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In an effort to ensure that I get more reading done in the pool, I bought a new float, which you can see above on the left. It has not been water-tested yet, so we shall see how this goes. My older reading float (pictured on the right) still is servicing me well, but I have had it for years and the nylon on the seat is starting to rip, which I saw as a sign. This one is much fancier, but it does not have cup holders. I know, how can one read and float without cup holders? Not that I ever put a drink in those cup holders! I will try not to hum the theme song from “Gilligan’s Island.”
Megan Miranda is back with her latest riveting thriller, THE LAST TO VANISH, a Bets On pick filled with taut suspense and shocking twists that will keep you guessing until the very end. Focusing on themes of truth, myth, reality and the surprising convergence of all three, the book brilliantly explores the lengths to which people will go to hide their secrets --- and not just from each other. It also delves into the secrets we hide from ourselves, and whether or not we “truly” know the people who surround us. Click here for my Bets On commentary. We will feature our review in next week’s newsletter.
Word of Mouth Reminder
We are giving away THE LAST TO VANISH in our current Word of Mouth contest, along with THE MANY DAUGHTERS OF AFONG MOY by Jamie Ford, which we also will review next week. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read by Friday, August 5th at noon ET, and you’ll have a chance to win both these titles.
Book Club Event News
We were excited to learn this week that THE LAST TO VANISH is Simon & Schuster’s Book Club Favorites pick for August. On Tuesday, August 23rd at 12pm ET, members of the S&S team will talk about the book with Megan. Click here to RSVP for the event. If you’re in a book group, be sure to take a look at the discussion questions for the book on ReadingGroupGuides.com, which may engender lively discussions with members of your group.
Susan Wiggs is back with her newly released novel, SUGAR AND SALT. Readers of her 2020 bestseller, THE LOST AND FOUND BOOKSHOP, return to Perdita Street in this can’t-miss tale of friendship, hardship, redemption and love between a San Francisco baker and a barbecue master from Texas.
Pamela Kramer has our review and calls the book “a touching and important read that deals effectively with a number of vital issues regarding gender and race.” She goes on to say, “SUGAR AND SALT is an extraordinarily thoughtful novel with nice references to yummy food and delicious-sounding recipes. There is also some romance, along with much philosophical and political significance.”
Summer Reading Update
We gave away SUGAR AND SALT in this week’s Summer Reading contest. Our series of 24-hour giveaways wraps up the week of August 8th when our final prize book will be WIDOWLAND by C. J. Carey. The contest for it will be up on its release date, Tuesday, August 9th at noon ET.
This week, we learned the sad news that prolific author Stuart Woods passed away last Friday at the age of 84 at his home in Litchfield County, Connecticut.
Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum, who has reviewed many of his books for us, has this to say about one of her favorite authors: “Stuart Woods was best known for his long-running Stone Barrington series of thrillers, the 62nd installment of which will be published on August 2nd. He penned more than 90 novels, starting with CHIEFS in 1981, which won the Edgar Award and aired on CBS as a miniseries just two years later starring Charlton Heston. In 2010, he was the recipient of the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, France’s most prestigious award for crime and detective fiction, for his novel, IMPERFECT STRANGERS. His countless fans will miss his brilliant portrayals of ‘cops and robbers,’ and he has earned a place in the Crime Fiction Hall of Fame.”
As Barbara mentioned, the latest entry in his Stone Barrington series, BLACK DOG, will be in stores on Tuesday, and we will feature her review in August. The 63rd installment, DISTANT THUNDER, will follow on October 11th. Coincidentally enough, Woods’ autobiography, AN EXTRAVAGANT LIFE, released in June. Reading it would be the perfect way to learn more about his extravagant life and career.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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THE BODYGUARD: She’s got his back. He’s got her heart. They’ve got a secret. What could possibly go wrong? Emily Henry calls Katherine Center's new novel “[a]s funny and sweet as all the very best nineties rom-coms, but with Center’s signature heart-tugging depth. I wish I could erase it from my mind just to read it again for the first time. A shot of pure joy.”
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THE KINGDOMS OF SAVANNAH: Savannah may appear to be “some town out of a fable,” with its vine flowers, turreted mansions and ghost tours that romanticize the city’s history. But look deeper and you’ll uncover secrets, past and present, that tell a more sinister tale. It’s the story at the heart of George Dawes Green’s chilling new novel.
