May 13, 2014

We are definitely in the middle of spring these days (and quickly approaching those HAWT summer months), which essentially means one thing and one thing only: much more active social lives (did you know we do other stuff besides read and watch TV?). The bears have come out of hibernation.

With events filling up our schedules, we have to relearn how to create (and sustain) small talk, appropriately balance free cocktails and finger foods, and trust that our DVRs will in fact record our favorite TV shows while we spend the lengthier daylight hours schmoozing and boozing. No one thinks it’s cute anymore when we drop the phrase “Winter is coming” into casual conversation. Needless to say, we’re working on our warmer weather material. How’s this? Q: Why did the spring chicken cross the road? A: To get to the other side where there was a MoMa PS1 dance party.

Speaking of spring chickens, we want to keep you abreast of all the various author events we attended over the past few weeks. To kick off the season, we attended the Harlequin TEEN “Spring Fever” event at the Gansevoort Park Avenue Hotel a few weeks ago. Adi Alsaid, author of LET’S GET LOST (coming out July 29th), was the guest of honor. A fellow 20Something, Alsaid gave a brief yet insightful speech about his upcoming debut --- and we’re definitely buying what he’s selling. He seems like an intriguing, down-to-earth and very well-traveled guy. To give you the long and short of it: Currently, he teaches high school basketball and lives in Mexico City, although he has a bit of wanderlust in him, which has taken him to places like Tel Aviv, Monterey and Las Vegas, where he attended college. Alsaid is most definitely pulling from his own experience, as his book is about “love, loss and finding your way back home.” We also know a thing or two about two of those things...we’ll let you decide which. We’ve already added this book to our To-Read pile, so look forward to a more complete review when that goes down. And if you’re interested in learning more about it, check out his very active Twitter account --- looks like we’re not the only ones whose (online) social lives are in full bloom! Thanks for the “Author Lean,”* Adi! We saw what you did there.

*Not to be confused with the equally notorious "Shoulder Lean." Here’s lookin’ at you, Young Dro.

On Friday, May 2nd, Nikki went to the Random House Open House, the fourth such soiree that the publisher has held. The event kicked off bright and early with so many exciting speakers --- including @Shteyngart, contemporary thought leader @PanacheDesai, @emmastraub and the always outrageous @JennyMcCarthy --- on topics ranging from their new releases to soul searching to #Twitter. In case you missed it, Nikki energetically live-tweeted the event, transcribing the wisdom of the speakers into 140 characters or less for your reading pleasure. Ms. McCarthy had some particularly compelling things to say about being a former 20Something while discussing her new book, STIRRING THE POT: My Recipe for Getting What You Want Out of Life, out now. A few highlights: “You don't need a lover in your life to have love in your life" and “Crying is an orgasm for the soul.” Jokes were made, books were hyped and Twitter followers were accrued. #myjobhereisdone

Later that afternoon, Nikki dipped out and headed upstate for a private book release party, celebrating author and Bard College professor Mona Simpson’s most recent accomplishment, CASEBOOK, out now. The intimate party --- only 20 guests total --- was held at a close friend’s country house, and the setting was ideal for great conversation. And for all you Susan Sarandon enthusiasts out there, Simpson’s debut book, ANYWHERE BUT HERE, inspired the 1999 movie of the same name.

We also got an exciting surprise visitor at the office last week (see photo left below)! Bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews dropped by and spilled some juicy writing secrets. We also gossiped with her about the ways of the 20Something world, from favorite rom coms (It’s Complicated and Bridget Jones's Diary) to our cocktails of choice (Pimm’s Cup and ummm, cheap beer?). She is amazing and seems more in touch with 20Something culture than we are. JKJKJK?! We miss her already! Save the Date: Her new book, SAVE THE DATE, drops June 3rd and its protagonist is a florist who specializes in weddings. Weddings...ummm...we'll get into those another time. We know by June 3rd, we’ll be a little older, possibly a little wiser, and definitely a little closer to being 30. Which might not be such a bad thing. Q: Why did the spring chicken cross the road? A: To get to the other side to cook a little longer.

