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Carol's latest "Bookreporter Talks To" interview and podcast is with Patti Callahan,
whose historical novel, BECOMING MRS. LEWIS, has been a huge success since its release
last October. Click on the photo above for the video and here for the podcast.
Carol's friend, Mindy, gave her the book-themed mug that you see above,
which she is using as a bookend.
It was 95 degrees on Wednesday; tonight it’s headed down to 39. Welcome to October in the New York tri-state area. I am going to be hustling the houseplants inside tonight. First they will hang in the garage for a few days “to acclimate” and to allow anything crawling in them to crawl out. Then they will find new homes inside, and I will resume my weekly watering routine feeling like Gunga Din. It’s much easier in the hands of Mother Nature, or even with the hose.
There also will be feverish replanting of some of the annuals that I am convinced will winter over. This is something I go through every year. Some work; some do not. But when they do work, seeing those summer remembrances in the house makes me smile.
I had an amusing thing happen last week. I was stopped at a construction site on a road in town. There was a guard holding a stop sign. I had my sunroof open and was listening to an audiobook on CD (the best part about owning an older car is that it still has a CD player). I had the volume turned up so I could hear it over the wind as I drove and did not turn it down when I stopped. So loudly the female narrator on the audiobook shrieks, "No, I was a prisoner. I was raped." And the guy with the stop sign whips around and looks at me. And I quickly turn down the sound!
The receptionist at my hairdresser said that she was listening to a book with a rather racy sex scene while she was at the drive-up window at the bank. She later realized that everyone in the bank heard it as well. I think there is something to be said for earbuds, and digital audio! What was I listening to? It was CILKA’S JOURNEY by Heather Morris, which is brilliantly narrated by Louise Brealey. However, my son, Greg, who commutes with me, is lobbying for something lighter next week!
Our latest “Bookreporter Talks To” video and podcast are live. I interviewed Patti Callahan about her book, BECOMING MRS. LEWIS, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. It’s been out for a year now, and it’s been a huge success. Here we talk about the writing and the research of the book, which is historical fiction about Joy Davidman, the wife of C.S. Lewis. We also discuss Patti’s latest project for this book, a podcast series she created that delves into "The Story Behind the Writing of BECOMING MRS. LEWIS." You can see our "Bookreporter Talks To" video here and listen to the podcast here, or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
I spent yesterday afternoon at New York Comic Con with Austin Ruh, who has been working with me on videos and podcasts. As we roved the aisles seeing the latest books from publishers, and checking out Artist’s Alley, we were talking about ideas of what we want to do next. There are times when getting out of the office spurs the best ideas, especially when you are seeing creativity all around you (the cover reveal for the new Hunger Games book, THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES, which is a prequel, was pretty amazing). This show has grown so much. From the minute we walked in the door, we were immersed in the experience. We are noodling ideas for a second podcast series. If you have ideas of what you would like to listen to, let us know.
We have 14 reviews to share with you this week. Among them are BLOODY GENIUS, the 12th installment in John Sandford’s mystery/thriller series featuring Virgil Flowers, who must investigate a college culture war turned deadly; IMAGINARY FRIEND, the long-awaited new novel from THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER author Stephen Chbosky, a work of literary horror in which a young boy is haunted by a voice; FULL THROTTLE, a collection of 13 tales of supernatural suspense from Joe Hill, who dissects timeless human struggles; and THE SHAPE OF NIGHT by Tess Gerritsen, a psychological thriller/romance in which a woman trying to outrun her past is drawn to a coastal village in Maine --- and to a string of unsolved murders.
Other books we’re reviewing include A SINGLE THREAD, Tracy Chevalier’s latest work of historical fiction, the story of a woman coming into her own at the dawn of the Second World War; THINGS WE DIDN’T TALK ABOUT WHEN I WAS A GIRL, a memoir by Jeannie Vanasco, who details her friendship with a boy named Mark before and after he raped her, and asks the brave and urgent question: Is it possible for a good person to commit a terrible act?; and EMPIRE OF LIES, Raymond Khoury’s new thriller that, according to the publisher, is “in the tradition of THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, FATHERLAND, and UNDERGROUND AIRLINES.”
