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Bookreporter.com Newsletter |
October 10, 2003 |
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Baseball and Bouchercon --- What's That You Ask? |
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Baseball this October has special significance. No, I am not talking about the fact that the Red Sox and the Cubs are in the playoffs, but rather that this year the World Series celebrates its 100th anniversary. Our favorite baseball aficionado, Ron Kaplan, shares six great baseball titles this week for all those with pennant fever!
This week we have interviews with Michael Moore, Sandra Brown, Jim Fusilli (Joe Hartlaub was crazy about Jim's latest, TRIBECA BLUES) and then we also have Author Talks with two children's authors whose books have appeal across generations --- Robert Sabuda and Ian Falconer.
We also introduce our latest Chick Lit author, Kim Green, the author of IS THAT A MOOSE IN YOUR POCKET? Interested in being one of our 20 advance readers of this witty title? Then send e-mail with your name and mailing address to ChickLit@bookreporter.com by Friday, October 17th.
This week's poll is all about the books you actually finish, as well as start --- fiction and nonfiction. Is there a difference, we ask? Nearly 400 of you have weighed in and voted thus far. If you have not yet voted, please do.
Next weekend I am going to Bouchercon, the mystery/suspense/thriller conference, which is being held in Vegas. I am looking forward to meeting a number of the authors who we have featured on our various websites. Should be a lot of fun. And yes, I will watch out for the tigers!
Enjoy this week's lineup. Like what you see today? Forward this newsletter to a friend.
Have a great week.
-Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com) |
Read our baseball feature here.
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Bookreporter.com Talks to Michael Moore, author of DUDE, WHERE IS MY COUNTRY? |
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STUPID WHITE MEN was the nonfiction bestseller of 2002. Now Michael Moore has a new book: DUDE, WHERE'S MY COUNTRY? We have an exclusive, biting, funny, sure-to-be-controversial interview with Moore, plus dueling reviews. Jesse Kornbluth calls the book "a weapon of mass instruction," while Joe Hartlaub finds it "a dud." |
Read our interview with Michael Moore and our dueling reviews of DUDE, WHERE IS MY COUNTRY? here.
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Suspense/Thriller Spotlight: We Interview Sandra Brown and Review HELLO DARKNESS and Read Advance Reader Comments About BALANCE OF POWER |
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Sandra Brown, author of HELLO, DARKNESS, which is in stores now
New This Week:
-Our interview with Sandra Brown
-Joe Hartlaub's review of HELLO DARKNESS
In her latest novel, a bone-chilling thriller that mixes murder with romance, bestselling author Sandra Brown tells the gripping story of a woman haunted by her past and caught in a nightmare that threatens to destroy her future.
In Case You Missed Past Features
-See what advance readers had to say about HELLO, Darkness
-Sandra Brown answers reader questions
Richard North Patterson, author of BALANCE OF POWER, which will be in stores on October 14th.
New This Week:
-See what our advance reviewers had to say about BALANCE OF POWER
In Case You Missed Last Week:
-Read three chapters of BALANCE OF POWER
-Read praise for BALANCE OF POWER
Jonathan Kellerman, author of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB (due in stores on November 25th)
-See who our advance readers are
-Read about THE CONSPIRACY CLUB
-Read about Jonathan Kellerman
-Read Jonathan Kellerman's bibliography |
Read our Suspense/Thriller feature here.
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Our Chick Lit Feature: Kim Green, author of IS THAT A MOOSE IN YOUR POCKET Is Our New Featured Author |
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Whitney Gaskell,the author of PUSHING 30 introduces our next author, Kim Green to readers with these words....
"Few things are more exciting than having your book published --- seeing the cover, the actual finished book, know that others are buying and reading it. Being a debut author also heightens you awareness of what other writers are doing. I've discovered one that I think you'll really enjoy, another fellow first-timer. It give me great pleasure to introduce you to Kim Green and her novel, IS THAT A MOOSE IN YOUR POCKET?"
