Archive for January, 2010

Most popular Opening Extracts 17 – 24 Jan 2010

Lovereading.co.uk TOP 10

1		The Art of Losing Rebecca Connell January 2010 Debut of the Month. A startling story of betrayal and grief, of love and infidelity that has a quite unexpected ending. Told from two points of view, it traces a tale of a lost love, a lost friendship and … Download free opening extract
2		Finding Monsieur Right Muriel Zagha January 2010 Debut of the Month. The chapters rotate between London and Paris as two girls house-swap, giving us a good flavour of life in both capitals with, in my mind, the English bunch surprisingly being far the most colourful. It … Download free opening extract
3		The More You Ignore Me Jo Brand Yes, this is the renowned comedian but her background includes psychiatric nursing and she has clearly called upon her knowledge and experience in that field to produce this tale of an eccentric family in a lovely, funny and sad story. … Download free opening extract
4		A Wild Affair Gemma Townley A fun romantic comedy filled with misunderstandings, indiscretions and general mayhem. Do give this author a try as we think she is getting better and better with each book. … Download free opening extract
5		This Is Where I Leave You Jonathan Tropper When Judd’s dad dies his dying request is that his family sit Shiva (the Jewish week-long period of mourning). Judd has just found out his wife has been having an affair and the last place he wants to be is in the bosom … Download free opening extract
6		The Message Julie Highmore December 2009 Book of the Month. If you want some well written, indulgent escapism then try The Message. Great characters and witty observations make this a delightful read with this author going from strength to strength. … Download free opening extract
7		The Breaking of Eggs Jim Powell March 2010 Editor’s Choice. An incredibly moving story of a man whose whole life is turned around as he finds everything he had always believed in crumbling around him. Funny, sad and thoroughly absorbing. Dear Reader,How often do you come across a … Download free opening extract
8		No Lovelier Death Graham Hurley January 2010 Book of the Month. The latest instalment from Graham Hurley sees Faraday and Winter pitted against each other in another fantastic police procedural. Gruesome murders and crime lords with grudges bring more crime to the city of Portsmouth. Hurley is so convincing … Download free opening extract
9		The Little Stranger Sarah Waters Featured on The TV Book Club on More4 on 17 January 2010. Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2009. The latest novel from prize-wining author Sarah Waters is a gothic ghost story, set in a run-down country house just after WWII. … Download free opening extract
10		An Echo in the Bone Diana Gabaldon The long wait is over and the seventh instalment in the Outlander series is here. Packed full of historical detail and characters galore, settle down with 800 plus pages of pure enjoyment. The Outlander series: 1. Cross Stitch 2. Dragonfly in Amber3. … Download free opening extract

Lovereading4kids.co.uk TOP 10

1		The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43 Harriet Goodwin Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Book I Couldn’t Put Down’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in March. Adventurous, charming and poignant by turns, The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43 is a quirky … Download free opening extract
2		Peter the Penguin Pioneer Daren King Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Most Fun with Pictures’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in early March. Hugely inventive and charmingly funny with laugh out loud zany humour and wonderful illustrations throughout that … Download free opening extract
3		The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events 1) Lemony Snicket This bestselling series (in fact in the top five of bestsellers of the last decade), now at long last available in paperback, launches with the suitably named title that charts the unlucky reason why the whole woeful story of the … Download free opening extract
4		Flyaway Lucy Christopher Shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Book Award 2010 Tender and touching, this is a delicate story about facing up to difficulties and finding a way through. When Isla’s father develops a serious heart condition he can no longer take her to see … Download free opening extract
5		My Love Lies Bleeding Alyxandra Harvey This is a teen romance to really get your teeth into. It’s an action-packed, urban fantasy full of Gothic seduction, teen angst, passion, wicked humour and adventure, all skilfully ignited by an age-old prophecy and a reluctant vampire princess that … Download free opening extract
6		Batpants! Jeremy Strong Loads of laughter for readers from comic master writer Jeremy Strong. Batpants is his new creation, a madcap story of high jinks as Finn, Zac and Tilly learn to live with a pet orang-utan. Batpants is just part of the … Download free opening extract
7		The Great Hamster Massacre Katie Davies Shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Book Award 2010 An entertaining behind-the-scenes look at family life in all its intricacies as it revolves around pet ownership and the drama that surrounds it. Nine year old Anna tells how she and her younger brother … Download free opening extract
8		Frozen In Time Ali Sparkes Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Book I Couldn’t Put Down’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in March. A page-turning mystery-adventure with a pleasingly old-fashioned feel as two children, frozen by cryonic suspension by … Download free opening extract
9		Savannah Grey: A Horror Story Cliff Mcnish If you’re looking for a real page-turner that will have you gasping for breath then this is it. It’s a horror story and a love story intertwined and 15 year old Savannah Grey is possibly the only person who can … Download free opening extract
10		Spells Emily Gravett Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Most Fun with Pictures’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in March. A stunning new picture book from Emily Gravett, full of witchcraft, wizardry and magic. We meet a … Download free opening extract

