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The snow prediction for the weekend in the northeast is kind of comical, especially watching meteorologists try to explain it on TV. We have a chance for something like two inches or two feet of snow. The on-camera personalities have perfected the swoop arm motions that indicate how the storm may unfold. The push of their hands moves it inland according to what happens with the wind. Then they swoop out, and magically the snow retreats up towards New England.
And they can call it a possible bombogenesis if they really want to hype folks up.
Think of the power of a weatherperson. You can send the entire city to work with an umbrella with a threat of rain from you! You can get excited to a fever pitch about the snow and then equally churn excitement by showing balmy temperatures a week ahead. It is high drama to watch. I can hear you laughing from here, but folks, we are in COVID times. We have limited places from which to draw humor, and right now we see these folks more than family, friends or the people we work with!
I saw something very cool this week when I was reading Morning Brew (my first read of the AM). It’s a clock that tells you what time it is via literature. Try it to see what I mean. It changes 60 times an hour and over 24 hours a day. It’s a better show than the weather for bookish people!
We have two new “Bookreporter Talks To” interviews to share with you in this newsletter. First up is Katherine Faulkner, whose debut novel, GREENWICH PARK, will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. The plot came to Katherine when she was in a prenatal class. Since all the women were pregnant, there was a feeling that they all should be friends. In the book, Helen attends her first prenatal class and has a strange encounter with Rachel, who has latched on to her. At first, Helen appreciates the companionship. But as time goes on, Rachel becomes more erratic, and Helen begins feeling like she needs to find a way to escape this irrational creature.
Katherine talks about the friends we make early in our lives and the difficulty of making new ones later, which became the perfect start to a thriller. We swap some tales from our own prenatal classes --- ones that still make us laugh. We also discuss Katherine's work as an award-winning journalist and investigative reporter, and the inspiration that comes from interviewing people from all walks of life. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast.
We have our review of GREENWICH PARK from Rebecca Munro, who says, "Faulkner keeps the twists and turns perfectly paced and almost always surprising. Those who frequently read thrillers may be able to guess some plot points, but the journey getting there is no less enjoyable, page-turning or gripping. Even the sharpest readers will be shocked by some of the big reveals, which continue through the last chapter." Don’t miss my Bets On commentary in next week’s newsletter.
For our second interview, our producer, Austin Ruh, talked to Christopher Golden about his latest supernatural thriller, ROAD OF BONES. The book follows two National Geographic filmmakers, Teig and Prentiss, as they travel into the farthest reaches of Siberia. Known as the Road of Bones, the Kolyma Highway was the place where hundreds of thousands of people were sent to die as prisoners. Now Teig and Prentiss must survive the cold and uncover long-forgotten folklore in this unfamiliar land. Unfortunately for them, it may be more real than they expected.
Christopher talks to Austin about the values of horror as therapy for readers, how he wrote this novel with the intention that anyone could enjoy it, and why Siberia is the perfect setting for something so thrilling. He also announces something big that's coming up next. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast.
Ray Palen has our review of the book and has this to say: “Christopher Golden is one of the most diverse and talented writers working today. His latest novel, ROAD OF BONES, will not only scare the hell out of you, it will show you things you have never imagined and take you to a part of the earth that hopefully you have never been to. Collectively, this creates the perfect recipe for a nightmare-inducing work that will worm its way into your psyche and threaten to never leave.”
Announcing TWO New Special Contests!
We kicked off two new contests this week, and we’re excited to tell you about them. The first giveaway is for SHADOWS OF BERLIN by David R. Gillham, whose previous two books are CITY OF WOMEN (a Bets On pick) and ANNELIES: A Novel of Anne Frank.
Rachel Perlman is one of the 16,000 Jewish Displaced Persons who emigrated to the United States at the end of World War II. But five years later, she has not been able to adjust to the cheerful bustling tenor of 1950s New York City. It has become a wedge between her and her husband Aaron, a nice Jewish boy from Flatbush. She struggles under the weight of what she witnessed living underground in a U-boat in Nazi Berlin and the terrible choice that was her only way out. It is almost too late to salvage her new life when she is forced to realize that the only way to escape her demons is to face them.
In anticipation of its April 19th release, we’re awarding an advance copy to 25 readers. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, February 11th at noon ET.
Our second contest is for WHAT’S MINE AND YOURS by Naima Coster, which was a “Read with Jenna” Today Show Book Club pick when it released in hardcover last March. Now available in paperback, this instant New York Times bestseller is a multigenerational novel of motherhood, race and the American family.
