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Last night, our Editorial Director Tom and I went to a couple of book parties for the first time in more than two years. They were held in conjunction with ThrillerFest, the International Thriller Writers conference. Yes, we have spent a lot of time Zooming, phoning and emailing with authors, agents and publishers, but it was really nice to spend time in person with many of the people we love --- and to meet new ones. We saw Julie Clark, Ashley Elston, Gregg Hurwitz, Clare Mackintosh, Megan Miranda, D.J. Palmer, and so many others. Seeing smiles and toasting one another was a lot of fun! Still, Tom and I didn't realize how exhausted we would feel today. It's been so long since we've been out on the town!
As I mentioned in last Friday’s newsletter, we hosted our 10th "Bookaccino Live" Book Group event last week. Our guest was Janet Skeslien Charles, and we had a wonderful conversation about her bestselling novel, THE PARIS LIBRARY, which is now in paperback. Four readers shared their questions with Janet on camera before we opened up the Q&A to the audience. Along with lots of conversation about the book, there were some poignant moments about book group meetings and what we learn from them, and bookish memories that have stayed with us, like visiting the bookmobile. If you missed the event, or would like to revisit any part of it, you can watch it here and listen to the podcast here.
Today we kicked off a new contest for C. J. Carey’s upcoming novel, WIDOWLAND, which Mark Sullivan calls “[b]rilliantly conceived and executed… a mind-bender of a novel about the power of literature to change minds.”
Here’s the premise: Rose Ransom, a member of the privileged Geli class, has an unusual occupation within the Ministry of Culture: She rewrites works of classic literature to make sure there are no subversive feminist thoughts found within. But her work can only go so far: Graffiti made up of seditious lines from banned works have been painted on public buildings in a subtle --- but subversive --- form of protest. Suspicion has fallen on the women of Widowland, a slum to which unmarried women over 50 are banished. Rose, trusted by her superiors, is asked to infiltrate Widowland to find the source of the rebellion. But will she follow through with her commands? Or risk her life to do what is right?
In anticipation of the book’s August 9th publication, we’re awarding an advance copy to 25 readers. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, June 17th at noon ET. Please note that WIDOWLAND also will be a Summer Reading prize book on the day it releases.
Susan Mallery’s THE BOARDWALK BOOKSHOP is the latest title we’re featuring in our New Release Spotlight. Three women brought together by chance open a bookshop together on the boardwalk of the California beaches and ultimately become one another's family. As their bond grows closer, they challenge one another to become the best versions of themselves in this heartachingly beautiful story of friendship, sisterhood and the transformative power of love. According to the publisher, the book especially will appeal to fans of Elin Hilderbrand, Robyn Carr and Susan Wiggs. I think it’s also perfect for anyone who has had a dream of opening a bookshop. Click here to read more about the book and here for an excerpt.
John Grisham is back with his first collection of novellas, SPARRING PARTNERS. Law is a common thread here, but Grisham has several surprises in store. Our reviewer Stuart Shiffman calls the book “another in a long list of John Grisham classics. It’s an easy read on your summer vacation or during a lengthy flight. Enjoy it, and admire the skill of a truly great writer while pondering where his next book will take us.” I love when an author tries something different like Grisham is doing here. You can hear him talk about the book on “CBS Mornings” here.
Word of Mouth Reminder
SPARRING PARTNERS is one of the prizes in our current Word of Mouth contest; the other is TRACY FLICK CAN’T WIN by Tom Perrotta, which releases on Tuesday and will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read by Friday, June 10th at noon ET, and you’ll have a chance to win both these titles.
A restless golden boy and a girl with a troubled past navigate a love story that may be doomed before it even begins in Emily Giffin’s latest novel, MEANT TO BE. According to our reviewer Norah Piehl, “Giffin does a masterful job of asking key ‘what if?’ questions and then going on to answer them in imaginative, thoughtful ways…. MEANT TO BE is a chic, history-inspired summer read that you will want to take with you to the beach.” By the way, if you missed Emily on “Good Morning America“ this week, you can watch her segment here.
