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 (5)

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

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

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 on February 22, 2009 in Books, British Authors, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 27, 2009 6:43 PM

Romantic Novel of the Year 2009

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

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

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

The winner will be announced in February.

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

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

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 (1)

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 (1)

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 (5)

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 (5)

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 (3)

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 (1)

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 (1)

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 (2)

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 (5)

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 (3)

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 (3)

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 (21)

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 (51)

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 (2)

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 (1)

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 (4)

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 (1)

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 (3)

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 (5)

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 (2)

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 (3)

May 9, 2008 11:28 AM

TELEVISION NEWS: May Contain Nuts

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

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

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

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

May 7, 2008 11:48 AM

MOVIE NEWS: Jane Eyre

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

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

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

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

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

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 (1)

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 (1)

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 (11)

Jane Austen goes hip hop

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

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

[Via Empire]

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

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

April 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 (7)

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 gcartwright 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 (2)

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 (4)

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 (9)

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 (5)

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 (8)

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 (8)

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 (1)

February 5, 2008 6:43 PM

WWII Keep Calm poster

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

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

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

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

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 (4)

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 (3)

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 (5)

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 (2)

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 (3)

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 (5)

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 (1)

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 (5)

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 (7)

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 (1)

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 (4)

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’s a bride, but bad? Hmm.

Stevie Jonson is getting married to Jez. Everything is organised for the big day. But there is a problem. Stevie just isn’t physically attracted to her fiancé anymore. He is also a bit self absorbed and manipulative. However, she is thirty four, she can hear the tick, tick, tick of her biological clock and feels this man is the last chance she’ll have to have a baby. Thus ‘The Egg Race’.

To cause further confusion for Stevie, Sam, her childhood friend and one time crush, returns from France two weeks before she says ‘I do’. Her doubts before the big day, however, are pushed to the back of her mind after a crisis in the family of her soon to be in laws. On their honeymoon, they bump into Katy, an ex of Sam’s. Katy is hoping her current boyfriend Seb will be proposing any day now.

This book is a page turner. The proof of this is that I sneaked away from my family on Sunday to keep reading it. I like Williams’ writing style. She is vivid with her words and sets the scene really well. But I feel certain things let the book down.

On one level it is a straightforward romantic comedy. On another Williams raises deeper issues regarding declining fertility and the modern working woman. To cover such a complex and important issue, with such a one dimensional, weak character does not do the subject justice. Frustratingly, Stevie is incredibly reliant on a man and does not voice her own wants at all. Whilst in reality there are women like this, for this story and plot to work I needed a character I could empathise with more.

Then there is Katy, the secondary female character. I felt she was such a media cliché of a woman wanting to get married and have babies before her ovaries shrivel up, it made me want to weep and this interrupted the flow of the story.

Marian Keyes produces contemporary novels covering serious issues with strong, rounded female leads. I think there is promise here, but with A Bad Bride's Tale, Williams hasn’t yet managed to achieve the same high level.

Rating: 2/5

Like this? Try Baby Proof by Emily Giffin

Posted by Keris on November 12, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 2/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 8, 2007 10:18 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Motherhood Walk of Fame by Shari Low

The Motherhood Walk of Fame, Shari Low's fourth book, is the story of Carly Cooper, an author and journalist, happily married to her childhood sweetheart and with two lovely sons. The problem is, she's bored. And not just with her sex life (that's less boring and more none-existent).

When she gets a phonecall from her ex, Sam - one of the (six!) men she was engaged to before marrying Mark* - everything changes. Mark has given Carly's first novel to his agent and he's lined up meetings for Carly with Hollywood studios.

*And you can read all about them in Shari Low's first book, Why Not? What If?, which also features Carly. 

Completely overexcited, both at the thought of livening up her life and possibly taking Hollywood by storm - Carly books tickets to LA for the whole family. There's only one problem, Mark refuses to go. Determined not to miss out on the chance of a lifetime, Carly and the kids go anyway, leaving a disgruntled Mark home alone.

Out in LA, things are great. Possibly too great. Carly not only loves the lifestyle, she finds herself remembering all too clearly what she used to love about Sam.

So Carly has to choose. Between LA and the UK. Writing for the movies or writing for Family Values magazine. Between her husband, Mark and her ex, Sam (who, by the way, used to be a high class gigolo). In other words, between real life and a dream life.

I enjoyed The Motherhood Walk of Fame. Shari Low is very funny and I'd laughed out loud a few times in just the first few pages. The kids are very cute and the Hollywood experience is entertaining, but I felt the book sagged a bit in the middle. There wasn't really enough plot to keep my interest. Having said that, I loved the ending.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Rainy Days & Tuesdays by Claire Allan

Posted by Keris on November 8, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Series | Permalink | Comments (2)

November 7, 2007 11:18 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Froth on the Cappuccino by Maeve Haran

I love books like Maeve Haran's Froth on the Cappuccino. Subtitled "How small pleasures can save your life" it's one of those books about how all the joys of life are right there in front of us and how we so often take this for granted.

Things like the titular froth on the cappuccino ("Can there be anything more delicious than sprinkling fresh chocolate onto your cappucciino and eating the froth, slowly and sensuously, as befits its amazing wondrousness?"), freshly baked bread, a cool pillow, watching the dawn come up, painting your toenails and tons more.

Yes, it's basically just short thoughts on each topic, but I found it compulsive reading.

Granted, at times Haran's tone can be a bit twee and I found myself thinking "Yeah, yeah, baking with children is delightful, blah blah," but that's probably partly due to my own cynicism and partly because I read the book in great chunks rather than dipping in and out of it. Oh and the chapter on "Scrunchy hair ties" seemed a bit out of date. "So this humble yet irreplaceable device is destined for a long and happy future" - tell that to Carrie Bradshaw!

But they're very small complaints. As a book to keep by the bed (or the loo) and dip in and out of, it would be both charming and inspiring. It would also make a good Christmas gift for someone who's finding life a bit joyless.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Joy Diet by Martha Beck

Posted by Keris on November 7, 2007 in British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Self development | Permalink | Comments (2)

October 26, 2007 3:02 PM

BOOK REVIEW: How To Bring Up Your Parents by Emma Kennedy

You probably recognise Emma Kennedy from the Heat magazine TV ads, but she's an established comedian, writer and actress. How To Bring Up Your Parents is her first book and it's based on her popular (and very funny) blog.

I was a bit concerned when I started reading this book because the first section - "the science and history bit (because you're worth it)" - didn't really do much for me, but once Kennedy got onto the subject of her actual parents - Hysterical Mum Brenda (HMB) and Welsh Dad Tony (WDT) - the book really got going. 

Rather than just being a series of blog posts in book form, How To Bring Up Your Parents is arranged around "Practical Problems" such as Entertaining, Leaving Home and Sex and Other Embarrassments. Kennedy's parents do seem to be genuinely funny, but Emma's interpretation of them is utterly hilarious. It's a very affectionate portrayal too - they really seem to have an enviably close and honest relationship.

Reading this book will both make you appreciate your parents more and comfort you to learn that your parents aren't quite as mad as you always suspected (or perhaps that they are and that's okay too!).

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try The Yes Man by Danny Wallace

Posted by Keris on October 26, 2007 in British Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 25, 2007 3:12 PM

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Elizabeth Bennett vs Bridget Jones

This week we’ve got two classics of English literature battling it out. One is in her 30s, the other in her 200s. You decide who wins between Elizabeth Bennett and Bridget Jones

Elizabeth Bennett

The Books: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the story of the Bennett family girls and their hunt for eligible bachelors

The Age: The Regency period, a time of social niceties and empire line dresses

Men: Fitzwilliam Darcy, an unlikely suitor who thinks he’s too good to become embroiled with the Bennett family but does so anyway

Films: Filmed for the big screen and TV numerous times, the most popular of which is probably the 1995 BBC adaptation – who can forget Mr Darcy jumping in that pond? This version started Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth

Bridget Jones

The Books: Bridget Jones’s Diary, Bridget Jones – The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding, following Bridget's search for the perfect fella - and what she does once she's got him

The Age: The 1990s, when women got drunk and wore big knickers

Men: The bounder, Daniel Cleaver and the standoffish Mark Darcy

Films: Both books have been filmed, starring Rene Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth (as Darcy again)

Conclusion: One’s a classic of literature, the other’s a classic of chick literature and we arguably wouldn’t have had Mark Darcy without his predecessor.

Who wins?

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 25, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (6)

October 24, 2007 2:10 PM

BOOK NEWS: Coleen McLoughlin gets a five-book deal

We should have called this celebrity week at Trashionista. After news of Kerry Katona’s second book due out next year, comes an amazing five-book deal for, can you believe it, Coleen McLoughlin! The publishing house in question is HarperCollins and Ms. McLoughlin will not, apparently, have to write her novels. Phew. All that writing would interfere with the shopping.

[Source]

Related Posts: The Oxford English Dictionary approves of WAGs | Is there no end to Jordan's talents? | Geri Halliwell writes children's book

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 24, 2007 in Book News, British Authors, Celebrity Authors | Permalink | Comments (4)

BOOK NEWS: Win a part in Kerry Katona’s Rough Justice

If you enjoyed Kerry Katona’s Tough Love then you’re going to love this – you could appear in her next novel, Rough Justice! Just enter your details here and you’ll be entered into Random House's prize draw to have a minor character in Rough Justice named after you.

Go on, you know you want to!

Related Posts: Rough Justice by Kerry Katona | Is Kerry Katona the new Jordan? | Celebrity Memoir Mania

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 24, 2007 in Book News, British Authors, Celebrity Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 23, 2007 4:49 PM

BOOK NEWS: Rough Justice by Kerry Katona

Kerry Katona’s first novel, Tough Love, is published this week, and the follow up, Rough Justice, is already on Amazon for pre-order even though it isn’t published until next April. Rough Justice is the story of Charly Metcalfe whose footballer boyfriend, Joel is murdered, putting Charly and her family in the frame.

Related Posts: Jordan outsells the Bookers | Julian Clary's Murder Most Fab | Geri Halliwell writes children's book

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 23, 2007 in Book News, British Authors, Celebrity Authors | Permalink | Comments (10)

BOOK REVIEW: Glamour by Louise Bagshawe

I've never felt tempted to read a Louise Bagshaw novel because I always thought they were bonkbusters and while I was very much into the bonkbuster as a genre when I was about 14 - Judith Krantz, Jackie Collins, you know - these days, not so much.

But then I started reading Bagshawe's latest book, Glamour, and I got into it straight away. It's the story of three school friends: British brain Jane, Texan glamourpuss Sally and Jordanian Helen (who has both brains *and* beauty). But things suddenly go badly wrong for all three girls and they end up living very different lives and losing touch.

Of course, when they inevitably find each other again, it turns out that not only are they all beautiful and successful, they're all brilliant at the same business - retail - and so they decide to set up a store. But not just any store - the most glamorous and exclusive store in the whole wide world!

I sound a bit sarcastic, don't I? Well, the thing is, although I thoroughly enjoyed Glamour, I also found it to be enormously cliched and, well, not very good. The women are basically archetypes and the men are the traditional alpha males who treat the women like precious objects (but of course they also respect their success and intelligence ... to a degree).

Plus Bagshawe is the mistress of the mixed metaphor and some of them made me laugh out loud (yes, grammar humour - I'm a dork). Like this one - "... Sally and Jane were like a jigsaw puzzle. They made no sense on their own, but together they were unstoppable." Yes, look out for those unstoppable jigsaw puzzles!

Oh and as for it being a "bonkbuster", it's really not; there's hardly any bonking in it at all (oh, it's years since I've used the word "bonking"!).

What is *is* is the very definition of a guilty pleasure. Despite frequently saying "This is rubbish!" and being disappointed by the totally unbelievable ending, I could barely put the book down. Next time I go on holiday, I just might be packing a Louise Bagshawe book for the flight.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Adored by Tilly Bagshawe

Posted by Keris on October 23, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 22, 2007 12:22 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy by James Anderson

Using the time honoured tradition of judging a book by its cover, I picked up The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy by James Anderson last week and couldn’t put it down. I’m not usually a fan of mysteries but this has got English aristocracy, an American millionaire, spies and foreign dignitaries galore and is a rip-roaring read.

Set in the 1930s, in a world where people go down to the country for weekend house parties, this is the story of a stolen diamond necklace and secret talks between Britain and an un-named foreign country before the Second World War. Throw in a couple of murders, a rare pair of guns and a local detective and you’ve got a fast paced plot that surprises with every twist and turn.

This is the kind of book to take on a long journey – you’ll find the time just flies by.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 22, 2007 in British Authors, Crime / Mystery, More On Monday, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 19, 2007 1:07 PM

Adele Parks is Between the Sheets at the Guildford Book Festival

It feels like there’s a book festival every week these days – when do people get time to read? The current one is the Guildford Book Festival and one of the highlights has got to be Adele Parks talking to Dorothy Koomson and Jane Fallon, followed by Mike Gayle and Matt Dunn on 26 October. Tickets are still available so if you’re in the Guildford area get yourself down there.

For a full list of events at the Guildford Book Festival click here

Related Posts: | SPOTLIGHT: Adele Parks | SPOTLIGHT: Dorothy Koomson | Getting Rid of Matthew by Jane Fallon

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 19, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 18, 2007 11:55 AM

BOOK NEWS: Kate Moss Style Book

Fashion journalist and author Angela Buttolph unravels Kate Moss’s style in a new book available in Autumn 2008. Ms. Buttolph will explore the elements of Moss’s style and help us, the humble reader, to unravel her fashion formula. I need all the help I can get, so I don’t think I can wait until next year…

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 18, 2007 in Book News, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 16, 2007 11:33 AM

Jenny Colgan does sci fi? She should...

Jenny Colgan talks about the book she never wrote in this issue of Mslexia. Apparently it was YA sci fi but it will never see the light of day because Jenny’s found her niche in commercial chick lit. Come on, Jenny, haven’t you heard that supernatural chick lit is all the rage now - I’m sure you could adapt your YA idea for an older audience.

Related Posts: SPOTLIGHT : Jenny Colgan | AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jenny Colgan | Do You Remember The First Time by Jenny Colgan

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 16, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 15, 2007 12:27 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Pies and Prejudice by Stuart Maconie

I didn't know what to expect from this book. I know Stuart Maconie from TV and radio, of course, but I hadn't (knowingly) read any of his journalism and I'm a bit wary of books about "The North", you know, because that's where I come from (and still live).

Maconie's book features his travels around a random selection of northern towns, basically places he's been in the past and wanted to revisit, or places of special interest like Oldham (race riots in 2001) or Newcastle (since the north east claims to be the "True North").

Sadly, Maconie neither visits the town I grew up in, nor the one I live in now, but it's not really about me so I'll try not to hold that against him. Via Liverpool, the Lake District, Durham, Bury, Manchester, Blackpool, Barrow in Furness and more, Maconie has created a brilliant travelogue cum social history that I could hardly bear to put down. Seriously. I absolutely loved this book.

Maconie writes passionately and articulately about the people and places and manages to cram in tons of tidbits and fascinating facts and not just about the north - I'd completely forgotten that those crane arcade games used to have packets of cigs amongst the cuddly toys.

I honestly can't rave about this book enough, but I'm probably starting to sound a bit crazed (starting?) so I'll stop, but let me just say that if you're from the north you need to read this book. And if you're not from the north you need to read it and learn what you're missing.

It reminded me of how great the north can be and left me a little bit in love with Stuart Maconie. Isn't it funny what books can do?

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson

Posted by Keris on October 15, 2007 in British Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK NEWS: Doris Lessing wins the Nobel Prize for Literature

Only the 11th woman to win the award during it’s 106-year history, Doris Lesisng won the Nobel Prize for Literature last week. Described by the Swedish Academy (awarders of the prize) as ‘the epicist of the female experience who with scepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilisation to scrutiny’, Lessing is, at 87-years-old, the oldest person to win the prize.

For a full list of Doris Lessing’s work click here

For a full list of Nobel Prize for Literature winners click here

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 15, 2007 in Book News, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 8, 2007 10:08 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: House Rules by Clare Coulson

If you’re anything like me and find that housework comes at the bottom of your list of priorities (somewhere below watching The X Factor and finishing the pinot grigio) then House Rules by Clare Coulson is the book for you.

Full of the information your mother would have told you if she hadn’t been too busy burning her bra, this book is everything you need to run a clean and tidy house, as well as an organised life.

I followed the advice for simplifying my wardrobe and I can’t tell you what a relief it is not to worry about what clothes I’m going to wear. I don’t want to bore you with the details (this isn’t Catwalk Queen, after all) but now I’m co-ordinated I’ve never been happier, and the packing tips from Claridge’s valets have been a Godsend.

As far as household hints books go this is by far the prettiest I’ve seen and the subjects cover everything a modern woman needs to know.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Mama Gena’s School of Womanly Arts by Regina Thomashauer

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 8, 2007 in British Authors, More On Monday | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Perfect Alibis by Jane Wenham-Jones

You know we don’t like to do things properly at Trashionista, which is why I’m reviewing Jane Wenham-Jones’ second book third (we’ve already done Raising the Roof, her first book and Wannabe a Writer?, her fourth).

Stephanie is a bored housewife. She’s given so much of herself to her family that she needs something back, something for herself, something that can make her Stephanie again. So she decides to take a job. When she gets a job at PAs she think it will be ideal, after all what could be more interesting than being a personal assistant? As it turns out things get a lot more interesting when she finds out that PAs stands for Perfect Alibis, a company that provides alibis to people having extra-marital affairs.

Throw Stephanie’s first love, Troy, into the mix and life suddenly becomes very frenetic for Stephanie. Should she leave her husband for Troy? Should she be helping people cover up affairs? And what exactly are her new friends up to?

I bought this book when I went to see Jane Wenham-Jones speaking about her writing (and it’s a signed copy!) and she’s a very funny woman, and that humour comes across brilliantly in her writing. Okay, a book about covering up affairs may not be moral, but it’s funny and that’s what I’m looking for when I read a book.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA by Ellen Meister

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 8, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 5, 2007 11:38 AM

BOOK REVIEW: A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans

I was so in love with the cover of Harriet Evans's second novel, A Hopeless Romantic, that I was almost afraid to read it in case the book itself was disappointing.

It's the story of Laura Foster - a hopeless romantic, obviously - she loves chick flicks, romance novels, and is continually falling head over heels for inappropriate men.

But after her heart is broken by the gorgeous, but duplicitous Dan, she decides to give up on romance once and for all. Her videos and paperbacks all go in the bin and she is determined to be pragmatic. Until, on a visit to a stately home with her parents, she meets Nick and finds herself falling again. But the newly down to earth Laura decides it can't possibly work, vows to forget all about Nick and returns to her life in London.

Of course it's not that easy...

With a charming casts of supporting characters, A Hopeless Romantic is, thankfully, incredibly romantic. I really loved it. I warmed to Laura immediately, despite her being the "other woman" at the beginning of the book. I loved her flatmate, her friends, her family and, of course, Nick, who was completely gorgeous. (Plus it made me nostalgic for London, which is quite a feat since, after leaving there 10 years ago, I really can't abide the place.)

I now can't wait to read Evans's debut, Going Home. Luckily I bought it ages ago so I won't have to wait too long.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Little Lady Agency by Hester Brown

Posted by Keris on October 5, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

October 4, 2007 12:00 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Honor and Evie by Susannah Bates

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

It has been a long time since I’ve wanted to throw a book across a room, but parts of this one almost made me dent the plasterboard in frustration.

Honor and Evie are best friends and also cousins. Honor is the rich, sophisticated cousin, and Evie the poor, prickly one.

So far, so clichéd.

We follow their lives though University, relationships and various jobs until both of them realise they are on the wrong course in life and decide to change it.

Honor is seeing Abe, an actor, who actually sounded quite nice if it wasn’t for his substance abuse problem. And the fact he wanted to go out and make a name for himself in L.A. See what I mean about cliché? She quickly lets that relationship fizzle out and falls for Edward, a sophisticated and wealthy neighbour.

Evie meets a man who looks after her, understands her prickliness and would do anything for her. However, somewhat for the sake of the story, he has a personality change over the course of a few pages and thinks he’s in love with Honor.  (This is the part where I had to restrain myself from throwing the book.)

The blurb on the back cover told me that they were best friends but I didn’t see much evidence of that. Yes they had a friendship, but it didn’t seem quite right. So when this friendship is threatened with life’s ups and downs I didn’t actually realise and thought this was, well, their normal relationship.

We are introduced to both Evie’s and Honor’s family. In line with the stereotypes of the book it is fair to say that the poorer parents are the more loving and sensitive towards the cousins. Obviously the richer ones are boorish, have the sensitivity of a rhino and deserve their comeuppance.

I didn’t like the way I was supposed to root for Evie just because she had less money. Honor has problems later on and even then the reader isn’t really encouraged to feel for her. There are some interesting characters but they struggled to escape from too many clichés.

Throughout the book the author, Susannah Bates, quickly progresses onto different stages in the characters lives thus renewing my interest every now and again. I did, however, find the quickly changing points of view made the book a confusing read.

I felt the story was quite a good one. I actually thought it improved towards the end. The characters were solid (if you took away the stereotypes and made them a little more likeable) and they stayed with me for a while afterwards. It was as if they were saying to me, ‘we had all the elements of a good story, enough to make you wonder about us…but somehow it doesn't quite click’.

Rating: 2/5

Like this? Try Saffron Skies by Lesley Lokko

Posted by Keris on October 4, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 2/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Melissa Romney-Jones v Honey Blennerhesket

It’s seems that everyone’s favourite supernatural chick lit heroine is Sookie Stackhouse.

This week we’ve got a bit of a split personality. By day she’s the homely Melissa Romney-Jones, but by night she’s the glamorous Honey Blennerhesket. Which side of Hester Browne’s heroine do you prefer?

Melissa Romney-Jones

The Books: The Little Lady Agency, Little Lady, Big Apple and The Little Lady Finds Her Prince (released next year).

Looks: Comfy clothes, dark hair and Alice bands

Men: Jonathan Riley, big shot Managing Director from New York. Melissa stays with him when he has to go back to NY and she spends a lot of time waiting for him to finish work

Talent: Being at Daddy’s beck and call to sort out her family problems

Honey Blennerhesket

The Books: See above!

Looks: Heels, nipped in waists and glamorous blonde hair

Men: Jonathan Riley, but as Honey she whips him into shape and launches him in London. You wouldn’t find Honey waiting for any man

Talent: Getting awkward upper class men into shape, so they’re fit to be seen in society

Conclusion: It’s comfy and cosy v gorgeous and glam – what do you choose?

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 4, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 3, 2007 12:25 PM

Girl's Night Out with Sophie Kinsella and Friends

Sophie Kinsella, Penny Vincenzi and Santa Montefiore are having a Girl’s Night Out as part of the Wimbledon Book Fest 2007. They’ll be sitting around chatting about books and sipping the odd glass of wine, and you can join them for £15.

If you go be sure to get the goss about the Shopaholic movie!

Wimbledon Book Fest 2007 details here

Related Posts: Novel in a Year workshop | SPOTLIGHT : Sophie Kinsella | An Absolute Scandal by Penny Vincenzi

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 3, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 28, 2007 12:26 PM

Is there no end to Jordan's talents?

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

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

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 28, 2007 in British Authors, Celebrity Authors | Permalink | Comments (4)

September 26, 2007 9:43 AM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW & COMPETITION: Isabel Wolff

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

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

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

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

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

Your favourite chick-lit book?

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are you reading at the moment?

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

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

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

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

Q.  What do you think makes a good writer? 

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

Thanks, Isabel!

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

Posted by Keris on September 26, 2007 in British Authors, Competition, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 25, 2007 11:40 AM

Jordan outsells the Bookers

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

[Source]

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

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 25, 2007 in Book News, British Authors, Celebrity Authors | Permalink | Comments (1)

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

Reviewed by Luisa Plaja of Chicklish

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5

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

Posted by Keris on September 25, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 24, 2007 10:48 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: Career Helium by David Thompson

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5

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

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 24, 2007 in British Authors, More On Monday, Rating: 4/5, Self development | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Neat Vodka by Anna Blundy

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

Posted by Keris on September 24, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Series | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 17, 2007 5:23 PM

Writer's rooms at the Guardian

Ever wondered where your favourite writer writes? If you've got that slight stalker tendency then pop over to the Guardian books and take a peak into their writing rooms.

Sarah Waters would, apparently, be happy to write in a wardrobe, and Will Self, from what I can make out in the photo, has hundreds of post-it notes stuck on his walls.

I would offer them a picture of my writing space but I don’t think they’d be interested in a photo of my lap.

Related Posts: Best of Hay-on-Sky from the Guardian

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 17, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Rise and Fall of the Queen of Suburbia by Sarah May

This is the first book I’ve read by Sarah May, but what a book to start with! The Rise and Fall of the Queen of Suburbia is a deep dark comedy set in 1983 in a world where dinner parties start with cottage cheese and pineapple and end with frozen cheesecake from the Ice Man. A world where 15-year-old Jessica lives in fear of the bomb and Linda Palmer is losing it with a capital L.

Linda, The Queen of Suburbia, lives on slimshakes and anti-depressants. She cleans her house before the cleaner arrives and her marriage is falling apart before her eyes. Her dinner party is out of control before it even begins - the fish is dead, the guests are congregating in the kitchen and the Nieman’s bring their son along, but there’s only salmon for six. And nobody even comments on the gazpacho soup.

But the other residents of Pollards Close have problems of their own, and pretty soon relationships are falling apart while others are tested to their limit and then strengthened because of it.

And then comes the gruesome and completely unexpected finale…

I really enjoyed this book - the characters were wonderful, and in some cases wonderfully hideous, and it ended with a real bang. As the cast is large I liked the way the chapters were numbered according the character’s house number, which, along with a list of characters at the start of the book, kept the book easy to follow.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy by Polly Williams

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 17, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 14, 2007 10:53 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Mesmerist by Barbara Ewing

Reviewed by my Aunty Barb (Age 74)

Barbara Ewing is an actress who you might remember as Agnes Fairchild, the mother in the brilliant eighties sitcom, Brass. She's also a novelist and The Mesmerist is her latest book.

Set in Victorian London, it's the story of a young struggling actress, Cordelia Preston, who has inherited the ability to ease people's pain and suffering through the power of her hands. People who do this today are called Healers, then they were known as Mesmerists.

The book begins like a fairytale, but then features betrayal, anger, sadness, resignation, contentment, happiness, mystery and murder. What more can you ask of a novel?

It is well-written and doesn't overdo description of people and places, yet you still get to know and love the characters and Victorian England.

I'm now looking forward to reading more Barbara Ewing books.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Vanishing Point by Mary Sharratt

Posted by Keris on September 14, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

COMPETITION: Win 21 Bloomsbury books

Bloomsbury are celebrating their 21st birthday by offering you a chance to win their top 21 reads (which is a bit more sophisticated than my 21st birthday celebrations).

All you have to do is pop along to the Bloomsbury 21 website and cast your vote to find the top read (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is currently winning) and remember to enter your email address for a chance to win.

Related Posts:  WIN Carole Matthews books  | WIN I Married A Pirate |  Books at Transworld  

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 14, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jordan can’t even make it to number one on the most discarded list

According to a survey compiled by Travelodge, Jordan’s ‘A Whole New World’ comes fourth in a list of books most discarded in their hotel rooms.

So if you fancy a copy but don’t want to pay for it why not pop along to your nearest Travelodge and see if they’ve got one handy.

Read the full list over the cut.

1. The Blair Years by Alastair Campbell 

2. Don't You Know Who I Am? by Piers Morgan 

3. A Whole New World by Jordan
4. Wicked by Jilly Cooper 

5. Dr Who Creatures & Demons by Justin Richard 

6. The Diana Chronicles by Tina Brown 

7. I Can Make You Thin by Paul McKenna 

8. Humble Pie by Gordon Ramsay 

9. The Story Of A Man And His Mouth by Chris Moyles 

10. Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling

[Source]

Related Posts:  Angel by Katie Price ('Jordan')  |  Poor show from celebrity memoirs

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 14, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 13, 2007 11:07 AM

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Becky Bloomwood v Stephanie Plum

Welcome to the inaugural chick lit heroine grudge match! We have a UK vs US fight on our hands. Both contestants have the power to carry a whole series of books so please bring your hands together for Becky Bloomwood and Stephanie Plum.

Becky Bloomwood

The Books: Star of the Shopaholic series from the pen of Sophie Kinsella, Becky has starred in five books and along the way has lost love, found love, moved to New York got married and had a baby.

Loves: Shopping!

Men: Luke Brandon (now Mrs Becky Bloomwood)

Films: Plans are afoot, and rumours are that Becky will be played by Isla Fisher and that she will be American

Stephanie Plum

The Books: Janet Evanovich has written an amazing13 novels with number 14 on its way. There have also been two novellas. Stephanie spends most of her time unsuccessfully tracing criminals, blowing up cars and hanging out with Grandma Mazur

Loves: Krispy Kremes, Rex the hamster

Men: Luke Morelli, cop and Ranger, mystery man

Films: Mmm, this is a toughie. IMDB says there was a 2002 TV movie, but the forum thinks otherwise – no-one’s ever seen it. According to Janet Evanovich’s website One for the Money has been in pre-production for ever – TriStar own the rights. I will find out more and keep you posted

Conclusion: Stephanie’s got more novels, but are there too many? She also has the better men, but at least with Becky we get a bit of character progression. Becky’s big minus point has got to be her Americanisation for the film – what are they thinking?

Over to you - who wins the first chick lit heroine grudge match?

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Series, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (8)

September 12, 2007 5:23 PM

GUEST BLOG & COMPETITION: Carole Matthews

Carole Matthews is a chick lit superstar, so we're *thrilled* to have a guest blog from her. But that's not all. Oh no. Read on to find out how you can win one of three signed copies of The Chocolate Lovers' Club PLUS a special colour-change promotional mug. Over to Carole...

When I started work on my latest novel, The Chocolate Lovers' Club, naturally, I had to do lots and lots of research into my subject.  This mainly involved eating all kinds of lovely chocolate – delicious single plantation bars from some of the world’s most exotic locations – Cuba, Ecuador, Madagascar - exquisite handmade truffles, dark, milk, white, organic - you name it, I tried it!  I even went along to a health spa specialising in chocolate treatments to be dipped in it.  Strangely, the more I tasted, the more I became addicted to this wonderful substance. 

My passion increased and soon, as well as devouring chocolate itself, I was devouring as much other information as I could about this fascinating subject and my passing interest became a full-blown addiction.  I hold my hands up – I’m now a chocolate anorak!  That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy a good old Mars bar or the occasional Twix, but I’ve now gone over to the dark side and like my chocolate with at least 70 percent cocoa solids.  Once you get into good chocolate it’s like appreciating fine wines or a malt whiskey. Thankfully, in the last couple of years decent chocolate is now more readily available on the high street plus the health benefits of a couple of squares of dark chocolate every day are now well documented. So, there’s really no excuse not to indulge yourself!

What I didn’t realise was that I’d also become addicted to my characters as I wrote the book, led by the lovely, irrepressible Lucy Lombard.  I’m a big fan of Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives and wanted to create my own series featuring four feisty women who are joined in friendship by their passion for chocolate.  Lucy and her friends Autumn, Nadia and Chantal, all turn to each other and to chocolate in times of crisis.  Reminds me of someone else I know!

The Chocolate Lovers' Club and its sequel, The Chocolate Lovers’ Diet, is out now and I think there may well be a third instalment on the way.  But I didn’t want all the knowledge that I’d accrued about chocolate to go to waste so I’ve also set up a website for chocolate lovers’ everywhere – The Chocolate Lovers' Club.  There are some useful facts, some completely useless chocolate trivia – did you know that 50% of women say that they prefer chocolate to sex? - exclusive short stories that I've written especially and some of my favourite recipes which are tried and tested by my own fair hands.

So I hope you enjoy the books, take a look at the website and remember this – forget diamonds, chocolate is a girl’s best friend!

‘One word of advice before you start this book – make sure you’ve got a big bar of chocolate next to you… This is serious chick-lit and it will make you believe in friendship and love all over again.’  News of the World

To be in with a chance of winning the fantastic prize - one of three signed copies of The Chocolate Lovers' Club PLUS colour-change promotional mug - go to the special Trashionista page (Special Trashionista page! Get us!) on Carole's website. Good luck!

Posted by Keris on September 12, 2007 in British Authors, Competition, Guest blogs | Permalink | Comments (8)

BOOK REVIEW: This Little Piggy Went to Prada by Amy Allen

This Little Piggy Went to Prada is a collection of traditional nursery rewritten for "the Blahnik Brigade". And if you find the idea irritating, wait until you hear what's inside.

This little piggy went to Prada
This little piggy went to Cannes
This little piggy went to Nobu
And this little piggy, Hakkasan
And this little piggy went "Wee wee wee wee!"
All the way home because she had a fat bottom!

No, I'm not joking, that's really one of the rhymes featured in this book. I found this book incredibly annoying. I know it's meant to be tongue in cheek and, yes, 10% of the profit from each copy sold is going to Save the Children, but still it's one of the most irritating books I've ever read.

It does have one saving grace and that's the illustrations - by Eunkyung Kung - which are stunningly beautiful.

Patronising, obnoxious and mildly offensive. Please avoid.

Rating: 2/5 (for the illustrations)

Like this? Try Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella

Posted by Keris on September 12, 2007 in British Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 2/5, Rubbish Books | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Lorelei Mathias

Lorelei Mathias is the author of two books for Little Black Dress, Step On It, Cupid and Lost For Words. You know what I'm going to say, don't you? Yep, review (of Lost For Words) coming soon! She also has a gorgeous website which features - eep! - a quote from us!

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

A publishing rom com about an assistant Daisy, a slush pile, and a work-experience boy.

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

In bed, and at my desk at home. Sometimes in cafes, and on the tube on the back of receipts and things when I'm coming up with ideas!

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Tricky - I think my earliest favourite would be Come Together, Josie Lloyd & Emlyn Rees. I just remember reading it with an ex boyfriend and it's great the way it gives you both sides of the story in a relationship.

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

Lizzie Bennett - she knows her own mind, and she doesn't give up on things.

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

Write whenever you can - always carry a little notebook around. even if you're just jotting down silly thoughts here and there - they could become whole chapters later on. A lot of good writing can come from great observation.

Keep your eyes on the acknowledgments pages in books that you like. You can usually find out who their literary agents are, and then when you're ready with your masterpiece you should target the ones you like, and the ones that you think might like your style.

Also, apply for a week's work experience in a publishing house - you'll learn a lot that way so long as you're friendly and you ask questions! I certainly learned a lot in the one I used to work in (Random House).

What are you reading at the moment?

'And Then We Came To the End' by Joshua Ferris [as is Holly Shumas!]

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

I'm taking a bit of time out at the moment, and gathering notes for the next one, which will hopefully be a more wider-reaching book that looks at life in London in a more universal/general way (ie not just romance). I've got 2 big ideas up my sleeve, but at the moment I think it'll be a fair while before they make it to the shelves.

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

Q. Are you your characters?
A. Of Amelie (in my first book, Step On It, Cupid) I think I'm quite a bit like her, but she's definitely a caricature of me, much more extreme - and she can be pretty full of herself at times - I don't think I'm anywhere near that confident/bolshie!

Of Daisy, who's the main character in Lost for Words (the new one), I think she's like me in the sense that she's very over-analytical about things and a bit of a dreamer. But she's very unlike me in the way that she's a bit of a muppet at times and lets Miles walk all over her!

Thanks, Lorelei!

Posted by Keris on September 12, 2007 in British Authors, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (0)

Novel in a Year workshop

If you’ve been following Louise Doughty’s Novel in a Year (now called A Writer’s Year) column in the Telegraph, or bought the book (or wish you had) then here’s your chance to take lessons from the lady herself.

Louise Doughty is teaching a workshop at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, based on the Novel in a Year columns.

The one day course in on the 6th October, 10am – 4pm and costs £75.

Follow this link for booking details

Related Posts:  Read Louise Doughty's 'Novel in a Year'  |  A novel in a year  |  The Crusie/Mayer writing workshop

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 12, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK NEWS: A Girl for All Seasons

Good news for ‘How to walk in High Heels’ fans (of which I’m one) - Camilla Morton has a new book due out in September, this one called ‘A Girl for all Seasons’ and it promises lots more advice for ladies who need it. Taking you through the months, Ms. Morton will inspire you to lead a more glamorous lifestyle with inspirational messages and advice from the top names in fashion.

Self development books are a favourite read of the Trashionista girls – anything that helps our attempts to lead a glamorous life has got to be worth reading. And let’s face it, all we do is read books and then write about them so we need all the help we can get!

Related Posts:  Things I Wish my Mother had Told me About by Lucia van der Post  |  Mama Gena's School of Womanly Arts by Regina Thomashauer

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 12, 2007 in British Authors, New Releases, Self development | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 11, 2007 5:03 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Growing Yams in London by Sophia Acheampong

Reviewed by Luisa Plaja of Chicklish

Makeeda, a Londoner of Ghanaian descent, has great friends and a fun life, even if her parents are a bit strict and she's sometimes jealous of her cousin Tanisha. But when she meets and falls for fit DJ Nelson and Tanisha encourages her not to tell her parents, things begin to change for Makeeda.

She starts to see Nelson behind her parents' back and without telling Nelson that's what she's doing. Meanwhile she's also heading for trouble at school, ignoring her teacher's advice with the direction she takes in a school project - even though it means researching Ghanaian history and learning potentially life-changing facts. But possibly worst of all, it looks like Makeeda's friendship with Bharti may never be the same again. Makeeda's in for a tough time...

I found this book a complete delight from start to finish. Makeeda is a sweet, lovable character (though she does make mistakes), and her actions were always completely believable. When she starts to get in touch with her roots, it provides lots of laughs as well as being fascinating. I loved her good friends, too, especially Bharti. Her little sister was priceless, and her not-so-good friends (Laura and Afua) were three-dimensional and in some ways not that bad, although you could completely see Makeeda's point of view about them. The best thing about this book for me was the description of everyday life and love in Northwest London. A brilliantly entertaining read.

Enter the giveaway on Chicklish to win your own copy!

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Phosphorescence by Raphaella Barker

Posted by Keris on September 11, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

September 10, 2007 3:53 PM

BOOK NEWS: Things I Wish my Mother had Told me About by Lucia van der Post

I’ve always wanted to write to Lucia van der Post at the Times to solve my fashion dilemmas but sadly I’ve got so many I can never decide which one to ask her about. Luckily for me her book ‘Things I Wish my Mother had Told Me’ is out in November. It’s a complete guide to what to wear and when to wear it, along with advice on relationships, entertaining and lessons on grace and elegance. I adore books like this and I’m sure this one from Lucia van der Post will have me looking amazing by Christmas.

Related Posts: How to Walk in High Heels by Camilla Morton
| Mama Gena's School of Womanly Arts by Regina Thomashauer | The Joy Diet by Martha Beck

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 10, 2007 in British Authors, Non Fiction, Self development | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 7, 2007 11:36 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Beauty*licious by Lisa Clark

I absolutely loved Lisa Clark's first book - Think Pink - so I was keen to read her second Beauty*licious, tempered only by the fact that I don't have very much interest in beautifying myself. I skip the hair and make-up pages in magazines since I've been reading variations on the same ideas for about 25 years now!

But Beauty*licious really is different. For a start, Lisa Clark could write about anything (mortgages, pensions, Westlife) and make it entertaining. She really has got the coolest and funniest style. Plus the illustrations are so gorgeous they make you want to read every page.

Like Think Pink, the advice is given by the fabulous Lola Love and her funky friends (all with different beauty requirements: petite, curvy, afro hair, etc.). I even learned something (why didn't it occur to me that my sleep problems may just be related to the fact that I haven't done any exercise for about two years?).

Beauty*licious would make a fantastic gift for a teenage girl (Christmas is coming, you know), but it's a great read no matter how old you are.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Think Pink by Lisa Clark

Posted by Keris on September 7, 2007 in British Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 6, 2007 5:06 PM

GIVEAWAY: I Married A Pirate

A few weeks ago we featured an interview with journalist and debut novelist Samantha David, as part of our Summer Special.

Today: the chance to win not just a copy of her book, I Married a Pirate, but a signed copy! (UK only I'm afraid)

Carry on over the cut to find out how to be in with a chance to win...

Entries should be sent to our usual address - subject line: PIRATE - and please include your name and address (so we can send you the book if you're picked at random). Closing date is midnight GMT next Friday, 14 September. Good luck!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 6, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Competition, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 5, 2007 11:49 AM

PREVIEW REVIEW: Laid Bare by Gail Porter

Out tomorrow, this book just manages to squeeze in as a Preview Review... (and yes, I am leaving, I just have a few loose ends to tie up first!)

Most people (in the UK at least) know Gail Porter. Or know of her, anyway. Short, bouncy, blonde Scottish TV presenter who married a rock star, had his baby, went through a bitter divorce and lost all her hair from the stress. After all that (not to mention an overdose that nearly killed her, years of self-harm, anorexia and undiagnosed bipolar disease and a difficult relationship with her dad) it was probably inevitable that Gail write a book about her experiences. Laid Bare is that book, and there's the inevitable reference to hair loss in the title, although it could have been a lot worse...

I was fairly interested to read this but really hoping that it wouldn't be a self-indulgent wallow. Because, to be honest, if I'd been through a lot of this stuff, it probably would have been!

Luckily, Gail is a charming and charismatic narrator as she tells the story of her first fascination with the entertainment business (an obsession with the first Star Wars film) right up to... well, I won't give it away, but the book ends on a poignant note.

She writes about her days at school (she was a super-swot, who became a black belt at Karate - and so was never really picked on!) and college (in Watford, which she didn't find very exciting...) and her early jobs in TV, including a lot of time as a runner/general dogsbody. What comes across is a strong work ethic, a lot of determination and the ability to bounce back from any rejection. I was impressed. After getting to know TV production inside and out, Gail realised that her dream job was to be in front of the camera, so she made a show reel dressed as Wonder Woman (of course) and started auditioning. Soon (after a few ups and downs along the way) she was presenting Scottish kids' TV, then national kids' TV in London, then iconic programmes like Top of the Pops, where she met her husband, Dan Hipgrave of (former) band Toploader.

When she writes about her relationship with Dan, it's clear that their marriage was a whirlwind mistake, and that there's no love lost between them! She is however, grateful to him for their daughter Honey (although her post-birth pain, which lasted for months, made me seriously wince). It seems that Gail has never done things the easy way, even when she sometimes could have done. She seems to have barreled her way through life without thinking too much about her actions. When she's diagnosed with bipolar and a thyroid problem, and admits to her anorexia and self-harm, it comes as almost as much of a relief to the reader as it must have to Gail herself. However, contrary to my fears, she doesn't wallow. In fact, she sometimes could do with wallowing a bit more, and with asking for help - as it doesn't come across that she's fully dealt with her problems and I was a bit disappointed with that although maybe that's more about my own control freakery than the book itself! It's also a shame that the book ends on the aforementioned poignant note, but it is also a sweet ending, and a realistic one.

I can't see any mention of a ghostwriter anywhere, so am choosing to believe Gail wrote this herself. In which case, she has talent as a writer, as the reader definitely becomes involved in her experiences. I found this a quick read, but not a dumb one, and I learned a thing or two about someone who's been in the news a lot.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try But Enough About Me by Jancee Dunn. 

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 5, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Television | Permalink | Comments (2)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Louise Candlish

I haven't yet read any of Louise Candlish's books (I've got Since I Don't Have You in my giant reading pile), but I've heard great things. She answers our questions below.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

A bereaved mother moves to Greece and, with the help of friends new and old, rebuilds her life. Is that too many?

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

The hardcore wordcount is bashed out at my desk at home, but ideas might strike at any opportunity, often involving eavesdropping.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Bridget Jones’s Diary

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

Sally Ann Gorce from The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy, she’s both naïve and sort of mordant, a great combination.

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

Sophie Kinsella told me this: deconstruct your favourite book, almost like a scientist, and see exactly how the author did it. It’s great advice.

What are you reading at the moment?

Entries for the Miss Write competition – I’m one of the judges! I’m about to go on holiday and will take Marshmallows for Breakfast by Dorothy Koomson.

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

Another emotional rollercoaster in which my heroine’s new marriage breaks down the day she returns from her honeymoon – I won’t tell you why, but it’s very shocking.

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

Q: Louise, how do you feel about the incessant comparisons with Margaret Atwood?

A: Well, naturally, I’m very flattered…

Thanks, Louise!

Posted by Keris on September 5, 2007 in British Authors, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 3, 2007 11:27 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Self-preservation Society by Kate Harrison

Week before last I read Caprice Crane's Forget About It - the story of doormat Jordan Landau who, following an accident, takes control of her life. Last week I read The Self-Preservation Society: the story of Jo Morgan, a self-confessed "scaredycat" who, following an accident, takes control of her life. The similarities don't end there - both women's accidents are bike-related, both suffer head injuries and - even more spookily - both their fathers have given them Jelly Bean-related nicknames. Both books were written and published around the same time, so I'm not suggesting either one copied the other, more that great minds think alike!

All the above similarities aside, The Self-Preservation Society is very different to Forget About It. Jo has a very safe life. Along with her boyfriend, she works in Accident Prevention, is hyper-aware of risk and has basically arranged every aspect of her life around the avoidance of it. Of course, you can't live any sort of life and avoid risk completely, but Jo only learns that when she's knocked down on her way to work (she'd forgotten her reflective jacket).

The accident causes Jo to suffer flashbacks - perfect recollections of incidents in her childhood. Like many of us brought up in the 80s, Jo was petrified at the prospect of nuclear war. Following the guidelines in the government issued Protect & Survive leaflet, Jo started stockpiling food and planning for a potentially terrible future. But when her younger brother got sick - and her parents focus turned to him - Jo's present wasn't so great either. And then there were those strange women at nearby Greenham Common...

Along with the flashbacks, Jo's a lot moodier and less easy-going than she used to be. At first Jo and her family and friends blame the change in her behaviour on her head injury, but with the help of fellow patient Frisky (an 85-year-old former fighter pilot) and his foxy, but mysterious grandson Luke, Jo starts to understand that a life without risk isn't necessarily one worth living.

I really enjoyed The Self-Preservation Society. Jo's flashbacks (actually my favourite parts of the book since they were so evocative of my own scaredycat childhood ... not that I'm a narcissist or anything) are cleverly woven into the story and are never jarring. Frisky and Luke are great fun, but also surprisingly deep. In fact, many of the characters reveal hidden depths and keep you guessing and thinking right to the end.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Forget About It by Caprice Crane (obviously!)

Posted by Keris on September 3, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 30, 2007 3:54 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Pillow Talk by Freya North

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

I should start this review by admitting I’m a big fan of Freya North. Her books have seen me through my years as a career girl, helping me to rediscover the art of reading for pleasure after three dry years at university. They were also there for me when I met my lovely boyfriend whom, as the years passed, became my husband. I could therefore completely identify with the boy meets girl formula of a Freya North novel.

At some point during the last ten years, like me, Freya’s books have grown up.

That’s not to say they are no longer a fun, sexy and quirky read. They haven’t become staid or boring (as, one hopes, I haven’t either!). But it is no longer just about the sexiness of boy meeting girl. She also explores some deeper issues, and nowhere is this more apparent than with her latest novel ‘Pillow Talk’.

Pillow Talk is about a boy and a girl, childhood (almost) sweethearts, who lose touch, then one day find themselves standing next to each other in an ice-cream shop. The girl, Petra Flint, is a jeweller who also happens to sleepwalk. The boy, Arlo Savidge, is a music teacher at a private school, who has insomnia. We follow them on their inevitable journey towards being together.

Yes the classic Freya North formula is there. Unfortunately this means there are parts where I could guess the plot and I got slightly frustrated with Freya for being so predictable.

North, however, hasn’t finished yet. Just as her readers have matured, so has her writing. As the story reveals our hero and heroine’s secrets she gives us more than the usual ‘girl meets boy, have misunderstanding, get back together and live happily ever after’ scenario. Once they are together we uncover a past that neither of them can forget, and which is the real reason behind their sleep problems.

We are also invited into the fascinating world of jewellery design, discovering, with vivid and enthusiastic descriptions, tanzanite (which Freya describes with the same relish she used about sculpture in her earlier novels) and also into the life of a music teacher who has an eclectic taste in music and whom I would have liked to have teaching me at school.

In terms of ranking this novel I am torn. I feel I should mark Pillow Talk down for being the tiniest bit predictable but at the same time this is part of Freya’s charm – the formula I have enjoyed reading again and again over the years. Pillow Talk is a fabulously sassy, grown up, chick lit read, but my exasperation over the slight predictability is only allowing me a high 4 out of 5.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Vince & Joy by Lisa Jewell

Posted by Keris on August 30, 2007 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 28, 2007 12:58 PM

BOOK NEWS: Holly's Inbox by Holly Denham

Remember we recommended Holly's Inbox? (Was it really five months ago? How time flies.) Well turns out it's now a book!

The novel version tells Holly's story in full and includes material not available on the website (well, it would, wouldn't it!).

Posted by Keris on August 28, 2007 in Book News, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

TUESDAY THREE: Life's a beach

Yes, despite the weather, we're continuing with the Summer Special. This week I thought I'd look at beach reads since I've actually started compiling my own holiday reading list (about which more later).

First up is Chocolate Beach by Julie Carobini. Inspirational chick lit, it's the story of free-spirited Bri Stone who begins to worry that her hard-working lawyer husband Douglas may be bored with her. When friends and family urge her to change to hang on to her man things start to fall apart. With pressure from her mother-in-law to make her beach house more suited to a man of Douglas’s stature, bitchy comments from a former friend, and a new, erratic boss at the tour company, Bri doesn’t quite know what to do for the best.

Sexy Shorts for the Beach is a collection of short stories with a summery theme.
Featuring a brilliant mix of styles and feels to the stories - some are amusing, some are poignant and and some are downright romantic - we recommend it highly.

How could I write about beach reads without mentioning Belinda Jones? The Paradise Room takes us to Tahiti, and islands so beautiful they even melt the heart of Amber Pepper, a woman who's usually much happier with a brolly than a bikini. But in Tahiti she really begins to find herself, and that means a few very important decisions need to be made...

Posted by Keris on August 28, 2007 in American Authors, British Authors, Summer Special, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 27, 2007 12:51 PM

The £3 million book (yes, the world HAS gone mad...)

I once wrote about a really expensive book, but it was only £4,000, which is nothing these days, as it turns out!

The millionaire reader-about-town now has the option to buy a £3 MILLION book, according to the BBC. Special millionaire editions of Dancing With The Bear by British entrepreneur Roger Shashoua are made to order, and covered with 600 diamonds. The author and businessman is aiming the most expensive book in the world at super-rich Russian millionaires and billionaires, and says:

"There is so much money floating around in Russia that it seemed entirely logical to produce a book designed for the Russian market... I am just happy that conspicuous displays of consumption can now be associated with writing, rather than fashion accessories."

Personally, I think if someone has £3 million to splash on a book, it would be a lot more useful donated to a  charity than donated to a rich businessman's coffers. And almost as important, this seems like a waste of good diamonds to me...

What do you think?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 27, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (1)

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Some lad-lit blogs

How could I not know that Nick Hornby had a blog? Perhaps because it's fairly new - that's my excuse anyway... If you're as in the dark as I was, read it for yourself here. He hasn't updated in a little while, but the rest of his website is a worthwhile browse, and hopefully he'll blog more soon...

Non-fic lad lit fave Dave Gorman, on the other hand, has been updating like billy-o (as my mum would say). Read his blog here, and find out all about what he's been up to, the music on Homes Under The Hammer and the deterioration in quality of a well-known chocolate egg. It's good stuff.

Finally, sometime Gorman collaborator Danny Wallace has a website, where he doesn't blog, but does post occasional news and... 'titbits' might be the right word. There's also the chance to download some video podcasts of the author/TV presenter/head of the Karma Army...

Related posts: Top 10 lad lit | From book to blog. 

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 27, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, Non Fiction, Technology, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 23, 2007 10:19 AM

MOVIE NEWS: The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency

I know I keep saying this, but I love the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series, and I'm really looking forward to the movie.

It's being directed by Anthony Minghella (who directed The English Patient and The Talented Mr Ripley) and stars jazz singer Jill Scott as Mma Ramotswe.

Scott is pictured with the author Alexander McCall Smith who has written an excellent piece about the experience of seeing his book brought to life in the Daily Mail.

The film will be shown on BBC1 this Christmas.

Posted by Keris on August 23, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Movie News, Series, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: My Fat, Mad Teenage Diary by Rae Earl

When I first heard about this book (it was excerpted in The Guardian's weekend magazine) I thought, Oh, big deal, I've got a fat, mad teenage diary and no-one's interested in publishing that! And then I read it. And it's great.

Rae is a normal 17-year-old girl. She lives in Leicester and attends public school (on a scholarship). She's overweight and insecure and obsessed with the things 17-year-olds were obsessed with at the end of the eighties: the charts, Nuclear war, raves, prawn cocktail crisps...

She has problems with her mother, with the boy(s) she likes, a bitchy best-friend ... you know, the usual teenage angst stuff. She's also recently spent time in a psychiatric hospital, but that's really glossed over in this book - it's less about serious mental illness and more about the random mental trauma we all go through as a teenager.

This is apparently Rae Earl's actual diary. If that's true  - and after reading it I do believe it is - then she has my utmost admiration. The contents of this diary are so similar to the contents of my own teen diary, that I was often hot with embarrassment while reading it.

It's compulsive reading and highly entertaining. If you were a teenager in the late eighties there is so much in here you'll identify with. Unless, of course, you were popular, thin and not mad as a teenager, in which case, get away from me.

Oh and the reason my diary hasn't been published? Because I destroyed it in the early nineties. The shame.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try But Enough About Me by Jancee Dunn

Can I just point out that the cover says "If Adrian Mole had a sister..." but Adrian Mole did have a sister (Rosie). And, yes, I know I'm a dork.

Posted by Keris on August 23, 2007 in British Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 22, 2007 12:31 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Just yesterday I wrote about a new book with 'club' in the title, and here at Trashionista we've reviewed (brace yourselves!):

The Tuesday Erotica Club, The Yorkshire Pudding Club, The Jane Austen Book Club, The Friday Night Knitting Club, Man of the Month Club, The Dirty Girls' Social Club, The Second Wives' Club and The Adultery Club.

There's also The Sunday Night Book Club, The Naked Drinking Club and - to be a bit different - The Book Group.

So is it time to call time on the word 'club' and ask authors and publishers to think of different titles... (there have to be other ways to bring disparate characters together) or don't you care as long as the story is good?

'Club' in the title - is it a Yay or a Nay... and WHY?

Yay or Nay archives.

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 22, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (6)

August 21, 2007 3:44 PM

Read Louise Doughty's 'Novel in a Year'

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love Louise Doughty's columns in The Telegraph. Last year, she documented her progress as she  attempted to write a novel in a year, and this book, unsurprisingly called A Novel in A Year is a compilation of her weekly columns. For anyone who missed a few, or indeed missed the whole thing, this will make not only educational but entertaining reading too. I'm planning on snapping it up asap.

Incidentally, Louise Doughty's excellent columns continue but at a more relaxed pace: they're now called A Writer's Year.

Related: BOOK REVIEW: Wannabe a Writer?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 21, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

TUESDAY THREE: Messing about on the water

The summer theme continues with books about boats and boating (and apologies if I get any of the terminology wrong - I don't want emails telling me that "yachting" isn't "boating" or anything like that).

Sarah Mason's Sea Fever is the story of Erica Pencarrow, who longs to compete in sailing's toughest challenge, the America's Cup. When her dream finally comes true she must conquer not only the sea but also her team's prejudices - a fight she looks set to lose when she falls for a rival sailor. Review coming soon.

Love Overboard, the second of the Janet Evanovich romance novel re-releases, features Ivan who is the proud owner of a two-masted schooner, and a descendant of pirates. During the holiday season he takes a charter of passengers out every week, the success of which relies on his trusted crew. Imagine his horror when, as he's preparing to take his final trip of the season, he's greeted by Stephanie - the woman he sold his beloved family home to only a matter of weeks ago.

Jacquelyn Mitchard's Still Summer is the story of four school friends, who get together for an idyllic sailing vacation – meant to comfort recently widowed Olivia – expecting two weeks of gossip, sunbathing and drinks with little umbrellas. Instead, two days into their crossing, a single small mistake turns paradise a sun-baked hell. Surrounded by water, but with almost none to drink, with refrigerators filled with gourmet food rotting before they can used it, and a deluxe communication system ruined in an instant, the women must hide from the punishing sun and use all their strength and intelligence to try to outwit nature, their own demons and human predators.

There's a review of this coming soon(ish) too, but you'll actually find a (glowing) Amazon review written by no less than Jodi Picoult!

If the above's whetted your appetite for the water, you can also read about Katie Fforde's Dutch barge, sailing the Med, and cruising with Monroe.

Posted by Keris on August 21, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Summer Special, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 20, 2007 8:21 PM

BOOK NEWS: Hopscotch and Handbags by Lucy Mangan

Both Keris and I want to be Lucy Mangan when we grow up, and even more so now she's written a book. The Guardian columnist's debut, Hopscotch and Handbags is a girly guide to... well, being a girl, really.

Apparently it's a bit more grown up than The Great Big Glorious Book for Girls, and Cosmopolitan calls it "hilarious". It's out this Thursday, but you can order it online now.

I want to read it, and soon!

Related: Book news archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 20, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (3)

August 16, 2007 2:08 PM

Keira Knightley 'too pretty' for Atonement?

Ceri Radford of The Telegraph's books blog can't decide if she's looking forward to the adaptation of Ian McEwan's World War Two-set modern classic Atonement or not. On the one hand, she loves a period drama, on the other hand... there's Keira Knightley. That alone would put me off (me-ow!) but Radford's specific problem is that the pouty one is "too pretty"  for Cecilia, who is described in the book as "plain".

Does it matter that actresses look like the characters they're playing, or is a little artistic licence understandable - we are talking about Hollywood after all!

What do you think?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 16, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Opinion, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (8)

BOOK REVIEW: No! I Don't Want to Join a Bookclub by Virgina Ironside

Better known as an agony aunt, Virginia Ironside is also an experienced journalist and now a novelist, too. No! I Don't Want to Join a Bookclub is about Marie Sharp, who's single and just about to turn sixty and has decided to start a diary, Bridget Jones-style.

Kind of.

Unlike many people of her generation, Marie is not trying to recapture her youth, doesn't want to take evening classes, expand her mind, keep active, or god forbid, join a book club. What she wants to do is cover up her bingo wings, drink a lot of wine and enjoy being old. But being old doesn't mean doing nothing - in fact Marie has a pretty jam-packed time even though she has retired. She becomes a granny (or, as she inexplicably writes it, grannie) for the first time (something she talks about with such joy, I was incredibly moved and almost wanted to be one myself - although at 28 I think I might be a little young...) Her first love also comes back into her life, one of her oldest friends becomes very ill, and Marie has a young French lodger to keep a motherly eye on.

Although sometimes a little too cynical and curmudgeonly for my tastes, Marie is a very well-drawn and likeable character and I found this a fast and enjoyable read. It was refreshing to read about an older heroine and especially one who is both single and happy about it and happy with her age.

However, I'm not sure I'd want to be like Marie when I'm older - I don't see what's so wrong with salsa dancing and bungee jumping post-retirement if you fancy it, and sometimes Marie sounds more like 80 than 60!

But don't be put off if your age is nearer 20 - this is a good read for any age. I'd just love for a book club to pick it...

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Plotting for Beginners by Sue Hepworth and Jane Linfoot.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 16, 2007 in British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK NEWS: Julian Clary's Murder Most Fab

Following the success of his double entendre-stuffed memoir, A Young Man's Passage, Julian Clary is the latest celeb to bring out a novel - Murder Most Fab has a Janet Evanovich-esque cover and according to Janet Street Porter in Marie Claire is, "A very funny novel that charts the progress of a gorgeous boy from drama school, through to working as a rent boy and telly stardom. En route there are several murders, loads of drugs and masses of sex..."

It's out today.

[Via Woman magazine and Amazon.co.uk]

Related: BOOK REVIEW - How I Paid For College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship and Musical Theatre by Marc Acito.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 16, 2007 in Bonkbusters, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Television | Permalink | Comments (6)

August 15, 2007 4:46 PM

More Shiny employees catch the book bug

We Trashionistas are not the only book-obsessed Shiny Media employees, you know - oh no.

John of Shiny TV site TV Scoop was even on BBC Four book programme The Book Quiz last night, talking intelligently about literary thriller Perfume as part of one of the programme's featured book groups. Unfortunately, watching it back didn't make for a fun experience, as he reports...

In happier news, Alex of Shiny Shiny is writing a new column for our sister site Dollymix about Women in Fiction, and it's fascinating reading.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 15, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK REVIEW: Wish You Were Here by Phillipa Ashley

I had to review a book called Wish You Were Here as part of our Summer Special celebrations, didn't I?

Phillipa Ashley's second novel features Beth, who fell in love with Jack on holiday in Corsica eight years ago. It had certainly been a whirlwind romance, but Beth was devastated when, after proposing, Jack walked out on her with no explanation. When Beth gets a fabulous job in a travel company, she's horrified to find that Jack's just been made CEO.

Beth needs the job to help support her family back in the Lake District - her father had an accident and can't work and her sister needs money to go to drama school - so she accepts it on the condition that she and Jack never speak of the past and keep their relationship strictly professional. But, of course, it's not as easy as they imagine.

The longer they work together the more they're reminded of their previous relationship and the more the old feelings reoccur. And then Beth arranges a research trip to Corsica and Jack decides to go with her ... and not strictly for professional reasons.

I enjoyed Wish You Were Here, but I'm annoyed at another misleading blurb. The back cover says, "As Beth and Jack are forced to spend time together, Beth begins to unravel the mystery of Jack's disappearance." No, she doesn't. She absolutely doesn't. She starts to fall for him again, but there's no unravelling involved. And, in fact, the mystery of Jack's disappearance was the most disappointing thing in the book. Obviously, I can't say what it is, but I didn't buy it at all. I did, however, love Jack (why are all the sexiest heroes named Jack?).

I really liked Beth and her family and the descriptions of Corsica are lovely too, but the ending of the book made me like the rest of it less.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot

Posted by Keris on August 15, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance, Summer Special | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 14, 2007 5:33 PM

(Reluctant) BOOK NEWS: That Bitch

I wasn't sure whether to write about this or not, but I know you're a sensible enough bunch to handle the bile this book spits out without letting it get to you. So I'll just advise you to be on your guard around British bookshops from September 27, when a book called That Bitch attempts to redress the balance against all those (zillions!) of women out to trap, manipulate and mistreat men. (Hmm. Let's have a closer look at domestic violence statistics, shall we?)

The blurb for this book claims: This new book tells you how to protect yourself against nasty women by understanding: why she picked on YOU, how she weaves her web of deceit, how she uses covert attacks and other tactics to beat her unsuspecting prey. Discover what makes her different from normal women who are looking for partners not victims, and how to identify her. Because she only cares about herself. She has no conscience and is capable of ruthless retribution, even though no one has actually wronged her.

Er... bitter, much?

I'm off to wash my brain out now...

Related posts: Chore Whore | Should the word 'bitch' be banned?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 14, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rubbish Books | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Men! by Isabel Losada

Isabel Losada has written non-fiction books on the inner lives of nuns, finding enlightenment and saving the world. (As well as Reasons to be Glad). Her latest release is a little more down-to-earth: ‘Men!’ she exclaims. ‘Where the **** are they?’

She believes there is a national shortage of interesting, available men over the age of 35. For the purposes of the book, her definition of an interesting man is: ‘One who when you meet them you’d like to have dinner with them and, having had dinner with them you are glad that you had dinner with them and would like to see them again.’ Available means emotionally available as well as single (and married men who tell women they’re separated don’t count!) The interesting, available man should also have travelled, be independent and free from addictions and other emotional problems. Is such a man so elusive? The evidence of her own love life and those of her friends suggests he is, so Losada embarks on a nine-month quest to find out where all the interesting and available men are, and to net one for herself in the process, if she can...

To find out where the eligible men are hiding, Losada visits some all-male environments on our behalf. She attends a Harley Davidson ‘ride out’ and a weekend plumbing course before spending two weeks working as the only woman on a building site. Dispiritingly, she finds that men are often quite literally hiding from women as they prefer to spend leisure time in the company of other men. The motorbike club is mostly a chance for men to drink copiously and tell sexist and homophobic jokes. The plumbing course is not set up for women although Losada copes admirably well and the building site workers treat her as one of them (after some initiation rituals) but their views on life and love are enlightening in all the wrong ways.

