Your
weekly round up of publishing news, publicity information
and trivia!
The Beauty Detox
Solution by Kimberly Snyder really is the diet that’s taking
Hollywood by storm. “I don’t like to diet, I like to eat right and that’s
what Kim’s philosophy is all about. She’s brilliant” says Drew
Barrymore; and Owen Wilson reckons that “Kimberly is a real
expert. After reading this book there isn’t an excuse not to be healthy.”
And it doesn’t get any starrier than an endorsement from Fergie who tells
us that “this diet really is so amazing! It gives me so much energy and makes
me feel better about myself, and my skin.” Nutritionist and beauty expert
Kimberly Snyder helps dozens of A-list
celebrities get red-carpet ready – and now this book means that you’re getting
the same star treatment. She’s developed a powerful programme that rids the body
of toxins so you can look and feel your very best. With just a few simple diet
changes, you will get a youthful, radiant glow; get rid of the bloat, melt away
fat and never count calories again! There is going to be a ton of publicity for
this book – it’s already started with a big three page spread in Health and
Fitness magazine – so there will be loads of women out there eager to find
out how you can eat your way to radiant skin, renewed energy and the body you’ve
always wanted. There will also be a feature in the Sunday Times Style
Magazine (circ. 875,434) on 28th April, a feature in YOU Magazine in
the Mail on Sunday (circ. 1,697,087) in May, and a major article in the
Daily Mail; also at the start of May. If you’d like a bit of that
celebrity radiance for yourself then go to Kimberley’s own website www.kimberlysnyder.net or you can click
here to order the book and find out more! It’s published in May by Hay
House.
Here’s the
start of a really heated discussion – or possibly argument – what would you say
are the hundred most essential books? A
study commissioned to try and encourage people back into libraries has come up
with the hundred titles they feel are the really essential reads for today.
Researchers trawled literary websites and forums to come with the list of the
best loved books in the country. So what does it include? Harry Potters
galore – Lord of the Rings natch, Game of Thrones – good because
I’ve got that lined up to read over the holidays – ditto Gone Girl, lots
of classics, plenty of children’s books, 50 Shades of Mummy Porn of
course – and WTF?! Being Jordan??! You can see the whole list published
here
in the Metro newspaper so that you can make your own minds up! We were all
very pleased indeed to see The Hundred Year Old Man
who Climbed out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson and published by Hesperus is
on the essential list!
And while
we’re on the subject of Hesperus (the publisher who brings you the best
translated fiction from all over the world); The Mad
Toy is the first novel by one of the greatest writers of Latin
American literature; Roberto Arlt. This
is a semi-autobiographical story reflecting the energy and chaos of the early
twentieth century in Buenos Aires. The Mad
Toy is equal parts pulp fiction, realism, detective story,
expressionist drama, and creative memoir. Roberto
Arlt is widely considered to be one of the founders of the modern
Argentine novel and inspired a generation of writers such as Gabriel García
Márquez and Isabel Allende. His poetically animated language keeps
this novel fresh and surprising; contrasting sharply with the street-level slang
of The Mad Toy’s many colourful
characters. Although astronomically famous in South America, Roberto Arlt’s name is still relatively unknown in
Anglophone circles, but the rising wave of appreciation of South American
literature is bringing him to the fore. Those who have read this short novel in
the Compass office have thoroughly enjoyed it – find out more and order it
here.
You may well
have been aware that this week marks the 50th anniversary of the Beeching report
– the findings of one Dr Beeching, who forensically analysed the railways of
Britain and expertly delivered an expert’s diagnosis – which was that a third of
the nation’s railways must go. This was the point at which the reality of
modernisation dawned and rural England fell victim to the road and car – at
least that is how Dr Beeching is remembered today. Last Trains: Dr Beeching and the Death of Rural
England by Charles Loft has
just been published by Biteback – to a great deal of positive publicity.
Charles Loft will be appearing on The
One Show shortly with Gyles Brandreth for a feature on Beeching and this
week he has done many interviews on BBC radio. The book has been featured
in the Daily Express, the Financial Times and The Oldie –
and of course the various railway magazines for enthusiasts have devoted many
column inches to it! This is a really interesting book; Ian Hislop called it
“A first-class journey through this defining moment in our history.”
Last Trains examines why and how the
railway system contracted, exposing the political failures that bankrupted the
railways and examining officials’ attempts to understand a transport revolution
beyond their control. It is a story of the increasing alienation of bureaucrats
from the public they thought they were serving, but also of a nation that thinks
it lives in the countryside trying to come to terms with
modernity.
And if
nostalgia for the age of steam is your things, then do have a look at these lovely
pictures of old railways stations which were closed following the Beeching
report.
Who watched
that Top Gear episode recently where Jeremy Clarkson et al endeavoured,
in their usual madcap style, to find the source of the Nile? Boys Own
style real life adventure is definitely having a moment at present – and
Canoeing the Congo from
Summersdale is one such tale. It tells of the first source-to-sea descent
of the Congo river by Phil Harwood, a
Royal Marine Commando, expedition leader and outdoor instructor. This epic solo
journey took him from the river’s true source in the highlands of Zambia through
war-torn Central Africa. With no outside help whatsoever, he faced swamps,
waterfalls, man-eating crocodiles, hippos, aggressive snakes and spiders’ webs
the size of houses. He collapsed from malaria, and was arrested, intimidated and
chased. On one stretch, known as ‘The Abattoir’ for its history of cannibalism
and reputation for criminal activity, the four brothers he hired as bodyguards
were asked by locals, “Why haven’t you cut his throat yet?” But he also received
tremendous hospitality from proud and brave people long forgotten by the Western
world, especially friendly riverside fishermen who helped wherever they could.
This exciting adventure will also appeal as a travel book for real and armchair
traveller’ alike, as well as for budding canoeists. It comes complete with hand
drawn maps of each section of the river, including the wild and remote uncharted
Luvua River. Find
out more, and order it here. Phil
Harwood’s documentary film of his journey won ‘Best Feature’ at
Llanberis Mountain Film and was runner up at Sheffield Adventure Film Festival. You can
watch a really inspiring five minute version of it below.
Now this is
what I call a really cool ad for a bookshop and indeed books in general. Click
below to watch The Joy of Books from Type Books in Canada.
Compass
Points hopes that all booksellers all round the UK had a very happy Easter, and
that the Easter bunny brought them everything they
desired!
This
newsletter is sent weekly to over 600 booksellers, publishers and publicists. If
you would like to order any of the titles mentioned, then please click here to go to the
Compass New Titles Website.
That’s
all for now folks, more next week!
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