Summer Reading Update
We gave away MEANT TO BE in a Summer Reading contest this week, along with A CARIBBEAN HEIRESS IN PARIS by Adriana Herrera. Next week’s prize will be BEAUTIFUL WORLD, WHERE ARE YOU by Sally Rooney, and the giveaway will be up on Tuesday, June 7th, the same day that it releases in paperback.
Many of you know Jean Hanff Korelitz as the author of YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN, which served as the basis for the HBO series “The Undoing” starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. Her new novel, THE LATECOMER, also will be adapted for television; it’s about three siblings who are desperate to escape one another and the late arrival of a fourth that will upend their family.
Our reviewer Bronwyn Miller says, “Navigating the ebbs and flows of one privileged New York City family might not seem relatable to some, but in the capable hands of Korelitz, we see how she carefully sculpts her characters and their motivations, making us anxiously turn those pages.” I talked to Jean about THE LATECOMER for the Newburyport Literary Festival back in late April. You can watch that interview here.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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THE ISLAND: It was just supposed to be a family vacation. A terrible accident changed everything. You don’t know what you’re capable of until they come for your family. That’s the intriguing premise of Adrian McKinty’s instant New York Times bestseller, which is slated to be an original series on Hulu.
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HALF-BLOWN ROSE: Leesa Cross-Smith, the award-winning author of THIS CLOSE TO OKAY, is back with the story of a woman remaking her life after her husband’s betrayal leads to a year of travel, art and passion in Paris. On Tuesday, July 5th at 3pm ET, Barnes & Noble will host a live virtual event with Leesa to discuss the book, which is B&N’s Book Club pick for June. Click here to sign up.
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A RIP THROUGH TIME: In this series debut from New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong, a modern-day homicide detective finds herself in Victorian Scotland --- in an unfamiliar body --- with a killer on the loose.
Our "Best Books for Dad" Contest
You have until Friday, June 17th at noon ET to enter our Father's Day contest, where five readers will win 12 fabulous fiction and nonfiction titles for themselves or the dad in their lives. Among them are DECEMBER '41: A World War II Thriller by William Martin, SWING AND A HIT: Nine Innings of What Baseball Taught Me by Paul O'Neill and Jack Curry, and THE LAST COMMANDMENT: An Austin Grant of Scotland Yard Novel by Scott Shepherd.
Books on Screen Offerings for June
We’ve updated our Books on Screen feature for this month. June’s roundup includes the series finales of FX on Hulu's "Under the Banner of Heaven" (more on that later) and HBO's "The Time Traveler's Wife"; the season finales of "The Essex Serpent" and "Shining Girls" on Apple TV+; the series premieres of Netflix's "The Perfect Mother" and "First Kill"; the films The Lost Girls, The Black Phone and The Wrath of God; and the DVD releases of Firestarter, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, Mothering Sunday and We Need to Do Something.
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask how many physical books (hardcovers or paperbacks) you typically take with you on a weekend trip. Click here to let us know.
Robert Goolrick, who many of you may remember as the author of A RELIABLE WIFE, passed away on April 29th at the age of 73. He also wrote the novels HEADING OUT TO WONDERFUL, THE FALL OF PRINCES and THE DYING OF THE LIGHT, as well as the acclaimed memoir THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT. Read more about his life and career in this wonderful New York Times tribute.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Bookmobiles were definitely on people’s minds (from our aforementioned event with Janet Skeslien Charles). I heard from a few of you about this. Here are two of those emails.
Wendy from Winnipeg, Canada, wrote, “Your bookmobile memories brought back memories of a different mode of book delivery for this reader who grew up in rural Manitoba. I read voraciously, and the little library in our one-room school was not enough for me. But there was no public library near the farm I grew up on. Fortunately, the University of Manitoba had an Extension Library service. There was a paper catalogue, and we could choose books from the catalogue, and within a week or so they would arrive in the mail. As far as I know, there was no cost for this service. I took full advantage of it for many years until a public library was finally established in the local town.I thought you and your readers might enjoy knowing how books were accessed in rural and remote communities.”
