|
A Report from the Couch:
Books, Sports and Deep Decisions!
I did it! Last Sunday, I finally spent a full weekend day sitting on the couch reading with a fire in the fireplace. I grabbed an advance copy of WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS by Lisa Scottoline, which releases on March 29th. I am going on the record here: This is Lisa’s best thriller. It is fast-paced with so many twists and turns, and I felt like something happened on every page.
The Bennetts are a happy family on their way home from their daughter’s lacrosse game, merrily talking about it. A car is tailing them way too closely. They slow down, but it keeps coming, and then flies around them and stops. Two men leap from the car, and it feels like a carjacking. There’s gunfire, and by the time it’s done, one of the Bennetts is dead and so is one of the gunmen. What just happened? This is only page nine. When the grieving Bennetts get home that night, there is a knock at the door. Two FBI agents tell them that they need to be moved into protective custody. This is page 29, and the action keeps up right until the end. Whew! It will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
I am now reading THE GOOD SON by Jacquelyn Mitchard, allowing myself to read a book that already has been out for over three weeks instead of reading ahead. The premise of this book --- a mother and son are dealing with the latter's release from jail after a crime has been committed that resulted in his girlfriend's death --- made it one that I wish I had gotten to sooner. I already can tell it’s going to be a brisk read.
I am dabbling in watching the Olympics, with none of my usual devotion, but rather watching scattershot here and there. Each Olympics we head in with NBC commentators drilling into our heads that so and so is "the greatest of all time” and “this is their moment.” When I saw Mikaela Shiffrin struggling in two races, all I could think of was Simone Biles and the Summer Olympics. Also, Lindsey Vonn four years ago in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and Bode Miller in Turin in 2006. The hype, the expectations.
I am happy that Vonn is on hand to help call some of these races. She knows what it was like to wear a bib and compete with expectations on her. Her autobiography, RISE: My Story, delves deeply into what it is like to have laser focus on an athlete. Oh, and watching Shaun White and the others hitting the half-pipe last night was crazy. Seriously, how many feet were they in the air? 24 feet plus? I called my dad as I was watching, and we were marveling at their sheer prowess laced with guts.
Above you can see a picture of Janice from Springfield, Missouri, who was the happy winner of the Grand Prize in our Bets On Year-End Contest. Here’s her note about them:
“The books are here! I had been saying '44 books' to myself, but my goodness, the reality really hit when I started unpacking those boxes. I have not made the switch to e-books that many of my friends have made; I just love the feel of an actual book in my hands. So unpacking these has been like having a wonderful new toy when I was a child! And as I am retired and on a fixed income, the library is my main source for reading materials. I have several of these titles on hold at my library, but for some there are a hundred or more ahead of me. Now I don't have to wait for everyone else to be through reading them! I am more excited than ever! I can't begin to tell you what a wonderful gift this is for me. I so very much appreciate it. Thanks ever so much.”
Thanks, Janice for sharing this photo with us. Happy reading!
We hosted this month’s “Bookaccino Live” preview event on Wednesday afternoon. I talked about 23 books releasing between now and March 1st, along with eight from April, that we wanted to get on your radar. You can watch it here and see a list of the featured titles here.
Next month’s “Bookaccino Live” preview event will take place on Wednesday, March 9th at 2pm ET. I will present titles releasing between March 8th and April 5th, along with a few from May, 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.
Today we kicked off a new contest for Kim Michele Richardson’s upcoming novel, THE BOOK WOMAN’S DAUGHTER. It’s the long-awaited sequel to 2019’s THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK, though it also can be read as a stand-alone title.
In the ruggedness of the beautiful Kentucky mountains, Honey Lovett has always known that the old ways can make a hard life even more difficult. As the daughter of the famed blue-skinned, Troublesome Creek packhorse librarian, Honey and her family have been hiding from the law all her life. But when her parents are imprisoned, Honey realizes she must fight to stay free, or risk being sent away for good. Picking up her mother's old packhorse library route, Honey begins to deliver books to the remote hollers of Appalachia. But the route can be treacherous, and some folks aren't as keen to let a woman pave her own way.
