Author Event: David Nicholls

“This is where it all begins. Everything starts here, today.” 

-David Nicholls, One Day

Lovelies,

This past weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a special event at the HarperCollins Canada Toronto office once again to meet David Nicholls, author of the beloved One Day. His second novel, Us was released late last month (much to my excitement). I could not wait to meet Nicholls in person!

He was as every bit charming, funny, witty, and nice as I hoped he would be. Laurie Grassi was there to speak to him about the book, touching upon everything from the characters, to his writing habits, and funny travel stories along the way.

"I liked the idea that everything in the book is spot on, real places that exists...so you can re-enact this book and, hopefully, have a happier time!"

A couple of really neat moments throughout the Q & A:

Fruit Flies: Nicholls had a babysitter who was working her PH.D in fruit fly studies and on one occasion, had invited him, his partner, and two children to her lab.  As a result, this event got written into the book, specifically during Douglas' courtship with Courtney when he took her to see the fruit flies.

Travel:  There are instances in the book where Douglas takes the train as his primary means of transport. In order to make certain scenes in the book as genuine as possible, Nicholls ended up taking the train from Paris to Amsterdam and from Munich to Verona where it crossed through the Alps. Gosh. I need to add that to my bucket list!
One things for sure: "You can never predict what you might pick up from your research!"

(David Nicholls and I. Was squee-ing on the inside. Clearly, it showed)

Later on, when I asked him about his writing habits, he remarked that he tends to write early in the morning, where his creative juices are at its highest: he would aim to write at least 2000 words a day. Now that's something I need to work on!

 Great time all around. A very lovely bonus that I got my copy personally signed. Many thanks, HarperCollins Canada!

Us is out in bookshops everywhere: it would make a wonderful gift for your bookish loved ones- it's never too early to think about holiday gift-giving!

Author Event: Rene Denfeld

Lovelies,



Last Wednesday, despite the god-awful weather we were up against, I was thrilled to have been invited to an author event with Rene Denfeld at the HarperCollins Canada Head Office.  What a fantastic evening to meet Rene and hear everyone's questions as well as thoughts about the book.  I also saw a couple of my friends there as well, which is always a bonus.



Her latest novel, The Enchanted will move, haunt, and entice you like no other. The book reads like a film: cinematic, stirring, and beautiful.  The characters in the book will linger in your mind long after you finish the book. Wonderfully written, Rene Denfeld explores the dark and fragile side of the human condition behind prison walls on a psychological and physical level. The author also happens to be a death penalty investigator, which I felt helped to provide an even greater insight into the lives of individuals on Death Row.

Hence: it is not a book about horses!

"The layers of life a man can live without even knowing his shadow lives on the floors below..."

I often like to pair music with books I read.
 For The Enchanted, there were four songs I would listen to back-to-back as I turn its pages:

Lorde- Glory and Gore
Joseph- Cloudline
Daughter- Smoke
Olafur Arnalds- Sudden Throw

The Enchanted is a book worth reading and deserves a special place on your bookshelf. Many thanks to Harper Collins Canada (@HarperCollinsCA) for putting this together!
You can also read my review and questions for the author, as well as other reader's results in the upcoming National Post's The Afterword Reading Society book pick next week!

      (With author Rene Denfeld with her latest novel)

Last thought:

“People read books less than they used to. I think that’s a pity, because reading enriches your life in a way that isn't  just pleasure – it actually educates you and makes you understand other times, places and ways of thought. It broadens your mind, as travel is said to. So that is a reason I want to keep up reading for pleasure.” - John Carey

An owl post