Last Thursday, while Emily was plugging away in the office, Nikki headed out to a luncheon at the 21 Club with Carol and Editorial Director, Tom. The fine meal, hosted by publishing The Overlook Press, celebrated Rosie Thomas’s new book THE ILLUSIONISTS (out on June 26th). Rosie’s own story is just as interesting as Alsaid’s. From climbing in the Alps and the Himalayas to working on a research station in Antarctica and competing in a classic car rally from Peking to Paris, there is no doubt that the magic of her adventures translates onto the page. See a photo of Rosie and Nikki at the event below! You'll be hearing more here about her book in the months to come.

On a book-related note, WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart comes out today. Already getting rave reviews from THE FAULT IN OUR STARS author John Green, WE WERE LIARS is slated to be the YA hit of summer 2014. It’s a story about a group of friends, complicated relationships and, of course, lies, over the course of one summer spent on a private island. This book offers all of the steamy indulgences that we look for in a good summer read --- plus, the writing is “terrific,” according to the New York Times review. Carol read a manuscript copy back in October and said this: “Perception often is not reality --- and it certainly is not in WE WERE LIARS. This is a look at what 'a perfect world' looks like on the inside and how it unravels once one of the players sees it for what it is. Pitch perfect in both plotting and character development." We will have our review soon.

In case you haven’t noticed, we spend endless hours taking Buzzfeed quizzes and scanning Jezebel headlines. Suffice it to say, we get very excited about culture, popular and otherwise. In order satiate our very 20Something need to share everything we like with everyone, here are 5 things we’re obsessed with at this very moment. You can look forward to this being a regular roundup in our bi-weekly newsletters. We will aptly call it: “5 Things We’re Obsessed With at This Very Moment.” In no particular order:

1) James Blake, “Retrograde”

2) “Penny Dreadful”
Disclaimer: We haven’t actually watched it yet, but we’re totally caught up in early buzz.

3) Summer stone fruitz

4) Godzillaaaaaaaa

5) Spring chicken jokes

Be sure to check out the latest Books on Screen edition for May. Bringing you the book to TV, movie, DVD, and all other technology updates.

Q: Why did the spring chicken cross the road? A: To get to the other side to abruptly end the newsletter.

Nicole Sherman (Nicole@bookreporter.com) + Emily Hoenig (Emily@bookreporter.com)

Each spring, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony rolls around (see what we did there?), and a new slew of performers and producers are inducted into the prestigious institution in the most appropriate way possible --- at a jam-packed arena filled with passionate fans and live music. This year’s ceremony was held in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center on April 10th, and the New York Times reported that the new arena boasted the highest attendance in the event’s history. Even with the obvious absence of a performance by inductees Kiss, that’s one big feather in Jay Z’s cap. (He’ll be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2021.)

Talent from the past is honored at this super exclusive event where viewers are reminded (as if we could have ever forgotten!) of the wide ranging musical skills of eligible candidates and their fellow musicians. Highlights from this year’s ceremony include a rousing rendition of “The E Street Shuffle” from Bruce Springsteen and the newly-inducted E Street Band (joined by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello), a Nirvana reunion with St. Vincent, Joan Jett, Lorde and Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon rotating on the mic, and a juicy Paul Simon snub from Art Garfunkel as he inducted Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens. The whole show will air on HBO on May 31st, but to slake your thirst for rock and roll, The Book Report Network has put together a shelf filled with memoirs and biographies of some of the most legendary talents in the business.

Curated by The Book Report Network.

For our third "REAL TALK Publishing" feature, we talked to Barbara Marcus, the President and Publisher of Random House's Children's Division. As the head of the division, Barbara handles ALL things children's books, but she has a special place in her heart for marketing. In fact, she led the wizardry behind the marketing campaigns for the Harry Potter series --- and more recently R.J. Palacio's modern classic, WONDER!

In Part 1 of this three-part interview, Barbara talks about the start of her career, the part of her job that makes her "heart sing" and how she manages to keep track of all things Random House Children's. Keep an eye out for Part 2, which will be posted on Thursday, May 15th, and will talk about some of her favorite marketing campaigns. Potter fans...you won't want to miss it! Part 3 will go live on Thursday, May 22nd.

A Little Bit More About the REAL TALK Publishing Feature...

