Notes of Life

Last year I read the wonderful Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs and really enjoyed it. It stood out amongst other books due to its presentation of the story, black & white photos and hand-written letters dotted throughout the book as if it was a photo album or scrap book. So when PGUK asked if I’d be interested in joining a Ransom Riggs blog tour, I jumped at the chance to interview the author…….

I loved the way the photos were used in Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children. They gave the book that extra something special. Did the photos inspire the story or were they a later addition?

Thanks! The pictures came first. I started finding old photos at swap meets and flea markets a few years ago, and pretty soon my collecting hobby became an obsession. As interesting as the photos and the people in them were, they were anonymous, and I didn’t know anything about their stories – so I made them up! In addition to flea markets and such, I also made contact with a number of other collectors who’d been amassing old photos for much longer than I had, and when I told them about my project they generously let me paw through their voluminous collections looking for “peculiar” stuff.

What it is it you liked about Wales that made you base the majority of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children on a remote Welsh island rather than somewhere in the US?

Ehh, there’s nothing magical-seeming or exotic about the US – at least, not to someone who was born here. Britain just seems like a place where magical things happen with more frequency than the states. And I couldn’t set it in Scotland, because that’s where Harry Potter lives, and Wales is somewhere Americans are aware of as a place, but know little about, so it seemed like a “blank spot” on our collective map (King Arthur notwithstanding) where I could invent my own little mythology.

Getting published with a good publisher isn’t easy, how did you land your first book deal?

It was easy, actually: they approached me! I didn’t even have an agent. I’d been blogging for mentalfloss.com, and the mental floss people and the quirk books people were acquainted and traded writers sometimes, and my name got mentioned at the right secret cocktail party, or something, and Quirk one day asked me if I’d be interested in writing a book about the history of goth culture. I thought that was a bit weird, because I’m about the furthest thing from a goth, but we moved on to a book about Sherlock Holmes instead, which I wrote, and that was the beginning of a long and fruitful working relationship.

If you were one of the Peculiar Children, what would be your “special” talent?

The way I see it, most of the peculiar children’s powers, if you want to call them that, have a dark side – they’re both a blessing and a curse. So, honestly, I’m happy to be normal! But now that you mention it, I’ve been thinking lately that it would be nice – this is geeky, I know – to be able to take pictures with my eyes just by blinking. Because I’m always seeing things I think would make great photographs and wishing I had my camera with me. I know that’s not a great power, but it’d be really convenient.

Great minds think alike! I’ve always thought it would be fantastic to take pictures just by blinking.

I hear you have an unusual hobby (relating to photos)?

Yes: I collect them! Found photos, that is – meaning, mostly, old family photos that have been orphaned and separated from their owners and are usually 50+ years old.

So what else do you get up to when you’re not writing wonderful books like Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children?

I make videos and short films (I went to film school), I play a little guitar, I pretend I know the difference between cheap whiskey and good whiskey, I travel as much as I can, to the weirdest places I can (usually the desert, since I live in Los Angeles), I take photos, I collect photos, and, er … answer Q&As? A lot of things!

When you get time to read, what authors or genres do you go for?

A lot of nonfiction, actually. I love history books and memoirs. Bill Bryson always makes me laugh. I’ve been trying to bone up on my Lovecraft lately. I love Cormac McCarthy’s novels. I’ve been reading a lot of YA recently, as well, since I am now apparently a YA author – I didn’t mean to write a YA novel, but that’s where Barnes and Noble shelved it! And I really like what I’ve been reading (let’s see: Anna and the French kiss by Stephanie Perkins, A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, anything by John Green (an old college friend of mine), and I can’t wait to dive into some Libba Bray, who I recently met at a book festival and who might be the world’s funniest human).

I believe a second ‘Peculiar’ book will be released next year. Can you tell us anything about it?

This is true. I can tell you this: much of it takes place in London. It is action-packed. And I have so many cool, creepy photos now that I hardly know what to do with them all. The book is stuffed with them. I hope everyone enjoys it!

Many thanks for your time, Ransom. It was a joy to read Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children and I look forward to reading the next one.

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WIN A COPY OF MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN BY RANSOM RIGGS

Closing date: Friday, 18th May 2012 at 5pm

UK readers only.

To be in with a chance of winning a copy of Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs all you have to do is leave a comment on this interview and answer the following question…

- If you were one of the ‘Peculiar’ children in Ransom’s book, what would your ‘special’ talent be?

Entries are open until 5pm on Friday, 18th May 2012 and a winner will be selected at random. Apologies to international readers, but this giveaway is only open to UK readers.

Many thanks to Quirk Books for providing the prize.

Good luck!

Author: Imogen Robertson
Publisher: Headline
ISBN: 978-0-7553-7207-2

In Germany 1784, Daniel Clode faces execution having been found next to the dead body of the beautiful Lady Martesen. Found in a locked room and dressed for the carnival, his memories are blurred and horrid, and his wrists slit. Daniel has no knowledge of what happened. He only feels a strange madness. Could he have killed and then tried to take his own life?

Upon hearing the dreadful news, Harriet Westerman and her friend, the reclusive anatomist Gabriel Crowther, along with Mr Graves and Michaels, make their way from England to save Daniel. Harriet knows her sister Rachel would never have married a man who could murder. They must discover the truth, in an alien land, where no one can be trusted.

In Circle of Shadows, author Imogen Robertson brings us a dark and exciting story of murder, power and alchemy among the noble and elite of Marlberg, Germany. She has a knack for bringing her characters and scenes alive and I found myself fully immersed in the story. Its twists and turns certainly kept me on my toes and I just couldn’t pinpoint the villain until they were revealed.

