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Bookreporter.com Newsletter |
May 27, 2016 |
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Here Comes the Loooooong Weekend!
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I am sitting here humming “Here Comes the Weekend” by Dave Edmunds. After a string of cold, damp days, summer temps blasted in this week with a vengeance. This newsletter is arriving earlier than usual to give our amazing staff some extra-long weekend hours. I apologize in advance to those of you who will be off your usual rhythm with this timing.
You know all those “indoor chores” that you swore you would get to over the winter? I have managed to take care of MAYBE 10% of them. There is always a book I would rather be reading, a show I would rather be watching, a meal I would rather be cooking, or a project I would prefer to be knitting. Oh well, maybe it will rain one weekend this summer.
Over the past week, I have had a chance to talk about books with a few new people. One was a young woman who was calling for a reference on one of our former employees. She said that since she graduated from college, she had no idea what to read. I asked what she was reading now, and she said ME BEFORE YOU before the movie comes out. Before that, she had read SARAH’S KEY. I gave her two suggestions: THE NIGHTINGALE and THE ASSISTANTS.
More and more, I run into people who have no idea what to read, and I find myself becoming their book concierge. I hope you all do the same. People still rely heavily on the recommendations of other readers; with all the technology available, a reader telling a reader what to read is still the MOST effective recommendation method. This summer, as you vacation and travel, may I ask that a) you talk up books with those you meet, and b) you tell people about Bookreporter? I think MANY people are not reading because they are not sure what is available, and/or they are overwhelmed by their options. Guiding folks to books is something each of you can do, along with us!
Sermon over. Now to this week’s update.
Top-notch modern fantasy and horror writer Justin Cronin wraps up his mega-popular Passage trilogy with THE CITY OF MIRRORS. In this concluding volume, the vampire apocalypse is finally over. The Twelve have been destroyed, and their terrifying hundred-year reign on the world has ended. But far from them --- in a dead metropolis --- waits Zero, the First and Father of the Twelve. Haunted by his old human life and driven by hatred, he is determined to destroy Amy --- humanity’s only hope, the Girl from Nowhere who grew up to rise against him.
Sarah Rachel Egelman has our review and calls THE CITY OF MIRRORS “a big, engrossing book. There are slow spots, but the tension builds nicely, the world is finely drawn, and the characters are irresistible. Cronin concludes his epic series masterfully.” For those of you looking for a summer reading project, think of reading the entire trilogy!
Also this week, we have Nathaniel Philbrick’s account of the middle years of the American Revolution and the tragic, Shakespearean relationship between George Washington and Benedict Arnold in VALIANT AMBITION. In September 1776 --- after a devastating defeat by the British Army --- the vulnerable Continental Army under George Washington evacuates New York. Three weeks later, Benedict Arnold --- one of Washington’s favorite generals --- succeeds in postponing the British naval advance down Lake Champlain. Four years later, as the book ends, Washington has vanquished his demons and Arnold has fled the army after a foiled attempt to surrender the American fortress at West Point to the British. America is forced to realize that the real threat to its liberties might not come from without but from within.
According to reviewer Jana Siciliano, "Even if you don’t find yourself panting over the next big tome of historical significance at your local bookstore, you will be completely immersed in this elegantly and eloquently told tale, a political thriller like no other." For much more about the book, be sure to check out an interview with Philbrick here.
Other noteworthy reviews this week include THE SECOND LIFE OF NICK MASON, the opening installment in Steve Hamilton’s highly anticipated thriller series; BOAR ISLAND, Nevada Barr’s 19th Anna Pigeon mystery; BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE, Fredrik Backman’s new novel about finding love and second chances in the most unlikely of places; and THE ATOMIC WEIGHT OF LOVE by Elizabeth J. Church, which was a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick last week.
