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Time to Celebrate Indie Stores
As I have traveled the country over the past couple of decades, I have enjoyed spending time in indie stores in sooooooo many cities. I count a number of indie booksellers as friends, and I love hearing about their experiences as small business owners, as much as I love hearing their book recommendations. Many of them are tastemakers, whose opinions on books are sought way before the time of publication. Some get very early copies of books, typically just beyond the final manuscript stage, to share their feedback for early praise. A few of them are “go-to” people for me when I am looking to discuss books for the upcoming seasons.
Tomorrow, Saturday, April 27th is Independent Bookstore Day, a one-day national party that takes place at indie bookstores across the country both in-store and online. This year’s celebration is the largest to date, with bookstores from all 50 states and territories participating with many stores offering exclusive merchandise and hosting special events. Indie Bookstore Day has ignited a vibrant array of celebrations, from bookstore crawls to street fairs, each as unique and diverse as the independent bookstores themselves. The Indie Bookstore Day Map serves as a comprehensive guide, showcasing the myriad happenings in communities across the country on Saturday.
Amanda Gorman, this year’s Independent Bookstore Day Ambassador, says, “Independent bookstores are vital hubs of creativity and community. They offer curated selections that foster discovery for readers, while providing vital support and a platform for diverse voices for writers and other creators. They are the true modern-day town square, the beating heart of our communities, and a place for meaningful interaction and human connection.” Click here to read more about this very special day and all the different ways you can celebrate it.
Last weekend, hints of summer were in the air. So I put on my bathing suit and relaxed on the deck reading SUMMERS AT THE SAINT by Mary Kay Andrews. Hey, her publisher says that “Summer Begins with MKA,” so I figured I was reading in style. I think this is her best summer book to date. I felt like I was at the Saint resort. But where was the pool guy with my drink? There’s a stunning hotel, family intrigue, a mystery (or two), romance and brisk writing that kept me turning the pages...fast! I am planning to interview MKA next week, and it will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection. Bring on summer!
On Wednesday evening, we hosted this month’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event with Kate Morton as our special guest. Kate joined us from Australia to talk about her most recent novel, HOMECOMING, a Bets On pick now available in paperback and one of my top three favorite books of 2023.
At the start of the pandemic, Kate was working on another book in London. When she and her family went to Australia for what was planned as a spring break trip, COVID restrictions led to their living on a small farm south of Melbourne. She set aside that book as she began to be inspired by her surroundings and thus conceived a new plot and story.
Kate discussed her writing process with us, as well as how she balanced multiple points of view, time frames and the writing of a true-crime book as part of the arc for HOMECOMING. Our attendees asked Kate a number of questions, and one reader shared a very special story about how he came to her work. The conversation was brisk and enlightening. As for the abandoned book, Kate has picked that up again.
I chatted with Kate last year when HOMECOMING released in hardcover, so I loved catching up with her and gaining more insight into the book and how it all came together. Our attendees hailed from 32 states plus Canada, and judging from the Zoom chat during the event, they had just as much fun hearing from Kate as we did. Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast.
I am so excited to announce that Ann Napolitano will be our next “Bookaccino Live” Book Group guest. The event will be held on Wednesday, May 29th at 8pm ET, and you can sign up here for it. We will be talking about her New York Times bestseller, HELLO BEAUTIFUL, and will touch on her 2004 debut novel, WITHIN ARM'S REACH, which releases in a new paperback edition on Tuesday.
Just as we did on Wednesday night, there will be a two-part Q&A session after I talk to Ann. For the first part, those who are asking a question on camera will be featured. This includes spending time with Ann backstage in our virtual green room before the show starts. If you would like to ask your question "live on screen" this way, please email me with the subject line "Ann" by noon ET on May 29th. Be sure to include your name, city and state, as well as your question. If you do not want to appear on camera but still would like to ask a question, please note that you want to be off camera, and share your question --- adding your name, city and state.
