Skip to main content

June 24, 2016

Bookreporter.com Newsletter June 24, 2016
They're Back…and the List I Promised is Now Live!
The roses in the yard looked stunning two weeks ago --- bright pinks, yellows and whites. I noticed many fewer petals this week, and I realized my summer archenemies, the Japanese beetles, have returned. Here we go again! I am sighing when I am not seething.

I have not settled into summer relaxing yet. Things are hopping at the office, and I have not gotten into my nighttime pool groove yet, which I will regret not doing more come September. Getting started on a new routine is the hardest thing for me. On Monday night, I did sit outside reading by the light of my outdoor patio lamp for hours, celebrating the summer solstice. I am reading --- and enjoying --- four books at once, and I still am listening to HAMILTON in my car. I think this peripatetic reading reflects my mood.

Among my reading right now is SWEETBITTER by Stephanie Danler; I love reading about restaurants behind the scenes and how chefs work, so this is in my wheelhouse. In no particular order, I am playing catch-up to our recent feature by reading Emelie Schepp’s MARKED FOR LIFE. I am planning to meet Emelie when she is here in the States for ThrillerFest in early July! I am crazy about a YA book called GIRL IN PIECES by Kathleen Glasgow, which is being published on August 30th. It’s a searing debut novel about a young woman who is obsessed with cutting and her struggle to put herself back together again. And…I am a longtime fan of Juliette Fay’s work, so her first historical novel, THE TUMBLING TURNER SISTERS, is part of my book juggle. There are sooooo many good books this year.

Last weekend, I blasted through Ann Hood’s THE BOOK THAT MATTERS MOST, which is coming out on August 9th. You may remember that I met Ann at a luncheon earlier this year where we talked about knitting, yarn, books and life. This book will be perfect for book groups as it’s about a book group. Ava is recently separated from her husband of 25 years and nursing some powerful pain from this. A coveted spot in a book group finally opens up, and she is invited to join. The group’s theme that year is “the book that mattered most to each of them.” I loved seeing what each of the characters selected, and I enjoyed the chance to “eavesdrop” on their recommendations. Ava selects a book and promises to bring the author to the discussion, which her fellow readers are excited about. One problem: She has no idea how to find this author. Every lead has come to a dead end. I really enjoyed it! It will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection.

As promised, I pulled together a list of all the books that I have read so far this year, organized by publication date, with links to brief commentary that I have made about them. Whew! Over 60 books thus far. This project gets a drumroll and a HUGE thanks to Tom Donadio, our Editorial Director, and our intern Maribel, who worked with me on pulling it together. Enjoy! By the way, I am SURE that I missed some titles, so bookmark this page to return to often. We also will have a link to it added on the site, as well as at the top of this newsletter. We may share this list other places in the weeks and months to come, but for now, enjoy it here!

Now to this week’s update!

Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Anne Tyler’s latest novel, VINEGAR GIRL, is more lighthearted than her previous works, but no less rich in character or charm. Dr. Battista is on the verge of a breakthrough, and his research could help millions. But his brilliant young lab assistant, Pyotr, finds himself facing deportation. When Dr. Battista cooks up an outrageous plan that will enable Pyotr to stay in the country, he’s relying on his daughter, Kate, to help him. Kate is furious, but will she be able to resist the two men’s touchingly ludicrous campaign to bring her around? Tyler reinvents one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, but you don’t need to have read the original to fall for this bright and big-hearted summer read.

Carole Turner has our review and agrees: “[O]ne need not be a fan of Shakespeare to enjoy her quirky characters, the Baltimore setting, and an amusing predicament set forth in this, Tyler's 21st novel…. Fans of Anne Tyler’s work will enjoy VINEGAR GIRL and its surprise ending.”

We’re awarding the audio version of VINEGAR GIRL (read by Kirsten Potter) to the winners of our Sounding Off on Audio contest, along with Emma Cline’s THE GIRLS (read by Cady McClain). To enter, all you have to do is fill out the form on the Sounding Off page by Friday, July 1st at noon ET, letting us know what audiobooks you’ve finished listening to.

And while we’re on the subject, THE GIRLS is my latest Bets On pick. Click here to read my comments and find out why I’m crazy about this much-talked-about debut novel. I just learned that it debuted on the New York Times list in the #3 slot!

Eric Van Lustbader brings us the latest Jason Bourne adventure just in time for summer thriller lovers, ROBERT LUDLUM’S THE BOURNE ENIGMA. On the eve of Russian general Boris Karpov's wedding, Bourne receives an enigmatic message from his old friend. In Moscow, what should have been a joyous occasion turns lethal. Now Bourne is the only one who can decipher Karpov's cryptogram. Bourne must travel to war-torn Syria and then Cyprus as he chases the astonishing truth. The clock is ticking, and Bourne has less than four days to solve Karpov's riddle if he hopes to prevent a cataclysmic international war.

