|
Never Miss a Contest or a Promotion!
Follow and Like Us on Social Media
Getting into the Spirit of the Holidays
I was thrilled to be a guest on CBS New York's Calvi Book Club with Mary Calvi. I shared two books from New York City-area authors releasing in January and February that I am especially excited about. It’s a quick piece; enjoy it here. And if you are on Facebook, consider joining the Calvi Book Club to keep up with their picks and more!
I have two new ideas for holiday reading and gift giving.
We do a lot of entertaining and enjoy it. A book came across my desk called HAVING PEOPLE OVER by Chelsea Fagan. I found myself perusing it for some smart ideas about having people over. These days, so much about how to do this is online, but there is something lovely about having a book handy that has practical tips for planning and executing everything from a cocktail party to a dinner soiree.
Also, so many of us watch It’s a Wonderful Life every year. In anticipation of its 80th anniversary in 2026, THE HEART OF IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE has been published. In this book, Jimmy Hawkins --- who played George Bailey’s youngest son, Tommy --- shares his thoughts about the film and offers plenty of tidbits about the cast and crew.
Our "Best of 2025" Reviewer Event
is THIS Wednesday Evening!
This is your last Weekly Update newsletter reminder to sign up for our “Bookaccino Live” Best of 2025 event. It will take place on Wednesday, December 10th at 8pm ET.
Join us as some of our Bookreporter reviewers will talk about two of their favorite books of 2025. You can register for the event by clicking here. We cannot wait to see which titles they select and why!
My latest “Bookreporter Talks To” interview is with Vicky Nguyen. Her memoir, BOAT BABY, is about her experience as a Vietnamese refugee who came to America as an eight-month-old "boat baby" in 1979.
Vicky talks about the challenges of growing up as a child of immigrants, navigating cultural differences, and her path to becoming an NBC News correspondent. The interview includes honest conversation about multi-generational living, parenting approaches across cultures, and the importance of maintaining immigrant values while assimilating. Vicky emphasizes how her parents' work ethic, optimism and risk-taking shaped her career and personal life.
Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast. And be sure to check out this segment on the “Today” show, where Vicky and her family met up with the couple from Eugene, Oregon, who sponsored them when they came to America.
Please note that BOAT BABY will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection. You can read my commentary about it next week.
THE HEIR APPARENT by Rebecca Armitage is Reese’s Book Club pick for December. This modern fairy tale is about a British princess who must decide between her duty to her family --- or to her own heart. Reese says that the book “has everything I love in a holiday read --- royals, romance, family twists, and a woman finding her own path.”
According to Norah Piehl in her review, “Armitage's debut will give royal-mad readers much of what they're hoping for in a novel of the royal family... But at the same time, it acknowledges...the darker, more constricting side of royal life. There's also plenty of romance, as well as more than a few secrets that Armitage doles out like royal favors.... Readers will be captivated right to the end, eager to guess what choice Lexi will make --- and they will cheer her on, whatever path she chooses.”
I have been enjoying this book enormously. It will be my final Bets On pick of 2025, and I would love to interview Rebecca!
Enter Our New Word of Mouth Contest
We are giving away THE HEIR APPARENT in our new Word of Mouth contest, along with THE AWARD by Matthew Pearl, which we will review next week. Let us know by Friday, December 19th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll have a chance to win both these titles.
Our latest New Release Spotlight title is A SEA GLASS CHRISTMAS by Davis Bunn, which is perfect for fans of Nicholas Sparks and Karen Kingsbury.
Brody Reames left the Outer Banks of North Carolina to fulfill his dream of sailing. He never expected that a family upheaval and his loving mother’s plea would call him back. With Christmas nearing, Brody is coming home again --- to a crisp chill in the air and a warm former flame. An attorney for the Outer Banks’ five-star oceanfront resort and resident treasure hunter, Rae Alden has a life that is adventurous, rewarding...and lonely. But now, after eight years, she sees Brody again. How promising is a new chance at happiness, no matter how powerful the yearning?
Bronwyn Miller has our review and says, “Filled with family turmoil, work struggles, and romantic highs and lows, it’s more than just a cozy holiday read. It has, in the words of millennials, ‘all the feels’ and demonstrates that universal quest to find the person and the place that embodies the true meaning of home.”
As we spent 14 Christmases on the Outer Banks, I am going to make this a holiday read for sure!