MARKED FOR LIFE by Emelie Schepp, the first of a trilogy, is the latest entry in our Debut Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight feature. After a high-ranking head of the immigration board is found shot in his living room, no one expects to find mysterious, child-size fingerprints in his childless home. Public prosecutor Jana Berzelius volunteers to lead the investigation. She is steely, aloof and impenetrable…until the body of a preteen is discovered, along with the murder weapon that killed the official. In his flesh are initials that scream child trafficking and trigger in her memories of her own dark childhood. To protect her own past, Jana must find the real suspect behind the murders before the police do. MARKED FOR LIFE doesn’t releases until June 14th, but we have 25 copies to give away to readers who would like to read and comment on the book. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, June 9th at noon ET.
Our Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight for THE PROGENY by Tosca Lee wraps up this week with our review and interview. Emily Porter, the descendant of a serial killer, is on a quest that will take her to the secret underground of Europe and the inner circles of three ancient orders --- one determined to kill her, one devoted to keeping her alive and one she must ultimately save. THE PROGENY is the present-day saga of a 400-year-old war between the uncanny descendants of “Blood Countess” Elizabeth Bathory, the most prolific female serial killer of all time, and a secret society dedicated to erasing every one of her descendants.
Reviewer Melanie Reynolds calls THE PROGENY “so personably and vividly written that you’ll feel like you’re right there in the moment with Emily on her travels, experiencing all the beauty, terrors and epiphanies before her on this journey.” Melanie also had the opportunity to ask Tosca questions about the book and her writing process, among many other topics; click here to read the interview.
In this week’s Summer Reading contests, we gave away DID YOU EVER HAVE A FAMILY by Bill Clegg, HOW TO START A FIRE by Lisa Lutz, MURDER ON THE QUAI: An Aimée Leduc Investigation by Cara Black, and MARLENE by C.W. Gortner. Next week’s prize books will be THE ALLIANCE by Jolina Petersheim, BLUEPRINTS by Barbara Delinsky, and DECEPTION ISLAND by Brynn Kelly. The first 24-hour contest of the week will start on Tuesday, May 31st at noon ET.
Don’t forget to enter our 11th Annual Father’s Day Contest, where five readers will be awarded a prize package that includes all of this year’s featured titles and some special treats we know dad will enjoy. Click here to see the prize books and enter by Monday, June 20th at noon ET, and you just may be one of our big winners.
Looking for that perfect reading space? Room & Board and Penguin Random House are here to help! They’re joining forces to give you a chance to win a fully furnished reading nook, complete with chair, end table, floor lamp and, of course, bookshelf --- plus a library of books in the genres you love. Learn more about the giveaway here and enter to win by Wednesday, June 8th at 11pm ET.
We’ve updated our Young Adult Books You Want to Read feature, reviews we’ve posted on Teenreads.com that we think will appeal to our adult readers. This month’s titles are THE OUTLIERS by Kimberly McCreight, THE GIRL I USED TO BE by April Henry, and THE SAFEST LIES by Megan Miranda.
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, June 10th at noon ET what books you’ve finished reading for a chance to win three much-anticipated novels, all of which will release on Tuesday: ALL SUMMER LONG by Dorothea Benton Frank, BEFORE THE FALL by Noah Hawley, and MODERN LOVERS by Emma Straub.
There are just a few days left to enter this month’s Sounding Off on Audio contest. Let us know by Wednesday, June 1st at noon ET what audiobooks you’ve finished listening to, and you’ll be in the running to win the audio versions of Phaedra Patrick's THE CURIOUS CHARMS OF ARTHUR PEPPER, performed by James Langton, and Mary Kubica’s DON'T YOU CRY, performed by Kate Rudd and Kirby Heyborne.
The print versions of these books scored very high in our last poll question, where we asked which titles releasing this month are you planning to read. The top four vote-getters were THE CURIOUS CHARMS OF ARTHUR PEPPER (42%), EVERYONE BRAVE IS FORGIVEN by Chris Cleave (38%), THE WEEKENDERS by Mary Kay Andrews (35%) and DON'T YOU CRY (33%). Click here for the complete breakdown.
This leads us to our new poll question. How do you keep track of the books you want to read? Click here to let us know!
News and Pop Culture:
Reader Mail: My mom wrote this week about one of the books that I gave her for Mother’s Day: “I finished reading ONLY IN NAPLES and enjoyed it immensely. It's just a simply written story, but very funny...a nice light read.” She’s already shared it with a friend whose family is from that part of Italy.
