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Reading Through the Pollen Haze
My car, which is parked in the driveway as Greg continues a Land Rover reno project in the garage (as in, he took a car apart and is rebuilding it), is covered in pollen. I feel like I need to dust it. But in better outdoor news, the lettuce plants have left the kitchen and finally are outside. May there be no rabbits in the area!
I did some really fun reading these past two weeks and found two new Bookreporter.com Bets On selections.
Last weekend, I absolutely devoured MALIBU RISING by Taylor Jenkins Reid, which releases on June 1st. It’s set in Malibu in August 1983. Nina Riva is set to throw her end-of-summer party, which requires no invite --- those in the know just show up. It’s the place to be. Nina is a fabulous surfer and a super model. One brother is a champion surfer, and the other is a well-respected photographer. And there is a younger sister who still is making her way. The kids also are known for their pedigree as their dad is a well-known singer, Mick Riva. Nina is not excited about the party; she recently split with her husband, who is a champion tennis player, but the tradition must go on.
The back story on the family is so well done; we see how they came to Malibu at a time when it was not the star mecca that it is today. There are tons of secrets and a fair number of lies. It’s juicy and smart --- and Taylor captures the Malibu vibe so well. She wrote DAISY JONES & THE SIX, and MALIBU RISING has that same cool vibe, though it is written in prose instead of the running dialogue-style of her previous novel. She captures well what it’s like to sit on the water with a board waiting for a wave, as well as the emotion that resonates from being in the spotlight. Oh, and a small factoid that I promise does not give anything away: By the morning after the party, the house will have burned down.
I enjoyed WHISPER NETWORK by Chandler Baker, so I was looking forward to her new book, THE HUSBANDS, which is coming out on August 3rd. There’s a lot of talk in this country about the way that women take on more of the management and running of the household than men do, even when they have very busy jobs. This book tackles that subject head on in a very interesting way.
In it, Nora Spangler is a successful attorney whose home life is filled with taking care of a myriad of little details; yes, she is the one shouldering most of the family needs. She and her husband go house hunting in an exclusive residential community called Dynasty Ranch. There the women are just as high-powered as Nora, but they are a lot less stressed. Their husbands match their homekeeping skills and at times even surpass what the wives do. She takes on a case of wrongful death that happened in the community, and uncovers a lot more hidden in this enclave. We’re going to be doing something fun with this book on ReadingGroupGuides.com, so I wanted it on your radar.
@TheBookReportNetwork on Instagram
We have not been as active on social media as we would like, but we are planning to ramp up our presence on Instagram in the next few weeks, including doing some Instagram Live events. So for those of you on Instagram, may we ask you to follow us on @thebookreportnetwork?
As promised, the video and podcast for our third “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event are now available. Our guest was Kim Michele Richardson, who talked about her 2019 novel, THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK, which was inspired by the true blue-skinned people of Kentucky and the brave and dedicated Kentucky Pack Horse library service of the 1930s. With this opportunity to have a live book group discussion, Kim Michele dove deep into the book without the fear of spoiling anything. Stay tuned to hear the great questions from our readers…and if you already have read THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK, there is plenty of background you will take away from this interview. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast.
Kim Michele had a wonderful time at the event and sent me this link to a companion booklet that readers of the novel will want to take a look at. It includes a conversation with Kim Michele, authentic recipes and household hints from the Pack Horse Librarians, historical photos, and lots more bonus material, all of which is fascinating and will greatly enhance your understanding of the book.
Best known for his iconic legal thrillers, John Grisham takes you to a different kind of court in SOOLEY, which is his first basketball novel. Samuel “Sooley” Sooleymon is a raw, young talent with big hoop dreams…and even bigger challenges off the court. Our resident Grisham reviewer, Stuart Shiffman, respects this departure from the norm: “I have read and reviewed most of Grisham’s books, with the exception of A PAINTED HOUSE, SKIPPING CHRISTMAS and his Theodore Boone series of young adult novels. Long ago, I understood that his work requires some ‘willing suspension of disbelief.’ That level might be a bit higher here, but I am fine with it. I admire an author who presents stories and characters created from his heart and conscience.”
As longtime readers know, John Grisham is a special author for us. He did his first-ever online interview with us back in 1997, and we ran the first online excerpt of THE PARTNER. That definitely got us on the radar of a lot of people!
