Suzanne Leal's Blog, page 2

Xinran is my guest at Thursday Book Club tonight!

As the machinations of the American election unfold, I have been ensconced in The Book of Secrets, the newest work by Chinese-British author, Xinran.  So captivating it reads like a novel, The Book of Secrets, is, in fact, the true story of Jie, a secret intelligence officer in the People's Republic of China.  After his death, Jie's daughter finds his hidden journals and letters that paint a vivid and often shocking picture of China over the past 80 years.  

Tonight, Xinran will be joining us from London to be my guest on Thursday Book Club. I can't wait to find out how she managed to get hold of such extraordinary material, whether she had any misgivings about publishing it and how the book is being received.  

It promises to be a fascinating discussion and I hope you'll be able to join us tonight - just click on this link at 8pm. 
 

Bestselling author Xinran is coming to Thursday Book Club

Hope you've all been well over the past few weeks. I've been ensconced in a writing deadline and have been burying myself away to get it finished. It's good to be back!

The Chinese-English writer, Xinran, shot to fame with her book, The Good Women Of China, a collection of stories told to Xinran in secret. A former journalist and popular radio presenter in China, Xinran has lived in London since 1997. Her newly released work, The Book Of Secrets, is a fascinating account of one man's life in China from war, occupation and the emergence of the Chinese Communist Party.  Xinran has been part of the Thursday Book Club community from its inception and I am delighted to welcome her as my guest on Thursday Book Club next week.  To join us, simply zoom in at 8pm on Thursday 25 July by clicking here. 

Rachel Lea, also a member of the Thursday Book Club community, has written LUPUS = Lifting Up, Persevere and Use Strength, a book about living with chronic illness. Rachel gives us her insights into this in her piece Snakes and Ladders and Lupus and Me.

There's some good news for two other members of our Thurrsday Book Club community:

* Julia Levitina, whose novel The Girl From Moscow  was released in February, has now been shortlisted in the 20th century category of the UK Historical Novel Society’s awards for her novel-in-progress Beyond The Pale.

* Elizabeth Walton's short story Casino has been longlisted for the Furphy Literary Award.

Congratulations to you both!

Chatting with Karen Viggers and vale Alan Gold

I've gone quiet of late, working on a manuscript with a deadline that is fast approaching. But tonight I'll be downing tools because Karen Viggers - author, veterinarian and podcaster -  is my guest on Thursday Book Club.  Karen's new novel, Sidelines, looks at the pressure cooker environment of competitive sport and its effect on young players and their parents.  It's a timely, fast-paced novel that has been garnering great reviews.  Karen's novels have been translated into several languages and have enjoyed great success in France where she is an award-winning and bestselling author.  To join us, just click on this link at 8pm tonight: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8521042343 

And if you happen to be in Perth next Friday (28 June), you are warmly invited to join authors Paddy O'Reilly, Katherine Johnson and me at Nedlands Library at 6pm for our session When Crime Gets Tricky. We'll be talking about how far writers should go when exploring crime and criminal law, and whether there's anything that might better be sidestepped or completely avoided. We'd love your company!  You can book for this free event here.

Many of you would have known Alan Gold, the prolific author of novels including The Jericho Files andBerlin Song. Alan was a great supporter of writers and the arts.  He died on Tuesday peacefully in his sleep, and will be greatly missed.

An evening with Kathy Lette…

Kathy Lette and I go way back. I was a skinny, book-reading teenager when I discovered Puberty Blues, the novel Kathy Lette wrote with Gabrielle Carey when they themselves were teenagers. Because of its content, I had to read the book in secret. It made for an astonishingly compelling and bewildering read. I grew up in Wollongong, known both for its industry and its beaches, in particular North Beach - for families and uncool people -  and South Beach for the cool kids. I was not a cool kid and my pale skin burned quickly. So despite being raised by the water, I had little knowledge of beach or surf culture. Puberty Bliues filled in the gaps - in graphic sexual detail - , fascinating and shocking me in equal measure,

 These days, Kathy Lette lives in London and counts King Charlies amongst her friends, On Monday night, she was in conversation with Danielle Asciak at The Women's Club in Sydney, where she entertained a (sold out) crowd of women and a sprinkling of men. Kathy Lette's new novel, The Revenge Club, is the story of four friends who have been friends forever and, following a series of professional betrayals, vow to wreak revenge. Despite her manuscript being rejected by a long-standing publisher -no-one wants to read about middle-aged women, he said - the book is a bestseller. 

A book launch with a surprise guest….