WITHIN ARM’S REACH is our new Paperback Spotlight title. Shaken reluctantly into self-examination by the unexpected pregnancy of its youngest member, the McLaughlin family is forced to confront ghosts of both past and present, and to reappraise its values in a world of rapid change. Narrated through six subjective first-person accounts --- the pregnant Gracie, her sister Lila, their parents, their matriarchal grandmother, and a family outsider with a curious connection --- the book dissects the markedly variant responses that such supposedly similar people can have to the same events. Click here to read our review, which originally ran 20 years ago when the book released in hardcover.
Ruth Reichl’s highly anticipated second work of fiction (following 2014’s DELICIOUS!) is the newly released THE PARIS NOVEL, which will be a Bets On pick. When her estranged mother dies, Stella is left with a one-way plane ticket and a note reading “Go to Paris.” Alone in a foreign city, she falls into old habits, living cautiously and frugally. Then she comes across a vintage store, where she tries on a fabulous Dior dress. The shopkeeper insists that this dress was meant for Stella, and for the first time in her life Stella does something impulsive. She buys the dress --- and embarks on a dazzling, heartfelt adventure through the food, art and fashion scenes of 1980s Paris.
According to our reviewer Jane T. Krebs, “Ruth Reichl’s writing is so rich that I felt like I did walk with Stella along the cobblestone courtyard of the Louvre. I gasped at the palace-like library of the Département des Étampes. I tasted the tartness of lemons and the wheels of earthy cheese. THE PARIS NOVEL includes exquisite details and pages of descriptions that opened Paris for me, and I think that can happen for you too.” Find out why I’m betting you’ll love this book in next week’s newsletter. I'm hoping to interview Ruth soon. My book group is reading THE PARIS NOVEL and will be discussing it next month!
DARLING GIRLS is a thrilling page-turner of sisterhood, secrets and love from Sally Hepworth. For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. Rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother on an idyllic farming estate, they were given an elusive second chance at a happy family life. But their childhood wasn't the fairy tale everyone thinks it was. And when a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses. Or are they prime suspects?
Pamela Kramer has this to say in her review: “As we expect from Hepworth, DARLING GIRLS is perfectly plotted… [E]ven as we think we understand what has happened and why, Hepworth is not done with the surprises as she deftly flips the rug over to show us that what we thought we were seeing is not the truth at all, but a cleverly constructed tale to entertain. The ending is brilliant thanks to the superb plotting and pacing of the whole of the book that precedes it.”
Oh, the twists and the turns in this one; I made more than one incorrect guess. Sally lives in Australia and is touring right now in the US. If you get to see her while she is on the road, do it!
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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JUST FOR THE SUMMER: Abby Jimenez’s new romantic comedy is April’s “Good Morning America” Book Club pick. Every woman Justin dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But you know what they say about the best-laid plans?
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THE HUSBANDS: Holly Gramazio’s debut novel, which is this month’s “Read with Jenna” Today Show Book Club pick, asks: How do we navigate life, love and choice in a world of never-ending options? And how do you choose the right path? Jenna says that the book “makes you think about what we need in order to feel our best. Who we need that makes us more powerful, more brave.”
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THE BACKYARD BIRD CHRONICLES: Amy Tan, the bestselling author of THE JOY LUCK CLUB, has written a gorgeous, witty account of birding, nature and the beauty around us that hides in plain sight. Tracking the natural beauty that surrounds us, this book maps the passage of time through daily entries, thoughtful questions and beautiful original sketches from Amy herself.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
My two latest Bets On selections are DAUGHTER OF MINE by Megan Miranda and THE WIVES: A Memoir by Simone Gorrindo, both of which we reviewed last week. Click on each of the titles for my Bets On commentary. And if you missed my “Bookreporter Talks To” interviews with these authors, click here for my conversation with Miranda and here for my chat with Simone.
