Skip to main content

May 21, 2010

Bookreporter.com Newsletter May 21, 2010
 
Favorite Flowers...
My favorite flowers are peonies, and 'tis the season for them to be in bloom. We have a number of peony plants in the garden at the house. They were here when we moved in over 20 years ago, and they get more lush and beautiful every year. Actually, if I am honest, they are beautiful for a few days before a hard rain falls and the petals fall like raindrops onto the ground. Thus the other night I was zipping around the yard with clippers harvesting the blossoms like I was being paid by the flower. I came in the house and channeled Martha, taping vases in criss-cross patterns so I could arrange them. I am pretty proud of the way these arrangements look, and I have placed them around the house so the scent is everywhere. I feel like the outside has come indoors; it’s quite lovely.

This week my older son moved home from college. I am hoping that over the next two years he learns to PACK. Forget Irish History, Physics and Anthropology; let’s have a course in packing! He had me swing by his apartment two nights last week to pick up boxes. I got home and trolled through some looking for the inevitable stack of clothes ready for the laundry. I found clothes packed with books and every scrap of paper from his desk. Remember the show "Let’s Make a Deal"? Every box was packed like he was headed for lead contestant. It made me think he must have missed the point of those little word games when he was growing up that asked, “Which of these things do not belong together?”

Since even the clean clothes were rolled in balls, they all ended up in the laundry. All year he told me I did not want to see his dorm room. Seeing the boxes, I know he was right. Now the big question will be: Will the rest of the boxes be unpacked by August, or will they just return to school as is? All this aside, it’s nice to have him back here. And I have a whole stack of books that I think he is going to love. I think I will start him with 61 HOURS by Lee Child, which we also have a review of this week here. Jack Reacher is back, and he is a man with few possessions. As his clothes get worn, he discards them. Maybe there are lessons for college here. Did you see the piece about Lee’s apartment and work space in New York City in The Wall Street Journal? Click here to take a tour of Lee's Reacher-esque home.

May is always one of our busiest times in the office, and I find myself doing an imitation of Alison DuBois on "Medium" as I bolt awake in the middle of the night remembering something or another that I have forgotten to do.

This week we’re launching a One to Watch spotlight feature for one of my favorite authors, Charles Martin, and his forthcoming book, THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US. As this book opens, a surgeon is stranded at an airport in the Rockies during a snowstorm. He befriends a young bride-to-be in the airport, and invites her along on a chartered flight to ensure she makes it home for her wedding day. In mid-flight, the charter pilot suffers a heart attack and the plane crashes in the remote mountains during a blizzard. It’s an intense story of survival against all odds and elements against a backdrop that explores emotion and love. It’s Charles’s strongest book, and since I have been reading him since his first manuscript six books ago, I can say this with conviction. THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US won’t be available in stores until June 1st, but we have 100(!) finished copies to give away to readers who would like to read and comment on it. Enter here by Friday, May 28th at noon ET for your chance to win. Enter! You will be in for a treat if you win.

Today marks the end of our Mother’s Day Month blog series with a great piece from Nancy Thayer and her daughter, Samantha Wilde, that you can read here. Nancy is the author of the popular Hot Flash series, and her next novel, BEACHCOMBERS, will be available June 22nd. Her daughter released THIS LITTLE MOMMY STAYED HOME last summer. Thanks to all of the authors who shared their personal stories with us in this feature. You can enjoy the entire series here, and it will be archived as well, so bookmark it to read these pieces at your leisure.

Next week we will kick off our Father’s Day feature and contest; there are 12 titles for dad, to keep him reading a book a month! And we will have some blogs where dads will be featured and feted as well. Stay tuned for that to see how to win some books for dear old dad! Father’s Day isn’t the only special feature we’ll have next Friday. Our annual Beach Bag of Books Contest also begins next week, too, with collections to win to keep you reading right through the summer, whether your idea of summer is the beach or the backyard. You can preview a partial list of the titles we will be featuring here; check back next Friday for the contest details. We'll also post the details on our Facebook page, and you can keep up with our daily postings here if you're not a member.

