The Latest from Jane
Finally, finally, finally I’ve got my act together enough to update my website, and have done it in the form of a blog, which will hopefully motivate me to write one slightly more often than I have been. I was just thinking yesterday that there was little to write about, when I realized I needed to vent about the brownie moms, and why I am actually pretty happy, in this case, I’m not in with the in crowd.
Just for the record, I am the bad mother who constantly forgets to send the brownie vest in, forgets the dues, forgets the permission slips etc etc. I think this is all relatively normal for a working single mother of four small children, but it seems the brownie moms think not, and these offences are, if not punishable by death, punishable by troop leaders being extremely irritated with me.
Having never done Brownies or Girl Guides as a child - I was far too busy drinking and smoking - I didn’t know what we were in for.
Hell, it seemed like good, clean fun. Now I realize my mistake. Good clean fun, perhaps, if you come from Stepford. Neither my daughter nor myself are, clearly, good Brownie material, and I am so grateful this year is nearly over, and I will never again have to feel like a failure for not getting my cookie money in on time, or because my daughter has mismatched socks.
But enough about the Brownies. Moving on, I’m gearing up for the release of my new book, The Beach House, in June. A simultaneous release in the US and UK means I’m crazily busy, but I’m excited about this book in a way I haven’t been for a while, and I think it’s a bit of a turning point for me.
I’ll post up a sneak preview right before the launch, so keep checking back, and thanks again for visiting.
Warmest wishes,
(failed Brownie mom)
May 23rd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I Love your books! Can’t wait for the latest!
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:23 pm
i think the way you depict mums in your books shows you’re a pretty good mum
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Your books are my favorite! I’m excited for The Beach House! Keep them coming! I love them!
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Hi Jane,
Huge fan here. Have every one of your books, or rather, HAD, except some I borrowed out and never got back. Have you as friend on Myspace and I saw your blog about the new site.
I’m loving it. I am a graphic designer, working on getting into web design. I love the colors your designer used. You should put on your header of your site “author of Jemima J” since that was your BEST BOOK EVER. Looking forward to the next book. Love your blog by the way - screw em!
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Hi Jane,
I love your books.. You are the only author who has books that I can actually get myself to sit down and read!
I loved reading your things on the front of your new website. I’m sure you are a wonderful mom! Hey,…. my mom forgot the cookie money too sometimes, and I turned out just fine!
Can’t wait for your next book!
Take care and thanks for what you do!
Shelley
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Love your new site!!! LOL!! I never was a brownie or a girl scout either and I was quite nervous thinking that one of my girls might want to join, but thank goodness I missed that mess!!! Not for me at all! Too intimidating! I eagerly await the arrival of your new book in June as you always get me to laugh out loud! Keep up the good work and don’t stress out too much on the other things like brownie troops!
May 24th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
So glad to see you have entered the blogging world! Looking forward to reading all of your future posts…and all of your future books, as well. Am a huge fan and can’t wait to read Beach House!
best,
Jocelyn
May 25th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
I am sooooo looking forward to the new book! It’s going to be a birthday gift from one of my best GF’s!! I’ve read ALL of your books Jane!!
May 25th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I am sooooo looking forward to the new book! It’s going to be a birthday gift from one of my best GF’s!! I’ve read ALL of your books Jane!!
May 25th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Hi Jane
Love your books. Being pregnant, Babyville got my attention at the bookstore a couple of months ago , loved it. Then came Spellbound, The Other Women and I am currently reading Life Swap. So suddenly became a huge fan of yours… I know that Jemima J is a must read so that’s next
Cheers, Vicky (Sydney, Australia)
May 26th, 2008 at 12:22 am
Re: ISBN 978-0-452-28850-8 Swapping Lives by Jane Green
Dear Ms Green,
I think you should know about a prining problem with your book referenced above. I bought the book from Barnes and Noble and the entire end of the book after chapter 28 is missing. In it’s place is a repeat of chapters 24 through part of chapter 28. It is the First Plume Prining, June 2007. So, now here I am, home sick, and stuck watching the Food Network and I don’t know how this story resolves for the two main characters. Very frustrating.
In addition, FYI, there are at least three other errors in the book. On page 155, where Amber is talking to Richard, the tag says, “Vicky says…” instead of “Amber says …”. On page 158 when Amber is puting Gracie in the car seat, it says “Vicky puts Gracie in the car seat …”. And on page 202, the first sentence in the second paragraph is substantially repeated.
I’m sure Barnes and Noble will replace it, but I thought you’d like to know.