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THE DISPLACEMENTS: The Larsen-Hall family seemingly has everything. Their deluxe new Miami life has just clicked into place when Luna, the world’s first category 6 hurricane, upends everything they have taken for granted. When the storm makes landfall, it triggers a descent of another sort in Bruce Holsinger’s latest adrenaline-fueled novel.
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SWITCHBOARD SOLDIERS: Jennifer Chiaverini’s bold, revelatory new novel is about one of the great untold stories of World War I --- the women of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, who broke down gender barriers in the military, smashed the workplace glass ceiling, and battled a pandemic as they helped lead the Allies to victory.
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our latest poll continues to ask if you watch online videos or listen to podcasts about books. Click here to let us know whether or not this interests you.
The longlist for this year’s Booker Prize has been announced. Among the 13 books, referred to as the “Man Booker Dozen,” are six by American authors: AFTER SAPPHO by Selby Wynn Schwartz, BOOTH by Karen Joy Fowler, NIGHTCRAWLING by Leila Mottley, OH WILLIAM! by Elizabeth Strout, THE TREES by Percival Everett, and TRUST by Hernan Diaz. Click here for the complete list. The shortlist of six books will be revealed on September 6th, followed by the announcement of the winner on October 17th.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Emily wrote this about winning THE IT GIRL and PORTRAIT OF AN UNKNOWN WOMAN in our Word of Mouth contest: “Awww!! Thank you so much for the win!! It's like receiving my Christmas presents in July! I normally share my books with my hometown friend, who lives in L.A., and her mother-in-law, who belongs to a book club. I will definitely share these books with them! Looking forward to receiving them in my mailbox!!”
Vickie wrote this about my Japanese beetle infestation: “Japanese beetles were eating my tomatoes, but I found that Neem oil got rid of them.” I know I have Neem oil somewhere in the garage or in the basement. I am sure it will be easier to go to the store and buy more than to spend half the day searching.
Bonnie wrote, “Really, really liked LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY, as has everyone I’ve recommended it to. Afraid the title is scaring some people off! Currently liking THE NIGHT TRAVELERS by Armando Lucas Correa, which I’ll be reviewing for NetGalley. Next is THE CRIMSON THREAD by Kate Forsyth, which recently published. Going to send you a picture of the pineapple I grew from a top; may get two bites out of it!” For the record, I loved the picture of the pineapple.
Barbara wrote to ask, “Is there an archive of past 'Talks To' interviews? I tend to read books that have been out for a while and are more easily available at my library or on Libby and would love to hear from those authors.” You can find them here.
Tina wrote, “I love your book newsletter!!! I recently read that praying mantis can kill hummingbirds. I was so surprised. So if you see one on a hummingbird feeder, gently remove it.” My praying mantis has not hatched yet. They have a job to do eating lantern bugs. They need to step it up!
Diana Kennedy: We love to cook Mexican food, so I was sad to hear that Diana Kennedy, author of the 1972 cookbook THE CUISINES OF MEXICO, as well as THE TORTILLA BOOK and MY MEXICO, died this week at the age of 99.
Corn salad: Last weekend, we had some leftover corn that we had made with the Floyd Cardoz recipe, where we use cinnamon, star anise and coriander seed, as well as turmeric when we boil the corn water. I shucked the corn off the cobs, and then I made this Ina Garten recipe sans the basil, but I added the juice of two limes. It was great.
I have a couple of plants to replace; it is really strange that one of the pots with morning glory flowers is doing brilliantly and the other just a few feet away looks awful. They are getting the same light and water, so I cannot figure out what is happening. The weather here is so very dry. We had a spritz of rain yesterday, and that has been it. Every town around us has gotten rain. It is like we are being left out.
We ordered some new patio furniture for the deck during 4th of July weekend, and it’s coming this weekend. And yes, the cushions are turquoise, in case you were wondering. This means that Tom and I each will have a comfy place to sit. Tom typically takes the love seat, and I sit on one of the deck chairs, which is not my favorite.
I have no big weekend plans beyond that. Here’s to spending time with some books. I will report back next weekend!
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!
