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Lots of Connecting with Authors and Readers
This has been a busy events week. We love connecting with authors and readers --- and this certainly has been a week for that. Besides doing events, I have been attending events. There was a preview the other night for ANIMAL, a new novel coming from Lisa Taddeo, who wrote THREE WOMEN, on June 8th. She was interviewed by Emma Roberts, and the program was super conversational, including talk about the creepiness of Topanga Canyon where the book takes place; they both have lived there. It ends up she started writing this book when she was waiting for people to become available for interviews for THREE WOMEN; later she fleshed it out more. Small group conversations like this are one of the more special things that have come out of the virtual world post-pandemic.
Last night was a doubleheader of author events in much the same vein. First, Laura Dave (THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME) and Julie Clark (THE LAST FLIGHT) were in conversation together for the bookstore, RJ Julia. They both live in Santa Monica, and they have become friends. They bantered and dug deep into their writing process and story development. They also shared so many amusing stories. Laura made me laugh when she said she lives in California, but hates to drive. She walks everywhere she can. They both are early morning writers, and do that before anything else. Julie rises as early as 4am to write before she walks the dog and then teaches at a school. Laura does not look at email, news or social media until she has finished writing.
Laura also talked about screenwriting, which is something she has come to enjoy. She is working on adapting THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME for Apple TV+, along with her husband Josh Singer, who wrote the screenplay for Spotlight. Julia Roberts is starring in it, and she joked about watching movies with Roberts in them as homework.
Laura’s book debuted on the New York Times bestseller list at number one, and Julie’s, which is now out in paperback, hit the list again. This is so nice to see as I like both of them so much. I am hoping to interview Laura in the next few weeks! And I have an idea of something to do with Julie, so stay tuned on that.
Then I swung over to another event where mega-bestselling author Francine Rivers was in conversation with T. I. Lowe, who wrote UNDER THE MAGNOLIAS, one of our Summer Reading books (Tonya is her real name). In conversation with Karen Watson, their editor, they talked about writing --- and life. Francine has a big movie coming based on her bestselling novel, REDEEMING LOVE, and she talked about being on set for that in Africa right before the pandemic hit. Luckily, unlike many other films, shooting was done before the world shut down. Tonya talked about the road to getting published, and she had us all laughing about her various adventures. She definitely has spunk and spirit, and hearing her talk about it made me want to read her book!
10 Years of Speed Dating!
Today we hosted our 10th Annual Book Group Speed Dating event for more than 500 booksellers, librarians and book group leaders. Representatives from 19 publishers presented titles perfect for book groups that will be published between June and November of this year. We will have the video and leavebehinds for this presentation available in the next few weeks. I can assure you that there are some terrific books releasing this summer and fall that you will want to add to your TBR lists!
On Wednesday afternoon, we hosted our latest “Bookaccino Live” event. I presented 30 books releasing between May 11th and June 1st, along with seven from July, that I wanted to get on your radar. Click here to watch the presentation and here to see a list of all the titles that I talked about. Our audience for these programs has been growing each month. I know many of you have been sharing the event invites with your friends. Please continue to do that!
Next month’s "Bookaccino Live" afternoon event will take place on Wednesday, June 9th at 2pm ET. I will present titles releasing between June 8th and July 6th, along with a few from August, that I think will appeal to you. Click here to sign up. Those attending the live event will be asked to answer a survey about the books from the presentation that they are most interested in reading and will be eligible to win a prize.
A reminder that our next “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event will take place next Thursday, May 20th at 8pm ET. Robert Kolker will be our special guest, and I will talk to him about HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD: Inside the Mind of an American Family, his #1 New York Times bestseller that recently released in paperback and was a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection. He also will be answering questions from those in attendance, including a select few who will join us “on stage.” Click here to register. If you have a question for Robert that you would like to ask on camera, please send me an email with the subject line “Question for Robert Kolker” by this Wednesday at 6pm ET. I so enjoyed my interview with him last year, and I am looking forward to this one.
Jennifer Weiner follows up last year’s BIG SUMMER (a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick) with THAT SUMMER, a twisty novel about surviving our pasts, confronting our futures and the sustaining bonds of friendship. According to our reviewer Pamela Kramer, “Women who must overcome emotional hardship and become strong in their own right, a fabulous setting on the beach, delicious meals and a wonderful friendship all serve to make THAT SUMMER an engrossing and touching book…. While this is certainly --- thanks to the Cape setting --- a beach read, it is not a lighthearted novel. It's about violence and cruelty and the harsh reality that a life of privilege often means a life in which wrongs are not righted.”