Lots of nice notes from the winners of our Mother’s Day contests. Love hearing from readers who win our contests!
Evening at the Mysterious Bookshop: Fun night on Tuesday as Rebecca Munro and I headed to this store for an event with the aforementioned Mary Kubica and Kimberly McCreight, the latter of whom wrote WHERE THEY FOUND HER, along with Jenny Milchman, author of AS NIGHT FALLS, and Carla Buckley, author of THE GOOD GOODBYE. They talked books and the craft of writing. You can see a photo of me with them above (Kimberly, Mary, me, Carla and Jenny).
Great TV Segment: Watched this piece Sunday night on the NBC news program "On Assignment" featuring Silicon Valley billionaire Sean Parker, who has brought together a group of six cancer doctors studying immunotherapy and is helping fund their work with a goal to “hack cancer.” Watching it reminded me of something Steve Case discusses in his book, THE THIRD WAVE, about the importance of partnerships going forward with tech and health care.
Humans of New York: The amazing power of social media! Over a two-week period, 90,000 people donated nearly $3.4 million to help fight pediatric cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering after reading groups of stories on the "Humans of New York" Facebook page about children who are battling the disease and the doctors who are trying to save them. I am not sure if I could do a job for 17 years where every one of my patients died in a year like the doctors whose patients are kids with DIPG. That would take a lot of courage and mental fortitude. You can read about it here.
The BFG: Here is the trailer for the movie, based on the book by Roald Dahl, coming July 1st. It really looks wonderful. This year is a big anniversary year for Dahl, and we will have more about that in the months to come!
When Watching "After the Thrones": I feel like I am in San Diego at San Diego Comic-Con and totally immersed in fandom. These folks are WAY into the show and talk about the characters like they are real.
Final season of "Royal Pains": Does this mean it's safe in the Hamptons as there are no new strange diseases to be cured?
Water for Elephants: Yesterday marked 10 years since it was first published. Had no idea it had been that long. Here is a nice piece from the editor of the book, Chuck Adams, reflecting on this milestone.
For Our Readers Traveling to Vermont, or Those Who Live There: A cool idea from Vermont booksellers to visit the indie bookstores in the state.
Sirius/XM has Road Trip Radio for a limited time on Channel 18: Road trip music from the last 50 years!
For Our Readers Who Knit: Some great tips here.
Paul Simon Fans: Paul's upcoming album, Stranger to Stranger, is streaming right now on NPR. You can listen here. Greg listened to it five times yesterday and reports that there are some musical bridges and gems in there for longtime Simon fans.
We are doing a staff movie screening trip Wednesday night to see Me Before You. We are packing tissues and will have our report next week!
Last Friday afternoon, right after I finished editing the newsletter, I brought my “dead” laptop to the offices of our tech team. Magically, after testing it with a different power cord, it immediately restarted using mine. This, after a week where I tried multiple cords to no avail. My belief in Mercury retrograde again is solidified. (It ended Sunday at 9:20am ET!)
Thanks to those of you who wrote with interest about the weatherproof outdoor lamps that my husband has designed and built that are perfect for reading. I think I got info to everyone; if I missed someone, let me know and I will get the intel to you!
We are off to the Garden Center. I am wildly happy that five of the plants that I “wintered over” in the house are thriving. Also, the canna plants that I stored in the garage all winter are coming back as well. I am admiring my little green thumb. I am planning lots of herbs for the deck planters, as we love to cook and never have enough of them. We still have parsley, sage, rosemary (not thyme) and basil from last summer’s crop. This year, I am going to try growing some seeds mid-summer to ensure that we are covered into the fall. Also, the peonies have popped, and I am ready to inhale their fragrance!
Beyond planting and weeding, there will be gazing at the pool; it’s open and clear, but unless the heater works mega-magic, there will be no swimming, as I think the temperature is in the high 50s and I am not a polar bear. I'm really looking forward to floating and reading very soon. I have books lined up and ready to go, including TRIBE: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger, which looks at “combat veterans who come home to find themselves missing the incredibly intimate bonds of platoon life. The loss of closeness that comes at the end of deployment may explain the high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by military veterans today.” I thought it was perfectly themed for the weekend.
