January 11, 2013

Even the sunniest of Januarys here in the New York area means it’s time for cocooning and more couch time than usual. With this in mind, I am going to ask you to take a few moments and think about your friends who are readers ---- and pass either this newsletter along to them or a link to our site. During January, there is lots of time for exploring new things --- and we hope Bookreporter.com will be one of them! We know that since we started in 1996 our audience has built organically, one reader at a time. And you all have helped with that. There was never a big ad campaign to drive readers to find us, but rather we have built our very solid audience by lots of word of mouth. And we love reading the stories of how we were “shared.” So if you can take the time to share us with your book-loving friends, I would appreciate it. At the same time, if you are on Facebook, “Like” us now (we hit 10,000 friends in December, which was a pretty happy moment), and if you are on Twitter, follow us. We share news on both throughout the week!

And if you see things you like on the site, we have many ways for you to share and email them to friends, so may we ask you to do that? Also, keep in mind that by purchasing books via the links that we offer to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and IndieBound, you support this site. May we ask that you “shop through us?”

End of requests…and now onward to this week’s news…..and there is lots of it….

I want to get a treadmill for the house so I can read while I work out (also so I will work out on cold days), but then I would miss moments like one I had last Saturday. I went for a walk around our very walkable neighborhood. At one turn, a very happy dog came up beside me. I tried to get her to go home, but she was not having it, no matter how much her master called. I tried to walk her back, but she followed me again. We both ambled on, and then the owner told me her ulterior motive. Her sister lives a few houses away. She sniffed her way along, seemingly stopping to be enthralled by rocks, grass and other dog flights of fancy, but when one house came into view, she took off. Her sister was outside on the front lawn, and they greeted each other by doing a doggie tackle. Then they both ran around the house like crazy dogs and jumped all over each other. I kept walking while the owners stood and chatted. I turned around and came back up the block, and they were still horsing...or should I say doggie-ing around. VERY funny. And let's just say I would not have seen that from the treadmill, but I would have read more of AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF US by Aria Beth Sloss, a debut novel that I tore myself away from to go for this walk.

As it opens in Pasadena, California in the early ’60s AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF US starts as many stories do, with two friends. One is quiet; the other is the new girl in town. Right from the beginning, Alex, the new girl, tells Becky that she has chosen her as her friend, seeing beyond the pretty popular girls to this shy one. From there a bond is formed that will be tested and pushed, and stretched from one coast to the other, but will tie Alex and Becky, the very unlikely friends, together for decades. These girls do not want to become their mothers, who they see as trapped in their lives, but they are not sure how to break free to not become them. Captured here are all the social mores that wrapped women’s lives up tight in the early ’60s --- and in the years to follow, we see what unfolds to unravel them. Along the way, the friendship fractures and fails and then picks itself up and takes a very strange turn. And oh, can I see book clubs having a field day with this one as there are so many plot threads to explore! It will be in stores on February 5th.

On Sunday, I picked up AND THEN I FOUND YOU by Patti Callahan Henry, which will be in stores on April 9th. I had heard the back story on this book and it’s so heartwarming. Let’s start with the real story. About 24 years ago, Patti’s younger sister Barbi had a baby that she put up for adoption. Three years ago, around the time of her 21st birthday, that baby, Catherine, found Barbi on Facebook through Patti; she originally found Patti through her books. The family always had wondered what happened to the baby who had been part of their own family for a few short hours. Patti hits a new stride in her writing by embracing this theme of a child put up for adoption and the emotional impact that both the birth family and the family who chooses to love a child of adoption face. She is clear that this is a novel and it is not her sister’s story, but rather she has mined the feelings that rolled through her family to create a book that both tugs at the heart and offers closure. And it does both. I look forward to sharing more about it with you in the coming months.