Peter C :: Jan.25.2010 :: Most Popular Books :: No Comments »

Vote for the Best Books of the Decade

In association with Good Housekeeping and our editorial guru
Sarah Broadhurst, here at Lovereading, we have compiled an all-important ‘Top 50 Books of the Last Decade’. There are numerous prize winners, occasional debut novels, as well as novels that have now been made into films. However, rest assured we think each and every one is, in its own unique way, a fantastic read and a book that will stand the test of time.

And we would like your help in choosing the Top 10 books of the decade so please do visit the special section on the site and get voting.

The readers top 10 shortlist will be published on the website in April 2010.

Thank you for your help.

Peter C :: Jan.22.2010 :: General Book News :: No Comments »

January Mid Month Books update

The snow may have brought the country to a standstill but, looking on the bright side, if you’ve been stuck in doors perhaps you had time to pick up a book? Read on to find out how you can vote for the best books of the decade and be one of the first to know about tomorrows’ literary stars.

Get the inside track on new books

Editor’s Choice is a new feature that delves into the publishing world to bring you new books that are getting the experts excited. Each month, editors at top publisher Orion will choose the hardbacks they predict great futures for. Up first are some brilliantly dramatic novels including Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna and The Breaking of Eggs by Jim Powell.

This Month’s Highlights – not to miss


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Vote for the Best Books of the Decade

In association with Good Housekeeping and our editorial guru Sarah Broadhurst, here at Lovereading, we have compiled an all-important ‘Top 50 Books of the Last Decade’. There are numerous prize winners, occasional debut novels, as well as novels that have now been made into films. However, rest assured we think each and every one is, in its own unique way, a fantastic read and a book that will stand the test of time.

And we would like your help in choosing the Top 10 books of the decade so please do visit the special section on the site and get voting. The readers top 10 shortlist will be published on the website in April 2010. Thank you for your help.

Happy reading and keep warm and safe, with a good book.

Peter C :: Jan.22.2010 :: Newsletters :: No Comments »

Your chance to interview Michael Grant, author of Gone and Hunger

If you are fan of these books and you have a question you would like to ask the author Michael Grant now is your chance.

To get involved click here to join the Facebook group and post up your questions. Michael will be answering them 30th and 31st Jan.

Over to you….

Below is a video of Hugh, one of our teen reviewers, talking to Michael about the first book in this brilliant series Gone.

Gone – Book Synopsis

In the blink of an eye, all the adults in Perdido Beach, California, disappear. Suddenly there are no adults, no answers and the world has no rules. only those under 15 are left behind and they must do all they can to survive. But everyone’s idea of survival is different. For Sam and Astrid it’s a race against time as they try to solve the questions that now dominate their lives… What is the mysterious wall that has encircled them and trapped everyone within? Why have some kids developed strange super-human powers? And what will happen when they turn 15 – will they disappear too?

Hunger – Book synopsis

The clock is ticking for Sam Temple and the kids of Perdido Beach but it’s not the big one-five that they face now; it’s starvation that threatens the FAYZ. In an abandoned mine shaft a faceless animal lurks, pulling the strings, toying with human and mutant alike. And he’s hungry – hungry in the darkness. An uneasy calm has settled over Perdido Beach. But soon, fear explodes into desperation as starvation sets in and the mob look to place blame. For the ‘normals’ the buck must stop somewhere: with the ‘freaks’. More and more kids are developing strange powers and, just as frighteningly, so are the animals in the FAYZ: talking coyotes, swimming bats and deadly worms with razor-sharp teeth are just the beginning. For Sam Temple the strain of leadership is beginning to show and he’s got more than just dwindling rations and in-fighting to worry about – Caine is back with the psychotic whiphand, Drake, by his side. And in the background lies the greatest danger of all – and he too needs to be fed.

