What we are reading #3 - Hannah Martin

In preparation for our upcoming event with Hannah Kent, I began reading Burial Rites and WOW was I impressed.

For such a young author – being only seven years older than myself – and for it being her first novel, I was so impressed by the level of sophistication in her writing, and the incredible insight into the stories of historical Iceland.

Knowing nothing of the tale of Agnes Magnúsdóttir myself, I was immediately hooked on her tale of fear, love and hardship.

The story, which is set in Iceland, focuses on a poor servant who has been sentenced to death for murder. In a day without the art of forensic science that we have today, Hannah Kent shows the power of words, rumours and authority, and how that alone can be sufficient cause for a death sentence.

Hannah Kent heard about the story of Agnes Magnúsdóttir when she was on exchange in Iceland as a teenager, and has based her book on historical information that she has researched over a number of years, along with local stories from Icelanders.

This would have to be my favourite read so far in 2013, and I think it will be hard to beat it.

I am very excited to meet Hannah Kent, I am sure that she will have an incredible range of knowledge and experiences that will be thrilling to listen to.

For anyone that has shared my love for this book, or is interested in reading it, come in to Book and Paper to buy the book or a ticket to the Hannah Kent Event ($25.00, including a glass of champagne and beautiful Italian appetizers)
If you have any comments please feel free to post below, I would love to hear any other reactions to the book.

Hannah

The Stella Prize

The Stella Prize is a very exciting new literary award for Australian women's writing.
The aim of this award is to raise the profile of women's writing, to bring readers to the work of female writers, and to encourage the future of women writers.

The Stella Prize will be awarded for the first time in 2013, on the 16th of April.

The Stella Prize celebrates Australian women’s contribution to literature. Named after one of Australia’s most important female authors, Stella Maria ‘Miles’ Franklin (1879–1954), the prize rewards one writer with a significant monetary prize of $50,000.

To view the long list visit http://thestellaprize.com.au/2013/the-2013-longlist

Book of the Month

Each month, Book and Paper will have a 'book of the month' title, where customers will recieve a 10% discount on a fantastic new book recommended by the staff at B&P.

This month, it is the 'can't put down' thriller of Snow White Must Die, by Nele Neuhaus.

'On a September evening eleven years ago, two 17-year-old girls vanished without a trace from the tiny village of Altenhain, just outside Frankfurt. In a trial based on circumstantial evidence 20-year-old Tobias Sartorius was convicted and imprisoned for the murder of his childhood friend Laura and his beautiful girlfriend Stefanie - otherwise known as Snow White. After serving his sentence, Tobias returns home. Then history starts to repeat itself in a disastrous manner when another pretty girl goes missing. The police are thrown into a race against time. Will they be able to save her, or is she destined to die?'

Come in store to get 10% off this fantastic book, ends at the end of the month!

Official Booksellers!

It has very recently been announced that Book and Paper will be the official booksellers of the Annual Williamstown Literary Festival.
Angela Altair kindly said that it is fitting to have a Williamstown bookstore as the Williamstown bookseller, and of course we think so too!

It shall be a great weekend full of interesting and stimulating literary events, and we are thrilled to be given the opportunity to be a part of it.

We look forward to seeing familiar faces, and hopefully some new ones too.

Festival Weekend: Friday 31 May - Sunday 2 June 2013



Upcoming Events

UPCOMING EVENT:

Last minute alert - MaryAnne Bennie is back!

MaryAnne Bennie was here at Book and Paper not long ago, and transformed the homes of some of our customers at her From Stuffed to Sorted workshop, and tomorrow night (Thursday 11th October) she is kindly returning to help us transform even the most hopelessly messy and disorganised study into one that is fantastically organised.

Tickets are $40, including a signed copy of Paper FLow, a glass of bubbly and the workshop.

Get in quick, there arent many tickets left!

Contact Book and Paper on 9397 7784 or by email at bookandpaper@bigpond.com

Also -

Make sure you enquire about our upcoming event with David Hill, we are working with the Williamstown Library to make this event fantastic. See the events part of our webpage for more details.

www.bookandpaper.com.au

Successful Event with Sally Rippin

Hey Jack! and Billy B Brown

 

On Thursday the 6th of September, Sally Rippin joined us at Book and Paper to sign copies of her very popular series' Hey Jack! and Billie B Brown.

It was a fantastic success, with lots of young fans coming down to see the fun and exciting author.

