As I mentioned in my last post, Kinokuniya's choice for August's young adult Gem of the Month is Looking for Alaska by John Green. Actually, I'd just like to say that I told them to read this book and choose it for August's Gem. I'd also like to admit that when I made the recommendation I hadn't actually read the book, just many good reviews of the same.
ROADSHOW
I attended the Headline roadshow yesterday and ended up staying for dinner with the guys from the UK office, Penguin (the local distributor) and staff from local bookstores. It was a good laugh especially as I got to have extended gossip sessions with the merchandise manager of Klang Valley's best bookshops (in my opinion anyway).
Headline is the British publisher of James Patterson's books, including his Young Adult novel, Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment (the first of a trilogy, second book out next year). Also, under Headline is the Review imprint (Small Island by Andrea Levy).
Headline's latest "hottie" - Atlantis by David Gibbins. It's a cross between Indiana Jones and the Da Vinci Code ... so says the back-cover blurb ....
Publishing roadshows are usually attended by booksellers so that they know what new releases to expect. I think they are useful for book editors/reviewers too - for obvious reasons.
July 2005
Michael Rosen's Sad Book
Illustrated by Quentin Blake
Publisher: Walker Books
This book was written in response to children asking author Michael Rosen about his son Eddie. Eddie died at 18 of meningitis but Rosen continues to speak of him when on his visits to schools. He is the subject of many of Rosen's poems and he is at the centre of this incredibly moving work about bereavement. "Sad Book" never fails to leave me in tears and I really appreciate Rosen's honesty in dealing with a subject that most parents find so difficult to discuss with their children.
I don't know much about comics or graphic novels. Is there a difference? If so what is it? Sorry to be so ignorant, but I just haven't been exposed to them - much.
I'm pretty certain Maus and Persepolis are graphic novels. Would it be wrong to call them comics? And what about manga? Is that just Japanese comics?
I said to a friend recently that I'm a bit leery of getting into graphic novels because they're so expensive, but I'm getting more and more interested in them and can already feel my purse shrinking at the thought of going (window) shopping for a few titles.
A couple of months back I managed to get a free copy of Marjane Satrapi's Embroideries. Not as good as Persepolis but rather amusing. (I must get Persepolis 2.) Then last week there was a copy of Marvel 1602 doing the rounds in the office. I'm not sure about the pictures, but the story sounds cool.
I've been meaning to do this for ages: post the Q&A I did with Justine Larbalestiere. The version that appeared in Star Mag was edited because of lack of space so if you're interested in learning more about what makes the author of Magic or Madness tick, I'm posting the entire Q&A here.
Continue reading "Justine Larbalestiere Q&A: The Unabridged Version" »
Frank Cottrell Boyce's Millions [Macmillan Children's Books] has won the 2005 Carnegie Medal.
The 2005 Kate Greenaway Medal (for illustration) was awarded to Chris Riddell for Jonathan Swift's Gulliver [Walker Books] (text by Martin Jenkins).
View the shortlists for both awards here (Carnegie) and here (KG).
Millions is Cottrell Boyce's first novel. He is a screen writer whose credits include Hilary and Jackie, Coronation Street and 24 Hour Party People. The movie-version of Millions, directed by Danny Boyle was released last year. It tells the story of two young brothers who find a bag stuffed with money - over 200 thousand pounds, which, in the story, is a currency that's about to be phased out. The boys therefore have only 17 days to spend their windfall.
Gulliver comprises 144 pages - much more than the average picture book - and features Tony Blair in caricature. Riddell is The Observer's political cartoonist.
Click here for an article written by him about political cartoonists who illustrate children's books.
A couple of weeks ago I was given the boxed set of Pocket Penguins 70s - 70 slim paperbacks, published to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the publishing house. I'm supposed to write a review of the collection and so the box is now living on my bedside table - so handy as in bed is where I do most of my reading.
I've read about six of the books so far. This afternoon I finished Alistair Cooke's Letters from Four Seasons (Pocket penguin No. 54) - from his Letter from America radio show, you know. I used to listen to it and so enjoy it. Reading the little book - a selection of "letters", all about the seasons - really brought back memories.He writes so well, it's like listening to an old friend tell you a story, a true story at that.
I love these books. And I loved the 60s paperbacks - they were even smaller, real pocket-size. I don't think I own any outfit with pockets the size of these 70s ones!
Would I like the Harry Potter books more if they were written by someone other than J. K. Rowling? I suspect so. The Guardian has launched a contest which asks readers to write Dumledore's death scene (Britain's bookies are predicting his demise in the new book) in the style of another author. The entries are hilarious. Read them here.
For more HP, go here for a list of articles from The Guardian website as well as links to other Harry-related stuff.
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