Month: June 2015

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Online book launch and giveaway

Did I hear someone say BOOK GIVEAWAY??

J.M. Peace

Tomorrow, I can take4 out my bucket list and tick something off.

“Have a book published” has been a life ambition since I was a teenager. And on the 1st of July 2015 my debut novel A Time To Run is officially released by Pan Macmillan. So close now…

To celebrate, I’m having an online launch through Facebook on Thursday 2 July. Everybody is welcome. Due to my double life/ assumed identity issues, I won’t be doing anything in person. Instead I’m going to hang out online and give away some books.

So drop by my author page ‘JM Peace Author’ on Facebook between 7:30pm and 9pm EST. There’ll be competitions and guests. You can wear your pyjamas and ugg boots. I know I will be.

Then stay tuned here for my ongoing blog tour. Exciting times.

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Post Script: Cobain: Monatge Of Heck – Brett Morgen with Richard Bienstock

A montage of life’s noise.

Cover Cobain Montage of Heck

Cobain: Montage of Heck

Brett Morgen with Richard Bienstock

Hachette Australia

An Insight Editions Books

ISBN: 9780733634468

 

Description:

The riveting companion book to the highly anticipated documentary about the life of Nirvana frontman and grunge legend Kurt Cobain, featuring expanded exclusive interviews with the family and friends who knew him best and never-seen-before photographs and artwork.

More than twenty years have passed since Kurt Cobain took his own life in April 1994. Today, his legacy continues to fascinate, inspire, and haunt us. This riveting chronicle, which accompanies award-winning director Brett Morgen’s highly anticipated documentary, paints an illuminating and honest portrait of the Nirvana frontman, capturing the contradictions that made up his character: he could be sincere and sentimental and also ironic and sarcastic, was sweet yet sour, and was both serious and very funny.

This book – the only book about Kurt that has been produced with the cooperation of his widow, Courtney Love, and the Cobain Estate – includes interviews with numerous family members and friends, many of whom speak publicly about their relationship with Kurt for the first time, along with animation stills from the film, never-before-seen photographs, and other artefacts, offering revealing new insights into the life and character of Kurt Cobain. It is the ultimate book for fans of Nirvana, whose popularity continues to endure, and of Kurt, who remains a fascinating icon of popular culture.

My View:

“Montage Of Heck” is a collage that Kurt Cobain assembled with a 4-track cassette recorder around 1988. It features sounds from Kurt’s extensive and bizarre record collection, manipulated recordings of the radio, elements of Nirvana demos, and sounds created or recorded by Cobain.” (http://www.livenirvana.com/digitalnirvana/songguide/body7fd4.html?songid=60) I think this quote/summary sums up the memoir/companion documentary of the same name/life of Kurt Cobain as reported in the media perfectly- Kurt Cobain – a montage of life’s noise; the drama, tragedy, illness, love, loss, pain, creativity, addiction and suicide. From janitor to mega star – what a life, what a death!

Any fans of Nirvana and Kurt Cobain will love this book! Or indeed anyone who has enjoyed popular music in the 80’s and 90’s will appreciate this book. And the production values are massive! The images and the prints from the animation stills from the documentary used in this book are extraordinary; the quality is fantastic. This is the noise of Kurt Cobain’s life.

PS My adult daughters said the documentary was awesome.

 

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Post Script: The Bones of You – Debbie Howells

 The perfect example of domestic noir.

Description:
I have a gardener’s inherent belief in the natural order of things. Soft‑petalled flowers that go to seed. The resolute passage of the seasons. Swallows that fly thousands of miles to follow the eternal summer.
Children who don’t die before their parents.

When Kate receives a phone call with news that Rosie Anderson is missing, she’s stunned and disturbed. Rosie is eighteen, the same age as Kate’s daughter, and a beautiful, quiet, and kind young woman. Though the locals are optimistic—girls like Rosie don’t get into real trouble—Kate’s sense of foreboding is confirmed when Rosie is found fatally beaten and stabbed.

Who would kill the perfect daughter, from the perfect family? Yet the more Kate entwines herself with the Andersons—graceful mother Jo, renowned journalist father Neal, watchful younger sister Delphine—the more she is convinced that not everything is as it seems. Anonymous notes arrive, urging Kate to unravel the tangled threads of Rosie’s life and death, though she has no idea where they will lead.

Weaving flashbacks from Rosie’s perspective into a tautly plotted narrative, The Bones of You is a gripping, haunting novel of sacrifices and lies, desperation and love.

 

My View:
The perfect example of domestic noir.

