October 30, 2020
 October 30, 2020Quick Links to Features on Bookreporter.com Reviews | Features | Bookreporter.com Bets On | Upcoming Bets On  Latest Update on Our GoFundMe Campaign Thank you to those of you who have donated to our GoFundMe campaign. So far, with online and snail mail donations, we have raised $36,465 of our $50,000 goal. In addition to these contributions, we are loving your comments about how you enjoy The Book Report Network. Here are two messages we received recently: Nora: “I have really enjoyed your Bookreporter newsletter over some years. Thanks for two books that I have won. Recently, my stepdaughter signed up to receive your newsletters, as she is an avid reader.” Jan: “I really enjoyed your August ReadingGroupGuides.com newsletter. My book club has been on hiatus since April. Keep up the good work.” You can read about our plans and donate here. If you would prefer donating via check, please send to: Thank you again for your consideration and your donation.  Carol's latest "Bookreporter Talks To" interview is with Aimee Molloy,  Voting is now underway for the 12th Annual Goodreads Choice Awards.   Carol has created a new studio in the corner of her office where she will be taping   A few weeks ago, Carol posted a pattern for a knitted Halloween pumpkin.   Above are some huge limelight hydrangeas that Carol "harvested," An Extra Hour! Wait, how did I miss this? The clocks are changing this weekend, and we are getting back the hour that we lost in March. I thought this was happening next weekend. I am sooooo excited! I know, it’s the little things these days. On Wednesday night, in anticipation of cooler weather and with the promise of frost on tap, I raced around and cut back the limelight hydrangeas, as well as the zinnias that were still in bloom. And one of the four dahlias was harvested as well. Yes, they say they are the size of dinner plates, and they are not wrong. I will plant more next year. Then I grabbed the mums that were on the back patio and moved them to the front porch, along with some other fall plants. There is still more to move around before the typical cold snap of late October/early November rolls in. Also, I was doing most of this as the sun was down after 6:00; I literally was turning on lights to cut the flowers. Ah, for the nights when it was sunny until 9:00. Tomorrow night is Halloween, and we will have not just a blue moon; we also will have the first full Halloween moon since 1944…which will not happen again until 2039! One of our reviewers, Kate Ayers, shared this news on Facebook. I love little factoids like this. A few weeks ago, I posted a pattern for a knitted Halloween pumpkin. I found some yarn in my stash and made the little pumpkin above. It's soooo easy to do! Once again, there were some wonderful author events this week. On Monday night, Barbara Peters from Poisoned Pen Bookstore hosted Lee Child and Andrew Child talking about THE SENTINEL, their first book together, as Lee hands off the Jack Reacher franchise to his brother. You can watch it here. On Tuesday night, Harper Canada hosted a fabulous event that was masterfully moderated by Shari Lapena. Her author guests --- Lisa Unger, Gilly Macmillan and Alyssa Cole --- provided a lot of lively conversation. Then last night I watched a Toronto International Festival of Authors event with Harlan Coben interviewed by Linwood Barclay. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation and banter between the two of them! I am waiting for my signed copy of GREENLIGHTS by Matthew McConaughey to arrive (the book debuted on the New York Times list at #1 this week). I keep thinking about the premise of the book --- even when you hit yellow and red lights, green ones follow. This is so true and is something we need to think about more! Last weekend, as we were cleaning the attic, we found Greg’s collection of Hank the Cowdog books --- both the paperbacks and the cassette tapes (yes, cassette tapes!). He loved that series. Well, they now may be worth something as this week I read that McConaughey is going to topline produce a “Hank the Cowdog” podcast. I think that will be all right, all right, all right. I am reading up a storm as I am planning to shoot three interviews next week. Not only are we filming videos/podcasts for our “Bookreporter Talks To” series, we also will be doing two videos that will appear exclusively at the Miami Book Fair the week of November 15-22. Look for much more on this in the weeks to come; they are planning a very ambitious schedule, which will be set up much like Netflix so you easily can search for what you want