Trashionista

August 12, 2010 7:45 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

Being new to the novels of Sarah Addison Allen, I was excited to receive a copy of her latest book, The Girl Who Chased the Moon (the UK cover is adorable!) Sarah's previous works, The Sugar Queen and Garden Spells, have gained plenty of recognition, so I was curious to find out what else Ms Allen had to offer!

After her mother's death, teenager Emily Benedict has arrived in the small, traditionally Southern town of Mullaby, North Carolina; the place in which her mother grew up. Mother Dulcie, a world-saving activist with selfless intentions, never spoke of her past, of her life in Mullaby, or even of her father - the grandfather that Emily never knew she had. So when Emily arrives in the small town, her 8ft tall grandfather Vance isn't the only surprise - nor is his strange story about the bedroom wallpaper changing design. Not long after turning up in Mullaby in the hope of finding out more about her mother as a young girl, she discovers that she's not welcome.

Comments about the girl's arrival are already buzzing around Mullaby, with strangers shunning her and local youngsters stating how she's not welcome. The only person willing to speak to her is smart young Win Coffey, and even then, it's in secret...

Just what did her mother do to make the whole town turn against her? Just what did she leave behind? Emily is determined to find out.

Meanwhile, neighbour Julia is focused on her cake-making. Seeing her return to Mullaby as only temporary whilst she embarks on her two-year plan - to run her father's barbecue business before selling it - she's still intent on creating her own baking business. And seeing Emily arrive, she quickly bakes a welcome cake, seeing the opportunity to become friends, After all, due to her mother's fiery past, she's going to need one...

Emily's confused, but determined. What is the big secret that everyone is hiding? What did Dulcie Shelby do that made her everyone's enemy? And just what are the Mullaby Lights? Are they really ghosts? And why DOES the wallpaper in her mother's old room change its design?

There are so many mysteries in Mullaby, and Emily Benedict is about to solve them, making a huge discovery. And of course, finding out more about her mother along the way. Especially when it comes to the overly-traditional Coffey family, who never come out at night...

The Girl Who Chased the Moon is an absolutely lovely story of love, mystery and new beginnings, combined with just enough magic to make it perfect. The secretive town of Mullaby is a wonderful setting for this heart-warming tale of identity and friendship. Whilst Emily is learning about her family history, Julia is finding out some home truths as well.

Once I started this book, I just couldn't put it down until I'd finished it, impatiently wanting to know how the mysteries were solved! It's a fantastic tale and has made me want to get hold of Allen's previous novels. The Girl Who Chased the Moon is a thoroughly pleasing, magical read!

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try: The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes

 

 

Posted by Elle Symonds on August 12, 2010 in Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (31)

March 18, 2009 9:03 PM

BOOK NEWS: Air Confidential and top tell-all career books...

Wicked Whispers: Confessions of a Gossip Queen

Former 3am girl Jessica Callan released her tell-tale book in 2007, detailing life as a showbiz journalist. Jessica dished the dirt on both the nice celebrities, and...well, the not so nice ones. Working as one of the most renowned showbiz journos in the country, Jessica and the 3am girls were subject to a vast array of celebrity shenanigans...and so, she penned this scandalous diary.

Tabloid Love

What are your favourites?

Posted by Elle Symonds on March 18, 2009 in Book News, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release, Weblogs | Permalink | Comments (4)

November 27, 2008 12:09 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Spa Wars by Chris Manby

Spa Wars by Chris Manby is about waxing, reality TV stars and revenge. It starts out with a cracking pace and the brilliant writing sucks you into the story immediately. Emily Brown has always wanted to make others look good. Her goal in life is to open her own beauty salon and with some prudent saving she achieves the dream. Thanks to a name drop from Carina Lees, a reality TV star, bookings have to be made weeks in advance. She expands, takes on new staff. Then everything seems to go wrong.

The first half of this book was great and I zipped through it thinking, yup this one could be on for a five star rating. But then things started to go a little flat. Emily, as the heroine, was a strange character. I didn't know what to think of her but then she did something quite tactless and I thought, I don't care what happens to you anymore. All of a sudden I wasn't quite so desperate to reach the end. But then, surprisingly, the book changed pace again and I was drawn back into the plot.

This is a great book. Full of up to date cultural references and a behind the scenes look at how reality TV stars milk their fifteen minutes, despite the slowing in pace, I really enjoyed it.

In my dusty memory I don't think I've read any books by Chris Manby before, but I look forward to ploughing through her back catalogue.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Just Say Yes by Phillipa Ashley

Posted by Helen Redfern on November 27, 2008 in Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

November 18, 2008 11:01 AM

BOOK REVIEW: It's A Kind Of Magic by Carole Matthews

What is it with Carole Matthews and her book titles recently? A few weeks ago I read All You Need Is Love (ta da da da daa) and now I have Freddie Mercury with his moustache and yellow jacket in my head. Not a bad image but quite distracting when you're trying to read and write.

As you may guess from the title, It's A Kind of Magic (gah! Every time I write this I'm doing the backing vocals) is a magical book. Chick lit with fairies. I am not averse to a bit of magical  fantasy in any of the books I read, as long as it is done well. I loved Garden Spells where the magic and fantasy was applied in such a subtle way, it was still believable. With It's A Kind Of Magic, the magic was applied with a sledgehammer. Nevertheless I still found it entertaining.

Emma and Leo have been on and off for around five years. Emma is a neat and control freak whereas Leo is untidy, unreliable and, if I'm honest, a right, royal pain. On Emma's thirtieth birthday he rolls up over two hours late, drunk and falls into her birthday cake. Emma breaks it off and this time she means it.

Or does she?

Walking home that night Leo meets a woman on Tower Bridge. She comes home with him and turns his life upside down. For she is not human. She is a fairy - with a wand and everything.

And I can accept that, for it isn't the magic I have a problem with. What didn't quite ring true for me were the characters of Emma and Leo. Emma whines a lot about Leo, saying she loves him, but most of the time she just hates being on her own. Leo was meant to be cute, in a childlike way, but I just found him irritating and certainly not likable enough to root for him.

Despite all this I still found the book entertaining enough to want to finish it which is great as I have plenty that I am struggling to start at the moment. Carole has that great ability to suck you in and, by keeping her chapters short, with a mini cliffhanger at the end of each of them, you just have to carry on. She also made me laugh out loud a few times. Not something I am prone to do.

I would, however, have liked a different ending. I love romance and the bit where you finally see which people get it together. But when I finally closed the book I felt like I had eaten too much toffee (and I hadn't even had my breakfast yet). The words that popped into my mind were "sickly" and "sweet".

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try I much preferred Carole's latest one (out in hardback) All You Need Is Love

Posted by Helen Redfern on November 18, 2008 in Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 14, 2008 10:22 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Engaging Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn & My Mother's Wish by Jerry Camery-Hoggatt

Reviewed by Jill Hart

Two Christmas Stories You Can Believe In

I love Christmas. I love the lights, the tree, even the hustle and bustle. But, one of my most favorite things about Christmas is treating myself to a cup of cocoa and a good Christmas story. Some years I'm drawn back to the old standbys like A Christmas Carol or even How The Grinch Stole Christmas. But, this year I have two new Christmas favorites.

The first book, Engaging Father Christmas, is actually the second book in a series by Robin Jones Gunn. (The first book is Finding Father Christmas - my last year's favorite.)

Gunn's novellas are cozy. Set in London, they have everything I need for a heartwarming Christmastime read - love, intrigue and, of course, a happy ending. The books each stand alone, but my recommendation would be to read them together.

In Engaging Father Christmas, the main character, Miranda Carson, is headed to see her boyfriend whom she met the prior Christmas. She's unsure of exactly where they stand and running into a old flame at the train station makes things even more complicated. She's also in town to see her step-mother - a woman who hasn't been able (or willing) to accept her as a true member of the family. She's hoping this trip she'll be able to win her approval and finally have a real family. But, a serious of events casts a doubtful shadow over Miranda's trip and she's not sure she'll ever find a family to belong to.

The second story is My Mother's Wish: An American Christmas Carol by Jerry Camery-Hoggatt. The US is joining the ranks of the Christmas Carol producers and this YA novella is a sweet example. Ellee, a frustrated teenage girl, just doesn't see things the way the rest of the world does. Her controlling mother won't give her a break, even refusing to refer to her as anything but Eleanor (her grandmother and namesake) and comparing her every move to that of her perfect sister.

Ellee finally gets fed up and decides that running away from home is the only way to escape her mother's disappointment in her. She gets more than she bargained for when she finds herself at the Comeback Cafe with no money, no ride and not a friend in site. Lives interwoven is the theme of this book and it's a beautiful picture of how each of us can have an effect on those around us.

Rating: 4/5

Posted by Aigua Media on November 14, 2008 in American Authors, Inspirational, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (25)

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)

November 4, 2008 1:14 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Honey Trap by Julie Cohen

When Julie Cohen's latest book, Honey Trap, fell onto my doormat a short while ago, I actually let out a short squeal. I had thoroughly enjoyed her previous novel, One Night Stand, but then, as I looked at it, I became a little nervous in case this one didn't match up. Despite this, on holiday last week I picked it up, and the first few chapters had me so engrossed I didn't even notice my brother in law setting a drink down in front of me or four boys (not all mine) running about the place.

Sophie Tennant is a private investigator. She crops up briefly in One Night Stand, but was such a vivid character to Julie, that she now has a book all of her own. She specialises in honey traps, employed on behalf of a suspicious wife to see if her husband is playing away from home. The honey trap she has set when the book opens however, appears to be one trap too many and Sophie is in real danger. Deciding enough is enough she retrains as an aromatherapist and is employed by a reunited rock band to go on tour with them. Sounds good. But her previous career doesn't seem to want to go away - especially when she sets eyes on the new bassist in the band. Dominick Steele. He was her first ever honey trap.

And that is a much as I'm going to tell you, as that is as much as I knew when I began reading the book and I don't want to inadvertently give anything away. You see, this book is part romance, part sass, part funny and part mystery. It is also incredibly sharp with both a tight plot and dialogue.

I was gripped from the first sentence, Sophie Tennant had never seen her date in real life, but she knew he was brown-eyed, brown-haired, slightly built, and a scumbag. I then couldn't put it down until the end. In fact I even tried to go to sleep but ended up switching the light back on to read more.

The plot evolved naturally, it wasn't contrived, and when something in particular happened...well I didn't see it coming and I love it when that happens. Sophie was a great character, as were the men in the band and Dominick Steele, the bassist, well, he was a great hero.

There was so much detail packed into the 340 pages, no mean feat to do I'm sure. But if I had one complaint, is would be that the book was longer!

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie

Posted by Helen Redfern on November 4, 2008 in Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 3, 2008 10:55 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

I was afraid to read Elizabeth Scott's Living Dead Girl. I've loved her other books, but this was something completely different.

It's the story of “Alice” who was abducted, aged 10, by Ray. She's now 15 and constantly subjected to physical, mental and sexual abuse. Ray killed his previous “Alice” when she reached 15 so Alice is waiting until he kills her too. She's not afraid, she would welcom it. But Ray's got something different in mind – he wants her to help him kidnap his new "Alice".

This book is described on the back cover as “more than a novel... it is a visceral experience” and I would agree. I found it incredibly hard to read, in fact I had to scan it quickly because I wanted to find out what happened, but I wanted to avoid as much detail as possible.

Brilliantly written as it, it's the kind of book that could give you nightmares. Even if it doesn't, I guarantee you won't be able to stop thinking about it.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Dear Zoe by Philip Beard (or The Lovely Bones, which we haven't reviewed).

Posted by Keris on November 3, 2008 in American Authors, More On Monday, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (15)

October 22, 2008 10:32 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Ugly Betty

I absolutely love the TV show, Ugly Betty (although somehow I've managed to pretty much miss the entire recent series), so when I heard about this glossy companion book, I had to get it.

Designed to look like an issue of Mode magazine edited by Betty, it's full of all the usual information and pics we've come to expect from these kind of books, i.e. interviews with the cast and crew, articles about the sets and the clothes and the inevitable episode guide.

What makes this book different is just how utterly gorgeous it looks. Like the show itself, it's colourful, fun and over the top.

It would make an excellent Christmas pressie for the discerning Betty fan.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Sex and the City - the book of the movie

Posted by Keris on October 22, 2008 in Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 20, 2008 11:47 AM

BOOK REVIEW: All You Need Is Love by Carole Matthews

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Accidental Wife by Rowan Coleman

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

MORE ON MONDAY: All Balls and Glitter by Craig Revel Horwood

I love Craig Revel Horwood. I know he's meant to be the Mr Nasty of Strictly Come Dancing, but I find him the most consistent judge and the most consistently hilarious.

I'd read a lot about this autobiography before it was published. The papers were full of lurid tales of Craig's time as a rent boy and a drag queen, so I was expecting it to be scandalous, juicy and, since Craig is so honest on Strictly, rather indiscreet too. Yeah. It wasn't.

It was a good read, I'm not saying that, and it was certainly considerably more entertaining than Lorraine Kelly's yawnfest, but there just wasn't actually that much scandal.

Craig wasn't *really* a rent boy (he allowed an older man he wasn't actually interested in to take him travelling), being a drag queen isn't particularly shocking anyway (and judging by the photos, he was a very good one) and apart from that it was mostly about his career. Which has been solid and accomplished.

I had to stop myself skipping to the Strictly section of the book, where I thought his lips might get a little looser, but, no, it was all on-message. Everyone gets on. It's a great show to do. No, the producers don't tell him to be nasty, he just likes to tell it as it is.

Like I said, it was, in the main, an entertaining read, but it wasn't a particularly exciting one. Maybe he should have got the Mr Nasty side of his character to write it...

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try My Booky Wook by Russell Brand (much juicier)

And don't forget about my Strictly Come Dancing reviews over on TV Scoop!

Posted by Keris on October 20, 2008 in Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

October 13, 2008 11:38 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Seduction by Gemma Holliday

You know me, the words "erotic fiction" made me a teensy bit afraid. I'm not a prude (okay, I'm a bit of a prude), but I'm always wary of reading anything described as "erotic" and I'm certainly wary of reading anything with people in their underpants on the cover.

But Geneva Holliday's latest book, Seduction, while it is indeed erotic, is also great fun. I think I read it in two sittings and I was pretty much smiling throughout.

Seduction features Mildred Johnson. She works for the managing director of an investment firm and is, by all accounts, deeply unattractive and insecure.

Tony Landry is a player. Despite still living with his mother, he sleeps with a different woman every night (and sometimes more than one at a time) and is basically a moral vacuum.

So when Tony gets a job at the company where Mildred works, the reader isn't unduly worried. I mean, Mildred's certainly not his type. But then Tony's friend tells him how he can use his new job to steal money from the company and, for that, he needs to convince Mildred that he's in love with her. And he does. And poor Mildred falls for him too. Hard. (Fnarr.)

Tony, the swine, jilts Mildred on their wedding day and nicks off to Barbados with his ill-gotten gains.

Mildred, devastated, goes to Barbados on holiday. Well, she thought it was a holiday, but it turns out her friend has sent her to a weightloss boot camp. Mildred loses weight and becomes stunningly gorgeous.

And then she bumps into Tony and sees the chance for revenge...

(I know it seems like I've given away pretty much the whole book - and I kind of have - but that's no more than it says on the back cover!)

Like I said, Seduction is great fun... as long as you don't take it too seriously. (And, to be honest, I'm not sure you could.) At the beginning, Mildred is such a dope and so insecure that I just wanted to shake her, but then she changes quite dramatically and I'm not entirely confident it's for the better (I can't say any more than that because I don't want to give the ENTIRE book away!).

But bits of it *were* pretty sexy, so it would make a rather fabulous beach read, I think. And I'll definitely be reading more Geneva Holliday books.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Amorous Woman by Donna George Storey

Posted by Keris on October 13, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (12)

October 10, 2008 11:59 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs

I'd been looking forward to Kate Jacobs' second book for almost a year, so earlier this week, I made myself a cup of tea, got myself a packet of dark chocolate digestives (*my* comfort food) and curled up on the sofa to indulge... (I had the book as well).

It's the story of TV chef Augusta "Gus" Simpson who learns that her long-running cookery show is getting, in the opinion of the audience and the television station, stale. I'm afraid to say I found the book stale too. (The biscuits, however, were fine.)

Gus's producer tells her that they need to liven things up and so she finds herself agreeing to a live show with special guests. The original plan, basketball stars ("Hot guests and cool food") falls through when they are delayed by the weather and the head of the station instead brings, younger, hotter (and cooler) Spanish internet chef, Carmen Vega to cook alongside Gus. Gus, of course, can't stand Carmen, but the audience loves her and so Gus and Carmen are given a show to co-present.

Meanwhile, Gus is trying to control the lives of everyone around her - her daughters, their boyfriends, her best friend and neighbour, the reclusive Hannah - while refusing to live her own life (widowed more than twenty years earlier, she hasn't dated since).

But I'm afraid I didn't really believe a word of it. I didn't warm to Gus at all. I didn't find anything that happened particularly believable, plus it was all rather cliched (why did she dislike Carmen? Because she was younger and more attractive). The storyline that Hannah was hiding out after a scandal seemed to appear from nowhere.

I know I recently complained about criticisms of chick lit as predictable, but, seriously, the love interest in this book practically arrived with a flashing "LOVE INTEREST" light show above his head. And yet I didn't find myself rooting for he and Gus to get together because I didn't care enough about either of them.

I've also complained in the past when people call a plot "contrived" because, let's face it, all plots are contrived by the author - but I got the impression reading Comfort Food that Kate Jacobs was sitting and thinking, "Hm. What should happen next? Oh yes, I know, I'll send them all on a team building course." It just didn't seem natural to me and I found myself mostly scanning the entire second half of the book.

I was particularly disappointed because I enjoyed The Friday Night Knitting Club so much. Jacobs' next book is a sequel to that one, so here's hoping it'll find her back on form.

Rating: 3/5 (I toyed with a 2, but it *is* well-written, so I've decided on a 3)

Like this? Try The Perfectly True Tales of a Perfect Size 12 by Robin Gold (a similar idea, but so much better)

Posted by Keris on October 10, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (14)

October 6, 2008 12:35 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Just Say Yes by Phillipa Ashley

Just Say Yes is a contemporary romance, full of up to the minute cultural references, set in both London and Cornwall. Lucy Gibson is the girlfriend of Nick Laurentis, a popular winner of the reality TV show Hotshots (thinly veiled The Apprentice). Nick proposes to Lucy live on air in the final show, Lucy says no (they hardly know each other and the L word has never been mentioned) and is subsequently hounded by the paparazzi and treated like the worst woman in Britain.

Lucy has had enough of the paps stalking her on her doorstep, so she decides to flee to Cornwall and live in her friend Fiona's cottage for a month. Whilst she's down there she meets Josh and his girlfriend Sara, feels like a gooseberry but is also, disconcertingly, extremely attracted to Josh.

Josh is the sort of man who doesn't like being lied to, who likes the truth and doesn't give any second chances. The problem is, as soon as he says this, you know Lucy isn't going to tell the truth about why she is down in Cornwall. I've spoken about this kind of frustrating misunderstanding in books before, where she is obviously not telling him the truth just for the sake of the plot so it all reaches a climax towards the end. Last week, Keris spoke of predictability in chick lit. Whilst we often know in chick lit who is going to end up with who, it is the journey of how they get there that makes a great story. I knew who Lucy would end up with straight away, but slightly infuriatingly I also guessed how they would get there.

Also, as far as I can see, she has nothing to be ashamed of. So she turned down a chap's marriage proposal. Is that such a bad thing? Surely Nick was the one who should be ashamed for putting her in that position in the first place?

With the clunky plot in mind, there were a few other aspects of the story that didn't make it flow easily. One minute it is early evening and the next it is afternoon (on the same day). Then the spiky plant. One minute she has taken it home, then towards the end of the book it is back at the office...It is just little things, but mildly infuriating when you are opening up your imagination to believe the story and the characters.

Now that I've had my moan though, I did enjoy the book. It was a pleasant, easy read. There were great descriptions of Cornwall that made me want to pack my bags and live there immediately. Josh was a heroic swooning character ideal for a romance novel and Lucy was the sort of girl who doesn't recognise her own beauty. A bit dim at first but comes up trumps in the end.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Decent Exposure by Phillipa Ashley

Posted by Helen Redfern on October 6, 2008 in Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

MORE ON MONDAY: Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Dear Zoe by Philip Beard

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

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

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

September 11, 2008 10:01 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Book Club by Kate McCabe

Reviewed by Fionnuala Kearney

As a Kate McCabe virgin, I was pleased to open her third novel, The Book Club, whilst on holiday in Spain. The beach, the sun, an iced drink, cooling breeze and a book – oh happy days. In fact, I decided to read this book before my own book club offering, as I fancied the cover more and it looked a perfect holiday read.

When Marion Hunt, tired of solitary Winter nights, decides to start a book club, her advert attracts a disparate group of people whose lives are about to impact each other greatly. Christy Grimes (who had only ever read James Bond before) joins to encourage his wife, an avid reader, to meet new people following a minor stroke. Nick Barry, a successful poet is determined not to let his treatment at the hands of literary critics stop him writing a novel. Liz Broderick, a young widow, discovers new hope and new friends. Throw Matt Bolinger, Marion’s sexy neighbour and Alan McMullan, her stalker like ex into the mix and the book club meetings look set to be interesting.

The characters were all well drawn, interesting and likeable (with the exception of Alan McMullan who could never be described as likeable and who is surely responsible for the slime in slime ball). 

The pace, sense of place, and sensitive subjects like grief and illness were handled beautifully. My only criticism is that as the novel progressed, the plot did not feel credible in places and the ending was too predictable. That said, I enjoyed the read. Not a book for a book club, I feel, as it’s not a book that will incite debate, but as a holiday read, it ticks all the boxes.

Rating: 4/5

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

Posted by Aigua Media on September 11, 2008 in Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 2, 2008 4:06 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Jack With a Twist by Brenda Janowitz

Jack With a Twist is Brenda Janowitz's second novel featuring lawyer Brooke Miller. In the first, Scot on the Rocks, Brooke's boyfriend dumps her just before her ex-boyfriend's wedding, which they were supposed to attend together.

In Jack..., Brooke is trying to arrange her wedding to her gorgeous fiance (um, Jack) at the same time as working on the biggest case of her career. Things are thrown into turmoil when Brooke finds out that Jack is working on the same case... but for the opposition.

Between dealing with her controlling mother, Jack's even more controlling family, and the enormous workload dealt to her by her future husband, Brooke is also trying to find a wedding dress and, you know, have some semblance of a life.

I enjoyed Jack With a Twist even more than Scot on the Rocks. As with Scot... there are some improbably situations that drove me a bit mad, but Brooke is such a sweet character and the supporting characters are such good value that I didn't mind as much as I might otherwise.

Brooke herself reminds me of a less daffy Becky Bloomwood or Lizzie from Meg Cabot's Queen of Babble series. And, yes, that's a compliment!

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot

Posted by Keris on September 2, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Series | Permalink | Comments (29)

August 25, 2008 11:01 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: America Unchained by Dave Gorman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Like this? Try Not Buying It by Judith Levine

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

August 22, 2008 8:38 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Tommy Sullivan is a Freak by Meg Cabot

It's hard to find new things to say about Meg Cabot's books when I find I'm reviewing them about once a month... but luckily I don't need to find new things to say, I can just keep saying they're fantastic. Because they are. (Just in case you did not get that.)

Her latest teen book (I think...), Tommy Sullivan is a Freak features Katie Ellison who is both intelligent and popular. But it's come at a cost. She has to hide who she really is and what she really thinks.

She didn't used to. She used to be good friends with Tommy Sullivan, but when he discovered that some members of the town's precious football team cheated on their SATs - and exposed them - he was run out of town.

Oh, but now he's back. And threatening to ruin everything Katie's worked for. And he's really hot.

Like all of Meg's books, Tommy Sullivan is a Freak is an easy read with hidden depths. I flew through it and, I have to say, I LOVED Tommy Sullivan, one of the foxiest teen characters I've read for a while. Plus I learned a lot about bivalves and that kind of knowledge can't be underestimated. Probably.

Read an extract here.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try How to be Popular by Meg Cabot

Posted by Keris on August 22, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (11)

August 14, 2008 8:30 AM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 3/5

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

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

August 13, 2008 3:54 PM

BOOK NEWS: My Best Friend Has Issues

My Best Friend Has Issues is a darkly comic book by Laura Marney, author of Only Strange People Go To Church and No Wonder I Take A Drink. It has been described as shocking at times, but in a funny way, which, going by the titles of her other books I can't say I'm surprised. Apparently they are a cross between dark humour and chick lit. They certainly seem to be a little bit different.

What did I know about life, a wee heifer like me, a twenty two year old no mates stay at home from the rump end of Cubernauld? 

What did I even know about sex, never mind drugs, or violence, or murder? Alison, an innocent Scottish girl, moves to Barcelona and meets Chloe, a not so innocent American heiress. Chloe as well as introducing Alison to a multitude of sins, teaches her new friend about the sweet taste of revenge. Throwing off her Presbyterian morality (and hopefully her embarrassing virginity), Alison begins a sex and drugs romp through the gothic streets of Bacelona, while sending vengeful postcards home...Dear Lisa and Lauren, Chloe and I on beach with beautiful Latino boys, wow! Need to buy new clothes, size twelve way too big now! Suppose you'll be watching Emmerdale. Hope cystitis not causing you too much agony. Alison xxx.

Posted by Helen Redfern on August 13, 2008 in Book News, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: How To Be Bad

How to Be Bad is a novel written by three authors. Three brilliant and successful YA authors, two of whom happen to be among my absolute favourites (the third, Lauren Myracle, I have been assured that I will also love as soon as I get around to reading one of her books).

How to be Bad is also the story of three girls: Mel, Vicks and Jesse, who all work at the Waffle House and all have problems they want to run away from. And so they do. Albeit temporarily.

Following a row with her mother (following her mother winning first prize in a wet t-shirt competition – yikes!), Jesse just wants to get away. So when she learns that Vicks's boyfriend hasn't called since leaving for university two weeks ago, she suggests that they take a trip to Miami to visit him.

The only problem is neither of them has much money. But Mel does. Plenty of money and no friends. So she suggests she pays for everything if she can come along.

And so off they go. Two best friends (one of whom is behaving rather oddly) and a new girl who wants to be friends, but who they don't know very well.

Of course, a road trip isn't a road trip without adventures on the way and the girls call in to see an old stuffed crocodile, the world's smallest police station and, of course, go to a party and meet a boy.

I wasn't sure about this book at first – I didn't feel like enough was happening – but the personalities of the girls sucked me in and, by the end, I felt like I knew them. The book touches on all sorts of issues, including virginity, Christianity, drinking, sibling rivalry, family relationships, money.

Incidentally, even though I think the three authors have very distinctive individual styles, you can't see the joins in this book; I have no idea who wrote what, which is pretty impressive.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Boyfriend List by E Lockhart or Me vs Me by Sarah Mlynowski (not YA) or something by Lauren Myracle!

Posted by Keris on August 13, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (5)

August 7, 2008 10:21 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Bride Hunter by Amy Appleton

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Little White Lies by Bernadette Strachan

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

August 6, 2008 1:35 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Holly Would Dream by Karen Quinn

I really didn't enjoy Karen Quinn's debut, The Ivy Chronicles - in fact, I didn't even finish it – but I loved the premise of her third book, Holly Would Dream, and I've been looking forward to it for ages, so it seemed like a perfect book to take on holiday with me.

The premise is that Holly Ross, who works in a fashion museum in New York, is obsessed with all things Audrey Hepburn. When her boyfriend dumps her, she loses her apartment (because it was his apartment) and misses out on a promised promotion all on the same day, it seems like things can't get any worse, but then, thanks to a collection of Audrey Hepburn's dresses, they do.

Holly Would Dream takes in New York, Italy, Turkey and Greece and contains over a hundred hidden references to Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant films. Right up my street, in fact. So did I like it?

Actually I really liked it. It's clear from the beginning of the book that this is a fairy story and there isn't much reality involved, but it's a great escapist read. I liked Holly although I found her irritatingly full of herself at times (which is exactly the same problem I had with Ivy in Quinn's first book). I didn't think there was any chemistry between Holly and the object of her affections, which was a shame. If ever a book was crying out for a sexy, traditional, manly hero, it was this one. But a number of the other supporting characters – from Holly's father, to the rich widows Holly meets on the cruise – are highly entertaining. I could have done without the tired cliché of the gay best friend, but I suppose Holly does work in fashion so I'll just have to let that one go.

All in all, a highly entertaining and almost entirely satisfying holiday read. On the strength of this book, I think I'll give Quinn's second book, Wife In the Fast Lane, a try.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Late Night Talking by Leslie Schnur

Posted by Keris on August 6, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (5)

July 31, 2008 11:59 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Love Of Her Life by Harriet Evans

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Alphabet Weekends by Elizabeth Noble

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

July 29, 2008 10:17 AM

Who Can Save Us Now?

A subject close to my own heart, superheroes, along with one of my favourite authors, Jennifer Weiner, appear together in this anthology of stories about superheroes edited by Owen King and John McNally. As Jennifer says on her blog,

I've got a short story in Who Can Save Us Now...that I think is pretty nifty (the book in general, not my story in particular...although I really like the title of my story. It is called "League of Justice (Philadelphia Division)," and is based in part on the premise that all of the superheroes with really cool talents have moved to New York.)

Related posts: Author Interview | Jennifer Weiner and Jane Green on Martha Stewart |

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 29, 2008 in American Authors, Book News, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

July 22, 2008 10:53 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Darcys Give a Ball by Elizabeth Newark

Reviewed by Jill Hart

Touted as "A gentle joke, Jane Austen style," The Darcy's Give A Ball is a short, light-hearted novel centered around the lives of Austen's most loved characters.

Jane and Elizabeth are experiencing a small portion of what consumed their mother's thoughts in Pride and Prejudice - the romantic attachments of their children. To aid in this endeavor, they decide a ball is in order. Their children are of age to enter society and what could be more fun than a ball that includes all of their friends and loved ones.

This book is a lot of fun - a quick read, but well put together. There is a bit of romance, a bit of mystery and a bit of intrigue. Austen would have gotten quite a chuckle of what this author came up with to keep her character's lives exciting.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try A Walk With Jane Austen by Lori Smith

Posted by Aigua Media on July 22, 2008 in American Authors, Classic Novels, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (4)

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 11, 2008 12:05 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Not-So-Perfect Man by Valerie Frankel

I've read a few Valerie Frankel books and found them to be, while always well-written, a bit hit and miss, so I wasn't sure what to expect from The Not-So-Perfect Man, but I really loved it.

Frieda Schast is a widow with a young son. Her older sister, Ilene, thinks it's about time Frieda started dating again. She also thinks it's about time her own husband, Peter, lost a bunch of weight and she doesn't hesitate to tell Peter so. Frieda's younger sister, Betty, could also do with losing some weight. And finding a man.

But when Frieda does start dating, Ilene doesn't approve. Because Frieda's dating Sam Hill, a sexy, young actor, who Ilene thinks is more fling material than second husband material. Ilene, though, should really be concentrating on her own marriage and the fact that her constant comments about her husband's eating habits just make him want to eat more. Until, that is, he goes on a diet and secretly recruits Betty as his dieting buddy. Because Betty has met a man. Earl was sent to the store where Betty works to implement a new system and make some overall changes, but it seems he wants to make a lot of changes to Betty too...

I loved this book. I loved the banter between the sisters. I loved that the women were all so strong, but also flawed and human. In fact, all the characters seemed real and even thought there are misunderstandings and secrets, they always seem realistic rather than contrived (apart from the ending, which is why I knocked off a point).

It's the kind of book I'll hold onto and read again and again.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie

Posted by Keris on July 11, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

July 10, 2008 11:04 AM

BOOK REVIEW: A Good Girl Comes Undone by Polly Williams

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5

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

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

July 9, 2008 11:16 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Moose by Stephanie Klein

When I featured the video trailer for this book, I warned that it would make you cry... well, if you're anything like me, you'll find the book even more upsetting.

Subtitled, "a memoir of fat camp", it's exactly that - there's a little about Stephanie now at the beginning and end of the book, but the rest of it is about Stephanie's overweight childhood and summer spent at Camp Yanisin. The title refers to the fact that in eighth grade, boys at school started calling her "Moose". But not just Moose, a long, drawn-out, moose-call type of "Moooooooossse". I can't think about that without feeling utterly furious, so you can imagine how I felt when Stephanie reported that her father thought it was funny...

The book is filled with that kind of thing - Stephanie actually feels popular and relatively at home at fat camp, despite the fact that the camp itself sounds ridiculous and pointless (and that's assuming you don't find the very idea of fat camp offensive). The thing I found so depressing about this book was the relentless focus on Stephanie's weight - both by herself and her family. Yes, I know that's what the book's about, but it's just such a miserable thing for a child to have to spend her time worrying about.

Of course, it's certainly possible that I found this book so upsetting because I identified with it so much, but I've recently read two other weight memoirs - Shauna Reid's The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl and Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster - and, although I identified with those books too, I also found them amusing and entertaining (as well as poignant and inspiring); Moose made me sad and angry.

It's very well written and brutally honest (wincingly honest sometimes), but I was glad to finish it.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster

Posted by Aigua Media on July 9, 2008 in American Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

July 7, 2008 11:07 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: Under Pressure by Carl Honore

I really enjoyed Carl Honore's first book, In Praise of Slow, so when I heard that he was taking on the culture of "hyper-parenting" I knew I had to read more.

In Under Pressure, Honore visits schools and preschools that are taking a "slow" approach (including a totally outdoor preschool, which sounds amazing), along with looking at current research on how children learn and at the damage that hyper-parenting can actually do.

I found this book fascinating and I've been quoting it to fellow parents frequently since finishing it. It did actually make me rethink how I play and interact with my own son (although I was certainly already closer to "slow" than "hyper", mainly due to inherent laziness).

One of the things I loved about it was how honest Honore is in admitting that he's still struggling with the concept himself. After reading Slow, I imagined he'd become utterly relaxed and chilled and was totally living the slow life. Under Pressure shows that this isn't the case, but he is trying because he knows it's better for both him and his family. Read it and you won't doubt it either.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Family Friendly Working by Antonia Chitty

Posted by Aigua Media on July 7, 2008 in American Authors, More On Monday, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (6)

July 4, 2008 11:52 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Jumping to Confusions by Liz Rettig

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Pretty Face by Mary Hogan

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

July 3, 2008 11:21 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Little White Lies by Bernadette Strachan

Bernadette Strachan is not an author I've come across before (although this is her fourth novel) and because I'm not familiar with her work - when I picked up Little White Lies, read the blurb and studied the front cover, I wasn't really expecting much at all.

Billie Baskerville is allergic to weddings after her own went disastrously wrong. A few months later an aunt of Billie's asks her to look after her wedding shop and Billie, in a dead end job and wanting to escape, rushes to Sole Bay to take over the running off Barbara's Brides. The shop is dingy, run down with terrible stock. But Billie rises to the challenge and sets about, with the help of Dot, making it over.

She has nowhere to live as her dotty aunt had rented out the apartment, so she lives in a beach hut on the sea front. She gains friends, meets a fireman and it looks like life for Billie is getting better...

This book is actually one of those that turns out to be surprisingly good. I liked the writing style enormously.  Although it was written in third person, I felt whilst reading the book that someone was chatting to me. Occasionally I would feel lost and think, what did she mean by that sentence, but most of all I felt deeply involved in Billie's life, her friend's lives (not everything is what it seems) and how it would all end.

Talking of conclusions, I really did not see the end coming at all. Often when you start to read a book you can work out it's finale straight away. This one I didn't and although I felt slightly disconcerted by this (I'm so used to working things out) I just enjoyed the surprises within the story. Now I must check out Bernadette's other books.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Revenge of the Wedding Planner by Sharon Owens

Posted by Helen Redfern on July 3, 2008 in Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

July 2, 2008 10:20 AM

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

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

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

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

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

Summer Reads archives

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

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 27, 2008 11:33 AM

BOOK REVIEW: House of Dance by Beth Kephart

In the comments on my review of Marisa de los Santos's Belong To Me, Jade said, "Even though they don't actually contain it, I just feel like somehow her books have a sense of magical realism about them...". I feel exactly the same way about Beth Kephart's books. Every time I picked up House of Dance, it struck me that I felt like I was entering a dream ... the real world just faded away.

It's the story of Rosie, whose friends are away for the summer and whose mother is distant, spending all her time with her business partner, with whom she's also having an affair. Rosie's grandfather is dying and, though she doesn't know him all that well, her mother tells her he needs her now and so she starts visiting every day.

On the way to her grandfather's house, Rosie passes the House of Dance. At first it just seems incongruously glamorous, but soon Rosie finds herself climbing the stairs and signing up for dance lessons.

Rosie's grandfather wants to get his affairs in order and, in helping him sort through his stuff, Rosie gets to know him better: his dreams, his regrets and exactly what she can do to give him the perfect goodbye.

This book is so beautiful, I almost felt bereft when I finished reading.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Undercover by Beth Kephart

Posted by Keris on June 27, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (23)

June 18, 2008 2:14 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Johnny Be Good by Paige Toon

Reviewed by Kirsty Greenwood

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Like this? Try Dedication by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Krauss

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

June 17, 2008 2:02 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Don't Make Me Choose Between You and My Shoes by Dixie Cash

Now this is an odd one. Dixie Cash is a pseudonym for two Southern sisters (one of whom is named, interestingly, Jeffery). Don't Make Me Choose ... is the fourth in a series featuring the "Domestic Equalizers" - two friends who are hairdressers with a sideline in private investigation.

So. The Domestic Equalizers are Debbie Sue Overstreet and Edwina Perkins-Martin and, in this book, they've been invited to New York to speak at the National Association of Private Investigators convention. Also attending the convention is Celina, a librarian from another small Texas town, who's always harboured ambitions to be a PI herself.

And then. Stuff happens. Okay, er, Debbie Sue and Edwina befriend Celina and they attend some of the conference. Plus Celina meets a hot policeman who the other two aren't sure can be trusted. And somewhere in New York there is a serial killer targeting prostitutes.

To use footballing terminology (sort of), this is a book of two halves. For the 150 pages, practically nothing happens in painstaking detail. Usually I would have stopped reading, but the writing is pretty engaging and I really liked the character of Celina and wanted to find out what happened to her.

The rest of the book loads happens, but I found it utterly unconvincing. Debbie Sue and Edwina are caricatures and I just didn't believe in them. Yes, it's far-fetched and kind of a farce, but it should still be convincing. I mean, Lula in the Evanovich books is over-the-top, but I totally believe in her.  I didn't believe in Debbie Sue and Edwina for a minute (I also struggled to keep straight which was which). That's probably why I liked Celina, because she seemed like a person, rather than a character. I ended up scanning the rest of the book and getting more and more irritated with the women's daffy behaviour.

And yet I'm giving it 3/5. I thought about giving it a 2, but when I think about this book, I think about it with fondness, rather than irritation, presumably due to the first half or the character of Celina. I don't know, it's not an exact science (that's for sure). So to sum up? It could have been really good. It wasn't. But it also could have been a lot worse. Hmmm. Maybe give Celina her own series..?

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

Posted by Aigua Media on June 17, 2008 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Series | Permalink | Comments (6)

June 16, 2008 10:50 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Pemberley Chronicles by Rebecca Ann Collins

Reviewed by Jill Hart

[Make sure you read to the end of the review, since we have five copies of The Pemberley Chronicles to give away! - Keris]

Have you been longing to know what happens to Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy after the wedding? The answer has arrived. The The Pemberley Chronicles by Rebecca Ann Collins picks up where Jane Austen left off.

The book begins seven weeks after the wedding and finds Lizzie happily at Pemberley. She has endeared herself already as the new mistress of Pemberley and has acquainted herself with her duties and obligations as such. Life marches on and the author gives you glimpses, just as Austen did, into both the trivial as well as major events that take place in the lives of all the beloved Pride and Prejudice characters.

It's an enjoyable read and I was satisfied with most the events the author placed in the lives of Austen's characters. My one main complaint is the overwhelming praise of Mr. Darcy all through Part One. It got to the point that I literally skipped entire sections that rambled on and on about all of his wonderful qualities. It almost seemed that Collins was trying to make up for all of the insults Darcy receives in Pride and Prejudice. It was, however, very distracting and took away from the quality of the story.

That aside, I relished being back in Jane Austen's world. Collins' did a great job of staying true to the characters that we all fell in love with in Pride and Prejudice. It's definitely worth reading.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try A Walk With Jane Austen by Lori Smith

To be in with a chance of winning one of five copies, email editor@trashionista.com with your name and address and "Pemberley" in the subject line, before midnight GMT 30 June. This comp's only open to US entrants, I'm afraid.

Posted by Aigua Media on June 16, 2008 in American Authors, Classic Novels, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (8)

June 5, 2008 10:11 AM

BOOK REVIEW: I like You: Hospitality under the Influence by Amy Sedaris

Reviewed by Diane Shipley (remember her?!)

I'd like to nominate Amy Sedaris as the anti-Martha Stewart. Although Amy has written a guide to entertaining and hospitality, it could possibly put any serious "homemakers" into an early grave. Like her brother David (who I love!) actress/author/comedian Amy is witty, intelligent... and more than a little strange.

I Like You... is made up of 29 chapters, giving advice on putting together different types of parties and get-togethers, from wakes to brunch. Plus there are recipes for quick and tasty meals for one and a number of cakes and desserts which sound positively mouth-watering. (Sedaris clearly knows her stuff: she has her own cupcake company in New York.)

Sometimes I couldn't work out whether the author was serious, such as when she talks about bringing home a group of Japanese business men she didn't know and cooking for them, or when she recommends holding impromptu twenty-five cent sales during a dinner party. But despite the sardonic tone, all of the recipes here are genuine and Sedaris is clearly enthusiastic about entertaining.

