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Heat on a Whole New Level
Well, there is nothing like one of the hottest weeks of the year for the air conditioning in my home office to zap itself out of commission. Yes, the unit was 31 years old, but come on, could it not hold out until September? I have been told that the new system will be quieter and more efficient…when it gets here on Tuesday. But wait, this at least assures me that I will not have a dewy glow for our “Bookaccino Live” event on Wednesday (more on that later). That brings me some relief. I also may have lost some water weight.
For humor, when my husband crawled into the attic space to check on the dying air conditioner, he told me that he needed to move out the boxes that were in there. “What boxes?” I asked. And he started pushing them through the doorway. Well, it seems that when the boys came home at the end of school for at least four or five years, I boxed up their papers from that year like I was readying my version of a presidential library (well, maybe not THAT neatly) and saved them. So I have the most ridiculous boxes of math homework, spelling tests, art projects and at least one Student of the Week Award.
Holding the award for my older son, Greg, I thought that was something he might want to have some day. That is, until he saw it on top of a box and said, “I really do not need my Student of the Week Award from seventh grade.” For a moment there, I thought I could just bag these up into the garbage and move on. But then I saw some canceled checks and other papers that looked important, so now I need to go through all of these boxes.
Meanwhile, I am reading --- and loving --- FELLOWSHIP POINT by Alice Elliott Dark. I would prefer to be reading that than exploring my sons’ youth. But I also want to be able to walk through my office without navigating these boxes. I am scrawling interview questions for Alice, and I hope to interview her in the weeks to come.
For those who think that all I do is float and read, note that I also have the above pool exercise equipment at the ready. But let's get real, floating and reading is more fun than water aerobics, even with a killer playlist. I amuse myself, saying that I will work out when the sun goes down.
We have two new “Bookreporter Talks To” interviews to share with you in this newsletter.
First up is Casey Sherman, whose book, HELLTOWN: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer on Cape Cod, is our latest True Crime Author Spotlight title. Casey gives readers a real 360-view of the heinous crimes committed by Tony Costa in the summer of 1969 when young women were not just murdered, they were dismembered and violated after their deaths. With the national story of the Manson murders, and the local story of Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick, Costa’s rampage never made widespread news, but it has a long and storied history on the Cape.
Casey shares how he came upon the idea of writing this book and his extensive research project, which included seeing some photos with images that are hard to get out of his mind. Also layered into the story are two literary legends --- Kurt Vonnegut and Norman Mailer --- each of whom competed to write about these murders, and the rivalry between them. He also talks about the film adaptation of HELLTOWN, which was signed even before the book was done. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast.
I also had the pleasure of talking to Bonnie Garmus about her debut novel, LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY, which was April’s “Good Morning America” Book Club pick and an instant New York Times bestseller. A Bookreporter.com Bets On title, the book introduces readers to a one-of-a-kind scientist in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the star of a beloved TV cooking show.
Bonnie shares that one day she walked away from a meeting, headed to her desk, and banged out the first chapter of the book --- and explains what inspired that. She talks about protagonist Elizabeth Zott being a character in an earlier book draft, where her role was not part of the main storyline, and why she loves writing her. She also discusses why she decided to set the book in the late ’50s/early ’60s and explores her other characters, including the amazing dog Six-Thirty. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast. And don’t miss my Bets On commentary here.
Many of you know Jamie Ford as the author of the New York Times bestseller HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET, a huge hit when it released in 2009. It also happened to be my third-ever Bets On pick! Jamie is back with his much-talked-about new novel, THE MANY DAUGHTERS OF AFONG MOY, which is this month’s “Read with Jenna” Today Show Book Club pick, #1 Indie Next pick and Costco's “Buyer's Pick”. Jenna Bush Hager calls it “one of the most beautiful books of motherhood and what we pass on to those that come after us and what we inherit” and “a book about strength and goodness.”
We have our review this week from Rebecca Munro, who says, “[T]here is much to love here, not the least of which is Ford’s unflinching exploration of anti-Chinese discrimination in America, a topic that unfortunately is incredibly timely. Add to this his keen insights into the minds and hearts of women, and you have a truly intoxicating combination of searing realism and heartfelt sentimentality that will forever shape the way you think about the traits, emotions and legacies you have inherited from your family…and the ones you are passing down to future generations.”
Also, be sure to check out this interview with Jamie, where he talks about his inspiration for telling this particular story, how he first learned about Afong Moy, the difficulties of writing about the future, and more.
We are thrilled to share our review of Megan Miranda’s new book, THE LAST TO VANISH, after featuring my Bets On commentary last week. This gripping and propulsive thriller opens with the disappearance of a journalist who is investigating a string of vanishings in the resort town of Cutter’s Pass. Will its dark secrets finally be revealed?
