July 9, 2021
 July 9, 2021A Four-Day Week Means Fingers Type Faster I have spent the entire week not knowing what day it is. That is what happens when a holiday falls on a Monday. It was a lovely long weekend; we spent a lot of time outside, which was really nice. I finished reading GREAT CIRCLE by Maggie Shipstead, all 589 pages of it! It was one of those books that twisted and turned me. Just when I felt settled in, I was brought into another direction. It is Maggie's longest book to date and very ambitious. The writing is so strong; she writes beautiful sentences and conveys so much in the way she weaves words together. She has done a lot of travel writing, and her descriptions of place are written with the eye of someone who has seen a lot and knows how to describe it. I confess to not loving the character of Marian, but that did not hamper my interest in the book; the twists and turns kept me going. I honestly cannot make a 589-page book a Bets On pick, BUT I do think that readers --- and book groups --- who want to invest time in a long read would enjoy the conversation that springs from this one. It’s very cinematic in feeling. I'm not sure it has a film deal already; if not, it should. I then read THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. Rebecca Munro reviewed this for us beautifully last week, and she hit on so many points that tell you why this book will be a Bets On selection. I am going to have my commentary for you next week, and we are trying to coordinate a time for me to interview both Marie and Victoria. We currently are juggling some dates. This week, when I heard that the Olympics will be played with no spectators, I realized that it will be like author events on Zoom. People talk and there is no audience reaction. There are times when I am doing a virtual presentation that I am waiting for someone to raise a hand, or nod, or even cough. Talking to a screen is very tough. I think doing all of these Olympic events without crowds will be interesting. There will be lots of smiling and waving to the judges and the coaches. These still are really crazy days! We have lots for you this week, pulled together in lightning speed in four days! Thank you to Tom Donadio for his heroic efforts as always!  My latest “Bookreporter Talks To” interview is with T. J. Newman, whose first novel, FALLING, is July's #1 Indie Next pick, the latest "GMA" Buzz Pick (just announced today), and an upcoming Bets On selection. T. J., a former flight attendant, got the idea for this standout thriller when she was on a flight and asked the captain, “Hey, what would you do if your family was taken, and you were told that if you didn’t crash the plane, they would be killed?” His reaction, and where her imagination took her next, became FALLING. The book was written on many a cross-country red-eye flight --- often with scribbles on napkins and random notes stuffed into her pockets. T. J. was a bookseller before becoming a flight attendant, so she knows exactly how special it is for a debut author's work to be selected as a #1 Indie Next pick. This is one of the tightest and most haunting thrillers of the year --- from the title, jacket cover and premise, right through to the prose. T. J. talked to me about how it all came together and what she's working on next. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast. Our reviewer Joe Hartlaub calls FALLING “a remarkably sure-footed debut” and says, “There are twists and turns, tragedy, redemption, plenty of surprises, and possibly more information than you want to know if you are in the habit of defying the laws of nature by flying on a frequent basis. But the end result is that you will appreciate your flight captain and crew --- and their families --- just a bit more after you have finished the book than you did when you started it.” My husband lost a lot of sleep this week reading FALLING, and he loved it too. Don’t miss my Bets On commentary in next week’s newsletter. I have been following T. J.’s tour this week, watching her do other interviews and appearances. She is just a lovely person and very down to earth; I regret not being able to meet her in person. For a debut novelist, she is poised, spot-on interesting and gracious. I already look forward to what she writes next --- and I will plan to meet her on that tour! Oh, and please note that my shawl matches the book cover; I mean, where else would fashion be paired with books like this? Summer Reading Update  FOX AND I has been getting a lot of attention leading up to its publication this week, and much of the buzz can be attributed to its fascinating and unique premise. Former national park ranger Catherine Raven’s memoir revolves around her friendship with a wild fox, who would show up in front of her tiny cottage at the same time every afternoon --- the first regular visitor she ever had. Our reviewer Barbara Bamberger Scott calls the book “profoundly touching” and goes on to say, “Anyone who has ever wished to live in direct contact with nature and its many forces and faces will appreciate Raven’s recollections, and perhaps will be tempted to embark now on that outward --- and inner --- journey.”  