Unfortunately, the book reminded me of all the reasons I don't enjoy cooking or throwing parties (the effort, the clean-up, the small talk!) but that's a personal thing. It also made me laugh when Sedaris said she loved being a waitress, and would always rather eat at home than eat out. Reverse both those statements and you have my views exactly!

I do wonder if the wit and irony of the book might perhaps turn off people who don't realise the recipes should be taken entirely seriously. It might be better to have skipped the information on the best way to douche (!) and have made a few more concessions to conventionality... Also (picky, much?) I'd have preferred the book in an A3 format, that could have been laid flat so it was easier to follow the instructions. (I imagine...)

Despite a few reservations (and the caveat that this book is not for the easily offended!) I'd definitely recommend I Like You as a refreshingly modern guide to entertaining; an alternative to the likes of Martha Stewart and Delia Smith, who take it all too seriously for my liking.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris

Posted by Aigua Media on June 5, 2008 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (6)

June 4, 2008 10:43 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Revenge of the Wedding Planner by Sharon Owens

Reviewed by Claire Allan

(Published as The Trouble With Weddings in Ireland)

Sitting down with a Sharon Owens book is like sitting down with a good friend, a bottle of wine and a (kingsize) bar of chocolate and settling in for a good old girly chat.

Her writing oozes warmth, humour, gossip and decadent, gorgeous descriptions of perhaps the nicest homes, gardens, offices and restaurants you could ever choose to visit.

With Revenge of the Wedding Planner you get to add wedding dresses into the equation too - it's almost every woman's dream come true.

But don't be fooled into thing it's all designer shoes and style queens - Owens brings a twist to all her books and Mags - the narrator of this story - is a real gem. An ex-goth, married to an ex-punk, trying to raise four teenagers and keep her flighty boss in line - Mags is one of those strong, beautifully warm yet flawed heroines who you would really like to meet in real life.

When Mags' boss, Julie embarks on a life crisis, running away from her live-in lover and throwing herself in to a hair-raisingly sexy fling with Jay, it is Mag herself who is left to pick up the pieces. And when Julie eventually comes back, Jay in tow, the real trouble starts.

But there is so much more to this book than Julie and her dodgy love life - in fact in many ways I felt that storyline was secondary to Mags' life - which has it's own share of ups and downs.

Mags relationship with her husband is a joy to read - one of fiction's genuinely happy and believable couples. Her relationship with her children - especially her eldest son and daughter - is beautifully written. And her relationship with her parents is funny and extremely moving.

This book is without a doubt one of the funniest, warmest books I've read in many a long year.

It had laugh out loud moments, risque love scenes, a sexy bar man, wedding cake dilemmas and a very funny series of twists and turns. And yet at the heart of it there was a serious message about love, forgiveness, friendship and family.

It was delightful, entirely.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try It Must Be Love by Sharon Owens

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

June 3, 2008 12:40 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

I've been hearing about Sarah Dessen's books for years now, but I hadn't read one until The Truth About Forever.

It's the story of Macy, who is trying to keep it together following her dad's death (which she secretly feels she could have prevented). Macy's way of dealing is to keep her life very small and controlled and everything's going fine until her boyfriend suggests they take a break (he's not sure Macy is in line with his future "goals"), she gets a new job that she hates and she meets a chaotic catering crew who are always looking for extra help.

Liking the fact that when she's with the Wish caterers, she's just Macy and not Macy-whose-dad-died, she starts spending more and more time with them, particularly the gorgeous Wes. She and Wes enter into a game of truth and become closer and closer, sharing their secrets, but it's still safe because they both have partners (Wes's girlfriend is in prison).

But Macy had to have learned her coping strategy from someone and it was her mother who, when she realises how much time Macy is spending with her new friends, takes back some control of her own.

I loved this book. I liked Macy from the first page and the Wish crew are charming and hilarious. Wes is extremely sexy and charismatic and the book is filled with little details - about art, family, emotion, friendship, letting go and moving on - that are so brilliantly and subtlely woven into the story that you barely notice them until you finish reading and realise how utterly satisfying it all was. Although Macy and her family are sad, this isn't a sad book at all; in fact it's a very positive book. I'll definitely be reading more Sarah Dessen.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

Posted by Aigua Media on June 3, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (13)

May 28, 2008 1:34 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Before I Die by Jenny Downham

Reviewed by Helen Vipond

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

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

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

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

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Dear Zoe by Philip Beard

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Accidental Wife by Rowan Coleman

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Switchcraft by Mary Castillo

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

May 27, 2008 12:44 PM

BOOK REVIEW: All That Glitters by Pearl Lowe

The trouble with addiction memoirs is that they tend to be quite repetitive: doing lots of drugs, realising they've got a problem, vowing to give up, giving up, falling off the wagon, doing lots of drugs ... and so on.

Pearl Lowe's All That Glitters is no exception. Pearl Lowe was in a vaguely successful band in the indie decade, the '90s. She had a child, she got married, she got divorced. She met Danny Goffey from Supergrass and they fell madly in love. And she did loads and loads of drugs. And then she didn't. And then she did again.

I found All That Glitters veered between incredibly boring and strangely compelling. Each time Pearl fell off the wagon, it followed the same pattern and I found myself scanning pages. The bits that I found compelling were mainly either because I was so horrified by Pearl's behaviour (or the behaviour of those around her) or because I just didn't believe her.

I can't really be specific about the bits I didn't believe (we've got a no spoilers policy here), but I'm sure, if you read it, you would also doubt their veracity. I didn't exactly feel that Pearl was lying, more that she was being disingenuous, both about actual experiences and her motivations. (One thing I will say is that her behaviour towards Gavin Rossdale - who turned out to be the father of Pearl's eldest daughter, Daisy - was just horrendous.)

The main thing that disturbed me about this book, though, was that Pearl never seems to get to the bottom of her addiction and she constantly seems on the verge of another relapse, particularly since her friends and even her partner, Danny, continue to take drugs around her.

Rather than being "ultimately uplifting" as Cosmopolitan called it, I found the whole thing depressing.

Rating: 2/5

Like this? Try Drugs are Nice by Lisa Crystal Carver

Posted by Aigua Media on May 27, 2008 in Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 2/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

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 20, 2008 11:10 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

Two chapters in to Elizabeth Scott's third book, Stealing Heaven, I made myself a cup of tea, kicked off my shoes, piled cushions up behind myself, put my feet up on the sofa and settled in for the long haul.

Danielle has grown up travelling around the country, helping her mother rob wealthy homes. She's never had a real friend, never had a boyfriend, or a real home, she didn't even attend high school.

But when she and her mum arrive in the beach town of Heaven, Danielle finds herself starting to change. First she meets a girl who she feels she could be friends with. Then she meets a man who she feels she could be more with, but unthinkingly she not only tells him her real name, he sees her car, he knows where she lives ... and he's a cop.

While Danielle is trying to stop herself becoming too fond of Heaven, her mother is scoping out the local houses to find which one to burgle. Of course, the best prospect belongs to the family of Danielle's first friend.

But that's not the family's only worry - Danielle's mother has a cough, a really bad cough...

I LOVED Elizabeth Scott's first two books - Bloom and Perfect You - and now that Stealing Heaven has made it three in a row, I'm very excited to read her next, Living Dead Girl.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Either Bloom or Perfect You!

Posted by Aigua Media on May 20, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (8)

May 19, 2008 10:42 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Remind Me Again Why I Need a Man by Claudia Carroll

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

I picked this book out of my to-be-read pile as from the cover and the title I thought it would be a light, easy read. Just what I needed. I have to say though that my heart sank when I read the blurb on the back of this book, ‘Ever since she was a little girl, all Amelia Lockwood has ever wanted is to get married…Her glamorous television career…only go so far in consoling her now that she’s in her thirties and still not married.’

Gah! I have so many problems with this I can’t begin to start but it’s basically another book about a woman desperate to get married. So desperate in fact that she enrols on a course called ‘How to find a husband over the age of thirty five’. The course involves finding out all her ex boyfriends to discover what went wrong to see if she can find a reason as to why she’s still single. Ok, maybe it’s not so bad. Maybe this woman is going on a journey of self awareness. That would be quite interesting.

She meets up with these ex-boyfriends and each one has cliché written on his forehead. Whether it is because he is gay or religious the reasons are clear. She is choosing the wrong men.  Does she find out anything about herself though? No. And neither does the reader. I am not in Amelia’s position as I am (happily) married. So to know why it is so bad to be unmarried at 37 I really need to understand the character and get to know her. But I never feel like I do.

She has three best friends, the Lovely Girls who also have cliché written all over them. The bitter, chain smoking but successful one, the one with the perfect marriage to a perfect man and the (male) gay one. I don’t feel like I get to know any of them either.

Then we get the flashbacks. Each time we come to one I throw the book down with frustration. Fine we need to know what happens in the past to understand the present but the way it has been written seems so clumsy and basic.

I can’t say I enjoyed this book at all but maybe I’m just not the right target market.

Rating: 2/5

Like this? Try Not Married, Not Bothered by Carol Clewlow

Posted by Aigua Media on May 19, 2008 in Rating: 2/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

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 9, 2008 11:19 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks be E Lockhart

I've loved all of E Lockhart's books, but I have to admit I was a bit afraid to read her latest, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, since a couple of friends whose opinions I respect really didn't like it at all. Well, I don't respect their opinions anymore*, since I loved it.

Frankie attends the exclusive boarding school that her father and sister (and father's father, etc.) attended before her. When she started there, she was in her sister's shadow, but now that her sister has left - and Frankie has experienced some physical "blooming" - things are looking up.

* only joking.

Frankie is thrilled when her long-time crush and star of the school, Matthew Livingston, suddenly notices her and they begin dating. She's not so thrilled when she realises that Matthew is lying to her in order to hang out and plan pranks with the all male secret society of which he's a member.

Frankie refuses to let Matthew and his friends underestimate her and so decides to carry out a few pranks of her own with startling results.

From the first page I loved this book. I loved the character of Frankie and her refusal to be patronised. I loved how she co-opted a boys' club and had them all under her control without them ever suspecting her. There are plenty of feminist characters in young adult fiction, but I find them to be more overtly feminist (yet not stridently so) in E Lockhart's books.

While I didn't love this as much as the Ruby Oliver books (like this one and this one - and there's another coming soon!) - the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds reminded me a bit too much of the Life and Death Brigade in Gilmore Girls and there's a running joke about language that I found a bit irritating - it's yet another addition to my brilliant YA bookshelf. If E Lockhart just wrote about nine more books a year, she could give Meg Cabot a run for her money!

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Secret Society Girl by Diana Peterfreund

Posted by Aigua Media on May 9, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (4)

May 5, 2008 12:48 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Family Friendly Working by Antonia Chitty

Reviewed by Zoe Lea

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5

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

Posted by Keris on May 5, 2008 in British Authors, More On Monday, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Self development | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 1, 2008 7:20 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Pretty Face by Mary Hogan

I enjoyed Mary Hogan's book The Serious Kiss, but I wasn't wild about it. I enjoyed Pretty Face much more, even though it deals with some of the same issues (specifically: weight).

In Pretty Face, Hayley is overweight and the boys she likes just want to be friends. Yes, she's got a pretty face, but if they could just look past her weight, they'd see she has a lovely personality too. But they don't. And neither does her mother. Having conquered a weight problem of her own, Hayley's mother is determined to help her daughter with her own issues, but she's going about it all wrong (so wrong, in fact, that I wanted to beat her around the head with a box of Krispy Kremes).

Fortunately for Hayley, her parents decide to send her to stay with friends in Italy for the summer. Friends who can see past the weight and give Hayley the space to become comfortable with herself.

The story itself is very cliched (how many books have you read with an overweight heroine who finds herself and loses weight?), but I didn't care. I flew through it.

I loved Hayley from the first page and the descriptions of Italy (and the food!) made my mouth water. It was such an easy read and I kept wondering what it reminded me and then I realised it was like one of the Sweet Dreams books I used to be obsessed with.

In fact, I wish it had been around when I was an overweight teenager myself, it would have become one of my favourite books.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Serious Kiss by Mary Hogan

Ah, the covers. I complained in my review of The Serious Kiss that the (UK) cover didn't suit the book and I'd say the same for Pretty Face - it's just too vague. But while I like the design of the US cover (on the left), it almost seems too specific. (I know, I'm impossible to please!)

What do you think? Which do you prefer?

Posted by Keris on April 1, 2008 in Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

March 21, 2008 7:30 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Meaning of Sunglasses by Hadley Freeman

Despite having no discernable interest in fashion (I work from home, mostly in pajamas, so there's no real need), I absolutely love Hadley Freeman's Guardian newspaper column. She's so dry, funny and down to earth. I think I gave a little squeal when I heard she'd written a book.

The Meaning of Sunglasses is subtitled "A guide to almost all things fashionable" and it's certainly that. Set out in alphabetical order (which took me a shameful amount of time to work out - I kept wondering how the topics had been organised. D'oh.), the book features everything from Accessories to Yoga.

The thing I love about Ms Freeman is that she often says just what I've been afraid to admit (sometimes even to myself) about fashion (see Coats, stuck at the nexus point between dull and stressful). She's totally straightforward in her criticisms of magazines (the products are featured because the companies have paid for the advertising - I know this and yet I still always fall for those "must-have" or "products of the year" articles) and even certain designers, and she's practical about the ridiculousness of much fashion.

And yet ... I didn't enjoy this book anywhere near as much as her column. Often, either me or my husband (yes, my utterly fashion-ignorant husband loves her too) will read bits out to each other. I didn't feel the need to share any of this book with  him. Her column frequently makes me laugh out loud. The book had me smiling once or twice. Granted, I did read it straight through and it may be a better book to dip in and out of.

If you haven't read any Hadley before, I'm confident you'll enjoy it as a common sense explanation of the madness of modern fashion, but Hadley fans may be disappointed.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Fashion Babylon by Imogen Edwards-Jones

Posted by Keris on March 21, 2008 in Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 19, 2008 1:58 PM

BOOK REVIEW: When to Walk by Rebecca Gowers

Reviewed by Sarah Hague

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

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

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

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

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

Me, I just wanted to smack her.

Rating: 1/4

Like this? Try The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn

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

March 12, 2008 9:49 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Helping Me Help Myself by Beth Lisick

I am a self-confessed self-help junkie, so I was really looking forward to reading Beth Lisick's second book, particularly since I'd heard great things about her first, Everybody into the Pool.

Unlike me, Beth is a self-help skeptic, but following the realisation that, at age 37, she was sleeping in a room with plastic sheeting covering a damp patch on the wall, doing a job for which she had to dress up as a banana, and too unfit to keep up with her four-year-old son, she decides self-help can't, well, hurt and so undertakes to examine (and hopefully improve) one area of her life each month for a year.

From Jack Canfield's book The Success Principles to a Richard Simmons weightloss cruise, via (Men are From Mars author) John Gray, The Artists' Way and a parenting book entitled 1-2-3 Magic!, Lisick repeatedly steps out (way out) of her comfort zone.

I approached Helping Me Help Myself expecting to find Lisick disagreeing with or mocking every self-help method she tries, but she really doesn't. She genuinely seems to approach them all (okay, almost all) with a totally open mind. She's charming, funny, enthusiastic and self-deprecating and (and I know I always say this) by the end I felt like we were friends. So much so that I kept thinking of books to recommend to her before remembering that I don't actually know her at all.

Plus it genuinely contains good self-help information while, at the same time, cheerfully (and without malice) exposing the money-making opportunities inherent in the self-help industry. I loved it.

Self-help addict or self-help skeptic, there's something here for everyone. Oh and it'll make you look at Richard Simmons in a totally different way...

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Give it Up! by Mary Carlomagno

Posted by Keris on March 12, 2008 in American Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Self development | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 10, 2008 2:02 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: The Strawberry Picker by Monica Feth

Reviewed by Colin Mulhern

A killer seeking the perfect partner. All he wants is beauty and innocence. But when he gets close he notices imperfections, the image is shattered and the papers report another murder.

Caro is his latest victim, and at her funeral, Jemma - Caro's flatmate - swears revenge and decides to track down the killer, but in making her very public oath, she attracts the attention of a hansom, mysterious strawberry picker.

It all sounds pretty good - certainly the makings of a good thriller, but the point of thrillers is, by definition, to thrill - to involve the reader by invoking emotions, to convince them that the characters are so real that they believe and care. You can only really do that if you allow the reader to see what is happening as it is happening. The Strawberry Picker is way too passive in its delivery, telling the reader what people have said or done or doing rather than showing these things in real time. The only thing the characters do actively is make espresso - in so many scenes that you wonder if this is something the author has only just discovered.

The result of this passive, wishy-washy hold-my-hand style is that by the half way mark the characters are as lifeless as they were on page one, the scenes are painfully dull and any aspect of a mystery has withered and died before we even reach the moment where Jenna swears revenge. This, incidentally, is well past the halfway point, and to be honest, by the time I'd got there, I really couldn't care whether she fell in love with the killer, helped her mother edit another successful crime thriller (writers writing about writing - yawn) or make another bloody espresso.

There are too many other things you can spend £5.99 on. Don't buy this.

Rating: 1/5

Like this? Try Be Mine by Laura Kasischke (an adult book)

Posted by Keris on March 10, 2008 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, More On Monday, Rating: 1/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 4, 2008 3:32 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Two Doors Down by Annie McCartney

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

A fabulous looking book, this cover twinkled up to me from my to-be-read pile. I had no idea what it was about, all I had to go on was that cover. But what a delight I found inside.

Marlborough Road is where three households rely on the cleaning (and counselling) services of Sally O’Neill. Sally is what we would have called working class (in days gone by) and the residents of Marlborough Road, middle class. Sally, Miss Black, Clare and Saffron go on a journey where their two classes meet, banishing preconceptions and prejudices on both sides, discovering a friendship they never thought possible.

Clare and her husband Tony have three children, described as free-range, out roaming the lane, with Evie the middle child bent on a rebellious phase towards her mother. Tony seems tied to the work place and isn’t much help.

Saffron is married to the increasingly distant Trevor. A lot older than the vegetarian Buddhist, how will he react to her shocking news? And will he get fed up with her mung bean stews that constantly simmer, stinking the house out?

Then there is Edith Black, a well off retired career lady; she now takes in lodgers (but only a certain class of lodger) at her home. Currently she has Fintan the opera singer and Otis, the rock poet (and waste of space).

What I loved about this book is that its like having a real good nosy around someone else’s house and lives – with no-one even noticing. The pace rattles along and not once was I bored even though it was just a seemingly tame story about the community of Marlborough Road during one particular period in time. McCartney has made some fairly ordinary lives utterly fascinating. A more contemporary Maeve Binchy perhaps (and that is high praise from me as I love Ms Binchy).

I cannot add anymore, I’ll just let the mark out of five speak for itself.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try 31 Dream Street by Lisa Jewell

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

February 29, 2008 10:25 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Forget Me Not by Isabel Wolff

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Solo by Jill Mansell

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

February 26, 2008 12:36 PM

Lani Diane Rich reads to you

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

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

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

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

BOOK REVIEW: Good Vibrations by Ayn Carrillo

Ayn Carrillo's Good Vibrations has been on my shelf for a little while, but I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it. First there's the title. Then the subtitle - "One good girl's hilarious exploration of all things bad..." Funnily enough, I spotted the US version which is titled Pornology and has a much more sophisticated cover (see it over the cut). The US is often accused of dumbing down (the title of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone being changed to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone springs immediately to mind), but they're certainly winning in the chick lit cover wars!

Anyway, back to Good Vibrations. When Carrillo's boyfriend accused her of being "pornophobic" she made a list - she really loves making lists - a "Porn to do list" in fact. On the list were items like "meet a porn star", "visit a strip club", "test vibrators", "check out a brothel" and more. Here's a tip: if the previous sentence offended you, you're not going to enjoy this book.

I'm not easily offended and I enjoyed this book. Carrillo has a chatty and easy writing style, in particular she's good at writing about pretty full-on stuff in a lighthearted and informative way. Having said that, even though I'm no prude and am pretty open-minded about most things, there was one bit of the book that quite literally turned my stomach. Chapter 8. Not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach.

As is often the case with memoir, I didn't believe bits of the book, usually bits that were meant to be funny. There's also a relationship with a man Carrillo met in a sex shop running through the book and that didn't ring true either (although, judging by the acknowledgments, the man exists, at least!). Mostly Good Vibrations is an entertaining and informative addition to the sex memoirs that have flooded the market lately. (Ew. Now I've reminded myself of Chapter 8.)

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler

Posted by Keris on February 26, 2008 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 25, 2008 10:18 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: The Poison that Fascinates by Jennifer Clement

Reviewed by Sarah Hague

Some people have a morbid fascination with death, others with the means of death. Emily Neale, half British, half Mexican, collects facts about women who poisoned others. Abandoned as a baby by her mother, she's brought up in Mexico City by her father and Mother Agata, head of the orphanage that Emily's great-grandmother founded and where Emily now often helps out.

We hear that there are saints for almost everything in a devote Catholic Mexican society that is painted with bright, evocative words : the street sellers, the market sellers, the traffic, the smog.

Interspersed with Emily's story are the facts she collects about stories of women who have killed and why. Emily knows that some things are worth killing for.

Finally she meets her cousin Santiago from a remote farm in Chihuahua who has been watching her and disturbing her things.

Jennifer Clement has made a peculiar book sensuously palatable. Emily inhabits a small, restricted world of Mexican superstition, mythology and faith. Santiago changes that world forever bringing with him love and secrets.

It's a fascinating book written with masterful ease.

Rating: 4/5

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

February 12, 2008 12:04 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Midori By Moonlight by Wendy Nelson Tokunaga

I know I'm shallow, but I was mainly attracted to Midori By Moonlight because of the cover: moonlight, cupcakes and a cute outfit on the illustration! Also I love the title and the book is set in San Francisco, one of my favourite cities.

Fortunately, the book is just as cute as its cover. Midori moves from Japan to marry Kevin, an American she met out there. Unfortunately, Kevin reignites an old flame at his and Midori's engagement party, leaving Midori both heart-broken and stuck in San Francisco without a visa.

Desperate not to return to Japan - obsessed with US culture, Midori had planned to stay in San Francisco forever - Midori calls a Japanese friend of Kevin's, Shinji/Sean, who, as luck would have it, needs a room-mate.

Midori still has the problem of finding a job without a visa. She wants to be a pastry chef, but soon resorts to working in a "hostess bar". And of course she can't tell her parents - not about the lack of a wedding, the living with a strange man, and certainly not her job - they never wanted her to go to the US in the first place (although they did want her to get married and had been in the process of arranging a marriage for her when she met Kevin).

I loved this book. More like a fairy story than a realistic portrayal of the illegal immigrant experience (I doubt many illegal immigrants have it as easy as Midori), it's charming, sweet, funny and gripping and Midori is lovely and I was rooting for her from page one. Plus there's San Francisco, cupcakes and moonlight. I can't wait to read Wendy Nelson Tokunaga's next book.

Rating: 5/5

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

Posted by Keris on February 12, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

February 4, 2008 11:08 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Undercover by Beth Kephart

This is her first book for young adults by National Book Award nominee, Beth Kephart. I admit I was a bit intimidated to read this because the whole National Book Award thing made me think of "Literature" and I thought Undercover might be too serious for my tastes. Yes, it's serious. But it's also sweet, charming, sad,  beautiful and ... just flat-out wonderful. ("Just flat-out wonderful" - do you think that's what the National Book Award folks said about Ms Kephart?)

Anyway, it's the story of Elisa who writes love notes for boys to give to the objects of their affection, but isn't so lucky in love herself. Her mother and sister are like two perfect peas in a pod, but Elisa is much more like her father. Her father who is working in San Francisco and who may not ever come home.

Things begin to change for Elisa when, first, she discovers a frozen pond (complete with an underwater
statue of a girl reading a book), and then Theo Moses asks her to write a love note for Lila, the most popular girl in the school. Even after Theo has won Lila, he persists in hanging around Elisa, but she has no idea why. Surely he can't like her?

Whether writing poetry, skating, talking to Theo, missing her father, or worrying about her parents' marriage, Elisa is ... I was about to write "sweet" then, but then I let out a huge sigh. She's not "sweet". She's lovely, but she's also wise and sad and full of repressed emotion*. I loved her and wanted everything to work out for her.

Read this beautiful book to see if it does.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Bloom by Elizabeth Scott

*Have you ever watched David Duchovny's show, Californication? I can see the daughter, Becca, as Elisa.

Posted by Keris on February 4, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (8)

January 30, 2008 11:08 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Beauty Confidential by Nadine Haobsh

I have to admit, I'm not a big beauty junkie, so I wasn't too excited about Nadine Haobsh's book, Beauty Confidential. I was, however, intrigued by the book's backstory - Nadine was a beauty editor about to start her dream job, when she was outed as the anonymous author of tell-all beauty blog, Jolie in NYC. The dream job offer was retracted ... after Nadine had left her current job. Fortunately, Jolie in NYC's popularity was such that Nadine got a book deal, plus the site is still going strong (although it's no longer anonymous).

Still, the backstory was summed up in a couple of pages and I worried the beauty stuff wouldn't hold my attention. Yep, wrong again. The thing about Beauty Confidential that distinguishes it from the generic beauty pages I flick past every month is Nadine's voice.

She's chatty, funny, down-to-earth and honest. She knows that singing the praises of Nars blush (in Orgasm) isn't going to change the world, but she also knows that if your hair looks good, your day goes better and that's not to be underestimated.

Not only did I fly through this book making mental shopping lists (and vows to spend more than one minute doing my "face"), I've actually referred back to it once or twice since finishing.

From thinking it wasn't a book for me to keeping it on my shelf as an indispensable reference book ... not bad for someone with no interest in the beauty industry. What I'm saying is, if Nadine Haobsh can fire my enthusiasm, she can fire anyone's. And if you're already a beauty junkie? Pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink and enjoy!

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Goddess Guide by Gisele Scanlon

Posted by Keris on January 30, 2008 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (18)

January 28, 2008 12:04 PM

MORE ON MONDAY & COMPETITION: The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World by Linda Jones

Full disclosure: Linda Jones has been one of my mentors as I changed career from administrator in corporate recovery and personal insolvency (hello? still awake?) to freelance journalist, so I knew in advance just how straight-talking, down to earth and exceedingly useful this book was going to be.

Linda's been a journalist for 20 years and has not only worked as a freelance, but also in newspapers, magazines, online media and PR, so these tips cover writing across the board and from both sides of the fence (I don't think there's a chapter about mixing metaphors, unfortunately).

Find out how you can win a copy over the cut.

This book covers everything you could need to know - from the business side of freelancing (invoicing, copyright and legal matters) to the fun stuff (interviewing, researching and actually writing).

Linda is generous with her advice, but at the same time she doesn't mollycoddle and that's what I liked the most about this book. Yes, it's encouraging and enlightening, but it's also realistic about your chances of making it as a freelancer, which, as I know from experience, will be vastly increased by learning from Linda.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Career Helium by David Thompson

For your chance to win a copy of The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World, please email us at editor @ trashionista . com (take out the spaces) with "Tips" in the subject line and your name and address in the body of the email (so we can send you the book!). Closing date 4 February 2008.

Posted by Keris on January 28, 2008 in British Authors, Competition, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Self development | Permalink | Comments (4)

January 22, 2008 1:06 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl by Shauna Reid

I've only just started reading Shauna Reid's wonderful blog - The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl - so I was keen to read the book version and catch up on everything I'd missed over the past seven years!

In 2001, after seeing a gigantic pair of her knickers on the washing line, Shauna decided it was time to go to WeightWatchers ... where she discovered to her horror that her weight had crept up to 25 stone. Knowing that she really needed to lose a significant amount of weight, Shauna came up with an online fat-busting alter-ego  ... Dietgirl!

For years, Shauna kept her identity a secret, while blogging about dieting, exercising, her struggle with depression and, eventually, travelling with her sister from Australian to Scotland, where her life was to change even more dramatically.

By the end of the book I felt like I knew Shauna and I was so proud of what she'd achieved, not just physically, but emotionally too. This book is a real journey and I didn't want it to end (although I'm glad it did, for Shauna's sake!).

Shauna writes honestly and movingly about her struggles, but she's also very funny. I think you'd enjoy this book even if you've never had any problem with your weight, but if you do have weight issues, I have no doubt you'll find it incredibly motivating and inspiring. I've been losing and regaining the same two stone for about fifteen years now, but Shauna has definitely changed the way I think about weightloss (for the better - just to be clear!).

I loved this book so much that I really can't recommend it highly enough.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster (when it comes out!)

Posted by Keris on January 22, 2008 in Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Self development | Permalink | Comments (5)

January 8, 2008 11:09 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Reincarnationist by MJ Rose

Reviewed by Angela Richardson

The Reincarnationist is about the tenth book by M. J. Rose and is a thriller set in the present and the past thanks to numerous past life flash backs.

After nearly dying in a terrorist bomb, Josh Ryder is haunted by memories of a past life in Rome. The medical profession cannot explain or solve his new memories and flashbacks and so he turns to the Phoenix Foundation who specialise in past life regression.

A trail of present-day murders seem to link up to his past life memories of being a pagan priest whose dangerous congress with Sabina, one of the Vestal Virgins, poses a transgression so serious that the lovers would face certain death if exposed. Scents of jasmine and sandalwood and images of furtive liaisons and violence descend on Josh at will and become more frequent when the Phoenix Foundation leads him to an archaeological dig at an ancient yet strangely familiar Roman burial site.

The discovery of the existence of a collection of ancient gems called memory stones whose origins trace back to ancient Egypt and India put everyone in danger. The stones’ promise to ‘assist the wearer in reaching his next incarnation’ set the ancient and modern worlds on a collision course and tempts someone so badly that they would murder to get their hands on them.

Although this book is long, it’s very well written and kept me interested throughout. It’s a thriller that’s been thoroughly researched and I felt as though as I was learning about the ancient Roman religion while enjoying the story. She even includes an author’s note at the back to tell you what parts of the story she invented and what parts were from her research.

The whole idea of the existence of memory stones was very original and the mixture of tension of the present day murders and ancient memories of a love long lost kept me turning the pages. I know I shouldn’t mention the end, but it was one of those books that have an arty finish that may satisfy the author, but leaves all us poor readers wondering what the hell happened to everyone. For all I know they all died a second after the book finished as they were still in the middle of the drama.

Overall this was an original thriller mixing modern day with historical plot threads that kept you reading and there was just a dash of the supernatural to add a twist. Just don’t expect a satisfying ending.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Posted by Keris on January 8, 2008 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 21, 2007 9:09 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Size Doesn't Matter by Meg Cabot

After reading on Meg Cabot's blog that her third Heather Wells mystery, Size Doesn't Matter (or Big Boned if you hail from the States!) was finally out in the UK, I could hardly contain my excitement.

Former pop star Heather Wells has returned - well, kind of. She still works as a residence hall officer in Fischer Hall (nicknamed 'Death Dorm' for its recent spate of grisly murders), dealing with fussy students and her mismatched bunch of colleagues.

But if there's one thing Heather's totally sure of, it's that she loves her job...even if she IS unsure about her relationship with her math professor Tad, her feelings for landlord Cooper, and of course, her latest diet.

Yep, her job is great...even if her boss has just been shot in the head in his office.

Cue another mystery for past teen queen Heather to try and solve. As the media gets involved due to a union strike in the renowned residence hall, Heather quickly gets on the case to try and figure out just who might be behind this one.

Add to that Tad's recent announcement of "I need to ask you something when the timing's right", her ex-boyfriend Jordan Cartwright's (remember the former boyband member?) latest announcement, and a new job proposal from her dad, and Heather's life just might be getting a little bit busy...

Will Heather Wells, former singing sensation and new girl detective, be able to find out just who shot her boss?

And will we get to see Heather walk down the aisle? (Altogether now: "Eeeee!")

This is the third novel in the Heather Wells series, following Size 12 is Not Fat and Size 14 is Not Fat Either. Personally, I think this might just be the best in the series, albeit a seemingly quicker read than the others. But truly? They're all brilliant. Heather, despite being a former pop princess, is a down-to-earth, funny character who's instantly lovable and easy to relate to. I'd advise you to read the other two books in the series first, although it's pretty easy to follow up and Meg's witty writing style is as fabulous as always.

But I have to say, there is one heck of a downside to this book.

It's so addictive, I read it in a day.

Thankfully, all is not lost - Queen of Babble in the Big City, another follow-up offering from the wonderful Meg, will be out in paperback in March.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Ex Factor by Andrea Semple

Posted by Danielle Symonds-Yemm on December 21, 2007 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Series | Permalink | Comments (5)

December 19, 2007 9:36 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Amorous Woman by Donna George Storey

I admit I approached Donna Storey's Amorous Woman with trepidation. For one, there's a woman in her underwear on the cover. And then the back cover describes the book as "the erotic secrets of one woman's sexual awakening and her subsequent passions in Japan". Um. Not one to read on the commute then (luckily I work at home).

The book begins with Lydia - the Amorous Woman herself - living in San Francisco and teaching Japanese culture to American businessmen. Following her return to America from Japan, Lydia vowed never to have sex again "with anyone, man or woman" for the rest of her life. Only a few pages in, I got the impression that would be a promise she'd find difficult to keep.

When she goes out for a drink with two of her students, not only does she find herself attracted to them (inevitably), she also learns that she hasn't been able to hide her true self as well as she thought. They have guessed she has secrets and ask her to tell them. So she does. And the reader learns it all at the same time, of course.

If you ignore the fact that, rather than a couple of hours, it would have taken Lydia days to relate her story, the book is compelling and beautifully written. Despite the fact that Lydia behaves fairly appallingly throughout, she is so open and honest about her wants, needs and weaknesses that I couldn't help but like her.

There isn't much of a plot - basically Lydia goes to Japan and has varied sex with varied people - but there is an emotional core to the book, so it doesn't seem gratuitous. But it is erotic fiction, so it is fairly relentless. It's interesting to read about a woman exploring all aspects of her sexuality (almost) without apology.

The Japanese setting is interesting too - I really felt like I'd got an insight into the country's culture - but I've no idea why there's a Japanese woman on the cover. Lydia is American and there are hardly any Japanese women in the novel (plenty of Japanese men though).

Since it's an erotic novel, you probably want to know whether it is indeed "erotic" (that word's never been the same to me since Waynetta Slob). It is. (Ha! Coy enough for you?)

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try White Tigress by Jade Lee

Posted by Keris on December 19, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

December 14, 2007 10:34 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Hopscotch & Handbags by Lucy Mangan

I love Lucy Mangan's columns for The Guardian newspaper, so I was keen to read her first book, Hopscotch & Handbags: The Essential Guide to Being a Girl and it was just as good as I expected.

In her typical hilariously dry style, Mangan looks at all aspects of what it means to be female. From early days at preschool, via senior school's obsessive collecting of stickers, keyrings and erasers (called "rubbers" when we were at school, but not any more), to living with a man (and explaining to him - at exhaustive length - why sausages are not actually a health food), motherhood and more.

Like sex, hair and beauty, exercise and health, friendship, working, and dealing with your mother.

Sometimes (and you'll probably already be aware of this if you've read her columns) Mangan has a tendency to be excessively verbose (she says with excessive, er, verbosity) and occasionally I found myself scanning a little to get to the point, but when I finished the book I still longed for more. Plus at least twice I literally laughed until I cried (once was in public and it was rather embarrassing).

Hopscotch & Handbags is one of those books you'll read out over the phone to your friends. Buy it for every woman you know (although, on second thoughts, maybe not your mum...).

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try How to Bring Up Your Parents by Emma Kennedy or My Fat, Mad Teenage Diary by Rae Earl

Posted by Keris on December 14, 2007 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

December 6, 2007 12:13 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Under the Rose by Diana Peterfreund

Keris loved the first book in this series, Secret Society Girl, so I was excited to read Under the Rose. It's the second book and follows on from Amy Haskell's initiation into the prestigious Rose & Grave society at Eli University.

I like to read books in order, where possible (doesn't everyone?), but I needn't have worried. Peterfreund weaves in the back-story from the first book seamlessly and I never felt lost.

Amy's club is the first in the society's long history to include women and some of the patriarchs aren't too happy about it. The book opens with mysterious threatening emails to each of the female members (the Diggirls) and continues on a rollercoaster ride of intrigue and suspicion.

I loved dipping into a world of Ivy League life and secret society rituals; this book really made a change from my usual reading. I felt exhilarated by Amy's schedule of papers, meetings and romantic liaisons with the delicious George 'Puck' Harrison. In truth, I was compelled to snatch moments with this book until I had devoured the entire thing.

The third book in the series, The Rites of Spring (Break), is scheduled for next summer and I will definitely reach for another slice of this smart, exciting, and very witty world.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try: Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Posted by Sarah Painter on December 6, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 28, 2007 11:07 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Coffee At Luke's: An Unauthorized Gilmore Girls Gabfest, edited by Jennifer Crusie

I have mixed feelings about this book since I wanted to have an essay in it and they turned me down - Me! Don't they know who I am? Ahem - but, at the same time, American TV show Gilmore Girls is one of my total obsessions. In fact, I'm watching it in the corner of my screen as I'm writing this ("The Festival of Living Art" from season 4, in case you're interested).

Plus the book is edited by Jennifer Crusie and we do love Ms Crusie here at Trashionista. Like other SmartPop books including This Is Chick Lit, Flirting With Pride & Prejudice and Perfectly Plum (which I do feature in - yay me!), Coffee At Luke's is a collection of essays about Gilmore Girls by a wide range of writers and pop culture experts.

Subjects range from personal relationships (including looks at fabulous secondary characters Kirk and Paris), to parenting (with a spirited defence of Emily Gilmore), to the wonder of Stars Hollow and Gilmore fixations food, books and sex. The last section is on Gilmore Girls and the real world and that, for me, was the least successful. I don't know if I'd just had enough GG at that point (doubtful) or whether I'm just not interested in how the show relates to the real world since I'd rather pretend it's all true.

My favourite essays were Television Without Pity writer Sara Morrison's analysis of how Stars Hollow businesses would fare in the real world. It doesn't sound particularly thrilling, but it's both interesting and really good fun. I was also totally blown away by Gregory Stevenson's Dining With the Gilmores, a jaw-dropping exploration of food as metaphor in the show. I never noticed it before reading this essay, but it makes perfect sense and served to underscore the complete brilliance of Amy Sherman-Palladino's writing.

Clearly only for fans of the show - despite the glossary (Coffee At Luke-isms) at the back, if you hadn't seen Gilmore Girls you would be flummoxed by most of these essays - Coffee At Luke's is interesting, entertaining and made me both want to watch certain episodes again and made me lament the show's cancellation.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Serenity Found edited by Jane Espenson

Posted by Keris on November 28, 2007 in American Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Television | Permalink | Comments (6)

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 12, 2007 9:22 AM

BOOK REVIEW: A Bad Bride's Tale by Polly Williams

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

A Bad Bride’s Tale is Polly Williams’ second book after the successful The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy.  Rather confusingly A Bad Bride’s Tale was also known as The Egg Race in hardback. The Egg Race is not a brilliant title but I think A Bad Bride’s Tale as a title is misleading. Yes she’s a bride, but bad? Hmm.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 2/5

Like this? Try Baby Proof by Emily Giffin

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

November 8, 2007 10:18 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Motherhood Walk of Fame by Shari Low

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Rainy Days & Tuesdays by Claire Allan

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

November 5, 2007 10:18 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: Imagine This by Sade Adeniran

Reviewed by Belinda Whitehead

Imagine This is a beautifully written coming of age tale about Lola Ogunwole, a young girl whose father relocates her and her elder brother Adebola to their native Nigeria from England without so much as an explanation for his actions. Sent to live in a remote village with her aunt, and surrounded by a whole host of relatives she has never met before, Lola struggles to settle into her new life in Idogun.

Adebola, meanwhile, is himself suffering at the hands of his cruel uncle Joseph, and through their correspondence the two children dream of running away together to a better life.

Unable to come to terms with her abandonment, Lola starts acting up in school as a ploy to force her father to come and get her, but succeeds only in getting herself into more trouble with her relatives and provoking her father’s anger. When things eventually come to a head, Lola finds that even when it seems life can’t get any worse, it does.

 

This book does more than just tell a story, it takes the reader on a journey of discovery, provoking empathy towards Lola as she endures the many hurdles life throws her way, coming to terms with life, love and, the hardest thing of all, loss.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

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

October 29, 2007 4:08 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: The 4-Day Win by Martha Beck

Martha Beck is one of my heroes. I devour her books. I re-read them frequently. I keep them on a shelf above my desk for inspiration. I love her. So imagine my excitement when I read that her latest book would be a (sort of) diet book. Since I've been trying and failing to lose weight for approximately two thirds of my life, I couldn't read it quick enough.

The 4-Day Win is subtitled "change the way you think about food and your body in just 4 days" which is actually a little disingenuous. The plan features a series of 4 day wins - 4 days being the optimal time it takes to change your behaviour and implement new habits that stick. There is a jump start programme on which, Beck assures, you will start to lose weight almost immediately. But this book doesn't feature eating plans and exercise suggestions, it's more about learning to change the way you think about food.

Yes, I know there have been a bunch of non-diet diet books lately and yet the world's population is still getting fatter, but Beck explains clearly and concisely why this is the case. Why even though losing weight may seem to be the most important thing in your life, you still can't do it.

Based on sociological and psychological research, It all makes perfect sense, it's readable, fascinating and, because it's Martha Beck, hugely entertaining. Has a diet book ever made you laugh out loud before? No, me neither. (My favourite line: "Tracy and I agreed that she would try a two-pronged approach to changing her body and mind. So we got her a fork with only two prongs...")

No, I haven't actually lost any weight, but that's because I haven't started doing any 4 day wins yet (I'm still in what Beck calls the "pre-contemplation" stage - in other words, I just read the book, I didn't actually do any of the - theoretical, not physical - exercises).

