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Bookreporter.com Newsletter |
June 5, 2015 |
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Kicking It Back a Notch with a Book…Actually, Books
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When we left off last week, I was racing with our staff to our Book Group Speed Dating event featuring 27 publishers presenting upcoming book group titles to more than 200 attendees at BookExpo America (BEA). It was a smashing success; what an enthusiastic audience we had!
Interested in seeing the titles that were featured? Then click on over to this link on ReadingGroupGuides.com where you can see the titles that were presented, broken out by publisher. We also have them pulled together in a handy dandy spreadsheet, where you can see all the books listed. My endless thanks to Emily for doing the yeoman’s heavy lifting on this. And to Nicole, Greg and John, along with our intern Rebecca, who handled the MANY details and last-minute racing around to ensure all went like clockwork.
On Saturday morning, I headed back to the city for BookCon (I took the ferry over from New Jersey, and it was a perfect way to avoid traffic and enjoy the day). I had such fun moderating a panel of “book group perfect” authors, including, from left to right in the photo above: Paula McLain (author of THE PARIS WIFE and the upcoming CIRCLING THE SUN --- more on how to win a copy of this eagerly anticipated book later in this newsletter), Vanessa Diffenbaugh (author of the upcoming WE NEVER ASKED FOR WINGS and THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS) and Annie Barrows (author of the upcoming THE TRUTH ACCORDING TO US and THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY). Each shared some information about her upcoming book, and then we dove into a conversation about how they have interacted with book groups through the years. The hour flew by and was such fun.
I was lucky enough to have our Word of Mouth Editor, Melanie Steinberg, in the standing-room-only audience for this event. We then walked the show floor for a bit before heading off to a panel where Emma Donoghue and two members of the cast of the upcoming film, Room, based on the mega-bestselling book by Emma, were interviewed by Melissa Maerz from Entertainment Weekly. Emma was brilliant, sharing stories about her adaptation of the book, which was filmed in Toronto. Next, actress Brie Larson joined her and spoke about how she conditioned herself for the role by not leaving her house for months. Fascinating also to hear how she worked out to ensure she was in great physical condition to play her part as Ma. But the absolute show stealer was Jacob “Jake” Tremblay, who plays Jack. He bounded onto the stage and immediately stole everyone’s hearts. Really looking forward to this movie; you can see the panelists in the photo above.
Now on to this week’s lineup…
Horror master Stephen King has released FINDERS KEEPERS, starring the beloved trio of heroes first introduced in MR. MERCEDES. It features John Rothstein, a famous author whose iconic books featuring Jimmy Gold have earned him a dedicated readership. Unfortunately, his fan base includes Morris Bellamy, a deranged man who is furious with Rothstein for the direction his books have taken. Morris kills Rothstein and empties his safe, unearthing a collection of notebooks that contain another Gold novel. Although Morris hides the notebooks, he is soon locked away for another crime, leaving the notebooks unnoticed for years --- until they are found by Pete Saubers. When Morris is finally released from prison, it is up to Bill Hodges, Holly Gibney and Jerome Robinson to protect Pete and his family from Morris’ vengeance.
Joe Hartlaub has our review and says, “Bellamy is a truly frightening antagonist, ordinary but deadly in his unpredictability and ruthlessness, and is a terrific foil for the young and inexperienced but determined Pete. Oh, and King’s dark humor is on full display here. I will never smell --- or even think of --- English Leather cologne for the rest of my life without recalling FINDERS KEEPERS.” There goes that as a Father’s Day gift for Joe!
Bestselling author of young adult classics Judy Blume returns with IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT, her first novel for adults since 1998’s SUMMER SISTERS. Blume takes readers to her hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey, where, in the 1950s, the city was left horrified by a succession of plane crashes. Amidst all the confusion, terror and conspiracy theories was 15-year-old Miri Ammerman, in love for the first time. Now, 35 years later, she is returning to Elizabeth for a commemoration event --- and to find the courage that catastrophe nearly stole from her.