In anticipation of its May 3rd release, we’re awarding an advance copy to 25 readers. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, February 25th at noon ET. You may remember Kim Michele was a guest at one of our “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events last year. If you missed our discussion of THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK, you can watch it here and listen to the podcast here.
My latest “Bookreporter Talks To” interview is with Wendy Corsi Staub, whose new book, THE OTHER FAMILY, will be a Bets On selection. In this fast-paced novel, a family making a fresh start moves into a house that was the site of an unsolved triple homicide --- and they are being watched by an unknown person.
Wendy, who has written a number of series, talks about freeing herself with a stand-alone book this time around. She walks us through the difference between suspense, thrillers and mysteries --- and this alone is worth listening for. She also discusses a Victorian-era tradition that seems macabre to us today. And yes, she leaves clues about what she's working on next. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast.
Ray Palen has our review and says, “As you’re reading THE OTHER FAMILY, there will be this constant gnawing in the back of your mind that something is not quite adding up. You will continue to be on the lookout for some clue as to where the revelation will come from that will shed light on exactly what is going on. To me, that is the definition of a top-notch work of psychological suspense.... Wendy Corsi Staub does a superb job of keeping many balls in the air at the same time without dropping a single one. Not only do we get the promised twists, the book’s final line is a real jaw-dropper!” Don’t miss my Bets On commentary in next week’s newsletter.
Evan Smoak, aka The Nowhere Man, faces his most challenging mission ever in DARK HORSE, the seventh installment in Gregg Hurwitz’s Orphan X series. Not only must Evan figure out how to get into the impregnable fortress of a heavily armed, deeply paranoid cartel leader, he must decide if he should help a very bad man --- no matter how just the cause.
According to Ray Palen, “To say that Evan carries with him a unique moral compass would be quite an understatement. He will have it put to the test in DARK HORSE as the lines will be blurred between the good guys and the bad guys, perhaps in a way he has never experienced before…. Evan Smoak always has some trick up his sleeve. He’s far from your typical action hero, and his mix of smarts and stubbornness continues to be a winning combination.”
Word of Mouth Reminder
DARK HORSE is one of our current Word of Mouth prizes; the other is THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST by Allison Pataki, which we plan to review next week. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read, and you’ll have a chance to win both these novels.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
-
ABANDONED IN DEATH: Homicide detective Eve Dallas must untangle a twisted family history while a hostage’s life hangs in the balance in this 54th installment of J.D. Robb’s In Death series.
-
VERY COLD PEOPLE: In her eagerly anticipated debut novel, Sarah Manguso has written a masterwork on growing up in --- and out of --- the suffocating constraints of a very old, and very cold, small town.
-
THE FAMILY CHAO: In Lan Samantha Chang’s new novel, this month’s Barnes & Noble Book Club pick, a Chinese American family grapples with the dark undercurrents of a seemingly pleasant small town.
-
VLADIMIR: In Julia May Jonas’ timely debut novel, a beloved English professor faces 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.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
BLACK CLAKE by Charmaine Wilkerson, which we reviewed last week and is this month’s “Read with Jenna” Today Show Book Club pick, is my latest Bets On selection. Find out why I’m betting you’ll love this book here. I'm looking forward to interviewing Charmaine next week!
Last Chance to Enter Our Valentine’s Day Contest!
This is your last Bookreporter newsletter reminder to enter our Valentine’s Day contest, where you can win five love-themed books for you or that special someone in your life. The prizes are 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. All you have to do is fill out this form by Thursday, February 17th at noon ET. Please note that we’re awarding the winners an advance copy of YERBA BUENA as it doesn’t release until May 31st.
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask which of my Bets On picks that are now in paperback or will be this month you have read or are planning to read. Click here to let us know.
THE WAY OF INTEGRITY: Finding the Path to Your True Self is Oprah’s latest Book Club pick. Here, Martha Beck presents a four-stage process that anyone can use to find integrity, and with it, a sense of purpose, emotional healing and a life free of mental suffering.
