February 13, 2009

The wind over the past 36 hours in the New York area has me feeling like I could end up in Kansas at any moment passing Dorothy on her way to Oz. The weather has been warm, which has ensured that all the snow has melted. I am hoping it does not snow next week as my husband is traveling and I have no clue how to run the tractor/snow blower. If I have to deal with this, I am sure it would unfold like an "I Love Lucy" episode. The lawn would get plowed and I would hit a few trees. Yes, the boys will oblige if needed, but I am not sure that they will have more fun riding or clearing. I know, I know, I could read the manual, but I confess that while I love to read books, somehow reading instruction manuals is something that just evades me, so I never know what half the buttons on most of the electronics that I own actually do!

Speaking of electronic gadgets, the other day when the release date for the new Amazon Kindle was announced, I started thinking again about why I do not own one. I, who have a treasure trove of electronics history stored in boxes in my attic (everything from the cell phone that was housed in a suitcase to the Astraltunes that were a precursor of the Walkman), do not want a Kindle. Somehow for me, one more thing to charge --- and one more thing to keep track of --- is just not on the agenda. Books are portable enough for me. I can see the emails flying in now to convince me otherwise; I am bracing myself. Kindle lovers I know have a special glow about them when they speak of their devices. I know those swooning smiles, and you are not convincing me!

I know I really struck a chord with many of you last week with my note about reading before sleeping. I loved the feedback. I got back to many of you, but I know there are some that I missed! I spent Thursday through Saturday at New York Comic-Con, and my head was really swirling by the time I hit the couch Saturday night. Visions of Princess Leia costumes were dancing in my head. I really need ESP mail where I can telegraph my thoughts when I read emails with no time to reply with traditional means!

Our editorial team outdid themselves this week. We have FOUR interviews for you, as well as the usual stellar lineup of reviews. I still get such pleasure from reading what authors have to say about their work. And what a lineup this week --- Linda Fairstein on her latest thriller, LETHAL LEGACY, set in the New York Public Library; Kathryn Stockett on THE HELP, a debut that finds its way onto my “Bookreporter.com Bets On” list this week; T.C. Boyle, whose latest, THE WOMEN, looks at the women in Frank Lloyd Wright's life (after time spent at both Taliesin East and West, and reading LOVING FRANK, I cannot wait to read this); and Jayne Anne Phillips on LARK AND TERMITE, which is her first book in nine years!

I also want to highlight that William Lashner's new thriller, BLOOD AND BONE, is now in stores. It's his first stand-alone --- a wonderful departure for all his Victor Carl fans and one that I know will find him new readers. You can read Joe Hartlaub's review of it here.

We are launching new Suspense/Thriller features for two authors many of you will be familiar with. Our first is for Barry Eisler, whose new thriller, FAULT LINE, releases on March 10th. Barry, who received intensive training as a CIA agent, does a great job of weaving his experiences into the fast-paced thrillers he writes. His Rain series is a favorite with many of our readers; this is his first stand-alone thriller. We have 10 copies of FAULT LINE to give away to readers who would like to preview the book and comment about it. If you are interested, please fill out this form by Friday, February 20th.

Our second new featured author is Gregg Olsen, who received critical acclaim for his work as a journalist, true crime author and novelist. In his third novel, Sherriff Emily Kenyon, who we met in A COLD DARK PLACE, leads a desperate search for a serial killer targeting young women. We have 10 copies of HEART OF ICE to give away to readers who would like to preview the book and comment about it. If you are interested, please fill out this form by Friday, February 20th.

In our last newsletter I missed noting the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth yesterday (I am known for belated notes to friends as well!) As you may have noted, there are just a few books out to commemorate this. Many of you I am sure enjoyed MANHUNT by James L. Swanson, which chronicles the capture of Lincoln's killer. I wanted you to note that he has a new book out for young adults called CHASING LINCOLN'S KILLER. I saw a presentation on this at the library convention, and it made me want to cancel my dinner plans and curl up and read. Let's just say that if Swanson taught history when I was growing up, I would have paid a LOT more attention. Trivia Fact: Swanson and Lincoln share the same birthday, so belated Happy Birthday to Swanson. Check out the video about the book here.