It was a full house on Wednesday at the iconic Gertrude and Alice Bookstore (and Cafe) in Bondi.  We were there to celebrate the release ofThe Girl from Moscow, the debut novel of Thursday Book Club regular, Julia Levitina, and launched by the Premier of NSW, Chris Minns.The Girl from Moscowis a tale Julia is well placed to tell: she was born in the Soviet Union and used her early life as inspiration for the novel. Julia will appearing at the inauguralManly Writers Festival this Friday. 

Last Friday, I hosted the Korean Book Club with author and academic, Dr Jane Park. In celebration of International Women's Day, we discussed the novelCan't I Go Insteadby Lee Geum-yi. It's the story of two Korean women against the background of colonialism and Korea's fight for independence. The Korean Book Club, supported by the Korean Cultural Club, is a great community and I thoroughly enjoy my part in it. Some years ago, I interviewed the charismatic and much-acclaimed Korean writer and statesmen, Hwang Sok-yong, who, in breaking news, has just been longlisted for the 2024 International Booker Prize for his novel,Mater 2-10. 

Later this week, I'm off to Toowoomba to share the stage with author and journalist, Michael Burge, as part ofWord Fest Toowoomba's literary weekend.On Saturday, I'll be inBrisbaneto  talk about my novel,The Watchful Wife.  For the Queenslanders amongst you, it would be lovely to see you there. 

Finally, If you're an audio book listener, audiobooks.com has a March special - 60% discount on my novelThe Watchful Wife, beautifully read by Anthea Greco.  You can access the discounthere.

Book giveaways and a remarkable film

Author and raconteur Alan Gold was to be my guest on Thursday Book Club tonight.  Unfortunately, he's ill and, whilst on the road to recovery, he won't be able to join us after all. We'll arrange a new date soon.  

In the meantime, please come online for a relaxed chat about books.  For  your chance  to win a copy of the bestselling novel Green Dot by Madeleine Gray - thanks Allen &  Unwin - please email me a book recommendation by 8pm tonight and/or bring a book recommendation to Thursday Book Club with you. 

I've so appreciated your support for my novel, The Watchful Wife, in the vote for the 2024 Better Reading Top 100 books. Being included on this list means that Big W stores will stock the 100 novels chosen on their shelves all year. Placing your vote here  on the Better Reading website will also enter you into the draw to win all 100 books selected for 2024. Entries close on Saturday and voting only takes a minute.  Many thanks for your ongoing encouragement.  

Enough about me.

Last night, I saw the most remarkable film:The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness by artist, author and composer, Matt Ottley. Using the metaphor of a tree whose flower is ecstasy and whose fruit is sadness, it's the story of a young boy and his internal struggles and creative force. Matt Ottley first came to my attention as the illustrator of the award-winning picture book, Teacup, a work that took my breath away.  

This week, Thursday Book Club regular, Suzanne Robinson, featured on the Hembury Books Podcast: Confessions of a Goodreads Mega Reviewer on Apple Podcasts. You can listen to it here. 

The longlist for the inaugural Women's Prize for Nonfiction has been announced. Included in the list of authors is friend of Thursday Book Club, Anna Funder, for her fascinating examination of Eileen O'Shaughnessy, the first wife of writer George Orwell.  Congratulations Anna!  

I hope you are all having a good week. I'll look forward to your company tonight. 

Book news…and your chance to win 100 books!

I hope your week has been a good one. Here at Thursday Book Club, we have some great news: Thursday Bookclubber, Julia Levitina, is celebrating the publication of her novel The Girl From Moscow (Pantera Press), to be released on 27 February.  You can read all about it here.  Congratulations, Julia!

Hot on the heels of my last request, I have another favour to ask of you.  As a thank you, I'll give the favour-asking a rest after that. 

So, here we go.....If you enjoyed my novel THE WATCHFUL WIFE, it would make me very happy if you could vote for it in the Better Reading Top 100 books for 2024. 

Having a book on this list is terrific for authors (like me).  Being included on the Better Reading Top 100 books means that Big W stores will stock the 100 novels chosen on their shelves all year. This is a wonderful way to extend the shelf life of a book.  

Entering your nomination also puts you into the draw to be one of seven winners to receive all 100 books chosen for 2024.  

Voting closes at 5pm on 25 February 2024 and it only takes a second to vote on the Better Reading website.  Just click here to fill in your name, email address and the title and author of the novel you'd like to nominate.

Thank you!

I'm looking forward to your company at Thursday Book Club tonight.. and again next week, when author and raconteur, Alan Gold, will be my guest. 