Sincerely,
Karen Dunn
May 28th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
I am getting ready to read Swapping Lives, which is the first book of yours I have picked up from the library. I can’t wait as it seems I am in for a treat lol!! I seen you had a website so I decided to pop onto it and am very glad I did. It is warming to hear that i’m not the only single mom that forgets forms for school and other events!!! My daughter will be graduating preschool tomorrow, without a cap and gown as I seem to have missplaced that particular order form lol. Good luck with the brownies and have a wonderful summer.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Hi Jane,
Your comments about Brownies brought a smile to my face!
As a 40 year old mother of 10 and 7 year old daughters, you would think that the simple process of dealing with ‘Brown Owl’ (here in England she is the Brownie leader) would be fairly straight forward.
No chance! This woman is such a formidable character that I find myself transported back to a time where I feel like a little girl myself!
Tolerance of forgotten books, fees, items of clothing
and poor punctuality is minimal and does not go unnoticed, usually an indirect comment is passed on through the girls later at home. This infuriates me in a way I can not explain, yet I am still unable to confront this ‘owl’ the following week.
I was never a Brownie as a child, I could never understand why other girls were so interested and when my eldest daughter expressed an interest I voiced my surprise! Obviously she is not a chip off the old block and appears to enjoy the pack activities and bonds she has made. So I continue to try to be a more conventional mother who can actually remember what day of the week the Brownies meet!
I have read all of your published work and I am looking forward to reading the new story outside on a lovely warm summers day,
best wishes
Haley
(Yorkshire England)
May 30th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Dear Jane Green,
I really love your books..I am proud to say that i have all of them..I have to travel abroad to get the latest of ur books,but it’s worth it..Im from Brunei Darussalam (asia),bet u dnt know where that is.Hehe..
I am aware of the printing problems,but in the end,the content of the book that really matters.Cant wait to buy ur latest one,once I go abroad again that is,since it’s hard to get ur books here..
Thanks for such wonderful stories…
xoxo
Ana
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Love all your comments! Thank you all so much for responding…only one Brownie event left to go before FREEDOM!!!! Jane x
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:10 am
I keep saying ‘Girl Guides’ instead of ‘Girl Scouts.’ Much to daughter’s disgust. And I sewed her ‘cookie badge’ in the wrong place on her vest/waistcoat. Apparently. Worst mum in the world, obviously (despite having bought over $100 worth of bloody cookies we didn’t actually need so she’d get the rotten badge in the first place).
Hoping boys have zero interest in Boy Scouts or whatever it is called over here.
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:20 am
Hi Jane, I am a fairly new reder of your books. I am going through cancer and have been forced to learn to sit down much more. So use the time in a useful way and read tons of books. I was recommended your books by someone else who is going through chemo with me. I absoultley love love your books. I jsut finished swapping lives. I wish you would do a follow up book to swapping lives with the same characters????
I cant wait to read your next book that is coming out.
I think from reading your books that you depict a mother great and so I would say that you are a great mother.
June 6th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Hi Jane,Ive just read my very first Jane Green book “Spellbound” I found the book on the bookshelf of a flat my family had rented in Cullercoats NE England for the first week of June.We had a fabulous week with glorious weather but I didnt finish your book so I “borrowed” it ( I am returning it) Now I am a fan and was so happy to see the Ad in the New York Times for your new book which I will defnitely buy and all your others…what fun I’m going to have!!! Incidently the tooth fairy forgot to come to our house one year,!!
Sincerly Marta Brown
June 6th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Thank God! The tooth fairy forgot to come here too, although she redeemed herself with a charming note under, it seems, the wrong pillow…
June 7th, 2008 at 6:21 am
Dear Jane
I just finished Jemima J. And i want to say that she has inspired me to lose weight! I felt so much like Jemima. .
Believe it or not… 1 lost 7 kg so far. I started exercising & going to the gym. Watch my diet and i really lost weight. I even cut and colour my hair and everyone is noticing that i look much younger .. heehee.
Thanks ! … Cindy
June 12th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Dear Jane
I have read all your books and I absolutely love them! I am really looking forward to the new one.. hoping it will be wrapped up for my birthday at the beginning of July, i have dropped enough hints!! haha!
I have only just discovered the blog and i’m dissapointed that I missed your book signing in Oxford street today - I hope it was successful for you.
Good luck with the launch - it ceratinly seems like you will be busy! Keep up the good work
Claire :o) x
June 21st, 2008 at 11:57 am
Weight Loss…
Great article, hope these help me lose weight…