February 7, 2014

My three commentaries on last week’s Super Bowl. First, our good friend Cathy joined us, bringing 23-year-old Ze, a young guy from Portugal who just started working with her. This was his first football game, and my husband was eager to explain it to him. It proved more difficult than he planned. It’s hard to start the game with a safety and share that this “rarely happens” and then describe what the play is and why it mattered, especially as it happened 12 seconds into the game. Second, when the Coca-Cola commercial came on, the controversial thoughts it stirred up about immigrants never entered my head. Instead, I assigned Ze to tell us if he heard any Portuguese. He did not. As for the rest of the game, I sum it up like this. If Peyton was an author, it was like someone took his manuscript and then edited in a different outcome to every scene as he looked on in horror. Congrats to the Seahawks and their fans!

Now attention turns to the Olympics, where for 17 days we will see folks in better shape than we are zipping around in circles or hurling themselves down mountains or across trails. On the subject of skiing, I remember the days when it was the downhill, the slalom and the giant slalom. Then freestyle events were added, and I started to lose track of them all. Now it seems that keeping legs on the ground is something old-fashioned as snowboard events and now slopestyle snowboarding are filling out the roster. In slopestyle skiing, athletes perform on a slope featuring various forms of obstacles (rails, quarter pipes and jumps). I guess when you skateboarded a lot as a kid, this is easy!

After the Olympics end, there is usually an uptick of activity at ski resorts and skating rinks as folks think, “I too can do that.” It’s short-lived. I also think I should start a pool about what commercial will be the most annoying, as you know you will see them so many times that you will be cringing and holding your head by the last night. I need to plot how far ahead I need to DVR so we can watch commercial-free! Because even the P&G commercial for “Pick Them Up” that is so heart-tugging now will be wearying as time goes on. It was viral before the first event with 14,000,000 views!

My own version of the Olympics --- page-turning and reading --- has had me busy this week as I am reading a novel that I am crazy about called THE TRUTH ABOUT THE HARRY QUEBERT AFFAIR. It’s coming out on May 27th and has been heralded to be a BIG summer title. I am addicted to reading it, meaning that I have a whole other stack of books publishing in the next few weeks and months all calling my name, but somehow cannot put this one down. It’s a hefty 600+ pages, and I am 400 pages in and still wondering how it's going to end. The author, Joel Dicker, is Swiss, but the story is set in the States, where the main character was born in Montclair, NJ (where many publishing folks live today and where I went to high school in a neighboring town) and much of it is set in New Hampshire. It’s a literary thriller about a struggling writer who wants to clear the name of an old friend accused of murder. Here’s a piece from the Telegraph in the UK about it. It will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection; you will hear more about it here!

In stores this week is GLITTER AND GLUE, a new memoir from Kelly Corrigan, whose first memoir, THE MIDDLE PLACE, was a bestseller, a huge book club favorite, and a well-loved read. (A friend told me last night that she thinks she has given 75 copies of THE MIDDLE PLACE to friends.) When Kelly was in high school, her mother neatly summarized the family dynamic as “Your father’s the glitter but I’m the glue.” Kelly took off for Australia upon finishing college, but her savings soon dwindled, and she realized she needed a job. That’s how she met John Tanner, a newly widowed father of two looking for a live-in nanny. And there, in that house in a suburb north of Sydney, she suddenly heard her mother’s voice everywhere. Barbara Bamberger Scott has our review and says, "Kelly Corrigan has convinced us: She values her family, through three generations, including her own. In THE MIDDLE PLACE, she explored her love for her glittering father, Greenie. Now, in GLITTER AND GLUE, she reveals that mothers, like her own, are the glue that holds everything together."

Earlier this week, I was sent this video, where Kelly talks about family and life. In a world where life is edited for Facebook and other social media, she reminds us that family is messy and that is what makes it real. I have long thought that women get more honest in their 40s. Before that, we are striving for “perfection,” not realizing that life is not perfect. Watching this video might save people a lot of time about accepting reality. Last night, I planned a late night at the office, but took a break to walk through the slushy streets of New York to attend an event that Kelly was doing at a Talbot’s store on Madison Avenue. (It also got me some much-needed Fitbit steps.) She read the opening chapter. It’s excerpted in Good Housekeeping, thus I could not find a print version online, but here you can listen to Kelly reading a good part of it. There were a lot of leaky eyes in that room as she read. She also said something memorable of her trip to Australia. There she learned to see past the mother into the woman who her mother is. A very interesting line. I am reading to figure out who in our family is “the glitter” and who is “the glue.”