Connor Sullivan has written an outstanding debut thriller that fans of Brad Thor and Vince Flynn will appreciate. SLEEPING BEAR follows a former Army veteran seeking solitude in the Alaskan wilderness after her husband’s death --- only to find herself a pawn in a deadly game with Russia. According to our reviewer Ray Palen, "This is not just a great debut effort but one of the most suspenseful thrillers I’ve read in a while.... It all makes for one incredible read, full of non-stop thrills and adventure. Connor Sullivan undoubtedly has carved his own niche with his first release, and I am eager to see what he does next." This Tuesday, July 13th at 8pm ET, Poisoned Pen Bookstore will host a virtual event where Connor will be in conversation with his father, Mark Sullivan, who I interviewed back in May about his latest novel, THE LAST GREEN VALLEY. This should be a really fun father/son author discussion! I saw an interview with Mark this week on Amazon Live; towards the end, he talked about Connor’s book and was just beaming. I loved that!  Our new Paperback Spotlight title is MIGRATIONS by Charlotte McConaghy, which was an instant national bestseller when it released in hardcover last August. Bookseller friends were raving about it as soon as they finished it! When a woman’s dark secrets catch up with her, how much is she willing to risk for one more chance at redemption? A number of authors have praised the book, including Geraldine Brooks, who calls it "enchanting, but not in some safe, fairy-tale sense. Charlotte McConaghy has harnessed the rough magic that sears our souls.” Rebecca Munro agrees: "Heartbreaking, moving and invigorating, MIGRATIONS is a love letter to our world and an ode to our times. It will force you to confront the wastefulness of the world around you while celebrating its remaining beauty and the will of its animals to adapt, overcome and survive."  Tracey Enerson Wood has followed up her debut novel, the international bestseller THE ENGINEER’S WIFE, with THE WAR NURSE, which is the latest book we’re featuring in our New Release Spotlight. Fans of Martha Hall Kelly's LOST ROSES and Marie Benedict's LADY CLEMENTINE are sure to devour this celebration of some of the most overlooked heroes in history: the fierce, determined and brave nurses who treated soldiers in World War I, led by Superintendent of Nurses Julia Stimson. According to THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES author Kristin Harmel, "Tracey Enerson Wood achieves two particularly difficult things with this novel: a fictionalization of a real person's life, which is always a challenge --- and the feat of writing a character from a century past who is accessible to a modern audience but still entirely of her era.” Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
I’m Betting You’ll Love… Quick Takes on Regular Features  Out in paperback this week is THE EXILES by Christina Baker Kline, which is this month’s Target Book Club pick and the latest prize in our "What's Your Book Group Reading This Month?" contest on ReadingGroupGuides.com. We're giving three groups the chance to win up to 12 copies of the book; to enter, please fill out the form on this page by Wednesday, August 4th at noon ET. I made it a Bets On selection when it released in hardcover last August, and I had the pleasure of interviewing Christina about the book. You can watch the interview here and listen to the podcast here. We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, July 23rd at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll have the chance to win THE CELLIST by Daniel Silva and SUCH A QUIET PLACE by Megan Miranda, the latter of which is this month’s Top LibraryReads Pick. Both these thrillers release on Tuesday, and we will feature our reviews of them in next week’s newsletter. Approximately how much of a book do you read before you decide if you will finish it? That’s our latest poll question; click here to let us know what you do! Our previous poll asked if you pre-order books online or at bookstores, or reserve books at libraries. 62% of you reserve books from the library all the time, 12% pre-order books online all the time, and only 3% pre-order books from their local bookstore all the time. Click here for the complete breakdown.  