Archive for October, 2009

Top 10 Opening Extracts 18 – 25 Oct from Lovereading

Lovereading.co.uk Top 10

1		Wolf Hall Hilary Mantel Winner of the Man Booker Prize 2009. The subject of Henry VIII will always provide a rich source of historical, political and scandalous fodder and here Hilary Mantel concentrates on one of the most interesting times in his reign – the … Download free opening extract
2		The Book of Tomorrow Cecelia Ahern We have come to expect a magical aspect to Cecelia Ahern’s novels and The Book of Tomorrow is no different. Tamara Goodwin finds herself staying with her aunt and uncle after the death of her father but all is not … Download free opening extract
3		Shiver Maggie Stiefvater October 2009 Book of the Month. Julia Eccleshare’s view… A touching and chilling love story with a difference, set in a small town that is haunted and terrified after a boy is killed by a pack of wolves. But Grace is drawn to the … Download free opening extract
4		Luxury Jessica Ruston October 2009 Debut of the Month. If you want a blockbuster novel with plenty of sex, scandal, opulence and characters to love and hate then look no further than this marvellous debut novel from Jessica Ruston. She has hit the nail … Download free opening extract
5		Thanks for Nothing Jack Dee Well if you ever wondered where the dry, grumpy, sarcastic attitude came from then read this book as all is revealed. Jack Dee has written an incredibly funny autobiography with an abundance of eye-watering anecdotes and stories of the jobs … Download free opening extract
6		Dead Until Dark: A True Blood Novel Charlaine Harris This is the first in a delightful new supernatural series. Sookie Stackhouse is a fantastic heroine who finds herself caught up in a world of vampires and werewolves where luckily for her her telepathic skills make her more use alive … Download free opening extract
7		As Darkness Falls Bronwyn Parry October 2009 Debut of the Month. A debut crime novel that we think will be the beginning of a great new series. A police procedural with a good dollop of romance too, it’s definitely a page turner. We couldn’t put it … Download free opening extract
8		The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest Stieg Larsson October 2009 Book of the Month. This is the final part of this brilliant trilogy and we will be sorry to see the last of Lisbeth Salander who has proved to be a formidable sleuth throughout. Getting revenge and justice is … Download free opening extract
9		A Change in Altitude Anita Shreve Anita Shreve always manages to throw a curve ball into events and change her characters lives irrevocably. A newly married couple find out how little they know about each other while on a Kenyan expedition. Get ready for powerful, emotional … Download free opening extract
10		The Winter Ghosts Kate Mosse This is quite different from Mosse’s previous books Labyrinth and Sepulchre. It started out as a short story for the 2009 Quick Reads but the author felt she wanted to expand it and the result is a beautiful and haunting … Download free opening extract

Peter C :: Oct.26.2009 :: Most Popular Books :: No Comments »

Top 10 Opening Extracts 11 – 18 Oct 2009

Lovereading.co.uk Top 10

1		Wolf Hall Hilary Mantel Winner of the Man Booker Prize 2009. The subject of Henry VIII will always provide a rich source of historical, political and scandalous fodder and here Hilary Mantel concentrates on one of the most interesting times in his reign – the … Download free opening extract
2		Shiver Maggie Stiefvater October 2009 Book of the Month. Julia Eccleshare’s view… A touching and chilling love story with a difference, set in a small town that is haunted and terrified after a boy is killed by a pack of wolves. But Grace is drawn to the … Download free opening extract
3		Luxury Jessica Ruston October 2009 Debut of the Month. If you want a blockbuster novel with plenty of sex, scandal, opulence and characters to love and hate then look no further than this marvellous debut novel from Jessica Ruston. She has hit the nail … Download free opening extract
4		The Book of Tomorrow Cecelia Ahern We have come to expect a magical aspect to Cecelia Ahern’s novels and The Book of Tomorrow is no different. Tamara Goodwin finds herself staying with her aunt and uncle after the death of her father but all is not … Download free opening extract
5		The Yellow Room Christopher Bowden Right from the beginning this book piques your interest and draws you in to the mystery and inhabitants of an old country house. Moving between the present and 1950’s England gradually a web of intrigue is unravelled. With a host … Download free opening extract
6		The Gates John Connolly October 2009 Book of the Month. John Connolly is a mega-bestselling author of thrillers but recently his mind and his imagination wandered into an altogether different dimension and The Gates is the result. A very strange novel but powerfully compelling and … Download free opening extract
7		As Darkness Falls Bronwyn Parry October 2009 Debut of the Month. A debut crime novel that we think will be the beginning of a great new series. A police procedural with a good dollop of romance too, it’s definitely a page turner. We couldn’t put it … Download free opening extract
8		The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest Stieg Larsson October 2009 Book of the Month. This is the final part of this brilliant trilogy and we will be sorry to see the last of Lisbeth Salander who has proved to be a formidable sleuth throughout. Getting revenge and justice is … Download free opening extract
9		The Little Stranger Sarah Waters Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2009. With her usual masterly powers for evoking atmosphere, Sarah Waters treats us to this utterly unnerving ghost story. When Dr Faraday is called to the once-glorious, now decaying, Hundreds Hall to treat a young … Download free opening extract
10		Thanks for Nothing Jack Dee Well if you ever wondered where the dry, grumpy, sarcastic attitude came from then read this book as all is revealed. Jack Dee has written an incredibly funny autobiography with an abundance of eye-watering anecdotes and stories of the jobs … Download free opening extract

