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Bookreporter.com Newsletter |
February 1, 2013 |
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Hello, February!
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Where did January go? It feels like it just flew by. That calendar page flipped way too fast, and I am afraid that if I blink, February as a short month will do just the same.
It's made me more than happy that I usually like to do two things at once. I read and knit. For the record, I also consider reading in front of a roaring fire to be multi-tasking. During the summer, multi-tasking includes swinging in the hammock and reading, or bicycling around the pool while in my chair float --- and reading. The one thing I do not do when I read is listen to music. Unlike my husband, who listens to music all day long, I am someone who likes to read in silence. Thus, while he plays golf in the summer, I read outside in quiet. As soon as he comes home, the outdoor speakers get cranked up.
Yes, he likes to listen to music loud, and so do my boys. I come home on a summer evening and crank it down, though they tell me again and again that the way they have positioned the speakers, none of the neighbors can hear as they are pointed straight back and the nearest neighbor that way is not close. I am NOT so sure about this. When I work home on Fridays, I always am closing my office door, which is on the other side of the house --- and up the stairs --- from where the music is coming from, and I still can hear it.
Many of my author friends have certain pieces of music that they listen to as they write. For me, the words are enough music. Even when I write, I prefer silence or the drone of the TV. When I am writing late in the evening, I am known for having a show on in the background, but ask me what is going on and I usually am clueless.
This week started off with some movies based on books. First up was The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which around our office is either a book our staffers loved or disliked as teens. I confess I was too old to read the book when it came out...but I very much enjoyed the movie. We also saw Argo, and even though I knew how it was going to end, I still found myself on the edge of my seat. It also made me think about how much we do not know that is going on all over the world. And I am sure I sleep better at night for knowing this.
I read three books over the last week, and all three are worth noting. First up was HER: A Memoir by Christa Parravani, which will be in stores on March 5th. Christa and her identical twin, Cara, shared the unique bond that is special to twins. Reared by a single mom in tough circumstances, they are creative and beautiful, and work their way to succeed in college and in careers as artists. Both marry young, too young, which becomes one more obstacle in front of them. Then one afternoon Cara is raped, which dredges up more thoughts of the aloneness that haunted her from her past of bad experiences with men, including her father, who let her down. She spirals downward into depression, drug abuse and an early death. Christa learns that when an identical twin dies, 50 percent of the time the surviving twin is at risk of dying within two years. She realizes she needs to take charge of not letting this be her fate. She also needs to do more than survive; she also needs to learn to embrace life. This story is powerfully moving. I literally read it in a day.
Next up was HEART OF PALM by Laura Lee Smith, which will be in stores on April 2nd. I love reading big family dramas, probably because my own family is small and has so little drama. Here we meet the Bravos, who live in Utina, Florida, a small southern town on the other side of prosperity. It was once known for its Palm Sunday palms, but we know how that market has faded away. The town is faded, and the people there are going through the motions. But the town is primed for the big time with a land deal that could completely change things --- but it all hinges on the Bravos’ next move. There is nothing that will draw tempers and divide a family like tension of tradition vs. the chance for a quick killing. And all that is going on is also steeped with the Bravo family history. Laura Lee Smith is a great debut Southern writer, and I look forward to reading more by her. And this will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection.
THE HOUSE GIRL by Tara Conklin will be in stores on February 12th (read on to see why it is poignant that this book releases on Lincoln's birthday). Lina Sparrow is a young attorney who is called in by her firm to work on a historic class-action lawsuit seeking reparations for the descendants of American slaves. As she is working on this case, she learns from her father, Oscar, who is a renowned artist, that there is a controversy in the art world. Art historians are saying that the paintings of Lu Anne Bell, an antebellum artist whose work portrayed the slaves working her Virginia tobacco farm, were actually done by her house slave, Josephine. If Lina can find one of Josephine’s descendents, it would bring more credence to her case. The book jumps back and forth between Virginia in 1852 and New York in 2004. And what unfolds are some secrets from Lina’s life, as well as those about the historical mystery of the paintings. I really enjoyed it…and there was a lot in it to think about.