Oprah says, “For over 15 years, I have looked to Martha Beck for her wisdom, and marveled at how she helps people through crises in their lives with such grace, insight, and humor. As we all navigate this watershed moment in our collective history, THE WAY OF INTEGRITY provides a road map on the journey to truth and authenticity. Her latest work is filled with aha moments and practical exercises that can guide us as we seek enlightenment.” Click here for more of Oprah's thoughts on the book.
Earlier this week, Oprah talked to Martha for the second installment of Oprah Daily’s new monthly livestream event, “The Life You Want” Class. You can watch the interview here.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Kathie wrote, “Thank you so very much for hosting this month's "Bookaccino Live" event! So many great books to look forward to. Have a great day. I appreciate the sunshine you bring to mine each week with your newsletter.”
Pauline wrote, “I like to watch your author interviews after I read the book. That may account for why your older videos remain popular. As a library book borrower, it sometimes takes a bit longer to be able to read your new book picks. I'm sure there are others like me! I always look forward to your weekly emails!”
Very sad news from Mary Kay Andrews, an author beloved by many Bookreporter readers: On Thursday, we learned that her 39-year-old daughter, Katie, who many of you know from her live events and social media, died Wednesday night from liver failure as she was waiting for a transplant. She was diagnosed with the disease after she had breakthrough COVID last fall. Our hearts and prayers are with MKA and her family as they celebrate Katie's life. As we learn of ways to honor Katie, we will share them.
I have talked about how I am the "viewing concierge" in our house. My husband is a VERY picky watcher. The other night I suggested that we watch "Reacher". I had seen the Reacher films with Tom Cruise in them and was looking forward to seeing how the series would be rebooted. We settled in; after one episode, I glanced over and Tom was paying rapt attention. Then he suggested we watch a second episode. And the week rolled like that --- one the next night, then three, and let’s wrap this up with the last two.
Towards the end of the eighth episode, Lee Child makes a cameo, which had me hitting rewind quickly to see it again. He murmured something, but I missed it! After watching it multiple times, I still could not make it out. So if you know what he said, drop me a line. The show has been renewed for season two. Do I dare tell Tom that it is probably a year away?
"My Brilliant Friend" on HBO: The new season kicks off on Monday, February 28th. You can see the trailer for it here.
"Sweet Magnolias" on Netflix: With all that "Reacher" excitement, I am only on episode four, so I will be doing some more Magnoliaing this weekend! Yes, that is a new verb.
We have amaryllis plants blooming in the family room and the kitchen. You can see some of the stunning blossoms above. And there are many more still to flower. I have been running around staking them as they grow taller!
Tom Donadio, our brilliant Editorial Director, has a birthday coming up on Sunday. Yes, a birthday on Super Bowl Sunday! If you would like to send him a birthday note, you can write him at Tom@bookreporter.com.
As for the Super Bowl, I am pulling for the Cincinnati Bengals. For humor, if COVID fears were not still in the air, I would have been headed to Cincinnati this Sunday for the American Booksellers Association’s Winter Institute. The conference was in Denver the year that the Broncos clinched their division. So if your city wants to end up heading to the championship, you might want to hope that the ABA has set its sights on that city for next year’s event.
Oh, I already won one thing for the Super Bowl. No, I am not talking about a pool. Last year, by the time we got to the store on the Saturday before the big game, the pigs in a blanket were gone. This year, we wised up and I had my husband pick them up yesterday. I am not going to be caught without my favorite game food again. Oh, and these have yellow mustard and relish on them.
As for my other deep decisions for the week: Should I put another log on the fire now, or wait? Should I add some of those cool flakes that make the fire turn colors? Yes, deep thoughts like that.
Read on, and have a great week!
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
P.S. For those of you who are doing online shopping, if you use the store links below, Bookreporter.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases. We would appreciate your considering this!