Sue Grafton is back, but this time, she takes a break from her Alphabet Detective series to pen KINSEY AND ME. It’s been 30 years since Grafton introduced readers to private investigator Kinsey Millhone, and now comes a collection of short stories featuring Kinsey, along with separate stories about Grafton’s own mother, who passed away in 1960. Together, they show just how much of Kinsey was inspired by Grafton’s past, even as they reveal a child who, free of parental interventions, read everything and roamed everywhere. But the dark side of such freedom was that very parental distance. Roz Shea has our review and says, “For her fans, who have been known to lay bets on whether or not she’d finish the marathon while either she or her readers were still around to see her cross the finish line, we’re betting on Grafton to pick up the prize. Kinsey is fortunate to have aged far more slowly than the rest of us.”

KINSEY AND ME is the perfect appetizer to the 23rd installment of the series, which releases in December --- although we still don’t know what the “W” will stand for. For now, let’s just say “W Is for Waiting”! My son Greg got into this series back in high school, and it’s been fun seeing him read through the alphabet.

We also have a review of CHANEL BONFIRE, a refreshingly honest memoir that I raved about in last week’s newsletter. Wendy Lawless details the highs and lows of growing up with her younger sister in the shadow of her unstable, neglectful mother. Georgann suffers multiple nervous breakdowns and suicide attempts, while Wendy tries to hide the cracks in their fractured family from the rest of the world. Reviewer Sarah Rachel Egelman calls the book a “compelling and heartbreaking memoir, told with an honesty and style to be admired. CHANEL BONFIRE is a voyeuristic pleasure, but also a fascinating story of survival. It is perhaps best read as an ode to courage, self-preservation and the power of sisterhood.” Learn more in this insightful interview with the author, and click here to watch a video of Wendy talking about the book. As I mentioned last week, readers will have to keep reminding themselves that this is a memoir, as it reads like a novel.

We wrap up our One to Watch Author Spotlight of Rosie Thomas with an interview and a review of her latest novel, THE KASHMIR SHAWL. During World War II, Nerys Watkins accompanies her husband on a missionary posting to India. When he leaves her in the exotic lakeside city of Srinagar to take on a complicated mission elsewhere, Nerys discovers a new world --- and by the time she is reunited with him, she is a different woman. Years later, when Mair Ellis clears out her dead father's house, she finds an exquisite shawl. Tracing her grandparents' roots back to Kashmir, Mair embarks on a quest that will change her life forever.

Reviewer Norah Piehl calls the book “mysterious, romantic, and full of emotional and sexual tension. Here's hoping that Thomas will be taking us on many more literary journeys in the not-too-distant future." In Norah’s interview, Rosie talks about the pitfalls of attempting historical accuracy, the blinding beauty of Antarctica, the difficulties of doing research in one of the world’s most dangerous places, and much more. It’s such a wonderful story from an author we look forward to seeing much more from here in the States as she already is a bestselling sensation abroad.

Back in November, I told you about a book I was reading and enjoying called ASHENDEN, a debut novel by Elizabeth Wilhide that’s very reminiscent of “Downton Abbey.” As the book opens, a brother and sister, Charlie and Ros, have inherited their aunt’s much-loved house, and they must decide if they should keep it or sell it. We view the house over two-and-a-half centuries and come to know those who called it home or a place to work. The book released this week and is reviewed by Amy Gwiazdowski, who says, "What I enjoyed most about the book was the way all of the stories were tied together, each flowing smoothly into the next.... It’s such a lovely story and a satisfying read for a winter evening." I do agree. For more, be sure to check out an interview with the author.

The latest book in our Women’s Fiction Author Spotlight is THE AMBASSADOR’S DAUGHTER by Pam Jenoff. In 1919, Margot Rosenthal is brought to Paris by her father, a German diplomat. Resenting a city where she is viewed as the enemy, Margot realizes that life back in Berlin with her wounded fiance to whom she can hardly relate anymore may not be so much better. Torn between duty and a desire to be free, Margot must make alliances and decide where her loyalties truly lie. I am reading this one now and enjoying the perspective of a woman who clearly has choices to make during a time when the enemy is very evident. We have 25 copies of the book to give away to readers who would like to read and comment on it. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, January 24th at noon ET.