Reviewer Jana Siciliano raves, “Without being too on point, Blume has fashioned perhaps the best post-9/11 book written so far. And for those of us who live in the shadow of the downed towers and remember that fateful day in a way that others around the country may not, it is an exceptionally deep and uplifting portrait of what survival looks like and how it gently reshapes the face of the future forever.” As a proud Jerseyite, I look forward to this one!
Laura Dave takes readers to lush Sonoma County in her captivating new novel, EIGHT HUNDRED GRAPES. Thirty-year-old Georgia Ford has learned a lot growing up on her family’s vineyard, from the number of grapes it takes to make a bottle of wine to the quickest way to end a fight. But when her fiancé reveals an explosive secret the week before their wedding, it changes her life forever. Desperate for comfort, she returns to her family’s home, hoping that her long-married parents will help mend her heart --- but her fiancé is not the only one who has been keeping secrets.
Reviewer Kate Ayers says, “I’ve heard that conflict drives plot. If so, there’s enough conflict in EIGHT HUNDRED GRAPES to drive this story to the moon and back…. The interactions of the Ford family made me yearn to be a part of it. I wanted to live on that vineyard, to watch those parents dance badly, and for Finn and Bobby to be my brothers, warts and all.” We also have a Q&A with Laura about the book that you can check out here. And if you are in a book group, this #1 Indie Next pick will be perfect for your discussions. A couple of months ago, I spent a delightful afternoon with Laura sampling wines from wineries that she had spent time at while she was researching and writing. Yes, a tough assignment! The factoid that 800 grapes go into a bottle of wine will be a good conversation point; it was news to me!
As promised, we have a special contest running now for CIRCLING THE SUN, the highly anticipated new novel by Paula McLain, whose book THE PARIS WIFE was a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection; CIRCLING THE SUN will be one as well. I have not stopped talking about this book since I read an early galley months ago. I am just crazy about it.
Set in colonial Kenya in the 1920s, it tells the story of Beryl Markham, a record-setting aviator with a fierce and fearless heart. Brought to Kenya as a child and raised by both her father and the native Kipsigis tribe that shares his estate, Beryl is taught to maintain nature’s fragile balance. But when her trust is betrayed, Beryl embarks upon a career as a horse trainer, drawing the eye of the Happy Valley set, a community of bohemian European expats. When the rugged Denys Finch Hatton steers her towards flight, she finds herself caught in a passionate love triangle between Denys and Karen Blixen, author of OUT OF AFRICA. In celebration of the July 28th release of CIRCLING THE SUN, we are giving away 50 advance copies of the book to those who would like to read and share their comments on it pre-publication. We want to be sure there is lots of buzz from our readers about this book before its release. Click here to enter by Thursday, June 18th at noon ET.
With Father’s Day just two weeks away, we encourage you to enter our 10th Annual Father’s Day Contest if you haven’t already. Five readers will be awarded a prize package that includes all of this year’s featured titles, including RADIANT ANGEL: A John Corey Novel by Nelson DeMille and WHEN THE BALLS DROP: How I Learned to Get Real and Embrace Life's Second Half by Brad Garrett, along with some goodies we know Dad will love. Be sure to enter here by Monday, June 22nd at noon ET.
In this week’s Summer Reading contests, we gave away the aforementioned EIGHT HUNDRED GRAPES by Laura Dave, along with ENCHANTED AUGUST by Brenda Bowen, IT'S YOU by Jane Porter and LOCAL GIRLS by Caroline Zancan. Next week’s prize books will be ALL THE SINGLE LADIES by Dorothea Benton Frank, DINNER WITH BUDDHA by Roland Merullo, KITCHENS OF THE GREAT MIDWEST by J. Ryan Stradal and THE TRUTH ACCORDING TO US by Annie Barrows. We will post the first 24-hour contest of the week on Monday, June 8th at noon ET.