After I finished reading this book I sat back and went WOW and then went to bed exhausted, it was after all past 1.30am but I could not put this down till I had read every single last word. I devoured this book. I savoured the words. This intimate portrait of manipulation and domestic violence – physical, emotional and psychological, is intense and accurate and is handled superbly and gently – which I think is a very effective way to treat the power imbalances here (I have worked in women’s refugees in a past life and know of how destructive these kinds of control/behaviours are and how realistic these examples are). In this novel we mostly we learn of these “truths” after the events, some almost a lifetime after…the voice from the grave is very effective; haunting, poignant, powerful.

I loved hearing Rosie’s voice, her memories. Her observations are powerful, painful and mostly joyless and so so sad, never have flash backs worked so evocatively. The anecdote regarding a pink TV is just heart breaking. (No spoilers here.)

Rosie’s story begins like this “It’s true, what they say about when you die. In the final, terrible seconds of my life, eighteen years flash before my eyes.” Yet this is not a dreary, weepy melodrama, the truths delivered via Rosie’s voice from the grave are relayed matter-of-factly, merely observations of a past life, made without judgement, what a great device. As Rosie recounts her life story the author allows the reader to make their own judgements and as I sat reading I clenched my teeth with rage at the harshness and injustices here and for all victims of family violence.

The theme that leapt out from the pages to me was about the power of truth. Truth can hurt, can see you free, truth can be harsh and hard to accept, and even harder to identify. Howells comments “…we can use all out skills, our experience, observe body language, read between as many lines as we choose, but we see mostly what we want to see. And if someone wants to hide the truth we may never know.” All we have is our own interpretation and understanding of the world and people. Intuition is something that should not be discarded.

This is a tightly plotted, very well executed, multiple viewpoint narrative that explores some very dark topics that are handled with a sensitivity that doesn’t beat the reader into a particular position – rather it allows the reader to form their own views and make their own guesses as to who is responsible for causing so much sorrow and pain in this narrative. As I delved deeper into the novel I made several unsuccessful guesses and only in the last few chapters did I understand who had murdered Rosie and their motives. This is an excellent example domestic noir.

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More Definitions Of Domestic Noir

I am pleased to see this sub genre is getting a bit of press recently.  Hachette Australia recently added this qualifier to their f/b site about the genre;

 ” ‘Domestic Noir takes place primarily in homes and workplaces, concerns itself largely (but not exclusively) with the female experience, is based around relationships and takes as its base a broadly feminist view that the domestic sphere is a challenging and sometimes dangerous prospect for its inhabitants’ – Julia Crouch.”

Maybe it is the feminist aspect that is calling to me? An interesting thought.

Domestic Noir Reads

Have you read any of these? So far What Came Before by Anna George remains one of my all time favourite reads.

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Post Script: The Gracekeepers – Kirsty Logan – Audio Book

Cover The Gracekeepers

The Grace Keepers

Kirsty Logan

Bolinda

Penguin Random House

ISBN: 9781101890585

9 hours 19 minutes

Description:

For readers of The Night Circus and Station Eleven, a lyrical and absorbing debut set in a world covered by water

 

As a Gracekeeper, Callanish administers shoreside burials, laying the dead to their final resting place deep in the depths of the ocean. Alone on her island, she has exiled herself to a life of tending watery graves as penance for a long-ago mistake that still haunts her. Meanwhile, North works as a circus performer with the Excalibur, a floating troupe of acrobats, clowns, dancers, and trainers who sail from one archipelago to the next, entertaining in exchange for sustenance.

 

In a world divided between those inhabiting the mainland (“landlockers”) and those who float on the sea (“damplings”), loneliness has become a way of life for North and Callanish, until a sudden storm offshore brings change to both their lives–offering them a new understanding of the world they live in and the consequences of the past, while restoring hope in an unexpected future.

 

Inspired in part by Scottish myths and fairytales, The Gracekeepers tells a modern story of an irreparably changed world: one that harbors the same isolation and sadness, but also joys and marvels of our own age.

 

 

 

My View:

Dystopian, fantasy, Scottish myths and fairy tales – this audio book narrated by the author is lyrical, poetic and mesmerising. For me the greatest quality of this book was the narration – I could listen to Kirsty Logan read her works for ever. The accent, the gentleness, the gracefulness of her voice had me mesmerised. I have read reviews of the physical book and the reviewers has suggested listening to the audio book first – and I can understand why, Kirsty Logan’s voice adds a magical touch to this Celtic fairy tale.

 

Listen to an excerpt here: http://www.bolinda.com/audioexcerpts/9781486289295.mp3

 

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Post Script: Time Of Death – Mark Billingham

“She’s not Poppy anymore…now she’s somebody else.”

