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Which was Dame Beryl’s greatest novel?

Lasting Tribute — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:20:00 +0000

The sad news that the grande dame of British literature, Dame Beryl Bainbridge, died this morning aged 75 has sparked a debate on the Guardian website about which was her greatest novel.I have to agree with the first person who has commented on her Las...

Tenth anniversary of Sir John and Dame Barbara’s deaths

Lasting Tribute — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:22:00 +0000

The distinguished British theatre actor Sir John Gielgud died on this day 10 years ago, aged 96.On the same day we also lost romance author Dame Barbara Cartland who was 98.

Prize-winning author killed in Libyan plane crash

Lasting Tribute — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:07:00 +0000

One of the victims of the devastating Libyan plane crash yesterday was an award-winning Irish novelist.Bree O’Mara was one of the 103 people to die when Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771 went down 900 metres short of the runway at Tripoli International Ai...

Truman Capote’s home up for grabs

Lasting Tribute — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:03:00 +0000

A luxurious 11-bedroom townhouse in Brooklyn Heights went up for sale yesterday, a snip at $18m.The property’s claim to fame is that celebrated writer Truman Capote once lived there.The Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood author often told fri...

Creator of Modesty Blaise comic strip’s finest moment

Lasting Tribute — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:23:00 +0000

Peter O'Donnell, the creator of the famous comic strip and novel heroine Modesty Blaise, has died at the age of 90.While researching his tribute page, I noted that his official website included a page headed ‘The Proudest Moment Of My Career’.This ...

Death of Saturday Night and Sunday Morning author Sillitoe

Lasting Tribute — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 12:52:00 +0000

Nottingham-born author, the novelist Alan Sillitoe has died aged 82.The writer, who became popular as one of the Angry Young Men of British fiction, is hailed as one of the modern literary greats.His novels included Saturday Night and Sunday Morning an...

Martin Amis: ‘I’m not turning into Kingsley. I’m already Kingsley.’

Lasting Tribute — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:02:00 +0000

“I am the only hereditary novelist in the anglophone literary corpus,” claims Martin Amis as he muses on the press’s apparent surprise that he should come to resemble his father, the late Sir Kingsley Amis.He goes on to wonder why newspaper conti...

Gormenghast book finished by Mervyn Peake’s widow finally to be published

Lasting Tribute — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:59:00 +0000

Random House have won the rights to publish the fourth book in the Gormenghast series of fantasy novels.The classic gothic series was left unfinished at three volumes when Mervyn Peake (pictured) died in 1968.His wife Maeve Gilmore completed book four,...

Sci-fi writer William Tenn dies

Lasting Tribute — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:55:00 +0000

Acclaimed science fiction satirist William Tenn, real name Philip Klass, has died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the age of 89.He was a regular contributor to short story magazines with subversive takes on standard science fiction subjects. He also pu...

Michael Nath Interview – La Rochelle

routepublishing — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:13:24 +0000

Michael Nath answers questions on his novel La Rochelle. 'I was trying to write a novel that wasn’t too much like a ‘novel’. It had to have the qualities of life instead, such as thickness, abundance, presence, a degree of untidiness. I was after something baroque and dishevelled, with a coat of varnish.'

The iconoclastic heritage of JD Salinger

Lasting Tribute — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:56:00 +0000

On Lasting Tribute I often have to write about the deaths of my literary heroes, and today I have the sad duty to report on the passing of JD Salinger.Best known sole novel The Catcher in the Rye but also a fantastic short story writer, Salinger is one...

New short from the pen of Julian Barnes features close encounter with John Updike

Lasting Tribute — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:58:00 +0000

The award-winning British author Julian Barnes has paid an unusual tribute to the late John Updike in a new short story.‘Sleeping With John Updike’ is published in the Guardian today, the anniversary of his death.It features two authors reflecting ...

‘Love Story’ writer Erich Segal has died

Lasting Tribute — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:36:00 +0000

The author of Love Story, a popular novel turned into the hit film of the same name, has died aged 72.Erich Segal’s most popular work, about love and bereavement, was written when he was 32.The book was an international success and became the bestsel...

