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Jessi, our nzgirl book guru gives us the low down on the best books released this month. From the latest Jodi Picoult gem to a memoir by Julie Andrews! Plus she also chats to Heather O'Neil author of the gritty, yet fabulous Lullabies for Little Children and gets some tips on the secrets behind writing...
 Interview with Heather O’Neill, author of Lullabies for Little Children
I caught up with Heather O’Neill, author of the best-selling Lullabies for Little Children (click here for a review), to ask her a few questions about her writing and advice for nzgirl’s. Her novel traces the transition between childhood and adulthood of Baby, daughter of a young heroin addict, as she struggles to deal with the demands placed on her by drugs, other children, social workers and pimps. Although this book depicts a grim world, Baby still discovers moments of light and beauty. Heather is reserved and polite, with a faint chuckle in her voice as she describes her novel Lullabies as having “raided my life” for inspiration. She emphasises that it’s not autobiographical, although it did help her deal with painful memories by giving  her “somewhere to put them”.
As Lullabies has been extremely popular with critics and the public alike, I asked Heather what she thought appealed most to readers of her book. Her answer of the language and Baby’s universal voice, is not surprising to anyone who has read the book, although Heather admits it being a surprise to her. Her lyrical style reflects her earlier poetry writings, which she now incorporates into her prose through her imagery.
Heather’s advice for nzgirls who want to write a novel is to never give up. She says the best piece of advice she received when struggling with her work was not to feel pressure to have a novel ‘done’ by a certain age, but to relax and be patient, a tactic that has obviously worked extremely well for her.
 Change of Heart, Jodi PicoultFans and new readers of Jodi Picoult will not be disappointed by her latest novel, an enthralling exploration of love, faith and what religion really means. Shay was convicted of the double murder of June’s husband and daughter eleven years ago. Now, he wants to donate his heart to save her second daughter, a personal form of redemption. Turmoil is created in New Hampshire as a series of small miracles are performed in Shay’s prison, leading some to believe he is the Messiah. Others think it’s just a clever way to avoid execution.
Picoult constructs her novel from multiple points of view, including Father Michael, Shay’s spiritual advisory who was also a member of the jury that originally sentenced him to death, Maggie Bloom, a feisty lawyer who wants to use Shay to abolish the death penalty, and June, who is torn between saving her remaining daughter and punishing the man who ruined her life. Whether you believe in the death penalty or not, you can’t help but be moved by this stunning novel.  An Offer You Can’t Refuse, Jill MansellWhat would you do if at 17 you were offered $30,000 to break up with your frist love? Lola takes the money to help another, but ten years later meets Dougie again and becomes determined to make him love her once more. The only catch is he now knows about the money, although not her reasons for taking it, and is equally determined to stay as far away from her as possible. Factor in Lola’s newly discovered biological father, Dougie’s ice queen mother and Dougie’s sister moving into the flat of Gabe, and Lola’s super sexy next-door neighbour; and you’ve got a fantastic romantic comedy on your hands. I couldn’t stop laughing at the antics of this crazy group of characters. Hachette Livre, $38.99  Home: A Memoir of My Early Years, Julie AndrewsI grew up with Julie Andrews singing and dancing across the TV screen in my all time favourite childhood movies, Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. Home covers Julie’s early years prior to these movies, from her peaceful childhood in the English county of Surrey, to her parents’ divorce and her mother’s remarriage, which took Julie to London and eventually, stardom. Her stunning voice and natural charm didn’t prevent heartache, as she openly details in the memoir. Having grown up with Julie Andrews the adult, reading about Julie Andrews the child is illuminating. Home is extremely well written in a lyrical style, and will fascinate you from start to finish. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, RRP $39.99.
 Comfort Food, Kate JacobsGus Simpson is a well-known TV chef struggling to save her cooking show from the clutches of a Spanish beauty queen-turned TV star. Her love of cooking and problem solving lead to a series of Sunday supper programmes designed to boost her ratings and help fix the lives of others. However, she hadn’t anticipated trying to work with her nemesis, or the problems that might arise from gathering family and friends together in a kitchen, with sharp knives readily available and airing live. This book, by the best-selling author of The Friday Night Knitting Club is a delicious read. However I wouldn’t recommend reading Comfort Food while hungry as the beautiful food descriptions will send you straight to your kitchen! Hodder & Stoughton, RRP $38.99
 A Prisoner of Birth, Jeffrey ArcherThe latest best seller from Jeffrey Archer is impossible to put down. It utilises the author’s experience from both the House of Lords and English prisons to deliver a fast-paced, intriguing novel about one man’s quest for revenge. Danny Cartwright is separated for life from his fiancée, baby, and normal life by four upper-class friends after the murder of Danny’s best friend. However, he and his fiancée Beth refuse to give up on their dreams of clearing his name and wreaking revenge on those that ruined their lives. This book kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through to the dramatic conclusion. Pan Macmillan, RRP $54.99 Jessi Phillips |
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