Peter C :: Oct.19.2009 :: Most Popular Books :: No Comments »

Lovereading launches news service for book lovers

From 15 Oct Lovereading will have its own book news channel to help you keep on top of the most interesting news from the publishing world. Find out more at http://www.lovereading.co.uk/news

admin :: Oct.16.2009 :: Newsletters :: 1 Comment »

Don’t let poor eyesight stop you loving reading.

Do you struggle to read small print books? Do you have a friend or relative who loves to read but has given up?

Well, Lovereading has been working with the RNIB’s Focus on Books and are delighted to launch special section on the site featuring new and reprinted books with large print, giving people who’ve started to lose their sight the chance to carry on enjoying books.

All these Large Print Books are published in large 16 Point type rather than the standard 10 point.

FOCUS is a new campaign which was launched earlier in the year by the RNIB and its publishing partners to make popular and bestselling books in Large Print easily available online and on the high street.

The great thing about the Large Print books is that they look exactly the same on the shelf as their standard type counterparts. The cover and content is exactly the same; it is only the type that is larger. All the books are published in a trade paperback format have an RRP of and £12.99 or a hardback version with an RRP of £16.99. On top of that Lovereading offer a 15% saving – actually making us cheaper than Amazon!

The list of titles is growing and now includes books from bestselling authors such as Clive Cussler, Nicholas Drayson, Len Goodman, Cathy Kelly, Karin Slaughter, Barbara Taylor Bradford and Barbara Vine, Josephine Cox, Alan Titchmarsh and Wilbur Smith.

What authors are saying about these Large Print books:

joanna-lumley-book “Anything that makes reading easier is to be applauded – a bright light, a quiet room, large clear print…what could be more enticing. Focus has all my support – two of my books have come out in Large Print and it makes them even more fabulous I think.” Joanna Lumley

Barbara_Taylor_Bradford_pic “I am very pleased and honoured to be part of such a fantastic initiative to get Large Print books available on the high street. I welcome a scheme which allows everybody, regardless of age or 20-20 vision, the same access to a wider variety of literature.” Barbara Taylor Bradford

karinslaughter “Books present an opportunity to enter into a new world or see people in a different light – it’s a way to travel the world or the universe without ever leaving your home. Reading is a gift that should not be denied anyone and books should be in Large Print if that helps more people enjoy their pastime.” Karin Slaughter

Marina_Lewycka_pic “Whatever the capabilities of our eyesight, we can still have 20:20 vision in our imagination. Reading is a gateway for the imagination, and I’m delighted and proud to be part of a project to make Large Print books more widely available to all readers.” Marina Lewycka

Find out more by visiting Lovereading today

Peter C :: Oct.15.2009 :: General Book News :: No Comments »

October Mid Month Book email

Our mid month newsletter is packed with new features on the site such as a revamped Biography Section, a new section dedicated to Large Print Books and the return of The Book Show on Sky Arts. And don’t forget to raise a glass to celebrate the birthdays of two literary greats this week – P G Wodehouse (15th)

and Oscar Wilde (16th).

This Month’s Highlights not to miss

Snoop at other people’s lives with Sue Baker, our non-fiction expert

Other people’s lives, eh?! Irresistibly fascinating! So, with Christmas coming up Sue has been busy revamping the Biography section on the site. Visit Lovereading.co.uk to see the inspiring books about inspiring individuals she has chosen as the best around.