Featured Review: ABANDONED IN DEATH by J. D. Robb
ABANDONED IN DEATH by J. D. Robb (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Susan Ericksen
The woman’s body was found in the early morning, on a bench in a New York City playground. The fatal wound was hidden beneath a ribbon around her neck. And the note: Bad Mommy, written in crayon as if by a child. Eve Dallas turns to the department’s top profiler, who confirms what seems obvious to Eve: They’re dealing with a killer whose childhood involved some sort of trauma --- a situation Eve is all too familiar with herself. Yet the clues suggest a perpetrator who’d be roughly 60 years old, and there are no records of old crimes with a similar MO. When Eve discovers that other young women --- who physically resemble the first victim --- have vanished, the clock starts ticking louder. Reviewed by Jennifer McCord.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Featured Review: DARK HORSE by Gregg Hurwitz
DARK HORSE: An Orphan X Novel by Gregg Hurwitz (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Scott Brick
Aragon Urrea is a kingpin of a major drug-dealing operation in South Texas. He's also the patron of the local area --- supplying employment in legitimate operations, providing help to the helpless, rough justice to the downtrodden and a future to a people normally with little hope. However, he is helpless when one of the most vicious cartels kidnaps his innocent 18-year-old daughter, spiriting her away into the armored complex that is their headquarters in Mexico. So he turns to Evan Smoak, the Nowhere Man. Not only must Evan figure out how to get into the impregnable fortress of a heavily armed, deeply paranoid cartel leader, he must decide if he should help a very bad man --- no matter how just the cause. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
New Special Contest: Enter to Win an Advance Copy of
THE BOOK WOMAN’S DAUGHTER
by Kim Michele Richardson, Releasing May 3rd
Kim Michele Richardson's upcoming work of historical fiction, THE BOOK WOMAN'S DAUGHTER, is both a stand-alone and sequel to her 2019 novel, THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK. Honey Lovett, the daughter of the beloved Troublesome book woman, must fight for her own independence with the help of the women who guide her and the books that set her free. The book doesn't release until May 3rd, but we have 25 advance copies to give away to readers. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, February 25th at noon ET.
THE BOOK WOMAN'S DAUGHTER by Kim Michele Richardson (Historical Fiction)
In the ruggedness of the beautiful Kentucky mountains, Honey Lovett has always known that the old ways can make a hard life harder. As the daughter of the famed blue-skinned, Troublesome Creek packhorse librarian, Honey and her family have been hiding from the law all her life. But when her mother and father are imprisoned, Honey realizes she must fight to stay free, or risk being sent away for good.
Picking up her mother's old packhorse library route, Honey begins to deliver books to the remote hollers of Appalachia. Honey is looking to prove that she doesn't need anyone telling her how to survive. But the route can be treacherous, and some folks aren't as keen to let a woman pave her own way.
If Honey wants to bring the freedom books provide to the families who need it most, she's going to have to fight for her place, and along the way learn that the extraordinary women who run the hills and hollers can make all the difference in the world.
- Click here to read Kim Michele Richardson's bio.
- Click here to visit Kim Michele Richardson's website.
- Connect with Kim Michele Richardson on Facebook 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.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
BLACK CAKE by Charmaine Wilkerson
February’s “Read with Jenna” Today Show Book Club Pick
BLACK CAKE by Charmaine Wilkerson (Fiction)
BLACK CAKE by Charmaine Wilkerson is a brilliant and moving debut written in a completely compelling style. It opens in California where Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves her two children, Byron and Benny, with a very nontraditional inheritance. She has left them two things --- a traditional Caribbean black cake, one made with a family recipe, and an eight-hour voice recording that they are to listen to together with her lawyer present. They are not to share the cake until they have listened to the whole story. As the recording is played, they learn that their mother’s life is not what they have long believed --- and many family secrets are revealed. Her narrated stories will take them from California to the Caribbean and London.
- 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 see why the book is this month's "Read with Jenna" pick.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary.
Don't miss Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with
Charmaine Wilkerson later this month.