We gave away THE SHAPE OF NIGHT in this week’s Fall Preview contests, along with ONE NIGHT GONE by Tara Laskowski; RIBBONS OF SCARLET: A Novel of the French Revolution's Women by Kate Quinn, Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Sophie Perinot, Heather Webb and E. Knight; and WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU PEARS: The Healing Power of Family, Faith, and Funny People by Jeannie Gaffigan. THINGS WE DIDN’T TALK ABOUT WHEN I WAS A GIRL will be one of next week’s prize books; the others will be THE PLAYGROUND by Jane Shemilt, THE POPPY WIFE: A Novel of the Great War by Caroline Scott, and THE WHISPER MAN by Alex North (the latter is a Bets On pick). The first contest of the week will go live on Monday, October 7th at noon ET.
ONE NIGHT GONE and RIBBONS OF SCARLET are just two of the books in this month’s New in Paperback roundups. We’re also featuring paperback reprints from such bestselling authors as David Baldacci (REDEMPTION), Mitch Albom (THE NEXT PERSON YOU MEET IN HEAVEN), Nicholas Sparks (EVERY BREATH), Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke (YOU DON’T OWN ME), and Barbara Kingsolver (UNSHELTERED); nonfiction titles, including THE LIBRARY BOOK by Susan Orlean, IN PIECES by Sally Field, and WITNESS: Lessons from Elie Wiesel’s Classroom by Ariel Burger; and paperback originals like THE COCKROACH by Ian McEwan, THE LYING ROOM by Nicci French, and IF ONLY I COULD TELL YOU by Hannah Beckerman (we’re currently giving away copies of the latter in a ReadingGroupGuides.com contest).
We’ve also updated our Books on Screen feature for October. This month’s roundup includes the feature films Joker, The Addams Family and Jojo Rabbit; the series premieres of "Mrs. Fletcher" on HBO and "Nancy Drew" on The CW, along with the eight-episode Hulu series "Looking for Alaska"; and the DVD releases of Can You Keep a Secret? and Spider-Man: Far From Home.
Do you attend, or would you like to attend, author events? That’s our latest poll question; let us know if you do by clicking here.
Our previous poll asked which of 20 paperbacks releasing last month you have read or are planning to read. Here are your top five picks: THE GREAT ALONE by Kristin Hannah (56%), A SPARK OF LIGHT by Jodi Picoult (37%), THE GLASS OCEAN by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White (31%), WINTER IN PARADISE by Elin Hilderbrand (28%), and THE LIGHT OVER LONDON by Julia Kelly (26%). Click here for all the results.
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, October 18th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll have a chance to win THE GUARDIANS by John Grisham and WHAT HAPPENS IN PARADISE by Elin Hilderbrand, both of which we will review over the next couple of weeks.
This month’s Sounding Off on Audio contest is underway. Submit your comments about the audiobooks you’ve listened to, and you’ll be in the running to win the audio versions of Jojo Moyes' THE GIVER OF STARS, read by Julia Whelan, and Elizabeth Strout's OLIVE, AGAIN, read by Kimberly Farr. We plan to review the hardcovers of both later this month.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Jude wrote, “I know how much you love the color turquoise, so when I saw this item, I had to let you know. You can use them anywhere in the house as well as the backyard.” That is a VERY cool idea!
Mary wrote, “Okay, I missed the original article on corn soup because I was out of the country and didn’t do email for a couple of weeks. However, from this one, I can tell you were looking for ways to scrap fresh corn off the cob. My mother did it two ways --- one, with a corn scraper, a gadget made especially to do this; and two, with a large knife. She scraped it into a dishpan, which was large enough to prevent the kernels from flying everywhere. A second scrape of either tool was sufficient to scrape the 'milk' into the pan. The trick was to make the first cut exactly right --- about 1/2–3/4 of the way down the kernels. The second cut then had a tad of kernel along with the milk. Usually, she rested the cob on the bottom of the dishpan while scraping, which made it lower than the rim of the pan and prevented the corn from flying out. (Still a messy job.)
