Meet Kate ...(and book giveaway)

…as in Kate Atkinson. Unfortunately she’s not a friend of mine but I wish she were, as she seems to be to the kind of woman I admire and respect. She’s intelligent, clever, witty, without any false modesty and above she is a writer.

Kate Atkinson is a well known author from York who moved up to Scotland many years ago. She became well known for her book Behind the Scenes at the Museum, a story which follows a few generations of a family living in the centre of town and touches on how it feels like living in a museum when you live in York, but is more a tale about families and their peculiarities. Kate describes the sense of history with great affection in the first pages of the novel:
“Guy Fawkes was born here, Dick Turpin was hung a few streets away and Robinson Crusoe, that other great hero, is also a native son of this city. Who is to say which of these is real and which a fiction?”
But the book that has really conquered my absolute devotion to Kate is her last one “When Will There Be Good News” the third installment of the Jackson Brodie’s detective stories, although you don’t need to have read the previous two ones, Case Histories and One Good Turn, to enjoy the last one.
Last Thursday evening I had the pleasure to attend one of her readings/talks at York St John University, an event of the York Literature Festival. I love going to authors readings and meeting my favourite authors, if only for a few fleeting moments, but this time I was hoping not to be disappointed as I like Kate’s novel o much. Of course I wasn’t.
After reading an excerpt from her still unpublished new novel, which will be out in August, she talked about her beginnings in York and her first steps as a writer, where she gets her ideas from, how she creates her characters, etc. all in her own very wry English humour. She then answered all our questions and ended up with a book signing.

I told her how much I love her writing as, when you read her stories, you don’t want to rush to the end, but you also really appreciate her language, her “nice sentences” as she calls them. Kate’s stories encapsulate her wit and pathos as a writer of fiction, and the joy that she takes in reading it aloud proves her own claim to be a ‘cheerful writer’.

To celebrate Kate, I’m giving away one of her books and because I have already had a giveaway on my friend Maria Grazia’s blog FLY HIGH and I don’t want to repeat myself, I’m offering the winner to choose among these four books that I love:

Behind The Scenes at the Museum, Case Histories, Human Croquet and When Will There Be Good News. Just leave a comment below and the Easter Bunny will pick the winner on Easter Eve.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:-

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a random page

3. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

5. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teasers today:

"For some reasons I found myself shivering. There was something taut and undisguisedly vital about the athletic figure sitting opposite us, something of the tiger about to spring."

(Page 87, The Past is Myself by Christabel Bielenberg)

An Englishwoman's life in Berlin under the Nazis

Guernica: A Novel by David Boling

My son was very proud to have found this book as a present for me last Christmas. He knows I love history and adore Spain, so Guernica by David Bolin seemed to be perfect. And it was. The story is very intense.

In 1935, Miguel Navarro finds himself in conflict with the Spanish Civil Guard, so he flees the Basque fishing village of Lekeitio to make a new start in Guernica, the centre of Basque culture and tradition. In the midst of this isolated bastion of democratic values, Miguel finds more than a new life - he finds someone to live for. Miren Ansotegui is the charismatic and graceful dancer who he meets there, and the two discover a love they believe nothing can destroy ...History and fiction merge seamlessly in this beautiful novel about the resilience of family, love, and tradition in the face of hardship. The bombing of Guernica was a devastating experiment in total warfare by the German Luftwaffe in the run-up to the Second World War. For the Basques, it was an attack on the soul of their nation; for the world, it was an unprecedented crime against humanity.

Dave Boling reintroduces the event and paints his own picture of a people so strong, vibrant, and proud that they are willing to do whatever it takes to protect their values, their country, and their loved ones. This is a wonderful book. The characters and events are so well described that they come to life and you feel like you are living the lives and events that unfold. Hard to put down, it takes you through happy times, into darkness, sadness and on to hope. As a first novel by David Boling it is a masterpiece, by far the best book I have read in a long time. Also, it has changed my view of Picasso’s painting forever. And I would like to go back to Madrid and see it again.