Holiday Cheer Contest Update
We gave away A SEA GLASS CHRISTMAS in this week’s Holiday Cheer contest. Our next contest will be up on Tuesday, December 9th at noon ET. The prize book will be THE LADY ON ESPLANADE, the third installment in Karen White's Royal Street series. Here, people and secrets from the past threaten to disrupt Nola Trenholm’s new life in New Orleans.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
December’s New in Paperback Feature
Our New in Paperback roundups for December are now up. We’re featuring paperback fiction reprints from such bestselling authors as Alafair Burke (THE NOTE), Allegra Goodman (ISOLA), Alice Feeney (BEAUTIFUL UGLY), Jussi Adler-Olsen (LOCKED IN: A Department Q Novel), and Minette Walters (THE PLAYERS); nonfiction titles, including THE WOMAN IN ME by Britney Spears and THE LAST KILO: Willy Falcon and the Cocaine Empire That Seduced America by T. J. English; and paperback originals like THE GALLAGHER PLACE by Julie Doar (this month’s Top LibraryReads Pick) and RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, CALLIE KINGMAN by Allie Frank and Asha Youmans.
Books on Screen Offerings for December
We’ve also updated our Books on Screen feature for this month. December’s roundup includes the films The Housemaid, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, 100 Nights of Hero, The Chronology of Water and Not Without Hope; the series premiere of Paramount+'s "Little Disasters"; the season premiere of "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" on Disney+ and Hulu; the season finales of HBO's "IT: Welcome to Derry" and Apple TV+'s "Down Cemetery Road"; the midseason finales of "Tracker" and "Watson" on CBS; and the DVD/Blu-ray releases of Karen Kingsbury's The Christmas Ring and Black Phone 2.
Vote in Our New Poll --- and Check Out Results from the Last Poll
Are you planning to give books as gifts this holiday season? That’s our latest poll question; click here to let us know by Friday, December 19th at noon ET.
In our previous poll (which 747 of you answered!), we asked which of Amazon’s top 20 books of 2025 you would select as your favorites of the year. Below are your top five picks, and you can see all the results here.
BEST OFFER WINS is December’s #1 Indie Next pick and “Good Morning America” Book Club selection. In Marisa Kashino’s debut novel, the white picket fence becomes the ultimate symbol of success --- and obsession. How far would you go for the house of your dreams? We look forward to featuring our review of the book in the December 19th newsletter.
Jenna Bush Hager has chosen Jane Austen’s classic, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, as this month’s “Read with Jenna” Book Club pick. Jenna says, “My grandmother, Barbara, was the one who introduced me to Jane Austen. I'll never forget it. We listened to PRIDE AND PREJUDICE on tape, because yes, listening to books is reading. It was in her bedroom and I would come in every afternoon that I was staying with her in Maine. We would read it and then we'd watch the whole PBS miniseries.” She adds, “I love that Jane Austen was one of the first to teach me about romantic love, what it means to be a woman.”
For more December selections, including the Indie Next and LibraryReads lists, see our “Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks” feature here.
We learned the sad news this week that Daniel Woodrell passed away last Friday at the age of 72 from pancreatic cancer. The recipient of the PEN West Award, Woodrell was the acclaimed author of such novels as THE MAID’S VERSION, WINTER’S BONE and THE DEATH OF SWEET MISTER, as well as the collection THE OUTLAW ALBUM. Three of his novels were adapted for film, including the Oscar-nominated Winter’s Bone. I remember thoroughly enjoying WINTER’S BONE.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Lorraine sent a note about last week’s newsletter: “A lovely message as it comes from the heart and a love of books and all you do. This year, my family and I did a bit of traveling abroad after hunkering down since COVID. I was grateful for the joy of being together and experiencing new places in the world. At night I was tired from long, packed days, not wanting to miss things, feeling so happy and relaxed far from the news back home. And yet I missed books. Not that my mind was in a reading mode, but at least I was reading about the books coming out. I turned to your newsletters and felt gratitude for how many books you have reviewed, feeling well informed and excited simply reading about them. Though there's nothing simple about how you bring them all to us! So thank you all so much.”
Kelly wrote about being a winner in our Reader Survey contest: “Thank you for the Amazon gift card! It was a wonderful surprise! I am so grateful for all you do to keep us informed about amazing authors and their books. I can’t wait to order some books.”