Featured Review:
THE OTHER FAMILY by Wendy Corsi Staub
THE OTHER FAMILY by Wendy Corsi Staub (Psychological Suspense)
Audiobook available, read by Hillary Huber
As California transplants making a fresh start in Brooklyn, the Howells are expected to live in a shoebox, but the brownstone has a huge kitchen, lots of light and a backyard. The catch: its previous residents were victims of a grisly triple homicide that remains unsolved. Soon, peculiar things begin happening. Nora unearths a long-hidden rusty box in the flowerbed. Oldest daughter Stacey, obsessed with the family murdered in their house, pokes into the bloody past and becomes convinced that a stranger is watching the house. She’s right. But one of the Howells will recognize his face. Because one of them has a secret that will blindside the others with a truth that lies shockingly close to home --- and to this one’s terrifying history. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to watch Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Wendy Corsi Staub.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
- Click here to visit Wendy Corsi Staub's website.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
VERY COLD PEOPLE by Sarah Manguso
VERY COLD PEOPLE by Sarah Manguso (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Rebecca Lowman
For Ruthie, the frozen town of Waitsfield, Massachusetts, is all she has ever known. Once home to the country’s oldest and most illustrious families by the tail end of the 20th century, it is an unforgiving place awash with secrets. Forged in this frigid landscape, Ruthie has been dogged by feelings of inadequacy her whole life. As she grows older, she slowly learns how the town’s prim facade conceals a deeper, darker history, and how silence often masks a legacy of harm --- from the violence that runs down the family line to the horrors endured by her high school friends, each suffering a fate worse than the last. For Ruthie, Waitsfield is a place to be survived, and a girl like her would be lucky to get out alive. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
- 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 FAMILY CHAO by Lan Samantha Chang
February’s Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick
THE FAMILY CHAO by Lan Samantha Chang (Literary Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Brian Nishii
The residents of Haven, Wisconsin, have dined on the Fine Chao restaurant’s delicious Americanized Chinese food for 35 years, content to ignore any unsavory whispers about the family owners. Whether or not Big Leo Chao is honest, or his wife, Winnie, is happy, their food tastes good and their three sons earned scholarships to respectable colleges. But when the brothers reunite in Haven, the Chao family’s secrets and simmering resentments erupt at last. Before long, brash, charismatic and tyrannical patriarch Leo is found dead --- presumed murdered --- and his sons find they’ve drawn the exacting gaze of the entire town. The ensuing trial brings to light potential motives for all three brothers. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
» On Tuesday, March 8th at 3pm ET, Lan Samantha Chang will talk about THE FAMILY CHAO during a B&N Book Club virtual event. Click here to sign up.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: VLADIMIR by Julia May Jonas
VLADIMIR by Julia May Jonas (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Rebecca Lowman
“When I was a child, I loved old men, and I could tell that they also loved me.” And so we are introduced to our deliciously incisive narrator: a popular English professor whose charismatic husband at the same small liberal arts college is under investigation for his inappropriate relationships with his former students. The couple have long had a mutual understanding when it comes to their extramarital pursuits, but with these new allegations, life has become far less comfortable for them both. And when our narrator becomes increasingly infatuated with Vladimir, a celebrated, married young novelist who’s just arrived on campus, their tinder box world comes dangerously close to exploding. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
STEAL by James Patterson and Howard Roughan (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Jay Ben Markson
Imagine everyone’s surprise when Carter von Oehson, a sophomore in Dr. Dylan Reinhart’s Abnormal Psychology class, posts on Instagram that he plans to kill himself. Twenty-four hours later, and still no one has seen him. A massive search ensues. But when Carter’s sailboat rolls in with the tide without him or anyone else on it, the worst seems to be confirmed. He really did it. Or did he? The one person convinced he’s still alive is his father, Mathias von Oehson, founder and CEO of the world’s largest hedge fund. But what Mathias knows and how he knows it ultimately would reveal a secret so damaging that it would be as if he were committing suicide himself. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
FINLAY DONOVAN KNOCKS 'EM DEAD by Elle Cosimano (Mystery/Humor)
Audiobook available, read by Angela Dawe
Finlay Donovan is once again struggling to finish her next novel and keep her head above water as a single mother of two. On the bright side, she has her live-in nanny and confidant Vero to rely on, and the only dead body she's dealt with lately is that of her daughter's pet goldfish. On the not-so-bright side, someone out there wants her ex-husband, Steven, out of the picture. Permanently. Whatever else Steven may be, he's a good father, but saving him will send her down a rabbit hole of hit-women disguised as soccer moms, and a little bit more involvement with the Russian mob than she'd like. Meanwhile, Vero is keeping secrets, and Detective Nick Anthony seems determined to get back into her life. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.
