Do we need an Australian Women Writers Challenge?

It's been said many times that writing is a solitary profession and I have to say I find that to be true. There are some days when I don't speak to anyone - except my dog - from 8am in the morning to 6pm at night. Most of the time I don't mind too much, but it can mean I have a lot of pent up talking to do.

And I'm not the only one. This year's inaugural National Book Bloggers Forum, hosted by publishers Random House, was full of booky bloggers just bursting with things to say about the books they'd read, the books they were going to read and, in some cases, the books they were going to write.

It was great to meet Shelleyrae Cusbert of Book'd Out who is surely one of the most prolific readers on the planet. Shelleyrae has four kids, but still makes time to read a book a day and blogs about most of them. I can only imagine she's mastered the art of reading while she sleeps.

Reader, writer and film reviewer Susan May of An Adventure in Words shared plenty of ideas too - including her cure for writers suffering from that common disease - 'life-gets-in-the-way-itis.' (In case you're a sufferer, the remedy is to: "write a page a day no matter what.")

Chatting to blogger Elizabeth Lhuede, I learned about the Australian Women Writers Challenge, an initiative that 'encourages avid readers and book bloggers, male and female, Australian and non-Australian, to read and review books by Australian women throughout the year.'

It's a challenge I find quite appealing, not least because it will help reduce the number of books on my 'to read' shelf for this year. Although I've never chosen a book because of the gender of its author, on balance I'd say that I prefer female writing. I generally don't find thrillers very thrilling and am drawn to books publishers categorise as quality commercial fiction - and they're often written by women.

Towards the end of the day, Random House previewed some of the books readers could look forward to for the second half of 2014. The list was long and included quite a few clearly destined to be bestsellers (more on this later). But when I was thinking about what to read next, I remembered my chat with Elizabeth.

Cute, funny and beautifully written: Zoe Foster's The Wrong Girl

I'm now reading Zoe Foster's The Wrong Girl (I'm not sure where Zoe was born, but understand she lives and is published here, so hope that counts) and on my 'to read' pile there's Sisters of Mercy and Matilda is Missing both by Caroline Overington, Elianne by Judy Nunn and Hades by Alexandra Adornetto. Have you read any of these and what did you think of them? Do you think we need an Australian Women Writers Challenge and who are your favourite Australian women writers? I'd love to hear what you think.

A book to devour: Caroline Overington's Ghost Child

Some books are there to be savoured, others are gobbled down in just a day or two. When I picked up Caroline Overington's Ghost Child, I had a feeling it would be one of the latter. I didn't know much about it, but I'd heard Overington's writing compared to that of Jodi Piccoult and expected a quality commercial read. In fact, Ghost Child exceeded my expectations.

Caroline Overington's Ghost Child: a delicious read

Overington's publishers, Random House, describe Ghost Child as 'a multi-voiced novel centred around a child's death and its terrible repercussions.' Here's their summary of the story:

"In 1982 Victorian police were called to a home on a housing estate an hour west of Melbourne. There, they found a five-year-old boy lying still and silent on the carpet. There were no obvious signs of trauma, but the child, Jacob, died the next day.  

The story made the headlines and hundreds attended the funeral. Few people were surprised when the boy's mother and her boyfriend went to prison for the crime. Police declared themselves satisfied with the result, saying there was no doubt that justice had been done.  

And yet, for years rumours swept the estate and clung like cobwebs to the long-vacant house: there had been a cover-up. The real perpetrator, at least according to local gossip, was the boy's six-year-old sister, Lauren. 

Twenty years on, Lauren has created a new life for herself, but details of Jacob's death begin to resurface and the story again makes the newspapers. As Lauren struggles with the ghosts of her childhood, it seems only a matter of time before the past catches up with her."

Ghost Child is an easy read, but it's a confronting one too. Overington tells the story through the mouths of a whole cast of characters, some major some minor, and so we have a glimpse of multiple perspectives as the story unfolds. She has a real talent for taking us inside someone else's head - and for conveying characterisation through little more than speech. Whether we love or loathe the people in this story, our feelings are usually inspired by their thoughts, their words...

By the same token, it's hard not to feel that the children in story have been failed by the state systems that are meant to care for and protect them, but at the same time we are led to understand how many of the system's failings have come about.

I picked up this book expecting a quick easy read. And it delivered on both fronts. But days later Ghost Child is still haunting me. This was the first book I've read by Caroline Overington, but it's left me wanting more.

What are you reading at the moment? And has it surprised you in anyway?

 

How to get kids hooked on books: 6 tips for reluctant readers

A litte school holiday reading...

Kids today grow up in a world where so much competes for their attention - school, sports, friends, technology - that reading isn’t always at the top of the to-do list. Yet reading is so important; it helps develop imagination, emotional intelligence and language skills; can introduce us to people and places we might not otherwise encounter; and is a soothing and restorative end to a jam-packed day.