In Beck's book The Joy Diet, she said she'd never write an actual diet book. And yet now she has. And I for one am thrilled about it.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Beyond Chocolate by Audrey & Sophie Boss

Posted by Keris on October 29, 2007 in American Authors, More On Monday, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Self development | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 26, 2007 3:02 PM

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try The Yes Man by Danny Wallace

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

October 23, 2007 12:42 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Glamour by Louise Bagshawe

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Adored by Tilly Bagshawe

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

October 15, 2007 12:27 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Pies and Prejudice by Stuart Maconie

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 5/5

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

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

October 12, 2007 10:38 AM

BOOK REVIEW: All I Want is You by Martina Reilly

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

As a Martina Reilly newbie I didn't know what to expect of All I Want is You. On first impressions the book didn't really show much promise. I thought both the title and the cover were a bit 'blah'. I t wasn't with great enthusiasm that I started to read.

Poppy Shannon is married to a successful architect in Dublin. She spends her days having facials, expensive haircuts, getting her nails done and shopping for designer clothes. Hmm.  Was I going to enjoy this? I wasn't sure. As I read though I started to enjoy Reilly's fabulously snappy writing style. So I continued.

Poppy's life is turned upside down when her husband's business partner runs off leaving them with massive debts. They have to sell their palatial home and downsize. She has to stop shopping and her hair is to be cut in the local, cheaper salon. In the meantime her son's behaviour causes concern at his new school, her businessman father retires leaving him bored, her mother in law has to come and live with them and her own mother is busy with her charities. Pete, Poppy's husband, withdraws from her, his pride not allowing him to accept financial and emotional help. And he struggles to admit his son's behaviour might be a problem.

Worst still, Poppy has to take a job. In the 'everything's a Euro' shop.

I found Poppy difficult to like initially. Her shallowness, naivety (which almost bordered on stupidity) and her reluctance to stop spending made her somewhat irritating.

But as Poppy started to sort her life out, she blossomed into a strong, independent woman. I found myself rooting for her, admiring the way she dealt with problems and with people.

Yup. I was hooked.

The rich woman losing her money and turning her life around has been done before. You might guess how things will turn out after reading just chapter one. But it doesn't matter. How she gets there is what makes this book so readable and unputdownable.

In an interview with Trashionista earlier this year Martina said that her main aim when writing a book was "to create great memorable characters, emotional, funny, interesting scenes and a cracking page-turner of a plot". She has done this. Exactly. Along with brilliant dialogue, fascinating contemporary issues, and characters that you really care about.

The scenes between Poppy and her mother in law are particularly memorable. The dialogue is quick witted, straight talking, funny and in one particular scene extremely emotional.

It is lovely when you find a fantastic read most unexpectedly. Hidden behind the 'blah' book cover is one gem of a book. Martina – you have a new fan.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Motherland by Maria Beaumont

Posted by Keris on October 12, 2007 in Irish Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 11, 2007 1:06 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Still Summer by Jacquelyn Mitchard

I've been aware of Jacquelyn Mitchard for years - surely everyone's heard of The Deep End of the Ocean, yes? - but I hadn't actually read any of her books until her latest, Still Summer. I'll definitely be reading more.

Still Summer is the story of four women - Tracy, Olivia and Holly, who have been best friends since high school, and Tracy's daughter Cammie - who arrange to take a yachting trip together, following the death of Olivia's rich Italian husband.

At first, of course, it's idyllic - at least the sailing is, Olivia is actually a bit of a pain and the women aren't sure their friendship will last, but then, following a series of more than unfortunate events, the women end up alone on the yacht (I hope it's a yacht; I don't know anything about sailing) and in fear of their lives.

I've read that Mitchard wanted to write a book in which the women have to save themselves (rather than waiting for someone else to save them), and she's certainly done that. It's an exciting and tense read and I didn't want to put it down.

What was less successful, for me, was the character of Olivia (too evil - although I did want to reach into the book and wring her scrawny neck) and some of the dialogue, which was pretty stilted. Having said that, I find it staggering to believe that Tracy, Holly and Cammie don't actually exist. They were utterly real to me as I was reading and remain so even a couple of weeks after finishing the book.

If you haven't read any Jacquelyn Mitchard, you don't know what you've been missing.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult

Posted by Keris on October 11, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

October 5, 2007 11:38 AM

BOOK REVIEW: A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans

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

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

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

Of course it's not that easy...

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

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

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Little Lady Agency by Hester Brown

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

October 4, 2007 12:00 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Honor and Evie by Susannah Bates

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

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

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

So far, so clichéd.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 2/5

Like this? Try Saffron Skies by Lesley Lokko

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

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 24, 2007 9:45 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Neat Vodka by Anna Blundy

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

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

September 20, 2007 1:28 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Sammy's House by Kristen Gore

Reviewed by Jessica Denmark of Jessica, Etcetera

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try The Washingtonienne by Jessica Cutler

Posted by Keris on September 20, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Series | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 7, 2007 11:36 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Beauty*licious by Lisa Clark

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

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

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

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

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Think Pink by Lisa Clark

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

September 6, 2007 5:06 PM

GIVEAWAY: I Married A Pirate

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

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

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

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

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

September 5, 2007 11:17 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)

September 3, 2007 11:27 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Self-preservation Society by Kate Harrison

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5

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

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

August 31, 2007 10:40 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Life on the Refrigerator Door by Alice Kuipers

In the tradition of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Harry Potter and His Dark Materials, Alice Kuipers' debut has been released in both teen and adult editions.

It's the story of Claire and her mum who are both so busy they barely get to spend any time together and instead the majority of their communication is done via notes on the fridge door.

When Claire's mum is diagnosed with breast cancer, we learn their reactions to it via the notes. Of course, both Claire and her mother are shocked and devastated, but they also struggle to cope - not only with the diagnosis, but with each other.

Because many of the notes are short, I read Life on the Refrigerator Door in less than an hour. I found that because I'd spent so little time with these people and knew so little about them (it's hard to convey much backstory in notes on the fridge door), it wasn't as involving and moving as it could have been.

I'm actually a bit annoyed that this book has been treated as a "serious" book about "serious" issues (and Kuipers' introduction doesn't help) when I've read much more moving portrayals of both cancer and mother/daughter relationships in so-called "fluffy" chick lit books.

The above probably sounds more negative than I mean it to be. I did enjoy this book (as much as you can enjoy a book in which one of the main characters has breast cancer), but I would have liked to get to know Claire and her mum a lot better and without gimmicks.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Cancer Vixen by Marisa Acochella Marchetto

Posted by Keris on August 31, 2007 in Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

August 24, 2007 12:07 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Behind Every Great Woman There's a Fabulous Gay Man by Dave Singleton

Is it just me? Does everyone in the world have a fabulous GBF (Gay Best Friend) except me... And if so, where can I get one?

Dave Singleton argues that every woman needs a GBF - that's why his book is called Behind Every Great Woman There's a Fabulous Gay Man. But luckily for those of us who don't have our very own Stanford Blatch, Dave is happy to advise us on how to "avoid the pitfalls of the dating game, live stylishly and be even more fabulous than you already are." Which is nice.

The book is essentially a love and style guide for women from a gay man's perspective, divided into two parts: Dating, Men and Relationships and Style, Straight Talk and Self-Esteem.

Dave begins by talking about the importance of a male gay best friend for every straight woman, and about how wonderful his female friends are. Which is lovely for them, but doesn't help those of us without a GBF, now does it?!

There are some really interesting ideas in the first part of the book, such as looking at the part you play in your unsuccessful relationships - finding out where your love insecurities come from, and breaking self-destructive patterns. There are also useful and more light-hearted tips on checking if a man 'plays for your team' or not... The second part of the book is about appearance, plastic surgery and the like and is more superficial - although Singleton advises thinking about whether you're having a procedure done for your looks or your self-esteem, which is certainly good advice.

But a lot of the advice in the book seemed to be stretched a bit thin - I felt it was a bit repetitive and could probably have been squashed into a long feature article as I'm not sure there was enough here to build a book on. Some of the chapters in the second half of the book in particular just seemed there to make up the numbers, and didn't provide much useful insight - why it's okay to wear a short skirt to work, for instance. (Do we need to be told? And I'm still not gonna...) Plus, I couldn't help feeling that perhaps the idea for the book was a bit outdated - I mean, SATC is over and GBFs aren't exactly news. This book was only published in the UK this year, but in the US in 2005, which explains a lot.

It's witty, if not particularly original, and does contain some useful ideas, but may be one to skim rather than use as your style and dating 'bible'.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Jane Austen's Guide to Dating by Lauren Henderson.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance, Self development | Permalink | Comments (3)

August 22, 2007 12:21 PM

BOOK REVIEW: There's a (Slight) Chance I Might be Going to Hell by Laurie Notaro

Ever since Keris highlighted news of Laurie Notaro's debut novel, I'd been longing to read it. So much so, I even paid to get my hands on a copy (yes!)

Subtitled: 'a novel of sewer pipes, pageant queen, and big trouble' and of course, called There's a (Slight) Chance I Might be Going to Hell, it sounded nothing if not intriguing (also: I love the cover!)

The book tells the story of Maye, who moves from a scummy-sounding suburb of Arizona to the leafy, gorgeous small town of Spaulding, Washington State. At first, things seem idyllic: Maye and her husband Charlie have found the perfect house, Charlie has a fantastic job, and the area couldn't be prettier. But Maye has a little trouble fitting in: she embarrasses herself hugely at one of her husband's work functions, joins a book club that turns out to be a coven, and has no luck meeting nice, normal people to be friends with.

Then she hears about the annual Sewer Pipe Pageant, a talent show that anyone in Spaulding can enter. Winning the crown at the pageant is a ticket to respect and popularity and so Maye decides she must sign up. She's going to need a little tutoring though: and that's where she decides to track down a legendary former Pipe Queen who was driven out of town decades before - Maye must solve the mystery of why, find the pipe queen and prepare to win the pageant. That's not too much to ask, is it?

Luckily her freelance writing career has hit the skids, so Maye has plenty of time!

I've always enjoyed Laurie Notaro's essay collections, but on the basis of this book, I think she's even better at fiction. There's a (Slight) Chance... is intelligent, witty, fun, hopeful and a bit poignant, too.  There's a credible mystery woven in to a story about trying to fit in, and it all works really well. I loved reading this and didn't want it to end.

And as Notaro herself moved from Arizona to a small town in Washington with her husband, I can't help wondering if any of the incidents in the book really happened...

But what I really want to find out is when is Notaro's next novel coming out, and can I sign up for my copy now?

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 22, 2007 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 21, 2007 10:26 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Despite finding Jodi Picoult's books a bit hit and miss, I was keen to read this book from the minute I heard about it. The idea of the Queen of morally difficult issues taking on the subject of school shootings ... how could you not want to read it?

From his very first day at school Peter Houghton is bullied. He's pushed, hit, shoved into his locker, verbally abused and horribly humiliated. And when it all becomes too much he takes four guns into school and starts shooting. It's hard to say anything else about the plot, because the way Picoult writes is so involved and intricate, that I'm not sure what happened when, at one point important information was learned, and I don't want to give anything away.

Along with a subplot about domestic abuse, Picoult asks difficult questions without giving any easy answers. I was a bit concerned that I found myself sympathising too much with Houghton (even, at one point, feeling that the bullies got what they deserved), but that's the great thing about Picoult's books (I'm primarily thinking of My Sister's Keeper), she makes you feel the uncomfortable feelings and leaves you questioning your own morals.

This is an involving and thought-provoking novel. I couldn't put it down.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Posted by Keris on August 21, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (8)

August 20, 2007 8:56 PM

When characters come alive...

This morning I was at the train station (I went to Nottingham for two hours - I'm such a jet-setter) when I saw a girl who made me stop in my tracks: with her short platinum hair, battered leather jacket, long legs and punkish look, she looked exactly how I imagine the heroine of the book I'm reading to look.

Spooky, or what?

Carry on over the cut to find out what I'm reading...

The book is Paint it Black, Janet Fitch's long-awaited follow-up to her excellent debut White Oleander (which I heard about back when Oprah's book club highlighted new fiction - aka: the good old days). The main character is Josie Tyrell, twenty year old artists' model and casual drug user, whose painter boyfriend has just killed herself, leaving her reeling.

I'll be reviewing the book next week - so find out what I thought of it then, but in the meantime, have you ever seen characters from a book you're reading 'appear' in real life, and been completely spooked? (I do hope I'm not the only one!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 20, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Opinion, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (7)

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 4:57 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Well, we didn't get a huge number of answers to last week's Yay or Nay, but you made up for it in quality - we have some very intelligent readers out there! (Maybe flattery will induce you to be more chatty this week? *Looks pleadingly*)

Today I want to ask you what you thought of another book, by another doyenne of chick lit, Mz Marian Keyes. It's her latest, Anybody Out There? Which you've all had plenty of time to read as it's been out in hardback since last year and paperback for... ooh, a good few months!

Did you like it? (Will anyone dare say no?) - Why/why not? And if you haven't read it, do you want to? (Will anyone dare say no?)

Is it a Yay or a Nay - and WHY?

Yay or Nay archives.

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 15, 2007 in Book related, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (8)

BOOK REVIEW: Wish You Were Here by Phillipa Ashley

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot

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

August 14, 2007 5:10 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Men! by Isabel Losada

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Dating Amy by Amy DeZellar.

Read this review in full at The F Word.

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

August 13, 2007 6:52 PM

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Dear Holly

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

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

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

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

And in blook news...

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

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

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

More news/linkage over the cut...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 3/5

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

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

August 8, 2007 1:56 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Yours, Faithfully by Sheila O'Flanagan

Reviewed by Helen Redfern...

Bigamy. Not the usual subject of a warm, feel good chick lit novel but Sheila O’Flanagan has produced an engaging read with Yours, Faithfully, exploring the bizarre relationship between two women married to the same man. The book also covers mother-daughter relationships and creating relationships with someone you wouldn’t have thought possible.

We are pulled into the lives of Iona and Sally both of whom are married to Frank. Sally has been married to him since they were very young and they have a teenage daughter, Jenna. Iona met and married Frank after a whirlwind romance four years ago. They are now trying for a baby. Neither wife knows about the other until Frank is involved in an accident.

When they learn of each other’s existence and meet in the hospital sparks fly, but then after a period of hatred towards what each calls ‘the other woman’ we see how their relationship develops and grows. As if having a husband in a coma and finding he is a bigamist isn’t enough Sally also has a major life change to deal with, much to Iona’s envy and Jenna, Sally’s teenage daughter’s, disapproval.

It is an unusual subject matter, and I had to slightly suspend my belief in order to read, but as Sally, Iona and Jenna journey through the maze of Frank’s coma and marriages, the reader is allowed a glimpse into his past, which actually makes Frank’s situation more credible. Siobhán, the policewoman investigating the case, brings an alternate perspective to the situation but also has her own problems to contend with.

As the story moves on O’Flanagan ensures you don’t wish to see one wife succeed over another, rather we see, quite refreshingly in fact, two women who in extreme circumstances and with every reason to dislike one another, develop a friendship.
A handful of strong Irish characters combined with a well paced plot make this book as satisfying as a rich, smooth, velvety ice-cream – an ideal poolside read.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Husbands by Adele Parks

Posted by Keris on August 8, 2007 in American Authors, Irish Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

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

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

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

Is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

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

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Myth of You & Me by Leah Stewart

I hadn't heard of The Myth of You and Me by Leah Stewart before, but while I was browsing Amazon.com I noticed it got fantastic reviews. Also, the cover is purdy. (Reminded me of this). So when I spotted a cheap bargainous copy on sale, I had to take a look!

When the teenage Cameron moves to a new town and meets Sonia, Sonia literally saves her life, and the two quickly become the best of friends, with a close, unshakeable bond they assume will last forever. But then Sonia does something that Cameron can't forgive, and she abandons Sonia and their friendship, never to return.

But then... Cameron's boss, the reclusive elderly author Oliver Doucet, who she lives with and cares for, suddenly dies. With no more ties in the world, and a present that Oliver posthumously asks Cameron to give to Sonia, Cameron sets out on a reluctant road trip...

Flashbacks alternate with the present day storytelling as Cameron goes on a quest to find Sonia and what happened between them years ago (and why) is revealed. I was equally interested in the present day story and the past, and the two blended seamlessly together. I couldn't wait to find out what had happened between Cameron and Sonia, and what would happen next. I wasn't disappointed, although maybe I would have liked the ending to have been a bit more conclusive, but it was realistic, kind-of happy, and in one way, rather surprising.

Anyone who knows what it's like to have an all-consuming friendship, to lose a friend, to be jealous of a friend's boyfriend, to be in love with a friend's boyfriend or to ponder the nature of life (so that's pretty much everyone, then) will find something to relate to in this book. And if you're anything like me, you'll probably shed a tear or two, too.

It's a story of friendship, loss, grief, forgiveness and re-creating your past, and it's terrific.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Girls by Lori Lansens.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 8, 2007 in American Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (4)

Booker Prize longlist announced

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

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

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

Carry on over the cut for the full list.

The Booker Longlist:

Darkmans by Nicola Barker

Self Help by Edward Docx

The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng

The Gathering by Anne Enright

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies

Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones

Gifted by Nikita Lalwani

On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan

What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn

Consolation by Michael Redhill

Animal's People by Indra Sinha

Winnie & Wolf by A N Wilson

Prizewinners archive.

[Via BooktradeInfo]

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

August 7, 2007 11:54 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Diary of a South Beach Party Girl by Gwen Cooper

Diary of a South Beach Party Girl is a bit of an odd duck. It says "a novel" right there on the cover, but the similarities between the main character of Rachel Baum and the author, Gwen Cooper, are so extensive as to make you wonder. I appreciate that often is the case with a firsst novel, but Diary of a South Beach Party Girl seems much more autobiographical than most.

When Rachel moves in with her friend Amy in Miami's South Beach, she finds herself launched into a world more decadent than she ever imagined. With almost constant partying, cocaine use and with a thing for a local career criminal, Rachel's life seems out of control, but it's not, not really. In fact she loves her life, loves the South Beach scene and, following a huge falling out with the treacherous Amy, loves her new "family" of gay best friends. So what's the problem? Well - and this is really the problem with the book - there isn't one.

Diary of a South Beach Party Girl reads much more like memoir than fiction and, as you read on, you find that Rachel and Gwen have so much in common as to make the "a novel" on the cover pretty redundant. Then the acknowledgments include the sentence "Tony also provided an inexhaustible trove of names, dates and descriptions, and it was to him that I turned whenever my own memory was in doubt." But why'd'ya need "memory" to write "a novel"?

I did enjoy Diary of a South Beach Party Girl, I just think I would have enjoyed it more had I not felt misled. There are some great characters - not least the appropriate named John Hood - and the writing is engaging, but I like my novels to have a story, not just be thinly (very thinly) veiled memoir.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Tabloid Love by Bridget Harrison

Posted by Keris on August 7, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

August 6, 2007 8:30 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: By Jack Rosenthal by Jack Rosenthal

No, I haven't gone mad! By Jack Rosenthal is a book... By Jack Rosenthal. Are you still with me?

Legendary TV and film scriptwriter (and husband of Maureen Lipman) Jack Rosenthal had been asked many times to write his autobiography, but he  felt he wouldn't know where to start filling a book about himself. And then he hit upon the idea of writing the whole thing as a script, divided into the decades of his life: from his parents' marriage to the present day.

Unfortunately, due to cancer, Jack died before he could complete the last decade, so in a very literal Postscript Maureen finishes it for him.

At first, it's hard to get into the swing of reading a book in script form. I've never enjoyed reading plays, and I struggled a little at the start, trying to picture what was happening and follow the story. (I don't think a career as a playwright - or an actress! - will ever be my calling I'm afraid...)

But about a third of the way through the book I got used to the format and the abbreviations, and was able to focus on the story of Rosenthal's life from World War Two evacuee to university student, Coronation Street scriptwriter to colleague of Barbra Streisand, and finally loving husband and father. Rosenthal writes with honesty, warmth, compassion and good humour and comes across as completely charming. His life story is an ordinary one with occasional incredible starry moments, which never seem to affect his down-to-earth nature.

Although I'm sad that Jack never got to write about the last decade or so of his life, and that he died of such a horrible illness, I am glad that Maureen got to write the closing chapter as she gives a closer, more personal insight into the man the reader has got to know and her chapter is incredibly moving. It conveys just how much the couple loved each other, and is poignant without being maudlin. Like the rest of the book, it's fab.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try About Alice by Calvin Trillin.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 6, 2007 in Book related, Memoirs, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

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)

July 31, 2007 4:27 PM

EXCLUSIVE 'Be Mine' giveaway!

Be Mine by Laura Kasischke might be a good option for your summer hols if you like a touch of mystery and don't mind being a bit scared on your sun-lounger.

Keris called it "thrilling, thought-provoking, exciting and erotic" (oo-er!) and we have 2 copies to give away to 2 lucky Trashionista readers.

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

Simply email us your name and address (so we can send you the book if you win), putting "Laura" in the title. We'll pick 2 names at random after the giveaway closes on August 1st.

Posted by Aigua Media on July 31, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Competition, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK REVIEW: The Two Mrs Robinsons by Donna Hay

Reviewed by Bag Lady extraordinaire Nicola Pedley...

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5

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

[Reviewed by Nicola Pedley]

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

July 30, 2007 11:50 AM

Exclusive excerpts on the New York Times books site: Rules for Saying Goodbye and more

Keris has highlighted the difference between the UK and US covers of new book Rules for Saying Goodbye by Katherine Taylor before, and also talked about the fact that the author has taken offence to her book being described as chick lit. (Sigh).

Now you can see for yourself whether it seems like something you want to read (whether chick lit or not...) as The New York Times has an excerpt (the first chapter, in fact) on their website.

You can also read the first chapter of Sammy's House here and the opening of Lisa See's Peony In Love here. What a fantastic resource!

(If they ask you to sign in to read those, I'd do it - they never bug me with emails and offers).

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 9:05 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Queen of Broken Hearts by Cassandra King

Reviewed by Diane Johnston of Corrieblog...

Dr. Clare Ballenger is a divorce coach, helping women cope with the loss of a crumbled marraige, guiding them to start afresh and let go of the past. The only problem is, she's still recovering from a more tragic loss herself.

And she has a second chance at love with not just one man but two - but will she be able to let go of the past and move on? Can the doctor heal herself?

I've never read any of Cassandra King's work before so I opened Queen of Broken Hearts without any preconceptions. I was pleased to discover that the main character, Dr. Clare Ballenger, her best friend Dory Rogers, and both of Clare's potential lovers are my age (late 40s) or older. It's nice when you can identify with the people you meet in books. I, too, have been divorced so I can relate to that aspect of the story as well.

The book takes place in Alabama and is filled with colourful peripheral characters. The narrative is in the first person present most of the time, except when Clare takes the reader back to fill in some of the blanks that she constantly opens up. Some she fills in straight away and some take a while but be patient, they will get filled in eventually. I did find that a bit disconcerting, being left hanging at times wondering what she meant when she hinted at something that happened the previous summer or even years before.

There is a romance threading its bumpy way through the book, with all the ups and downs you might expect. The ups and downs do not include juicy sex scenes, so if you're looking for that, look the other way. In this case, the story doesn't really need it because it's not about that. It's about women rediscovering themselves as they approach middle age after their lives change completely and often traumatically. It's about women supporting each other and it's about friendship and love in all the best ways. I'm rating it a little less than perfect, though, because I did find the author's style of leaving you wondering about those blanks a bit annoying at times even though all the loose ends were tied up at the end.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try How Will I Know? By Sheila O’Flanagan.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 26, 2007 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 25, 2007 10:13 AM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: E Lockhart

We're huge fans of E Lockhart here at Trashionista - see reviews here, here and here! - so we're very excited that she's answered our questions.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

The Boy Book - Hyperverbal teenage girl. Rogue ex-boyfriends. Exploitation of hooters. Terrors of school trip. With penguins!

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

I have a tiny tiny office/closet with dark pink walls and built-in bookshelves. There are pictures pinned up  all over and stacks of papers everywhere. I have coffee and diet ginger ale and absolute silence. Although sometimes, for variety, I write in a coffee shop with my novelist friends Maureen Johnson, John Green and Scott Westerfeld.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Bridget Jones' Diary by Helen Fielding. And the sequel, Edge of Reason. Why? Because I laughed out loud. Repeatedly.  Especially at the bit about loaning out the wonderbra in prison. I love stylized prose and outrageous situations. I adore Louise Rennison's books for the same reasons.

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

Bridget Jones makes me laugh, but for a favorite character I prefer more inner steel. Jo March, from Little Women, is probably the character I think of most often in daily life. I think about her charity, her impulse for goodness, and the way it combined with her unconventionality and her love of hilarity and storytelling. She was figuring out how to be a woman, and a writer, and a good person -- all of which are things I still deal with every day.

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

Finish your book. The big difference between me and many  equally (or more) talented but unpublished writers is that I sit down every weekday and write. I finish a project, revise extensively, and begin the next one within a reasonable time frame.  It is the discipline and the finishing that make the difference, not the talent.

What are you reading at the moment?

I have approximately twenty books going at any one time, plus audiobooks. Mainly I read chick lit, literary fiction, food books, mysteries, travel writing, and humor.

Currently in my pile:  Water for Elephants (Sara Gruen), Twelve Sharp (Janet Evanovich), Home to Big Stone Gap (Adriana Trigiani) [hope she likes it better than we did], Size Twelve is Not Fat (Meg Cabot), Laughing Gas (P.G. Wodehouse), The Bookwoman's Last Fling (John Dunning), The Coffee Trader (David Liss).

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

In the UK, the novel coming out after THE BOY BOOK will be FLY ON THE WALL: HOW ONE GIRL SAW EVERYTHING. It's about a teenage girl at a New York City art school who's a collector of odd objects and a Spider-man fan. She's also very freaked by the opposite sex, and one day she wishes she could be a fly on the wall of the boys' locker room in her high school, just to see what guys talk about when girls are not around. And the next thing she knows, she is. A fly. On the wall of the boys' locker room. She sees it all -- and I mean, all. [We've read it. We loved it.]

But truthfully, that book came out in the states in 2006, so I haven't exactly been working on it. I've been finishing The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, which is a novel about a  boarding school girl who infiltrates and eventually dominates her boyfriend's all-male secret society. It was really  hard to write because I had to devise all these complicated pranks and secret society rituals, but in the end I'm quite pleased with it. It comes out in the USA in March 2008. I don't know about the UK yet!

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

Question:  Would you like me to take you to a stylist who will give you the perfect haircut? Because really, you shouldn't be cutting your hair yourself any more, my dear, and I know you keep having bad stylist experiences.
Answer:  Yes please!

Thanks, E!

Posted by Keris on July 25, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Recent Release, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 24, 2007 1:47 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Second Chance by Jane Green

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try 21 Dream Street by Lisa Jewell

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

More summer beach read giveaways from Bookreporter.com

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

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

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

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

July 23, 2007 11:12 AM

BOOK REVIEW: An Absolute Scandal by Penny Vincenzi

Reviewed by freelance writer and Trashionista fan Hannah Davies...

Coming in at 768 pages in the hardback edition, and set amidst the complex financial dealings of the City in the Eighties, Penny Vincenzi's latest novel An Absolute Scandal seems a daunting prospect. Potential readers should bear in mind, however, that this is less than half the size of War and Peace. More importantly, An Absolute Scandal is a very good read overall.

All the classic Vincenzi ingredients are here: a glittering backdrop of wealth and privilege, a large and diverse cast, some energetic sex and, well, plenty of scandal. An Absolute Scandal introduces the characters as they enjoy the kind of material success that, for some, typifies the early Eighties. As disaster strikes in the form of increasing debt to Lloyds Bank, the families are drawn together by their mutual monetary woes. This device is extremely well-handled: the explanations of the financial complexities are clear and accessible, and never take precedence over the gripping human drama. The plot skips lightly from Alice bands and Ferraris in London to well-heeled Americans in Boston, the savage beauty of the Welsh coastline and the glitzy world of the celebrity hairdresser, yet never loses its hold on the reader.

The main weakness is the sudden promotion of 'feisty' housewife Debbie to prominence during the second third of the novel. Although she is clearly intended to be an 'everywoman' counterbalance to the assorted wealthy Sloanes, her character fails to convince, and her struggle to balance the duties of family with the demands of career flirts at times with tedium.

In addition, after a long and intense build-up, the ending feels rushed and somehow not entirely satisfying. Nevertheless, with its addictive plot and stylish narrative, I'd recommend this as a great holiday read. Even if you feel that it is not quite up to the standard of Penny Vincenzi's previous books, you can always use this hefty tome for impromptu arm-toning exercises by the pool. However, be prepared to take less sarongs and sandals than usual, or you might end up paying excess baggage charges!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Adored by Tilly Bagshawe.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 23, 2007 in American Authors, Bonkbusters, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

July 20, 2007 2:44 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Nine Summers by Rina Huber

I've never sailed. I've never actually had much interest in sailing. But I am interested in travelling around the Mediterranean, so I expected Nine Summers to be a vicarious travel treat. I wasn't disappointed, but it's more than that too.

When Felix Huber is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, he and his wife Rina decide to retire and spend however many years they have left sailing around the Mediterranean. Starting in France, they spend the next nine summers sailing their yacht Galatea from Italy to Greece to Turkey, even Israel. 

On the way, they have numerous, significant problems - Felix suffers a stroke practically before they've set off, Rina contracts breast cancer and also has to have a potentially paralysing back operation, and then Felix has a heart attack - but their positive attitude, lovely natures and deep love for each other carry them through everything.

I loved Nine Summers. It's not just a travel memoir, but a memoir of a relationship. The sections about Rina' childhood in Israel and Italy following her mother's death are moving, but it's Rina and Felix's relationship that really shines through. Married for 50 years, they were still best friends who were happy - in fact more than happy - to spend 24 hours a day together in a very enclosed space.

By the end of the book I'd fallen in love with both of them. It didn't make me want to sail, but it did make me want to go and hug my husband.

A really lovely book.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Summer At Tiffany by Marjorie Hart

Posted by Keris on July 20, 2007 in Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Anatomy of a Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Good Girls by Laura Ruby.

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

July 19, 2007 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 16, 2007 3:42 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel

I was a bit wary about reading Mating in Captivity. For a start, it's called Mating in Captivity. And its subtitle is Sex, Lies and Domestic Bliss (that's in the UK; the US subtitle was Reconciling the Erotic and the Domestic). But it's actually a surprisingly readable and insightful look at sex in long-term relationships.

The author, Esther Perel's contention is that we need to look at sex in long-term relationships in a different way. She suggests that everything we've come to prize in relationships - equality, tenderness, honesty - is at odds with what we look for in sex (i.e. passion, eroticism and, you know, muckiness).

The quote on the back from the Sunday Times says, "Enormous fun," which I thought was a bit odd for a book on this subject, but it is very enjoyable and an easy read. Using case studies and anecdotal evidence, Perel looks at a number of different relationships and scenarios and her arguments are entirely convincing.

Whether out of nosiness or just because they were the more entertaining bits, I enjoyed the case studies more than Perel's analysis, but the entire book is entertaining and informative.

Much like John Gray's Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, Mating in Captivity could change the way couples look at each other and relationships. Recommended.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Women Who Think Too Much by Dr Susan Nolen Hoeksema

Posted by Keris on July 16, 2007 in American Authors, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Self development | 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 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 10, 2007 12:03 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Home to Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani

We've reviewed two Adriana Trigiani books at Trashionista. Lucia, Lucia, I absolutely loved. Queen of the Big Time, Diane didn't enjoy at all. I adored Trigiani's Big Stone Gap trilogy so could hardly wait to read Home to Big Stone Gap, but, sadly, I was terribly disappointed.

Ave Maria and Jack's daughter Etta has married young and settled in Italy. Jack's health is poor and Ave Maria thinks she's seen their son, who died aged 4, walking in the woods behind their house. Plus Ave Maria learns a secret about her best friend Iva Lou that causes a rift between them.

As I started reading Home to Big Stone Gap, I found it quite comforting to return to these much-loved characters, but as I read on... well, I was bored. I recently read and loved Michael Tolliver Lives - a sort of continuation of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City series after a break of 20 years - so why didn't I enjoy Home to Big Stone Gap? Perhaps there hasn't been enough of a gap (ha!) since the end of the trilogy for me to be happy just to spend time with the characters. I wanted a story and I didn't really get one.

There were a number of plot lines, but none of them were fleshed out (and they were slight to begin with). We don't really get to the bottom of Ave Maria's disapproval of Etta's marriage. When Ave Maria thinks Jack is dying she finds a list he's written of things he still  has to deal with - there is what appears to be a bombshell on this list and obviously I can't say what it is without spoiling things, but I found it a total cop-out. And manipulative, to boot.

The thing that really surprised me was the bad writing. Not all the way through, but there were a few sentences that involved one of my writing pet hates: exposition as dialogue:

"He wasn't four years old, like when he died, but older. Like twenty." I'd assume Ave's husband knows how old their son was when he died.

"... I'm named for my grandmother, who was a seamstress  - and Grandma Mac was also a good one ..." says Etta to her mother, who, I'd guess, already knows who she was named for!

"... I was trained by the master. Shorty Johnson spent the better part of her life in the kitchen. What with her sons, Roy and Shep, hungry around the clock, she mastered the great Southern dishes, that's for sure." Who talks like that?!

But that's not all. The last few chapters are deathly dull and riddled with factual errors (I could go into more detail, but, again, I don't want to give anything away - although, if you're desperate to know, one of the reviews on Amazon'll help). And there's another massive error in the middle of the book that I can't believe got past the amount of people who've read this book before it got to print!

Honestly, I can't tell you how disappointed I was with this book. When Diane gave Queen of the Big Time 1/5 I was shocked. Diane said, "I think the reason I felt so strongly is I know she can do so much better...I flirted with a 2, but she made me mad!" Home to Big Stone Gap made me mad too. Since I couldn't even finish another of Trigiani's books, Rococo, I'm wondering if she no longer cares enough to do better.

Rating: 1/5

Like this? Well if you like this, you might like Queen of the Big Time! But read Lucia, Lucia, it's so much better.

Posted by Keris on July 10, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 1/5, Recent Release, Rubbish Books, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 9, 2007 10:30 AM

Megan Crane explains... The Concept of the "Frenemy"

Keris loved Megan Crane's new book, Frenemies... but what exactly is a "frenemy"?

The author explains...

The Concept of The Frenemy

I was suspended somewhere at 35,000 feet, on a flight from New York to Los Angeles, when I decided that I wanted to divorce all my friends. I didn't arrive at this decision lightly. The fact was, I loved my friends. I just kind of wanted to kill them all with my bare hands.

The feeling passed (perhaps it was brought on by the in-flight entertainment, or stale pretzels) but I revisited it many times as I set about writing my third book. The concept of the frenemy was something I had thought about quite a lot over the years. While I imagine men must have them too, I'm not so sure they have the kind of frenemy women do. My friends (yes, the ones I occasionally wanted to legally separate from, because I enjoy complicated relationships) and I had so much experience with various versions of this phenomenon that we gave our frenemies a name long before we heard the term "frenemy" on Sex & the City: that girl.

That girl was the one who, when you were young and didn't know any better, you admired ferociously with that specific female-only blend of anger and envy. Because really it wasn't about whether or not you liked her. You hated her. You wanted to be her. Usually all at the same time.

As you grew older, you realized that the very traits that made her that girl were the traits you identified in women you would never be close to the moment you met them. These women, simply, violated the Girl Code. Maybe they were overly-familiar with someone else's partner. Or they seemed unable to perform even the most basic steps of female intimacy rituals. A normal woman might say, "he's a complete loser" or "what are you talking about, you look hipless in those jeans." That girl was more likely to say things like, "he's not your type at all, he's all about the perfect girl, you know, who dresses well and is a size four" or "the thing about style is that not everyone looks good in the trendiest things."

(Just let them sink in. Ouch, right?)

Some other that girl 'tells': They hung out exclusively with men and were conversant on the latest sports statistics and couldn't believe other girls were so annoying about the sports thing. They failed to understand— or worse, refused to understand— about shoes. They maintained that PMS was a fairy tale and said things like it's all in your head or chocolate is such a myth, you should try a three-mile run. Meanwhile, when it suited them, they could become so helpless and afraid and trembling that they could scarcely make it up a flight of three stairs without the assistance of a big, strong, preferably handsome male.

Men, naturally, failed to see the atrocities committed by such women. "That girl is so cool," they would say. "She's just like one of the guys." Or, "I don't know why you can't be nicer to her, she's just lonely and insecure." Yeah, right. About as lonely and insecure as, say, Angelina Jolie.

I thought the very least I could do, as a sort of penance for secretly wishing to divorce my friends, was to write a book that uncovered the perfidy of that girl.

Which I did, only to make a startling realization. We were all that girl to the women who dislike us. And I suspect that many of us have been a frenemy, too. More often than any of us would like to admit.

Copyright (c) 2007 by Megan Crane. Reprinted by permission of Hachette Book Group USA, New York, NY. All rights reserved.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 9, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 14, 2007 5:38 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Big Fat Bitch Book For Girls by Kate Figes

This week, I read The Big Fat Bitch Book For Girls... or did I read The Big Fat Bitch Book for Grown-Up Girls? Yes, this is one of those confusing, split-in-half books that you turn upside down halfway through: one side is aimed at teenage girls, the other at women. And that's not the only confusing aspect of this book (but more on that later)...

The Big Fat Bitch Book... is an interesting and worthwhile idea: it's a look at the history of bitching in life and on the big and small screens as well as an exploration of the role of bitching in women's lives. Is it an important bonding experience - or a form of bullying that hurts far more than physical aggression? Kate Figes shows that bitching can be both.

Back to the confusion thing, though - the book is an odd mix of iconic bitchy quotes from stars like Bette Davis and Joan Crawford (those legendary feuders!) and films like Mean Girls and Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf... mixed in with devastating stories of the effect truly bitchy behaviour can have on girls' and women's self esteem. This would have been better as a study of bitchery which asked us all to be a bit nicer or as a book for teenage girls (or their mothers) about how to cope with bullying bitching. OR it could have been devoted to good-natured bitching without delving into the darker side. It's hard to read about a fifteen year-old who self harms because of the bitchy remarks of girls at school and then to laugh about Katharine Hepburn slagging off Shirley Temple, for example. It seems like Kate Figes's argument is enjoy bitching... but not too much. It's a confusing message. If your moral argument is we all need to think more about what we say, don't then glorify hurtful remarks, however iconic.

I also didn't like the two books in one deal - I think it meant some of the material was repeated and while it's a fun gimmick, again, it meant the book wasn't very (my watchword of the week!) cohesive.

While I may seem very criticial, I did for the most part enjoy this book, even as I found its messages more than mixed. (But I mean that in the kindest possible way...)

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Watching the English by Kate Fox

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 14, 2007 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Opinion, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 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)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant

We've had a mother-son interview before, but this is the first mother-daughter writing combo to talk exclusively to us at Trashionista! And I'm excited they did, as I loved their books - Steamed and Simmer Down - and can't wait for the next in the series (Turn up the Heat, out March '08). In the meantime, we have this great interview...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Jessica: Humorous and romantic culinary chick lit mystery set in the Boston restaurant scene. Recipes included!

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

Jessica: I write in my office surrounded sticky notes with book ideas scrawled across the yellows squares. I have visions of becoming totally organized and working in a neurotically neat space, but I suspect that will never happen. For reasons I don’t understand, there is no overhead light in my office, but I do have a grow light for my plants which casts a bizarre pink glow throughout the room, so that makes for an interesting atmosphere. (The neighbors must wonder if aliens have landed their ship in our house.)

Susan:  Outdoors, often on the back steps.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

J:  simply adore The Hazards of Sleeping Alone by Elise Juska. (By the way, this is one of those books where the cover doesn’t match the story.)

S:  Pride and Prejudice. Or maybe Emma. Yes, is Jane Austen the true mother of chick-lit?

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

J: Charlotte from Elise’s book is such an interesting and endearing character and her faults make her progress all the more meaningful. I love flawed characters; I mean, who wants to read about somebody completely perfect?

S: Elizabeth Bennet, who married the eternally irresistible Mr. Darcy.

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

J: Start writing! It sounds obvious enough, but I know many “writers” who have yet to put anything down on paper. Don’t hem and haw over everything you write because you can always go back later and edit, delete, or expand on whatever you’ve written. I hate writing the first few paragraphs of a book so I often just skip ahead and write the opening lines later, otherwise I might sit poised over the keyboard for days waiting for some brilliant line to come to me... Do not try to copy another author’s style or your writing will be disastrous. I love Elinor Lipman’s books [me too! - Diane], but never in a million years could I write the way she does - I can only imagine how hideous my attempts would be. Show your work to someone. Anyone. As terrifying as this is to new writers, you must have someone else read what you’ve written. Be open to feedback and constructive criticism because that is how you improve!

S: If writing does not come naturally to you, quit trying. Read instead!

What are you reading at the moment?

J: Pick Your Poison by Leann Sweeney.

S: Anne Tyler’s Digging to America.

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

J: I’ve been busy gathering materials for our website and am itching to get writing again. My mother and I are getting ready to sign a contract for two more books in the Gourmet Girl series so we will start plotting the fourth mystery very soon.

S: I was outlining my second cat lover’s mystery, but Holly Winter’s malamutes leapt in and shoved the cats aside, so I am writing my nineteenth dog lover’s mystery.

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

Jessica: Your husband is a chef so you must eat like a queen all the time, right? A: Yes, it’s foie gras and fancy chocolate cakes for dinner every night. Okay, not exactly, be we do eat well. My husband, Bill, works most nights so I’m often left to fend for myself. When he is home and cooking, his food is always spectacular.

Susan: What is a Harvard-Radicliffe summa doing writing dog mysteries, cat mysteries, and chick-lit? Answer: Having fun.

Thanks so much, Jessica and Susan!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Forty Camel Girl: Letters from Turkey by E. Grace Beyler

Shiny Shiny's deputy ed, the lovely Alex Roumbas, reviews a recent read she thinks Trashionista readers will enjoy: Forty Camel Girl is available to buy from the website (above), and Alex highly recommends that you do so - read on to find out why...

