Latest news with #NotesonInfinity
Irish Examiner
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Beginner's pluck: Writer and student Austin Taylor
GROWING up on a dairy farm, Austin loved sport and reading. 'I'd take two books out of the library one morning, and change them for two more the following day,' she says. She wrote stories from age seven to 12 but realised writing wasn't a realistic career. 'I was also into maths and science,' she says. At Harvard, she wrote articles for the Harvard Political Review and took a creative writing class with Jill Abramson, who had worked for The New York Times. 'I got great feedback,' she says. 'I didn't enjoy spending hours in a lab but I loved science policy. My thesis was on science communication.' After graduating, Austin worked part-time for a year, then deferred her place at Harvard Law School. 'During that year, I wrote a novel.' She found an agent but not a publisher. 'Meanwhile, I started working on Notes on Infinity. I took a second year off to finish the novel and sold it at auction in the US and the UK.' Who is Austin Taylor? Date of birth: 1999 in Waterville, Maine. Education: NokomisRegional High School; Harvard, chemistry and English. Home: 'Maine. But I'm moving to the west coast to start law school at Stamford. I'm worried what AI will do to publishing and, as an attorney, think I'll have a voice for change.' Family: 'My extended family all live in central Maine.' The Day Job: Writer, and soon-to-be law student. In Another Life: 'I play the bass guitar. I'd love to play in a rock band.' Favourite Writers: Zadie Smith; Lauren Groff; Barbara Kingsolver; Kurt Vonnegut; Jennifer Egan; Sally Rooney. Second Book: 'I'm working on two things, hoping one will work out.' Top Tip: 'Write a lot and read good writing.' Website: Instagram: @austintaylorwrites The Debut: Notes on Infinity. Michael Joseph: €17.32 Meeting in a Harvard chemistry class, Zoe is intrigued by Jack. From diverse backgrounds — Zoe's the daughter of a professor, Jack comes from poverty — they are united by their brilliance and fierce ambition. They combine their expertise in a start-up to overcome ageing. Unstoppable, they are soon in a committed relationship. Life seems perfect. Then Zoe uncovers Jack's shocking secret. The Verdict: Quite brilliant. A real rollercoaster of a read. I loved it.
Tatler Asia
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Reading list: what Dakota Johnson, Dua Lipa, Natalie Portman and more celebrities are reading this month
Dakota Johnson's pick: 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams Dakota Johnson's TeaTime Book Club revisits this beloved science fiction classic, proving that great books deserve rediscovery. Douglas Adams's absurdist masterpiece follows Arthur Dent's intergalactic adventures after Earth's destruction, blending philosophical wit with cosmic humour. This genre-defining novel offers escapist entertainment with depth, exploring life's meaning through delightfully ridiculous scenarios. Johnson's choice reflects her appreciation for storytelling that balances intellectual curiosity with pure joy, ideal for readers looking for both laughs and contemplation. Natalie Portman's pick: 'A Different Kind of Power' by Jacinda Ardern Natalie Portman's book club selection champions this memoir from New Zealand's former Prime Minister. In A Different Kind of Power , Jacinda Ardern reflects on her extraordinary political journey, from becoming the world's youngest female head of government to navigating global crises with empathy and authenticity. This intimate account explores leadership through a feminine lens, offering powerful lessons on staying true to one's values while wielding political influence. The memoir is perfect for readers seeking inspiration from leaders who redefined what political power can look like. Don't miss: 8 celebrity book clubs for readers of various tastes Emma Roberts's pick 'Notes on Infinity' by Austin Taylor Emma Roberts's Belletrist champions this extraordinary debut novel about Harvard students Zoe and Jack, who believe they've discovered the cure for ageing. When their promising antiageing research leads them to drop out and form a biotech startup, they're thrust into a world of investors, magazine covers and national attention. But success brings devastating accusations that threaten everything they've built. The novel explores young love, scientific ambition and the recklessness of early success, asking how far one would go to achieve immortality and dreams. Reese Witherspoon's pick: 'Spectacular Things' by Beck Dorey-Stein If you're craving a sweeping family saga that will break your heart, Reese Witherspoon's pick delivers with a poignant tale of sisterhood set against the backdrop of women's football. Spectacular Things follows sisters Mia and Cricket Lowe in small-town Maine, where responsible Mia becomes a caregiver while talented Cricket pursues football stardom. The emotionally charged story dives into the impossible choices we make for family and ambition. Now read: From screen to your stove: 6 star-studded celebrity cookbooks worth trying Jenna Bush Hager's pick: 'Happy Wife' by Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores Jenna Bush Hager recommends this thriller, which she describes as 'the perfect combination of drama, romance and mystery'. When 28-year-old Nora Davies marries prominent lawyer Will Somerset after a whirlwind romance in wealthy Winter Park, their fairy tale shatters when Will mysteriously disappears following a lavish party. With Nora as the prime suspect, this twisty whodunnit alternates between their romance and a present-day investigation filled with secrets, wealth and rich people behaving badly. Credits This article was created with the assistance of AI tools