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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WHEREABOUTS: Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri’s first novel in nearly a decade is about a woman who questions her place in the world, wavering between stasis and movement, between the need to belong and the refusal to form lasting ties.
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THE BEAUTY OF LIVING TWICE: In her bestselling memoir, actress Sharon Stone chronicles her efforts to rebuild her life after a massive stroke cost her not only her health, but also her career, family, fortune and global fame.
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THE LAST NIGHT IN LONDON: In her latest historical novel, Karen White tells a captivating story of friendship, love and betrayal that moves between war-torn London during the Blitz and the present day.
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FIRST PERSON SINGULAR: The eight stories here are all told in the first person by a classic Haruki Murakami narrator. They touch on love and solitude, childhood and memory --- all with a signature Murakami twist.
Announcing This Year’s Summer Reading Feature!
Our ever-popular Summer Reading contests are back for a 17th(!) year and will kick off next Tuesday, May 4th at noon ET. On select days through the end of August, we will host a series of 24-hour contests and on each of the contest days award five readers a book that we think is a great summer read. You will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter to win. We also will send a special newsletter to announce the day's title, along with a Summer Reading Preview newsletter on Monday. Click here to sign up for these dedicated newsletters. Our first three prize books will be THE BOOKSHOP OF SECOND CHANCES by Jackie Fraser, FIND YOU FIRST by Linwood Barclay (a future Bets On pick), and UNDER THE MAGNOLIAS by T. I. Lowe.
Celebrating Mother’s Day with TWO Features
Our Mother’s Day Author Blog series is back! For the 12th year in a row, we’re sharing pieces from authors who reminisce about reading books with their moms, or with their own children, and talk about how their moms influenced them to become readers and writers. So far we have heard from Laura Munson, Lea Geller and Elizabeth Brundage. Next week, there will be contributions from Mary Dixie Carter, Wendy Francis, Elin Hilderbrand, Virginia Hume, Andrea Lee, Deborah Goodrich Royce and Nancy Thayer.
Lea Geller’s novel, THE TRUTH AND OTHER HIDDEN THINGS, is one of the books we’re giving away in our Mother’s Day contest, along with 14 other fabulous fiction and nonfiction titles --- including FLOAT PLAN by Trish Doller, LOVE IN COLOR: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold by Bolu Babalola, METROPOLITAN STORIES by Christine Coulson, STRANGER CARE: A Memoir of Loving What Isn't Ours by Sarah Sentilles, and THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVED ME by Julia Quinn. Click here to take a look at all of the prize books and enter the giveaway, which will be open until next Friday, May 7th at noon ET.
Enter Our New Word of Mouth Contest
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, May 14th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win THE LAST GREEN VALLEY by Mark Sullivan (an upcoming Bets On selection) and THE NEWCOMER by Mary Kay Andrews, both of which release on Tuesday.
Vote in Our New Poll --- and Check Out Results from the Last Poll
For our latest poll, we’ve listed 25 books releasing in May, and we’re asking you which, if any, you’re planning to read. Click here to let us know.
In our previous poll, we asked which of 22 paperbacks releasing in April you have read or are planning to read. Here are your top five picks: BIG SUMMER by Jennifer Weiner (35%), THE HENNA ARTIST by Alka Joshi (33%), THE SILENT WIFE by Karin Slaughter (31%), A LONG PETAL OF THE SEA by Isabel Allende (30%), and SUCH A FUN AGE by Kiley Reid (30%). Click here for all the results.
Upcoming Barnes & Noble Facebook Live Event
A reminder that this Tuesday, May 4th at 3pm ET, Kirstin Valdez Quade will talk to fellow author Karen Russell about her latest novel, THE FIVE WOUNDS, which is April’s Barnes & Noble Book Club pick. You can watch the event on B&N’s Facebook page.
Awards Update
Yesterday, Mystery Writers of America (MWA) announced the winners of this year’s Edgar Awards, which honor the best in mystery fiction, nonfiction and television published or produced in 2020. Among the recipients were DJINN PATROL ON THE PURPLE LINE by Deepa Anappara (Best Novel), PLEASE SEE US by Caitlin Mullen (Best First Novel by an American Author), WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING by Alyssa Cole (Paperback Original), and DEATH IN MUD LICK: A Coal Country Fight Against the Drug Companies that Delivered the Opioid Epidemic, by Eric Eyre (Best Fact Crime). Click here for all the winners, and you can watch the presentation on YouTube or Facebook.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Cherie wrote: "Thank you so much. I received the book THE HENNA ARTIST as a Spring Preview prize. I can’t wait to read it. Bookreporter does so much for readers. Thank you!"