THE GOODBYE COAST: A Philip Marlowe Novel by Joe Ide (Hard-boiled Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Vikas Adam
In THE GOODBYE COAST, Philip Marlowe is a quiet, lonely and remarkably capable and confident private detective. However, he lives beneath the shadow of his father, a once-decorated LAPD homicide detective who has given in to drink after the death of Marlowe’s mother. Marlowe, against his better judgment, accepts two missing person cases --- the first, a daughter of a faded, tyrannical Hollywood starlet; the second, a British child stolen from his mother by his father. At the center of the novel is Marlowe’s troubled and confounding relationship with his father, a son who despises yet respects his dad, and a dad who’s unable to hide his bitter disappointment with his grown boy. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
LOST & FOUND: A Memoir by Kathryn Schulz (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Kathryn Schulz
Eighteen months before Kathryn Schulz’s beloved father died, she met the woman she would marry. In LOST & FOUND, she weaves the stories of those relationships into a brilliant exploration of how all our lives are shaped by loss and discovery --- from the maddening disappearance of everyday objects to the sweeping devastations of war, pandemic and natural disaster; from finding new planets to falling in love. Three very different American families form the heart of this book: the one that made Schulz’s father, a charming, brilliant, absentminded Jewish refugee; the one that made her partner, an equally brilliant farmer’s daughter and devout Christian; and the one she herself makes through marriage. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
SMALL WORLD by Jonathan Evison (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by William DeMeritt
Set against such iconic backdrops as the California gold rush, the development of the transcontinental railroad, and a speeding train of modern-day strangers forced together by fate, SMALL WORLD asks big questions. In exploring the passengers’ lives and those of their ancestors more than a century before, the novel chronicles 170 years of American nation-building from numerous points of view across place and time. And it does it with a full-hearted, full-throttle pace that asks on the most human, intimate scale whether it is truly possible to meet, and survive, the choices posed --- and forced --- by the age. Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol.
HOME/LAND: A Memoir of Departure and Return by Rebecca Mead (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Rebecca Mead
When New Yorker writer Rebecca Mead relocated to her birth city of London with her family in the summer of 2018, she was both fleeing the political situation in America and seeking to expose her son to a wider world. With a keen sense of what she’d given up as she left New York, her home of 30 years, she tried to knit herself into the fabric of a changed London. The move raised poignant questions about place: What does it mean to leave the place you have adopted as home and country? And what is the value and cost of uprooting yourself? In HOME/LAND, Mead artfully explores themes of identity, nationality and inheritance. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
COUNT YOUR LUCKY STARS by Alexandria Bellefleur (Romantic Comedy)
Audiobook available, read by Lauren Sweet
While touring a wedding venue with her engaged friends, Margot Cooper comes face-to-face with Olivia Grant --- her childhood friend, her first love, her first everything. In the decade since she last saw Margot, Olivia’s life hasn’t gone exactly as planned. However, a wedding planner job in Seattle means a fresh start and a chance to follow her dreams. When a series of unfortunate events leaves Olivia without a place to stay, Margot offers up her spare room. As they spend time in close quarters, Margot starts to question her no-strings stance. Olivia is everything she’s ever wanted, but Margot let her in once and it ended in disaster. Will history repeat itself, or should she count her lucky stars that she gets a second chance with her first love? Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
THE FIELDS by Erin Young (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Soneela Nankani