On a personal note, Jen posted sad news last Saturday that her mom, Fran, had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March and she was in hospice care. Then on Mother’s Day, she posted that Fran had passed away that morning. For readers, we know that besides being a loving mom, Fran was great material for Jen. She was a frequent attendee at her events. In fact, I remember a hilarious story about her mom being in the audience during a Barnes & Noble Book Club event when Jen’s book was the selection and asking all kinds of questions, but never identifying herself as Jen’s mother. Fran’s obituary is here, and I share it because it is written completely in Jen’s style.
A couple of months ago, I talked about how much I enjoyed THE PLOT by Jean Hanff Korelitz. So I’m happy to say that it’s now in stores, and I’ll be making it a Bets On selection. The book, which Stephen King calls “insanely readable,” is about a story too good not to steal --- and the writer who steals it. Joe Hartlaub has our review and has this to say: “Think of getting two books literally for the price of one, both of which are immediately readable and unforgettable. I guessed a couple of plot elements, including a major one, but never would have arrived at the plot of Crib [the fictional book within THE PLOT] if chained to a typewriter to pound away at for all eternity. I won’t give it away and hope you won’t either, even if you read it before all your friends do. And believe me, they will.” Don’t miss my Bets On commentary in next week’s newsletter.
Enter Our New Word of Mouth Contest
THAT SUMMER and THE PLOT are our latest Word of Mouth prizes. Let us know by Friday, May 28th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll have the opportunity to win both these titles. Melanie, who edits Word of Mouth for us, reported that UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY by Kristy Woodson Harvey is trending!
Summer Reading Update
We already awarded THAT SUMMER to the winners of one of our Summer Reading contests this week, along with THE CLOVER GIRLS by Viola Shipman and THE SOULMATE EQUATION by Christina Lauren, both of which release on Tuesday. Next week, we are giving away THE SUMMER SEEKERS by Sarah Morgan, THE WAR NURSE by Tracy Enerson Wood, WHERE THE GRASS IS GREEN AND THE GIRLS ARE PRETTY by Lauren Weisberger (which we plan to review next week), and Jan Phillip-Sendker’s The Art of Hearing Heartbeats trilogy (THE ART OF HEARING HEARTBEATS, A WELL-TEMPERED HEART and his soon-to-be-released THE HEART REMEMBERS). The first contest of the week will go live on Monday, May 17th at noon ET.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
THREE Bets On Selections
My three latest Bets On picks are THE LAST GREEN VALLEY by Mark Sullivan, the aforementioned THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME by Laura Dave, and FIND YOU FIRST by Linwood Barclay, all of which we featured in last week’s newsletter. Click on each of the titles for my commentary. As I said earlier, I look forward to interviewing Laura soon; same for Linwood! If you missed my “Bookreporter Talks To” interview with Mark, you can watch it here and listen to the podcast here.
Batter Up!
Baseball enthusiasts are thrilled to have their sport back for a full 162-game regular season with fans in the stands (no cardboard cutouts or fake crowd noise this year!). We’re already about a month and a half into the season, and our resident baseball aficionado Ron Kaplan has weighed in on five recently released titles about the past, present and future of our national pastime. In his latest roundup, he reviews books about free agency in Major League Baseball, the 1994-95 players’ strike, the wild-card era, a lightning-fast Hall of Famer, and a young man’s unlikely friendship with some of the greatest living Negro League players.
Any of these books sound like they would make great Father’s Day gifts. And speaking of which, our 16th Annual Father’s Day contest will return next Friday. Five readers will win a wonderful selection of fiction and nonfiction titles for themselves or the dads in their lives.
Vote in Our New Poll --- and Check Out Results from the Last Poll
Our new poll asks which of 25 fiction titles releasing in paperback in May you have read or are planning to read. Click here to let us know.
