The Rosie Project- Graeme Simsion

The Rosie Project- Graeme Simsion

The Blurb
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion is a story about love, life and lobsters...

Meet Don Tillman.
Don is getting married.
He just doesn't know who to yet.
But he has designed a very detailed questionnaire to help him find the perfect woman.
One thing he already knows, though, is that it's not Rosie.
Absolutely, completely, definitely not.

Telling the story of Rosie and Don, Graeme Simsion's The Rosie Project is an international phenomenon, sold in over thirty countries - and counting.

Don Tillman is a socially challenged genetics professor who's decided the time has come to find a wife. His questionnaire is intended to weed out anyone who's unsuitable. The trouble is, Don has rather high standards and doesn't really do flexible so, despite lots of takers - he looks like Gregory Peck - he's not having much success in identifying The One.

When Rosie Jarman comes to his office, Don assumes it's to apply for the Wife Project - and duly discounts her on the grounds she smokes, drinks, doesn't eat meat, and is incapable of punctuality. However, Rosie has no interest in becoming Mrs Tillman and is actually there to enlist Don's assistance in a professional capacity: to help her find her biological father.
Sometimes, though, you don't find love: love finds you...

The Review
This was actually a reread, but I originally read it before I started my blog.  And I've got to say I am so glad I reread it.  It was even better the second time around, maybe because I understood the dynamics between the characters so much more. 

This really is a heavily character driven book.  Don, a professor with Aspergers, is incredibly likeable, particularly because his thought process is so straightforward. There are people around him, the Dean at the University for example, who don't understand his behaviours, but essentially Don is a good guy, looking for love in the methodical, scientific way which seems natural to him.  Rosie is strong, quirky, clever- but she is complicated and her sometimes guarded nature confuses Don.  Other characters (particular mention for Don's friend Gene) are also well crafted by Simsion and this is one of the major strengths of the book.

That isn't to say there is no plot, because there is.  Don looking for love via a questionnaire and helping Rosie find her biological father is strangely engaging.  When I was first given this book I really didn't think it would be something I'd enjoy, but it has become one of the books I recommend to anyone who wants to read something they perhaps might have missed.

The Rosie Effect is out this week (which is what prompted the reread) and I cannot wait.  These characters deserve a long running series, not just a sequel.  I want to know more about Don and Rosie, because I fell in love with them.  I defy you not to fall in love with them too.

This Book is Gay- James Dawson

The Blurb
Former PSHCE teacher and acclaimed YA author James Dawson gives an uncensored look at what it's like to grow up as LGBT. Including testimonials from people 'across the spectrum', this inclusive book explores everything anyone who ever dared to wonder wants to know - from sex to politics, how to pull, stereotypes, how to come-out and more. Spike Gerrell's hilarious illustrations combined with funny and factual text make this a must-have read.

The Review
I really wish this book had been around when I was growing up.  Firstly, it talks seriously about every aspect of sexuality/sexual identity but in a way which is non-threatening, totally normative and best of all exceptionally funny.  Secondly, there are these great comic illustrations from Spike Gerrell which break up the chunks of text (I imagine, especially if you are a teen trying to suss out what you think/feel/believe, they are a nice bit of respite).  Thirdly, I think anyone-no matter how worldly wise/'openminded' -will learn from This Book is Gay. 

I grew up in a small market town.  Nearly everyone was, or at least presented as, straight.  I first started questioning my sexuality twenty years ago ('why does my tummy do that same funny flip it does when I see [insert male crush of the week here] when I see [insert girl I think is ultra beautiful here]?') I now know there is absolutely nothing 'wrong' with that and that being attracted to people regardless of their gender is not something exclusive to me, but at 14- well, there was no one to talk to about it and this book would have helped me A LOT.

There's all sorts of stuff in this book- the history of sexuality, LGBT* in relation to religion and culture, how same sex couples 'do it', a list of gay icons and top gay literature/films etc.  But the most touching part of this book is how real people have explained real life through heartfelt words.  Strong emotions of anger, rejection, fear are told through the stories of LGBT* people who have shared their stories, but the overriding feeling is of love, self-confidence and acceptance.  It will give those just starting out on their journey of discovery hope that things will get better.