What have I been reading? I just finished HEALER by Carol Cassella, which will be out on September 7th. Readers may know her from her previous book, OXYGEN, which I loved. When I was in Seattle, Carol told me about HEALER, and I begged for an early copy. And I am so glad I did. This book is different from OXYGEN, but has the same wonderful appeal with rich characters and a well-written and developed story. The book opens as Claire, a woman whose fortune has been changed by some financial decisions her husband made without her knowing is moving her family from their posh digs in Seattle to their vacation home in the fictional resort town of Hallum. Claire finds work in a clinic there, where she can use her medical skills as her husband tries to rebuild his career; he had developed a cancer drug that was found to be flawed. I found myself racing to get back to this book, which is always a nice feeling, especially when a week is as busy as this one. Cassella develops her characters beautifully and tells their stories so well. It will be a Bets On Pick.

I just started THE BRAVE by Nicholas Evans, an author whose work I love and whose voice I have missed these past few years. Last night I was going to read a few pages and looked up on page 75. It will be in stores on October 12th, and I will have more about it in the weeks to come.

You’ve probably noticed our newsletters featuring ads for the film Mother and Child, which is opening across the country this week. Although this is Bookreporter.com, a site dedicated to books and reading, we think a film like this will have a lot of reader appeal, thus we are happy to get it on your radar. It stars Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Samuel L. Jackson and Jimmy Smits, and is about three women whose lives, in one way or another, have been profoundly affected by adoption. You can check out the film’s official site here, and click here to see when and where the film is opening in your area.

Our latest poll question has to do with the upcoming vacation season now that spring/summer fever is in full swing. We’re curious about how many books you bring along on vacation and whether or not you "screen them" in advance. Our question to complement that is “What is your all-time favorite beach book?" You can choose up to five. Answer our poll here and our question here. Additionally, you can share comments about the books that you have read in our Word of Mouth section and be eligible to win THE BOURNE OBJECTIVE by Eric Van Lustbader, SEAWORTHY: A Swordboat Captain Returns to the Sea by Linda Greenlaw and THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET'S NEST by Stieg Larsson. The New York Times had an excellent article about Larsson's series, which includes THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO and THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE. You can check it out here.

This upcoming week is BookExpo America (BEA), which will give us an opportunity to learn more about the upcoming fall titles. It’s a week where there will be many events and lots of bookish hoopla. Our staff is splitting up to be sure we cover as much as we can. I am moderating a panel about Hot Book Club Picks for Fall, and I am a panelist on another about graphic novels. Always a fun few days, and we will have more on this next week.

Those of you in the D.C. area who are library enthusiasts, whip out your calendars. The American Library Association’s (ALA) Washington Office will host a Library Advocacy Day featuring a rally at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 29th on the U.S. Capitol grounds in Washington, D.C. This one-time opportunity during the ALA Annual Conference is a chance for library supporters to join together to demonstrate support for libraries. I will be there; let me know if you can be too!

As always, lots of great reading this week…so…read on. And be sure to take some time to do your own version of stopping to smell the flowers…perhaps with a book.

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)

 

Bookreporter.com Talks to Mitchell James Kaplan, Author of BY FIRE, BY WATER

Mitchell James Kaplan’s debut novel, BY FIRE, BY WATER, is a work of historical fiction that chronicles some of the world-changing events that took place in 15th-century Spain, as seen from the perspective of Luis de Santángel --- the behind-the-scenes figure responsible for Christopher Columbus’s discovery of the New World. In this interview with Bookreporter.com’s Melanie Smith, Kaplan explains what initially drew him to this particular period, and provides some historical context for such infamous occurrences as the Spanish Inquisition and the expulsion of the country’s Jewish population. He also shares some fascinating and little-known information he encountered in his research, points out contemporary parallels in the ways in which people justify carrying out extreme political policies, and discusses his next novel, which will focus on the early evolution of Judaism and Christianity.

BY FIRE, BY WATER by Mitchell James Kaplan (Historical Fiction)
Luis de Santángel, chancellor to the court and longtime friend of the lusty King Ferdinand, has had enough of the Spanish Inquisition. Santángel is from a family of conversos, and his Jewish heritage makes him a target of the brutal Inquisitor Tomás de Torquemada. When a dear friend’s demise brings the violence close to home, Santángel takes retribution into his own hands, simultaneously growing ever closer to a beautiful Jewish silversmith, Judith Migdal. Reviewed by Melanie Smith.

-Click here to read a review of BY FIRE, BY WATER.
-Click here to read an excerpt from BY FIRE, BY WATER.
-Click here to read Mitchell James Kaplan's bio.
-Click here to read critical praise for BY FIRE, BY WATER.
-Click here to see our advance copy winners.

 

Click here to read our interview with Mitchell James Kaplan.

