October 5, 2012

Last Saturday’s event that our ReadingGroupGuides.com website co-sponsored with the Hachette Book Group was a smashing success. The author presentations were excellent; many of them I had not heard speak before. But what made the day even more fun was the enthusiasm in that room! I met with a number of our readers --- and brought along my friends Beverley and Rachel (pictured with me above), who thoroughly enjoyed the day. You can read more about the day and see more pictures here.

As I write this note, I am in Cleveland for Bouchercon on my latest book adventure. This annual gathering of mystery readers is one of my favorite weekends of the year. I already have had some serendipitous adventures with readers on this trip. In the airport lounge, where I stopped to grab a banana before boarding, I talked to a lovely couple who admired my Indian jewelry. A stone is missing on one of the bracelets, and they had a suggestion for replacing it as they are dealers headed on a two-week buying trip. We then started talking books, discussing what they had downloaded to read, and I shared a few suggestions. Heading to the gate, I picked up a copy of USA Today (love the paper’s redesign), and flipping to the books section I saw a review of LOVE ANTHONY by Lisa Genova, which last week I selected as a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection. A lovely woman named Sue was seated beside me; I saw her reading the review as well, and we talked about it a bit. She is a very enthusiastic reader, and it was fun to share why Lisa is a three-time Bets On selection. Isn’t it amazing how books give folks a common ground from which to talk?

Speaking of Bets On selections, Will Schwalbe’s incredibly moving memoir, THE END OF YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUB, is my latest Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. Will finds himself discussing literature with his mother, Mary Anne, as she undergoes chemotherapy for her pancreatic and liver cancers. This conversation quickly escalates to a book club of two as they find their way to selecting titles to share as Will found himself reading the same books as his mother for years --- or suggesting ones to each other. As they read a wide range of books covering every genre and topic, the two grow closer, and this book shares their love for reading and for one another. Click here to see why this is one of my favorite books of the year, and you can find a book group discussion guide for it here.

One of my 2011 Bets on selections, THE SISTERS, a debut novel by Nancy Jensen, is now available in paperback. Growing up without a mother in hardscrabble Kentucky in the 1920s, Bertie Fischer and her older sister, Mabel, have only each other --- with perhaps a sweetheart for Bertie waiting in the wings. But on the day that Bertie graduates from eighth grade, good intentions go terribly wrong, setting off a chain of misunderstandings that will change the lives of the next three generations. This is a PERFECT book group book --- the kind where there are multiple threads to talk about and some deep moral issues. As I said in my comments about it, “I see a bright future for it as people discuss the power of sisterhood, as well as how society through the years has influenced the roles of women. I can see wonderful conversations with folks tripping their opinions over each other arising from discussions about it.” There is a special opportunity for you to win 10 copies of the book for your book group. Click here for details. And if you want to see more about why I selected this book as a Bookreporter.com Bets on selection, click here.

We have a new Sneak Peek: An Early Look at an Upcoming Book feature for you this week. We’re giving 50 readers the opportunity to win specially formatted early reader editions of CLOSE MY EYES by Sophie McKenzie and let us know what they think of it. I read this psychological thriller the first day of vacation, and let’s just say that when my husband told me he was playing 36 holes of golf instead of 18, it did not matter; I was busy reading! In it, it's been eight years since Gen Loxley lost her daughter, Beth. Nothing has really moved forward, for all that her husband, Art, wills it to. But then a woman arrives on Gen's doorstep, saying the very thing she longs to hear: that her daughter was not stillborn, but was spirited away as a healthy child, and is out there, waiting to be found. You have until Thursday, October 18th at noon ET to enter to read an early copy of this intriguing novel. Please note that we need you to ensure you can read this book by Tuesday, November 20th --- and comment about it --- in order for you to be entered to win. The publisher is looking for your comments, and we do not want to disappoint them by not having 50 participating readers!

As we know, MANY adult readers enjoy Young Adult books. Curious as to what spurs people to read, buy and enjoy YA books, as well as getting a profile of YA readers, we have posted a link for YA readers to answer our 2012 YA Reader Survey here. It will take about 25 minutes to do --- but those who complete it are entered to win one of 450(!) young adult titles that we will be giving away when the survey closes, with thanks to our publisher friends who contributed them. May we also ask you to share this with other YA readers and teens who you know? The survey is open until November 30th, but we love people who respond early! Once a survey like this goes up, we always are peeking at the replies.