So James, Spike, Hot Key Books and all those who shared their private journey to understanding themselves better- thank you.  You've created something very special.

This Book is Gay is out now, published by Hot Key Books.  With thanks to the publisher for giving me a copy of this book to review in return for my honest opinion.

Books with Bunny update/changes

It's rare for me to write a blog post about Books with Bunny.  The vast majority of my posts are book reviews, often with a personal slant, or author features/cover reveals.  But things have changed a lot for me since I started this blog fifteen months ago and I feel I need to address it a bit to explain the situation.  I still love blogging and am extremely thankful for the friends I have made through it-bloggers, authors, readers, publicists.  This isn't a 'goodbye, I'm folding' post.  (If you don't want to read the lot, skip to the bottom for the pertinent points).

It is, however, a 'I can't keep going at this rate' post.  When I first started blogging (which was only a minor step up from the reading and rating I had been doing for many years) I wrote about books I chose to read.  I was then very fortunate to get publishers and authors asking me to review their titles, and I'd say yes to EVERYTHING.  Now, I'm a voracious reader, but even I need to do other things sometimes like, oooh, eat, sleep, spend time with my family.  I made a decision earlier this year to be more selective about what I read and review, especially as the vision when I began Books with Bunny was to encourage people to read.  That effectively means reading things I expect I'll like, so I can write an honest and passionate post which will make others want to run out and grab the novels I'm raving about.  However, I'm still gaining books at a rate much faster than I can read.

So yet again I'm having to be more selective still.  I have an enormous pile of books waiting 'to be read' (TBR). At my last estimate there were 300 of my own physical books and over 50 kindle titles, plus 80 physical review books from authors/reviewers and around 120 galleys.  I am not complaining.  I always said that book blogging is a labour of love and payment is in books.  Seeing as most of the money I earn in my day job goes on books anyway, it just cuts out the middle man.  I just want to explain why I sometimes take a long time to get around to reviewing titles I am given. I speak to a lot of other bloggers and know we're all in the same situation, especially since ebooks and self-publishing have really taken off and increased the amount of novels heading into an already saturated market.

Lots of you also know that I am trying to get my own writing out there (like me at www.facebook.com/kateylovell) .  I never thought I'd want to get published despite having written on and off for most of my life but numerous authors I admire encouraged me to go for it and finding time to write as well as read/review/live is exceptionally hard. 

So, the long and short of it is this.

• I will be doing far fewer blog tours. 
• I am going to have to be more selective. If you are a publisher or author, please do still approach me (or if I notice on twitter or know you have something I think I can help promote then I will approach you) but be aware that I am having to be realistic about how many books I take on.
• Most of the books I currently read are YA, NA, Chicklit and some psychological thrillers.
• I have previously kept going with books I haven't really enjoyed because I feel I owe it to the author/publicist to repay them for giving me their book.  I am going to have to be more ruthless- there may be some 'did not finish' reviews coming up on Goodreads/Netgalley.  Sorry!
• Finally, I am still as passionate about words, books and reading as I always have been.  I still love having a blog and I hope people still enjoy my reviews. 

Onwards and upwards to more reviews of books I know you'll love!

Cover Reveal for Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Cafe -Rebecca Raisin

 

 

I've unashamedly loved Rebecca Raisin's 'Gingerbread Café' series and think I may shed a little tear now it's coming to an end.  I don't want to have to say goodbye to these characters!  But thanks to them I am fortunate enough to have made a wonderful real-life friend as well as the fictional ones hiding in the pages.  Rebecca has been hugely encouraging of both the Books with Bunny blog and my own writing journey, and I would never have found her if it wasn't for this series so I'll always have a soft spot for Lily and co. 

 

 

The cover for the final instalment is absolutely stunning, my favourite yet.  Carina do seem to have a knack of coming up with beautiful covers for their releases!  Look how pretty it is!

 

I'm going to be drumming my fingers now until the release day.  And I can't wait until there are paper copies available because if ever there was a strokeable cover, it's this.

 

Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Café

Released October 15th

You are invited to the wedding of the year!

