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October 25, 2013

Bookreporter.com Newsletter October 25, 2013
Keeping the Lights On

This is the time of year that I miss having little ones around the house as I love taking kids trick or treating. I have boxes of the boys’ homemade costumes in the attic. Halloween has been “canceled” in our town the last two years due to storms. In fact, we have not had power at our house for a week around October 29th the last two years after said storms. I am watching the Weather Channel like a hawk looking at the precipitation and temperature. Though all looks clear, I confess that the storms fears die hard. I am holding off on buying candy until the 11th hour as I am not going to eat Peanut M&Ms for a month again! I confess in the past to “negotiating” for the boys’ Dots and Jujubes from their loot.

Last weekend, in between reading and knitting as I tried to rest so my cold would vanish, I watched “Scandal,” the scripts of which read like one suspenseful novel. Our former staffer Ann suggested it to me, and I binge-watched it. I am confessing to a tiny crush on Tony Goldwyn, who plays President Fitzgerald Thomas Grant. My husband’s name is Tom Fitzgerald, thus every time “Fitz” was called, I looked up thinking they were calling him. Researching Goldwyn, I learned he has narrated eight audiobooks, including THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America and THUNDERSTRUCK by Erik Larson and KATE REMEMBERED by A. Scott Berg. Hmmmmm….I may just have to give one of these a listen! This also means my binge-watching became work-related.

I also went to see Gravity. Anyone who is signing up for recreational space travel should have this as required viewing. My friend Cindy and I saw it in IMAX 3D, and I felt like I was out in space. It was suspenseful, and the special effects are brilliant. It’s not a perfect film (it’s a tad slim when you really think on it), but it is very, very entertaining.

On the reading front, I recommend SURVIVAL LESSONS by Alice Hoffman. This slim, 96-page book is Alice’s first nonfiction title. She is a breast cancer survivor, but this is not a book about cancer. Rather, it’s a book about embracing and enjoying life. Read it in small bites or devour it all at once. I am going to quote the blurb from Will Schwalbe, author of THE END OF YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUB: SURVIVAL LESSONS is filled with love, insight, and lots of practical advice --- including a crazy-good brownie recipe. I'll be sharing this book widely, but keeping one copy permanently on my nightstand for all the times I'll need its wisdom and warmth.” Oh, and now that Will reminded me, I WILL be making those brownies.

I also read a YA novel that you are going to be hearing a LOT about when it releases in May, WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart. I am not going to give away the plot…but I am going to tell you what everyone at the publisher told me before I read the manuscript: “Just trust me and read it.” I was at a publisher preview yesterday where Lockhart shared a list of her inspirations for the book, and I was feverishly taking notes to share with you later. A few others in the room had read it, and we were all but huddled having what felt like a pseudo book club discussion to talk about it --- and we were quizzing the author. Remember, you heard about it here first! And the cover will be revealed next Friday.

I spent Wednesday night at a book club discussion for WONDER by R.J. Palacio at our local library. Our regional high school read this book schoolwide (about 2,200 students) for summer reading. When they were looking for a title, I suggested WONDER because it could easily be read by all the students and I felt it would inspire excellent conversation about tolerance, as well as bullying. While it's catalogued as a middle-grade book, I felt it was applicable to high school as well.

From what I have heard, it has had a great reaction from the students; all who I talked to told me it was their favorite summer reading book. I was thrilled to hear that they took my suggestion for how to discuss the book and had the freshmen talk about it with the seniors and the sophomores discuss it with the juniors. And part of our discussion revolved around the idea of while we tell children when they misbehave, do we adequately tell them when they are kind? Good thought! We already are talking about what the kids should read next summer!

Another MEGA-book release week….and the first two I have not yet read and look forward to….

John Grisham returns to the setting and characters that captured the imagination of America 25 years ago in A TIME TO KILL with his new legal thriller, SYCAMORE ROW. When a wealthy man rewrites his will leaving everything to his maid, he sparks a controversy that involves everyone in Clanton. The case goes to trial, and Jake Brigance again finds himself in the middle of a complex feud that cannot be divorced from Ford County’s troubled past. Stuart Shiffman has our review and says, “A prolific writer such as Grisham always runs the risk of turning out a clunker. But Grisham has the knack for finding topical themes, inventive plot twists, and the appropriate criticism of the legal profession to make his novels entertaining and page-turning…. SYCAMORE ROW will not disappoint fans.”