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
THE LAST TO VANISH by Megan Miranda
THE LAST TO VANISH by Megan Miranda (Psychological Thriller)
Each time I picked up THE LAST TO VANISH by Megan Miranda, I immediately found myself caught up in the town of Cutter’s Pass, North Carolina, which sits along the Appalachian Trail. I felt the small-town vibe where everyone knows everyone and their history. Show up new to work in town and people take notice. In the summer, this quiet place comes to life as tourists go there to hike the trails, raft and commune with nature. If they find themselves staying at The Passage Inn, they will meet the manager, Abigail Lovett, who has been there for 10 years. It’s one of those places with a cozy lobby where you can grab breakfast and the staff is always ready to share a great spot for you to visit, a little nugget that will make your vacation memorable.
I start with the setting here since Megan sets up a vibe to the place that is both cool and sinister. Everything from how Abby’s bedroom is located in a locked-off area accessible only to employees, to the trails that have their own sense of foreboding, works to make this happen. What kind of a trail can you handle? Really?
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to visit Megan Miranda's website.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary.
Don't miss our review of the book in next week's newsletter.
Featured Review: SUGAR AND SALT by Susan Wiggs
SUGAR AND SALT by Susan Wiggs (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Christine Lakin
Jerome “Sugar” Barnes learned the art of baking in his grandma’s bakery, also called Sugar, on historic Perdita Street in San Francisco. He supplies baked goods to the Lost and Found Bookshop across the street. When the restaurant that shares his commercial kitchen loses its longtime tenant, a newcomer moves in: Margot Salton, a barbecue master from Texas. Margot isn’t exactly on the run, but she needs a fresh start. She’s taken care of herself her whole life, and her dream has been to open a restaurant somewhere far, far from Texas. Margot instantly takes to Jerome’s grandmother, the lively, opinionated Ida. The older woman proves to be a good mentor, and Margot is drawn to Jerome. But just as she starts to relax into a happy new future, Margot’s past in Texas comes back to haunt her. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE BODYGUARD by Katherine Center
THE BODYGUARD by Katherine Center (Romantic Comedy)
Audiobook available, read by Patti Murin
Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than somebody who could kill you with a wine bottle opener. Or a ballpoint pen. Or a dinner napkin. But the truth is, she’s an Executive Protection Agent (aka "bodyguard"), and she just got hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker. When Jack’s mom gets sick, he comes home to the family’s Texas ranch to help out. There's only one catch: He doesn’t want his family to know about his stalker. Or the bodyguard thing. And so Hannah --- against her will and her better judgment --- finds herself pretending to be Jack’s girlfriend as a cover. But the more time she spends with Jack, the more real it all starts to seem. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE KINGDOMS OF SAVANNAH
by George Dawes Green
THE KINGDOMS OF SAVANNAH by George Dawes Green (Literary Thriller/Mystery)
Audiobook available; read by Ariel Blake, Jeanette Illidge, Karen Commins, Kathleen McInerney and Lee Osorio
It begins quietly on a balmy Southern night as some locals gather at Bo Peep’s, one of the town’s favorite watering holes. Within an hour, however, a man will be murdered and his companion will be “disappeared.” An unlikely detective, Morgana Musgrove, doyenne of Savannah society, is called upon to unravel the mystery of these crimes. Morgana is an imperious, demanding and conniving woman, whose four grown children are weary of her schemes. But one by one she inveigles them into helping with her investigation, and soon the family uncovers some terrifying truths --- truths that will rock Savannah’s power structure to its core. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE DISPLACEMENTS
by Bruce Holsinger
THE DISPLACEMENTS by Bruce Holsinger (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Austenne Grey
To all appearances, the Larsen-Hall family has everything. Their deluxe new Miami life has just clicked into place when Luna --- the world’s first category 6 hurricane --- upends everything they have taken for granted. Their home destroyed, two of its members missing and finances abruptly cut off, the family finds everything they assumed about their lives now up for grabs. Swept into a mass rush of evacuees from across the American South, they are transported hundreds of miles to a FEMA megashelter where their new community includes an insurance-agent-turned-drug dealer, a group of vulnerable children, and a dedicated relief worker trying to keep the peace. Will “normal” ever return? Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- 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: SWITCHBOARD SOLDIERS
by Jennifer Chiaverini
SWITCHBOARD SOLDIERS by Jennifer Chiaverini (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Saskia Maarleveld
In June 1917, General John Pershing arrived in France to establish American forces in Europe. He immediately found himself unable to communicate with troops in the field. Pershing needed operators who could swiftly and accurately connect multiple calls, speak fluent French and English, remain steady under fire, and be utterly discreet. At the time, nearly all well-trained American telephone operators were women --- but women were not permitted to enlist, or even to vote in most states. Nevertheless, the U.S. Army Signal Corps promptly began recruiting them. More than 7,600 women responded; they served with honor and played an essential role in achieving the Allied victory. Their story has never been the focus of a novel…until now. Reviewed by Rebecca Wasniak.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com's 18th Annual
Summer Reading Contests and Feature
Summer is here! 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 final prize book will be announced on Tuesday, August 9th at noon ET.