And now to this week’s reviews….

Leading off our reviews is J.K. Rowling’s much-anticipated THE CASUAL VACANCY. Unfortunately for Harry Potter fans, this is not another book that chronicles the adventures of Harry, Ron and Hermione, but don’t write it off just yet. In her debut novel for adults, Rowling tells the story of an idyllic English town that isn’t as picture perfect as it seems. After the death of Barry Fairbrother, all of the tension and issues of the town come to light as someone must fill Barry’s seat on the town’s council. Roz Shea has our review and says, “This serious, often dark and sometimes humorous novel is a tale of the inhabitants of the small, west England village of Pagford, similar to the one where Rowling grew up. She has brought them to life through a half-dozen middle-class families who share career, political and social ambitions.” By the way, I am quoted in USA Today talking about why I think this book is selling better in print than in eBook format. You can read that here.

Mark Sullivan’s ROGUE begins with CIA agent Robin Monarch walking away from his team in the middle of an operation with no explanation whatsoever. Two years later, Monarch is using his talents to steal from the rich in St. Tropez when a jewel heist goes horribly awry, leading him into a carefully laid trap to get him to complete the incredibly dangerous mission he walked out on years before. Joe Hartlaub was a huge fan of the e-short stories featuring Monarch (BROTHERHOOD, THE ART OF RENDITION, THE ESCAPE ARTIST) that served as a prelude to this latest publication, so he was very much looking forward to reading a full-length print novel starring Sullivan’s latest creation, Says Joe in his review: “[Sullivan] never hits a low point, never trips, and never stops. This tale of intrigue, danger, justice and vengeance just keeps moving right until the very end.” I am in love with this new series from Mark, who is one of the most talented suspense/thriller authors who I know. When you read ROGUE, let me know what you think of it!

A current topic prevalent in the media is the abuse of ADD medications in order to boost academic achievement. Bronwen Hruska explores this topic in her newest novel, ACCELERATED. The story centers on single father Sean and his son Toby, who attends the prestigious Bradley School where everything is accelerated. When the school suggests Sean put Toby on medication for ADD, he thinks this seems unnecessary, but assumes the school knows best. Is this accelerated life worth the risks? Norah Piehl has our review and says, “ACCELERATED raises provocative and discussion-worthy questions that will resonate with parents and educators alike…. a really entertaining, funny and sexy novel, with a page-turning plot that readers will want to accelerate through.” I read ACCELERATED a few months ago, and it haunts me just as the way we push push push kids today on every level maddens me. We have a book group discussion guide for it here. I can see it sparking some big conversations!

In THE DEVOTED by Jonathan Hull, Ryan Brooks travels to Wyoming to see the dying rancher that pulled him from the fiery car accident that killed his parents. However, when the rancher makes a startling death bed confession, Ryan must find out what really happened the day his parents died. This quest sends him on an adventure that causes him to discover a story of love and devotion that transcends generations. This was a Bets On selection a couple of weeks ago, and now Melanie Smith has our review. She calls the book “a compelling, complicated and true-to-life novel that becomes something of a cross between old world romance and World War II historical…. This book has some rare and beautiful gems and glimpses into a different type of war story than readers may encounter elsewhere, detailing (sometimes poetically) the nitty-gritty aspects of war along with subtle nuances of love.” I soooo love that Melanie enjoyed this book as much as I did!

Among the notable titles releasing this month in paperback are THE HOUSE I LOVED by Tatiana de Rosnay (which enters its final week in our Paperback Spotlight), THE INNOCENT by David Baldacci, LONE WOLF by Jodi Picoult, FALLEN by Karin Slaughter, and THE WINTER PALACE: A Novel of Catherine the Great by Eva Stachniak. Click here to see our New in Paperback roundups for October.