Reviewer Ray Palen calls THE BOURNE ENIGMA “a rollicking roller coaster ride of spy games and colorful characters set against the expected multiple international locales.... This is an enjoyable and fast-paced read that faithfully continues the enigma that is Jason Bourne." In other news from Eric, he has a new website, which was built by our company’s AuthorsOnTheWeb.com division. You can find it here!

The literary world continues to mourn one of the great fantasy novelists of our time, Terry Pratchett, who passed away last March. THE LONG COSMOS, written in conjunction with Stephen Baxter, concludes their Long Earth series, which explores the very meaning of life and purpose. In 2070-71, nearly six decades after Step Day, a new society continues to evolve in the Long Earth. Now, a message has been received: “Join us.” The Next --- the hyper-intelligent post-humans --- realize that the missive contains instructions for kick-starting the development of an immense artificial intelligence known as The Machine. But to build this computer the size of an Earth continent, they must obtain help from the more populous and still industrious worlds of mankind.

According to reviewer Roz Shea, “THE LONG COSMOS is perhaps best enjoyed by those who have read the first four titles. All are exciting and entertaining on their own, but collectively they are essential in grasping this concluding volume.”

Other books we’re reviewing this week include Chuck Klosterman’s provocatively titled new book, BUT WHAT IF WE’RE WRONG?: Thinking About the Present As If It Were the Past; UNDER THE HARROW, a riveting psychological thriller from debut novelist Flynn Berry (I loved this, and it's an upcoming Summer Reading prize book); and THEY MAY NOT MEAN TO, BUT THEY DO, a new novel from Cathleen Schine about aging, family, loneliness and love (click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com).

Return to RaeAnne Thayne’s Haven Point, the sweetest place to fall in love, with her latest novel, RIVERBEND ROAD, which we’re featuring in our Paperback Spotlight. Protecting the streets of Haven Point is more than a job for police officer Wyn Bailey, it's a family tradition. But lately she's found herself wanting more, especially from her boss --- and overprotective brother's best friend --- sexy chief of police, Cade Emmett. The only problem is getting Cade to view her as more than just his friend’s little sister. But it turns out that Cade's cold shoulder with Wyn isn't from a lack of attraction; his complicated past has forced him to conceal his desire. When Wyn is harmed in the line of duty, Cade realizes the depth of his feelings. Can he let his guard down long enough to embrace the love he secretly craves?

In this week’s Summer Reading contests, we gave away BUKOWSKI IN A SUNDRESS: Confessions from a Writing Life by Kim Addonizio, THE LAKE HOUSE by Kate Morton (this is a book I want to read), LILAC GIRLS by Martha Hall Kelly (a Bets On selection), and RULES OF CIVILITY by Amor Towles (another Bets On pick; Towles’ next novel, A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW, is set for a September release). Next week’s prize books will be THE DAY OF THE DONALD: Trump Trumps America! by Andrew Shaffer, DETROIT HUSTLE: A Memoir of Love, Life, and Home by Amy Haimerl, FIRST COMES LOVE by Emily Giffin (we will have our review next week), and the aforementioned UNDER THE HARROW by Flynn Berry. We’ll announce the first contest of the week on Monday, June 27th at noon ET.

You’ll have another chance to win a copy of FIRST COMES LOVE thanks to our Word of Mouth contest that just launched this week. Let us know by Friday, July 8th at noon ET what books you've read, and you’ll be in the running to win Emily Giffin’s latest, along with Megan Miranda’s debut novel for adults, ALL THE MISSING GIRLS.

Congratulations to the winners of our Father’s Day contest! Each winner received all five of this year’s featured titles, which you can see here, along with some special treats.

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. We have six titles this month, including EVERY EXQUISITE THING by Matthew Quick (I really enjoyed this one), BEWARE THAT GIRL by Teresa Toten (I read this one briskly a few months ago; the editor cautioned me not to read the last page first, which I never do, and she was right...so no reading ahead), and PROPERTY OF THE STATE: Book 1 of The Legend of Joey by Bill Cameron.

Our new poll asks how you feel about book recommendation lists that appear either online or in print. Click here to let us know! I will share my opinions on this topic when the poll closes. In our previous poll, we asked what you do about books when you go on vacation. 77% of you bring physical books (either hardcovers or paperbacks), while 63% download books to an eReader and 58% of you either buy books while you’re on vacation or borrow books from the library. You can see the complete breakdown of the results here.