Kathy wrote, “Thank you, Carol! I returned home yesterday from a Thanksgiving holiday to a mountain of mail. To my surprise, this mail contained a book, Jen Hatmaker's AWAKE, which I won because I answered the 2025 survey. Thank you! Winning a book is such a special treat. Jen Hatmaker is a new author to me. I love reading memoirs and appreciate your selection. I have been an avid reader since I was nine; I am now 81. Over the past 27 years, Bookreporter has played a major role in my reading evolution. Thank you for the years of reading information you and your staff have shared. I am looking forward to all of the great new reads in 2026. A holiday wish that you have extra time for reading.”
Cathy wrote, “I absolutely love your website and have read it for many years. Like others, I look forward to reading it every week with my Saturday morning coffee. It is a highlight of my week! Thank you!!!”
Jeanne wrote, “Thank you to the Bookreporter staff and Kensington for a copy of CALDER STRONG by Janet Dailey. The Calders have been a part of my bookshelf since I read THIS CALDER RANGE while my newborn slept over 40 years ago. I am so grateful that the story continues and look forward to the saga continuing. Read on!”
We always love hearing the books that readers have found. Diane wrote, “I just finished the new Barbara Demick book, DAUGHTERS OF THE BAMBOO GROVE. I could not put it down. It's a shocking story as bad as the Holocaust. Years ago, Barbara wrote NOTHING TO ENVY, which was about North Korea. She really researches her books. They are excellent. It's a great book group discussion book.”
“The American Revolution” on PBS: We are two episodes into this series. It’s so well done. I confess that I am embarrassed that we first started watching a series about the Revolution on Discovery --- and we actually watched it for two nights --- before we figured out that it was not the Ken Burns series. We thought it did not have the same feel as a Burns production, and we were right.
Champagne Problems on Netflix: This is a light, pretty predictable movie. But it’s set in France, and that alone makes it delightful!
Sunday is my birthday. Yes, I am turning 27 once again. We are planning dinner here at the house, and my husband keeps asking what I would like him to make! On Wednesday, I will be hosting a small lunch in the city with friends who I never get to spend enough time with, which will be my birthday present from my husband.
Francesca Smith, who runs our social media and manages our contests, is celebrating her birthday on Saturday, so we did a birthday lunch today. Ah, to be 26 again. If you want to send her a birthday note, her email is Francesca@bookreporter.com.
Our house is half-decorated for the holidays. I am hoping to tackle more of this project on Saturday so the empty bins can be relegated back to the attic before birthday celebrating commences. This is the time in December when I am very excited about making gifts for people, but then I look at the calendar and realize that there are just three weekends before the holiday. My husband keeps reminding me that there are only 24 hours in a day. He is so practical. That is the reason I have to move double time, not do less!
We are kicking off our annual Bets On contest next week. You will not want to miss it as you will have a chance to win all 42 of my 2025 Bets On selections!
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 HEIR APPARENT by Rebecca Armitage
Reese’s Book Club Pick for December
and an Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
THE HEIR APPARENT by Rebecca Armitage (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Shakira Shute
It’s New Year’s Day in Australia, and the life Lexi Villiers has carefully built is working out nicely. She’s in the second year of her medical residency, she lives on a beautiful farm with her two best friends, Finn and Jack, and she’s about to finally become more than friendly with Jack --- when a helicopter abruptly lands. Out steps her grandmother’s right-hand man, with the tragic news that her father and older brother have been killed in a skiing accident. Lexi’s grandmother happens to be the Queen of England, and Lexi must now accept the reality that she is suddenly next in line for the throne --- a role she has publicly disavowed. Returning to London as the heir apparent Princess Alexandrina, Lexi is greeted by a skeptical public not ready to forgive her defection, a grieving sister-in-law harboring an explosive secret, and a scheming uncle determined to claim the throne himself. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to see why the book is this month's Reese's Book Club pick.
Click here to read our review.
THE HEIR APPARENT will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's commentary in an upcoming newsletter.
