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Happy Easter and Happy Passover!
When we left off last week, I literally was racing out the door to see Sally Hepworth, who was in Maplewood, NJ to talk about her new book, THE YOUNGER WIFE. I had met Sally in the summer of 2019...you know, those long-ago days when there were in-person events? What a way to get back out on the town! She is from Australia, and I so wish she lived closer. We had what is never enough time catching up; I would love to have her spend a weekend here.
Sally was in conversation with her publicist, Katie Bassel, and she shared the kernel of the idea for the story that she got from her Aunt Gwen. At one point, Gwen was in the hospital, and she asked Sally to bring her the hot water bottle from her house. Sally thought this was peculiar, but Gwen insisted that she do this and gave very terse directions on where to find it. Sally brought the hot water bottle to her aunt, who then opened it to reveal money inside, lots of it, all carefully rolled. Gwen did not trust banks. And that small moment led to a plot point that Sally could not resist.
It was a super fun evening catching up with some of my St. Martin’s Press pals, while readers waited to get the books that they bought from [words] Bookstore signed by Sally. We all agreed that there needs to be more New Jersey events as so many of us are not commuting into the city. It was a lovely night. Above you can see Sally during the event, and me with her.
We hosted this month’s “Bookaccino Live” preview event on Wednesday afternoon. We love that our readers are continuing to make these events part of their routines! I had fun reading the chat comments later; during the program I do not even glance at them. So many readers noted that they were reading books that we had recommended at earlier "Bookaccino Live" programs. This time, I talked about 30 books releasing between now and May 3rd, along with eight from June, 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, May 11th at 2pm ET. I will present titles releasing between May 10th and June 7th, along with a few from July, that we 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.
This is your last Bookreporter newsletter reminder to sign up for this month’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event, which will take place on Wednesday, April 20th at 8pm ET.
Our guest will be Miranda Cowley Heller, and we’ll be talking about her bestselling debut novel, THE PAPER PALACE, which releases in paperback on Tuesday. Click here to register.
If you would like to ask Miranda a question on camera during the event, please email me with your question using the subject line “Question for Miranda” by Tuesday at noon ET. Those who are camera shy can send their questions via the Q&A feature on Zoom.
Last year, when WE BEGIN AT THE END was published in hardcover, I thoroughly enjoyed interviewing Chris Whitaker. He clearly enjoyed it too, as he asked me to be in conversation with him for an event next Thursday, April 21st at 7pm ET to celebrate the book’s recent paperback release. You can sign up for the event by clicking here. I am so looking forward to catching up with Chris and hearing questions from attendees!
My latest "Bookreporter Talks To" interview is with Amanda Eyre Ward. Her new novel, THE LIFEGUARDS, follows a close-knit group of mothers who have raised their 15-year-old sons together. One night, the boys return from their jobs as lifeguards and share something that shakes their mothers to the core. The aftereffects of this incident could upend everything in their lives as they move through a flurry of police reports, neighborhood drama and conflicted relationships.
Amanda talks about what inspired her to write this story: the unpleasant reality of people who lack empathy and what their mothers must go through. She also touches on the book's major themes: motherhood, privilege, money, longing and family. Amanda was one of the last authors we interviewed before we closed our office in 2020; at that time, we chatted about her previous book, THE JETSETTERS. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast.
Rebecca Munro has our review of THE LIFEGUARDS and says, “Ward weaves a tale of tight-knit, toxic communities, the powerful love of motherhood, and a stunning loss of innocence that sets their Austin community ablaze with gossip.... [A]s a commentary on privileged, suburban America, Ward packs a mean punch, delivering crystalline observations with a hearty side of wit and tongue-in-cheek humor.”
Jennifer Egan has written what her publisher is calling a “sibling novel” to her Pulitzer Prize-winning book, A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD, which came out 12 years ago. THE CANDY HOUSE follows a number of characters as they grapple with Bix Bouton’s revolutionary technology, “Own Your Unconscious” --- a device that allows people to upload and share their memories. Naturally, people disagree on whether a collective consciousness is a good thing. Some of those who despise it become “eluders,” abandoning their online identities even as “counters” try to track their disappearance.