This year’s featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details and learn more about our prize books.
What’s New This Month on ReadingGroupGuides.com
DIRTBAG, MASSACHUSETTS: A Confessional by Isaac Fitzgerald (Memoir/Essays)
Audiobook available, read by Isaac Fitzgerald
Isaac Fitzgerald has lived many lives. He's been an altar boy, a bartender, a fat kid, a smuggler, a biker, a prince of New England. But before all that, he was a bomb that exploded his parents' lives --- or so he was told. In DIRTBAG, MASSACHUSETTS, Fitzgerald recounts his ongoing search for forgiveness, a more far-reaching vision of masculinity, and a more expansive definition of family and self. Fitzgerald's memoir-in-essays begins with a childhood that moves at breakneck speed from safety to violence, recounting an extraordinary pilgrimage through trauma to self-understanding and, ultimately, acceptance. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
AN HONEST LIVING by Dwyer Murphy (Noir Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Ari Fliakos
After leaving behind the comforts and the shackles of a prestigious law firm, a restless attorney makes ends meet in mid-2000s Brooklyn by picking up odd jobs from a colorful assortment of clients. When a mysterious woman named Anna Reddick turns up at his apartment with $10,000 in cash and asks him to track down her missing husband Newton, an antiquarian bookseller who she believes has been pilfering rare true-crime volumes from her collection, he trusts it will be a quick and easy case. But when the real Anna Reddick --- a magnetic but unpredictable literary prodigy --- lands on his doorstep with a few bones to pick, he finds himself out of his depth, drawn into a series of deceptions. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.
WHAT MOVES THE DEAD by T. Kingfisher (Horror)
Audiobook available, read by Avi Roque
When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruritania. What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves. Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
JOAN: A Novel of Joan of Arc by Katherine J. Chen (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Hannah Morrish
1412. France is mired in a losing war against England. Its people are starving. Its king is in hiding. From this chaos emerges a teenage girl who will turn the tide of battle and lead the French to victory, becoming an unlikely hero whose name will echo across the centuries. This meticulously researched novel is a sweeping narrative of Joan of Arc's life, from a childhood steeped in both joy and violence, to her meteoric rise to fame at the head of the French army, where she navigates the perils of the battlefield and the equally treacherous politics of the royal court. Many are threatened by a woman who leads, and Joan draws wrath and suspicion from all corners, while her first taste of fame and glory leaves her vulnerable to her own powerful ambition. Reviewed by Pauline Finch.
