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I personally think that every month should have at least one loooooong weekend. Seriously. There is something wonderful about anticipating the 1,000 ways I will spend an extra weekend day. And trust me, there always are 1,000 with me.
Last week, I mentioned that I was looking forward to escaping with reading over the weekend. I had manuscripts of upcoming books to read, all downloaded and ready to go on my iPad. Life was good until Saturday night when the iPad began to turn itself off every few minutes. This led to the kind of reading I loathe: message board trolling for how to conquer tech issues and outreach via Facebook to my “hive” for ideas. (Of course, my AppleCare two-year plan had expired). I did a backup, I did the network reinstall, the factory reinstall --- same problem. I was frustrated by being mired in tech issues instead of reading.
Very late Saturday night, I remember that I had received a small-sized Kindle Fire at a press event a couple of years ago, which was still in the box. I ran up to my office, found it and started charging it while simultaneously working on getting the PDFs all moved over. Then I needed to learn the “way of the Kindle,” meaning how to use it. New swiping patterns, learning where things are, etc. ate up a couple of hours of reading time, but I was able to complete the larger project --- another that I should have been able to finish will be done this weekend. It was frustrating and exhausting, and I was annoyed by the complete waste of time.
But through this all, I had the thought: What if I had been on a plane or traveling? This is the reason that there was a backup book in my briefcase when I flew a few weeks ago. I am a super fan of technology, but it does have its frustrations and challenges. And I loathe that an item that cost me more than $400 needs to be repaired or replaced. And trust me, it was not abused.
I am interviewing Isabel Allende at the “Simon & Schuster Presents” event on March 11th and am deep into prep for this, starting with reading THE JAPANESE LOVER. See the stack of her books above that are part of my homework. I would love to hear from readers as to what they have enjoyed about Allende’s work and what they think I should not miss. And if there are any burning questions you would like to ask her, I am all ears!
I have what I am calling a “to be finished” stack of books in my office. They are books I started as I was meeting the authors, or I was excited about their topics, but the sheer volume of books that I want/need to explore has precluded my finishing them. I want to see what happens to these characters and how the rest of the plots unfold. They are calling out to me while right behind them is more to read. I know, a high-class reader problem. Oh, and a galley of the new Paula Hawkins book, INTO THE WATER, which will be releasing on May 2nd, arrived a week or so ago, and I want to read that as well. And there’s THE BREAKDOWN by B. A. Paris (June 20th) and A TWIST OF THE KNIFE by Becky Masterman (March 21st) both calling my name. Sleep IS overrated, right?
On audio, I am listening to Lisa Gardner’s RIGHT BEHIND YOU. I am a longtime fan of Lisa’s (this book went right to #1 on the New York Times list for good reason). The audio is very well done.
I am looking forward to "Big Little Lies," based on the book by Liane Moriarty, on HBO starting this Sunday at 9pm ET. It has an all-star cast featuring Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern and more!
Now to this week’s update…
LINCOLN IN THE BARDO is the long-awaited first novel from the acclaimed author of TENTH OF DECEMBER, George Saunders. It begins in February 1862, in the early months of the Civil War. President Lincoln’s beloved 11-year-old son, Willie, is gravely ill. In a matter of days, despite predictions of a recovery, Willie dies and is laid to rest in a Georgetown cemetery. A grief-stricken Lincoln returns to the crypt alone several times to hold his boy’s body. Willie, meanwhile, finds himself in a strange purgatory where ghosts mingle, gripe, commiserate, quarrel and enact bizarre acts of penance. Within this transitional state --- called, in the Tibetan tradition, the bardo --- a monumental struggle erupts over young Willie’s soul.
According to reviewer Alex Bowditch, “LINCOLN IN THE BARDO not only delivers an engrossing story but exceeds expectations, being all at once a hilarious, provocative and tragic meditation on a seminal moment in United States history.” I had the pleasure of meeting Saunders at a luncheon and hearing him speak about this book at the Random House Open House event in December; he has such a brilliant imagination.
Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction, such as in the bestsellers AMERICAN GODS and ANANSI BOYS. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting an inspired rendition of the great northern tales. In NORSE MYTHOLOGY, Gaiman stays true to the myths in envisioning the major Norse pantheon. He crafts these primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds and delves into the exploits of deities, dwarfs and giants.
