November 19, 2010

I am writing from the window seat of my hotel room in Miami, where I have a fabulous view of the Biscayne Bay. If one is going to be tethered to her laptop, this is not a bad spot to be held captive. As always, when I am at the Miami Book Fair, it’s nonstop action. I flew in Wednesday, and on the way to my hotel I stopped by a wonderful yarn shop that Barbara, one of our readers, had told me about --- The Knitting Garden in Coral Gables. I still am in intel-gathering mode for a yarn store/bookstore project that I want to do. The store was just as fabulous as she said it would be. The owners, Anne and Virginia, were so warm and welcoming. When they heard I was in town for the Fair, they mentioned that one of their customers had been a hostess at the Nora Ephron event on Monday night, and then they gave me a full lowdown on it --- sounds like it was a really fun evening. Dave Barry was on stage with Nora, so you can imagine how much laughter there was in THAT room. Oh, and the hostess they were referencing was our reader Barbara, thus taking this entire store visit full circle.

From there I headed over to Books & Books where I got to do some shopping and had a fabulous spontaneous lunch with Mitchell Kaplan, the store’s owner and the founder of the Miami Book Fair. I love when things like that happen. Of course I had called the staff from the airport telling them I would check in again when I got to my hotel, which I didn’t get to for three hours; the hotel is actually only 15 minutes away from the airport. But they seem to all understand that once I leave the office, things never quite go the way I plan, but something wonderful always happens! As my friend Carl said, “You always have serendipitous meetings!”

I spent Thursday moderating The School of Comics and Graphic Novels at the Fair where we had a standing-room-only audience. The graphic novel and comics programming has grown enormously since the Fair added it three years ago! So much is happening in the world of graphic novels. An adaptation of Paulo Coelho's THE ALCHEMIST is coming out from HarperOne on November 23rd. We have a preview of it on GraphicNovelReporter.com here.

Then last night I went to see Pat Conroy (pictured above), who was wickedly humorous --- and so humble in spite of his huge success. He was introduced by Les Standiford, the author of the forthcoming book BRINGING ADAM HOME, which is the definitive story of the abduction of Adam Walsh in 1981 that Standiford wrote with Detective Joe Matthews. As you probably know, Adam was the son of John Walsh, who created "America's Most Wanted." It’s a book that is getting huge early buzz and will be in stores next March. He also had what may be one of my favorite lines of the week about books: “The only time people read books that they are not interested in is when they are in college.” I would amend that also to include middle school and high school and then pronounce him dead on. Seriously, once you leave school, do you really devote time to reading material that does not interest you?

Conroy’s stories and anecdotes had the crowd laughing, and even as he discussed tough material about his family, he maintained his sense of comedic timing. The crowd’s obvious devotion was visible not only by their standing ovation for him, but also with the warm words of praise that they shared about him during the Q&A session instead of questions! He has been an inspiration to so many people. It was a wonderful evening where everyone was inspired to read, and I look forward to picking up his latest book, MY READING LIFE.

Some of the biggest book prizes were handed out Wednesday night at the National Book Awards. Unfortunately I couldn't attend this year as I was already in Miami, but you can see the full list of winners here. For fiction, Jaimy Gordon's LORD OF MISRULE won top honors, while singer/songwriter Patti Smith's memoir, JUST KIDS, took the nonfiction prize. Terrance Hayes won poetry honors for LIGHTHEAD, and Kathyrn Erskine's MOCKINGBIRD won the Young People's Literature Prize.

This week we have our review of UNBROKEN: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand, the author of SEABISCUIT. I love this book and am so happy to be sharing it with you. If you read the first chapter, you will see why! It’s the incredible story of Louis Zamperini, a former Olympic runner who became a World War II fighter pilot stationed in the South Pacific. His plane crashed, and he spent 40 days adrift at sea only to be held hostage and tortured in a Japanese prison camp. This is a totally different book from Laura’s bestseller SEABISCUIT, but once again she’s truly outdone herself. You can watch a great book trailer for UNBROKEN here. You can also catch Laura's recent appearance on the "Today" show here. Reviewer Barbara Bamberger Scott says, “UNBROKEN is a riveting read; once you pick it up, be prepared for a long weekend living inside the mind of Louis Zamperini and his companions, including many of the Japanese captors.”