ROBERT LUDLUM'S THE BOURNE SACRIFICE by Brian Freeman (Thriller/Adventure)
Audiobook available, read by Scott Brick
Jason Bourne has faced many killers before, but none as dangerous or as cruelly inventive as the assassin who calls himself Lennon. Bourne thought he had Lennon cornered in Iceland, only to have the killer escape in a fiery explosion. Now Lennon’s trail leads Bourne to New York and then to Washington --- and the body count rises with each deadly encounter. But who is Lennon working for? Bourne believes the assassin has a shadowy new employer called the Pyramid. The only clue to the group’s agenda is a young German woman murdered in Washington on her way to a covert meeting. But the woman’s entire identity turns out to be a lie, and news reports of her death have been strangely twisted and suppressed. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
OUR WIVES UNDER THE SEA by Julia Armfield (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Annabel Baldwin and Robyn Holdaway
Leah is changed. A marine biologist, she left for a routine expedition months earlier, only this time her submarine sank to the sea floor. When she finally surfaces and returns home, her wife Miri knows that something is wrong. Barely eating and lost in her thoughts, Leah rotates between rooms in their apartment, running the taps morning and night. Whatever happened in that vessel, whatever it was they were supposed to be studying before they were stranded, Leah has carried part of it with her, onto dry land and into their home. As Miri searches for answers, desperate to understand what happened below the water, she must face the possibility that the woman she loves is slipping from her grasp. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
DEAD AGAINST HER by Melinda Leigh (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Christina Traister
Called to an isolated farm to check on an elderly widow, Sheriff Bree Taggert finds a brutal double homicide. One of the victims is Eugene Oscar, the bitter and corrupt former deputy she recently forced out of the department. Working with criminal investigator Matt Flynn, Bree discovers that she isn’t the only one who had a troubling history with Eugene. But someone doesn’t want Bree digging up the past. She becomes the target of a stranger’s sick and devious campaign calculated to destroy her reputation, career, family and new relationship with Matt. To make matters worse, she’s the prime suspect in Eugene’s murder. When her chief deputy goes missing while investigating the case, Bree refuses to back down. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
THE MURDER BOOK: A Tom Thorne Novel by Mark Billingham (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Mark Billingham
Tom Thorne finally has it all. In Nicola Tanner and Phil Hendricks, Thorne has good friends by his side. His love life is newly reformed by a promising relationship, and he is happy in the job to which he has devoted his life. As he sets off hunting the woman responsible for a series of grisly murders, Thorne has no way of knowing that he will be plunged into a nightmare from which he may never wake. A nightmare that has a name. Thorne’s past threatens to catch up with him, and a ruinous secret is about to be revealed. If he wants to save himself and his friends, he will have to do the unthinkable. Tom Thorne finally has a lot to lose. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE BOYS by Katie Hafner (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by BJ Harrison
When introverted Ethan Fawcett marries Barb, he has every reason to believe he will be delivered from a lifetime of solitude. She fills his world with a sense of adventure, expanding his horizons beyond his comfortable routine. Because Ethan fears becoming a father, one day Barb brings home two young brothers, Tommy and Sam, for them to foster, and Ethan immediately falls in love with the two boys. When the pandemic hits, he becomes obsessed with providing a perfect life for them. But instead of bringing Barb and Ethan closer together, the boys become a wedge in their relationship, as Ethan is unable to share with Barb a secret that has been haunting him since childhood. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
THE BINDING ROOM: An Inspector Anjelica Henley Thriller by Nadine Matheson (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Diveen Henry
When Detective Anjelica Henley is called to investigate the murder of a popular preacher in his own church, she discovers a second victim, tortured and tied to a bed in an upstairs room. He is alive, but barely, and his body shows signs of a dark religious ritual. With a revolving list of suspects and the media spotlight firmly on her, Henley is left with more questions than answers as she attempts to untangle both crimes. But when another body appears, the case takes on a new urgency. Unless she can apprehend the killer, the next victim may just be Henley herself. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on August 2nd
Below are some notable titles releasing on August 2nd 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 August 1st, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
BLACK DOG: A Stone Barrington Novel by Stuart Woods (Thriller/Adventure)
Stone Barrington must battle a nasty opponent in the latest action-packed thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Stuart Woods.
GANGLAND by Chuck Hogan (Thriller)
From the acclaimed author of THE TOWN comes an epic thriller about the secret right‑hand man of one of the most infamous unprosecuted mob bosses in American history, and the hidden crime that will bring down an empire.
THE LAST WHITE MAN by Mohsin Hamid (Fiction)
From the New York Times bestselling author of EXIT WEST comes a story of love, loss and rediscovery in a time of unsettling change.
LISTENING WELL: Bringing Stories of Hope to Life by Heather Morris (Memoir)
In LISTENING WELL, Heather Morris explores her extraordinary talents as a listener --- a skill she employed when she first met Lale Sokolov, the tattooist at Auschwitz-Birkenau and the inspiration for her bestselling novel, THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ.
THE MANY DAUGHTERS OF AFONG MOY by Jamie Ford (Historical Fiction)
The New York Times bestselling author of HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET returns with a powerful exploration of the love that binds one family across the generations.