Peter C :: Jan.15.2010 :: General Book News :: No Comments »

Top Ten Opening Extracts 3 – 10 Jan. 2010

Lovereading.co.uk Top 10

1		Finding Monsieur Right Muriel Zagha January 2010 Debut of the Month. The chapters rotate between London and Paris as two girls house-swap, giving us a good flavour of life in both capitals with, in my mind, the English bunch surprisingly being far the most colourful. It … Download free opening extract
2		The Art of Losing Rebecca Connell January 2010 Debut of the Month. A startling story of betrayal and grief, of love and infidelity that has a quite unexpected ending. Told from two points of view, it traces a tale of a lost love, a lost friendship and … Download free opening extract
3		The More You Ignore Me Jo Brand Yes, this is the renowned comedian but her background includes psychiatric nursing and she has clearly called upon her knowledge and experience in that field to produce this tale of an eccentric family in a lovely, funny and sad story. … Download free opening extract
4		The Message Julie Highmore December 2009 Book of the Month. If you want some well written, indulgent escapism then try The Message. Great characters and witty observations make this a delightful read with this author going from strength to strength. … Download free opening extract
5		An Echo in the Bone Diana Gabaldon The long wait is over and the seventh instalment in the Outlander series is here. Packed full of historical detail and characters galore, settle down with 800 plus pages of pure enjoyment. The Outlander series: 1. Cross Stitch 2. Dragonfly in Amber3. … Download free opening extract
6		No Lovelier Death Graham Hurley January 2010 Book of the Month. The latest instalment from Graham Hurley sees Faraday and Winter pitted against each other in another fantastic police procedural. Gruesome murders and crime lords with grudges bring more crime to the city of Portsmouth. Hurley is so convincing … Download free opening extract
7		A Wild Affair Gemma Townley A fun romantic comedy filled with misunderstandings, indiscretions and general mayhem. Do give this author a try as we think she is getting better and better with each book. … Download free opening extract
8		Dead Spy Running Jon Stock January 2010 Book of the Month. Daniel, the son of a disgraced MI5 chief and himself an MI5 operative, is about to fall foul of the same fate that befell his father. On the run and not knowing who to trust, … Download free opening extract
9		Raven: Blood Eye Giles Kristian January 2010 Debut of the Month. A really good yarn with constant changes of pace, action and drama as the Vikings sweep on England. It begins a trilogy of bloody and lusty adventures with a terrific her. Wonderful escapist stuff. Comparison: Bernard … Download free opening extract
10		Sworn to Silence Linda Castillo December 2009 Book of the Month. A well devised plot with Amish and ‘English’ communities facing the prospect that a serial killer from the past has returned to their now peaceful lives. With plenty of characters harbouring a secret the plot … Download free opening extract

Peter C :: Jan.11.2010 :: Most Popular Books :: No Comments »

Darwin – watch the film (DVD) and read the book

Darwin Day was a global celebration of science and reason held on or around Feb. 12 2009, the birthday anniversary of evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin. This year marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth. Darwin’s view of the world changed the whole world.

We have a small selection of books to help you discover more about this influential scientist.

Also released on 18 Jan 2010 is the DVD / Blu Ray of the film of the great scientist’s life, Creation, starring Paul Bettany. See below to see a trailer of the film. The DVD / Blu Ray will be available in all the normal places you get your DVDs from!

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Featured Books

Darwin’s Island

Steve Jones
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 19 March 2009.

Darwin’s Island is an enthralling book, a wonderful look at Darwin, how England and especially his home in Kent inspired his work. Most valuable is the way Jones has…

Darwin : The Story of the Man and His Theories of Evolution

John van Wyhe

This is a fantastic facsimile providing the reader with everything they could want to know about Charles Darwin. Beautifully presented and with lots of fascinating items of memorabilia to look at and take out of the book. There are copies…

Darwin: A Life in Poems

Ruth Padel
Shortlisted for the Costa Poetry Award 2009.