So Losada vows to try more new things. She attends lectures all over London, learns to drive a motorbike and goes on a diving holiday in Egypt. She also falls for two men, neither of whom is technically ‘available’…  She’s endearingly open and frank about her romantic missteps, admitting that getting over one of these men is so hard that she wouldn’t be interested in a new relationship anyway – so her experiment is flawed on a personal level. At the end of the quest, Losada confirms her hypothesis: as she suspected, there is a lack of interesting, available men for independent, intelligent women over 35. Our author claims she was hoping to be proved wrong but the words ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’ don’t seem out of place here - throughout the book it’s more apparent that she wants to prove herself right.

However she does have suggestions for changing the situation she says she has uncovered. First, women seeking men should take a new approach: ‘Doing radical and exciting things with our lives is one solution’, and something that is never a bad idea! Losada also encourages us to look at the bigger picture, postulating that the reason so many marriages are unhappy is that people lack the courage to be honest with each other and to leave without fear of recrimination when a relationship is no longer working. If more people were honest when a relationship stops working, this would mean more available men let loose.

The author claims she’s not scared to be a single woman forever if she can’t find Mr Right. But her vision of ageing single women, though (I hope) tongue in cheek, is offensive and lazy: ‘I have so many wonderful female friends… we could all move into a house together that would become a glorious celebration of being old batty females. We’d all have to wear purple. And have lots of cats… pretend to be witches and have big bonfires and make strange sounds to frighten the local schoolchildren.’ If that’s what happens to single women of a certain age it’s no wonder Losada wants a man!

At times I couldn’t help having the un-sisterly thought that perhaps her standards are too high. If a man has different views to her, she’s not interested. If he enjoys spectator sports, she’s not interested. And yet she falls for two unavailable men in the space of nine months. Wouldn’t a football fan have been better?

Also, although she talks repeatedly about not needing a man she frequently presents being alone as the third-rate option. During her research mission, Losada goes on her first dive and absolutely loves it. She comments that it’s a shame she’s on her own as it would be ideal to share the experience with a partner or friend. Is an experience only worth having if you’re with someone else?

Although intelligently-written and well-considered with a spiritual angle not often found in books about love, ‘Men!’ isn’t as new and subversive as it wants to be. It is after all another book about how women can find men (isn’t it time they found us for a change?!) While part of me found it sad that a vibrant, intelligent and (not that it should matter, but it probably does) attractive woman like Isabel Losada finds it so hard to find a lasting relationship, a larger part of me thought, ‘So?’

Still, I found the author charming and frank and her look at love has more depth than other books of its ilk.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Dating Amy by Amy DeZellar.

Read this review in full at The F Word.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 14, 2007 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance, Self development | Permalink | Comments (4)

August 13, 2007 6:52 PM

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Dear Holly

A couple of months ago, Keris told us about Holly Shumas's new book debut, Five Things I Can't Live Without. She'll be reviewing it soon, but in the meantime you might like to take a look at the author's excellent web site, which includes an interactive advice section, Dear Holly. Follow that link for questions from readers and answers from Holly herself on all manner of dating dilemmas.

Why don't more authors do this? I'd love Marian Keyes's advice on skincare and Sophie Kinsella's tips on shoe shopping...

Which author would you most like a Q & A with, and on what topic?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (0)

And in blook news...

Yes, I'm on about blooks (blogs-to-books) again - I will shut up about them soon, promise. For now allow me to indulge myself with a round up of happenings in the world of blooks...

- Excellent online feminist 'zine The F Word has an interview with notorious sex-blooker Abby Lee, aka: Girl With a One-Track Mind. Provides a different perspective on the controversial author than our review... one I can't quite get behind, but interesting all the same.

- Something I found about a while ago via our sister site Dollymix (and was saving for - er, no apparent reason): Rudely-named and very popular blog My Boyfriend is a Tw*t has been turned into a book, out now. My co-ed Keris interviews a different woman blogger each week for the site's fab Women Who Blog series - well worth a read!

More news/linkage over the cut...

- A slightly old but still interesting thingummy about blooks from The Blog Herald.

- Voracious blogger, journalist of much repute and sometime Trashionista reviewer Linda Jones has an upcoming release all about freelance writing, to tie in with her popular blog. It's tongue-in-cheekily called The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World.

- Finally, a little while ago, I wrote this. I'm still waiting for my blook deal, however...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 13, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

Blog a Penguin Classic (and get a free book and internet fame in the process...)

Here's something we found out about thanks to the lovely Camilla, editor of our sister (wedding-themed) site, Bridalwave.

Blog a Penguin Classic gives readers the chance to sign up to review one of Penguin's 1400 titles for the website - sign up, and if you're quick enough, you could be chosen to receive a free book which you'll be asked to blog about for the site.

Be warned however - you don't get to choose your title! But it could be a great way to expand your reading horizons (sort of like a bookish lucky dip).

The next batch of books hasn't been released yet but keep checking the site to stay on top of things and read the current batch of reviews here (scroll down).

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (5)

MORE ON MONDAY: The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith

I love Alexandra McCall Smith's Botswana-set No.1 Ladies Detective series. I always think each book is going to be the last and then, before I know it, there's another.

Good Husband - the eighth in the series - continues in the same vein as the other books, i.e. not much happens. Mma Ramotswe actually doesn't do much (if any) investigating in this book, instead her assistant, Mma Makutsi, and the good husband himself, Mr JLB Matekoni decide they'd quite like to do some investigating of their own, with varied results.

Mma Makutsi's case involves stationery stealing and Mr JLB Matekoni is instructed by "the rudest woman in Botswana" to find out who her husband is having an affair with. No, it's not exactly Law & Order, is it?

But there is a little bit of drama - although drama is too strong a word really - a couple of the regulars are looking to move on. Charlie, one of Mr JLB Matekoni's apprentices (he's the owner of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors) has decided to set up on his own and Mma Makutsi realises that now she's getting married she doesn't need to work at all and hands in her notice.

It's the mellowness of this series that I love, but this latest book is so mellow it's almost unconscious. I enjoyed it - what's not to enjoy? - but it's probably the weakest of the series, which is a shame. In putting Mma Makutsi and Mr JLB Matekoni to the fore, it's almost as if Smith has forgotten the heart of the book. This series belongs to Precious Ramotswe and the stories should always be hers. Fingers crossed she's back in the driving seat (of her little white van) in the next book.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexandra McCall Smith

Posted by Keris on August 13, 2007 in British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, More On Monday, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Series | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 9, 2007 11:58 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Around the World in 80 Dates by Jennifer Cox

When Jennifer Cox's workaholism - she's a travel writer and broadcaster - meant that she never had time to meet men, she decided to travel around the world dating. Entrusting her friends to fix her up with their friends, she set up 80 dates from Sweden to New Zealand to LA.

I thought this book would be the perfect summer book - I could do some vicarious travelling *and* some vicarious dating (I've been married for 11 years...), but it didn't quite work out that way...

Considering she's a travel writer I didn't find the descriptions of the places Jennifer visited particularly engaging. The men weren't great shakes either and I found myself scanning quite a lot. Until, that is, she arrived at the Burning Man Festival and met Garry.

Now usually our rule here at Trashionista is not to mention anything that happens after the first hundred pages so as not to risk spoilerage, but I'm going to make an exception with this book. But the thing is, the spoilers are built right in! The back cover features a picture of the author looking very loved up with Garry. The book's dedication reads 'To my parents ... with love and thanks for putting up with years of my nonsense. And to G. who has all that to come'. Why, how will I ever crack that code?!

Garry is date number 55 and once Jennifer meets him, her writing (and the story) really start to sparkle. She makes the Burning Man Festival sound fascinating and wonderful (albeit a little bit scary) and Garry sounds utterly gorgeous. They fall in love. And then Jennifer has to go off and do another 25 dates. Which Garry is cool with. Really. Jennifer isn't though and, since I've spoilered* once, I may as well spoiler again - Around the World in 80 Dates is mistitled. Yes, she gives up before the end.

There are some entertaining aspects to this book, but all in all I found it disappointing. Although I am very glad Jennifer and Garry are so happy.

*it's a word!

Rating: 2/5

Like this? Try Dating Amy by Amy DeZellar

Posted by Keris on August 9, 2007 in British Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 2/5, Summer Special | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jenny Colgan's life in books

I'm trying to cut down on my magazine buying, but I haven't managed it yet and it's a good job, because I would've missed Jenny Colgan talking about books in the latest Red.

Jenny reveals that her favourite book of all time is George Eliot's Middlemarch, which I attempted to read at university and could not get through. The book that makes her cry is Ian McEwan's Atonement, which I, um, didn't finish either. She does love To Kill A Mockingbird though, as do I, so that's something.

The one book she believes everyone should read is Knowledge of Angels by Jill Paton Walsh. I haven't read it. Have you?

Related posts: Do You Remember the First Time review | Jenny Colgan's fave restaurant

Posted by Keris on August 9, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 8, 2007 2:43 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Alice Kuipers

Alice Kuipers' book, Life on the Refrigerator Door, is causing a bit of a stir. Published in both adult and teen editions, it's a compelling tale about the effects of breast cancer on the relationship between a mother and a daughter, told entirely via notes on the fridge door. A review is on the way.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

During a tragic year, Claire and her mother learn to make time for each other.

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

I write on a laptop which I bring with me wherever I travel.  Right now, I'm working in my office in Saskatoon.  Next week, I'll be working on my mum's kitchen table in London.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

I loved Bridget Jones' Diary when it came out.  I think Helen Fielding is a terrific writer.

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

My granny is 92 years old and was just in a Muller Light ad.  She's my hero.

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

If any of you are writing, I'd suggest that you keep going and keep going and then write a little more.  It's hard to get what you want to say on the page, it's hard to get published, it's hard to get up every day and write, but if you want to do it then don't let anyone stop you.

What are you reading at the moment?

I just finished the new Harry Potter.  I enjoyed it - I think JK Rowling has done an amazing job with those books.  I'm reading a novel called Steppenwolf now by a German writer called Herman Hesse.  He's one of my favourites.  Not an easy read but very beautiful.

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

I'm working on several projects.  One is a novel about a baby that falls out the sky onto someone's doorstep.  One is a short story about a woman who is having an affair.  I just finished a short story about a doctor who wants to save a patient who's 94 years old.

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

I was having lunch with some other writers who live here in Saskatoon and someone asked, "Why do you write?"  I think I write because I can't do anything else; I write because the only way I can understand the world is to put it on the page.  I liked thinking about that question and I'd never been asked it before.

Thanks, Alice.

Posted by Keris on August 8, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (7)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

It's a while since we've polled your opinions on a particular book rather than a hot topic in publishing, so today it's time to redress the balance.

Today I'm asking what you thought of Sophie Kinsella's latest, Shopaholic and Baby. Did you enjoy it, or have you had enough Becky spin-offs?

And if you haven't read it (yet) - do you want to? Why/why not? Tell us:

Is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 8, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Series, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (11)

Booker Prize longlist announced

No sooner do I mention the Booker Prize in passing than longlist is announced for the British literary establishment's biggest prize. Nothing that I've read on there (which to be honest, doesn't make a change) but at least there are a few women nominated...

On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan is the bookies favourite to win but, as we've said before, that doesn't always mean much!

The winner, announced in October, will bag a healthy £50,000. (And, if they're lucky, increased sales too.)

Carry on over the cut for the full list.

The Booker Longlist:

Darkmans by Nicola Barker

Self Help by Edward Docx

The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng

The Gathering by Anne Enright

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies

Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones

Gifted by Nikita Lalwani

On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan

What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn

Consolation by Michael Redhill

Animal's People by Indra Sinha

Winnie & Wolf by A N Wilson

Prizewinners archive.

[Via BooktradeInfo]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 8, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 7, 2007 6:02 PM

Do our young heroines need more guts?

Imogen Russell Williams says in The Guardian that they do. She's bemoaning the fact that the female characters in modern-day children's books are a bit too prim and proper (Hermione Granger, anyone?) and wants us to have more heroines like Flossie Teacake (never read any) and Marmalade Atkins (who I LOVED!)

Girls who aren't afraid to get dirty, aren't watching their weight or bothered what other people think of them. Do you agree?

Who's your favourite children's book heroine?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 7, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (8)

The importance of being low: authors obsess over Amazon rankings

Authors: how bothered are you about your ranking on Amazon? It seems some authors can't stop checking how well their new releases are selling, even up to several times a day!

There's an article in the New York Times about how distracting Amazon rankings can be, and just a few weeks ago in The Telegraph's book section I read an excellent piece on the same subject in author Louise Doughty's weekly column about being a writer (which is always the first place I turn btw!)

Author Aaron Shephard has even created a new website, Sales Rank Express so authors can access their ranking instantly.

But maybe that time would be better use disconnecting from the net, and getting on with your next masterpiece...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 7, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 6, 2007 8:37 PM

BOOK NEWS: Damage Control

This new non-fiction anthology sounds like a book most women will be able to relate to! Unless you've never had a disaster at the hands of a hairdresser, waxer, physiotherapist, plain ol' therapist...? (If so, I just might hate you!)

Damage Control is about all the things that can go wrong when you put your body/mind/life into someone else's hands...

Contributors include British author Emma Forrest and UK-to-LA transplant Minnie Driver. The success of Driver's essay has lead to talk of her being offered her own book deal, apparently... [Via Galleycat]

Related: BOOK NEWS: 21 Proms.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 6, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 3, 2007 12:55 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Staying Alive by Matt Beaumont

Sorry to keep banging on about my trip to Paris, but before we went, mindful of packing restrictions, I suggested to my husband he bring along a second book we both might like to read (I was already taking Harry Potter and he had some crime thing) and he picked up Staying Alive. Well, once I'd finished Potter, me and the man I love ended up fighting over this book while his original book languished in his case.

Murray Colin works in advertising, but in the boring, administrative side, not the creative side. His girlfriend's just left him (because he's dull) and he's fed up. And then he finds a lump in one of his testicles and is told he's got "between three and five months to live". Thing is, he hasn't done much living in the last 30-odd years, so how much is he likely to do in 3-5 months? You'd be surprised.

A series of unfortunate events lead to him losing his job, wrecking a car (or two) and being on the run from Russian gangsters, accompanied by a homeless girl, one of the more demented "creatives" from his former agency and said creative's cute 3-year-old daughter. Thing is, although death has never been closer (frankly he'd be lucky to make it to the five month mark...), Murray's never felt more alive.

I really enjoyed this book. It's laugh-out-loud funny and sometimes painfully stressful to read (honestly, how someone can get himself in so much trouble so fast beggars belief) plus it's got a message (though not at all heavy-handed) about living your life before it's too late. Recommended.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About by Mil Millington

Did you know? Matt Beaumont is the husband of author Maria Beaumont?

Posted by Keris on August 3, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

More summer reading recommendations!

Despite the weather for the last two months resembling winter (here in Britain, at least) we've still brought you lots of summer-related goodness, including competitions and summer reading recommendations from Jen Lancaster, Marian Keyes and Jennifer Weiner and er... Philadelphia.

There's still a few weeks of summer left, and as sun to bask in is in short supply, why not bask in another set of reading recommendations, this time from Salon? Here's their suggestions for summer 'chic lit' (<-- I never know if that's a clueless misspelling of chick lit or a play on words... let's assume the latter and give them the benefit of the doubt!)

What are you reading this summer? Have any summer reading guides prompted you to try a book?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 2, 2007 11:53 AM

Sophie Kinsella's sister

Yesterday I stumbled upon a blog on which someone was wondering why Sophie Kinsella has written a new book under the name Madeleine Wickham. As all of us Trashionistas know, Madeleine Wickham is Kinsella's real name and it was under that name that she wrote first.

So I could leave a snotty comment to that effect, I checked on Wikipedia - I don't want to leave a snotty comment and be *wrong* now, do I?! - and discovered that Sophie Kinsella has a sister, Gemma Townley, who is also an author. Did anyone already know that?

Townley's books include When in Rome...: A Novel of Piazzas And Passion, Little White Lies: A Novel of Love And Good Intentions, Learning Curves: A Novel of Sex, Suits, And Business Affairs, and The Hopeless Romantic's Handbook.

I *love* the titles and will be checking the books out forthwith!

Related posts: The Undomestic Goddess review | The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic review

Posted by Keris on August 2, 2007 in British Authors, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (10)

August 1, 2007 5:16 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

On Yay or Nay this week: a non-death related question for you! Woo-hoo...

Mediabistro reports that the publicity for Elizabeth Buchan's latest novel The Second Wife will be a little different from the norm. Instead of  running up a huge advertising budget, Publishers Penguin are instead recruiting 1000 volunteers, who all get a free copy of the book, to talk it up to their friends, colleagues and family members. (Plus anyone else they come across!) The volunteers get a pack with suggested topics to discuss and the campaign will run until the end of summer. If it's successful the strategy could be used to promote other books too, harnessing that all-important word of mouth.

But does 'buzz marketing' like this work for you - do you want your friends to have an agenda when you chat? Or is it the way of the future and just an extension of recommending books to each other, i.e perfectly harmless? Are the volunteers being exploited - 1000 books is much cheaper than the cost of advertising after all - or doesn't it matter as long as they're keen to participate?

In other words... Is this whole idea a Yay or a Nay... and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 1, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (6)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Samantha David

Samantha David is a journalist who has written what could be the perfect summer read: I Married A Pirate is her debut novel and she'll tell you about it below, along with talking about what she's reading now, and women who prefer dogs to men (really)... And yes, we will be reviewing her book at some point, of course!

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

An original, intelligent, irreverant, quirky, laugh-aloud romantic comedy about Bohemia, personal freedom and love. [Ooh, good one! - Diane]

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

At my desk, in front of my computer, preferrably after midnight when I won't be disturbed. (I spend my days at my desk, in front of my computer, being a journalist.)

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos.

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

Flora Poste (from Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons) because she makes me laugh. Tessa Sanger (The Constant Nymph by Margaret Kennedy) because she makes me cry.

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

JDI - Just Do It.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Lady of Shalott (Tennyson), Northanger Abbey (Austen) and Scotland Street (Mccall Smith).

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

A romantic comedy about the most charming, intelligent, handsome, sexy man in the world and Rosie - who is stunningly beautiful but prefers dogs to men...

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

Where shall we send the cheque?

Hee... sorry, we're not asking that either, but thanks, Samantha!

Author Interview archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 1, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Summer Special | Permalink | Comments (1)

COMPETITION: Win Alexandra Potter's Me and Mr Darcy

The third of our weekly Summer Special competitions is to win Alexandra Potter's new book, Me and Mr Darcy.

When Emily Albright books herself on a tour of Jane Austen country she doesn't expect to meet any men, let alone her dream man - Mr Darcy himself!

To win a copy send email us at the usual address with your name, address and the answer to the question over the cut.

Who played Mr Darcy in the BBC's classic 1985 1995* Pride & Prejudice adaptation? 

Competition closes at midnight GMT on Tuesday 7th August. Good luck!

*Sorry

Posted by Keris on August 1, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Competition | Permalink | Comments (3)

July 31, 2007 3:15 PM

MORE ON MONDAY TUESDAY: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling

Sorry, couldn't do More on Monday yesterday because I was away and the book I took with me? Yes, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Have you heard of it?

I wasn't actually as desperately excited as some people to get this book. I didn't queue up or anything - in fact I think it'd been out a few days before I casually picked it up in the supermarket - but I did want to make sure I read it before anyone ruined it for me (like my sister, who read the last page first!).

So I took it away and, at first, I was sorry I had. I'd say it took me about 200 pages to actually get into it. I love the characters so it wasn't exactly a hardship to keep reading (there are very few books I'd keep reading for 200 pages if they hadn't yet "grabbed" me) but I was waiting for something to happen... then suddenly I was engrossed and I didn't want to put it down (did you see me on Eurosport, reading it in the crowd at the final stage of the Tour de France?).

Clearly, clearly, I'm not going to tell you anything that happens, but I will say that I absolutely loved it. JK Rowling gets a lot of criticism and, while she's not a great writer (although her writing style doesn't offend me in any way) she is a great storyteller (as we know) and to keep me breathless for about 400 pages (while I was in Paris!) is a pretty impressive feat.

My memory for books is appalling, so if you remember the other books in the series clearly then this one is likely to be even more exciting and rewarding as things are clarified and loose threads tied up. It really does leave me awed as to how JK Rowling planned this out from the beginning. An enormous achievement and a wonderful book. Now, who won the Tour de France...?

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Enchanted Inc by Shanna Swendson

Posted by Keris on July 31, 2007 in British Authors, More On Monday, New Releases, Rating: 5/5, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Two Mrs Robinsons by Donna Hay

Reviewed by Bag Lady extraordinaire Nicola Pedley...

In Donna Hay's latest novel, The Two Mrs Robinsons, Oliver Robinson dies, leaving behind two women who love him: the ex-wife he hasn’t divorced and the girlfriend he hasn’t married. The uneasy truce that exists between the two women is stretched to the limit when Eve, the ex-wife, decides to run his restaurant while Anna, the girlfriend, thinks they should sell it.

When an unexpected turn of events forces Anna to change her mind it is soon obvious the two women will not be able to agree on how the business should be run. Anna thinks Eve is stuck in the past and Eve accuses Anna of trying to turn Oliver’s into a fast food joint. Throw in a couple of shady employees and a bit of bad advice and the restaurant soon starts to lose money, much to the women’s horror.

Desperate to turn things around the two women find they have to compromise and soon start to grow closer as they look out for each other. I enjoyed the way Donna Hay explored the grief of her characters. Eve completely falls apart, even though she and Oliver have been separated for five years, while Anna relies on pills to hold her world together. Eve’s teenage children have to cope with their mother’s grief as well as their own, and Anna’s three-year-old son, Charlie, has no concept of death and happily tells people his daddy’s dead with a big grin on his face.

This is a good read about a difficult subject – the death of a loved one and the feelings it leaves behind. The emotions are sensitively handled and joy and pain both have their place in this story of grief and recovery.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try How Will I Know? By Sheila O’Flanagan or Anybody Out There? by Marian Keyes.

[Reviewed by Nicola Pedley]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 31, 2007 in British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 27, 2007 4:05 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Another Man's Life by Greg Williams

The concept of  Another Man's Life by Greg Williams is pretty interesting: twin men with very different lives (one is a single, hot-shot rich businessman, the other a stay-at-home-dad ever since he was made unemployed) decide to swap lives and to find out how the other half lives, if the grass is greener on the other side... and all that jazz.

So they hatch a plan to pretend to be each other for two weeks, during which Tom (the stay-at-home-dad)'s wife will be away and Sean (the single, hot-shot rich businessman) will be off work. Or that's the plan, anyway.

What could possibly go wrong?

Of course LOTS could possibly go wrong, and in fact does - Sean meets a woman he could fall in love with, but is posing as a married man; Tom is shocked to discover how little he misses family life. And both men realise that yes, in many ways the grass is greener on his twin's side of the fence.

A quote from GQ editor Dylan Jones on the front of this book calls it 'Nick Hornby with knobs on', so I was expecting big things. Unfortunately it didn't quite deliver. The brothers narrate alternating chapters but I found little to tell their voices apart, and kept having to flick to the front of a chapter to remind myself who was telling the story! While the moral implications of such a life-swap were dealt with pretty well in the narrative, the characters still came across as a bit unsympathetic at times. And it just isn't as funny and clever as it thinks it is. (Jokes are often punctuated with a "she thought I was really funny" - type comment as if to impress the reader, which doesn't work).

However, I did enjoy the concept and liked the book more as it moved towards its conclusion. I liked the happy ending but just didn't feel I'd read anything particularly special.

As it's 'lad lit', I wonder if a man would have enjoyed it more...

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Mr Nice Guy by Thomas Dowler.   

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 27, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

MOVIE NEWS: Yes Man

We wrote a while ago about how the movie rights to both of Danny Wallace's hilarious books - Yes Man and Join Me - had been snapped up and, at the time, we'd heard that Jack Black was to star in the first.

Well, we were wrong (not our fault - we got it from Danny's website!). Turns out Yes Man is now to star Jim Carrey. But don't get too excited (assuming you're excited at all), it's not due out until 2009.

Movie news archives

Posted by Aigua Media on July 27, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Movie News, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 24, 2007 2:10 PM

Summer Special Tuesday 3 - Paris

I thought I'd do something a bit different with the Summer Special Tuesday 3s. Each week I'm going to pick a place and feature three books set there, which we may or may not have reviewed. (And there may be more than 3...) Ooh. Controversial!

So first up is Paris, mainly because I'm going there at the end of this week. Yes, I know I said I wasn't going on holiday until September, this isn't a holiday, it's a Bridget Jones style romantic mini-break ... with cycling (we're going to see the end of the Tour de France). But back to the books...

First up is Weekend in Paris by Robyn Sisman. Weekend in Paris is not my favourite of Sisman's books (that would be Perfect Strangers), but it's definitely escapist. Molly is given the opportunity to accompany her boss to Paris, but then learns he plans to seduce her and so runs away to Paris on her own. She then meets a bunch of people and has a life-changingly exciting weekend. In Paris.

Diane has loaned me Kate Muir 's Left Bank to take with me this weekend, so it had better be good. It's the story of a glamorous French philosopher and a gorgeous American actress. In Paris. And it looks gorgeous.

Paris Hangover by Kirsten Lobe features Klein, a New Yorker trying to find the right man. In Paris.

Paulina Porizkova's debut novel, A Model Summer is also set in Paris  as is Julia Holden's new book, One Dance in Paris and Sabine Durrant's YA novel Ooh La La, Connie Pickles (which I loved).

If you've read any of the above, let us know what you think. And feel free to tell us about your favourite Paris novel.

Plus if you've got a pash for Paris, you should check out writer Gabrielle Luthy's site - more Paris links than you could possibly ever need!

Posted by Keris on July 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Summer Special, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (5)

BOOK REVIEW: Second Chance by Jane Green

It's funny, I mentioned in the introduction to our interview with Jane Green that she's one of the most divisive chick lit authors: you either love her or hate her. Um, except that I didn't love her or hate her. I hated Straight Talking and loved Bookends and wasn't that fussed on Babyville. So I guess that would put me in the "meh" category. But still I thought I had a strong sense of what Jane Green's novels were like and I felt (without having read most of them...) that I didn't like them (which, yes, I now appreciate was stupid, but these things happen). So I approached Second Chance with trepidation...

When Tom is killed in a terrorist attack, his old school friends (who, over the years, haven't kept in touch with each other, but did all keep in touch with Tom) meet for his memorial service and find themselves, for various reasons, enjoying being back in each other's lives again. Holly is stuck in a loveless marriage, but finds herself becoming attracted to Tom's brother, Will. Paul and Anna have been trying to have a baby, but with cycle after cycle of IVF failing, are beginning to become disheartened. Alcoholic actress Saffron is having an affair with a married Hollywood superstar. Olivia is trying to get back on her feet after the end of the relationship she assumed was forever. Plus, of course, they've all got their grief and shock at losing Tom to deal with.

You probably won't be surprised to hear that I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Second Chance. Funnily enough, since Jane Green was one of the original chick litters, it's much more "women's fiction" than chick lit (is this inevitable as chick lit authors get older, married and have children? Probably). The characters are fairly stereotypical, but they're also believable and warm, particularly Holly whose story is more central than the others - I really liked her.

One complaint would be that all (or at least most) of the characters call each other "my darling". Doesn't matter if they're British, American or Swedish, it's all "my darling" all the time. (Plus there was the small matter of Holly - who lives in the UK - going off to Barnes & Noble, which we don't have in the UK...)

But that's just nitpicking, really. I found that the more I read Second Chance, the more I wanted to spend time with these character, the more I wanted everything to work out for them, and the more I realised how wrong I'd been about Jane Green.

Remember those adverts - "You know more Crowded House songs than you think you do"? You might find you like Jane Green more than you thought you would. Give her a second chance. (God, I didn't even plan that - I'm brilliant!)

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try 21 Dream Street by Lisa Jewell

Posted by Keris on July 24, 2007 in British Authors, Jane Green, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (4)

More summer beach read giveaways from Bookreporter.com

Continuing our summer special-theme, "It wouldn't be summer without sun, surf and sizzling reading," says Bookreporter. So they're offering one reader a week the chance to win a beach bag of goodies, including a great summer read each week until August 24th.

The current book choice is Second Choice by Jane Green, and past books include The Manny and Anybody Out There? So you could find some great reading recommendations over the next few weeks, whether you win or not!

And don't forget we'll be giving books away every week for the rest of the summer, too!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 23, 2007 1:15 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: The Complete Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby

Subtitled 'The Diary of an occasionally exasperated but ever hopeful reader", Nick Hornby's new work of non-fiction The Complete Polysyllabic Spree comprises 3 years of his What I'm Reading columns for The Believer magazine.

He starts each column with two lists: books bought that month, and books read that month, which often differ substantially! He then talks about what he read (and sometimes what he bought) that month, and why.

Anyone who's read Fever Pitch (or per haps 31 Songs) will know how good a non-fiction writer Hornby is. After falling out with the author (admittedly it was a one-sided argument) after reading his - ugh- How to be Good I was happy to find that I could still love this author's work!

His discussion of the reasons we read the books we do, and the influences on his own reading is intelligent but always accessible: although he often enjoys what could be called 'highbrow' books, his approach to them is down-to-earth. I knew I was going to love this non-snobbish analysis when in the introduction, Hornby rails against literary snobbery. He says,

"In Britain, more than twelve million adults have a reading age of thirteen or under, and yet some clever-dick journalist still insists on telling us that unless we're reading something proper, then we might as well not bother at all... reading for enjoyment is what we should all be doing."

Hear hear!

I just have a couple of slight criticisms about this otherwise excellent book: whenever Nick reads (and abandons) a book he hates, he isn't allowed to name it in his column, as the ethos of The Believer is to not slag people off. But surely he could have elaborated in this book? Second, although the inclusion of passages of books he enjoyed is probably a good idea, for me it slowed down the narrative - I wanted to find out what Nick read next!

But I raced through this, and it only inspired me to read more. Funny, entertaining and book-related - what more could a reader want?

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try So Many Books, So Little Time by Sara Nelson.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 23, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Opinion, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

July 20, 2007 12:51 PM

WIN! A beach read with Dorothy Perkins

100 copies of The Seven Year Itch, out now in paperback, are up for giveaway in a Dorothy Perkins beach read prize draw.

The latest book from husband-wife writing team/phenomenon Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, The Seven Year Itch is about, well... that fabled seven year itch of course. According to the Dotty P website:

It's seven years since Jack and Amy got married, they're still in love, they've got a son, they're happy... except, the grass is beginning to look a little greener on the other side. Witty and honest, The Seven Year Itch is the perfect beach read for anyone who's ever asked: "Is this it"?

Carry on over the cut to find out how to win a copy.

Simply click here, fill in your details, and cross your fingers - good luck! Entries close 1st August.

Related: Summer special!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 20, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Competition, Josie Lloyd & Emlyn Rees, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 19, 2007 12:26 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Wicked Whispers by Jessica Callan

Wicked Whispers is the new book by Jessica Callan who, if you don't know the name, was one third of the original 3am girls from The Mirror's much-copied gossip column. 3am was set up to be something completely new in the world of journalism: instead of begging PRs for the right to cover stars and being discreet about what they said, 3am laid it all bare. The 3 3am girls - or rather, women - tricked and cajoled stars into giving them photographs and quotes, hid in odd places (quite often public toilets) to get stories and mingled with the stars, placing themselves firmly in the story in a style that drew many imitators. Callan stayed at the column for 5 years, becoming 'head girl' before stepping down in 2005 to catch her breath (and presumably detox her liver...)

This memoir is her recollections of five fun-filled years of gossip. But does it make wicked reading?

Of course it does! It's not a book that dishes huge amounts of dirt on major celebrities, but there's enough goss here to surprise all but the most hardened celeb-spotter (even if she keeps some things to herself!) and I loved the insight into this style of journalism and the lifestyle (and the dilemmas) involved.

Callan shows that gathering gossip at glitzy parties isn't always as much fun as it sounds and lifts the lid on how the celeb PR game works, as well as telling a few tales on some celebrities who frankly, deserve it.

The one little thing that annoyed me was that there was at times a bit too much exposition through dialogue (and we don't like that) - for example, one conversation runs something like:

"You know that bloke John Hurt?"

"Yes, he was in --- and now he's starring in --- ... what about him?"

The author should trust her audience to either know who she's talking about or know how to look it up!

Still, I didn't have many complaints about this book: I found this a light and addictive read and raced through it, longing for more!

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Tabloid Love by Bridget Harrison.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 19, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 18, 2007 5:09 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

The big lit news of last week (it happened after last week's Yay or Nay Wednesday, okay?!) was that Sebastian Faulks has taken over Ian Fleming's gig as writer of the James Bond novels. The new Bond book, which was kept a closely-guarded secret until it was finished, will be released in May 2008 and is called Devil May Care. Its release will mark 100 years since Fleming's birth. [Via The Guardian].

But what do you think to the concept of taking over a popular series after the writer's death - is it a heart-warming tribute or close to sacrilegious? Are there any great series that should be revived, or should they always die with the author? And if you're a writer, do you care what happens after you die or do you want your work left alone?

SO: passing the literary baton: is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 18, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, Series, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (4)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jessica Gregson

Jessica Gregson's debut novel The Angel Makers sounds like a fascinating read. It's about the women in a small Hungarian village at the time of the First World War who spontaneously start murdering their menfolk. Incredibly, it's based on a well-documented true story. (Of course, we'll be reviewing it). Here, she answers all our questions...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Based on a true story about some very strange events in a small Hungarian village…

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

Mostly in bed, to be honest, last thing at night, though I’m not above sneaking in a couple of thousand words while I’m at my day job!

Your favourite chick-lit book?

I don’t read a lot of chick-lit, but I absolutely love Marian Keyes, and was really impressed by her latest book, Anybody Out There? My all-time favourite book by a woman would probably have to be The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter.

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

This is a difficult one, and a fairly obscure choice, but I’m going to go with Lucia Barclay, from Janette Turner Hospital’s book, “The Last Magician”. I read the book when I was sixteen, and it had an enormous affect on me – it was the first time I can remember finding a character that was so easy to relate to.

Carry on over the cut for more!

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

It’s a bit of a cliché, but: just write. I was talking to a friend about this the other day, and I think it’s very easy for new writers to get hung up on things like form and structure, the idea that there’s a Right or Proper way to write a novel – but really, there’s not. Tell a story from beginning to end, and don’t worry if you think it’s awful as you’re going along: the most important thing for a first draft is to finish it – anything else can be fixed later. I spent years trying to write that perfect first chapter, or even first paragraph, but that sort of approach is a waste of time.

What are you reading at the moment?

I’m in the middle of about five or six books, actually! The one I’m carrying with me to read on trains is “The Buddha of Suburbia” by Hanif Kureishi, which I’m thoroughly enjoying.

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

My second novel is also based on a true story about the experiences of some Turkish immigrants in Australia during the First World War. In some ways it deals with similar themes to The Angel Makers, particularly the experience of being an outsider, but it’s proving to be a very different book to write. I’m also working on a completely unrelated PhD in international development!

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

Why do you write? It’s a fairly fundamental question but one I’ve never been asked. And I think I write for the same reason as I do almost everything – because I’m absolutely fascinated by people, their motivations and the strange and wonderful things that they do.

Thanks Jessica!

Interview archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 18, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (1)

Guardian disses JK Rowling; her publisher disses Asda

(Now is not the time to point out that 'diss' isn't the hippest of vernacular - and no, nor is 'hip'; I'm a writer not a rapper).

Nicholas Lezard is pulling Potter to pieces in his latest piece on the Guardian books blog. As someone who got bored 50 pages into Order of the Phoenix, I'm not the hugest JK fan (although I think she seems lovely and is very very clever). But saying her prose is "toxic" seems a bit much, no?

If you're of the opposite opinion to Lezard, make sure you don't head to Asda for your copy when it's released worldwide on 21 July - i.e. this Saturday! Potter Publishers Bloomsbury claim the supermarket chain has unpaid bills dating back 3 years and so it will not be supplying the shop with precious copies of the latest installment.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 18, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Series, Supernatural, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

July 16, 2007 4:22 PM

Maria McCarthy's writing for publication workshop

Put Saturday 8th September in your diary if you're interesting in going to Cardiff for a writing workshop with journalist and author (of The Girls' Guide to Losing Your L-Plates, which Keris loved) Maria McCarthy.

Maria says she'll be giving advice on getting fiction, non-fiction and journalism published including developing feature ideas, approaching editors, getting an agent and copyright and business matters. The workshop will be held from 2-4pm at Chapter Arts Centre, Market Road, Canton, Cardiff  and costs £10 (£8 concessions).

For more information or to book a place, check out Maria's website.

Related posts: Review: Wannabe A Writer? | Review: See Jane Write

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 16, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 13, 2007 5:50 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: I Capture the Castle

Based on Dodie Smith's iconic YA/crossover novel about  a romantic teenager with a poor and eccentric aristocratic family who all live in a run-down castle in the 1930s, I Capture the Castle captures the essence of the book brilliantly. The family are struggling to make the rent when two new landlords (Americans!) roll up at the castle.  At first the family are scared they'll be evicted, but before long they've befriended the twenty-something brothers who own their property and our heroine Cassandra and her sister Rose might even want to be more than friends with these interlopers...

17-year old Cassandra is played really well by Romola Garai and I loved Bill Nighy as her reclusive author father. While the film isn't half as charming as the book it's still a good adaptation. Fun, romance, period drama and a touch of betrayal: this film has it all, and if it's not quite a girly classic it's not that far off.

Like this, in that it's also about another poor family: Little Women.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 13, 2007 in British Authors, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: The Yorkshire Pudding Club by Milly Johnson

The first thing that attracted me to this book was its cover - attractive and conveying a clear 'women's fiction' message without being a pink shoe/butterfly/egg-covered cliche, it's very nice indeed. The second thing that attracted me was the title because like the heroines of this book, I'm from South Yorkshire, so I just had to read it.

The Yorkshire Pudding Club is made up of three women: Janey, Elizabeth and Helen, who have been best friends since school despite having very different backgrounds. When Helen makes them accompany her to an ancient fertility symbol in the hopes she'll fall pregnant, little do the women realise that before long all three of them will have buns in their metaphorical ovens..

But none of their pregnancies will be smooth sailing...

One of the most frustrating things about this book was how long it took to get going. It took about 100 pages for all the women to cop on about their upcoming bundles of joy ('Hmm, I wonder why I'm so tired, and my breasts are swollen and do you know I haven't had a period...' sort of thing)which was annoying and totally lacking in suspense as it's clear from the cover that all 3 women are going to have babies. I was also annoyed by the self-consciously 'Northern' nature of some of the dialogue - it got bit too "ee by gum" salt-of-the-earth stereotypical at times. More importantly, the story constantly switches perspective and I kept finding it hard to keep Janey and Elizabeth's voices separate - they were very similar.

But it wasn't all bad by any means. I found the last third of the book became more exciting and less predictable, and things ended just as I'd have liked. I also loved the support the women gave each other and think this could be a comforting/consoling read for first-time mums.

A good read but not a great one - losing about 100 pages might have helped.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 13, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 12, 2007 9:25 AM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Helen Fielding

Of course. Couldn't really leave her out seeing as she started all this chick lit lark! (Maybe).

Whether you think Helen Fielding, Jane Austen, Nora Ephron, Gail Parent or even Janet Evanovich invented the genre, what's pretty clear is that Helen Fielding helped make it what it is today. Her newspaper columns detailing the life and loves of one Miss Bridget Jones made both her and Bridge cultural icons and had publishers on both sides of the pond jumping on the chick lit bandwagon. It has to be the best-known and most-loved chick lit novel of all time, ever. (And it's the number one choice for fave chick lit novel in our author interviews!)

Fielding's inspired lots of modern-day writers and even many years later her best-known book is still a touching and brilliantly witty read. Bridget Jones's Diary is everything a chick lit book should be: funny, satirical and entertaining with a main character we can relate to.

And that's what makes Helen Fielding a Trailblazer.

Thursday Trailblazer archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 12, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 11, 2007 11:33 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Marshmallows for Breakfast by Dorothy Koomson

I must be one of the few chick lit fans who hasn't yet read Dorothy Koomson's last book, My Best Friend's Girl - I've got it, I just haven't got around to it yet - but I've heard such good things about it that I was keen to read her new book, Marshmallows for Breakfast.

It's the story of Kendra Tamale who returns to England from Australia and rents a room from Kyle, a single father of two gorgeous children, Summer and Jaxon. Kendra was planning to keep herself to herself, but the children keep coming to her for help and soon she's as embroiled in the family and their problems as if they were her own children.

Kendra has a lot of secrets: she can't have children of her own, she left a man she loves in Australia, but won't say why (only that she's done something terrible) and then there's also the abuse in her past that she not only won't talk about, but also refuses to think about.

And then she bumps into a man from her past and the children's mother takes them away without warning or contact, forcing Kendra to confront everything she's repressed.

I found Marshmallows for Breakfast completely compelling. The children, Summer and Jaxon, are the most perfectly conveyed kids I've read for a long time. Like Kendra, I fell completely in love with them.

I did find that a bit too much was explained in depth. Flashbacks and other characters points of view appear in italics and whenever I was faced with an italic section I felt that it could have been cut entirely or at least significantly. Koomson shouldn't be afraid of leaving something to the reader's imagination.

Also Kendra is rather dry and humourless and I think a bit more humour from Kendra - rather than relying on her friend Gabrielle or the children for levity - might have helped. But, at the same time, with what Kendra's been through, she certainly wouldn't be wisecracking left and right. I only mention it because on the few occasions Kendra did make jokes, I thought it made her seem more human. Then again, with her history, she's not exactly functioning fully, so this was perhaps intentional.

There are some extremely serious issues tackled in this book (those people who think chick lit is fluff should be prescribed it immediately) and it's dealt with sensitively and intelligently. I was worried about the ending at one point - so much that I actually spoke to the book and said, "You'd better not..." (I tell you that not to show how crazy I am, but rather how affecting I found the book!) But I needn't have worried. The ending is perfect.

All in all, I thought Marshmallows for Breakfast was wonderful.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Love Walked In by Marisa De Los Santos

Posted by Keris on July 11, 2007 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jane Green

Jane Green is arguably the most controversial and divisive of chick lit authors (closely followed by Adele Parks) - you either love her or you hate her. If you love her, you'll be happy because she's answered our author interview questions. If you hate her, look away now!

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Chick lit turns 40 – midlife crises, infertility, addiction, divorce: warm witty take on friendships.

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

Bed sounds wonderful – the one time I tried to write in bed was when I was put on bed rest, pregnant with the twins, but sadly the medication I was on to stop early contractions made me jumpy as hell, and I couldn't concentrate on anything. I write all my books at the local library – I love having a routine, having somewhere to go every day, and it makes me feel very much part of the world which I think is vital for a chick lit writer – the whole appeal of chick lit is in its realism and observation.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

I'm not entirely sure if it's chick lit, (although I'm never entirely sure what is chick lit these days) but I adored Good Grief by Lolly Winston. Anything by Marian Keyes is a win with me, and particularly Rachel's Holiday, and (forgive me, Jonathan), The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper.

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

I can barely remember what day it is today, let alone the names of heroines from favourite books, and I feel like I ought to say someone like Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, but that feels horribly pretentious. I'm afraid, as a frantic mother of four who left her memory retention capabilities somewhere on a birthing table a few years ago, I'm going to have to pass on that question.

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

Firstly, write what you know, especially in chick lit. I always think that part of the defining factor of chick lit is that it is very real, and it has an emotional honesty that resonates with the reader, and it's so much easier to convey those emotions when you know what you are talking about. Secondly, finish what you're writing. I think the biggest difference between me and the hundreds of aspiring writers I meet, is that, even when it feels impossible, I fight that good old writers block and finish the book. Thirdly, get an agent and don't pay any money to independent editors or self-publishers.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Whole World Over by Julia Glass – just started it and loving it.

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

Am currently working on finding the time to start writing the new novel, although in truth am hoping to be writing next week. This time I'm attempting a bit of a mystery – I'm tempted by the idea of a more evolved storyline, and I think it will again be set in my fictitious suburban town of Highfield, Connecticut.

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

I can't think of what I should have been asked, but my all-time favourite question came at a book reading when someone put her hand up and asked, 'who are you wearing?' As something of a clothes/accessories junkie, I always read that page in the New York Times where they stop someone on the street and talk about their clothes, and imagine what I would say, so it was hysterically funny to be asked, in all seriousness, 'who' I was wearing. I did quite well that night too – I had a mix of Anthropologie, JCrew and Jimmy Choo. (Today sadly, it's Gap, Costco Capri pants – glamorous? Moi? Paint-spattered blue crocs and my never-removed Claddagh ring given to me on my birthday by my love).

Thanks, Jane. Jane's new novel, Second Chance, is out now and will be reviewed here soon.

Posted by Keris on July 11, 2007 in British Authors, Interviews, Jane Green | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 10, 2007 4:50 PM

'How to Shop' - EXCLUSIVE Mary Portas giveaway!

The brilliantly savvy fashion/shopping expert Mary Portas, also known as Mary, Queen of Shops after her fabby BBC programme, has released a new book: How to Shop with Mary, Queen of Shops . It's a beautiful hardback, jam-packed with useful information from a mistress of retail.

And we have a copy to give away to one lucky Trashionista reader!

If you'd like to win, carry on over the cut to find out how...

To be in with a chance of winning:

Simply email us at editor@trashionista.com with your name and address and MARY in the title. Please also put 'no' in the body of the email if you wouldn't like to receive further information from Ebury/BBC books. I'm sorry, this giveaway is UK only.

And that's not your only chance to win: until the end of July there's the chance  for 5 people to win £100 Oasis vouchers over on Mary Portas's website, which is well worth a look in any case.

Good luck!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 10, 2007 in Book News, Book Websites, British Authors, Competition, Fashion-Lit, New Releases, Non Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (2)

TUESDAY THREE: Fathers and daughters

Mothers and daughters, sisters, grandmothers ... what family relationship haven’t we looked at? Yep, fathers and daughters. As a relationship, I think it’s rather under-represented in chick lit, but I’ve found three books with a bit of a father-focus.

In Hester Browne's The Little Lady Agency, Honey's job is to help hapless men by doing all the things women do best - shopping, socialising and generally charming the pants of people. She's a rent-a-girlfriend of sorts, getting gay men off the hook with their mothers and buying christmas presents for difficult secretaries. But the line between Melissa and Honey gets blurred when she meets the gorgeous Jonathan, who just happens to be the roundabout reason she started the agency in the first place.

Chaos ensues as she tries to keep her business running, justify her job to her best mates, keep her ex-colleagues off the trail, cope with her overbearing dad. Honey’s dad is really one of the most appalling and hilarious father’s in fiction. I loved to loath him!

Marina Lewycka’s debut, A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, is predominantly the story of Nadia and Vera’s father, Nikolai. He’s always been eccentric, but when he announces, two years after their mother’s death, his plans to marry a young Ukranian woman neither of them has met, the sisters are concerned. Their concern increases when they finally do meet Valentina - a brash, big-bosomed woman, who is clearly only interested in their father for his money and British citizenship. Their father though, is smitten.

Valentina and her son Stanislav move in and Valentina’s treatment of Nikolai soon changes. He is no longer her “holubchik” (little pigeon) he is “no-good-bad-stink-corpse”. The sisters realise they have to get Valentina and Stanislav out of their father’s life, but how?

Maggie Alderson's Cents & Sensibility is about Stella’s struggle to manage her relationship with her jet set playboy boyfriend, Jay, but the secondary theme of the book is the relationship between Stella and her father Ham. The family set up is completely ludicrous – and yet charming and utterly believable, and against your better judgement you can’t help but love it, and feel a part of it.

Posted by Keris on July 10, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (5)

July 9, 2007 10:18 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: The Smoking Diaries by Simon Gray

If you live in England you might have heard just about enough about the smoking ban that came into force last week and occupied the media's attention for months.

Well, Simon Gray's memoir The Smoking Diaries provides a very non-PC alternative perspective to the anti-smoking lobby: the man loves smoking. He knows it's not good for him, and he does (kind of) try to give up (a bit) but mostly he just enjoys his filthy habit and finds it enhances his life. This very entertaining book documents a year in his life in which a few things happen, both good and bad (trying not to give anything away here!) and a lot of cigarettes are smoked...

I actually bought this book for my Dad, thinking he would relate. As an ex-nicotine addict himself and self-confessed 'grumpy old man' who loves going to the theatre, how could he not enjoy the memoir of a grumpy male playwright who smokes a lot? But although my Dad enjoyed it, I think I liked it even more. I'm not sure why: maybe because Gray's writing is so good, or because despite his curmudgeonly persona, he's completely charming. He's unexpectedly enthusiastic too, such as when he talks in great detail about why he loves the film Species, which is very entertaining.

This book is surprising, funny and (when he reflects on his younger brother's fate) also heartbreakingly poignant. In short, it's a great read, no matter what your personal relationship with nicotine may be.

Be warned though: despite Gray's horrible addiction to cigarettes, this book almost makes smoking seem appealing, so it may actually be harmful to your health...

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 9, 2007 in British Authors, Memoirs, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (11)

July 6, 2007 11:02 AM

FRIDAY FLICK: Starter for Ten

I started reading David Nicholls' debut novel, Starter for Ten in Waterstone's one day and absolutely loved it. I thought it was going to be one of those novels that's just so funny and familiar and fabulous. I was actually a bit disappointed - it didn't live up to the promise of the first chapter, but even so I was pleased to see it had been made into a film.

Set in 1985, Brian (McAvoy) heads off to Bristol University and is excited to find they're putting together a team to go on the TV show University Challenge. Brian used to watch it with his late father and it's always been his ambition to compete.

As he and his teammates prepare for the show, he falls for the gorgeous and posh Alice, befriends cynical and political Rebecca, struggles to continue a relationship with his best friend from back home and tries to deal with his mother's new relationship.

Funnily enough, the University Challenge part is the best bit. It's genuinely exciting and Mark Gatiss is brilliant as Bamber Gascoigne. (I still can't accept that they teams aren't really on top of each other though.)

James McAvoy is cute and charming and he carries the film really. Yes, it's perfectly predictable, but it's also perfectly enjoyable.

Friday Flick archives

Posted by Keris on July 6, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Friday Flick, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 5, 2007 3:23 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Jackie Collins

Bit of a departure this week because Diane's laid up with a migraine so I'm subbing for her!

We haven't featured Jackie Collins much here at Trashionista and we really should. Drop Dead Beautiful is her 25th book and she's got 400 million books in print worldwide. I haven't read any for a long time, I must admit, but she's a member of the elite club of books-I-read-in-one-sitting, which I'm sure she's just thrilled about. Anyway, here's Jackie on Wall Street Journal online talking about why she's just so marvellous.

[via Galleycat]

Posted by Keris on July 5, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 3, 2007 12:47 PM

Why we love Austen... or not?

An article in Salon.com (via Bookninja) suggests that the recent resurgence in popularity of Miss Jane Austen is because, as one interviewee suggests: "Everybody really wants to be Jane... to wear long ball gowns and go to dances and be genteel.” Also: we love the romance... bless our pretty little heads.

Surely there's a little more to it than that? The quality of the writing, the subtle social satire? Anyone?

Related: The Austen backlash begins.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 3, 2007 in Book Websites, British Authors, Classic Novels, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (1)

TUESDAY THREE: Overboard!

When Diane mentioned the other day that we’d recently featured a couple of books with the word “Overboard” in the title, my Tuesday 3 radar went ping! (Tuesday 3 radar, £2.99, Argos. Probably.) So grab your life jacket as I splash out on three very different overboard books!

Love Overboard,  the second of the Janet Evanovich romance novel re-releases, features Ivan who is the proud owner of a two-masted schooner, and a descendant of pirates. During the holiday season he takes a charter of passengers out every week, the success of which relies on his trusted crew. Imagine his horror when, as he's preparing to take his final trip of the season, he's greeted by Stephanie - the woman he sold his beloved family home to only a matter of weeks ago.

The story chronicles the week aboard the 'Josiah T Savage' and then the aftermath, as the season draws to a close and everyone moves back onto dry land. Ivan struggles to regain his landlegs, and has to restrain himself as Stephanie refuses to return any of the approaches he makes. And then supernatural things begin to happen... what's haunting the house?

Sarah Smiley’s Going Overboard is subtitled "The misadventures of a military wife." It's a memoir of a year in the life of Sarah, whose husband Dustin is in the navy and, in this perilous political climate, often abroad in rather dangerous situations. Which means that Sarah is home alone with their two young boys, alternately worrying herself sick and cursing her husband for having joined up in the first place.

Aimee Ferris’s debut YA novel Girl Overboard focusses on the aptly-named Marina, whose ambition is to be a Marine Biologist. Leaving her ski-loving boyfriend behind in Vermont, Marina sets out on a six-week study tour of the Caribbean, where she'll be given the opportunity to swim with and learn about sharks, turtles and dolphins. Along with the inevitable teen angst and snogging, there's a message about ecology and endangered species making Girl Overboard as educational as it is entertaining.

Posted by Keris on July 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Non Fiction, Romance, Tuesday Three, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

July 2, 2007 11:38 AM

Jordan/Katie Price gives birth

Call her what you will (glamour model, TV 'star', 'author'), but Jordan/Katie Price has given birth to her first daughter by Caesarian section at London's famous Portland Hospital. [Via Star Trip].

And! her second novel, Crystal has just been released, too: good timing!

Reports that her baby girl would be named after her new book were pooh-poohed by Jordan/Katie and her husband Peter Andre.  (Anyone know what name they did go with?)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 2, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (3)

June 29, 2007 4:29 PM

Me and Bridget Jones: Then and Now

AKA: Why I'm feeling nostalgic now cult classic week is drawing to a close, by Diane...

I remember hearing the buzz about Bridget Jones's Diary almost a decade ago.

In the autumn of 1997, I was a fledgling student of English Language and Bridget Jones, the paperback, had landed in the bestseller charts (not for the last time). "Hmm," I thought, "I might like to read that..." so, cheapo student that I was, I asked for it for Christmas. I loved that it started at Christmas/New Year, with Bridget bemoaning the exact post-Xmas anticlimax I was experiencing. I may never have tasted a sip of Chardonnay (still don't like it), been to Cafe Rouge (I finally made it last year!) or had the pleasure of Una Alconbury's turkey curry buffet (!), but I identified with Bridget, even as I knew she was exaggerated: a satirical version of all women's insecurities.

Most of all, BJ made me feel better about myself. Like her, I'd often woken up fuzzy-headed from a hangover with all my clean tights in my washing basket and the good looking but smarmy men never took ME seriously either... (but good riddance!)

Re-reading BJD recently, I was full of trepidation: would I enjoy it as much a decade on?

Thank goodness, I did. I'd forgotten how funny Helen Fielding really is (Olivia Joules put me off her for a while!) and what a charmingly confused character Bridget is. And I hated Daniel and loved Mark's Darcy-ness all over again. I read it whilst in the grip of a horrible virus, and it was the perfect pick-me-up. It was also a big nostalgia-fest: full of pop culture references from the late '90s, a time I remember very fondly. Remember when the lottery was shown during Blind date? In fact, remember Blind Date?! And Gladiators (ugh - Bridget didn't like it either).

It didn't seem like it then, but it really was a more innocent time, and we were all full of optimism abut the new government and the future of Britain.

I wonder when we'll recapture that again - and what Bridget would think of Gordon Brown...

WIN! Your copy of the book here.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 29, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Cult classic week, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (5)

Fabulous Little Black Dress competition!

Not only is it cult classic week, not only is it a year since Keris and I started at Trashionista, it's a year since the fabulous chick lit publishing imprint Little Black Dress came into existence! Such perfect synchronicity warrants a giveaway don't you think?

We do, too! That's why the lovely kind people at Little Black Dress are offering four Trashionista readers a wonderful prize: four readers will win a selection of five LBD titles.

It's a mystery (ooh!) what you'll receive, but LBD books that we've loved include The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes, Singletini , Pick Me Up and The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom, so we're sure there'll be something you'll enjoy.

To enter, simply email us the answer to this question: name one of the Little Black Dress books that we've loved. Put LBD in the subject line, and your name and address in the body of the email. Again, I'm afraid this is UK only. Good luck!

And don't forget our Bridget Jones's Diary giveaway too - she's been around a while, but she's still VERY worth (re)reading!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 29, 2007 in American Authors, British Authors, Competition, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 28, 2007 3:26 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Following my review of this wonderful book earlier today, Phillipa left a comment asking if rumours of a film are true. And they are!

Due for release next year, the screenplay has been written by David Magee who wrote Finding Neverland and Simon Beaufoy who wrote The Full Monty, so it's in pretty safe hands!

Carry on over the cut for the - possibly controversial - casting news. 

Dunebug's Amy Adams is to play Miss LaFosse and Frances 'Fargo' McDormand is Miss Pettigrew.

Yep, they're both American and I'm not sure how I feel about that. They're both great actresses, but still, weren't there any British actresses available? Or doesn't it matter?

(There are some British cast-members, including Stephanie Cole, Ciaran Hinds and Shirley Henderson.)

Posted by Keris on June 28, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (5)

Underrated cult classics

You know those cult classics that a small band of people love and a lot of others haven't even heard of? Well I'm making it my duty today to share with you some well-loved books that deserve an even wider audience. They could all be described as chick lit, so don't let the fact that none of them were written in the last 50 years hold you back from picking one up and having a darn good read!

Carry on over the cut to see my selection (and suggest your own!)

In Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford. No-one can satirise the upper classes like Nancy Mitford, and this tongue-in-cheek portrayal of an eccentric aristocratic family during World War Two is very witty and unexpectedly moving - a brilliant read.

Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M Delafield. Before Bridget Jones and prior to mum-lit, the Provincial Lady kept a 1930s diary featuring her absent-minded husband, unruly children and her own shoddy housekeeping. Tongue in cheek and very well-written, don't let the perhaps stuffy-sounding title put you off, this is a great book (with lots of sequels if you really like it!)

The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy. This will disabuse you of the fact that the past was a much more innocent era, and fast.  Sally, the American heroine of Dundy's debut novel dies her hair pink, stays out all night drinking and smoking (and avoiding drugs) and generally living the debauched, bohemian lifestyle... in the 1950s. Fab, fun and definitely chick lit-ish, this is a great summer read that a LOT more people should have read.

What do you think?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 28, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Cult classic week | Permalink | Comments (8)

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Dodie Smith

I've been meaning to "do" Dodie for some time, and as it's cult classic week on Trashionista, what better time to honour the author of one of the first, and most fabulous YA/crossover novels: I Capture The Castle. A favourite of many modern authors (as Rachel Johnson will testify), ICTC is the charming, funny and sometimes emotionally raw tale of Cassandra, a romantic 17-year old who can't wait for her first love... but who finds things don't always work out the way you expect.

Of course it's The Hundred and One Dalmatians for which Dodie became famous (and she apparently got very cross if people spelt 'dalmatian' wrongly so I checked I'd got it right!) but she yearned to be a more 'serious' writer than her best-known works would suggest. She was a huge fan of Henry James and championed many modern novelists she admired, among them a young Julian Barnes. Smith also wrote plays (best known is Dear Octopus) and was passionate about the theatre. But her talent was for more lighthearted (but very well-constructed) fiction - and there's nothing wrong with that!

In her personal life, she was a survivor: a bit of a loner, she would escape to her school's library and find company in books. Orphaned by the age of 18, she struggled at first to support herself, but clearly she survived in the end, although struggled for money in her later years, after the death of her husband Alec Beesley with whom she had a very loving (if, it is thought, purely platonic) relationship for many years.

Read this: I Capture The Castle. Plus, if you're interested in learning more about this unconventional and opinionated writer, I highly recommend Valerie Grove's wonderfully entertaining biography Dear Dodie, which is easy-to-read yet very well researched.

Trailblazer archives.

[Picture via BBC]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 28, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Cult classic week, Thursday Trailblazer, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson

Persephone Books reprints forgotten classics by twentieth-century (mostly women) writers, making them perfect for Cult Classics Week.

Written in 1938, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is the story of downtrodden middle-aged governess Miss Pettigrew, who is on the brink of homelessness. When her employment agency accidentally sends her to the home of a young woman seeking a new maid, Miss Pettigrew gets caught up in a day that changes her life forever.

The woman, glamorous cabaret singer Miss LaFosse, is Miss Pettigrew's complete opposite, so they really shouldn't get on, but they do. Under Miss LaFosse's influence, Miss Pettigrew's finds herself doing things she's never done before: wearing make-up and fancy clothes, drinking cocktails, dancing at a nightclub and really living for the first time.

With each chapter divided into hourly time periods you find yourself not wanting the day to end.

In her wonderful book, The Shops, India Knight called Miss Pettigrew "the sweetest grown-up book in the world" and she was right. It's a lovely, charming book and a quick and easy read. Perfect for a plane journey, if you're off on your hols.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne

Posted by Keris on June 28, 2007 in British Authors, Cult classic week, Debut Novels, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (6)

June 27, 2007 6:32 PM

WIN! A copy of Bridget Jones's Diary

You've read the review (haven't you?!), you've probably seen the film and read (and watched) the sequel, but would you like to win a brand spanking new movie tie-in version? Yes? That's good, 'cos we have five to give away thanks to the lovely people at Picador!

Here's what to do to be in with a chance of winning: just send us an email with "Bridget" in the title, and your name and address in the body of the email (so we can send you a book if you win). Sorry, UK only.

Look out for more fabulous giveaways in the next few days - there's something for everyone, coming up on Trashionista! 

Posted by Aigua Media on June 27, 2007 in Announcements, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Cult classic week, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK REVIEW: Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

You may have heard of this one... can anyone reading Trashionista not have read this book (if so, why?)

Although Marian Keyes's Watermelon was technically the first chick-lit book, Bridget Jones's Diary (BJD) started as a column in the Independent a year before Watermelon was published. Helen Fielding's modern (cult) classic captured the zeitgeist of a generation, introducing us to Mark Darcy, Daniel Cleaver, Una Alconbury, the concept of f***wittage and the importance of Chardonnay.

Plus it introduced us to one of the literary heroine of the nineties: Miss Bridget Jones...

In case you don't know the storyline, a quick reminder: Bridget Jones keeps a diary of her year, which starts with her being introduced to a snobbish man she instantly hates, Mark Darcy, progresses via disastrous dinner dates, job humiliations and bad boyfriends like Daniel Cleaver until she ends up with the man who was right for her all along...

I re-read the book for this review, so I could give it a fair rating and check that nostalgia hadn't made me remember it as better than it was. Not only was it at least as good as I'd remembered, it's actually got better with time: the cultural references may not be as relevant, but Bridget's insecurities and observations may be even truer now than back when this was published. (Women seem to go to even greater lengths to try to please men, for a start...) None of us know what classic s will still be in print (if we still have print books) in a hundred years time. But BJD definitely deserves to be one of them. It's a cult and a classic.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Cause Celeb by Helen Fielding.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 27, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Cult classic week, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (9)

What Bridget Jones taught us...

To whet your appetite for my review of Bridget Jones's Diary and a very special cult classic week competition, I thought I'd share: What I learned from Bridget Jones.

Here's just a few of the lessons the cult heroine shared with us. From her failures, we all can learn...

That mini-breaks are the height of romance/the ultimate test for a relationship.

Never to take fancy dress invitations too literally.

The older generation conducts extra-marital affairs via department store coffee shops.

Never wrap meat in blue string.

Always check for post under the interior doormat.

1471 is not your friend.

Lotto scratch cards, smoothies, cigarettes, mini pizzas and alcohol can all be extremely addictive...

The man called Darcy is always the hero.

Are there any  I've missed?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 27, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Cult classic week, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 26, 2007 5:17 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Heading South by Luke Bitmead and Catherine Richards

I love the idea of books written by a man and woman together - Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer - you generally get both perspectives (male and female, that is) convincingly. Heading South is different. While it's written by a man and woman, Luke Bitmead and Catherine Richards conceived the idea to see if they could write convincingly as the opposite sex, i.e. Luke wrote as Cassie and Catherine as Nick. Luke and Catherine met via an online writing forum, but had never met in person when Luke tragically died last October, aged just 34.

Heading South doesn't have an enormous amount of plot. Basically Cassie is an artist, living in the Gloucestershire countryside with a menagerie of animals. She loves her life and her friends, but she hasn't yet found the right man. Nick lives in Sheffield and is nursing a broken heart. He's been unceremoniously dumped by his fiance and he's lost his job. But when a friend looks him up and invites himself to visit his family and new business in Gloucestershire, Nick finds himself heading south...

