Latest news with #TheBookThief
The Age
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
An election and wild weather couldn't stop our most isolated writers festival
When Marcus Zusak came to Margaret River in 2000 to do a library reading from his first novel, nobody turned up. The librarian made him do the reading anyway. Twenty-five years later, when The Book Thief author returned, he was in a big theatre full of readers. 'It's amazing to us that you're still out there,' he said to his audience. 'It gives me hope. I feel like I'm looking at the last bastion of civilisation.' These last bastions crop up everywhere. In May alone we've seen events such as the Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival, the Melbourne Writers Festival, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Writers Festival, with the Sydney Writers Festival due to start on Monday. I attended the 17th Margaret River festival, in the southwestern corner of Australia, possibly the most isolated literary gathering in the world. That isolation, plus a federal election and wild weather, failed to stop a record crowd of more than 7000 watching more than 50 writers, including Booker Prize winner Samantha Harvey, Booker finalist Charlotte Wood, feminist icon turned crime writer Jane Caro and bestselling Irish novelist Marian Keyes. The theme of the festival was 'the universe is made not of atoms but of stories'. Nobody actually agreed with this – of course the universe is made of atoms! – but Samantha Harvey put us in a humble cosmic mood with a reading from her novel Orbital evoking the vision of the universe as a calendar year, where humankind emerges in the last blink before midnight on New Year's Eve. British philosopher A. C. Grayling, billed as 'the rock star professor', said he went to bed with Jane Austen every Easter, and went on to analyse the philosophy of Pride and Prejudice. He wanted us to rescue the much-derided term 'woke' and wear it with pride. But he wasn't quite so keen on cancel culture: 'You should hear what they have to say, so you can challenge it.' And he revealed he'd been banned from Twitter 'by that defender of freedom of expression, Elon Musk'. Hannah Kent told us about her tough time as an exchange student in Iceland, the inspiration for her novel Burial Rites. She was brave enough to try the disgusting local delicacy, rotten shark meat. Another time she found herself in a mysterious meeting of Icelanders who decided she could be their slave and sweep up the blood. Fortunately, the blood was fake: they were actors in a play. Peter Godwin's memoir was full of distress, secrets and surprising humour. At the age of 90, his mother took to her bed for no apparent medical reason and began to let loose with uninhibited jibes, all spoken in a brand new frightfully posh voice.
Sydney Morning Herald
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
An election and wild weather couldn't stop our most isolated writers festival
When Marcus Zusak came to Margaret River in 2000 to do a library reading from his first novel, nobody turned up. The librarian made him do the reading anyway. Twenty-five years later, when The Book Thief author returned, he was in a big theatre full of readers. 'It's amazing to us that you're still out there,' he said to his audience. 'It gives me hope. I feel like I'm looking at the last bastion of civilisation.' These last bastions crop up everywhere. In May alone we've seen events such as the Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival, the Melbourne Writers Festival, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Writers Festival, with the Sydney Writers Festival due to start on Monday. I attended the 17th Margaret River festival, in the southwestern corner of Australia, possibly the most isolated literary gathering in the world. That isolation, plus a federal election and wild weather, failed to stop a record crowd of more than 7000 watching more than 50 writers, including Booker Prize winner Samantha Harvey, Booker finalist Charlotte Wood, feminist icon turned crime writer Jane Caro and bestselling Irish novelist Marian Keyes. The theme of the festival was 'the universe is made not of atoms but of stories'. Nobody actually agreed with this – of course the universe is made of atoms! – but Samantha Harvey put us in a humble cosmic mood with a reading from her novel Orbital evoking the vision of the universe as a calendar year, where humankind emerges in the last blink before midnight on New Year's Eve. British philosopher A. C. Grayling, billed as 'the rock star professor', said he went to bed with Jane Austen every Easter, and went on to analyse the philosophy