Releasing in theaters today are Fat Kid Rules the World, The Paperboy, Pitch Perfect and Wuthering Heights. Check out our Books on Screen feature for the complete list of movies, TV shows and DVDs releasing this month that are based on books. Among these upcoming releases is Alex Cross, the highly anticipated film (in theaters October 19th) that is based on CROSS, the 12th installment in James Patterson’s bestselling series.

If you've ever had trouble sleeping at night after reading a chilling book, chances are Stephen King may have had something to do with it. The legendary author's career began in the 1970s, and from the very first scream-filled horror that was CARRIE, King has continued terrifying readers for decades. In honor of Halloween, we decided to compile a bookshelf dedicated to the "King of Horrors," showcasing the author's best horror novels to keep you horrifically satisfied this October.

We are very interested in how you spend your leisure time, so back in March, our poll question asked which TV shows you watch on a regular basis. It turned out to be one of the most popular polls we’ve ever done! So we’ve decided to ask the question again…and just in time for the start of the fall TV season. Click here to weigh in.

We have a new Word of Mouth contest this week. Let us know what you’re reading by Friday, October 19th at noon ET, and you’ll be entered to win THE PANTHER by Nelson DeMille, RED RAIN by R.L. Stine and THE TWELVE by Justin Cronin.

Joe Hartlaub is here in Cleveland with me, so our reviews of LIVE BY NIGHT by Dennis Lehane and PHANTOM by Jo Nesbø will run next week instead of this week. Here’s a preview of both. In LIVE BY NIGHT, we have a son of a Prohibition-era police officer who should be a stickler about the rules. But Joe Coughlin is the exact opposite. Starting with petty theft in childhood and moving on to the life of a full-blown gangster, Joe is about anything except the rules. However, the life of a mobster doesn’t give you many people you can rely on, and the only two retirement plans seem to be prison or death. Can Joe survive the fast-paced jazz age and the mean streets of Boston? And in PHANTOM, detective Harry Hole is back from Hong Kong after leaving Oslo for good. He is drawn back when Oleg, the boy he helped raise and the son of the woman Hole loved and lost, is arrested for murder. Because he is barred from rejoining the police force, Hole must delve alone into the underworld of Oslo to prove Oleg’s innocence.

As I am sitting here typing in my hotel room, four of our former Bookaccino chat hosts (back in the day, we had a chat room) ---- Liz, Anna, Judy and Candi --- are in town for this conference, and thus there will be a wonderful reunion with them this weekend as well! The party kicked off at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum last night, where I was scouring the halls for anything about the Four Seasons as my uncle was one of the original four (there were handwritten lyrics to “Cheri,” later called “Sherry”) and anything from Paul Simon (lyrics to “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” and his handwriting on the Hall of Fame wall). I had a blast and also caught up with a lot of author and reader friends.

Here’s to a great weekend of reading for all of you --- there is NOTHING like enthused readers.

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)

PS. When you use the links below to purchase books, you also support Bookreporter.com as we have affiliate arrangements with each of them. Please consider this when purchasing books!

THE CASUAL VACANCY by J.K. Rowling (Fiction)
When Barry Fairbrother dies unexpectedly in his early 40s, the little town of Pagford is left in shock. What lies behind Pagford’s pretty façade is a town at war. And the empty seat left by Barry on the town’s council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations? Reviewed by Roz Shea.

-Click here to read more about the book.

MAD RIVER: A Virgil Flowers Novel by John Sandford (Thriller)
As the crime spree of three teenagers cuts a swath through rural Minnesota, some of it captured on the killers’ cell phones and sent to a local television station, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigator Virgil Flowers joins the growing army of cops trying to run them down. But even he doesn’t realize what’s about to happen next. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

-Click here to read more about the book.

At Bookreporter.com, we have the opportunity to read many great books well in advance of their release dates. Now, with our Sneak Peek Feature and Contest, we are offering our readers the chance to preview select early picks --- and share feedback on them. We know that readers champion books that they love, and we want you to be part of the excitement of upcoming releases as early as possible.

Our latest Sneak Peek Feature spotlights CLOSE MY EYES by Sophie McKenzie, a riveting psychological thriller about a grieving mother who finds out years after her daughter’s death that her child may still be alive. We have 50 specially formatted early reader editions to give away to readers who would like to preview the book, which releases in July 2013, and share their comments about it. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, October 18th at noon ET.