Announcing This Year’s Summer Reading Feature
Our Summer Reading contests are back for a 20th(!) year. On select days through early August, we will host a series of 24-hour giveaways and on each of the contest days award five readers a book that we think is a great summer read. You will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter to win.
We also will send a special newsletter to announce the day's title, along with a Summer Reading Preview newsletter THIS Monday, April 29th. Click here to sign up for these dedicated newsletters and here to take a look at this year’s prize books.
These contests kick off next week with our first two prizes: THE FAR SIDE OF THE DESERT by Joanne Leedom-Ackerman and the aforementioned WITHIN ARM’S REACH by Ann Napolitano. The first giveaway will be up on Wednesday, May 1st at noon ET.
Books Mom Will Love…and Can Win!
I'm happy to announce that we’re offering three more prizes in our Mother’s Day contest, so five readers now will be winning NINE fabulous books for themselves or their mom. Among them are our latest additions: ALL THE GLIMMERING STARS by Mark Sullivan, as well as the aforementioned SUMMERS AT THE SAINT by Mary Kay Andrews and THE WIVES: A Memoir by Simone Gorrindo. To enter, please fill out this form by Monday, May 13th at noon ET.
Enter Our New Word of Mouth Contest
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, May 10th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll have a chance to win THE DEMON OF UNREST: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson and MISS MORGAN'S BOOK BRIGADE by Janet Skeslien Charles, both of which we plan to review next week.
Vote in Our New Poll --- and Check Out Results from the Last Poll
In honor of Independent Bookstore Day tomorrow, we want to know if there is an independent bookstore near your home. Click here to let us know in our latest poll by Friday, May 10th at noon ET.
In our previous poll, we listed 15 nonfiction titles releasing in April and asked which of them, if any, you have read or are planning to read. Below are your top five picks, and you can see all the results here.
The 44th annual Los Angeles Times Book Prizes were awarded last Friday night at the University of Southern California’s Bovard Auditorium. The winners include THE LIFE AND TIMES OF HANNAH CRAFTS: The True Story of The Bondwoman’s Narrative, by Gregg Hecimovich (Biography), WE WERE ONCE A FAMILY: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America, by Roxanna Asgarian (Current Interest), SAME BED DIFFERENT DREAMS by Ed Park (Fiction), and SING HER DOWN by Ivy Pochoda (Mystery/Thriller). Click here for all the winners.
News & Pop Culture
While I am an avid reader, I also watch a lot of television and streaming programming to take a break from my computer screen time as I knit (or reverse knit, aka unraveling) or answer email. But besides viewing, I like to hear more from those behind the cameras. So I have enjoyed watching videos from those behind and in front of the cameras in the Deadline Contenders.
Hearing about the shows, like listening to authors discuss their work, definitely brings new insight to it. I have discovered many shows based on books in our Books on Screen feature. Tom Donadio, our Editorial Director, leaves no stone unturned as he updates this feature each month.
“Ripley” on Netflix: I loved the pacing and filming of this series, which is based on Patricia Highsmith’s book, THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY. The black-and-white filming is so crisp and rich that it really enhanced the storytelling.
“Under the Bridge” on Hulu: This series is based on Rebecca Godfrey's book, UNDER THE BRIDGE: The True Story of the Murder of Reena Virk. It’s gritty and tough. I am impressed once again by the acting of Lily Gladstone and Riley Keough.
The weather this weekend is predicted to aim more towards summer temperatures, which means that I want to survey what needs to be done outside, and I would like to figure out what perennials are popping back up. I made some notes last year, but I can see that once again I am going to have to rely on photos to recall where everything is. I am holding back on new planting until around Mother’s Day as we still can get some cold nights and frost.
We still have these poinsettias in full bloom in our family room! I need to see what they will tolerate if we bring them outside.