In our previous poll, we listed 25 fiction titles that are being published this month for the first time and asked which of them, if any, you are looking forward to reading. Here are your top five picks: HOUR OF THE WITCH by Chris Bohjalian (41%), THE WOMAN WITH THE BLUE STAR by Pam Jenoff (33%), THAT SUMMER by Jennifer Weiner (31%), THE NEWCOMER by Mary Kay Andrews (30%), and THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME by Laura Dave (27%). Click here for all the results.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
I loved this note from Jayme: “I had to share this photo of my kitty Breeze watching Bookaccino with me. She was riveted to your voice, though I’m not sure which book she is most looking forward to reading. Thanks for all you do for the reading world.” This completely amused me and the rest of the staff. Maybe now we need to count the animals watching our events, as well as the people in the audience.
Tracy wrote, “Carol and Austin, thank you both for all you do to put these Bookaccino events together! I have been joining you since last fall, and I always look forward to hearing what’s coming up. I lost my job last year due to COVID, and having these free book events has been such a blessing. I love knowing ahead of time what’s coming so I can put them on my library holds list and be the first to get the new books. I started a Bookstagram account and little free library last summer to have something fun to do, and I love getting book ideas from you. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to joining you again!
Linda wrote, “I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy listening to your podcasts interviewing authors. I listen while I walk! I am so enjoying THE LAST GREEN VALLEY. After I heard your interview with Mark Sullivan, I downloaded the book! Thank you for keeping us so well informed about books. Best regards from Maine!"
The Woman in the Window on Netflix: It was filmed in 2018 and went on delay delay delay, but it debuts today, so I will be watching that over the weekend.
Tom Clancy's Without Remorse on Amazon Prime: In my never-ending quest to find shows that my husband and I will both enjoy, this worked. Okay, well it worked for a little while. I was answering email as we watched. I looked up at one point, and there was a shootout. I said, “I hope that guy is not going to die.” Tom said, “I don’t think so since he is the star!” Wow, that was a spoiler. <g>
"Friends: The Reunion": This long-awaited reunion featuring all six "Friends" stars will air May 27th on HBO Max. Here's the trailer.
"Mare of Easttown" on HBO: I am enjoying this miniseries with Kate Winslet. It has the right edge of mystery and intrigue to it.
"Selena: The Series" on Netflix (Season Two): I remember Selena’s tragic death, but this story on her rise to fame was interesting. Not super deep, but interesting about the whole family.
"Bosch": The final season will be available June 25th on Amazon Prime. Here's the trailer.
Our friend Cathy is in town, and the plan is to make flatbread pizzas tonight with her and our friends Stacy and Bob. The rough plan is to get the pool open this weekend, though the temperatures belie that we are going to be swimming any time soon. I have some things to plant and more planting to think about!
Next week, I am interviewing Pam Jenoff about THE WOMAN WITH THE BLUE STAR, and I want to prep for that. I have a huge stack of books to organize, let alone read, and two more events next week.
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: THAT SUMMER by Jennifer Weiner
THAT SUMMER by Jennifer Weiner (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Sutton Foster
With a thriving cooking business, a full schedule of volunteer work, and a beautiful home, Daisy Shoemaker should be content. But her teenage daughter can be a handful, her husband can be distant, her work can feel trivial, and she has no real friends. While Daisy tries to identify the root of her dissatisfaction, she’s also receiving misdirected emails meant for a woman named Diana Starling, whose email address is just one punctuation mark away from her own. Diana’s glamorous, sophisticated, single-lady life is miles away from Daisy’s simpler existence. When an apology leads to an invitation, the two women meet and become friends. But, as they get closer, we learn that their connection was not completely accidental. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
- 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: THE PLOT by Jean Hanff Korelitz
An Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
THE PLOT by Jean Hanff Korelitz (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Kirby Heyborne
Once a promising young novelist, Jacob Finch Bonner is now teaching in a third-rate MFA program. Evan Parker, his most arrogant student, announces he doesn’t need Jake’s help because the plot of his book in progress is a sure thing. Jake braces himself for the supernova publication of Evan Parker’s first novel, but it never comes. When he discovers that his former student has died, Jake does what any self-respecting writer would do with a story like that. In a few short years, all of Evan Parker’s predictions have come true, but Jake is the author enjoying the wave. He is wealthy, famous, praised and read all over the world. But at the height of his glorious new life, an email arrives, the first salvo in a terrifying, anonymous campaign: You are a thief, it says. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
THE PLOT will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's commentary in next week's newsletter.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
THE LAST GREEN VALLEY by Mark Sullivan,
THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME by Laura Dave,
and FIND YOU FIRST by Linwood Barclay
THE LAST GREEN VALLEY by Mark Sullivan (Historical Fiction)
Many readers know Mark Sullivan from his 2017 historical novel, BENEATH A SCARLET SKY, which was a mega-bestseller. I am predicting that the same sales will happen with his latest book, THE LAST GREEN VALLEY; it is just as well done. The story opens in Ukraine in 1944, where the Martel family is offered two options: wait for Stalin to arrive, or run with the Nazis who vow to protect them. Neither is a great choice, but the Martels opt for the latter. This is known as a time when people were deciding whether to “wait for the bear” or “run with the wolves.” They already have known the days when Stalin starved them. What could be worse than that?