But what if your kids don’t want to read? Forcing them to do so rather defeats the point if you are trying to pass on the pleasure of reading. But there are ways of encouraging them to read more – without resorting to bribing or berating them. Here are my top tips for getting reluctant readers hooked on books:

Make it all about them
Allow them to choose their own book. Don’t be disappointed if they don’t fancy your suggestions; they’ll be far more likely to read if the book is about something that interests them. Some kids prefer non-fiction, particularly books full of facts about topics they’re interested in such as animals, science and so on.

Read together
Winter afternoons and evenings are the perfect time for curling up with a great read. School holidays can give you the time to do this together and may mean you have time to read a longer book than you might otherwise. Share a book by taking turns to read a chapter aloud or simply snuggle up together to read your own books.

Look for great kids’ series
Finding the right series can help get children hooked on reading. Classics like Mary Norton’s The Borrowers series or Laura Ingalls Wilder’s The Little House on the Prairie books are excellent choices. For something more contemporary look out for John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice or Derek Landy's Skulduggery Pleasant series.

Let them laugh
Most kids love reading comic-style books. Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants series, for example, has delighted millions of kids who might not otherwise have picked up a book. For me these books are a little like junk food; you wouldn’t them to be the only thing on the menu, but a little from time to time doesn’t do any harm. Hopefully these easy readers will be the first step to something a little more challenging.

Show them you love reading
Be a great role model by having plenty of books at home and letting your kids see you reading for work and pleasure. Chat about what you’re reading and why it interests you and ask them about their books too. Sometimes this will give you ideas for books you might enjoy together. R.J. Palacio’s Wonder  for example is a great book for kids and adults - I loved hearing my kids’ perspectives on the issues it raises. My younger son says Sharon M Draper's Out of My Mind (a story about a highly intelligent 10-year old girl who can't walk or talk) is excellent and I'm looking forward to discussing it with him once I've read it.

Highly recommended by my son: Out of my mind by Sharon M. Draper

Don’t stress
Family life is busy these days and even the most ardent readers can find it hard to make time for books. Don’t worry too much if your kids don’t have time to read every single day, just try and make it part of their routine when you can.

What do your kids like to read? Do you have more tips on encouraging reading? I'd love to hear them…

Chic lit: books for women who love fiction and fashion

Elegance by Kathleen Tessaro: Elle magazine describes it as 'an irresistible love story and self-help manual rolled into one.'

I rediscovered Elegance by Kathleen Tessaro while I was loitering in the local library the other day. I used to have this book, but think it was purged when we moved to Australia. It's chick-lit with a twist, weaving together classic style advice from another book (also called Elegance) by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, and the story of Louise, a young woman whose marriage breaks up, but who eventually finds happiness in the arms of a much younger man. (Did I mention this was chick lit?)

It's well-written light reading, but for me Ms Dariaux' quotes steal the show. Here she is on the subject of yachting:

"Now is your chance to show everyone that you are not afraid to be seen without make-up, that you never leave a trail of disorder in your wake, that you have a wonderfully even disposition, and that your elegance is based on utter simplicity. If this be the case (and if you are not subject to seasickness and know how to swim), you will surely have the most wonderful time of your life." 

Beautifully put, Genevieve.

Elegance by 1960's style guru Genevieve Antoine Dariaux: where has my copy gone?

Now I'm reading The Seamstress by Maria Duenas. This is not such a light read; its elegant prose tells the story of a young dressmaker, Sira, from Madrid who leaves Spain with her lover in 1936 when the country is on the brink of civil war. They travel to Morocco where he betrays her and leaves her with huge debts. Civil war engulfs Spain. Sira cannot go back so she sets up her own salon and makes beautiful clothes for upper class expats and their German friends. WWII is looming and Sira becomes involved with the British Secret Service, a move that puts her in great danger.

I haven't finished The Seamstress yet, but am enjoying it very much. I love Duenas' writing - and her descriptions of Sira's sartorial creations, such as the time she has to whip up a faux Fortuny Delphos (evening dress) in a few hours, add to the allure of the book.

Fortuny Delphos: don't try this at home

I read Elegance in a twinkling, The Seamstress is taking me a little longer. If you love a good read - with a smidgeon of style advice on the side - I'd recommend them both. And I'd love to hear about any other great chic lit finds...

Stepping outside my reading comfort zone: the Eclectic Reader Challenge 2014

I'd never thought of making a reading resolution before, but I'm planning to for 2014. This will be the year I step out of my reading comfort zone and discover the thrills of new genres including the medical thriller and cosy mystery fiction.

Don't ask me what those two are - I'd never even heard of them before today. But I know a woman who has. Shelleyrae Cusbert, who reads a book a day and blogs about her reading habit at Book'd Out, is hosting The Eclectic Reader Challenge (ERC) for 2014. The ERC invites participants to read up to 12 different books from 12 distinct categories by 31st December 2014.