In 1969, at the age of twenty six, E. Grace Beyler found herself bound for Turkey with her fiance, Hakan, ready to live with his family while he completed mandatory army service. Not yet speaking a word of the language and full of the independence of her American upbringing, she faithfully wrote home to her parents in the United States chronicling her experiences. Beyler has now drawn on these letters to create a funny, moving diary of this pivotal period in her life in Forty Camel Girl: Letters from Turkey.

Beyler's letters describe not only a turning point in her own life, but that of the nation she adopts as her temporary home. Describing the westernisation of Turkey and the enduring legacy of Ataturk, Grace is also forced to examine international attitudes to US foreign policy which remain strikingly relevant nearly forty years later. Beyler's alternately moving and hilarious accounts of learning to love and communicate with her new extended family take place against the backdrop of the shifting place of Turkish women in society and news from home such as the imminent deployment of her brother, Bill, to Vietnam. Written with passion and humour, Forty Camel Girl: Letters from Turkey is a highly readable personal memoir definitely worth missing your tube stop for.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Dork Whore by Iris Bahr.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 12, 2007 7:36 PM

BOOK REVIEW: What The Dog Did by Emily Yoffe

Temporarily taking over Keris's mantle as animal-themed book reviewer (pigs, dogs, monkeys, birds, she reads about them all), I decided to read What The Dog Did. The book is Slate agony aunt/writer Emily Yoffe's memoir about her beagle Sasha, and how she turned Emily's family life upside down.

A "formerly reluctant dog owner", Yoffe had always been more of a 'cat person', but when her young daughter became desperate for a dog, and her husband wanted one too, she caved in. What she didn't expect was to become a lifelong convert to the canine cause - not only becoming Sasha's main carer, but a doggie foster carer too.

I really enjoyed this book although some of the pieces have formerly been published as essays in Slate and I think it didn't have a cohesive feel as a result. It's well-written, entertaining and very informative, though - and has given me a soft spot for beagles for life.

Although it's definitely made me realise that it's important to think once, twice, three hundred times before you take on the responsibility of a dog. If you get one like Sasha, your life will no longer be your own! Thank goodness, for Yoffe, it's worth it.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Marley and Me by John Grogan.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 12, 2007 in American Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

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)

June 8, 2007 1:58 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Art of Undressing by Stephanie Lehmann

After really enjoying You Could Do Better, I was looking forward to Stephanie Lehmann's new book, The Art of Undressing. Except it's not a new book at all! First released in the UK in March this year, The Art... was actually written in 2005. (Those sneaky publishers!) Anyway, the fact that this is a slightly older book might be why I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I hoped I would.

It's about Ginger, a 25-year-old trainee chef who has always felt overshadowed by her mum Coco, a former stripper who now teaches the art of seduction... with Ginger as her mortified assistant. Ginger has a lot on her plate (ha! no pun intended): her sulky teenage stepsister and cold father are still reeling from the death of Ginger's stepmother, who was more of a maternal figure to Ginger than Coco has ever been. Plus Ginger's boyfriend Ian treats her badly, but when she dumps him and tries to seduce Tom, the hottest man at chef school, she doesn't have much luck there either. Does she need to cast off her sneakers and chef's whites and learn to be sexy just like mommy?

That's what the novel can't seem to decide: whether Ginger should conform more to society's expectations of sexually available young women, or whether she should stay true to herself. Whether she's repressed and uptight, or just her own person, with different morals to her mother. At the end of the book, we're left with the tentative feeling that Ginger is starting to relax and be more true to herself without being all uptight about it, but I think the novel tries to please both those people who think stripping is just a bit of fun, and those who find it exploitative. In the end, it doesn't quite please either. And although Tom had his moments of charm, I didn't think he was good enough for Ginger!

I do like Stephanie Lehman's style of writing, she combines real emotion with a fast-paced story, and had clearly done her research on the stripping 'industry' and the food one. The most realistic moments of the book were those which focused on Ginger's complicated family dynamic. Having a "blended family" myself, I thought she portrayed that particularly well.

But I never felt Ginger really learned to feel good about herself, as her own person, and that was disappointing.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Marsha Mellow and Me by Maria Beaumont.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 8, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 7, 2007 1:12 PM

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 11:24 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Two Lipsticks and a Lover by Helena Frith Powell

When Helena Frith Powell moved to France from England she found that the difference between her and the French women around her was glaringly obvious: they all looked effortlessly stylish - and she didn't.

So in Two Lipsticks and a Lover she sets out to find out what is it that gives the French their certain Je Ne Sais Quoi, covering topics from fashion to affairs to the French attitude to sex (much more intellectual than the British one, apparently) .

iI found this a really enjoyable read. What could have been a very superficial book is made more interesting by the inclusion of just the right amount of facts about French food, culture and history. However I couldn't help feeling that maybe Frith Powell buys into the beauty myth a bit too much, being very disparaging about a woman she sees with unshaved armpits. (After all, there's no law that says we have to defuzz all over and spend hundreds of euros a year on face creams, is there? - If there was I might be writing this from the slammer!)

Take it all with a pinch of salt, however, and you might learn something and perhaps even, as the cover promises, 'Unlock your inner French woman...'

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 6, 2007 in British Authors, Fashion-Lit, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

US Vogue editor Anna Wintour champions Fiona Neill's 'Slummy Mummy'

A more unlikely pairing I have yet to hear of! The perfectly-groomed Anna "Nuclear" Wintour, inspiration for the boss in The Devil Wears Prada, couldn't be much further from Lucy Sweeney, the heroine of Fiona Neill's The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy, who's often to be found in a state of utter frazzlement.

Yet the latest issue of Vogue features an excerpt of the book, with Wintour saying it "plays with the chaos and comedy of 30-something metropolitan maternity and brings it to an unexpectedly moving conclusion". The book is out in the US on 5 July, and couldn't have had a better endorsement. [Via The Independent, via Booktrade info].

I told you chick lit and fashion were inextricably linked!

Fashion Lit archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 6, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 30, 2007 8:57 AM

Read 'Cancer Vixen' online at The First Post

I was surprised (in a happy way) to learn that daily news website The First Post is featuring Marisa Acochella Marchetto's Cancer Vixen online, for everyone to read (yay!) 

I'd still recommend buying the book but you can now see why it's so good by clicking here.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 29, 2007 3:30 PM

BOOK REVIEW: My Latest Grievance by Elinor Lipman

Frederica Hatch is the happy but precocious daughter of two university lecturers, brought up on campus at the small (although not very well-respected) Dewing College. She's always been doted upon by her loving parents, and treated as an equal rather than a child - so she's surprised to find her father's been hiding the secret that he was once married once before.

When Frederica turns 16, she finds out the truth as her dad's ex wife, the glamourous and incorrigible Laura Lee French gets a job at Dewing and proceeds to manipulate everyone around her...

This is the eighth of Elinor Lipman's novels, and definitely one of her best. As ever, Lipman is witty, stylish and unpredictable and I loved the turns this book unexpectedly took. It even made me  cry towards the end! Lipman is simply a great writer, so despite the name, My Latest Grievance was nothing but a pleasure to read. (Boom boom!)

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Inn at Lake Devine by Elinor Lipman.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 22, 2007 10:03 AM

The Daily Mail book club features Julie Myerson (and more!)

It may not be my favourite newspaper (no offence to its readers!) but the book coverage at the Daily Mail keeps getting better. Their book club choice for May is The Story of You by Julie Myerson, and you can read more about the book and its author here.

If you want to get ahead, their June pick is The Vanishing Act Of Esme Lennox by Maggie O’Farrell and upcoming authors include More on Monday favourites Bill Bryson and Marina Lewycka (with her new novel, Two Caravans).

Don't forget you still have until July 2nd to enter their first novel competition, too.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 22, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 21, 2007 12:50 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Never Have Your Dog Stuffed by Alan Alda

Never Have Your Dog Stuffed is one of veteran actor Alan Alda's life philosophies. When he was young, his favourite dog died and he was devastated. So his dad had the dog stuffed, as a kind of consolation. But the expression on the dog's face was all wrong, and instead of comforting, he was just scary. It taught Alda an important lesson: you can't go back and change the past, and if you try to, you'll just create a horrifying, upsetting mess.

In this book, Alda shares his other life philosophies, and tells the story of his life - from his childhood growing up among the stars of vaudeville (one of whom was his father) to his marriage, his acting roles, and his near-death experience whilst filming in a very remote part of the world...

I hadn't realised that as well as being an actor, Alan Alda is an acclaimed writer, director and producer - and a highly intelligent and reflective person, too. He hasn't had an easy life: his mother was severely mentally ill and he had a difficult, competitive relationship with his father. Although Alda desperately wanted to be an actor, and started acting at a young age, his success was by no means guaranteed until he was lucky enough to be offered his iconic role as Hawkeye in M*A*S*H.

Books by celebrities are a dime (or rather £1.25 million) a dozen, but this one is a bit different, and digs a bit deeper. It's a chronological history of Alda's life,  but it's also a reflection on what he's learned. And he's learned a lot. NHYDS is an entertaining, heart-breaking and very intelligent read. I loved it.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try My Life So Far by Jane Fonda

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 21, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

May 18, 2007 10:13 AM

The Melissa Nathan award for Comedy Romance

Chick lit fans may know that tragically, popular author Melissa Nathan died in April 2006, aged just 37.

Before she died, she lay out the terms for a prize to be awarded in her name:  The Melissa Nathan award for Comedy Romance shortlist has now been announced.

The finalists include Jill Mansell, Polly Williams, and of course... Marian Keyes.

Carry on over the cut for the full list and more details.

The award ceremony will be held in London on 13th June 2007, and you can read the full list of nominees here.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 18, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Irish Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 16, 2007 5:00 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

If you're a long-time Trashionista reader, you'll know by now what a 'blook' is, but if you're new (hello and welcome!) you might not, so I'll explain: it's just a blog turned into a book.

The annual Blooker Prize for the best blook of the year has just been announced, and the winner (netting himself a nice wad with the $10,000 prize) is Colby Buzzell, whose memoir My War: Killing Time in Iraq most impressed the judging panel. But should it have?

From now on, US soldiers will not be allowed to write 'mili-blogs' about their time in Iraq or any other part of the world. Do you agree this is for the best? Is it okay if their time in the military is over, or is it always too dangerous a compromise to national security? Will more soldiers be traumatised if they can't set down their thoughts? Is it okay to write it all down as long as it's not published, or is it always too risky? Is freedom of expression too important to be censored in this way - or is the military right? That's a lot of questions, but it all boils down to just one:

Should soldiers be allowed to write blogs, books or blooks about their experiences? Tell us: Yay or Nay - and WHY?

Yay or Nay archives.

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Memoirs, Opinion, Recent Release, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (4)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Gil McNeil

Having recently really enjoyed Gil McNeil's fourth novel, Divas Don't Knit, I'm delighted that she's chatting with us today. Find out her favourite female heroine, her tips for aspiring writers and what she's working on next by reading on...

Please describe your latest book [Divas Don't Knit] in 15 words or fewer:

Can you knit yourself a new life when your old one starts to unravel?

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

Mostly at home at my kitchen table, or in my office upstairs but pretty much anywhere I can find a pen.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Usually the one I’ve just finished, but my favourite writers (who I return to whenever I want a treat) include Jane Austen, Anne Tyler, Nancy Mitford,  Jilly Cooper, and Mary Wesley.

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

Again, too many for a neat list, but definitely Bridget Jones, Miss Marple, and Elizabeth Bennett.

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

Read as widely as you can, and stick at it.

What are you reading at the moment?

When I’m writing I tend to read non-fiction. At the moment I’m reading a mixture of travel and knitting books.

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

The sequel to Divas Don’t Knit.

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

Would you be interested in all-expenses paid trip to a luxury hotel somewhere fabulous so you can tell our readers how lovely it was?

Yes, no one's ever asked me that, either... Thanks Gil!

[Photo © Jerry Bauer]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 16, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Fashion-Lit, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 15, 2007 5:48 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Baby Proof by Emily Giffin

Emily Giffin is a great writer. We loved her previous books, Something Borrowed and Something Blue, which took the same story from two different angles. Baby Proof takes on a new story, with older protagonists (ooh) and a more weighty subject matter. Would I still enjoy it as much?

Baby Proof is about Claudia and Ben, a couple in their mid-thirties who are happily married and perfectly matched: they both want the same things out of life, which includes not having children. But then one day, Ben drops a bombshell - he wants a baby. Badly.

Within months, they're divorced and both have new people in their lives. But Claudia can't help wondering if she was right to let Ben go so easily. Was she just being stubborn, or is she really Baby Proof?

I really like Emily Giffin's writing style: it's intelligent and thoughtful without losing the reader's interest. I enjoyed the exploration of the issues surrounding having children and the fact that Claudia is a sympathetic character, even thought she doesn't want kids (not always the case in fiction!) However, I'm not sure if it really hit upon the main reason some women choose not to have children, which is simply that they don't want them (and that's okay). Maybe Giffin wanted to leave the story a bit more ambiguous - it's certainly very balanced.

What I really want to talk about is how the book ends, but I can't or I'd give too much away. Let's just say that I would have liked to have known a little more. I felt it was a *tad* of a cop out... But still a great read.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try A Piece of Normal by Sandi Kahn Shelton.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Snowbooks

We don't usually recommend particular publishers, but Snowbooks is definitely worthy of a special mention. They're a small press, so turn out just a handful of books each year - but they're all of very good quality. So far we've reviewed Taking The Plunge, Drugs are Nice, Mama Lama Ding Dong and one of my favourite books of last year, Plotting for Beginners.

Not only that, but Snowbooks have a beautifully designed website, with a very interesting blog.

And you can catch up with them on Myspace and Twitter, too!

Related: Literature... on Twitter? | Trashionista Recommends.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 11, 2007 11:41 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Upstate by Kalisha Buckhanon

Kalisha Buckhanon's Upstate is an epistolary novel (and I was twenty-seven before I knew what that meant, so for my fellow duh-brains, it means it's told in letter form) telling the love story of twentieth-century Brooklyn-based Romeo and Juliets Antonio and Natasha.

The couple, aged 16 and 17 at the start of the novel, are at high school and in love and planning for the future.

Then one night Antonio is arrested for the murder of his father, found guilty and sent to jail.

The young lovers's world is turned upside down, but they vow to write to each other and to never let their love die...

At first, I worried that some of the Brooklyn teenage dialect would get on my nerves, but it seemed authentic and didn't disturb my enjoyment of the story.

I found this book incredibly moving and gripping - I read it in less than a day, almost forgetting to breathe at times! It's definitely one of the best books I've read so far this year and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I loved it.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman

PS: Upstate also has butterflies on the cover! BUT they are relevant to the story... Whatever next?!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 11, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

May 10, 2007 12:41 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Hex and the Single Girl by Valerie Frankel

Valerie Frankel is a well-known name on the US chick lit scene, but isn't quite so well known over here. Her two latest books (Hex and the City and I Take This Man) coming out on the Little Black Dress label should change all that (plus this book was recommended to us by no less than Meg Cabot, so who are we to argue?).

Hex and the Single Girl's Emma Hutch is a good witch. Her skill is telegraphopathy - transporting a picture from her head into someone else's. She uses her powers for good (cos she's a Good Witch), being hired by women to put pictures of them into the minds of the men they're after. Sort of magic matchmaking. Things haven't been going incredibly well, though, and she's in danger of losing the West Village apartment she loves, so when Daphne Wittfield offers her a giant cheque to snare eligible bachelor and computer-whizz William Dearborn, Emma can't resist. Even though she suspects Daphne's interests aren't exactly pure...

But then Emma meets William and, inevitably, falls for him herself. Not only is it an ethical nightmare, it also helps Emma realise it's about time she started dealing with her own romantic life instead of everyone else's. When a friend and former client comes to Emma and asks her to help get her obnoxious boyfriend, Jeff, back, Emma finds that Jeff is mixed up with an embezzlement scandal and will do anything to get Emma off his back.

This is really a quite peculiar book, but I enjoyed it. It's so tongue-in-cheek that's it's almost a parody of a chick lit book, but it's genuinely funny and quite gripping. It's very well-written - as you'd expect from a veteran like Frankel - and the characters are great. Emma's wonderful - funny, sexy and charming - and her best friend Victor's lovely too. Sometimes the humour was a bit broad for me and it was also a bit too farcical in places, but if you don't take your chick lit too seriously, you'll love Hex and the Single Girl.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try My Lucky Star by Joe Keenan

Posted by Keris on May 10, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (4)

May 9, 2007 9:08 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Accidental It Girl by Libby Street

I read the beginning of Libby Street's Accidental It Girl, and was hooked:

People hate me.

Some of them openly despise me.

I'd bet a couple dozen would cheer if I were maimed.

People. Hate. Me.

And why do people disapprove of our narrator/heroine Sadie Price so much?

Because she's a member of the paparazzi, of course.

When she's involved in a chase in which she totals her car and gets on the wrong side of Hollywood bad boy Ethan Wyatt, she thinks the damage is only physical. Wyatt decides to try to turn the tables on Sadie, and give her a taste of her own medicine...

I loved the theme of this book - it was interesting to read about a woman paparrazo for a start, and even more interesting to imagine what it would be like to be followed by the paps, and to learn about the tactics they use. I certainly think I'll be more sympathetic when I see grumpy-looking celeb shots in future (the photographer's probably just called them a bitch and insulted their loved ones, not to mention followed them for miles).

The outcome of the story was easy to predict, but I still enjoyed it a lot. (My one small complaint about the book is Sadie kept saying she was 'a paparazzi, when the word for one person is 'paparazzo'... but I'm a bit anal like that so don't let me put you off!)

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Fashion Babylon by Imogen Edwards-Jones and Anonymous.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 9, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

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)

May 7, 2007 2:00 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Not Buying It by Judith Levine

Could you go a whole year without buying anything? No clothes, no books (argh!), no cinema tickets or meals out?

What would you do if you weren't part of the consumer economy and only bought the barest of essentials?

And how would other people react?

To answer all those questions and more, Judith Levine (along with her partner, Paul) took on a mammoth challenge: a year of Not Buying It.

Told in chronological order, I found it really interesting reading about Judith's fluctuating attitude to the project, her occasion slips and loopholes and the conclusions she and Paul drew by the end of the year. I find it hard to go a week without buying a book, so I particularly applaud her efforts in that respect, especially when she was trying to navigate the impoverished New York library system. Also interesting was the different issues the experiment brought up in the two areas of the country the author lives: Vermont and New York.

This book was more wide-ranging than I expected: I thought it would be a personal journey, but it looks at issues of world economics, environmental concerns and social responsibility and in this sense is enlightening, if a bit depressing at times! It's a very thought-provoking read, and I can't imagine that anyone who reads it will ever forget some of the lessons of the book.  There really is something for every consumer here...

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Sweet and Low by Rich Cohen, or my co-ed Keris's Dollymix column Giving Up...

More on Monday archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 7, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Self development | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 4, 2007 11:24 AM

BOOK REVIEW: A Piece of Normal by Sandi Kahn Shelton

I promised you I'd be reviewing this week's guest blogger's book, and now: I am! (Stay tuned on Monday for a chance to win a copy).

A Piece of Normal by Sandi Kahn Shelton is the story of Lily Brown, who's happy with her life. (She thinks). She works as an advice columnist for the local paper, lives alone with her four year old son Simon and is still on great terms with her eccentric ex-husband Teddy.

Then her sister Dana, who's been missing for the last ten years, turns up out of the blue, and her sudden appearance shakes up Lily's cosy existence more than either of them could have imagined...

I really enjoyed this book. It's well-written, the characters felt real to me, and I found it very witty (especially at the start of the book, before the emotional trauma begins!) I also found myself really identifying with Lily and getting incredibly angry with Dana, which has to be the sign of a good story. I couldn't believe some of the things Dana did! I wasn't sure how Shelton could make her even half-way sympathetic by the end of the book, but somehow she managed it.

I still cried at the end, though. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 (although it's a 4.5 in my heart)

Like this? Try In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 2, 2007 6:07 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Marian Keyes *squeal!*

I wish you could have heard the screams of excitement at Trashionista HQ this time last week when we realised we had our MOST EXCITING INTERVIEW EVER! in the bag. Yes, it's really true! We've hinted, we've teased, we've reviewed her books and talked about her on and on... and now, she's really, really here talking exclusively to you, our lovely Trashionista readers:  It's Marian Keyes, the Queen of chick lit.

Enjoy...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Anybody Out There (that’s three words gone already) is a comedy about serious issues and cosmetics (mind you, nothing frivolous about cosmetics!)

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

In bed. I would never, ever get up unless I really have to. My husband comes in every few hours and turns me so that I don’t get bedsores.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

There are so many great books, so I’ll go back to the beginning (for me), and say any of the early Jilly Coopers (not that there’s anything wrong with the later ones, but maybe they’re not chick lit).

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

Robyn Hudson in the books by Sparkle Hayter – she’s intelligent, independent, feisty, sweet – she’s the woman I want to be when I grow up.

Carry on over the cut for more from Marian, including some very useful tips for wannabe writers, and news on her next novel...

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

Firstly, stop talking about it and start writing it – word by word.

Formally set aside time to write – respect your book enough not to try to fit it in, in bitty gaps, around the rest of your life. Better still, try to write at the same time every day – this seems to trigger the subconscious into readiness.

Don’t be surprised if your first efforts are shockingly bad – indeed, expect to marvel at the gap between what you want to say in your head and how it appears on the page. But persevere; chances are it will improve.

Beware of setting yourself up as the ‘new’ Sophie Kinsella or the ‘new’ someone else: it’s always cringingly obvious. Instead write in your own unique voice and be proud of it.

Write what you know – and if you don’t know it, be prepared to research it.

Finally – enjoy it! If you enjoy writing it, chances are that people will enjoy reading it.

What are you reading at the moment?

As a judge on the Orange Prize, I’ve been concentrating on those books for the last few months.

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

It’s provisionally called This Charming Man, and is of course a comedy – this time about domestic violence among other things. I’ve been writing it for eighteen months now, which means, I hope, that it’s near the end. I guess it’ll be published in the first half of next year.

Sounds fantastic! Thank you, Marian!

*And massive thanks to friend of Trashionista Clare Allan, email address passer-alonger extraordinaire! *

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 2, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Girly Stuff, Interviews, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (4)

May 1, 2007 8:14 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The First Assistant by Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare

I loved The Second Assistant, so when I heard that the authors of that book had written a sequel, catching us up with Lizzie Miller one year on from the end of that book... well, I snapped up a copy quicker than a very snappy thing indeed.

So how is Lizzie's life looking twelve months later? Well, she's been dating producer Luke Lloyd for most of that year, has been promoted to first assistant and is great friends with her predecessor Lara, who also happens to be her boss's wife. Heck, she's even made up with Jason Blum, the screenwriter friend who screwed her over.

But there are a few things stopping Lizzie from being truly happy...

First, there's evil Amber, the new second assistant, who's snotty, underhanded and - of course - British. Is she out to sabotage Lizzie, and if so, how? Then there's a new client at the agency, LiLo-esque actress Emerald, who Lizzie's being sent to Thailand to babysit. AND on top of all that, Lizzie isn't sure if she's ready to settle down with Luke without establishing a career and cash flow of her own first. It's going to be an interesting few months...

I don't know if it's ever possible to enjoy the sequel to a successful first novel as much as the original, and I didn't like this book quite as much as The Second Assistant. But the authors haven't had a sophomore slump, either - this is a perfectly entertaining book, and definitely kept my interest. I was pleased that it ended in a more Hollywood fairy-tale way, which was lacking from the previous novel. That makes the ending a bit unrealistic, but in a novel about Hollywood, who wants gritty realism?

It seems like the last we've seen of Lizzie - I hope we've left her to enjoy her happy ending - so I am interested to see where Naylor and Hare turn their attentions next.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Second Assistant by Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 1, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 30, 2007 11:11 AM

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 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 10:18 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Manny by Holly Peterson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 3 out of 5

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

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

April 24, 2007 5:59 PM

Touchstone's competing "Blonde Brit Bombshells" in Chicago

US Book publishers Touchstone are apparently touting Rachel Johnson (of Notting Hell and Boris Johnson's sister fame) and Santa Montefiore (of The Gypsy Madonna and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson's sister fame) as their "Blonde Brit Bombshells" competing over book sales whilst on tour together in America.

They've been in Chicago recently, partaking in very stereotypical British customs like high tea (in the middle of a bookshop, natch).

[Via Galleycat]

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

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 23, 2007 1:07 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Television Without Pity by Tara Ariano and Sarah D Bunting

Anyone who reads (and like me, LOVES) the website Television Without Pity will understand what to expect from this book: the same snarky, madly observant tone of that brilliant site, delivered in encyclopaedia format. Subtitled ‘752 things we love to hate (and hate to love) about TV’,  Television Without Pity is an A-Z about everything televisual: from Acting, Wooden to Zeiring, Iain... (I swear that juxtaposition was unintentional!)

I got this for my birthday (thanks, Mum!) and spent a whole weekend totally absorbed, often screeching with laughter and recognition at Ariano and Bunting’s brilliant insights.

Often the section headers were enough to set me off: Weakest Link, British-Lady Edition or Fashion, Hilarious Attempts of TV Guys in the 90s at. Their take on watching a whole show on DVD over a weekend is exaggerated, yet familiar: "We try to ration the 24 episodes, one at a time, but we can't... the next thing we know it's Sunday night and we're sitting in adult diapers on the couch, surrounded by forty-eight hours' worth of snack bags and Diet Coke cans, heads pounding, cracked out on Keifer..." Fellow TV addicts will relate. Except maybe about the 'diapers'...

As you might have guessed, this book is American, and the one drawback for UK readers is that a lot of the cultural references will be unfamiliar (I’m an American-TV junkie from way back and there was a lot I didn’t understand). But that didn’t stop me laughing at and loving this book. It’s not all fun and games though: there’s also a lot of intelligent, thought-provoking analysis about the way pop culture functions.

In fact, it’s pretty much the perfect book.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster.

Television archives | TV Scoop: Blogging the Gogglebox

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 23, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 9:42 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Drugs Are Nice by Lisa Crystal Carver

Moving right away from Austen for a while, let's look at a lifestyle Jane could never have imagined in a million years...

I have to be honest, I'm not sure how to describe this book - but I'll try. Drugs Are Nice is a memoir, but a very unconventional one because Lisa Crystal Carver has had a very unconventional life. The book begins when Lisa's father tells her, age six, that he's going to prison. She describes the next few years as uneventful, but she lives alone with her mother, who has major health problems which entail regular surgeries. Lisa is home alone during her mother's hospital stays, and often the sole carer as her mother recovers. Understandably, this puts a strain on their relationship, and as a teenager Lisa moves across the country to live with her now-released dad for a while. But his violent and verbally abusive style of communication means she moves back home with her still-ailing mum after about a year, and finds sanctuary in her intense friendship with best friend Rachel, with whom Lisa forms the band Suckdog. Touring with Suckdog seems to entail meeting some very disturbed people and having very little vocal talent, but the girls persevere...

The next few years involve Lisa getting into more and more weird forms of performance art (pretending to poo on people, actually urinating on people, writing and performing plays on all manner of disturbing subjects) and forming relationships (both platonic and sexual) with some very weird people - including her much older French husband, who she admits looks like a weasel and acts very oddly, with whom she has an open relationship.

At times, this book is a really uncomfortable read, and I couldn't understand why Lisa, clearly intelligent and talented (more at writing than singing/performing, perhaps) was choosing to live in this way. Finally, at the end of the book, Lisa shows some insight into her behaviour, looking into her past and talking about her need to live outside of the constraints of 'civilised' society. This part of the book is the most interesting and thought-provoking bit but doesn't last as long as I would have liked! It's a very well-written read, and a book that makes a huge impression, but it's not a book you 'enjoy' as such, and it's definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Rating: 3 out of 5

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 18, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 16, 2007 1:18 PM

Blogger's quest to read only celebrity biographies for a whole YEAR

Now this is an interesting proposition: we've all read a celebrity autobiography or two, haven't we? (And some of us - even I! - may have read a ghostwritten one...)

But Mark Farley, blogger at Bookseller to the Stars has taken things one further, by challenging himself to read nothing but  celebrity memoirs for one whole year, from March 1 2007 onwards... Why? Well, read more about it here and find out!

Have you ever attempted any type of year-long reading quest? Are you tempted to?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (5)

April 13, 2007 12:32 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Thank You For Smoking

In Thank You For Smoking (yes, you read that right!) Aaron Eckhart plays Nick Naylor, possibly the most hated man in the United States. He's reached that exalted position by being a lobbyist for the American tobacco industry. That's right - not against them, FOR them.

With the public's concerns about the safety of smoking impossible to ignore, and under increasing pressure from his bosses, Nick has to try to turn around the perception of cigarette smoking as something bad. Is he fighting a losing battle?! (Duh). More importantly, how can Nick lie every day and still be a good role model for his son? The pair spend some more time together to try to find out...

This is a delicious black comedy, with Eckhart perfectly treading the line between smarm and charm and actually making us like this weird and morally ambiguous character. There's a lot to laugh at but despite the theme of the film, it does (of course, this is Hollywood after all) have a strong moral tone.  It's a great ensemble piece with Maria Bello, William H Macy, Rob Lowe and Robert Duvall all turning in great performances. (And Keris - Adam Brody's in it briefly, too!) There was a big hoo-hah in the US at the time of this film's cinematic release because this was Katie Holmes's last pre-TomKat role, and she's not playing a nice girl (although some 'revealing' scenes were apparently cut). She doesn't do dark and nasty that well though - she always seems too proper, and nice little Joey Potter swearing...?!! Not right at all.

But if you're ever looking for tips on how to win a debate or write a great argument, this is the film to watch. If you just want to watch a darn good (if a tad long) film, it's that too.

Like this (in that it's similarly high-concept): Stranger Than Fiction

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 13, 2007 in Book related, Friday Flick, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (6)

BOOK REVIEW: The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman

I'd been wanting to read something by Alice Hoffman for quite some time and just never got around to it. So when she released her latest book The Ice Queen and it started getting great reviews, I quickly snapped up my local library's copy!

When the nameless first-person narrator (catchy name, eh?!) of this book is eight she is upset with her mother one day, so when her mum goes out for the evening, she wishes for her never to return. She doesn't: she dies in a car crash and TNFPN and her brother Ned go to live with their grandmother. From then onwards, our narrator is convinced she has a gift: when she wishes for something bad, it always happens - but she can't seem to stop herself from wishing. In adulthood, she half-heartedly wishes to be hit by lightning, and then she is. It has strange and devastating  physical consequences including colorblindness, limping and pain. But in other ways, it begins a new and exciting chapter in her life - especially when she meets mysterious fellow lightning strike survivor Lazarus Jones - a man who is literally too hot to touch...

Although this book has an ethereal, ghost-story quality to it, it's told in simple, easy to read language rather than being all airy-fairy! The events are sometimes strange and there's elements of fairytale and magical realism here, but it's all kept tethered to the ground by great writing and a strong and constantly unpredictable (but believable) storyline.

Simply put, it's a wonderful read that made me realise that by missing out on Alice Hoffman all these years, I've really been missing out.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Read the opening of the book here.

Like this?

Try A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (5)

April 10, 2007 6:37 PM

Lionel Shriver loves Nora Ephron, too

First we brought you the breaking news that Lionel Shriver likes snooker (ha! 'breaking' - geddit?!) Now we bring you the news that she loved Nora Ephron's latest - just like us.

Although I still think the US cover is far nicer...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 10, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Fortune Quilt by Lani Diane Rich

I’ve loved every one of Lani Diane Rich’s books and her latest, The Fortune Quilt, is no exception.

When TV producer Carly McKay 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.

This is the type of book I would have bunked off work to read (when reading books wasn’t my job). Carly’s a lovely, funny, charming and flawed character and Will is incredibly sweet and sexy. I love the town of Bilby with its cast of eccentrics (I really hope Rich will return there in future books) and Carly’s family - father, sisters, repentant mother - are perfect too.

A lovely, sweet, funny book that I read with a great dopey smile on my face. Oh and if you’re a fan of Lani Diane Rich’s books, you might find a clue as to what one of her previous characters is up to. Brilliant.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try A Boy of Good Breeding by Miriam Toews

Posted by Keris on April 10, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (7)

April 9, 2007 8:46 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: The Sound Of No Hands Clapping by Toby Young

Toby Young's memoir How to Lose Friends and Alienate People is the best example of what could be called self-sabotage lit.

Here is the sequel, The Sound of No Hands Clapping, in which Toby attempts to crack Hollywood, with not one but two screenplay attempts - including one for an uber-producer whose identity is kept hidden (make your own mind up)...

Although this memoir is enjoyable, it's a bit fragmented - we go from his first meeting with the producer to  reading about one of Toby's terribly misjudged best man's speeches. Then back to his writing, then off to an argument with his wife, etc. I think the simple truth is that, much as he would like us to believe he's still making stupid mistakes and getting things all wrong, Young has clearly grown up and moved on from his days of stupidity in New York. He still misjudges situations and makes bad decisions, but is a lot more self-aware, and his relationship with his wife and kids proves he's not the ignorant fool of his first book.

Perhaps all that is why I didn't find this book quite as enjoyable as the first - in that book, Toby was making a right old hash of everything from his love life to his friendships to his career. In this one, he seems more settled, happier, and as though he's working harder to dredge up instances of shoddy judgement. Which is probably much better for Young as a person - but not quite as interesting to read about!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Watch the author talk about the book.

Like this? Try How to Lose Friends and Alienate People by Toby Young or The Nasty Bits by Anthony Bourdain

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 9, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 6, 2007 4:10 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Marie Antoinette

Oh, how I wanted to see this film. I expected a punky, fun version of the legendary French Queen's story, sort of like Baz Luhrman's Romeo and Juliet, but with bigger hair. But despite a couple of visually stunning montages of Kirsten Dunst shopping - in house, sorry palace, of course - and a big cupcake fest later on, Marie Antoniette definitely doesn't rock.

There is a modern soundtrack, but the music is so bland and un-iconic it's barely noticeable. I liked the sympathetic portrayal of Antoinette - her age and lack of experience is highlighted, and it's made clear that she never actually said "let them eat cake"! As PR, it's pretty well done. But the story rambles, the dialogue is sparse and uninspiring and I couldn't have cared less about any of the supporting characters. The only bit I found even vaguely amusing was possibly the best scene, at the start of the movie. Kirsten Dunst/Marie Antoinette was woken up by her lady's maid to find a room full of royal women, the most prestigious of whom gets the honour of dressing her. As more high-ranking women keep entering the room, her undershirt is passed from one to the next while she stands shivering and nude. "This is ridiculous!" she cries.

The response? "Madame, this is Versailles."

Which made me want to learn more about palace and its inhabitants through the years, I must admit.

But I  couldn't help thinking that reading the book this film was based on would have been a better use of my time.

Still, at least it gave me the chance to come up with a new nickname for the director: Sophia (not much) Coppola. Ha. [DS]

Like this, but more fun: Clueless.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by Aigua Media on April 6, 2007 in Book related, Friday Flick, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

April 4, 2007 11:34 AM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Libby Street

This week, we have a fabulous two-for-the price of one deal! Author Libby Street is (shock, horror!) actually two different women, working as one. And here Sarah and Emily aka: Libby Street, talk exclusively to Trashionista.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Accidental It Girl: A female paparazzi and Hollywood's hottest bachelor get a lesson in how opposites attract.

Where do you like to write your books?

EMILY: I do a lot of the preliminary, story development stuff with a spiral notebook on the couch. (Usually with Murder, She Wrote or The Golden Girls playing quietly on the TV. Embarrassing, but true.) The actual writing goes down at a desk - just me and my laptop.

SARAH: I don’t know. In my old apartment, I sat at my kitchen table which was in my living room. Manhattan apartments are fun that way. I have recently moved into an apartment with so much more space, I’m not sure what to do. We’ll see where I end up working the best! Right now, that same kitchen table (which I have turned into a desk) is the front runner...

More from Libby Street over the cut!

Your favourite chick-lit book?

EMILY: It's not original but… Bridget Jones's Diary. The first, the best.

SARAH: I agree with Emily. I just reread it recently and, MAN!, it’s really great.

Your favourite female heroine? And why?

EMILY: Fanny Price from Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. She never wavers in her beliefs, no matter the cost. Of all Jane's heroines, I think Fanny is the least mutable. I admire her enormously, probably because I can be such a flake sometimes.

SARAH: Elizabeth Bennett from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. She is confident and smart, but willing to recognize that she has faults. I want to be just like her.

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

EMILY: Write the story you've always wanted to read. And, most importantly, never give up.

SARAH: Don’t be discouraged when things aren’t going well. Just keep on plugging away.

What are you reading at the moment?

EMILY: Nothing terribly fun, I'm afraid. I'm currently reading Robert McKee's Story for about the thousandth time. I find that whenever I begin a new project I like to go back to basics and remind myself of the essential elements of a rock-solid, compelling story.

SARAH: I’m reading Traveler’s Tales: India. I am going there in November and I can't stop reading about the place! Traveler’s Tales is a series of books composed of excerpts or essays written by (obviously) writers and/or travelers. If you are going to a new place, I would highly recommend these books. They offer a much more in depth perspective on the character of a place than many of the guide books I’ve read. In fact, I wouldn’t classify it as a guide book, but I am using it to plan my whole trip.

What are you working on now?

We're working on several concepts for new novels. We haven't quite decided which one to pursue yet, but we're leaning toward a story that would be a new direction for us - an older young adult. (The characters would be just starting at university.) We think it'll be a lot of fun to write, which is almost as important as it being really fun to read.

Sounds good to me - thanks ladies!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK NEWS: Girl with Glasses: My Optic History by Marissa Walsh

Here's a book I first read about in a very sneering post on books blog Bookslut a few weeks ago - but to me it sounds interesting, fun and a bit quirky - and there's nothing wrong with that!

You may not know this but your two Trashionista eds (Keris and myself, for the uninitiated) are a pair of astigmatic glasses-wearers with nary a decent eye between us, so obviously we weren't going to let the publication of Girl with Glasses: My Optic History slip past without a mention! It's more memoir than 'history of a glasses wearer' though, I think - and those with 20/20 vision (show offs) can read it too...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Memoirs, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

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)

March 29, 2007 11:55 AM

Marian Keyes wins popular fiction award at the 'Nibbies'

We've told you before about the Nibbies (or the Galaxy British Book Awards as they're more properly known) and now we're delighted to bring you the news that much-loved Queen of Chick Lit Marian Keyes won the award for popular fiction - way to go, Mazza! (As she'd probably loathe me to call her...)

It was also great chick lit news for Lauren Weisberger, who won Television and film book of the year for The Devil Wears Prada (of course).

Find out the other winners  and who called Ricky Gervais names (!) over the cut...

But if you'd rather not know the goss and find out the winners when the awards are on TV, then you don't have long to wait - they're on tomorrow night at 8pm on Channel 4 .

List of winners:

Book of the year: Conn & Hal Iggulden, The Dangerous Book for Boys

Popular fiction award: Marian Keyes, Anybody Out There

Decibel writer of the year: Jackie Kay, Wish I Was Here

Television and film book of the year: Lauren Weisberger, The Devil Wears Prada

Biography of the year: Peter Kay, The Sound of Laughter

Children's book of the year: Ricky Gervais, Flanimals of the Deep [Gervais's video-linked acceptance speech apparently provoked a "foul-mouthed rant" from Richard Madeley, co-host of the event (with wife Judy, obv.) Is it me or is Mr Madeley losing the plot a little bit? *Allegedly*]

Crime thriller of the year: Ian Rankin, The Naming of the Dead

Sports book of the year: Steven Gerrard, Gerrard: My Autobiography

Newcomer of the year: Victoria Hislop, The Island

Reader's Digest Author of the year: Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion

The Richard & Judy best read of the year: Jed Benfeld, The Interpretation of Murder 

Lifetime achievement award: John Grisham

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: The Fabulous Mum's Handbook by Grace Saunders

I'm always a bit conflicted when faced with a book like Grace Saunders' The Fabulous Mum's Handbook. On the one hand I feel like it's going to be a load of rehashed magazine articles about "me time", not feeling guilty, and "just a bit of time management and you too can cook a 3 course meal/work a 40 hour week/ climb a mountain". On the other hand I, like a lot of mums, need all the help I can get.

The Fabulous Mum's Handbook does indeed contain chapters on me time, reclaiming intimacy with your other half (that's your partner, not your bottom half) and getting your fashion groove back. There are even some nice recipes (if rather labour-intensive - a recipe that begins "cut the pumpkin into really thick slices" is never going to wash with me).

Grace Saunders used to work on Elle magazine and you can tell. She's friendly, chatty and supportive, but occasionally drifts into talk of wafting around in floaty tops, dinner parties, glamorous shopping expeditions and other concepts that are completely alien to me.

Supported by Grace's own experiences and those of numerous other mums, plus a variety of "gurus" including nutritionist Jane Clarke, interior designer Amanda Smith and Little Angels' Dr Tanya Byron, this book is absolutely packed with useful information. I would have liked some photos or illustrations and for the text to be a bit more bite-sized (we harried mums have short attentions spans, you know) and it's all a little bit too fabulous for me, but it would certainly make a great pressie for a yummy mummy friend.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Goddess Guide by Gisele Scanlan or The Shops by India Knight

Posted by Keris on March 29, 2007 in British Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 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)

March 22, 2007 12:03 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Sweetheart Season by Karen Joy Fowler

Unlike some people (okay, a lot of people), I found Karen Joy Fowler's The Jane Austen Book Club a throughly enjoyable read, so I was really looking forward to her next book, The Sweetheart Season.

It's the story of Irini Doyle and her colleagues at a small-town cereal factory, who form a baseball team after World War Two, when all of the men of Magrit (their small town) have died or, having seen a bit of the world, decided to stay away. The team will give them the chance to travel the country and meet some eligible bachelors... or at least, they think it will.