THE GOLDFINCH marks Donna Tartt’s highly anticipated return (her first book in 11 years!) with a story about identity, loss, and the power of art. When an explosion at the Metropolitan Museum of Art kills Theo’s mother, he is left with only his memory of her and a small, rare painting he stole in the chaos of the accident. What follows is an adventure that lasts the rest of Theo’s life, taking him from the world of opulence on Park Avenue to the gritty underworld of art. Reviewer Michael Magras has this to say: “Tartt’s strength is plot. She has created many well-drawn characters and clever twists… [G]ive Tartt credit for daring to write a book that is so brazenly different from many other modern novels.”

As readers of this newsletter know, Wally Lamb is back with WE ARE WATER, his first book in four years. Here, he examines family, secrets and humanity with the story of Anna Oh, who after nearly 30 years of typical American domestic life has fallen in love with Viveca, the woman who helped her succeed as an artist. The two prepare to marry, but their wedding unearths long-standing tensions from the Oh family’s past. Jana Siciliano has our review and says, “For anyone feeling the squeeze of modern life, Anna’s journey will resonate, helping us all look at our lives with the same expressionistic determination.” We’re currently featuring the guide for this book on our ReadingGroupGuides.com site. Click here for the guide.

Sandra Dallas’s new novel, FALLEN WOMEN, which we’ve been featuring in our Historical Fiction Author Spotlight, is now in stores. Her debut mystery tells the story of two sisters, both born into one of New York’s wealthiest families in the late 19th century. Beret grows up to be one of the city’s most celebrated socialites, while Lillie becomes estranged, moving to Denver and sinking into obscurity. One day, Beret hears news that her sister is dead, murdered in the brothel in which she had been working. Shocked and confused, Beret leaves the comforts of New York to seek the truth about her sister’s life and death. According to reviewer Alexis Burling, “Depending on how witty and resourceful you are, the identity of the murderer may or may not surprise you. Dallas certainly puts on a good show to divert your attentions away from the culprit.” Alexis also had the opportunity to ask Sandra some questions about her first foray into the mystery genre. Click here to read the interview. By the way, I read every set of interview questions before they go to the authors --- and thus I look forward to reading these pieces as much as you do.

Our Women’s Fiction Author Spotlight contest for Kristina Riggle’s THE WHOLE GOLDEN WORLD continues. A picture-perfect family is suddenly upended when it’s revealed that their 17-year-old daughter has been having an affair with her 30-year-old married teacher. Things get even more complicated when she sides with him in the trial, disputing her family’s claims of manipulation and arguing that she is truly in love. We have 25 copies to give away to readers who would like to read the book, which releases on Tuesday, November 5th, and comment on it. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, October 31st at noon ET.

We’d like to remind you of our contest for THAT NIGHT by Chevy Stevens, whose previous books have all been featured and reviewed on the site. In this psychological thriller, which I am betting is going to be THE talked-about book of summer 2014 when it releases on June 17th, Toni Murphy is finally leaving prison after 15 years. Jailed for a crime she didn't commit --- the murder of her sister --- she just wants to get on with her life. But her ex-boyfriend Ryan, who was also set up for the murder, is determined to clear their name and get revenge on those who wronged them. The book doesn’t release until June, but we’re giving 100 lucky readers the opportunity to win an advance copy and share their comments with the publisher. You only have until this coming Tuesday, October 29th at noon ET to enter, so the time to do so is now! Oh, and this week there was a “cover reveal” for THAT NIGHT, sooooo look above to see that.

This week’s Fall Showcase contest ended today. Congratulations to the winners of these five books: THE ALL-GIRL FILLING STATION’S LAST REUNION by Fannie Flagg, THE AVIATOR'S WIFE by Melanie Benjamin, CARTWHEEL by Jennifer duBois, A NANTUCKET CHRISTMAS by Nancy Thayer, and NIGHT FILM by Marisha Pessl. Although the contest portion of this feature has wrapped up, we encourage you to take a look at all our featured Fall Showcase titles and perhaps generate a list of books you’d like to give (or get) for the holidays. On November 8th, we will be launching our Holiday Cheer Feature, and the daily contests for this feature will start on November 11th. Want to keep informed about these contests? Then sign up for our Holiday Cheer newsletters here.