Featured Review: RETURN OF THE SPIDER
by James Patterson
RETURN OF THE SPIDER: An Alex Cross Thriller by James Patterson (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Dion Graham and Fred Berman
The suspense classic ALONG CAME A SPIDER introduced an unsurpassed rivalry: Detective Alex Cross versus Gary Soneji. But that wasn’t their first meeting. Police discover that Soneji kept a murder book, Profiles in Homicidal Genius, detailing his transformation from substitute teacher to hardened serial killer --- including clues that imply missteps that Alex Cross may have made as a rookie homicide detective. Now, Alex must retrace the steps of that long-ago investigation and face…the RETURN OF THE SPIDER. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
New Release Spotlight & Featured Review:
A SEA GLASS CHRISTMAS by Davis Bunn
A SEA GLASS CHRISTMAS by Davis Bunn (Romance)
Audiobook available, read by Susan Bennett
In the ultimate Christmas comfort read for fans of Nicholas Sparks and Karen Kingsbury, a bracing Christmas on North Carolina’s Outer Banks opens the door to a second chance at love.
Some places never leave you.
Two days before his 21st birthday, Brody Reames left the Outer Banks to fulfill his dream of sailing. For years, it’s been a liberating, wayfarer’s life, crewing on ocean-bound vessels and joining cross-Atlantic races. He knew leaving his hometown wouldn’t be forever, but to mend a disillusioned heart in Fortunate Harbor, it was for the best. Still, he never expected that a family upheaval and his loving mother’s plea would call him back. With Christmas nearing, Brody is coming home again --- to a crisp chill in the air and a warm former flame.
Some goodbyes aren’t meant to be forever.
An attorney for the Outer Banks’ five-star oceanfront resort and resident treasure hunter, Rae Alden has a life that is adventurous, rewarding...and lonely. Still struggling with recent romances gone wrong, Rae directs all her energy into her career and caring for her ailing aunt, taking respite in dawn runs along the beach. But now, after eight years, she sees Brody again. They share more than a passion for the island realm. There are memories of a lovely once-upon-a-time fling. It lasted until a fateful change of seasons --- and heart.
Like waves along the Crystal Coast, emotions thought long-gone come rushing back. But with both of them facing family turmoil and secrets yet to be revealed, how promising is a new chance at happiness, no matter how powerful the yearning? For Brody and Rae, this Christmas is all about making wishes come true.
- Click here to read Davis Bunn's bio.
- Click here to visit Davis Bunn's website.
- Click here to connect with Davis Bunn on Facebook.
Click here to read our review.
Click here to read more in our New Release Spotlight.
Featured Review:
THE SECRET CHRISTMAS LIBRARY by Jenny Colgan
THE SECRET CHRISTMAS LIBRARY by Jenny Colgan (Mystery/Romance)
Audiobook available, read by Eilidh Beaton
Mirren Sutherland stumbled into a career as an antiquarian book hunter after finding a priceless antique book in her great aunt’s attic. Now, as Christmas approaches, she’s been hired by Jamie McKinnon, the surprisingly young and handsome laird of a Highland clan whose ancestral holdings include a vast crumbling castle. Family lore suggests that the McKinnon family’s collection includes a rare book so valuable that it could save the entire estate. Jamie needs Mirren to help him track down this treasure, which he believes is hidden in his own home. But on the train to the Highlands, Mirren runs into rival book hunter Theo Palliser. Almost as soon as Mirren and Theo arrive at the castle, a deep snow blankets the Highlands, cutting off the outside world. Stuck inside, the three of them plot their search as the wind whistles outside. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
A CHRISTMAS WITNESS by Charles Todd
A CHRISTMAS WITNESS: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Novella by Charles Todd (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Steven Crossley
December 1921: Being single and a new Chief, Inspector Ian Rutledge of Scotland Yard gets the short straw at Christmastime and is called upon by Chief Superintendent Markum to go to the Kentish home of a lord recovering from an attempt on his life. In bed with a concussion, the man is convinced someone is trying to kill him after he claims he was struck by the hoof of a running horse whose rider never stopped to check on him. Struggling with his own demons from the war and misgivings about helping a man who, as a colonel, oversaw the suffering of those on the frontlines from afar, Rutledge undertakes an uneasy investigation. And as the winter holiday approaches, he becomes increasingly convinced that nothing is as it seems. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: FALSE WITNESS by Phillip Margolin
FALSE WITNESS by Phillip Margolin (Legal Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Thérèse Plummer
Defense Attorney Karen Wyatt exposed corruption in the police force and the District Attorney's office while getting her client exonerated in court. But in doing so, she put a target on her back, and she was set up on a fake drug charge, imprisoned and disbarred until the conspiracy unraveled and her innocence was proven. Now reinstated to the bar, Wyatt is still interested in finding out who ordered her to be set up --- but the key figures were either killed or are in Witness Protection. In the meantime, Wyatt is a practicing defense attorney, whose current client is either guilty of a heinous murder, or is a too-trusting patsy for an acquaintance set up for a crime he didn't commit. It will take all of Wyatt's genius to defend her client successfully, but that's just one piece of an increasingly complex puzzle. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
December’s New in Paperback Roundups
December's roundup of New in Paperback titles includes THE NOTE, a suspenseful story from Alafair Burke about a vacation in the Hamptons that goes terribly wrong for three friends with a complicated history; ISOLA by Allegra Goodman, an epic saga of love, faith and defiance that finds a young lady and her lover marooned on an island; BEAUTIFUL UGLY, Alice Feeney's deliciously dark thriller that revolves around marriage...and revenge; THE WOMAN IN ME, Britney Spears' brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith and hope; and THE LAST KILO by T. J. English, the epic, behind-the-scenes saga of Los Muchachos, one of the most successful cocaine trafficking organizations in American history --- a story of glitz, glamour and organized crime set against 1980s Miami.
