Waterstone's Bookclub: Books

Marian Keyes - live web chat - Friday, 20th March

We had a fantastic a live webchat with Marian Keyes between on Friday 20th March - you can read the questions and answers on the thread below.

Marian Keyes is a publishing phenomenon. Though she didn't start writing until ten years ago, she is now one of the most successful Irish novelists of all time. She describes herself as "an accidental novelist." Though she was brought up in a home where a lot of oral story-telling went on, it never occurred to her that she could write. Instead she studied law and accountancy and finally started writing short stories in 1993 "out of the blue." Though she had no intention of ever writing a novel ("It would take too long") she sent her short stories to a publisher, with a letter saying she'd started work on a novel. She was born in Limerick in 1963, and brought up in Cavan, Cork, Galway and Dublin; she spent her twenties in London, but is now living in Dún Laoghaire with her husband Tony. She includes among her hobbies, reading, movies, shoes, handbags and feminism.

About This Charming Man:

Lola has just found out that her boyfriend - charismatic politician Paddy de Courcy - is getting married. To someone else. Heartbroken, Lola flees the city for a cottage by the sea. But will Lola's retreat prove as idyllic as she hopes? Journalist Grace wants the inside story on Paddy de Courcy's engagement and thinks Lola holds the key to it. Grace knew Paddy a long time ago. But why can't she forget him? Grace's sister, Marnie, might have the answer but she also has issues with the past. Her loving loving husband and beautiful daughters are wonderful, but they can't take away memories of her first love: a certain Paddy de Courcy. What will it take for Marnie to be able to move on? Alicia Thornton is Paddy's wife-to-be. Determined to be the perfect wife, Alicia would do anything for her fiance. But does she know the real Paddy? Four very different women. One awfully charming man. And the dark secret that binds them all.

Read more about Marian on her author page and watch a video

Buy the book

March 16, 2009 in Books | Permalink | Comments (40)| TrackBack (0)

The Book Circle - The Other Hand

Welcome to the Book Circle - our brand new book club.

We're launching with Chris Cleave's The Other Hand, join in our discussion below to share your views on this emotional read.

About the book:

The Other Hand tells the story of two very different women—a young refugee from the Nigerian delta and a suburban English housewife-whose lives collided years ago on a beach in Africa. Told in alternating voices, with humanity and humour, the story follows the course of their friendship as they struggle to save themselves and each other from the cruelties of life. In the end, their bond will face the ultimate test when each woman must make a devastating decision.

"This is truly an amazing, heart-wrenching book. I'm speechless at its beauty and cruelty and can't bring myself to write or say anything about the actual storyline for fear of not doing it any justice or giving anything away. What I will say is that Chris Cleave has captured the fear and single-mindedness of being alone, vulnerable and terrified, and has blown me away with this book."
Nicola Golding - Waterstone's Bookseller

Read more about Chris on his author page

Buy the book

February 02, 2009 in Books | Permalink | Comments (11)| TrackBack (0)

Life-Changing Books - What was yours?

A bit of a difference on the bookclub this month, as we ask you to tell us about your "life-changing books" - books that have either literally changed your life, or that have had a long-lasting effect on you or your outlook. We'd love you to nominate a book or books that is memorable for you and tell us why...

Earlier this year, booksellers from every Waterstone's store were asked to nominate a book that had made a profound impact on their lives and to give a short explanation why this book made such an impression. Over 100 titles have made the final list, and we've highlighted a few of our favourites here. If you pop into your local Waterstone's you'll be able to see more of the reasons our booksellers gave for their choices too.

We also asked our Waterstone's Cardholders to nominate books for this promotion, and four have been included in the final list and are shown on this page too. Don't forget, if you'd like the opportunity to nominate books for future Waterstone's promotions, as well as access to exclusive competitions and offers, and the chance to earn points while shopping, then sign up for a Waterstone's Card.

Michael Angill of Waterstone's Cardiff on Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts...

"This book at times moved me to tears and at other times stirred in me a great desire for adventure."

Buy the book

April 02, 2008 in Books | Permalink | Comments (45)

A Spot of Bother

Jonathan Turner of Waterstone's, Darlington on A Spot of Bother :

"I developed a strange affliction while I was reading this book. I started wanting to read it out loud to whoever was around me at the time. That was fine when it was my wife, but it wasn't so good on the train. There were just so many bits that I thought were worth quoting. I only laughed out loud twice but he's got such an easy and amusing style I wanted to share it with others."

This is Mark Haddon's follow-up to his amazing debut, The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time - a mordant, darkly humorous look at family relationships, which is almost uncomfortably true-to-life as it allows the reader to look into the everyday life of George, and the impact on his family as his mind gradually unravels in a miasma of paranoia.

If you've already read the book, we'd love to hear your opinions on it. If not, why not pick up a copy today and join the discussion later?

Buy the book

August 01, 2007 in Books | Permalink | Comments (26)

The Lies of Locke Lamora

The Lies of Locke Lamora is something of a mixture between Hustle and Oliver Twist, with a hint of The Pink Panther and a dash of Ocean's Eleven.