Wanda wrote, “Debbie’s comments in last week’s newsletter reminded me of my own childhood library experience. I also was born in 1952 in a small town. I was amazed near the end of first grade (no public pre-K or kindergarten in those days) to learn from my teacher that our town had a library and a summer reading program! My mother worked, so I spent the long, hot (Georgia, no AC) summer days with my grandparents. Without transportation, I had few opportunities to participate in activities around town, but the library was just up the hill and around the corner from my grandparents’ house. Even at the tender age of almost seven, I was allowed to walk that short distance alone. Our library was a tiny room in the back of City Hall. The librarian was Miss Clara, an elderly single lady who was very precise and consistent with her rules.
“The library opened at 1:00 each weekday. We stood quietly in line along the wall in the hallway. Only two people at a time could enter the library, and each person could check out only two books. I loved the touch and smell of those books, some new and some very old. It was interesting to look at the cards in front to see the names of people who had chosen the same books I was about to read. I felt very grown-up as I painstakingly added my name to those cards. Back at the house, I would find a quiet, private place to read those lovely books, sometimes several times. By the time my mother arrived to pick me up, those books were done, and I was looking forward eagerly to 1:00 the next day. As I and my reading skills grew, the books became longer, but on most days I still read both my books and returned the next day for more.
“I read all kinds of things, but the ones I remember most vividly were biographies of famous people. Each of those books had a blue cover with the title surrounded by a yellow swirl. The illustrations in the books were silhouettes. I devoured these and reread my favorites every year. All summer we carefully recorded the titles and authors of the books we read on the cards provided. A few days after school resumed in the fall, we would have the summer reading party at the Women’s Club, an old brick building. (I never knew who the women were or what kind of club it was, but over the years I attended a number of parties and community events there.) At the party we were served cookies and Kool-Aid and given certificates for completing the program. There was special recognition for the most books read.
“By the time I finished high school, the Women’s Club had been razed, and in its place stood a new library with a dedicated children’s room (where I eventually took my own children each summer) and a very nice heritage room filled with all sorts of local records, photographs and documents. It still stands there, has been updated and expanded, and has provided me a library card that allows me to check out e-books any time from any place, a system more efficient than but not nearly as charming as that tiny room in city hall. Thanks for all that you and your staff do! The Bookreporter newsletter is my Saturday morning treat!”
Marcia wrote, “You may want to keep goats in mind for your lawn. I hear they do a great job of trimming!”
Linda wrote that she thought about me as she read about “No Mow May.” She shared how to take care of your lawn in June.
Tessa wrote this about cookies: “At the beginning of the pandemic, I bought a tub of Nestle Toll House cookie dough at my local grocery. I thought we needed a treat, and this was easier than making cookies from scratch. It's become a habit. I keep a tub of the dough in the fridge and can make just four cookies...enough for the two of us for dessert after a mid-week dinner. I prefer smaller cookies than giant ones, but Hubby likes the big ones, so I can make him one giant cookie while I get two small ones. Sometimes I add pecans. Easy-peasy. Of course, there's nothing stopping one from using the entire tub to make a huge batch of cookies.”
“Under the Banner of Heaven”: I watched this on Hulu this week. I need to see the ending again as I am not sure what happened, and I had to go read more about it online. Yes, I should have read the book first!
For “This Is Us” fans: Here's an article in Variety about how Mandy Moore’s hair and makeup aging looks were achieved.
Last weekend, I shopped for flowers and did a lot of planting. I still need to get some more plants in pots, and I have so many seeds to plant. Once again, I definitely overbought on seeds. I could plant a whole field of zinnias. The lawn mower parts have not yet arrived. It has rained a lot, and the weeds and the grass are out of control. I really should take Marcia’s advice and get a goat from one of the farmers in town. My husband, Tom, dared me, so I hit the pool on Monday...but, um, it was cold!