 

Bookreporter.com Talks to Sigmund Brouwer, Author of FLIGHT OF SHADOWS

Bestselling author Sigmund Brouwer recently spoke with Bookreporter.com’s Marcia Ford about his latest work of fiction, FLIGHT OF SHADOWS, the follow-up to last year’s dystopian thriller, BROKEN ANGEL. In this interview, Brouwer elaborates on the book’s predominant theme of freedom, and talks about the scientific and ethical dilemmas he addresses in the narrative. He also discusses his work in promoting childhood literacy, describes his ideal working environment, and shares details about his next novel, REALM.

FLIGHT OF SHADOWS by Sigmund Brouwer (Suspense)
She escaped the religious enclave of Appalachia. But peace and freedom are even further out of reach for Caitlyn as the myriad dangers pursuing her threaten to crush her last shred of hope. Will she ever discover the truth of her origin? A lightning-fast chase through an all-too-plausible future, bestselling author Sigmund Brouwer is at his best in this terrifying ride into the heart of compelling moral questions about science and society. Reviewed by Marcia Ford.

-Click here to read a review of FLIGHT OF SHADOWS.
-Click here to read an excerpt from FLIGHT OF SHADOWS.
-Click here to read Sigmund Brouwer's bio.
-Click here to read critical praise for FLIGHT OF SHADOWS.
-Click here to see our advance copy winners.

 

Click here to read our interview with Sigmund Brouwer.

 

Bookreporter.com Talks to Lynn Kurland, Author of ONE ENCHANTED EVENING

Lynn Kurland’s most recent historical romance, ONE ENCHANTED EVENING, is the latest installment in her bestselling di Piaget series, and follows two star-crossed lovers born centuries apart who must endure numerous obstacles --- including a little time travel --- to reach their “happily ever after.” In this interview with Bookreporter.com’s Hillary Wagy, Kurland explains how she pieced together the book’s multi-layered plot, and describes what she personally looks for in romantic heroes and heroines. She also speculates on the appeal of this ever-popular genre, shares what she learned about herself and her work while visiting different periods in history, and reflects on the “magic” found in her own day-to-day life.

ONE ENCHANTED EVENING by Lynn Kurland (Historical Romance)
Lynn Kurland turns back time for hopeless romantic Pippa Alexander. Pippa is invited to showcase her exquisite medieval costumes at a birthday party taking place at her sister’s fairy tale English castle. One of the guests could hold the keys to her acclaim as an international designer, and she is anxiously anticipating her future --- until one enchanted evening she takes a fateful step in the direction of the past and Montgomery de Piaget. Reviewed by Hillary Wagy.

-Click here to read a review of ONE ENCHANTED EVENING.
-Click here to read an excerpt from ONE ENCHANTED EVENING.
-Click here to read Lynn Kurland's bio.
-Visit Lynn Kurland's official website, www.LynnKurland.com.
-Click here to read critical praise for ONE ENCHANTED EVENING.
-Click here to see our finished copy winners.

 

Click here to read our interview with Lynn Kurland.

 
New Featured One to Watch Author: Charles Martin, Author of THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US

Bestselling novelist Charles Martin returns with THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US, a story of love and survival against all odds and harsh elements. Two strangers bond as they battle a blizzard in the Rockies following a plane crash in what promises to be Martin's best yet. THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US will be available in stores on June 1st.

We have 100 finished copies of THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US to give away to readers who would like to read the book and comment about it. If you are interested, please fill out this form by Friday, May 28th at noon ET.

-Click here to read an excerpt from THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US.
-Click
here to read Charles Martin's bio.

-Click here to see Charles Martin's backlist.
-Click here to read critical praise for THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US.
-Visit Charles Martin's official website, www.CharlesMartinBooks.com.


More about THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US:
One stormy night, two strangers brave a blizzard on a chartered flight back to their normal lives. However, the pilot suffers a heart attack midflight, crashing the plane into a harsh, remote stretch of the Rockies. Injured with limited resources, this unlikely pair --- a surgeon and a writer on the eve of her wedding --- is forced to trust each other unconditionally in hopes of returning to their loved ones. An unbreakable bond is quickly formed as the two struggle to survive.
 

Click here to read more about Charles Martin and THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US.