According to our reviewer Jana Siciliano, “It’s a whole lot of book, and it offers an Easter basket filled with every kind of candy you might want in a contemporary semi-science fiction narrative.... For the characters in THE CANDY HOUSE, from young to old, the first cut is the deepest, and what lies beneath our everyday civility is always our younger selves yelling out for some understanding, love or mystical thing that we didn’t get as children. This is what makes the book such a fascinating read.”
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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THE INVESTIGATOR: Letty Davenport, the brilliant and tenacious adopted daughter of Lucas Davenport, takes the investigative reins in this opening installment of John Sandford’s new series.
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MEMPHIS: Tara M. Stringfellow’s debut novel, which is this month’s “Read with Jenna” pick, traces three generations of a Southern Black family and one daughter’s discovery that she has the power to change her family’s legacy.
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WRITE FOR YOUR LIFE: In this clarion call to pick up a pen and find yourself, Anna Quindlen shows us how anyone can write, and why everyone should. Writing gives you something to hold onto in a changing world.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
The aforementioned THE YOUNGER WIFE by Sally Hepworth and SISTER STARDUST by Jane Green, both of which we reviewed last week, are my latest Bookreporter.com 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 Jane, you can watch it here and listen to the podcast here.
Enter to Win a Page-Turning Debut Thriller
You have until Friday, April 22nd at noon ET to enter our contest for AND THERE HE KEPT HER by debut novelist Joshua Moehling and be one of our 25 lucky winners. Releasing on June 14th, the book introduces readers to a complicated new hero and forces us to consider the true nature of evil. Jonathan Santlofer calls it “a taut, beautifully written thriller reminiscent of Karin Slaughter. A novel with heart, its protagonist, acting Sheriff Ben Packard, is the kind of hero we need today, a man wrestling with his sexual identity as he searches for missing teens in a small Minnesota town guarding secrets of its own.”
Books Mom Will Love…and Can Win!
There’s still plenty of time to enter our 17th annual Mother’s Day contest. We’re giving five readers the opportunity to win eight fabulous fiction and nonfiction titles for themselves or their mom. Among them are THE LOST APOTHECARY by Sarah Penner and THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVED ME by Julia Quinn. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, May 6th at noon ET. Click here to take a look at this year’s Mother’s Day prize books.
Wrapping Up Spring Preview --- and a Look Ahead to Summer Reading
Our Spring Preview contests came to a close this week with our final giveaway: SUMMER AT THE CAPE by RaeAnne Thayne. Congratulations to the winners of our contests, and many thanks to all who entered!
Our next series of 24-hour giveaways will be our Summer Reading contests. The feature will go live on Friday, April 29th, and our first giveaway will kick off the week of May 2nd. If you would like to receive a newsletter announcing each day’s Summer Reading title, click here to sign up for these contest alerts.
A Captivating Novel Set in Post-WWII New York
We continue to feature David R. Gillham’s latest novel, SHADOWS OF BERLIN, in our Historical Fiction Author Spotlight. The book revolves around a Berlin girl on the run from the guilt of her past and the boy from Brooklyn who loves her. Kristin Harmel raves, "Colorful dialogue, meticulously researched period detail, and an intricate plot about war and penance combine in a richly layered tale of a New York housewife with a secret past buried in World War II Berlin. Immersive and evocative, this tangled tale of regret and rebirth will haunt you." Click here to read our review and here for the discussion guide.
Enter Our New Word of Mouth Contest
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, April 29th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win CITY ON FIRE by Don Winslow and THE GOOD LEFT UNDONE by Adriana Trigiani.
Vote in Our New Poll --- and Check Out Results from the Last Poll
Our new poll asks about your book-buying habits. Approximately what percentage of the books that you read do you buy, and where do you purchase them? Click here to let us know.