Our Women’s Fiction Author Spotlight of Pam Jenoff wraps up this week with our review of THE AMBASSADOR’S DAUGHTER --- a prequel to Jenoff’s debut, THE KOMMANDANT’S GIRL --- and our interview. Reviewer Rebecca Kilberg says, “The book takes place across a number of locations in three countries, and [Jenoff] provides very detailed descriptions of the neighborhoods and streets her characters traverse.... Jenoff is sensitive to her protagonist without pandering to the audience’s expectations. Margot benefits from the author’s treatment; despite her traditional leanings, she still manages to surprise the reader at times.” In our interview, Jenoff talks about why she decided to tell her latest story through her protagonist Margot’s eyes and the surprises she experienced while doing her research for the book.
Also entering its final week is our Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight featuring Stefan Kanfer and his latest book, THE ESKIMO HUNTS IN NEW YORK, an eBook original. We posted our review two weeks ago, and now, as promised, we have the author’s answers to our questions. In our interview, Kanfer explains why he decided to return to the thriller genre after writing a number of bestselling biographies of such legends as Lucille Ball, Marlon Brando and Humphrey Bogart, and his reason for incorporating the issue of illegal pharmaceuticals into the book’s plotline.
We have THREE new Paperback Spotlights to tell you about this week. First up is AGENT 6, the conclusion to Tom Rob Smith’s thriller trilogy that also includes CHILD 44 and THE SECRET SPEECH. Leo Demidov is no longer a member of Moscow's secret police. But when his wife and daughters are invited on a "Peace Tour" to New York, he is immediately suspicious. Forbidden to travel, Leo watches helplessly as his family is pulled into a web of conspiracy and betrayal that will end in tragedy. Click here to read more about the book. By the way, it was announced this week that Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace are in negotiations to star in the film version of CHILD 44, which will be directed by Daniel Espinosa and will begin shooting in Budapest in late May.
Next up is QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. (I am not one!) They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over working in teams. In QUIET, Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so. Click here to read more about the book, and if you’d like to win a copy, QUIET is one of our featured prize books in our Valentine’s Day contest (which I’ll talk more about later in this opener).
We’re changing things up a bit for our final Paperback Spotlight of the week. Typically in these spotlights, we feature either paperback originals or paperback reprints of hardcovers that recently released. FIREFLY LANE by Kristin Hannah doesn't fall into either category as it was published in paperback in 2009. But we wanted to bring this book to your attention in anticipation of the April 23rd release of its follow-up, FLY AWAY, where readers will have a chance to either revisit the characters they came to love in FIREFLY LANE --- or meet them for the first time. The backstory is so well-told that FLY AWAY can easily work as a stand-alone, but if you haven't read FIREFLY LANE yet, we suggest you do so before the new novel's publication. And you will understand why those who read it five years ago are so eager to see what happened to these characters.
Here's more about it... In the turbulent summer of 1974, Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the eighth-grade social food chain. Then, to her amazement, the “coolest girl in the world” moves in across the street and wants to be her friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all. On the surface they are as opposite as two people can be, but they make a pact to be best friends forever. For 30 years, Tully and Kate support each other and weather jealousy, anger, hurt and resentment. They think they’ve survived it all until a single act of betrayal tears them apart...and puts their courage and friendship to the ultimate test. Click here to read more about FIREFLY LANE, and to preview what FLY AWAY is about, click here.
This week, we review THE PAINTED GIRLS by Cathy Marie Buchanan, a book that I just loved. After the van Goethem girls lose their father and realize their mother’s small income is disappearing into her alcoholism, these three girls must find a way to make a living of their own in 1878 Paris. The youngest two find their way into the Paris Opera where they are to be trained in the art of ballet, while their older sister finds her way into the circle of Emile Zola and a young man who may not be as savory as she thinks. The story of the relationship between the sisters makes for wonderful discussion, and Buchanan is a cinematic writer, thus you truly feel like you are in France as you read.
Melanie Smith has our review and says, “Buchanan leaves it to readers to figure out whether or not these ballerinas were victims of their environment. Their stories, while heartbreaking, end positively because of the strength of their bond as sisters, leaving the healing power of love as a central theme. I would recommend THE PAINTED GIRLS as a great read for those who enjoy philosophical pursuits or gritty historicals.”
SHADOWKILLER, the final book in Wendy Corsi Staub’s suspense trilogy that began with SLEEPWALKER and continued in NIGHTWATCHER, is now in stores. With her loving husband and family by her side, Allison Taylor finally feels safe --- unaware that a stranger's brutal murder on a Caribbean island is the first step in an intricate plan to destroy everything in her life. For seasoned NYPD Detective Rocky Manzillo, the signs are clear that something terrible has emerged from the shadows: a murder victim left without a face and a faded photograph that yields a startling connection. According to Joe Hartlaub, “SHADOWKILLER is certainly to be included among Staub’s best novels to date. Suspense abounds; careful readers will see where some, but not all, of the book will wind up, a fact that makes the twisting and turning journey all the more enjoyable.”