Speaking of summer reading, for a perfect summer read full of fame and love, try THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SOPHIE STARK by Anna North. This provocative novel follows the rise of artist Sophie Stark, a filmmaker whose first project is a documentary about college basketball star Daniel. But when Sophie’s obsession grows too invasive, she becomes the victim of a cruel prank. Undeterred by humiliation, Sophie begins to pull stories from the lives of people around her to create movies, quickly gaining critical recognition and praise --- at the risk of betraying the person closest to her. Click here for more about the book.
We’ve updated our New in Paperback feature for June. This month’s releases include A DEADLY WANDERING: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age by Matt Richtel (a Bets On selection), SAVING GRACE by Jane Green, BLUE LABYRINTH by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, and THE CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF LIES: A Novel of the Great War by Jacqueline Winspear.
We often hear pitches from publishers that note that a book is like another, with these comparisons made to inspire us. We wanted to see what kind of impact that has on you. Thus, for our latest poll, we have listed a number of popular, bestselling books and would like to know this: If a book was compared to any of these titles, which comparison(s), if any, would make you want to read that book? Click here to let us know.
In our previous poll, we wanted to know if your reading habits change during the summer. For the majority of you, 67% to be exact, they stay the same (which does not surprise me). 27% of you read more during the summer months (I love that!), while only 6% read less.
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, June 19th at noon ET what books you’ve finished reading, and you’ll be in the running to win BLUEPRINTS by Barbara Delinsky, along with the aforementioned ALL THE SINGLE LADIES by Dorothea Benton Frank and THE TRUTH ACCORDING TO US by Annie Barrows. We plan on posting reviews of all three next week.
We would like to direct any and all aspiring authors to Inkitt.com for their Faded Paradox mystery/thriller writing contest. From now until July 4th, you will have the opportunity to submit your best accounts of murder, suspense and espionage for the chance to win a prize. There is no word limit or entry fee, and all submissions will be rated based on reader votes. When the deadline has passed, the top 10% of stories will be chosen by the Inkitt staff. The first prize winner will receive $50 and five printed copies of their story with custom typography; second prize is $40; and third prize is $30. Click here for all the details.
News and Pop Culture:
For those who wonder what Christian was thinking: E L James --- of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY fame --- has written GREY, the same story from Christian's point of view. It’s on sale June 18th. USA Today asked me what I thought about the impact of this book. See what I said here.
HBO documentary: For those who read Lisa Genova’s INSIDE THE O’BRIENS, note that this is Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month. I watched "The Lion's Mouth Opens," a very interesting documentary about a young woman who is awaiting the results of her genetic test to see if she is destined to develop Huntington’s. Until I watched, I did not know that Woody Guthrie died from complications of Huntington’s. Bob Dylan composed a piece that was his last thoughts on Guthrie, which you can read here.
A Walk in the Woods, the movie: Published in the early years of Bookreporter.com, we remember the publication of A WALK IN THE WOODS by Bill Bryson fondly. This week, we found a trailer for the movie here. Robert Redford plays Bryson, and Nick Nolte plays his estranged friend, Stephen Katz. Love this line from EW about it: “It’s like a more comedic version of Wild, if Reese Witherspoon was in her 70s and also Robert Redford.”
"Zoo": The novel by James Paterson and Michael Ledwidge has been adapted into a television series on CBS starting on June 30th.
"Game of Thrones": I watch this every week and then turn to my husband as the credits roll and ask, “So what happened?” Thinking I might be able to follow better if I was not doing Sunday night emails while I was watching, I sat riveted to the screen last weekend as I was knitting. Most of the story went way over my head (yes, I should have read the books), but I do know the White Walkers are just terrifying! I also realize that I do not have a brain for fantasy.