In our previous poll, we listed 30 titles that are being published this month for the first time and asked which of them, if any, you are looking forward to reading. Here are your top five picks: THE YOUNGER WIFE by Sally Hepworth (42%), THE GOOD LEFT UNDONE by Adriana Trigiani (29%), SISTER STARDUST by Jane Green (28%), SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Emily St. John Mandel (25%), and THE CANDY HOUSE by Jennifer Egan (22%). Click here for all the results.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail: Debra wrote, “Dear Bookreporter. You have the very best newsletter I have ever seen. Thank you for providing such great information to us book lovers.” Such a lovely note to receive, especially when it is 11:00 on a Friday night, and I am banging out copy for the newsletter!
“1883” on Paramount+: I was such a fan of this show, and while I understand why it is being held to one season, I am sorry about that. Here’s a link to a terrific interview with the stars where they discuss it.
“The Lincoln Lawyer”: This is coming to Netflix as a new series on May 13th. I remember the movie with Matthew McConaughey. Here’s a trailer where you can see Manuel Garcia-Rulfo in the lead role.
“Billions” on Showtime: A terrific finale to a season that was well done. I am amused how everyone on the show is always speaking in clipped tones, often quoting others. The writers must have fun pushing this further and further over the top.
"The First Lady" on Showtime: I previewed two episodes so far and really enjoyed it. It begins airing on Sunday night as a 10-episode series. It stars Viola Davis as Michelle Obama, Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford, and Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt. It gives a view of the White House --- and the country --- from the First Ladies' purview. It's sharp and tight. I am looking forward to watching more!
I am lining up my weekend reading. I want to interview David R. Gillham about the aforementioned SHADOWS OF BERLIN, so I will be reading that. Longtime readers know how much our family has loved the Outer Banks (I cannot believe that we have not been there since 2014!). Thus I am looking forward to Kimberly Brock’s new novel, THE LOST BOOK OF ELEANOR DARE, which is set there and is one of our Mother’s Day prize titles.
I read HEALING: When a Nurse Becomes a Patient by Theresa Brown, RN this week. Theresa was diagnosed with breast cancer, and throughout her treatment she saw life from the other side of medicine --- as a patient. She chronicles her treatment while also reminiscing about times in her career that she feels she could have done something more, or worded something differently. As a patient, there are so many tiny and big lapses she sees that cause unnecessary stresses, like delaying reporting test results from a Friday to a Monday. There was lots to think about as I read it.
Greg has been teasing me all week about an ant that has been crawling around my office. He thinks I am losing my mind that it has been amusing me. He was careful walking in my office lest he crush it. I keep telling him it really makes time racing across the floor and up the wall. Um, then I realized there may be two of them. Yes, they will be ushered outdoors at some point, but it did strike some humor into a very, very busy week. They are gone today; I am sure they made their way toward the screen door.
I am looking forward to celebrating Easter on Sunday. I have not given the menu much thought as Tom’s birthday is Saturday, and I am working on that celebration first. He wants a lemon Bundt cake, so one thing is ticked off the planning list. He is celebrating by playing 18 holes of golf on both Friday and Saturday. Does that surprise anyone?
Wishing all of you who are celebrating a Happy Easter or a Happy Passover! I am off to find some black jelly beans. I know many loathe them, but they are my favorites.
Read on, and have a great week.
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
P.S. For those of you who are doing online shopping, if you use the store links below, Bookreporter.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases. We would appreciate your considering this!