I am behind on reading, so I have pulled together a shelf of reading based on the days that books are publishing. And I am going to have to stick to reading in order, which is tough! Yesterday, Tom, Lisa and I attended a remote day of author sessions presented by Penguin Random House, and the day before there was an event hosted by Simon & Schuster. My list grew by at least a dozen summer titles watching these presentations. We watch as many previews as we can, and from there we have ideas for reviews, previews and interviews. There are some terrific books on the horizon!
I hope that you all have time to do some indie book shopping this weekend!
Read on, and have a great week.
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
P.S. For those of you who shop online, if you use the store links that appear on our site for shopping, Bookreporter.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and IndieBound. As you read our reviews and features, we would appreciate your considering this as you buy!
Featured Review: THE PARIS NOVEL by Ruth Reichl
An Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
THE PARIS NOVEL by Ruth Reichl (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Kiiri Sandy
When her estranged mother dies, Stella is left with an unusual inheritance: a one-way plane ticket and a note reading “Go to Paris.” When her boss encourages her to take time off, Stella resigns herself to honoring her mother’s last wishes. Alone in a foreign city, Stella falls into old habits, living cautiously and frugally. Then she stumbles across a vintage store, where she tries on a fabulous Dior dress. The shopkeeper insists that this dress was meant for Stella, and for the first time in her life Stella does something impulsive. She buys the dress --- and embarks on an adventure. As weeks --- and many decadent meals --- go by, Stella ends up living as a “tumbleweed” at the famed bookstore Shakespeare & Company, uncovers a hundred-year-old mystery in a Manet painting, and discovers a passion for food that may be connected to her past. Reviewed by Jane T. Krebs.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
Click here to read our review.
THE PARIS NOVEL will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's Bets On commentary in next week's newsletter.
Featured Review: DARLING GIRLS by Sally Hepworth
DARLING GIRLS by Sally Hepworth (Domestic Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Jessica Clarke
For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. As young girls they were rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate and given an elusive second chance at a happy family life. But their childhood wasn’t the fairy tale everyone thinks it was. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild and thought they were free. Even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses. Or are they prime suspects? Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
Click here to read our review.
New Paperback Spotlight:
WITHIN ARM’S REACH by Ann Napolitano
On Sale April 30th
WITHIN ARM’S REACH by Ann Napolitano (Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Ray Porter, Marin Ireland, Gilli Messer, Kimberly Farr, Cassandra Campbell and Brittany Pressley
This tender and perceptive debut novel from the New York Times bestselling author of HELLO BEAUTIFUL, which released 20 years ago, is about three generations of a large Catholic family jarred into crisis by an unexpected pregnancy.
No one in my mother’s family ever talks about anything that can be categorized as unpleasant or as having to do with emotions...
This spellbinding novel by bestselling author Ann Napolitano --- which is available in a new paperback edition --- is a poignant reminder of how connected we are to those we love, even when we cannot find the words to say it. The unforgettable story of three generations of an Irish American family, WITHIN ARM'S REACH is another rich and deeply satisfying novel from the author who captured the many dimensions of grief in DEAR EDWARD and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood in HELLO BEAUTIFUL.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read Ann Napolitano's bio.
- Click here to visit Ann Napolitano's website.
- Connect with Ann Napolitano on Twitter and Instagram.
Click here to read more in our Paperback Spotlight.
Announcing Bookreporter.com's 20th Annual
Summer Reading Contests and Feature
Summer will be here before you know it! At Bookreporter.com, this means it's time for us to share some great summer book picks with our Summer Reading Contests and Feature. We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through early August, so you will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter to win. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.
Our first prize book will be announced on Wednesday, May 1st at noon ET.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
Bookreporter.com’s 19th Annual
Mother’s Day Contest: Books Mom Will Love
Mother’s Day is a time to recognize the woman who raised and nurtured us. To celebrate, we're giving you the opportunity to win books for yourself or the special lady in your life in our 19th annual "Books Mom Will Love" contest. From now through Monday, May 13th at noon ET, readers can enter to win one of our five prize packages, which includes nine great titles that we think moms will love.