Reviewer Pauline Finch advises, “Anyone who enjoys 'tall tales' of substance and breadth will find NORSE MYTHOLOGY an intensely satisfying read, but for those who have detected how powerfully the pantheon of Nordic gods has influenced opera, fantasy and science fiction, the pleasure of Gaiman’s skillful reweaving will be all the greater.” Here's an interesting New York Times piece about Neil’s New York event at Town Hall called “His NORSE MYTHOLOGY, in Which Odin Wants a Wall."
Other books we’re reviewing this week include HEARTBREAK HOTEL by Jonathan Kellerman, in which child psychologist Alex Delaware and LAPD detective Milo Sturgis investigate the death of Alex’s most mysterious patient to date; WE WERE THE LUCKY ONES, a debut novel from Georgia Hunter based on the true story of a family of Polish Jews who are separated at the start of the Second World War but are determined to survive and reunite; and THE CHILBURY LADIES’ CHOIR, in which first-time novelist Jennifer Ryan, through letters and journals, unfolds the struggles, affairs, deceptions and triumphs of a village choir during World War II. Clearly the treasure trove of books set around the time of World War II is still growing. I have dipped into both WE WERE THE LUCKY ONES and THE CHILBURY LADIES' CHOIR, and they are on my aforementioned “to be finished” pile.
WE WERE THE LUCKY ONES is one of the books we gave away in our Valentine’s Day contest. Congratulations to our five lucky winners! They received all eight of our love-themed titles, along with some delicious chocolate. Those who entered had the option of responding to the question “Who is your all-time literary crush?” which I am delighted to say many of you answered. You can see your top 10 “Literary Loves and Lusts” here. We always have so much fun compiling this list!
We’re kicking off two new special contests this week. First up is QUICKSAND by Malin Persson Giolito, which will be a future Bookreporter.com Bets On title after it releases on March 7th. A mass shooting has taken place at a prep school in Stockholm’s wealthiest suburb. Maja Norberg is 18 years old and on trial for her involvement in the massacre, in which her boyfriend and best friend were killed. When the novel opens, Maja has spent nine excruciating months in jail, and now the time has come for her to enter the courtroom. Maja had been a good girl; she was popular and excelled at school. How did she become the most hated teenager in the country? You have been hearing me talk about this book for a few weeks now; it’s really sharply done. We have 25 advance copies to give away; to enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, March 2nd at noon ET.
Our second contest is for THE BEST OF ADAM SHARP. Graeme Simsion is known for his bestsellers THE ROSIE PROJECT and THE ROSIE EFFECT, and now he delivers a new kind of love story. Twenty years ago, Adam Sharp’s piano playing led him into a passionate relationship with Angelina Brown, an intelligent and strong-willed actress. They had a chance at something more --- but Adam didn’t take it. Now, on the cusp of turning 50, Adam likes his life, and he’s happy with his partner Claire. But he can never quite shake off his nostalgia for what might have been. And then, out of nowhere, from the other side of the world, Angelina gets in touch. What does she want? Does Adam dare to risk it all? Once again we have 25 advance copies to award to our winners; enter here by Thursday, March 2nd at noon ET. Graeme has done a great job with the character of Adam, and writing in a new voice, which is not easy to do. I cheer him for heading boldly and strongly in a new direction.
Continuing this week is our Sneak Peek contest for THE RADIUM GIRLS: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore, which tells the incredible true story of the women who fought America's Undark danger. The book doesn’t release until May 2nd, but we have 25 advance copies to give away to readers who can commit to previewing it and sharing feedback on it by Friday, March 31st. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, February 23rd at noon ET. My copy of this book has so many pages folded down (I know, a cardinal sin), but there is so much I want to note. The words "lip...dip...paint" described how they worked, with their lips narrowing the brush to get the graphics done to perfection. And along the way with that process, they were ingesting radium!
Next week will be our final three Winter Reading contests of the year. The prize books will be GLORY OVER EVERYTHING by Kathleen Grissom (a Bets On selection when it released in hardcover), IF I COULD TELL YOU by Elizabeth Wilhide, and THE MOTHER'S PROMISE by Sally Hepworth (an upcoming Bets On title). Our first contest of the week will be up on Tuesday, February 21st at noon ET. We did not have any contests this week, and I got a note from Betsy, thinking she had missed a newsletter. I assured her she had not. She commented, “Glad I didn't miss any... Even if I don't ‘win’, I find out about lots of interesting titles.” I love that she appreciates learning about the titles, as much as winning, as we enjoy sharing books with you this way.