Back in the office in New York, things have been busy. This week we're featuring C. E. Lawrence's SILENT VICTIM in our Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight. C. E.'s previous book, SILENT SCREAMS, turned a lot of heads for its attention to forensics and creepy tone. SILENT VICTIM ups the ante with a string of killings around Manhattan that increasingly taunt the detectives working the case. SILENT VICTIM won't be in stores until December 7th, but we have 20 copies to give away to readers who like to read and comment on it. Enter here by Monday, November 29th at noon ET.

Also today we’re unveiling two new holiday features we’re really excited about. The first is our Holiday Cheer Contest, where we’ve changed things up a bit this year. Instead of a weekly contest, we are going to move to a daily format. For the next few weeks, from Monday to Thursday, we will have a featured book and contest each day. You can see all our featured titles here, but you’ll have to check the site every day to see the current prize book. We will also be sending a special newsletter every day to announce the day’s book, which you can sign up for here. On some days there may be special bonus prizes, including holiday items or maybe even a chance to win some of my Bets On picks from the year. You’ll just have to visit and enter every day to find out! Also, don’t forget our What to Give, What to Get holiday gift guide for some great suggestions for the book lover in your family or office, or yourself!

Today also marks the start of our annual Author Holiday Blogs, which we know is one of your favorite features. This is the third year we’ve done this, and I always am delighted with your reactions to it as it is one of my favorite projects of the year. Every day we’ll be bringing you a special holiday-themed blog entry from one of our author friends. Deanna Raybourn, the New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Julia Grey Mystery series, kicks things off today by telling us about her favorite holiday reads. Also, this weekend we’ll have posts from Patti Callahan Henry, author of THE PERFECT LOVE SONG: A Holiday Story, and Francine Rivers, author of HER MOTHER'S HOPE and HER DAUGHTER'S DREAM, with many more to come. You can view today’s post here, and we’ll be archiving the series here. Some future posts will come from the likes of Nelson DeMille, Daniel Silva, Lisa Scottoline, Anne Perry and Raymond Khoury, to name a few! Of course, the blog will stream through our Facebook page, and you can check out our Facebook posts here even if you're not a member.

We also have an interview with Kylie Brant, whose DEADLY INTENT --- the fourth book in her popular Mindhunters series --- we’ve been featuring in our Romantic Suspense Author Spotlight. Amie Taylor interviews Kylie, and the two discuss the creative process and plotting of a series. You can read our review here.

Today I have been in meetings and writing all day, though I truly wish I was clocking some pool time as the weather is lovely. I look forward to attending the “ultra secret” rehearsal tonight of The Rock Bottom Remainders, the band of authors who have great heart, some beat and a lot of soul. Their performance is scheduled for tomorrow at 6 at the Fair, but I hear that rehearsal is a blast, and I am looking forward to this. The rest of the weekend will be a race from one event to the next --- I keep marking up my program to try to squeeze in as much as possible. I will have a report for you next week!

We will be back to you on Wednesday, not Friday, next week as we take some time to enjoy the long Thanksgiving weekend. Until then, read on…and if you are at the Fair, I hope we get to say hi.

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)

 

UNBROKEN: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand (Biography)
In May 1943, an Army Air Force bomber crashed into the Pacific, leaving behind nothing but debris, oil and blood. Then, on the surface, the plane’s bombardier appeared --- beginning one of the most extraordinary odysseys of World War II. Driven to the limits of endurance, Lieutenant Louis Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope; and brutality with rebellion. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.

-Click here to watch a trailer for UNBROKEN.
-Click here to watch an interview with Laura Hillenbrand on "Today."
 

CROSS FIRE by James Patterson (Thriller)
When two of Capitol Hill’s most corrupt men fall victim to the perfect assassination, Detective Alex Cross has to put his wedding on hold. And as the murders continue, it becomes clear that they’re the work of a professional --- with knowledge only an insider could possess. But that’s not all Cross is contending with. His deadliest adversary has arrived in D.C. --- and The Mastermind won’t relent until he has eliminated Cross for good. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

-Click here to read an excerpt from CROSS FIRE.
 