LOVE YOU FOREVER: Parents are divided on whether they love or loathe this book. I found this piece from 2014 about the story behind it and thought it was worth sharing, as it is not what you think.
"Downton Abbey": As the cast and crew shoot the last season, here are some thoughts from them.
If I did not answer your email: We changed email systems in late April and recently learned that emails from our "Write to Us" mailbox on all of the sites have not been reaching us. Not one of my happier moments when we figured this out. It’s fixed now, after a long conversation with three people at Office 365, who were very helpful once we had all the facts figured out. So sorry for the inconvenience. I should have anticipated that the MX record move would have caused an issue. MX records are just one of the things I get to think about when I am not reading!
Last weekend, I was happy to kick back and finish THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE by Melanie Benjamin, which is not coming out until next January, but I want it on your radar now. You probably know her from her last book, THE AVIATOR’S WIFE. This one is deliciously dishy and such fun! It’s a novel about Truman Capote and the ladies who lunch and came to be known as his “swans.” They were elegant women, who married well and lived in a style that always had heads turning; classy socialites who were envied by many. Their backstories will remind us that money is not everything.
From there I moved on to THE LAST SEPTEMBER by Nina de Gramont, which will be on sale on September 15th. In it, there are two brothers: the charismatic one who immediately wins our protagonist’s heart, and his troubled older brother, who is her friend. Someone is killed in the opening pages, which ratchets up the tension --- and, bam, we are pulled into the story. I loved it. Nina knows how to pace a book. She layers in surprises and has an ability to make us feel for her protagonist, even when she is making choices that are not necessarily the best ones. The tension between the brothers reminded me of that between the brothers in WHISKEY AND CHARLIE. It’s just wonderful. Both THE LAST SEPTEMBER and THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE will be Bets On selections.
I have NO idea what possessed me to figure out this little factoid, but the other day I looked for a calendar from 1978 and figured out my first day of work when I got out of college was Monday, June 5th. Which means that, as of today, I have been working for 37 years. It does not feel like it as I have been lucky that, for my entire life, I have had jobs that I enjoy! But still, 37 years gives me pause.
After a very busy last few weeks, I am anticipating a quiet weekend. I have a few manuscripts that I am looking forward to, as well as a huge stack of books that I picked up at BEA and a number of books from recent publisher previews. Tom is playing in a golf tournament both days, which means I have lots of alone reading time. On Saturday we will be ready to watch the Belmont to see if American Pharoah wins the Triple Crown. Amusingly, given my previous 1978 comment, the last time this happened was back in 1978 with Affirmed. I guess that was the Saturday before I started my job at Conde Nast.
HOPING that the weather warms up and the skies clear. I am very happy that Tom figured out a solar cover solution on our oddly shaped pool (two circles that are at each end). This is why a book-obsessed girl with no science skills should have an engineer in the house. Off to pick more peonies; the last batch shed all over the tables...so fragile, but gorgeous.
Read on, and have a great week….
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
P.S. For those of you who shop online, if you use the store links below, Bookreporter.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases. We would appreciate your considering this!
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Now in Stores: FINDERS KEEPERS by Stephen King
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FINDERS KEEPERS by Stephen King (Thriller)
John Rothstein is an iconic author who created a famous character, Jimmy Gold, but hasn’t published a book for decades. Morris Bellamy kills Rothstein and empties his safe of cash, but the real treasure is a trove of notebooks containing at least one more Gold novel. Morris hides the money and the notebooks, and then is locked away for another crime. Decades later, Pete Saubers finds the treasure, and now Bill Hodges, Holly Gibney and Jerome Robinson must rescue Pete and his family from Morris when he’s released from prison after 35 years. 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: IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT by Judy Blume
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IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT by Judy Blume (Fiction)
In 1987, Miri Ammerman returns to her hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey, to attend a commemoration of the worst year of her life. Thirty-five years earlier, when Miri was 15, and in love for the first time, a succession of airplanes fell from the sky, leaving a community reeling. Against this backdrop of actual events that Judy Blume experienced in the early 1950s, when airline travel was new and exciting and everyone dreamed of going somewhere, she paints a vivid portrait of a particular time and place. Through it all, one generation reminds another that life goes on. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
-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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An Interview with Laura Dave, Author of EIGHT HUNDRED GRAPES
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Laura Dave is the author of three previous books, and her latest, EIGHT HUNDRED GRAPES, is being hailed as her breakout hit. Set in the lush backdrop of Sonoma’s wine country, it’s a heartbreaking, funny and deeply evocative novel about love, marriage, family, wine and the treacherous terrain in which they all intersect. In this interview, Dave opens up about setting her story in the heart of wine country and her fascination with the winemaking process --- in addition to some of her favorite wines. She also talks about why she is constantly surprised and delighted by her characters and the exciting new novel she’s working on next.