You’ll also have a chance to win THE MOTHER’S PROMISE in our Word of Mouth contest, along with I SEE YOU by Clare Mackintosh, another future Bets On pick. Submit your comments about the books you’ve finished reading by Friday, March 3rd at noon ET, and you’ll be in the running to win both these novels.
In what year was the book that you’re currently reading published? That’s our latest poll question, and it was inspired by a feature/contest we’re planning to debut in the next couple of weeks about books that are destined to endure. Click here to cast your vote!
Our previous poll asked the following: “Thinking about your book reading over the last few months, have you been reading more, less or about the same?” 45% of you are reading about the same, 36% are reading more, and only 19% are reading less.
Let us know by Wednesday, March 1st at noon ET what audiobooks you’ve finished listening to, and you’ll have the opportunity to win the audio versions of Faye Kellerman's BONE BOX: A Decker/Lazarus Novel, performed by Richard Ferrone, and Christina Baker Kline's A PIECE OF THE WORLD, performed by Polly Stone (an upcoming Bets On selection), in this month’s Sounding Off on Audio contest.
Paul Auster just had a splendid book release with the bestselling 4 3 2 1, which published on the last day of January. It turns out that he’s also celebrating his own birthday --- and you’re invited! For his 70th birthday celebration, Books & Books and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts will honor his oeuvre of work with “Music, Magic, & The Muse: An Evening with Paul Auster: Family & Friends” on Tuesday, February 21st. The event will feature a musical performance by his musician daughter, Sophie Auster, and one of the world’s greatest magicians, David Blaine. The celebration will take place at the Knight Concert Hall in the Arsht Center, located in Miami, Florida. Tickets are $40 per person, and you’ll receive a copy of 4 3 2 1 with your purchase. Click here for more info and to buy your tickets.
This weekend, the 10th Annual Savannah Book Festival will be held. One of our readers, Nancy Bader, will have her report on it next week. One tradition that I have heard is that there's an ice cream store, Leopold's Ice Cream, that names flavors after authors. Caroline Leavitt just posted a photo of Leavitt's Lemon Custard on Facebook.
News & Pop Culture:
Reader Mail:
Elaine wrote, “Carol, thank you for mentioning my note about wanting some ‘light’ reading. I was happy to read that other readers feel the same. Marnie commented on Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe series, which definitely will be on my ‘to read’ list...the characters sound like an entertaining group of folks. ON TURPENTINE LANE by Elinor Lipman was mentioned in last Friday's newsletter and was noted as a Romantic Comedy; that definitely appears to be something I am looking for right now. Also, having just read A MAN CALLED OVE and enjoying it, I was glad to see the mention of Fredrik Backman's BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE. After reading your review, I think it would be another enjoyable book. Again Carol, thank you for opening your newsletter to all of us.”
Margy wrote, “While reading your newsletter from yesterday, I thought of a series of funny, lighter books that readers might enjoy: Sheila Turnage’s THREE TIMES LUCKY, THE GHOSTS OF TUPELO LANDING and THE ODDS OF GETTING EVEN. They are targeted at middle schoolers, but I have to say that, before I read them, I hadn’t laughed out loud so much and so often while reading in a long, long time. I miss Mo and Dale and the many true characters from those three books, and am hoping for more great stories from Sheila Turnage.
Cindy wrote, "Thank you for sharing Corban Addison's work. I have recently started working/volunteering with a group, including law enforcement, on curtailing human trafficking here in South Florida. We're #3 on the list of worst state offenders. I look forward to reading ALL of his novels, too." For those of you wanting to make note of these, A WALK ACROSS THE SUN and THE GARDEN OF BURNING SAND are two books to check out.
Little Free Library Design Competition: Got this from our friends at Chronicle Books. “In more than 50,000 neighborhoods in 70 countries all over the world, there are people who take it upon themselves to build book exchanges in their yards, neighborhoods, and public spaces. Last fall, in partnership with our friends at Little Free Library® and AIASF (American Institute of Architects, San Francisco), we launched a challenge that asked architects to design one of these wee libraries in response to the needs of library stewards.” This is such fun, and you can read more about it and see designs here (I shared a favorite of mine at the top of the newsletter: the Judges' Choice Runner-up, Seth Thompson, from San Francisco, California).