Bonus Time

Bonus time: free entry to National Trust properties on 20 and 21 March

The National Trust is giving everyone in the country a bonus this spring by opening their doors for free on the weekend of 20-21 March 2010.

Find out more and download your voucher here:http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-events/w-events-free-day.htm

It’s a great opportunity to enjoy some of the most beautiful areas and historical properties across England, Wales and Northern Ireland (excluding Scotland as they have their own Nation Trust for Scotland) and if you are not a member yet, to explore the possibilities of joining the Trust or simply having a great time for free.
You are never very far from a NT place, so visit their website, download the voucher and have a nice weekend!

For the very few people who don't know the National Trust yet and for the friends abroad, the Trust is charitable organization that owns two hundred historic houses that are open to the public. The majority of them are country houses and most of the others are associated with famous individuals. The majority of these country houses contain collections of pictures, furniture, books, metalwork, ceramics and textiles that have remained in their historic context. Most of the houses also have important gardens attached to them, and the Trust also owns some important gardens not attached to a house. The properties include some of the most famous stately homes in the country and some of the key gardens in the history of British gardening.

PS. My latest NT discovery is Antony - a National Trust property in Cornwall that was used as the main location for Tim Burton's film - Alice in Wonderland (link: National Trust Antony Alice in Wonderland)

(Photos courtesy of The National Trust website)

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teasers this week are:

"Elizabeth sat still in her high seat, breathing deeply, trying to master her pounding heart. Attainder, she knew, was the preamble to execution."

(Page 290, "The Lady Elizabeth' by Alison Weir)

The Forgotten

My kids forgot that yesterday was Mother’s Day (and my husband too!). So I didn’t get any card, any breakfast in bed, anything at all! My son was immersed in his GCSEss revision and my daughter was so worried about her important cup football match that thought it was next week. Anyway, at lunchtime I was feeling very low. It’s not the present that counts, I know, but I didn’t even have that, the “thought”. Something must have clicked in my daughter’s mind as she hid a little box under my plate with a small rushed “happy mother’s day” note. She found an old bracelet of mine somewhere around the house and an even older gift box, packed all together and improvised a little present. I felt better realizing that at least she was trying to cheer me up. Unfortunately a couple of hours later I found out that the little rascal conned £5 out of her own brother for sharing the cost of “mummy’s present”. O my sweet little “angel”!!!!!

A Real Bargain!

As you know, I rarely talk about clothes and accessories here. This doesn’t mean that I’m not interested in clothes. I am, and a lot, like most women. I read a few “clothing-related blogs regularly and I thoroughly enjoy them. Imogen of Inside Out Style is my style guru, Jane of The Small Fabric Of My Life is my inspiration, Sharon-Rose of Sharon Rose-Style, Thrifting, Fashion and Me always surprises me with her wonderful finds and Sher of Fashion After Forty, well she’s an American beauty, and I really like how she combines her items together to create her own lovely style.
But I don’t think I can write about clothes and/or fashion myself. I’m not an expert and I don’t have the time to think about them too much. I usually rely on friends or other people suggesting one or another item of clothing that could be useful or just nice and some bargains on sale at the moment. That’s why I’m especially proud to show my OWN fantastic finds (and in my size!).

Burberry, real leather (inside and outside and made in Italy!) shoes that I’ve just bought for the unbelievable price of £9.50, reduced from the original price of £250. And they are new, unworn and bought straight from the Burberry Outlet here in my town! Actually the label said £19 but when I went to the till they had been further reduced by half. I couldn’t believe it! The price of a cinema ticket, two Happy Meals, an M&S meal for two…
Unfortunately the store is closing down forever. So, no more of these bargains for the foreseeable future. Farewell, Adieu, Addio, Burberry!


PS. Unfortunately this post wasn’t sponsored by Burberry at all, but if they wish to sponsor me I’d be happy to oblige!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My teasers today:

...And who thought it was a good idea to rent bicycles to Italian adolescent language students? If hell did exist, it would be governed by a committee of fifteen-year-old Italian boys on bikes....

