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Bookreporter.com Newsletter |
November 1, 2013 |
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An Extra Hour for Reading!
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Where did October go? Whoooosh! The flipping of the calendar to November 1st gave me a small moment of pre-holiday panic. Luckily, Thanksgiving is late this year, giving me a moment to catch my breath before deciding on a holiday menu! This weekend has one of my favorite things: the addition of an hour as the clocks fall back. Each year by this week, I am dragging around, and I am convinced it’s because my body is craving those extra 60 minutes it gave up back in March. I do not look forward to early dark evenings...but ahhh that hour on Sunday, let me count the ways to spend it! For us book lovers, it’s a chance for an extra hour of reading!
So how many of you are in a post-Halloween sugar coma? I got home too late last night to enjoy the trick-or-treaters at our house, which made me sad as the weather had Halloween “canceled” in our town the last two years, but my husband made our traditional black bean chili and I found a delicious Peppermint Pattie in the candy basket. Now, I need to hide the rest of that candy lest I eat a Peppermint Pattie each hour today as I work from home. Temptation lurks in the front hallway! This year I did notice more of a Halloween fervor than ever before, perhaps because we have not had a celebration of it since 2010!
I feel very lucky this year that we are not dealing with remnants of a storm, though there are reminders that others are not yet in the same place. Two homes that were destroyed by trees a block away from us still are not rebuilt. One was leveled just a few weeks ago; the other is still standing, though it too is scheduled to be leveled for new construction. And there is a heavily wooded area that I pass as I take a walk around the neighborhood that still has at least three dozen fallen trees. It makes me realize how fortunate we were --- something I do not take lightly.
My very busy week included attending a screening for Ender’s Game, which I thoroughly enjoyed. My younger son is a huge fan of the books by Orson Scott Card, and as such, he does not want to see it lest his image of the books be spoiled. I had not read the books, but easily can see why they have become the bestsellers that they are. Next up, I am looking forward to the release of The Book Thief --- based on the bestselling and award-winning book by Markus Zusak, which I loved --- that will be in theaters on November 15th. I will be attending a screening next week. You can see a trailer for it here.
On Wednesday, I heard the sad and shocking news that author Michael Palmer passed away from complications relating to a stroke and heart attack. Palmer was a physician who was best known for his medical thrillers; his book EXTREME MEASURES was adapted into a 1996 film of the same name starring Hugh Grant and Gene Hackman. Michael was a terrific person, who was generous and encouraging to so many authors. His son, Daniel Palmer, followed in his footsteps as a writer and has been featured here on the site. One of the highlights of ThrillerFest this year was an interview between father and son. I am glad they had that opportunity.
In other thriller writer news, once again five thriller authors have been overseas as part of Operation Thriller to meet with our troops. The five authors on this trip are Harlan Coben, Phillip Margolin, F. Paul Wilson, Kathleen Antrim and Heather Graham, who visited locations in the U.S., Kuwait, Germany and the UK in a nine-day trip that ends today. You can read more about it here. At ThrillerFest for the past three years (this is the fourth Operation Thriller trip), the participating authors have talked about their experiences overseas, and each time they have described it as life-changing.
For those of you in the New York area who love meeting authors, I want to share that Random House is hosting an Open House on Friday, November 8th that gives readers the opportunity to hear from --- and meet --- their authors. Throughout the day, Huffington Post editors and Random House staff will moderate panels featuring top names in publishing, delving into the topics of happiness, wellness, health and fitness. Speakers include Gretchen Rubin, Kelly Corrigan, Charles Duhigg, SHAPE magazine editor-in-chief Tara Kraft; DINNER: A LOVE STORY blogger Jenny Rosenstrach; and more. Hosted by David Zinczenko, author of the eight-million copy Eat This, Not That! series, Open House is billed as an event that will allow you to be your best self, and get back on the road to a balanced life.
I attended a similar event in May with two friends, and we had a fabulous time. My Random House friends joke that they love to eat, and the breakfast, lunch, cocktail and snack treats throughout the day showed they know how to entertain readers with food and drink, as well as conversation. My schedule will not allow me to attend next week, but Nikki Sherman from our office will be there to cover it. BUT we do have TEN tickets to give away to the first 10 readers who write and tell me that they want to attend. Email me by Tuesday, November 5th at 9am ET at Carol@bookreporter.com with the subject line “Random House Open House” to let me know if you want to go! More information is here if you and your friends want to order your tickets now.