We’ve updated our Young Adult Books You Want to Read feature, reviews that we’ve posted on our Teenreads.com site. This month’s selections are ALLEGIANT by Veronica Roth (what a HIGHLY anticipated book!), THE LORD OF OPIUM by Nancy Farmer, JUST ONE YEAR by Gayle Forman, PICTURE ME GONE by Meg Rosoff, REALITY BOY by A.S. King and IN THE AGE OF LOVE AND CHOCOLATE by Gabrielle Zevin. Click here to see more YA books we think you should check out.

With Halloween less than a week away, we’re curious to know if you read scary books or avoid them like the plague. Click here to let us know. I like them, but I do look over my shoulder as I read!

Let us know what you’re reading by Friday, November 1st at noon ET for your chance to win these three books in our Word of Mouth contest: OUTLAW: A Robin Monarch Novel by Mark Sullivan (click here to read our review), along with the aforementioned SYCAMORE ROW by John Grisham and WE ARE WATER by Wally Lamb.

We’ve posted advance readers' comments for SONGS OF WILLOW FROST by Jamie Ford and THE LIGHT IN THE RUINS by Chris Bohjalian, which we gave away this year in our Author Spotlights. Click on the titles to see what our contest winners had to say about these books.

The titles for next year’s World Book Night have been announced! In the U.S., a half-million free paperbacks will be handed out in towns and cities across America all on one day --- April 23rd --- by enlisting 25,000 volunteer book lovers to help promote reading by going into their communities and personally handing out specially printed books to light or non-readers and to those without the means or access to them. Click here to see the complete list of titles that will be given away. (We hope to have the video announcement to share with you soon.) I personally "revealed" THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE, a book club favorite, as one of the titles. Other titles include books from authors like Agatha Christie, Jamie Ford, Malcolm Gladwell, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Carl Hiaasen, Garrison Keillor, Scott Turow, and many more. Interested in applying to become one of those sharing the books? Click here for all the details and to fill out the application; the deadline for your applications is January 5th.

This week, the hint of frost had us (meaning “Fitz”) lugging hibiscus plants and others that still are in full bloom into the house. One corner of the kitchen and the back hall are now filled with the plants that were living all over the patio. This weekend, I need to come up with a better place to house them to try to get them to winter over. At about this time of year, I think about how having a greenhouse or a conservatory would be a great idea. “Fitz” just rolls his eye and reminds me that we still have a son in college. Who wants to live in reality land when fantasy land is so much more fun? I also attended 1.5 days of publisher previews this week. I brought home three more bags of books. This weekend will be about making a spreadsheet of the books to read and shelving them so I can share them with you.

Happy Halloween! Hope you see some imaginative costumes and enjoy some candy. Read on….

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)

Now in Stores: SYCAMORE ROW by John Grisham

SYCAMORE ROW by John Grisham (Legal Thriller)
Nearly 25 years after the publication of A TIME TO KILL, John Grisham returns to that famous courthouse in Clanton as Jake Brigance once again finds himself embroiled in a fiercely controversial trial --- a trial that will expose old racial tensions and force Ford County to confront its tortured history. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.

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Click here to read more about the book.
-
Click here to read an excerpt.

 

Click here to read a review.
Now in Stores: THE GOLDFINCH by Donna Tartt

THE GOLDFINCH by Donna Tartt (Fiction)
An explosion at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art kills Audrey Decker while she and her 13-year-old son, Theo, pay an afternoon visit. Theo survives, but before he stumbles to safety, a wounded elderly man encourages him to steal the Museum’s 1654 Carel Fabritius painting of a goldfinch and to deliver a gold ring to the Hobart and Blackwell antiques shop. Thus begins an 800-page adventure involving Vegas gamblers, underworld criminals, and Park Avenue privilege. Reviewed by Michael Magras.

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Click here to read more about the book.

 

Click here to read a review.
Now in Stores: WE ARE WATER by Wally Lamb

WE ARE WATER by Wally Lamb (Fiction)
After 27 years of marriage and three children, Anna Oh --- wife, mother, outsider artist --- has fallen in love with Viveca, the wealthy Manhattan art dealer who orchestrated her success. They plan to wed in the Oh family’s hometown of Three Rivers in Connecticut. But the wedding provokes some very mixed reactions and opens a Pandora’s Box of toxic secrets --- dark and painful truths that have festered below the surface of the Ohs’ lives. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.

