Blog
Hank Phillippi Ryan, most recently the author of THE OTHER WOMAN, was attending a bookstore signing during the holiday season when she was reminded of a certain Christmas. She had just turned 16 and found out from her mom that there would be no Christmas tree in their house that year. Hank refused to accept this sudden break from tradition and decided to do something about it.
Bestselling author Karen Robards, whose latest book SHIVER is now in stores, recalls the many Christmases she shared with her three little brothers and the presents they received that excited them the most. For Karen, all she ever wanted was books --- and she looks back fondly on those Christmas mornings when she was introduced to a number of her now-favorite authors.
Will Schwalbe, author of the incredibly moving memoir THE END OF YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUB, recalls the list of books that his goddaughter (who was 10 at the time) wanted for Christmas and his ensuing trip to the New York City children’s bookstore Books of Wonder, where he hoped to fulfill her very specific requests.
Julie Lessman --- whose latest novel, A LOVE SURRENDERED, concludes her Winds of Change series --- talks about how a book that impacts your life the way GONE WITH THE WIND did hers is the true definition of “a gift that keeps on giving.” She illustrates how her passion for God combined with the passion for romance that the Margaret Mitchell classic ignited in her inspired her to become a romance writer.
Jon Katz is a writer and a photographer whose books about his relationships with dogs have made him a bestselling author. His latest effort is DANCING DOGS, his first-ever collection of short stories that explores the bonds between humans and animals. In this Holiday Blog post, Jon recollects a memorable Christmas where he made a new friend: a horribly neglected donkey named Simon, who was rescued from a nearby farm. He saved the animal’s life by nursing him back to health and reading to him everyday from a book called PLATERO AND I, a story about a man and his burro.
Jamie Freveletti is not only an author, but also a trial attorney, martial artist and runner. Her most recent novel, DEAD ASLEEP, is the fourth book in her series of thrillers featuring biochemist and marathon runner Emma Caldridge. Here, Jamie talks about some of the books that she never has been able to let go of and explains why they’re so special to her.
Jami Attenberg’s part-time job at an independent Brooklyn bookstore allows her to help customers pick out the perfect book to give to their loved ones for the holidays. Jami, whose most recent novel is THE MIDDLESTEINS, recommends Patti Smith’s memoir JUST KIDS most often, which tells readers that it is more than okay to pursue your dreams.
Juliette Fay is the author of three novels: SHELTER ME, DEEP DOWN TRUE and THE SHORTEST WAY HOME (all of which were Bookreporter.com Bets On selections). Here, Juliette talks about the book she gave to her daughter several Christmases ago and why it turned out to be the perfect gift to have given her, despite it being a “mom book.”
For Lee Woodruff --- co-author (with her husband, Bob Woodruff) of IN AN INSTANT and whose most recent book is THOSE WE LOVE MOST, her debut novel --- the gift of Wallace Stegner’s CROSSING TO SAFETY was a comfort to a newlywed bride who felt displaced and homesick spending her first Christmas in China. She clung to the novel, desperate for any connection back to America. However, re-reading the book 20 years later, she realized it was a blueprint to her marriage…and to her life.
Nelson DeMille, whose latest novel, THE PANTHER, is his sixth thriller featuring Anti-Terrorist Task Force agent John Corey, kicks off this year’s Holiday Author Blogs. In this heartwarming first piece, Nelson talks about a very special fan of his --- a young man who, as a teenager nine years ago, had quite a memorable holiday season thanks to Nelson’s kindness and generosity.