Costa Book Awards 2009 Judges’ comment: “A fascinating and original work that recreates the life of its subject in rich, diverse language.”

Peter C :: Jan.08.2010 :: General Book News :: No Comments »

Revitalise your reading in 2010

Welcome back to Lovereading in what we hope will be a great year for you. New Year is of course the perfect time to restart your reading with extra vim and vigour. If you thought January was a cold and barren month, maybe you’ll be inspired to know that Virginia Woolf, Lord Byron and George Orwell were all born in it, and that 18 Jan is celebrated as Winnie the Pooh Day! So beat away winter blues with a book – there are some incredible ones below..

Join a fantastic new book club

Channel 4 has unveiled a new TV book club to build on the success of Richard & Judy’s. This time five new celebrity hosts, including Jo Brand and Gok Wan will present, interviewing authors and discussing books in a relaxed ‘dinner party’ format. You can join in the fun – Lovereading has ALL the books in a special section on the site with free Opening Extracts as well. Why not have a look and find out more about the books which are bound to be some of this years most talked about?

We hope these books help you start another year of fantastic reading. And if your other resolutions fall by the wayside, don’t worry – as long as you keep on enjoying books you’re sure to have a rich and fulfilling new decade!

New Year’s revolution

If you want to change more than just your reading habits and feel like a complete New Year makeover, have a look at our New Year, New You section. We’ve chosen some fantastic books to help you change your life – intellectually, emotionally and physically.

Diana Gabaldon – our first Guest Editor of the new decade!

Our accomplished Guest Editor to kick off 2010 is Diana Gabaldon, author of the wildly popular Outlander series. The seventh highly anticipated episode of the historical/Sci-Fi adventure, An Echo in the Bone, is out now! Diana will be choosing books by other authors who have influenced her on her rise to literary stardom.
(picture courtesy of Nancy Castaldo)

Incredible but true – tales from history

If you’re more into the past than the present take a look at our revamped History section, where resident non-fiction expert Sue Baker has dug up some of juiciest bones from world history. Among them are David Kynaston’s Family Britain, an unputdownable narrative history, and Wendy Moore’s Wedlock, which features the unspeakable real-life scoundrel who inspired William Thackeray’s novel, Barry Lyndon.

Costa Book Award winners

Discover some of the most enjoyable books by UK and Ireland-based authors with the category – Biography, First novel, Poetry, Children’s – winners of the Costa Book Awards announced this week. The champions include Colm Toibin and new comer Raphael Selbourne. The overall winner will be chosen on the 26 January but each and every nominee has displayed sheer class in their writing and is well worth investigating.

A pair of brilliant Books of the Month

Dead Spy Running – Jon Stock

Described as ‘John le Carre meets Jason Bourne’, this is a rip-roaring yet elegant spy thriller to keep you delightedly turning pages.

No Lovelier Death – Graham Hurley

Two teenagers end up murdered after a house party gets out of control, but who killed them, and who is going to track them down? A tense and involving crime story.

Fresh and exciting for January – Debuts of the Month

Raven Blood Eye

Giles Kristian

Sail back into the dangerous dark ages with this powerful Viking saga, full of blood, battle and gripping action.
Finding Monsieur Right

Muriel Zagha

A fun and romantic tale of what happens when Londoner Daisy and Parisian Isabelle swap homes for a year
The Art of Loosing

Rebecca Connell

A young woman stalks her mother’s ex-lover, convinced he is to blame for her death 18 years earlier.

Peter C :: Jan.07.2010 :: Newsletters :: 1 Comment »

