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Happy National Library Week!
I am sneaking in on the tail end of National Library Week to celebrate. I still remember the hours I spent at my local library when I was growing up. I remember the bookmobile coming to the corner and eagerly waiting for it to arrive. I always took out the maximum number of books allowed.
As I got older, I would take the bus downtown to the BIG library. I remember when the huge new addition was finished in the late '60s, and all the patterns for browsing changed as I moved over to the “new building” when searching for adult books. There are so many memories from there; some day I need to stop by there again.
When we moved when I was in high school, one of the places that I checked out first was the library. Years later, when my mom joined a number of activities at the library, the director asked if she was related to me. She remembered me always taking out stacks of books. I loved that.
Greg got an early start on National Library Week last Friday when he worked at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, NJ before meeting us in Princeton for the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival. Then on Sunday, he headed up to Canada for a photography project. On the drive back on Wednesday, he stopped off at the Niagara Falls Public Library to work. It was designed by the famous Brutalist architect Paul Rudolph in the late 1970s, and he loved the look of it. You can see it above.
For any of you who enjoy outdoor activities, or films shot in great locations, I highly recommend the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival. We never have attended the week-long event in Banff, but we have enjoyed the series at Princeton University for a few years now. This is the first time we went both nights, and it truly doubled the experience in a wonderful way! The feats of those photographed equal the skill of the cinematography.
My latest “Bookreporter Talks To” interview is with Jane Green, whose new novel, SISTER STARDUST, will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
For years, Jane has been interested in Talitha Getty, the second wife of John Paul Getty Jr. This book reimagines her life in the '60s during her time in Morocco. A famous model and actress, Talitha is rich, exuberant and universally loved. The story is told through the eyes of Claire, who moves from her small English town to London, and she is swept up in Talitha's world. The closer they grow, the more Claire learns about the dark past of this mysterious and revered woman.
In the interview, Jane talks about British history that Americans may not be familiar with, and how that tied into Talitha Getty's life. She also discusses her research, explains the challenges in fictionalizing a star's life, and fills us in on some exciting new projects. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast.
Norah Piehl has our review of SISTER STARDUST and says, “[T]he conflict at the novel’s center --- Claire’s desire for safety but also for a kind of life wildly different from the one she’s always known --- is compelling, and readers will eagerly transport themselves back to a time and place that seem simultaneously sophisticated and innocent.” Don’t miss my Bets On commentary in next week’s newsletter.
Today we kicked off a new contest for Joshua Moehling’s upcoming debut novel, AND THERE HE KEPT HER, which Julie Clark calls “[a] dark and complex mystery that will consume you, starring a protagonist who is equal parts quirky Milhone and steady Gamache.”
Here’s the premise: When two teenagers break into a house on a remote lake in search of prescription drugs, what starts as a simple burglary turns into a nightmare for all involved. Emmett Burr has secrets he's been keeping in his basement for more than two decades, and he'll do anything to keep his past from being revealed. As he gets the upper hand on his tormentors, the lines between victim, abuser and protector will blur. Motivated by a family connection, former police officer Ben Packard leads the investigation into the missing teens --- but it won’t be long before he’s forced to reveal his own secrets.
In anticipation of the book’s June 14th release, we’re awarding an advance copy to 25 readers. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, April 22nd at noon ET.
A BIG Contest for Moms!
Our Mother's Day contest is back for a 17th year! Once again, we’re featuring a number of fiction and nonfiction titles that we think moms will love. Readers will have the opportunity to win one of our five prize packages, which includes all eight books to treat yourself or your mom. Among them are ATOMIC ANNA by Rachel Barenbaum, BRIGHTER BY THE DAY: Waking Up to New Hopes and Dreams by Robin Roberts with Michelle Burford, and THE CHANGE by Kirsten Miller. The deadline for your entries is Friday, May 6th at noon ET. Click here to take a look at all of our featured titles and enter the contest.
Our Historical Fiction Author Spotlight is back, and this time we’re featuring David R. Gillham’s latest book, SHADOWS OF BERLIN, which released this week. 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.
According to our reviewer Sarah Rachel Egelman, “Gillham tackles challenging subject matter and treats it with dignity, giving his characters nuance and depth. He successfully portrays Rachel’s interior life as she responds to her memories, experiences and current circumstances…. SHADOWS OF BERLIN is a rich and compelling exploration of survival, guilt, family, artistic expression and healing.” I look forward to conducting a “Bookreporter Talks To” interview with David soon!
Our latest Paperback Spotlight title is MOTHER MAY I by Joshilyn Jackson, a national bestseller that is newly released in paperback. Marrying into a family with wealth, power and connections, Bree Cabbat has all a woman could ever dream. Until the day Bree awakens and sees a witch peering into her bedroom window, an old gray-haired woman all dressed in black who vanishes as quickly as she appears. Later that day, she spies the old woman again, in the parking lot of her daughters’ private school...just minutes before her baby son vanishes. To get him back, Bree must complete one small --- but critical --- task. It seems harmless enough, but her action comes with a devastating price.