According to our reviewer Bronwyn Miller, “THE LAST TO VANISH grabs you from the first page, quickly establishing the creepy, atmospheric setting, and keeps the story rolling until you reach the end, which you’ll never see coming. With her latest outstanding offering, Megan Miranda has proven herself to be among the modern masters of suspense, joining the ranks of Shari Lapena, Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell. It’s perfect to toss into your bag when you’re headed to the beach or curl up with on a rainy day.”
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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THANK YOU FOR LISTENING: Award-winning audiobook narrator Julia Whelan’s second novel as a writer 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.
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CHRYSALIS: Lincoln Child’s blockbuster new thriller is centered on a dominant tech company --- Chrysalis --- whose groundbreaking virtual reality technology is redefining the way we live...and possibly introducing a catastrophic danger to the world.
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WHEN WE WERE BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL: Set on Manhattan’s glittering Upper East Side, Jillian Medoff’s latest novel is a twisty and deeply emotional family drama that explores the dark side of love, the limits of loyalty and the high cost of truth.
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GANGLAND: Chuck Hogan’s epic new thriller is 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.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
In addition to LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY, I’m betting you’ll love THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK by Jennifer Hillier, which we recently reviewed. Click here for my commentary. If you missed my interview with Jennifer from a couple of weeks ago, you can watch it here and listen to the podcast here.
Summer Reading Update
Our final Summer Reading contest will go live this Tuesday, August 9th at noon ET. The prize book will be WIDOWLAND by C. J. Carey, which we will be reviewing next week and featuring as our next Author Spotlight title.
This Month’s New in Paperback Feature
Our New in Paperback roundups are now available for August. We’re featuring paperback reprints from such bestselling authors as Stephen King (BILLY SUMMERS), Colson Whitehead (HARLEM SHUFFLE), Lisa Scottoline (WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS), James Lee Burke (ANOTHER KIND OF EDEN), and Riley Sager (SURVIVE THE NIGHT); nonfiction titles, including FUZZ: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach and THIS WILL ALL BE OVER SOON: A Memoir by Cecily Strong; and paperback originals like WHAT SHE FOUND by Robert Dugoni and THE LIES I TOLD by Mary Burton.
Books on Screen Offerings for August
We’ve also updated our Books on Screen feature for this month. August’s roundup includes the series premieres of "House of the Dragon" on HBO, "Tales of the Walking Dead" on AMC, "The Sandman" on Netflix, and "Five Days at Memorial" on Apple TV+; the season six premiere of Hallmark Channel's "Chesapeake Shores"; the season one finale of "Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin" on HBO Max; the films Bullet Train and Three Thousand Years of Longing; and the DVD releases of The Black Phone, Mr. Malcolm's List and My Donkey, My Lover & I.
Enter Our New Word of Mouth Contest
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, August 19th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win THE FAMILY REMAINS by Lisa Jewell (which we will review next week) and PROPERTIES OF THIRST by Marianne Wiggins.
Vote in Our New Poll --- and Check Out Results from the Last Poll
For our latest poll, we’ve listed 25 fiction titles releasing this month, and we’re asking you which, if any, you’re planning to read. Click here to let us know.
Our previous poll asked if you watch online videos or listen to podcasts about books. 39% of you watch online videos about books, 31% listen to podcasts about books, and 29% do neither. Click here for all the results.
UK bestselling author Gillian McAllister’s new novel, WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME, is this month’s Reese’s Book Club pick. Reese says, “This book is SO good. It’s about a mother who is worried about her teenage son, because he’s out late one night. She looks out the window right at his curfew and she sees him stab a man in her front yard (!!), but she wakes up the next day and it’s the day before her son committed the crime. She keeps going back in time, piecing together why this happened to her son. It’s SUCH a page turner, and it’s the perfect book to round out the summer.” Don’t miss our review in next week’s newsletter.
MERCURY PICTURES PRESENTS is August’s Barnes & Noble Book Club selection. This second novel from Anthony Marra, following A CONSTELLATION OF VITAL PHENOMENA, is the epic tale of a brilliant woman who must reinvent herself to survive. Moving from Mussolini’s Italy to 1940s Los Angeles, the book spans many moods and tones --- from the heartbreaking to the ecstatic. It’s a love letter to life’s bit players and a panorama of an era that casts a long shadow over our own.
On Thursday, September 8th at 7pm ET, Marra will be at Barnes & Noble – Union Square in New York City to discuss the book. Click here to register if you’d like to attend this in-person book club event. If you’re not in New York but would like to join virtually, you can purchase tickets here to the livestream. I am happy to see that B&N is still offering this virtual option!
