Trashionista

February 16, 2010 8:38 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Ruth Saberton

Having recently read Ruth Saberton's upcoming novel Katy Carter Wants a Hero, I have to say that I can't WAIT until the official release - this book is absolutely fantastic (and Ruth's writing is hilarious.) We'll have to wait until April, but recently Trashionista interviewed Ruth about her dreams, her writing and her ver own hero!

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer.
Goodness, this is really hard!  No wonder I write novels with thousands of words to play with!  OK, here goes:

"A story about friendship, family, following dreams and realising love is found in unexpected places."

What inspired you to write Katy Carter Wants a Hero?
I've always wanted to be a writer and when I was a child I wrote loads of really dire pony stories that I forced my poor parents to read.  After discovering Jilly Cooper and Jackie Collins I progressed onto bodice rippers that were equally dire and although I still have them will NEVER see the light of day.

A few years ago I decided that rather than just dreaming about being an author I was going to really go for it.  I wrote a novel called Clover in about five months and writing it was the easy bit.  There then followed endless rejections from agents and publishers and it was soul destroying.  Some people were helpful and encouraging but my impressive collection of rejection letters was starting to get me down to say the least.  I was on the brink of hurling my manuscript and myself off the nearest cliff - rather too easy to do when you live in Cornwall - when I decided to abandon writing about exotic locations and the super rich to concentrate on something a bit closer to home. Writing about what I knew was the key and soon I'd started Katy Carter Wants a Hero, the very fictional tale (honestly!) of an English teacher who dreams of being a best selling novelist. I worked away night after night and all my friends forgot who I was but it was worth it because this manuscript attracted the attention of literary agents and publishers.  Lots of editing, despair and rewriting later the hard work paid off and Orion bought the book! 

Do you have a hero of your own?
Let's hope my husband doesn't read this interview because his head will never again fit through the door, but he truly is my real life hero.  He's a genuine Cornish fisherman and goes out deep sea trawling, which is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world so I guess he's also pretty brave.  I get seasick in the bath!  Fishing's very physical and all the lifting fish boxes and hauling nets means he's really muscled and fit, unlike little spaghetti arms me. (Sitting down typing for hours doesn't exactly tone you up and I probably burn more scented candles than calories)  We've been together for over ten years now but my stomach still flips when I catch sight of him.  Sorry!  That's really quite sick making!  Anyway, I've used him as the inspiration for one of the heroes that Katy Carter meets on her travels.  When you read the book I'm sure you won't find it very hard to spot which hero this is!
Where do you write your books?
To be honest there isn't one place because I write everywhere!  Writing's a bit of an addiction with me and I don't really feel myself if I'm not tapping away on my laptop or scribbling in a notebook.  If I'm at home I'll write straight onto the laptop either from my favourite corner of the sofa (I have to push the cat off which really annoys him) or, if its really cold, propped up in bed with the electric blanket cranked up to full power and the feather duvet up to my ears.  I also do lots of train journeys up to London to visit my family or my publisher so great chunks of my novels have been written while travelling over the Liskeard to Paddington stretch of railway track.  If I'm on the go I'll have a notebook in my bag and I'll carry on writing long hand then type it up later.  It's actually really nice when I'm editing and rewriting to read a section and remember where I was when I wrote it - especially if it was by a pool somewhere hot and sunny!

What is your favourite chick-lit book?
I absolutely adore chick-lit as a genre and I get really annoyed when the mass media sneer at it. I suppose this is because it's a women's genre.  Grrr.  Don't get me started on that issue!  Anyway, I read pretty much everything chick- lit that comes out and I have lots of favourite authors, Catherine Alliott and Sophie Kinsella for example, but if I really was pinned down and forced to pick my favourite chick lit book then it would have to be the mummy of the genre, Bridget Jones's Diary.  That novel really captured the zeitgeist and opened the door for lots of new authors.  Suddenly it was fine to write about all the things that really concern young women, which I really believe was an incredibly freeing moment in literary history.  And come on, who hasn't had a big pants day?

Who is your favourite heroine, and why?
I know she isn't strictly a chick lit author but I absolutely love Jilly Cooper and I must have read every single novel of hers about ten times. My favourite heroine has to be Taggie Campbell Black from Rivals because she's a bit of a Cinderella figure.  She's sweet, kind, loves her family who totally take her for granted, and spends a lot of the story nursing a broken heart. Taggie's also dyslexic and Jilly Cooper does a really good job of conveying her embarrassment and distress when other characters treat her as though she's stupid.  Although she's often put down and ignored Taggie is never bitchy and eventually her kindness wins through when gets her well deserved happy ever after.  I'm not ashamed to admit I still cry when I read the bit where she finally gets together with the super sexy Rupert. I guess I like to believe the underdog can triumph! 

Do you have any tips for readers who would like to become published authors?
   1. Write about what you know and what interests you, not just what you think might sell.  You need to write with conviction if you're to succeed.  Boy wizards and vampires are all very well but are you really an expert on these?  It was only when I started to use my own world as inspiration that I found success with Katy Carter Wants a Hero.
   2. Read.  Read.  Read.  Be an expert on the type of book you want to write.  See how other authors use language.  Don't copy them but take away an understanding of what works and what doesn't.
   3. Write.  Sorry to be boring but there's no getting away from this bit.  The difference between published writers and people who think about being published is that published writers sit down and make themselves write.  Even when they don't want to.  Especially when they don't want to.  Ignore Facebook/ebay/the biscuit tin and just get writing!
   4. Never give up! If you are rejected take it on the chin and move on.  Be angry, be disappointed, be sad.  Then pick yourself up and move on. Publishing is full of stories about writers who've had zillions of rejections but gone on to have fantastic success.  Just ask J K Rowling!  I bet all the agents and publishers who turned her down are still kicking them selves! If you've got talent somebody will spot it.  You just have to believe in yourself and keep going.

What are you currently reading?
I'm a real bookworm!  I must get through about four books a week and my husband always jokes that a drug habit would work out cheaper! (at least I think he's joking) At the minute I'm half way through the Booker Prize winning "Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel.  It's all about the life of Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII's Master Secretary, who has always been a rather shadowy figure.  It's a really complex novel charting Cromwell's rise to favour as he clears the way for Henry's marriage to Anne Boleyn.  I love anything to do with the Tudors and this huge tome is a real treat.  I'll be sad when it ends.

I'm also reading "Fairytale of New York" by Miranda Dickinson.  This is a lovely romantic comedy and beautifully written.  Although I'm only fifty pages in I'm already in love with the characters and am dying to know what happens next.   I've got a terrible habit of reading the ends of books first but I'm trying to resist in this case!

Are you working on anything else at the moment, and if so, can you tell us?
I'm really busy with all the publicity for "Katy Carter Wants a Hero" at the minute.  I've got a column with a newspaper in the pipeline as well as a slot blogging for Now Magazine Online as "The Real Carrie Bradshaw"(!!)  In terms of novels I'm working on my next book for Orion.  It's called "Second Thoughts" and is about a girl who gets cold feet on the eve of her wedding and starts to wonder whether she's chosen to marry the right boyfriend.  That's not based on fact, I promise!  I also write for Little Black Dress under the pen name Jessica Fox.  I've written the Hen Night Prophecies series for them and right now I'm half way through book number four which is called "Unlucky in Love".  And I'm still teaching English at Bodmin College so I'm marking lots of coursework! Phew!

Thanks, Ruth!

You can read more abour Ruth Saberton and her books at her website.

Posted by Elle Symonds on February 16, 2010 in British Authors, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 19, 2009 7:33 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Cally Taylor

Now I know I use the phrase "I'm so excited..." quite a lot here on Trashionista. In my defence it is with good reason as I do get incredibly excited about good books. However, today, with this post, I have something that I think is extra special. An interview with newly signed author Cally Taylor. And it isn't because I know her (as I do, just a little bit) but because I think she has a fantastic career ahead of her as a writer. Her book, Haunting For Beginners, is out in October this year and this is her first ever interview.

Please describe your book in 15 words or fewer:

Lucy is dead and desperately trying to be reunited with the man she loves.

How were you ‘discovered’?

I bought a copy of the Writers and Artists Yearbook and wrote a list of all the agents who accepted chick-lit and women's fiction. The first one on my list was Darley Anderson (I really liked his name. I also thought he was a woman!) so I sent him my synopsis and first three chapters. That was on a Friday morning. The next Monday afternoon he rang me up and asked me for the whole manuscript. I was so excited I thought I might pass out but managed to get myself together enough to print it off, read it through (again) for typos and send it off. Six weeks later he rang me back. He liked it and it had a lot of potential, he said, but it needed some more work. I was absolutely gutted (I’d convinced myself that he'd send me a letter if he hated it and only ring if he wanted to sign me!) but, after a couple of weeks of sulking, I started to make the changes he’d requested and sent it back five months after his second phone call. Three months after that I received a phone call from Madeleine Buston. She told me that Darley had given her my revised manuscript to read on the train to Scotland and that she’d fallen in love with it. We talked about the book and her plans for it for a while and then I (tentatively) asked, “So are you my agent then?” and she said yes!

Have you always been a writer?

Yes, I guess so. As child I loved writing stories and making up plays and sent my first ‘book’ (an ‘illustrated’ story about The Evil Weed and his flower friends) to Penguin Publishers when I was eight. I even bound it myself – in pink wool! It was rejected, of course, but I wasn’t deterred.

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

Before I start writing my books I scribble down lots of notes in the notebooks that I carry around with me everywhere. Ideas for characters and plot developments pop into my head while I’m on the train, walking to town and even in the pub and I always have to stop to write them down otherwise they’re lost forever. When I actually start writing a book I type straight onto the laptop which is on my very messy desk in my tiny, cluttered bedroom.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Tough one! It’s a toss-up between Ralph’s Party by Lisa Jewell and Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner. Those were the first two chick-lit books I ever read and they opened up a whole new world of literature to me. I realised that yes, you could write books about modern women with flaws and dreams and complicated love lives, and that other women wanted to read about them too.

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

My favourite female heroine ever or my favourite chick-lit heroine? My favourite female heroine ever would have to be Offred in The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. My favourite female chick-lit heroine is Cannie in Jennifer Weiner’s Good in Bed.

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

Read a lot, write a lot, get your novel critiqued by people you aren’t related to or friends with, and then polish it until it gleams before sending it out to agents.

Develop a thick skin. Criticism and rejection sting like hell but you have to learn from them, bounce back and keep writing.

One more thing - put your novel to one side for at least 3 weeks before you start editing it and then read it aloud – it will sound very different to the way it did in your head when you wrote it, and you’ll find it easier to spot the mistakes.

What are you reading at the moment?

I’m reading Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. I think it was a Trashionista review that made me buy it in the first place and I’m loving it. I’ve only just started it and it’s already wonderfully magical and compelling.

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

I’m working on my second book, currently titled “Dead Romantic”. It’s about two single people in Brighton and what happens when a couple of hapless guardian angels are tasked with making them happy.

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 you died how long would you want your partner to wait before he moved on?

Well I’d probably tell him that two years would be just about acceptable but secretly I’d want him to mourn me forever and never love anyone as much as he’d loved me!

Thanks, Cally!

To find out more visit her website at www.callytaylor.co.uk

The following is the blurb for Haunting For Beginners,

'"What would I do without you, Lucy Brown?" he said, and kissed me softly. I held his face in my hands and kissed him back. I felt that life just couldn't get any more perfect. And I was right, it wouldn't. By the end of the next day, I'd be dead. Lucy is about to marry the man of her dreams - kind, handsome, funny Dan - when she breaks her neck the night before their wedding. Unable to accept a lifetime's separation from her soulmate, Lucy decides to become a ghost rather than go to heaven and be parted from Dan. But it turns out things aren't quite as easy as that. When Lucy discovers that Limbo is a grotty student-style house in North London she's less than thrilled. Especially after meeting her new flatmates: grumpy, cider-swilling EMO-kid Claire; and Brian, a train-spotter with a Thomas the Tank Engine duvet and a big BO problem. But Lucy has a more major problem on her hands - if she wants to become a ghost and be with Dan she has to complete an almost impossible task. How the hell does a girl like Lucy find a girlfriend for the dorkiest man in England? IT geek Archie's only passions are multi-player computer games and his Grandma. But Lucy only has twenty-one days to find him love. And when she discovers that her so-called friend Anna is determined to make a move on the heart-broken, vulnerable Dan, the pressure is really on ...

Posted by Helen Redfern on March 19, 2009 in Book News, Brand new authors, British Authors, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (4)

March 1, 2009 2:36 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Earth Hums in B Flat by Mari Strachan

Sometimes a book comes along that is so magical, and so effortlessly transports you away from the everyday, that when you turn the last page you somehow feel bereft. This is how I felt about Mari Strachan's debut novel, The Earth Hums in B Flat.

It tells the tale of Gwenni, a twelve year-old Welsh girl growing up in the 1950s.  Gwenni reads voraciously, can fly in her sleep, and sees the Toby jugs in her dining room come alive; "Their fat cheeks turn redder and redder and their eyes grow darker and darker."

None of these traits endear Gwenni to her mother - she's always telling Gwenni not to be silly for fear of people thinking she's odd.  And that's on a good day - on a bad day her mother will scream and cry and tell Gwenni she wishes she'd never been born.

When a local man goes missing, Gwenni follows a series of clues: blood on the kitchen floor, the testimony of the man's children who say a black dog was with him, and the "spirit" she saw floating in the Baptism Pool one night when she was flying above the town.

Armed with the skills she's picked up from her detective books, Gwenni decides to investigate.  But she starts unknowingly to unravel the long-guarded family secrets.  And the truth will change her life forever.

This is a glorious, totally immersive novel, written convincingly from a wide-eyed child's point of view.  Gwenni observes but doesn't understand the subtle shifts that are taking place around her, and draws the sort of conclusions that will feel familiar to anyone who was puzzled by adults' behaviour when they were children.

Altogether it's an absolutely compelling read.  I can't wait for Mari Strachan's next one!

Rating: 5/5

Posted by Robyn Wilder on March 1, 2009 in Brand new authors, British Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 22, 2009 4:32 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Importance of Being Emma by Juliet Archer

I seem to be reviewing a lot of books with ‘being Em...’ in the title.  If there is a book out there called ‘Being Eminem’, feel free to send it to me.  Anyway...

The Importance of Being Emma is the first in Juliet Archer’s “Choc Lit” series, which will bring Austen characters and plotlines and plant them firmly in the 21st century.  Can you guess which one this is based on?

This book casts spoilt rich girl Emma Woodhouse as the eponymous anti-hero, the daughter of a food magnate returned from various adventures (some of which she enjoyed at Harvard Business School) to revitalise her father’s flagging industry with her radical marketing ideas.

The trouble is, her father has also brought in the cut-throat skills of one Mark Knightley, on whom Emma had a teenage crush, and who her father tasks with mentoring his daughter.  Of course, his daughter thinks she can do just fine on her own, thank you, and wishes Mark would treat her less like a clumsy kid sister and more like a... like a... well, she’ll get back to you on that.

The story is told from both Mark and Emma’s point of view, which does a great job of building the tension, but also had me shouting, “come on would you?!” every few pages.  Both characters are painted brilliantly as both proud to the point of arrogance about their own shrewdness, yet blind to what’s in front of them.

And, as soon as they almost get it together, one of them does something to rub the other up the wrong way (and not in the right way, either).  It’s very irritating, but it keeps you turning the pages.

Tangled into the weave of this would-be love affair are some red herrings in the form of Flynn Churchill, who catches Emma’s eye, and Emma’s ditzy PA, victim of Emma’s attempted makeovers and mismatched matchmaking.  Plus some brilliant one-liners from Emma’s increasingly hypochondriac old maid-like father.

This is a good read and a clever reworking of the original (only with more sex), despite the somewhat broad brushstrokes applied to the secondary characters, and the slightly clichéd view of modern gentry sensibilities (it seemed a bit far-fetched that Emma, with all her experience and her Harvard education, would be so flummoxed by her PA’s Estuary vernacular). 

But, as I said, both Mark and Emma are characterised really well, and the plot is cleverly and effectively structured to keep you hooked till the end.

Perfect for a holiday read!

Posted by Robyn Wilder on February 22, 2009 in Books, Brand new authors, British Authors, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (4)

BOOK REVIEW: Being Emily by Anne Donovan

Being Emily is the second novel from Anne Donovan, whose debut – Buddha Da – was listed for both the Orange and the Whitbread First Novel awards. I haven’t read Buddha Da yet but have just ordered a copy on the strength of Being Emily, which is a beautifully written coming-of-age story.

It’s told in the first person, and in a broad Glaswegian brogue (which aids rather than hinders the story) by Fiona – a young girl growing up in the tenements of Glasgow. 

We first meet Fiona when she’s a child – dreamy, obsessed with Emily Brontë (the Emily in question), an aspiring poet, but happy amid the noisy clatter of her Catholic family – mother, father, brother and twin sisters.

The second time we meet her it is four years later.  Fiona’s mother has died in childbirth and the family has become fragmented – each one lost to his or her private grief and coping strategies – her brother has left home for gay London; her father half-vanishes into alcohol, and her almost psychotically irritating sisters immerse themselves in their dance routines. 

After being a lively if preoccupied child, Fiona now seems to be a vague, still-waters sort of teen; doing well at school, dating Jas, an intellectual Sikh, and trying to figure out what to do with her life.  She’s like a sponge, sharply observing those around her but almost drifting through her own life, still underlining her experiences with comparisons and escapes into the world of Emily Brontë.

But Fiona’s life deviates sharply from any Brontëesque comparisons when she callously drops Jas for his slightly fey musician brother, Amrik, whose attention she can never fully capture no matter how she tries.  As a series of tragedies befall her, Fiona takes up multimedia art and creates dramatic, almost violent installations as she tries to express the turbulence inside her, before starting the long journey back to a sense of equilibrium.

Being Emily is a gorgeous, languorous and lyrical novel which treads the fine line between a realistic “real” life and a confused, fantastic “inner” life well.  And I love how it shows how a childhood obsession can echo and vibrate down one life into adulthood.

Beautiful.

Posted by Robyn Wilder on February 22, 2009 in Books, British Authors, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

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 (5)

December 12, 2008 2:42 PM

BOOK REVIEW: My Favourite Poison by Anna Blundy

Keris loved Anna Blundy's 'Neat Vodka', so when the most recent release in the Faith Zanetti series made its way into my grubby paws, I was eager to see what the fuss was all about.

Like a more intellectual Stephanie Plum, Zanetti is the perfect heroine for this tale of murder, poison and politics. A far cry from the bubbly PR girls in so many women's novels, Zanetti is a chain-smoking news hack with emotional issues, frizzy hair and a knack for getting herself into trouble...

Events in this book take us from London to Cairo via Moscow, with both current and past murders remaining mysteriously unsolved (until Faith gets on the case). Though it's rooted firmly in fiction,  the main plot surrounds the poisoning of a Russian man, meaning it hits surprisingly close to home. The Sorokin / Litvinenko parallels are clear, which gives the novel greater resonance.

That said, it also manages to be funny, even during the more disturbing moments. Faith is a great character, flawed enough to be believable, but exaggerated enough to be entertaining, while the supporting cast (particularly her colleagues Don, Tamsin and co) provide light relief.

Fast-paced, well written and more intelligent than the genre it's up against, this is definitely a book I'd recommend if you're bored of boy-meets-girl chick lit.

My Favourite Poison by Anna Blundy, £5.59

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

Posted by Aigua Media on December 12, 2008 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 5/5, Series | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 19, 2008 10:14 AM

BOOK REVIEW: His Other Lover by Lucy Dawson

Posted by Aigua Media on November 19, 2008 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

November 11, 2008 9:58 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Crystal by Katie Price

Reviewed by Amy Sheehan

Crystal is the story of Crystal, Tahlia and Belle, who together make up the band Lost Angels. They’ve almost given up on getting their lucky break when they decide to enter the television contest Band Ambition - basically The X Factor for groups. Of course they win and the girls soon find themselves catapulted into the world of fame and stardom.

Unfortunately, though, the start of this new glittering career brings with it a whole host of problems for Crystal, and soon a secret of hers threatens to cost her everything…

I quite enjoyed Crystal - it’s a easy and relaxing read. My first introduction to Price’s work, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I feared. In actual fact, there’s a heck of a lot going on in Crystal, and one weakness would be that some of the plotlines weren’t nearly as developed as they could have been.

As mentioned, the idea of the TV show talent contest is a shameless rip off, and one of the judges, Dallas, even resembles Simon Cowell. However, this criticism pales in comparison to my main problem with the book: the hero. I couldn’t warm to him at all, he didn’t seem worthy of Crystal, and the final nail in the coffin for me was his treatment of Crystal after they finally got together.

Specifically, I took umbrage at a remark he made, in reference to Crystal’s ex, Max, who raped her. Jake and Crystal are in the kitchen canoodling and she says: “Save it for later, honey.” Jake replies: “I bet you never said that to him, did you? No? I bet you were open for business with him 24/7.” I was outraged, but Crystal, after storming off, is happily back with him within two more pages.

Less annoyingly, Jake is ridiculously blind to the fact that one of his female friends has a huge crush on him and is trying to break up him and Crystal, and he doesn’t support Crystal at all when she calls him out about this. I don’t know. He just wasn’t hero material for me. Also, some of the plotlines were a bit amateurish - Crystal is involved in a car crash that gets about a short paragraph devoted to it, for instance.

There was some good stuff, though. The interaction between the three girls was nicely done and very believable, and the portrayal of Tahlia in particular was very good. The novel also gave a very realistic portrait of media intrusion into the lives of celebrities and gave a good idea of what it must be like to have twisted versions of your personal life splashed all over the tabloids.

Because of the issues mentioned above and the fact that I found the second half of Crystal to be a bit slow, I would rate Crystal 2/5. However, it did have some promise and as I hear that Angel, Price’s first novel, is much better, I’d be very willing to read more of her books in the future.

Rating: 2/5

Like this? Try The Overnight Fame of Steffi McBride by AJ Crofts

Posted by Aigua Media on November 11, 2008 in British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Rating: 2/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 7, 2008 10:16 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Overnight Fame of Steffi McBride

I wasn't exactly mad keen to read Andrew Crofts' debut novel, The Overnight Fame of Steffi McBride - I find it hard to maintain my interest in real dysfunctional soap stars, why would I want to read about a fictional one? But, despite that, I did find the premise intriguing and so I sat down to read...

... and I didn't get up again until I'd finished it. That makes it sound like a particularly gripping read and, while it *was* both gripping and entertaining, it was more that it was such an easy read. It would make a great holiday book.

Steffi wants to act, but her abusive father has told her in no uncertain terms that her doing so would bring shame on the family. So she has acting lessons in secret and it's at one of these lessons, when she gives a monologue describing her father beating her mother, that she is discovered by casting directors from Britain's biggest soap (which, unsuprisingly, sounds rather Eastenders-esque).

Steffi is thrown into the limelight and, despite basically playing a tart with a heart, apparently becomes enormously popular with the public. Next thing she's modelling for Elle (I found this a bit implausible - has anyone from Eastenders modelled for Elle?), being courted by a Max Clifford style PR guru and fixed up, both professionally and personally, with her childhood hero, former boy band singer, Luke.

Of course, her old life - her father's behaviour, the fact that she lived in a squat with her druggy boyfriend - is soon picked up on by the press who, as they do, take to hounding her pretty constantly. And then they get hold of an even bigger secret from her past - one that even Steffi's unaware of...

I really did enjoy this book. It found it convincing about the fake aspects of celebrity (although I found Steffi's mega-swift rise to fame a bit much) and how easily the people around you can change. What I didn't find entirely convincing was Steffi herself. I never really knew how she was coping with it all. I just didn't feel I'd really got under her skin. In fact, I didn't feel like I really knew any of the characters; they all could have been fleshed out so they felt more like real people.

Having said that, I'd quite like a sequel because I want to know what's next for Steffi!

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try The Secret Diaries of Abigail Titmuss by Abi Titmuss for a "real" version or The Truth About Ruby Valentine by Alison Bond for a fictional alternative

Posted by Keris on November 7, 2008 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 23, 2008 7:50 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Happy Birthday by Christina Jones

Phoebe Bowler has been jilted. Returning to her flat some weeks after the wedding that never was, she bumps into Rocky her upstairs neighbour, who has recently been released from prison for ABH. Scared to open her windows at night because of Rocky and disliking spending time on her own she fills her time by going up to Twilights, a residential home, to do some part time hairdressing. Which is where she meets Essie.

Phoebe used to chart her entire life using astrology. According to the stars her wedding was perfect and soon to be marriage was a match made in heaven. Once she was jilted however, she ditches the astrology, believing it was all a pack of lies. However, once she meets Essie, who has Romany blood, her interest is soon reignited, particularly by the birthday-ology.

I have never read any of Christina Jones' books before, but apparently this is the fifth book about the magical Berkshire village. This doesn't mean I couldn't enjoy the book though, as it stood well enough on its own, but perhaps if I had read the others first (Hubble Bubble, Seeing Stars, Love Potions and Heaven Sent) I would have got even more out of it.

Phoebe is great as a heroine and there is a lovely romance brewing, not just for her but for someone else too. There are a few twists and turns, a predictable return of a particular someone, but in all this is a lovely, gentle read with some great characters (particularly those from Twilights).

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Filthy Rich by Wendy Holden

Posted by Helen Redfern on October 23, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 20, 2008 11:47 AM

BOOK REVIEW: All You Need Is Love by Carole Matthews

I've read some of Carole Matthew's older books and I have to be truthful here, I didn't find her to be my cup of tea. (That is actually a mild way of describing my feelings towards her books.) And this new one, All You Need Is Love, about a woman, Sally, who appears to be saved by one of two men (a rich one or a poor one) didn't exactly strike a chord with me either.

So being slightly prejudiced against the book before I'd even opened it (and don't get me started on the annoying song that came into my head everytime I looked at it) the book didn't have much of a chance.

When I eventually settled down to read it this weekend, I couldn't help but admire Carole's writing. It appears to trip effortlessly off the page, making it easy to read, but I know, from experience, how hard it is to write that way.

Set in a sink estate in Liverpool, Sally lives in a grotty flat which smells of urine and has a lift which is permanently vandalised. She has a ten year old son, Charlie, and plans for the future. She doesn't know what these plans are yet, but she has started to better herself with a computer course. Which is where she meets Spencer, the teacher of the course. He has a porche, a beautiful apartment in the city and is interested in her. Much to the hurt and annoyance of her ex, Johnny.

Sally sees Johnny as only a friend though, so he retreats back to the garage lock up where he finds solace in his painting. Paintings that Sally was extremely dismissive of when they were together. In fact, she'd never even seen one of them, believing he should be painting and decorating rather than splattering bits of paint onto canvas. This is because Sally wants their lives to improve and there is no room for dreams but good, honest work.

When Spencer comes into her life he opens her eyes. And this is the inspiration for Sally to start on a one woman quest to improve their estate.

I could write about this book for some time, which just goes to show how much I enjoyed it. My prejudices were cast aside. And Sally isn't a woman that needed to be saved. This book is fun, feel good, escapist chick lit. A cracking page turner of a book. I think that is all I need to say.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Accidental Wife by Rowan Coleman

Posted by Helen Redfern on October 20, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 6, 2008 10:55 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls

I'd heard a lot of good things about Sally Nicholls' Ways to Live Forever, but I was put off by the fact that it's the story of an 11-year-old boy with leukaemia. I'd tried to read Jenny Downham's Before I Die, but found it too upsetting, but I convinced myself to try Ways to Live Forever and I'm so glad I did.