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Click here to read more about the book.
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Click here to read an excerpt.
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Click here for the reading group guide.

 

Click here to read a review.
Bookreporter.com Talks to Sandra Dallas, Author of FALLEN WOMEN

Sandra Dallas is the author of 13 novels, including TRUE SISTERS, THE BRIDE'S HOUSE, PRAYERS FOR SALE and TALLGRASS. Her latest, FALLEN WOMEN, is about New York socialite Beret Osmundsen, who gets word that her estranged sister Lillie has died suddenly. When Beret discovers the sordid truth of Lillie’s death, she makes her way to Denver, determined to locate the killer. In this interview with Bookreporter.com’s Alexis Burling, Dallas talks about her lifelong fascination with Colorado history, as well as how she went about researching the living conditions and culture of 19th-century prostitutes. She also discusses why it took her more than two decades to write FALLEN WOMEN --- her first mystery --- why she prefers writing fiction over nonfiction, and why we are more prone to deny fault when it comes to the people we love.

FALLEN WOMEN
by Sandra Dallas
(Historical Mystery)
Wealthy New York socialite Beret Osmundsen has been estranged from her younger sister, Lillie, for a year when she gets word from her aunt and uncle that Lillie has died suddenly in Denver. What they do not tell her is that Lillie had become a prostitute and was brutally murdered in the brothel where she had been living. When Beret discovers the sordid truth of Lillie’s death, she makes her way to Denver, determined to find her sister’s murderer. Reviewed by Alexis Burling.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Sandra Dallas's bio.
-Click here to visit Sandra Dallas's official website.
-Click here to connect with Sandra Dallas on Facebook.
-Click here to see the 35 winners selected to read and comment on the book.
-Click here to read more in our Historical Fiction Author Spotlight.

 

Click here to read our interview.
Now in Stores: SILENT NIGHT by Robert B. Parker with Helen Brann

SILENT NIGHT: A Spenser Holiday Novel by Robert B. Parker with Helen Brann (Mystery)
Spenser is busy planning for his holiday dinner when an 11-year-old homeless boy shows up in need of help. The man who runs the unlicensed shelter that gives the boy refuge is being intimidated in an attempt to force them out of their neighborhood. Spenser is on the case in SILENT NIGHT, the book Robert B. Parker was working on at the time of his death. Reviewed by Tom Callahan and Joe Hartlaub.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Read reviews from Tom Callahan and Joe Hartlaub.

Now in Stores: KILLING JESUS by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard

KILLING JESUS: A History by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard (History)

Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard detail the events leading up to the murder of the most influential man in history: Jesus of Nazareth. Nearly 2,000 years after this beloved and controversial young revolutionary was brutally killed by Roman soldiers, more than 2.2 billion human beings attempt to follow his teachings and believe he is God. KILLING JESUS takes readers inside Jesus’ life, recounting the events that made his death inevitable and changed the world forever. Reviewed by Judy Gigstad.

-Click here to read more about the book.

 

Click here to read a review.
Women's Fiction Author Spotlight & Contest: THE WHOLE GOLDEN WORLD by Kristina Riggle

We have 25 copies of THE WHOLE GOLDEN WORLD by Kristina Riggle, which releases on November 5th, to give away to readers who would like to read the book and comment on it. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, October 31st at noon ET.

THE WHOLE GOLDEN WORLD by Kristina Riggle (Fiction)
Seventeen-year-old Morgan Monetti shocks her parents and her community with one simple act: She chooses to stand by the man everyone else believes has exploited her --- popular high school teacher TJ Hill. Quietly walking across a crowded courtroom to sit behind TJ, and not beside her parents, she announces herself as the adult she believes herself to be.

But her mother, Dinah, wants justice. Dinah is a fighter, and she believes with all her heart and soul that TJ is a man who took advantage of her daughter. He is a criminal who should be brought to justice, no matter what the cost to his family.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here
to read Kristina Riggle’s bio.

 
Click here to read more in our Women's Fiction Author Spotlight and enter the contest.
Women's Fiction Author Spotlight: THE TULIP EATERS by Antoinette van Heugten

THE TULIP EATERS by Antoinette van Heugten (Fiction)
It's the stuff of nightmares: Nora de Jong returns home from work one ordinary day to find her mother has been murdered. Her infant daughter is missing. And the only clue is the body of an unknown man on the living-room floor, clutching a Luger in his cold, dead hand.