Featured Review: THE CANDY HOUSE by Jennifer Egan
THE CANDY HOUSE by Jennifer Egan (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by a full cast
Bix Bouton’s company, Mandala, is so successful that he is “one of those tech demi-gods with whom we’re all on a first name basis.” Bix is desperate for a new idea when he stumbles into a conversation group, mostly Columbia professors, one of whom is experimenting with downloading or “externalizing” memory. It’s 2010. Within a decade, Bix’s new technology, “Own Your Unconscious” --- which allows you access to every memory you’ve ever had, and to share every memory in exchange for access to the memories of others --- has seduced multitudes. But not everyone. In THE CANDY HOUSE, Jennifer Egan spins out the consequences of Own Your Unconscious through the lives of multiple characters whose paths intersect over several decades. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE LIFEGUARDS
by Amanda Eyre Ward
THE LIFEGUARDS by Amanda Eyre Ward (Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Hillary Huber, Marin Ireland, Kirby Heyborne and Karissa Vacker
Austin’s Zilker Park neighborhood is a wonderland of greenbelt trails, live music and moms who drink a few too many margaritas. Whitney, Annette and Liza have grown thick as thieves as they have raised their children together for 15 years, believing that they can shelter them from an increasingly dangerous world. Their friendship is unbreakable --- as safe as the neighborhood where they've raised their sweet little boys. Or so they think. One night, the three women have been enjoying happy hour when their boys, lifeguards for the summer, come back on bicycles from a late-night dip in their favorite swimming hole. The boys share a secret --- news that will shatter the perfect world their mothers have so painstakingly created. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to watch Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Amanda Eyre Ward.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE INVESTIGATOR by John Sandford
THE INVESTIGATOR: A Letty Davenport Novel by John Sandford (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Richard Ferrone
A recent Stanford grad, Letty Davenport is restless and bored in a desk job for U.S. Senator Colles. But then Colles offers her a carrot: feet-on-the-ground investigative work, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security. Several oil companies in Texas have reported thefts of crude. Rumor has it that a fairly ugly militia group --- led by a woman known only as Lorelai --- might be involved. Colles wants to know if the money is going to them, and if so, what they’re planning. Letty is partnered with a DHS investigator, John Kaiser, and they head to Texas. When the case quickly turns deadly, they know they’re on the track of something bigger. Lorelai and her group have set in motion an explosive plan...and the clock is ticking down. Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
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.
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.
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.
Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with David R. Gillham
will be coming soon!
Featured Review: MEMPHIS by Tara M. Stringfellow
April’s “Read with Jenna” Today Show Book Club Pick
MEMPHIS by Tara M. Stringfellow (Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Karen Murray, Adenrele Ojo and Tara M. Stringfellow
Ten-year-old Joan, her mother and her younger sister flee her father’s explosive temper and seek refuge at her mother’s ancestral home in Memphis. Half a century earlier, Joan’s grandfather built this majestic house in the historic Black neighborhood of Douglass --- only to be lynched days after becoming the first Black detective in the city. Joan tries to settle into her new life, but family secrets cast a longer shadow than any of them expected. As she grows up, Joan finds relief in her artwork. One of her subjects is their enigmatic neighbor Miss Dawn, who claims to know something about curses, and whose stories about the past help Joan see how her passion, imagination and relentless hope are, in fact, the continuation of a long matrilineal tradition. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to see why the book is April's "Read with Jenna" pick.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: WRITE FOR YOUR LIFE
by Anna Quindlen
WRITE FOR YOUR LIFE by Anna Quindlen (Personal Growth/Inspiration & Motivation)
Audiobook available, read by Anna Quindlen
What really matters in life? What truly lasts in our hearts and minds? Where can we find community, history, humanity? In WRITE FOR YOUR LIFE, 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. It argues that there has never been a more important time to stop and record what we are thinking and feeling. Using examples from past, present and future --- from Anne Frank to Toni Morrison, from love letters written after World War II to journal reflections from nurses and doctors today --- WRITE FOR YOUR LIFE vividly illuminates the ways in which writing connects us to ourselves and to those we cherish. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
THE YOUNGER WIFE by Sally Hepworth
and SISTER STARDUST by Jane Green
THE YOUNGER WIFE by Sally Hepworth (Domestic Thriller)
Sally Hepworth is one of my favorite authors, so I happily plucked her new thriller, THE YOUNGER WIFE, from my shelves and devoured it. The catalyst for the idea for this one came from her great aunty Gwen. A throwaway line from Gwen got her thinking about a plot point that comes later in the book. Who is the “younger wife,” and what is going on in this family? It opens with a wedding. But it also opens with blood! So from the start, you know things are not going to go well.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on THE YOUNGER WIFE.