 

Both the Billie B Brown and the Hey Jack! series', written by Australian author Sally Rippin, have 'taken off' in the children's young reader section.

Billie B Brown, follows a young 'tom boy' on all of her adventures through life. Sally Rippin aims to offer a change in character to young girls, steering away from 'fairies and princesses'.

Hey Jack! follows stories of Billie B Brown's neighbour Jack, again aiming to appeal to the boys who didn't identify with spies and superheroes.

 

Both Stories are a fantastic read, and are appealing to a wide range of early reading boys and girls!

 

 

What We Are Reading #2 - Hannah Martin

Sarah's Key - Tatiana de Rosney

'Emotionally intense' doesn't even begin to describe the emotion in this book, Tatiana de Rosney takes the character of a little Parisian girl, in the middle of the Vel' d'hiv, where the French Police conducted a roud-up of the Jewish men, women and children living in Paris. Sarah's Key, tells the story of one little girl striving to go back to Paris to try and save the life of her younger brother, who is locked in their secret hiding place waiting for her return.

De Rosney illustrates the lack of French (and worldwide for that matter) knowledge of the role that the French police and government had in the Holocaust, with the use of a 2002 French/American reporter who discovers the tragedy that occured within this particular family.

This book, whilst being terribly tragic and sad, is beautifully written and has a fantastic story and ending.

The word enjoyment seems to be the wrong word to describe a novel about such an awful history, but this book has easily ranked highly in my favourites, along with The Book Thief, Boy in the Stiped Pyjamas, Jasper Jones and To Kill a Mockingbird. (Yes, I am well aware there is a bit of a theme)

Highly reccomend for those who are interested in a new take on the Holocaust, or just a beautifully written novel!

Hannah Martin

Gift Fair

This week Sue and Wenche attended the gift fair in Melbourne - where they were overwhelmed with the array of beautiful cards, and gifts that are available. There were lots of beautiful things to look at (a little too much fun to be work). Book and Paper are sure to be getting in some amazing cards and other magnificent things in store - so keep an eye out over the next few weeks!

Join us on facebook for more regular updates, we will try and post some pictures of the new additions to the 'paper & gift' section of our shop, and of course come in any time for a browse in store, at 20 Ferguson Street, Williamstown 3016.
www.facebook.com/bookandpaper

What We Are Reading - Hannah Martin

To all those crime lovers out there, if you haven't yet read Michael Robotham's books then you are missing out! Yes they have been out for quite a while, but only just now have I joined the Robotham band wagon, and I honestly doubt that I will ever be able to get off it.

Shatter - which I read first, is a psychological thriller that has you hooked from the very first line, Robotham delves into the inner workings of the human mind, with a psychologist (professor Joe O'Loughlin) as the main character, as he works with the police to solve a series of mysterious murders with an absent,unseen and manipulative killer.I don't want too give to much away in terms of story line - would hate to ruin it for everyone else.
As with the following books of his that I have read (The Suspect, Lost) it is impossible to pick the ending, with an amazing twist always challenging the way that you think! Highly highly recommend!

For those who agree with me (and I don't think there are many that wouldn't) there is more to be excited about - Robotham is soon to be releasing his new book, Say You're Sorry, which will be released on the 17th of August. 

We will be sure to stock this one at Book and Paper, so make sure you come in and get your hands on it!

Hannah Martin - Book and Paper Williamstown

Great Reads!

Even though we are finding it impossible to keep up with the demand for the Fifty Shades of Grey series, it is certainly not the only popular book out at the moment!

Anna Funder's All That I Am, winner of the 2012 Miles Franklin Literary Award, is a fantastic read with love, friendship, war, betrayal, politics and most of all passion. Not only has it won the prestigious Miles Franklin award, but also the Indie Book of the Year, Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year, and the Barbara Jefferis Award. Definitely worth reading!

Popular Premier Steve Bracks has released A Premier's State, which delves into his own personal thoughts and ambitions, and talks about everything from the impact of public life on his family, to forming minority government with independents. On the 19th of September at Ragusa Restaurant on Nelson Place, we will be having an event with Mr. Bracks in conversation with Tim Pallas, who worked as his chief of staff. Bookings essential so if you are interested, you had better get in quickly before places sell out!

 For more suggestions of some new, interesting and impossible to put down reads, come in store at Book and Paper, we will endeavour to find you a book that you can't put down! 