Three-time RITA Award finalist Kylie Brant is back with DEADLY INTENT, the fourth installment in her Mindhunters series, which follows forensic linguist Macy Reid as she tries to find the twice-abducted daughter of a Denver tycoon --- and deal with her obnoxious (and incredibly handsome) new team member, who just might be the only man capable of helping her conquer her past. In this interview with Bookreporter.com’s Amie Taylor, Brant sheds light on her inspiration for both the series and its latest addition, elaborating on why she decided to delve into the field of forensic linguistics and how she determined the fate of the tycoon’s kidnapped daughter. She also speculates on whether or not men like Kellan Burke actually exist, talks about her writing process, and reveals a few details about future Mindhunters books.

DEADLY INTENT: The Mindhunters, Book 4 by Kylie Brant (Romantic Suspense)
No one knows the patterns and nuances of communication like forensic linguist Macy Reid. She is also an expert on kidnapping, having experienced firsthand the stark terror of being abducted when she was a child. So she is the perfect investigator to be called in when a Denver tycoon's 11-year-old daughter is abducted --- for the second time. Reviewed by Amie Taylor.

-Click here to read a review of DEADLY INTENT.
-Click here to read an excerpt from DEADLY INTENT.
-Click here to read Kylie Brant’s bio.
-Click here to see Kylie Brant’s backlist.
-Click here to read critical praise for DEADLY INTENT and the Mindhunters series.
-Click here to see our finished copy winners.
 

font face="verdana,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">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 Cheer Contest and Feature. This year, we will spotlight a different title every day, from Monday through Thursday, until December 17th, so you will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter. We also will be sending a special daily newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here. Some days may feature special bonus prizes, including gourmet treats, holiday items, or even some of Carol's Bets On picks from this year. Our first title will be unveiled on Monday, November 22nd at noon ET.

This year's featured titles are:

-ARTISAN BREAD IN FIVE MINUTES A DAY by Jeff Herzberg, MD, and Zoë François
-ATLAS OF REMOTE ISLANDS by Judith Schalansky
-BLIND YOUR PONIES by Stanley Gordon West
-CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR by Lisa Kleypas
-THE CHRISTMAS JOURNEY by Donna VanLiere
-THE COLLECTIBLES by James J. Kaufman
-DELIRIOUS by Daniel Palmer
-EVERYTHING CHRISTMAS by David Bordon and Tom Winters
-HEALTHY BREAD IN FIVE MINUTES A DAY by Jeff Herzberg, MD, and Zoë François
-IF YOU LIVED HERE, YOU'D BE HOME BY NOW by Claire LaZebnik
-KNIT THE SEASON by Kate Jacobs
-LADY IN WAITING by Susan Meissner
-THE LOST DOGS by Jim Gorant
-MY NEST ISN'T EMPTY, IT JUST HAS MORE CLOSET SPACE by Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Scottoline Serritella
-PRAYERS AND LIES by Sherri Woods Emmons
-SAVING CEECEE HONEYCUTT by Beth Hoffman
-THE SIXTH SURRENDER by Hana Samek Norton
-TEH ITTEH BITTEH BOOK OF KITTEHS by icanhascheezburger.com
-THIS GLITTERING WORLD by T. Greenwood
-TRUE GRIT: Movie Tie-In Edition by Charles Portis
-WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DOG MAKES by Dana Jennings
-WHERE THERE IS LOVE, THERE IS GOD by Mother Teresa
 

Between now and New Year's Day, more than 40 authors will be sharing their favorite memories of giving or receiving a book at the holidays. Our first featured author is Deanna Raybourn, who writes the popular Lady Julia Grey Mystery series. You can read her post about seasonal must-reads here.

Check back every day for a special blog post from our author friends, including:

-Anne Perry
-Beth Hoffman
-Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
-Donna VanLiere
-Francine Rivers
-Heidi W. Durrow
-Helen Simonson
-Lisa Scottoline
-Margaret George
-Nelson DeMille
-Patti Callahan Henry
-Raymond Khoury
-Sarah Blake
-William Kent Krueger

-Click here to subscribe to the Bookreporter.com Blog via RSS.
-Click here to subscribe to the Bookreporter.com Blog via Email.
 

C. E. Lawrence thrilled audiences with last year's SILENT SCREAMS, and now she ratchets up the tension with SILENT VICTIM. Two bodies found within a week of each other appear to be suicides, but further investigation leads police into a terrifying game of cat-and-mouse across New York City.

