Trashionista

August 23, 2011 11:28 PM

BOOK NEWS: Any Dream Will Do

We recently posted about the cute festive covers that will be gracing our shelves in the next few months, and here's another! Maria Duffy's debut novel Any Dream Will Do is an exciting Christmas tale that's all about one regular girl and her life on Twitter - and a real life that's about to change due to a seasonal meetup...

'Tis the season to be jolly, except single Dubliner Jenny Breslin is feeling something a little closer to gloomy. Everything about her life - her boring job at the bank, the complete lack of romance - has been untouched by holiday magic, and she dreads the thought of spending yet another festive season with her larger-than-life mother and her new boyfriend.

Thank God for Twitter, a place where there are always people ready and waiting to have a chat. She's even managed to make a couple of genuine friends there, even though she's never met them IRL (that's 'In Real Life' by the way).
'So who's on for a few days in Dublin? Would love to meet you all in person. I have a spare room in my house' - this drunken tweet to her Twitter pals changes Jenny's life forever. Before she knows it, she's counting down to a Christmas visit from London-native Zahra Burns, make-up artist to the stars; Fiona Lee, a stay-at-home mum from Galway, and nurse Lesley (the Twitter buddy Jenny feels closest to).

Suddenly, Jenny becomes aware of how her life will appear to these strangers. In a word: Boring. It's easy enough to pretend that you're an exciting and sophisticated person when nobody can see you, but now Jenny's worried about being caught out in the occasional lies that she's told. All the more incentive to change her life for the better! But once her pals arrive, Jenny finds herself pining for the past and wondering if people are ever who they claim to be.

Posted by Elle Symonds on August 23, 2011 in Book News, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (6)

August 8, 2011 10:19 PM

CELEBRITY BOOK NEWS: Tess Daly's debut novel

Model and Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly is to release her debut novel. Titled The Camera Never Lies, the book is to be released in October and is said to contain 'enough romance to make the Sex and the City girls blush.' Well, we're looking forward to this debut about heroine Britt Baxter whose dreams are about to come true...

Britt Baxter is unaware of the effect she has on people. A big-hearted, no nonsense northern girl, she naturally looks for the best in everyone she meets, but in her attempts to make it as model she finds she struggles against being pinned down on the casting couch by the most unlikely people...

So when a happy accident lands her a career as a presenter on breakfast television, it looks as if she has made it out of the modelling world of close-ups and cattle calls and into the big time - or at least daytime TV.

But scarcely has Britt had time to wonder at how far she has come, when backstage machinations propel her with ever increasing speed through a series of trapdoors and she soon realises that the drama backstage far eclipses anything that happens in front of the camera.

Posted by Elle Symonds on August 8, 2011 in Book News, Celebrity Authors, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (2)

July 19, 2011 10:16 PM

NEW RELEASE: Alice Bliss

We love hearing about debut authors, and have recently come across Alice Bliss, the new novel by Laura Harrington The book was released on July 15th and is about fifteen-year-old Alice, who has to come to terms with the fact that her father may not return from the war. Here's the synopsis...

Alice Bliss is fifteen. She's smart, funny, and clever. Not afraid to stand up for the things she believes in. She also idolises her father and, when he leaves home to fight a war she doesn't believe in, Alice is distraught. She and her mother negotiate his absence as best they can -- waiting impatiently for his letters, throwing themselves into school and work respectively, bickering intermittently and, in Alice's case, falling for the boy next door -- but then they're told that he's missing in action and have to face up to the fact that he may never return.

Telling a story of love and loss, of grief and growing up, of family and friendship, Alice Bliss is a powerful, poignant portrayal of a young girl facing up to the unthinkable.

You can find out more about Laura Harrington and read an excerpt from Alice Bliss over at Laura's website.

Posted by Elle Symonds on July 19, 2011 in Book News, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 4, 2011 11:43 PM

BOOK NEWS: Judy Finnigan's debut novel set for next year

It's been rumoured for quite some time, but The Bookseller has annouced that Sphere is set to publish Judy Finnigan's debut novel late next year.

Judy's first book, Eloise, is s ghost story and thriller about "overwhelming grief, passion and betrayal", focusing on happily married 40-something Cathy who starts dreaming about her best friend Eloise who has died of breast cancer.

Burke said: "Judy"s wonderful storytelling is utterly compelling. Eloise is reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier and Emily Brontë and the team and I are hugely excited to have the opportunity to work with Judy in bringing her novels to readers. Judy has been a brilliant champion of great fiction and it's clear from her writing that she knows exactly what it takes to tell a great story and get readers talking."

Judy said: "I am completely thrilled that this novel--a story I have been planning and thinking about for so long--is finally to see the light of day. I am already working on ideas for my second novel. At last I have the time to write--and I am loving it."

Click here to read the full article.

Posted by Elle Symonds on April 4, 2011 in Celebrity Authors, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (5)

March 14, 2011 9:37 PM

CUTE COVER: Die for Me

Young adult novel Die for Me will be hitting the shelves in May, and I just couldn't help but fall in love with the gorgeous cover! Die for Me is author Amy Plum's first novel and looks like a great read. Here's the synopsis...

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything. Suddenly, my sister, Georgia and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent. Mysterious, sexy and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen. Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies...immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

To find out more about Amy Plum, visit her website.

Posted by Elle Symonds on March 14, 2011 in Book News, Debut Novels, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (4)

February 2, 2011 11:23 PM

BOOK NEWS: Jen Lancaster's new novel

We're excited to hear that one of our favourite memoir writers, Jen Lancaster (Bitter is the New Black, My Fair Lazy), has a debut novel on the way. The book, titled If You Were Here, is out in May.

Told in the uproariously entertaining voice readers have come to expect from Jen Lancaster, If You Were Here follows Amish-zombie-teen- romance author Mia and her husband Mac (and their pets) through the alternately frustrating, exciting, terrifying-but always funny-process of buying and renovating their first home in the Chicago suburbs that John hughes's movies made famous. Along their harrowing renovation journey, Mia and Mac get caught up in various wars with the homeowners' association, meet some less-than-friendly neighbors, and are joined by a hilarious cast of supporting characters, including a celebutard ex- landlady. As they struggle to adapt to their new surroundings- with Mac taking on the renovations himself- Mia and Mac will discover if their marriage is strong enough to survive months of DIY renovations.

We can't wait! You can read more from Jen Lancaster at her blog.

Thanks to Chick Lit Club for this news!

Posted by Elle Symonds on February 2, 2011 in Book News, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (6)

February 1, 2011 7:12 PM

BOOK NEWS: Who's Afraid of Mr Wolfe?

Here's another debut novel to look forward to this year. Who's Afraid of Mr Wolfe, due for release in April, is the first novel by advertising copywriter Hazel Osmond.

Hazel won the Woman and Home short story competition in 2008, so we're looking forward to this release! Read on for the synopsis, or you can check out Hazel's website.

Ellie Somerset is a great advertising copywriter going nowhere fast - a boyfriend who is always at work, a tendency to dress like a short-sighted bag lady and a Creative Director who rejects her fresh ideas - they all conspire to keep her just treading water. Even her Great Aunt Edith, a demon at filthy scrabble, has a better social life than she does.

All that changes when Jack Wolfe becomes her boss. Whilst everyone else at the agency thinks he's Heathcliff in jeans, Ellie just sees a stalking, scowling Alpha male with a nasty redundancy plan up his sleeve. As Jack makes it his mission to smarten up Ellie's attitude and her appearance, it's time for her to prove herself. But that means getting closer to this very sexy, very wicked man, and as she does Ellie discovers that this particular Heathcliff has an awful lot to hide. 

Posted by Elle Symonds on February 1, 2011 in Book News, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (6)

January 31, 2011 10:00 PM

CELEB NEWS: Ulrika Jonsson's novel released in September

The debut novel of UK TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson is due for release in September 2011. According to Chick Lit Club the book, titled The Importance of Being Myrtle, focuses on Myrtle, who gains a new life when her strict husband dies. Ulrika has previously written an autobiography called Honest, but this will be her first foray into fiction.

Myrtle and Austin have shared a dutiful marriage for over 40 years and, during that time, her life has been one of meek submission to an authoritarian husband. But everything changes in an instant when Austin collapses on the bus and dies in the arms of Gianni, a kind-hearted gardener who makes it his mission to find the dead man's family and share his sympathy. Even without the confines of her marriage, Myrtle finds herself trapped by her newfound freedom. Who is she without Austin? How can she cope with no friends to call upon? And whatever became of the carefree, passionate girl she used to be? Friendship can be found in the unlikeliest of places, though, and Gianni and Dorothy, her neighbour, bring the fragile and unhappy Myrtle into their vivid, warm world. But Austin's death has revealed startling new questions Myrtle's two daughters want answered and the secrets of the past must be brought into the light, as must Myrtle herself, before any of them can move on.

Posted by Elle Symonds on January 31, 2011 in Book News, Celebrity Authors, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (6)

January 14, 2011 1:22 PM

BOOK NEWS: What You Don't Know

What You Don't Know is the upcoming debut novel from journalist Lizzie Enfield. Released in paperback in August 2011, the book focuses on married Helen, who's about to enter into one big relationship dilemma...

He's nothing like her handsome, successful husband, Alex.

But fifteen years is a long time and Helen can't help wondering what it would be like to sleep with someone else. Has Alex secretly been thinking the same thing? As harmless flirtation develops into something far more complicated, Helen's perfect world begins to look shaky.

It's exciting, alluring, all- You've been together for fifteen years. You've got two gorgeous kids and a great career. All the boxes are ticked. You wouldn't be tempted by a plain, slightly balding man called Graham... Would you?

When Graham Parks walks into Helen Collins' life, the last thing she expects is to fall for him.

But is it worth the risk?

Posted by Elle Symonds on January 14, 2011 in Book News, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (3)

November 9, 2010 8:38 PM

BOOK NEWS: Snapped

Journalist and producer Pamela Klaffke is soon to be making her debut with novel Snapped - a tale about a style icon whose life is about to come back to haunt her. Snapped is due for release in January 2011. Pamela's second novel will be titled Every Little Thing.

Read on for the synopsis of Snapped...

Is the IT girl losing it?

Sara B. has been a style icon and arbiter of the fashion world since establishing the highly successful Snap magazine in 1990s.  With a sharp eye for trends and a no-victim policy, Sara is infamous for her brutally honest DOs and DON'Ts photo spread in which she names and shames some of the city's best and worst dressed.

But on the edge of her fortieth birthday, a particularly bad call on a DO or DON'T makes Sara begin to question her once faultless judgement. To make matters worse, Sara has just hired a new assistant, Eva, her self-confessed biggest fan.  With her orthopedic shoes,  burgundy hair and vintage cardigan adorned with Brownie badges, Eva is definitely a DO.  However, as Eva begins to take over both her business and private life, Sara realises that years spent cutting people down might just come back to bite her.  And what's more Eva might just be the one to knock her off the top of the style pile.

Fueled by alcohol, nicotine and self-loathing, Sara life spirals towards meltdown.  Everything and everyone seem to be changing around her and not only can Sara not keep up, she isn't even sure she wants to.

In this extraodinary debut, Klaffke's dark humour and sharp social observations will make you laugh, cry and cringe.

To find out more about Pamela Klaffke, visit her website.

 

 

Posted by Elle Symonds on November 9, 2010 in Book News, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 19, 2010 9:13 PM

BOOK NEWS: Sister

Along with some much-anticipated new releases hitting the shelves next month (Mini Shopaholic, anyone?) September will also see quite a few debut authors making their way into the world of fiction. One of them is Rosamund Lupton, whose first novel, Sister, will be released on the 2^nd and is set to be a highly interesting, emotional tale. Here's some more information...

 

Nothing can break the bond between sisters...

When Beatrice gets a frantic call in the middle of Sunday lunch to say that her younger sister, Tess, is missing, she boards the first flight home to London. But as she learns about the circumstances surrounding her sister's disappearance, she is stunned to discover how little she actually knows of her sister's life - and unprepared for the terrifying truths she must now face.

The police, Beatrice's fiancé and even their mother accept they have lost Tess but Beatrice refuses to give up on her. So she embarks on a dangerous journey to discover the truth, no matter the cost.

Posted by Elle Symonds on August 19, 2010 in Book News, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (8)

June 28, 2010 9:28 PM

NEWS: 82-year-old lands three-book deal

An 82-year-old grandmother is celebrating after her landing a three-book publishing deal. Myrrha Stanford-Smith's first novel, The Great Lie, was released last week and now the teacher and theatre director is looking forward to seeing the rest of the trilogy in print.

Myrrha, who is based in North Wales, described the shock she felt after receiving the phone call about the deal. She told the Telegraph: ''I was gobsmacked. I had to put the phone down and ring them back as I was so taken aback by the whole thing.

''I had to pull myself together before I could even pick up the phone to call back.
''It was out of the blue. I'd been waiting for the manuscript to be sent back really, rejected. It was such a wonderful surprise.''

The Great Lie focuses on Elizabethan hero Nick Talbot. The synopsis reads:

Nick Talbot, 16-year-old son of the late first Earl of Rokesby, escapes the clutches of his tyrannical guardian by running away with Will Kempe's troupe of travelling players. They bring him to London and into a hotbed of political and sexual intrigue. Nick is a talented lad and soon comes to the attention of playwright Christopher Marlowe. So begins a partnership that leads to one of the most audacious plots theatre has even known and puts Nick at the centre of a ring of actors, writers, spies and power-mongers.

Congratulations, Myrrha!

Click here to read the full article.

Posted by Elle Symonds on June 28, 2010 in Book News, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 10, 2010 12:10 AM

BOOK NEWS: Hello, Heartbreak

Here's another summer debut that we can't wait to get our hands on! Amy Huberman's novel Hello, Heartbreak is due to hit the shelvs in the UK on 29th July, and focuses on getting your life together in your twenties.

Amy is a TV and film actress who can also be seen on Channel 4's Comedy Lab. We're looking forward to seeing what else she has to offer! Read on for the synopsis...

You'd think twenty-seven years would be enough time to wise up to the rules of love and loss, especially Rule Number 1: Do not, at any time, let him see how much he has hurt you. But no, Izzy Keegan was probably off doing sambuca shots when that lesson was taught. So, starting with public humiliation (that infamous blow-up with her Ex and his new woman...huge mistake), and taking in temporary insanity, rebound sex, and a night in a police cell along the way, Izzy has to make up her own rules for coping with heartbreak. Luckily she has friends who are there for her through thick and thin (even if 'doing an Izzy' is their new shorthand for completely losing it). And she's got her foot in the door of the film business (though dogsbody wasn't exactly the job she dreamt of doing). Now, all she has to do is put the dirty cheating love-rat behind her. You'd think twenty-seven years would be enough time to wise up to the rules of love and loss. Make that twenty-seven and a bit...

Posted by Elle Symonds on June 10, 2010 in Book News, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (0)

UPCOMING RELEASE: Single in the City

Michele Gorman's debut novel is set to be one of the summer's hottest reads - and we don't have long to wait! Single in the City, out on 24th June, focuses on Hannah, who decides to leave her life in the US behind on a quest to find the perfect life. But is London everything she imagines? Read on for the synopsis...

It's official. Hannah has left her friends and family in the US behind and is following her dream. To live in London. Unfortunately she's completely unprepared for what's in store. She's going to find: 1. Her dream guy. A prince or Hugh Grant would be nice. Or does she have to settle for her half-naked Australian housemate or an "English gentleman" with terrible hygiene habits? 2. Her dream job. Something fantastic in fashion. So how has she ended up being the mini-me for an evil party planner who doesn't even trust her to arrange the paperclips? 3. Her dream friends. But everyone in London seems to have known each other for years and Hannah's having trouble getting to know nice people. Who's she going to have fun with? Dream life? Should Hannah just dream on? Maybe it would have been simpler and cheaper to just get a new haircut. Was she mad to move 3,000 miles away from everyone she knows? Will she ever find love and her perfect life in England?

To find out more about Single in the City and Michele Gorman, check out Michele's website.

Posted by Elle Symonds on June 10, 2010 in Book News, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (16)

October 23, 2009 11:43 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Checkout by Anna Sam

I love memoirs, especially blogs-turned-books. And it turns out I really love this one. Anna Sam, a blogger from France who spent eight years working on a checkout, got her book break this year with her witty memoir, Checkout: A life on the Tills.

It's a book about working...well, on a checkout. Admittedly, it's somewhat refreshing to read from the point of view of someone in a 'normal' job - after all, some great stories can be gained from such work (heck, I've got some classics from my former job in a tech support call centre). Needless to say, I was pleased and curious, and just had to read this book.

Based on Anna's blog and translated from the original French, Checkout is a tell-all book about working as a supermarket cashier. Anna hilariously describes the array of customers, from the charming to the downright annoying. Anna, who intended to go into publishing though stayed on in her supermarket job, lets us in on the world of supermarket work with funny stories about the people she encounters and the perks (and frustrations) of the job.

The downside? It's a short book (174 pages) and took me less than an hour to read it. So I was disappointed, as I would have loved to have read more of Anna's checkout tales. In addition, I felt that it could have been funnier - and there was plenty of room for more funny customer stories. It's fantastic, but does feel kind of rushed.

However, Anna perfectly conveys both the humour and irritation of having to work with the less pleasant (and less hygeinic!) members of the public, and so needless to say, Checkout makes for a fantastic read. Anyone, checkout staff or not, who has ever been forced to deal with customers on a daily basis will relate to this book!

Rating: 4/5

Posted by Elle Symonds on October 23, 2009 in Debut Novels, Memoirs, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 9, 2009 6:03 PM

BOOK NEWS: Fern Britton's fiction debut

Fern Britton is currently working on her debut novel

The former This Morning presenter has gained a two-book deal from major publishers HarperCollins. The fiction novels will be based on Fern's 30-year career in television.

According to The Bookseller, the first novel, due to be released in time for Mother's Day 2011, focuses on journalist and single mother Christie Lynch. Christie lands a high-profile job in TV and soon forced to decide whether certain people in her life can really be trusted. With her mother disapproving of her fame and daughter disappearing altogether, Christie's is becoming difficult. That is, until she meets singla dad Richard.

Fern said: "Are the characters based on people I have worked with? Have any of the storylines actually happened? Or have I made it all up? Readers will have to read the novel to decide."

The book will be Fern's first published work of fiction. Her autobiography, My Story, has so far sold 222,095 copies.

 

Posted by Elle Symonds on October 9, 2009 in Book News, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 9, 2009 7:42 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Buddha Da by Anne Donovan

Buddha Da is the debut from Scottish author Anne Donovan (who we interviewed last week!), which was shortlisted for both the Orange Prize for Fiction and the Whitbread Award.

Jimmy, a painter and decorator from Glasgow, has taken up Buddhism, much to the confusion of his family. Anne Marie, who knows her Da as a fun-loving 'try anything' type of man, wonders whether to take his new religion seriously. And Liz, Jimmy's wife, is starting to grow concerned about the time he spends at meetings down at the centre.

But Jimmy is serious about becoming a Buddhist, not realising how it's affecting his family. After going on a retreat, Jimmy meets more like-minded people and starts to make more friends. Meanwhile, Anne Marie is having to get used to the small yet noticeable changes in her Da, and the unusual choice he has made.

Buddha Da is written from the point of view of the three characters; Liz, Anne Marie and Jimmy himself, which gives the reader a sensitive and personal look at what the family is going through. This works brilliantly, allowing you a peek into each of the characters' own lives.

In addition, the book is written in Glaswegian dialect. Though this was easy to get used to and by the third page and was already hooked, the dialect becoming a wonderful addition to each character's plight. The book is also very funny, leaving me giggling throughout, with Jimmy's chapters especially.

Buddha Da is a funny, brilliantly written debut about a man who chooses an unexpected path, and the affect it has on his wife, daughter and friends.

Rating: 5/5

Posted by Elle Symonds on March 9, 2009 in Debut Novels, More On Monday, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 20, 2009 3:30 PM

BOOK NEWS: Michelle Harrison scoops Children's Book Prize

Michelle Harrison has been named winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, for her debut novel The Thirteen Treasures.

29-year-old Michelle started to write the book, about a teenage girl called Tanya who can see fairies, at university in 2002. She picked up the award on Wednesday at Waterstones in Piccadilly.

To view the 2009 shortlist, check out the Waterstones website .

Posted by Elle Symonds on February 20, 2009 in Book News, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 3, 2009 2:43 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Sandy Lo

When did you start writing Lost in You?

I started writing Lost In You out of boredom in 2004, but was working on other projects at the time so I pushed it to the side until I could focus on it fully.

Posted by Elle Symonds on February 3, 2009 in Debut Novels, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 30, 2009 1:03 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Coming Up Next by Penny Smith

Posted by Elle Symonds on January 30, 2009 in Debut Novels, Rating: 1/5, Rubbish Books | Permalink | Comments (8)

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 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 31, 2008 8:27 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center

I mentioned the other day that I loved Katherine Center's The Bright Side of Disaster and I really did. It's been a couple of days since I finished reading it and I wish I hadn't. I miss it.

It's the story of Jenny who is engaged to be married and pregnant with her first child. Her fiance, Dean, doesn't seem entirely present, but Jenny thinks it's just cold feet about the wedding and the baby... until Dean takes off (leaving a note) and Jenny goes into labour.

Once her baby daugher, Maxie, arrives, Jenny decides that everything is going to be about the baby. Maxie may not have a dad, but Jenny vows to make up for it by being the best mother ever. And yet... motherhood is so much harder than she expected.

Her mother helps out when she can (despite being allergic to Jenny's cat), but her best friend has fallen in love and is MIA. Luckily there's a new neighbour who is not only kind, sympathetic and handy (and gorgeous), but is also great with the baby.

But then, inevitably, Dean comes back. And he wants to be a family again.

I know. When I read the blurb, I thought, I've read this before, but Katherine Center's writing, along with the wonderful characters, make this a memorable read. I LOVED the neighbour, Gardner and LOATHED the useless Dean. Plus Center writes about the early years of motherhood (not to mention the horror of labour) with insight and warmth. Highly recommended.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Feels Like Maybe by Claire Allan

Posted by Keris on October 31, 2008 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (106)

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 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 2, 2008 11:42 AM

BOOK NEWS: Inside The Whale

The title and cover both attracted me to this debut novel by Jennie Rooney. It is a tale of two lovers, Michael, an ex Morse code man and Stevie, a widow. They look back on their lives which have been shaped by World War Two. The blurb is over the cut - it sounds a little chaotic, but also witty and romantic. One for me to put on my to be read list right now...

Stephanie Sandford, recently widowed, must tell her family the truth - but the past is indistinct and it's complicated. First, there was her mum, who developed an anxious streak after marrying the wrong Reg. Then there was the young man from the dairy who taught Stevie to swim and broke her heart. War came, and four years spent chopping root vegetables in the canteen of the Sun Pat peanut factory on the Old Kent Road, followed by wet London nights, with the Doodle Bugs slipping through the sky like huge silvery fish. It's not until Stevie's under an umbrella with Jonathan that Stevie finally starts to sense safety. Meanwhile, Michael Royston's memories are squashed into a shoebox (along with Queen Matilda's Dicken Medal for bravery) ready for his move into hospital. Years ago, he trained military carrier pigeons for the Royal Corps of Signals in Cairo yet his own homecoming has taken a lifetime. Michael has never been good at putting things into words; he's more comfortable with the click of Morse code. But Anna, a young healthcare assistant, has the patience - and rare tenderness - to eke out his story. And so he begins.

Stories have the power to change things, and this one will alter Stevie's past and transform Anna's future...

Posted by Helen Redfern on September 2, 2008 in Book News, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 20, 2008 2:06 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Bright Side by Alex Coleman

Alex Coleman is the pseudonym of author Damien Owens (Dead Cat Bounce). I'm always a teensy bit suspicious when male authors write chick lit (and The Bright Side is definitely chick lit), particularly when they're writing from a female point of view, but if someone hadn't told me Alex Coleman was a man, it never would have occurred to me from the book. (Even as I was reading it, I kept thinking, "Are you sure?")

Anyway, The Bright Side is the story of Jackie, who has been married to Gerry for 22 years, following a teen pregnancy (which resulted in twins). But one day, Jackie comes home from work with a headache only to find Gerry having it away with the neighbour. Jackie is devastated. Sort of. What's more pressing is how the situation can be used to her benefit, to repair some of her other family relationships that have fallen apart in recent years. Of course, there's also the fact that Jackie's not entirely blameless herself...

I really enjoyed The Bright Side. It's a breeze of a read, with some very funny characters and situations. In fact, the scene in which Jackie catches Gerry "in flagrante" is hilarious.

The odd bit didn't entirely ring true - Jackie's best friend is less sympathetic than I would have liked - but I may be being extra strict, simply because I know the author is a man ("Pah. Women don't talk to each other like that!")

I'll be interested to read Alex Coleman's next book and I may even pick up Dead Cat Bounce (I've seen it around, but the title's put me off, unsurprisingly).

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Secrets of Married Women by Carol Mason

Posted by Keris on August 20, 2008 in Debut Novels, Irish Authors, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 15, 2008 8:47 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Driving Sideways by Jess Riley

I'd heard great things about Jess Riley's debut - not least a glowing review from Marian Keyes on the cover - and, after reading the first few pages, I set it to one side to take on holiday with me. And I was glad I did.

Driving Sideways is the story of Leigh Fielding, a 28-year-old woman who has recently had a kidney transplant. Believing a) that she has some unfinished business to attend to (with a best friend, an ex-boyfriend, and, most importantly, the mother who left when she was just a child), and b) that she has taken on some of the characteristics of the man whose kidney she received (bravery, taste in music, interest in kayaking), Leigh takes off alone on a road trip.

She's not alone for long though, soon she's accompanied by an annoying, possibly dangerous, and yet somewhat sweet teenaged girl and they... I kind of want to say "have adventures", but that doesn't really explain it very well. But I can't say much more because I don't want to give anything away.

Okay, they do "have adventures", but they're more emotional adventures than, you know, madcap ones. And that's the beauty of this book. When I was reading the book, I didn't want it to end and now, when I think back on it, I almost feel that I was on the road trip with them.

It's funny, snarky, sweet and gripping. I loved it.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Lady Luck's Map of Vegas by Barbara Samuel

Posted by Keris on August 15, 2008 in American Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (6)

August 12, 2008 8:33 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Ace of Hearts by Jean Holloway

Reviewed by Angela Richardson

Ace of Hearts is Jean Holloway’s debut novel. What really interested me about this book was that it was written by Holloway over twenty-five years ago and has only just caught the attention of conventions and books clubs now. I was extremely intrigued to find out what it was about this book that had suddenly captured people’s imagination so long after its creation.

Obviously as it was written so long ago, it was also set in that time. The eighties is conveniently an age before mobile phones, DNA analysis and complicated forensic computer technology were invented. So we are back to good old-fashioned guessing… I mean detecting!

Shevaughn Robinson is the main character and is the first black female to be so successful in the police force. She has just been promoted and transferred into homicide and her first case turns out to be the first of a series of gruesome murders. There’s a vicious sex attacker out there and he’s getting more and more confident with each killing. Unfortunately for Shevaughn the killer knows who she is and is getting more and more obsessed about her as he finds out she is leading the investigation.

I have to be honest to all the weak stomached people out there – this is a grim and gritty read. There are a lot of details included that might put you off your lunch, but I also have to admit that it’s an addictive read. I can understand why this book has suddenly attracted a lot of attention. The tension in the book is kept up on every page and the fact that you know who the killer is right from the start makes it even more of a page turner. The reader knows how near all the characters are becoming and it made me want to shout out a warning to them, but of course I’m not mad so I didn’t (honest!) For the softhearted there was a subplot running throughout of a romance that diluted the main serial killer theme and there was a twist right at the end after you thought it was all over.

Overall I think crime lovers will adore this book as its racy and dark themes will tantalise and excite most readers. For those who like flowers and romance there’s also something in there for you too, but I’m not sure it’ll make up for all the murders you’ll have to live through. However, if you think you’re strong enough it’s a great read that will surprise you.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen

Posted by Aigua Media on August 12, 2008 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (6)

July 25, 2008 10:58 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Good Things by Mia King

Reviewed by Stella

Mia King's Good Things is the story of Deidre McIntosh, a 40-year-old local TV presenter in Seattle. She lives with her gay best friend, William, and presents a popular local show called Live Simple. Seeming having lived a charmed life before, where she was in the right place at the right time, Deidre is unprepared for her life to come crashing down around her ears one day.

Her TV show is cancelled and her best friend moves in with his lover leaving Deidre looking for a new place to live. By chance, Deidre meets Kevin in a restaurant, impossibly handsome and generous, he offers her a place to stay while she starts to build her new life which may or may not include him.

Good Things is a fast, easy, cute and fluffy chick lit story filled with loveable characters for whom you just want everything to work out well in the end. It's been a while since I picked up something so feel-good and I enjoyed every last minute of it.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Perfectly True Tales of a Perfect Size 12 by Robin Gold

Posted by Aigua Media on July 25, 2008 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (6)

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)

July 14, 2008 1:10 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Shoe Addicts Anonymous by Beth Harbison

Reviewed by Trashi reader, Stella

Shoe Addicts Anonymous is the story of four women who are brought together by their love of shoes. Lorna, deep in debt starts a shoe swap group as a way of being able to have new shoes without paying for them; Helene is the wife of an ambitious politician dissatisfied with her choices in life; Sandra, an overweight telephone sex-line operator with self-esteem issues that have plunged her into agoraphobia; Jocelyn, a nanny for the family from hell who doesn't know a Jimmy Choo from a Manolo Blahnik (neither do I) but who needs to get out of the house she works in on Tuesday evenings.

They form a new friendship based on their common interest but which extends past that and reaches further than they imagined, changing their lives for ever.

This is the type of chick lit book that chick lit detractors really love to hate. It's pink and it has shoes on the cover. Well to them I simply put my fingers in my ear and sing, "la la la la la!" loudly because I loved it.

I know it's fairly formulaic and predictable - I could spot the love story before the author had probably even written it, but I still got a thrill from the first kiss - but the characters were lovely and endearing enough in their strengths and weaknesses to balance that out.

The story moved swiftly along with a couple of teeny plot twists, one I picked from the beginning, the other which made me gasp out loud. Probably my only complaint is that there were a couple of loose ends left untied, but I read this book in one sitting on a sunny afternoon on the balcony and it was the perfect accompaniment to the day.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

Posted by Aigua Media on July 14, 2008 in Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 7, 2008 11:46 AM

BOOK NEWS: Everything You Ever Wanted

I came across this debut novel by Rosalind Wyllie on author Caroline Smailes' blog (Caroline was Rosalind's mentor).

I was a little worried at first that the book was going to be another sex memoir. The description was about Tiggy living a half life as a stripper at a Mayfair club, surviving on dope and vodka, whilst the stunningly beautiful Scarlett will do absolutely anything to get what she wants. Then I read in an interview with Rosalind that the tale is a "noir/thriller novel" and further down in the Amazon blurb it promises to be "smart and gritty". So I'm no longer worried and instead I'm very much looking forward to reading it.

Related posts: Helen's best and worst of 2007 | Best of 2007 Guest Blog | In Search of Adam

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 7, 2008 in Book News, Debut Novels, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 1, 2008 12:32 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Slave by Cheryl Brooks

Reviewed by Angela Richardson

Slave is Cheryl Brooks’ first novel. I was very intrigued by this book. For a start the author is a critical care nurse by night and a romance writer by day. Also she has attempted to mix science fiction/fantasy and very heavy-duty romance in the story. When I picked up this book I was wondering whether she could pull off this highly ambitious mix, especially considering it’s her first novel. I was secretly hoping she would, considering she’s had to work on it in between her night shifts. Something I can sympathise with.

This story is set in space. Jacinth’s sister has been kidnapped. In an attempt to find her she has ended up chasing her rapidly cooling trail for the past six years. Always just missing her and hearing terrible stories of her being kept captive, this chase has led her across many planets. Finally she gets information that she’s on a planet where all the women are slaves. She has only one choice - to find a man to act as her owner. She knows it’s risky and decides the best way is to buy a slave herself. She’s hoping if she promises his freedom that he will be loyal for long enough to free her sister.

That’s where she meets Cat, filthy and chained, but she could still see the honour in his eyes. Jacinth’s hoping she can trust him with her life.

I just couldn’t help comparing this to films as Brooks has a great talent for allowing the reader to visualise her scenes in an almost filmic quality. It felt like a cross between Star Wars and Romancing the Stone to me. Brooks seamlessly blended the romance and science fiction even if it was a little racy for me at times. Definitely not a book for the prudish! The story line was high octane and when the plot faltered the romance rushed in to fill the space, it was a perfect balance. I read this in a couple of days and just couldn’t put it down. It was original and entertaining and I can’t praise this book enough. Go and buy it now!

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Vampires Are Forever by Lynsay Sands

Posted by Aigua Media on July 1, 2008 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Series, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (12)

June 30, 2008 11:37 AM

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 6, 2008 7:26 AM

MOVIE NEWS: The Opposite of Love

I've got Julie Buxbaum's debut, The Opposite of Love, in my (gigantic) "to read" pile, but I might have to move it up since I've just read that it's been optioned by 20th Century Fox.

It's bad enough when authors write books faster than I can read them, how bad would I feel if they made the movie before I'd had time to read the book?

Movie News archives

Posted by Aigua Media on June 6, 2008 in Debut Novels, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 29, 2008 12:20 PM

Literary one hit wonders

Lauren Belfer's City of Light is one of of my favourite books of all time. It was published in 1999 and, since then, I have waited in vain for another book from Ms Belfer.

I was thinking about it this morning and it made me wonder ... who are your favourite literary one hit wonders? Whose second novel have you been longing for? And has anyone else read City of Light?

Posted by Aigua Media on May 29, 2008 in Debut Novels, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (5)

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 19, 2008 9:13 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: Did I Expect Angels? by Kathryn Maughan

I didn't know what to expect from Kathryn Maughan's Did I Expect Angels? I'm not a big fan of the title or the cover, they both seem a little pretentious to me. Of course, the fact that it's about grief wasn't a big draw either. You know what I'm going to say now, don't you? Yeah, I really liked it.

It begins with Jennifer Huffaker in the pharmacy trying to decide how many bottles of aspirin it will take for her to kill herself. Following the death of her husband, Jack, eighteen months earlier, Jennifer has sunk into a depression that no-one - not her family, friends, or her young daughter, Kaitlyn, can get her out of.

But in the store, she bumps an acquaintance, Henry, who senses her desperation and insists that she come with him and listen to his story. Henry moved from Costa Rica to the US and has suffered many trials and setbacks of his own.

Alternating with Henry's story is Jennifer's own story - the story of her relationship with Jack.

Did I Expect Angels? is not just an utterly compelling story, it's two utterly compelling stories. I found Jennifer's story hard to read since I knew, from the first page, that Jack was going to die and so it was hard to enjoy their happiness. Henry's story was difficult too, but I was desperate for him to succeed and find happiness in the US.

Above all, it's just beautifully written and I'm amazed that it's Maughan's first novel. I look forward to reading her next.

Ratng: 4/5

Like this? Try Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston

Posted by Aigua Media on May 19, 2008 in American Authors, Debut Novels, More On Monday, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (5)

May 13, 2008 2:24 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Lottery by Patricia Wood

I'd heard good things about Patricia Wood's Lottery long before it was shortlisted for the Orange Prize, but once I saw it was on the shortlist, I knew I had to read it.

It's the story of Perry L Cranall who is "not retarded". He knows this because you have to have an IQ under 75 to be retarded and his IQ is 76. He lives simply and happily with his Gram and works in a marine supply store. But when Gram dies, everything changes for Perry. His awful family sell Gram's house from under him and leave him with practically nothing.

But then Perry wins $12 million on the Washington State Lottery. Funnily enough, his family soon becomes much more concerned about his welfare, but fortunately Perry has friends - and his own Gram-taught sense and values on his side.

I loved Lottery. Perry reminded me of a cross between Forrest Gump and Christopher in Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.

The characters never seemed like characters, they seemed like real people. And I loathed Perry's family so much that I almost had to stop reading. It's a sweet, funny, charming, moving book and a very well-deserved Orange Prize nominee. (The winner is announced 4 June.)

Rating: 5/5

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

Posted by Aigua Media on May 13, 2008 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (6)

May 7, 2008 10:34 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Wrong Sort of Wife by Elise Chidley

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

Lizzie’s life starts to unravel when she unburdens herself in an email to Jane her sister. Starting with "Janie, do you ever feel you need a mini-break from being married – or is it just me?" She goes on to talk about the main thing she wants to do is sleep, she hates picking her husband’s soggy underpants up off the floor and basically she’d rather eat a box of chocolate digestives to "candles and music" with her husband any day. Unfortunately instead of sending it to Jane, she forgets to check the address and it automatically goes to James, her husband. Oops.

She doesn’t hear from him all day, then he comes home from work, goes upstairs, refuses to speak to her, then packs his bag and leaves. Un-be-lieve-able. Just from one email. Can I point out here that Lizzie is the mother of three year old twins. She hasn’t had a proper night's sleep since they were born and has no help from her husband as he works long hours and away from home. It’s pretty obvious from the email that Lizzie has lost her zest for life and needs help from her husband not the cold shoulder. Even my own husband could see that. I guess what I’m saying in terms of plot, this isn’t realistic. If it is then I’d say she’s better off without him.

However. Lizzie decides to move from their house to a completely different county where her best friend Tessa lives, rent a cottage and sort herself out, believing her husband will come to his senses and beg her and the children to return home. Whilst I have issues with the email - and the spineless husband who’d rather go to the divorce courts than talk to his wife - which is basically the whole premise of the book, I lowered my eyebrows and closed my mouth to read on. Then I really enjoyed it. I loved the character of Lizzie and the way she decided to tackle her new life. She begins to run and get fit, starts to write again and looks for a job, all the while looking after her twins. The book is well written and has that page turning factor.

We have tiny flashbacks to when she met her husband and he seems to be a nice, caring chap. Someone who adores her. So this leaving her over an email doesn’t fit in. Sorry to harp on about it but it did spoil the book for me.

Then we get to the end. I’m not going to give it away, but I’m reminded again of this email and how the whole of Lizzie’s new life is built from it. So whilst I enjoyed the middle of this book, and I really did, I’m marking it down because of this.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Hens Dancing by Raphaella Barker

Posted by Aigua Media on May 7, 2008 in Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 25, 2008 12:26 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Fifteen Minutes of Shame by Lisa Daily

Lisa Daily is a relationships expert and columnist and Fifteen Minutes of Shame is her first novel. I was strangely put off by her day job since I assumed - incorrectly as it turned out - that Daily would simply transmit her nonfiction knowledge to a novel. In fact, Fifteen Minutes of Shame is fun, funny, gripping and moving.

Darby Vaughn - "America's favourite TV dating expert" - is happily married to Will, the love of her life and father to the other loves of her life - his two children from a previous marriage, Lilly and Aidan. Of  course, when I say Darby is happily married, what I mean is that she thought she was happily married but, as the book begins, we learn that Will is not so happy. In fact, Darby suspects that he's cheating and learns that she was right ... on national TV.