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to watch Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Mark Sullivan.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
- Click here to visit Mark Sullivan's website.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on THE LAST GREEN VALLEY.
THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME by Laura Dave (Domestic Thriller/Mystery)
Laura Dave’s new book, THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME, is a brisk suspense novel. This is a departure for Laura, who has written contemporary fiction in the past, and she totally delivers. Owen Michaels has disappeared in the wake of a scandal at his company. But before he headed out, he got a note smuggled to his wife, Hannah Hall, who he had married a year ago. It has just two words: Protect her. She knows exactly to whom that refers --- Owen’s 16-year-old daughter, Bailey, the girl who barely gives her the time of day. Suddenly law enforcement is showing up at their houseboat asking Hannah questions to which she has no answers. She starts to wonder “who” she really married, and she needs Bailey to help her. She cannot figure out the riddle of Owen’s life without her, but will the teen cooperate?
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on
THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME.
FIND YOU FIRST by Linwood Barclay (Psychological Thriller)
Our longtime readers know that I have been a fan of Linwood Barclay’s books for years. FIND YOU FIRST has ratcheted up his writing and plotting to a whole new level. Miles Cookson is a tech millionaire who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, one that can be genetically passed along, and there’s a 50 percent chance that his children will get the disease. He has not had any kids of his own that he knows of, but when he was young he was a sperm donor --- leading to the possibility that as many as nine children are out there who may have the gene. His goal is to find them so he can warn them and also leave them his fortune. But as quickly as he tries to track them down, they are disappearing or being found dead. What is happening?
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to visit Linwood Barclay's website.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on FIND YOU FIRST.
Featured Review:
THE BOMBER MAFIA by Malcolm Gladwell
THE BOMBER MAFIA: A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War by Malcolm Gladwell (History)
Audiobook available, read by Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell weaves together the stories of a Dutch genius and his homemade computer, a band of brothers in central Alabama, a British psychopath, and pyromaniacal chemists at Harvard to examine one of the greatest moral challenges in modern American history. Most military thinkers in the years leading up to World War II saw the airplane as an afterthought. But a small band of idealistic strategists, the “Bomber Mafia,” asked: What if precision bombing could cripple the enemy and make war far less lethal? In contrast, the bombing of Tokyo on the deadliest night of the war was the brainchild of General Curtis LeMay, whose brutal pragmatism and scorched-earth tactics in Japan cost thousands of civilian lives, but may have spared even more by averting a planned US invasion. Gladwell asks, “Was it worth it?” Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: EMPIRE OF PAIN
by Patrick Radden Keefe
EMPIRE OF PAIN: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe (True Crime/Biography)
Audiobook available, read by Patrick Radden Keefe
The Sackler name adorns the walls of many storied institutions --- Harvard, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Oxford, the Louvre. They are one of the richest families in the world, known for their lavish donations to the arts and the sciences. The source of the family fortune was vague, however, until it emerged that the Sacklers were responsible for making and marketing a blockbuster painkiller that was the catalyst for the opioid crisis. EMPIRE OF PAIN chronicles the multiple investigations of the Sacklers and their company, and the scorched-earth legal tactics that the family has used to evade accountability. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: MARY JANE by Jessica Anya Blau
MARY JANE by Jessica Anya Blau (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Caitlin Kinnunen