Our Eighth Annual Valentine’s Day contest will be up for one more week. We’re giving five readers the opportunity to win some delicious Ghirardelli chocolates and 10 love-themed books --- ALL THERE IS by Dave Isay, THE AVIATOR’S WIFE by Melanie Benjamin, DANCERS AMONG US by Jordan Matter, THE LOVE DOG by Elsa Watson, MISTRESS OF MY FATE by Hallie Rubenhold, ONE MONTH TO LOVE by Kerry and Chris Shook, QUIET by Susan Cain, RULES OF CIVILITY by Amor Towles, S.E.C.R.E.T. by L. Marie Adeline, and SWOON by Betsy Prioleau. For your chance to win this amazing prize package, please fill out this form by Friday, February 8th at noon ET and let us know which character from a book you’d like to share a Valentine moment with.
We’re also spreading the love on Teenreads.com with our Second Annual Valentine’s Day Contest. Teens can enter to win nine irresistible books --- CATHERINE by April Lindner, CITY OF A THOUSAND DOLLS by Miriam Forster, THE DARK UNWINDING by Sharon Cameron, KISS ME AGAIN by Rachel Vail, THE MADMAN’S DAUGHTER by Megan Shepherd, NOBODY BUT US by Kristin Halbrook, SPLINTERED by A.G. Howard, TAKE A BOW by Elizabeth Eulberg, and UNEARTHLY by Cynthia Hand --- along with a "Story Crush" coffee mug, heart-shaped Peeps, and Dove chocolates. All they have to do is click here to enter by Friday, February 8th at noon ET and, like the adults, let us know which character from a book they would like to share a Valentine moment with.
Please note: We have heard from many readers who use AOL and certain Internet browsers (namely IE7) that they are unable to access our contest forms. If this is happening to you, or if you are having issues with the dropdown menu where your state is indicated, please click here and follow the instructions for submitting your entry. We do this to ensure that ALL of your entries are counted.
We’ve updated our Young Adult Books You Want to Read feature with five books you may want to consider reading: JANIE FACE TO FACE by Caroline B. Cooney, ZOM-B UNDERGROUND by Darren Shan, WHAT WE SAW AT NIGHT by Jacquelyn Mitchard, BLACK ICE: Sherlock Holmes: The Legend Begins by Andrew Lane, and SHADOWLANDS by Kate Brian.
On Monday, the American Library Association announced the winners of some of the biggest book prizes of the year for younger readers, including the Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, Sibert and Coretta Scott King Book Awards. Check out the complete list of winners on Teenreads.com and Kidsreads.com.
How close to your home (and, if you work, your office) is your nearest bookstore? Click here to answer our latest poll and let us know!
Our previous poll asked, “Which of the following books releasing in January and February are you planning to read?” And the winner is…THE AVIATOR’S WIFE by Melanie Benjamin with a whopping 50% of the vote! That’s followed by MRS. LINCOLN’S DRESSMAKER by Jennifer Chiaverini (44%), THE STORYTELLER by Jodi Picoult (43%), A WEEK IN WINTER by Maeve Binchy (37%) and THE LAST RUNAWAY by Tracy Chevalier (32%). Click here for the full results.
What were some of your favorite books of 2012? We asked, and you answered! Click here to see what your fellow readers thought were “the best of the best” last year. Among the standouts are GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn, BRING UP THE BODIES by Hilary Mantel, HOME FRONT by Kristin Hannah and DEFENDING JACOB by William Landay.
We have a new Word of Mouth contest this week. Let us know what you’re reading by Friday, February 15th at noon ET for your chance to win A WEEK IN WINTER (the late Maeve Binchy’s last novel), THE HOUSE GIRL by Tara Conklin, and TOUCH & GO by Lisa Gardner.
Once again, we’d like to remind you that our Spring Preview Contests will start on February 19th. If you would like to be alerted as to what the featured prize book of the day will be, then click here to sign up for the Spring Preview Contest newsletter. It’s also a great way to get a jump on the books we KNOW people will be talking about in the months ahead.