To begin with I didn't think I was going to be able to keep reading this book. Cassie is the most incredibly twee character I've read for a long time. I did like her, but she's so desperately, painfully sweet that I really struggled to identify with her (her pets are named after the AA Milne stories: a dog called Pooh, pheasant named Eeyore, even a horse called Christopher Robin). I found Nick more convincing than Cassie, but not particularly special. I liked him, but I didn't fall in love with him.

I never would have guessed that each character had been written by the author of the opposite sex, though, so Richards and Bitmead were certainly successful in their endeavour. 

Heading South is nothing new, but it was a bit like an old-fashioned respite from the real world. During the day, I found myself looking forward to getting back to it and losing myself in a world where women say "Crumbs!"

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Come Together by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees

Posted by Keris on June 26, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 25, 2007 7:25 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby

Nick Hornby came to most women's attention (sorry to be gender biased, but I think that's true!) with High Fidelity, his excellent lad lit novel about a music obsessive and his estranged girlfriend.

But if you haven't read Fever Pitch, you've missed a trick. The memoir of Hornby's obsession with Arsenal might be a bit much if you're a mad-keen Chelsea or Man Utd. supporter, or if you're American and think football's called soccer...(I tease!) but even if you're not a fan of the 'beautiful game', there's still a lot to enjoy in this book. It's a raw and touching story abut the power of sport to transform the emotions and the sense of belonging and bonding that football can provide. Even if you don't like sport, it's hard not to be won over by Hornby's enthusiasm and the excitement and tension at the end of the book is palpable.

I admit, I wouldn't ahve picked this book up had I not loved High Fideltity, or if it wasn't handy on my Dad's bookshelf. But I'm so very, very glad I did.

It's a cult classic of the footie field and beyond!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 25, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Cult classic week, Memoirs, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Prize Winners, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

June 19, 2007 1:25 PM

TUESDAY THREE: Grandmothers

We’ve looked at sisters and mothers and daughters, so surely it must be time for grandmothers... Why, yes, it is!

When the nameless first-person narrator of Alice Hoffman’s The Ice Queen is eight she is upset with her mother one day, so when her mum goes out for the evening, she wishes for her never to return. She doesn't: she dies in a car crash and she and her brother Ned go to live with their grandmother. From then onwards, our narrator is convinced she has a gift: when she wishes for something bad, it always happens - but she can't seem to stop herself from wishing.

In adulthood, she half-heartedly wishes to be hit by lightning, and then she is. It has strange and devastating  physical consequences including colorblindness, limping and pain. But in other ways, it begins a new and exciting chapter in her life - especially when she meets mysterious fellow lightning strike survivor Lazarus Jones - a man who is literally too hot to touch...

Kate Jacobs' The Friday Night Knitting Club is the charming story of Georgia Walker - single mother to a mixed-race daughter, Dakota, and proprietor of a knitting shop in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Encouraged by Georgia’s mentor, Anita, and assistant, Peri, local women begin to gather in the shop on a Friday evening to chat, knit and eat treats cooked by 12-year-old Dakota ... and The Friday Night Knitting Club is born.

But then Dakota’s father James reappears on the scene wanting a relationship not only with Dakota, but with Georgia too. Georgia’s former best friend, Cat, also turns up, unsatisfied with her glamorous life. Everything seems to be changing and Georgia’s not sure she’s ready so she takes a trip to the UK to visit her grandmother and educate Dakota about her background.

More knitting in Gil McNeil’s Divas Don’t Knit, which features Jo Mackenzie, a widow with two young sons, and she's had enough of London. Needing a change to get over the shock of losing her husband (even though he was about to leave her), she takes up her grandmother's invitation to move to the country and take over the running of the family's wool shop...

Posted by Keris on June 19, 2007 in American Authors, British Authors, Debut Novels, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (4)

Win five fab books with Shiny Shiny!

As if all the Trashionista competitions we give you aren't enough (some very exciting ones coming soon, I promise!), our sister site Shiny Shiny is giving readers the chance to win FIVE fab Friday Project books, including A Girl Called Madonna and Confessions of a Chatroom Freak.

Find out more, including how to enter, by directing your mouse in this direction.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 19, 2007 in Announcements, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Competition, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 18, 2007 11:26 AM

New baby for Lisa Jewell

Congratulations to author Lisa Jewell on the birth of her second daughter, Evie. Read all about her here.

Related posts: 31 Dream Street review | Vince and Joy review | Ralph's Party review

Posted by Keris on June 18, 2007 in British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

MORE ON MONDAY: In Search of Adam by Caroline Smailes

Caroline Smailes' debut novel In Search of Adam is the first novel to be released by The Friday Project, who were set up to discover books via blogs.

It's the story of Jude who, aged six, finds her mother dead from an overdose and  a note that reads, "Jude. I have gone in search of Adam. I love you baby." Written in the first person, we learn how Jude struggles without her mother, wonders about Adam and suffers physical, sexual and emotional abuse from both family and strangers. The abuse leads Jude into obsession, compulsions, self-harm and bulimia.

In Search of Adam made me cry, it made me furious. It made me wonder how anyone can bring themselves to write such a painful book. (I couldn't read it in the evenings because I knew I wouldn't have been able to sleep.) And then reading the notes at the end I discovered that there was so much more to the book that I hadn't even understood and it made me admire the author even more.

I ached for Jude. I wanted to take care of her. Or at least I wanted someone, anyone to take care of her. I almost cheered when she got a teacher who understood and treated Jude with kindness and respect, and I wanted the teacher to take on Jude's parents, but then Jude moved through school and had no-one again.

Another reviewer has said that In Search of Adam will do for child abuse what Mark Haddon did for autism. I agree. I also think it's an incredibly important book. I see great things. They're all deserved.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

Posted by Keris on June 18, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, More On Monday, New Releases, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 14, 2007 5:50 PM

Is Kerry Katona the new Jordan?

It seems like she's trying to be, according to Galleycat: she's releasing a ghost-written novel about a "glamour" model whose life takes a downward turn... called Tough Love, it's out in October this year and er... sounds just the tiniest bit familiar.

I'm sure Iceland shoppers will be queuing in the aisles for a copy... maybe.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 14, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (4)

BOOK REVIEW: The Big Fat Bitch Book For Girls by Kate Figes

This week, I read The Big Fat Bitch Book For Girls... or did I read The Big Fat Bitch Book for Grown-Up Girls? Yes, this is one of those confusing, split-in-half books that you turn upside down halfway through: one side is aimed at teenage girls, the other at women. And that's not the only confusing aspect of this book (but more on that later)...

The Big Fat Bitch Book... is an interesting and worthwhile idea: it's a look at the history of bitching in life and on the big and small screens as well as an exploration of the role of bitching in women's lives. Is it an important bonding experience - or a form of bullying that hurts far more than physical aggression? Kate Figes shows that bitching can be both.

Back to the confusion thing, though - the book is an odd mix of iconic bitchy quotes from stars like Bette Davis and Joan Crawford (those legendary feuders!) and films like Mean Girls and Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf... mixed in with devastating stories of the effect truly bitchy behaviour can have on girls' and women's self esteem. This would have been better as a study of bitchery which asked us all to be a bit nicer or as a book for teenage girls (or their mothers) about how to cope with bullying bitching. OR it could have been devoted to good-natured bitching without delving into the darker side. It's hard to read about a fifteen year-old who self harms because of the bitchy remarks of girls at school and then to laugh about Katharine Hepburn slagging off Shirley Temple, for example. It seems like Kate Figes's argument is enjoy bitching... but not too much. It's a confusing message. If your moral argument is we all need to think more about what we say, don't then glorify hurtful remarks, however iconic.

I also didn't like the two books in one deal - I think it meant some of the material was repeated and while it's a fun gimmick, again, it meant the book wasn't very (my watchword of the week!) cohesive.

While I may seem very criticial, I did for the most part enjoy this book, even as I found its messages more than mixed. (But I mean that in the kindest possible way...)

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Watching the English by Kate Fox

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 14, 2007 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Opinion, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 12, 2007 7:48 PM

JK Rowling honoured with Blue Peter special!

Surely all wannabe women writers relate/aspire to JK Rowling's rags to riches story, especially as she seems like such a jolly nice lady (sorry, went a bit Enid Blyton there).

Blue Peter obviously thinks highly of her too as they're honouring the famously reclusive author with a special edition of the kids's programme (but you can watch it too, we won't tell..) Children can even enter a BBC competition to attend the filming - find out how here if you know someone who might be interested.

The programme will air on 20 July, the day before the next Harry Potter is released.

[Via TV Scoop].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 12, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Series, Television, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 11, 2007 9:37 AM

GUEST BLOG: Claire Allan

Claire Allan's been blogging about the build up to the release of her debut novel, Rainy Days & Tuesdays for us and now it's finally here... almost.

Not long now!

It now seems real. In approximately two and a half weeks time, copies of my book will be leaving the comfort of Amazon and Poolbeg and winging their way around the country and into the arms of eager readers. (Hopefully.) 

Each day brings a new request from my publishers – describe my book in 25 words, send some family snaps, meet with a book seller, etc., etc., and I’m starting to get very, very excited.

There is a wee bubble in the pit of my stomach that rises up every now and again and reminds me that my dream is finally coming true.

In three weeks time I’ll be walking into shops in Ireland and saying, “That’s my book” in a loud voice and watching to see if anyone buys it.

It’s going to be busy – there is no doubt about that. I’m taking three weeks off from the day job to go on the publicity/ promotion trail in Ireland and I’ll definitely be working outside of my comfort zone.

Writers by their very nature are solitary creatures. I can produce some pretty sparkling dialogue admittedly, but generally only in the comfort of my own home and on screen.

Put me in front of a real live person and expect me to act all dazzling and impressive and you could be in for a shock. Spending as much time as I do writing books, I seem to actually have lost the ability to form coherent sentences when speaking to people.

For example, I’ve had my first glossy magazine interview (for Northern Woman in Northern Ireland) and rather foolishly perhaps had a couple of glasses of wine with an author friend first for Dutch courage.

Cue me, a little tipsy, waffling on about how much I love Marian Keyes and how I have a rather embarrassing habit of making friends on the internet as opposed to in real life. The lovely interviewer lady laughed a lot, but I’m not sure if it was with me or at me. Needless to say the finished article will make for interesting reading.

I’ve also carried out an interview for one of the big Irish nationals about the rise of "Mum Lit" – Rainy Days & Tuesdays falling quite squarely into this category. “Bridget Jones has grown up,” I said confidently – not sure which infinitely wiser and wittier author I was ripping off.

But, I suppose I should just try to be me. My book is written now - done and dusted – and I can only hope people like it and like me into the bargain. And if they don’t, I can always put 2007 down as one of the most interesting and exciting years of my life.

Good luck, Claire!

Posted by Keris on June 11, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Guest blogs, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 8, 2007 10:52 AM

Phillipa Ashley's Decent Exposure wins the Joan Hessayon New Writers' Scheme Award

Phillipa Ashley has won the Romantic Novelists' Association's Joan Hessayon New Writers' Scheme Award for her debut novel Decent Exposure.

The award is presented to the best debut novel each year to have come through the RNA's New Writers' Scheme and been accepted for publication.

We'll be reviewing Decent Exposure soon.

Related posts: Little Black Dress | Rosie Thomas wins Romantic Novel of the Year 2007

Posted by Keris on June 8, 2007 in Book News, British Authors, Debut Novels, Prize Winners, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 7, 2007 5:45 PM

Deborah Moggach on the Tulip Fever adaptation

In an article in The Times, author Deborah Moggach explains how the film adaptation of her novel, Tulip Fever, became a bit of a 'mare.

Related posts: Adaptation | Based on the novel by... | Deborah Moggach on the new Jane Austen covers

Posted by Keris on June 7, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 6, 2007 11:24 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Two Lipsticks and a Lover by Helena Frith Powell

When Helena Frith Powell moved to France from England she found that the difference between her and the French women around her was glaringly obvious: they all looked effortlessly stylish - and she didn't.

So in Two Lipsticks and a Lover she sets out to find out what is it that gives the French their certain Je Ne Sais Quoi, covering topics from fashion to affairs to the French attitude to sex (much more intellectual than the British one, apparently) .

iI found this a really enjoyable read. What could have been a very superficial book is made more interesting by the inclusion of just the right amount of facts about French food, culture and history. However I couldn't help feeling that maybe Frith Powell buys into the beauty myth a bit too much, being very disparaging about a woman she sees with unshaved armpits. (After all, there's no law that says we have to defuzz all over and spend hundreds of euros a year on face creams, is there? - If there was I might be writing this from the slammer!)

Take it all with a pinch of salt, however, and you might learn something and perhaps even, as the cover promises, 'Unlock your inner French woman...'

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 6, 2007 in British Authors, Fashion-Lit, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

US Vogue editor Anna Wintour champions Fiona Neill's 'Slummy Mummy'

A more unlikely pairing I have yet to hear of! The perfectly-groomed Anna "Nuclear" Wintour, inspiration for the boss in The Devil Wears Prada, couldn't be much further from Lucy Sweeney, the heroine of Fiona Neill's The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy, who's often to be found in a state of utter frazzlement.

Yet the latest issue of Vogue features an excerpt of the book, with Wintour saying it "plays with the chaos and comedy of 30-something metropolitan maternity and brings it to an unexpectedly moving conclusion". The book is out in the US on 5 July, and couldn't have had a better endorsement. [Via The Independent, via Booktrade info].

I told you chick lit and fashion were inextricably linked!

Fashion Lit archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 6, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 5, 2007 5:11 PM

TUESDAY THREE: Working in PR

The cliched idea of chick lit often touted by the snooty press is a PR girl in the city, looking for a man... Well, you know, all cliches have an element of truth, and this week's three books all feature heroines working in PR.

Heaven Albright, heroine of Caprice Crane’s Stupid and Contagious has a brilliant PR career until she's unfairly dismissed. Procrastinating about starting her own agency, she takes a waitressing job in a trendy restaurant. Independent (and unsuccessful) record company owner Brady Gilbert leaves his psycho girlfriend and moves into the apartment next door to Heaven's. Of course they don't get on at all to begin with. Heaven doesn't think Brady's all there and Brady thinks she's crazy, but from the very beginning the reader knows they're made for each other. Stupid and Contagious is extremely funny, it made me cry and when I finished it I could happily have turned back to the first page and started it again.

Piece of Work is Laura Zigman's fourth novel after a four year absence. It's the story of Julia Einstein, who gave up a stressful but stimulating job in PR to have and raise her baby boy Leo. But now Leo is three and about to start pre-school, and Julia's husband Peter has been "downsized" from his job and seems in no hurry to get back to work. So Julia reluctantly dips her toe back into the world of work...

Jane Green’s Mr Maybe tells the story of Libby. She's a 27 year old working in PR, desperate to find a suitable man. She's not fussy, just as long as he's drop dead gorgeous, filthy rich, owns a large house in one of the most desirable areas of London, drives a flashy car, and dresses like he's just stepped off the catwalk at the latest Armani fashion show. The story centres around Libby's relationships with  two men - one of whom fits her ideal and another who really, really doesn’t - and her struggle to decide on what actually matters in making a successful relationship.

Posted by Keris on June 5, 2007 in American Authors, British Authors, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (2)

GUEST BLOG and GIVEAWAY!: Katie Fforde

Katie Fforde, veteran chick lit writer, writes exclusively for  us about her new book, Going Dutch (find out how to bag a copy over the cut!) and...

Why sailing floats my boat by Katie Fforde

Ideas for books sometimes take you by surprise.  Going Dutch is a combination of two ideas, neither of which I'd really considered before.

The first idea came when I was chatting with some other writers about older heroines.  Although I didn't say so at the time I thought the last thing I wanted to do was to write about a women who was fifty.  Wondering why, I felt it was because I am quite settled in my life at that age and therefore wasn't interesting material.  Then I thought about the many women whose lives change drastically at that age and suddenly I did want to write about one.

We've had Accacia, our Dutch barge about five years now and I knew one day I'd have to write about her, but for me settings like that have to 'cook ' a bit in my mind before they're ready to be put into books.  When I'd had the idea about the older women, which I was worried could be a bit too similar to many other books if I wasn't careful, I thought, 'put the poor woman on a barge to make things a bit different!' 

There's a lot of Jo in me, or should that be the other way round? I love our barge, love all boats really, but only when they're safely tied up and I'm drinking a gin and tonic or something. The last thing I would ever want to do is go for a sea voyage in one. Going down the Thames and up the Medway was quite exciting enough for me. (It really was exciting coming home when there was a very thick early morning mist and we couldn't see a thing.)

It was after we'd got to Chatham that I endured the boat inspection bit which I put in the book. I was frantically editing at the time, perched on a high stool in my little cabin. Every time I heard anyone approach I leaped off my stool, closed the lid of my laptop and emerged with a smile on my face, wondering what had happened to the saloon since I’d last tidied it. I’d rather foolishly bulk bought Roses’s chocolates at an outlet store and had them sitting round in bowls for people to eat. No one was allowed off the boat without a handful, but we still didn’t win the Best Barge competition. It was a bit like comparing your very ancient, ill kempt old mongrel to a thoroughly groomed Afghan hound at a dog show.

If that's whetted (or wetted - ha ha) your appetite, email your name and address to editor@trashionista.com (with 'Katie' in the title) and three lucky readers will be chosen to win a copy of Katie Fforde's latest, Going Dutch! SORRY - UK only this time.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 5, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Guest blogs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 4, 2007 12:24 PM

MOVIE NEWS: The Old Curiosity Shop

A good old-fashioned British film, this adaptation: Charles Dickens' The Old Curiosity Shop will star Derek Jacobi, Zoe Wanamaker, Martin Freeman and Gina McKee.

And, as our sister site Corrieblog reports, Bradley Walsh, aka: Danny Baldwin will also star.

Movie news archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 4, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Movie News, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 1, 2007 12:06 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Romeo + Juliet

Before Baz Luhrmann decided to make Moulin Rouge (not to mention one of the worst ads of all time), he burst into movie-making with this colourful adaptation which brought Shakespeare bang up-to-date whilst keeping the original language.

To say that it's dazzling would be an understatement: a modern soundtrack, technicolour sets, NYPD Blue-style camera work and the chemistry between a pre-Titanic Leo Dicaprio and a post-My So-Called Life Claire Danes made this a modern classic (based on a classic classic...)

It's fun, fabulous, and educational - what more could you want?!

Like this (but not even an eighth as good): Marie Antoinette.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 1, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

May 30, 2007 10:02 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Wannabe a Writer? by Jane Wenham-Jones

The book also has a website.

[Luisa Plaja]

Posted by Keris on May 30, 2007 in British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

May 29, 2007 1:28 PM

TUESDAY THREE: Yummy mummies

Ah, the modern phenomenon of the Yummy Mummy. Two words likely to make most mothers want to punch someone repeatedly. As with any phenomenon, Yummy Mummyness soon turned up in fiction, but thankfully the following books are skewering rather than embracing the idea.

Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy is narrated by Lucy Sweeney, whose housekeeping and organisation skills are on the lax, not to say slovenly side. Her husband despairs of her, as she turns up at the school gates in her pyjamas, locks herself out of the house, runs out of petrol at inconvenient times and loses her credit card, only to locate it later in the fridge - after it's been cancelled!

With three young sons to look after, Lucy knows she has to pull herself together, especially as the presence of Yummy Mummy and Alpha Mummy at the school gate always make her feel bad about herself. Then Sexy Domesticated Dad joins the PTA, and Lucy starts to enjoy the school run. But it's just some harmless flirting... isn't it?

Anyone who has ever looked in the mirror six months after becoming a mother and not recognised the shell of a woman looking back will relate to the gloriously funny, warm and poignant Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy by Polly Williams.

Amy Crane may have become a mother, but in all other respects she has lost her identity and she struggles to reconcile her love for her gorgeous baby girl Evie with old life as a career girl, lover and friend. She bounces between two groups of friends - the NCT mothers who don't feel fulfilled without a baby strapped to their boobs, and the yummy mummies with the designer prams and designer children.

Ultimately she falls under the spell of the super glamorous Alice who sets about co-ordinating 'Project Amy' - a makeover to ensure the new mum gets her groove back. At the same time she struggles to keep her relationship together with Joe, who she suspects cheated on her while she was heavily pregnant.

Will Project Amy be a success? Will  her relationship with survive? Will her eyebrows ever grow back?

Fran, heroine of Maria Beaumont’s Motherland used to have a fab career as a voiceover artist. She used to be madly in love with her husband, Richard. She used to be cool, calm and in control. And then she had kids. Frightened half to death at the idea of going back to work, cutting herself off from her two best friends and alienating her husband - plus the small matter of drinking so much that she forgets to pick her kids up from school - watch as Fran hits rock bottom and then drags herself back up again.

Posted by Keris on May 29, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (0)

Living with a writer: mixing art with life...

I love Sue Hepworth's blog, and while I was reading recently, came across this story which illustrates what it's like living with an author... (Gus is the hero of Plotting for Beginners, just to give you the context). Poor writers' spouses...

Related: Top 10 books I reviewed in 2006.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 29, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 25, 2007 2:22 PM

In Search of Adam book trailer

Not long ago we interviewed the lovely Caroline Smailes. Her debut novel, In Search of Adam, is out on the 15 June. Check out the teaser trailer. It gave me the shivers.

Related posts: Step On It, Cupid trailer | Pa-pa pahhhhh...pa!

Posted by Keris on May 25, 2007 in Book News, British Authors, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK NEWS: Lost for Words by Lorelei Mathias

Lorelei Mathias, author of Step On It, Cupid (the book with the best trailer we've seen!) has a new book out now in hardcover and out in July in paperback. Called Lost for Words, it's the story of Daisy, who knows she's in love - she just doesn't know who with! Sounds like fun...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 25, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 24, 2007 10:16 AM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Bernice Rubens

Bernice Rubens was a class act, even if the same couldn't always be said for her characters! (See the suicidal woman whose life is turned around by her diary in A Five Year Sentence for an example).

Rubens died in 2004, aged 76, having just completed her autobiography (great timing! - see, classy). Like Marian Keyes, she began writing at the age of 30 (having worked as a teacher and then a film-maker first) but then threw herself into it, writing twenty four novels plus her memoir, When I Grow Up. She won the Booker Prize in 1970 for her book The Elected Member, which established her as one of the best writers of her generation.

She was simply a great writer, with the capacity to create memorable if often odd characters and fascinating scenarios. She was also rather opinionated, laying into Martin Amis for writing a novel about the Holocaust that she found inappropriate. She described her writing as "Better than most, not as good as some." And she was probably right.

Read this: Madame Sousatzka (which appears to be shamefully out of print).

SUGGEST A TRAILBLAZER! Who would you like to see here next Thursday? Leave a comment and let us know - or if you're shy email us instead.

Trailblazer archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 24, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Memoirs, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (3)

May 22, 2007 10:03 AM

The Daily Mail book club features Julie Myerson (and more!)

It may not be my favourite newspaper (no offence to its readers!) but the book coverage at the Daily Mail keeps getting better. Their book club choice for May is The Story of You by Julie Myerson, and you can read more about the book and its author here.

If you want to get ahead, their June pick is The Vanishing Act Of Esme Lennox by Maggie O’Farrell and upcoming authors include More on Monday favourites Bill Bryson and Marina Lewycka (with her new novel, Two Caravans).

Don't forget you still have until July 2nd to enter their first novel competition, too.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 22, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 18, 2007 10:13 AM

The Melissa Nathan award for Comedy Romance

Chick lit fans may know that tragically, popular author Melissa Nathan died in April 2006, aged just 37.

Before she died, she lay out the terms for a prize to be awarded in her name:  The Melissa Nathan award for Comedy Romance shortlist has now been announced.

The finalists include Jill Mansell, Polly Williams, and of course... Marian Keyes.

Carry on over the cut for the full list and more details.

The award ceremony will be held in London on 13th June 2007, and you can read the full list of nominees here.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 18, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Irish Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 16, 2007 4:38 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Gil McNeil

Having recently really enjoyed Gil McNeil's fourth novel, Divas Don't Knit, I'm delighted that she's chatting with us today. Find out her favourite female heroine, her tips for aspiring writers and what she's working on next by reading on...

Please describe your latest book [Divas Don't Knit] in 15 words or fewer:

Can you knit yourself a new life when your old one starts to unravel?

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

Mostly at home at my kitchen table, or in my office upstairs but pretty much anywhere I can find a pen.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Usually the one I’ve just finished, but my favourite writers (who I return to whenever I want a treat) include Jane Austen, Anne Tyler, Nancy Mitford,  Jilly Cooper, and Mary Wesley.

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

Again, too many for a neat list, but definitely Bridget Jones, Miss Marple, and Elizabeth Bennett.

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

Read as widely as you can, and stick at it.

What are you reading at the moment?

When I’m writing I tend to read non-fiction. At the moment I’m reading a mixture of travel and knitting books.

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

The sequel to Divas Don’t Knit.

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

Would you be interested in all-expenses paid trip to a luxury hotel somewhere fabulous so you can tell our readers how lovely it was?

Yes, no one's ever asked me that, either... Thanks Gil!

[Photo © Jerry Bauer]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 16, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Fashion-Lit, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

"Unconfident and hideous"? You too could be a writing success story!

I loved this quote from The Guardian's interview with literary novelist Charlotte Mendelson: "I wasn't posh and I wasn't confident, and I was really hideous".

Isn't it comforting to know that even published authors who are critically revered have their crises of confidence too, and don't necessarily have an easy life? (Although I have to say she hardly looks hideous now...)

Her book When We Were Bad is out now.

Related: Book related| Author interviews

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 16, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 15, 2007 6:47 PM

Chick lit on TV Scoop

We love rambling on about chick lit, as you know, and today I'm rambling providing a useful and insightful summary of the latest chick lit TV projects over on TV Scoop.

So if you've missed any TV news over the last couple of months, this will catch you up!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Snowbooks

We don't usually recommend particular publishers, but Snowbooks is definitely worthy of a special mention. They're a small press, so turn out just a handful of books each year - but they're all of very good quality. So far we've reviewed Taking The Plunge, Drugs are Nice, Mama Lama Ding Dong and one of my favourite books of last year, Plotting for Beginners.

Not only that, but Snowbooks have a beautifully designed website, with a very interesting blog.

And you can catch up with them on Myspace and Twitter, too!

Related: Literature... on Twitter? | Trashionista Recommends.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wannabe a Writer? Head to Charing Cross Road this Saturday

Where better to launch a new book called Wannabe a Writer? than London's most literary address, Charing Cross Road?

Fiction author Jane Wenham-Jones will be signing copies of her new non-fiction book, and also giving out a bit of advice to aspiring writers. Other authors who have contributed to the book will also be there, including Maria McCarthy.

Head to Borders on Charing Cross Road this coming Saturday between 12-4 if you're interested.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 15, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 9, 2007 5:19 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Rowan Coleman

I was amazed to find that we haven't reviewed any of British author Rowan Coleman's books. Her first book, Growing Up Twice, was one of those put-the-world-on-hold books for me, so it's a shocking oversight. Don't worry, it'll be remedied soon, but in the meantime, Rowan's been kind enough to answer our questions.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer.

Five Women and one man find friendship, love, themselves and more at THE BABY GROUP.

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

I have bought an expensive desk and an expensive chair so I will sit at them whether I like it or not. (In bed.)

Your favourite chick-lit book?

It has to be Bridget Jones's Diary, you can't beat the best.

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

Jane Eyre, passionate, fiery go-getting and brave and all in crinoline! A woman (and a writer) way ahead of her time.

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

Write everyday, it's amazing how many people I meet who want to be writers but don't actually write anything.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Americanisation of my book The Accidental Mother. Sorry but it's true! No time to read for fun right now.

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

I'm working on my next book, I can't tell you what it's about - not EXACTLY sure yet myself.

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

Do you base your books on your own life and experiences? No I'm joking, I get asked THAT one all the time. No-one has ever asked me if I'd like David Tennant's Phone Numbers. And the answer is Yes.

Thanks, Rowan (a woman with excellent taste!).

Posted by Keris on May 9, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (0)

Simon & Schuster to launch author videos site

Publishers Simon & Schuster are to launch a new video website with news and insight from some of their best-loved authors (Jennifer Weiner, perhaps?)

Called BookVideos.tv, it will launch in June. [Via Galleycat]

Technology archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 9, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 8, 2007 11:48 AM

BOOK REVIEW: More Than Love Letters by Rosy Thornton

As the title of Rosy Thornton’s debut would suggest, More Than Love Letters consists of letters, emails, newspaper articles, minutes of meetings, and more. I love Meg Cabot’s epistolary novels - including Boy Meets Girl - but could More Than Love Letters match up?

In a word, yes. Margaret Hayton is a primary school teacher saddled with what she thinks is an old person’s name. Her name helps her local MP, Richard Slater, assume she’s an interfering old biddy who feels compelled to write to him about everything from dog muck in the local park to VAT on sanitary protection to the EU Emissions Trading Directive. Once Richard realises that Margaret’s actually young - and gorgeous - he becomes more interested in both her and her causes.

Interspersed with the story of Margaret and Richard's burgeoning relationship is that of the girls living in the women’s refuge Margaret volunteers at (called, fantastically, Women of Ipswich Together Combating Homelessness or "WITCH"). Domestic violence, bereavement, immigration and asylum seeking all are touched upon in a genuinely thought-provoking way.

Like A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, More Than Love Letters manages to balance serious issues with being the funniest book I’ve read for a while (since this one, in fact). I don’t quite know why it hasn’t been given the same attention as Marina Lewycka’s novel (actually, the chick lit cover - featuring, yes, butterflies - probably has something to do with it), but I highly recommend it!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian (non chick lit) or Rachel’s Holiday (chick lit)

Posted by Keris on May 8, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

See some stylish book reviews over on Catwalk Queen

I say 'see' rather than 'read' because lovely CQ editor Kim and her (and our) ed-in-chief Gemma have made a video in which they review some fashionable releases.

The books include The Goddess Guide and The Cheap Date Guide to Style and you'll have to watch it to see what they think.

I'm just glad no-one's asked me to make a video yet...

Fashion Lit archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 8, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction, Technology | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 4, 2007 2:34 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Home by Julie Myerson

I knew from the moment I first heard about it that I would love Julie Myerson's book, Home. The story of everyone who ever lived in her house? Who wouldn't want to know that? And I know, from reading one of her novels, Something Might Happen, what an amazing writer she is. So I sat down to read Home with anticipation and, if I hadn't had responsibilities, I wouldn't have got up again until I'd finished it.

Home is not just the story of everyone who lived in the Myersons' Victorian house, it's also Julie's story and the story of how books like this come to be written. So we learn about the residents - their fascinating and sometimes incredible stories - and we learn how Julie researched it all, how she chose to expand on the facts she found. All the little details that add up to make this book completely fascinating.

Researching the history of her own home also piqued Julie's interest in the homes she'd had in the past and so she goes back to visit them and, in doing so, reveals her own history and how homes shape memories (and, I suppose, memories shape homes).

It's an incredible, joyful, inspiring and life-affirming book. I couldn't read it quick enough but also didn't want it to end.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try But Enough About Me by Jancee Dunn

Posted by Keris on May 4, 2007 in British Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

FRIDAY FLICK: Iris

This week's Friday Flick is inspired by yesterday's Trailblazer, Iris Murdoch. Yes, it's Iris: the film.

Based on the first in John Bayley's trilogy of books about his late wife, Iris covers Murdoch's life from university (where she met John) to her descent into Alzheimer's. Although moving, it stops short of being depressing, and is instead a great tribute to the author - illustrating what a talented, vibrant woman she once was. Kate Winslet plays her wonderfully. As she becomes older, and more ill, she's played by Judi Dench, who looks astonishingly like Iris and portrays her with brilliant subtlety. There are moments of great humour, even in her illness, and very touching times with John, too.

In short, it's a very good, absorbing, moving film.

But carry on over the cut for my one slight beef about it...

For some reason, Hugh Bonneville, who plays the young John, didn't get as much recognition as the older John, Jim Broadbent, who won an Oscar (Dench and Winslet were also nominated), but he's very good. Perhaps that's because the male actors, despite not looking that alike, blend so well into each other. Perhaps his name could be added to the next version of the DVD cover...?

Like this (in that it also won Oscars): The English Patient.

Friday Flick archives. - We'll have something a bit more frivolous next week, I promise!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 4, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Friday Flick, Memoirs | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 3, 2007 6:29 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Iris Murdoch

Iris Murdoch has become best known now for her descent into Alzheimer's disease and the portrayal of her by Kate Winslet and Judi Dench in the 2002 film Iris. But there was a lot more to this superbly-talented writer than a sad decline into disease.

Murdoch had a brilliant brain: in his book Iris, her husband John Bayley describes her working process. She would lock herself in her study, hard at work on her novel, for weeks on end. Then she'd emerge, relieved. She'd finished the novel now, she'd tell him... she just had to write it all down. Ironically, she had a marvellous memory and could store complex plots in her head before setting it all down on paper.  She studied at Oxford, where she met her husband and several other lovers (whether any of those relationships continued into her marriage is a matter of some - prurient - speculation).

She wrote plays and poetry too, but is best known for her novels: she wrote twenty-six between 1954 and 1995, winning the Booker Prize in 1978 (for The Sea, The Sea).

Born in 1919, she died in 1999. Murdoch's literary legacy will live on, though - many consider her one of the most significant British writers of the twentieth century, and anyone wanting to become a novelist could do a lot worse than to read and absorb her words and study (and enjoy) her storytelling technique - it's close to flawless. Hugely erudite, her books are influenced by everything from metaphyscics to the Bible... but they're also easy to read and understand even if you don't get all the references. And they will make you think.

Read this: Under The Net.

Thursday Trailblazer archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 3, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Prize Winners, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (1)

Meet Adele Parks

Adele Parks' new book Young Wives Tales is out today - today! - and over the next couple of weeks Adele will be out and about promoting it.

Interestingly, many of her appearances are at coffee shops rather than book shops. Is this the future, I wonder? And, if it is, what do you think about it?

Related posts: From Starbucks to Starbooks | Virtual bookshops

Posted by Keris on May 3, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 2, 2007 2:54 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Ooh La La, Connie Pickles by Sabine Durrant

I enjoyed the first Connie Pickles book (Cross Your Heart, Connie Pickles) enough that I wanted to read this sequel, but my expectations weren’t incredibly high. The original book was fun enough, but it was a bit derivative and I didn’t feel like I got to know Connie all that well. Ooh La La changed all that.

Connie has arranged to go to Paris, ostensibly on a French exchange, but really to find her grandparents - her mother’s parents - Les Bellechasses. Plus it might help her forget that her best friend William (whom she realised she likes as more than a friend in the first book) is now dating Connie's irritating friend, Delilah. Connie has high hopes of the family she's being sent to stay with: Pascale and her two brothers, but the reality doesn't quite live up to the fantasy. 

Pascale is more Goth than the sophisticated French teen Connie was expecting, Pascale's parents' marriage appears to be on the rocks, Delilah turns up in Paris on an exchange of her own, and things with Connie's grandparents don't quite go as planned either. But there's still Pascale's brother Philippe and they are in the most romantic city in the world after all...

With Ooh La La Connie Pickles, Connie really comes into her own. She's described as a teen Bridget Jones in the promotional blurb and I'd agree with that, but there's also a touch of the Adrian Mole's about her (and, yes, a bit of Georgia Nicolson). She's very funny and charming and sweet, as is this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5

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

Sabine Durrant also writes "grown-up" chick lit: Having It And Eating It & The Great Indoors

Posted by Keris on May 2, 2007 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 1, 2007 10:06 AM

TUESDAY THREE: Money worries

This week’s Tuesday Three takes a look at something common to most, if not all, of us - money worries.

Raising the Roof, Jane Wenham-Jones' first novel, is about Cari Carrington, the daughter of slightly crazy parents and ex-wife of Martin, the man who cut up her Barclaycard. Cari has three problems: she’s single, she’s jobless and she’s fat. At least that’s what Martin told her during their last blazing row. But don’t worry; Cari has a solution to at least two of those problems. Nigel her horny friend soon becomes her Nigel her horny business partner when they buy a run down property to do up for a profit. Unfortunately Nigel fails to tell Cari exactly how much work needs to be done and she soon sees her investment running away from her so she has to take a more hands on approach than she’d intended...

I couldn’t write about money worries without featuring The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic now, could I. The ultimate in girlie escapism, the first of the super-successful Shopaholic series from Sophie Kinsella is a laugh-out loud cautionary tale of what happens when you lose track of your spending. From the hilarious letters to her bank manager that start each chapter to the tales of her burgeoning romance with the lovely Luke Brandon and her warts-and-all friendship with Sloaney Suze, the pages fly by. Luckily, there's four more where this came from.

Not strictly chick lit - being that it’s both about and written by a man - is Marc Acito’s How I Paid For College. A fabulous, over-the-top, brilliantly written, laugh-a-minute novel about Edward, a high-school senior in 1980s New Jersey, who is desperate to study acting at the prestigious Julliard in New York City but his overbearing father has refused to pay and his flaky mother is incommunicado on her latest hippy retreat. So Edward comes up with an outrageous scheme to enable him to fund his college education himself. Not that paying for college is Edward’s only problem: he has a permanently stoned sister, wicked stepmother and his own confused sexuality to contend with. A brilliant read.

Posted by Keris on May 1, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Sophie Kinsella, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 30, 2007 3:29 PM

Book covers: are eggs the new butterflies (which are the new feet)?

Phew, are you still with me?!

Author Justine Larbalestier was interested in our feature on Butterflies being the new book cover trend for women's fiction (taking over from feet, of course). Her new book, Magic's Child also has a butterfly-themed cover. She says that she'd rather see butterflies than dismembered women with heads or feet 'chopped off' but scroll down and she reveals...

That the next book cover trend seems to be: eggs!

A reference to ovaries, or just a nice symmetrical image - who knows?!

What do you think to these cover trends - and what would you like to see next? (Or do you *cough* not really care?)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (6)

MORE ON MONDAY: A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka

Marina Lewycka’s debut novel, A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, was shortlisted for the Orange Prize in 2005 and has been critically acclaimed all over the world. Just the type of book I expected to either dislike or at least think was overrated ... but it absolutely wasn’t. In fact, it’s as readable and entertaining as it is moving.

Nadia and Vera’s father, Nikolai, has always been eccentric, but when he announces, two years after their mother’s death, his plans to marry a young Ukranian woman neither of them has met, the sisters are concerned. Their concern increases when they finally do meet Valentina - a brash, big-bosomed woman, who is clearly only interested in their father for his money and British citizenship. Their father though, is smitten.

Valentina and her son Stanislav move in and Valentina’s treatment of Nikolai soon changes. He is no longer her “holubchik” (little pigeon) he is “no-good-bad-stink-corpse”. The sisters realise they have to get Valentina and Stanislav out of their father’s life, but how?

And if all that's not enough for Nadia and Vera to deal with, there’s also their own antagonistic relationship, their mother’s memory (and their unequally-split inheritance), plus the terrible details of the family’s history that Nadia has never known, but Vera remembers all too well.

I was blown away by A Short History of Tractors in Ukranian. It managed to balance humour with terrible tragedy, while being eminently readable and though-provoking. Don’t be put off by the title, the cover, or the Orange Prize, just read it.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try The Girls by Lori Lansens

Posted by Keris on April 30, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, More On Monday, Prize Winners, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (4)

April 27, 2007 6:36 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Miss Potter

Released this week on DVD, Miss Potter (follow that link to see the trailer) is a biopic of Beatrix Potter: showing how she became one of the most successful children's authors of all time, despite the reluctance and disdain of her publishers.

Unconvinced by her rabbit illustrations and anthropomorphic stories, her publishers foisted her off on their young, naive brother, played by Ewan McGregor - who turns out not only to be a marketing maestro, but to be Miss Potter's first suitor...

This is a light period drama that was more involving than I expected: quite a girly film, but an interesting one, that made me want to know more about Beatrix Potter - a woman of hidden depths.

Renee Zellweger seems to have transported the spirit of Bridget Jones back almost a century; not for nothing did some reviewers call this film 'Bridget Potter'! But I enjoyed her interpretation (even if the drawings-occasionally-coming-to-life thing was a bit cheesy...) This would be the perfect  Sunday afternoon film.

Like this, only more modern: Bridget Jones's Diary.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 27, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (4)

April 26, 2007 11:46 AM

Another cover 'snap'!

Trashionista writer Danielle thoroughly enjoyed Sara Manning's Let's Get Lost, a book that's won almost as many plaudits for the coolness of the cover as the fabness of the story...

Here's the coolness in action:

Pretty, no? And unusual looking, too... So imagine my surprise when I found another young adult author has almost exactly the same cover:

Carry on over the cut to see...

...the cover of Sarah Dessen's new book Just Listen:

Don't even try to tell me that's not "inspired by"! I know it's the publishers fault, never the author's, and Sarah Dessen's book, a newcomer to my toppling review pile, looks very interesting. But really!

At least Puffin have time to pull their socks up and change the cover: it's not released until July...

Related: Are Butterflies the new feet? | Musical book covers | Judging books by their covers

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 26, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Opinion, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 25, 2007 8:45 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week, we talked about whether a new Sense and Sensibility was a good thing and scored a big fat yay from my co-ed Keris and a slightly more reluctant yay from our editor-in-chief Gemma.

This week, I'm getting controversial. Waterstones recently published its top 100 books of the last twenty-five years as decided by 5000 of the book chain's staff ... and only TWENTY-SEVEN of them are by women! Whaaa...?

Is it possible that they're right: do men write better books than women?

Tell us what you think: is it a Yay or a Nay - and WHY?

Yay or Nay archives.

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

[Picture courtesy of Getty Images].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 25, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (5)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Caroline Smailes

Caroline Smailes' debut novel, In Search of Adam will be released on 15 June 2007. Caroline's road to publication was an exciting one. After finishing In Search of Adam in August 2006, she launched a website and blog.

Three weeks later Clare Christian from The Friday Project stumbled onto it, requested the manuscript and offered Caroline a publishing contract (In Search of Adam will be the first novel published by The Friday Project, which is the only publishing company that specialises in sourcing the brightest talent from the web).

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Disturbing, controversial, 1980s, hammer, abuse, Eddie, suicide, neglect, cave, Jude, exhibits, typography, food, stairs, pea-green-boat.

Or

Trapped within a family secret, Jude Williams becomes the consequence of her mother’s tragedy.

I have difficulty summarising.

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

I have an office in my house and a lovely desk that is often messy. I 'have to be' at my desk to write my current novel. This is a new writing experience, as I wrote In Search of Adam on several scraps of paper and typed them up in chunks.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

I have to say Lucy Diamond's Any Way You Want Me. I finished it last week and now it has shot to the top of my favourites. It was an 'in one sitting' read, that had me feeling a range of emotions and hoping/praying for a happy ever after.

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

Matilda from Roald Dahl's classic. She has depth, determination, magic and a love of books.

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

For me, I became a writer when I enrolled on a writing course. It legitimised (in my mind) what I had been doing for 'fun.' The course gave me the confidence to write and prepare the manuscript to a suitable standard, but it also allowed me to focus and prioritise my writing. I had to write 5,000 words every three weeks and I work well to deadlines. The key is to find whatever it is that legitimises your writing, focus
and write.

What are you reading at the moment?

Marian Keyes - Anybody Out There. It's been edged down my 'to read' pile for too long.

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

It's called Black Boxes and is a story in two parts - box one and box two. It's loosely based on the idea of the black boxes that are extracted from a plane wreck. The reader is to unravel the story to find the cause of the 'crash.' The voices are of a mother and a daughter, focusing on sounds and lost words. It's another dark novel.

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

I've never been asked what I want to be when I grow up.
My answer is either a penguin or an Ice Princess.

Thanks, Caroline!

Posted by Keris on April 25, 2007 in Book News, British Authors, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 24, 2007 5:59 PM

Touchstone's competing "Blonde Brit Bombshells" in Chicago

US Book publishers Touchstone are apparently touting Rachel Johnson (of Notting Hell and Boris Johnson's sister fame) and Santa Montefiore (of The Gypsy Madonna and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson's sister fame) as their "Blonde Brit Bombshells" competing over book sales whilst on tour together in America.

They've been in Chicago recently, partaking in very stereotypical British customs like high tea (in the middle of a bookshop, natch).

[Via Galleycat]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 24, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

TUESDAY THREE: Adultery

It’s not big or clever, but in fiction it’s always good fun. What am I talking about? Adultery. This week’s three books focus on cheaters and cheating, but possibly in ways you wouldn’t expect...

Emily Giffin’s Something Borrowed is the wonderful story of Rachel, who is about to turn thirty and having a bit of an early mid-life crisis. Her best friend since school Darcy seems to have everything: a wonderful man, a glamorous job in PR and a wedding to plan. Rachel on the other hand, feels lost and overlooked. Especially whenever she's with Darcy. Life perks up a little when she finally realises she has great chemistry with a man she's known for years ... shame he also happens to be Darcy's fiance, Dex...

Jane Fallon’s first novel Getting Rid of Matthew has a great premise: Helen has been Matthew’s mistress for four years, but when he finally leaves his wife and two daughters and moves in with her, Helen finds it’s not what she wanted after all. But Matthew has given up a lot to be with Helen and he’s not about to give her up. Unless she gives him some very good reasons to, that is. So Helen sets about a campaign to drive Matthew away: amongst other things, she stops shaving her legs, slums about the house in her scruff, stops having sex with him and befriends his ex-wife (under a pseudonym).

In Husbands Adele Parks takes it to the next level with bigamist Bella. Bella’s friend Laura, still hurt from a nasty break up, falls head over heels with a busker she meets on the tube. Unfortunately he happens to be married to Bella who is also married to Philip... are you keeping up? The book charts some fairly major coincidences as the lives of Bella, her two husbands, and Laura become rather too entwined for comfort.

Posted by Keris on April 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 20, 2007 6:00 PM

That was the Austen Week that was!

Thanks for joining us for a great week of Austen-themed fun! Good wasn't it? I am undone!

If you haven't heard about our fabulous huge Jane-themed competition (HOW?!) you've got until midnight to enter - good luck!

I'm off to practice my swooning... [DS]

Posted by Aigua Media on April 20, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Competition | Permalink | Comments (9)

BOOK REVIEW: Persuasion by Jane Austen

When I studied Austen at university, we read everything but Emma and Persuasion and yet everyone always tells me Persuasion is their favourite and I felt like I'd missed out. Finally, six years after graduating, I've read it and ... I was a little bit disappointed.

Eight years before the book begins, Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth fell in love. But Anne's family put a stop to their engagement, believing he wasn't good enough for her. At 27, Anne is still unattached when Captain Wentworth comes back into her life.

Of course, it's not hard to predict just what's going to happen, you know full well who will turn out to be a villain, which relationships (or connections) aren't necessarily what they seem and that Anne and Wentworth will end up together, and perhaps that lessened my enjoyment somewhat. But I think the main problem I had was that I just didn't feel emotionally involved. Probably because I didn't warm to Anne. And I'm afraid Wentworth's no Darcy either. (Although I must admit to a small flutter when he made his declaration to Anne - Austen does a good declaration!)

While there is plenty of Austen's deliciously dry wit and beautifully drawn characters - particularly Sir Walter, Admiral Croft and Anne's ridiculously bratty sister, Mary - Anne seemed a little wet and a bit dull and I couldn't quite see why Wentworth had been in love with her for so long.

As with all of Austen's books, Persuasion is as much about money and status as it is about romance, and it was interesting from that point of view, but I didn't feel that it added anything I hadn't already learned in her previous novels.

Despite all of the above, it's still Austen and so it's beautifully written and, to use an Austen-esque term, sufficiently diverting, but I'm afraid it will never replace Pride & Prejudice in my affections.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Emma by Jane Austen

Posted by Keris on April 20, 2007 in Austen Week, British Authors, Classic Novels, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (6)

Jane Austen and Harriet Evans

Harriet Evans brings our special Austen Week series to a close in potentially controversial fashion!

“Don't think of Jane Austen and her books as 'classics'. It's as pejorative a word as 'chicklit' is, almost. They endure because they're good - no, great - wholly absorbing stories about women and their lives, the choices we make, the people we love, the things that happen to us."

"No one has done it better before or since. No one makes me laugh in recognition like she does, or bite my lip with sadness. She's the best. That's all there is to it. “

Harriet Evans is the author of Hopeless Romantic and Going Home, both available through Harpercollins.

Posted by Keris on April 20, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (3)

FRIDAY FLICK: Mansfield Park

Long before ITV1 got their hands on Austen, when Billie Piper was but a babe in arms (well, almost), was this 1996 version of Mansfield Park, starring Frances O'Connor and Johnny Lee Miller.

It's the story of Fanny Price, the poor relation sent to live with her uncle and benefactor Sir Thomas Bertram (plus her auntie and distant cousins). But from whence comes all of Sir Bertram's money? (And more importantly, isn't Johnny Lee Miller rather dishy?! )

I have to say, I really enjoyed this film, but (confession time!) I haven't read the book it's based on. (Oops). I understand that some MAJOR liberties have been taken with the text, and that true Janeites (as Austen devotees are known) are still up in arms about it, eleven years later.

If you've never read Mansfield Park, you'll probably find it as enjoyable as I did. If you have read it, watch this at your own risk, people - and perhaps take it with a pinch of salt...

Like this, but more faithful to the original text: The BBC's Pride and Prejudice.

Friday Flick archives | Austen Week archives

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 20, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (10)

April 19, 2007 8:46 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Notting Hell by Rachel Johnson

I wasn't sure if I'd like Rachel Johnson's debut novel, Notting Hell. I wasn't overly keen on her first book The Mummy Diaries, finding it a bit smug (you can't moan about 'having' to go on holiday, can you?)

But the author's description of this book (something about the "haves and have-yachts") made me laugh and full of nostalgia for that film (as the residents of this book call Notting Hill), I gave it a go.

It follows a year in the lives of two women, Mimi and Clare, both of whom live on a street with access to a private communal garden - a luxury in London. Mimi has three kids and a part-time journalism career whilst Clare is a garden designer and feng shui obsessive. Whilst Clare are her husband Gideon are super-rich, Mimi and her hubby... are not.

The book's all about the inhabitants of the square from the alternating viewpoints of Mimi and Clare, which allows us to see things that each character does not. But Mimi is the only really sympathetic adult character here, and she has some big flaws... We learn about life on an exclusive communal London garden and the petty rules, silly jealousies and extra-marital affairs that occur. (I'm dying to know how much is based on true events - and if any of it's based on anyone I might have heard of, tee hee!)

It suffers from the same slight smug problem as her earlier book, and I couldn't help feeling books like this are so unconnected from the real world as to be a bit frustrating. But Mimi is a great character and I enjoyed the pace of the book, most of the time - there are occasional interludes when things are getting exciting and the narrator takes us back in time to give us the background story - grr, get on with it!

Still it's a good read (a nice one for summer, with some good moments of humour) if not a great one.

Although if you'll get second home envy or private school bile at the thought of reading about the super-privileged, it might best to steer clear... I find it rather fascinating, though.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy by Fiona Neill

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 19, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Jane Austen

Did you think we'd pick someone else for Austen Week?! Of course we couldn't...

As romance and chick lit authors have been testifying here all week, Austen is an inspiration to writers everywhere (male writers too, although not that many would like to admit it!) She wrote intelligent, well-plotted satirical novels that are hugely witty and which were often ahead of their time in their political and social themes. She's been called the original chick lit author - and as we all know, that's a huge compliment!

Anyone who wants to know how to write a romantic comedy (with a serious underlying moral) could do a lot worse than to study Miss Austen's six fine novels...

And you you read about why I find her an inspiring person (not just author), over at our new sister site Dollymix.

Read this: The Jane Austen boxed set (I know - cop out! I really couldn't choose...which do you like best?)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 19, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (3)

Was Jane Austen ugly?

Despite what people have always thought, turns out the nickname 'plain Jane' might not be quite accurate when it comes to Miss Austen.

But who cares what our classic authors look like says Dollymix editor-in-chief Katie Lee in her excellent piece over on our brand-new sister site... I'm sure she'd love to hear your thoughts (as would we!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 19, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (5)

Jane Austen and Elizabeth Aston

Our special Austen Week series continues, with Elizabeth Aston, author of Mr Darcy's Daughters, The Exploits & Adventures of Miss Alethea Darcy and The True Darcy Spirit. Why does Jane mean so much to her?

Then they stopped, holding hands, and looked down. The girl knelt, and laid a red rose on Jane Austen’s gravestone.

The gesture brought tears to my eyes. The same kind of incredulous tears as when, at thirteen, I finished Persuasion and realized there were no more to read, that Jane Austen had written just those six astonishing novels.

I was influenced by Jane Austen from the moment I was born. My brothers were named after their grandfathers; I was named after the heroine of Pride and Prejudice. So she was destined to be an inspiration to me, as a writer and as a woman: the most clear-headed, witty, satirical, humane and romantic novelist that England ever produced.

We women writers have it easy today, with our education and our opportunities and our computers, and yet we should be enthused and encouraged by Jane Austen’s example. Two hundred years ago, what were the odds that a country parson’s daughter would overcome all the difficulties of her life and write books that generations of men and women would read and be enchanted and amused and enthralled by for the next two hundred years?

But she did.

And the characters from those six novels have been part of my life ever since. "Good evening, Mr Darcy!”

Elizabeth Aston is a passionate Jane Austen devotee who studied English at Oxford. She lives in Oxford and Italy with her family. Find out more about her Austen inspired novels here.

Posted by Keris on April 19, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (3)

April 18, 2007 6:35 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week, we talked about the huge advances given to celebrity authors - and had a pretty lively debate (-- click that link to check it out!)

This week: some more Austen, in Yay or Nay form this time! Please tell me I'm not the only one old enough to remember Emma Thompson's excellent, Oscar-winning film adaptation of Sense and Sensibility? (Okay, it's not that old, just eleven years... same as Emma, clearly Austen has a revival every decade or so.)

I do love that big-screen version, though. So I have mixed feelings about the fact that Andrew Davies, the man who thought to put Colin Firth in a wet shirt, is making a new version for the small screen. Will it be as good as the film? Better? Or have we had Austen adaptation overload?

Tell us what you think: The new S & S: is it a Yay, or a Nay - and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 18, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Romance, Television, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (7)

BOOK NEWS: It's A Wonderful Lie

Yes, more book news! Unfortunately, my twenties are but a dim and distant memory, but I still like the sound of this new anthology. It's a Wonderful Lie: 26 Truths About Life in Your Twenties features essays from writers including Anna Maxted, Megan Crane, Pamela Ribon and Megan McCafferty and is edited by Emily Franklin.

Posted by Keris on April 18, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 17, 2007 11:08 AM

Orange Prize shortlist announced

Yep, Marian Keyes and co.'s hard work is nearly over! The Orange Prize for the best book by a woman in the last year... is nearly here.

In the meantime, the shortlist has just been announced - carry on over the cut to read it!

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Half of a Yellow Sun

Novel Rachel Cusk - Arlington Park

Kiran Desai - The Inheritance of Loss

Xiaolu Guo - A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers

Jane Harris - The Observations

Anne Tyler - Digging to America

[Via Booktrade info]

Opinions, anyone? I'd bet on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 17, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 16, 2007 1:18 PM

Blogger's quest to read only celebrity biographies for a whole YEAR

Now this is an interesting proposition: we've all read a celebrity autobiography or two, haven't we? (And some of us - even I! - may have read a ghostwritten one...)

But Mark Farley, blogger at Bookseller to the Stars has taken things one further, by challenging himself to read nothing but  celebrity memoirs for one whole year, from March 1 2007 onwards... Why? Well, read more about it here and find out!

Have you ever attempted any type of year-long reading quest? Are you tempted to?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (5)

Welcome to Austen Week!

In honour of our most fabulous Austen-themed competition, we're making this whole week... yes, you've guessed it: Austen week!

We'll have guest blogs from famous authors on what Jane Austen means to them and lots of Jane-themed twists to regular features... but there will still be book news and reviews from the 21st century too, so there's something for everyone coming up on Trashionista this week - please stick around!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 16, 2007 in Announcements, Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Competition | Permalink | Comments (3)

April 13, 2007 12:47 PM

Lindsay Lohan and Keira Knightley to star in Dylan Thomas biopic

Bookslut calls it "the least anticipated poetry movie of 2008"!

The Best Time of Our Lives, a film about Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, is set to feature Pride and Prejudice and Bend It Like Beckham star Keira (who I personally find incredibly annoying I'm afraid) and famous party girl Lindsay Lohan (aka LiLo). If nothing else, it should be... bizarre.

More movie news.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 13, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 12, 2007 8:35 PM

TRASHIONISTA'S MOST BRILLIANT PRIZE PACKAGE EVER!

I'm not even exaggerating a little bit when I say this is the best prize we've ever had, ever!

Here is what's on offer for ONE LUCKY TRASHIONISTA DEVOTEE:

DVDs:

ITV's Mansfield Park

ITV's Northanger Abbey

BOOKS: 

Going Home by Harriet Evans

A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans

It’s In His Kiss by Julia Quinn

Scandal’s Bride by Stephanie Laurens

The True Darcy Spirit by Elizabeth Aston.

Plus, three runners-up will win one copy of each book! Carry on over the cut to find out how to enter...

We're sorry but this comp is only open to UK residents - and employees of Shiny Media may not enter (dammit).

To be in with a chance of winning, simply email us the answer to this question, putting "Austen" in the subject line:

Which well-known American chick-lit author edited the book "Flirting With Pride and Prejudice"? Clue: we reviewed it last July. Don't forget to include your name and address, too - in case you win! Entries close at midnight BST on April 20. Good luck!

And look out for lots more Austen-themed goodness next week, when Trashionista turns all regency on you! Austen week, all week long - it's gonna be gooooood!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 12, 2007 in Announcements, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Competition, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: 31 Dream Street by Lisa Jewell

Like Marian Keyes' books, I look forward to Lisa Jewell’s books desperately, with only her occasional newsletters, full of travel, glamorous dinner and photos of her gorgeous daughter to keep me going in the meantime. 31 Dream Street is Jewell’s sixth book and, like her others, it’s completely wonderful.

Leah has lived opposite the huge “Peacock House” for years. She’s watched the residents come and go, dying to know their stories, but has never spoken to a single one. But when she finds “Old Skinny Guy” face down on the pavement in front of the house, she finds herself being introduced to - and learning the stories of - all the residents. And so, of course, does the reader.

We meet “Girl with the Guitar” - Ruby, a wild and promiscuous singer who’s been living in the Peacock House since she was 16; “Young Skinny Guy” - Toby, a shy, stuck, failed poet whose father gifted him the house and then disappeared from his life, as did his wife after just three weeks of marriage; “the Teenager” - Con, a post boy at Conde Nast, brought up by his grandmother after being abandoned by his mother; “the Air Hostess” - Con’s mother, desperate to make it up to him; and “Sybil” (so-called because she changes her image so often) - an actress researching a role ... or is she?

Through a series of letters we learn that Toby advertised for creative types who needed a place to live with rent on an ad-hoc basis and ended up with the above motley bunch. But when Toby learns that a) the house is now probably worth close to £1million and b) his father’s coming back to see what he’s done with his life, he realises that it’s about time he ... er ... did something with his life. And that Leah’s just the person to help him. So the two of them come up with a plan to learn about the residents, find out what will make them happy, help them achieve it and get them out of the house!

Written down like this, 31 Dream Street actually seems much more far-fetched than it actually is. As always, Lisa Jewell makes you believe these people actually exist and by the end of the book you feel as if you’re reading about friends. Leah is wonderful, Toby is gorgeous and there are no caricatures here (with the possible exception of Ruby).

Although the book is tied up neatly and conveniently, none of it is unbelievable or unconvincing. Jewell’s been called the most “emotionally intelligent” of the chick lit authors and I agree. Despite the fact that it’s almost 500 pages long, I read it in a day with no effort at all. (Plus Jewell always writes evocatively about London and, since 31 Dream Street is set in East Finchley, where I used to live, it was a lovely nostalgic read too!)

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Vince & Joy by Lisa Jewell

Posted by Keris on April 12, 2007 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sophie Dahl devotes herself to writing (again)

The lovely Kim, editor of our sister site Catwalk Queen, informs me that Sophie Dahl, model-turned-author-turned-model... is to turn author again, with two new books on the horizon - a novel and a food memoir. (Of the latter, Kim adds: 'I'm curious; will it be a book on how to avoid eating food? Miaow!')

Well, someone had to say it...

Celebrity authors archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 12, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Nancy Mitford

You know those rafts of books currently clogging shelves devoted to upper-class motherhood and how gosh darn hard it is? Nancy Mitford was there first - and ten times funnier. Not that she wrote about being a mother herself (she wasn't one) but she satirised her own eccentric landed gentry family in a series of novels, the best and best-known of which is the fabulous In Pursuit of Love.

Then, just when everyone thought that she was a one-trick pony, she went and wrote a series of well-respected biographies on everyone from Madame de Pompadour to The Sun King. She was a lot more learned than people gave her credit for, and very self-aware. The key to enjoying Mitford's humour is to not take it too seriously - she was a wicked satirist who refused to take life that seriously. She would have made a wonderful chick lit writer (as she would say, "do admit".) And the letters between her and her friends, including Evelyn Waugh, are just fabulous.

Read this: In Pursuit of Love and Love from Nancy: The Letters of Nancy Mitford.

What do you think - and who's your favourite trailblazer?

Thursday Trailblazer archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 12, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cosmopolitan's Miss Write competition

Are you Miss Write? Cosmopolitan's UK edition is once again running its popular new novelist competition, and you can find all the details on how to enter and exactly what the prize involves, by clicking here.

If you want to enter, you'll need to have a synopsis of your story plus the first 3,000 words ready by the closing date, 31 May 2007. Go on - this could be your big chance! You could even see your book being reviewed on this very site - how cool would that be? (Answer: very).

Related: The Daily Mail's first novel award | Debut novels

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 12, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (0)

Reading The Apprentice

We're pretty obsessed with The Apprentice here at Trashionista. Diane's reviewing it for our sister site, TV Scoop, and I'm dreaming about the contestants *shudder*. Of course, the applicants on The Apprentice are (apparently) hip young go-getters, so the first thing they are likely to do, whether or not they win the coveted position in Sir Alan's firm, is to write a book, isn't it.

Just out is Series Two winner, Michelle Dewberry's Anything Is Possible. Feebly subtitled "From the checkout to The Apprentice and beyond" (because Michelle has already left Sir Alan's employ), it's described as an "inspirational autobiography ... revealing how Michelle triumphed over a violent and abusive childhood to excel in the cut-throat world of business - and defeat 15,000 hopefuls to win BBC TV's The Apprentice". 

Arguably the star (though not the winner) of the first series was Saira Khan, whose book P.U.S.H. for Success is a motivational guide featuring "brilliant ballsy strategies" to help you achieve anything you want using Saira's unique (I bet) P.U.S.H. approach: P = Be Proactive; U = Understanding; S = Sell Yourself; H = High Standards.

Of course, there's also the obligatory official guide and you'll no doubt be happy to know that the inimitable Ruth Badger has her own book coming out later this year. What, no Syed?

The American contestants are at it too, of course. Season One winner, Bill Rancic has written two - his latest being Beyond the Lemonade Stand.

Rather fabulously, Season Three's Tana Goertz has written her own life story as a children's picture book. Called I'm Bigger Than This, it's "an inspirational tale that teaches kids how to think BIG! and let nothing get in the way of their dreams".

Season Two's Wes Moss features 21 entrepreneurs in Starting From Scratch and Season Three winner Kendra Todd encourages you to Risk & Grow Rich. And of course The Donald has got plenty to say...

Television archives | Self development archives

Posted by Keris on April 12, 2007 in British Authors, Non Fiction, Self development, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 11, 2007 10:30 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Let's Get Lost by Sarra Manning

Taking a break from the usual chick-lit titles, I thought I'd review something different. Okay, so it is chick-lit I suppose, only for youngsters. And before you roll your eyes at me and say, 'Hey - aren't you, like, twenty?!' then let me tell you that basically, we're all young at heart. And I'm twenty-two. So there.

And let's face it, it's hard to resist a beautifully-written crossover, which can only briefly describe Sarra Manning's Let's Get Lost. Author of other teen tales such as Guitar Girl and Pretty Things, Manning has a wonderful ability to portray teenage issues in a way that's compelling for teens and adults alike.

High-school bad girl Isabella is best known around school for her bad attitude and personal army of tag-along friends. With a father she finds relatively easy to control and a life of doing practically everything she wishes, Isabel is the girl that everyone else wants to be. However, haunting her daily is the death of her mother: something she feels responsible for and something which will, it seems, never leave her.