And now on to this week in books, where we have LOTS of news.
In his memoir, THE DEATH OF SANTINI: The Story of a Father and His Son, Pat Conroy recounts his relationship with his father and the long, bitter conflicts between them that deepened as Conroy’s writing career flourished. Here, he shows the ups and downs of the relationship between father and son --- and that family bonds are the most powerful force of all. Reviewer Barbara Bamberger Scott says, “[B]uoyed up by Conroy's always fertile phrasing and aromatic prose, this offering bounces along safely, though we know that the outcomes can only be sorrowful.”
Lisa Scottoline returns to the beloved women of Rosato & Associates with ACCUSED. Ready to tackle her first case as the firm’s newest partner, Mary DiNunzio is surprised when it comes from a 13-year-old claiming that the wrong person was convicted of her sister’s murder six years ago. Kate Ayers has our review and says, “Lisa Scottoline’s Rosato & Associates novels are as much about the characters as they are about the mystery. In ACCUSED, attorney Mary DiNunzio stars in a cast of delightful ladies, their friends and family, and, of course, a man accused --- and convicted --- of murder.” By the way, if you are on Facebook, “Like” Lisa’s page; she is such fun to follow.
Nancy Horan follows up her debut novel from 2007, LOVING FRANK (the bestselling book-club favorite), with her second book, UNDER THE WIDE AND STARRY SKY, the sweeping love story between legendary writer Robert Louis Stevenson and his wife, Fanny. An unlikely pairing at first, the two soon find themselves in a romance that spans decades and continents. I am reading it now and already have notes to ask her about her research. She truly has a talent for period details, which are sweeping me into the story each time I pick it up. The book doesn’t release until January 21st, but we have 25 advance copies to give away to readers who would like to read and comment on it. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, November 14th at noon ET.
Our new Paperback Spotlight title is THE GOOD HOUSE, which released in hardcover in January and is now available in paperback. Author Ann Leary tells the story of a friendship between two women who give their small New England town plenty to talk about. Hildy Good is a recovering alcoholic, while newcomer Rebecca McAllister is on the brink of a scandal. When Hildy intervenes to protect Rebecca’s reputation, the two women find their secrets entwined and the power of small town gossip becomes all too real. Click here for more about the book.
In stores this week is THE TULIP EATERS by Antoinette van Heugten, which we’ve been featuring in our Women’s Fiction Author Spotlight. The book revolves around Nora de Jong, whose mother has been murdered and whose infant daughter is missing. The contents of a locked metal box Nora finds in her parents' attic leave her with as many questions as answers --- and suggest the killer was not a stranger. Terry Miller Shannon has our review and says, “The desperate mother's quest and the uncovering of wartime secrets combine to make THE TULIP EATERS an enjoyable and fascinating read.” We also have an interview with the author, conducted by Terry, which you can see here.
Our Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight of John Lutz and his new spine-tingling novel, TWIST, wraps up this week with our review and interview. In the latest installment of Lutz’s series featuring Frank Quinn, a retired cop, Quinn’s niece complains to him that she’s being stalked. Quinn recognizes that this is the work of a killer on the loose. Will the trap he plans to set prove too dangerous for even a veteran like him to control? Reviewer Joe Hartlaub says that “Lutz really pulls out all of the stops here. Perfectly paced throughout, the last 50 or so pages will leave you breathless, wondering what will happen not only in the book itself but beyond as well.” Read more in our interview with John, who Joe was happy to interview for a whopping SIXTH time in seven years!
As promised, we have a review of the 2013 Man Booker Prize winner THE LUMINARIES. Its author, Eleanor Catton, is the youngest fiction writer to win the prize (she penned the book at age 27), and her novel (at 848 pages) is the longest one in history to receive this great honor. According to reviewer Ray Palen, “The writing will hark back to classic storytelling styles like Dickens and Austen…. THE LUMINARIES is an engaging novel that adventurous and patient readers will surely enjoy.” We admire Ray for reading 848 pages so quickly!