Snow is falling thick and fast outside the Gingerbread Café and inside, its owner Lily is planning the wedding of the year. Her wedding! She never dreamt it would happen, but this Christmas, she’ll be marrying the man of her dreams - in a Christmas-card-perfect ceremony!

The gingerbread is baking, the dress is fitted and the mistletoe’s in place – for once, everything’s going to plan. That is until her mother-in-law arrives... Suddenly, Lily’s famous cool is being tested like never before and her dream wedding is crumbling before her eyes.

In the blink of a fairylight, the Gingerbread Café has been thrown into chaos! Lily thought she had this wedding wrapped up, but with so much to do before she says ‘I do’, can Lily get to the church on time – and make this Christmas sparkle after all?

Pre-order the book here:

Amazon US http://amzn.to/1qIb9VQ

Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1m7wGWP

Amazon Aust http://bit.ly/1uCJVjx

Itunes http://bit.ly/1manX5S

Google play http://bit.ly/ZnNjTF

 

Find Rebecca here:

https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRaisinAuthor

http://rebeccaraisin.wordpress.com

www.twitter.com/jaxandwillsmum

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1uF18I4

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1t4h1bA

Duende- E.E. Ottoman

The blurb
Famed opera singer Aimé has a lot in common with Badri, the Royal Ballet Company's most popular male lead. They have both dedicated their entire lives to their art, and struggle to be taken seriously among the Empire's elite. And both harbor a secret admiration and desire for the other.

This year for his birthday Aimé treats himself to a night at the ballet seeing Badri perform, and after the show decides to meet Badri and confess his admiration for Badri's skill. But when that first awkward meeting turns to more, they are left wondering if there is room in their lives for both career and romance…

The Review
Oh, how I loved this book!  I can't put into words just how much it touched me. 

Firstly, I adored how art was portrayed as a vessel for life.  That was something I could totally relate to and I felt E.E. Ottoman managed to put that across beautifully.  But most of all, this is a fabulous love story.  Aime and Badri aren't perfect.  But they love each other, imperfections and all, with that total, all-consuming love and fascination. 

It is intense.  It is passionate.  In fact, my heart almost leapt out of my chest because their relationship was so beautiful and tender and real.  And I think I developed a bit of a crush on Badri too.  Partly because he was so wonderfully dedicated, partly because of his love for Aime, partly because he places such importance on family by doting on his brother Sushil.

I can't really compare it to anything else out there.  It kind of defies genre.  Duende is otherworldly.  It is romance.  It is erotica.  And (although I hate classifying things this way) it is GBLTQ.

But above all it is fantastic. 

I didn't realise it was part of a series, but have now greedily got my hands on part one.  And part three is in the pipeline!  Yippee!  I just hope there will be more of Amie and Badri somewhere along the way, even if it is a cameo or reference.  I love them like I love Jane and Mr Rochester.  I want to write fanfics about them.  I want them to be adapted into a TV series shown late night on BBC3 (or maybe E4).

Basically, I want more.

Bring.  It. On.

Duende is out now, published by Less Than Three.

I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This summer I read....

After a summer with no laptop, I have a whole host of books to blog about.  The only way I can catch up is by doing a quick 'wrap up' post and then start afresh, so apologies for the short reviews coming your way, but here's what I've read this summer.

Little Lies- Liane Moriarty

The Blurb
Top ten bestselling author Liane Moriarty returns with another gripping read.

She could hear men and women shouting. Angry hollers crashed through the soft humid salty summer night. It was somehow hurtful for Mrs Ponder to hear, as if all that rage was directed at her . . . then she heard the wail of a siren in the distance, at the same time as a woman still inside the building began to scream and scream . . .

When a harmless quiz night ends with an act of shocking violence, the parents of Pirriwee Public School can't seem to stop their secrets from finally spilling out. Rumours ripple through the small town, as truth and lies blur to muddy the story of what really happened on that fateful night ...

The Review
I read and loved The Husband's Secret earlier this year and was totally ecstatic to be asked to review Little Lies.  I was hoping for more of the same, and by jove, I got it. 

Little Lies has a voyeuristic feel into community life-the playground politics at school, the secrets people keep, that relationships are not always how they look from the outside- and I was compelled to keep turning the pages as the characters lives unravelled before me (in every sense!). 