Son 2A is only in town until Sunday, so Cory and Son 2B have been on a three-house pilgrimage all week to catch up with each other. It’s amusing how they will shift houses at midnight. Greg shockingly is home for the weekend, working on his car and prepping for a lighthouse road trip next weekend.
On Monday, we will be at the town parade where my vision will get very blurry as the veterans pass by. I love every single moment of this small town tradition.
Read on, enjoy the holiday and have a great week!
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
P.S. For those of you who are doing online shopping, 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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Featured Review: THE CITY OF MIRRORS by Justin Cronin --- The Conclusion to the Passage Trilogy
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THE CITY OF MIRRORS by Justin Cronin (Post-Apocalyptic Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Scott Brick
The Twelve have been destroyed, and the terrifying hundred-year reign of darkness that descended upon the world has ended. The survivors are stepping outside their walls, determined to build society anew. But far from them, in a dead metropolis, he waits: Zero. The First. Father of the Twelve. The anguish that shattered his human life haunts him, and the hatred spawned by his transformation burns bright. His fury will be quenched only when he destroys Amy --- humanity’s only hope, the Girl from Nowhere who grew up to rise against him. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
-Click here to read more about the book.
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Click here to read the review. |
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An Interview with Nathaniel Philbrick, Author of VALIANT AMBITION
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Nathaniel Philbrick is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of IN THE HEART OF THE SEA, among many other works of nonfiction. His latest book, VALIANT AMBITION, offers a unique perspective on the middle years of the American Revolution, and the tragic turn in the relationship between George Washington and Benedict Arnold. In this interview, Philbrick discusses the key things people don’t know about history’s most infamous traitor, including how his marriage influenced his politics and how Congress --- and Washington himself --- failed Arnold at a crucial moment.
VALIANT AMBITION: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick (History)
Audiobook available, read by Scott Brick
In September 1776, the vulnerable Continental Army under an unsure George Washington evacuates New York after a devastating defeat by the British Army. Three weeks later, Benedict Arnold miraculously succeeds in postponing the British naval advance down Lake Champlain that might have ended the war. Four years later, Washington has vanquished his demons and Arnold has fled to the enemy after a foiled attempt to surrender the American fortress at West Point to the British. After four years of war, America is forced to realize that the real threat to its liberties might not come from without but from within. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.
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Click here to read the interview. |
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Featured Review: THE SECOND LIFE OF NICK MASON by Steve Hamilton
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THE SECOND LIFE OF NICK MASON by Steve Hamilton (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Ray Porter
Nick Mason has already spent five years inside a maximum security prison when an offer comes that will grant his release 20 years early. He accepts, but the deal comes with a terrible price. Whenever his cell phone rings, day or night, he must answer it and follow whatever order he is given. It’s the deal he made with Darius Cole, a criminal mastermind serving a double-life term who runs an empire from his prison cell. Forced to commit increasingly more dangerous crimes, hunted by the relentless detective who put him behind bars, and desperate to go straight and rebuild his life with his daughter and ex-wife, Nick ultimately will have to risk everything to finally break free. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
-Click here to read more about the book.
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Click here to read the review. |
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Featured Review: BOAR ISLAND by Nevada Barr --- Book #19 in the Anna Pigeon Series
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BOAR ISLAND: An Anna Pigeon Novel by Nevada Barr (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Barbara Rosenblat
Elizabeth Jarrod is driven to despair by the disgusting rumors spreading online and bullying texts. When Heath finds her teenage daughter in the midst of an unsuccessful suicide attempt, she reaches out to her aunt Gwen and her friend, Anna Pigeon. Since Anna is about to start her new post as Acting Chief Ranger at Acadia National Park in Maine, the three will join her and stay at a house on the cliff of a small island near the park, Boar Island. But the stalker has followed them east. And Heath (a paraplegic) and Elizabeth aren't alone on the otherwise deserted island. At the same time, Anna has barely arrived at Acadia before a brutal murder is committed by a killer uncomfortably close to her. Reviewed by Roz Shea.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
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Click here to read the review. |
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New Debut Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight & Contest: MARKED FOR LIFE by Emelie Schepp --- Enter to Win a Copy and Share Your Feedback on It
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We have 25 copies of MARKED FOR LIFE by Emelie Schepp --- the opening installment in a suspenseful, chilling trilogy featuring public prosecutor Jana Berzelius --- to give away to readers who would like to read the book, which releases on June 14th, and share their comments on it. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, June 9th at noon ET.