I am so happy to share our review of WRITERS BETWEEN THE COVERS: The Scandalous Romantic Lives of Legendary Literary Casanovas, Coquettes, and Cads by Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon. I have a personal history with these authors as I introduced Shannon and Joni to each other years ago; they lived a few blocks from each other, but did not know each other. They went on to write their first book, NOVEL DESTINATIONS: Literary Landmarks from Jane Austen's Bath to Ernest Hemingway's Key West, together, though they lived on different continents --- Shannon in the US and Joni in the UK. They paired up again this time, again writing from different places. In this book, they delve into the sex lives of some of the most celebrated literary giants. Filled with happy-ever-afters, devastating breakups, and everything in between, this humorous yet interesting look at the lives of writers is sure to be enjoyable for lovers of any kind, but especially lovers of literature. In her review, Bronwyn Miller states that Shannon and Joni “have more than succeeded in bestowing readers with a compulsively readable, juicy assemblage of scandalous true-life tales that shed light on some of the great works of literature, and the behavior that inspired it.”
By the way, Shannon reminded me this week about a funny story from when they first met. They headed up the street towards each other, both blondes wearing camel-haired coats. Talk about a symbiotic pair! A few years ago in April 2010, when she turned 40, Shannon and her husband, Brian, chucked life in the New York area for life on the road in an RV. You can read about their adventures on their blog, Everywhere Once.
As parents of high school seniors know, it’s college admission time. From what I hear, the Common App site is running about as smoothly as the one for the Affordable Care Act, thus parents and kids are going a tad crazy. Lacy Crawford looks into the crazed world of college admissions with her novel, EARLY DECISION: Based on a True Frenzy, which follows five students shooting for the Ivies. To help, their families turn to Anne, an admissions consultant. Filled with overachievers, SAT cramming, and the wrath of tiger mothers, EARLY DECISION seeks to get what’s at the heart of the collegiate rat race: kids under massive pressure to both “get in” and make it into adulthood in one piece. I read this last year in manuscript, and it completely sums up the insanity that occurs around applying to college. Jana Siciliano has our review and says, “Crawford writes with a light but firm hand, giving us characters who are well-steeped in reality and with whom we can find some kinship, as well as others who are a little more stereotypical…" I read it and was sooooo glad this phase of my life is behind me!
Long before he was a bestselling author and successful screenwriter, the late Michael Crichton was an honors student at Harvard Medical School and wrote hard-boiled mysteries and pulp adventures on the side under the pen name “John Lange.” Now, for the first time, the Lange books are being republished under the author’s real name by the publisher Hard Case Crime. Learn more in this piece written by our reviewer Tom Callahan, who takes a look at four of the books in the series --- SCRATCH ONE, EASY GO, GRAVE DESCENT and BINARY --- which rereleased this week. Look for part two of Tom's piece, in which he discusses the other four books in the series --- ODDS ON, ZERO COOL, THE VENOM BUSINESS and DRUG OF CHOICE --- on November 22nd.
I am eager to see your replies to our new poll question, which asks what percentage of your book reading has been done via eBooks in the past month. I still prefer print books, and, in fact, I only read manuscripts on my iPad. Please weigh in here; it will only take a minute. I want you to vote! Our previous poll, inspired by All Hallows’ Eve, asked if you read scary books. 56% say yes; 6% do but only if someone else is home; 27% aren’t interested in scary books, while 7% of you are too frightened to read them.
For a look at how reading has changed over the last two decades, take a look at this piece from USA Today that looks at the bestseller lists during that time. I weighed in with a couple of comments.
In our latest Word of Mouth contest, we’re giving away THE MINOR ADJUSTMENT BEAUTY SALON, Alexander McCall Smith’s new No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency book; TATIANA, the latest Arkady Renko novel by Martin Cruz Smith; and THE VALLEY OF AMAZEMENT, Amy Tan’s first novel in four years. Click here to let us know what you’ve been reading by Friday, November 15th at noon ET for your chance to win these books.
Just a reminder that next Friday, November 8th, we will be launching our Holiday Cheer Feature, and the daily contests for this feature will start on November 11th. If you'd like to be kept informed about these contests, then be sure to sign up for our Holiday Cheer newsletters here.
