As I have been preparing for the LIVE CHAT with Lauren Oliver I started to do a little research on the whole genre of dystopian fiction thinking that these are not the really kind of books that interest me all that much. However, to my very big surprise I came to the realization that I am actually a very big fan of that genre as not only do I read a lot of these books but many of them are my absolute favorites! There are many different definitions of what that genre actually means but I think that generally we can all agree that …
Science Fiction can no longer be fit into a simple box, and this year the shortlist for the Arthur C Clarke Award demonstrates it more than ever. Andre M Butler the chair of judges commented that the books selected this year have “something for everyone: alien contact, post-apocalyptic disaster, near future cyberpunkish police procedural…” Some of the authors will be immediately recognized by Science Fiction readers but this year’s shortlist includes names such as Jane Rogers whose The Testament of Jessie Lamb was also long listed for the Man Booker. This novel, is set a world in which a rogue …
I hope you have a Kindle if you are a fan of Kurt Vonnegut writing since his previously unpublished novella BASIC TRAINING was just released last Friday but it is only available as eBook and can be purchased only via Amazon. Rosetta Books, the publisher of this book, advertises itself as “The best of e-reading from an independent e-publisher” released it on Friday March 23, 2012. According to the literary executioners of Vonnegut’s estate Basic Training written in the 1940s under the pseudonym of “Mark Harvey” clearly shows Vonnegut’s “trademark grand themes: the lunacy of kings, the improbability of existence, …
I’ve just finished reading A NOVEL BOOKSTORE by Laurence Cosse, and although it is not a perfect novel itself, it certainly made me think about what makes a good novel, and who decides on it? A NOVEL BOOKSTORE is a quirky story that will get the attention of any book lover. The two main characters, the wealthy, beautiful, but also very sad Francesca, and the incredibly well read, but also a bit gruff Ivan, are seriously committed to the idea of great literature in everybody’s life. While bemoaning the current state of disenchanted book selling and cynical publishing,they …
The 17th of March is St Patrick’s Day, the day when we all want to claim a piece of Ireland for ourselves and there are good reasons for it. This is the place that is imagined and loved by many but it is definitely cherished in a very special way by all readers since it is a home of many amazing writers and unforgettable books. So why not curl up on your couch with some haunting Irish music, a pint of Guinness and a great Irish story. Many of the contemporary Irish voices are massive bestsellers and serious …