News and Pop Culture:

Reader Mail:

Mary Lou touched on something that made me smile as I would love more of our readers to do this and enjoy it: “I finally went to the Word of Mouth page a few months ago and wrote a review. I was astonished at how intuitive the page is and how easy it is to navigate. I don’t know what I was thinking it would be like, but it is so super easy to use I intend to keep doing so, once bar review is over next month and I have more time. The same with Sounding Off on Audio. I suggest you tell folks once in a while in your column how easy it is to write those reviews with the way that the page is set up, and once you’re finished writing, you just click and it’s done! And after I submitted mine, I had fun scrolling through to see what others thought of the book. So I am now going to start doing the Word of Mouth thing regularly because IT IS FUN!” So at Mary Lou's suggestion, you have been alerted!

Carol shared, “I bought the paperback book ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK and gave up on it as well as the TV program. Having volunteered in a Prison Ministry at Edna Mahan Correctional Center for Women, I didn't enjoy reading the book or find humor in the prison situation. It is an upsetting place to see women there for reasons that they did not have the money to get a good defense and have received unreasonable sentences. And I got to see some very nice women and not the difficult and angry ones. For people who have never been in a prison, the book gives them an idea of some of the life there but NOT ALL!”

Continuing in the theme of reader comments about books, Mabel wrote to share this about a contest book that she won: “I really enjoyed reading THE PROGENY by Tosca Lee --- thanks for the opportunity to read it. I have always been fascinated by women serial killers, and I had read a little about Elizabeth Bathory before. This book concerns her descendants and a group of people determined to wipe them out. Some parts of the book seemed a little unrealistic, but overall I thought it was pretty good. I enjoyed waiting to see what twist the book was going to take, but the twist at the end really got me, and now I can't wait to read the next in the series. Thank you again for the opportunity and your weekly newsletter!” Love hearing from readers about the contest books that they win!

Barnes & Noble Plus Wine & Beer: Check out the new concept store for 2017 here in the Wall Street Journal, and there is more on it here in Vanity Fair.

So Funny: I watched three episodes of "Odd Mom Out" on Wednesday night. I am not a huge fan of most comedies, but this is one very funny show! The scenes at the fashion magazine made me remember my 17 years at Conde Nast with great humor. But I also am so glad that I exited there when I did!

Literary t-Shirts: Take a look. Beach cover-ups that you can read. I have one with the entire text of THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY that I got from the publisher.

Two Amazon Prime Pilots: Amazon has launched two new pilots: "The Last Tycoon," an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's unfinished novel about pre-World War II Hollywood, and "The Interestings," based on Meg Wolitzer's bestseller. You know the drill: watch the pilots, vote on them and influence their being given full runs.

45 Years: Have this film lined up for the weekend; will report back on it next week!

Teen Board Applications: Looking for 50 teens to add to our Teen Board on Teenreads.com. The deadline is Tuesday, July 12th. Click here for all the details, and please share with teens you know!

Books to Add to Your Guy-Brary Bookshelf: Our latest bookshelf on Teenreads has 20 books featuring a male protagonist, a male narrator, or just a plain great storyline that all genders can enjoy.

On Tuesday night, I will be at the Rockville Centre Public Library at 7pm to kick off their Summer Reading Program with a presentation of Hot Summer Book Reads! If you are in the area, details can be found here. I would love to see some of our readers there.

I stayed up way too late last night watching the Brexit results; ah, the little news junkie in me is still alive! I purposely keep politics off these pages, but I have been very intrigued by the concept of this election. The story was unfolding here in the States while the Brits were still asleep. I was watching friends in London wake up, jump online and react. I said last night that I would NOT want to be working in the currency markets today.

Greg is in Ottawa for a Land Rover event this weekend; I love that he is driving to Canada to spend time driving off-road. Please let him not come home with his car covered in mud again! We have MANY weeds that need uprooting this weekend. I wish that the Japanese beetles like the weeds instead of the roses! Beyond that, I'll be reading…and floating; the pool has warmed up. And I'll be off to a friend’s for their son’s college graduation party. Wow, those years went quickly!

I cannot believe that next Friday will be July 1st! We’ll be sending our newsletter early in the day next Friday so the staff can get some extra hours packed onto the Fourth of July weekend. Cory is having his frat brothers and friends here for a party next Saturday. I have been told I need to do nothing for this event. Is anyone laughing along with me at this concept?