Don’t let poor eyesight stop you loving reading

We’ve been working with the Focus in conjunction with the RNIB and are delighted to launch a special section on the site featuring new and reprinted books with large print, giving people who’ve started to lose their sight the chance to carry on enjoying books. Find out more today..

Enjoy the show, enjoy the Opening Extract…

Lovereading are supporting the new series of The Book Show on Sky Arts, presented by Mariella Frostrup, the best and currently THE ONLY book based TV show. From 15 October you can read Opening Extracts of the books featured in the show on a special new section of our site.

Hilary Mantel wins the Man Booker prize

Lovereading loves keeping you up to date with all the Literary news and last week Hilary Mantel won this years Man Booker prize with her brilliant historical fiction Wolf Hall, set in the times of Henry VIII. Read a free Opening extract of Wolf Hall and all six shortlisted books on Lovereading and make sure you visit our Prizewinners section regularly to keep yourself up to date.

Happy Reading.

Peter C :: Oct.13.2009 :: Newsletters :: No Comments »

Lovereading.co.uk – Most popular Opening Extracts 4 – 11 Oct 2009

Lovereading.co.uk Top 10

1		The Book of Tomorrow Cecelia Ahern We have come to expect a magical aspect to Cecelia Ahern’s novels and The Book of Tomorrow is no different. Tamara Goodwin finds herself staying with her aunt and uncle after the death of her father but all is not … Download free opening extract
2		Wolf Hall Hilary Mantel Winner of the Man Booker Prize 2009. The subject of Henry VIII will always provide a rich source of historical, political and scandalous fodder and here Hilary Mantel concentrates on one of the most interesting times in his reign – the … Download free opening extract
3		Shiver Maggie Stiefvater October 2009 Book of the Month. Julia Eccleshare’s view… A touching and chilling love story with a difference, set in a small town that is haunted and terrified after a boy is killed by a pack of wolves. But Grace is drawn to the … Download free opening extract
4		The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest Stieg Larsson October 2009 Book of the Month. This is the final part of this brilliant trilogy and we will be sorry to see the last of Lisbeth Salander who has proved to be a formidable sleuth throughout. Getting revenge and justice is … Download free opening extract
5		Luxury Jessica Ruston October 2009 Debut of the Month. If you want a blockbuster novel with plenty of sex, scandal, opulence and characters to love and hate then look no further than this marvellous debut novel from Jessica Ruston. She has hit the nail … Download free opening extract
6		The Little Stranger Sarah Waters Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2009. With her usual masterly powers for evoking atmosphere, Sarah Waters treats us to this utterly unnerving ghost story. When Dr Faraday is called to the once-glorious, now decaying, Hundreds Hall to treat a young … Download free opening extract
7		The Gates John Connolly October 2009 Book of the Month. John Connolly is a mega-bestselling author of thrillers but recently his mind and his imagination wandered into an altogether different dimension and The Gates is the result. A very strange novel but powerfully compelling and … Download free opening extract
8		October Skies Alex Scarrow October 2009 Book of the Month. A dual-time thriller involving the massacre of a group of settlers in 1856, their remains discovered in the Mountains of Wyoming in 2008, and the possible dangerous links to people in high places that must … Download free opening extract
9		Upside Down Georgina Carr October 2009 Book of the Month. There can be few braver people than the author of this book, who decided one day to quit her job, sell her house and then fly alone to the other side of the world, to … Download free opening extract
10		The Yellow Room Christopher Bowden Right from the beginning this book piques your interest and draws you in to the mystery and inhabitants of an old country house. Moving between the present and 1950’s England gradually a web of intrigue is unravelled. With a host … Download free opening extract

Peter C :: Oct.12.2009 :: Most Popular Books :: No Comments »

15 Books To Buy the Geek at Christmas

True geeks love reading books and learning new information. Not everyone knows what kind of books geeks might like, however. Below are some books, old and new, that the geek, or your inner geek, would enjoy receiving under the tree at Christmas time.

I Can Has Cheezeburger

Come up with a “cheezy” idea and turn it into a monster hit. A little photoshop added to goofy animal pictures launched this; every geek’s dream. To think, we didn’t need all those words from Garfield and Heathcliff after all.

Dilbert: Random Acts of Management

Every geek’s hero, Dilbert offers another unique observation of office life and politics. Will you be the person walking around with the clipboard looking busy, or the one with the desk crowded with stuff while you hide behind it reading People Magazine?

iPhone For Dummies

Many people now have an iPhone, but have absolutely no idea how to use it, or many of its applications. The Dummies series of books have taught us everything from how to play chess to how to make an omelette; they’re the perfect teachers for geeks to learn how to do almost anything.