That's ostensibly the storyline, although actually the baseball theme take a while to get going. We learn about the history of Magrit, the cereal factory and its founder, Henry Collins and many other things too! Fowler has certainly created a very believable small town from her imagination, but perhaps she's created it in a little too much detail - although her writing is always wry and often funny, there's just to much of it, and the book could have been made much snappier and more enjoyable with a less rambling plot. I was disappointed that the baseball storyline took a while to get going, but when it did I was reminded how boring (and to a Brit, incomprehensible) baseball is. I also didn't understand why the narrator of the story was Irini's daughter, who admits at the start of the book that she might be embellishing... it's already fiction, I see no reason to pile an unreliable narrator on top! (And the afterword spoiled the ending, too - pure self-indulgence.)

My discrepancies made sense, however, when I found out that this book was actually written in 1996, but not published until last year. I'm sure Karen Joy Fowler's next book will be as crisply edited as The Jane Austen Book Club, and all the better for it.

Here's an enjoyable but slow read in the meantime!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Ya-Yas in Bloom by Rebecca Wells.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 22, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 19, 2007 10:14 AM

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 14, 2007 5:37 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Thanks for the great responses last week, when we tried to figure out if 'literary' is a term of endearment or abuse! (Not sure what we agreed, but none of us liked lit snobbery).

This week... Stef Penney had good reason to not visit Canada whilst researching her Costa award-winning novel* The Tenderness of Wolves: she was agoraphobic.

But in general, what do you think about writers, for example, setting their books in a country they've never been to, making up geographical details (as Jenny Colgan admitted to doing with her novel Working Wonders) or otherwise not letting accuracy get in the way of a good story?

In other words... is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

*Guess I was wrong about there not being a woman on the shortlist - slapped wrist for me.

Yay or Nay archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 14, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Prize Winners, Recent Release, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (11)

March 13, 2007 4:20 PM

Galaxy Book Awards shortlist announced

The Galaxy British Book Awards, formerly just The British Book Awards (those ones that Richard and Judy present where they always shout slightly embarrassing 'impromptu' interviews across the stage to the people giving out the books, I'm sure you've seen them on TV) have announced their shortlist. And they're now calling themselves The Oscars of the Book World. Posh!

Carry on over the cut to see the books in the running and for details on how to vote (for Marian Keyes!)...

The full list, with several categories, is very very long (despite the name 'shortlist'!) so it's better viewed via the awards' website. Perhaps of most interest to Trashionistas is that Marian Keyes's latest, the wonderful Anybody Out There? has been nominated for Sainsbury's popular fiction award. To vote for Marian, or any other book, click here. (Go now - hurry!)

Related: Richard and Judy archives | Prizewinners archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 9, 2007 3:25 PM

Win a copy of Sophie Kinsella's 'Shopaholic & Baby'

Everyone knows how much we love Sophie Kinsella - one of the true queens of chick lit - so we're very excited to have snagged five copies of 'Shopaholic & Baby' to give away to some lucky Trashionista readers. To be in with a chance of winning one, send us an email with your name, address and the answer to the following question (hint: if you don't know, check out this page)

Q: What is Sophie Kinsella's real name?

Send your emails to gemma@shinymedia.com with the subject 'Trashionista Shopaholic Comp' to be in with a chance of winning. The closing date for entries is Sunday 25th March. Good luck!

Posted by gcartwright on March 9, 2007 in Competition, Recent Release, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 1, 2007 1:04 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Girls by Lori Lansens

"I have never looked into my sister's eyes. I have never bathed alone. I have never stood in the grass at night and raised my arms to a beguiling moon. I've never used an aeroplane bathroom. Or worn a hat. Or been kissed like that...So many things I've never done, but oh, how I've been loved. And, if such things were to be, I'd live a thousand times as me, to be loved so exponentially."

So begins Lori Lansens' The Girls, one of the books chosen for Richard and Judy's 2007 bookclub. Who could fail to be moved by such a tender and evocative beginning? And it just gets better and better.

Rose and Ruby Darlen are as close as sisters can be. Born joined at the head, they have lived a life full of spectacle, ridicule, love and wonderment. Now approaching 30, the girls are telling their own story in two contrasting styles, capturing all the hopes, fears, crashing disappointments and ordinary yet tender moments in two extraordinary lives.

I found Lori Lansens' evocative tale deeply affecting. It’s a long time for me since any fictional characters leapt from the page like Rose and Ruby, remembering their beloved Aunt Lovey and Uncle Stash.

As a mum of two eight-year-olds, I'm no fan of stereotypical portrayals of twins in fiction (and there are a few about – they’re not all pairs of good or evil you know) so the warm and subtle storytelling in this for me, unforgettable book, comes like a breeze of fresh air over a sea of mediocrity. I've savoured every page - reading passages aloud to my mum or partner, as I go. At turns laugh out loud funny, heartbreaking and shocking, The Girls is an absolute gem – a book I could read and re-read.

I even found myself nodding in agreement when it came to Aunt Lovey’s musings about three different types of people in this world - those who love children, those who love their own children and those who hate children but call their pets "Baby." Oh that sounds familiar. I think I’ve met a few of that last lot. [Linda Jones]

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Posted by Aigua Media on March 1, 2007 in American Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (4)

February 5, 2007 10:05 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Nul Points by Tim Moore

Tim Moore’s five books to date have been (mostly) hilarious travelogues, where he puts himself through epic journeys, suffering for our enjoyment whether by trawler across the Arctic Circle (Frost On My Moustache), following the route of the Tour De France (French Revolutions) or recreating the Grand Tours of Renaissance Europe in a knackered Rolls Royce (Continental Drifter). When he’s taken the easier route (a tour of the Monopoly board locations in Do Not Pass Go), the results were patchy, in my opinion. His last travelogue, Spanish Steps found the hapless Moore on a pilgrimage across Spain accompanied by a truculent donkey, and was a rather-him-than-me return to form.

Given that I’m not Scandinavian, the owner of a mullet (anymore) or, shall we say, flamboyant, I’m not exactly in the ideal demographic to review a book about the Eurovision Song Contest (Moore attends the 2005 Contest and describes it like “going to the gay World Cup”). Specifically, Nul Points is Moore’s quest to track down each of the 14 contestants who, since 1974, have returned from their respective Eurovisions with a big fat zero against their country’s flag. Or as he puts it, “the unfortunates left to wander the lonely, windswept summit of Mount Fiasco without a point to their names.”

Many of the zero ‘heroes’ refuse point blank to meet Moore, on the grounds that Eurovision ruined their lives, or in the case of Cetin Alp of Turkey, because he was dead. Celia Lawson of Portugal (her dad was from Bolton) was a nul pointer in 1997 and seems to have suffered some sort of breakdown in the intervening years, and it’s her story which has the most poignancy. The writer (who clearly had a crush on her) only just resisting the urge to hug her and tell everything’s going to be ok when she reveals that she regrets doing Eurovision, after which she could only find work as a chamber maid.

To misquote Kipling (Rudyard not Mr), Moore meets both triumph and disaster on his way round Europe and treats both imposters in the same (mostly) impartial manner. Although, always divertingly entertaining enough, the thing that’s missing for me is Moore’s self-deprecating asides as he pursues his solo goal. It’s all a bit easy for him, and apart from a funny episode when he’s busted for the world’s smallest amount of cannabis at Oslo airport, all the humour is at his subjects' expense. Maybe if Moore himself had attempted to try for Eurovision as a sub-plot it would have perked things up, but perhaps then he would have been entering “Round Ireland With A Fridge” territory, which would have been infinitely worse.

As it is, it’s an agreeable enough read, perhaps one to dip in and out of on holiday. Lets hope next time his destination is a little more challenging. [David Stainton]

Rating: 2 out of 5

Like this? Try The Yes Man by Danny Wallace

Posted by Keris on February 5, 2007 in British Authors, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 2/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 29, 2007 1:54 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Bitch Lit edited by Maya Chowdhry & Mary Sharratt

Maya Chowdhry and Mary Sharratt have edited this collection of short stories all having the general theme of women anti-heroes. Bitch Lit is apparently an antidote for all the Dick Lit we’ve had to endure in the past.
 
The blurb claims that all these stories are tales of women and power, the opposite of cautionary tales. Bitch Lit is a celebration of women who take the law into their own hands, who defy society’s expectations, put their own needs first and don’t feel guilty.

Unfortunately when they say ‘take the law into their own hands’ what they actually mean is break it. The characters in these stories serially murder, steal, commit adultery and fraud or, if you’re lucky, are just extremely selfish or mean spirited. They’ve attempted to describe this book as feminist, but that’s like saying Hitler was male so if the world was a fair and righteous place we should have a female dictator who commits genocide and tries to take over the world. It’s just wrong!

As with any book of short stories there will be a mixed bunch. Some are better than others, but all of these left a sour taste in my mouth and stole some of the faith I had that human nature was basically good and kind. Ironically the authors who wrote the shortest stories were the most successful in fitting in a complete tale. Some of the longest ended leaving me confused and wondering what happened. It seemed they’d reached their maximum word count and just stopped. They might as well have stopped mid sentence for all the sense some of the endings made.

One thing this book does achieve is in provoking a reaction. I can imagine people who enjoy looking at a rubbish bag or an unmade bed as a new form of modern art would find this book extremely interesting.
 
If you’re like me and prefer to recycle your rubbish, do yourself a favour don’t buy this book and save a tree. [Angela Richardson]
 
Rating: 1 out of 5

Like this? Try This Is Chick Lit edited by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Posted by Keris on January 29, 2007 in American Authors, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 1/5, Recent Release, Rubbish Books, Short Story Collections | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 19, 2007 12:57 PM

Dawn Annandale: another author bends the truth

Well, who'd have thought it?! Another day, another "non-fiction" writer's truth-telling credentials called into question...

Dawn Annandale, author of the sensational memoir, or rather 'memoir' Call Me Elizabeth (about her time working as a prostitute in order to get out of debt), has admitted that she lied to police about a rape charge in an attempt to delay court proceedings against her.  A nifty trick which cost the taxpayer a cool £15,000...

Annandale's next book, Call Me Madam, is out later this year and will apparently not surprisingly now be marketed as FICTION.

Related: Augusten Burroughs latest author to face accusations of lying   

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 19, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink

January 15, 2007 11:20 AM

Graphic novel film adaptations - the big earners and what we want to see next

We've talked before about the resurgence in popularity of comic books/graphic novels, with Jodi Picoult revamping Wonder Woman, Manga Romance and even a new graphic novel version of Wuthering Heights.

Plus there's Jennifer Crusie erm, writing about Wonder Woman underwear...

Here's a list of the most successful comic book film adaptations from 1978-present day. As you might suspect, women don't feature hugely, but maybe a new rumoured Wonder Woman movie starring Lorelei Gilmore (okay, Lauren Graham) could help change that...?

I'm also desperate for the film of Cancer Vixen to become a reality...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Movie News, New Releases, Recent Release, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

Lovely Bones and Jane Austen on publishing insider's list of books NOT to read

Okay, I can understand that some people didn't love The Lovely Bones, it certainly has its flaws... But topping a list of Books you shouldn't bother to read? No. No no noooooooo. And Austen too?!

Although I do agree about Brick Lane, as I got bored half-way through and took it back to the library - life's too short.

What's on your "don't bother" list?

[Via Galleycat].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Rubbish Books, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (12)

The Year of Magical Thinking on Broadway

Looks like Keris was right: The Play IS the thing. Fresh from the disaster of High Fidelity  Broadway is bouncing back with another book adaptation, this one a little less unconventional. Veteran author Joan Didion has adapted her hit book The Year of Magical Thinking into a monologue, to be performed by Vanessa Redgrave. The book (and play) is about how Didion coped with the sudden death of her husband and the terminal illness of her daughter in the same few months, so it's not exactly cheery, but is meditative rather than self-pitying. (Or so I hear - I've had my copy since October but haven't cracked the cover quite yet... it looks great though!) [Via Vanity Fair].

Related: The Glass Castle on stage

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 12, 2007 3:34 PM

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 11, 2007 1:50 PM

NON-FICTION AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Hillary Carlip

Finally! The chance to sit down and speak to (okay, email with!) the very funny and talented Hillary Carlip in our second non-fiction author interview! (Find the first one here). Over to Hillary...

How would you summarise your book?

Well, let’s just say it took a lot of work with my publishers to come up with the summary on the back cover of the book. And it’s always easier to have someone else toot your horn rather than yourself! So here it is:

A hilariously offbeat memoir about an adventurous young woman's escapades as she defies conventions and transforms an ordinary Los Angeles life into a star-studded, extraordinary miracle of self-discovery. Queen of the Oddballs: And Other True Stories from a Life Unaccording to Plan forms a chronology of Hillary Carlip's habitual straying from roads more traveled -- from a wisecracking third-grader suspended from school for smoking (while imitating Holly Golightly), to a headline-making teen activist, juggler and fire eater, friend (NOT "fan") of Carly Simon and Carole King, grand prize-winning Gong Show contestant, cult rock star, and seeker of spiritual and romantic truths that definitely defy expectations. Illustrated with ephemera -- from diary entries and photographs to a handwritten letter from Carly Simon -- Queen of the Oddballs presents a virtual time capsule of pop culture's last four decades and celebrates a creative life lived to the hilt.

More from my favourite memoirist of 2006 over the cut!

What do you enjoy about writing non-fiction?

It’s important to me that whatever I write has the potential to inspire people – to live their lives more fully and creatively, and to embrace who they are. It feels easier for me to do that with non-fiction.

What's an average writing day like? (briefly!)

I personally need to flit. I prefer to focus for some time, then go do something else, then return to writing. It’s like when I learned how to juggle when I was a teenager. If you continue doing it for too long at one time, you’ll just start dropping everything. But if you leave and come back, there’s more focus.

What's your favourite novel by a woman?

As you may be able to tell by the stories in Queen of the Oddballs, I don’t like limiting myself, or narrowing anything down!! So it’s incredibly hard to pick one piece of writing as my favourite when there are countless books and authors I adore.

Who is your favourite female character (fictional or real), and why?

Same as the last question. Impossible to pick just one! However, I will name one female character I definitely related to as a child, and is included in my book. Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Daring and darling, she shoplifted and had only one friend, her cat named Cat. She was strong and independent, saying things like: “You don't have to worry. I've taken care of myself for a long time," and had such a unique sense of style.

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

I’m working on several projects. One is a top-secret novel, the other is an anthology book of personal essays from my literary site, Fresh Yarn.

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

THIS ONE! For the last six months I have been doing scores of TV, radio, print, and web interviews. I can’t think of one question that’s not been asked… until yours. So, good job! Very original! :)

Thanks Hillary! (And that was Keris's idea!)

Interview archives / Non-fiction archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 11, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Interviews, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 10, 2007 2:44 PM

The £4,000 book!

Much as I love books, I'd never, never ever even if I was a millionaire, pay £4,000 for one. (Spend that much on lots of different books? Possibly).

But there's obviously a market for exclusive luxury books, as niche publisher Gloria has announced the success of its first book (about Brazilian footie star Pele). The book was priced at £4,000 for a special edition and £1,000 otherwise. Gloria's next book, due in June, is called Superyachts...

To each his own!

[Via The Guardian].

Related: Amazon.com launches a podcast, Amazon founder launches rocket?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 10, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Opinion, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 9, 2007 10:28 AM

SPOTLIGHT: Chris Manby

I can't believe we haven't had a look at popular and prolific British author, Chris Manby.

Chris Manby grew up in Gloucester and published her first short story in Just Seventeen magazine at the age of fourteen. After studying psychology at Oxford, Chris met a New York psychic who told her she would write seven novels. Her first, Flatmates, was published two years later. Her eleventh, Marrying for Money, was published at the end of last year. (At least the psychic was part right!)

Chris now lives between London and Los Angeles and writes full-time.

Did you know? That as well as the novels under her own name, Chris has had several erotic novels published under the pseudonym Stephanie Ash.

Carry on over the cut for Chris's bibliography.

Flatmates
Second Prize
Deep Heat
Lizzie Jordan's Secret Life
Running Away from Richard
Getting Personal
Seven Sunny Days
Girl Meets Ape
Ready or Not
The Matchbreaker
Marrying for Money

See Chris talking about Girl Meets Ape at Meet the Author.

Posted by Keris on January 9, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Recent Release, Romance, Series, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 5, 2007 6:21 PM

Richard & Judy bookclub 2007

Yes, they've been announced! The titles of the books that are going to be flying off the shelves for the rest of this year:

The Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld
The Testament of Gideon Mack by James Robertson
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This Book Will Save Your Life by A M Homes
Restless by William Boyd
Love in the Present Tense by Catherine Ryan Hyde
The Girls by Lori Lansens
Semi-Detached by Griff Rhys Jones

They'll be officially announced on Richard & Judy's UK TV show on 31 January and you'll be able to buy them from the website. [via Galleycat]

I've only heard of two of the books and three of the authors, so I have to disagree with Mark Lawson's assertion that the couple choose books that would have done well without their help.

So what do you think? Is it a good list? Have you read any of them? Do you want to read any of them?

[Richard and Judy archives]

Posted by Keris on January 5, 2007 in American Authors, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release, Richard and Judy, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

Plotting for Beginners sites

Remember how much I loved Plotting for Beginners? Well, co-author Sue Hepworth has now updated her blog and main character Sally's blog, so I (and you!) have some great reading to catch up on - and to tide me over until the next book. What a treat for a Friday afternoon!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 5, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Recent Release, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 4, 2007 6:03 PM

Top 5 Beauty Books by our expert beauty book picker!

If you've been burying your head in a book (or reading Trashionista) far too much to even glance over at our sister site Kiss and Makeup, you've really been missing out. But you can make up for it now by heading over there to check out their Top 5 Beauty Books, as picked by beauty expert and KAMU editor Charlotte. I can never get the hang of foundation and am flummoxed by the beauty counters at Boots, so these could be some very useful guides for me!

Related post: Posh is a signing sensation .

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 3, 2007 8:35 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

As the largest book retailer on the internet, we talk about Amazon a lot (and I bash my credit card there regularly, you won't be surprised to hear!) But who doesn't love a nice cosy independent bookshop, and who doesn't have sympathy for the plight of independent book store owners who are being rapidly pushed out of business by the big chains on the high street and the internet? A passionate suppporter of independent retailers, author George Walker has taken the unprecedented step of demanding that his book, Tales from an Airfield be pulled from Amazon, after they began stocking it without his knowledge. Says George: "What they are actually doing is getting the independents to do their market research. When a book gets a certain amount of attention, they will attempt to stock it and cut the independents out. Not with my book!"

What do you think - is this a meaningful protest? An important cause? Is it worth trying to stop the forces of capitalism? Will more authors do this? And should they?

Tell us what you think: is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

[Via Booktrade info]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 3, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Recent Release, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (4)

MOVIE NEWS: Round up: Miss Potter, Motherless Brooklyn, Perfume... and more!

There are a LOT of books-turned-films out now or coming up this year! First, Miss Potter, Bridget Jones star Renée Zellweger's portrayal of iconic British children's author Beatrix Potter (which reunites her with Ewan McGregor) is out in UK cinemas as I write. As is Perfume, out later than expected, but getting some good reviews.

And there's exciting news for fans of Jonathan Lethem's hit novel about a detective with Tourette's, Motherless Brooklyn (Keris), which I haven't read yet, but hear only good things about. (Plus it won the prestigious American National Book Critics Award for Fiction). A screenplay is currently "in production", lined up to be written, directed by and starring the fantastically talented Edward Norton, so it should be a quality film, fingers crossed...

PLUS, Dakota Fanning, who has to be the hardest-working twelve-year old in the world, is about to star in a film of kid's classic Charlotte's Web, along with the voices of Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi and Oprah Winfrey! There's also Freedom Writers, starring Hilary Swank and sounding remarkably like Dangerous Minds, but based on this book.

I'm sure there are more on the way, but that's enough for now!

[Via Imdb.com]

Movie News archives / Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Movie News, New Releases, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 2, 2007 6:03 PM

BOOK REVIEW: My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler

Maybe because I'm such a good, sweet innocent young woman (stop laughing at the back!) but I love reading about people who are totally politically incorrect and absolutely shameless, and comedian-turned-author Chelsea Handler certainly fits that bill. In her memoir of one-night stands, My Horizontal Life, she wants to dispel the myths around one-night stands: that they're something to be ashamed of, make you a bad person, or that only slutty people have them. They're something to be re-joiced in, laughed at and looked forward to, she says...

Despite the theme of the book, it's actually not sexually explicit. We learn a lot about Chelsea's family, her upbringing and her friends, and we learn perhaps more than we need to about some aspects of her life (do NOT ask her how she got RSI!) But she never gets down to the real sex stuff nitty-gritty, and for that I was grateful! Her book is more about her encounters than the actual sex itself, which stays behind closed doors. Trust me, the men she meets and situations she gets into are weird enough, we don't need to know more...

This book made me laugh, but was at times very mean-spirited (she hates and mocks her former roommate for being a virgin at 28, and frequently lies to men). I don't think I'd want Chelsea for a friend (finding out she likes to try to make her friends pee themselves in their sleep confirmed that for me) but as an author she's entertaining and I admire her self-confidence and lack of hang-ups and the fact that she offers a new perspective on sexual mores.

But her romantic life -and her everyday life, too-  seems a little shallow, and at times I had to stop reading because she was just being too mean or annoying! Definitely an improvement on Girl with a One-Track Mind-type tell-alls though, and a fast and fun read, if you can cope with a dose of attitude and more than a little superficiality...

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK NEWS: How Not to be a Desperate Housewife... and the long-awaited Gilmore Girls collection!

They're baaaaack! Yes, those crazy ladies of Wisteria Lane are back tomorrow with a double bill (9.30 PM, Channel 4, lock the doors and unplug the phone) and if you don't want to end up like them, this book might help: How Not to Be a Desperate Housewife by Charlotte Williamson.

[Via Cupcate].

In other book/TV tie-in news, the WAY too overdue essay collection, Coffee at Luke's: An Unauthorized Gilmore Girls Gabfest is finally listed on Amazon, although won't be out until May. Jennifer Crusie will be editing once more, and I can't WAIT!

Related posts: Reading Desperate Housewives / Reading Gilmore Girls. And don't forget our sister site, TV Scoop!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release, Television | Permalink | Comments (3)

December 29, 2006 12:00 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Light on Snow by Anita Shreve

Anita Shreve's Light on Snow is a great read for this time of year, as it's set before Christmas in the snowy surrounds of a tiny and remote New Hampshire town, where 12 year old Nicky and her dad relocated to three years earlier following a family tragedy. Out walking through the snow one day, they hear a strange sound, and go to investigate. To their surprise, they find a newborn baby abandoned in this isolated part of the woods. For a while, they are brought closer by caring for the baby- taking her to the hospital, looking after her temporarily... but then the baby is found a foster home and father and daughter go back to their separate grief-filled lives.

Until the mother of the baby tracks them down...

I loved this novel. It's atmospheric, moving and perfectly conveys the sorrow of grief. I also love its realism- there's real hope by the end of the novel, but this springs organically from the story- there's no surprise happy ending, nothing that seems too unlikely. In short, it's like real life. The way it's written, in spare, clear prose suited the story and stopped it being too sentimental. Shreve also effortlessly captured the voice of a 12-year old girl and should be studied by anyone who wants to do the same!

Gripping, poignant and hopeful, it's not lighthearted, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Recommended.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try All He Ever Wanted by Anita Shreve; Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 29, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 28, 2006 12:45 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Empress Orchid by Anchee Min

Empress Orchid by Anchee Min isn’t a traditional chick lit read- more like historical fiction, but I found it a fantastic view on how women can gain positions of real power and what they have to go through on the way. So I think it could be quite inspiring reading if you want something a little more serious.

The book tells the fictional story of a real character – the last Empress of China. She starts her story as the impoverished daughter of a nobleman, without even enough money to transport her father’s body home, and ends up controlling the Empire having given the Emperor his only male heir.

Whilst the plot is slow and it can be hard work keeping track of the characters, the book has a fantastic amount of detail about the process of becoming a concubine and all the ritual that surrounded the court – as well as some intricate descriptions of the clothes worn. The strongest part of the story, and that which will leave you really wanting Orchid to succeed, is when she overcomes her misery at not being selected to spend a night with the Emperor and learns some ‘tricks of the trade’ from the oldest profession to make sure that when she does, it’ll be a night he won’t forget!

The book does a good job of exploring the difference between the public persona and the private person – the Emperor behind closed doors is not everything he seems to his court, and it’s through completely different skills that Orchid manages to captivate the Emperor. This turning point sets off an extreme version of the jealous power-play familiar to anyone who’s spent time with a large group of women, but in this case it’s a salutary lesson for anyone who has every dreamt of being a princess.

Not one for lighthearted beach reading, but a really interesting book all the same. It makes you think hard about how much we take for granted in today’s society while providing some interesting fictional insight into the past. [Emma Tazewell]

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 28, 2006 in Book related, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 27, 2006 12:55 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

The LAST Yay or Nay of the year! So let's make the most of it shall we - BOMBARD us with your opinions, please!

As we've just had Christmas (well, most of us), here's an xmas-themed question. Richard and Judy devoted a whole TV show/book party to discussing the best Christmas gift books... but do you like them? Are Schott's Miscellanys and Almanacs or books answering all those annoying little questions you've (n)ever wondered about actually worth the money? Do you read them after a quick flick through on December 25th, or are they consigned to a dusty old corner of the book case forever more?

In other words, for the last time this year, please tell us - Is it a Yay or a Nay, and Why?

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

Posted by Aigua Media on December 27, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Non Fiction, Opinion, Recent Release, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (6)

BOOK REVIEW: The Bad Mother’s Handbook by Kate Long

Having picked up The Bad Mother's Handbook for the train, I didn’t think I’d enjoy it – I’m not a mother at all, let alone a bad one, and my views on children can be easily summed up by the old joke ‘I love children, but I couldn’t eat a whole one’. The title is deceptive though, and surprisingly I found I couldn’t put down this heart-warming tale of three women, three generations of the same family, living together in chaos.

The story is told from the points of view of Karen, a harried mother, her mixed up seventeen year old daughter Charlotte, and her terminally-confused elderly Nan. Both Nan and Charlotte live with Karen and seem to conspire to make her life hell. Charlotte is going through her own traumas as she discovers sex and the almost inevitable consequences of betrayal and babies, while Nan is living in the past remembering her own childhood.

The different styles of writing used for each viewpoint give the story a very personal feel and makes you feel very involved, even if you don’t necessarily identify with any of the characters. The sections describing Nan’s childhood have a real feel of saga story about them, and you could imagine everyone groaning as an aged aunt started off with ‘when I were young I had to walk 10 miles to school in my bare feet…’ for the tenth time that evening.

There’s an interesting extra level to the story, behind the domesticity and usual love-interest when Karen discovers that Nan isn’t really her mother and goes in search of the woman who is. She finds out some things that makes her belatedly grateful for what she has, and give you hope that things might work out in the end. It’s not always a happy read, and I think it could be a bit close to the bone for anyone involved in a similar situation, but by the end of the book everything has turned out for the best. This is mainly through the arrival of Charlotte’s friend, who is more like a guardian angel than a real teenage boy – and everything is tied up very neatly all of a sudden, through a slightly unlikely intervention. I’m not sure if the end felt a bit rushed because I was keen to find out what happened, or whether it really did wind up a little too quickly but despite a ‘one year later’ style final chapter, I was left with a number of questions.

But all in all a good read, and one that makes you think past the title. [Emma Tazewell].

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Confessions of a Grown Up by Stephanie Calman; Mama Lama Ding Dong by Ayun Halliday.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 27, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 26, 2006 12:00 PM

NON-FICTION AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Robert Rave and Jane Rave

This is an exciting first for Trashionista, so of course we had to save it for Super Interview month: our first non-fiction interview!

We spoke exclusively (via internet) to Robert Rave and Jane Rave, the mother-son team behind entertaining memoir/advice book Conversations and Cosmopolitans.

How did the idea for this book come about?

Robert: It was about sharing our story really. Coming out stories aren’t really anything new, and when my mom and I discussed writing this together we wanted to tell some of the conversations and situations we encountered over my process of coming out which even today continues to evolve. We wanted these stories to be told in a way that could open up a dialogue between families through both the funny and sometimes sad stories we tell.

Did you enjoy working together on the project?

Robert: She was probably the most difficult person I’ve ever worked with in my entire life, a real witch.

Only kidding! It was incredible. How many people can really say they truly know their parents. I feel fortunate to say that I do.

Jane: Yes, we had a lot of fun, but we also really laid a lot out there because we thought being authentic was the only way people gay or straight, teenager or adult, would be able to relate to us. During the writing process we both laughed a lot, and each of us probably silently cried for the other one.

Did Robert's infamous "gay letter" bring you closer?

Robert: That letter was either going to bring us closer or set the stage for a very expensive therapy bill!

Carry on over the cut for Jane's answer, and more from the Raves...

Jane: We were close already. However, I think through that letter Robert was opening a door to my husband and me, and not seizing that opportunity wasn’t an option.

What advice would you give to anyone in the same position as you guys at the start of the book- a parent and gay son or daughter who's just come out- and who might not be quite as comfortable talking to each other as you are?

Jane: I think as a parent, you have to first realize you love your child unconditionally. I know it sounds so simple, but so many parents forget that. Don’t be afraid to tell your kids that your love has no conditions and more importantly make them feel it. Let them open up slowly, and don’t be afraid to ask questions that’s how a dialogue begins. Or just give them a copy of our book- and after you finish-you’ll be able to decide what to do or in some cases what not to do.

Robert: It’s important to feel the situation out. I know wholeheartedly that not every parent wants to hear about waxing, dating, and body images issues whether gay or straight. It’s all about finding your “in” to bring up the topic. Trust me, I hate confrontation—I wrote a letter to come out to my parents! Take it a day at a time. It’s a good idea to also keep a healthy supply of cosmopolitans nearby in case of emergencies.

What's in this book for people who just want a darn good read? Robert: It has sex, booze, family drama, and body image issues- it sounds like a typical episode of “Footballer’s Wives” to me, so what’s not to like?

What are some of your favourite books? What are you reading now?

Jane: I like all sorts of books. I just finished A Perfect Evil, and that was so intense that I had nightmares from it. I picked up the book by Nora Ephron, I Feel Bad About My Neck, and it gave me a good laugh which I needed after A Perfect Evil.

Robert: Lately, I’m really into memoirs. I’m a HUGE fan of Josh Kilmer Purcell’s book I Am Not Myself These Days. I can’t wait to read more from him. I enjoyed Jen Lancaster’s Bitter Is the New Black as well. I’ve also read everything written by David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs.

Thanks guys!

Interview archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 26, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Interviews, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

December 20, 2006 1:26 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Goddess Guide by Gisele Scanlon

The title page of The Goddess Guide says ‘Gisele Scanlon, a writer, illustrator and seeker of all things stylish and eclectic, has exhausted her passport and gathered together the best of her findings into one unique collection ... From the practical to the frivolous, the fun to the profound, the stylish to the surprising ... sprinkle a little Goddess magic into you life.’ I couldn’t have put it better myself (which is why I didn’t bother.)

Chapters include Style, Beauty, Travel, Home, Havin’ Fun, Joie de Vivre and Pillow Talk and are illustrated with photographs, drawings, hand-written notes from such style luminaries as Serena and Joe from Agent Provocateur and Tracey Emin (although I can’t read her writing at all.

Absolutely packed with information and tips; it’s practically an encyclopedia of 21st Century style. It looks and feels gorgeous and it has clearly been a labour of love on the part of Ms Scanlon.

Some of the tips and recommendations are beyond me - I won’t be spending $38,000 to get my teeth done by Sarah Michelle Gellar’s New York dentist any time soon - but it’s no more aspirational than most women’s glossies and there is great advice within for everyone, whatever their age, earnings or lifestyle. Indispensible.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try The Shops by India Knight

Posted by Keris on December 20, 2006 in Girly Stuff, Irish Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 18, 2006 5:33 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Meg Cabot

My co-ed Keris out-and-out worships (well, pretty much!) the lovely Ms. Cabot, and I think she's a darn fine YA and chick-lit author too, so we were delighted when the Princess Diaries author took part in the famous (hey, it could be!) Trashionista author interview...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Princess Diaries, Seventh Heaven, is the seventh book in the Princess Diaries series.

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

On my 12 inch PowerBook G4, in bed.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

I'm a big fan of Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series, Megan Crane's English as a Second Language, Valerie Frankel's Hex and the Single Girl, Susan Juby's Alice series, and Michele Jaffe's Bad Kitty.

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

Princess Leia Organa from Star Wars. Because she's socially conscious AND a dead shot with a laser gun (and she understands keeping your hair out of your eyes while shooting stormtroopers is important).

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

Write all the time. Never stop sending out your stuff. And remember that the first Princess Diaries got rejected seventeen times before my current publisher finally bought it.

What are you reading at the moment?

Cancer Vixen by Marisa Acocella Marchetto.

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

Princess Diaries 9 (there are only going to be 10 full-length books in total, so we're almost at the end), in which everything that occurs in After Eight, Princess Diaries 8 (out in January) finally sinks in. [We'll be reviewing 8, 9 and 10, no doubt!- Diane]

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!)

There is no question I have never been asked. There are questions I can't believe I've been asked--such as the time a guy asked me if I'm still upset, like my character Princess Mia, that my boobs are so small--but I've been asked them all. By the way, the answer no...my boobs may be small, but they are spectacular.

[That's a Teri-Hatcher's-guest-spot-on Seinfeld reference, fact fans!]

Thanks Meg!

Meg's fabulous site / Interview archives

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 18, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Girly Stuff, Interviews, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (5)

December 14, 2006 10:10 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Copycat by Erica Spindler

Erica Spindler is well known for her thrillers. She has won the Kiss of Death Award in the past and I think that gives you a clue as to the type of books she writes.
 
Copycat is about a killer who suffocated three little girls in their beds leaving them posed as if they were sleeping. This earned them the name the Sleeping Angel Killer. They left no clues or witnesses. The crime remained unsolved until the killing started again five years on.

Kitt Lundgren, the lead detective from the original investigation, is overlooked for the case. After all, the last time it had pushed her over the edge and she had hit the bottle. It had taken her years to become sober again and now she’s only trusted with the lowliest of cases. That is until she spots a difference. A tiny variation in the killings that opens terrifying new possibilities.

The first thing that hit me about this book was the title. It immediately made me think of its namesake, the 1995 movie Copycat starring Sigourney Weaver. Considering the name, it’s ironic that there are so many similarities between the two. They both contain serial killers that may be copying the handiwork of others and washed up alcoholic investigators who are traumatised by the original murders. The whole book came across as very formulaic. But then I’m sure Spindler thought ‘If it ain’t broke don’t fix it’!

Apart from the lack of originality, this book works. It’s exciting and keeps you reading. The main characters are likeable strong women, although their home lives are too full of woe at times. There are a few plot twists that keep you guessing who the killer is until the end. It’s a great read.

I’m sure this will deliver to the crime buffs out there, but don’t expect anything new. [Angela Richardson]
 
Rating: 4 out of 5
 
Like this? Try Bloodstream by Tess Gerritsen 

Posted by Aigua Media on December 14, 2006 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 8, 2006 8:09 PM

Diane's "Top 10 books I reviewed this year"

Trashionista's Top 100 Extravaganza! continues...

I've reviewed A LOT of books since I started writing for Trashionista back in July, and here are my top ten favourites - do you agree that these are some fabulous reads? What are your top reads of 2006? I'm making myself abide by two rules:

As I've already written about the top 10 non-fiction chick lit books, I'm going to stick to my fictional faves and

No re-reads or old favourites allowed - only books I read for the first time this year!

With that in mind, here's my top 10 for 2006, with what I said about each in quotes...

10. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. A classic novel with an engaging heroine and a lot to say. "Based in early twentieth-century Brooklyn, it tells the story of Francie Nolan and her family’s fight to get by in a time without electricity, a welfare system, or even windows in the bedrooms of their tiny apartment.  Francie lives with her hard-working mother, hard-drinking father and younger brother Neely in a slum neighbourhood of the city. If all that sounds depressing, it isn’t... If you want a compelling story that teaches you something, this is a great read, and despite its size, a fast one."

9. Singeltini by Amanda Trimble. Fun, fast-paced, a bit farcical but a very enjoyable read in a fabulous cover! "Singletini is pretty standard, fairytale-ending chick-lit but written in a fast and compelling style, (perhaps as a result of the author's time in advertising?) that never becomes boring... This is Amanda Trimble's debut novel - I'd definitely like to read more."

8. Twenty Times a Lady by Karyn Bosnak. Great premise and a very well-written, fun story! "A fast, funny and very enjoyable love story/road-trip novel. Whilst you may be able to predict how the book will end, you won't predict how Delilah gets there - and that's the mark of a good writer. The book speeds along, and there's a lot of surprises on the way to a happy ending. I loved the fact that the main character is a risk-taker, not afraid to seem stupid- and brave in sharing her feelings. And I frequently found myself snorting with laughter at her remarks!"

7. The Guy Not Taken by Jennifer Weiner. Weiner's latest is actually a collection of short stories... and very good it is too. "Despite some stories being stronger than others, the book works as a whole and is very entertaining.  It's a treat for Jennifer Weiner fans who love her previous work, but newbies would get a lot out of it, too.  Although I raced through (er, I mean savoured slowly!) the stories, my favourite part of the book was actually the "Notes on Stories" at the back of the book, sharing some of the gossip behind the writing process."

6. Stupid and Contagious by Caprice Crane. Okay, so I'm cheating a little with this one, as Keris actually reviewed it - but then she lent it to me quick-smart and I adored it too! The best new chick-lit writer of the year, no doubt. Said Keris, " Full of pop culture references and more than I ever needed to know about the disgusting things wait staff to rude customers, Stupid and Contagious is extremely funny, it made me cry and when I finished it I could happily have turned back to the first page and started it again. One of the best chick lit books I've ever read." I concur.

What will the top 5 be? Carry on over the cut to find out!

5. How I Paid For College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship and Musical Theatre by Marc Acito. I'm allowing a man to infiltrate the sacred top 5, because this book was just so, so good! Original, inventive, fresh and packed full of sex, theft, friendship and musical theatre it perfectly captures the feeling of 80s teen flicks. "How I paid for College… is a fabulous, over-the-top, brilliantly written, laugh-a-minute American lad-lit (is that enough adjectives yet?!) novel that I can’t recommend enough to anyone with a sense of humour and a pulse."

4. The Vanishing Point by Mary Sharratt. Not precisely chick-lit, but with strong heroines and a killer plot, it's not to be missed.  "More than anything, this book is haunting, and stayed with me long after the final heart-wrenchingly unpredictable twist revealed the truth I'd been waiting all novel to find out."

3. A Boy of Good Breeding by Miriam Toews. A warm, funny and poignant story, wonderfully written. Nothing much happens, but it keeps you hooked all the same. "There's occasional silliness and moments of great humour, but written in a wry, observant way that's always intelligent and never carries a joke too far.  It's easy to believe in this quaint little town with its slightly unusual residents... A Boy of Good Breeding is superbly written and the kind of book you want to re-read immediately."

2. Plotting for Beginners by Sue Hepworth and Jane Linfoot. Brilliantly-written and heartfelt hen-lit for the over-50s, I loved this very funny book. "Plotting for Beginners is a wonderfully funny novel about starting again after your children have left home, your husband is AWOL and you want to fulfill your dreams...  found this an enormously satisfying, well-written and perfectly-plotted novel with a main character who's as lovable and funny as Bridget Jones - if a tad more prone to a hot flush..." Look out for an interview with the authors in the new year!

Finally, number 1 in my list, and my heart, for 2006, is...

1. Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson! The book I've been boring all my friends and family about! My read of the year hits the perfect balance between a pacey, exciting storyline and real emotion, and it made me laugh, cry and gape at the quality of the writing. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't enjoy it. "Dealing with themes of abandonment, betrayal, family loyalties and nature vs. nurture, this novel is addictive, thought-provoking reading that's practically perfect in every way.  I defy you not to fall in love with it!"

Trashionista Top 100 Extravanganza! archives / Joshilyn Jackson interview.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 8, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Opinion, Recent Release, Romance, Top 100 Extravaganza! | Permalink | Comments (5)

December 7, 2006 7:18 PM

BOOK REVIEW: What Would Murphy Brown Do? by Allison Klein

Murphy Brown was a 1990s TV show, hugely successful in the US, but less well-known in the UK. The titular character was a tough female journalist and in What Would Murphy Brown Do? Allison Klein examines not only Murphy, but a number of other strong and influential women TV characters, from Roseanne to Ellen to Rachel in Friends.

Starting with "the first overtly feminist sitcom", The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Klein looks at every aspect of women on TV, from the life of the unmarried sitcom woman to body image and ageing to women behind the scenes, supported by quotes from the shows themselves.

I found the essays "Doing 'It' for Fun: The New TV Sexuality" and "The Wonder of Womanhood: TV Friendship" to be the most interesting, but it's all thought-provoking stuff and it also means I've added Roseanne, The Golden Girls and Kate and Allie to my DVD wishlist.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Welcome to Wisteria Lane ed. by Leah Wilson

Television archives

Posted by Keris on December 7, 2006 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

Top ten non-fiction chick lit

Continuing Trashionista's Top 100 Extravaganza, we bring you....

The top 10 non-fiction chick-lit books! After all, there's nothing to say that chick lit has to be fiction, is there? And we've reviewed some fabulous non-fiction chick lit since Trashionista's incarnation. But what were our favourites? (And why?) Read on for the Top 10 Non-Fic Chick Lit, and what we said about it - in quotes, below - and find out!

10. You'll Never Nanny in this Town Again by Suzanne Hansen. Aka: The book that spilled the beans on nannying for the Hollywood elite... truly jaw-dropping.

"I'd definitely recommend it to anyone else who loved The Nanny Diaries, for a real-life perspective (truth really is stranger than fiction)."