My boys have inherited my love of spreading their birthday celebrations out, thus this weekend we are celebrating Greg's birthday that actually happened on Monday. Let the chocolate cake roll on. Around our house, it is all 49ers for the Super Bowl. By the way, I am glad that I will never have to worry about Greg and Cory coaching Super Bowl teams! In between reading, I'll try to coax the men in my house to move the toys and memorabilia from their childhoods to the area we cleared out in the basement. Wish me luck with the coaxing. Not sure I will be reporting back that this is done next week! Read on...
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
PS. When you use the links below to purchase books, you also support Bookreporter.com as we have affiliate arrangements with each of them. Please consider this when shopping for books online!
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Now in Stores: THE PAINTED GIRLS by Cathy Marie Buchanan
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THE PAINTED GIRLS by Cathy Marie Buchanan (Historical Fiction)
After their father's death, the two van Goethem sisters must find a way to support themselves and their alcoholic mother in 1878 Paris. Marie begins to train to enter the ballet and is soon modeling in the studio of Edgar Degas where she meets a wealthy patron of the ballet who offers her assistance that may have strings attached. Meanwhile, Antoinette must choose between hard labor and other more profitable jobs open to a young woman in Paris. Reviewed by Melanie Smith.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here for the reading group guide.
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Click here to read a review. |
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Now in Stores: SHADOWKILLER by Wendy Corsi Staub
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SHADOWKILLER by Wendy Corsi Staub (Thriller)
Nestled in the warm, domestic cocoon of a loving husband and family, Allison finally feels safe --- unaware that a stranger's brutal murder on a Caribbean island is the first step in an intricate plan to destroy everything in her life. For seasoned NYPD Detective Rocky Manzillo, the signs are clear that something terrible has emerged from the shadows: a murder victim left without a face and a faded photograph that yields a startling connection. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to visit Wendy Corsi Staub’s official website.
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Click here to read a review. |
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Bookreporter.com Talks to Pam Jenoff, Author of THE AMBASSADOR'S DAUGHTER
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Pam Jenoff’s new novel, THE AMBASSADOR’S DAUGHTER, is a prequel to her debut, THE KOMMANDANT’S GIRL, which told the story of Emma, a young Jewish woman struggling to survive and in Poland during the Second World War while working for a Nazi official. In this interview, conducted by Bookreporter.com’s Rebecca Kilberg, Jenoff explains why she decided to tell her latest story --- which takes place during the Paris Peace Conference following the First World War --- through her protagonist Margot’s eyes; talks about her research for the book and what surprised her throughout the course of it; and previews her next novel, which is also set during World War II.
THE AMBASSADOR'S DAUGHTER by Pam Jenoff (Historical Fiction)
In 1919, Margot Rosenthal is brought to Paris by her father, a German diplomat. Resenting a city where she is viewed as the enemy, Margot realizes that life back in Berlin with her wounded fiance to whom she can hardly relate anymore may not be so much better. Torn between duty and a desire to be free, Margot must make alliances and decide where her loyalties truly lie. Reviewed by Rebecca Kilberg.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Pam Jenoff’s bio.
-Click here to visit Pam Jenoff’s official website.
-Connect with Pam Jenoff on Facebook and Twitter.
-Click here to read more in our Women’s Fiction Author Spotlight.
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Click here to read our interview. |
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Bookreporter.com Talks to Stefan Kanfer, Author of THE ESKIMO HUNTS IN NEW YORK
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Stefan Kanfer has made a name for himself writing bestselling biographies of such show business icons as Lucille Ball, Marlon Brando, Humphrey Bogart and Groucho Marx. Now he returns to fiction writing with his latest release, THE ESKIMO HUNTS IN NEW YORK, an eBook original that marks the beginning of a series starring Jordan Gulok, an Inuit and a former Navy SEAL. In this interview, conducted by Bookreporter.com’s Joe Hartlaub, Kanfer explains why he decided to venture once again into the thriller genre; talks about the issue of illegal pharmaceuticals and why he incorporated it into his plotline; and names the actor he would love to see play his protagonist in a potential film adaptation of the book.
THE ESKIMO HUNTS IN NEW YORK by Stefan Kanfer (Thriller)
Jordan Gulok is an Inuit, an Eskimo in common parlance, and a former Navy SEAL. In his freelance capacity he can do things --- like tracking and on occasion killing malefactors --- that are beyond the authority of the uniformed services. In THE ESKIMO HUNTS IN NEW YORK, Jordan’s assignment involves stopping a lethal international group who’s manufacturing illegal and sometimes toxic pharmaceuticals and selling them to victims in Africa, Asia, Europe and America. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read critical praise.