CLOSE MY EYES by Sophie McKenzie (Psychological Thriller)
It's been eight grief-filled years since Geniver Loxley lost her daughter, Beth. Once a writer, Gen has settled into a life of half-hearted teaching while her husband, Art, makes his name and their fortune --- and pressures her into trying IVF once again. For Gen, it would feel like a cruel act of replacement; life without Beth is inconceivable, unbearable --- but still it goes on.

And then a woman arrives on Gen's doorstep, saying the very thing she longs to hear: that her daughter was not stillborn, but was spirited away as a healthy child, and is out there, waiting to be found. So why is Art reluctant to get involved? To save his wife from further hurt? Or is it something else...something more sinister? What is the truth about Beth Loxley?

CLOSE MY EYES is a deeply chilling and addictively compelling page-turner that grabs onto the reader and doesn’t let go.

-Click here to read Sophie McKenzie’s bio.
-Connect with Sophie McKenzie on Facebook and Twitter.
 

ROGUE by Mark Sullivan (Thriller)
Two years ago, Robin Monarch was a top level CIA operative --- until he abruptly walked away, leaving his old life and friends behind without a word of explanation. Now this ex-soldier, ex-operative, and orphan with a murky past is stealing from the super-rich. When a high-profile jewel heist goes wrong, Monarch is led into a carefully woven trap designed to force him to complete the very same mission he walked away from years ago. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to visit Mark Sullivan's official website.

ACCELERATED by Bronwen Hruska (Fiction)
Kramer vs. Kramer meets Erin Brockovich in Bronwen Hruska's compelling, keenly observed, and fiercely funny debut novel, about a single father and his son who discover what lies beneath the facade of a tony Upper East Side private school.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here for the reading group guide.

THE DEVOTED: A Love Story by Jonathan Hull (Fiction)
From wartime Italy to the American West, Jonathan Hull takes readers on a heartrending passage through the lives of three families torn by history and bound by an unshakeable --- and at times forbidden --- devotion. Reviewed by Melanie Smith.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to see why we’re betting you’ll love this book.

October’s New in Paperback roundups include the following highlights:

THE INNOCENT by David Baldacci (Thriller)
America has enemies --- ruthless people that the police, the FBI, even the military can't stop. That's when the U.S. government calls on Will Robie, a stone cold hitman who never questions orders and always nails his target. But Robie may have just made the first --- and last --- mistake of his career.

V IS FOR VENGEANCE by Sue Grafton (Mystery)
A spiderweb of dangerous relationships is at the heart of Sue Grafton's new Kinsey Millhone novel. When a woman with a murky past suddenly dies, it initially appears to be suicide. But Kinsey discovers that it actually may have been a murder tied to a local shoplifting ring.

THE SISTERS by Nancy Jensen (Fiction)
Growing up without a mother in hardscrabble Kentucky in the 1920s, Bertie Fischer and her older sister, Mabel, have only each other --- with perhaps a sweetheart for Bertie waiting in the wings. But on the day that Bertie graduates from eighth grade, good intentions go terribly wrong, setting off a chain of misunderstandings that will change the lives of the next three generations.

CARRY THE ONE by Carol Anshaw (Fiction)
CARRY THE ONE begins in the hours following Carmen’s wedding reception, when a car filled with stoned, drunk and sleepy guests accidentally hits and kills a girl on a dark country road. For the next 25 years, those involved, including Carmen and her brother and sister, craft their lives in response to this single tragic moment.

GABBY: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience by Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly (Memoir)
On January 8, 2011, while meeting with her constituents in Tucson, Arizona, Gabrielle Giffords was the victim of an assassination attempt that left six people dead and 13 wounded. GABBY provides an unflinching look at the overwhelming challenges of brain injury, the painstaking process of learning to communicate again, and the responsibilities that fall to a loving spouse who wants the best possible treatment for his wife.

-Find out what's New in Paperback for the weeks of October 1st, October 8th, October 15th, October 22nd and October 29th.

