Fairytale Début

I know it has been a lot Miranda Dickinson lately, but that is since I found out I would attend her book launch I have been quite giddy about the whole thing and promptly got to the library to borrow her previous books.
I finished Fairytale of New York, her first novel and I must say it was a nice début. It had some flaws that I think will be ironed out in her next books. I am impressed by her extensive knowledge of flowers and how she made the arrangements and bouquets come to life on the pages, you could really see those flowers as the recipients saw them.
However, my favourite part of the book was probably when Rosie Duncan spends Christmas alone, Dickinson managed to get the feeling just right. It wasn't the Bridget Jones “all by myself” alone feeling or a defiant “Î will spend Christmas alone because I am an independant woman and I can.” It was just a simple thing of a person spending a day alone, not lonely. Something very important for someone who often feels the same way. You can be alone without being lonely.

I am looking forward to read her other two books as well and of course looking forward to watch the progress of her fourth book, out in the autumn next year.
Josefine

Title: Fairytale of New York Author: Miranda Dickinson ISBN: 978-1-94756-165-7

In real life

Sometimes when you read a book, you recognise things from it that has happened in real life. When I started to read The case of the missing books by Ian Samson I felt as if it is was right here, right now. The first page of the book, met me with the words Library Closed, ironic it is that is what met me a couple of weeks ago, when the council won in court and closed down six of the communites twelve libraries. Fortunately for Israel Armstrong in the book, there was an alternative for him, he became the librarian for the book mobile, all he had to do first was finding the 15 000 missing books. A much more happy ending then what we are experiencing right now.

The case of the missing books has its bright sides and is even funny at times, but I have a difficult time seeing it as a series but apparently the second book is already out. Perhpas the sequel is for some one who appreciated the character of Israel Amrstrong more than I did.
Josefine

Title: The case of the missing books Author: Ian Samson ISBN: 978-0-00-720699-2

SAVE KENSAL RISE LIBRARY

Book launch

I have now met the lovely Miranda Dickinson and is the proud owner of a signed copy of It started with a kiss. It was at her book-launch at the swanky Grange Hotel at St Paul's that we all received a signed copy of the book, courtesy of Avon. I started the first chapter on the tube home, but wanted to wait with the next as I am still reading her first book Fairytale of New York and don't want to mix the two. But I am really looking forward to this one and as it is a chrismassy book it would be nice to read it in the weeks going up to Christmas.

Also Cally Taylor's new book Home for Christmas is out now another book that goes on my christmas wish list.

Josefine

Title: It started with a kiss Author: Miranda Dickinson ISBN: 978-1-84756-167-1

It Started with a Kiss

On Thursday I am invited to a book launch (ok I entered a competition and was choosen to attend but I still see it as an inviation). It is the launch of Miranda Dickinson's new book It started with a kiss, relased by Avon on November 10.
I am currently reading her first book Fairytale of New York and hope I will finish it before Thursday so that I at least can say I read one of her books.
Josefine

Title: It Started with a Kiss Author: Miranda Dickinson ISBN: 978-1-847561671

The girl in the red coat

The first thing that strikes me is the authenticity of the book as we get the story told to us through the eyes of a very small girl (Roma Ligocka), who don't always understand the significance of what is going on in the world around her. Even though the material is horrific and what we find out about the cruelty of people, it is remarkable easy to read and I find myself captured by the story and it is not long before I have read several chapters in one sitting. Then I stopped myself and went through the rest of the book slowly, to not miss anything in this remarkable story.
Josefine

Title: The girl in the red coat Author: Roma Ligocka ISBN: 978-0-340-81907-3

A book with only a middle

Sometimes it is interesting to read something new and different, one of those books are Dreams of Water by Nada Awar Jarrar. I use to call these kinds of books for a book without a beginning or end only a middle. Not in a negative way, but just because you start in the middle of the book and follow the characters for a little while, before you are dropped off at the bus stop with no ticket to go further. There is still something in the story that keeps you entertained for that period of time, even though you know you will never make it to the end of the story.
I wonder if the author has this in mind as they set out to write the book, or if it just happens that way.
Josefine

Title. Dreams of water Author: Nada Awar Jarrar ISBN: 978-0-00-722196-7

Author events

The coming week I feel like a litterary jet setter, on thursday there is an author event at my local library where British author and journalist Louise Levene is talking about her latest book Ghastly Business. Then on Friday at my university a young undergratuate writer from Nigeria Chibundu Onuzo hailed as one of the freshest, newest voices coming out of Africa, will hold a reading of her book The spider king's daughter, followed by a drinks reception.

I am also enjoying the opening chapters of Fairytale of New York by Miranda Dickinson who I found through Chiclit Review.
A great week for books.
Josefine