Here are a few of the highlights from the reader reviews:

“Tied in knots.  That’s how my stomach felt as I devoured this book … this book definitely receives the thumbs up from me” – Alex Jenkins, Editor of etc Magazine

“Although based in the 1980s, everyone can identify with the issues which are sensitively crafted by the author.  I couldn’t put it down – totally enthralled!” – etc reader Sharon Goodwin

“The description of Sarah’s old school reminded me of my own secondary school.  I pictured her walking the corridors and sitting in the classrooms of my own school and living those painful teenage experiences we’ve all had – haven’t we?” – etc reader Debra Sabri

Many thanks to all the readers who took the time to read and comment on Hurry Up and Wait.  The next book choice for etc Magazine is Paul Torday’s Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, which has recently been released as a film starring Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt.  My husband has read this one, but I haven’t quite got to it yet – so that’s another one for the reading pile …

Happy reading everyone!

Etc Magazine, April 2012

Following on from the March launch of the Etc Magazine Book Club, this month I met with feature writer Laura Cartledge to discuss giving up my career, returning to education and balancing writing and work with family life.

In next month’s edition, the Book Club will announce the second book selection, along with a number of reader reviews for Hurry Up and Wait.  I’m looking forward to finding out what the next book recommendation will be!

You can buy Hurry Up and Wait in Waterstones, Amazon, the Guardian Bookshop and most good book stores.

If you’d like to download the Reading Group Guide, please click here.

Mostly Reading YA

Mostly Reading YA is a blog focusing on young adult and adult fiction, featuring a wide range of book reviews alongside author interviews and guest posts.

This month I was their guest blogger, discussing my thoughts on cross-over fiction – essentially adult fiction with a strong young adult appeal.

Why my favourite readers are Young Adult by Isabel Ashdown
I remember my own teenage years with great clarity. From around the age of fourteen, I pretty much felt I knew my own mind, and started to leave behind the things of childhood – Scooby Doo, sensible underwear, and most specifically books marked ‘for children’. My interests had shifted: I wanted to read about bigger things than my parents chose for me – I was after free-thinking and books with adult themes. Read more …

It promises to be a great night out, in wonderful surroundings – and if you’ve ever thought of writing a book yourself, now’s your chance to ask all of those burning questions during the Q&A session at the end of the evening.

Everyone’s welcome – book clubs, library groups, curious readers – why not join up with your book loving friends and make a night of it?  I’m really looking forward to meeting some of you there!

For further information, and to buy tickets, please visit the event website, here.  The ticket price includes a 3-course meal served by Lussmans and a complimentary copy of my novel Glasshopper.

Free copies of some of the 25 World Book Night titles will be given away, and you can test your knowledge with the World Book Night Quiz for the opportunity to win some prizes.

Come along any time between 6 and 9pm.  Light refreshments will be available.

Tel Chichester Library 01243 777351

Followers of the Richard & Judy Book Club and The TV Book Club will be pleased to hear there’s another reading group on the scene – the Etc Book Club, run by Etc Magazine‘s editor Alex Jenkins and feature writer Laura Cartledge, to bring you gripping new reads, author interviews and readers’ views.

The book club launches in the March edition with Hurry Up and Wait, followed by an author interview, reader comments and book giveaway in the April issue.

Here’s the blurb …

It’s more than twenty years since Sarah Ribbons last set foot inside her old high school, a crumbling Victorian-built comprehensive on the south coast of England. Now, as she prepares for her school reunion, 39-year-old Sarah has to face up to the truth of what really happened back in the summer of 1986.

In her eagerly anticipated second novel Mail on Sunday Novel Competition winner Isabel Ashdown explores the treacherous territory of adolescent friendships, and traces across the decades the repercussions of a dangerous relationship.

Daily Mail: “With strong characters, a cleverly constructed story and masses of period detail, this vivid evocation of life in 1985 is a fine second book from a writer who first won The Mail On Sunday novel competition.”

Alex and Laura are keen to hear readers’ comments and suggestions:

“If you know of a book that would be good to review, whether it is by a local author or a national bestseller, then let us know by emailing alex.jenkins@jpress.co.uk.”