MERCURY PICTURES PRESENTS by Anthony Marra (Historical Fiction)
Moving from Mussolini’s Italy to 1940s Los Angeles, this timeless story of love, deceit and sacrifice is the epic tale of a brilliant woman who must reinvent herself to survive.
MIKA IN REAL LIFE by Emiko Jean (Fiction)
From Emiko Jean, the author of the New York Times bestselling young adult novel TOKYO EVER AFTER, comes a whip-smart, laugh-out-loud funny and utterly heartwarming novel about motherhood, daughterhood and love --- how we find it, keep it, and how it always returns.
ON JAVA ROAD by Lawrence Osborne (Literary Thriller/Mystery)
A veteran journalist in Hong Kong is caught in a shadowy web of truth and betrayal as he investigates the disappearance of a student protester.
PROPERTIES OF THIRST by Marianne Wiggins (Historical Fiction)
Fifteen years after the publication of EVIDENCE OF THINGS UNSEEN, National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize finalist Marianne Wiggins returns with a novel destined to be an American classic: a sweeping masterwork set during World War II about the meaning of family and the limitations of the American Dream.
RECKONING: An FBI Thriller by Catherine Coulter (Thriller)
Agents Savich and Sherlock are back in this latest installment in Catherine Coulter’s #1 New York Times bestselling FBI Thriller series, and this time both are enlisted to help women with traumatic pasts who are in mortal danger.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING by Julia Whelan (Romantic Comedy)
Julia Whelan’s uplifting novel tells the story of a former actress turned successful audiobook narrator --- who has lost sight of her dreams after a tragic accident --- and her journey of self-discovery, love and acceptance when she agrees to narrate one last romance novel.
WHEN WE WERE BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL by Jillian Medoff (Fiction)
The acclaimed, bestselling author of THIS COULD HURT returns with her biggest, boldest novel yet --- an electrifying, twisty and deeply emotional family drama, set on Manhattan’s glittering Upper East Side, that explores the dark side of love, the limits of loyalty and the high cost of truth.
WHERE THE SKY BEGINS by Rhys Bowen (Historical Fiction)
A woman’s future is determined by fate and choice in a gripping WWII novel about danger, triumph and second chances by the New York Times bestselling author of THE VENICE SKETCHBOOK and THE TUSCAN CHILD.
WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME by Gillian McAllister (Psychological Thriller)
From UK bestselling author Gillian McAllister comes an astonishing, compulsively twisty psychological thriller about a mother who witnesses her teenage son stab a man and then seizes on an unconventional way to try to save him.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Megan Miranda, Anthony Marra, Rhys Bowen
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
As many book and author events are still happening online these days, we are highlighting a number of them that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links below for more info and to register.
Saturday, July 30th at 4pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Megan Miranda will discuss her new novel, THE LAST TO VANISH, a riveting thriller filled with taut suspense and shocking twists that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Monday, August 1st at 7pm ET: Books & Books: Books & Books and Miami Book Fair present a virtual event with Anthony Marra, who will discuss his new novel, MERCURY PICTURES PRESENTS, with Celeste Ng.
Tuesday, August 2nd at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome debut author Ramona Emerson for a live virtual event to celebrate the release of SHUTTER as part of their B&N Midday Mystery Virtual Event series. She will be in conversation with Tommy Orange, the national bestselling author of THERE THERE.
Thursday, August 4th at 5pm ET: Blue Cypress Books: Blue Cypress Books is thrilled to welcome internationally bestselling author Karen Rose to "Book Banter." She will talk about her latest thriller, QUARTER TO MIDNIGHT, a brand-new series set in the sultry city of New Orleans.
Friday, August 5th at 4pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Rhys Bowen will discuss her new novel, WHERE THE SKY BEGINS, a gripping WWII novel about danger, triumph and second chances.
"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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Bonnie Garmus (LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY)
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Scott Shepherd (SHOULD I FALL)
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Casey Sherman (HELLTOWN: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer on Cape Cod)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll:
Videos and Podcasts about Books --- Do You Tune In?
Do you watch online videos or listen to podcasts about books? Please check all that apply.
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I watch online videos about books.
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Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, August 5th 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 July 22nd to August 5th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE LAST TO VANISH by Megan Miranda and THE MANY DAUGHTERS OF AFONG MOY by Jamie Ford.
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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