Remembering the life of ‘Spenser: For Hire’ creator Robert B Parker

Lasting Tribute — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:10:00 +0000

Award-winning crime writer Robert B Parker has died at the age of 77.The award-winning author began his career while teaching at Northeastern University, creating the Spenser: For Hire series of novels which inspired a TV show of the same name.Pay trib...

Sassoon’s war poetry saved for the nation

Lasting Tribute — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:07:00 +0000

The war poetry of Siegfried Sassoon has been saved for the nation thanks to a £1.25m fundraising campaign.The archive of one of the greatest First World War poets has been bought by Cambridge University.It launched its bid to buy the archive from the ...

JG Ballard missed so much by daughter

Lasting Tribute — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:05:00 +0000

The Guardian newspaper is taking a looking back at some of the great figures to feature in its obituary pages over the past year.Today the pioneering author JG Ballard is remembered by his daughter Bea.“Dear Daddy,” she writes, “to the world you ...

Late authors up for Costa book awards

Lasting Tribute — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:33:00 +0000

The Costa Book Awards could announce its first posthumous winner when it’s £5000 prizes are awarded in January.Included on the shortlists for the Costa awards (formerly known as the Whitbread Prize) are two writers who died before seeing their final...

Is Sarkozy ‘point-scoring’ with Camus honour?

Lasting Tribute — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:56:00 +0000

French president Nicolas Sarkozy is being accused of trying to cash in on the liberal reputation of Albert Camus with his plans to honour the influential writer.If Sarkozy gets his wish, Camus’ remains would be relocated to Paris’ Panthéon where t...

Isaac Asimov joins growing list of authors ‘back from the dead’

Lasting Tribute — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:32:00 +0000

Isaac Asimov, who died in 1992, is the latest author to have his legacy plundered by publishers seemingly short on ideas.A new series starring ‘robopsychologist’ Dr Susan Calvin, who first appeared in the short story collection I, Robot (only tenuo...

Roald Dahl still a hit with kids

Lasting Tribute — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:03:00 +0000

The characters created by Roald Dahl are still holding their own against more modern creations like Harry Potter and Tracy Beaker.The list of the best loved children’s characters was compiled by the books charity Booktrust who asked 1,318 children ag...

Greene Festival opens on Thursday

Lasting Tribute — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:56:00 +0000

Author Graham Greene will be remembered in his home town this week when Berkhamsted plays host to the 12th annual Graham Greene International Festival.From Thursday until Sunday events to celebrate the writer's life and work will be held at The Rex Ci...

A whole lot of Agatha

Lasting Tribute — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:13:00 +0000

BBC Radio have just started an Agatha Christie season and a whole host of programmes about the Queen of Crime are available to UK listeners on the iPlayer.They include dramatizations of works starring super sleuths from Miss Marple to the Mysterious Mr...

Mr Cobain and Mrs Gaskell – their work lives on

Lasting Tribute — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:02:00 +0000

Two great figures from very different periods are to be remembered.The Victorian novelist Elizabeth Gaskell, known commonly simply as Mrs Gaskell, who wrote enduring tales of morality in the 19th century, is to be given a place in Poet's Corner in Wes...

Taking the baton from literary giants

Lasting Tribute — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:22:00 +0000

In the Guardian today, Alison Flood looks at authors taking on the brave task of continuing a series left unfinished by the death of the original writer.After the success of James Bond novels written after Ian Fleming’s death in 1964, several other f...

Tributes paid to Keith Waterhouse, famous actors and British soldiers killed in Afghanistan – LT video newsletter

Lasting Tribute — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:13:00 +0000

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And they all lived happily ever after?

Lasting Tribute — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:41:00 +0000

Peter Pan and Wendy settle down to domestic bliss. The Ugly Duckling joins a support group. The Lord of the Flies boys all get along splendidly.These are among the happy endings proposed by Stephen Moss in the Guardian as he examines the unjust, tragic...