9. Conversations and Cosmopolitans by Robert Rave and Jane Rave. A gay man and his mother write alternate chapters about their lives and experiences after Robert gave out as gay via a typo-strewn letter. Cute, funny, and surprisingly  moving:

"I'm a sucker for a good memoir, and this is a very good one. It made me cry in a couple of places, and some of Jane's experiences showed that sometimes straight people are looked down on for their sexuality too- which was a very interesting and unexpected angle... But mostly, it made me laugh and kept me hooked."

8. But Enough About Me by Jancee Dunn. Rock chick / journalist Dunn dishes about interviewing famous stars, dodgy boyfriends and an unfortunate cocaine episode... oh, and journalism too, of course!

"If you're at all interested in music or journalism or even if you remember the Eighties (although if you can remember the Eighties you weren't really there, right?), you'll love this charming and funny book."

7. Tabloid Love by Bridget Harrison. The story of a British journo looking for love in New York - a real life Bridget/Carrie hybrid!

"I found her story particularly fascinating being a frustrated Lois Lane myself, but you don't need to be a journalist-wannabe to enjoy this book: if you like reading about big cities, love, and the ups and downs of a modern woman making it on her own (and if none of those things interest you, what are you doing here?!) then you'll love this memoir."

6. Mama Lama Ding Dong by Ayun Halliday. A wonderful and unconventional mothering memoir!

"Mama Lama... is a feel good story about being yourself and having fun- even if you have children or are on the verge of giving birth! Ayun and her family are loving and happy, but far from conventional- they dress their little boy in girls' clothes if they fit him and look cute and their little girl was born with an extra thumb! Plus, their ultra-aggressive cat has an embarrassing sexual fetish..."

Carry on over the cut for our top 5 non-fic chick lit books, and to see if you agree!

5. I'm Celibate, Get me Out of Here! A true-life venture into the world of internet dating... with hilarious results.

"This book is witty, fast-paced and highly entertaining. You really feel the roller coaster sense that is associated with the search for Mr Right - at the end of the day we're all either doing it or have done it. The anecdotes are hugely amusing at times, but Elliott never feels the need to be downright rude about any of the men she came across. The idea for the book is very original, who knows it may join the likes of Adrian Mole and Bridget in years to come."

4. Mixed by Angela Nissel. Full of warmth and laughs, but tackles some serious race-related stuff too. My only complaint? It's not long enough!

"This book made me think, while entertaining me, making me laugh and just generally being a joy to read. That's not an easy feat so I can't wait to see what Ms Nissel writes about next..."

3. Cancer Vixen by Marisa Acocella Marchetto.  Bit of a departure, this one: a chick-lit memoir in graphic novel form! But if you're not into comics, don't be put off... or you'll miss out, big time.

"There are some sad moments, of course. There's a moving interlude about Marisa's experience of 9/11 and something that happens as a result of her [cancer] treatment actually made me sob, but in the main this book is hilarious, uplifting and, yes, unputdownable. Read it."

2. Queen of the Oddballs by Hillary Carlip.

"I simply loved this book... Hillary really is an interesting and unique individual who's taken an inspiring yet down-to-earth "Oddball" journey through life. And I'm so happy she decided to write about it!"

And now for number 1! Can you guess what it is yet? Drumroll please...

It's...

1. Under the Duvet by Marian Keyes! Yes, it has to be, didn't it? Arise, Queen Marian of Keyes, goddess of chick lit - fictional or not! The book that made us discuss kidnapping an author for the very first time (see the comments...) We also said:

"Can she be as successful in non-fiction as she is in fiction? Course she can, silly! This is Marian Keyes we're talking about! The signature humour, warmth and poignancy that we love in her novels is all here as she talks about her real life... If you want a book to curl up with, laugh at and just generally cherish (particularly if you're having a 'duvet day' yourself) then you can't go far wrong with this. And if you've only ever read Marian Keyes's fiction, then you're missing a treat!"

Trashionista Top 100 archives / Non-fiction archives / Memoir archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 7, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Top 100 Extravaganza! | Permalink | Comments (3)

December 6, 2006 5:30 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jodi Picoult

Launching Trashionista's super-special Super Interview Month, Jodi Picoult talks exclusively to us! Woo-hoo!! Over to Jodi...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

[The Tenth Circle is] the story of a father dealing with the aftermath of his daughter's date rape - and the rage that it creates.

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

At my desk, upstairs in my house.

Your favourite chick-lit book? Anything by  Sophie Kinsella.

Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why? Scout Finch, from To Kill A Mockingbird - because she's honest and real and will grow up to be an amazing woman who changes the world.

More from Jodi Picoult over the cut...

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

DO IT. Carve out a bit of time each day to write, and even if you write garbage, stay there and keep going - you can always edit garbage; you can't edit a blank page.

What are you reading at the moment?

A galley of a book that will come out this summer called Turpentine.

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

Just this week I wrapped the first draft on a manuscript called Change of  Heart. It's about a man on death row who decides he wants to donate his heart to the sister of his victim, who needs a transplant -- which means that he can't be executed via lethal injection, but instead by means of a less humane form of execution. Then he begins performing miracles...and that some people think he might be Jesus...but the things he says are NOT in the Bible, yet DO come nearly verbatim from a gospel (the Gospel of Thomas) that was rejected by the Church as heresy - and is still considered heresy today. The book questions why we believe the things we do - because they're right, or because it's too frightening to admit we don't have all the answers?

Thanks Jodi! (That sounds great!)

Look out for more Super Interviews all month long! Coming soon: Meg Cabot, Jenny Crusie and Janet Evanovich (really!)

Interview Archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 6, 2006 in American Authors, Interviews, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

December 5, 2006 8:22 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Laura Zigman

This week we turn the spotlight on Laura Zigman. Laura grew up in Massachusetts, and after graduating from university spent ten years working as a publicist in the New York publishing industry.

She spent five years writing Animal Husbandry (while working full-time) and the film rights were bought before it was even published. On publication in 1998 it became a national bestseller and (along with Bridget Jones's Diary and Marian Keyes's Watermelon) was one of the earliest books to be described as chick lit. The film based on the book, Animal Attraction (also known as Someone Like You and one of our Top 10 chick lit film adaptations) starred Ashley Judd and Hugh Jackman.

Laura’s second novel, Dating Big Bird (which, in contrast to Animal Husbandry, Laura wrote in three months!), came out in 2000, and her third, Her, followed in 2002. Her long-awaited new book, Piece of Work, came out in September this year and has been optioned by Tom Hanks' production company with My Big Fat Greek Wedding's Nia Vardalos set to both write the screenplay and star in the movie.

Laura currently lives outside Boston with her husband and young son.

Carry on over the cut for Laura’s bibliography and look out for our interview with Laura coming up in Super Interview Month!

Animal Husbandry
Dating Big Bird
Her
Piece of Work

Listen to Laura talk about Piece of Work on eyeonbooks.com

Spotlight archives

Posted by Keris on December 5, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

New York panel talks up chick lit

Book insiders Galleycat report today that "Attendees at the Small Press Center's book fair last weekend might have been surprised to see a panel scheduled for Saturday afternoon on chick lit..." 

But it sounds like a great and very positive discussion, in which authors including Sarah Mlynowski and (editor of This is Chick Lit) Lauren Baratz Logsted emphasised the wide variety of chick lit available, and the fact that it's not just about mindless bimbos who love shoes. Not that there's anything wrong with loving shoes... or writing for them, for that matter!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 5, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: Me vs Me by Sarah Mlynowski

Sarah Mlynowski's Me vs Me has been compared to the Gwyneth Paltrow film Sliding Doors and the premise is similar. Just before Gabby is about to leave Arizona for her dream job in New York, her boyfriend Cam proposes. She loves Cam, but she really wants to move to New York and he won’t even consider it. Frightened of making the wrong decision, Gabby wishes she could do both and suddenly finds herself living two lives: one in New York and the other in Arizona. The difference between Me vs Me and Sliding Doors is that Gabby knows about both her lives: every night after going to bed in one life, she wakes up in the other and lives each day twice. And for a while it works out fine ...

Gabby’s New York life seems to be going swimmingly - if you ignore Heather the psycho roommate and the fact that Gabby misses Cam. She’s great at her news producing job (having only just mentioned the novelty of a chick lit heroine who’s good at her job, here’s another - I hope it’s a trend) even if her boss is getting a little over-familiar. She’s even losing weight and she’s stopped biting her nails.

Meanwhile her Arizona life gets worse and worse thanks to Cam’s beyond-controlling mother taking over the wedding plans. Arizona is a nightmare and her nails are a mess, but at least there she’s got Cam.

Gabby has literally got the best of both worlds, but before too long she realises she has to choose - in other words, she’s back where she started.

I really loved this book. It’s an original and interesting idea, entertainingly executed. I preferred the New York side of the story - I found Arizona-Gabby too irritatingly spineless (even though she’s aware that she is) plus I could happily have battered mother-in-law Alice to death with her own wedding binder (on the plus side, it takes real skill to create a character this infuriating!). The only sour note for me was Cam. In the Arizona half he is such a controlling, patronising mummy’s boy that I didn’t want Gabby to end up with him in either life.

I’ve enjoyed almost all of Sarah Mlynowski’s books, but with Me vs Me and the fab All About Rachel series, she really is at the top of her game.

Rating 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Enchanted Inc by Shanna Swendson

Related posts: See Jane Write review / Chick lit for little chicks / As Seen on TV review / CNN on chick lit

Posted by Keris on December 5, 2006 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (7)

December 4, 2006 12:51 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Watching the English by Kate Fox

Watching the English is Kate Fox's attempt to make sense of our island race. (Sorry Scots, Welsh and Irish!) She wanted to discover and describe the essence of Englishness - asking what unique attributes do the English have, and how can they be best described - and made sense of? She did some painstaking research to find out: spending a morning bumping into people to see how many of them would apologise (clue: more in England than anywhere else in the world!) or having a pleasant afternoon queue-jumping to see what people's responses would be. (If you guessed out-right violence, you're not English, are you?)

The book is subtitled "The hidden rules of English behaviour" and Fox attempts to uncover and explain what these rules are, and then explains them. To some extent...

Obviously the author has an advantage in some ways - she is English, and she's an anthropologist, so used to the systematic and scientific observation of a society in order to understand its rules. But she can't help getting caught up in them herself - for example she really dwells a lot on the class system, giving it great importance in the book. And here she's only really speaking from one perspective - her own. She talks about how only middle and upper-working class families use coasters, and is at pains to point out that she never would - to prove her upper-middle class credentials. Not exactly an impartial scientific observer, but as she's writing about her own experiences that's probably inevitable! I certainly enjoyed her personal observations and think she made some fascinating discoveries - especially about the unspoken rules of pub behaviour, and the very English approach to sporting events.

I think this book would be a brilliant help to those nations who sometimes find the English cold or have trouble understanding our behaviour (Americans spring to mind, as there are several examples of cross-pond cultural misunderstandings in the book). It's also a very entertaining read for English - and probably even non-English British - people. But the book was sometimes a tad too subjective, sometimes a tad too analytical and I'm not convinced that Kate Fox truly explained what Englishness is, although she certainly makes some interesting and enlightening discoveries about us.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 4, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

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)

December is Super Interview Month!

Because we have some super interviews for you this month, and lots of them!

You want exclusive Trashionista interviews with Jenny Crusie, Janet Evanovich, Meg Cabot and more? You got 'em!

Stay tuned throughout the whole of December to make sure you don't miss out!  (Can you tell I'm excited?!)

It all starts on Wednesday, December 6th, with an exclusive interview with Jodi Picoult (*squeal!*)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 1, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Celebrity Authors, Interviews, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 30, 2006 8:00 PM

THURSDAY THREE: Marriage and mayhem

Almost everyone I know is getting married lately, and it got me thinking about the number of books devoted to the subject of weddings- especially the ones with madness and mayhem involved! Here are three picks of the bunch- but feel free to read on and suggest your own...

Laura Wolf's Diary of a Mad Bride is a "will there be a wedding disaster or won't there?" classic. Amy vows that when she gets married, she'll be far more level-headed than her taffeta-obsessed engaged girlfriends. But when her boyfriend proposes, she finds she's just as bad as everyone else: "Marriages are made in heaven - but weddings are made in hell...What is it about getting married that can turn a sophisticated, level-headed woman into an obsessed wreck?" A great fast and funny farce- just don't use Amy as your role model...!

Carry on over the cut for more wedding fun...

The next book is about a sister of the bride, rather than a mad bride... If you hated the Debra Messing film The Wedding Date (everyone I know who's seen it does!) then don't be put off by the book it's based on- they're nothing alike! Liz Young's Asking for Trouble is about Sophy, who doesn't have a date for her sister's wedding, so asks an attractive escort to accompany her... of course, things don't go quite to plan!

Finally, Marry Me by Carey Marx is the true-life story of a comedian's quest to find true love and get married... within six months! It's very, very funny- but you'll have to read it to see if he achieves his goal...

What are your favourite marriage/wedding themed books?

Thursday Three archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 30, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, Non Fiction, Recent Release, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (5)

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)

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 5:05 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week, we weren't exactly flooded with answers (come on, we can do better this week!) but those who did Yay or Nay decided that graphic novels should be allowed to be nominated for literary prizes. So there, lit snobs!

This week, another hot book (and relationship!) topic: I read this week in Glamour that famously fiery chef (and now star of Hell's Kitchen both here and in the U.S) Gordon Ramsay refused to read his wife's cook book (threatened, much?) Lovely This Morning agony aunt Denise Robertson's husband also never reads her novels... and she's quite happy about it. But how would you feel if your partner didn't want to read your work- rejected... or relieved?

Are partners even 'allowed' to shirk their duties in this way? Or is it perfectly healthy to draw a line between work and home?

In other words: your other half reading your masterpiece... is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

Posted by Aigua Media on November 22, 2006 in Book News, Book related, Non Fiction, Recent Release, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (8)

BOOK REVIEW: The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart

As Keris mentioned in her review of E. [for Emily] Lockhart's The Boyfriend Book, The Boyfriend List is the prequel to that book. Ever the completist, I couldn't resist reviewing it! 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'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 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. The story is very cleverly woven together in this way, and keeps the reader hooked.

At first, I admit it took me a little time to adjust to a YA story, all about school and teenage feelings- I wasn't sure I wanted to revisit all that! Plus the book is clearly aimed at young teenagers... But once I got into the story, I didn't care about any of that, and would now be happy to call E. Lockhart one of my favourite chick-lit authors- YA or otherwise...

Ruby Oliver is a believable and endearing character and The Boyfriend List is compelling, fun, and captures the spirit of teenagerdom brilliantly. And it will remind you to be very careful what you throw away in public bins, too....

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Boyfriend Book by E Lockhart; The Princess Diaries Seventh Heaven by Meg Cabot.

And check out the author's blog too- it's fab!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 22, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (5)

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 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)

November 15, 2006 7:51 PM

MARY SHARRATT GIVEAWAY!

Loved Mary Sharratt's guest blog? Intrigued by the sound of her book? Well, we have one copy of The Vanishing Point (which I'm loving just now!) to give away to one lucky UK/Europe-based reader!

Simply email us your name and address with "Mary" in the subject line to be in with a chance to win!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 15, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Competition, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

TRASHIONISTA AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jenna Bayley-Burke

Jenna Bayley-Burke is the author of Just One Spark which she wrote as part of NaNoWrimo. Here, she talks to us (and coming soon- a guest blog from Jenna!)

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Mr. Buttoned Uptight needs a girlfriend and a caterer, so decides to multi-task.

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

I like to write at coffee shops with my favorite coffee-of-the-month (maple latte, try it!), however, I do most of my writing in bed with my laptop, and my kidlets sleeping down the hall.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Hmmm. Favourites are overrated. Kristin Lobe's Paris Hangover for the setting and her use of description, Jane Porter's The Frog Prince for the way she layers in emotion, and Saralee Rosenberg's Fate and Ms. Fortune for the humor. You didn't really expect me to pick one? Please, that's like eating one M&M. No one does that!

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

Oh! I just read the Santa, Baby anthology, and loved Toni Larson from Carly Phillips' Naughty Under The Mistletoe. I'm always a big fan of heroines who know what they want, and take it. 

[Expect a Trashionista review of Santa, Baby, which also features a Jennifer Crusie novella, in December].

Carry on over the cut for the rest of our interview with Jenna...

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

Read your favorite authors as you would textbooks. Look to see from whom you can learn emotion, setting, humor, sensuality, action, etc. And write. That's the main thing.

What are you reading at the moment?

Well... Raising a Reader, YOU on a Diet and Off Her Rocker by Jennifer Archer. Just finished an advance reader's copy of Vicki Lewis Thompson's My Nerdy Valentine last night. Fantastic!

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

My NaNoWriMo, Sure Thing. It's difficult because it uses the characters and time line of Just One Spark. It's hard, but Kate & Derek needed their own story.

Thanks Jenna! Jenna's new novel Cooking Up a Storm is released on December 1st.

Jenna's blog / Interview Archives / Nanovember archives

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 15, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Girly Stuff, Interviews, Modern Fiction, NaNovember, New Releases, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

November 14, 2006 11:10 AM

GUEST BLOG: MARY SHARRATT

As part of our NaNovember celebrations, Mary Sharratt, a fave of Joshilyn Jackson and loyal friend of Trashionista, talks about how long it took her to write her book The Vanishing Point- and why she set it way back in the past...

Mary Sharratt on... why timing (and research!) is everything.

Back in the early 1990s, long before the whole NaNoWriMo phenomenon began, I wrote the first draft of my novel, The Vanishing Point, as a novella. The writing didn’t take long—the story itself flowed out of me in the form of a dark fairy tale. Full of love and longing, deception and betrayal, the narrative was informed as much by folklore and tragic ballads as historical research. The setting in the Maryland wilderness was in place, as was the skeleton plot, including the sleight of hand twist and revelation at the end.

Then it occurred to me that in order to do justice to this plot, the story had to be much bigger than a novella. To fully develop the characters and setting, I would have to do a significant amount of research. This proved daunting, as I was living in Germany at the time, in what for me, at least, was the pre-internet era. The old chestnut, “Write What You Know,” reverberated. But what did I know about 17th century Maryland tobacco plantations? I had no connection with that region. But my two 17th century sisters would not leave me in peace.

Abandoning my safety zone, I leapt into the void and researched the novel for over a decade. Why go to all this trouble when I could have made my life easier by writing something contemporary? Because writing is at its most addictive when it becomes as escape for the writer, as well as the reader. Historical fiction is my mode of time travel. By setting my story in the distant past, I hope to evoke the same sense of timeless wonder and “otherwhere” that is found in fairy tales. It’s my great challenge to make that historical world as real and alive for the reader as it is for me.

[I've just started the book and so far, it's fabulous, and seems brilliantly well-researched- but not boringly so!- Diane].

Thanks Mary!

Related:  Author Interview: Mary Sharratt / Mary Sharratt's dressed-up book tour / Mary's website.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 14, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, NaNovember, Opinion, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 13, 2006 11:13 AM

Guides to modern manners

Yes, following the popularity of programmes like Ladette to Lady, and perhaps in some part prompted by a resurgence of interest in old-fashioned romance novelists, guides to etiquette are all the rage just now.

New releases include Jane Austen's Guide to Good Manners by Henrietta Webb and Josephine Ross and "Mr & Mrs Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen"'s A Pinch of Posh: A Beginner's Guide to Being Civilised. For lads, there's Mr Jones' Rules for the Modern Man, by GQ editor Dylan Jones.

But are these guides actually any good?  Lucy Mangan spent a week trying to live by their rules for The Guardian and it makes great reading!

Related: Jane Austen's Guide to Dating / Little Lady, Big Apple by Hester Browne / It's Vintage, Darling!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 13, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 10, 2006 6:17 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Sleep With Me by Joanna Briscoe

The characters in Sleep With Me by Joanna Briscoe are selfish, self-indulgent, snobby whining thirty-somethings who are hard to relate to and even harder to care about. But it's okay; they're supposed to be. This is a haunting, creepy, slow-moving novel that builds to a dramatic crescendo. It's subtly sinister- an uncomfortable read for no reason you can put your finger on.

Told from the alternating viewpoints of Lelia and Richard, a London couple who are perfectly happy together, the action begins at a Christmas party after they've just conceived their first child. Happy and glowing, they barely notice the presence of a new member of the group, Sylvie, who appears mousy and uninteresting. And yet slowly over the next few months she starts to make her presence felt...

Seducing Richard and leaving Lelia alone with thoughts of a past that haunts her, Sylvie becomes an addictive presence in the couple's life, but one that is never acknowledged between them. I can't say too much about the plot without revealing the story that a reader must allow to unfold for themselves, but this is a very compelling read.

The alternating viewpoints narrative works well, and as we reach the end of the book, allows certain plot points to be put together without our discovering them earlier. It also gives us a real insight into these people's heads- I think one of the reason the characters seem so unlikeable is that as narrators they're so emotionally honest, and tell us more than we need to know about themselves- often things we wouldn't wish to know about another person! Joanna Briscoe is a very talented and sharp author to be able to achieve this, and it shows a great understanding of human nature- its weaknesses and foibles (with an emphasis on human sexuality and how we deal with grief), which is really what this book is all about.

If that sounds like a super-serious read, it isn't- Sleep Wit Me isn't full of humour but it's not a hard book to work through; you'll want to race through it. A quote on the front describes it as "a great summer page turner..." Great it may be, but set in winter, with some very dark themes, there's nothing summery about it. I'd say it's a great winter read, if you don't mind feeling a little discomfited while you're reading- and for a few days afterwards...

I'm just not sure Briscoe intended for me to dislike her characters as much as I did- they're rather stuffy, cold and formal, although I had sympathy for them, especially Lelia, towards the end of the book.

The book feels a bit like a more modern Patricia Highsmith, where an undercurrent of menace is created out of very little, so it could be a creepy classic of the future!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 10, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

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)

November 9, 2006 5:18 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy

Anyone who has ever looked in the mirror six months after becoming a mother and not recognised the shell of a woman looking back will relate to the gloriously funny, warm and poignant Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy by new chick on the block Polly Williams.

Amy Crane may have become a mother, but in all other respects she has lost her identity and she struggles to reconcile her love for her gorgeous baby girl Evie with old life as a career girl, lover and friend. She bounces between two groups of friends - the NCT mothers who don't feel fulfilled without a baby strapped to their boobs, and the yummy mummies with the designer prams and designer children.

Ultimately she falls under the spell of the super glamorous Alice who sets about co-ordinating 'Project Amy' - a makeover to ensure the new mum gets her groove back. At the same time she struggles to keep her relationship together with Joe, who she suspects cheated on her while she was heavily pregnant.

Will Project Amy be a success? Will  her relationship with survive? Will her eye-brows ever grow back?

Polly Williams adds enough twists and turns to keep even the most seasoned chick-lit fanatic guessing - and laughing - to the end. The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy is recommended for anyone who ever wanted a change.

Rating: 4 out of 5

[Claire Allan]

Like this? Try Watermelon by Marian Keyes

Posted by Keris on November 9, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

HILLARY CARLIP ON... Being an oddball

In a guest essay for Trashionista, one of my favourite memoirists of all time, Hillary Carlip, author of the fabulous Queen of the Oddballs, talks about why it's good to be odd...

What is an Oddball?

A lot of people keep asking.

To me an oddball is someone who's on the sunny side of weird. Its someone who's an eccentric, a trailblazer, somewhat mistrustful of the tasteful and the restrained; has an irresistible impulse to gild lilies, act forty-five when they're thirteen and thirteen when they're forty-five, travels off the beaten path. Its anyone who's ever been called an iconoclast or a cock-eyed optimist, and those who are not afraid to do things unaccording to plan.

I've been on the road for the past several months for my Queen of the Oddballs book tour, and my suspicions have been confirmed -- there are major oddballs everywhere! It's been so incredible hearing that my specific and unique escapades and adventures are so universal, touching a nerve in those who at one time or another have felt like an outsider -- like they didn't belong. That's what Queen of the Oddballs is really about. It's not only a fun-filled romp through a creative live lived to the hilt, and true stories of my growing up on the fringe of celebrity, it's also about coming to terms with feeling different and actually taking that a step further by embracing that, going for it fully, and celebrating your inner oddball!

It means the world to me to hear from people who have been entertained and inspired by the book, and are giving their oddballness a chance to thrive.

Remember: Be an oddball! Rebel, reinvent, creatively express. Commit random acts of oddness, and let your freak flag fly. Do things unaccording to plan. I hope you enjoy my book!

ps: There are a few mo' dates added to my tour! If you're in LA, Pittsburgh, Chicago, or Sioux Falls South Dakota, I'd love to meet you! (OH, and I might be doing an event with my Memoirists Collective peeps in NYC in October -- stay tuned!) And lots o' news and fresh new video clips on my website www.queenoftheoddballs.com.

Thanks Hillary!

Excerpted with kind permission from Hillary's Myspace page. (Make us your friend, too!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 9, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

November 6, 2006 12:11 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Woman's Best Friend edited by Megan McMorris

Woman's Best Friend is a collection essays about women and their dogs. I know, it doesn't sound like the most fascinating read, does it? But it really is, and I'm not even a dog person (I thought I was until I read this book, but now I realise I'm more of a dog dilettante).

Edited by Megan McMorris and with a foreword by the wonderful Pam Houston, Woman's Best Friend includes essays on subjects as varied as a disturbed Pug in need of "behavioral modification", dogs that talk, falling in love with a dachshund named Cutie, and being unable to fall in love with your dog at all. Of course, the essays aren't just about dogs. They are how dogs fit into lives, inform relationships and choices, teach us how to live and love.

I enjoyed every single one of these essays (actually, that's not strictly true - Rebecca Skloot's The Truth About Cops and Dogs, while brilliantly written, important and heart-breaking, really shouldn't be read by anyone not interested in serious dog attacks. I could not stop thinking about it and it continues to upset me.) Deadwood vs Dogwood by Margaret Littman describes how she fell in love both with her dog and her garden. Gail Hulnick's Sixth Sense is about Casey the keeshond, who always knew she was pregnant before even she did. Marion Winik's Seven Reasons Not to Get a Dog is funny and true (and more than convinced me).

If you love dogs, you'll love this book. It made me laugh, it made me cry. It made me reconsider my plan to get a dog (I don't want to have to get up at 5am to let it out!). Even if you don't love dogs, you'll love the writing. Highly recommended.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Pug Hill by Alison Pace

Posted by Keris on November 6, 2006 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

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 6:04 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Sara Gruen

As you can see from her picture, Sara Gruen is an animal lover. So it's not surprising that her latest book is called Water For Elephants (find out what it's about, below).

Before that, Sara wrote the novel Flying Changes for Nanowrimo and we have a copy to give away! to one lucky reader (for what would NaNovember be without giveaways aplenty?!) - check back soon to find out more! For now, find out more about Sara and her books...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer: Water for Elephants is a love story involving a man, a woman, and an elephant.

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)? My favorite place to write is anywhere that overlooks a body of water. My most effective place to write, however, is my walk-in closet with the window covered!

Your favourite chick-lit book? I'm old-school--I ADORED Bridget Jones.

Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why? It's probably bad taste to choose one of your own characters, but my favorite female heroine is Rosie, my elephant- because I fell in love with her, and with all elephants, and because she prevailed against terrible circumstances.

Carry on over the cut for Sara's writing tips and the question she prefers not to answer...

What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers? I'm a great believer in the seat-of-the-pants rule: apply the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair. I'm very, very lucky in that I get to do this full-time. If you also have a job and children and a house to run, it must be incredibly difficult to carve out time to write. I think my advice would be to set aside, say, two hours on Saturday and/or Sunday, announce that this is your writing time, and insist that everyone--including yourself--respect it.

What are you reading at the moment? Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. It's gorgeous.

What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!) I'm just about to start my new book, APE HOUSE. As in, at midnight tonight when the clock starts ticking for NaNoWriMo! All I can say is that it involves bonobo apes, reality TV, and hi-jinx all around.

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 my age. And I think I'll decline to answer! ; D

Thanks Sara!

Interview archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 1, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Interviews, Modern Fiction, NaNovember, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

October 31, 2006 11:23 AM

Laurell K. Hamilton essay

Happy Halloween! As today is October 31st, I thought it was a good time to bring you this essay from Laurell K. Hamilton, which she wrote for the wonderful books site/shop Powells. It's about dealing with rejection- and how a determined writer should never give up!

Not very spooky perhaps, but her books are a little more Halloween-appropriate, as discussed in last week's Thursday Three.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 31, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 27, 2006 6:05 PM

Ghost writers are in the money

We've talked about ghost-written books before, mostly agreeing we feel a bit sorry for the authors who don't get credited for what they've written, whilst celebrities like Jordan get lots of cash and are hailed as "authors". (Of course, if writers want to take on that kind of writing gig, that's their lookout). This week The Scotsman reported that ghostwriters are now earning a hefty chunk of those huge advances paid to celebrity "authors" (as they should, right? Or will that encouarge the trend to continue?)

[Via Galleycat].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 27, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Trigiani

I first discovered Adriana Trigiani when Richard and Judy chose Lucia, Lucia as one of their first book club choices. After loving that book, I went on to devour her Big Stone Gap series. So I was excited when Queen of the Big Time was released last year. The story of Nella Castelluca and her hard-working farm family, the novel covers several decades of Nella's life. Trigiani weaves together a story of love, loss, heartbreak, disappointment and hope.

And yet she doesn't do it very well.

I want to state up front that this is no criticism of her writing talent- Adriana Trigiani can create an evocative atmosphere like no-one on earth, especially in her mouth-watering descriptions of food! But this is a book that covers a long time period, and where a lot happens- and yet there's absolutely no plot so I felt very unsatisfied and disappointed after reading it.  For a novel like this to work, I think it's better to centre it around one particular aspect or time of a person's life. You can't just describe the ups and downs of a person's life and call it a story. Clearly Trigiani worked hard at creating an interesting cast of characters, but then she didn't do anything with them. And her research is woeful- she has characters whose ancestry is Welsh, whom she refers to as English. (Let's just look at that map of the British Isles again, shall we? Write out 100 times, "England and Britain are not the same thing"...)

I'm also getting more than a little fed up with the Trigiani formula: young woman has to make sacrifices for her family; big family trip to Italy; lost love turns up and woman is/isn't reunited... come on, isn't it time for a change? When it works well, it doesn't matter so much that it's a formula, but when it doesn't, as in this book, it's an added irritation. I'll still give Adriana Trigiani's work a try in future, but maybe I'll wait until she's deviated from this well-worn and disappointing subject matter.

You can read an extract here (Amazon readers don't seem to agree with my assessment!)

Rating: 1 out of 5

Like this? Try The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (it's heaps better!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 27, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 1/5, Recent Release, Richard and Judy, Romance, Rubbish Books | Permalink | Comments (2)

Book stuff on Handbag.com

Handbags and books have been linked for a long time. Not only is, "A handbag?!" a famous funny line from The Importance Of Being Earnest but they're the perfect place to stash your latest read for bus journeys or a quick lunchtime catch-up.  Plus, you can buy bags that look like books.

So it's no surprise that women's website Handbag has a thriving books section- with book news and reviews and a recently-revamped books message board, which even has its own monthly book club. Plus, they're offering an exclusive free story, The Commuter, as a podcast for your journey to/from work. (The blurb uses the phrase "agony of single life" which frankly makes me blanch, but you don't have to let that put you off!)

If you want to read more bag-related news, visit our sister site The Bag Lady.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 27, 2006 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 26, 2006 4:02 PM

THURSDAY THREE: Spooky Stuff

Witches and vampires and werewolves, oh my! As it's Halloween on Tuesday, I thought it was the ideal time to do a ghoulish Thursday Three...

Enchanted Inc by Shanna Swendson is a gentle introduction to the theme, as it has a paranormal setting, but is good old-fashioned very readable chick-lit. It's the story of Katie, who moves to new York from Texas and finds that not only is magic real- but she's immune from its effects and the fairies and elves of NYC need her help...

Hold on to your hats- we'll go further into fiction's dark underbelly over the cut... (making ghostly "woooh" noises is optional).

Bitten by Kelley Armstrong is the story of Elena, the only female werewolf on the planet. She wants to make it in the 'real world', trying to fit in as a human, but comes to realise that you can only ignore who you really are for so long...

Laurell K. Hamilton is the queen of spooky stories, and with titles like The Laughing Corpse I'm not surprised! Heroine of her stories is Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter. When Anita finds vampires, she kills them and re-animates their victims. She also investigates grisly murders and basically saves the world in ass-kicking Buffy style... so you know who to call if you have any trouble come October 31st!

Thursday Three Archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 26, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Series, Supernatural, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (4)

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 23, 2006 4:07 PM

MORE ON MONDAY: Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris

American David Sedaris is well-known across the pond for his humorous essays about his eccentric family and the strange things that happen to him, but he's a lot less well-known over here, despite the fact that he lives in Europe (in France). Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim is his most recent book, published last year. After loving one of his earlier offerings, Me Talk Pretty One Day (click that link to read an extract), I was a little disappointed by his other books Barrel Fever and Naked, which I found a bit patchy. Thankfully, with Dress... Sedaris is back on very funny form.

The autobiographical stories/essays in this collection span from Sedaris's childhood- taking in his weird neighbours, rich old relatives and childhood bullies-  to the modern day and the problems of how to get rid of mice in your French farmhouse (drown them on your front doorstep?) There's some very unusual characters here but most entertaining are David and his family, which includes his chain-smoking mother and perma-swearing brother Paul, and his sister Tiffany, who likes to chat whilst on the toilet... they're an odd, colourful bunch, and an endless source of amusement. Not because we're laughing at them, but with them (and maybe feeling a little bit better about ourselves in the process...) David is also endearingly honest about his somewhat obsessive-compulsive tendencies and those odd thoughts that most of us tend to keep to ourselves!

It's hard for me to believe, but I know not everyone loves this type of humour. If Woody Allen's films leave you cold and you think Oscar Wilde, Dorothy Parker and Carrie Fisher are over-rated hags (what?!), you probably won't enjoy this book. Likewise, if you're offended by swearing and sexual innuendo (not to mention mouse-drowning) there's moments here that will make you cringe. But if you like a book to make you laugh and reading about someone else's problems makes you feel better, this book is a dream.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Conversations and Cosmopolitans by Robert Rave and Jane Rave; Queen of the Oddballs by Hillary Carlip.

More on Monday archives.

Posted by Aigua Media on October 23, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Memoirs, More On Monday, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 20, 2006 7:42 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Comeback Kiss by Lani Diane Rich

The Comeback Kiss is Lani Diane Rich's fourth novel and features a couple of characters from Maybe Baby - Finn the bird thief and Babs Wiley McGregor (but you don't have to have read Maybe Baby to read The Comeback Kiss) (but you should, because it's great).

But I digress. Finn returns to Lucy's Lake, Vermont, the town he grew up in and where he left Tessa, his first love, without 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.

What Finn doesn't know is that the night he left, Tessa's mother was killed in a car accident while escaping from a fire. Tessa has raised her younger sister, Izzy, despite the interference of an evil social worker, but to do that she's had to put her own life on hold. And the night Finn arrives sees another apparently accidental fire at another of Lucy's Lake's businesses.

I can't tell you anything else because I don't want to spoil it, but what I will tell you is that, like Lani's other novels, The Comeback Kiss is great fun with laugh out loud moments, romance and, um, good lovin' (I'm feeling coy today). Finn is gorgeous, Tessa is another strong female character (this author excels in strong female characters) and Babs is just fabulous, I love her. And I haven't even mentioned the talking dog. No, really.

The Comeback Kiss is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold Autumn night.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try My Favourite Mistake by Beth Kendrick

Related stories: Author Interview / Ex and the Single Girl review / Flirting with Pride & Prejudice / Reading Desperate Housewives / Reading Lost

Did you know? Joshilyn Jackson voted Ex and the Single Girl her favourite chick lit book!

Posted by Keris on October 20, 2006 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

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)

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)

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)

BOOK REVIEW: How Will I Know? by Sheila O’Flanagan

Prolific chick lit author O’Flanagan pulls another fantastic read out of the bag with How Will I Know? an occasionally thought-provoking story of the relationship between a bereaved mother and her daughter. Covering all the big ‘no-no’s’ of our age – death, divorce and drinking – this book provides a light look at how people deal with all three. The central character, Claire, met her husband Bill when they were very young and discovered her soulmate.

Following his tragic death on a family holiday, her life revolves around her daughter Georgia. Now Georgia has become a teenager, Claire’s concerned about how to give her advice on dating and the dreaded boys. This sets off an amusing and surprisingly up-to-date tale of her attempts to get back into the dating ‘scene’ whilst dealing with the deeper issues of how she feels about moving on from her feelings about the death of her husband. At the same time, her parents are divorcing after many years of marriage, and her best friend is dealing with her husband’s drink problem.

Claire has a hard time rediscovering the world of dating – and online matchmaking services – with some bittersweet experiences. But however sad the story, there’s a funny side to almost everything, particularly the experiences of her daughter getting to grips with a first boyfriend. By making sure she includes a strong storyline for the grandmother, mother and daughter, O’Flanagan has made sure that this book will appeal to a wide range age range of readers.

Of course there are the usual comforting chick lit plot elements – set in Ireland, a convenient working from home job, all tradesmen are attractive and animals are cute and fluffy. There’s a small plot twist as well, but nothing to trouble the brain cells, so all in all a very easy read. I really enjoyed this as a chill-out on the commute to work read, and found myself with tears in my eyes at some moments - perfect beach material for a late summer break. [Emma Tazewell].

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try P.S I Love You by Cecilia Ahern.

Posted by Aigua Media on October 18, 2006 in Girly Stuff, Irish Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Queen of the Oddballs by Hillary Carlip

Author of Queen of the Oddballs Hillary Carlip is a bit of a female Forrest Gump. Not because she has sub-normal intelligence and rambles about the similarities between life and Thorntons's finest (she doesn't!) but because she seems to have been on the edge of so many pop cultural moments: from stalking (sorry, "befriending") seventies songbirds Carly Simon and Carole King, to having a bit part in Xanadu with Olivia Newton-John, seeing John Cusack with his zit cream on and being all but ignored by Oprah on an episode dedicated to her first book (and much more besides!)  Hillary's seen it, done it and taught herself to juggle and breathe fire (really). Her memoir's subtitle is "...true stories from a life unaccording to plan". Very, very apt!

I simply loved this book. Part of its charm is, to be honest, that Carlip has a lot of quirky celebrity stories to share (I guess growing up in L.A will do that). But the biggest selling point of the book is Hillary's sense of humour, wit, and honesty. She's not afraid to make herself look stupid or insecure if it makes her story more honest and true, and that's what I responded to most. There are moments of almost unbearable poignancy, especially towards the end of the book, which made me weep. But more than anything, this book made me laugh.

The book moves chronologically and at the start of each chapter, there's a summary of events from that time period (usually illustrated with a picture of the author at the time) which I found informative and very entertaining. Example from 1980: " I use a whole sheet of paper to remind myself to try the newly released new product by 3M- post its." The author also uses different formats for some of the chapters (a script, a diary, a letter to Olivia Newton-John) but this never becomes gimmicky or annoying, which must be a reflection on the talent of the writer.

Hillary really is an interesting and unique individual who's taken an inspiring yet down-to-earth "Oddball" journey through life. And I'm so happy she decided to write about it!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

*DID YOU KNOW?* Hillary is also a talented web visionary. You can check out her home page here, with links to her other fabulous sites, including the Queen of the Oddballs site. (So pretty!)

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 18, 2006 in American Authors, Bafab, Book related, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

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 10:41 AM

Joshilyn Jackson video

Yes, we're in an audio-visual mood on Trashionista lately (I've even created a new technology category). So continuing that theme here's a video of the lovely Joshilyn Jackson being interviewed about Between, Georgia on her local talk show, Atlanta & Company. What a soothing, melodic voice!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 17, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Interviews, Recent Release, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

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)

Book Trailerpark- for book trailers news!

I've talked about blogging this week and last, and we've told you about the popularity of book trailers before. I guess the logical amalgamation of both these things is Book Trailerpark, a new blog about book trailers. It's only been running since October 9th, but it's fascinating already- although they could include a bit more about women's fiction... I'm sure they will soon! Anyway, here's a trailer they recommend, for Julie Powell's fabulous Julie and Julia (vegetarians beware...)

[Via Galleycat].

(Clearly we're in a techie mood here today!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 13, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release, Technology, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: This is Chick Lit edited by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

As I said on Wednesday, This is Chick Lit was created when its editor, the lovely Lauren Baratz- Logsted, read about the creation of an anti-Chick Lit book, This is Not Chick Lit. Thinking that sounded bizarre (no-one calls anthologies This is Not Sci-Fi, do they?) not to mention mean-spirited, she decided to help create a positive book showcasing great chick-lit writers.

This is Chick Lit is the result.

Featuring stories from authors including Johanna Edwards, Stephanie Lehmann, Karin Gillespie and Deanna Carlyle, it's fair to say that to British readers at least, we're talking up and comers or well-known but not super-famous chick-litters.  A small part of me felt that maybe a more mighty response to the "not" book would have included titans of the genre like Jennifer Weiner and Marian Keyes, but that's not to undermine any of the great writing found in this volume.

I found the book fun and easy to read, and unlike many short story collections, where I need to stop and read something else in between, I raced straight through this one, wanting to savour the next story, and the next. I really liked most of these stories, particularly Cafe Con Leche Crush by Heather Swain, Takeoffs and Landings by Johanna Edwards and Dead Friends and other Dating Dilemmas by Julie Kenner. I also really enjoyed the fact that at the start of each author's story was a brief paragraph of what chick-lit means to them, a celebration of the term. And Lauren Baratz-Logsted's introduction is positive, empowering and inspiring!

Unfortunately, I found the first story, about two writers on opposing sides of the chick-lit battleground, a great idea but handled in a rather heavy-handed way. I also felt the collection ended on quite a negative note, with a story about a spoiled whiny woman who no-one wants to marry...  (Bit cliched, no?) But there's mould-breaking fiction here too, and experimental pieces like Confessions of a Three Eyed Freak by Ariella Papa demonstrate that there's far more to the genre than shoes (although there is one on the cover!), sex and shopping.