[ from page 161 - "Case Histories" by Kate Atkinson]

All the elements are in this book: humor, pathos, suspense, tragedy, emotion, irony and a small touch of paranormal. Kate Atkison at her best! Not to be missed.

Loss

Earth to Earth

Ashes to Ashes

Dust to Dust

And so I've lost another dear friend to cancer. Feelings of sadness, loss, anger and even guilt. Guilt because I will miss her although I know that now her suffering is over. Feelings of betrayal and anger because this time I really thought she would manage to win the fight.

And because I've never felt so attached to life as today.

Charlie's Choice Award

A couple of weeks ago I had the honour of being rewarded with a very important award, the Charlie’s Choice Award. Don't you know it? Shame on you! It is a very important award, much more important than the Baftas or/and the Oscars, especially because it’s got nothing to do with movies. It’s about making a small contribution for a very worthy cause. If you visit Tim’s blog, BRINGING UP CHARLIE and after reading his very interesting and entertaining entries, please look at his sidebar and click on the Just Giving link. Tim is collecting funds for the Neurosciences Department of the the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. This department helps patients who have suffered head injury, strokes or have cancers of the nervous system. They also help those with brain tumours, other diseases of the nervous system, MS and Parkinson's disease as well as Motor Neurone disease, epilepsy and many more.
I know we are constantly bombarded by money requests from all over and, after the horrendous catastrophes of the last couple of months, there are so many worthy causes to help. But please let’s not forget the local causes, hospital, centres, organizations who help us, our friends, families and neighbours when we need it. So if you have a few pounds to spare (come on, ditch your chocolate bar or your frappuccino for a day, they go straight to your hips anyway!), please visit Tim’s Just Giving page, Tim Atkinson is fundraising for Neurocare - JustGiving, and donate what you can. Apart from helping a good cause you will be able to proudly display your Charlie’s Choice Award! Thank you.

PS. Unfortunately the Jenson Button's GP cap has already been given away! Sorry!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

- Grab your current read

- Open to a random page

- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week my teasers are:

"I see the King's hands put down his instruments. He picks up
a cloth and wipes blood and viscera off his fingers."

(Page 92, Restoration by Rose Tremain)

Save the BBC!

I've received this from a few friends so I'm passing in on to you. Please read it and sign the petition if you agree. Our voice is a very strong tool against these ruthless business people. Thanks for listening.
Ciao


Dear friends,

The BBC is considering sweeping cuts, cutting its website in half and dropping TV and radio stations. The reason: to enrich corporate media. According to a story in the Times, the proposal is a bid to "shrink" in order to "appease the BBC's rivals." If this goes forward, it's a giveaway to Rupert Murdoch, who sees the BBC as a threat to his profits. The BBC is a global treasure. Public outcry has prevented BBC cuts before, now we can save it again! Sign the petition and pass it along -- let's get to 100,000 signatures before we deliver it to the BBC Trust later this week, so they know the UK, and the world, want the Beeb to stand strong:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bbc/?vl

The BBC isn't perfect, but the people pushing for these cuts want to destroy it, not to improve it. The Times, owned by media baron Rupert Murdoch, responded by calling for further cuts such as closing Radio 1. Last autumn, Rupert's son James Murdoch gave a speech calling for the BBC to be forced to become "far, far smaller". Today's cuts are proposed in a "strategic review" written by John Tate -- co-author of the Conservative Party's manifesto, and now a BBC executive. If the goal is to reduce competition to corporate media outfits, this may just be the beginning. Murdoch -- the global media magnate -- has long seen the BBC as his biggest rival, and his media outlets have assaulted the Labor government. Now, with the recession hurting profits and a UK election coming soon, he and his allies are on the attack. We need greater investment in quality and originality by the BBC, not death by a thousand cuts. Let's raise all our voices to protect the Beeb, and deliver an overwhelming number of signatures to the BBC Trust this week -- sign and spread the word to everyone:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bbc/?vl