October’s Book on Screen feature includes the following highlights:

Alex Cross
In Theaters October 19th
Based on CROSS by James Patterson
Resuming the title character played by Morgan Freeman in Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider, Tyler Perry is the seminal young homicide detective in this taut, exciting origin story where Alex Cross meets his match in a ferociously skilled serial killer. The two face off in a psychological struggle of epic proportions, where Cross is pushed to the edge of his moral and physical limits.

Cloud Atlas
In Theaters October 26th
Based on CLOUD ATLAS by David Mitchell
Cloud Atlasexplores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave dramatically through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future.

The Girl
Airs October 20th at 9PM ET on HBO
Based on SPELLBOUND BY BEAUTY: Alfred Hitchcock and His Leading Ladies by Donald Spoto
Iconic English director Alfred Hitchcock, considered by many The Master of Suspense, is revered as one of the greatest creative minds in the history of cinema. Known for his psychological thrillers, Hitchcock focused on characters in peril, on the run, or under suspicion. His leading men were handsome but compromised; his leading ladies were cool, beautiful and preferably blonde. One such actress was Tippi Hedren, an unknown fashion model given her big break when Hitchcock’s wife saw her on a TV commercial.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
On DVD October 23rd
Based on ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER by Seth Grahame-Smith
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter explores the secret life of our greatest president, and the untold story that shaped our nation. Visionary filmmakers Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov (director of Wanted) bring a fresh and visceral voice to the bloodthirsty lore of the vampire, imagining Lincoln as history's greatest hunter of the undead.

THE HOUSE I LOVED by Tatiana de Rosnay (Historical Fiction)
Paris, France: 1860s. Hundreds of houses are being razed, whole neighborhoods reduced to ashes. By order of Emperor Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann has set into motion a series of large-scale renovations that will permanently alter the face of old Paris, molding it into a “modern city.” The reforms will erase generations of history --- and in the midst of the tumult, one woman will take a stand.

Rose Bazelet is determined to fight against the destruction of her family home until the very end. As others flee, she stakes her claim in the basement of the old house on rue Childebert, ignoring the sounds of change that come closer and closer each day. Attempting to overcome the loneliness of her daily life, she begins to write letters to Armand, her beloved late husband. And as she delves into the ritual of remembering, Rose is forced to come to terms with a secret that has been buried deep in her heart for 30 years.

THE HOUSE I LOVED is now available in paperback.

-Click here to read a review.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here for the reading group guide.
-Click here to read Tatiana de Rosnay’s bio.
-Click here to visit Tatiana de Rosnay’s official website.
-Connect with Tatiana de Rosnay on Facebook and Twitter.

ONE LAST STRIKE: Fifty Years in Baseball, Ten and a Half Games Back, and One Final Championship Season by Tony La Russa, with Rick Hummel (Sports/Memoir)
Down 10 1/2 games with little more than a month to play, the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals had long been ruled out as serious postseason contenders. Yet in the face of those steep odds, this team made the playoffs and won the World Series. Now manager Tony La Russa gives the inside story behind this astonishing comeback and his remarkable career, explaining how a team with so much against it was able to succeed on baseball's biggest stage. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan.

GARMENT OF SHADOWS: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes by Laurie R. King (Historical Mystery)
Sherlock Holmes and his wife, Mary Russell, are separated by shocking circumstances in a perilous part of the world, each racing against time to prevent an explosive catastrophe that could clothe them both in shrouds. Will Holmes and his friends be able to find the newly amnesiac Russell in time to stop a deadly African/European revolt? Reviewed by Ray Palen.

MAY WE BE FORGIVEN by A. M. Homes (Fiction)
Harold Silver has spent a lifetime watching his younger brother, George, acquire a wife, two kids, and a beautiful home in the suburbs of New York City. But Harry also knows George has a murderous temper, and when George loses control, the result is an act of violence so shocking that both brothers are hurled into entirely new lives in which they both must seek absolution. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.

CLOCKWORK ANGELS by Kevin J. Anderson (Science Fiction)
In a young man’s quest to follow his dreams, he is caught between the grandiose forces of order and chaos. He travels across a lavish and colorful world of steampunk and alchemy with lost cities, pirates, anarchists, exotic carnivals, and a rigid Watchmaker who imposes precision on every aspect of daily life. Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard.