Humiliated, heartbroken and at risk of losing everything - not just her husband, but her kids, her house and her career - Darby retreats to stay with a friend and employs a divorce lawyer. A gorgeous divorce lawyer named, Holt. Yes, Holt.

Glossing over the name (Holt?), I loved Fifteen Minutes of Shame. I felt for Darby every second - her shock at Will's betrayal, her attempts to rebuild her life and career, and the pain of being separated from the children she loved, was raising and had come to think of as her own.

(The book raised a serious, and heartbreaking, point I'd never even thought of before - that of step-parents' rights. They don't have any, so you could feasibly spend years raising and loving children, split from their "natural" parent and not even have any right of visitation, let alone hope of any kind of custody.)

Some bits of the book didn't ring entirely true - I could have done without Darby's foray into reality show dating - but that was more than made up for by the character of Darby, who I felt like I knew. And then there's Holt - name aside, the man's a fox.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Marshmallows for Breakfast by Dorothy Koomson

Posted by Aigua Media on April 25, 2008 in American Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (5)

January 31, 2008 2:59 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Tell No Lies by Julie Compton

Julie Compton was a trial attorney for the US Department of Justice. Now she's a writer and stay-at-home mother. Tell No Lies is her first novel and it employs her legal background to great effect. 

Jack Hilliard is a 35-year-old assistant DA who loves his wife, Claire, and enjoys his job. He gets on well with his boss and is never asked to trial cases which compromise his moral integrity.

Jack comes across as a stand-up guy, and it takes a skillful author to make the reader believe in his fall from grace. Luckily, Julie Compton is just such a writer.

Earl (Jack's boss) decides to leave and he asks Jack to run for office (to take his place as the DA). On the same day, a flirtation with his lawyer friend, Jenny, gets rather more serious.

Compton takes us through Jack's dilemma - he wants the promotion, but will never get it if he is publically honest about his views on the death penalty. He is against it - under any circumstances.

Jenny, with whom he is increasingly obsessed, convinces him to misprepresent his position to secure the top job. Then, just over half-way through the book, when I was beginning to think 'okay, how is this going to get spun out for another 200 pages?', Jenny is accused of murder.

This is an excellent psychological thriller and an extremely polished debut. I will watch Julie Compton's new career with interest...

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try: Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 31, 2008 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 18, 2008 10:59 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Bloom by Elizabeth Scott

I've raved about the gorgeous cover of Elizabeth Scott's Bloom before, but just look at it! So pretty! So pretty, in fact, that it made me almost giddy with anticipation to read the contents. Fortunately, the I loved the inside just as much as the outside.

17-year-old Lauren has a perfect boyfriend in Dave, everyone thinks so. But perfect isn't necessarily exciting and Lauren's not sure they're right for each other. Except that Dave is popular and before she was with Dave, Lauren was anonymous, now she's Dave's girlfriend. And she's fine with it. Until Evan Kirkland turns up in one of her classes.

Evan isn't cool or popular, but he is charismatic, sexy and mysterious and Lauren finds she can't stop thinking about him.

While Lauren's trying to understand her feelings for Evan (and lack of feeling for Dave), she's also struggling to cope with her relationship with her father. He works all the time and they barely talk anymore. Plus Lauren's mother walked out when Lauren was six and hasn't been heard from since. And then there's her best friend Katie who has family problems of her own.

I loved everything about this book. Everything. Lauren is sweet, Evan is gorgeous, and the family problems suffered by practically every character were heartbreaking. It's not a sad book, though, in fact it's sweet and rather thrilling (mostly because I developed a huge crush on Evan, despite the fact that I'm 36 and he's 17 ... and fictional).

I can't wait to read Elizabeth Scott's next book.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

Posted by Keris on January 18, 2008 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 5/5, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (7)

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 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)

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 13, 2007 9:28 AM

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)

November 23, 2007 12:32 PM

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 3:15 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Sushi for One? by Camy Tang

Reviewed by Jill Hart

I knew this was going to be a great book when the crazy grandmother showed up in chapter one. Camy Tang’s first book, Sushi For One?, is a great start to a budding career. We don’t see a whole lot of Asian chick-lit, so this book, while maintaining what we love about chick-lit, gives a taste of something new and different. 

The main character, Lex, is on the verge of becoming the oldest single female cousin in her family. With her older cousin, Mariko, getting married, Lex knows that her family will soon be on her case about getting married. It starts sooner than she thinks, though, when her grandmother corners her even before Mariko’s wedding and lets Lex know that she better have a date – a real date – for the wedding….or else.

Hilarity ensues with Lex making a fool out of herself in a number of ways and places. The lengthy list of qualifications her dates must meet keeps her far from finding anyone to fit the bill. She may just have to settle for what’s available – if she can convince him. Or is it Lex that needs convincing – to trust new people and open her heart to new possibilities?

Tang delivers a fresh outlook on the single life and gives her readers a glimpse of life in the Asian community. This first book in the Sushi Series will leave readers giggling and looking forward to book two.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Wedding Date by Liz Young

Posted by Keris on November 22, 2007 in Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 6, 2007 10:12 AM

Book News: Smart Girls Like Me

Remember the pre-Y2K madness? Remember Blooks?

Well, Diane Vadino's debut novel is not exactly a blog-to-book, but it is a book from a blogger (bunnyshop.org).  And, according to everything I've read, it brilliantly captures the flavour of the last few months of 1999.

The heroine, Betsy Nilssen, is twenty-four and working for an online fashion site. Her best friend is getting married and the trauma of 'losing' her soul mate makes Betsy realise it's time to grow up. Only she's not at all certain they are going to survive New Year...

Smart Girls Like Me has already garnered high praise and it's got a good cover, so I will have to check it out ASAP. Watch this space!

Related posts: And In Blook News | Shaggy Blog stories | Upcoming bloggy book

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 6, 2007 in Book News, Debut Novels, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 2, 2007 6:32 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

I loved the premise of Lisa Lutz's debut novel, The Spellman files: a family of private investigators who just can't resist investigating each other.

Isabel Spellman has been working for the family business since the age of 14, but lately she's started to realise that having your parents tailing you and undertaking surveillance in order to find out who you're dating is, well, not normal.

Isabel's older brother, David, got out while the going was good, but her younger sister, Rae, is not only obsessed with the business, she's got even less sense of personal privacy than their parents.

When Isabel meets Daniel and decides she's going to leave the business, her parents give her one last job - a ancient missing person case that was closed years ago. Her parents see it as a wild goose chase to keep Isabel busy long enough that she decides not to leave after all. But Isabel finds plenty of clues that had been overlooked in the original investigation and the case begins to take over her life. Until, that is, her sister goes missing...

I was hooked by this book from the first page. Isabel's voice is distinctive, dry and very funny. The idea is original and inventive and so are the secondary characters - Rae is great: infuriating and impressive; Isabel's parents are calmly demented and her uncle Ray is believably tragic. The only character that didn't work for me was Daniel, who I never felt I really got to know.

Before writing this novel, Lisa Lutz wrote a screenplay and The Spellman Files is very filmic. I was mentally casting it all the way through and I would love it to be turned into a movie. I do know there's going to be a sequel and, frankly, I can't wait.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

Posted by Keris on November 2, 2007 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5, Series | Permalink | Comments (3)

October 25, 2007 2:09 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Violet On the Runway by Melissa Walker

When I was a youngster I fell in love with a series of books about an innocent young girl - I think she was called Caitlin - who got into modelling. It was like America's Next Top Model, but not so skanky. So I was excited to read Melissa Walker's Violet On the Runway, the story of 17-year-old Violet, who believes she's P.L.A.I.N. until a model scout tells her she could be a star.

Violet's friends and family are unsure this is the right thing for her, particularly when the scout, Angela, insists she goes to New York to try out for the Fashion Week shows.

Violet does brilliantly and ends up moving to New York to model and live in one of those model apartments with other models, on of whom is, inevitably, a complete bitch. Violet enjoys the modelling, particularly since she seems to be good at it, but she's not sure New York, the people or the industry are right for her...

I enjoyed Violet On the Runway to an extent. It was an easy read and Violet is an endearing character, but I felt like it didn't really live up to its promise. Early in the book Violet overhears Angela talking about how Violet's going to be "skewered" and, for me, the skewering just never happened. It was too nice, Violet's journey was too easy.

But then this *is* the first in the series - the first chapter of Violet By Design, out in March next year, is included in this book - so perhaps things hot up for Violet in the future.

One thing I will say though is that there never would have been any cocaine snorting in the Caitlin books. Either young adult fiction is getting too realistic or I'm getting old. Or both.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Dramarama by E Lockhart

Posted by Keris on October 25, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

October 24, 2007 8:56 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta

Reviewed by Angela Richardson

Happy Hour at Casa Dracula is Marta Acosta’s first published novel about a young woman who finds her heart’s desire in the least likely of places – with a family of vampires.

Latina Ivy League grad Milagro de Los Santos is the star of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula. She can’t find her place in the world or a man to go with it. Her life changes when one night at a book party for her pretentious ex-boyfriend she meets an oddly attractive man. After she is bitten while kissing him, she falls ill and is whisked away to his family’s estate to recover. She discovers the family’s secret; they say that they are carriers of a hereditary disease, but others claim they are vampires. As Milagro falls for a fabulously inappropriate man, she finds herself caught between a family that has accepted her as one of its own and a powerful, clandestine organisation that refuses to let the undead live and love in peace.

What raises this book head and shoulders above the rest of its genre are the strong characters. Milagro is so endearingly lacking in self-confidence, yet she still fights her corner with the most hilarious acerbic put-downs. She is just so likeable that I found myself rushing through the book rooting for her to get her heart’s desire. More importantly her ex-boyfriend’s personality is so hideous that I loved hating him and enjoying any of the plot that made his life a misery. The combination of the humour and fast pace made Acosta’s book one of the best that I’ve read in a long time.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson

Posted by Keris on October 24, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 5/5, Series, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 22, 2007 12:28 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Blood is the New Black by Valerie Stivers

I was very excited when I reported the forthcoming debut novel from Valerie Stivers in book news back in September – vampires and fashion are just my thing – so imagine how excited I was when Blood is the New Black plopped through my letterbox weeks before publication.

The story revolves around Kate McGraw and her internship at Tasty magazine. Kate’s a medical student with an eye for fashion – she can diagnose a man and tell you where his suit was tailored at 50 paces. Her mother, who seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth, was a fashion designer, and although Kate has tried to break free of the fashion world her aunt introduces her to Tasty editor, Lillian Hall, who offers her a job at Tasty.

Kate soon faces the wrath of her fellow interns when she becomes Lillian’s favourite, but that doesn’t worry her as much as the murders that are going on around her. And why are some of her Tasty colleagues so odd? What’s the strange red drink they all have and why do they sleep in their offices? And why do they all start work so late – surely they can’t all be up all night?

I love the new trend of supernatural chick lit and this one really hits the mark – this was a read in one sitting book. It turns the world of fashion on hits head, but is still believable. If you’ve ever wondered how people in fashion manage to stay so thin maybe this is the real reason.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 22, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Fashion-Lit, Rating: 4/5, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (2)

October 19, 2007 12:12 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Crow Lake by Mary Lawson

I added Mary Lawson's Crow Lake to my Amazon wishlist *years* ago on, if memory serves, Jennifer Weiner's recommendation (via her blog, we're not actually friends ... except in my imagination). Despite that, I never actually bought it because it didn't really sound like my kind of book. Too depressing. Too (old) Oprah. But then on holiday I was stuck for something to read and Crow Lake had been left behind by someone else so I picked it up and ... lost about two days.

Set in Northern Ontario, Canada, it's the story of the Morrison family: Kate, who narrates the story, her older brothers Matt and Luke and their younger sister, Bo. At the beginning of the book their parents are killed in a car accident and when Kate reacts incredibly badly to the idea of the siblings being separated, the oldest brother, Luke, decides to give up his chance of teacher training college and take care of the family himself.

The story of Kate's childhood is mixed with the story of Kate as an adult. Apparently repressed and regretful, Kate is an academic, living far away from her brothers and sister and unable to get over the events of their childhood. Not just the loss of their parents, but the loss of the future in academia her brilliant brother Matt (yes, Matt, not Luke) had to give up, for reasons we don't learn until almost the very end of the book.

I found Crow Lake utterly compelling. While not exactly depressing, it is dreadfully sad, full of regrets and missed opportunities, but also somehow life-affirming and encouraging. The characters of Bo and Matt are both wonderful, plus Lawson writes evocatively about the lakes of Northern Ontario. I know the characters and events will stay with me for a long time.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Afloat by Jennifer McCartney

Posted by Keris on October 19, 2007 in Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 17, 2007 11:21 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Inside the Mind of Gideon Rayburn

Inside the Mind of Gideon Rayburn has a really interesting premise. Gideon Rayburn starts a prestigious boarding school, but he's not alone. Well, as far as he knows he is, but we know better, because the book is narrated by a girl. A girl who is living in Gideon's head.

I know. It sounds far-fetched - well, it *is* far-fetched, obviously - but it's only weird for the first couple of chapters, then you come to accept it and it's fine. In fact, it's very entertaining to have a girl's take on a boy's thoughts and behaviour. If only it could have happened to me when I was 16 ... or maybe not.

Gideon's two roommates set him a challenge to lose his virginity to a nice girl named Molly, but of course, Gideon, because he's a boy, has set his own sights on a not quite so nice (but far hotter) girl named Pilar.

At first I thought this book was going to be fairly typical - the roommates would set Gideon up and humiliate him and it would all be terrible and I would find it very stressful, but it wasn't like that at all. Gideon is a lovely character (the girl inside his head falls in love with him within the first few chapters) and the events of the book are much more realistic and less painful than I imagined.

It was actually issued as an adult novel, but it's YA through and through (apart from one instance of a very rude word). Judging by the colours on the back of the book, the publishers were presumably trying to cash in on the success of Curtis Sittenfeld's Prep.

I  haven't read Prep, but I really enjoyed Inside the Mind of Gideon Rayburn.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Anatomy of a Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky

Posted by Keris on October 17, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

October 16, 2007 11:39 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

Reviewed by Jill Hart

I have a confession: I loved this book. As a Jane Austen addict myself, I'm always nervous about books that "add to" or try to "complete" any of Austen's work. This book, however has a story all its own with some Austen references thrown in to make it all the more enjoyable.

Courtney Stone has just been dumped. She decides the best way to console herself is a stiff drink and an evening with one of her favorite Jane Austen novels. When Courtney wakes up, she's in for the shock of her life - she's in the bed of a woman in England. The England of Jane Austen's time, that is.

Courtney is sure she must be dreaming, so she plays along at first. However, after a couple of days in her "new" body, she comes to the terrifying conclusion that she truly is stuck in this new - make that old - world.

Courtney has a series of hilarious adventures and combined with her neurotic assessment of her situation, it makes for a unique and highly entertaining story. She must live another woman's life and fool everyone around her into believing that she is this woman. There is a suitor to deal with, Mr. Edgeworth, friends to convince and parents to put up with.

This Laurie Viera Rigler's first novel and she's done a wonderful job. Charming characters, matchless plot-lines and a great Austen flavor make this debut a must-read. Fans of Austen will love Rigler's style and Austen newbies will have no trouble following the story even if they aren't familiar with all of Austen's work.

I'll be on the lookout for Rigler's next novel. In the meantime, this is a novel I'll read again.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try

Posted by Keris on October 16, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (2)

October 2, 2007 8:51 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Queen Geek Social Club by Laura Preble

The back of this book piqued my interest, as it proclaims "I'll be the first to admit it - I'm a geek". I'm a geek too. I think - I'm a dork, at least - so I was intrigued to read a young adult book from a geek's point of view.

Shelby Chapelle hasn't had a close female friend for a while. She gets plenty of dates, but she's missing out on female companionship, particularly since the death of her mother. Yes, her inventor father has created a robot companion - Euphoria - but that's not really the same, is it? But then Becca Gallagher comes to town...

Becca's a self-proclaimed geek too and soon she's convinced Shelby that geeks need to band together if they're going to take over the world. Of course, the first step to taking over the world is taking over the school and so the "Queen Geek Social Club" is formed. Becca has plenty of ideas of what they should do - starting with force-feeding too thin supermodels - but Shelby isn't sure she wants so much attention. Wasn't she happier as a lone geek?

I enjoyed the Queen Geek Social Club. Shelby and Becca are both fun characters (particularly Becca) and I enjoyed the schemes they came up with. The problem for me was that they weren't really geeks - they were just too cool! Plus the suspension of disbelief required by the robot Euphoria was just too much for me. I don't know much about robots, but I'm not sure they can make meals, wash dishes and form romantic attachments for other household products.

Having said that, I would like to read the next book in the series, Queen Geeks in Love (out next month), if only for Becca.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try How to be Popular by Meg Cabot

Posted by Keris on October 2, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

September 27, 2007 10:45 AM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Pug Hill by Alison Pace

Posted by Keris on September 27, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 19, 2007 10:50 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Following My Toes by Laurel Osterkamp

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 2/5

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

Posted by Keris on September 19, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 2/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 18, 2007 10:39 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Golden by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Posted by Keris on September 18, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5, Supernatural, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (6)

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 11:17 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Perfectly True Tales of a Perfect Size 12 by Robin Gold

Robin Gold's debut, The Perfectly True tales of a Perfect Size 12 isn't perfectly true at all - it's a novel and a very sweet and funny one it is too.

Delilah White is a producer on a Martha Stewart style homemaking show called Domestic Bliss. Her mentor and the show's executive producer, Agnes De Ville is leaving and the coveted executive producer position is going to either Delilah or another producer named Margo Hart.

But just for the weekend Delilah's not going to worry about that, instead she's going upstate to spend the 4th of July weekend with her best friend Sofia (who also works at Domestic Bliss) for Sofia's extremely rich family's Independence Day celebrations.

Delilah's having a wonderful time - she's relaxed, she's happy, she's met a gorgeous man - but then Margo turns up and Delilah learns that the competition for executive producer is much hotter, and meaner, than she'd anticipated...

I really loved this book. It's written in quite an unusual style. I can't really describe it except that there's a lot more "telling" than "showing", but because Robin Gold has such a great voice, it works (it also makes for a shorter, and possibly sweeter, book).

Delilah is a lovely character. She could have been too perfect, but somehow (and, again, I'm not sure how) Gold makes it work and within pages I was mad about her. It made me laugh out loud more than once (it features the best - if not the only - bouncy castle scene I've ever read) and the last page made me cry.

I have only one criticism. The title. Yes, Delilah is a "perfect size 12" (UK 16) but she's happy with that. She doesn't spend the book worrying about her weight or trying to diet, she's comfortable with who she is. So why mention it in the title?

Apart from that, The Perfectly True Tales of a Perfect Size 12 is a charming, old-fashioned and inspiring book. It's also the first book for a long time that I actually read while walking down the street!

Rating: 5/5

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

Posted by Keris on September 5, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 23, 2007 11:31 AM

(Quite a lot of) Caprice Crane news

Caprice Crane has been a big fave of ours since her fabulous debut Stupid and Contagious (it wasn't the former, but definitely was the latter!)

Next Wednesday, in honour of the release of her new book Forget About It (which Keris is reading at the moment - jealous!) Caprice will be the star of our author interview. (Buy the book from 27th August in the US/on Amazon or from 4th October in the UK).

In the meantime, you can watch a short film, Passing the Time, created as a sort-of trailer for the book (which will be turned into a feature film by Disney, starring Scarlett Johansson - and which meant Crane couldn't make an actual trailer proper for copyright reasons. Or something.)

Finally, if you're quick and in the Santa Monica area, you might be able to catch Miss Crane at a Barnes and Noble signing today. [Via Galleycat].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 23, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

TV NEWS: Gossip Girl

Last August we brought you news that Cecily Von Ziegesar's controversial teen series Gossip Girl was to be made into a TV series by OC creator Josh Schwartz.

Now we have some more information for you and (over the cut) a video clip!

The series centres around a group of spoilt rich girls at an exclusive Manhattan boarding school, whose antics are immortalised by an anonymous blogger, Gossip Girl. As Catwalk Queen editor Kim says, "The words 'guilty pleasure' spring to mind..."

Look out for the show in the US from 17 September on the CW. And in the UK... hopefully soon!

Carry on over the cut for a sneak preview... (and if you recognise that narrator's voice, that's cos it's Kristen Bell, aka: Veronica Mars!)

[Via Catwalk Queen].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 23, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Television, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 3:11 PM

BOOK NEWS: The Hindi-Bindi Club by Monica Pradhan

Another book with club in the title, and hey, why not?!

The Hindi-Bindi Club is getting great reviews. Monica Pradhan's debut novel, it's about an inter-connected group of Indian-American families who face issues ranging from racism to breast cancer to infidelity, and it entwines personal stories of joy and heartache with delicious-sounding Indian recipes.

It sounds like a mix of The Joy Luck Club, Like Water for Chocolate and Desperate Housewives! First magazine calls it "enthralling".  Definitely one to watch out for (and just look how pretty the cover is!)

Related: BOOK REVIEW: The Tuesday Erotica Club | BOOK REVIEW: The Yorkshire Pudding Club.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 21, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 16, 2007 2:06 PM

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)

August 15, 2007 4:43 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Holly Shumas

We like to strike while the iron is hot, so no sooner did Holly Shumas get in touch to tell us about her new website, than we grabbed her (in the nicest possible way) for an interview about her book, Five Things I Can't Live Without, and a few other things too...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

A woman approaching thirty needs to get out of her head and into her life.

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

At my desk at home.  I want to be one of those cafe writers, but I'm just too distractible.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

The Big Love by Sarah Dunn.

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

Stargirl, from the book of the same name by Jerry Spinelli.  It's classified as a young adult novel, though if I could write the world a syllabus, it would be required reading for everyone. She shows how magical it can be to completely inhabit your own skin. [Okay, totally adding that to my Amazon wishlist now! - Diane]

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

It's been said a million times, I know, but it's just so true: Read often, and read widely.

Study the genre you want to write in, but read outside of it, too. Figure out what your gifts are as a writer, and cultivate them.

What are you reading at the moment?

I'm almost at the end of "Then We Came to the End" by Joshua Ferris, and I'm so sad about it. It's a phenomenal book, especially if you've ever spent significant amounts of time in a cubicle. If you haven't, I think you'll like it anyway because it's so spot-on about human nature (and so funny, too!) but I'm not making any promises.

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

I'm working on a novel about a woman who discovers her seemingly devoted husband has been involved in an emotional affair for the past year. It deals with the question of whether emotional infidelity is better -- or maybe worse -- than sexual infidelity. Grand Central's 5-Spot imprint (which also published Five Things I Can't Live Without) has bought the book; now I've just got to finish writing it...

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

Q. Is the question "What question have you never been asked in an interview, but think you should have been?" the hardest question you've ever been asked?

A. Yes!

Ingenious answer, Holly - thanks so much for chatting with us!

Interview archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Interviews, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 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)

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)

August 3, 2007 12:32 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Momzillas

I have to admit to being completely superficial: the thing that grew me to Momzillas by Jill Kargman was... the pretty pink and black cover! It also reminded me a bit of The Nanny Diaries which I *heart* so if the novel itself was awful, I was going to be really disappionted. And at first, I did question the need for this book: semi-autobiographical novels about competititve parenting in Manhattan are not new, but I'd yet to read one I really enjoyed, so I was hoping this would be the one. Luckily, it was! (There must be something in that judging by cover thing after all...)

Momzillas follows San Francisco transplant Hannah Allen's attempts to fit in with the New York society mamas who are married to her husband's new NYC colleagues - and friends with her rich and frosty mother-in-law. Suddenly she's thrust into a world where $350 is a modest amount to spend on a birthday present for the child of someone you hardly know, and staying in the city over the summer (or worse, going on the subway!) just isn't done. Struggling to keep up with the snobbery, but feeling that she has to mingle with women who look down on her in order to get her daughter Violet into the right pre-school and to help her husband's career, Hannah despairs of ever feeling less lonely. So when her old Art Histroy professor from university, the one she had a mega crush on back in the day, asks her to meet up and visit museums with him, that's a perfectly reasonable thing to do, right?

As Hannah's relationship wobbles, so does her certainty that she's done the right thing in moving to New York. She also starts to care a bit less about what the ultra-posh mothers in the posh playground think of her and tries to find a niche for herself and a pre-school for Violet that isn't run by Neo-Nazis...

Can her marriage survive her re-ignited crush on her professor and her husband's crazy hours? And can she break free from all the stupid demands of Momzilla society and enjoy her new situation?

I knew that things would surely work out OK for Hannah in the end, but I enjoyed reading about how she got there. Hannah is a very likeable character (and her daughter Violet couldn't sound cuter!) and Jill Kargman's writing style is snappy and witty. I also liked the fact that Hannah's husband Josh was sympathetic rather than cruel or pathetic, as in other books of this type! I felt the book's ending was a little rushed - too much was summarised rather than shown to the reader - and I was aggravated by the narrator's description of single life as almost a fate worse than death! But I'd definitely recommend this as a great holiday read.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Nanny Diaries by Nicola Kraus and Emma McClaughlin.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 1, 2007 5:12 PM

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)

BOOK REVIEW: Sammy's Hill by Kristen Gore

Reviewed by Jessica Denmark of Jessica, Etcetera.

Easy to relate to, acceptable to laugh at and unavoidable to laugh with, the 20-something political aide on Capital Hill  Sammy Joyce is a reader's "every girl". Seamless between instantaneous thoughts and the immediate situation at hand, Sammy's Hill was the perfect read for me at the precise moment in my life when I read it.

Despite tripping along over life's stumbling blocks, Sammy seems relatively content. She lightheartedly struggles with her career and its effects on her in an all-too-familiar cocktail of passion and politics. Of course, a man in the mix stirs the concoction more so until readers are pleasantly tipsy on her life events and their outcomes.

Sammy's introspections pop and bubble as everyone's do. From her daily battle to keep her Siamese fighting fish alive, to her review of animal attack defense movements while in the shower (a true laugh-out-loud moment), Sammy reassures us that we are not crazy after all when we find ourselves pondering during the weekly budget meeting why we can't keep a plant thriving, milk from spoiling or remember to get an oil change.

With a splash of karma and what-was-she-thinking, Sammy's Hill might be chick-lit in flavor but goes down like a delicious glass of relatively-affordable white wine.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Washingtonienne by Jessica Cutler

Posted by Keris on August 1, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5, Series | 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)

July 26, 2007 12:53 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Scot on the Rocks by Brenda Janowitz

Brenda Janowitz's debut novel, Scot on the Rocks, is subtitled "How I survived my ex-boyfriend's wedding with my dignity ever-so-slightly intact" and is the tale of lawyer Brooke Miller, whose boyfriend dumps her just before her ex-boyfriend's wedding, which they were supposed to attend together.

Too embarrassed to tell her ex, Trip, that she's now single (he's marrying a Hollywood superstar, after all) she convinces her friend and colleague, Jack, to accompany her and pretend to be her fiance, Douglas. Her Scottish fiance, Douglas. I feel I want to say "with hilarious consequences" here, probably because I bet you can imagine exactly what happens.

Despite its predictability, I really enjoyed Scot on the Rocks, though I did have a few problems with it. Douglas is so, so awful that I couldn't imagine what Brooke ever saw in him, plus her attentions switch to Jack a bit too quickly to be convincing. I would have liked to have got to know both Jack and Brooke's best friend Vanessa a bit better (although I can see Vanessa having her own book in the future).

Despite the above, I enjoyed Scot on the Rocks predominantly because of Brooke's voice. She's sweet and very funny and I really enjoyed her asides to the reader. As a character, she'll stick in my mind, but I'm not sure if the book will. I'll certainly be keen to read Brenda Janowitz's next book though.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Talk Gertie to Me by Lois Winston

Look out for a big Scot on the Rocks giveaway next week

Posted by Keris on July 26, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 25, 2007 11:00 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Washingtonienne by Jessica Cutler

Jessica Cutler is probably the most notorious of all the people to have been fired for blogging at work. Not only did she work for a senator in Washington, D.C but she wrote about the six different men she was having sex with and all of their sexual peccadilloes... and her own. She blogged anonymously, but was found out through word-of-mouth (and eventually, hard disk evidence) and unceremoniously 'let go' from her job. Instead of hiding in a dark corner, she decided to capitalise on the subsequent media attention she received, and used it to get a book deal (with a 6-figure advance). The Washingtonienne isn't her blog in book form, however; it's novel based on her experiences.

Jackie Turner is a New York transplant in America's capital, working for a senator, having her apartment paid for by two wealthy men she sleeps with, one of whom pays her for the privilege. Then she starts a blog, which causes a huge scandal.

'Semi-autobiographical' doesn't quite seem to cover it!....

I must admit there were times I forgot I wasn't reading a memoir. I always find it hard to get a handle on novels based heavily on the author's experiences - I always want to know exactly which bits are true. If the lawsuit against her is anything to go by, however, Cutler's debut is very close to the truth.

It's witty and readable but the narrator has a very dark world view and it's full of drug-taking and sordid sex (which on one occasion seemed uncomfortably close to rape to me) and the narrator's presumption that most people live like her (those that don't are stupid/boring) and that these things are what constitute 'fun'. Yet puking purple bile into bushes on the way to work and snorting drugs off - well, you'll have to read the book - doesn't sound much fun to me. Although I did feel a bit jealous that she could watch Law & Order all day...

This is definitely a novel in the anti-heroine trend, saved from being appalling by the snappy writing and (finally!) the narrator's insight into her behaviour towards the end of the book. Not everyone will enjoy reading this, some people will find it shameless, I just found it left me with a bit of a nasty taste in my mouth at times. And yet I kind of enjoyed it (she said, in horrified disbelief) and it was certainly entertaining. If anyone else has read it (perhaps for Mamapop's book club) I'd love to know what you thought.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 25, 2007 in American Authors, Bonkbusters, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (9)

BOOK REVIEW: Marked by PC Cast and Kristin Cast

Reviewed by Trashionista reader Angela Richardson...

This book is the first in the House of Night series, where P.C & Kristin Cast have created a world where vampires have always existed. For all Buffy addicts like me who have been suffering from the void of losing their favourite series… we may have been sent a form of methadone from our American friends.

Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird has been Marked, to the disgust of her friends, who watch her become sicker and sicker in daylight hours. She is rushed to the House of Night, a school where she will train to become an adult vampire. That is if she survives the Change. Not all of those chosen do. It’s tough being away from all that she knows and on top of that Zoey finds that she’s no average fledging. The vampire goddess Nyx has marked her as special. When she discovers the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school’s most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must find the courage within herself to set things back to the way they should be.

Okay this is probably teen lit but I tell all you parents now, keep it for yourself and only when you finish it wrap it up as the present you intended. Parents will also be pleasantly surprised at Zoey’s moralistic side to her character that, to cut a long story short, tells teens it’s not cool to be a slut or a drunk.

The only annoying thing about this book is the similarities to Harry Potter. Zoey hates her family and gets whisked away from her horrible life to a magical school, okay it’s for vampires and not witches and wizards, but you get the point. Plus she is separated out from the other pupils as special by a different mark on her forehead… now we’re getting a bit too close to Harry’s scar. This is a shame because the plot is much better than Rowling’s over hyped books. [Ooh! - Diane]

Of course this was always going to be compared to Buffy as it is a teen novel that contains vampires, but I see this as a good thing as there are no other similarities in the plot. It’s like Buffy’s arch-enemy vampire has written a book to show the world that they aren’t all nasty blood sucking fiends, but have a gentler side too: awww!

Overall this was fast paced, funny and exciting. It held my attention all the way through and Zoey grows into a feisty heroine who’d I’d definitely want on my side. (That is if I ever got into a fight between vampires… yes I know I’ve been watching way too much sci-fi.)

Go give your self a well-needed mental holiday from all the everyday stresses and strains and read this book. I guarantee you’ll come away refreshed and ready to fight another day.

Rating: 5/5.

Like this? Try Carpe Demon by Julie Kenner.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 25, 2007 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Series, Supernatural, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (16)

July 20, 2007 10:01 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Anatomy of a Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky

We've talked about Anatomy of a Boyfriend before, when the cover was causing a stir in America. I love the design and was very interested to read the book, which wasn't really anything like I expected: I thought it would be Louise Rennison-esque, instead it's more like Judy Blume...

Daria Snadowsky's debut novel is the story of the relationship between 17-year old Dominique and her new boyfriend Wes. Wes is a shy but sweet athletic/writerly type, while Dominique wants to be a doctor - hence the title of the book, she's obsessed with medical textbooks!

We follow the couple from their first meeting, through to their first semester at university, and all the ups and downs and those major 'firsts' that come with a first love...

This very much reminded me of a modern-day Forever (although with a little less um, description). It's certainly not for younger teenagers but the sexual stuff is realistic and appropriate in the context of the story. Easy to read and with some great emotional depth, I just wondered if the teenager's voices were entirely lifelike: Dom is a little immature at times where her best friend Amy sometimes sounds like SATC's Samantha. Also the relationship between Dom and Wes takes a while to get going, and I was a bit frustrated by that!

I did love the two girls' friendship and found the story very moving and well-crafted. It's quite an easy read, but definitely not a facile one. I was sad when I'd finished it and got quite emotionally involved with the characters so I'm definitely looking forward to more books by this new author. (In other words, thank you Luisa for the loan!)

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Good Girls by Laura Ruby.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 20, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 19, 2007 11:32 AM

GUEST BLOG: Allison Winn Scotch

I loved Allison Winn Scotch's debut novel, The Department of Lost and Found so much I asked the author to do a guest blog for us, and she very kindly agreed to tell the background to her book, or...

The Story Behind The Story by Allison Winn Scotch

When people ask what my novel is about, I mutter something about a young woman who is diagnosed with cancer and wait for the inevitable reaction:  horror.  It's as if their brains are flashing, “There is no way in freaking hell that I'd read a book about cancer."  I mean, truly, it's painfully and incredibly obvious.

So then I offer up my caveat.  "But it's really funny!  And it's not really about cancer, it's more about a young woman's journey to self-discovery, and the cancer is just the catalyst."

They nod their heads and look at me unconvinced.  You're probably reading this and thinking the same thing.  Yeah, right.

So let me rewind and explain how I got here.  Over two years ago, I lost one of my closest friends to breast cancer.  She was 31, a mother to a three-month old at the time of her diagnosis, and one of the most vibrant and tenacious women I'd known.  Her diagnosis was shocking, swift and brutal, and six months later, she passed away.  It all happened so suddenly that I literally barely had time to register that she was sick, much less gone.  Even today, I still sometimes think that I see her on the street or forget entirely that I can't call her or email her to share some news.

(Ahem, I know.  You're wondering, when does this get funny?  Hang in there.)

After the funeral, I didn't know where to put my grief. I mean, how do you box up the devastation of the most painful experience of your lifetime? Where do you put it? How do you move forward? The answer is, or at least, my answer was, to write.

A month or so after her funeral, I woke up one morning with a vision of a character who would soon become my protagonist, Natalie. She was a ferocious 30-year old whose cancer diagnosis would throw her world on end but ultimately, wouldn’t beat her. And so, I sat down in front of my computer and wrote. And wrote and wrote and wrote. Until three months later, not only did I have a completed manuscript, I'd also wrestled with a good amount of my grief. Which brings me to the funny.

As I was writing, it became clear that I was using the book as a tool for healing, and because of this, never once did it occur to me to drag the prose or the plot down in maudlin, heavy-handed themes. Because, come on, as anyone who has ever been touched by cancer knows, the last thing you need in this situation is something else to remind you of the horror of the experience. So instead, I placed Natalie in humorous situations (her first experiences smoking pot, her increasing obsession with The Price is Right, her top 5 list of celebrities she wants to sleep with), and showed (I hope) that you can keep your sense of humor (and your sense of life) even while battling this insidious disease.

Since The Department of Lost and Found has come out, I've received notes from a variety of people whose lives (for better or worse) have been affected by cancer, and nearly all of them have told me that the book has helped them heal in some way. And most of them delighted in the fact that while I still took the time to highlight the difficulties that cancer can wreak, both physically and emotionally, I also made the point that it doesn't have to break your spirit. And that, in fact, it can even bolster it.

So to cancer I say, screw you. If I can eke a laugh out of the disease, then I'm certain that it's not unbeatable. A cure can't be too far behind.

(c) Allison Winn Scotch 2007

Related: Cancer Vixen

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 19, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Guest blogs, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (6)

July 18, 2007 4:52 PM

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)

July 17, 2007 4:22 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Tuesday Erotica Club by Lisa Beth Kovetz

Four women from very different backgrounds form an unlikely writers' alliance in Lisa Beth Kovetz's debut novel, The Tuesday Erotica Club.

All have different jobs at a New York law firm when newly-pregnant Aimee decides to start a weekly writing group, which quickly becomes a weekly erotic writing group. Her friend Brooke is quick to join, as is older associate Margot, who has a reputation for being a bit scary. Secretary Lux is a latecomer to the group and with her distinct lack of writing skills, wildly coloured clothing and hair and tough attitude, isn't a welcome addition.  But she doesn't care. As the group becomes a regular fixture for all four women, all of their lives begin to change in dramatic ways and Aimee, Brooke, Margot and Lux realise they need each other's support more than they ever could have guessed...

As you might suspect from the title, there's a certain amount of erotic writing in the book, as we are treated to the women's creative efforts. It just stops short of being too much, but probably isn't for the squeamish about sex. However, the real plot of the book is about the importance of female friendship and it's a very good, well-crafted read. Unlike some other books I've read recently (e.g. this one), when the chapters alternated viewpoints, I didn't find it hard to keep them separate at all. And all the women became sympathetic characters by the end of the book, even the ones who didn't start out that way!

I just have two slight reservations: I felt that the character of Lux was maybe a little too naive at times, and I felt that maybe we didn't need to read quite so much erotica (I know, the clue was in the title!) - sex may sell, but this book doesn't need any gimmicks to keep readers hooked.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 17, 2007 in American Authors, Bonkbusters, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (6)

TUESDAY THREE: Arty farty

As you can tell from the heading, I’m very cultured, so I thought I’d focus this week on three books set in the art world.

Alison Pace’s debut, If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend, features gallery manager Jane Laine, who is sent on a five-month international art fair tour with British artist, Ian Rhys-Fitzsimmons. Unimpressed with his art, Jane thinks Ian's a fraud and isn't impressed with the assignment either. In fact, Ian makes Jane nervous, but, as they travel to London, Rome, Chicago, Santa Fe, she finds that there's much more to Ian - and to his art - than she originally thought. Can you guess what's going to happen?

Jennifer Crusie’s Faking It is the story of struggling artist Tilda Goodnight and her family. She's not struggling in the usual sense of starving in a garret - rather she's struggling to keep her artistic and personal integrity in the face of family pressures. She desperately needs cash to pay the mortgage on the family art gallery so she's selling her soul copying famous paintings onto rich people's walls- but has a basement full of art that she can't sell for mysterious reasons.