Suzanne xx

Welcome back…and thanks for your votes and support.

I'm on my last day of holidays here in New Caledonia and I can't remember when I felt so relaxed. I've had the best time! As usual, I'm not great at the hang out and kick back holiday so I've mixed it up with some writing and practising my French. My daughter speaks some French and the idea of coming to Noumea was to immerse her in the language for a couple of weeks.  So I enrolled her in two weeks of holiday events held at one of the local schools. In all, it went well given she wasn't super taken with the idea (i.e. being thrown into a new environment in a foreign country with a group of kids you don't know).  

We've spent our last weekend snorkelling, following turtles and sea snakes and fish. I won't be swapping careers to become a photographer, but have slowly been learning how to use an underwater GoPro.  I've included one of my better attempts.

 Thanks so very much for voting for my novels The Watchful Wife and The Deceptions in the Dymocks 2024 Top 101 Books competition. Entries close at midnight tonight so if you'd still like to vote, you can do it here: https://www.dymocks.com.au/voting/top-101-voting.

I really appreciate your support.

I'm so looking forward to seeing you back at Thursday Book Club this week.  In the meantime, hope you have a happy week. 

Happy (belated) New Year...and a small favour to ask of you

 

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   Dear Friends
Happy (belated) New Year everyone. I hope 2024 has started well for you. Covid put paid to our first shot at a holiday but we've finally made it to Noumea where it's very hot, very humid and very beautiful.  I'll be back in time for our first Thursday Book Club next week. To join us, just click on the link here. 

In the meantime, I have a favour to ask of you. Each year, Dymocks asks readers to vote for their favourite books. Entries close next Monday (29 January) and you can choose up to 10 books.

The top 101 books chosen are then kept on the shelves at Dymocks all year. This is a terrific way to keep books in the public eye and enormously helpful for authors like me. 

 So...if you enjoyed my novels The Watchful Wife and The Deceptions, it would make me very happy if you could take a moment to vote in  Dymocks 2024 Top 101  and include them on your list.

To vote for The Watchful Wife 
1. click on this Dymocks link: https://www.dymocks.com.au/voting/top-101-voting;
2. scroll until you see the ADD BOOK bar, below the categories section and before the book covers;
3. type in The Watchful Wife, scroll to it then click ADD.

To vote for The Deceptions
1. click on this Dymocks link: https://www.dymocks.com.au/voting/top-101-voting;
2. scroll until you see the ADD BOOK bar, below the categories section and before the book covers;
2. type in The Deceptions, scroll to it then click ADD.

Your book choices don't need to be recent releases, and you don't need to be a Dymocks Booklover member to vote, but if you are, you'll go into the draw to win a $101 gift card.

Thanks so much for your support - I really appreciate it.


Warm regards

Suzanne 






JOIN BOOK CLUB ON ZOOMQUESTIONS? EMAIL MESuzanne Leal | suzanne@suzanneleal.com | 
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Happy (belated) New Year…and a small favour to ask of you

Dear Friends

Happy (belated) New Year everyone. I hope 2024 has started well for you. Covid put paid to our first shot at a holiday but we've finally made it to Noumea where it's very hot, very humid and very beautiful.  I'll be back in time for our first Thursday Book Club next week. To join us, just click on the linkhere. 

In the meantime, I have a favour to ask of you. Each year, Dymocks asks readers tovote for their favourite books. Entries close next Monday (29 January) and you can choose up to 10 books.

The top 101 books chosen are then kept on the shelves at Dymocks all year. This is a terrific way to keep books in the public eye and enormously helpful for authors like me. 

 So...if you enjoyed my novelsThe Watchful WifeandThe Deceptions, it would make me very happy if you could take a moment to vote inDymocks 2024 Top 101and include them on your list.

To vote forThe Watchful Wife 
1. click on this Dymocks link: https://www.dymocks.com.au/voting/top-101-voting;
2. scroll until you see the ADD BOOK bar, below the categories section and before the book covers;
3. type inThe Watchful Wife, scroll to it then click ADD.

To vote forThe Deceptions
1. click on this Dymocks link: https://www.dymocks.com.au/voting/top-101-voting;
2. scroll until you see the ADD BOOK bar, below the categories section and before the book covers;
2. type inThe Deceptions, scroll to it then click ADD.

Your book choices don't need to be recent releases, and you don't need to be a Dymocks Booklover member to vote, but if you are, you'll go into the draw to win a $101 gift card.

Thanks so much for your support - I really appreciate it.


Warm regards

Suzanne