THE 30-SECOND COMMUTE by Stephanie Dickison

Mommy Writer - Bethany Hiitola — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:14:21 +0000

I didn't intend to write a book review today. Hell, The Husband just finished his first half marathon this past weekend and it was one of the most touching moments of my life when we finally were able to touch one another after the race that he pulled me to him, near weeping, and gave me this heart felt hug. All choked up, he was just thrilled that I'd pulled myself and the kids to see him at the 2-mile mark and then made our way through the crowds to the finish line. And WE cheered him on. And WE were there for him, for this big event.

It felt like it was just us standing there in Grant Park with the world swirling around us. I was so proud of him. Of us as a family unit. And my heart burst. But that's another post.... because, I'm compelled to tell you about this book.

Last week, I'd just finished a novel I was reading, wanted something quick, smooth, and easy reading. I was sick for God Sakes (yes, puking sick) and just wanted something easy to digest. Literally and figuratively. So, being sent THE 30-SECOND COMMUTE by Stephanie Dickison a while back (as in MONTHS AGO. In February. And I am just now getting to it).

Can I just say: I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK. It so took me by surprise. Not that I had any expectations except for the quick, smooth, easy thing (which it was). But I didn't expect to be inspired by it. I mean, really. I've read every 'How to Write a Book' Book out there. And even the ole WRITING DOWN THE BONES by Natalie Goldberg (it's an oldie but goodie). But this one, had me wanting to read a chapter, open my laptop and push through all those negative thoughts and keep working on my current work in progress. So some day soon, I could join Stephanie as a writer working for myself.

30-SECOND COMMUTE is not all about writing exercises, routines, finding work as a writer, or how you too can make a living as a freelance writer. Nope. It's a memoir. Just a book about being a writer. And it's ENTERTAINING. Seriously. Stephanie had me laughing out loud. Giggling in the midst of my sickness. And just all about shaking my head in agreement. But the best part about the book really is Stephanie's voice. Somewhere deep in the prose she says that she just wanted to write things that people read. And write them in the way she speaks. And girl... you do. Hell, if you didn't live in Canada and me here in Southeastern Wisconsin, I'd come find you for coffee.

She's fun. Hilarious. Honest. And it feels like she's sitting right next to you talking about life. The best parts about being a writer and how she handles work (she's a Type A like me, so it is heartening to know I am not the only one that will hunch over the keyboard for hours at a time), gets caught up in finding the next project, and well just about everything in between. I literally tore through the book in one night, then opened my laptop and started pounding out my own prose. I mean, the one thing Stephanie was clear about, is you have to write to WRITE. And for whatever reason--her voice, her experiences, her honesty, had me wanting to be just like her.

So, if you're a writer--non-fiction or fiction, pick this book up. It's an open door to the writers world. And it's gloriously honest and funny. It's totally for those days when I don't want to haul my large ass to the desk to write myself. I can pick it up, give any one chapter a quick read and remember why I want to write... thanks Stephanie! You, my girl, ROCK.

Mafeking Street

routepublishing — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:48:29 +0000

A trailer for Mafeking Street, a new short film now showing on www.route-online.com Ian Clayton, author of Bringing It All Back Home, visits the street where he was born.

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? by Alyse Myers

Mommy Writer - Bethany Hiitola — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:26:30 +0000

Today, I should have been working. Yup. Should have been a normal (busier than humanly possible) 9-to-5 work day full of conference calls, meetings, deadlines, and emails. But I called in sick. The Cold That Just Won't Go Away was still here, and I just needed another day to decompress (have been out of the office since Friday for wedding fun and travel). So instead I sat down with a book or two. And what found it's way into my hands today, but Alyse Myers' Who Do You Think You Are?

It's a lovely memoir about mothers and daughters, relationships, growing up and everything in between. And my in between, I mean all the complications of having a mother.

We all have them but sometimes--especially when we are say 15 and think we own the world--you just don't get along. In my case, the "not getting along" was because I was a teenager, naive and really, just was ready to go out on my own into the world. It's all normal. And hormonal and all that stuff. And even today, mom and I--don't always see eye-to-eye and that's what a so-called normal relationship is all about. But after having a daughter of my own, well I understand even more how hard it is to mother... and that is a whole new perspective (and let me tell you, there are more days than one I wonder if I am going to screw her up too. We women, so emotional on both sides--mother OR daughter).

