I'm all for grabbing random books from the recently returned shelves of the Nelson library. This time it was:
'A Beginners Guide to Acting English' by Shappi Khorsandi
Described as a comedy, it had a good cover; predominantly blue and white with the title word 'acting' emphasized in yellow. (Yes, I admit it, I judge books by their covers, not by their subject matter or by the author's name). I like first-time authors, and I'm always attracted to bright or unusual covers. Sometimes I like them to be true stories as well.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beginners-Guide-Acting-English/dp/0091922925
It was a great choice - about an Iranian family and their move to London as experienced by the author Shaparak (now known as Shappi, because English people kept getting it wrong and calling her Shit Attack). I liked the evocative descriptions - her impressions as a young girl growing up in a cultured and eccentric family, in difficult times. A spicy slice of life.
I'm proud to say I now know a bit about Iran, and I will never confuse it with Iraq again... And, the big bonus for me was it turns out I have actually seen Shappi perform a few years ago in Guildford, Surrey, as a stand up comic. I got to the end of the book before I realised this. A coincidence, and a story I won't forget in a hurry.
So next time you're choosing a book don't bother going for big name authors, or the recommendations of others. Just scan the shelves and be a magpie - pick a shiny interesting one.
Lizzie
'A Beginners Guide to Acting English' by Shappi Khorsandi
Described as a comedy, it had a good cover; predominantly blue and white with the title word 'acting' emphasized in yellow. (Yes, I admit it, I judge books by their covers, not by their subject matter or by the author's name). I like first-time authors, and I'm always attracted to bright or unusual covers. Sometimes I like them to be true stories as well.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beginners-Guide-Acting-English/dp/0091922925
It was a great choice - about an Iranian family and their move to London as experienced by the author Shaparak (now known as Shappi, because English people kept getting it wrong and calling her Shit Attack). I liked the evocative descriptions - her impressions as a young girl growing up in a cultured and eccentric family, in difficult times. A spicy slice of life.
I'm proud to say I now know a bit about Iran, and I will never confuse it with Iraq again... And, the big bonus for me was it turns out I have actually seen Shappi perform a few years ago in Guildford, Surrey, as a stand up comic. I got to the end of the book before I realised this. A coincidence, and a story I won't forget in a hurry.
So next time you're choosing a book don't bother going for big name authors, or the recommendations of others. Just scan the shelves and be a magpie - pick a shiny interesting one.
Lizzie