Over the next few months, we'll sit down with book editors, librarians, booksellers, children's literature professors, book cover designers, publicists, professional reviewers and more, giving you insight behind the books. Through interviews, guest posts and sometimes sneak peeks inside their offices, you'll get to learn more about the book industry and all the work that goes into creating some of the world's best written word.

We are looking for contributors for book reviews and blog posts who would like to impart their wisdoms on life, love, books, TV, movies, pop culture and all the other stuff we 20Somethings just can't get enough of. Send a cover letter and writing samples to Nicole@bookreporter.com and Emily@bookreporter.com.

If you're out of school for the summer months, this could be the perfect opportunity to share your thoughts and beef up your resume. Here's looking at you, kid!

Not sure you want to commit long-term? We know what that's like and would love to hear your idea for a "one-off" piece if you are not ready for commitment. If you are interested in more of a long-term commitment, the deal is if you write for us enough, we'll add you to our Contributors page.

DARK TRIUMPH by Robin LaFevers (Youth Fiction, Action Adventure)
Sybella's duty as Death's assassin in 15th-century France forces her return home to the personal hell that she had finally escaped. Reviewed by Caroline Osborn.

DOROTHY MUST DIE by Danielle Paige (Youth Fiction)
I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero.

But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado --- taking you with it --- you have no choice but to go along, you know? Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little blue birds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still the yellow brick road, though --- but even that's crumbling. Reviewed by Kate F., Teen Board member.

DREAMS OF GODS AND MONSTERS by Laini Taylor (Fantasy Fiction)
When a brutal angel army trespasses into the human world, Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat, an alliance that might forge a way forward for their people, and for themselves. From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin, humans, chimaera and seraphim will fight, strive, love and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy. Reviewed by Alice Dalrymple.

THE GEOGRAPHY OF YOU AND ME by Jennifer E. Smith (Youth Fiction)
Lucy lives on the 24th floor. Owen lives in the basement. It's fitting, then, that they meet in the middle --- stuck between two floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they're rescued, Lucy and Owen spend the night wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is back, so is reality. Lucy soon moves abroad with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father. The brief time they spent together leaves a mark. And as their lives take them to Edinburgh and to San Francisco, to Prague and to Portland, Lucy and Owen stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and phone calls. But can they --- despite the odds --- find a way to reunite? Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

NOGGIN by John Corey Whaley (Youth Fiction)
Travis Coates has a good head…on someone else’s shoulders. At some point or another, his head got chopped off and shoved into a freezer in Denver, Colorado. Five years later, it was reattached to another guy’s body, and well, here he is. He’s still 16, but everything and everyone around him changed. If the new Travis and the old Travis find a way to exist together, there are going to be a few more scars. Reviewed by Molly Horan.

PANIC by Lauren Oliver (Youth Fiction)
Panic --- a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher --- began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do. For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations and the possibility of first love for each of them --- and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most. Reviewed by Ashley Bressingham.

PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG by Anne Blankman (Youth Fiction)
Gretchen Müller grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her uncle Dolf --- who has kept her family cherished and protected from the darker side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf's. But Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler. And Gretchen follows his every command. Reviewed by Brianna Robinson.

TEASE by Amanda Maciel (Youth Fiction)
Emma Putnam is dead, and it's all Sara Wharton's fault. At least, that's what everyone seems to think. Sara has been criminally charged for the bullying that led to Emma's shocking suicide. Now Sara is forced to reflect on the events that brought her to this moment --- and consider her own role in the tragedy. And she'll have to find a way to move forward, even when it feels like her own life is over. Reviewed by Harman K., Teen Board member.

THERE WILL COME A TIME by Carrie Arcos (Young Adult Fiction)
Ever since the accident that killed his twin sister, Grace, the only time Mark feels at peace is when he visits the bridge on which she died. As a way to remember her, Grace's best friend Hanna convinces Mark to complete Grace’s bucket list from her journal. Mark’s sadness, anger and his growing feelings for Hanna threaten to overwhelm him. But Mark can’t back out. He made a promise to honor Grace --- and it’s his one chance to set things right. Reviewed by Brianna Robinson.