The book is set in a North Carolina community where a county initiative draws students from the largely Black east side of town into predominantly white high schools on the west. For two students, Gee and Noelle, the integration sets off a chain of events that will bond their families together in unexpected ways over the span of the next 20 years. When Gee and Noelle join the school play meant to bridge the divide between new and old students, their paths collide, and their two seemingly disconnected families begin to form deeply knotted, messy ties that will shape the trajectory of their adult lives. And their mothers --- each determined to see her child inherit a better life --- will make choices that will haunt them for decades to come.
We’re celebrating the book’s paperback release by giving five readers the chance to win a copy. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, February 4th at noon ET.
Fiona Davis follows up her New York Times bestseller THE LIONS OF FIFTH AVENUE with her latest novel, THE MAGNOLIA PALACE, which is about the secrets, betrayal and murder within one of New York City's most impressive Gilded Age mansions. Two women, a generation apart, both approach the Frick for an opportunity that could change their life --- but nothing is as it seems within the Frick family.
Our reviewer Amy Gwiazdowski “love[s] how Fiona Davis manages to effortlessly slip through time with her stories, leaving you to wonder what will happen next; at the same time, you’ll be just as happy to check in with her other characters…. THE MAGNOLIA PALACE is a family story at heart. It unfolds slowly, weaving a dramatic tale of love, heartbreak, redemption and new beginnings. If you like a little family drama and a mystery tossed together with a smattering of art history, this is a lovely book to keep you company for a weekend.”
In her new novel, HER HIDDEN GENIUS, Marie Benedict shines a light on Rosalind Franklin, a brilliant yet overlooked scientist who sacrificed her life to discover the nature of our very DNA. Her world-changing contributions were hidden by the men around her, but her relentless drive advanced our understanding of humankind.
According to Rebecca Munro, “There is so much to gain from HER HIDDEN GENIUS: a critical understanding of the history of biological science, a respect for the forgotten women who contributed major findings to the scientific community, and best of all, a new feminist icon to celebrate. With her trademark compassion and admiration, Benedict displays a deep understanding of Rosalind as a woman (not just as a scientist), making a strong case for a revision to the male-dominated history we are so often told.”
Word of Mouth Reminder
THE MAGNOLIA PALACE and HER HIDDEN GENIUS are our current Word of Mouth prizes. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win both these novels. Please do so by Friday, February 4th at noon ET.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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THE OVERNIGHT GUEST: A woman receives an unexpected visitor during a deadly snowstorm in Heather Gudenkauf’s chilling new thriller. My interview with Heather will be up on our YouTube channel and podcast page next week, and we will feature it in next Friday’s newsletter. It also will be a Bets On selection!
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THE DEPARTMENT OF RARE BOOKS AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS: In Eva Jurczyk’s much-talked-about debut novel, a librarian’s quiet life is turned upside down when a priceless manuscript goes missing. Soon she has to ask: What holds more secrets in the library --- the ancient books shelved in the stacks, or the people who preserve them?
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ENOUGH ALREADY: Beloved actress Valerie Bertinelli gives us a heartfelt look at turning 60, the futility of finding happiness in numbers on a scale, learning to love herself the way she is today, and tips for a healthier outlook on life.
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UNDERMONEY: Jay Newman, who has worked in the field of international finance as a trader, investment banker and investor for 40 years, has written his first thriller. In it, a group of American operatives secretly take over the world’s largest dark money fund. I heard Jay talk about this book, and the subject is absolutely fascinating. I read the first 50 pages and was quickly wowed. I want to read more, and I will be sharing it with my husband.
Our 17th Annual Valentine’s Day Contest: Books to Fall in Love With
There’s plenty of time to enter our Valentine’s Day contest, which kicked off last week. We’re giving five readers the opportunity to win five books that we think are perfect for this “season of love”: AND THE BRIDGE IS LOVE by David Biro, ELECTRIC IDOL by Katee Robert, A NOVEL OBSESSION by Caitlin Barasch, WEATHER GIRL by Rachel Lynn Solomon, and YERBA BUENA by Nina LaCour. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, February 17th at noon ET.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
THE MAID by Nita Prose and THE LAST HOUSE ON THE STREET by Diane Chamberlain are my latest Bets On picks. Click on each of the titles for my commentary. If you missed my interview with Nita Prose, you can watch it here and listen to the podcast here.
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask which of 30 fiction titles releasing in January you have read or are planning to read. Let us know by clicking here.
The winners of the 2022 Andrew Carnegie Medals were announced this week. THE THOUSAND CRIMES OF MING TSU by Tom Lin won the Fiction medal, while the Nonfiction medal was awarded to A LITTLE DEVIL IN AMERICA: Notes in Praise of Black Performance, by Hanif Abdurraqib. These awards “serve as a guide to help adults select quality reading material. They are the first single-book awards for adult books given by the American Library Association and reflect the expert judgment and insight of library professionals who work closely with adult readers.”