of Pride and Prejudice. He wanted us to rescue the much-derided term 'woke' and wear it with pride. But he wasn't quite so keen on cancel culture: 'You should hear what they have to say, so you can challenge it.' And he revealed he'd been banned from Twitter 'by that defender of freedom of expression, Elon Musk'. Hannah Kent told us about her tough time as an exchange student in Iceland, the inspiration for her novel Burial Rites. She was brave enough to try the disgusting local delicacy, rotten shark meat. Another time she found herself in a mysterious meeting of Icelanders who decided she could be their slave and sweep up the blood. Fortunately, the blood was fake: they were actors in a play. Peter Godwin's memoir was full of distress, secrets and surprising humour. At the age of 90, his mother took to her bed for no apparent medical reason and began to let loose with uninhibited jibes, all spoken in a brand new frightfully posh voice.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
The Country Bookseller is a small-town store with a big-town selection
The Country Bookseller is a small-town store with a big-town selection Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way, and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities. Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations. This week we have Jeanne Snowdon, owner of The Country Bookseller in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. What's your store's story? The store started in 1994 from one woman's dream and dedication. A teenager she later hired stayed for 22 years and helped elevate the store to what it is today. I will soon be the third owner, making my own dream come true while feeling humbled and aspiring to build on the legacy of the two remarkable women before me. What makes your independent bookstore unique? Our shop has proudly served our community for more than 30 years, earning the affection of both local residents and the many tourists who visit each year. One of the most prosperous years in the store's long history was the year of lockdown during the pandemic, proving the dedication of the town residents in helping it remain a constant even through difficult times. We are a small-town store with a big-town selection. What's your favorite section in your store? The Children's Section is my favorite. It is colorful, has a great selection of books, and lots of natural light streaming in from two large window seats that look out over the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee. What book do you love to recommend to customers and why? I often recommend "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. It is narrated by the figure of death, which sounds gruesome but isn't. The story is about a young girl who discovers the power of words. Her story is beautiful and sad, heartwarming and devastating. It is a story that will stay with you long after you close the book. What book do you think deserves more attention and why? "Raising Hare: A Memoir" by Chloe Dalton. It is the story of one woman's life-changing decision to rescue an orphaned baby hare she encounters in the English countryside while working from home during the pandemic lockdown. She takes us through the challenges she faced while discovering her newfound connection to nature and a passion for advocating for wildlife so they can coexist peacefully with humans. It is beautifully written and I felt as though I accompanied her throughout her journey. What books/series are you most excited about coming out in the next few months and why? Everyone is excited about Fredrik Backman's newest title, "My Friends," which comes out Tuesday. In nonfiction, I am excited about "Is A River Alive?" by nature writer Robert Macfarlane. Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important? Supporting local businesses is more important than ever. You contribute to the strength of your community's economy by choosing to shop locally. Fostering connections with local business owners enhances community spirit and belonging. When the original owner of the bookstore needed to move locations down the road, the town residents showed up in droves, creating a human conveyor belt moving the books hand-to-hand down to the new location. What are some of your store's events, programs, or partnerships coming up that you would like to share? On Memorial Day weekend, we'll have a multi-author book signing. Several other New England authors will be joining us this summer for signing events promoting their new titles. In July, we will be hosting a nationwide 'Find Waldo Local" event co-sponsored by Candlewick Press and the American Booksellers Association.
