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Random House Children's Books Blogger Brunch.

Aka the tale of the Norfolk girl does London (and more impressively the tube) solo! Two Saturdays ago I was lucky enough to attend a blogger brunch held by Random House Children's Books held in their Ealing office in London and I had the most fantastic day!

I got up at 5am to get on an early train to London. Norfolk has to have the worse transport network ever and it is a real bind if you want to try and leave it early or late in the day. Having never been to London on my own before I was petrified but it all went swimmingly well (which never happens - I have lost count of the number of times I have been left almost stranded at Liverpool Street Station.

I digress.... I arrived at Ealing Broadway Station and was met by a lovely bunch of bloggers. Caroline (potrait of a woman) had kindly agreed to meet us all to show us where we were going and so we didn't get lost.

We arrived at the offices and on our chairs were the most amazing good bags. It contained the books pictured below and a mug! As you can imagine there were lots of squealing and general noise of book induced excitment to be heard. Once we had all arrived the RHCB publicity team (who are all very glam may I add) did a run through of all the titles they have planned in the next few months. I have put links to goodreads where I can (thank you to the fab asamum for emailing me the list of titles together for me - I got too excited to take it all in - he was organised)

The Kissing Game – Aidan Chambers (March 2011)

This is a collection of short stories that look lovely!
United under the banner of flash fiction, this is a collection of stories, or little 'cells', complete in themselves but connected by the overarching themes of betrayal and revenge. All featuring teenagers and often with an unexpected twist, these frighteningly realistic stories will take you to the very edge and beyond. From the master storyteller, Aidan Chambers, comes a collection of Stories of Defiance - moments in life, realizations, insights and sudden revelations - prepare to be amazed, enchanted and to gasp with shock.

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens (April 2011)

This book looks a bit younger than what I normally read but I am told that it will definitely appeal and looks like it will be huge!

Long Lankin by Lindsay Barraclough  (April 2011)

I have just recently finished this and it is amazing - really creepy

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton (May 2011)

There were many ohh and ahhs when this title was announced - Emma in particular was very excited!

Violet Wings by Victoria Hanley (June 2011)

This is a fairy title which I'm usually reluctant about. I've been told that in this case it is really good.

For Zaria Tourmaline, the three years without her mother and brother have been lonely ones, living with a cold and distant guardian while she completes her education. Just as she is ready to join the world of adult fairies and genies, she finds a spellbook written entirely in her mother’s hand. But this treasured object is not safe from a new enemy, a fairy with more power than Zaria ever dreamed existed. Only among the humans–who must never know fairies and genies exist–can Zaria hide the spellbook; but hidden magic, it turns out, can expose a fairy in ways she never thought possible.

Where She Went by Gayle Foreman (May 2011)

Killing Honour – Bali Rai (June 2011)

I've not read any of Bali's work but I've been told it is awesome. This sounds really gritting and awesome!

For The Record by Ellie Irving (June 2011)

This book sounds so cute!

The Devil Walks by Anne Fine (June 2011)

This sounds incredibly creepy and I can't wait to get a copy to read

- 'The devil walks . . . But the devil can make no headway if he has no help. We must invite him in . . .' Raised in secrecy by a mother everyone thinks has gone mad, Daniel’s only link to his past is the intricately built model of the family home – High Gates. The dolls’ house is perfect in every detail. As Daniel is reunited with the last remaining member of his family - his ‘uncle’ Severin, who bears an uncanny resemblance to a sinister wooden doll he has found hidden in the house, he begins to suspect that this vicious, haunted puppet of a figure has a chilling influence, bringing cruelty and spite in its wake. Now Daniel's very life is at risk as his uncle is determined to get his hands on the figure . . . The menace builds throughout in this deliciously creepy Gothic tale.

In the Sea there are Crocodiles by Fabio Geda (June 2011)

This sounds awesome and really sad. The publicity team tell me it is also quite uplifting!

Dearly Departed by Lia Habel (June 2011)

After the presentation the team took us to their offices and let us loose on their shelves. I managed to pick up some fantastic titles as pictured below Once we'd finished raiding we went back down to their conference room where the team formally introduced Karen Mahoney and we had a mini celebration for the release of her book (with champagne and cake) and she signed copies for us!! (Thank you to Sarah for letting me use this picture - I was rubbish and cameraless)

After the event a few of us ended up in a nearby pub after deciding we really didn't need to go book shopping where we chatted books until I had to leave and head back to Liverpool Street Station for my epic journey home.

All in all a fantastic day. I loved going to the RHCB offices and hearing about all the books and I loved meeting all the other fantastic bloggers and having a group to chat books with - I want to go again soon and spend time with all these lovely girlies (and Darren - a brave / lucky depending on how you looked at it man if ever there was one!) Sounds like a fantastic day! I'd have been terrified going into London on my own. I've never been before =)
5 February 2011 at 13:51 Wow - sounds like a fab day out - I'm jealous! :-)

There are some great sounding books there as well - can't wait to read Dearly Departed and The Devil Walks. Hope your review is up soon! :)
5 February 2011 at 16:28 It was so lovely to meet you Kirsty! Such a fun day too :o)
6 February 2011 at 04:30 asamum said…
It was great to meet you. Hopefully the first of many times :D
6 February 2011 at 11:25 It sounds like SUCH fun. Fantastic books coming out this year, lots I'm looking forward to and RH seems SO generous with their time and books. Love them. Wish you and I are able to meet up at some point!
6 February 2011 at 15:43