Part historical novel, part revenge thriller, part crime novel and part fantastical adventure this is a brilliant debut novel from a hugely talented first-time author.

In the words of Jennifer Williams, a bookseller based at Waterstone's Greenwich:

"Lies is funny, twisty, clever, violent and rude, with likeably wicked characters and a story that's a mixture of The Sting and a gangster movie. It's also extremely addictive and you are guaranteed to be desperate for the next part, Red Seas Under Red Skies. Easily the best book of 2006.."

If you've already read the book, we'd love to hear your opinions on it. If not, why not pick up a copy today and join the discussion later?

Buy the book

July 05, 2007 in Books | Permalink | Comments (5)| TrackBack (0)

The Interpretation of Murder

The Interpretation of Murder has been called:

"A dazzling literary thriller - the story of Sigmund Freud assisting a Manhattan murder investigation. Think Shadow of the Wind meets The Historian. The Interpretation of Murder is an inventive "tour de force" inspired by Sigmund Freud's 1909 visit to America, accompanied by protege and rival Carl Jung.

In the words of Jeffrey Karacs, a Waterstone's bookseller based at Waterstone's Kensington:

"Mix together New York in the early 1900s, the murder of a beautiful young woman, a trainee psychiatrist, a rookie cop and a host of sinster characters and you have the recipe for a perfectly formed historical novel. Add to this the figures of Freud and Jung and you will discover what I found to be an original, page turning spin the detective genre which held me in suspense right until the very end. I predict it to be on the best sellers list in 2007 from a first time novelist, and not since 'Shadow of the Wind' have I so enjoyed a book."

If you've already read the book, we'd love to hear your opinions on it. If not, why not pick up a copy today and join the discussion later?

Buy the book

June 08, 2007 in Books | Permalink | Comments (37)| TrackBack (0)

The Blood of Flowers

The Blood of Flowers is a powerful and lyrical debut novel set in 17th century Iran. Describing one young girl's troubled journey from childhood to womanhood, it interweaves ancient folk tales with the narrative to paint a vivid portrait of Iranian culture, as well as addressing the universal themes of maturity, sensuality and family relationships. In the words of one Waterstones.com reviewer:

"The Blood of Flowers is a sweeping, extravagant and sexy tale brought to life by gorgeous descriptions of the scenery and architecture, the bazaars and market stalls, the food and the drink, the hand-knotted carpets and the factories in which they are made"

If you've already read the book, we'd love to hear your opinions on it. If not, why not pick up a copy today and join the discussion later?

Buy the book

May 11, 2007 in Books | Permalink | Comments (9)

25 Years of Bookselling

We recently asked all our booksellers to vote on their favourite books of the past twenty-five years, and the top hundred titles are, as you'd expect, are a very mixed bag indeed. With choices ranging from Frank McCourt to Steven Hawking, and Irvine Welsh to Joanne Harris, you'd think there would be something to suit all tastes - but when it comes to literary leanings, you most definitely can't please all of the people all of the time...

Do you have a favourite book that doesn't feature on the list, that you feel has been unfairly overlooked? If so we'd love to hear from you, and have your opinions on which books you think should really have made the top hundred, and which titles really didn't deserve to be on the list...

Buy the books

April 19, 2007 in Books | Permalink | Comments (52)| TrackBack (0)

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

Rhonda Byrne's The Secret is the next book up for discussion in the Waterstones.com bookclub and we will be reading and discussing it over the next two weeks or so.

The book has had a huge impact in the United States - particularly after being championed by Oprah Winfrey: "It's making its way around the world and the buzz keeps building. This is life changing".

It's a self-help manual about the power of wishful thinking and it's creeping up our bestseller lists as the hype travels across the Pond.

“If you see people who are overweight,” instructs Rhonda Byrne, “do not observe them, but immediately switch your mind to the picture of you in your perfect body and feel it.”

Do you think the UK has the same sort of appetite for this sort of title as the US?

Does the quote from the author make you want to read the book?

Buy the book

March 08, 2007 in Books | Permalink | Comments (11)| TrackBack (0)

The Yorkshire Pudding Club by Milly Johnson

Milly Johnson's The Yorkshire Pudding Club is the latest book to be discussed in the Waterstones.com bookclub - and we will be reading and discussing it (with contributions from the author) over the next two weeks or so.

Why not pick up a copy and join in the discussion? You can even add your chapter-by-chapter opinion as your reading progresses, and compare your thoughts on the novel with those of other readers.

The book takes a light-hearted look at issues of pregnancy and motherhood - and how the prospect of a new addition has varying effects on three South Yorkshire women. For Helen, pregnancy is a dream come true, for career woman Janey it is a nightmarish prospect, and the emotionally bewildered Elizabeth isn't sure how she feels about the whole thing.

But how did the book make you feel? Does Milly Johnson achieve a believable portrayal of pregnancy? Did she make you laugh? Or cry? Or both?

There's plenty to talk about in this novel, so log on to the Waterstones.com bookclub and have your say...