As a Mum myself I thought Moriarty did a great job of portraying the stresses of modern parenthood and how Mums are so often pigeon holed into categories of 'the career Mum', 'the young Mum', 'the hippy Mum'.

I found this an unsettling and gripping read which would have only been bettered by a more meaty ending.  However , fans of The Husband's Secret will enjoy this one just as much.

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book.

Barcelona-Philip Langeskov
The Blurb
And so Daniel and Isla return to the city where they celebrated their honeymoon. Daniel hopes it will be a reminder of headier days, but from the start, something seems to be conspiring against his plans: time, people, the city itself. A haunting and exquisitely written tale about love, sacrifice, and how the road not taken sometimes takes you instead.    

The Review
This little book caught my eye in Waterstone's, probably due to the glistening Sagrada Familia on the bright orange cover.  I love Barcelona and after a quick flick I impulse bought it. 

I am so glad I did.

Barcelona is an insight into the relationship between Daniel and Isla and it certainly packs a punch.  Written in vivid prose, Langeskov has written a novella which will linger in your mind leaving you with as many questions as answers.  This could be frustrating, yet somehow it is not, instead I felt wired, desperate to scrape further below the surface of both the marriage and the plot.

In many ways I was reminded of Wharton's novella Ethan Frome, which is one of my absolute favourite reads.  It is not a comfortable read, and sometimes downright heartbreaking, but I fell into it headfirst and drowned in its beauty.

I'll definitely be rereading this one.  I loved it. 

Leading Man- Benjamin Svetsky
The Blurb
'It was a preposterously glamorous gig, the sort of jet-setting occupation a shallow Matthew McConaughey character might have in a cheesy romantic comedy - until McConaughey's character falls in love in the second act and learns the greater bliss of settling down with a regular girl like Kate Hudson. Only I was stuck in my second act. The way things were going, I'd end up as Matthew McConaughey for the rest of my life, and nobody wants that.'

Max Lerner has it all figured out. He's got the girl - his childhood sweetheart Samantha. He's got the job - reporter for a national magazine. Life is sweet. Until his aspiring actress girlfriend leaves him for his childhood hero, Johnny Mars. Can Max win her back by throwing himself into the world of celebrities, hangers on and wannabes? Or will he get more of an education than he bargained for?

Uproariously funny and exquisitely poignant, LEADING MAN will take you back to your first love, your first heartbreak and the first time your heroes let you down.


The Review
Hmmmm.  Where do I start here? 

I thought this would be right up my reading alley.  I love books set in glamorous locations full of celebrity and debauchery.  I love books with good humour, and romance and first love. 

But I seriously struggled with this one.

Do you know how long it took me to read?  Eight months.  Yes, you read that correctly.  EIGHT MONTHS.  I read a few pages and then couldn't stand any more, but for some reason I wouldn't let this book beat me.  I kept slogging on (and it was a slog), waiting for it to pick up pace.  But it didn't.

So, what did I dislike?  Firstly, as mentioned above, it had an incredibly slow pace.  I am not someone who needs constant entertaining when reading.  I can accept passages, chapters or even whole books where not much happens.  But in order for me to enjoy a book I an engaging writing style and I didn't feel this offered me that.  Secondly, I couldn't tell if this was satirical or not.  At times I thought it must be, but even as I finished it I was left confused about just how seriously (or not) this book took itself.  Thirdly, I couldn't relate to the characters at all.  Max was self centred, and childish and generally an all round irritating man.

I hate writing bad reviews as I know how hard authors work, but this one just wasn't for me. I wish I hadn't persevered. 

The publisher sent me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.    

Trouble in Tinseltown- Aimee Duffy 
 
The Blurb
Part 1 of Summer Flings – a fun, flirty and laugh out loud rom com series of short stories.

Armed with a degree from Oxford that she doesn’t have a clue what to do with, Ciara Bree convinces her two best friends, Elle and Gem to spend their first summer of freedom backpacking across the globe. Now it’s time to shop, sunbathe, think about boys for a change, and party hard…

First stop: LA!

The girls hit Tinseltown for a few days of shopping, star spotting, and even a movie premiere!