It was announced this week that Miranda Cowley Heller’s debut novel, THE PAPER PALACE, is both the Barnes & Noble and Reese’s Book Club picks for July. In the course of just a single day on Cape Cod, one woman must make a life-changing decision that has been brewing for decades. We plan to post our review later this month; in the meantime, we’ve added the title to our Virtual Vacation Reads feature, where we’re spotlighting books that are set in getaway locations. According to Reese, “This novel is an unbelievably absorbing read that’s raw, emotional and worth spending some quality time with. Come for the beachy Cape Cod setting, stay for the love triangle and gripping story of a family surrounded by secrets. Put up an out of office message and call us back when you’ve finished, so we can chat all the secrets, love and lies.” On Tuesday, August 3rd at 3pm ET, Miranda will be discussing THE PAPER PALACE live on B&N’s Facebook page with blogger Mackenzie Newcomb. For more July selections, including the Indie Next and LibraryReads lists, see our “Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks” feature here.  This is your last weekly newsletter reminder to sign up for this month’s “Bookaccino Live” afternoon event, which will take place on Wednesday, July 14th at 2pm ET. I will present a number of titles releasing between July 13th and August 3rd, along with a few from September, that I would like to get on your radar. Please keep in mind that attendees of the live event will be invited to answer a survey about the books from the presentation that they are most interested in reading. Those who do will be eligible to win a prize! Be sure to register here by 1pm ET on Wednesday and we will send you a list of the featured titles before the event. News & Pop Culture Harlan Coben's Summer Reading Picks: Harlan shared his picks for summer reading on "Today." You can see them here. They include THE VANISHING POINT; he just discovered its author, Elizabeth Brundage. I am a few books ahead of him on appreciating her work. And we are juggling schedules so I can interview Elizabeth. "Virgin River" on Netflix: I am looking forward to the new season, which dropped today. I see a binge in my future.    I made a rhubarb cake this weekend from the cookbook DESSERT PERSON by Claire Saffitz. The photos above are before baked, when baked and when sliced on a plate. Mine overflowed somewhat --- okay, a lot --- in the oven. I think there was one step that I should have been more precise on --- okay, more than one step. Baking, unlike cooking, is chemistry. My husband says this all the time. Precision is not my forte! It did not look pretty like the picture in the book, but it tasted really good! A friend posted a photo of her daughter eating an ice cream cone on Instagram, and now I am obsessed with finding the perfect cone this weekend. I already have a decadent Neapolitan trio of ice cream on hand, which is mint chocolate chip, dark chocolate fudge, and vanilla with chocolate fudge. I also may look for high-quality (not cheap) chocolate sprinkles. The cone and sprinkles quest is on! Book group is at my house on Monday night. We are discussing THE PLOT by Jean Hanff Korelitz, and we are lucky enough to have Jean join us via Zoom for the meeting. We are so looking forward to this. I already hit the garden center for 1/3 off all plants last weekend, so I think I am done with planting for the moment. Or so I tell myself. I am just as weak around a garden center as I am around a yarn shop! I have some reading lined up for the weekend, and I am very ready to get back to floating around the pool. Read on, and have a great week. Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)    Featured Review: FALLING by T. J. Newman  FALLING by T. J. Newman (Thriller) - Click here to read more about the book. Click here to read our review. FALLING will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. Featured Review: FOX AND I by Catherine Raven  FOX AND I: An Uncommon Friendship by Catherine Raven (Memoir) - Click here to read more about the book. Click here to read our review. Featured Review: SLEEPING BEAR by Connor Sullivan  SLEEPING BEAR by Connor Sullivan (Thriller) - Click here to read more about the book. Click here to read our review.  New Paperback Spotlight:  MIGRATIONS by Charlotte McConaghy (Fiction) But as Franny’s history begins to unspool --- a passionate love affair, an absent family, a devastating crime --- it becomes clear that she is chasing more than just the birds. When Franny's dark secrets catch up with her, how much is she willing to risk for one more chance at redemption? Epic and intimate, heartbreaking and galvanizing, Charlotte McConaghy's MIGRATIONS is an ode to a disappearing world and a breathtaking page-turner about the possibility of hope against all odds. Click here to read our review. Click here to read more in our Paperback Spotlight.  