When her niece accidentally sells one of the forbidden artworks, things seem to be getting worse and worse. Tilda's bored, tired and put upon, so the last thing she needs is to bump into Davy Dempsey in a darkened cupboard when they're both trying to steal the same painting. Things get even more complicated as Tilda and Davy's paths keep crossing, and she becomes suspicious of his motives- is he trying to discover her dark secrets? Is he hiding something of his own? Are they really attracted to each other- or is one of them faking it?

In Zoe Rice’s Pick Me Up, Izzy works in an art gallery, has a glamorous PR best friend, wonderful clients and a cat named Robbie (after Robbie Williams, no less). She's happy with her life until the gallery's benefactor drops dead, her fabulous boss takes a job on the other side of the country and she's landed with an artist who seems not to be able to stand her .. most of the time.

Posted by Keris on July 17, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 13, 2007 5:48 PM

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 2:17 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Serious Kiss by Mary Hogan

The first thing I want to say about Mary Hogan's young adult novel The Serious Kiss is that the cover is so wrong for the book. The cover made me think it was a historical novel, set maybe in the 19th Century, perhaps about a girl who worked in vaudeville. It made me think of (adult) novels like Angela Carter's Wise Children or Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters.

So if it's not a Victorian vaudeville novel, what is it? It's the story of Libby who lives in a rundown house with her rundown family. Her father's alcoholic, her mother's overweight. With her best friend, Nadine, Libby comes up with a plan to have a serious kiss - a "totally real, sincere, meaningful, soulful, poetic, inspiring, knee-buckling, love-filled, journal-worthy, insomnia-producing, appetite-reducing, mind-blowing, life-changing, unforgettable, undeniable, serious kiss". She's just starting to get close to Zack Nash when her parents drop a bombshell - they're moving to a different town.

And that's not all. Not only do they move to Barstow, a one horse town in the middle of the desert (I've been there; I would *not* want to live there), but they're moving into a trailer park, where the grandmother they never knew they had lives. As Libby starts school, humiliation piles on humiliation until something's got to give.

At the start I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this book. Libby seems a little too obsessed with not gaining weight and with her mother's obesity and, though I know teenage girls do worry about that, making it such a big part of a book only perpetuates the problem, in my opinion. But as I read on, I started to understand and sympathise with Libby and I ended up really enjoying it.

I do think that once the family arrived in Barstow things changed a little too quickly and the resolutions were just a bit too easy, but it's an interesting read that tackles some interesting issues.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Holes by Louis Sachar

Posted by Keris on July 12, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

July 11, 2007 4:20 PM

BOOK REVIEW: A Dangerous Dress by Julia Holden

First of all, can I just say how much I love the cover of Julia Holden's debut novel, A Dangerous Dress? It perfectly captures the mood of the book (and of the dress that's the star of the show). We often compare the US and UK covers, and this is one time when (I think) the UK version is definitely superior. (Here's the original US version - what do you think?)

But what is the book like, you're wanting to know! Well, it's about a dress. Yes, really. Jane is a bored bank worker in the town of Bum****, Indiana (not its real name, but that's what everyone calls it 'cos its so boring). One day, she's contacted out of the blue by a film company who read an essay she wrote in university about the glamorous Parisian gown she found among her late grandmother's belongings. In the essay, she speculated about who might have designed it and where her grandma may have worn it, and talked about its wonderful design.

The film's production crew read her passionate essay and think she's just the person to track down a similar dress for their movie, so Jane packs her bags, hurriedly arranges a passport and catches a plane to Paris to work on a film and follow in her grandmother's footsteps... Love, excitement and glamour await her - or do they?

Well, she certainly has an interesting and exciting time, but it's a bit of a bumpy ride and things don't turn out as Jane expects ( wouldn't make a good book if they did!)

When I think about the plot of this book in retrospect, it seems a little silly but it has a fairytale-like quality that means you have to suspend disbelief as it's fairly unlikely the events of the book would take place in real life and a lot of the plot is based on coincidences and chance. But it's all so charming that I was completely absorbed in the story and couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. I absolutely raced through it and found Jane a charming, if naive, narrator. (A bit YA-ish if I'm honest). I was a little bit disappointed that the end didn't quite tie up all the loose ends, but a sequel would be great and I'll definitely read more by this talented new author.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Venus Envy by Shannon McKelden.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 11, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (7)

July 6, 2007 10:38 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Good Girls by Laura Ruby

The back cover of Laura Ruby's Good Girls claims it's a Forever for the 21st Century. What is it with Forever these days? Everyone's Judy Blume obsessed!

The premise of Laura Ruby's teen debut Good Girls is brilliant. At a party, Honours student Audrey decided to break up with her sort-of boyfriend by giving him something to remember her by. Unfortunately, someone takes a picture of her in the act and soon it's emailed around the school and even her parents have seen it.

I was worried that it might be a bit sensationalist. You know, the shocking things teens get up to with their loose morals and modern technology - but it wasn't like that at all. In fact, it was completely brilliant. One of the best books I've read for ages. (I'm constantly thrilled by how great YA books are.)

Following the photo, Audrey learns about friendship, relationships, self-worth and judging people. It made me cry and left me with a daft smile on my face. Yes, it's probably a bit more "adult" than Forever (although it's a long time since I've read Forever, so I couldn't be sure) but teens are a lot more "adult" than they were 20 years ago, aren't they?

When I got to the end, I wanted to go back and start reading it again (and there's only one other book that's made me want to do that).

Like Tanya Lee Stone's A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl, Good Girls is an important book and one that teens should read and pass around (yes, even to their parents).

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try  I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

Posted by Keris on July 6, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 5/5, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (7)

July 4, 2007 11:19 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Be Mine by Laura Kasischke

Be Mine, the debut novel by poet Laura Kasischke, is a tricky one to review. For the first 150 or so pages I didn't think I'd be able to finish it - not only did it drag, but it was also chock-full of pretentious and rather amateurish symbolism. I lost count of the blood, the rose petals, and the numerous dead animals (seriously, there were rabbits, squirrels, deer, birds and more). But once I got further on in the book, I found that I couldn't put it down and finished it in a day.

"Be Mine" is what's written on a note left in teacher Sherry Seymour's locker on Valentine's Day. She has no idea who it's from, but when the first note is followed by other, more verbose, messages, she starts asking around. She knows it's not her husband of 20 years and he seems as intrigued by the notes as she is. When she bumps into a former friend of her son (who has recently left home to attend college on the other side of the country), she invites him for dinner and he suggests the notes' author may be Bram Smith, the school's sexy auto teacher.

Both Sherry and her husband are excited by this idea and, with her husband's encouragement, Sherry embarks on an affair with Smith. And then, inevitably, things go horribly wrong.

As I said, I was absolutely gripped by Be Mine. I found it well-written (mostly), thrilling, thought-provoking, exciting and erotic, but at the same time there were a number of plot twists that I totally didn't buy at all (the kind of thing that would have had me throwing other books across the room).

Think of it as a film that doesn't really hold together, but is diverting and entertaining all the same.

Rating: 3/5 (2 for the symbolism and plotting + 4 for the excitement and writing = 3!)

Like this? Try Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner

Posted by Keris on July 4, 2007 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 3, 2007 12:43 PM

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)

June 29, 2007 5:31 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Sheila Levine is Dead and Living in New York by Gail Parent

I'd wanted to read Gail Parent's 1972 novel Sheila Levine is Dead and Living in New York for some time, ever since Jennifer Weiner classed it as her favourite chick lit novel on her blog, in fact. It could certainly be called a cult classic: those who know of it seem to love it, but it's out-of-print (though available second-hand on Amazon) and pretty under-appreciated.

Our eponymous heroine Sheila has moved to New York after graduation and is pretty much living the Sex and the City dream: working, partying, young free and single... but she's desperately unhappy. Not only is she a touch chunky, she's - wait for it - she's single. The SHAME. And in fact, never having heard of feminism, she's so depressed by the fact that she has no hubby to take care of her, that she's planning her funeral already. For when she commits suicide. Yeah - that'll show 'em!

You might think that the storyline of the book is entirely satirical, and at first I thought so too - but then I read the quotes from reviews at the start of the book, calling it "real" and "sad but true", as if all single women in their twenties are so desperate for a man and kids that they'll kill themselves rather than get it. I can't imagine reading this book in the early 70s - I imagine the black comedic feel was probably a revelation back then but reading it in 2007 was a strange experience and I found I didn't relate to the novel at all. Sheila is too self-deprecating to be releatable and the only sad thing here is how much she hates herself.

Rather than the chick lit novel I expected, Sheila Levine's sense of humour is re-he-ally dark. There's no denying this book is funny and that Gail Parent is a very talented writer with a quick wit. But I wish she'd put it to another use instead and never even suggested that women of her era felt this way.

I expected a good laugh, an interesting plot and a dash of nostalgia. I was disappointed: I got a character who hated herself for no good reason and a book that left me with a bit of a nasty taste in my mouth.

Mainly for the quality of Parent's writing, I'd give it..

Rating: 3 out of 5

But I'd rather read a Weiner!

Like this? Try Postcards from the Edge by Carrie Fisher or Girl, Interrupted.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Cult classic week, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 28, 2007 1:34 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Maggie Leffler

Written during her medical residency, Maggie Leffler's book, The Diagnosis of Love, received a rave from no less than Elinor Lipman! Maggie answers our questions below. (Two author interviews this week - we're spoiling you!)

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

A young woman physician runs away to England to start her life over.

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

I love to write in coffee shops or sitting outside when the weather is nice, a rare thing in Pittsburgh.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank

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

Oh, that's a hard question, because there are so many to choose from! I love Sophie Applebaum, the main character in The Wonder Spot, and I also love Sophie Stanton, the main character in Good Grief [called Sophie's Bakery for the Broken-Hearted in the UK], because both women are strong, wise, hysterically funny and utterly recognizable.

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

Join a writers group if you can.  It's a great way to get feedback. And don't give up!

What are you reading at the moment?

The Whole World Over by Julia Glass.  I loved her first book Three Junes so much that I had to pick this up.

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

Another novel about two women who were in the "supporting cast" of The Diagnosis of Love.

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

After rewriting the same novel so many times over the course of seven years, did your family and close friends ever doubt that The Diagnosis of Love would be published? 

They may have doubted it, and I don't blame them!  But for the most part, everyone was supportive of the process, even as they agonized alongside me.

Thanks, Maggie.

Posted by Keris on June 28, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (0)

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: Rainy Days & Tuesdays by Claire Allan

For the last few months, debut author Claire Allan has been writing guest blogs for us about the road to publication. Her novel, Rainy Days & Tuesdays, was finally released last week and I got to read it straight away.

Once again, in the interests of full disclosure, Claire was (and is!) another member of the chick lit writing group  I host (happily, we're a pretty successful bunch), so if I hadn't liked Rainy Days, I would've given it to someone else to review (I'm brave like that). Luckily I loved it.

Since having her first child Grace Adams has more than lost her mojo. Now Parenting Editor at the same magazine where she used to be Health & Beauty Editor, and with hair, make-up and fashion no longer a priority, she feels like her glamorous days are far behind her.

But when the new Health & Beauty Editor suggests Grace might like to feature in the magazine's ultimate make-over, something cracks and Grace finds herself having a "wee breakdown". Following rows with both her husband and best friend, Grace realises professional help is needed and after consulting with "Dr Dishy" agrees to the makeover, but on her terms.

Yes, Rainy Days & Tuesdays is another Mummy Lit book, but there's a reason they're so popular: they're true. I identified with Grace from the first page, but even if you've never had any mummy-related loss of identity issues yourself, Claire's writing style is so friendly and accessible that it would still be an incredibly enjoyable and satisfying read.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Motherland by Maria Beaumont

Posted by Keris on June 27, 2007 in Debut Novels, Irish Authors, New Releases, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

June 26, 2007 5:53 PM

TUESDAY THREE: Future classics

As you know, it's Cult Classics week at Trashionista this week (although it's slightly on hold since poor Diane currently has no electricity thanks to the inclement weather!) So for this week's Tuesday Three, I'm looking at future chick lit classics.

Since Jennifer Weiner is the chick lit author most likely to cross-over, her debut novel, Good In Bed, is destined to be a future classic. It's is the story of Cannie, who finds out her boyfriend Bruce has left her for another woman by reading about it in his new magazine column. Weiner's debut addresses issues of family, self-image and love in a way we hadn't seen in chick-lit before. Cannie isn't a Bridget Jones style diet-obsessive - she has phases where she's unhappy with her body, but generally she likes being a larger lady. And she is, we're assured, very good in bed...

Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper perhaps suffered a bit for being a Richard & Judy bookclub choice. While being picked by the twosome is a huge boost for earnings and profile, it pretty much guarantees you a critical mauling. Jodi Picoult's books, though, are brilliantly written, topical, moving and entertaining and surely this will be recognised at some point in the future.

Thirteen year-old Anna is a human pincushion, who's been through countless invasive surgeries and blood transfusions to help save her sister Kate, who has leukaemia. She was never given a choice in this - in fact she was born for this very purpose. But now she's had enough. She's taking her parents to court to ask that they stop harvesting her body to help her sister. As you can imagine, this tears an already disparate (and desperate) family apart...

We haven't actually reviewed the final book in the three - Rachel's Holiday - but I couldn't possibly leave it out, since, as the chick lit readers' and writers' favourite, it's surely a future classic. Marian Keyes' third book is the story of Rachel Walsh, whose love of a good time lands her in Ireland's answer to the Betty Ford Clinic. Rachel is hopeful, expecting spa treatments and celebrities, instead, she finds a lot of group therapy, which leads her, against her will, to some important self-knowledge and a man who might actually be good for her.

Which books do you think are classics of the future?

Posted by Keris on June 26, 2007 in American Authors, Cult classic week, Debut Novels, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (5)

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 22, 2007 12:24 PM

Jen Lancaster launches Mamapop's book club

I know, I can't seem to shut up about Jen Lancaster or Mamapop lately (maybe next week...?) but this I had to share: Jen Lancaster, Mamapop.com's resident author/avid reader, has just launched their book club with the inaugural (little political pun intended!) read: The Washingtonienne, Jessica Cutler's infamous blook.

If I wasn't on a book buying ban (I've got too many!), I'd be tempted to join in myself... Perhaps it's a choice for you if Richard and Judy's picks for this summer don't appeal?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 22, 2007 in American Authors, Bonkbusters, Book Websites, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: Girl Overboard by Aimee Ferris

Before reviewing YA novel Girl Overboard, I'd better admit to an interest - Aimee Ferris used to be a member of the online chick lit writing group I host. Reading a book by someone you know (albeit not in person) is always a bit of a worry - reviewing it is even scarier - but luckily Girl Overboard was just as good as I expected it to be.

Part of Penguin's Students Across the Seven Seas (SASS) series, 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.

Also on the boat are (inevitably) a new best friend (Jeannette), a mean girl (Rhee) and a hot boy (Link). While the characters may be predictable, the situations and settings aren't. Aimee worked with marine life in the Caribbean herself and her knowledge and passion for the subject shines through.

The thing I loved about this book was that while there was teen angst and (yes) snogging, there's also a message about ecology and endangered species that's even more convincing for being woven into the story. It's never heavy-handed or preachy.

Plus it's nice to read about a teen who is honest and acts with maturity and integrity, while still being cool and cute.

Girl Overboard is as educational as it is entertaining and that's a rare blend.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Dramarama by E Lockhart

Posted by Keris on June 22, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (7)

June 21, 2007 1:18 PM

If you don't read chick lit, you shouldn't really criticise it

Yep, I'm cross again. One of my biggest pet peeves is people criticising chick lit when they quite clearly haven't read any (or at least not much).

In Rachel Kramer Bussel's Huffington Post interview with Anna David, author of Party Girl, David says,

To me, chick lit describes the kind of book that focuses on a girl with very simple and superficial needs─there doesn't tend to be a great deal of subtext, the characters don't seem very nuanced and the biggest lesson is often that a girl is much happier when she has a guy.

Here I wrote a book about the most important and profound experience I'd ever had─getting and staying sober─and it's being categorized among books about wearing Manolo Blahniks while trying to land a guy?

Do you want to send her a copy of Rachel's Holiday or shall I?

Related posts: If it's good it can't be chick lit | Does chick lit "undermine the women's movement"? | Anyone read any Kris Radish?

Posted by Keris on June 21, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Marian Keyes, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (4)

June 20, 2007 10:27 AM

The Manny's trailer generates a lot of buzz...

That's according to Galleycat, who have all the news on the trailer of Holly Peterson's debut novel, The Manny.

It may just be one of the most disturbing things I've ever seen...

Carry on over the cut to see it! Let us know what you think.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 20, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Technology | Permalink | Comments (7)

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)

BOOK REVIEW: The Department of Lost and Found by Allison Winn Scotch

Ever since I heard about Allison Winn Scotch's debut novel, The Department of Lost and Found, I've been looking forward to reading it. It's about Natalie Miller, political assistant to the senator of New York (shades of Hillary Clinton!) who's a total workaholic. Then one day her boyfriend Ned discovers a lump in her breast and... I'm trying not to use a cliche like 'her whole world turns upside down' but honestly, her whole world does go A over T.

Not only does Ned pick the time immediately post-diagnosis to confess he's been planning on leaving her for another woman, but coping with chemo knocks Natalie for six, and her relationships with those closest to her start to change, too. It's scary stuff.

But that doesn't mean this book is downbeat: it's thoughtful, it's informative about breast cancer treatment, and I often read it with a lump in my throat. But it's also funny and silly at times, and Natalie is endearingly flawed. Sometimes she's more worried about getting the answers on The Price is Right, or why her big love Jake left her than the fact she has cancer. But other times she stares death head on, and wonders what she's given to the world and if she's ready to die.

Allison Winn Scotch wrote this book after her best friend died of cancer, in the hope that writing a slightly happier ending would be cathartic. I hope for her sake that it was, but she certainly did her friend justice with this very entertaining and yes (another cliche) heartwarming read.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Lady Luck's Map of Vegas by Barbara Samuel

*Allison Winn Scotch's late friend, Elizabeth Anne Prostic, has a foundation in her name - visit www.metacancer.org to find out more.*

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 19, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 18, 2007 11:21 AM

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)

June 13, 2007 11:37 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Hollywood Car Wash by Lori Culwell

From the minute I heard about Lori Culwell's novel Hollywood Car Wash I couldn't wait to read it (I admit it even jumped my massive queue of books to be reviewed). I'm celebrity-obsessed (yes, I know it's shallow, but I don't care) and Culwell's book, about an actress who is systematically turned into a "starlet," is based on true events.

Amy Spencer is a college student in Michigan with ambitions to be an actress in independent films, but when she gets the part of a regular girl from Michigan in a TV pilot she puts her ideals on hold and heads for Hollywood. The part is good, the money even better (particularly since Amy's family have been struggling since her father's death), but soon the show becomes incredibly popular and Amy's under increasing pressure to change, well, everything. Her name (to Star), her hair, her teeth, her nose and, of course, her body.

I didn't want to put this book down and I wouldn't have done if I hadn't had other responsibilities (I kept thinking what a perfect book it would be for the beach... if I didn't have a 3-year-old). It's entertaining, shocking and completely compelling. Because Star - sorry, Amy - is ordinary at the start of the book, she's easy to identify with, and though I found her a little weak at times, I really felt for her (I even cried a couple of times).

The back cover blurb includes the line: "...this shockingly accurate novel about the ins and outs of the Hollywood gave will leave the reader wondering - who is Star?" I don't know who she is (and she's not who I thought she was - the "megastar boyfriend with a big secret" was a red herring!), but I am desperate to know.

Despite the fact that I've read plenty of celebrity magazines and biographies and watched the odd E! True Hollywood Story or ten, there was still plenty in this book to shock me (unless I'm just gormlessly naive) and it made me appreciate just what a truly awful place Hollywood must be! Plus it's interesting from a feminist point of view - showing just how much work goes into making actresses "picture perfect" these days.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try How To Sleep With a Movie Star by Kristin Harmel

Posted by Keris on June 13, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (7)

June 12, 2007 6:28 AM

TUESDAY THREE: Working in TV

We've looked at chick lit heroines who work for newspapers, magazines and in PR - how about television?

Stephanie Lehmann's You could do better was described as '... an irresistible new novel about a woman trying to choose between the man of her dreams - and her fiance ...' and if you can resist a line like that, you're a better woman than me.

Daphne works as a curator at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York, so obsession with TV is part of her job. But she also uses TV as a way to avoid engaging in real life (who doesn't?!) - her parents are dead, her former supermodel sister Billie is a mess and sex with her boyfriend Charlie is only average. But when Charlie proposes Daphne almost misses it because she's too busy watching a fictional proposal on TV. Luckily she catches on and accepts but then when Charlie starts to lose patience with her television habit and she meets a sexy and available TV producer, Daphne starts to wonder if maybe she's settling for Charlie .. if perhaps she could do better...

When TV producer Carly McKay - heroine of Lani Diane Rich's The Fortune Quilt - goes to interview a psychic quiltmaker, Brandywine Seaver, she has no idea that her life is about to change completely ... until, that is, Brandy gives her a reading on a quilt she's made for Carly. Carly doesn’t believe in psychics, but when her TV show closes down, her runaway mother returns after 17 years and her best (male) friend tells her he’s been in love with her for years, she returns to the arty town of Bilby to ask Brandy what the hell’s going on.

Partly due to the town's charms (not least sexy neighbour, Will) and partly because she's afraid to go home, Carly finds herself making a life in Bilby, but when the quilt inspires her to make things right and get back what she’s lost, Carly's forced to risk everything she’s found.

Apparently the latest, hottest trend in Manhattan - more popular than the Birkin bag, better than Jimmy Choos - is The Manny, or male nanny, and this is the subject of Holly Peterson's debut novel. Jamie Whitfield is at the end of her tether with her husband Philip, an overgrown spoiled rich kid who can never have enough money and who spends all his time at work, away from Jamie and their three children.

Jamie's also trying to break a huge national story in her job as producer at a major news network and it's not going smoothly. More importantly, the problems in her marriage are brought into stark relief by her growing attraction to Peter, the Manny...

Posted by Keris on June 12, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 11, 2007 10:07 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: Afloat by Jennifer McCartney

I didn't know what to expect from Jennifer McCartney's debut novel, Afloat. The cover's rather downbeat and the book features parallel narratives: a young Bell working on Mackinac Island for the summer and Bell 50 years later (reflecting on her life. Just to make it even less appealing, the Mackinac narrative is set in the present day (ish) and the other narrative in the future. But it was far from what I expected, in fact it was brilliant.

Um. Not much actually happens really, but it's beautifully written, evocative and compelling. The earlier narrative is really good fun: Bell and the friends she makes on the island work hard and then spend their nights drinking, falling off their bikes (no automobiles are allowed on the island), and falling in love, and the later narrative in which Bell is clearing her house while waiting for a visit from someone from her past, is moving, scary and uplifting.

The characters are wonderfully drawn and real and the horrors of the future are more subtle than you often find in dystopian novels (not to say Afloat is entirely dystopian, it's utopian too), but they're totally believable.

A really impressive first novel. I can't wait to see what Jennifer McCartney does next.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Posted by Keris on June 11, 2007 in Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, More On Monday, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

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 7:03 PM

BOOK NEWS: Shoe Addicts Anonymous

Simultaneously playing into every chick lit stereotype (pink cover, shoe-theme, gang of girly mates? check, check check!) and yet at the same time looking like a dang good read, Shoe Addicts Anonymous is a new book by Beth Harbison about well, yes, a group of shoe-loving gals.

But those gals happen to be "the wife of a controlling politician, a debt-ridden eBay addict, an agoraphobic phone sex operator, and a nanny for the family from hell". Which is a bit different, you must admit! More about the book here and read an excerpt here. [Via EarlyInk.com]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 7, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (3)

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Nora Ephron

Back in the early '80s, before anyone else thought to put together food-themed semi-fictional novels, Nora Ephron brought out the irresistible Heartburn, about a betrayed pregnant wife who cooks to stay sane. It's very funny, even over twenty years later.

Nora was always something of a pioneer: she was an early feminist and wrote on this and other hard-hitting topics for Esquire magazine as well as writing lighter articles on a range of subjects, which later were turned into essay collections including Crazy Salad and Scribble, Scribble.

She's also fiercely funny and clever, the screenwriter of my favourite film When Harry Met Sally, mother of two boys, an excellent non-fiction writer and blogger and a big player in Hollywood. What more could you ask for in a Trailblazer?

Read this: Heartburn.

Watch this: When Harry Met Sally.

Don't mention this: Bewitched.

Trailblazer archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 7, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Non Fiction, Thursday Trailblazer | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie scoops The Orange Prize with Half of a Yellow Sun

I wish I was more of a gambler as I'd been saying for weeks that this would win: Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (right) has been named winner of the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction, for her novel Half of a Yellow Sun (also a Richard and Judy pick). She scooped £30,000 along with her award - nice!

Meanwhile Canadian author Karen Connelly won the 2007 Orange Broadband Award for New Writers for her debut novel The Lizard Cage. (And that's 10K for her, if you're interested).

[Via BBC News; Image: BBC]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 7, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Recent Release, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 6, 2007 10:53 AM

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 4, 2007 1:19 PM

Beach read recommendations from Philadelphia

I've been saving this 'til June as I thought any earlier might be too soon for us Brits! Jennifer Weiner's old stomping ground The Philadelphia Inquirer gives its summer reading recommendations, with some great-sounding books by women, including The Department of Lost and Found by Allison Winn Scotch, whose novel turns cancer into a fun topic to read about (I don't know how, either, but we will be reviewing it later in the season).

What do you want to read this summer?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK NEWS: Death By Chick Lit

How could I fail to be intrigued by that title? And the blurb of Lynn Harris's debut sounds great too:

After Mimi McKee, author of Gay Best Friend, has her throat slit with a shard from a broken martini glass, Lola Somerville, a 32-year-old freelance writer living in Brooklyn, determines to unmask the murderer. The investigation could help land Lola a new book deal and boost flat sales of her debut novel, Pink Slip.

Is the fiendish killer "Reading Guy," a 40-something dweeb who stalks chick lit author signings? Or could it be Mimi's boyfriend, Quentin, a crossword puzzle composer? Then there's Wilma, the militant leader of the Jane Austen Liberation Front, who has no love for authors of low-brow literature.

Both a send-up of chick lit novels and a, um, chick lit novel, I can't wait to read it.

Posted by Keris on June 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (3)

June 1, 2007 6:10 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Monkey Love by Brenda Scott Royce

Brenda Scott Royce has got an intriguing job: she's Director of Publications for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and editor of the Zoo's magazine, Zoo View, so she was surely the perfect person to write a book the star of which is a ... helper monkey.

Yes, stand-up comedienne and odd-job woman Holly is the heroine of Monkey Love, but Tallulah the capuchin monkey (like Ross's monkey, Marcel, on Friends) is the star. Holly's got a great New York life, free Starbucks from her best friend and barista Carter, a stand up double act with her other best friend (and Carter's other half, Danny) and an apartment featuring a cat named Grouch and a snake called Rocky (Rocky the Boa, get it?).

The snake belongs to Holly's cousin Gerry's girlfriend who won't take it back. After stealing a pair of Robert de Niro's socks, Gerry himself is more interested in his burgeoning celebrity sock empire than intervening between his girlfriend and his cousin, until he needs Holly's help that is.

The rest of Holly's family is equally eccentric, from her Aunty Betty who shows affection by biting, to her Aunt Kuki who raised Holly after her mother's death and father's desertion and isn't impressed with the life she's chosen. There's more - including a cute man and his daughter, a mysterious writer, a soap star upstairs neighbour, frozen rats and a rabbit, but I'm running out of space!

What I will say is that I really enjoyed Monkey Love - it packs an awful lot into 300 pages. It's charming, funny, original and there's a twist that actually made me gasp (I thought I had it all figured out, you see). It's not quite as funny as it thinks it is (during Holly's stand-up routine, the audience was howling/bent double with laughter while I didn't even smile) but it's a really fun book and well worth a read.

The sequel, Monkey Star, is out in August.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Comeback Kiss by Lani Diane Rich

Posted by Keris on June 1, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Series | 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)

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 REVIEW: Steamed by Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant

Yes, I did read these the wrong way around! I enjoyed Simmer Down so much I wanted to go back and read the first in the culinary-mystery series by by Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant, Steamed.

Steamed takes place a little earlier in the same year as Simmer Down. Chloe Carter has just started at Social Work Graduate school and is having trouble getting to grips with the right social worker mentality especially as Naomi Campbell (not that one!), her boss at her work placement, is a bit too touchy-feely.

Chloe wouldn't mind finding a man to do a bit of touchy feely (snarf) with, but she's having no luck in the boyfriend department: first her fling with her downstairs neighbour ends badly, then she goes on a blind date with a pompous bore called Eric who takes her to a restaurant he's thinking of investing in... until he gets murdered halfway through their date, that is.

Having found the body, Chloe is both terribly shaken and desperate to know who the murderer was. Especially as the prime suspect is a rather tasty chef she wouldn't mind getting to know better... providing he's innocent, that is. However, for some reason Eric's parents have her down as his serious girlfriend, so there's that little mess to sort out too...

I thoroughly enjoyed Steamed, and just wish there were more in this series for me to read - they're addictive, fantastically escapist and well-written with a witty main character. And delicious recipes, too! What more could you want? (An interview with the authors, perhaps? Watch this space... we'll have one with you soon).

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Simmer Down by the same authors, or The Food of Love by Anthony Capella.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 25, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 24, 2007 4:11 PM

BOOK NEWS: Laurie Notaro novel

Laurie Notaro is one of those authors who's been on my radar for years, but whose books I've inexplicably yet to read. So far she's written non-fiction books: I Love Everybody (and Other Atrocious Lies): True Tales of a Loudmouth Girl and We Thought You Would Be Prettier: True Tales of the Dorkiest Girl Alive. I can't think why I've wanted to read them, can you? Sigh.

Anyway, she's written a novel and it's called There's a (Slight) Chance I Might Be Going to Hell: A Novel of Sewer Pipes, Pageant Queens, and Big Trouble. It sounds great and I'll read it ... one day.

Posted by Keris on May 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (23)

BOOK REVIEW: Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

The cover of Sara Shepard's first novel, Pretty Little Liars, compares it to The O.C. It didn't remind me of that show, but it was reminiscent of a few other things: the Traveling Pants series, the Gossip Girls series, Donna Tartt's The Secret History, even the Twilight Zone. And it left me ... entertained but confused.

Aria, Emily, Spencer, Hanna and Ali are the best of friends in the same way many teenage girls are friends, i.e. they know each other's secrets and have a tendency to use them against each other. Particularly Ali, the leader of the pack. So when Ali disappears the girls are of course horrified, but also a little bit relieved. Understandably, they drift apart. Three years later they've all changed a lot and then they start getting messages signed by 'A'. Not only does the mysterious 'A' know their past secrets, he or she knows exactly what they're up to now too...

All the girls are horrified, but don't feel like they can tell anyone, least of all each other, because, well, Ali's dead, isn't she, and ghosts can't send texts, can they?

Pretty Little Liars is the kind of book I would have loved to have read in one sitting. It's utterly compelling and entertaining. The girls' problems aren't particularly original (one's bulimic, one's struggling with her sexuality, etc.), but it's very well-written and I did actually like most of the girls, despite their misdeeds.

My problem with it was the ending. I can't say much about it, obviously, but it's either hugely disappointing or brilliantly ballsy. I don't know. What I do know is that there will be a sequel and I will absolutely be reading it.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Secret Society Girl by Diana Peterfreund

Posted by Keris on May 24, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (34)

May 22, 2007 2:10 PM

TUESDAY THREE: Sex swap

I've just read an interview with Jennifer Weiner in which she says she's changed the sex of one of the characters in her new novel, Certain Girls (the sequel to Good in Bed):  "One character is getting a sex change; there’s a girl we think is going to work better as a boy. I’m sure writing it is easier than doing it in real life.”

So today I'm looking at men writing as women and women writing as men!

Jay McInerney’s Story of My Life features Alison Poole, a 20-year old aspiring actress living in New York City. Her rich father is supposed to be funding her education, but keeps flaking on her, so she has to survive on her wits (which she does brilliantly, if not always morally). She's quick-witted, clever, promiscuous and a regular drug-user who has seen and done too much, too young. Ye somehow McInerney also makes her sweet, charming and a wonderful narrator for this slice-of-life story, which is also brilliantly sharply written and very, very funny.

Jodi Picoult’s Salem Falls tells the story of Jack McBride. Accused of indecently assaulting a female pupil at the school he taught at, Jack’s reputation is destroyed overnight. Despite his continued protestations of innocence, Jack spends 8 months in jail. Upon leaving he decides to pick up the pieces, and start over. When he arrives in Salem Falls, and manages to pick up a job washing dishes at the local diner, he begins to think his life may be starting to pick up. That is until he meets Gilly, Meg, Chelsea and Whitney – a group of friends bonded closer than the outside world realises. When they target him with spiteful accusations, Jack begins to wonder if he is doomed to relive the past over and over. Once more he must fight to prove his innocence, and risk losing the woman he loves.

I thought I’d finish with a classic. Arthur Golden inhabits his heroine’s voice so brilliantly that many people actually believe Memoirs of a Geisha is a true story. The story begins in Japan in 1929. When Chiyo's mother becomes progressively ill her elderly father arranges for Chiyo and her sister Satsu to be taken away to Kyoto where they will be trained as geisha girls. Upon arrival in Kyoto the girls are separated and sold to different okiya where they will be trained. Chiyo quickly realises that the life she has been sold into is one of labour and hardship. The book follows Chiyo through her training until she becomes Sayuri, a geisha. It continues then through her experiences as a geisha, and the ways in which world events affect her. Reading it you get a real sense of what it was like to live as a geisha, but also to live in Japan during the 1930s and 40s.

Posted by Keris on May 22, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 18, 2007 11:01 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom by Jo Barrett

In Jo Barrett's debut novel, former lawyer Claire St John has left New York after divorcing her cheating husband Charles. She's now back home in Austin, Texas to write her bestselling book. About what, she's not quite sure... Then she hits on a brilliant idea: she'll demystify women for men. She'll call her book The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom. After all, the bathroom (by which she means public toilets - thank goodness for American euphemisms as that wouldn't make a snappy title!) is where Claire has received all the best (sometimes drunken) advice and where women mull over some of their biggest decisions, from 'shall I keep this baby?' to 'do I want to sleep with him tonight?' (Yes I know, those should be the other way around...)

As well as re-adjusting to life in Austin, ignoring her mother's dietary advice and running up and down the road in a bikini (don't ask), Claire is also falling for Jake Armstrong, a sexy food entrepreneur. But should she? A few discussions in front of the mirrors under harsh florescent bathroom lighting should help her decide...

In a similar way to A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, there's a book within a book here as we read both the novel and the book our heroine is creating. I enjoyed this book-within-book much more than the tractors one, though! Not only is Jo Barrett a smart, witty and talented author, but her heroine is too. The novel is full of great banter and memorable characters, and I'm sure it will translate brilliantly to the big screen.

Click here to read a sample chapter.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Time Off for Good Behavior by Lani Diane Rich.

PS: Do you prefer the American cover? I think it suits the book better.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 18, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 17, 2007 2:48 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan

Bonjour Tristesse is something of a cult classic and I'd been wanting to read it for a while. If I'd known how short it was, I might have added it to my 'to be read' pile a lot sooner! When it came out in 1953 it caused something of a scandal, and Francoise Sagan is actually a pen name (inspired by Proust) which the author adopted to protect her family's privacy.

French seventeen-year old Cecile and her father Raymond are very close, almost weirdly so. They're on holiday together on the French Riviera, enjoying the sun in the day and the nightclubs at night, when Raymond invites Anne, an old friend of Cecile's (long-dead) mother, to stay. His girlfriend Elsa, who is also staying with them, is less than impressed, as is Cecile - and she launches a plan to get rid of Anne which has a far worse outcome than she ever could have anticipated...

To say this novel seems to be so revered, I found it a little lacking in... something. I didn't really care about any of the characters. The writing and observations were at times very good, but the book is so small (just 108 pages) that there's little depth. The ending is a bit shocking, and left me feeling unsettled, and the book is a good read.

But I was expecting to love it, and I didn't. C'est la vie.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith.

Classic novels archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 17, 2007 in Book related, Classic Novels, Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (5)

May 16, 2007 4:48 PM

MOVIE NEWS: The Time Traveler's Wife

Yes, again. But with good reason. Finally, we've got cast members!

Eric Bana will play Henry, while, as predicted, Rachel Mean Girls McAdams is to be Clare. They're no Brad and Jen, but I can actually see them both in the roles. [via Writer Unboxed]

What do you think?

Posted by Aigua Media on May 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (3)

May 15, 2007 2:27 PM

TUESDAY THREE: Imaginary friends

I had one named Mr Corbett. Once, I left my grandparents house and, on the way home, said I’d left him behind. My dad said, “That’s okay, he’s running behind the car.” What on earth am I blethering on about? Imaginary friends! This week we look at three books featuring characters that may not exactly be, you know, real.

Lois Winston’s Talk Gertie to Me features Nori, who, in just one day, loses her boyfriend, best friend and her job and gets home to find that her mother has turned up unannounced for an indefinite stay. Before too long her childhood imaginary friend Gertie emerges to dispense straight talking advice. Gertie isn’t a physical presence, but a voice in Nori’s head, and the whole book is great fun.

Shannon McKelden's witty debut, Venus Envy, finds Venus/Aphrodite/goddess of love in the Seattle area, having to matchmake mortals to appease her father (that'd be Zeus). She's horrified to find her latest challenge is Rachel, who is so damaged by previous disastrous relationships that she's sworn off men for life and fills her time with good works instead. Luckily for Rachel, Luke - a hunky local firefighter - has taken a shine to her and isn't willing to take no for an answer. With Luke already interested and Venus there to help, what could possibly go wrong? Ha.

We haven’t actually reviewed Cecelia Ahern’s If You Could See Me Now, but it’s the story of Elizabeth Egan who has everything under control apart from her irresponsible sister Saoirse. Elizabeth has to take care of Saoirse’s six-year-old son Luke. One day, a stranger unexpectedly comes into their lives. Ivan is carefree, spontaneous and always looking for adventure - everything that Elizabeth is not. In no time at all, he has crept under her skin and started to change her life in ways she could never have . She knows barely anything about Ivan - who he is and whether he is everything he seems. But it turns out he might just be a little bit magical...

And don't forget that the movie (a musical!) is currently in “active production” with Hugh Jackman as the star.

Posted by Keris on May 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Cecelia Ahern, Debut Novels, Irish Authors, Supernatural, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (3)

May 11, 2007 10:23 AM

BOOK NEWS: The Straight Road to Kylie by Nico Medina

After I wrote about the singer Kylie Minogue on Shiny's new women's blog, DollyMix, Chicklish ed Luisa Plaja alerted me to this forthcoming book and it sounds fantastic.