Since he's being homeschooled due to his illness, Sam decides to keep “a collection of lists stories, pictures, questions and facts” as a project. Sam's voice is charming, sweet and funny and, inevitably, it's this voice, combined with the issues Sam is having to deal with that makes this book so heartbreaking.

Sam's questions are things like, “Why does God make kids get ill?” and “Does it hurt to die?” and he tries to answer them with the assistance of his fellow leukaemia sufferer and friend, Felix. The book also illuminates how his illness affects his family's relationships both with him and with each other.

It's very easy to read (in the main - some of the more painful parts are harder) and it's done with a very light touch.

Because I knew the ending was inevitable, I worried about it all through the book and was almost afraid to read it, but it's dealt with beautifully. Although that's not to say I didn't cry - clutching my mercifully healthy son - for about ten minutes after finishing it. It's incredibly moving, but also sweet, charming and funny.

Sally Nicholls was just 23 when she wrote this book. I can only imagine what she's going to come up with next.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Dear Zoe by Philip Beard

The cover above is the new UK cover (the book has been described as "Jodi Picoult for teens" so I think that's what they're going for with that cover), but which cover do you like best?

The cover on the left is the originally UK cover. Bit generic, no? The cover on the right is the US cover and my favourite.

Posted by Keris on October 6, 2008 in British Authors, More On Monday, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (4)

September 30, 2008 4:45 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Thirtynothing by Lisa Jewell

I read Lisa Jewell's second novel, Thirtynothing,when it was released in 2000. It's always stuck in my mind as one of the best chick lit books I've ever read and I've enjoyed all of her subsequent books. So when I found myself in a chick lit slump, I decided it was time to re-read it, to see if it was as good as I remembered...

It was. In fact, I could have written this review with just one word – perfect – but you might have felt a bit shortchanged, so I'll expand.

Dig (short for Digby) and Nadine have been best friends since primary school. They spend pretty much all their time together and do everything that couples do. Except, that is, have sex. For that, they each have had a succession of unsuitable partners. And this has never (or almost never) been a problem.

But when Dig wakes up on the morning of his 30th birthday in bed with a girl whose name he can't remember and who turns out to be just seventeen years old, he realises something's got to change. Nadine is having the same realisation. Because she's just finished with her latest boyfriend for making her a cup of tea in an ugly mug.

Discussing their relationship problems, Dig and Deen agree that it's about time they each find someone who is right for them and stop making such immature and inappropriate choices.

And then along comes Delilah Lillie, Dig's first love, who left him at 18 and broke his heart. Horrified that Delilah is back in Dig's life (when Dig was with Delilah, he didn't have time for his best friend), Nadine tracks down her own first love, Phil...

I don't want to give any more of the story away, so I'll just say that I love every single thing about this book. Every detail is perfect: from Nadine's covetable flat (which was one of the main things I remembered about this book) to Delilah's nervous wreck of a dog. I feel like I know Dig and Nadine and know enough about Phil to avoid him if I saw him in the street. (Even the tiniest detail - Phil's lemon underpants, Nadine's wallpaper - adds to the book.)

Jewell is also known for writing beautifully about London and she really does. She makes it sound like this magical, cool, inspiring, exciting place, full of possibility. Jewell's world isn't quite the real world - I lived in London for 8 years; it's really none of those things - but it's not too far-fetched either. It's the real world with a golden glow and it's a world I'd love to live in.

Even eight years after the first reading, Thirtynothing remains one of my favourite chick lit books of all time.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Vince & Joy by Lisa Jewell

Posted by Aigua Media on September 30, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (6)

September 23, 2008 9:58 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Extreme Motherhood by Jackie Clune

I'm very sorry to have to tell you that I'm going through a bit of a book slump at the moment (it happens every now and then...). So this book - Jackie Clune's memoir of having twins - would probably ordinarily be a More on Monday, but if I don't review it today I'd have nothing - nothing!

It might just be permissible anyway, since Clune *has* previously written a chick lit novel, Man of the Month Club, which I, um, didn't like very much. But, thankfully, I LOVED Extreme Motherhood!

Unexpectedly pregnant - and with a daughter under a year old - Jackie Clune discovered that she was carrying natural triplets. (Even though I've read the book, I still came out in goosebumps when I typed that!) At first she is, perhaps understandably, horrified and devastated, but a combination of her practical nature and protective feelings for her unborn babies soon change her mind entirely.

Extreme Motherhood covers the period from the scan to the triplets' first birthday and it is, indeed, a rollercoaster of emotion. Jackie is fiercely protective of her babies and horrified at the insensitive comments strangers always feel the need to make, which range from the ubiquitous, "You've got your hands full" to how she's ruined her life. (Reading this, I felt furious on her behalf!)

But, like so many "mommy memoirs", Jackie is brutally honest. No, it's not easy having four children under two (obviously). Yes, sometimes she wants to run away and wishes she could have her old life back. Yes, it puts a massive strain on her relationship (so much that at one point I had to stop reading and Google her to make sure she and Rich actually made it - they have, phew!).

I found this book emotional, entertaining, inspirational and, now that I've finished it, I miss her. The triplets are three now. Can we have an update, Jackie, please?

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Waiting for Birdy by Catherine Newman

Posted by Keris on September 23, 2008 in British Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

September 22, 2008 9:11 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Benedict's Brother by Tricia Walker

Reviewed by Sarah Hague

Despite having a boy's name, Benedict is a girl. She is left some money by her uncle - good! But with it comes a condition - bad! He asks her, in his will, to take his ashes and scatter them over the River Kwai, from the bridge. The bridge from the film. The bridge that cost hundreds of prisoners of war their lives.

It is with some trepidation then, that Benedict sets out. She knows that her uncle was a PoW, but he has never spoken of those times, and she is anxious at the thought of what she will meet when she gets there.

Like her brother, Anthony. He is out there having set off on a trip around the world some years previously, got as far as Thailand and became a monk, now known as Thanavaro.

Benedict's journey is one of discovery in more ways than one. Not only does she discover much about her uncle from his diary, but she is also forced to try and understand why her brother 'left her'.

Tricia Walker's debut is a beautifully written book, full of evocative descriptions not only of an exotic land, but of the allure of Buddhism. Although Benedict finds much of it incredibly frustrating, she recognises the peace it has brought to her brother, and learns to accept Thanavaro the monk.

Moving, heartfelt, and full of marvellous characters, this is a story that will not leave you indifferent.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

Posted by Aigua Media on September 22, 2008 in British Authors, Debut Novels, More On Monday, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 19, 2008 11:05 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Bad News Bible by Anna Blundy

I loved the first Anna Blundy book I read, Neat Vodka, and was extremely excited when I got to the end and found it was part of a series... and then a little disappointed when I realised it was actually the third in the series and I hadn't read the first two.

The Bad News Bible is the first book in the Faith Zanetti series and it's every bit as brilliant as Neat Vodka. In this book, journalist and foreign correspondent Faith has been sent to Jerusalem to cover, well, whatever horrendous events she comes across. And, as I'm sure you can imagine, she comes across plenty. 

Faith is supposed to be working on a story about a mole in the Israeli army, but then her best friend and fellow journalist kills herself and Faith finds herself working on that story too. Then the mother of a missing child comes to see Faith to ask if she has heard anything about child trafficking...

I know, it doesn't sound much like chick lit, does it? As I said in my review of Neat Vodka, if chick lit means written in the first person, featuring a single woman with a humorous voice, then Anna Blundy writes chick lit. If chick lit means shoes and cocktails, then it's not (although there are many cocktails imbibed in this book).

And The Bad News Bible, while frequently darkly funny, is also harrowing. It's an easy read in that it is so lightly and entertainingly written (like watching a film), but the subject matter isn't easy at all. It's fascinating, though, and I learned a lot about Israel. (As with the descriptions of Russia in Neat Vodka, Israel is conveyed brilliantly.)

I'm not sure whether to say don't be put off by the plot, because some people I'm sure would find it too upsetting, but at the same time, it would be a shame to miss such a brilliant series.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Neat Vodka by Anna Blundy

Posted by Keris on September 19, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 12, 2008 8:19 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Class by Jane Beaton

We've written about it a couple of times now, so I'm guessing you know that Jane Beaton's debut novel, Class, is basically an updated Malory Towers for adults. And who wouldn't want an updated Malory Towers for adults?

Scottish teacher Maggie Adair is rather tired of her life - her job in an inner-city comprehensive, her boring boyfriend, Stan - so when she sees an advert for a private boarding school in a "beautiful setting" in Cornwall, she applies, never expecting to get an interview, let alone be offered the job.

But offered it she is and, to her - and Stan's - surprise, she accepts it. But it's not all walks on wind-swept hills, some of the students are as challenging as her previous charges (although in different ways: fewer ASBOs for one). There's scholarship girl Simone Kardashian who is painfully shy and just doesn't look like fitting in. And there's Fliss Prosser, who didn't want to go there in the first place and plans to do her best to be sent home (particularly after she's made an example of by Miss Adair).

And of course there are the other teachers, particularly Mr McDowell from the boys' school. He's nothing like Stan. But that's surely a good thing, isn't it?

As I expected, I really, really enjoyed Class. There's loads more that I haven't even touched upon above - as the title would suggest, there's a lot about class! - and I know there's plenty of potential for the six books Jane Beaton plans to write in this series. It's great fun and took me right back to reading Malory Towers books for the first time (and it made me want to reread them for the umpteenth).

I just have one quibble and that is that so many of the plotlines involving the students seemed incredibly familiar. I kept thinking that extremely similar things had happened in either Malory Towers or the St Clare's series and so I spent a lot of time trying to remember if that was the case and second guess the outcome of each "adventure". It could, of course, simply be that Beaton has created such a credible boarding school book that the adventures just *seemed* familiar, but it still pulled me out of the story on more than one occasion.

Anyway, if you loved Malory Towers/St Clare's, you'll definitely love Class. I can't wait to read the next one.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld

Posted by Keris on September 12, 2008 in British Authors, Competition, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Series | Permalink | Comments (4)

September 11, 2008 11:57 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Because I chose geography over history at school what I know about British history can be written on the back of a postcard. What I know about the British monarchy can be written on the back of a postage stamp. My knowledge of the Tudor period is zilch. Other than knowing Henry VIII had lots of wives. Which is why I found Philippa Gregory's novel so utterly fascinating.

I know that not everything in the novel is fact. That is why they call this genre of writing historical fiction. But the story, a speculation of what life might have been like for Mary and Anne Boleyn had me spellbound with a tale of greed, ruthless ambition, betrayal and love.

The story is told by Mary Boleyn, Anne Boleyn's younger sister. (For those of you that don't know, I'm ashamed to say I didn't, Anne Boleyn goes on to become the second wife of Henry VIII). Whilst Henry was married to his first wife, Queen Katherine, Mary embarked on an affair with him. Of course Mary was married to William Carey at the time, but that didn't matter. She had caught the king's eye and the Boleyn family were ambitious. Mary was to leave her married house, cease relations with her husband and move into the bed chambers of her sister Anne which were in the castle. Mary's uncle, mother and father wanted her to fall pregnant by the king.

Then the king's interest in Mary wanes. Anne was sent to fill her place and Mary was expected to tell her everything she knew about pleasing him.

I did think this would be a hard book for me to read because of my non existent knowledge of history. However, this didn't matter and possibly made the book even more exciting for me as I didn't know what would happen next. Even if you do know the sequence of events though it is still compelling reading. I also thought the book might be a bit pretentious, a bit stuffy, maybe too historical. But it wasn't. It was just a brilliant, unaffected, story.

I loved the descriptions of what life was like back in the 1500s. How they dressed, how they bathed, how they spoke to each other and were expected to behave in the king's court. I cannot enthuse about this novel enough. I just couldn't get enough of it and, brilliantly, I've found there are another four books to read in the Tudor Court series that I can't wait to get my hands on.

If I could give it more than 5 out of 5 I would do.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Vanishing Point by Mary Sharratt

Posted by Helen Redfern on September 11, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (5)

September 10, 2008 10:35 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Between You and Me by Lorraine Kelly

Everyone loves Lorraine Kelly, don't they. Don't they? I've always thought she seemed like a lovely woman, but, I must admit, when this autobiography came out I did wonder what exciting revelations it may contain. I mean, as far as I was concerned, Lorraine worked as a journalist, got a job on GMTV and then... stayed there.

But the press release promised it would be "mischievous" and the book itself claimed it was "a little bit naughty" so I was expecting, well, some entertainment...

Let's look at the inside cover of the book:

"From growing up in one of Glasgow's toughest areas..."

Well, yes, she did, but she had a lovely, comfortable upbringing and the family wasn't there long.

"To her early career as a journalist during which she covered such heartbreaking tragedies as Lockerbie and Dunblane..."

Well, yes, she did. But she didn't really have anything interesting to add about either situation. In fact, she says that there are no words to describe them. Plus the Dunblane chapter in particular is a good example of something that drove me slightly mad about this book. Much like Lorraine's GMTV show, serious subjects are immediately followed by more frivolous issues. So the Dunblane chapter ends "I hope that the monster who killed them is suffering all the torments of hell" and the following chatper begins "I love radio... you can sit there in your tracksuit, dipping HobNobs into your tea and no one will ever know."

Lorraine also seems to have led a rather lovely life and at times she reminded me of that old Fast Show character, "which was nice". Everyone is lovely and friendly and warm. Even people with a bad reputation like Elton John. Yes, people say he's a diva, but he "couldn't have been nicer" to Lorraine and her family.

So is there any shocking showbiz gossip at all? Well, apparently Anthea Turner and Eamonn Holmes didn't get on (yawn), but they're fine now. And then there's George Clooney and Will Smith. Both lovely and professional.

In fact, the only thing that could be described as "naughty" or "mischievous" in this book is the very last line and that's such a hackneyed joke it actually made me grown in horror.

So, yes, Lorraine does seem like a lovely woman, but why someone has paid her money to write an autobiography - and why that autobiography is currently in the Top 5 of various book charts - is utterly beyond me.

Rating: 2/5

Like this? Try My Take by Gary Barlow

Posted by Keris on September 10, 2008 in British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 2/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

September 9, 2008 10:18 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Goodnight, Beautiful by Dorothy Koomson

Reviewed by Sharon Dempsey

When Nova agrees to be a surrogate mother for her best friend Mal and his wife Stephanie, she didn’t expect to be abandoned when they decide they no longer want the baby. Nova moves to Brighton and brings up Leo alone until she marries the steadfast Keith.

Tragedy strikes and Leo is lying in a coma on the brink of death. Nova invites Mal back into their lives to allow her son sometime with his real father.

The relationship between Nova and Mal goes back to their childhood. They love each other deeply but circumstance and misunderstandings render them incapable of taking their friendship to the next level. 

Mal’s love for his wife Stephanie is one of complexity, she relies on him in ways that only Mal can understand and so when faced with her need over his own needs to father Leo and support Nova, he has to make a choice...

The narrative moves between Nova and Stephanie so we are able to sympathise with Stephanie’s motives for forcing Mal to choose between them.

Dorothy Koomson has written a deeply poignant and heart rendering novel of friendship, love, loss and survival.

I can’t recommend it enough. A really satisfying read which will stay with you forever.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Marshmallows for Breakfast by Dorothy Koomson

Posted by Aigua Media on September 9, 2008 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (6)

September 3, 2008 12:15 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Got You Back by Jane Fallon

Reviewed by Fionnuala Kearney

Reading Jane Fallon’s second novel, Got You Back, left me with two strong feelings. One, there *are* new ways to tell old stories and two, I want to go out and buy her first book, Getting Rid of Matthew.

The plot - husband leading a double life with a wife and mistress - is not exactly new, but Jane Fallon’s handling of it is gritty and edgy. With a clever mix of humour and insight, her characterisation of Stephanie, the wife, James the errant husband and Katie, the younger mistress, is spot on.

James’s life begins to unravel when unbeknown to him, his wife has discovered he has a secret mistress in the country, where he works for three days of every week. The two women meet and rather than come clean and challenge him, they decide to join revengeful forces. But will either know when enough is enough?

This is chick lit with a new edge. Jane Fallon writes about women for women and her strong characters carry the story along by being true to themselves.

This well-crafted novel covers love, betrayal, loss and self-discovery beautifully. I’m now a fan, waiting for book three and off to buy book one.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Yours, Faithfully by Sheila O'Flanagan

Posted by Aigua Media on September 3, 2008 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (4)

August 27, 2008 8:35 AM

SPOTLIGHT: Lucy Diamond

We're a bit of a fan of Lucy Diamond here at Trashionista, so with her second recently released novel doing so well, I thought this week we would turn the spotlight on her.

Click on to her website and you'll find Lucy is just a pseudonym. Lucy's real name is Sue Mongredien, but she is known by this name as a popular children's author and has a different one for her adult books as she didn't want to cause any confusion.

Not only has Lucy published two novels but she has a huge range of children's books out there too. She also has a bridal column on Trashionista's sister site, Bridalwave and a blog here. She is one busy writer.

Born in Nottingham, Lucy went to university in Leeds before settling into the world of publishing. After having children her life of working and socialising and shopping was replaced with domestic chores, breast-feeding, nappy-changing and Tumble Tots. So she enrolled on a writer's evening class with the University of Sussex and Any Way You Want Me was born out of one of the dialogue exercises they were set. The rest, as they say, is history.

Bibliography

Over You (out now)

Any Way You Want Me

Posted by Helen Redfern on August 27, 2008 in British Authors, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 25, 2008 11:01 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: America Unchained by Dave Gorman

I started watching Dave Gorman's America Unchained documentary, but never actually finished it, so I was glad to get my hands on the book version. I've read Gorman's previous books and seen him live, and he's always very good value.

The premise of America Unchained is that Dave Gorman would drive (or attempt to drive) across America from coast to coast using only independent businesses, including hotels and gas stations. Avoiding Shell, Amoco, Best Western, Comfort Inns, etc., was always going to pose a problem, and so it proved. But that wasn't the only problem.

Because he was also making a film (this hadn't been the original plan, Gorman had just been going to do this by himself), he had a filmmaker with him, Stef. But holding the heavy camera at an awkward angle in an enclosed space (the car Gorman bought at the beginning of the journey), damaged Stef's back and so much of the early part of the journey was spent driving between chiropractors. And also garages. Gorman had bought at 1970s Ford Torino and it had a lot of problems.

For probably the first half of this book (much like the half of the documentary that I saw), I thought Gorman's plan was wrongheaded. Independents aren't necessarily good and corporations aren't necessarily evil, a fact proved by the scuzzy independent motels he stayed in and the corporate garage that rescued him from the motorway when he ran out of petrol, and didn't even charge a call-out fee (to be fair, I can't imagine that ever happening in the UK, but maybe I've been unlucky). As I continued to read though, I started to appreciate what Gorman was trying to do. No, it wasn't perfect, but who cares, it was still a noble goal.

Dave Gorman is such an interesting character. He often comes across as aggressive and combative, but there's a real sweetness and idealism underneath. It's the sweetness that is far more in evidence in this book than it was in, say, Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure. The book also works as a travelogue, making me eager to take another US roadtrip (although I'll be avoiding Mississippi).

Oh and the ending made me well up. You can't ask for much more than that, can you?

Rating: 4/5 (Why not 5? Since I've just said you can't ask for more. Well, it didn't make me laugh out loud and Gorman is a comedian, after all.)

Like this? Try Not Buying It by Judith Levine

Posted by Keris on August 25, 2008 in British Authors, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 20, 2008 11:22 AM

SPOTLIGHT: Polly Williams

I have yet to read The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy by Polly Williams but I have read her second and third books, The Bad Bride's Tale and A Good Girl Comes Undone. Whilst I didn't enjoy the former I certainly did the latter so I thought I'd find out a little bit more about this author.

Polly grew up in Oxford and, like many writers I profile in this spotlight series, she studied English at university. She then went on to become a successful journalist.

Polly set up a fashion magazine called Scene at the young age of twenty three and became the editor. She then went on to work for Punch, You, In Style, The Sunday Times and The Independent as a style writer and celebrity interviewer. When I did a google search on her she is mentioned as the talented freelancer Polly Williams.

At the age of thirty one she thought it high time she started the novel she'd been talking about writing, so jotted down ideas. Then, after her baby was born, six weeks prematurely, she carried on writing. When she realised she couldn't find a book to read about the contradictory and messy business of being a new mum in the twenty first century she set about writing The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy which became a bestseller.

Polly Williams Interview

Spotlight archives

Posted by Helen Redfern on August 20, 2008 in British Authors, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 18, 2008 12:11 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Sparkles by Louise Bagshawe

I've not read any Louise Bagshawe before, so this weekend, thanks to my husband's generosity, I settled down with one of her more recent books, Sparkles. It tells the saga of the Massot family, owners of the prestigious jewellery firm. Sophie, the wife and mother, Tom the son and Pierre, the husband and father who has been missing for seven years. Sophie, distraught, has decided she, Tom and the firm need to move on, so she has had Pierre legally declared dead.

Tom doesn't take this news very well and distances himself from his mother. In the meantime the knives are out at Massots the firm. There are hirings and firings aplenty and Judy, Pierre's mistress has got it in for Sophie. Then there is Katherine, Pierre's mother, a woman who hates Sophie and makes sure a gulf is driven between her and her son.

There are plenty of twists and turns in this story. There are also lots of holes and problems I have with it. The women are either career driven "working girls" or submissive and virginal. Of course, they also all hate each other, with this hatred stemming from the rivalry of one man, Pierre, where personally, I don't see the attraction.

But. Yes there is a but. This is a strangely gripping tale. Once I'd picked it up I could barely put it down. Admittedly the plot line is faintly ludicrous and Sophie is a weak heroine, but even so, I kept reading. And dreamt last night that I was the owner of a jewellery firm. Sparkles certainly has impact.

Like Keris with Glamour, I was expecting some "bonking". I had thought Louise's books were "bonkbusters". This was not the case, after all the heroine didn't believe in sex before marriage. Nevertheless, I definitely look forward to reading more of her books.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try An Absolute Scandal by Penny Vincenzi

Posted by Helen Redfern on August 18, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 14, 2008 1:54 PM

BOOK NEWS: Country Pursuits

It seems the journalists at Heat magazine are a talented lot. Not only has Lucie Cave, their features editor, ghostwritten for Abi Titmuss and Jade Goody, but her colleagues are also writing books. Paige Toon has released Johnny Be Good and now Jo Carnegie, Heat's deputy editor, has released her debut novel, Country Pursuits. It is another of these modern day bonkbusters with scandal, sex and men. Fab.

I have to comment on the cover though. The woman looks like her head has been sliced off. At least in the paperback version (over the cut) you can see a whole woman.

The gorgeous women of Churchminster know exactly what they want - a constant flow of champagne (on tap at the local pub) and the love of a good man. But faced with the likes of braying, beer-guzzling farmer Angus, foul-tempered Lord Fraser and suave banker Sebastian (devoted only to himself), their attentions are increasingly drawn to more attractive possibilities ...Meanwhile, when a part of their beloved village comes under threat from a villainous property developer and his bulldozer, the community is united by a different kind of passion. Can they raise enough money to save Churchminster? Will Mick Jagger turn up to the charity ball? And can a person actually die from too much extra-marital sex?

Posted by Helen Redfern on August 14, 2008 in Bonkbusters, Book News, British Authors, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Secret Diaries of Abigail Titmuss by Abi Titmuss

For those of you who don't know who Abi Titmuss is, well, she shot to fame as the girlfriend of a well known TV presenter in the UK (an ex of Catherine Zeta Jones) when he was arrested over rape and sex allegations. She was a nurse at the time and loyally stood by him whilst the press went mad and he was left a broken man. Because of all this press interest in her boyfriend's story, Abi herself started to get attention. Then, bizarrely, the Richard and Judy Show called her in to screen test as a presenter.

The screen test went well and she was offered a job as a roving reporter. Meanwhile she was still working as a nurse at the hospital. She did a couple of pieces for the show, then disaster struck. Someone sold pictures of her with two men and a woman (you know what I mean). Then there were drug allegations. So she was dropped from The Richard and Judy Show. In our crazy media obsessed world, however, this didn't stop the job offers. She went to work for a fantasy channel for a lot of money, FHM the men's magazine wanted to shoot some pictures of her, the tabloids were printing stories about her all the time, and she sort of *fell* into the world of glamour modeling.

This is not an autobiography. As the title suggests it is actually a diary from the date she met her TV presenter boyfriend and when she had just gone part time as a nurse in order to study acting. Unfortunately for her, with the scandal that followed and the career choices she made, her dreams of being an actress were beginning to look less and less likely. I thought the diary extremely well written, but when I read the first page or so properly I saw it had been written "with" Lucie Cave, the talented features editor from Heat Magazine.

The diary shows the world behind the headlines. What is printed versus what actually happens, staged paparazzi shots, the inordinate amount of money to be made from photographs. To me though, this is actually a sad book. When I finished it I actually felt sorry for Abi. If what is said in the book is true or even remotely true, it is a terrible example of the price of fame and the way women in particular are built up by the media, only to be torn to strips a short while later. The sadder part is, women or girls actually aspire to be like her. As Abi says in her advice, are you insane?

From the headlines and the photographs you would think Abi is having a ball and milking it for all its worth. Whilst she may be doing the latter, the former is achieved through lots of alcohol in order to make her more confident. Most women deal with self esteem, weight issues and fat days. Abi is no different. But then I think, why put yourself out there? Why go on a reality TV show? Why expose yourself in such a way? She complains that she feels violated at times so why keep on milking the cow?

Even if you aren't interested in Abi, but are interested in the celebrity media and the way it works, this gives you a small slice of behind the scenes action. As celebrity books go, it's not bad, and as it's not an autobiography but a diary - it's an easy read.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Jordan: Pushed To The Limit by Katie Price

Posted by Helen Redfern on August 14, 2008 in British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

August 11, 2008 10:56 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: First Lady by Michael Dobbs

Due to my obsession with The West Wing, I have become quite a fan of political fiction. Not your Jeffrey Archer or Edwina Curry but First Lady by Michael Dobbs did catch my eye - so I bought it for my husband. A year or two later I have finally got round to reading it for myself, and although I was unsure in case it was a little too political (there are limits to my obsession), these fears were banished once I got going. Before you think, politics *yawn* I don't want to read about that, First Lady is about much more including infidelity, family and revenge.

The story focuses on Ginny Edge, a woman who is quite happy looking after the two children, whilst her husband pursues a career in politics. This all changes when the current leader of the opposition has a stroke and cannot carry on, forcing a leadership contest. When Ginny overhears two of the wives discussing her husband and his inability to stand as he is too busy having an affair her life changes. Instead of leaving him or cutting all his clothes up, she decides the best thing she can do to keep her family together is to make him Prime Minister.

So she sets about doing it. Fortunately Ginny is extremely clever, cleverer than her husband and most of the party in fact and with the aid of Bobby she sets about getting exactly what she wants. Although she is ruthless and there were casualties behind her subterfuge, she is still the heroine because a) she has a conscience and b) because we all know the Government and the members of the opposition are doing the same, if not worse tricks to stay or get into power.

