Blog Archives
Very British Problems: The Book
I’ve blogged many times before about my pure unadulterated love for Very British Problems, the Twitter feed.
Now, Rob Temple has rolled out a book, elaborating on their concept beyond the 140 character limit. Chapters include “Repressing One’s Rage,” “Waiter Woes” and “Pavement Pitfalls” — the kinds of real world scenarios that are way too familiar for most of Brits and those sympathizers with British sensibilities. A perfect stocking stuffer!
“Downton Tabby”
Well, if you’ve ever felt like “Downton Abbey” is missing a bit of feline flair (and who hasn’t?), keep an eye out for “Downton Tabby” by Chris Kelly, which will be released Dec. 3.
If this cover is an indicator of the quality read that awaits, we are all in for a treat!
Dinner doodles
I love the idea of this book by the U.K.’s Marion Deuchars. “Let’s Make Some Great Placemat Art” is the perfect antidote for any child who’s bored sitting in a restaurant waiting for dinner to arrive (and a godsend to parents)!
Interview with author Pauline Wiles
Pauline Wiles
I’ve had the privilege of meeting some delightful anglophiles and expats online through my blog – like Pauline Wiles. Pauline is a Brit by birth, but has since settled in the San Francisco Bay Area. Last week, she released her first published novel – “Saving Saffron Sweeting,” which is a quarter finalist in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.
I asked her a few questions about her British homeland, her love of writing and this American life. Here’s what she had to say:
Q: What prompted your move to the States?
A: My husband was working for a U.S. tech company in the U.K. They re-organized his area and an opportunity at head office came up. I was miserable in my job at the time, so moving to the San Francisco area was an easy decision!
Q: What do you miss most about British life?
A: Apart from friends and family, silly things like National Trust houses and their tearooms, John Lewis, the BBC and bonfire night. And many unhealthy foodie items, of course. It’s no coincidence that most of those found their way into my book.
Q: What do you love most about American life?
A: We’re lucky to live near the San Francisco Bay where the climate is wonderful and being outdoors is a joy. Since moving here I’ve definitely become more active and healthy. San Francisco is a great city to have on our doorstep: whenever I’m there, I have to pinch myself to believe I’m a local.
Q: Tell me about “Saving Saffron Sweeting.”
A: The very short description would be: Leaving her cheating husband in California and fleeing home to England seemed like the obvious choice for Grace, but putting her life back together in the charming village of Saffron Sweeting isn’t as simple as she’d assumed.
Wear what you read
In light of the earth-shattering news this week that J. Crew will now ship to the UK (what? You didn’t get the memo?), I wanted to share these kids’ litera-tees available at JCrew.com.
Now your child (or one you know) can wear a British classic like Sherlock Holmes or Treasure Island. Their shirt will be like an open book.
Even better, for every tee shirt sold, they will donate a book to a community in need. It’s part of the mission of Out of Print Clothing, the awesome company that produces the book shirts.
Wear what you read. It’s a great concept! If you could put your favorite book title on a shirt, what would yours be?
I’m pretty sure I’d get a Great Gatsby tee. Or The World According to Garp tee. Well, actually, maybe something by Ray Bradbury or Kurt Vonnegut. Hmm … I might have enough favorites here to create a wardrobe.
BRITRISH.COM 