Podcasts: Greg has been raving about podcasts, and during our commute this week we gave a few a whirl. I love hearing how companies have been started and built, so we've been listening to the “How I Built This” podcasts. So far we have heard how Drybar, Lyft, Southwest Airlines, Sam Adams, Kate Spade, Warby Parker and Patagonia got started. There are more, and then I want to look into these from the "From Scratch" series next.
"Billions": Premieres Sunday night on Showtime. I have seen the first four episodes, and they are terrific! Worth watching.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Premiere: This HBO movie starring Oprah Winfrey is set to air on Saturday, April 22nd.
Greg is in Maine off-roading with friends for the weekend. Cory is cruising by for a birthday dinner for Tom’s mom on Sunday. In the guest room update project, Tom built a bookshelf using wood from his grandmother's bed, and we are now working on colors to paint it. This room is a fun project. He is doing the lion's share of the work. I am picking colors and traipsing around the attic seeing what else we have stored there that will work in the room; there is a lot in the attic!
Reading reading reading this weekend…and knitting, cooking, fire in the fireplace. You know, the usual.
I am glad we are celebrating Abe and George, and that they had birthdays in February. We need one long weekend every month. 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: LINCOLN IN THE BARDO
by George Saunders
LINCOLN IN THE BARDO by George Saunders (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Nick Offerman, David Sedaris, George Saunders, and a full cast
It’s February 1862, and the Civil War is less than one year old. The fighting has begun in earnest, and the nation has begun to realize it is in for a long, bloody struggle. Meanwhile, President Lincoln’s beloved 11-year-old son, Willie, lies upstairs in the White House, gravely ill. In a matter of days, despite predictions of a recovery, Willie dies and is laid to rest in a Georgetown cemetery. The boy finds himself in a strange purgatory where ghosts mingle, gripe, commiserate, quarrel and enact bizarre acts of penance. Within this transitional state --- called, in the Tibetan tradition, the bardo --- a monumental struggle erupts over young Willie’s soul. Reviewed by Alex Bowditch.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read the review.
Featured Review: NORSE MYTHOLOGY by Neil Gaiman
NORSE MYTHOLOGY by Neil Gaiman (Mythology)
Audiobook available, performed by Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting a bravura rendition of the great northern tales. In NORSE MYTHOLOGY, Gaiman stays true to the myths in envisioning the major Norse pantheon: Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring and cunning; Thor, Odin’s son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki --- son of a giant --- blood brother to Odin and a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator. Gaiman fashions these primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds and delves into the exploits of deities, dwarfs and giants. Reviewed by Pauline Finch.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read the review.
New Special Contest: Win an Advance Copy of QUICKSAND by Malin Persson Giolito
We are celebrating the March 7th release of QUICKSAND by Malin Persson Giolito --- an incisive courtroom thriller and a drama that raises questions about the nature of love, the disastrous side effects of guilt, and the function of justice --- with a special contest that will give 25 readers the opportunity to win an advance copy of the book. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, March 2nd at noon ET.
QUICKSAND written by Malin Persson Giolito, translated by Rachel Willson-Broyles (Legal Thriller)
A mass shooting has taken place at a prep school in Stockholm’s wealthiest suburb. Maja Norberg is 18 years old and on trial for her involvement in the massacre where her boyfriend and best friend were killed. When the novel opens, Maja has spent nine excruciating months in jail awaiting trial. Now the time has come for her to enter the courtroom. But how did Maja, the good girl next door who was popular and excelled at school, become the most hated teenager in the country? What did Maja do? Or is it what she didn’t do that brought her here?
Malin Persson Giolito has written a perceptive portrayal of a young woman and a blistering indictment of a society that is coming apart. A work of great literary sensibility, QUICKSAND touches on class, money, emigration, and the games one plays with oneself when parents are no longer attuned to the struggles of their children.
QUICKSAND will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection. Read Carol's commentary in the March 17th newsletter.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read Malin Persson Giolito's bio.
- Click here to connect with Malin Persson Giolito on Facebook.
- Click here to visit Malin Persson Giolito's Instagram.
Click here to enter the contest.
New Special Contest: Win an Advance Copy of
THE BEST OF ADAM SHARP by Graeme Simsion
We are celebrating the May 2nd release of THE BEST OF ADAM SHARP by Graeme Simsion --- in which one man looks back on his past and decides if having a second chance is worth the risk --- with a special contest that will give 25 readers the opportunity to win an advance copy of the book. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, March 2nd at noon ET.