Frantic to find Rose, Nora puts aside her grief and frustration to start her own search. But the contents of a locked metal box she finds in her parents' attic leave her with as many questions as answers --- and suggest the killer was not a stranger. Saving her daughter means delving deeper into her family's darkest history, leading Nora half a world away to Amsterdam, where her own unsettled past and memories of painful heartbreak rush back to haunt her.

As Nora feverishly pieces together the truth from an old family diary, she's drawn back to a city under Nazi occupation, where her mother's alliances may have long ago sealed her own --- and Rose's --- fate.

THE TULIP EATERS releases on October 29th.

-Click here
to read an excerpt.
-Click here
to read Antoinette van Heugten's bio.
-Click here
to visit Antoinette van Heugten's official website.
-Connect with Antoinette van Heugten on Facebook
and Twitter.

-Click here to see the 25 winners selected to read and comment on the book.
 

Click here to read more in our Women's Fiction Author Spotlight.
Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight: TWIST by John Lutz

TWIST: A Frank Quinn Novel by John Lutz (Thriller)
New York Times bestselling author John Lutz --- recently hailed as a living legend --- brings back his popular homicide detective Frank Quinn in a gritty, fast-paced serial killer thriller.

Frank Quinn is a decorated ex-cop and a former homicide detective specializing in tracking serial killers. Now his niece, Carlie Hobbs, needs help. Someone is stalking her, and the NYPD can't stop him. A blonde, blue-eyed beauty, Carlie fits the victim type of the killer who's been terrorizing women --- leaving them bound, gagged, and tortured with surgical precision. To win against the most personal adversary of his career, he’ll have to set the perfect trap...with the perfect bait.

TWIST is now in stores.

-Click here to read an excerpt.
-
Click here to read John Lutz's bio.
-
Click here to visit John Lutz's official website.

-Connect with John Lutz on Facebook and Twitter.
-Click here to see the 25 winners selected to read and comment on the book.

 

Click here to read more in our Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight.
New Guides Now Available on ReadingGroupGuides.com

The following guides are now available on ReadingGroupGuides.com:

AN AMERICAN BRIDE IN KABUL: A Memoir
by Phyllis Chesler
FREE SPIRIT: Growing Up On the Road and Off the Grid by Joshua Safran
FRIDAY'S HARBOR by Diane Hammond

THE GOOD HOUSE by Ann Leary
THE LOWLAND by Jhumpa Lahiri
THE NIGHT GUEST by Fiona McFarlane
ONCE WE WERE BROTHERS by Ronald H. Balson
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK: My Year in a Women's Prison by Piper Kerman
THE POWER TRIP by Jackie Collins

STRINGS ATTACHED: One Tough Teacher and the Gift of Great Expectations by Joanne Lipman and Melanie Kupchynsky
TINDERBOX by Lisa Gornick
WE ARE WATER by Wally Lamb

Please note that these titles, for which we already had the guides when they appeared in hardcover, are now available in paperback:


THE CUTTING SEASON by Atticka Locke
MR. PENUMBRA'S 24-HOUR BOOKSTORE by Robin Sloan
THE OBITUARY WRITER by Ann Hood
THE ROUND HOUSE by Louise Erdrich
THE TWELVE TRIBES OF HATTIE by Ayana Mathis

The following guide is now available for Christian book groups:

THE GOVERNESS OF HIGHLAND HALL: Edwardian Brides, Book One
by Carrie Turansky

 

Click here to visit ReadingGroupGuides.com.
More Reviews This Week

BRIDGET JONES: MAD ABOUT THE BOY by Helen Fielding (Fiction)
Back in the day --- 17 years ago, to be exact --- Helen Fielding and her thirtysomething, potty-mouthed, diary-keeping singleton practically invented Chick Lit. There was a sequel in 1999, then nothing. Now our desperate, ditzy heroine is back, still obsessing over her weight and still looking for love. Reviewed by Kathy Weissman.


ONE SUMMER: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson (History)

In ONE SUMMER, Bill Bryson transports readers on a journey back to one amazing season in American life. A number of major events transpired in that epochal summer of 1927, and Bryson captures its outsized personalities, exciting events and occasional just plain weirdness. In that year, America stepped out onto the world stage as the main event. Reviewed by Curtis Edmonds.