HOSTAGE by Elie Wiesel (Fiction)
It’s 1975, and Shaltiel Feigenberg --- professional storyteller, writer and beloved husband --- has been taken hostage. His captors, an Arab and an Italian, explain that his life will be bartered for the freedom of three Palestinian prisoners. As his days of waiting commence, Shaltiel resorts to what he does best: telling stories --- to himself and to the men who hold his fate in their hands. Reviewed by Judy Gigstad.

THE DEVIL IN SILVER by Victor LaValle (Thriller)
On his first night at the New Hyde Hospital's mental ward, Pepper witnesses an impossible vision: the Devil appears in the guise of an old man with a bison's head and murderous intent. It’s no delusion --- the Devil roams the halls of New Hyde, terrorizing its patients when the sun goes down. Pepper teams with three other strangely loveable patients to try to kill the monster that's been stalking them. But can the Devil die? Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

MOTHERLAND by Amy Sohn (Fiction)
It’s just before Labor Day, and five mothers and fathers in Cape Cod, Park Slope and Greenwich Village find themselves adrift professionally and personally. As their stories intersect in surprising ways and their deceptions spiral out of control, they begin to question their beliefs about family, happiness and themselves. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

STRANGER IN THE ROOM by Amanda Kyle Williams (Thriller)
Private Investigator Keye Street just wants to have a relaxing Fourth of July weekend with her boyfriend. However, with two strikingly similar murders and her cousin Miki claiming that a man is stalking her, Keye must give up her dreams of relaxation and stop a killer before he strikes those she loves. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

CARAVAN OF THIEVES by David Rich (Thriller)
Working as an undercover marine, Rollie Waters is never less than two steps ahead of trouble --- a skill he learned from the con artist father who raised him, though he hasn't seen Dan in years. It develops that a lot of money from the U.S. government has gone missing, and they think Rollie’s father took it. The only way to find Dan is to trace the frail tendrils of truth scattered among Rollie’s childhood memories. To do that, he’ll have to go deep into the undercover identity of a lifetime: his own. Reviewed by Christine M. Irvin.

THE JOY BRIGADE by Martin Limon (Thriller)
In this pulse-racing ninth adventure in Martin Limon’s series, Sergeant George Sueño heads north of Korea's DMZ on a mission to prevent war between the Communist North and the American-allied South. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

We have a number of contests currently running on our other sites in TheBookReportNetwork.com. Please take a look at them below, and enter for your chance to win some fabulous books!

ReadingGroupGuides.com

THE PAINTED GIRLS by Cathy Marie Buchanan
We are celebrating the forthcoming release of THE PAINTED GIRLS by Cathy Marie Buchanan --- a romantic, exhilarating novel set during Belle Époque Paris and inspired by the real-life model of Degas’s Little Dancer Aged 14 --- with a special contest. 50 readers will have the opportunity to each win an advance copy of the book, which will be in stores on January 10th, for their group. The deadline for entries is Monday, November 5th at noon ET.

EVERYTHING WAS GOOD-BYE by Gurjinder Basran
We are celebrating the forthcoming release of EVERYTHING WAS GOOD-BYE by Gurjinder Basran --- a heartbreaking and riveting story about a young woman caught between a clash of cultures and the intricate bond between mothers and daughters that transcends boundaries --- with a special contest. 50 readers will have the opportunity to each win an advance copy of the book, which will be in stores on December 31st, for their group. The deadline for entries is Monday, November 5th at noon ET.

“What Are You Reading?” Monthly Contest Feature: THE END OF YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUB by Will Schwalbe
Let us know what your group is reading in October, and you’ll be entered in a giveaway to win multiple copies of a book for your group! Our latest prize book is THE END OF YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUB by Will Schwalbe, the inspiring true story of a son and his mother who start a “book club” that brings them together as her life comes to a close. We have 12 copies of the book, which is in stores now, to give away to three groups. The deadline for entries is Monday, November 5th at noon ET.

Teenreads.com

Book O'Lantern
We are celebrating the season of ghouls and ghosts with our Third Annual Book O'Lantern Contest! Between now and Friday, October 19th, teens can enter to win a bag perfect for trick-or-treating, filled with a few special sweet treats, plus some spooky reads that will help make the scariest season of them all last well beyond Halloween.

