Extra, extra: Raising Men reviews books for Penguin Books.


On my writing journey, I've realised that I do not read enough. I'm a bit apprehensive about absorbing other authors as I worry that my own writing style would become lost in the experience, but it's had the opposite effect. I've started reading Penelope, by Rebecca Harrington and I love it. I love the writing techniques that she uses and the way that she's hiding her characters right now. The story is curious and slow paced, and it's like you're right there in the room with her. I love the one roommate, Lan. This author really pulls you in to the story. I love her writing style. Here is more information on this book and you can read more and order it online here



Penelope by Rebecca Harrington. Meet Penelope O'Shaughnessy, Harvard freshman. To make friends at Harvard, she just has to be herself. But not too much. Armed only with her Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights poster and party conversation modelled on the repartee of Noel Coward, Penelope is bewildered by the apparent lack of kindred spirits on campus. And her roommates are baffling: Emma is busy signing up for insanely difficult courses and obsessing about something called a 'finals club'; and the rarely glimpsed Lan has painted her room black and shut the door. Gustav, a dashing, rumpled-linen-suit-wearing upperclassman of uncertain European origins who has caught Penelope's eye, never seems to be in the freshman dining hall, so it seems unlikely she will ever find out if he matches up to her hero, Hercule Poirot. Penelope follows our heroine's progress through her first year among America's elite, as she navigates the mysteries of life, love, inappropriate tutors, marionette operation and how to kiss on both cheeks and avoid disaster.

I've also received 'Shadows on the Nile' and I'll start on that one next week. I have every intention of finishing Penelope this weekend, and bunny hop on back here to tell you all about it. 

Shadows on the Nile by Kate Furnivall is a dramatic story of adventure, excitement, love and romance from Kate Furnivall author of The Russian Concubine and The White Pearl. 'I'll find him. I will.' It's 1932 and 27-year-old Jessica Kenton is living London life to the full when her younger brother Tim, an ancient Egyptian archaeology expert, goes missing. Teaming up with Sir Montague Chamford - who can neither resist a damsel in distress nor the chance of adventure - Jessie vows to find her beloved brother. Following the clues Tim has left in his wake, Jessie and Monty head to Egypt. In the relentless heat of the desert, romance is kindled between them, but danger also lurks in every shadow. And then Jessie starts to wonder how much Monty really knows about her brother's disappearance...

You can read more about this book here, and they let you order through your favorite online store too, obviously very convenient. 

My love affair with books, words - literature has definitely been rekindled. Heck, it's in flames. I love reading and escaping in to another little world for little bits of time. I want the boys to grow up in love, infatuated and obsessed with books and stories. It's so important for them to see me enjoying a good read. Children learn more through observation, right? Here's looking at me, kids.