Life is fabulous for Jonathan Parish. He's seventeen, out and proud, and ready to party through senior year with his posse of best girlfriends. But the year starts off with the wrong kind of bang when Jonathan -- in an inebriated lapse of judgment -- sleeps with a friend of his...a girl friend!

When word gets around that hot-but-previously-unavailable Jonathan might be on the market, the school's It girl approaches him with a proposal: pretend to be her boyfriend, and achieve popularity like he's never known. But popularity isn't what Jonathan wants. And suddenly, going back into the closet becomes Jonathan's only way to get what he's after -- a trip to see Kylie Minogue. [via Amazon]

Related posts: Kylie joins celebrity authors | Book news archives

Posted by Keris on May 11, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (1)

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)

GUEST BLOG: Claire Allan

For the past couple of months, Claire Allan has been sharing her experiences on the road to publication of her debut novel, Rainy Days & Tuesdays. This month's all about mug shots, booze, hookers... oh and second books...

Thankfully the day job as a journalist gives me access to talented photographers who can be bribed with a bottle of wine to take a couple of snaps but unlucky soul who had the task of making me look all sensible and talented had his work cut out for him. I'm not a fan of my smile, so several of the shots look like mug shots.

I also have a habit of closing my eyes when the flash goes off - again this does not make for the finest image. Think Hugh Grant in embarrassing LA Hooker incident.

I contemplated going incognito as a writer and creating a fabulous pen name (think Pixie Pirelli), but Poolbeg assured me that I'm fine as I am. I'm "quirky" apparently. I think that's a complement.

Aside from that however my relationship with Rainy Days and Tuesdays has been a very distant one this month. I've set it free and relaxed into some semblance of a normal life working diligently on Book Two and continuing to plan Book Three. I look at pictures of the cover occasionally and swoon at its beauty

It has taken me a while to fall as utterly in love with my second book as with my first, but now I'm in my addictive phase of writing. I get home, throw the wee man into his bed, beg him to fall asleep (I use bribery if necessary) and sit down at the laptop. It is an amazing feeling to see the words spill onto the screen and even better to read over them later and realise they make sense.

As has been said to me just this week the second book sometimes matters even more than the first (no pressure there then!), but I'll not even think about that for now. I'll just keep writing and living vicariously through a cast characters having their share of troubles and joy in London and Derry.

The second book is more of a challenge in terms of research, as one of the characters has fertility problems. I'm so determined not to do an injustice to every woman who has been affected by this so I'm relying on wonderfully open and honest people to share their experiences with me. Thankfully, although infertility still seems to hold a certain taboo, people have been happy to share with me.

While so much of writing goes on alone, with only a laptop and a glass of Pinot Grigio for company, this research aspect has made me realise that no writer is an island. (Then again, looking at the size of me in the publicity shots...)

Amazon is still giving a release date to the UK market on June 25, so next month I'll probably be incoherent and babbling with nervous tension. I'll keep you posted.

Posted by Keris on May 8, 2007 in Book related, Debut Novels, Irish Authors | Permalink | Comments (2)

TUESDAY THREE: Lists

I do love a good list and this week's three books use lists in different, but equally entertaining, ways.

E Lockhart’s The Boyfriend List is the story of Ruby Oliver, a 15-year-old girl who's been referred to a psychiatrist after suffering a series of panic attacks. Ruby's psychiatrist notices that she's talking about boys quite a lot, so asks her to make a "boyfriend list", listing every boy she's ever had any kind of romantic liaison with, however insignificant. Most of the chapters of this wonderful book are named after one of the boys on the list, and Ruby narrates the story of what happens with each boy within each chapter, allowing the narrative to switch around, and also feeding in information about her family, her rift with her best friend and the causes of her anxiety.

Karen Bosnak’s Twenty Times a Lady is a novel about that most sensitive of sexual subjects: your "number".  You know, THAT number. Delilah Darling has just been made redundant. Even worse (in her eyes): she wakes up after a particularly  regrettable one-night stand and realizes she's now slept with 20 men. She's shocked, especially as she's just read that the average girl's number is half that... so she vows that she won't sleep with another man. Ever.

This leaves her with a bit of a problem really, as she's hoping to get married and have children eventually. So she takes her redundancy payment, her hire car and her Blackberry and sets off on a journey across America to track down her lost loves. After all, she reasons, surely one of her ex-lovers must be the right guy for her... her romantic instincts can't be that bad. Can they?

Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life is Amy Krouse Rosenthal's autobiography - kind of. It's an alphabetised account of her experiences and thoughts on life, large and small, interspersed with a chronology of her life experiences, from how she came up with the idea of the book to why she could never concentrate during Laverne and Shirley. Although it's a very funny book it's not a superficial or silly one - Amy shares some very personal facts and difficult experiences, including unexpected deaths of loved ones. It's a completely absorbing read.

Posted by Keris on May 8, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Non Fiction, Tuesday Three, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 3, 2007 2:10 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Bergdorf Blondes

Plum Sykes has apparently been approached by HBO to create a screenplay of her debut novel, Bergdorf Blondes. [via Styledash]

Since we're still waiting *taps foot* for HBO's adaptation of Jennifer Weiner's Good In Bed, I'm not holding my breath.

Movie news archives

Posted by Keris on May 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 1, 2007 10:56 AM

Jenny Gardiner wins American Title-III contest!

Remember how we nagged and nagged and nagged you to vote for Jenny Gardiner's novel Sleeping With Ward Cleaver in the American Title-III contest? Well all that nagging paid off because she won! And she sent us a message:

I would love to thank the Trashionistas for their wonderful support during the contest. The book will be published by Dorchester Publishing and the pub date is 28 January 2008! So thank you all so very much for your help--I am ever so grateful!

You're welcome, Jenny! Carry on over the cut to read the back cover blurb.

CLEAVERED

Wham, bam, no-thank-you, ma'am. That about sums up the sex life of Claire Doolittle. Not-so-happily married to Jack—once the man of her dreams but now a modern-day version of the bossy, dull Ward Cleaver of '50s sitcom fame—Claire is at the end of her rope. Gone are the glorious days of flings in elevators and broom closets. Jack? All he needs is a cardigan and a billowing pipe to become the domineering father figure Claire never wanted. And looking at her body in the mirror, Claire would cast herself as Lumpy. They’d once had a world of color, of wanton frivolity. Now, life’s black and white: a sitcom in reruns. A not-very-funny sitcom.  Cue an old boyfriend—the "one that got away"—throw in a predatory hottie who's set her sights on our leading man, and watch Claire's world spiral out of control.

In the old TV show, the Beaver always got a happy ending. Claire wants one, too.

Posted by Keris on May 1, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (1)

More on PS I Love You - the film

We've reported on filming of Cecilia Ahern's smash-hit novel PS: I Love You before: remember when Hilary Swank was injured?

But did you know Friends star Lisa Kudrow is in it? - I didn't! James Marsters from Buffy is also co-starring. And so is Kathy Bates, and Harry Connick Jr (last seen as the totally obnoxious Leo in Will and Grace).

News on a release date as soon as we get it!

[Via Imdb.com]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 1, 2007 in Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Irish Authors, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

TUESDAY THREE: Money worries

This week’s Tuesday Three takes a look at something common to most, if not all, of us - money worries.

Raising the Roof, Jane Wenham-Jones' first novel, is about Cari Carrington, the daughter of slightly crazy parents and ex-wife of Martin, the man who cut up her Barclaycard. Cari has three problems: she’s single, she’s jobless and she’s fat. At least that’s what Martin told her during their last blazing row. But don’t worry; Cari has a solution to at least two of those problems. Nigel her horny friend soon becomes her Nigel her horny business partner when they buy a run down property to do up for a profit. Unfortunately Nigel fails to tell Cari exactly how much work needs to be done and she soon sees her investment running away from her so she has to take a more hands on approach than she’d intended...

I couldn’t write about money worries without featuring The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic now, could I. The ultimate in girlie escapism, the first of the super-successful Shopaholic series from Sophie Kinsella is a laugh-out loud cautionary tale of what happens when you lose track of your spending. From the hilarious letters to her bank manager that start each chapter to the tales of her burgeoning romance with the lovely Luke Brandon and her warts-and-all friendship with Sloaney Suze, the pages fly by. Luckily, there's four more where this came from.

Not strictly chick lit - being that it’s both about and written by a man - is Marc Acito’s How I Paid For College. A fabulous, over-the-top, brilliantly written, laugh-a-minute novel about Edward, a high-school senior in 1980s New Jersey, who is desperate to study acting at the prestigious Julliard in New York City but his overbearing father has refused to pay and his flaky mother is incommunicado on her latest hippy retreat. So Edward comes up with an outrageous scheme to enable him to fund his college education himself. Not that paying for college is Edward’s only problem: he has a permanently stoned sister, wicked stepmother and his own confused sexuality to contend with. A brilliant read.

Posted by Keris on May 1, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Sophie Kinsella, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 30, 2007 12:55 PM

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)

MOVIE NEWS: The Jane Austen Book Club

I seem to be the only Trashionista writer who loved The Jane Austen Book Club , but obviously people somewhere agree with me, as Hollywood quickly snapped up the rights for a big screen version of the novel.

Emily Blunt, who played the English first assistant (based on Plum Sykes?) in The Devil Wears Prada, stars, along with Amy Brenneman from (one of my faves) Judging Amy. Hugh Dancy, who will also star in Bronte (it's in 'pre-production' now) is in it too - but there's no news on a release date yet.

We'll keep you posted.

[Via Imdb.com]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Devil Wears Prada, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Recent Release, Richard and Judy, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 27, 2007 6:32 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Heart-Shaped Box

It might not surprise you to hear that Stephen King's son, Joe Hill, is apparently a super-talented thriller writer, just like daddy. And he's following in his dad's footsteps by having his first novel, Heart Shaped Box, turned into a film, reports Variety.

Veteran Irish filmmaker Neil 'The Crying Game' Jordan will direct.

Movie news archives | Friday Flick archives

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 27, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Movie News, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (1)

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 8:41 PM

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)

BOOK REVIEW: The Manny by Holly Peterson

It's apparently the latest, hottest trend in Manhattan: more popular than the Birkin bag, better than Jimmy Choos: it's The Manny, or male nanny...

Jamie Whitfield is at the end of her tether with her husband Philip, an overgrown spoiled rich kid who can never have enough money and who spends all his time at work, away from Jamie and their three children. Oldest son Dylan has begun to resent the lack of attention from his father, and has started to act strangely as a result - sitting down in the middle of a school basketball game and bursting into tears, for example...

His mother decides something must be done: so she hires Peter, a specialist in child' education, who'll hang out with Dylan and be something of a father figure for him. The only problem is, Jamie doesn't want Philip to know...

Actually that's not her only problem, just one of many : Jamie's trying to break a huge national story in her job as producer at a major news network and it's not going smoothly. More importantly, the problems in her marriage are brought into stark relief by her growing attraction to Peter...

I liked this book, although I think it would have benefited from one final round of edits: it was a bit too long. Also, although Peter started out quite charismatic, he became rather arrogant and the way he talked to Jamie often seemed rude although was supposed to be just cheeky. Jamie keeps telling us how charming Peter is, but this wasn't shown very often! Compared to Philip however, he's wonderful: The author doesn't seem to realise that having Jamie complain so much about her husband makes her look like a bit of a weak character. And having Jamie say she hates the upper-class snobbery of The Grid, the exclusive area of Manhattan she lives in seemed a bit hollow: she is also very taken in by it - and Peterson lives there herself so she can't hold it in that much contempt!

I also felt the story was needlessly slow at times - but as Jamie's work storyline hotted up, I was gripped (this was probably the most exciting part of the novel, and Holly Peterson's own experience as a producer was clear - although for her sake I hope she had a better time in that job than Jamie does in hers...) The book ended a little suddenly, but I was pleased with the denouement.

I think I would have just liked Peter to have been more Mary Poppins-ish...

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Nanny Diaries by The Nanny Diaries by Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 25, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 24, 2007 1:44 PM

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)

BOOK REVIEW: How To Sleep With a Movie Star by Kristin Harmel

I’ve had a bit of a bad run of books lately: boring characters, lifeless plots, unsatisfying endings, so I picked up How to Sleep With a Movie Star hoping it would be a nice chunk of escapism that would leave me with a smile on my face. I wasn't disappointed.

Claire Reilly, celebrity editor at Mod magazine (which is pretty similar to Ugly Betty’s Mode magazine), can’t understand why her layabout boyfriend Tom has lost interest in her. And writing an article singing the praises of one night stands doesn’t help her work it out. Sent to interview Hollywood megastar, Cole Brannon, Claire expects him to be a typical egomaniac, but he's not - he's down to earth, sweet and even more gorgeous in real life. And he seems interested in her, but he couldn’t be, could he?

When a backstabbing colleague finds out about Claire’s friendship with Cole, Claire's worried her boss will question her professionalism, despite the fact that she hasn’t actually done anything wrong. That doesn’t matter, of course, if someone’s got it in for you and soon - thanks to the evil colleague and not helped by Claire's own low self-esteem - Claire’s life is falling apart.

How to Sleep With a Movie is great fun. Cole Brannon is gorgeous (if a little too good to be true, but this is fantasy, so that’s okay). Claire is sweet (if a little wet, but that just makes the story even more Cinderella-ish) and the baddies are really, really bad (in a good way). I really enjoyed it - it would be perfect for the beach - and I’m looking forward to Kristin Harmel’s next book.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Year of Living Famously by Laura Caldwell

Posted by Keris on April 24, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

Interview with Aury Wellington...

No, not on here (unfortunately): editor of controversial anthology This Is Not Chick Lit, Elizabeth Merrick launched a new series of author interviews on Bookslut this week. Her inaugural interviewee is Aury Wellington, author of controversial YA book Pop!

Find out how she writes, what her big break was (clue here) and why her mum always wanted her to join the army... all by reading the interview.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Debut Novels, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Television, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

April 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)

April 18, 2007 10:59 AM

BOOK REVIEW: A Bad Boy Can Be Good For A Girl by Tanya Lee Stone

We actually included Tanya Lee Stone’s A Bad Boy Can Be Good For A Girl in our Top 10 Young Adult Books last year, but we hadn’t actually reviewed it ... until now.

The first thing I must say about this book is that it’s written in verse. But don’t let that put you off. It’s the stories of three high school girls - Josie, Nicolette and Aviva - who all date the same unnamed bad boy, though not at the same time. All three think they can change him and I don’t think I’m giving too much away when I say that none manages it and the girls get hurt instead.

I flew through this book, in fact I read it in one sitting. It’s clever, funny, though-provoking, inspiring, in fact, I think it should be compulsory reading for all teenage girls (and probably boys too).

I didn’t notice while I was actually reading the book, but once I’d finished and I started reading it again, I realised that each poem could easily stand up on its own. It’s an incredible achievement. Plus it features an inspired use of a copy of Judy Blume’s Forever. What more could you possibly want.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try The Boyfriend List by E Lockhart

Posted by Keris on April 18, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 5/5, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (7)

April 12, 2007 4:18 PM

Cosmopolitan's Miss Write competition

Are you Miss Write? Cosmopolitan's UK edition is once again running its popular new novelist competition, and you can find all the details on how to enter and exactly what the prize involves, by clicking here.

If you want to enter, you'll need to have a synopsis of your story plus the first 3,000 words ready by the closing date, 31 May 2007. Go on - this could be your big chance! You could even see your book being reviewed on this very site - how cool would that be? (Answer: very).

Related: The Daily Mail's first novel award | Debut novels

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 12, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 10, 2007 6:29 PM

Faber's book club guides

Here's something useful, whether you're in a book club or not: publishers Faber have produced a series of online guides (in PDF format) to some of their most popular books, including A Complicated Kindness and The Bell Jar.

Just clicky here to peruse them...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 10, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Classic Novels, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

TUESDAY THREE: Dear Diary

Thanks to Bridget Jones, diaries will probably always be synonymous with chick lit, but Bridget wasn't the only heroine to share her secret scribblings with the world. This week's Tuesday Three looks at novels written in diary form.

Sue Hepworth and Jane Linfoot’s Plotting for Beginners is a wonderfully funny novel about starting again after your children have left home, your husband is AWOL and you want to fulfill your dreams. Sally Howe and her husband are spending a year apart, as he wants to live in a cabin in the American wilderness and she wants to write a novel and launch a career in journalism. But when Sally learns that her husband considers the Rockies just the start of his overseas adventures, she begins to worry about the possible disintegration of her marriage - and its effect on her writing plans...

The debut novel from author Robyn Harding, The Journal of Mortifying Moments is about ad-agency worker Kerry Spence. Stuck in a boring job, put down by her mother on countless occasions, and having trouble finding the perfect man, Kerry hires a therapist who sets her a task - “A diary of past encounters with men that may be contributing to your current negative and dysfunctional relationship.” In other words, The Journal of Mortifying Moments. This book isn't exactly a heart-warming tale of love and marriage - but who needs that when you have a diary full of morbidly embarrassing situations?

Published back in 2000, Raphaella Barker's Hens Dancing is the story of a year in the life of Venetia Summers, whose husband leaves her and their three kids to shack up with his masseuse. From nits to bathroom conversions to unexpected guests and, most importantly, learning to cope with being a single mother with an irascible ex, Hens Dancing is about life-changing disasters, small triumphs and everything in between..

Posted by Keris on April 10, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 4, 2007 9:51 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Chocolate Beach by Julie Carobini

I’ve heard quite a lot about Christian (sometimes called “inspirational”) chick lit, so when I heard about Julie Carobini’s Chocolate Beach (and saw the fantastic cover) I had to snap it up.

Free-spirited Bri Stone has an idyllic life, living at a California beach, working as a tour guide and taking care of her beloved husband and son. But when Bri begins to worry that her hard-working lawyer husband Douglas may be bored with her -  and 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.

I had high hopes for Chocolate Beach, but I was disappointed. I’m not at all religious and was concerned the religious aspects would bug me, but they didn’t, they fitted seamlessly into the story, informing and aiding Bri’s choices. What I did have a problem with was the plot and the characters. I liked Bri, but the supporting characters, from Douglas to his mother to Bri’s former and new bosses, the characters behaviour seemed unrealistic and just a way of furthering the pretty weak plot. Often, events came out of nowhere and left me unsatisfied.

Carobini does have a lovely turn of phrase, but between little happening and the unconvincing nature of that which does happen, I was sadly disappointed.

Rating: 2 out of 5

Like this? Try Everyone Else’s Girl by Megan Crane

Posted by Keris on April 4, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 2/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 2, 2007 1:45 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Looking for Alaska by John Green

John Green’s Looking for Alaska is probably the book I’ve heard most consistent raves about over the last couple of years (Green’s second book, An Abundance of Katherines, would be in the top 5 too) so part of me was excited about reading it, but equally I expected to be disappointed. I wasn’t.

When Miles Hunter goes away to school he is looking for something to happen. Obsessed with the last words of historical figures, Miles wants to find the Great Perhaps (Francois Rabelais' last words were, "I go to seek a Great Perhaps".) At Culver Creek Boarding School Miles's roommate, nicknamed the Colonel, introduces him to the gorgeous and enigmatic (aren’t they always?) Alaska Young and Miles’s life takes an exiting turn.

The students of Culver Creek are into pranks, sneaking out to smoke and drink, and basically getting away with as much as they can without risk of expulsion. But, of course, when you live on the edge someone’s bound to fall off ...

John Green writes beautifully and I found that once I started reading Looking for Alaska I didn’t want to stop. The book is separated into “Before” (beginning “one hundred thirty six days before”) and “After”, which was a clever device - I found myself reading faster and faster as I got closer to whatever was going to happen  (which you don’t expect me to tell you, do you?).

The characters aren’t exactly original - Miles is the self-conscious, friendless nerdy type, taken in hand by the strong and confident Colonel. As for Alaska - do all teenage boys want a narcissistic depressive who will tease them constantly and never let them know where they stand? Fiction suggests they do. Having said that, I was kind of fascinated by Alaska too, so maybe everyone loves a tragic heroine.

What really stood out for me - apart from the excellent writing - were the teachers (who appeared to be typical cliched authority figures, but were really no such thing), the abrasive but witty dialogue throughout and an inspired scene towards the end that had me laughing out loud.

Looking for Alaska certainly deserves all the accolades that have been heaped upon it and the included preview chapter of An Abundance of Katherines suggests that book does too.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Holes by Louis Sachar

Posted by Keris on April 2, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, More On Monday, Prize Winners, Rating: 4/5, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (6)

GUEST BLOG: Claire Allan

In case you missed Claire's guest blog last month, she's warming up to publication of her debut novel, Rainy Days & Tuesdays and sharing the experience with us Trashionistas. This month waiting, holding your book for the first time and, um, big fat hairy ... never mind. Over to Claire:

I know all there is to know about the waiting game

The one lesson I’ve learned in my burgeoning writing career is that things are very stop and start. One week you can be working your socks off and praying for an extra hour to magically appear in the day and the next you are clock watching, waiting for the door to open or phone to ring, or email to ping into your in-box.

This past month has been a heady mixture of both of these experiences. The buzz of seeing my book cover has settled. I still feel a little frisson of excitement when I see it, but I’m less inclined to cry or have the urge to sleep with a picture of it under my pillow.

The hard work started in earnest with a speed edit in preparation for an advance proof copy to be put together for the big hitters in the book trade. Myself and my very lovely (and eagle eyed) editor Gaye Shortland had a very mad weekend trading hyphens for dashes and explaining the finer points of Northern Irish dialect. We also had a rather unfortunate clash over the use of the phrase “big fat hairy balls”- but perhaps I will leave that to your imagination.

I would receive emails with 10 minutes notice to rewrite a paragraph and then, almost as suddenly as the speed edit had started, it was over. And it got very quiet.

I was able to start work again on my second book, which is due for submission in September and I trundled along quite nicely forgetting about Grace and Co. from ‘Rainy Days’ and losing myself in Aoife and Beth from ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered.’

But just a week later I received a series of frantic phonecalls from the publishing assistant at Poolbeg who asked that I personalise 32 proof copies of my book to be personally handed out to industry bosses.

It would seem that the marketing machine is stepping up a gear. 

Seeing my book for the first time was a remarkably emotional experience. As with all the major events in this journey so far, this moment was in work. The parcel arrived (the day after I expected) and my colleagues crowded round once more to see the finished product.

I saw it, held it, flicked through it, looked at it some more and had a blub. I was, for once, speechless. This was and is my dream come true. Only someone who wants to be a writer can understand how that moment might feel. It was truly overwhelming.

I was allowed to hold on to the book for a measly weekend before sending the autographed copies back down. As I write this. I’m holding on to it and telling myself over and over again that this is MY book.

I feel lucky and blessed every day!

More from Claire next month.

Posted by Keris on April 2, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels | Permalink | Comments (3)

MOVIE NEWS: Sammy's Hill by Kristin Gore

Kristin Gore's debut novel, Sammy's Hill, is to be turned into a movie. Controversial director David O. Russell (Three Kings and I (Heart) Huckabees) is adapting and will direct.

Kristin is the daughter of former vice president turned environmental evangelist Al Gore and Sammy's Hill centres on a young woman who tries to balance a job as a congressional aide on Capitol Hill while trying to find a man. I started reading it when it came out (during a painful bout of West Wing-withdrawal) but only got as far as (*checks book*) page 29 before losing interest. Following this news, I'll move it up my queue for another go.

And, yes, my book cover obsession continues. One of the things that attracted me to Sammy's Hill was this cover:

Cute, eyecatching, funny, right?

But I just spotted this later cover:

Boring, generic and it looks very eighties to me. At least they kept the fishbowl, even though you'd barely notice it. How disappointing.

What do you think?

Posted by Keris on April 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 30, 2007 3:43 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: White Oleander

Based on the wonderful novel by Janet Fitch (which I LOVED - and I'll be reviewing her latest, Paint it Black, soon) White Oleander is the story of Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) a beautiful but manipulative single mother who is sent to jail for murdering her ex-lover, leaving her teenage daughter Astrid (Alison Lohman) to shuttle from foster home to foster home with often disastrous consequences.

Astrid finally finds a happy home with Renee Zellweger, who she really clicks with - but soon her jealous mother has found a way to destroy that, too...

The story of a mother too selfish to let her daughter (or anyone else) be happy is moving and convincingly acted (nice to see Pfeiffer being coolly evil for a change, she does it well!) But there's no way this could match up to the brilliance and subtlety of the book, and it's not a particularly great film, although it's not a bad one, either. The choice of Billy Connolly to play Ingrid's ex struck me as odd - not what I was expecting from that character, and hard for British viewers not to see him as a comedy figure! Alison Lohman is very talented though, and hopefully destined for bigger things.

Like this, but with Angelina Jolie (and no murder): Girl, Interrupted

Friday Flick archives

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Friday Flick, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (4)

March 28, 2007 2:17 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week you totally disagreed with Orange Prize judge Muriel Gray's assertion that women's fiction is dull and trivial. As Cathy put it, "Women write what many women want to read and that does tend to be relationship/family based fiction. So what?"

This week I thought it was time to look at another book that people seem to either love or hate. Diane included Allison Pearson's I Don't Know How She Does It in her recent round-up of the best in chick lit, but many commenters (there and elsewhere) just can't stand it.

So what do you think of Pearson's book about trying to have it all? I Don't Know How She Does It - Yay or Nay and Why?

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

Posted by Keris on March 28, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (2)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Sheila Curran

This week's author is Sheila Curran, whose debut Diana Lively is Falling Down I defy you not to want to read once you see who Sheila would like to play her characters in a film!

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Romantic comedy about how living in Arizona for a year helps a desperate British housewife/architect and her family rediscover themselves.  Rapunzel meets Little Miss Sunshine. [That's way more than 15 words, but I love the last sentence so I'll let her off! - Keris]

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

I sit in a comfy chair, feet on an ottoman, with my laptop.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

It's a tie: Bridget Jones's Diary and I Don't Know How She Does It.

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

Ellen Foster, an eleven year old narrator in this absolutely captivating and delicious novel by Kaye Gibbons

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

Don't give up on yourself, don't worry about getting published, just write everyday and when it's time, it will happen.

What are you reading at the moment?

Breathing Underwater, by Lu Vickers.  Brilliant.

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

The working title is Lucy Vargas is Turning Around. Romantic comedy set in the south. Jane Eyre meets Bleak House.

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

If your book were a movie, who'd play the leads?
Diana Lively - Diane Lane; Ted - Colin Firth or James Spader;  Wally - Clive Owen, Jeff Bridges or the guy who plays Tony Soprano; Humphrey - a younger Jude Law or Johnny Depp

Thanks, Sheila!

Posted by Keris on March 28, 2007 in Book related, Debut Novels, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (3)

March 26, 2007 2:14 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Any Way You Want Me by Lucy Diamond

Lucy Diamond's debut Any Way You Want Me was described as "racy" in a recent Observer newspaper mum lit round-up and it is racy indeed, but it's also so much more.

Sadie's got a great life, loving husband, two gorgeous kids, but she misses her wild and crazy sex kitten single days. At first she finds herself embroidering the truth (okay, lying) when people (okay, an attractive man) ask her what she does. But then when her partner's boss's husband (keep up) comes on to her, she can't resist a steamy affair. All is excitement at first, but of course things get out of hand and it looks like Sadie may lose everything.

Carry on over the cut to find out what we thought of Any Way You Want Me and for your chance to win a copy.

I absolutely loved this book. I read it curled up on the couch laughing, gasping, shouting (yes, I shout at books) and even crying a little. Diamond brilliantly captures that awful feeling of being away from your children, full of guilt and unexpressed milk, having to cut all social engagements short because the baby won't stop crying, not to mention lying about what you do because you know telling someone you're a "stay at home mum" is a real conversation stopper. And the sex scenes are great too. 

Highly recommended.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Getting Rid of Matthew by Jane Fallon

We've got 5 copies of Any Way You Want Me to give away. To be in with a chance of winning one all you need to do is sign up for our mailout before the 31st March 2007.

Simply enter your email address in the box on the right of the screen where it says "get mailout" and follow the simple instructions. Not only will 5 lucky subscribers be chosen at random to win a copy of Any Way You Want Me, everyone who signs up will also get all the latest Trashionista news and goss via email each day! Plus there will be more competitions over the next couple of days, so if you don't win this one, you may win something else. Good luck! 

Posted by Keris on March 26, 2007 in Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 23, 2007 12:59 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Dear Zoe by Philip Beard

Dear Zoe has been compared to The Lovely Bones (which unlike some people, I found a brilliant read) but I'm going to state this right now: it's much, much better.

It's narrated by Tess, in the form of one long letter (divided into chapters) to her three-year old sister Zoe who died in a car crash almost a year earlier - on September 11, 2001.

It includes her recollections of the past and details of where her life is now, leading up to her attempts to get down on paper what happened the fateful day that Zoe died - and her own part in what went wrong.

It's intended to be a young adult novel, I think, but anyone could read and enjoy it. It's the best YA I've ever read, totally unputdownable. It's subtle and poignant and heart-rending, but doesn't layer the sentimentality on with a trowel, which The Lovely Bones (much as I loved it) did. I also thought the exploration of private grief on a day associated with public grief was compelling and heartbreaking. It made me think of all the people whose loved ones died on that day, both in the Twin Towers attack and for unrelated reasons. I'm not ashamed to say I cried. A lot.

But this is by no means a depressing book - it concentrates a lot on normal teenage life. At times, I found myself thinking it really was written by a 15-year old girl, rather than a grown man! Philip Beard has perfectly captured the life of a teen girl and the inner workings of a teenager's mind. He must have done some research into the grooming rituals of an image-obsessed teenager, as he has this down pat.

He's created a flawed but intensely likeable character in Tess. He's also created a very vivid and true-seeming depiction of a family's loss and I highly (highly!) recommend it.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Anybody Out There? by Marian Keyes

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 23, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Daily Mail's first novel award for aspiring literary stars - could it be you?

The Daily Mail's book club has been a popular addition to their paper and website and now news reaches Trashionista Towers that The Daily Mail has teamed up with Transworld Publishers to launch the Daily Mail First Novel Award. Transworld will offer the winning author a publishing contract of £30,000 and publish the winning book in April 2008.

The prize will be judged by a panel of book experts including authors Joanne Harris and Lee Child.

If you want to enter, you don't have long: only until 2nd July 2007, in fact. All entries must be original, previously unpublished works of fiction on any subject in any genre. And as the title suggests, it must be your first novel!

Go to the site for more details on how to enter.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 23, 2007 in Book related, Competition, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 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)

MOVIE NEWS: The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom

JoAnna Barrett's new novel, The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom has been generating a huge amount of buzz before its release on 27th March - not least because the lovely Hugh Jackman has already optioned the book for his very selective production company (they only choose three projects a year; this is their comedy) so it must be worth a read! Of course we'll bring you our review asap...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 19, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Movie News, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 11:13 AM

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 5:12 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Hot and Bothered by Annie Downey

Annie Downey is an intelligent, funny writer with a healthy dose of quirk. She regularly contributes to alternative parenting magazine Hip Mama and Hot and Bothered is her first novel.

Her heroine is a single mother of a young girl and teenage boy and she's dealing with looking after them plus the fallout of a messy divorce and her own lack of motivation and enthusiasm for life. She's cynical, funny, rather ditsy and somewhat lacking in self-belief...

and very charming.

The book has a chronological narrative but is divided into chapters with different themes, all of which begin "A week..." ("...from hell" and "...of merriment" are two headers). Each chapter is then divided into short (ranging from one sentence to a page and a half) paragraphs, making this a snappy, focused read with very little waffle. It's also an often unpredictable read, and I found many moments in the book hilarious - such as when the main character goes for a walk, meets a woman outside her house, invents that she's a professional dog walker and lands herself a new job walking the woman's dog and cleaning her house...! It's such a funny scene, and by no means the only thing I laughed out loud at - but the book is very warm and contains real emotion, too.

It was also just a tad odd - the main character (whose name we don't learn 'til the end of the book, so I'm afraid it hasn't stuck in my brain! I know, I'm getting old) is obsessed with pink clogs, but aren't clogs the least comfortable footwear ever? And she makes frequent references to being small and midget-like, but it turns out she's the same height as the lovely Keris... who as we know is in perfect proportion - ish. Maybe the author feels a little height disadvantaged, I don't know... Also, the main character's best friend Kip is more than a bit mean, but I came to like her by the end of the book!

Definitely not your usual mummy/mommy lit - this story's a good bit more complicated, and a little bit more quirky but it's a very fun read I found hard to put down.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Only Boy for Me by Gil McNeil.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 14, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 5:12 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Cold Mountain

Based on the critically acclaimed novel, by Charles Frazier, Cold Mountain stars Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger (who won an Oscar for this role).

Law plays a confederate soldier who, disillusioned with the Civil War, sets off on foot to return to Cold Mountain and Ada, the woman he loves. Of course, things haven't exactly been a picnic for Ada while he's been away ...

I must admit, I haven't seen the film because, despite being beautifully written, the book was far too slow-going for me. Anyone seen it?

Friday Flick archives

Posted by Keris on March 9, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Friday Flick, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

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)

March 7, 2007 10:18 AM

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 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)

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 10:22 AM

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 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)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Ellen Meister

I loved Ellen Meister's debut, Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA, so I'm happy to welcome her as the latest Trashionista author interviewee! (I really need to find a new way to introduce these interviews ...)

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:
 
My title alone practically goes over the limit, so we won't count that, right? Here goes.  In Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA, three  women conspire to get a George Clooney movie filmed in their children's schoolyard. 

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

I used to sit at my kitchen table with my laptop, but now I have a tiny home office upstairs. It's almost always a mess, but it has a door, which comes in handy when you have three kids.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson is as good as they get. It's poignant and smart and hilarious. A treasure.

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

I have so many it's hard to answer.  I can tell you that the one who's stayed with me the longest is Isadora Wing from Erica Jong's Fear of Flying. 

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

Tell the emotional truth. Always.

What are you reading at the moment?

A wonderful short story collection called Things Kept, Things Left Behind by Jim Tomlinson.

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

Sure! I just turned in the revised manuscript for my second novel, The Smart One.  Here's the story: After she and her sisters discover that the man next door was a murderer, Bev Bloomrosen tries to reconcile her passion for his comedy writer son ... while struggling with being the family loser.
 
What question have you never been asked in an interview, but think you should have been? (Tell us the question and answer it too, if you like!)
 
George Clooney is waiting backstage; shall I bring him out?

Thanks, Ellen!

Posted by Keris on February 21, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (6)

February 20, 2007 4:23 PM

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 11:07 AM

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 13, 2007 8:37 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Talk Gertie to Me by Lois Winston

I love the premise of Lois Winston’s Talk Gertie to Me. When, in just one day, Nori loses her boyfriend, best friend and her job and gets home to find that her mother has turned up unnanouced for an indefinite stay, her childhood imaginary friend Gertie emerges to dispense straight talking advice.

It turns out that Nori’s mother, Connie, has come to New York as part of an elaborate plan (cooked up with her best friend) to get her overworked husband to take more notice of her and to hook Nori up with Eugene from back home (said best friend’s son).

But, of course, things don’t quite go according to plan. Both Nori and her mother find their lives speeding off in unexpected and exciting directions and, when Nori’s father turns up to talk sense into his errant wife (bringing Eugene along for the ride) things get even more out of hand.

Talk Gertie to Me is great fun. I was hoping Gertie would be a physical presence (like my own imaginary friend, Mr Corbett - what?) but she was just a voice in Nori’s head. Also, the book is written in the first person, with some chapters given over to Nori’s mother, Connie. I wasn’t sure about them at first, but I ended up enjoying Connie’s journey just as much as Nori’s, even if there wasn’t any, um, hooking up in her side of the story. Nori’s love interest, Mac, is sweet and sexy, if a little over-keen and under-developed (as a character, I mean, not physically), but the book has a satisfying ending, even including a sort of ‘where are they now’ update, which I guess rules out a sequel. Shame.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Venus Envy by Shannon McKelden

Posted by Keris on February 13, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 12, 2007 10:15 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Taming the Beast by Emily Maguire

Emily Maguire's debut novel could be described as literary erotic fiction. It's the dark tale of a fourteen-year-old who is seduced by her English teacher one day at school, and of the life-changing chain of events that this unleashes for the heroine and everyone close to her.

Sarah is obsessed with Mr Carr, sex and literature - in that order. But how far will she, and the people who love her, go for the sake of devotion and obsession? In some ways, the character of Sarah was not easy to identify with - she was ruthless, often cold-hearted, and she treated herself and others with little respect. But somehow Emily Maguire made her oddly sympathetic. Mr Carr, who I expected to hate, came across as human too - albeit a terribly flawed, damaged individual. There was something compelling about the story of Sarah's exploits, and I found it very easy to care about Sarah's friend Jamie, her longtime friend and admirer.

Throughout this book, Emily Maguire explores the complexity of relationships. There are no easy answers. This is sometimes an uncomfortable read, but a worthwhile one. The descriptions of Sarah's violent sex life were graphic but not gratuitous, though not particularly erotic, either. The focus was on the emotional state of the characters, and the book was both disturbing and thought-provoking. It is worth reading for a no-holds-barred look at the extremes of female sexuality, and the study of where the true power lies in relationships. There were parallels drawn with Jane Eyre which, though slightly hard to get a grip on initially, gave the book an interesting focus on unconventional heroines, and a feminist slant. A dark and original book. [Luisa Plaja]

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller

Posted by Keris on February 12, 2007 in Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 2/5 | Permalink | Comments (5)

February 9, 2007 10:33 AM

The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

We’ve had a few books about book clubs and now knitting clubs are popping up on chick lit shelves everywhere, as Diane mentioned a while ago. Kate Jacobs’ The Friday Night Knitting Club has already secured a movie deal (with Julia Roberts, no less).

It’s 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.

Woven in (or should I say knitted in?) with Georgia’s story are the stories of the other members of the group: Anita is embarking on her first romance since the death of her beloved husband; pompous academic Darwin is struggling to complete a dissertation while her husband works on the other side of the country; filmmaker Lucie is undertaking single motherhood.

The women are not given equal time - this is certainly Georgia’s book - but they are all interesting and it might be fun for at least a couple of the women to get their own books in the future. The author’s habit of using description in place of names - "the white haired woman said," "The TV producer left the office door open" - drove me to distraction, but that might bother anyone else.

The Friday Night Knitting Club is a lovely, warm, evocative, book that also made me cry. It was perhaps all a bit too perfect and neat (I wasn’t entirely convinced by James’s reasons for staying away, but, at the same time, it was certainly possible and, if true,* believably painful). And, yes, it did make me want to try knitting (again).

* Yes, I know it’s not true, it’s a novel, but you know what I mean. Don’t you?