Betty wrote, “Ahhh! Rouladen and spaetzle. Brings back memories. My mom made it with kartoffelkloesse. THANK YOU for all the books you review. I’m currently recuperating from knee surgery and somewhat immobile. Books are my salvation. I have at least six on my list to get me through the next few weeks...and the podcasts! So well done and interesting. You and your staff do a wonderful service for readers, and IMHO, you don’t get praised enough."
Donna wrote, “I really enjoyed your Book Group event with Kim Michele Richardson. She was fascinating! Thanks.”
Patricia wrote, “I had never heard of THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK, but I love your interviews, so I joined! It's a phenomenal, enthralling story, especially about Blue Fugates. I had never heard of the disease. I cannot wait to read Kim Michele’s wonderful description of life in Kentucky! Thank you for the interview.”
Sharon wrote, "Just want to say thanks for the Winter Reading book I won: THIS CLOSE TO OKAY by Leesa Cross-Smith. I was hooked right away when I read 'the gray Ohio River.' Well, I cannot tell you how often have I driven from Jeffersonville, Indiana, across that gray river in both sunshine and rain. I could see the man holding on to the railing on the Clark Memorial Bridge, and I could hear Tallie as she tries to persuade him to come with her for coffee. A well-written, beautiful story with excellently portrayed characters."
The Oscars: It was a pretty lackluster night, even with an appearance by Brad Pitt, but I did realize that there were some movies that I wanted to watch. I dropped a note to a friend who writes for CNN asking if there was a list of where the Oscar-nominated films could be viewed on streaming sites. She referred me to this article that she had done about where to watch them.
Marilynne Robinson and Oprah: Robinson’s publisher shared this on Facebook. “Did you know you can watch the latest episode of Oprah’s Book Club on Apple TV for free? Start with Oprah’s exclusive interview with author Marilynne Robinson and tune in for more Gilead series book club discussions to come from Oprah’s Book Club on Apple TV+." They also said, "If you don't have the app, you can still watch --- just open your browser and type in tv.apple.com.
"Pose": The final season starts Sunday night on FX.
Harlan Coben’s New Netflix Projects: Click here to read all about Harlan Coben's unique Netflix deal that will see many of his books adapted into series or films in countries like Spain, France and Poland.
Things Heard & Seen on Netflix
Last night, I watched Things Heard & Seen on Netflix, which is based on Elizabeth Brundage’s novel, ALL THINGS CEASE TO APPEAR. It’s well done with a perfect amount of total creepiness. Here is a piece where Elizabeth talks about the book and the movie. Her latest thriller, THE VANISHING POINT, will be out on May 18th, and I am looking forward to interviewing her about it.
I am excited to share my "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Mark Sullivan about the aforementioned THE LAST GREEN VALLEY next week. He is just an amazing writer; I am a longtime fan of his writing --- and the backstory on this one is just as great as his previous work, BENEATH A SCARLET SKY. You'll see why I commented in the interview about why I want to go to Bozeman.
Greg is in Texas on a photography trip. Cory has a new roommate moving in; his longtime roommate is moving to Austin, TX, where I must recommend that he shop at BookPeople. I also am connecting him with Jann, one of my Condé Nast pals who now lives and works there. I love when connections like that can happen.
Tom and I have a quiet weekend ahead. The hosta garden is just about done; his mom’s hosta garden has some beautiful plants in it, and he is going to snag some of those for us! There is a ton of mulching to be done, and a huge pile of mulch arrived this week...so a mulching we will go.
We are celebrating my mom’s birthday on Wednesday night, and we all are looking forward to that!