It starts with a body --- a young woman found dead in an Iowa cornfield, on one of the few family farms still managing to compete with the giants of Big Agriculture. When Sergeant Riley Fisher, newly promoted to head of investigations for the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, arrives on the scene, an already horrific crime becomes personal when she discovers the victim was a childhood friend, connected to a dark past she thought she’d left behind. The investigation grows complicated as more victims are found. Drawn deeper in, Riley soon discovers implications far beyond her Midwest town. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
ECHO by Thomas Olde Heuvelt (Dark Fantasy/Horror)
Audiobook available; read by David Wayman, Greg Lockett and Lauryn Allman
Travel journalist and mountaineer Nick Grevers awakes from a coma to find that his climbing buddy, Augustin, is missing and presumed dead. Nick’s own injuries are as extensive as they are horrifying, and he claims amnesia --- but he remembers everything. He remembers how he and Augustin were mysteriously drawn to the Maudit, a remote and scarcely documented peak in the Swiss Alps. He remembers how the slopes of Maudit were eerily quiet, and how they got the ominous sense that they were not alone. But it isn’t just the memory of the accident that haunts Nick. Something has awakened inside of him, something that endangers the lives of everyone around him. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
BIBLIOLEPSY by Gina Apostol (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Rachel Coates
It is the mid-’80s, two decades into the kleptocratic, brutal rule of Ferdinand Marcos. The Philippine economy is in deep recession, and civil unrest is growing by the day. But Primi Peregrino has her own priorities: tracking down books and pursuing romantic connections with their authors. For Primi, the nascent revolution means that writers are gathering more often, and with greater urgency, so that every poetry reading she attends presents a veritable “Justice League” of authors for her to choose among. As the Marcos dictatorship stands poised to topple, Primi remains true to her fantasy: that she, “a vagabond from history, a runaway from time,” can be saved by sex, love and books. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on February 15th
Below are some notable titles releasing on February 15th 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 February 14th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
THE CAGE by Bonnie Kistler (Psychological Thriller)
Combining the propulsive narrative drive of THE FIRM with the psychological complexity of THE SILENT PATIENT, THE CAGE is a gripping and original thriller about two professional women --- colleagues at an international fashion conglomerate --- who enter an elevator together...but only one is alive when they reach the ground floor.
DAWNSHARD: From The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson (Fantasy/Adventure)
From Brandon Sanderson --- author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive and its fourth massive installment, RHYTHM OF WAR --- comes a new hefty novella, DAWNSHARD. Taking place between OATHBRINGER and RHYTHM OF WAR, this tale (like EDGEDANCER before it) gives often-overshadowed characters their own chance to shine.
DEATH OF A GREEN-EYED MONSTER: A Hamish Macbeth Murder Mystery by M. C. Beaton with R.W. Green (Mystery)
Sergeant Hamish Macbeth, Scotland's most quick-witted but unambitious policeman, is back and may have finally met the woman of his dreams in this new mystery in M. C. Beaton's beloved New York Times bestselling series.
DIABLO MESA by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (Thriller)
#1 New York Times bestselling authors Preston & Child continue with their wildly popular series featuring archaeologist Nora Kelly and FBI Agent Corrie Swanson.
THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST by Allison Pataki (Historical Fiction)
Bestselling and acclaimed author Allison Pataki has crafted an intimate portrait of a larger-than-life woman, a powerful story of one woman falling in love with her own voice and embracing her own power while shaping history in the process.
MARGARET TRUMAN'S MURDER AT THE CDC: A Capital Crimes Novel by Jon Land (Political Thriller/Mystery)
Murder and intrigue on the steps of the United States capital building pulls Robert Brixton into his most personal case yet.
MOON WITCH, SPIDER KING by Marlon James (Historical Fantasy)
In BLACK LEOPARD, RED WOLF, Sogolon the Moon Witch proved a worthy adversary to Tracker as they clashed across a mythical African landscape in search of a mysterious boy who disappeared. In MOON WITCH, SPIDER KING, Sogolon takes center stage and gives her own account of what happened to the boy, and how she plotted and fought, triumphed and failed as she looked for him.