This weekend, we will be honoring my mother-in-law with a wake and funeral. Tom has pulled together a wonderful group of photos of her through the years. I think these really capture her spirit and joy of life. And we will be toasting her with Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc wine, which was one of her favorites. The wine store in town had nine bottles and said that the distributor was out of it, so they kindly went to another store to pick up more for us. I guess that a lot of people have been toasting her!
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:
SPARRING PARTNERS by John Grisham
SPARRING PARTNERS by John Grisham (Crime Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Jeff Daniels, Ethan Hawke and January LaVoy
In John Grisham’s first collection of novellas, law is a common thread --- but he has several surprises in store. “Homecoming” marks the return of Jake Brigance, but he’s not in the courtroom. He’s called upon to help an old friend, Mack Stafford, a former lawyer who stole money from his clients. In “Strawberry Moon,” Cody Wallace is only three hours away from execution, and he has one final request. The “Sparring Partners” are the Malloy brothers, Kirk and Rusty, two successful young lawyers who inherited a once prosperous firm when its founder, their father, was sent to prison. As the firm disintegrates, the resulting fiasco falls into the lap of Diantha Bradshaw, the only person the partners trust. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: MEANT TO BE by Emily Giffin
MEANT TO BE by Emily Giffin (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Caroline Hewitt and Robert Petkoff
The Kingsley family is beloved for their military heroics and political service. In 1967, after Joseph S. Kingsley, Jr. is killed in a tragic accident, his charismatic son inherits the weight of that legacy. But despite his best intentions, Joe III has trouble meeting the expectations of a nation. Cate Cooper also grew up fatherless, and after her mother marries an abusive man, she is forced to fend for herself. After being discovered by a model scout, Cate decides that her looks may be her only ticket out of the cycle of disappointment that her mother has always inhabited. When Joe and Cate unexpectedly cross paths one afternoon, their connection is instant and intense. But can their relationship survive the glare of the spotlight and the so-called Kingsley curse? Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THE LATECOMER by Jean Hanff Korelitz
THE LATECOMER by Jean Hanff Korelitz (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Julia Whelan
THE LATECOMER follows the story of the wealthy, New York City-based Oppenheimer family, from the first meeting of parents Salo and Johanna, under tragic circumstances, to their triplets born during the early days of IVF. As children, the three siblings --- Harrison, Lewyn and Sally --- feel no strong familial bond and cannot wait to go their separate ways, even as their father becomes more distanced and their mother more desperate. When the triplets leave for college, Johanna, faced with being truly alone, makes the decision to have a fourth child. What role will the “latecomer” play in this fractured family? Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
New Special Contest:
Enter to Win an Advance Copy of WIDOWLAND
by C. J. Carey, Releasing August 9th
WIDOWLAND by C. J. Carey is a thrilling feminist dystopian novel set in an alternative history that terrifyingly imagines what a British alliance with Germany would look like if the Nazis had won World War II. The book doesn't release until August 9th, but we have 25 advance copies to give away to readers. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, June 17th at noon ET.
WIDOWLAND by C. J. Carey (Alternate History/Dystopian Thriller)
London, 1953. Thirteen years have passed since England surrendered to the Nazis and formed a Grand Alliance with Germany. It was forced to adopt many of its oppressive ideologies, one of which was the strict classification of women into hierarchical groups based on the perceived value they brought to society.
Rose Ransom, a member of the privileged Geli class, remembers life from before the war but knows better than to let it show. She works for the Ministry of Culture, rewriting the classics of English literature to ensure there are no subversive thoughts that will give women any ideas.
Outbreaks of insurgency have been seen across the country with graffiti made up of seditious lines from forbidden works by women painted on public buildings. Suspicion has fallen on Widowland, the run-down slums where childless women over 50 have been banished. Rose is given the dangerous task of infiltrating Widowland to find the source of the rebellion before the Leader arrives in England for the Coronation ceremony of King Edward VIII and Queen Wallis. Will Rose follow her instructions and uncover the criminals? Or will she fight for what she knows in her heart is right?