Carla Buckley’s third novel, THE DEEPEST SECRET, which we featured last year in a Sneak Peek contest, is now in stores, and I look forward to hearing what you think about it when you read it. To me, it’s her best book yet; one that will make you think…a lot. Eve Lattimore would do anything to protect her son, Tyler, who has a rare disease that makes him fatally sensitive to any UV light. When a terrible accident occurs, Eve discovers just how far she will go to save him, and that she’s not the only one on the block with something to hide. According to reviewer Norah Piehl, the book “is rich in the kinds of questions that will preoccupy suburban book groups and introspective individuals alike.” THE DEEPEST SECRET will be my next Bets On selection; I’ll let you know why next week! I think that those of you who loved DEFENDING JACOB will want to get your hands on this one ASAP! In the meantime, click here to check out some of the comments from our Sneak Peek winners who read an advance copy of the book.

We also have a review of SOMERSET by Leila Meacham, which we’ve been featuring in our Women’s Fiction Author Spotlight. In this prequel to her multi-generational bestselling epic ROSES, we learn of Mary Toliver's ancestors, including a couple married under unusual (possibly curse-inducing) circumstances who set out in 1836 for promising new land in Texas. Reviewer Terry Miller Shannon proclaims, “This is such an enjoyable page-turner that, even at 600+ pages, readers are likely to find themselves wishing it was twice as hefty.” Terry also had an opportunity to chat with Leila about this much-anticipated release, and you can read the interview here.

Deanna Raybourn is the newest author in our Historical Fiction Author Spotlight. In her latest book, CITY OF JASMINE, which is set against the lush, exotic European colonial outposts of the 1920s, one woman embarks upon a journey to see the world --- and ends up finding intrigue, danger, and a love beyond all reason. We have 30 advance copies of the book, which releases on February 25th, to give away to readers who would like to read and comment on it. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, February 20th at noon ET. I have been a huge fan of Deanna’s since her first book, SILENT IN THE GRAVE, thus I am happy to share this book with you!

WHEN SHADOWS FALL, book three in J.T. Ellison’s series starring forensic pathologist Dr. Samantha Owens, is the latest title in our Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight. Samantha thought life was finally returning to normal until she receives a disturbing letter from a dead man imploring her to solve his murder. There's only one catch: Timothy Savage's death was so obviously the suicide of a demented individual that the case has been closed. We have 25 copies of the book, which releases on February 25th, to give away to readers who would like to read and comment on it. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, February 20th at noon ET.

We’re nearing the end of our Ninth Annual Valentine’s Day contest. If you’d like to be one of five readers who will win 12 love-themed books and some delicious Ghirardelli chocolates, please fill out this form by THIS Tuesday, February 11th at noon ET. Winners will receive this irresistible prize package just in time for this love-filled holiday. Think read, not red, with this prize!

One of the books in this year’s Valentine’s Day feature is ME BEFORE YOU, the New York Times bestseller from Jojo Moyes. Jojo’s 2010 book, THE LAST LETTER FROM YOUR LOVER, has been re-released with a brand-new cover and would also make for a perfect Valentine’s Day gift. In 1960, Jennifer Stirling wakes in the hospital and remembers nothing --- not the car accident that put her there, not her wealthy husband, not even her own name. Searching for clues, she finds an impassioned letter, signed simply "B," from a man for whom she seemed willing to risk everything. In 2003, journalist Ellie Haworth stumbles upon the letter and becomes obsessed with learning the unknown lovers’ fate --- hoping it will inspire her own happy ending. And for those who, like me, are Jojo Moyes fans, the advance reading copy of her upcoming book, ONE PLUS ONE (July 1st), is on my stack to read.

And just in time for Valentine’s Day, we present a bookshelf curated by Amy Alessio. Amy “mentored me” into the world of YA librarians, for which I am forever grateful to her. She runs a blog called “Vintage Cookbooks and Crafts” and also wrote a YA novel called TAKING THE HIGH GROUND last year that I really enjoyed. She also reviews for our Teenreads.com and Kidsreads.com sites. Her “Food Fiction” bookshelf features a number of new food-themed mysteries and romances, along with cookbooks that have a fictional kick to them. Amy tells us that she had fun assembling this bookshelf, and it shows! Click here to peruse her selection of sweet and savory reads.