THE BEST OF ADAM SHARP by Graeme Simsion (Fiction/Humor)
Two decades ago, Adam Sharp’s piano playing led him into a passionate relationship with Angelina Brown, an intelligent and strong-willed actress. They had a chance at something more --- but Adam didn’t take it.
Now, on the cusp of turning 50, Adam likes his life. He’s happy with his partner Claire, he excels in music trivia at quiz night at the local pub, he looks after his mother, and he does the occasional consulting job in IT. But he can never quite shake off his nostalgia for what might have been.
And then, out of nowhere, from the other side of the world, Angelina gets in touch. What does she want? Does Adam dare to live dangerously?
Set to the soundtrack of our lives, THE BEST OF ADAM SHARP follows along with emotion and humor as one man looks back on his past and decides if having a second chance is worth the risk.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read Graeme Simsion's bio.
- Connect with Graeme Simsion on Facebook and Twitter.
Click here to enter the contest.
Sneak Peek Contest: Win an Advance Copy of
THE RADIUM GIRLS by Kate Moore
and Share Your Comments on It
Our latest Sneak Peek Feature spotlights THE RADIUM GIRLS: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore, the incredible true story of the women who fought America’s Undark danger. The book doesn’t release until May 2nd, but we have 25 advance copies to give away to readers who can commit to previewing it and sharing their comments on it by Friday, March 31st. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, February 23rd at noon ET.
For our Sneak Peek program, your commitment to participate is critical, so please only enter this contest if you truly will have time to read THE RADIUM GIRLS and give us your feedback by the March 31st deadline.
THE RADIUM GIRLS: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore (Social History/Biography)
The Curies’ newly discovered element of radium makes gleaming headlines across the nation as the fresh face of beauty, and wonder drug of the medical community. From body lotion to tonic water, the popular new element shines bright in the otherwise dark years of the First World War.
Meanwhile, hundreds of girls toil amidst the glowing dust of the radium-dial factories. The glittering chemical covers their bodies from head to toe; they light up the night like industrious fireflies. With such a coveted job, these “shining girls” are the luckiest alive --- until they begin to fall mysteriously ill.
But the factories that once offered golden opportunities are now ignoring all claims of the gruesome side effects, and the women’s cries of corruption. And as the fatal poison of the radium takes hold, the brave shining girls find themselves embroiled in one of the biggest scandals of America’s early 20th century, and in a groundbreaking battle for workers’ rights that will echo for centuries to come.
Written with a sparkling voice and breakneck pace, THE RADIUM GIRLS fully illuminates the inspiring young women exposed to the “wonder” substance of radium, and their awe-inspiring strength in the face of almost impossible circumstances. Their courage and tenacity led to life-changing regulations, research into nuclear bombing, and ultimately saved hundreds of thousands of lives.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read Kate Moore's bio.
- Click here to connect with Kate Moore on Twitter.
Click here to enter the contest.
Featured Review: HEARTBREAK HOTEL
by Jonathan Kellerman
HEARTBREAK HOTEL: An Alex Delaware Novel by Jonathan Kellerman (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by John Rubinstein
At nearly 100 years old, Thalia Mars is a far cry from the patients who child psychologist Alex Delaware normally treats. But the charming, witty woman convinces Alex to meet with her in a suite at the Aventura, a luxury hotel with a checkered history. What Thalia wants from Alex are answers to unsettling questions --- about guilt, patterns of criminal behavior and victim selection. When Alex asks the reason for her morbid fascination, Thalia promises to tell all during their next session. But when he shows up the following morning, he discovers Thalia dead in her room. Alex and homicide detective Milo Sturgis must peel back the layers of a fascinating but elusive woman’s life and embark on one of the most baffling investigations either of them has ever experienced. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read the review.
Featured Review: WE WERE THE LUCKY ONES
by Georgia Hunter
WE WERE THE LUCKY ONES by Georgia Hunter (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Kathleen Gati and Robert Fass
It is the spring of 1939, and three generations of the Kurc family are doing their best to live normal lives, even as the shadow of war grows closer. But soon the horrors overtaking Europe will become inescapable, and the Kurcs will be flung to the far corners of the world, each desperately trying to navigate his or her own path to safety. As one sibling is forced into exile, another attempts to flee the continent, while others struggle to escape certain death. Driven by an unwavering will to survive and by the fear that they may never see one another again, the Kurcs must rely on hope, ingenuity and inner strength to persevere. Reviewed by Sarah Jackman.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read the review.