This year's prize books are:
Click here to enter the contest.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
DAUGHTER OF MINE by Megan Miranda
and THE WIVES by Simone Gorrindo
DAUGHTER OF MINE by Megan Miranda (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
Megan Miranda has ratcheted up her thriller game with DAUGHTER OF MINE. First, let’s pull in a climate/environmental issue with a lake receding as there are days without rain and a clear forecast. Feeling parched as you read? I get it. So what happens when the water recedes? Well, things that were hidden suddenly come to light. Sitting on the edge of your seat yet?
If not, try this. Hazel, the daughter of the local longtime detective of Mirror Lake, inherits her childhood home. Why is this so unexpected? I’m not going to give it away, but there’s twist number one when you get there. Hazel has left town for almost a decade at this point, and she is not ready to race back, even if there is a house waiting for her. She has her own business with two friends, and she’s happy with her new life.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to watch our "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Megan Miranda.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
- Click here to visit Megan Miranda's website.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on DAUGHTER OF MINE.
THE WIVES: A Memoir by Simone Gorrindo (Memoir)
A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of attending a pre-publication lunch and talking to Simone Gorrindo about THE WIVES. At the time, I had heard about the book but had not read a word of it. I enjoyed our conversation, and when I was reading it, I found Simone’s voice on the page to be as honest and engaging as she had been in person. I started off listening to the audiobook; I always love it when an author reads his or her memoir. I later picked up the book as I can read faster than I listen.
There are so many moments that I loved here, but what Simone wrote so well is about the camaraderie among these women, all of whom were united by one common thread --- they were the wives of men in combat or training for combat.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to watch our "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Simone Gorrindo.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on THE WIVES.
Featured Review:
JUST FOR THE SUMMER by Abby Jimenez
April’s “Good Morning America” Book Club Pick
JUST FOR THE SUMMER by Abby Jimenez (Romantic Comedy)
Audiobook available, read by Christine Lakin and Zachary Webber
Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up. It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected --- including catching real feelings for each other. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to see why the book is this month's "Good Morning America" Book Club pick.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE HUSBANDS by Holly Gramazio
April’s “Read with Jenna” Today Show Book Club Pick
THE HUSBANDS by Holly Gramazio (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Miranda Raison
When Lauren returns home to her flat in London late one night, she is greeted at the door by her husband, Michael. There’s only one problem --- she’s not married. She’s never seen this man before in her life. But according to her friends, her much-improved decor, and the photos on her phone, they’ve been together for years. As Lauren tries to puzzle out how she could be married to someone she can’t remember meeting, Michael goes to the attic to change a light bulb and abruptly disappears. In his place, a new man emerges, and a new, slightly altered life re-forms around her. Realizing that her attic is creating an infinite supply of husbands, Lauren confronts the question: If swapping lives is as easy as changing a light bulb, how do you know you’ve taken the right path? When do you stop trying to do better and start actually living? Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to see why the book is this month's "Read with Jenna" pick.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THE BACKYARD BIRD CHRONICLES by Amy Tan
THE BACKYARD BIRD CHRONICLES written and illustrated by Amy Tan
(Nature/Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Evan Sibley
In 2016, Amy Tan grew overwhelmed by the state of the world: Hatred and misinformation became a daily presence on social media, and the country felt more divisive than ever. In search of peace, Tan turned toward the natural world just beyond her window and, specifically, the birds visiting her yard. But what began as an attempt to find solace turned into something far greater --- an opportunity to savor quiet moments during a volatile time, connect to nature in a meaningful way, and imagine the intricate lives of the birds she admired. Reviewed by Roberta O'Hara.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
What’s New This Month on ReadingGroupGuides.com
Here are our latest featured guides on ReadingGroupGuides.com:
Please note that these titles, for which we already had the guides when they appeared in hardcover, are now available in paperback:
Click here to visit ReadingGroupGuides.com.
