Thrillin’
August 29, 2012
Thrillin’, chillin’, and spine-tinglin’ … are you a fan of Suspense novels? As I primarily read at night before sleep I am cautious about entering the domain of the Thriller (bit of a scaredy-cat!) but I do enjoy the genre very much. It always impresses me when a writer can create such an emotional response in a reader simply by piecing together the right words. There are a few of you out there (Lisa C!) who are devotees and encouraged me to post about some “must-reads” in the category.
The BIG thriller this summer that readers are most raving about is definitely Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Have you read it yet?
“On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick Dunne’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer? As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love.”
Another word-of-mouth success story has been S.J. Watson’s Before I Go to Sleep. I was riveted!
“Christine wakes up every morning in an unfamiliar bed with an unfamiliar man. She looks in the mirror and sees an unfamiliar, middle- aged face. And every morning, the man she has woken up with must explain that he is Ben, he is her husband, she is forty-seven years old, and a terrible accident two decades earlier decimated her ability to form new memories.
Every day, Christine must begin again the reconstruction of her past. And the closer she gets to the truth, the more un- believable it seems.”
A reliably entertaining and accomplished writer, Ian McEwan, has a new release which appears in this category, Sweet Tooth.
Set in Cold War 1971, “MI5 sends Serena, a compulsive reader of novels, on a secret mission that brings her to Tom Healy, a promising young writer. First she loves his stories, then she begins to love the man. Can she maintain the fiction of her undercover life? What is deception and who is deceiving whom? To answer these questions, Serena must abandon the first rule of espionage — trust no one. Ian McEwan’s mastery is more dazzling than ever in this superb story of intrigue, love… and mutual betrayal.”
John Grisham has become the go-to guy for Legal thrillers. He also has a new release ahead, The Racketeer.
“Given the importance of what they do, and the controversies that often surround them, and the violent people they sometimes confront, it is remarkable that in the history of this country only four active federal judges have been murdered. Judge Raymond Fogletree just became number five.
His body was found in the basement of a lakeside cabin he had built himself and frequently used on weekends. When he did not show up for a trial on Monday morning, his law clerks panicked, called the FBI, and in due course the agents found the crime scene. There was no forced entry, no struggle, just two dead bodies—Judge Fogletree and his young secretary.
I did not know Judge Fogletree, but I know who killed him, and why.
I am a lawyer, and I am in prison.
It’s a long story.”
There are a number of popular (and prolific) writers in the Thriller genre. Do you have any recommendations? Any suggested reads guaranteed to tingle? Do share!
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
August 13, 2012
“Laughing through tears” – an exquisite state of being, n’est-ce pas? When I heard this new novel described as being responsible for such a condition in several different reviews, I promptly placed it on my “to-read” list and thought I’d share the news with you. If you get to it before I do, let us know if it’s as enchanting as it sounds.
The tale begins with: “It was an ordinary morning in mid-April that smelled of clean washing and grass clippings.” Yum. If a writer is supposed to hook a reader in the first paragraph, consider me caught! (It doesn’t always take high drama to snag me.) On that morning, Harold Fry is replying by post to the news that an old friend is very ill. Rather than dropping his note in the mailbox, he spontaneously decides to hand deliver it to the patient instead. And here’s the catch: she is situated some 600 miles across England. Sounding a little like something Forrest Gump might do, he sets off at that very moment with no preparation whatsoever. A long walk allows for much consideration of one’s place in life and the relationships with those who populate it. And so the story begins to unfold. Author Rachel Joyce herself, describes her writing voice as “celebrating the ordinary, linking laughter and pain.” There is a wonderful interview in Chatelaine magazine which my writing buddies among you will particularly enjoy. Plunk your mouse on this link: Chatelaine interview with Rachel Joyce. As usual, click on the book cover above to learn more about the story – the link is to Rachel Joyce’s website and it is terrific reading unto itself!
I’ve had a great summer of reading so far and hope you have as well. Feel free to let us know about any pleasant surprises (or warn us about the duds too!) Along with the Back to School flyers I’ve been noticing a number of promotions for the new season of book releases. (I’m just that nerdy) Things are looking bright ahead!
Paddington Bear has Olympic Fever
August 6, 2012
A zest for adventure, deep loyalty and devotion, a charming naïveté, a genuine desire to help others, self-deprecating humour … all qualities Paddington Bear (affectionately known as “Paddy” in our household) displays with his own brand of loveable flair. It surprised me to learn that our earnest and sticky-pawed friend has been around since writer Michael Bond first introduced him to us in 1958. Paddington is a treasure with whom we’ve grown up and been able to enjoy again with our children and perhaps even grandchildren. Twelve chapter books were published between 1958 and 2008 with many incarnations of each issued in picture book formats as well. In 2012, old Paddy Bear couldn’t resist the excitement of Olympic Fever and has come out of hibernation to hit the track running.
It may impress you to know that Michael Bond, now 86 years old, has written prolifically beyond the realm of Paddington. He is responsible as well for the equally charming Gastronome Sleuth, Monsieur Pamplemousse and mischievous guinea pig Olga da Polga. In all, Bond has written more than 150 books and shows no sign of slowing down. In a recent BBC interview he indicated Paddington may have a few more “jams” ahead of him to be recounted in a new book or books.
I simply cannot do justice to the extent of Paddington’s endeavours – he is one busy, busy bear! He has served as a diplomat (was the first offering to the French by the British when the Chunnel connected for the first time), has flown with Richard Branson on speed record seeking missions, been honoured by the Queen with Mr. Bond, Michael Bond, and has seen his image manifested on everything from PJs ( Marks and Spencer’s best-selling ever!) and bed sheets, to tea bags and wall paper. He will always be my favourite “teddy” bear – I cherish mine while my boys have their own. For an entertaining peek into the world of all things Paddington take a few minutes to visit his website here.
And now for even more breaking news: Paddington is going to the movies! We will have to wait until 2014 but meanwhile according to The Guardian:
Harry Potter producer David Heyman is behind the film, described as “a modern take” on Michael Bond’s best-selling books which have sold more than 35 million copies.
He said: “Paddington Bear is a universally loved character, treasured for his optimism, his sense of fair play and his perfect manners, and of course for his unintentional talent for comic chaos.
“Michael Bond’s books offer such wit and wonder, and I am so delighted at this chance to bring Paddington to the big screen.”
We didn’t see Paddington among other literary characters at the Opening Ceremonies but if Twitter tweeters have their way, Paddington might be invited to the closing ceremonies. They believe Aunt Lucy would be pleased!