MARKED FOR LIFE by Emelie Schepp (Thriller)
When a high-ranking head of the immigration board is found shot to death in his living room, there is no shortage of suspects, including his wife. But no one expects to find mysterious, child-size fingerprints in this childless home.
Public prosecutor Jana Berzelius steps in to lead the investigation. Young and brilliant but emotionally cold, Berzelius, like her famous prosecutor father, won't be swayed by the hysterical widow or intimidated by the threatening letters the victim had tried to hide. She is steely, aloof, impenetrable. That is, until the boy…
A few days later on a nearby deserted shoreline, the body of a derelict preteen is discovered, and with him, the murder weapon that killed the official. Berzelius finds herself drawn more deeply into the case when, as she attends the boy's autopsy, she recognizes something familiar on his small, scarred, drug-riddled body. Cut deep into his flesh are initials that scream child trafficking and trigger in her a flash of memory from her own dark childhood. Her connection to this boy has been carved with deliberation and malice that penetrate to her very core.
Now, to protect her own horrific but hidden past, she must find the real suspect behind these murders before the police do.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Emelie Schepp's bio.
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Click here to read more in our Debut Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight and enter the contest. |
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Bookreporter.com Talks to Tosca Lee, Author of THE PROGENY --- Our Latest Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight Title
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Tosca Lee has a long list of award-winning, bestselling books to her name. Her latest entry, THE PROGENY, is the present-day saga of a 400-year-old war between the uncanny descendants of Elizabeth Bathory, the most prolific female serial killer of all time, and a secret society dedicated to erasing every one of her descendants. In this interview, Lee talks to Bookreporter.com’s Melanie Reynolds about discovering her characters, how her own life spills over into the fiction she writes, and how much she appreciates her readers --- even if she has to pretend they don’t exist in order to write honestly.
THE PROGENY by Tosca Lee (Supernatural Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Therese Plummer
Emily Porter is the descendant of a serial killer. Now she’s become the hunted. She’s on a quest that will take her to the secret underground of Europe and the inner circles of three ancient orders --- one determined to kill her, one devoted to keeping her alive, and one she ultimately must save. THE PROGENY is the present-day saga of a 400-year-old war between the uncanny descendants of “Blood Countess” Elizabeth Bathory, the most prolific female serial killer of all time, and a secret society dedicated to erasing every one of her descendants. Reviewed by Melanie Reynolds.
-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to read a review.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Tosca Lee's bio.
-Click here to visit Tosca Lee's official website.
-Connect with Tosca Lee 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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Bookreporter.com's 11th Annual Father's Day Contest: 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 11th annual "Best Books for Dad" contest, we have five books 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 20th at noon ET.
This year's featured titles are:
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Click here to read more about the prize books and enter the contest. |
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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 are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through August 25th, so you will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter to win. We also are 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 Tuesday, May 31st at noon ET.
This year's featured titles include:
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Click here to read all the contest details and learn more about our featured titles. |
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More Reviews This Week
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BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE by Fredrik Backman (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Joan Walker
When Britt-Marie walks out on her cheating husband and has to fend for herself, she is more than a little unprepared. Employed as the caretaker of a soon-to-be demolished recreation center, she finds herself being drawn into the daily doings of her fellow citizens, which includes a handsome local policeman whose romantic attentions to Britt-Marie are as unmistakable as they are unwanted. Most alarming of all, she’s given the impossible task of leading the supremely untalented children’s soccer team to victory. In this small town of big-hearted misfits, can Britt-Marie find a place where she truly belongs? Reviewed by Jane Krebs.
