books by Sparkle Hayter – she’s intelligent, independent, feisty, sweet – she’s the woman I want to be when I grow up.

Carry on over the cut for more from Marian, including some very useful tips for wannabe writers, and news on her next novel...

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

Firstly, stop talking about it and start writing it – word by word.

Formally set aside time to write – respect your book enough not to try to fit it in, in bitty gaps, around the rest of your life. Better still, try to write at the same time every day – this seems to trigger the subconscious into readiness.

Don’t be surprised if your first efforts are shockingly bad – indeed, expect to marvel at the gap between what you want to say in your head and how it appears on the page. But persevere; chances are it will improve.

Beware of setting yourself up as the ‘new’ Sophie Kinsella or the ‘new’ someone else: it’s always cringingly obvious. Instead write in your own unique voice and be proud of it.

Write what you know – and if you don’t know it, be prepared to research it.

Finally – enjoy it! If you enjoy writing it, chances are that people will enjoy reading it.

What are you reading at the moment?

As a judge on the Orange Prize, I’ve been concentrating on those books for the last few months.

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

It’s provisionally called This Charming Man, and is of course a comedy – this time about domestic violence among other things. I’ve been writing it for eighteen months now, which means, I hope, that it’s near the end. I guess it’ll be published in the first half of next year.

Sounds fantastic! Thank you, Marian!

*And massive thanks to friend of Trashionista Clare Allan, email address passer-alonger extraordinaire! *

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 2, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Girly Stuff, Interviews, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (4)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week, we asked: DO men really (as Waterstones staff claim) write better novels than women? and you answered: You don't think so! I have to say, I've read some wonderful books by men, but tend to prefer women's fiction and about 80% of my reading is authored by women - I gravitate naturally towards it (and review it for work, of course...)

ANYWAY! THIS WEEK, I'm inspired by the book I'm reading and the book I've just reviewed, both of which were written by good friends working together, as was another one of my favourite chick lit read of recent years, The Nanny Diaries.

So, what I'm wondering is: would you like to write a book with a close friend? Would you and your best pal bicker too much, do you think friends working together is a recipe for disaster, or does it sound like fun and the prefect way to ensure the long process of writing a novel doesn't become too lonely.

Writing with your bestest friend: Yay or Nay - and why?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 2, 2007 in Book related, Modern Fiction, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (2)

MOVIE NEWS: Suburban Girl...

... is the new title of the movie version of Melissa Bank's novel The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing, due out (in the US) in August. I'm not happy with that title change at all - Suburban Girl? How boring is that?!

And, following his recent troubles, I'm not buying Alec Baldwin as a romantic hero either, I'm afraid. It's a good job it's got Buffy, that's all I can say.

Posted by Keris on May 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

GUEST BLOG: Sandi (Kahn) Shelton

Sandi Shelton is the author of the brilliant A Piece of Normal (look out for a review in a day or two), and is here today as part of her virtual book tour. She's written a guest blog for us on a subject close to many readers' hearts: sisters.

Writes Sandi...

It’s a funny thing about sisters. Doesn’t it seem to you that there’s always one who is oh-so-together and who knows everything about The Right Way to Do Things--eating healthy, making good choices, sending birthday cards to the aunties on time and all of that, and then there’s the other one who’s—well, maybe not so much?

It’s this other sister who’s the hell-raising, spontaneous one, the one with all the cute but dangerous boyfriends. She’s the one for whom the phone rings and the boys’ cars line up outside the house, growling and purring. And she’s always in some kind of trouble.

Full disclosure here: I was the Together sister.

My little sister staked out the reckless territory early on.

When she was three years old, she did a breathtaking thing: she tore up a layered, exquisite organdy dress that our mother had spent 47,348 hours sewing for her. Her reason: “It was scratchy and I didn’t like it.”

High school was just what you might think. The principal had my mother’s number on speed-dial. And if my parents left the house for longer than an hour and a half, forget it. My sister threw parties in which the fun was seeing who could jump off the roof into our swimming pool the most times while holding a beer bottle. Meanwhile, I was the kid with the nerdy boyfriend and the babysitting jobs and the savings fund for college. That’s me, practicing telling a lie to my mother in the mirror: “No, no. I really was at the library. They kept it open until midnight tonight! They did!” She never believed me.

So naturally, I grew up and became a novelist. At last I could make up stuff and have it turn out the way I wanted, instead of the way it usually did. But it wasn’t until I was writing A Piece of Normal, the story of Lily and Dana Brown, two sisters who are locked into their differences, that I realized that I didn’t even know half of my own past. OK, Lily and Dana definitely aren’t my sister and me, but they do have that element of one being stable while the other one is flaky. My sympathies, obviously, were with Lily, who came back home from college to raise Dana after their parents died and who sees herself as the caretaker for the whole world. She’s so conscientious that she won’t even find a lover for herself until she first finds somebody for her ex-husband to go out with. Who wouldn’t love a character who is so selfless and quirky and gently misguided? Who wouldn’t want to reach over and give her an encouraging hug?

But then a funny thing happened. It was while I was writing Dana’s character — Dana, who had run away to be in a punk rock band; Dana, who had broken Lily’s heart and made her feel like a failure — that I started to understand something about what it took to be the daring, flaky sister. She’s the one who sees the need to stir things up, who is willing to sacrifice everybody’s good opinion in order to bring deep, dark family secrets to light, and who isn’t willing to let everybody get away with pushing the past away, pretending things are perfect.

I had always intended to balance out the good and bad in the characters; I didn’t want them to be cardboard, after all. But what I learned was that I actually adored the difficult and out-of-control Dana, and even when she gets herself locked in a betrayal of Lily that it’s going to take an act of supreme forgiveness to get her out of, I was rooting for her even though she was horrible. That’s where writing a novel can be just the best thing ever: your characters tell you things you never noticed about your own life.

And for heaven’s sake, if an organdy dress scratches you, don’t wear it!

Follow the rest of Sandi's book tour via her blog.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (5)

Valerie Frankel e-book

Valerie Frankel's latest book, I Take This Man, is available as an e-book via Books On Board. It comes in three formats: Microsoft Reader, eReader, and Adobe PDF and costs $8.98.

I find it close to impossible to read a book on the computer screen, has anyone actually used an e-reader and, if so, could you recommend one?

Related posts: E-books: the future of reading?

Posted by Keris on May 2, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Simmer Down by Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, never having read a culinary-themed mystery before. Would it be a delicious blend of genres, or a recipe for disaster? And would I stop thinking in culinary metaphors? Time would tell...

Simmer Down is the story of social work grad student Chloe Carter, who's happily loved up with chef boyfriend Josh and looking forward to the opening night of Simmer, the new restaurant where Josh is about to start work.

But on New Year's Eve, at a local gallery's benefit to support the anti-harassment group Chloe works for, at which Josh is cooking, things spiral out of control. Not only does Chloe's ex, Sean turn up out of the blue, but so does Josh's less than pleasant previous girlfriend Hannah, who'd working for a rival restaurant chain. And when Oliver, one of the bosses of that rival group is later found murdered (bludgeoned to death by Josh's supersized food processor), the suspects start piling up...

Could it be the bitchy Hannah? Oliver's wife Dora? Or even his business partner Barry? Or maybe even an unknown business rival? No-one knows, but Chloe thinks that for the sake of Josh's future career, she should be the one to find out...

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I'm not generally a fan of genre fiction, and worried that this book's kitschy cover (like a modern-day Nancy Drew) could be an attempt to hide less-than-quality writing. But I read the first page, and loved it, and then the second... and before I knew it I'd devoured the whole book. This would be the perfect summer read, and was interesting, witty and unpredictable (with mouthwatering descriptions of food and even recipes for said food at the back of the book). I'll definitely look out for the next delicious novel by this mother-daughter writing team.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this?  Try Faking It by Jennifer Crusie.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 1, 2007 8:24 PM

Something exciting: Wednesday on Trashionista!

And not just one exciting thing either - it's going to be a brilliant day tomorrow!

First, Sandi Kahn Shelton is going to be stopping by on her blog tour with a special blog post related to her book, A Piece of Normal, which we'll review later in the week.

As if that wasn't enough, we have OUR MOST EXCITING AND SPECIAL interview yet lined up for tomorrow afternoon - who could it be...??

Carry on over the cut for a clue.

She's Irish.

:)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 1, 2007 in American Authors, Announcements, Book Websites, Book related, Interviews, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (8)

BOOK REVIEW: The First Assistant by Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare

I loved The Second Assistant, so when I heard that the authors of that book had written a sequel, catching us up with Lizzie Miller one year on from the end of that book... well, I snapped up a copy quicker than a very snappy thing indeed.

So how is Lizzie's life looking twelve months later? Well, she's been dating producer Luke Lloyd for most of that year, has been promoted to first assistant and is great friends with her predecessor Lara, who also happens to be her boss's wife. Heck, she's even made up with Jason Blum, the screenwriter friend who screwed her over.

But there are a few things stopping Lizzie from being truly happy...

First, there's evil Amber, the new second assistant, who's snotty, underhanded and - of course - British. Is she out to sabotage Lizzie, and if so, how? Then there's a new client at the agency, LiLo-esque actress Emerald, who Lizzie's being sent to Thailand to babysit. AND on top of all that, Lizzie isn't sure if she's ready to settle down with Luke without establishing a career and cash flow of her own first. It's going to be an interesting few months...

I don't know if it's ever possible to enjoy the sequel to a successful first novel as much as the original, and I didn't like this book quite as much as The Second Assistant. But the authors haven't had a sophomore slump, either - this is a perfectly entertaining book, and definitely kept my interest. I was pleased that it ended in a more Hollywood fairy-tale way, which was lacking from the previous novel. That makes the ending a bit unrealistic, but in a novel about Hollywood, who wants gritty realism?

It seems like the last we've seen of Lizzie - I hope we've left her to enjoy her happy ending - so I am interested to see where Naylor and Hare turn their attentions next.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Second Assistant by Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 1, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

Jenny Gardiner wins American Title-III contest!

Remember how we nagged and nagged and nagged you to vote for Jenny Gardiner's novel Sleeping With Ward Cleaver in the American Title-III contest? Well all that nagging paid off because she won! And she sent us a message:

I would love to thank the Trashionistas for their wonderful support during the contest. The book will be published by Dorchester Publishing and the pub date is 28 January 2008! So thank you all so very much for your help--I am ever so grateful!

You're welcome, Jenny! Carry on over the cut to read the back cover blurb.

CLEAVERED

Wham, bam, no-thank-you, ma'am. That about sums up the sex life of Claire Doolittle. Not-so-happily married to Jack—once the man of her dreams but now a modern-day version of the bossy, dull Ward Cleaver of '50s sitcom fame—Claire is at the end of her rope. Gone are the glorious days of flings in elevators and broom closets. Jack? All he needs is a cardigan and a billowing pipe to become the domineering father figure Claire never wanted. And looking at her body in the mirror, Claire would cast herself as Lumpy. They’d once had a world of color, of wanton frivolity. Now, life’s black and white: a sitcom in reruns. A not-very-funny sitcom.  Cue an old boyfriend—the "one that got away"—throw in a predatory hottie who's set her sights on our leading man, and watch Claire's world spiral out of control.

In the old TV show, the Beaver always got a happy ending. Claire wants one, too.

Posted by Keris on May 1, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (1)

Bibliochaise from Nobody & Co

This chair and footstool give new meaning to the expression "curl up with a book".

They're from a company called Nobody & Co, but the prices aren't listed on the website, which I know from experience means I can't afford them. Very cool though. [via Apartment Therapy]

Related posts: Booklamps | Tracy Kendall's book print wallpaper | Waterproof book covers

Posted by Keris on May 1, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (4)

More on PS I Love You - the film

We've reported on filming of Cecilia Ahern's smash-hit novel PS: I Love You before: remember when Hilary Swank was injured?

But did you know Friends star Lisa Kudrow is in it? - I didn't! James Marsters from Buffy is also co-starring. And so is Kathy Bates, and Harry Connick Jr (last seen as the totally obnoxious Leo in Will and Grace).

News on a release date as soon as we get it!

[Via Imdb.com]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 1, 2007 in Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Irish Authors, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

TUESDAY THREE: Money worries

This week’s Tuesday Three takes a look at something common to most, if not all, of us - money worries.

Raising the Roof, Jane Wenham-Jones' first novel, is about Cari Carrington, the daughter of slightly crazy parents and ex-wife of Martin, the man who cut up her Barclaycard. Cari has three problems: she’s single, she’s jobless and she’s fat. At least that’s what Martin told her during their last blazing row. But don’t worry; Cari has a solution to at least two of those problems. Nigel her horny friend soon becomes her Nigel her horny business partner when they buy a run down property to do up for a profit. Unfortunately Nigel fails to tell Cari exactly how much work needs to be done and she soon sees her investment running away from her so she has to take a more hands on approach than she’d intended...

I couldn’t write about money worries without featuring The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic now, could I. The ultimate in girlie escapism, the first of the super-successful Shopaholic series from Sophie Kinsella is a laugh-out loud cautionary tale of what happens when you lose track of your spending. 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. Luckily, there's four more where this came from.

Not strictly chick lit - being that it’s both about and written by a man - is Marc Acito’s How I Paid For College. A fabulous, over-the-top, brilliantly written, laugh-a-minute novel about Edward, a high-school senior in 1980s New Jersey, who is desperate to study acting at the prestigious Julliard in New York City but his overbearing father has refused to pay and his flaky mother is incommunicado on her latest hippy retreat. So Edward comes up with an outrageous scheme to enable him to fund his college education himself. Not that paying for college is Edward’s only problem: he has a permanently stoned sister, wicked stepmother and his own confused sexuality to contend with. A brilliant read.

Posted by Keris on May 1, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Sophie Kinsella, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 30, 2007 3:29 PM

Book covers: are eggs the new butterflies (which are the new feet)?

Phew, are you still with me?!

Author Justine Larbalestier was interested in our feature on Butterflies being the new book cover trend for women's fiction (taking over from feet, of course). Her new book, Magic's Child also has a butterfly-themed cover. She says that she'd rather see butterflies than dismembered women with heads or feet 'chopped off' but scroll down and she reveals...

That the next book cover trend seems to be: eggs!

A reference to ovaries, or just a nice symmetrical image - who knows?!

What do you think to these cover trends - and what would you like to see next? (Or do you *cough* not really care?)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (6)

Rosie Thomas wins Romantic Novel of the Year 2007

Bestselling author Rosie Thomas has won the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year award for 2007 with Iris & Ruby.

Iris & Ruby tells the story of a passionate love affair in World War II Cairo and the growing bond between 82-year old Iris and her granddaughter Ruby.

Related posts: Review of Rosie Thomas's Sun at Midnight | RNA Romantic Novel of the Year longlist | Orange Prize shortlist announced

Posted by Keris on April 30, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

MOVIE NEWS: The Jane Austen Book Club

I seem to be the only Trashionista writer who loved The Jane Austen Book Club , but obviously people somewhere agree with me, as Hollywood quickly snapped up the rights for a big screen version of the novel.

Emily Blunt, who played the English first assistant (based on Plum Sykes?) in The Devil Wears Prada, stars, along with Amy Brenneman from (one of my faves) Judging Amy. Hugh Dancy, who will also star in Bronte (it's in 'pre-production' now) is in it too - but there's no news on a release date yet.

We'll keep you posted.

[Via Imdb.com]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Devil Wears Prada, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Recent Release, Richard and Judy, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

Create your virtual bookshelf with Shelfari

This new site caught my eye: at Shelfari, you list the books you own in a similar way to LibraryThing and Reader 2, only instead of a list of books with pictures, you end up with a 3D picture of all the books on your shelves... and you can discuss them with your online friends via the site.

Looks like fun! Has anyone tried it?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 30, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 27, 2007 6:36 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Miss Potter

Released this week on DVD, Miss Potter (follow that link to see the trailer) is a biopic of Beatrix Potter: showing how she became one of the most successful children's authors of all time, despite the reluctance and disdain of her publishers.

Unconvinced by her rabbit illustrations and anthropomorphic stories, her publishers foisted her off on their young, naive brother, played by Ewan McGregor - who turns out not only to be a marketing maestro, but to be Miss Potter's first suitor...

This is a light period drama that was more involving than I expected: quite a girly film, but an interesting one, that made me want to know more about Beatrix Potter - a woman of hidden depths.

Renee Zellweger seems to have transported the spirit of Bridget Jones back almost a century; not for nothing did some reviewers call this film 'Bridget Potter'! But I enjoyed her interpretation (even if the drawings-occasionally-coming-to-life thing was a bit cheesy...) This would be the perfect  Sunday afternoon film.

Like this, only more modern: Bridget Jones's Diary.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 27, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (4)

MOVIE NEWS: Heart-Shaped Box

It might not surprise you to hear that Stephen King's son, Joe Hill, is apparently a super-talented thriller writer, just like daddy. And he's following in his dad's footsteps by having his first novel, Heart Shaped Box, turned into a film, reports Variety.

Veteran Irish filmmaker Neil 'The Crying Game' Jordan will direct.

Movie news archives | Friday Flick archives

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 27, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Movie News, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Divas Don't Knit by Gil McNeil

We've already told you that 'knit lit' is hot news, and here's another example of the subgenre: Divas Don't Knit, by Gil McNeil. Jo Mackenzie is a widow with two young sons, and she's had enough of London.

Needing a change to get over the shock of losing her husband (even though he was about to leave her), she takes up her grandmother's invitation to move to the country and take over the running of the family's wool shop.

I'm a big fan of all Gil McNeil's novels: there's something so warm and comforting about them, and I was impressed with the way she made knitting - not really one of my personal passions - so interesting! Her characters were convincing and I enjoyed the storyline: not much seemed to happen, it was more about Jo moving forward over the course of about a year, but I was never bored.

However... McNeil's books could justifiably be accused of being a bit samey. This book is very like her first novel, The Only Boy For Me, which I loved. (Though the TV version I was less keen on, giving up halfway through). She then wrote a sequel to The Only Boy... and then another similar book, and now she's working on a sequel to Divas... There's always an eccentric family, a country setting, a single mother and a sophisticated potential love interest. There's definitely nothing new here, and it would be nice to see this writer step out of her comfort zone a little. But her characters are so likable and her plots so nicely (ha ha) woven, you couldn't hate this book if you tried.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 27, 2007 in Book related, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Melanie Lynn Hauser free e-book

As Diane mentioned earlier this week, Melanie Lynn Hauser has made her novel, Jumble Pie, available for free on her website.

Melanie writes: "Jumble Pie is the story of the elusive nature of friendship, sometimes clinging, other times liberating; a story for any woman who has ever lied to her best friend just to make her feel better - and who has been brave enough to tell the truth, even when it hurts.  And of course, it's a story about the remarkable healing power of pie."

[via Karin Gillespie]

Related posts: Confessions of Supermom by Melanie Lynn Hauser | Melanie Lynn Hauser on YouTube | Holly's Inbox

Posted by Keris on April 27, 2007 in American Authors, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chicklish's Helen Salter giveaway

Fabulous young adult fiction blog, Chicklish (edited by friend-of-Trashionista, Luisa Plaja) currently has a competition to win a copy of Helen Salter's Does Glitter Count As Camouflage? along with a matching bookmark.

Details - as well as an interview with Helen Salter and a review of the book - here.

Related posts: Young Adult archives | Taming the Beast (reviewed by Luisa)

Posted by Keris on April 27, 2007 in Book related, Competition, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 26, 2007 8:49 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Janet Evanovich

Yes, the great lady said it herself: she probably did, to a large extent, inspire the invention of chick lit: in the US, at least. So Janet Evanovich is the first living author to be featured in our Thursday Trailblazer series!

She started out writing romance novels, which  were moderately successful. But she really found her voice (and a million-selling career) when she invented Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter extraordinaire. Her first foray into smart, snarky, first-person narration, Stephanie is strong, kicks ass and is never afraid to speak her mind. She also looks fabulous (I'm sure). In short, she's an inspiration: and Janet is too, turning her career into a family business (her daughter, son and husband all work for/with her!) - although she has admitted she barely gets time to breathe...

Her novels are obviously inspired by great authors like Elmore Leonard, but Evanovich's own influence is clear in writers like Jenny Crusie and Lani Diane Rich.

Read this: One For The Money.

What do you think?

And who's your favourite trailblazer? Let us know!

Thursday Trailblazer archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 26, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (1)

US date for The Starter Wife

We mentioned the TV version of Gigi Levangie's The Starter Wife (starring Will & Grace's Debra Messing) back in January and we've just learned it will begin airing on the USA Network on 31 May. More info here. [via Romantic Times]

Still no news on a UK screening, but we'll let you know as soon as we know and in the meantime, here's a special sneak peek:

Posted by Keris on April 26, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

Orange Broadband New Writers shortlist

Did you know that there's an Orange Broadband Award for New Writers, launched in 2005 as part of the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction? Well there is. All first works of fiction written in English by a woman and published as a book in the UK are eligible.

The 2007 shortlist is:

Clare Allan - Poppy Shakespeare
Roopa Farooki - Bitter Sweets
Karen Connelly - The Lizard Cage

Wow. That really is a short list, isn't it? The winner will be announced at the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction award ceremony on 6 June 2006.

Carry on over the cut to find out how you can get two of the Orange nominated books (those above and those on the main prize list) for the price of one.

Orange has partnered with Waterstone's to offer a two for one promotion to Orange mobile and broadband customers on all shortlisted books for this year's Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction and Orange Broadband Award for New Writers.

Orange customers can visit www.orangeprize/241 or text 'Books' to '80241' and they will be sent a promotional code to use online at Waterstones.com/orange241 to claim the two books for one offer. The offer will be available until June 15 2007.

Related post: Marian Keyes on Orange Prize judging panel

Posted by Keris on April 26, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

Another cover 'snap'!

Trashionista writer Danielle thoroughly enjoyed Sara Manning's Let's Get Lost, a book that's won almost as many plaudits for the coolness of the cover as the fabness of the story...

Here's the coolness in action:

Pretty, no? And unusual looking, too... So imagine my surprise when I found another young adult author has almost exactly the same cover:

Carry on over the cut to see...

...the cover of Sarah Dessen's new book Just Listen:

Don't even try to tell me that's not "inspired by"! I know it's the publishers fault, never the author's, and Sarah Dessen's book, a newcomer to my toppling review pile, looks very interesting. But really!

At least Puffin have time to pull their socks up and change the cover: it's not released until July...

Related: Are Butterflies the new feet? | Musical book covers | Judging books by their covers

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 26, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Opinion, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

It's coming...

Something big. And we mean BIG.

Next Wednesday on Trashionista.

Watch this space.

[DS].

Posted by Aigua Media on April 26, 2007 in Announcements, Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK NEWS: The Next Thing On My List

Jill Smolinksi's new novel The Next Thing on My List sounds like a great concept: June Parker's life is plodding along nicely when she has a car accident. Her passenger, Marissa, who she barely knows, tragically dies, and June finds in her possessions a list, entitled “20 Things to Do By My 25th Birthday.” June decides to take on the challenge of completing Marissa's list in her memory...

According to Random House's website:

"Funny, engaging, and heartwarming, The Next Thing on My List features a lovable, relatable heroine and a story with plenty of humor and heart." Of course, they would say that, but I must admit, I'd love to read it. Personal quests like that always inspire me! (Plus reading about someone else's means I don't have to start my own...)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 26, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (3)

April 25, 2007 8:45 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week, we talked about whether a new Sense and Sensibility was a good thing and scored a big fat yay from my co-ed Keris and a slightly more reluctant yay from our editor-in-chief Gemma.

This week, I'm getting controversial. Waterstones recently published its top 100 books of the last twenty-five years as decided by 5000 of the book chain's staff ... and only TWENTY-SEVEN of them are by women! Whaaa...?

Is it possible that they're right: do men write better books than women?

Tell us what you think: is it a Yay or a Nay - and WHY?

Yay or Nay archives.

[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!]

[Picture courtesy of Getty Images].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 25, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (5)

Will Write For Shoes writing course

Diane loved Cathy Yardley's Will Write For Shoes, a guide to writing a chick lit novel and now Cathy is leading an online course of the same title.

If you take the course, be sure to let us know what you think.

Posted by Keris on April 25, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

Melanie Lynne Hauser news: Supermom sequel and new e-book

According to the ever-informing-me Galleycat, Melanie Lynne Hauser, author of Confessions of Supermom not only only has a sequel to that book out now: Supermom Saves the World...

But she is going to release an older novel, Jumble Pie, as an e-book.

Find out more here.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 25, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Manny by Holly Peterson

It's apparently the latest, hottest trend in Manhattan: more popular than the Birkin bag, better than Jimmy Choos: it's The Manny, or male nanny...

Jamie Whitfield is at the end of her tether with her husband Philip, an overgrown spoiled rich kid who can never have enough money and who spends all his time at work, away from Jamie and their three children. Oldest son Dylan has begun to resent the lack of attention from his father, and has started to act strangely as a result - sitting down in the middle of a school basketball game and bursting into tears, for example...

His mother decides something must be done: so she hires Peter, a specialist in child' education, who'll hang out with Dylan and be something of a father figure for him. The only problem is, Jamie doesn't want Philip to know...

Actually that's not her only problem, just one of many : Jamie's trying to break a huge national story in her job as producer at a major news network and it's not going smoothly. More importantly, the problems in her marriage are brought into stark relief by her growing attraction to Peter...

I liked this book, although I think it would have benefited from one final round of edits: it was a bit too long. Also, although Peter started out quite charismatic, he became rather arrogant and the way he talked to Jamie often seemed rude although was supposed to be just cheeky. Jamie keeps telling us how charming Peter is, but this wasn't shown very often! Compared to Philip however, he's wonderful: The author doesn't seem to realise that having Jamie complain so much about her husband makes her look like a bit of a weak character. And having Jamie say she hates the upper-class snobbery of The Grid, the exclusive area of Manhattan she lives in seemed a bit hollow: she is also very taken in by it - and Peterson lives there herself so she can't hold it in that much contempt!

I also felt the story was needlessly slow at times - but as Jamie's work storyline hotted up, I was gripped (this was probably the most exciting part of the novel, and Holly Peterson's own experience as a producer was clear - although for her sake I hope she had a better time in that job than Jamie does in hers...) The book ended a little suddenly, but I was pleased with the denouement.

I think I would have just liked Peter to have been more Mary Poppins-ish...

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Nanny Diaries by The Nanny Diaries by Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 25, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 24, 2007 5:59 PM

Touchstone's competing "Blonde Brit Bombshells" in Chicago

US Book publishers Touchstone are apparently touting Rachel Johnson (of Notting Hell and Boris Johnson's sister fame) and Santa Montefiore (of The Gypsy Madonna and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson's sister fame) as their "Blonde Brit Bombshells" competing over book sales whilst on tour together in America.

They've been in Chicago recently, partaking in very stereotypical British customs like high tea (in the middle of a bookshop, natch).

[Via Galleycat]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 24, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sophie Kinsella interview

No, not here, sadly. But it's funny: Sophie Kinsella is enormously popular and successful, but I've only ever read one interview with her ... until now.

This short Time magazine interview includes Kinsella's thoughts on the difference between chick lit and romance (it's the "heaving bosoms"), life as a financial journalist and, of course, Becky Brandon.

Related posts: The Undomestic Goddess review | Shopaholic & Baby review

Posted by Keris on April 24, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

TUESDAY THREE: Adultery

It’s not big or clever, but in fiction it’s always good fun. What am I talking about? Adultery. This week’s three books focus on cheaters and cheating, but possibly in ways you wouldn’t expect...

Emily Giffin’s Something Borrowed is the wonderful story of Rachel, who is about to turn thirty and having a bit of an early mid-life crisis. Her best friend since school Darcy seems to have everything: a wonderful man, a glamorous job in PR and a wedding to plan. Rachel on the other hand, feels lost and overlooked. Especially whenever she's with Darcy. Life perks up a little when she finally realises she has great chemistry with a man she's known for years ... shame he also happens to be Darcy's fiance, Dex...

Jane Fallon’s first novel Getting Rid of Matthew has a great premise: Helen has been Matthew’s mistress for four years, but when he finally leaves his wife and two daughters and moves in with her, Helen finds it’s not what she wanted after all. But Matthew has given up a lot to be with Helen and he’s not about to give her up. Unless she gives him some very good reasons to, that is. So Helen sets about a campaign to drive Matthew away: amongst other things, she stops shaving her legs, slums about the house in her scruff, stops having sex with him and befriends his ex-wife (under a pseudonym).

In Husbands Adele Parks takes it to the next level with bigamist Bella. Bella’s friend Laura, still hurt from a nasty break up, falls head over heels with a busker she meets on the tube. Unfortunately he happens to be married to Bella who is also married to Philip... are you keeping up? The book charts some fairly major coincidences as the lives of Bella, her two husbands, and Laura become rather too entwined for comfort.

Posted by Keris on April 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (0)

Why so few novels make it to the big screen

We all love a good film adaptation, don't we? Some get it right, some get it horribly (or just boringly) wrong.

This month, in an article that appeared first in Mslexia and then The Independent, Danuta Kean discusses the complicated process of having a book adapted for the silver screen. It makes interesting reading...

[Via Book 2 Book].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 24, 2007 in Book related, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK NEWS: 21 Proms

With the popularity of anthologies like This Is Chick Lit (and er, that other one), a teen short story anthology was obviously well overdue. 21 Proms is a collection of stories about... prom nights. (Who'd have thought?!) It features  YA authors like John Green and E Lockhart, as well as chick lit crossovers like Sarah Mlynowski.