The Hollywood Book of Death: The Bizarre, Often Sordid, Passings of More than 125 American Movie and TV Idols

One thing geeks love more than gossip is scandalous ways some celebrities have left this earth. Putting the story of 125 legends of screen together in one place will make any geek salivate.

Gorgeously Green

There’s only one thing better for geeks than learning how to bring more “green living” into their lives. Having a hot babe talking to them about it. Sophia Uliano qualifies for that, and her book is easy to read and learn from at the same time. Think about it; she’s actually talking to you.

Big Book of Bart Simpson

Every geek dreams of being Bart Simpson, or at least having a little bit of Bart in themselves. Now you can take Bart with you, reading on his adventures and giving you something to study to learn how to be a brat and get away with it.

Free Running: Find your Way

One thing geeks like is watching someone else running around so that they don’t have to. Free running is the new craze of people who just run and run and run. They don’t run fast, they just run everywhere, even up buildings; on the outside! Geeks would love to learn how to run up and down buildings, but it’s nice reading about someone else doing it.

Geek Logic

Sometimes, geeks need to learn in ways that don’t work for other people. In this case, math is the way to learn about life and living. Need to learn how to ask girls out for a date, or how to pick out the proper clothes to wear? Your answers are here.

Much ado about nothing: Klingon Edition

No geek can be completely successful in life if they don’t learn at least a little bit of Klingon. After all, it’s the most spoken fictional language in the world. So why not combine the work of the bard with TV well known for it’s split infinitives! – not something the Klingons generally worry about.

The Lord of The Rings : Gollum: How We Made Movie Magic

Having withdrawals because there aren’t any more Lord of the Rings movies coming? Missing your daily dose of Gollum? Learn how they created our favorite evil friend for the movies. You’ll find this book “your precious.”

Hot for Words Answers to All Your Burning Questions about Words and Their Meanings

Geeky women can be very hot; take a look at Marina. She writes a blog on the meaning of words, creates videos, and now has this book on the very same thing. Boring is not a word ever used about Marina; she’s probably smarter than your average geek. And she’s Russian; who knew there were Russian geeks!

Twilight

All geeks know this; women love vampires. Why? That’s an interesting question. But this book might give you a glimpse into why they do, and you can get it without having to go see the movie. That is, unless it helps you ask a girl out on a date.

The Onion – Our Dumb World

If The Onion didn’t cover it, then it wasn’t real news. So say geeks who love the spin The Onion folks put on every day news, or things that weren’t news to begin with. How would you feel if your breakup was suddenly headline news? Read here to find out.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Who couldn’t relate to the stories of Greg Heffley every once in awhile? Poor kid gets bullied, laughed at, and feels all alone. This is the original book in the series; can you handle reliving your previous life before you grew up?

Ten Cent Plague

We couldn’t get through an entire story without talking about comic books. Even though cartoons were common, we haven’t always had comic books. Want to know what drove them to become the largest selling graphic enterprises in history? Here’s your book.

Peter C :: Oct.12.2009 :: General Book News :: No Comments »