HEAT AND LIGHT by Jennifer Haigh (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Michael Rahhal and Allyson Ryan
Forty years ago, Bakerton coal fueled the country. Then the mines closed, and the town wore away like a bar of soap. Now Bakerton has been granted a surprise third act: it sits squarely atop the Marcellus Shale, a massive deposit of natural gas. To drill or not to drill? Prison guard Rich Devlin leases his mineral rights to finance his dream of farming. He doesn’t count on the truck traffic and nonstop noise, his brother’s skepticism, or the paranoia of his wife, Shelby, who insists the water smells strange and is poisoning their frail daughter. Meanwhile, his neighbors, organic dairy farmers Mack and Rena, hold out against the drilling --- until a passionate environmental activist disrupts their lives. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
THE ATOMIC WEIGHT OF LOVE by Elizabeth J. Church (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Jennifer Van Dyck
For Meridian Wallace, being ambitious meant being an outlier. Ever since she was a young girl, Meridian had been obsessed with birds, and she was determined to become an ornithologist. But she didn’t expect to fall in love with her brilliant physics professor, Alden Whetstone. When he’s recruited to Los Alamos, New Mexico, to take part in a mysterious wartime project, she reluctantly defers her own plans and joins him. What began as an exciting intellectual partnership devolves into a “traditional” marriage. It’s not until years later, when Meridian meets a Vietnam veteran who opens her eyes to how the world is changing, that she realizes just how much she has given up. Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller.
-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to see why we’re betting you’ll love this book.
TROUBLEMAKER by Linda Howard (Romantic Suspense)
Audiobook available, performed by Tanya Eby
Due to worries that an unknown enemy will strike again, paramilitary operative and team leader Morgan Yancy is sent to a remote location and told to lay low and stay vigilant. He ends up in a small West Virginian mountain town where Isabeau “Bo” Maran is part-time police chief. Bo doesn’t need a mysterious man in her life. The harder they fight the intense heat between them, the closer Morgan and Bo become, even though she knows he’s hiding from something. But discovering the truth could cost Bo more than she’s willing to give. And when Morgan’s cover is blown, it might just cost her life. Reviewed by Hillary Wagy.
THE PIER FALLS: And Other Stories by Mark Haddon (Fiction/Short Stories)
Audiobook available, read by Clare Corbett and Daniel Weyman
The tales in Mark Haddon’s new collection take many forms: Victorian adventure story, science fiction, morality tale, contemporary realism. The characters are often isolated physically or estranged from their families, yet they yearn for connection. In aggregate, the stories become a meditation on the essential aloneness of the human condition but also on the connections, however tenuous and imperfect, that link people to one another. In the title story, an unnamed narrator describes with cool precision a catastrophe that strikes a seaside town, both tearing lives apart and bringing them together. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
MERCY by Michael Palmer and Daniel Palmer (Medical Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Hillary Huber
Dr. Julie Devereux is an outspoken advocate for the right to die --- until a motorcycle accident leaves her fiancé, Sam Talbot, a quadriplegic. Sam begs to end his life, but Julie sees hope in a life together. When he passes away from an unexpected heart attack, an autopsy reveals that Sam died of an unusual heart defect, one seen only in those under extreme stress. As Julie investigates similar cases, she finds a frightening pattern…and finds herself the target of disturbing threats. The more cases Julie discovers, the more the threats escalate, until she is accused of a mercy killing of her own. To clear her name and save her career, she must track down whoever is behind these mysterious deaths. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
HERBERT HOOVER IN THE WHITE HOUSE: The Ordeal of the Presidency by Charles Rappleye (History/Politics)
Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States. He served one term, from 1929 to 1933. Often considered placid, passive, unsympathetic and even paralyzed by national events, Hoover faced an uphill battle in the face of the Great Depression. Many historians dismiss him as merely ineffective. But in HERBERT HOOVER IN THE WHITE HOUSE, Charles Rappleye draws on rare and intimate sources --- memoirs and diaries and thousands of documents kept by members of his cabinet and close advisors --- to reveal a very different figure than the one often portrayed. Reviewed by Lorraine W. Shanley.