When she meets the seemingly wonderful - and not to mention older - Atticus Smith at a party, Isabel is immediately mesmerised. A university student, his freedom and contentment reaches out to Isabel the sad rebel who cannot get away from the fact that everyone knows about her mother's death.

Throughout the book, Isabel and Smith become closer, and sometimes not so close again, as Smith struggles to uncover just what makes Isabel who she is. With trouble brewing in school, and friends gradually beginning to grow apart, Smith is the only thing Isabel has to hold onto. But will everything stay the same?

Despite being aimed at teenagers, Let's Get Lost is a fabulous read for absolutely anyone, touching on the subject of bereavement and how it can affect everyone someone so young. A tale of young romance and a secretive girl almost lost in her many layers that will either make you yell out 'I told you so' or... well... cry.

Admittedly it's not the funniest book out there, but frankly? It doesn't need to be. Sharp writing and a moving tale is what makes this book unique. So I'd recommend it to anyone who is in need of something cute yet serious. Manning certainly has a gift for compelling writing and she demonstrates it beautifully throughout this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Boy Book by E Lockhart.

Posted by Danielle Symonds-Yemm on April 11, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (5)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week, we talked about acknowledgements - and acknowledged that most of us love reading them, although not everyone agreed... click over there to find out more! Sad confession: I love to mentally draft and re-draft mine - for that book I haven't written. (Yet). Moving on...

Last week we were talking about the HUGE advance likely to be paid British funny woman Dawn French for her memoirs. This week, it turns out all predictions were under the mark: her story is  actually apparently worth £2 million. But what do you think: is anyone's life worth that much? Do you dream of a big advance one day (most authors won't get near it) or do you begrudge the fact that big-name authors get huge amounts of money thrown at them, while most writers toil in garrets? Should publishers be investing that cash in a wide range of authors, instead? Or do the famous people make it all back (some of the time) so it shouldn't matter? Is a huge advance more justifiable if (as in Dawn's case, I think) there's no ghostwriter?

So many questions! But it all boils down to one: big advances (especially for famous people) - is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 11, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Opinion, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (10)

April 10, 2007 3:19 PM

TUESDAY THREE: Dear Diary

Thanks to Bridget Jones, diaries will probably always be synonymous with chick lit, but Bridget wasn't the only heroine to share her secret scribblings with the world. This week's Tuesday Three looks at novels written in diary form.

Sue Hepworth and Jane Linfoot’s Plotting for Beginners is a wonderfully funny novel about starting again after your children have left home, your husband is AWOL and you want to fulfill your dreams. Sally Howe and her husband are spending a year apart, as he wants to live in a cabin in the American wilderness and she wants to write a novel and launch a career in journalism. But when Sally learns that her husband considers the Rockies just the start of his overseas adventures, she begins to worry about the possible disintegration of her marriage - and its effect on her writing plans...

The debut novel from author Robyn Harding, The Journal of Mortifying Moments is about ad-agency worker Kerry Spence. Stuck in a boring job, put down by her mother on countless occasions, and having trouble finding the perfect man, Kerry hires a therapist who sets her a task - “A diary of past encounters with men that may be contributing to your current negative and dysfunctional relationship.” In other words, The Journal of Mortifying Moments. This book isn't exactly a heart-warming tale of love and marriage - but who needs that when you have a diary full of morbidly embarrassing situations?

Published back in 2000, Raphaella Barker's Hens Dancing is the story of a year in the life of Venetia Summers, whose husband leaves her and their three kids to shack up with his masseuse. From nits to bathroom conversions to unexpected guests and, most importantly, learning to cope with being a single mother with an irascible ex, Hens Dancing is about life-changing disasters, small triumphs and everything in between..

Posted by Keris on April 10, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 9, 2007 8:46 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: The Sound Of No Hands Clapping by Toby Young

Toby Young's memoir How to Lose Friends and Alienate People is the best example of what could be called self-sabotage lit.

Here is the sequel, The Sound of No Hands Clapping, in which Toby attempts to crack Hollywood, with not one but two screenplay attempts - including one for an uber-producer whose identity is kept hidden (make your own mind up)...

Although this memoir is enjoyable, it's a bit fragmented - we go from his first meeting with the producer to  reading about one of Toby's terribly misjudged best man's speeches. Then back to his writing, then off to an argument with his wife, etc. I think the simple truth is that, much as he would like us to believe he's still making stupid mistakes and getting things all wrong, Young has clearly grown up and moved on from his days of stupidity in New York. He still misjudges situations and makes bad decisions, but is a lot more self-aware, and his relationship with his wife and kids proves he's not the ignorant fool of his first book.

Perhaps all that is why I didn't find this book quite as enjoyable as the first - in that book, Toby was making a right old hash of everything from his love life to his friendships to his career. In this one, he seems more settled, happier, and as though he's working harder to dredge up instances of shoddy judgement. Which is probably much better for Young as a person - but not quite as interesting to read about!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Watch the author talk about the book.

Like this? Try How to Lose Friends and Alienate People by Toby Young or The Nasty Bits by Anthony Bourdain

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 9, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 5, 2007 4:29 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Fashion Babylon by Imogen Edwards-Jones and Anonymous

There's something about seeing 'anonymous' on the cover of a book that makes my spine tingle with excitement... even if, as when I read Primary Colors, the author has already been unveiled. I think Imogen Edwards-Jones's mysterious collaborator will be a bit harder to track down, though: 'anonymous' is a collection of people throughout the fashion industry who provided her with gossip, information and scandal in order to make Fashion Babylon a must-read for anyone with even half an eye for fashion.

Which...um... isn't me.

So what would I make of the book?

Honestly? I thought it was fabulous! You don't have to be at all interested in fashion to find this story of a struggling British designer trying to make it big completely fascinating. In fact, the less you know about the way the fashion world works, the more this book will be a refreshing and often shocking read. I kept having to remind myself that, as the author testifies at the start of the book, everything detailed here really happened (and some of the stuff attributed to rumour probably did, too).  Hotel Babylon is the third in Edwards-Jones's 'Babylon' series (after Hotel Babylon and Air Babylon) and I'd now love to read the other two and find out the goss from those industries, too!

But the book isn't just a dirt-spilling delight, there's a storyline too, and despite the faults of the designer (who admits she likes her models as skinny as possible, to make her clothes look good - couldn't possibly design FOR a woman's figure, could she?! - and her business partner, who's a little on the drug-addled side) I was hoping their collection would do well, and cheering them on to success. My only slight criticism is that it all got a little too shallow at times, but then I was right back to caring about the characters within a few paragraphs. A great read. [DS]

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Fashion Victim by Sam Baker

Fashion Lit archives

Posted by Aigua Media on April 5, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (4)

April 3, 2007 4:36 PM

Are butterflies the new feet?

  (...And other weird questions you'll only find at Trashionista!)

We've been talking a lot about book covers lately: are UK ones nicer than their US counterparts? (Interestingly, we're most split down cultural lines on that one, so publishers are doing something right!) Why do so many books look like those of another author? And of course - what's with all the feet on chick lit books?

Well, if these two book covers (and others like them - this seems to be a trend) are anything to go by, feet may be about to be ousted by butterflies! It's obvious really - what are modern women interested in apart from shoes and insects? Seriously though, I welcome the change but would like a little more variety in cover design... What do you think?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 3, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (3)

£1.5 million for Dawn French's memoirs

Yes, apparently that's what the life story of the famous funny lady is worth. Despite celeb memoirs in general not selling as well as expected, Peter Kay's book, The Sound of Laughter sold brilliantly over Christmas and has clearly inspired publishers to fight over Ms French: she's apparently being paid £1.25m just to discuss her book proposal. [Via The Times]

Interesting side note: did you know that Kirstie Alley is lined up to play Dawn's role in the US version of The Vicar of Dibley? (Although it won't actually be set in Dibley, of course...) [More TV news over at TV Scoop].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 3, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (4)

April 2, 2007 1:25 PM

GUEST BLOG: Claire Allan

In case you missed Claire's guest blog last month, she's warming up to publication of her debut novel, Rainy Days & Tuesdays and sharing the experience with us Trashionistas. This month waiting, holding your book for the first time and, um, big fat hairy ... never mind. Over to Claire:

I know all there is to know about the waiting game

The one lesson I’ve learned in my burgeoning writing career is that things are very stop and start. One week you can be working your socks off and praying for an extra hour to magically appear in the day and the next you are clock watching, waiting for the door to open or phone to ring, or email to ping into your in-box.

This past month has been a heady mixture of both of these experiences. The buzz of seeing my book cover has settled. I still feel a little frisson of excitement when I see it, but I’m less inclined to cry or have the urge to sleep with a picture of it under my pillow.

The hard work started in earnest with a speed edit in preparation for an advance proof copy to be put together for the big hitters in the book trade. Myself and my very lovely (and eagle eyed) editor Gaye Shortland had a very mad weekend trading hyphens for dashes and explaining the finer points of Northern Irish dialect. We also had a rather unfortunate clash over the use of the phrase “big fat hairy balls”- but perhaps I will leave that to your imagination.

I would receive emails with 10 minutes notice to rewrite a paragraph and then, almost as suddenly as the speed edit had started, it was over. And it got very quiet.

I was able to start work again on my second book, which is due for submission in September and I trundled along quite nicely forgetting about Grace and Co. from ‘Rainy Days’ and losing myself in Aoife and Beth from ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered.’

But just a week later I received a series of frantic phonecalls from the publishing assistant at Poolbeg who asked that I personalise 32 proof copies of my book to be personally handed out to industry bosses.

It would seem that the marketing machine is stepping up a gear. 

Seeing my book for the first time was a remarkably emotional experience. As with all the major events in this journey so far, this moment was in work. The parcel arrived (the day after I expected) and my colleagues crowded round once more to see the finished product.

I saw it, held it, flicked through it, looked at it some more and had a blub. I was, for once, speechless. This was and is my dream come true. Only someone who wants to be a writer can understand how that moment might feel. It was truly overwhelming.

I was allowed to hold on to the book for a measly weekend before sending the autographed copies back down. As I write this. I’m holding on to it and telling myself over and over again that this is MY book.

I feel lucky and blessed every day!

More from Claire next month.

Posted by Keris on April 2, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (3)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: sneak peek of the cover

So apparently, there's this famous series of books about a wizard - you may have heard of them?

Those desperate for some, any, news about JK Rowling's new and final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, might be sated for a little while by a look at the brand new UK cover.

Hop over the cut to see it:

[Via Galleycat]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 2, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Series, Supernatural, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (7)

March 29, 2007 11:55 AM

Marian Keyes wins popular fiction award at the 'Nibbies'

We've told you before about the Nibbies (or the Galaxy British Book Awards as they're more properly known) and now we're delighted to bring you the news that much-loved Queen of Chick Lit Marian Keyes won the award for popular fiction - way to go, Mazza! (As she'd probably loathe me to call her...)

It was also great chick lit news for Lauren Weisberger, who won Television and film book of the year for The Devil Wears Prada (of course).

Find out the other winners  and who called Ricky Gervais names (!) over the cut...

But if you'd rather not know the goss and find out the winners when the awards are on TV, then you don't have long to wait - they're on tomorrow night at 8pm on Channel 4 .

List of winners:

Book of the year: Conn & Hal Iggulden, The Dangerous Book for Boys

Popular fiction award: Marian Keyes, Anybody Out There

Decibel writer of the year: Jackie Kay, Wish I Was Here

Television and film book of the year: Lauren Weisberger, The Devil Wears Prada

Biography of the year: Peter Kay, The Sound of Laughter

Children's book of the year: Ricky Gervais, Flanimals of the Deep [Gervais's video-linked acceptance speech apparently provoked a "foul-mouthed rant" from Richard Madeley, co-host of the event (with wife Judy, obv.) Is it me or is Mr Madeley losing the plot a little bit? *Allegedly*]

Crime thriller of the year: Ian Rankin, The Naming of the Dead

Sports book of the year: Steven Gerrard, Gerrard: My Autobiography

Newcomer of the year: Victoria Hislop, The Island

Reader's Digest Author of the year: Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion

The Richard & Judy best read of the year: Jed Benfeld, The Interpretation of Murder 

Lifetime achievement award: John Grisham

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Fabulous Mum's Handbook by Grace Saunders

I'm always a bit conflicted when faced with a book like Grace Saunders' The Fabulous Mum's Handbook. On the one hand I feel like it's going to be a load of rehashed magazine articles about "me time", not feeling guilty, and "just a bit of time management and you too can cook a 3 course meal/work a 40 hour week/ climb a mountain". On the other hand I, like a lot of mums, need all the help I can get.

The Fabulous Mum's Handbook does indeed contain chapters on me time, reclaiming intimacy with your other half (that's your partner, not your bottom half) and getting your fashion groove back. There are even some nice recipes (if rather labour-intensive - a recipe that begins "cut the pumpkin into really thick slices" is never going to wash with me).

Grace Saunders used to work on Elle magazine and you can tell. She's friendly, chatty and supportive, but occasionally drifts into talk of wafting around in floaty tops, dinner parties, glamorous shopping expeditions and other concepts that are completely alien to me.

Supported by Grace's own experiences and those of numerous other mums, plus a variety of "gurus" including nutritionist Jane Clarke, interior designer Amanda Smith and Little Angels' Dr Tanya Byron, this book is absolutely packed with useful information. I would have liked some photos or illustrations and for the text to be a bit more bite-sized (we harried mums have short attentions spans, you know) and it's all a little bit too fabulous for me, but it would certainly make a great pressie for a yummy mummy friend.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Goddess Guide by Gisele Scanlan or The Shops by India Knight

Posted by Keris on March 29, 2007 in British Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 28, 2007 6:38 PM

UK's only gay bookshop under threat

You mean a bookshop can have a sexual orientation - whatever next? Ho ho. I joke, but this is serious: Gay's the Word in London, the only gay bookshop in the UK dedicated to gay and lesbian authors, needs to raise £20,000 or risk closure. Many-time Booker nominee and openly gay author Ali Smith said: "It'd be a political, cultural, communal and human loss if it went. The independents will be on the up again soon in a big way as readers get increasingly fed up of the three-for-two faceless chainstores."  [Via The Guardian]

I like a good chainstore as much as the next person, but it's sad that independents are doing so badly. And they're not the only ones: Borders is to retreat from the UK and Waterstones's profits have been falling, causing them to reduce their stock. Looks like the mighty Amazon may soon be all-conquering...

What do you think?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 28, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week you totally disagreed with Orange Prize judge Muriel Gray's assertion that women's fiction is dull and trivial. As Cathy put it, "Women write what many women want to read and that does tend to be relationship/family based fiction. So what?"

This week I thought it was time to look at another book that people seem to either love or hate. Diane included Allison Pearson's I Don't Know How She Does It in her recent round-up of the best in chick lit, but many commenters (there and elsewhere) just can't stand it.

So what do you think of Pearson's book about trying to have it all? I Don't Know How She Does It - Yay or Nay and Why?

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

Posted by Keris on March 28, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 27, 2007 9:40 AM

TUESDAY THREE: Adoption

Thanks to Angelina Jolie’s “rainbow family”, adoption is in the news again, and it has, of course, turned up in chick lit too (what hasn’t?).

Maeve Haran’s Baby Come Back actually features a celebrity parent, albeit one who has given up rather than adopted a child. Joe Meredith’s wife Molly has always known how much being adopted bothers her husband so she sets out to find Joe’s birth mother. She turns out to be Stella Milton, the actress plastered across the walls of every teenage boy in the country for the last 20 years.

Stella would like to reconnect with her son... if only she could have him without the baggage of his wife and child. Following the power struggle that ensues between Molly and Stella, Baby Come Back light-hearted, but does not shy away from the issues it is dealing with.

One of the most popular of Richard and Judy’s book club choices, Dorothy Koomson’s My Best Friend’s Girl tells the story of Kamryn who unexpectedly receives a letter from her former best friend Adele asking her to visit her in hospital. Adele is dying and wants Kamryn to adopt Tegan, Adele’s daughter from the one night stand with Kamryn’s fiance that (unsurprisingly) ended their friendship. She does, of course, and the result is a bit of a tearjerker.

Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson is the story of Nonny Frett, adopted into the Frett family when her 15-year-old mother abandoned her shortly after delivering her on the Frett's living room floor. Unfortunately, her adoption by her birth family's most hated rivals inevitably worsened the resentments that festered between the two clans, and it was only a matter of time before the tiny town of Between was taken to the brink of disaster by the burgeoning intra-family feud. Dealing with themes of abandonment, betrayal, family loyalties and nature vs. nurture, this novel is addictive, thought-provoking reading that's practically perfect in every way.

Posted by Keris on March 27, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Richard and Judy, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 23, 2007 11:01 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Bed Rest by Sarah Bilston

I was so looking forward to reading Bed Rest, Sarah Bilston's debut. The Marian Keyes cover quote reads, “A novel about how to juggle career, marriage and childbirth; I laughed out loud and couldn’t put it down.” And we all know we can Trust Marian, can’t we? Apparently not.

Quinn “Q” Boothroyd is a successful English lawyer living in New York whose doctor tells her she has to spend the last three months of her pregnancy on bed rest. Bored, she starts keeping a diary. At first I was worried that nothing was going to happen and that I’d just be reading about how many cakes Q was eating and whether or not she managed to watch Ricki Lake that day, but then visits from her family, tensions with her husband and affairs between her friends introduced a bit of interest. But only a bit. 

My biggest problem with this book was that I really disliked the character of Q. Irritatingly self-pitying, she’s dreadful to her family, condescending to her friends, and either needy or aggressive with her husband, Tom. The one good thing she does - helping her neighbours whose building is about to be torn down - she does initially out of boredom and then continues despite knowing that it may well cause a huge problem in her already shaky marriage.

I couldn’t care about Q’s family or friends because Q doesn’t and we see them through her eyes. Although having said that, I did develop a certain sympathy, but only because I didn’t know how they managed to put up with the self-absorbed Q. It’s a shame because it’s very well-written and with a witty (rather than whiny) and snarky (rather than snippy) heroine it could have been just what Marian promised.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Everyone Else’s Girl by Megan Crane

Posted by Keris on March 23, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (4)

March 21, 2007 5:57 PM

Win a book on Corrieblog!

Yep, news of another competition! Celeb autobiography and Corrie fans should be interested in this one: a chance to win a copy of Julie Goodyear's (apparently rather sensational) life story, newly released in paperback.

Simply click on this link to find out how to enter.

Good luck!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 21, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Competition, Memoirs, New Releases, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week, we decided that accuracy and great writing were more important than having been to the place you're writing about - thanks for all your great responses!

This week, Muriel Grey, chairwoman of the Orange Prize judging panel has really been stirring things up by claiming that women's fiction is dull, concentrating on trivial concerns and lacking in grand literary ambitions. (Read more of her opinions here - and an excellent rejoinder here).

Do you agree - should women be attempting more epic literary works, or is that not what women want to read? Are books about political coups inherently more worthwhile than ones about single motherhood? Should men and women be writing the same kind of books? Does it matter what a book's about, as long as it's good? And finally...

Is Muriel right? - Tell us what you think: Yay or Nay, and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 21, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Opinion, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (7)

BOOK NEWS: Rhona Cameron's 'Naked Drinking Club'

Remember Rhona "the moaner" Cameron from I'm a Celebrity... Get me out of here! a few years ago? Moany, wasn't she? None of which has anything to do with the fact that the Scottish comedian/presenter/journalist/ has written a new novel.

Intriguingly named The Naked Drinking Club, it's set in 1980s Australia and is apparently a rather wild coming of age story. It was released on 1st March and is her first novel, although not her first book - Rhona's literary debut was an autobiography, called 1979: A Big Year in a Small Town (which I always wanted to read for the vain reason that I was born in 1979...)

Book news archives | Celebrity authors

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 21, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 20, 2007 12:10 PM

Adaptation: tricky, but worth it?

Did you see Mansfield Park at the weekend? (I recorded it but have heard mixed reviews!)

What did you think?

An interesting article in The Guardian looks at ethics of adaptation for the small and silver screens and the difficulty of doing justice to the original text - but points out that when it works, it works. 

Which is why we devote a regular feature to it every Friday, of course!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 20, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Opinion, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

Penny Vincenzi's Something Dangerous on Oneword Radio

A 17-part adaptation of Penny Vincenzi's Something Dangerous - the second book in the Spoils of Time trilogy -  begins on Oneword Radio today. Read by Patricia Hodge, you can catch it each day at 3.30am, 11.30am and 7.30pm. Listen online (UK only) or on digital radio.

Related posts: Sheer Abandon by Penny Vincenzi | Oneword Radio

Posted by Keris on March 20, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 19, 2007 12:41 PM

Orange Prize longlist announced

My favourite literary award of the year is one step closer to being decided with the announcement of The Orange Prize long list. As we told you before, Marian Keyes is among the women on the judging panel, and she's been chronicling her adventures in reading on her monthly blog/newsletter (in February her reading was broken up by a trip up the Amazon).

Anyway, the long list is rather... long (no!) so I'll post it over the cut:

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Poppy Shakespeare by Clare Allan

Arlington Park by Rachel Cusk

The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

Peripheral Vision by Patricia Ferguson

Over by Margaret Forster

The Dissident by Nell Freudenberger

When to Walk  by Rebecca Gowers

A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers by Xiaolu Guo

The Observations by Jane Harris

Carry Me Down by M J Hyland

The Girls by Lori Lansens

Alligator by Lisa Moore

What Was Lost by Catherine O’Flynn

The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney

Careless by Deborah Robertson

Afterwards by Rachel Seiffert

Ten Days in the Hills by Jane Smiley

Digging to America by Anne Tyler

The Housekeeper by Melanie Wallace

Lots there I'd love to read (especially Jane Smiley and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's books) , but only one that I have - Xiaolu Guo's A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers.

How about you?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 19, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Prize Winners, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK REVIEW: Karma by Holly A Harvey

Holly A Harvey’s debut novel, Karma, was published after she won the North East leg of the Undiscovered Authors competition.

It tells the story of Paige, whose life is not going well. She hates her job and is treated like dirt by her colleagues, plus previous health problems have seen her land in a fair amount of debt. And just when she thinks things can’t get worse ... they do (of course).

After realising she’s been a doormat for way too long - and inspired by an invitation to her school reunion - Paige decides to give karma a helping hand and get revenge on the people who have wronged her. That’s not exactly my understanding of karma (which, to be fair, is mostly based on My Name Is Earl) but still it’s good to see Paige standing up for herself. The problem I had with it was that the change happened so quickly. One minute she wouldn’t say boo to a goose, the next she’s kicking geese down the street (not literally, you understand).

There are quite a lot of problems with this book. The action doesn’t really get going until 100 pages in, it switches from present to past tense seemingly without rhyme or reason, there is way too much detail about everything (for example, Paige says she bought something on ebay. You then get three pages about how she found it, who she bid against, what she paid for it, obnoxious emails from the seller, etc.) and the ending is just too neat and perfect ... but, despite all of that, I did enjoy it.

Paige has a charming, self-deprecating voice and a good stock of funny one-liners. I didn’t laugh out loud, but I smiled a lot and, although chick lit readers have recently been criticised for their supposed narcissism, Karma had that recognition factor that’s always good fun (you know, when you go “that’s just like me!”) and it was particularly nice to find a heroine fantasising about my teenage crush Matt Goss!

Although it’s got its problems, Karma is an entertaining and funny read. And now that she’s (hopefully) got all the waffle out of her system, I’ve got really high hopes for Holly A Harvey’s next novel.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Why Not? by Shari Low

Posted by Keris on March 19, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Prize Winners, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 16, 2007 3:23 PM

Billie Piper's book adaptations

If you're in the UK, don't forget ITV's Jane Austen season starts this Sunday with Mansfield Park starring Billie Piper.

Thanks to our sister site, TV Scoop, we also learned that Billie is to star in an adaptation of Belle De Jour's Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl.

Posted by Keris on March 16, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Memoirs, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK NEWS: Forget Me Not

Okay, this will be my last maternally-themed post of the week, I promise!

Forget Me Not is the new book by Isabel Wolff (her seventh!) and was released on 5th March. It's the story of Anna Temple, a 36 year old City Analyst who, after the sudden and unexpected death of her mother, is forced to re-evaluate her life. Anna decides to get a new job as a garden designer (the title's a pun, geddit?) and embrace some life-changing new developments that happen as a result of an uncharacteristic one night stand... (can you guess what?!)

PS: Is it me or is this another case of a book cover 'snap'? Carry on over the cut to see what I mean...

Isabel Wolff's pretty new covers look a little bit like Jill Mansell's pretty new covers, no?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 16, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (5)

BOOK NEWS: Shaggy Blog Stories

As everyone in the UK will know, it's Comic Relief this evening. (If you're not in the UK and have no idea what I'm on about, click here for all the info).

Anyway! Blogger troubled-diva decided to set up an ambitious project to raise money for Comic Relief:  he put together in just one week a book of 100 amusing blog entries from British bloggers, with profits going to Comic Relief. Called Shaggy Blog Stories, you can buy a copy from Lulu.com and benefit a great cause.

With my declared penchant for bloggy books, I'm definitely going to snap one up!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 16, 2007 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (8)

BOOK REVIEW: The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy

Anyone who's read Fiona Neill's Slummy Mummy column in the Times will have been looking forward to the publication of The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy, her novelisation of the column. But newcomers will enjoy it, too. It's narrated by Lucy Sweeney, our eponymous heroine, whose housekeeping and organisation skills are on the lax, not to say slovenly side. Her husband despairs of her, as she turns up at the school gates in her pyjamas, locks herself out of the house, runs out of petrol at inconvenient times and loses her credit card, only to locate it later in the fridge - after it's been cancelled!

With three young sons to look after, Lucy knows she has to pull herself together, especially as the presence of Yummy Mummy and Alpha Mummy at the school gate always make her feel bad about herself. Then Sexy Domesticated Dad joins the PTA, and Lucy starts to enjoy the school run.

But it's just some harmless flirting... isn't it?

I really liked the tone of the book, but I have to say it did put me off having three young children! It very well conveys the stresses this puts on the primary caregiver, and on a marriage. I also couldn't believe one woman could be so disorganised - being a rather anally retentive control freak myself  I was squirming! I couldn't help of course wondering how much all  of Lucy's expereinces were based on the writer's own life - for her own sake, I hope it's exaggerated quite a bit!

The novel ended a bit abruptly, and tied things up in a little too much of a hurry for me, becoming a tad too farcical... but it was still a very good read and I look forward to whatever Fiona Neill writes next.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Hens Dancing by Raffaella Barker; The Only Boy For Me by Gil McNeil.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 16, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 14, 2007 8:15 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Lucy Diamond

I was lucky enough to read Lucy Diamond's debut novel, Any Way You Want Me, ooh ages ago. I've been dying to tell you all how fab it is and soon I will be able to as it's out next month. In the meantime, here's an interview with lovely Lucy.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

A funny, sexy novel about a desperate housewife taking desperate measures!

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

Up in the loft – the one place in the house that the kids can’t get to. It is so quiet up there – just the sound of seagulls outside to keep me company.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Any/all of the Shopaholic books by Sophie Kinsella Very funny, guaranteed to put me in a good mood!

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

Becky Bloomwood is my favourite chick-lit heroine – she’s fantastic, I’d definitely like to go shopping with her! Otherwise I’d say Jane Eyre. She probably couldn’t cut it in the shopping and gossip stakes, but she was so strong and feisty – very admirable!

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

I went on a Creative Writing evening class a few years ago, and found the support from fellow classmates to be invaluable – just as helpful as the tuition itself. It really kept me going, knowing that I had to turn in x amount of words each week and that real people would actually be reading my words! We’d critique one another’s work which was toe-curling at times but very useful. So my tip would be to go on a course or, if that’s not possible, ask a trusted friend to read your work-in-progress and give you some feedback. It’s all too easy to exist in a little writing bubble on your own – a bit of feedback can be really motivating. 

What are you reading at the moment?

I’m trying to read a classic novel every month as part of my New Year’s resolution. Hopefully by December I’ll be incredibly cultured! This month it’s David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. Before that, I read Anybody Out There by Marian Keyes.

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

I’m working on my new novel, provisionally entitled Something to Tell You, as well as an assortment of children’s books that I write under my real name (Sue Mongredien). Writing about young wizards, naughty princes and fairies as well as the ‘grown-up’ stuff adds a lot of variety to my life!

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

What is the perfect biscuit?
Ahh – I was hoping you’d ask me that, as I have undertaken years of research on this very subject. The perfect biscuit has got to be Marks and Spencers’ fruity flapjack cookies. Quite pricey but soooo delicious!

Thanks, Lucy. Look out for a review and giveaway of Any Way You Want Me at the beginning of next month!

Posted by Keris on March 14, 2007 in British Authors, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (1)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Thanks for the great responses last week, when we tried to figure out if 'literary' is a term of endearment or abuse! (Not sure what we agreed, but none of us liked lit snobbery).

This week... Stef Penney had good reason to not visit Canada whilst researching her Costa award-winning novel* The Tenderness of Wolves: she was agoraphobic.

But in general, what do you think about writers, for example, setting their books in a country they've never been to, making up geographical details (as Jenny Colgan admitted to doing with her novel Working Wonders) or otherwise not letting accuracy get in the way of a good story?

In other words... is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

*Guess I was wrong about there not being a woman on the shortlist - slapped wrist for me.

Yay or Nay archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 14, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Prize Winners, Recent Release, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (11)

The Mums' book: perfect for mother's day

With Mother's Day (in the UK and Commonwealth) this coming Sunday, expect us to feature a raft, perhaps even a slew, of books relating to mums. The Mums' Book would be just the thing to show your ma just how much you appreciate her, especially as it's subtitled 'For the mum who's best at everything'.

And I love the vintage-look, kitschy orange cover, too.

Related posts: The Hot Mom's handbook | Read mum lit novel online... as it's written

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 14, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 13, 2007 4:29 PM

BOOK NEWS: Crystal by Katie Price

Yep, Jordan's at it again - or rather Katie Price is (doesn't she get confused?!)

Described as "a glittering and sexy story of passion and betrayal and one woman’s search for true love" Crystal is the dual-named glamour model's second attempt at fiction after the success of Angel last year. (Which we quite liked, by the way). Clearly designed to be another beach read, Crystal will be released on 7th June.

[Via randomhouse.co.uk ]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 13, 2007 in Bonkbusters, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Romance | Permalink | Comments (4)

The Austen backlash begins

Just in time for ITV's upcoming Austen season and to coincide with the release last Friday of Austen biopic Becoming Jane, the BBC and Telegraph books blog are both trotting out the usual cliches that Jane was only writing about crinolines and love affairs (when actually she was writing about women's rights and gently but pointedly satirising the society she lived in, but whatever). And yesterday, Keris reported that even chick lit star Marian Keyes isn't a fan of J.A. Horrors!

If you haven't yet read the fabulous Flirting With Pride & Prejudice, now might be a good time to remind yourself why you love Austen. Unless... maybe... you don't?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 13, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (2)

Galaxy Book Awards shortlist announced

The Galaxy British Book Awards, formerly just The British Book Awards (those ones that Richard and Judy present where they always shout slightly embarrassing 'impromptu' interviews across the stage to the people giving out the books, I'm sure you've seen them on TV) have announced their shortlist. And they're now calling themselves The Oscars of the Book World. Posh!

Carry on over the cut to see the books in the running and for details on how to vote (for Marian Keyes!)...

The full list, with several categories, is very very long (despite the name 'shortlist'!) so it's better viewed via the awards' website. Perhaps of most interest to Trashionistas is that Marian Keyes's latest, the wonderful Anybody Out There? has been nominated for Sainsbury's popular fiction award. To vote for Marian, or any other book, click here. (Go now - hurry!)

Related: Richard and Judy archives | Prizewinners archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 12, 2007 12:49 PM

Books the British public just couldn't finish!

Normally at Trashionista we concern ourselves with those books you just can't put down, but today we're talking about books you struggle to pick up again after reading a few pages/chapters...

The book world is all a-flutter today about a new survey which shows the most frequently abandoned reads: top of the list is 'challenging' Booker Prize winner Vernon God Little by WBC Pierre, which 35% of 4000 surveyed readers apparently gave up on.  It was joined by Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses and classic of the impenetrables: Ulysses by James Joyce. The only female author at the top, and the biggest surprise, is that 32% of adult readers couldn't make it through Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (although, actually, you can add me to that list - Quidditch World Cup? Snoozeathon! Pick up the pace, JK...)

If any of those books are on your personal unfinished list, The Times helpfully tells you how they end, and The Guardian digests them for you.

So... what's the book you just couldn't finish? Find out mine over the cut!

For me it's William Faulkner's famously difficult The Sound and the Fury.  (With no differentiation in tenses and no idea which character is talking, it's a 'puzzler', to say the least). On the other hand, I managed to get to the end of the execrable Citizen Girl - but wished I hadn't bothered!

How about you?

Related post: Lovely Bones and Jane Austen on publishing insider's list of books NOT to read

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 12, 2007 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Rubbish Books | Permalink | Comments (11)

March 9, 2007 10:32 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The History of Lucy's Love Life in 10.5 Chapters by Deborah Wright

Lucy is dissatisfied with her life. She works in a job that's more about paying the bills than satisfaction and self-worth, she's in a relationship with a lovely bloke but can't tell if he's The One or if she'd be better off playing the field, and she's lonely. Nights are spent awake, fantasising about Lord Byron, and the days encompass endless lectures from her boss, a successful scientist.

One day Lucy arrives at work to find a mysterious parcel sent to her boss by a former suitor. The letter reveals that the suitor has been working on a time machine - included in the package - which he hopes will win the scientist's heart. Out of curiosity they build the time machine, and it does nothing.

But then Lucy loses her job, and is given the time machine as a parting gift. Determined to give it one more try, she assembles it in her flat. As is the way with technology, a swift kick is all it takes to make the time machine operational. All of a sudden, whole new worlds are open to Lucy, and she attacks them with aplomb, making friends with Byron, Ovid, and Casanova, to name but a few.

Through her travels, Lucy learns about poetry and art, and has the opportunity to reassess herself, her life, and her relationship.

While this may sound unbelievable and twee, it's not. There is some suspension of disbelief to deal with, but no more than can be found in other books, where we are told that women working as editorial assistants can afford flats with views of Hyde Park, and every girl has a best friend with a wardrobe of designer gear to be loaned at the drop of a hat.

What the book is, instead, is  a fresh take on the personal inventories we all do, and a lesson to appreciate what we have when we have it - the plot offers much more than adventures in the past. In fact, the plot offers so much more that the book could really be reviewed as two separate novels. For a bit of escapist fun with extra culture and more excitement than is found in most Boys' Own Adventure books, you couldn't do better than this. [Kate Walker]

Rating: 5 out of 5
Liked this? Try: Under My Spell, by Deborah Wright

Posted by Aigua Media on March 9, 2007 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Romance, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 8, 2007 6:27 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: E.M Delafield

When better than International Women's Day to launch a NEW! Trashionista series?! In Thursday Trailblazer,  we'll  focus each week on a female writer who (not surprisingly) blazed a trail, inspired the women writers who followed her and still has an important place in literature and in our hearts...

Today, a writer who for some strange reason isn't very well-known, but should be: E.M Delafield. She was working the Helen Fielding angle before Helen Fielding was even born. In 1930  she wrote the wry and satirical Diary of a Provincial Lady, (which has never been out of print) based on her own experiences as a young wife and mother. Three sequels followed, all about a worn-out  Devon housewife (although she's posh and has 'staff', her household management is poor in every sense of the word) her inattentive husband and raucous children. She may just have invented funny, diary-style fiction by and for women - and the mum-lit genre, too! Witty, intelligent and not above poking fun at herself, she'd doubtless be a bestselling chick-lit author if she'd only hung on another eighty years!

Read this: Diary of a Provincial Lady

Related post: Best women writers of all time (do you agree?)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 8, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Debut Novels, Series, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: The Adultery Club by Tess Stimson

In the beginning of the year we got excited about previews of The Adultery Club being given away with Red magazine. Tempted by the teaser - and the ubiquitous tube and rail advertising - I decided to put to one side my contempt for all things adulterous and read the book with an open mind.

Rather than a stereotypical novel with a narrator of sorts, The Adultery Club is narrated by the three main characters - Mal, the wife; Nicholas, the cheating husband; and Sara, the mistress - each taking it in turns to pick up the narrative thread from their point of view. 

I would have expected a book written in this fashion to be equally sympathetic to all characters, and judging by the reviews on Amazon, many readers found that to be the case. But while I felt more sympathy for Nicholas than I expected to, this was mostly due to the character of Sara, who was painted as a scheming harlot who did everything she could to ensnare a man she knew to be the married father of small children, persevering after refusals she could tell were difficult to utter.

Despite hating one of the characters, however, I didn't hate the book. Rather, I enjoyed it. A lot. Stimson is a talented writer who really gets inside the heads of her characters, meaning we do too. While this made me dislike Sara, it gave me sympathy for Nicholas, as the reader follows his moral waverings - while he is weak in the face of Sara's relentless pursuit, he initially and repeatedly tries to do the right thing.

As a portrait of the suffering that betrayal causes for all involved, The Adultery Club is a worthy three-dimensional read. It's also an involving book, and one that will stick with you once you've read the final pages. Anyone considering embarking on an affair would be well-advised to pick it up, as it eloquently describes the heartache, loneliness, and self-hatred that betrayal causes for all involved - even the innocent parties.

Rating: 4 out of 5
Liked this? Try: Getting Rid of Matthew, by Jane Fallon

Posted by Aigua Media on March 8, 2007 in British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Best women authors of all time

As a way both of celebrating International Women's Day today and introducing our new Thursday Trailblazer regular feature in which we will look in detail at some of the female authors who have paved the way, we look at twenty women authors we believe to be the best of all time.

Putting then in order would be both impossible and pointless since - as yesterday's Yay or Nay made clear - one woman's Helen Fielding is another's Iris Murdoch. (And, as The Guardian newspaper found recently after describing Martin Amis as Britain's greatest living author, "best" is entirely subjective.)

So you'll find them in alphabetical order after the cut.

Maya Angelou
American poet, memoirist and actress, probably best known for I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

Margaret Attwood
Booker Prize-winning Canadian author and poet.

Jane Austen
You don't really need me to tell you about Jane Austen, do you?

Pat Barker
Booker Prize-winning author of the fabulous Regeneration Trilogy.

Enid Blyton
Hugely prolific British children's author.

Charlotte Brontë
Eldest of the Brontë sisters and author of Jane Eyre.

Emily Bronte
Author of Wuthering Heights and sister of Charlotte.

Angela Carter
English novelist and feminist.

Helen Fielding
The Mother of Chick Lit. Probably.

Harper Lee
Pulitzer Prize-winning author of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Doris Lessing
British author of, amongst other books, the feminist classic The Golden Notebook.

Nancy Mitford
British comic writer and biographer.

Lorrie Moore
American author of short stories.

Alice Munro
Widely considered to be the world's best short story writer.

Iris Murdoch
British author whose novel Under the Net was chosen as one of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.

Dorothy Parker
American writer, poet and humourist.

JK Rowling
You may not have heard of her, but she's written a fairly successful series of children's books.

Dodie Smith
Probably best known as the author of The Hundred and One Dalmations, but also the author of the wonderful I Capture the Castle.

Alice Walker
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for The Color Purple.

Virginia Woolf
English novelist, considered one of the foremost modernist literary figures of the twentieth century.

Let us know if you agree or disagree, who you think we've missed or who you don't think should be included.

Posted by Aigua Media on March 8, 2007 in American Authors, British Authors, Classic Novels, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (13)

March 7, 2007 10:32 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Motherland by Maria Beaumont

I must admit I wasn’t particularly thrilled at the prospect of Maria Beaumont’s Motherland. Despite being an obsessed mother myself, I’m a bit bored by all the Mummy Lit crowding the shelves, but Motherland is different.

Fran used to have a fab career as a voiceover artist. She used to be madly in love with her husband, Richard. She used to be cool, calm and in control. And then she had kids. Frightened half to death at the idea of going back to work, cutting herself off from her two best friends and alienating her husband - plus the small matter of drinking so much that she forgets to pick her kids up from school - Fran hits rock bottom and then drags herself back up again.

Fran is a lovely character. Sarcastic, facetious, bitter and depressed, she still manages to be funny and endearing. Her descent into depression is written so sympathetically that I found myself feeling anxious on her behalf. The bitchy mothers at Fran’s children’s school are charicatures, but intentionally so (one has a wart on her nose, for heaven’s sake) and, in my experience, those type of mothers are all the same anyway.

Beaumont does something clever with the chapter numbers too (I know, how clever can you be with chapter numbers? But trust me, I was very impressed when I (finally) noticed) and it only added to the thrill of watching Fran get her life back.

Despite it being the kind of story that’s been done many times before, Beaumont’s writing and humour make Motherland a hugely satisfying and enjoyable read.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy by Polly Williams

Posted by Keris on March 7, 2007 in British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Sarah Bilston

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

A busy lawyer's life comes to a screeching halt when she's placed on bed rest.

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

All of the above! I find writing in different places keeps me fresh - otherwise I get bored ...

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Bridget Jones' Diary. Bridget manages to be honest but likeable at the same time.

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

Either Elizabeth Bennet or Jane Eyre. In my other life I teach and research literature, and actually I feel most at home in nineteenth-century novels. Strange but true.

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

Read. A lot. You can't really write unless you know how books work from the 'inside out,' so to speak - how scenes are created, how to produce tension, how to write plausible characters. By reading voraciously, these things eventually become second nature.

What are you reading at the moment?

I have four-month-old twins and a three-year-old, we're packing up to move to England for six months, and I'm trying to finish my new novel - frankly, I don't have alot of time to read at the moment!

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

I'm writing the sequel to Bed Rest, entitled Sleepless Nights.

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

"Why did you start writing?" Answer - I love reading, I love getting lost in a good book - and now I can lose myself in my own novels whenever I want!

Bed Rest is published by Sphere in March and will be reviewed by us ... soon!

Posted by Keris on March 7, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 6, 2007 12:20 PM

BOOK REVIEW: I Love Capri by Belinda Jones

Trashionista makes no secret of our love affair with Belinda Jones. She's a master of writing fluffy escapist fiction set in glamorous locations, and I Love Capri is no exception.

Kim is down on love and down on life. Having had her heart badly broken a few years before the book begins, she healed herself by retreating from the world - lots of nights in and dodgy telly in place of a jet-set lifestyle and exciting trips abroad as a professional translator. Making matters worse is her mother, who is never happy with Kim's appearance, and who has a worrying tendency to meddle in her daughter's love life.

Following the death of a grandfather she's never met Kim inherits £5,000, which she plans to spend on liposuction for her and her long-suffering flatmate. Before she can book an appointment, however, her mother whisks her off to Capri, home of the deceased grandfather, to do the translating as her mother prepares to take over her grandfather's boutique.

Initially terrified of leaving her comfort zone, Kim finds that life in Capri is better than she could have imagined. Despite being surrounded by high-end designer goods and miles of bling too ostentatious for J.Lo, Kim feels energised, not intimidated. Add to the extra energy a gradually improving relationship with her mother, more male attention than she knows what to do with, and a growing affection for the island and its inhabitants, and Kim finds herself to be a whole new woman.

But self-discovery isn't all that Capri has in store for Kim. Oh no. After all, it wouldn't be chick lit without a love affair, and spokes in wheels, and heartache, and more love, and extra suitors - inappropriate, natch - hiding in the wings. The difference between this novel and standard chick lit, though, is all in the quality of Jones' writing. The plot hinges on a fresh spin on an age-old question, one that will leave you reassessing your moral compass. Making it even more unique, I Love Capri doesn't end predictably, although the ending is entirely in keeping with the characters you've grown to love. [Kate Walker]

Rating: 5 out of 5
Liked this? Try: Divas Las Vegas, by Belinda Jones

Posted by Aigua Media on March 6, 2007 in British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

SPOTLIGHT: Louise Harwood

Louise Harwood was born in Shrewsbury and grew up on a farm.

After graduating from Durham University in 1989, she moved to London and did various temp jobs in the media. After working her way up through the ranks of a literary agency, she moved to Random House Publishing as an editor.

She left after having her first child and wrote Calling on Lily. Since then she has had two further novels published and her fourth, Hippy Chick, is out in July.

She lives in Oxfordshire with her husband and two sons.

Carry on over the cut for Louise's bibliography.

Calling On Lily
Six Reasons to Stay a Virgin
Lucy Blue, Where Are You?

Posted by Keris on March 6, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 5, 2007 10:09 AM

GUEST BLOG: Claire Allan

I'm very exciting to introduce a new regular feature here at Trashionista. My lovely friend (and occasional Trashionista reviewer) Claire Allan's debut novel will be published in just a few short months and she's agreed to write a column for us about the road to publication. Read on to find out about standing ovations, greasy spoons and outselling Marian Keyes! Over to Claire:

When I die I want it inscribed on my gravestone that on February 15, 2007 I outsold Marian Keyes’ Rachel’s Holiday and Watermelon on Amazon.

That was the day my debut novel became available for pre-order. It will actually be launched properly this summer - with early copies available in June and our Irish launch in August.

It’s just over a year since I started on this journey and it has been one helluva ride. My 30th birthday was fast approaching and I wanted to do something  different. As my hero Queen Marian of Keyes had written Watermelon in her 30th year, I decided to use that as my inspiration to achieving something remarkable before my one big 3-0.

I sat down and created the character of Grace Adams and her family and friends. I decided to tell the story of a working mother struggling to find her identity post baby.

But I didn’t want it to be a whinge-fest. I wanted it to be funny, and moving and spelled correctly all the way through. It wasn’t easy, but I think I got there.

In August of last year I got me an agent, and in December Poolbeg (who gave big Mazza her first deal) offered me a four book contract. I got a standing ovation for my colleagues when that call came through!

It’s been a bit of whirlwind since. I have PR consultants planning a strategy for me. I’ve eaten in the same greasy spoon as some of the biggest names in Irish chick lit and I’ve seen the cover of my book. Each step of this journey makes me nervous and excited in equal measures.

Thanks to the team at Trashionista, you’ll be able to chart my progress until publication day. I promise to tell you all about it, warts, attacks of nervous diarrhoea, moments of great joy and all.

And you can read the next instalment of Claire's adventures in bookland next month.

Posted by Keris on March 5, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (6)

BOOK REVIEW: The Goddess Society by Kelly McKain

The Goddess Society is a club formed by Lia, Jen and Shelley for the purpose of losing their virginity. Kelly McKain’s novel starts out fairly shocking (there’s sex on page 2) but actually becomes much tamer as it goes on.

Shelley is a model who doesn’t get on with her mother and thinks she may be in love with her best friend. Or maybe not. Jen is definitely in love with her best friend, Dylan, but she’s got issues with her mother too. She’s dead and Jen can’t remember what happened. Despite the fact that Lia is two years younger than her two friends, she’s so keen on Jase she’s willing to throw all caution to the wind.

The girls are great friends and the description of their friendship was my favourite thing about this book. It’s written very naturally; it’s not too cheesy, but not unnecessarily antagonistic either. It reminded me a bit of Ann Brashares Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. But without the pants.

And if you enjoy it, you can read more about the girls in The Lost Goddess.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Boyfriend List by E Lockhart

Posted by Keris on March 5, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

World Book Day Quick Reads

As part of the World Book Day celebrations, another series of "Quick Reads" has been released.

Costing from just £1.99, there should be something for everyone. My favourite last year was Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons in Life by Sir Richard Branson. This year, I'm liking Kerry Katona's Survive the Worst and Aim for the Best: How to Get Your Life Back On Track. No, really.

Posted by Keris on March 5, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 2, 2007 11:13 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Bitter Sweets by Roopa Farooki

The premise of Roopa Farooki’s debut novel, Bitter Sweets, is that deception can permeate through generations until your entire family life is based on secrets and lies.

Beginning when 13-year-old Henna's father marries her off to rich Ricky Karim by convincing her to pretend to be someone she’s not (17, cultured, educated), the deception colours Ricky and Henna's life and that of their daugher, Shona, who, with her boyfriend Parvez, elopes to London - where Ricky is leading a secret double life. And it doesn’t end there, Shona and Parvez’s sons also hide their true selves from their parents, with dire results.

Some family members know (or think they know) the secrets of the others, but subsequently every one of them finds out that there are more family secrets than they imagined - all of which need to be brought out into the light.

Bitter Sweets is a lovely, warm, gripping novel. I didn’t want to put it down and found myself thinking about it when I was doing other things. I liked and felt for all the characters (except those I wasn’t supposed to) and wanted it all to work out for them.

It was a little predictable and in some places there were too many coincidences and convenient occurrences, but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the book - it’s fiction after all - and the tidying of all the loose ends made it a very satisfying read.

Given that the plot spans more than fifty years, I didn’t really feel a sense of the passing of time - I felt like any of the book could have been set at any time - but that’s a minor gripe.

I was planning to give it 5, but only a couple of days after finishing it, it has already started to fade from my memory, so it’ll have to be a 4; but this is an original, entertaining, gripping and satisfying novel. Recommended.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try A Boy of Good Breeding by Miriam Toews

Posted by Keris on March 2, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 1, 2007 11:36 AM

Emma the best book ever written?

We've all heard Jane Austen described as the first chick lit author, but earlier this week I heard Chris Evans interviewing Jonathan Douglas, Director of the National Literary Trust, on his Radio 2 show.

Chris asked for his recommendation for the best book ever written. His answer was: "Probably Jane Austen's Emma. It's got everything. It's got the romance, it's got the comedy, it's got the pathos, it's got a bit of pain as well. It's Bridget Jones before Bridget Jones."

Do you agree? (I know it's shocking, but I haven't read it yet.)

Related posts: Retelling Emma / Friday Flick: Clueless / ITVs Jane Austen season

Posted by Keris on March 1, 2007 in British Authors, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (5)

THURSDAY THREE: Nannies

The life of a nanny is ripe with possibilities for entertaining stories - I know cos I used to be one - so this week we're going to look at three very different books about what can happen when you move in with not just complete strangers, but children too.

First up had to be the most famous book about a nanny since Mary Poppins - The Nanny Diaries. Described as 'a modern chick lit classic' by our own Diane, Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin's debut novel features Nan who, while studying for her master's in child education, turns to nannying for rich Manhattan families to pay the bills.

Suddenly she has to juggle her studies with the ever-more demanding, unreasonable and distant family she works for whilst also trying to avoid her difficult flatmate (which isn't too hard, as Nan barely has time to eat or sleep anymore!). The real focal point of the book is Nan's relationship with her little charge, Grayer, and it provides a great insight into the emotional issues around caring for children who are not your own.

In Under My Spell, Deborah Wright's modern magical fairy tale, Cara, a 25 year old witch, is so desperate to escape the clutches of her batty mother that she applies for a live-in nannying position with the Wilkins family. She’s delighted to get the position, and even more sure that this is the right move for her when she meets her gorgeous next door neighbour Sean, but Cara must remember all day, ever day, to act normal. If anyone finds out about her secret double life she’ll lose everything.

Carry on over the cut for the third - non-fiction this time - choice.

Aged just 19 Suzanne Hansen moved to L.A and accepted a post looking after three children whose father just happened to be one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, super-agent Michael Ovitz. You’ll Never Nanny in this Town Again: The True Adventures of a Hollywood Nanny describes how what had at first seemed like a dream job quickly became a nightmare: too shy to negotiate a fair contract, Suzanne found herself on call at all hours of the day and night. She also found her employers had very little respect for her, the work she did, or even their own children. But when she thought about quitting, the family turned nasty (or nastier), with Michael uttering the words that make up the book's title. Was he right? Would she ever nanny in Hollywood again? Well, there's only one way to find out!

Posted by Keris on March 1, 2007 in American Authors, British Authors, Debut Novels, Non Fiction, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 27, 2007 1:48 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Having a Lovely Time by Jenny Eclair

Having a Lovely Time is comedienne Jenny Eclair’s second novel. The action starts in South London and follows two couples, Guy and Alice Jamieson, and Joe Dobson and his younger girlfriend Nina.

Guy is planning to leave his wife and troublesome children as they no longer fit his executive image. Joe, on the other hand, has already left his wife, Hils, for Nina after Nina became pregnant.

But Nina isn’t happy. She feels like a drudge who no longer goes out with her friends and just spends all her time wiping up baby sick, so when Joe books a holiday to Tuscany she is delighted. Until she finds out that Joe’s two children are coming too. The Jamiesons are on the same holiday and what follows is an intricately weaved plot of love, lies and betrayal.

This award winning comic delivers some truly memorable characters, from Alice who no longer bothers shaving her legs to Hils the accidental novelist. All are well written and believable characters. Some are likeable and some are thoroughly unpleasant but all are intriguing and this book will keep you gripped to the last page.

Having a lovely time? Read this book and you will be. [Nicola Pedley]

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Plotting for Beginners by Sue Hepworth and Jane Linfoot

Posted by Keris on February 27, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

ITV's Jane Austen season

Goodness, the world's gone Jane Austen mad. Our sister site, TV Scoop, alerted us to ITV1's forthcoming Jane Austen season.

Wisely choosing not to attempt yet another version of Pride and Prejudice, the channel has commissioned new versions of Persuasion, Northanger Abbey, and Mansfield Park, featuring such fine actors as Billie Piper and Rupert Penry-Jones. The Kate Beckinsale version of Emma will also be shown.

If the trailer is anything to go by, it should be great.

Related posts: Anne Hathaway as Jane Austen

Posted by Keris on February 27, 2007 in Book News, British Authors, Classic Novels, Television | Permalink | Comments (2)

Jennifer Weiner and Jane Green on Martha Stewart

You can watch Jennifer Weiner and Jane Green's Martha Stewart interview here. But because we're a full service blog, I transcribed the bit about the chick lit label.

Jane: It was more problematic for me in the beginning. What is a bigger problem for me is the misconception about chick lit. I think when people hear chick lit they think it's a fluffy novel about a single girl in her 20s looking for Mr Right with designer handbags ...

Jennifer: Not that there's anything wrong with that! I do think it's sad to say that there are still some very silly people who like to judge books by their covers and they see a little pink and they see a sassy handbag and they think stupid, brainless, candyfloss, who cares? There's more going on that that--

Martha: Who cares? Only millions and millions and millions of readers ...

You're not wrong, Martha!

Related post: Marian Keyes on The Weekender

Posted by Keris on February 27, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Jane Green, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 26, 2007 7:22 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Independence Day by Jim Keeble

Subtitled 'A Broken Heart's Voyage Around The USA', Jim Keeble's first book is a travelogue with a difference - or, if you like, a purpose - as he traverses the States with a mission to get over being dumped by the love of his life. In the honeymoon capital of the world (Niagara Falls). Just after he's asked her to marry him.

From Las Vegas to Florida, and LA to Minnesota, Keeble goes in search of something, or somebody, to help him over his heartbreak and get his self-esteem back on a level. I would imagine mentioning to a prospective date that he's on the almost immediate rebound wouldn't go down too well, and so it proves when Mary in LA gets spooked by his tearful reminiscences of his former girlfriend and flies to the other side of the country, ostensibly to visit her brother. You can't help thinking the author had a little do with it.

Thankfully, he soon bucks up and finds that the various cities he visit mirror their female inhabitants and he's soon back in the saddle. (Quite literally when he goes to a dude ranch in Arizona and falls for the surgically enhanced charms of Debbie, an ex-cheerleader from Phoenix). 

From what I'd been led to believe by Hugh Grant-heavy movies and er, Vanity Fair, an Englishman barely has to open his mouth in the States to have a bevy of American women falling over themselves to date him, but it takes the hapless Keeble over 200 pages before he gets lucky (at his best friend's wedding). Fortunately he has a wry way with prose and by the time he jets out of JFK back to the UK, he feels reborn in the USA and the reader is cheering along with him.

Independence Day is a fine, funny read and could almost be a self-help book if, like the author, you've been left distraught by the person you thought you wanted to marry but also have an inkling to see the USA in all its glory. And who hasn't been in that position?! [David Stainton]

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Marry Me by Carey Marx or My Fat Brother by Jim Keeble

Posted by Keris on February 26, 2007 in British Authors, More On Monday, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 23, 2007 1:52 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Lucy Blue, Where Are You? by Louise Harwood

Lucy Blue, the heroine of Louise Harwood's third novel, is in the process of extricating herself from an unsuitable relationship with an overbearing, controlling man. In an act of liberation that is totally out of character, she accepts a New Year’s Eve party invitation from an old friend in Scotland, imagining this to be the start of her exciting new life of freedom.

The party itself is a disappointing flop, but the situation worsens when Lucy finds she can’t return to London, where she’s due back in work the next day, because the airport is snowbound. A plot is hatched amongst the stranded souls in the car hire office to share cars in order to reach their respective destinations, and Lucy finds herself reluctantly “lumbered” with giving a lift to a devastatingly attractive stranger, Jude.

Having spent the best part of a day cooped up in a small hire car together, passion suddenly strikes and Jude and Lucy make an unscheduled detour to a roadside motel and succumb to their animal passions. Job done, they agree that this should remain one magical, mystical memory, set against the perfect, snowy backdrop, never to be repeated. Both agree that to meet again would be to shatter the perfection of the day and so, upon reaching London, they happily go their separate ways.

All is fine until a poster in a tube station declaring “Where are you, Lucy Blue?” throws them back together again, bringing to the surface buried emotions, family issues and consequences they couldn’t possibly have foreseen.

I found this a light, easy book that would make an enjoyable beach read (yes, I know it’s the depths of winter, but you get my drift).

On the downside, the characters didn’t quite feel substantial or developed enough to really care about. My acid test of a good chick-lit book is that it makes me laugh and cry and really root for the heroine. This did none of those things (and I’m easy, believe me).

The plotline showed early potential, and contained some very romantic ideas, but I felt it soon descended  into predictability. It was interesting enough to keep me reading until the end, but when the denouement arrived, visible from halfway through the book, like an artic. on the horizon, I can’t say I really cared that much that everyone had resolved their issues, found (relative) happiness and that those who needed to had seen the error of their ways.

The dialogue felt slightly plodding and unnatural at points too - for example, the passion that erupted between Jude and Lucy appeared to suddenly spring out of leaden conversation and slight awkwardness (but maybe I’ve just never been fortunate to experience the kind of passion that requires no words to ignite!).

All that said, the book grew on me. It wasn’t a demanding read (which I mean in a good way, honestly), just lighthearted, romantic, fun entertainment. [Louise Luck]

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Next Big Thing by Sara Caspian

Posted by Keris on February 23, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 22, 2007 12:55 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Cents & Sensibilities by Maggie Alderson

Despite having such a dubious title, Maggie Alderson surprised me with this great story! I’ve not read any of her previous work, so didn’t know what to expect – the cover suggested undemanding fluffy chick lit, and the title suggested maybe a contemporary working on Jane Austen. I had very low expectations, but what I got was a well-written, funny, clever story – not just of a girl, but of a family to which I long to belong!

The book begins a little alarmingly with enough luxury brand names to make you dread what’s coming. Thankfully, it soon turns out to be deliberate - as a ‘fluff correspondent’ journalist, Stella knows her luxury stuff. From her first night out with Jay, the predictable misconception of a chick lit novel is twisted on its head – every time you think you know what’s coming, the plot side-shifts somewhere new.

I was mentally slapping the author for the blatant Roman Holiday take off – until she made the exact same reference herself, and simply endeared me to Stella further.

The romance that is central to the plot is never straightforward – ostensibly, the book is about Stella’s struggle to manage her relationship with jet set playboy Jay. But the undertones of the other relationships going on around her with her bed buddy, her co-journalist and her ‘semi-step-brother’ all smoulder under the surface, providing intriguing and dynamic sub-plots, teasing you with the possibilities of what may happen a little further along.

The secondary theme of the book is the relationship between Stella and her father Ham. The family set up is completely ludicrous – and yet charming and utterly believable, and against your better judgement you can’t help but love it, and feel a part of it.

The book left me with a warm happy glow, and a jealous longing for the ridiculous family to be my own. It’s not going to set the literary world on fire, but suffice to say it has a space on my bookshelf – and I’ve read it twice already. [Laura Hitchcock]

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Three Day Rule by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees

Posted by Keris on February 22, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 21, 2007 4:42 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Raising the Roof by Jane Wenham-Jones

Raising the Roof, Jane Wenham-Jones first novel, is about Cari Carrington, the daughter of slightly crazy parents and ex-wife of Martin, the man who cut up her Barclaycard.

Cari has three problems; she’s single, she’s jobless and she’s fat. At least that’s what Martin told her during their last blazing row. But don’t worry; Cari has a solution to at least two of those problems.

Nigel her horny friend soon becomes her Nigel her horny business partner when they buy a run down property to do up for a profit. Unfortunately Nigel fails to tell Cari exactly how much work needs to be done and she soon sees her investment running away from her so she has to take a more hands on approach than she’d intended.  Working on a building site had never been in her get rich quick plan.

And then there’s the ingenious shelf diet which will not only make her thin but will also make her millions when she reveals it to the world, if only she could stick to it.

As for being single, there’s always Ben, but he’s married so that’s probably not a good idea …

But behind the chick lit book lies something more serious.  Cari’s sister Juliette has a nervous breakdown and both Cari and her mother are obviously fragile. The subject is handled sensitively and draws on Ms Wenham-Jones’s own experience of mental illness within her family.

I found this a really enjoyable read that was only enhanced by the serious subjects. The majority of the book is written in light-hearted chick lit style but every so often we get a glimpse of something deeper, the things which lie beneath the characters’ surface and that really lifts this book above a lot of others. [Nicola Pedley]

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

Posted by Keris on February 21, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 20, 2007 8:16 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Louise Rennison

I have to admit to being a little bit obsessed with Louise Rennison. I think it might be because, as I've already mentioned, I originally thought she was a "real" teenager, so once I thought of spotlighting her this week, I couldn't think of anyone else.

Plus there's the news that the team behind Bend It Like Beckham and Bride & Prejudice - Gurinda Chadha and Paul Mayeda Berges - are making a film of Angus, Thongs & Full-Frontal Snogging. Currently in pre-production, it's due for release next year. No casting news yet, sadly.

Anyway, Louise! Louise grew up in Leeds, Yorkshire in a three bedroom house shared with her parents, grandparents, and an aunt, uncle and cousin! When Louise was 15, the family (presumably not all of the above) emigrated to Wairakei in New Zealand.

Back in the UK and after some travelling and an assortment of jobs including playleader and dental nurse, Louise enrolled on a Performing Arts course in Brighton.

She then wrote and performed an enormously successful one-woman show called Stevie Wonder Touched My Face, which led to Louise writing for the Evening Standard. After writing an article called Dating Over 35, she got a call from Piccadilly Press suggesting she write a book. In fact, they suggested a teenage girl’s diary.

The first book, Angus, Thongs and Full-frontal Snogging, was a huge hit and Louise has gone on to write six more (with more to come). The books have been even bigger in the US than the UK, selling over a million copies and reaching Number 1 on the New York Times Bestseller list.

Louise lives in Brighton.

Carry on over the cut for Louise's bibliography.

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging
It's OK, I'm Wearing Really Big Knickers (Called On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God in the US)
Knocked Out by My Nunga-Nungas
Dancing in My Nuddy Pants
... And that's when it fell off in my hand (Called Away Laughing on a Fast Camel in the US because the UK title was thought to be too rude; even though the "it" wasn't the "it" you're probably thinking of!)
... And then he ate my boy entrancers
... Startled by his furry shorts!

Posted by Keris on February 20, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Movie News, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: Growing Up Again by Catriona McCloud

One night Janie Lawson decides to leave her husband, Ludo. The next morning she wakes up back in 1981 aged 15. So far, so Jenny Colgan’s Do You Remember the First Time, but Catriona McCloud’s Growing Up Again is a very different, and much better, book.

Janie can’t work out why she’s gone back in time, but she thinks it might be to avert some future disasters, so she sets about trying to make some changes, starting with stopping Lady Diana Spencer from marrying Prince Charles. But Janie doesn’t limit herself to national and international events, she wants to change things for her parents too, to give them a better future.

Where the Jenny Colgan book was more about Flora adjusting to life as a teenager again and trying to work out whether to accept a proposal (back in the real world), Growing Up Again has a much bigger theme. Family, responsibility, addiction, even mental health. But that doesn’t mean it’s a serious book. I found it almost unputdownable and it made me laugh and cry.