Joe Hartlaub, our Senior Writer Emeritus, reviewed the book for us when it released in hardcover last April and had this to say about it: “MOTHER MAY I is perfectly balanced between its plot and characters. It lends itself to quick reading --- there is no good place to stop --- yet one is sorry when it ends. Readers who are new to Jackson’s talent will want to acquire her significant backlist as they wait for her next book, while those who are already familiar with her catalog will find their patience rewarded.”
This Month’s New in Paperback Feature
MOTHER MAY I is just one of the many books you will find in April’s New in Paperback roundups. We also are featuring paperback reprints from such bestselling authors as Lee Child and Andrew Child (BETTER OFF DEAD), Jennifer Weiner (THAT SUMMER), Paula McLain (WHEN THE STARS GO DARK), Mary Kay Andrews (THE NEWCOMER), Chandler Baker (THE HUSBANDS), and Elizabeth Strout (OH WILLIAM!); nonfiction titles, including A SWIM IN A POND IN THE RAIN: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life by George Saunders and THREE DREAMERS: A Memoir of Family by Lorenzo Carcaterra; and paperback originals like DEATH OF THE BLACK WIDOW by James Patterson and J. D. Barker and AN HONEST LIE by Tarryn Fisher.
SEA OF TRANQUILITY is the highly anticipated new book from Emily St. John Mandel, the award-winning author of STATION ELEVEN and THE GLASS HOTEL. This novel of art, time, love and plague takes readers from Vancouver Island in 1912 to a dark colony on the moon 500 years later, unfurling a story of humanity across centuries and space.
Ray Palen raves about the book in his review: “The finale of SEA OF TRANQUILITY is so beautifully plotted and planned out that it will send chills down your spine one minute and have you near tears the next. Emily St. John Mandel has created a masterpiece; it is not the best book she has written, but it is the book that we deserve and need right now. It will sink deep into your psyche and threaten to haunt your thoughts and dreams endlessly. The images and ideas will also ease your mind during a moment in time when mankind has far more questions than answers, and great literature can continue to be the panacea to the masses that it has always been.”
SEA OF TRANQUILITY is this month’s #1 Indie Next pick and a Barnes & Noble Book Club selection. On Tuesday, May 10th at 3pm ET, B&N will welcome Emily for a live virtual event to discuss the book. Click here to sign up.
You may remember that I devoured Sally Hepworth’s new domestic thriller, THE YOUNGER WIFE, before the start of the year, and I knew immediately it would be a Bets On pick. So I’m happy to say that it’s now in stores, and I can’t wait to hear what you all think about it. As I pointed out in a previous newsletter, the idea for the book came to Sally from her great aunty Gwen. A throwaway line from Gwen got her thinking. Just who is the “younger wife,” and what is going on with this family? You will have to read to find out...and her crazy cast of characters will amuse you.
Our reviewer Kate Ayers teases, “Who doesn’t love a wedding? The flowers, the music, the dresses, the handsome groom, the beautiful bride…and at Heather Wisher’s wedding, the blood. Oh, so much blood.” She goes on to say, “Read THE YOUNGER WIFE and uncover the secrets for yourself. Learn why Pam said all those things and why her daughters turned to ways of coping they didn’t even realize they were doing. Will any of them be able to lead a normal life after this wedding?” Don’t miss my Bets On commentary in next week’s newsletter.
Word of Mouth Reminder
We are giving away THE YOUNGER WIFE in our current Word of Mouth contest, along with the aforementioned SISTER STARDUST by Jane Green. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read by Friday, April 15th at noon ET, and you’ll have a chance to win both these titles.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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FOREVER BOY: With her popular blog, Finding Cooper's Voice, Kate Swenson has provided hope and comfort for hundreds of thousands of parents of children with autism. Now, she shares her inspiring story in this powerful memoir about motherhood and unconditional love.
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EASY BEAUTY: From Pulitzer Prize finalist Chloé Cooper Jones comes a groundbreaking memoir about disability, motherhood, and a journey to far-flung places in search of a new way of seeing and being seen.
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FOUR TREASURES OF THE SKY: Set against the backdrop of the Chinese Exclusion Act, Jenny Tinghui Zhang’s debut novel is about a Chinese girl fighting to claim her place in the 1880s American West.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS by Lisa Scottoline and THE LONG WEEKEND by Gilly Macmillan, both of which we reviewed last week, are my latest Bets On picks. Click on the titles to see why I’m betting you’ll love these books. If you missed my recent “Bookreporter Talks To” interview with Gilly, you can watch it here and listen to the podcast here.
Spring Preview Update
For this week’s Spring Preview contest, we gave away THE MASTER CRAFTSMAN by Kelli Stuart. Our final prize book will be SUMMER AT THE CAPE by RaeAnne Thayne; the giveaway will go live on Tuesday, April 12th at noon ET.
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask which of 30 titles releasing this month you are planning to read. Let us know by clicking here.