Featured Review: THE CHILBURY LADIES’ CHOIR
by Jennifer Ryan
THE CHILBURY LADIES' CHOIR by Jennifer Ryan (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Gabrielle Glaister, Laura Kirman, Imogen Wilde, Adjoa Andoh, Tom Clegg and Mike Grady
As England becomes enmeshed in the early days of World War II and the men are away fighting, the women of Chilbury village forge an uncommon bond. They defy the Vicar’s stuffy edict to close the choir and instead “carry on singing,” resurrecting themselves as the Chilbury Ladies’ Choir. We come to know the home-front struggles of five unforgettable choir members: a timid widow devastated when her only son goes to fight; the older daughter of a local scion drawn to a mysterious artist; her younger sister pining over an impossible crush; a Jewish refugee from Czechoslovakia hiding a family secret; and a conniving midwife plotting to outrun her seedy past. Reviewed by Carole Turner.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read the review.
Bookreporter.com's Third Annual Winter Reading Contests and Feature
At Bookreporter.com, we are kicking off 2017 with our third annual Winter Reading Contests and Feature. On select days between now and February 24th at noon ET, we are hosting a series of 24-hour contests spotlighting a book releasing this winter and giving five lucky readers a chance to win it. 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, February 21st at noon ET.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details.
ROBERT B. PARKER'S REVELATION by Robert Knott (Historical Mystery/Western)
Audiobook available, read by Rex Linn
Territorial marshals Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch figured things had finally settled down in Appaloosa when Boston Bill Black’s murder charge was dropped. But all that changed when Augustus Noble Driggs was transferred to a stateside penitentiary just across the border from Mexico. In a haunting twist of fate, Driggs and a pack of cold-blooded convicts are suddenly on the loose --- and it’s up to any and all territorial lawmen, including Cole and Hitch, to capture the fugitives and rescue the woman kidnapped during their escape. But nothing is ever quite what it seems with the ever-elusive Driggs. Finally free, he’s quickly on his own furious hunt for a hidden cache of gold and jewels --- and for the men who betrayed him and left him for dead. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
RACING THE DEVIL: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery by Charles Todd (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, performed by Simon Prebble
During a heavy rainstorm in England, a driver loses control on a twisting road and is killed in the crash. Was it an accident due to the hazardous conditions? Or premeditated murder? Investigating this perplexing case, Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge discovers that the truth is elusive --- and that the villages on the South Downs, where the accident happened, are adept at keeping secrets, frustrating his search. Determined to remain in the shadows, this faceless killer is willing to strike again to stop Rutledge from finding him. This time, the victim he chooses is a child, and it will take all of Rutledge’s skill to stop him before an innocent young life is sacrificed. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
GILDED CAGE by Vic James (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, read by Avita Jay
Our world belongs to the Equals --- aristocrats with magical gifts --- and all commoners must serve them for 10 years. But behind the gates of England’s grandest estate lies a power that could break the world. Abi is a servant to England’s most powerful family, but when she falls for one of their noble-born sons, she faces a terrible choice. Uncovering the family’s secrets might win her liberty --- but will her heart pay the price? Abi’s brother, Luke, is enslaved in a brutal factory town and makes friends whose ideals could cost him everything. Now he has discovered there may be a power even greater than magic: revolution. Luke is a shadow in the glittering world of the Equals, with mysterious powers no one else understands. But will he liberate --- or destroy? Reviewed by Melanie Reynolds.
