Archive for January, 2010

Telegraph releases list of top ten novelists to look out for in 2010

As part of the Sunday Telegraph’s ‘Books Life’ supplement in this weekend’s paper, the newspaper has releases a list of the top fiction authors to look out for in 2010. They all made it on to the list for having either a distinctive new voice, or will cause controversy and a blaze of literary discussion.

The Top 10 according to the Telegraph (and the novels to look out for!)

1. Jonathan Dee – The Privileges
2. Jaspreet Singh – Chef
3. Simon Lelic – Rupture
4. Alex Preston – This Bleeding City
5. Frederik Reiken – Day for Night
6. Laila Lalami – Secret Son
7. Manu Joseph – Serious Men
8. Philip Wilding – Cross Country Murder Song
9. Anna Lawrence Pietroni – Ruby’s Spoon
10. Max Schaefer – Children of the Sun

Twilight’s Kristen Stewart nominated for BAFTA ‘Rising Star’ award

The spectacularly popular ‘Twilight’ franchise has catapulted many virtual unknown actors such as Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner to instant fame, but it is the female star of the Twilight films, Kristen Stewart, who has been nominated for the ‘Rising Star’ award at the BAFTA’s.

As well as Twilight, Kristen has also been great in Panic Room, The Messengers, and especially in Adventureland. She has a kooky sense of fashion and a very laid-back, anti-Hollywood attitude, as well as being a convincing actress with a compelling on-screen presence.

You’ll have to wait until February 21st however to see if Kristen, who will be competing against newcomer Carey Mulligan, Jesse Eisenberg, Nicholas Hoult, and Tahar Rahim, will win the BAFTA.

Singing comedian Tim Minchin hits the UK

He may be massive over in his homeland of Australia, and many people have heard of him over here, but he’s only just starting to break through into the mainstream UK comedy circuit. Popular TV channel E4 recently aired his live show ‘So F**king Rock Live’, a show which Minchin describes as comedy cabaret show. It is quite rude, (so maybe not a family show!) but it is also quite unusual, and Minchin’s quirky personality and surprisingly adaptable voice is incredibly enjoyable.

Think the Australian Bill Bailey, but a little weirder and much more stripped down. One thing’s for sure, Tim Minchin is set to do big things in 2010.

One to watch in the music world: Ellie Goulding

The BBC have recently released a list of bands and artists to keep an eye on in 2010, and featuring prominently in this who’s who is rising star Ellie Goulding. Ellie is a 22-year-old from Herefordshire, who was discovered performing in a talent show in Kington, her home town.

Although she began her music career as a rather traditional singer-songwriter, she is now creating what has been called ‘folktronica’ by innovatively combining acoustic guitar with electronica and ultra-modern dance beats.

As well as making the BBC’s Sound of 2010 list, Ellie has also received acclaim from critics, DJ’s and top music store HMV, who labelled her ‘one to watch’.

Emmerdale star tipped to win Dancing on Ice

The new series of Dancing on Ice started last weekend with just the girls performing, and it seems many people have already picked out a potential winner. Hayley Tammaden, who you may know from her role as Delilah Dingle on Emmerdale, put on a brilliant show last Sunday and proved herself by far the best dancer.

Bookies are currently touting her as one of the four favourites to win the show, the rest being the boys who have yet to perform. Personally, I thought she was a bit too over-the-top and the subtle performance by the surprisingly talented Daniella Westbrook was much better. Let’s just see what the boys have to offer first!