You can buy Hurry Up and Wait in Waterstones, Amazon, the Guardian Bookshop and most other online book stores.

If you’d like to download the Reading Group Guide, please click here.

The list is based on positive reader reviews, so I’d like to extend my warmest thanks to everyone who generously took the time to leave their comments on the Amazon website.

Thank You!

Amongst the Top 100 was an interesting mix of fiction, non-fiction, biography and children’s books. For the Kindle fans amongst you, I’ve highlighted a few below; some I’ve read and loved, and others that I might just have to add to my own reading list:

• Are We Nearly There Yet by Ben Hatch (a local writer and twitter pal)
• Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes (a fellow Myriad Editions author)
• The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt
• Invisibles by Ed Siegle (another fellow Myriad Editions author!)
• Being Billy by Phil Earle
• Watching Willow Watts by Talli Roland (another friendly face on twitter)
• Heroes of Olympus: The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
• The Battersea Park Road to Paradise by Isabel Losada

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Isabel Ashdown’s novels are currently in the Amazon Kindle January Sale at the special price of 89p.

This week I’m delighted to present my interview with author Isabel Ashdown. Her latest novel, Hurry Up and Wait kept me awake for a whole night as I couldn’t put it down. I do love coming- of-age stories…

They say the second book is the hardest, but you’ve done such a good job, and I think Hurry Up and Wait is even better than your debut Glasshopper which I really loved. How was the writing process for you? Was it easier or harder to write the second one?  To read the full interview, click here …

* * *

Isabel Ashdown’s novels are currently in the Amazon Kindle January Sale at the special price of 89p.

Here are just a few of the recent bargains I’ve spotted – either books we already had our sights on, or ones I’ve recently read and highly recommend (prices correct at time of blog):

Drowning Rose by Marika Cobbold

£1.29 (£11.49)

I had the great pleasure of chatting with Marika Cobbold at the Ilkley Literature Festival about her book Drowning Rose – a book I enjoyed enormously.  Beautifully written, and a wonderful, compelling story.  Update – now £5.10.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

£0.99 (£7.99)

I’ve heard a lot of good things about this writer and this book, so I’ve downloaded it, both for me and for my teenage daughter.  Can’t wait to start reading it!

The Outcast by Sadie Jones

£2.49 (£7.99)

I loved this debut, about a boy called Lewis.  It’s a captivating story of childhood and adolescence – one I’ve found stayed with me long after reading.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

£0.86 (£0.86)

I was prompted to download this one after watching the first part of the new BBC adaptation last night.  I’ve read it many times, and find something new in it every time.  I’m sure you can find free versions too, but print/layout quality can vary.

The Island by Victoria Hislop

£1.99 (£7.99)

I’ve been meaning to read this since it first came out, and seeing it listed in the Kindle special offers helpfully reminded me!

Mr Stink by David Walliams

£1.99 (£6.99)

My son’s a fan of David Walliam’s writing (he loved Billionaire Boy and he’s hoping to get his hands on Gangsta Granny before long) – so this was high on his wish-list.

Are We Nearly There Yet by Ben Hatch

£0.99 (£8.99)

I love a good laugh, and this book has lots of promising endorsements from the likes of John Cleese and Terry Wogan, which can’t be a bad sign …  My next read.

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

£0.99 (£6.99)

This was on my son’s Christmas list, but Father Christmas obviously didn’t have it in stock …  So we’ve made up for it now, and loaded it onto the Kindle!

Glasshopper by Isabel Ashdown

£0.99 (£7.99)

And of course, it would be remiss of me to neglect my own books … Glasshopper was named amongst the best books of 2009 in the London Evening Standard and the Observer: “A wonderful debut – intelligent, understated and sensitive.”

Hurry Up and Wait by Isabel Ashdown

£0.99 (£7.99)

“With strong characters, a cleverly constructed story and masses of period detail, this vivid evocation of life in 1985 is a fine second book from a writer who first won The Mail On Sunday novel competition.” – Daily Mail

Wishing you all a very Happy 2012, with many great and varied reading pleasures ahead!