Being an anthology, of course it has to have several feet on the cover - but it sounds like a great read!

[Via Galleycat]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance, Short Story Collections, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

Interview with Aury Wellington...

No, not on here (unfortunately): editor of controversial anthology This Is Not Chick Lit, Elizabeth Merrick launched a new series of author interviews on Bookslut this week. Her inaugural interviewee is Aury Wellington, author of controversial YA book Pop!

Find out how she writes, what her big break was (clue here) and why her mum always wanted her to join the army... all by reading the interview.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Debut Novels, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Television, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

April 23, 2007 4:47 PM

Another Traveling Pants movie?

We really loved The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book and movie, so we're excited about rumours of another Traveling Pants film. 

It's been suggested that the scriptwriters will use the final book in Ann Brashares' series, Forever in Blue, as the main plot with bits of the second and third books featured too. The original core ensemble - America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel and Blake Lively - are all in talks to reprise their roles. [via Ferrerafans]

Related posts: Top 10 Chick Lit film adaptations | Gawker on Ann Brashares | Movie News archives

Posted by Keris on April 23, 2007 in Book related, Movie News, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

MORE ON MONDAY: Television Without Pity by Tara Ariano and Sarah D Bunting

Anyone who reads (and like me, LOVES) the website Television Without Pity will understand what to expect from this book: the same snarky, madly observant tone of that brilliant site, delivered in encyclopaedia format. Subtitled ‘752 things we love to hate (and hate to love) about TV’,  Television Without Pity is an A-Z about everything televisual: from Acting, Wooden to Zeiring, Iain... (I swear that juxtaposition was unintentional!)

I got this for my birthday (thanks, Mum!) and spent a whole weekend totally absorbed, often screeching with laughter and recognition at Ariano and Bunting’s brilliant insights.

Often the section headers were enough to set me off: Weakest Link, British-Lady Edition or Fashion, Hilarious Attempts of TV Guys in the 90s at. Their take on watching a whole show on DVD over a weekend is exaggerated, yet familiar: "We try to ration the 24 episodes, one at a time, but we can't... the next thing we know it's Sunday night and we're sitting in adult diapers on the couch, surrounded by forty-eight hours' worth of snack bags and Diet Coke cans, heads pounding, cracked out on Keifer..." Fellow TV addicts will relate. Except maybe about the 'diapers'...

As you might have guessed, this book is American, and the one drawback for UK readers is that a lot of the cultural references will be unfamiliar (I’m an American-TV junkie from way back and there was a lot I didn’t understand). But that didn’t stop me laughing at and loving this book. It’s not all fun and games though: there’s also a lot of intelligent, thought-provoking analysis about the way pop culture functions.

In fact, it’s pretty much the perfect book.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster.

Television archives | TV Scoop: Blogging the Gogglebox

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 23, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

Did Janet Evanovich invent chick lit?

As usual, I'm months behind on my magazine reading, so I've just come across an interview with author Janet Evanovich in February's Writer's Digest. Asked if other authors were writing crossover romance/mysteries when she began the Stephanie Plum series, Janet answers:

No. There were people writing with humor but [it wasn't a] broad humor. My humor is like "I Love Lucy." So I think I brought more humor in and created the romance hybrid. I hate to take credit for chick lit - and I don't think I can - but I contributed to it. And I don't think what I write is chick lit, but I think that the people who came after me and created chick lit were looking at Stephanie Plum.

We didn't include Evanovich in our Top 10 Chick Lit Precursors list, but should we have done? One For the Money was published in 1994, which puts her ahead of both Helen Fielding and Marian Keyes (who are usually in contention for the crown), but that would depend on whether the Stephanie Plum series is chick lit or not. What do you think?

Related posts: Janet Evanovich interview | Nosing at authors' finances | Another Janet Evanovich collaboration

Posted by Keris on April 23, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (6)

Independent bookstore saved by MySpace

We've written before about booksellers on MySpace and the plight of independents and now we hear of a store potentially saved from closure by MySpace.

When the owners of Chicago store Women & Children First posted a series of articles on their MySpace page explaining "why feminist bookstores are culturally essential" and "how you can help insure the future of feminist bookselling in Chicago" it led to the store's best weekend since Christmas. The resulting "saved by MySpace" publicity can't hurt either. What a brilliant idea. [via Publishers Weekly]

Related posts: What's your favourite bookshop? | Why MySpace? | Trashionista's MySpace page

Posted by Keris on April 23, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 20, 2007 6:00 PM

That was the Austen Week that was!

Thanks for joining us for a great week of Austen-themed fun! Good wasn't it? I am undone!

If you haven't heard about our fabulous huge Jane-themed competition (HOW?!) you've got until midnight to enter - good luck!

I'm off to practice my swooning... [DS]

Posted by Aigua Media on April 20, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Competition | Permalink | Comments (9)

Jane Austen and Harriet Evans

Harriet Evans brings our special Austen Week series to a close in potentially controversial fashion!

“Don't think of Jane Austen and her books as 'classics'. It's as pejorative a word as 'chicklit' is, almost. They endure because they're good - no, great - wholly absorbing stories about women and their lives, the choices we make, the people we love, the things that happen to us."

"No one has done it better before or since. No one makes me laugh in recognition like she does, or bite my lip with sadness. She's the best. That's all there is to it. “

Harriet Evans is the author of Hopeless Romantic and Going Home, both available through Harpercollins.

Posted by Keris on April 20, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (3)

Jane Austen action figure

Thanks so much to Kim Stagliano for alerting us to this Jane Austen action figure from US company, Signals. 5¼" high, she is demurely garbed and well equipped with a book (Pride and Prejudice, of course) and a writing desk with removable quill pen".

Signals also sells an Austen inspiration bracelet - a cuff featuring Austen's line "Indulge your imagination in every possible flight" in raised letters on brushed silver - and "I *heart* Mr Darcy" shirts. Something for (almost) everyone then!

Related posts: Austen week archives | The Jane Austen Centre | Literary Luminaries book bags

Posted by Keris on April 20, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

FRIDAY FLICK: Mansfield Park

Long before ITV1 got their hands on Austen, when Billie Piper was but a babe in arms (well, almost), was this 1996 version of Mansfield Park, starring Frances O'Connor and Johnny Lee Miller.

It's the story of Fanny Price, the poor relation sent to live with her uncle and benefactor Sir Thomas Bertram (plus her auntie and distant cousins). But from whence comes all of Sir Bertram's money? (And more importantly, isn't Johnny Lee Miller rather dishy?! )

I have to say, I really enjoyed this film, but (confession time!) I haven't read the book it's based on. (Oops). I understand that some MAJOR liberties have been taken with the text, and that true Janeites (as Austen devotees are known) are still up in arms about it, eleven years later.

If you've never read Mansfield Park, you'll probably find it as enjoyable as I did. If you have read it, watch this at your own risk, people - and perhaps take it with a pinch of salt...

Like this, but more faithful to the original text: The BBC's Pride and Prejudice.

Friday Flick archives | Austen Week archives

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 20, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (10)

April 19, 2007 8:46 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Notting Hell by Rachel Johnson

I wasn't sure if I'd like Rachel Johnson's debut novel, Notting Hell. I wasn't overly keen on her first book The Mummy Diaries, finding it a bit smug (you can't moan about 'having' to go on holiday, can you?)

But the author's description of this book (something about the "haves and have-yachts") made me laugh and full of nostalgia for that film (as the residents of this book call Notting Hill), I gave it a go.

It follows a year in the lives of two women, Mimi and Clare, both of whom live on a street with access to a private communal garden - a luxury in London. Mimi has three kids and a part-time journalism career whilst Clare is a garden designer and feng shui obsessive. Whilst Clare are her husband Gideon are super-rich, Mimi and her hubby... are not.

The book's all about the inhabitants of the square from the alternating viewpoints of Mimi and Clare, which allows us to see things that each character does not. But Mimi is the only really sympathetic adult character here, and she has some big flaws... We learn about life on an exclusive communal London garden and the petty rules, silly jealousies and extra-marital affairs that occur. (I'm dying to know how much is based on true events - and if any of it's based on anyone I might have heard of, tee hee!)

It suffers from the same slight smug problem as her earlier book, and I couldn't help feeling books like this are so unconnected from the real world as to be a bit frustrating. But Mimi is a great character and I enjoyed the pace of the book, most of the time - there are occasional interludes when things are getting exciting and the narrator takes us back in time to give us the background story - grr, get on with it!

Still it's a good read (a nice one for summer, with some good moments of humour) if not a great one.

Although if you'll get second home envy or private school bile at the thought of reading about the super-privileged, it might best to steer clear... I find it rather fascinating, though.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy by Fiona Neill

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 19, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Jane Austen

Did you think we'd pick someone else for Austen Week?! Of course we couldn't...

As romance and chick lit authors have been testifying here all week, Austen is an inspiration to writers everywhere (male writers too, although not that many would like to admit it!) She wrote intelligent, well-plotted satirical novels that are hugely witty and which were often ahead of their time in their political and social themes. She's been called the original chick lit author - and as we all know, that's a huge compliment!

Anyone who wants to know how to write a romantic comedy (with a serious underlying moral) could do a lot worse than to study Miss Austen's six fine novels...

And you you read about why I find her an inspiring person (not just author), over at our new sister site Dollymix.

Read this: The Jane Austen boxed set (I know - cop out! I really couldn't choose...which do you like best?)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 19, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (3)

Was Jane Austen ugly?

Despite what people have always thought, turns out the nickname 'plain Jane' might not be quite accurate when it comes to Miss Austen.

But who cares what our classic authors look like says Dollymix editor-in-chief Katie Lee in her excellent piece over on our brand-new sister site... I'm sure she'd love to hear your thoughts (as would we!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 19, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (5)

Booklamps

Of all the book products I've written about for Trashionista, I think these booklamps are my favourite.

Created by Dutch company Atelier Bomdesign, there are a bunch (or a library...) of different styles to choose from, including wall and standard lamps (costing from €200). Gorgeous.

[via Apartment Therapy]

Related posts: The Self Shelf | Tracy Kendall's book print wallpaper | Book clock by Mxyplyzyk

Posted by Keris on April 19, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jane Austen and Elizabeth Aston

Our special Austen Week series continues, with Elizabeth Aston, author of Mr Darcy's Daughters, The Exploits & Adventures of Miss Alethea Darcy and The True Darcy Spirit. Why does Jane mean so much to her?

Then they stopped, holding hands, and looked down. The girl knelt, and laid a red rose on Jane Austen’s gravestone.

The gesture brought tears to my eyes. The same kind of incredulous tears as when, at thirteen, I finished Persuasion and realized there were no more to read, that Jane Austen had written just those six astonishing novels.

I was influenced by Jane Austen from the moment I was born. My brothers were named after their grandfathers; I was named after the heroine of Pride and Prejudice. So she was destined to be an inspiration to me, as a writer and as a woman: the most clear-headed, witty, satirical, humane and romantic novelist that England ever produced.

We women writers have it easy today, with our education and our opportunities and our computers, and yet we should be enthused and encouraged by Jane Austen’s example. Two hundred years ago, what were the odds that a country parson’s daughter would overcome all the difficulties of her life and write books that generations of men and women would read and be enchanted and amused and enthralled by for the next two hundred years?

But she did.

And the characters from those six novels have been part of my life ever since. "Good evening, Mr Darcy!”

Elizabeth Aston is a passionate Jane Austen devotee who studied English at Oxford. She lives in Oxford and Italy with her family. Find out more about her Austen inspired novels here.

Posted by Keris on April 19, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (3)

April 18, 2007 6:35 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week, we talked about the huge advances given to celebrity authors - and had a pretty lively debate (-- click that link to check it out!)

This week: some more Austen, in Yay or Nay form this time! Please tell me I'm not the only one old enough to remember Emma Thompson's excellent, Oscar-winning film adaptation of Sense and Sensibility? (Okay, it's not that old, just eleven years... same as Emma, clearly Austen has a revival every decade or so.)

I do love that big-screen version, though. So I have mixed feelings about the fact that Andrew Davies, the man who thought to put Colin Firth in a wet shirt, is making a new version for the small screen. Will it be as good as the film? Better? Or have we had Austen adaptation overload?

Tell us what you think: The new S & S: is it a Yay, or a Nay - and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

[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 April 18, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Romance, Television, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (7)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale is author of the Austen- (and Colin Firth)- inspired novel Austenland, so she was the prefect pick for our Austen Week interviewee.

Here's what she told us about her book, her writing life, what she's working on next... and what it's like being soooo beautiful (just read it, already!)

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Austenland: Jane obsessed with Mr. Darcy. Goes to Austen-themed resort as therapy. Madness ensues.

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

I write on a laptop wherever and whenever my children permit. At the moment, I’m in a chair in my room while my baby girl naps and my toddler son is at preschool.

Your favourite chick lit book?

I’ve gotta do the safety dance for Bridget Jones’s Diary. She gave us all a place to groove. Go Bridget, go Bridget, it’s your birthday, go go go...

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

Ooh, do I have to play favorites? My first loves were the romantically sassy Beatrice (Much Ado About Nothing), tragically sassy Emilia (Othello), and snarkily sassy Elizabeth Bennett. Others I adore: Tiffany Aching & Granny Weatherwax, Anne Shirley, Amelia Peabody, Kitty Pride (as written by Joss Whedon), Cassandra (I Capture the Castle)…I know I’m totally cheating.

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

You’re a writer when you write. Stop worrying about how hard it is getting published and how little money you’d make anyway and the rejections and vulnerability and weirdness, and just start telling your stories. You’ll feel so much better once you do. Also, those pants you keep thinking might be cute again so you keep them in the closet? Time to throw them out. Seriously. [Hey, how did you know...? - Diane]

What are you reading at the moment?

Chasing the Jaguar by Michele Greene. I was at a conference with Michele recently and she’s completely delightful.

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

My husband and I co-wrote Rapunzel’s Revenge, a graphic novel about Rapunzel in the Old West (she uses her long braids as whip and lasso and becomes a vigilante hero — she’s so awesome). We’re working on a sequel now while Rapunzel is being illustrated.

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: Is it difficult being so stunningly beautiful? A: Why, thank you! I’m so flattered, I don’t know what to say. It’s not so difficult. I mean, there are the normal challenges that come with any unearthly beauty. I don’t need to remind you about poor Helen of Troy. But I just take it one day at a time. That’s all any of us can do.

Too true, Shannon! Thanks so much!

Interview archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 18, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Girly Stuff, Interviews, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK REVIEW: Drugs Are Nice by Lisa Crystal Carver

Moving right away from Austen for a while, let's look at a lifestyle Jane could never have imagined in a million years...

I have to be honest, I'm not sure how to describe this book - but I'll try. Drugs Are Nice is a memoir, but a very unconventional one because Lisa Crystal Carver has had a very unconventional life. The book begins when Lisa's father tells her, age six, that he's going to prison. She describes the next few years as uneventful, but she lives alone with her mother, who has major health problems which entail regular surgeries. Lisa is home alone during her mother's hospital stays, and often the sole carer as her mother recovers. Understandably, this puts a strain on their relationship, and as a teenager Lisa moves across the country to live with her now-released dad for a while. But his violent and verbally abusive style of communication means she moves back home with her still-ailing mum after about a year, and finds sanctuary in her intense friendship with best friend Rachel, with whom Lisa forms the band Suckdog. Touring with Suckdog seems to entail meeting some very disturbed people and having very little vocal talent, but the girls persevere...

The next few years involve Lisa getting into more and more weird forms of performance art (pretending to poo on people, actually urinating on people, writing and performing plays on all manner of disturbing subjects) and forming relationships (both platonic and sexual) with some very weird people - including her much older French husband, who she admits looks like a weasel and acts very oddly, with whom she has an open relationship.

At times, this book is a really uncomfortable read, and I couldn't understand why Lisa, clearly intelligent and talented (more at writing than singing/performing, perhaps) was choosing to live in this way. Finally, at the end of the book, Lisa shows some insight into her behaviour, looking into her past and talking about her need to live outside of the constraints of 'civilised' society. This part of the book is the most interesting and thought-provoking bit but doesn't last as long as I would have liked! It's a very well-written read, and a book that makes a huge impression, but it's not a book you 'enjoy' as such, and it's definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try But Enough About Me by Jancee Dunn.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 18, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 17, 2007 3:43 PM

Don't forget our fabulous HUGE prize package!

Ooh, that almost sounds a little rude (it's the word 'package' - I know, I'm childish!), but I promise it isn't: Jane Austen's maiden aunts would approve!

In honour of our Austen Week, we're running a series of special essays by chick it authors all week - and a really great competition with all this to be won, open to everyone in the UK (unless you work for us, sorry) until midnight on Friday.

If you  haven't  entered yet, don't delay!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 17, 2007 in Announcements, Austen Week, Book related, Classic Novels, Competition | Permalink | Comments (5)

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: The Jane Austen Centre

The Jane Austen Centre is a permanent exhibition in Bath, England, telling the story of the effect that living in Bath had on Jane Austen and her writing.

The website features an online Jane Austen magazine with over 500 articles, a giftshop - where you can buy the Jane Austen Ink (£3.29) and Elizabeth and Darcy soaps (£6.59) pictured - information about the Jane Austen Festival, Regency tea rooms, Jane Austen's Regency World magazine, an online quiz plus a comprehensive list of research relevant Jane Austen related links. Phew.

Related posts: Austen Week archives | Literary Luminaries book bags

Posted by Keris on April 17, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (3)

Literary theme parks

We recently wrote about Shannon Hale's novel Austenland, which features an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women*. Far-fetched? Not so much. Turns out that Dickens World, an all-Dickens (including "What the--?") theme park will be opening in Chatham, Kent, at the end of May.

The inevitable Harry Potter attraction is on the way too. Featuring rollercoasters and rides based on the plots of the series, it's going to be at Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida. [via Galleycat]

*Look out for an interview with Shannon Hale tomorrow.

Posted by Keris on April 17, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

Orange Prize shortlist announced

Yep, Marian Keyes and co.'s hard work is nearly over! The Orange Prize for the best book by a woman in the last year... is nearly here.

In the meantime, the shortlist has just been announced - carry on over the cut to read it!

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Half of a Yellow Sun

Novel Rachel Cusk - Arlington Park

Kiran Desai - The Inheritance of Loss

Xiaolu Guo - A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers

Jane Harris - The Observations

Anne Tyler - Digging to America

[Via Booktrade info]

Opinions, anyone? I'd bet on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 17, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (1)

Jane Austen and Stephanie Laurens

The next essay in our special Austen Week series comes courtesy of Stephanie Laurens: why does she think so highly of Jane?

The potent magic of Regency-era romances transcends time. To this day there is no more compelling hero than a Regency gentleman, no feistier heroine than a Regency miss - the continuing popularity of Regency romances testifies to this. (There are few women in the world who would turn down a waltz with Mr. Darcy, regardless of whether they can waltz or not. )

Austen invented the subgenre, and countless storytellers, myself included, have followed in her wake. Jane created the stage on which I, a modern-day storyteller, walk – and If Jane Austen hadn't written her books, I can't imagine I would have written mine.

Stephanie Laurens's new novel 'The Truth About Love' is out now.

Jane Austen and Julia Quinn

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 17, 2007 in American Authors, Austen Week, Book related, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: Emma by Jane Austen

I wanted to read this ever since I saw (and loved) the 1996 film version starring Gwyneth Paltrow. A couple of years ago, I finally got around to it!

Although not as hyped as Pride and Prejudice, I think Emma is just as good. It's the story of (and this will surprise you) a young woman called Emma - Emma Woodhouse, who lives with her elderly father, who is ill, yet also a terrible hypocondriac (a great combination!) He and Emma love each other very much though, and after Emma's friend and former governess Mrs Weston marries and moves away, they're almost each other's only companion. Except for Emma's sister's brother-in-law (keep up!) that is - the slightly older but very charming Mr Knightley... Then Harriet Smith comes to town, and suddenly Emma has a friend her own age for the first time. She can't resist trying to use her self-proclaimed talent for match-making to try to set Harriet up with one of the eligible men around Highbury... Perhaps Mr Elton? Or even Mr Knightley?...

Emma meanwhile has her interest aroused by charismatic newcomer Frank Churchill - but could he just be playing with her emotions? And is Mr Knightley's constant teasing his way of covering his love for her? (Oh it's Austen, what do you think? Er, I mean, read it and find out!)

Emma's a wonderfully entertaining, intelligent but flawed character (with a lot more guts than Lizzie Bennett). Perhaps most controversially, I think Mr Knightley is a MUCH more interesting and sexy character than old repressed Darcy. Yes, he patronises Emma a little, but she needs someone to bring her down to earth -  and he needs someone to stop him being too serious, which Emma is great at. (Plus, and purists will hate me for saying so, he's pretty darn foxy in the film...)

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Persuasion.

*DID YOU KNOW?* Nora Ephron once wrote an essay saying she'd love to be Lizzie Bennett, but she's much more like Emma Woodhouse - flawed, gossipy - but fun.

PS: Check out the new pretty cover - even Austen's been given the butterfly treatment!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 17, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, Classic Novels, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

April 16, 2007 5:20 PM

Jane Austen and Julia Quinn

All week, we'll be asking chick lit writers to talk about their own Austen obsessions, and how Jane has influenced them…

Julia Quinn got started as a romance author by asking herself: What Would Jane Do?

I was holding a scalpel, dissecting the unfriendly end of a human cadaver, when it occurred to me: I don't want to be Madame Curie.  I want to be Lizzie Bennet.  I want to be Elinor Dashwood.  I want to be Jane Austen.

So I did it.  I ditched medical school.  I threw out my science textbooks.

I glued myself to my computer.  (Surely Jane - practical Jane - would choose a computer.)  And I wrote...

Eleven years later, I'm still writing. I still want to be Lizzie Bennet (I blame Matthew MacFadyen for that), and yes, I still want to be Jane.

But when I sit down at my keyboard and plunk my characters down in a regency ballroom, I get to be a little bit Janeish, and that's good enough for me....

Julia Quinn is the author of the New York Times bestseller ‘On The Way To The Wedding’, and has been compared to Helen Fielding by Time magazine.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 16, 2007 in American Authors, Austen Week, Book related, Classic Novels, Romance | Permalink | Comments (5)

Blogger's quest to read only celebrity biographies for a whole YEAR

Now this is an interesting proposition: we've all read a celebrity autobiography or two, haven't we? (And some of us - even I! - may have read a ghostwritten one...)

But Mark Farley, blogger at Bookseller to the Stars has taken things one further, by challenging himself to read nothing but  celebrity memoirs for one whole year, from March 1 2007 onwards... Why? Well, read more about it here and find out!

Have you ever attempted any type of year-long reading quest? Are you tempted to?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (5)

Welcome to Austen Week!

In honour of our most fabulous Austen-themed competition, we're making this whole week... yes, you've guessed it: Austen week!

We'll have guest blogs from famous authors on what Jane Austen means to them and lots of Jane-themed twists to regular features... but there will still be book news and reviews from the 21st century too, so there's something for everyone coming up on Trashionista this week - please stick around!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 16, 2007 in Announcements, Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Competition | Permalink | Comments (3)

April 13, 2007 1:59 PM

Model Lit?

We've had Latina Lit, Assistant Lit, even Ivy League Lit, but is the world really ready for Model Lit?

Former Supermodel turned actress Paulina Porizkova's debut novel A Model Summer is about, a 15-year-old Czechoslovakian model trying to make it in Paris in 1980.  Would it shock you to learn that Czechoslovakian Porizkova was 15 in 1980 and began her career in Paris?

Secrets of the Model Dorm by Amanda Kerlin and Phil Oh features aspiring model Heather who, after leaving Miami for New York, finds herself housed in a dorm with several other models and forced to sleep in bunks that are too short for the tall girls and to contend with a messy place no-one bothers to clean.

Robin Hazelwood's Model Student: A Tale of Co-eds and Cover Girls features Emily, an aspiring model who also attends Columbia University (extra points for combining Model Lit with Ivy League Lit!). Hazelwood is a former model and a Yale graduate.

Well, they do say write what you know...

[via Southern Comfort]

Posted by Keris on April 13, 2007 in Book related, Celebrity Authors | Permalink | Comments (3)

Lindsay Lohan and Keira Knightley to star in Dylan Thomas biopic

Bookslut calls it "the least anticipated poetry movie of 2008"!

The Best Time of Our Lives, a film about Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, is set to feature Pride and Prejudice and Bend It Like Beckham star Keira (who I personally find incredibly annoying I'm afraid) and famous party girl Lindsay Lohan (aka LiLo). If nothing else, it should be... bizarre.

More movie news.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 13, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

FRIDAY FLICK: Thank You For Smoking

In Thank You For Smoking (yes, you read that right!) Aaron Eckhart plays Nick Naylor, possibly the most hated man in the United States. He's reached that exalted position by being a lobbyist for the American tobacco industry. That's right - not against them, FOR them.

With the public's concerns about the safety of smoking impossible to ignore, and under increasing pressure from his bosses, Nick has to try to turn around the perception of cigarette smoking as something bad. Is he fighting a losing battle?! (Duh). More importantly, how can Nick lie every day and still be a good role model for his son? The pair spend some more time together to try to find out...

This is a delicious black comedy, with Eckhart perfectly treading the line between smarm and charm and actually making us like this weird and morally ambiguous character. There's a lot to laugh at but despite the theme of the film, it does (of course, this is Hollywood after all) have a strong moral tone.  It's a great ensemble piece with Maria Bello, William H Macy, Rob Lowe and Robert Duvall all turning in great performances. (And Keris - Adam Brody's in it briefly, too!) There was a big hoo-hah in the US at the time of this film's cinematic release because this was Katie Holmes's last pre-TomKat role, and she's not playing a nice girl (although some 'revealing' scenes were apparently cut). She doesn't do dark and nasty that well though - she always seems too proper, and nice little Joey Potter swearing...?!! Not right at all.

But if you're ever looking for tips on how to win a debate or write a great argument, this is the film to watch. If you just want to watch a darn good (if a tad long) film, it's that too.

Like this (in that it's similarly high-concept): Stranger Than Fiction

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 13, 2007 in Book related, Friday Flick, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (6)

BOOK REVIEW: The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman

I'd been wanting to read something by Alice Hoffman for quite some time and just never got around to it. So when she released her latest book The Ice Queen and it started getting great reviews, I quickly snapped up my local library's copy!

When the nameless first-person narrator (catchy name, eh?!) of this book is eight she is upset with her mother one day, so when her mum goes out for the evening, she wishes for her never to return. She doesn't: she dies in a car crash and TNFPN and her brother Ned go to live with their grandmother. From then onwards, our narrator is convinced she has a gift: when she wishes for something bad, it always happens - but she can't seem to stop herself from wishing. In adulthood, she half-heartedly wishes to be hit by lightning, and then she is. It has strange and devastating  physical consequences including colorblindness, limping and pain. But in other ways, it begins a new and exciting chapter in her life - especially when she meets mysterious fellow lightning strike survivor Lazarus Jones - a man who is literally too hot to touch...

Although this book has an ethereal, ghost-story quality to it, it's told in simple, easy to read language rather than being all airy-fairy! The events are sometimes strange and there's elements of fairytale and magical realism here, but it's all kept tethered to the ground by great writing and a strong and constantly unpredictable (but believable) storyline.

Simply put, it's a wonderful read that made me realise that by missing out on Alice Hoffman all these years, I've really been missing out.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Read the opening of the book here.

Like this?

Try A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (5)

April 12, 2007 8:35 PM

TRASHIONISTA'S MOST BRILLIANT PRIZE PACKAGE EVER!

I'm not even exaggerating a little bit when I say this is the best prize we've ever had, ever!

Here is what's on offer for ONE LUCKY TRASHIONISTA DEVOTEE:

DVDs:

ITV's Mansfield Park

ITV's Northanger Abbey

BOOKS: 

Going Home by Harriet Evans

A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans

It’s In His Kiss by Julia Quinn

Scandal’s Bride by Stephanie Laurens

The True Darcy Spirit by Elizabeth Aston.

Plus, three runners-up will win one copy of each book! Carry on over the cut to find out how to enter...

We're sorry but this comp is only open to UK residents - and employees of Shiny Media may not enter (dammit).

To be in with a chance of winning, simply email us the answer to this question, putting "Austen" in the subject line:

Which well-known American chick-lit author edited the book "Flirting With Pride and Prejudice"? Clue: we reviewed it last July. Don't forget to include your name and address, too - in case you win! Entries close at midnight BST on April 20. Good luck!

And look out for lots more Austen-themed goodness next week, when Trashionista turns all regency on you! Austen week, all week long - it's gonna be gooooood!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 12, 2007 in Announcements, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Competition, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sophie Dahl devotes herself to writing (again)

The lovely Kim, editor of our sister site Catwalk Queen, informs me that Sophie Dahl, model-turned-author-turned-model... is to turn author again, with two new books on the horizon - a novel and a food memoir. (Of the latter, Kim adds: 'I'm curious; will it be a book on how to avoid eating food? Miaow!')

Well, someone had to say it...

Celebrity authors archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 12, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Nancy Mitford

You know those rafts of books currently clogging shelves devoted to upper-class motherhood and how gosh darn hard it is? Nancy Mitford was there first - and ten times funnier. Not that she wrote about being a mother herself (she wasn't one) but she satirised her own eccentric landed gentry family in a series of novels, the best and best-known of which is the fabulous In Pursuit of Love.