It was announced this week that MEMPHIS by Tara M. Stringfellow is April’s “Read with Jenna” Today Show Book Club pick. Jenna calls this debut novel “a magnificent, engaging book about how love, trauma and sacrifice are passed down through three generations of Black women.” She goes on to say, “While the women endure deep loss, racism and abuse, they also find healing in friendship, community and forgiveness.” Don’t miss our review in next week’s newsletter.
LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY by Bonnie Garmus is this month’s Top LibraryReads Pick and a “Good Morning America” Book Club selection. In this much-talked-about debut, readers are introduced to Elizabeth Zott, a one-of-a-kind scientist in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the star of a beloved TV cooking show. Garmus told “GMA” that you should read her book if you’re “tired of all the ways people make life miserable for others through misogyny and racism, and all the societal burdens that surely should have been eradicated by now.” We will feature our review in the April 22nd newsletter.
It also was announced this week that TRUE BIZ by Sara Nović is Reese’s Book Club pick for April. Here’s what Reese has to say about the book: “Goodness, I can’t even begin to put into words all the feelings this book provoked! [It] is an eye-opening and heartfelt story about human connection and the beauty and adversity woven into the deaf community and culture. It not only pulled at my heartstrings, but is both an educational and electrifying peek into a family that fights for connections even as the outside world threatens to close the door on them. It is not one to miss.”
For more April selections, including the Indie Next and LibraryReads lists, see our “Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks” feature here.
This is your last Bookreporter newsletter reminder to sign up for this month’s “Bookaccino Live” preview event, which will take place on Wednesday, April 13th at 2pm ET. I will talk about titles releasing between April 12th and May 3rd, along with a few from June, that I would like to get on your radar. Click here to register. 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.
The shortlist for the 2022 International Booker Prize was announced this week. The six finalists are CURSED BUNNY by Bora Chung, translated from Korean by Anton Hur; A NEW NAME: Septology VI-VII by Jon Fosse, translated from Norwegian by Damion Searls; HEAVEN by Mieko Kawakami, translated from Japanese by Samuel Bett and David Boyd; ELENA KNOWS by Claudia Pineiro, translated from Spanish by Frances Riddle; TOMB OF SAND by Geetanjali Shree, translated from Hindi by Daisy Rockwell; and THE BOOKS OF JACOB by Olga Tokarczuk, translated from Polish by Jennifer Croft. The winner will be announced on May 26th at a ceremony in London.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Susann wrote, “Thank you! Thank you! I just received my copy of THE LIES I TELL, and I can't wait to begin reading it! Thank you very much!”
Jean wrote, “I just wanted to thank you for my copy of THE LIES I TELL that I won through your contest. Since discovering Bookreporter, I have found so many wonderful new authors to read and have enjoyed the interviews and reviews. I look forward to reading your newsletter for a long time to come.”
Monica wrote, “I was so excited to read the email that I had won a copy of THE BOOK WOMAN'S DAUGHTER by Kim Michele Richardson. I enjoyed the book from cover to cover and have commented about it on Word of Mouth. I have followed Bookreporter.com for years and have spread the news of this wonderful website to family, friends and co-workers. Whenever books are discussed, I make sure everyone knows about the website. I always love your additional comments within the newsletter about your travels. I recently visited the Outer Banks and made sure to stop by to see Jeanne at Knitting Addiction to get some new knitting projects, which was mentioned in a 2008 newsletter. Thank you, Carol, and for your entire team at Bookreporter.com for sharing the joy of reading with all of us.” Monica, thank YOU for being a loyal reader, and I am so glad you visited Knitting Addiction.
The Grammys: I watched the show and found it to be very entertaining, though I knew none of the artists. I thought the ceremony was a lot more upbeat than the Oscars.
Paul Simon Honored by the Grammys in a Special Ceremony: I saw a few pictures from the ceremony, which took place on Wednesday night. I cannot wait to see the full show when it airs later this year.
“Billions” on Showtime: The season finale airs this weekend. The show has had a good season without Damian Lewis. I was wondering what would happen next!
“The Dropout” on Hulu: It was well done. I will be curious as to what Elizabeth Holmes is sentenced to in September after she was found guilty on multiple charges in a recent trial.
Tonight I am heading out to meet up with the aforementioned Sally Hepworth, who is doing an event in Maplewood. She is here from Australia, and I am so looking forward to seeing her again! I have been following her travels on Instagram since she arrived here in the States last weekend. She should really have her own comedy show. One post had me laughing more than the next. Sally and I have the same lack of a sense of direction!
This is Masters weekend, which means I will be making pimento cheese sandwiches...and there will be a lot of whispering happening on television. Tiger is back, which means the novenas that the CBS Sports Team has been saying have been heard. Bring on the ad revenue.
My friend, Kim, is coming out on Saturday, and I am so excited to see her again. The last time we hung out was when we were walking in Central Park in January 2020 before, you know, the world as we knew it fell apart! There is a lot of catching up to do. It’s been way too long!
