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

Tiger Bay – A Place to Hide

A book with beautiful language throughout is rare in a début novel, but Trezza Azzopardi has succeeded in her book The Hiding Place.

”At one month old, a baby's hand is the tiniest, most perfect thing. It makes a fist, it spreads wide, and when it burns, that soft skin is petrol, those bones are tinder, so small, so easily eaten in a flame.”

With a sentence like that painting the picture of an awful night you cannot help but to read on. Piece by piece the story of the Gauci family unfolds through the eyes of the main character and youngest daughter Dolores (Dol) and her sisters. It's a jigsaw puzzle slowly coming together. Read and explore!
Josefine

Title: The Hiding Place Author: Trezza Azzopardi ISBN: 978-0-330-48041-3

Romance is not dead

Attended an author event the other night. Heidi Rice who writes romance novels for Mills & Boon came to my local library to talk about creating heroes and heroines in a romance novel in preparation for the competition Mills & Boon currently holds. New Voices is a chance for unknown romance writers to write their first chapter of their novel and publish it at Mills & Boon's website for comment and feedback from other readers as well as the chance to get their novel published by Mills & Boon.

I am not a big fan of romance myself and must say that before Monday evening I had not read anything from that genre. However, I do think it is educational to attend lectures of all sorts, after all it is one way of learning the craft of writing and it also gave me some inspiration to challenge myself and put together a first chapter of my own, if nothing else to see if I can do it. I am quite excited about my story actually. It is not ready to be uploaded to the site yet, but I know I have to hurry before the deadline at 5.00 pm on October 10.

And if you do like reading romance or just want to have a go on the genre, there is a free e-book to be downloaded or you can get a paper version sent home for you.

Josefine

A book of contrasts

Less than twenty pages into Goodnight Mr. Tom I am in love. The book is masterly built and you are thrown between strong feelings. The contrast between the kindness of Mr. Tom Oakely and the cruelty Willie had to endure at home, it breaks my heart to read it. Another contrast is the setting, the country is at war and you can always feel it in the background, at the same time though it is such a warm and fuzzy story. Lastly, as the relationship develops between Will and Mr. Tom comes the contrast of throwing the mother in to the picture again.
It was one of the best books I have read this year.
Josefine

Title: Goodnight Mr. Tom Author: Michelle Magorian ISBN: 978-0-141-96452-2

Chick lit recomendations

According to Amazon's and friends recommendation's I should really like Jill Mansell's books and after reading an interview with her on Miranda Dickson's blog, I was happy to find Mansell book Two's Company on the "newly returned" shelf at my local library.

It is a well written book in the sense of seeing the characters and their surroundings. However at 11CD's long for a chicklit novel, it was too long. Too many plots, too much drama (I felt like I was listening to one of those long running soap operas).

Without telling too much, I must also say that the ending did not convince me or maybe I am just to cynical and stubborn to believe in it.

I haven't totally given up on Mansell I will probbaly try another of her books that seems really promising (To the moon and back).

Josefine

Title: Two's Company Author: Jill Mansell ISBN: 978-0-7531-4649-1