Then, just when everyone thought that she was a one-trick pony, she went and wrote a series of well-respected biographies on everyone from Madame de Pompadour to The Sun King. She was a lot more learned than people gave her credit for, and very self-aware. The key to enjoying Mitford's humour is to not take it too seriously - she was a wicked satirist who refused to take life that seriously. She would have made a wonderful chick lit writer (as she would say, "do admit".) And the letters between her and her friends, including Evelyn Waugh, are just fabulous.

Read this: In Pursuit of Love and Love from Nancy: The Letters of Nancy Mitford.

What do you think - and who's your favourite trailblazer?

Thursday Trailblazer archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 12, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cosmopolitan's Miss Write competition

Are you Miss Write? Cosmopolitan's UK edition is once again running its popular new novelist competition, and you can find all the details on how to enter and exactly what the prize involves, by clicking here.

If you want to enter, you'll need to have a synopsis of your story plus the first 3,000 words ready by the closing date, 31 May 2007. Go on - this could be your big chance! You could even see your book being reviewed on this very site - how cool would that be? (Answer: very).

Related: The Daily Mail's first novel award | Debut novels

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 12, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 11, 2007 10:30 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Let's Get Lost by Sarra Manning

Taking a break from the usual chick-lit titles, I thought I'd review something different. Okay, so it is chick-lit I suppose, only for youngsters. And before you roll your eyes at me and say, 'Hey - aren't you, like, twenty?!' then let me tell you that basically, we're all young at heart. And I'm twenty-two. So there.

And let's face it, it's hard to resist a beautifully-written crossover, which can only briefly describe Sarra Manning's Let's Get Lost. Author of other teen tales such as Guitar Girl and Pretty Things, Manning has a wonderful ability to portray teenage issues in a way that's compelling for teens and adults alike.

High-school bad girl Isabella is best known around school for her bad attitude and personal army of tag-along friends. With a father she finds relatively easy to control and a life of doing practically everything she wishes, Isabel is the girl that everyone else wants to be. However, haunting her daily is the death of her mother: something she feels responsible for and something which will, it seems, never leave her.

When she meets the seemingly wonderful - and not to mention older - Atticus Smith at a party, Isabel is immediately mesmerised. A university student, his freedom and contentment reaches out to Isabel the sad rebel who cannot get away from the fact that everyone knows about her mother's death.

Throughout the book, Isabel and Smith become closer, and sometimes not so close again, as Smith struggles to uncover just what makes Isabel who she is. With trouble brewing in school, and friends gradually beginning to grow apart, Smith is the only thing Isabel has to hold onto. But will everything stay the same?

Despite being aimed at teenagers, Let's Get Lost is a fabulous read for absolutely anyone, touching on the subject of bereavement and how it can affect everyone someone so young. A tale of young romance and a secretive girl almost lost in her many layers that will either make you yell out 'I told you so' or... well... cry.

Admittedly it's not the funniest book out there, but frankly? It doesn't need to be. Sharp writing and a moving tale is what makes this book unique. So I'd recommend it to anyone who is in need of something cute yet serious. Manning certainly has a gift for compelling writing and she demonstrates it beautifully throughout this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Boy Book by E Lockhart.

Posted by Danielle Symonds-Yemm on April 11, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (5)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week, we talked about acknowledgements - and acknowledged that most of us love reading them, although not everyone agreed... click over there to find out more! Sad confession: I love to mentally draft and re-draft mine - for that book I haven't written. (Yet). Moving on...

Last week we were talking about the HUGE advance likely to be paid British funny woman Dawn French for her memoirs. This week, it turns out all predictions were under the mark: her story is  actually apparently worth £2 million. But what do you think: is anyone's life worth that much? Do you dream of a big advance one day (most authors won't get near it) or do you begrudge the fact that big-name authors get huge amounts of money thrown at them, while most writers toil in garrets? Should publishers be investing that cash in a wide range of authors, instead? Or do the famous people make it all back (some of the time) so it shouldn't matter? Is a huge advance more justifiable if (as in Dawn's case, I think) there's no ghostwriter?

So many questions! But it all boils down to one: big advances (especially for famous people) - is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

[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 April 11, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Opinion, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (10)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Rhonda Stapleton

We're delighted to welcome American author Rhonda Stapleton, who's the first of our author interviewees to talk about bodily functions (I think)!

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Stripped: A web designer finds out the stripper at her party got the promotion SHE wanted.

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

Have laptop, will travel.  I write wherever I can--living room, perched on the bed, even at the kitchen table.  And when the weather is nice, I love writing outside!

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella.  I about tinkled on myself when I read it the first time. It's hilarious.

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

This one is hard.  I'd have to go with a classic--Jane Eyre.  She's tough, but still vulnerable, and she has no problem standing up to the dashing, aggressive Mr. Rochester!

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

Figure out what you like to write and run with it!  Voice is VERY important in this industry. If you're gonna make 'em laugh, cry, or sigh with pent-up emotions, do it all the way.

What are you reading at the moment?

I'm reading The Winter Prince by Cheryl Sawyer.  I love historical fiction, and this novel is great so far!!

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

Absolutely!  I just finished the first draft of my young adult novel, Stupid Cupid (I write YA, as well as adult chick lit).  It's about a teen who becomes a cupid and has to matchmake her school, producing disastrous results.  LOL

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!)

Wow, this is a unique question.  Here's the question I'd love to be asked: "If you were going to write a book in a completely different genre, what would it be?"  My answer would have to be one set in Tudor England.  I absolutely LOVE that era!!  Maybe someday, right?  :D

Thanks, Rhonda. And look out for a review of Rhonda's book, Stripped, soon!

Posted by Keris on April 11, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (10)

Mills & Boon on your mobile

From next month Mills & Boon will be making eight titles in their Modern Romance line and 20 MIRA titles available for download to read on your mobile phone.

Further titles will become available each month thereafter and, if the venture proves successful, the back catalogue could be added. They'll be priced at £1.99 for Mills & Boon and £4.99 for MIRA.

Alison Byrne, the UK publishing director for Harlequin Mills & Boon, said, "For many people there's still that embarrassment factor of carrying your Mills & Boon around. When you are using your mobile phone nobody knows what you are doing, whether you are texting a friend or playing a game."

Publishers Penguin, Random House and HarperCollins have also signed up with ICUE, a British company offering the capability to transfer books into mobile phone-friendly content. [via Galleycat and Times Online]

So what do you think? Would you be happy to read a book on your phone, or do you prefer them in, well, paper form?

Related posts: Ebooks - the future of reading? | Harlequin/NASCAR romances

Posted by Keris on April 11, 2007 in Book related, Romance, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Bitter Is The New Black by Jen Lancaster

Jen Lancaster fully admits that at the height of the dot-com boom (heck, in the years leading up to it, too) she was rather a demanding beyotch.

But after the American economy took a nose dive in the early '00s she and her husband Fletch both lost their well-paid jobs and had to downsize their life until they were living almost at the breadline, not knowing how they would pay their rent. Jen decided to blog about their troubles (yes, she's a blooker) and eventually this book was born...

Bitter Is The New Black describes their riches to rags story, and has to have the best subtitle of all time... (Are you ready? Take a breath):  Confessions of a condescending, egomaniacal, self-centred smart-ass, or why you should never carry a Prada bag to the unemployment office.

OK, I admit it: I didn't exactly warm to Jen at first - her sense of entitlement coupled with her arrogance wasn't exactly a winning combination. (Plus, y'know, she's a staunch Republican...) But over the course of the book she shows both her human side and her inner strength and I really came to enjoy her story, and to hope her situation would turn around. Most of all, this book is full of cynical humour (is there any better kind?) that often had me in stitches, and I really admire the way Lancaster is so open about her flaws and sometimes skewy motivations.

If you're anything like me, you'll start off hating her, and end up loving her. Roll on her next book: Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl's Guide to Why It Often Sucks in The City, or Who Are These Idiots and Why Do They Live Next Door To Me?

Hee.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Queen of the Oddballs by Hillary Carlip

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 11, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

From Starbucks to Starbooks: buy a book with your cappuccino

Starbucks, the fave coffee chain of, ooh - Keris and I (among many others!) is to begin selling books in its UK shops  starting on 21st May, after a successful scheme in the US. The first book on sale will be Ishmael Beah's A Long Way Gone. [Via Galleycat]

And with Costa Coffee taking over sponsorship of the formerly-Whitbread Book Awards, coffee and books is clearly a winning combination. As is chocolate and books, of course...

'Book related' archives

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 11, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 10, 2007 7:00 PM

More on Jodi Picoult and Wonder Woman

If you're a regular Trashionista reader you'll know that bestselling author Jodi Picoult is to write a five-issue run of iconic comic Wonder Woman.

Here's an interview with the author, and a bit more information about the whole project...

enjoy!

[Via Bookslut]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 10, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lionel Shriver loves Nora Ephron, too

First we brought you the breaking news that Lionel Shriver likes snooker (ha! 'breaking' - geddit?!) Now we bring you the news that she loved Nora Ephron's latest - just like us.

Although I still think the US cover is far nicer...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 10, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

Faber's book club guides

Here's something useful, whether you're in a book club or not: publishers Faber have produced a series of online guides (in PDF format) to some of their most popular books, including A Complicated Kindness and The Bell Jar.

Just clicky here to peruse them...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 10, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Classic Novels, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

TUESDAY THREE: Dear Diary

Thanks to Bridget Jones, diaries will probably always be synonymous with chick lit, but Bridget wasn't the only heroine to share her secret scribblings with the world. This week's Tuesday Three looks at novels written in diary form.

Sue Hepworth and Jane Linfoot’s Plotting for Beginners is a wonderfully funny novel about starting again after your children have left home, your husband is AWOL and you want to fulfill your dreams. Sally Howe and her husband are spending a year apart, as he wants to live in a cabin in the American wilderness and she wants to write a novel and launch a career in journalism. But when Sally learns that her husband considers the Rockies just the start of his overseas adventures, she begins to worry about the possible disintegration of her marriage - and its effect on her writing plans...

The debut novel from author Robyn Harding, The Journal of Mortifying Moments is about ad-agency worker Kerry Spence. Stuck in a boring job, put down by her mother on countless occasions, and having trouble finding the perfect man, Kerry hires a therapist who sets her a task - “A diary of past encounters with men that may be contributing to your current negative and dysfunctional relationship.” In other words, The Journal of Mortifying Moments. This book isn't exactly a heart-warming tale of love and marriage - but who needs that when you have a diary full of morbidly embarrassing situations?

Published back in 2000, Raphaella Barker's Hens Dancing is the story of a year in the life of Venetia Summers, whose husband leaves her and their three kids to shack up with his masseuse. From nits to bathroom conversions to unexpected guests and, most importantly, learning to cope with being a single mother with an irascible ex, Hens Dancing is about life-changing disasters, small triumphs and everything in between..

Posted by Keris on April 10, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 9, 2007 1:57 PM

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Teach Me Tonight

Following Diane's Guardian book blog in defence of chick lit, it was suggested (by a commenter) that there is no academic writing about Mills & Boon. Like many of the points made in the comments (read them at your peril), this is incorrect. Not only does academic writing on Mills & Boon and romance exist, there is also academic study of chick lit.

You could take a course at Harvard or Indiana University South Bend, or you could read Teach Me Tonight, an accessible and entertaining group blog focussing on romance fiction from an academic perspective.

The latest post mentions the following paper given by Lesa Smith, Wilfrid Laurier University: "Emailing Romance: Epistolary Form in the Modern Romance Novel" - Smith examined the conventions used in Meg Cabot's The Boy Next Door, a novel told entirely in emails and attachments, against the epistolary conventions used in Fanny Burney's Evelina.

Which I think you'll find was a link made by me (well, not quite, but close enough that I'm claiming it) in our Top  10 chick lit precursors list last year. See, I knew my English Lit degree hadn't been wasted!

Trashionista recommends archives

Posted by Keris on April 9, 2007 in Book related, Romance, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (6)

MORE ON MONDAY: The Sound Of No Hands Clapping by Toby Young

Toby Young's memoir How to Lose Friends and Alienate People is the best example of what could be called self-sabotage lit.

Here is the sequel, The Sound of No Hands Clapping, in which Toby attempts to crack Hollywood, with not one but two screenplay attempts - including one for an uber-producer whose identity is kept hidden (make your own mind up)...

Although this memoir is enjoyable, it's a bit fragmented - we go from his first meeting with the producer to  reading about one of Toby's terribly misjudged best man's speeches. Then back to his writing, then off to an argument with his wife, etc. I think the simple truth is that, much as he would like us to believe he's still making stupid mistakes and getting things all wrong, Young has clearly grown up and moved on from his days of stupidity in New York. He still misjudges situations and makes bad decisions, but is a lot more self-aware, and his relationship with his wife and kids proves he's not the ignorant fool of his first book.

Perhaps all that is why I didn't find this book quite as enjoyable as the first - in that book, Toby was making a right old hash of everything from his love life to his friendships to his career. In this one, he seems more settled, happier, and as though he's working harder to dredge up instances of shoddy judgement. Which is probably much better for Young as a person - but not quite as interesting to read about!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Watch the author talk about the book.

Like this? Try How to Lose Friends and Alienate People by Toby Young or The Nasty Bits by Anthony Bourdain

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 9, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK NEWS: Dedication

I'm half-excited and half scared to read this new book: it's the latest (third) offering from Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. Will it be as fabulous as The Nanny Diaries, or a total stinkeroo like Citizen Girl?

I guess there's only one way to find out... it's out in hardcover in the UK and US on 5 June .

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 9, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 6, 2007 4:30 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Dork Whore by Iris Bahr

Iris Bahr's memoir Dork Whore (yup) is about, as the subtitle has it: "My travels through Asia as a twenty-year old pseudo-virgin".

Hmm. Now to describe a "pseudo-virgin"... well, you're probably better off reading the book for a full explanation as I'm far too nice to tell you in any detail! Let's just say Iris was very sexually inexperienced and hoping/desperately looking to improve her sex life. So at the age of twenty and after three years in the Israeli army, she decided to travel around Asia with her friend Boaz. Unfortunately, Boaz hated Bangkok and hopped on the next flight to Paris after just one day, leaving Iris alone and desperate (in more ways than one...)

Okay, so we all know that sex sells, but in this book it really wasn't necessary. Bahr is a witty talented writer and comes across as flawed and insecure but essentially very likeable. I would have much rather read a straightforward account of her travels, or perhaps of her childhood and what it's like to be transplanted from Brooklyn to Israel at the age of twelve. We get a bit of that, but not enough - and it would have been far more interesting than learning about just how many times a week Iris likes to... um.. "pleasure herself". The sex stuff is on the lewd side and seems like the author's trying too hard to give the book an interesting angle.

When she writes about other aspects of her trip however, the book's a really good read. And I love the cover! [DS]

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler.

Posted by Aigua Media on April 6, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

FRIDAY FLICK: Marie Antoinette

Oh, how I wanted to see this film. I expected a punky, fun version of the legendary French Queen's story, sort of like Baz Luhrman's Romeo and Juliet, but with bigger hair. But despite a couple of visually stunning montages of Kirsten Dunst shopping - in house, sorry palace, of course - and a big cupcake fest later on, Marie Antoniette definitely doesn't rock.

There is a modern soundtrack, but the music is so bland and un-iconic it's barely noticeable. I liked the sympathetic portrayal of Antoinette - her age and lack of experience is highlighted, and it's made clear that she never actually said "let them eat cake"! As PR, it's pretty well done. But the story rambles, the dialogue is sparse and uninspiring and I couldn't have cared less about any of the supporting characters. The only bit I found even vaguely amusing was possibly the best scene, at the start of the movie. Kirsten Dunst/Marie Antoinette was woken up by her lady's maid to find a room full of royal women, the most prestigious of whom gets the honour of dressing her. As more high-ranking women keep entering the room, her undershirt is passed from one to the next while she stands shivering and nude. "This is ridiculous!" she cries.

The response? "Madame, this is Versailles."

Which made me want to learn more about palace and its inhabitants through the years, I must admit.

But I  couldn't help thinking that reading the book this film was based on would have been a better use of my time.

Still, at least it gave me the chance to come up with a new nickname for the director: Sophia (not much) Coppola. Ha. [DS]

Like this, but more fun: Clueless.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by Aigua Media on April 6, 2007 in Book related, Friday Flick, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

April 5, 2007 7:07 PM

Literary Luminaries book bags

These bags by Literary Luminaries are, um, adorned with charicatures of famous authors.

That one on the left is Jane Austen. The one on the right features various great women writers including Charlotte Bronte, Sylvia Plath and Virginia Woolf. (Second from left at the back is Louisa May Alcott not, as I thought, Alanis Morissette.)

For much nicer bags, check out our sister site, The Bag Lady.

Related posts: Book bags | Reading Is Sexy t-shirt | Bookish MP3 player cases

Posted by Keris on April 5, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (6)

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Zora Neale Hurston

Zora Neale Hurston isn't as well known as iconic black authors Alice Walker, Toni Morrison or Maya Angelou but it's more than likely her writing influenced all three, among countless others.

After studying a degree in Anthropology (perhaps the ideal area of study for a novelist?!) Hurston used her training to write a study of secret societies in Haiti. She also wrote about African-American folklore and worked as a journalist. But her breakthrough and best known work came in 1937 with her novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Perhaps surprisingly, Zora Neale Hurston was a Republican who believed black people living among white people was not necessarily the ideal social model. While I can't really see her point, I do admire the way she forged her own beliefs and her own path through life.

And of course, the fact that her work lives on, with everyone from Zadie Smith to Oprah Winfrey being a fan of her writing.

Read this: Their Eyes Were Watching God (There's also an Oprah-produced film, starring Halle Berry). [DS]

What do you think - and who's your favourite trailblazer?

Trailblazer archives

Posted by Aigua Media on April 5, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Fashion Babylon by Imogen Edwards-Jones and Anonymous

There's something about seeing 'anonymous' on the cover of a book that makes my spine tingle with excitement... even if, as when I read Primary Colors, the author has already been unveiled. I think Imogen Edwards-Jones's mysterious collaborator will be a bit harder to track down, though: 'anonymous' is a collection of people throughout the fashion industry who provided her with gossip, information and scandal in order to make Fashion Babylon a must-read for anyone with even half an eye for fashion.

Which...um... isn't me.

So what would I make of the book?

Honestly? I thought it was fabulous! You don't have to be at all interested in fashion to find this story of a struggling British designer trying to make it big completely fascinating. In fact, the less you know about the way the fashion world works, the more this book will be a refreshing and often shocking read. I kept having to remind myself that, as the author testifies at the start of the book, everything detailed here really happened (and some of the stuff attributed to rumour probably did, too).  Hotel Babylon is the third in Edwards-Jones's 'Babylon' series (after Hotel Babylon and Air Babylon) and I'd now love to read the other two and find out the goss from those industries, too!

But the book isn't just a dirt-spilling delight, there's a storyline too, and despite the faults of the designer (who admits she likes her models as skinny as possible, to make her clothes look good - couldn't possibly design FOR a woman's figure, could she?! - and her business partner, who's a little on the drug-addled side) I was hoping their collection would do well, and cheering them on to success. My only slight criticism is that it all got a little too shallow at times, but then I was right back to caring about the characters within a few paragraphs. A great read. [DS]

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Fashion Victim by Sam Baker

Fashion Lit archives

Posted by Aigua Media on April 5, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (4)

More on the Madonna nanny book

Despite the Madonna's nanny tell-all being canned, it's still the story that refuses to die. Legendary American gossip blog Gawker has got its sticky little hands on the book proposal (all 75 pages of it) and has posted sections of it on the site. So if you want the teensiest of gossip, you may still find something to sate your interest, or at least laugh at (Mary Poppins clip art?!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 5, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Memoirs | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 4, 2007 9:06 PM

New Jennifer Crusie collaborations

You know how much we love Jennifer Crusie so you can imagine how excited we are about the two (collaborative) novels she has coming out this year.

First up is The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes, written with Eileen Dreyer and Anne Stuart and out 26 June. And how gorgeous is that cover?

No cover yet for Crusie's second book written with Bob Mayer, Agnes and the Hitman, for which you'll have to wait until 21 August. Can't wait that long? Well Crusie has edited a collection of essays about the fabulous US TV show, Gilmore Girls. Called Coffee At Luke's, it's out 28 May.

Related posts: Don't Look Down by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer | Jenny Crusie on being a "quote whore" | Interview with Jenny Crusie 

Posted by Keris on April 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Because I'm the nosy type with no life of her own I always enjoy reading acknowledgments - especially if they're quirkily-phrased or the author has an impressive roll call of famous friends.

But some authors do go on a bit, don't they? This piece in the Guardian arts blog asks if authors should ramble on so much - or is there a limit? Is it tacky to do a Gwyneth Paltrow at the Oscars and thank everyone you've ever known, or is it sweet and only right?

Tell us what you think: is is a Yay or a Nay, and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

[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 April 4, 2007 in Book related, Opinion, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (7)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Libby Street

This week, we have a fabulous two-for-the price of one deal! Author Libby Street is (shock, horror!) actually two different women, working as one. And here Sarah and Emily aka: Libby Street, talk exclusively to Trashionista.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Accidental It Girl: A female paparazzi and Hollywood's hottest bachelor get a lesson in how opposites attract.

Where do you like to write your books?

EMILY: I do a lot of the preliminary, story development stuff with a spiral notebook on the couch. (Usually with Murder, She Wrote or The Golden Girls playing quietly on the TV. Embarrassing, but true.) The actual writing goes down at a desk - just me and my laptop.

SARAH: I don’t know. In my old apartment, I sat at my kitchen table which was in my living room. Manhattan apartments are fun that way. I have recently moved into an apartment with so much more space, I’m not sure what to do. We’ll see where I end up working the best! Right now, that same kitchen table (which I have turned into a desk) is the front runner...

More from Libby Street over the cut!

Your favourite chick-lit book?

EMILY: It's not original but… Bridget Jones's Diary. The first, the best.

SARAH: I agree with Emily. I just reread it recently and, MAN!, it’s really great.

Your favourite female heroine? And why?

EMILY: Fanny Price from Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. She never wavers in her beliefs, no matter the cost. Of all Jane's heroines, I think Fanny is the least mutable. I admire her enormously, probably because I can be such a flake sometimes.

SARAH: Elizabeth Bennett from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. She is confident and smart, but willing to recognize that she has faults. I want to be just like her.

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

EMILY: Write the story you've always wanted to read. And, most importantly, never give up.

SARAH: Don’t be discouraged when things aren’t going well. Just keep on plugging away.

What are you reading at the moment?

EMILY: Nothing terribly fun, I'm afraid. I'm currently reading Robert McKee's Story for about the thousandth time. I find that whenever I begin a new project I like to go back to basics and remind myself of the essential elements of a rock-solid, compelling story.

SARAH: I’m reading Traveler’s Tales: India. I am going there in November and I can't stop reading about the place! Traveler’s Tales is a series of books composed of excerpts or essays written by (obviously) writers and/or travelers. If you are going to a new place, I would highly recommend these books. They offer a much more in depth perspective on the character of a place than many of the guide books I’ve read. In fact, I wouldn’t classify it as a guide book, but I am using it to plan my whole trip.

What are you working on now?

We're working on several concepts for new novels. We haven't quite decided which one to pursue yet, but we're leaning toward a story that would be a new direction for us - an older young adult. (The characters would be just starting at university.) We think it'll be a lot of fun to write, which is almost as important as it being really fun to read.

Sounds good to me - thanks ladies!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK NEWS: Girl with Glasses: My Optic History by Marissa Walsh

Here's a book I first read about in a very sneering post on books blog Bookslut a few weeks ago - but to me it sounds interesting, fun and a bit quirky - and there's nothing wrong with that!

You may not know this but your two Trashionista eds (Keris and myself, for the uninitiated) are a pair of astigmatic glasses-wearers with nary a decent eye between us, so obviously we weren't going to let the publication of Girl with Glasses: My Optic History slip past without a mention! It's more memoir than 'history of a glasses wearer' though, I think - and those with 20/20 vision (show offs) can read it too...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Memoirs, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 3, 2007 4:36 PM

Are butterflies the new feet?

  (...And other weird questions you'll only find at Trashionista!)

We've been talking a lot about book covers lately: are UK ones nicer than their US counterparts? (Interestingly, we're most split down cultural lines on that one, so publishers are doing something right!) Why do so many books look like those of another author? And of course - what's with all the feet on chick lit books?

Well, if these two book covers (and others like them - this seems to be a trend) are anything to go by, feet may be about to be ousted by butterflies! It's obvious really - what are modern women interested in apart from shoes and insects? Seriously though, I welcome the change but would like a little more variety in cover design... What do you think?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 3, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: Job Hopper by Ayun Holliday

Job Hopper is the third of Ayun Holliday's books we've reviewed (check out what we said about her others here and here).

As the title would suggest, it's about her inability to hold down employment for long, a history of her time flitting from one low-paid job to another in the time before she became a mum (and a writer). The subtitle says it all: The checkered career of a down-market dilettante.

I always enjoy Ayun's books. She comes across as such a fun, likeable and quirky character and her love of life is obvious. If I wrote about my stints working in a high-street shop and an Essex cafe, they wouldn't make half as enjoyable a read - the fact that she finds joy in, and even misses this type of low-paid work is testament to her ability to make the most of every experience. Which isn't to say I understand why anyone would miss waitressing (I know I don't!) Describing her time working as a museum security guard, a masseuse without the necessary paperwork and what has to be the world's worst temp, among other jobs, this book held my interest and made me laugh.

However... I didn't like it as much as Mama Lama Ding Dong. The stories here were clearly written separately and then made into a book later, making it a little disconnected, with no real narrative tension. And seeing as the book is all about how (as a busy stay-at-home mother) she can no longer do that kind of work, learning more about how her 'career' ended would have been appropriate.

Still, it's a good read, and I'd especially recommend it to anyone in low-paid work in need of tips to make life more interesting!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try You'll Never Nanny in this Town Again by Suzanne Hansen

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

£1.5 million for Dawn French's memoirs

Yes, apparently that's what the life story of the famous funny lady is worth. Despite celeb memoirs in general not selling as well as expected, Peter Kay's book, The Sound of Laughter sold brilliantly over Christmas and has clearly inspired publishers to fight over Ms French: she's apparently being paid £1.25m just to discuss her book proposal. [Via The Times]

Interesting side note: did you know that Kirstie Alley is lined up to play Dawn's role in the US version of The Vicar of Dibley? (Although it won't actually be set in Dibley, of course...) [More TV news over at TV Scoop].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 3, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (4)

TUESDAY THREE: British boyfriends

American authors do love a British love interest. We're often told that Americans love our cute "British" accents (there's no such thing as a British accent!), but it's probably also something to do with Darcy/Colin Firth. Whatever the reasoning behind it, this week we're looking at British boyfriends.

Lani Diane Rich has admitted that the hero of Ex and the Single Girl was totally based on Colin Firth (and you can read all about Lani's crush in Flirting with Pride & Prejudice). The book is about Portia Fallon who, after being dumped by her boyfriend via a note, is too weak to refuse when her mother phones and begs her to come home to Georgia and help with the family bookstore. But when Portia gets there she finds that she's not really needed - her mother and aunts have a plan to fix her up with Ian, a British novelist in town working on his latest book. Ex and the Single Girl is a fun and fast read about following your heart and finding your place in the world.

Alison Pace's If Andy Warhol Had A Girlfriend features another British Ian. Gallery manager Jane Laine is sent on a five-month international art fair tour with British artist, Ian Rhys-Fitzsimmons. Unimpressed with his art, Jane thinks Ian's a fraud and isn't too keen on the assignment either. In fact, Ian makes Jane nervous, but, as they travel to London, Rome, Chicago, Santa Fe, she finds that there's much more to Ian - and to his art - than she originally thought. Can you guess what happens?

Meg Cabot's Queen of Babble features Lizzie Nichols who, following graduation, heads to England to stay with her appalling boyfriend (who she's actually only previously spent one night with). It doesn't turn out well and she gets the train to Paris to visit a friend who's working at a French chateau. During the journey she spills all her secrets to the handsome hunk in the next seat and, yes, he's the son of the owner of the chateau. This is a sweet book - and you know we love Meg Cabot - but this type of story was done a lot more successfully by Sophie Kinsella in Can You Keep A Secret? I had to include it though to show that not all British men are sexy and sophisticated, as our British readers no doubt know!

Posted by Keris on April 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 2, 2007 5:12 PM

Valerie Frankel talks to Joshilyn Jackson

Joshilyn Jackson can always be relied upon for interesting reading material - from gods in Alabama to Between, Georgia to her fantastic blog.

Each month she hosts a different member of The Girlfriends Cyber Circuit, a group of authors who arrange virtual tours around each other's sites to help promote each other. This month, she's asking Valerie Frankel about her new book, about a woman who's jilted (almost) at the altar and as ever, it's a fun read.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Interviews, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

GUEST BLOG: Claire Allan

In case you missed Claire's guest blog last month, she's warming up to publication of her debut novel, Rainy Days & Tuesdays and sharing the experience with us Trashionistas. This month waiting, holding your book for the first time and, um, big fat hairy ... never mind. Over to Claire:

I know all there is to know about the waiting game

The one lesson I’ve learned in my burgeoning writing career is that things are very stop and start. One week you can be working your socks off and praying for an extra hour to magically appear in the day and the next you are clock watching, waiting for the door to open or phone to ring, or email to ping into your in-box.