We have 20 copies of SILENT VICTIM, which releases on December 7th, 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 Monday, November 29th at noon ET.

-Click here to read an excerpt from SILENT VICTIM.
-Click here to read C. E. Lawrence’s bio.
-Click here to see C. E. Lawrence’s backlist.
-Click here to read critical praise for SILENT VICTIM.

More about SILENT VICTIM:
At first, they look like suicides. Two bodies within a week --- one found floating in New York’s East River, another electrocuted in the bathtub. But forensics show that the victims were drugged, then killed. As the death toll grows, so does the brutality of the murders --- and the killer dubbed the Flesh Collector continues to prey. NYPD profiler Lee Campbell joins the frantic pursuit of a murderous madman who delights in taunting police with gruesome messages. Somewhere in the killer’s terrifying handiwork lie the clues to his twisted psyche. But the case is growing disturbingly personal. Getting close enough to stop the monster means getting close enough --- to die…
 

Livia J. Washburn is back with KILLER ON A HOT TIN ROOF. In this third installment of her Delilah Dickinson Literary Tour Mystery series, Delilah and friends travel to New Orleans for the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, only to find a colleague murdered.

-Click here to read a second excerpt from KILLER ON A HOT TIN ROOF.
-Click here to read Livia J. Washburn’s bio.
-Click here to see Livia J. Washburn’s backlist.
-Click here to read critical praise for KILLER ON A HOT TIN ROOF.
-Click here to see our finished copy winners.

More about KILLER ON A HOT TIN ROOF:
Delilah Dickinson is finally looking forward to a nice, relaxing time leading her literary travel agency’s latest tour at the annual Tennessee Williams Literary Festival in New Orleans. After all, a group of intelligent, low-key English professors can’t be too much trouble, right? Wrong, as it turns out. These academics don’t waste any time showing their claws, especially when one of the professors claims he can prove Williams didn’t even write CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. But when the supposed real author --- Howard Burleson, apparently once a very close friend of Tennessee’s --- turns up dead, Delilah knows she’s got to get to the bottom of things…even if the truth is as dirty as all them lies!
 

Headed out to do some holiday shopping? Before you go, check out our What to Give, What to Get feature with ideas in 14 categories.

We are spotlighting the various categories in the newsletter this week and in upcoming weeks. This week we're featuring Eat, Drink and Be Merry and Healthy, Wealthy and Wise. First up --- Eat, Drink and Be Merry.
br />With Thanksgiving and winter holidays right around the corner, our Eat, Drink and Be Merry category features titles that will delight any connoisseur of good food, good wine and good books.

Our featured titles in this category are:

-ARTISAN BREAD IN FIVE MINUTES A DAY: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking by Jeff Hertzberg, M.D., and Zoë Fraçoise
-FERRAN: The Inside Story of El Bulli and the Man Who Reinvented Food by Colman Andrews
-GRACE BEFORE MEALS: Recipes and Inspiration for Family Meals and Family Life by Father Leo Patalinghug
-HEALTHY BREAD IN FIVE MINUTES A DAY by Jeff Hertzberg, M.D., and Zoë Françoise
-IN THE KITCHEN WITH A GOOD APPETITE: 150 Recipes and Stories About the Food You Love by Melissa Clark
-JAMIE'S AMERICA: Easy Twists on Great American Classics and More by Jamie Oliver
-THE NAKED PINT: An Unadulterated Guide to Craft Beer by Christina Perozzi and Hallie Beaune
-NIGELLA KITCHEN: Recipes From the Heart of the Home by Nigella Lawson
-PUNCH: The Delights (an Dangers) of the Flowing Bowl by David Wondrich
-THE WILD TABLE: Seasonal Foraged Food and Recipes by Connie Green and Sarah Scott
 

Books that teach and offer tips for living make perfect gifts. Our Healthy, Wealthy and Wise category has everything from the witty to the informative.