-Click here to read Stefan Kanfer’s bio.
-Click here to visit Stefan Kanfer’s official website.
-Connect with Stefan Kanfer on Facebook and Twitter.
-Click here to read more in our Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight.
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Click here to read our interview. |
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New Paperback Spotlight: AGENT 6 by Tom Rob Smith
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AGENT 6 by Tom Rob Smith (Historical Thriller)
Tom Rob Smith's debut, CHILD 44, was an immediate publishing sensation and marked the arrival of a major new talent in contemporary fiction. Named one of top 100 thrillers of all time by NPR, it hit bestseller lists around the world, won the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award and the ITW Thriller Award for Best First Novel, and was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize.
In this spellbinding new novel, Tom Rob Smith probes the tenuous border between love and obsession as Leo Demidov struggles to untangle the threads of a devastating conspiracy that shatters everything he holds dear. Deftly capturing the claustrophobic intensity of the Cold War-era Soviet Union, it's at once a heart-pounding thriller and a richly atmospheric novel of extraordinary depth.
AGENT 6, which released last year in hardcover, is now available in paperback.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read critical praise.
-Click here to watch the book trailer.
-Click here to visit the publisher’s book page.
-Click here to read Tom Rob Smith’s bio.
-Click here to visit Tom Rob Smith’s official website.
-Connect with Tom Rob Smith on Facebook and Twitter.
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Click here to read more in our Paperback Spotlight. |
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New Paperback Spotlight: FIREFLY LANE by Kristin Hannah --- Read it Now Before the Follow-up, FLY AWAY, Releases on April 23rd
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Typically in our Paperback Spotlights, we feature either paperback originals or paperback reprints of hardcovers that recently released. FIREFLY LANE by Kristin Hannah doesn't fall into either category as it was published in paperback in 2009. But we wanted to bring this book to your attention in anticipation of the April 23rd release of its follow-up, FLY AWAY, where readers will have a chance to revisit the characters from FIREFLY LANE --- or meet them for the first time. The backstory is so well-told that FLY AWAY can easily work as a stand-alone, but if you haven't read FIREFLY LANE yet, we suggest you do so before the new novel's publication. And you will understand why those who read it five years ago are so eager to see what happened to these characters.
FIREFLY LANE by Kristin Hannah (Fiction)
In the turbulent summer of 1974, Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the eighth-grade social food chain. Then, to her amazement, the “coolest girl in the world” moves in across the street and wants to be her friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all --- beauty, brains, ambition. On the surface they are as opposite as two people can be: Kate, doomed to be forever uncool, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn. Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is destroying her. They make a pact to be best friends forever; by summer’s end they’ve become TullyandKate. Inseparable.
So begins Kristin Hannah’s magnificent novel. Spanning more than three decades and playing out across the ever-changing face of the Pacific Northwest, FIREFLY LANE is the poignant, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the bulkhead of their lives.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here for the reading group guide.
-Click here to read critical praise.
-Click here to read Kristin Hannah’s bio.
-Visit Kristin Hannah’s official website and blog.
-Click here to connect with Kristin Hannah on Facebook.
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Click here to read more in our Paperback Spotlight. |
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New Paperback Spotlight: QUIET by Susan Cain
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QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain (Psychology/Relationships)
At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over working in teams. It is to introverts --- Rosa Parks, Chopin, Dr. Seuss, Steve Wozniak --- that we owe many of the great contributions to society.
In QUIET, Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so.
QUIET, which released in hardcover last year, is now available in paperback.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Susan Cain’s bio.
-Connect with Susan Cain on Facebook and Twitter.
-Click here to watch a video featuring Susan Cain.
-Click here for other media appearances by Susan Cain.
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Click here to read more in our Paperback Spotlight. |
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Bookreporter.com's Eighth Annual Valentine's Day Contest --- Enter to Win Books and Sweet Treats for Yourself or Your Valentine
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The countdown to Valentine's Day is on! Are you stuck on what to buy your Valentine? Or perhaps you’re looking to treat yourself to something special? We have the bookish answer. From now through February 8th, readers will have the chance to win one of our five Bookreporter.com Valentine's Day prize packages, which includes one copy of each of our featured books and some delicious Ghirardelli chocolate.