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Bobbie wrote about being one of our End-of-the-Year Bets On Contest winners: "Today is my lucky day! I had my mailman deliver a box with four books. So many good reads. So little time."
Roberta wrote about being a winner in our "Bookaccino Live" contest: "I was very excited when I got the mail yesterday and saw that I had won OLGA DIES DREAMING from 'Bookaccino Live'! Bookaccino has meant so much to me since you started it. I look forward to it each month. I love all your other email updates, too."
Belfast: I watched this movie the other night, and it was quite lovely. It's a semi-autobiographical film by Kenneth Branagh “which chronicles the life of a working class family and their young son's childhood during the tumult of the late 1960s in the Northern Ireland capital.” It's beautifully shot, and you feel like you're inside the lives of this family as they're working through whether to stay or leave, while also working through marriage issues. You can hear an interesting interview with Branagh and the actors here. The child actor, Jude Hill, completely won our hearts.
Fiona Davis Shares a Very Personal Story: In addition to Fiona having a brilliant book out this week, she also opened up about her Parkinson's diagnosis in this piece.
Wordle: I have not explored this as I am not great at puzzles. I am sure many of you have!
"American Rust" on Showtime: It did not shock me that "American Rust" was killed after one season. Now we need to read Philipp Meyer’s debut novel of the same name to see how it ends. They clearly thought they had season two coming when they ended season one. A totally disappointing finale.
"The Gilded Age" on HBO: I have not yet watched this series, which kicked off last Monday. It'll be a weekend project.
For Complete Humor: A toddler in New Jersey ordered nearly $2,000 worth of furniture from Walmart. You can read the story and see the young culprit here. His dad’s comments about him being “a COVID baby” are interesting. These past two years are going to have so many ramifications!
My potholder-creating abilities have moved to a whole new level. I was not designing like this as a child. The loom I bought came with a pamphlet with pattern ideas. It's really fun and something I never would have come up with on my own!
Greg turns 32 today, and we are planning a celebration tonight. And yes, there will be yet another fudge marble cake. Only one store near us carries the mix, and we headed there to grocery shop on Sunday. As we meandered through the aisles as one does when they do not frequent a store, there was a moment when we almost forgot to buy the mix that we came for. It was pretty funny.
Oh, and for the record, while Greg is on staff now, he says he has been advising the company since he was six, which is amusing and probably right. I am so looking forward to celebrating. As I was making the cake, I was thinking of the birthdays we had in years past. I think I have an entire shelf of themed cake pans in the attic. Lots of great memories to get us to today!
Last weekend, after packing up and mailing the prizes for the End-of-the-Year Bets On Contest, as well as those for “Bookaccino Live,” I finally have organized the bookshelves with advance copies of upcoming books. And once again, I have created shelves of recently published titles that I have not been able to get to yet. This was a full-day activity last Sunday, with an eye on football as I shelved.
This weekend, I am hoping to read books instead of organize them. I am looking forward to finishing BLACK CAKE by Charmaine Wilkerson, which releases on Tuesday. I also am reading THE OTHER FAMILY by Wendy Corsi Staub, which is coming out on February 8th and is terrific. I am interviewing Wendy on Monday. Austin and I are plotting out interviews for the next few months, which is a lot of fun!
And there will be football with the two championship games on Sunday. Last weekend’s games were brilliant. May Sunday's games and the Super Bowl be just as good! And we all will be warming up to watch the Olympics, which kick off next week.
And there WILL be fires in the fireplace.
And we will wait for the snow. You know “Waiting for Godot”? Here we are “Waiting for the Snow”!