Our featured titles in this category are:

-ARE YOU A JACKIE OR A MARILYN? Timeless Lessons on Love, Power, and Style by Pamela Keogh
-THE ELLEMENTS OF STYLE: 25 Modern Fashion Icons on How to Dress, Shop, and Live by Joe Zee and Maggie Bullock
-LOVE FOOD AND LIVE WELL: Lose Weight, Get Fit, and Taste Life at Its Very Best by Chantel Hobbs
-MESS: The Manual of Accidents and Mistakes by Keri Smith
-A WAIST IS A TERRIBLE THING TO MIND: Loving Your Body, Accepting Yourself, and Living Without Regret by Karen Scalf Linamen
 

Celebrate the season with Teenreads.com's Fifth Annual Holiday Basket of Cheer contest and feature! From now through December 13th, you can enter to win a "Basket of Holiday Reading and Fun."

Five winners each will receive a festive basket that includes 10 of the holiday's hottest books --- BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, DEAD BEAUTIFUL by Yvonne Woon, THE IRON KING by Julie Kagawa, LINGER by Maggie Stiefvater, THE LONELY HEARTS CLUB by Elizabeth Eulberg, THE LYING GAME by Sara Shepard, PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White, RECKLESS by Cornelia Funke, STORK by Wendy Delsol, and SUGAR AND SPICE: An L.A. Candy Novel by Lauren Conrad.

Along with the books, winners will find their basket stocked with tons of seasonal goodies: a kit to make a mini gingerbread village, Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate mix, peppermint bark candy, an oversized red and white chenille throw, two pairs of mittens, a snowman ceramic coffee mug, M&Ms in holiday colors, snowman peeps, and cinnamon sticks.
 

AGAINST ALL THINGS ENDING: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 3 by Stephen R. Donaldson (Fantasy)
Thomas Covenant is alive again --- restored by the force of his gold ring, Linden Avery's Staff of Law, and the dagger called High Loric's krill. But the truth is inescapable: The thunderclap of power has awakened the Worm of the World's End, and even the Land itself is forfeit to its devouring. In order to save the Land, Thomas and Linden will need help from unlikely sources --- including Linden's mysterious adopted son. Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard.

PLAYING THE GAME by Barbara Taylor Bradford (Romance)
Annette Remmington is a London art consultant at the top of her game, and when she finds and restores a long-lost Rembrandt, she becomes the most talked-about art dealer in the world. But when Annette’s husband, Marius, hand-picks a journalist to profile her in the Sunday paper, their perfect marriage is put at risk. Marius had no idea that their connection would ignite so many secrets, uncovering a scandal that could destroy them all. Reviewed by Hillary Wagy.

MARY ANN IN AUTUMN: A Tales of the City Novel by Armistead Maupin (Fiction)
It’s been 20 years since Mary Ann Singleton left her family in San Francisco to pursue a TV career in New York. But now personal calamities have driven her back home to her oldest friend, forcing her to take stock of her mistakes. With the help of “Mouse” Tolliver and Facebook, she starts to reengage with life --- only to find that her checkered past will haunt her in ways she never imagined. Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy.

SQUIRREL SEEKS CHIPMUNK: A Modest Bestiary written by David Sedaris, with illustrations by Ian Falconer (Humor/Short Stories)
Featuring David Sedaris's unique blend of hilarity and heart, and Ian Falconer’s original illustrations, this new collection of keen-eyed, animal-themed tales is an utter delight. Though the characters may not be human, they still mirror the insanity of everyday life --- encompassing everything from beastly bureaucracy, to animal AA meetings, to start-crossed critters. Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller.

IN THE COMPANY OF OTHERS: A Father Tim Novel by Jan Karon (Fiction)
Retired Episcopalian clergyman Father Tim Kavanaugh and his wife Cynthia are visiting Ireland for what is intended to be a restful vacation at a quaint fishing lodge. Unfortunately, Cynthia injures her ankle when a stranger jumps out of an armoire and startles her, and a treasured family painting is stolen. All the while, the inn's owners and assorted family members have plenty of deep, dark secrets. Reviewed by Carole Turner.

SOURLAND: Stories by Joyce Carol Oates (Fiction/Short Stories)
In this book of previously uncollected tales, Joyce Carol Oates maps the contours of “ordinary life” with an unflinching eye. From an amputee librarian who attracts a married man and father to a girl who’s in love with her incarcerated cousin, SOURLAND shines with Oates’s predilection for dark humor and her incredible gift of voice. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.