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read C. J. Carey's bio.
New Release Spotlight:
THE BOARDWALK BOOKSHOP by Susan Mallery
THE BOARDWALK BOOKSHOP by Susan Mallery (Fiction)
When fate brings three strangers to a charming space for lease on the California coast, the Boardwalk Bookshop is born. Part bookstore, part gift shop, part bakery, it's a dream come true for Bree, Mikki and Ashley. But while their business is thriving, their personal lives are...not.
Bree, wounded by brilliant but cold parents and her late husband's ultimate betrayal, has sworn to protect her heart at all costs. Even from Ashley's brother, a writer and adventurer who has inspired millions. He's the first man to see past Bree's barricades to her true self, which terrifies her. Mikki has this divorce thing all figured out --- somehow, she's stayed friends with her ex and her in-laws...until a new man changes how everyone looks at her, and how she sees herself. Meanwhile, Ashley discovers that the love of her life never intends to marry. Can she live without being a wife if it means she can have everything else she's ever wanted?
At sunset every Friday on the beach in front of the Boardwalk Bookshop, the three friends share a champagne toast. As their bond grows closer, they challenge one another to become the best versions of themselves in this heartachingly beautiful story of friendship, sisterhood and the transformative power of love.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read Susan Mallery's bio.
- Click here to visit Susan Mallery's website.
- Connect with Susan Mallery on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click here to read more in our New Release Spotlight.
Bookreporter.com's 17th Annual
Father's Day Contest: Best Books for Dad
Father’s Day is a time to celebrate the men in our lives who have raised and loved us. Why not show him your appreciation by inspiring him with a great book? In our 17th annual "Best Books for Dad" contest, we have a selection of books that are perfect gift-giving suggestions for Dad, keeping him busy through the rest of the year. Five readers will be awarded a copy of each of our 12 featured titles. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, June 17th at noon ET.
This year's prize books are:
Click here to enter the contest.
Featured Review: THE ISLAND by Adrian McKinty
THE ISLAND by Adrian McKinty (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Mela Lee
After moving from a small country town to Seattle, Heather Baxter marries Tom, a widowed doctor with a young son and teenage daughter. A working vacation overseas seems like the perfect way to bring the new family together, but once they’re deep in the Australian outback, the jet-lagged and exhausted kids are so over their new mom. When they discover remote Dutch Island, off-limits to outside visitors, the family talks their way onto the ferry, taking a chance on an adventure far from the reach of iPhones and Instagram. But as soon as they set foot on the island, which is run by a tightly knit clan of locals, everything feels wrong. Then a shocking accident propels the Baxters from an unsettling situation into an absolute nightmare. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: HALF-BLOWN ROSE
by Leesa Cross-Smith
June’s Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick
HALF-BLOWN ROSE by Leesa Cross-Smith (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Mela Lee and Tim Campbell
At 44, Vincent enjoys strolling the streets of Paris and teaching at the modern art museum; she has a vibrant group of friends; and she’s even caught the eye of a young, charismatic man named Loup. But Vincent is also in Paris to escape a painful betrayal. Her husband, Cillian, has published a bestselling book divulging secrets about their marriage and his own past, hinting that when he was a teenager, he may have had a child with a young woman back in Dublin --- before he moved to California and never returned. Now estranged from her husband, Vincent has agreed to see Cillian again at their son’s wedding the following summer, but Loup introduces new complications. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
» On Tuesday, July 5th at 3pm ET, Barnes & Noble will welcome Leesa Cross-Smith for a live virtual event to discuss the book. Click here to sign up.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com's 18th Annual
Summer Reading Contests and Feature
Summer will be here before you know it! At Bookreporter.com, this means it's time for us to share some great summer book picks with our Summer Reading Contests and Feature. We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through the end of August, so you will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter to win. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.
