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Bookreporter.com Newsletter |
December 7, 2007
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The Birthday Princess.....
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I confess I am a Birthday Princess, so today as I celebrate the 24th anniversary of my 27th birthday I am sitting here munching delicious chocolate chip cookies baked by Tom, our Editorial Manager, and smiling a lot. (Tomorrow I will be swimming LOTS of laps in the pool to work off these calories, but for the moment I am indulging without contemplating.) For the record, I am called Carol because of the obvious Christmas carol tie-in. I could have been called Mistletoe or Holly, so I consider myself lucky. I am told I spent part of my first Christmas in a stocking, but that just might be family lore.
I do know that I take my birthday and everyone else's birthdays pretty seriously. This year I will celebrate for five days; I have made this a weeklong event in some years. I like the cards, the presents, the emails and, this year, the Facebook messages. Okay, I do have a Facebook page, but until today I never did anything with it. Soooo when I got emails that pals were leaving me notes on "my wall" there today, I had no idea what was going on. I spent time investigating what this meant and very proudly showed my older son the messages when he got home from school. He laughed. A lot. Okay, at my age I think this is cool. He thinks it's life.
Today also reminds me of the book I was supposed to write this past year. I was supposed to keep a diary of the 23rd anniversary of my 27th birthday year and turn that into a book. I have one brilliant entry. Oh well, there was a GREAT book idea there at one point.
As promised, I am including a picture of the holiday tree that the boys and I set up at the Environmental Center last weekend. We are pretty proud of it, and I have been told it's very witty, so I consider it a success. (I think my turquoise cowboy hat on the top upped the wit quotient!) Here's hoping that you all have some witty traditions that you are including in your plans this holiday season.
This weekend, Oprah Winfrey will present the movie of Mitch Albom's FOR ONE MORE DAY on ABC this Sunday, December 9th at 9PM ET. Click here for more details. I loved the adaptation of THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN, thus I look forward to this one. For those of you who need a break from holiday duties, or wish to procrastinate, may I suggest a trip to the theater to see The Golden Compass, which opens today? If you need more ideas for procrastinating, I can get those to you!
The Holiday Cheer spotlight book this week in our terrific Holiday Basket of Cheer promotion is THE DANGEROUS BOOK FOR DOGS: A Parody by Rex & Sparky, a hysterical illustrated "guide" for --- and by --- dogs, unlocking the mysteries of doghood and teaching them how to do the very activities that human society says are wrong. I love this book! Also, if you are stuck on what to buy the children on your lists, may we suggest our What to Give/What to Get guides for kids and teens?
This week I attended an event at the Borders store near our office where Ken Burns and Geoffrey C. Ward spoke about the PBS documentary and book project, THE WAR. It was a terrific evening, and the event space was packed with avid fans of the series. The questions and dialogue after the formal talk were truly wonderful, and the conversation about the impact of war made me remember a note from Steve Hubbard, one of our reviewers, of an idea that you may want to keep in mind this holiday season. When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please consider including the following:
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20307-5001
No matter what you think about the war, we have a lot of recovering soldiers who we should not be forgetting.
Read on for more holiday gift-giving inspiration. I am off to my birthday dinner with my family. May they PLEASE not sing in the restaurant...and may nothing with candles approach the table. That is not part of my Birthday Princess credo! Here's to a great week for all...read in between your holiday tasks.
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
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Now in Stores: T IS FOR TRESPASS by Sue Grafton
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T IS FOR TRESPASS by Sue Grafton (Mystery)
As current as today’s headlines, Sue Grafton tackles the problems of identity theft and elder abuse in an exciting new novel --- the 20th in her legendary alphabet series. T IS FOR TRESPASS is more than a good mystery; it is an alert to the dangers that await us all if we are not aware of how easy it is for an unscrupulous person to insinuate themselves into a family member’s life. Reviewed by Roz Shea.
-Click here to read an excerpt from T IS FOR TRESPASS.
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Click here to read a review of T IS FOR TRESPASS.
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Bookreporter.com Talks to Tony Dungy, Author of QUIET STRENGTH
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On and off the field, Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy is a winner. In February, he became the first African American to coach a professional football team to a Super Bowl victory. Although his personal life was marked by tragedy last year when his 18-year-old son committed suicide, Dungy continues to maintain a strong faith in God --- and isn’t shy talking about it. Bookreporter.com’s Cindy Crosby chats with Dungy --- the author of QUIET STRENGTH --- about his biggest personal struggle, the most difficult thing about coaching, what he plans to do someday after he retires, and why talking about his faith in public is something he feels he has the right to do.