Janie isn’t, on the surface, a sympathetic character. She can’t truly explain why she wants to leave her apparently sweet husband and she’s bossy and dogmatic, but I loved her and was rooting for her throughout. Her parents are lovely characters, her friend Danny is hilarious and charming (while not being a traditional hero) and McCloud writes beautifully. This sentence, simple as it is, made me gasp in recognition:

The kitchen was the same as ever, neat but dirty, and when he opened the fridge to get milk for our tea I could see dried spills on the shelves and a layer of onion skins and tomato stalks in the bottom drawer, but not much in the way of food beyond a tub of Stork and half a cabbage face down on a dinner plate.

I mean the Stork and half-cabbage reminded me of my old family fridge, not that my fridge is so grotty. Ahem.

My only complaint about this book is the ending. Towards the end I couldn’t read fast enough and found myself marvelling at how McCloud had managed to make something so far-fetched so believable and thrilling, but then, as I approached the final page I got a creeping sense that I wasn’t going to like what I found. And I was right. In fact, I shouted, “Noooo!” Then again, that may be personal preference; some readers may think it was the only possible way it could end. Anyway, it meant that I’m giving it a 4 instead of a 5, but I can’t wait to see what Catriona McCloud comes up with next. Brilliant.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Me vs Me by Sarah Mlynowski

Posted by Keris on February 20, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 19, 2007 2:58 PM

Sophie Kinsella in Sacramento

And while we’re on the subject of Sophie Kinsella, if you’re in Sacramento, California (where I once spent a very happy afternoon reading under a tree), Kinsella will be a guest of The Bee Book Club on March 1.

Kinsella will discuss her books, answer questions and sign copies of Shopaholic & Baby from 5:30 p.m. on the second level of Macy's "women's building" at Downtown Plaza. The event is free and open to the public. If you're lucky enough to attend, please tell us all about it!

Posted by Keris on February 19, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (0)

MORE ON MONDAY: Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Frank Cottrell Boyce's debut children's novel was made into a film directed by Danny Boyle, but the book is far superior. Set at an unspecified date in the near future, two boys discover a bag of stolen money that's been thrown from a passing train. The trouble is it's Sterling and the Euro is due to come in any day, making the cash obsolete and unspendable, so the boys go about trying to get rid of it as fast as they can without attracting the attention of any responsible adults, not least their father and the thieves themselves.

As if the above wasn't enough to cope with, their mother has died and 9-year-old Damian deals with his grief by hiding in a cardboard box "hermitage" and obsessing over saints. The boys' father has no idea how to deal with this or indeed his own grief.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's entertaining, innovative, exciting, sweet, funny and well-written. The boys' grief is dealt with sensitively and also amusingly (which I know sounds odd, but trust me). I'd imagine it'd be an excellent book to read to children from about 8 years old. I really loved it.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Bee Season by Myra Goldberg

Posted by Keris on February 19, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, More On Monday, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

February 16, 2007 4:39 PM

BOOK REVIEW: What Would Barbra Do? by Emma Brockes

I’m not ashamed to admit that I love a good musical. I was brought up on Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Singin’ in the Rain, Calamity Jane and some of my earliest crushes were Howard Keel, Gordon McCrae and Gene Kelly, so when I heard about Emma Brockes’s What Would Barbra Do? How Musicals Can Save Your Life, I couldn’t get hold of it fast enough.

Emma has always been mad about musicals and, at university, formed the Young Fogies club with a friend. She describes how she came to love musicals, how they informed her relationship with her mother, father, friends, even with colleagues, and goes on to look at specific musicals, unpicking the appeal of The Sound of Music and describing “bad” musicals Xanadu and The Jazz Singer in such a way as to make me immediately stick them on my LoveFilm list.

This is a fascinating and very funny book. Emma writes intelligently and fondly about everything from Barbra Streisand to Andrew Lloyd Webber (Elton John gets short shrift though). I absolutely loved it. In fact, it was the type of book I would have bunked off work to read (if I wasn’t self-employed and working from home, which takes all the fun out of skiving).

If you’ve ever felt your heart lifted by The Surrey with the Fringe on Top or cried at Tony’s death in West Side Story (and what kind of cold-hearted creep would you be if you didn’t?) then you’ll love this book. Utterly fabulous.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Queen of the Oddballs by Hillary Carlip or But Enough About Me by Jancee Dunn

You can read an extract here.

Posted by Keris on February 16, 2007 in British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

FRIDAY FLICK: Pride and Prejudice

As promised threatened, this week’s Friday Flick is a Jane Austen adaptation. Or rather, the Jane Austen adaptation: Andrew Davies’s Pride & Prejudice.

Starring Colin Firth as Mr Darcy and Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet, this really is the definitive mini-series. Perfectly cast and charmingly acted and with the added bonus of the Firth/Darcy wet-shirt-out-of-the-lake-scene, it’s pure entertainment from start to finish.

If you haven’t seen it, what on earth are you waiting for? Get some drinks, snacks, pyjamas and curl up for a weekend’s viewing. I promise you won’t regret it.

Related posts: Flirting with Pride and Prejudice / Darcymania! / Jane Austen's Guide to Dating

Posted by Keris on February 16, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Friday Flick | Permalink | Comments (3)

February 15, 2007 2:16 PM

BOOK REVIEW: "... Startled by His Furry Shorts!" by Louise Rennison

After Maureen Dowd derided chick lit by erroneously quoting from a Louise Rennison book, I remembered that I’d bought the latest in the Georgia Nicolson series and hadn’t yet read it.. ‘... Startled by His Furry Shorts!’ is the seventh book in the series that began with Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging (the book mocked by Dowd).

Georgia Nicolson is a teen girl (I’m not sure how old she supposed to be, but I don’t think she’s aged since the first book) with a bunch of best mates (the Ace Gang), a gaggle of potential boyfriends (Robbie the Sex God, Masimo the Luuurve God, and Dave the Laugh), a couple of enemies (Wet Lindsay and Astonishingly Dim Monica), a demented little sister, eccentric parents and a few mad cats.

Very little happens in any of these books, except that Georgia and friends mess about like loons, pretend to be Vikings, fancy boys and have a laugh. When I read Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging, I thought it had been written by a "real" teenage girl; it has that mix of naivety, eccentricity, petulance and good humour. And the books are really very funny (in a mad way). For example, this book begins:

I can’t believe I am once more on the rack of romance.
And also in the oven of love.
And possibly on my way to the bakery of pain.
And maybe even going to stop along the way to get a little cake at the cake shop of agony.
Shut up, brain. Shut up.

If you laugh at the above, then you’ll love these books. If you think "What on earth is she going on about?" then you probably won’t. But why not give them a try anyway? You never know, you might reconnect with your inner daft teenager.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Princess Diaries: After Eight by Meg Cabot

Posted by Keris on February 15, 2007 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (6)

February 14, 2007 3:51 PM

Romantic Novel of the Year Award shortlist announced

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

A Step in the Dark by Judith Lennox
Beyond the Blue Hills by Katie Flynn
Iris & Ruby by Rosie Thomas
Learning by Heart by Elizabeth McGregor
The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook by Matt Dunn
Welcome to the Real World by Carole Matthews

No, you didn't read that wrong, there is a man on the list. Matt Dunn is only the sixth man to make the shortlist in the prize's history. The winner will be announced on 27th April.

If you've read any of the above, don't be afraid to let us know what you thought.

Posted by Keris on February 14, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: One Hundred Ways to Say I Love You by Celia Haddon

Since it's Valentine's Day (What? You didn't know?), I thought I'd review a romantic book. Celia Haddon's One Hundred Ways to Say I Love You is one of those books that men pick up at the last minute, thinking "That'll do," before buying a bunch of carnations from the garage, but don't let that put you off, it's actually a very sweet book.

A selection of (mostly) romantic quotes, separated by themes like "Reasons for love" and "Let's get physical," One Hundred Ways to Say I Love You opens with every chick lit fan's favourite (I imagine):

In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.

Mr Darcy to Elizabeth Bennett, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, 1813

I never read that without getting a little skip in my stomach (although that may be because it makes me think of Colin Firth).

I also loved this, in an 1872 note from Benjamin Disraeli to his wife:

I have nothing to tell you, except that I love you, which, I fear, you will think rather dull.

This is a slight book, but a sweet book. I read bits of it out loud to my husband - he found it funny rather than romantic, but that might have been because I was reading it - but if you're looking for a little romantic inspiration you could do a lot worse. But do not accept those garage flowers!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Did I Wake You? by Beth Lapides

Posted by Keris on February 14, 2007 in British Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 13, 2007 8:01 AM

SPOTLIGHT: Adele Parks

Imagine my surprise when I realised we hadn't featured Adele Parks, one of the most successful authors of the last ten years!

Adele Parks was born in the North-east of England and read English Language and Literature at Leicester University.  After university she spent a year teaching English in Italy.

Back in the UK, she moved to London and started a career in advertising. After moving to Botswana for a couple of years, she continued in advertising and, in her spare time, wrote Playing Away, partly as a way of coping with five deaths in her family, including her grandfather.

Adele sent an incomplete version of Playing Away to an agent who asked to see the whole thing. Adele spent the next six months writing the rest of the book, which subsequently became the biggest selling debut of the millennium!

Adele has enjoyed five subsequent bestsellers and has been published in fourteen different countries. Her seventh book, Young Wives' Tales, will be released in April.

Adele lives in Guildford, Surrey, with her husband and son, and is working on book number eight.

Carry on over the cut for Adele's bibliography and some more book cover snaps!

Playing Away
Game Over
Larger Than Life
The Other Woman’s Shoes
Still Thinking Of You
Husbands

 

Posted by Keris on February 13, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 12, 2007 9:32 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: Child of the North by Josephine Cox

I’ve never read a Josephine Cox book. I read an extract of one as part of my English degree and I really didn’t enjoy it at all, so why did I read Child of the North? Because it’s not a Josephine Cox novel, it’s written by Piers Dudgeon with Josephine Cox for a start and it’s more the story of Josephine’s childhood in Lancashire, very near to where I live now.

Josephine Cox grew up as one of ten children in an extremely poor family in Blackburn. Her mother worked in a cotton mill. Strangely - since at school we seemed to study the Industrial Revolution to the exclusion of almost everything else - I’m still pretty interested in the subject and Piers Dudgeon (with Josephine Cox) writes extremely evocatively about the industry and related hardships.

The main problem with this book is that Josephine’s memories are illustrated with extracts from her novels, which are generally sentimental and overblown (if you’ve never read any of her novels, just the titles should give you an idea of what to expect: Angels Cry Sometimes, Her Father’s Sins, Cradle of Thorns). Even the memoir bits suffer from this - Josephine talks about how times were hard but “we made our own fun,” even about how she once received an orange for Christmas. It’s a bit like listening to your grandma after a couple of sweet sherries.

Having said that, I did enjoy the historical aspect of the book and it’s quite entertaining to walk past our local florists and say, “Josephine Cox lived there.”

Rating: 2 out of 5

Like this? Try The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson

Posted by Keris on February 12, 2007 in British Authors, Memoirs, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 2/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 8, 2007 5:25 PM

BOOK REVIEW: How to Walk in High Heels by Camilla Morton

Subtitled 'The Girl's Guide to Everything' and with a forward by John Galliano, this pink tome was seemingly designed for the Sex in the City crowd, cosmo-drinkers in search of the fashionable way to live life and get it right. And it is, to a certain extent.

Like any good fashionista, Morton name drops like it's going out of style. But like the best sort of fashionista, she doesn't do the name-dropping herself. Sections written by the likes of Kylie Minogue (How to enhance your finer assets), Vivienne Westwood (How to appreciate art and where to start), Gisele (How to look good in a photo), and Christopher Bailey (How to be inspired - gorgeous places to go to) tell you all you need to know about just how chic Morton is. And if advice from her nearest and dearest won't help you attain uber-fabulousness, then there's just no hope for you, dahling.

Or is there?

While the book is undoubtedly an amusing read, it's definitely more loo book than style bible. It's divided into sections which I called 'vaguely useful' and 'duh' in my head - can you guess which fell into which category?

* Greeting Your Public (grooming, walking in high heels, applying makeup, and hat-wearing)

* Being Socially Adept (manners, cooking, art, culture)

* Tackling Your Technophobia (gadgets, gizmos, the workplace)

* Homes and Gardens (house-buying, home economics, gardening, home maintenance)

* Joining the Jet Set (travel, driving)

I won't claim to be the best-groomed, most stylish woman out there. I'm usually quite scruffy, and I hate filing my nails. But there was nothing in the beauty section of the book that you won't have learned from friends, relatives, or [insert style bible of choice]. The more practical advice about home ownership and associated life skills will also have been passed on to you by people you know, and while it may not have been so wittily prettily presented, it's the same advice. Get a mortgage, talk to your bank, buy what you can afford, don't put offers down on 36 places at once. Gee, thanks. I never would've figured that one out for myself. And mummy and the bank manager telling me the same thing never sunk in. But now that someone in the fashion world put it in a pink book, it all makes sense. Hurrah!

But I'm making the book sound more awful than it is. It doesn't take itself remotely seriously, and that's its saving grace. This is light-hearted fluff with a few nuggets of gold (Gisele's photo advice being one), and as long as you don't pick it up expecting anything more, you won't be disappointed. Loo book, no question.

Rating: 2 out of 5

Like this? Try The Goddess Guide by Gisele Scanlon

Posted by Aigua Media on February 8, 2007 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 2/5, Self development | Permalink | Comments (1)

February 6, 2007 3:28 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Alison Bond

Our interview with Lisa Clark reminded me that we loved Alison Bond's two books here at Trashionista, but I don't know anything about her. So I thought I'd make her the subject of this week's spotlight.

A graduate of Bournemouth Media School, Alison worked in the film industry for seven years before taking six months off to concentrate on writing a novel.

That novel was How to be Famous, published in 2005 and followed by The Truth About Ruby Valentine.

Alison lives in London.

Hmm. Didn't actually learn much there, did we? I'll keep on it.

Read about Alison's favourite things here.

Posted by Keris on February 6, 2007 in British Authors, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 5, 2007 10:05 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Nul Points by Tim Moore

Tim Moore’s five books to date have been (mostly) hilarious travelogues, where he puts himself through epic journeys, suffering for our enjoyment whether by trawler across the Arctic Circle (Frost On My Moustache), following the route of the Tour De France (French Revolutions) or recreating the Grand Tours of Renaissance Europe in a knackered Rolls Royce (Continental Drifter). When he’s taken the easier route (a tour of the Monopoly board locations in Do Not Pass Go), the results were patchy, in my opinion. His last travelogue, Spanish Steps found the hapless Moore on a pilgrimage across Spain accompanied by a truculent donkey, and was a rather-him-than-me return to form.

Given that I’m not Scandinavian, the owner of a mullet (anymore) or, shall we say, flamboyant, I’m not exactly in the ideal demographic to review a book about the Eurovision Song Contest (Moore attends the 2005 Contest and describes it like “going to the gay World Cup”). Specifically, Nul Points is Moore’s quest to track down each of the 14 contestants who, since 1974, have returned from their respective Eurovisions with a big fat zero against their country’s flag. Or as he puts it, “the unfortunates left to wander the lonely, windswept summit of Mount Fiasco without a point to their names.”

Many of the zero ‘heroes’ refuse point blank to meet Moore, on the grounds that Eurovision ruined their lives, or in the case of Cetin Alp of Turkey, because he was dead. Celia Lawson of Portugal (her dad was from Bolton) was a nul pointer in 1997 and seems to have suffered some sort of breakdown in the intervening years, and it’s her story which has the most poignancy. The writer (who clearly had a crush on her) only just resisting the urge to hug her and tell everything’s going to be ok when she reveals that she regrets doing Eurovision, after which she could only find work as a chamber maid.

To misquote Kipling (Rudyard not Mr), Moore meets both triumph and disaster on his way round Europe and treats both imposters in the same (mostly) impartial manner. Although, always divertingly entertaining enough, the thing that’s missing for me is Moore’s self-deprecating asides as he pursues his solo goal. It’s all a bit easy for him, and apart from a funny episode when he’s busted for the world’s smallest amount of cannabis at Oslo airport, all the humour is at his subjects' expense. Maybe if Moore himself had attempted to try for Eurovision as a sub-plot it would have perked things up, but perhaps then he would have been entering “Round Ireland With A Fridge” territory, which would have been infinitely worse.

As it is, it’s an agreeable enough read, perhaps one to dip in and out of on holiday. Lets hope next time his destination is a little more challenging. [David Stainton]

Rating: 2 out of 5

Like this? Try The Yes Man by Danny Wallace

Posted by Keris on February 5, 2007 in British Authors, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 2/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jenny Colgan's fave restaurant

Rootling through the giant stack of magazines cluttering up my office, I found a snippet in Red magazine about Jenny Colgan’s favourite restaurant. “I always have the oysters, fish soup and fish pie at J Sheekey,” Jenny says. “I also love The Wolseley. The delicious cakes make it great for breakfast and I like it when they draw a heart on your cappuccino froth.”

It all sounds lovely, but I think it might be a bit out of the price range of most of Jenny’s readers. Last time I was in London I ate in Ed’s Diner ...

Related posts: Jenny Colgan's wedding cake / Talking to Addison review / Do You Remember the First Time review / Where Have All the Boys Gone review

Posted by Keris on February 5, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 2, 2007 5:28 PM

The Bad Mother's Handbook on ITV

A dramatisation of Kate Long's The Bad Mother's Handbook will be shown on ITV later this month. As you can see the book's been give a new - and very pink - tie-in cover.

With a fantastic cast including Catherine Tate and Anne Reid, it sounds like must-see TV. Read more about filming (and have a look at the pics) at Kate Long's website.

And we'll let you have more details as soon as we know them ourselves.

Posted by Keris on February 2, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Think Pink by Lisa Clark

How I wish I’d had Lisa Clark’s Think Pink when I was 14.

Subtitled ‘the ultimate “go-for-it” guide for girls!’ Think Pink takes us on ‘a kick-ass road-trip to self discovery’ accompanied by 14-year-old Lola Love and her friends.

It includes advice, anecdotes and quizzes on subjects from increasing your self-esteem to making (and keeping) friends, avoiding toxic boys and making future plans, and is not only entertaining and useful, but looks gorgeous too - Holly Lloyd’s illustrations complementing the text perfectly.

The first in a much-needed series (have you looked at the teen non-fiction shelves lately? There’s nothing there!) Think Pink will show you how to ‘fill your life with sunshine-filled, candy-kissed moments.’ And who wouldn’t want that?

And it’s not just for teens, I found it entertaining and inspiring and I’m *cough* in my thirties.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Being a Girl by Kim Cattrall

Posted by Keris on February 2, 2007 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Self development, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 1, 2007 2:06 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Second Wives Club by Jane Moore

Modern marriage is more disposable than institution, according to any sociologist looking to get press clippings on a slow news day. Papers fill their lifestyle sections with treatises on 'starter marriages', divorce rates are on the up, and compound families of step-everyones have fast become the norm in modern-day Britain.

Or so they said last year. This year's press has been peppered with the odd piece on falling divorce rates, the acceptance of marriage as a meaningful declaration of life-long love, and the pursuit of happiness amongst our feckless youth. Which could cause problems for Jane Moore, whose Second Wives Club is due to be published in paperback this April.

At least, it could if the book weren't a fun read.

The Second Wives Club opens with the dramatic crashing of a dream wedding by the - horror! - first wife who had been told her ex was taking the kiddiewinks to the park for the day, not dressing them up in their Sunday best and making them play pageboys.

Ghastly. But every cloud has a silver lining, and for second bride Alison, that silver lining comes when a guest at the wedding invites her to join the second wives club, a place where trophy wives, former mistresses, and self-effacing childcarers join together to bitch about the horrors of being a second wife and all of the social politics such a position entails.

All of the club's members have relationship troubles of sorts, with children from the first marriage, difficult starter wives, and - naturally - the husbands themselves. During their meetings they conspire to fix these troubles, with varying degrees of morality and success.

I'd like to end the review like this: Essentially this is a light-hearted romp, with enough drama to keep you absorbed. The characters are all interesting people, although not all are likeable.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Being honest, however, I have to end it like this: The only two downsides for me were thus: first, reading the book instilled me with an overwhelming sense of deja vu. I know I've not read the book before, but I have. I knew the characters, I knew the essence of the plot turns, if not the details, and I knew exactly how it was all going to work out in the end. And not in the cosy familiar sense I get with most chick-lit, where the familiarity breeds enjoyment, but in the predictable dull sense. Second, (and I know this is very -ist of me) I can't quite bring myself to enjoy a novel where two of the main characters actively pursued married men and took them from their wives and children. It goes against everything I'm made of.

Rating: 2 out of 5

Like this? Try Getting Rid of Matthew by Jane Fallon

Posted by Aigua Media on February 1, 2007 in British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

THURSDAY THREE: Working at magazines

Last week I looked at books set in newspaper offices. This week I’m looking at the much more glamorous world of magazines.

Andrea Semple’s The Ex-Factor features agony aunt for Gloss magazine, Martha Seymore, whose own relationship comes apart, leading Martha to piece together her relationship history and realise that she might not be that different to her readers after all.

Zoe Rose, heroine of Stephanie Lessing’s Miss Understanding, has recently been made deputy editor to Issues magazine, despite being a radical feminist. She immediately gets on the bad side of a couple of fashionistas and the rest of the plot is typical bitchy, back-stabbing, sabotage type of stuff you would expect from a book set at a glossy magazine.

Carry on over the cut for our third book - ooh, what could it be? - and a special request ...

Arguably the most successful chick lit book of the last few years, Lauren Weisberger’s The Devil Wears Prada is about Andrea Sachs, who goes to work for Miranda Priestly, the scary editor of Runway magazine. Can you believe we haven’t actually reviewed The Devil Wears Prada here at Trashionista? So would any of you like to review it for us? The book, not the film. If you're feeling generous, please email us. Thanks!

Posted by Keris on February 1, 2007 in American Authors, British Authors, Debut Novels, Devil Wears Prada, Fashion-Lit, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 31, 2007 6:56 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Lisa Clark

Lisa Clark is the author of non-fiction teen book, Think Pink (review coming Friday). You can read all about Lisa, Lola Love, and the other stops on Lisa's Think Pink blog tour on her website. Catch her tomorrow here.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Think Pink is the ultimate go-for-it guide for girls! Did it in 11  - get me!

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

I'd love to be one of those super-cool author types who sit in a coffee shop with their macs or like SJP in Sex and The City who 'couldn't help but wonder' while she tapped away in a cute vest and knicker combo, but instead, I generally sit at the dining room table in my tea-stained PJs!

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Just one? Geez...The Truth About Ruby Valentine by Alison Bond is awesome - in fact, so was her first book How to be Famous...oh, I can't choose - they're both a salacious insight into the movie industry and I love 'em!

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

Besides Lola Love - leading lady of Think Pink who I love, not because I created her but just because I think she's too-cool-for-school, I love Viva in Emma Forrest's 'Namedropper' - she's what I wish being a
16 year-old me was actually like!

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

Persistance and perserverence, a good idea and the ability to toot your own horn, because nobody is going to know more about your book than you, so don't be afraid to big it up to anyone that will listen!

What are you reading at the moment?

Because I'm a multi-taskin' kind of girl I've got a few on the go right now - Cupcake by Rachel Cohn, Fearless by Adrienne Huffington* and the latest editions of Grazia, Bust and O magazine - I love me
some Oprah!

* Review coming soon - Keris

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

As well as being a newbie author type, I'm a journo-girl too so I'm constantly pitchin' and writing features for teen titles here and in the US, book wise though, I've just finished editing Beauty*licious,
the second in the Think Pink series, out June 07, I'm working on books 3 and 4 right now and I'm developing some fiction ideas for Lola and the Pink Ladies too!

What question have you never been asked, but wish you had (you can answer it too if you like)?

Q. Lisa, would you like this super-swanky apartment in New York City, a Marc Jacobs account card and a breakfast of pancakes and syrup?

A. Why, Trashionista, yes I would!

Thanks, Lisa! (Sorry we can't help with the above ...)

Posted by Keris on January 31, 2007 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Interviews, New Releases, Non Fiction, Self development, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tina Brown on Princess Diana

Tina Brown, former editor of Vanity Fair and the New Yorker, has written a book about Princess Diana - The Diana Chronicles. It will be published this June to coincide with the 10th anniversary of Diana’s death. [via Booktrade.info]

Posted by Keris on January 31, 2007 in Book News, British Authors, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 30, 2007 1:36 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Fiona Walker

Born in 1969 in West Berkshire, Fiona Walker read Theatre Studies at university before going on to work in advertising.

During six weeks off work to recuperate from a kidney infection, Fiona started writing because she couldn't find anything she wanted to read. She gave up her job to finish writing the book which became French Relations and was published in 1993 - thus predating an awful lot of the books credited with being the first chick lit book.

Fiona has now written nine novels and lives in the Cotswolds.

Carry on over the cut for Fiona's bibliography.

French Relations
Kiss Chase
Well Groomed
Snap Happy
Between Males
Lucy Talk
Lots of Love
Tongue in Cheek
Four Play

Check out Fiona's lovely website.

Posted by Keris on January 30, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Romance, Series, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 29, 2007 2:04 PM

Romantic Novel of the Year Award longlist announced

The longlist has been announced for the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award for 2007. The only Trashionista fave to make it is Katie Fforde's Practically Perfect and the list seems focussed more towards women's fiction than chick lit. You can see the full list here.

The shortlist will be announced on 13th February, and the winner (who receives £5,000) on 27th April.

Posted by Keris on January 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Bitch Lit edited by Maya Chowdhry & Mary Sharratt

Maya Chowdhry and Mary Sharratt have edited this collection of short stories all having the general theme of women anti-heroes. Bitch Lit is apparently an antidote for all the Dick Lit we’ve had to endure in the past.
 
The blurb claims that all these stories are tales of women and power, the opposite of cautionary tales. Bitch Lit is a celebration of women who take the law into their own hands, who defy society’s expectations, put their own needs first and don’t feel guilty.

Unfortunately when they say ‘take the law into their own hands’ what they actually mean is break it. The characters in these stories serially murder, steal, commit adultery and fraud or, if you’re lucky, are just extremely selfish or mean spirited. They’ve attempted to describe this book as feminist, but that’s like saying Hitler was male so if the world was a fair and righteous place we should have a female dictator who commits genocide and tries to take over the world. It’s just wrong!

As with any book of short stories there will be a mixed bunch. Some are better than others, but all of these left a sour taste in my mouth and stole some of the faith I had that human nature was basically good and kind. Ironically the authors who wrote the shortest stories were the most successful in fitting in a complete tale. Some of the longest ended leaving me confused and wondering what happened. It seemed they’d reached their maximum word count and just stopped. They might as well have stopped mid sentence for all the sense some of the endings made.

One thing this book does achieve is in provoking a reaction. I can imagine people who enjoy looking at a rubbish bag or an unmade bed as a new form of modern art would find this book extremely interesting.
 
If you’re like me and prefer to recycle your rubbish, do yourself a favour don’t buy this book and save a tree. [Angela Richardson]
 
Rating: 1 out of 5

Like this? Try This Is Chick Lit edited by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Posted by Keris on January 29, 2007 in American Authors, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 1/5, Recent Release, Rubbish Books, Short Story Collections | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 26, 2007 3:01 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Girls' Guide to Losing Your L-Plates by Maria McCarthy

It’s coming up to the one year anniversary of passing my driving test, both at the third attempt and a full 17 years after I first got my provisional licence. I really could have done with Maria McCarthy’s The Girls’ Guide to Losing Your L-Plates.

Subtitled simply, How to Pass Your Driving Test, this is a fun, practical and informative guide and would be just as useful to men as women; yes, there are some aspects geared particularly to the female driver - things like crying in front of your instructor (although I imagine men do that too) and a section called “Personal safety for girls on the go,” but it’s mainly full of useful information like how to find the perfect instructor (and which to avoid), how best to approach both your theory and practical tests, how to recover if you fail and even how to go about getting insurance once you’ve passed your test.

Written in a lighthearted and accessible style, The Girls’ Guide to Losing Your L Plates is such an excellent resource I can’t believe no-one’s thought of it before.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Read an extract on Maria's website

Posted by Keris on January 26, 2007 in British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Self development | Permalink | Comments (6)

January 25, 2007 1:54 PM

BOOK REVIEW: A French Affair by Susan Lewis

Susan Lewis has written many best selling books. In her latest book A French Affair she has used her favourite theme of motherhood. Something that I didn’t think would interest me, as my maternal instinct is about as large as a microbe.

Jessica had a seemingly perfect family - three children, a famous husband and her own successful career in television. That was until her daughter was killed in a freak accident. Jessica instinctively knows there was more to her daughter’s death, but her husband Charlie is so paralysed with the horror of losing a daughter that he refuses to even discuss his wife’s suspicions.
 
When their marriage is rocked by yet another terrible shock, Jessica decides to go back to the house in France where her daughter died to get some answers. When she reaches the idyllic vineyard she soon finds a great deal more than she was expecting in a love that is totally forbidden and a truth that will almost certainly devastate her life.

It’s very difficult to describe this book as it tries to be a little of everything. The story is mainly about relationships and how events can change your feelings about everything, but it’s also a mystery as Jessica is investigating the mysterious circumstances in which her daughter died.
 
The plot is very good, but the majority of it was squished into the last quarter of the book. The first half was so slow that I found myself falling asleep in embarrassing places – on the train, the bus, in the car (luckily I wasn’t driving… that would be illegal!). It reminded me of when you go to a restaurant and the plate of food is so large that however much you eat there’s still loads left on the plate. The more time I spent reading this book the longer it seemed to get until I reached that magic halfway mark where Lewis stored away most of the story.
 
I think this would be a good summer read. It was set in hot foreign climes and had a very lazy atmosphere. However, it was a little too slow to keep my attention. [Angela Richardson]
 
Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
 

Posted by Keris on January 25, 2007 in British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

THURSDAY THREE: Working at newspapers

Chick lit often (though by no means always) features a glamorous working environment, like PR or publishing. This week’s Thursday Three looks at three books based in and around newspaper offices. What do you mean, they're not glamorous?

Sarah Mason’s Playing James features Holly, who is unimpressed with a transfer to the crime  desk and horrified when she’s assigned a detective to shadow and write a daily diary about, particularly one she doesn’t get on with. Can you guess what happens?

The staff of fictional newspaper the New York Journal are the focus of Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot, sequel to The Boy Next Door. The convoluted plot features the firing of the woman responsible for the dessert trolley, and the book is made up of letters, emails, transcripts of instant message conversations, minutes from meetings, diary entries and just about anything else that can be put down on paper.

Carry on over the cut for the third and final book (which may offer a clue to next week’s Thursday Three too!)

Sam Baker’s Fashion Victim features Annie Anderson, an investigative reporter at The Post, whose friends are shocked when she swaps her newspaper job for one on a glossy magazine. Little do they know that Annie is going undercover for a scoop on the fashion world. When her first interviewee, top designer Mark Mailer, is murdered, Annie sets off on a dangerous course to uncover the truth.

Posted by Keris on January 25, 2007 in American Authors, British Authors, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 23, 2007 4:22 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Elizabeth Noble

This week's spotlight shines on one of the most popular new chick lit authors, Elizabeth Noble.

Born in 1968, in Buckinghamshire, Elizabeth spent part of her childhood in Toronto, Canada. After returning to the UK, she attended Oxford, graduating in 1990 with a BA (Honors) in English language and literature.

Over the next six years she worked in the editorial, marketing, publicity, and sales departments of several big publishing houses.

After her marriage in 1996, she took a career break to have her two daughters. When her youngest was ready to go to nursery school - and under the threat of having to go back to work - Elizabeth wrote a hundred pages of The Reading Group, which subsequently sold at the first attempt on the basis of 100 pages and a synopsis.

Published in January 2004, The Reading Group went straight to the number one in The Sunday Times’s bestseller list and has since sold almost a quarter of a million copies in the UK.

Elizabeth has followed her debut with The Tenko Club (which was nominated for the RNA Romantic Novelist of the Year Award 2005) and Alphabet Weekends. She lives with her husband and children in Surrey.

Carry on over the cut for Elizabeth’s bibliography and the chance to win a holiday in Vegas!

The Reading Group
The Tenko Club (called The Friendship Test in the US)
Alphabet Weekends

US readers can have a go at winning a weekend for two in Las Vegas on Elizabeth’s American website.

Did you know? Elizabeth’s favourite modern author is Armistead Maupin. "I read the entire Tales of the City series in about a week fifteen years ago, and I re-read them every few years. I love them more every time." [via HarperCollins]

Find out about more of Elizabeth’s favourite books here.

Posted by Keris on January 23, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Getting Rid of Matthew by Jane Fallon

Jane Fallon’s first novel, Getting Rid of Matthew, has a great premise: Helen has been Matthew’s mistress for four years, but when he finally leaves his wife and two daughters and moves in with her, Helen finds it’s not what she wanted after all. But Matthew has given up a lot to be with Helen and he’s not about to give her up. Unless she gives him some very good reasons to, that is.

So Helen sets about a campaign to drive Matthew away: amongst other things, she stops shaving her legs, slums about the house in her scruff, stops having sex with him and befriends his ex-wife (under a pseudonym).

Helen isn’t a particularly likeable character - after four years of begging Matthew to leave his wife, she decides she doesn’t want him within days - but Jane Fallon skillfully made me like her anyway and I really wanted everything to work out for her. She makes a lot of mistakes, but she accepts them and wants to do the best, not just for herself but for (almost) everyone around her.

This is a very funny and entertaining book with some lovely characters. There’s nothing particularly new here - bitchy work colleagues, snotty step-children, feisty best friend - but it seems ‘modern’ somehow, not tired or old hat at all. Jane Fallon was a producer of This Life and Teachers and the same sensibility is evident in her first novel. She doesn’t take things too seriously, but manages to get to the emotional crux of the matter without mawkishness.

I only have one criticism: there is a major plot twist given away in the back cover blurb. If I hadn’t known in advance what was going to happen, it would have been much more entertaining, so poo to Penguin for spoiling my fun!

I found Getting Rid of Matthew hard to put down and I can’t wait for Jane Fallon’s next book. A major new chick lit* talent!

* Though Jane describes Getting Rid of Matthew as “hen lit” or “old boiler lit.”

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy** by Polly Williams

** with apologies to Getting Rid of Matthew's Helen, who hates the term "yummy mummy"!

Posted by Keris on January 23, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 22, 2007 10:20 AM

JK Rowling is second richest woman in entertainment

It's possible that you may be sick of hearing about just how rich JK Rowling is, but I'm fascinated by it. According to Forbes magazine, she's the world's second richest "woman in entertainment" with an estimated fortune of more than £500million. She is the only British woman to feature in the magazine's list of the top 20 richest female stars, which also includes Martha Stewart, Madonna and Bridget Jones herself, Renee Zellweger. Who's number one? Why Oprah, of course. [via The Independent]

Related post: Harry Potter tipped to die (sob)

Posted by Keris on January 22, 2007 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Coven of One by Kate Bousfield

Coven of One is Kate Bousfield's first novel and, to be honest, not the kind of book I’d usually read, but I was hooked from the beginning.

When hedgewitch Dorcas Fleming completes her training, she is shocked to be sent south, to Pendartha, where witches can still be tried and sentenced to death. When she gets there she finds some support in the local population, particularly her neighbour, Jubal, but she also finds that there is a curse on the village and that is the reason they requested a witch. But lifting curses is surely beyond Dorcas’s capabilities ... or is it?

I really enjoyed Coven of One. I found myself constantly awestruck at this world Kate Bousfield has created which, while supernatural, was at the same time wholly believable and convincing. My only criticism is that it wasn’t quite exciting enough - I never actually felt worried for the characters like I do reading a Harry Potter book, for example - but that’s possibly because I felt totally safe in the author’s hands and believed all along that everything would be okay.

Dorcas is an interesting and original character - well, she is a witch, after all - strong, accomplished, confident, but at the same time with enough vulnerability and relateability to have the reader rooting for her from the beginning.

Coven of One is an accomplished first novel, at the end of which (or should I say “witch” ... no, I shouldn’t) we’re promised more. I can’t wait.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

Posted by Keris on January 22, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Series, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 19, 2007 12:10 PM

BOOK NEWS: Isabel Losada's 'Men!'

Non-fiction author Isabel Losada, who normally concerns herself with global issues, self improvement and reasons to be glad has a new, more romantically-themed book due for release here at the end of April.

Called 'Men!' her working subtitle was 'Where the **** are they?!' but she's now settled on 'Forget the fiction! Where are the interesting and available men?' (Answers on a postcard, please...)

On her blog she discusses the vexed issue of covers, and why she picked red rather than white (less self help-looking, apparently).

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 19, 2007 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Romance, Self development | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 18, 2007 4:06 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Danny Wallace

Ah, Danny Wallace. How I love him. I adored both of his books - Join Me and Yes Man, so I was excited to hear that film versions of both books are in the pipeline.

What’s possibly even more exciting is that Jack Black will be playing Danny in Yes Man and Frank Cottrell Boyce (author of the utterly brilliant Millions) is writing the script for Join Me. So many of my favourite men, together at last. [via Evening Telegraph]

Posted by Keris on January 18, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Movie News, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (7)

THURSDAY THREE: The ABCs of chick lit

How do you write a chick lit book? How do you even know where to begin? Well, why not start with A and work your way up to Z? What am I going on about? Well, for this week’s Thursday Three I’ve chosen three books based around the alphabet.

The first is Elizabeth Noble’s Alphabet Weekends in which heartbroken Natalie’s best friend Tom suggests they each take it in turns to select an activity for the two of them to try, following the letters of the alphabet ... hence Alphabet Weekends.

Secondly, we have Not Married, Not Bothered by Carol Clewlow, which is styled as an alphabetical guide to what it means to be a spinster, but is actually a cleverly written story spanning thirty years of single life.

Carry on over the cut for the third book.

The final book is a novel told in encyclopaedia format - Something Beginning With by Sarah Salway. The alphabetised entries tell the story of Verity Bell, a young woman dealing with a tricky boss, a troubled love life, and life alone after the death of her parents a few years earlier. 

Posted by Keris on January 18, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (6)

BOOK REVIEW: Cause Celeb by Helen Fielding

Helen Fielding put her pre-novelist experience working for Comic Relief to good use by writing a book about aid work in Africa (don't worry, it's not as worthy as it sounds!) Cause Celeb was her debut novel, and never captured the public imagination in the same way Bridget did, but it still boasts the same humour and charm as her Miss Jones novels...

Rosie Richardson is tired of her Daniel Cleaver-ish TV presenter boyfriend and so makes the dramatic decision to chuck it all and head off to work in Africa. But after four years helping to keep a refugee camp going, disaster strikes when drought and famine hit the region. She has no choice but to return to London, and try to use her former 'connections' in television to put together a star-studded celebrity charity appeal...

Although perhaps a little far-fetched at times, this storyline certianly works better than Olivia Joules, where I didn't feel a chick-lit girly girl and a terorist plot blended at all well...

Here, Fielding's knowledge of the subject shines through, and she has some serious points to make, which she does in a very non-zealous way, meaning the reader really learns something. This is a book with much more to say than Bridget Jones's Diary, which is perhaps why it didn't do as well! But I think all Fielding fans will enjoy it as it's witty and very well-written, and has a touch of romance too - something of a hidden gem, in fact.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Sundowners by Lesley Lokko

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 18, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 17, 2007 10:38 AM

Book clubs - not just for books?

Anyone who knows me will laugh/nod their head in recognition when I say that I'm far too much of a control freak to be in a book club and have other people set my reading list. Plus, I have way too many books lined up to review! But there's no denying their popularity, and I have enjoyed some of the books about book clubs. (This one more than this one, which I found shocking in its pro-life propaganda - but that's anther story!) And if it's good enough for Rory Gilmore, it can't be a bad idea...

But a recent post on the Galleycat book blog suggested that book clubs are more about gossiping, or wine-drinking, or problem solving than actually talking about books! I can see that might be the case if you're with a group of good girl friends, but perhaps not so much if you're part of a group at say, your local library... Apparently clubs are now evolving to include meals, movie adaptations and other social activities (so more of a get-together than a 'book club' then...)

Are you part of a book club? Do you actually read and discuss the books, or does your attention wander? We'd love to know!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 17, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 16, 2007 5:57 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Andrea Semple

Lovely Leeds author Andrea Semple is the most recent writer subjected to our incisive interview.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

In The Man from Perfect, Ella finds her dream man is a walking nightmare.

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

Me and my boyfriend both work in the same tiny home office, so it can be a bit tense in there at times. It's also a total chaotic mess which matches my state of mind when I'm in novel mode.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Girl with a One Track Mind by Abby Lee.

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

Jane Eyre. Because she is probably the most timeless and thoroughly human character ever created in fiction.

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

If you really want it and believe in your talents, ignore rejections. J. K. Rowling got loads of them and it didn't do her much harm. Oh, also, read read read.

What are you reading at the moment?

Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld.

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

A new novel about a woman with obsessive compulsive disorder.

Thanks, Andrea!

Posted by Keris on January 16, 2007 in British Authors, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (2)

SPOTLIGHT: Morag Prunty

I've chosen Morag Prunty for this week's spotlight because I've just discovered something that made me go, 'Whaa?' More about that later ...

Morag was born in Scotland in 1964 to Irish parents. At the age of 21 she became the youngest ever editor of a national UK magazine when she took over at Looks magazine (remember that?). She then edited More! and Just Seventeen before moving to Ireland to re-launch Irish Tatler.

Her first book (a non-fiction handbook for teenage girls, called Boys) was published in 1993. Her first novel, Dancing with Mules, was published in 2001 and she has since published five more.

She now lives in the historic village of Killala in County Mayo on the west coast of Ireland with her husband and son and writes full time.

So why the ‘Whaa?’ you ask. Carry on over the cut and find out (along with Morag's bibliography).

Because Morag's most recent novel is Recipes for a Perfect Marriage. By Kate Kerrigan. Yes, Kate Kerrigan is Morag Prunty. I had no idea until I saw this (spot the difference):

Left: UK cover; Right: US cover

(If you all knew about this already, please don't mock me.)

Dancing with Mules
Wild Cats And Colleens
Disco Daddy
Poison Arrows
Superstar Lovers
Recipes for a Perfect Marriage

Posted by Keris on January 16, 2007 in British Authors, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (2)

Five chapters

Five chapters is a new, free internet-based way to read great fiction. A story is published every week, with a chapter every weekday. And! You can submit stories for publication, as well as reading them...

Find out more.

Related: The neverending story...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 15, 2007 11:03 AM

Lovely Bones and Jane Austen on publishing insider's list of books NOT to read

Okay, I can understand that some people didn't love The Lovely Bones, it certainly has its flaws... But topping a list of Books you shouldn't bother to read? No. No no noooooooo. And Austen too?!

Although I do agree about Brick Lane, as I got bored half-way through and took it back to the library - life's too short.

What's on your "don't bother" list?

[Via Galleycat].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Rubbish Books, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (12)

MORE ON MONDAY: Screen Burn by Charlie Brooker

A collection of Charlie Brooker's Guardian TV columns, Screen Burn is acerbic and hilarious.

Brooker mainly reviews things he hates which makes for fantastically vicious and entertaining reading. His description of Jonathan Wilkes replacing Lisa Riley as presenter of You've Been Framed is a perfect example:

'... like substituting a lump of sick for a lump of snot: equally bad yet somehow worse.'

I can't recommend this book highly enough. Yes he's violent (frequently suggesting, fantasising about and delighting in stabbings, massacres and even the beating of children) but he's always hilarious and there are so few books which provide a laugh-out-loud on every page. And how can you not love someone who calls mediums 'corpse whisperers'.

Put it in the loo and you'll look forward to going.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About by Mil Millington

Posted by Keris on January 15, 2007 in British Authors, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Television | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 12, 2007 3:04 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Clueless

A 1995 rom-com (very) loosely based on Jane Austen's Emma, Clueless is still Alicia Silverstone's best film to date, and even twelve years later makes a great chick flick. (Not that I'm biased or anything - I saw it twice at the cinema and several times on video. And I think maybe once on TV...)

Lead character Cher's mother died in a tragic liposuction accident when Cher was just a little girl, and so she's grown up with just her workaholic dad (he married again, briefly, but things didn't work out - they did however leave her with an ex-stepbrother, Paul Rudd, later Mike in Friends, who she loves to wind up). To fill the void in her life, Cher along with her best friend Dionne, like to 'help' other people - doing makeovers, match-making etc.

But when Cher meddles in the love-life of new friend Tai (Brittany Murphy, again) and gets it drastically wrong, she vows to become a better person - and give herself an inner makeover instead...

Sharp-witted, sweet, funny and only occasionally incomprehensible (the film has its own snappy teen-speak which Silverstone says brilliantly) this film ticks all the chick-lit boxes: fun, romantic, entertaining and it credits the audience with a brain. And if none of that appeals, then you'll still be amazed by Cher's computerised, revolving wardrobe!

The ending is more unexpected however, if you haven't yet read Emma... (The one time you'll hear me advocate not reading Austen!)

*DID YOU KNOW?* Dionne's boyfriend Murray is played by Donald Faison, who now stars in Scrubs.

*DID YOU KNOW?* There was a TV series of the film, which ran for three years from 1996 and featured all of the original cast except Alicia Silverstone (although Rachel Blanchard did a pretty canny impression of her!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 12, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

Chick lit at the Aye Write festival

Chick lit fans in Scotland will be happy to hear about Glasgow’s Aye Write! book festival which will be running from 16 to 25 February. Over 100 authors are appearing including Sophie Kinsella, Jenny Colgan, Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, who will discuss the success of chick lit as well as ‘read from their new work and debate the future of the genre’ at a panel on Saturday 17th at 4pm.

Look out for a special "eyewitness" report from Trashionista’s girl in Glasgow, Nicola Pedley.

Posted by Keris on January 12, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 11, 2007 12:09 PM

THURSDAY THREE: Desperate measures

As I mentioned last week, critics of chick lit think it’s all about finding a man and that’s just not true. Except that sometimes it is. Earlier this week we showed you the trailer for Lorelei Mathias’s Step On It, Cupid, in which the main character, Amelie, decides to try out speed-dating. It made me wonder what other lengths characters had gone to to find that elusive perfect man.

In Chris Manby’s Getting Personal single friends Ruby, Lou and Martin are fed up of failed relationships and decide to place personal ads for each other with mixed results.

The Last Available Man by Cindy Blake features follows step-sisters Georgina and Jessica, who, sick of ending up on dates with no future, decide to put their skills as head hunters - along with their lengthy client list - into action to find themselves some real romantic prospects.

Carry on over the cut for the final - and most impressive - book of the three.

It's a non-fiction book - Maria Headley’s The Year of Yes. In the bravest (or maddest) idea of the three, Maria decided to say yay to everyone who asked her for a date: the homeless, the chronically weird and - despite being straight - women, too. Now that’s dedication.

Posted by Keris on January 11, 2007 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Romance, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Phosphorescence by Raphaella Barker

Diane loved Raphaella Barker’s Hens Dancing so when I saw the author had written a young adult novel, I had to try it out.

Phosphorescence is about Lola who, having been born and raised in a small village in Norfolk, is horrified when her parents divorce and her mum moves her to London. She feels like she doesn’t fit in in a city and misses the sea - as well as her grandparents, best friend and the boy she likes - but everything changes when a school camping trip back to a remote island near her former home almost ends in tragedy.

I enjoyed Phosphorescence. Lola is an intelligent character and I enjoyed the original coastal setting - I believe Raphaella Barker lives in Norfolk and she writes about it very evocatively. The back of the book is rather misleading, suggesting as it does all sorts of island-based, candlelit teen shenanigans, whereas in fact that’s only a tiny portion of the novel. It’s also full of YA cliches, but the originality of the setting is enough to lift it above the ordinary.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Boy Book by E Lockhart

Posted by Keris on January 11, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 10, 2007 3:13 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Sue Hepworth and Jane Linfoot

Today*, a twofer! *(I was going to say 'for the first time...' then, but actually it's the second. But still exciting!)

Lovely authors Sue Hepworth and Jane Linfoot of Plotting for Beginners fame (which, if you've been paying attention, you'll remember I LOVED) are today's special double-feature in the one and only Trashionista author interview...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Sue: An intelligent comic novel looking wryly and drily at everyday domestic life and long-haul marriages.

J: Wry domestic novel, designed to make intelligent readers laugh and feel happy - chick-lit for hens.

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

S: In an empty room, in an empty house and preferably in an empty street.

J: In the kitchen/living room surrounded by domestic chaos.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

S: Bridget Jones' Diary (also Heartburn by Nora Ephron, written before chick-lit was invented.)

J: Bridget Jones' Diary (is that what everyone says?) [Diane - yep! see above... and also this]

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

S: Miss Piggy, because she is feisty, funny, passionate and glamorous, and she goes after what she wants, no holds barred.

J: Eddie from Ab Fab because she carries it off so brilliantly.

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

S: Write every day, learn to take criticism, and never give up your dream.

J: Go to Writing Workshops/Creative Writing Classes/a Writers' Group - you will gain invaluable stimulation and support from writing friends. When starting out write about what you know; this will give your writing an immediate authenticity. (You can get more ambitious later.) Go for it - you will be able to do it.

What are you reading at the moment?

S: Footfall by Christine Poulson - an atmospheric whodunnit set in Cambridge.

J: Back issues of Enjoy Your Bike Magazine.

Carry on over the cut for more from the talented twosome!

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

S: A Sheffield-based romantic comedy with quirky characters, but which has a serious side as well.

J: My love life, clearing out the garage, the plot for a new novel, and a piece on Cycling in France for Enjoy Your Bike Magazine.

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

S: Which book (by someone else) do you wish you had written? Leaving Home by Garrison Keillor, because it's funny, warm, wise, humane and timeless.

J: What did you enjoy reading as a child? I loved Enid Blyton.

Thanks Jane and Sue!

Interview archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 10, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Interviews, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

Harry Potter tipped to die (sob)

As you all surely heard just after Christmas, JK Rowling has announced the title of the seventh, and final, Harry Potter novel. According to The Guardian, bookmakers are convinced that she'll - say it isn't so! - kill Harry off in this final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Don't do it, JK!

PS: Of course you can pre-order the book already, and see a preview of the new HP movie, due July 7th, via Amazon UK's 'Harry Potter store'...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 10, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Series | Permalink | Comments (3)

The £4,000 book!

Much as I love books, I'd never, never ever even if I was a millionaire, pay £4,000 for one. (Spend that much on lots of different books? Possibly).

But there's obviously a market for exclusive luxury books, as niche publisher Gloria has announced the success of its first book (about Brazilian footie star Pele). The book was priced at £4,000 for a special edition and £1,000 otherwise. Gloria's next book, due in June, is called Superyachts...

To each his own!

[Via The Guardian].

Related: Amazon.com launches a podcast, Amazon founder launches rocket?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 10, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Opinion, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

See Notes on a Scandal for free

The current issue of Heat magazine (13-19 January 2007) has details of how you can see the movie adaptation of Zoe Heller's best-selling novel, Notes on a Scandal (titled What Was She Thinking? in the US) for free.

The film stars Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench and Bill Nighy and screenings take place next Tuesday (16th January) at Odeon cinemas across the UK.

Posted by Keris on January 10, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 9, 2007 4:31 PM

Gay Regency romance... whatever next?!

Here's a new idea: A gay romance set in the time of Austen and the Brontes!

Standish, by an author called simply "Erastes", reveals another side to the era...

Related: How about some gay romance?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 9, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK NEWS: The Adultery Club

The Adultery Club is a new novel by Tess Stimson about... well, I guess adultery might feature! You can get a free preview of the book in this month's Red (the one with Teri Hatcher on the cover).

I haven't read mine yet, but I will as it's perfectly handbag-sized and I love cute little freebies  (more authors, take note!)

Oh, and it sounds interesting too, of course...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 9, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: Beyond Chocolate by Audrey and Sophie Boss

Yes, it's that time of year again - resolution time. And the most popular resolution year after year is apparently to lose weight, which is something sisters Sophie and Audrey Boss hope to help you do with their book Beyond Chocolate.

But it's not a diet book, or even a traditional weight loss book. And no, it's not even one of those 'no diet' diet books that try and convince you the weight will fall off if you don't eat protein or only eat protein or eat porridge for every meal. No, Beyond Chocolate is part of the 'mindful eating' revolution, a similar method to the one promoted by Paul McKenna: eat whatever you want, when you're hungry, pay attention and stop when you're full. Good advice, but does it work?

Well ... I don't know. Beyond Chocolate is an excellent, practical, encouraging and, yes, liberating book, but I haven't lost any weight ... yet. Then again, losing weight isn't the most important thing, changing your attitude to food is and that is something to do in the long-term, not to be undertaken lightly just at the beginning of the year.

Sophie and Audrey write from their own experience and there are numerous examples of behaviours around food that many women will identify with. Plus there are worksheets to complete and numerous tools to help do this on the website to help keep you on the right track.

I absolutely believe that if I stick with the Beyond Chocolate 'method' then I will lose weight and change my feelings about food. Unfortunately, I'm still at the 'eat whatever you want' point and it'll probably take me a while to move on, but if one of your resolutions is to lose weight (or even to have a healthier relationship with food), I'd definitely suggest you start with this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Behind with the Laundry and Living off Chocolate by Lynette Allen

Posted by Keris on January 9, 2007 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

SPOTLIGHT: Chris Manby

I can't believe we haven't had a look at popular and prolific British author, Chris Manby.

Chris Manby grew up in Gloucester and published her first short story in Just Seventeen magazine at the age of fourteen. After studying psychology at Oxford, Chris met a New York psychic who told her she would write seven novels. Her first, Flatmates, was published two years later. Her eleventh, Marrying for Money, was published at the end of last year. (At least the psychic was part right!)

Chris now lives between London and Los Angeles and writes full-time.

Did you know? That as well as the novels under her own name, Chris has had several erotic novels published under the pseudonym Stephanie Ash.

Carry on over the cut for Chris's bibliography.

Flatmates
Second Prize
Deep Heat
Lizzie Jordan's Secret Life
Running Away from Richard
Getting Personal
Seven Sunny Days
Girl Meets Ape
Ready or Not
The Matchbreaker
Marrying for Money

See Chris talking about Girl Meets Ape at Meet the Author.

Posted by Keris on January 9, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Recent Release, Romance, Series, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 8, 2007 2:23 PM

Plum Sykes's brother publishes book... about his alcoholism

Yes, glam as former assistant to Vogue editor Anna Wintour and author of Bergdorf Blondes  and The Debutante Divorcee Plum Sykes's life may seem, for her brother Tom, the past few years have been a different story as he battled alcoholism.

Now recovered, he too has written a book, an aptly-named memoir of his experiences: What Did I Do Last Night?: A Drunkard's Tale. It's out in paperback on the 11th.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 8, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 5, 2007 6:21 PM

Richard & Judy bookclub 2007

Yes, they've been announced! The titles of the books that are going to be flying off the shelves for the rest of this year:

The Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld
The Testament of Gideon Mack by James Robertson
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This Book Will Save Your Life by A M Homes
Restless by William Boyd
Love in the Present Tense by Catherine Ryan Hyde
The Girls by Lori Lansens
Semi-Detached by Griff Rhys Jones

They'll be officially announced on Richard & Judy's UK TV show on 31 January and you'll be able to buy them from the website. [via Galleycat]

I've only heard of two of the books and three of the authors, so I have to disagree with Mark Lawson's assertion that the couple choose books that would have done well without their help.

So what do you think? Is it a good list? Have you read any of them? Do you want to read any of them?

[Richard and Judy archives]

Posted by Keris on January 5, 2007 in American Authors, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release, Richard and Judy, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

Plotting for Beginners sites

Remember how much I loved Plotting for Beginners? Well, co-author Sue Hepworth has now updated her blog and main character Sally's blog, so I (and you!) have some great reading to catch up on - and to tide me over until the next book. What a treat for a Friday afternoon!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 5, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Recent Release, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

Amazon.com launches a podcast, Amazon founder launches rocket?

It's all going on in Amazon-related shenanigans! When I read that the founder of Amazon.com had bought a rocket I began to realise I HAD been spending too much money there. Independents here I come! Maybe...

The good news is you can now listen to all things Amazon, for free - they've launched  a new monthly podcast called Amazon Wire, "an original, free podcast about books, music, movies, and those who create them." Sounds fun, no? You can download it or stream it via the site, and the first episode focuses on the best books, films and music of 2006.

[Via BBC News and Amazon.com]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 5, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Podcasts, Technology | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 4, 2007 6:03 PM

Top 5 Beauty Books by our expert beauty book picker!

If you've been burying your head in a book (or reading Trashionista) far too much to even glance over at our sister site Kiss and Makeup, you've really been missing out. But you can make up for it now by heading over there to check out their Top 5 Beauty Books, as picked by beauty expert and KAMU editor Charlotte. I can never get the hang of foundation and am flummoxed by the beauty counters at Boots, so these could be some very useful guides for me!

Related post: Posh is a signing sensation .

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

Love is... by Mike Gayle and Emlyn Rees

Joining two of Company magazine's regular male writers in the latest issue are lad-lit authors Mike Gayle and Emlyn Rees, getting all soppy as they talk about "Love is..." (their definitions of love, that is, not the kitschy/sickly cartoons of the same name). Mike Gayle apparently learned a lot about love from Oprah. Bless 'im.

Emlyn Rees and his wife and writing partner Josie Lloyd's newest book, The Seven Year Itch, will be released in hardback on 18 January.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 4, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

THURSDAY THREE: "Torn between two lovers ...

... feelin' like a fool, lovin' both of you is breakin' all the rules." Sorry, got a bit carried away with an oldie there. Chick lit is often criticised for being all about the heroine finding a man. And that's rubbish. Sometimes she finds two men and then has to choose between them!

My first pick of course has to be Bridget Jones’s Diary.* Daniel or Mark, Mark or Daniel? Who will she choose? (Indeed, who did she choose?) To begin with Bridget was attracted to her sexy but naughty boss over the much more reliable (yet equally sexy) Mark Darcy. She picked Mark, but then Daniel came back on the scene ...

* I was surprised to see we’ve only reviewed the film, not the book - but you’ve all read it anyway, haven’t you?

Janet Evanovich’s One for the Money is the first in the Stephanie Plum series (which has now reached Twelve Sharp). Along with introducing us to Stephanie, her wardrobe of spandex shorts, her pet hamster Rex and her highly dysfunctional family, we also meet Ranger, a fellow bounty hunter, and Joe Morelli, Stephanie’s first love. And, yes, eleven books and countless adventures and near-death experiences later, Stephanie is still trying to choose between them.

What will the third book be? Carry on over the cut to find out.

Jane Green’s Mr Maybe features Libby who is desperate to find a suitable man. She's not fussy, just as long as he's drop dead gorgeous, filthy rich, owns a large house and drives a flashy car. But then she meets Nick. He’s gorgeous enough - and he makes her laugh - but he's dirt poor. Just as she's beginning to despair, Ed walks in and it seems to Libby that her prayers have been answered. He ticks every box on her list ... and so what if he has a moustache - she can cope with that can't she? The story centres around Libby's relationships with the two men, and her struggle to decide on what actually matters in making a successful relationship.

Thursday Three archives

Posted by Keris on January 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Jane Green, Modern Fiction, Series, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 3, 2007 8:35 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

As the largest book retailer on the internet, we talk about Amazon a lot (and I bash my credit card there regularly, you won't be surprised to hear!) But who doesn't love a nice cosy independent bookshop, and who doesn't have sympathy for the plight of independent book store owners who are being rapidly pushed out of business by the big chains on the high street and the internet? A passionate suppporter of independent retailers, author George Walker has taken the unprecedented step of demanding that his book, Tales from an Airfield be pulled from Amazon, after they began stocking it without his knowledge. Says George: "What they are actually doing is getting the independents to do their market research. When a book gets a certain amount of attention, they will attempt to stock it and cut the independents out. Not with my book!"

What do you think - is this a meaningful protest? An important cause? Is it worth trying to stop the forces of capitalism? Will more authors do this? And should they?

Tell us what you think: is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

[Via Booktrade info]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 3, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Recent Release, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (4)

India Knight's diet book and dirty bits!

And if that title doesn't get your attention, nothing will... First, the diet book: Sunday Times journalist and chick-lit author (of My Life on a Plate, which I loved, and How do you Want Me? which I didn't) India Knight has teamed up with her friend and fellow slimmer Neris Thomas for a new book, designed to be a straightforward guide to weight loss - as reflected in the title: Neris and India's Idiot-Proof Diet Book. The Guardian does another fabulous Digested Read of the book (in the style of the original) here.

Secondly, The Dirty Bits for Girls is India's second new release, designed to raise your temperature! It's a compilation of all the memorable mucky bits from literature, for, well - girls. With a bit of commentary too, I think - if you're interested in that...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 3, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

MOVIE NEWS: Round up: Miss Potter, Motherless Brooklyn, Perfume... and more!

There are a LOT of books-turned-films out now or coming up this year! First, Miss Potter, Bridget Jones star Renée Zellweger's portrayal of iconic British children's author Beatrix Potter (which reunites her with Ewan McGregor) is out in UK cinemas as I write. As is Perfume, out later than expected, but getting some good reviews.

And there's exciting news for fans of Jonathan Lethem's hit novel about a detective with Tourette's, Motherless Brooklyn (Keris), which I haven't read yet, but hear only good things about. (Plus it won the prestigious American National Book Critics Award for Fiction). A screenplay is currently "in production", lined up to be written, directed by and starring the fantastically talented Edward Norton, so it should be a quality film, fingers crossed...

PLUS, Dakota Fanning, who has to be the hardest-working twelve-year old in the world, is about to star in a film of kid's classic Charlotte's Web, along with the voices of Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi and Oprah Winfrey! There's also Freedom Writers, starring Hilary Swank and sounding remarkably like Dangerous Minds, but based on this book.

I'm sure there are more on the way, but that's enough for now!

[Via Imdb.com]

Movie News archives / Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Movie News, New Releases, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 2, 2007 5:07 PM

BOOK NEWS: How Not to be a Desperate Housewife... and the long-awaited Gilmore Girls collection!

They're baaaaack! Yes, those crazy ladies of Wisteria Lane are back tomorrow with a double bill (9.30 PM, Channel 4, lock the doors and unplug the phone) and if you don't want to end up like them, this book might help: How Not to Be a Desperate Housewife by Charlotte Williamson.

[Via Cupcate].

In other book/TV tie-in news, the WAY too overdue essay collection, Coffee at Luke's: An Unauthorized Gilmore Girls Gabfest is finally listed on Amazon, although won't be out until May. Jennifer Crusie will be editing once more, and I can't WAIT!

Related posts: Reading Desperate Housewives / Reading Gilmore Girls. And don't forget our sister site, TV Scoop!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release, Television | Permalink | Comments (3)

December 29, 2006 7:24 PM

Top 10 chick lit books of all time

For the final Top 10 of our Top 100 Extravaganza we had to be strict. We wanted to include our own all-time favourites and the books we think are the best chick lit books, but we thought the most influential and successful - the books that, for whatever reason, define the genre - should be included too. Following a flurry of emails (Diane: “We need a Weiner!”), we have our Top 10 Chick Lit Books of All Time. Let us know what you think.

10 Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell

I didn’t actually manage to finish Sex and the City the book, although of course I love the TV series. We’ve included the book because it’s been highly influential, although perhaps not in a good way. Many of the critics of chick lit who claim that it’s all about shoes, shopping, drinking and searching for a man are actually thinking of Sex and the City, the TV show, and not chick lit at all. Annoying, but what can you do?

Anyway, it gave us Carrie Bradshaw, so we have to love it, don’t we?

9 Thirtynothing by Lisa Jewell

Thirtynothing is probably my second favourite chick lit book of all time. Like all of Lisa Jewell’s books, the setting is perfect, the characters realistic and believable and it also has one of my favourite ever first chapters. Lisa Jewell is a glorious writer and Thirtynothing is a delightful book. If you haven’t read it, you really should.

8 The Nanny Diaries by Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin

One of the most successful books in the Top 10, The Nanny Diaries was so popular its two authors scored an incredible $3 million advance for their second book, Citizen Girl, which they had to return when it turned out to be a stinker. Proof that it’s not that easy to write chick lit after all.

The film adaptation of The Nanny Diaries is due out in April in the US.

7 The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

I haven’t actually read this one yet (I must, I know), but clearly it is the most successful chick lit book of the last few years. The title has become a household name, the book sold millions of copies in hardback, stayed on the New York Times Best Seller list for six months and has since been translated into 27 languages and the film’s been both a critical and commercial success. And they say chick lit’s dead. Sheesh.