THIS ONE SUMMER by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki (Youth Fiction)
Every summer, Rose goes with her mom and dad to a lake house in Awago Beach. It's their getaway, their refuge. Rosie's friend Windy is always there, too, like the little sister she never had. But this summer is different. Rose's mom and dad won't stop fighting, and when Rose and Windy seek a distraction from the drama, they find themselves with a whole new set of problems. One of the local teens --- just a couple of years older than Rose and Windy --- is caught up in something bad... Something life threatening. It's a summer of secrets, and sorrow, and growing up, and it's a good thing Rose and Windy have each other. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

ASTONISH ME by Maggie Shipstead (Fiction)
Joan Joyce is a young ballerina whose claim to fame is her role in helping a Nureyev-like dancer defect from the Soviet Union. Ultimately she chooses family over fouettés, but, in a bittersweet, Turning Point-style twist, sees her son accede to the stellar career she never had. Reviewed by Kathy Weissman.

EVERYBODY'S GOT SOMETHING: A Memoir by Robin Roberts with Veronica Chambers (Memoir)
With grace, heart and humor, Robin Roberts writes about overcoming breast cancer only to learn five years later that she will need a bone marrow transplant to combat a rare blood disorder; the grief and heartbreak she suffered when her mother passed away; her triumphant return to “Good Morning America” after her medical leave; and the tremendous support and love of her family and friends that saw her through her difficult times. Reviewed Christine M. Irvin.

EVERYTHING TO LOSE by Andrew Gross (Thriller)
When Hilary Blum stops to help a car that slammed into a tree, she discovers the driver dead --- and a satchel stuffed with a half a million dollars. That money could prevent her family's ruin and keep her special needs son in school. In an instant, this honest, achieving woman who has always done the responsible thing makes a decision that puts her in the center of a maelstrom of dark consequences and life-threatening recriminations. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

THE FRANGIPANI HOTEL: Fiction by Violet Kupersmith (Supernatural Fiction/Short Stories)
A beautiful young woman appears fully dressed in an overflowing bathtub at the Frangipani Hotel in Hanoi. A jaded teenage girl in Houston befriends an older Vietnamese gentleman she discovers naked behind a dumpster. A trucker in Saigon is asked to drive a dying young man home to his village. In these evocative and always surprising stories, the supernatural coexists with the mundane lives of characters who struggle against the burdens of the past. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.

THE FURIES by Mark Alpert (Paranormal Thriller)
For centuries, the Furies have lived among us. They’re human just like us, except for a rare genetic mutation that they’ve hidden from the rest of the world for hundreds of years. Now, a chance encounter with a beautiful woman named Ariel has led John Rogers into the middle of a secret war among the Furies. Ariel needs John’s help in the battle between a rebellious faction of the clan and their elders. The grand prize in this war is a chance to remake the human race. Reviewed by Ray Palen.

LOVE, NINA: A Nanny Writes Home by Nina Stibbe (Memoir)
Twenty-year-old Nina Stibbe moves to a posh section of London to become a nanny to two young boys, the sons of well-known editor Mary-Kay Wilmers. Nina has no experience as a nanny but jumps right in and soon becomes a valued member of the quirky household. LOVE, NINA is comprised of Nina's letters home to her sister, Victoria. Though the correspondence is one-sided, the reader becomes well acquainted with this family through Nina's frank and often amusing letters. Reviewed by Carole Turner.

MIND OF WINTER by Laura Kasischke (Psychological Thriller)
On a snowy Christmas morning, Holly Judge awakens with the fragments of a nightmare floating on the edge of her consciousness. Thirteen years ago, she and her husband Eric adopted baby Tatty. Now, at 15, Tatiana is more beautiful than ever --- and disturbingly erratic. As a blizzard rages outside, Holly and Tatiana are alone. With each passing hour, Tatiana’s mood darkens, and her behavior becomes increasingly frightening…until Holly finds she no longer recognizes her daughter. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

MONDAY, MONDAY by Elizabeth Crook (Historical Fiction)
On an oppressively hot Monday in August of 1966, a student and former marine named Charles Whitman hauled a footlocker of guns to the top of the University of Texas tower and began firing on pedestrians below. Before it was over, 16 people had been killed and 32 wounded. It was the first mass shooting of civilians on a campus in American history. Elizabeth Crook's latest novel, MONDAY, MONDAY, follows three students caught up in the massacre. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.