Here's what IS THAT A MOOSE IN YOUR POCKET? is about: After being passed over for a promotion, and currently between boyfriends, thirtyish Jen Brenner figures its time for a major life change. So it's good-bye to San Francisco and her sexy ex-boyfriend --- and howdy to roughing it in the wilds of Montana.
As a reporter for Montana's Meredith Gazette, Jen is suddenly getting cruised by park rangers and interviewing ranchers who think crème brûlée is men's hair gel. Then she meets a rugged western vision in jeans and snakeskin boots: EPA agent Bruce Mortensen. So what if he has baggage --- a manipulative soon-to-be-ex-wife and a jealous ten-year-old daughter? He's a real man who's making her feel like a real woman for the first time in her life.
But is it really love or just the hottest sex ever? Jen's on a mission to find out...especially when her ex comes back into the picture. Now she's caught between two men who couldn't be more different. And what happens next will surprise everyone --- even her...
Would you like to be one of our 20 advance readers of IS THAT A MOOSE IN YOUR POCKET? Send your name and mailing address to ChickLit@bookreporter.com by Friday, October 17th. |
Read our Chick Lit feature here.
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SWIMMING WITH THE DEAD by Kathy Brandt |
Murder runs deep in SWIMMING WITH THE DEAD, An Underwater Investigation by debut mystery author, Kathy Brandt which is in stores now.
As a cop and expert scuba diver, Hannah Sampson dives in polluted city lakes and frigid Colorado reservoirs where few are ever brought out alive. When a scientist studying the destruction of the coral reef is murdered in the British Virgin Islands, Hannah is called in to investigate. Whatever he found was the death of him, and now Hannah must discover for herself what danger lies beneath.
" . . . takes hold of you and doesn't let go until the last paragraph. A terrific debut for Kathy Brandt."
Margaret Coel, author of KILLING RAVEN |
Read more about SWIMMING WITH THE DEAD by Kathy Brandt here.
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Author Talks: Jim Fusilli, author of TRIBECA BLUES, Robert Sabuda, creator of the new popup book, ALICE IN WONDERLAND and Ian Falconer, author of OLIVIA AND THE MISSING TOY |
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Jim Fusilli, author of TRIBECA BLUES
In this, Jim Fusilli discusses his latest novel TRIBECA BLUES, the third installment in the Terry Orr series. He talks about some of the key players in the story, the origin of the title, and why he felt slightly uncomfortable writing one particular scene in the book.
Robert Sabuda, creator of the new popup book, ALICE IN WONDERLAND
In this interview Robert Sabuda, who has established himself as one of today's most innovative and inventive creators of children's books, talks about his latest creation, an outstanding pop-up version of ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND. He also describes the process of writing and assembling a pop-up book and lets readers know what the subject of his next work will be.
Ian Falconer, author of OLIVIA AND THE MISSING TOY
In this interview stage designer and artist Ian Falconer talks about his enormously successful OLIVIA books, why he enjoys writing for a younger audience, and reveals what some of his favorite books were as a child. |
Read these author talks here, or click on each author's photo above this feature.
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This Week's Book Reviews and Features |
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TRIBECA BLUES by Jim Fusilli (Suspense)
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
When Terry Orr learns that the mother of the man who he believes murdered his wife and infant son has died, he resolves to confront the madman at the funeral --- but what Terry learns are stunning truths about the woman he adored.
MADAM SECRETARY by Madeleine Albright with Bill Woodward (Memoir)
Reviewed by Robert Finn
In her outspoken and detailed memoir, Madeleine Albright --- the first woman ever to serve as U.S. Secretary of State --- provides an insider's view of world affairs during a period of unprecedented turbulence, offers intriguing portraits of international leaders, and talks candidly about the challenges she has faced in her personal life.
WHAT WAS SHE THINKING? (NOTES ON A SCANDAL) by Zoë Heller (Fiction)
Reviewed by Stephen M. Deusner
In Zoë Heller's second novel, which has been nominated for the Booker Prize, Sheba Hart begins a passionate affair with an underage male student. Barbara Covett decides to write an account of the affair in her friend's defense --- an account that reveals not only Sheba's secrets but also her own.