Read on, 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!
Featured Review: VINEGAR GIRL by Anne Tyler --- a Modern Retelling of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
VINEGAR GIRL by Anne Tyler (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Kirsten Potter
After years out in the academic wilderness, Dr. Battista is on the verge of a breakthrough. His research could help millions. There’s only one problem: His brilliant young lab assistant, Pyotr, is about to be deported. And without Pyotr, all would be lost. When Dr. Battista cooks up an outrageous plan that will enable Pyotr to stay in the country, he’s relying on his daughter, Kate, to help him. Kate is furious: this time he’s really asking too much. But will she be able to resist the two men’s touchingly ludicrous campaign to bring her around? Reviewed by Carole Turner.

-Click here to read more about the book.
 
Click here to read the review.
Featured Review: ROBERT LUDLUM'S THE BOURNE ENIGMA --- Eric Van Lustbader's 10th Jason Bourne Novel
ROBERT LUDLUM'S THE BOURNE ENIGMA by Eric Van Lustbader (Thriller/Adventure)
Audiobook available, read by Holter Graham
On the eve of Russian general Boris Karpov's wedding, Jason Bourne receives an enigmatic message from his old friend and fellow spymaster. In Moscow, what should be a joyous occasion turns bloody and lethal. Now Bourne is the only one who can decipher Karpov's cryptogram. He discovers that Karpov has betrayed his sovereign to warn Bourne of a crippling disaster about to be visited on the world. Bourne has only four days to discover the nature of the disaster and stop it. The trail Karpov has been following leads Bourne to Cairo and the doorstep of Ivan Borz, the elusive international arms dealer infamous for hiding behind a never-ending series of false identities. Reviewed by Ray Palen.

-Click here to read more about the book.
-Click here to visit Eric Van Lustbader's official website.
 
Click here to read the review.
Featured Review: THE LONG COSMOS --- the Conclusion to Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter's Long Earth Series
THE LONG COSMOS by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter (Science Fiction/Adventure)
Audiobook available, performed by Michael Fenton Stevens
2070-71. Nearly six decades after Step Day, a new society continues to evolve in the Long Earth. Now, a message has been received: “Join us.” The Next --- the hyper-intelligent post-humans --- realize that the missive contains instructions for kick-starting the development of an immense artificial intelligence known as The Machine. But to build this computer the size of an Earth continent, they must obtain help from the more populous and still industrious worlds of mankind. This concluding volume of the Long Earth series explores the greatest question of all: What is the meaning of life? Reviewed by Roz Shea.

-Click here to read more about the book.
 
Click here to read the review.
Featured Review: BUT WHAT IF WE'RE WRONG? by Chuck Klosterman

BUT WHAT IF WE'RE WRONG?: Thinking About the Present As If It Were the Past by Chuck Klosterman (Social Science/Popular Culture)
Audiobook available, read by Fiona Hardingham and Chuck Klosterman
Though no generation believes there’s nothing left to learn, every generation unconsciously assumes that what has already been defined and accepted is (probably) pretty close to how reality will be viewed in perpetuity. And then, of course, time passes, ideas shift and opinions invert. What once seemed reasonable eventually becomes absurd, replaced by modern perspectives that feel even more irrefutable and secure --- until, of course, they don’t. BUT WHAT IF WE’RE WRONG? visualizes the contemporary world as it will appear to those who will perceive it as the distant past. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan.

-Click here to read more about the book.

And before you write to tell us that the cover is upside down, this is the way it's supposed to appear!
Click here to read the review.
New Paperback Spotlight: RIVERBEND ROAD --- RaeAnne Thayne's Fourth Haven Point Novel
RIVERBEND ROAD: A Haven Point Novel by RaeAnne Thayne (Romance)
Return to Haven Point, where New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne proves there's no sweeter place to fall in love.

Protecting the streets of Haven Point isn't just a job for police officer Wyn Bailey, it's a family tradition. But lately she's found herself wanting more, especially from her boss --- and overprotective brother's best friend --- sexy chief of police, Cade Emmett. The only problem is getting Cade to view her as more than just a little sister.

Cade's hands-off approach with Wyn isn't from lack of attraction. But his complicated past has forced him to conceal his desire. When Wyn is harmed in the line of duty, Cade realizes the depth of his feelings. But can he let his guard down long enough to embrace the love he secretly craves?

-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read RaeAnne Thayne's bio.
-Click here to visit RaeAnne Thayne's official website.
-Connect with RaeAnne Thayne on Facebook and Twitter.
 
Click here to read more in our Paperback Spotlight.
Bookreporter.com's Summer Reading Contests and Feature
Summer is here! 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 Monday, June 27th at noon ET.