to watch. I love this concept. Often at a book festival or fair, you need to select the programming that you would like to see, and many of them have timing that overlaps. This way, you really can see whatever you want! My latest “Bookreporter Talks To” interview is with Aimee Molloy, who talked to me about her new novel, GOODNIGHT BEAUTIFUL. It is one of those books that I simply cannot stop talking about, as it contains stellar twists that are so well plotted (naturally it is a Bets On selection). Sam and Annie are newly married. While Sam, a psychotherapist, works long hours with his patients, he doesn't realize that every word can be clearly heard through a floor vent upstairs. Then Sam goes missing, forcing Annie to try to figure out what happened to him. In our interview, Aimee shared how she shelved another book just as it was due to the publisher, and instead went forth with the plot for this one! It’s a great publishing story. She also talked about her journey to become a novelist and how her own marriage may have accidentally had a part in influencing her work. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast. Along with GOODNIGHT BEAUTIFUL, I’m “betting” you’ll love INVISIBLE GIRL by Lisa Jewell and THE GIRL IN THE MIRROR by Rose Carlyle, both of which we featured over the last couple of weeks. Click on each of the titles for my Bets On commentary. The aforementioned THE SENTINEL, the 25th entry in the Jack Reacher series, is out this week. We have our review from Joe Hartlaub, who says, “This latest installment bodes well for the series going forward, with the right balance of an interesting mystery coupled with Reacher’s trademark skill set and personality.” He goes on to say, “My best advice is to let yourself become swept up by the plot of THE SENTINEL. If you find yourself in the weeds at various points, do as Reacher would do and stiff-leg yourself out. Your momentary effort will be rewarded." THE SENTINEL is one of our Word of Mouth prizes; the other is FORTUNE AND GLORY: A Stephanie Plum Novel by Janet Evanovich, which we plan to review next week. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win both these highly anticipated novels. Be sure to enter by Friday, November 6th at noon ET. THE COLD MILLIONS by Jess Walter, the acclaimed author of BEAUTIFUL RUINS, is November’s Barnes & Noble Book Club selection. The Dolans live by their wits, jumping freight trains and lining up for day work at crooked job agencies. While 16-year-old Rye yearns for a steady job and a home, his older brother, Gig, dreams of a better world, fighting alongside other union men for fair pay and decent treatment. Enter Ursula the Great, a vaudeville singer who performs with a live cougar and introduces the brothers to a far more dangerous creature: a mining magnate determined to keep his wealth and his hold on Ursula. Dubious of Gig’s idealism, Rye finds himself drawn to a fearless 19-year-old activist and feminist named Elizabeth Gurley Flynn. But a storm is coming, threatening to overwhelm them all, and Rye will be forced to decide where he stands. Our reviewer Eileen Zimmerman Nicol calls the book “a joy to read. Rye’s point of view is front and center, but a cast of colorful characters have their say as well…. This is the best kind of historical novel --- one that asks big questions and entertains at the same time.” On Tuesday, December 1st at 7pm ET, join Jess Walter on B&N’s Facebook page for a discussion of THE COLD MILLIONS. If you missed this Tuesday’s B&N Book Club event, which featured Rumaan Alam in conversation with Laura Lippman about his latest novel, LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND (October’s B&N pick), you can catch their discussion here. Bryan Washington’s debut novel, MEMORIAL, is November’s “Good Morning America” Book Club pick. His first book, the story collection LOT, was a finalist for the NBCC’s John Leonard Prize, the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize, the Aspen Words Literary Prize, and the New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award. “GMA” describes MEMORIAL as “explor[ing] the relationship between Benson, a Black day care worker, and Mike, a Japanese-American chef, who live together in Houston and the delicate relationships they have with their families --- particularly their fathers.” In a special message, Washington said, "I'm so thrilled to be able to say that my novel, MEMORIAL, is the next 'GMA' Book Club pick. It's a rom-com and it's a dramedy, and its characters navigate the intersections between queerness and race and class." According to our reviewer