JOHNNY CARSON
by Henry Bushkin
(Biography)
In the '70s and '80s, “The Tonight Show” host Johnny Carson was the country's highest-paid entertainer and its most enigmatic. He was notoriously inscrutable, as mercurial (and sometimes cruel) off-camera as he was charming and hilarious onstage. During the apex of his reign, Carson's longtime lawyer and best friend was Henry Bushkin, who now shows us Johnny Carson with a breathtaking clarity and depth that nobody else could. Reviewed by Christine M. Irvin.

THE ABOMINABLE
by Dan Simmons
(Historical Thriller/Adventure)
Three climbers who set out to summit the world’s highest mountain arrange funding from Lady Bromley, whose son disappeared on Mt. Everest in 1924. She refuses to believe he’s dead and pays the trio to bring him home. Joined by the missing boy's female cousin, they find themselves being pursued through the night by someone or something. Reviewed by Ray Palen.

 

CRITICAL MASS: A V.I. Warshawski Novel by Sara Paretsky (Mystery)
V.I. Warshawski’s closest friend in Chicago is the Viennese-born doctor Lotty Herschel, who lost most of her family in the Holocaust. Lotty escaped to London in 1939 on the Kindertransport with a childhood playmate, Kitty Saginor Binder. When Kitty’s daughter finds her life is in danger, she calls Lotty, who, in turn, summons V.I. to help. The daughter’s troubles turn out to be just the tip of an iceberg of lies, secrets and silence. Reviewed by Jennifer McCord.

 

JUST ONE EVIL ACT: A Lynley Novel by Elizabeth George (Mystery)
Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers and her partner, Inspector Thomas Lynley, discover that the case they've taken on is far more complex than a typical kidnapping, revealing secrets that could have far-reaching effects outside of the investigation. With both her job and the life of a little girl on the line, Barbara must decide what matters most, and how far she’s willing to go to protect it. Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum.

 

QUIET DELL by Jayne Anne Phillips (Historical Fiction)
Weeks after meeting a chivalrous, elegant man named Harry Powers, Asta Eicher and her three children are dead. Journalist Emily Thornhill becomes deeply invested in understanding what happened, and allies herself with a banker who is wracked by guilt for not saving Asta. She goes to West Virginia to cover the murder trial and to investigate the story herself, accompanied by a charming and unconventional photographer who is equally drawn to the case. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

 

ASK NOT: A Nathan Heller Thriller by Max Allan Collins (Historical Mystery)
In 1964, Beatlemania sweeps the nation, the Vietnam War looms, and the Warren Commission prepares to blame a “lone-nut” assassin for the killing of JFK. But as the post-Camelot era begins, a suspicious outbreak of suicides, accidental deaths and outright murders decimates assassination witnesses. It’s up to Nathan Heller and celebrity columnist Flo Kilgore to investigate this increasing wave of violence. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

OUTLAW: A Robin Monarch Novel
by Mark Sullivan
(Thriller)
Former CIA operative and master thief Robin Monarch and his counterpart, a mysterious Chinese agent, embark upon a dangerous journey into the underbelly of Southeast Asia, a world of corrupt Vietnamese Army officers, fanatical pirates, Hong Kong triad leaders, and volatile mercenaries living around the red light districts of Thailand. As they get closer and closer, Monarch learns that his whole mission may not be what it seems. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

-Click here to read an excerpt.

THE SOUND AND THE FURRY: A Chet and Bernie Mystery by Spencer Quinn (Mystery)
When Chet and Bernie happen upon a prison work crew that includes Frenchie Boutette, an old criminal pal they sent up the river, getting a new case is the last thing they expect. But Frenchie, who comes from an old Louisiana family full of black sheep, needs help finding his one law-abiding relative: his brother Ralph, a reclusive inventor who has gone missing with his houseboat. Reviewed by Roz Shea.

MENNONITE MEETS MR. RIGHT: A Memoir of Faith, Hope, and Love
by Rhoda Janzen
(Memoir)

At the end of her bestselling memoir, MENNONITE IN A LITTLE BLACK DRESS, Rhoda Janzen had reconnected with her family roots, though her future felt uncertain. When this overeducated professor starts dating the most unlikely of men --- a weight-liftin', church-goin', truck-drivin' rocker named Mitch --- she begins a surprising journey to faith and love. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.