Our next prize book will be announced on Tuesday, June 7th at noon ET.
This year’s prize books include:
Click here to read all the contest details and learn more about our prize books.
June’s Books on Screen Feature
A RIP THROUGH TIME by Kelley Armstrong (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Kate Handford
May 20, 2019: Homicide detective Mallory is in Edinburgh to be with her dying grandmother. While out on a jog one evening, Mallory hears a woman in distress. She is drawn to an alley, where she is attacked and loses consciousness. May 20, 1869: Housemaid Catriona Mitchell had been enjoying a half-day off, only to be discovered that night in a lane, where she had been strangled and left for dead...exactly 150 years before Mallory was strangled in the same spot. When Mallory wakes up in Catriona's body in 1869, she must put aside her shock and adjust quickly to the reality: life as a housemaid to an undertaker in Victorian Scotland. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
YOU MADE A FOOL OF DEATH WITH YOUR BEAUTY by Akwaeke Emezi (Romance)
Audiobook available, read by Bahni Turpin
Feyi Adekola wants to learn how to be alive again. It’s been five years since the accident that killed the love of her life. Feyi isn’t ready for anything serious, but a steamy encounter at a rooftop party cascades into a whirlwind summer she never could have imagined: a luxury trip to a tropical island, decadent meals in the glamorous home of a celebrity chef, and a major curator who wants to launch her art career. She’s even started dating the perfect guy, but their new relationship might be sabotaged before it has a chance by the overwhelming desire Feyi feels every time she locks eyes with the one person in the house who is most definitely off-limits --- his father. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
DARLING GIRL: A Novel of Peter Pan by Liz Michalski (Fiction/Magical Realism)
Audiobook available, read by Elizabeth Knowelden
Life is looking up for Holly Darling, the granddaughter of Wendy. She's running a successful skincare company; her son, Jack, is happy and healthy; and the tragedy of her past is well behind her. That is, until she gets a call that her daughter, Eden, who has been in a coma for nearly a decade, has gone missing from the estate where she's been long tucked away. And, worst of all, Holly knows who must be responsible: Peter Pan, who is more dangerous than anyone could imagine. Eden has a rare condition that causes her to age rapidly, which also makes her blood incredibly valuable. It’s a secret that Holly is desperate to protect, especially from Eden's half-brother, Jack, who knows nothing about his sister or the crucial role she plays in his life. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
DEEP WATER by Emma Bamford (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Sophie Roberts and Daniel York Loh
When a Navy vessel comes across a yacht in distress in the middle of the vast Indian Ocean, Captain Danial Tengku orders his ship to rush to its aid. On board the yacht is a British couple: a horribly injured man, Jake, and his traumatized wife, Virginie, who breathlessly confesses, “It’s all my fault. I killed them.” Trembling with fear, she reveals their shocking story to Danial, and it will be up to him to determine just how truthful she is. But when his crew makes a shocking discovery, Danial realizes that if he doesn’t act soon, they could all fall under the dark spell of the island. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
THE SCIENCE OF MURDER: The Forensics of Agatha Christie by Carla Valentine (Science/True Crime)
Audiobook available, read by Helen Langford
Agatha Christie is the bestselling novelist of all time, and nearly every story she ever wrote involves one --- or, more commonly, several --- dead bodies. And the cause of death, the motives behind violent crimes, the clues that inevitably are left behind, and the people who put the pieces together to solve the mystery invite the reader to analyze the evidence and race to find the answer before the detective does. Christie wouldn't have talked of "forensics" as it is understood today, but in each tale she harnesses the power of human observation, ingenuity and scientific developments of the era. A fascinating, science-based deep dive, THE SCIENCE OF MURDER examines the use of fingerprints, firearms, handwriting, blood spatter analysis, toxicology and more in Christie's beloved works. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE FAVOR by Nora Murphy (Domestic Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Dylan Moore, Leon Nixon and Sarah Mollo-Christensen