Turning the calendar to November also means it’s time for the Miami Book Fair. For those of you who live in South Florida, or those planning to head to Miami for this stellar event, the schedule of events is now online here. Though I had hoped to be there, and, in fact, tickets were nearly purchased, we have a few big projects happening these next few weeks that are going to keep me in New York. Any of our readers attending? Let me know. I would love to interview you about it.
This weekend will be about fall outside garden work. Leaves, clearing some plants and cutting back others are on the agenda. Some flowers still are blooming, and I refuse to cut anything back that still is flowering! Here’s wishing you all a great weekend, and enjoy your extra hour. Read on….
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
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Now in Stores: THE DEATH OF SANTINI by Pat Conroy
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THE DEATH OF SANTINI: The Story of a Father and His Son by Pat Conroy (Memoir)
Pat Conroy's great success as a writer has always been intimately linked with the exploration of his family history. While the publication of THE GREAT SANTINI brought Pat much acclaim, the rift it caused with his father brought even more attention. Their long-simmering conflict burst into the open, fracturing an already battered family. But as Pat tenderly chronicles here, even the oldest of wounds can heal. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
-Click here to read more about the book.
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Click here to read a review. |
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Now in Stores: ACCUSED by Lisa Scottoline
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ACCUSED: A Rosato & Associates Novel by Lisa Scottoline (Mystery)
Mary DiNunzio has just been promoted to partner and is about to take on her most unusual case yet, brought to the all-female law firm of Rosato & Associates by a 13-year-old genius with a penchant for beekeeping. Allegra Gardner’s sister Fiona was murdered six years ago, and it appeared that the accused, Lonnie Stall, was the culprit. But Allegra believes Lonnie is innocent and has been wrongly imprisoned. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
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Click here to read a review. |
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Now in Stores: S. created by J.J. Abrams, written by Doug Dorst
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S. created by J.J. Abrams, written by Doug Dorst (Thriller/Adventure)
A young woman picks up a book left behind by a stranger. Inside it are his margin notes, which reveal a reader entranced by the story and by its mysterious author. She responds with notes of her own, leaving the book for the stranger. And so begins an unlikely conversation that plunges them both into the unknown. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
-Click here to read more about the book.
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Click here to read a review. |
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Now in Stores: THE LUMINARIES by Eleanor Catton --- Winner of the 2013 Man Booker Prize
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THE LUMINARIES by Eleanor Catton (Historical Mystery)
From the author of THE REHEARSAL comes a bold neo-Victorian murder mystery set in a remote gold-mining frontier town in 19th-century New Zealand, in which three unsolved crimes link the fates and fortunes of 12 men. Winner of the 2013 Man Booker Prize, THE LUMINARIES is the longest novel in history to win the prize, and Eleanor Catton is the youngest fiction writer to receive this great honor. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
-Click here to read more about the book.
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Click here to read a review. |
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Now in Stores: THE MOST OF NORA EPHRON by Nora Ephron
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THE MOST OF NORA EPHRON by Nora Ephron (Humor/Essays)
THE MOST OF NORA EPHRON is just that: a 550-page collection of the late director’s writings. Included in this volume are Ephron’s nonfiction from her days as a journalist for Esquire and New York magazines and as a blogger for The Huffington Post; the screenplay for When Harry Met Sally…; the novel HEARTBURN, a thinly disguised chronicle of her marriage to Carl Bernstein; and witty essays on food, politics, breasts, and her aging neck. Reviewed by Michael Magras.
-Click here to read more about the book.
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Click here to read a review. |
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New Special Contest: Win a Copy of UNDER THE WIDE AND STARRY SKY by Nancy Horan
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We are celebrating the January 21st release of UNDER THE WIDE AND STARRY SKY by Nancy Horan with a special contest that will give 25 readers the opportunity to win an advance copy of the book and submit their comments on it. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, November 14th at noon ET.
UNDER THE WIDE AND STARRY SKY by Nancy Horan (Historical Romance)
At the age of 35, Fanny van de Grift Osbourne has left her philandering husband in San Francisco to set sail for Belgium --- with her three children and nanny in tow --- to study art. It is a chance for this adventurous woman to start over, to make a better life for all of them, and to pursue her own desires. Not long after her arrival, however, tragedy strikes, and Fanny and her children repair to a quiet artists’ colony in France where she can recuperate. Emerging from a deep sorrow, she meets a lively Scot, Robert Louis Stevenson, 10 years her junior, who falls instantly in love with the earthy, independent and opinionated “belle Americaine.”