A great effort, and a more than worthy defence of Chick-Lit, if such a defence is needed.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Guy Not Taken by Jennifer Weiner.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 13, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance, Short Story Collections | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 11, 2006 5:50 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

I'm reaching the end of This is Chick Lit, which I'm going to be reviewing soon (later this week, in fact!) and it's inspired this week's Yay or Nay.

The book was created as an antidote to This is Not Chick Lit, designed to offset the negativity of that title and showcase the variety and talent of chick lit writers. An admirable idea- but what do you think? Is it better to confront and perhaps out-do your bully, or to ignore them and not dignify them with a response?

Do you like the idea of creating a book in response to another book, or not? Tell us: is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?   

Our other Yay or Nays

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 11, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Short Story Collections, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (2)

Mary Sharratt's dressed-up book tour

When we interviewed Joshilyn Jackson, she told us she was reading (and "really digging") The Vanishing Point by Mary Sharratt*, so it was natural that we'd want to interview Mary, too. Mary's something of an innovator- instead of taking her book tour high-tech, she went way low tech: inspired by the seventeenth-century setting of her novel, she undertook a tour in historical clothing! Read a fascinating tour diary here or visit Mary's site for more info- where she's promoting her latest book, the decidedly modern-sounding collaborative effort, Bitch Lit...

*Which was one of the recommendations on the Bafab home site, incidentally.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 11, 2006 in American Authors, Bafab, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

Knit Lit?

I'm sure you all know how popular knitting is with models and Hollywood actresses (as well as my predecessor Jenni and our ed in chief Gemma!) So I knew there HAD to be at least one novel involving knitting out there, and here it is: the intriguingly titled Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton is a 'knitting mystery' (who knew?)

The majority of knitting books are unsurprisingly non-fiction, but Stephanie Pearl-McPhee writes knitting memoir/advice books that sound funny and interesting whether you can knit one, pearl one (like Julia Roberts) or not (like... me). Her latest is Knitting Rules and despite my lack of knitting know-how, I'm still tempted to read it! Her blog, Yarn Harlot however, is pretty hard core knitting natter, but a good read all the same (and includes four free patterns, too).

Are there any other knit-heavy novels out there?

Oops! I almost forgot about the timeliness of my post- it's actually National Knitting Week in the UK from this Saturday, 14th October, when there will be a Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace. More on Knitting from Catwalk Queen.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 11, 2006 in Book News, Book related, Fashion-Lit, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (4)

October 10, 2006 2:15 PM

Waters for the Booker?

Last month, I told you about the Booker Prize shortlist and today we'll finally find out who's won!

Sarah Waters' novel The Night Watch (which I believe my co-ed Keris found a tad disappointing...?) is the current bookies' favourite to win, with odds of 6-4. But this is one prize where the favourite is often pipped to the post by something completely unexpected, so we'll have to wait and see. (I'm just glad to see women outnumber men on the shortlist for a change! Especially as they include Kate Grenville, a huge fave of mine...)

Anyway, the winner -whoever he or she may be- will be announced during the 10 O'Clock News on BBC1 tonight, and you can catch further coverage later on Newsnight, News 24 and Radio 4, if you're so inclined.

[Via Publishing News and The Man Booker Prize website]

UPDATE!: What did I tell you?! The Booker was once again predictable in its unpredictability- congratulations to Kiran Desai!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 10, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Television | Permalink | Comments (3)

SPOTLIGHT: Wendy Holden

Pun queen Wendy Holden was born in Yorkshire and read English Literature at Cambridge University. After graduation, she became a journalist writing for Tatler, Harpers and Queen, The Sunday Times and The Sunday Telegraph.

Her debut novel, Simply Divine, was inspired by her experiences on the glossies and was an immediate hit. After Bad Heir Day was another huge success, Wendy gave up journalism to become a full-time novelist. Her third novel, Pastures Nouveaux (called Farm Fatale in the US, it's one of Shanna Swendson's favourites), was followed by (confusingly) Fame Fatale (called Gossip Hound in the US), Azur Like It and The Wives of Bath. Her latest book The School for Husbands, has seen her titles getting cute new covers (in the UK).

Wendy Holden lives in London and Derbyshire with her husband and two children.

Inexplicably, we've never reviewed any of her books! We will set that right forthwith!

Carry on over the cut for Wendy's bibliography.

Simply Divine
Bad Heir Day
Pastures Nouveaux/Farm Fatale
Fame Fatale/Gossip Hound
Azur Like It
The Wives of Bath
The School for Husbands

See Wendy talking about Azur Like It here

Posted by Keris on October 10, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (3)

October 9, 2006 6:24 PM

Amazon shorts and plogs (explained)

I know, I'm always bringing you news about what the 'folks' (as George Bush would say) at Amazon are up to (like this, this and this) but it's not my fault they're so darn innovative! So at the risk of becoming an unpaid stooge, I wanted to share a couple more of their good ideas with you. (Yeah, I sound like I'm on staff over there, but I'm really not):

Amazon shorts are short stories available for download for 49 cents each at Amazon.com (I'm not sure whether non-US customers can download them, but it's worth a try!) Authors include Lauren Baratz Logsted, Richard and Judy fave Audrey Niffenegger and Paul Reiser, who I'm slightly obsessed with after belatedly discovering Mad About You via cable TV- but you don't need to know about that...

Amazon Plogs is another Amazon.com service, this time for published authors- a blog that is seen by anyone who looks at your book(s)- so you can use it to provide your loyal readers with insider news like tour information or just have a gossip! It's free to anyone with one book or more for sale. Read the FAQ here.

Hopefully all of these wonderful American Amazon innovations will be making their way this side of the pond very soon... please?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 9, 2006 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Memoirs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

That was the week that was!

Anyone who visited our site last week couldn't fail to have picked up on the party atmosphere! Wasn't Bafab just brilliant? We had a great time, and we hope -and suspect- you did, too! Maybe we even inspired some of you to buy a friend a book... if we did, tell us about it!

We have to thank all of our lovely readers for helping make the week such a brilliant success, as well as the Shiny team for promoting us and for answering our question "If  you could buy a friend a book, which would you choose and why?"

And of course, the week would have been nothing without Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Shanna Swendson, Hester Browne, Lily Burana, Laura Dave and Jo Elliot, our wonderful guest blogging authors, for generously writing for us AND donating a book each. PLUS, we had very generous donations from Snowbooks & Seal Press, Faber, Andrea Semple, Kathryn Finney and... I hope I haven't forgotten anybody!

You can still enter our giveaways over the next couple of days, if you were silly- I mean unlucky- enough to have passed us by last week... Check out the Bafab archives for a full list.

Here's to another great week on Trashionista this week- we may not have quite the star line-up of Bafab, but we can promise you great book news and reviews all delivered with our trademark sense of fun. So stick around!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 9, 2006 in American Authors, Announcements, Bafab, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (5)

Kylie joins celebrity authors

With the release of her first children's book The Showgirl Princess, top pop star (I wanted to say "pop moppet", but this isn't Smash Hits) Kylie Minogue has joined Madonna and Julie Andrews on the shelves of the children's department.

What you may not realise is just how many other celebrities have already released books for children. John Travolta, Jamie Lee Curtis, Will Smith and more have committed their kids' bedtime stories (I imagine) to paper.

My favourite, though, is Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's Carson Kressley's You're Different and That's Super.

So what do you think? Valuable additions to the children's canon or yet more celebrity cash-in nonsense?

Posted by Keris on October 9, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

October 6, 2006 4:30 PM

GUEST BLOG and GIVEAWAY!!: Jo Elliot

Jo Elliot is the author of I'm Celibate, Get me out of Here! which we raved about back in May ("This book is witty, fast-paced and highly entertaining... 5/5") and her guest blog for us gives us an insider glimpse into the topic of her book, about looking for the love of your life online.

AND! One lucky reader can WIN! a free copy by emailing us your name and address with Celibate in the subject line- you won't regret it!- Sorry, we love our international readers but this one's UK only.

Jo Elliot on Finding the Love of Your life... or not

Internet dating. Isn't that for freaks and weirdos? That's certainly what I thought when I inadvertently joined a dating site 6 years ago. Having been single since God knows when, I was strangely flattered when 'Handsome_Gentleman' landed in my inbox telling me I was his ideal woman. However, one click on his profile revealed that he most certainly wasn't my ideal man.

Tom Evans was, but he broke my heart in 100 places (one of them was Soho). But if at first you don't succeed, then try, try again. Surely there was someone for me in this enormous virtual meat market? And what's more, I could search for them from the comfort of my own desk. And so began a journey that sometimes made me wonder if I'd joined a joke site, and other times took me to such salubrious places as Birmingham Travelodge. Who says romance is dead?

It's just on a life support machine. My friends' hysterical laughter as I recalled my dating stories made me realise I'd be doing the rest of the world a disservice if I didn't share the amusement. So I wrote 'I'm Celibate...Get Me Out Of Here!' I'm glad I'm not Bridget Jones, with two rich, handsome men fighting over me.

I'd never have met The_Hairy_Cornflake.

Posted by Aigua Media on October 6, 2006 in Bafab, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (27)

MAMA LAMA DING DONG GIVEAWAY!

Remember how much I enjoyed this book? Well, you could be in with the chance to find out for yourself how fab it is with yet ANOTHER fantastic Bafab giveaway, thanks to Snow Books.

And if that wasn't enough, we've got a copy of another of Ayun's books - Dirty Sugar Cookies, this one from Seal Press. (This one's UK only though, sorry.)

To win, just email us with your name and address (so we can send the book to the winner, we won't stalk you, promise) with Mama in the subject line for Mama Lama Ding Dong and Dirty for Dirty Sugar Cookies.

Our other giveaways: This is Chick Lit, Wedding Belles, Shanna Swendson and Queen of the Oddballs (which no-one has entered- come on people!) Hester Browne,  Budget Fashionista and Try.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 6, 2006 in American Authors, Bafab, Book related, Competition, Memoirs, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

October 5, 2006 9:53 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston

Lolly Winston's debut, Sophie's Bakery for the Broken-Hearted (called Good Grief in the US) was a huge hit and I enjoyed it, so I was really looking forward to Happiness Sold Separately. I wasn't disappointed.

When Elinor Mackey finds out her husband Ted is having an affair it's just the most recent in a long line of disappointments. Elinor and Ted have been trying for a baby with no success and much heartbreak and their marriage has been all but dead for a while. Ted breaks off his relationship with Gina, the nutritionist at the Mackeys' gym, but then when he bumps into her and the son he didn't know she had, he finds it harder than he thought to let her go. In her husband's absence, Elinor starts sleeping under the enormous oak tree in the front garden and then, when the tree has to be cut down, she starts sleeping with the tree surgeon.

I know, it all sounds a bit far-fetched and I suppose it is. Elinor and Ted hop in and out of each other's and other people's beds, but Happiness Sold Separately is entirely believable. 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. So beautifully, in fact, that Happiness Sold Separately reminded me a lot of the wonderful Elizabeth Berg* and I can't pay a much higher compliment than that.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner

*Someone else obviously thinks so too because the US cover styles are rather similar.

Posted by Keris on October 5, 2006 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

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)

BOOK REVIEW: I Was a Teenage Popsicle by Bev Katz Rosenbaum

This book really reminded me of This Place Has No Atmosphere by Paula Danziger (a fantastic futuristic kids/teen novel about the first colony on the moon), which I read and loved as an eleven year-old, so I had fond feelings about it from the start. As the title suggests, it's teen lit, something I haven't read since I was... well, a teenager, but Keris talks about it so much (and writes it so brilliantly- stop blushing, it's true!) that I was keen to try.
And I wasn't disappointed. I Was a Teenage Popsicle is the story of Floe Ryan, who died in 2006 but was cyrogenically frozen (well, not frozen, 'vitrified', as she's keen to point out) until a cure for her illness could be found. Now it has, and she's been brought back to life... but it's 2016 now and things are very different...

This is a great plot! It lends itself to some wonderful situations, the best of which is probably the fact that Floe's younger sister Sunny, who she tortured as a teen, is now her big sister... and keen to get her revenge. There's also the whole re-adjustment angle, and the author's speculations about what life is like in the future. Plus, Floe's parents are still vitrified and the clinic where they're held is in financial and legal trouble- and Floe's fellow thawed-out popsicle (there's only two of them in the world) is a boy she really had a crush on back in 2006... so there's a lot going on, and it's written in a fun, fast-paced style that's easy and enjoyable to read.

But much as I enjoyed the book, I had some minor concerns. I found it a touch unimaginative that the author imagines that in 2016 we'll all be wearing Star-Trek style clothing. Isn't that a bit of a 1960s assumption/cliche? Not very original... although if it does happen clearly we'll have solved the problem of teenage self-consciousness by then, which is a major breakthrough! Also, the narrator contradicts herself a couple of times- such as when Floe's sister seems to be getting nicer towards her, and then suddenly isn't or when Floe says she's fit, and then a page later tells us to 'forget when I said that...' which is a bit jarring. Some parts of the story are also skipped over a little. I couldn't help thinking I would have adored this book when I was eleven, less so at sixteen- the characters seemed a little emotionally young, and I wonder if it would appeal more to pre-teens than to teenagers, who might want something a little more... racy? (Look at the popularity of books like the much more explicit Sugar Rush, for example... the characters in Popsicle won't even use a mild swear word!)

But overall, this book is fun and imaginative- a great idea, executed well, even if this future isn't quite as I'd imagine it!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Princess Diaries Seventh Heaven by Meg Cabot and This Place Has No Atmosphere, of course!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 5, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (5)

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)

HESTER BROWNE GIVEAWAY

The Bafab giveaways just keep on comin'!

If you read Hester's guest blog earlier, you'll know I promised you something exciting.

Hester has donated an advance US reading copy of Little Lady, Big Apple (which isn't published until February next year) along with the final UK copy too so you can spot the difference! And if that wasn't enough, she'll sign them both to the winner.

To win, just email us with your name and address and "Hester" in the subject line.

Plus you can still enter our A Boy of Good Breeding & Arlington Park, This Is Chick Lit, Wedding Belles, Shanna Swendson, and Queen of the Oddballs giveaways, too. We spoil you, we really do.

Posted by Keris on October 4, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Competition, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: e-luv by Dave Roberts

Subtitled "An Internet Romance", e-luv is the story of Trevor - and his online alter-ego Lord Brett Sinclair - as he starts to live his life entirely online.

When agoraphobia coupled with a mysery illness result in Trevor losing his job, he finds himself more and more attracted to the internet. Chatrooms, dating sites, online poker. He can be whoever he wants to be and no-one needs to know he can't go out. Except, that is, when they want to meet him in the "real world".

And they do. Amazingly, a number of different women turn up at Trevor's door, never suspecting that he can't actually get through it. One woman even comes from the US, leaving her husband, but bringing her child. Women send him underwear through the post. He receives so many phonecalls from his various online girlfriends that he's forced to come up with a cunning way of establishing who's calling without offending them by asking outright.

Eventually though Trevor starts to realise he needs to step away from the computer and out into the fresh air and with the help of, yes, a woman he meets online, he's able to do just that.

I really enjoyed e-luv. Yes it was funny, but it was also compelling in a slightly disturbing way. I had to keep reading to see just how far Trevor would go and how low he would sink. The only criticism I have of the book is that it doesn't read like fiction at all. I have no idea how much is real (though reading the author's very funny blog, it would seem like quite a lot) and I think this book may have worked even better as a kind of comedy confession book.

Still, it serves as a warning that too much time online can really damage your health!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Yes Man by Danny Wallace

Posted by Keris on October 4, 2006 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

GUEST BLOG: Hester Browne

Hester Browne, author of The Little Lady Agency and Little Lady, Big Apple writes about the difficulties in adapting your own book for a different audience (in this case, from the UK to the US).  Come back later for a very special Hester Browne giveaway (the clue is in the theme of this guest blog!). 

From British to "American" by Hester Browne

Translation rights are the author's best friend: the thrill of seeing your book in a foreign language with none of the stress involved of writing it again. My agent has sold The Little Lady Agency in Thailand, Indonesia, Russia, and Germany, and I've got no idea how the translator is going to make the jokes about Mr Sheen work. I can't even imagine what Melissa's voice sounds like in a German reader's mind.

But when the series was sold in the US, I didn't realise that it would need a translation job and that I'd be doing it myself. 

First of all, it's not just the language that has to be translated, so much as the culture. All the references to British TV soaps, chocolate, specific places in London that tell a UK reader exactly what kind of girl Melissa is ­ they all had to be changed, or explained, or deleted. British chick-lit is stuffed with pop-culture references (another reason why it'll be fascinating to read in 100 years' time!), and though US readers apparently love the flavour of British slang, there comes a point where it's just incomprehensible. It's not such a bad thing to have to explain properly, it's kind of lazy to use LK Bennett as a defining character trait, and it really does make you look at London in a new light. You try explaining the WI to a New Yorker. Or the subtle difference between John Lewis and Marks & Spencer.

I didn't completely appreciate how subtly humour changes on the other side of the Atlantic either. British humour is sarcastic, verging on the downright cruel, and it's done on the tongue-in-cheek understanding that we don't really mean it. Like, Melissa's father, Martin Romney-Jones, MP. He's a horrendous character, who schemes, cheats and screams at his family, especially poor Mel. But in the tradition of Basil Fawlty or Edmund Blackadder, he's usually villainous for effect  we know the Romney-Joneses love each other really, because they're nice to their dogs, but they're never happier than when they're engaged in a screeching match.

Hmm. I don't think that really travelled, to be honest. American readers took parts of Melissa's story quite seriously, especially her struggles with her family, who they felt should be in therapy or possibly, in court. And when I came to write the sequel, Little Lady, Big Apple, which is set in New York, I suddenly found I couldn't bring myself to be as sarcastic about New York men as I had been about the Londoners I knew so well, because that sort of British sarkiness is just affection, inside-out. I didn't want to offend all the kind, welcoming New Yorkers I'd met, so I had to do a crash-course in NYC Male Failings. And you know what? They're grooming freaks who insist on paying for dinner, and constantly check their mobiles for messages. Try making a job for Honey out of that.

But what I did learn, after the most rigorous editing ever, was that so long as the heart of a novel is true-to-life, it doesn't matter where it's set, or which supermarket the heroine uses. And I hope useless men, ingenious women, and quality lingerie are things everyone can relate to! 

Posted by Keris on October 4, 2006 in Bafab, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (18)

YET ANOTHER FAB BAFAB GIVEAWAY!

Are we good to you, or what?

First, remember how much I loved A Boy of Good Breeding? Well, you can find out for yourself what a great read it is by winning a free copy!

AND the good people at Faber are so generous they gave us another great new read to give away- Arlington Park, the new hardback release from Whitbread Prize winner Rachel Cusk.

To win, just email us with your name and address (so we can send the book to the winner, we won't stalk you, promise) and "Breeding" or "Park" in the subject line. You can enter for as many giveaways as you want this week- just make sure you send each entry as a separate email!

Our other giveaways: This is Chick Lit, Wedding Belles, Shanna Swendson and Queen of the Oddballs (plus we'll have more to give away later today, tomorrow and Friday! Phew...)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 4, 2006 in Bafab, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (4)

Ally Carter's Audio Advice!

Chick-lit for teens author Ally Carter (whose book- I think it's I'd Tell You I Love You but then I'd have to Kill You-has been optioned to be made into a movie by Disney, aka. the people behind The Princess Diaries film!) is sharing an audio excerpt of advice for writers via her Myspace page. [Click on the third link down in the little audio player in the right-hand side- she has a lovely voice!]

She says, "I know there are a lot of aspiring writers out there, so I wanted to let you know that I've just posted an audio excerpt of the session I did at the 2006 Pikes Peak Writer's Conference on my MySpace.
The session was called "A Movie-Lover's Guide to Writing Novels" and I talked about the craft of storytelling, using some classic movies as examples.
So if you want to hear me talk about some pretty basic (but essential) stuff like plot points, characters, and conflict, check it out." [Via Myspace]

And of course, if you're a myspace member, add us to your friends!

M. Apostilina's Tips for Writers.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 4, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 3, 2006 10:00 PM

EXCLUSIVE FORUM GIVEAWAY!

If you haven't yet joined our lovely Shiny Forum, then you've still got time before the winner of this prize is drawn... but get to it, or you'll miss out!

We have an extra copy of Queen of the Oddballs, and we're giving it away to one of you... (I'm sorry, this is UK only). It's a FANTASTIC book, a memoir about Hillary Carlip, who's starred in films with Tom Hanks and Olivia Newton John, seen John Cusack with his acne cream on and taught famous chat-show hosts to breathe fire. Of course!- But who hasn't?

She's had an odd and wonderful life and her book makes a fantastic read. (I'll be reviewing it soon, but let's just say it will be very favourable!)

To win, you need to sign up for forum membership here (it's free, and simple!) and then answer the question on this WIN A BOOK! thread. Go on, you know you want to...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 3, 2006 in American Authors, Bafab, Book News, Book related, Competition, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (54)

SHANNA SWENDSON GIVEAWAY!

Yes, it's another great Bafab giveaway!

No, we're not actually giving away the respected chick-lit author, that would be silly! But she is donating one of her books to a lucky reader, and here's the great thing: you can choose which one! If you win and haven't read first book Enchanted Inc. then you'll get a copy of that, and if you have, you can claim a copy of sequel Once Upon Stilettos.

To win, just email us with your name and address (so we can send the book to the winner, we won't stalk you, promise) and "Shanna" in the subject line.

and look out for Shanna's special guest blog for us later this afternoon... it's a good 'un! (as I'm sure she wouldn't say in Texas...)

You can still enter our This is Chick Lit and Wedding Belles giveaways, too.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 3, 2006 in American Authors, Announcements, Bafab, Competition, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

September 29, 2006 8:50 AM

Now The This Is (Not) Chick Lit Comic Strip

Now the This Is/This Is Not Chick Lit controversy has been immortalised in a Patricia Storms comic strip featuring Jennifer Weiner, Rachel Pine and friend-of-Trashionista Lauren Baratz-Logsted.

Whatever next?

Posted by Keris on September 29, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Recent Release, Short Story Collections | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 28, 2006 9:26 AM

BOOK REVIEW: But Enough About Me by Jancee Dunn

Jancee Dunn has been a Rolling Stone reporter and an MTV veejay and But Enough About Me is a memoir mixed with anecdotes - often disguised as tips - about interviewing rock stars. (For example, 'It can be done: manipulating your way into the kitchen cabinet' heads the story of how Jancee managed to talk Dolly Parton into showing her around her apartment.)

Growing up in New Jersey as part of an extremely close family, Jancee never dreamt she'd one day be flying around the world interviewing rock stars for the world's most famous music magazine and after reading But Enough About Me I can't quite believe it either. Read on to find out why not.

Given her background, I expected Jancee to be cool. She's not. Well, she is in that this book is honest and funny, but not in the way you would expect a Rolling Stone writer to be, i.e. she's a self-confessed dork. She seems too nice, too sweet, too shy to have had such an amazing career and you don't really get much of an indication from the book as to how she managed it. One minute she's an assistant at Rolling Stone, the next she's got her first interview and then she's off. It's not all sweetness though, there are some dodgy boyfriends and an unfortunate cocaine episode (of course), but there's very little celebrity dirt-dishing. Funnily enough though - particularly for a showbiz gossip-hound like myself - the best bits of the book are the memoir parts rather than the rock star parts (Ha! Rock star parts. Sorry.).

Jancee has the most charming family and the bits about her sisters (whether about their childhood or their relationships as adults) and parents are lovely. In fact, rather than wishing I worked at Rolling Stone (I would never, never, want to interview Johnny Rotten, let alone have that be my first interview, as was the case for Jancee) I was left with an extreme case of family envy. The only off-note for me was that the romantic subplot (with, of course, a happy ending) seemed unnecessary. Can't we ever have a book about a strong, capable, successful woman which doesn't end with her living happily ever after with a man? Having said that, by the end of the book I felt like I knew Jancee and really wanted her to get her happily ever after.

If you're at all interested in music or journalism or even if you remember the Eighties (although if you can remember the Eighties you weren't really there, right?), you'll love this charming and funny book.

Jancee also has a great blog where you can read outtakes from the book and watch clips of her time on MTV (if you can get them to work, which I can't).

(I've included both the UK and US book covers because I much prefer the US cover for once.)

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Tabloid Love by Bridget Harrison

Posted by Keris on September 28, 2006 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 27, 2006 4:09 PM

Movie News and Trashionista news!- London is the Best City in America

Laura Dave's debut novel, London is The Best City in America, has had a lot of buzz since its release this summer- not least because Reese Witherspoon has optioned the rights and plans to turn it into a movie! [Via Bookburger- a wonderful site!]

And the good news for you (and us, of course!) is that Laura is among a select group of chick-lit authors who are guest-blogging exclusively for us next week- so stay tuned!

And of course we'll be reviewing the book!- When 'we' get some time to put our feet up and read it instead of gazing at it wistfully on 'our' desk, that is... Read more about Laura at lauradave.com

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 27, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Mama Lama Ding Dong by Ayun Halliday

With both novels and real-life stories of bad motherhood ("bad" in this sense meaning not aspiring to Bree Van De Kamp levels of anal retentiveness, let's face it) being so fashionable right now, Ayun Halliday's Mama Lama Ding Dong is very timely.

An improvisational theatre performer and fully-fledged arty hippie type, Ayun is the epitome of laid-back motherhood. Her relaxed attitude to germs, mess and stress is very refreshing! In this memoir (her fifth, but the first to be published in the UK), she talks about her unique approach to motherhood, her life before and after children- and some rather intimate details of her two labours.  But as I've said more than once, I'm not really the maternal type, so this kind of book has to be really good to keep me hooked! Read on to see if it was...

Breathe a sigh of relief Trashionistas, because this is a motherhood memoir that any woman can enjoy! (Although the mention of a mucous plug might be just a little TMI for some tastes...) Mama Lama... is a feel good story about being yourself and having fun- even if you have children or are on the verge of giving birth! Ayun and her family are loving and happy, but far from conventional- they dress their little boy in girls' clothes if they fit him and look cute and their little girl was born with an extra thumb! Plus, their ultra-aggressive cat has an embarrassing sexual fetish..

At the same time as being offbeat and entertaining, the book is also very realistic about the stresses of family life (and the tendency for a mother's needs to always come second to their children's). Ayun admits to walking down the street, breasts flapping, completely unaware, because she was so used to breastfeeding she'd forgotten to check she wasn't exposing herself as she strolled... she also knows some people might disapprove of the fact that her kitchen floor isn't anything like clean, despite her efforts. And she admits to jealousy over her husband's freedom, even though she wants him to work.  But she does her best!

Divided into sections including "The Daily Grind" (pretty self-explanatory- the day to day details of full-time motherhood) "The Way We Were" (the birth stories of Halliday's two children- including her daughter's traumatic delivery and stay in the neo-natal ward) and "Hot Dates" (the fun, or in some cases "fun", of holiday seasons with kids in tow), if this book doesn't fill you with admiration for the difficult job of parents, I don't know what will.

But it's about much more than that- a popular author and founder of handwritten zine The East Village Inky, Ayun Halliday's creative drive is impressive and inspiring, too. She has even taken advantage of the trend for virtual book tours to promote this book- turning full-time motherhood into a great force for innovation! Read it and weep- I mean laugh.

Rating: 4 out of 5

*Did you know?* This is one of those name-change books, originally titled The Big Rumpus in the USA (you can read an extract there <<).

More about the book and the author (and her family).

Like this? Try Having It and Eating It by Sabine Durrant.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 27, 2006 in American Authors, Memoirs, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Mary Sharratt

Mary Sharratt is an American writer currently living in England. A review of her third book, The Vanishing Point - for which she's undertaken a book tour in costume (hence the photo) - is coming soon.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:
 
Summarizing a 369-page book in 15 words is very difficult, but I'll try!
 
"A 17th century woman searches for her sister who has vanished in the Maryland wilderness."

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)?
 
I write in my study, which looks out on a sheep pasture. In the background, there's Pendle Hill, famous for its legends of the Lancashire Witches and of George Fox, who climbed the hill to receive the vision that inspired him to found the Quakers. The surrounding area was also the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. There's so much history here, which is a real inspiration for my historical fiction. When I'm blocked, I can go down to the fence and commiserate with the sheep who come in hope of treats. If sheep could read, I would have a huge cult following.

Often my writing process is aided by mind-altering substances, such as strong coffee and chocolate. Especially chocolate. There is always a bar of Cote d'Or in my desk. I write my first drafts longhand with a Lamy fountain pen. I love the physicality of writing and the sound of pen on paper. And with all that physicality, you need chocolate.

Your favourite chick-lit book?
 
This may or may not count as chick-lit, but Mary McCarthy's novel, The Group, seems like the prototype of the "girls about town" narrative. Originally published in 1963, the novel concerns a clique of eight women who graduate from Vassar in 1933 and how their lives evolve. The book covers the ins and outs of dating, sex, birth control, career, marriage, and child-rearing. The tone is light and satirical, and the book addresses issues that feel fresh and contemporary. One of the characters, for example, appeases her "progressive" pediatrician husband by submitting to a tyrannical breastfeeding regime. It appears there's nothing new about the breast vs. bottle debate, or about young parents allowing child rearing manuals written by "experts" to silence their own natural instincts.   

Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why?
 
There are so many heroines I love, so it's tough to pick just one. Lily Briscoe in Virginia Woolf's novel To the Lighthouse has a special place in my heart. She's an artist struggling to find herself and take herself seriously as a painter in a society that diminishes women with artistic ambitions.

What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers?
 
Sit down in a chair and write. Try to write every day. Most people, if they cut out the time-wasters in their life, can commit to an hour or two a day, even if they have to write on the train to work or during their lunch break. Books and classes can help, but it all boils down to how much time and effort you are willing to commit to your own writing. Develop a schedule you can stick to. Enjoy the process as much as you can. It's so much more rewarding than watching bad television!

Writing groups can be wonderful, but try to find one with people in it who actually write and don't just talk about writing. And don't forget to read. Our greatest teachers are other authors who get it right. Buy books and give them to friends. You want to support the industry that you hope will one day support you. If every aspiring writer bought one new book a month, not just best-sellers but work by new  and less famous authors, the publishing industry would go through a sea change and be encouraged to publish more new writers.  

What are you reading at the moment?
 
Emma Darwin's lovely debut novel, The Mathematics of Love, which I'm reviewing for the Historical Novels Review. I'm enjoying it.  

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

My current work-in-progress is a ghost story called The Art of Memory. Inspired by the 19th century English gothic novel and pre-Raphaelite paintings, the book is set in and around Manchester, England during the Industrial Revolution and the present day. The theme is that the past never dies—the souls lost in the tumult of historical progress and change keep haunting and exerting their influence on contemporary lives.   

The novel concerns a dysfunctional American family that experiences a devastating blast from the distant past when the father, Will, goes to Manchester on business. He encounters a mysterious young woman who calls herself Angel. She lures him into her flat, serves him drugged tea, and then steals not his money or his credit cards but snapshots of his wife and daughter. When circumstances force Will to relocate to Manchester, his 16-year-old daughter begins to receive mysterious communications from a stranger who speaks to her deepest dreams and desires. It is up to Will to try to disentangle his daughter from this web. In doing so, he must unravel Angel’s true identity and purpose.

Posted by Keris on September 27, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 26, 2006 12:06 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Never Say Never by Melissa Hill

Never Say Never by Melissa Hill is a fantastic read for anyone who has ever thought ‘I wonder what we’ll all be doing in 5 years time?’. Telling the story of group of friends who met at college, and are still more-or-less friends many years later, this book is set mainly in Ireland, (as about 98% of chick lit seems to be these days!) and will have you thinking in an Irish accent long before the end.

The group of friends provides all the traditional characters; the single mum, the all-work-and-no-play entrepreneur, the new mother who neglects her friends combined with childless and proud, the ‘living abroad so too good for the old town’, and explores how the experiences they’ve had over the years change their relationships for better or worse.

The three main characters, Leah, Robin and Olivia, show how fate has played a part in changing their lives. With a fantastic twist to the plot that I don’t think even the most suspicious reader would guess, nothing is ever quite what it seems until the very end. To get you there, there’s something for everyone with some very fanciable male characters and some inspiring and irritating women!

What I particularly enjoyed was understanding how the characters react to the events that shape their lives – some people can take everything in their stride and some let things wear away at them until they define who they are. It’s a good reminder that not everyone sees the world in the same way – and that it’s important to keep talking…

There are parts of the book that feel a little like the author kept her options open for as long as possible when deciding how the book should end – but as long as you don’t mind occasionally wanting to shake at least one of the characters to tell them to ‘snap out of it’, it’s a good read. [Emma Tazewell].

Rating: 4 out of 5 – another few chapters on the end and it would have been full marks.

Like this? Try Why Not? by Shari Low; Angels by Marian Keyes.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 26, 2006 in Girly Stuff, Irish Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Expanded Books

If you've been paying attention to Trashionista in recent weeks, you'll know that Meet the Author is a fab site featuring authors talking about their work and Vidlit is an innovative book trailers website.

Well, Expanded books is a fabulous mix of the two! Featuring pictures or anecdotes from books, along with interviews with their authors, these three-minute video clips are entertaining, informative- and can help you decide if a book is right for you. Featured authors include Tabloid Love author Bridget Harrison and bestselling medical thriller writer Tess Gerristen. Plus, How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk (that would be nice!)

I can't help wondering how authors feel about all this technology though- Jane Austen never had to make a video or go on a talk show, do modern writers despair of having to be "on show"? Or do they like having a reason to get dressed and leave the house?!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 26, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, New Releases, Recent Release, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 25, 2006 12:35 PM

BOOK REVIEW: You Could Do Better by Stephanie Lehmann

Recently we mentioned Stephanie Lehmann's television-obsessed blog and now she's written a television-obsessed book.

You Could Do Better is described as '... an irresistible new novel about a woman trying to choose between the man of her dreams - and her fiance ...' If you can resist a line like that, you're a better woman than me. Hop over the cut to see if the book lives up to it.

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.

I really loved this book. Daphne could be an unlikeable character, but her worries are so relateable and understandable I didn't find her unlikeable at all. Stephanie Lehmann weaves real TV shows seamlessly into the plot - and has some interesting things to say about the history of US sitcoms - and has created a very foxy hero in Jonathan Hill.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Pug Hill by Alison Pace

Posted by Keris on September 25, 2006 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

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)

BOOK REVIEW: Gulp! by Gabriella Goddard

A little while ago we hosted author Gabriella Goddard on her virtual book tour to promote Gulp! Gulp! is a "seven day crash course to master fear and break through any challenge", something I sure most of us would love to be able to do.

Before I do anything else though, let me remind you of our Gulp! competition. We've got two copies of Gulp! to give away and to win one all you have to do is email us at editor@trashionista.com and tell us about the challenge you would take on with the help of Gulp! Our favourites - or those we think most need Gabriella's help - will win a copy.

Carry on over the cut to see what I thought of Gulp!

The seven day course which Gabriella outlined in her own post is explained, summarised and recapped - so even complicated issues (and there are some) are easy to understand. Each chapter ends with a practice - questions for you to complete so that you can see how the ideas apply to your situation. This is followed by an Action Plan which includes my favourite thing about Gulp! - there are different actions depending on "the size of your Gulp! and how nervous the situation makes you feel": Espresso, Mediano and Grande. This is great for someone impatient like me. I can start with Espresso and work my way up to Grande.

I've read a lot of self-help books and the problem is that it all makes perfect sense and seems inspiring when you read it, but then you stop reading, go back to life and forget all about it .. until you find yourself buying another self-help book. What I'm saying is, it's hard to say if Gulp! works, but it's certainly interesting and thought-provoking - I have marked an awful lot of pages to return to - and if you follow Gabriella's advice, I'm confident you'll be able to crack any challenge.

Posted by Keris on September 22, 2006 in Competition, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Self development | Permalink | Comments (2)

September 21, 2006 11:25 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Mixed by Angela Nissel

I loved Angela Nissel's first book, The Broke Diaries, which was taken from the blog of the same name that she wrote as a VERY poor student in Philadelphia in the nineties. Her second book, Mixed takes on a completely different subject: growing up mixed race in the eighties, and how it affected Angela. It touches on her parent's divorce, her self-esteem issues, family relationships, romantic relationships and mental health issues.

And it's brilliant.

Angela Nissel (pronounced 'nizzle') was born to a white father and a black mother, and that's what she always told anyone who questioned her about her origins- which they often did, and still do. Growing up, she never knew anyone who looked like her, and in an effort to reassure her, her mother would tell her that swarthy-looking white people were mixed-race, too. This culminated in Angela giving a school report on well-known biracial TV star, David Hasselhoff... and her mother re-thought her tactics.

When her parents split up, Angela, her mother and brother (who had darker skin than hers) moved to all all-black neighbourhood, where Angela still didn't fit in. Back and forth she went to different schools, never fitting in, always singled out and adding to the problem bu being deeply uncomfortable in her own skin.  This book moves from the hilarious to the heartbreaking within pages- and I mean that in a good way!

It's not a heavy book, and it's not a long or difficult read at all. Somehow Angela manages to be both moving and thought provoking whilst never hectoring, lecturing or allowing herself to become a victim. She's been through some difficult times and struggled to fit in as a child (and a young adult) but she's now made peace with herself and her life so far. I'm sure it helps that she's happily married, living in L.A and working on Scrubs as a consulting producer, too...

Seriously though, this book made me evaluate my own attitude to race- I think most white people are like the people Angela meets, who class her as black. But isn't she as much white as black? Or does being mixed race automatically make you part of the black experience (whatever that may be)? We'd all like to think race isn't important, but aren't we classifying people every day without even thinking about it? The quotes at the start of each chapter were illuminating and brought homes these points. This book made me think, while entertaining me, making me laugh and just generally being a joy to read. That's not an easy feat so I can't wait to see what Ms Nissel writes about next...

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try My (So-Called) Normal Life by Erin Zammett.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 21, 2006 in American Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 15, 2006 11:14 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Ya Yas in Bloom by Rebecca Wells

Never one to let a book fad pass me by (not when it comes to chick-lit, anyway) I devoured the book Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood back in 2000. I was less keen on its prequel, Little Altars Everywhere, which was written after the success of the first book. And now Rebecca Wells and her gang of southern belles are back, in Ya Yas in Bloom.

So... is it a Ya Ya too far?

Honestly, yes. 

Don't get me wrong, this book's nicely written and enjoyable enough, but totally and utterly unnecessary. There's really no story here, just a loosely linked series of vignettes re-telling the story from the first book (and not as well, because really, what else is there to say?) There's no narrative to speak of and really no point, but it's enjoyable enough fluff, at least... Thankfully, it's a lot less dark than Little Altars, whose hints at child abuse seem to have been quickly forgotten. 

Rebecca Wells' talent for creating a rich, evocative world is still evident- she writes great characters and I can't blame her for wanting to re-visit them. Who wouldn't like to spend a bit more time with the beguiling Vivi Abbot Walker and co.? But fans of Sidda will be disappointed as she's relegated to the background here, and Baylor is the only "tres-petite" to have a storyline- although that works as he's very sweet. I enjoyed most of the book, but it doesn't really add up to more than the sum of its parts. Cynically, I couldn't help wondering if this was a cashing-in opportunity... Wells must have other ideas and she certainly has the ability to execute them- I'd love for her to create a new and exciting fictional world.

It's  not a bad way to spend some time, and newcomers to Wells would probably enjoy it more than I did, but there are other books out there which do the same thing a lot better- Divine Secrets, for a start.

Rating: 3 out of 5

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

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 15, 2006 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

Booker Prize shortlist- predictions proved wrong (again)

The shortlist for The Booker Prize, the biggest event in literary luvvies' year (at least in the UK) was announced yesterday.

Not for the first time, the judges have confounded expectations, with previously short-odds authors like David 'Cloud Atlas' Mitchell out of the running. For your information and delectation, the shortlist is...

The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

The Secret River by Kate Grenville

Carry Me Down by M J Hyland

In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar

Mother's Milk by Edward St Aubyn

The Night Watch by Sarah Waters.

For what predictions are worth, Sarah Waters is the new favourite to win the prize, worth £50,000 (and an increase in book sales, of course!) The lucky author will be named on October 10th- and we should be prepared for anything...

Have you read any of the nominated novels? Tell us what you thought: editor@trashionista.com

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 15, 2006 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 13, 2006 5:14 PM

BOOK REVIEW: A Boy of Good Breeding by Miriam Toews

I unabashedly adored A Boy of Good Breeding. Oops! Think I'm supposed to keep you in suspense about my verdict for a little bit longer, but when you read something this great you want to tell everyone about it as quickly as humanly possible! A fugly cover and a quirky story with some oddly-named characters (you'll see) might not sound like the makings of a modern literary classic but trust me, they are.

Mayor Hosea Funk is intent on keeping the population of Algren down to 1500, so it will officially be Canada's smallest town and the Prime Minister will pay them a visit on July 1st, Canada Day. But with all manner of new arrivals coming to town and some older residents stubbornly refusing to die, his plans look set to be shaken. Young single mother Knute and her daughter Summer Feelin' (yep!) are just the latest to arrive...

Hosea's ledger of "newly moved to town" and "dead or dying" is going to need some careful juggling, as he has Knute and S.F's arrival to balance along with the insistent pleas of his girlfriend Lorna, who's about to dump him if he doesn't show some willingness to move in together. The story also focuses on S.F, Knute and and her family, including her parents Dory and Tom (an old friend of Hosea's who isn't doing too well, and may be about to make an appearance in the "dead or dying" column himself...)

If any of this sounds slightly farcical, that isn't at all how it's written. As the book progresses, we learn more about the character's motivations and the novel is heartfelt and moving. There's occasional silliness and moments of great humour, but written in a wry, observant way that's always intelligent and never carries a joke too far.  It's easy to believe in this quaint little town with its slightly unusual residents, as the characters are never as weird as they sometimes initially seem.