Rating: 4 out of 5 (I’d like to give it 4.5, but since I can’t it’ll have to be 4)

Like this? Try Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos

Posted by Keris on February 9, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

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)

February 1, 2007 12:30 PM

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 30, 2007 4:48 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Just One Spark by Jenna Bayley-Burke

We featured Jenna Bayley-Burke’s Just One Spark as part of our NaNovember Extravaganza, as Jenna wrote it for National Novel Writing Month. It sounded great, so I was thrilled to finally get to read it - particularly as it’s a Mills & Boon book. It’s a long time since I’ve read a Mills & Boon. I used to sneakily read my grandma’s medical romances and we studied two as part of a Popular Fiction module during my English degree (and they were great), but it turns out they’ve changed. Just One Spark is a “Modern Romance Extra” book and ... well, let me just say this, it’s not like your grandma’s Mills & Boon.

Hannah has been burned by men one time too many, so when firefighter Mason approaches her and she spots his wedding ring, she wastes no time in telling him where to go. But she can’t get him out of her mind. Mason, who isn’t actually married, can’t stop thinking about Hannah either, and when they finally meet up again and Mason convinces Hannah that the wedding ring was part of an experiment his psychologist brother was conducting, things hot up between them. And then they really hot up. Made-me-blush kind of hot.

Let’s make no mistake, the plot of Just One Spark is secondary to the, ahem, action.  And despite the fact that I really liked Hannah and Mason, particularly Mason, as characters, I wasn’t entirely convinced by the plot. Hannah’s family believe on very flimsy evidence that Mason is stalking Hannah; Hannah herself believes - in spite of compelling evidence to the contrary - that Mason is only seeing her for sex. There actually is a stalking sub-plot which I didn’t think was satisfactorily resolved. That's not to say it's not an enjoyable story, because it is, but I did feel that some of the plot was there because the book needed more plot and less sex, rather than the way the characters would really act.

But the action ... well, that was convincing. This book must have been great fun to write. The sex scenes are genuinely erotic and entertaining, yet they never seemed gratuitous, which is some feat.

My grandma, though, would be turning in her grave.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Adored by Tilly Bagshawe

Related posts: Jenna Bayley-Burke guest blog / Mills & Boon on Oneword radio

Posted by Keris on January 30, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 29, 2007 10:46 AM

Free online novel

Author and journalist Bill Stephens is publishing his novel, Horizons Past, online for free. Along with a new chapter each week, the website also features a forum where you can "comment, critique, offer plot revisions, or just chat."

Stephens calls his style "Nicholas Sparks with a sense of humor" and the book’s premise sounds entertaining:

Take "Notting Hill" (1999 movie with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant - Hollywood actress falls for the owner of a small travel book store in London's Knotting Hill area) and set it on the Texas Coast, add substance, a sand poet, intrigue, a hurricane, and a pinch of Anna Karinina (sic), and you have the story line. Cultures collide and humor abounds when the movie star (think Sandra Bullock) encounters the reclusive Texas beach sand poet (think Harrison Ford).

[via Publishers Lunch]

Related post: Read mum-lit novel The Mummybiz online... as it's written

Posted by Keris on January 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 25, 2007 6:59 PM

A novel in txts

Earlier today I mentioned Meg Cabot’s Boy Meets Girl, which is made up of emails, text messages and other sundries, now there’s a novel in which the entire narrative consists of text messages alone.

Published earlier this week in Finland, The Last Messages by Hannu Luntiala is the story of an IT-executive who resigns from his job and travels throughout Europe and India, keeping in touch with his friends and relatives via texts (roughly 1,000 of them altogether). [via Book 2 Book]

So is this the future and, if so, should we be worried?

Posted by Keris on January 25, 2007 in Book News, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 23, 2007 2:21 PM

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 9:51 AM

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 18, 2007 1:04 PM

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 16, 2007 1:23 PM

MOVIE NEWS: The Time Traveler's Wife

What have directors Steven Spielberg, David Fincher and Gus Van Sant got in common? They’ve all considered - and rejected - the film version of Audrey Niffenegger’s novel The Time Traveler’s Wife. German director Robert Schwentke (who directed Jodie Foster’s Flightplan) is now apparently on board. [via Reuters]

Mean Girls’ Rachel McAdams is in negotiation to star as Clare. Still no sign of a male lead. Any ideas?

Posted by Keris on January 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Romance | Permalink | Comments (4)

Meryl Streep wins Golden Globe for 'Prada' portrayal

Meryl Streep's star turn as boss-from-hell Miranda Priestly in hit chick-lit film adaptation The Devil Wears Prada has earned her a Golden Globe award for best actress in a comedy film, reports the BBC.

Most deserved, I must say - good on ya, Mezza!

Devil Wears Prada archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Devil Wears Prada, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 12, 2007 6:07 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Special Topics in Calamity Physics

Marisha Pessl's hugely successful and hugely hyped debut novel (nothing to do with the author's looks ... probably) has been optioned by no less than Miramax Films (and producer Scott Rudin). David Hare, who adapted Michael Cunningham's The Hours, is writing the screenplay.

No clues as to casting yet, but since the main character is a teenage girl, I'm thinking Lindsay Lohan or Keira Knightley, as usual. [via Galleycat]

Posted by Keris on January 12, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Meri Sugarman, Psycho Queen by M. Apostilina

M. Apostilina's Meri Sugarman, Psycho Queen is another book that changed its name as it flew over the Atlantic: in America, it was called Hazing Meri Sugarman. But the story is the same: when Cindy Bixby moves away to university, she thinks that joining her mum's old sorority will be the perfect way for her to make new friends and to bond with her mother.

But although she knows getting into the sorority will be tough, she has no idea HOW tough, as the clearly psychotic sorority president Meri puts the wannabe sisters through their paces in a series of humiliating, outrageous and at times illegal dares, challenges and stunts. Cindy's torn between wanting to impress Meri, and wanting to challenge her supremacy, until Meri takes her humiliation a step too far, and Cindy vows to bring her down...

This is a really fun and very fast, well-written, snappily-paced novel which even manages to fit in a nice romantic sub-plot but it's only fair to warn you that the storyline is pretty farcical. Although the heroine is a university student, it reads much more like YA than grown-up chick lit. Which isn't to say it's not enjoyable all the same...

I wasn't that keen on the way Cindy kept putting herself down, but she grew in confidence by the end of the novel. What I did really like was the way everything was pretty nicely tied up in the last chapters - and yet there are sequels already on release in the US. I hate it when authors wimp out on a proper ending to make for the  sequel (Louise Rennison!) so I'm glad this is a good read in its own right.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Secret Society Girl by Diana Peterfreund.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 12, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (6)

January 9, 2007 4:09 PM

The Crusie/Mayer writing workshop

This is exciting news: one of our all-time favourites Jenny/Jennifer Crusie and her collaborator Bob Mayer have launched an online writing workshop, set to run throughout the whole of 2007! (If that doesn't inspire you to write a brilliant chick-lit novel, what will?)

It's free to participate and you can ask questions and make relevant comments on each virtual lesson. Find out more here. The authors freely admit they're using the opportunity as prep for an upcoming writing book they're going to produce - but I don't think that's any bad thing!

Here's the course syllabus - scroll down for recent lessons.

[Via author Kate Harrison's blog].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 9, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 8, 2007 10:10 AM

"Step On It, Cupid" trailer

Remember we told you about VidLits, film-style trailers for books? Well there’s a new one on YouTube for Lorelei Mathias’s Step On It, Cupid. It stars Sarah Smart of At Home with the Braithwaites and Jane Hall and it’s funny, so I thought I’d share it with you all!

Posted by Keris on January 8, 2007 in Book related, Debut Novels, Romance, Technology | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: Venus Envy by Shannon McKelden

Shannon McKelden's witty debut, Venus Envy, finds Venus/Aphrodite/goddess of love in the Seattle area, having to matchmake mortals to appease her father (that'd be Zeus). She's horrified to find her latest challenge is Rachel, who is so damaged by previous disastrous relationships that she's sworn off men for life and fills her time with good works instead. Luckily for Rachel, Luke - a hunky local firefighter - has taken a shine to her and isn't willing to take no for an answer. With Luke already interested and Venus there to help, what could possibly go wrong?

Well, plenty, actually. Venus is entirely self-absorbed and her only interest is getting back to Mount Olympus (where, apparently, the shopping's better). At least, that is, to begin with. When Venus finds herself becoming both lonely and emotionally involved with Rachel's life, things start to go pear-shaped for both of them.

I really enjoyed Venus Envy. Venus is a great character - I imagined her as a younger Samantha Jones from Sex and the City - and Luke is a very sexy hero, if a little too good to be true. I loved Venus's suggestion that Rachel learn about Luke's potential failings by interviewing his exes and the interviews themselves were entertaining and very funny.

The story is quirky and a bit of a fairytale without being too far-fetched (considering the subject matter). I could have done with both Rachel and her best friend Hannah's character being fleshed out a little more. I felt for Rachel, but I didn't feeeeel for her, if you know what I mean, but all in all and impressive and amusing first novel. I look forward to reading more by Shannon McKelden.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Girl's Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky

Posted by Keris on January 8, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK NEWS: Good in Bed sequel

Exciting news hot from Jennifer Weiner's blog. She has finished a draft of the the sequel to her enormously successful debut novel, Good In Bed.

Entitled Certain Girls, the book picks up Cannie, Joy and Peter’s story twelve years after Good In Bed ends and, according to Jennifer, "deals with, among other things, over-the-top bat mitzvahs, ungraceful aging, blended families, and what it’s like to go from being a writer to being written about."

No date yet, but I for one can't wait.

Related posts: Spotlight on Jennifer Weiner

Posted by Keris on January 8, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

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)

January 4, 2007 12:39 PM

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 6:48 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Girl's Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky

Mindy Klasky’s debut novel is the first in a series about Jane Madison, a librarian who discovers a secret room full of magical books in her new home. Inspired by an apparently successful love spell and encouraged by her “familiar,” Neko, and watcher, David, she decides to learn about witchcraft.

And if that wasn’t enough to be dealing with, Jane also learns that the mother she thought died when she was a baby isn’t dead after all and wants to get to know her.

I really enjoyed Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft. Jane is a believable and entertaining character and I enjoyed the twist on the chick lit staple of the gay best friend (Jane’s familiar, Neko, is a cat turned homosexual human!).

Jane is a little naive, falling for her Imaginary Boyfriend (a man she’s liked from afar) and believing him to be her real boyfriend after only two dates, but that’s a minor quibble. With a cast of eccentric and interesting characters along with a fun premise, Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft is an intriguing debut.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Enchanted Inc by Shanna Swendson

Posted by Keris on January 3, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Series, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (2)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Zoe Rice

We loved Zoe Rice's first novel, Pick Me Up, so we were delighted she agreed to answer our questions.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Izzy hilariously navigates the glamorous NY art world and the difficult men in her life.  

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

I always write in my "office," which is right next to my "living room." As any young New Yorker will tell you, we don't' have much space to live in here, so the office is the right side of the love seat, while the living room is the left. :) 

Your favourite chick-lit book?

I was greatly inspired by working with Sophie Kinsella on her US publications. Can you imagine anything more fun than researching her second novel by traipsing around NY's SoHo eating chocolates and buying designer clothing? Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (or Shopaholic Abroad, as the UK called it) would have to be my favorite. To have been a part of Sophie Kinsella's first three novels was hands down the most fun I ever had as a junior editor.

Carry on over the cut for more from Zoe ... trust us, you want to hear about her cat!

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

I'm sure that I am in no way alone in this choice, but my favorite will always be the very first chick-lit heroine: the feisty, intelligent, warm-hearted, and witty Elizabeth Bennett of Pride and Prejudice.

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

The best advice I can give is to let yourself be edited. If you know of a writing workshop, or you even just have a group of friends who also like to write, get together with them and see what notes they have to improve your writing. And don't be afraid to delete!

What are you reading at the moment?

I just finished the first Gossip Girl novel, which is aimed at an older young adult audience. It's gotten so much press, and sold so many copies, I just had to see what the fuss was about!

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

I'm actually working on 2 novels right now and trying to decide which one I'd like to pursue to the end first. The chick lit novel centers around a heroine who works in television marketing, and the young adult novel features a privileged group of Brooklyn private schoolers.

What question have you never been asked, but wish you had (you can answer it too if you like)?

Hmmm, I've been asked a lot of questions, so this one is hard! But I'll choose this: "Was Robbie, the cat in Pick Me Up who's named after Robbie Williams, based on an actual cat?" Zoe's answer: "Why yes, Trashionista, however did you know? I fully admit that my kitty Jasper is one of the loves of my life. He performs tricks like speaking on the telephone and pointing to himself when asked: Who's the cutest kitty in the world? Next, I will teach him to slow-dance to Robbie Williams' famous "Angels." (Too much information?)

Thanks to Trashionista, one of the most rocking chick-lit sites I know! xx

And thanks to you too, Zoe, one of the most rocking chick lit authors we know!

Posted by Keris on January 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Interviews, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 2, 2007 5:29 PM

Tips for new novelists

If your New Year's resolution (sorry, I said that dreaded word!) is to finish the book lingering at the back of your sock drawer/hard drive (or in my case, to think about starting one... baby steps) then author Laura Lippman's excellent advice should help. I love her tips on finding an agent:

"Finished? Time to find an agent. Yes, you need one. Even if you manage to sell your book on your own, or win a contest that ends in publication, you'll need an agent. Spend a day at a library or well-stocked bookstore. Surf the Internet. Find books that are similar in genre, story and/or tone with your (now-finished) book. Check to see if the writer mentions the agent in the acknowledgement section. If so, this functions as a pretty good reference, don't you think? Do you publicly thank people who did a crummy job?"

I also love the fact that she admits to stealing the tips idea from Jennifer Weiner, whose wonderful advice can be found on her website.

So get to it, potential authors! But not before you're finished reading today's posts on Trashionista, obviously.

Related: Tips for new writers! / Ally Carter's audio advice.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

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)

FRIDAY FLICK: Primary Colors

Primary Colors (the book) caused a furore when it was published in 1996. Attributed to Anonymous, it’s an apparently fictionalised account of the real 1992 Democratic primary. We now know the book was written by Joe Klein, a Washington DC reporter, and we also know that the exploits of the Clinton-esque Jack Stanton weren’t a patch on what the real President Clinton would eventually get up to.

I haven’t read the book but, after seeing the film, I’ve added it to my list. The film is interesting, entertaining and intriguing (part of the fun, of course, is guessing who each character is based on and how much of it is true), with great performances from John Travolta (doing an impressive Clinton impersonation), Adrian Lester as the naive staffer who wants to believe Jack is “the real thing,” Emma Thompson as Jack’s wife Susan (she doesn’t do an impression of Hilary, but she does do an American accent that I thought was a bit patchy) and Kathy Bates. There’s even a brief but memorable appearance by Allison Janney, The West Wing’s CJ. In fact the film is rather like an extended episode of The West Wing, but without the humour (like seasons 5, 6 and 7 of The West Wing then).

Well worth a watch.

Friday Flick archives

Posted by Keris on December 29, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Friday Flick, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (3)

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)

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)

December 22, 2006 9:40 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

Megan McCafferty’s debut novel received perhaps unwanted publicity earlier this year when it was one of the books embroiled in the Kaavya Viswanathan plagiarism scandal.

It’s about Jessica Darling, who is devastated when her best friend Hope moves away, leaving her with just the “Clueless Crew” (Manda, Bridget and Sara) for company. With her mother caught up in the plans for Jessica’s sister’s wedding and her father unable to communicate except through Jessica’s running, she feels alone in the world. Until, that is, druggie dropout Marcus Flutie starts talking to her. Not only is he the bad influence of all bad influences, he was best friends with Hope’s brother who died of an overdose, so Jessica can’t even confide in Hope about him.

When a new girl at the school turns out not to be what she seemed and Jessica starts writing for the school newspaper, she starts to work out what it is she needs from her friends, family and herself.

Taking place over a full year in Jessica’s life, Sloppy Firsts will take you back to high school and remind you how happy you are not to be there anymore. Jessica’s intelligent and angst-ridden voice is entertaining, funny and painful by turn. I found myself reading quicker and quicker to find out how things turn out for her, but since this is the first book of a trilogy, the ending left me wanting more.

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.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Boy Book by E Lockhart

Posted by Keris on December 22, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

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)

SPOTLIGHT: Joshilyn Jackson

Inspired by the fact that Diane adored both of her books (and even chose Between, Georgia as her favourite book of the year), I thought I'd shine this week's spotlight on Joshilyn Jackson.

Joshilyn was born and raised in the Deep South of the US. After dropping out of college to pursue a career in acting, she worked in regional repertoire and travelled with a dinner theatre troupe, but after a few years realised she preferred writing plays (including Another Snow White and Screwing Lazarus) to acting in them.

She went back to college to study English literature and graduated with honors from Georgia State. After moving to Chicago she earned an MA in English from the University of Illinois. She then taught English at the same university, before returning to her home town and marrying the boy next door.

Joshilyn says she's been writing for as long as she can remember and - even though novels are her first love - her first success was with short stories. She says now, “It took seven years and three manuscripts from the day I grew enough of a spine to take a serious run at a career in fiction to the day I sold my first book.”* This book was gods in Alabama and it was a bestseller, as was her second novel, Between, Georgia.

Joshilyn lives just outside of Atlanta with her husband, their two children, and a cat named Franz Schubert, and is currently at work on her next novel, The Girl Who Stopped Swimming, the story of a good mother who is visited by a drowned girl's ghost.

*[via Barnes & Noble]

Carry on over the cut for Joshilyn's bibliography.

gods in Alabama
Between, Georgia

Did you know? Arlene Fleet, the main character in gods in Alabama, briefly appeared in a short story Joshilyn wrote ten years ago. It's called Little Dead Uglies and you can read it on her website.

and

Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants is one of Joshilyn's favourite books.

Related posts: Joshilyn Jackson arrested! / Joshilyn Jackson video

Posted by Keris on December 19, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (1)

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)

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)

Books for Christmas

If you're thinking of giving books for Christmas (and why wouldn't you be?) then I've got a couple of extra incentives to tell you about.

If you buy Tanya Lee Stone's A Bad Boy Can Be Good For A Girl, email Tanya and tell her and she'll send you a signed bookplate and bookmark. [via Chicklish]

And if you're in the US, you can get 10% off Karyn Bosnak's fabulous 20 Times a Lady at Barnes and Noble.

Posted by Keris on December 14, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

THURSDAY THREE: You never forget your first love

I married my first love so there’s no chance of me forgetting him (he’s always here!), but many chick lit heroines (and some heroes) aren’t so lucky. They make the mistake of giving up “the one,” but that’s all the more fun for us because we get to read what happens when they bump into them again ...

In Lani Diane Rich's The Comeback Kiss, Finn returns to the town he grew up in and where he left his first love, Tessa, without even saying goodbye. A lot has changed, but Tessa hasn't and as soon as Finn sees her, he knows it's going to be hard to leave again.

My Favourite Mistake by Beth Kendrick is about Faith, who returns to her hometown to help her younger sister and runs into her childhood sweetheart, Flynn. Faith rejected Flynn's marriage proposal ten years earlier, but finds that her feelings for him are as strong as ever. 

Carry on over the cut for more first love ...

Emmy left her fiance while he was asleep in a hotel room. Three years later, she's forced to return home and unsurprisingly afraid of running into her ex. She does, of course ... and you can read all about it in Laura Dave's London is the Best City in America.

Have I forgotten any? Fancy sharing your own first love story with us? (Go on, it's Christmas!)

Thursday Three archives

Posted by Keris on December 14, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Romance, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (4)

December 13, 2006 1:59 PM

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 11:00 AM

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)

December 7, 2006 11:12 AM

Read mum-lit novel The Mummybiz online... as it's written

Fiction and non-fiction about the trials (and joys, of course!) of motherhood are hugely popular now, allowing women with children to share their feelings / read books they can relate to.

Now, as part of Time for Mum, a motherhood website, novel The Mummybiz is being published online as it's written, allowing readers the chance to influence edits and get a sneak peek at what could be a future classic of the 'overwhelmed mum' genre!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 7, 2006 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 4, 2006 12:18 PM

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 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)

November 30, 2006 7:19 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Daughter of the Bride by Francesca Segre

Just managed to sneak another NaNovember author review in! Francesca Segre's Daughter of the Bride features Daniella, a financial reporter on Wall Street who, unlike many chick lit heroines, is actually good at her job. She's intelligent and articulate - no Bridget Jones style snafus for Daniella. But. She's single and she really doesn't want to be, so when her mother announces she's getting married, Daniella's not sure how she feels about it. Basically, she doesn't think it's right that her mother should be getting married before her.

Daniella's family lives in San Francisco and so she finds herself flying back and forth to help her mother choose a dress and a caterer and a florist, etc. Back in New York, Daniella dates various men, always looking for her idealistic IB (Imaginary Boyfriend). At one point, one of her boyfriends tells her that she's holding back in the relationship and that he's not sure she's ready to get settle down and get serious, that she doesn't really want it, she's too busy being herself and "chasing dreams of perfection." I would have preferred to see more of this insight from Daniella instead of her immediately thinking every man she meets could be "the one" and then constantly being disappointed. I was actually quite disappointed that, although Daniella states she doesn't need a man to validate her in her work, in her personal life she definitely seems to feel like she's less valuable because she's single.

The book doesn't really have much in the way of plot and I'm afraid I was bored by all the marriage plans. (I found planning my own wedding tedious, so I was bound to lose interest in planning a fictional wedding.) There are some lovely characters though. I particularly liked Daniella's brothers, Max and Enrico, and would have liked to see more of them. In fact, I enjoyed the book more whenever Daniella was in San Francisco. There was something I found almost claustrophobic about the New York scenes.

The main problem I think I had with Daughter of the Bride was that it was strangely humourless. Searching for a man may not be a comedy topic in reality, but reading about it without the relief of laughter is actually quite hard work and I found myself scanning quite often.

That said, Francesca Segre writes beautifully so I'll definitely check out her next book and if you're planning a wedding - either for yourself or your mother! - you'll probably enjoy Daughter of the Bride more than I did.

Rating 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Why Girls Are Weird by Pamela Ribon

Francesca's guest blog / Francesca's author interview

Posted by Keris on November 30, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, NaNovember, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (5)

November 28, 2006 10:58 AM

BOOK REVIEW: BreakupBabe by Rebecca Agiewich

At last, a review of one of NaNovember authors' books!  Rebecca Agiewich's BreakupBabe started out as a blog, which Rebecca then fictionalised both to add a plot and - I'm conjecturing here - to avoid getting sued.  Because I am so incredibly nosey, books like this drive me mad.  I want to know which parts are true and which are made up, dammit!

Rebecca Rachel works for a software company as a technical editor.  She's just had a horrendous break-up with a guy she works with.  She's not handling it well and she starts a blog to try and process her feelings.  And the blog, as blogs are wont to do, starts to really help.  But then it's discovered by her colleagues and things fall apart.  Plus Rachel starts writing a book based on her blog.  This book, in fact.  You can see how this is confusing.   

Along with the story of Rachel's break-up (or "The Great Unpleasantness", as Rachel calls it) and her problems at work, we also hear all about Rachel's dating escapades.  These aren't the kind of so-bad-they're-funny dating stories you sometimes get; they're more real and hopeful and painful.  With each new man I was rooting for Rachel and hated seeing her disappointed over and over again. 

(If anyone has read Jennifer Crusie's Anyone But You, the BreakupBabe story reminds me a lot of the book Nina's friend is writing about her dating experiences.  Remember the publisher suggests she fictionalise it to include a more hopeful ending?)

Although I think Rebecca Agiewich is a really talented writer, I sometimes found her style a bit affected.  I also could have done with less about the medications Rachel was on, but that's probably personal preference. 

As for which parts are true, it doesn't matter, of course.  BreakupBabe feels true, and that's the most important thing. 

Rating 4 out of 5

Like this? Try I'm Celibate, Get Me Out of Here by Jo Elliott

Did you know? Rebecca is still writing the Breakup Babe blog

Don't forget! It's not too late to enter our competition to win a copy of BreakupBabe

Posted by Keris on November 28, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, NaNovember, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

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 27, 2006 2:41 PM

GUEST BLOG & GIVEAWAY: Jenna Bayley-Burke

Jenna Bayley-Burke is the last of our NaNovember guest bloggers (all together: ahhhh). Her book Just One Spark was written for NaNoWriMo and Jenna's been kind enough to give us a copy to give to a lucky Trashionista reader. Keep reading to find out how to win.

Just One Spark by Jenna Bayley-Burke

A fire fighter fit for a calendar caught me in the grocery store checkout line, two tantrum-prone toddlers ready to bolt. The man was a dream, both because of how he looked and because he stopped his day to talk with my boys, giving them stickers and a distraction so I could pay for seven gallons of milk. These are big toddlers, people.

Carry on over the cut for more from Jenna and to find out how to win a copy of Just One Spark.

Safely securing my beasts into the only thing that can hold them down – a five point harness car seat – I turned the radio up and headed for home, thinking that maybe that fire fighter should play a role in the novel I was starting the next day as part of my first NaNoWriMo, if only he hadn’t had a ring on his finger. No matter, I work in fiction and I had almost twelve hours to come up with a reason for the ring. Quite proud of myself I turned the radio up, Mindy McCready’s Maybe, Maybe Not coming across the front speakers (don’t want to damage the delicate eardrums of the screachers in the back) of my compact sedan.
 
What if … Mr. Hunk-of-the-Month had to explain the ring to a woman sitting on a washing machine in a Laundromat? Instantly, I was dying to write the scene. I stayed up until midnight (unheard of when you have a child who routinely wakes at four-twenty to begin his day) just to get the scene out. I didn't care about what came next, didn't plot a character arc or layer in symbolism. The story unfolded as I imagined what I would want to read if I picked the book up at the store and shelled out the change from my last trip through the Coffee People drive-thru.
 
The way I wrote False Alarm, my NaNo 2004 ‘winner’ that vaguely resembles Just One Spark, the book of the same characters now published by Mills & Boon, defies everything I’ve learned about novel writing since. If I’d known you never sell your first book, character motivation is the driving force of any story, and this is a hard business to break into, I never would have tried. Thank goodness for naivete.

Thanks, Jenna. To win a copy of Just One Spark, email us your name and address and put "Spark" in the subject line by 30th November 2006 (yes, that's the end of this week, so be quick!).

Read our interview with Jenna

Posted by Keris on November 27, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, NaNovember, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

Mediabistro's 12-week novelist courses

NaNoWrimo is reaching its end - how are you all doing? Close to hitting 50,000 words, I hope? (My arms ache just thinking about it!) If you haven't quite made it, or you think three months is a much more sensible amount of time to write a novel in, you might be interested in the Media Bistro course, 12 Week Novelist: Chick Lit Edition. Nano specialist and friend of Trashionista Francesca Segre is teaching it, and it runs from January 10 - April 16. The only downside? You have to be living (or staying) in LA... There is a general 12-week novelist course which is available online, though.

Related posts: Introduction to NaNovember / The Three-Day novel / A Novel in a Year  / Novels that take a long time!

NaNovember archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 27, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 24, 2006 5:50 PM

World's youngest author

Remember how we told you about an 11-year-old with a book deal? Well this makes her seem embarrassingly advanced in years. Sort of.

Christopher Beale completed his novel This and Last Season's Excursions when he was six years and 118 days old. The book, which is published in the UK tomorrow, is about a boy and his favourite stuffed animals - Biscuit the puppy, Daisy the kitten, and the fierce Big Hinnies - as they "rescue owls, fight lions and search for a mysterious moving city, Quarles".

Christopher, who lives in Switzerland, speaks English and Italian and is currently not only working on his second novel, but also translating This and Last Season's Excursions into Italian. [via The Independent]

Posted by Keris on November 24, 2006 in Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Karen Quintiere

We're in the enviable position of having more NaNo author interviews than there are Wednesdays in NaNovember, so today's bonus interview day!

If you read Karen Quintiere's guest blog, you'll know that her book, Designing Bitches, is out next month. Read on for Karen's interview and then carry on over the cut to find out how you can with a copy of her book.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Designing Bitches is coming in December from Triskelion Publishing. It's my first novel and I couldn't be more excited or terrified.

My main character, Peyton Doucet, is a middle school Art teacher whose dreams of being a fashion designer were cut short when her best friend ripped the couture rug out from under her. Now married and living in Washington, DC, she gets a second chance to make her dreams come true.

(That's more than 15, Karen, but I'll let you off cos it's Friday!)

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

I write on my Sony Vaio - it's Raspberry Red and totally cute. I don't really have a preference as far as where I write - my notebook travels wherever I do.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

I adore Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series. Becky Bloomwood and I have a lot in common, which is both good and bad, I suppose!

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

As much as I love Becky Bloomwood, I have to say Scarlett O'Hara, who, in my opinion, is the original Chick Lit heroine. 

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

I started a few years ago on a fan fiction site, which opened up a whole world for me that I never knew existed.  Through the site, I was able to create my own characters, invent storylines for them, and put my work out there for a lot of people to see. I also met a wonderfully talented group of writers who support and encourage me at every turn. I think it's a great place for any writer to start because it is an anonymous forum for lots of people to see your writing and give you feedback.  The first time I got an email from a stranger who'd read and loved my writing was one of the best days of my life.  My only other advice is to read, read, read, from as many different styles and genres as you can.

What are you reading at the moment?

I tend to read several books at once - I'm a voracious reader and my tastes are fairly eclectic.  Let's see..

Echoes of a Distant Summer by Guy Johnson (Maya Angelou's son)
Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

I think I'll stop at three, otherwise I may give the impression that I don't have a life!

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

Right now, I'm working on the follow-up to Designing Bitches, which is tentatively titled, Bitches in Bikinis.

I'm having lots of fun with it so far - the girls are on vacation in Morella, a very cool spot I found in the lyrics of a U2 song and promptly Googled. I'm about 7,500 words in so far and have most of the scenes plotted out. 

What question have you never been asked, but wish you had (you can answer it too, if you want.)

What superhero power would you like to have, and why?

I would love to have the power to turn invisible - I am super nosy and the chance to spy on others is too good to pass up. Of course, if there is any sort of superhero hyperspeed metabolism available, then I'll just have to be nosy in the usual way.  Being able to eat whatever I want and have it burn right up? That would be the best thing ever. 

Thanks, Karen! For your chance to win a hot-off-the-press copy of Designing Bitches, just email us with "Bitches" in the subject line and your name and address in the body of the email (so we can send you the book - we won't send you anything else, honest) before 30 November 2006.

And don't forget there's still time to enter our other NaNovember competitions: The Salem Witch Tryouts, BreakupBabe, Daughter of the Bride, Time Off For Good Behavior and Sara Gruen (three books!)

Posted by Keris on November 24, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Competition, Debut Novels, Fashion-Lit, Interviews, Modern Fiction, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (4)

PREVIEW REVIEW: Singletini by Amanda Trimble

Normally on Trashionista, we review books that are available for everyone to buy (works well that way!) but sometimes we're lucky enough to get an advance copy of a lovely new novel, and we can't wait to tell you about it. So although Singletini by Amanda Trimble isn't available to buy in the UK until January 1st, it is available on pre-order at Amazon, so you could still pop a copy in your basket for a post-Xmas treat!

Singletini's main character Victoria Hart feels her life is a mess. At 25, she's disorganised, just lost her hated job in computer sales and is lost as to what to do next. All her friends' lives seem more sorted than hers - they have direction in their careers, and her great friend Gwynn has just got engaged, to Victoria's horror. She wants to be young, free and single - but the rate she's going fears she'll end up with nothing in her life. Then she spots an ad for a new, very well-paid job - as a "wingwoman". Her friends think it's akin to prostitution, but is it really?

Of course it's nothing quite so dramatic, but I loved the inventiveness of the idea - a wingwoman is someone a single man takes out with him to help him get dates or pull women. She breaks the ice with the women he fancies, talks him up (pretending to be a friend, sister or colleague) and when she succeeds in setting him up, gets paid very handsomely for doing so, plus expenses. But Victoria (of course!) discovers that the job isn't exactly easy money...

On top of all her work pressure, her friend Gwynn is expecting her to act as general dogsbody with all her wedding preparations (I actually got very interested in this subplot, which I thought could even have been expanded into a novel on its own, but I liked the fact that Singletini is fast and furious, with lots of storyline). Victoria's also trying to decide between two eligible bachelors - both of whom she met through work and wants for herself - and realising that she's spending most of the money she's making at her new job on upkeep for her glamorous new image.

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. The wingwoman idea is very creative and lends itself to lots of humor and interesting moral questions (none of which are really explored). What frustrated me a little about the book was a slight lack of depth - Victoria doesn't seem to have any realisation that her obsession with weight and shopping is shallow, or that 25 is too young to be worried about being alone forever, or that her friend's wedding planning behaviour (treating Victoria like a doormat) is unacceptable.  But she does make some changes in her life and becomes happier by the end of the book, and it's very entertaining escapism on the way.

This is Amanda Trimble's debut novel - I'd definitely like to read more.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella; Save Karyn by Karyn Bosnak.

Related: PREVIEW REVIEW: The Guy Not Taken by Jennifer Weiner.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 24, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

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)

BOOK REVIEW: Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA

Yep, another confession, but a fictional one this time. Applewood is a wealthy community in Long Island and if you're an Applewood mom you're no-one unless you're active in the PTA. When the woman of the PTA discover that a Hollywood studio is considering using the local school as a film location, they're excited about the prospects for the community. When they learn that the star of the film will be George Clooney, well, excitement is an understatement.

But the book isn't about George Clooney (although he does make the odd appearance), it's about the lives and friendships of three women - Maddie, Lisa and Ruth. All members of the PTA, all three women have problems. Maddie thinks her husband is having an affair and is considering some infidelity of her own. Lisa's alcoholic mother comes to live with her, throwing her organised life into disarray. Ruth's had enough of taking care of her husband, incapacitated after a stroke, and embarks on an affair of her own.

But the PTA is a dog eat dog world and other members are only too happy to use the movie project for their own manipulative ends. Can Maddie, Lisa and Ruth save the project and sort their own lives out?

Obviously any book about scandal in the suburbs will be compared to Desperate Housewives, but Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA reminded me more of the classic Peyton Place. Lisa, Maddie and Ruth are all interesting and entertaining characters - I loved Ruth in particular. It's a little predictable in parts, but it's otherwise a funny, compelling and well-written book. This is Ellen Meister's debut. I think her next book might just knock my socks off.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Goodnight, Nobody by Jennifer Weiner

Posted by Keris on November 23, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Karyn Bosnak's new YouTube videos

Karyn Bosnak is the latest author to hop on the YouTube bandwagon, with a new series of video posts she's calling 'Storytime'. Watch the first one here and find out about her friend Mark, her lazy eye, and even a bit about her novel, Twenty Times a Lady. She's a natural! (Much like our Shiny media colleagues, who've been at this YouTube lark for ages now- such trendsetters...) Word on Karyn's blog is that a new Storytime is due very soon.

Related: Melanie Lynn Hauser on YouTube / Meet The Author / Expanded Books

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 23, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Technology | Permalink | Comments (2)

November 22, 2006 12:45 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Francesca Segre

Our NaNovember celebrations continue with this week's interview with American author Francesca Segre. Francesca wrote her book Daughter of the Bride for NaNoWriMo and the film rights have been optioned for Goldie Hawn.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

29 year-old Daniella watches her mother get hitched while her own ring finger is bare.

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

I work at libraries or cafes on my laptop. I usually ride my bicycle to The Cow’s End, a café at Venice Beach, a mile from my house. Working at the Cow’s End is good for three reasons: 1) It has no internet access (aka most dangerous procrastination tool.) 2. There are other “regular writers” at The Cow’s End, which can be good for camaraderie. 3. A break from writing means a nap on the sand. Nice! I’d like to work at home, but I get so distracted (read internet.)

Your favourite chick-lit book?

This is not original, but I do think Good in Bed takes the cake. It was so funny, from the first scene of Cannie wolfing down M&Ms to the later scenes where she grows up and moves past the ex-boyfriend. The character was likable and fresh. The story was unpredictable and different from the generic skinny girl goes shopping and looks for boyfriend.

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

While Calliope Helen Stephanides in Middlesex isn’t strictly a heroine because she is also a he, I thought s/he was a fascinating, warm, and genuine character. I wanted her/him to have an okay life and find an end to the torture and confusion of having an unidentifiable sex.

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

Don’t write for fame, glory, or money. Write because you have a story to tell and it will drive you (and everyone else around you) bonkers unless you get it out. Beyond that, stop procrastinating! Sit down, shut up and write.

What are you reading at the moment?

An Anthropologist on Mars, by Oliver Sacks. This is a fascinating collection of true stories about idiot savants.

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

She’s a TV reporter in a small town. I’m sorry I can’t tell you more.

Thanks, Francesca!

If you haven't read Francesca's guest blog - what are you waiting for?

And don't forget that you can win a copy of Daughter of the Bride simply by emailing us your name and address (subject: "Bride") before 30th November 2006.

And as if all that wasn't enough, a review of Daughter of the Bride is coming up next week!

Posted by Keris on November 22, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Interviews, Modern Fiction, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 21, 2006 11:12 AM

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 11:57 AM

GUEST BLOG AND GIVEAWAY: Rebecca Agiewich

Written for NaNoWriMo, Rebecca's first novel, BreakupBabe is summed up as "How I got over the worst, most humiliating breakup in web-recorded history – and became stronger, smarter, and better off without the biggest Loser on the face of the earth."

As part of our NaNovember Extravaganza, Rebecca's not only written us a guest blog but has also kindly offered a copy of BreakupBabe for you. Yes, you! If you enter the competition, that is. Read on to find out how to enter.

How to become a rich, famous and fabulous author by Rebecca Agiewich

Hear ye, hear ye, Trashionista fans, I have been asked to write a guest blog about how NaNoWrimo will make you a rich, famous, and fabulous author, just like it has made me! Now if you’ve missed me on Oprah – don’t worry – I haven’t actually been on yet, and if you didn’t see that front page review in the New York Times Review of Books, uh, well, they haven’t done one yet, but my novel BreakupBabe (which came out this past May) is out there and selling slowly but surely!
 
Carry on over the cut for more from Rebecca and how to enter the competition.

Without NaNoWrimo, I don’t think I ever would have gotten it done. That’s because writing a first draft is a painful, horrible process, and unless you get through it as quickly as possible, commando-style, you won’t get it done (or at least I won’t). Before I wrote the first draft of BreakupBabe during the 2003 NaNoWrimo, I’d been working on another book-writing the same four chapters over and over again! That’s because, as founder of NaNoWrimo, Chris Baty points out, a writer’s most important tool is a deadline.

And since most of us don’t have the luxury of a deadline imposed by a fancy publishing house, artificial deadlines must do, and NaNoWrimo provides that, along with the pressure of sixty thousand other people trying to do the same thing.
 
Besides helping me get my first draft done, a miracle in itself, NaNoWrimo also instilled in me one of the most important writing habits I have: writing every single day. In order to keep up your NaNo wordcount, you pretty much have to write every single day. I learned that morning was my best time to write, and now three years later, I still at least five mornings a week – even though I still have a full-time job (grr). It’s gotten to be like a good workout for me; if I don’t do it, I feel off for the entire day.
 