This year's featured titles include:
Click here to read all the contest details and learn more about our featured titles.
Women's Fiction Author Spotlight: A CERTAIN AGE by Beatriz Williams
A CERTAIN AGE by Beatriz Williams (Historical Fiction)
As the freedom of the Jazz Age transforms New York City, the iridescent Mrs. Theresa Marshall of Fifth Avenue and Southampton, Long Island, has done the unthinkable: she’s fallen in love with her young paramour, Captain Octavian Rofrano, a handsome aviator and hero of the Great War. An intense and deeply honorable man, Octavian is devoted to the beautiful socialite of a certain age and wants to marry her. While times are changing and she does adore the Boy, divorce for a woman of Theresa’s wealth and social standing is out of the question, and there is no need; she has an understanding with Sylvo, her generous and well-respected philanderer husband.

But their relationship subtly shifts when her bachelor brother, Ox, decides to tie the knot with the sweet younger daughter of a newly wealthy inventor. Engaging a longstanding family tradition, Theresa enlists the Boy to act as her brother’s cavalier, presenting the family’s diamond rose ring to Ox’s intended, Miss Sophie Fortescue --- and to check into the background of the little-known Fortescue family. When Octavian meets Sophie, he falls under the spell of the pretty ingénue, even as he uncovers a shocking family secret. As the love triangle of Theresa, Octavian and Sophie progresses, it transforms into a saga of divided loyalties, dangerous revelations and surprising twists that will lead to a shocking transgression...and eventually force Theresa to make a bittersweet choice.

A CERTAIN AGE releases on June 28th.

-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here to read Beatriz Williams' bio.
-Click here to visit Beatriz Williams' official website.
-Connect with Beatriz Williams on Facebook and Twitter.
-Click here to see the 25 winners selected to read and comment on the book.
 
Click here to read more in our Women's Fiction Author Spotlight.
What's New This Month on ReadingGroupGuides.com
We currently are giving away the following books on ReadingGroupGuides.com:

  • THE HONEYMOON by Dinitia Smith
    Deadline for entries: Wednesday, July 20th at noon ET

  • BLUEPRINTS by Barbara Delinsky
    Deadline for entries: Wednesday, July 6th at noon ET
     
  • THE MARRIAGE OF OPPOSITES by Alice Hoffman
    Deadline for entries: Wednesday, July 6th at noon ET
     
  • TWAIN'S END by Lynn Cullen
    Deadline for entries: Wednesday, July 6th at noon ET
     
  • WHEN WE MEET AGAIN by Kristin Harmel
    Deadline for entries: Wednesday, July 6th at noon ET
The following guides are now available:

Please note that these titles, for which we already had the guides when they appeared in hardcover, are now available in paperback:
Click here to visit ReadingGroupGuides.com.
More Reviews This Week
UNDER THE HARROW by Flynn Berry (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Fiona Hardingham
When Nora takes the train from London to visit her sister in the countryside, she expects to find her waiting at the station, or at home cooking dinner. But when she walks into Rachel’s familiar house, what she finds is entirely different: Her sister has been the victim of a brutal murder. Stunned and adrift, Nora finds she can’t return to her former life. An unsolved assault in the past has shaken her faith in the police, and she can’t trust them to find her sister’s killer. Haunted by the murder and the secrets that surround it, Nora is under the harrow: distressed and in danger. As Nora’s fear turns to obsession, she becomes as unrecognizable as the sister her investigation uncovers. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.

THEY MAY NOT MEAN TO, BUT THEY DO by Cathleen Schine (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Cynthia Darlow
Joy Bergman is not slipping into old age with the quiet grace that her children, Molly and Daniel, would prefer. Her marriage to their father, Aaron, has lasted through health and dementia, as well as some phenomenally lousy business decisions. The Bergman clan has always stuck together, growing as it incorporated in-laws, ex-in-laws and same-sex spouses. But families don't just grow, they grow old. Cathleen Schine's novel is an intergenerational story about searching for where you belong as your family changes with age. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.

-Click here to read an excerpt.
-Click here for the discussion guide.

I'M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS by Iain Reid (Literary Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Candace Thaxton
Debut novelist Iain Reid explores the depths of the human psyche, questioning consciousness, free will, the value of relationships, fear and the limitations of solitude. Reminiscent of Jose Saramago’s early work, Michel Faber’s cult classic UNDER THE SKIN and Lionel Shriver’s WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN, I’M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS is an edgy, haunting debut. Tense, gripping and atmospheric, it pulls you in from the very first page and never lets you go. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

AS GOOD AS GONE by Larry Watson (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Richard Poe
It’s 1963, and Calvin Sidey, one of the last of the old cowboys, has long ago left his family to live a life of self-reliance out on the prairie. He’s been a mostly absentee father and grandfather until his estranged son asks him to stay with his grandchildren, Ann and Will, for a week while he and his wife are away. Calvin agrees to return, but trouble soon comes to the door when a boy’s attentions to 17-year-old Ann become increasingly aggressive and a group of reckless kids portend danger for 11-year-old Will. Calvin knows only one way to solve problems: the Old West way, in which scores are settled and ultimatums are issued, and your gun is always loaded. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