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Geri Horner embraces 'new chapter' away from Spice Girls as she shares favourite-ever book
Geri Horner has opened up about her love of reading and revealed her favourite book as she embarks on a 'new chapter' away from the Spice Girls and her Ginger Spice persona Former Spice Girls icon Geri Horner has opened up about her favourite books as she embraces a "new chapter in her life". She rose to fame with the hit group in the '90s, but Geri says she now considers herself a writer-producer beyond her Ginger Spice persona. The popular star told Hello! magazine, revealing a childhood filled with the enchantment of reading, with The Book Thief by Markus Zusak earning the top spot on her adult bookshelf. Cast back to her younger days, she said she would be lost in the magical world of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis or adventuring through Enid Blyton's creations. In an intimate chat with the mag, Geri reminisced: "I love all kinds (of books). When I was growing up my mother didn't have a lot of money, so I'd be reading a lot while everyone else was away on holiday," reports the Express. Memories flooded back as she recounted those days,saying: "I remember sitting under a tree at the bottom of the garden reading. I loved how a book could transport you anywhere, and still do. The iconic Ginger Spice star emerged in the '90s with the Spice Girls, notching up nine chart-toppers in the UK and becoming a global phenomenon. Despite their split in 2000 and brief reunion stints, mum-of-two Geri, who married Formula One bigwig Christian Horner since 2015, is now serenading a different tune, focusing on literary pursuits rather than music. Geri told Hello!: "I'm loving this chapter in my life. I love being a creator. Being in front of the camera is fun for five minutes, but I find writing much more rewarding." Geri Horner has revealed she's sent her fellow Spice Girls - Emma Bunton, Victoria Beckham, Melanie Brown, and Melanie Chisholm - copies of her new book but hasn't yet sought their opinions. The second instalment of Geri's Rosie Frost series, 'Rosie Frost: Ice on Fire', hit the shelves earlier this month. The murder-mystery features a fiery redhead protagonist, much like Geri herself. Meanwhile, Mel B's enigmatic social media post has set tongues wagging about a potential Spice Girls reunion. Mel teased fans with the possibility of the iconic group reuniting musically after they went their separate ways in 2000. Despite calling it a "hiatus" and having reunited for performances since, speculation is rife that another spectacular arena tour might be on the horizon. The Spice Girls have sold over 100 million records globally, earning them the title of the best-selling girl group ever. At 49, Mel B shared a nostalgic video of herself browsing through old photos from the Spice Girls' heyday while in a car.
Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
World Book Day 2025: Voracious readers' top book recos for non-readers to pick up the habit!
Reading is objectively one of the most gratifying and self-nurturing habits one can take to. After all, what better way than to traverse multiple carefully crafted worlds, that too through your own mind's eye? That being said, cultivating that kind of creativity, and before that, patience, is tough and waning in a day and age characterised by instant gratification. So from those who have held onto the gift of loving books, through the various phases of their lives, here are some top recommendations from readers the world over, which are sure to draw you in smoothly into the allure of being a reader — maybe in a way that will finally stick this time around! Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist is a short yet impactful novel that's easy to get into, even for people who aren't usually drawn to reading. With its straightforward, almost storybook style and emphasis on timeless themes like personal growth and chasing your dreams, it's an engaging and uplifting read for just about anyone. Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, deals with the themes of censorship, over-conformity, and the true price of independent thinking — the value of which is only understood when it is seriously threatened, or completely taken away. This is actually a great diving point for non-readers as the cult classic is not only relevant in terms of the ever-changing political context, but also carries very simple, straightforward language, making it a super-smooth read. Louis Sachar's Holes may be a young adult novel, but it does a great job of keeping the reader engaged between its many practical and emotionally-charged plot points, in addition to the fact that the larger timeline oscillates between the past and present, compelling one to stay engaged each time they pick it up. Douglas Adams' uber-popular franchise, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, marries science fiction with comedy, promises you chuckle after chuckle as you ease into the pages, feeling rather comforted. The plot isn't complicated, and is filled to the brim with imaginative story-telling with exploration and wonder being major themes. A perfect balance then, for new readers on the block. Another cult classic on this list, The Book Thief is actually a great starting point for former voracious readers, who lost touch with the habit and are desperately trying to get back into the loop of things. Wrought with emotion and one of the most unanimously agreed upon solid storylines, this Markus Zusak novel is too easy a pick in this regard. So, this World Book Day, which of these reads will you be immersing yourself in?