6 High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

Ooh, a controversial one. Yes, I’m aware that Nick Hornby isn’t a woman and that High Fidelity isn’t chick lit, but it’s close enough and influential enough that it has to be here. Plus it’s the book that inspired Lisa Jewell (amongst others) to start writing and that’s good enough for me.

Fever Pitch is often credited as the book that created Lad Lit, but, as I’ve already mentioned, Fever Pitch is non-fiction. High Fidelity was Nick Hornby’s first novel and is the brilliantly written and hugely entertaining story of Rob Fleming’s relationship history. While it is a great book, Nick Hornby has gone on to be critically acclaimed and accepted as literary, unlike any chick lit author I can think of. Now that can just be because he’s a man ... can it?

Carry on over the cut for the Top 5.

5 Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie

Welcome to Temptation was Jennifer/Jenny Crusie’s third mass-market (i.e. not romance) novel, but it’s a favourite of anyone who reads Jennifer’s books. Actually, you don’t read Jennifer Crusie’s books, you devour them. Welcome to Temptation has all the essential Crusie ingredients: a feisty heroine, a sexy hero and an arguably even sexier anti-hero in Davy Dempsey. This was the book Diane insisted made it into the Top 10!

4 In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner

My favourite chick lit book of all time, In Her Shoes has got everything - the antagonistic sisterly relationship so popular in chick lit, a love story, personal growth, humour (of course), even an evil stepmother. Plus Jennifer Weiner is the woman most likely to emulate Nick Hornby and be accepted by the literary establishment. But don't hold your breath.

3 The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

This, the first book in the enormously popular series, is yet another example of how much skill is involved in writing an apparently simple book. Kinsella came up with the perfect chick lit conceit: if chick lit is all about shopping, then what about a character who is, quite literally, all about shopping? And it worked. Becky Bloomwood is a charming and hilarious heroine, just on the right side of irritating.

(Look out for the latest Shopaholic book, Shopaholic and Baby, due out in February 2007.)

2 Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes

The Marian Keyes connoisseur’s favourite Marian Keyes book and the chick lit connoisseur’s favourite chick lit book*, Rachel’s Holiday is the story of Rachel Walsh - one of the Walsh sisters who also appear in Watermelon, Angels and Anybody Out There? For anyone who thinks chick lit is lightweight, meaningless and obsessed with shoes and shopping, here’s a book about drug addiction, alcoholism and anorexia (although it was still described as “fluffy” by one of the broadsheets!).

* Both Megan Crane and Hester Browne chose it as their favourite in our author interview.

1 Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding

Bridget Jones’s Diary may not have been the first chick lit book, but it’s certainly the most famous. Spawning a sequel, two films and introducing “singletons” and “smug marrieds” into the vernacular (not to mention increasing sales of big knickers), Bridget remains the “face” of chick lit. It is also v. v. funny.

Bridget is also the most commonly referenced book and heroine in our weekly author interviews, cited by Laura Zigman, Janet Evanovich, Kelly McClymer, Rebecca Agiewich, Sara Gruen and Deanna Carlyle!

So what do you think? Have we got it right or are we completely wrong? Is your favourite missing or a hated book included? Let us know!

Posted by Aigua Media on December 29, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Devil Wears Prada, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Sophie Kinsella, Top 100 Extravaganza! | Permalink | Comments (19)

December 28, 2006 1:31 PM

Alison Pace's books of the year

This is the gorgeous cover of Alison Pace's third book, Through Thick and Thin, which isn't due out until August 2007, but you know how much I love beautiful covers and this is a beautiful cover, so I had to share.

Head over to Alison's blog to find out about her favourite books of 2006. A few of them we loved too.

Posted by Keris on December 28, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (1)

THURSDAY THREE: A little surprise

We’ve heard that mommy lit is the new big thing and we’ve looked at busy single mums, but what if the bundle of joy is a bolt from the blue?

Adele Parks’s Larger Than Life follows Georgina’s unplanned pregnancy. As her pregnancy progresses, her character develops from being the type of self absorbed city slicker most people would prefer to hide from in the toilets than speak to at a function, to being a more thoughtful and considerate woman with a redeeming feature or two.

Something Blue by Emily Giffin is the sequel to Something Borrowed in which Darcy’s best friend fell in love with her boyfriend. Something Blue now follows Darcy, as she takes herself and her surprise pregnancy to London to make a new start.

Carry on over the cut for the third bouncing baby ... I mean, book.

Jill Mansell’s Solo centres around Tessa, a strong-minded young painter, who finds herself in trouble after an ill-considered one night stand. The bulk of the novel is taken up with her life after this point, and (of course) lots of interesting encounters with the father-to-be.

Thursday Three archives

Posted by Keris on December 28, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (7)

December 27, 2006 4:07 PM

Top 10 young adult books

Since we’ve only fairly recently started to include young adult books in our reviews, this, the penultimate Top 10 of our Top 100 Extravaganza, consists of five books we’ve reviewed and five we haven’t ... yet. (Recommendations for numbers 10 to 6 from Luisa Plaja of teen review site, Chicklish of which I’m also a co-editor).

10 The Goddess Society by Kelly McKain

The Goddess Society is about the club that three friends form to lose their virginity 'in a non-tacky way'.

A funny, wonderfully observed account of teen life and love.

9 Let’s Get Lost by Sarra Manning

Isabel's a Queen Bee, tough and mean. She's also recently bereaved, but refuses to show any emotion about this to anyone. No one gets through to her, until she meets Smith and gets 'lost' in him, and then in herself.

I can't recommend this book enough. I found it breathtaking. It swept me away, made me laugh and cry.

8 Becoming Bindy Mackenzie by Jaclyn Moriarty

Bindy Mackenzie is a unique teenager, and you get instantly drawn into her life by Jaclyn Moriarty's unusual and gently amusing storytelling techniques and her use of pages from Bindy's special stationery collection.

An unusual, fun, heart-warming and intriguing book.

7 Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

This unusual novel starts with the death of the main character, fifteen-year-old Liz, and follows her into the afterlife.

Gently funny, occasionally sad, and profoundly moving.

6 A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl by Tanya Lee Stone

Written in verse and paying homage to Judy Blume’s classic, Forever, A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl is high quality, thoughtful and easy to read.

Carry on over the cut for the top 5.

5 The Principles of Love by Emily Franklin

The story of Love Bukowski’s attempts to create a life for herself when her father becomes the Principal of Hadley Hall prep school and she finds herself having to start over and make new friends.

“Beautifully written and Love has an interesting and original voice.”

4 I Was a Teenage Popsicle by Bev Katz Rosenbaum

Floe Ryan died in 2006 but was cyrogenically frozen until a cure for her illness could be found. Now it has, and she's been brought back to life ... but it's 2016 and things are very different ...

“This book is fun and imaginative - a great idea, executed well, even if this future isn't quite as I'd imagine it!”

3 Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

The first in a trilogy, Sloppy Firsts is about Jessica Darling, whose world falls apart when her best friend moves away.

“Sloppy Firsts is a great example of YA chick lit, but is actually shelved in the adult section too - like it says on the back cover “a good read for anyone between the ages of 15 and 99.” Recommended.”

2 The Princess Diaries Seventh Heaven by Meg Cabot

The Princess Diaries series, featuring reluctant princess Mia Thermopolis, is chock-full of Meg Cabot's trademark humour and charm and should be read by young and, um, not-so-young alike.

“For days after I finished reading this book (and I read it in a day) I found myself looking forward to getting back to it and then being disappointed to remember I'd finished it.”

1 The Boyfriend List by E Lockhart

The story of Ruby Oliver, a fifteen year-old girl who's been referred to a psychiatrist after suffering a series of panic attacks, it's a funny, moving and realistic portrayal of teenage life.

“Ruby Oliver is a believable and endearing character and The Boyfriend List is compelling, fun, and captures the spirit of teenagerdom brilliantly.”

We really loved the sequel, The Boy Book, too.

We’d love to hear your YA recommendations!

Young Adult archives

Posted by Keris on December 27, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Romance, Series, Top 100 Extravaganza!, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (10)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

The LAST Yay or Nay of the year! So let's make the most of it shall we - BOMBARD us with your opinions, please!

As we've just had Christmas (well, most of us), here's an xmas-themed question. Richard and Judy devoted a whole TV show/book party to discussing the best Christmas gift books... but do you like them? Are Schott's Miscellanys and Almanacs or books answering all those annoying little questions you've (n)ever wondered about actually worth the money? Do you read them after a quick flick through on December 25th, or are they consigned to a dusty old corner of the book case forever more?

In other words, for the last time this year, please tell us - Is it a Yay or a Nay, and Why?

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

Posted by Aigua Media on December 27, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Opinion, Recent Release, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (6)

BOOK REVIEW: The Bad Mother’s Handbook by Kate Long

Having picked up The Bad Mother's Handbook for the train, I didn’t think I’d enjoy it – I’m not a mother at all, let alone a bad one, and my views on children can be easily summed up by the old joke ‘I love children, but I couldn’t eat a whole one’. The title is deceptive though, and surprisingly I found I couldn’t put down this heart-warming tale of three women, three generations of the same family, living together in chaos.

The story is told from the points of view of Karen, a harried mother, her mixed up seventeen year old daughter Charlotte, and her terminally-confused elderly Nan. Both Nan and Charlotte live with Karen and seem to conspire to make her life hell. Charlotte is going through her own traumas as she discovers sex and the almost inevitable consequences of betrayal and babies, while Nan is living in the past remembering her own childhood.

The different styles of writing used for each viewpoint give the story a very personal feel and makes you feel very involved, even if you don’t necessarily identify with any of the characters. The sections describing Nan’s childhood have a real feel of saga story about them, and you could imagine everyone groaning as an aged aunt started off with ‘when I were young I had to walk 10 miles to school in my bare feet…’ for the tenth time that evening.

There’s an interesting extra level to the story, behind the domesticity and usual love-interest when Karen discovers that Nan isn’t really her mother and goes in search of the woman who is. She finds out some things that makes her belatedly grateful for what she has, and give you hope that things might work out in the end. It’s not always a happy read, and I think it could be a bit close to the bone for anyone involved in a similar situation, but by the end of the book everything has turned out for the best. This is mainly through the arrival of Charlotte’s friend, who is more like a guardian angel than a real teenage boy – and everything is tied up very neatly all of a sudden, through a slightly unlikely intervention. I’m not sure if the end felt a bit rushed because I was keen to find out what happened, or whether it really did wind up a little too quickly but despite a ‘one year later’ style final chapter, I was left with a number of questions.

But all in all a good read, and one that makes you think past the title. [Emma Tazewell].

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Confessions of a Grown Up by Stephanie Calman; Mama Lama Ding Dong by Ayun Halliday.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 27, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 26, 2006 3:00 PM

Top 10 Lad Lit

Our Top 100 Extravaganza continues with a look at the boys' version of chick lit: lad lit.

10 Dead Famous by Ben Elton

Ben Elton’s books are hugely successful and Dead Famous, with its Big Brother show style setting, was bound to be a hit. The back cover reads "One house, ten contestants, thirty cameras, forty microphones, one murder... and no evidence." Who wouldn’t want to read that?!

"The idea is brilliant, but unfortunately the book itself just doesn't live up to expectations. It is not Ben Elton's finest effort, but for those who can persevere with it the ending is pretty good."

9 Just Like Heaven by Marc Levy

Released originally in 2000 as If Only It Were True, Marc Levy’s debut was reissued under the name Just Like Heaven to coincide with the film adaptation. It’s the story of Lauren, a resident in a busy ER department and what happens when she ends up in a coma following a car crash. Arthur moves into her former apartment and finds ... Lauren.

"I would definitely recommend this book to anyone as a quick and enjoyable read."

8 A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

Nick Hornby is arguably the father of lad lit. It all began with Fever Pitch (which is ironic, since it’s non-fiction). Anyway, it’s New Years Eve and four people have gathered on the roof of Topper's House with the intention of ending it all. Instead, they end up talking about their lives and getting to know each other.

"I enjoyed this book more than I expected to. I don't think its quite up there with some of his previous efforts, but it is still definitely worth a read."

7 The Three Day Rule by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees.

Yes, I know Josie Lloyd isn’t a lad, but Emlyn surely is and it didn’t seem fair to leave him out. The book follows the Thorne family, unhappily spending Christmas at their father's house on a remote Cornish Island.

"I truly wasn't expecting anything amazing when I opened this book, but a couple of pages in and I was already hooked. I'd go as far as to say that this is one of the best books I've read this year. It doesn't try too hard, it touches on a lot of issues without ramming them down your throat, it’s equal parts funny and tragic, and it all ties up nicely at the end in perfect 'happily ever after(ish)' Christmas style. Definitely recommended for escaping your family this Christmas!"

6 Mr Nice Guy by Thomas Dowler

Fed up of getting rejections on his manuscript, Thomas took things into his own hands self-published, giving away his debut novel as a free e-book and audio book, via his website.

"It's written in a very pacey, snappy style ... and there were some unexpected twists and turns ... it wasn't predictable but it did deliver the happy ending I hoped for."

Carry on over the cut for the Top 5. Any guesses on who might be at number one? (Here's a clue: it's not Marian Keyes.)

5 Mr Commitment by Mike Gayle

Mike Gayle is another lad lit success story and Mr Commitment tells the tale of Duffy, whose life is not going to plan. So he decides to marry his girlfriend. As you do.

"I am really pleased I perservered with reading this book. I found myself desperate to get back to reading it whenever I was supposed to be doing something else. Definitely one to read!"

4 Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About by Mil Millington

I know we only reviewed it earlier today, but it’s so great we couldn’t leave it out.

"Yes, it is sarcastic and facetious, but it somehow manages to be charming and sweet at the same time. Most of all though, it’s just really, really funny. Read it. You won’t be sorry."

3 The Food of Love by Anthony Capella

Anthony Capella’s debut is a modern-day re-telling of the classic story, Cyrano de Bergerac, set to a backdrop of gorgeous Italian cuisine.

"This book is a great read but beware, it's written with such passion that it makes you want to eat, so make you have stocked up on all the ingredients for a good Italian meal prior to reading because you will suddenly become convinced that you can cook."

2 How I Paid for College by Marc Acito

Edward, a high-school senior in 1980s New Jersey, is desperate to study acting at the prestigious Julliard in New York City but his overbearing father has refused to pay and his flaky mother is incommunicado. And so Edward hatches a number of outrageous schemes to fund his college education.

"A fabulous, over-the-top, brilliantly written, laugh-a-minute American lad lit (is that enough adjectives yet?!) novel that I can’t recommend enough to anyone with a sense of humour and a pulse."

1 The Family Way by Tony Parsons

Tony Parsons is probably the most high-profile lad lit writer after Nick Hornby. The Family Way focuses on three sisters, all reaching the time of their lives when children are on the agenda. The book follows the trials and tribulations of all three sisters as they follow the path their hearts have set them.

"This is a book that will take you through a complete rollercoaster of emotions. I laughed, I cried, I even shouted out loud at a couple of points - would have been great if the characters could have heard me! I would definitely recommend this book very strongly to anyone. It has something for everyone, irrespective of age or gender."

So what do you think? Have we included your favourite lad lit tales or is there a book you think we've missed?

Posted by Keris on December 26, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Josie Lloyd & Emlyn Rees, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Romance, Top 100 Extravaganza! | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About by Mil Millington

Mil Millington’s debut, Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About, was inspired by his enormously successful website, but it’s been fictionalised - so Mil becomes Pel and his German girlfriend Margret becomes Ursula and adventures, rather than just arguments, are had. That’s not to say there aren’t arguments, because there are - many, many arguments and each is hilarious.

Pel works in a university library and spends his time trying to avoid doing any work at all. When his supervisor disappears he’s asked to “act up” in the role, while still doing (or rather, not doing) his original job. While working hard to avoid doing either job, he discovers that there are scary, dodgy and downright dangerous things going on at the university and, of course, he tries desperately not to get involved with any of them. And fails miserably. At the same time, Ursula has decided they must move house and this, of course, just adds to Pel's woes.

None of the above is really important. Yes, the book has a plot, but it’s far-fetched and unbelievable and it really just serves to string together the constantly fantastic jokes and dangerously funny set pieces (do not read the scene when Pel gets stuck in the loo window in a public place, trust me). This really is the funniest book I’ve ever read and I also spent a lot of time waving the book at my husband and saying, "Listen to this! This is just like you!"

Yes, it is sarcastic and facetious, but it somehow manages to be charming and sweet at the same time. Most of all though, it’s just really, really funny. Read it. You won’t be sorry.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Marry Me by Carey Marx

Posted by Keris on December 26, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Godmother by Carrie Adams

Carrie Adams has apparently created a new genre, ‘chick noir’, with her latest book, having concentrated on writing crime novels up to now.

The Godmother focuses on  Tessa King who is single and godmother to all her friends’ children. Everyone is jealous of Tessa and her life full of fun, but she’s beginning to feel that she’s missing out on marriage and motherhood.

However, when she starts to spend more time with her friends she realises married life can be far from bliss....

Adams has flashes of genius with this novel: her hilarious one-liners are so funny that you’ll be quoting them to all your friends. Unfortunately they aren’t enough to carry a whole book. Even though The Godmother focuses on Tessa it’s really about all her friends as Tessa’s life is pretty boring with the occasional one night stand thrown in to spice it up.

There are so many story threads that the book becomes disjointed and difficult to read. The lack of continuity of the plot combined with characters that jump between nasty and nice in just a few pages meant that I didn’t relate to any of them. One thing I will give Adams is that her characters did evoke strong emotion in me … hate.

As I read on every chapter revealed more and more gloomy stories, which are never really resolved satisfactorily. Personally if I wanted to be that depressed I could go and check my bank balance. If you enjoy wallowing in others misery … I mean moving stories then watch Eastenders and save your money! [Angela Richardson].

Rating: 2 out of 5

Like this? Try The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy by Polly Williams.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 26, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Rating: 2/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

December 22, 2006 7:06 PM

Lisa Jewell's 31 Dream Street

Remember how we told you the February issue of Eve magazine comes with a free copy of Lisa Jewell's last novel, Vince and Joy? Well the free edition also contains an exclusive extract from Lisa's new novel, 31 Dream Street, due out 15 March 2007.

And that's not all! Lisa - who has just announced that she's expecting her second child - also writes about how she became an author and offers her Top 10 tips to becoming an author yourself. Fabulous.

(I'm not loving her new cover design though ... what do you think?)

Posted by Keris on December 22, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 21, 2006 4:12 PM

THURSDAY THREE: Threesomes

The theme of this week’s thursday three is threesomes. No, not like that! Books with three main characters. Sheesh.

Louise Bagshawe’s The Movie features naive, overweight Megan Silver, studio exec Eleanor Marshall (her mentor), and superbitch supermodel Roxana Felix (her rival) in a Jackie Collins-esque sex-fest.

The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes is about Gemma and Lily - best friends turned worst enemies - who are both intent on writing a best-seller. The threesome’s rounded out by Jojo, an agent on the hunt for her next money-spinning novelist. All the humour and emotion we’ve come to expect from lovely Marian.

Carry on over the cut for the final book.

Alison Bond’s How to be Famous follows Lynsey, Melanie and Serena: three women looking to make it in Hollywood. A no holds barred look at the cut-throat world of film, fame and being fabulous

What’s your favourite threebie*?

Thursday Three archives

*made-up word.

Posted by Keris on December 21, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (3)

December 19, 2006 4:15 PM

Keris's "Top 10 books I reviewed this year"

Our Top 100 Extravaganza continues with my favourite books of the year (read Diane’s list here). Like Diane, I limited myself to books I read for the first time this year and, because I’m doing a Top 10 Young Adult list, I didn’t include any young adult books here.

Don’t forget to tell us about your favourite books of the year.

10 Little Lady, Big Apple by Hester Browne

The sequel to The Little Lady Agency, Little Lady, Big Apple follows Melissa’s adventures with her etiquette and grooming agency. As you can guess from the title, she’s off to New York.

"It's a testament to the strength and charm of the characters that when I sat down to read I felt I was catching up with old friends (even though I only read the first book last week). It's fun, funny and sweet."

9 Pick Me Up by Zoe Rice

Pick Me Up is the story of Izzy who works in an art gallery and loves Robbie Williams. Clearly, I was destined to love her. And I did.

"I really enjoyed this book. Izzy's a charming, down-to-earth character and the supporting cast is great fun too. There are laugh-out-loud moments and an enormously romantic ending."

8 Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston

The follow up to the enormously successful Sophie’s Bakery for the Broken-hearted brilliantly chronicles the breakdown of a marriage.

"I've never read a book where wanting more than one person at the same time is portrayed so convincingly. I had no idea who to root for. I wanted everyone to be happy. Winston writes about the minutiae of life beautifully."

7 Ex and the Single Girl by Lani Diane Rich

I hate to compare Lani Diane Rich to Jennifer Crusie - because everyone does - but I have the same confidence in Lani’s books as I do in Jennifer Crusie’s. I just know I’m going to get an entertaining and involving story and Ex and the Single Girl didn’t let me down.

"Portia is funny and real and Ian is sexy. Ex and the Single Girl is a fun and fast read about following your heart and finding your place in the world."

6 Me vs Me by Sarah Mlynowski

Sarah Mlynowski is an author at the top of her game and Me vs Me is her first foray into chick lit paranormal. Unable to decide whether to stay in Arizona and marry her boyfriend or move to New York for a great job opportunity, Gabby wishes (on a star) that she could do both. And she does.

"I really loved this book. It’s an original and interesting idea, entertainingly executed."

Carry on over the cut for the Top 5.

5 Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie

Jennifer Crusie is one of our Top 10 chick lit authors and her books are always a cause for celebration. Anyone But You is one of her simpler stories, but it’s full of her usual humour, romance and great sex.

"A lovely, charming, sweet and romantic book. I loved it."

4 Cancer Vixen by Marisa Acocello Marchetto

A bit of a departure, Cancer Vixen is a graphic novel and non-fiction so it really shouldn’t be in this list at all, but it’s amazing and inspiring and I couldn’t leave it out.

"The word 'unputdownable' is overused in book reviews. I mean, it's not true, is it? There's no book that you literally can't put down, but there are some books that once you start reading you don't want to stop and, for me, Cancer Vixen was one of those books."

3 Love Walked In by Marisa De Los Santos

Marisa De Los Santos’s debut novel tells, in alternating chapters, the stories of 30-year-old Cornelia and 11-year-old Clare and what happens when their lives intertwine.

"Love Walked In is a beautiful, magical book. It's old-fashioned, cleverly crafted and constantly surprising. The characters all seem utterly real - they are flawed, intelligent and interesting."

2 Stupid and Contagious by Caprice Crane

I heard a lot about Stupid and Contagious before reading it - it was probably the most-recommended book of the year. I was worried I’d be disappointed. Far from it.

"Stupid and Contagious is extremely funny, it made me cry and when I finished it I could happily have turned back to the first page and started it again. One of the best chick lit books I've ever read."

1 Anybody Out There? by Marian Keyes

Marian is a chick lit goddess and number one in our Top 10 chick lit authors list. Her latest book, Anybody Out There?, is also, in my opinion, her best.

"Anybody Out There? made me laugh out loud. It also often gave me that trying-not-to-cry pain in the throat. And once I gave up and sobbed. It made me think. It made me want to move to New York. It's a wonderful story with brilliant, believable characters and a truly satisfying ending."

Top 100 Extravaganza archives

Posted by Keris on December 19, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Romance, Top 100 Extravaganza! | Permalink | Comments (8)

What comes after "mommy lit"?

You've probably already seen the New York Times article about "Mom Lit", but the quote from Jennifer Weiner reminded me of something.

She says, “My feeling about my own work is, I could be writing The Aeneid and they would still have to call it chick lit or mommy lit or menopausal old hag lit ... Crone lit - is that what’s coming next?”

Well ... yes. The Times called Sue Hepworth and Jane Linfoot's Plotting for Beginners 'old-boiler-lit'. Charming.

Posted by Keris on December 19, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (2)

High Fidelity, the musical closes

Only last month, Diane wrote about how Nick Hornby's book High Fidelity had been turned into a Broadway musical.

Sorry to say it only lasted ten days before closing and, to add insult to injury, critics have voted it one of the top five musicals that should never have been made. [via BBC News]

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

December 18, 2006 5:35 PM

Losing Gemma on TV tonight

UK-based Trashionistas may well be interested in a two-part drama starting on ITV1 tonight (9pm). Losing Gemma is based on the best-selling novel by Katy Gardner - about two friends who go backpacking in India and what happens when one goes missing. It concludes tomorrow night, also at 9.

Posted by Aigua Media on December 18, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

MORE ON MONDAY: Feel by Chris Heath

A few years ago I read Literally, a biography of The Pet Shop Boys by Chris Heath. It was utterly compelling, brilliantly written and totally transporting. So I was excited to see that Chris Heath had written a biography of Robbie Williams, whom I lurve.

I was a bit worried it wouldn’t meet the high standard set by Literally, but Feel is everything I expected and more. It's not just a biography of a star, it's a meditation on - and expose of - celebrity and modern culture. And it's really very funny.

Chris Heath got to know Robbie extremely well and has captured brilliantly the contradictions that, in my opinion, make Robbie such a fascinating character. For example, if Robbie values his privacy as highly as he claims, why did he agree to a journalist spending a year with him and writing a book which includes intensely private moments and emotions? You don’t get any answers (well, not many), just more questions about why anyone would choose to be famous in this age of total celebrity obsession.

Feel is a brilliantly written, thought-provoking, gripping, funny book. Whether you love, like, hate, or are indifferent to Robbie Williams, I highly recommend you read it.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try But Enough About Me by Jancee Dunn

More on Monday archives

Posted by Keris on December 18, 2006 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (4)

December 14, 2006 5:03 PM

Top 10 chick lit precursors

Can you remember a time before chick lit?

We’ve sort of established that chick lit began in 1995 (with Marian Keyes's Watermelon), but there have always been books about strong women trying to come to terms with their place in the world, haven’t there? They just weren’t called chick lit before. We’re calling them chick lit precursors and here’s our Top 10 (along with a recommendation of their more recent chick lit "cousins").

(The following list is, of course, entirely subjective; my only rule was that the books had to have been originally published before 1995.)

10 Postcards From the Edge by Carrie Fisher (1987)

Suzanne Vale is an actress trying to recover from drug addiction, resume her career and get on with her life, while dealing with her difficult relationship with her mother. Like a lot of good chick lit, Postcards From the Edge is written in the first person, it’s also stuffed with Carrie Fisher’s trademark humour.

Chick lit cousin: Why Moms Are Weird by Pamela Ribon

9 Heartburn by Nora Ephron (1983)

The story of Rachel Samstat, a food writer whose husband has an affair with the wife of a prominent politician ... during month seven of Rachel's second pregnancy, it’s as hilarious and insightful as you’d expect from the writer of When Harry Met Sally.

Chick lit cousin: Watermelon by Marian Keyes

8 Sheila Levine is dead and living in New York by Gail Parent (1975)

As Diane reported, Jennifer Weiner reckons this was the first chick lit book, so who am I to argue? Sadly out of print, it’s the story of Sheila Levine, a Jewish girl living in Manhattan, her search for Mr. Right, and her struggles with her weight. Certainly sounds like chick lit!

Chick lit cousin: Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner

7 Jilly Cooper

Yes, an author rather than a book, but I’m specifically thinking of her "girls' name" books: Emily (1975), Bella (1976), Harriet (1976), Octavia (1977), Imogen (1978), Prudence (1978), Lisa and Co. (1981). More romances than the bonkbusters Cooper has become known for, these books are funny and romantic and have been reissued more than once with more chick lit style covers (most recently last year).

Chick lit cousin: Jill Mansell or Katie Fforde

6 Fear of Flying by Erica Jong (1973)

Fear of Flying created a sensation in the seventies with is frank descriptions of women's sexual appetites. The author Henry Miller said of it, "This book will make literary history ... because of it women are going to find their own voice and give us great sagas of sex, life, joy, and adventure." [via Erica Jong’s website]

Yep, that’s a chick lit precursor alright!

Chick lit cousin: Freya North (for the sex)

Carry on over the cut for the Top 5 (once again, number one might not be what you think!)

5 Forever by Judy Blume (1970)

The author Sarah Mlynowski says, “People always call Helen Fielding the mother of chick lit, but I think it’s Judy Blume. She’s who we all (chick lit writers) grew up reading, and she’s the one who helped shaped our consciousness.” [via Deanna Carlyle]

As if to prove Sarah's point, next June sees the publication of Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume , a collection of essays from authors including Trashionista faves Meg Cabot, Megan Crane, Diana Peterfreund and Alison Pace and Sarah herself.

I’ve picked Forever because it’s the Judy Blume book that had the most impact on me (stop sniggering) and it’s still causing a stir today, being one of the most challenged books in schools and libraries (it wasn’t shelved in my library growing up; you had to ask for it “under the counter”).

Chick lit cousin: The Boyfriend List by E Lockhart

4 Nancy Drew (from 1930)

We’ve mentioned the influence of the Nancy Drew books a few times, and the “girl detective” remains as popular today as ever. Nancy has gone through a few incarnations over the years, but has always been intelligent, brave, talented and independent. An excellent chick lit heroine!

Chick lit cousin: Stephanie Plum

3 Dorothy Parker (from 1926)

A commonly quoted important chick lit characteristic is “snark” and they don’t come much snarkier than Dorothy Parker.

In her review of the Parker biography What Fresh Hell is This, Diane wrote, “One of the founder members of the Algonquin round table - an influential group of writers in 1920s and 30s New York - Dorothy Parker was a gossipy journalist, well-known short story writer, clinical depressive with a tendency to suicide attempts - and a famous wit.”

Chick lit cousin: Wendy Holden

2 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)

Ha! Bet you thought this would be number 1, didn’t you? As I'm sure you know, Pride and Prejudice is the story of the Bennet family, particularly Lizzie - who would make a perfect chick lit heroine even today - and Mr Darcy (on whom the best chick lit heroes are inevitably based).

In my review of Flirting with Pride and Prejudice, I wrote, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that if Jane Austen were writing today, she would be considered a chick lit author" and Austen’s influence on chick lit (not least Bridget Jones’s Diary) is well-known. She wasn’t first though. Oh no.

Chick lit cousin: Bridget Jones’s Diary, of course!

1 Evelina by Frances Burney (1778)

Beating Pride and Prejudice by 35 years is Frances Burney’s Evelina.

Written as a series of letters, this is the story of innocent Evelina's entrance into London society. “Evelina, comic and shrewd, is at once a guide to fashionable London, a satirical attack on the new consumerism, an investigation of women's position in the late eighteenth century, and a love story.” [via Amazon]

That’ll be the earliest chick lit book then!

Chick lit cousin: Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot

So what do you think? Do you agree? Have I missed any? We’d love to hear from you.

Top 100 Extravaganza archives

Posted by Keris on December 14, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Classic Novels, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Romance, Series, Top 100 Extravaganza!, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (8)

December 13, 2006 2:34 PM

The most overrated books of the year?

Current affairs magazine, Prospect, asked contributors to nominate their most overrated books of 2006. [via Book 2 Book]

The top three were:

1 The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
2 The Blunkett Tapes by David Blunkett
3 Everyman by Philip Roth

But it was broadcaster David Cox's response which made me laugh (don't sit on the fence, David, say what you mean!):

"The Night Watch, Sarah Waters. An imitation Catherine Cookson for dim but pretentious lesbians. The Inheritance of Loss, Kiran Desai. A typically box-ticking, offence-avoiding Booker winner whose supposedly innovative structure is more sensibly viewed as narrative incompetence ..."

So what are your most overrated books of 2006? And, for the sake of positivity, your favourites?

Posted by Aigua Media on December 13, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Prize Winners, Rubbish Books | Permalink | Comments (7)

BOOK REVIEW: My Fat Brother by Jim Keeble

Reading all this chick lit is, of course, fabulous, but sometimes I fancy a bit of testosterone and it was with that in mind I picked up Jim Keeble’s My Fat Brother. Jes is the fat brother of Scott - a popular poet with a gorgeous girlfriend. The brothers are friendly, but not particularly close.

But then Scott’s girlfriend dumps him and while his professional life seems to be going from strength to strength, his personal life is going from bad to worse and this, coupled with a family tragedy, leads Scott to question everything, try to repair familial relationships and, um, assault a penguin.

My Fat Brother isn’t a bad book - I enjoyed it to a certain extent - but it’s similar to quite a lot of books I’ve read recently in that it takes forever to get going and the reader seems to be expected to care about the characters from page 1. I’ve actually given up on a couple of books because even by page 100 I didn’t care. It’s just lazy writing.

For example, Scott’s devastated when his girlfriend finishes with him, but I’d seen so little of their relationship and had so little insight into his feelings about her (apart from the fact that he once vaguely thought about what it might be like to marry her and he’d never thought that about a girlfriend before), that I just didn't care. About halfway through the book something happened that made me cry and I realised I really felt for Scott, but halfway through is too late.

Plus a lot of the action in the book seems to take place for comic effect rather than there being any genuine motivation. And it’s funny. A bit. Just not funny enough. It’s a shame, because there’s some good stuff in here about the odd and competitive relationship brothers often share, but it’s hidden under a lot of, in my opinion, irrelevant, unoriginal, and insufficiently explained subplots. A shame.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Family Way by Tony Parsons

Posted by Keris on December 13, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 12, 2006 7:16 PM

The first chick-lit book...

What do you think it was?

Jennifer Weiner has said before (on her blog) that chick lit all started with cult '70s classic Sheila Levine is dead and living in New York by Gail Parent, but it's often said that chick lit didn't begin until the 1990s, with landmark books like Bridget Jones's Diary and Watermelon... On the other hand, some people consider Pride and Prejudice the first chick lit novel! And where does Sex and the City fit in? Or books like Heartburn and Postcards from the Edge?

What do you think- which one would you call the original chick lit, and does it matter? I've got a feeling this debate could run and run...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 12, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Girly Stuff, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: The Ex-Factor by Andrea Semple

The Ex-Factor is Andrea Semple's wonderful debut novel and Semple's talent for writing addictive, hilarious tales works wonders with both her first books. Even though I'll shamefully admit that I've yet to read The Man From Perfect, it's there on my wishlist nonetheless. And when it arrives? I'm likely to devour it in a matter of hours. As soon as I'd read The Makeup Girl, I was out in search of The Ex-Factor, and due to her quick and witty writing style, Andrea is one of my favourite chick-lit authors.

The Ex-Factor's Martha Seymore is an agony aunt. You know the sort: women who seem to know it all relationship-wise. They answer your questions, give you hearty advice and what's more, they're experts. At Gloss magazine, Martha's column is highly successful, though when she discovers that her OWN relationship is ... well, doomed ... the realisation that she didn't 'see the signs' starts to hit her. Hard.

Cue a stay with a best friend, nights out to nurse the pain away and a flatmate by the name of Jacqui; a coke-snorting fan of casual sex who lives in a church.

And of course, old classmate friend Desdemona who was highly renowned for getting exactly what she wanted ...

With a cast of funny yet intriguing characters and the irony of Martha's situation, The Ex Factor is a fabulous read. Despite not being as fast-paced as The Makeup Girl, it's fabulously fun and guaranteed some giggles. As Martha pieces together her relationship history, she realises that she might not be that different from her horde of readers after all ...

But is that really a bad thing?

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne

Related posts: Andrea Semple's Spotlight / Andrea Semple's new column

[Danielle Symonds-Yemm]

Posted by Danielle Symonds-Yemm on December 12, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Shopaholic on Jeopardy

I'm sure even our British readers have heard of the American game show, Jeopardy - it's the one where the contestants are given the answer and have to work out the question.

Well, thanks to author Kim Stagliano, I learned that a recent question - or rather answer - was along the lines of "In Sophie Kinsella's book, Confessions of this, character Becky ..." The answer (or question) was, of course, Shopaholic! Now that's fame!

Posted by Keris on December 12, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 11, 2006 2:00 PM

Top 10 chick lit authors

Our Top 100 Extravaganza continues with the Top 10 chick lit authors chosen from our weekly Spotlight feature.

10 Belinda Jones

Belinda Jones has carved herself the best career ever - she travels the world and writes always-entertaining chick lit books based on her adventures.

9 Lisa Jewell

Lisa Jewell’s Thirtynothing is one of my favourite books of all time and her latest, Vince and Joy is wonderful too.

8 Emily Giffin

Emily Giffin is one of the new breed of chick lit authors, scoring huge sales in an allegedly dying market.

7 Meg Cabot

Meg Cabot may be better-known for her young adult novels, but her adult chick lit books are entertaining and very funny.

6 Jennifer Crusie

Jennifer Crusie (pictured) was writing chick lit before it was called chick lit and she just keeps getting better.

Carry on over the cut for the Top 5 and find out who's number one (it might not be who you think!)

5 Sophie Kinsella

The Shopaholic books are chick lit classics and rightly so. Plus Can You Keep A Secret has one of my favourite ever chick lit heroes. (Look out for the latest Shopaholic book, Shopaholic and Baby due in February 2007.)

4 Lauren Weisberger

Had to be Top 5 due to the enormous success of The Devil Wears Prada (the only book to get its own Trashionista category!). Weisberger’s debut brought the chick lit debate back with a bang.

3 Jennifer Weiner

One author who has apparently begun to transcend her chick lit label. Graduating from an Ivy League school and writing short stories has probably helped.

2 Helen Fielding

Nope. She’s not number one, but she had to be up there. The one who - arguably - started it all with Bridget Jones and still the author still most associated with chick lit.

1 Marian Keyes

Why? Because her first book, Watermelon, came out in 1995 - a year before Bridget Jones’s Diary - making her arguably the originator of chick lit. Plus she’s published a further seven gorgeous novels and two wonderful books of non-fiction. And because she’s a goddess.

Posted by Keris on December 11, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Devil Wears Prada, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Top 100 Extravaganza! | Permalink | Comments (8)

MORE ON MONDAY: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

The Cloud Atlas Sextet is a piece of music written by one of the characters in David Mitchell’s award-winning book and it's described as follows:

... 'sextet for overlapping soloists': piano, clarinet, 'cello, flute, oboe and violin, each in its own language of key, scale and colour. In the 1st set, each solo is interrupted by its successor: in the 2nd, each interruption is recontinued, in order.

Overlapping and interruption is also the structure of the book. It begins with a diary interrupted by a series of letters from the above composer. This is taken over by Half Lives: The First Luisa Rey Mystery which in turn is interrupted by The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish followed by An Orison of Somni and Sloosha's Crossin' an' Ev'rythin' After. Each is set in a different historical period (the last two are set in the future) and each is written in the style of that period.

I've been intrigued by David Mitchell's books for a while but always thought they looked like extremely difficult reads. Cloud Atlas isn't difficult, but it does reward attention. I didn't particularly enjoy the middle - the futuristic part. It was interesting, but I’m not a science fiction fan and I found it difficult to become emotionally involved.

My favourite parts were undoubtedly The Luisa Rey Mystery and Letters from Zedelghem. I also enjoyed The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish.

Entirely gripping, Cloud Atlas is a dazzling achievement. It's more than a stunning book: it's six stunning books.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

Posted by Keris on December 11, 2006 in British Authors, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Rating: 4/5, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 8, 2006 8:09 PM

Diane's "Top 10 books I reviewed this year"

Trashionista's Top 100 Extravaganza! continues...

I've reviewed A LOT of books since I started writing for Trashionista back in July, and here are my top ten favourites - do you agree that these are some fabulous reads? What are your top reads of 2006? I'm making myself abide by two rules:

As I've already written about the top 10 non-fiction chick lit books, I'm going to stick to my fictional faves and

No re-reads or old favourites allowed - only books I read for the first time this year!

With that in mind, here's my top 10 for 2006, with what I said about each in quotes...

10. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. A classic novel with an engaging heroine and a lot to say. "Based in early twentieth-century Brooklyn, it tells the story of Francie Nolan and her family’s fight to get by in a time without electricity, a welfare system, or even windows in the bedrooms of their tiny apartment.  Francie lives with her hard-working mother, hard-drinking father and younger brother Neely in a slum neighbourhood of the city. If all that sounds depressing, it isn’t... If you want a compelling story that teaches you something, this is a great read, and despite its size, a fast one."

9. Singeltini by Amanda Trimble. Fun, fast-paced, a bit farcical but a very enjoyable read in a fabulous cover! "Singletini is pretty standard, fairytale-ending chick-lit but written in a fast and compelling style, (perhaps as a result of the author's time in advertising?) that never becomes boring... This is Amanda Trimble's debut novel - I'd definitely like to read more."

8. Twenty Times a Lady by Karyn Bosnak. Great premise and a very well-written, fun story! "A fast, funny and very enjoyable love story/road-trip novel. Whilst you may be able to predict how the book will end, you won't predict how Delilah gets there - and that's the mark of a good writer. The book speeds along, and there's a lot of surprises on the way to a happy ending. I loved the fact that the main character is a risk-taker, not afraid to seem stupid- and brave in sharing her feelings. And I frequently found myself snorting with laughter at her remarks!"

7. The Guy Not Taken by Jennifer Weiner. Weiner's latest is actually a collection of short stories... and very good it is too. "Despite some stories being stronger than others, the book works as a whole and is very entertaining.  It's a treat for Jennifer Weiner fans who love her previous work, but newbies would get a lot out of it, too.  Although I raced through (er, I mean savoured slowly!) the stories, my favourite part of the book was actually the "Notes on Stories" at the back of the book, sharing some of the gossip behind the writing process."

6. Stupid and Contagious by Caprice Crane. Okay, so I'm cheating a little with this one, as Keris actually reviewed it - but then she lent it to me quick-smart and I adored it too! The best new chick-lit writer of the year, no doubt. Said Keris, " Full of pop culture references and more than I ever needed to know about the disgusting things wait staff to rude customers, Stupid and Contagious is extremely funny, it made me cry and when I finished it I could happily have turned back to the first page and started it again. One of the best chick lit books I've ever read." I concur.

What will the top 5 be? Carry on over the cut to find out!

5. How I Paid For College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship and Musical Theatre by Marc Acito. I'm allowing a man to infiltrate the sacred top 5, because this book was just so, so good! Original, inventive, fresh and packed full of sex, theft, friendship and musical theatre it perfectly captures the feeling of 80s teen flicks. "How I paid for College… is a fabulous, over-the-top, brilliantly written, laugh-a-minute American lad-lit (is that enough adjectives yet?!) novel that I can’t recommend enough to anyone with a sense of humour and a pulse."

4. The Vanishing Point by Mary Sharratt. Not precisely chick-lit, but with strong heroines and a killer plot, it's not to be missed.  "More than anything, this book is haunting, and stayed with me long after the final heart-wrenchingly unpredictable twist revealed the truth I'd been waiting all novel to find out."

3. A Boy of Good Breeding by Miriam Toews. A warm, funny and poignant story, wonderfully written. Nothing much happens, but it keeps you hooked all the same. "There's occasional silliness and moments of great humour, but written in a wry, observant way that's always intelligent and never carries a joke too far.  It's easy to believe in this quaint little town with its slightly unusual residents... A Boy of Good Breeding is superbly written and the kind of book you want to re-read immediately."

2. Plotting for Beginners by Sue Hepworth and Jane Linfoot. Brilliantly-written and heartfelt hen-lit for the over-50s, I loved this very funny book. "Plotting for Beginners is a wonderfully funny novel about starting again after your children have left home, your husband is AWOL and you want to fulfill your dreams...  found this an enormously satisfying, well-written and perfectly-plotted novel with a main character who's as lovable and funny as Bridget Jones - if a tad more prone to a hot flush..." Look out for an interview with the authors in the new year!

Finally, number 1 in my list, and my heart, for 2006, is...

1. Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson! The book I've been boring all my friends and family about! My read of the year hits the perfect balance between a pacey, exciting storyline and real emotion, and it made me laugh, cry and gape at the quality of the writing. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't enjoy it. "Dealing with themes of abandonment, betrayal, family loyalties and nature vs. nurture, this novel is addictive, thought-provoking reading that's practically perfect in every way.  I defy you not to fall in love with it!"

Trashionista Top 100 Extravanganza! archives / Joshilyn Jackson interview.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 8, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Opinion, Recent Release, Romance, Top 100 Extravaganza! | Permalink | Comments (5)

December 7, 2006 11:30 AM

Top ten non-fiction chick lit

Continuing Trashionista's Top 100 Extravaganza, we bring you....

The top 10 non-fiction chick-lit books! After all, there's nothing to say that chick lit has to be fiction, is there? And we've reviewed some fabulous non-fiction chick lit since Trashionista's incarnation. But what were our favourites? (And why?) Read on for the Top 10 Non-Fic Chick Lit, and what we said about it - in quotes, below - and find out!

10. You'll Never Nanny in this Town Again by Suzanne Hansen. Aka: The book that spilled the beans on nannying for the Hollywood elite... truly jaw-dropping.

"I'd definitely recommend it to anyone else who loved The Nanny Diaries, for a real-life perspective (truth really is stranger than fiction)."

9. Conversations and Cosmopolitans by Robert Rave and Jane Rave. A gay man and his mother write alternate chapters about their lives and experiences after Robert gave out as gay via a typo-strewn letter. Cute, funny, and surprisingly  moving:

"I'm a sucker for a good memoir, and this is a very good one. It made me cry in a couple of places, and some of Jane's experiences showed that sometimes straight people are looked down on for their sexuality too- which was a very interesting and unexpected angle... But mostly, it made me laugh and kept me hooked."

8. But Enough About Me by Jancee Dunn. Rock chick / journalist Dunn dishes about interviewing famous stars, dodgy boyfriends and an unfortunate cocaine episode... oh, and journalism too, of course!

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

7. Tabloid Love by Bridget Harrison. The story of a British journo looking for love in New York - a real life Bridget/Carrie hybrid!

"I found her story particularly fascinating being a frustrated Lois Lane myself, but you don't need to be a journalist-wannabe to enjoy this book: if you like reading about big cities, love, and the ups and downs of a modern woman making it on her own (and if none of those things interest you, what are you doing here?!) then you'll love this memoir."

6. Mama Lama Ding Dong by Ayun Halliday. A wonderful and unconventional mothering memoir!

"Mama Lama... is a feel good story about being yourself and having fun- even if you have children or are on the verge of giving birth! Ayun and her family are loving and happy, but far from conventional- they dress their little boy in girls' clothes if they fit him and look cute and their little girl was born with an extra thumb! Plus, their ultra-aggressive cat has an embarrassing sexual fetish..."

Carry on over the cut for our top 5 non-fic chick lit books, and to see if you agree!

5. I'm Celibate, Get me Out of Here! A true-life venture into the world of internet dating... with hilarious results.

"This book is witty, fast-paced and highly entertaining. You really feel the roller coaster sense that is associated with the search for Mr Right - at the end of the day we're all either doing it or have done it. The anecdotes are hugely amusing at times, but Elliott never feels the need to be downright rude about any of the men she came across. The idea for the book is very original, who knows it may join the likes of Adrian Mole and Bridget in years to come."

4. Mixed by Angela Nissel. Full of warmth and laughs, but tackles some serious race-related stuff too. My only complaint? It's not long enough!

"This book made me think, while entertaining me, making me laugh and just generally being a joy to read. That's not an easy feat so I can't wait to see what Ms Nissel writes about next..."

3. Cancer Vixen by Marisa Acocella Marchetto.  Bit of a departure, this one: a chick-lit memoir in graphic novel form! But if you're not into comics, don't be put off... or you'll miss out, big time.

"There are some sad moments, of course. There's a moving interlude about Marisa's experience of 9/11 and something that happens as a result of her [cancer] treatment actually made me sob, but in the main this book is hilarious, uplifting and, yes, unputdownable. Read it."

2. Queen of the Oddballs by Hillary Carlip.

"I simply loved this book... Hillary really is an interesting and unique individual who's taken an inspiring yet down-to-earth "Oddball" journey through life. And I'm so happy she decided to write about it!"

And now for number 1! Can you guess what it is yet? Drumroll please...

It's...

1. Under the Duvet by Marian Keyes! Yes, it has to be, didn't it? Arise, Queen Marian of Keyes, goddess of chick lit - fictional or not! The book that made us discuss kidnapping an author for the very first time (see the comments...) We also said:

"Can she be as successful in non-fiction as she is in fiction? Course she can, silly! This is Marian Keyes we're talking about! The signature humour, warmth and poignancy that we love in her novels is all here as she talks about her real life... If you want a book to curl up with, laugh at and just generally cherish (particularly if you're having a 'duvet day' yourself) then you can't go far wrong with this. And if you've only ever read Marian Keyes's fiction, then you're missing a treat!"

Trashionista Top 100 archives / Non-fiction archives / Memoir archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 7, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Top 100 Extravaganza! | Permalink | Comments (3)

December 6, 2006 9:49 PM

Chick lit writing tips

If you're interested in writing chick lit then you could do worse than read this article with quotes from authors including Louise Bagshawe, Lisa Jewell, Jennifer Weiner, Meg Cabot, Sophie Kinsella and many, many more (as they used to say in the Ronco Christmas ads).

Related posts: See Jane Write / Will Write for Shoes / Lisa Jewell in Eve magazine

Posted by Keris on December 6, 2006 in American Authors, British Authors, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (1)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week, those publishing books drawing on their past crimes were, not surprisingly, roundly chastised - unless they showed some contrition, by giving their advance to charity, for example.

This week - another controversy! The Guardian reports that author Susan Hill has been banned from the pages of an unnamed book review section after she claimed that book bloggers hold more power than the traditional press. (Yay! Say we). John Sutherland, another British author, was most condescending about online book reviewers, claiming their (our) motivation is, "Partly for freebies. But more because they enjoy shooting off their mouths. And they enjoy the power." (And also because we get to walk around wearing crowns and velvet robes...)

Do you think book bloggers - whether paid or not - have as much sway as the traditional media? Do you trust them (us)? What about the reviews on Amazon: is it a dangerous trend when the views of so-called 'amateurs' can be read by so many people? Or is it a wonderful thing?

To any (or all!) of those many questions, tell us: Yay or Nay, and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 6, 2006 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Opinion, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (7)

BOOK REVIEW: Hens Dancing by Raffaela Barker

Raffaella Barker's Hens Dancing isn't the newest of chick-lit books (it was published in 2000) and, appropriately, it's more hen- than chick-lit, but it's still a darn good girly read!

The story of Venetia Summers (yes, she's rather posh) whose husband leaves her and their three kids to shack up with his masseuse, it's told in diary form and covers a year of Venetia's life - from nits to bathroom conversions to unexpected guests, and most importantly, to her learning to cope with being a single mother with an irascible ex.  So basically it's about life-changing disasters, small triumphs and everything in between...

At the time this came out, Venetia was compared pretty heavily  to Bridget Jones, and if you imagine Bridget a little older, a tad wiser, with kids and an estranged husband, it's a pretty good description.

But Hens Dancing is a great book in its own right. I loved the memorable characters, like Venetia's eccentric mother and of course, her funny and very lively children. It's very well-written, funny and sharp and made me laugh out loud several times - and sympathise hugely with Venetia at others.

I highly recommend it!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Only Boy for Me by Gill McNeil.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 6, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 5, 2006 11:50 AM

Books of the year lists

Yep, it's that time of the year when newspapers ask distinguished authors / writers / commutators / anyone willing to talk to them which were the best books of the year. And we can try to guess who's telling the truth or just trying to look clever... There's a fair bit of clever posturing (or very, very serious readers- perhaps both) in the Guardian's list (scroll down for details on how to send in your top choices before December 17th). The Observer's list includes suggestions from Malcolm Gladwell and Lionel Shriver and The Times has more lists than you can shake a stick of mistletoe at. Finally, here's the New York Times' editors pick of the 10 best books of 2006. [You may have to be logged in too see that - but it's worth registering, and free].

Check out our Trashionista Top 100 Extravanganza throughout December for a more chick-lit interpretation! (Tomorrow: Top 10 non-fic chick lit...)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 5, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 4, 2006 12:51 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Watching the English by Kate Fox

Watching the English is Kate Fox's attempt to make sense of our island race. (Sorry Scots, Welsh and Irish!) She wanted to discover and describe the essence of Englishness - asking what unique attributes do the English have, and how can they be best described - and made sense of? She did some painstaking research to find out: spending a morning bumping into people to see how many of them would apologise (clue: more in England than anywhere else in the world!) or having a pleasant afternoon queue-jumping to see what people's responses would be. (If you guessed out-right violence, you're not English, are you?)

The book is subtitled "The hidden rules of English behaviour" and Fox attempts to uncover and explain what these rules are, and then explains them. To some extent...

Obviously the author has an advantage in some ways - she is English, and she's an anthropologist, so used to the systematic and scientific observation of a society in order to understand its rules. But she can't help getting caught up in them herself - for example she really dwells a lot on the class system, giving it great importance in the book. And here she's only really speaking from one perspective - her own. She talks about how only middle and upper-working class families use coasters, and is at pains to point out that she never would - to prove her upper-middle class credentials. Not exactly an impartial scientific observer, but as she's writing about her own experiences that's probably inevitable! I certainly enjoyed her personal observations and think she made some fascinating discoveries - especially about the unspoken rules of pub behaviour, and the very English approach to sporting events.

I think this book would be a brilliant help to those nations who sometimes find the English cold or have trouble understanding our behaviour (Americans spring to mind, as there are several examples of cross-pond cultural misunderstandings in the book). It's also a very entertaining read for English - and probably even non-English British - people. But the book was sometimes a tad too subjective, sometimes a tad too analytical and I'm not convinced that Kate Fox truly explained what Englishness is, although she certainly makes some interesting and enlightening discoveries about us.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 4, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

The bad sex in fiction award

OK, so it isn't anything to do with women's fiction but I think Trashionista readers will still find this interesting/amusing/snigger-worthy... The Literary Review's Bad Sex in Fiction Award 2006 has just been awarded to author Iain Hollingshead for his debut novel Twenty Something which includes the phrase "bulging trousers".

The judges said the point of the award is "to draw attention to the crude, tasteless, often perfunctory use of redundant passages of sexual description in the modern novel, and to discourage it".

Iain Hollingshead said: "I hope to win it every year."

[Via the BBC]

Related: Yay or Nay: Sex in books? / Bonkbuster archives!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 4, 2006 in Bonkbusters, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (3)

December 3, 2006 8:43 PM

Lisa Jewell in Eve magazine

January's Eve magazine includes an advert for a "How to write your own novel" workshop to be held in London on Saturday 3 March 2007. The workshop will not only include advice from an agent, an editor and a marketing director, but also British author Lisa Jewell, who will be on hand to talk about getting started, securing an agent and the highs and lows of being an author. More information here.

And that's not all. The February issue includes a free copy of Lisa's wonderful book, Vince & Joy.

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

December 1, 2006 2:05 PM

Trashionista's Top 100 Extravaganza!

December is shaping up to be an exciting time to be a chick lit fan, Trashionista readers...

Not only is it Super Interview Month, but we'll also be sharing chick-lit themed top 10s (like our favourite chick lit books-turned-movies, or our top 10 'lad lit' choices) culminating in our top 10 chick lit books of all time on December 31st. Keris and I will also each share our favourite books we've reviewed this year, so your Christmas book shopping should be sorted.

We're calling the whole thing Trashionista's Top 100 Extravaganza! and we want you to join in by telling us what you think of our choices- in fact, we can't wait! All the fun starts on Mon (sorry, coudln't resist a rhyme to help you remember!)- see you then!!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 1, 2006 in American Authors, Announcements, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release, Top 100 Extravaganza! | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Welcome to Wisteria Lane ed. by Leah Wilson

As you might guess from the title, Welcome to Wisteria Lane is a Desperate Housewives-themed collection of essays, by the people who brought you Flirting with Pride and Prejudice and This is Chick Lit.

Of the three books, I think this one is actually my favourite! A whole book about the inhabitants of Wisteria Lane, especially in the show's off-season (as it is now in the UK) is a wonderful treat, like curling up in front of a winter's fire with a cup of hot chocolate... which, now that I think about it, is a good way to read this book... Essays by authors including Shanna Swendson, Lani Diane Rich and Deanna Carlyle explore everything from the hazards of suburban living, to the best housewife role model, to a deconstruction of how cultural differences affect the way the show plays in different countries.

I found all of this very entertaining, and a lot of the essays made me think deeper than I expected- I came away from the book thinking that yes, Lynette is more selfish than I thought! And yes! I have been too hard on Edie, and yes! the men of Wisteria Lane are some weak caricatures... My Favourite essays were Lani Diane Rich's, "Why the best nighttime soap ever is not a nighttime soap, dammit" (about the programme's great writing), Beth Kendrick's "Growing up Wisteria" (the kids of Wisteria Lane) and Sarah Zettel's "Something familiar, something peculiar" (about why men love watching the show).

There were a couple of essays I liked a little less- including one that got too silly for my liking,  and one which got too serious- but which other people might enjoy, so it seems unfair to single them out. As a whole, it's a very strong book, providing a great, intelligent and often very fun insight into 'the Lane' that DH fans will love.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Burnt Toast by Teri Hatcher.

*DID YOU KNOW?* You can catch up with any episodes you've missed on the Channel 4 site.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 1, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 30, 2006 8:00 PM

THURSDAY THREE: Marriage and mayhem

Almost everyone I know is getting married lately, and it got me thinking about the number of books devoted to the subject of weddings- especially the ones with madness and mayhem involved! Here are three picks of the bunch- but feel free to read on and suggest your own...

Laura Wolf's Diary of a Mad Bride is a "will there be a wedding disaster or won't there?" classic. Amy vows that when she gets married, she'll be far more level-headed than her taffeta-obsessed engaged girlfriends. But when her boyfriend proposes, she finds she's just as bad as everyone else: "Marriages are made in heaven - but weddings are made in hell...What is it about getting married that can turn a sophisticated, level-headed woman into an obsessed wreck?" A great fast and funny farce- just don't use Amy as your role model...!

Carry on over the cut for more wedding fun...

The next book is about a sister of the bride, rather than a mad bride... If you hated the Debra Messing film The Wedding Date (everyone I know who's seen it does!) then don't be put off by the book it's based on- they're nothing alike! Liz Young's Asking for Trouble is about Sophy, who doesn't have a date for her sister's wedding, so asks an attractive escort to accompany her... of course, things don't go quite to plan!

Finally, Marry Me by Carey Marx is the true-life story of a comedian's quest to find true love and get married... within six months! It's very, very funny- but you'll have to read it to see if he achieves his goal...

What are your favourite marriage/wedding themed books?

Thursday Three archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 30, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, Non Fiction, Recent Release, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (5)

The Costa Book Awards shortlist shuns women

Sigh. Just when you think women's fiction might be on an equal footing with men's at last (with Kiran Desai winning the Booker prize), along comes the Costa Book Awards (formerly the Whitbread prize) and its shortlist for best novel, which doesn't include ONE book by a woman... you're not telling me that no woman has written a prize-worthy book in the last year!

What's even more surprising and disappointing? Sophie Kinsella (or rather "Sophie Kinsella") was on the judging panel as were Kate Adie and Adele Geras-you'd think all three female authors would be advocates for woman writers... but no.

[Via The Times]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 30, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Opinion, Prize Winners, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (4)

November 29, 2006 8:09 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Hi, Yay or Nayers! Last week you were pretty much agreed that it's OK if your partner doesn't read your writing... better than him/her reading it and making lukewarm/disparaging comments, at any rate! (But I think I'd want my boyfriend to read and love my masterpieces - if I had a boyfriend. Or any masterpieces.)

This week, the question is simple, if controversial. (And in several parts...) You may have heard all the outcry about the proposed OJ Simpson book (worst taste idea of the year), which has now thankfully been dropped by the publisher. Found not guilty in criminal court of the murders of his ex-wife and her boyfriend, OJ was nevertheless found guilty in a civil trial. And although he's not in the same league, disgraced ex-politician Jeffrey Archer has a new book deal (oh joy) and indeed released a book from prison. Great! On the other hand, this prison diary is one of the best books I've ever read.

So what I want to know is this: should books by convicted criminals ever be published, and should they receive money for them? Does it depend on whether the book draws on a crime they've been found guilty of? Is it only okay once they've served their time? Should it be taken on a case by case basis (eg. Jeffrey Archer - bad writer but not in bad taste, OJ - bad to the bone *allegedly*?) What do you think?

To answer all or any of that(!), tell us: is it a Yay or a Nay... and Why?

Yay or Nay archives.

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 29, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Opinion, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (9)

November 28, 2006 12:26 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Sarah Mason

Having just learned that she's got a new book out next year - and because we've loved all of her books so far - I thought I'd shine this week's spotlight on Sarah Mason.

Aged 25, Sarah started an enormously successful company importing gourmet popcorn from America (she was once voted one of the top five British entrepreneurs). She started writing after selling the business.

Her first novel, Playing James, was published in 2002 and Sarah became the first-ever first-time novelist to win the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year award. Playing James was followed by The Party Season and High Society. (All three books got a 5 out of 5 rating from Trashionista!)

Sarah's new novel, Sea Fever, is due out in July 2007 and is described by her publishers as "Sun, sea, sailing, and sex ... [following] the scandal, gossip, drama and fun of an America's Cup regatta."

Sarah lives in Cheltenham with her husband and daughter.

Carry on over the cut for Sarah's bibliography.

Playing James
The Party Season (Party Girl in the US)
High Society (Society Girls in the US)

See Sarah talking about High Society and The Party Season on Meet the Author.

Posted by Keris on November 28, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Romance, Series, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

Trashionista Recommends: Book Reporter

Book Reporter is a site with author interviews and book info that's a great read any time of the year, but especially at Christmas! (Can you tell I'm in the seasonal mood? I love me some Xmas, and it's December this week so there's no excuse not to join me!)

Check out Book Reporter's "What to Give/What to Get" (I like the way that's phrased!) guide to Christmas new releases/old favourites for all the family... and look at the homepage, too.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 28, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Classic Novels, Debut Novels, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Plotting for Beginners by Sue Hepworth and Jane Linfoot

Despite the title, Plotting for Beginners by Sue Hepworth and Jane Linfoot isn't a writing guide, but, as the subtitle says, 'a novel for new beginnings.' Sally Howe and her husband are spending a year apart, as he wants to live in a cabin in the American wilderness and she wants to write a novel and launch a career in journalism. Says Sally, "Women reach fifty and think they're on the verge of liberation and excitement, and their broken-down men just want to stay home and fart. Or in my case, go and live in a cabin in the Rockies and fart."

On dropping Gus off at the airport, however, Sally is shocked that he considers the Rockies just the start of his overseas adventures - the year after, he's thinking of Australia! So instead of happily singing along to Fred Astaire and facing a self-indulgent year ahead, Sally spends the journey home worrying about the possible disintegration of her marriage - and its effect on her writing plans...

She soon finds out she won't be as alone as she thought, when her newly-separated brother comes to stay (and insists on keeping interrupting her writing for her opinion on his DIY), her youngest son keeps coming home for a visit and her brother's attractive single friend keeps calling in to see her...

Plotting for Beginners is a wonderfully funny novel about starting again after your children have left home, your husband is AWOL and you want to fulfill your dreams. I loved Sally's voice, the diary format, the secondary characters and the  book as a whole. Anyone who's interested in writing, or lives in the same are of the country as Sally (or both, like me!) will find it especially entertaining, but they're by no means prerequisites for enjoying the book. Please don't think that the fact Sally is in her 50s means you won't relate to her - she's so likable that anyone will, and you'll be willing her on to literacy success, and laughing out loud at some of the ups and downs of her year alone. You'll also be hoping that she'll find a satisfactory solution to her relationship difficulties...

I found this an enormously satisfying, well-written and perfectly-plotted novel with a main character who's as lovable and funny as Bridget Jones - if a tad more prone to a hot flush...

Read it!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Sue Hepworth has a blog where you can even read a short-lived blog by main character Sally, and see pictures of some of the sites mentioned in the book- very postmodern! You can also find out more about the author...

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 28, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 24, 2006 11:55 AM

Colour in your own covers!

If Keris's post yesterday inspired you, but like me you're more at home with a packet of colouring pencils than some fancy photo-editing software, this might appeal to you.

Ceri Radford of The Telegraph's books blog reports that Penguin are releasing special (I presume limited-edition) versions of six classic books, including Emma, with high-quality plain paper front covesr, for you to decorate yourself. Called 'My Penguin' you can find out more on the website, and see pictures of other people's efforts. (Some are fantastic, others... a bit more avant-garde, let's say!) A great gift idea anyway, available from 30 November for £5 each.

[Via The Telegraph books blog and Penguin's website].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 24, 2006 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 23, 2006 6:22 PM

THURSDAY THREE: Big girls don't cry

The best kind of  weight-ishoos chick lit allows larger ladies in fiction to be empowered human beings with friends, confidence, love lives and careers - instead of sad little victims. As it's traditional stuff-your-face-day (Thanksgiving) in the US, and approaching traditional stuff-your-face-day (Christmas) in the UK, what better time to highlight heroines for whom fat is not a four-letter word... (You know what I mean!)