 

Now in Stores: 61 HOURS by Lee Child

61 HOURS: A Reacher Novel by Lee Child (Thriller)
A tour bus crashes in a savage snowstorm and lands Jack Reacher in the middle of a deadly confrontation. In nearby Bolton, South Dakota, one brave woman is standing up for justice in a small town threatened by sinister forces. If she’s going to live long enough to testify, she’ll need help. Because a killer is coming to Bolton, a coldly proficient assassin who never misses.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

-Click here to read an excerpt from 61 HOURS.
 

Click here to read a review of 61 HOURS.

 

Now in Stores: BLUE-EYED DEVIL by Robert B. Parker

BLUE-EYED DEVIL by Robert B. Parker (Western)
In this posthumously published western, New York Times bestselling author Robert B. Parker brings gunmen Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch back to the town of Appaloosa where they once were the law. But now they find themselves in trouble with the new sheriff. Reviewed by Tom Callahan.
 
Click here to read a review of BLUE-EYED DEVIL.

 
Featured One to Watch Author: Julie Metz, Author of PERFECTION
Julie Metz's powerful, emotional memoir, PERFECTION, chronicles the sudden death of her husband and the subsequent secret life he had away from her and their six-year-old daughter. Metz combats feelings of rage, helplessness and confusion as she tries to make sense of her family's past while building a new future. PERFECTION is now available in paperback.

-Click here to read a review of PERFECTION.
-Click
here to read a second excerpt from PERFECTION.
-Click here to see the reading group guide for PERFECTION.
-Click here to read an interview with Julie Metz.
-Click
here to read Julie Metz's bio.

-Click here to read critical praise for PERFECTION.
-Click here to see our finished copy winners.


More about PERFECTION:
Julie Metz’s life changed forever on one ordinary January afternoon when her husband, Henry, collapsed on the kitchen floor and died in her arms. Suddenly, this mother of a six-year-old became the young widow in her bucolic small town. But that was only the beginning. Seven months after Henry’s death, just when Julie thought she was emerging from the worst of it, came the rest of it: Henry had hidden another life from her. PERFECTION is the story of rebuilding both a life and an identity after betrayal and widowhood, of rebirth and happiness --- if not perfection.
 

Click here to read more about Julie Metz and PERFECTION.

 

Featured Suspense/Thriller Author: Kevin O'Brien, Author of VICIOUS

Kevin O'Brien returns with VICIOUS, his latest thriller starring the "Mama's Boy" killer. The Seattle-area serial killer who held the city in his grip and eluded police at every turn has not been heard from in years --- until he makes his unexpected, chilling return. VICIOUS will be available in stores on May 25th.

We have 20 copies of VICIOUS to give away to readers who would like to read the book and comment about it. If you are interested, please fill out this form by Friday, May 28th at noon ET.


-Click here to read an excerpt from VICIOUS.
-Click
here to read Kevin O'Brien's bio.

-Click here to see Kevin O'Brien's backlist.
-Click here to read critical praise for VICIOUS.
-Visit Kevin O'Brien's official website, www.KevinOBrienBooks.com.
-Click here to read Kevin O'Brien's Bookreporter.com blog post about his mother, Adele.


More about VICIOUS:
For more than two years, he held Seattle in a terror grip. A cold-blooded killer who abducted young mothers right in front of their sons and murdered them execution style. Then, as suddenly as the killings began, they seemed to stop. Susan Blanchette is looking forward to a relaxing weekend getaway with her fiancé, Allen, and young son Matthew. But something about the remote lake house doesn’t feel right. A woman vanished from the area a year ago, and now Susan thinks she’s spotted someone lurking around the property. And when Allen disappears, her fear grows…
 

Click here to read more about Kevin O'Brien and VICIOUS.

 
Featured Suspense/Thriller Author: Robert Dugoni, Author of BODILY HARM

In BODILY HARM, his latest David Sloane novel, bestselling legal thriller author Robert Dugoni delivers a pulse-pounding story of corporate greed, espionage, and the lengths to which one man is willing to go for justice. BODILY HARM will be in stores on May 25th.

-Click here to read a third excerpt from BODILY HARM.
-Click
here to read Robert Dugoni's bio.

-Click here to see Robert Dugoni's backlist.
-Click here to read critical praise for BODILY HARM.
-Visit Robert Dugoni's official website, www.RobertDugoni.com.
-Click here to read a Bookreporter.com blog post from Robert Dugoni's mother, Patty.
-Click here to see our advance copy winners.