Young Adult Books You Want to Read

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 spotlight 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:


ALLEGIANT
by Veronica Roth
(Dystopian Thriller)
What if your whole world was a lie? What if a single revelation --- like a single choice --- changed everything? What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected? The explosive conclusion to Veronica Roth's Divergent trilogy reveals the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in DIVERGENT and INSURGENT.

THE LORD OF OPIUM
by Nancy Farmer
(Science Fiction)
Matt has always been nothing but a clone --- grown from a strip of old El Patron’s skin. Now, at age 14, he finds himself suddenly thrust into the position of ruling over his own country. The Land of Opium is the largest territory of the Dope Confederacy, but while Opium thrives, the rest of the world has been devastated by ecological disaster --- and hidden in Opium is the cure.


JUST ONE YEAR
by Gayle Forman
(Romance)
After spending an amazing day and night together in Paris, JUST ONE YEAR is Willem's story, picking up where JUST ONE DAY ended. His story of their year of quiet longing and near misses is a perfect counterpoint to Allyson's own as Willem undergoes a transformative journey, questioning his path, finding love, and ultimately redefining himself.


PICTURE ME GONE
by Meg Rosoff
(Mystery)
Mila has a talent for reading a room --- sensing hidden facts and unspoken emotions that others miss. So when her father’s friend goes missing from his home, Mila and her father come to find him. Slowly, she pieces the story together. But a shocking betrayal calls into question her trust in the one person she thought she could read best.


REALITY BOY
by A.S. King
(Fiction)
Gerald Faust knows exactly when he started feeling angry: the day his mother invited a reality TV crew into his five-year-old life. Twelve years later, he is still haunted by his rage-filled youth. In this fearless portrayal of a boy on the edge, highly acclaimed Printz Honor author A.S. King explores the desperate reality of a former child "star" struggling to break free of his anger.


IN THE AGE OF LOVE AND CHOCOLATE
by Gabrielle Zevin
(Dystopian Romance)
Life has been more bitter than sweet for Anya Balachine. Perhaps hardest of all, her decision to open a nightclub with her old nemesis Charles Delacroix has cost Anya her relationship with Win. But after a terrible misjudgment leaves Anya fighting for her life, she is forced to reckon with her choices.

 

Click here for more young adult books we recommend you read.
This Month’s Poll and Word of Mouth Contest

Poll:

Do you read scary books?


Yes, I read scary books.
Yes, but only when someone else is home.
No, I am a scaredy cat.
No, these books just do not interest me.
I am not sure how I feel about scary books.


-Click here to take the poll.


Word of Mouth
:


Tell us your current reading recommendations with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from October 18th to November 1st, FIVE lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of OUTLAW: A Robin Monarch Novel by Mark Sullivan, SYCAMORE ROW by John Grisham, and WE ARE WATER by Wally Lamb.


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.

Please note: You must enter your full address, using correct capitalization and filling in all fields if you would like to be eligible to win a prize.


Also, we realize that many times, your opinion of a book will change as you get further along into the story. Thus, to ensure that your comments and ratings accurately reflect your entire reading experience, we ask that you finish reading the book before you submit your comments about it.

One important technical note: If you're using an iPad or another iOS device to access the Word of Mouth page and you would like to enter the contest, you must wait for the page to fully load before you can rate your book. Only then will the stars be clickable.

-Click here to enter the contest.
-To see reader comments from previous contest periods,
click here.

Contests Running on Other Sites in TheBookReportNetwork.com

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 PRESERVATIONIST by Justin Kramon
We are celebrating the October 10th release of THE PRESERVATIONIST --- a riveting psychological thriller about three people whose dark pasts are beginning to catch up with them --- with a special contest that will give 150 groups the opportunity to win one copy of the book and for the author, Justin Kramon, to personally visit their book club meeting. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, November 6th at noon ET.

STRINGS ATTACHED: One Tough Teacher and the Gift of Great Expectations
by Joanne Lipman and Melanie Kupchynsky

We are celebrating the release of STRINGS ATTACHED: One Tough Teacher and the Gift of Great Expectations by Joanne Lipman and Melanie Kupchynsky --- which was launched by a New York Times Op-Ed piece that went viral about a remarkable teacher’s legacy --- with a special contest. 50 readers will have the opportunity to win a copy of the book, which is now in stores, for their group. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, November 6th at noon ET. And, in the spirit of the book’s theme, we would like you to tell us about a favorite teacher of yours who had a major impact on you. Once the contest is over, we plan to share your comments on the site!