THE MURDER INN by James Patterson and Candice Fox (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Corey Carthew
When ex-cop Bill Robinson takes over The Inn by the Sea, all he wants is a quiet escape from the city. But when a crime boss moves into town and begins terrorizing Bill's friends, he can't just sit back and watch. It's not long before local criminals are turning up dead and The Inn comes under attack. With the help of The Inn's fearless residents, Bill must do everything he can to defend his town, his chosen family and his home. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
HOW TO END A LOVE STORY by Yulin Kuang (Romance)
Audiobook available, read by Katharine Chin and Andrew Eiden
Helen Zhang hasn’t seen Grant Shepard once in the 13 years since the tragic accident that bound their lives together forever. Now a bestselling author, Helen pours everything into her career. She’s even scored a coveted spot in the writers’ room of the TV adaptation of her popular young adult novels. Grant has done everything in his power to move on from the past. And while the panic attacks have never quite gone away, he’s well-liked around town as a screenwriter. He knows he shouldn’t have taken the job on Helen’s show, but it will open doors to developing his own projects. But when secrets come to light, they must reckon with the fact that theirs was never meant to be any kind of love story. Yet the key to making peace with their past --- and themselves --- just might lie in holding on to each other in the present. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
A GAME OF LIES by Clare Mackintosh (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Chloe Angharad Davies
Stranded in the Welsh mountains, seven reality show contestants have no idea what they've signed up for. Each of these strangers has a secret. If another player can guess the truth, they won't just be eliminated --- they'll be exposed live on air. The stakes are higher than they'd ever imagined, and they're trapped. The disappearance of a contestant wasn't supposed to be part of the drama. Detective Ffion Morgan has to put aside what she's watched on screen and find out who these people really are --- knowing she can't trust any of them. And when a murderer strikes, Ffion knows every one of her suspects has an alibi…and a secret worth killing for. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE GATHERING by C. J. Tudor (Supernatural Thriller/Horror)
Audiobook available, read by Lorelei King
In a small Alaska town, a boy is found with his throat ripped out and all the blood drained from his body. The inhabitants of Deadhart know who’s responsible: a member of the Colony, an ostracized community of vampyrs living in an old mine settlement deep in the woods. Detective Barbara Atkins, a specialist in vampyr killings, is called in to officially determine if this is a Colony killing --- and authorize a cull. Determined to find the truth, she enlists the help of a former Deadhart sheriff, Jenson Tucker, whose investigation into the previous murder almost cost him his life. Since then, Tucker has become a recluse. But he knows the Colony better than almost anyone. As the pair delve into the town’s history, they uncover secrets darker than they could have imagined. And then another body is found. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
ALL THAT HAPPINESS IS: Some Words on What Matters by Adam Gopnik (Self-Help/Personal Growth)
Our society is obsessed with achievement. Young people are pushed toward the next test or the “best” grammar school, high school or college they can get into. Adults push themselves toward the highest-paying, most prestigious jobs, seeking promotions and public recognition. As Adam Gopnik points out, the result is not so much a rat race as a rat maze, with no way out. Except one: to choose accomplishment over achievement. Achievement, Gopnik argues, is the completion of the task imposed from outside. Accomplishment, by contrast, is the end point of an engulfing activity one engages in for its own sake. In ALL THAT HAPPINESS IS, Gopnik demonstrates that while self-directed passions sometimes do lead to a career, the contentment that flows from accomplishment is available to each of us. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
ASSASSIN EIGHTEEN by John Brownlow (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Adam Sims
Agent Seventeen, the most infamous hit man in the world, has quit. But whoever wants to become Assassin Eighteen must track him down and kill him first. So when a bullet hits the glass inches from his face, he knows who fired it. Doesn't he? It turns out that the sniper isn't the hardened killer he was expecting. It's Mireille, a mysterious silent child abandoned in the woods with instructions to pull the trigger. Reuniting with his spiky lover, Kat, Seventeen has to protect Mireille and discover who sent her to kill him and why. But the road he must travel is littered with bodies. And the answer, when it comes, will blow apart everything Seventeen thought he knew. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