In 1970s Baltimore, 14-year-old Mary Jane is glad when she lands a summer job as a nanny for the daughter of a local doctor. The doctor is a psychiatrist who has cleared his summer for one important job --- helping a famous rock star dry out. A week after Mary Jane starts, the rock star and his movie star wife move in. Over the course of the summer, Mary Jane introduces her new household to crisply ironed clothes and a family dinner schedule, and has a front-row seat to a liberal world of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Caught between the lifestyle she’s always known and the future she’s only just realized is possible, Mary Jane will arrive at September with a new idea about what she wants out of life, and what kind of person she’s going to be. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
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 next prize book will be announced on Monday, May 17th 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 2021 Spring Baseball Books Roundup
Baseball is back in full swing, and our reviewer Ron Kaplan returns with another outstanding roundup, featuring recently published titles that focus on the past, present and future of our national pastime. They include GATHERING CROWDS by Paul Hensler, a detailed look at how baseball grew and evolved from the late 1970s through the 1980s; THE RESHAPING OF AMERICA’S GAME and AMERICA’S GAME IN THE WILD-CARD ERA, in which Bryan Soderholm-Difatte reflects on the factors and challenges that have changed Major League Baseball since the 1994-95 players’ strike; THE BONA FIDE LEGEND OF COOL PAPA BELL by the late baseball writer and historian Lonnie Wheeler, the first full biography of James “Cool Papa” Bell, a key member of some of the greatest Negro League teams in history; and COMEBACK SEASON, the uplifting, unlikely and inspirational true story of the friendships formed between Cam Perron --- a white, baseball-obsessed teenager from Boston --- and hundreds of former professional Negro League players.
Click here for Ron Kaplan’s 2021 Spring Baseball Books roundup.
From left to right: Lauren Weisberger, John Green, Pam Jenoff
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.
Monday, May 17th at 7pm ET: BookHampton: BookHampton presents a virtual event with Mary Alice Monroe, author of THE SUMMER OF LOST AND FOUND. She will be in conversation with Patti Callahan Henry.
Tuesday, May 18th at 8pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's will host Julie Clark as she discusses the new paperback edition of her book, THE LAST FLIGHT (this month's Target Book Club pick), with Chandler Baker.
Wednesday, May 19th at 4pm ET: Book Passage: Join acclaimed author Jennifer Weiner to celebrate the release of her new novel, THAT SUMMER. She will be in conversation with fellow New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey.
Wednesday, May 19th 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 talk to Pam Jenoff, whose new historical novel is THE WOMAN WITH THE BLUE STAR.
Wednesday, May 19th at 7pm ET: Quail Ridge Books: John Green will be in conversation with his brother, Hank Green, about his latest book, THE ANTHROPOCENE REVIEWED, his first work of nonfiction.
Wednesday, May 19th at 7pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's will host Lauren Weisberger as she discusses her new book, WHERE THE GRASS IS GREEN AND THE GIRLS ARE PRETTY, in conversation with Hank Phillippi Ryan.
Thursday, May 20th at 1pm ET: Bank Square Books and Savoy Bookshop & Café: Bank Square Books and Savoy Bookshop & Café present an author talk and Q&A with Jan-Philipp Sendker for the release of THE HEART REMEMBERS, the highly anticipated final book in his Art of Hearing Heartbeats trilogy.
Thursday, May 20th at 5pm ET: History Book Festival: For the History Book Festival's keynote event, Lisa Scottoline and Martha Hall Kelly will be in conversation about their latest novels, ETERNAL and SUNFLOWER SISTERS.
Thursday, May 20th at 6pm ET: Darien Library: Darien Library and The Friends of The Ferguson Library present an evening with bestselling author Chris Bohjalian in conversation with Cristina Alger. Chris and Cristina will be discussing things that go bump in the night in their books, including Chris’ new novel, HOUR OF THE WITCH.
Thursday, May 20th at 6:30pm ET: "Wine & Words with Wade": On his popular Facebook show, Wade Rouse will talk to Mary Kay Andrews about her latest beach read, THE NEWCOMER.
Thursday, May 20th at 7pm ET: Titcomb's Bookshop: Let's kick off the summer with authors Nancy Thayer and Mary Alice Monroe! Nancy will talk about her latest novel, FAMILY REUNION, with Mary Alice, whose newly released book is THE SUMMER OF LOST AND FOUND.