Lovereading’s most popular Books 27 Sep – 4 Oct 2009

Lovereading.co.uk TOP 10

1		The Book of Tomorrow Cecelia Ahern We have come to expect a magical aspect to Cecelia Ahern’s novels and The Book of Tomorrow is no different. Tamara Goodwin finds herself staying with her aunt and uncle after the death of her father but all is not … Download free opening extract
2		Shiver Maggie Stiefvater October 2009 Book of the Month. Julia Eccleshare’s view… A touching and chilling love story with a difference, set in a small town that is haunted and terrified after a boy is killed by a pack of wolves. But Grace is drawn to the … Download free opening extract
3		Luxury Jessica Ruston October 2009 Debut of the Month. If you want a blockbuster novel with plenty of sex, scandal, opulence and characters to love and hate then look no further than this marvellous debut novel from Jessica Ruston. She has hit the nail … Download free opening extract
4		The Gates John Connolly October 2009 Book of the Month. John Connolly is a mega-bestselling author of thrillers but recently his mind and his imagination wandered into an altogether different dimension and The Gates is the result. A very strange novel but powerfully compelling and … Download free opening extract
5		The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest Stieg Larsson October 2009 Book of the Month. This is the final part of this brilliant trilogy and we will be sorry to see the last of Lisbeth Salander who has proved to be a formidable sleuth throughout. Getting revenge and justice is … Download free opening extract
6		Upside Down Georgina Carr October 2009 Book of the Month. There can be few braver people than the author of this book, who decided one day to quit her job, sell her house and then fly alone to the other side of the world, to … Download free opening extract
7		The Lost Symbol Dan Brown Dan Brown is a bit like Ronseal, he does exactly what is says on the tin and delivers a fast paced thriller with Robert Langdon returning to solve countless clues, decipher codes and try not to get himself killed. This … Download free opening extract
8		The Little Stranger Sarah Waters Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2009. With her usual masterly powers for evoking atmosphere, Sarah Waters treats us to this utterly unnerving ghost story. When Dr Faraday is called to the once-glorious, now decaying, Hundreds Hall to treat a young … Download free opening extract
9		October Skies Alex Scarrow October 2009 Book of the Month. A dual-time thriller involving the massacre of a group of settlers in 1856, their remains discovered in the Mountains of Wyoming in 2008, and the possible dangerous links to people in high places that must … Download free opening extract
10		Wolf Hall Hilary Mantel Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2009. The subject of Henry VIII will always provide a rich source of historical, political and scandalous fodder and here Hilary Mantel concentrates on one of the most interesting times in his reign – the … Download free opening extract

Peter C :: Oct.05.2009 :: Most Popular Books :: No Comments »

October recommended reading

Every year in October a group of extremely clever Swedes convene to decide who should win the Nobel Prize for Literature. But when it comes to new books and authors just setting out on their glittering literary careers, Lovereading are the experts. Take a look at this month’s selection for example…

Six page-turning Books of the Month

The Girl who Kicked the Hornets Nest – Stieg Larsson
The third novel in the astounding Millennium Trilogy. Salander is plotting revenge against the man who tried to kill her, and the government institutions that nearly ruined her life…

October Skies – Alex Scarrow
A terrific new mystery thriller from a rising star. A modern day TV programme maker discovers the remains of an 1856 settler convoy in Wyoming, and determines to find out what disturbing end they met.

Upside Down – Geogina Carr
If you’ve ever thought about selling up and going on an adventure, this witty account of spontaneous solo backpacking could just inspire you to take the plunge…

The Gates – John Connolly
A highly original, horrifically hilarious story about what happens when the gates to Hell are accidentally opened by young Samuel’s neighbours.

Tintin in the New World – Frederic Tuten
First published in 1975, this book is still causing a stir among Tintin fans. It’s a playful post modern novel that uses Hergé’s cartoon hero, now grown up, as the main character.

Shiver – Maggie Stiefvater
Shiver is a haunting, breathtaking and original supernatural love story that will have you hooked from the very first page. Told with two narrative voices, we follow the inner thoughts and feelings of both Grace and Sam.

Author of the Month – Dubliner Cecelia Ahern

Cecelia is the daughter of former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, and author of some seriously popular novels. Aged 21 she wrote her first novel, PS, I Love You, which became a number one bestseller in the UK, Ireland, USA, Germany and Holland. Download a free Opening Extract of her irresistible new novel, The Book of Tomorrow.

New Moon – win prizes and join the movie hype

To join in the hype for the New Moon movie (out in November), we’ve set up a special Stephenie Meyer section on the site where you can see all the books in this gripping series, exclusive movie trailers and have a chance to win a deluxe hardback slipcase edition of the book New Moon!

Series of the Month – the books that launched a new TV cult

Very excitingly, and continuing a vampire theme, this month we’re featuring the books behind the new must-watch fantasy satelliteTV series, True Blood, by Charlaine Harris. Read the original stories before the series explodes onto Channel 4 very soon!

On the way to stardom – our Debuts of the Month

Luxury – Jessica Rushton
A fantastic, glitzy, glamorous page-turner about money, sex and scandal in New York.

As Darkness Falls – Brownwyn Parry
This adrenalin-pumping thriller pitches two emotionally involved detectives against a ruthless, child-abducting killer.

Good Housekeeping and Lovereading

If you haven’t seen, we’ve teamed up with Good Housekeeping magazine to feature all of the books they select in a special section on our site. And if you like what you see you can sign up to receive them in your monthly Lovereading email and even get a special discounted subscription offer. Find out more today.

So download some free Opening Extracts and delve into some stories by authors so good they might one day win the praise of the Nobel judges!

Happy Reading.

Peter C :: Oct.02.2009 :: Newsletters :: No Comments »