We have a new Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight to tell you about. We’re giving away 50 copies of Stefan Kanfer’s THE ESKIMO HUNTS IN NEW YORK, which was just published this week. In it, Jordan Gulok is an Inuit (aka an Eskimo) and a former Navy SEAL. In his freelance capacity he can do things --- like tracking and on occasion killing malefactors --- that are beyond the authority of the uniformed services. In THE ESKIMO HUNTS IN NEW YORK, Jordan’s assignment involves stopping a lethal international group who’s manufacturing illegal and sometimes toxic pharmaceuticals and selling them to victims in Africa, Asia, Europe and America. Kanfer has created a series character whom readers want to know now, as I see him having quite a future in this author’s very capable hands. What’s interesting is that, for the moment, this start of the series is only available as an eBook, though a special set of print galleys has been made to introduce this title. If you’d like to win this advance reading copy and comment on it, please fill out this form by Thursday, January 24th at noon ET. And if you have an eReader, you can buy it now. We are all very excited about this writer’s work --- and love the opportunity to introduce you to him.

With the new year comes a new feature, which we’re calling our Enduring Bestseller Spotlight. Here at Bookreporter.com, we spend a lot of time hunting for the latest gems in the world of publishing --- new releases that the industry is buzzing about. But now, with our latest feature, we will be reflecting on books from years past that have affected us deeply, books that moved us and made us laugh or struck other emotional chords. In short, books that have stuck with us and that we still cherish. Our Enduring Bestseller Spotlight gives us a chance to go back and revisit some of those titles.

Our debut titles for this feature are THE KITE RUNNER and A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini --- and with it comes two opportunities to win books. First, if you’ve read one or both of these books, we’d love for you to share your thoughts about them, which we will then post on the site. Please email your comments to info@bookreporter.com with the subject line “Thoughts on Khaled Hosseini’s Books” and include your first name, city and state with your replies. Those who do so by April 11th will be entered to win one of 25 copies of Hosseini’s highly anticipated forthcoming novel, AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED, which releases on May 21st. However, if you have not read one or both of these books and would like to, you’re in luck! All you have to do is fill out this form by Thursday, February 7th at noon ET, and you’ll be entered to win one of 25 copies of THE KITE RUNNER and/or A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS and give us your feedback on these titles. Two contests to celebrate two very beloved books!

Next Thursday, January 17th at noon ET marks the end of the following three contests that launched last week.

We have 25 copies of THE AVIATOR'S WIFE by Melanie Benjamin, which will be in stores January 15th, to give away to readers who would like to read the book and comment on it. Click here to read more and enter. We will feature our review of the book and author interview in next week’s newsletter.

Our latest Sneak Peek Feature spotlights ORDINARY GRACE by William Kent Krueger, an historical novel that’s a departure from his popular Cork O’Connor mysteries. We have 50 advance copies to give away to readers who would like to preview the book, which releases on March 26th, and share their comments about it. Click here to read more and enter.

Also releasing on March 26th is Therese Anne Fowler’s latest, Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, a must-read especially for those who enjoyed THE PARIS WIFE. We’re giving 50 readers the chance to win a copy of Z now. Click here to read more and enter.

Kristin Hannah’s HOME FRONT, which released in paperback this week, is the latest title in our Paperback Spotlight. From a distance, Michael and Joleen Zarkades seem to have it all. But after 12 years together, the couple has lost their way. Then the Iraq war starts, and an unexpected deployment will tear their already fragile family apart. Be sure to take a look at our review, an excerpt, and the reading group guide. For book groups, there is a great deal to talk about here.

We're very pleased to announce that Lynn from Centreville, Virginia, was our Grand Prize winner of the Bookreporter.com Bets On Contest that ended last week. She will receive a copy of each of our 28 Bets On books from 2012. You can see the other 28 winners of single titles here. Congratulations to all!

