Posted in Book Reviews

Ghostly Cephalopods, Ghastly Castrations, and Graffiti Cocks

Posted on by annakalingauthor

I’m a tad behind with my thoughtful and intelligent book reviews. By a tad behind, I mean I’ve read 72 books this year and reviewed about three of them. I’m nothing if not an epic procrastinator.

By the way, have you added my book on Goodreads and preordered it from the book retailer of your choice, including B&N/Nook or Amazon? If not, why not? Is it because you don’t want to and you will spend your money on whatever you damn well please? Well, that’s fair enough. Don’t let yourself be bullied.

First up in this month’s deeply analytical reviews is:

The Haunting of Toby Jugg – Dennis Wheatley – 3/5 it’s a fucking octopus on dry land, what are you scared of?

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Continue reading “Ghostly Cephalopods, Ghastly Castrations, and Graffiti Cocks” →

Posted in Anna's books

NOT OK, CUPID Now Available for Pre-Order!

Posted on by annakalingauthor

Today is my 30th birthday, and I got the best present ever: Not OK, Cupid has been released for pre-order!

I’ve been neglecting the blog partly because of getting the book to this stage, partly because I was on holiday (being #SmugAsFuckInGreece as my Twitter followers will wearily attest), and partly because work has been crazy and even the ducks had to pitch in.

First, my wonderful editor Kate sent me the cover, which I am totally in love with: Continue reading “NOT OK, CUPID Now Available for Pre-Order!” →

Posted in In which Anna vomits her thoughts at you

I Made the Headlines

Posted on by annakalingauthor

Well, okay, just one. I’m super proud to announce I’m now an author with the Headline Publishing Group, along with authors like Neil Gaiman, Jill Shalvis, and Martina Cole.

Can I just reiterate: I CAN PUT MY NAME ON A LIST WITH THESE AUTHORS. I CAN’T EVEN.

My wonderful agent Amanda Jain announced the deal yesterday and no, it wasn’t an April fool. Don’t think THAT thought didn’t keep me up all night, ’cause it did.

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Join me in screaming incoherently and still a little bit worrying it was an April fool!

Posted in In which Anna vomits her thoughts at you

12 Things You’re Allowed To Hate

Posted on by annakalingauthor

I’m reading The Road to Little Dribbling, a travel memoir by Bill Bryson.

In this morning’s chapter, Bill (I feel like I can call him Bill, after spending a decade travelling the world with him in his books) promoted a concept he’s come up with: we should all be allowed a list of a dozen things we hate without having to defend, justify, or explain it.

I think with most of mine, the explanation is self-evident:

  1. Small talk.chit-chat
  2. People who call holidays ‘holibobs.’
  3. Love Actually.
  4. The people and charities dedicated to saving giant pandas from extinction.
  5. Portmanteaus.
  6. Books written in present tense.
  7. Gullible fools who claim the Loch Ness Monster isn’t real.
  8. Olives.
  9. People over 20 who brag about how much alcohol they drank on a night out.
  10. Brexit (see #5) and everyone who voted for it. All 20 million of them.
  11. The fetishisation of coffee.
  12. Centipedes.

What’s your list?

Posted in Book Reviews

Gynaecology, Dinosaurs, and Posh Anal, oh my!

Posted on by annakalingauthor

Hey, what do you think of the new website? Be honest, because if I cry it’s not like you have to see it.

Anyway, I continue to read a bizarre range of books – in this post, the memoirs of a doctor so funny it hurts, a sci-fi classic, and a charming historical gay romance. I’m also still reading Mary Poppins on the toilet. It’s a big book, okay?

First up:

Jurassic Park – Michael Crichton – 3/5 perfect number of dinosaurs but the children survived

Continue reading “Gynaecology, Dinosaurs, and Posh Anal, oh my!” →

Posted in Book Reviews

2019: A Year of Books

Posted on by annakalingauthor

My Goodreads goal is to read 52 books this year, and I’m going to share my reviews as I go.

I’ve always been a voracious reader. I remember being about nine or ten and my mum telling me I could finish a chapter of my book and then I had to go to sleep. So I chose a book with no chapters and read it to the end, keeping within the rule if not quite the spirit of the rule.

This year, I’ve gone back to paper books for reasons I won’t get in to, and it’s unexpectedly rekindled my love for reading. I was an ereader convert but now I’m a retro paperbackphile.

Continue reading “2019: A Year of Books” →