I did not get enough reading done last weekend, and it’s been a busy week. I am enjoying Linwood Barclay’s TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY, reading it in fitful snatches of pages. I am so looking forward to downtime this weekend for reading!
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: SEA OF TRANQUILITY
by Emily St. John Mandel
April’s Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick
SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Emily St. John Mandel (Post-Apocalyptic/Science Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by John Lee, Dylan Moore, Arthur Morey and Kirsten Potter
Edwin St. Andrew is 18 years old when he crosses the Atlantic by steamship, exiled from polite society following an ill-conceived diatribe at a dinner party. He enters the Canadian wilderness and suddenly hears the notes of a violin echoing in an airship terminal. Two centuries later, Olive Llewellyn is on a book tour. She’s traveling all over Earth, but her home is the second moon colony. Within the text of Olive’s bestselling pandemic novel lies a strange passage: a man plays his violin for change in the echoing corridor of an airship terminal as the trees of a forest rise around him. When Gaspery-Jacques Roberts, a detective in the black-skied Night City, is hired to investigate an anomaly in the North American wilderness, he uncovers a series of lives upended. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
» On Tuesday, May 10th at 3pm ET, Barnes & Noble will welcome Emily St. John Mandel for a live virtual event to discuss the book. Click here to sign up.
- 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 YOUNGER WIFE by Sally Hepworth
An Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
THE YOUNGER WIFE by Sally Hepworth (Domestic Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Barrie Kreinik, Caroline Lee, Jessica Douglas-Henry and Zoe Carides
A heart surgeon at the top of his field, Stephen Aston is getting married again. But first he must divorce his current wife, even though she can no longer speak for herself. Tully and Rachel Aston look upon their father’s fiancée, Heather, as nothing but an interloper. Heather is younger than both of them. Clearly, she’s after their father’s money. With their mother in a precarious position, Tully and Rachel are determined to get to the truth about their family’s secrets, the new wife closing in, and who their father really is. Heather has secrets of her own. Will getting to the truth unleash the most dangerous impulses
in all of them? Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
THE YOUNGER WIFE will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's commentary in next week's newsletter.
Featured Review: SISTER STARDUST by Jane Green
An Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
SISTER STARDUST by Jane Green (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Fiona Hardingham
In her 20s, and already a famous model and actress, Talitha moved from London to a palace in Marrakesh with her husband Paul Getty, the famous oil heir. There she presided over a swirling ex-pat scene filled with music, art, free love and a counterculture taking root across the world. When Claire arrives in London from her small town, she never expects to cross paths with a woman as magnetic as Talitha Getty. Yearning for the adventure and independence, she's swept off to Marrakesh, where the two become kindred spirits. But as their friendship blossoms and the two grow closer, the realities of Talitha's precarious existence set off a chain of dangerous events that could alter Claire's life forever. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to watch Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Jane Green.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read our review.
SISTER STARDUST 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
AND THERE HE KEPT HER by Joshua Moehling,
Releasing June 14th
Unrelentingly suspenseful and written with a piercing gaze into the dark depths of the human soul, AND THERE HE KEPT HER by debut novelist Joshua Moehling is a thrilling page-turner that introduces readers to a complicated new hero and forces us to consider the true nature of evil. The book doesn't release until June 14th, but we have 25 advance copies to give away to readers. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, April 22nd at noon ET.
AND THERE HE KEPT HER by Joshua Moehling (Mystery/Thriller)
When two teenagers break into a house on a remote lake in search of prescription drugs, what starts as a simple burglary turns into a nightmare for all involved. Emmett Burr has secrets he's been keeping in his basement for more than two decades, and he'll do anything to keep his past from being revealed. As he gets the upper hand on his tormentors, the lines blur between victim, abuser and protector.
Personal tragedy has sent former police officer Ben Packard back to the small Minnesota town of Sandy Lake in search of a fresh start. Now a sheriff's deputy, Packard is leading the investigation into the missing teens, motivated by a family connection. As clues dry up and time runs out to save them, Packard is forced to reveal his own secrets and dig deep to uncover the dark past of the place he now calls home.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read Joshua Moehling's bio.
- Click here to visit Joshua Moehling's website.
- Connect with Joshua Moehling on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click here to enter the contest.
Announcing Bookreporter.com’s 17th Annual
Mother’s Day Contest: Books Mom Will Love
Mother’s Day is a time to recognize the woman who raised and nurtured us. To celebrate, we're giving you the opportunity to win books for yourself or the special lady in your life in our 17th annual "Books Mom Will Love" contest. From now through Friday, May 6th at noon ET, readers can enter to win one of our five prize packages, which includes eight great fiction and nonfiction titles that we think moms will love.
This year's prize books are:
Click here to enter the contest.
New Historical Fiction Author Spotlight:
SHADOWS OF BERLIN by David R. Gillham
SHADOWS OF BERLIN by David R. Gillham (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Suzanne Toren
1955 in New York City: the city of instant coffee, bagels at Katz's Deli, new-fangled TVs. But in the Perlmans' 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 for the discussion guide.
- 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 read our review.