LOST BOY LOST GIRL by Peter Straub (Fiction)
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
Horror writer Timothy Underhill searches his hometown of Millhaven for clues that will help lead him to his fifteen-year-old nephew, who has mysteriously disappeared following the suicide of his mother.
PITCHING MY TENT: On Marriage, Motherhood, Friendship, and Other Leaps of Faith by Anita Diamant (Family & Relationships)
Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman
Following the enormous success of her two bestselling novels, THE RED TENT and GOOD HARBOR, award-winning author Anita Diamant delivers a book of intimate reflections on the milestones, revelations and balancing acts of life as a wife, mother, friend, and member of a religious community.
O'HARA'S CHOICE by Leon Uris (Fiction)
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
In the late 1800s, a young society woman tests her father's patience when she chooses a Marine as her beau, but the Marine has obligations to the Corps as it falters in its history. Unable to have both in his life, how can he choose?
SAUL AND PATSY by Charles Baxter (Fiction)
Reviewed by Stephen M. Deusner
In Charles Baxter's new novel, the follow-up to his excellent FEAST OF LOVE, high school teacher Saul and his wife Patsy move to Michigan hoping for a peaceful, simple existence. But Saul must deal with one of his students, a deeply troubled sixteen-year-old boy who becomes obsessed with Saul's life.
L'AFFAIRE by Diane Johnson (Fiction)
A young woman rich from her dot-com success tries to find culture in France while inadvertently remaining very American. She finds lots of lust, a touch of love, too much scorn and a little of herself --- well, maybe.
AMERICA'S WOMEN: 400 Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines by Gail Collins (History/Women's Studies)
Reviewed by Brandon M. Stickney
Gail Collins, who was the first female editorial page editor for the New York Times, tells the compelling stories of women who helped shape the United States of America and our vision of what it means to be female in America.
LOSING MY FACULTIES: A Teacher's Story by Brendan Halpin (Memoir)
Reviewed by Shannon Bloomstran
Brendan Halpin, author of the acclaimed memoir IT TAKES A WORRIED MAN, talks about his teaching jobs in an economically depressed white ethnic town, a middle-class suburb, a last-chance truancy prevention program in the inner city, and an ambitious college-prep urban charter school.
PEYTON AMBERG by Tama Janowitz (Fiction)
Reviewed by Joni Rendon
Tama Janowitz's newest novel is a Madame Bovary for our time --- the story of an adulterous woman imprisoned by her lifeless marriage and middle-class existence who goes to great lengths to escape her circumstances.
NOW MAY YOU WEEP by Deborah Crombie (Mystery)
Reviewed by Andi Shechter
In Deborah Crombie's latest mystery featuring Scotland Yard detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James, Gemma takes center stage when a lethal crime of passion turns a recreational trip to Scotland into pure bloody business. |
Read this week's reviews and features here.
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Poll: Do you finish the books that you start? |
Have you been reading more nonfiction books in the past year?
Yes
No
Not sure
When you are reading fiction, do you usually finish the books that you start?
I finish all the books I start.
I finish at least 75% of what I start.
I finish less than 75% of what I start.
I am not sure what I do.
I do not read fiction.
When you are reading nonfiction, do you usually finish the books that you start?
I finish all the nonfiction books I start.
I read just enough of a nonfiction book to get a sense of the topic and then I stop.
I flip through nonfiction books more than read them cover to cover.
I only read nonfiction as reference.
I am not sure what I do.
I do not read nonfiction. |
Answer the Poll here.
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Question of the Week |
Here's our question of the week:
Name up to three books you might have missed that you discovered by reading our newsletter or website. |
Answer the Question of the Week.
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Word of Mouth: Tell Us What You're Reading -- THREE Prizes This Week! |
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 signed copy of THE AMBER ROOM by Steve Berry, a copy of NOT FADE AWAY by Peter Barton and Laurence Shames and a copy of TRIBECA BLUES by Jim Fusilli (for more about TRIBECA BLUES, go to JimFusilli.com).
Please note that our next Word of Mouth update will be on October 24th. |
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.
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Happy reading....and don't forget to forward this newsletter to a friend.
--- Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com) |
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