Fanny does not immediately take to the slender young lawyer who longs to devote his life to writing --- and who would eventually pen such classics as TREASURE ISLAND and THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE. In time, though, she succumbs to Stevenson’s charms, and the two begin a fierce love affair --- marked by intense joy and harrowing darkness --- that spans the decades and the globe. The shared life of these two strong-willed individuals unfolds into an adventure as impassioned and unpredictable as any of Stevenson’s own unforgettable tales.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read critical praise.
-Click here to read Nancy Horan's bio.
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Click here to enter the contest. |
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New Paperback Spotlight: THE GOOD HOUSE by Ann Leary
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THE GOOD HOUSE by Ann Leary (Fiction)
THE GOOD HOUSE tells the story of Hildy Good, who lives in a small town on Boston’s North Shore. Hildy is a successful real-estate broker, good neighbor, mother and grandmother. She’s also a raging alcoholic. Hildy’s family held an intervention for her about a year before this story takes place --- “if they invite you over for dinner, and it’s not a major holiday,” she advises “run for your life” --- and now she feels lonely and unjustly persecuted. She has also fooled herself into thinking that moderation is the key to her drinking problem.
As if battling her demons wasn’t enough to keep her busy, Hildy soon finds herself embroiled in the underbelly of her New England town, a craggy little place that harbors secrets. There’s a scandal, some mysticism, babies, old houses, drinking and desire --- and a love story between two craggy sixtysomethings that’s as real and sexy as you get. An exceptional novel that is at turns hilarious and sobering, THE GOOD HOUSE asks the question: What will it take to keep Hildy Good from drinking? For good.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to listen to an audiobook excerpt.
-Click here for the reading group guide.
-Click here to read critical praise.
-Click here to read Ann Leary's bio.
-Click here to read more on the publisher's website.
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Click here to read more in our Paperback Spotlight. |
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Bookreporter.com Talks to Antoinette van Heugten, Author of THE TULIP EATERS
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Former international trial lawyer Antoinette van Heugten retired to pursue a full-time career as a novelist and penned her debut novel, SAVING MAX. Now she returns with her second book, THE TULIP EATERS, in which readers are introduced to Nora de Jong, who is determined to discover the identity of her mother's killer and the whereabouts of her missing infant daughter. In this interview with Bookreporter.com’s Terry Miller Shannon, van Heugten opens up about how her parents’ participation in the Dutch resistance during World War II inspired her to set parts of her novel during that time --- and how it didn’t hurt that she had spent time in her 20s at the Netherlands War Institute, researching that topic. She also talks about how she treasures the humanity in even the most seemingly despicable character in THE TULIP EATERS and how writing the story affected her own emotional landscape.
THE TULIP EATERS by Antoinette van Heugten (Fiction)
Nora de Jong finds her mother murdered, her infant kidnapped, and a dead man holding a gun in her home. Frustrated with the progress of the police, Nora decides she must unravel the mystery in order to bring her daughter home. When her first clue points her not only to Amsterdam but also to World War II, she takes her first step, even though she is utterly perplexed. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Antoinette van Heugten's bio.
-Click here to visit Antoinette van Heugten's official website.
-Connect with Antoinette van Heugten on Facebook and Twitter.
-Click here to see the 25 winners selected to read and comment on the book.
-Click here to read more in our Women’s Fiction Author Spotlight.
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Click here to read our interview. |
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Bookreporter.com Talks to John Lutz, Author of TWIST
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John Lutz is a multiple Edgar and Shamus Award winner, including the recipient of the Shamus Lifetime Achievement Award, and the author of over 40 books. His latest novel, TWIST, is the eighth installment in his series featuring decorated ex-cop and former homicide detective Frank Quinn. In this interview with Bookreporter.com’s Joe Hartlaub, Lutz talks about getting into his serial killer’s head --- including what drives the murderer to that level of madness --- as well as how he knows so much about police investigative procedures. He also discusses how he crafted the shocking ending of TWIST, where readers can find SWITCH (a Quinn novella released in 2012 as an eBook exclusive) and what he’s working on next.