I am always intrigued by what goes on behind the scenes and this book offers the chance to see how the UK government and opposition might actually work. You think some of the plot lines in the book too outrageous? Just look at the last few years - issues with funding of the parties, the focus on Iraq, and the back biting and brutality of leadership elections - they are all there in real life.

By using Ginny and the Sudanese woman, Ajok, Michael Dobbs manages to put a human face onto politics. He actually writes from the woman's perspective quite convincingly too. The subplot with Ajok does get a little tiresome and I lose some of my sympathy for her at one point, but in all, I really enjoyed this book.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Senator's Wife by Sue Miller

Posted by Helen Redfern on August 11, 2008 in British Authors, More On Monday, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 8, 2008 10:11 AM

MOVIE NEWS: Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde's classic novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, is being adapted into a film. It has a rich cast list of British actors including (take a deep breath) Colin Firth (pictured, obviously), Ben Barnes, Emilia Fox, Fiona Shaw, Caroline Goodall, Douglas Henshall, Michael Culkin, Ben Chaplin, Rebecca Hall and Max Irons.

It is being directed by Oliver Parker and due for release next year.

Related posts: Pride & Prejudice | Who's your number one chick-lit hero? (yes they are both Colin Firth related)

Posted by Helen Redfern on August 8, 2008 in British Authors, Classic Novels, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Instructions for Living Someone Else's Life by Mil Millington

Mil Millington's Things My Girlfriend And I Have Argued About is one of the three funniest books I've ever read (the other two being Frank Skinner's autobiography and The Best a Man Can Get by John O'Farrell). Even though I was a bit disappointed with Millington's last two books, I still leapt on this one eagerly when I saw it on the shelf at Waterstone's.

But would you believe it's yet another time-travel(ish) book? You know, like Jenny Colgan's Do You Remember the First Time in which a 30-year-old woman wakes up one day to find herself transported back to age 16. Or Catriona McCloud's almost-brilliant Growing Up Again, in which the main character also goes back in time to age 15. Or, you know, the movie 13 Going on 30. In Instructions For Living Someone Else's Life, Chris Mortimer goes to bed aged 25 in 1988 and wakes up aged 43 in 2006.

The back cover blurb says the book is “for anyone who has ever felt like a 25-year-old stuck in a middle-aged body” and, boy, do I identify with that (even though I'm still “only” 37) so I thought I'd enjoy this book and I really did. I found Millington's style quite difficult to get into – his digressions have digressions and sometimes I found myself thinking, “Get to the point!” - but I haven't found another author who can make me laugh to the point of hysteria. You know when you're laughing so hard you're almost sobbing? Things My Girlfriend And I ... had that effect on me and so did Instructions For Living...

Like Things..., this book also contains a fair amount of wise commentary on the nature of friendship and, particularly, male/female relationships. Millington is equally disparaging about both men and women, but with an undercurrent of fondness and understanding that men and women are, you know, different. And that's okay.

Aside from being funny and wise, it's also inspiring in a 'it's never too late to be what you might have been' kind of a way, but realistically. Even though it has an arguably paranormal premise, it's far more down to earth than, say, Holly Would Dream.

Highly recommended.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Staying Alive by Matt Beaumont

Posted by Keris on August 8, 2008 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 7, 2008 10:21 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Bride Hunter by Amy Appleton

The Bride Hunter, the debut novel by Amy Appleton, was recommended to me by a friend. I bought it based on that recommendation, though I have to say, I felt The Bride Hunter was a bit of a scary title. When I received it, I thought the cover was great, not least because it had a complete woman on the front. No headless chick lit here but it was, as I was about to find out, extremely well written chick lit.

Becca  Orchard used to be a head hunter, but then she lost her job and her boyfriend and her flat as all three were tied up in her job (her boss was her boyfriend and he told her she was fired and had to move out of his flat and they were over on the same day). Feeling extremely fragile, she decided to set up her own business. Instead of hunting heads for recruitment purposes, she used her skills to matchmake. Employed by men she would search out a suitable girlfriend for them, in the hope they'll become their bride (thus "bride hunter" see - I get it now, no longer scary). And so far she has a pretty good success rate.

The heroine of this story is no Bridget Jones. She isn't worried about fat (or carbs), she isn't worried how she looks. She is a business woman, doing something she loves.

This is a well written, well crafted and confident book. The story flows seamlessly, and page turningly. My copy now is looking a little dog eared as it is the sort of book you want to take everywhere, into the bath, on the side whilst you are cooking and into the garden. I actually found it quite refreshing and relatively original in its storyline. Yes, it is romantic chick lit, so you kind of guess the outcome from about half way through, but there is also a rich cast list of secondary characters that are brought vividly to life. Georgie, Becca's aunt, for example, has her own interesting back story and we learn what makes her life tick just before the end. It is additional extras like this that add layers and in turn make this read such a good one.

There is one of those typical misunderstandings that you often get in romantic comedies, but for some reason it works, maybe because we know Becca's background by this stage and understand the reason why...

This is one of those books you can't believe you haven't heard of before. Take a quick look around the bookshops and you'll probably not find it. I myself found it on amazon. But it is certainly worth the hunt.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Little White Lies by Bernadette Strachan

Posted by Helen Redfern on August 7, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 6, 2008 9:46 AM

SPOTLIGHT: Kate Atkinson

Winner of the Whitbread Book of the Year Award in 1995 for Behind the Scenes at the Museum (beating off Salman Rushdie and Roy Jenkins), Kate Atkinson's writing career began with writing short stories for magazines. In 1986 she won the Woman's Own short story competition.

Born in York in 1951, Kate studied English Literature at Dundee University and then went on to research a postgraduate doctorate on American Literature.

In addition to the six novels she has now had published, she has also written a short story collection, Not the End of the World in 2002, and two plays. Nice in 1996 and Abandonment in 2000.

Her sixth novel, When Will There Be Good News?  is out in hardback this month. In it we see the return of Jackson Brodie, the detective hero. He can also be seen in Case Histories and One Good Turn.

Kate also contributes to newspapers and magazines.

Bibliography

Behind the Scenes at the Museum 1995

Nice 1996

Human Croquet 1997

Emotionally Weird 2000

Abandonment 2000

Not The End of the World 2002

Case Histories 2004

One Good Turn 2006

When Will There Be Good News? 2008

Posted by Helen Redfern on August 6, 2008 in British Authors, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (4)

August 5, 2008 10:56 AM

HELEN'S HEROINES: Emily Prince

When we first meet Emily in The Secret Shopper's Revenge by Kate Harrison, she is a new mother and also newly single after her husband left her for a woman called Heidi and is now living in Geneva. Emily, in contrast, is struggling - being low on self esteem, low on money and low on friends.

Then she meets Grazia, who sees certain qualities in Emily, and a short time later Emily becomes a mystery shopper. Which, she comes to realise, she is actually quite good at. In return the mystery shopping helps with her self esteem, offers some financial security and, unexpectedly, also gives her friendships.

When I was reading this book for review I knew, as I read it, that Emily would make a great heroine for this column. We see Emily at the beginning, at her lowest, and watch as she recovers from the awful way her husband treated her, and blossoms into someone she wants to be, but has always been constrained, first by her parents and then by her husband.

Yes she has help along the way. First with Grazia offering her the job and secondly with the friendships she builds with Grazia, Sandie and later Will. But she nurtures those friendships, taking time to help the other women with their troubles too. Most tellingly, when she realises what has happened to a shop manager after one of her secret missions, she is outraged and feels a sense of duty towards him and the shop.

Emily is such a strong character.  After all, it's not easy being a mum. It's also not easy living on your own for the first time in London. And it certainly isn't easy when your husband leaves you for another woman. Having had all three happen to her at pretty much the same time, yet coming through it with a smile on her face, yes and the occasional wobble (she wouldn't be real otherwise), is pretty inspiring.

More Helen's Heroines

Posted by Helen Redfern on August 5, 2008 in British Authors, Helen's Heroines | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Emma & Knightley by Rachel Billington

Reviewed by Jill Hart

This Austen sequel, the third of it's type that I've read recently, is hands-down my favorite. Billington's continuation of Austen's Emma truly made feel like I was reading something Austen herself would have written.

Emma and Knightley have been married a year and life thus far has been blissful. But, when Mr Knightley's brother, John, falls into financial trouble and Emma is called to London to help her elder sister who is preparing for the birth of her sixth child, Emma's world turns upside down.

The death of Jane Fairfax and the return of Frank Churchill add the perfect amount of drama. And, of course, we can't forget the infamous Mrs Elton and her annoying countenance. She's determined to throw the ball of the century when her sister finally comes to pay a visit.  

Amongst the 'Austen-style' drama going on around her is Emma, still learning what it means to be a proper wife to Mr Knightley. She knows there seems to tension between them, but isn't sure of the source or how to go about clearing the air. Can they learn to fully love one another and build a strong marriage or will assumptions and misunderstandings tear them further apart?

I truly loved this book. I began reading it and had I not known better I would have thought I was reading something written by Austen herself. There were a few times that I thought Emma seemed a little more condescending than in the original, especially to Harriet, but overall I was delighted with the story. The story flows well, the characters were believable and their actions were consistent with those of the original story. The plot lines kept things interesting and Emma's trip to London was a nice change of pace.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Pemberley Chronicles by Rebecca Ann Collins

Posted by Aigua Media on August 5, 2008 in British Authors, Classic Novels, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 1, 2008 11:39 AM

BOOK NEWS: Coming Up Next

For UK readers the name Penny Smith will be familiar. She is the news reader from GMTV every weekday morning. And now she's written a book. I've yet to read it myself, but from first impressions the cover isn't that original is it? A chick lit standard headless woman?

Anyway believe it or not it is about a TV presenter. A morning TV presenter at that. Carry on over the cut for the summary.

A darkly comic novel about the fall and rise of a TV presenter. Written by an insider, it's a page-turning account of life on the sofa and in front of the cameras. When Katie Fisher, morning TV presenter, returns from holiday it's to discover that she's literally yesterday's news. Publicly sacked from her job as anchor of Hello Britain! and replaced by a pert young thing, she does what any self-respecting thirty something would in these circumstances -- she makes a dash for her parents and hits the bottle. But Katie, sooner or later, has to face the world, the photographers, and the backstage intrigue of morning television: the cut-throat, lecherous producers, the ambitious but vacant Keera, and Mike, her co-host, a trustworthy friend or just another one of the many back-stabbers? Humour is Katie's only weapon and, as things hit rock-bottom, it could provide a perfect solution to life after the sofa. Knowing, insightful and darkly comic, Penny Smith's novel is the insider's view of TV.

Posted by Helen Redfern on August 1, 2008 in Book News, British Authors, Celebrity Authors | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK NEWS: The Tales of Beedle the Bard

Last December Amazon bid £1.95 million ($4 million) for one of seven copies of the fairy tales first mentioned in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows when Hermione is given a copy to help defeat Lord Voldemort. JK Rowling wrote seven copies but only one went on sale. Now Amazon is to produce 100,000 collector's edition copies (at £50 a copy) and a much cheaper standard edition. As J.K Rowling explains,

There was understandable disappointment among Harry Potter fans when only one copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard was offered to the public last December. I am therefore delighted to announce that, thanks to the generous support of Bloomsbury, Scholastic and Amazon - and with the blessing of the wonderful people who own the other six original books - The Tales of Beedle the Bard will now be widely available to all Harry Potter fans." [via BBC]

Posted by Helen Redfern on August 1, 2008 in Book News, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Chocolat by Joanne Harris

Finally I have managed to finish Chocolat by Joanne Harris. I tried to read this years ago, and struggled, but after reading Garden Spells, which had a sticker on saying "Adored Chocolat? You'll love Garden Spells," I thought I'd give it a go. After all I adored Garden Spells, but would I enjoy Chocolat as much?

The story revolves around the lives of Vianne Rocher, who arrives at the French village of Lansquenet with her daughter, Anouk. Her arrival and setting up of a chocolate boutique opposite the church at the beginning of Lent doesn't sit well at all with Father Reynaud. He believes she is a serious menace to the village, upsetting the status quo and encouraging women like Armande and Josephine to behave inappropriately.

Then there are the gypsies that come to the village on their boats, including Roux. The intolerance towards these people by the church, the narrow-mindedness, the secrets, including one big one. It is all very intriguing and we see it all through the eyes of Vianne and Father Reynaud.

I found it difficult initially to get into the rhythm of the book. I was also self conscious, I felt I had to enjoy it as so many other people had raved about it.

I found Joanne's style of writing evocative, but also a style that you have to really sink into, to forget everything going on around you. Once I had done this, by about page one hundred, I was comfortable with the writing, the characters, and I was no longer seeing the film in my head, I could really get into it.

However. Something didn't feel quite right. Whether it was the fact that this is supposed to be set in the present and not one hundred years ago. It wasn't until films and a big TV was mentioned in the story that I actually grasped that this was set in modern times, but the way people were acting, particularly the priest, felt quite backward and therefore rather cliched of a catholic village.

Then there was Vianne. I didn't feel I really understood her, to get what she was actually trying to do. It didn't delve deep enough into her character for my liking and Father Reynaud was just two dimensional.

Saying that, I enjoyed it, and certainly recommend it. I'm also looking forward to reading The Lollipop Shoes, but, controversially maybe, I can't give it more than 3 out of 5.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen - I preferred it.

Posted by Helen Redfern on August 1, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

July 31, 2008 11:59 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Love Of Her Life by Harriet Evans

Keris loved the cover and story of Harriet Evan's second novel, so I was quite excited to review her third, The Love of Her Life. With a similar (but not as stunning) cover, The Love of Her Life promised to be a "modern day love story jam-packed with humour hurt, hope and happiness". Everything you need really, so I was raring to go.

The heroine is Kate Miller, an English girl living in New York. Her father, living back home in London, is ill and she needs to come home to see him. The only thing is, she'll no doubt also see lots of reminders of what happened as well. Including the man who could, quite possibly, be the love of her life.

So she goes back home and sees her father, meets up with her best friend, and all the time references are made regarding something that has happened in the past. What could this be?  Harriet Evans definitely keeps the pages turning here, as we need to know what had made Kate run away to New York and take a job that is quite beneath her abilities.

The book then goes back in time and we find out some information. Then we come back to the present, then back again, which to be honest did confuse me slightly. But then I should have been paying better attention, but I was distracted by Kate. You see, I found her a bit frustrating. I wanted to give her a good shake at times, she just seemed a bit, well, wet.

I find it frustrating when the plot is based around a lack of communication and misunderstandings that are blindingly obvious to the reader. After all, if there were less of these issues in the book it could probably have been about one hundred pages shorter, yet still a good read.

Saying that though, I did enjoy the book. It was fun putting all the pieces of her life together and finding out exactly what happened in order for her to flee London. Everything then makes sense and I can almost (almost!) forgive her for being a bit of a drip.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Alphabet Weekends by Elizabeth Noble

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 31, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Beatrix Potter

This week marks the birthday of Beatrix Potter (28 July 1866), so I thought I'd take a look at the woman who has had such a big impact on children's lives.

Born Helen Beatrix Potter in Kensington, London, to parents that were rich thanks to an inheritance from the cotton trade, Beatrix had a lonely childhood. Her brother, six years her junior, was sent away to boarding school, whilst she was educated by a series of governesses, until she was an adult and became the household supervisor.

The family took holidays in Perthshire and the Lake District, where Beatrix, with her brother, would continue to study and draw the local wildlife. She grew to be a keen conservationist and naturalist, writing a paper called "On the Germination of the Spores of Agaricineae" (gilled funghi) that was rejected by the Linnean Society - as she was both an amateur and a woman.

So Beatrix concentrated her talents on drawing and stories. She wrote letters to the children of her governess. One of them was a story that she later went on to develop and call Peter Rabbit. The Tale of Peter Rabbit was finally published in her 30's after a few years of trying and also self publishing it for a while. She then went on to publish a total of twenty three children's books. All of them little handheld tales about animals.

In her private life she became secretly engaged to her publisher, Norman Warne, who tragically died before they could marry. She later went on to marry a solicitor called William Heelis. The books allowed her to become financially independent of her parents and she bought property in the Lake District, which she went on to leave to The National Trust in her will. This generous act helped ensure the Lake District remained unspoiled from development.

Miss Potter is being shown on BBC1 in the UK on Sunday 3 August at 8pm.

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 31, 2008 in British Authors, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 30, 2008 9:57 AM

BOOK NEWS & COVER: Black Boxes

This must be one of the most stunning book covers I have seen in some time. Black Boxes by Caroline Smailes is out in hardback on 15 September. This is the extract from her blog,

Ana Lewis is a woman trapped and ruined by her own expectations. Her intense relationship with fellow student Alex cracks beyond repair when she falls pregnant, and his subsequent withdrawals, both emotional and sexual are hard for her to bear. Eventually, following the births of their children Pip and Davie, Alex leaves Ana to a life of question and blame.

Cocooned in her room on the brink of a fatal collapse, Ana Lewis is recollecting and questioning every aspect of her life. Oblivious to the needs of her young children she remains trapped in her spiral of depression, railing against the man she blames for everything.

As she tumbles towards oblivion her story is revealed, piece by piece, moment by moment, but does the real Ana ever appear?

Related posts: Guest Blog | In Search of Adam | Disraeli Avenue

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 30, 2008 in Book News, Book covers, British Authors, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (2)

July 28, 2008 1:37 PM

BOOK NEWS: Over You

As we reported back in January Lucy Diamond's long awaited second novel is out on August 1. Below is the blurb - I can't wait to read the book.

Josie, Nell and Lisa go back a long way - they were flatmates, soulmates and best mates back in their twenties when life was one long party. Five years later, things are different. Josie is married with kids in deepest suburbia, free-spirit Nell has travelled the world, and Lisa is on the path to career glory (and the salary Premiership). A reunion weekend in London seems a great idea to Josie ...until she discovers something which will change the course of her life forever.

Related posts: Anyway you want me | Guest Blog | Lucy Diamond is getting married

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 28, 2008 in British Authors, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 24, 2008 3:52 PM

BOOK NEWS: Special Delivery

Fans of Zoe Barnes will be delighted to know she has a new book out next month. Special Delivery (yes it is to do with babies, I seem to have a baby theme going on today - sorry about that) is about Ally and her sister Miranda.

Ally is happily married to Luke, but she and her sister Miranda couldn't be more different. While Ally has four children and a cosy home life, Miranda is child-free, married to a millionaire and lives in a show home that wouldn't be out of place in the pages of House & Garden. Ally gave up trying to compete years ago. But she is shocked when Miranda asks her if she'll help provide the one thing that is missing from her perfect life: a baby. Ally has every sympathy for Miranda's infertility problems, but can she really have a baby and hand it over to someone else? Especially if that someone else is Miranda. 

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 24, 2008 in British Authors, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Baby Group by Rowan Coleman

I know I have reviewed quite a few of Rowan's books lately, but you know how it is. You read one you like, then just have to read the others by the same author. The Baby Group was for me the first book I read by Rowan, compelling me to read more of hers, so I read it again the other day for the purposes of this review and enjoyed it as much as I did the first time.

What I should say straight off is, don't be put off by the title or the cover. Although babies do factor in this story, this isn't a book about them. It isn't really a book about a baby group as they don't get together so much on a structured basis, but about a collection of individuals who get to know each other, united in the fact that they all happen to have babies.

Natalie Curzon is the main character in this story. An independent, career minded woman running her own design company she had an unexpected and out of character fling with Jack Newhouse, then had a baby nine months later. It is a big change in her life and life as a single mother is a struggle and hugely different to what she is used to. Needing other adult company she joins the baby first aid group down the road and soon meets up with Meg a mother to four children. Along with Tiffany they set up a baby group of their own and are joined by Frances, Jess and Steve.

As ever with Rowan's stories, the characters are very well drawn and easy to empathise with. The large cast of character's does have the potential to be confusing, but I never found that as each one has its own individuality. Natalie isn't that likable in the beginning, but as we get to know her and her story unfolds I grew to like her, as she got to grips with her new life.

There are a few twists and turns to keep you guessing, but in summary this is a lovely book, a gentle read with lots of romcom factors.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Yorkshire Pudding Club by Milly Johnson

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 24, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 21, 2008 12:37 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Other People's Husbands by Judy Astley

Some books, when you put them down, you physically itch to get back to and don't feel your life will be complete until you finish it. Others you'll look at but then you keep finding lots of other things to do before you return to it. Other People's Husbands was, for me, unfortunately the latter.

Sara is married to Conrad, an artist who is twenty five years older than her. Conrad has decided he would rather die than become seventy and Sara, a teacher at the local college, has plenty of male friends. Then she finds she is attracted to one of them.

Then there is Pandora and Cassandra, Conrad and Sara's twenty something children, Cassandra's baby and Sara's sister Lizzie with her son Jasper. There is a house full with lots going on.

This is, for want of a better description, a nice book. A book that doesn't tax you, an enjoyable one, but not one that leaves a lasting impression.  The relationships between the characters are played out well. Conrad is a bit "unusual", Sara seems to be having some kind of crisis of her own...but I don't feel I get to know the characters too deeply.

This is my first Judy Astley novel, so I don't know how it compares with her others, and it won't necessarily be my last. It's definitely one for when you just want a nice (there's that word again), light read.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Having a Lovely Time by Jenny Eclair

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 21, 2008 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

MORE ON MONDAY: My Booky Wook by Russell Brand

I'd been hearing such great things about this book for such a long time, that I planned to read it even though I'd never actually seen Russell Brand in action. Of course, I was aware of him - he's impossible to miss - but I'd never actually seen his stand up until a couple of weeks ago... and I thought he was hilarious so bought the book the very next time I was in a bookshop.

I started reading it on the train and was worried I would have to put it down because more than once I did those snorting laughs that cause people to turn around to see what you're reading (or consider moving seats).

In case you're unfamiliar with Mr Brand, he's a TV presenter, stand-up comedian and actor who used to be alcoholic and addicted to both heroin and sex. The book begins actually with his manager sending him to a clinic to recover from his sex addiction, but then we go back to childhood and the rest of the book is fairly chronological.

As you may guess from the title, My Booky Wook is written in an extremely conversational style, which feels as if Brand is talking to you (I generally read it in his voice, which was quite entertaining). It's extremely honest, often disgusting and frequently funny. I also found it inspirational since he originally set out wanting to be a comedian and actor, but kept sabotaging himself (he was sacked from practically every single job he ever got), but once he got clean he's managed to achieve those ambitions in a relatively short time. It just shows that however many mistakes you make, there's always the chance that you can pull your socks up (or, in Brand's case, your pants down) and get another chance.

Once I'd finished it, I searched my email so I could tell one of the people I thought had recommended it to me how much I enjoyed it. I found their email. It said, "Don't read Russell Brand's book, it'll make you feel dirty." And I'd taken that as a recommendation! And it did make me feel a tiny bit dirty, but it also made me happy and I was sorry to finish reading it.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Frank by Frank Skinner (THE best celebrity autobiography ever, in my opinion)

Posted by Keris on July 21, 2008 in British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

July 18, 2008 1:10 PM

KERIS & HELEN'S SUMMER READS 2008: Worldwide Adventures in Love by Louise Wener

I haven't read any of Louise Wener's previous books and I wasn't sure I was going to like this one, but I was sucked in pretty much from the first page.

Set in the seventies, it's the story of two sisters - Jessie and Margaret - who befriend Edith, an older local woman, and spend many a happy afternoon talking to her and investigating the treasures strewn around her house. But then Edith's house burns down and Edith is killed.

Around the same time as Edith's death, Jessie and Margaret's mother leaves home to live with her new man. The girls are confused and their father is utterly incapable of looking after them (he tries - he's just never had to do it before, and is completely lost).

Between the chapters about the girls are letters from Edith in the early part of the last century, during which she was an adventuress, travelling to Greenland, Africa, Italy.

I really loved this book. Written from Jessie's point of view, it's often unintentionally hilarious (unintentional on the part of the narrator, not the author!), reminding me more than once of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. There's also much fun to be had with late seventies nostalgia (if you're my age, anyway) and the Edith chapters are exciting, inspiring and, eventually, almost unbearably sad.

It's a beautifully written and wide-ranging book and, while not exactly a beach book, it's certainly a curl-up-with-a-glass-of-wine book.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Half Life of Stars by Louise Wener

Posted by Keris on July 18, 2008 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Daisy Dooley Does Divorce by Anna Pasternak

Reviewed by Angela Richardson

Anna Pasternak has been writing a popular column in the Daily Mail for the last four years. She certainly has writing in her blood, as she’s the grandniece of the Russian novelist Boris Pasternak. Daisy Dooley Does Divorce is based on her newspaper column. I was looking forward to reading this, after all four years worth of ideas should equal a pretty good book in my opinion.

Considering the title - Daisy Dooley Does Divorce - describing the story almost seems pointless. As Ronseal would say ‘it does exactly what it says on the tin’. It’s no surprise that Daisy is newly divorced or that we are going to live through the trials and tribulations of a newly divorced woman. Her two best friends are the opposite ends of life’s stories. One is a confirmed single woman and workaholic doctor and the other Daisy sees as having the perfect married life with a successful husband, gorgeous house and lovely children. This book is a round up of Daisy’s dating disasters and quest for her and her friends to find happiness.

Even though this was a popular column I did wonder when I started reading this whether I was going to relate to it, as I’ve never been married (or divorced, but I suppose that goes without saying!). At the start I found the characters a bit clichéd and Daisy seemed to bring a lot of her misery on her own head. Daisy does not invite a lot of sympathy; even her friends think that she’s slightly barmy to say the least. She’s addicted to self-help books, but can be alarmingly self-centred and shallow at times and I was beginning to think that I was going to hate the book. However, Pasternak eventually won me over. I slowly warmed to the characters as their back-stories were revealed and even though Daisy had the odd relapse (judging a new boyfriend by how posh his bathroom was seemed to be an invitation for misery to me) she did become quite endearing and as frightening as it was I begun to understand where she was coming from.

I’m sure that anyone that has been through the process of divorce will find this book hilarious and heart warming. For the rest of the population it’s worth the effort as the characters develop into much more than you would expect at the beginning, and the journey is entertaining to say the least.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Second Wives Club by Jane Moore

Posted by Aigua Media on July 18, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 17, 2008 10:44 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Thanks For Nothing, Nick Maxwell by Debbie Carbin

Thanks For Nothing, Nick Maxwell is the debut novel by Debbie Carbin. Using a rather unusual style of writing we follow Rachel Covington's life as she meets Nick at work, takes him home, gets pregnant but doesn't realise - then spends the next few chapters wondering what's wrong with her. When she finally does see the doctor, it is also, by coincidence the same day she has arranged to meet a man called Hector as she found his mobile phone and is returning it to him. She then ends up spilling her secret to him.

When I say unusual style of writing I mean Debbie has written this in the first person as though Rachel is talking directly to you. For example;

I'll show you my office later. Make sure you have a look at the performance tables. They're over by Jean's desk, pinned up on the wall. You'll see that my name is always in the top three, week in, week out.

At first this style of writing irritated me, but I got used to it, got stuck into the story and it didn't matter anymore. What was strange though was when Rachel went on to describe what other people were doing in the story, without actually being there herself. I had to get my head around that one.