Click here to read more in our Historical Fiction Author Spotlight.
New Paperback Spotlight:
MOTHER MAY I by Joshilyn Jackson
MOTHER MAY I by Joshilyn Jackson (Domestic Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Joshilyn Jackson
Growing up poor in rural Georgia, Bree Cabbat’s single mother warned her that the world was a dark and scary place. Bree rejected her mother’s fearful outlook, and life has proved her right. Marrying into a family with wealth, power and connections, Bree has all a woman could ever dream: a loving lawyer husband, two talented young teenage daughters, a new baby boy, a gorgeous home, and every opportunity in the world.
Until the day Bree awakens and sees a witch peering into her bedroom window, an old gray-haired woman all dressed in black who vanishes as quickly as she appears. It must be a play of the early morning light or the remnant of a waking dream, Bree tells herself, shaking off the bad feeling that overcomes her.
Later that day, she spies the old woman again, in the parking lot of her daughters’ private school... just minutes before Bree’s baby son, asleep on the seat beside her, vanishes. It happened so quickly --- Bree only looked away for a second. A note warns no police. No deviations. And she is being watched.
The mysterious woman makes contact, and Bree learns she, too, is a mother. Why would another mother do this? What does she want? And why has she targeted Bree? Of course Bree will pay anything, do anything. It’s her child.
To get her baby back, Bree must complete one small --- but critical --- task. It seems harmless enough, but her action comes with a devastating price, making her complicit in a tangled web of tragedy and shocking secrets that will destroy everything she loves. It is the beginning of an odyssey that will lead Bree to dangerous places, explosive confrontations and chilling truths.
Bree will do whatever it takes to protect her family --- but what if the cost tears their world apart?
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to read Joshilyn Jackson's bio.
- Click here to visit Joshilyn Jackson's website.
- Connect with Joshilyn Jackson on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click here to read our review.
Click here to read more in our Paperback Spotlight.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS by Lisa Scottoline and THE LOST WEEKEND by Gilly Macmillan
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS by Lisa Scottoline (Thriller)
I am going on the record here: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS is Lisa Scottoline’s best thriller! It is fast-paced with so many twists and turns, and I felt like something important to furthering the plot 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 pickup truck is tailing them way too closely. They slow down, but it keeps coming, and then it flies around them and stops. Two men leap from the vehicle, 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 on 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 like that right until the end. Whew!
- 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 visit Lisa Scottoline's website.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS.
THE LONG WEEKEND by Gilly Macmillan (Psychological Thriller)
THE LONG WEEKEND by Gilly Macmillan is a truly terrific locked-room thriller. Three women head out of town a day in advance of their husbands for an annual weekend getaway at a secluded location. When they arrive, they receive a note that one of their husbands has been killed. It is signed “E,” the fourth woman who usually joins them. She is skipping this year as her husband died, and she is not comfortable hanging out with the usual group of couples.
The three wives immediately start to ponder if their husband was the one killed. The barn, which has been converted to a rustic but chic getaway spot, has no cell service. (Note: Do we ever see convenient cell service in a thriller plot written after the early ’90s?) A storm has rolled in, and there is no way to get to a place where the women can make contact with the men to see what is going on.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to watch Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Gilly Macmillan.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on THE LONG WEEKEND.
Bookreporter.com's 11th Annual
Spring Preview Contests and Feature
Spring is in the air! We’ve caught the fever --- and it’s being fueled by some wonderful new and upcoming releases. Our 11th annual Spring Preview Contests and Feature spotlights many of these picks, which we know people will be talking about over the next few months. We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days in March and April. You will need to check the site to see the featured book and enter to win. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce each title, which you can sign up for here.
Our final prize book will be announced on Tuesday, April 12th at noon ET.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
April’s New in Paperback Roundups
April's roundup of New in Paperback fiction titles includes BETTER OFF DEAD, a page-turning thriller from Lee Child and Andrew Child that finds Jack Reacher facing the riskiest job of his life when an army veteran turned FBI agent asks him to locate her twin brother, who might be mixed up with some very dangerous people; THE HUSBANDS by Chandler Baker, a smart, sharp and timely novel that imagines a world where the burden of the “second shift” is equally shared --- and what it might take to get there; Chris Whitaker's WE BEGIN AT THE END, an extraordinary novel about two kinds of families --- the ones we are born into and the ones we create; and THE PAPER PALACE by Miranda Cowley Heller, a story of summer, secrets, love and lies, in which one woman --- over the course of a singular day on Cape Cod --- must make a life-changing decision that has been brewing for decades.
Among our nonfiction highlights are HELL AND OTHER DESTINATIONS, a revealing, funny and inspiring memoir from former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who reflects on the challenge of continuing one’s career far beyond the normal age of retirement; A SWIM IN A POND IN THE RAIN, a literary master class courtesy of George Saunders on what makes great stories work and what they can tell us about ourselves --- and our world today; COME FLY THE WORLD, Julia Cooke's fascinating account of the lives of the jet-age stewardesses of Pan Am between 1966 and 1975; and THREE DREAMERS, Lorenzo Carcaterra's heartfelt homage to the women who taught him courage, kindness and the power of storytelling: his mother, his grandmother and his late wife.