Our New in Paperback feature has been updated for February. Among the notable releases are SEE NOW THEN, Jamaica Kincaid's first novel in 10 years; THESE FEW PRECIOUS DAYS by Christopher Andersen, a rare, behind-the-scenes portrait of the Kennedys in their final year together; THE ENGLISH GIRL, the latest thriller in Daniel Silva's series starring art restorer and master spy Gabriel Allon; and WHISTLING PAST THE GRAVEYARD by Susan Crandall, a coming-of-age story about a nine-year-old girl who runs away from her Mississippi home in 1963, befriends a lonely woman suffering loss and abuse, and embarks on a life-changing road trip. On ReadingGroupGuides.com, we’re giving away 12 copies of WHISTLING PAST THE GRAVEYARD to three book groups in our “What’s Your Book Group Reading This Month?” contest. Enter here by Friday, March 7th at noon ET for your chance to win. By the way, WHISTLING was one of my 2013 Bets On selections.

We’ve updated our Books on Screen feature for February. Theatrical releases include Odd Thomas (February 28th) and Endless Love (February 14th). On the small screen is the season four resumption of “The Walking Dead” this Sunday the 9th, and season two of “House of Cards” will be available on Netflix beginning the 14th (I wonder if they planned this for the three-day President’s Day Weekend). And among this month’s DVD releases are Ender’s Game, Austenland and Diana (all available February 11th). I also heard that the pilot for "Bosch," based on Michael Connelly’s series, is now available on Amazon. Amazon has been making pilots of shows, and viewers are then asked to share feedback so it can be determined if they will become a full series. Very interesting method. No charge for you to view and weigh in!

Speaking of weighing in. When you’re reading nonfiction about history, do you prefer that the book reads more like a novel or more like an academic work (i.e., a more straightforward account of events)? Let us know by participating in our latest poll. Even if you are a casual reader of nonfiction about history, we want to hear what you have to say.

In our previous poll, we wanted to know about your online shopping habits. It turns out that 26% of you do three-quarters of your shopping online, 25% do half, and 5% do none. In terms of books, 37% of you do three-quarters of your book buying online, 11% do half, and 9% do none. Click here for all the results.

We have a new Word of Mouth contest this week. Let us know the books you’ve read, and you’ll be entered to win AFTER I’M GONE by Laura Lippman, THE FOREVER GIRL by Alexander McCall Smith and THE MUSEUM OF EXTRAORDINARY THINGS by Alice Hoffman. Please fill out the form found on this page by Friday, February 21st at noon ET for your chance to win these upcoming releases.

Since we are a tad bored with winter, we are gearing up for our Spring Preview feature, where we will be sending daily newsletters about a book coming this spring with a chance to win one of five copies. The feature kicks off on February 20th and lasts until March 20th, so be sure you are signed up to read our Spring Preview newsletter here.

The deer in our neighborhood clearly do not like the snow. Last night as I drove home, my headlights saw eight of them meandering up the street. The presence of my car and Greg's behind them meant nothing to them. They just plodded along not sensing our urgency, or perhaps they thought we were the February version of a sleigh.

Quiet weekend here. I am up for a roaring fire, reading and Olympic viewing. And if the weather stays as clear and beautiful as it is today, I am taking a LOOOONG walk. I am so tired of cold, snow, gray and ice (both clear and black). My car looks white rather than black, and I am longing for color. I need to knit up something colorful and fun! Greg is headed on an overnight cruise tonight…literally one night on the water for $22 plus tax on the Norwegian Cruise Lines Gem. He figures it will cost him less than a dollar an hour. Hoping that the weather is better wherever you are and that you can cocoon with a book this weekend. Read on….

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)

STANDUP GUY: A Stone Barrington Novel by Stuart Woods (Thriller)
A polite, well-deported gentleman comes to Stone Barrington seeking legal expertise on an unusual --- and potentially lucrative --- dilemma. Stone points him in the right direction and sends him on his way, but it’s soon clear Stone hasn’t seen the end of the case. Several people are keenly interested in this gentleman’s activities and how they may relate to a long-ago crime. Some of them will stop at nothing to find the information they desire. Reviewed by Judy Gigstad.

THE BURGLARY: The Discovery of J. Edgar Hoover’s Secret FBI by Betty Medsger (History)
THE BURGLARY is the never-before-told full story of the 1971 history-changing break-in of the FBI offices in Media, Pennsylvania, by a group of unlikely activists --- quiet, ordinary, hardworking Americans --- that made clear the shocking truth and confirmed what some had long suspected: that J. Edgar Hoover had created and was operating his own shadow Bureau of Investigation. Reviewed by Roz Shea.

BURN: Book 3 of the Pure Trilogy by Julianna Baggott (Post-Apocalyptic Horror)
Inside the Dome, Partridge has taken his father's place as leader of the Pures. His intent had been to bring down the Dome from the inside with the help of the secret resistance force led by Partridge's former teacher, Glassings. But from his new position of power, things don't seem quite as clear. Outside the Dome, Pressia and Bradwell continue piecing together the clues left to them by their parents from the time before the detonations. Can they still trust their friend and ally, Partridge, to see their plan through? Or will a new war begin? Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.