"I had no idea where to get a corn scraper; however, I googled it and came up with several models. I’m pretty sure we discarded hers when we closed her house. The one at Walmart looks most like the one she had.” I saw the one that Mary was referencing, but also saw ALL of these options on the Walmart site!
By the way, the corn at our local farm is still excellent! And so are the tomatoes.
Here are some of October’s recently announced book club picks:
Nefertiti Austin: Terrific interview with her on the "Today" show. Her book, MOTHERHOOD SO WHITE, is really thought-provoking.
A Library in Pennsylvania Where You Can Check Out Specialty Baking Pans: I saw this piece and love the idea. I have so many specialty baking pans from when the boys were young and had themed parties. I do not want to part with them, but an idea like this would be a perfect way to do it, as I then could borrow them back. Librarians regularly cull their collections. I could picture them going through baking pans and trying to see which were checked out enough to keep them on hand. And imagine having the dinosaur one checked out the week you needed it!
This weekend will be all about prepping for my interviews next weekend at the Morristown Festival of Books. I have scattered notes that I want to pull together. I had read five of the authors’ books earlier this year; last weekend, I read Pam Jenoff’s THE LOST GIRLS OF PARIS, which was terrific.
I also am prepping for a new "Bookreporter Talks To" interview that we will shoot next week, and we will share a new podcast as well.
Last week, my friend Mindy brought me the book-themed mug that you see above when she was at the house for dinner. I am using it as a bookend. I still am putting my office in New York back together after the sprinkler construction. I think all the mugs that I have are going to be bookends.
I still am on the fence about decorating for Halloween. We have an amazing collection of Halloween decorations in our attic, but when I think about decorating, I also think practically about having to put it all away. It’s like the way I decorate at Christmas. I hold an item and think, “Will it bring me joy to have to put this away in January, or will it be a chore?” I am betting many of you know what I mean! I will work on a new arrangement for the front porch. THAT I can handle!
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: BLOODY GENIUS by John Sandford
BLOODY GENIUS: A Virgil Flowers Novel by John Sandford (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Eric Conger
At the local state university, two feuding departments have faced off on the battleground of science and medicine. Each carries their views to extremes that may seem absurd, but highly educated people of sound mind and good intentions can reasonably disagree, right? Then a renowned and confrontational scholar winds up dead, and Virgil Flowers is brought in to investigate. As he probes the recent ideological unrest, he soon comes to realize he's dealing with people who, on this one particular issue, are functionally crazy. Among this group of wildly impassioned, diametrically opposed zealots lurks a killer, and it will be up to Virgil to sort the murderer from the mere maniacs. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: IMAGINARY FRIEND
by Stephen Chbosky
IMAGINARY FRIEND by Stephen Chbosky (Literary Horror)
Audiobook available, read by Christine Lakin
Determined to improve life for her and her son, Christopher, single mother Kate Reese flees an abusive relationship in the middle of the night with her child. Together, they find themselves drawn to the tight-knit community of Mill Grove, Pennsylvania. It's as far off the beaten track as they can get. At first, it seems like the perfect place to finally settle down. Then Christopher vanishes. For six awful days, no one can find him. Until Christopher emerges from the woods at the edge of town, unharmed but not unchanged. He returns with a voice in his head only he can hear, with a mission only he can complete: Build a tree house in the woods by Christmas, or his mother and everyone in the town will never be the same again. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: FULL THROTTLE by Joe Hill
FULL THROTTLE: Stories by Joe Hill (Supernatural Thriller/Short Stories)
Audiobook available; read by Zachary Quinto, Wil Wheaton, Kate Mulgrew, Neil Gaiman, Ashleigh Cummings, Joe Hill, Laysla De Oliveira, Nate Corddry, Connor Jessup, Stephen Lang and George Guidall