It's cold outside, and what better time to snuggle up with a book? Or, perhaps, a movie based on a book. As we all know, January is an exciting time in Tinseltown --- the Golden Globe Awards will be presented on Sunday night and Oscar nominations were announced Thursday. Lots of book adaptations have been recognized by the Academy this year, including big screen versions of Yann Martel's LIFE OF PI, Doris Kearns Goodwin's TEAM OF RIVALS, Victor Hugo's LES MISERABLES, and Matthew Quick’s SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. But January also brings a new crop of film and TV releases with print origins. Among them are Gangster Squad, “The Carrie Diaries,” John Dies at the End, and Parker, based on a character made famous by Donald E. Westlake when he wrote as “Richard Stark.” Click here for the complete feature.

We continue our poll about Goodreads for one more week, so please weigh in. And in our Question of the Week, we’d still like to know what you consider to be “The Book of the Year” in 2012. Our current Word of Mouth contest ends on Friday, January 18th at noon ET, so if you haven’t already, please let us know what you’re reading for your chance to win THE FIFTH ASSASSIN by Brad Meltzer, along with the previously mentioned ASHENDEN and CHANEL BONFIRE.

We wanted to let you know about a major book release over at our Teenreads.com site, one that many of you may recall. JANIE FACE TO FACE was published this week, and it’s the conclusion to Caroline B. Cooney’s Janie series, which began with THE FACE ON THE MILK CARTON in 1990. We can date ourselves remembering when that was published. In this grand finale, all will be revealed as readers find out if Janie and Reeve's love has endured, and whether or not the person who brought Janie and her family so much emotional pain and suffering is brought to justice. Click here to read a review, and we also have an interview with the author done by our own Liz Kossnar.

In our excitement of getting the first newsletter of the year out to you last week, we failed to note a reminder to take some time to read through our Author Holiday Blogs. While it’s a bit after even the January 6th “grace period,” we did want to encourage you to take some time to read through these --- one is better than the next. We thank all the authors who were part of this series with us and who shared their stories. And thanks to all of you who wrote us to thank us for this feature. We really appreciate them.

I ran out of yarn for the sweater project that I am making for my sister. Thus I am going to be heading to Vogue Knitting LIVE! in New York next weekend to pick up more yarn. And okay, maybe I also will be buying some yarn for other “to me/from me” projects as well. I will be going with my friends Annie and Jen, both of whom I fear will be doing nothing to curb my yarn addiction. As I say, my friends are enablers. This will be the third year that I have attended this event where there are three days of classes, as well as a marketplace for shopping --- and fashion shows. I am really looking forward to it!

As mentioned before, the Golden Globes will be announced Sunday night. I like that this year the Oscar nominees were announced before the Golden Globes, so I feel like the nominees were uninfluenced by one another. Of course, the DVR will be whirring around our house as we have “Downton Abbey” fever. For humor, here is a very funny Facebook account of how last week’s two-hour episode may have played out on Facebook. I love clever writing --- and that piece is that. Also, we added a title to our “Downtown Abbey” bookshelf --- THE PASSING BELLS by Phillip Rock. Here we have a house (there is always a house with a name) called Abington Priory, home of the Grenvilles. As the book opens in the summer of 1914, war has still not breeched the inner calm of Abington, but we have a downstairs/upstairs love story and the home is to be rocked by the arrival of an American cousin, a journalist. I am very much looking forward to reading this one, but may wait until my Downton withdrawal begins when that season ends.

Jesse Kornbluth of HeadButler.com shared an article with me about how Happy Meals in England will be incorporating books rather than those hideous plastic toys that filled a lot of drawers in our house for many years. I would have appreciated books so very much more! An astonishing 15 million books will be distributed over the next two years. Really nice to see.

Speaking of giving away books, we’d like to remind you about World Book Night U.S., a celebration of books and reading held on April 23rd. On this night, 25,000 volunteers across America will be giving away 20 paperback books each from a select list within their communities to those who don’t regularly read. You can see the complete list of this year’s titles, which were selected by a committee, here.

