9th April 2009

On the show today were Malcolm Martland and a new guest to the bookshow Lydia Birch.
Lydia reviewed Stephanie Meyer's Twilight. Lydia likes reading historical novels, as well as Bill Bryson but has found a fascination with the Twilight series 'which feature vampires, werewolves, teenage love and all the complications of relationships brilliantly told with action and romance equally balanced'. They are actually aimed at the teenage market but like Harry Potter, The Book Thief, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, they are as well read by adults.
Lydia has also read and enjoyed 'Buffy Vampire Slayer' and 'Angel'.
Malcolm reviewed Cold Granite by Stuart MacBride. This is a hard hitting book along the lines of 'Rebus'and based in Scotland. Stuart MacBride was likened to Ian Rankin, Graham Hurley and Peter James. Ian Rankin is one of Malcolms favourite authors.
Malcolm also reviewed White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, which was described by one reviewer as an 'unadorned portrait of India seen from the bottom of the heap'.
It won the Booker prize and Michael Portillo, the head judge commented:
"..White Tiger prevailed because the judges felt that it shocked and entertained in equal measure.....won overall because of its originality.......it presented a different aspect of India and had enormous literary merit".

Both Stephanie Meyer and Aravind Adiga were in the top ten of 'Amazon' general bestsellers, with Twilight series being 2nd/3rd/4th & 5th! Good choice guys! But what about number 1 in this list...'Grow Your Own Drugs:Easy Recipes for Natural Remedies and Beauty Treats' by James Wong..! I had to laugh when I saw that title I could imagine all the junkies rushing out to buy it.........think he had the 'wong' title