A little door that opens to a world of fairy tale wonders becomes the blood-drenched stomping ground for a gang of hunters in “Faun.” A grief-stricken librarian climbs behind the wheel of an antique Bookmobile to deliver fresh reads to the dead in “Late Returns.” And tension shimmers in the sweltering heat of the Nevada desert as a faceless trucker finds himself caught in a sinister dance with a tribe of motorcycle outlaws in “Throttle,” co-written with Stephen King. Replete with shocking chillers, including two previously unpublished stories written expressly for this volume (“Mums” and “Late Returns”) and another appearing in print for the first time (“Dark Carousel”), FULL THROTTLE is a darkly imagined odyssey through the complexities of the human psyche. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE SHAPE OF NIGHT by Tess Gerritsen
THE SHAPE OF NIGHT by Tess Gerritsen (Psychological Thriller/Romance)
Audiobook available, read by Hillary Huber
After an unspeakable tragedy in Boston, Ava Collette flees to a remote village in Maine, where she rents an old house named Brodie’s Watch. In that isolated seaside mansion, Ava finally feels at peace…until she glimpses the long-dead sea captain who still resides there. Rumor has it that Captain Jeremiah Brodie has haunted the house for more than a century. One night, Ava confronts the apparition, who feels all too real and welcomes her into his world --- and into his arms. Even as Ava questions her own sanity, she eagerly looks forward to the captain’s ghostly visits. But she soon learns that the house she loves comes with a terrible secret, a secret that those in the village don’t want to reveal: Every woman who has ever lived in Brodie’s Watch has also died there. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: A SINGLE THREAD by Tracy Chevalier
A SINGLE THREAD by Tracy Chevalier (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Fenella Woolgar
After the Great War took both her beloved brother and her fiancé, Violet Speedwell has become a "surplus woman," one of a generation doomed to a life of spinsterhood after the war killed so many young men. Yet Violet cannot reconcile herself to a life spent caring for her grieving, embittered mother. So she saves enough to move out of her mother's place and into the town of Winchester, home to one of England's grandest cathedrals. There, Violet is drawn into a society of broderers --- women who embroider kneelers for the Cathedral. But when forces threaten her new independence and another war appears on the horizon, Violet must fight to put down roots in a place where women aren't expected to grow. Reviewed by Amy Gwiazdowski.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THINGS WE DIDN’T TALK ABOUT WHEN I WAS A GIRL
by Jeannie Vanasco
THINGS WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT WHEN I WAS A GIRL: A Memoir by Jeannie Vanasco (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Amy McFadden and Andrew Karst
Jeannie Vanasco has had the same nightmare since she was a teenager. She startles awake, saying his name. It is always about him: one of her closest high school friends, a boy named Mark. A boy who raped her. When her nightmares worsen, Jeannie decides --- after 14 years of silence --- to reach out to Mark. He agrees to talk on the record and meet in person. Jeannie details her friendship with Mark before and after the assault, asking the brave and urgent question: Is it possible for a good person to commit a terrible act? Jeannie interviews Mark, exploring how rape has impacted his life as well as her own. She examines the language surrounding sexual assault and pushes against its confines, contributing to and deepening the #MeToo discussion. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: EMPIRE OF LIES by Raymond Khoury
EMPIRE OF LIES by Raymond Khoury (Alternate History/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Raphael Corkhill
Istanbul, 1683: Mehmed IV, sultan of the Ottoman Empire, is preparing to lay siege to Vienna, capital of the Holy Roman Empire, when a mysterious visitor arrives in his bedroom --- naked, covered in strange tattoos --- to deliver a dangerous, world-changing message. Paris, 2017: Ottoman flags have been flying over the great city for 300 years, ever since its fall --- along with all of Europe --- to the empire’s all-conquering army. When a mysterious stranger --- naked, covered in strange tattoos --- appears on the banks of the Seine, Kamal Arslan Agha, a feted officer in the sultan’s secret police, is called in to investigate. But what he discovers is a secret buried in the empire’s past, a secret the Sultan will do anything to silence. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com's Fall Preview Contests and Feature
Fall is known as the biggest season of the year for books. The titles that release during this latter part of the year often become holiday gifts, and many are blockbusters. To celebrate the arrival of fall, we are spotlighting a number of outstanding books that we know people will be talking about in the days and months to come.