If you’re interested in becoming a World Book Night U.S. book giver, all you have to do is fill out the online application. Click here for all the details. You will be asked what your first, second and third book choices are, why you wish to share these books, and where you will go to personally hand out the books. The deadline for all applications is Wednesday, January 23rd. My application is in!

Here’s wishing you a great week of reading…and in advance, thank you for sharing Bookreporter.com.

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)

Rosie Thomas has been writing acclaimed and beloved novels for over three decades. Her latest, THE KASHMIR SHAWL, is a runaway bestseller in London and is set to take America by storm. In this interview, conducted by Bookreporter.com’s Norah Piehl, Rosie talks about the pitfalls of attempting historical accuracy, the blinding beauty of Antarctica, and the difficulties of doing research in one of the world’s most dangerous places.

THE KASHMIR SHAWL by Rosie Thomas (Fiction)
During World War II, Nerys Watkins accompanies her husband on a missionary posting to India. When he leaves her in the exotic lakeside city of Srinagar to take on a complicated mission, Nerys discovers a new world --- and by the time she is reunited with him, she is a different woman. Years later, when Mair Ellis clears out her dead father's house, she finds an exquisite shawl. Tracing her grandparents' roots back to Kashmir, Mair embarks on a quest that will change her life forever. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to watch the book trailer.
-Click here to read Rosie Thomas’s bio.
-Click here to visit Rosie Thomas’s official website.
-Click here to connect with Rosie Thomas on Facebook.
-Click here to read more in our One to Watch Author Spotlight.

THE ESKIMO HUNTS IN NEW YORK is the first book in Stefan Kanfer’s series starring Jordan Gulok, an Inuit (aka an Eskimo) and a former Navy SEAL who tracks down criminals for the US government. For the moment, this start of the series is only available as an eBook, though a special set of print galleys has been made to introduce this opening title. If you’d like to win one of these advance reading copies (we have 50 to give away) and comment on it, please fill out this form by Thursday, January 24th at noon ET. And if you have an eReader, you can buy it now.

THE ESKIMO HUNTS IN NEW YORK by Stefan Kanfer (Thriller)
Jordan Gulok is an Inuit, an Eskimo in common parlance, and a former Navy SEAL. In his freelance capacity he can do things --- like tracking and on occasion killing malefactors --- that are beyond the authority of the uniformed services. Jordan has an expense account and liberty to travel throughout the U.S. In turn, the U.S. government has plausible deniability should he ever get caught stretching or violating the law. In THE ESKIMO HUNTS IN NEW YORK, Jordan’s assignment involves stopping a lethal international group who’s manufacturing illegal and sometimes toxic pharmaceuticals and selling them to victims in Africa, Asia, Europe and America.

-Click here to read more about the book.

-Click here to read an excerpt.

-Click here to read critical praise.

-Click here to read Stefan Kanfer’s bio.

-Click here to visit Stefan Kanfer’s official website.

We have 25 copies of THE AVIATOR'S WIFE by Melanie Benjamin, which will be in stores January 15th, to give away to readers who would like to read the book and comment on it. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, January 17th at noon ET.

THE AVIATOR'S WIFE by Melanie Benjamin (Historical Fiction)
For much of her life, Anne Morrow, the shy daughter of the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, has stood in the shadows of those around her, including her millionaire father and vibrant older sister, who often steals the spotlight. Then Anne, a college senior with hidden literary aspirations, travels to Mexico City to spend Christmas with her family. There she meets Colonel Charles Lindbergh, fresh off his celebrated 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic. Enthralled by Charles’s assurance and fame, Anne is certain the celebrated aviator has scarcely noticed her. But she is wrong. Charles sees in Anne a kindred spirit, a fellow adventurer, and her world will be changed forever.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Melanie Benjamin’s bio.
-Click here to visit Melanie Benjamin’s official website.
-Connect with Melanie Benjamin on Facebook and Twitter.