This month’s “Good Morning America” Book Club pick is MIKA IN REAL LIFE by Emiko Jean, which is at once a heart-wrenching and uplifting novel that explores the weight of silence, the secrets we keep, and what it means to be a mother. Jean told “GMA,” “This book was definitely driven by my desire to explore certain themes --- the bond and often tense relationship between mothers and daughters, the Japanese American identity and intergenerational trauma.” We look forward to featuring our review in next week’s newsletter.
For more August selections, including the Indie Next and LibraryReads lists, see our “Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks” feature here.
This is your last Bookreporter newsletter reminder to sign up for this month’s “Bookaccino Live” preview event, which will take place next Wednesday, August 10th at 2pm ET. The focus will be on titles releasing between August 9th and September 6th, along with a few from October, that I would like to get on your radar. Click here to register. Those attending the live event will be asked to answer a survey about the books from the presentation that they are most interested in reading and will be eligible to win a prize.
Tom Donadio and I always have such fun pulling together the “Bookaccino Live” titles. We go back and forth on what to include for most of a day.
News & Pop Culture
The Gray Man on Netflix: I finally had time to watch this film with my husband the other night. While it is based on no particular book in Mark Greaney’s series of the same name, he thought the action and the character were spot-on. It’s already been re-upped for both a sequel and a spinoff, proving how well it has performed.
“Virgin River” on Netflix: I finished this season…and yes, as always there was a dramatic moment at the end.
“The Bear” on Hulu: I had been hearing raves about this series from people. It is set in a restaurant in Chicago where Carmy has been brought in to run the place after his brother, Mikey, died by suicide. I love cooking, but this was a bit too gritty for me at times, and I confess that I was lukewarm about it until the last episode. I had it on in the background more than I was watching it, but the last episode pulled it all together, and I am happy to hear that it has been renewed.
Yesterday morning, with the air conditioning not working, I decided that this would be the day that I took a swim at lunchtime. So, for the first time on a workday all summer, I put on my bathing suit and one of the rotation of Athleta skorts that I have. I use the word “skort” as a homage to my days working at a fashion magazine where clothing needed to be detailed on the pages; this skort was navy and matched my bathing suit. I know, it’s like a trip down memory lane where I wrote fashion copy. One must always coordinate.
At one point, someone I am working on a project with asked if our noon meeting was going to be on Zoom or over the phone. Of course, this would be the day that the air conditioning was out, and I had my bathing suit on for the first time. While on another call, I raced into the bathroom, put on makeup and ran a brush through my hair. Then I grabbed a t-shirt to look at least semi-professional. We both laughed when we decided to do the meeting by phone, as the person I was talking to said that he had been out racing to cut his lawn between rainstorms. When he saw my note debating a Zoom call, he also had to find a shirt.
Well, the day was super hectic, so I never got out to swim and figured I would do it after dinner. But then I answered a few more emails, and just as I headed towards the door, I heard a clap of thunder. And I checked...no, Mercury is not retrograde.
Greg is in Portland, where he did some work from away. He will be on vacation next week doing Land Rover-y things with friends and taking amazing photos before he rolls into San Jose for another work from away week. Cory has his usual lineup of plans with friends; unless he needs his kayak, he will be MIA.
Last weekend, Tom and I arranged, debated and rearranged the new furniture on the deck. It’s one of those modular setups where after moving the pieces around, we now each have a three-cushion couch...in turquoise, of course. Lighting has been set up for outdoor evening reading, which seriously is the most important thing.
We also bought some perennials to fill in spaces where I/we (okay, the pronouns are debatable here) thought we could use more color. I bought a spray to eliminate the Japanese beetles, which I used quite liberally. One of our readers had suggested neem oil, which we had used in the past. But since I knew we had that somewhere, I did not buy it again. Of course, as soon as I came home and sprayed like mad, I walked into the garage, and right there on the shelf was the neem oil that most likely was there since last summer. Seriously.
My mom and dad are celebrating their 68th wedding anniversary on Sunday. It's pretty amazing to still be as crazy about each other as they are…after all these years. I have flowers ready for their celebration!
In between reading for pleasure this weekend, I will be madly tossing papers from my sons’ youth, thrilled that neither seems to have a sentimental chord about their grammar and middle school years. But wait, maybe the Student of the Week Award should be preserved!
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 & Interview:
THE MANY DAUGHTERS OF AFONG MOY by Jamie Ford
August’s “Read with Jenna” Today Show Book Club Pick
Jamie Ford, the New York Times bestselling author of HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET, returns with his highly anticipated new novel, THE MANY DAUGHTERS OF AFONG MOY. This powerful exploration of the love that binds one family across the generations is this month’s “Read with Jenna” Today Show Book Club pick. In this interview, Ford explains what epigenetics is and why he decided to write a love story that revolves around it. He also discusses what fascinated him about the true story of Afong Moy, how he managed the personalities of the various female characters who span several generations, the challenges he faced in writing about the future, and what’s next for him.