Find out what's New in Paperback for the weeks of
December 1st, December 8th, December 15th and December 29th.
December’s Books on Screen Feature
Here is a preview of this month's movies, TV shows and DVDs/Blu-rays that are based on books. For a complete list of December's offerings, please click here.
Film Releases
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
Release Date: Friday, December 5th on Disney+
Based on: DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LAST STRAW by Jeff Kinney
The Housemaid
Release Date: Friday, December 19th (wide release in theaters)
Based on: THE HOUSEMAID by Freida McFadden
Series Premiere
"Little Disasters" (6-episode limited series)
Release Date: Thursday, December 11th on Paramount+ (all episodes of the series will be available)
Based on: LITTLE DISASTERS by Sarah Vaughan
Season Premiere
"Percy Jackson and the Olympians"
Release Dates: Wednesdays on Disney+ and Hulu; Season 2 Premiere on December 10th (the first two episodes will be available)
Based on: THE SEA OF MONSTERS: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book Two by Rick Riordan
Season Finale
"IT: Welcome to Derry"
Air Dates: Sundays at 9pm ET/PT on HBO; Season 1 Finale on December 14th
Based on: IT by Stephen King
Midseason Finales
"Tracker"
Air Dates: Sundays at 8pm ET/PT on CBS; Season 3 Fall Finale on December 14th
Based on: THE NEVER GAME by Jeffery Deaver
"Watson"
Air Dates: Mondays at 10pm ET/PT on CBS; Season 2 Fall Finale on December 15th
Based on: The works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
On DVD and Blu-ray
Karen Kingsbury's The Christmas Ring
DVD Release Date: Tuesday, December 9th
Based on: THE CHRISTMAS RING by Karen Kingsbury
Click here to see our Books on Screen feature for December.
Our Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks for December
Each month, we share top book picks from Indie Next and LibraryReads. We also feature a number of other prominent selections, including the Barnes & Noble Book Club, the "Good Morning America" Book Club, Oprah’s Book Club, the PBS Books Readers Club, the "Read with Jenna" Book Club, Reese's Book Club, and the Target Book Club.
Below is a preview of December's "Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks." For the complete Indie Next and LibraryReads lists, as well as additional links pertaining to this month's selections, please click here.
Indie Next
#1 Pick: BEST OFFER WINS by Marisa Kashino
FAMILY OF SPIES: A World War II Story of Nazi Espionage, Betrayal, and the Secret History Behind Pearl Harbor, by Christine Kuehnllege
VIOLET THISTLEWAITE IS NOT A VILLAIN ANYMORE by Emily Krempholtz
EVERY DAY I READ: 53 Ways to Get Closer to Books written by Hwang Bo-reum, translated by Shanna Tan
I, MEDUSA by Ayana Gray
LibraryReads
Top Pick: THE GALLAGHER PLACE by Julie Doar
EVERY DAY I READ: 53 Ways to Get Closer to Books written by Hwang Bo-reum, translated by Shanna Tan
EVERYONE IN THE GROUP CHAT DIES by L.M. Chilton
AN ARCANE INHERITANCE by Kamilah Cole
A GRIM REAPER'S GUIDE TO CHEATING DEATH: A SCYTHE Mystery, by Maxie Dara
"Good Morning America" Book Club
BEST OFFER WINS by Marisa Kashino
PBS Books Readers Club
PBS Books Readers Club celebrates the wrap of its second season with a highlight of their favorite author moments and books from 2025. The episode premieres on Wednesday, December 17th at 8pm ET. Click here for more info.