OUR AMERICAN FRIEND by Anna Pitoniak (Thriller)
For fans of THE SECRETS WE KEPT and AMERICAN WIFE, OUR AMERICAN FRIEND is a propulsive Cold War-era spy thriller crossed with a fictional biography of a First Lady.
SIERRA SIX: A Gray Man Novel by Mark Greaney (Thriller)
It's been years since the Gray Man's first mission, but the trouble is just getting started in the latest entry in Mark Greaney’s #1 New York Times bestselling series.
WATERGATE: A New History by Garrett M. Graff (History/Politics)
From the New York Times bestselling author of THE ONLY PLANE IN THE SKY comes the first definitive narrative history of Watergate, exploring the full scope of the scandal through the politicians, investigators, journalists and informants who made it the most influential political event of our modern era.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Bonnie Kistler, Kim Fay, Nina de Gramont
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.
Tuesday, February 15th at 7pm ET: RJ Julia Booksellers: Join RJ Julia Booksellers for an evening all about Agatha and find out what really happened to Mrs. Christie. Nina de Gramont will be in conversation with Elizabeth McCracken about her new novel, THE CHRISTIE AFFAIR, which is this month's Reese's Book Club pick.
Tuesday, February 15th at 9pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child will discuss their new thriller, DIABLO MESA, which continues their wildly popular series featuring archaeologist Nora Kelly and FBI Agent Corrie Swanson.
Wednesday, February 16th 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 Jayne Allen about her latest novel, BLACK GIRLS MUST BE MAGIC.
Wednesday, February 16th at 7pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Bonnie Kistler will discuss her new novel, THE CAGE, a gripping and original thriller about two professional women --- colleagues at an international fashion conglomerate --- who enter an elevator together...but only one is alive when they reach the ground floor.
Wednesday, February 16th at 7:30pm ET: Greenlight Bookstore: Greenlight is thrilled to welcome acclaimed author Sarah Manguso to celebrate the publication of her first novel, VERY COLD PEOPLE. She will be joined by Elizabeth McCracken for a reading and discussion of the book.
Thursday, February 17th at 7pm ET: RJ Julia Booksellers: Join RJ Julia Booksellers for an evening with Anna Pitoniak, who will be in conversation with Lara Prescott about her new novel, OUR AMERICAN FRIEND.
Thursday, February 17th at 8pm ET: Murder By The Book: Joe Ide will discuss his new mystery, THE GOODBYE COAST, a colorful reinvention of a classic in which Philip Marlowe finds himself tangled in two missing persons cases.
Thursday, February 17th at 9pm ET: Edmonds Bookshop: Edmonds is thrilled to welcome Kim Fay and her new novel, LOVE & SAFFRON. She will be joined in conversation by Naomi Hirahara, author of CLARK AND DIVISION.
"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:
-
Bonnie Kistler (THE CAGE)
-
Charmaine Wilkerson (BLACK CAKE)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: Which of Carol’s Bets On Selections
That Are Now or Soon to Be in Paperback
Have You Read or Will You Read?
We have listed 12 of Carol’s Bookreporter.com Bets On picks that are now in paperback or will be this month. Which of these have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
-
AMERICAN DIRT by Jeanine Cummins
-
THE CHILDREN'S BLIZZARD by Melanie Benjamin
-
DON'T LOOK FOR ME by Wendy Walker
-
EDUCATED: A Memoir, by Tara Westover
-
ETERNAL by Lisa Scottoline
-
OF WOMEN AND SALT by Gabriela Garcia
-
THE POWER COUPLE by Alex Berenson
-
THE PUSH by Ashley Audrain
-
SPARKS LIKE STARS by Nadia Hashimi
-
THE SURVIVORS by Jane Harper
-
THE VANISHING HALF by Brit Bennett
-
YELLOW WIFE by Sadeqa Johnson
-
None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, February 18th 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 February 4th to February 18th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of DARK HORSE: An Orphan X Novel by Gregg Hurwitz and THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST by Allison Pataki.
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.
|