GOODNIGHT, BEAUTIFUL WOMEN by Anna Noyes (Fiction/Short Stories)
Audiobook available, narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan and Eva Kaminski
Moving along the Maine Coast and beyond, the interconnected stories in GOODNIGHT, BEAUTIFUL WOMEN bring us into the sultry, mysterious inner lives of New England women and girls as they navigate the dangers and struggles of their outer worlds. Debut novelist Anna Noyes explores the ruptures and vicissitudes of growing up and growing old, and shines a light on our most uncomfortable impulses while charting the depths of our murky desires. Reviewed by Maya Gittelman.

A DANGEROUS AGE by Kelly Killoren Bensimon (Fiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Jorjeana Marie
Four sophisticated best friends who once took New York by storm are secretly falling apart at the seams. Lucy’s marriage to a renowned artist is slowly crumbling, with an explosive secret that threatens them both. Sarah, in the middle of auditioning for an auspicious new television show, realizes that her socialite standing is in jeopardy after countless disastrous events. Billy has finally left her former life behind to become a highbrow cuisine artist. And Lotta, a knockout downtown art dealer, spends her free time guzzling cocktails in both the grittiest and most expensive clubs around town --- but now, she’s taken it a little too far. Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller.

THE MAXIMUM SECURITY BOOK CLUB: Reading Literature in a Men's Prison by Mikita Brottman (Literary Criticism)
Audiobook available, read by Beverley Crick
On sabbatical from teaching literature to undergraduates, and wanting to educate a different kind of student, Mikita Brottman starts a book club with a group of convicts from the Jessup Correctional Institution in Maryland. She assigns them 10 dark, challenging classics that don’t flinch from evoking the isolation of the human struggle, the pain of conflict and the cost of transgression. Although Brottman is already familiar with these works, the convicts open them up in completely new ways. Their discussions may “only” be about literature, but for the prisoners, everything is at stake. Reviewed by Jane Krebs.

FALLING: A Daughter, a Father, and a Journey Back by Elisha Cooper (Memoir)
Elisha Cooper spends his mornings writing and illustrating children's books, his afternoons playing with his two daughters. But when he discovers a lump in five-year-old Zoë's midsection as she sits on his lap at a Chicago Cubs game, everything changes. In FALLING, Elisha writes about what it took for him and his wife to preserve a sense of normalcy and joy in their daughters' lives; how the family emerged from this experience profoundly changed; and how we are all transformed by the fear and hope we feel for those we love. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

A MILLION YEARS IN A DAY: A Curious History of Everyday Life from the Stone Age to the Phone Age by Greg Jenner (Social History)
Audiobook available, narrated by Matthew Lloyd Davies
Who invented beds? When did we start cleaning our teeth? How old are wine and beer? Which came first: the toilet seat or toilet paper? What was the first clock? Every day, from the moment our alarm clock wakes us in the morning until our head hits our pillow at night, we all take part in rituals that are millennia old. Structured around one ordinary day, A MILLION YEARS IN A DAY reveals the astonishing origins and development of the daily practices we take for granted. In this entertaining romp through human history, Greg Jenner explores the gradual --- and often unexpected --- evolution of our daily routines. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.

WILLNOT by James Sallis (Noir Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Kevin Kenerly
In the woods outside the town of Willnot, the remains of several people have suddenly been discovered, unnerving the community and unsettling Dr. Lamar Hale, the town's all-purpose general practitioner, surgeon and town conscience. At the same time, Bobby Lowndes --- his military records disappeared, being followed by the FBI --- mysteriously reappears in his hometown, at Hale's door. Over the ensuing months, the daily dramas Hale faces as he tends to his town and to his partner, Richard, collide with the inexplicable vagaries of life in Willnot. And when a gunshot aimed at Lowndes critically wounds Richard, Hale's world is truly upended. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

IN LOVE AND WAR by Alex Preston (Historical Fiction)
Desperate to prove himself to his politician father, Esmond Lowndes is sent to Italy to forge ties between the British Union of Fascists and Mussolini's government. In Florence, he discovers art and passion amongst the eccentric expatriates and glamorous locals. But with the coming of war, Esmond chooses to leave his past behind and joins the Florentine resistance. Finding himself closely bound to his comrades and unexpectedly in love, Esmond becomes involved in undercover operations and assassination plots, culminating in a final mission of extraordinary daring. Reviewed by Judy Gigstad.
Next Week's Notables: Noteworthy Books Releasing on June 27th and 28th
Below are some notable titles releasing on June 27th and 28th 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 June 27th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.