THE NIGHT BIRD by Brian Freeman (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Joe Barrett
When a series of bizarre deaths rock San Francisco --- as seemingly random women suffer violent psychotic breaks --- homicide detective Frost Easton looks for a connection that leads him to psychiatrist Francesca Stein. Frankie’s controversial therapy helps people erase their most terrifying memories…and all the victims were her patients. As Frost and Frankie carry out their own investigations, the case becomes increasingly personal --- and dangerous. Long-submerged secrets surface as someone called the Night Bird taunts the pair with cryptic messages pertaining to the deaths. Soon Frankie is forced to confront strange gaps in her own memory, and Frost faces a killer who knows the detective’s worst fears. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
THEIR FINEST by Lissa Evans (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, performed by Peter Wickham
It is 1940. France has fallen, and only a narrow strip of sea lies between Great Britain and invasion. The war could go either way, and everyone must do their bit. Young copy writer Catrin Cole is drafted into the Ministry of Information to help “write women” into propaganda films --- something that the men aren’t very good at. She is quickly seconded to the Ministry’s latest endeavor: a heartwarming tale of bravery and rescue at Dunkirk. It’s all completely fabricated, of course, but what does that matter when the nation’s morale is at stake? Since call-up has stripped the industry of its brightest and best, it is the callow, the jaded and the utterly unsuitable who must make up the numbers. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
THE LOST WOMAN: A Louise Rick Novel by Sara Blaedel (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Christine Lakin
A housewife is the target of a shocking, methodical killing. Though murdered in England, it turns out that the woman, Sofie Parker, is actually a Danish citizen who's been on the Missing Persons list for almost two decades --- so Louise Rick is called on to the case. Then, in an unexpected twist, the police discover that Sofie had been reported missing 18 years ago by none other than Eik, Louise’s police colleague and lover. Impulsive as ever, Eik rushes to England and ends up in jail on suspicion of Sofie's murder. Louise must set aside her own emotional turmoil if she hopes to find the killer in what will become her most controversial case yet. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
THE DARK AND OTHER LOVE STORIES by Deborah Willis (Fiction/Short Stories)
The characters in these 13 stories exist on the edge of danger, where landscapes melt into dreamscapes and every house is haunted. A drug dealer’s girlfriend signs up for the first manned mission to Mars. A girl falls in love with a man who wants to turn her into a bird. A teenaged girl and her best friend test their relationship by breaking into suburban houses. A wife finds a gaping hole in the floor of the home she shares with her husband, a hole that only she can see. Full of longing and strange humor, these tales --- about the love between a man and his pet crow, an alcoholic and his AA sponsor, a mute migrant and a newspaper reporter --- show how love ties us to each other and to the world. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
CROSSROADS OF CANOPY: Book One in the Titan's Forest Trilogy by Thoraiya Dyer (Fantasy)
Audiobook available, read by Christine Marshall
Unar dreams of greatness. Determined but destitute, she escapes her parents’ plot to sell her into slavery. Now she serves in the Garden of the goddess Audblayin, ruler of growth and fertility. But when Audblayin dies, Unar sees her opportunity for glory --- at the risk of descending into the unknown dangers of Understorey to look for a reincarnated newborn god. In its depths, she discovers new forms of magic, lost family connections, and murmurs of a revolution that could cost Unar her chance…or grant it by destroying the home she loves. Reviewed by Carly Silver.
DESERT VENGEANCE: A Lena Jones Mystery by Betty Webb (Mystery)
When the man who raped Scottsdale PI Lena Jones as a nine-year-old foster child is released from prison, Lena is waiting for him in the parking lot --- with a big knife. "Papa" Brian Wycoff survives their meeting, but the next day, his wife is found dead in their home. Terrified he will be next, Wycoff takes shelter in an RV on his brother-in-law's small ranch. A couple of days later, he is found tortured to death. When Lena takes up the case, her conscience is torn. Does a serial child rapist really deserve justice? That choice might not be left up to Lena when members of a local group, Parents of Missing Children, start working to prevent her investigation from succeeding. How far will they go to make sure she fails? Reviewed by Roz Shea.
HOT SORROWFUL SWEETNESS OF THE DUST: An Earl Garnet Story by Peter Clement (Mystery/Short Story)
eBook Original
Summoned to the bedside of a dying friend, Dr. Earl Garnet is called upon to take a life.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on February 21st
Below are some notable titles releasing on February 21st 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 February 20th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
DEATH OF A GHOST : A Hamish Macbeth Mystery by M. C. Beaton (Mystery)
When Police Sergeant Hamish Macbeth hears reports of a haunted castle, he’s skeptical. Still, Hamish decides that he and his policeman, Charlie "Clumsy" Carson, will get to the bottom of the rumors once and for all. There's no sign of any ghost, but Charlie falls right into the cellar, and what they find there is worse: a dead body. Hamish and Charlie leave the castle to call for help, but when they return, the body is nowhere to be seen.
I SEE YOU by Clare Mackintosh (Psychological Thriller)
Every day, Zoe Walker takes the same route to the train station and finds her favorite spot in the car, never suspecting that someone is watching her. One night, while glancing through her local paper, Zoe sees her own face staring back at her --- a grainy photo along with a listing for a website called FindTheOne.com. Other women begin appearing in the same ad, and Zoe realizes they’ve become the victims of increasingly violent crimes. With the help of a determined cop, she uncovers the ad’s twisted purpose and is sure that someone close to her has set her up as the next target.
