The Books I'm Waiting For

I'm currently reading a few advance review copies, and I'll post the reviews in due course, but for now, here's my wish list for the books I'd love to see on my to-read-pile:

1. Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl - the copy is doing the rounds at my book club, and I'm awaiting my turn
2. Lee Child's Never Go Back (Jack Reacher #18) - it will hit the shelves in August 2013
3. Veronica Roth's Divergent - the library will let me know when to collect it, I hope it's before the movie gets released, LOL
4. A new novel by Nick Hornby - sadly, I don't think there's any fiction coming from him soon
5. A rewrite of Hunger Games Book 3 - I won't say why, for fear of spoilers
6. And, of course, my very own Operation Genocide - I won't read it again, that's for damned sure, I just want to see it on my bedside table. Roll on, September 2013!

The Novel I'm Not Allowed To Blog About

Have you ever wondered how books get all those glowing reviews just minutes after they become available on Amazon? It's because some advance copies are sent out to reviewers ahead of time, of course. Simple when you think about it.

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of reading an advanced review copy of SOMEONE ELSE'S LOVE STORY by my favourite author, Joshilyn Jackson.

The upside? It's the best book I read this year (and that's including gems like MEMOIRS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND and THE FAULT IN OUR STARS). Possibly the best book I've read since Joshilyn Jackson's previous novel, A GROWN UP KIND OF PRETTY.

The downside? I'm supposed to wait till November before I write the review.

So for now, take my word for it: you want to buy the book. Although it discusses difficult themes, it won't rip out your heart and stomp on it. What it will do, it'll fill you with the beauty of its words and the beauty of its world.

Diarise 19 November 2013 - that's when SOMEONE ELSE'S LOVE STORY comes out.

You can't wait. Trust me.

Breaking Silence

"... initially banned from major book chains after a 50,000 strong Facebook boycott campaign ripped across New Zealand, Australia, the United States and the UK protesting its publication.Breaking Silence uses the life story of mother Macsyna King as the narrative to explore the problem of intergenerational child abuse and its impact on modern society. "

A difficult topic. A highly controversial issue. A brave book. It changed my perspective and confirmed that newspapers often get the wrong end of the stick. The book won't tell you what really happened, but at least you'll find out what didn't happen.

Crime Fiction I Love

Today I thought I'd try something different: a Pinterest post about crime novels I like. Have a look. (Shameless plug included!)

The Fault In Our Stars

If you've been following this blog for some time, you know I don't, as a rule, read sad books. None in which children die or get hurt. It's an emotional journey I consciously choose not to embark on, an emotional experience I hope to live without.

Consequently, my book club has a time and a half trying to convince me to read a book "in which something bad happens". I will ask a lot of questions: is it ultimately uplifting, do you feel enriched for having read the book, are the emotional scenes heart-wrenching, is it so good you'd read it again, does it ultimately have a rewarding ending (not necessarily a happy one, just rewarding).

John Green's The Fault In Our Stars ticks all the boxes (including the "no"-box under "are the emotional scenes heart-wrenching"). It's a beautiful book, totally worthy of reading, and I won't tell you what it's about for fear that you won't want to read it. For it is a grim topic, well handled with just enough humour and irreverence, and with a lot of heart.

10/10.