"Read with Jenna" Book Club
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen
Reese's Book Club
THE HEIR APPARENT by Rebecca Armitage
Click here for December's Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks.
Bookreporter.com's 20th Annual
Holiday Cheer Contests and Feature
At Bookreporter.com, we kick off the holiday season in style with our Holiday Cheer Contests and Feature. As our gift to you, on select days in November and December, we are spotlighting a book and giving five lucky readers the chance to win it. You have to visit the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter the 24-hour contest. As always, we are sending our special Holiday Cheer newsletter on the days when there are contests. Click here to sign up for these email alerts.
Our next contest will be up on Tuesday, December 9th at noon ET. The prize book will be THE LADY ON ESPLANADE, the third novel in Karen White's Royal Street series, in which people and secrets from the past threaten to disrupt Nola Trenholm’s new life in New Orleans.
This year's prize books are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
Bookreporter.com’s “What to Give, What to Get” Guide:
“Reader Perfect” Suggestions
for Holiday Giving and Getting
We at Bookreporter.com know that readers crave ideas for gift-giving --- and getting --- at the holidays. With this in mind, we are offering a "What to Give, What to Get" Guide with four "Reader Perfect" suggestions.
BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL by V. E. Schwab (Historical Fantasy)
The bestselling author of THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LaRUE has written a genre-defying, generations-spanning novel of vampires, sapphism and hunger --- for blood, for life and, above all, for freedom.
GIRL DINNER by Olivie Blake (Horror/Dark Humor)
Good girls deserve a treat. From the New York Times bestselling author of THE ATLAS SIX comes a darkly fun novel about power, lust and eating your fill, as wealthy moms and sorority girls practice a sinister new wellness trend.
GIRL LOST by Kate Angelo (Romantic Suspense)
Officer Luna Rosati and Special Agent Corbin King are at odds over their failed teenage romance, but they reunite on a mission and must put their past aside. When they encounter a kidnapping, missing bodies and a murder, the secrets Corbin and Luna keep from one another are only the beginning of the threats they face.
THE SANDS OF SEA BLUE BEACH by Rachel Hauck (Romance)
Can anything rekindle the summer love between former sweethearts facing old wounds and a divided town? This poignant tale of second chances and the enduring power of love includes themes of small-town romance, dual-time storytelling and complex family dynamics.
Click here to see our "What to Give, What to Get" Guide.
NYPD RED 8: THE 11:59 BOMBER by Marshall Karp (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Will Damron and Edoardo Ballerini
It's 11:59. And the city that never sleeps is afraid to get out of bed. A bomb explodes in a crowded New York subway station at exactly 11:59am. The next day, a second blast rips through a busy department store --- again at 11:59. As the bombs go off with clockwork precision, the death toll climbs and businesses shut their doors as the city hunkers down in fear. NYPD Red Detectives Kylie MacDonald and Zach Jordan face their most twisted case ever, as they race against the clock in search of one man who has vowed "to destroy New York City the way it destroyed my family." Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE STOLEN CROWN: Treachery, Deceit, and the Death of the Tudor Dynasty by Tracy Borman (History)
Audiobook available, read by Tracy Borman
In the long and dramatic annals of British history, no transition from one monarch to another has been as fraught and consequential as that which ended the Tudor dynasty and launched the Stuart in March 1603. At her death, Elizabeth I had reigned for 44 turbulent years, facing many threats. But no danger was greater than the uncertainty over who would succeed her. As Tracy Borman reveals in THE STOLEN CROWN, according to Elizabeth’s earliest biographer, William Camden, on her deathbed the queen indicated that James was her chosen heir, and indeed he did become king soon after she died. That endorsement has been accepted as fact for more than four centuries. However, recent analysis of Camden’s original manuscript shows that key passages were pasted over and rewritten to burnish James’ legacy. Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro.