When Rachel decides what to do about her pregnancy (and you can guess what she decides as she finds out early on in the book and the book goes on for another 400 or so pages) the stranger with the mobile phone becomes more involved in her life, we find out that they coincidently share the same circle of friends, then Hector happens to be involved with the IT at her work...

I really enjoyed this book. It was a page turner, was well written and I'm looking forward to Debbie's next book. However, there are rather a few too many coincidences throughout but especially near the end (which was, nevertheless, satisfyingly emotional). Then there is the plot. It is a plot built on confusion and misunderstandings. Woman gets pregnant with someone she's not serious about, doesn't realise for a while even though it's blindingly obvious to the reader, then meets another man but man thinks she is still involved with the father. Also, I can't help but think I've read a similar plot somewhere before.

This is a lovely debut novel and definitely one to pack in your suitcase, just don't expect too much in the way of originality.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Shopaholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 17, 2008 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 16, 2008 2:30 PM

KERIS & HELEN'S SUMMER READS 2008: Petite Anglaise by Catherine Sanderson

As a blogger myself, I can't help but be fascinated with any other blogger out there who has carved a niche with their blog and managed to bag a book deal out of it. Catherine Sanderson was the first person I had heard of to do this, although I know others have before her.

(Note that I have used the US book cover here as it is far more attractive than the UK one)

Catherine started her blog in 2004 whilst living in Paris with Mr Frog and their child, Tadpole, after being inspired by the the adventures of Belle de Jour. She then left Mr Frog for a man she "met in her comments box", then got dumped, then outed. But she also managed to get a book deal out of it and Petite Anglaise - the book - is the result.

This isn't her blog in book format though. Rather it is the story behind the blog and fills in a lot of the back story that she kept hidden at the time. It also shows how her life changed when her blog became well known.

If you want to read her blog then you can find it here.

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 16, 2008 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Recent Release, Summer Special | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Holly's Inbox Scandal in the City by Holly Denham

I enjoyed the first Holly's Inbox book, but I found it just too silly to be a really great read. While Holly's Inbox Scandal in the City is just as entertaining and compelling as the first book, there is also more plot and depth and I absolutely loved it.

I finished it last week and each time I've seen the book since it's made me smile. Partly that's because of the fabulous cover - the "Holly's" part is actually pink glitter and it really leaps out (I know you shouldn't judge a book, etc., but it's just so fabulously girly I can't resist it), but also partly because the book's contents are just so sweet and happy.

I didn't remember much about the first book when I started the second, but I was soon back into the swing of things. Holly's still working on reception at the bank alongside her good friend Trisha. A promotion is in the offing, though, which Holly worries will damage their relationship.

Holly is living with Toby, who is also working at the bank, but he's working on such a big deal that she hardly ever sees him and starts to worry that things aren't going to work out between them after all.

Plus there are a couple of new staff members, who are determined to make Holly's life a misery (one of whom is so evil that I wanted to reach into the book and slap her around). (The book captures office politics brilliantly and makes me glad I no longer work in one.)

Luckily, Holly is still exchanging emails with friends Aisha and Jason and they're always good for laugh out loud moments.

Like the first book, Holly's Inbox Scandal in the City is a quick and easy read. Perfect for your summer holidays.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot

Posted by Aigua Media on July 16, 2008 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 5/5, Series | Permalink | Comments (2)

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)

MORE ON MONDAY: Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

Sue Trinder lives with a woman she thinks of as a mum, Mrs Sucksby, along with Mr Ibbs in nineteenth century London. Their house is always coming and going with thieves (and babies), with objects for Mr Ibbs to melt down or sell on. This is all pretty normal every day life for Sue until one day a man they all refer to as Gentleman comes around with an idea for a deception that could make them a lot of money. He wants to convince a girl called Maud, the same age as Sue but an heiress, to fall in love with him, marry him, then he can claim her fortune whilst he puts Maud into an asylum.

Gentleman needs Sue to become Maud's maid so he would be able to spend time with Maud in the company of her maid, with no suspicions being raised. Sue would also encourage Maud to marry Gentleman. In return Gentleman has promised Sue a large part of the fortune. Completely devious but straightforward.

This book has the most shocks and twists that I have ever come across in a novel. I didn't predict any of them so when the first one in particular happened my mouth was left gaping in awe. It was so cleverly done. The way Sarah Waters has written this you develop strong feelings for all the characters and even though Sue is setting out to deceive Maud, you still like her.

This is a period book in that it is set in the nineteenth century, but if you don't normally go for period novels then don't let that put you off. Sarah has managed to combine all the grottiness of that time (the awful asylums, the hangings, the damp beds) with a contemporary, fast paced plot and skilled use of language. As with The Night Watch her writing is brilliantly evocative and uncovers the layers of what life was actually like during this particular period.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 14, 2008 in British Authors, More On Monday, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

July 11, 2008 12:52 PM

BOOK NEWS: Disraeli Avenue (Limited Edition)

Disraeli Avenue, the novella written by Caroline Smailes and previously available as an ebook is now going to be published later this year with a beautiful new cover. The novella contains 32 flashes from the houses on the street where Jude from In Search of Adam lived.

500 limited edition copies will be signed and numbered and available from 1 October (one month after the release of Caroline's second novel Black Boxes). As before all profits will go to One in Four. You can read more, including how to order, on Caroline's blog.

Related posts: Best of 2007 Guest Blog | Helen's best and worst of 2007 | Everything You Ever Wanted

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 11, 2008 in Book News, British Authors, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 10, 2008 11:30 AM

BOOK NEWS AND COVERS: An Evil Seed

After writing about Joanne Harris yesterday for the Spotlight series, I came across what I thought was a new book of hers released in paperback this September. However, after checking through her bibliography again I see The Evil Seed is, in fact, the first book she had published in 1989 (I knew I recognised the title). Obviously they are now re-releasing it with a new cover.

The one on the left is (one of) the old covers and the one on the right is the new one.

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 10, 2008 in Book News, Book covers, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: A Good Girl Comes Undone by Polly Williams

A Good Girl Comes Undone is the third novel by Polly Williams after the successful Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy and the poorly reviewed here on Trashionista (ok, by me) A Bad Bride's Tale. I didn't like the bad bride book because I thought the main character was weak, other characters were clichéd and the whole plot ridiculous. I wasn't expecting much, to be honest, from A Good Girl Comes Undone, but I'm pleased to say (as I actually do like to give good reviews) I was grabbed from the first page.

Annie Rafferty works as deputy editor for magazine, Glo. She lives with her boyfriend Nick in a house they splashed out on after her promotion. This means a huge increase in mortgage payments but as they are both successful, they can afford it. Then he tells her he has taken voluntary redundancy as he wants to work out what to do with his life.

Meanwhile, at work, Annie is struggling for survival after her colleague and (rather clichéd) worst enemy Alexis is gunning for her job. Then there is the fact her new superior seems to be flirting with her, her boyfriend Nick has turned to smoking drugs all day and her sister is getting married to Olly. Then her parents announce they are selling her childhood home.

Annie isn't a weak character. I liked her. She is focused, in control and accomplished. However, whenever she has a heated discussion with a man she rises from the table and grabs her coat saying something along the lines of "I can't do this." Which lets her down a tiny bit. I know this leaves the book with the page turning factor but it became irritating after a while. I wanted to shout at her to just talk to him then we'd all know where we stood. But this is a minor point. There were other minor points too which irked me a little bit, but I'll skirt over those because the book was actually a riveting read.

This is a huge leap from Polly's last book and I found it surprisingly enjoyable. I wasn't sure how it was going to end all the way through but I'm pleased with the ending it did have. The other characters were well thought out and there were quite a few surprises from them along the way. Polly did well with one of the main, male, characters, as we are kept guessing about him right until the end.

If her previous book put you off then I really recommend you give her another chance. If you've never tried Polly Williams before, then start with this one.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 10, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 9, 2008 12:02 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Joanne Harris

I find Joanne Harris quite fascinating, or at least the writer part of her. I love the way she writes (as described on her website), the covers of her books are so different and the titles! - Chocolat, Blackberry Wine, Five Quarters of the Orange, The Lollipop Shoes, I find them so evocative. I am currently reading Chocolat after aborting it on first attempt, I think I read it too soon after watching the film and couldn't separate the two, and I'm now really enjoying it.

So what can I tell you about Joanne? She was born in Barnsley in 1964 to an English father and a French mother. She went on to become a teacher and whilst she was teaching she had three novels published - The Evil Seed, Sleep, Pale Sister and Chocolat. Since then she has had published a further seven novels -she writes a book a year - a short story collection and two cookery books along with Fran Warde.

She has won a variety of British and International awards and has been published in over forty countries. Chocolat has been made into a successful film.

She was born in her grandparent's sweet shop and her life has always been surrounded by food and folklore as her great-grandmother was said to be a witch and healer.

Joanne is extremely secretive about any work she has in progress, often not even telling her agent and has more than one project on the go so she can jump from one to the other.

Bibliography

The Evil Seed (1989)

Sleep, Pale Sister (1993)

Chocolat (1999)

Blackberry Wine (2000)

Five Quarters of the Orange (2001)

Coastliners (2002)

Holy Fools (2003)

Gentleman and Players (2005)

The Lollipop Shoes (2007)

Runemarks (For children and young adults) (2007)

Jigs & Reels (Short story collection) (2004)

The French Kitchen (Cookbook) (2002)

The French Market (Cookbook) (2005)

Spotlight archives

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 9, 2008 in British Authors, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 7, 2008 11:06 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Secret Shopper's Revenge by Kate Harrison

I have been looking forward to reading The Secret Shopper's Revenge by Kate Harrison ever since I saw the cover design where the dust jacket is actually the bag. So when it plopped onto my door mat on Saturday I got stuck in straight away. I had already read chapter one, so I went straight to chapter two and didn't really come up for air until Sunday afternoon when I finished it.

The story is about three women. Three strong women. Often when you read books from multiple characters' perspective you tend to get one woman who is a bit pathetic. With Emily, Sandie and Grazia there is none of that (bar a few blips before the other two remind them who they really are and what they can achieve). Although their lives are far from sorted, and in fact we meet them when their lives are at crisis points, we follow them on their journey as they slowly begin to sort themselves out and come into their own.

First of all we have Emily. Emily is a new mum and also a single mum. Her husband left her when their son was two months old. She is now trying to survive in London on her own and finds, amongst many other things, that shopping for clothes is not easy when you have a baby in a buggy, a post baby tummy and condescending shop assistants sneering at you.

Sandie is a manager of a department store. She loves her job, lives for her job, so when she is stitched up by an ambitious assistant she struggles to find someone who will employ her with the stigma of "no references".

Then we have Grazia. A former muse and now a widow of a successful artist she is finding that her husband made no financial provisions if either of them should die. She becomes a secret shopper and needs to find two recruits. Enter Emily and Sandie.

This isn't boy meets girl, although there is a smidgen of romance. This is about three women who develop a friendship, joined initially by the secret shopping but finding they will go out of their way to help each other.

I love Kate's style of writing. It doesn't tax you. You don't have to go back a few pages to remind yourself who's who, or think too much whilst you're reading it. You are just transported into the world of secret shopping and the lives of the three women. It is brilliant, well written and captivating entertainment. Definitely Kate's best book so far.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 7, 2008 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

July 4, 2008 11:52 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Jumping to Confusions by Liz Rettig

To begin with, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy Jumping to Confusions - the main character, Cat, is "the fat, plain one in my family". Her sister, Tessa is blonde, gorgeous and popular, mostly with boys. Cat's mother favours Tessa and comments relentlessly on Cat's weight. I felt like I'd read it all before and couldn't be bothered to read it again, but Cat's voice convinced me to keep going and I'm glad I did.

Tessa fancies Josh, the son of Cat and Tessa's father's American boss, who has moved to Glasgow to restructure the company. But when Josh seems more interested in Cat than in Tessa, Tessa suggests it's because he's not interested in girls at all...

What follows is utterly unbelievable, but strangely compelling. On the assumption that Josh is gay, Cat makes him her new best friend and utilises him for everything from bra shopping to kissing practice. Much of the entertainment comes from the fact that the reader knows (or at least I imagine most readers would know) that Josh isn't gay at all, rather he's interested in Cat ... and Cat is making a holy show of herself.

Plus there's Cat's crush on her schoolteacher (although she doesn't think it's a crush, she believes that he's just waiting for her to finish school so they can be together) and her - mostly hopeless - attempts to matchmake her friends.

Even though Cat came across as pathologically oblivious to what was right in front of her face, I really liked her. She's such a funny, good-hearted and stubborn character. Josh is very cute and Cat's group of friends are highly entertaining too.

Not necessarily a realistic read, but a highly entertaining one.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Pretty Face by Mary Hogan

Posted by Aigua Media on July 4, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

July 2, 2008 10:20 AM

KERIS & HELEN'S SUMMER READS 2008: The Behaviour of Moths by Poppy Adams

My second recommended summer read is one I haven't yet read, but is one I am looking forward to reading very much. The Behaviour of Moths by Poppy Adams is creating a bit of a buzz. I believe it is called The Sister in the US.

Ginny lives in a crumbling mansion, where she once had an idyllic childhood with her sister, Vivien. Now she sits waiting for her sister to return home. A sister who hasn't been back for forty seven years.

Ginny, a lepidopterist, has rarely set foot outside of the mansion. She wonders why Vivien is coming home and remembers their youth, loss and old rivalries. She has shut off and sold the furniture in various parts of the mansion. The only room left untouched is the attic, where the walls are pinned with moths...

It has been described as gripping, absorbing, original, complex, chilling and thrilling. I can't wait to read it.

Summer Reads archives

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 2, 2008 in British Authors, Recent Release, Summer Special | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Grace Dent

You may know Grace Dent's hilarious young adult books. Or you may know her hilarious soap column (World of Lather) in the Guardian's TV Guide. Or perhaps you read her (hilarious) Big Brother column in the Radio Times. If you haven't read her at all, what are you waiting for? You can start now, with her latest book, Shiraz: the Ibiza Diaries. And this interview, of course.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Shiraz Bailey Wood (Duchess of Essex) and the usual suspects go to Ibiza for a fortnight of fun. Seriously, WHAT could go wrong?

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

I write a lot in bed. I'm not ashamed to say that any more. It's one of the biggest perks of being an author. There's no way lying horizontal in bed can ever truly feel like work.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Hollywood Wives - Jackie Collins.

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

Helen Burn in Jane Eyre.  She's Jane's first, best and truest friend. I still get upset thinking about their last evening.

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

Write. Don't sit about talking about how you'd really like to do it. It's the cheapest most accessible hobby in the world. Get on with it.

What are you reading at the moment?

Speaking For Myself by Cherie Blair.

What are you working on now?
I'm writing the new Shiraz book (out in October 2008). I'm writing a Big Brother 9 blog and I'm writing a television show.

Do you have a theme song?

Obstacle Number 1 by Interpol.

What question have you never been asked in an interview, but think you should have been?

Why have you failed your driving test 7 times?

Because apparently I don't 'drive' to the 'suggested standards' of the so-called 'DVLA'  and their 'requirements'. The swines.

Thanks, Grace!

Posted by Aigua Media on July 2, 2008 in British Authors, Interviews, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 1, 2008 2:02 PM

BOOK NEWS: The Life & Soul of the Party

Fans of Mike Gayle will be pleased to hear he has another book out next month. The Life and Soul of the Party is his eighth novel (although his website is a little out of date so I could be wrong). This is the Amazon blurb:

Meet Melissa and Paul: Five years after they split up he's still looking for love in all the wrong places while she wants the one thing she can't have: Paul. Meet Chris and Vicky: They're so in tune they even brush their teeth in time with each other. So what is Chris doing risking it all for a meaningless affair? Meet Cooper and Laura: He wants to settle down, she wants to take a grown-up gap year but can their relationship really survive a year apart?Set across a year of leaving dos, birthday parties and anniversary celebrations The Life and Soul of the Party is a warm, funny and moving tale celebrating love, life and those special moments we've all spent in the kitchen at parties.

Related posts: Can men write romantic fiction? | Review: Mr Commitment

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 1, 2008 in Book News, British Authors, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 30, 2008 12:46 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: The Night Watch by Sarah Waters

Since writing about Sarah Waters in our Thursday Trailblazer, I've been wanting to write a review of one of her books. I'm currently making my way through Fingersmith after thoroughly enjoying Tipping the Velvet and, the first book I read of Sarah's, The Night Watch.

Drawn to The Night Watch because it was set in the second world war and after hearing great things I was initially suspicious, as the story goes backwards through time. It seemed odd to me to find out what happened in the end first, after all, why would I need to keep on reading?

Starting in 1947 and ending in 1941, the novel follows the lives of Kay, Vivien, Duncan and Helen. Kay, a wartime ambulance driver who dresses in men's clothes, sweet Helen who has a painful secret, Viv, loyal mistress to a soldier and mixed up Duncan who has many demons. Each of their lives connect in some way.

As someone who loves reading about this era, Waters did not disappoint. Her writing is evocative, and filled in a lot of gaps for me of what life would be like during that period. The sights of London, the feelings of the people as they go through nightly bombings is brought to life with brilliant writing. The four main characters, along with the periphery characters, jumped out the page at me, and the relationships between them were captivating.

So what made me want to read until the end? Well, as we go back in time we learn why their lives are the way they are.  So what the book lacks in suspense is replaced by our wanting to know the whole story. Why, for example, is Duncan tormented? Pieces come together, like a jigsaw, until we get the complete picture. The book was surprisingly good and original. Now I have high expectations of all Sarah's books. I'll let you know how I get on with Fingersmith.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Villa Serena by Domenica de Rosa

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 30, 2008 in British Authors, More On Monday, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: By the Time You Read This... by Lola Jaye

Lola Jaye's debut has certainly been eagerly anticipated by us here at Trashionista, since the author has been writing a monthly guest blog (and pre-publication diary) for us for ages (read the first here).

The premise of By the Time You Read This... is similar to that of Cecelia Ahern's PS I Love You - Lois's father died when she was a child, but then her Aunt gives her a book that her dad has written for her: The Manual.

The first rule of The Manual is that Lois must only read each new entry on her birthday from ages 12 to 30 and she's not allowed to read ahead. The book also contains sundry advice that she can read as and when she needs it.

And so, with The Manual for company, we follow Lois from age 12 to 30. We meet her friends, her family, her boyfriends. We follow her through changes of career, home and car.

I found it really interesting and entertaining to follow a single character through what are basically her formative years. Usually in chick lit you get a snapshot of someone's life, but By the Time You Read This... is more comprehensive and more involving for that. It's satisfying to witness Lois becoming a strong and independent woman.

I did sometimes find the advice in the manual too convenient and contrived - for Lois's father, Kevin, to have given the advice he did he'd had to be more than a good father, he'd have to have been a clairvoyant - but I didn't enjoy the book any the less for that.

I actually found Kevin's voice more convincing than Lois's and it is his voice that has stayed with me since reading the book. Having said that, I'd still love to read another book about Lois and find out how she's managing without The Manual...

All in all, an inventive and original book and a highly promising debut. Go, Lola!

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try PS I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

Posted by Aigua Media on June 30, 2008 in British Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 27, 2008 9:33 AM

BOOK NEWS: All You Need is Love

Carole Matthews' fourteenth book is out in hardback at the end of July. All You Need is Love is set in Liverpool (where else with a title like that?) with Sally Freeman, a single mum, looking for ways in which to improve, if not the world, at least the estate in which she lives in.

Penniless artist Johnny and city slicker, Spencer Knight who has a Porsche and everything are in love with her. Her rejuvenation project takes off and she enlists the help of locals. But will she choose the right man to love?

Not only does she have the hardback but the paperback of It's A Kind Of Magic is out at the beginning of July.

Related posts: Guest Blog | Product placement in books

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 27, 2008 in Book News, British Authors, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 26, 2008 2:06 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Doris Lessing

Goodness, there is so much information on Doris Lessing swimming about I'm having a hard time condensing it.

Doris was born in Persia (now Iran) in 1919 to British parents. When she was six they moved to Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). Her mother and father are the subject of her latest novel Alfred & Emily. Apparently her mother had rigid regimes and rules and was determined to bring her daughter up the "proper" way.

At thirteen Doris dropped out of school and self educated herself by ordering parcels of books from London. From the age of fifteen she became a nursemaid and wrote stories, two of which she managed to sell to magazines in South Africa.

Her experiences in Africa is portrayed in her fiction. She has written about culture clashes, racial inequality and individual struggles. In 1949 she moved to London and her first novel The Grass is Singing was published. Since then she has had a huge amount of books published (I counted fifty titles) including her latest, Alfred & Emily.

She has won or been shortlisted for countless awards including the Booker Prize for Fiction. Then in 2007 she won the Nobel Prize for Literature. She is the eleventh woman to have won it in 106 years. She is also the oldest person to have won it.

Her bibliography is huge but can be found here.

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 26, 2008 in British Authors, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Home Truths by Freya North

Freya North is probably one of my favourite chick lit authors, so for a bit of comfort this week I decided to curl up with one of her novels. Unable to decide between Cat, Fen or Pip, I decided to combine all three and read Home Truths.

This is the sequel to the three individual books of the McCabe sisters. They have had an unusual childhood in that their mother ran off and left them for a  cowboy from Denver when they were small and they were raised by their eccentric uncle, Django. Now all three have settled down and their lives are almost conventional.

Cat has returned back home to England with her husband, Pip is a wife and stepmother and Fen has a young child. Their lives are ticking along in a normal way, until, at their uncle's party, someone completely unexpected turns up - causing the girls to face their past, their identity and unearth some family secrets.

The girls have grown up and so too has Freya's writing. This isn't the fun, frivolous romp we're used to from Freya's earlier stories, but it is just as entertaining, if not more so. For a start the book started off well in that it has the three McCabe girls reunited. I always like to know what has happened to my favourite characters when the book ends, so meeting the sisters again is brilliant. It isn't boy meets girl - this story is all about the family, where the girls are, or on the verge of becoming, mothers themselves and what happened to them when they were toddlers suddenly becomes very important.

Some tough issues are explored. Abandonment, depression and terminal illness are just three of them. All three sisters have their quirks, vulnerabilities and irritations (Fen looking at her hands when making a decision for a start) but they are all the more lovable and entertaining for that.

This is a great grown-up chick lit novel written in Freya's usual, sassy style. But then, I wouldn't expect anything less from Freya.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Pillow Talk by Freya North

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 26, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 25, 2008 1:00 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Sophie King

Whenever I feel I haven't the time to fit everything into my day I should think about Sophie King. She is one busy woman. Not only does she have three fictional books published with her fourth coming out in September, she has also written non-fiction books (under her real name Jane Bidder), is a creative writing teacher, a journalist with articles published in The Times, The Telegraph, Woman and other national publications, she writes short stories, has speaking engagements and appraises manuscripts. Oh and she also writes a newspaper column. Phew.

After graduating from university, Jane trained as a journalist for the Thomson Organisation (previous owners of The Times). She then went on to a trade fashion magazine, Features Editor of Parents Magazine, then Features Writer of Woman's Own before becoming freelance after she had her children.

She is runner up of the Harry Bowling Award and was winner of the Romantic Novelist's Association's Elizabeth Goudge Award in 2004.

Her books are aimed at anyone "who can identify with a chaotic family life". That's me then.

Bibliography

The School Run (2005)

Mums @ Home (2006)

Second Time Lucky (2007)

The Supper Club (out September 2008)

How to Write Short Stories for Magazines (non-fiction out July 2008)

Spotlight archives

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 25, 2008 in British Authors, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 23, 2008 11:14 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Accidental Mother by Rowan Coleman

I had only read two out of the six novels that Rowan Coleman has had published, her two latest, The Baby Group and The Accidental Wife both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. So I thought I'd give one of her earlier books a go.

Sophie Mills works for a company that holds parties for their clients. She works long and hard, lives alone in her flat and has lots of pairs of shoes. She's happy, or so she thinks. Aiming for a promotion she is shocked and floored when one day a social worker walks into her office and tells her she is now the legal guardian of her best friend's children, Izzy and Bella. Her life and her flat is thrown upside down and she is desperate to find their father in order to regain her old life.

This book has been on my radar for some time (it was published in 2006), but being a mother myself I often avoid books that appeared to be primarily about motherhood (coincidently just as I avoided The Baby Group - until I picked it up and realised it wasn't just about babies). It is written in Rowan's usual descriptive style, extremely vivid, in fact, I feel I used to live in Sophie's flat myself.

The book is a little predictable, you can kind of get an idea of what will happen, especially when one of the male leads walks into her life, but the journey Sophie goes on is both heartwarming and sad and you get so engrossed the predictability doesn't really matter. Pre baby I could have identified with Sophie before the children landed on her and once Sophie had fallen for the children and would do anything for them, I could identify with that too. The book also demonstrates, quite dramatically, how having children can completely change your life

I have to say now, after having read three books by Rowan you are always guaranteed a good read. This one is lovely and I enjoyed it tremendously. The only reason I'm giving it 4 instead of 5 in the ratings is because I enjoyed The Accidental Wife (her recent release) a little bit more and I can see how her writing has progressed.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try My Best Friend's Girl by Dorothy Koomson

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 23, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | 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 (3)

June 19, 2008 1:54 PM

BOOK NEWS: When Will There Be Good News?

For those of you who like Kate Atkinson's hero, Jackson Brodie, you'll be delighted to know he's back in a new book out in August.

On a hot summer day, Joanna Mason's family slowly wanders home along a country lane. A moment later, Joanna's life is changed forever...On a dark night thirty years later, ex-detective Jackson Brodie finds himself on a train that is both crowded and late. Lost in his thoughts, he suddenly hears a shocking sound...At the end of a long day, 16-year-old Reggie is looking forward to watching a little TV. Then a terrifying noise shatters her peaceful evening...These three lives come together in unexpected and deeply thrilling ways

Is it me or does the cover look really depressing? See over the cut for the more attractive US version.

Related posts: Book cover: Case Histories | Book cover: Snow globes

Much nicer, don't you think?

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 19, 2008 in Book News, Book covers, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (5)

BOOK REVIEW: Filthy Rich by Wendy Holden

Filthy Rich by Wendy Holden is a hefty book. 598 pages long to be exact. Don't get me wrong, this doesn't put me off, it actually makes me look forward to a book more. For some reason I like a solid book in my hands - it makes me think I'm going to get a cracking story. So did Filthy Rich weigh up? Well some bits did and some bits didn't.

Based in a village in the East Midlands, there is a huge cast of characters that come together over the common ground which is to be made into allotments. There is Mary and Monty the aristocrats who live in the crumbling stately home, the American's Beth and Benny, who have decked out their cottage in head to toe Cath Kidston, Catherine, the new head teacher, Philip, who moved to the village after his wife died and Alexandra, a WAG and wannabe celebrity. Oh and Morag, a not very pleasant eco-warrior type person. Out of breath yet? There are even more characters but I haven't the room to mention them here.

The first 157 pages of this novel start out quite slow. There is lots of description, particularly about the stately home and how people look that it does become a little tedious. When I got to page 156 and was introduced to yet another character, this time the Reverend who I really didn't care less about, I was desperate for something to happen, sharpish, otherwise I was going to give up on the whole thing.

