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Bookreporter.com Newsletter |
March 12, 2004 |
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A Couple of Books to Note... |
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The wind is howling as I write this letter. You can tell it's March in the Northeast. Yowser, I really am longing for spring! Will try to warm things up with some book talk.
George Pelecanos writes gripping noir fiction set in Washington, DC. His latest HARD REVOLUTION hit stores this week, and I think it's his best book to date. It's a sharp look at interracial relations in our nation's capital in the late '50s through 1968 through the eyes of his character Derek Strange. For fans of his series, it's a prequel, taking readers back to Strange's early days and through his time as a young police officer. This back story will be great reading for those who are looking for what shaped this character. However, if readers like our reviewer, Joe Hartlaub, are discovering Pelecanos for the first time, they need not worry about starting with this book. They just need to be prepared to read backlist titles like SOUL CIRCUS, HELL TO PAY and RIGHT AS RAIN to keep going. By the way, Pelecanos is known for blending the music of an era into his books. I love thinking about the artists and songs that punctuate his writing. With HARD REVOLUTION he once again does not disappoint on this front.
Last weekend I read a terrific novel, GOOD GRIEF by Lolly Winston, which hits stores on April 13th. Sophie Stanton is 36 years old and lost her husband to cancer. Her emotions are raw and for a while putting one foot in front of the other presents a challenge. As Sophie pushes away her hurt she also re-writes her life. Written in a style that has sharp writing, humor and poignant characterizations of what grief can feel like, this book is a real winner. We'll review it in a few weeks, but mark this one down.
Many of you have written to tell us that you like "planning ahead" and knowing what books will be coming out. As a result, we have updated our Coming Attractions section to share a list of books coming out between now and August. Please note that we will be adding titles in the weeks to come, and some of these publication dates may be subject to change.
For those of you who enjoy bookish events, I am heading down to Virginia for the Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville March 26-28th. I love that event and have been attending it for the last 3 years. If any of you will be there, let me know. I would love to meet you. Curious about this event? Go to www.vabook.org.
Have a great week and here's hoping you find a book you love here!
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com) |
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Author Talk: George Pelecanos, Author of HARD REVOLUTION |
In this interview George Pelecanos, author of HARD REVOLUTION, explains why he chose to write a novel set in the year 1968 and the effect that his growing popularity has had on his career as a novelist and as a screenwriter/producer.
HARD REVOLUTION by George Pelecanos (Fiction)
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
George Pelecanos has written the engrossing story of two brothers --- a rookie police officer and a recently returned Vietnam veteran --- who are caught up in the chaos that engulfed Washington, D.C. in 1968 during the riots that followed the assassination of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
For more on George Pelecanos, go to GeorgePelecanos.com |
Read an interview with George Pelecanos and our review of HARD REVOLUTION.
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Dueling Reviews: Jesse Kornbluth and Joe Hartlaub Both Review BUSH COUNTRY |
BUSH COUNTRY: How Dubya Became a Great President While Driving Liberals Insane by John Podhoretz (Current Affairs)
Reviewed by Jesse Kornbluth and Joe Hartlaub
According to John Podhoretz, a columnist for the New York Post, George W. Bush has already earned his place in history as one of the great American chief executives --- and in this book he explains why he believes Bush's presidency has driven some critics into a pathological frenzy. Joe Hartlaub considers the book to be "a refutation and a defense against the unreasoned attacks upon the Bush Administration," while Jesse Kornbluth calls it "brilliant fiction." |
Read our reviews of BUSH COUNTRY here.
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Debut Suspense/Thriller: One to Watch --- A New Series from David Hewson |
This time we have our eye on the debut title in a new series from David Hewson. A SEASON FOR THE DEAD is in stores March 30th. Here's the plot:
A bizarre killing spree in modern Rome provides the backdrop for an electrifying blend of history and drama, sensuality and suspense in this first book in a new series, featuring Detective Nic Costa. The victims each had intimately known Sara Farnese, a woman whose silence Costa cannot crack and whose carnal history becomes more lurid and unfathomable with every revelation.
Read three excerpts from A SEASON FOR THE DEAD and see who our advance readers are. |
Read more about David Hewson and A SEASON FOR THE DEAD.
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Our Mystery Mayhem Author, Rita Mae Brown, Author of WHISKER OF EVIL |
Rita Mae Brown is the author of the Sneaky Pie mystery series. Her latest WHISKER OF EVIL will be in stores on March 30th along with the paperback of the THE TAIL OF THE TIPOFF.
Here's the plot of WHISKER OF EVIL: A mysterious death in a Virginia farm town has the locals scratching their heads --- while frisky feline Mrs. Murphy and her friends, fat-cat Pewter and a corgi named Tee Tucker, uncover clues as they curl their way around a cold-blooded killer.
Read more about this book and Rita Mae Brown by clicking on the links below. This week we add third excerpt from WHISKER OF EVIL to our feature. |
Read our Mystery Mayhem feature here.
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Coming Attractions: Read Our List of Upcoming Books |
We've pulled together a list of books being published between now and August. See which of your favorite authors will be publishing new books --- or what titles are coming out in paperback.
Please note that this list does not reflect all titles being published and some dates are subject to change. |
Click here to read a list of books coming up between now and August.
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This Week's Book Reviews and Features |
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HIGH COUNTRY by Nevada Barr (Mystery)
Reviewed by Roz Shea
Four young people, all employees of Yosemite National Park, have disappeared, and park ranger Anna Pigeon goes undercover as a waitress in order to solve this baffling mystery.
