Finnish readers are continuing to praise Kaisa Haatanen’s wise and hilarious novel Secrets of my Vanity Case (Meikkipussin pohjalta, Johnny Kniga 2015); the book is a series of short essays by a fictional Helsinki-based publishing director, a kindred spirit of Bridget Jones and Caitlin Moran. Published in August, Secrets of my Vanity Case is currently in its second printing.

“A vanity case is a metaphor for life.”
– Kaisa Haatanen, author

Contact the Agency for a brand-new English sample of the book!

New praise for Secrets of my Vanity Case:

“Haatanen’s use of language is outstanding, which is no surprise, considering her job as a Publishing Manager…It’s no wonder that her humor has appealed to such a large readership already.”
– Sallan lukupäiväkirja (“Salla’s Reading Diary”) literature blog, Finland

“I would recommend Haatanen’s novel to a man who would like to peek into the world of an adult woman…Haatanen has written an entertaining work that reveals the most embarrassing secrets, unspoken sources of joy (and schadenfreude) and true opinions of us women nearing 50.”
– Kulttuuri kukoistaa (“Culture Blooms”) literature blog, Finland

“Haatanen writes in a sharp and funny manner. Although these stories, or columns, are light, they are also sneakily wise, as the back cover text promises.”
– Kirsin book club (“Kirsi’s Book Club”) literature blog, Finland

“Reading this I could both rest my mind and occasionally nod in recognition (“I know what you mean!”) and contemplate things for a bit. Structuring the book as an alphabetical list of stories was a smart decision…it made me wonder what the alphabet of my own life would be, and what topic I would choose for A, M or U, for example. Sometimes it’s a good idea to contemplate what building blocks really form the contents of one’s life…Her style is very smart and punctuated by black humor, and it is a joy to read.”
– Kirjakaapin avain (“Book Cabinet Key”) literature blog, Finland

RIGHTS SOLD
Original publisher: FINLAND, Johnny Kniga

Reading material
English sample
English introduction and outline
Finnish edition

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com

Kaisa Haatanen, who is well-known for her long career in publishing, has drawn critical accolades this summer for her debut novel, Secrets of my Vanity Case (Meikkipussin pohjalta, Johnny Kniga 2015). Since its publication earlier this month, the book has already sold out of its first printing!

Secrets of my Vanity Case is a series of short essays by fictional publishing director Tytti Karakoski, a kindred spirit of Bridget Jones and Caitlin Moran. Her sharp observations paint a portrait of life as a 48-year-old, successful single woman: what this kind of life should look like, and what it actually is. Providing both belly laughs and quotable nuggets of wisdom, Haatanen’s novel is sneakily brilliant and wholly relatable.

Contact the Agency for rights in all territories outside of Finland!

Praise for Secrets of my Vanity Case:

”Haatanen demonstrates wisdom in her prose, articulating resounding truths about life and the world. Still the book is so entertaining that while reading I accidentally rode past my tram stop. And, characteristically of the best kind of humor, these texts also have a tragic element and plenty of self-mocking irony. The end product is, in a word, hilarious.”
– Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, Finland

”Haatanen’s novel is so rousingly funny, sharp, relatable, self-deprecating, touching and thoroughly wonderful that I couldn’t put it down until I had read through the very last page.”
– Lily magazine, Tuhat ja yksi kirjaa (”A Thousand and one Books”) blog, Finland

“Haatanen’s prose is both shameless and sophisticated.”
– Etelä-Saimaa newspaper, Finland

RIGHTS SOLD
Original publisher: FINLAND, Johnny Kniga

Reading material
English information sheet
English sample available this fall!
Finnish manuscript

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com