Rebecca Munro, "What makes MEMORIAL so perfectly compelling is the raw sensitivity with which Washington approaches every single character, theme and tension-filled moment. I read this book in one sitting because I simply could not look away. Whether he is breaking down the effects of gentrification, exploring the pain of coming out or celebrating the bravery in choosing joy, Washington is endlessly wise and poignant, but never verbose or overwritten. His prose is as lyrical as it is sharp, yet there is a quiet humor written in that never ceased to surprise me." It also was announced this week that Christie Tate’s debut memoir, GROUP: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life, is November’s Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club pick. Reese explains what drew her to the book: “Have you ever read a book that made you want to HUG the author? Every page of this incredible memoir by Christie Tate had me thinking, ‘I wish I had read this book when I was 25. It would have helped me so much!’ Christie’s story of being a young professional woman who is struggling with deep insecurity and loneliness made me remember so many times in my life where I wished I had a group of friends to carry me through the hard days. And that’s what Christie finds in her therapy group. This book is a testament to the power of human connection. We need each other through the good times and the bad. Please read this book with a group of friends you cherish.” We have our own rave review from Alison Lee, who says, “Christie Tate has a particular talent for prose. I loved the metaphor of the scored heart, which was poetic and apt for the situation. Reading about her struggles and progress was extremely therapeutic; you will be engaged within the very first chapter…. I absolutely adored this memoir, and I recommend it to anyone who appreciates a warm and beautiful story that is captivating, soul-baring and inspiring.” Click here for a fascinating interview with Christie and here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com. Other books we’re reviewing this week include SHAKEUP by Stuart Woods, which finds Stone Barrington having to track down an enemy intent on disturbing law and order; EX LIBRIS, in which Pulitzer Prize–winning literary critic Michiko Kakutani shares 100 personal essays about books that have mattered to her and that help illuminate the world we live in today; and emily m. danforth’s PLAIN BAD HEROINES, a horror-comedy centered on a cursed New England boarding school for girls, which includes illustrations by Sara Lautman. PLAIN BAD HEROINES is the prize book in our current “What’s Your Book Group Reading This Month?” contest on ReadingGroupGuides.com, where three book groups will win 12 copies of the novel. To enter, please fill out the form on this page by Monday, November 9th at noon ET. Our latest poll is a follow-up to a poll that we did back in June, where we asked if you've been attending virtual author, library, bookstore, book festival and/or publisher-sponsored events. Four months later, we’re still curious if you’re attending these events and how the results of this poll will compare to those of the previous one. Let us know here! Voting is now underway for the 12th Annual Goodreads Choice Awards, the only major book awards decided by readers. Three rounds of voting are open to all registered Goodreads members, with the first round ending on November 8th. Click here to cast your votes in 20 different genre categories, and check out the voting schedule here. The winners will be announced on December 8th. News & Pop Culture Reader Mail: Nora sent a lovely note with her donation to our GoFundMe fundraiser: “I have really enjoyed your Bookreporter newsletter over some years. Thanks for two books that I have won. Recently, my stepdaughter signed up to receive your newsletters, as she is an avid reader.” We are grateful for the donation, Nora, and thank you for sharing the newsletter as well. I also got this note from Jan in snail mail with a donation that I failed to acknowledge: “I really enjoyed your August ReadingGroupGuides.com newsletter. My book club has been on hiatus since April. Keep up the good work.” Thank you too, Jan! It is very appreciated, and may your book group get back to meeting soon. “The Undoing” on HBO: I enjoyed the first episode, though I felt rather nostalgic since midtown and downtown in New York City have been rather deserted since March. There was a black-tie event with an auction, chauffeured cars and a scene where someone had a corner office that was windowed from ceiling to floor. My thought