Thankfully the book then picked up pace, although for the plot it was still a little long winded. But still, I carried on, because now I was starting to enjoy the book. I liked Mary and Monty and Catherine and was amused by a few others. Not Morag though. I thought she was vile and wished some of the other characters would stand up to her more.

So there I was happily reading away, then it ended. The whole thing seemed to conclude in one chapter. Just before this we had one character behaving absurdly out of character - this annoys me as I feel it is something put in just for plots sake and doesn't feel natural. And the ending she gave for Morag, I didn't think that was fair. Not on Morag but on what she gave her.

It sounds, with all my criticisms like I didn't enjoy the book. I did enjoy it, but I think the first 150 pages could have been reduced and the ending maybe fleshed out a little more.

Like this? Try Kiss Chase by Fiona Walker

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 19, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 18, 2008 2:14 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Johnny Be Good by Paige Toon

Reviewed by Kirsty Greenwood

In between all the celeb gossiping, it seems a few Heat Magazine journos (Jo Carnegie, Lucie Cave) have taken to knocking out the odd book – not least Paige Toon, Heat’s resident reviews editor.

I picked up Johnny Be Good after its sterling review in said magazine, and wanted to find out if it was worth the (possibly biased) five stars accolade they gave it.

Johnny Be Good begins when twenty-something Meg Stiles flies to LA after landing a dream job as PA to the worlds hottest rock star Johnny Jefferson (if only). Determined not to cross the boundaries of a working relationship, Meg vows not to fall under sexy Johnny’s spell. Until of course, she does.

Also residing at the LA mansion is down to earth, good guy Christian, an old friend of Johnny’s who is there to write his biography. (Can you tell what happens next?)

Swept up into the sometimes-bitchy world of LA celebrity, Meg is torn between two men. The moody, sexy bad boy who will inevitably break her heart, or the one who will always love her, but she just doesn’t fancy. In between all this Meg is trying desperately to keep Johnny from embarking on a path of alcoholic self-destruction, as well as trying to figure out whether the LA lifestyle really is for her.

Johnny Be Good is extremely well written. Meg is a likeable, relateable character and the book contains some real laugh out loud moments. It does, however, focus solely on her relationship with the two leading men, and although this is well done, it would have been nice to see a little more substance within the plot.

Without question, Johnny Jefferson is one of the sexiest chick lit heroes I’ve ever read, and the scenes between him and Meg are bursting with toe-curling anticipation.

The ending has a killer twist, which I’m hoping has been done to pave the way for a sequel. If not, then it’s just one of those annoying endings that leaves you feeling a bit “Huh??”

I’d recommend this novel for anyone who wants a relaxing, giddy read, without having to concentrate too much.

Rating: 3.5/5 [We don't do halves, so I've rounded it down, cos I'm mean like that! - Keris]

Like this? Try Dedication by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Krauss

Posted by Aigua Media on June 18, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

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 11:33 AM

HELEN'S HEROINES: Leah Pilgrim

This weeks heroine is an understated, unassuming kind of heroine. I am sure if she were told she was a heroine she would laugh it off with disbelief. She appears in Lisa Jewell's novel, 31 Dream Street, a wonderfully warm story, filled with magic and romance.

Leah lives across the road to Toby, whose house is filled with waifs and strays. Leah often finds herself staring out of the window wondering about all the characters that live there. She has named them all. Young Skinny Guy, Old Skinny Guy, the Teenager, the Girl with the Guitar, the Air Hostess and Sybil. When she has the chance to help out Young Skinny Guy, who turns out to be Toby, she does so, and actually ends up saving him. Literally and metaphorically. Yup, the heroine of the story saves the hero. Not, the other way round.

She has the intelligence to see where her relationship with Amitabh is going. She is insightful into people's characters, is sensitive, and thoughtful. She is go-getting and unwilling to be defeated. I really, really wanted to be her.

Leah is such a great character, she appears so normal with a special spark, just like every one of us. If you don't know what I mean, read the book. It is out now in paperback.

More Helen's Heroines

Posted by Helen Redfern on June 10, 2008 in British Authors, Helen's Heroines | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 9, 2008 8:24 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: Marketing Your Book by Alison Baverstock

I appreciate that this is rather a niche review, but I know we have an awful lot of authors (and future authors!) who read Trashionista and I think Alison Baverstock's Marketing Your Book would be extremely useful to them.

Marketing Your Book covers pretty much everything you could need to know about how to get your book to the biggest readership. From preparing your manuscript for submission to organising a launch event, it's all covered, along with an explanation of what marketing actually is!

With examples from the author's own experience and plenty of useful case studies, Marketing Your Book is full of practical advice written in an entertaining and accessible style.

Plus it contains the best advice you'll ever get: "Try not to act like a prat." :)

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Wannabe a Writer? by Jane Wenham-Jones

Posted by Aigua Media on June 9, 2008 in British Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Self development | Permalink | Comments (4)

June 2, 2008 12:20 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Boy Next Door by Cathy Woodman

Reviewed by Angela Richardson

Cathy Woodman is a qualified vet who has turned to writing full time. This is her fourth book and I expected at least one of the characters to have a quirky pet, but she’s drifted away from her own work experiences and pushed into the romantic world of flower arranging instead.

The Boy Next Door is a romantic drama centring on Terri Mills whose world has fallen apart. She is forced to go back to live near her grandmother in London with only a bankruptcy order to show for her life in Devon. Even if she has lost her own flower shop, she still has her nine-year-old daughter who sees the move as an adventure. Plus she’ll still be working with flowers in her gran’s local flower shop. Which would be great, except for the fact that she’ll also be working with her childhood sweetheart who broke her heart all those years ago. Will she be able to cope seeing him with his successful business and family when she has failed at both?

This book was a great read. It didn’t have a complicated plot with lots of twists and turns, and was rather predictable, but in a way that was what I liked about it. The characters were black and white. If you hated a character, it’s because Woodman wanted you to hate them. She is very skilled at manipulating the reader into feeling exactly what she wants them to feel at any particular part of the story. Personally I expect a certain type of ending with romances and Woodman didn't disappoint. The whole book follows a winning formula that can be hard to get just right, but this book will satisfy any lover of romances. It is lacking humour, so cannot really be classed as a romantic comedy, but has enough pace and drama to pull itself through.

I think this would be great for the beach or even your back garden if the weather permits.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

Posted by Aigua Media on June 2, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 28, 2008 1:34 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Before I Die by Jenny Downham

Reviewed by Helen Vipond

God knows I cry at everything. Television, films, even advertisements, but strangely, never at books, no matter how sad they are. Then I read Before I Die by Jenny Downham.

As the title suggests, the novel revolves around a terminally ill girl Tessa, who has a list of things she must do before her death, the first being sex. During the story, we see the world in an ironically life-affirming new light, through the eyes of a dying girl. Depressing as it may seem, the plot is told in a way that made me accidentally laugh out loud at the escapades Tessa finds herself in.

Although I won’t give away any more of the plot, I will reveal I found the last few chapters extremely difficult to read, due to the tears blocking my vision. It would take a hard- hearted person to read such a novel without being affected.

Overall, I would recommend 'Before I Die' to anyone, male or female, old or young, as an exceptionally moving novel, surely to be enjoyed.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Dear Zoe by Philip Beard

Posted by Aigua Media on May 28, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: The Accidental Wife by Rowan Coleman

Rowan Coleman is one of those writers where you think, how does she do that? At least I do anyway. The Accidental Wife is Rowan's sixth full length novel since her first was published in 2002 plus she has written a novella and writes the Ruby Parker series for teens (which, by the way, I adore).

The Accidental Wife, a story of friendship and betrayal, is written through the eyes of two women. Each think they may have the wrong life. Catherine, soon to be divorced with two children in a dead end job wonders if she would be happier if she had married her first boyfriend, Marc. Alison, Catherine's former best friend, is actually married to Marc with three children and wondering if she would have had a better life if she had married her school girl crush, Jimmy. Who also happens to be Catherine's soon to be ex husband.

When Alison and Marc move back to the town they ran away from when Alison was sixteen and find Catherine and Jimmy are still there they find out the answers to their questions.

I really enjoyed The Baby Group which was Rowan's last novel so I had high expectations for this one. First off I would say this is not as action packed as The Baby Group. It is gripping but in a more quiet and understated way. Rowan's writing is colourful adding depth to the dialogue - which there is quite a lot of, because after Alison steals Catherine's boyfriend she has a lot of explaining to do.

Rowan obviously knew her characters very well and this comes across. We uncover the layers that make up Alison and Catherine and I changed my perception of both throughout the novel as I discovered more about them.

I do have a criticism and I thought this of The Baby Group too (and the title of that book, but that's another story). It is the book cover. The story inside is a lot more sophisticated and in depth than the pastel cover implies. If I were just browsing the book shop I don't think I would have picked this up. Which would have been a real shame as it is a great read.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Switchcraft by Mary Castillo

Posted by Helen Redfern on May 28, 2008 in British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 27, 2008 12:54 PM

HELEN'S HEROINES: Elizabeth Bennet

How could I have got so far into my series of Helen's Heroines and not yet have written about Elizabeth Bennet? She is surely one of the most well-known female characters in English literature and also one of the most loved. If the name Elizabeth Bennet means nothing to you (!) she is from arguably the most famous of novels by Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice.

So where do I start in summarising in a few hundred words a character that has been written about for decades?  (I have to admit to a small case of writers block here just for a little while until I pulled myself together.)

Elizabeth has some really admirable qualities. She is intelligent, clever, converses brilliantly and isn't intimidated by anyone - even those of a superior class to her own. She is honest, lively and has a clever wit. She rises above the bad behaviour, the spitefulness and general nonsense that pervades the time she lives in, instead with her father, she mocks her mother and sisters for their silliness.

Her ability to mock along with her tendency to judge on first impressions are her few faults. She looks favourably upon Wickham, although he is not all he appears. She views the dashing Mr. Darcy with disdain, initially because she overheard his remark about her appearance but then also because she believed the false accounts of what Wickham says about him.

Her strength of character is demonstrated not just by overcoming her prejudices against Darcy, but also earlier in the book when she resists the proposal of marriage from Mr. Collins - despite her mother's threats. This is in contrast to her friend Charlotte who accepts the proposal from Mr. Collins even though she neither loves him or respects him but because she doesn't want to become an old maid.

I think the reason why I haven't written about Elizabeth until now is because I was slightly in awe of her. In the end I decided to do as she would do, "My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me."

More Helen's Heroines

Posted by Helen Redfern on May 27, 2008 in British Authors, Classic Novels, Helen's Heroines | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 22, 2008 11:31 AM

BOOK NEWS: The Return

I was one of the people that adored The Island by Victoria Hislop. Since reading it I've been waiting for what seemed like ages for her second novel to appear. Well, my wait is finally over as The Return is released at the end of June.

When Sonia orders a cup of coffee in a quiet cafe in Spain a conversation and some old photographs  leads her into the extraordinary tale of the Ramirez family and their fight to survive Spain's civil war some seventy years earlier. In 1936 an army coup led by Franco reduces Spain to a country in turmoil and the family are divided by politics and tragedy.

I love historical fiction, especially around the 1930s and 1940s so I'm really looking forward to reading this.

Related posts: Richard & Judy summer reads 2006

Posted by Helen Redfern on May 22, 2008 in Book News, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK NEWS: Tell me something

Adele Parks continues with her usual legs theme on the cover of her latest novel, tell me something, which is out at the end of this month. Yup, yet again we have the back of women's legs for the cover of a book.

Elizabeth is a woman who dreamt of an Italian husband and lots of Italian children. She has the former ticked off the list but the latter is taking longer than she'd hoped. Her husband then loses his job and they move back to Italy. Relaxing in order to conceive is proving difficult with a mother in law hell bent on destroying their marriage, her husband's beautiful ex next door and her constant craving for the company of a blonde American stranger...

An extract can be found on Adele's website here.

Related posts: Recycled book covers | Husbands review | Larger than life review

Posted by Helen Redfern on May 22, 2008 in Book News, Book covers, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (2)

May 21, 2008 11:01 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Secrets of Married Women by Carol Mason

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

Jill is married to a lovely chap called Rob. Life would be perfect for them, if only they hadn’t been told that Rob wouldn’t be able to father children. Rob is distraught and understandably withdraws. His wife though thinks he is going off her.

Jill has two close friends. Leigh is bored with her own husband and decides to have an affair whereas Wendy has a seemingly perfect marriage. Whilst listening to Leigh in raptures about the man she has found to have an affair with, Jill can’t help but look at her own marriage and wish she had a bit of passion in her own life. Then she bumps into a Russian lifeguard.

I’m a bit confused about this book. A few of the characters, including the main one, evoked quite a few negative feelings in me, which is obviously skilled writing as I actually feel something for the characters. This also meant, however, that I didn’t feel any empathy for Jill. Her husband is reeling from the shocking news of his inability to have children, yet all she can think about is their sex life and lack of it. During the course of the book I found her uncaring, spoilt and undeserving of such a lovely man. If I’m honest I didn’t particularly care what happened to her until the end. Which is when I couldn’t put it down.

The writing style became different, quite deep, with not so much conversation taking place. I began to see a stronger side to Jill and actually started to care what happened to her. I would have liked to have seen this final Jill explored more thoroughly rather than just shoved into the epilogue as I thought it made her journey more interesting and made her less shallow.

Throughout the book the style of writing is great with some hooks to keep me reading. There were a few twists (one I saw coming a mile off but I won’t dwell on that). It is just this empathy issue. I wanted to root for her but she kept letting me down. I only carried on reading at some points to see how Rob would get on. I’m glad I did because the epilogue made it worthwhile.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Marshmallows for Breakfast by Dorothy Koomson

Posted by Aigua Media on May 21, 2008 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 16, 2008 10:57 AM

BOOK REVIEW: What the Lady Wants by Hester Browne

We loved the first two books in Hester Browne's Little Lady series, so I was very excited to read the third (and final book), What the Lady Wants.

Melissa Romney-Jones's fiance, Jonathan, is living and working in Paris. He's expecting Melissa to move out there with him, but she's not so sure. She loves her job - improving men - and she's not sure she's ready to leave her flat or her friends, particularly her flatmate, Nelson, either.

When Melissa's grandmother wants her to reform spoilt playboy, Prince Nicolas, Melissa's not sure. Jonathan has never supported Melissa's career - particularly when the best way to do it is to dress up as her alter ego, Honey Blennerhesket - but Jonathan's okay with it (since he thinks it will help Melissa make contacts for the business he wants her to help with in Paris), so Honey takes on Prince Nicolas. With, of course, entertaining results.

What the Lady Wants is my favourite in the Little Lady series. I love Melissa, but I absolutely adored Prince Nicolas. I found him hilarious and charming and loved his cheeky/flirty relationship  with Melissa (particularly since Melissa never got any of his double entendres!).

In my review of Little Lady, Big Apple, I complained about the way Jonathan spoke to Melissa, but thankfully, that's dealt with in this book and in a way that I found extremely satisfying.

I'll be sorry not to get to read any more about the lovely Melissa Romney-Jones, but it's Prince Nicolas that I'd really love to spend more time with. Any chance of him getting his own book, Hester?

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne

N.B. What the Lady Wants was released as The Little Lady and the Prince in the US, but I don't think it's exactly the same book. Hester describes the difficulties of writing for the US and the UK here.

Posted by Aigua Media on May 16, 2008 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 5/5, Series | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 15, 2008 10:48 AM

MOVIE NEWS: Prince Caspian

It had completely escaped my notice that the sequel to The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, is to be released in June (where have I been?). The film is based on the fourth of the Chronicles of Narnia books (I'm talking chronological order here rather than publication order). It is the Pevensie children's second trip to Narnia, where they discover over a thousand years have passed since they were last there and an evil King has usurped the throne. The rightful ruler is Prince Caspian and together they set out to save Narnia.

The film sees the return of Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan and also includes the voices of David Walliams and Eddie Izzard. Prince Caspian, I should point out, is played by Ben Barnes who played young Dunstan Thorn in Stardust.

Related posts: Movie news archives | Best children's book of all time

Posted by Helen Redfern on May 15, 2008 in British Authors, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 14, 2008 7:27 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Second Time Lucky by Sophie King

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

I’ve read Sophie King’s previous books (Mums@Home and The School Run) and even though I didn’t dislike them I thought them a little formulaic, twists for the sake of twists and a tad underwhelming. Second Time Lucky, however, is where Sophie really gets into her stride. Initially a little apprehensive I actually thoroughly enjoyed it and swallowed it up (not literally you understand) in one day.

There is the newly separated woman, Louise, with three teenagers that she’s struggling to control. An uptight American, Marcie, with a dark past unable to conceive with her equally uptight English husband, whilst battling with the children from his first marriage. Mollie, a retired actress, newly widowed but still talking to her husband as though he’s really there. They all come together into a former stately home, now divided into flats. The home once belonged to Roddy’s family. He has now returned fresh from rehab, trying to ignore the temptation of the bottle whilst attempting to regain access to his children.

As you can see, there is a lot going on. In contrast with her other books this one doesn’t seem formulaic at all. The lives of the characters all jumble up into a fabulous mess. I did want to bash some strength into Louise the divorcee as I wanted there to be a bit more about her (I do like a strong heroine) but to be fair she’s just moved out of their family home and in a state of shock. In contrast I found Sally the cleaner and Mollie were both great. Mollie was, by far, my favourite character. To be fair though the characters were all well drawn and described, I could see them very clearly, as I could the house where they all lived.

There were a few twists in the book and at one stage Sophie really leaves us guessing for a while. I enjoyed the little notices that were put up at the beginning of each chapter. It is this attention to detail that really makes the book. If Sophie keeps going like this, she’s got a fantastic future ahead of her.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Queen of Broken Hearts by Cassandra King

Posted by Aigua Media on May 14, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 (2)

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 (1)

May 5, 2008 12:48 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Family Friendly Working by Antonia Chitty

Reviewed by Zoe Lea

As I work from home and have a boisterous four year old to deal with, I jumped at the chance to review this book hoping for lots of ideas and advice. I’m happy to say that I wasn’t let down.

The title and by-line ‘Inspiring Ideas for making money when you have kids’ is tackled from all angles in a practical and realistic manner.  The 10 Chapters cover a wide range of themes in the area of flexible working, from ‘Finding ways to work’ and ‘Growing your business’ to a very clear ‘How to guide.’

Unlike lots of other books in this field, Family Friendly Working draws on experiences from parents and carers at every opportunity, so the book is filled with real-life case studies of what people have done, more or less on every page.  I did find this inspiring, but as there were more than a hundred parents featured in the book, there was a  slight sense of over-kill to it.

That being said, the book is filled with good ideas, tips and advice.  It’s a good read and a great starting point for anyone wondering how to achieve that work/life balance.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Zoe's website, Flexible Working Life

Posted by Keris on May 5, 2008 in British Authors, More On Monday, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Self development | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 2, 2008 1:01 PM

BOOK NEWS: What's Love Got To Do With It?

Lucy Broadbent is a British journalist living in West Hollywood and What's Love Got To Do With It? is her debut novel (it's a Little Black Dress title, out 12 June).

Isabella thinks the most important thing in life is a (very) healthy bank balance. She pitches up in LA, aiming to marry a member of the super-rich. Although she manages to bag herself a wealthy husband, something happens to turn her world upside down - and her priorities with it.

Related posts: Book news archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on May 2, 2008 in Book News, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 28, 2008 1:13 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Notes From An Exhibition by Patrick Gale

Reviewed by Jennie Hughes

Right from the first sentence this book pulls you irresistibly into the exciting, crazy, frightening and exhilarating world of a gifted artist (Rachel Kelly) who suffers from bipolar disorder and who has been avoiding her medication in order to experience more fully the dreams and visions she has been having and capture them on canvas before they desert her. These are the final works she will create, as the book starts at the end of her life.

Each chapter is headed by a note from a retrospective exhibition celebrating the artist’s life and work and introduces another perspective on her history, gradually bringing in all the characters involved in the story.

This tale is not told linearly, but weaves and interweaves snippets of her and her family’s life so that it builds up layers of colour and meaning, just as her paintings are described to be. Different player’s viewpoints and experiences at different times in this history come in and out, forward and back in between Rachel’s own experiences of motherhood, creativity, depression and elation.

Gradually the tale unfolds and as it does you get a vivid sense of the Cornish landscape, you feel the quiet contemplation of the Quaker faith, you understand something of the precarious tightrope the family of a creative but unstable mother have to walk and the effect this tension has on them all.

Relationships of all kinds are beautifully evoked and all the people in this book are recognisable, real and inspire empathy. You also get a brief glimpse into the unkind ways in which bipolar disorder used to be treated in the days before it was understood – electric shock therapy and so on. Think, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and you’ll have it.

Finally, the events that have occurred to Rachel and to her family and friends are all laid bare, and the final tragedy which has been glimpsed and hinted at previously is told incredibly simply and without drama.

When I finished this book I wanted to rush down to Cornwall and re-visit the Tate St Ives, or find some good example of abstract art and see if the book had given me more ability to see layers of meaning in the blocks of colour. It certainly feels as if it might.

Rating - 5/5, and I’m going to seek out some more of his books.

Like this? Try: The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 28, 2008 in British Authors, More On Monday, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 24, 2008 6:55 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Reviewed by Kathryn Siriwardena

Perhaps unsurprisingly (given the title), this book focuses on a grand English country house - Riverton Manor - and the shocking events of one Edwardian summer.

Narrated by Grace Bradley, a ninety-eight year old ex-housemaid at Riverton, we dip in and out of her memories and recollections to slowly reveal the mystery.

Unfortunately, 'slowly' is the operative word.  Kate Morton is by no means a bad writer, but I found the book very slow to start. And the middle dragged a fair amount, too. In fact, it wasn't until the last third of the book that I really began to enjoy myself.

It could be a matter of wordiness (Morton uses a lot), or could be a problem with the characters - which, sadly, appeared unreal. I didn't believe in their actions or motivations and consequently didn't care for them.

Luckily, the exception to the rule was Grace herself. I did warm to her character and continued reading purely to find out what happened to her.

Unfortunately, that's not quite enough to give this book a whole-hearted recommendation.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try: The River King by Alice Hoffman

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 24, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (1)

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)

BOOK REVIEW: Small World by Matt Beaumont

Reviewed by Deborah Riccio

If, like me, you loved Matt Beaumont's last offerings - E and the wonderfully easy, laugh-out-loud funny Staying Alive - then be prepared to have to take a little more time over his latest contribution to the world of (dare I say it?) lad lit. It's a bit hard going and I don't mean in a metaphysical way.

The tagline on the cover reads "Some paths cross, others collide", and there's no doubt about it, the premise is a great one: all our paths cross somewhere and sometime one day either in a big way or without us even noticing.

But - and this is a Big BUT - I found it very difficult trying to keep track of names and situations when the 10 (yes, 10) main characters appear in the first chapter. In all there are 17 characters to get to grips with, plus three or four who don't have their own voice, but appear as significant others to the main ones.

There's a couple trying for a baby (only he's ambivalent and she doesn't know) and they're friends with another couple who have four kids (and they feel as uncomfortable having kids as the friends who can't but they don't know that either). And they're friends with another couple, one of which is besotted to the point of stalking, one half of the first couple mentioned.

Phew. But that's not all.

There's also au pairs who'd rather not, a policeman struggling with his temper, his wife and the local drunk, a waiter dreaming of stand-up comedy, a comedian who's losing the will, a mother frantic for her streetwise son who keeps getting nicked because of the way he looks and a shop assistant who loves the bones of him if only he had time to notice.

And as these are all written in the first person - present, the whole thing has more the feel of a script than a novel and I spent most of the first few chapters having to turn back and find out who was married to/sleeping with/working with/mother or father to and/or nanny of and where they'd got up to last.

That said, each storyline was particularly well crafted and the whole thing flowed seamlessly and rather cleverly. Sex, age, creed, social position, deviance, you name it, this book has got it. There's raw emotion, wishful thinking, regrets, desires, some good one-liners (not least from the stand-up wannabe) oh, and the odd murder. And as every good plan should, it all comes together in the end, one way or another.

It's a bit like peeking through someone's net curtains - from the outside - and getting a covetous insight into their personal world. In a good way of course.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Two Doors Down by Annie McCartney

Posted by Keris on April 23, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 18, 2008 11:17 AM

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 (0)

April 16, 2008 9:54 AM

Orange Prize 2008 shortlist

There are three debut novels on the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction shortlist. Lullabies For Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill, The Outcast by Sadie Jones and Lottery by Patricia Wood.

Also on the list are long-time author Rose Tremain with The Road Home and Nancy Huston, a Canadian writer who writes in both French and English, with Fault Lines and Charlotte Mendelson's When We Were Bad.

Related posts: Orange Prize 2008 longlist | Book Video Awards 2008

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 16, 2008 in Book News, British Authors, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 15, 2008 1:58 PM

BOOK NEWS: Voluptuous Delights

Sophie Dahl, the model-turned-writer and granddaughter of Roald Dahl, is to follow her adult fiction debut (Playing With The Grown-ups) with a cookery book.

Dahl was first famous as a 'bigger' model and then slimmed down considerably to loud criticism from the fickle (and, dare I say it, hypocritical) press. Titled Voluptuous Delights, it marries her favourite recipes with personal stories. She says: "It's an anecdotal book about how to be slim but eat."

[Via Entertainment Weekly]

Related posts: Celebrity books and chick lit | Celebrity memoir mania

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 15, 2008 in Book News, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 9, 2008 10:50 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Kiss Chase by Fiona Walker

Reviewed by Kirsty Greenwood

Often referred to as the "Jilly Cooper of the Cosmo generation", Fiona Walker is renowned for writing novels full of eccentric English characters, twisty plot lines and overt sex scenes. Having previously devoured a couple of her more recent offerings (Lots of Love and Tongue in Cheek), I bought one of her earlier novels, Kiss Chase, to see if it lived up to the others.

Kiss Chase follows the journey of Phoebe "Freddy" Fredericks, an awkward but beautiful twenty-something who is begged by old acquaintance Saskia Seaton to help get revenge on the man who broke her heart - misogynistic womaniser Felix Sylvian.

The plan is for Phoebe to do to Felix what Felix has done to Saskia. Seduce him, get him to fall head over heels in love with her and then maliciously and publicly humiliate and dump him in order to give him a taste of his own medicine.

Initially, I found it difficult to conceive how such a far-fetched scheme could possibly work. Why would shallow model Felix fall for normal girl Phoebe? And why on earth would someone with her head supposedly screwed on get herself embroiled within such a mess? However, Walker does a fantastic job of putting the implausible plot into context by delving into the characters psyche and creating a glamorous, dramatic world in which these sort of schemes are not so bizarre.

In true Fiona Walker fashion, there are numerous intricate sub-plots running alongside the main story, including affairs, celebrity parties and lots of very posh people saying things like "golly" and "shan’t". Each sub-plot twists, turns and ties in so well, that you barely notice the fact that the book is a massive 790 pages long.

Kiss Chase has a real escapist factor about it. It draws you into the kind of glamorous, hedonistic world you sometimes wish you were part of, and whether you love or hate each of the characters, you certainly care about what happens to them.