Most popular Opening Extracts 27 Dec – 3 Jan 2010

Lovereading.co.uk Top 10

1		The Message Julie Highmore December 2009 Book of the Month. If you want some well written, indulgent escapism then try The Message. Great characters and witty observations make this a delightful read with this author going from strength to strength. … Download free opening extract
2		Sworn to Silence Linda Castillo December 2009 Book of the Month. A well devised plot with Amish and ‘English’ communities facing the prospect that a serial killer from the past has returned to their now peaceful lives. With plenty of characters harbouring a secret the plot … Download free opening extract
3		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
4		Wolf Hall Hilary Mantel Winner of the Man Booker Prize 2009. Shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award 2009. Costa Book Awards 2009 Judges’ comment: “One of the outstanding books of the year – historical fiction at its best.” Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on … Download free opening extract
5		Small World Matt Beaumont February 2009 Book of the Month. In a multi-voiced, first person narrative we follow characters large and small through a convoluted plot that has groups of people crossing and their experiences laid one on top of another. It is most impressive, … Download free opening extract
6		Girl Missing Tess Gerritsen December 2009 Book of the Month. Interestingly this is the first thriller that she wrote back in 1994 for she started her writing career with romantic fiction. She adds an introduction to this first UK publication which is fascinating and unlike … Download free opening extract
7		The Brightest Star in the Sky Marian Keyes Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 19 November 2009. Marion Keyes brings a whole host of characters together in this funny and sad book. A mystery narrator carries the story along as we delve into the lives of … Download free opening extract
8		The Forest of Hands and Teeth Carrie Ryan July 2009 Debut of the Month. This is a quite remarkable and moving debut novel that has was causing waves well before it was published. The author has crafted a powerful and, at times frightening tale that explores humanity’s unfailing desire … Download free opening extract
9		Ordinary Thunderstorms William Boyd Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 3 December 2009. A gripping thriller that will keep you glued from beginning to end. When Adam Kindred finds himself caught up in a murder and has to lose himself in the … Download free opening extract
10		The Winter Ghosts Kate Mosse Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 5 November 2009. 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 … Download free opening extract

Lovereading4kids.co.uk Top 10

1		1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up Julia Eccleshare & Quentin Blake Fall down the rabbit hole, take flight into Neverland, or follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City; we all remember what it was like to disappear into the imaginary worlds of the most magical and fantastic type of … Download free opening extract
2		Terry Deary’s Knights’ Tales: The Knight of Swords and Spooks Terry Deary A brilliantly exciting series from the pen of the master of books that are funny as well as based on historical events. Terry Deary has no equal in his ability to make history fun, whether it’s through his Horrible History … Download free opening extract
3		The Boy in the Dress David Walliams Shortlisted for Roald Dahl’s Funny Prize 2009. Touching, funny and full of insight, this tender story tells how Dennis decides that everyone does not have to be the same. Bravely, he decides to do something completely different. Taking a risk … Download free opening extract
4		Do as you would be done by Hugh Salmon and Anthony Stileman This whole book is available to download and read free of charge. Either click the ‘Download Entire Book’ button above to get a PDF version you can print out or click the image to the right to read an online … Download free opening extract
5		Hunger Michael Grant PRE-PUBLICATION – AVAILABLE 4TH JANUARY 2010 – Michael Grant’s GONE was one of the highlights of 2009 and his sequel is, do I dare say it, as good or possibly even better. The series hits the zeitgeist and HUNGER continues … Download free opening extract
6		Under the Weather: Stories About Climate Change Tony Bradman Perfectly pitched for younger readers, this is a timely collection of stories about an urgent matter that will affect everyone’s future. The stories have a global perspective with different authors tackling the different consequences of the world warming up. Crucially, … Download free opening extract
7		Tim the Tiny Horse at Large Harry Hill Tiny Tim’s latest adventures are a brilliant and inventive piece of comic writing and illustration. Tiny has done much of everything since the original story about him – everything except grow! Tiny remains very, very small but that doesn’t stop … Download free opening extract
8		Welcome to the Zoo Alison Jay This absolutely gorgeous wordless picture book has now been re-released in a small format rounded-edged board book that’s perfect for babies and tiddly toddlers. Curious eyes will explore the zoo, which is brimming with beauty, humour and high-jinks. Parents will … Download free opening extract
9		The Graveyard Book (illustrated by Chris Riddell) Neil Gaiman Winner of the prestigious Teenage Book of the Year Award 2009. Winner of Best Novel at the Hugo Awards 2009. 2009 winner of the prestigious Newbery Medal. Spooks galore in this brilliant and fantastic story of life in the graveyard. When Baby … Download free opening extract
10		Green Smoke Rosemary Manning A touching and magical adventure story, Green Smoke tells how Susan meets a very special dragon while on her summer holiday in Cornwall. R. Dragon is 1,500 years old. He’s green and scaly and has two golden-yellow horns but he’s … Download free opening extract

Peter C :: Jan.04.2010 :: Most Popular Books :: No Comments »