BAD BUSINESS by Robert B. Parker (Mystery)
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
A cheating husband and a wayward wife provide Spenser with an unconventional and dangerous surveillance job in Robert B. Parker's thirty-first novel featuring the veteran Boston P.I.
ALOFT by Chang-rae Lee (Fiction)
Reviewed by Jane Van Ingen
Jerry Battle's favorite diversion is to fly his small plane over the neighboring towns and villages. When his daughter and her fiancé arrive from Oregon to announce their marriage plans, he looks back on his life and faces his disengagement with it --- his urge to fly solo --- and the people he loves.
BUSH COUNTRY: How Dubya Became a Great President While Driving Liberals Insane by John Podhoretz (Current Affairs)
Reviewed by Jesse Kornbluth and Joe Hartlaub
According to John Podhoretz, a columnist for the New York Post, George W. Bush has already earned his place in history as one of the great American chief executives --- and in this book he explains why he believes Bush's presidency has driven some critics into a pathological frenzy. Joe Hartlaub considers the book to be "a refutation and a defense against the unreasoned attacks upon the Bush Administration," while Jesse Kornbluth calls it "brilliant fiction."
THIN WALLS and STONE CRIBS by Kris Nelscott (Mystery)
Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum
Kris Nelscott has created a formidable yet delightful character in Smokey Dalton. He is an old-fashioned hero and a gentle man. In his own quiet way he takes care of a boy whose life could be snuffed out in a second, and loves a woman who adores and respects him. His quick wit and fast thinking help him get to the end of the mysteries he must solve.
THE BOOKMAN'S PROMISE: A Cliff Janeway Novel by John Dunning (Mystery)
Reviewed by Roz Shea
Cliff Janeway is back! Following an eight-year absence, the Denver ex-cop and bookman searches for both a book and a killer in John Dunning's third installment of this award-winning crime series.
THE WELL OF LOST PLOTS by Jasper Fforde (Ficton)
Reviewed by Stephen M. Deusner
This is the third entry in Jasper Fforde's series of wildly inventive, recklessly metafictional and intensely readable novels that blur the lines between mystery, adventure, fantasy, thriller and parody. Join Thursday Next as she encounters some of the greatest characters in literature and battles deadly villains who literally leap off the page.
THE PROMISE OF A LIE by Howard Roughan (Thriller)
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
Nothing can prepare Dr. David Remler for the shocking phone call he receives from a patient named Samantha Kent. He rushes out into the Manhattan night to keep a bloody act of violence from spinning further out of control. He knows he has crossed a line and that his professional reputation is at stake --- but he has no idea that he has become a pawn in a very deadly game of revenge.
WRITE AWAY: One Novelist's Approach to Fiction and the Writing Life by Elizabeth George (Reference/Creative Writing)
Reviewed by Bethanne Kelly Patrick
Mystery novelist Elizabeth George combines inspiration from her writing experience with education from her teaching career in this new volume about how and why she continues to struggle with the blank page each day.
COSMOPOLITAN GIRLS by Charlotte Burley and Lyah Beth LeFlore (Fiction)
Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon
Lindsay and Charlie, two smart young women with big aspirations and major problems with the men in their lives, join forces to console, support and encourage each other.
COOKING FOR HARRY: A Low-Carbohydrate Novel by Kay-Marie James (Fiction)
Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon
Francie's plump gourmet cook husband Harry wins a digital scale in a raffle. His ensuing weight loss rocks their comfortable marriage, as a younger-looking, leaner and more driven Harry no longer spends time in the kitchen and is hardly ever at home.
THE SECOND DEATH OF UNICA AVEYANO by Ernesto Mestre-Reed (Fiction)
Reviewed by Marie Hashima Lofton
One night, Unica Aveyano sneaks out of her Miami nursing home and wanders toward the sea. She leaves behind her family, a devoted nurse and the images of a little boy named Elián Gonzalez that are all over the news. This rash decision sets in motion a gorgeously told tale in which Unica's life flashes before her. |
Read the reviews and features here.
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Poll: Video Author Interviews on the Web |
There are very few places where readers can see authors interviewed, either on television or in person. If you could view author interviews on the web on demand, instead of at a set time, would you?
Yes
No
Not sure
Which authors would you like to see interviewed? (Check as many as apply.)
I would want to see interviews with bestselling authors.
I would like to see interviews with established authors.
I would want to see interviews with new authors.
I would not be interested in seeing authors interviewed on the web.
If there was programming that interviewed authors on the web, who should do the interviews? (Check as many as apply.)
A noted author.
A TV personality.
A book reviewer.
A panel of professionals and "civilian" readers.
The editors of Bookreporter.com. |
Answer the Poll here.
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Question of the Week: Name three authors you would like to see interviewed on the web. |
Name three authors you would like to see interviewed on the web.
Our next question update will be on April 2nd. |
Answer the Question of the Week.
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Word of Mouth: Tell Us What You're Reading -- TWO Prizes! |
Tell us what books YOU are reading and loving --- or even those you don't.
This week we have some great prizes: FIVE readers each will win a copy of THE GAME by Laurie R. King and HARD REVOLUTION by George Pelecanos. Please note that our next Word of Mouth update will be on April 2nd. |
Need more details about Word of Mouth? Click here.
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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 (see the link on the upper right) 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. We were forced to move to this format after we were inundated with SPAM at the other address. If you would like to reach me, please write Carol@bookreporter.com. Writing any of the respond buttons below will not get to us.
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Happy reading! Don't forget to forward this newsletter to a friend or to visit our other websites from TheBookReportNetwork.com: ReadingGroupGuides.com, AuthorsOnTheWeb.com, FaithfulReader.com, AuthorYellowPages.com, Teenreads.com, and Kidsreads.com.
--- Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com) |
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