This past month has been a heady mixture of both of these experiences. The buzz of seeing my book cover has settled. I still feel a little frisson of excitement when I see it, but I’m less inclined to cry or have the urge to sleep with a picture of it under my pillow.

The hard work started in earnest with a speed edit in preparation for an advance proof copy to be put together for the big hitters in the book trade. Myself and my very lovely (and eagle eyed) editor Gaye Shortland had a very mad weekend trading hyphens for dashes and explaining the finer points of Northern Irish dialect. We also had a rather unfortunate clash over the use of the phrase “big fat hairy balls”- but perhaps I will leave that to your imagination.

I would receive emails with 10 minutes notice to rewrite a paragraph and then, almost as suddenly as the speed edit had started, it was over. And it got very quiet.

I was able to start work again on my second book, which is due for submission in September and I trundled along quite nicely forgetting about Grace and Co. from ‘Rainy Days’ and losing myself in Aoife and Beth from ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered.’

But just a week later I received a series of frantic phonecalls from the publishing assistant at Poolbeg who asked that I personalise 32 proof copies of my book to be personally handed out to industry bosses.

It would seem that the marketing machine is stepping up a gear. 

Seeing my book for the first time was a remarkably emotional experience. As with all the major events in this journey so far, this moment was in work. The parcel arrived (the day after I expected) and my colleagues crowded round once more to see the finished product.

I saw it, held it, flicked through it, looked at it some more and had a blub. I was, for once, speechless. This was and is my dream come true. Only someone who wants to be a writer can understand how that moment might feel. It was truly overwhelming.

I was allowed to hold on to the book for a measly weekend before sending the autographed copies back down. As I write this. I’m holding on to it and telling myself over and over again that this is MY book.

I feel lucky and blessed every day!

More from Claire next month.

Posted by Keris on April 2, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (3)

MOVIE NEWS: Sammy's Hill by Kristin Gore

Kristin Gore's debut novel, Sammy's Hill, is to be turned into a movie. Controversial director David O. Russell (Three Kings and I (Heart) Huckabees) is adapting and will direct.

Kristin is the daughter of former vice president turned environmental evangelist Al Gore and Sammy's Hill centres on a young woman who tries to balance a job as a congressional aide on Capitol Hill while trying to find a man. I started reading it when it came out (during a painful bout of West Wing-withdrawal) but only got as far as (*checks book*) page 29 before losing interest. Following this news, I'll move it up my queue for another go.

And, yes, my book cover obsession continues. One of the things that attracted me to Sammy's Hill was this cover:

Cute, eyecatching, funny, right?

But I just spotted this later cover:

Boring, generic and it looks very eighties to me. At least they kept the fishbowl, even though you'd barely notice it. How disappointing.

What do you think?

Posted by Keris on April 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: sneak peek of the cover

So apparently, there's this famous series of books about a wizard - you may have heard of them?

Those desperate for some, any, news about JK Rowling's new and final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, might be sated for a little while by a look at the brand new UK cover.

Hop over the cut to see it:

[Via Galleycat]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 2, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Series, Supernatural, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (7)

The woman behind the Richard and Judy book club

Yes, those of you in the UK are probably at least vaguely familiar with the name Amanda Ross - Richard and Judy's producer and the woman behind their famously successful Oprah-inspired book club.

The Telegraph recently ran a profile/interview of Ross, which explains how the books are chosen, her personal taste and the book she enjoyed best of all the book club picks. Basically, it's a look at the woman behind the book club.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 2, 2007 in Book related, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 30, 2007 5:23 PM

Good Housekeeping Book Day

I didn't even know that Good Housekeeping magazine held a book day, but apparently they do and the line-up of authors is incredible.

Sarah Dunant, Rose Tremain, Jilly Cooper, India Knight, Joanna Trollope, Arabella Weir, Maggie O'Farrell, Michele Hanson, Mavis Cheek, Tracy Chevalier, Deborah Moggach and John O'Farrell (brave man!) will be introduced by Sandi Toksvig.

Taking place on Friday 4th May, at the Mermaid Theatre, Blackfriars, London, it costs £85 (which includes tea, coffee, lunch and book signings). Find ticket information here.

Posted by Keris on March 30, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

FRIDAY FLICK: White Oleander

Based on the wonderful novel by Janet Fitch (which I LOVED - and I'll be reviewing her latest, Paint it Black, soon) White Oleander is the story of Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) a beautiful but manipulative single mother who is sent to jail for murdering her ex-lover, leaving her teenage daughter Astrid (Alison Lohman) to shuttle from foster home to foster home with often disastrous consequences.

Astrid finally finds a happy home with Renee Zellweger, who she really clicks with - but soon her jealous mother has found a way to destroy that, too...

The story of a mother too selfish to let her daughter (or anyone else) be happy is moving and convincingly acted (nice to see Pfeiffer being coolly evil for a change, she does it well!) But there's no way this could match up to the brilliance and subtlety of the book, and it's not a particularly great film, although it's not a bad one, either. The choice of Billy Connolly to play Ingrid's ex struck me as odd - not what I was expecting from that character, and hard for British viewers not to see him as a comedy figure! Alison Lohman is very talented though, and hopefully destined for bigger things.

Like this, but with Angelina Jolie (and no murder): Girl, Interrupted

Friday Flick archives

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Friday Flick, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (4)

BOOK REVIEW: Taking The Plunge by Stacie Lewis

Taking The Plunge is an antidote to those happy, fluffy, "isn't planning a wedding a wonderful dream" type books that so often grace chick lit shelves. Not that there's anything wrong with those books per se, but they are escapism, aren't they? As anyone planning a wedding (and about five people I know currently are) will tell you, it's a stressful experience at the best of times.

And Stacie Lewis's debut novel certainly does not describe the best of times...

A touching and jaw-dropping account of one woman's pre-wedding calamities (that makes a great case for elopement!) this is the story of Bernie, an American in London who gets engaged to her British boyfriend and is deliriously happy about it - until she tells all four (yes) of her parents, and they start to make her life a misery...

And I really mean a misery: because both her parents are divorced and re-married, arguments and power struggles ensue about everything from who pays for what to the wording of the invitations. And because Bernie is in London, she doesn't have as much control over her big day as she'd like - is the venue really okay? Surely she doesn't have to have the cheapest dress available? And she can choose her own rabbi to perform the service, right? Everything becomes a struggle, and more than once Bernie and Sam think about eloping.

At times, all this tension is funny but as it becomes more dramatic it's just horribly sad that something supposed to be a happy event is hijacked by the selfish attitudes of the bride's parents, who are old enough to know better. What's really sad is that this is based heavily on Stacie Lewis's own experience (how she managed to forgive her mother for something that happens later on in the book, I don't know, although I do admire her for it).

The structure of the book is a little odd, as "Wedding Truths" are included at the beginning of each chapter. These good, although very cynical observations are made by the author (and this is where it's made clear that the events of the book really happened). I think I'd have preferred the whole book to have kept one narrative voice - or it would also have worked brilliantly (better?) as a memoir.

Saying that, I found this a compulsive and enjoyable read - a fast, easy read made even more intriguing by the fact that a lot of it is based on the author's real experiences, although if I wanted to get married, I'd think two or three (hundred) times about having a big wedding after reading Taking the Plunge. And I won't be passing it on to my stepsister or my engaged friends until after they've tied the knot!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Wedding Belles by Zoe Barnes. [-- That comp, though, is now closed - sorry!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 29, 2007 6:20 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Dorothy Parker

To some extent, Dorothy Parker is better known for being a witty raconteur than a great writer - but there's no reason a woman can't be both! (I know I am, ha ha).

She was a notorious gossip columnist for The New Yorker and then a theatre critic, writer of short stories, poet and member of the  infamous Algonquin round table (a group of artistes and witty people who met regularly to gossip around a round table at The Algonquin hotel in New York).

Parker quotes include:

"A little bad taste is like a nice dash of paprika."

"Brevity is the soul of lingerie"

and, of Katharine Hepburn: "She runs the gamut of emotions from A to B"...

Parker didn't really have a very happy life, marrying a gay man and an alcoholic and spending much of her life trying (not very successfully) to fight off depression. Perhaps that's what made her so bitchy, even to her friends. She had a good heart though and tried to help others: campaigning against the death penalty and Communist witch hunts, among other human rights issues, and helping victims of the Spanish Civil War. She went to Hollywood to be a screenwriter, but hated it, although she penned several films including classic A Star Is Born. her fighting spirit, her wit, and most of all her writing have inspired many women writers of today, including the inimitable Nora Ephron (who was lucky enough to meet her).

Read this: The Portable Dorothy Parker

What do you think? Who's your favourite trailblazer?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Short Story Collections, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (6)

Marian Keyes wins popular fiction award at the 'Nibbies'

We've told you before about the Nibbies (or the Galaxy British Book Awards as they're more properly known) and now we're delighted to bring you the news that much-loved Queen of Chick Lit Marian Keyes won the award for popular fiction - way to go, Mazza! (As she'd probably loathe me to call her...)

It was also great chick lit news for Lauren Weisberger, who won Television and film book of the year for The Devil Wears Prada (of course).

Find out the other winners  and who called Ricky Gervais names (!) over the cut...

But if you'd rather not know the goss and find out the winners when the awards are on TV, then you don't have long to wait - they're on tomorrow night at 8pm on Channel 4 .

List of winners:

Book of the year: Conn & Hal Iggulden, The Dangerous Book for Boys

Popular fiction award: Marian Keyes, Anybody Out There

Decibel writer of the year: Jackie Kay, Wish I Was Here

Television and film book of the year: Lauren Weisberger, The Devil Wears Prada

Biography of the year: Peter Kay, The Sound of Laughter

Children's book of the year: Ricky Gervais, Flanimals of the Deep [Gervais's video-linked acceptance speech apparently provoked a "foul-mouthed rant" from Richard Madeley, co-host of the event (with wife Judy, obv.) Is it me or is Mr Madeley losing the plot a little bit? *Allegedly*]

Crime thriller of the year: Ian Rankin, The Naming of the Dead

Sports book of the year: Steven Gerrard, Gerrard: My Autobiography

Newcomer of the year: Victoria Hislop, The Island

Reader's Digest Author of the year: Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion

The Richard & Judy best read of the year: Jed Benfeld, The Interpretation of Murder 

Lifetime achievement award: John Grisham

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Alligators, Old Mink and New Money: One Woman's Adventures in Vintage Clothing by Alison Houtte and Melissa Houtte

Alligators, Old Mink and New Money: One Woman's Adventures in Vintage Clothing by Alison Houtte and Melissa Houtte is a memoir/fashion advice book based on Alison's experiences as a model and later owner of a vintage clothes shop in Brooklyn, Hooti couture.

Each chapter begins with a recollection of a much-loved vintage clothing item, and its importance in Alison's life. The chapters then progress in a mostly chronological order, detailing Alison's journey from a clothes-obsessed teen to a model in Germany, Paris and New York and her later adventures opening a shop. It's a treat for any fan of vintage clothing (which I am, big time) and I loved reading Alison's memories of customising clothes and finding bargainous second-hand finds. It made me want to take a tour of my local charity shops (or even better, her local charity shops) post-haste. But I did have a little problem with this book...

Perhaps naively, despite the title I hadn't actually realised that Alison had no problem with buying, selling and indeed wearing vintage fur coats and alligator skin bags, which is not something I want to do - or read about. I read these sections of the book thinking "no, no, no" and hoping they'd be over quickly! But that's just a small part of an overall very enjoyable read. I also understand that not everyone shares my views on fur, and some think that vintage fur/skin is acceptable as the animal has already died (but...yuk). So although I give the author 0 out of 5 for her stance on animal products, I didn't let that tarnish my reading expereince too much (as I said, it is a very small part of the book!) - we don't all have to think the same, after all.

Moving on, the appendices at the back of the book, which include what to look out for in vintage shops/markets, and the best internet resources, are packed with detail and very useful (although understandably American-oriented, this being an American book).

All in all a good read (just don't tell PETA I said so).

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try It's Vintage, Darling! By Christa Weil

Fashion lit archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 28, 2007 6:48 PM

BOOK NEWS: To My Dearest Friends

Patricia Volk's Stuffed has to be one of my favourite memoirs of all time, about her adventures growing up with a food obsessed family (they ran a restaurant). So I'm delighted that she's releasing a new book soon: To My Dearest Friends is a novel which sounds deliciously Elinor Lipman-esque, and it's out in hardback here on 17 April.

Not long to wait!

[Via O magazine]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 28, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Modern Fiction, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

UK's only gay bookshop under threat

You mean a bookshop can have a sexual orientation - whatever next? Ho ho. I joke, but this is serious: Gay's the Word in London, the only gay bookshop in the UK dedicated to gay and lesbian authors, needs to raise £20,000 or risk closure. Many-time Booker nominee and openly gay author Ali Smith said: "It'd be a political, cultural, communal and human loss if it went. The independents will be on the up again soon in a big way as readers get increasingly fed up of the three-for-two faceless chainstores."  [Via The Guardian]

I like a good chainstore as much as the next person, but it's sad that independents are doing so badly. And they're not the only ones: Borders is to retreat from the UK and Waterstones's profits have been falling, causing them to reduce their stock. Looks like the mighty Amazon may soon be all-conquering...

What do you think?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 28, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week you totally disagreed with Orange Prize judge Muriel Gray's assertion that women's fiction is dull and trivial. As Cathy put it, "Women write what many women want to read and that does tend to be relationship/family based fiction. So what?"

This week I thought it was time to look at another book that people seem to either love or hate. Diane included Allison Pearson's I Don't Know How She Does It in her recent round-up of the best in chick lit, but many commenters (there and elsewhere) just can't stand it.

So what do you think of Pearson's book about trying to have it all? I Don't Know How She Does It - 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 Keris on March 28, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (2)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Sheila Curran

This week's author is Sheila Curran, whose debut Diana Lively is Falling Down I defy you not to want to read once you see who Sheila would like to play her characters in a film!

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Romantic comedy about how living in Arizona for a year helps a desperate British housewife/architect and her family rediscover themselves.  Rapunzel meets Little Miss Sunshine. [That's way more than 15 words, but I love the last sentence so I'll let her off! - Keris]

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

I sit in a comfy chair, feet on an ottoman, with my laptop.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

It's a tie: Bridget Jones's Diary and I Don't Know How She Does It.

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

Ellen Foster, an eleven year old narrator in this absolutely captivating and delicious novel by Kaye Gibbons

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

Don't give up on yourself, don't worry about getting published, just write everyday and when it's time, it will happen.

What are you reading at the moment?

Breathing Underwater, by Lu Vickers.  Brilliant.

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

The working title is Lucy Vargas is Turning Around. Romantic comedy set in the south. Jane Eyre meets Bleak House.

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!)

If your book were a movie, who'd play the leads?
Diana Lively - Diane Lane; Ted - Colin Firth or James Spader;  Wally - Clive Owen, Jeff Bridges or the guy who plays Tony Soprano; Humphrey - a younger Jude Law or Johnny Depp

Thanks, Sheila!

Posted by Keris on March 28, 2007 in Book related, Debut Novels, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (3)

March 27, 2007 4:24 PM

Karyn Bosnak, 'internet superstar' number 30

Readers in the States may have already seen this on TV last Friday, but Karyn Bosnak, author of the infamous Save Karyn and the fabulous Twenty Times a Lady reached the dizzy heights of number 30 in a recent VH1 poll. She was chosen as one of the "Greatest Internet Superstars" for her Save Karyn blog, which she set up to - successfully - pay off her 20K credit card debt (starting an internet begging trend in the process!)

You can watch her segment here.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 27, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Non Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

Love in the book signing queue

Maybe it's just the crowd I run with, but whenever I've been to book signings or author readings, it's usually been women of all ages and the odd (sometimes very odd) older man - not exactly the ideal breeding ground for romance. The lucky couple in this picture met in the queue at a signing of bestselling American crime author Lisa Scottoline's book Dirty Blonde, and by the time they'd reached the signing table, had arranged to meet for coffee. A year later, they're still together!

So next time you're at a book event, you might want to take a good look around for any viable prospects, ladies...

[Via Galleycat].

Related posts: Posh is a signing sensation | In defence of romantic novels

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 27, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

In defence of romantic novels

At the risk of incurring the wrath of literary snobs (as I did a couple of weeks ago when I blogged that chick lit... could be good), Guardian books blog writer Henrietta Clancy is today standing up for that frequently maligned genre, the romance novel. In particular, Mills and Boon.

Do we have any big romantic fiction fans out there? I'd always prefer chick lit and, to be honest, romance doesn't appeal to me (maybe I'm just not very romantic) but, of course, I won't sneer at anybody who enjoys it! Unlike some people.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 27, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

TUESDAY THREE: Adoption

Thanks to Angelina Jolie’s “rainbow family”, adoption is in the news again, and it has, of course, turned up in chick lit too (what hasn’t?).

Maeve Haran’s Baby Come Back actually features a celebrity parent, albeit one who has given up rather than adopted a child. Joe Meredith’s wife Molly has always known how much being adopted bothers her husband so she sets out to find Joe’s birth mother. She turns out to be Stella Milton, the actress plastered across the walls of every teenage boy in the country for the last 20 years.

Stella would like to reconnect with her son... if only she could have him without the baggage of his wife and child. Following the power struggle that ensues between Molly and Stella, Baby Come Back light-hearted, but does not shy away from the issues it is dealing with.

One of the most popular of Richard and Judy’s book club choices, Dorothy Koomson’s My Best Friend’s Girl tells the story of Kamryn who unexpectedly receives a letter from her former best friend Adele asking her to visit her in hospital. Adele is dying and wants Kamryn to adopt Tegan, Adele’s daughter from the one night stand with Kamryn’s fiance that (unsurprisingly) ended their friendship. She does, of course, and the result is a bit of a tearjerker.

Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson is the story of Nonny Frett, adopted into the Frett family when her 15-year-old mother 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 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. 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.

Posted by Keris on March 27, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Richard and Judy, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 26, 2007 5:21 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Revolutionary Road

Mega books blog Galleycat reported on Friday that Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are apparently to be reunited on screen for the first time since a little film called Titanic (maybe you've heard of it?)

The film, Revolutionary Road, is an adaptation of Richard Yates' 1961 novel about a young married couple. Winslet's husband Sam Mendes is set to direct and the film will apparently be made in association with the BBC. Filming will start this summer, so hopefully we can Friday Flick it before too long!

Movie News archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 26, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

MORE ON MONDAY: About Alice by Calvin Trillin

"I wrote this for Alice. Actually, I wrote everything for Alice."

That was the poignant dedication at the front of Tepper Isn't Going Out - the last book Calvin Trillin wrote before the death of his wife Alice in 2001. Alice had been the star of many of Trillin's autobiographical stories and articles, his muse and mentor, as well as the mother of his two children and a brilliant writer and teacher in her own right.

About Alice is his tribute to his much-loved and much-missed wife, friend and partner, and it's just as poignant and heartbreaking as that dedication.

Which isn't to say that it's sentimental; it isn't. Everything about this book is understated, from the plain cover to the emotional tone to the length (it's just over 77 pages). Trillin chooses not to dwell on the details of Alice's death, which was caused by heart problems brought on by chemotherapy from lung cancer - although she was never a smoker - many years earlier.

Instead he writes with great humour, love and restraint about their life together, Alice's tenacity and intelligence, the support she gave him and their life together. It's wonderful to read this account of a truly happy marriage, and sad to realise it's over. Thankfully, this book made me laugh, but it also made me cry, not least at the end. I won't spoil it by quoting any more of Trillin's words for you now, but read them yourself - you won't be sorry.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

*DID YOU KNOW?* Calvin Trillin is one of Sara Nelson's most favourite authors, although the book of his she loves best, Floater, is sadly out of print.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 26, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's hard out there for a critic

Finally! Some recognition... Author Meg Rosoff recently wrote about how hard it can be to be a book reviewer - very true! It's a hard, hard life...

But she also talks about how, after finding writing a bad review an unpleasant experience, she now only reviews books she enjoys. Which is good for her, I guess - but it wouldn't be  very democratic if everyone did that, surely? We need good and bad reviews, don't we?

Well, here at Trashionista, we review whatever we read, and always tell you honestly what we think. And we think you like us for it - don't you?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 26, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

Victoria Beckham's book club

Apparently, Victoria Beckham’s plans to integrate herself into Hollywood society include forming a book club with friends including Katie Holmes (Cruise?) and Jennifer Lopez. Ignoring the fact that Victoria claims to have never read a book in her life (no, not even her own), who wouldn’t want to be a fly on the wall at those gatherings?

Related posts: Posh is a signing sensation | That Extra Half Inch by Victoria Beckham digested... | Thursday Three: In the Club

Posted by Keris on March 26, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 23, 2007 4:01 PM

US versus UK covers

You should know by now that I am slightly obsessive about book covers. It bugs me when publishers copy the cover design of more successful authors. It concerns me when a bunch of books all look very similar. And it freaks me out how many chick lit book covers feature feet. And then there's the differences between US and UK covers. Like Nora Ephron's I Feel Bad About My Neck and Jancee Dunn's But Enough About Me.

Earlier today I spotted the UK covers of two books we were lucky enough to read on their US release: The Guy Not Taken by Jennifer Weiner and Bridget Harrison's Tabloid Love. These are the US covers - one lovely, one not so much. Carry on over the cut for the UK versions. 

The Jennifer Weiner cover is so boring and makes the book seem much fluffier than it actually  is, whereas the Tabloid Love cover is making much more of the "chick lit" tone and is much more modern than the US version (which looks very eighties to me).

Which covers do you prefer?

Posted by Keris on March 23, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

BOOK REVIEW: Dear Zoe by Philip Beard

Dear Zoe has been compared to The Lovely Bones (which unlike some people, I found a brilliant read) but I'm going to state this right now: it's much, much better.

It's narrated by Tess, in the form of one long letter (divided into chapters) to her three-year old sister Zoe who died in a car crash almost a year earlier - on September 11, 2001.

It includes her recollections of the past and details of where her life is now, leading up to her attempts to get down on paper what happened the fateful day that Zoe died - and her own part in what went wrong.

It's intended to be a young adult novel, I think, but anyone could read and enjoy it. It's the best YA I've ever read, totally unputdownable. It's subtle and poignant and heart-rending, but doesn't layer the sentimentality on with a trowel, which The Lovely Bones (much as I loved it) did. I also thought the exploration of private grief on a day associated with public grief was compelling and heartbreaking. It made me think of all the people whose loved ones died on that day, both in the Twin Towers attack and for unrelated reasons. I'm not ashamed to say I cried. A lot.

But this is by no means a depressing book - it concentrates a lot on normal teenage life. At times, I found myself thinking it really was written by a 15-year old girl, rather than a grown man! Philip Beard has perfectly captured the life of a teen girl and the inner workings of a teenager's mind. He must have done some research into the grooming rituals of an image-obsessed teenager, as he has this down pat.

He's created a flawed but intensely likeable character in Tess. He's also created a very vivid and true-seeming depiction of a family's loss and I highly (highly!) recommend it.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Anybody Out There? by Marian Keyes

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 23, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

FRIDAY FLICK: A Cinderella Story

Based on Cinderella (yes, really!) A Cinderella Story is the big ball of cheese you might expect from a Hilary Duff (star of Lizzie McGuire) and Chad Michael Murray (star of One Tree Hill and Dawson's Creek) collaboration. Aka: tween heaven!

Sam has an evil stepmother, played by the fabulous Jennifer Coolidge (from Legally Blonde and Friends spin-off Joey) who has worked her to the bone ever since the death of Sam's father. Sam has to work all hours (on roller skates) at the family cafe as all the local jerks from school come in and laugh at her over their hamburgers.  And all this while her stepmother and bitchy step-sisters pamper themselves and put their feet up. Thank goodness, then, that Sam has a secret friend she can talk to over IM every night - someone who really understands her, and isn't like all those other guys from school... (you can see where this is going, can't you?)

This film is fun (if a tad annoying) and silly and of course completely predictable. "A harmless girlie rom-com" is one of the comments on the front of the DVD, and that about sums it up - it's harmless and fluffy and tweens will probably love it, but it's the kind of film it's best to suspend all disbelief over - or the ideal watch at 2 am when you're having trouble sleeping, or at 5 pm when you're trying to cook a meal, paint your toenails and talk on the phone and just want something on in the background. (Which to be honest, is probably the best place for Chad Michael Murray and his smarmy expressions - the background...)

Like this, only better: 10 Things I Hate About You

Friday Flick archives

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 23, 2007 in Book related, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Daily Mail's first novel award for aspiring literary stars - could it be you?

The Daily Mail's book club has been a popular addition to their paper and website and now news reaches Trashionista Towers that The Daily Mail has teamed up with Transworld Publishers to launch the Daily Mail First Novel Award. Transworld will offer the winning author a publishing contract of £30,000 and publish the winning book in April 2008.

The prize will be judged by a panel of book experts including authors Joanne Harris and Lee Child.

If you want to enter, you don't have long: only until 2nd July 2007, in fact. All entries must be original, previously unpublished works of fiction on any subject in any genre. And as the title suggests, it must be your first novel!

Go to the site for more details on how to enter.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 23, 2007 in Book related, Competition, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gentlemen & Players set for TV

Joanne Harris's novel Gentlemen & Players has been optioned for a television series.

It will be adapted by Peter Ransley, who wrote the screenplay of Sarah Waters' Fingersmith. [via booktrade.info]

Related posts: The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris | Friday Flick: Chocolat | Television archives

Posted by Keris on March 23, 2007 in Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 22, 2007 7:14 PM

Book Clock by Mxyplyzyk

You know how much we love stuff that looks like books here at Trashionista, so we were bound to appreciate this Book Clock.

By Mxyplyzyk (which is apparently pronounced "Mix-ee-pliz-ik"), it costs $28.

Related posts: Self Shelf | Book Bags | Tracy Kendall's book print wallpaper

Posted by Keris on March 22, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Sweetheart Season by Karen Joy Fowler

Unlike some people (okay, a lot of people), I found Karen Joy Fowler's The Jane Austen Book Club a throughly enjoyable read, so I was really looking forward to her next book, The Sweetheart Season.

It's the story of Irini Doyle and her colleagues at a small-town cereal factory, who form a baseball team after World War Two, when all of the men of Magrit (their small town) have died or, having seen a bit of the world, decided to stay away. The team will give them the chance to travel the country and meet some eligible bachelors... or at least, they think it will.

That's ostensibly the storyline, although actually the baseball theme take a while to get going. We learn about the history of Magrit, the cereal factory and its founder, Henry Collins and many other things too! Fowler has certainly created a very believable small town from her imagination, but perhaps she's created it in a little too much detail - although her writing is always wry and often funny, there's just to much of it, and the book could have been made much snappier and more enjoyable with a less rambling plot. I was disappointed that the baseball storyline took a while to get going, but when it did I was reminded how boring (and to a Brit, incomprehensible) baseball is. I also didn't understand why the narrator of the story was Irini's daughter, who admits at the start of the book that she might be embellishing... it's already fiction, I see no reason to pile an unreliable narrator on top! (And the afterword spoiled the ending, too - pure self-indulgence.)

My discrepancies made sense, however, when I found out that this book was actually written in 1996, but not published until last year. I'm sure Karen Joy Fowler's next book will be as crisply edited as The Jane Austen Book Club, and all the better for it.

Here's an enjoyable but slow read in the meantime!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Ya-Yas in Bloom by Rebecca Wells.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 22, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

Booksellers on MySpace

Befriend a bookseller! Bookstores including Powell's, The Strand and Book People have MySpace pages and investigating their friend spaces is a great way to find new authors, books and like-minded readers. [via Publishers' Weekly]

Don't be surprised to spend the whole day reading and friending. And don't forget Trashionista has a page too.

Related: Nancy Pearl's Book Lust Wiki | Book stuff on Handbag.com | Second Life: Get INSIDE books

Posted by Keris on March 22, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 21, 2007 5:57 PM

Win a book on Corrieblog!

Yep, news of another competition! Celeb autobiography and Corrie fans should be interested in this one: a chance to win a copy of Julie Goodyear's (apparently rather sensational) life story, newly released in paperback.

Simply click on this link to find out how to enter.

Good luck!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 21, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Competition, Memoirs, New Releases, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week, we decided that accuracy and great writing were more important than having been to the place you're writing about - thanks for all your great responses!

This week, Muriel Grey, chairwoman of the Orange Prize judging panel has really been stirring things up by claiming that women's fiction is dull, concentrating on trivial concerns and lacking in grand literary ambitions. (Read more of her opinions here - and an excellent rejoinder here).

Do you agree - should women be attempting more epic literary works, or is that not what women want to read? Are books about political coups inherently more worthwhile than ones about single motherhood? Should men and women be writing the same kind of books? Does it matter what a book's about, as long as it's good? And finally...

Is Muriel right? - Tell us what you think: Yay or Nay, and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

[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 March 21, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Opinion, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (7)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Maggie Marr

You might not have heard of Maggie Marr yet, but you will: I have a feeling her new novel, Hollywood Girls Club, is going to be big. If you're stateside, you won't have to wait long to find out: it will be released in the US on April, and in the UK in (sob!) October (although there's always Amazon of course). We're very privileged as Maggie made time to chat to us between moving house and tending to the needs of her young toddler and newborn baby. That's dedication - thanks Maggie!

Here's what she told us...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

HGC is the intertwined tale of four friends in Hollywood trying to get a movie made. (That is 16 words....gosh that IS tough!)