Leah and McKenna have never met, though they have parallel lives. They don’t --- ever --- find themselves in the same train carriage or meet accidentally at the gym or the coffee shop. They don’t --- ever --- discuss their problems and find common ground. They don’t --- ever --- acknowledge to each other that although their lives have all the trappings of success, wealth and happiness, they are, in fact, trapped. Leah understands that what’s inside a home can be far more dangerous than what’s outside. So when she notices someone else who may be starting down the same path she’s on, she pays attention. She watches over McKenna from afar. Until one night she sees more than she bargained for. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
ELEKTRA by Jennifer Saint (Historical Fiction/Mythology)
Audiobook available; read by Beth Eyre, Jane Collingwood and Julie Teal
When Clytemnestra marries Agamemnon, she ignores the insidious whispers about his family line, the House of Atreus. But when, on the eve of the Trojan War, Agamemnon betrays Clytemnestra in the most unimaginable way, she must confront the curse that has long ravaged their family. In Troy, Princess Cassandra has the gift of prophecy but carries a curse of her own: no one will ever believe what she sees. When she is shown what will happen to her beloved city when Agamemnon and his army arrives, she is powerless to stop the tragedy from unfolding. Elektra, Clytemnestra and Agamemnon’s youngest daughter, wants only for her beloved father to return home from war. But can she escape her family’s bloody history, or is her destiny bound by violence, too? Reviewed by Carly Silver.
WITH PREJUDICE by Robin Peguero (Legal Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Chris Ciulla
Earl Thomas, a straight-laced taxman with his fair share of police encounters, is the begrudging foreperson in a high-stakes trial in Miami. Laura Hurtado-Perez is a physician whose unassuming manner conceals a private pain. Joseph Cole is the founder of his local neighborhood watch, unduly obsessed with the families around him. Along with four others, these jurors of varying ages and walks of life whose paths likely never would have crossed otherwise must come together to make one of the most important decisions of their lives. Reviewed by Lorraine W. Shanley.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on June 6th and 7th
Below are some notable titles releasing on June 6th and 7th 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 June 6th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
June 6th
JAMES PATTERSON BY JAMES PATTERSON: The Stories of My Life by James Patterson (Memoir)
How did a boy from small-town New York become the world’s most successful writer? How does he do it? James Patterson has always wanted to write the kind of novel that would be read and reread so many times that the binding breaks and the book literally falls apart. As he says, “I’m still working on that one.”
June 7th
COUNTERFEIT by Kirstin Chen (Fiction)
For fans of Hustlers and HOW TO GET FILTHY RICH IN RISING ASIA comes the story of two Asian American women who band together to grow a counterfeit handbag scheme into a global enterprise
CULT CLASSIC by Sloane Crosley (Literary Fantasy/Humor)
Hilariously insightful and delightfully suspenseful, CULT CLASSIC is an original: a masterfully crafted tale of love, memory, morality and mind control, as well as a fresh foray into the philosophy of romance.
DECEMBER '41: A World War II Thriller by William Martin (Historical Thriller)
From New York Times bestselling author William Martin comes a World War II thriller as intense as THE DAY OF THE JACKAL and as gripping as THE EYE OF THE NEEDLE. In DECEMBER '41, Martin takes us on the ultimate manhunt, a desperate chase from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., in the first weeks of the Second World War.
AN EXTRAVAGANT LIFE: An Autobiography Incorporating Blue Water, Green Skipper by Stuart Woods (Autobiography)
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stone Barrington series tells the story of his own life from childhood to the present, and chronicles the journey that made him the writer he is today.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS by Therese Anne Fowler (Fiction)
Meet the Geller sisters: Beck, Claire and Sophie, a trio of strong-minded women whose pragmatic, widowed mother, Marti, will be dying soon and taking her secrets with her. Enter C.J. Reynolds, an enigmatic southerner ex-con with his own hidden past who complicates the situation. All is not what it seems, and everything is about to change.