TWIST: A Frank Quinn Novel by John Lutz (Thriller)
Frank Quinn is a decorated ex-cop and a former homicide detective specializing in tracking serial killers. Someone is stalking Quinn's niece, Carlie Hobbs, and the NYPD can't stop him. A blonde, blue-eyed beauty, Carlie fits the victim type of the killer who's been terrorizing women --- leaving them bound, gagged, and tortured with surgical precision. To win against the most personal adversary of his career, Quinn will have to set the perfect trap...with the perfect bait. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read John Lutz's bio.
-Click here to visit John Lutz's official website.
-Connect with John Lutz on Facebook and Twitter.
-Click here to see the 25 winners selected to read and comment on the book.
-Click here to read more in our Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight.
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Click here to read our interview. |
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Special Feature Article: The Unknown Early Work of Michael Crichton, Part One: SCRATCH ONE, EASY GO, GRAVE DESCEND, BINARY
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Long before he was a bestselling author and successful screenwriter, the late Michael Crichton was an honors student at Harvard Medical School and wrote hard-boiled mysteries and pulp adventures on the side under the pen name “John Lange.” Now, for the first time, the Lange books are being republished under the author’s real name by the publisher Hard Case Crime. Learn more in this piece written by our reviewer Tom Callahan, who takes a look at four of these books --- SCRATCH ONE, EASY GO, GRAVE DESCEND and BINARY --- which rereleased on October 29th.
Don't miss part two of Tom's piece on November 22nd, where he will talk about ODDS ON, ZERO COOL, THE VENOM BUSINESS and DRUG OF CHOICE, all of which rerelease on November 19th.
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Click here to read Tom Callahan’s article on Michael Crichton’s “John Lange” books. |
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Women's Fiction Author Spotlight: THE WHOLE GOLDEN WORLD by Kristina Riggle
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THE WHOLE GOLDEN WORLD by Kristina Riggle (Fiction)
Seventeen-year-old Morgan Monetti shocks her parents and her community with one simple act: She chooses to stand by the man everyone else believes has exploited her --- popular high school teacher TJ Hill. Quietly walking across a crowded courtroom to sit behind TJ, and not beside her parents, she announces herself as the adult she believes herself to be.
But her mother, Dinah, wants justice. Dinah is a fighter, and she believes with all her heart and soul that TJ is a man who took advantage of her daughter. He is a criminal who should be brought to justice, no matter what the cost to his family.
THE WHOLE GOLDEN WORLD releases on November 5th.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read Kristina Riggle’s bio.
-Click here to see the 25 winners selected to read and comment on the book.
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Click here to read more in our Women's Fiction Author Spotlight. |
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More Reviews This Week
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DOING HARD TIME: A Stone Barrington Novel by Stuart Woods (Mystery/Thriller)
When Stone Barrington embarks on a trip to Bel-Air, he expects a relaxing break from the fast pace and mean streets of New York. But a case that had seemingly been resolved has returned in full force --- with lethal results. And this deadly situation makes for strange bedfellows when Stone finds himself teamed with the least likely ally: a gentleman of unique abilities who can fly below the radar and above the law. Reviewed by Judy Gigstad.
DIRTY LOVE by Andre Dubus III (Fiction)
In these linked novellas in which characters walk out the back door of one story and into the next, love is "dirty" --- tangled up with need, power, boredom, ego, fear and fantasy. These narratives express extraordinary tenderness toward human beings, our vulnerable hearts and bodies, our fulfilling and unfulfilling lives alone and with others. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
JOHNNY CASH: THE LIFE by Robert Hilburn (Biography)
Robert Hilburn tells the unvarnished truth about a musical icon whose personal life was far more troubled and his artistry much more profound than even his most devoted fans have realized. Drawing upon his personal experience with Johnny Cash and a trove of never-before-seen material from the singer's inner circle, Hilburn gives us a compelling, human portrait of one of the most iconic figures in modern popular culture. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
ORR: MY STORY by Bobby Orr (Memoir)
Bobby Orr is often referred to as the greatest ever to play the game of hockey. But all the brilliant achievements leave unsaid as much as they reveal. Orr is speaking out now because “I am a parent and a grandparent and I believe that I have lessons worth passing on.” ORR: MY STORY is more than a book about hockey --- it is about the making of a man. Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard.