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: SOOLEY by John Grisham
SOOLEY by John Grisham (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Dion Graham
In the summer of his 17th year, Samuel Sooleymon gets the chance of a lifetime: a trip to the United States with his South Sudanese teammates to play in a showcase basketball tournament. However, a civil war is raging across South Sudan; while he is away, rebel troops ransack his village. His father is dead, his sister is missing, and his mother and two younger brothers are in a refugee camp. Partly out of sympathy, the coach of North Carolina Central offers him a scholarship. He moves to Durham, enrolls in classes, joins the team, and prepares to sit out his freshman season. But Samuel has something no other player has: a fierce determination to succeed so he can bring his family to America. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: WHEREABOUTS by Jhumpa Lahiri
WHEREABOUTS by Jhumpa Lahiri (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Susan Vinciotti Bonito
Jhumpa Lahiri’s narrator, a woman questioning her place in the world, wavers between stasis and movement, between the need to belong and the refusal to form lasting ties. The city she calls home acts as a companion and interlocutor. We follow her to the pool she frequents, and to the train station that leads to her mother, who is mired in her own solitude after her husband’s untimely death. Among those who appear on this woman’s path are colleagues with whom she feels ill at ease, casual acquaintances, and “him,” a shadow who both consoles and unsettles her. Until one day at the sea, both overwhelmed and replenished by the sun’s vital heat, her perspective will abruptly change. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THE BEAUTY OF LIVING TWICE
by Sharon Stone
THE BEAUTY OF LIVING TWICE by Sharon Stone (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Sharon Stone
She was one of the most renowned actresses in the world --- until a massive stroke cost her not only her health, but her career, family, fortune and global fame. In THE BEAUTY OF LIVING TWICE, Sharon Stone chronicles her efforts to rebuild her life, and the slow road back to wholeness and health. In an industry that doesn’t accept failure, in a world where too many voices are silenced, Stone found the power to return, the courage to speak up, and the will to make a difference in the lives of women and children around the globe. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Announcing Bookreporter.com's 17th Annual
Summer Reading Contests and Feature
Summer will be here before you know it! At Bookreporter.com, this means it's time for us to share some great summer book picks with our Summer Reading Contests and Feature. We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through the end of August, 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 first prize book will be announced on Tuesday, May 4th at noon ET.
This year’s prize books include:
Click here to read all the contest details and learn more about our prize books.
Bookreporter.com’s 16th Annual
Mother’s Day Contest: Books Mom Will Love
Mother’s Day is a time to recognize the woman who raised and nurtured us. To celebrate, we're giving you the opportunity to win books for yourself or the special lady in your life in our 16th annual "Books Mom Will Love" contest. From now through Friday, May 7th at noon ET, readers can enter to win one of our five prize packages, which includes 15 great fiction and nonfiction titles we think moms will love.
This year's prize books are:
Click here to enter the contest.
Bookreporter.com’s 12th Annual
Mother’s Day Author Blogs
Our Mother's Day Author Blogs are back for a 12th year! Once again, we are excited to be sharing pieces from authors who reminisce about reading books with their moms, or with their own children, and talk about how their moms influenced them to become readers and writers.
So far, we have received lovely contributions from Laura Munson (WILLA’S GROVE), Lea Geller (THE TRUTH AND OTHER HIDDEN THINGS), and Elizabeth Brundage (THE VANISHING POINT).
Next week, we will hear from Mary Dixie Carter (THE PHOTOGRAPHER), Wendy Francis (SUMMERTIME GUESTS), Elin Hilderbrand (GOLDEN GIRL), Virginia Hume (HAVEN POINT), Andrea Lee (RED ISLAND HOUSE), Deborah Goodrich Royce (RUBY FALLS), and Nancy Thayer (FAMILY REUNION).
Click here to read Bookreporter.com's 2021 Mother's Day Author Blogs.
Featured Review: THE LAST NIGHT IN LONDON
by Karen White
THE LAST NIGHT IN LONDON by Karen White (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Barrie Kreinik and Saskia Maarleveld
London, 1939. Eva Harlow and her best friend, Precious Dubose, are trying to make their way as fashion models. When Eva falls in love with Graham St. John, an aristocrat and Royal Air Force pilot, she can’t believe her luck. Then the Blitz devastates her world, and Eva finds herself slipping into a web of intrigue, spies and secrets. All it takes is one unwary moment to change their lives forever. London, 2019. American journalist Maddie Warner, whose life has been marked by the tragic loss of her mother, travels to London to interview Precious about her life in pre-WWII London. She finds herself drawn to both Precious and to Colin, her enigmatic surrogate nephew. As Maddie gets closer to her, she begins to unravel Precious’ haunting past. Reviewed by Amy Gwiazdowski.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: FIRST PERSON SINGULAR
by Haruki Murakami
FIRST PERSON SINGULAR: Stories written by Haruki Murakami, translated by Philip Gabriel (Fiction/Short Stories)
Audiobook available, read by Kotaro Watanabe
The eight stories in FIRST PERSON SINGULAR are all told in the first person by a classic Haruki Murakami narrator. From memories of youth, meditations on music, and an ardent love of baseball, to dreamlike scenarios and invented jazz albums, together these stories challenge the boundaries between our minds and the exterior world. Occasionally, a narrator may or may not be Murakami himself. Is it memoir or fiction? The reader decides. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
From left to right: Mark Sullivan, Mary Kay Andrews, Chris Bohjalian
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, May 2nd at 12pm ET: Eagle Eye Book Shop: New York Times bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews and Emily Giffin will celebrate the launch of Mary Kay's new novel, THE NEWCOMER.