June 27th

THE GAMES: A Private Novel by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan (Thriller)
When prominent clients who Jack Morgan is supposed to be protecting during the Olympics in Rio disappear, and bodies mysteriously start to litter the streets, Jack is drawn into the ruthless underworld of residents trying to crash the world's biggest party. As the opening ceremonies near, Jack must sprint to the finish line to defuse a threat that could turn the games from a joyous celebration into a deadly spectacle.

June 28th

ALL THE MISSING GIRLS by Megan Miranda (Thriller)
Back again in her hometown 10 years after her best friend Corinne went missing, Nicolette Farrell is soon plunged into a shocking drama that reveals truths about her friends and family when her younger neighbor, Annaleise Carter, goes missing.

A CERTAIN AGE by Beatriz Williams (Historical Fiction)
As the freedom of the Jazz Age transforms New York City, Theresa Marshall has fallen in love with her young paramour, Captain Octavian Rofrano, a handsome aviator and hero of the Great War. But then their relationship shifts when her brother, Ox, decides to tie the knot with the sweet younger daughter of a newly wealthy inventor, leading to a love triangle and a bittersweet choice for Theresa.

THE CHARMERS by Elizabeth Adler (Mystery)
When Mirabella Matthews’ Aunt Jolly dies unexpectedly and under mysterious circumstances, Mirabella suddenly finds herself the owner of a villa in the South of France. It turns out that Aunt Jolly had a past, and as the various men who were a part of it show up at the villa, Mirabella must find out who can be trusted and who is using charm to mask the face of a murderer.

FIRST COMES LOVE by Emily Giffin (Fiction)
Growing up, Josie and Meredith Garland were close. But when tragedy strikes their family, they grow apart. Fifteen years later, the two young women are following different paths. As the anniversary of their tragedy looms, they must confront the issues that divide them and also come to terms with their own choices.

FRIENDLY FIRE: A Jonathan Grave Thriller by John Gilstrap (Thriller)
Barista Ethan Falk chases a customer into the parking lot and kills him. He tells police that years ago the older man abducted and tortured him, and he was rescued by a guy named Scorpion --- aka Jonathan Grave, someone who works outside the law. As Grave struggles to defend his former precious cargo without blowing his cover, he learns the dead man has secrets that trace to an ongoing terrorist plot against the heart of America.

GHOSTS OF WAR: A Pike Logan Thriller by Brad Taylor (Thriller)
The Taskforce has stopped countless terrorist threats across the globe, operating outside of US law to prevent the death of innocents. But now, with Russia expanding its influence, the Taskforce is placed on stand-down because of one rogue operator. Meanwhile, Pike Logan and Jennifer Cahill travel to Poland to verify artifacts hidden for decades, only to find themselves caught amid growing tensions between East and West.

THE KILLING GAME by Nancy Bush (Romantic Suspense)
When Andi Wren, a woman fighting to keep her late husband’s company safe from vindictive competitors, receives an ominous note, Little birds must fly, she turns to P.I. Luke Denton. In a basement on the outskirts of town, police detectives unearth piles of skeletons. As they learn the shocking truth, their case collides with Andi’s, revealing a killer’s ruthless plot and a chilling, lethal endgame.
 
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
Young Adult Books You Want to Read
Here are this month's books we reviewed on Teenreads.com that we think will appeal to an adult audience:

BEING JAZZ: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen by Jazz Jennings (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Jazz Jennings
At the age of five, Jazz Jennings transitioned to life as a girl with the support of her parents. A year later, her parents allowed her to share her incredible journey in her first Barbara Walters interview. In this memoir, Jazz reflects on these very public experiences and how they have helped shape the mainstream attitude toward the transgender community. But it hasn’t all been easy. Jazz has faced many challenges, yet she perseveres as she educates others about her life as a transgender teen. Making the journey from girl to woman is never easy --- especially when you began your life in a boy’s body.

EVERY EXQUISITE THING by Matthew Quick (Fiction)
Audiobook available, narrated by Vanessa Johansson
Nanette O'Hare is an unassuming teen who has played the role of dutiful daughter, hardworking student and star athlete for as long as she can remember. But when a beloved teacher gives her his worn copy of The Bubblegum Reaper --- a mysterious, out-of-print cult classic --- the rebel within Nanette awakens. As she befriends the reclusive author, falls in love with a young but troubled poet, and attempts to insert her true self into the world with wild abandon, Nanette learns the hard way that rebellion sometimes comes at a high price.

