RecommendedReads | Rowling Returns, the Swedes Invade and a Book Club is Revived

The Return of Rowling

Are you a fan of Rowling the writer, Rowling the storyteller or THE JK Rowling who created the most fantastically imaginative tale of contemporary times? You'll be happy to know that the title and the synopses of the author's next novel, aimed at adults this time, has been revealed. Slated for release on September 27, the book is called The Casual Vacancy and traces the story of a little non-magic town called Pagford that's reduced to chaos when a member of its parish council dies quite suddenly. This new release is exciting because we didn't think she'd ever get a move on it. But at the same time, The Caterpillars are bit skeptical about Rowling writing a novel only for adults. We read and loved Harry Potter from the time we were in our late-teens and throw eggs at people who dismiss it as a children's novel even now. To have this master storyteller suddenly limit her talent to adults isn't fair to her audience, who though statistically younger, have read and still read the series as part of their timeless favourites.

Read the details and full synopses here

The Swedish Invasion

“Where once was a famine, now is a feast...” says this LATimesMagazine article about Nordic crime fiction that has been on readers' radars since Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy. If you're a fan of the genre and haven't known what to buy and try, the article--written by John-Henri Holmberg, a Swedish critic and co-writer of The Enigma of Stieg Larsson & the Secrets Behind the Most Compelling Thrillers of Our Time—lists some titles you absolutely must try. The Caterpillars are quite keen on Håkan Nesser's Mind's Eye that's centered around what seems to be an open-and-shut case until the chief suspect is found dead, and Unwanted by Kristina Ohlsson which is about a an abducted child found dead with the word 'Unwated' scribbled on her forehead.

Read the full list of recommendations here

Pulitzer 2012 Withheld?

It's almost like Christmas has been canceled for three American fiction authors published in 2011! "The main reason [for the fiction decision] is that no one of the three entries received a majority and thus, after lengthy consideration, no prize was awarded," says Sig Gissler, administrator of the Pulitzers to the Associated Press.

Read all the details on the Guardian website here

On a Happy Note, We're Starting a Book Club

… or rather, reviving The Caterpillar Club and opening it up to readers across Mumbai (This is where we're based so readers from other parts of the world can always write in to us for ideas, information and  support because we luff you so!)
Our first meeting is scheduled for May and though we're still zooming in on the format, location and other nitty-gritties--including the first read of the year--we'd love to invite you to be part of it! So if you're Mumbai based, love books and have no one to read them with, let alone share your opinions with, send us an email at info.caterpillarcafe@gmail.com and we'll keep send you all the things you need to know.

RecommendedReads | For slugs and parents alike

"Run, Run, As fast as you can. You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread man."

Good Morning, We hope you had a fantastic weekend! Ours was filled with fashion week and George R R Martin's A Dance with Dragons. Flipkart was nice enough to deliver The Divine Comedy along with Blood, Bones and Butter which will keep me thoroughly entertained that I will find no time to work! Oh well...

Headline: Final Larsson Novel 70% complete
Publication: The Guardian
Reshma says: So most of us have read the Millennium series and the rest of us left it half way as George R R Martin took over. As good as Larsson is, he cannot compete with nerds who have waited five years for Martin's books and have to start reading all four of them again in order to get ready for the fifth. But these books have spawned a great deal of interest in the Nordic detective novel. My first was The Savage Alter by Asa Larrson and then of course the incredible Snowman by Jo Nesbo, every bit as good as the Millennium series. Back to the article in question, diehard fans would be well aware of the controversy surrounding Larrson's estate and consequently this novel. Most posthumously published books are disastrous, Robert Jordan's work being a good example. Until that is published, Larrson lovers can secure sustenance by reading Stieg Larrson, my friend by Kurdo Baksi For all those lovers of Nordic crime we will do a wrap up soon. But until then, tuck into the two above.
Right-click here and open in a new tab

Headline: Smithsonian's 2010 Notable books for children
Publication: Smithsonian Magazine
Reshma says: Ever since a little boy came into my life, I hunt for children's books. I hunt in small book stores when I travel, I hunt in art galleries and I hunt in second hand book shops that pave the roads in cities I travel. They are a thrill to buy. I,more than not, always read them before I give them to the delightful child and marvel at the colour of the illustrations and rhyme of the lyrical poetry. Some of the best feedback came from the Gruffalo series that I wished I had had as a child. My favorites growing up were the Gingerbread Man and Noddy. Strange how I now hate ginger:)
Right-click here and open in a new tab