FOREVER BOY: A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy by Kate Swenson (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Kate Swenson
When Kate Swenson’s son, Cooper, was diagnosed with severe, nonverbal autism, her world stopped. At first, Kate experienced the grief of broken dreams. Then she felt the frustration and exhaustion of having to fight for your child in a world that is stacked against them. But through hard work, resilience and personal growth, she would come to learn that Cooper wasn’t the one who needed to change. She was. And it was this transformation that led Kate to acceptance --- and ultimately joy. In FOREVER BOY, Kate shares her inspiring journey with honesty and compassion, offering solace and hope to others on this path and illuminating the strength and perseverance of mothers. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
EASY BEAUTY: A Memoir by Chloé Cooper Jones (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Chloé Cooper Jones
“I am in a bar in Brooklyn, listening to two men, my friends, discuss whether my life is worth living.” So begins Chloé Cooper Jones’ bold, revealing account of moving through the world in a body that looks different than most. Born with a rare congenital condition called sacral agenesis, which affects both her stature and gait, her pain is physical. But there is also the pain of being judged and pitied for her appearance, of being dismissed as “less than.” She resisted this reality by excelling academically and retreating to “the neutral room in her mind” until it passed. But after unexpectedly becoming a mother, something in her shifts. Jones sets off on a journey across the globe, reclaiming the spaces she’d been denied --- and denied herself. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
FOUR TREASURES OF THE SKY by Jenny Tinghui Zhang (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Katharine Chin
Daiyu never wanted to be like the tragic heroine for whom she was named, revered for her beauty and cursed with heartbreak. But when she is kidnapped and smuggled across an ocean from China to America, Daiyu must relinquish the home and future she imagined for herself. Over the years that follow, she is forced to keep reinventing herself to survive. From a calligraphy school, to a San Francisco brothel, to a shop tucked into the Idaho mountains, we follow Daiyu on a desperate quest to outrun the tragedy that chases her. As anti-Chinese sentiment sweeps across the country in a wave of unimaginable violence, Daiyu must draw on each of the selves she has been --- including the ones she most wants to leave behind --- in order to finally claim her own name and story. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
THE SIGN FOR HOME by Blair Fell (Romance)
Audiobook available, read by Blair Fell
Arlo Dilly is young, handsome and eager to meet the right girl. He also happens to be DeafBlind, a Jehovah’s Witness and under the strict guardianship of his controlling uncle. His chances of finding someone to love seem slim to none. And yet, it happened once before. Many years ago, at a boarding school for the Deaf, Arlo met the love of his life --- a mysterious girl with onyx eyes and beautifully expressive hands that told him the most amazing stories. But tragedy struck, and their love was lost forever. Or so Arlo thought. After years trying to heal his broken heart, Arlo is assigned a college writing assignment that unlocks buried memories of his past. Soon he wonders if the hearing people he was supposed to trust have been lying to him all along, and if his lost love might be found again. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
THE SHADOW HOUSE by Anna Downes (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Natasha Beaumont
Alex, a single mother of two, is determined to make a fresh start for her and her children. In an effort to escape her troubled past, she seeks refuge in a rural community. Pine Ridge is idyllic; the surrounding forests are beautiful and the locals welcoming. Mostly. But Alex finds that she may have disturbed barely hidden secrets in her new home. As a chain of bizarre events is set off, events eerily familiar to those who have lived there for years, Alex realizes that she and her family might be in greater danger than ever before. And that the only way to protect them all is to confront the shadows lurking in Pine Ridge. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
CHORUS by Rebecca Kauffman (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Elisabeth Rodgers
The seven Shaw siblings have long been haunted by two early and profoundly consequential events. Told in turns from the early 20th century through the 1950s, each sibling relays their own version of the memories that surround both their mother’s mysterious death and the circumstances of one sister’s scandalous teenage pregnancy. As they move into adulthood, the siblings assume new roles: caretaker to their aging father, addict, enabler, academic, decorated veteran, widow, and mothers and fathers to the next generation. Entangled in a family knot, the Shaw siblings face divorce, drama and death while haunted by a mother who was never truly there. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
OUT THERE: Stories by Kate Folk (Fiction/Short Stories)
Audiobook available; read by Sophie Amoss, Hannah Choi, Michael Crouch, Will Damron, Renata Friedman and Kristen Sieh
With a focus on the weird and eerie forces that lurk beneath the surface of ordinary experience, Kate Folk’s debut collection is perfectly pitched to the madness of our current moment. A medical ward for a mysterious bone-melting disorder is the setting of a perilous love triangle. A curtain of void obliterates the globe at a steady pace, forcing Earth’s remaining inhabitants to decide with whom they want to spend eternity. A man fleeing personal scandal enters a codependent relationship with a house that requires a particularly demanding level of care. And in the title story, a woman in San Francisco uses dating apps to find a partner despite the threat posed by “blots,” preternaturally handsome artificial men dispatched by Russian hackers to steal data. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
PARADISE COVE: A Roscoe Conklin Mystery by Davin Goodwin (Mystery)
On the laid-back island of Bonaire, every day is paradise until a seaweed-entangled human leg washes ashore. Combing the beach, retired cop Roscoe Conklin examines the scene and quickly determines that the leg belongs to the nephew of a close friend. The island police launch an investigation, but with little evidence and no suspects, their progress comes to a frustrating halt. Then, thanks to a unique barter with the lead detective, Conklin finds himself in possession of the case file. Sifting through the scant clues, eager to bring the killer to justice, Conklin struggles to maintain forward momentum. He has all the pieces. He can feel it. But he’d better get them snapped together soon. Otherwise, the body count will continue to rise. Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy.