as I watched: Does the "power office" matter with the windowed corner office if no one is in the office to see you in it? Ponder that question! “The Queen’s Gambit” on Netflix: I have been enjoying this so much. I read the book 25 years ago, so I confess that I cannot comment on how closely it is tracking to the book. But the costuming and the acting are terrific. I have a few more episodes to go, as I am savoring it. Outlander Readers Who Love to Knit: Steven Be’s yarn shop in Minneapolis has some great Outlander patterns. “The Baby-Sitters Club” on Netflix: It’s returning for a second season. It's a cute fun show that I enjoyed watching as I was unpacking my office. I felt like I had company as I was doing these mundane tasks. I built out a new studio for taping “Bookaccino Live” events and “Bookreporter Talks To” interviews in a corner of my office. I brought in a table, light and mic, and viola, the sitting area becomes a studio. The good news about this: The dining room can go back to being for dinners! You can see some photos of the space above. And yes, the books behind me are all blue. I know, sacrilege, but the solid background really looks better, and the books with foil on them reflect the light too much. The things I have learned. For some reason, my husband bought Kit Kats for Halloween trick-or-treating. Where are the typical peanut M&Ms? I am not a fan of Kit Kats, which probably is a good thing since it will keep me from eating any! We are going to set up a table with candy at the end of our driveway. It will not be the same, but we will have a socially distanced celebration…with us in the house! One more thing: We pride ourselves on being politics-free on this website. But it’s time to share the only thing I will share about politics. Vote! I dropped off my ballot yesterday, and the rest of the staff early voted. There is something nice about not having to revolve the vote around a single day. Read on, and have a great week! Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)    Featured Review: THE SENTINEL  THE SENTINEL: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child and Andrew Child (Thriller) Click here to read our review. Featured Review: THE COLD MILLIONS by Jess Walter  THE COLD MILLIONS by Jess Walter (Fiction) Click here to read our review. Featured Review: MEMORIAL by Bryan Washington  MEMORIAL by Bryan Washington (Fiction) - Click here to read more about the book. Click here to read our review. An Interview with Christie Tate, Author of GROUP   GROUP is November’s Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club pick. Here, Chicago-based writer and essayist Christie Tate details how she reluctantly chose to get psychologically and emotionally naked in a room of six complete strangers --- her psychotherapy group --- and in turn found human connection, and herself. In this interview, Tate discusses what inspired her to share her daring, exhilarating, painful and hilarious journey with the world; how her fellow group members have reacted to being featured in the book; her evolving relationship with her eccentric therapist, Dr. Rosen, and how she would encourage skeptical readers to embrace some facets of his unique approach; why she considers her memoir to be a bildungsroman; and her decision to end GROUP with a “Ten Years Later” update rather than with her wedding. GROUP: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life by Christie Tate (Memoir) Featured Review: SHAKEUP by Stuart Woods  SHAKEUP: A Stone Barrington Novel by Stuart Woods (Thriller/Adventure) - Click here to read more about the book. Click here to read our review. Featured Review: EX LIBRIS by Michiko Kakutani  EX LIBRIS: 100+ Books to Read and Reread by Michiko Kakutani (Literary Criticism/Essays) - Click here to read more about the book. Click here to read our review. Featured Review:  PLAIN BAD HEROINES written by emily m. danforth, with illustrations by Sara Lautman (Gothic Fiction) - Click here to read more about the book. Click here to read our review.  Bookreporter.com Bets On:    INVISIBLE GIRL by Lisa Jewell (Psychological Thriller) Well, Lisa invented a story about him where he lived in his aunt’s spare bedroom. Owen is a teacher but is currently suspended for his actions with some students, which he vehemently denies. He also is caught up in the world of incels, men who are "involuntary celibates" --- members of an online subculture who define themselves as unable to find a romantic or sexual partner. - Click here to read more about the book. Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on INVISIBLE GIRL. GOODNIGHT BEAUTIFUL by Aimee Molloy (Psychological Thriller) The book is set in a quiet upstate town. Sam and Annie have relocated there to keep tabs on his mom, who is in an extended care facility suffering from dementia. They want to be able to spend more time with her. For Sam, he has moved back home. He grew up in this sleepy town where he was a bit of a player with the girls in high school. He has returned as a psychotherapist, and his clientele is a group of women who pour out their troubles to him. Unbeknownst to Sam, their conversations can be heard through a vent in the ceiling. And there is listening going on upstairs. - Click here to read more about the book. Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on GOODNIGHT BEAUTIFUL. THE GIRL IN THE MIRROR by Rose Carlyle (Psychological Thriller) In the book, Iris and Summer are mirror twins, which means they are completely identical but physically asymmetrical. Iris, who has always been envious of her sister's perfect life, joins Summer on a sailing trip that goes awry. When Iris returns to land, she is assumed to be her sister and lives out the life she has always wanted. How long does she have until she is discovered, and what will the consequences be? Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on THE GIRL IN THE MIRROR.    From left to right: John Connolly, Janet Evanovich, Viola Shipman Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events As so many book and author events are happening online these days, we are highlighting a number of them that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links below for more info and to register. Sunday, November 1st at 3pm ET: Murder By The Book Virtual Event: Join Murder By The Book for a virtual YouTube event with John Connolly and Stuart Neville, who will talk about their new novels, THE DIRTY SOUTH and THE TRAVELLER AND OTHER STORIES. Sunday, November 1st at 7pm ET: "Friends and Fiction": Every Wednesday, Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Patti Callahan Henry and Mary Alice Monroe talk books and writing on their "Friends and Fiction" Facebook group page. They will have a special Sunday session on November 1st with Viola Shipman, author of THE HEIRLOOM GARDEN. Monday, November 2nd at 9pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore Virtual Event: Poisoned Pen presents a virtual event with Janet Evanovich, who will discuss the tantalizing 27th book in her Stephanie Plum series, FORTUNE AND GLORY. Wednesday, November 4th at 7pm ET: "Friends and Fiction": The "Friends and Fiction" authors will talk to Brit Bennett about her latest novel, THE VANISHING HALF. Wednesday, November 4th at 7pm ET: Midtown Scholar Books Virtual Event: #1 New York Times bestselling author Janet Evanovich will discuss her new Stephanie Plum novel, FORTUNE AND GLORY. Thursday, November 5th at 9pm ET: Vroman’s Live: Barbara Abercrombie and Jacqueline Winspear will be in conversation with Monica Holloway as they discuss their new books, THE LANGUAGE OF LOSS and THIS TIME NEXT YEAR WE'LL BE LAUGHING. Friday, November 6th at 7pm ET: Book Revue Virtual Event: Join Book Revue for an evening with Janet Evanovich in conversation with fellow bestselling author Reed Farrel Coleman as they discuss Evanovich’s new novel, FORTUNE AND GLORY.   "Bookreporter Talks To" Videos & Podcasts “Bookreporter Talks To” is a video and podcast series that delivers a long-form, in-depth author interview every week. For years, Carol has moderated book festivals and author events around the country. But we know that readers often do not live where they can attend an author event. Our goal is to bring these author interviews to readers, wherever they may be. Watch on video, or listen as a podcast. (The podcasts include audio excerpts.) Here is our latest interview: Other authors we've interviewed include:
Upcoming interviews include:
Click here for a complete list of our    More Reviews This WeekTHREE WOMEN DISAPPEAR by James Patterson and Shan Serafin (Thriller) WHERE I COME FROM: Stories from the Deep South by Rick Bragg (Essays) CRAZY STUPID BROMANCE by Lyssa Kay Adams (Romantic Comedy) CHICAGO'S GREAT FIRE: The Destruction and Resurrection of an Iconic American City by Carl Smith (History) THE HOLLOW PLACES by T. Kingfisher (Supernatural Thriller/Horror) DEATH AND THE MAIDEN by Ariana Franklin and Samantha Norman (Historical Mystery) HOUSE OF CORRECTION by Nicci French (Psychological Thriller) THE BONE SHARD DAUGHTER by Andrea Stewart (Fantasy) THE LOST LOVE SONG by Minnie Darke (Romance)   
Next Week's Notables:
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