You can read your selected titles in any order and at your own pace, but you must complete the challenge by the end of 2014.

Here are the categories:

1.  Award winning
2.  True crime (non-fiction)
3.  Romantic comedy
4.  Alternate history fiction
5.  Graphic novel
6.  Cosy mystery fiction
7.  Gothic fiction
8.  War/military fiction
9.  Anthology
10. Medical thriller fiction
11. Travel (non-fiction)
12. Published in 2014.

So that's my reading resolution for 2014. Fancy joining me? Head over to Book'd Out for more details - and do let me know how your reading year goes.

What the paper said: the New Zealand Herald reviews Burned

This time three years ago, I was invited to represent Holidays with Kids magazine on a cruise aboard the Ms. Volendam. I spent eight days aboard the 61,214-ton luxury cruise ship and have to say I had a ball. The food was fantastic, the scenery spectacular (we cruised through the Milford Sound) and I loved that we were able to spot wildlife (dolphins, whales and albatross) as the ship went on its way. There were just a few journalists on that press trip and in between port visits, briefings from the captain and touring the kitchens, we could often be found sitting by the pool, playing Scrabble, chatting and working our way through the cocktail list. 

I also spent a fair few hours squirrelled away in my cabin editing the manuscript of my novel. Its working title was Snap, Crackle, Pop and I was delighted to have a few days away from business as usual in Sydney so I could work on it.

Fast forward three years and Snap, Crackle, Pop is now Burned. When I heard it would be published in New Zealand, I got in touch with Shandelle Battersby who works at the NZ Herald and was one of the other journalists on the Ms Volendam. I asked if she thought anyone at the paper would like to review it - she said she could do it herself.

I don't think it's appeared on-line yet, but this is what Shandelle wrote in her Chick Lit column:

"Noah, a boy who dreams of one day being an astronaut, is the central character in [Burned] this excellent debut novel by Persephone Nicholas, who dives back and forwards in time between England and Australia with the skill of someone who has been writing books for years.  

Noah and his mother Kate are rebuilding their lives after the death of Kate’s estranged husband when Noah gets caught up in a horrible crime that has far-reaching effects. To say any more would spoil the story, but I recommend this cracking read, which crosses several genres so should entertain almost everybody."

Fantastic review of Burned in The New Zealand Herald last month

If you'd like to read more from Shandelle, you can find her work here.

New reads down under: 5 great Australian books

Dad and me in Canada, winter of '64

In a few weeks' time my dad will be flying to Sydney and coming to visit us for the first time. I couldn't be more excited. In between planning excursions, jotting down meal ideas and making up his room, I've also been thinking about books he might enjoy.

Growing up in the UK I didn’t come across a lot of Australian writing and I suspect my dad won't have either. So there's plenty to catch up on. When I arrived here nearly a decade ago, reading taught me about the history, heritage and culture of this beautiful land and I loved discovering new authors and fresh voices who showed me things I would never have discovered for myself.

I still have lots more reading to do. Great books are published faster than I can read them, but here are five I particularly enjoyed:

Breath by Tim Winton
It’s been a long time since I read it, but I still remember this story about a young boy, ‘Pikelet’ who lives near Perth and keeps dangerous company. This is a scary book for mothers of boys, but it’s also astutely observed, elegantly written and taught me a good deal about the perilous beauty of our waters.

The Road from Coorain by Jill Ker Conway
Reading Conway’s memoir dispelled any romantic fantasies I may have had about life on a rural property. She lived and worked on her family’s 32,000-acre sheep farm in the Australian outback until her father drowned when she was 11. Reading Conway’s descriptions of the impact of a three-year drought on the land, the animals and her family was an education in itself.

The Secret River by Kate Grenville
This Australian classic is a must-read for anyone wanting to know more about Australian history and its colonisation by the British. Grenville’s fictional account of an early 19th century Englishman, William Thornton, transported to Australia for theft, was inspired by her research into her ancestor Solomon Wiseman. It’s a gripping, confronting read that helps illuminate a dark topic.

Kate Grenville's The Secret River: a confronting read

Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
Set in the fictitious regional mining town of Corrigan, Jasper Jones perfectly conveys the smouldering heat of a long Australian summer when there’s nothing much to do in the school holidays except play cricket, hang out with your mates – and discover the terrible secret behind a young girl’s death. As funny as it is dark, Jasper Jones is like a little time capsule; a 1960’s summer perfectly preserved for its readers.

The Light Between Oceans by M L Stedman
This book is set on a remote island, Janus Rock, off Western Australia in 1926. It's the story of Tom Sherbourne, a young lighthouse keeper and his wife Isabel who live a quiet life until a boat washes ashore carrying a dead man and a crying infant. I absolutely loved this book (read my review here) and urge you to read it for yourself immediately.

These are just five of my favourite Australian books. I know there are many more out there waiting to be discovered. I'd love to hear which ones you recommend...