But their plan to sneak into an exclusive celeb party in West Hollywood backfires. Elle’s gorgeous older cousin, Zack, is called to the rescue and despite knowing she should stay away, Ciara just can’t seem to resist him.

The Review
This sounded like a proper summer chick-lit romp and I couldn't wait to get started.  After all, the cover was gorgeous, begging me to read it.  'Read me, read me' it begged, in a voice like Gollum's...  Ok, maybe not, but you know what I mean.  So I sat in the garden on a beautiful sunshiny day and read it from start to finish (it's only a short read, the first in a series).

Friendships in fiction are always a winner, and Ciara, Ellie and Gem are a lively trio.  I found their bond appealing but couldn't really warm to any of the girls.  Maybe that was partly due to the length of the story, but it did mean I didn't care that much about what happened.

Whilst it had all the ingredients of a rollicking chicklit/NA read- girlfriends, relationships, humour, sex- it fell a bit short for me.  I think I'd have preferred it as a full length novel, or at least a longer novella.

Although I like Aimee Duffy's writing, I don't think I'll be rushing to read the rest of this series.  But a longer novel?  Yes please.

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

YOLO-Summersdale
The Blurb
A collection of interesting facts and hilarious hashtags to remind the world to seize the day—after all, you only live once

The reason the first CDs were designed to hold 74 minutes of music is that Beethoven's 9th Symphony is that length. #techieswithsoul #beethoven:stillhip

Presidents George Washington and Jimmy Carter both started their careers as farmers. #mrpresidenthadafarmeieio

It is a truth universally acknowledged that "You Only Live Once," so while some of us have been using the words "Carpe diem!" or "Seize the day!" to encourage our friends, it could be far more economical just to shout "YOLO!" This little book brings together a selection of fascinating facts accompanied by inspiring #hashtags to stir you into action. You’ll soon be seizing the day so firmly it'll be begging for mercy.

The Review
This is a tiny book, pocket sized and probably aimed at the stocking filler/token gift market.  Whilst there were some interesting facts, it really didn't inspire me to do anything out of the ordinary.  Don't waste your time reading this one.  After all, #YOLO.

more details...

 

Mexican Kimono- Billie Jones BLOG TOUR

The Blurb

Samantha knows what she wants from life – and she’s got it!

 

1.A loving family. OK, her Mum’s plan to marry her off to the world’s most metrosexual man might not be ideal… but it’s only because she cares!
2.A great job. Or at least: a job that leaves plenty of time to update Twitter and shop for designer bargains online…
3.A credit card, with a very generous limit. So generous that she’s just spent over $10,000 on an antique kimono…  But suddenly Samantha’s charmed life starts to fall apart! From a hair-related fire to losing her job, Sam’s facing bad karma – and it all started when she bought that kimono…  Sure, it’s ridiculous. How could a piece of silk ever bring bad luck? But it can! Because, whether Samantha likes it or not, someone wants to teach her a lesson: it’s what’s inside that counts.
The Review

You know when life seems to keep throwing up disaster after disaster?  Well, Samantha in Mexican Kimono, certainly does.  The (literally) hair-raising fire is one thing, but soon everything is falling apart for her- her job, her home, her family, her friends- it seems nothing is stable any more.  And all because she couldn't resist buying a kimono at an auction she stumbled across...

Mexican Kimono is unlike anything I have ever read.  It is so over-the-top madcap, a proper old-school farce, but I loved it because of that.  It's quirky and fresh, with humour that is an absolute tonic for the soul, but underneath the mayhem there's a serious message about appreciating the important things in life.

The characters are larger than life.  The gossiping hairdresser, the transvestite who owns the local café, Samantha's hippy dippy mother- I loved them.  And Samantha herself, who I must admit I took a while to warm to, made my jaw drop with her self belief and total delusion.  It's kind of like Priscilla-Queen of the Desert in how it manages to be wild, wacky and yet strangely touching.

Being honest, I probably wouldn't have chosen this book if I wasn't part of the blog tour.  But I would have missed out on an entertaining, unpredictable read  which had me hooked.

It's fair to say Mexican Kimono really surprised me.  Let it surprise you too.

Mexican Kimono is out now, published by Carina.

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.