EIGHT HUNDRED GRAPES by Laura Dave (Fiction)
Growing up on her family’s Sonoma vineyard, Georgia Ford learned some important secrets. The secret number of grapes it takes to make a bottle of wine: 800. The secret ingredient in her mother’s lasagna: chocolate. The secret behind ending a fight: hold hands. But just a week before her wedding, 30-year-old Georgia discovers her beloved fiancé has been keeping a secret so explosive, it will change their lives forever. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
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Click here to read the interview. |
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New Special Contest: Win an Advance Copy of CIRCLING THE SUN by Paula McLain --- and Share Your Comments On It
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We are celebrating the July 28th release of CIRCLING THE SUN by Paula McLain with a special contest that will give 50 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, June 18th at noon ET.
CIRCLING THE SUN by Paula McLain (Historical Fiction)
Paula McLain, author of the phenomenal bestseller THE PARIS WIFE, now returns with her keenly anticipated new novel, transporting readers to colonial Kenya in the 1920s. CIRCLING THE SUN brings to life a fearless and captivating woman --- Beryl Markham, a record-setting aviator caught up in a passionate love triangle with safari hunter Denys Finch Hatton and Karen Blixen, author of the classic memoir OUT OF AFRICA.
Brought to Kenya from England as a child and then abandoned by her mother, Beryl is raised by both her father and the native Kipsigis tribe who share his estate. Her unconventional upbringing transforms Beryl into a bold young woman with a fierce love of all things wild and an inherent understanding of nature’s delicate balance. But even the wild child must grow up, and when everything Beryl knows and trusts dissolves, she is catapulted into a string of disastrous relationships.
Beryl forges her own path as a horse trainer, and her uncommon style attracts the eye of the Happy Valley set, a decadent, bohemian community of European expats who also live and love by their own set of rules. But it’s the ruggedly charismatic Denys Finch Hatton who ultimately helps Beryl navigate the uncharted territory of her own heart. The intensity of their love reveals Beryl’s truest self and her fate: to fly.
-Click here to read Paula McLain’s bio.
-Click here to connect with Paula McLain on Instagram.
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Click here to enter the contest. |
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Bookreporter.com's 10th Annual Father's Day Contest and Feature: Best Books for Dad
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Father’s Day is a time to celebrate the men in our lives who have raised and loved us. Why not show him your appreciation by inspiring him with a great book? In our 10th annual "Best Books for Dad" contest, we have eight titles that are perfect gift-giving suggestions for Dad, keeping him busy through the rest of the year. Five readers will be awarded a prize package that includes these titles, along with some special treats.
To enter, please fill out this form by Monday, June 22nd at noon ET.
This year's featured titles are:
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Click here to enter the contest and see our featured titles. |
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Bookreporter.com's Summer Reading Contests and Feature
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Summer will be here before you know it! At Bookreporter.com, this means it's time for us to share some great summer book picks with our Summer Reading Contests and Feature. We will be hosting a number of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days throughout the summer, so you will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter to win. We also will be sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.