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

I write my books at home. Before recently moving I had a favorite brown chair in which I would sit and write - however, the chair was falling apart and quite unfixable so it didn't make it through the move. Now I have a den with a lovely window overlooking the back yard.

More from Meg over the cut, including her favourite "social climbing realist" and what she's working on next...

Your favourite chick-lit book?

So tough! I really love I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter; a YA/Chick Lit combo. I also still love In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner. She is an amazing writer.

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

I have to go with Meg March in Little Women. I still to this day love her character. Little Women still resonates with me. Another character that I continue to love because she is sooo good at being bad... or maybe just a social climbing realist is Becky Sharpe in Vanity Fair.

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

NEVER GIVE UP. If you truly want to be a writer...then write. Write every day, even if it's just to journal. Also find a critique group; they are invaluable for two reasons. First it is an excellent way to hear from others just what you are conveying on the page and second it creates a deadline for you. If your critique group expects 10 pages from you every Thursday night...well then you better come prepared with your 10 pages. Also, READ! Read everything. Read the classics, read what you love, read the paper, read magazines, READ, READ, READ! There is no better way to study your craft than to read...(well and to write; but I already covered that.) 

What are you reading at the moment?

Right now I am reading This Is Chick Lit. 

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

The second Hollywood Girls Club Book. I think it will be called Secrets of The Hollywood Girls Club and much more salacious than the first.

Sounds great! Thanks again!

Interview archives

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 21, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Girly Stuff, Interviews, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK NEWS: Rhona Cameron's 'Naked Drinking Club'

Remember Rhona "the moaner" Cameron from I'm a Celebrity... Get me out of here! a few years ago? Moany, wasn't she? None of which has anything to do with the fact that the Scottish comedian/presenter/journalist/ has written a new novel.

Intriguingly named The Naked Drinking Club, it's set in 1980s Australia and is apparently a rather wild coming of age story. It was released on 1st March and is her first novel, although not her first book - Rhona's literary debut was an autobiography, called 1979: A Big Year in a Small Town (which I always wanted to read for the vain reason that I was born in 1979...)

Book news archives | Celebrity authors

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 21, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 20, 2007 5:41 PM

BOOK REVIEW: A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers by Xiaolu Guo

As  it featured on the Orange longlist, released yesterday, I thought a review of A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers by Xiaolu Guo would be timely!

It's the story of Zhang, known as 'Z',  who comes to London from a small Chinese town, in order to improve her English and learn about the culture. But she doesn't find the UK all she expected - people are unfriendly, it's cold and she's lonely. Then she meets a man and the two quickly become lovers, and then move in together - the result of a misunderstanding. (Z says she wants to see his house, he says "be my guest" and she takes it literally)... It begins in hilariously broken English ("sorry of my English" says a note at the beginning of the book) which improves as the story progresses...

The book is chronologically told, divided into months telling the story of Z's year in the UK (and later Europe).  It's narrated by Z, but as if she's talking to her lover, and it shows the misunderstandings that pervade their relationship. Each chapter begins with a definition, hence the title, and these are very revealing, often having a deeper or double meaning.

Only a Chinese writer could pull off writing in broken English without seeming xenophobic/racist, and that makes it OK to laugh at the silly misunderstandings caused by Z's lack of knowledge. The writer presumably had the same problems learning English herself, but clearly she's got the hang of it now: this is Xiaolu Guo's first book in English. It makes you realise how difficult English is, and I enjoyed all the cross-cultural references a lot. The book itself is very good, although it starts off very funny and becomes a lot more melancholy as Z loses her innocence (both socially and sexually). I didn't quite feel that this dark mood at the end of the book was entirely necessary - I wasn't  sure Z enjoyed much of her time over here at all, and that seemed a shame for such a likeable character (as well as from a British tourism perspective!)

But it's definitely an unusual and charming read, and I'd recommend it.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Empress Orchid by Anchee Min.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 20, 2007 in Book related, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Prize Winners, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

TV NEWS: Literary Superstar

I loved Jenna Elfman in her sitcom Dharma and Greg, so I'm crossing my fingers that her upcoming TV role does well enough to cross the Atlantic, too.

She'll play the lead in Literary Superstar, a new project by Darren "Sex and the City" Star about an ultra-loyal book publicist (is that an unusual thing...?) It's written by Aussie novelist Matthew Reilly. (It's all about the Aussies this week!)

[Via Galleycat]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 20, 2007 in Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (2)

Adaptation: tricky, but worth it?

Did you see Mansfield Park at the weekend? (I recorded it but have heard mixed reviews!)

What did you think?

An interesting article in The Guardian looks at ethics of adaptation for the small and silver screens and the difficulty of doing justice to the original text - but points out that when it works, it works. 

Which is why we devote a regular feature to it every Friday, of course!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 20, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Opinion, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

Penny Vincenzi's Something Dangerous on Oneword Radio

A 17-part adaptation of Penny Vincenzi's Something Dangerous - the second book in the Spoils of Time trilogy -  begins on Oneword Radio today. Read by Patricia Hodge, you can catch it each day at 3.30am, 11.30am and 7.30pm. Listen online (UK only) or on digital radio.

Related posts: Sheer Abandon by Penny Vincenzi | Oneword Radio

Posted by Keris on March 20, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 19, 2007 12:41 PM

Orange Prize longlist announced

My favourite literary award of the year is one step closer to being decided with the announcement of The Orange Prize long list. As we told you before, Marian Keyes is among the women on the judging panel, and she's been chronicling her adventures in reading on her monthly blog/newsletter (in February her reading was broken up by a trip up the Amazon).

Anyway, the long list is rather... long (no!) so I'll post it over the cut:

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Poppy Shakespeare by Clare Allan

Arlington Park by Rachel Cusk

The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

Peripheral Vision by Patricia Ferguson

Over by Margaret Forster

The Dissident by Nell Freudenberger

When to Walk  by Rebecca Gowers

A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers by Xiaolu Guo

The Observations by Jane Harris

Carry Me Down by M J Hyland

The Girls by Lori Lansens

Alligator by Lisa Moore

What Was Lost by Catherine O’Flynn

The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney

Careless by Deborah Robertson

Afterwards by Rachel Seiffert

Ten Days in the Hills by Jane Smiley

Digging to America by Anne Tyler

The Housekeeper by Melanie Wallace

Lots there I'd love to read (especially Jane Smiley and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's books) , but only one that I have - Xiaolu Guo's A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers.

How about you?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 19, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Prize Winners, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (2)

WIN! Love in the Present Tense plus 4 months' supply of Galaxy chocolate!

Galaxy are running a competition in conjunction with the British Book Awards and Richard and Judy book club selection Love in the Present Tense by Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Simply enter your details here for the chance to win a copy of the book and four months' supply of chocolate (ooh, that would be nice in time for Easter!)

You have until 31 March.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 19, 2007 in Book related, Competition, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (0)

MOVIE NEWS: The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom

JoAnna Barrett's new novel, The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom has been generating a huge amount of buzz before its release on 27th March - not least because the lovely Hugh Jackman has already optioned the book for his very selective production company (they only choose three projects a year; this is their comedy) so it must be worth a read! Of course we'll bring you our review asap...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 19, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Movie News, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

Great American Book Giveaway

The brainchild of author, M.J. Rose, The Great American Book Giveaway gives away (funny, that) hundreds of books every week and all you have to do is choose the book you'd like to win and enter your email address.

I have it on good authority that the only emails you receive are acknowledgement of your entry and a notification of whether or not you've won. Unsurprisingly, it's only open to residents of the United States (the clue was in the title) - sorry UK readers. [via Spy Scribbler]

Related posts: Buzz, Balls & Hype | Ellen Meister's "I Want A Freakin' Character Named After Me!" Competition | Win a copy of Sophie Kinsella's 'Shopaholic and Baby'

Posted by Keris on March 19, 2007 in Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 16, 2007 3:41 PM

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Little Black Dress

We're big fans of the Little Black Dress series here at Trashionista. We've loved Singletini and Pick Me Up, hugely enjoyed Step On It, Cupid and, um, read The Bachelorette Party (ahem).

But what we (or at least, I) hadn't realised is that Little Black Dress has a jam-packed website and a blog. With competitions, extracts, a newsletter and even dating tips and recipes, there's plenty to keep you occupied until next month's books - including The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom, which I've heard great things about - come out.

And look out for loads more Little Black Dress book reviews here at Trashionista over the coming months.

Posted by Keris on March 16, 2007 in Book related, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (3)

Billie Piper's book adaptations

If you're in the UK, don't forget ITV's Jane Austen season starts this Sunday with Mansfield Park starring Billie Piper.

Thanks to our sister site, TV Scoop, we also learned that Billie is to star in an adaptation of Belle De Jour's Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl.

Posted by Keris on March 16, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Memoirs, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK NEWS: Forget Me Not

Okay, this will be my last maternally-themed post of the week, I promise!

Forget Me Not is the new book by Isabel Wolff (her seventh!) and was released on 5th March. It's the story of Anna Temple, a 36 year old City Analyst who, after the sudden and unexpected death of her mother, is forced to re-evaluate her life. Anna decides to get a new job as a garden designer (the title's a pun, geddit?) and embrace some life-changing new developments that happen as a result of an uncharacteristic one night stand... (can you guess what?!)

PS: Is it me or is this another case of a book cover 'snap'? Carry on over the cut to see what I mean...

Isabel Wolff's pretty new covers look a little bit like Jill Mansell's pretty new covers, no?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 16, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (5)

FRIDAY FLICK: Postcards From The Edge

What could be better for Mother's Day weekend than a Friday Flick which celebrates a dysfunctional/realistic mother-daughter relationship?! Based on the cult novel by Carrie Fisher, which we LOVED, Postcards From The Edge (the film) takes this relationship front and centre.

It tells the story of Hollywood actress Suzanne Vale, who has to move in with her mother after an accidental drug overdose, as she tries to get her life and career back on track...

Meryl Streep plays Suzanne, and does a great job at capturing her bewildered post-rehab state, although at times she's a little more subdued than I would have expected. But the show is really stolen by Shirley McClaine, playing Doris - surely a very thinly-veiled version of Carrie Fisher's own mum, Debbie Reynolds - the similarity is very striking (apparently Reynolds was incensed to audition for the role and be turned down!)

It's not quite as good as the book, but it's a quality film and one of my favourite adaptations ever. And the tag line is fabulous:

"Having a wonderful time. Wish I were here."

*DID YOU KNOW?* If you get the DVD, one of the highlights is Carrie Fisher's rambling (in a good way) and deliciously indiscreet ("I was having an affair with him") commentary. She also points out which parts of the story really happened to her... unmissable.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Celebrity Authors, Friday Flick, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK NEWS: Shaggy Blog Stories

As everyone in the UK will know, it's Comic Relief this evening. (If you're not in the UK and have no idea what I'm on about, click here for all the info).

Anyway! Blogger troubled-diva decided to set up an ambitious project to raise money for Comic Relief:  he put together in just one week a book of 100 amusing blog entries from British bloggers, with profits going to Comic Relief. Called Shaggy Blog Stories, you can buy a copy from Lulu.com and benefit a great cause.

With my declared penchant for bloggy books, I'm definitely going to snap one up!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 16, 2007 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (8)

BOOK REVIEW: The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy

Anyone who's read Fiona Neill's Slummy Mummy column in the Times will have been looking forward to the publication of The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy, her novelisation of the column. But newcomers will enjoy it, too. It's narrated by Lucy Sweeney, our eponymous heroine, whose housekeeping and organisation skills are on the lax, not to say slovenly side. Her husband despairs of her, as she turns up at the school gates in her pyjamas, locks herself out of the house, runs out of petrol at inconvenient times and loses her credit card, only to locate it later in the fridge - after it's been cancelled!

With three young sons to look after, Lucy knows she has to pull herself together, especially as the presence of Yummy Mummy and Alpha Mummy at the school gate always make her feel bad about herself. Then Sexy Domesticated Dad joins the PTA, and Lucy starts to enjoy the school run.

But it's just some harmless flirting... isn't it?

I really liked the tone of the book, but I have to say it did put me off having three young children! It very well conveys the stresses this puts on the primary caregiver, and on a marriage. I also couldn't believe one woman could be so disorganised - being a rather anally retentive control freak myself  I was squirming! I couldn't help of course wondering how much all  of Lucy's expereinces were based on the writer's own life - for her own sake, I hope it's exaggerated quite a bit!

The novel ended a bit abruptly, and tied things up in a little too much of a hurry for me, becoming a tad too farcical... but it was still a very good read and I look forward to whatever Fiona Neill writes next.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Hens Dancing by Raffaella Barker; The Only Boy For Me by Gil McNeil.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 16, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 15, 2007 4:17 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Patricia Highsmith

The Talented Mr Ripley. Ripley's Game. Strangers on a Train. All came from the talented and slightly disturbed mind of Ms Patricia Highsmith, award-winning author of a ream of bestselling crime books which transcended 'genre fiction' (Not that genre fiction is a bad thing!)

I had a Patricia Highsmith-filled summer a few years ago (I like a touch of darkness in my summer reading - too much sun is bad for you) and read all her Ripley books, some short stories and a couple of her other novels. It was a wonderful time! Highsmith was such a great writer with a brilliant talent for creating suspense from thin air, and making the reader care about eminently detestable characters (I found myself hoping Tom Ripley would get away with his crimes!)  Her books are much more that whodunits and don't go in for any autopsy description or gore, she's much more interested in psychology and has surely influenced every female (and male) crime writer who followed her.

Highsmith's own life was sometimes the inspiration for her fiction: she wrote a lesbian stalker story, Carol in 1953 (very controversial at the time, so she used a pseudonym) based to some extent on her own experience. It's thought to be the first openly gay novel with a happy ending!

Macabre and dark, Highsmith certainly wasn't a girly girl, but her books aren't heavy or a struggle to read: they capture you and don't let you go.

Read this: The Talented Mr Ripley.

Thursday Trailblazer archives | Crime/mystery archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Crime / Mystery, Opinion, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (2)

Elinor Lipman's ode to her mother (and her mother's condiment phobia... yep)

Yes, I know that sounds bizarre!

I was browsing Elinor Lipman's beautifully-designed website the other day, and came across one of the rare essays of hers I haven't read: about her mother, and her mother's phobia of condiments: mayonnaise, ketchup, you name it! It's very funny, and of course, is as much about her relationship with her mum as food phobia. Read it here.

And expect a review of Lipman's latest book, called My Latest Grievance, soon.

Related post: The Mums' Book

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

In defence of chick lit

I'm sticking up for chick lit (to the dismay of some of my commenters over there!) on the Guardian books blog: read it here.

And if any of you lovely chick lit readers and authors would like to answer chick lit's critics, please hop on over and leave a comment (I think you have to register but it's easy, promise). Ms Shanna Swendson, you'd have something great to say, I just know it... as would so many of you.

*Go chick lit, go chick lit... *

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 15, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (16)

March 14, 2007 5:37 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Thanks for the great responses last week, when we tried to figure out if 'literary' is a term of endearment or abuse! (Not sure what we agreed, but none of us liked lit snobbery).

This week... Stef Penney had good reason to not visit Canada whilst researching her Costa award-winning novel* The Tenderness of Wolves: she was agoraphobic.

But in general, what do you think about writers, for example, setting their books in a country they've never been to, making up geographical details (as Jenny Colgan admitted to doing with her novel Working Wonders) or otherwise not letting accuracy get in the way of a good story?

In other words... is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

*Guess I was wrong about there not being a woman on the shortlist - slapped wrist for me.

Yay or Nay archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 14, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Prize Winners, Recent Release, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (11)

BOOK REVIEW: Hot and Bothered by Annie Downey

Annie Downey is an intelligent, funny writer with a healthy dose of quirk. She regularly contributes to alternative parenting magazine Hip Mama and Hot and Bothered is her first novel.

Her heroine is a single mother of a young girl and teenage boy and she's dealing with looking after them plus the fallout of a messy divorce and her own lack of motivation and enthusiasm for life. She's cynical, funny, rather ditsy and somewhat lacking in self-belief...

and very charming.

The book has a chronological narrative but is divided into chapters with different themes, all of which begin "A week..." ("...from hell" and "...of merriment" are two headers). Each chapter is then divided into short (ranging from one sentence to a page and a half) paragraphs, making this a snappy, focused read with very little waffle. It's also an often unpredictable read, and I found many moments in the book hilarious - such as when the main character goes for a walk, meets a woman outside her house, invents that she's a professional dog walker and lands herself a new job walking the woman's dog and cleaning her house...! It's such a funny scene, and by no means the only thing I laughed out loud at - but the book is very warm and contains real emotion, too.

It was also just a tad odd - the main character (whose name we don't learn 'til the end of the book, so I'm afraid it hasn't stuck in my brain! I know, I'm getting old) is obsessed with pink clogs, but aren't clogs the least comfortable footwear ever? And she makes frequent references to being small and midget-like, but it turns out she's the same height as the lovely Keris... who as we know is in perfect proportion - ish. Maybe the author feels a little height disadvantaged, I don't know... Also, the main character's best friend Kip is more than a bit mean, but I came to like her by the end of the book!

Definitely not your usual mummy/mommy lit - this story's a good bit more complicated, and a little bit more quirky but it's a very fun read I found hard to put down.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Only Boy for Me by Gil McNeil.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 14, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tracy Kendall's book-print wallpaper

If you feel bad that you can't get your bookshelves to look like this, then how about buying some of this book-print wallpaper instead?

By Tracy Kendall, there's also a neat double stack of paperbacks or magazines available. It would look so gorgeous in my office (although the George Clooney mural looks pretty good too).

Related posts: The Self Shelf | Bookish MP3 player cases | Moving Sense toolkits

Posted by Keris on March 14, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (2)

Lulu Blooker Prize shortlist announced

Friend of Trashionista, Rebecca Agiewich's book BreakupBabe is one of the fiction nominees of this year's Lulu Blooker Prize. The Blooker Prize was created to honour books based on blogs and last year was won by Julie Powell's Julie & Julia. Julie is one of the judges this year (along with Arianna Huffington, amongst others).

Thanks to the shortlist, I've just learned a new word: flicktion. Andrew Losowsky's book (and blog) The Doorbells of Florence contains photographs of 36 real Italian doorbells, "each one with a strange story about the people and things that may, or may not, live inside". What a brilliant idea.

Find the full shortlist here.

Related posts: Rebecca Agiewich guest blog | From blog to book | From book to blog  

Posted by Keris on March 14, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Mums' book: perfect for mother's day

With Mother's Day (in the UK and Commonwealth) this coming Sunday, expect us to feature a raft, perhaps even a slew, of books relating to mums. The Mums' Book would be just the thing to show your ma just how much you appreciate her, especially as it's subtitled 'For the mum who's best at everything'.

And I love the vintage-look, kitschy orange cover, too.

Related posts: The Hot Mom's handbook | Read mum lit novel online... as it's written

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 14, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ellen Meister's "I Want A Freaking Character Named After Me!" Competition

Remember author Ellen Meister's Hollywood Cupcake competition (when readers inexplicably voted to "offer their cupcakes" to Matthew McConaughey rather than George Clooney)? Well, Ellen's running a new, equally fun, competition on her website.

Called the "I Want A Freaking Character Named After Me!" Drawing, it offers readers the chance to have a character named after them in Ellen's next book. All you have to know is know the multi-syllable curse phrase used by one of my characters throughout Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA. Enter here.

Related posts: Author Interview: Ellen Meister

Posted by Keris on March 14, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (3)

March 13, 2007 4:29 PM

BOOK NEWS: Crystal by Katie Price

Yep, Jordan's at it again - or rather Katie Price is (doesn't she get confused?!)

Described as "a glittering and sexy story of passion and betrayal and one woman’s search for true love" Crystal is the dual-named glamour model's second attempt at fiction after the success of Angel last year. (Which we quite liked, by the way). Clearly designed to be another beach read, Crystal will be released on 7th June.

[Via randomhouse.co.uk ]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 13, 2007 in Bonkbusters, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Romance | Permalink | Comments (4)

The Austen backlash begins

Just in time for ITV's upcoming Austen season and to coincide with the release last Friday of Austen biopic Becoming Jane, the BBC and Telegraph books blog are both trotting out the usual cliches that Jane was only writing about crinolines and love affairs (when actually she was writing about women's rights and gently but pointedly satirising the society she lived in, but whatever). And yesterday, Keris reported that even chick lit star Marian Keyes isn't a fan of J.A. Horrors!

If you haven't yet read the fabulous Flirting With Pride & Prejudice, now might be a good time to remind yourself why you love Austen. Unless... maybe... you don't?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 13, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (2)

Galaxy Book Awards shortlist announced

The Galaxy British Book Awards, formerly just The British Book Awards (those ones that Richard and Judy present where they always shout slightly embarrassing 'impromptu' interviews across the stage to the people giving out the books, I'm sure you've seen them on TV) have announced their shortlist. And they're now calling themselves The Oscars of the Book World. Posh!

Carry on over the cut to see the books in the running and for details on how to vote (for Marian Keyes!)...

The full list, with several categories, is very very long (despite the name 'shortlist'!) so it's better viewed via the awards' website. Perhaps of most interest to Trashionistas is that Marian Keyes's latest, the wonderful Anybody Out There? has been nominated for Sainsbury's popular fiction award. To vote for Marian, or any other book, click here. (Go now - hurry!)

Related: Richard and Judy archives | Prizewinners archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

Karyn Bosnak's favourite bookshop

Last month I asked about your favourite bookshop and we had a look at Olivia & Co and Munchkin's Bookshelf.

Now author Karyn Bosnak has revealed on her blog that her local independent bookshop - Bookcourt in Brooklyn - doesn't stock her books. (Don't worry, she's decided that she's going to go and ask them to.)

Located in the trendy Cobble Hill region of Brooklyn, Bookcourt has been open since 1981 and has a blog.

If you haven't already told us about your favourite independent, leave a comment and let us know!

Posted by Keris on March 13, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 12, 2007 6:49 PM

Read Sisterwife for free

Acclaimed suspense author Natalie R Collins is giving away a free download of her book, Sisterwife, on her website. Here's the blurb:

Prophesied to be the catalyst in a modern-day Armageddon, Kelsey Waite flees a life in Utah, freeing herself from a polygamous lifestyle and abusive father. She is forced to return to the state, and face her demons - and the charismatic cult leader who believes she is destined to be his second wife - when her daughter is kidnapped.

Sounds intriguing.

Related posts: Free online novel | Kate Thompson's Love Lies Bleeding

Posted by Keris on March 12, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

Marian Keyes in She magazine

The latest issue of She magazine features an interview with Marian Keyes in which she reveals something shocking - she doesn't like Jane Austen.

Asked if there are any books she's never read* Marian says, "I'm not fond of the classics - and especially can't enjoy Jane Austen. Her arch sentences get on my nerves. I would much rather read contemporary work about what people are thinking now." Controversial!

*Um, surely there're loads.

Carry on over the cut for more on Marian's reading habits.

Marian says that The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf changed her life - "It made me realise that women are manipulated to think that we are worthless unless we look 16, are cellulite-free and hairless. It changed my attitude on how I feel about how I look and triggered my inner feminist!"

She also reveals that her guilty reading pleasures are celebrity autobiographies such as Anthony Kiedis's Scar Tissue, and that the book she most often recommends to people is Feeling Sorry For Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty.

Related posts: Marian Keyes on The Weekender | Emma the best book ever written?

Posted by Keris on March 12, 2007 in Book related, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK NEWS: Live to Tell by... Madonna's ex-Nanny

Madonna's former nanny Melissa Dumas has obviously been influenced by the success of The Nanny Diaries (now being made into a film) and You'll Never Nanny in this Town Again (which she might find to be true) - she's got a book deal for the September '07 release of her memoir, Live to Tell. No exact details of the contract are available yet but according to Galleycat, she'll get at least a $500, 000 advance.

But should nannies be allowed to tell all? And can't employees prevent it? On one hand, I don't really agree with dishing the dirt on your past employer (if they treated you well, anyway - which begs some questions...), but on the other, I'm as intrigued as anyone else to find out all about the inner workings of the Ritchie household! Should be interesting...

What do you think?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 12, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (4)

MORE ON MONDAY: Sweet and Low by Rich Cohen

Rich Cohen's maternal grandfather was Ben Eisenstadt. That name might not ring a bell, but his most popular invention certainly will: Sweet n' Low, those popular pink packets of sugar substitute sent everywhere from England to Israel from a packing plant on a small Brooklyn street. The story of an artificial sweetener isn't necessarily the makings of a great story, but the clue to Sweet and Low's appeal is the subtitle: A Family Story. Taking in disinherited relatives (Cohen's side of the family), mafia connections, strange relatives (a lot of them!) and young Ben's abandonment in the big city as a young teenager, this book is a personal look at how big business affects a family - and tears it apart.

This book wasn't really what I expected, though. I thought it would be, frankly, a slimmer volume, all about Rich Cohen's family and nothing else. It's actually more in-depth and far less lightweight than I would have guessed (don't you hate it when you have to concentrate?!) I learned about everything from accountancy practices (kosher and dodgy - I'm ready to launder money now... not really, FBI!) as well as the history of Brooklyn since its early settlement. Oh yes, and the history of sugar and its alternatives is covered in some detail too. The book is well-researched, very thorough and very well-written.

However, at times I would have preferred a more family-centric chronicle of events, with some of Cohen's research weaved in and worn a little more lightly, rather than entire chapters of history. But I guess that would be a completely different book. I was hooked nonetheless, and there's no doubt it's an interesting, informative and personal (if not always personal enough) read. And if it doesn't make you want to run out and do your own taste test of different alternatives to sugar... well, maybe that's just me!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Nasty Bits by Anthony Bourdain.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 12, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Books the British public just couldn't finish!

Normally at Trashionista we concern ourselves with those books you just can't put down, but today we're talking about books you struggle to pick up again after reading a few pages/chapters...

The book world is all a-flutter today about a new survey which shows the most frequently abandoned reads: top of the list is 'challenging' Booker Prize winner Vernon God Little by WBC Pierre, which 35% of 4000 surveyed readers apparently gave up on.  It was joined by Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses and classic of the impenetrables: Ulysses by James Joyce. The only female author at the top, and the biggest surprise, is that 32% of adult readers couldn't make it through Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (although, actually, you can add me to that list - Quidditch World Cup? Snoozeathon! Pick up the pace, JK...)

If any of those books are on your personal unfinished list, The Times helpfully tells you how they end, and The Guardian digests them for you.

So... what's the book you just couldn't finish? Find out mine over the cut!

For me it's William Faulkner's famously difficult The Sound and the Fury.  (With no differentiation in tenses and no idea which character is talking, it's a 'puzzler', to say the least). On the other hand, I managed to get to the end of the execrable Citizen Girl - but wished I hadn't bothered!

How about you?

Related post: Lovely Bones and Jane Austen on publishing insider's list of books NOT to read

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 12, 2007 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Rubbish Books | Permalink | Comments (11)

March 9, 2007 5:12 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Cold Mountain

Based on the critically acclaimed novel, by Charles Frazier, Cold Mountain stars Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger (who won an Oscar for this role).

Law plays a confederate soldier who, disillusioned with the Civil War, sets off on foot to return to Cold Mountain and Ada, the woman he loves. Of course, things haven't exactly been a picnic for Ada while he's been away ...

I must admit, I haven't seen the film because, despite being beautifully written, the book was far too slow-going for me. Anyone seen it?

Friday Flick archives

Posted by Keris on March 9, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Friday Flick, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

Unpublished Jeanette Winterson novel found on a bench

An unpublished novel by Jeanette Winterson has been found at a London Underground station.

The Stone Gods is not due to be published until September, but a passer-by found it lying on a bench on Wednesday night.

Winterson's publishers said it was accidentally left there by someone who works for them (although perhaps not any longer).

I didn't realise that Winterson was appointed OBE for services to literature in 2006, making me think she should be on our best women authors of all time list.

Posted by Aigua Media on March 9, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 8, 2007 6:27 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: E.M Delafield

When better than International Women's Day to launch a NEW! Trashionista series?! In Thursday Trailblazer,  we'll  focus each week on a female writer who (not surprisingly) blazed a trail, inspired the women writers who followed her and still has an important place in literature and in our hearts...

Today, a writer who for some strange reason isn't very well-known, but should be: E.M Delafield. She was working the Helen Fielding angle before Helen Fielding was even born. In 1930  she wrote the wry and satirical Diary of a Provincial Lady, (which has never been out of print) based on her own experiences as a young wife and mother. Three sequels followed, all about a worn-out  Devon housewife (although she's posh and has 'staff', her household management is poor in every sense of the word) her inattentive husband and raucous children. She may just have invented funny, diary-style fiction by and for women - and the mum-lit genre, too! Witty, intelligent and not above poking fun at herself, she'd doubtless be a bestselling chick-lit author if she'd only hung on another eighty years!

Read this: Diary of a Provincial Lady

Related post: Best women writers of all time (do you agree?)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 8, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Debut Novels, Series, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (1)

How do you arrange your bookshelves?

I had to share this gorgeous photo from Apartment Therapy of books categorized by colour.

I must admit I've tried categorizing my books in numerous different ways: alphabetically by author, by genre, by size and, finally, by colour, which was my favourite.

So tell us ... how do you arrange yours?

Posted by Aigua Media on March 8, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (8)

Jennifer Weiner takes on the National Book Critics Circle

More "literary" v "popular" fiction debate over on Jennifer Weiner's blog.