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: THE MAGNOLIA PALACE by Fiona Davis
THE MAGNOLIA PALACE by Fiona Davis (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Karissa Vacker
Eight months since losing her mother in the Spanish flu outbreak of 1919, Lillian Carter's life has completely fallen apart. So when she stumbles upon an employment opportunity at the Frick mansion, she jumps at the chance. But before she knows it, she is pulled into a tangled web of romantic trysts, stolen jewels and family drama. Nearly 50 years later, mod English model Veronica Weber has her own chance to make her career within the walls of the former Frick residence, now converted into an impressive museum. But then she chances upon a series of hidden messages in the museum --- messages that will lead her on a hunt that not only could solve Veronica's financial woes, but could finally reveal the truth behind a decades-old murder in the infamous Frick family. 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: HER HIDDEN GENIUS by Marie Benedict
HER HIDDEN GENIUS by Marie Benedict (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Nicola Barber
Whether working at the laboratory she adored in Paris or toiling at a university in London, Rosalind Franklin feels closest to the science, those unchanging laws of physics and chemistry that guide her experiments. When she is assigned to work on DNA, she believes she can unearth its secrets. Rosalind knows if she just takes one more X-ray picture --- one more after thousands --- she can unlock the building blocks of life. Never again will she have to listen to her colleagues complain about her, especially Maurice Wilkins, who would rather conspire about genetics with James Watson and Francis Crick than work alongside her. Then it finally happens --- the double helix structure of DNA reveals itself to her with perfect clarity. But what unfolds next, Rosalind never could have predicted. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Featured Review:
GREENWICH PARK by Katherine Faulkner
An Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
GREENWICH PARK by Katherine Faulkner (Domestic Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Laura Kirman
Helen’s idyllic life begins to change the day she attends her first prenatal class and meets Rachel, an unpredictable single mother-to-be. Rachel doesn’t seem very maternal, but Helen is still drawn to her. She makes Helen laugh, invites her confidences and distracts her from her fears. But her increasingly erratic behavior is unsettling. And Helen is not the only one who’s noticed. Her friends and family begin to suspect that her strange new friend may be linked to their shared history in unexpected ways. When Rachel threatens to expose a past crime that could destroy all of their lives, it becomes clear that there are more than a few secrets laying beneath the broad-leaved trees and warm lamplight of Greenwich Park. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to watch Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Katherine Faulkner.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read our review.
GREENWICH PARK will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's commentary in next week's newsletter.
New Special Contest:
Enter to Win an Advance Copy of SHADOWS OF BERLIN
by David R. Gillham, Releasing April 19th
Set in 1950s Manhattan, SHADOWS OF BERLIN by David R. Gillham is a captivating novel of a Berlin girl on the run from the guilt of her past and the boy from Brooklyn who loves her. The book doesn't release until April 19th, but we have 25 advance copies to give away to readers. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, February 11th at noon ET.
SHADOWS OF BERLIN by David R. Gillham (Historical Fiction)
1955 in New York City: the city of instant coffee, bagels at Katz's Deli, new-fangled TVs. But in the Perlman's walk-up in Chelsea, the past is as close as the present. Rachel came to Manhattan in a wave of displaced Jews who managed to survive the horrors of war. Her Uncle Fritz fleeing with her, Rachel hoped to find freedom from her pain in New York and in the arms of her new American husband, Aaron.
But this child of Berlin and daughter of an artist cannot seem to outrun her guilt in the role of American housewife, not until she can shed the ghosts of her past. And when Uncle Fritz discovers, in a dreary midtown pawn shop, the most shocking portrait that her mother had ever painted, Rachel's memories begin to terrorize her, forcing her to face the choices she made to stay alive --- choices that might be her undoing.
From the cafés of war-torn Germany to the frantic drumbeat of 1950s Manhattan, SHADOWS OF BERLIN dramatically explores survival, redemption, and the way we learn to love and forgive across impossible divides.
- Click here to read David R. Gillham's bio.
- Click here to visit David R. Gillham's website.
- Connect with David R. Gillham on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click here to enter the contest.
New Special Contest:
Enter to Win a Paperback Copy of
WHAT’S MINE AND YOURS by Naima Coster
WHAT'S MINE AND YOURS, Naima Coster's instant New York Times bestseller and a "Read with Jenna" Today Show Book Club pick, is a sweeping novel of legacy, identity, the American family, and the ways that race affects even our most intimate relationships. We have five copies to give away to those who would like to read the book, which is now available in paperback. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, February 4th at noon ET.
WHAT'S MINE AND YOURS by Naima Coster (Fiction)
A community in the Piedmont of North Carolina rises in outrage as a county initiative draws students from the largely Black east side of town into predominantly white high schools on the west. For two students, Gee and Noelle, the integration sets off a chain of events that will tie their two families together in unexpected ways over the span of the next 20 years.
On one side of the integration debate is Jade, Gee's steely, ambitious mother. In the aftermath of a harrowing loss, she is determined to give her son the tools he'll need to survive in America as a sensitive, anxious, young Black man. On the other side is Noelle's headstrong mother, Lacey May, a white woman who refuses to see her half-Latina daughters as anything but white. She strives to protect them as she couldn't protect herself from the influence of their charming but unreliable father, Robbie.
When Gee and Noelle join the school play meant to bridge the divide between new and old students, their paths collide, and their two seemingly disconnected families begin to form deeply knotted, messy ties that will shape the trajectory of their adult lives. And their mothers --- each determined to see her child inherit a better life --- will make choices that will haunt them for decades to come.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to read Naima Coster's bio.