SISTER STARDUST by Jane Green (Historical Fiction)
I completely devoured SISTER STARDUST, Jane Green’s first historical novel. 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, which were some very hedonistic days. A famous model and actress, Talitha is rich, exuberant and universally loved. The story is told through the eyes of Claire, who renames herself Cece. She moves from her small English town to London and 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.
- 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 Jane Green.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on SISTER STARDUST.
Bookreporter.com's 11th Annual
Spring Preview Feature
The arrival of spring signals the end of our Spring Preview contests. Many thanks to all who entered --- and a big congratulations to our winners! Below are the books that we believe you will be talking about over the next few months.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to learn more about our featured titles.
TIME IS A MOTHER by Ocean Vuong (Poetry)
Audiobook available, read by Ocean Vuong
In this deeply intimate second poetry collection, Ocean Vuong searches for life among the aftershocks of his mother’s death, embodying the paradox of sitting within grief while being determined to survive beyond it. Shifting through memory, and in concert with the themes of his novel ON EARTH WE’RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS, Vuong contends with personal loss, the meaning of family, and the cost of being the product of an American war in America. At once vivid, brave and propulsive, Vuong’s poems circle fragmented lives to find restoration as well as the epicenter of the break. Reviewed by Maya Gittelman.
THE SACRED BRIDGE: A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel by Anne Hillerman (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by DeLanna Studi and Peter MacDonald
Sergeant Jim Chee is on a quest to unravel a sacred mystery that his mentor, the Legendary Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, stumbled across decades earlier. Chee’s journey takes a deadly turn when he spots a body floating in the lake. The dead man, a Navajo with a passion for the canyon’s ancient rock art, lived a life filled with many secrets. Discovering why he died and who was responsible involves Chee in an investigation that puts his own life at risk. Meanwhile, Officer Bernadette Manuelito is driving home when she witnesses an expensive sedan purposely kill a hitchhiker. The search to find the killer leads her to uncover a dangerous chain of interconnected revelations involving a Navajo Nation cannabis enterprise. Reviewed by Roz Shea.
THREE DEBTS PAID: A Daniel Pitt Novel by Anne Perry (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Samuel Roukin
A serial killer is roaming the streets of London, and Daniel Pitt’s university chum Ian, now a member of the police, is leading the search. The murders happen on rainy nights, but Ian knows the victims must have something in common beyond the weather. He turns to Miriam fford Croft, Daniel’s good friend and now officially one of the first female pathologists in London, to tap her scientific know-how to find details he and Daniel have missed. With Miriam involved in the murder investigation, Ian passes Daniel the case of Nicholas Wolford, their former university professor. Charged with assault after reacting violently to an accusation of plagiarism, Wolford is loath to admit he was in the wrong. But Daniel must defend him --- whether he likes him or not. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
INSOMNIA by Sarah Pinborough (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Sarah Durham
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? Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE NO-SHOW by Beth O'Leary (Romantic Comedy)
Audiobook available; read by Evanna Lynch, Heather Long, Kathryn Drysdale and Luke Thompson
Siobhan is a quick-tempered life coach with way too much on her plate. Miranda is a tree surgeon used to being treated as just one of the guys on the job. Jane is a soft-spoken volunteer for the local charity shop with zero sense of self-worth. These three women are strangers who have only one thing in common: they’ve all been stood up on the same day, the very worst day to be stood up --- Valentine’s Day. And, unbeknownst to them, they’ve all been stood up by the same man. Once they've each forgiven him for standing them up, they are all in serious danger of falling in love with a man who may have not just one or two but three women on the go. Is there more to him than meets the eye? Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
UNLIKELY ANIMALS by Annie Hartnett (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Mark Bramhall and Kirby Heyborne