Monday, May 3rd at 7pm ET: Phoenix Books: Join Phoenix Books to celebrate the release of Chris Bohjalian's latest novel, HOUR OF THE WITCH. Chris will be in conversation with fellow bestselling Vermont author Jennifer McMahon.
Monday, May 3rd at 9pm ET: Book Soup: Book Soup presents a virtual event with Laura Dave, author of THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME, in conversation with Lauren Levy Neustadter, President of Film and Television at Hello Sunshine.
Monday, May 3rd at 9pm ET: Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Mark Sullivan will discuss THE LAST GREEN VALLEY, his new historical novel inspired by one family’s incredible story of daring, survival and triumph.
Tuesday, May 4th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble Book Club: Barnes & Noble will host a Facebook Live discussion for their April book club pick, THE FIVE WOUNDS, featuring Kirstin Valdez Quade in conversation with Karen Russell.
Tuesday, May 4th at 6pm ET: Politics & Prose: Politics & Prose presents a virtual event with Maggie Shipstead, who will be in conversation with author and critic Bethanne Patrick about her new novel, GREAT CIRCLE.
Tuesday, May 4th at 7pm ET: RJ Julia Booksellers: Join RJ Julia Booksellers for a tale of liberation and the original American witch hunt, as Chris Bohjalian will be in conversation with Lisa Scottoline about his new historical thriller, HOUR OF THE WITCH.
Tuesday, May 4th at 8pm ET: Country Bookshelf: Bozeman author Mark Sullivan will share his new book, THE LAST GREEN VALLEY, and discuss the writing and research process with local Bill Martell.
Tuesday, May 4th at 8pm ET: Murder By The Book: Mary Kay Andrews, Queen of the Beach Reads, will be in conversation with Karin Slaughter about her next page-turner for the summer, THE NEWCOMER.
Tuesday, May 4th at 8pm ET: Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Linwood Barclay will discuss his new psychological thriller, FIND YOU FIRST, with EVERY VOW YOU BREAK author Peter Swanson.
Wednesday, May 5th at 7pm ET: "Friends and Fiction": The "Friends and Fiction" authors --- Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Patti Callahan Henry and Mary Alice Monroe --- will throw a launch party for Mary Kay's new book, THE NEWCOMER.
Wednesday, May 5th at 7pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's will host Chris Bohjalian as he discusses his new book, HOUR OF THE WITCH, in conversation with Jeniffer Thompson.
Thursday, May 6th at 6pm ET: Arapahoe Libraries: Join two award-winning authors, Chris Bohjalian and Alice Hoffman, ​in conversation with one another about their latest fictional works, HOUR OF THE WITCH and MAGIC LESSONS.
Thursday, May 6th at 7pm ET: Books & Books: Patrick Radden Keefe will be in conversation with HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD author Robert Kolker about his new book, EMPIRE OF PAIN: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty.
Thursday, May 6th at 7pm ET: Gramercy Books: Join #1 bestselling author Lisa Scottoline to learn about her first historical novel, ETERNAL. She will be in conversation with Gramercy Books owner and historical novelist Linda Kass.
Thursday, May 6th at 7pm ET: Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Mike Lupica will discuss ROBERT B. PARKER'S PAYBACK, his latest Sunny Randall mystery, with special guest host Carl Hiaasen.