Our next prize book will be announced on Monday, June 8th at noon ET.
This year's featured titles include:
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Click here to read all the contest details and see our featured titles. |
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June's New in Paperback Roundups
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June’s roundups of New in Paperback fiction titles include THE BONE CLOCKS, David Mitchell's latest bestseller in which a 15-year-old girl's lost weekend is merely the prelude to a shocking disappearance that leaves her family irrevocably scarred; SAVING GRACE by Jane Green, a powerful and riveting novel about a woman whose life begins to unravel in the face of infidelity and addiction; and ALL DAY AND A NIGHT by Alafair Burke, in which a new murder case with ties to a convicted serial killer leads Detective Ellie Hatcher into a twisting investigation with explosive and deadly results.
Among this month’s nonfiction offerings are A DEADLY WANDERING by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Matt Richtel, an exploration of technology’s vast influence on the human mind and society, told through the lens of a tragic “texting-while-driving” car crash that claimed the lives of two rocket scientists in 2006; HAVE A NICE GUILT TRIP, Lisa Scottoline and her daughter Francesca Serritella's fourth volume of warm and witty stories that will strike a chord with every woman; and DARING: MY PASSAGES, a chronicle of Gail Sheehy's trials and triumphs as a groundbreaking “girl” journalist in the 1960s, to iconic guide for women and men seeking to have it all, to one of the premier political profilers of modern times.
-Find out what's New in Paperback for the weeks of June 1st, June 8th, June 15th, June 22nd and June 29th. |
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Now in Stores: SAINT MAZIE by Jami Attenberg
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SAINT MAZIE by Jami Attenberg (Historical Fiction)
Mazie Phillips is the truth-telling proprietress of The Venice, the famed New York City movie theater. When the Great Depression hits, she opens the doors of The Venice to those in need, becoming the beating heart of the Lower East Side. More than 90 years after Mazie began her diary, it is discovered by a documentarian in search of a good story. Who was Mazie Phillips, really? A chorus of voices from the past and present fill in some of the mysterious blanks of her adventurous life. Reviewed by Megan Elliott.
-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: BITTER BRONX by Jerome Charyn
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BITTER BRONX: Thirteen Stories by Jerome Charyn (Fiction/Short Stories)
BITTER BRONX, Jerome Charyn's new collection, is suffused with the texture and nostalgia of a lost time and place, combining a keen eye for detail with the author's lived experience. These stories are informed by a childhood growing up near that middle-class mecca, the Grand Concourse; falling in love with three voluptuous librarians at a public library in the Lower Depths of the South Bronx; and eating at Mafia-owned restaurants along Arthur Avenue's restaurant row. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
-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 LIFE AND DEATH OF SOPHIE STARK by Anna North
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THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SOPHIE STARK by Anna North (Fiction)
Gripping and provocative, THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SOPHIE STARK is a haunting story of fame, love and legacy told through the propulsive rise of an iconoclastic artist. Sophie Stark begins her filmmaking career by creating a documentary about her obsession, Daniel, a college basketball star. But when she becomes too invasive, she finds herself the victim of a cruel retribution. The humiliation doesn’t stop her. Visionary and unapologetic, Sophie begins to use stories from the lives of those around her to create movies, and as she gains critical recognition and acclaim, she risks betraying the one she loves most.
Told in a chorus of voices belonging to those who knew Sophie best, THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SOPHIE STARK is an intimate portrait of an elusive woman whose monumental talent and relentless pursuit of truth reveal the cost of producing great art.
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Click here to read more about the book. |
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Bookreporter.com Talks to Matt Coyle, Author of NIGHT TREMORS
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Any Matt Coyle book reads like a Raymond Chandler novel, set in tony La Jolla adjacent to San Diego. You’ll be enthralled and intrigued, wince when Rick Cahill’s wrist is broken --- and tuck it away to read again or share with a friend. NIGHT TREMORS, Coyle's second in the hardboiled PI series following YESTERDAY'S ECHO, has Rick taking on “the ugly side of San Diego,” including a corrupt cop who wormed his way to the position of police chief. Coyle chats with Bookreporter.com’s Dean Murphy about the psyche of his protagonist, the craft of writing, his life as an author, and the power of the written word.