BEWARE THAT GIRL by Teresa Toten (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Jorjeana Marie
Kate O’Brien's whole life has been a series of setbacks she’s had to snake her way out of, but she's determined to change that. As the scholarship student at the Waverly School in NYC, Kate has her work cut out for her: her plan is to climb the social ladder and land a spot at Yale. She’s already befriended the cosseted, mega-wealthy yet deeply damaged Olivia Sumner. When the handsome and whip-smart Mark Redkin joins the Waverly administration, he becomes especially close to Olivia, a fact she’s intent on keeping to herself. It becomes increasingly obvious that Redkin poses a threat to Kate, too, in a way she can’t reveal --- and can’t afford to ignore.

WITH MALICE by Eileen Cook (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
Audiobook available, narrated by Whitney Dykhouse
Eighteen-year-old Jill Charron's senior trip to Italy was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime. And then the accident happened. Waking up in a hospital room, her leg in a cast, stitches in her face, and a big blank canvas where the last six weeks should be, Jill comes to discover she was involved in a fatal accident in her travels abroad. She was jetted home by her affluent father in order to receive quality care --- care that includes a lawyer and a press team. Because maybe the accident wasn't really an accident. Wondering not just what happened but what she did, Jill tries to piece together the events of the past six weeks before she loses her thin hold on her once-perfect life.

DOREEN by Ilana Manaster (Fiction)
If Doreen Gray were to take a selfie upon her arrival at the elite Chandler Academy, it would capture a face marked with acne, a head full of frizz, and eyes looking anywhere but at the lens. What Chandler queen bee Heidi Whelan sees is a desperate hunger for acceptance and the makings of a willing and useful protégé. Heidi’s roommate, Biz Gibbons-Brown, works her Photoshop magic to create a stunning profile pic of Doreen --- a glossy, digital makeover that Doreen initially rejects...only to wake up the next morning transformed as the girl in the picture. But Doreen quickly becomes accustomed to her newfound power and lives without considering the consequences of her actions.

PROPERTY OF THE STATE: Book 1 of The Legend of Joey by Bill Cameron (Mystery)
Joey Getchie has been property of the state longer than he was in parental custody. But he's a survivor, and he has a Plan: graduate high school and get out of the foster care system before it eats him alive. He bonds with Trisha, another foster, who seems to have lucked out when it comes to foster parents. A false accusation leads to a physical clash with his foster father, so Joey flees to Huntzel Manor, where he works part time. He takes up unauthorized residence and keeps a low profile, hoping to avoid attention. But attention arrives in the worst possible way: a classmate is seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident, and Joey becomes the focus of the investigation.
 
Click here for more young adult books we recommend you read.
Our Latest Poll: Your Feelings about Book Lists
Tell us how you feel about book recommendation lists that appear either online or in print. Please check as many as apply.

  • I actively look for lists like these to plan my reading.
  • I look for the books that I already have read to validate the list.
  • I look for the books that I already have heard about.
  • I vow to try to read all or most of the books on these lists.
  • If I am looking at the list and it has some books that I know I am not interested in, I do not look at the rest.
  • I note the books that I want to read.
  • I often am overwhelmed when I come across a list like this and do not pick anything.
  • I often am overwhelmed when I come across a list like this, but still am able to choose the books I am interested in reading.
  • I often wonder why the books were selected, especially if that is not clearly stated.
  • I never look at book lists.
Click here to vote in the poll.
Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What You're Reading --- and You Can Win Two Books!
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 June 24th to July 8th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of ALL THE MISSING GIRLS by Megan Miranda and FIRST COMES LOVE by Emily Giffin.

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.
 
Click here to enter the contest.
Sounding Off on Audio Contest: Tell Us What You're Listening to --- and You Can Win Two Audiobooks!
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 June 1st to July 1st at noon ET, two lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win the audio versions of Emma Cline's THE GIRLS, read by Cady McClain, and Anne Tyler's VINEGAR GIRL, read by Kirsten Potter.

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.
 
Click here to enter the contest.

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.

Those of you who wish to send mail to Bookreporter.com, please see the form on the Write to Us page. If you would like to reach me, please write Carol@bookreporter.com. Writing any of the respond buttons below will not get to us.

Happy reading! Don't forget to forward this newsletter to a friend or to visit our other websites from TheBookReportNetwork.com: www.20SomethingReads.com, www.Teenreads.com, www.Kidsreads.com, www.ReadingGroupGuides.com, www.GraphicNovelReporter.com and www.AuthorsOnTheWeb.com.

The Book Report Network
250 W. 57th Street - Suite 1228
New York, New York 10107