Cover Time of Death Mark Billingham

Time of Death

A Tom Thorne Novel

Mark Billingham

Hachette Australia

Little, Brown

ISBN: 9781408704820

 

Description:

 

The Missing

Two schoolgirls are abducted in the small, dying Warwickshire town of Polesford, driving a knife into the heart of the community where police officer Helen Weeks grew up and from which she long ago escaped. But this is a place full of secrets, where dangerous truths lie buried.

The Accused

When it’s splashed all over the press that family man Stephen Bates has been arrested, Helen and her partner Tom Thorne head to the flooded town to support Bates’ wife – an old school friend of Helen’s – who is living under siege with two teenage children and convinced of her husband’s innocence.

 

The Dead

As residents and media bay for Bates’ blood, a decomposing body is found. The police believe they have their murderer in custody, but one man believes otherwise. With a girl still missing, Thorne sets himself on a collision course with local police, townsfolk – and a merciless killer.

Tom Thorne returns in a chilling mystery that will keep readers guessing until the final page. Time of Death is Mark Billingham’s most timely, atmospheric thriller to date.

My View:

Billingham goes to great lengths to immerse the reader in this novel – the settings are so vivid you can imagine yourself walking down the main street of the small town of Polesford. You can sit yourself at the café or pub and look at the menu, order your pint/coffee, nod your head in a silent hello to the locals. You are sitting at the next table to Hendricks and Thorne overhearing them discuss bugs and death and missing girls. Cleverly you have become a bit player on this large stage and therefore have a vested interest in discovering the truth. Well done Mark Billingham.

I love the characters of Helen, Thorne and Hendricks and have become very comfortable with these characters, their banter, their humour, sarcasm and intelligence…the dialogue is exceptionally natural and believable and the characters develop and grow with each new novel.

The plot is complex and there are a few red herrings to keep you on your toes. There are a couple of story arcs and I particularly liked where Helen is heading (no spoilers here), the issues she brining to our attention are contemporary, dark and unfortunately prevalent in our modern society and I am pleased she has found the strength to deal with this issue. Her story may embolden others. Billingham has told us enough but not all of the details of this thread and leaves the reader wanting to know more. The issue is handled sensitively without sensationalism.

In Time of Death Mark Billingham has provided the reader with another well written, complex narrative that speaks to issues that we can all empathise with. The plot is tense, the scenarios realistic, the political environment of the workplace is familiar, the characters are finely drawn and three dimensional and feel like people you know. The ending….is almost satisfying, the original case of the missing girls is cleared up but there is more happening that reaches beyond the last page of this novel; I was disappointed when it came to the end, I wanted more!

 

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Coconut Thai Curry With Chickpeas: Deliciously Ella – Ella Woodward

Made this for dinner tonight – so easy, so delicious and warming. I use dried chickpeas – as canned pulses are not a favourite of mine and I had the time to soak and cook the chickpeas before hand  I added some grated zucchini as we have plenty in the freezer to eat up and this also boosted the number of serves of vegetables in this dish. I served with some wilted baby Asian greens and brown rice – yum. I can see this would work well with cauliflower too. I love a meal you can cook in one pot. There is  plenty left over for lunch tomorrow and some to freeze for care pack for vegetarian daughter in Perth.  Everyone wins:)

Coconut Thai Curry with Chickpeas

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Post Script: Deliciously Ella – Ella Woodward

“Feel incredible and nurture and love your body with simple, easy to follow recipes for healthy, plant based dishes using the most natural ingredients. “

Cover - Deliciously Ella :Ella Woodward

Deliciously Ella

Ella Woodward

Hachette Australia

Yellow Kite Books

ISBN: 9781444795011

Description:

From sumptuous desserts, to food on the go, delicious dips, raw treats and rainbow bowls of awesome veggies, Ella’s philosophy is all about embracing the natural foods that your body loves and creating fresh, simple dishes which are easy to make and taste amazing. Featuring more than 100 new sugar-free, gluten-free and dairy-free recipes to excite your taste buds, this collection will inspire you to eat for better health, glowing skin and boundless energy.

A reformed sugar monster herself, Ella knows just how daunting the idea of changing your diet can be. Her must-read blog, DELICIOUSLY ELLA, which gets two million visitors a month from all over the world, was inspired by her own health adventure and everything she has learned by healing herself simply through diet. It’s truly amazing to see what you can do with these simple ingredients and how you can so easily create a deliciously healthy version of your favourite dishes.

More than anything, Ella wants to show that this way of eating is absolutely not about deprivation and starvation, but instead is about embracing a positive, healthy way of life.