And this is what this book is all about--Alyse growing up, dealing with death, dealing with siblings, dealing with her mother. But she had other variables in her life to overcome than I. Mine were just high school, boys, and life with a curfew. Her home live was not the best circumstances--not so much money, life with parents that loved each other but only knew how to fight, a bit of drugs, infidelity. But through it all, she loved both her parents dearly. Tenderly. And always did what she thought was best. Even in tough times.

The book is honest in ways that let you really see what it was like growing up for Alyse. And then how she is looking back now and understanding it all. You feel her hurt, pain, and all the in-between of what it was like growing up with her mom. And her dad. And her 2 younger sisters. How she wanted and strived for more. And then realized, well, that her mom was doing all she could. Flawed and all.

It's well written. Poetic. And a true testament to the love she felt for her mom. Bittersweet in ways that it brings Alyse and her own daughter together in ways she likely never imagined (but desired nonetheless). Great book for mothers day or just a read on a lazy weekend afternoon (or say an extra day off of work). As it gives one a sense of hope and love.

Worry Wart Challenge (Double-Daring Book for Girls Shower)

Mommy Writer - Bethany Hiitola — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:13:24 +0000

All right ladies and gents, it's time for a challenge. A goodness challenge.

Andy Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz have written a lovely new book--THE DOUBLE-DARING BOOK FOR GIRLS--which is a follow up to the first book (which I reviewed here). It's a wonderful book full of information, games, tricks, and loads of things about being a girl. A daring girl to be exact. You can learn a ton of card games, how to win at Scrabble, how to catch a fish, run away and join the circus... but well, buy the book to figure all that stuff out. I'm here for a throw down!

And all of us share a friend named Melissa. And she is throwing them a book shower. What's that you ask? Well who really knows--because can't it be anything we want? Sure can. So we decided to challenge our readers to one of the goodness items in the book. I picked the item on page 167--Worry Dolls.

Ahh, the land of worry. I never thought of myself as a worry wart. But maybe that was because all I ever really wanted was to be fancy foot and carefree. I'm an eldest child, NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. And then I became a parent which forever takes away the carefree days of anything. Thus, why I picked this Worry Doll Challenge.

What is a worry doll? From my friends at Wikipedia they are (and of course all this info is in the book too):

Worry dolls (Spanish: Muñecas quitapenas, "Dolls [that] remove worries"), or trouble dolls, are very small and colorful dolls traditionally made in Guatemala. A person (usually a child) who cannot sleep due to worrying can express their worries to a doll and place it under their pillow before going to sleep.

According to folklore, the doll is thought to worry in the person's place, thereby permitting the person to sleep peacefully. The person will wake up without their worries, which have been taken away by the dolls during the night. Parents may remove the doll during the night, reinforcing the child's belief that the worry is gone...

Now, I know, I know it is all around children above, but I don't give a damn about that. Because reality is, I lose many hours of sleep due to worry and I know many other ADULTS that do too, so here's the details, my dear readers:

I challenge you to choose 6 of your favorite friends or family, and cut them a little slack--make them a Worry Doll so they can shed those worries good-bye. Normally with the folklore thing, you make them in groups of 6--but I've made it easy. Make 6, give 6. And you should be golden. I figure if you spread the worry-less karma around, maybe you (the giver) will also reap benefits.

My dolls are going out by the end of the month--so friends and family members--START watching for them! Now it's your turn--weigh in, tell me who you sent your worry dolls to and why, or beat my score and tell me how many dolls you made, who you sent to, why, and well join in the challenge.

p.s. I really want you to buy the book and all the cool stuff it tells you what to do (it is great if you have a son or daughter, I mean--hello--EVERYONE want to learn how to make a lava lamp right?), but I also want you to make Worry Dolls for friends and family and join the challenge. So, here's some online instructions on how to make them. You know, so you can join in. Let's see if we get the most participants!

BOOK REVIEW: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by Trish Ryan

Mommy Writer - Bethany Hiitola — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:02:45 +0000

First let me say, I've had Trish Ryan's HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT on my bedside to be read table forever (the hardcover version actually). It's been there for about a year. And I'm feeling pretty crummy about it. Sorry Trish! Especially since I had personally asked Trish to read and review the book. Sigh. Personal Failure Alert.