Regarding the National Book Critics Circle’s forthcoming panel discussion on genre fiction and critic Deborah McAfee's outraged response, Jennifer writes:

I urge the critics to rise up in righteous indignation and cancel this panel immediately if not sooner. Then, I urge them to institute a system of public shaming, whereby the "less educated basic readers" will wear dark-red letters to identify their secret shame. "M" for "mystery lover," "T" for "thriller addict," "R" for "romance fan" (with a special car decal for anyone who’s read those Harlequin/NASCAR crosscovers), and maybe a Cosmo with a slash through it for chick-lit aficionados.

Brilliant.

Related posts: Jennifer Weiner and Jane Green on Martha Stewart / In praise of chick lit (at last!) / Harlequin/NASCAR romances

Posted by Aigua Media on March 8, 2007 in American Authors, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 7, 2007 10:24 AM

Sophie Kinsella's favourite New York hotels

The March issue of InStyle magazine includes Sophie Kinsella's recommendations for where to stay in New York.

According to Sophie, the Soho Grand is "great fun, very chichi". She also likes at The Algonquin, home to Dorothy Parker's "vicious circle". I'm jealous.

Related posts: Jenny Colgan's fave restaurant

Posted by Keris on March 7, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 6, 2007 12:33 PM

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Will Write for Wine

I am very excited. Very, very excited. Because Lani Diane Rich has a new podcast! Starting this Saturday (10th March), Will Write for Wine features Lani and her fellow author and friend, Samantha Graves, talking about "Wine, writing and song. But mostly wine and writing".

Not only that, but they're looking for questions to answer. So if you've ever wondered "how writers plot or how books get to the shelves or what the heck a print run is" then drop them an email and not only might you get your question answered on the podcast, you could win a fabulous prize.

Related posts: Lani Diane Rich interview / Amazon.com launches a podcast

Posted by Keris on March 6, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Podcasts, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (1)

SPOTLIGHT: Louise Harwood

Louise Harwood was born in Shrewsbury and grew up on a farm.

After graduating from Durham University in 1989, she moved to London and did various temp jobs in the media. After working her way up through the ranks of a literary agency, she moved to Random House Publishing as an editor.

She left after having her first child and wrote Calling on Lily. Since then she has had two further novels published and her fourth, Hippy Chick, is out in July.

She lives in Oxfordshire with her husband and two sons.

Carry on over the cut for Louise's bibliography.

Calling On Lily
Six Reasons to Stay a Virgin
Lucy Blue, Where Are You?

Posted by Keris on March 6, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 5, 2007 9:52 AM

World Book Day Quick Reads

As part of the World Book Day celebrations, another series of "Quick Reads" has been released.

Costing from just £1.99, there should be something for everyone. My favourite last year was Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons in Life by Sir Richard Branson. This year, I'm liking Kerry Katona's Survive the Worst and Aim for the Best: How to Get Your Life Back On Track. No, really.

Posted by Keris on March 5, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 2, 2007 3:40 PM

World Book Day's Ten Books You Can't Live Without

I gave you mine yesterday and today the results of the World Book Day survey to find the ten books the nation cannot live without are in. Over 2000 people voted online and the Top 10 was as follows:

1. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen 20%
2. Lord of the Rings – JRR Tolkein 17%
3. Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte 14%
4. Harry Potter books – J K Rowling 12%
5. To Kill A Mockingbird – Harper Lee 9.5%
6. The Bible 9%
7. Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte 8.5%
8. 1984 – George Orwell 6%
= His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman 6%
10. Great Expectations – Charles Dickens .55%

So what do you think? If you were stuck on a desert island with the above ten books would you be happy?

Posted by Keris on March 2, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (4)

Make your own floating shelf

Remember the Self Shelf? Find instructions on how to make your own here.

I am so doing it.

[via Apartment Therapy]

Posted by Keris on March 2, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

FRIDAY FLICK: Brokeback Mountain

I think I put off watching Brokeback Mountain because I'd heard so much about it that I thought I was bound to be disappointed. Based on a short story by Annie Proulx, it stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as cowboys who, as you may have heard, fall in love.

And, yes, I did spend the first half hour or so waiting in anticipation for some hot cowboy-on-cowboy action, but once that was out of the way I relaxed into the story and was completely transported.

Brokeback Mountain also stars Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams (who, funnily enough, are soon to be seen playing Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte respectively). The acting is brilliant, the scenery gorgeous and the storyline engrossing and moving.

A lovely film.

Related posts: Movie News: Bronte / Anne Hathaway as Jane Austen / Friday Flick: 10 Things I Hate About You

Posted by Keris on March 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (3)

February 28, 2007 10:11 AM

World Book Day tomorrow

It's the 10th anniversary of World Book Day here in the UK and Ireland tomorrow and, to celebrate, they're asking readers to nominate Ten Books You Can't Live Without.

Nominate yours here and then come back and tell us what they are. I'll get to work on mine.

Posted by Keris on February 28, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 27, 2007 11:38 AM

SPOTLIGHT: Alison Pace

I loved Alison Pace's first two books and I'm really excited about her new book, Through Thick and Thin, due out in August.

Alison holds a degree in Art History from American University in Washington, D.C. and received a graduate certificate in American Art from Sotheby's Institute in New York. She has worked at Sotheby's and has also been an independent fine art researcher.

Never having taken her writing seriously before, when Alison finished If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend she decided to look for an agent. Her debut was followed by Pug Hill and her writing has also appeared in The Bark magazine where she is a contributing editor.

Alison lives in New York City with her cute dog (disappointingly not a pug).

Carry on over the cut for Alison's bibliography.

If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend
Pug Hill

Related posts: Alison Pace's books of the year / Chick lit authors' favourite TV shows

Posted by Keris on February 27, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jennifer Weiner and Jane Green on Martha Stewart

You can watch Jennifer Weiner and Jane Green's Martha Stewart interview here. But because we're a full service blog, I transcribed the bit about the chick lit label.

Jane: It was more problematic for me in the beginning. What is a bigger problem for me is the misconception about chick lit. I think when people hear chick lit they think it's a fluffy novel about a single girl in her 20s looking for Mr Right with designer handbags ...

Jennifer: Not that there's anything wrong with that! I do think it's sad to say that there are still some very silly people who like to judge books by their covers and they see a little pink and they see a sassy handbag and they think stupid, brainless, candyfloss, who cares? There's more going on that that--

Martha: Who cares? Only millions and millions and millions of readers ...

You're not wrong, Martha!

Related post: Marian Keyes on The Weekender

Posted by Keris on February 27, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Jane Green, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 26, 2007 10:32 AM

Jane Eyre reimagined

I was intrigued to read that Elizabeth Malin has written a novel inspired by Jane Eyre. Through Nightmare "tells a fresh story of forgiveness and redemption while still providing the pathos and joy of its inspiration". While looking for a publisher, Elizabeth is posting chapters on her website.

I was also amused to find that two authors I'd heard good things about were one and the same person! Elizabeth writes young adult books under the name Libby Sternberg and chick lit as Libby Malin, saving Elizabeth Malin for historical fiction.

Related posts: Wuthering Heights gets graphic / Taming the Beast by Emily Maguire / Movie news: Bronte

Posted by Keris on February 26, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (0)

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Reader Girlz

Created by Young Adult authors Justina Chen Headley, Janet Lee Carey, Lori Ann Grover and Dia Calhoun, Reader Girlz is a new online book community "celebrating gutsy girls in life & lit".

Each month, they will showcase a YA novel "featuring a strong female character (or two!)". The first book is Justina Chen Headley's Nothing But the Truth (and a few white lies). Join the club by friending them at MySpace or read the current issue here.

Find out more over the cut.

But that's not all. They also want to encourage readers to become active in their communities. "We want to connect you with stories that will change the way you and your friends see yourselves, and inspire you to have the guts to make history of your own. So you'll see lots of great community service ideas that tie in with our featured books."

A fabulous idea and an entertaining and intriguing site, I'm sure you'll agree.

Trashionista recommends archive

Posted by Keris on February 26, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

February 23, 2007 2:27 PM

BOOK NEWS: Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume

Judy Blume featured in our chick lit precursors list and this June sees the publication of Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume.

Edited by Jennifer O'Connell, the book features essays from authors including Trashionista faves Meg Cabot, Megan Crane, Diana Peterfreund, Alison Pace, Sarah Mylnowski and Shanna Swendson.

With a line-up like that (along with such a scrumptious cover), I don't think I can wait til June ...

Posted by Keris on February 23, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (4)

Support a Trashionista one last time!

Friend of Trashionista, Jenny Gardiner has made it to the final of the American Title III contest. She sends this message:

Thank you so much for your help so far. I know it sounds cliche, but I truly could not have done this without the support of each one of you, and for that I'm forever grateful.

I would be so very grateful if you could take the time to cast your vote for my novel to help me win a publishing contract, and get Sleeping With Ward Cleaver published.

To vote: simply send an email to: webmaster@romantictimes.com, put SLEEPING WITH WARD CLEAVER in the subject line, then send. 

Believe it or not, after this round I won't keep pestering you to help me out, but I sure hope I can count on you to do so this one last time. 

Best of luck, Jenny.

Posted by Keris on February 23, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (1)

FRIDAY FLICK: The English Patient

Based on Michael Ondaatje's Booker-Prize-winning novel, The English Patient won 9 Oscars.

Juliette Binoche is Hana, a nurse caring for a badly burned Englishman (Ralph Fiennes) at a deserted Tuscan monastery. As he's dying, the patient tells Hana how he fell in love with a married woman (Kristin Scott-Thomas) whilst working in the Middle East. The relationship had tragic consequences and we see these scenes in flashback.

As you would expect from such a great cast (including - yes! - Colin Firth), the acting is brilliant if a little cold. The film looks incredibly beautiful and it is tragically romantic, but I found it pretentious, while, at the same time, being totally transfixed.

I would suggest reading the novel after watching the film. If I hadn't seen the film first I would have found the novel completely inpenetrable.

Friday Flick archives

Posted by Keris on February 23, 2007 in Book related, Friday Flick, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 22, 2007 7:59 PM

Marian Keyes on The Weekender

Remember we mentioned Marian Keyes' appearances to promote the paperback release of Anybody Out There? Well I finally managed to listen to her interview on Radio 2's The Weekender and it's well worth a listen. You can hear it here until Saturday (25th February). Scroll along to about 1 hour 30 mins.

Just in case you don't get a chance to listen, you can read Marian's insightful comments about the chick lit label over the cut.

It's meant to be pejorative, it is meant to make women feel embarrassed to read it and to write it. I am proud to be a chick lit writer because I believe chick lit is the literature of post-feminism and it's a very important genre. It completely articulates and explores the confusion of what it is like to be a contemporary woman.

You know the way that we were told that the battle of the sexes was won and we could have any job we wanted, but we know that's not the case. And the way that we're all at war with our bodies and we know we shouldn't be. And the way we're asked to play so many roles like perfect mother, perfect friend, perfect girlfriend, perfect colleague, perfect boss and it's very very tricky.

I accept it's meant to be pejorative, but I'm reclaiming it.

And that's why we love Marian Keyes.

Related posts: Chick lit is a feminist issue / In praise of chick lit (at last!)

Posted by Keris on February 22, 2007 in Book related, Marian Keyes | Permalink | Comments (1)

February 21, 2007 4:32 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Ellen Meister

I loved Ellen Meister's debut, Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA, so I'm happy to welcome her as the latest Trashionista author interviewee! (I really need to find a new way to introduce these interviews ...)

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:
 
My title alone practically goes over the limit, so we won't count that, right? Here goes.  In Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA, three  women conspire to get a George Clooney movie filmed in their children's schoolyard. 

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

I used to sit at my kitchen table with my laptop, but now I have a tiny home office upstairs. It's almost always a mess, but it has a door, which comes in handy when you have three kids.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson is as good as they get. It's poignant and smart and hilarious. A treasure.

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

I have so many it's hard to answer.  I can tell you that the one who's stayed with me the longest is Isadora Wing from Erica Jong's Fear of Flying. 

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

Tell the emotional truth. Always.

What are you reading at the moment?

A wonderful short story collection called Things Kept, Things Left Behind by Jim Tomlinson.

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

Sure! I just turned in the revised manuscript for my second novel, The Smart One.  Here's the story: After she and her sisters discover that the man next door was a murderer, Bev Bloomrosen tries to reconcile her passion for his comedy writer son ... while struggling with being the family loser.
 
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!)
 
George Clooney is waiting backstage; shall I bring him out?

Thanks, Ellen!

Posted by Keris on February 21, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (6)

February 20, 2007 8:16 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Louise Rennison

I have to admit to being a little bit obsessed with Louise Rennison. I think it might be because, as I've already mentioned, I originally thought she was a "real" teenager, so once I thought of spotlighting her this week, I couldn't think of anyone else.

Plus there's the news that the team behind Bend It Like Beckham and Bride & Prejudice - Gurinda Chadha and Paul Mayeda Berges - are making a film of Angus, Thongs & Full-Frontal Snogging. Currently in pre-production, it's due for release next year. No casting news yet, sadly.

Anyway, Louise! Louise grew up in Leeds, Yorkshire in a three bedroom house shared with her parents, grandparents, and an aunt, uncle and cousin! When Louise was 15, the family (presumably not all of the above) emigrated to Wairakei in New Zealand.

Back in the UK and after some travelling and an assortment of jobs including playleader and dental nurse, Louise enrolled on a Performing Arts course in Brighton.

She then wrote and performed an enormously successful one-woman show called Stevie Wonder Touched My Face, which led to Louise writing for the Evening Standard. After writing an article called Dating Over 35, she got a call from Piccadilly Press suggesting she write a book. In fact, they suggested a teenage girl’s diary.

The first book, Angus, Thongs and Full-frontal Snogging, was a huge hit and Louise has gone on to write six more (with more to come). The books have been even bigger in the US than the UK, selling over a million copies and reaching Number 1 on the New York Times Bestseller list.

Louise lives in Brighton.

Carry on over the cut for Louise's bibliography.

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging
It's OK, I'm Wearing Really Big Knickers (Called On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God in the US)
Knocked Out by My Nunga-Nungas
Dancing in My Nuddy Pants
... And that's when it fell off in my hand (Called Away Laughing on a Fast Camel in the US because the UK title was thought to be too rude; even though the "it" wasn't the "it" you're probably thinking of!)
... And then he ate my boy entrancers
... Startled by his furry shorts!

Posted by Keris on February 20, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Movie News, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

February 19, 2007 2:58 PM

Sophie Kinsella in Sacramento

And while we’re on the subject of Sophie Kinsella, if you’re in Sacramento, California (where I once spent a very happy afternoon reading under a tree), Kinsella will be a guest of The Bee Book Club on March 1.

Kinsella will discuss her books, answer questions and sign copies of Shopaholic & Baby from 5:30 p.m. on the second level of Macy's "women's building" at Downtown Plaza. The event is free and open to the public. If you're lucky enough to attend, please tell us all about it!

Posted by Keris on February 19, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Camel Bookmobile

Masha Hamilton’s new novel The Camel Bookmobile is the story of an American librarian who leaves Brooklyn to work for a relief organization in Africa that sends books on the backs of camels to forgotten villages.

Though the book is fiction, the Camel Bookmobile itself actually exists in Kenya. The library brings books to a semi-nomadic people who live with drought, famine and chronic poverty.

Details of how you can support the library, along with a list of authors who have already sent boxes of books, can be found here.

Posted by Keris on February 19, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 16, 2007 4:26 PM

GUEST BLOG: Levi Asher on 1970s chick lit

During our Top 100 Extravaganza, I compiled a list of chick lit precursors, i.e. books that could have been described as chick lit had chick lit existed. Yesterday I read an article by author and founder of Literary Kicks, Levi Asher, on the books he read in the '70s that could perhaps be considered chick lit. I thought you might like to read it too.

Great Chick-Lit of the 70's (or, the Books That Raised Me) by Levi Asher

The industry is buzzing about chick-lit again. I don't know much about this whole phenomenon, except in a strange way I do, because I was raised on chick-lit. As a kid in the 1970's, the first grownup books I read (and really enjoyed) were the racy, funny and wise novels that my grandmother, my mother and my older sister left lying around the house. These books had a big influence on me, and I wonder if the chick-lit of today could possibly be as good.

1. The first adult book I ever read was Sheila Levine is Dead and Living in New York, a hilarious but sensitive sex comedy about a single Jewish woman hunting for the love of her life while slumming with some clearly unsuitable replacements. This novel came straight off Grandma Jeannette's shelf in Miami Beach, and I do believe I even smuggled it back home in my little suitcase so I could finish reading it when summer vacation ended too soon. I learned a lot about human sexuality by reading this book (a bestseller at the time), and I distinctly remember asking my sister to explain words like "diaphragm" and "orgasm", which is hilarious in retrospect since my sister probably didn't know what these words meant either.

Sheila Levine's gimmick is that the book is a suicide note, because the narrator has given up on finding a man and has decided to kill herself (she doesn't succeed, and the novel ends with Sheila's epilogue to her suicide note, in which she worries about whether or not her rescuers put her apartment door back on the hinges after they broke it down to save her life). I wonder what happened to Gail Parent? I liked Sheila Levine so much that I bought her follow-up, David Meyer is a Mother, but it wasn't as good. I remember hearing that Gail Parent wrote scripts for the show "Rhoda", which makes a lot of sense since Rhoda Morgenstern and Sheila Levine are basically the same character. I also remember a terrible-looking film version of Sheila Levine coming out with Jeannie Berlin in the title role. It ran for about two days in theatres and has since disappeared from the face of the earth, even though Roy Scheider was in it just before starring in Jaws.

The book is still in print, but I don't like the shiny new cover anywhere near as much as the old one.

2. I think I picked up Sue Kaufman's Diary of a Mad Housewife from my Mom's collection. This is a brilliant, sharp satire about the miserable, unappreciated wife of an social-climbing Manhattan lawyer. In the book's best moments, such as the climactic cocktail party that collapses into a faux-pas-ridden disaster, Kaufman's sharp and observant narrative takes on a Dostoevskian intensity. It's not for nothing that the title evokes Nikolai Gogol.

Diary of a Mad Housewife also beat the odds when it was made into an absolutely great film starring Carrie Snodgress as timid Tina Balser, Richard Benjamin as her jerk husband and Frank Langella as a ratty suitor. Here's some surprising Mad Housewife trivia: Neil Young saw this movie and wrote the song "A Man Needs A Maid" about it:

Now I'll go somewhere, I don't know when
I was watching a movie with a friend
I fell in love with the actress
She was playing a part that I could understand

Neil Young then went on to meet, date and marry Carrie Snodgress, which shows that he must have really liked the movie. The strange thing about all this is that the song "A Man Needs A Maid" expresses a man's plaintive desire for a submissive woman, whereas the book and the movie are clearly attempting to skewer the notion that submissive women can be happy in relationships. No wonder Neil and Carrie got divorced a few years later.

Sue Kaufman's novel is still available in a new edition with an introduction by spoken-word poet Maggie Estep (this book's hip credentials are through the roof). Incidentally, Diary of a Mad Housewife should technically be categorized as chick-lit of the 60's, but I didn't read it until the 70's, and I like the way the title "Great Chick-Lit of the 70's" sounds.

3. My sister turned me on to Kin-Flicks, an absolutely wonderful literary bestseller by Lisa Alther that inspired me as both a reader and a writer.

Kin-Flicks is about the phases in the life of a southern girl, Ginny Babcock, who we meet as a lusty cheerleader with a jock boyfriend. But she quickly switches gears after the town hoodlum steals her away from the jock, after which she escapes to college and becomes a tweedy intellectual under the guise of a stern and matronly philosophy professor. Ginny then goes on to morph into a sex-crazed vegetarian lesbian, a dutiful country housewife and several other original life forms before she finally exhausts herself from all the changes.

Back in her hometown, where her mother is sick, a mature Ginny peers at cells dividing under a microscope, and begins to understand the cycle of dependency and rejection that has dominated her entire life to this moment. Kin-Flicks is, among other things, the most Taoist book I've read since the Tao Te Ching, but the book is as funny and engaging as it is wise. Kin-Flicks is still in print as well, again in a trashy looking cover that doesn't do the work justice.

Now that I've talked about these three books, I may as well come clean; the whole concept of this article is admittedly offensive, and I don't really think it makes sense to categorize books as varied as Sheila Levine, Diary or Kin-Flicks as prototypes for a commercial genre. These books are not chick-lit ... and yet it seems clear that they were marketed as guilty pleasure reading for largely female audiences (plus one nerdy kid on Long Island who didn't know better).

So, is it possible that among the pink stacks of today's "Women's Category Fiction" shelves there exist writers as timeless as Gail Parent, Sue Kaufman, Lisa Alther? Well, I don't know the answer to that question, because I don't read chick-lit. I haven't since the 70's, anyway.

What about you?

Posted by Keris on February 16, 2007 in Book related, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (26)

FRIDAY FLICK: Pride and Prejudice

As promised threatened, this week’s Friday Flick is a Jane Austen adaptation. Or rather, the Jane Austen adaptation: Andrew Davies’s Pride & Prejudice.

Starring Colin Firth as Mr Darcy and Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet, this really is the definitive mini-series. Perfectly cast and charmingly acted and with the added bonus of the Firth/Darcy wet-shirt-out-of-the-lake-scene, it’s pure entertainment from start to finish.

If you haven’t seen it, what on earth are you waiting for? Get some drinks, snacks, pyjamas and curl up for a weekend’s viewing. I promise you won’t regret it.

Related posts: Flirting with Pride and Prejudice / Darcymania! / Jane Austen's Guide to Dating

Posted by Keris on February 16, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (3)

February 15, 2007 2:33 PM

Munchkin's Bookshelf

I asked you last week about your favourite independent bookshops and Susan Helene Gottfried recommended this one, Munchkin's Bookshelf, which looks fantastic. And not just because it looks like Meg Ryan's shop in You've Got Mail.

Any other recommendations?

Posted by Keris on February 15, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (1)

February 14, 2007 3:51 PM

Romantic Novel of the Year Award shortlist announced

The Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year shortlist has been announced:

A Step in the Dark by Judith Lennox
Beyond the Blue Hills by Katie Flynn
Iris & Ruby by Rosie Thomas
Learning by Heart by Elizabeth McGregor
The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook by Matt Dunn
Welcome to the Real World by Carole Matthews

No, you didn't read that wrong, there is a man on the list. Matt Dunn is only the sixth man to make the shortlist in the prize's history. The winner will be announced on 27th April.

If you've read any of the above, don't be afraid to let us know what you thought.

Posted by Keris on February 14, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

Win a trip to New York

Marian Keyes has a new website for Anybody Out There. Along with a biography, FAQ*s, character profiles (for all the Walshes!), there's also a chance to win a trip to New York: two return flights, four nights accommodation and a discount card for Macy's. Plus 10 runners-up will receive a set each of all Marian's books signed by Marian! The closing date is 4 March 2007.

Oh and don't forget the Funny Side of Love weekend this weekend on E! and Paramount (in the UK).

*Asked what she's reading at the moment, Marian admits she's currently "mildly obsessed with Michael Connolly," as is Megan Crane!

Posted by Keris on February 14, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, Competition, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 13, 2007 8:14 AM

Most borrowed library books

I do love to read the list of the books most frequently borrowed from British libraries, even if it's not exactly representative of the reading public in general. When I Yay or Nay'd it a couple of weeks ago, you were all adamant that libraries should remain free to use, but the list suggests that the older and younger generations are the keenest library users.

The three most popular authors in libraries last year were Jacqueline Wilson, James Patterson and Josephine Cox. The only chick lit to make the list was Karen Quinn's The Ivy Chronicles, but Jodi Picoult's My Sisters Keeper was at number 38 and The Pact at 91, The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Nifenegger was at 83 and Penny Vincenzi's Sheer Abandon at 85.

The remainder of the list was made up of crime, sagas and Danielle Steel. What was at number one, I hear you ask ... The Da Vinci Code. Surprise!

Posted by Keris on February 13, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

SPOTLIGHT: Adele Parks

Imagine my surprise when I realised we hadn't featured Adele Parks, one of the most successful authors of the last ten years!

Adele Parks was born in the North-east of England and read English Language and Literature at Leicester University.  After university she spent a year teaching English in Italy.

Back in the UK, she moved to London and started a career in advertising. After moving to Botswana for a couple of years, she continued in advertising and, in her spare time, wrote Playing Away, partly as a way of coping with five deaths in her family, including her grandfather.

Adele sent an incomplete version of Playing Away to an agent who asked to see the whole thing. Adele spent the next six months writing the rest of the book, which subsequently became the biggest selling debut of the millennium!

Adele has enjoyed five subsequent bestsellers and has been published in fourteen different countries. Her seventh book, Young Wives' Tales, will be released in April.

Adele lives in Guildford, Surrey, with her husband and son, and is working on book number eight.

Carry on over the cut for Adele's bibliography and some more book cover snaps!

Playing Away
Game Over
Larger Than Life
The Other Woman’s Shoes
Still Thinking Of You
Husbands

 

Posted by Keris on February 13, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 12, 2007 10:12 AM

MOVIE NEWS: Bronte

If you're still unsure about Anne Hathaway as Jane Austen, how do you feel about Michelle Williams (Dawson's Creek's Jen) as Charlotte Bronte?

Bronte the movie is due to begin filming this year and, along with Michelle Williams, stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers (from Bend it Like Beckham) as Bronte brother Branwell, Nathalie Press as Emily Bronte and Emily Barclay as Anne Bronte.

Funnily enough, the entire cast listed on IMDb is British, apart from Ms Williams.

Posted by Keris on February 12, 2007 in Book related, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (4)

February 8, 2007 5:45 PM

What's your favourite bookshop?

This piece in Galleycat yesterday on declining sales in independent bookshops inspired me.

You've shared your feelings about independents before and I also asked about your ideal bookshop, so today I thought I'd ask you to recommend your favourite independent bookshops.

And just so you don't think I'm trying to get you to do my job for me, I've started us off with one of mine (oh yes, I've got more than one) ... over the cut.

I haven't been to this shop, but I only need to go on the Olivia & Co website to feel relaxed. It's a used bookstore in Picton, Ontario - I've actually been to Picton, but didn't find out about the shop until afterwards! - with over 20,000 books and, judging by the photo gallery, a resident cat.

Posted by Aigua Media on February 8, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (5)

February 7, 2007 11:08 AM

Hollywood cupcake competition - the result!

Remember the Hollywood Cupcake Competition author Ellen Meister was running to promote her debut novel, Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA? Well, Ellen kindly let us in on the result.

Here's the question that was put to the women taking the survey:
 
In Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA, a Hollywood studio announces plans to shoot a major motion picture in the local schoolyard. When the women in the town learn that it means they might have a chance to meet George Clooney, decorum crumbles like a cupcake from last week's bake sale. What if this was your home town? If you could choose which Hollywood leading man you'd most like to offer your cupcakes to, who would it be?

Carry on over the cut for the shocking (at least, I think so) outcome.

The top five:
 
1. Matthew McConaughey (39%)

2. George Clooney (21%)

3. Patrick Dempsey (15%)

4. Orlando Bloom (12%)

5. Johnny Depp (9%)

Receiving less than 1% each: Antonio Banderas, Tom Cruise, James Denton, Jamie Foxx, Adrian Grenier, Brad Pitt, Denzel Washington

I mean, I wouldn't say no to any of them, but Matthew McConaughey trouncing Gorgeous George? Say it’s not so. Perhaps the respondents misunderstood the question. Maybe they’d offer actual cupcakes to Matthew and something much tastier to George.

Oh, now I’m all a-fluster ...

Related posts: Friday Flick: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days / George Clooney movie news: The Innocent Man / Reading Grey's Anatomy / Johnny Depp buys books

Posted by Keris on February 7, 2007 in Book related, Girly Stuff | Permalink | Comments (4)

February 5, 2007 10:28 AM

Jenny Colgan's fave restaurant

Rootling through the giant stack of magazines cluttering up my office, I found a snippet in Red magazine about Jenny Colgan’s favourite restaurant. “I always have the oysters, fish soup and fish pie at J Sheekey,” Jenny says. “I also love The Wolseley. The delicious cakes make it great for breakfast and I like it when they draw a heart on your cappuccino froth.”

It all sounds lovely, but I think it might be a bit out of the price range of most of Jenny’s readers. Last time I was in London I ate in Ed’s Diner ...

Related posts: Jenny Colgan's wedding cake / Talking to Addison review / Do You Remember the First Time review / Where Have All the Boys Gone review

Posted by Keris on February 5, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 2, 2007 5:28 PM

The Bad Mother's Handbook on ITV

A dramatisation of Kate Long's The Bad Mother's Handbook will be shown on ITV later this month. As you can see the book's been give a new - and very pink - tie-in cover.

With a fantastic cast including Catherine Tate and Anne Reid, it sounds like must-see TV. Read more about filming (and have a look at the pics) at Kate Long's website.

And we'll let you have more details as soon as we know them ourselves.

Posted by Keris on February 2, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

More Marian Keyes TV news

You all know how much we love Marian Keyes here at Trashionista. I’m hoping every last one of you has already signed up for her monthly newsletter (why wouldn’t you? It’s one of the highlights of my month!), but just in case you haven’t it’s chock-full of info for Feb.

As we’ve already mentioned, the paperback of Anybody Out There will be out in the UK and Ireland in the next few days.

Marian will be appearing on Loose Women on ITV on February 8th and Five News and BBC Radio 2’s The Weekender on February 9th.