If you’re after some saucy, amusing and acutely observed story telling, then this one is a real find.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Tongue in Cheek by Fiona Walker

Posted by Keris on April 9, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5, Romance | 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 (9)

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 (3)

April 7, 2008 4:45 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Chocolate Run by Dorothy Koomson

Amber Salpone believes in chocolate and not a lot else. Chocolate has been a reliable friend in an otherwise frightening world. Amber's childhood has left her with trust and commitment issues and a tendency to avoid conflict and love wherever possible.

She categorises the people she meets as types of chocolate and goes to the supermarket to sniff chocolate (yes, really) when stressed.

Amber is a sympathetic character but she's not pathetic. I loved the fact that she seems to have a healthy body image and doesn't angst over her size (much) and that she is successful at work.

It's just in her personal life where Amber all goes to pot. When she sleeps with her best friend and famous lothario Greg Walterson, she goes into meltdown. They manage a relationship (which they keep secret from their two mutual friends), but Amber is terrified by the intimacy.

Added to this, her other best friend - Jen - is being utterly horrible and her family still has the power to disconcert her.

Amber's past reaction to emotional problems has been to do a chocolate run - to another city, but this time she tries to face it all.

As Amber is in denial about relationships, she misses some obvious cues and doesn't always act very rationally. However, it is testament to Koomson's writing that this comes across as  realistic rather than infuriating.

The Chocolate Run is a character-driven book and very focused on emotions and Amber's past (and her thoughts about the past). Not a huge amount happens and at times I found myself wanting to skip ahead, but it is well-written and warm, so perhaps I just wasn't entirely in the right mood.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try: The Saving Graces by Patricia Gaffney

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 7, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

MORE ON MONDAY: In Stitches: the Highs and Lows of Life as an A&E Doctor by Dr Nick Edwards

Reviewed by author and Corrieblog editor, Sue Haasler

I picked In Stitches up by chance - I love reading about other people's lives, and as I'm a huge fan of TV medical dramas I couldn't resist. However, any hope of buckets of blood and lashings of torrid linen-cupboard action are dispelled in the introduction: "It is a bit like what you see in TV programmes such as ER," the author says, "but with less sex and more paper work."

The book started out as a blog to vent his frustrations and Dr Edwards (not his real name) hopes the book becomes a campaigning tool against the privatisation and marketisation happening to the NHS. But it's also a damn good read.

The day-to-day realities of being on the front line of hospital services is passionately, often humorously and sometimes heartbreakingly conveyed. There are the funny stories of people with mobile phones stuck in places they really shouldn't have been, and the desperately sad ones like the 14 year old girl who took an overdose and left a note asking her parents to look after her guinea pig (she survived). And there's
top advice, too. I now know not to get ill on the first Wednesday in August or the last Friday of the month. Why? You'll have to read the book.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Heat by Bill Buford (an expose of the restaurant industry)

Being a full-time doctor, Nick's having trouble getting publicity for the book, particularly as he needs to hide behind his pseudonym.  He is hoping someone reading might be able to help him with marketing the book.

If you're interested in featuring the book or Nick on your site or blog - or are able to offer any other kind of marketing assistance - please email us and we'll put you in touch with him. Thanks.

Posted by Keris on April 7, 2008 in British Authors, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 4, 2008 10:42 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Always Go to Bed on an Argument by Deborah Ross

I requested a copy of Deborah Ross's Always Go to Bed on an Argument after a friend sent me a hilarious extract that I immediately forwarded to friends and family. Inevitably, that extract was the funniest thing in the whole book, but the rest is plenty entertaining too.

Subtitled 'And other useful advise from the non-domestic goddess', Always Go to Bed on an Argument is a collection of essays, columns, letters, minutes of meetings, etc., generally purporting to relate to the Non-Domestic Goddess Club (which may be a real site, but I can't tell because it's not working).

Covering everything from housework to parenting to giving up smoking, Ross is very funny and frequently open about the kind of things you generally don't admit to even your closest friends (except perhaps by emailing them an extract of this book!).

Though it's probably a better book to dip in and out of rather than read straight through - I found it a little repetitive - it's still good fun and worth a good few belly laughs ... but, oh my goodness, how bad is that cover?!

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Confessions of a Failed Grown-up by Stephanie Calman

Posted by Keris on April 4, 2008 in British Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 3, 2008 9:55 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Villa Serena by Domenica de Rosa

Reviewed by Jennie Hughes

This is definitely a novel of two halves. It starts with Emily, a middle-class divorced mother of three children – Siena, Paris and Charlie – in their villa in Tuscany from whence she sends a weekly column about Italian life to an English newspaper.

It’s all quite two-dimensional and predictable. Emily is obsessed by memories of her first boyfriend at University and her lost youth; Siena has an Italian and slightly unsuitable boyfriend; Paris is anorexic; Charlie (a late addition to the family in a desperate attempt to save a doomed marriage) is happy in his Italian nursery school.

So it goes on with descriptions of their life in Italy, some back story about Emily, her ex-husband, her old friend Petra and yadayadayada.  In fact, I nearly gave up on the book after about a couple of chapters because I felt it wasn’t convincing me about any of these people. But I don’t like to abandon books – it seems unkind, somehow – and I’m glad I didn’t.

An archaeologist (Raffaello, a local boy, but he’s been in America for years) starts a dig in the hills just behind Emily’s villa. He’s looking for Etruscan artefacts, but the first things he uncovers are the remains of two village men, partisans in the second world-war. Now we start to get some history of the villagers, and the tensions amongst them. In fact it was while reading the priest’s address at the burial service held for the two men that I suddenly thought, “Hang on, is this a different author?”, because here was a person with an inner life, secrets, depth.

From this point on the book becomes interesting. All sorts of past lives and interactions begin to be disclosed and the characters take on much more reality and roundedness. Old skeletons, both literal and figurative, come back and have to be dealt with. There is war-time intrigue, family feuds, Etruscan finds, sex, food and, just briefly, the possibility of a mad axe attack. The old boyfriend turns out to have psychological problems, Petra starts eating, and Emily ends up with the right man. Yes, the archaeologist, natch.

I guess the difference between the two halves of the book is a deliberate literary device to point up the vacuity of Emily’s life prior to the arrival of Raffaello, but the author is taking a bit of a chance on everyone being as dogged as I am.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 3, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

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)

March 31, 2008 4:31 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Since I Don't Have You by Louise Candlish

Reviewed by Amy Sheehan

Since I Don’t Have You is based on a sad premise. Rachel, Mariel and Jenny are best friends who share everything, and their children Emma, Catherine, and Daisy are best friends too. The women make a promise that they will look after each other’s daughters if anything should ever happen to one of them. It never crosses their minds that tragedy could strike elsewhere.

Then the unthinkable happens and Rachel’s life is changed forever. Unable to continue in her marriage to husband Oliver, she leaves him and her friends behind to start a new life on the Greek island of Santorini. There, with the help of new friends Eleni and Ingrid, she slowly starts to rebuild her existence. At the same time, she keeps in contact with the past by hiring a private investigator, Johnny Palmer, so she can keep watching over Catherine and Daisy, and secretly intervene in times of crisis. The interaction between Rachel and Johnny was especially touching and beautifully written.

The book reminded me quite a bit of Cecelia Ahern’s PS I Love You, apart from the writing being more mature; and instead of Rachel receiving guidance in the form of letters from a guardian angel, she is the one guiding others, acting as guardian angel to the children she left behind. Throughout the book, the reader also learns why Rachel chose Santorini of all places for her retreat, as well as about her family’s history with the island, especially linked to the earthquake there in 1956.

Like PS, it has a hopeful, if bittersweet, ending, and the descriptions of Greece are beautiful. This and the gentle, relaxing pace of the book would probably make it a good holiday novel. It’s not just a book about grief and coming to terms with loss; it’s about searching for your path in life; celebrating friendship, and finding out ways to be happy. It’s a very moving, well-written, inspirational read.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try My Best Friend's Girl by Dorothy Koomson

Posted by Keris on March 31, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 28, 2008 4:31 PM

The return of the Bonkbuster?

While I'm not certain they ever went far away, The Times has an article on their triumphant return, citing Kerry Katona, Katie Price and Olivia Darling (Vintage - pictured).

They claim that women are moving back towards utterly escapist, glamorous, sex-filled romps a la Jackie Collins and away from "angst-ridden chick lit."

Interesting note - Olivia Darling is the pen name of Chick Lit staple, Chris Manby!

Related posts: Bonkbusters archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 28, 2008 in Bonkbusters, Book News, British Authors, Celebrity Authors | Permalink | Comments (4)

March 26, 2008 3:24 PM

BOOK NEWS: Instructions For Living Someone Else's Life

We loved Mil Millington's debut Things My Girlfriend And I Have Argued About so have high hopes for his latest... It's got another whopper title: Instructions For Living Someone Else's Life and it sounds high concept and rather brilliant.

It's the end of the eighties and Chris, a twenty-five year-old, hates his job in advertising and spends all of his free time with his girlfriend and two best mates from university.  He goes to sleep drunk and wakes up in 2006 - hungover, married and with an unnerving about of body hair. Genius.

Apparently, it's for 'anyone who has ever felt like a twenty-five-year-old stuck in a middle-aged body'.

According to Orion, it's out in July,  but look out for the Trashionista review coming soon.

Related posts: Top 10 Lad Lit | Lad Lit blogs

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 26, 2008 in Book News, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (4)

March 25, 2008 10:18 AM

Another reason we love JK...

Reason I love JK Rowling Number 67: She has spoken (again) about the depression she suffered in her twenties. It warms my heart when people in the public eye speak candidly about mental health issues (I'm thinking of you, Mr Fry!)

While talking to an Edinburgh student magazine, JK explained that she had had suicidal thoughts and that counselling was "absolutely invaluable". She added: "The funny thing is, I have never been remotely ashamed of having been depressed. Never." Finishing by urging anybody suffering to "go and get help".

[Via BBC]

Related posts: JK Rowling's £40,000 book | Self development archive

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 25, 2008 in British Authors, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 20, 2008 2:49 PM

BOOK NEWS: The Love Of Her Life

Harriet Evans continues with the fine romantic fayre that has served her so well in A Hopeless Romantic and Going Home.

The Love of Her Life is out in July and it features a woman who lost everything she had worked for on one, catastrophic day. Ever since, Kate Miller has hidden in New York, working for a literary agency and trying to put the past behind her. But when her father becomes ill, she has to return to London.

Facing her friends - Zoe, Francesca and Mac - and everything she left behind is hard. Mac is the man she thought was the love of her life but now they don't even speak. Can Kate be happy in her old life again?

There's no cover available yet, but we'll keep you posted!

Related posts: Book News archive

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 20, 2008 in Book News, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK REVIEW: Silver Bay by Jojo Moyes

Reviewed by Jennie Hughes

Ignore the little tag-line on the front cover – “You have nothing to lose but your heart” – because this book is not the heap of slush that that phrase would imply. (Publishers must really annoy their authors sometimes, because I suspect that Jojo Moyes would have taken those simpering little words and thrown them overboard to rot on the beach.)

Silver Bay is a sparsely-populated paradise in New South Wales where Lisa McCullen is hiding herself and her daughter Hannah from past tragedies and communing with the whales which pass by on migration every year.

Then, real-estate developers arrive in the shape of Mike Dormer who has come to scope the place out for a hotel and leisure complex designed to make mega-bucks for his boss in London, his future father-in-law. The different pace of life, the beauty, the whales, the dolphins, Hannah – and Lisa - all get to him, however, and his priorities change.

This is a well-crafted book with an interesting plot-line revealed in appropriately timed snippets. It is written from the alternating first-person point of view of each of the main characters which serves to bring them alive extremely well. It can sometimes be difficult to remember whose skin you’re in as it is difficult to write an authentic voice for everyone from an 11-year-old girl to an Aussie beach-bum who thinks he’s God’s gift to women, but confusion is surprisingly rare.

As the story of Lisa’s past life is gradually unfolded, along with the tales of the other residents of Silver Bay, there are enough twists and turns in the plot to keep you reading, and although you know from the start there’s going to be a happy ending (it’s a romantic novel, okay?) the actual ending is so impossibly happy that you really don’t foresee it. I cried, dear reader, real tears.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try: Truffles By The Sea by Julie Carobini

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 20, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

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)

BOOK REVIEW: When to Walk by Rebecca Gowers

Reviewed by Sarah Hague

Do you know the feeling of meeting someone and immediately all your hackles rise?  For some reason, you dislike on impact the person before you.

There are books like that too. It may have nothing to do with the quality of the book but everything to do with a clash between the mindset of the author and yourself. When to Walk is one of those books for me.

One lunch time, Ramble's husband declares, in an offensive speech, that he is leaving her mainly due to her own shortcomings which have come to grate to a degree he can no longer stand. He gets up and goes out and leaves her to contemplate... well, everything.

Which is why the story grates on me. It is oppressively contemplative. I felt sucked in to the inner workings of a brain I didn't wish to know. Brains are notoriously unconnected when distressed and hers left me with an impression of irritation rather than compassion. Basically I didn't care what became of her.

Despite my antipathy to the story, it is very well written, and if you like that sort of thing, you'll probably find it funny in places and a beautiful portrait of a bewildered woman.

Me, I just wanted to smack her.

Rating: 1/4

Like this? Try The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn

Posted by Keris on March 19, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 1/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 14, 2008 11:52 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Glamorous (Double) Life of Isabel Bookbinder by Holly McQueen

22nd May sees Isabel Bookbinder launched on an unsuspecting public. Being touted as the new Becky Bloomwood, Isabel is a chick lit by numbers character; head in the clouds, heart on her sleeve and just a little bit stupid. The book follows her attempts to secure a publishing deal and become a literary star. The only problem is she's so caught up in dreaming about the lifestyle she associates with being a 'novelist' that she forgets to actually put pen to paper. And thus the problems begin.

The novel is definitely one for Sophie Kinsella fans, as Bookbinder borrows heavily from the Shopaholic series. Not only is the character similarly infuriating at times, the love interest is very Luke Brandon-esque and the novel is broken up with Isabel's fake newspaper and magazine articles (about herself), much like the Shopaholic books were broken up with Becky's letters to her bank manager.

As fun Summer reads go, this is probably the ultimate beach novel. It's fluffy, light and easy to read. McQueen is a good writer who knows her audience and weaves together a tale that'll have you giggling and sighing with frustration in equal doses.

Sadly, I had serious issues with the title character. I loved the idea of her, I thought the faux magazine articles where she imagined herself as rich, beautiful and successful were great (ok, maybe I've done that too...) but she was just a bit too silly for my liking. At one point, I actually threw the book down in disbelief. While there are moments of sheer brilliance and plenty of laugh-out-loud funny lines, I couldn't really feel an affinity for a woman who is so ridiculous she lets herself get carried away to the extent that we see in the novel. It's one thing to daydream, it's another to ignore reality all together.

Rumours suggest that Isabel Bookbinder is set to become a series character, and I must confess, as much as I enjoyed this book for what it was - pure fluff - and could see why people would love it, I'd much rather have more Little Lady instead. Isabel was just a bit too dim and ridiculous for me.

3/5 - So much potential, but Isabel drove me mad!

PS. If you think you can tolerate the silliness, Isabel has a rather lovely website where proof copies are up for grabs. You can also pre-order the novel for £6.99 through Random House.

Posted by Gemma on March 14, 2008 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Rating: 3/5, Series | Permalink | Comments (1)

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)

BOOK NEWS: Out Of The Blue

Belinda Jones, chick lit favourite, has penned another globe-trotting beach-friendly read.

Twenty years ago Selena Smith saw Shirley Valentine and developed a chronic phobia of having a plate of egg and chips shoved in her lap by an ungrateful husband. Since then she's successfully avoided becoming a lost housewife by relentlessly travelling the world as an excursions rep on a luxury crusieship.

But with her 36th birthday approaching she finds herself experiencing a strange sensation - how can she be homesick when she has no home? And why has she agreed to spend a week on a Greek island with one of the ship's most notorious womanisers? (Amazon)

Out Of The Blue is published 25 September. I may have to book a late-package-deal somewhere hot and sunny as the perfect complement to this novel... Well, a girl can dream!

Related posts: New Belinda Jones book | The Paradise Room review

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 12, 2008 in Book News, British Authors | 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 REVIEW: The Sisterhood by Emily Barr

Reviewed by Deborah Riccio

The Sisterhood surprised me in many ways. Not least the way in which teacher, Liz Greene's long-standing boyfriend leaves her and heralds the first shocker right at the start. Confused and incredibly hurt, she embarks on a one-night stand and finds herself pregnant. This, rather unexpectedly, doesn't tip her over the edge but makes her realise that it might be what she needs and so sets out to deal with it. On her own.

Meanwhile in a chateau in France, the privileged Helen discovers a secret her mother has been keeping from her - she has a sister she never knew existed and she lives in England. This, Helen believes, is the reason for the restlessness throughout her own life. If she brings her sister back, she is certain she will earn the love and pride she so desperately craves from her mother. So she leaves for England with nothing but her father's credit card.

Helen's search leads her to Liz and the story follows their lives as separate people becoming united by the strangest, measured means.

The twists are subtle, surprising and multi-faceted. Reading it makes you realise things are never entirely what they seem - that nobody's life is as straightforward as it appears or sounds and we only get to see what is portrayed to us by others. And the ending is as inspired as the beginning. A cracking good read that made me want to read more by Ms Barr.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try A Tale of Two Sisters by Anna Maxted

Posted by Keris on March 11, 2008 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 10, 2008 12:20 PM

PREVIEW REVIEW: Crossed Bones by Jane Johnson

Reviewed by Jennie Hughes

If the sub-title of Crossed Bones - 'the all-true adventures and most unlikely romance of a pirate’s slave girl - puts you off a little, don’t worry; there’s not a ripped bodice or heaving bosom anywhere. Well, apart from on the cover, but we'll gloss over that...

It’s the story of a seventeenth-century Cornish girl, Cat, who is a talented needlewoman dreaming dreams of a more exotic future than the one that seems likely – marriage to her cousin, drudgery, babies – when a pirate ship raids her village and carries her and several of her neighbours and relatives off to be slaves in Morocco.

There Cat eventually ends up teaching embroidery to her master’s womenfolk and, of course, falling in love with him and rejecting her Cornish cousin who has braved hell and high water to rescue her.

The tale is interwoven with the story of Julia, also a needlewoman, who finds Cat’s story written in the margins of an old embroidery pattern-book. She thinks she may be distantly related to Cat and goes to Morocco to research the story further, where she meets her own destiny, and true love.

The historical and Moorish details are convincing, interesting and well-described. The two stories are neatly stitched together and the writing keeps you reading on. Altogether an enjoyable book, and one which leaves you feeling you may have learnt something as well – an added bonus!

Crossed Bones is out (in hardback) on 3 April.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try: The Vanishing Point by Mary Sharratt

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 10, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 7, 2008 4:21 PM

BOOK NEWS: The Dilemmas of Harriet Carew

I've never read Cristina Odone's weekly column 'Posh But Poor' in the Telegraph. If I had, perhaps I would've been aware of this new release - The Dilemmas of Harriet Carew.

Yes, Harriet is the character from the column, and yes, you could be forgiven for drawing parallels with a certain Bridget Jones... However, unlike Helen Fielding's column-creation, Harriet is a married mother of three, struggling to combine work and family.

Harriet is torn between wanting more time with her children and the need to make more money (her husband is a struggling writer), when her super-successful ex-boyfriend arrives on the scene.

Related posts: Bridget Jones's baby | Book Review: Liz Jones's Diary

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 7, 2008 in Book News, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (1)

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 12:42 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Trouble With Marriage by Debby Holt

The Trouble With Marriage is more Joanna Trollope than Sophie Kinsella, but there is nothing wrong with that.

It's subtitled 'What happens after the 'happy ever after'?' and I was looking forward to astute observations on marriage, love and parenthood... And I wasn't disappointed.

When Robin - popular, handsome and confident - asked Tilly to marry him, it was the happiest day of her life. Ten years later and, although still utterly besoted with Robin, Tilly feels the sparkle has gone out of their relationship.

Robin is stressed at work, while at home the household bills, chores, two small children and a disobedient dog are adding to the strain.

When Tilly's holier-than-thou mother-in-law moves nearby and begins interfering, and Robin's glamorous ex-girlfriend shows up, Tilly's marriage hits crisis point.

About halfway through the book, I had predicted exactly how things were going to unfold. However, Holt's writing is very engaging and I thoroughly enjoyed Tilly's journey. It's always fun to cheer on a likeable character as she learns to stand on her own two feet.

A gentle, warm read and perfect for a rainy afternoon.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try: Hens Dancing by Raffaela Barker

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 6, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 5, 2008 11:42 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Octavia by Jilly Cooper

During my teens and early twenties I devoured Jilly Cooper books. Riders, Rivals, Polo, The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, and then the "name" books, which included Emily, Imogen, Prudence and Octavia. In fact, I included the "name" books in a list of chick lit precursors.

I hadn't read any of Cooper's books for years, but when I heard that Octavia was being made into a TV series, I thought I'd give it a re-read. And am I ever sorry I did. We don't usually do spoilers on Trashionista, but I can't fully explain my feelings about this book without talking about the ending, so if you don't want to know how it turns out, don't click over the cut!

Octavia Brennan is a fairly typical Jilly Cooper heroine. A glamorous, beautiful, spoiled, bitch, who can basically have any man she wants and isn't afraid to take them away from other women. When Octavia bumps into a former schoolfriend, Gussie Forbes, she can't believe that Gussie who, according to Octavia, is boring and fat, has managed to get herself engaged to the beautiful Jeremy. So, inevitably, Octavia decides to  seduce him.

She's given the perfect opportunity when Gussie invites Octavia to join the happy couple on a canal barge for the weekend. But Gussie has also invited wealthy businessman Gareth Llewellyn (in case the name didn't give it away, he's Welsh). Gussie hopes that Octavia and Gareth might hit it off, but Octavia takes an instant dislike to Gareth, mainly because he doesn't seem interested in her, but also because he knows she's after Jeremy and plans to prevent them getting together.

By about halfway, I was getting a bit bored. While there was entertainment to be had from the supposedly sexy hero coming out with a line like "I know, I know. Christ I'm in such a muddle", the characters are all fairly cliched, Octavia is so unpleasant that I didn't care what happened to her and I knew that she was inevitably going to end up with Gareth anyway so I didn't even need to bother finishing. But then...

Gareth decides that Octavia's behavior has become so bad that someone has to teach her a lesson. And do you know? It's going to be him:

Before I realized it, Gareth had me across his knee. I've never known what the living daylights were before, but he was certainly beating them out of me now. I started to scream and kick.

So, for me, that was the end of Gareth as a romantic hero. I had no love for Octavia, but a man who beats a woman? There's no coming back from that.

But what was even worse that it transformed Octavia's opinion of him. Realising that a beating was just what she needed, she finds she wants to feel Gareth's arms around her, his hands "soothing me and petting me as though I were a child again". Within a couple of pages, she realises she's in love with him.

I was utterly outraged. I understand that this book was written in 1977 and things were different then. I find it hard to believe that things were *so* different that a woman (a woman!) could write such offensive drivel and it was supposed to be romantic and sexy, but what amazes me the most is that it's being turned into a TV series now, in 2008. I obviously can't comment on the series since I don't know what changes they've made, but they'd better have made some drastic ones!

Anyway, things go badly for Octavia. She loses her flat and allowance and has to, finally, work for a living. I'd like to say she learns from it and becomes a better person, but she doesn't. And then Gareth comes back to save her. He's realised he's in love with her too. No, really, he is. Listen:

"I'm going to put my mark on you, so no one else can get near you," he went on, his eyes suddenly serious. "But I warn you, baby, even if we have to fight like cats, I'm going to wear the trousers. You're going to do what I tell you, and if you start upstaging me, I'll put you down. The boys in the Valley are like that. We keep our women in the background and we beat them if they give us any trouble, but we know how to love them."

So that's all right then. And does Octavia say, "Sod off, you pompous misogynist"? No. She says, her knees giving way with lust: "Could we possibly do it again just very quickly before breakfast?"

I actually laughed as I typed that because it is so utterly and totally ridiculous. But it's not funny. It's incredibly offensive and, I believe, dangerous. I wish I could go back in time, knock Octavia out of my teenage self's hands and give her something better to read.

Rating: 1/5

Like this? Read The Female Eunuch by Germaine Greer. Soon.

Posted by Keris on March 5, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 1/5, Rubbish Books | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 3, 2008 8:01 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: The Ninth Life of Louis Drax by Liz Jensen

I am a big fan of Liz Jensen. I loved Egg Dancing, Ark Baby and My Dirty Little Book of Stolen Time. Always acerbically funny, some of Jensen's books have been more light-hearted than others: The Ninth Life of Louis Drax is not one of them.

It's a dark, twisted story, with chillingly real characters. But don't let that put you off!

Narrated by nine-year-old coma patient, Louis, and Dannachet, his doctor, the story is both a mystery and a gothic ghost tale.

Despite being attracted to Natalie Drax, Louis' mother, Dannachet begins to question her version of the events that led to Louis' near-fatal fall into a ravine.

Through Louis and his mother, we piece together Louis' personality and life before his fall - he is accident-prone, dysfunctional and sees a therapist - but is this the whole story?

Louis' voice is startlingly original and utterly compelling. This book stayed with me long after I closed it and I urge you to give it a whirl.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 3, 2008 in British Authors, More On Monday, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Ballroom Class by Lucy Dillon

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

I was very excited when I received ‘The Ballroom Class’ by Lucy Dillon for two reasons. 1) I love Strictly Come Dancing (who doesn’t – even my Dad is a massive fan) 2) like the character Lauren in the book I too dragged my husband-to-be to dance lessons for our wedding (we learned the rumba to ‘I’ve had (the time of my life)’ – ahh).

This is a story about couples forming friendships and repairing relationships on and off the dance floor. Katie believes her husband Ross has become more like a brother to her. She is a working Mum and he a stay at home Dad. She can’t help working late – her boss demands it – so would it hurt him too much to put the Hoover around during the day?

Lauren, the bride to be, is having increasingly ambitious plans for her wedding day extravaganza, encouraged by her mother-in-law to be. Lauren’s mother, Bridget, is having sleepless nights over the sheer cost of it all. Angelica has returned to the town where she grew up, where her past is about to catch up with her. As an ex professional dancer (with fake tan, caked on make up – the lot) she decides to set up weekly dance lessons in the local dance hall.

Whilst learning rock ‘n’ roll, the foxtrot and the tango relationships start to unravel. Can the dancing eventually put them back together?

Sometimes when you are really excited by a new film or a new book you can end up disappointed. Not in the case of ‘The Ballroom Class’. The relationships are intense and real. There are no superficial characters out of a large cast. Ross and Katie’s relationship was one which I could completely empathise. As a fan of ballroom dancing I can imagine what they are doing on the dance floor but you don’t have to be a fan of dancing to enjoy this book. If you enjoy reading about relationships and all the complexities that go with it then this is for you. The Ballroom Dancing is the entertaining scenery.

About three quarters of the way through though I did feel the plot lost its pace which was a little frustrating. This is what is stopping me from giving this fine debut novel a five out of five. (But it is a high four.)

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Dancing With Mules by Morag Prunty

Posted by Keris on March 3, 2008 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 29, 2008 10:25 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Forget Me Not by Isabel Wolff

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

The cover of Forget Me Not by Isabel Wolff made me think the story was going to be a bit ‘wishy washy’. Neither the design nor the title does the book justice; they don’t look or sound promising, unlike the plot and the main character (who incidentally is nothing like the character drawn on the front).