THE SUMMER DRAGON: First Book of the Evertide by Todd Lockwood (Fantasy/Adventure)
Maia and her family raise dragons for the political war machine. But her peaceful life is shattered when the Summer Dragon --- one of the rare and mythical High Dragons --- makes an appearance in her quiet valley. The Summer Dragon is an omen of change, but no one knows for certain what kind of change he augurs. Political factions vie to control the implied message, each to further their own agendas. And so Maia is swept into an adventure that pits her against the deathless Horrors and a faceless creature drawn from her fears. In her fight to preserve everything she knows and loves, she uncovers secrets that challenge her understanding of her world and of herself. Reviewed by Carly Silver.
THE FOUR-NIGHT RUN by William Lashner (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Peter Berkrot
J.D. Scrbacek has just won the biggest trial of his career, but even as he crows to the press, his entire life blows sky-high. Was the bomb meant for him, or for his mobster client? In this seaside casino town where the tables run hot and the tensions run high, the odds say the attorney is a marked man. Alone and on the run, Scrbacek flees into the city’s forgotten underbelly, a ruined corridor called Crapstown, where he is forced to confront the ghosts of his past, his present and his future. Somewhere in the sordid stream of his own existence lie the answers he needs. But in order to emerge from the depths of Crapstown, Scrbacek must argue for his life before a jury of the forgotten and the damned. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
A GAME FOR ALL THE FAMILY by Sophie Hannah (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Lucinda Clare, Fiona Hardingham and Gavin Stenhouse
You thought you knew who you were. A stranger knows better. You’ve left the city --- and the career that nearly destroyed you --- for a fresh start on the coast. But trouble begins when your daughter withdraws, after her new best friend, George, is unfairly expelled from school. You beg the principal to reconsider, only to be told that George hasn’t been expelled. Because there is, and was, no George. Who is lying? Who is real? Who is in danger? Who is in control? As you search for answers, the anonymous calls begin --- a stranger, who insists that you and she share a traumatic past and a guilty secret. And then the caller threatens your life. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THERE WILL BE STARS by Billy Coffey (Fiction)
No one in Mattingly ever believed that Bobby Barnes would live to see old age. Alcohol would either rot him from the inside out or dull his senses just enough to send his truck off the mountain on one of his nightly rides. Although Bobby believes such an end possible, it doesn’t stop him from taking his twin sons into the mountains one Saturday night. A sharp curve, blinding headlights, metal on metal, his sons’ screams. Bobby’s final thought as he sinks into blackness is a curious one: There will be stars. Yet it is not death that greets him beyond the veil. Instead, he returns to the day he has just lived and finds he is not alone in this strange new world. Six others are trapped with him. Reviewed by Melanie Reynolds. |
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Next Week's Notables: Noteworthy Books Releasing on May 31st
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Below are some notable titles releasing on May 31st that we would like to make you aware of. We will have more on many of these books in the weeks to come. For a list of additional hardcovers and paperbacks releasing the week of May 30th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
ALL SUMMER LONG by Dorothea Benton Frank (Fiction)
During a couple’s journey south over the course of a summer, they get glimpses into other people’s lives and holidays that will amuse, shock and transform them.
BEFORE THE FALL by Noah Hawley (Thriller)
When a private jet holding 11 people plunges into the ocean, the survivors --- a painter and a four-year-old boy --- and last remaining members of an immensely wealthy and powerful media mogul’s family must scramble to salvage the truth from the wreckage.
THE EMPEROR’S REVENGE: A Novel of the Oregon Files by Clive Cussler and Boyd Morrison (Thriller/Adventure)
Juan Cabrillo and the crew of the Oregon face their toughest challenge yet when a violent bank heist during the Monaco Grand Prix decimates the Corporation’s accounts.
FORGIVE ME by Daniel Palmer (Thriller)
A woman unravels the shocking truth about her parents, her past and a life built upon an unthinkable lie.
A HERO OF FRANCE by Alan Furst (Historical Thriller)
In 1941, small groups of ordinary men and women in Paris and the French countryside are determined to take down the occupying forces of Adolf Hitler. Mathieu, a leader of the French Resistance, leads one such cell, helping downed British airmen escape back to England.