RAISING THE BAR: A Lawyer’s Memoir by Ruth Rymer (Memoir)
As a young teenager, Ruth Rymer decided she wanted to be a lawyer because "lawyers get to walk around the courtroom and ask the questions." On her 40th birthday as a newly minted attorney, Rymer made a decision to root out misogyny in her professional life. Her law career included establishing family law as a certified specialty in California, leading the way to making family law a more respectable practice for attorneys. In 1996, Rymer was awarded a PhD for her study of divorce and the fight of women for their "lives, safety, sanity, and status." From the "child in residence" she once was to the women's rights champion she is today, Rymer has come a long way. RAISING THE BAR uplifts with the courage and persistence it took to be a pioneer advocate for women in the second half of the 20th century. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on April 12th
Below are some notable titles releasing on April 12th 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 April 11th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
BRIGHTER BY THE DAY: Waking Up to New Hopes and Dreams by Robin Roberts with Michelle Burford (Self-Help/Motivational & Inspirational)
From the beloved host of "Good Morning America" and New York Times bestselling author Robin Roberts comes a guide to instilling hope and optimism into readers’ lives, infusing their days with positivity and encouragement.
HEALING: When a Nurse Becomes a Patient by Theresa Brown, RN (Memoir)
New York Times bestselling author Theresa Brown tells a poignant, powerful and intensely personal story about breast cancer. She brings us along with her from the mammogram that would change her life through her diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
HELLO, MOLLY!: A Memoir by Molly Shannon with Sean Wilsey (Memoir)
Witty, winning and told with tremendous energy and heart, HELLO, MOLLY!, written with Sean Wilsey, sheds new and revelatory light on the life and work of one of our most talented and free-spirited performers, "Saturday Night Live" alum Molly Shannon.
IN A TIME OF DISTANCE: And Other Poems written by Alexander McCall Smith, with illustrations by Iain McIntosh (Poetry)
In a beautiful and transporting volume of poems, the beloved author of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series takes us on a captivating journey from Africa to Greece, London to North America to Mumbai, and back home to Scotland, celebrating people, places, animals and books.
INSOMNIA by Sarah Pinborough (Psychological Thriller)
Emma can’t sleep. It’s been like this since her big 4-0 started getting closer. Her mother stopped sleeping just before her own 40th birthday. She went mad and did the unthinkable because of it. Is that what’s happening to Emma?
THE INVESTIGATOR: A Letty Davenport Novel by John Sandford (Mystery/Thriller)
Letty Davenport, the brilliant and tenacious adopted daughter of Lucas Davenport, takes the investigative reins in this newest thriller from #1 bestselling author John Sandford.
LEFT ON TENTH: A Second Chance at Life: A Memoir by Delia Ephron (Memoir)
In LEFT ON TENTH, Delia Ephron enchants as she seesaws us between tears and laughter, navigating the suicidal lows of enduring cutting-edge treatment and the giddy highs of a second chance at love.
THE LOST BOOK OF ELEANOR DARE by Kimberly Brock (Historical Fiction)
In this sweeping tale from award-winning author Kimberly Brock, the answers to a real-life mystery may be found in the pages of a story that was always waiting to be written.
THE SACRED BRIDGE: A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel by Anne Hillerman (Mystery)
An ancient mystery resurfaces with ramifications for the present day in this gripping chapter in the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series from New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman.
SUMMER AT THE CAPE by RaeAnne Thayne (Fiction)
From the beloved bestselling author of SEASON OF WONDER and THE CLIFF HOUSE comes a poignant and uplifting novel about forgiveness, family, and all the complications --- and joy --- that come with it.
TAKE MY HAND by Dolen Perkins-Valdez (Fiction)
From the New York Times bestselling author of WENCH comes a searing and compassionate new novel about a young Black nurse’s shocking discovery and burning quest for justice in post-segregation Alabama.
THREE DEBTS PAID: A Daniel Pitt Novel by Anne Perry (Historical Mystery)
A killer is on the loose, targeting victims with a mysterious connection that young barrister Daniel Pitt must deduce before more bodies pile up.