THE FERRYMAN AND HIS WIFE written by Frode Grytten, translated by Alison McCullough (Metaphysical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Colin Mace
Nils Vik wakes up on November the 18th and knows it will be the day he dies. He follows his morning routine as voices from his past echo in his mind, and looks around the empty house one last time, before stepping onto his beloved boat. His dog, dead these many years, leaps aboard with him, and then the other dead begin to emerge --- from the woods along the fjord, from each of the ferry stops along the route, from his logbook full of memories and quotations and jotted-down notes about the weather conditions. The people from the past accompany him now, prodding him, showing him what he might have missed before, as he waits for his Marta, his late, remarkable wife, to finally join him on the boat again. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
FRIENDS AND LIARS by Kit Frick (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Ali Andre Ali, LaRaisha Dionne, Daniel Henning, Allyson Ryan and Jade Wheeler
It’s been five years since heiress Clare Monroe tragically died on New Year’s Eve at her family’s opulent Italian palazzo. Since that time, her college friends have harbored a dark secret --- their lies and betrayals led to Clare’s untimely death. Now, they are each the recipient of an invitation from the Monroes to return to the lakeside palazzo for a long-overdue memorial for Clare. Luca, Harper, Sirina and David have barely settled into their idyllic accommodations on Lake Como before someone at the memorial party begins targeting them. Haunted by little “gifts” left in their rooms, taunting notes, and the unshakable sense of being watched, it soon becomes clear that someone on the guest list knows the whole truth about the night Clare died --- and the secrets her friends have been keeping. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
THE PLACE WHERE THEY BURIED YOUR HEART by Christina Henry
(Gothic Horror/Supernatural Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Leiana Dooley
On an otherwise ordinary street in Chicago, there is a house. An abandoned house where, once upon a time, terrible things happened. The children who live on this block are told by their parents to stay away from it. But of course, children don’t listen. Jessie Campanelli dared her little brother, Paul, to go inside. But unlike all the other kids who went inside that abandoned house, Paul didn’t return. His two friends, Jake and Richie, said that the house ate Paul. Of course, adults didn’t believe that. They thought someone kidnapped Paul or otherwise hurt him. His disappearance broke Jessie’s family apart in ways that would never be repaired. Jessie kept living on the same street where the house that ate her brother sat, crouched and waiting. And darkness seemed to spread out from that house, a darkness that was alive --- alive and hungry. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
NEEDLE LAKE by Justine Champine (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Gail Shalan
Fourteen-year-old Ida was born with a hole in her heart. Forbidden from most physical activities, she prefers spending time alone. One afternoon, in walks her cousin Elna, there to stay for a few weeks. Ida hasn’t seen Elna since they were children, and she’s immediately drawn to her older cousin, who’s everything Ida is not: confident, glamorous, charismatic and daring. Elna doesn’t treat Ida like she’s a fragile kid whose heart might give out at any moment. Ida is enraptured. Then, on Christmas Eve, a man dies out in the woods near Mineral, and the two cousins suddenly share a secret beyond the scope of anything Ida has dealt with before. Fear begins to mix with the reverence Ida feels toward her cousin, especially when she discovers that Elna is hiding more than she ever suspected. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
HER ONE REGRET by Donna Freitas (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Victoria Villarreal
When successful Rhode Island real estate agent Lucy Mendoza vanishes, leaving her baby behind in a grocery store parking lot, the news quickly makes national headlines. Lucy’s best friend, Michelle, is devastated, and terrified that Lucy’s life is at stake. But she knows something that could complicate the police investigation. Lucy had confessed something unspeakable: She regretted becoming a mother, so much so that she’d fantasized about faking her own kidnapping. If the police and media were to find out, Lucy would become a monster in the eyes of the public. Michelle is sure Lucy would never abandon her daughter. But could she be wrong? Could Lucy have been so desperate that she chose to escape her life? Reviewed by Christine M. Irvin.