More about BODILY HARM:
In his return as “the lawyer who does not lose,” David Sloane is on the verge of another victory, but something about the malpractice case has bothered him from the start. His uneasiness grows when toy designer Kyle Horgan confronts him on the way to the verdict to claim responsibility not only for the child’s death, but also for the fate of a second young boy in central Washington.
 

Click here to read more about Robert Dugoni and BODILY HARM.

 
Featured Suspense/Thriller Author: John Manning, Author of THE KILLING ROOM

John Manning's new thriller, THE KILLING ROOM, follows private detective Carolyn Cartwright's investigation of an old Maine mansion where secrets reveal deadly truths. One by one, members of the Young family meet their grisly deaths, and it's up to Cartwright to uncover the truth behind the murders.

-Click here to read a third excerpt from THE KILLING ROOM.
-Click
here to read John Manning's bio.

-Click here to see John Manning's backlist.
-Click here to read critical praise for THE KILLING ROOM.
-Click here to see our finished copy winners.


More about THE KILLING ROOM:
Old houses have their secrets. The Young residence --- a beautiful Maine mansion overlooking the Atlantic --- is no exception. But the secrets here are different. Carolyn Cartwright, private detective and ex-FBI agent, has been hired by Howard Young to investigate a string of gruesome family deaths. The crimes are horrific, brutal and senseless. One by one, members of the Young family are chosen to die. Old and young, weak and strong, no one is safe from a killer with a limitless thirst for revenge. And the only way for Carolyn to uncover the shocking truth is to enter the room no one has ever left alive.
 
Click here to read more about John Manning and THE KILLING ROOM.

 

Featured Historical Romance Author: Mary Jo Putney, Author of NEVER LESS THAN A LADY

New York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney returns with NEVER LESS THAN A LADY, a stirring, sensual story of a rebellious nobleman drawn to a lovely widow with a shocking past. Julia Bancroft is a lonely woman with a dark secret that suddenly makes her the object of many men's desires.

-Click here to read a third excerpt from NEVER LESS THAN A LADY.
-Click
here to read Mary Jo Putney's bio.

-Click here to see Mary Jo Putney's backlist.
-Click here to read critical praise for NEVER LESS THAN A LADY.
-Click here to see our finished copy winners.


More about NEVER LESS THAN A LADY:
As the sole remaining heir to the Earl of Daventry, Alexander Randall knows his duty: find a wife and sire a son of his own. The perfect bride for a man in his position would be a biddable young girl of good breeding. But the woman who haunts his imagination is Julia Bancroft --- a village midwife with a dark secret that thrusts her into Randall's protection.
 
Click here to read more about Mary Jo Putney and NEVER LESS THAN A LADY.

 
Featured One to Watch Author: Elizabeth Bass, Author of MISS YOU MOST OF ALL
Elizabeth Bass's sparkling debut, MISS YOU MOST OF ALL, will inspire laughs and tears as she tells the story of very different sisters who turn their childhood farm into a popular vacation spot. Their problems only grow when an estranged stepsister shows up with trouble not far behind.

-Click here to read a third excerpt from MISS YOU MOST OF ALL.
-Click
here to read Elizabeth Bass's bio.

-Click here to read critical praise for MISS YOU MOST OF ALL.
-Click here to see our finished copy winners.


More about MISS YOU MOST OF ALL:
Sassy Spinster Farm is a place to find solace. At least, that's what it's become since Rue Anderson and her sister Laura transformed their childhood Texas homestead into a successful tourist destination. It's where guests flock to get their hands dirty and taste food fresh from the garden. And it's where Rue is raising her preteen daughter on her own --- while trying to keep her outspoken sister in check. It's not easy, but together, it seems there's nothing the two can't handle --- until an unexpected, and not entirely welcome, guest shows up in the middle of one warm summer night.
 
Click here to read more about Elizabeth Bass and MISS YOU MOST OF ALL.

 
Featured Women's Fiction Author: Katie MacAlister, Author of LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS

Katie MacAlister launches the Light Dragons series with LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS, about an ordinary, everyday mom who finds herself with a case of mistaken identity. What's worse is that her identity is now that of a famous hero from dragon lore.

-Click here to read a third excerpt from LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS.
-Click
here to read Katie MacAlister's bio.
-Visit Katie MacAlister's official website, www.KatieMacAlister.com.

-Click here to see Katie MacAlister's backlist.
-Click here to read critical praise for LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS.
-Click here to see our finished copy winners.