Classic in this sub-genre is Jennifer Weiner's Good In Bed. Cannie is a sexy, confident, attractive woman who is larger than life in every sense of the word. Sure, she has her confidence off-days (like when her boyfriend simultaneously dumps her and writes about her weightiness in a national magazine, with no prior warning). But her story isn't about weight loss, but finding happiness.

Carry on with me over the cut for more...

Louise Kean's The Perfect 10 is a bit different, as the main character has lost weight and gained a great figure - but she realises that perhaps her weight wasn't the cause of her problems in the first place... she must face up to what's really bothering her.

Conversations With The Fat Girl by Liza Palmer also explores the idea that weight loss might not be the answer to main character Maggie's happiness. Maybe she has to y'know, accept herself... then it won't mater what weight she is.

Let these women be a lesson to all of us - enjoy this holiday season, and try not to mentally beat yourself up, whatever your size!

Thursday Three archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 23, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (2)

November 22, 2006 3:28 PM

Andrea Semple's new column

The lovely Andrea Semple is the Yorkshire Evening Post's new columnist. And the great thing is, you can read her columns online.

See what we thought of Andrea's books, The Make-up Girl and The Man From Perfect and look out for an interview with Andrea coming soon!

Posted by Keris on November 22, 2006 in Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 21, 2006 2:18 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Kate Harrison

This week's spotlight shines on British novelist, Kate Harrison.

Kate was born in Wigan but, due to her father's job, spent much of her childhood travelling around Britain and Europe (she attended more than 13 schools and lived in the Isle of Man, St Helens, Bramhall, Bracknell, Camberley, Newbury and Holland!).

While studying journalism at college in Portsmouth, Kate won the ESSO Young Journalist of the Year competition. She then held various positions at the BBC (including on-screen reporter, producer and director), but after attending an Arvon Foundation writing course, Kate started writing a novel.

At a writing conference, Kate won the ‘opening to a novel competition’ and landed a publishing deal and an agent on the same day a few weeks later!

Old School Ties was published in Autumn 2003 and chosen for WH Smiths Fresh Talent promotion. It was followed by The Starter Marriage and Brown Owl's Guide to Life. Kate's fourth book, The Self-Preservation Society, will be out next year.

Kate has recently left the BBC to write full-time and you can read about how she's getting on here.

Carry on over the cut for Kate's bibliography and more.

Old School Ties
The Starter Marriage
Brown Owl's Guide to Life

See Kate talk about The Starter Marriage at Meet the Author.  

Posted by Keris on November 21, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

Novels that take a long time!

To write, rather than read, that is- although in some cases it might be both! It seems that while the frenzied atmosphere of Nanovember is great inspiration for some authors, others need a lot more time to hone their craft...

Mary Sharratt told us last week that researching and writing her tour de force novel (review coming soon!) The Vanishing Point took ten years, a real labour of love. Bestselling author Donna Tartt also took ten years between smash hit The Secret History and its follow-up, The Little Friend (meaning the so-so reviews for the latter must have been especially galling- that's the sophomore slump for you!)

Meanwhile, in the latest issue of Mslexia, Jane Harris explains why her debut novel The Observations took a massive thirteen years to come to fruition. So if you're a budding novelist, I  guess it doesn't really matter how long it takes... as long as you get there in the end.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 21, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, NaNovember, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 17, 2006 11:02 AM

BOOK NEWS: Perfectly Plum

Who doesn't love curling up with a good Plum? A Stephanie Plum book, that is... Janet Evanovich's series of books about Stephanie Plum, Bounty Hunter (the latest of which, Twelve Sharp, came out this year) have been one of the most popular series ever. Their kick-ass, take-no-prisoners heroine has become a female icon and the books are simultaneously fun, inspiring and edge-of-your-seat dramatic. So it's not surprising that BenBella books, publishers of This is Chick Lit, Welcome to Wisteria Lane and Totally Charmed have an upcoming anthology devoted to all things Plum. Called Perfectly Plum (subtitle: Unauthorized Essays on the Life, Loves and Other Disasters of Stephanie Plum, Trenton Bounty Hunter) it will be released in June.

And the best part? Trashionista's very own Keris Stainton is one of the contributors, with an essay on Stephanie's relationship with her sister- you won't want to miss this!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 17, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 16, 2006 5:01 PM

THURSDAY THREE: Books that aren't what they say!

If you're thinking, "Huh?" don't worry, all will become clear! I'm talking about books whose titles are purposefully misleading, obscure or don't describe what the story is actually about in any way.

First up has to be A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewczykca, which found itself housed in the non-fiction/agriculture sections of book shops around the country. It's actually the fictional story of two sisters and their irascible Ukrainian immigrant father, who's just married a gold-digger from the motherland and is trying to complete his masterpiece- a pamphlet about a history of tractors, written in Ukrainian... (incidentally, the mix-up hasn't had disastrous results- the book's sold well and and won awards).

What will the other two quirkily-titled books be? Come with me over the cut to find out...

You might not have heard of this next book yet, but you will... Special Topics in Calamity Physics has been a big hit in the States and with literary critics. Marisha Pessl is a name you'll be hearing again and again... A long and complex book modelled on the structure of a literary course (with a final exam at the end), it certainly sounds different. And nothing at all to do with physics, of course.

Finally, the book that could be said to have started this naming trend in women's fiction: The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing. When I told people I was reading this, Melissa Bank's debut, back in 2000, they all thought I was mad "But you're not into hunting or fishing..." No, I'm not. So it's lucky this book is a collection of linked stories about life and love centered around a woman named Jane, instead...

Are there any I've forgotten? What's your favourite book  that doesn't do what the title describes?

Thursday Three archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 16, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Prize Winners, Recent Release, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (7)

Celebs donate their favourite childhood books to the Right to Read auction

The National Library for the Blind is running a Right to Read initiative, highlighting book access problems for people with a sight problem or reading disability. To raise money for the scheme, which aims to provide access to books for all, celebrities are donating books for auction. As Corrieblog reports, books include Julie Hesmondhalgh's own personal copy of Little Women, which you can bid for here.

There's also a copy of Pooh bear classic, Now we Are Six, donated and signed by Nick Hornby, and Colin Firth has donated The Wonderful World of Oz.

Here's the full list of items for auction.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 16, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 14, 2006 12:25 PM

MOVIE NEWS: A Jealous Ghost

Ooh, we haven't had any movie news for about five minutes, have we. A.N. Wilson's supernatural thriller A Jealous Ghost is to be a film starring and produced by Kirsten Dunst. [via The Book Standard]

Like Scarlett Johanssen and Brad Pitt, Dunst seems fond of book adaptations. One of her earliest roles was in The Bonfire of the Vanities (based on the Tom Wolfe book) and her breakout was in Interview with the Vampire (from Anne Rice's series). She has also starred in The Virgin Suicides (Jeffery Eugenides) and Little Women (Louisa May Alcott).

Movie news archives

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

The play's the thing (apparently)

We often feature book-to-movie adaptations, but what about books-to-plays? The London theatres seem to be full of them at the moment.

From the end of this month, Nina Bawden's classic, Carrie's War - about a former evacuee returning to her wartime home and telling her story to her children - is on at Sadler's Wells. The book has been adapted by Emma Reeves and the show is directed by Andrew Loudon (creators of Little Women and Anne Of Green Gables at Sadler’s Wells).

Coram Boy, Jamila Gavin's Whitbread award-winning children's book about growing-up, struggle, tradition and corruption, returns to the National Theatre from 29 November. Its previous run was a sell-out.

The smash-hit musical, Wicked, is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel - about the witches from The Wizard of Oz and how the wicked witch perhaps wasn't so wicked after all - is currently showing at the Apollo (not to mention New York, Chicago, LA and more!).

Susan Hill's ghost story The Woman in Black is in its 15th year in the West End at the Fortune Theatre. (A friend of mine went to see this and was so terrified she literally wouldn't go to bed afterwards - she was about 35 at the time!)

My personal favourite - Lauren Child's That Pesky Rat - opens at the Soho Theatre at the beginning of December. (The pesky rat even has a rat blog!)

Posted by Keris on November 14, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Crime / Mystery, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Prize Winners, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

One year... 150 books

Despite what my parents might think, I'm not even close to having read 150 books this year ( I suspect Keris might not be far off, though!) But Kristin of the Books for Breakfast blog is doing just that, and is reviewing all her reads, too on her excellent site. Find out more.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 14, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors | Permalink | Comments (6)

November 13, 2006 11:13 AM

Guides to modern manners

Yes, following the popularity of programmes like Ladette to Lady, and perhaps in some part prompted by a resurgence of interest in old-fashioned romance novelists, guides to etiquette are all the rage just now.

New releases include Jane Austen's Guide to Good Manners by Henrietta Webb and Josephine Ross and "Mr & Mrs Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen"'s A Pinch of Posh: A Beginner's Guide to Being Civilised. For lads, there's Mr Jones' Rules for the Modern Man, by GQ editor Dylan Jones.

But are these guides actually any good?  Lucy Mangan spent a week trying to live by their rules for The Guardian and it makes great reading!

Related: Jane Austen's Guide to Dating / Little Lady, Big Apple by Hester Browne / It's Vintage, Darling!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 13, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 10, 2006 6:17 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Sleep With Me by Joanna Briscoe

The characters in Sleep With Me by Joanna Briscoe are selfish, self-indulgent, snobby whining thirty-somethings who are hard to relate to and even harder to care about. But it's okay; they're supposed to be. This is a haunting, creepy, slow-moving novel that builds to a dramatic crescendo. It's subtly sinister- an uncomfortable read for no reason you can put your finger on.

Told from the alternating viewpoints of Lelia and Richard, a London couple who are perfectly happy together, the action begins at a Christmas party after they've just conceived their first child. Happy and glowing, they barely notice the presence of a new member of the group, Sylvie, who appears mousy and uninteresting. And yet slowly over the next few months she starts to make her presence felt...

Seducing Richard and leaving Lelia alone with thoughts of a past that haunts her, Sylvie becomes an addictive presence in the couple's life, but one that is never acknowledged between them. I can't say too much about the plot without revealing the story that a reader must allow to unfold for themselves, but this is a very compelling read.

The alternating viewpoints narrative works well, and as we reach the end of the book, allows certain plot points to be put together without our discovering them earlier. It also gives us a real insight into these people's heads- I think one of the reason the characters seem so unlikeable is that as narrators they're so emotionally honest, and tell us more than we need to know about themselves- often things we wouldn't wish to know about another person! Joanna Briscoe is a very talented and sharp author to be able to achieve this, and it shows a great understanding of human nature- its weaknesses and foibles (with an emphasis on human sexuality and how we deal with grief), which is really what this book is all about.

If that sounds like a super-serious read, it isn't- Sleep Wit Me isn't full of humour but it's not a hard book to work through; you'll want to race through it. A quote on the front describes it as "a great summer page turner..." Great it may be, but set in winter, with some very dark themes, there's nothing summery about it. I'd say it's a great winter read, if you don't mind feeling a little discomfited while you're reading- and for a few days afterwards...

I'm just not sure Briscoe intended for me to dislike her characters as much as I did- they're rather stuffy, cold and formal, although I had sympathy for them, especially Lelia, towards the end of the book.

The book feels a bit like a more modern Patricia Highsmith, where an undercurrent of menace is created out of very little, so it could be a creepy classic of the future!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 10, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

Small Island to be given out free

Following the news that Zadie Smith's debut novel White Teeth had been added to the school syllabus, I asked which other modern novels you thought should be studied. Diane suggested Andrea Levy's Whitbread Prize winning book, Small Island, saying, "students could learn about race issues in the 50s, immigration, World War 2 and read a good book all at once!"

Well, it's just been announced that, as part of an initiative to mark the 200th anniversary of the Slave Trade Abolition Bill, 50,000 copies of Small Island are to be distributed free to libraries and schools next year. The participating cities - Bristol, Liverpool, Hull and Glasgow were all involved in the slave trade and the campaign for its abolition. [via Publishing News]

Posted by Keris on November 10, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (0)

FRIDAY FLICK: Chocolat

The news that Joanne Harris's next book - The Lollipop Shoes - will be a sequel to the enormously successful Chocolat inspired me to make it this week's flick.

Juliette Binoche plays Vianne Rocher who, along with her daughter, arrives in a quaint French town and opens a chocolate shop. You wouldn't think that would be a problem, would you? But the religious and political attitudes of the town - and the sensual effects of Vianne's chocolates - soon serve to stir up trouble.

Juliette Binoche is perfect as Vianne and Johnny Depp is of course gorgeous as Roux, but his Irish accent's a bit hit and miss. The film looks beautiful too - the costumes, the chocolates, the village. It's romantic, dramatic, sensual, thought-provoking and intelligent (and was nominated for five Academy Awards). A perfect Sunday afternoon film (and if you haven't read the book - what are you waiting for?)

Posted by Keris on November 10, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 9, 2006 5:18 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy

Anyone who has ever looked in the mirror six months after becoming a mother and not recognised the shell of a woman looking back will relate to the gloriously funny, warm and poignant Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy by new chick on the block Polly Williams.

Amy Crane may have become a mother, but in all other respects she has lost her identity and she struggles to reconcile her love for her gorgeous baby girl Evie with old life as a career girl, lover and friend. She bounces between two groups of friends - the NCT mothers who don't feel fulfilled without a baby strapped to their boobs, and the yummy mummies with the designer prams and designer children.

Ultimately she falls under the spell of the super glamorous Alice who sets about co-ordinating 'Project Amy' - a makeover to ensure the new mum gets her groove back. At the same time she struggles to keep her relationship together with Joe, who she suspects cheated on her while she was heavily pregnant.

Will Project Amy be a success? Will  her relationship with survive? Will her eye-brows ever grow back?

Polly Williams adds enough twists and turns to keep even the most seasoned chick-lit fanatic guessing - and laughing - to the end. The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy is recommended for anyone who ever wanted a change.

Rating: 4 out of 5

[Claire Allan]

Like this? Try Watermelon by Marian Keyes

Posted by Keris on November 9, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 8, 2006 5:50 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Eve Pollard, the mother of Claudia Winkleman and an ex-newspaper and magazine editor has now written a new book called Jack's Widow, in which JFK's widow Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is depicted in fictional form as a spy for the CIA.  According to Galleycat, the Kennedy family is upset about the novel and Patrick Anderson of the Washington Post denounced it as a "ghoulish piece of trash."  (Ooh).

So what do you think- is it okay to use famous dead people in a novel? Is the key factor whether they have any surviving relatives? Do we need to be more respectful of the deceased, or is this a way of keeping their memory alive? Is it only all right when they've been dead for hundreds of years (like Shakespeare)?

So many questions, but it only really boils down to one: is it a Yay or a Nay- and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 8, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (9)

November 7, 2006 10:25 AM

Designer book covers

As anyone who reads our sister site Catwalk Queen will know, fashion designers don't just want to stick to clothes... (or shoes or bags)- dahling, that's soooo passe. Now shoe impresario Manolo Blahnik and all-round hipster Paul Smith have turned to designing book covers (for Madame Bovary and Lady Chatterley's Lover respectively) to celebrate 60 years of Penguin books- and very pretty they are too!

Related posts: Galaxy book cover / Flapart's tasteless titles.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 7, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Fashion-Lit | Permalink | Comments (0)

NaBloPoMo

Yep, that's NaBloPoMo. Sounds a bit unwieldy, but it's the blogger's answer to NaNoWrimo, and I'm kicking myself 'cos I discovered it one day after the deadline to sign up! (That's not a problem with NaNo, by the way- you can sign up until the 30th November, although you may have a struggle finishing 50,000 words in that time- still, good on you if you do!)

Anyway, with NaBloPoMo, which means National Blog Posting Month, you have to post on your blog every day to qualify (strictly no backdating). And there are prizes too! 

As I've said, it's too late to sign up for this year but there's a long list of contributors (scroll down... wow) so you can still join in the fun by reading and discovering new blogs. Of course, here at Trashionista, we post at least four times a day, five days a week, with or without NaBloPoMo!

Nanovember archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 7, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Technology | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 3, 2006 12:53 PM

A novel in a year

During November, which we've re-named NaNovember, we're of course exploring the idea of writing a 50,000 word novel in a month. But a month might not be the right timescale for everyone...

In The Telegraph (in print and online) experienced novelist Louise Doughty is running a creative writing class via the newspaper, with a lesson each week bringing you to the goal of a novel in a year (still an impressive feat if you're a beginner, no?) She's already on week 43, but all the archives are online and make a great resource no matter how long it takes you to finish your novel! There's a message group so you're not alone (there's apparently been a huge response) and an introduction to the whole concept here.

Next week, we'll look at the experience of writing a novel in just three days- and review the results!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 3, 2006 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 2, 2006 9:00 AM

Lisa Clark's NaNoWriMo

Author of the forthcoming Think Pink (the ultimate go-for-it guide for girls!) and all-round Pink World goddess Lisa Clark is taking part in NaNoWriMo so I dragged her away from the computer (and America's Next Top Model) long enough to ask her what she's working on.

I don't really know what my book is going to be about yet, I'm not a plot outline kinda girl. The very, very basic premise is based on an angsty English teen girl called Flo who finds herself in a hot New York City for the summer. Why she's there I don't know yet, but I do know that it will be a summer of re-invention and transformation ...

Sounds fabulous! If you want to let the world know what you're working on for NaNoWriMo (you never know, an agent or publisher could be reading!) then either leave a comment or email us.

Posted by Keris on November 2, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, NaNovember, Non Fiction, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 1, 2006 6:07 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week, we discovered that most of you have nothing against a nice novelisation, with one lone dissenter who'd prefer authors left  well enough alone. This week, I want to know what you think about a different genre altogether: misery memoirs, also known as 'grit lit'. With JT Leroy and James Frey exposed as fraudsters and questions raised about the authenticity of  other authors' recollections, the genre has been under scrutiny as never before.

Since the popularity of A Child Called It, there's always one of these books in the top ten lists every week. You can recognise them by the black and white picture of a sad looking child, and the handwriting font of the title, and some people specifically look for that type of book. But should they? Is it interesting and helpful to read memoirs of abject misery, or is it intrusive and gruesome? Are vulnerable people being exploited, or causing themselves more pain and misery, by writing this type of book- or is it healing and cathartic? Do you enjoy reading them, or not?

Basically... is it a Yay or a Nay- and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 1, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Opinion, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (6)

Win books on Corrieblog!

We're a little late mentioning it but yesterday our wonderful sister site Corrieblog turned one- Happy Birthday Corrieblog! I can't imagine the blogging world without you- what a sad place it must have been...

Anyway, to celebrate, they have three signed copies of Julie Goodyear's autobiography to give away on the site- click here to find out more about the book and how to enter!

Related: Celebrity Memoir Mania / Ghost writers are in the money / Posh is a signing sensation.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 1, 2006 in Announcements, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Competition, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

Posh is a signing sensation*

While we're on the subject of celebrity authors, Victoria Beckham broke store records on Monday when 3,000 fans turned up to Selfridges in London for a signed copy of her style guide, That Extra Half an Inch: Hair, Heels and Everything in Between.

Some fans queued for over 12 hours to make sure they got their book (described by the publishers as a “revealing and practical” guide to “fashion, beauty and style”) and Victoria stayed at the store until they had all been signed. [via book2book]

It's a bit different from Paul Burrell's recent experience, isn't it? (By the way, if anyone's starved for Paul Burrell/Diana news, you can read all about his "last Christmas with Diana" in the latest issue of Eve magazine. No, really.)

* No, not a singing sensation - obviously.

Posted by Keris on November 1, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 31, 2006 5:43 PM

MOVIE NEWS: The Undomestic Goddess

We mentioned a while ago that Aline Brosh McKenna, who wrote the script of The Devil Wears Prada movie, was working on Allison Pearson's I Don't Know How She Does It.

Now it seems that she's also working on a screenplay of Sophie Kinsella's The Undomestic Goddess for Universal Pictures. [via Variety]

Posted by Keris on October 31, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Devil Wears Prada, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

October 30, 2006 11:55 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

I know I mentioned last week that the word "unputdownable" is overused in book reviews, but it got me thinking about the books I didn't want to put down and The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins was definitely one of those.

It's a melodramatic mystery thriller (in fact Collins is often credited with being the originator of the modern mystery). Told by a selection of different narrators, along with diary extracts and other documents, the book begins with Walter Hartright accepting a position as a drawing master to two "young ladies" - Marian Halcombe and Laura Fairlie. But before taking up the position he meets a mysterious woman all dressed in white and helps her escape from her pursuers. He is horrified when he hears that she has escaped from an asylum.

On arriving at his new home, Walter falls immediately in love with Laura (who looks a lot like the woman in white), but Laura has promised her father that she will marry evil Sir Percival Glyde. And then - and I don't say this lightly - all hell breaks loose.

Don't be put off by the fact that The Woman in White is a "classic", it's amazingly readable and seems much more modern than anything by Collins's friend and contemporary, Charles Dickens. With wonderful, original, infuriating and dreadful characters, a tragic love story, twists and turns, shocks and reversals, you'll want to stay up all night to finish this book.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

Did you know? The Woman in White has been turned into a musical.

Posted by Keris on October 30, 2006 in British Authors, Classic Novels, Crime / Mystery, More On Monday, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Writers talk about writing- all day long!

Writers FM is a twenty-four hour radio show broadcast over the internet. You can listen to it via the website (all day long, should you wish!) or download it in podcast form. It features author interviews, writing chat and even music, too. When I tuned in, there was an interesting discussion on writer's block.

Another great writing-related radio show now available in podcast form is Writers on Writing. Upcoming guests include the wonderful Kate Atkinson and Oprah fave Janet Fitch and past guests include... well, pretty much everyone (check out the list on the site, and the teeny writing they had to use to cram in everyone's name!)

Related posts: Meet the Authors at Barnes and Noble / Expanded Books / Meet The Author videos / Free Audio Books.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 30, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Technology | Permalink | Comments (3)

More Richard and Judy book news

What's the best gift book to get your mum, dad, boyfriend or best friend? Well, as you should already know, Richard and Judy will be helping you make that choice on December 9th, and we now know (thanks to Bookseller.com) that Rupert Everett, Billie Piper, Gordon Ramsay and the Little Britain boys Matt Lucas and Matt Walliams will also be there to help decide on the best books for Xmas 06.  Discover the top picks on Saturday 9th December.

And! Over on the 4 Radio website you can download discussions of this year's R & J book club picks (or the first four of them, anyway: Arthur & George, Empress Orchid, The Farm and Moondust). The new Richard and Judy book club will be coming up early next year (I'm excited!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 30, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Richard and Judy, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 27, 2006 6:05 PM

Ghost writers are in the money

We've talked about ghost-written books before, mostly agreeing we feel a bit sorry for the authors who don't get credited for what they've written, whilst celebrities like Jordan get lots of cash and are hailed as "authors". (Of course, if writers want to take on that kind of writing gig, that's their lookout). This week The Scotsman reported that ghostwriters are now earning a hefty chunk of those huge advances paid to celebrity "authors" (as they should, right? Or will that encouarge the trend to continue?)

[Via Galleycat].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 27, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

FRIDAY FLICK: Bend It Like Beckham

Based on the young adult book by Narinder Dhami, Bend It Like Beckham is the enormously successful British movie that foisted the astoundingly irritating Keira Knightley on an unsuspecting world.

Parminder Nagra is Jess, an Asian girl who idolises David Beckham and wants nothing more than to play football. Despite the fact that her strict Sikh family is utterly against it, Jess joins a local women's football team and meets Jules (Keira Knightley). Jules's mother doesn't approve of her playing football either (believing it will lead to lesbianism!) and this, along with the girls' shared love of football and crush on their coach (played by Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) cements their friendship.

I found this quite a sweet film, but I have no idea why it was so successful - it reminds me a little of those Children's Film Foundation films we used to be shown at school (that's if you're as old as me). Mildly entertaining, but really nothing special.

Posted by Keris on October 27, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

Book stuff on Handbag.com

Handbags and books have been linked for a long time. Not only is, "A handbag?!" a famous funny line from The Importance Of Being Earnest but they're the perfect place to stash your latest read for bus journeys or a quick lunchtime catch-up.  Plus, you can buy bags that look like books.

So it's no surprise that women's website Handbag has a thriving books section- with book news and reviews and a recently-revamped books message board, which even has its own monthly book club. Plus, they're offering an exclusive free story, The Commuter, as a podcast for your journey to/from work. (The blurb uses the phrase "agony of single life" which frankly makes me blanch, but you don't have to let that put you off!)

If you want to read more bag-related news, visit our sister site The Bag Lady.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 27, 2006 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 26, 2006 11:15 AM

Chocolate and books- delicious!

There's nothing nicer than curling up by a winter fire with a big bar of chocolate and a good book, is there? Chocolate manufacturers have obviously caught on to this fact, as Aero has teamed up with Amanda Holden to sponsor their book club (current read: The Three Day Rule by husband-wife team Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees; past reads include Twenty Times a Lady by Karyn Bosnak and The Accidental Mother by Rowan Coleman). Galaxy chocolate also have a book club in the pages of Glamor magazine (UK only), where recommended books have included The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult. And! Galaxy have now created a special suede book cover- which would make a very luxe Christmas pressie for any book-lovers you know. And I do mean luxe- it's £30 from Selfridges, but would hide the fact that you're reading this, or preserve your copy of this.  (Of course, if you wanted to be a lot less tasteful, there's always Flapart instead...)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 26, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Josie Lloyd & Emlyn Rees, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 25, 2006 10:43 AM

Authors love Shiny's sites!

We know that authors like Hester Browne, Laura Dave, Mary Sharratt, Shanna Swendson and Lauren Baratz-Logsted (to name just a few!) are big fans of Trashionista, but now it seems that published authors can't get enough of Shiny's other sites, either... Today, Corrie Blog reports on their own best-selling female fiction writer fan. (Though they might have phrased it more succinctly!) Perhaps she'll pop by Trashionista soon...

Authors and non-authors among you- which of our sister sites do you also enjoy? (I love Shiny Shiny and Corrie Blog despite knowing very little about gadgets or Coronation Street!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 25, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 19, 2006 4:30 PM

THURSDAY THREE: Vanishing Points

When I was looking for Mary Sharratt's book The Vanishing Point on Amazon last week (so I could link to it) I found something strange: there are a heck of a lot (86 in fact) of books with the words Vanishing Point in the title! So I decided to explore, and find out a bit more about what's on offer...

Unsurprisingly, most books called (The) Vanishing Point have a mystery theme. Judith Van Gieson's Vanishing Point is one of a series featuring a rare books expert/amateur detective called Claire Reynier. VP is about the disappearance of Jonathan Vail, a talented young writer who goes missing. Thirty years later, his journal is recovered... what happened to him?

Don't you vanish! Carry on over the cut for more...

Vanishing Point by Patricia Wentworth is also a mystery story (I know because it says 'a Miss Silver mystery' on the front) whose cover reminds me strongly of Nancy Drew. It seems Patricia's real name was Dora Amy Dillon Turnbull, and she died in 1961. Her V.P tells the story of a girl who disappears from a quiet village in mysterious circumstances... I'm guessing Miss Silver gets on the case...

The Vanishing Point by Louise Hawes is a bit different. It's a work of historical fiction for children and teenagers about the Italian Renaissance painter Lavinia Fontana. New York Libraries picked it as one of the best "books for the teen age". Which is nice.

Other Vanishing Point books include those by Carol Smith, Marcia Muller and Pat Flower.

Related: Thursday Three archives; Crime/Mystery archives; Mary Sharrat interview.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 19, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Series, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Behind with the Laundry and Living off Chocolate by Lynette Allen

Behind with the Laundry and Living off Chocolate? It's like Lynette Allen's taken my life and put it in a book! Luckily she's not writing about my unmentionables on the radiators and how I had four Fox's Classics for breakfast, but rather 'Life changing strategies for busy women'. Sounds too good to be true. Is it?

No, it's fab.

Obviously, laundry and chocolate issues are unlikely to fill a book (well, laundry issues anyway) and Behind with the Laundry and Living off Chocolate basically consists of short chapters of tips, advice, inspiration for all aspects of a busy life. You can start at the beginning and read everything, you can close your eyes and pick a chapter, or you can just read the chapters relevant to your situation.

Chapters include "Green Cross Code for women - stop, listen and act!" (decision-making tips), "Calm your environment, calm your mind!" (this one is actually about dealing with your laundry pile!) and "Are you sitting just a little too comfortably?" (inspiration if you're bored with life and afraid to try new things).

Obviously with such short chapters, you're not going to get in-depth advice, but there is definitely great common-sense information and inspiration to be had - and who has time to read in-depth advice anyway? Plus the book comes with a CD of tips (read by BBC Radio 2's Janey Lee Grace) which is a great idea - you can listen in the car or even while you finally tackle that laundry!

Behind with the Laundry and Living off Chocolate (you can tell I love saying that, can't you) is an excellent book and one I'll definitely be dipping into again.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Gulp! by Gabriella Goddard or Behind with the Mortgage and Living off Plastic by Lynette Allen

Posted by Keris on October 19, 2006 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Self development, Series | Permalink | Comments (2)

October 18, 2006 6:18 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

I finally saw Reader I Married Him when it was repeated on Sunday, and it was great! But in an interview about the importance of book covers, author Deborah Moggach was rather critical of the new Jane Austen cover designs, which have a more modern chick-lit feel. She even said they 'demean' Austen! Sophie Kinsella however, thought they were a great idea, but will they bring in new readers? More importantly, do you like them, or is it sacrilege? Tell us Yay or Nay- and why!

(Give the ladies at Catwalk Queen a vote, too!)

Related: Yay or Nay archives; Darcymania!; Flirting With P&P; Jane Austen's Guide to Dating; The Jane Austen Book Club; Jane Austen Calendar; Classic books.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 18, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Classic Novels, Romance, Sophie Kinsella, Television, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (8)

The titles that got away

An article in New York Metro reveals the working titles of a bunch of bestselling books.

Would Marisa Acocella Marchetto's Cancer Vixen (review coming soon) about her battle with breast cancer be creating such a buzz if she'd stuck with the title Breast Case Scenario?

I actually rather like the original title of Kate Atkinson's One Good Turn - Jolly Murder Mystery. Very Enid Blyton. [via Bookninja]

Posted by Keris on October 18, 2006 in American Authors, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Memoirs, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 17, 2006 12:24 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Tony Parsons

I thought it was about time we branched out with our spotlight and tried a male author. Nick Hornby is arguably the originator of "Lad Lit", but Tony Parsons certainly took the concept and ran with it.

Born in Essex in 1955, Parsons started out as a writer for music paper the NME before turning freelance and writing for publications including The Face, Marie Claire, The Daily Mail, Arena, The Guardian, Elle, The Daily Telegraph, The Spectator, The Sunday Times, GQ and Red along with a couple of books of cultural and music criticism and a few failed novels.

He famously (or perhaps infamously) married Julie Burchill, a fellow NME journalist, and they had a son, Bobby, before divorcing acrimoniously (in fact, I'd say they took acrimonious to new levels). This relationship was the inspiration behind his fourth novel Man and Boy which became a publishing phenomenon, selling two million copies in 36 countries.

Parsons' subsequent novels - One for My Baby, Man and Wife and The Family Way were all number one bestsellers. His most recent book is Stories We Could Tell. Writing in the Guardian newspaper, Suzie Mackenzie said Parsons books 'are characterised by an utterly personal choice of subjects - parenthood, friendship, love, betrayal, men trying to juggle their commitments - and an utterly personal way of telling them.'

He has now re-married, and lives in London his second wife, Yuriko, and their daughter, Jasmine. He still writes a popular, if controversial, column in the Daily Mirror.

Related posts: Can men write romantic fiction? / The Family Way

Carry on over the cut for Tony's (fiction) bibliography.

Man and Boy
One for My Baby
Man and Wife
The Family Way
Stories We Could Tell

Did you know?

Man and Boy was made into a TV movie starring Ioan Gruffudd

Parsons also wrote Bare, the 1990 authorised biography of George Michael. (They were friends at the time, but fell out when an interview Michael had given to Parsons was published in the Daily Mirror, apparently without his permission).

Posted by Keris on October 17, 2006 in British Authors, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 16, 2006 7:24 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Man of the Month Club by Jackie Clune

I've seen Jackie Clune on TV and found her very funny so I was excited to read her first novel, Man of the Month Club (and surprised it hasn't been promoted more). The book is about Amy who runs her own business, has a glamorous home, a flash car, great friends and basically wants for nothing. But when a baby is abandoned on her doorstep and her friends all start getting pregnant, she realises there's just one thing she does want ...

Carry on over the cut to find out what it is (but I bet you can guess!).

Yep, it's a baby. So Amy decides that she's going to spend one year having sex with whatever men she can find in the hopes that before the year is out she'll be pregnant. If she doesn't manage it, she'll give up on the entire plan. Unfortunately, though, actually getting men to sleep with her is more troublesome than she thought and a good few months have passed before she even manages that. Her friends are all surprised, but happy for her, but her friends aren't particularly well-drawn and even though there's a lot of them, I didn't really take to any of them.

Considering Jackie Clune is a comedian, Man of the Month Club made me laugh exactly once (that was a really good line though). It's not a bad book, I found it mildly enjoyable, it is very well-written and the hero is pretty sexy, but there are problems. I think Jackie Clune may have thought she was subverting both the chick lit genre and some stereotypical ideas about women and their ticking body clocks, but I don't think she succeeded with either attempt. Like all good chick lit (I'm being sarcastic) Amy's got a Gay Best Friend, but in a cunning twist, he's not sweet, funny and encouraging, he's a cynical bitchy queen - I felt like the author thought 'oh, I'll give her a gay best friend, but I'll make him mean, that'll be funnier'. It wasn't. Also - guess what? - even though Amy's shop is called Precious Little Darlings (which would've been a better title for this book), she doesn't even like children! Hilarious! (Yes, I'm still being sarcastic. I'll stop now.)

I didn't particularly like Amy and I didn't particularly like the idea that a perfectly happy and successful woman can't hit the big four oh without the urge to procreate. But the ending? Well I don't want to give anything away, but the ending kind of makes the entire book pointless. I really wanted to like this book. But I didn't.

Posted by Keris on October 16, 2006 in British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (5)

October 13, 2006 5:16 PM

Poor Paul Burrell

Last month Diane told us how bored she is of Paul Burrell and it seems she's not the only one.

The Sun has reported that only five people turned up to a signing of his latest book The Way We Were (which is, of course, about Princess Diana) and one of them did it for a dare (and didn't even buy the book)!

Posted by Keris on October 13, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: This is Chick Lit edited by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

As I said on Wednesday, This is Chick Lit was created when its editor, the lovely Lauren Baratz- Logsted, read about the creation of an anti-Chick Lit book, This is Not Chick Lit. Thinking that sounded bizarre (no-one calls anthologies This is Not Sci-Fi, do they?) not to mention mean-spirited, she decided to help create a positive book showcasing great chick-lit writers.

This is Chick Lit is the result.

Featuring stories from authors including Johanna Edwards, Stephanie Lehmann, Karin Gillespie and Deanna Carlyle, it's fair to say that to British readers at least, we're talking up and comers or well-known but not super-famous chick-litters.  A small part of me felt that maybe a more mighty response to the "not" book would have included titans of the genre like Jennifer Weiner and Marian Keyes, but that's not to undermine any of the great writing found in this volume.

I found the book fun and easy to read, and unlike many short story collections, where I need to stop and read something else in between, I raced straight through this one, wanting to savour the next story, and the next. I really liked most of these stories, particularly Cafe Con Leche Crush by Heather Swain, Takeoffs and Landings by Johanna Edwards and Dead Friends and other Dating Dilemmas by Julie Kenner. I also really enjoyed the fact that at the start of each author's story was a brief paragraph of what chick-lit means to them, a celebration of the term. And Lauren Baratz-Logsted's introduction is positive, empowering and inspiring!

Unfortunately, I found the first story, about two writers on opposing sides of the chick-lit battleground, a great idea but handled in a rather heavy-handed way. I also felt the collection ended on quite a negative note, with a story about a spoiled whiny woman who no-one wants to marry...  (Bit cliched, no?) But there's mould-breaking fiction here too, and experimental pieces like Confessions of a Three Eyed Freak by Ariella Papa demonstrate that there's far more to the genre than shoes (although there is one on the cover!), sex and shopping.

A great effort, and a more than worthy defence of Chick-Lit, if such a defence is needed.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Guy Not Taken by Jennifer Weiner.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 13, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance, Short Story Collections | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 12, 2006 10:07 AM

A little bit of politics

A couple of weeks ago we told you about author Louise Bagshawe's political ambitions, well it seems now she's on her way. According to The Independent, she has been selected to stand in Corby, Northants.

Meanwhile, in the US, a man named Fred Head (no, really) is running for Texas Comptroller and claims his opponent, "Republican Pornographic Book Writer" Susan Combs "is a two faced, hypocrite who was obviously more concerned with her literary career and seeing her name in print than the morals of the young People of Texas". The pornographic book? It's called a Perfect Match, it's a Kismet Romance and it was published 16 years ago!

Does anyone remember the episode of Ally McBeal in which a politician tried to close down a bookstore for selling books "with nudity, pictures of copulation ... graphically describing sex acts" which turn out to be by Herb Ritts, John Irving, Balzac? And the Biscuit's summing up was a version of Ya Got Trouble from The Music Man? It's uncanny! (If you don't remember, or if you'd like to revisit it, there's a transcript here.)

Posted by Keris on October 12, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Opinion, Romance | Permalink | Comments (5)

October 11, 2006 5:50 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

I'm reaching the end of This is Chick Lit, which I'm going to be reviewing soon (later this week, in fact!) and it's inspired this week's Yay or Nay.

The book was created as an antidote to This is Not Chick Lit, designed to offset the negativity of that title and showcase the variety and talent of chick lit writers. An admirable idea- but what do you think? Is it better to confront and perhaps out-do your bully, or to ignore them and not dignify them with a response?

Do you like the idea of creating a book in response to another book, or not? Tell us: is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?   

Our other Yay or Nays

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 11, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Short Story Collections, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (2)

October 10, 2006 2:15 PM

Waters for the Booker?

Last month, I told you about the Booker Prize shortlist and today we'll finally find out who's won!

Sarah Waters' novel The Night Watch (which I believe my co-ed Keris found a tad disappointing...?) is the current bookies' favourite to win, with odds of 6-4. But this is one prize where the favourite is often pipped to the post by something completely unexpected, so we'll have to wait and see. (I'm just glad to see women outnumber men on the shortlist for a change! Especially as they include Kate Grenville, a huge fave of mine...)

Anyway, the winner -whoever he or she may be- will be announced during the 10 O'Clock News on BBC1 tonight, and you can catch further coverage later on Newsnight, News 24 and Radio 4, if you're so inclined.

[Via Publishing News and The Man Booker Prize website]

UPDATE!: What did I tell you?! The Booker was once again predictable in its unpredictability- congratulations to Kiran Desai!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 10, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Television | Permalink | Comments (3)

SPOTLIGHT: Wendy Holden

Pun queen Wendy Holden was born in Yorkshire and read English Literature at Cambridge University. After graduation, she became a journalist writing for Tatler, Harpers and Queen, The Sunday Times and The Sunday Telegraph.

Her debut novel, Simply Divine, was inspired by her experiences on the glossies and was an immediate hit. After Bad Heir Day was another huge success, Wendy gave up journalism to become a full-time novelist. Her third novel, Pastures Nouveaux (called Farm Fatale in the US, it's one of Shanna Swendson's favourites), was followed by (confusingly) Fame Fatale (called Gossip Hound in the US), Azur Like It and The Wives of Bath. Her latest book The School for Husbands, has seen her titles getting cute new covers (in the UK).

Wendy Holden lives in London and Derbyshire with her husband and two children.

Inexplicably, we've never reviewed any of her books! We will set that right forthwith!

Carry on over the cut for Wendy's bibliography.

Simply Divine
Bad Heir Day
Pastures Nouveaux/Farm Fatale
Fame Fatale/Gossip Hound
Azur Like It
The Wives of Bath
The School for Husbands

See Wendy talking about Azur Like It here

Posted by Keris on October 10, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (3)

October 9, 2006 5:46 PM

That was the week that was!

Anyone who visited our site last week couldn't fail to have picked up on the party atmosphere! Wasn't Bafab just brilliant? We had a great time, and we hope -and suspect- you did, too! Maybe we even inspired some of you to buy a friend a book... if we did, tell us about it!

We have to thank all of our lovely readers for helping make the week such a brilliant success, as well as the Shiny team for promoting us and for answering our question "If  you could buy a friend a book, which would you choose and why?"

And of course, the week would have been nothing without Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Shanna Swendson, Hester Browne, Lily Burana, Laura Dave and Jo Elliot, our wonderful guest blogging authors, for generously writing for us AND donating a book each. PLUS, we had very generous donations from Snowbooks & Seal Press, Faber, Andrea Semple, Kathryn Finney and... I hope I haven't forgotten anybody!

You can still enter our giveaways over the next couple of days, if you were silly- I mean unlucky- enough to have passed us by last week... Check out the Bafab archives for a full list.

Here's to another great week on Trashionista this week- we may not have quite the star line-up of Bafab, but we can promise you great book news and reviews all delivered with our trademark sense of fun. So stick around!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 9, 2006 in American Authors, Announcements, Bafab, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (5)

Kylie joins celebrity authors

With the release of her first children's book The Showgirl Princess, top pop star (I wanted to say "pop moppet", but this isn't Smash Hits) Kylie Minogue has joined Madonna and Julie Andrews on the shelves of the children's department.

What you may not realise is just how many other celebrities have already released books for children. John Travolta, Jamie Lee Curtis, Will Smith and more have committed their kids' bedtime stories (I imagine) to paper.

My favourite, though, is Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's Carson Kressley's You're Different and That's Super.

So what do you think? Valuable additions to the children's canon or yet more celebrity cash-in nonsense?

Posted by Keris on October 9, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

October 6, 2006 4:30 PM

GUEST BLOG and GIVEAWAY!!: Jo Elliot

Jo Elliot is the author of I'm Celibate, Get me out of Here! which we raved about back in May ("This book is witty, fast-paced and highly entertaining... 5/5") and her guest blog for us gives us an insider glimpse into the topic of her book, about looking for the love of your life online.

AND! One lucky reader can WIN! a free copy by emailing us your name and address with Celibate in the subject line- you won't regret it!- Sorry, we love our international readers but this one's UK only.

Jo Elliot on Finding the Love of Your life... or not

Internet dating. Isn't that for freaks and weirdos? That's certainly what I thought when I inadvertently joined a dating site 6 years ago. Having been single since God knows when, I was strangely flattered when 'Handsome_Gentleman' landed in my inbox telling me I was his ideal woman. However, one click on his profile revealed that he most certainly wasn't my ideal man.

Tom Evans was, but he broke my heart in 100 places (one of them was Soho). But if at first you don't succeed, then try, try again. Surely there was someone for me in this enormous virtual meat market? And what's more, I could search for them from the comfort of my own desk. And so began a journey that sometimes made me wonder if I'd joined a joke site, and other times took me to such salubrious places as Birmingham Travelodge. Who says romance is dead?

It's just on a life support machine. My friends' hysterical laughter as I recalled my dating stories made me realise I'd be doing the rest of the world a disservice if I didn't share the amusement. So I wrote 'I'm Celibate...Get Me Out Of Here!' I'm glad I'm not Bridget Jones, with two rich, handsome men fighting over me.

I'd never have met The_Hairy_Cornflake.

Posted by Aigua Media on October 6, 2006 in Bafab, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (27)

More "If we bought a friend a book" for your delectation...

Kat, editor of The Bag Lady says: "The books I would recommend to anyone would be Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel, and the sequel, More, Now, Again [follow those links to read extracts] - although both are not particularly well-written, it's more the subject matter which interests me, mainly mental illness and drug dependence.

They're a must-read for anyone who lives in the 21st century, when 1 in 3 are going to go through some form of mental illness in their lifetime. It really gives you a perspective on what it's like to be in that situation. And, for those affected by depression or drug dependence, it's a relief to know that other people of the same age are going through the same traumas, and that yes, you too can pull through as well. I'd also recommend Vice's 'Do's and Don'ts', a capsule of all their best do's and don'ts over the years - only for the young at heart and those  who have a strong sense of humour. A real leave-in-the-toilet book that will have you bursting out laughing whilst on the job, to the worry of your housemates!"

Stuart writes for lots of Shiny's technology and pop culture sites, including the hugely popular Tech Digest. What does he recommend?

"Peter Ackroyd's London: The Biography. It's an amazing warts'n'all (and there are LOTS of warts) biography of the capital, organised by themes rather than chronologically. The best thing I can say about it is that it makes you want to get out there and explore the streets and locations he talks about, from wandering along the route of the old London Wall looking for old bits of masonry, to poking around where Newgate used to be or wondering if you can get a whiff of the noxious River Fleet. As someone brought up on the edge of London, I never really had much interest in its history, but this book really brought it alive. And even though it's huge, the writing crackles along with real pace, so it's never dull."

Meanwhile, John of TV Scoop says.... "OK, you said it's a "generic friend" so I don't know whether they're a lover of sci-fi/fantasy or not, but I am, so maybe I'm trying to convert them;) In which case... I would have to pick something well written, well known, well loved (as in I've reread it many times) and epic in scope. It also helps that it's the first of a trilogy and the world it inhabits is explored in two further trilogies, one set after it in time and one before. Heck if I was feeling generous I might even BAFAT (Buy A Friend A Trilogy). It's The Many-Coloured Land by Julian May, the first book in the Saga of the Exiles series" (No, I'm not sure what's going on in that photo, either...)

Finally, Gemma, our lovely editor in chief and head honcho at  Shoewawa and Catwalk Queen (for starters!), is on a business trip to Las Vegas all week (not for the first time- and she's off there again in January, lucky woman!) so it's not surprising that she suggested Divas Las Vegas by Belinda Jones...

Want to know more? Remind yourself what Mof and Keris, Star, and I all said in answer to the question. Or check out the Bafab archives... it's been quite a week!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 6, 2006 in American Authors, Bafab, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, Non Fiction, Opinion, Series | Permalink | Comments (13)

October 5, 2006 11:30 AM

The Jane Austen Calendar- and one for bookaholics, too!

If you don't know by now that we're big Jane Austen fans around here, I don't know what website you've been reading! Anyway, this Jane Austen "softcover engagement calendar" (from Calendar.com) featuring quotes from her novels is right up our street.

There's also a Book Lover's Page a Day Calendar- in fact, a whole literature section of the website, including Wild Words from Wild Women!

Related: The Chick-Lit Calendar.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 5, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels | Permalink | Comments (0)

ANDREA SEMPLE GIVEAWAY!

The lovely and talented Andrea Semple has kindly pledged a copy of The Man From Perfect to our Bafab giveaway bonanza- thank you Andrea!

To win, just email us with your name and address (so we can send the book to the winner, we won't stalk you!) with Perfect in the subject line.

Our other giveaways: This is Chick Lit, Wedding Belles, Shanna Swendson and Queen of the Oddballs (which no-one has entered- come on people!) Hester Browne,  and Try. (PLUS! More coming soon- Click on Bafab to keep up-to-date!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 5, 2006 in Bafab, Book related, British Authors, Competition | Permalink | Comments (4)

October 4, 2006 6:31 PM

HESTER BROWNE GIVEAWAY

The Bafab giveaways just keep on comin'!

If you read Hester's guest blog earlier, you'll know I promised you something exciting.

Hester has donated an advance US reading copy of Little Lady, Big Apple (which isn't published until February next year) along with the final UK copy too so you can spot the difference! And if that wasn't enough, she'll sign them both to the winner.

To win, just email us with your name and address and "Hester" in the subject line.

Plus you can still enter our A Boy of Good Breeding & Arlington Park, This Is Chick Lit, Wedding Belles, Shanna Swendson, and Queen of the Oddballs giveaways, too. We spoil you, we really do.

Posted by Keris on October 4, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Competition, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: e-luv by Dave Roberts

Subtitled "An Internet Romance", e-luv is the story of Trevor - and his online alter-ego Lord Brett Sinclair - as he starts to live his life entirely online.

When agoraphobia coupled with a mysery illness result in Trevor losing his job, he finds himself more and more attracted to the internet. Chatrooms, dating sites, online poker. He can be whoever he wants to be and no-one needs to know he can't go out. Except, that is, when they want to meet him in the "real world".

And they do. Amazingly, a number of different women turn up at Trevor's door, never suspecting that he can't actually get through it. One woman even comes from the US, leaving her husband, but bringing her child. Women send him underwear through the post. He receives so many phonecalls from his various online girlfriends that he's forced to come up with a cunning way of establishing who's calling without offending them by asking outright.

Eventually though Trevor starts to realise he needs to step away from the computer and out into the fresh air and with the help of, yes, a woman he meets online, he's able to do just that.

I really enjoyed e-luv. Yes it was funny, but it was also compelling in a slightly disturbing way. I had to keep reading to see just how far Trevor would go and how low he would sink. The only criticism I have of the book is that it doesn't read like fiction at all. I have no idea how much is real (though reading the author's very funny blog, it would seem like quite a lot) and I think this book may have worked even better as a kind of comedy confession book.

Still, it serves as a warning that too much time online can really damage your health!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Yes Man by Danny Wallace

Posted by Keris on October 4, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

GUEST BLOG: Hester Browne

Hester Browne, author of The Little Lady Agency and Little Lady, Big Apple writes about the difficulties in adapting your own book for a different audience (in this case, from the UK to the US).  Come back later for a very special Hester Browne giveaway (the clue is in the theme of this guest blog!). 

From British to "American" by Hester Browne

Translation rights are the author's best friend: the thrill of seeing your book in a foreign language with none of the stress involved of writing it again. My agent has sold The Little Lady Agency in Thailand, Indonesia, Russia, and Germany, and I've got no idea how the translator is going to make the jokes about Mr Sheen work. I can't even imagine what Melissa's voice sounds like in a German reader's mind.

But when the series was sold in the US, I didn't realise that it would need a translation job and that I'd be doing it myself. 

First of all, it's not just the language that has to be translated, so much as the culture. All the references to British TV soaps, chocolate, specific places in London that tell a UK reader exactly what kind of girl Melissa is ­ they all had to be changed, or explained, or deleted. British chick-lit is stuffed with pop-culture references (another reason why it'll be fascinating to read in 100 years' time!), and though US readers apparently love the flavour of British slang, there comes a point where it's just incomprehensible. It's not such a bad thing to have to explain properly, it's kind of lazy to use LK Bennett as a defining character trait, and it really does make you look at London in a new light. You try explaining the WI to a New Yorker. Or the subtle difference between John Lewis and Marks & Spencer.

I didn't completely appreciate how subtly humour changes on the other side of the Atlantic either. British humour is sarcastic, verging on the downright cruel, and it's done on the tongue-in-cheek understanding that we don't really mean it. Like, Melissa's father, Martin Romney-Jones, MP. He's a horrendous character, who schemes, cheats and screams at his family, especially poor Mel. But in the tradition of Basil Fawlty or Edmund Blackadder, he's usually villainous for effect  we know the Romney-Joneses love each other really, because they're nice to their dogs, but they're never happier than when they're engaged in a screeching match.

Hmm. I don't think that really travelled, to be honest. American readers took parts of Melissa's story quite seriously, especially her struggles with her family, who they felt should be in therapy or possibly, in court. And when I came to write the sequel, Little Lady, Big Apple, which is set in New York, I suddenly found I couldn't bring myself to be as sarcastic about New York men as I had been about the Londoners I knew so well, because that sort of British sarkiness is just affection, inside-out. I didn't want to offend all the kind, welcoming New Yorkers I'd met, so I had to do a crash-course in NYC Male Failings. And you know what? They're grooming freaks who insist on paying for dinner, and constantly check their mobiles for messages. Try making a job for Honey out of that.

But what I did learn, after the most rigorous editing ever, was that so long as the heart of a novel is true-to-life, it doesn't matter where it's set, or which supermarket the heroine uses. And I hope useless men, ingenious women, and quality lingerie are things everyone can relate to! 

Posted by Keris on October 4, 2006 in Bafab, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (18)

YET ANOTHER FAB BAFAB GIVEAWAY!

Are we good to you, or what?

First, remember how much I loved A Boy of Good Breeding? Well, you can find out for yourself what a great read it is by winning a free copy!

AND the good people at Faber are so generous they gave us another great new read to give away- Arlington Park, the new hardback release from Whitbread Prize winner Rachel Cusk.

To win, just email us with your name and address (so we can send the book to the winner, we won't stalk you, promise) and "Breeding" or "Park" in the subject line. You can enter for as many giveaways as you want this week- just make sure you send each entry as a separate email!

Our other giveaways: This is Chick Lit, Wedding Belles, Shanna Swendson and Queen of the Oddballs (plus we'll have more to give away later today, tomorrow and Friday! Phew...)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 4, 2006 in Bafab, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (4)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Rachel Johnson

Rachel Johnson (sister of Boris!) is the author of memoir The Mummy Diaries and new novel Notting Hell (which I suspect of being somewhat based on real life as she lives in Notting Hill...) Anyway, we will be reviewing it (all in good time!) but first, she spoke to us about her favourite books, where she writes and all those other nosy questions we can't help wondering about...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer: A naughty romp through the houses and lives of London's haves and have-yachts in lush Notting Hill. Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)? I write at a desk in my mum's flat. The telephone trills the whole time, but at least I know it's not for me.

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)? I write at a desk in my mum's flat. The telephone trills the whole time, but at least I know it's not for me.

Your favourite chick-lit book? I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. More than chick lit. Better. I read it once a year.

Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why? I have a weakness for all Jilly Cooper heroines, Bella, Octavia, Emily etc but as a podge in my formative years, my vote goes to the heavenly Taggie Campbell-Black.

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

What are you reading at the moment? Be Near Me by Andrew O' Hagan.

What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!) The sequel to Notting Hell, set in a West Country village colonized by swanky, wanky second home owners.

Thanks Rachel!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 4, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Interviews, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (3)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Well, last week's discussion about books-turned-films was very interesting- most of us agreed the book is usually better than the film, and that short stories or novellas work better as films than novels do. That said, some adaptations work well- Out of Sight and In Her Shoes, for example. And The Devil Wears Prada has just won Variety Blockbuster Book to Film Award- a special award for books turned into films.

This week, I have another hot book topic for you to discuss! You may not have heard of Macmillan New Writing, but it had publishers and authors all a-flutter earlier this year. It's a low-cost imprint of publisher Macmillan which offers previously unpublished authors little help with proof-reading and publicity, and no advance (so don't give up your day job...) but authors do get  20% of royalties from the sale of their book.

What do you think- is this a great way for new, struggling writers to get into print (more authors get the opportunity as it's very low risk for the publisher) or are writers being ripped off? A great innovation, or only for the desperate?

Do you like the idea, or not- Is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 4, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (6)

October 3, 2006 5:11 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Jane Austen's Guide to Dating

Lauren Henderson is best-known as a chick-lit writer (I can't believe we haven't reviewed any of her stuff before!) but she's also a Cambridge University graduate who wrote her second-year dissertation on courtship rituals in Jane Austen. So she's well placed to bring us Jane Austen's Guide to Dating (or Jane Austen's Guide to Romance if you have the paperback!)

A mixture of case studies from Austen's novels and real people from the twenty-first century illustrate the points that Henderson has to make about dating. There are ten important principles, from 'If you like someone, make it clear that you do,' to 'If your lover needs a reprimand, let him have it.'  I've never really considered Austen's novels in terms of what we can put into practice in our own lives, so I was interested in this new angle. Plus, as a single girl, I wondered if I'd learn a thing or two...

Which is funny, because the most interesting part of the book for me was the refresher course in Austen. Like Henderson, I love Emma and Pride and Prejudice, so I really enjoyed the extra insight into those novels, and it was exciting to discover (in the 'which Austen character are you?' quiz in the back of the book) that I'm Elizabeth Bennet- who knew?! There's also a 'which Austen character is he??' quiz and a guide to all the novels and the main characters in the back of the book, which is very handy and means you could get something out of this book even if you'd never read a word of Austen. (Although why wouldn't you have, huh?!)

That's not to say that the dating part of the book is worthless, though. Henderson is very sensible. And as a survivor of the legendarily tough New York dating scene, she knows her stuff. The real-life love examples are interesting and fit in well with the lessons from Austen. However, there's nothing very revolutionary here- the advice can pretty much be boiled down to: be yourself, don't play games, have a life outside of your relationship and follow your heart. It seemed like some of the same lessons were repeated and I'm just not sure how useful a reasonably intelligent singleton looking for love would find this. Also, I flinch a little at the idea of Austen's work being appropriated in this way. Lauren Henderson's right that Austen had very clear and sensible ideas about love, and I know Henderson realises there's much more to Austen than that- but doesn't using her work in this way play into the hands of everyone who dismisses her as 'just' a romance writer? (I have no problem with romance writers, but Jane Austen had more to say than that).

But I'm just indulging in some minor quibbling! This book is an enjoyable opportunity to revisit Austen, and gives an insight into other people's love lifes that you may learn something from. Any Janeite would enjoy this, whether looking for love for not.

Rtaing: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Flirting with Pride and Prejudice; Getting Personal by Chris Manby.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 3, 2006 in British Authors, Classic Novels, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

SPOTLIGHT: Dorothy Koomson

This week the spotlight is on Dorothy Koomson.

Dorothy started out writing, editing and subbing for various women’s magazines and national papers including Red, New Woman, Marie Claire and The Guardian. She spent her evenings writing novels and occasionally trying to get them published.

Her first book, The Cupid Effect, was published in 2003, but it was when her third book - My Best Friend's Girl - was chosen for the Richard & Judy Summer Reads promotion that she really hit the big time (My Best Friend's Girl was subsequently voted 2nd favourite of all the Summer Reads. Victoria Hislop's The Island was first.)

She now lives in Sydney and South London and works full-time on an Australian women's magazine.

Her fourth book, due out next year, is called Marshmallows For Breakfast and is about a woman who returns from Australia to England and ends up sharing a house with a divorced father and his two children.

Click over the cut for Dorothy's bibliography.

The Cupid Effect
The Chocolate Run
My Best Friend's Girl

Did you know?
Dorothy says her books aren't chick lit because "None of my main characters are desperate to find a man or have romance and weight loss as their main goals in life." [via the Richard & Judy Book Club]
But we know there's more to chick lit than that, don't we?

Posted by Keris on October 3, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Richard and Judy, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

Product Placement in Books

We're used to product placement in films, TV shows and even music videos, but how do we feel about it in books? Characters often wear (or lust after) Jimmy Choos or drink Coke, but what if the authors were paid to have them do so? Is that a natural progression of advertising or is it selling out of the worst kind?

Meg Cabot has joined forces with Clinique to promote her latest young adult book, How To Be Popular. The book includes a set of stickers made by the cosmetics company and to be used, Meg says, to "stick on your favorite scenes - such as the ones to do with kissing - or tips from the book, for easy later reference". According to Meg, the book and Clinique were a perfect fit. "Because How To Be Popular is about a girl who is trying desperately to be popular, and who gives herself a physical and mental makeover to become that way, we thought partnering with a cosmetics company to promote the book would be cool. And since Clinique's got such a groovy teen skin care line (which I myself used when I was a teen, and still use today), we were like, Kismet, baby." [via Meg Cabot]

Publishers Running Press have done a presumably similar deal for the forthcoming young adult novel Cathy's Book: If Found Call (650) 266-8233 which features a character using CoverGirl make-up. In return for the mentions of CoverGirl in the book, Proctor & Gamble (the owners of CoverGirl) will promote the book on CoverGirl.com and BeingGirl.com (a website for teen girls). [via the Hartford Courant]

This type of promotion is unusual, but it isn't new. In 2004 Ford Motors paid chick lit author Carole Matthews to mention their cars in her books and commissioned her to write short stories for women's magazines and Ford's own website. One story, A Racy Little Number, includes the lines "I look out of the window of the shop and eye my lovely Ford Fiesta Roxanne with something approaching misery. Last year was a different story. Business was booming and I splashed out on my first-ever new car. Brand spanking new - complete with enough gadgets to keep even Alex amused. She's red, raunchy and drives like a dream and now, she's got to go. Believe me, it will be like cutting off one of my own arms." Carole says now her characters will only ever drive Ford Fiestas.

Even the Carole Matthews deal wasn't the first, in 2001 Faye Weldon was paid by Italian jewellery maker Bulgari to plug their products in a novel appropriately entitled The Bulgari Connection. [via BBC]

So what do you think? Perfectly harmless or reprehensible manipulation?

Posted by Keris on October 3, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (4)

October 2, 2006 1:31 PM

Discworld Wedding Cake anyone?

This is a wedding cake inspired by Terry Pratchett's Discworld: a flat world made of marzipan and fondant icing resting upon four marzipan elephants which stand on the back of a turtle created from fruit cakes and covered with more marzipan. [via Galleycat]

Once I'd stopped giggling and admiring the imagination of the wedding party (whoever they are), I started wondering ... if I was to design a cake based on a book, what would it be? Carry on over the cut to find out.

In keeping with today's More on Monday review I decided it would have to be 28 Barbary Lane. And it might look a little bit like this:

[via SimCity3000]

Posted by Keris on October 2, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (11)

September 27, 2006 7:33 AM

Louise Bagshawe headed for Parliament?

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

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

[via icsouthlondon]

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

September 26, 2006 11:52 AM

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

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

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

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

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

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Expanded Books

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

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

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

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

The Times gears up for an all-male Christmas

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

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

Update: The ever-insightful Galleycat sees my point!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 26, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Devil Wears Prada, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (2)

September 25, 2006 2:01 PM

BOOK NEWS: The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris

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

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

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

Celebrity Memoir Mania

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

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

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

What we thought of Teri Hatcher's Burnt Toast

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

Book News: It's Vintage, Darling!

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

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

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

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

The Neverending Story- collaborative storytelling for all!

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

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

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

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

September 22, 2006 11:46 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Mr Nice Guy by Thomas Dowler

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

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

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

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

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

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

Can men write about romance? You betcha!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Mr Commitment by Mike Gayle.

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

September 20, 2006 11:03 AM

Darcymania!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 5 out of 5

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

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

September 19, 2006 10:27 AM

Best book in the world

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

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

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

Fan fiction pays big

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

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

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

[Via an admittedly sceptical Galleycat].

Update: Miss Snark has the right idea!

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

MOVIE NEWS: Starter for Ten

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

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

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

Posted by Keris on September 19, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

Keira Knightley as Jordan?

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

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

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

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

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Playground Mafia by Sarah Tucker

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 2 out of 5

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

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

SPOTLIGHT: Liz Young

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

All I could find out was the following:

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

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

Carry on over the cut for Liz's bibliography.

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

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

Posted by Keris on September 19, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (9)

September 18, 2006 9:28 AM

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

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

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

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

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

Bridget's pants go for £2,000

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

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

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

September 15, 2006 10:14 AM

Booker Prize shortlist- predictions proved wrong (again)

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

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

The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

The Secret River by Kate Grenville

Carry Me Down by M J Hyland

In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar

Mother's Milk by Edward St Aubyn

The Night Watch by Sarah Waters.

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

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

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

September 14, 2006 11:54 AM

Even more lookalike book cover

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

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

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Yes Man by Danny Wallace

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

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

Read on over the cut to see if it was.

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

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

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

Watch the Yes Man book trailer here.

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

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

THURSDAY THREE: Bridget, meet Carrie...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 14, 2006 in American Authors, British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Opinion, Television, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (1)

TV News: Reader, I Married Him

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

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

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

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

September 13, 2006 4:44 PM

Jenny Colgan's wedding cake and more!

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

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

SPOTLIGHT: Andrea Semple

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

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

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

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

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

Carry on over the cut for Andrea's bibliography.

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

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

September 8, 2006 12:09 PM

Paul Burrell, Give it a Rest!

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

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

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

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

Bloomsbury is 21

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

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

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

[via Publishing News]

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Great Indoors by Sabine Durrant

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

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

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

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

Rating: 2 out of 5

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

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

September 7, 2006 7:47 PM

More book cover snap

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

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

Carry on across the cut to see which one.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday Three: Reality TV

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

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

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

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

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 7, 2006 in American Authors, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Television, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (4)

September 6, 2006 11:32 AM

Young Writers Alert!

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 6, 2006 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 5, 2006 12:56 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SPOTLIGHT: Helen Fielding

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

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

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

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

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

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

Continue over the cut for Helen's bibliography.