- Click here to visit Naima Coster's website.
- Connect with Naima Coster on Twitter and Instagram.
Click here to enter the contest.
Bookreporter.com's 17th Annual
Valentine's Day Contest: Enter to Win Books
for Yourself or Your Valentine!
Valentine's Day is only a few heartbeats away. We can't think of a better way to celebrate this special day than to cuddle up with your loved one...and a good book, of course!
We're giving five readers the chance to win five love-themed books in our 17th annual Valentine's Day contest. Be sure to enter between now and Thursday, February 17th at noon ET for your opportunity to be a lucky (and beloved!) winner.
If you're feeling frisky, share with us your all-time book character crush. Don't be shy, we've all got 'em! We'll post the top 10 literary loves and lusts --- along with the five winners --- shortly after the contest ends.
This year's Valentine’s Day prize titles are:
Click here to enter the contest.
Featured Review: THE OVERNIGHT GUEST
by Heather Gudenkauf
An Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
THE OVERNIGHT GUEST by Heather Gudenkauf (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Brittany Pressley
True crime writer Wylie Lark doesn’t mind being snowed in at the isolated farmhouse where she’s retreated to write her new book. A cozy fire, complete silence. It would be perfect, if not for the fact that decades earlier, at this very house, two people were murdered in cold blood and a girl disappeared without a trace. As the storm worsens, Wylie finds herself trapped inside the house, haunted by the secrets contained within its walls --- haunted by secrets of her own. Then she discovers a small child in the snow just outside. After bringing the child inside for warmth and safety, she begins to search for answers. But soon it becomes clear that the farmhouse isn’t as isolated as she thought, and someone is willing to do anything to find them. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- 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.
THE OVERNIGHT GUEST will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's commentary and her "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Heather Gudenkauf in next week's newsletter.
Featured Review: THE DEPARTMENT OF RARE BOOKS AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS by Eva Jurczyk
THE DEPARTMENT OF RARE BOOKS AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS by Eva Jurczyk (Literary Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Hannah Cabell
Liesl Weiss long ago learned to be content working behind the scenes in the distinguished rare books department of a large university. But when her boss has a stroke and she's left to run things, she discovers that the library's most prized manuscript is missing. Liesl tries to sound the alarm and inform the police about the missing priceless book, but is told repeatedly to keep quiet, to keep the doors open and the donors happy. But then a librarian unexpectedly stops showing up to work. Liesl must investigate both disappearances, unspooling her colleagues' pasts like the threads of a rare book binding as it becomes clear that someone in the department must be responsible for the theft. Reviewed by Megan Elliott.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
THE MAID by Nita Prose and THE LAST HOUSE
ON THE STREET by Diane Chamberlain
THE MAID by Nita Prose (Mystery)
In Nita Prose’s debut novel, THE MAID, Molly Gray is a socially challenged hotel maid who prides herself on delivering top service to the guests at the Regency Grand Hotel. One day, she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black and finds him dead in his bed. All fingers point to Molly as the killer, so she works to unravel the mystery of what happened to Mr. Black to free herself as a suspect. Molly’s life has been shaped by the words of her Gran, who died a few months ago. She approaches each seemingly insurmountable task by sharing what her Gran would have said to do.
- 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 Nita Prose.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
- Click here to see why the book is this month's "Good Morning America" Book Club pick.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on THE MAID.
THE LAST HOUSE ON THE STREET by Diane Chamberlain (Domestic Thriller/Mystery)
THE LAST HOUSE ON THE STREET is the latest book from Diane Chamberlain. While I loved her previous effort, BIG LIES IN A SMALL TOWN, this one surpasses it as my favorite. The novel takes place in the mid-'60s, during the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, and in the year 2010. Some characters overlap, which is not often the case with dual storylines. Here, questions can be answered by folks who are still around, though whether or not they are being totally truthful remains to be seen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on
THE LAST HOUSE ON THE STREET.
What’s New This Month on ReadingGroupGuides.com
ENOUGH ALREADY: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today by Valerie Bertinelli (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Valerie Bertinelli
Despite her success receiving Emmys for her Food Network show and critical praise for her books and cookbook, beloved actress Valerie Bertinelli still judged herself harshly if she gained a pound or showed too many wrinkles. But after her mother died, she found an old recipe box with notes of the strong women who came before her, reminding her that she has to find out who she is and take care of herself. Saying “enough already!” Bertinelli set out on a journey to love herself and see that perfection is not the goal; it’s the joy we can find every day in our lives, our loved ones and the food we share. Reviewed by Cindy Burnett.