"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:
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Linwood Barclay (FIND YOU FIRST)
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Elizabeth Brundage (THE VANISHING POINT)
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Zakiya Dalila Harris (THE OTHER BLACK GIRL)
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Dianna Rostad (YOU BELONG HERE NOW)
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Mark Sullivan (THE LAST GREEN VALLEY)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
CRYING IN H MART: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Michelle Zauner
With humor and heart, Michelle Zauner tells of growing up one of the few Asian American kids at her school in Eugene, Oregon; of struggling with her mother's particular, high expectations of her; of a painful adolescence; of treasured months spent in her grandmother's tiny apartment in Seoul, where she and her mother would bond, late at night, over heaping plates of food. As she grew up, moving to the East Coast for college, finding work in the restaurant industry, and performing gigs with her fledgling band --- and meeting the man who would become her husband --- her Koreanness began to feel ever more distant. It was her mother's diagnosis of terminal cancer that forced a reckoning with her identity and brought her to reclaim the gifts of taste, language and history that her mother had given her. Reviewed by Julianne Holmquist.
DEATH WITH A DOUBLE EDGE: A Daniel Pitt Novel by Anne Perry (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Samuel Roukin
Junior barrister Daniel Pitt is summoned to the scene of a murder in the London district known as Mile End. The victim is a senior barrister from the same firm. The firm’s head, Marcus fford Croft, may know more than he admits, but his memory is not what it used to be. Daniel and Kitteridge’s inquiries lead them to a local brothel and to an opium den, but also to a wealthy shipbuilder crucial to Britain’s effort to build up its fleet, which may soon face the fearsome naval might of Germany. Daniel finds his path blocked by officials at every turn, and even his father receives a chilling warning from a powerful source. Suddenly, not just Daniel but his whole family --- including his beloved mother, Charlotte --- is in danger. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
GOLD DIGGERS by Sanjena Sathian (Fiction/Magical Realism)
Audiobook available, read by Rama Vallury
A floundering second-generation teenager growing up in the Bush-era Atlanta suburbs, Neil Narayan is authentic, funny and smart. He just doesn't share the same drive as everyone around him. He has his sights set on his neighbor across the cul-de-sac, Anita Dayal. But Anita has a secret: she and her mother, Anjali, have been brewing an ancient alchemical potion from stolen gold that harnesses the ambition of the jewelry's original owner. Anjali's own mother in Bombay didn't waste the precious potion on her daughter, favoring her sons instead. Anita, on the other hand, just needs a little boost to get into Harvard. But when Neil joins in the plot, events spiral into a tragedy that rips their community apart. Reviewed by Sam Johnson.
HUMMINGBIRD SALAMANDER by Jeff VanderMeer (Speculative Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Lisa Flanagan
Security consultant “Jane Smith” receives an envelope with a key to a storage unit that holds a taxidermied hummingbird and clues leading her to a taxidermied salamander. Silvina, the dead woman who left the note, is a reputed ecoterrorist and the daughter of an Argentine industrialist. By taking the hummingbird from the storage unit, Jane sets in motion a series of events that quickly spin beyond her control. Soon, Jane and her family are in danger, with few allies to help her make sense of the true scope of the peril. Is the only way to safety to follow in Silvina’s footsteps? Is it too late to stop? As she desperately seeks answers about why Silvina contacted her, time is running out --- for her and possibly for the world. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
EVERYTHING IS FINE: A Memoir by Vince Granata (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Sean Patrick Hopkins
Vince Granata remembers standing in front of his home the day his mother and father returned from the hospital with his three new siblings in tow. He had just finished scrawling their names in orange chalk on the driveway: Christopher, Timothy and Elizabeth. Twenty-three years later, Vince was a thousand miles away when he received the news that would change his life --- his younger brother, Tim, propelled by unchecked schizophrenia, had killed their mother in their childhood home. Devastated by the grief of losing his mother, Vince is also consumed by an act so incomprehensible that it overshadows every happy memory of life growing up in his seemingly idyllic middle-class family. In EVERYTHING IS FINE, Vince examines the disease that irrevocably changed his family’s destiny. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
THE NIGHT ALWAYS COMES by Willy Vlautin (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Christine Lakin
Barely 30, Lynette is exhausted. Saddled with bad credit and juggling multiple jobs, some illegally, she’s been diligently working to buy the house she lives in with her mother and developmentally disabled brother, Kenny. Portland’s housing prices have nearly quadrupled in 15 years, and the owner is giving them a good deal. Lynette knows it’s their last best chance to own their own home --- and obtain the security they’ve never had. While she has enough for the down payment, she needs her mother to cover the rest of the asking price. But a week before they’re set to sign the loan papers, her mother gets cold feet and reneges on her promise, pushing Lynette to her limits to find the money they need. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