REVENGE, SERVED ROYAL by Celeste Connally (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Eilidh Beaton
Lady Petra Forsyth and some of the most illustrious members of the ton descend upon Windsor Castle for a week of royal celebrations, with the highlight being Queen Charlotte’s inaugural patisserie contest for the best bakers employed by England’s finest houses. Not only is Lady Petra’s own cook one of the contestants, but Her Majesty has requested that Petra herself serve as one of the judges. Yet upon arrival, Petra encounters a frantic housemaid pointing to a body of one of Her Majesty’s guests --- and to the valet still tugging at the silk ribbon used to strangle the victim. What’s more, the valet turns out to be Oliver Beecham, the ne’er-do-well brother of Petra’s own lady’s maid, Annie. But as Oliver is hauled away to the dungeons, he protests his innocence. When some poisoned tea meant for Petra is consumed by one of her fellow judges, it’s clear that the real killer is still walking the castle’s halls. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on December 9th
Below are some notable titles releasing on December 9th 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 December 8th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
THE BIRDWATCHER by Jacquelyn Mitchard (Mystery)
From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Mitchard comes a page-turning drama that explores the beauty of female friendship; the relationship between money, power and sex, and the very human desire to protect the ones we love most.
EVERYONE IN THE GROUP CHAT DIES by L.M. Chilton (Mystery & Thriller/Humor)
This compulsively readable, surprisingly funny and genuinely thrilling page-turner is about a TikTok true crime investigator, a ’90s serial killer who may not be as dead as everyone would like, a text thread from hell, and long-buried secrets that just won’t stay in the grave where they belong.
THE SEA CAPTAIN'S WIFE: A True Story of Mutiny, Love, and Adventure at the Bottom of the World by Tilar J. Mazzeo (History)
From the New York Times bestselling author of THE WIDOW CLICQUOT comes the true story of the first female captain of a merchant ship and her treacherous navigation of Antarctica's deadly waters.
SPASM by Robin Cook (Medical Thriller)
From the "master of the medical thriller" (The New York Times), Robin Cook, fan favorites Jack Stapleton and Laurie Montgomery return in another fast-paced story about a deadly bioweapon that could disrupt the world order as they know it.
TAILORED REALITIES by Brandon Sanderson (Fantasy & Science Fiction/Short Stories)
Spanning the genres of fantasy and science fiction, TAILORED REALITIES includes 10 works of short fiction from the ingenious mind of one of the genre’s most beloved bestselling authors.
THE TIME HOP COFFEE SHOP by Phaedra Patrick (Fiction/Magical Realism)
Welcome to the Time Hop Coffee Shop, where wishes can come true. Evie Woods, the New York Times bestselling author of THE LOST BOOKSHOP, calls the book “[a] delightful tale, full of heart.”
Click here to see the latest “On Sale This Week” newsletter.
From left to right: Ace Atkins, Ava Reid
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, December 8th at 6pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome #1 New York Times bestselling author Ava Reid for a live virtual discussion to celebrate the release of AN ARCHIVE OF ROMANCE, a companion novella to her #1 New York Times bestselling novel, A STUDY IN DROWNING. Ava will be in conversation with bestselling author Rachel Gillig.
Wednesday, December 10th at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with Ace Atkins about his new novel, EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD. In this rollicking comedic thriller set in 1985, a suburban teen suspects that his mom’s new boyfriend is the ultimate bad guy --- a KGB agent.
Wednesday, December 10th at 8pm ET: “Bookaccino Live” Reviewer Event: Join us for a special “Bookaccino Live” evening event as some of our Bookreporter reviewers share their favorite books of 2025. We always look forward to hearing which titles resonated the most with our reviewers.
"Bookreporter Talks To" Videos & Podcasts
“Bookreporter Talks To” is a video and podcast series that delivers long-form, in-depth author interviews. 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 is our latest interview:
Other authors we've interviewed recently include:
Upcoming interviews include:
-
Belle Burden (STRANGERS: A Memoir of Marriage)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: Giving Books for the Holidays
Are you planning to give books as gifts this holiday season? Please check all that apply.
-
I am planning to give print books (hardcovers and/or paperbacks).
-
I am planning to give e-books.
-
I am planning to give audiobooks.
-
I am planning to give a gift card that will allow the recipient to buy a print book, e-book or audiobook.
-
I am not planning to give any books or book gift cards this year.
-
I am not sure what I am doing.
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, December 19th at noon ET.
Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What
You've Read --- and You Can Win Two Books!
Tell us about the books you’ve read with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from December 5th to December 19th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE AWARD by Matthew Pearl and THE HEIR APPARENT by Rebecca Armitage.
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 rules and guidelines, click here.
- To see reader comments from previous contest periods, click here.
|