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

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

September 3, 2006 7:32 PM

The Only Boy For Me on ITV

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

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

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

September 2, 2006 1:22 PM

Wuthering Heights gets graphic!

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

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

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

[via Booklsut].

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

August 31, 2006 1:19 PM

Waterstone's Chick Lit Book of the Month

My favourite book shop, Waterstone's (well, I did used to work there), has a new website (it used to partner with Amazon) which features a Chick Lit Book of the Month!

August's is Trashionista fave Jenny Colgan's latest, West End Girls. Read all about it (and add your own two pennorth/cents) here.

Posted by Keris on August 31, 2006 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 30, 2006 11:43 AM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Hester Browne

We've loved both of Hester Browne's books, The Little Lady Agency and Little Lady, Big Apple here at Trashionista, so we were very excited when she agreed to be our second interview victim. I mean, subject.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer: Supernanny-for-singletons Melissa tackles Manhattan’s men and manners – but will alter-ego Honey stay in London?

Argh. That’s very hard with this book! It’s a good exercise, though, for pitching an idea – you should be able to sum up your novel in one tantalising line. Most novels are pitched to the sales department as [popular Richard Curtis film] meets [latest internet blogging sensation] starring [current Hollywood hot actress] in [New York/London/wherever Kate Moss has just bought a house]. I’m a chronic overwriter, even for magazine copy which is even more word-count specific than novels, so I’ve got into the habit of hyphenating everything and claiming it as one word. I know. It’s cheating.

Continue over the cut for the rest of the interview.

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)? I generally go out in the mornings and write or plan out scenes in a café, then come back and try to turn that buzz of ideas in to proper writing in the afternoons. What usually happens, though, is that I distract myself with eBay or email most of the day, then write 1500 words in an hour before I go to bed at midnight. Do not get Sim City or any sort of strategy game if you’re trying to write a book, is my advice.

Your favourite chick-lit book? Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes - sexy hero, hilarious heroine, brilliant supporting cast and although it seems light-as-a-feather, it's cleverly plotted, and very moving. And you can read it and re-read it and it’s still funny, which is the mark of a great book.

Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why? Becky Bloomwood. Isn't she everyone's favourite heroine? I even forgave her when her mean long-lost sister turned out to be from the Lake District like me – Bank of West Cumbria, indeed...

What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers? You have to write what you enjoy reading - don't try to be anyone other than yourself. The more you write, the more you'll develop your own distinctive style, and that's what publishers love to discover. Read, read, read too, and analyse why you loved a book, or why you didn't quite feel it worked. It's tricky to put your finger on why someone's style draws you in, but you can see when the plot doesn't hang together, or when the pacing's off.

Though writing’s a wonderful job, to the point of not feeling like a job sometimes, it’s more usually very hard work. You have to develop a pretty thick skin to put up with constant editing, ‘suggestions’ about characters you feel you know best, and the inevitable set-backs and changes of plan that occur to every publication process. Deadlines are tough. So are snarky Amazon reviews. But having said that, there’s always room for fresh talent! Don’t feel you have to revise your work to absolute perfection before you send it out to an agent; there comes a point where you should just take the plunge and see what they think. Good agents will spot potential and help you work with it; good editors will often lift it up another level still – and though it can be painful it’s worth it, in the same way a personal trainer wrings the best out of you in the gym. (Or, um, so I am reliably informed.)

And, in short: always try to get an agent rather than sending direct to publishers; never sign up with an agent who charges you money before they’ve sold anything; phone books and local papers are great for ‘real sounding’ names; never use your novel to get your own back on the girl you hated at school because she won’t read it but everyone else you know will and will assume it’s them you’re getting at; and take a notebook with you because you will forget that brilliant idea between falling asleep and waking up again.

What are you reading at the moment? One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson; Fashion Victim by Sam Baker; Hollywood Babylon by Kenneth Anger; Rough Guide to Paris.

What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!) The third and final Honey book: there are princes, nightclubs, unexpected babies, sea sickness, Parisian apartments, Melissa’s barking family being even more monstrous than ever, but lots and lots of romance, and a super-happy ending!

Posted by Keris on August 30, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Interviews, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (6)

BOOK REVIEW: Husbands by Adele Parks

Adele Parks makes her characters very difficult to like. In fact this is the main reason I gave up entirely on Playing Away, as I actively despised Corinne, who seemed to have no redeeming features, and was cheating on her self-professed 'perfect' husband for no apparent reason.

Husbands still has its fair share of women you might not want to be closest chums with, namely Bella, who has committed bigamy by being married to both her best friend's boyfriend, and her current husband, at the same time. But obviously none of them know it yet.

Luckily the other characters in Husbands are its redeeming quality. Laura, still hurt from a nasty break up, is a quietly determined single mother who falls head over heels with a busker she meets on the tube. It's just unfortunate he also happens to be married to Bella. Then there's Bella's mate Amelie, who despite being recently widowed, is by far the most optimistic character of the book. The cast is completed by Phillip, Bella's doting older man, and her second, non-legitimate husband.

The book charts some fairly major coincidences as the lives of Bella, her two husbands, and Laura become rather too entwined for comfort. They end up at an Elvis convention in Las Vegas, where most of the book is set, and we get a whistle stop tour round the sites of the city while Bella tries to decide which husband she likes best. Eventually Bella starts to display some more attractive qualities, and I actually started to enjoy Husbands.

I'm not sure I'll be rushing out to read another of her books, but this has convinced me that I can finish one, and it was a vast improvement on Playing Away. The sort of dilemmas Parks' characters face are the kind that give you that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach the moment you wake up, and personally I'd rather read something that lifted my spirits rather than bringing them down. Recommended for days when you can't stand to read another happy ever after and you're sick of flawless characters with sugar coated lives. [Charlotte Howells]

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Other Women by Kirsty Crawford.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 30, 2006 in British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Sunday Night Book Club

I always love books that help a good cause, but The Sunday Night Book Club sounds like it would be a great short story collection even if it wasn't raising money for Breast Cancer Care.

Featuring stories by Wendy Holden, Cathy Kelly, Adriana Trigiani and lone man Alexander McCall Smith, the book is sponsored by Woman and Home magazine and promises to be a popular addition to Christmas stockings this year.

(Sorry- when I see September on the horizon I become obsessed with Xmas, I'll try to rein myself in now until November at least!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 30, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, British Authors, Irish Authors, Short Story Collections | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 29, 2006 6:16 PM

Bridget Jones's baby

Please excuse me if this is old news and I'm the last to know, but I've just found out that earlier this year Bridget Jones had a baby. The final entry in the revived Independent column read: "Have never been so happy in entire life. Have given birth to baby who is sweetest little creature ever seen."

Bridget's creator, Helen Fielding, also gave birth to a child (her second) in June, at the age of 48. A (rather snarky) article (don't read if you don't want Bridget spoilers) in The Daily Mail suggests there will be no more columns, instead the last bunch will be collected into a third book.

So do we want more Bridget? Or were we happier with the way things were left at the end of The Edge of Reason?

Posted by Keris on August 29, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff | Permalink | Comments (12)

BOOK REVIEW: Mr Starlight by Laurie Graham

Laurie Graham used to write about ordinary working-class folk with wit, humour and pathos (Dog Days, Glen Miller Nights being a wonderful and sadly out-of-print example) but now she's carved out a new and very successful niche: Brits in America.  Mr Starlight is a typical example- the story of Liberace, if Liberace had a touch of the Des O' Connors about him and was raised in a townhouse in Birmingham, that is... 

Self-styled 'Mr Starlight' and king of the working men's clubs, singer Selywn Boff is determined to make it big- and that means America.  Dragging his reluctant piano player/older brother Cledwyn behind him, the Boff brothers begin to make their mark on the States- but not quite as fast as Sel would like.  He decides Cled is holding him back- and Cled decides he can do without his bossy upstart of a brother- it's not as if Sel's ever going to make it really big!

Is he?

Well, a good-looking man with charisma, an exotic (well, to Americans!) accent and whose crooning drives the girls crazy is never going to be down on his luck for long- let's put it that way!

This is a wonderful book, with great dialogue, vividly-drawn characters and a great pace.  Although what happens to Sel is beyond the dreams of most people who grew up with a tin bath and an absent father in the Midlands circa World War Two, Sel's rise to fame seems realistic within the context of this novel.  The surrounding characters are kept reassuringly down to earth, for example when Cledwyn returns home after five years away, his 'mam' is in a bad mood because he didn't let them know he'd be coming: "You'll have to have shop bought biscuits," she strops, with, as his sister says, "a face like a trod chip."

The book is told from Cledwyn's point of view, which makes for added irony, as he's not quite the reliable narrator. Completely oblivious to Sel's secret sexual preferences (well, the spangly suits and non-existent girlfriends weren't really a clue, were they?!) and in denial about his own talent and popularity with women, he's spent his life in Selwyn's shadow.

The book roves from 1928 up to the early 1990s, and kept me hooked throughout.  The ending is funny, sad and poignant and I'm not ashamed to say I shed a tear.  I almost felt like Mr Starlight was real, and he's one of those few characters who'll stay with me long after I've finished the book. I highly recommend you let him charm you, too.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 29, 2006 in British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bookmark This!

You know those freebie bookmarks with writing on that bookshops give away? Well, a couple of months ago, I picked one up and it was advertising the Every Object Tells a Story competition.  It asked: if you could borrow any item from literature, what would it be? Entrants were asked to send in a story on the topic- and the winning one would be printed on bookmarks given away in shops throughout the country!

Answers ranged from Ma Ramotswe's redbush tea to Tolkein's ring (you know the one!) but the winning writer was Max Porter, who chose to borrow a bike from Flann O'Brien's novel The Third Policeman.  His story, I want to ride my bicycle can be seen on bookmarks in shops throughout the country, and you can read the other submissions here.

So... what object would you choose, and why?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 29, 2006 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Competition | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Girl with a One Track Mind by Abby Lee

What kind of girl keeps a sachet of lubricant in her handbag in case she needs to give a hand job? A girl with a one track mind.

Abby Lee is the no longer anonymous (she was recently unmasked as London-based Zoe Margolis) author of the award winning blog Girl with a One Track Mind which records her search for satisfying, adventurous sex. The book charts one year in her life in which she tries everything from one night stands to swingers evenings  via domination and lesbian encounters...

Abby Lee is a woman of contradictions. She wants a loving relationship but picks up men in bars and on the internet and then seems surprised when all they want is a one night stand. She thinks her ex-boyfriend is emotionally immature because he’s found a woman he wants to spend time with and be faithful to, rather than taking Abby to a swingers evening.

Despite thinking of herself as adventurous Abby Lee has a very blinkered view of sex. She describes sex as being either vanilla (plain) or BDSM (bondage domination sado-masochism) and can’t see anything in between. She thinks her friends are stuck in sexually boring monogamous relationships yet as her sexual searching doesn’t even produce sex once a month at times, I’d guess that her friends are having far more sex than she is!

Unfortunately this book doesn’t work as a story or a memoir. The main character is not likeable enough and the supporting cast are easily forgotten as most only appear for one night. The details of her sexual encounters are wholly un-erotic. We are given cold hard facts - what she did, who she did it with and how many times she orgasmed - but there is no passion behind her words, no real enjoyment. And I was glad when she finally had sex for the first time that year as I was very bored reading about her tedious masturbation sessions.

I can see why this works as a blog (let’s face it most things are better than working and that’s when people would read it, as a work substitute) but it just doesn’t cut it as a sexual memoir. If you want erotic memoirs go for Anais Nin. If you want deeply disturbing then read The Story of O. If you want annoying and dull then read this. [Nicola Pedley]

Rating: 2 out of 5

Like this? Try Diary of a Manhattan Call Girl by Tracy Quan.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 29, 2006 in Bonkbusters, Book Websites, British Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 2/5, Rubbish Books | Permalink | Comments (14)

August 28, 2006 9:31 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith

Blue Shoes and Happiness is the seventh in Alexander McCall Smith's enormously popular No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. I have read and loved each of the previous books even though once I've read them I find I don't remember much about them, except an urge to smile every time I think about the world of Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi and Mr JLB Matekoni. If you haven't yet discovered the series, well, you've got a treat in store. If you have then read on to see if this latest story meets expectations.

Mma Ramotswe is a "traditionally built" (i.e. large) woman who runs the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency (Botswana's only ladies' detective agency). Her assistant, Mma Makutsi graduated with 97% from Bostwana Secretarial College and her husband, Mr JLB Matekoni owns Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors and tries to control his two apprentices.

In Blue Shoes and Happiness there's a crisis for Mma Makutsi when she reveals to her fiance that she is in fact a feminist, a doctor tampers with his patients blood pressure measurements, a cook sneaks government food out to feed her husband, and Mma Ramotswe starts to think she might be too traditionally built and should, perhaps, go on a diet!

The cases brought to the detective agency are usually very mild and don't take much detecting (as Mma Makutsi points out in this book, most of them are solved by Mma Ramotswe asking someone a direct question), but you don't read these books for the intrigue, more for the descriptions of Botswana and the gentle humour and charm of the stories.

I enjoyed this book as I have enjoyed them all. They're perfect books for curling up with and just drifting away to another place.

Posted by Keris on August 28, 2006 in British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, More On Monday, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Series | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 25, 2006 10:23 AM

Mr Nice Guy gives away his novel

Thomas Dowler kept getting "close but no cigar" rejection letters from publishers, which frustrated him.  So he decided to take matters into his own hands: he's releasing his first book, Mr Nice Guy, as a free e-book and podcast.*  The story sounds suitably Mike Gayle-esque to me: a man is devastated when he's dumped by his girlfriend for being "too nice". 

Dowler's hoping this project will gather enough momentum to get him a nice publishing deal for his second novel, Jealous Guy. The author briefly had interest in a screenplay of his first novel but if this project works, he could be writing the screenplay of his own life. Maybe.

*If downloading's not your thing, you can also purchase the Print-on-Demand paperback here.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 25, 2006 in Book News, Book Websites, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (2)

Chick Lit for little chicks

The Philadelphia Inquirer's piece about the crossover appeal of young adult fiction [via Bookslut] reminded me of the numerous chick lit authors branching out into writing for young adults. It seems like every time I go into a bookshop I find another YA book by an established adult author (both Marian Keyes and Jennifer Weiner have expressed an interest in writing YA at some point.)

It's a natural progression: chick lit was originally about women trying to find their way in the world and that journey begins - often horribly, but also hilariously (with retrospect) - as a teenager. Read on for some YA chick lit recommendations.

The adult and teen combo poster-girl must surely be Meg Cabot, who writes for both at an exhausting rate, though she has been criticised lately for her adult books sounding too "teen". But I recently read an interesting interview with Cabot's friend Michele Jaffe in Writing magazine in which she said the only difference in writing YA is that the characters are teenagers - claiming the mistake you can make is to write for teenagers instead of about them and risk being condescending. I haven't read any of her adult books, but I really loved Bad Kitty so I'm happy to agree.

Sue Limb's Girl, 15, Charming But Insane is hilarious and I enjoyed Tyne O'Connell's Pulling Princes. I'm looking forward to Melissa Senate's Theodora Twist and Valerie Frankel's Fringe Girl, but I wasn't over-excited by Rowan Coleman's Ruby Parker Hits the Small Time (though I did love her adult debut, Growing Up Twice). And, of course, there's Sarah Mlynowski's hugely successful All About Rachel series (and a review of Mlynowski's See Jane Write: A Girl's Guide to Writing Chick Lit is coming soon). I can't wait to read Ally Carter's I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You and Lauren Baratz-Logsted's forthcoming YA debut Angel's Choice.

Don't be put off by the shelving of these books in the children's section (you can always pretend you're buying them for someone else if it makes you feel better). As Meg Cabot has proven, YA fiction can be equally, if not more, enjoyable than more 'grown-up' chick lit!

(In the interest of full-disclosure (and, um, self-promotion) I should mention that I also edit a fledgling YA chick lit site: Chicklet.)

Posted by Keris on August 25, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (3)

August 24, 2006 6:58 PM

Susannah Clarke too ill to Tour

Susannah Clarke, author of last year's smash hit Harry Potter-for-grown-ups, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (Seth was reading it on The OC, season three!) has revealed she is suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as M.E.  She's had to cancel the publicity tour for her latest book, a short story collection called The Ladies of Grace Adieu, as a result.

Other authors with the neurological illness include Laura Hillenbrand, Clare Francis and now-recovered two-time Booker nominee Ali Smith.  As Galleycat reports, "the effects are nothing short of debilitating".

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 24, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

Judging books by their covers

I've been really enjoying the official Penguin Books blog and yesterday they had some interesting insights into book covers. I also recently discovered this site focusing on cover art. Then a few days ago I saw the cover of A Hopeless Romantic, Harriet Evans's follow-up to Going Home, in The Bookseller and gasped at its gorgeousness.

So it got me to wondering what attracts me about a cover. Continue over the cut to find out (and for more purty covers).

I've mentioned before that a sniff of New York and I'm easy so this one was a shoe-in.

I bought Lisa Jewell's Thirtynothing on the basis of the cover despite the fact that I hadn't been that impressed by Ralph's Party (I know, I need to re-read it).

And this one - cherry blossom and New York! - just makes me sigh with longing.

Apparently, I too am a hopeless romantic. But what does it for you? What kind of cover do you cross a bookstore for? (I'm guessing it's not feet.)

Posted by Keris on August 24, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (7)

August 22, 2006 11:28 AM

Chick Lit Roundtable

I've just discovered this excellent chick lit discussion on the Authors on the Web site.

It's a "Chick Lit Author Roundtable" featuring such Trashionista faves as Meg Cabot, Marian Keyes and Jennifer Weiner.

It's a bit out of date (check out the Meg Cabot author photo), but includes plenty of insights into excellent questions like 'What makes a book chick lit?' and 'Is there a value to Chick Lit other than escapism or entertainment?'

Posted by Keris on August 22, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

SPOTLIGHT: Anna Maxted

This week's spotlight is on Anna Maxted.

Anna has a degree in English from Cambridge and started out as a reporter for the Jewish Chronicle. She became a freelancer, writing for various publications, notably Cosmopolitan and FHM, for whom she wrote a sex column (like one of the main characters in her latest book - A Tale of Two Sisters).

Following the sudden death of her father, Anna wrote a piece about her grief. It received an overwhelming response and Anna was approached by agents and publishers to write a novel. This novel was the wonderful Getting Over It. She has since written four more novels combining chick lit humour and serious issues such as rape and anorexia.

Anna now lives in London with her husband, Phil, and their two sons.

See a specs-less Anna talking about Being Committed here.

Continue over the cut for Anna's bibliography.

Getting Over It
Running In Heels
Behaving Like Adults
Being Committed
A Tale of Two Sisters

Did you know Anna has also written three non-fiction books including How to Have Him Begging for More: 100 Ways to Drive Your Man Wild in Bed!

Posted by Keris on August 22, 2006 in British Authors, Modern Fiction, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 21, 2006 10:00 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: How to Lose Friends and Alienate People by Toby Young

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People is a hilarious book, which makes you root for the author- but find him frequently annoying and offensive, too!  Toby Young moved to New York when he got the cream of journalism assignments: contributing editor at Vanity Fair.  Unfortunately, he chose to interpret the 'smart-casual' dress code as meaning 'turn up in old jeans and a Keanu Reeves t-shirt with a lewd slogan on the front'.

And thus the alienation began...

This is car-crash reading: even someone who knows nothing about journalism or American society shouldn't make the  kind of career-suicide mistakes that Young does.  And so it's not surprising that things don't quite work out for him on the other side of the pond.  He's brazen, lecherous, inappropriate at every turn- and doesn't really work that hard.  Why does he squander the biggest opportunity of his life like this?  I'm not sure he even knows himself.

Clearly, although it didn't work out for him in at Vanity Fair, it has worked out for him in the publishing world, as this gossipy memoir was a big hit both here and in the U.S (they love laughing at us crazy Brits!)  Reading this book, you've got to admire Toby Young's shamelessness and ability to laugh at himself- if I'd made half this number of stupid mistakes, I wouldn't even tell my closest friends; he tells the world.

If you're interested in America, the magazine world, or crazy Brits behaving badly, then you'll love this book... although the behaviour of its author might well baffle you!

*Watch a 'meet the author' video of Toby Young talking about this book and its sequel, The Sound of No Hands Clapping. *

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Marry Me by Carey Marx.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 21, 2006 in British Authors, Memoirs, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: Little Lady, Big Apple by Hester Browne

Gemma really loved Hester Browne's debut novel The Little Lady Agency so I jumped at the chance to read the sequel: Little Lady, Big Apple. Of course, me being me, I had to read the first book first so off I went to the library (where it was shelved, inexplicably, in Crime).

For those like me who haven't read it, The Little Lady Agency is about uber-efficient secretary Melissa who is made redundant and sets up her own etiquette and grooming agency. She isn't confident enough to run it herself so she creates a much stricter, sexier, alter-ego named Honey (with the assistance of foxy underwear and a blonde wig). But when she finds herself falling for her favourite client, American real estate hotshot, Jonathan, she has to retire Honey for the good of their relationship. Like Gemma, I loved it. So I fully expected to love Little Lady, Big Apple too. Read on to see if I did.

Little Lady, Big Apple finds Melissa, not surprisingly, in New York. Jonathan's returned to New York for a promotion and Melissa's flatmate Nelson's gone off to sea and is getting his apartment remodelled, so Jonathan invites Melissa over for a holiday. But stuck in New York while Jonathan works all hours and with only his friends and the spectre of his evil/perfect ex-wife for company (oh and a small dog named Braveheart) - and with her bolshy sister and scatty best-friend in charge of her beloved agency - Melissa finds it harder than she expected to leave Honey behind.

Sequels are tricky and I realised a little too late that it may have been better for me not to have read the first to see if this works on its own. I'm pretty sure it does. Browne manages to bring us up to date with what's been happening in Melissa's life without repeating great chunks of the first book, a difficult thing to do.

There were just a couple of sour notes for me: I felt Melissa let everyone walk all over her for far too long - I found myself shouting at her to grow a spine; and, like Bridget's Mark Darcy and Becky Bloomwood's Luke, Jonathan (and, for that matter, Nelson) both treats and talks to Melissa as if she's a child ("I'm really not going to tell you again.") And what's worse is that, not only does she not seem to notice, she actually responds to it.

But those concerns aside I really did enjoy this. It's a testament to the strength and charm of the characters that when I sat down to read I felt I was catching up with old friends (even though I only read the first book last week). It's fun, funny and sweet and with Melissa, her friends and her family, Hester Browne has created a crowd of memorable characters of whom I hope we'll be seeing more.

If you like this, try The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Posted by Keris on August 21, 2006 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 18, 2006 5:28 PM

Re-telling Emma

Now, I'd take Mr Knightley over Darcy any day, so I think this is an exciting prospect: Emma, told from the man's point of view.

Mr Knightley's Diary by Amanda Grange is out here at the end of the month (in the U.S, you'll have to wait until October I'm afraid, but there's an excerpt there on the site).  Nothing could be quite as enjoyable as opening a crisp new Austen, but as they're unlikely to discover any more, perhaps this is the next best thing...

Ooh, and while I was researching it, I came across Austenblog- how fab!

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

The curse of the second novel

What do Citizen Girl, Everyone Worth Knowing and The Debutante Divorcee have in common? All are second novels that were considerably less successful/popular than the authors' debut books.

This great Newsday article examines the "sophomore slump" - just how hard is it to write a second book? Read on to find out more.

The piece includes insights from Carolyn Parkhurst (whose book, The Dogs of Babel, was called Lorelei's Secret in the UK), Janet Fitch and Sue Monk Kidd - who laments the woman who told her 'I don't see how you can ever write another novel that good' causing her to throw out everything she wrote for the next two weeks - as well as revealing that Amy Tan gave up on six novels before finally publishing The Kitchen God's Wife.

It's a really interesting article, but it's worth a read just to learn that there's a "support group for second novelists" in Los Angeles (where else?).

Posted by Keris on August 18, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Debut Novels, Devil Wears Prada | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 17, 2006 9:55 AM

Musical book covers

No, not literally (not yet anyway). Yesterday when I wrote about Magic's competition to win Daisy Waugh's latest book, I realised that every time I'd seen that book on the shelves, I'd assumed it was Wendy Holden's latest.

Here's Daisy Waugh's:

Check out Wendy Holden's across the cut.

Wendy Holden's Wives of Bath:

Wendy's not only got new covers

but a pun-free book title too.

Has she passed her illustrator and her pun generator on to Daisy Waugh?

Posted by Keris on August 17, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 15, 2006 12:58 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Belinda Jones

This week's spotlight is on a real Trashionista fave: Belinda Jones.

Belinda's first job in journalism was on the Postman Pat comic. She went on to spend four years at "more!" magazine which included co-presenting the "Mr more! 94" male model contest. After turning freelance she wrote for magazines including Elle, FHM, Cosmopolitan and For Women (remember that?!).

In 1997 she moved to Los Angeles and in 2001 her first novel Divas Las Vegas was published to great success. She now lives in Las Vegas, but spends much of her time travelling to research her fabulous books (and to find men which you can read about in On The Road To Mr Right). She is currently researching her sixth novel - The Love Academy - for which she's returning to Italy, only this time to Venice and "George Clooney-adjacent Como". Honestly, she's got the best job.

Continue over the cut for Belinda's bibliography

Divas Las Vegas
I Love Capri
The California Club
On The Road To Mr Right
The Paradise Room
Cafe Tropicana

Did you know ... Belinda also wrote Peter Andre's official biography and a Peter Andre Annual?

Posted by Keris on August 15, 2006 in British Authors, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (3)

August 14, 2006 12:30 PM

Is Fratire Chick-Lit for Men?

Despite good efforts by the likes of Mike Gayle, Nick Hornby and Tony Parsons, there's never really been a strong male equivalent to chick-lit.  But that could change: recently there's been a lot of buzz in the American media (which means there's about to be a lot of buzz here) about "fratire", which has been touted as chick-lit for men- a new genre focused on young men's issues (the 'frat' of the title referring to fraternity houses).

Sound interesting? Well, I guess it could be... if all the books falling under this new heading didn't just seem to be about getting drunk and having one-night stands.  Come on, American (and British) men- you must have more interesting issues on your minds than this!  I know chick-lit often deals with finding or losing love (often both) but it also deals with all manner of modern relationship and life dilemmas... in other words, apart from a few exceptions, girls still do it better!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 14, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 11, 2006 1:07 PM

Isabel Losada's Reasons to be Glad

An upcoming release by Isabel Losada looks like just the thing to perk us up at the end of summer: 100 Reasons to be Glad is out next month and available to order on Amazon and other sites now. Or you could order it from your local bookshop- the author is hugely keen on supporting local, independent bookshops so you might want to follow her lead just this once...?

In the past, Losada has written about personal fulfillment and saving the world in a down-to-earth, funny and touching way, so she seems the ideal person to encourage us to appreciate the little things in life- in fact the book is based on the popular 100 reasons to be glad section of her website, where you can also read her "occasional blog".

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 11, 2006 in Book News, British Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 9, 2006 5:46 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Marry Me by Carey Marx

When, at the start of 2005, comedian Carey Marx decided  he was going to make it his goal to get married by the end of the Edinburgh Festival in August, his friends, not surprisingly, thought he was having a laugh. After all, he didn't even have a girlfriend- how was he going to meet the woman of his dreams, fall in love and get married in just eight months?  Not to mention write his comedy show-"the show where you can laugh, applaud and marry the performer"- and a book about the whole experience!  Marry Me explains all...

First the author signed up to several internet dating agencies and started chatting online with lots of different women (too many for him to keep track of, in fact!)  He also asked his friends to find him dates, chatted up women after his comedy gigs and generally tried to cram years of dating into one tiny time-frame.  Along the way he sent thousands of emails, lost days of sleep and even got his friends to fake a viral outbreak and dress up as zombies to impress two potential soulmates.  (You'll have to read the book for an explanation!) During his search for love,  several of his friends bypassed him and got engaged, and Carey met a hell of a lot of women- several of whom offered to marry him on the spot!  But his quest wasn't just to find a wife- he was looking for true long-lasting love: so did he find it? Read the book to find out, you won't be sorry you did.

"Marry Me" is hilarious- especially the email exchanges between Marx and his prospective dates.  I stayed up late into the night reading it, laughing out loud and wondering what crazy thing would happen next.  More seriously, I also loved the fact that the desperate search for love was from a man's perspective for a change, and I enjoyed the message of the book: that sometimes you have to take big risks to get what you want- and even if you fail, it's still worth trying. 

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Year of Yes by Maria Headley, I'm Celibate, Get Me Out of Here! by Jo Elliot.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 9, 2006 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 8, 2006 4:17 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Lisa Jewell

This week the spotlight shines on Lisa Jewell.

Lisa wrote her first novel as a bet. In 1993 she was made redundant from her job in the fashion industry and found herself unemployed for ten months before her redundancy money ran out and she had to take a job as a receptionist. After a few months in that job, Lisa decided to take evening classes in Creative Writing at her local Adult Education College. She found that she absolutely loved it.

Soon afterwards while on holiday with friends, the conversation turned to Nick Hornby's book "High Fidelity" and how easy it must have been to write (Lisa now accepts that probably wasn't the case!). When a friend asked her what she really wanted to do with her life, she confessed that she'd like to write a female version of "High Fidelity". Her friend promised to take her out to her favourite restaurant if she did it so she started the book that became "Ralph's Party".

Carry on across the cut for Lisa's bibliography.

Ralph's Party
Thirtynothing
One Hit Wonder
A Friend of the Family
Vince & Joy

Posted by Keris on August 8, 2006 in British Authors, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: A Tale of Two Sisters by Anna Maxted

One night when I was pregnant I got up to go to the loo, started reading Anna Maxted's book "Being Committed" and found myself staying up reading it all night. The reason I'm oversharing is to make it clear how much I love Anna Maxted's books. So you can imagine how excited I was to get her new one. Would it live up to previous offerings? At first I wasn't sure ...

The first fifty pages I found to be a bit unfocussed and waffly. Not much was going on and there were quite a few lines that I knew were meant to be jokes, but that I didn't get and couldn't work out why not. But then by page fifty-five I was crying and then I was hooked.

Like many books about siblings, Lizbet and Cassie are total opposites. Lizbet's more relaxed (read: overweight) and Cassie's ambitious (read: a bit of a bitch) but they're best friends, united in their dislike of their parents. But then things start to go horribly wrong for both of them and they find themselves falling out in a big way .. repeatedly.

"A Tale of Two Sisters" is a sweet, intelligent and funny book. Throughout the twists and turns of Lizbet and Cassie's relationship, the story remains entirely believable and - although I can't believe I'm about to use this expression - emotionally intelligent (sorry). Plus there are some fabulously drawn supporting characters. I would've liked to have seen a bit more of Lizbet's husband Tim, but the lightness of that character was more than made up for with Cassie's in-laws The Hershlags who are fabulous and hilarious.

If you've never read any Anna Maxted, I wouldn't start with this one (try "Getting Over It" instead), but if you're a fan you won't be disappointed.

If you like this, try "In Her Shoes" by Jennifer Weiner.

Posted by Keris on August 8, 2006 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (4)

August 5, 2006 3:14 PM

BOOK REVIEW- Something Beginning With by Sarah Salway

Something Beginning With is a book with a unique concept: it's a novel, told in encyclopaedia format.  Alphabetised entries tell the story of Verity Bell, a young woman dealing with a tricky boss, a troubled love life, and life alone after the death of her parents a few years earlier.  It's a great idea, and very well-written, but would the concept turn out to be too gimmicky to really tell a good story?

Well, yes and no.  Sarah Salway's use of the alphabet is a gimmick, but it's not just used for that reason- it does actually enhance the story:  at the end of most entries is a short list of other entries that illustrate the same point- which can be used to cement a point the narrator is making, or to undercut it in order to make the reader laugh.  It allows for a lot more fluidity than a traditional approach and the fact that each entry can be taken as a work in itself means that the quality of writing is excellent.  Sarah Salway usually writes poetry and the succinctness of her language is probably a reflection of this.   However, although it is possible to flick backwards and forwards throughout the book, I'd still recommend reading it from front to back, or you'll spoil the story for yourself (and probably get very confused!)   If you truly could move back and forwards through the book like a real encyclopaedia, I don't think it would make a good novel, as there would be no story at all.

In fact, that was what disappointed me about this novel: it's very short, and I felt the story was a bit flimsy.  It's also rather depressing- a young woman is very isolated, for no particular reason.  Yes, she had rather unsupportive parents, who are now dead, but nothing much seems to be happening in her life, and I wasn't sure why.  She didn't seem sad enough to be clinically depressed, and yet she had no confidence or 'get up and go'.   The type of modern women's writing that I (and I think most of you) enjoy best is when women overcome obstacles, or grow in confidence, or achieve something. This story was instead very downbeat and pedestrian, and there was just something missing- it had no heart or vibrancy and reading it was a bit of a hollow experience.

Sarah Salway is an extremely skilled stylist, but her next book really needs more substance.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Conversations with the Fat Girl by Liza Palmer.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 5, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 3, 2006 3:56 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Debutante Divorcee by Plum Sykes

Since my reaction to Bergdorf Blondes was lukewarm, my instincts told me to give Plum Sykes' follow-up novel a wide berth. However, it landed on my doormat regardless! It doesn't really cover any new ground, sitting comfortably in the Manhattan socialite world yet again, though this time our ladies are wives and divorcees instead of single girls searching for love. Think of it as 'Sex & The City: When Carrie Married Big' and you're halfway there...

I know Plum Sykes is probably fed up to the back teeth of the Sex & The City comparisons and constant mentions of the fact she's an ex Voguette with a contacts book any fashionista would kill for. But let's face it, she's selling a lot of books because of that, and we do love to scoff over these part fact / part fiction New York women and read all about the designer clothes they wear.

The story begins when new bride Sylvie meets 'it' girl Lauren while the two are on their honeymoons. The twist? Sylvie might be on a real honeymoon (sans husband - it's a long story) but Lauren is on her 'divorce honeymoon', celebrating her singledom and making plans to make out with random men. Sylvie and Lauren become instant best friends in a way only these superficial New York women can, and the rest of the book is a whirl of parties, fashion, secrets, misunderstandings and mysterious men.

With Sylvie working for a fashion designer and Lauren a rich socialite, there's plenty of scope for exotic locations, gorgeous clothes and plenty of trashy frivolity. This is a book you read in disbelief, unsure whether this stuff actually happens. Designer labels and 'it' names are spattered across the pages throughout (as well as a lot of talk of fur when our girls end up in Russia).

Plot-wise, it skips along quite nicely, though you won't win any prizes for guessing what's going to happen. It's most entertaining because you'll read the second half knowing exactly what's going to happen, trying to stop yourself from tearing at the pages in desperation that the characters haven't worked it out yet.

Overall, while I was expecting to hate this, I found myself enjoying the escapism. It gets a four our of five for entertaining me for a couple of evenings, but it comes with a 'complete trash' warning. This is a book to dip into and enjoy when you don't want anything too taxing. Don't read it to educate yourself unless you're planning to go millionnaire-nabbing in Manhattan! [Gemma]

If you liked this, why not try Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger

Posted by gcartwright on August 3, 2006 in British Authors, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 2, 2006 10:05 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Next Big Thing by Sara Caspian

After spying this book in the local bookstore (cutesy covers most certainly do it for me!) I just had to give it a whirl. Sara Caspian's debut novel, 'The Next Big Thing', seemed by the blurb to be a usual tale of chic career rivalry in the high-flying world of advertising - but you know what? I was mistaken. Totally mistaken, in actual fact...

Tierney Marshall is employed by Cool Hunting; a top firm that's dedicated to seeking out what the general public thinks is 'cool'. Tierney's job focuses on what's hot and what's not; from celebrities to clothing trends. So when Matt, Tierney's gorgeous boss, decides to offer her a long-awaited promotion, she jumps at the chance. However, there's just one thing she has to do beforehand - find a girl for the newest, hippest upcoming ad campaign yet.

Its sounds like an easy task – but it’s definitely not. With the ad campaign being for the latest ‘girly’ alcoholic drink, it’s essential that the girl is perfect. But with sassy, snide Cool Hunting rival Vanita hot on Tierney’s heels for the same promotion, it’s only a matter of time before things start to go awry.

Caspian’s smart heroine Tierney proves to be the likeable sort of girl who even gets to experience a slice of fame. As her job becomes a race against time to find the perfect girl before her chance of promotion flies out of the window, her life is about to become just a little more complicated. Especially as the scheming Vanita is prepared to use any means whatsoever to push herself up the career ladder.

The Next Big Thing is Sara Caspian’s debut, and to be perfectly honest; it’s a good one. It’s a fast-paced, well-written offering that’s quite frankly unputdownable. With a host of fun characters, unexpected twists, turns and wonderful sub-plots that make it a lot more enjoyable than a lot of chick-lit tales, this author is definitely one to watch out for (Sleeping Cutie is already on my wishlist!)

Rating : 4 out of 5

Posted by Danielle Symonds-Yemm on August 2, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 1, 2006 10:00 AM

BOOK REVIEW - The Cinderella Moment by Gemma Fox

What happens when a chance meeting with a gorgeous man changes your life forever? It all depends on fate to be perfectly honest - will it be a simple happy ever after, or will fate be cruel and send you on a terrifying rollercoaster ride? This is exactly the problem facing Cass who meets the lovely James on the train. He seems perfect... or is he?

Cass is a bit down on her look. Her husband has decided to leave her (she's too irresponsible apparently) so now she must stop painting and get a job that will pay enough to support herself and her son Danny. Every city job she's applied for has ended in rejection - its bad enough she has to apply for these jobs, the least they could do is employ her! her next door neighbour, and closest thing to family, Jake has an alternative suggestion. A friend of his is looking for an assistant to help him to get back on his feet after surgery. The work wouldn't be taxing - general PA style duties plus some time helping out... in his art gallery! Life seems to be looking up at long last.

Then on the train Cass meets James Devlin. He is annoyingly nice, pretty close to perfect in fact. When he leaves his mobile behind Cass rings him to arrange for him to collect it. Unfortunately it is his wife who answers - maybe he wasn't so perfect after all. When James becomes a missing person, suspected of running off with his fancy woman (yup thats what his wife thinks of Cass) the book takes on a whole new direction. Cass finds herself caught up in the middle of a huge misunderstanding which involves her being watched by the police and gangsters. How will she ever manage to persuade them that she is innocent of anything they're suspecting her of?

The plot of this book is cleverly intertwined without becoming confusing (apart from when you try to describe it to someone else). Fox allows the story to unfold in front of you so that you feel a step ahead of the characters throughout the book. The story is well paced, and offers some laugh out loud moments. It just about keeps on the right side of believable - though it veers dangerously close to the line at times.

The characters are all well written - whilst Cass can at times come across as a little wet I found I didn't mind this because of the richness of the rest of the characters. I'd be hard pushed to pick a favourite, though I might have to go with Jake and Barney.

This is a light hearted enjoyable read that would be good for the beach or the commute.

Rating : 3 out of 5

Like this? Try 'How Was It For You?' by Carmen Reid

Posted by Jenni on August 1, 2006 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 27, 2006 3:29 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Do You Remember The First Time by Jenny Colgan

I don't know why I keep reading Jenny Colgan books. I threw "Amanda's Wedding" across the room. "Looking for Andrew McCarthy" was okay, but nowhere near as good as it could've been (I mean, what a great premise!). "Working Wonders" was bleh. Each time I finish one of her books, I vow not to read another. Then one comes out and I go, "Ooh! A new Jenny Colgan!" It's as if she's hypnotised me. "Do You Remember The First Time" has another fab premise - what would you do differently if you were sixteen again? - and I imagine that's something we've all wondered at one time or another.

30-year-old Flora suspects her boyfriend is about to propose and thinks she might say yes, even though she's far from sure she wants to marry him. So when her childhood sweetheart turns up unexpectedly at her best friend's wedding, Flora finds herself so full of regrets about the past and worries about the future that she wishes she was 16 again. And when she wakes up the next morning she is. Only a few people remember her and so she finds herself surrounded by people who know her, but who she doesn't know. (The explanation for this is that only the people who really love her remember her, but it's actually just a convenient plot devise.)

Anyway, when Flora realises that all her adult knowledge and experience are useless - she's just as uncool and unpopular as she was the first time round - she thinks she'd like to go back to reality after all. But then, when she finds herself falling for a foxy 17-year-old, she's not certain she wants to.

I imagine Jenny Colgan was furious when the movie 13 Going On 30 came out at around the same time as her book - no, it's not the same (and I know it's the other way around), but there are definite similarities. But, just like the movie, Do You Remember The First Time is great fun and a reminder that despite worry and stress, it's actually much better to be a grown-up. No, really.

Rating : 3 out of 5

Like this? Try 'Switchcraft' by Lowri Turner

Posted by Keris on July 27, 2006 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Book Review: Having It and Eating It by Sabine Durrant

Having it and Eating It is the debut novel from journalist Sabine Durrant. Sure, it was published back in 2000, but after reading this first offering there is no way this can go without a review. Durrant is certainly talent to keep an eye on, especially with a host of other novels that I’m planning on stocking up my shelves with.

Don't you just hate those girls who have it all? The ones, as they say, who have their cake and eat it. Claire Masterson is one of those. She's smart, sophisticated, immensely independent and the schoolmate who every girl wanted to be, and every boy...well, just wanted. She's a party animal with a gorgeous London flat, freedom, and a figure to envy. So when Maggie Owen bumps into her on whilst battling it out with her double-buggy one day, she's feeling little more than disheartened.

Maggie is boring, or so she thinks. Laden down with an overly-busy boyfriend and two demanding children, it seems to her as though she'll never get back all that freedom that Claire Masterson exudes with every classy breath. However, when boyfriend Jake begins to act rather strangely; a little too distant, it's so obvious that something is up.

And Maggie is sure that her oh-so-charming ex-classmate has something to do with it.

Even so, if Jake can get away with it, why can't she? When Aussie gardener Pete shows an interest in her, she decides to take the plunge. In the rush between the Tweenies, outings with the local mothers and visits to Jake's seemingly irregular friends, Maggie is managing to find time for her forbidden exploits with the young man from Down Under. Maybe a bit on the side helps to keep a marriage together? 'It's extraordinary,' says Maggie. Or is it?

Why does Claire Masterson get it all?

Durrant's wonderful writing style and witty take on modern motherhood make for a great, addictive read. I found it hard to put this book down and finished it pretty much straight away. With a fabulous and unexpected twist at the end, Having It and Eating It is one heck of a page-turner, guaranteed to keep you up all night wondering what's about to happen next. A tale of the trials of a non-working, middle-class mother, it will easy help to clear up the burning question of who can be happier, regardless of pretentious high fashion and country houses.

Rating : 4 out of 5

Like this? Try 'I Don't Know How She Does It' by Allison Pearson

Posted by Danielle Symonds-Yemm on July 27, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 26, 2006 6:05 PM

RICHARD AND JUDY SUMMER READS : My Best Friend's Girl by Dorothy Koomson

This week Richard and Judy are featuring Dorothy Koomson's novel 'My Best Friend's Girl'.

'My Best Friend's Girl' tells the story of Kamryn who unexpectedly receives a letter from her best friend Adele. They haven't spoken for two years, since Kamryn found out that Adele had had a one night stand with her fiance and that the result was Adele's daughter Tegan. Adele has written to Kamryn asking her to visit her in hospital, where she lies dying. Despite telling herself she owes nothing to the woman who wrecked her life, Kamryn finds herself going to see Adele. When she arrives she is astounded when Adele asks her to adopt Tegan, so that she will have a mother to grow up with.

Kamryn realises how much it means to Adele to know that her daughter will be looked after, and agrees to take her in. Unfortunately Tegan is the spitting image of Nate, her father, and Kamryn is unsure of how she will cope with the constant reminder of why she fell out with her best friend. Now she must learn to adapt her life to become a good mother, and finally come to terms with the betrayal.

Carry on across the cut to see what I thought about the book.

'My Best Friend's Girl' is an interesting take on the usual tale of betrayal. The story is well paced and keeps the reader's attention. combining the threads of betrayal with Kamryn's adjusting to motherhood with ease. The characters are well written, though it did feel occasionally as though Koomson was trying to hard to get the reader to love Tegan - the descriptions of what a lovely little girl she is were too frequent and unnecessary, she is so well written you can't help but love her.

I enjoyed reading this, but think that so far it is the weakest of the books featured in this years Summer Read campaign. It would make a good book for the beach, but be prepared for the fact you may need your tissues!

Rating : 4 out of 5

Posted by Jenni on July 26, 2006 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (5)

July 24, 2006 3:01 PM

BOOK REVIEW - Talking To Addison by Jenny Colgan

Most of us have at one time or another lived in a flat share, and many of us have had an elusive housemate. We can find ourselves wondering where they go when they're not in the house, and what they're doing that means they only leave their room to leave the house. Jenny Colgan was obviously in this situation at some stage in her life - she chose to write this book about it...

Holly is living in what many people would consider to be a nightmare situation. She's sharing a house with people who seem to live their entire lives by rotas. They're constantly on her back to wash up, clean and general follow all of their nitpicking rules. After deciding enough is enough Holly moves out of there, and into a new house with people as normal as she is. There's Josh who is too nice for his own good, Kate who is terminally unlucky in love, and then there's Addison. Holly can't work Addison out at all, she occasionally hears him leave his room, but rarely sees him. She'd love to see a bit more of him though - he's gorgeous!

Holly quickly finds herself fascinated by Addison. She longs to know more about him, and what makes him tick and so she makes that her mission. Slowly but surely she forces her way into Addison's life, trying to get to know the man she lives with. At the same time she's falling for Finn, but he's a bit of a recluse so that seems to be putting an obstacle in her path to true love.

Will she find out everything she wants to know about Addison? Will she find true love with Finn? Well you'd better read and find out!

This is standard fare for Jenny Colgan. Its a simple story with plenty of amusing moments. Its not a lengthy read, but she manages to squeeze enough into the pages to make sure you keep turning them. The plot is simple but effective, I found myself thinking 'oh thats just like...' all the way through it. The characters are well written, and reminded me of a lot of people I know.

This book is typical of a lot of chick lit fare. Its very entertaining, but it won't set the world alight with its originality. Read this when you want an enjoyable comfort blanket of a book.

Rating : 3 out of 5

Like this? Try 'Playing James' by Sarah Mason.

Posted by Jenni on July 24, 2006 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (4)

July 21, 2006 2:43 PM

BOOK REVIEW - The Truth About Ruby Valentine by Alsion Bond

When I read Alison Bond's debut effort 'How To Be Famous' I agreed with Gemma that whilst it was a great effort for a debut the ending was an area that needed some work. There was enough promise to make me think it would be worth my giving her second book a try, and when I saw it was full of the intrigue that surrounds a Hollywood legend. It sounded like there was a hint of mystery thrown in - I couldn't wait to dive in.

Kelly lives in Wales, and feels her life is pretty quiet and boring. She dreams of the glitz and glamour she reads about in the glossy magazines, but it seems like a whole different world. Her world is turned upside down when after the world learns of the suicide of Ruby Valentine, Hollywood's favourite screen legend, her dad reveals a secret. Kelly has never known who her mother was - yup you've guessed it, she's Ruby's daughter! Unsurprisingly this revelation leaves Kelly with a whole list of questions, though the most pressing one as far as she's concerned is whether her mother really did commit suicide or whether there's something more sinister behind her death.

There's only one way for Kelly to get the answers to the questions she wants, and so she jumps on the next plane to LA. When she arrive she finds herself launched into the midst of one of Hollywoods dynasties. Family members are twisted in love, scandal and bitter disputes seem to be ten a penny. Her mother's agent, Max Parker (yup he and CMG are back in this book) tries to help Kelly find her way into this new glamorous lifestyle - after all everyone wants a piece of Ruby's long lost daughter. None of this stops Kelly in her quest though - she's determined to know exactly what happened.

This book mixes two narratives (Kelly's story and Ruby's story) with ease. Whilst the story is a little slow to get going, once the book really starts its quick paced and full of interest. There are a number of twists - though the ending brings the biggest twist of them all (for once I hadn't worked it out).

The characters are well written, and whilst a few of them tend toward to the stereotypical there seems to be a definite improvement on the characters in 'How To Be Famous'. I found myself truly convinced by this tale of the big Hollywood family.

This book impressed me a lot. I finished 'How To Be Famous' thinking that Alison Bond showed a lot of promise. With this book I feel she has proved me right - she's not perfect yet, but she's a whole lot closer than she was! This would make a great read for the beach - find yourself transported into the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

Rating : 4 out of 5

Like this? Try 'Saffron Skies' by Lesley Lokko

Posted by Jenni on July 21, 2006 in British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Girly Stuff, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW - Cafe Tropicana by Belinda Jones

I await new Belinda Jones novels like JK Rowling fans await the next Harry Potter. Her glamorous, funny tales of love and life in gorgeous locations are the perfect summer reads, flying by like a 500 page holiday romance. However, this is the first year I've not read her latest offering on my holiday, and I do wonder if my slight disappointment was down to that fact?

In this novel, Belinda Jones transports us to Costa Rica, where heroine Ava is summoned to help her dad open a beachside coffee shop. It's a big change from her life in Bath, but running her own cafe is Ava's dream, and where better to give it a go than the home of some of the best coffee beans in the world?

Of course, things never run smoothly, and Ava has more to deal with than how to choose the perfect blend. There's her dad's new wife Kiki, her sexy and smouldering business rival Santiago, and Ryan, the thrillseeker who can seem to keep his fly unzipped when Ava is around.

As always, the star of the book is the location rather than the heroine, and you're treated to plenty of details about Costa Rica. From rainforest zip-wire trips to turles nesting at Tortuguero, Ava manages to experience it all... while two gorgeous men fight over her. Tourist boards really should start paying fees to the author, I want to go there just for the butterflies (both sorts).

All that said, there was something about Cafe Tropicana that left me feeling slightly disappointed by the end. Don't get me wrong, it's still miles above most of the trash that's rushed into publication as a 'beach read' and I still thoroughly recommend it as a great easy, entertaining read. I just didn't find myself relating to the characters as much as I have in her previous books (the main protaganist of 'The California Club' even had the same celebrity crush as me!), and it lacked the frequent laugh-out-loud moments of Divas Las Vegas.

Maybe it's just that I don't drink coffee? [Gemma Cartwright]

Rating : 4 out of 5

Like this? Try 'The Paradise Room' by Belinda Jones

Posted by Aigua Media on July 21, 2006 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 19, 2006 6:05 PM

RICHARD AND JUDY SUMMER READS : The Island by Victoria Hislop

This week's featured book in Richard and Judy's Summer Read campaign is Victoria Hislop's debut novel, "The Island".

The book tells the tale of 4 generations of one family. Alexis Fielding has never known where she comes from, her mother is a closed book as far as the past is concerned. She knows her mother grew up in a village on Crete, but thats it. She knows nothing of her family or what made her mother move to England. When Alexis heads for Crete for a holiday, Sofia (her mother) gives her a letter to take to an old friend who still lives in Plaka  - the village where she grew up. It is there that she discovers the family secrets, and how Spinalonga - the former Greek leper colony played a key role in her family's history.

Carry on across the cut to here what I thought about the book.

This book is thoughtful and artistically created. The watercolour of the front cover is a good indication to the book it contains inside, the author paints broad landscapes of Crete, village life and the island of Spinalonga. Each character is well written, and highly believable - I found myself wondering how many months of research the author must have undertaken.

I would find it difficult to pigeonhole this book into a specific genre. Many are calling it a saga, but I'm not sure that fits quite right. It is simply a fantastic book that tells a emotive story set over 6 decades. Definitely one to read!

Rating : 5 out of 5

Posted by Jenni on July 19, 2006 in British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Richard and Judy, Romance | Permalink | Comments (4)

BOOK REVIEW- Tabloid Love by Bridget Harrison

The cover of this book seems to have been designed for me. OK, maybe not just me- like Keris, I'm a sucker for a New York skyline, and this book has that, plus courier font to lend it a serious journalism/Woodward Bernstein-y edge... and for the hard sell, a cover blurb from Candace Bushnell: "A Real-Life Bridget Jones meets Sex and the City", which aside from being the biggest compliment the creator of Sex and the City could give, is actually a really accurate description of Bridget Harrison's memoir, Tabloid Love.

At the age of twenty-nine, Bridget (great chick-lit name!) had her life all settled: a great relationship with a boyfriend everyone expected her to marry, her own home, a job as assistant features editor at The Times and a fabulous circle of friends. But something was nagging at her, something she couldn't quite put her finger on...

If she was truly contented, then why was the opportunity to go on a work exchange to New York for four months so incredibly tempting?   She loved her life, but this seemed too good to pass up so after a few sleepless nights, Bridget decided to risk it.  She rented out her house and left for NYC and a job at super-tabloid and gossip rag extraordinaire The New York Post, saying a sad goodbye to her boyfriend and friends...  But not that sad:  after all, she'd be home soon.  Wouldn't she?

Well, maybe not as soon as she thought! When she arrived in New York, she loved it instantly.  (Okay, that's not entirely true: it took her some time to adjust, but after that, she adored it). She certainly suffered culture shock at first, though: running down subway steps in her high heels (she was used to being office-bound), she struggled to make herself understood and find her way around town in time to get her story. Plus she had to learn the lingo, local etiquette and how to cope in risky areas of the city. 

Just when she felt she was getting the hang of things, it was time to leave. Could she tear herself away? Or would she stay put, even if she risked losing her man and the life she'd built back in England? Doubting her own sanity Bridget tentatively began to break the news to her loved ones: she wasn't coming back anytime soon. And that's when things really started to get interesting...

This is a hugely evocative book that gives a fascinating insight into New York life (sometimes horrifying, often funny!) and the difficulties of keeping your head above water in a hugely competitive industry. Sometimes I was completely jealous of Bridget (she scooped her own Carrie-Bradshaw style column), other times I was mortified on her behalf (the difficulties of making friends in the big apple). What I most admired about her story is that she took a risk in order to expand her horizons- and came to realise than being happy is more important than ticking off career and relationship goals. I found her story particularly fascinating being a frustrated Lois Lane myself, but you don't need to be a journalist-wannabe to enjoy this book: if you like reading about big cities, love, and the ups and downs of a modern woman making it on her own (and if none of those things interest you, what are you doing here?!) then you'll love this memoir.

One warning though- because of the large print in this format, the book's thicker than a Manhattan phone directory!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Year of Yes by Maria Headley, Pug Hill by Alison Pace.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 19, 2006 in British Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

July 18, 2006 11:30 AM

BOOK REVIEW : Like Mother Like Daughter

Some girls have the kind of relationship with their mothers that it often feels like they're best friends. Other girls have mothers who try really hard to be their best friends and actually end up driving their daughters mad. Alice Harrison is one of those girls. Her mother, Suzie, is approaching sixty but is acting like her coming birthday is her sixteenth instead. When she comes up with a hare-brained scheme to find love for herself and her daughter Alice begins to despair - why can't she have a mother like other girls?

Alice is a life coach, though the fact that her husband left her for another man and then became her best friend makes her wonder at times how it is that she can sort everyone else's lives out just not her own. Suzie has a highly popular newspaper column that she appears to feel is the perfect venue to discuss her own life, and more worryingly Alice's. She has bemoaned the fact that Alice looks likely to remain single in this column, but even this hasn't helped her to find love. With her sixtieth birthday looming Suzie decides on a scheme to sort out Alice's life - she doesn't want any presents from Alice, all she wants is for her to have a date for the birthday party.

When Suzie announces the scheme Alice is, as you might expect, a little reluctant. Particularly when Suzie decides that she thinks she ought to join in the plan - after all she can't turn up to her own birthday party without a date! Grudgingly Alice agrees, though to be honest with her mother you can't help but give in.

Everything seems to be going smoothly when both Alice and Suzie find themselves a man early on into the scheme. Suzie meets her man on the Eurostar; he's fifteen years her junior, but who's counting? Alice meets her man at work; she's vowed never to date a client, but he's just so persuasive. When the two women discover that their new men are the same person... well you can imagine the fun!

This is a well written book with believable characters. At times I found Suzie to be completely infuriating, but I know people with mothers just like her. Alice is the more likeable character, though at times she verges on becoming a little wet. The plot itself is a little thin, though some of the dating events are quite amusing.

This is a decent book, but it's not great. I found myself wanting to get to the end of it so I could start another book, but I never once thought about not finishing it. Worth a look, though you might be better of getting it from your library.

Rating : 3 out of 5

Like this? Try 'I'm Celibate - Get Me Out Of Here' by Jo Elliot

Posted by Jenni on July 18, 2006 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 17, 2006 8:23 PM

BOOK REVIEW : Just A Little Disco On An Open-Top Bus by Candy Guard

I have to admit I was drawn to this book by the pants on the cover. No... literally. The cover shows lots of cartoon underwear in a way that made me think about Louise Rennison's teen range of books. Having loved all of these books I was sure that the contents would be equally enjoyable. The fact that author Candy Guard was the creator of animated sitcom 'Pond Life' also made me think I could be in for a treat. Oh how wrong could I be?

'Just A Little...' tells the story of Edie Dudman. Edie is completely and utterly stuck in a rut. She keeps making plans for the life she wants, but getting around to implementing them is an entirely different thing. She dreams of getting a career, but first she needs to get some qualifications behind her. That means going to college, which means registering and actually getting a prospectus or two to find the right course. Her mom and her next door neighbour just don't seem to understand how busy she is - they must spend half their lives thinking up new errands for her to run. She's got far more important things on her mind, like wondering just what she can do to get her waster boyfriend to commit.

Imagine Edie's shock when she manages to get herself a job without even trying. Soon she is the new part time sales assistant at Crusties bakers but she's not even sure how it all happened. As her days begin to hold more of a routine Edie wonders if her life is on the up... but of course fate must throw in a few more twists and turns.

This is not a good book. I found it very difficult to keep going with it, and by the end realised that there was no saving grace to be found. The plot is weak, little happens and the few events that do occur are not exciting enough to keep the attention. The characters are poorly written in general - Steve, Edie's boyfriend was particularly stereotypical as a no good waster. The only character I really enjoyed was Jarvis her one-legged neighbour. I also found it difficult to accept that this book was set 'circa 1982/3'. There seemed to be some confusion in this setting - on a number of occasions I found myself thinking 'surely that wasn't around then'.

I would struggle to recommend this book to anyone - read it with caution.

Rating : 2 out of 5

Like this? Try 'Poison Arrows' by Morag Prunty.

Posted by Jenni on July 17, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Rating: 2/5, Rubbish Books | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 12, 2006 12:01 PM

BOOK REVIEW : Men In Aprons by Alex Mattis

This debut novel by Alex Mattis was commisioned by Elextrolux, as a way of trying to reach the species better known as the domestically challenged male. They have recognised that one of the largest groups of single person households is men under the age of 44. In an attempt to reach this population, and to help them get to grips with all things household they have created this book.

It's a story of a man who is dumped by his girlfriend because she's sick of having to do all of the chores. Will he learn his lesson and change his ways or will he simply look for a new slave?

The story tells the unfortunate tale of Dan. He has always had someone there to cook, clean and generally look after him, so when he gets home after the worst day in history to find that his girlfriend has up and left him he's not quite sure what to do. The short term solution seems to be takeaways and drinking to forget, but soon he realises he's going to need a flat mate if he has any hope of paying the rent. Enter Jackson, the true modern man. He can cook, he can clean and with the number of short cut tips he has he could write his only monthly housekeeping magazine.

In the first instance Dan is resistant to Jackson's attempts to domesticate him. However, when a famous filmstar appears on the scene he begins to wonder if there might be something in this good housekeeping. His job as a writer on a tv chat show is hanging precariously in the balance and winning this lady around may just save him.

This book is well written and fast paced. The plot is simple, and does occasionally feel a little too heavily influenced by the purpose of the book. At the end of each chapter are a list of helpful hints and tips which are pretty interesting - I have to admit I learnt a thing or two from it.

This book is designed for women to buy and give to the men in their lives. I think that the book meets this aim really well. If your man doesn't know his hoover from his houmus then get out and buy it!

Rating : 4 out of 5

Like this? Try 'Househusband' by Ad Hudler.

You can buy the book direct from Electrolux.co.uk

Posted by Jenni on July 12, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 10, 2006 3:42 PM

BOOK REVIEW : Angel by Katie Price ('Jordan')

I have to admit that when I saw Katie Price was writing her first novel I was a bit dubious. Okay, incredibly dubious. When I saw the promotions for it, and realised it was a story about a young girl who turns to glamour modelling to try to earn the money she desperately needs if she is to follow her dreams my fears for the book deepened. Was this going to be yet another version of Katie's life, or would she surprise me? I have to admit I was curious as I began to read.

'Angel' tells the story of Angel, a girl who is just on the brink of finishing college with dreams of a career in fashion design. The only problem is that she doesn't have enough money to fund the art course she desperately wants to take, and her parents won't fund such an uncertain future. On top of that its been less than a year since her parents revealed that she was adopted - she's still not really sure of who she is or whether she really belongs.

Angel is tempted by a model scout to have some photos taken. When the photographer suggests doing some glamour shots she feels a little reluctant. Once she agrees though she quickly realises that this could be the shortcut to the money she wants. Angel's rise to fame as a glamour model is rapid, and all of a sudden everybody wants a piece of her. Surely something's got to bring her down again, but will she survive?

This is a reasonably written debut novel, particularly when you consider that the author has no experience of writing beyond her own memoirs. The subject matter is so familiar when you think about Katie Price that you wonder whether some of it may actually be autobiographical. Then again they say write what you know, and this is certainly what Price knows. This does make me think that we will only truly see whether Price has promise as a novelist

The characters and plot were believable, you could easily see some of them gracing the pages of the tabloid gossip pages. The ending was relatively accomplished, whereas this is an area some first time novelists appear to struggle with Price tied up all the ends neatly but without it feeling forced.

This would be perfect as an easy read for the beach this summer.

Rating : 3 out of 5

Like this? Try 'Adored' by Tilly Bagshawe.

Posted by Jenni on July 10, 2006 in Bonkbusters, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Debut Novels, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (53)

July 5, 2006 10:07 AM

BOOK REVIEW - An English Psychic In Hollywood by Lucinda Clare

I was intrigued when I first picked up this copy of Lucinda Clare's memoirs. She makes it very clear that whilst she may have changed some identifying features all of the incidents in the book happened to her. Despite heading to the starry lights of Hollywood with the hopes of fulfilling her dreams of being an actress, Lucinda quickly finds out that her talents as a psychic are going to take her far further...

When Lucinda Clare is offered the chance to read for a role in a H0llywood movie she jumps onto the next available plane. Being an actress has been her lifelong dream and with nothing left in Blighty for her (save her best friend) the bright lights seem to be calling her name.  Upon arrival however she quickly realises that it isn't her acting that's going to help her find her way. Lucinda, you see, is a psychic. For years she has trained with the full range of indivudiuals who can access 'spirit' and she is now well accomplished. What could be more appealing to a place full of insecure people than someone who can see their past, present and future?

Clare's memoirs follow her rise to fame within Hollywood circles. Invites begin to appear to parties and film sets, all conditional of course on her giving readings to all and sundry. This is where the book really comes into its own - Clare's descriptions both of events and of the people are rich, and really show you how the other half lives. All the while she is looking for the man of her dreams. Spirit has shown her the man who is her soulmate, she just needs to find him.

This is a well written and fascinating book. I found myself swept away by it, definitely not one I could put down! I would recommend this to anyone who fancies a slight change from the norm.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try "I'm Celibate - Get Me Out Of Here" by Jo Elliott

Posted by Jenni on July 5, 2006 in British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Debut Novels, Memoirs, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 30, 2006 11:25 AM

BOOK REVIEW - Sexy Shorts For The Beach

When I got hold of this copy of the latest book in the 'Sexy Shorts...' series I couldn't wait to begin reading. It's a collection of short stories which all have a summery theme. What makes it all the more worth reading is the fact that for every book that gets sold money is donated to Cancer Research UK - a very worthy cause. In this heatwave that seems determined to keep returning it can be difficult to concentrate enough to read an epic literary effort, so maybe this collection of tales would be better suited to current climates...

One of the nice thing about a collection of stories is that you tend to be bombarded with a wide range of stories, and writing styles. Whilst you won't love every story you're bound to find some you like and some you'll want to read over and over again. This collection is no different. I have to admit that I personally found it a little difficult to get into the book, my intention was to start at the first story and finish at the last (less chance of me missing any that way). I didn't find my attention grabbed by the first three or four, and it was only my sheer determination that kept me going. Oh boy was I