QUIET STRENGTH: The Principles, Practices, & Priorities of a Winning Life by Tony Dungy with Nathan Whitaker (Memoir)
Although at first glance Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy’s QUIET STRENGTH might seem like just another sports-filled tell-all, readers who spend more than a few pages with the book will be delighted that it goes much deeper than this. His solid principles for living will appeal to anyone trying to lead a meaningful life. Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.
-Click here to read a review of QUIET STRENGTH.
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Click here to read our interview with Tony Dungy.
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Holiday Basket of Cheer Contest on Bookreporter.com: Spotlight on THE DANGEROUS BOOK FOR DOGS: A Parody by Rex & Sparky
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The holiday season is upon us! At Bookreporter.com this means it's time for us to share the spirit of the season with you with our Holiday Basket of Cheer Contest.
Each week from November 2nd through December 14th we are spotlighting a different title that is perfect for holiday gift giving, and five readers have the chance to win a holiday basket filled with winter-themed items as well as two copies of the featured book. Why two? One is to keep, of course, and one is for someone on your holiday gift list. We also include festive wrapping paper and a ribbon to make the gift-giving hassle-free.
This week we are featuring THE DANGEROUS BOOK FOR DOGS: A Parody by Rex & Sparky by Joe Garden, Janet Ginsburg, Chris Pauls and Anita Serwakli, a laugh-out-loud illustrated guide for --- and by --- dogs, unlocking the mysteries of doghood and teaching them how to do the very activities that human society says are wrong.
Our Holiday Basket of Cheer is a woven basket stocked with holiday-themed items. Along with two copies of THE DANGEROUS BOOK FOR DOGS: A Parody by Rex & Sparky and green-and-tan checkered wrapping paper, winners will receive a cranberry orange-scented Illuminations candle, Ghirardelli hot chocolate mix, gourmet hand-cut vanilla marshmallows, sweet-smelling cinnamon sticks, delicious Chewy Peps peppermint candies, a festive serving tray depicting a winter scene and a large snowman cookie. (Approximate retail value: $100)
To enter to win, answer the question below:
What is the correct posture while waiting by the dinner table?
You can find the answer by reading an excerpt here.
THE DANGEROUS BOOK FOR DOGS: A Parody by Rex and Sparky by Joe Garden, Janet Ginsburg, Chris Pauls and Anita Serwakli (Humor)
Whether you consider yourself to be a dog person or a cat person, you are bound to enjoy the humor and love of animals that abound in this hilarious guide for dogs. And, since even the smartest breeds don't usually read, it will be up to you, the human, to read this and help your canine recapture the joys of doghood. Reviewed by Maggie Harding.
-Click here to read a review of THE DANGEROUS BOOK FOR DOGS: A Parody by Rex & Sparky.
-Read more about THE DANGEROUS BOOK FOR DOGS: A Parody by Rex & Sparky and its authors here.
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Click here to read all the details of our Holiday Basket of Cheer contest.
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Featured Suspense/Thriller Author: Steve Berry, Author of THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL, In Stores Tuesday!
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With novels such as THE TEMPLAR LEGACY and THE ALEXANDRIA LINK, New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry has been celebrated by readers worldwide. December 11th marks the release of Berry's new suspense/thriller, THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL, in which former U.S. Justice Department agent Cotton Malone and his friend Cassiopeia Vitt embark on a quest to try to unravel an ancient riddle whose solution could destroy or save millions of people.
-Click here to read a third excerpt from THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL.
-Click here to read fast facts about Steve Berry.
-Click here to read Steve Berry’s bio.
-Click here to see Steve Berry's backlist.
-Visit the author’s official website, www.SteveBerry.org.
-Click here to see our advance copy winners.
More about THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL:
Backed by a secret cabal of powerbrokers, the Central Asian Federation has amassed a harrowing arsenal of biological weapons. Equipped with the hellish power to decimate other nations at will, only one thing keeps the Federation’s ruler from setting in motion her death march of domination: a miraculous healing serum, kept secret by an ancient puzzle and buried with the mummified remains of Alexander the Great --- in a tomb lost to the ages for more than 1,500 years. Together, Cotton Malone and Cassiopeia Vitt must outrun and outthink the forces allied against them and find the tomb before the Federation does.
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Click here to read more about Steve Berry and THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL.
