This week, Kate chats to author Ayisha Malik, author of Sofia Khan Is Not Obliged and The Other Half of Happiness, about her novels, characters, inspirations, and what she’s writing next.
Continue reading “Podcast: Ayisha Malik talks about Sofia Khan and The Other Half of Happiness”
Category: Interview
Today Will Be Different: Maria Semple blog tour
Today Will Be Different is the new novel from Maria Semple, author of Where’d You Go, Bernadette and when I spotted early copies, it’s safe to say I was pretty unashamed about seeing if I could nab one as I was really keen to read it and share my thoughts with you.
I really enjoyed it, I think even more so than Maria’s previous novel, in part because of the ingenious way that the whole book plays out over the course of one day, albeit with the clever use of flashbacks, as the main character, Eleanor, encounters various objects or thinks about different people, especially her husband and sister.
I’m very pleased that Maria Semple has stopped by to answer my question about her choice to write in that way…
“When I wrote that first page and felt its electricity, that pretty much dictated the form of the novel. It told me I was writing about a woman who was waking up one morning determined to be her best self. And despite Eleanor setting the bar almost comically low for herself, her plans still go awry.”
As well as the fascinating way it’s written, I loved the wit and humour of Today Will Be Different, as well as the way that Semple creates the most extraordinary characters who are also completely human and relatable. I am desperate to watch the animated series the Elanor works on – it sounds like sassy My Little Ponies – and Timby, her son, is delightful. Her relationship with her sister is sometimes tender, sometimes tragic to the point of heartbreaking. There are also some wonderful slapstick moments – especially in a sculpture park – that have to be read to be believed…
Look out on my Twitter for a chance to RT and win a copy of the book, and have you been following the tour so far?
- 18th August: Nina Stibbe
- 25th August: Beth Book Blogger
- 1st Sept: Notes From The Chair
- 8th Sept: Amy Pirt
- 15th Sept: Adventures With Words
- 22nd Sept: Queens Park Books
- 29th Sept: Alison Percival
- 6th Oct: Marian Keyes
Description
Eleanor Flood knows she’s a mess. But today will be different. Today she will shower and put on real clothes. She will attend her yoga class after dropping her son, Timby, off at school.
She’ll see an old friend for lunch. She won’t swear. She will initiate sex with her husband, Joe. But before she can put her modest plan into action – life happens. For today is the day Timby has decided to pretend to be ill to weasel his way into his mother’s company.
It’s also the day surgeon Joe has chosen to tell his receptionist – but not Eleanor – that he’s on vacation. And just when it seems that things can’t go more awry, a former colleague produces a relic from the past – a graphic memoir with pages telling of family secrets long buried and a sister to whom Eleanor never speaks.
Podcast: Jessie Burton & Hayley Attwell discuss The Muse
Out now is Jessie Burton’s The Muse, her followup to The Miniaturist, Burton’s acclaimed debut novel. Find out how The Miniaturist came to be in this interview with Hayley Attwell, part of the 2015 Essex Book Festival. Continue reading “Podcast: Jessie Burton & Hayley Attwell discuss The Muse”
World Book Night 2016: Q&A with Leigh Bardugo
Yesterday, we shared a Q&A with Holly Bourne, author of Am I Normal Yet?, one of this year’s World Book Night books. As supporters of World Book Night, I’m really pleased to be able to share another fab Q&A with you this today, just before World Book Night itself, from Leigh Bardugo, whose book Shadow and Bone I absolutely loved and reviewed. This time, Leigh shares her reading habits, advice on recommendations for reluctant readers, and Shakespearean favourites. I hope those lucky people receiving Shadow and Bone this evening enjoy it as much as I did…! Continue reading “World Book Night 2016: Q&A with Leigh Bardugo”
World Book Night 2016: Q&A with Holly Bourne
We’ve been supporters of World Book Night since before Adventures With Words properly kicked off, in 2011, and we’ve been talking to you about it most years since then. You can read all about its origins on the World Book Night website, but it came about in order to promote reading for pleasure for people who don’t read regularly, by reaching out to people in unusual places with a huge team of enthusiastic volunteers ready to give away a range of brilliant titles. This year’s set of books is no exception, and I was thrilled when the team at WBN got in touch to ask if we’d like to share some Q&As from a couple of the authors involved. This evening, Holly Bourne shares some insights into her reading habits, advice on recommendations for reluctant readers, and Shakespearean favourites (remember that anniversary?), as people all around the country prepare to share their love for her fantastically funny and feminist YA novel, Am I Normal Yet? Continue reading “World Book Night 2016: Q&A with Holly Bourne”
Mind Your Head – Juno Dawson and Dr Olivia Hewitt talk about their new book, illustrated by Gemma Correll
On Thursday 21st January, I headed over to the first event at the newly opened Waterstones Tottenham Court Road (open until 11pm – try the cocktails!) to hear Juno Dawson and Dr Olivia Hewitt talk to Jo Elvin, editor at Glamour Magazine, about their new non-fiction book for teens Mind Your Head, illustrated by Gemma Correll. Continue reading “Mind Your Head – Juno Dawson and Dr Olivia Hewitt talk about their new book, illustrated by Gemma Correll”
S is for Spindlebridge – the Railhead Blog Tour
As well as taking the time to chat to us about Railhead and his other work, Philip Reeve has written this fascinating blog post about the Spindlebridge, which forms a key part of the story of his new book. As a science fiction fan from a young age, I found Railhead a wonderful adventure and a very interesting take on space travel, and this article gives a bit more insight, without any spoilers, into the world of Railhead and the amazing way in which the characters travel.