Thursday, May 20th at 8pm ET: "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Event: Carol Fitzgerald will talk to Robert Kolker about HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD. Robert also will answer questions from guests who will be "on stage," as well as from other members of the audience. Click here to register. If you have a question for Robert that you would like to ask on camera, please send Carol an email with the subject line “Question for Robert Kolker” by Wednesday, May 19th at 6pm ET.
"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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Laura Dave (THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME)
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Zakiya Dalila Harris (THE OTHER BLACK GIRL)
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Pam Jenoff (THE WOMAN WITH THE BLUE STAR)
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Dianna Rostad (YOU BELONG HERE NOW)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
WHILE JUSTICE SLEEPS by Stacey Abrams (Legal Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Adenrele Ojo, with an original introduction written and read by Stacey Abrams
Avery Keene, a brilliant young law clerk for the legendary Justice Howard Wynn, is doing her best to hold her life together. When the shocking news breaks that Justice Wynn has slipped into a coma, Avery’s life turns upside down. She is immediately notified that Justice Wynn has left instructions for her to serve as his legal guardian and power of attorney. Plunged into an explosive role she never anticipated, Avery finds that Justice Wynn had been secretly researching one of the most controversial cases before the court --- a proposed merger between an American biotech company and an Indian genetics firm, which promises to unleash breathtaking results in the medical field. She also discovers that Wynn suspected a dangerously related conspiracy that infiltrates the highest power corridors of Washington. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.
FAMILY REUNION by Nancy Thayer (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Tanya Eby and Whitney Dykhouse
Eleanor Sunderland loves living on Nantucket, in a gorgeous cliffside home that has been in her family for decades. Yet this year she can’t help but feel a bit isolated, even as the island begins to come alive with summer tourists and travelers. Fresh off the heels of her college graduation, Eleanor’s dear granddaughter, Ari, has just ended an engagement that felt less like true love and more like a chore. Taking advantage of her newfound freedom, she heads to Nantucket to clear her head before graduate school, moving in with her grandmother and taking a job at the local beach camp. But just as grandmother and granddaughter fall into a carefree routine, a few shocking discoveries throw them off course, and their ideas of the future seem suddenly uncertain. Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum.
NOTES ON GRIEF by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
As the COVID-19 pandemic raged around the world, and kept Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her family members separated from one another, her father succumbed unexpectedly to complications of kidney failure. Expanding on her original New Yorker piece, Adichie shares how this loss shook her to her core. She writes about being one of the millions of people grieving this year, the familial and cultural dimensions of grief, and the loneliness and anger that are unavoidable in it. With signature precision of language, and glittering, devastating detail on the page --- and never without touches of rich, honest humor --- Adichie weaves together her own experience of her father’s death with threads of his life story. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
ARSENIC AND ADOBO: A Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery by Mia P. Manansala (Cozy Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Danice Cabanela
When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following all the typical rom-com tropes. She's tasked with saving her Tita Rosie's failing restaurant, and she has to deal with a group of matchmaking aunties who shower her with love and judgment. But when a notoriously nasty food critic (who happens to be her ex-boyfriend) drops dead moments after a confrontation with Lila, her life quickly swerves from a Nora Ephron romp to an Agatha Christie case. With the cops treating her like she's the one and only suspect, and the shady landlord looking to finally kick the Macapagal family out and resell the storefront, Lila is left with no choice but to conduct her own investigation. Reviewed by Maya Gittelman.
ARIADNE by Jennifer Saint (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Barrie Kreinik
Ariadne, Princess of Crete, grows up greeting the dawn from her beautiful dancing floor and listening to her nursemaid’s stories of gods and heroes. But beneath her golden palace echo the ever-present hoofbeats of her brother, the Minotaur, a monster who demands blood sacrifice. When Theseus, Prince of Athens, arrives to vanquish the beast, Ariadne sees in his green eyes not a threat but an escape. Defying the gods, betraying her family and country, and risking everything for love, Ariadne helps Theseus kill the Minotaur. But will Ariadne’s decision ensure her happy ending? And what of Phaedra, the beloved younger sister she leaves behind? Reviewed by Kayla Provencher.