 

 

My View:

This book is easy to read and enjoy. If you are wanting to change your diet and eat a little healthier the advice given is simple – “Start making small changes first, just adding in one new serving of fruit or veg a day is an amazing way to start. For example some sweet potato wedges or guacamole make a delicious addition to any meal and they are so easy to make. Whizzing up a smoothie in the morning is incredible too as it always starts you off on the right track for a positive day, while giving you an abundance of goodness and making you glow on the inside.” (p10) Ella Woodward hasn’t written this book to try to convert you to veganism – the book is “meant to be flexible and adaptable, it’s just about showing you how amazingly easy and delicious plants can be so we can all start enjoying more of them.”(p10) And that is exactly what I want to do.

 

Ella Woodward provides a useful introduction that provides a list of pantry staples that are versatile and quick to cook and easy to find in you local supermarket. This book is all about making cooking plant based meals at home quick and easy and if you have these basic ingredients in your pantry there will never be an excuse not to cook a nutritious healthy meal again. Beans, pulses, herbs and seasonings, grains, dates and so on…nothing gourmet, nothing that is hard to access…simple ingredients that when you add fresh fruit or vegetables to, complete a meal. I will be embracing some of the ideas and recipes here and encouraging my busy, time poor, vegetarian adult daughter to do the same. This is a great resource.

 

 

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Post Script: Lost Boy and Other Stories- Estelle Tang Ed.

Cover Lost Boy and Other Short Stories

Lost Boy and Other Stories

Edited by Estelle Tang

Margaret River Press

ISBN: 9780987561589

 

 

Description:

This anthology edited by Estelle Tang is a collection of stories submitted to the annual Margaret River Short Story Competition. The competition attracts both emerging and established short story writers, some of who have won local, national and international awards or have been published in The Best Australian Stories, and in journals such as Overland, Southerly, Island and Griffith Review.

We live in the world. But how that world manifests for each of us is different—utterly dependent on circumstances. The people we are born to know and the places we are born to see fix us in their sights, and that’s it. That’s where our stories come from. The stories here are all charged with a human affinity that reaches through the page.

Of these worlds, we might note how geography shapes them, and so heed the callous colonialism of mid twentieth-century Sri Lanka, as seen in Michelle Wright’s ‘To Call Things by Their Right Name’, or note the different kinds of mystery Australian visitors to Laos might find, as Beverley Lello evokes in ‘Scenes from a Disappearance’. Other stories are circumscribed by the strictures and saving graces of family, which can create such specific, affecting universes. Take the child narrator of Rosemary Allen’s ‘What Has to Be Done’, whose observations unwittingly create rents in the fabric of her familial life. And while the bizarre behaviour of a lost man in Susan McCreery’s ‘The Uninvited’ alienates and frightens us, his understanding of parenthood humanises him once more.

We’re guided to still smaller spheres elsewhere in the collection: think of the atmosphere that produces its own pull between two people in conversation, as in Jeannie Haughton’s ‘Weight-Bearing Exercise’, or a girl communing with such an elemental force as the weather, which we witness in Cassie Hamer’s ‘Glory Season’.

 

 

My View:

Such a diverse and interesting collection of short stories that are destined to make you think; some will prick at your conscience, some will make you nod your head in agreement and some will make you smile.

 

The first story, which is the winner of this year’s Margaret River Short Story Prize, Lost Boy by Melanie Napthine is intense and will leave you contemplating the society we live in where children/the childlike, are at still at great risk…This is a story that stayed with me long after I turned the page. Eva Lomski’s The Trapper evoked so many feelings; the trauma and consequences of domestic/family violence has not diminished with time and with the education of the greater population, this story leaves me enraged and saddened. Greater change is needed. More support is needed for the survivors.

 

Michelle Wright’s To Call Things By Their Name transported me to a time and place that is firmly implanted in my memory, a time when we worked overseas– in Sri Lanka. And though we lived in Colombo in the mid 1990’s, a time of turmoil and domestic terrorism, the landscape – physical, economical and hierarchical had not changed a great deal from that in this narrative –perhaps the cities were bigger, the traffic more congested, the towns more populated but traditions and values largely unchanged. Again a different time but such a familiar story.

 

Carol McDowall, the winner of the Southwest Prize injected lightness and humour into this collection with her short story, Bringing Home the Ashes (which, by the way is not about cricket). Hope and a feeling of solidarity came from others in this collection.

 

This collection of short stores will touch you and certainly make you think and that I think is the strength of the short story – the ability to evoke feelings, memories and responses and perhaps more questions?