Author: Ali Berg & Michelle Kalus
ISBN: 9781925750560
RRP: $24.99
Publication Date: July 2019
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Copy: Courtesy of the Publisher
Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus are the authors of The Book Ninja, which we read for book club last year. The creators of Books on the Rail are back with a second romantic comedy novel and I look forward to reading it. It promises to be witty and insightful.
Synopsis from the Publisher’s website:
Meet Beatrix Babbage – 29-year-old dog-earer of books and accidental destroyer of weddings.
After ruining her best friend’s nuptials, Bea relocates to the other side of the country in search of a fresh start, including meeting new people, living life to the fullest and finally pulling off balayage.
But after a few months, life is more stagnant than ever. Bea’s job is dead-end. Her romantic life? Non-existent. And her only friends are her books, her barista and her cleaning lady.
Then Bea stumbles across a second-hand novel, inscribed with notes. Besotted with the poetic inscriptions, Bea is determined to find the author … and along the way, she finds herself entangled in one hell of a love quadrangle.
Funny, poignant and insightful, While You Were Reading reveals that there’s no such thing as perfection, the value of true friendship and, most importantly, the power of not living in fiction, but still reading it … Often.
Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and their website.
While You Were Reading is published by Simon and Schuster and is available now from Angus & Robertson Bookworld, Booktopia and where all good books are sold.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster 15 of our Beauty and Lace Club Members will be reading While You Were Reading so please be aware there may be spoilers in the comments below.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
I loved “The Book Ninja” and was very excited to read Michelle Kalus and Ali Berg’s second book. I think these two ladies should be applauded for coming up with such inventive ways of telling a great story while also paying homage to the books they love so much. If I’m honest, the premise of their first book worked a little more seamlessly while this one took a bit more time to get into… But once I was fully-immersed, I was well and truly hooked.
Bea Babbage has a disastrous event happen in her hometown so she moves to the literary haven of Melbourne. This story looks at how she forms new friendships and loves due to her passion for books. One novel in particular stands out, the fictitious, “Meeting Oliver Bennett”. It is ultimately her saviour insofar as it’s an inspiration in darker times and one dependable friend.
“While You Were Reading” is a satisfying celebration of books and a treat for any self-respecting lover of the written word. Do yourself a favour!
Book lover Bea has accidentally ruined her best friends wedding. She decides she needs a fresh new start so moves to the other side of the country where the only person she knows is her “influencer” sister Lizzie.
After finding a note filled book in a second hand bookshop, Bea becomes obsessed with finding its previous owner. Along the way she makes friends, falls in love and decides to do things on her own terms.
This is a delightfully quirky romance set in Melbourne, that I will be leaving on the train for another book lover to find.
I absolutely loved this book. It was a great read and many parts felt really relatable, especially the coffee and book addiction!!
Highly recommend this book to all ages for a light hearted great read! Will definitely read from this author again!