More about LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS:
Tully Sullivan is just like any other suburban mom --- unless you count the days every year that she zones out and turns base metals into gold. Those are weird. And now she’s woken up in a strange place surrounded by strange people who keep insisting that they’re dragons --- and that she’s one, too. But not just any dragon. She’s Ysolde de Bouchier, a famed figure from dragon history.
 

Click here to read more about Katie MacAlister and LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS.

 
This Week's Reviews
SUPREME JUSTICE by Phillip Margolin (Political Thriller)
Filled with the fast-paced twists and surprises that propelled EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE, SUPREME JUSTICE reunites attorney Brad Miller, FBI agent Keith Evans, and private investigator Dana Cutler to untangle a five-year-old case involving a ghost ship and the President’s nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

THE LAST STAND: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn by Nathaniel Philbrick (History)
The Battle of the Little Bighorn and the life of George Armstrong Custer is part legend, part fact, and certainly one of the most recognized events in American history. Historian Nathaniel Philbrick, an award-winning author for his writing on 19th-century America, turns his attention to the Little Bighorn, its actors and impact on our nation. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.

SOMEWHERE INSIDE: One Sister’s Captivity in North Korea and the Other’s Fight to Bring Her Home by Laura Ling and Lisa Ling (Memoir/Current Affairs)
When television journalist Laura Ling was arrested in 2009 a few steps inside the territory of North Korea, it set off an international incident that reached up to the highest levels of the North Korean and American governments. Laura and her devoted sister, Lisa, have now told the story of that event and its aftermath. Reviewed by Robert Finn.


ANTHILL by E. O. Wilson (Fiction)
Though firmly a parable working in well-worn grooves, E. O. Wilson’s ANTHILL is an inspiring work that does something rare: it makes passionate statements about conservation and the human condition that avoid all triteness. Reviewed by Max Falkowitz.

THE GOOD SON by Michael Gruber (Suspense)
After a group of international peacekeepers is abducted by a band of masked terrorists in rural Pakistan, Special Ops soldier Theo Bailey takes action. Among the multinational hostages are an American billionaire, an American Quaker couple --- and Theo’s mother. Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt.

NEVERLAND by Douglas Clegg (Supernatural Thriller)
Children never get to decide where to go on vacation, and if they did, they likely would not choose to go to a Georgia shore to stay with a venerable grandmother. Beau Jackson does just that with his family every year. The difference this time is that his cousin, Sumter, has a new friend. Her name is Lucy, and she offers to make all of the pain and lies go away for Beau and the others if they will just make a few sacrifices. Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard.


THIS IS NOT THE STORY YOU THINK IT IS: A Season of Unlikely Happiness by Laura Munson (Memoir)
Laura Munson recounts a period of months in which her faith in herself --- and her marriage --- was put to the test. Shaken to the core after the death of her beloved father, not finding the professional success that she had hoped for, and after countless hours of therapy, Laura finally realized she had to stop basing her happiness on things outside her control and commit herself to an "End of Suffering." Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.

THE EYES OF WILLIE McGEE: A Tragedy of Race, Sex, and Secrets in the Jim Crow South by Alex Heard (History)
Based on exhaustive documentary research --- court transcripts, newspaper reports, archived papers, letters, FBI documents, and the recollections of family members on both sides --- Mississippi native Alex Heard tells a moving and unforgettable story that evokes the bitter conflicts between black and white, North and South, in America. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.

 
Click here to read this week’s reviews.

 

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 May 31, 2010 automatically are entered in our Monthly Newsletter Contest. This month, one winner will be selected to win the following five books: 61 HOURS by Lee Child, FEVER DREAM by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET'S NEST by Stieg Larsson, INNOCENT by Scott Turow and PRIVATE LIFE by Jane Smiley. Kimberly from Nashville, TN was last month's winner. She won THE BLACK CAT: A Richard Jury Mystery by Martha Grimes, DELIVER US FROM EVIL by David Baldacci, THE DOUBLE COMFORT SAFARI CLUB: The New No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Novel by Alexander McCall Smith, EVERY LAST ONE by Anna Quindlen and THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE by Mary Higgins Clark.

Happy reading! Don't forget to forward this newsletter to a friend or to visit our other websites from TheBookReportNetwork.com: ReadingGroupGuides.com, GraphicNovelReporter.com, FaithfulReader.com, Teenreads.com, Kidsreads.com, AuthorsOnTheWeb.com and AuthorYellowPages.com.

The Book Report Network
250 W. 57th Street - Suite 1228
New York, New York 10107