Natural-born healer Emma Starling once had big plans for her life, but she’s lost her way. A medical school dropout, she’s come back to Everton, New Hampshire, to care for her father, who is dying from a mysterious brain disease. Clive Starling has been hallucinating small animals, as well as having visions of the ghost of a long-dead naturalist, Ernest Harold Baynes, once known for letting wild animals live in his house. This ghost has been giving Clive some ideas on how to spend his final days. Emma arrives home knowing she must face her dad’s illness, her mom’s judgment and her younger brother’s recent stint in rehab. But she’s unprepared to find that her former best friend from high school is missing, with no one bothering to look for her. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
TO THE UTTERMOST ENDS OF THE EARTH: The Epic Hunt for the South's Most Feared Ship --- and the Greatest Sea Battle of the Civil War by Phil Keith with Tom Clavin (History)
Audiobook available, read by Joe Knezevich
On June 19, 1864, just off the coast of France, one of the most dramatic naval battles in history took place. On a clear day with windswept skies, the dreaded Confederate raider Alabama faced the Union warship Kearsarge in an all-or-nothing fight to the finish, the outcome of which would effectively end the threat of the Confederacy on the high seas. Authors Phil Keith and Tom Clavin introduce some of the crucial but historically overlooked players, including John Winslow, captain of the USS Kearsarge, as well as Raphael Semmes, captain of the CSS Alabama. Winslow pursued Semmes in a spectacular 14-month chase over international waters, culminating in what would become the climactic sea battle of the Civil War. Reviewed by Curtis Edmonds.
SEA STORM by Andrew Mayne (Thriller/Adventure)
Audiobook available, read by Susannah Jones
A distress call draws rescuers Sloan McPherson and the Underwater Investigation Unit to a cruise ship off the coast of Fort Lauderdale that’s sinking from a mysterious explosion. When it appears to be the work of an ecoterrorist and other ships are threatened, it becomes a race against time. More clues are discovered, and evidence is in danger of being washed away by a coming tropical storm. Sloan grows concerned that key details are being ignored, and a strange lack of urgency by authorities sets off alarms. As the troubling questions compound, Sloan is determined to chase down every lead she has. Her persistence is getting her closer to the truth: that there’s something far more troubling at play than the official explanation. It’s also putting Sloan on a collision course with an enemy more powerful than she realizes. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
A TINY UPWARD SHOVE by Melissa Chadburn (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Kelsey Navarro
Marina Salles’ life does not end the day she wakes up dead. Instead, in the course of a moment, she is transformed into the stuff of myth, the stuff of her grandmother’s old Filipino stories --- an aswang, a creature of mystery and vengeance. She spent her time on earth on the margins. Shot like a pinball through a childhood of loss, she was a veteran of Child Protective Services and a survivor, but always reacting, watching from a distance, understanding very little of her own life, let alone the lives of others. Death brings her into the hearts and minds of those she has known --- even her killer --- as she accesses their memories and sees anew the meaning of her own. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
REPTILE MEMOIRS written by Silje Ulstein, translated by Alison McCullough (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Julie Maisey
One night, in the early-morning embers of a great party in the basement apartment she shares with two friends, Liv is watching TV, high on weed, and sees a python on an Australian nature show. She becomes obsessed with the idea of buying a snake as a pet. Nero, the baby Burmese python, soon becomes the apartment's fourth roommate. Thirteen years later, Mariam Lind goes on a shopping trip with 11-year-old Iben, who angers her mother by asking for a magazine one too many times. Mariam storms off, leaving Iben in the shop, and goes on a long calming drive. When she returns home, her husband is relieved to see her but terrified that Iben isn't also there. Detective Roe Olsvik realizes that there is much more to this case and these characters than their outer appearances would suggest. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on April 19th
Below are some notable titles releasing on April 19th 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 18th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
BEAUTIFUL by Danielle Steel (Fiction)
A renowned supermodel’s world is torn apart in an instant, sending her on an unexpected journey of discovery.