NIGHT TREMORS by Matt Coyle (Mystery/Thriller)
Nightmares of the man he killed two years ago still chase Rick Cahill through his sleep, and the memory of his murdered wife haunts him during waking hours. When an old nemesis asks for his help to free a man from prison, a man he thinks is wrongly convicted of murder, Rick grabs at the chance to turn his life around. With the police on one side of the law and a vicious biker gang on the other, all trying to stop him from freeing this individual, Rick risks his life to uncover the truth that only the real killer knows --- what happened one bloody night eight years earlier. Reviewed by Dean Murphy.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.
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Click here to read our interview. |
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More Reviews This Week
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PIRANHA: A Novel of the Oregon Files by Clive Cussler and Boyd Morrison (Thriller/Adventure)
In 1902, the volcano Mt. Pelée erupts on the island of Martinique, wiping out an entire city --- and sinking a ship carrying a German scientist on the verge of an astonishing breakthrough. More than a century later, during a covert operation, Juan Cabrillo and the crew meticulously fake the sinking of the Oregon. But when an unknown adversary tracks them down despite their planning and attempts to assassinate them, Cabrillo and his team struggle to fight back against an enemy who seems to be able to anticipate their every move. Reviewed by Judy Gigstad.
THE ENEMY INSIDE: A Paul Madriani Novel by Steve Martini (Thriller)
One of the most successful lawyers in the country, Olinda Serna is a master at managing money as well as her influential clients. So when she’s killed in a crash, powerful heads in Washington begin to panic, worried that their secrets may not be safe anymore. Alex Ives, a friend of defense attorney Paul Madriani’s daughter, is accused of vehicular manslaughter in Serna’s death. To save an innocent young man’s life, Madriani must uncover everything he can about Serna and her clients, leading him to a devious killer poised to strike again. Reviewed by Roz Shea.
GHOSTHEART by R.J. Ellory (Thriller)
Annie O'Neill seemingly has it all, but at the heart of her life is a hole --- a place vacated by her father when he died in her childhood. So when a mysterious man named Forrester enters her bookshop and claims to be her father's oldest friend, she jumps at the chance to find out more of her own past. But Forrester is much more interested in telling her a story about a ruthless ganglord and a 50-year-old betrayal --- a betrayal that she will realize has something very much to do with her. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
MOLINA: The Story of the Father Who Raised an Unlikely Baseball Dynasty by Bengie Molina, with Joan Ryan (Memoir)
A baseball rules book. A tape measure. A lottery ticket. These were in the pocket of Bengie Molina’s father when he died of a heart attack on the rutted Little League field in his Puerto Rican barrio. The items serve as thematic guideposts in Molina’s memoir about his father, who through baseball taught his three sons about loyalty, humility, courage and the true meaning of success. Reviewed by Miriam Tuliao.