Continue reading “S is for Spindlebridge – the Railhead Blog Tour”
Podcast: Philip Reeve on Railhead, and more
This week, we’re very pleased to welcome Philip Reeve to the podcast, talking about his new book Railhead, published by Oxford University Press Children’s Books, and more…!
Continue reading “Podcast: Philip Reeve on Railhead, and more”
House of Windows guest post, from Alexia Casale
I always think it’s fascinating to get an insight ‘behind the scenes’ into the process which brings a book from a concept to the finished article, ready to be read and enjoyed. House of Windows is Alexia Casale’s second young adult novel, published by Faber, who also published her highly-acclaimed debut The Bone Dragon, and, as I mentioned on the podcast, is the story of Nick, who heads to university at the age of 15. That university is Cambridge and soon he is selected to cox for the college rowing crew, and things take an interesting turn.
Not only was my interest grabbed by those plot points, but Alexia has kindly written a brilliant article which introduces the way in which House of Windows has been shaped by herself as the author but also by the editorial team at Faber, and what that process has been like. It’s illuminating reading for anyone, but especially for any budding writers out there. Continue reading “House of Windows guest post, from Alexia Casale”
Podcast: Nicole Burstein discusses Othergirl
Recorded in Foyles Cafe Charing Cross, here’s Kate in conversation with author Nicole Burstein about her debut young adult novel Othergirl. Continue reading “Podcast: Nicole Burstein discusses Othergirl”
Podcast: In conversation with Ben Fergusson
Recorded live as part of the Essex Book Festival, here’s Rob in conversation with author Ben Fergusson about his book The Spring of Kasper Meier. Continue reading “Podcast: In conversation with Ben Fergusson”
True Face – Siobhan Curham on Empowering Books for Women and Girls
When I received an email recently from Faber, offering me the chance to read True Face by Siobhan Curham, and to host a guest post, I jumped at the chance. The effect of the media on young women (and men), in the twenty-teens, is huge – not only is there a bombardment of images telling you what you should look like and how you should act in TV and magazines, but our total immersion in a world of social media means that your appearance is constantly up for discussion and distribution.
While I – thankfully – didn’t have to cope with the combined effects of Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and tumblr aged 12, I definitely felt that pressure myself as a teen, and one of the big things that helped me feel positive and empowered was reading about some fantastic female characters and the amazing things they were able to achieve. I asked Siobhan if she could share some of her recommendations of empowering reads for women and girls, and I’m glad to say she’s obliged. Read on, and discover them for yourself… Kate x
Continue reading “True Face – Siobhan Curham on Empowering Books for Women and Girls”
Podcast: Essex Book Festival week 2 – Jessie Burton & Hayley Atwell
We’re into week two now of the Essex Book Festival and it’s a great podcast this week! We have Jessie Burton, author of The Miniaturist, in conversation with Hayley Atwell. Continue reading “Podcast: Essex Book Festival week 2 – Jessie Burton & Hayley Atwell”
Essex Book Festival: Birth of the Book Live Blog! Q & A
Time for the ‘Birth of the Book’ Q & A! Continue reading “Essex Book Festival: Birth of the Book Live Blog! Q & A”
Essex Book Festival: Birth of the Book Live Blog! Francesca Main
Join us as we liveblog the ‘Birth of the Book’ event at Essex Book Festival featuring critically acclaimed author Kerry Hudson, Literary Agent Jo Unwin and Picador Editor Francesca Main. We move on to Picador Editor Francesca Main. Continue reading “Essex Book Festival: Birth of the Book Live Blog! Francesca Main”