We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days in September and October, 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, October 7th at noon ET.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
October’s New in Paperback Roundups
October's roundup of New in Paperback fiction titles includes REDEMPTION, the fifth installment in David Baldacci's Memory Man series, in which Detective Amos Decker discovers that a mistake he made as a rookie detective may have led to deadly consequences; THE NEXT PERSON YOU MEET IN HEAVEN, the enchanting sequel to THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN, in which Mitch Albom tells the story of Eddie’s heavenly reunion with Annie, the little girl he saved on earth; YOU DON'T OWN ME, the fifth enthralling mystery in Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke's Under Suspicion series, which finds television producer Laurie Moran having to solve the murder of a celebrity doctor --- before a mysterious stalker plots his next move; and NOVEMBER ROAD by Lou Berney, a poignant and evocative crime novel that centers on a desperate cat-and-mouse chase across 1960s America --- a story of unexpected connections, daring possibilities and the hope of second chances --- set against the assassination of JFK.
Among our nonfiction highlights are THE LIBRARY BOOK, Susan Orlean's unique and utterly compelling book that chronicles the 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Public Library and its aftermath, showcasing the larger, crucial role that libraries play in our lives; IN PIECES, an intimate, haunting memoir from beloved actress Sally Field, who tells her own story for the first time --- about a challenging and lonely childhood, the craft that helped her find her voice, and a powerful emotional legacy that shaped her journey as a daughter and a mother; and WITNESS, in which Ariel Burger, a devoted protégé and friend of one of the world’s great thinkers, takes us into the sacred space of the classroom, showing Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Elie Wiesel not only as an extraordinary human being, but as a master teacher.
Find out what's New in Paperback for the weeks of
September 30th, October 7th, October 14th, October 21st and October 28th.
October’s Books on Screen Feature
Here is a preview of this month's movies, TV shows and DVDs that are based on books. For a complete list of October's offerings, please click here.
In Theaters
Joker
Release Date: October 4th (wide)
Based on: DC Comics characters
The Addams Family
Release Date: October 11th (wide)
Based on: The Addams Family comics by Charles Addams
Jojo Rabbit
Release Date: October 18th (limited)
Based on: CAGING SKIES by Christine Leunens
On TV
"Nancy Drew"
Air Dates: Wednesdays at 9pm ET/PT on The CW; Series Premiere on October 9th
Based on: The Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene
"Looking for Alaska" (8-episode series)
Release Date: October 18th on Hulu
Based on: LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green
"Mrs. Fletcher" (7-episode series)
Air Dates: Sundays at 10:30pm ET/PT on HBO; Series Premiere on October 27th
Based on: MRS. FLETCHER by Tom Perrotta
On DVD
Spider-Man: Far From Home
DVD Release Date: October 1st
Based on: The Marvel Comics character Spider-Man
Can You Keep a Secret?
DVD Release Date: October 15th
Based on: CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET? by Sophie Kinsella
A TRICK OF LIGHT: Stan Lee’s Alliances by Stan Lee and Kat Rosenfield (Science Fiction/Adventure)
Audiobook available, read by Yara Shahidi
Nia, a gifted but desperately lonely hacker, is living in isolation with her strict single dad. As a social-media maven, she is wildly popular and has more than a million friends. But they are all strangers. Cameron is on a quest for YouTube fame as a vlogger focusing on exploring the mysteries of Lake Erie. While recording his latest video, he is knocked out by lightning in a freak storm that appears to defy the laws of physics. When Cameron awakens, he discovers an astonishing cyberkinetic talent: the ability to manipulate computers and electronics with his mind. After a chance meeting online, the two teenagers join together to right wrongs in the world --- but they draw the attention of dangerous forces, putting the future of the planet at risk. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE SISTERS OF SUMMIT AVENUE by Lynn Cullen (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Madeleine Maby
Ruth has been single-handedly raising four young daughters and running her family’s Indiana farm for eight long years, ever since her husband, John, fell into a comatose state. If only Ruth could trade places with her older sister, June, who is the envy of everyone she meets. But these gilded trappings hide sorrows: June has borne no children. And the man she used to love more than anything belongs to Ruth. When the two sisters reluctantly reunite after a long estrangement, June’s bitterness about her sister’s betrayal sets into motion a confrontation that’s been years in the making. And their mother, Dorothy, has her own dark secrets, which might blow up the fragile peace she hopes to restore between her daughters. Reviewed by Cindy Burnett.