ROAD OF BONES by Christopher Golden (Supernatural Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Robert Fass
Known as the Road of Bones, Siberia’s Kolyma Highway is a massive graveyard for the former Soviet Union’s gulag prisoners. Fascinated by the history, documentary producer Felix “Teig” Teigland is in Russia to drive the highway, envisioning a new series capturing Life and Death on the Road of Bones with a ride to the town of Akhust, collecting ghost stories and local legends along the way. But when Teig and his team reach their destination, they find an abandoned town, save one catatonic nine-year-old girl --- and a pack of predatory wolves, faster and smarter than any wild animals should be. This harrowing journey will push Teig beyond endurance and force him to confront the sins of his past. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to watch Austin Ruh's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Christopher Golden.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
UNDERMONEY by Jay Newman (Political Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Jeremy Bobb
When a U.S. airdrop of billions of dollars disap¬pears in the desert sands of Syria, only a small group of military operatives knows its ultimate destination or why it has been stolen. Their goal is no less than the restoration of America’s geopolitical dominance on the global stage. Essential to this scheme are Greta Webb, a sophisticated CIA operative who is an expert on dark money, and Elias Vicker, the damaged, dangerous soul who runs the world’s largest hedge fund. To achieve its goals, the group must form dangerous alliances. One is with the hidden family that manages the largest private pool of capital that has ever existed. Another is with Fyodor Volk, the ruthless founder of Russia’s most successful private military company, a mercenary with ties to Vladimir Putin. Reviewed by Lorraine W. Shanley.
THE PARIS DETECTIVE by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Jean Brassard
The most revered detective in Paris puts his skills to the test in three thrilling cases. Very handsome and charming French detective Luc Moncrief joined the NYPD for a fresh start, but in “French Kiss,” someone wants to make his first big case his last. In the heart of the holiday season, priceless paintings have vanished from a Park Avenue murder scene. Now, Moncrief must become a quick study in the art of the steal --- before a coldblooded killer paints the town red --- in “The Christmas Mystery.” And in “French Twist,” gorgeous women are dropping dead at upscale department stores in New York City. Moncrief and Detective Katherine Burke are close to solving the mystery, but looks can be deceiving. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE ACCOMPLICE by Lisa Lutz (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Lisa Flanagan
Owen Mann is charming, privileged and chronically dissatisfied. Luna Grey is secretive, cautious and pragmatic. Despite their differences, they form a bond the moment they meet in college. Their names soon become indivisible --- Owen and Luna, Luna and Owen --- and stay that way even after an unexplained death rocks their social circle. They’re still best friends years later, when Luna finds Owen’s wife brutally murdered. The police investigation sheds light on some long-hidden secrets, but it can’t penetrate the wall of mystery that surrounds Owen. To get to the heart of what happened and why, Luna has to dig up the one secret she’s spent her whole life burying. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
GOOD RICH PEOPLE by Eliza Jane Brazier (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Karissa Vacker
Lyla has always believed that life is a game she is destined to win, but her husband, Graham, takes the game to dangerous levels. The wealthy couple invites self-made success stories to live in their guesthouse and then conspires to ruin their lives. After all, there is nothing worse than a bootstrapper. Demi has always felt like the odds were stacked against her. At the end of her rope, she seizes a risky opportunity to take over another person’s life and unwittingly becomes the subject of the upstairs couple’s wicked entertainment. But Demi has been struggling forever, and she’s not about to go down without a fight. In a twist that neither woman sees coming, the game quickly devolves into chaos and rockets toward an explosive conclusion. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
MANIFESTO: On Never Giving Up by Bernardine Evaristo (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Bernardine Evaristo
Bernardine Evaristo’s nonfiction debut is a vibrant and inspirational account of her life and career as she rebelled against the mainstream and fought over several decades to bring her creative work into the world. With her characteristic humor, Evaristo describes her childhood as one of eight siblings, with a Nigerian father and white Catholic mother, tells the story of how she helped set up Britain’s first Black women’s theatre company, remembers the queer relationships of her 20s, and recounts her determination to write books that were absent in the literary world around her. She provides a hugely powerful perspective to contemporary conversations around race, class, feminism, sexuality and aging. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
DANTE: A Life written by Alessandro Barbero, translated by Allan Cameron (Biography)
Dante Alighieri’s DIVINE COMEDY has defined how people imagine and depict heaven and hell for over seven centuries. However, outside of Italy, his other works are not well known, and less still is generally known about the context in which he wrote them. In DANTE, Alessandro Barbero brings the legendary author’s Italy to life, describing the political intrigue, battles, city and society that shaped his life and work. The son of a shylock who dreams of belonging to the world of writers and nobles, we follow Dante into the dark corridors of politics where ideals are shattered by rampant corruption, and then into exile as he travels Italy and discovers the extraordinary color and variety of the countryside, the metropolises and the knightly courts. Reviewed by Pauline Finch.