If you’re in Brazil (and if you are in Brazil, please leave a comment and let us know), Marian will be interviewed on Almanaque, from Globonews (the news channel of Globo Network) on February 16th.

Related post: Marian Keyes TV weekend / Sushi for Beginners on Oneword Radio

Posted by Keris on February 2, 2007 in Book related, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 30, 2007 2:49 PM

Sushi for Beginners on Oneword Radio

Marian Keyes's novel Sushi for Beginners is being read by actress Niamh Cusack on Oneword Radio. I didn't find out about it in time to let you know about the first episode, but the second (of ten) is broadcast this afternoon at 4.00pm (GMT). Daily broadcasts are 12.00am, 8.00am and 4.00pm and you can listen online (UK only, unfortunately).

Related posts: Marian Keyes TV weekend / Trashionista recommends: Oneword Radio

Posted by Aigua Media on January 30, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nora Roberts' Lifetime movies

American romance author Nora Roberts is nowhere near as popular here as she is in the US (though her inclusion in the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year longlist shows she's gaining strides). Assisting Roberts' domination in the States is the women's television network Lifetime, which has turned four of her novels - Angels Fall, Blue Smoke, Montana Sky and Carolina Moon - into Lifetime Original Movies.

You can find tons of information on the movies, the books, the cast and Nora Roberts herself (along with a 'spot Nora' competition and blog) on the Lifetime website. [via Publishers Weekly]

Posted by Aigua Media on January 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Movie News, Romance, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

SPOTLIGHT: Fiona Walker

Born in 1969 in West Berkshire, Fiona Walker read Theatre Studies at university before going on to work in advertising.

During six weeks off work to recuperate from a kidney infection, Fiona started writing because she couldn't find anything she wanted to read. She gave up her job to finish writing the book which became French Relations and was published in 1993 - thus predating an awful lot of the books credited with being the first chick lit book.

Fiona has now written nine novels and lives in the Cotswolds.

Carry on over the cut for Fiona's bibliography.

French Relations
Kiss Chase
Well Groomed
Snap Happy
Between Males
Lucy Talk
Lots of Love
Tongue in Cheek
Four Play

Check out Fiona's lovely website.

Posted by Keris on January 30, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Romance, Series, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 29, 2007 2:04 PM

Romantic Novel of the Year Award longlist announced

The longlist has been announced for the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award for 2007. The only Trashionista fave to make it is Katie Fforde's Practically Perfect and the list seems focussed more towards women's fiction than chick lit. You can see the full list here.

The shortlist will be announced on 13th February, and the winner (who receives £5,000) on 27th April.

Posted by Keris on January 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

Free online novel

Author and journalist Bill Stephens is publishing his novel, Horizons Past, online for free. Along with a new chapter each week, the website also features a forum where you can "comment, critique, offer plot revisions, or just chat."

Stephens calls his style "Nicholas Sparks with a sense of humor" and the book’s premise sounds entertaining:

Take "Notting Hill" (1999 movie with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant - Hollywood actress falls for the owner of a small travel book store in London's Knotting Hill area) and set it on the Texas Coast, add substance, a sand poet, intrigue, a hurricane, and a pinch of Anna Karinina (sic), and you have the story line. Cultures collide and humor abounds when the movie star (think Sandra Bullock) encounters the reclusive Texas beach sand poet (think Harrison Ford).

[via Publishers Lunch]

Related post: Read mum-lit novel The Mummybiz online... as it's written

Posted by Keris on January 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 26, 2007 5:13 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Secretary

Adapted from a short story by Mary Gaitskill, Secretary is a very peculiar film and not exactly chick lit, as I’m sure you can tell from the cover. If I tell you that when me and my husband saw it at the cinema (we got free tickets) there was just the two of us and two single men watching it alone, you might get more of an idea ...

It stars the wonderful Maggie Gyllenhaal as Lee Holloway who gets her first job as a secretary to a lawyer, Mr Grey (James Spader) after being released from a clinic for self-harming. Impressed by his masterful behaviour, she begins a dominant/submissive affair with him, but when he loses interest she realises she’s going to have to go further to get him back. Luckily she’s a bit barmy so it’s not much of a problem.

The lasting impression I had of this film was that it wasn’t as mucky as it pretends to be and that Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader are both brilliantly weird and weirdly brilliant. I watched it again recently and it was actually both a bit more graphic and funnier than I remembered, but it’s still worth watching for their performances and to see a woman find herself in a way you may never have imagined.

Friday Flick archives

Posted by Keris on January 26, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (0)

Oprah’s latest bookclub choice

Is The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier.

While this is I’m sure an interesting and well-written memoir, I’m kind of put off by the fact that Sidney Poitier is one of Oprah’s closest friends, but should I be? What do you think?

Posted by Keris on January 26, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Opinion, Television | Permalink | Comments (2)

How much for a review?

You’ve heard of vanity publishing, how about vanity reviewing? Online magazine Slate reports that Amazon.com's print-on-demand division, BookSurge, offers a 'personally crafted review written by "New York Times bestselling author, Ellen Tanner Marsh"' to authors for $399.

We’ve discussed before whether online reviews can be trusted and now, with this news, it seems they really can’t.

Posted by Keris on January 26, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 23, 2007 4:47 PM

Meet the Author

We've linked to Meet the Author quite a few times here at Trashionista and now author and journalist William Leith writes entertainingly in The Guardian about his experiences recording his own 90 second pitch and reveals it costs publishers £400 to get one of their authors featured.

So what do you think? Is it £400 well spent or would you rather authors stayed at home in their pyjamas?

Posted by Keris on January 23, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

SPOTLIGHT: Elizabeth Noble

This week's spotlight shines on one of the most popular new chick lit authors, Elizabeth Noble.

Born in 1968, in Buckinghamshire, Elizabeth spent part of her childhood in Toronto, Canada. After returning to the UK, she attended Oxford, graduating in 1990 with a BA (Honors) in English language and literature.

Over the next six years she worked in the editorial, marketing, publicity, and sales departments of several big publishing houses.

After her marriage in 1996, she took a career break to have her two daughters. When her youngest was ready to go to nursery school - and under the threat of having to go back to work - Elizabeth wrote a hundred pages of The Reading Group, which subsequently sold at the first attempt on the basis of 100 pages and a synopsis.

Published in January 2004, The Reading Group went straight to the number one in The Sunday Times’s bestseller list and has since sold almost a quarter of a million copies in the UK.

Elizabeth has followed her debut with The Tenko Club (which was nominated for the RNA Romantic Novelist of the Year Award 2005) and Alphabet Weekends. She lives with her husband and children in Surrey.

Carry on over the cut for Elizabeth’s bibliography and the chance to win a holiday in Vegas!

The Reading Group
The Tenko Club (called The Friendship Test in the US)
Alphabet Weekends

US readers can have a go at winning a weekend for two in Las Vegas on Elizabeth’s American website.

Did you know? Elizabeth’s favourite modern author is Armistead Maupin. "I read the entire Tales of the City series in about a week fifteen years ago, and I re-read them every few years. I love them more every time." [via HarperCollins]

Find out about more of Elizabeth’s favourite books here.

Posted by Keris on January 23, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

Support a Trashionista Part 4

Friend of Trashionista, Jenny Gardiner is down to the final four in the American Title contest. Congratulations, Jenny! Voting runs till 4 February and if she makes it through, she'll be in the finals.

To vote, send an email and put SLEEPING WITH WARD CLEAVER in the subject line.

Posted by Keris on January 23, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 22, 2007 10:20 AM

JK Rowling is second richest woman in entertainment

It's possible that you may be sick of hearing about just how rich JK Rowling is, but I'm fascinated by it. According to Forbes magazine, she's the world's second richest "woman in entertainment" with an estimated fortune of more than £500million. She is the only British woman to feature in the magazine's list of the top 20 richest female stars, which also includes Martha Stewart, Madonna and Bridget Jones herself, Renee Zellweger. Who's number one? Why Oprah, of course. [via The Independent]

Related post: Harry Potter tipped to die (sob)

Posted by Keris on January 22, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

MOVIE NEWS: Eloise in Paris

We recently told you about the new animated series based on Kay Thompson's Eloise picture books and it now seems there is a live-action feature film on the cards. Eloise in Paris is to be directed by Calendar Girls director Nigel Cole and will follow the precocious six-year-old’s hunt for a stolen dress during Paris Fashion Week.

Shooting will take place this year in Paris, New York and London and the movie is scheduled for a spring 2008 release. [via Publishers Weekly]

Posted by Keris on January 22, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Fashion-Lit, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 21, 2007 11:55 AM

BOOK NEWS: Don't Chew Jesus!

Okay, you HAVE to admit that title's got you intrigued!

You remember we enjoyed Welcome to Wisteria Lane, This is Chick Lit and Flirting with Pride and Prejudice? Well, the publishers of those great titles have a new book with a more... religious (sacrilegious?) theme: Don't Chew Jesus. It's about people's experiences of Catholic education - sad, odd or just plain funny, such as the nun who told one contributor during mass, "Don't chew Jesus! Suck on him instead..." 

Okay then.

Read an excerpt here.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 21, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 19, 2007 5:34 PM

Judging Danielle Steel books by their covers

Coo, posts about Danielle Steel on Trashionista are like buses ... none forever and then two come along at once (I know it’s meant to be three, but one was cancelled due to bad weather. Sorry, it’s been a long day).

On her Southern Comfort blog, author Karin Gillespie pointed out that Ms Steel’s latest book, Sisters, has been given a chick lit-style cover. Well, you know how much I love debating book covers so I had to check it out. I would say it was more women's fiction than chick lit (and if you want to know the difference, don't ask me), and it reminded me of Jojo Moyes's covers.

 

It did make me wonder when Steel's covers were last redesigned - she seems to have had the same style for ages - so I did some investigating ... Carry on over the cut for more covers, plus Danielle gets raunchy!

This is what the covers looked like when I started reading Danielle Steel:

Then they got a bit simpler:

And then a bit generic:

And they pretty much stayed that way until her 2006 book, HRH, with which her publisher seemed to be trying to attract Penny Vincenzi fans.

 

But then I spotted her other new book, Bungalow 2, the cover for which is even more of a departure and reminds me a little bit of another, much saucier, author. What do you think?

 

Posted by Keris on January 19, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Romance | Permalink | Comments (6)

Dawn Annandale: another author bends the truth

Well, who'd have thought it?! Another day, another "non-fiction" writer's truth-telling credentials called into question...

Dawn Annandale, author of the sensational memoir, or rather 'memoir' Call Me Elizabeth (about her time working as a prostitute in order to get out of debt), has admitted that she lied to police about a rape charge in an attempt to delay court proceedings against her.  A nifty trick which cost the taxpayer a cool £15,000...

Annandale's next book, Call Me Madam, is out later this year and will apparently not surprisingly now be marketed as FICTION.

Related: Augusten Burroughs latest author to face accusations of lying   

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 19, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink

BOOK REVIEW: A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews

I loved Miriam Toews's earlier novel, A Boy of Good Breeding, so I was excited to pick up A Complicated Kindness, which I'd heard a lot of great things about, although I had no idea of the storyline.

It's set in a Mennonite community in Canada in (I think) the early '80s (dates are deliberately sketchy). Mennonites are a religious sect of the 'are they a cult or aren't they?' variety and as Toews was brought up Mennonite I can only assume she is drawing heavily on her own experience with this story of a disillusioned sixteen-year old girl, fed up of her isolated life in a dead-end town in which all forms of fun and self-expression are heavily frowned-upon.

To add to main character Nomi's sense of alienation, her mother and sister ("the better looking half of our family") are missing, her best friend is bed-bound in hospital and she feels disconnected from her boyfriend. Plus she's failing in school and her only prospect for a future career seems to be snapping necks at the local chicken factory...

Cheery, no?

I was surprised by how different this was to her earlier book - it's a much bleaker story and although it has first-person narration instead of third-person as in A Boy... I felt much less connected to Nomi than the characters in that book. I was also disappointed with the way not much seemed to change, and nothing really happens!

It's all pretty gloomy, although intelligently written with great use of language and some wonderful moments of black humour. I also totally believed in the characters and admired the way Miriam Toews created narrative tension out of very little action! But I felt let down by the book's ending.

I wanted to love this book, but instead I just liked and admired it, in a slightly detached way.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try A Boy of Good Breeding by Miriam Toews.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 19, 2007 in Book related, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

FRIDAY FLICK: Heartburn

Anyone who's so much as blinked at Trashionista over the last few months should have picked up on the fact that Keris and I love Nora Ephron. A lot. So it was only a matter of time before her 1986 adaptation of her classic novel Heartburn became a Friday Flick.

As in the book, it's the story of Rachel Samstat, a Washington, DC-based cookery writer and stay-at-home-mum who discovers her husband is cheating on her whilst she's heavily pregnant with their second child. Key Lime Pie-throwing ensues...

I think there's a real advantage in authors adapting their own work, as this film shows: some material is cut and situations changed a little, but it's very faithful to the book and doesn't lose much in translation. Jack Nicholson isn't quite the traitorous Mark I imagined, looks-wise, but he pulls off the role well, and Meryl Streep is pretty much perfect as the naive Rachel. Plus Stockard Channing's in it, which is never a bad thing!

Heartburn the film is not quite as fast-paced and funny as the book, but it certainly holds its own, and is a good, slightly quirky choice of chick-flick for a cosy Friday night in.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 19, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK NEWS: Isabel Losada's 'Men!'

Non-fiction author Isabel Losada, who normally concerns herself with global issues, self improvement and reasons to be glad has a new, more romantically-themed book due for release here at the end of April.

Called 'Men!' her working subtitle was 'Where the **** are they?!' but she's now settled on 'Forget the fiction! Where are the interesting and available men?' (Answers on a postcard, please...)

On her blog she discusses the vexed issue of covers, and why she picked red rather than white (less self help-looking, apparently).

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 19, 2007 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Romance, Self development | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 18, 2007 4:06 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Danny Wallace

Ah, Danny Wallace. How I love him. I adored both of his books - Join Me and Yes Man, so I was excited to hear that film versions of both books are in the pipeline.

What’s possibly even more exciting is that Jack Black will be playing Danny in Yes Man and Frank Cottrell Boyce (author of the utterly brilliant Millions) is writing the script for Join Me. So many of my favourite men, together at last. [via Evening Telegraph]

Posted by Keris on January 18, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Movie News, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (7)

THURSDAY THREE: The ABCs of chick lit

How do you write a chick lit book? How do you even know where to begin? Well, why not start with A and work your way up to Z? What am I going on about? Well, for this week’s Thursday Three I’ve chosen three books based around the alphabet.

The first is Elizabeth Noble’s Alphabet Weekends in which heartbroken Natalie’s best friend Tom suggests they each take it in turns to select an activity for the two of them to try, following the letters of the alphabet ... hence Alphabet Weekends.

Secondly, we have Not Married, Not Bothered by Carol Clewlow, which is styled as an alphabetical guide to what it means to be a spinster, but is actually a cleverly written story spanning thirty years of single life.

Carry on over the cut for the third book.

The final book is a novel told in encyclopaedia format - Something Beginning With by Sarah Salway. The alphabetised entries tell the story of Verity Bell, a young woman dealing with a tricky boss, a troubled love life, and life alone after the death of her parents a few years earlier. 

Posted by Keris on January 18, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (6)

Eva Mendes needed big boobs for comic book role - apparently

Actually, I think the word she used was "bajoongas"...

Bookslut is scathing of  the choice of Mendes for the upcoming* film adapatation of  graphic novel Ghost Rider. Especially as the gorgeous star recently admitted she'd put on weight for the film specifically to enhance her chest size:

"The original Roxanne was blonde and blue-eyed, but also had huge bajoongas... I figured since I can't be blonde and blue-eyed, I'll at least have her bra size. So the bajoongas got big. They were out of control!" 

Don't say we don't bring you the need-to-know news, people!

*February in the US, March in the UK.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 18, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Movie News, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (4)

BOOK REVIEW: Cause Celeb by Helen Fielding

Helen Fielding put her pre-novelist experience working for Comic Relief to good use by writing a book about aid work in Africa (don't worry, it's not as worthy as it sounds!) Cause Celeb was her debut novel, and never captured the public imagination in the same way Bridget did, but it still boasts the same humour and charm as her Miss Jones novels...

Rosie Richardson is tired of her Daniel Cleaver-ish TV presenter boyfriend and so makes the dramatic decision to chuck it all and head off to work in Africa. But after four years helping to keep a refugee camp going, disaster strikes when drought and famine hit the region. She has no choice but to return to London, and try to use her former 'connections' in television to put together a star-studded celebrity charity appeal...

Although perhaps a little far-fetched at times, this storyline certianly works better than Olivia Joules, where I didn't feel a chick-lit girly girl and a terorist plot blended at all well...

Here, Fielding's knowledge of the subject shines through, and she has some serious points to make, which she does in a very non-zealous way, meaning the reader really learns something. This is a book with much more to say than Bridget Jones's Diary, which is perhaps why it didn't do as well! But I think all Fielding fans will enjoy it as it's witty and very well-written, and has a touch of romance too - something of a hidden gem, in fact.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Sundowners by Lesley Lokko

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 18, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

How to write a book review... kind of

This wry little piece by Miles Kington in The Independent at first seems like it tells you how to write a book review... but is actually poking fun at reviewers's egos!

See, some of us can laugh at ourselves... and actually, it probably would work as a guide! (I'm sure I've done some of those things before... oops).

[Via B2B].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 18, 2007 in Book related, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

Karen Quinn competition

Ivy Chronicles and Wife in the Fast Lane author Karen Quinn is running a contest with some fantastic prizes and for once, it seems to be open to entrants from all over, not just the United States.*

Submit a one-liner ("I knew I was living in the fast lane when ..."), a video or an essay on the subject of "life in the fast lane" to win prizes including jewellery, gift certificates, and the opportunity to have a character named after you in Karen Quinn’s next book.

And that’s not all. The top 10 winners of the essay and one-liner categories will win conference calls with Karen Quinn and her editor, "to discuss any aspect of writing and selling your book." For the video category it’s a call with screenwriter Tracey Jackson.

The deadline is 15 February so get to work! [via Galleycat]

* at least, I couldn’t see anything in the rules stating only open to US citizens, and the site allowed me to register to enter ...

Posted by Keris on January 18, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 17, 2007 1:58 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Back on Monday, I told you that Anne Hathaway will play Jane Austen in an upcoming film about the classic author's young life called Becoming Jane.

So we now have Americans portraying Jane Austen, Beatrix Potter and ultimate chick-lit heroine Bridget Jones.

But should they? Is it necessary in order to pull in crowds at the box office? Does it matter, as long as the accent - I mean performance - is good? Or should we be giving British actresses more of a chance? (And if you're American, what do you think?)

Americans playing classic English heroines - tell us, 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!]

Photo courtesy of BBC online.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 17, 2007 in Book related, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Movie News, New Releases, Opinion, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (7)

Book clubs - not just for books?

Anyone who knows me will laugh/nod their head in recognition when I say that I'm far too much of a control freak to be in a book club and have other people set my reading list. Plus, I have way too many books lined up to review! But there's no denying their popularity, and I have enjoyed some of the books about book clubs. (This one more than this one, which I found shocking in its pro-life propaganda - but that's anther story!) And if it's good enough for Rory Gilmore, it can't be a bad idea...

But a recent post on the Galleycat book blog suggested that book clubs are more about gossiping, or wine-drinking, or problem solving than actually talking about books! I can see that might be the case if you're with a group of good girl friends, but perhaps not so much if you're part of a group at say, your local library... Apparently clubs are now evolving to include meals, movie adaptations and other social activities (so more of a get-together than a 'book club' then...)

Are you part of a book club? Do you actually read and discuss the books, or does your attention wander? We'd love to know!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 17, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (3)

Marian Keyes TV weekend

Marian Keyes’ publisher, Penguin, has agreed a deal to sponsor a weekend of programming on the Paramount and E! television channels (neither of which I have - curses!) to coincide with the paperback launch of Anybody Out There (on 8 February).

The weekend of special programming will be called "The Funny Side of Love" and will take place on 17-18 February. Shows to be shown include Ally McBeal and Sex and the City and there will also be a 30-second promotional spot featuring Marian, along with details of the book and a competition to win a trip to New York (woo-hoo!). [via Revolution]

Posted by Keris on January 17, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, New Releases, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 16, 2007 3:02 PM

Lovely Penguin pencils and more

New year, new pencils ... and mugs ... and teatowels. Aren't they gorgeous? I've got a few mugs, but I really want the pencils now. There's nothing nicer than a pile of freshly-sharpened pencils, is there?

Related posts: Book bags / The Self Shelf / Reading is Sexy t-shirt / Nancy Drew stationery / MP3 player cases / Moving Sense toolkits

Posted by Keris on January 16, 2007 in Book related, Girly Stuff | Permalink | Comments (1)

MOVIE NEWS: The Time Traveler's Wife

What have directors Steven Spielberg, David Fincher and Gus Van Sant got in common? They’ve all considered - and rejected - the film version of Audrey Niffenegger’s novel The Time Traveler’s Wife. German director Robert Schwentke (who directed Jodie Foster’s Flightplan) is now apparently on board. [via Reuters]

Mean Girls’ Rachel McAdams is in negotiation to star as Clare. Still no sign of a male lead. Any ideas?

Posted by Keris on January 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Romance | Permalink | Comments (4)

Meryl Streep wins Golden Globe for 'Prada' portrayal

Meryl Streep's star turn as boss-from-hell Miranda Priestly in hit chick-lit film adaptation The Devil Wears Prada has earned her a Golden Globe award for best actress in a comedy film, reports the BBC.

Most deserved, I must say - good on ya, Mezza!

Devil Wears Prada archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Devil Wears Prada, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK REVIEW: Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

I have not survived against all odds.

I have not lived to tell.

I have not witnessed the extraordinary.

This is my story.

So begins this wonderful book.

Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life is Amy Krouse Rosenthal's autobiography - kind of. It's an alphabetised account of her experiences and thoughts on life, large and small, interspersed with a chronology of her life experiences, from how she came up with the idea of the book ('evolution of this moment') to why she could never concentrate during Laverne and Shirley...

I love the odd touches throughout the book: from the photocopied documentation of Amy's attempts to get out of a parking ticket on the grounds of karma (read the book to find out if it worked) to the reader's agreement that begins with a standard 'you agree not to reproduce, replicate or reprint...' and continues to 'at the end of each page you agree to thrust your arms upward and emit a loud, staccato hey!') But although it's a very funny book it's not a superficial or silly one - Amy shares some very personal facts and difficult experiences, including unexpected deaths of loved ones. It's a completely absorbing read.

Although this was without doubt the best book I read in 2005, I've hesitated in reviewing in for this long because I wasn't sure I could do it justice. The only way to really grasp how great it is is to read it, but you can read excerpts on the book's own site. It's definitely quirky and might not be to everybody's taste, but I think most people will appreciate the witty chronicling, the dry humour, the superb writing and the occasional moments of real sadness and poignancy.

This is one of those brilliant books that makes you wish you'd written it yourself.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Cancer Vixen by Marisa Acocella Marchetto.

DID YOU KNOW? In a lovely gesture, if you read the book and love it, you can email the author via the site and tell her so - and she promises to write back individually and thank you (I've done this, and she's fab).

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Pulpwood Queens go Hollywood book festival

If you're in the Texas area, or can be this weekend, The Pulpwood Queens Go Hollywood! book festival ("where tiaras are mandatory and reading good books is the rule!")is being held in Marshall, Texas from 19-21 January. Excitingly for fans of Galleycat, book blog supremo Ron Hogan will be on one of the panels.

Here's a detailed schedule and more information (in pdf format).

And if you're more British-based, don't forget about Aye Write! in Glasgow this February.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 15, 2007 5:07 PM

Danielle Steel's perfume

I was excited to see, in an old(ish) issue of O Magazine, an advert for a new fragrance: Danielle by Danielle Steel. Yes, the one woman romance library has released a perfume! The "theme" of the fragrance is "Believe in Happy Endings" and the scent itself apparently reflects optimism, romance and intrigue.

It got me thinking: could any other authors have fragrances in the pipeline. How about Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner (who wouldn't buy that?)? Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie? Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella? Under the Duvet by Marian Keyes? Well, okay, maybe not.

Posted by Keris on January 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

Graphic novel film adaptations - the big earners and what we want to see next

We've talked before about the resurgence in popularity of comic books/graphic novels, with Jodi Picoult revamping Wonder Woman, Manga Romance and even a new graphic novel version of Wuthering Heights.

Plus there's Jennifer Crusie erm, writing about Wonder Woman underwear...

Here's a list of the most successful comic book film adaptations from 1978-present day. As you might suspect, women don't feature hugely, but maybe a new rumoured Wonder Woman movie starring Lorelei Gilmore (okay, Lauren Graham) could help change that...?

I'm also desperate for the film of Cancer Vixen to become a reality...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Movie News, New Releases, Recent Release, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

Lovely Bones and Jane Austen on publishing insider's list of books NOT to read

Okay, I can understand that some people didn't love The Lovely Bones, it certainly has its flaws... But topping a list of Books you shouldn't bother to read? No. No no noooooooo. And Austen too?!

Although I do agree about Brick Lane, as I got bored half-way through and took it back to the library - life's too short.

What's on your "don't bother" list?

[Via Galleycat].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Rubbish Books, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (12)

The Year of Magical Thinking on Broadway

Looks like Keris was right: The Play IS the thing. Fresh from the disaster of High Fidelity  Broadway is bouncing back with another book adaptation, this one a little less unconventional. Veteran author Joan Didion has adapted her hit book The Year of Magical Thinking into a monologue, to be performed by Vanessa Redgrave. The book (and play) is about how Didion coped with the sudden death of her husband and the terminal illness of her daughter in the same few months, so it's not exactly cheery, but is meditative rather than self-pitying. (Or so I hear - I've had my copy since October but haven't cracked the cover quite yet... it looks great though!) [Via Vanity Fair].

Related: The Glass Castle on stage

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

Debra Messing in The Starter Wife

The poor critical reaction to her turn in The Wedding Date - the film version of Liz Young's Asking for Trouble - obviously hasn't put Will and Grace's Debra Messing off chick lit; she's recently finished filming a mini series based on Gigi Levangie's novel The Starter Wife about the ex-wife of a Hollywood studio boss trying to get her life back on track.

Described as "a six hour television event," The Starter Wife will be shown on the USA Network in the, er, USA, but no news yet as to whether it will be shown in the UK. [via TMZ.com]

Posted by Keris on January 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 12, 2007 6:07 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Special Topics in Calamity Physics

Marisha Pessl's hugely successful and hugely hyped debut novel (nothing to do with the author's looks ... probably) has been optioned by no less than Miramax Films (and producer Scott Rudin). David Hare, who adapted Michael Cunningham's The Hours, is writing the screenplay.

No clues as to casting yet, but since the main character is a teenage girl, I'm thinking Lindsay Lohan or Keira Knightley, as usual. [via Galleycat]

Posted by Keris on January 12, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

Can I offer you some Seduction, for free?

Ha - bet that title woke you up on a dreary Friday afternoon (if not, nothing will...)!

I loved Catherine Gildiner's very funny memoir of her unusual Canadian childhood Too Close to the Falls, and now she's written a novel, called Seduction, which for some CRAZY reason isn't available in the UK yet. But you can read an excerpt on this website here, and I think it reads a bit like a Jennifer Crusie novel... which can only be a good thing.

Let's hope it hits these shores shortly!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 12, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Meri Sugarman, Psycho Queen by M. Apostilina

M. Apostilina's Meri Sugarman, Psycho Queen is another book that changed its name as it flew over the Atlantic: in America, it was called Hazing Meri Sugarman. But the story is the same: when Cindy Bixby moves away to university, she thinks that joining her mum's old sorority will be the perfect way for her to make new friends and to bond with her mother.

But although she knows getting into the sorority will be tough, she has no idea HOW tough, as the clearly psychotic sorority president Meri puts the wannabe sisters through their paces in a series of humiliating, outrageous and at times illegal dares, challenges and stunts. Cindy's torn between wanting to impress Meri, and wanting to challenge her supremacy, until Meri takes her humiliation a step too far, and Cindy vows to bring her down...

This is a really fun and very fast, well-written, snappily-paced novel which even manages to fit in a nice romantic sub-plot but it's only fair to warn you that the storyline is pretty farcical. Although the heroine is a university student, it reads much more like YA than grown-up chick lit. Which isn't to say it's not enjoyable all the same...

I wasn't that keen on the way Cindy kept putting herself down, but she grew in confidence by the end of the novel. What I did really like was the way everything was pretty nicely tied up in the last chapters - and yet there are sequels already on release in the US. I hate it when authors wimp out on a proper ending to make for the  sequel (Louise Rennison!) so I'm glad this is a good read in its own right.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Secret Society Girl by Diana Peterfreund.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 12, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (6)

FRIDAY FLICK: Clueless

A 1995 rom-com (very) loosely based on Jane Austen's Emma, Clueless is still Alicia Silverstone's best film to date, and even twelve years later makes a great chick flick. (Not that I'm biased or anything - I saw it twice at the cinema and several times on video. And I think maybe once on TV...)

Lead character Cher's mother died in a tragic liposuction accident when Cher was just a little girl, and so she's grown up with just her workaholic dad (he married again, briefly, but things didn't work out - they did however leave her with an ex-stepbrother, Paul Rudd, later Mike in Friends, who she loves to wind up). To fill the void in her life, Cher along with her best friend Dionne, like to 'help' other people - doing makeovers, match-making etc.