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Featured Suspense/Thriller Author: Kevin O'Brien, Author of ONE LAST SCREAM
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Kevin O’Brien is the New York Times bestselling author of THE LAST VICTIM and KILLING SPREE. In his new thriller, ONE LAST SCREAM (which releases on December 18th), a series of mysterious murders leads a young woman suffering from blackouts to question herself and her past. Could she be a cold-blooded killer? Or a pawn in a deadly game?
-Click here to read fast facts about Kevin O'Brien.
-Click here to read Kevin O’Brien’s bio.
-Click here to see Kevin O'Brien's backlist.
-Visit the author’s official website, www.KevinOBrienBooks.com.
-Click here to see our advance copy winners.
More about ONE LAST SCREAM:
Amelia Faraday is beautiful, smart and a walking disaster. Suffering from blackouts, she also suffers from something worse --- the feeling that she is personally involved in a series of deaths. Now as a new series of murders begins, and she continues to suffer from blackouts, Amelia is left wondering if she is a cold-blooded killer --- or a pawn in a deadly game that’s only just beginning.
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Click here to read more about Kevin O'Brien and ONE LAST SCREAM.
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Kindle: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device
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The Amazon Kindle is a revolutionary portable reader that wirelessly downloads books, newspapers, magazines and blogs to a crisp, high-resolution electronic paper display that looks and reads like real paper, even in bright sunlight.
Kindle customers, no matter where they are in the U.S., can wirelessly shop the Kindle Store and download new content --- all without a PC or a WiFi hot spot. Amazon pays for Kindle’s wireless connectivity so there are no monthly wireless bills and no service commitments for customers. The Kindle Store contains over 90,000 books that can be purchased and delivered wirelessly to Kindle, each in less than a minute. Customers can choose from hundreds of top newspapers, magazines and blogs and have their subscriptions auto-delivered wirelessly. All New York Times Bestsellers and New Releases are $9.99, unless marked otherwise.
At 10.3 ounces, Kindle is lighter and thinner than a paperback book, carries two hundred books, and includes built-in access to The New Oxford American Dictionary and wireless access to the Earth’s biggest encyclopedia, Wikipedia.org.
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Click here to learn more about the Amazon Kindle.
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Now in Stores: THE GOLDEN TULIP by Rosalind Laker
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Francesca’s father is a well-known painter in the bustling port city of Amsterdam; he is also a gambler. Though their household is in economic chaos, thankfully the lessons she learned in his studio have prepared her to study with Johannes Vermeer, the master of Delft. THE GOLDEN TULIP brings one of the most exciting periods of Dutch history alive, creating a page-turning novel that is as vivid and unforgettable as a Vermeer painting. Click here to browse inside the book. |
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Click here to read more about THE GOLDEN TULIP.
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This Week's Reviews
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RHETT BUTLER’S PEOPLE by Donald McCaig (Fiction)
Donald McCaig reigns as one of the best Civil War novelists to date. The award-winning author of JACOB’S LADDER was chosen by the Margaret Mitchell estate to pen RHETT BUTLER’S PEOPLE, the long-awaited follow-up to GONE WITH THE WIND, in which the life and times of the dashing Rhett Butler unfold. Reviewed by Judy Gigstad.
-Click here to read an excerpt from RHETT BUTLER’S PEOPLE.
THEM by Nathan McCall (Fiction)
Nathan McCall blows the top off the current state of racial relations with this powerful follow-up to his bestselling memoir MAKES ME WANNA HOLLER. Set in modern-day Atlanta, THEM combines a strong sense of place with believable characterizations to create a realistic world that will encourage readers to take another look at the neighborhoods in their own cities. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
THE JOURNAL OF JOYCE CAROL OATES 1973-1982 written by Joyce Carol Oates, edited by Greg Johnson (Memoir)
On New Year's Day 1973, Joyce Carol Oates began keeping a journal, which she maintains to this day. Despite the warm critical reception from the literary world at the time, the young author was naturally reticent about her personal life and would remain so throughout her career. THE JOURNAL OF JOYCE CAROL OATES offers a rare first glimpse into the private thoughts of this bestselling author. Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum.
TOUCH AND GO: A Memoir by Studs Terkel (Memoir)
In this captivating memoir, renowned oral historian Studs Terkel reminisces expansively about the experiences of his long and eventful life. Full of colorful characters and engaging tales, Terkel’s story is equal to the best of his classic interviews. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
CHEATING AT CANASTA: Stories by William Trevor (Fiction/Short Stories)
From a chance encounter between two childhood friends to the memories of a newly widowed man to a family grappling with the sale of their ancestral land, William Trevor examines the tenuous bonds of our relationships, the strengths that hold us together and the truths that threaten to separate us. Reviewed by Carole Turner.