A DOG'S COURAGE: A Dog's Way Home Novel by W. Bruce Cameron (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Ann Marie Lee
Bella was once a lost dog, but now she lives happily with her people, Lucas and Olivia, only occasionally recalling the hardships in her past. Then a weekend camping trip turns into a harrowing struggle for survival when the Rocky Mountains are engulfed by the biggest wildfire in American history. The raging inferno separates Bella from her people, and she is lost once more. Alone in the wilderness, Bella unexpectedly finds herself responsible for the safety of two defenseless mountain lion cubs. Now she’s torn between two equally urgent goals. More than anything, she wants to find her way home to Lucas and Olivia, but not if it means abandoning her new family to danger. Can Bella ever get back to where she truly belongs? Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
THE GIRL WHO DIED by Ragnar Jónasson (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Amanda Redman
Una wants nothing more than to teach, but she has been unable to secure steady employment in Reykjavík. As darkness descends throughout the bleak winter in the remote fishing hamlet of Skálar, Una finds herself more often than not in her rented attic space --- the site of a local legendary haunting --- drinking her loneliness away. She is plagued by nightmares of a little girl in a white dress singing a lullaby. And when a sudden tragedy echoes an event long buried in Skálar’s past, the villagers become even more guarded, leaving a suspicious Una seeking to uncover a shocking truth that’s been kept secret for generations. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
FAMILY LAW by Gin Phillips (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Joshilyn Jackson and Grace Experience
Set in Alabama in the early '80s, FAMILY LAW follows a young lawyer, Lucia, who is making a name for herself at a time when a woman in a courtroom is still a rarity. When her mother's pending divorce brings teenaged Rachel into Lucia's orbit, Rachel finds herself captivated not only with Lucia, but with the change Lucia represents. Rachel is outspoken and curious, and she chafes at the rules her mother lays down as the bounds of acceptable feminine behavior. In Lucia, Rachel sees the potential for a new path into womanhood. When a moment of violence --- a threat made good --- puts Rachel in danger, Lucia has to decide how much her work means to her and what she's willing to sacrifice to keep moving forward. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE SEAT FILLER by Sariah Wilson (Romantic Comedy)
Audiobook available, read by Kate Marcin
The meet-cute award goes to dog groomer Juliet Nolan. It’s one of Hollywood’s biggest nights when she volunteers as a seat filler and winds up next to movie heartthrob Noah freaking Douglas. Juliet is pretty and unpretentious, loves his dog, and is not a worshipping fan. No way Noah is giving up on her, even if his affectionate pursuit comes with a bump: Juliet has a pathological fear of kissing and the disappointments that follow. Patient, empathetic and carrying personal burdens of his own, Noah suggests a remedy: they rehearse. The lessons begin. The guards come down. But there’s another hitch they weren’t betting on. As for that cue-the-orchestra-and-roll-credits happy ending? It might take more than practice to make it perfect. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
THE ECOLOGY OF HERBAL MEDICINE: A Guide to Plants and Living Landscapes of the American Southwest by Dara Saville (Nature/Medicine)
An accomplished herbalist and geographer, Dara Saville has produced an ecological manual for developing relationships with the land and plants in a new theoretical approach to using herbal medicines. Designed to increase our understanding of plants’ rapport with their environment, this trailblazing herbal speaks to our innate connection to place and provides a pathway to understanding the medicinal properties of plants through their ecological relationships. With 39 plant profiles and detailed color photographs, Saville provides an extensive materia medica in which she offers practical tools and information alongside inspiration for working with plants in a way that restores our connection to the natural world. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on May 18th
Below are some notable titles releasing on May 18th 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 17th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
THE ANTHROPOCENE REVIEWED: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green (Essays)
The Anthropocene is the current geologic age, in which humans have profoundly reshaped the planet and its biodiversity. In this remarkable symphony of essays adapted and expanded from his groundbreaking podcast, bestselling author John Green reviews different facets of the human-centered planet on a five-star scale --- from the QWERTY keyboard and sunsets to Canada geese and Penguins of Madagascar.
THE BREAK-UP BOOK CLUB by Wendy Wax (Fiction)
Breakups, like book clubs, come in many shapes and sizes and can take us on unexpected journeys as four women discover in this funny and heartwarming exploration of friendship from the USA Today bestselling author of TEN BEACH ROAD and MY EX-BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING.
THE CLOVER GIRLS by Viola Shipman (Fiction)
Bestselling author Viola Shipman is at her absolute best with THE CLOVER GIRLS. Readers of all ages and backgrounds will love its powerful, redemptive nature and the empowering message at its heart.