But when Cher meddles in the love-life of new friend Tai (Brittany Murphy, again) and gets it drastically wrong, she vows to become a better person - and give herself an inner makeover instead...

Sharp-witted, sweet, funny and only occasionally incomprehensible (the film has its own snappy teen-speak which Silverstone says brilliantly) this film ticks all the chick-lit boxes: fun, romantic, entertaining and it credits the audience with a brain. And if none of that appeals, then you'll still be amazed by Cher's computerised, revolving wardrobe!

The ending is more unexpected however, if you haven't yet read Emma... (The one time you'll hear me advocate not reading Austen!)

*DID YOU KNOW?* Dionne's boyfriend Murray is played by Donald Faison, who now stars in Scrubs.

*DID YOU KNOW?* There was a TV series of the film, which ran for three years from 1996 and featured all of the original cast except Alicia Silverstone (although Rachel Blanchard did a pretty canny impression of her!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 12, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

The perfect chick flick

Here at Trashionista, we love our chick flicks almost as much as we love chick lit, as evidenced by our weekly Friday Flick feature. So we were excited to read this in today's Guardian newspaper.

Not only is it an article about what makes the perfect chick flick, it's written by "chick-lit novelist" Emily Barr and includes comedy queen Jenny Colgan's top five chick flicks. (Comedy queen is right - Sleepless in Seattle instead of When Harry Met Sally? She's having a laugh.)

Posted by Aigua Media on January 12, 2007 in Book related, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (9)

Chick lit at the Aye Write festival

Chick lit fans in Scotland will be happy to hear about Glasgow’s Aye Write! book festival which will be running from 16 to 25 February. Over 100 authors are appearing including Sophie Kinsella, Jenny Colgan, Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, who will discuss the success of chick lit as well as ‘read from their new work and debate the future of the genre’ at a panel on Saturday 17th at 4pm.

Look out for a special "eyewitness" report from Trashionista’s girl in Glasgow, Nicola Pedley.

Posted by Keris on January 12, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 11, 2007 6:40 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Dating Amy by Amy DeZellar

Amy DeZellar's Dating Amy is a memoir of, as the subtitle says, "50 True Confessions of a serial dater".

Amy went on fifty dates (although not with fifty men!) and chronicled her adventures on her website, datingamy.com. Her goal was to get some paid writing work, maybe publish a book... and perhaps even find love, too.

And we know it worked at least partly, as here's the book of the experience, which she adapted from her dating blog...

Amy goes out with men she meets via internet dating sites, meets at parties or bars, and men her friends set her up with. Sometimes I wasn't clear why she was going on a second date with some of these men, as the first one had gone so horribly! It all makes for interesting reading though. (Could that be why...?)

The book looks at some perennial dating questions: is it nicer for a man to say he doesn't want to date you again after just one date - or better to ignore you forever more? Why are some men so great on paper and a let-down in real life? And are men really all about sex and women all about commitment?

There's nothing hugely original about the concept, we've had a raft of similar books, both fiction and non-fiction, about serial daters. But this book is an enjoyable addition to the genre, and although I sometimes felt frustrated with Amy's choice of man (!) and the fact that she often said she couldn't get any paid writing work (had she sent out freelance ideas? Anything? We never find out) I'm still glad she wrote this book, and even more glad Amy dated all those men... so no-one else has to!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Year of Yes by Maria Headley.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 11, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

NON-FICTION AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Hillary Carlip

Finally! The chance to sit down and speak to (okay, email with!) the very funny and talented Hillary Carlip in our second non-fiction author interview! (Find the first one here). Over to Hillary...

How would you summarise your book?

Well, let’s just say it took a lot of work with my publishers to come up with the summary on the back cover of the book. And it’s always easier to have someone else toot your horn rather than yourself! So here it is:

A hilariously offbeat memoir about an adventurous young woman's escapades as she defies conventions and transforms an ordinary Los Angeles life into a star-studded, extraordinary miracle of self-discovery. Queen of the Oddballs: And Other True Stories from a Life Unaccording to Plan forms a chronology of Hillary Carlip's habitual straying from roads more traveled -- from a wisecracking third-grader suspended from school for smoking (while imitating Holly Golightly), to a headline-making teen activist, juggler and fire eater, friend (NOT "fan") of Carly Simon and Carole King, grand prize-winning Gong Show contestant, cult rock star, and seeker of spiritual and romantic truths that definitely defy expectations. Illustrated with ephemera -- from diary entries and photographs to a handwritten letter from Carly Simon -- Queen of the Oddballs presents a virtual time capsule of pop culture's last four decades and celebrates a creative life lived to the hilt.

More from my favourite memoirist of 2006 over the cut!

What do you enjoy about writing non-fiction?

It’s important to me that whatever I write has the potential to inspire people – to live their lives more fully and creatively, and to embrace who they are. It feels easier for me to do that with non-fiction.

What's an average writing day like? (briefly!)

I personally need to flit. I prefer to focus for some time, then go do something else, then return to writing. It’s like when I learned how to juggle when I was a teenager. If you continue doing it for too long at one time, you’ll just start dropping everything. But if you leave and come back, there’s more focus.

What's your favourite novel by a woman?

As you may be able to tell by the stories in Queen of the Oddballs, I don’t like limiting myself, or narrowing anything down!! So it’s incredibly hard to pick one piece of writing as my favourite when there are countless books and authors I adore.

Who is your favourite female character (fictional or real), and why?

Same as the last question. Impossible to pick just one! However, I will name one female character I definitely related to as a child, and is included in my book. Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Daring and darling, she shoplifted and had only one friend, her cat named Cat. She was strong and independent, saying things like: “You don't have to worry. I've taken care of myself for a long time," and had such a unique sense of style.

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

I’m working on several projects. One is a top-secret novel, the other is an anthology book of personal essays from my literary site, Fresh Yarn.

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!)

THIS ONE! For the last six months I have been doing scores of TV, radio, print, and web interviews. I can’t think of one question that’s not been asked… until yours. So, good job! Very original! :)

Thanks Hillary! (And that was Keris's idea!)

Interview archives / Non-fiction archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 11, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Interviews, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 10, 2007 7:40 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Take a wander over to brilliant books site bookburger to have a look at this book cover, for YA novel Anatomy of a Boyfriend.

Does it denigrate males? Is it offensive?

Or... do you like it?

Tell us: is it a Yay or Nay - and why!

Related: Judging books by their covers / Musical book covers / Colour in your own covers! / Yay or Nay archives.

[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 January 10, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (7)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Sue Hepworth and Jane Linfoot

Today*, a twofer! *(I was going to say 'for the first time...' then, but actually it's the second. But still exciting!)

Lovely authors Sue Hepworth and Jane Linfoot of Plotting for Beginners fame (which, if you've been paying attention, you'll remember I LOVED) are today's special double-feature in the one and only Trashionista author interview...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Sue: An intelligent comic novel looking wryly and drily at everyday domestic life and long-haul marriages.

J: Wry domestic novel, designed to make intelligent readers laugh and feel happy - chick-lit for hens.

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

S: In an empty room, in an empty house and preferably in an empty street.

J: In the kitchen/living room surrounded by domestic chaos.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

S: Bridget Jones' Diary (also Heartburn by Nora Ephron, written before chick-lit was invented.)

J: Bridget Jones' Diary (is that what everyone says?) [Diane - yep! see above... and also this]

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

S: Miss Piggy, because she is feisty, funny, passionate and glamorous, and she goes after what she wants, no holds barred.

J: Eddie from Ab Fab because she carries it off so brilliantly.

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

S: Write every day, learn to take criticism, and never give up your dream.

J: Go to Writing Workshops/Creative Writing Classes/a Writers' Group - you will gain invaluable stimulation and support from writing friends. When starting out write about what you know; this will give your writing an immediate authenticity. (You can get more ambitious later.) Go for it - you will be able to do it.

What are you reading at the moment?

S: Footfall by Christine Poulson - an atmospheric whodunnit set in Cambridge.

J: Back issues of Enjoy Your Bike Magazine.

Carry on over the cut for more from the talented twosome!

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

S: A Sheffield-based romantic comedy with quirky characters, but which has a serious side as well.

J: My love life, clearing out the garage, the plot for a new novel, and a piece on Cycling in France for Enjoy Your Bike Magazine.

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!)

S: Which book (by someone else) do you wish you had written? Leaving Home by Garrison Keillor, because it's funny, warm, wise, humane and timeless.

J: What did you enjoy reading as a child? I loved Enid Blyton.

Thanks Jane and Sue!

Interview archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 10, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Interviews, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

Harry Potter tipped to die (sob)

As you all surely heard just after Christmas, JK Rowling has announced the title of the seventh, and final, Harry Potter novel. According to The Guardian, bookmakers are convinced that she'll - say it isn't so! - kill Harry off in this final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Don't do it, JK!

PS: Of course you can pre-order the book already, and see a preview of the new HP movie, due July 7th, via Amazon UK's 'Harry Potter store'...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 10, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Series | Permalink | Comments (3)

The £4,000 book!

Much as I love books, I'd never, never ever even if I was a millionaire, pay £4,000 for one. (Spend that much on lots of different books? Possibly).

But there's obviously a market for exclusive luxury books, as niche publisher Gloria has announced the success of its first book (about Brazilian footie star Pele). The book was priced at £4,000 for a special edition and £1,000 otherwise. Gloria's next book, due in June, is called Superyachts...

To each his own!

[Via The Guardian].

Related: Amazon.com launches a podcast, Amazon founder launches rocket?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 10, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Opinion, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

See Notes on a Scandal for free

The current issue of Heat magazine (13-19 January 2007) has details of how you can see the movie adaptation of Zoe Heller's best-selling novel, Notes on a Scandal (titled What Was She Thinking? in the US) for free.

The film stars Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench and Bill Nighy and screenings take place next Tuesday (16th January) at Odeon cinemas across the UK.

Posted by Keris on January 10, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

What kind of reader are you?

We don't usually do quizzes here at Trashionista (we're too busy reading!) but this one was so appropriate I had to share. I agree with my result, except I wouldn't call myself a book snob.

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Dedicated Reader   You are always trying to find the time to get back to your book. You are convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more.
Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
Literate Good Citizen
Book Snob
Fad Reader
Non-Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Create Your Own Quiz

If you do it, let us know how you get on. [via Fluttering Butterflies]

Posted by Keris on January 10, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (4)

January 9, 2007 4:31 PM

Gay Regency romance... whatever next?!

Here's a new idea: A gay romance set in the time of Austen and the Brontes!

Standish, by an author called simply "Erastes", reveals another side to the era...

Related: How about some gay romance?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 9, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK NEWS: The Adultery Club

The Adultery Club is a new novel by Tess Stimson about... well, I guess adultery might feature! You can get a free preview of the book in this month's Red (the one with Teri Hatcher on the cover).

I haven't read mine yet, but I will as it's perfectly handbag-sized and I love cute little freebies  (more authors, take note!)

Oh, and it sounds interesting too, of course...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 9, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

The Crusie/Mayer writing workshop

This is exciting news: one of our all-time favourites Jenny/Jennifer Crusie and her collaborator Bob Mayer have launched an online writing workshop, set to run throughout the whole of 2007! (If that doesn't inspire you to write a brilliant chick-lit novel, what will?)

It's free to participate and you can ask questions and make relevant comments on each virtual lesson. Find out more here. The authors freely admit they're using the opportunity as prep for an upcoming writing book they're going to produce - but I don't think that's any bad thing!

Here's the course syllabus - scroll down for recent lessons.

[Via author Kate Harrison's blog].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 9, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

Gawker on Ann Brashares

Last week we told you about the final book in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, and now Gawker reminds us that it wasn’t Ann Brashares’ idea in the first place. They were inspired to point this out by a feature (and slideshow) on Brashares’ New York house in the New York Times and it’s well worth a look if you like nosying at people’s homes (and I really do). (After Brashares described the house as a "bargain," Gawker went on to learn it cost $3.65million. Ouch.)

All snark aside, in the NYT article, Brashares reveals that her first book for adults, The Last Summer (of You & Me) will be published in June. Let’s hope she came up with the idea for that one herself.

Posted by Keris on January 9, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Opinion, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

SPOTLIGHT: Chris Manby

I can't believe we haven't had a look at popular and prolific British author, Chris Manby.

Chris Manby grew up in Gloucester and published her first short story in Just Seventeen magazine at the age of fourteen. After studying psychology at Oxford, Chris met a New York psychic who told her she would write seven novels. Her first, Flatmates, was published two years later. Her eleventh, Marrying for Money, was published at the end of last year. (At least the psychic was part right!)

Chris now lives between London and Los Angeles and writes full-time.

Did you know? That as well as the novels under her own name, Chris has had several erotic novels published under the pseudonym Stephanie Ash.

Carry on over the cut for Chris's bibliography.

Flatmates
Second Prize
Deep Heat
Lizzie Jordan's Secret Life
Running Away from Richard
Getting Personal
Seven Sunny Days
Girl Meets Ape
Ready or Not
The Matchbreaker
Marrying for Money

See Chris talking about Girl Meets Ape at Meet the Author.

Posted by Keris on January 9, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Recent Release, Romance, Series, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 8, 2007 3:35 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Story of My Life by Jay McInerney

I didn't think I would like Jay McInerney. He was part of an '80s group of writers (along with the more famous Bret Easton Elis - author of American Psycho - and the less famous Tama Janowitz) known as the (literary) 'Brat Pack', who chronicled life in Manhattan in the decade of greed. I've also seen him in interviews and assumed from them that his books were anarchic but vapid, shallow cocaine-glorifying romps. Story of my Life proved me seriously wrong. Not that it isn't about drug use and shallow people - the novel features a lot of both - but it doesn't glorify either and offers some hope of escape by the end. It's also brilliantly sharply written and very, very funny.

Alison Poole is a twenty-year old aspiring actress living in New York City. Her rich father is supposed to be funding her education, but keeps flaking on her, so she has to survive on her wits (which she does brilliantly, if not always morally). She's quick-witted, clever, promiscuous and a regular drug-user who has seen and done too much, too young. Ye somehow McInerney also makes her sweet, charming and a wonderful narrator for this slice-of-life story...

Alison bursts onto the page and into your mind from the first sentence: "I'm like, I don't believe this s***." Then she holds your attention completely throughout this short but sweet (and occasionally sour) novel. I'm not someone who relishes reading about drugs and sex and cocaine (I edit a chick-lit website after all), so trust me when I say this book is brilliant. And it doesn't take things too far either - it might occasionally border on crude but is so funny and relate-able you don't care. Mostly it's about the emotional impact of such a lifestyle and it certainly doesn't glorify living the way Alison does.

It's bold, intelligent and as I said before, very very funny. It's definitely a different read to the books we usually cover, but I think most chick-lit fans will love it: it's about a strong, bright female heroine making her way in the world, despite the obstacles of her past. And who can't relate to that?

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Postcards from the Edge by Carrie Fisher.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 8, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, More On Monday, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (4)

Plum Sykes's brother publishes book... about his alcoholism

Yes, glam as former assistant to Vogue editor Anna Wintour and author of Bergdorf Blondes  and The Debutante Divorcee Plum Sykes's life may seem, for her brother Tom, the past few years have been a different story as he battled alcoholism.

Now recovered, he too has written a book, an aptly-named memoir of his experiences: What Did I Do Last Night?: A Drunkard's Tale. It's out in paperback on the 11th.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 8, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

MOVIE NEWS: Becoming Jane

A new film, Becoming Jane is about a twenty-year old Jane Austen and her romance with a young Irishman, and how he influenced her in the creation of the male characters in Pride and Prejudice. It stars James McAvoy, Dame Maggie Smith, Julie Walters and - gasp! - an American as Jane: Princess Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada star Anne Hathaway.

It should hit British screens on March 9th and I can. not. wait. to see it!

[Via The Sunday Times and Imdb.com]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 8, 2007 in Book related, Classic Novels, Devil Wears Prada, Girly Stuff, Movie News, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

"Step On It, Cupid" trailer

Remember we told you about VidLits, film-style trailers for books? Well there’s a new one on YouTube for Lorelei Mathias’s Step On It, Cupid. It stars Sarah Smart of At Home with the Braithwaites and Jane Hall and it’s funny, so I thought I’d share it with you all!

Posted by Keris on January 8, 2007 in Book related, Debut Novels, Romance, Technology | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 5, 2007 6:36 PM

Book challenges

Denise of fab book blog, Books in Bed has set herself a reading challenge for 2007. She’s going to read a book for each letter of the alphabet: from A Town Called Alice to Zoia’s Gold.

I set myself a 52 books challenge last year and I know that former Trashionista editor, Jenni, is going for a book-recommendation challenge so what about the rest of you? Any weird and wacky reading plans in your future? We’d love to hear about them.

Posted by Keris on January 5, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related | Permalink | Comments (5)

BOOK REVIEW: Did I Wake You? by Beth Lapides

Haiku have always appealed to me. With their rigid structure (seventeen syllables, in lines of 5/7/5) and sweet but meaningful observations, they're a true and somewhat under-appreciated artform.

Did I Wake You? by Beth Lapides is a collection of haiku about modern life. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of an old Japanese poetic form with modern subjects like terrorism, lip gloss and the cost of fertility treatments, written in English.

It's an inventive and brilliant idea. But does it work?

Yeah, it does! Not all of the haiku are genius - some are nice but don't have much point and there were some I just didn't get, but there are a lot of really entertaining poems here , and several which I found really meaningful. I had to admire Lapides's skill at conveying so much, so well, in so few words. It even compelled me to write my own haiku. But I'm not sure they'll ever be seeing the light of day - it's a lot harder than it looks.

Of  course I related to this one:

Stopped searching Google

Started searching my soul. It

said get back online.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Mixed by Angela Nissel.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 5, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Plotting for Beginners sites

Remember how much I loved Plotting for Beginners? Well, co-author Sue Hepworth has now updated her blog and main character Sally's blog, so I (and you!) have some great reading to catch up on - and to tide me over until the next book. What a treat for a Friday afternoon!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 5, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Recent Release, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

FRIDAY FLICK: Girl, Interrrupted

Aka: the film that won Angelina Jolie an Oscar (remember when she kissed her brother slightly incestuously to celebrate? Good times).

Girl Interrupted is adapted from Susanna Kaysen's memoir of the same name and is the story of her time in a mental institution in 1967. She "accidentally" downed a bottle of painkillers and more than a little alcohol and so has to have her stomach pumped and be institutionalised with a group of young women, all of whom seem considerably more disturbed than she is.

I found the book moving, funny and touching. But what about the film?

Well, the film is good too, and stands up on its own - it's more than just an adaptation, it's a story in its own right. I wouldn't say it's a movie you enjoy exactly, but considering it's about depression, more severe mental illness, the changing role of women, family issues and the start of Vietnam, it has great moments of humour and isn't bleak. There are some fabulous performances here - a pre-scandal Winona Ryder is overshadowed by Jolie (she's overwhelming at times, but seriously deserved the Oscar for best supporting actress) and a thoroughly disturbing Brittany Murphy (who's much better at serious stuff than the fluff she sometimes leans towards).

I believe it's on TV soon, and I'd recommend trying to catch it if you haven't seen it already. As our TV guide has sprouted legs yet again, I'm afraid I can't tell you when it's on (anyone know?) but keep your eyes out, 'cos it's definitely worth a watch.

DID YOU KNOW? Kaysen's follow-up, a book about her vaginal-health problems, was far less of a success - and thankfully, hasn't been made into a film! (Yet).

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 5, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Friday Flick, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (3)

Amazon.com launches a podcast, Amazon founder launches rocket?

It's all going on in Amazon-related shenanigans! When I read that the founder of Amazon.com had bought a rocket I began to realise I HAD been spending too much money there. Independents here I come! Maybe...

The good news is you can now listen to all things Amazon, for free - they've launched  a new monthly podcast called Amazon Wire, "an original, free podcast about books, music, movies, and those who create them." Sounds fun, no? You can download it or stream it via the site, and the first episode focuses on the best books, films and music of 2006.

[Via BBC News and Amazon.com]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 5, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Podcasts, Technology | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 4, 2007 6:39 PM

Augusten Burroughs latest author to face accusations of lying

Yep, another day, another hoax/faux-memoir accusation! Now Augusten Burroughs, whose autobiographical (or so he says) Running with Scissors divulged details of the weird and sometimes sordid time he spent living with his mother's psychiatrist and his family is facing a lawsuit from said family, who say his allegations have caused them stress, illness and irreparable harm to their reputations. They also say he lied. A lot. There's conflicting evidence and so it looks like we'll have to wait for the courts to decide on this one... Honestly. It's enough to make me swear off memoirs...

Well... almost!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (1)

Top 5 Beauty Books by our expert beauty book picker!

If you've been burying your head in a book (or reading Trashionista) far too much to even glance over at our sister site Kiss and Makeup, you've really been missing out. But you can make up for it now by heading over there to check out their Top 5 Beauty Books, as picked by beauty expert and KAMU editor Charlotte. I can never get the hang of foundation and am flummoxed by the beauty counters at Boots, so these could be some very useful guides for me!

Related post: Posh is a signing sensation .

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Everyman's Rules for Scientific Living by Carrie Tiffany

Carrie Tiffany's first book didn't catch my eye when it first came out: a weird title, a train on the front, a story about agriculture in Australia...? Didn't really seem that interesting! But then it got some great reviews and was shortlisted for the Orange Prize, and I almost always love Orange Prize-shortlisted books... so I thought I'd give it a try. And I'm very glad I did.

Everyman's Rules for Scientific Living is the story of  Jean, a seamstress with no family who joins the Better Farming Train, which travels round Western Australia at the end of World War One, educating farmers on new methods to increase productivity. She falls in love with the taciturn and meticulous scientist Robert and together they disembark to start a new life as crop farmers in a particularly isolated and barren part of the country.

Of course there wouldn't be a story if things are turned out wonderfully - they don't. The efficacy of Robert's new farming methods, which he's converted most of the town to, are drawn into question and Jean and his relationship is severely tested. The novel flicks between past and present day as we learn more about the main character's backgrounds and despite the hardships the novel covers, it's carried along at a light, breezy pace, propelled by a wry humour and peppered with moments of unbearable poignancy.

The book ends a bit suddenly, and I think it could have been longer and a bit more detailed at times. It could have continued for at least two or three more chapters! But it's still a great read as is, and one where you definitely shouldn't let the odd title put you off... Quirky, clever and educational, this is a great read.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewczykca.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 4, 2007 in Book related, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Love is... by Mike Gayle and Emlyn Rees

Joining two of Company magazine's regular male writers in the latest issue are lad-lit authors Mike Gayle and Emlyn Rees, getting all soppy as they talk about "Love is..." (their definitions of love, that is, not the kitschy/sickly cartoons of the same name). Mike Gayle apparently learned a lot about love from Oprah. Bless 'im.

Emlyn Rees and his wife and writing partner Josie Lloyd's newest book, The Seven Year Itch, will be released in hardback on 18 January.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 4, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

Harriet Klausner's a "freak"

When I did my own year-end ‘reckoning’* I was impressed to find I’d reviewed 57 books last year (out of 129 read). Feeling slightly less impressed today when I heard that Amazon reviewer extraordinaire Harriet Klausner has posted over 12,000 book reviews to the site. In this fascinating article about her she claims she’s a "freaky kind of speed-reader" who reads 4 to 6 books a day. [via Southern Comfort]

You were unconvinced about Amazon reviewers when we asked you about them, how do you feel about Harriet Klausner and her freaky speed-reading claims?

*apologies for the self-promotion!

Posted by Keris on January 4, 2007 in Book related | Permalink | Comments (3)

THURSDAY THREE: "Torn between two lovers ...

... feelin' like a fool, lovin' both of you is breakin' all the rules." Sorry, got a bit carried away with an oldie there. Chick lit is often criticised for being all about the heroine finding a man. And that's rubbish. Sometimes she finds two men and then has to choose between them!

My first pick of course has to be Bridget Jones’s Diary.* Daniel or Mark, Mark or Daniel? Who will she choose? (Indeed, who did she choose?) To begin with Bridget was attracted to her sexy but naughty boss over the much more reliable (yet equally sexy) Mark Darcy. She picked Mark, but then Daniel came back on the scene ...

* I was surprised to see we’ve only reviewed the film, not the book - but you’ve all read it anyway, haven’t you?

Janet Evanovich’s One for the Money is the first in the Stephanie Plum series (which has now reached Twelve Sharp). Along with introducing us to Stephanie, her wardrobe of spandex shorts, her pet hamster Rex and her highly dysfunctional family, we also meet Ranger, a fellow bounty hunter, and Joe Morelli, Stephanie’s first love. And, yes, eleven books and countless adventures and near-death experiences later, Stephanie is still trying to choose between them.

What will the third book be? Carry on over the cut to find out.

Jane Green’s Mr Maybe features Libby who is desperate to find a suitable man. She's not fussy, just as long as he's drop dead gorgeous, filthy rich, owns a large house and drives a flashy car. But then she meets Nick. He’s gorgeous enough - and he makes her laugh - but he's dirt poor. Just as she's beginning to despair, Ed walks in and it seems to Libby that her prayers have been answered. He ticks every box on her list ... and so what if he has a moustache - she can cope with that can't she? The story centres around Libby's relationships with the two men, and her struggle to decide on what actually matters in making a successful relationship.

Thursday Three archives

Posted by Keris on January 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Jane Green, Modern Fiction, Series, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 3, 2007 8:35 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

As the largest book retailer on the internet, we talk about Amazon a lot (and I bash my credit card there regularly, you won't be surprised to hear!) But who doesn't love a nice cosy independent bookshop, and who doesn't have sympathy for the plight of independent book store owners who are being rapidly pushed out of business by the big chains on the high street and the internet? A passionate suppporter of independent retailers, author George Walker has taken the unprecedented step of demanding that his book, Tales from an Airfield be pulled from Amazon, after they began stocking it without his knowledge. Says George: "What they are actually doing is getting the independents to do their market research. When a book gets a certain amount of attention, they will attempt to stock it and cut the independents out. Not with my book!"

What do you think - is this a meaningful protest? An important cause? Is it worth trying to stop the forces of capitalism? Will more authors do this? And should they?

Tell us what you think: is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

[Via Booktrade info]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 3, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Recent Release, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (4)

India Knight's diet book and dirty bits!

And if that title doesn't get your attention, nothing will... First, the diet book: Sunday Times journalist and chick-lit author (of My Life on a Plate, which I loved, and How do you Want Me? which I didn't) India Knight has teamed up with her friend and fellow slimmer Neris Thomas for a new book, designed to be a straightforward guide to weight loss - as reflected in the title: Neris and India's Idiot-Proof Diet Book. The Guardian does another fabulous Digested Read of the book (in the style of the original) here.

Secondly, The Dirty Bits for Girls is India's second new release, designed to raise your temperature! It's a compilation of all the memorable mucky bits from literature, for, well - girls. With a bit of commentary too, I think - if you're interested in that...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 3, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

MOVIE NEWS: Round up: Miss Potter, Motherless Brooklyn, Perfume... and more!

There are a LOT of books-turned-films out now or coming up this year! First, Miss Potter, Bridget Jones star Renée Zellweger's portrayal of iconic British children's author Beatrix Potter (which reunites her with Ewan McGregor) is out in UK cinemas as I write. As is Perfume, out later than expected, but getting some good reviews.

And there's exciting news for fans of Jonathan Lethem's hit novel about a detective with Tourette's, Motherless Brooklyn (Keris), which I haven't read yet, but hear only good things about. (Plus it won the prestigious American National Book Critics Award for Fiction). A screenplay is currently "in production", lined up to be written, directed by and starring the fantastically talented Edward Norton, so it should be a quality film, fingers crossed...

PLUS, Dakota Fanning, who has to be the hardest-working twelve-year old in the world, is about to star in a film of kid's classic Charlotte's Web, along with the voices of Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi and Oprah Winfrey! There's also Freedom Writers, starring Hilary Swank and sounding remarkably like Dangerous Minds, but based on this book.

I'm sure there are more on the way, but that's enough for now!

[Via Imdb.com]

Movie News archives / Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Movie News, New Releases, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Zoe Rice

We loved Zoe Rice's first novel, Pick Me Up, so we were delighted she agreed to answer our questions.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Izzy hilariously navigates the glamorous NY art world and the difficult men in her life.  

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

I always write in my "office," which is right next to my "living room." As any young New Yorker will tell you, we don't' have much space to live in here, so the office is the right side of the love seat, while the living room is the left. :) 

Your favourite chick-lit book?

I was greatly inspired by working with Sophie Kinsella on her US publications. Can you imagine anything more fun than researching her second novel by traipsing around NY's SoHo eating chocolates and buying designer clothing? Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (or Shopaholic Abroad, as the UK called it) would have to be my favorite. To have been a part of Sophie Kinsella's first three novels was hands down the most fun I ever had as a junior editor.

Carry on over the cut for more from Zoe ... trust us, you want to hear about her cat!

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

I'm sure that I am in no way alone in this choice, but my favorite will always be the very first chick-lit heroine: the feisty, intelligent, warm-hearted, and witty Elizabeth Bennett of Pride and Prejudice.

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

The best advice I can give is to let yourself be edited. If you know of a writing workshop, or you even just have a group of friends who also like to write, get together with them and see what notes they have to improve your writing. And don't be afraid to delete!

What are you reading at the moment?

I just finished the first Gossip Girl novel, which is aimed at an older young adult audience. It's gotten so much press, and sold so many copies, I just had to see what the fuss was about!

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