THE CRIMSON SHARD by Teresa Flavin
We are celebrating the release of THE CRIMSON SHARD --- in which two children step through a doorway into 18th-century England during a seemingly normal museum visit --- with a special contest. Fifteen readers will have the opportunity to win a copy of Teresa Flavin's follow-up to THE BLACKHOPE ENIGMA. The deadline for entries is Friday, October 19th at noon ET.

Grab Bag of Books
Winners of our latest Grab Bag of Books contest will each receive a copy of THE DEAD GIRLS DETECTIVE AGENCY by Suzy Cox, FANG GIRL by Helen Keeble and SAFEKEEPING by Karen Hesse. The deadline for entries is Thursday, November 1st at noon ET.

Word of Mouth
Send us your current reading recommendations with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. This contest period, one teen reader will be randomly chosen to win a copy of SON by Lois Lowry and ZOM-B by Darren Shan. The deadline for entries is Thursday, November 1st at noon ET.

Kidsreads.com

THE GOLDEN DOOR by Emily Rodda
To celebrate the release of THE GOLDEN DOOR, the start of a stirring fantasy trilogy from the internationally bestselling author of the Dragons of Deltora series, Kidsreads.com is giving 25 readers the chance to win a copy of the book. The deadline for entries is Monday, November 5th at noon ET.

SPLENDORS AND GLOOMS by Laura Amy Schlitz
To celebrate the release of SPLENDORS AND GLOOMS, a Victorian gothic thriller from Newbery Medal winner Laura Amy Schlitz, Kidsreads.com is giving 15 readers the chance to win a copy of the book. The deadline for entries is Monday, October 15th at noon ET.

FaithfulReader.com

Secrets of the Cross Trilogy by Elizabeth Musser
We are celebrating the release of TWO DESTINIES, the conclusion to Elizabeth Musser's Secrets of the Cross Trilogy, with a special contest that will give 25 readers the opportunity to win all three books in the series (which also includes TWO CROSSES and TWO TESTAMENTS). In addition, one of these winners will be awarded a Huguenot cross that Elizabeth herself is providing. The deadline for entries is Monday, October 15th at noon ET.

THE BREAKTHROUGH: A Precinct 11 Novel by Jerry B. Jenkins
We are celebrating the release of THE BREAKTHROUGH with a special contest that will give 10 readers the opportunity to win a copy of this conclusion to Jerry B. Jenkins' Precinct 11 trilogy. The deadline for entries is Monday, October 15th at noon ET.

A PLAIN AND SIMPLE HEART: The Amish of Apple Grove, Book 1 by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith
We are celebrating the release of A PLAIN AND SIMPLE HEART with a special contest that will give 75 readers the opportunity to win a copy of this first installment in Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith's The Amish of Apple Grove series. The deadline for entries is Monday, October 15th at noon ET.

MAN IN THE BLUE MOON by Michael Morris
We are celebrating the release of MAN IN THE BLUE MOON by Michael Morris --- in which hypocrisy and murder shake the coastal town of Apalachicola --- with a special contest that will give 10 readers the opportunity to win a copy of the book. The deadline for entries is Monday, October 15th at noon ET.

FaithfulReader.com's Monthly Contest: TAMING THE WIND: Land of the Lone Star, Book 3 by Tracie Peterson
In our latest monthly contest, 30 readers each will be awarded a copy of TAMING THE WIND, the third installment of Tracie Peterson's Land of the Lone Star series. The deadline for entries is Monday, October 15th at noon ET.

Which of the following television shows do you enjoy on a regular basis?

Are you interested in reading books that have similar plots to these television shows?
 

Tell us your current reading recommendations with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from October 5th to October 19th, FIVE lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE PANTHER by Nelson DeMille, RED RAIN by R. L. Stine and THE TWELVE by Justin Cronin.

To make sure other readers will be able to find the books you write about, please include the full title and correct author names (your entry must include these to be eligible to win). For complete rules and guidelines, click here.

-To see reader comments from previous contest periods, click here.