STALIN’S DAUGHTER: The Extraordinary and Tumultuous Life of Svetlana Alliluyeva by Rosemary Sullivan (Biography)
Born in the early years of the Soviet Union, Svetlana Stalin spent her youth inside the walls of the Kremlin. As she gradually learned about the extent of her father’s brutality after his death, Svetlana could no longer keep quiet. In 1967 she shocked the world by defecting to the United States, leaving her two children behind. With access to KGB, CIA and Soviet government archives, as well as the close cooperation of Svetlana’s daughter, Rosemary Sullivan pieces together Svetlana’s incredible life. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
STAY by Victor Gischler (Crime Fiction)
David Sparrow is a stay-at-home dad, while his wife, Amy, commutes to New York City, where she was recently promoted to Deputy District Attorney. In fact, she just inherited a major case: prosecuting crime lord Dante Payne. But when Dante takes the fight directly to Amy, David is forced to "reactivate" himself, revealing a history and deadly skill set his wife knew nothing about. And he'll do anything to protect his family. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
THE FATAL FLAME by Lyndsay Faye (Historical Mystery)
No one in 1840s New York likes fires, but Copper Star Timothy Wilde least of all. So when an arsonist with an agenda begins threatening Alderman Robert Symmes, a corrupt and powerful leader high in the Tammany Hall ranks, Wilde isn’t thrilled to be involved. His reservations escalate further when his brother Valentine announces that he’ll be running against Symmes in the upcoming election, making both himself and Timothy a host of powerful enemies. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
TIME OF DEATH: A Tom Thorne Novel by Mark Billingham (Mystery/Thriller)
Tom Thorne is on holiday with his girlfriend, DS Helen Weeks, when two girls are abducted in Helen’s home town. When a body is discovered and a man is arrested, Helen recognizes the suspect’s wife as an old school friend and returns home for the first time in 25 years to lend her support. As his partner faces up to a past she has tried desperately to forget and a media storm engulfs the town, Thorne becomes convinced that, despite overwhelming evidence of his guilt, the police have the wrong man. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
REMEMBER ME THIS WAY by Sabine Durrant (Psychological Thriller)
A year after her husband Zach’s death, Lizzie goes to lay flowers where his fatal accident took place. As she makes her way along the road, she thinks about their life together. She wonders if she has changed since Zach died and if she will ever feel whole again. At last she reaches the spot. And there, tied to a tree, is a bunch of lilies. The flowers are addressed to her husband. Someone has been there before her. Lizzie loved Zach, but she’s starting to realize she didn’t really know him. Or what he was capable of. Reviewed by Stephen Febick.
A CROWN FOR COLD SILVER by Alex Marshall (Fantasy/Adventure)
Twenty years ago, feared general Cobalt Zosia led her five villainous captains and mercenary army into battle, wrestling monsters and toppling an empire. Now the peace she carved for herself after retiring has been shattered by the unprovoked slaughter of her village. Seeking bloody vengeance, Zosia heads for battle once more, but to find justice she must confront grudge-bearing enemies, once-loyal allies, and an unknown army that marches under a familiar banner. Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard. |
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Our Latest Poll: Comparing Books to Other Books
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If a book was being compared to a title listed below, which comparison(s), if any, would make you want to read that book? Please check as many as apply.
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THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN by Garth Stein
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BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP by S. J. Watson
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EAT, PRAY, LOVE: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia, by Elizabeth Gilbert
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THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN by Paula Hawkins
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THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Stieg Larsson
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THE GLASS CASTLE: A Memoir, by Jeannette Walls
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GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn
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THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett
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INTO THE WILD by Jon Krakauer
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THE KITE RUNNER by Khaled Hosseini
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THE LOVELY BONES by Alice Sebold
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THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern
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THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Sue Monk Kidd
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A WALK IN THE WOODS: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail, by Bill Bryson
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WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen
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WILD: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, by Cheryl Strayed
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None of the above
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Click here to answer the poll. |
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Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What You're Reading --- and You Can Win THREE Books!
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Tell us your current reading recommendations with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from June 5th to June 19th, FIVE lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of ALL THE SINGLE LADIES by Dorothea Benton Frank, BLUEPRINTS by Barbara Delinsky, and THE TRUTH ACCORDING TO US by Annie Barrows.
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 this 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, your review WILL NOT be posted if you have not finished the book.
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.
-To see reader comments from previous contest periods, click here.
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Click here to enter the contest. |
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As always, here are a few housekeeping notes. If you are seeing this newsletter in a text version, and would prefer to see the graphics, you can either read it online or change your preferences below.
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