AT NIGHT WE WALK IN CIRCLES by Daniel Alarcón (Fiction)
Troubled young actor Nelson lands a starring role in a revival of The Idiot President, a legendary play by his hero. The tour across his South American country whisks him out of the shelter of the city and across a landscape he has never seen. With each performance, Nelson grows closer to his fellow actors until, during one memorable performance, a long-buried betrayal surfaces to force the troupe into chaos. Reviewed by Josh Mallory.
THE CREEPS: A Samuel Johnson Tale by John Connolly (Fantasy/Horror)
When a new toy shop’s opening goes terrifyingly awry, Samuel Johnson must gather a ragtag band of dwarfs, policemen, and very polite monsters to face down the greatest threat the Multiverse has ever known --- not to mention assorted vampires, a girl with an unnatural fondness for spiders, and highly flammable unfriendly elves. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
NO ESCAPE by Mary Burton (Romantic Suspense)
Everything about the investigation into serial killer Harvey Lee Smith is unnerving Jolene Granger, the psychologist called in to evaluate him --- from Harvey's fascination with her to the fact that she's working alongside Texas Ranger Brody Winchester, her ex-husband. Meanwhile, Harvey's protégé is growing bolder and more vicious every day. And soon the trail of shallow graves will lead them to the last place Jo expected, and to the most terrifying truth of all. Reviewed by Melody Dean Dimick.
THE STAR OF ISTANBUL: A Christopher Marlowe Cobb Thriller by Robert Olen Butler (Historical Thriller)
War correspondent and American spy Christopher Marlowe Cobb is charged with following German intellectual and possible covert SS agent Brauer onto the decks of the Lusitania. On board is gorgeous actress Selene Bourgani, who might be working with German intelligence. But as Cobb tracks Brauer and Bourgani from London to Istanbul (after the scurrilous U-Boat attack on the ship), he realizes that Bourgani’s intentions are more complicated than imagined. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
EARLY DECISION: Based on a True Frenzy by Lacy Crawford (Fiction)
EARLY DECISION is a novel that follows five students over one autumn as Anne, “the application whisperer,” helps them craft their college essays, cram for the SATs, and perfect the Common Application. It seems their entire future is on the line --- and it is. It’s because the process, warped as it is by money, connections, competition and parental mania, threatens to crush their independence just as adulthood begins. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
WRITERS BETWEEN THE COVERS: The Scandalous Romantic Lives of Legendary Literary Casanovas, Coquettes, and Cads by Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon (Reference/Writing)
WRITERS BETWEEN THE COVERS rips the sheets off real-life love stories of the literati --- some with fairy tale endings and others that resulted in break-ups, breakdowns and brawls. From the best break-up letters to the stormiest love triangles to the boldest cougars and cradle-robbers, this fun and accessible volume reveals literary history’s most titillating loves, lusts and longings. Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller.
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This Week’s Poll and Word of Mouth Contest
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Poll:
In the past month, what percentage of your book reading has been done via eBooks?
None, I just read print books.
10%
25%
50%
75%
100%
-Click here to answer the poll.
Word of Mouth:
Tell us your current reading recommendations with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from November 1st to November 15th, FIVE lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE MINOR ADJUSTMENT BEAUTY SALON: No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith, TATIANA: An Arkady Renko Novel by Martin Cruz Smith, and THE VALLEY OF AMAZEMENT by Amy Tan.
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.
Please note: You must enter your full address, using correct capitalization and filling in all fields if you would like to be eligible to win a prize.
Also, we realize that many times, your opinion of a book will change as you get further along into the story. Thus, to ensure that your comments and ratings accurately reflect your entire reading experience, we ask that you finish reading the book before you submit your comments about it.
One important technical note: If you're using an iPad or another iOS device to access the Word of Mouth page and you would like to enter the contest, you must wait for the page to fully load before you can rate your book. Only then will the stars be clickable.
-Click here to enter the contest.
-To see reader comments from previous contest periods, click here.