MOTHER KNOWS BEST by Kira Peikoff (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Sophie Amoss, Marni Penning and Jennifer Jill Araya
Claire Abrams' dreams became a nightmare when she passed on a genetic mutation that killed her little boy. Now she wants a second chance to be a mother, and finds it in Robert Nash, a maverick fertility doctor who works under the radar with Jillian Hendricks, a cunning young scientist bent on making her mark. Claire, Robert and Jillian work together to create the world's first baby with three genetic parents --- an unprecedented feat that could eliminate inherited disease. But when word of their illegal experiment leaks to the wrong person, Robert escapes into hiding with the now-pregnant Claire, leaving Jillian to serve out a prison sentence that destroys her future. Ten years later, Jillian will stop at nothing to reunite with the man and daughter who should have been hers. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
THE SIXTH WICKED CHILD: A 4MK Thriller by J.D. Barker (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Edoardo Ballerini and Graham Winton
For Detective Sam Porter, the words "Father, forgive me" conjure memories long forgotten --- a past intentionally buried. For Anson Bishop, these three words connect a childhood to the present as he unleashes a truth concealed for decades. Found written on cardboard near each body, these words link multiple victims to a single killer --- clearly connected yet separated by impossible miles. Chicago Metro and the FBI find themselves caught in chaos --- a hospital on lockdown, a rogue officer and corruption at the highest levels. When Anson Bishop, the prime suspect in the notorious 4MK serial murders, turns himself in, he reveals a story completely unexpected, one that not only upends the current investigation, but one that will change the lives of all involved. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
NO WAY TO DIE: A Cal Claxton Oregon Mystery by Warren C. Easley (Mystery)
Attorney Cal Claxton, now well-established in his Oregon law practice after breaking off his career as a high-powered LA prosecutor, goes fishing with his daughter, Claire. But their vacation takes a dark turn with the discovery of a body in the river. As an investigation is launched into the suspicious death, Cal and Claire find themselves drawn into the life of the local bookshop owner and vocal environmental activist, whose grandson was convicted of murder at age 16. She believes he was wrongly accused and convinces Cal to reexamine the case. Together, Cal and Claire dig deep into the secrets and crumbling alliances that form the foundation of this small coastal community, and what they find could spell doom for them both. Reviewed by Roz Shea.
- Click here to read Warren C. Easley’s blog post about plotting mysteries.
EARL SCRUGGS AND FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREAKDOWN: The Making of an American Classic by Thomas Goldsmith (Music/Biography)
Recorded in 1949, "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" changed the face of American music. Earl Scruggs' instrumental essentially transformed the folk culture that came before it, while helping to energize bluegrass's entry into the mainstream in the 1960s. The song has become a gateway to bluegrass for musicians and fans alike, as well as a happily inescapable track in film and television. Thomas Goldsmith explores the origins and influence of "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" against the backdrop of Scruggs' legendary career. Interviews with Scruggs, his wife Louise, disciple Béla Fleck, and sidemen like Curly Seckler, Mac Wiseman and Jerry Douglas shed light on such topics as Scruggs' musical evolution and his working relationship with Bill Monroe. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
A SUDDEN DEATH IN CYPRUS: A David Mitre Thriller by Michael Grant (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Jeff Harding
Having melted easily into Cyprus’s relaxed expat community, fugitive crime writer David Mitre is feeling relatively secure. His cash stashed in secret accounts and his exit routes mapped out, he can concentrate on his writing. All that changes when he’s witness to a cold-blooded murder in broad daylight on Paphos beach. The killing brings David to the attention of the FBI, who forcefully requests his help in solving a crime far worse than anything he’s been accused of. Fight or flight? Is helping the FBI the only way David will be able to live his life without constantly looking over his shoulder...or could it lead to an even worse fate? Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on October 7th and 8th
Below are some notable titles releasing on October 7th and 8th 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 available the week of October 7th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
October 7th
THE 19th CHRISTMAS by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Thriller)
Solving crimes never happens on schedule, but as a criminal mastermind unleashes credible threats by the hour, the month of December is upended for the Women's Murder Club.