SUCH A PRETTY SMILE by Kristi DeMeester (Supernatural Thriller/Horror)
Audiobook available, read by Khristine Hvam
2019: Thirteen-year-old Lila Sawyer has secrets she can’t share with anyone. Not even her mother, the infamous Caroline Sawyer, a unique artist whose eerie sculptures have made her a local celebrity. But soon Lila is terrorized by a delicious evil that shows her how to find her voice --- until she is punished for using it. 2004: Caroline Sawyer hears dogs everywhere. At first, she blames the phantom sounds on her insomnia and her acute stress in caring for her ailing father. But then the delusions begin to take shape. Caroline’s past is filled with repressed memories and a lurking horror that the men around her can’t understand. As past demons become a present threat, both Caroline and Lila must chase the source of this unrelenting, oppressive power to its malignant core. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on February 1st
Below are some notable titles releasing on February 1st 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 January 31st, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FOOLS by Jillian Cantor (Historical Fiction)
USA Today bestselling author Jillian Cantor reimagines and expands on the literary classic THE GREAT GATSBY in this atmospheric historical novel with echoes of BIG LITTLE LIES, told in three women’s alternating voices.
BLACK CAKE by Charmaine Wilkerson (Fiction)
In this moving debut novel, two estranged siblings must set aside their differences to deal with their mother’s death and her hidden past --- a journey of discovery that takes them from the Caribbean to London to California and ends with her famous black cake.
THE CHRISTIE AFFAIR by Nina de Gramont (Historical Fiction)
Nina de Gramont's THE CHRISTIE AFFAIR is a beguiling novel of star-crossed lovers, heartbreak, revenge and murder --- and a brilliant reimagination of one of the most talked-about unsolved mysteries of the 20th century.
THE FAMILY CHAO by Lan Samantha Chang (Literary Mystery)
An acclaimed storyteller returns with “a gorgeous and gripping literary mystery” that explores “family, betrayal, passion, race, culture and the American Dream” (Jean Kwok).
A GAME OF FEAR: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery by Charles Todd (Historical Mystery)
Scotland Yard’s Ian Rutledge is faced with his most perplexing case yet: a murder with no body, and a killer who can only be a ghost.
THE GOODBYE COAST: A Philip Marlowe Novel by Joe Ide (Hard-boiled Mystery)
In Joe Ide's colorful reinvention of a classic, Philip Marlowe finds himself tangled in two missing persons cases.
RAMSES THE DAMNED: THE REIGN OF OSIRIS by Anne Rice and Christopher Rice (Supernatural Thriller/Romance)
The gilded adventures of Ramses the Damned, the iconic creation of legendary author Anne Rice, continue in this breathtakingly suspenseful tale of a titanic supernatural power unleashed on the eve of war.
READER, I BURIED THEM & OTHER STORIES by Peter Lovesey (Mystery/Short Stories)
Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Peter Lovesey presents a collection of short fiction spanning 50 years, including the first story he ever published and three brand-new stories.
RECITATIF: A Story by Toni Morrison (Fiction)
From legendary Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison comes a beautiful, arresting story about race and the relationships that shape us through life --- for the first time in a beautifully produced stand-alone edition, with an introduction by Zadie Smith.
THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY by Brendan Slocumb (Mystery/Thriller)
This riveting page-turner is about a Black classical musician’s desperate quest to recover his lost violin on the eve of the most prestigious musical competition in the world.
VLADIMIR by Julia May Jonas (Fiction)
This provocative, razor-sharp and timely debut novel is about a beloved English professor facing a slew of accusations against her professor husband by former students --- a situation that becomes more complicated when she herself develops an obsession of her own.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Charmaine Wilkerson, Isabel Allende, Jillian Cantor
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.
Saturday, January 29th at 6pm ET: The BookMark: Join The BookMark as they present Fiona Davis in conversation with Christina Baker Kline about her latest historical novel, THE MAGNOLIA PALACE.
Saturday, January 29th at 7pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's, in partnership with Books & Books, the Miami Book Fair and independent bookstores across the country, will host Isabel Allende as she discusses her new book, VIOLETA, with Victoria Alonso.