MOST DANGEROUS PLACE: A Jack Swyteck Novel by James Grippando (Legal Thriller)
It begins at the airport, where Jack Swytek is waiting to meet his old high school buddy, Keith. But their long-awaited reunion is abruptly derailed when the police arrest Keith’s wife, Isabelle, accusing her of conspiring to kill the man who raped her in college. Jack quickly agrees to represent Isa, but soon discovers that to see justice done, he must separate truth from lies.
THE MOTHER'S PROMISE by Sally Hepworth (Fiction)
All their lives, Alice Stanhope and her daughter, Zoe, have been a family of two. Their team works until Alice gets sick and needs to fight for her life. Desperate to find stability for Zoe, Alice reaches out to two women who are her only hope: Kate, a nurse, and Sonja, a social worker. As the four of them come together, they must confront their sharpest fears and secrets about abandonment, abuse, estrangement and the deepest longing for family.
THE NEARNESS OF YOU by Amanda Eyre Ward (Fiction)
Heart surgeon Suzette Kendall is stunned when her husband, Hyland, admits his yearning for a child. From the beginning they had decided that children were not an option, as Suzette feared passing along the genes that landed her mother in a mental institution. Hyland proposes a baby via surrogate, and a young woman named Dorothy Muscarello is chosen. But this situation forces all three of them to face a devastating uncertainty that will reverberate in the years to come.
THE ORPHAN’S TALE by Pam Jenoff (Historical Fiction)
After discovering a boxcar containing dozens of Jewish infants bound for a concentration camp, 16-year-old Noa is reminded of the child who was taken from her. In a moment that changes the course of her life, she snatches one of the babies and flees. Noa finds refuge with a German circus, but she needs to learn the flying trapeze act so she can blend in. Noa and the lead aerialist, Astrid, must decide whether their friendship is enough to save one another --- or if the secrets that burn between them will destroy everything.
A PIECE OF THE WORLD by Christina Baker Kline (Historical Fiction)
To Christina Olson, the entire world was her family’s remote farm in a small coastal town. Increasingly incapacitated by illness, Christina seemed destined for a small life. Instead, for more than 20 years, she was host and inspiration for the artist Andrew Wyeth, and became the subject of one of the best known American paintings of the 20th century.
RUSTY PUPPY: A Hap and Leonard Novel by Joe R. Lansdale (Thriller)
Louise Elton comes into Hap and Leonard's PI office to tell them that the police have killed her son, Jamar. Months earlier, a bully cop pulled over and sexually harassed Jamar's sister, Charm. The officer continued to follow Charm for months, leading Jamar to take notes on the cop and his partner. The next thing Louise hears, Jamar is killed in the projects by local hoods. It doesn't add up: he was a straight-A student, destined for better things, until he began to ask too many questions about the racist police force.
THE SCHOOLDAYS OF JESUS by J. M. Coetzee (Fiction)
Davíd is the small boy who is always asking questions. Simón and Inés take care of him in their new town, Estrella. But he will be seven soon and should be at school. And so Davíd is enrolled in the Academy of Dance. It’s here, in his new golden dancing slippers, that he learns how to call down the numbers from the sky. But it’s here, too, that he will make troubling discoveries about what grown-ups are capable of.
SETTING FREE THE KITES by Alex George (Historical Fiction)
For young Robert Carter, life in his 1976 coastal Maine hometown is comfortably predictable --- until he meets Nathan Tilly, who changes everything. Nathan is confident, impetuous --- and fascinated with kites and flight. Robert and Nathan’s budding friendship is forged in the midst of two family tragedies, and as the boys struggle with loss, they take summer jobs together at the local amusement park. It’s there that Nathan’s boundless capacity for optimism threatens to overwhelm them both.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
Our Latest Poll: When Was the Book That You Are Currently Reading Published?
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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 February 17th to March 3rd at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of I SEE YOU by Clare Mackintosh and THE MOTHER'S PROMISE by Sally Hepworth.
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.
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 February 1st to March 1st at noon ET, two lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win the audio versions of Faye Kellerman's BONE BOX: A Decker/Lazarus Novel, performed by Richard Ferrone, and Christina Baker Kline's A PIECE OF THE WORLD, performed by Polly Stone.
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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