Thursday, March 20, 2014

Isabel Wolff's "freaky" Friday...plus a book giveaway

We're so glad to have Isabel Wolff back at Chick Lit Central. I've really enjoyed her recent novels, A Vintage Affair and The Very Picture of You. I'm excited to read her upcoming novel, Ghostwritten, as well. It will be published in the UK in one week from today, and then released in the US next year with a different title and cover. In the meantime, Isabel has THREE signed copies to share with some lucky readers anywhere in the world!

Isabel was born in Warwickshire, read English at Cambridge and after spells in the theatre and in advertising, got a job at the BBC. For twelve very happy years at BBC World Service radio, she was a producer and reporter in the Features department and in Current Affairs. She also wrote freelance articles for magazines and newspapers such as The Spectator, The Evening Standard, The Independent and The Daily Telegraph who, in 1997, commissioned her to write a humorous girl-about-town column called "Tiffany Trott." Within a month of the first column appearing, she was commissioned by HarperCollins to turn Tiffany's adventures into a book, which turned into a whole set of books! Isabel currently lives in London, very close to Portobello Road, with her partner Greg, their two young children and her two teenage stepsons. In her spare time, she plays table football (soccer, for those of us in the US).

You can find her at her website, Facebook, and Twitter. She's here today to talk about birthdays!

Synopsis of Ghostwritten:
Jenni is a ‘ghost’: she writes the lives of other people. It’s a job that suits her well: still haunted by a childhood tragedy, she finds it easier to take refuge in the memories of others rather than dwell on her own.

Jenni has an exciting new commission, and is delighted to start working on the memoirs of a Dutchwoman, Klara. As a child in the Second World War, Klara was interned in a camp on Java during the Japanese occupation – she has an extraordinary story of survival to tell.

But as Jenni and Klara begin to get to know each other, Jenni begins to do much more than shed light on a neglected part of history. She is being forced to examine her own devastating memories, too. But with Klara’s help, perhaps this is finally the moment where she will be able to lay the ghosts of her own past to rest? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon UK.)

Do you like having people sing to you at restaurants for your birthday?
I absolutely hate having people sing to me in restaurants for my birthday and I would run a mile outside screaming. Fortunately it's not really a custom in England so it's not likely to happen (it's really not done here unless it's because someone is proposing!), but I would find it extremely embarrassing.  But if I simply HAD to sit there, then what would I want them to sing to me? My favourite song in the world, 'From a Distance' by Nanci Griffith.

When is your birthday? 
May 13th

What animal represents your birth year on the Chinese calendar? Do you feel it describes you?
I was born in the year of the rat - rat girls are said to be very tidy in the home, which is definitely not me though. I'd like to think that the sign of the Rat suits me quite well as their traits include a 'rich imagination' and 'sharp obsevation'. Because of this their recommended careers are, amongst other things - 'broadcaster' and 'writer'. Shakespeare was born in the yea of the Rat, as was Winston Churchill, so I'm in excellent company!

What do you want to do for your next birthday?
My birthday is in mid May and all I want to do is spend it with my family and our new cocker spaniel puppy Alfie.

Share a favorite birthday memory.
A favourite birthday memory is from last year, when my children brought me a birthday breakfast in bed.

Tell us a fun fact about your birthday.
I was born on Friday 13th - like the heroine of Ghostwritten, Jenni. Because of this I am extremely superstitious!

Thanks to Isabel for chatting with us and sharing her book with our readers.

~Introduction by Melissa Amster

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Worldwide. Giveaway ends March 25th at midnight EST.

26 comments:

Kimberly V said...

Peace and quiet!

Anonymous said...

Have a huge party & dance the night away! ;)

Jennifer H said...

Enjoy the day with friends and family.

Jessica said...

I'm pretty boring so I usually like to go out to dinner with family. And a good spin class during the day. =]

Unknown said...

I want an amazon gift card for my next birthday! :D

Linda Kish said...

A nice family dinner would be nice. It's a big one...65.

Janine said...

On my next birthday, I will be turning 50. I would love to take a trip some place warm and tropical (because my birthday is in February). But, I know the reality is, it will be like any other day because we never have any money for anything.

Diana Montgomery said...

Want to go to a beach and stay there for a week being waited on.

Preet said...

I have no idea. Probably gift cards so I can buy more books to be honest and donations to a charities. There are so many I want to support. I think I might want to try doing 31 acts of kindness on my next birthday or maybe even before then.

Sheena said...

I'm hoping to spend my birthday with my family this year, as they have been living overseas for the last couple yrs, and are due back right before my birthday!

Rita Wray said...

My birthday is in four days. Sure hope my family fixes a nice dinner for me.

Erica said...

I am hoping for a great vacation! Fingers crossed...

Anita Yancey said...

For my next birthday I'd like to spend some time with my husband with him not having to work. He works all the time.

Jel said...

i want to travel with a friend. but since i dont have money for travelling, i guess id want to spend the day with him on the beach, eating pizza and drinking iced tea all day.

Carl Scott said...

I'd prefer to do something not too active. It's kind of a milestone and I'd just like to relax and let it float downstream. Thanks

Anonymous said...

I'm going to attend the LA Times Festival of Books for the first time! Super excited.
Suzy

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

I have always wanted to go ice skating on my birthday since my birthday is in January. Hopefully we can go next year!

Jencey Gortney said...

I was thinking maybe a surprise vacation! One that includes a bed.

Mary Preston said...

Just the usual traditions would make me happy. Family, cake, gifts, dinner.

bn100 said...

maybe a trip

Bonnie K. said...

I like a nice and quiet birthday at home or at a small local restaurant that isn't too loud. If my birthday falls on a weekend, then it would be nice to drive out to the coast and have a picnic lunch. I love looking at the ocean--calming for me.

bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

susieqlaw said...

go to the beach

rubynreba said...

I want to go out to dinner with my family.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

TinaB said...

Vacation!

rhonda said...

Dinner with my husband. Perfect way to celebrate.lomazowr@gmail.com

JJT said...

Machu Pichu!