What trashy novels taught me about life
‘These books are “women’s fiction”, frivolous works, not the sort of thing a serious reader should bother with. Those critics are wrong.’ Photograph: Romas Foord/The Observer
‘These books are “women’s fiction”, frivolous works, not the sort of thing a serious reader should bother with. Those critics are wrong.’ Photograph: Romas Foord/The Observer
They’re derided as being frothy thrillers bursting with sex and shopping. But for Sarah Hughes, these so-called ‘bonkbusters’ are filled with words of wisdom about friendship and feminism
Sun 31 Jan 2021 05.00 EST
It was the covers that first drew me in. Four children staring out in fear seemingly trapped behind a window, someone somewhere clearly wishing them harm; a girl with long hair in a Victorian nightdress menaced by a giant red and green plant.
Siphiwe Ndlovu Charts the Path to Her Debut Novel
January 13, 2021
This is how I choose to remember it. It is late August, 1997. I am getting ready to leave home again this time on my own. I am heading off to college to study Creative Writing. As I pack, I am filled with the familiar feelings that are always brought on by a new beginning excitement, apprehension and curiosity. Because I am going to a school that is far, far away I am saddened by the knowledge that I will not see my family for almost a whole year. Even though I have no idea that seven years will pass before I see most of my family again, tears find their way onto the clothes that I pack with the help of my aunt who will die much too young and much too soon. Although we both do not know what the future holds we choose to share this moment the way that we do not laughing or quarreling as we often have done, but quietly already making homes within ourselves for future losses and regrets.
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Librarians and staff at Madelyn Helling Library in Nevada City are on site and available by phone and email.
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American writer Sidney Sheldon once said, “Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve and contribute to improving our quality of life.” Nevada County is enriched by a strong and active library system that has managed to continue to connect the community through engagement and resources, even as the pandemic continues to limit opportunities to gather in person.
Lauren used a book to cover her chest. Lauren Dascalo got her stretch on in revealing lingerie during a photoshoot for the intimate apparel brand Honey Birdette. On Sunday, the leggy blond model took .
(Welcome to
The Quarantine Stream, a new series where the /Film team shares what they’ve been watching while social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.)
The Movie:
Where You Can Stream It: The Criterion Channel
The Pitch: Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, and a teenaged Shirley Temple find themselves in an unlikely (and totally insane) love triangle.
Why It’s Essential Viewing: Because this movie features one of the most bonkers premises ever committed to film.
Margaret (Myrna Loy) is a judge who, early in the movie, presides over a case against a dashing artist, Richard Nugent (Cary Grant), who is accused of inciting a fight at a nightclub. He charms his way out of the situation and heads to the local high school to give a lecture about art. That’s where Margaret’s 17-year-old sister Susan (Temple) sees him and falls head over heels in love – despite Richard being decades older than her. She throws herself at him, but he’s clearly not interested. But when Richard even