PLASTER CITY: A Jimmy Veeder Fiasco by Johnny Shaw (Adventure/Humor)
Jimmy Veeder and Bobby Maves are back at it, two years after the events of DOVE SEASON. When Bobby’s teenage daughter goes missing, he and Jimmy take off on a misadventure that starts out as merely unfortunate and escalates to downright calamitous. Bobby won’t hesitate to kick a hornets’ nest to get the girl to safety, but when the rescue mission goes riotously sideways, the duo’s grit --- and loyalty to each other --- is put to the test. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

RUIN FALLS by Jenny Milchman (Psychological Thriller)
When Liz Daniels discovers that her husband, Paul, has kidnapped their two children, she throws herself into the search for them. Her investigation uncovers a disturbing incident from Paul's past, and she begins receiving ominous threats, warning her to stay away. Liz digs deeper into his secrets --- only to discover that his plans are far more extreme than she ever could have imagined. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

THE SERPENT OF VENICE by Christopher Moore (Mystery/Humor)
Three prominent Venetians await their most loathsome and foul dinner guest, the erstwhile envoy from the Queen of Britain: the rascal Fool Pocket. This trio of cunning plotters have lured Pocket to a dark dungeon, promising an evening of sprits and debauchery. But this Fool is no fool…and he has more than a few tricks (and hand gestures) up his sleeve. Reviewed by Robert Doyle.

STARS AND STRIKES: Baseball and America in the Bicentennial Summer of '76 by Dan Epstein (Sports/History)
As the nation saluted the 200th birthday of its independence in a spectacle of festivities, Major League Baseball players waged a war for their own liberties, demanding free agency. For both the nation and its national pastime, the year would turn out revolutionary, indeed. STARS AND STRIKES tracks the tumultuous year from White House to shorts-wearing White Sox, chronicling a time on the eve of the disco era, after which the sport and the nation would never be the same. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan.

THE TARGET by David Baldacci (Thriller)
The President knows it's a perilous, high-risk assignment. If he gives the order, he has the opportunity to take down a global menace, once and for all. If the mission fails, he would face certain impeachment, and the threats against the nation would multiply. So the president turns to the one team that can pull off the impossible: Will Robie and his partner, Jessica Reel. Reviewed by Ray Palen.

TELL ME YOU'RE SORRY by Kevin O'Brien (Thriller)
Stephanie Coburn has barely recovered from her sister's mysterious suicide before her brother-in-law and his new wife are murdered, her face disfigured beyond recognition. Stephanie never met the bride, but she knew her sister and knows something is desperately wrong. Her only ally is another victim's son. Step by step, they're uncovering a trail of brutal vengeance and a killer who will never relent --- and whose forgiveness can only be earned in death. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

THUNDERSTRUCK & OTHER STORIES by Elizabeth McCracken (Fiction/Short Stories)
At the center of Elizabeth McCracken's stories is often a jagged space left by loss: a neighborhood is haunted by a child's ghost, a library staff grapples with the mystery of a patron's death, a corner store manager obsesses over a missing woman, a son absconds forever with his parents' savings. But equally present in this new story collection --- McCracken's first in 20 years --- are passion, charm, humor and joy. Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller.

TROIKA by Adam Pelzman (Fiction)
When Julian is forced into an orphanage, he discovers that he has more in common with his father than he originally thought. Taken under the wing of a gruff, elderly businessman, Julian makes his way to New York City…and, years later, into the club where a beautiful woman named Perla is dancing. Soon after they meet, Perla is on a plane to Manhattan at the mysterious request of Julian’s friend --- a journey that will change the course of her life. Reviewed by Robert Doyle.

WHERE EARTH MEETS WATER by Pia Padukone (Fiction)
Karom Seth should have been in the Twin Towers on the morning of 9/11, and on the Indian shores in 2004, when the tsunami swept his entire family into the ocean. Karom can’t be sure if it’s a curse or a blessing, but his absence from these disasters has left him with crushing guilt --- and a belief that fate has singled him out for invincibility. Will he ever be able achieve the clarity he’s been looking for all these years? Reviewed by Alexis Burling.