ROBERT B. PARKER'S BULL RIVER by Robert Knott (Western/Mystery)
No sooner do Territorial Marshal Virgil Cole and Deputy Everett Hitch remand notorious desperado Alejandro Vasquez into custody than a major bank robbery occurs. When their primary suspect is found severely beaten outside a high-class brothel and turns out to be using a false identity to escape a torrid past, it is Alejandro who becomes the key to their investigation. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

THE BARKEEP by William Lashner (Thriller)
Six years ago, Justin Chase’s life was ripped apart when he discovered his mother’s bludgeoned corpse in the foyer of the family home. Now Justin’s father is serving a life sentence, and Justin, after a stint in an asylum, drowns his emotions in a pool of inner peace. But when Birdie Grackle claims to be the hit man who murdered Justin’s mother for the money, Justin is hurled back to the emotions, the past, and, most frightening of all, the father he tried to leave behind. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

THE UNAMERICANS: Stories by Molly Antopol (Fiction/Short Stories)
THE UNAMERICANS, a stunning exploration of characters shaped by the forces of history, is the debut work of fiction by Molly Antopol, a 2013 National Book Foundation "5 Under 35" Honoree. Again and again, Antopol’s deeply sympathetic characters struggle for footing in an uncertain world, hounded by forces beyond their control. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.

CARELESS PEOPLE: Murder, Mayhem, and the Invention of The Great Gatsby by Sarah Churchwell (Literary History)
CARELESS PEOPLE is a unique literary investigation: a gripping double narrative that combines a forensic search for clues to an unsolved crime and a quest for the roots of one of America’s best-loved novels. Acclaimed scholar of American literature Sarah Churchwell reconstructs the events of that pivotal autumn in 1922, revealing in the process new ways of thinking about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.

THE GIRL WITH A CLOCK FOR A HEART by Peter Swanson (Thriller)
George Foss’s comfortable, predictable life is shattered when a beautiful woman who vanished without a trace 20 years ago sits down next to him at a bar. Ex-girlfriend Liana Dector, the first love George couldn’t quite forget, needs his help. Ruthless men believe she stole some money and will do whatever it takes to get it back. George makes a choice that will plunge him into a terrifying whirlpool of lies, secrets, betrayal and murder from which there is no sure escape. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

STRINGER: A Reporter’s Journey in the Congo by Anjan Sundaram (Memoir)
In the powerful travel-writing tradition of Ryszard Kapuscinski and V.S. Naipaul, STRINGER is a haunting memoir of a dangerous and disorienting year of self-discovery in one of the world's unhappiest countries. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.

BELLE CORA by Phillip Margulies (Historical Fiction)
BELLE CORA is the story of a good girl who became a bad woman. At the old homestead, her name is never spoken and her picture is turned to the wall, but in the vast world beyond, everyone remembers her as the celebrated madam of the finest parlor house in San Francisco. Now, at the end of her life, after half a century of successfully hiding the details of her scarlet past, Belle has decided to reveal all her secrets. Reviewed by Roz Shea.

THE CONTRACTORS by Harry Hunsicker (Thriller)
Jon Cantrell is a DEA agent patrolling one of the busiest drug-hubs in the country: Dallas, Texas. When he and his partner confiscate the wrong shipment of drugs, they find themselves in possession of a star witness in an upcoming cartel trial that could destroy the largest criminal organization in the hemisphere. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

GOLDEN STATE by Michelle Richmond (Fiction)
Doctor Julie Walker has just signed her divorce papers when she receives news that her younger sister, Heather, has gone into labor. Julie sets out for the hospital to be at her sister's side, but the streets of San Francisco have erupted into chaos. Today is the day that Julie will find herself at the epicenter of a violent standoff in which she is forced to examine both the promising and painful parts of her past. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

VATICAN WALTZ by Roland Merullo (Fiction)
Cynthia Piantedosi lives a quiet, unassuming life outside of Boston, guided by her Catholic faith. Devoted to her elderly father and not particularly interested in dating and socializing, she develops a deep friendship with her parish priest, who encourages her to explore her faith. When he is killed in a mysterious accident, a message begins to emerge from Cynthia’s prayers: God is calling her to be the first female Catholic priest. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.

Tell us your current reading recommendations with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from February 7th to February 21st, FIVE lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of AFTER I'M GONE by Laura Lippman, THE FOREVER GIRL by Alexander McCall Smith, and THE MUSEUM OF EXTRAORDINARY THINGS by Alice Hoffman.