Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
THE debut novel of a Bahrain-based award-winning journalist has been long-listed as one of the 100 'hidden gems' for World Book Day in March.
Julia Stuart, who moved to Bahrain in September, held a book signing for her novel The Matchmaker of Perigord at The Bookcase in Budaiya in October.
Her novel - a comic tale of life and love in rural France - was chosen by an industry panel and book clubs and individual readers are asked to select their favourite.
A shortlist of the 10 titles with the most votes will be announced early next month and the winning title will be revealed on March 6.
Julia said: "I was delighted, absolutely thrilled to be picked. There were so many great books on the list and I never thought mine would be included. I'm not sure that I'll make it into the top 10 but I'm so happy to be in the top 100."
Her book is part of an eclectic selection that includes titles by Iranian writer Abbas Maroufi and Lebanese author Nada Awar Jarrar, as well as books by writers from India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Italy, the UK and US.
Voting takes place via the Spread the Word website where booklovers can post their comments and recommend other books, with the added enticement of a weekly draw of BD75 in book tokens.
One reader commented about Julia's book: "A wonderfully funny book which is so evocative of rural France. Read it and you will want to book the next TGV heading south."
Another reader wrote: "This is such a lovely book. If you like good food and a good laugh, I'd thoroughly recommend this."
To cast your vote visit www.worldbookday.com/spreadtheword