New Release Spotlight:  THE WAR NURSE by Tracey Enerson Wood (Historical Fiction) When trainloads of soldiers stricken by a mysterious respiratory illness arrive one after the other, overwhelming the hospital's limited resources and threatening the health of her staff, Julia faces an unthinkable choice --- to step outside the bounds of her profession and risk the career she has fought so hard for, or to watch the people she cares for most die in her arms. Fans of Martha Hall Kelly's LOST ROSES and Marie Benedict's LADY CLEMENTINE will devour this mesmerizing celebration of some of the most overlooked heroes in history: the fierce, determined and brave nurses who treated soldiers in World War I. Click here to read more in our New Release Spotlight.  Bookreporter.com Bets On: THE FIANCÉE by Kate White  THE FIANCÉE by Kate White (Psychological Thriller) Summer is looking forward to her annual vacation at her in-laws’ estate. She’s headed there with her husband, Gabe, and her precocious nine-year-old stepson. As the family gathers, she recognizes her brother-in-law’s girlfriend, Hannah, who was in an acting showcase with her a few years ago. But when questioned about this, Hannah says she could not recall it. Summer just does not trust her --- and her suspicions only amp up when her brother-in-law announces that they are engaged; they only had been dating for a short time. The weekend rolls along with a number of family bonding moments until someone is found dead. What happened, and just who is the fiancée? - Click here to read more about the book. Click here to read more of Carol's commentary. Featured Review: THE STRANGER IN THE MIRROR  THE STRANGER IN THE MIRROR by Liv Constantine (Psychological Thriller) - Click here to read more about the book. Click here to read our review. Featured Review:  DEAR MISS METROPOLITAN by Carolyn Ferrell (Fiction) - Click here to read more about the book. Click here to read our review.    July’s New in Paperback Roundups July's roundup of New in Paperback fiction titles includes FAITHLESS IN DEATH, the 52nd installment in J. D. Robb's series starring NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas, which revolves around a supposed lover’s quarrel turned fatal that has larger --- and more terrifying --- motives behind it; ANXIOUS PEOPLE by Fredrik Backman, a charming, poignant novel about a crime that never took place, a would-be bank robber who disappears into thin air, and eight extremely anxious strangers who find that they have more in common than they ever imagined; Christina Baker Kline's THE EXILES, an ambitious, emotionally resonant work of historical fiction that captures the hardship, oppression, opportunity and hope of a trio of women’s lives --- two English convicts and an orphaned Aboriginal girl --- in 19th-century Australia; and WHITE IVY by debut novelist Susie Yang, in which a young woman’s crush on a privileged former classmate becomes a story of love, lies and dark obsession, offering stark insights into the immigrant experience. Among our nonfiction highlights are YALE NEEDS WOMEN, Anne Gardiner Perkins' unflinching account of how a group of young women fought against the backward-leaning traditions of a centuries-old institution and created the opportunities that would carry them into the future; A VERY PUNCHABLE FACE, a collection of hilarious essays from "Saturday Night Live" head writer and Weekend Update co-anchor Colin Jost, who learns how to take a beating; ELIOT NESS AND THE MAD BUTCHER by Max Allan Collins and A. Brad Schwartz, the haunting story of Eliot Ness' forgotten final case --- his years-long hunt for "The Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run," a serial killer who terrorized Cleveland through the Great Depression; and AGENT SONYA, Ben Macintyre's page-turning history of a legendary secret agent, a woman who influenced the course of the Cold War and helped plunge the world into a decades-long standoff between nuclear superpowers. Find out what's New in Paperback for the weeks of Bookreporter.com's 17th Annual  Summer is here! 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 Thursday, July 15th at noon ET. This year’s featured titles include:
Click here to read all the contest details and learn more about our prize books. Bookreporter.com’s 2021 Virtual Vacation Reads:  Bookreporter has a way for you to virtually travel with our list of books set in vacation locales. Escape to idyllic spots like Nantucket, Cape Cod, Malibu, the Catskills, Charleston and Palm Beach --- along with many others --- in our 2021 Virtual Vacation Reads feature. Pick your book(s) to embark on the summer vacation you've been dreaming of. You’ll only have to figure out how to send postcards! Please note: For your convenience, we have organized these books both by location and alphabetically by title. We also have included links to indie bookstores that are at or near each of these locations, so you can pay them a virtual visit as well! May we suggest that you buy these books from them? Click here to see our 2021 Virtual Vacation Reads feature.    