Anyway, let me get into the reasons why I wanted to review the book--and then why, now ready to write something about it, was having a bit of trouble. Don't let that statement trick you, the book is well written and entertaining. Trish, being that is a memoir, was honest and truthful and so sweet I just kept reading even though--the idea of being born again Christian was tripping me up--I kept reading. And reading until the very end. So let me start at the beginning.

I'm not very spiritual. In fact, church is only something I attend for weddings, funerals, baptisms, christenings, maybe a holiday here and there, but really for nothing else. Am I anti-religion? Not really. In fact, I believe in some sort of higher being. And honestly, that's been enough for me for years.

Long story of my childhood in short is: we didn't go to church much then either. My father went all the time as a child and even went to a Catholic school through is younger years. And from that, he decided, we wouldn't need to. And hey, Sunday mornings were never more fun for us! We didn't have to get up early and attend anything in dress up clothes! My Mom was okay with that too--but did spend some time teaching us the Bible basics. Basically the who's who of the important characters, brought us to holiday festivities at the local church, and let us tag along with Grandma and Grandpa when they attended every Saturday night. It was an easy existence, really. And one I never questioned. Even when all the other kids in the neighborhood went off to church and something called Sunday School (sounded brutal to me).

Fast forward a good 20-some years and here we are today. That sort of upbringing didn't haunt me, didn't allow me to make too many bad choices, and I am living a pretty normal life if I say so myself. I've thought about religion. I've had friends and dates and all that stuff with people that were highly spiritual to those that could have given a shit less.

What does all of this have to do with the book? Well, it's about becoming "one with Jesus." For Trish anyway. And as much as the book is about her, she sorta challenges us (the reader) that maybe it might be right for us. Which for me, really not so much. And as much as I loved the beginning of the book, found myself skimming later chapters that were going on and on about how praying with her boyfriend was just the most wonderful thing ever. Because for me, that just went over the top. For. Me.

I wanted to read the book since we shared an agent, she was a first time author, and I've seen her in some writing circles. Overall, it was a writer to writer thing--and having shared personal details of my life here on this blog (and in a possible book someday), I wanted to see how it was done. WITH a touchy subject for some.

So, in a nut shell, here's the skinny: beginning of the book was SO RELATABLE, so real and so fun I just kept reading. Cheering Trish on to find love and happiness, and crying with her when she shares the not-so-good relationships she had. It was an honest look and life, love, and her search for spirituality. She brought us along for the ride she had looking into fueng shui, alternative/new age healing, astrology... and well everything in between. I'd compare it to a cliff-note trip of my own--peaking into all those communities without having to try it for myself. And in fact, we do the same with her love life (the book does have another plot. The husband angle. She's looking for one, wants one desperately, etc). We glimpse in, take part, and really enjoy the ride while Trish remains open and honest--even about the dirt.

And even when she begins exploring Christianity, the writing and Trish's voice kept me captivated. She talked a lot about her doubts and uncertainty. All of which, being in her situation or wanting to "try something new" I would feel the same way. It was all relateable, fun, and easily readable.

But she keeps going down the path... and well, this is where my mind wandered. Everything was going so well. And weirdly well. And all the praying. And well, I kept reading because in the end I like a good love story, I had to be sure she found a man. BUT, I will caution you, it is riddled with Jesus and praying (so much praying I wonder how there is time for normal conversation) and just a world that maybe I am so far removed from I will never get. Trish never loses her voice, even tells us that she is uncertain herself... which helped. But in the end, it just went a bit too far--again--FOR ME. The writing was superb and I love that Trish went out on a limb and wrote the book. It's an insider look into her life, and into a part of religion I'm not so sure I will ever get.

Trish--thanks for the read. I know it is a year late. Sorry, and please forgive me. But girl, you keep writing. Love your voice and writing. I might not be ready to go to church any more today than I was before reading, but the book at least gave me a glimpse into your life, which is what a memoir is intended to do.