FREEDOM by Sebastian Junger (Political Science/Memoir)
Throughout history, humans have been driven by the quest for two cherished ideals: community and freedom. The two don’t coexist easily. We value individuality and self-reliance, yet are utterly dependent on community for our most basic needs. In this intricately crafted and thought-provoking book, Sebastian Junger examines the tension that lies at the heart of what it means to be human.
GOBLIN: A Novel in Six Novellas by Josh Malerman (Supernatural Thriller/Horror)
Goblin seems like any other ordinary small town. But with Josh Malerman as your tour guide, you’ll discover the secrets that hide behind its closed doors. These six novellas tell the story of a place where the rain is always falling, nighttime is always near, and your darkest fears and desires await.
THE HEART REMEMBERS by Jan-Philipp Sendker (Romance)
This highly anticipated final book in the internationally bestselling The Art of Hearing Heartbeats trilogy is a moving story about love’s power to transcend distances and heal seemingly irreparable wounds.
LOCAL WOMAN MISSING by Mary Kubica (Psychological Thriller)
In this smart and chilling thriller, master of suspense Mary Kubica takes domestic secrets to a whole new level, showing that some people will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried.
PUNCH ME UP TO THE GODS: A Memoir by Brian Broome (Memoir)
PUNCH ME UP TO THE GODS introduces a powerful new talent in Brian Broome, whose early years growing up in Ohio as a dark-skinned Black boy harboring crushes on other boys propel forward this gorgeous, aching and unforgettable debut.
THE SOULMATE EQUATION by Christina Lauren (Romantic Comedy)
The New York Times bestselling author of THE UNHONEYMOONERS returns with a witty and effervescent novel about what happens when two people with everything on the line are thrown together by science --- or is it fate?
THE VANISHING POINT by Elizabeth Brundage (Literary Thriller)
At Rye Adler’s funeral, they didn’t bury his body --- or the rivalry of his closest enemy. In this eerie and evocative novel, Elizabeth Brundage establishes herself as one of the premiere authors of literary fiction at work today.
WAR ON THE BORDER: Villa, Pershing, the Texas Rangers, and an American Invasion by Jeff Guinn (History)
Jeff Guinn, chronicler of the Southwestern US and of American undesirables (Bonnie and Clyde, Charles Manson, Jim Jones), tells the riveting story of Pancho Villa’s bloody raid on a small US border town that sparked a violent conflict with the US.
WHERE THE GRASS IS GREEN AND THE GIRLS ARE PRETTY by Lauren Weisberger (Fiction)
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LULULEMONS comes a highly entertaining, sharply observed novel about sisters, their perfect lives...and their perfect lies.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
Our Latest Poll: May Paperback Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following fiction titles releasing in paperback in May have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
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BEFORE SHE WAS HELEN by Caroline B. Cooney
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THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES by Kristin Harmel
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CHAOS by Iris Johansen
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THE END OF THE DAY by Bill Clegg
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FORTUNE AND GLORY: A Stephanie Plum Novel, by Janet Evanovich
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THE GIVER OF STARS by Jojo Moyes
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HAMNET: A Novel of the Plague, by Maggie O'Farrell
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HER LAST FLIGHT by Beatriz Williams
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HIDEAWAY by Nora Roberts
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HOMELAND ELEGIES by Ayad Akhtar
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THE LAST FLIGHT by Julie Clark
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THE LIES THAT BIND by Emily Giffin
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THE LIONS OF FIFTH AVENUE by Fiona Davis
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MALORIE: A Bird Box Novel, by Josh Malerman
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THE MIRROR & THE LIGHT by Hilary Mantel
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MONOGAMY by Sue Miller
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THE MOTION OF THE BODY THROUGH SPACE by Lionel Shriver
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ONE BY ONE by Ruth Ware
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THE PARIS HOURS by Alex George
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THE REVELATORS: A Quinn Colson Novel, by Ace Atkins
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SAINT X by Alexis Schaitkin
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SEX AND VANITY by Kevin Kwan
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THE SILENT PATIENT by Alex Michaelides
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SQUEEZE ME by Carl Hiaasen
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TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE by Meg Mitchell Moore
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, May 28th 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 May 14th to May 28th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE PLOT by Jean Hanff Korelitz and THAT SUMMER by Jennifer Weiner.
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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