October 8th
CHILD'S PLAY by Danielle Steel (Fiction)
The lessons our children teach us are the hardest ones. What do we do when our children don’t pursue our hopes for them? In this riveting new novel, Danielle Steel explores how families can evolve and grow in unexpected ways.
THE GIVER OF STARS by Jojo Moyes (Historical Fiction)
Set in Depression-era America, THE GIVER OF STARS is a breathtaking story of five extraordinary women and their remarkable journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond.
GRAND UNION: Stories by Zadie Smith (Fiction/Short Stories)
Zadie Smith has established herself as one of the most iconic, critically respected and popular writers of her generation. In her first short story collection, she combines her power of observation and her inimitable voice to mine the fraught and complex experience of life in the modern world.
HOW WE FIGHT FOR OUR LIVES: A Memoir by Saeed Jones (Memoir)
Haunted and haunting, Saeed Jones’ memoir tells the story of a young, black, gay man from the South as he fights to carve out a place for himself --- within his family, within his country, within his own hopes, desires and fears.
MARLEY by Jon Clinch (Fiction)
From the acclaimed author of FINN comes a masterful reimagining of Charles Dickens’ classic A CHRISTMAS CAROL with this darkly entertaining and moving exploration of the twisted relationship between Ebenezer Scrooge and Jacob Marley.
NINTH HOUSE by Leigh Bardugo (Supernatural Thriller/Fantasy)
This mesmerizing adult debut from Leigh Bardugo is a tale of power, privilege, dark magic and murder set among the Ivy League elite
ON THE PLAIN OF SNAKES: A Mexican Journey by Paul Theroux (Travel/Memoir)
Legendary travel writer Paul Theroux drives the entire length of the US-Mexico border, then goes deep into the hinterland, on the back roads of Chiapas and Oaxaca, to uncover the rich, layered world behind today’s brutal headlines.
PASSING: A Memoir of Love and Death by Michael Korda (Memoir)
In the tradition of THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING comes a legendary editor’s unflinching love song about his radiant wife, Margaret, and her battle with cancer.
WARRIOR OF THE ALTAII by Robert Jordan (Fantasy)
WARRIOR OF THE ALTAII is the never-before-published novel of Robert Jordan, epic fantasy legend and author of the #1 New York Times bestselling series The Wheel of Time.
WHAT HAPPENS IN PARADISE by Elin Hilderbrand (Fiction)
Secret lives and new loves emerge in the bright Caribbean sunlight in this follow-up to the national bestseller WINTER IN PARADISE.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
Our Latest Poll: Attending Author Events
Do you attend, or want to attend, author events, including book festivals? Please check all that apply.
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I go to many author events.
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I have been to some author events, and that works for me.
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I have been to some author events and would like to go to more, but the timing of them or the distance to get to them is tough for me.
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Author events do not happen near my home, so I cannot participate.
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I do not attend author events, but I would if I knew about them.
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I am not interested in attending author events.
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, October 18th at noon ET.
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 October 4th to October 18th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE GUARDIANS by John Grisham and WHAT HAPPENS IN PARADISE by Elin Hilderbrand.
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 October 1st to November 1st at noon ET, two lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win the audio versions of Jojo Moyes' THE GIVER OF STARS, read by Julia Whelan, and Elizabeth Strout's OLIVE, AGAIN, read by Kimberly Farr.
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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