WRITE FOR YOUR LIFE by Anna Quindlen (Personal Growth/Inspiration & Motivation)
What really matters in life? What truly lasts in our hearts and minds? Where can we find community, history, humanity? In this lyrical new book, the answer is clear: through writing. This is a book for what Anna Quindlen calls “civilians,” those who want to use the written word to become more human, more themselves.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Chloé Cooper Jones, Jane Green, Anna Quindlen
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, April 10th at 7pm ET: Book Passage: Chloé Cooper Jones will be in conversation with Jessamine Chan about her memoir, EASY BEAUTY, a revealing account of moving through the world in a body that looks different than most.
Monday, April 11th at 6pm ET: Literati Bookstore: Literati Bookstore is pleased to welcome Chloé Cooper Jones to their "At Home with Literati" series in support of her memoir, EASY BEAUTY. She will be joined in conversation by New Yorker staff writer Rachel Aviv.
Monday, April 11th at 7pm ET: Book & Author Society: Jane Green will discuss her new novel, SISTER STARDUST. Here, she reimagines the life of troubled icon Talitha Getty in a transporting story from a forgotten chapter of the Swinging '60s.
Monday, April 11th at 8pm ET: Murder By The Book: Sally Hepworth will talk about THE YOUNGER WIFE, her latest novel of domestic suspense about the tangled vines of family secrets, with Mystery & Thriller Maven’s Sara DiVello.
Tuesday, April 12th at 3:40pm ET: "Tell Me About Your Book": Kimberly Brock will talk to Robin Kall on Instagram Live about her new historical novel, THE LOST BOOK OF ELEANOR DARE.
Tuesday, April 12th at 7pm ET: Book Passage: Anna Quindlen will be in conversation with Kelly Corrigan about her new book, WRITE FOR YOUR LIFE, which is a clarion call to pick up a pen and find yourself.
Wednesday, April 13th at 2pm ET: "Bookaccino Live: A Lively Talk About Books": Carol Fitzgerald will present titles releasing between April 12th and May 3rd, along with a few from June, that she would like to get on your radar.
Friday, April 15th at 8pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Anne Perry will discuss her new book, THREE DEBTS PAID, in which a killer is on the loose, targeting victims with a mysterious connection that young barrister Daniel Pitt must deduce before more bodies pile up.
"Bookreporter Talks To" Videos & Podcasts
“Bookreporter Talks To” is a video and podcast series that delivers a long-form, in-depth author interview every week. For years, Carol has moderated book festivals and author events around the country. But we know that readers often do not live where they can attend an author event. Our goal is to bring these author interviews to readers, wherever they may be. Watch on video, or listen as a podcast. (The podcasts include audio excerpts.)
Here is our latest interview:
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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David R. Gillham (SHADOWS OF BERLIN)
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Amanda Eyre Ward (THE LIFEGUARDS)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: April Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following titles releasing in April are you planning to read? Please check all that apply.
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THE CANDY HOUSE by Jennifer Egan
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THE CHILDREN ON THE HILL by Jennifer McMahon
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CITY ON FIRE by Don Winslow
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DEATH OF THE BLACK WIDOW by James Patterson and J. D. Barker
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DREAM TOWN: An Archer Novel, by David Baldacci
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EASY BEAUTY: A Memoir, by Chloé Cooper Jones
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A FAMILY AFFAIR by Robyn Carr
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THE FERVOR by Alma Katsu
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FINDING ME: A Memoir, by Viola Davis
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FOUR TREASURES OF THE SKY by Jenny Tinghui Zhang
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THE GOOD LEFT UNDONE by Adriana Trigiani
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HEALING: When a Nurse Becomes a Patient, by Theresa Brown, RN
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AN HONEST LIE by Tarryn Fisher
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THE INVESTIGATOR: A Letty Davenport Novel, by John Sandford
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KINGDOM OF BONES by James Rollins
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THE LIFEGUARDS by Amanda Eyre Ward
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LITTLE SOULS by Sandra Dallas
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THE LOST BOOK OF ELEANOR DARE by Kimberly Brock
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MEMPHIS by Tara M. Stringfellow
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ONCE A THIEF: A Simon Riske Novel, by Christopher Reich
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THE PALACE PAPERS: Inside the House of Windsor — the Truth and the Turmoil, by Tina Brown
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THE PUZZLER: One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life, by A.J. Jacobs, with original puzzles by Greg Pliska
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SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Emily St. John Mandel
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SHADOWS OF BERLIN by David R. Gillham
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SISTER STARDUST by Jane Green
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THREE DEBTS PAID: A Daniel Pitt Novel, by Anne Perry
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TIME IS A MOTHER by Ocean Vuong
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WRITE FOR YOUR LIFE by Anna Quindlen
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YOUNG MUNGO by Douglas Stuart
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THE YOUNGER WIFE by Sally Hepworth
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, April 15th at noon ET.
Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What
You're Reading --- and You Can Win Two Books!
Tell us about the books you’ve finished reading with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from April 1st to April 15th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of SISTER STARDUST by Jane Green and THE YOUNGER WIFE by Sally Hepworth.
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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