Shocking reads…
16 July, 2012
Recently I’ve been reading a book called Sheepshagger by Niall Griffiths, and while it’s a very good read, it’s also quite shocking at times. No, the title isn’t meant literally, but it contains a lot of violence described in very minute detail, and is generally a very visceral book. Despite feeling slightly sick in parts […]
A&B Classics
12 July, 2012
It’s always great when I get to work on a book I really enjoy, and lately with the new additions to our Allison & Busby Classics collection, I’ve been spoilt for choice. Aside from oohing and aahing at the lovely covers, I’ve also really enjoyed reading the books. Bias aside, even if I didn’t work […]
Wednesday’s Cover Story – A Cover’s Vacancy
11 July, 2012
The one news item in the publishing trade that (briefly) eclipsed Fifty Shades (enough already – we get it, porn sells!) was the unveiling of the cover design for JK Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy. To say this was a highly anticipated moment in cover design history is the understatement of the year and of course […]
Decades in Literature (Part 6): the present day
9 July, 2012
And now we reach the end of my six-part ‘Decades in Literature’, and face a tricky question: what are the best books of the past ten years? A quick Googling on the subject reveals many different opinions; a mixture of Ian McEwan, Barack Obama, Richard Dawkins, J.K. Rowling, Zadie Smith . . . the list […]
Burgess – ‘A musician who writes novels’
5 July, 2012
That, apparently, is how Anthony Burgess said he wanted to be remembered, not as the author of the most memorably violent dystopian novel of the sixties. So it’s fitting that as part of last weekend’s conference to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his most famous publication, a musical version of A Clockwork Orange was performed. […]
Wednesday Cover Story: How old is James Bond?
4 July, 2012
Late thirties perhaps? Forty? Surely not mid-forties? In fact, showing a surprising tolerance for martinis, admirable athleticism and an insatiable appetite for beautiful women bearing concealed weapons, the spry spy is now fifty years old – or at least his onscreen presence is. I love a good spy thriller. And although I’ve watched every Bond […]
Decades in Literature (Part 5): the 1990s
2 July, 2012
As I’m a ’90s kid (I don’t think being born in November 1989 really qualifies me as an ’80s child), I thought I’d focus this week’s blog on children’s literature – it’s what I remember best from the decade. And I may be biased, but I think the 1990s was an exceptionally good time for […]
Twittering about Trains
29 June, 2012
London transport is cottoning on to the twittersphere it would seem. Bashtagging, where disgruntled customers voice their concerns on Twitter using appropriate (or arguably inappropriate) hashtags, has become the most direct way of complaining – and getting a response. South West trains has embraced this new wave of information sharing and harnessed it in order […]
Julia Stoneham at The Telegraph Ways with Words Festival, Devon
27 June, 2012
Wednesday 11th July, 10.30 am. Come along to hear Julia Stoneham speak about dramatising novels for radio and then sign copies of her own three novels Muddy Boots and Silk Stockings, The Girl at the Farmhouse Gate and Alice’s Girls. Tickets priced £6, for full details, visit www.wayswithwords.co.uk
Wednesday Cover Story: Don’t Judge a Reader by Their Book Cover
27 June, 2012
So the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon rages on. For two days running now we’ve had a hot and heavy discussion in the office about people reading it in public. What happens when commuting readers get to a naughty bit? Do their pupils dilate? Do they blush and start squirming in their seats? Have you […]
Bodies in the Bookshop 2012, Cambridge
27 June, 2012
Saturday 14th July, 10 am – 6 pm, The Cambridge Union Enjoy a day packed with talks and discussions and a chance to meet your favourite crime authors including Adrian Magson, Rebecca Tope, Nicola Upson, Jim Kelly, Catriona McPherson and more. Hosted by Heffers, the event will take place this year at the Cambridge Union, 9a […]
Decades in Literature (Part 4): the 1980s
25 June, 2012
The 1980s was a time when many of the huge sellers, still immensely popular today, were at their peak – Stephen King, John le Carré, Danielle Steel, Tom Clancy . . . the list goes on. But alongside these conventional American and British authors, there were some (in my opinion) much more interesting and diverse […]
Surprise Endings
22 June, 2012
I’ve just finished reading one of my favourite author’s new manuscripts (to see the rest of her oeuvre see here). I loved it – which is not surprising. What is surprising is that there was a surprise ending. Nothing odd there you might say, but usually don’t you have at least an inkling that a […]
Margaret Busby writes obituary for friend and old A&B author Rosa Guy
19 June, 2012
Author and activist Rosa Guy has died. Her acclaimed debut novel Bird at My Window was published by Margaret Busby at A&B in 1985 and her obituary recently appeared in The Guardian.
Decades in Literature (Part 3): The 1970s…
19 June, 2012
If it was possible to pity a decade, I would feel sorry for the 1970s. It doesn’t come across as very glamorous – all the brown-and-cream kitchenware and oddly coloured jumpers didn’t help, I suppose – and it never really gets a look in when compared to the ‘wild’ 60s. The same goes for the […]
Book Launch: D E Meredith in Central London
15 June, 2012
CHANGE OF DATE: Wednesday 26 September, 6.30pm GOLDSBORO BOOKS, LONDON Come and celebrate with D E Meredith as she launches her debut Devoured, the first book in the exciting new Hatton & Roumande Victorian mystery series, at Goldsboro Books, 23 – 25 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ. For more information call the bookshop on 020 […]
Afternoon Tea with Mary Nichols in Pontesbury
15 June, 2012
Monday 16th July 2.30pm – 3.30pm Another chance to hear acclaimed author of historical sagas, Mary Nichols, who will be talking about her work and her latest book, The Girl on the Beach, set in the wake of World War II, at an afternoon tea event at Pontesbury Library, Bogey Lane, Pontesbury, Shrewsbury SY5 0TD. […]
Decades in Literature (Part 2): The 1960s…
15 June, 2012
This week, I’m taking a look at literature in the 1960s – that most rebellious of decades which makes me think of Mad Men-esque outfits, revolution and being all at one with nature. (For some reason when I imagine the 60s, even in Britain, it’s always sunny – very unrealistic.) It was arguably a decade […]
Edward Marston & Judith Cutler at the West Cork Literary Festival
14 June, 2012
Come and meet husband-and-wife crime duo Edward Marston and Judith Cutler who will be comparing writing historical and modern crime fiction in their highly entertaining talk Murder Ancient and Modern.
Edward Marston & Judith Cutler at St John’s Wood Library
14 June, 2012
Tuesday 26 June, 5.00pm ST JOHN’S WOOD LIBRARY, LONDON Come and meet husband-and-wife crime duo Edward Marston and Judith Cutler who will be comparing writing historical and modern crime fiction in their highly entertaining talk Murder Ancient and Modern. They will also be taking questions from the audience and signing copies of their books, […]
Alex Wheatle celebrates Jamaican Independance in Lewisham
14 June, 2012
Monday 6 August, 7.00pm – 8.30pm LEWISHAM LIBRARY Come and celebrate 50 years of Jamaican independence with acclaimed author Alex Wheatle who will be talking about his Jamaican roots and inspiration for his novel Island Songs, at Lewisham Library, 199-201 Lewisham High Street, London SE13 6LG. He will be joined by fellow author Yvonne […]
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