Booker Prize Winner announced

He's been shortlisted three times for the Booker Prize, but this time it's a win for Julian Barnes and his novel, Sense of an Ending.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. That's the sound of Christmas approaching.

We have already received a wide range of Christmas books, wrap and cards, with more arriving weekly. Call in and have a browse!

Inkys long list

This year celebrates the fifth year of the Inky Awards!
For those of you who may not be aware – the Inkys recognise Australian and international authors of teen literature with the victors voted online by the readers of insideadog.com.au.

GOLD INKY LONG LIST
(Australian titles)

• Pigboyby  JC Burke
• Good Oil by Laura Buzo
• Just a Girl by Jane Caro
• The FitzOsbourne’s in Exile by Michelle Cooper
• Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
• This is Shyness by Leanne Hall
• Black Painted Fingernails by Steven Herrick
• Silvermay by James Moloney
• The Comet Box by Adrian Stirling
• All I Ever Wanted by Vikki Wakefield

SILVER INKY LONG LIST
(International titles)

• Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
• Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
• No and Me by Delphine de Vigan
• Where She Went by Gayle Forman
• Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen
• The Agency: The Body at the Tower by YS Lee
• Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
• First Light by Rebecca Stead
• Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork
• Violence 101 by  Denis Wright

The short list will be announced on September 1st with the voting open until October 18th

'Tis the Season

Booker Shortlist announced today!

Julian Barnes The Sense of an Ending (Jonathan Cape - Random House)
Sebastian Barry On Canaan's Side (Faber)
Carol Birch Jamrach's Menagerie (Canongate Books)
Patrick deWitt The Sisters Brothers (Granta)
Esi Edugyan Half Blood Blues (Serpent's Tail - Profile)
Yvvette Edwards A Cupboard Full of Coats (Oneworld)
Alan Hollinghurst The Stranger's Child (Picador - Pan Macmillan)
Stephen Kelman Pigeon English (Bloomsbury)
Patrick McGuinness The Last Hundred Days (Seren Books)
A.D. Miller Snowdrops (Atlantic)
Alison Pick Far to Go (Headline Review)
Jane Rogers The Testament of Jessie Lamb (Sandstone Press)
D.J. Taylor Derby Day (Chatto & Windus - Random House)

Victorian Premier's Literary Awards Shortlist

CJ Dennis Prize for Poetry

SWALLOW, Claire Potter

THE TASTE OF RIVER WATER, Cate Kennedy

THIS FLOATING WORLD, Libby Hart

Vance Palmer Prize for Fiction

FIVE BELLS, Gail Jones

WHEN COLTS RAN, Roger McDonald

THE ROVING PARTY, Rohan Wilson

BRIGHT AND DISTANT SHORES, Dominic Smith

THE AMATEUR SCIENCE OF LOVE, Craig Sherborne

THAT DEADMAN DANCE, Kim Scott

Nettie Palmer Prize for Non-Fiction

A PRIVATE EMPIRE, Stephen Foster

DELUSIONS OF GENDER, Cordelia Fine

MY BLOOD'S COUNTRY, Fiona Capp

INTO THE WOODS, Anna Krien

GOOD LIVING STREET, Tim Bonyhady

AN EYE FOR ETERNITY: THE LIFE OF MANNING CLARK, Mark McKenna

Prize for Writing for Young Adults

THE LIFE OF A TEENAGE BODY-SNATCHER, Doug MacLeod

GRAFFITI MOON, Cath Crowley

THE THREE LOVES OF PERSIMMON, Cassandra Golds

Louis Esson Prize for Drama

SAPHO ... IN 9 FRAGMENTS, Jane Montgomery Griffiths

DO NOT GO GENTLE ..., Patricia Cornelius

INTIMACY, Raimondo Cortese

Surface Tension - a brief review

Surface Tension by Meg McKinlay pub Walker Books Australia

Cassie has always felt left out. She was born prematurely on the day her town was flooded. Everyone else has memories of before, everyone except Cassie. She is drawn to the lake, fascinated by the town that was. It’s her own Atlantis. But unlike Atlantis, the water level is dropping and Lower Grange is about to reveal its secrets.

Surface Tension is a compelling mystery for mid- to upper-primary readers.

First post

Local children's author, Claire Saxby has just won the Crystal Kite Award for her picture book, 'There Was an Old Sailor'.