For the record, I have decided that the news on television all seems to be the same story on rewind. And I am a tad bored with the continuous commentary that goes something like this: If you leave your house and buy anything, you are not smart and will end up on a breadline. I am here to share that buying one book this weekend is not going to crumble your economic future, so head to the store and indulge yourself with a book. Maybe even buy two. Then, if you feel a continued need to shop once you leave the bookstore, go see Confessions of a Shopaholic. I have not seen this movie yet, but I figure the scene where Becky has her credit card frozen in her freezer will be one that will make the news commentators froth with glee. And when you see all those designer names flashed across the screen, you can reminisce the consumerism that is part of the reason we are where we are now. Consider it a history lesson.

After a hectic last three weekends of travel and conventions, I have a plan for the weekend that includes lots of fires in the fireplace, reading and relaxing. The stack of books that I want to read is pretty high. I joke with the boys that if all the books I want to read fall on top of me, they could kill me, thus I HAVE to get through some of them this weekend, or it could be death by book! My obit will read, "The pages killed her" or "Killed by the stack." I know, too much time reading thrillers. Here's to delightful bookish adventures this holiday weekend and Happy Valentine's Day to all.

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)

 

Kathryn Stockett's debut novel, THE HELP, examines a rarely covered subject: the complex relationship between white Southern families and their black domestic servants in the 1960s. In this interview, Stockett reminisces about her own childhood experiences with her family's maid and discusses her hesitation --- as a white woman from Mississippi --- to write from the perspectives of African-American women. She also describes the research she performed to get a feel for the atmosphere and attitudes of the time, shares what surprised her most from the people she interviewed, and reveals the real-life inspirations behind her main characters.

THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett (Fiction)
Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women --- mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends --- view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor and hope, THE HELP is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don’t. Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol.

-Click here to read a review of THE HELP.
-Click here to read an excerpt from THE HELP.
-Click here to see the reading group guide for THE HELP.
 

A New York Times bestselling author, Gregg Olsen has written seven nonfiction books, three novels and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child. As a journalist and true crime author, Olsen has received numerous awards and much critical acclaim for his writing. In HEART OF ICE, his new thriller releasing on February 24th, Sherriff Emily Kenyon must stop a serial killer who is targeting young women.

We have 10 copies of HEART OF ICE to give away to readers who would like to preview the book and comment about it. If you are interested, please fill out this form by Friday, February 20th.

-Click here to read Gregg Olsen’s bio.
-Visit Gregg Olsen’s official website, www.GreggOlsen.com.

More about HEART OF ICE:
Cherrystone, Washington is the kind of small town where strangers are few and gossip is plentiful. Sheriff Emily Kenyon is investigating the murder of a pregnant young woman whose husband is the prime suspect, yet nagging doubts remain. Immersed in uncovering the truth, Emily doesn’t realize she’s become involved in something much bigger --- a case both dark and horrifying, one that will pit her against a killer whose vengeance knows no limits, and whose next target is chillingly close.
 

With thousands of books published each year and much attention paid to the works of bestselling and well-known authors, it is inevitable that some titles worthy of praise and discussion may not get the attention we think they deserve. Thus throughout 2009, we will be spotlighting books written by debut or up-and-coming authors that immediately struck a chord with us and made us say “just read this” in a new feature called "Bookreporter.com Bets On…" Our plan is to alert our readers about these titles as soon as they’re released so you can discover them for yourselves and recommend them to your family and friends.

Here is our latest featured title, with more to come in the weeks ahead:

THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett (February 10th): Set in 1963, THE HELP is the story of three women --- two African-American maids in the Deep South and a young white woman who sees a story in the world that they live in. You hear the voices, see the houses and truly feel like a voyeur in their world. I found myself reaching for my advance reading copy of the book between present opening, dinner preparations and other holiday festivities in December. Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter are strong characters, and the stories they tell speak volumes about the time. Stockett closes the book with a piece about her family's maid, which shows why she could write this novel with such insight and honesty. No matter what your political views about our new president, reading THE HELP and seeing the world 46 years ago when the right to vote was something that was fought over, and not taken for granted, is interesting.

-Click here to read a review of THE HELP.
-Click here to read an excerpt from THE HELP.
-Click here to see the reading group guide for THE HELP.
-Click here to listen to Kathryn Stockett discuss THE HELP, and discover the story behind the novel.