So, while NaNoWrimo is a grueling, demanding, and some might say masochistic to do, take it from this almost-famous, almost-bestselling author – it will be the one of the best thing you can do for your fledgling novelist career. It was for mine.

Thanks, Rebecca. If you'd like to win a copy of BreakupBabe just email us your name and address, put "Babe" in the subject line, and we'll pick a winner at random after 30 November 2006. Easy as that.

Rebecca Agiewich interview / Introduction to NaNovember / Francesca Segre's guest blog / Karen Quintiere's guest blog / Lani Diane Rich guest blog and giveaway / Mary Sharratt guest blog

Posted by Keris on November 17, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (21)

BOOK REVIEW: Something Borrowed

I guess we've kind of reviewed Emily Giffin's books the wrong way round: Something Borrowed was her debut, but we reviewed Something Blue first. That doesn't matter though- these books complement each other and can be read in either order. Something Borrowed is told from the point of view 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....

You would think that a woman lusting after her more beautiful friend's man would come across as desperate and nasty, but Giffin is careful to make sure that doesn't become the case. Although sometimes I felt frustrated with Rachel, most of the time I was sympathetic to her feelings and wanted Dex to pick her!

It helps that Darcy isn't a very sympathetic character, and we want Rachel to step out of her shadow. I thought the exploration of the two women's friendship was excellent, especially the idea that your friends may be more of a habit than people you have true connections with- and the way we stay in close contact with people out of familiarity, even if they're not good for us... But also that the thought of losing a friendship, even an imperfect one, can be devastating. I think most women will relate to that. Plus, I love the New York taxi cab cover!

I better not give away the ending, although if you've read Something Blue (or our review of it, oops!) you'll already know how things turn out. Even so, it's still a great read, highly recommended. And not just by me- according to the cover Marian Keyes, Meg Cabot and Lauren Weisberger couldn't put it down either!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Something Blue by Emily Giffin; Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 17, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (4)

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)

FRANCESCA SEGRE GIVEAWAY!

Francesca was our first NaNovember guest blogger and she has kindly donated a copy of her novel Daughter of the Bride to a lucky Trashionista reader.

When her mom calls to say she's getting married, Daniella is both thrilled and devastated. Mom, who's pushing sixty, is about to walk down the aisle for the second time, and Daniella, at twenty-nine, hasn't come close to saying "I do" once. Even worse, Mom insists Daniella help plan the big bash: white gown, band, caterer, the works.

Between cake tastings, dress fittings, and ring shopping, Daniella struggles to make sense of her own frustrating love life-all while juggling her high-pressure TV job and hectic dating adventures. And it isn't long before she realizes she's going to have to make some changes in her own life-or never walk down the aisle herself. [via Amazon.com]

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

To be in with a chance of winning, just do the usual - that's email us your name and address and put "Bride" in the subject line. We'll pick a winner after 30 November 2006. Good luck! (And don't forget you can still enter our Sara Gruen and Lani Diane Rich giveaways.)

Intro to NaNovember / NaNovember archives

Posted by Keris on November 16, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Competition, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, NaNovember, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: The Nanny Diaries by Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin

As one of the biggest chick-lit books of the last five years, and an upcoming film (starring Scarlett Johanssen, of course) I can't believe we haven't reviewed The Nanny Diaries yet. But I don't mind, I'm more than happy to do the job! I might be a bit biased though- this is one of my favourite chick-lit novels of all time. If you've read the execrable sequel Citizen Girl, don't be put off - The Nanny Diaries is nothing like. Which means it's fresh, fun, fast-paced and highly enjoyable. Nan the Nanny (yes... get over it) is studying for her master's in child education and turns to nannying for rich Manhattan families to pay the bills. Suddenly she has to juggle her studies with the ever-more demanding 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!)

Demanding, unreasonable and distant, it's hard to care about Nan's employers, but they do show occasional moments of compassion... VERY occasional! Although a potential love interest enters the story, it's Nan and her little charge Grayer whose relationship is the focal point, and this is told with great love and sweetness. Nan is the only person who really seems to make time for little Grayer, although sadly she has to attempt to undo some of the obnoxious behaviour his parents have inculcated in him. The book really provides a great insight into the emotional issues around caring for children who are not your own. On a lighter note, the book also allows a great deal of "I wonder if someone really did that!" speculating, as Kraus and McLaughlin really were nannies to the rich and famous...

I loved the insight into the rich and snobby New York world of Mr and Mrs X, and I found Nan empathetic, capable and intelligent, even if I was frustrated at times by her lack of assertiveness (but assertive would equal fired in her job, so it's understandable). I raced through this book twice, and now I've been talking about it I'm thinking of reading it a third time- I know I'll enjoy it just as much.

A modern chick-lit classic.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try You'll Never Nanny in this Town Again by Suzanne Hansen.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 16, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (5)

November 14, 2006 12:04 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Sara Gruen

Yep, another NaNo-centric Spotlight. I hadn't heard of Sara Gruen until quite recently and now I'm kind of fixated on her (a rumoured $5million advance will do that to me!).

Born in Vancouver, Canada, Sara went on to study English Literature at college in Ontario. In 1999 she moved to the US for a technical writing job and has subsequently become a citizen. After Sara was laid off from the tech writing job, she decided to try writing fiction full-time.

Her first novel, Riding Lessons, was published to critical and popular acclaim. Sara then wrote Water for Elephants, but her editor turned it down and asked for a sequel to Riding Lessons instead. The sequel, Flying Changes, was then followed by Water for Elephants. Her new novel, Ape House, is due in 2008.

Carry on over the cut for more about Sara and her bibliography.

Sara lives in Northern Illinois with her husband, three sons, two dogs, three cats, two goats, and horse in an idyllic-sounding environmentalist community (the residents live in energy-efficient homes and share an organic farm and a charter school).

Sara donates a portion of the earnings from all of her books to various animal charities. You can find links to some of the charities and info on how you can help here.

Don't forget you can win a copy of each of Sara's books by emailing us with your name and address and "Sara" in the subject line (before 30 November 2006).

Riding Lessons
Flying Changes
Water for Elephants

Read our interview with Sara / Introduction to NaNovember / NaNovember archives / Spotlight archives

Posted by Keris on November 14, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, NaNovember, Series | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 13, 2006 3:15 PM

GUEST BLOG & GIVEAWAY: Lani Diane Rich

As you should know by now (I've certainly mentioned it enough!) Lani Diane Rich wrote her first book Time Off for Good Behavior for NaNoWriMo and, to help celebrate NaNovember, she's written a guest blog for us about the experience.

Lani's also kindly offered a copy of Time Off for Good Behavior to two lucky Trashionista readers (that's a copy each, you don't have to share one!). To be in with a chance of winning just email us your name and address with "Lani" in the subject line by 30 November 2006.

Carry on over the cut to read Lani's guest blog.

The Power of Whim by Lani Diane Rich

I don't remember when I gave my first interview about Nano, but I'm sure it was sometime approaching November of 2004. My first book, TIME OFF FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR, had just released, and I was going on a small tour with Chris Baty (if you see him, ask him about the giant squash!) and there were interviews with television, radio and newspaper people. It was weird. Prior to this book, I'd always been the interviewer. It was odd being on the other side. One thing I didn't realize was how you say one thing once, and it will follow you forever. For me, it's whim. As in, "Lani Diane Rich decided to join on a whim in 2002, and now she's published! Dig her!"

I'm paraphrasing.

Despite the fact that it's really true - on Halloween night, 2002, my kids decided they didn't want to go trick-or-treating (they were 1 and 3, understandable) and I ended up getting online with a bunch of friends who were talking about Nano and I said, "What the hell?" - it always bugs me when I see it in print. I think because "whim" makes it all seem like it wasn't important, like my decision to do Nano that year didn't completely and powerfully change my life, which it did, in more ways than I can count. I went into Nano that year with no idea what I was getting into. I had no idea I'd even make it to 50,000 words, let alone write something that would become publishable. I think that may be part of the reason why it worked. I had no aspirations, so I dove into TIME OFF with the kind of gusto you can only get from "What the hell?" And I learned so much during that time, the most important lesson being this:

Craft is craft, and it's important, but the most important thing any writer can do for their book is to write about what matters to them. At the time I started writing TIME OFF, I had a good friend who was being put through her paces in an abusive relationship. A strong, wonderful, witty, powerful woman who, for no reason I could understand, was allowing a man to beat her. So, when I was writing TIME OFF, it sort of became an ode to her, it became the story I wanted for her. It sounds weird to have written a funny book about an abused woman, but it wasn't hard because I refused to define the character of Wanda through her abuse. It's not a burning bed story. It's a story about a woman who defined her existence by who she was, not by what had been done to her. And, when it came down to it, Wanda was an ornery wise-ass with a heart of gold, and she was harsh and bitter and smart and funny as hell. To this day, if I could pick a single character to make real, she'd be it. Hands down.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that, while there are tons of things in that book which, four years later, kinda make me cringe, the one thing I still love about it is Wanda, and I'm still really proud that I got the privilege of writing her. She made me a writer, and I've had three other books out since, with four more on the way. She taught me not how to do something perfectly, but how to do it with passion, which I think is far more important.

And she taught me the importance of whims. To this day, whenever anyone comes to me with a wild idea, I jump at it whenever possible, because the truth is... you just never know.

Time Off For Good Behavior review / Francesca Segre's guest blog / Karen Quintiere's guest blog

Posted by Keris on November 13, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Competition, Debut Novels, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (2)

November 10, 2006 6:02 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Day Shift Werewolf by Jan Underwood

We told you about the three-day novel earlier, now read our review of the 2005 winner...

Jan Underwood was the winner of the 28th Annual International 3 Day Novel Writing Contest in 2005 with this, her first novel Day Shift Werewolf. As you’ve probably guessed, the novel was written in three days and it weaves together eight stories that are connected by the town of Stevens’ Ferry.

Each story is about a supernatural being who has become disillusioned with their lot in life...

Warren, the werewolf of the title, realises he doesn’t like meat, but he does have an slight obsession with apostrophes (Steven’s Ferry? Stevens’ Ferry? Stevens Ferry? Don’t worry, Warren will sort it out...) A minor demon decides he’d rather be a four-year-old girl and a Norwegian Gnome tries to claim political asylum. My favourite story was the first in the book. Ms Underwood slowly unravels the story, revealing a little bit more of her characters with every page until the picture is complete. The humour is very subtle and giggle-to-yourself funny.

The novel is short (well, it was written in three days), but I really like the idea of such a short novel. It’s great for reading on a train or in a café because it’s just the right size for a handbag. Even a small handbag. [Nicola Pedley]

For further information check out www.3daynovel.com.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try the other winners of the 3 Day Novel Contest; Enchanted Inc by Shanna Swendson.

Supernatural archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 10, 2006 in Book related, Competition, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, NaNovember, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Three Day Novel

The aim of National Novel Writing Month  is obviously to write a novel in a month, which is a big enough challenge, but how about writing one in three days? Impossible? Well every year since 1977, The 3 Day Novel Contest is  held in Vancouver, Canada. What started out as a drunken dare has become a proud tradition with between 300 and 500 entries each year.

The rules are simple: write a book in three days. The three days in question are the North American bank holiday Labor Day and the weekend preceding it (ie. the first weekend in September- but you have to register before it starts). You can plan your novel in advance (probably a good idea!) but the writing must be done on those three days.

Carry on over the cut for how to enter, and news of a 3-day novel review...

Don’t worry though, you’re not expected to fly to Canada to take part, you can do it all from the comfort of your home. The judges work on an honour system – they trust you to write it on those three days – but they are very experienced and say they can usually tell if someone is cheating!

The entry fee is US$50 (or CAN$50 for Canadian entrants) and you can sign up from next spring for the following September.

And the prize? You become a published novelist!

Look out for a review of Day Shift Werewolf, the most recently-published 3 Day Novel winner, later today!

[thanks to Nicola Pedley].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 10, 2006 in Book related, Debut Novels, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 9, 2006 5:27 PM

Kate Madison's NaNo

Kate Madison's NaNo novel sounds very intriguing. Kate is co-authoring it with her friend Malia Jacobs - they will each be writing the part of a different sister.

Two sisters, both alike in vanity, in fair California where we lay our scene…

Paige Miller has always been the responsible one. But while reeling from a devastating break-up, Paige decides to let loose and experiment—a decision which ultimately results in a host of unsuitable suitors, far too much alcohol consumption, and the title “Ho of the Year.”

Marisa Miller is a flighty New Age lesbian who’s allergic to commitment. But when Marisa finds herself homeless, jobless and on the road to single motherhood, suddenly a little security doesn't sound so bad.

Spilled Perfume is a story of sex, sisters and killer scents.

Intro to NaNovember / Kathleen O'Leary's NaNo / Lisa Clark's NaNo / NaNovember archives

Posted by Keris on November 9, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (1)

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)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Rebecca Agiewich

Rebecca is yet another NaNoWriMo success story, so we couldn't let NaNovember go by without talking to her. We'll have a guest blog from Rebecca and a giveaway of her book Breakupbabe coming soon!

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Breakupbabe is a comic novel about a struggling 30-something writer who goes through a horrible breakup, begins dating like mad, and starts a blog about it all.

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

A variety of Seattle coffee shops.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

The first Bridget Jones.

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

Get in the habit of writing every single day. Take writing classes. And ignore that voice telling you you can't do it or that you suck. Even the best writers hear that voice - they've just learned to fight by - by writing anyway.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud.

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

I'm working on another novel that takes place partly at a summer camp. I'm obsessed with summer camp since I had my best childhood moments there, and also because, as an adult and a counselor, I fell madly in love with another counselor who I've never quite gotten over.

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

What is your favourite part about being a published author? I absolutely love hearing from people who've read the book and telling me how it has touched them or changed their lives or made them feel better. Every time I hear from a reader it makes my day, and makes me feel like all the struggle to write a book was worth it.

Introduction to NaNovember / NaNovember archives / Sara Gruen interview / Interview archives

Posted by Keris on November 8, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Interviews, Modern Fiction, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 7, 2006 10:47 AM

Dirty Blonde- Courtney Love's new book

As Keris just mentioned, Courtney Love "allegedly" made off with a copy of  Stupid and Contagious recently, without you know, paying.

Now she's released a book of her own: out this week, Dirty Blonde is a collection of diary entries, poetry, song lyrics and photographs from the singer/actress/alleged book thief. Perhaps she'll offer Caprice Crane a free copy...?

[Via Bookslut].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 7, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Stupid and Contagious by Caprice Crane

I'd heard a lot about Caprice Crane's debut novel - not least that Courtney Love shoplifted a copy - so my expectations were high.

Like many chick lit heroines, Heaven Albright has a brilliant PR career until that is 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 (reminding me a little of When Harry Met Sally - and I imagine Heaven's surname is a nod in that direction).

Their friendship develops when Heaven invites herself along on Brady's trip to Seattle to try and sign a Next Big Thing band and also wangle a meeting with the head of Starbucks to interest them in his invention, Cinnamilk. Plus Heaven wants to go to a vigil for the anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death.

Things, of course, don't go according to plan, but one of the things I loved the most about this book was that it was all believable. Heaven and Brady have a couple of the misunderstandings required to sustain the plot - and they both make mistakes - but they're never stupid or far-fetched and you always feel that they care for each other. Like Harry and Sally, they may not be perfect, but they're perfect for each other.

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.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Time Off for Good Behavior by Lani Diane Rich

Like Megan Crane, Caprice Crane is another member of The5Spot blog

Posted by Keris on November 7, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (5)

Karen Quintiere's Guest Blog

Designing Bitches, Karen Quintiere's NaNoWriMo novel from last year, is being published by Triskelion and is coming out this December to an ebook store near you! We're delighted to welcome her as our second NaNovember guest blogger!

NaNo Madness by Karen Quintiere

Personally, I think you have to be a little insane to attempt NaNoWriMo. It’s a wild ride to hit that magic number – 50K in one month is no joke, let me tell you. On some days, the only thing that got me seated in front of the computer was the thought that one of my Writing Buddies was, at that very moment, surpassing my word count. It’s a good thing that my competitive spirit is what fuels me, rather than chocolate or chips. Otherwise, I may have been disowned when I showed up for Thanksgiving at my parents’ house – there is nothing more offensive to my relatives than excess padding. It turns the biggest eating day of the year into a guilt-fest of the size of Kirsty Alley’s pre-Jenny Craig jeans. But I digress – this blog is about the joys of NaNo, not my family’s obsessive love of all things fat-free.

Writing Buddies are a must for NaNo, especially if you have an evil monster within driving you to WIN, WIN, WIN! Do I sound like Monica Geller? Probably, but it was that force pushing me as I typed my poor, manicured fingers to the bone, ever onward toward the Holy Grail of 50,000. It wasn’t enough to get there, oh no, I had to beat as many as my Writing Buddies as possible in order for it to count. The insane part is that my Writing Buddies are some of the nicest women you’d ever want to meet, and in their minds, this was simply a healthy competition that would help all of us end up with a finished manuscript.

NaNo worked for me because, in my twisted mind, losing is a dirty word. The thought of entering and not reaching 50,000 never occurred to me. When my word count bar turned purple and the word, “winner” appeared over it, I was as happy as if the Jimmy Choo fairy visited my house, leaving me scads of sexy shoes in a size seven. (Hint, hint.)

Thanks, Karen. Look out for our interview with Karen and review and giveaway of Designing Bitches.

Francesca Segre's guest blog / NaNovember archives

Posted by Keris on November 7, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Fashion-Lit, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (6)

November 6, 2006 12:21 PM

P.S. Hilary Swank injured in filming

Back in July we told you that Hilary Swank was to star in the movie version of Cecelia Ahern's P.S. I Love You. Well, filming has already started, but it seems things aren't quite going to plan.

While filming a striptease scene, Swank needed stitches in her forehead after she "became snagged on co-star Gerald Butler's suspenders". Suspenders is American for braces. I hope. If not, this film is sounding very different to the book ...

The film also stars Lisa Kudrow, Kathy Bates and Gina Gershon and is due for release in 2008. [via Playfuls]

Posted by Keris on November 6, 2006 in Book related, Cecelia Ahern, Debut Novels, Irish Authors, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Kathleen O'Leary's NaNo

Kathleen O' Leary, aka Kat of the Kitty Can Scratch blog and the editor of fabulous new online women's magazine Fetch (full disclosure: I'm a contributor), says of her fledgling NaNoWrimo novel:

"Harlan Pruitt, age 23, is one year out of college and living in an over-the-garage apartment in the sleepy Upstate New York town where she went to high school. In spite of her degree from a top-twenty school, she is working as a sales associate at a local boutique, a position with little room for upward mobility. Her upper middle class family is mortified by her life choices and is not quiet about this fact. I hope to have some semblance of a plot, involving a yet-to-be-determined catalyst that will spur Harlan out of her zombie-like state, and then she’ll, um, do something. It’s all very preliminary at this point. "

Sounds good to me! Thanks Kat!

Lisa Clark's Nano / Intro to Nanovember / Nanovember archives

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 6, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (2)

November 3, 2006 6:17 PM

BOOK REVIEW: English as a Second Language by Megan Crane

Megan Crane's debut features Alex Brennan who, bored with her life in New York - and offended when an ex claims she couldn't get into graduate school in England - heads to an unnamed UK university to get her master's in literature. There she befriends Spanish Cristina and good-time Brit boys Toby and Jason, makes an almost instant enemy in fellow American Suzanne and gets an immense crush on her tutor, Sean.

According to the bio at the back of the book, Megan Crane spent the last 5 years at university in England working on her master's and PhD in literature so I don't think it's too unreasonable to assume that English As A Second Language is at least a little autobiographical. And as exciting as I'm sure it was to live, I didn't find it particularly exciting to read about. Carry on over the cut to find out why not.

Crane is an intelligent and engaging author and recreates the atmosphere of an English university perfectly. Of all the books by American authors featuring English characters, this is the only one I've read that rings completely true. The speech patterns, habits and behaviours are all conveyed brilliantly (Alex even comments that women up North dress tartier than those down south, to which I exclaimed 'Hey!' in indignation, but - yeah - it's a fair point). Plus there's a great scene featuring Robbie Williams's Angels (even if no-one else in the US is catching on to the Robster's charm, at least a couple of chick lit authors are!) and some interesting and entertaining characters.

The problem for me was that the book has no plot. The only conflict is between Alex and Suzanne and Suzanne is such a nutcase that I just wanted Alex to tell her where to get off and not bother with her again. There's a little romantic tension between Alex and Toby (and Suzanne) but it blows hot and cold so often (and Alex seems so distanced from any possible feelings for him) that I lost interest in whether they would get together or not.

Having said all that, I did enjoy the book as a slice of student life and a reminder of my own experiences as a mature student (I didn't get up to half of what Alex gets up to though. Oh, let's face it, I didn't get up to a tenth of what Alex gets up to!) and I think Megan Crane is a talented writer. She just needs a plot.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot

Related posts: Trashionista Recommends: The5Spot / Whatever next?

Posted by Keris on November 3, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

November 2, 2006 6:18 PM

THURSDAY THREE: Bitch Lit

Is it me, or is the book world getting a little bit... bitchier this year? With anthologies created purely to rail against chick-lit, and chick-lit anthologies created to show them who's boss, women writers are sparring like never before. Today's Thursday Three is about saying damn it to nice cutesy heroines, and celebrating the inner bitch in all of us...

Bitch Lit, edited by by Maya Chowdhry and friend of Trashionista Mary Sharratt, is a collection of stories about bad girls and anti-heroines, "women who take the law into their own hands, who defy society's expectations, put their own needs first and don't feel guilty," according to the blurb on Amazon.  It's a book that celebrates the fact that sometimes being powerful means being a bitch- or at least, being thought of as one.

What bitchy books will we find over the cut? Be nice to me and I'll tell you...

The title of memoirist Elizabeth Wurtzel's book Bitch: In Praise of Difficult Women (follow that link to read an extract) is pretty self-explanatory. She considers why women are called bitches by the media and society, and why victim-hood is too often celebrated, rather than bolshiness! In five essays, she writes about women as diverse as Hillary Clinton, Sylvia Plath and Nicole Brown-Simpson (O.J's unfortunate ex). She draws few conclusions but asks some worthwhile questions- although she was criticized for her choice of women (!)

Back to fiction, Martha O' Connor's debut novel The Bitch Goddess Notebook [The Bitch Posse in the U.S]caused quite a stir when it was published earlier this year. The story of three friends whose lives are ripped apart by a violent crime, it also has a main character who celebrates female sexuality quite er, actively.

So what do you think- is 'bitch' a huge insult, or a word women need to reclaim? Does it mean we're seen as ambitious and powerful- or unpleasant and overbearing?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 2, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release, Short Story Collections, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (2)

November 1, 2006 1:43 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Time Off for Good Behavior by Lani Diane Rich

As you may know, I love Lani Diane Rich's books and have done since I read her first, Time Off for Good Behavior which was originally written - under the title of Boom! - for NaNoWriMo 2002. (We're going to be giving a copy of Time Off for Good Behavior some time during NaNovember - so don't miss that!)

You'd think that ending up in a coma after falling down while attempting to hit a lawyer would be enough, but Wanda's also got an abusive ex-husband and estranged parents to deal with. The ex, George, has taken to phoning Wanda frequently - either to beg forgiveness or threaten to kill her. When he turns up in Tennessee, things become even more serious (and he is genuinely scary).

And that's not all, Wanda is also being driven crazy by a piece of music she can't identify and can't get out of her head. So when she finds herself falling for Walter - another lawyer, but a total sweetheart - she realises she needs to sort herself and her life out before she makes a mess of his too. So she goes to confession (even though she's not Catholic), puts an advert in the paper, and writes her to do list on post-it notes which she sticks to the wall (they include 'get a new haircut' and 'do something meaningful').

I loved this book. Like all of Lani's books, it's very funny, but it's also sad and - I thought - painfully true. The supporting characters are great, but the best thing about this book is certainly Wanda herself (and Lani admits Wanda's her favourite chick lit character). She's bright, brash, bolshy and ballsy. And she swears like a docker. But she's also vulnerable and real. I loved her and I really wanted it to work out for her.

Time Off for Good Behavior is a great book and an excellent introduction to a wonderful author.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie

Related posts: The Comeback Kiss / Ex and the Single Girl

Posted by Keris on November 1, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, NaNovember, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

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)

BOOK REVIEW: Bee Season by Myla Goldberg

Unlike The Secret Life of Bees, Myla Goldberg's Bee Season actually is a book about bees, although not the buzzing black and yellow kind but the culturally-entrenched American tradition of spelling bees. Eliza Naumann is a mediocre pupil and unremarkable in every way until one day, aged eleven, she discovers a sudden talent for spelling. Her father Saul, a Jewish cantor and scholar of Kabbalah (the serious,  mystical orthodox version rather than Madonna-style Kabbalah lite) who's never paid her that much attention before is suddenly her biggest fan and mentor, and together they travel the country as Eliza's prodigious talent grows.

But back at home, Eliza's brother Aaron is feeling neglected and finds an unusual way to cope and Miriam, Eliza and Aaron's mother, is reverting to an unhealthy compulsion that she thought Saul's love had cured. Maybe Eliza's new-found talent isn't quite the blessing she once thought?

With elements of mysticism/magical realism plus explorations of faith, mental health issues and family dynamics, this is a book that simultaneously manages to be very deep and very readable. Myla Goldberg's style is witty yet understated and unpretentious and this is a book which handles several issues whilst never becoming depressing. It's poignant yet funny, sharply drawn but sympathetic and the characters are very believable. It's a great example of 'show don't tell' writing, in which characters' motivations and feelings are revealed through the smallest actions and the reader is credited with the intelligence to understand them. It's also interesting to get an insight into spelling bees, a curiously American phenomenon which most of us have heard of yet never participated in! [The film Spellbound is worth a watch for the same reason, incidentally].

Much more than a coming of age story or a book about spelling, Bee Season deserves the buzz (sorry!) that its publication recieved.

Rating: 5 out of 5

*DID YOU KNOW?* Bee Season was made into a film in 2005, starring Richard Gere, Juliette Binoche and Kate Bosworth.

Like this? Try We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 31, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (2)

GUEST BLOG: Francesca Segre

I know that it isn't yet November and NaNoWriMo doesn't start until tomorrow (or rather, a minute past midnight tonight) but in case anyone was still on the fence about whether or not to take part, our first NaNovember guest blog from author Francesca Segre may inspire you. (Look out for more from Francesca during NaNovember!)

Over to Francesca ...

November. Ah, what a special month. Three years ago this month I did what I did not know was possible. I wrote a book. Yup. I sat down on November 1, 2003 and four weeks later, I had written approximately 200 pages. Within six months, I had an agent, and in March of 2006, my novel Daughter of the Bride was born.

The novelty of writing in November has everything to do with a great program organized by Nanowrimo.org (National Novel Writing Month,) which encourages writers around the world to dedicate November to making 50 thousand words of their novel happen. Nano sent me encouraging emails throughout the month, provided an online graph to chart my word count progress, and created a community of other masochistic writers with whom I could commiserate. If you want to write a book but can’t muster the discipline, this is a great kick in the pants. And there’s usually a cool T-shirt to boot.

I admit, my Nano experience of writing, getting published, and landing a movie deal with Goldie Hawn is not the average Nano occurrence. But I’d argue that if happened once, it can probably happen again, and I’m not one to pass up an opportunity.

I’m doing Nano again this year on the off chance that I get lucky twice. How about you?

Posted by Keris on October 31, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (5)

Pop! author causes controversy

I love the TV show Veronica Mars (even if I don't always know what's happening due to the labyrinthine story lines and the fact that I didn't see the first two series), so i was excited to hear that one of the show's writers, Aury Wallington, had written a new YA novel, called Pop! all about a seventeen year-old girl's quest to lose her virginity. Nothing too outrageous there (teens have been reading about sex since cavemen learnt to scrape crude drawings on caves, surely?) but rumour has it that Borders shops in the U.S won't be stocking the book... something they neither confirm nor deny, according to Galleycat.

Related: Chick lit for little chicks ; Trashionista Young Adult archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 31, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 26, 2006 3:22 PM

BOOK REVIEW: If Andy Warhol Had A Girlfriend by Alison Pace

Since, as Diane's just pointed out, Alison Pace has finished writing her third novel, I thought today would be a good time to review her first: If Andy Warhol Had A Girlfriend.

Gallery manager Jane Laine is sent on a five-month international art fair tour with British artist, Ian Rhys-Fitzsimmons (as we have seen, American authors think all British men are named Ian). Unimpressed with his art, Jane thinks Ian's a fraud and isn't impressed with the assignment either. In fact, Ian makes Jane nervous, but, as they travel to London, Rome, Chicago, Santa Fe, she finds that there's much more to Ian - and to his art - than she originally thought. Can you guess what's going to happen?

I really enjoyed this book. Jane is sweet and relateable and Ian is quite the fox. Alison Pace has been an art researcher and worked at Sotheby's and it shows - the art and art fairs are interesting and convincing. Jane's boss, Dick Reese of the Dick Reese Gallery is fabulously awful and with relevant Andy Warhol quotes heading up each chapter and a cameo appearance by Owen Wilson, If Andy Warhol Had A Girlfriend is an original, fun and funny read. Roll on Alison's third book!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Pick Me Up by Zoe Rice

Posted by Keris on October 26, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 24, 2006 5:31 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Lauren Weisberger

This week we turn our attention to arguably the most successful chick lit author of the last few years - Lauren Weisberger.

Lauren was born in 1977 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Cornell University in 1999 she backpacked around Europe and Asia before moving to New York to work as Assistant to the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour. Amazingly, it was the very first job she applied for.

This experience inspired her first novel The Devil Wears Prada, which was published in 2003 to great fanfare and enormous popularity. It was subsequently made into a film starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway (see what we thought of it) and is soon to be a TV series too!

Lauren's second novel, Everyone Worth Knowing (for which she received a $1million advance), was published in October 2005 and was also a New York Times bestseller, despite the general consensus being that it's not quite as good as her debut (USA Today declared it "a major letdown").

Lauren lives in New York and is working on her third novel (yep, another $1million advance).

Continue over the cut for her bibliography and more

The Devil Wears Prada
Everyone Worth Knowing

Click here for a list of Lauren's favourite books.

Did you know? Lauren's a huge fan of Grey's Anatomy (like some other of our favourite authors!)

Posted by Keris on October 24, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Devil Wears Prada, Fashion-Lit, Modern Fiction, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 20, 2006 7:27 PM

BOOK REVIEW: London is the Best City in America by Laura Dave

You know how you sometimes read the title of a book and then make up your own mind about the storyline? (It's not just me, is it?!) Well, I had this one completely wrong: I assumed it was about an American girl who dumped her fiance and came to live in London... er, no. It is about a girl who dumps her fiance, though.

London is the Best City in America is a debut novel from Laura Dave (who wrote an excellent guest blog for us during Bafab week). It tells the story of Emmy, who left her fiance while he was asleep in a hotel room, moved to Rhode Island and tried to get on with her life. Three years later, she's forced to return home to New York State for her brother Josh's wedding, the first time she's been home in all that time. She's hoping her brother's wedding will go off without a hitch, she won't run into her ex, and she can justify her long absence to her family.

Things don't go quite as planned...

Her first big shock is that, two nights before the ceremony, her brother confesses that he's not sure he wants to get married after all. The two siblings go on a road trip back to Rhode Island, where Josh is briefly re-united with his other woman... and her daughter. Then they travel back to NY so he can decide what to do next... In the midst of all this chaos, Emmy meets up with her old high-school boyfriend, runs into her ex, flirts with Josh's best friend, and tries to make sense of why her relationship with her ex didn't work- and what she wants to do with the rest of her life.

For a novel with so much going on, however, it's told in quite a languid way. The tone is very thoughtful, ponderous (but never dull). It's as much- in fact more- about internal realisations than it is about external events. I liked that a lot, the fact that we see Emmy's progression, and feel that she's happy and knows what she wants by the end of the book. Having said that, I was occasionally slightly frustrated that just as the action got going, we stepped back into Emmy's internal narrative again. But it was always worth the wait! I liked the way the author ties everything together at the end: there's a hopeful, happy ending, but it's realistic, too.  Laura Dave's style reminded me a lot of Melissa Bank, although it's a bit less dialogue-based.

Overall, it's an enjoyable read that has something to say. The characters may not make it to London, but I won't hold that against them!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank; The Guy Not Taken by Jennifer Weiner.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 20, 2006 in American Authors, Bafab, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (4)

FRIDAY FLICK: The Devil Wears Prada

We had to review DWP for Friday Flick, didn't we? After all, we've talked about it for quite some time- and even told you how to make Devil Wears Prada cocktails! (I didn't end up sneaking a flask in with me, but I did go to see it with four other girls and a large tub of popcorn, which seems the ideal scenario).

If you haven't read the book and have managed to avoid hearing about the film (how?!) here's the story: Andi wants to be a serious journalist and has moved to New York to pursue her dream. After trying to get her dream job on a big New York newspaper investigating serious issues, and repeatedly failing, in desperation she attends an interview at Runway magazine (famously based on American Vogue) where despite her lack of fashion acumen, editor-in-chief Miranda Priestley (famously based on Vogue editor Anna Wintour) hires her. And then the fun begins!

Sorry- that was sarcasm... the fun doesn't really begin at all for Andi after that. Miranda makes Margaret Thatcher seem warm and fuzzy: Andi is constantly on call to pander to her every whim, from getting the new Harry Potter in manuscript form to getting her out of Florida in the middle of a tropical storm. And Miranda's senior assistant Emily has no sympathy, and never responds to Andi's attempts at friendliness. Soon Andi's relationship with her boyfriend Nate is suffering and her friends complain they hardly see her. Her dad comes to visit her and she spends the whole night on the phone, instead. Andi says she can't stand her job. But a part of her is sucked in, too: she changes her image, loses weight and starts to fit in to this glam new world. But does she want to? And what will that mean giving up?

I really enjoyed this film- it's perfect fun chick-lit fare, perfectly placed for its target audience. Anne Hathaway is great at this kind of bumbling-awkward-girl-turned-beauty shtick (as the two Princess Diaries films prove). It's also fun to watch stuff like this and try to imagine what's based on reality (I imagine quite a lot, as the book's author Lauren Weisberger was Anna Wintour's assistant!) There are some differences from the book, though: Andi's boyfriend lives with her in the film, which actually makes more sense, and Miranda is a touch softer (although not much- I'd heard reports that suggested she was positively warm and fuzzy- not so!) The ending is also different, and I feel the book's more moral outcome was stronger. But those who haven't read the book I'm sure won't mind. All in all, a fun girly fun, perfect if you love fashion, journalism- or just a light chick-flick of a Friday night. I recommend it!

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 20, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Devil Wears Prada, Fashion-Lit, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Movie Magic, Movie News, Romance | Permalink | Comments (5)

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)

Hollywood cupcake competition

Ellen Meister, author of Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA has a fantastic contest on her website.

In the book a Hollywood studio announces plans to shoot a major movie in the local schoolyard. When the women of the town learn that the star of the movie is George Clooney, inevitably "decorum crumbles like a cupcake from last week's bake sale".

You can win a basket of books for your school library (US only) by choosing "which Hollywood leading man you'd most like to offer your cupcakes to". Choices include Mr Clooney himself (of course), Antonio Banderas, Matthew McConaughey and Brad Pitt.

Posted by Keris on October 19, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Competition, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (3)

October 18, 2006 7:36 PM

Courtney Love's a chick lit nicker

You know the title of Caprice Crane's debut Stupid & Contagious* comes from a Nirvana song, right? So what do you think happened when Courtney Love (former wife of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain) spotted the book in a shop?

Well, according to E! Online, she sang the entire chorus of Smells Like Teen Spirit (after asking "You guys do realize what this says, right?") and then walked out of the shop with the book, but without paying for it.

Caprice happily reports the incident on her MySpace page. You can't buy that kind of publicity!

* review coming soon!

Posted by Keris on October 18, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (4)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Lily Burana

Lily Burana has been a punk, a stripper and a non-fiction writer (not to mention a Trashionista Guest Blogger!), but now with her fictional debut Try, she's a novelist, too. Here's what she had to say in answer to our probing interview Qs...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer: Young Western artist returns home, meets a rodeo cowboy and discovers what "passion" really means.

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)? I wrote most of Try propped up in bed, with my laptop. That is, when I wasn't scribbling notes in a speeding truck traveling between rodeos. I like music or television in the background when I'm working, but I can't stand hearing people talk.

Your favourite chick-lit book? I liked Emily Giffin's Baby Proof because it dealt with a pretty heavy issue--whether or not to have children. I thought that was very original and she kept the character sympathetic throughout.

Carry on over the cut for more!

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)? I wrote most of Try propped up in bed, with my laptop. That is, when I wasn't scribbling notes in a speeding truck traveling between rodeos. I like music or television in the background when I'm working, but I can't stand hearing people talk.

Your favourite chick-lit book? I liked Emily Giffin's Baby Proof because it dealt with a pretty heavy issue--whether or not to have children. I thought that was very original and she kept the character sympathetic throughout.

Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why? I liked Bone from Bastard Out of Carolina. She was tough and smart and looked unflinchingly at how the world worked, even though she was just a girl.

What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers? Limit the amount of sharing you do with your work while it's in progress. Pick one or two people whose opinion whose feedback you really trust (probably not close friends or family members who won't want to hurt your feelings), and don't get discouraged when faced with rejection. It happens to everyone--truly.

What are you reading at the moment? I'm reading stacks of magazines for a change! It's so nice to come out of the writer's zombie state to read about current events and all the great shoes I've been missing by not reading anything but books and my own manuscripts for the past year or so.

What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!) I'm hoping to write something about being an Army wife, though I'm just kicking around ideas at the moment.

Thanks Lily!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 18, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 17, 2006 2:35 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Secret Society Girl by Diana Peterfreund

Anyone who read Diana Peterfreund's brilliant defence of chick lit would surely want to read her novel and I was no exception.

Secret Society Girl is the first in a series (the second book, Under the Rose, is out next year) featuring Amy Haskel who is unexpectedly 'tapped' into her university's most prestigious (and, of course, secret) society, Rose & Grave. The members of Rose & Grave allegedly control all aspects of the media (including the winners of American Idol), the police, even the government. Getting tapped by them is a pretty big deal, in other words. The only trouble is, Amy doesn't seem to fit the profile and can't understand what they want with her.

Amy's best friend and roommate Lydia has also been tapped, but we don't find out who by (not in this book at least). Her 'friend with benefits' Brandon isn't interested in all the secret society business, but he is interested in becoming more serious with Amy. The trouble is, once Amy's initiated into the society she forgets about everything else, including her studies (though that doesn't matter because Rose & Grave has an archive of past papers). And when Amy finds out why she was chosen, things get even more out of control.