To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, February 8th at noon ET and let us know which character from a book you’d like to spend a Valentine moment with.
Our featured Valentine’s Day titles are:
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Click here to enter the contest. |
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Introducing Bookreporter.com’s Enduring Bestseller Spotlight: Our First Featured Titles: THE KITE RUNNER and A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini
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Here at Bookreporter.com, we spend a lot of time hunting for the latest gems in the world of publishing --- new releases that the industry is buzzing about. But sometimes we stop to reflect on books from years past that have affected us deeply, books that moved us and made us laugh or struck other emotional chords. In short, books that have stuck with us and that we still cherish. Our Enduring Bestseller Spotlight gives us a chance to go back and revisit some of those titles.
Our debut titles for this exciting new feature are THE KITE RUNNER and A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini --- and with it comes two opportunities to win books.
First, if you’ve read one or both of these books, we’d love for you to share your thoughts about them, which we will then post on the site. Please email your comments to info@bookreporter.com with the subject line “Thoughts on Khaled Hosseini’s Books” and include your first name, city and state with your replies. Those who do so by April 11th will be entered to win one of 25 copies of Hosseini’s highly anticipated forthcoming novel, AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED, which releases on May 21st.
However, if you have not read one or both of these books and would like to, you’re in luck! All you have to do is fill out this form by Thursday, February 7th at noon ET, and you will be entered to win one of 25 copies of THE KITE RUNNER and/or A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS and give us your feedback on these titles.
Two contests to celebrate two very beloved books!
THE KITE RUNNER by Khaled Hosseini (Fiction)
The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father's servant, THE KITE RUNNER is a beautifully crafted novel set in a country that is in the process of being destroyed. It is about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the possibility of redemption, and it is also about the power of fathers over sons --- their love, their sacrifices, their lies.
A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini (Fiction)
Propelled by the same superb instinct for storytelling that made THE KITE RUNNER a beloved classic, A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS is at once an incredible chronicle of 30 years of Afghan history and a deeply moving story of family, friendship, faith, and the salvation to be found in love.
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Click here to read more in our Enduring Bestseller Spotlight and enter the contest. |
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This Week’s Reviews
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UNTIL THE END OF TIME by Danielle Steel (Fiction)
Jenny and Bill’s happy life together is suddenly cut short when tragedy strikes. Thirty-eight years later, Bob, a hardened New York City publisher, will meet his match in Lillibet, a shy Amish girl who is a talented writer. Though these two couldn't be less alike, they immediately sense a deep connection that spans their differences. And there's the unshakable sense that they've known each other for a long time...possibly in another life. Reviewed by Amie Taylor.
SPEAKING FROM AMONG THE BONES: A Flavia de Luce Novel by Alan Bradley (Historical Mystery)
When the tomb of St. Tancred is opened at a village church in Bishop's Lacey, its shocking contents lead to another case for Flavia de Luce. Greed, pride and murder result in old secrets coming to light --- along with a forgotten flower that hasn't been seen for half a thousand years. Reviewed by Roz Shea.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
COLLATERAL DAMAGE: A Stone Barrington Novel by Stuart Woods (Thriller)
After a productive trip to Bel-Air, Stone Barrington is back in Manhattan, ready to return to the world of deluxe fine dining and elegant high society that New York does best. But then an unexpected visit from his friend and periodic lover, CIA assistant director Holly Barker, draws Stone into a dangerous game of murder and vengeance, against an enemy with plans bigger than they could ever imagine. Reviewed by Judy Gigstad.
PROOF OF GUILT: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery by Charles Todd (Historical Mystery)
In the summer of 1920, an unidentified body appears to have been run down by a motorcar. When signs point to murder, one small clue leads Inspector Ian Rutledge to a firm built by two families famous for producing and selling the world's best Madeira wine. Lewis French, the head of the English enterprise, is missing, but is he the dead man? And is Matthew Traynor, French's cousin who heads the Madeira office, somehow involved? Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
ROBERT B. PARKER'S IRONHORSE by Robert Knott (Western)
Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch have been through some of the roughest places in the Western United States. As newly appointed Territorial Marshalls, their first task is to escort Mexican prisoners to the border. This simple train ride is easy after some of their past adventures, but when the Governor of Texas and his wife and daughters climb aboard, they begin to realize that this job may not be as easy as they expected. Reviewed by Tom Callahan.