CRIME HITS HOME: A Collection of Stories from Crime Fiction's Top Authors edited by S.J. Rozan (Crime Fiction/Short Stories)
The newest anthology from Mystery Writers of America explores the theme of home and the crimes that endanger it, with stories by Ellen Hart, Naomi Hirahara, Walter Mosley, Sara Paretsky and more.
DEATH OF THE BLACK WIDOW by James Patterson and J. D. Barker (Psychological Thriller)
She destroys the men she loves --- and escapes every time. The most dangerous killer James Patterson has ever created is also his most seductive.
DREAM TOWN: An Archer Novel by David Baldacci (Historical Thriller)
Private investigator and World War II veteran Aloysius Archer heads to Los Angeles, the city where dreams are made and shattered, and is ensnared in a lethal case.
KINGDOM OF BONES by James Rollins (Thriller)
This latest riveting, deeply imaginative thriller in the Sigma Force series is told with James Rollins’ trademark blend of cutting-edge science, historical mystery and pulse-pounding action.
PART OF YOUR WORLD by Abby Jimenez (Romance)
The New York Times bestselling author of LIFE'S TOO SHORT delivers a refreshingly modern fairy tale perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Emily Henry.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: James Rollins, Robin Roberts, David Baldacci
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
As so many book and author events are happening online these days, we are highlighting a number of them that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links below for more info and to register.
Monday, April 18th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome James Rollins for a live virtual event to celebrate the release of KINGDOM OF BONES as part of their B&N Midday Mystery Virtual Event series. He will be in conversation with Steve Berry, author of THE OMEGA FACTOR.
Monday, April 18th at 7pm ET: Gibson's Bookstore: Keith O'Brien (FLY GIRLS) will return to Gibson's Bookstore to virtually present his new work of meticulously researched history, PARADISE FALLS: The True Story of an Environmental Catastrophe.
Tuesday, April 19th at 6:30pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome the beloved co-anchor of "Good Morning America," Robin Roberts, for a live virtual discussion of her new book, BRIGHTER BY THE DAY: Waking Up to New Hopes and Dreams.
Tuesday, April 19th at 9pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: David Baldacci will discuss DREAM TOWN, the third book in his thriller series starring private investigator and World War II veteran Aloysius Archer, with special guest host Don Winslow.
Wednesday, April 20th 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 Lian Dolan about her new novel, LOST AND FOUND IN PARIS.
Wednesday, April 20th at 8pm ET: "Bookaccino Live" Book Group: Carol Fitzgerald will talk to Miranda Cowley Heller about her debut novel, THE PAPER PALACE, which releases in paperback on April 19th. Miranda also will answer questions from guests who will be "on stage," as well as from other members of the audience. If you would like to be one of our featured audience guests and ask Miranda a question on camera, please send Carol an email with the subject line “Question for Miranda” by Tuesday at noon ET.
Thursday, April 21st at 7pm ET: Book + Author: Join Book + Author, Macmillan’s ongoing virtual book club series, for a conversation with Chris Whitaker and Carol Fitzgerald. They will chat about WE BEGIN AT THE END, now out in paperback, and answer your questions!
"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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Kim Michele Richardson (THE BOOK WOMAN'S DAUGHTER)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: Your Book-Buying Habits
Approximately what percentage of the books that you read do you buy?
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25%
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50%
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75%
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100%
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I only borrow books from the library.
Which of the following are places where you buy books? Please check all that apply.
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Amazon
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Barnes & Noble
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Books-A-Million
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Costco
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Local indie booksellers
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Target
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Used bookstores
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Libro.fm
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Apple Books
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Google Play
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Bookshop
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Audible
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I only borrow books from the library.
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Other (Please specify)
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, April 29th 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 15th to April 29th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of CITY ON FIRE by Don Winslow and THE GOOD LEFT UNDONE by Adriana Trigiani.
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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