I really loved this book. Diana Peterfreund has a chatty, witty, intelligent writing style and a brilliant way with cliffhanger chapter endings. I don't think I finished a single chapter without at least reading a couple of pages of the following one. There are a couple of problems: Amy's decision on whether or not to keep schtum about the society seems to shift depending on the requirements of the plot and Brandon's not exactly consistent either, but they're small issues. Secret Society Girl is a fast, funny, original read and I'm looking forward to the next book.

Rating: 4 out of 5

If you like this, try Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

Related stories: Ivy League chick lit

Posted by Keris on October 17, 2006 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Series | Permalink | Comments (50)

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 5:30 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Pick Me Up by Zoe Rice

When I read that editor-turned-author Zoe Rice's book Pick Me Up was not only set in New York, but also featured a heroine who is mad about Robbie Williams, I knew I had to read it. Plus there's a cover comment from Sophie Kinsella - "Clever, witty and fun! Izzy is a great character. So funny!" - and who am I to resist the chick lit queen herself?

So is Pick Me Up a pick-me-up or is it all too easy to put down (sorry ..)? Carry on over the cut to find out.

Izzy works in an art gallery, has a glamorous PR best friend, wonderful clients and a cat named Robbie. She's happy with her life until the gallery's benefactor drops dead, her fabulous boss takes a job on the other side of the country and she's landed with an artist who seems not to be able to stand her .. most of the time.

I really enjoyed this book. Izzy's a charming, down-to-earth character and the supporting cast - particularly Izzy's gallery colleague, Kimmy (who I hope gets her own book one day) - are great fun too. Although I found it a little bit predictable - there was no doubt in my mind who Izzy was going to end up with - that didn't spoil my enjoyment because I was cheering for them to get together. There are laugh-out-loud moments and an enormously romantic ending. You know what I'm going to say, don't you? Yeah. Pick it up.

Rating 4 out of 5

If you like this, try Something Blue by Emily Giffin

Posted by Keris on October 13, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

FRIDAY FLICK: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Based on the enormously successful young adult novel by Ann Brashares, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants stars Gilmore Girls' Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera and Blake Lively as the four best friends who find a pair of 'magical' jeans in a charity shop/thrift store. The magic lies in the fact that they look equally great on each of the girls despite the girls' disparity in size and shape.

Separated for the summer, the girls hatch a plan to share the jeans - keeping them for a week and then posting them on, accompanied by a letter of the exciting things they got up to while wearing them.

I know, it sounds ridiculous, but is it good or is it pants? (Sorry, couldn't resist.) Read on and find out.

The summer is, of course, an eventful one. Tibby, the rebellious one, is working in a supermarket and making a documentary film when she meets a much younger girl and, in the absence of her friends, finds herself spending more and more time with her. The sporty one, Bridget, is spending summer at soccer camp in Baja California and is determined to tackle one of the instructors (ha!). Lena, the shy, artistic one, goes to Greece to stay with her grandparents and, inevitably, meets a boy. Carmen goes to stay with her dad (played by Bradley Whitford, West Wing fans) and - and this is a suprise to poor Carmen - his new family.

This is all standard stuff for teen movies (and books for that matter), but the script by Delia Ephron and the charm and talent of the cast (particularly Amber Tamblyn and America Ferrera) make this something special. I loved it.

Posted by Keris on October 13, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Romance, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

October 12, 2006 8:27 PM

Melanie Lynn Hauser on YouTube

Diane wasn't entirely convinced by Melanie Lynn Hauser's Confessions of Supermom, but when I saw the author was reading from it on YouTube, I had to share (we've never had any film-type thingies - can you tell I'm not a techie? - here at Trashionista so I thought it would be fun).

Posted by Keris on October 12, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Series, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson

Yes, the small 'g' is deliberate, and yes, this is a great read. gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson (whose blog I was just recommending!) is the story of Arlene Fleet, who left a dark secret back in Alabama and ran away to Chicago after leaving high school ten years ago. When she left, she made a deal with God-with-a-big-G that she would be an exemplary human being: never lying, fornicating or returning to Alabama as long as God made sure that nobody ever found out what she'd done. But now she's under pressure to return for an important family party, not just from her relatives, but from her boyfriend Burr, too. As he's black, and many of her relatives are racist, Arlene has more than a few things to worry about as she makes the journey home to confront her past...

What a great set-up, and what a thoroughly entertaining read! I can't say too much about what happens when Arlene returns to Alabama, but I was hooked as I found out why she'd left and her family history, and at no point did I guess what might happen next or how the book might end. I'm really not sure what genre I'd put this book into: it has the complicated texture of literary fiction, the entertainment value, romance aspect and sassy heroine of chick-lit and the excitement and pace of a wonderful thriller (which Joshilyn Jackson apparently reads a lot of, so no surprise there).

Books set in the deep south seem to have so much atmosphere, and gods is no exception. It was Jackson's debut novel, and a very confident and throughly well-written debut it is. My only slight criticisms are that the story is a little far-fetched, although it's a sign of Jackson's writing that she makes it seem so believable it's only afterwards you think 'but that wouldn't really happen...?' Also, although this book is great, her second book is superlative, so I can't give this one full marks in comparison! (If you've never read her work, start here and work up). Still, a great read that I highly recommend.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson, Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie; The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 12, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

October 9, 2006 3:40 PM

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 5, 2006 3:30 PM

GUEST BLOG and GIVEAWAY: Laura Dave

Laura Dave is the author of new novel London is the Best City in America, which Reese Witherspoon is making into a film. (I know!!)

And, she's guest blogging for us for Bafab, about relationships and writing... which means, of course, that we have a copy of her book to give away, if you... what? Email us with your name and address, that's right! (Put London in the subject line).

Torn in Two: Thinking About (And Writing About) Relationships by Laura Dave

When I was waiting for the subway a few weeks ago, I was squeezed between two guys who were talking about love. (Okay, by “squeezed between” two guys, I mean “leaning in” to hear what they were saying, but you get the idea…) One of the guys—let’s call him Teddy—was talking about a woman named Marietta, who he couldn’t get out of his head (with a name like Marietta, who could get her out?!). Teddy was telling his friend that he has never felt this way about anyone before, that he is sure this is love (he actually said love), and he can see himself spending his life with her. Which is when his friend spoke. “What about Meredith?”

Teddy looked demolished—at least to my nosy-body eyes. “I don’t know how I can leave her,” he said. And there’s the rub.

And here’s the common ground: my first novel, London Is The Best City in America, focuses on 26 year old, Emmy Everett, who comes home for the first time in years for her brother Josh’s wedding—only to discover that Josh thinks he is in love with another woman, who is not his fianceé. Trying to be the good sister, Emmy embarks on a road trip with Josh to find this mystery woman and try to make sense of his true feelings.

As the subway pulled into the station—and Teddy and friend disappeared into a different car—I couldn’t help but wonder what he’d decide his true feelings were. I know what I decided Josh’s were. One of reasons I like writing about relationships so much is getting to make those decisions: who is going to be brave, who is going to stand up for the person he loves, who is going to make a bad choice for herself. In all of the best ways, my characters often surprise me—often hold their ground—and I end up making choices for them I didn’t see coming. I end up making choices for them that teach me something.

About a week after I saw Teddy on the subway platform, I ran into him again: Same platform, same busy time of day. Only this time he was with a woman. Which woman was it: wearing a red skirt, and the kind of stiletto heels that make me trip, just from looking at them? It was all I could do to not call out Marietta and see what happened. But, whichever woman she was, Teddy reached out to take her hand and she smiled at him. And maybe that’s the best end of the story either way. At least, I think, that’s how I would write it.

Oh, I'm so intrigued! Thanks Laura!

Posted by Aigua Media on October 5, 2006 in American Authors, Bafab, Book related, Debut Novels, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (6)

October 4, 2006 7:40 PM

GUEST BLOG and GIVEAWAY!!: Lily Burana

Former punk turned journalist and author Lily Burana's first book was a memoir, Strip City: A Stripper's Farewell Journey Across America. Her second book, the novel Try might not have quite as intriguing a title, but it does boast one hell of an opening line.

(And you can win a copy in hardback by emailing us your name and address with Try in the subject line- you won't regret it!- Sorry, UK only).

But now, on with Lily's fabulous guest blog-

The Rocky Road to Rodeo Romance by Lily Burana

The old maxim “write what you know” may be wise counsel indeed, but how long can you write before you reach the limits of your life experience? A writer’s only got one thinly veiled autobiographical novel in her, and in my case, my first book was a memoir, so I had already used up all my source material by the time it was time for book two. I knew I wanted to write a love story for my second book—a raw, rowdy, dare I say kinky love story, and I had been in love, so in that respect I could work from personal experience. But in my heart, I wanted to set the book in the West—not the old-school Lone Ranger Sunday matinee Hollywood fantasy place, but the modern, totally country, bikini bull ride and rodeo real-deal West.

I lived in Wyoming for a few years, and saw the drama, romance, and excitement of cowboys, rodeos, and honkytonks, but since I didn’t come from that world, I didn’t feel entitled to write about it. But the more I thought about the book I longed to write, the greater my courage grew. F*ck it, I thought, Dr. Suess didn’t live in Whoville before he wrote “Horton Hears a Who,” and Roald Dahl didn’t work in a chocolate factory before he wrote “Willy Wonka,” so why was I being such a write-what-you-know purist priss?

I got some guts and started traveling the rodeo circuit, asking all kinds of nosy questions of the cowboys and the women who loved them, and ended up with a book that several rodeo girlfriends have told me rings totally true. So my advice is to write what you’re obsessed with, and the critical details will fall into place during the process. It’s passion—more than first-hand life experience—that gets the story to stick to the page.

Posted by Aigua Media on October 4, 2006 in American Authors, Bafab, Book related, Competition, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (8)

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)

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)

October 2, 2006 11:57 AM

The Devil Wears Prada cocktails!

As you should all know by now, this Friday sees the UK release (at long, long last!) of the film adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada so in honour of this fine occasion, one of the film's sponsors, Cointreau, the French liqueur (ooh Cointreau and liqueur are hard to spell, aren't they?- and I haven't taken a sip, I swear!) has created two special cocktails in honour of the film. Perhaps you could have some girlfriends round afterwards for a celebration? Or, y'know, you could try and sneak a flask into the cinema... (JOKE).

Check out the recipes over the cut...

Devil's Desire:

You need: 50ml Cointreau; 25ml pink grapefruit juice; 25ml pomegranate juice; 10ml passion fruit syrup; 1 wedge of lime, squeezed.

Chill a martini glass. Shake ingredients together in a shaker with ice, and strain into glass. Garnish with a spiral of orange peel.

Devil's Delight

Fill a tall glass with ice. Add in this order and stir gently: 1 wedge of lime. Squeeze over ice and drop into glass;

25ml Cointreau;

50ml apple juice ;

50ml cranberry juice.

Garnish with a slice of orange.

Simple! Enjoy...

[Via Response Source].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 2, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Devil Wears Prada, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Movie News | Permalink | Comments (1)

MORE ON MONDAY: Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin

With the film version of Armistead Maupin's most recent book, The Night Listener, about to hit cinemas, I thought it was time to mention another of my all-time favourites, the Tales of the City series.

Tales of the City is the first in a series of six books set in San Franciso in the late seventies and early eighties. Mary Ann Singleton is a sheltered secretary from Cleveland when she visits San Francisco for the first time and decides to stay. Moving into 28 Barbary Lane she meets and befriends a cast of outrageous but totally believable and charming characters, pretty much all of whom I fell in love with.

Probably the most popular and best-known character of the series is Michael "Mouse" Tolliver, apparently based on the author himself. Mouse is just gorgeous, vulnerable and real, and even though he's a gay man I identified with him more than Mary Ann so I was very excited to hear that Maupin his finally signed a deal for a new book. It's called Michael Tolliver Lives and, though some other Tales characters may appear, it's primarily about Mouse aged 55 and living with HIV.

But I digress. The Tales of the City series is a modern soap opera. It's far-fetched, melodramatic, unbelievable, stuffed with ridiculous plot twists and coincidences, but I defy you not to fall in love with it. I read the first and then could not rest until I'd read the other five. I've recommended them to everyone. I exclaimed out loud - with shock or delight - when reading them (sometimes in public). Yep, as so many reviews say, I laughed, I cried, I couldn't put it down. Really. I can't recommend this series highly enough.

Of course, if you're obsessed as me, you'll know that Tales of the City, More Tales of the City and Further Tales of the City were all made into TV mini-series (starring Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis) and are available on DVD.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Did you know? If you're heading to San Francisco you can take the Tales of the City tour (yes, I've done it).

Posted by Keris on October 2, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Classic Novels, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, More On Monday, Prize Winners, Rating: 5/5, Romance, Series, Television | Permalink | Comments (5)

September 29, 2006 12:02 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 5 out of 5

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

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

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

FRIDAY FLICK: Animal Attraction

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

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

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

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

September 28, 2006 5:33 PM

THURSDAY THREE: Assistant Lit

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

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

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

Hop over the cut for the other two books.

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

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

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

Posted by Keris on September 28, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Devil Wears Prada, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (6)

September 27, 2006 11:26 AM

11-year-old signs book deal

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

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

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

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

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

Yep. It seems Bird Lit has arrived.

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

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 19, 2006 10:06 AM

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)

September 14, 2006 11:37 AM

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)

September 12, 2006 5:50 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

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

So it’s up to Elena to save the day.

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

Rating of 5 out of 5.

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

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

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)

September 6, 2006 11:22 AM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

September 4, 2006 2:08 PM

MOVIE MAGIC: Twenty Times a Lady

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

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

Ideas?

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

MORE ON MONDAY: The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

September 3, 2006 7:32 PM

The Only Boy For Me on ITV

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

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

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

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)

August 28, 2006 12:42 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Bachelorette Party by Karen McCullah Lutz

Karen McCullah Lutz has form: she's the co-author of the movies Legally Blonde and 10 Things I Hate About You, so if anyone should know how to appeal to a chick-lit, chick-flick lovin' audience, it's her.  Her debut novel The Bachelorette Party is about Zadie, who was recently dumped by her soap opera star fiance on the day of her wedding and now has to cope with the fact that her best male friend is marrying her straight-laced cousin Helen- and Zadie's going on the Hen Night, the last place on earth she wants to be...

For starters, can I just say that Bachelorette Party is a much more glamourous term than Hen Party?!  Although this one leaves a little something to be desired... after yoga and a vist to a juice bar, Zadie manages to persuade the girls to go a little wild, and soon she's learning that Helen might not be quite as uptight as she seems...

When I picked up this book, I thought "a whole novel about a hen night?!" and to some extent I stand by that- although it's well-written and very pacey, how much can you really say about one party?  Good job the author is so skilled at action and dialogue (I guess that's the advantage of polishing your craft on scripts first).  This is a fun read with several hard-to-predict plot twists, but there were a few things I didn't like about it...

For one, the main character is cynical almost to the point of clinical depression- rarely have you seen a blacker worldview from someone with a good job and all their limbs, living in sunny L.A.  Not only is she coarse for no good reason (I'm not a prude, but this seemed forced) she's self-pitying and very judgemental (hating anyone who does yoga, sneering at girls with the wrong manicure... and if I saw the words 'slutty whore' or 'whory bitch' one more time I was going to throw the book across the room!)  Through Zadie, the author promotes the idea that everyone should be getting drunk and having sex with strangers- or you're just no fun. (Make sure the strangers are single though, or you're a slutty... !)  Sure enough, rather than therapy the answer to Zadie's problems turn out to be drink and meeting a new man.  If only everything in life was this simple!

I think my main problem was the author was trying to hard to impress and make her book stand out by being outrageous- if she had a more relaxed style I might have warmed to the characters more.  However, if you can take this book a little less seriously than me and accept that you have to let some of the book's 'lessons' sail straight over your head, then you could find this book good escapism, with moments of humour and zest.  But in future I'll be sticking to authors who do this kind of stuff ten times better.

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Like this? Try  Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie, One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. [They're much better!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 28, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 2/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 18, 2006 4:27 PM

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 14, 2006 2:42 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Journal of Mortifying Moments by Robyn Harding

There aren’t many of us who could raise our hands to the heavens and say, ‘I don’t like a bit of gossip.’ If given the opportunity to read someone else’s diary, would you? If it was right there in front of you, covered in a sweet jacket of bright pink and emblazoned with those delicious words, ‘The Journal of Mortifying Moments’, how could you resist?

I couldn’t. Okay, so it isn’t the scandalous diary of a best friend who has clearly been up to all sorts but instead is the debut novel from author Robyn Harding.

It’s just one of those books that has to be read. You see it, you want it. Anything with a title like that is a must-read, right? Well, I had a peek, and let’s just say it's one heck of a brilliant read.

Ad-agency worker Kerry Spence is stuck in a boring job, put down by her mother on countless occasions, and is basically having trouble with finding the perfect man. Oh, what’s a girl to do? A bit of shopping, maybe? Brunch with friends? Pfft, nope. Why do that when you can simply visit a therapist?

Kerry’s therapist has set her a task. “A diary of past encounters with men that may be contributing to your current negative and dysfunctional relationship.” A task alternatively titled The Journal of Mortifying Moments.

The journal is kept a secret is Kerry’s desk and ONLY comes out when it has to – for Kerry to jot down some well and truly embarrassing encounters. As she battles through her daily life and some downright disastrous dates, Kerry begins to gain some more memoirs to add to her horrifying collection.

The Journal of Mortifying Moments is an amusing, witty take on single thirty-something life with some highly embarrassing twists. Kerry is the knowledgable yet often silly character that a lot of us can relate to. Let’s face it, we’ve all put our foot in it somewhere along the line!

However, whilst there are some fabulous moments to make you cringe, I had expected more in the way of laughs. Don’t get me wrong, this is a great read, but it’s not as hilarious as the blurb makes out. (Then again, I could just be spoilt from reading too much Sophie Kinsella. You’ve been warned!)

If you’re looking for something gossipy and cute, go for this. It’s not a heart-warming tale of love and marriage, but who needs that when you have a diary full of morbidly embarrassing situations?

Do I even have to ask that?

If you like this, try: The Secret Dreamworld Of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Posted by Danielle Symonds-Yemm on August 14, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 11, 2006 12:47 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

The Secret Life of Bees isn't really about bees, but it is about secrets- and much more besides.  Fourteen year-old Lily has grown up bowed by the secret knowledge that she killed her mother when she was four, and she longs for forgiveness and a way out of her horrible home life with her strict yet neglectful father.  Her only friend in the world is the family's maid, Rosaleen, the one person who will tell her about her mother.  But in the American deep south in 1964, white teenage girls and their black maids aren't supposed to be friends- or even seen together in public.  So when Rosaleen gets beaten up by a gang of white men and fears for her life and Lily decides to go with her on a dangerous flight of passage, they need to find somewhere safe to run to- and quickly...

After some nights on the road (literally- this is an escape on foot!) they finally find refuge with a trio of eccentric bee-keeping sisters, who let them stay and work for them for a while, teaching them about bee-keeping and introducing them to the legend of the Black Madonna, who adorns their jars of honey.  Can Lily and Rosaleen stay here safely- and for how long?  And what was the significance of the Black Madonna honey label that Lily's mother kept in her secret box of mementos?

I just adored this book: it's so evocative of the sixties, and of South Carolina- and really made me think about what life was like then in the deep south.  We all know about the horrific racist abuse and murder, the Ku Klux Klan etc.  But this book reminded me that white people who were appalled by bigotry were almost as attacked and oppressed as the black people around them.

But there's hope in the book too- we see the possibility of change in characters like Lily, who won't grown up to be like her father.

Lily is a fantastic narrator- awful things happen to her but she never loses her hope or sense of humour.  I loved the other characters too:  Rosaleen and the bee-keeping sisters and their collection of oddball friends.  And the spiritual aspect of the book was very powerful too, although I don't think you need to be religious to appreciate it.  Despite dealing with some heavy topics, The Secret Life of Bees is never depressing- and that's an impressive feat.  It's the ideal summer read- escapism that makes you think, a hopeful but never unrealistic story of sorrow, forgiveness and finding peace... and simply wonderful writing. 

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try The Prize Winner Of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan, Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 11, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Dog Walker by Leslie Schnur

Last time I was in New York, the tour guide mentioned that dog walkers can earn up to $125,000 per year. Since that was considerably (considerably) more than I was earning at the time and since I would rather have been picking up doggie "messages" than doing the job I was actually doing, I was a bit put out. So when I saw this book endorsed by no less than Jennifer Weiner, I had to buy it.

Nina Shepard is a dog walker by day and a sculptor of found objects by night. She's not rich, but she does have an apartment with a terrace and a dog she loves. She is also in love with Daniel before she even meets him. He's the owner of one of her canine charges and each day when she lets herself in to his apartment to collect his dog, she lingers. And snoops. When they do meet she's not disappointed, but Daniel isn't quite who (or what) he appears, but then neither's Nina - she's only covering the dog-walking for a friend after being sacked from her much flashier job in publishing. So how can Nina and Daniel really fall in love when neither is who they seem?

I absolutely loved this book. Leslie Schnur writes about New York (and dogs) beautifully and I totally believed in Nina and Daniel from the beginning. The kind of book that makes you feel warm inside. (And makes you want to go to New York. Again.)

If you like this, try Pug Hill and Anyone But You

Posted by Keris on August 11, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 9, 2006 6:08 PM

RICHARD AND JUDY SUMMER READS : The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

This week sees the final book of Richard and Judy's Summer Reads feature, 'The Historian' by Elizabeth Kostova.

The book is a new take on an old tale - the legend of Dracula. It is inspired heavily by Bram Stoker's work, particularly in considering that Dracula is still wandering freely among us, and that he holds an historical significance wider than many of us have realised. The book is a set of sroties within stories - almost like a literary russian doll. The story is begun by a teenage girl who finds a mysterious book in her father's library. This contains letters bequeathed to her father (Paul) by his dissertation supervisor (Rossi) many years ago. The structure is a mixture of the girl's first person account of events interspersed with a packet of letters left by her father, which also give the content of the letters written by Rossi. All three protaganists are in search of one being - Dracula, Rossi searches alone whilst Paul is accompanied by Helen (who happens to be Rossi's estranged duaghter), and the girl is accompanied by a student she met at Oxford.

Carry on across the cut to see what I thought of the book.

I am loathe to admit that on a number of occasions I became tempted to throw this book across the room - it really was that frustrating a read. The first 100 or so pages dragged horribly, but sure that it must get better I persevered. I haven't made my mind up yet whether I'm glad I did.

The plot was very intricatly planned, with the three stories lying comfortably on one another - though at times these did veer a little too far from the believable (yes even for a book about vampires). I also found myself diasppointed that Kostova spent so little time on the vampires themselves - having read more books on vampires than I probably should have I did expect a little more fangy business.

The characters were a mixed bunch really. I found the three protaganists a little dull if I'm perfectly honest - Paul particularly was far too whingy for my liking. The characters met by Paul and Helen on their travels were far more vibrant, and the combination of these and the descriptions of many Eastern Eurpoean countries were one of the saving features of this book.

I'm not going to give the ending away to you, but I will say this - I ended up feeling like I still didn't know half of what I expected to know at the end. There was an incident with about 40 pages to go that was dealt with far too quickly, and there were far too many unanswered questions.

All in all I was pretty disappointed with this book. It wasn't a bad book, I just wanted it to be better than it was.

Rating : 3 out of 5

Posted by Jenni on August 9, 2006 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (5)

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 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)

July 27, 2006 3:22 PM

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 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 13, 2006 3:50 PM

BOOK REVIEW : Conversations With The Fat Girl by Liza Palmer

If you were to ask the average female what they didn't like about their body, their list would probably be endless. The gossip mags always contain this week's trendy diet, but many of us now face these with an air of defeated contempt - if the cabbage soup didn't work then there's no chance of the smoothies being any better. So when weight and self image is a topic that dominates many girly chats is it something we really want to read about? Liza Palmer obviously thinks we do - its the theme of this, her debut novel.

Maggie weighs more than she wants to. This is nothing new, it seems as though she's been looking at other people and their perfect figures all her life. At school it wasn't so bad, she had her best friend Olivia who was also overweight. To be perfectly honest if it wasn't for their mutual weight problems they'd probably never have become friends - but the social hierarchy forced them together. These days though Olivia is a size 6, though this was after gastric bypass surgery.

Life for Olivia seems to be pretty perfect, she's just about to get married to her Mr Right. Maggie however is starting to feel like life's passing her by a little. Everyone else is a bit smarter, a bit more motivated, a bit thinner - how can she even think of competing? Her boss at the coffee shop is driving her mad, but she can put with him and the monotony of the work - all the more time to drool over the gorgeous Domenico.

As Olivia's wedding draws nearer and nearer Maggie starts to question whether Olivia's life is actually that much better than her own. Maybe the figure she is craving isn't the solution to her problems after all.

I really enjoyed this book. As a person who has had weight issues I found I could really identify with Maggie at times, though other times I found myself yelling at her to stop being so wet. I don't think though that this is a book that only people who have or who have had weight problems will enjoy. The theme that dominates is that of friendship, and of how friendship changes with time.

The plot and characters of this book are highly convincing, making it a thoroughly enjoyable read. I think this could make a great book for a reading group to discuss, or just enjoy it on your own.

Rating : 4 out of 5

Like this? Try 'The Perfect 10' by Louise Kean.

Posted by Jenni on July 13, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 12, 2006 6:05 PM

RICHARD AND JUDY SUMMER READS : The Righteous Men by Sam Bourne

This week's book featured in Richard and Judy's Summer Read campaign is Sam Bourne's debut novel "The Righteous Men". This is a book with a lot of expectation attached to it - some are heralding Bourne as the new challenger to Dan Brown's throne, whilst others are labelling it as 'the Jewish Da Vinci Code'. I have to admit this instantly made me worried, both for the book and for the author - these are big statements to have to live up to.

The book tells the story of Will Monroe, a journalist for the New York Times. When he is sent on his first murder report he's unaware of the fact that the investigating he is about to do will plunge him into the murky depths of a worldwide assassination plot. When his beloved wife Beth is kidnapped as part of the plot he starts to wonder how he has ended up in the middle of this, but he has no time to ponder about it as he begins to receive cryptic clues to solve.

Carry on across the cut to see what I thought of the book.

Let me begin by saying that everything I was worried about was unfounded. The claims being made about this book are spot on, this is an author who can better play Dan Brown at his own game. As a book this is definitely better than 'The Da Vinci Code' and comparable with 'Angels and Demons' which is arguably Brown's best effort.

The plot was full of twists and turns, and it was impossible to put down. The characters were richly written, and highly believable. You really cared about the characters, and when another twist happened you felt it almost as keenly as they did.

This is a brilliant book - go and buy it now!

Rating : 5 out of 5

Posted by Jenni on July 12, 2006 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 11, 2006 11:52 AM

LOVE WALKED IN by Marisa De Los Santos

It's hard to write about Love Walked In without giving anything away and I really don't want to give anything away. Let's start with the basics. It tells, in alternating chapters, the stories of Cornelia and Clare. Cornelia is 30 and when a man bearing a striking resemblance to classic Hollywood star Cary Grant walks in to the cafe she manages, she thinks he is her destiny. And he does seem perfect.

He's gentlemanly, stylish, charming, funny and mad about her. Clare is 11 and her mother is behaving badly. And increasingly irrationally. Clare is frightened, but has no-one to turn to except her father whom she doesn't know particularly well or like very much.

I can't say anything else about the plot - I really can't. But 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.

The film rights have apparently been bought by Sarah Jessica Parker's production company and I really can't wait for the film. If it's anywhere near as good as the book, it could be a classic.

Rating : 5 out of 5

Liked this? Try 'Lucia, Lucia' by Adriana Trigiani

Posted by Keris on July 11, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 5/5 | 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 7, 2006 11:33 AM

BOOK REVIEW- Twenty Times a Lady by Karyn Bosnak

Shopaholic Karyn Bosnak became infamous on the internet when, after racking up $20,000 of credit card debt, she set up a website asking for help to pay back the money- and succeeded.  That adventure spawned the wonderful, funny and heartwarming memoir 'Save Karyn' but her newest book is a novel about that most sensitive of sexual subjects: your 'number'.  You know, THAT number... Delilah Darling, the heroine of Twenty Times a Lady, has just been made redundant.   Even worse (in her eyes): she wakes up after a particularly  regrettable one-night stand and realizes she's now slept with twenty men.  She's shocked, especially as she's just read that the average girl's number is half that... so she vows that she won't sleep with another man. Ever.

This leaves her with a bit of a problem really, as she's hoping to get married and have children eventually.  So she takes her redundancy payment, her hire car and her Blackberry and sets off on a journey across America to track down her lost loves- accompanied only by her brand-new Yorkshire terrier and an iPod full of Lionel Richie (for those rough moments, you understand).    After all, she reasons, surely one of her ex-lovers must be the right guy for her... her romantic instincts can't be that bad.  Can they?

What follows is 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!

After loving 'Save Karyn' so much, I  wasn't sure how I'd feel about a novel by the same author- would the same big, sunny personality come across in a work of fiction? I'm happy to say it does!  Delilah seems heavily based on Karyn's own personality and I think that's why she 's so likeable.  But as to how much the experiences (and experience) Delilah has is based on reality, I guess only Ms Bosnak will ever know for sure...

If you enjoy Karyn's books, you'll love all the gossip on her blog, where there's also the chance to win a copy of Twenty Times a Lady every Friday, in her 'Love, Sex and My Ex' contest.   But I wouldn't wait for that, I'd buy it now!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Year of Yes by Maria Headley, Straight up and Dirty by Stephanie Klein.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 7, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (4)

July 6, 2006 9:00 AM

BOOK REVIEW - Straight Up And Dirty by Stephanie Klein

Today sees the release of Stephanie Klein's memoirs dealing with an issue many of us have had to deal with in one way or another, the end of a marriage. What do you do when you're faced with your perfect life suddenly becoming far from perfect? That's precisely what Klein tells us in this fast-paced, no holds barred, debut effort.

At the age of 24 Stephanie feels that her life is complete. She's married to the man she loves, happy in the job she wants to do, and living in a wonderful apartment in Manhattan. When she finds out that the baby she's wanted for so long is finally on its way she doesn't think life can get any better. Sadly this is when it all falls apart and she finds that her beloved husband has been seeing someone else, cue her life being turned upside down.

Stephanie moves to her own apartment, and seeks the advice of a phone therapist to help her get through this difficult time. A serious of dates ensues as she searches for the one thing that made her complete - love. As all single and formerly single people will know, dating can be a treacherous journey through the good, the bad and the ugly and this is certainly what Stephanie finds.

I found this book a little difficult to get into. For the first couple of chapters I found the way that Klein goes off on tangents to be a little confusing, but as soon as I got my head aruond the format I couldn't put this book down. Many of us are, or have been both unlucky in love and searching for someting more than we have. This book is almost reassuring in showing that the same things apply to someone else.

Klein's manner of writing is clear, and she does not shirk away from any details. It felt a lot like reading something straight out of 'Sex and the City', though think more Samantha than Charlotte!

This would make a great beach read, so go and get your copy!

Rating : 4 out of 5

Like this? Try "The Movie" by Louise Bagshawe

***DID YOU KNOW? Stephanie Klein's blog "Greek Tragedy" is a firm favourite amongst many American surfers. ***

Posted by Jenni on July 6, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Memoirs, New Releases, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 5, 2006 6:00 PM

RICHARD AND JUDY SUMMER READS : The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch

Today sees the true start of Richard and Judy's Summer Reads campaign. The first book, covered this week is "The Highest Tide" by Jim Lynch.

This is a coming of age story that feels like a modern take on "Catcher In The Rye". It tells the story of Miles, who finds a giant squid when out one night on the hunt for shellfish. This discovery makes him the focus for news crews and catapaults him to a state of fame. All the while Miles is trying to cope with the simpler things in life; dysfunctional familes, unrequited love and everything that makes our formative years real.

Carry on across the cut to see what I thought of the book.

Its difficult to describe this book without sounding like you've swallowed a dictionary. Its beautifully written, and whilst easy to read this doesn't detract from the well created characters and plot. It is filled with key moments, some that will make you laugh and some that will make you reach for the tissues.

This is definitely a brilliant summer read - I defy you to put it down mid read, or to forget it once you've finished reading.

Rating : 5 out of 5

Posted by Jenni on July 5, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (0)

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)

July 3, 2006 12:49 PM

MORE ON MONDAY : The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Last week I promised you something new to look forward to on a Monday, and here it is. The new feature you can look forward to on a Monday is 'More On Monday. Each week we will feature a book that isn't chick lit, but that we think you will enjoy all the same.

The first book featured in 'More On Monday' is Khaled Hosseini's "The Kite Runner". Carry on across the cut to read the review.

This book tells the story of Afghans Amir and Hassan. Childhood friends, there is one major difference between the two boys; Hassan is the son of Amir's father's servant. Despite their respective social standings the two boys are brought up as brothers, until one day an incident occurs that means life will never be the same for either boy. When Afghanistan falls into conflict first against the Russians and then the Taliban, Amir and his father flee. It is a letter many years later that leads Amir back to the country of his bith and the demons he thought he'd left behind.

The 'Kite Runner' of the title is Hassan, and this tradition is described in great detail within the book. This detail is one of the finest features of this book - Hosseini describes everything in such a way that you can almost believe you're there within the plot of the book. You can see everything unfolding around you.

This book is truly marvellous. The plot is enthralling, and the characters are vibrant. It is impossible to put it down so make sure you have some free time in which to read it. I really can't recommend it enough!

Rating : 5 out of 5

Posted by Jenni on July 3, 2006 in Classic Novels, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, More On Monday, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK REVIEW - The Dirty Girls Social Club by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez

When I hear the words Social Club, I automatically prefix them with Buena Vista. Images of the Cuban musicians suggest a whole different world, one that always seems somewhat exotic (especially on a grey and rainy day!) This book features a different Social Club altogether, 'The Dirty Girls Social Club'. The members of this club all have one thing in common, they are all Latin American. Each woman is successful in her own right, but is success all it is cracked up to be?

The group has six members; Lauren, Sara, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Amber and Usnavys. Their heritage and their professional success are the only common features they share. Some have been lucky in love, whilst others are still looking for Mr Right. Some are happy with their lot, whilst others are searching for the fulfillment they crave. The book begins with them meeting for one of their regular reunions, and introduces each of the 'sucias'. It then follows them, switching the narrative voice as it goes.

Needless to say there are key chicklit themes running through this book. There seems to be quite a number of books focusing on groups like this, looking at how a group of women faces life together. Unsurprisingly there are ups and downs, but this doesn't make for a tried book. Valdes-Rodriguez has managed to follow the path laid down by writers before her, but to take enough alternative turns to make this book feel fresh. The fact that these women are bound together by their heritage means that this is something the author can explit, and she does so in a careful and well thought out way. There is sufficient in it to make you think about culture and society, but it steers well clear of becoming an overpowering and political piece.

The characters are well created and demonstrate that whilst people may differ on the outside, deep down there are many similarities. The same things influence your life whatever your race, or religion. The plot line is well paced, and there doesn't seem to be a rush to the finish.

I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.

Rating : 4 out of 5

Like this? Try 'The Reading Group' by Elizabeth Noble.

Posted by Jenni on July 3, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (6)

June 20, 2006 11:52 AM

BOOK REVIEW - The Nervous Girl's Guide To Nip & Tuck by Patrick Bowler

I have an admission to make. I'm secretly hooked on TV makeover shows. When there was a series on weekday tv about women having their lives transformed by a combination of surgery, restyling and therapy I couldn't miss an episode - my VCR was overworked for a few weeks. So when I got my hands on "The Nervous Girl's Guide To Nip & Tuck : Look 10 Years Younger With 80 No-Surgery Treatments" written by Dr Patrick Bowler from the UK series '"10 Years Younger" (another personal favourite) I couldn't wait to get reading.

The book is simple, and well organised. Bowler begins by explaining what he aims to do with the book - to explain what no-surgery options are, what they can and can't do, and to highlight the risks associated with them. The book is then split into two major sections. The first contains chapters devoted to specific parts of the body e.g eyes, cheeks, lips, chin. Each one talks first about the possible problems that people might want to seek treatment for, and then explains the procedures that are available. Each procedure is explained, including risks associated with it, the cost you should expect to pay, and how painful it is reported to be (something I think anyone contemplating one of these procedures would want to know!) The second section then deals with the major treatments available e.g. botx, peels, light treatments and includes accounts of the procedure by some of Bowler's own patients.

The book aims to find a balance between being light hearted and entertaining, and being informative and educational. I felt at the end of it that Bowler had achieved this completely. I found the book a fascinating read, but came away with things to think about.

Being in my early twenties, I'm still lucky enough that many of the problems recounted in the book haven't hit me yet. The book explains preventative actions you can take to look after your skin, circulation etc. I know I'm going to get a lot better about my daily routines and avoid being tempted by a lot of these procedures in twenty years time!

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. Its not gory and squeamish, its just a thorough and informative guide to a currently growing industry.

Rating : 5 out of 5

Like this? Try "Everything A Girl Needs To Know About Football" by Simeon De La Torre and Sophie Brown

Posted by Jenni on June 20, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 15, 2006 10:00 AM

BOOK REVIEW - The Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble

This book by Elizabeth Noble focuses on something close to many of our hearts - a book group. This book is about a group of women who meet regularly to discuss the one thing they all have in common, their passion for books. Each month they read a different book, and then meet to discuss it. The group however means far more to them all, it becomes a thing of sanctuary and support no matter what is happening in their lives...

'The Reading Group' follows five main characters over the period of a year. These are Harriet, Nicole, Polly, Susan and Clare. Very quickly the reader becomes drawn into their lives, and realises that whilst on the face of it the group is all about the books and the opportunity for intelligent discussion of these books, in actual fact it means far more to them all. The boko moves month by month through the books they have chosen to read, and you get a glimpse of their feelings towards these books (it was after reading this book that I went on to read 'I Capture The Castle' - one of the featured books).

The most important theme in the book however is not the books that they are reading. Instead it is the sense of togetherness that transcends the common boundaries of friendship. As each woman faces traumatic experiences in her life, the other women flock around to offer support and a shoulder to cry on. There is no trouble that the group can not face together.

The characters and plot are well created in this debut novel. The premise of a reading group is timely and will hit a chord with many readers - if you're not currently a member of one it's likely you're thinking about maybe joining or even starting one. Even if you're not, by the end of this you may just begin to think it would be a good idea.

My only slight criticism of this book is that some people may not like the sometime level of detail that the discussions about the book goes into. I think however that Noble balances this right - it would be difficult to have a book about a reading group without some discussion of other novels.

Rating : 4 out of 5

Like this? Try 'Beautful Bodies' by Laura Shaine Cunningham

Posted by Jenni on June 15, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 14, 2006 4:25 PM

BOOK REVIEW - Everything A Girl Needs To Know About Football by Simeon De La Torre and Sophie Brown

A couple of weeks ago I told you about this book which had been produced to help girly girls get to grips with the beautiful game. I have now managed to acquire a copy of the book, and have given it a thorough going over to see whether, as I expected, it would be a tool to help some women save their relationships! As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm a big football fan, so I felt that I was in a good position to judge whether this book was worthwhile or not.