MORE THAN YOU'LL EVER KNOW by Katie Gutierrez (Literary Thriller/Mystery)
MORE THAN YOU'LL EVER KNOW is an evocative drama about a woman caught leading a double life after one husband murders the other, and the true-crime writer who becomes obsessed with telling her story.
THE OMEGA FACTOR by Steve Berry (Thriller)
The Ghent Altarpiece is the most violated work of art in the world. Thirteen times it has been vandalized, dismantled or stolen. Why? What secrets does it hold?
OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE SKY by Kristan Higgins (Romance)
From New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins comes a funny and surprising new novel about losing it all --- and getting back more than you ever expected.
THE SPY WHO KNEW TOO MUCH: An Ex-CIA Officer's Quest Through a Legacy of Betrayal by Howard Blum (True Crime)
A retired spy gets back into the game to solve a perplexing case --- and reconcile with his daughter, a CIA officer who married into the very family that derailed his own CIA career --- in this compulsive true-life tale of vindication and redemption.
THESE IMPOSSIBLE THINGS by Salma El-Wardany (Fiction)
THESE IMPOSSIBLE THINGS is a razor‑sharp debut novel of three best friends navigating love, sex, faith and the one night that changes it all.
TOM CLANCY ZERO HOUR: A Jack Ryan Jr. Novel by Don Bentley (Thriller/Adventure)
Jack Ryan, Jr. is the one man who can prevent a second Korean War in this latest thrilling entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
TRACY FLICK CAN'T WIN by Tom Perrotta (Fiction)
Tracy Flick is back, and once again the iconic protagonist of Tom Perrotta’s ELECTION --- and Reese Witherspoon’s character from the classic movie adaptation --- is determined to take high school politics by storm.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Therese Anne Fowler, James Patterson, Kirstin Chen
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
As 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, June 6th at 7pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Sulari Gentill will discuss her new novel, THE WOMAN IN THE LIBRARY, an unexpectedly twisty literary adventure that examines the complicated nature of friendship and shows us that words can be the most treacherous weapons of all.
Monday, June 6th at 8:30pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's, in partnership with Little, Brown and Company, presents James Patterson as he launches his new book, JAMES PATTERSON BY JAMES PATTERSON: The Stories of My Life.
Tuesday, June 7th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble Book Club: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Jennifer Saint for a live virtual event to discuss ELEKTRA, May's B&N Book Club pick.
Wednesday, June 8th 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 three pairs of writers about their latest collaborations: Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, Ali Brady (Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey), Mary Alice Monroe and Angela May.
Thursday, June 9th at 7pm ET: William Morrow: Join Kirstin Chen and Katie Gutierrez for the virtual launch of their new novels, COUNTERFEIT and MORE THAN YOU'LL EVER KNOW. They will be in conversation with Book Riot's Liberty Hardy.
Thursday, June 9th at 8:30pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's, in partnership with Book Passage, will host Therese Anne Fowler as she discusses her new book, IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS, with Jeniffer Thompson.
"Bookreporter Talks To" Videos & Podcasts
“Bookreporter Talks To” is a video and podcast series that delivers a long-form, in-depth author interview every week. For years, Carol has moderated book festivals and author events around the country. But we know that readers often do not live where they can attend an author event. Our goal is to bring these author interviews to readers, wherever they may be. Watch on video, or listen as a podcast. (The podcasts include audio excerpts.)
Here are our latest interviews:
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Chris Pavone (TWO NIGHTS IN LISBON) Video | Podcast
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Kim Michele Richardson (THE BOOK WOMAN'S DAUGHTER) Podcast
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Kimberly Brock (THE LOST BOOK OF ELEANOR DARE)
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Julie Clark (THE LIES I TELL)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: Books as Traveling Companions
How many physical books (hardcovers or paperbacks) do you typically take with you on a weekend trip?
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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More than 5
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None
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I only read e-books.
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I only listen to audiobooks.
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, June 10th 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 May 27th to June 10th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of SPARRING PARTNERS by John Grisham and TRACY FLICK CAN'T WIN by Tom Perrotta.
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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