From left to right: Kathy Reichs, Daniel Silva, Megan Miranda 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, July 11th at 5pm ET: "Friends and Fiction": For this special bonus episode, the "Friends and Fiction" authors --- Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Patti Callahan Henry and Mary Alice Monroe --- will talk to Susan M. Boyer about her Liz Talbot mystery series. Monday, July 12th at 7pm ET: Brookline Booksmith: Celebrate the release of THE STRANGER IN THE MIRROR with Liv Constantine and moderator Hank Phillippi Ryan. Monday, July 12th at 8pm ET: Murder By The Book: Murder By The Book is partnering with Marcus JCC of Atlanta & The National JCC Literary Consortium for an "In Your Living Room Live" event to celebrate the launch of Daniel Silva’s THE CELLIST. Silva will be in conversation with CNN's chief political correspondent, Dana Bash. Tuesday, July 13th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble Book Club: Barnes & Noble will host a Facebook Live discussion for their June book club pick, THE OTHER BLACK GIRL, featuring Zakiya Dalila Harris in conversation with Dawnie Walton. Tuesday, July 13th at 7pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Daniel Silva to talk about his new book, THE CELLIST, with anchor and host of CNN's "At This Hour," Kate Bolduan. Tuesday, July 13th at 7pm ET: Main Street Books: Join Main Street Books for a virtual book launch celebrating SUCH A QUIET PLACE featuring Megan Miranda in conversation with Kimberly McCreight (A GOOD MARRIAGE). Tuesday, July 13th at 8pm ET: Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Connor Sullivan will discuss his first thriller, SLEEPING BEAR, with his father, fellow author Mark Sullivan. Wednesday, July 14th at 2pm ET: "Bookaccino Live: A Lively Talk About Books": Carol Fitzgerald will present titles releasing between July 13th and August 3rd, along with a few from September, that she would like to get on your radar. Wednesday, July 14th at 6:45pm ET: Smithsonian Associates: In a conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham, Daniel Silva discusses his career as a bestselling author of 24 novels, including his latest, THE CELLIST; the inspiration behind his thrilling storylines; and his writing process. Wednesday, July 14th at 7pm ET: Brookline Booksmith: Celebrate the release of SUCH A QUIET PLACE, the newest thriller from bestselling author Megan Miranda. Megan will be in conversation with Rachel Hawkins, author of THE WIFE UPSTAIRS. Wednesday, July 14th at 7pm ET: "Friends and Fiction": The "Friends and Fiction" authors will talk to Paula McLain, whose latest novel is WHEN THE STARS GO DARK. Thursday, July 15th at 6pm ET: Bethany Beach Books: Join Bethany Beach Books for a virtual author event with Megan Miranda in conversation with Cristina Alger about her new psychological thriller, SUCH A QUIET PLACE. Thursday, July 15th at 7pm ET: Exeter Library: The Exeter Community Library welcomes Daniel Silva about his latest book, THE CELLIST. He will be in conversation with his wife, Jamie Gangel, a CNN Special Correspondent. Thursday, July 15th at 7pm ET: Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Join Kathy Reichs and International Thriller Writers to celebrate 20 years of Temperance Brennan and the launch of THE BONE CODE. Special guests will be Harlan Coben, Tess Gerritsen, David Baldacci, Karin Slaughter and Louise Penny. Thursday, July 15th at 7pm ET: RJ Julia Booksellers: RJ Julia’s presents a virtual event with Lisa Scottoline (ETERNAL) and her daughter, Francesca Serritella (GHOSTS OF HARVARD). These two masterful storytellers will share stories of the hidden strength of women. Thursday, July 15th at 8pm ET: Instagram Live: Scott Shepherd will be in conversation with Wendy Walker on her Instagram page about his first mystery novel, THE LAST COMMANDMENT. Thursday, July 15th at 8:30pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's will host Christina Clancy as she discusses her new book, SHOULDER SEASON, in conversation with Sarah Z. Sleeper. "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 WeekRAZORBLADE TEARS by S. A. Cosby (Mystery/Thriller) THE COVER WIFE by Dan Fesperman (Thriller) AN AMBUSH OF WIDOWS by Jeff Abbott (Psychological Thriller) CHEATED: The Inside Story of the Astros Scandal and a Colorful History of Sign Stealing by Andy Martino (Sports) SUNRISE BY THE SEA: A Little Beach Street Bakery Novel by Jenny Colgan (Fiction) THE STRANGER BEHIND YOU by Carol Goodman (Psychological Thriller/Mystery) HALF SICK OF SHADOWS by Laura Sebastian (Fantasy) KILL ALL YOUR DARLINGS by David Bell (Psychological Thriller)   
Next Week's Notables:
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