FIRST FAMILY: Abigail and John Adams by Joseph J. Ellis (History)
In this rich and striking story of America’s preeminent first couple, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joseph J. Ellis brings John and Abigail Adams to life amid the backdrop of America’s tenuous early years. By distilling a personal correspondence of over 1,200 letters, Ellis gives us an account both intimate and panoramic --- a sweeping and illuminating narrative that’s part biography, part political history and part love story. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.

THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES 2010 edited by Lee Child and Otto Penzler (Mystery/Short Stories)
Bestselling novelist Lee Child edits this latest collection of the genre’s finest from the past year. Featuring “gritty tales told with panache,” Booklist has named this anthology a “must-read for anybody who cares about crime stories.” Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

THE LAST RUN: A Queen & Country Novel by Greg Rucka (Thriller)
Tara Chace has been Britain’s top covert agent for almost a decade, but now she’s past her expiration date. Before she’s replaced, there’s one last job for Queen and country…and it may be the last thing she does. An enigmatic message sends her to Tehran --- and suddenly she’s tracking a high-profile defector. Here, there could be a double cross at every turn, and when chaos finally erupts, Chace has to survive any way she can. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

TO FETCH A THIEF: A Chet and Bernie Mystery by Spencer Quinn (Mystery)
In his years as P.I. Bernie Little’s trusted companion, Chet has smelled a lot of unusual things. Nothing though prepares him for the scents of the circus…let alone a search for a missing elephant. But they’re in hot pursuit of Peanut, on a trail that takes Chet all the way to Mexico --- and separates him from Bernie along the way. Can Chet use his doggy smarts to save himself, his master and the uncooperative Peanut? Reviewed by Roz Shea.

POWER DOWN by Ben Coes (Thriller)
When terrorists struck the West’s largest off-shore oil field in a massive, coordinated attack, they didn’t count on the survival of crew chief Dewey Andreas. An ex-Army Ranger and Delta, Andreas survives the blast…but his battle has only just begun. While an embedded agent sets off the second stage of attacks, Andreas has to fight his way off the platform --- and use his former skills to trail those who have been sent to stop him. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
 

As you may or may not know, our company, The Book Report Network, has a number of websites about books and authors in addition to Bookreporter.com. Throughout the year, Bookreporter.com features adult books on Teenreads.com, our site for young adult readers, that we think will have definite appeal to a teen audience. In the spirit of sharing, we are now spotlighting a selection of titles each month from Teenreads.com that we believe are great reads that you might enjoy.

Here are our latest featured titles:

LUKA AND THE FIRE OF LIFE by Salman Rushdie (Fiction)
This stand-alone sequel to HAROUN AND THE SEA OF STORIES tells the tall tale of 12-year-old Luka in the Nether World, a fantastical realm once visited by his brother, Haroun. Luka is on a quest to rescue his dying father from perpetual sleep and faces nine impossible challenges, all of which must be overcome if he is to steal the Fire of Life.

THREE QUARTERS DEAD by Richard Peck (Supernatural Suspense)
Kerry is chosen by the coolest clique in school and thinks that life has finally begun. But everything feels like it’s over when three of her friends are killed in a shocking car accident. Or are they? Only weeks after the wreck, Kerry receives a text from one of the girls: We’re all 3 here at my aunt’s in the city. Take the 3:50 train. B there.

GRACE by Elizabeth Scott (Fiction)
Grace’s entire life has been in preparation for her death. She is trained to be a suicide bomber --- to strap a bomb to her leg, infiltrate the enemy, and set off the bomb, all in the name of freedom for her people. But Grace decides she doesn’t want to die. So she runs for the border. And she has nothing to lose.

GIRL, STOLEN by April Henry (Thriller)
Sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the car while her mom is at the pharmacy. Before she knows it, their car is stolen --- with her inside. Griffin didn’t mean to kidnap her. But once his dad discovers that her father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes. Now there’s a reason to keep her, but what Griffin doesn’t realize is that Cheyenne is blind.
 

Poll:

Are you planning to give books as gifts this holiday season? Please check as many as apply.

Yes, I am giving books.

I am buying gift cards from brick-and-mortar bookstores.

I am buying gift cards from online booksellers.

I am buying gift cards from online booksellers for people to buy eBooks.

No, I am not buying books or gift cards from bookstores or online booksellers.

I am not sure what I am doing.

-Click here to answer our poll.


Question:

Name up to three books you’d like to give as gifts this holiday season.

-Click here to answer our question.