The book is organised into manageable chunks, each with a real purpose. Issues such as the various tournaments and leagues, an explanation of some of the most commonly used phrases by commentators, and how to win the perennial arguments at the pub are all well written and clear. Also present is a great chapter walking the reader through a match both watching it live at the ground, or on a screen (either at the pub or at home).

I liked the tone of the book. At times it veered slightly toward the frustrating, but I think that is more to do with the fact that it was telling me something I already knew. The information is well presented, and aims to amuse as well as to educate.

My one word of warning to anyone who is thinking about reading it (and I would really recommend that you do) is to be aware that as it was written a little while ago a couple of the teams have either been promoted or relegated, and some of the players have moved clubs. 

Rating : 4 out of 5

Posted by Jenni on June 14, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 13, 2006 11:56 AM

BOOK REVIEW : Don't Look Down by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer

When romance author Jennifer Crusie met action/adventure writer Bob Mayer at a conference and found they shared a dry sense of humour they decided to try collaborating on "romantic adventure" novels.  Don't Look Down is the first and I  hope it's the first of many.

Following a tearful phonecall from her young niece, commercials director Lucy Armstrong finds herself in the Deep South finishing a film which seems to have transformed from a romantic comedy into a special-effects laden disaster-fest.  And most of the crew have either died, quit or are spaced-out on drugs.  And her arrogant ex-husband, Connor, is the stunt-director.  But apart from that, there are no problems at all.  Well apart from a sniper, a Russian hit man, the CIA and .. well, actually that's (almost) it.

So Lucy's got her work cut out for her, but she soon finds an ally in sexy green beret JT Walsh who, like Lucy, knows all is not right with this film shoot.  Add a one-eyed alligator, some fake boobs and Wonder Woman underwear and you've got a fantastic, exhilarating, hilarious book.

I've loved all of Jennifer Crusie's books and Don't Look Down definitely feels like a Jennifer Crusie book (Bob Mayer refused to write any "yucky emotional crap"), but with the added excitement of guns and explosions and, um, pole-dancing.  It's utterly fabulous and it's inspired me to buy some Wonder Woman underwear.  You can't ask for much more than that. [Keris Stainton]

Rating  : 4 out of 5

Like this? Try 'Welcome to Temptation' by Jennifer Crusie.

Posted by Aigua Media on June 13, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 26, 2006 11:55 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Diary of a Manhattan Call Girl by Tracy Quan

I hate to admit it, but saucy, gossipy novels really do it for me. And when I happen to walk past one in the local bookstore, there's that brief moment of consideration before I grab it like the Holy Grail and rush to the counter. Books like that are like anonymous gossip, right? Tracy Quan's Diary of a Manhattan Call Girl has a simply irresistible cover and blurb that makes you want to want to rush home and curl up for an evening of raunchy secrets.

However, the back-cover blurb might just be exaggerating a little.

Diary is Tracy Quan's debut novel, and to be entirely honest, it's okay. Yep, just okay. Sadly, the book doesn't exactly live up to its promises, but even so, it's a nice light read. Worth a shot if you can pick it up at your local library.

Very well, so I guess the basic purpose of this book is pretty predictable just from the title, but I'll elaborate. Nancy Chan is a Manhattan-based call girl (well, duh). Of course, she loves her job and the money that she rakes in with it, but pretty soon she has to contemplate remaining in her profession (the classy end, of course) when her fiancé suggests they move in together. Not just that, but said fiancé's pushy sister refuses to shut up about setting a date. Seeing as nobody knows about Nancy's job other than her fellow prostitute friends, it seems as though her time is almost near to kick her habit of dishing out sex for countless material pleasures.

Now don't get me wrong: this would be a fabulous base for a book if only it wasn't so, well…dull. Tracy is no doubt a decent writer, but I quickly realised how much potential there actually was in this book which didn't prevail. Countless opportunities arose throughout for suspenseful moments such as family run-ins, embarrassing slip-ups and even a little bit of mystery, but I guess I was just expecting too much.

Not only that, but I personally found a lot of this book to be highly unrealistic. For example, being a call girl has been Nancy's ambition since the age of ten. Who has the childhood dream of being a hooker? Beats me. But apparently, it's normal. Needless to say, I was slightly baffled. And of course, with the book portraying the easy, designer lifestyles of the call girls, nothing really explained the dangers behind the profession. Sure, it wouldn't be a chick-lit read otherwise, but the whole thing seemed a little too farfetched for my liking.

Even so, I didn't mind it – until I reached the end, where the subplots really started to get interesting. Again, potential here for some real suspense – but alas, the book ended, leaving the plots completely unfinished and the reader terribly irritated. For a moment I assumed someone had played a nasty prank and removed fifty or so pages, but once more, I was simply being overly-hopeful.

Despite this book failing to deliver what it promises, Diary still remains a light read crammed with sexy secrets that are sure to be entertaining.

Bridget Jones this is certainly not, but a pleasing effort nonetheless. [Danielle Symonds-Yemm]

Rating : 2 out of 5

Like this? Try 'The World According To Mimi Smartypants' by Mimi Smartypants

Posted by Jenni on May 26, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Rating: 2/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 23, 2006 12:40 PM

BOOK REVIEW - The Prize Winner Of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan

This is one of my favourite memoirs of all time: witty, poignant and most of all thoroughly entertaining, it captures a more innocent era whilst conveying the struggles of a typical 1950s American family with too many mouths to feed.

Terry Ryan’s mother Evelyn had ten kids, no money, and an alcoholic husband prone to drinking his wages. So how did she manage to feed and clothe her family and put a roof over their heads? Simple: by winning competitions...

During the 1950s and 60s, the golden era of natty sloganeering, she blagged everything from the deposit on a house to new bikes, holidays and household appliances all through her genius at the art of ‘comping’. Comping involves anything from collecting sweet wrappers to inventing new slogans or writing poems for use in advertising in order to win prizes ranging from bars of chocolate to huge sums of money. Working diligently from her ironing board ‘office’, Evelyn became one of the most successful competition winners of the time (if not of/ all time/) and, as the subtitle of the book says, raised her kids on ‘25 words or less.’

The ‘Defiance’ of the title is the town the family lived in but it equally describes Evelyn’s attitude to life. Housewives and mothers in small Ohio towns in the pre-feminist era weren’t supposed to upstage their husbands by becoming the main breadwinner (or prizewinner!), but she did what she needed to do to support her family- gaining self-respect along the way. Her skills really were quite extraordinary: to win one of these major competitions was a huge feat; to win such huge amounts, and then keep on winning, shows true talent.

One of the best bits of the book is Evelyn’s winning entries, which are dotted throughout the story. Over forty years later, some of them seem incredibly quaint, but her talent at writing, especially Ogden Nash-style poetry, is still evident. Anyone who enjoys writers like Nash, Dorothy Parker and Erma Bombeck will find lots to appreciate here- but then so will any reader, in my opinion.

It’s a really uplifting read despite some of the hardships the family goes through. In fact, my only slight reservation about the book is that the tougher side of life is a little glossed over- life with an alcoholic must be really rough at times, but Ryan, perhaps out of loyalty to her dad, barely touches on this.

Now an upcoming film starring Julianne Moore, this heart-warming story deserves the wider audience a movie should bring. If the film captures even ten percent of the warmth and joy of the book, it will be wonderful. [Diane Shipley]

Rating : 5 out of 5

Like this? Try "Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee" by Meera Syal

Posted by Jenni on May 23, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 11, 2006 11:00 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Other Women by Kirsty Crawford

This book by Kirsty Crawford looks closely at women, and their relationships. It features three women, all very different. The woman widowed at an early age with young children now wondering where she went wrong and why they'd rather talk to anyone but her about their problems, the woman married to a man who can keep her in the lifestyle she wants but who has the unwanted baggage of a teenage daughter, and the woman happily married with children but about to be uprooted for her husband's dream existence. Their lives become inextricably linked, but who will come out still smiling by the end of it?

The three women in question are Jane, Sam and Bella respectively. Whilst to the outsider each looks highly content in their own situation, each woman is hugely unhappy. Jane has had to sell off half of her family home in order to try and save the rest of it for her children - Sam and her husband Ben along with his daughter Emma now occupy the other half of the house. Jane had hoped for friendship with these very close neighbours, but the glamorous Sam doesn't want anything to do with Jane - a woman who seems horribly old and frumpy. When Jane sells the lodge at the end of her property to Bella and her husband Iain she hopes beyond hope that they may be more friendly. Sam soon has her claws into Bella, the only other relatively young woman in the area, but Bella is determined to enter fully into the idylic lifestyle that Iain uprooted them for.

This book follows the women, and their friends and familes, through holidays, illnesses, family troubles, and a whole host of romantic liasions - many of them forbidden.

Whilst the book aims to be careful in it's examination of the women, at times it sadly falls short. It doesn't quite reach the heady heights it aims for, but is definitely well on its way. The characters are in general well created, but the plot is a little patchy in places. Luckily this doesn't detract too much from the overall novel and as a debut this is definitely worth a look.

Like this? Try 'Notes on a Scandal' by Zoe Heller.

Posted by Aigua Media on May 11, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 1, 2006 11:00 AM

I'm Celibate - Get Me Out Of Here

The premise of this memoir really caught my attention. This book chronicles author Jo Elliott's real life experiences using an internet dating agency. This is a topic that seems to hit most of the magazines on a pretty recent basis these days, and even some of our favourite television programmes have hit on it (Dr Karl was semi-successful really) but is it really as easy as people would have us believe? I couldn't wait to read and find out.

The book begins with Jo explaining how she became persuaded to give an internet dating agency a try - in a nutshell, she's thirty-something, working in advertising in London, and hasn't managed to find Mr Right via any traditional routes. So when a friend of hers jokes that she ought to try the internet, to her own surprise Jo registers with 'Digital-Cupid' and waits to see if she gets any responses. The book then chronicles some of the responses, the email and instant message interchanges between Jo and her would be suitors and the various dates that she ends up on.

The book follows Jo's progress for a couple of years and charts her highs and lows... or more often the men that lie only a little, and the men who ought to be recruited for the secret service they're so accomplished at creating an alternative life for themselves. Along the way she punctuates events with her own observations, and here her sense of humour shows itself. I found myself laughing from only a couple of pages in - not because the author was trying to amuse, but because everything she was saying I could identify with.

This book is witty, fast-paced and highly entertaining. You really feel the rollercoaster 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 aross. The idea for the book is very original, who knows it may join the likes of Adrian Mole and Bridget in years to come.

Posted by Aigua Media on May 1, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 28, 2006 12:00 PM

The Perfect Age - Review

After watching huge numbers of episodes of Las Vegas back to back I've developed a bit of a thing for the place (one day I'll get to go and visit for myself) and so when I saw this book by Heather Skylar was set in Vegas it sparked my interest immediately. This was a book of love; unrequited, forbidden, first and possibly more set against the backdrop of the natives of this bustling place of fantasies. I could hardly contain myself as I opened the book and began to read...

The book centres around the Larkin family; father Edward, mother Kathy, and daughters Helen and Jenny. It is the summer vacation, and Helen takes a position as lifeguard at the Dunes Hotel. Quickly she realises that in this past year as well as turning 15 she has turned the corner toward adulthood. As she spends her days watching the various men around her, she realises that they're watching her back. She's been in a relationship with Leo for a long time now, but she begins to wonder whether or not she's still in it for the sheer comfort factor.

At the same time Edward is being tempted by mysterious notes posted under his office door at the university where he lectures. He's strayed from his wife once before, he's just not sure whether to go for it again. Kathy's also tempted by someone else - her life feels like it has become stale, her kids have grown up and her marriage is in a rut. Jenny is growing up pretty fast, but with the rest of her family preoccupied with their own problems, no one seems to be noticing.

This book is a careful observation of this family over three summers. Interestingly, Skylar chose to concentrate only on the summers, the heat adding an extra plot point. Each of the characters has its own distinct story, yet in the very nature of family, each story becomes entwined with the rest. The characters are accurately created, both those that the story centres around and those stood more on the sidelines.

I loved this book. For anyone thinking at the moment of what to pack in their suitcase this year that wants a book with a bit more depth I would recommend this strongly. I couldn't put it down!

Like this? Try 'Drop City' by T.C. Boyle

Posted by Aigua Media on April 28, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 21, 2006 10:47 AM

Playing James

I have to admit, I started reading Sarah Mason's books in the wrong order. I started with 'High Society' the sequel to this, her debut novel. I enjoyed that so much that I made it my mission to track down 'Playing James' to see what had started it all off. Whilst 'High Society' features Clemmie Colshannon primarily, this concentrates on Holly, her older sister. Holly is a journalist whose writing so far has stretched only to the pet obituary column. When she gets transferred to the crime reporters job she experiences a sense of dread - this is the job no reporter wants... what can she make of it?

The story begins with Holly's promotion to crime reporter. Eager to try and make the best of a bad situation she heads straight for the local police station to see if she can work out what on earth it is she's supposed to be doing. She's met at the front desk by Dave, the desk sergeant, who seems less than thrilled to have to stretch his finger the two inches to the door release button. Just when she's feeling like its going to be a long day she bumps into Detective James Sabine... last time she met him he yelled at her and made her feel about two inches taller - now she knows its going to be a long day. Robin the press officer is the only glimmer of hope in Holly's first day, she thinks that having Holly as beat reporter is going to be great.

Holly feels particularly stitched up when she is summoned to the Chief's office to find she has been assigned to a detective to write a daily diary about her experiences shadowing him. And yes, you've guessed it, the detective in question is James. Neither Holly or James are particularly keen on the idea, but their respective bosses think that it will be the idea way to improve relations between the paper and the police. Stuck with the situation Holly is soon following James as he begins to investigate a series of burglaries. As they totter from one mishap to another it seems like a thaw is beginning to hit their relationship, but surely that can't last...

The characters in 'Playing James' are all fantastic. Holly and James are a perfect pairing, but it is all the bit-part players who work together to make this book so enjoyable. Holly's parents, and best friend Lizzie, comined with Vince the paper's favourite photographer and James' best friend Callum all compete for the award of best supporting character - I have to admit I can't pick my favourite out of them. The plot is cleverly thought out without veering too far from the chicklit standard.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, its possibly my favourite read since... well... 'High Society'. The only thing I would advise is that for those of you who haven't yet read anything by Sarah Mason then read the books in order - whilst it doesn't make a lot of difference it will just make a little more sense. I recommend this highly - it would make a great beach read or liven up a boring train journey.

Like this? Try Asking for Trouble by Liz Young

Posted by Aigua Media on April 21, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Prize Winners, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 7, 2006 12:53 PM

Just Like Heaven

A few months ago I was sitting in the cinema waiting for something marvellously girly to begin (must have been pretty memorable as I can't remember for the life of me what it was) and the trailer for "Just Like Heaven" played. It looked like a pretty standard chick flick but definitely seemd like my sort of film so I added it to my mental list of 'films to see'. Sadly I never got around to it and it was relegated to my 'DVDs to rent' list all to quickly. Imagine then my joy when browsing around my library that I found Marc Levy's novel upon which the film was based. Released originally in 2000 as "If Only It Were True", Harper Collins reissued the book under the name "Just Like Heaven" with the film poster as the new cover. Faster than you could say 'I've got to read this' I was at the counter checking it out and rushing home to read it. But was it going to live up to my expectations?

The story begins with Lauren, a resident in a busy ER department. Delighted by the prospect of her two days off coinciding with the weekend she jumps into her car and heads off to visit friends. Sadly tragedy strikes and she crashes only a few hundred yards from her home and ends up lay in a hospital bed in a deep coma. So enter Arthur, a few weeks on, who has just moved into a fabulous new apartment. Imagine his shock when he finds a girl in his closet... a girl who is amazed that he can see her and hear her... a girl who tells him that her body is lying in a coma on the other side of town - yup you've guessed it, it's Lauren.

And so start the fun and games. Arthur is the only person who can see, and hear Lauren - very quickly his friends, colleagues and random strangers begin to think that he has lost his mind. When the doctors caring for Lauren and her mother make the decision to withdraw treatment Arthur and Lauren enter a race against time to save her.

On the surface of it, this tale of a man and 'spirit' seems at the very least far-fetched. However as soon as I started to read I found myself being drawn further and further into the magic. Levy has obviously researched the concept of deep coma thoroughly, at times I did find myself drifting off and wondering about something like this happening in real life. The book benefits from a small group of very well written characters who carry the story along at a great pace.

I loved this book, and its only made me more eager to see the film based on it. I'm fairly convinced that the two may well bear only a passing resemblence to each other - many of the events shown in the trailer for the film don't happen in the book.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone as a quick and enjoyable read.

Like this? Try Under My Spell by Deborah Wright

Posted by Aigua Media on April 7, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 27, 2006 11:00 AM

After You'd Gone

At the beginning of Maggie O'Farrell's novel, Alice Raikes travels to Edinburgh to visit her sisters. Within minutes of arriving at Edinburgh Station she sees something so distressing that she gets straight back on the train and travels back home to London. That evening she walks into the path of an oncoming car, which leaves her in a coma...

‘After You’d Gone’ moves through Alice’s consciousness, piecing her life together bit by bit, deftly bringing us closer to the disturbing event at Edinburgh Station that led to her attempted suicide. This is an emotional and moving story of love and loss. Don’t read it in public. You WILL cry!

Although the story takes place with the main character in a coma, it shifts through various stages of Alice’s life giving us an insight into her childhood and her recent past. Alice hears the voices around her mixed with voices from her memories. We explore her childhood in Scotland, her close relationship with her grandmother and her sense of not quite fitting in with her sisters. Her mother is prevalent in the story and Maggie O’Farrell’s dedication at the front of the book, ‘to my mother for not being like Alice’s’ hints at her significance.

And then there’s John. John who chooses Alice, despite his father’s wishes. We learn about their passionate, aching love for one another. And then . . . well, you’ll have to read the book to find out what happens.

This is the first book I’d read by Maggie O’Farrell and I was so moved by it that I went out and bought everything else she’d written. Although extremely sad in places, it doesn’t in any way become depressing. The author feeds us information little by little and that is what compels us to read on. I think what makes it so successful is her grasp of relationships and particularly those between family members. The dramatic opening chapter, the different voices piercing Alice’s consciousness and the weaving plot send us reeling towards a disturbing, emotional and heart-rending conclusion.

If you enjoy gripping, beautifully crafted fiction, you’ll love ‘After You’d Gone’. And if you do read this, could you tell me what on earth an axolotl is? [Jenny]

If you liked this, you might like 'PS I Love You' by Cecelia Ahern.

Posted by Aigua Media on March 27, 2006 in Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (5)

March 24, 2006 11:00 AM

Prep

The media furor surrounding Curtis Sittenfeld's debut novel was difficult to miss. Every literary review raved about it, promising huge things for this author. A tale of a teenager at boarding school written for adults seemed like a great idea. Many chicklit fanatics began their reading lives the same way, from the tales of girls at boarding schools as young readers graduating to tales of 'high school high jinks' as they became teenagers. How many of us spent our lunchtimes swapping our latest Sweet Valley books?! So would this book transport me back to those carefree days? I certainly hoped so.

Prep tells the story of Lee. At 14 she decides that the only school she could possibly attend is the prestigious Ault School. From a family that can't afford the exhorbitant fees for her to attend as a boarder, Lee works and achieves a scholarship. The story begins when Lee's father drops her off to begin the academic year as a freshman. She arrives imagining the school will be straight out of the brochure... quickly she comes to realise that school prospectuses are about as realistic and accurate as most holiday brochures and house details!

Initially Lee finds Ault bewildering - the pupils seem to obey a whole set of social rules that exist only within the stone walls surrounding the school campus. She doesn't know how to act or behave around these people, or how to get them to accept and like her. Slowly she adapts to her surroundings though as events unravel she starts to wonder what the cost of acceptance, and of academic excellence, truly is.

The mini storylines of school life are a fascinating insight into the world of high-money elite boarding education. However, whilst they make the book an enjoyable read I found myself wondering a number of times whether they were not just a little bit overdone. The characters unfortunately suffer the same fate. In trying to create this environment of intrigue, and a society that lives seperate to the rest of the world, some of the characters feel hugely artificial. That said, both the characters and the plot are interesting and keep the reader gripped throughout.

What may have been classic chicklit sadly falls short of meeting all the standard requirements. This isn't the lighthearted, any time, any place I hoped for from it. However, 'Prep' is a clever book that many people will enjoy - its just a shame that the author got a little carried away with trying to create a social environment.

Like this? Try Notes on A Scandal by Zoe Heller

Posted by Aigua Media on March 24, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (3)

March 8, 2006 4:30 PM

Come Together

We here at Trashionista loved Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees’ latest offering, so I was very tempted by the offer of a copy of their first collaborative effort. 'Come Together' follows the simple, well-tested formula of 'boy meets girl, loses girl and tries to get girl back' (like I was going to tell you whether he was successful or not…), but it's told from both sides. It sounded like a great idea, but was this novel as good as the most recent, or did it take a couple of false starts before our most loved writing duo found their feet?

‘Come Together’ tells the tale of Jack and Amy. Jack loves all the fun and games that come with living the single life. He’s tried being in a long term relationship, but...well, it didn’t work out and who needs that kind of hassle from something that’s supposed to be fun? Amy, on the other hand, hates the single life. It’s been six months since she last got anywhere near a man, and she’s beginning to think there must be something wrong with her. Cue a near-chance meeting, and the beginning of what could be a perfect relationship.

As with any good book, the relationship doesn’t, thankfully, go smoothly. The book proceeds to take us through the twists and turns of the first few months after Jack and Amy meet. Cue some big laughs and even bigger moments to make you cringe. Each incident is hugely believable – you can easily imagine your best mate sat down the pub telling you about it happening to them.

The characters are all hugely realistic. In an escape from some other writers in the chick lit genre, no one is larger than life, or has any extreme characteristics. Instead each character is well-developed and no different from the people you mix with every day. Not once did I stop and think how wrong the authors had gotten it. I think the characters also benefit from the dual-writing – there are none of the moments when you think ‘a (wo)man wouldn’t really do that’.

All in all this is a thoroughly enjoyable, light read. Whilst possibly not quite as slick as their latest novel, this is a fantastic debut offering that few could find fault with. My only gripe when I finished it was that I wanted more… so tune in again tomorrow! [Jenni Nock]

Like this? Try The Three Day Rule by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees

Posted by gcartwright on March 8, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 11, 2006 1:02 PM

Beyond The Blonde

Beyond the Blonde does for the world of hairdressing what The Devil Wears Prada did for the world of glossy magazines. If you like fun and frothy novels that lift the lid on the glamorous (and not so glamorous) aspects of the world of style, this is the novel for you. If not, you might find yourself drowning in the vanity of it all. It's unapologetic fluff with a capital 'f'!

Written by a hot New York hair stylist Kathleen Flynn-Hui, you get the impression this easygoing story of life in a top big apple salon is probably partly autobiographical. Georgia is a smalltown girl who grew up sweeping the floors in her mother's hair salon, only to fly the nest for New York when the bright lights came calling. With best mate and fellow hair afficionado Patrick in tow, she gets a job at SalonJean-Luc, a style hotspot full of colourful characters (staff and clients). And that's where the real story begins.

I say 'real story', but this book isn't going to impress you with a complicated plot full of twists and turns. It's all fairly straightforward stuff, and you'll guess the ending halfway through. However, the pages fly by thanks to the requisite bitchy backstabbing, beautiful men and a group of clients who'll do anything to secure the prime appointment times. The main emphasis here is less on plot and more on revealing anecdotes and funny stories that reveal (albeit glossed over for the sake of fiction) what it's like to be a top stylist.

Women who love fashion and frivolity will no doubt enjoy this book for being funny, frank and easy to read. But if you're not a closet fashionista, you'll probably find your time better spent with something with a less predictable plot and more character development. It's not going to set the world alight for it's literary brilliance, but it'll keep you occupied on a long train journey!

If you liked this, you might like Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Sykes.

Posted by gcartwright on January 11, 2006 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 10, 2006 3:20 PM

Fashion Victim

Picking up a copy of this book I expected a fun and frothy insiders view of the fashion world packed with polished fashionista type characters - the style of book befitting the editor of UK's Cosmopolitan. Boy, was I surprised to find instead a tense tale of murder, mystery and well-dressed intrigue.

Annie Anderson is investigative reporter at The Post until she swaps her newspaper job for one on a glossy magazine in a move that shocks her colleagues and friends. Little do they know that Annie is going undercover for a scoop on the fashion world. Her first foray into the fashion world is nothing short of disastrous, from evil New York cabbies to being held at gunpoint. Then her interviewee, top designer Mark Mailer, is murdered. Annie is convinced Mark's murder has more to it than meets the eye and sets off on a dangerous course to uncover the truth.

Of course, the book has a glamorous backdrop, flitting from New York to Milan and London as the characters rub shoulders with fashion journo's and supermodels, designers and actresses but what sets this book apart from the froth is that there is an element of despair and a glimpse of the seedy side of fame.

Whilst haunted by memories of her past, Annie is forced into a race against time to discover why Mark was murdered, what his girlfriend, struggling junkie and disgraced ex-supermodel Patty, knows and why she too is in danger. But who is the murderer and who wants to throw Annie off the scent - permanently? You'll have to read the book to find out! [Camilla Chafer]

Posted by gcartwright on January 10, 2006 in British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 9, 2006 2:21 PM

Watermelon

Marian Keyes first book has all the hallmarks that have continued through her later novels; close family ties, troubled marriages and strong female characters. Our heroine here is Claire, happily married to the wonderful James, with a London flat she has lovingly designed and a great job. Then hours after she gives birth to their baby girl, James announces he is leaving her for their frumpy, older neighbour leaving Claire utterly devastated.

With her life shattered and a baby she doesn't even know what to call, Claire does the only thing that makes sense at a time like this: she goes home to Dublin and her noisy, eccentric family replete with Irish mammy, mad-as-hatter sisters and slightly bewildered Dad. Gradually Claire realises life goes on and starts to recover. Then James reappears and wants her back... but does she want him? Does she really want to go back to her old life?

The prose reads as though you are inside Claire's head. She's genuine and funny and her emotions wholly believable but it was really drawn out. And I do mean really drawn out. The book could have been a 100 pages shorter. In fact, I skipped a 100 pages in the middle because I got a tad bored and the plot didn't even suffer as a result. But I'm glad to say the book redeemed itself with an upbeat ending so if you want a tale of perfection goes wrong with your heroine triumphing over a prize eejit (as Keyes would no doubt say) this is one for you. [Camilla Chafer]

Posted by gcartwright on January 9, 2006 in Debut Novels, Irish Authors, Rating: 3/5 | Permalink | Comments (2)

December 5, 2005 4:47 PM

Divas Las Vegas

Frequent readers will know I am a big Belinda Jones fan. Her books are reliably hilarious, escapist and frothy, and make perfect no-nonsense beach reads (or at this time of year, curled-up-in-front-of-the-fire reads). As far as I'm concerned, she's one of the queens of chick lit, and Divas Las Vegas (her first novel) definitely ticks all the boxes...

Jones' books always take place in glamourous locations and it will come as no surprise to know that in this one Jamie and her best mate Izzie leave dull Devon for the bright lights of Las Vegas. And their aim? To find menfolk in a city where the atmosphere is (according to the blurb) 70% oxygen and 30% confetti. They're both leaving their dodgy romantic pasts in Blighty and are on the hunt for a husband. And what a hunt it is!

In order to facilitate the plot, the girls are a little larger than life, and it doesn't take long before they've found potential mates, new friends and fabulous outfits. They're the type of women who'll strike up a conversation with a stranger, stalk a sexy man on the strip and accept the offer of a hotel suite from a hillionnaire they've only just met. It's all a little far-fetched, but this is Vegas, and anything can happen!

How much you love Divas really depends on how much you love Vegas. As well as being a great, feel-good read, the books also serves as a fabulous travel guide. I went to Vegas last year, and the information in this was far more useful than the Rough Guide! The author is a big Vegas fanatic herself, and it shows in every gushing description of the home of all things tacky-fabulous.

The plot is possibly not as strong as later offerings from Jones (The California Club, for example) but the book still plods on with great pace and serves up some fantastic one-liners, and is a great read if you like your chick lit fun and frivolous. Jamie is a sweet, funny and self-deprecating lead character who you'll adore, and frizzy-haired man-eater Izzy is just as wonderful. And then there's the men - if Belinda Jones does one thing well, it's in creating sickeningly perfect love interests. It's just a shame they don't exist in real life!

If you liked this, you might like to try The Paradise Room by Belinda Jones.

Did you know?
Belinda Jones' next novel is set in Costa Rica, and is due out in July 2006. You can pre-order the bound-to-be-fabulous Cafe Tropicana already!

Posted by gcartwright on December 5, 2005 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 25, 2005 3:14 PM

P.S I Love You

What happens when young love ends too soon? That is the fundamental theme of this stunning debut novel from Cecilia Ahern. Holly and Gerry had the type of love many of us can only ever dream of; childhood sweethearts who grew up together and became best friends, lovers and soulmates. So you can imagine Holly's grief when at the age of 30 Gerry is tragically taken from her, the victim of a brain tumour. Ahern carefully chronicles the time after Gerry dies, and Holly has to learn to live again, with a guiding hand from above...

In the years Holly and Gerry were together, they often joked that if he went first Holly would not be able to cope. The solution was 'the list' - Gerry decided he'd better leave a list of instructions and guidance for Holly. Of course when they were joking about this they never dreamed that they were be parted so prematurely.

At the time the story begins, Holly is starting to face life without Gerry. This seems to her to be an insurmountable task - how is she supposed to live without him? Then her mother reminds her that there is a letter waiting for her at her parents house...when she mentions it has the words 'The List' on it, Holly finally decides to have a look. Inside the envelope she finds a letter from Gerry and a set of envelopes - one labelled to be opened on a specific day each month. Each message ends with the line 'P.S. I love you'.

The story centres around these envelopes, and the tasks they contain. They range from the simple to the extravagant, from the touching to the downright hilarious. Supported by a range of well written characters and events, this original plot creates a fantastic book. It is one of those books you can not help but enjoy - at the moments it makes you laugh out loud, and the moments you have to reach for the tissues you realise its been a long time since you've read a book this good. Whether you want a beach read, something to travel with, or just a good book to kill some time with, this book should be top of anybodys' 'to read' list. [Jenni Nock]

P.S I Love You - Cecilia Ahern (£3.99 or from 75p used)

If you like this, you might like Under My Spell by Deborah Wright.

Posted by gcartwright on October 25, 2005 in Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Irish Authors, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (8)

October 20, 2005 8:59 PM

How To Be Famous

There are loads of movie industry novels out there and it doesn't take you long to realise that, where most of them are concerned, the author hasn't even been to LA let alone actually experienced life as a Hollywood hot-shot. So Alison Bond already has a head start. Though she's a Brit, she worked in the film industry for nine years before writing this book, a no holds barred look at the cut-throat world of film, fame and being fabulous...

In the novel, we follow three women looking to make it in La-la land. Lynsey Dixon works for a London talent agency, but is whisked off to Hollywood after proving her worth in a momentary crisis. Once there, she realises the true meaning of the phrase 'working your way up from the bottom', in a world where assistants have assistants, phones ring off the hook and nobody gets to work later than 6am if they want to keep their job.

Next we have Melanie Chapman, the troubled British starlet hoping to make it big in the US (with a little help from Lynsey, of course). She's in love with a married man - and that's just the beginning of her problems! Finally, there's Serena Simon, a very young girl with very big dreams who meets Lynsey on the way to LA and later takes advantage of her contacts in the industry in a big way.

With three stories to follow, the book has a wonderful fast pace, and is an enjoyable, light read with a few big shocks and lots of mouth-wide-open moments when you think 'surely this doesn't really happen?' Unfortunately, laying the groundwork for three such interesting and detailed stories does have its downfalls, and even after 519 pages, the ending feels a little rushed. The characters have their flaws but they're all essentially quite likeable, and this is the kind of book that almost warrants a 'what happened next?' sequel.

In contrast to the main protaganists, the supporting cast will probably drive you mad. From Lynsey's boss Max to Melanie's co-star Fabien (the token Hollywood bad boy), they have a slight tendency towards the stereotypical, but it's pretty safe to say people like this do exist in LA. Overall, if you're willing to accept the cookie-cutter minor characters and forgive the slightly unbelievable ending, this is a good way to while away a train ride or a rainy afternoon, and much better than most movie-based books.

Get How To Be Famous by Alison Bond for just £1 when you join Mango bookclub.
Or buy it new for £5.59 or used from 1p at Amazon.

Did you know?
One of Alison Bond's favourite books is  'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt.

If you liked this, you might like The Movie by Louise Bagshawe or Sundowners by Lesley Lokko.

Posted by gcartwright on October 20, 2005 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 12, 2005 12:47 PM

Adored

The bonkbuster is back with Tilly Bagshawe's debut novel. Adored is a glamorous take on the chick lit style. Hollywood, super-starlets, supermodels, super-everythings are in abundance with a book that take us from Paris to New York, Las Vegas and LA.

In seventies Hollywood, legendary actor Duke McMahon is a tyrant; hated, loathed and loved in equal measures. We first meet him when he is bringing his mistress, Caroline, to live with his family, which include his cowed wife Minnie and two children who hate him. Quite why they are such a wet bunch of people is a bit of a mystery and it’s hard to feel sympathetic for them when they don’t put their foot down to Duke’s antics!

Into this seething snake pit is born our heroine Siena McMahon, Duke’s grand-daughter and seemingly the only person who actually likes him. Packed off to a boarding school in England to protect her from the fallout after Duke's death, we find Siena, in the present day, to be quite a feisty little madam. Determined, beautiful (of course) and abandoned, she’s on her way back to Hollywood to make her name.

Siena is a fantastic character. There aren’t any of the usual crises of confidence that we normally see in chick-lit. Instead Siena sees what she wants and goes all out to get it, learning love and a little humility on the way. It can, however, be hard to find Siena endearing especially with the way she treats the other characters, but ultimately, she is quite loveable. Despite some improbabilities in the plot (a 5 foot 4 inch supermodel, really?) Adored is a good read. Woven into Sienas rise and fall are a number of subplots and characters, ranging from her delightful uncle Hunter to evil mogul Randall and the loveable Max.

Adored may not be the most intelligent of reads but it does what it says on the tin. It's got plenty of plot twists, a sublime cast of characters and is the kind of juicy, escapist read that you will get lost in. This is the kind of book to read if you want pure, escapist fiction that bears no resemblance to real life whatsoever! [Camilla Chafer]

Did you know?
Tilly Bagshawe is the younger sister of chick lit luminary Louise Bagshawe?

Buy Adored by Tilly Bagshawe for £5.59

Posted by gcartwright on October 12, 2005 in Bonkbusters, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (15)

October 4, 2005 4:50 PM

Dancing With Mules

'Dancing With Mules' is the debut novel by Morag Prunty, and with it she firmly positions herself in the company of other great Irish chick lit writers. This is a cleverly written book, combining a varied cast of rich, likeable characters with a classic plot turned on its head. It's fluffy fun with an unexpected ending that helps seal the deal!

Early in the book we are introduced to Xavier Big, an Irish American billionaire who is looking for an Irish wife. Cue a selection of the ladies hoping he will sweep them off their feet. Each of the major players in the running are endearing, and no matter how different they initially seem to yourself, you quickly begin to identify with them. The means and ends they seem prepared to reach, to win his hand in marriage, range from the honest to the underhand to the downright dirty and provide opportunity after opportunity to laugh out loud.

One of my favourite things about this book was that whilst the ending was perhaps not the one I was expecting, it was one I agreed with. The change in writing style for the concluding pages was perhaps a bit of a gamble, but one that paid off. It was a refreshing change of pace that left me feeling happy and content as I closed the book. Definitely one to add to the collection. (Jenni Nock)

Dancing With Mules - Morag Prunty

Posted by gcartwright on October 4, 2005 in Debut Novels, Irish Authors, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 3, 2005 12:28 PM

Sundowners

If you like your women's fiction with a bit more of an edge, Sundowners may just be the book for you. On the surface, it's your typical epic saga of friendship, love and betrayal, spanning two decades and travelling the world. But as you get into the story, you're given a history lesson at the same time. It's the tale of four friends and one doomed love story, set to a backdrop of political turmoil in South Africa.

To give a brief outline of the plot, Lesley Lokko's debut novel follows the lives of four priviledged girls who meet at boarding school in England and spend the next twenty years trying to find their way in the world. Everyone has a character they can relate to; there's the spoilt brat who grew up sheltered and is learning to adjust, the tart with a heart, the plain Jane who's good at school, and the undecided girl with no idea about her future. Together they share a unique Sex & The City style friendship that keeps the book going through almost 500 pages and takes the reader to London, New York, Malaysia, Paris and the Caribbean to name but a few.

What sets this book apart from other saga-type stories is the historical references and political message. The book has a very strong political theme throughout, as we learn about South Africa in the 80s and early 90s. Without giving away too much, weaved into the politics is a Romeo & Juliet style love story that forms the core of the novel. While Lokko is keen to point out that some of the history has been altered slightly to fit the narrative of the story, you do feel like you may be learning something as well as enjoying a good read. This will either encourage you to read on or put you off depending on exactly how escapist you like your fiction to be!

The characters are difficult to fault, though concentrating on Rianne - the least likeable of the four - as the main protagonist is a very brave move. Though her story was the most compelling I found myself eager to find out more about the other girls, and felt that their stories fizzled out a little too quickly. This was a shame, but necessary to keep the plot moving along and stop the book from becoming too much of a tome!

The book is long, and the pace does drop a few times (the only reason this doesn't get a 5/5 rating) but not enough for it to drag too much. So long as you're ready for the history lesson and not expecting chick-lit-lite, you'll have trouble putting this one down once you get into it. All in all, it's a great, epic tale that you'll devour in no time.

Sundowners - Lesley Lokko

Posted by gcartwright on October 3, 2005 in Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5 | Permalink | Comments (6)

September 22, 2005 2:58 PM

The Little Lady Agency

'The Little Lady Agency' may be Hester Browne's debut novel, but she can already count the likes of Sophie Kinsella and Chris Manby as fans, and with good reason. This is a great read with adorable characters and a fabulously witty writing style that pulls you in instantly. Our heroine Melissa lacks any kind of self confidence, so when she loses her job at an estate agents she invents Honey, a sexy alter-ego with a blonde wig and a killer wardrobe to run '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, cope with her overbearing dad, justify her job to her best mates, and keep her ex-colleagues off the trail.

This is the kind of funny, fast-paced book you'll devour in one sitting, and it has just enough twists and turns to stop you predicting the ending the moment you finish the first page. This one is definitely near the top of the pile as far as this year's new releases are concerned, and a must-have addition to any chick lit collection!

The Little Lady Agency - Hester Browne

Posted by gcartwright on September 22, 2005 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink | Comments (7)