Monday, January 31st at 3pm ET: Simon & Schuster's Book Club Favorites: Jessamine Chan will join members of the Simon & Schuster team for a Facebook Live Book Club chat about THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD MOTHERS, which is January's pick for S&S's Book Club Favorites.
Monday, January 31st at 8pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Fiona Davis will discuss her new work of historical fiction, THE MAGNOLIA PALACE, a tantalizing novel about the secrets, betrayal and murder within one of New York City's most impressive Gilded Age mansions.
Tuesday, February 1st at 7pm ET: Books & Books: Books & Books and Miami Book Fair present a virtual event with Julia May Jonas, who will discuss her debut novel, VLADIMIR, with Claire Dederer.
Wednesday, February 2nd at 7pm ET: The Center for Fiction: Presented in partnership with the Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival, The Center for Fiction will host a virtual event featuring Charmaine Wilkerson, who will discuss her debut novel, BLACK CAKE, with Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Wednesday, February 2nd at 7pm ET: "Friends and Fiction": The "Friends and Fiction" authors --- Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey and Patti Callahan Henry --- will talk to Alafair Burke (FIND ME) and Allison Pataki (THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST).
Wednesday, February 2nd at 7pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's will host Nina de Gramont as she discusses her new book, THE CHRISTIE AFFAIR, with Jason Mott.
Wednesday, February 2nd at 8pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Charles Todd pays tribute to his late mother, Caroline, as he discusses their latest mystery starring Inspector Ian Rutledge, A GAME OF FEAR.
Wednesday, February 2nd at 9pm ET: Tattered Cover Book Store: Sourcebooks Landmark, in partnership with Boulder Bookstore, Old Firehouse and Tattered Cover, welcomes Marie Benedict in conversation with Nathalia Holt for a special virtual discussion of Marie's new book, HER HIDDEN GENIUS.
Thursday, February 3rd at 7pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's will host Jillian Cantor as she discusses her new book, BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FOOLS, with Meredith Jaeger.
Thursday, February 3rd at 8pm ET: Murder By The Book: Eva Jurczyk will be in conversation with William Boyle about her debut novel, THE DEPARTMENT OF RARE BOOKS AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS.
Thursday, February 3rd at 8pm ET: Skylark Bookshop: Skylark’s free-range bookseller-at-large Mary O’Malley and their bookselling friend, Pamela Klinger-Horn, will be in conversation with Marie Benedict about her new historical novel, HER HIDDEN GENIUS.
Friday, February 4th at 7pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Jillian Cantor will discuss her latest novel, BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FOOLS, with special guest host Heather Gudenkauf.
"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 are our latest interviews:
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Heather Gudenkauf (THE OVERNIGHT GUEST)
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Wendy Corsi Staub (THE OTHER FAMILY)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: January Fiction Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following fiction titles releasing in January have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
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THE ACCOMPLICE by Lisa Lutz
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ANTHEM by Noah Hawley
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THE DEPARTMENT OF RARE BOOKS AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS by Eva Jurczyk
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DEVIL HOUSE by John Darnielle
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FIND ME by Alafair Burke
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FIONA AND JANE by Jean Chen Ho
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THE GOOD SON by Jacquelyn Mitchard
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GREENWICH PARK by Katherine Faulkner
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HER HIDDEN GENIUS by Marie Benedict
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HONOR by Thrity Umrigar
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THE HORSEWOMAN by James Patterson and Mike Lupica
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JOAN IS OKAY by Weike Wang
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THE LAST DANCE OF THE DEBUTANTE by Julia Kelly
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THE LAST HOUSE ON THE STREET by Diane Chamberlain
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THE MAGNOLIA PALACE by Fiona Davis
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THE MAID by Nita Prose
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OLGA DIES DREAMING by Xochitl Gonzalez
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ONE STEP TOO FAR by Lisa Gardner
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THE OVERNIGHT GUEST by Heather Gudenkauf
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QUICKSILVER by Dean Koontz
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RECKLESS GIRLS by Rachel Hawkins
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ROBERT B. PARKER'S BYE BYE BABY: A Spenser Novel, by Ace Atkins
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THE RUNAWAY: A Peter Ash Novel, by Nick Petrie
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THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD MOTHERS by Jessamine Chan
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SEASONAL WORK: Stories, by Laura Lippman
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SOMETHING TO HIDE: A Lynley Novel, by Elizabeth George
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THE STARLESS CROWN by James Rollins
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TO PARADISE by Hanya Yanagihara
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UNDERMONEY by Jay Newman
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VIOLETA by Isabel Allende
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, February 4th 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 January 21st to February 4th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of HER HIDDEN GENIUS by Marie Benedict and THE MAGNOLIA PALACE by Fiona Davis.
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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