THE REAL JANE AUSTEN: A Life in Small Things by Paula Byrne (Biography)
In this well-researched and highly entertaining biography, Paula Byrne gives us a Jane Austen many readers may not recognize: a woman who enjoyed black humor and was well aware of the political scene of her time. Byrne uses artifacts from Austen’s life as a starting point for her engaging chapters on the events that shaped Austen’s worldview and inspired some of the most beloved scenes and characters in all of English literature. Reviewed by Michael Magras.
JUJITSU RABBI AND THE GODLESS BLONDE: A True Story by Rebecca Dana (Memoir)
For Rebecca Dana, Truman Capote and Nora Ephron were her gods and New York City was her Jerusalem. After graduating from college, she moves to New York and all of her dreams come true. However, when they come crashing down around her, she finds herself living in Brooklyn's Lubavitch community with Cosmo, a 30-year-old Russian rabbi who practices jujitsu on the side. Both disenchanted with their religions, they go searching for meaning. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
INTO THE DARK by Alison Gaylin (Mystery/Suspense)
When Brenna Spector first sees footage of missing webcam performer Lula Belle, Lula's deepest, darkest secrets are stories that to Brenna are chillingly familiar --- stories only Brenna and her sister, Clea, would know. Clea went missing when they were children, and Brenna is convinced the missing Internet performer has ties to her sister. Brenna takes the case --- and in her quest for Lula Belle unravels a web of obsession, sex, guilt and murder. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
BACK FROM THE DEAD by Peter Leonard (Thriller)
Ernst Hess, missing and presumed dead, regains consciousness to find himself stuck in a hospital bed on a strange ward in a foreign country. He must do what he needs to do to get his life back and to finish the job he has been doing for decades. Harry believes he has already stopped Hess. When he finds out that the war criminal has somehow survived, Harry must kill Hess again --- even if it means putting his life and the lives of those that matter to him on the line. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
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Young Adult Books You Want to Read
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As you may or may not know, our company, The Book Report Network, has a number of websites about books and authors in addition to Bookreporter.com. Throughout the year, Bookreporter.com features adult books on Teenreads.com, our site for young adult readers, that we think will have definite appeal to a teen audience. In the spirit of sharing, we are now spotlighting a selection of titles each month from Teenreads.com that we believe are great reads that you might enjoy.
Here are our latest featured titles:
JANIE FACE TO FACE by Caroline B. Cooney (Romantic Suspense)
In this riveting and emotional conclusion to Caroline B. Cooney’s thriller-romance series that started with THE FACE ON THE MILK CARTON, all will be revealed as readers find out if Janie and Reeve's love has endured, and whether or not the person who caused Janie and her family so much emotional pain and suffering is brought to justice. Reviewed by Amy Alessio.
ZOM-B UNDERGROUND by Darren Shan (Horror)
Waking up in a military complex after zombies attacked school, B has no memory of the last few months. Life in the UK has turned tough since the outbreak, and B is woven into life and battle in the new military regime quickly. But as B learns more about the zombies held in the complex and the scientists keeping them captive, unease settles in. Is there anyone left in the world to trust? Reviewed by Erin Allen.
WHAT WE SAW AT NIGHT by Jacquelyn Mitchard (Mystery/Thriller)
Allie Kim suffers from a fatal allergy to sunlight that confines her and her two best friends, Rob and Juliet, to the night. When Juliet takes up Parkour --- the stunt-sport of scaling and leaping off tall buildings --- Allie and Rob have no choice but to join her. On a random summer night, the trio catches a glimpse of what appears to be murder. Allie investigates, and the truth comes at an unthinkable price. Reviewed by Caroline Osborn.
BLACK ICE: Sherlock Holmes: The Legend Begins by Andrew Lane (Historical Mystery)
When Sherlock visits his brother, what he finds shocks him to the core: a locked room, a dead body, and Mycroft holding a knife. The police are convinced that Mycroft is a murderer, but Sherlock is just as convinced he is innocent. Threatened with the gallows, Mycroft needs Sherlock to save him. The search for the truth necessitates an incredible journey where Sherlock is afoot in a world of secrets and danger. Reviewed by Carly Silver.
SHADOWLANDS by Kate Brian (Horror)
After surviving an attack from a serial killer, Rory must enter witness protection with her father and sister, Darcy, leaving their friends and family without so much as a goodbye. As the sisters settle in to Juniper Landing, it seems that their new home may be just the fresh start they need. But just as they’re starting to feel safe again, one of their new friends goes missing. Reviewed by Rebecca Kilberg.
