Adult

Bound proofs available

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:33:09 +0000

We have bound proofs of The Wilding available to reading groups who are happy to write reviews for us.

In her second novel Maria McCann returns to 17th-century England, where life is struggling to return to normal after the horrific tumult of the Civil War.

Please see http://www.faber.co.uk/work/wilding/9780571251780/ for more information.

CrimeFest 2010 - Free Posters and Flyers

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:32:40 +0000

CrimeFest is an international convention for people who like to read an occasional crime novel as well as for die-hard fans who read the genre exclusively. The convention draws top crime novelists, readers, editors, publishers and reviewers from around the world and gives delegates the opportunity to celebrate the genre in an informal atmosphere. The weekend includes interviews with the Featured Guest Authors, panels, a Gala Dinner with award presentations, as well as one or two surprises. All Full Pass and Day Ticket holders receive a convention bag, a programme, and a selection of books.

We have teamed up with CrimeFest to offer a limited number of flyers and A4 posters about the festival, for you to display and distribute in your libraries. If you would like to receive some free poster and flyer packs, please fill out this form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KVCWJFK

More information about the crime convention can be viewed here: http://www.crimefest.com/

Rachel Caine and The Morganville Vampires

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:32:21 +0000

Rachel Caine will be touring the UK to promote the latest in her YA series The Morganville Vampires during the month of June 2010 and is available for library events.

Claire Danvers thought that Morganville, Texas was a sleepy college town, until she discovered it was run by vampires hungry for fresh blood. The series will be eight-strong in May with the release of Kiss of Death. You can read more about the books, Rachel and view extracts by going to: http://www.allisonandbusby.com/book/glass-houses

Join Markus Zusak in our online chat on 24th February!

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:29:54 +0000

Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief, will log in from Sydney to talk about his book Fighting Ruben Wolfe. Sign up to take part: http://www.markuszusak.co.uk/

Oxford Literary Festival

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:34:32 +0000

The young people's programme at the Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival, 20-28 March 2010, includes the chance to meet Anthony Horowitz, Louise Rennison, Philip Pullman, Malorie Blackman, Geraldine McCaughrean, Philip Reeve, Steve Cole, Zizou Corder, Cressida Cowell, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Meg Rosoff, Mal Peet, William Nicholson, Andrew Lane (the author of a new series about Young Sherlock Holmes), star illustrators including Chris Riddell and Axel Scheffler (of The Gruffalo) as well as teen circumnavigator Mike Perham and the captain of the England women's cricket team, and more. Most events take place in Christ Church or Corpus Christi College, or in the Sheldonian.

Highlights of the 270 events on the adult programme include John le Carre, P D James, Ian McEwan, Martin Amis, Hilary Mantel, Victoria Hislop, Anthony Beevor and Jung Chang. Events for young people are £5 or £6

Karen Campbell available for events

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:21:20 +0000

Karen Campbell is a police officer turned crime writer and is available for library events, reading group sessions and readers' days. She is happy to give solo talks, or take part in a panel event. She lives in Glasgow and joined the Strathclyde Police in 1987, but after a career break to have her family, she applied to Glasgow University's Creative Writing programme. In 2003, Karen was awarded a Scottish Arts Council New Writer's Bursary. Her debut novel, The Twilight Time, was published in 2008 to great acclaim and was followed last year by After the Fire. Her third novel, Shadowplay, will be published in May 2010.
Visit Karen's website www.karencampbell.co.uk

Jane Austen in the 21st Century

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:55:49 +0000

Juliet Archer is a 19th-century mind in a 21st-century body. Actually, some days it's the other way round. She is on a mission to modernise all six of Jane Austen's completed novels, as a series called 'Jane Austen in the 21st Century'. Her first novel, 'The Importance of Being Emma', was shortlisted for the 2009 Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance. She offers a 45-minute talk, with readings from her work, on why and how she is updating Jane Austen.

Proofs and Bookmarks available - THE VICE SOCIETY

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:14:10 +0000

The Vice Society - James McCreet

An ingenious gothic mystery from the brightest - and darkest - new star in historical crime fiction.

'Full of vividly depicted squalor and grotesquery... Well worth reading' Guardian

'Evoking gaslit streets and alleys where danger lurks, this is Victorian melodrama at its best'
Choice magazine

Win a Sony e-reader pre-loaded with dozens of books!