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Contests Running on Other Sites in TheBookReportNetwork.com
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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 PRESERVATIONIST by Justin Kramon
We are celebrating the October 10th release of THE PRESERVATIONIST --- a riveting psychological thriller about three people whose dark pasts are beginning to catch up with them --- with a special contest that will give 150 groups the opportunity to win one copy of the book and for the author, Justin Kramon, to personally visit their book club meeting. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, November 6th at noon ET.
STRINGS ATTACHED: One Tough Teacher and the Gift of Great Expectations by Joanne Lipman and Melanie Kupchynsky
We are celebrating the release of STRINGS ATTACHED: One Tough Teacher and the Gift of Great Expectations by Joanne Lipman and Melanie Kupchynsky --- which was launched by a New York Times Op-Ed piece that went viral about a remarkable teacher’s legacy --- with a special contest. 50 readers will have the opportunity to win a copy of the book, which is now in stores, for their group. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, November 6th at noon ET. And, in the spirit of the book’s theme, we would like you to tell us about a favorite teacher of yours who had a major impact on you. Once the contest is over, we plan to share your comments on the site!
"What Are You Reading?" Monthly Contest Feature
Let us know what your group is reading in October, and you will be entered in a giveaway to win multiple copies of a book for your group! Our latest prize book is THE OBITUARY WRITER by Ann Hood, a sophisticated and suspenseful novel about the poignant lives of two women living in different eras. We have 12 copies of the book, which is now available in paperback, to give away to three groups. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, November 6th at noon ET.
Teenreads.com
THE KILLING WOODS by Lucy Christopher
Our latest Sneak Peek Feature spotlights THE KILLING WOODS by Lucy Christopher, who is best known as the author of the Printz Honor Book STOLEN. Her upcoming novel releases on January 7th, but we have 100 early reader editions to give away to readers who would like to preview the book and share their comments about it, both with us and on social networking sites. Those who send us their feedback by Tuesday, December 10th will be eligible to win a signed copy of the book from the author. The deadline for entries is Monday, November 11th at noon ET.
Kidsreads.com
BATTLE BUNNY by Jon Scieszka, Mac Barnett and Matthew Myers
To celebrate the release of the hilarious mash-up from Jon Scieszka, Mac Barnett and Matthew Myers, we'd like to offer you the opportunity to make your very own Battle Bunny for a chance to win prizes! In BATTLE BUNNY, Alex is given a sappy book about a bunny's birthday, but decides to make it interesting by creating his own doomsday story on top of it. For this contest, we'd like you to grab a pencil, sharpen your creativity, and transform a page of this story! The deadline for entries is Friday, December 6th at noon ET.
FaithfulReader.com
RETURN TO ME and PILGRIMAGE by Lynn Austin
We are celebrating the releases of RETURN TO ME: The Restoration Chronicles, Book 1 and PILGRIMAGE: My Journey to a Deeper Faith in the Land Where Jesus Walked with a special contest that will give five readers the opportunity to win a copy of both of Lynn Austin's latest fiction and nonfiction works. The deadline for entries is Friday, November 15th at noon ET.
THE GOVERNESS OF HIGHLAND HALL: Edwardian Brides, Book One by Carrie Turansky
We are celebrating the release of THE GOVERNESS OF HIGHLAND HALL with a special contest that will give five readers the opportunity to win a copy of this first installment in Carrie Turansky's Edwardian Brides series. The deadline for entries is Friday, November 15th at noon ET.
WHEN MOUNTAINS MOVE by Julie Cantrell
We are celebrating the release of WHEN MOUNTAINS MOVE with a special contest that will give 25 readers the opportunity to win a copy of this sequel to Julie Cantrell's INTO THE FREE. The deadline for entries is Friday, November 15th at noon ET.
TRACES OF MERCY: Mercy Medallion Trilogy, Book 1 by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley
We are celebrating the release of TRACES OF MERCY with a special contest that will give 25 readers the opportunity to win a copy of this first installment in Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley's Mercy Medallion Trilogy. The deadline for entries is Friday, November 15th at noon ET.
THE GIFT OF A LEGACY by Jim Stovall
In our latest monthly contest, 25 readers will receive a copy of THE GIFT OF A LEGACY, the third installment in Jim Stovall's series The Ultimate Gift. The film adaptation of book two, THE ULTIMATE LIFE, is now in theaters. The deadline for entries is Friday, November 15th at noon ET.
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