GIRL, 11 by Amy Suiter Clarke (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
Audiobook available; read by Khristine Hvam, Kevin R. Free, Andi Arndt, Michael Castillejos, Dianne Doan and Jonathan Davis
Elle Castillo hosts a popular true crime podcast that focuses on cold cases of missing and abducted children. After four seasons of successfully solving these cases in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, Elle decides to tackle her white whale: The Countdown Killer. Twenty years ago, TCK was terrorizing the community, kidnapping and ritualistically murdering three girls over seven days, each a year younger than the last. Then, after he took his 11-year-old victim, the pattern --- and the murders --- abruptly stopped. When Elle follows up on a listener tip only to discover the man’s dead body, she feels at fault. Then, within days, a child is abducted --- a young girl who seems to fit suspiciously into the TCK sequence halted decades before. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
HOT STEW by Fiona Mozley (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Nneka Okoye
In the middle of the bustle of Soho sits a building that young millionaire Agatha Howard wants to convert into luxury condos as soon as she can kick out all the tenants. However, the building in question houses a brothel, and Precious and Tabitha, two of the women who live and work there, are not going to go quietly. The fight over this piece of property also draws in the men who visit, including Robert, a one-time member of a far-right group and enforcer for Agatha’s father; Jackie, a policewoman intent on making London a safer place for all women; Bastian, a rich and dissatisfied party boy who pines for an ex-girlfriend; and a collection of vagabonds and strays who occupy the basement. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
THE INTIMACY EXPERIMENT by Rosie Danan (Romantic Comedy)
Audiobook available, read by Alex McKenna and Kaleo Griffith
After the sex-positive start-up that Naomi Grant cofounded becomes an international sensation, she wants to extend her educational platform to live lecturing. Unfortunately, higher ed won't hire her. Recently LA Mag nominated Ethan Cohen as one of the city's hottest bachelors, and he became rabbi of his own synagogue. Low on both funds and congregants, the executive board has given him three months to turn things around, or else they'll close the doors of his synagogue for good. Naomi and Ethan join forces to host a buzzy seminar series on Modern Intimacy, the perfect solution to their problems until they discover a new one --- their growing attraction to each other. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
IN THE COMPANY OF KILLERS by Bryan Christy (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Ryan Vincent Anderson
Tom Klay is a celebrated investigative wildlife reporter for the esteemed magazine The Sovereign. But his reporting is cover for an even more dangerous job: CIA agent. Klay's press credentials make him a perfect spy. But while on assignment in Kenya, he is attacked and his closest friend is murdered. Soon his carefully constructed double life unravels as his ambition turns to revenge. Klay is offered a devil's bargain to capture the man who killed his friend by infiltrating the offices of the woman he once loved, South Africa's special prosecutor Hungry Khoza. But Klay soon discovers that he and Hungry are part of a larger, more lethal game --- one that involves a ruthless mercenary and a global superpower. Reviewed by Lorraine W. Shanley.
THE LAST WATCH: A Novel of the Divide by J. S. Dewes (Science Fiction/Adventure)
Audiobook available, read by Andrew Eiden and Nicol Zanzarella
The Divide. It’s the edge of the universe. Now it’s collapsing --- and taking everyone and everything with it. The only ones who can stop it are the Sentinels --- the recruits, exiles and court-martialed dregs of the military. At the Divide, Adequin Rake commands the Argus. She has no resources, no comms --- nothing, except for the soldiers whom no one wanted. Her ace in the hole could be Cavalon Mercer --- genius and exiled prince who nuked his grandfather's genetic facility for “reasons.” She knows they’re humanity's last chance. Reviewed by Austin Ruh.
FIRST, BECOME ASHES by K.M. Szpara (Fantasy/Adventure)
Audiobook available; read by Aaron Landon, Avi Roque, Briggon Snow and Graham Halstead
For 30 years, the Fellowship of the Anointed isolated its members, conditioning them to believe that pain is power and magic is suffering. But when their leader is arrested, all her teachings come into question. How will they adjust to the world they were taught to fear, and how will they relate to the cult's last crusader, Lark? For Kane, survival means rejecting the magic he and his lover suffered for. For Deryn, the cult's collapse is an opportunity to prove they are worth as much as their Anointed brother. For Calvin, lark is the alluring embodiment of the magic he's been seeking his entire life. But for Lark, the Fellowship isn’t over. Before he can begin to discover himself and heal a lifetime of traumas, he has a monster to slay. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on May 3rd and 4th
Below are some notable titles releasing on May 3rd and 4th 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 May 3rd, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
May 3rd
21st BIRTHDAY by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Thriller)
Detective Lindsay Boxer vows to protect a young woman from a serial killer long enough to see her 21st birthday.