THE ISLAND HOUSE by Nancy Thayer (Fiction)
An established university professor finds herself caught between two lifestyles and two very different men.
KATHERINE OF ARAGON, THE TRUE QUEEN by Alison Weir (Historical Fiction)
Alison Weir brings to life the tumultuous tale of Katherine of Aragon, Henry’s first, devoted and “true” queen.
MODERN LOVERS by Emma Straub (Fiction)
A tight-knit group of friends from college learn what it means to grow up, well after adulthood has set in and their own kids are headed off to college.
THE VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS: Selected Nonfiction by Neil Gaiman (Essays)
Neil Gaiman has long been celebrated for the sharp intellect and startling imagination that informs his bestselling fiction. Now, THE VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS brings together for the first time ever more than 60 pieces of his outstanding nonfiction.
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Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter. |
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Young Adult Books You Want to Read
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Here are this month's books we reviewed on Teenreads.com that we think will appeal to an adult audience:
THE OUTLIERS by Kimberly McCreight (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
It all starts with a text: Please, Wylie, I need your help. Wylie hasn’t heard from Cassie in over a week, not since their last fight. But that doesn’t matter. Cassie is in trouble, so Wylie decides to do what she has done so many times before: save her best friend from herself. This time it’s different, though. Instead of telling Wylie where she is, Cassie sends cryptic clues. And instead of having Wylie come by herself, Jasper shows up saying Cassie sent him to help. Trusting the guy who sent Cassie off the rails doesn’t feel right, but Wylie has no choice but to ignore her gut instinct and go with him. But figuring out where Cassie is goes from difficult to dangerous, fast.
THE GIRL I USED TO BE by April Henry (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
When Olivia's mother was killed, everyone suspected her father of murder. But his whereabouts remained a mystery. Fast forward 14 years. New evidence now proves Olivia's father was actually murdered on the same fateful day her mother died. That means there's a killer still at large. It's up to Olivia to uncover who that may be. But can she do that before the killer tracks her down first?
THE SAFEST LIES by Megan Miranda (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
Kelsey's mother hasn’t set foot outside their front door in 17 years, since she escaped from her kidnappers with nothing but her attacker’s baby growing inside her. Kelsey knows she’s supposed to keep a low profile and stay off the grid for their protection, but that plan is shattered when her dramatic car accident and rescue by volunteer firefighter and classmate Ryan Baker sparks media coverage. A few days later, she arrives home to find her mother missing. Now, to have a chance at a future, Kelsey will have to face her darkest fears. Because someone is coming for her. And the truth about the past may end up being the most dangerous thing of all.
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Click here for more young adult books we recommend you read. |
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Our Latest Poll: Keeping Track of Your "To Be Read" List
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How do you keep track of the books you want to read? Please check all that apply.
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I keep them on shelves apart from books that I have read.
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I keep them on shelves, but they are mixed in with books that I have read.
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I keep them in stacks.
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I keep a list.
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I use Goodreads.
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I use LibraryThing.
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I try to remember them.
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Other (Please specify)
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Click here to vote in 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 about the books you’ve finished reading with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from May 27th to June 10th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of ALL SUMMER LONG by Dorothea Benton Frank, BEFORE THE FALL by Noah Hawley, and MODERN LOVERS by Emma Straub.
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 rules and guidelines, click here.
-To see reader comments from previous contest periods, click here.
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Click here to enter the contest. |
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Sounding Off on Audio Contest: Tell Us What You're Listening to --- and You Can Win Two Audiobooks!
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Tell us about the audiobooks you’ve finished listening to with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars for both the performance and the content. During the contest period from May 2nd to June 1st at noon ET, two lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win the audio versions of Phaedra Patrick's THE CURIOUS CHARMS OF ARTHUR PEPPER, performed by James Langton, and Mary Kubica’s DON'T YOU CRY, performed by Kate Rudd and Kirby Heyborne.
To make sure other readers will be able to find the audiobook, please include the full title and correct author names (your entry must include these to be eligible to win). For complete rules and guidelines, click here.
-To see reader comments from previous contest periods, click here.
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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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