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:18:01 +0000

When William Kamkwamba, a young Malawian, stumbled across a picture of a wind turbine in a book in his local library, he decided to build one himself despite having little resources or technical knowledge. Now, his windmill has brought electricity to his community and he's sharing his incredible true story around the world in his book The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.

If, like William, a book has inspired a new idea or taken your life in a new direction, tell us your story and you could win a Sony e-reader.

To enter we want to know which book has inspired you and how. Please submit your answer here -
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=UcT6dUX9Trx7Ugu9jpyn1Q_3d_3d

Reading Group Events for The Return of Captain John Emmett

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:48:28 +0000

During the First World War, over 300 young British and Commonwealth soldiers were court marshalled and executed for 'crimes' such as cowardice and desertion. It was a peculiarly British feature of military discipline, given the number of executed German soldiers was only 48. And it was class-ridden; out of all of those shot, only 3 were officers.

Inspired by this fact and by the tragedy of those left behind - mothers, fathers, wives - who were left not knowing, and often had to cover up what had happened to avoid the public shame, Elizabeth Speller presents us with her first novel, The Return of Captain John Emmett.

WIN a new £25 National Book Tokens Gift Card!

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 07:04:11 +0000

National Book Tokens has launched its new Gift Card which is more flexible and convenient than ever. Sold and accepted in bookshops across the UK, these Gift Cards are the new way to share your passion for reading. For more information, visit www.nationalbooktokens.co.uk/newgiftcard

For your chance to win a new £25 National Book Tokens Gift Card, simply answer the following question:

Name the five presenters of the new TV Book Club.

Please email your answers to sandeep.mahal@readingagency.org.uk

Cara Black on Murder in the Latin Quarter

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:02:18 +0000

Murder in the Latin Quarter is the latest in Cara Black's highly regarded Aimee Leduc Parisian crime series.

A Haitian woman arrives at the office of Leduc Detective and announces that she is Aimee's sister, her father's illegitimate daughter. Aimee is thrilled. A virtual orphan since her mother's disappearance and her father's death, she has always wanted a sister. Her partner, Rene, is wary of this stranger, but Aimee embraces her and soon finds herself involved in murky Haitian politics, which leads to murder in Paris's bohemian Latin quarter.

Cara Black lives in Noe Valley, San Francisco with her bookseller husband, Jun. She's a San Francisco Library Laureate, Macavity and three time Anthony award-nominee for her series, Aimee Leduc Investigations, set in Paris. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Crime Writers and the Marais Historique Society in Paris.

How to Make Your Vote Count, X Marks the Box, Daniel Blythe

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:02:20 +0000

Danile Blythe is giving away free copies of the e-book edition of his new book, How to Make Your Vote Count, X Marks the Box, from 11 February until the publication of the print edition. It will be available from www.xmarksthebox.co.uk for three weeks.

Recipients of the ebook will be required to submit a valid email address and their full name to be given a link to download it. The ebook will be provided in PDF format which can be read on screen or on any current e-readers.

Icon Books will publish the print edition [ISBN 978-184831-051-3] on 4th March 2010 in paperback at £7.99, which will be available from all good bookshops

About the book . . .

What is politics? And why does it matter? Self-confessed 'born-again voter' Daniel Blythe presents a popular, forceful argument designed to shake up anyone's apathy.

Politics sets the agenda. Climate change, education, crime, housing - these are political issues, but for many, party politics is still a turn-off.

Dorothy Koomson: THE ICE CREAM GIRLS: Proofs Available

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:10:05 +0000

DOROTHY KOOMSON The Ice Cream Girls

Two sets of eight proofs available for reading groups.

Dorothy's stunning new novel covers thought provoking subjects including domestic abuse and the impact of a crime on family life. A page-turning read guaranteed to spark lively discussion.

Books for Reading Groups: Henry's Sisters by Cathy Lamb

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:31:12 +0000

HENRY'S SISTERS by Cathy Lamb.

Allison & Busby are delighted to offer 40 copies of HENRY'S SISTERS by Cathy Lamb to reading groups. Henry's Sisters is Cathy's first book to be published in the UK, following the three very different Bommarito sisters during various events, illnesses, giant cupcakes and, oh, a grandmother who believes she's Amelia Earhart. Read more about the book and Cathy here: http://www.allisonandbusby.com/book/henrys-sisters

Don't miss out on this opportunity to discover a wonderful new author! As a special incentive, groups who review Henry's Sisters will be in with the chance of winning sets of other Allison & Busby reading group favourites. For more information, please contact Lesley Crooks lesley@allisonandbusby.com.