May 4th
THE BOOKSHOP OF SECOND CHANCES by Jackie Fraser (Fiction)
A woman desperate to turn a new page heads to the Scottish coast and finds herself locked in a battle of wills with an infuriatingly aloof bookseller in this utterly heartwarming debut, perfect for readers of EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER.
FAMILY REUNION by Nancy Thayer (Fiction)
A longtime Nantucket resident is trying to make the best of a lonely summer. Her spirited granddaughter is learning what she wants out of life. Unforgettable surprises await them both in this magical, multigenerational novel from New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer.
FIND YOU FIRST by Linwood Barclay (Psychological Thriller)
The New York Times bestselling author of ELEVATOR PITCH and master of psychological suspense returns with a riveting thriller in which the possible heirs of a dying tech millionaire are mysteriously being eliminated, one by one.
GREAT CIRCLE by Maggie Shipstead (Historical Fiction)
An unforgettable story of a daredevil female aviator determined to chart her own course in life, at any cost, GREAT CIRCLE spans Prohibition-era Montana, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, New Zealand, wartime London and modern-day Los Angeles.
HOUR OF THE WITCH by Chris Bohjalian (Historical Thriller)
A young Puritan woman --- faithful, resourceful, but afraid of the demons that dog her soul --- plots her escape from a violent marriage in this riveting and propulsive novel of historical suspense from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT.
KILLING THE MOB: The Fight Against Organized Crime in America by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard (True Crime/History)
Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard trace the brutal history of 20th-century organized crime in the United States, and expertly plumb the history of this nation’s most notorious serial robbers, conmen, murderers and mob family bosses.
THE LAST GREEN VALLEY by Mark Sullivan (Historical Fiction)
From the author of the #1 bestseller BENEATH A SCARLET SKY comes a new historical novel inspired by one family’s incredible story of daring, survival and triumph.
THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME by Laura Dave (Domestic Thriller/Mystery)
THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME is a gripping mystery about a woman who thinks she’s found the love of her life --- until he disappears.
THE NEWCOMER by Mary Kay Andrews (Fiction)
Mary Kay Andrews, the New York Times bestselling author and Queen of the Beach Reads, delivers her next page-turner for the summer with THE NEWCOMER.
PROJECT HAIL MARY by Andy Weir (Science Fiction/Thriller)
A lone astronaut must save the earth from disaster in this incredible new science-based thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE MARTIAN.
ROBERT B. PARKER'S PAYBACK: A Sunny Randall Novel by Mike Lupica (Mystery)
In her latest thrilling adventure, PI Sunny Randall takes on two serpentine cases that converge into one deadly mystery.
SECOND PLACE by Rachel Cusk (Fiction)
Rachel Cusk’s electrifying new novel is a study of female fate and male privilege, the geometries of human relationships, and the moral questions that animate our lives.
SUNSHINE GIRL: An Unexpected Life by Julianna Margulies (Memoir)
Known for her outstanding performances on the groundbreaking television series "The Good Wife" and "ER," Julianna Margulies deftly chronicles her life and her work in this deeply powerful memoir.
TINY TALES: Stories of Romance, Ambition, Kindness, and Happiness written by Alexander McCall Smith, illustrated by Iain McIntosh (Fiction/Short Stories)
In TINY TALES, Alexander McCall Smith explores romance, ambition, kindness and happiness in 30 short stories accompanied by 30 witty cartoons designed by Iain McIntosh.
THE WOMAN WITH THE BLUE STAR by Pam Jenoff (Historical Fiction)
From the New York Times bestselling author of THE LOST GIRL OF PARIS comes a riveting tale of courage and unlikely friendship during World War II.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
Our Latest Poll: May Fiction Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following fiction titles releasing in May are you planning to read? Please check all that apply.
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, May 14th 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 April 30th to May 14th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE LAST GREEN VALLEY by Mark Sullivan and THE NEWCOMER by Mary Kay Andrews.
To make sure other readers will be able to find the books you write about, please include the full title and correct author names (your entry must include these to be eligible to win). For rules and guidelines, click here.
- To see reader comments from previous contest periods, click here.
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