Anna Temple is a former city career woman, who decided to swap her fast paced life for garden design after her mother suddenly died. On the night of her leaving do, she meets Xan resulting in Milly nine months later. Xan, with no sense of responsibility (so much so you want to throttle him) leaves soon after she breaks the news, for Indonesia, leaving Anna pregnant and having to raise their child alone. She tries to forget about her daughter's father and concentrates on putting her life back together.

This book is packed with subplots featuring a host of characters, including a nanny, a maternity nurse called Elaine with her nephew Jamie and a new man for Anna called Patrick.  We also learn about Anna’s father and his new secret life as well as her new best friend, Jenny - why won’t she open up to Anna? There is also a ‘shocking’ family secret, which to be fair I saw coming. I think Jenny’s secret was also a little obvious which made me wonder why a seemingly intelligent woman such as Anna didn’t grasp things sooner. Despite this, I really enjoyed the book.

Wolff has created believable and real characters that you could envisage living around the corner from you and the story flows along well. It also has the unputdownable factor, so I did have a few late nights. There is plenty of detail for the book to come alive, including as an added bonus for any green fingered people out there, an array of gardening tips.

Forget Me Not is a realistic, enjoyable story, touching on a few sensitive issues, with a fully rounded leading character. Just open it up quickly and don’t dwell on that cover.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Solo by Jill Mansell

Posted by Keris on February 29, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 28, 2008 7:13 PM

BRAND NEW BOOK NEWS: The Celeb Diaries: Tears, Tantrums and Excess

Mark Frith, editor at heat magazine, has stepped down from his job in order to write a book called The Celeb Diaries: Tears, Tantrums and Excess.

Frith promises to dish the never-seen-before dirt (sorry, 'anecdotes') from celebrity culture. A behind-the-scenes peek from his days at the gossip magazine that will include the likes of Robbie Wiliams, Sharon Osbourne and the Beckhams. Cor.

[Via Bookseller]

Related posts: Poor show from celebrity memoirs | Celebrity memoir mania

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 28, 2008 in Book News, British Authors, Non Fiction, You heard it here first! | Permalink | Comments (4)

BOOK REVIEW: The Personal Shopper by Carmen Reid

The Personal Shopper of the title is Annie Valentine. A single mother of two children, Annie works at an exclusive London department store. She's also sick of handling absolutely everything on her own, and is looking for love.

Fashionista Annie is a very endearing heroine. She works hard - with property development projects and ebay selling as well as her main job - to keep her two children in a good postcode and private school.

Annie wants to better her situation and give her children an idyllic schooling (something she had just a small taste of when she was young). She is a brilliantly determined character and you can't help but root for her.

Carmen Reid has the magical light touch, coupled with humour and plenty of warmth. Even though The Personal Shopper is  somewhat predictable - with a boss from Hell and dating woes - it's very readable, too.

However, one fairly major plot twist felt rather forced (and false), which spoiled things for me a little.

Still, the plot romps  along at a good pace, making this a great beach read.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try: The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 28, 2008 in British Authors, Fashion-Lit, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 27, 2008 3:23 PM

BOOK NEWS: The Secret Shopper's Revenge

The Secret Shopper's Revenge by Kate Harrison is out on 1 May. It promises a twist on that chick lit stalwart - shopping.

Emily, Sandie and Grazia all turned to mystery shopping for different reasons, but they found they're good at it. They're Charlie's Shopping Angels, controlled by a mysterious figure who sends them assignments. But when they're sent to stitch up a shop owned by Will, the angels begin to feel divided loyalties...

Related posts: Fashion Lit | Book News

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 27, 2008 in Book News, British Authors, Fashion-Lit | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK REVIEW: Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

Reviewed by Deborah Riccio

It's not the waking up in hospital that freaks out Lexi Smart. It's the fact that she's got nails to die for, porcelain veneers, a glossy mane of hair, a Louis Vuitton handbag, she's Manager of a whole department ... and, oh yes, she's married to a drop-dead gorgeous millionaire husband.

The only drawback she can see is that she's aged three years.  But then so has her mother and (not-so-now) little sister.

How the hell did all that happen?

And what happened to the last three years?

As she begins to read the Marriage Manual written by her practically perfect husband, Lexi begins to wonder whether she will ever miss her crooked teeth, frizzy hair, loser boyfriend, crappy job and poverty-lifestyle. Ah� and her best friends and co-workers who now seem to quite simply hate her.

What has she done? What�s happened? Who is that great-looking guy in the black jeans? And why can�t she find any bread or crisps when she so desperately needs them?

The incomparable Sophie Kinsella's latest stand-alone novel is an utterly believable suspended-belief story with endearingly drawn characters which I defy anyone not to want to devour in one sitting. From the first page you'll feel a part of Lexi's life and be urging her to find the answers she so passionately needs to start piecing together her missing years.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Forget About It by Caprice Crane

Posted by Keris on February 27, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (8)

February 22, 2008 4:52 PM

PREVIEW REVIEW: Split By A Kiss by Luisa Plaja

Occasional Trashionista reviewer Luisa Plaja's first novel is out at the beginning of March (on the 6th, World Book Day, in fact). Luisa was my first crit partner a few years ago and while I'm still beavering away on the same book, Luisa's gone and got published. But I'm not bitter. No, I'm really not. Because Luisa is lovely and Split by a Kiss is wonderful.

It's the story of Jo who moves to America with her mum and soon finds herself kissing the school hunk during a session of Seven Minutes in Heaven. When Jo has mixed feelings about Jake's attentions - on the one hand he's hot and he seems to like her, on the other he's groping her and he barely knows her - she splits into two: Josie the Cool and Jo the Nerd.

The rest of the book alternates between Josie's and Jo's experiences. While Jo befriends school misfits, Rachel and David, Josie is sucked into the cool crowd, led by Chelsea, but the beauty of this book is that neither Josie nor Jo are stereotypes. Both of their paths show that there's no "right" way to be. Except for being yourself, that is.

But will Jo ever get to be herself again? You'll have to read it to find out. And, since Split by a Kiss is funny, inspiring, original, moving and sweet, you're in for a treat.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Me vs Me by Sarah Mlynowski

Posted by Keris on February 22, 2008 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 5/5, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

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 19, 2008 4:11 PM

BOOK NEWS: Mummy Said The F-Word

Fiona Gibson has a hugely successful career as a magazine journalist. She used to edit More and Just Seventeen, and has written for Marie Claire, The Observer, Red, New Woman and Eve, amongst many others.

In addition to a non-fiction book on parenting (The Fish Finger Years), Fiona has written four novels. The latest, Mummy Said The F-Word, is out in hardback this week.

Firmly planted in the Mum Lit camp, it features Cait, a chaotic single mother of three.

Cait finds work as an agony aunt for a glossy parenting magazine and tries to balance parenthood with keeping up with her polished colleagues. Then she starts to correspond with a mysterious single dad, who signs his emails with the letter 'R'.

Is 'R' simply a fan, or is there something more brewing?

Related posts: Thursday Three: Busy Single Mums | What comes after "mommy lit"?

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 19, 2008 in Book News, British Authors, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 15, 2008 10:49 AM

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 (7)

BOOK REVIEW: An Offer You Can't Refuse by Jill Mansell

As I've said before, when I was a bookseller Jill Mansell was the author most recommended to me by customers, but somehow I've managed to go years and years without reading any of her books. Finally - finally! - I read one, her latest, An Offer You Can't Refuse, and I'm happy to report that all those customers were right.

It's the story of Lola Malone who, at the age of 17, is offered £10,000 to break up with her boyfriend ... by his mother. Lola is horrified. She is in love with Dougie and believes they'll be together forever. But then she learns a family secret, which forces her to take the money, leaving just a letter for her boyfriend.

After being forced to dump Dougie, Lola moved to Spain, but now she's back, working in a London bookshop and happy with her job and her friends, but, inevitably, she soon bumps into her ex ... and, unsurprisingly really, he has neither forgiven nor forgotten. Lola hasn't forgotten him either - and he's even foxier now he's that bit more mature - but can Lola convince him to give her another chance?

Well, if anyone can, Lola can. I loved Lola. She's bright, spunky, funny, honest and she doesn't take no for an answer. I also loved the secondary characters: Lola's best friend, Gabe, and Dougie's sister, Sally, but my favourite character was EJ, with his fabulously dry sense of humour.

Some aspects of the plot weren't entirely convincing, but the characters and the exuberance of the writing more than made up for it.

I'll definitely be reading more Jill Mansell in the future. My customers used to recommend Maeve Binchy too. Maybe I should give her a go...

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Solo by Jill Mansell

Posted by Keris on February 15, 2008 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (7)

February 14, 2008 4:18 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Janice Gentle Gets Sexy by Mavis Cheek

Okay, so Mavis Cheek is more women's fiction than chick lit, but she's also got a very dry sense of humour and a sly brand of observation that is snarkier than, say, Maeve Binchy. I urge you to give her a try.

Janice Gentle Gets Sexy is one of her older books (first published in 1993) but it's one of my favourites. It's very funny and Janice Gentle is a fantastic character. Plus, it's about a writer, which is a bonus in my book.

Janice Gentle, a reclusive romantic novelist, writes delicate novels-of-the-heart. She wants to make enough money so that she can stop writing and devote her attention to finding the man she loved and lost twenty years ago.

Unfortunately for Janice, her literary agent is an unscrupulous, money-obsessed tyrant, who keeps her fingers firmly stuck to the keyboard.

When Rohanne Bulbecker, a sucessful New York publisher, asks for Janice's help with a new idea, everything changes...

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try: Miss Petttigrew Lives For A Day by Winifred Watson

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 14, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

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)

BOOK NEWS: My Favourite Wife

Love him or loathe him, Tony Parsons is joint-reigning king of Lad Lit (with Nick Hornby). His latest offering, My Favourite Wife, is out in hardback on 18 February.

Apparently, it's a sizzling tale of sex, romance and second-wives, set in Shanghai. I have found Tony Parsons to be quite hit-and-miss, but the fab cover of this one is certainly swaying me...

Related posts: Top 10 Lad Lit | Lad-lit blogs

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 12, 2008 in Book News, Book covers, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (3)

February 7, 2008 1:39 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Half Life of Stars by Louise Wener

Claire's overachieving older brother walks out of his office and out of his life. Daniel is married, rich and successful, but one day near to Christmas he simply disappears into thin air.

Claire, who is not making a conspicuous success of her own life, is convinced she understands Daniel best and sets out to look for him.

Set between in Miami and London, in both the past and the present, The Half Life of Stars explores a dysfunctional family, long-burried secrets and the nature of happiness and loss.

As Claire searches for her lost brother, she discovers more about herself and her family and the steps which have taken her to this point in her life.

It's packed with genuinely interesting and original characters and pick-your-jaw-up-from-the-floor fabulous dialogue. In fact, Wener has such a brilliant ear for the American dialogue, I'm going to go ahead and compare her to Elmore Leonard.

The Half Life of Stars is quirky and funny and fast-paced as well as thoughtful, layered and literary. Quite a feat!

Rating: 5/5

Like this only YA? Try: Looking For Alaska by John Green

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 7, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 (5)

February 1, 2008 10:01 AM

Authors write for Amnesty

Thirty top authors including Tom Stoppard,Iain Banks, DBC Pierre, Jeanette Winterson and Kate Atkinson, are putting pen to paper in support of Amnesty International.

Six books, each containing five new stories, will be published in August. The project, titled Blood Like Water, marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

[Via AOL]

Related posts: A little bit of politics | Donate spare books to charity

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 1, 2008 in Book News, British Authors, Short Story Collections | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 28, 2008 6:09 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Young Wives' Tales

Young Wives' Tales has been shortlisted for the Romantic Novel of the Year 2008 (there's still time to enter our fabulous giveaway for the entire shortlist, by the way) and is Adele Parks' seventh novel.

It's also a follow-on from Adele's first novel, Playing Away, catching up with the main characters a few years later. I haven't actually read any Parks before, and, I have to admit I will pick up her next book with some trepidation...

It's not that I didn't race through the story, happy to pick up the book each time after I'd left it, and it wasn't that the writing wasn't up to scratch.

Unfortunately, it was that rather important element in a character-driven plot. The people. I found them all fairly objectionable.

The story focuses on, and is told from the different viewpoints of Lucy (the mistress who became the wife), Rose (the ex-wife and dutiful mother to twin boys) and John (divorcee lad on permanent 'totty alert').

Lucy is vile. Selfish, bitchy, and dissatisfied with her (rather shiny and plentiful) lot, while John is almost a caricature of a lad-about-town commitment-phobe bloke. Both have epiphanies towards the end of the book, but by then, I had developed such a disliking for them that I didn't really believe they could change that drastically.

Rose, the ex-wife, was probably supposed to be more sympathetic character, but I found her rather sanctimonious. Her twin boys were great, though, as was her best friend, Connie, and love interest, Craig.

I realise that you don't have to have likeable characters to write a good book, and Young Wives' Tales certainly isn't a bad one. It's just not exactly my cup of tea.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try: Getting Rid of Matthew by Jane Fallon

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 28, 2008 in British Authors, Prize Winners, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

MORE ON MONDAY & COMPETITION: The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World by Linda Jones

Full disclosure: Linda Jones has been one of my mentors as I changed career from administrator in corporate recovery and personal insolvency (hello? still awake?) to freelance journalist, so I knew in advance just how straight-talking, down to earth and exceedingly useful this book was going to be.

Linda's been a journalist for 20 years and has not only worked as a freelance, but also in newspapers, magazines, online media and PR, so these tips cover writing across the board and from both sides of the fence (I don't think there's a chapter about mixing metaphors, unfortunately).

Find out how you can win a copy over the cut.

This book covers everything you could need to know - from the business side of freelancing (invoicing, copyright and legal matters) to the fun stuff (interviewing, researching and actually writing).

Linda is generous with her advice, but at the same time she doesn't mollycoddle and that's what I liked the most about this book. Yes, it's encouraging and enlightening, but it's also realistic about your chances of making it as a freelancer, which, as I know from experience, will be vastly increased by learning from Linda.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Career Helium by David Thompson

For your chance to win a copy of The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World, please email us at editor @ trashionista . com (take out the spaces) with "Tips" in the subject line and your name and address in the body of the email (so we can send you the book!). Closing date 4 February 2008.

Posted by Keris on January 28, 2008 in British Authors, Competition, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Self development | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 24, 2008 5:17 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Chalet Girl by Kate Lace

We meet Millie at the end of the ski season. She is a chalet girl and damn good at her job. Plus, she's never been tempted to break the rules and fraternise with the tourist clients who come to stay. Until now.

Luke is enjoying a snowboarding break with his best mate (and fellow reporter) Archie, and he is equally drawn to Millie. She is so natural and sweet and pretty. Plus, she seems tinged with sadness which increases Luke's interest and attraction.

Of course, the path of true love cannot run  smooth (it would make for a very short book), so a  misunderstanding leads to Millie heading back to England without saying goodbye to Luke.

Gradually, Millie's past is revealed and we get to know the source of her unhappiness. We are also treated to more misunderstandings and slip-ups as Luke searches for Millie and Millie's life unfolds.

Although some of these were a wee bit contrived and Lace's style leans on a great deal of 'telling' rather than 'showing', I enjoyed The Chalet Girl. It's a good-natured read with warm characters, and a rags-to-riches plot complete with a ball at the end.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try: Decent Exposure by Phillipa Ashley

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 24, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 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)

BOOK REVIEW: Madonna and Me by Nikki Racklin

I wrote about Nikki Racklin's Madonna and Me back in November and I finally got a chance to read it ... and I loved it just as much as I thought I would.

I expected Nikki to be American, but only a couple of pages in I realised she's actually English and, funnily enough, it sort of changed my whole perception of the book.

I was anticipating a kind of "growth" memoir - how I grew up and realised that Madonna is Madonna and I'm me kind of a thing, but instead Madonna and Me is more of a snarky where did it all go wrong? what was I thinking? book.

Nikki began her music career at the same time as Madonna, but where Madonna's career quickly went stratospheric, Nikki's stalled ... for about twenty years. She wasn't unsuccessful - she toured, she made a record, she had a lot of fun - but she never got a record deal and she certainly didn't come close to Madonna's level of fame. Throughout the book, Nikki compares her career with Madonna's and always comes out second best, often with very funny results.

What I loved about this book was that Nikki is under no illusions as to why Madonna made it while she didn't - star quality, charisma, the X factor. Plus she (Nikki, I'm not sure about Madonna) can laugh at herself (since she performed on French TV wearing a man's vest and boxer shorts that she'd decorated herself, that's a good job) and she's very down to earth about her career.

In fact, she's a little bit too self-deprecating at times - she can't have been as poor as she says since she was sought out by more successful musicians and worked as a session singer (which I used to think I wanted to be - despite not being able to sing - and I can remember reading about how hard it is and how good you have to be).

Madonna and Me is much more about Nikki Racklin than it is about Madonna, but that's okay - there are thousands of books about Madonna already and I doubt very many of them are as entertaining as this one.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try But Enough About Me by Jancee Dunn

Posted by Keris on January 16, 2008 in British Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 14, 2008 9:28 AM

BOOK REVIEW: I Did A Bad Thing by Linda Green

I Did a Bad Thing is Linda Green's debut. Linda is a freelance journalist. She also spent ten years working in regional newspapers in London and the Midlands.

Her heroine, Sarah Roberts, is a reporter on a local newspaper. She lives with her saintly, eco-warrier boyfriend Jonathan, and tries to do the right thing.

Then, her old love walks into the office and Sarah's past comes flooding back...

Linda Green's writing is fun, with lots of great dialogue, and all the details of small newspaper life, unsurprisingly perhaps, ring true. I liked and sympathised with Sarah, and found myself racing through the book, wanting to find out about her past.

Green structures the book with chapters from both the present and the past. Unfortunately, and this may just be me, but I found the swapping between the two quite disorientating. It threw me out of the story the first few times, and after a while, I found it a little annoying.

I think this is because the present portions are written in first person past tense, while the past bits are written in first person present tense. With me?

Also, the 'very bad thing', when it is revealed, just doesn't seem quite bad enough...

However, I do like Green's style and will be keen to read her next one. Also, if we had such a thing, I would've given this book three and a half stars, not just three.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try: Playing James by Sarah Mason

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 14, 2008 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 11, 2008 11:20 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Sea Fever by Sarah Mason

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

Sea Fever is a stonking great read of a novel showing the glamour, drama and sheer hard work of sailing and the renowned race the America’s Cup.

At this point I should stress I know nothing at all about sailing. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. But that doesn’t matter as you don’t have to in order to read this book.

We are introduced to the characters of Erica ‘Inky’ Pencarrow, Fabian Beaufort, John ‘Mack’ MacGregor and Rafe Louvel. With great supporting characters from Custard, Hattie, Milly, Bee, Saffron…infact the list is (almost) endless. There are also a few ‘baddies’ notably the ruthless billionaire Henry Luter and the callous Jason Bryant. It all makes for a superb cast list (which handily is included at the front of the book just in case you get a little confused!).

As with many sports, sailing is dominated by men. Inky is determined to become a world class sailor and pull herself out of the shadow of her older brothers and gain her father’s approval. Her ultimate dream is to represent Britain in the America’s Cup. Fabian is disgraced from the sport and has found his sailing friends have all disappeared. His sailing career looks decidedly bleak. Rafe, used to sailing around the world with his father, is spotted by Mack (a fantastic sailor who many believe has now ‘lost it’) and persuaded to come and work for him.

In a twist of fate an opportunity presents itself to Mack. He starts to put together a British crew. A woman, a former druggie and someone who has never raced before. Confirmation, if any more were needed, that he had finally lost the plot.

This was a thrilling, engaging read. It isn’t just about the romance. Yes there is plenty of that. But it is the heartache and the drama, the funny bits and the sheer emotion that jumps off every page.

I am racking my brains to find something I didn’t like about this book. But I can’t. At no point whilst reading did I feel anything was wrong. I was just swept away. Even the racing terminology didn’t put me off. I read through her descriptions of tacking and spinnakers as though I had been reading about them all my life.  My heart was in my mouth as I willed the crew on just as if I were a spectator watching the race on the shore.

I cared about each person on board the boat as their lives changed. Yes some of the plot was a little predictable. But other bits weren’t and there were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing.

One of my favourite bits was what becomes of Inky in the epilogue. A strong inspirational woman if I ever saw one.

Fabulous.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Still Summer by Jacquelyn Mitchard

Posted by Keris on January 11, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 9, 2008 6:02 PM

BOOK NEWS: To Hell in High Heels

Helena Frith Powell has already tutored us to be more French in Two Lipsticks and a Lover. To Hell in High Heels is her guide to aging "gracefully, disgracefully, or not at all."

With no thought for her own sanity, health or bank balance, Helena fearlessly investigates the various anti-ageing tricks on the market.

I've got to admit, this book is probably not aimed at me. I dislike shopping, have no interest in shoes (and point-black refuse to wear heels), and consider brushing my hair as the height of personal grooming. It's a fair bet that I'm going to age in much the same laissez-faire way...

Related posts: How To Walk in High Heels review | The Goddess Guide review

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 9, 2008 in Book News, British Authors, Fashion-Lit, Self development | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 4, 2008 3:25 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Infinite Wisdom of Harriet Rose by Diana Janney

The Infinite Wisdom of Harriet Rose is a funny book. Not so much funny ha ha (although it is), but more funny peculiar. Written by supermodel-turned-philosopher (surely the *only* supermodel-turned-philosopher) Diana Janney, it's (apparently) an adult book that looks and sounds more like a young adult book.

Harriet Rose is a schoolgirl philosopher. Intelligent and precocious she takes herself - and the "Meditations" she writes - extremely seriously. When she tells her mother and Nana she doesn't want anything for her fourteenth birthday (requesting that they donate to charity instead) they present her with a published copy of her collected meditations and a plan to promote and publicise the book (of which they've had 1000 copies printed).

Before long, due both to her own, strangely fascinating, nature, and the efforts of her mother and Nana, Harriet's appearing in newspapers, magazines and on TV. Her schoolmates, not too enamoured with her at the best of times, are less than impressed. But Harriet doesn't care. Until she meets the wise and handsome (and French) Jean Claude and finds that, although he's interested in her, he also seems to be attracted to her petite, airhead schoolmate, Charlotte.

Harriet doesn't exactly try to win Jean Claude from Charlotte - instead she believes that if he's interested in a twerp like Charlotte, he can't be worthy of her ... but she's still fourteen after all...

...except she rarely sounds fourteen. The back of this book claims it's in the tradition of Adrian Mole or The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. It reminded me a lot of Adrian Mole, less of the Mark Haddon book. Like Adrian Mole, Harriet is unaware of her limitations and much of the book's humour is at her expense. Unlike Adrian Mole, I didn't find it laugh-out-loud funny, more gently amusing. Apart from a teenage protagonist, I didn't think it had anything in common with The Curious Incident... and I feel that was only mentioned to try and cash in on that book's crossover appeal.

Although she's irritating, I did like Harriet and some of her meditations (particularly those relating to her father's death) were surprisingly moving, but rather than having "cross generational appeal" as the press release suggests, I'm worried that The Infinite Wisdom of Harriet Rose will be too YA to appeal to adults and too adult to appeal to teens.

Still, it's definitely well-written and good fun, so I'll certainly be reading whatever Diana Janney writes next.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try My Fat, Mad Teenage Diary by Rae Earl

Posted by Keris on January 4, 2008 in British Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 3, 2008 5:48 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Mary Stewart

I thoroughly enjoyed Mary Stewart's Nine Coaches Waiting (romantic suspense in an beautiful setting) so I thought I'd find out a bit more about the author.

Author of twenty novels, a volume of poetry and three books for children, Mary Stewart has been named as one of the founders of the romantic suspense genre.

And it's a good thing I said a 'bit more' as I wasn't very successful on hunting down many biographical details.

Mary Stewart was born in 1916 in County Durham, England, but she has lived in Scotland for many years.

She was a lecturer in English Language and Literature at Durham University until her marriage to Sir Frederick Stewart.

In addition to her romantic suspense novels (which were set in stunning locations in Scotland, the Greek islands, Spain, France and Austria), Mary wrote a series of novels based on Authurian legend. The books were a mix of historical and fantasy fiction and focused on Merlin.

Select bibliography:

The Merlin Series:

The Crystal Cave (1970)
The Hollow Hills (1973)
The Last Enchantment (1979)
The Wicked Day (1983)
The Prince and the Pilgrim (1995)

Other novels:

Madam, Will You Talk?
Nine Coaches Waiting
My Brother Michael
The Ivy Tree
The Moon-Spinners
This Rough Magic

Related posts: Thursday Trailblazer archive
   

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 3, 2008 in British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (1)

Wendy Holden's favourite books

Wendy Holden, whose latest book Filthy Rich is out later this month (with newly redesigned covers ... again) is featured in the current issue of Psychologies magazine talking about her favourite books.

Currently Wendy's reading Letters Between Six Sisters - a collection of the Mitford sisters' letters (as is former Trashionista editor Diane, actually!).

She (Wendy, not Diane) names Jilly Cooper as her favourite author of all time and admits she's never been able to finish Moby Dick.

Wendy also names Cyra McFadden's The Serial: A Year in the Life of Marin County as the funniest book she's ever read. So that's another one for my Amazon Wishlist then ... sigh. (I'd never heard of it before. Anyone else read it?)

Related posts: Jenny Colgan's life in books | Thursday Trailblazer: Nancy Mitford

Posted by Keris on January 3, 2008 in British Authors | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 2, 2008 11:43 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Growing Pains by Billie Piper

Yes, I know it's ridiculous a 23-year-old writing an autobiography, but Billie Piper has packed more into her 23 years than many people do in a lifetime.

In case you don't know her, Billie became a pop star at age 15. The record company wanted her to be a British Madonna and, while that didn't quite work out, she did have three very successful and, according to this book, gruelling years as a popstar.

I'd be lying if I said that, before picking this book up, I wasn't mostly interested to read about her marriage to Chris Evans (a British TV presenter and DJ who Billie married when she was 18 and he was 34), but I found the whole rise to fame section and even the chapters about her childhood (which can sometimes be a bit tedious *cough*Gary Barlow*cough*) absolutely fascinating. Clearly precocious, Billie was still forced to grow up too fast (once she signed her record deal, she lived alone in a London hotel - aged 15!).

Reading the book, I was thrilled when Chris Evans turned up because I knew that Billie's life was about to become considerably better. Suffering from anorexia, exhaustion and, by the sound of it, a bit of a drug issue too (which she, oddly considering the honesty of the rest of the book, glosses over), she met Chris and, before they'd even been on an official date, he turned up at her door with (famously) the keys to a Ferrari filled with roses and a marriage proposal.

From then on, Billie's next few years passed in marital bliss. They (again, famously) travelled the world together (getting drunk, gaining weight and barely bothering even to brush their hair) and then moved into Chris's cottage. At which point, I became quite envious. Their life just sounded gorgeous. Baking cakes, hanging out, travelling whenever they wanted to, and never having to worry about work. But, of course, that couldn't last.