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Click here to see all the young adult books we recommend you read. |
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Contests Running on Other Sites in TheBookReportNetwork.com
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We have a number of contests currently running on our other sites in TheBookReportNetwork.com. Please take a look at them below, and enter for your chance to win some fabulous books!
ReadingGroupGuides.com
THE FEVER TREE by Jennifer McVeigh
We are celebrating the forthcoming release of THE FEVER TREE by Jennifer McVeigh --- a compelling portrait of colonial South Africa and a love story about how fear can blind us to the truth --- with a special contest. 50 readers will have the opportunity to each win an advance copy of the book, which will be in stores on April 4th, for their group. The deadline for entries is Monday, February 4th at noon ET.
“What Are You Reading?” Monthly Contest Feature
Let us know what your group is reading in January, and you will be entered in a giveaway to win multiple copies of a book for your group! Our latest prize book is THE LIFEBOAT by Charlotte Rogan, a page-turning novel of hard choices and survival, narrated by a woman as unforgettable and complex as the events she describes. We have 12 copies of the book, which is now available in paperback, to give away to three groups. The deadline for entries is Monday, February 4th at noon ET.
20SomethingReads.com
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
In anticipation of the February 5th release of SCARLET --- the second book in Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles series, which retells the story of Little Red Riding Hood --- we’re giving five readers the opportunity to win a copy of both CINDER and SCARLET. The deadline for entries is Thursday, March 28th at noon ET.
Teenreads.com
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
In anticipation of the February 5th release of SCARLET --- the second book in Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles series, which retells the story of Little Red Riding Hood --- we’re giving five readers the opportunity to win a copy of both CINDER and SCARLET. The deadline for entries is Thursday, March 28th at noon ET.
Valentine’s Day Contest and Feature
The countdown to February 14th is on! And we're spreading the love with our Valentine's Day Contest and Feature. From now through February 8th, readers will have the chance to win one of our five Teenreads.com Valentine's Day prize packages, which includes one copy of each of our featured books, along with a “Story Crush” coffee mug, heart-shaped Peeps and Dove chocolates.
Word of Mouth
Send us your current reading recommendations with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. This contest period, one teen reader will be randomly chosen to win a copy of CRASH AND BURN by Michael Hassan and OUT OF THE EASY by Ruta Sepetys. The deadline for entries is Friday, March 1st at noon ET.
Kidsreads.com
HOKEY POKEY by Jerry Spinelli
To celebrate the release of HOKEY POKEY, Jerry Spinelli's fable of leaving childhood behind and entering the new adventures of adolescence, Kidsreads.com is giving 10 readers the chance to win a copy of the book. The deadline for entries is Friday, March 15th at noon ET.
FaithfulReader.com
FaithfulReader.com’s Monthly Contest
In our latest monthly contest, 10 readers will receive a copy of BEYOND ORDINARY: When a Good Marriage Just Isn't Good Enough, in which Justin and Trisha Davis reveal how they turned their ordinary marriage into a truly extraordinary one. The deadline for entries is Tuesday, February 12th at noon ET.
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This Week’s Poll: How Close is Your Nearest Bookstore?
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How close to your home is your nearest physical bookstore? (This can be a chain or an indie.)
1-10 minutes
11-20 minutes
21-30 minutes
31-45 minutes
46-60 minutes
More than one hour away
I’m not sure.
If you work, how close to your office is your nearest physical bookstore? (This can be a chain or an indie.)
1-10 minutes
11-20 minutes
21-30 minutes
31-45 minutes
46-60 minutes
More than one hour away
I’m not sure.
I do not work.
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Click here to answer our poll. |
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Word of Mouth: Tell Us What You're Reading --- and You Could Win THREE Books!
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Tell us your current reading recommendations with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from February 1st to February 15th, FIVE lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE HOUSE GIRL by Tara Conklin, TOUCH & GO by Lisa Gardner and A WEEK IN WINTER by Maeve Binchy.
To make sure other readers will be able to find the books you write about, please include the full title and correct author names (your entry must include these to be eligible to win). For complete rules and guidelines, click here.
-To see reader comments from previous contest periods, click here.
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Click here to enter the contest. |
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As always, here are a few housekeeping notes. If you are seeing this newsletter in a text version, and would prefer to see the graphics, you can either read it online or change your preferences below.
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