"What Are You Reading?" Monthly Contest Feature

Let us know what your group is reading in October, and you will be entered in a giveaway to win multiple copies of a book for your group! Our latest prize book is THE OBITUARY WRITER by Ann Hood, a sophisticated and suspenseful novel about the poignant lives of two women living in different eras. We have 12 copies of the book, which is now available in paperback, to give away to three groups. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, November 6th at noon ET.

Teenreads.com


Book O'Lantern 2013
We are celebrating the season of ghouls and ghosts with our Third Annual Book O'Lantern Contest! Between now and Thursday, October 31st, teens can enter to win a bag perfect for trick-or-treating, filled with a few special sweet treats, plus some spooky reads that will help make the scariest season of them all last well beyond Halloween.

Kidsreads.com

BATTLE BUNNY by Jon Scieszka, Mac Barnett and Matthew Myers
To celebrate the release of the hilarious mash-up from Jon Scieszka, Mac Barnett and Matthew Myers, we'd like to offer you the opportunity to make your very own Battle Bunny for a chance to win prizes! In BATTLE BUNNY, Alex is given a sappy book about a bunny's birthday, but decides to make it interesting by creating his own doomsday story on top of it. For this contest, we'd like you to grab a pencil, sharpen your creativity, and transform a page of this story! The deadline for entries is Friday, December 6th at noon ET.

THE LAST PRESENT by Wendy Mass
When Connor's little sister, Grace, falls into a coma, he finds out it's his task to discover what happened to her and try to fix it --- all without running into an alternate version of himself! We are celebrating the release of THE LAST PRESENT, the latest entry in Wendy Mass's Willow Falls series, with a special contest that will give 15 readers the opportunity to win a copy of the book. The deadline for entries is Thursday, October 31st at noon ET.

FaithfulReader.com

RETURN TO ME and PILGRIMAGE by Lynn Austin
We are celebrating the releases of RETURN TO ME: The Restoration Chronicles, Book 1 and PILGRIMAGE: My Journey to a Deeper Faith in the Land Where Jesus Walked with a
special contest that will give five readers the opportunity to win a copy of both of Lynn Austin's latest fiction and nonfiction works. The deadline for entries is Friday, November 15th at noon ET.


THE GOVERNESS OF HIGHLAND HALL: Edwardian Brides, Book One by Carrie Turansky
We are celebrating the release of THE GOVERNESS OF HIGHLAND HALL with a special contest that will give five readers the opportunity to win a copy of this first installment in Carrie Turansky's Edwardian Brides series. The deadline for entries is Friday, November 15th at noon ET.

WHEN MOUNTAINS MOVE
by Julie Cantrell

We are celebrating the release of WHEN MOUNTAINS MOVE with a special contest that will give 25 readers the opportunity to win a copy of this sequel to Julie Cantrell's INTO THE FREE. The deadline for entries is Friday, November 15th at noon ET.

TRACES OF MERCY: Mercy Medallion Trilogy, Book 1
by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley

We are celebrating the release of TRACES OF MERCY with a special contest that will give 25 readers the opportunity to win a copy of this first installment in Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley's Mercy Medallion Trilogy. The deadline for entries is Friday, November 15th at noon ET.

THE GIFT OF A LEGACY
by Jim Stovall

In our latest monthly contest, 25 readers will receive a copy of THE GIFT OF A LEGACY, the third installment in Jim Stovall's series The Ultimate Gift. The film adaptation of book two, THE ULTIMATE LIFE, is now in theaters. The deadline for entries is Friday, November 15th at noon ET.


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.

Those of you who wish to send mail to Bookreporter.com, please see the form on the Write to Us page. If you would like to reach me, please write Carol@bookreporter.com. Writing any of the respond buttons below will not get to us.

Happy reading! Don't forget to forward this newsletter to a friend or to visit our other websites from TheBookReportNetwork.com: www.20SomethingReads.com, www.Teenreads.com, www.Kidsreads.com, www.ReadingGroupGuides.com, www.GraphicNovelReporter.com, www.FaithfulReader.com and www.AuthorsOnTheWeb.com.

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