Billie wanted to try acting, which had always been her first love and, once she got the part of Rose Tyler in the newly revived (and now incredibly successful) Dr Who, her marriage broke down and her "third act" - as an actress (first was "singer", second was "wife") began. (If you keep up with celebrity gossip - and you know I do - you'll know that on New Year's Eve Billie married again.)

As you might be able to tell from my slightly over-excited review, reading this book I fell completely in love with Billie. She's funny, honest, sensible, charming and inspiring. And she's still only 23. Good grief. It is a cracking good read though. I read it on a seven hour car journey to London (don't worry, I wasn't driving!) and was extremely put out when it got too dark to read with only a couple of chapters to go. Put your preconceived notions aside and give it a go. Highly recommended!

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try My Take by Gary Barlow

Posted by Keris on January 2, 2008 in British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 1, 2008 1:11 PM

Eighth Harry Potter?

JK Rowling planned the Harry Potter series in seven parts, but she has now hinted that she may write an eighth book.

Speaking to Time magazine, Rowling said: "If - and it's a big if - I ever write an eighth book, I doubt that Harry would be the central character. I feel I've already told his story. But these are big ifs. Let's give it 10 years."

So, there you have it. Hope for die hard fans of Hogwarts, after all.

[Via BBC]

Related posts: Harry Potter stamps | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows | JK Rowling's £40,000 book

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 1, 2008 in Book News, British Authors, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

December 28, 2007 8:24 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Wag's Diary by Alison Kervin

Despite my general obsession with celebrity, I don't have much interest in the WAGs. In case you're unaware of them, the WAGs are the wives and girlfriends of professional footballers. Victoria Beckham is their Queen (obviously), but there are loads of others, like Wayne Rooney's fiance Coleen McLoughlin and Alex Curran, wife of Steven Gerrard.

Anyway, despite not being interested in the WAGs, I was interested to read The WAG's Diary because I'd heard so much about it and the author, Alison Kervin, gave us such a good interview.

It's the story of Tracie Martin. Married to Luton Town footballer, Dean, she prides herself on being a WAG, believing it to be the pinnacle of achievement for any woman. But things aren't so good in Tracie's WAG world. Dean's playing days look to be numbered (he can still score, but often he does it in the wrong net), their daughter, Paskia-Rose, is more interested in being a footballer than a WAG (the horror!) and the other WAGs aren't towing the WAG line. Some of them even go to matches in trousers. Trousers!

Tracie thinks she should write a How To manual for potential WAGs and enrols herself on a writing course where she meets local reporter, Simon. They strike up a friendship and soon Tracie's writing that manual and everything is changing. And not necessarily for the better.

When I first started to read The WAG's Diary, I couldn't really see the point of it. Obviously, it's a satire on WAG-dom, but the WAGs are really beyond satire. I mean, they're a parody anyway so why bother parodying them? But as I read on, I really started to like Tracie and wanted things to turn out well for her. It's kind of like a cross between Bridget Jones and Footballers' Wives. (So if you didn't like either of them, I doubt you'll like this!)

My other complaint is that Tracie is supposed to be so stupid that she uses "ostrich-sized" when she means ostracised, but then, at other times, is extremely articulate! It makes it a bit of an uneven read. Still, I enjoyed it enough that I'll probably read the sequel, WAG's Diary in LA.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Everything A Girl Needs To Know About Football by Simeon De La Torre and Sophie Brown

Posted by Keris on December 28, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 27, 2007 12:42 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Midnight Cactus by Bella Pollen

Her marriage at crisis-point, Alice Coleman is desperate to spend time away from her developer husband, Robert.

Robert has bought a ghost town in Arizona with plans to create a luxury resort. Alice takes the opportunity to oversee the work as a means to escape and she and her children decamp to the desert town.

At first, I was frustrated at Alice for taking risks with her children's happiness and safety. Alice takes Jack and Emmy with her against their will and seems utterly unprepared for the harsh realities of the town. However, as I got to know Alice, I warmed to her and to her adventurous spirit.

The town is near the border with Mexico and the landscape is harsh. It's an alien way of life, peopled with strange, wild characters like Duval, the builder hired by Alice's husband, who is both mysterious and captivating.

Alongside the story of a family adventure and of Alice's escape from her old life, runs the story of the border. The many Mexican 'illegals' who risk their lives during the dangerous crossing through the desert.

The border narrative criss-crosses the past with the present and Alice is drawn into this dark, dangerous world. Ultimately, Alice must decide on which side of the line she belongs.

The descriptions of Arizona, of the border guards and the struggle between them, the traffickers and the - often desperate - immigrants, is convincingly portrayed.

I was slightly annoyed by the convenient way in which Alice's children seeemed to disappear from the narrative whenever Alice needed to be free of them (most of the second half of the book), but this is a minor quibble in a rip-roaring adventure story with an exciting setting.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try: Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 27, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 26, 2007 10:40 AM

BOOK NEWS: The Daughter Game by Kate Long

Kate Long, author of The Bad Mother's Handbook, has a fourth book due  out in March 2008.

Titled The Daughter Game, it features Anna, a woman in crisis. Her marriage is struggling, and the affair she began as consolation has now become a burden. She is happiest while teaching.

Then a beautiful fifteen-year-old named Kali arrives in her English group. Kali is bright, intense, and vulnerable. Anna takes Kali under her wing, but soon the friendship turns into something more unsettling...

It sounds a little like Notes on a Scandal. I'll be interested to see what Kate does with the subject.

Related post: The Bad Mother's Handbook on TV 

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 26, 2007 in Book News, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 18, 2007 9:22 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Xmas Factor by Annie Sanders

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

The Xmas Factor is the third book by Annie Sanders following Goodbye, Jimmy Choo and Warnings of Gales both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Annie Sanders (a pen name made up of Annie Ashworth and Meg Sanders) provide real life chick lit which I can relate to as the characters are at similar stages in their lives to me. I picked up The Xmas Factor with high hopes.

Beth was determined that Christmas this year, her first with new husband Jacob, was going to contain the Xmas Factor. Taking time out from preparing three different sorts of mincemeat, she attends the Village Entertainments Group meeting and is coerced into taking on this years Mistletoe Meet.

Thinking a few sausage rolls, drinks and party hats shouldn’t be too hard to rustle up she is alarmed when going through the notes of previous years to find out there were orchestras, lobster and Venetian masks. All organised by her husbands deceased first wife. Feeling threatened by this dead woman there was nothing for it. She had to provide something spectacular both at home, for her husband and his grown up children, and for the Meet.

Meanwhile Carol, a single Mum to Tim, is struggling with a cumbersome magazine title that is threatened with closure, as well as her guilt for not spending enough time with her son. She sees a chocolate box cottage in a magazine and decides this is exactly what she and her son need for their Christmas holidays.

As the shopping days roll by with increasing speed towards Christmas Beth's and Carol's lives are about to collide in one spectacular mess.

I read The Xmas Factor last year when it came out in hardback. With this release of the paperback I thought I’d skim read so I could write the review. It took me longer than I thought as once more I was (willingly) pulled into the lives of Beth, Carol, Tim, Holly and Nick.

In this grown up chick lit story, Annie Sanders demonstrates how Christmas has become a commercialised affair where women shoulder much of the stress in order to provide a perfect Christmas for their family. The book is realistic yet entertaining and Beth is typical of many a woman I know. When talking to them at this time of the year you can almost see the lists of jobs they have swimming around in their heads. My advice? Pick up this book, grab a mince pie (shop bought will do just fine) a hot chocolate, put your feet up and immerse yourself in this non-stressful read. It may be a little cloying at the end. But if we cannot overdo the cloy at this time of year, when can we?

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Tickled Pink by Christina Jones

Posted by Keris on December 18, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 14, 2007 10:34 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Hopscotch & Handbags by Lucy Mangan

I love Lucy Mangan's columns for The Guardian newspaper, so I was keen to read her first book, Hopscotch & Handbags: The Essential Guide to Being a Girl and it was just as good as I expected.

In her typical hilariously dry style, Mangan looks at all aspects of what it means to be female. From early days at preschool, via senior school's obsessive collecting of stickers, keyrings and erasers (called "rubbers" when we were at school, but not any more), to living with a man (and explaining to him - at exhaustive length - why sausages are not actually a health food), motherhood and more.

Like sex, hair and beauty, exercise and health, friendship, working, and dealing with your mother.

Sometimes (and you'll probably already be aware of this if you've read her columns) Mangan has a tendency to be excessively verbose (she says with excessive, er, verbosity) and occasionally I found myself scanning a little to get to the point, but when I finished the book I still longed for more. Plus at least twice I literally laughed until I cried (once was in public and it was rather embarrassing).

Hopscotch & Handbags is one of those books you'll read out over the phone to your friends. Buy it for every woman you know (although, on second thoughts, maybe not your mum...).

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try How to Bring Up Your Parents by Emma Kennedy or My Fat, Mad Teenage Diary by Rae Earl

Posted by Keris on December 14, 2007 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | 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)

PREVIEW REVIEW: Mothernight by Sarah Stovell

Mothernight is Sarah Stovell's debut novel and it is startlingly accomplished.

Leila Hartley is a boarder at an exclusive girls' school in Kent. Leila is a genius, but very much alone - she hasn't even been home to see her family for years. Devestatingly clever, she confounds both her teachers and fellow pupils.

When Oliva Rudham arrives at the school, she is roomed with Leila and the two form an intense friendship.

Despite their intimacy, Leila keeps her past a secret from Olivia. Then, Leila's father invites them both back to the family home for the summer and the truth is finally unravelled.

Written in three narrative voices: Leila, Olivia and Kathryn, Leila's stepmother, this novel is intense and absorbing. The relationship between the girls is convincingly portrayed - as is the gothic, suffocating feel of the boarding school.

I really like Stowell's writing style. It allows for dry humour alongside the drama, and never sacrifices story for literary pretension.

In fact, more important than its intelligence, this book feels real. I believed in the grief and obsession and love so thoroughly that the chacters of Katherine, Olivia and Leila stayed with me long after I finished reading.

A page-turner with soul and a debut author to watch with interest...

Mothernight is out in March 2008.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try: Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 13, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

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)

BOOK REVIEW: Holly's Inbox by Holly Denham

When I discovered the Holly's Inbox website, I had to force myself to stop reading or I wouldn't have got anything else done. I started reading the book on Saturday morning and pretty much didn't get anything done until I'd finished it on Sunday evening.

Written entirely in the form of emails to and from Holly, who has just started work as a receptionist at a large London bank. Her colleagues are generally awful (apart from Jennie who Holly went to school with ... at least to begin with) and it's only the emails from her friends Jason and Aisha that are getting her through. Until she starts a flirtation with James, one of the company's Vice Presidents. A flirtation that will eventually change everything. (Duh duh duhhhh!)

Holly's Inbox is an extremely easy read, but a totally compelling one. Very little really happens - the plot-based emails are interspersed with the kind of emails most women working in offices get: horoscopes, offers of cheap flights, money-laundering requests from Nigerian princes - but Holly's voice is so real that I was just as happy reading about her struggles to get her broken washing machine collected by the manufacturer as I was to read about her weekend in Spain with James.

Really, Holly's Inbox is the kind of book that gives chick lit a bad name, but it made me laugh and I struggled to put it down, so I just don't care. Great fun. (It was also written by a man, but I'm going to have to go and find out more about that...)

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot

Posted by Keris on December 11, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (5)

BOOK NEWS: Friday Nights by Joanna Trollope

Back when I was a teen, I used to read Joanna Trollope, as if it were science fiction. At a time when husbands (adulterous or otherwise), my own children and, of course, Agas, were a brave new world.

I have to admit, she doesn't really come onto my reading radar these days, but this cover caught my eye. It looks very, well, contemporary. 

From her window, Eleanor sees two young women, with small children, separate, struggling and plainly lonely - and decides to ask them in, and see what happens. From that first act of friendship, a group of six different women, become a circle of friends, meeting every Friday night.

Friday Nights is out in hardback on 4 February 2008.

Related posts: Book News archive

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 11, 2007 in Book News, British Authors | 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)

Authors on Coronation Street

No, not actually appearing, writing about it.

Our sister site, Corrieblog, is now edited by Sue Haasler, author of Time After Time, True Colours and more and the latest Coronation Street fan of the week is author Christina Jones (pictured), revealing why she'd like to see Norris in a pole-dancing club... (the mind boggles).

Related posts: Tickled Pink by Christina Jones | By Jack Rosenthal by Jack Rosenthal (former Coronation Street scriptwriter - I'm on linking fire today!) | Chick lit authors' favourite TV shows

Posted by Keris on December 10, 2007 in British Authors, Television | 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 (2)

December 3, 2007 10:56 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: My Take by Gary Barlow

I was recently in the position of having to be on a train for a total of ten hours (it was only a five hour journey, but travelling on the weekend doubled the time!). I wanted to take a guaranteed good read. A book that would see me through both the journey and any additional delays. Along with four other books (I wouldn't want to be caught short, would I?), I decided on Gary Barlow's autobiography.

I was (let's face it, still am) a huge Take That fan and, while Gary wasn't my favourite, his speedy fall from grace following the band's split, along with the feud with Robbie, of course, meant I knew this book would be fascinating. And it was. From his childhood in Frodsham, Cheshire, we're quickly launched into Gary's passion for music and his early years entertaining in working men's clubs. While interesting, this part soon got old, but luckily Gary's Take That audition arrived to liven things up.

Gary took his (self-made) demo tape to Nigel Martin-Smith's management company. Nigel loved Gary's songs (his looks, less so) and decided he'd be perfect for the boy band he was forming to compete with New Kids on the Block. Gary was introduced to Robbie, Mark, Jason and Howard and the rest is pop history.

Gary is brutally honest in his treatment of Nigel Martin-Smith and Martin-Smith himself sounds like a fascinating character, both genius and control freak. Gary is also honest about his own control freak tendencies, but he's not quite as hard on himself as he is on Nigel. Of course, he was young when Take That started and he does admit that he gave Robbie a hard time, but he claims he was clueless about it all, which I'm not sure is true. He does, however, include a telling conversation with Jason following the band's break-up, in which Jason told him what a nightmare he was.

The book's been fully updated since the reunion and towards the end, I started to feel very warm towards Gary (no, not like that; I save that for Jason). Gary loves his family, is mad about his wife and kids, and thrilled to be given a second chance at stardom. No, it's not the way he wanted things to go, but he's more than making the best of it. Plus he's traded in his ridiculous Elton-style mansion for a 3-bed semi, bless him. How could you not love that?

It's a gripping read and Gary's also got an entertainingly dry sense of humour, but it's probably for Take That fans only.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Feel by Chris Heath

Posted by Keris on December 3, 2007 in British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 (4)

BOOK REVIEW: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Insight Edition)

Reviewed by Jill Hart

I must admit, though somewhat shyly, that though I am a huge fan of Jane Austen I had never read Pride and Prejudice. I attempted to read it once during my high school years, but the language seemed confusing and I gave up. So, when Bethany House announced their new “Insight Edition” of Pride and Prejudice I jumped at the chance to read it.

This new printing of Austen’s beloved classic includes the original text, but also adds side notes giving the reader a brief definition of certain terms, customs and history behind Austen’s words. The book also includes movie facts and other entertaining tidbits that highlight that many works of art that Pride and Prejudice has inspired such as the 2005 movie starring Kiera Knightley.

The editors at Bethany house did a fantastic job at selecting passages to expound on. For example, Austen speaks of Mrs. Bennet saying, “The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news.” In today’s culture this seems a bit, well, shallow, and yet the editors include a note that explains why this would have been so important a job for Mrs Bennet.

I can freely say that I loved the book even more than the movie and I felt the Insight Edition added a whole new dimension to Austen’s work. Jane Austen’s speaks for itself and yet the editors did a wonderful job of adding information that enriched the book and made it even more appealing.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding (ha ha!)

Posted by Keris on November 29, 2007 in British Authors, Classic Novels, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 26, 2007 4:57 PM

BOOK NEWS: The Chalet Girl by Kate Lace

Perhaps it was because I loved the Chalet School series of books by Elinor Brent Dyer when I was a girl, or perhaps it was the cute cover, but my attention was caught by this forthcoming release from Little Black Dress.

Written by Kate Lace (who has published several romance books under the name Catherine Jones), The Chalet Girl follows Millie - a new, erm, chalet girl - as she meets classic bad boy, Luke, when he comes to stay in her chalet.

It's available from 13 December in all the usual places.

Related posts: Book News archive

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 26, 2007 in Book News, British Authors, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

MORE ON MONDAY: Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Before it was a film with Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro, Stardust was a slim volume by Neil Gaimain.

Gaiman's Stardust is a fairy tale in the grand tradition of fairy tales. In other words, it is full of darkness and danger and love, and is suitable for adults and teenagers, not tots.

Beyond the village of Wall lies Faerie. Every nine years there is a fair, where Faerie sells its wares to the ordinary folk.

Tristin Thorne, the son of a farmer and a witch's servant, is in love with the haughty Victoria Forester. He promises to go into Faerie and bring back a fallen star, in return for her hand.

When Tristin finds the star, she is a beautiful daughter of the moon called Yvaine. The dying Lord of Stormheld threw a gem and accidentally knocked her from the sky, and Yvaine is not too thrilled about it.

Worse still, the Lord's sons are searching for the gem, and an ancient witch is searching for Yvaine; she wants to cut out her heart so that she and her sisters can be young again.

So, you have an everyman hero, a quest, a wicked witch, and a land of magic. Nothing unusual there, you may think, but Gaiman is a master story-teller and his characters are funny and true.

Stardust is a delightful book and one I urge you to seek out and devour; everybody needs magic of this kind in their lives.

Rating: 4/5

Like this only chick lit? Try: Under My Spell by Deborah Wright

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 26, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5, Supernatural, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 23, 2007 4:59 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Decent Exposure by Phillipa Ashley

Burned-out, Emma Tremayne leaves her high-powered PR job and moves to the Lake District for some much-needed peace and quiet.

She ends up helping out the local mountain rescue team with its fundraising by organising a tasteful nude calendar. Unfortunately, gorgeous 'Mr July' isn't too pleased...

This lovely, warm story is Phillipa Ashley's debut novel. Emma is a likeable heroine and Ashley's writing is deft, sexy and full of humour.

The plot - city girl meets rugged and handsome outdoor guy - is sprinkled with twists and misunderstandings which keep you turning the pages. The characters are well-drawn, so you keep rooting for them to sort it all out, although there were moments when I thought 'oh just speak to each other!''

Decent Exposure is a light romantic read for a rainy afternoon, with fabulous descriptions of life in a tight-knit Lake District community and a very sexy male lead.

The only bit I really disliked was the epilogue. Not a big fan, anyway, but this one (and I won't go into detail to spoil the ending) was a touch on the cheesy side.

Rating: 3/5

Like this: Try: Wish You Were Here by Phillipa Ashley

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 23, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips

I used to read Marie Phillips' blog, Struggling Author (now invitation only), and so I was familiar with Gods Behaving Badly before it even had a publisher. I always thought it sounded great (and I'd read the enthusiastic comments of industry bigwigs) so I was keen to read it.

As an idea, it's what Hollywood calls "high concept" - the gods behaving badly are Greek Gods, living in modern-day London. So we meet Apollo who is using his psychic ability to front a TV show, Aphrodite is working in phone sex, Dionysus runs a nightclub between Euston and Kings Cross and Eros has become a Christian. They all live together in a run-down house with a secret on the top floor.

Into this dysfunctional family comes Alice, an intelligent but timid cleaner who is in love with her best friend, Neil. Neil's in love with Alice too, but can't bring himself to tell her. When they go together to see Apollo's TV show, an unfortunate series of events finds their fate inextricably linked with that of not only the gods, but the entire world...

I enjoyed this book just as much as I thought I would. It's great fun. The Gods are hilariously narcissistic and Phillips fits them into the 21st century seamlessly. It's exciting, funny and features imaginative leaps that made me think of the Harry Potter series (I loved Angel tube station being the portal to the underworld).

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Venus Envy by Shannon McKelden

Posted by Keris on November 23, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (4)

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)

November 20, 2007 5:42 PM

JK Rowling's £40,000 book

The Tales of Beedle the Bard (yes, the book that featured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) is to be put up for a charity auction in Sotheby's next month.

The unique book contains all-new stories, handwritten by JK, and is bound in leather, with silver and moonstones. It is expected to fetch up to £40,000 for The Children's Voice; a charity that campaigns on behalf of institutionalised children.

Related posts: JK honoured with Blue Peter special | Guardian disses JK Rowling | Harry Potter stamps

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 20, 2007 in Book News, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Liz Jones's Diary by Liz Jones

For anyone who doesn't know already, Liz Jones is the raven-haired columnist whose personal and marital exploits usually grace the Mail on Sunday's You magazine on a weekly basis. Now to tell you the truth, I (and many others) assumed that her column was fake; a fictional Bridget-like heroine who's nearing forty and has an obsession with organic groceries. But lo and behold, it's not.

She's actually real.

Pardon my stupidity here, but there was naive little me thinking that no real woman would openly divulge the details of her life and marriage to the entire nation in a column. Oops, I was wrong. So when I saw Liz Jones's book (aptly named Liz Jones's Diary), I was both curious and worried.

Let me just say that I LOVE girly memoirs - non-fiction offerings from authors, columnists and, well, bloggers-turned-authors. They all get my vote. And this one? This one is hard, because I love it...

...yet at the same time, I hate it. Trust me, it's odd.

Liz Jones's Diary (How One Single Girl Got Married) is basically a collection of her columns in diary form, from her days as a singleton to her first date with her (now ex) husband Nirpal. It's not THAT interesting, especially as the majority of the book seems to focus on her cats, yet I can't help but adore her writing style.

But there's one major problem about this book and the You columns that really gets to me.

Liz Jones herself.

Throughout the book, Liz comes across as a selfish, bossy, argumentative...well, to put it bluntly, bitch. Her entries tell of treating her younger boyfriend like a child, telling him off for small things and worse still, talking as though this is something ALL women do. Her excessive name-dropping really started to grate on my nerves shortly after starting the book, but no more than the overuse of 'organic' items. It seems as though poor Lizzie is unable to eat or drink anything unless it's organic and has great pleasure in telling us about a thousand times.

Don't get me wrong, she is a talented writer, and this book isn't at all a rubbish read. But sadly it's more scary than entertaining; this is no regular couple. Liz is fussy, snobby and treats her cats better than she treats her husband, and only comes across as more desperate, sad and seemingly frightened of aging what with the excessive amount of beauty products she uses (don't worry, she lists the prices of everything, too!) than stylish.

Is she like this in real life, or is it simply a case of over-exaggeration? I'm hoping the latter, but I guess we'll never know.

One thing I DO know though? Liz will never be Bridget.

Rating: 2/5

Like this? Try The Late Bloomer's Revolution by Amy Cohen

Posted by Danielle Symonds-Yemm on November 20, 2007 in British Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 2/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

November 19, 2007 11:39 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: Justice for Jill by Scott Lomax

This is a difficult book to review since I feel so strongly about the case in question.

For those too young to remember 1999 or for anyone outside the UK who might not know of the case, Jill Dando was a popular British TV presenter who was shot dead on her front doorstep in broad daylight one morning in 1999. The public were shocked and horrified and a huge manhunt took place to find the murderer.

The hunt was hindered by the fact that Jill was incredibly popular and beloved and the police had no witnesses, murder weapon or motive. In 2001, a local man named Barry George was arrested and charged with Dando's murder. It was announced last week that Barry George is to face a retrial after his conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal.

The reason it's difficult for me to review this book is that, having been horrified and fascinated by the case at the time, I never believed for a minute that George was guilty. The evidence was flimsy at best and it seemed to me to be a case of the police, under immense public and media pressure to solve the case, finding a local oddball and thinking he would do.

Justice for Jill isn't simply a history of the case, its author, Scott Lomax, also firmly believes that George is innocent and sets out the evidence fairly and in minute detail. It's a fascinating, compelling and deeply upsetting book.

It's not a sensationalist "true crime" style book and, as such, can get a bit dense, but it's not a book that you'd read for entertainment, obviously. If you're interested in the case, in law, in miscarriages of justice, it's a must-read. But expect to have your faith in the crimiinal justice system shaken.

Rating: 4/5

Posted by Keris on November 19, 2007 in British Authors, Crime / Mystery, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (6)

November 16, 2007 1:38 PM

Book Review: The Distance Between Us by Maggie O'Farrell

Maggie O'Farrell writes intelligently about human relationships and families, but is also unashamedly emotional. She writes with intensity and truth about love and loss and desire, and crafts characters you care about.

I loved After You'd Gone, My Lover's Lover, and her latest, The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, but The Distance Between Us is still my favourite. In fact, it would be on my list of top ten books ever, if I had such a thing.

In Hong Kong, Jake finds himself caught in a crush during Chinese New Year celebrations; the events that unfold lead to an ill-advised marriage and a return to England.

Meanwhile, Stella has a chance encounter that sparks a traumatic memory and sends to a location in Scotland, the significance of which only her sister, Nina, will understand.

The book dodges back and forth in time and between the characters; Stella and her sister, their parents, Jake and his mother, taking in themes of parallel lives, displaced identies and sibling rivalry.

This may sound confusing and in the hands of a less-skilled author, it would be, but O'Farrell deftly weaves the separate narrative strands together as we hurtle, inexorably, towards the point when Jake and Stella will actually meet.

Beautifully written and absorbingly romantic.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try: The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 16, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

November 14, 2007 10:15 AM

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 (0)

November 13, 2007 11:11 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Slam by Nick Hornby

Slam is Nick Hornby's first book for young adults and he's made a great job of it. Closer to the populist style of High Fidelity, rather than his more literary (and, in my opinion, less successful) novels, like How To Be Good and A Long Way Down.

Every preview I've read of this book describes it as being about, Sam, 15, who talks to his poster of skateboarding hero, Tony Hawk ... and the poster talks back. But that's really not what it's about at all. When Sam meets Alicia, they become very serious very quickly. Alicia's parents don't think Sam's good enough (mainly due to the fact that his mum had him at 16) and Sam's mum thinks things are happening too fast. And then Alicia tells Sam she's late...

Sam's reaction isn't ideal, but it is natural - and that was the thing I loved most about this book. Sam makes loads of mistakes, but he's such a charming and believable character that you want things to work out for him.

The Tony Hawk thing is an interesting and entertaining device - Hawk doesn't really talk back, Sam just hears relevant (most of the time) soundbites from Hawk's autobiography, which Sam claims to have read thousands of times. Having had my own celebrity obsessions as a teen (I've no interest now, of course... *cough*), I appreciated how any pronouncement by the object of your obsession can take on an importance out of all proportion and I thought it worked brilliantly in this book.

Of course, being Hornby, it's very well-written and it's also very funny and incredibly touching. I found myself near to tears a lot of the time. I'd never really thought about how teenage pregnancy could affect the baby's father before (silly, I know) and this book was a great insight into the subject. Plus it's just a really good read.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try: Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Posted by Keris on November 13, 2007 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 5/5, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

November 12, 2007 9:22 AM

BOOK REVIEW: A Bad Bride's Tale by Polly Williams

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

A Bad Bride’s Tale is Polly Williams’ second book after the successful The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy.  Rather confusingly A Bad Bride’s Tale was also known as The Egg Race in hardback. The Egg Race is not a brilliant title but I think A Bad Bride’s Tale as a title is misleading. Yes she