DON'T TURN AROUND by Harry Dolan (Thriller)
When Kate Summerlin was 11 years old, she climbed out her bedroom window looking for a taste of freedom. But what she found as she wandered in the woods near her house was something else: the body of a beautiful young woman, the first of Merkury’s victims. And before she could come to grips with what she was seeing, she heard a voice behind her --- the killer’s voice --- saying: “Don’t turn around.” Now, Kate is a successful true crime writer, but she has never told anyone the truth about what happened on that long-ago night. When Merkury claims yet another victim, a college student, Kate finds herself drawn back to the town where everything started. She sets out to make sense of this latest crime, but the deeper she gets into the story, the more she comes to realize that it’s far from over. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on April 30th
Below are some notable titles releasing on April 30th that we would like to make you aware of. We will have more on many of these books in the weeks to come. For a list of additional hardcovers and paperbacks available the week of April 29th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
COLTON GENTRY'S THIRD ACT by Jeff Zentner (Fiction)
In the throes of grief after a shocking loss, a down-on-his-luck country musician moves back home and rekindles a relationship with his high school sweetheart.
THE DEMON OF UNREST: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson (History)
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE SPLENDID AND THE VILE brings to life the pivotal five months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the start of the Civil War --- a simmering crisis that finally tore a deeply divided nation in two.
MISS MORGAN'S BOOK BRIGADE by Janet Skeslien Charles (Historical Fiction)
The New York Times and internationally bestselling author of THE PARIS LIBRARY returns with a brilliant new novel based on the true story of Jessie Carson --- the American librarian who changed the literary landscape of France.
THE MUSEUM OF LOST QUILTS: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini (Fiction)
THE MUSEUM OF LOST QUILTS, Jennifer Chiaverini’s first Elm Creek Quilts novel since 2019’s THE CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE, is a warm and deeply moving story about the power of collective memory.
ONLY THE BRAVE by Danielle Steel (Historical Fiction)
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel comes a powerful, sweeping historical novel about a courageous woman in World War II Germany.
AN UNFINISHED MURDER: A Medlar Mystery by Jude Deveraux (Mystery)
Sara Medlar may be retired as a bestselling author, but her career as an amateur detective is facing one final mystery --- and it’s a killer.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Sally Hepworth, Caroline Leavitt, Janet Skeslien Charles
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
Here are three upcoming virtual book and author events that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links for more info and to register.
Monday, April 29th at 7pm ET: Murder By The Book: Sally Hepworth will talk to Mystery & Thriller Maven’s Sara DiVello about her new novel, DARLING GIRLS, a thrilling page-turner of sisterhood, secrets, love and murder.
Wednesday, May 1st at 7pm ET: "Friends and Fiction": The "Friends and Fiction" authors --- Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey and Patti Callahan Henry --- will talk to Janet Skeslien Charles about her latest historical novel, MISS MORGAN'S BOOK BRIGADE.
Thursday, May 2nd at 7pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's presents Caroline Leavitt as she discusses her new book, DAYS OF WONDER, a gripping high-drama page-turner about the elusive nature of redemption and the profound reach of love.
"Bookreporter Talks To" Videos & Podcasts
“Bookreporter Talks To” is a video and podcast series that delivers a long-form, in-depth author interview every week. For years, Carol has moderated book festivals and author events around the country. But we know that readers often do not live where they can attend an author event. Our goal is to bring these author interviews to readers, wherever they may be. Watch on video, or listen as a podcast. (The podcasts include audio excerpts.)
Here are our latest interviews:
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Mary Kay Andrews (SUMMERS AT THE SAINT)
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Ann Hood (THE STOLEN CHILD)
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Ruth Reichl (THE PARIS NOVEL)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: Independent Bookstores
Is there an independent bookstore near your home?
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, May 10th at noon ET.
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