A Boy of Good Breeding is superbly written and the kind of book you want to re-read immediately. It didn't surprise me to learn from the inside back flap that every one of Miriam Toews' books (and some of her journalism) has won awards.

A recent Guardian article pondered whether there's been a scarcity of good "Can Lit" (ie. Canadian books from talented authors). As long as Miriam Toews around, the answer is clearly no.

Rating: 5 out of 5

*DID YOU KNOW?* A Boy of Good Breeding was originally published in 1998. It was re-released recently after the huge success of Toews' last novel, A Complicated Kindness, last year.

Like this? Try Between Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 13, 2006 in Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich

Twelve Sharp is the latest in Janet Evanovich's enormously popular Stephanie Plum series. 

I usually like to save Evanovich's books for a long journey or holiday and then read them in one sitting and while I didn't manage that with this one, it was still great fun to find myself in the company of Stephanie, Morelli, Ranger and Grandma Mazur again.  (Do you know, I can't quite believe they don't really exist!) 

Remember Ranger has a daughter?  No?  Neither did I, but he has and in Twelve Sharp she's been kidnapped by a Ranger wannabe.  With the police after him for his daughter's abduction, the real Ranger has to go into hiding and so Stephanie finds herself both looking for Ranger's daughter and on the trail of fake-Ranger while avoiding fake-Ranger's wife (who isn't too keen on Stephanie's relationship with real-Ranger) and trying to convince Morelli that her relationship with (real-)Ranger is purely professional. 

It's not quite as confusing as it sounds and it's not quite as fabulous as some of Evanovich's earlier books, but a below-par Plum book is still considerably more entertaining than many other books out there. 

If you like this, try The Rocky Road to Romance by Janet Evanovich and Fashion Victim by Sam Baker

Posted by Keris on September 13, 2006 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 8, 2006 8:22 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot

Meg Cabot's adult novels haven't yet achieved the enormous success of her teen books, but this year has seen the release of the first book in each of two new adult series. The first Heather Wells mystery, Size 12 Is Not Fat received mixed reviews and so did Queen of Babble, but I was dying to read it anyway.

So does it reach the usual Cabot heights? Well, in a word .. no. (Cue stunned gasps from everyone who knows me!)

Carry on across the cut to find out why not.

Lizzie Nichols is 22 and has just graduated. Some of the criticism of both Size 12 Is Not Fat and this book is that it could easily be one of Meg's teen books if it wasn't for the subject matter and I wonder if that's why she's made Lizzie 22. But even for 22, Lizzie is unbelievably immature. Oh she's sweet, but too naive to be realistic. And not just because she uses the word 'stiffy' about six times in the first fifty pages.

As the title implies, Lizzie can't keep her mouth shut. She talks a lot and she can't be trusted to keep a secret. Following a disastrous trip to London to visit her appalling boyfriend (who she's actually only previously spent one night with) she gets the train to Paris to visit a friend who's working at a French chateau and spills all her secrets to the handsome hunk in the next seat. And guess what? He's the son of the owner of the chateau. Did you see that coming? No! Me neither! (I'm being sarcastic.)

Once Lizzie gets to the chateau this book improved immeasurably. Despite being embarrassingly dopey, Lizzie is very sweet. Her friend Shari and Shari's boyfriend Chaz are great characters (as is Lizzie's grandma who sadly disappears from the book after the first 100 or so pages) and Luke (the chateau-owner's son) is gorgeous.

But .. but .. it just wasn't that special. It was sweet and funny, but it wasn't very original and I hate to say it but this type of story was done a lot more successfully by Sophie Kinsella in Can You Keep A Secret?

If you like this, try Can You Keep A Secret? or The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

Posted by Keris on September 8, 2006 in American Authors, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

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)

September 5, 2006 5:56 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson

Anyone who read our interview with Joshilyn Jackson will know we're huge fans of her work, and anyone who reads this book will know why. Between, Georgia is the story of Nonny Frett, adopted into the Frett family when her fifteen-year old mother Hazel Crabtree abandoned her shortly after delivering her on the Frett's living room floor. Unfortunately, her adoption by her birth family's most hated rivals inevitably worsened the resentments that festered between the two clans, and in a town of only ninety people, it was only a matter of time before the tiny town of Between was taken to the brink of disaster by the burgeoning intra-family feud...

Nonny finds herself literally and metaphorically Between and doesn't know what to do. To add to her confusion, she's mired in indecisiveness: should she stay close to her family, continue avoiding her maternal grandmother and settle down for good with her loser-ish husband Jonno?  Or is there something (and someone) better out there if she dares to go for it?

Joshilyn Jackson's first book, gods in Alabama was a great book, but this is ten times better. Jackson has matured as an author and keeps the reader hooked without any fancy tricks or flashy revelations- which isn't to say there aren't deep-seated secrets, none of which I guessed at. This novel is tightly-bound unpredictable and pacey, but thoughtful and intelligent too. There are so many interesting characters, like Nonny's adoptive mother Stacia, who's deaf-blind, and Stacia's twin sister Genny, who is highly neurotic. It's clearly been meticulously-researched but that's never shoved down the reader's throat.  The book lovingly but truthfully recreates the deep south, a place totally unfamiliar to me but now deeply intriguing.  I think the author's love and knowledge of place is a huge factor in making this book so captivating. 

Dealing with themes of abandonment, betrayal, family loyalties and nature vs. nurture, this novel is addictive, thought-provoking reading that's practically perfect in every way.  I defy you not to fall in love with it!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Liked this? Try The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 5, 2006 in American Authors, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

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)

August 30, 2006 6:45 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Which Brings Me To You by Steve Almond & Julianna Baggott

I was so excited about this book after reading Steve Almond's Candyfreak. It's written by both Almond and Julianna Baggott and is a series of alternating letters written by John and Jane after they meet - and almost have sex - at a wedding. They decide instead to get to know each other first by writing confessional letters about their relationship histories to see if they might have a chance at more than a coatroom fumble. Sounds great, right? Read on to see if it was.

This book reminded me a lot of Melissa Bank's The Wonder Spot. Basically the majority of John and Jane's letters serve as a complete story about one of their past relationships, all of which - like Sophie's in The Wonder Spot - both end badly and serve to give us background on the characters. So we learn that not only did John used to be a "surf dude", he also, further along the line, worked in an advertising agency and voted Republican. We learn that Jane worked in a bookstore and had a relationship with both members of a married couple.

The problem with the book for me was that I never really warmed to John and Jane. Partly I think it's because, even though the book was written by two authors, John and Jane's voices seem very similar - occasionally I would start reading a letter thinking it had been written by the other character. For this book to have really worked, for me, I would have wanted to be desperate for them to get together at the end, convinced that they were soulmates. I didn't get that feeling - rather, as my mother-in-law says, at least they won't spoil two houses.

Having said all that - it is an extremely well-written and entertaining book. It's a good read, really. It just seemed to me to be an unfortunately cold read too.

(I have to also mention the fact that the back cover blurb says 'But they live on opposite sides of the country'. John lives in New York and Jane lives in Philadelphia. Not only are they on the same side of the country, but there's less than 100 miles between them. I know I'm pedantic, but that kind of thing annoys me.)

If you like this, try The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank (for a similar story) or Don't Look Down by Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer (for a book written by duelling authors)

Posted by Keris on August 30, 2006 in American Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 29, 2006 10:56 AM

New This Is Chick Lit site

We've talked about it here and here, you can read a defence of it here (don't read the comments unless you want to be infuriated) and now you can learn more about it here. There's a discussion forum, special offers and info about the contributors.

Posted by Keris on August 29, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Girly Stuff, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 28, 2006 9:31 AM

MORE ON MONDAY: Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith

Blue Shoes and Happiness is the seventh in Alexander McCall Smith's enormously popular No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. I have read and loved each of the previous books even though once I've read them I find I don't remember much about them, except an urge to smile every time I think about the world of Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi and Mr JLB Matekoni. If you haven't yet discovered the series, well, you've got a treat in store. If you have then read on to see if this latest story meets expectations.

Mma Ramotswe is a "traditionally built" (i.e. large) woman who runs the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency (Botswana's only ladies' detective agency). Her assistant, Mma Makutsi graduated with 97% from Bostwana Secretarial College and her husband, Mr JLB Matekoni owns Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors and tries to control his two apprentices.

In Blue Shoes and Happiness there's a crisis for Mma Makutsi when she reveals to her fiance that she is in fact a feminist, a doctor tampers with his patients blood pressure measurements, a cook sneaks government food out to feed her husband, and Mma Ramotswe starts to think she might be too traditionally built and should, perhaps, go on a diet!

The cases brought to the detective agency are usually very mild and don't take much detecting (as Mma Makutsi points out in this book, most of them are solved by Mma Ramotswe asking someone a direct question), but you don't read these books for the intrigue, more for the descriptions of Botswana and the gentle humour and charm of the stories.

I enjoyed this book as I have enjoyed them all. They're perfect books for curling up with and just drifting away to another place.

Posted by Keris on August 28, 2006 in British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, More On Monday, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Series | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 24, 2006 6:58 PM

Susannah Clarke too ill to Tour

Susannah Clarke, author of last year's smash hit Harry Potter-for-grown-ups, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (Seth was reading it on The OC, season three!) has revealed she is suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as M.E.  She's had to cancel the publicity tour for her latest book, a short story collection called The Ladies of Grace Adieu, as a result.

Other authors with the neurological illness include Laura Hillenbrand, Clare Francis and now-recovered two-time Booker nominee Ali Smith.  As Galleycat reports, "the effects are nothing short of debilitating".

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 24, 2006 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

When her horrendous divorce is followed by a devastating break-up, Elizabeth Gilbert decides to take a year out just for herself. She comes up with a plan to spend the year pursuing three very different things in three very different countries: pleasure in Italy, devotion in India and balance in Indonesia. The fact that the countries all being with "I" is coincidental, but, Gilbert thinks, a good sign. Can she recover from her past and find herself and her future all in the space of a year? Read on and see.

In Italy Elizabeth learns the language, makes friends, eats tons of pasta, and gains 23 pounds, but her depression and loneliness have followed her there and she's afraid she'll never be able to leave them behind. The Indian part of the book, i.e. the "Pray" of the title, was the part I was a bit worried about - I'm not religious and I thought reading about someone's experiences on an Ashram would be a bit much, but Gilbert never loses her sense of humour and that, combined with the vivid descriptions of the characters she meets there make this section completely different from, but just as enchanting as, the first third of the book. But it's in Indonesia that Elizabeth really starts to recover and find what she was looking for all along.

I loved this book. Gilbert writes beautifully and the book is threaded through with gorgeous description (I need to go to Italy - the food!) and self-deprecating humour. Like this (about the devastating post-divorce break-up):

His withdrawal only made me more needy, and my neediness only advanced his withdrawals, until soon he was retreating under fire of my weeping pleas of, "Where are you going? What happened to us?" (Dating tip: Men LOVE this.)

If you've ever wanted to take a year off, if you've ever wondered if there's more to life than this, if you've ever had to recover from a bad break-up - surely that covers everyone? - you'll enjoy this book.

Like this? Try The Year of Yes by Maria Headley

Posted by Keris on August 24, 2006 in American Authors, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 23, 2006 11:58 AM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Joshilyn Jackson

Welcome to our exciting new series on Trashionista: exclusive author interviews! First up is Joshilyn Jackson, author of the prizewinning gods in Alabama and Between, Georgia (review coming soon), as well as the wonderful blog Faster than Kudzu. 

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer Wow! Fifteen words huh? Do I have to count the part that says "Between Georgia tells the story of? Or can I assume that part and simply count the words in this fragment?

"A Southern Juliette, her redneck Romeo, and the feud that blows up Georgia's smallest town"  There, 15 exactly! 

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)? In my office which is in my house. It is in a constant state of chaos and I like my peaceful trash piles to grow and grow until the carpet's color is a distant memory. I know where everything is. I don't like other people to come in and touch things. On the wall I have a SIGNED! limited edition print of a work by my favorite surrealist. It's a puffy cat and a skinny, melting cat riding a spaceship with boobs across an olive green wasteland. I love it. My husband loves it. Everyone else thinks we must be sprinkling hallucinogens onto our salads like bacon-bits...But when I get stuck I can always look at it and get centered.                         

Your favourite chick-lit book? Hrm -- I think probably Lani Diane Rich's Ex and the Single Girl.

Your favorite female heroine ever (if different from above)? Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird. PERIOD. I also love Scarlet O'Hara.

What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers?  Writers write, so BIC,HOK.  It's the advice I give myself on lazy days when I want to go watch all 100 episodes of CRIMINAL INTENT I have Tivo'd. (Vincent Donofrio is PRETTY!) It's pronounced BICK-HOCK, and it stands for, "Butt in chair, hands on keyboard." I did NOT make that up, but am not sure who did. I heard it on a writer's list, and it's useful to me still.

Don't put ANY emotion into the publishing end. You have no control over that. Just send out your queries and forget them. Focus on the thing you can control...the work. How much craft you learn. Revising and improving and WRITING every day. Publishing is heartbreaking and exhausting and breaking in takes years. Do the time, but don't put your heart in it. Put your heart into the work, love the work so much that you would want to make it perfect whether you were pursuing publication or not. The work will fill you up if you let it.

What are you reading at the moment? The Vanishing Point, by Mary Sharratt. I am REALLY digging it so far. Speaking of strong heroines! Sharratt's Hannah Powers is a girl after my own heart.

What are you working on now? (Give us a hint!)It's called THE GIRL WHO STOPPED SWIMMING. It's about Laurel Gray Hawthorne...a woman who can't help but make things pretty.  Coming from a family with a literal skeleton in their closet, she's developed this talent all her life, whether helping her willful mother to smooth over the reality of her family's ugly past, or elevating humble scraps of unwanted fabric into nationally acclaimed art quilts.  Her wayward sister Thalia, an impoverished Actress with a capital A, is her polar opposite, and prides herself in exposing the lurid truth lurking behind life's everyday niceties. And while Laurel’s life was neatly on track—a passionate marriage, a treasured daughter, and a dream home in lovely suburban Victoriana—everything she holds dear is thrown into question the night she is visited by an apparition in her bedroom.  The ghost appears to be her 14-year-old neighbor Molly Dufresne, and when Laurel follows this ghost out back, she finds the real Molly floating lifeless in her swimming pool.  While the community writes the tragedy off as an accident, Laurel can't.  Reluctantly enlisting Thalia’s aid, Laurel sets out on a life-altering investigation that triggers startling revelations about her own guarded past, the true state of her marriage, and the truth about the girl who stopped swimming.

Oh. Wait. Was that supposed to be 15 words, too? Hrm.

Dead girl! Closet Skeletons! Hot Husband! Trampy Actress Sister! Sex on the dryer! Secrets revealed!

There, 15 exactly. *grin*

Thanks Joshilyn- you're fabulous!

[Author photo © Elizabeth Osbourne].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 23, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Interviews, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (5)

August 22, 2006 10:31 AM

The Mermaid Chair Movie

Good news for Sue Monk Kidd fans among you.  Her second book, The Mermaid Chair is to be made into a TV movie/mini-series, starring Kim Basinger and Debra Mooney (who plays grandma/army sergeant Edna on Everwood; ITV1, 2pm- watch it for great teen angst!) 

Currently in pre-production, The Mermaid Chair tells the story of a married woman who falls in love with a Benedictine monk(!)

[Via Imdb].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 22, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Movie News, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 16, 2006 10:54 AM

Author Joshilyn Jackson arrested!

Looks law-abiding enough, doesn't she? And writing prize-winning fiction certainly isn't a crime... But none the less, Atlanta author Joshilyn Jackson found herself spending an afternoon in the slammer last week, missing out on a TV appearance to promote her latest book, Between, Georgia...

Joshilyn didn't actually do anything wrong but became part of a huge admin mix-up at the Department of Motor Vehicles over her married name and maiden name (Jackson), meaning she had unknowingly been driving without a valid license for almost a year.  So she had to spend a few hours in jail, watching Gigli and scratching "mom graffiti" (please wash your hands) into the wall, waiting for her friend to come and bail her out...

"Me: Dude, I'm in jail. I need you to come get me.
Her: Dude, I know you are feeling pressure with this DEADLINE, but it is NOT jail okay? If you need to step away, come over and we'll have lunch.
Me: DUDE, I AM IN PRISON! If I can't get bailed out within four hours they transfer me to BIG GIRL JAIL. I CANNOT GO TO BIG GIRL JAIL Her: Oh poodle, it feels that way NOW, but the work is paying off! I am reading your new chapter four now, and you NAILED the part where----
Me: DUDE! PRISON! ME! COME! GET!"

I'm sure it was an awful experience, but it made for some wonderfully entertaining blogging (scroll down).

*Look out for an interview with Joshilyn and a review of Between, Georgia in coming weeks!*.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 16, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Controversy alert!  The lovely Jenni (Hi, Jenni!) gave Salem Falls a glowing review, and of course it's been another bestseller for Trashionista fave Jodi Picoult.

But *draws a deep breath for courage*... I just wasn't that impressed.  I guessed the 'twists' at the end of the book, and I found the Picoult 'formula' (multiple, constantly changing viewpoints, similar themes in every book) started to grate.  We need a decider- perhaps you guys can help! Tell us: is it a Yay, or a Nay? And Why?

[Don't forget to vote at Bridalwave, Corrie Blog, Catwalk Queen, Kiss and Makeup, The Bag Lady, Shoewawa and Shiny Shiny too!]   

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 16, 2006 in American Authors, Recent Release, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 15, 2006 11:52 AM

Rory Gilmore's Book Club

Gilmore Girls is a smart, sharp and very funny American drama/comedy* series about the lives of Lorelei and Rory Gilmore- mother and daughter and best of friends.  Anyone who loves intelligent, funny TV should be watching, despite the fact that it's been criminally neglected by terrestrial TV. (You can catch it on Hallmark at midday, but I'd start at the beginning with the DVDs -usually available at online hire places like Lovefilm, too).  Lorelei is the young, hip mother and Rory her studious, bookworm -but incredibly cool- daughter.  I can't decide if I idolise Rory or Lorelei (I think both) but now we can all get closer to being Rory: she has her own book club!  By the age of sixteen, she'd read everything from Proust to histories of punk, so there's no better fictional character to get tips from.  There's hundreds of recommended titles and the best thing is, they come in two categories: old favourites and new reads.  New Reads include The Kite Runner and My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult , as well as some new titles you may not have heard of... Older recommendations include Little Women and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.  Sign up to the newsletter if you'd like regular suggestions in your inbox- and go watch the series if you've been missing out (run!)

*I refuse to resort to 'dramedy'.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 15, 2006 in Book related, Classic Novels, Girly Stuff, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 9, 2006 5:46 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Marry Me by Carey Marx

When, at the start of 2005, comedian Carey Marx decided  he was going to make it his goal to get married by the end of the Edinburgh Festival in August, his friends, not surprisingly, thought he was having a laugh. After all, he didn't even have a girlfriend- how was he going to meet the woman of his dreams, fall in love and get married in just eight months?  Not to mention write his comedy show-"the show where you can laugh, applaud and marry the performer"- and a book about the whole experience!  Marry Me explains all...

First the author signed up to several internet dating agencies and started chatting online with lots of different women (too many for him to keep track of, in fact!)  He also asked his friends to find him dates, chatted up women after his comedy gigs and generally tried to cram years of dating into one tiny time-frame.  Along the way he sent thousands of emails, lost days of sleep and even got his friends to fake a viral outbreak and dress up as zombies to impress two potential soulmates.  (You'll have to read the book for an explanation!) During his search for love,  several of his friends bypassed him and got engaged, and Carey met a hell of a lot of women- several of whom offered to marry him on the spot!  But his quest wasn't just to find a wife- he was looking for true long-lasting love: so did he find it? Read the book to find out, you won't be sorry you did.

"Marry Me" is hilarious- especially the email exchanges between Marx and his prospective dates.  I stayed up late into the night reading it, laughing out loud and wondering what crazy thing would happen next.  More seriously, I also loved the fact that the desperate search for love was from a man's perspective for a change, and I enjoyed the message of the book: that sometimes you have to take big risks to get what you want- and even if you fail, it's still worth trying. 

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Year of Yes by Maria Headley, I'm Celibate, Get Me Out of Here! by Jo Elliot.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 9, 2006 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 8, 2006 1:12 PM

BOOK REVIEW: A Tale of Two Sisters by Anna Maxted

One night when I was pregnant I got up to go to the loo, started reading Anna Maxted's book "Being Committed" and found myself staying up reading it all night. The reason I'm oversharing is to make it clear how much I love Anna Maxted's books. So you can imagine how excited I was to get her new one. Would it live up to previous offerings? At first I wasn't sure ...

The first fifty pages I found to be a bit unfocussed and waffly. Not much was going on and there were quite a few lines that I knew were meant to be jokes, but that I didn't get and couldn't work out why not. But then by page fifty-five I was crying and then I was hooked.

Like many books about siblings, Lizbet and Cassie are total opposites. Lizbet's more relaxed (read: overweight) and Cassie's ambitious (read: a bit of a bitch) but they're best friends, united in their dislike of their parents. But then things start to go horribly wrong for both of them and they find themselves falling out in a big way .. repeatedly.

"A Tale of Two Sisters" is a sweet, intelligent and funny book. Throughout the twists and turns of Lizbet and Cassie's relationship, the story remains entirely believable and - although I can't believe I'm about to use this expression - emotionally intelligent (sorry). Plus there are some fabulously drawn supporting characters. I would've liked to have seen a bit more of Lizbet's husband Tim, but the lightness of that character was more than made up for with Cassie's in-laws The Hershlags who are fabulous and hilarious.

If you've never read any Anna Maxted, I wouldn't start with this one (try "Getting Over It" instead), but if you're a fan you won't be disappointed.

If you like this, try "In Her Shoes" by Jennifer Weiner.

Posted by Keris on August 8, 2006 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (4)

August 5, 2006 6:03 PM

BOOK REVIEW- Burnt Toast by Teri Hatcher

I spent a lot of time in the '90s wanting to be Teri Hatcher- or rather, wanting to be her incarnation of Lois Lane- plus I've never missed a Desperate Housewives, so I was interested to read her new book, Burnt Toast.  Part memoir, part self-help guide, Teri uses the ups and downs of her own life to illustrate the importance of being good to yourself.  She thinks that too many women "eat the burnt toast"- that is, don't value themselves enough to make a new slice of toast when they burn some, always putting their needs last in every area of life, however big or small.  It's a good message, and is delivered with lots of warmth and humour.  But for me, there was a little something missing...

Teri's clearly an intelligent and witty woman, and I liked the ethos of this book, but I couldn't help wondering why she'd chosen to write a book that's only half-memoir...  She actually doesn't reveal very much of herself, and maybe that was the idea.   What she chooses to reveal is very selective, and at times, where she draws the line is mystifying: we learn (several times!) that she just loves her nipples (yep!) that she had no sex on her honeymoon, and that she's very insecure, especially around men...  But she doesn't share why her marriage fell apart, or what her Housewives audition involved, or more seriously, make any mention of the child abuse she suffered for several years.   I can understand her not wanting to go into any detail about the latter, but it seems strange not to mention it, or even allude to it, in a book purporting to share yourself and your most intimate feelings. 

Maybe the paradox in the book illustrates a paradox about Teri: she has a lot to share, but seems to think we'd only be interested if she dressed it up with humour and self-help lessons so it's not all about her.  At root, she comes across someone with very low self-esteem, and at times I couldn't work out if she was lying to herself or simply being disingenuous: she talks about her love of coupons and the free stuff actresses are given- doesn't she realise that comes across as spoilt and a little obscene when you're already a millionaire? (I think she genuinely doesn't see herself as a rich and powerful woman, but we all do!)   Also, she insists she hasn't lost weight since her New Adventures of Superman days, but anyone can see she has- maybe her scales are broken...

Having said that, I admire Teri Hatcher's bravery in sharing the feelings she does write about, and I certainly found her book enjoyable and entertaining, heartfelt and (mostly) honest.  But maybe she could have cared a little bit less about what people thought, and really dared to bare her soul. 

(Oh and be warned- you'll be constantly craving hot, buttered toast throughout the book!)

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Tabloid Love by Bridget Harrison.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 5, 2006 in American Authors, Celebrity Authors, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (3)

August 2, 2006 6:05 PM

RICHARD AND JUDY SUMMER READS : The Abortionist's Daughter by Elisabeth Hyde

The book featured in this week's Richard and Judy's Summer Reads is "The Abortionist's Daughter" by Elisabeth Hyde.

Megan is shocked when her father phones to tell her that her mother, Diana, is dead. Frank (that's her father) found Diana face down in their swimming pool when he got home from work. The police are suspecting foul play though, she has bruising that suggests her death was at somebody else's hands. The suspect is long, particularly considering her work as the Director of the Center for Reproductive Choice. She spent her life campaigning for women's right to choice and this made her a national hate figure for some. Withing their own family life hasn't always been the smoothest, since her younger brother died her parents have never been the same - but surely her father couldn't have finally snapped... could he?

I thought this book was well written, and dealt with a sensitive topic in a reasonable manner. Hyde looks at the concept of abortion from a number of perspectives, but in making the book a murder mystery allows herself to escape the need to come down on one side of the debate. The characters are well created around this subject, but it did feel at times like the book was lacking a little in the way it evaded the real nitty-gritty you may expect.

The plot is well created, I found myself fairly surprised by the ending when the killer is revealed, though afterwards when I looked back at the book I could see the writing was on the wall - just in very faint chalk! I found myself gripped by the book, but felt at times I wanted to know a little more about Diana - I think I'd have cared even more about the outcome if I'd known more about the woman.

This is a well written book that will keep you reading. It is perhaps a little weaker than some of the previous novels in the series, but is still well worth a read.

Rating : 4 out of 5

Posted by Jenni on August 2, 2006 in American Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 1, 2006 10:00 AM

BOOK REVIEW - The Cinderella Moment by Gemma Fox

What happens when a chance meeting with a gorgeous man changes your life forever? It all depends on fate to be perfectly honest - will it be a simple happy ever after, or will fate be cruel and send you on a terrifying rollercoaster ride? This is exactly the problem facing Cass who meets the lovely James on the train. He seems perfect... or is he?

Cass is a bit down on her look. Her husband has decided to leave her (she's too irresponsible apparently) so now she must stop painting and get a job that will pay enough to support herself and her son Danny. Every city job she's applied for has ended in rejection - its bad enough she has to apply for these jobs, the least they could do is employ her! her next door neighbour, and closest thing to family, Jake has an alternative suggestion. A friend of his is looking for an assistant to help him to get back on his feet after surgery. The work wouldn't be taxing - general PA style duties plus some time helping out... in his art gallery! Life seems to be looking up at long last.

Then on the train Cass meets James Devlin. He is annoyingly nice, pretty close to perfect in fact. When he leaves his mobile behind Cass rings him to arrange for him to collect it. Unfortunately it is his wife who answers - maybe he wasn't so perfect after all. When James becomes a missing person, suspected of running off with his fancy woman (yup thats what his wife thinks of Cass) the book takes on a whole new direction. Cass finds herself caught up in the middle of a huge misunderstanding which involves her being watched by the police and gangsters. How will she ever manage to persuade them that she is innocent of anything they're suspecting her of?

The plot of this book is cleverly intertwined without becoming confusing (apart from when you try to describe it to someone else). Fox allows the story to unfold in front of you so that you feel a step ahead of the characters throughout the book. The story is well paced, and offers some laugh out loud moments. It just about keeps on the right side of believable - though it veers dangerously close to the line at times.

The characters are all well written - whilst Cass can at times come across as a little wet I found I didn't mind this because of the richness of the rest of the characters. I'd be hard pushed to pick a favourite, though I might have to go with Jake and Barney.

This is a light hearted enjoyable read that would be good for the beach or the commute.

Rating : 3 out of 5

Like this? Try 'How Was It For You?' by Carmen Reid

Posted by Jenni on August 1, 2006 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 21, 2006 2:43 PM

BOOK REVIEW - The Truth About Ruby Valentine by Alsion Bond

When I read Alison Bond's debut effort 'How To Be Famous' I agreed with Gemma that whilst it was a great effort for a debut the ending was an area that needed some work. There was enough promise to make me think it would be worth my giving her second book a try, and when I saw it was full of the intrigue that surrounds a Hollywood legend. It sounded like there was a hint of mystery thrown in - I couldn't wait to dive in.

Kelly lives in Wales, and feels her life is pretty quiet and boring. She dreams of the glitz and glamour she reads about in the glossy magazines, but it seems like a whole different world. Her world is turned upside down when after the world learns of the suicide of Ruby Valentine, Hollywood's favourite screen legend, her dad reveals a secret. Kelly has never known who her mother was - yup you've guessed it, she's Ruby's daughter! Unsurprisingly this revelation leaves Kelly with a whole list of questions, though the most pressing one as far as she's concerned is whether her mother really did commit suicide or whether there's something more sinister behind her death.

There's only one way for Kelly to get the answers to the questions she wants, and so she jumps on the next plane to LA. When she arrive she finds herself launched into the midst of one of Hollywoods dynasties. Family members are twisted in love, scandal and bitter disputes seem to be ten a penny. Her mother's agent, Max Parker (yup he and CMG are back in this book) tries to help Kelly find her way into this new glamorous lifestyle - after all everyone wants a piece of Ruby's long lost daughter. None of this stops Kelly in her quest though - she's determined to know exactly what happened.

This book mixes two narratives (Kelly's story and Ruby's story) with ease. Whilst the story is a little slow to get going, once the book really starts its quick paced and full of interest. There are a number of twists - though the ending brings the biggest twist of them all (for once I hadn't worked it out).

The characters are well written, and whilst a few of them tend toward to the stereotypical there seems to be a definite improvement on the characters in 'How To Be Famous'. I found myself truly convinced by this tale of the big Hollywood family.

This book impressed me a lot. I finished 'How To Be Famous' thinking that Alison Bond showed a lot of promise. With this book I feel she has proved me right - she's not perfect yet, but she's a whole lot closer than she was! This would make a great read for the beach - find yourself transported into the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

Rating : 4 out of 5

Like this? Try 'Saffron Skies' by Lesley Lokko

Posted by Jenni on July 21, 2006 in British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Girly Stuff, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 19, 2006 6:05 PM

RICHARD AND JUDY SUMMER READS : The Island by Victoria Hislop

This week's featured book in Richard and Judy's Summer Read campaign is Victoria Hislop's debut novel, "The Island".

The book tells the tale of 4 generations of one family. Alexis Fielding has never known where she comes from, her mother is a closed book as far as the past is concerned. She knows her mother grew up in a village on Crete, but thats it. She knows nothing of her family or what made her mother move to England. When Alexis heads for Crete for a holiday, Sofia (her mother) gives her a letter to take to an old friend who still lives in Plaka  - the village where she grew up. It is there that she discovers the family secrets, and how Spinalonga - the former Greek leper colony played a key role in her family's history.

Carry on across the cut to here what I thought about the book.

This book is thoughtful and artistically created. The watercolour of the front cover is a good indication to the book it contains inside, the author paints broad landscapes of Crete, village life and the island of Spinalonga. Each character is well written, and highly believable - I found myself wondering how many months of research the author must have undertaken.

I would find it difficult to pigeonhole this book into a specific genre. Many are calling it a saga, but I'm not sure that fits quite right. It is simply a fantastic book that tells a emotive story set over 6 decades. Definitely one to read!

Rating : 5 out of 5

Posted by Jenni on July 19, 2006 in British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Richard and Judy, Romance | Permalink | Comments (4)

July 18, 2006 11:30 AM

BOOK REVIEW : Like Mother Like Daughter

Some girls have the kind of relationship with their mothers that it often feels like they're best friends. Other girls have mothers who try really hard to be their best friends and actually end up driving their daughters mad. Alice Harrison is one of those girls. Her mother, Suzie, is approaching sixty but is acting like her coming birthday is her sixteenth instead. When she comes up with a hare-brained scheme to find love for herself and her daughter Alice begins to despair - why can't she have a mother like other girls?

Alice is a life coach, though the fact that her husband left her for another man and then became her best friend makes her wonder at times how it is that she can sort everyone else's lives out just not her own. Suzie has a highly popular newspaper column that she appears to feel is the perfect venue to discuss her own life, and more worryingly Alice's. She has bemoaned the fact that Alice looks likely to remain single in this column, but even this hasn't helped her to find love. With her sixtieth birthday looming Suzie decides on a scheme to sort out Alice's life - she doesn't want any presents from Alice, all she wants is for her to have a date for the birthday party.

When Suzie announces the scheme Alice is, as you might expect, a little reluctant. Particularly when Suzie decides that she thinks she ought to join in the plan - after all she can't turn up to her own birthday party without a date! Grudgingly Alice agrees, though to be honest with her mother you can't help but give in.

Everything seems to be going smoothly when both Alice and Suzie find themselves a man early on into the scheme. Suzie meets her man on the Eurostar; he's fifteen years her junior, but who's counting? Alice meets her man at work; she's vowed never to date a client, but he's just so persuasive. When the two women discover that their new men are the same person... well you can imagine the fun!

This is a well written book with believable characters. At times I found Suzie to be completely infuriating, but I know people with mothers just like her. Alice is the more likeable character, though at times she verges on becoming a little wet. The plot itself is a little thin, though some of the dating events are quite amusing.

This is a decent book, but it's not great. I found myself wanting to get to the end of it so I could start another book, but I never once thought about not finishing it. Worth a look, though you might be better of getting it from your library.

Rating : 3 out of 5

Like this? Try 'I'm Celibate - Get Me Out Of Here' by Jo Elliot

Posted by Jenni on July 18, 2006 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 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)

July 11, 2006 11:19 AM

BOOK REVIEW : Wife In The Fast Lane by Karen Quinn

Last year Karen Quinn's debut novel "The Ivy Chronicles" was one of the most popular choices in Richard and Judy's Summer Read 2005. I picked up her follow up novel with a slightly wary hand. It seems pretty quickly released, and I hoped that it didn't mean it would be rushed and not live up to the furor that Quinn had built around herself. This was again a book set in Manhattan, in the world of the rich and powerful - familiar territory or just beating about the same bush? There was only one way to find out, so I opened the book and read...

'Wife in the Fast Lane' tells the story of Christy, a former Olympic athlete (two gold medals to her name included) who has decided that her challenge should now come from the world of commerce. She, with the help of her friend Katherine, has set up a new business, Baby G, producing sports shoes. Her hope is to give the public an alternative to the huge corporations, getting the sponsorship deal for the next Olympic Games will only help this.

As Baby G takes off Christy begins, under the careful instruction of Katherine, to make herself into the type of woman who sh0uld be CEO of an up and coming market leader. First it's a new apartment, then a wardrobe, hair cut - you get the idea. But it is when she is invited to a conference for the biggest movers and shakers that things really take off for Christy - she meets the gorgeous (and highly powerful and rich) Michael Drummond who she falls instantly in love with. Both of them are committed to their careers, but quickly realise they can have their careers and each other. So when they unexpectedly gain an 11 year old child to care for something has to give.

This is a story set firmly in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. In a similar fashion to 'The Ivy Chronicles' it is a fascinating peep into a completely different world - some of the things that are done by the school are mind-boggling. It is a well paced read, though the reader sees what is going to happen before Christy does at times which can be unfortunate if you're reading it on the train (everyone looked at me oddly when I shouted at my book!).

The characters and plot are both well created, at times both seem a little unbelievable but then it is easy to swallow them as you realise that this is simply 'how the other half lives'. This is an entertaining book that would be great to slip into your suitcase this summer.

Rating : 4 out of 5

Like this? Try "Under My Spell" by Deborah Wright

Posted by Jenni on July 11, 2006 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 10, 2006 3:42 PM

BOOK REVIEW : Angel by Katie Price ('Jordan')

I have to admit that when I saw Katie Price was writing her first novel I was a bit dubious. Okay, incredibly dubious. When I saw the promotions for it, and realised it was a story about a young girl who turns to glamour modelling to try to earn the money she desperately needs if she is to follow her dreams my fears for the book deepened. Was this going to be yet another version of Katie's life, or would she surprise me? I have to admit I was curious as I began to read.

'Angel' tells the story of Angel, a girl who is just on the brink of finishing college with dreams of a career in fashion design. The only problem is that she doesn't have enough money to fund the art course she desperately wants to take, and her parents won't fund such an uncertain future. On top of that its been less than a year since her parents revealed that she was adopted - she's still not really sure of who she is or whether she really belongs.

Angel is tempted by a model scout to have some photos taken. When the photographer suggests doing some glamour shots she feels a little reluctant. Once she agrees though she quickly realises that this could be the shortcut to the money she wants. Angel's rise to fame as a glamour model is rapid, and all of a sudden everybody wants a piece of her. Surely something's got to bring her down again, but will she survive?

This is a reasonably written debut novel, particularly when you consider that the author has no experience of writing beyond her own memoirs. The subject matter is so familiar when you think about Katie Price that you wonder whether some of it may actually be autobiographical. Then again they say write what you know, and this is certainly what Price knows. This does make me think that we will only truly see whether Price has promise as a novelist

The characters and plot were believable, you could easily see some of them gracing the pages of the tabloid gossip pages. The ending was relatively accomplished, whereas this is an area some first time novelists appear to struggle with Price tied up all the ends neatly but without it feeling forced.

This would be perfect as an easy read for the beach this summer.

Rating : 3 out of 5

Like this? Try 'Adored' by Tilly Bagshawe.

Posted by Jenni on July 10, 2006 in Bonkbusters, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Debut Novels, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (53)

July 5, 2006 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)

June 30, 2006 11:25 AM

BOOK REVIEW - Sexy Shorts For The Beach

When I got hold of this copy of the latest book in the 'Sexy Shorts...' series I couldn't wait to begin reading. It's a collection of short stories which all have a summery theme. What makes it all the more worth reading is the fact that for every book that gets sold money is donated to Cancer Research UK - a very worthy cause. In this heatwave that seems determined to keep returning it can be difficult to concentrate enough to read an epic literary effort, so maybe this collection of tales would be better suited to current climates...

One of the nice thing about a collection of stories is that you tend to be bombarded with a wide range of stories, and writing styles. Whilst you won't love every story you're bound to find some you like and some you'll want to read over and over again. This collection is no different. I have to admit that I personally found it a little difficult to get into the book, my intention was to start at the first story and finish at the last (less chance of me missing any that way). I didn't find my attention grabbed by the first three or four, and it was only my sheer determination that kept me going. Oh boy was I glad I did!

If I was going to summarise the book, I'd say there were about 10% stories I didn't care much for, 60% I enjoyed, and 30% I absolutely adored. There's a brilliant mix of styles and feels to the stories, some are amusing, some are poignant and and some are downright romantic. By the time I'd finished reading I had a beaming smile on my face.

I would definitely recommend this. Its great to be able to pick it up and read a few stories at a time. And its nice to know that by reading you can help a good cause!

Rating : 4 out of 5

Posted by Jenni on June 30, 2006 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance, Series, Short Story Collections | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 28, 2006 1:29 PM

BOOK REVIEW : The Butterfly House by Marcia Preston

This book by Marcia Preston is a tale of three women who are all having to live with the aftermath of a terrible secret. Brought together by the most innocuous of reasons, and torn apart by a terrible tragedy their lives have never been the same since one fateful night. When they are forced to face up to the secret they are all bound by. Will this bring a change to their lives once more?

The story focuses around Roberta. She is living her life the best she can after incidents that happened when she was younger caused her to be admitted to a mental health facility for a long period of time. She has learnt how to control her destructive thoughts and has been reasonably happily married for a few years now. When a stranger turns up her doorstep, her life is turned upside down. He is the father of her childhood best friend, Cynthia. He was reported dead after the Vietnam War and no one has heard from him since. He wants Roberta to go with him and testify at the parole hearing of Lorena, Cynthia's mother and his wife. She's been serving time for a crime that Roberta knows she did not commit, but can she bear to relieve the tragedy that changed all three women's lives.

Through a series of flashbacks we learn how Roberta and Cynthia became friends, and how Lorena became such an important figure in Roberta's life.  We find out what tragedy tore them apart, and the secret that they each have been keeping for so long.

This is a carefully thought out and written story. The characters are well thought out and convincing. I felt whilst I was reading it as though it were a jigsaw puzzle, and the sense of satisfaction when another piece of the puzzle slotted in was huge. The plot was captivating and I struggled to put it down.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a read with a slightly more serious angle to it.

Rating : 4 out of 5

Like this? Try 'Notes on a Scandal' by Zoe Heller

Posted by Jenni on June 28, 2006 in American Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 26, 2006 10:03 AM

BOOK REVIEW : Pug Hill by Alison Pace

I really enjoyed Alison Pace's first book "If Andy Warhol Had A Girlfriend", but I must admit the thing that really got me excited about Pug Hill was the gorgeous cover.  I know they say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but this cover with all of the dogs set against a beautiful backdrop called to me from across the bookstore.

Plus it's set in New York.  I'm a New York book slut.

Hope McNeill is an art restorer with a pathological fear of public speaking.  When her father asks her to speak at her parents forthcoming 40th anniversary party, Hope enrols in an evening class to try and get over her anxiety.  She's also trying to get up the energy to chuck her irritating and
pretentious boyfriend and get her sexy co-worker to fall in love with her. Or at least notice her.

To deal with the stress, Hope hangs out at Pug Hill - an area of Central Park where pug owners gather to walk cute pot-bellied pups.

I'm afraid to say I found Hope a little bit on the wet side.  Of course, this being chick lit, I don't think I'm giving anything away if I say she pulls herself together eventually, but I can't help wishing she'd done it sooner and with a bit more conviction.  Having said that, Alison Pace writes about New York so beautifully that I felt like I was there.  And the ending is perfect and almost made me cry.

Soppy heroine aside, I'd definitely recommend this book if you love New York.  Or dogs. [Keris Stainton]

Rating : 4 out of 5

If you like this try 'The Dog Walker' by Leslie Schnur

Posted by Aigua Media on June 26, 2006 in American Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (1)