HOW STARBUCKS SAVED MY LIFE: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else by Michael Gates Gill (Memoir)
HOW STARBUCKS SAVED MY LIFE is a sweet tale of redemption and reinvention by Michael Gates Gill, who transformed from aging, broken executive to an involved, enthusiastic barista after accepting a job at his local Starbucks, where he learns to pour the perfect latte, as well as many life lessons from an unlikely teacher --- his 28-year-old manager. Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller.
THIRD DEGREE by Greg Iles (Thriller)
In THIRD DEGREE, Greg Iles takes us to the idyllic town of Athens Point, Mississippi, to probe beneath the surface of the modern American marriage --- where the appearance of perfection conceals a soul-searing conflict of unnerving intensity and violent possibility. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
THE USED WORLD by Haven Kimmel (Fiction)
"It was mid-December in Jonah, Indiana, a place where Fate can be decided by the weather, and a storm was gathering overhead." So Haven Kimmel, bestselling author of A GIRL NAMED ZIPPY, prepares us to enter THE USED WORLD, a world where big hearts are frequently broken and sometimes repaired, where wondrous things unfold just beneath the surface of everyday life. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
THE MATCH: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever by Mark Frost (Sports)
Anyone who has ever headed out to the golf course for a $5 Nassau will appreciate the story of a little-known private golf match involving legends Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson and rising stars Ken Venture and Harvie Ward. But more importantly, golf fans will experience a wonderfully detailed description of the sport in the era between the careers of Bobby Jones and modern legends Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.
THE ITALIAN LOVER by Robert Hellenga (Fiction)
A dozen years ago, Robert Hellenga brought us THE SIXTEEN PLEASURES, the story of a 29-year-old American woman who, in 1966, ventured to Florence in hopes of rescuing flood-damaged books. Over two decades later, she has written a memoir that has been snapped up by a renowned movie producer. She watches how Hollywood transforms the life she lived into a box-office hit. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
PETER JENNINGS: A REPORTER'S LIFE edited by Kate Darnton, Kayce Freed Jennings and Lynn Sherr (Biography)
Peter Jennings was the sole anchor of ABC's “World News Tonight” from 1983 until his death from lung cancer in 2005. For many Americans, he was the voice and face that gave shape and meaning to every day's news. But who was Peter Jennings really? In A REPORTER'S LIFE, readers will get to know Jennings through the memories of his friends, family, competitors, colleagues and interview subjects. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan.
DEAD STREET by Mickey Spillane (Mystery)
For 20 years, former NYPD cop Jack Stang has lived with the memory of his girlfriend’s death in an attempted abduction. But what if she weren’t actually dead? What if she somehow secretly survived --- but lost her sight, her memory and everything else she had...except her enemies? Now Jack has a second chance to save the only woman he ever loved --- or to lose her for good. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
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Read this week's reviews here.
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Poll and Question of the Week: Holiday Gifts
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Poll:
Do you like giving books as presents?
Yes
No
Do you like receiving books as presents?
Yes
No
Do you like giving gift cards to bookstores as presents?
Yes
No
Do you like receiving gift cards to bookstores as presents?
Yes
No
-Click here to answer our poll.
Question:
If you only gave books as presents this holiday season, name up to three titles you'd like to give.
-Click here to answer our question of the week.
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Word of Mouth: Tell Us What You're Reading --- TWO Prizes
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Tell us what books YOU are reading and loving --- or even those you don't.
This week we have two great prizes: FIVE readers each will win a copy of THE DARKEST EVENING OF THE YEAR by Dean Koontz and T IS FOR TRESPASS by Sue Grafton. Tell us what you are reading and rate the titles 1-5 by noon on December 14th to ensure that you are in the running to win these books.
Please note that our next Word of Mouth update will be on December 14th.
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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 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.
Those who are subscribed to the Bookreporter.com newsletter by December 31, 2007 automatically are entered in our Monthly Newsletter Contest. This month one winner will be selected to win the following five books: THE DARKEST EVENING OF THE YEAR by Dean Koontz, LAST CALL by James Grippando, T IS FOR TRESPASS by Sue Grafton, THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HERE by Cecelia Ahearn and WATCHMAN by Ian Rankin. David fom Franklin, MA was last month's newsletter winner. He won DOUBLE CROSS by James Patterson, EVERLASTING by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, GENTLEMEN OF THE ROAD: A Tale of Adventure by Michael Chabon, THE HEIR by Barbara Taylor Bradford and STONE COLD by David Baldacci.
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.
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