I love the characters of Harriet Westerman and Gabriel Crowther. They form an unlikely partnership for that period, but it works very well. Harriet is unlike many of her contemporaries. She does as she pleases and is direct and forthright. Harriet brings Crowther out of himself. The man prefers to keep himself to himself and would be an eternal recluse if it were not for Harriet Westerman.

Circle of Shadows sees Gabriel Crowther and Harriet Westerman return in this, the fourth book of the Crowther & Westerman series. However, as with the other books in the series, Circle of Shadows also reads well as a stand-alone novel. Enough background detail is given for a reader to know the history of the characters without having read the previous books and it also gives a gentle reminder those who have.

Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Imogen Robertson and I can barely wait for the next one! But wait I will have to as Circle of Shadows has only just been released. Still, as I have not yet read the first two books in the series, I do have those to look forward to in the meantime.

For lovers of historical fiction or crime fiction, Imogen Robertson’s Circle of Shadows is a must! Whether you read the series in order or just jump in, I can assure you that Circle of Shadows is an excellent read.

Buy Circle of Shadows by Imogen Robertson.

Also, see my review of the previous book in the series, Island of Bones.

This is the 14th book I’ve read for the British Books Challenge 2012.

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Please note: I received this book free from Headline in return for a review. However, this has in no way influenced my opinion of the book.

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to meet the wonderful S. J. Bolton to celebrate the release of her latest book, Dead Scared (read my review). A select few, myself and Sharon (S. J. Bolton) met in The Cage at Gordon’s Wine Bar in London (Certainly not the place to be if you don’t like confined, dark spaces, but perfect for our get-together!). Lit by flickering candle-light, we discussed books, authors, events and much more.

Sharon had her notepad and pen to hand and asked each of us what we are dead scared of. Answers ranged from being buried alive to ghosts, heights and open water. I wished I hadn’t said spiders… Sharon said she’s going to write a short story based on our fears! Bearing in mind how creepy Dead Scared is, I’m not sure I’m going to want to read the bit about my fear!

After all that talk of what scares us, I think some of us may have had disturbing dreams that night…….

Anyway, the lovely people at Transworld have been very kind and have given me a couple of copies of Dead Scared by S. J. Bolton to give away. So, if you’d like to get your hands on a copy, all you have to do is answer the following:

- What are you dead scared of?

Answers on a postcard to… Only joking, just comment on the post!

Entries are open to UK readers only and close on Friday, 11th May 2012 at 5pm (BST). – CLOSED!

Two winners will be picked at random.

Congratulations to Liss who won a copy of Alice Brown’s Lessons in the Curious Art of Dating!

When asked what her ideal date would be, Liss replied that she’d like an entire weekend-long date! To stay in a caravan by the see and the chance to spend a couple of days without the children. He could do some fishing, she could do some reading, then a glass of wine in the pub before sitting in the caravan listening to the rain drumming on the roof.

Other people’s ideal dates included a guided tour of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory (arriving by horse-drawn carriage, no less!), a 5 star French meal in a secluded restaurant overlooking a sunset over the sea, a week in London taking in a show and tourist sights, and more!

Congratulations to Sheila (Book Journey) who won a copy of  Marshmallow Madness! by Shauna Sever

When asked what flavour marshmallows she would like, Sheila replied “Hmmm….. something chocolately to go in my cocoa… but I like strawberry too!”. Sounds good to me!

Thanks to all who entered these two giveaways. Look out for another giveaway very soon!

April has been a month of tiredness and blood tests, but hopefully I’ll see less of both of those in May! Fingers crossed, eh?!

Anyway, here’s what I reviewed in April…

7th April 2012 – Alice Brown’s Lessons in the Curious Art of Dating by Eleanor Prescott
A refreshing change from some of the books I’ve been reading. This is a wonderful, charming, funny and intriguing tale which was a delight to read. It is Eleanor Prescott’s debut novel and it comes highly recommended by me!

12th April 2012 – Lethal by Sandra Brown
A fasted-paced thriller that draws in the reader. I was hooked from the start, but found myself disappointed with the ‘reveal’ near the end.

18th April 2012 – Lost Angel by Madasue Heller
A captivating, but gritty thriller set in Hulme, Manchester. The crime takes a back seat in this one, with the story more about loyalty, family and relationships. A good read!

26th April 2012 – Island of Bones by Imogen Robertson
A great piece of historical crime fiction, set in Cumbria, 1783. The characters and settings come alive in this one and it’s easily one of my favourites of the year.

29th April 2012 – Marshmallow Madness! by Shauna Sever
Who knew you could get different flavoured marshmallows?! This is a wonderful compilation of a wide variety of marshmallows that can be made at home. Recommended to anyone who enjoys being in the kitchen.

30th April 2012 – Dead Scared by S. J. Bolton
A fantastic psychological crime thriller that will have it’s readers checking the windows and doors are locked shut! Not to be read just before bedtime. Quite possibly the best crime thriller of 2012!

Another two authors were kind enough to take part in Meet The Author interviews in April – Wiley Cash (author of A Land More Kind Than Home) was up first, followed by Eleanor Prescott (author of Alice Brown’s Lessons in the Curious Art of Dating). Quercus kindly offered a copy of Eleanor’s book for one lucky UK reader, so don’t forget to enter the giveaway (open until Thursday, 3rd May 2012) once you’ve read her interview!

I also have another giveaway currently live and open to both UK and international readers – You could win a copy of Mashmallow Madness! by Shauna Sever.

There’s another Meet The Author interview in the pipeline and tomorrow I’m off down to London to meet an author, so May is looking like it is going to be an enjoyable month!