THE MANY DAUGHTERS OF AFONG MOY by Jamie Ford (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Jennifer Lim, Cindy Kay, Mirai, Natalie Naudus, Sura Siu, Emily Woo Zeller and Nancy Wu
Dorothy Moy breaks her own heart for a living. As Washington’s former poet laureate, that’s how she describes channeling her dissociative episodes and mental health struggles into her art. But when her five-year-old daughter exhibits similar behavior and begins remembering things from the lives of their ancestors, Dorothy believes the past has truly come to haunt her. Through an experimental treatment designed to mitigate inherited trauma, Dorothy intimately connects with past generations of women in her family. As painful recollections affect her present life, she discovers that trauma isn’t the only thing she’s inherited. A stranger is searching for her in each time period. A stranger who has loved her through all of her genetic memories. 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 see why the book is this month's "Read with Jenna" pick.
Read our review and the interview.
Featured Review:
THE LAST TO VANISH by Megan Miranda
A Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
THE LAST TO VANISH by Megan Miranda (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Alex Allwine
Ten years ago, Abigail Lovett fell into a job she loves, managing The Passage Inn, a cozy, upscale resort nestled in the North Carolina mountain town of Cutter’s Pass. Cutter’s Pass is best known for its outdoor offerings and mysterious history. As the book begins, the string of unsolved disappearances that has haunted the town is once again thrust into the spotlight when journalist Landon West, who was staying at the inn to investigate the story of the vanishing trail, disappears himself. When she finds incriminating evidence that may bring the community closer to the truth, Abby soon discovers how little she knows about her coworkers, neighbors and even those closest to her. Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read Carol's Bookreporter.com Bets On commentary.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to visit Megan Miranda's website.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
by Julia Whelan
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING by Julia Whelan (Romantic Comedy)
Audiobook available, read by Julia Whelan
When audiobook narrator Sewanee Chester arrives in Las Vegas last-minute for a book convention, she unexpectedly spends a whirlwind night with a charming stranger. On her return home, she discovers that one of the world’s most beloved romance novelists wanted her to perform her last book --- with Brock McNight, the industry’s hottest, most secretive voice. As Sewanee begins working on the project, resurrecting her old romance pseudonym, she and Brock forge a real connection, hidden behind the comfort of anonymity. Soon, she is dreaming again. But secrets are revealed, and the realities of life come crashing down around her once more. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: CHRYSALIS by Lincoln Child
CHRYSALIS by Lincoln Child (Technothriller)
Audiobook available, read by Johnathan McClain
Like millions of people around the world, Jeremy Logan (famed enigmalogist, or investigator of unexplained things) has grown to rely on his incredible new tech device. Made by Chrysalis, the global multibillion-dollar tech company, the small optical device connects people in a stunning new way, tapping into virtual reality for the first time on a wide scale. And yet, when Logan is summoned by Chrysalis to investigate a disturbing anomaly in the massive new product rollout, Logan is shocked to see the true scope of the massive company. He also quickly realizes that something in Chrysalis’s technology is very wrong and could be potentially devastating. The question is what, and where, is the danger coming from? Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
WHEN WE WERE BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
by Jillian Medoff
WHEN WE WERE BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL by Jillian Medoff (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Marin Ireland
Cassie Quinn knows a few things. One: money can’t buy happiness, but it’s certainly better to have it. Two: family matters most. Three: her younger brother, Billy, is not a rapist. When Billy, a junior at Princeton, is arrested for assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie joins forces with her big brother, Nate, and their parents, Lawrence and Eleanor. The Quinns scramble to hire the best legal minds money can buy, but Billy fits the all-too-familiar sex-offender profile --- white, athletic and privileged --- that makes headlines and sways juries. As reporters converge outside their Upper East Side landmark building, Cassie vows she’ll do whatever it takes to save Billy. But what if that means exposing her own darkest secrets to the world? Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: GANGLAND by Chuck Hogan
GANGLAND by Chuck Hogan (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Justin Price
In the late 1970s, The Outfit has the entire city of Chicago in its hands. Tony Accardo is its fearless leader. Nicky Passero is his loyal soldier, though no one knows he has a direct line in to the boss of bosses. When the Christmas gift Accardo got for his wife, an inscribed bracelet with gold and diamond inlay, is stolen along with other items in a jewelry heist, Nicky is charged with tracking down and returning all of the items --- by whatever means necessary. Forced into an impossible situation, Nicky must find a way to carry out Accardo's increasingly unhinged instructions and survive the battle for control of Chicago. What Accardo doesn't know: Nicky has a secret that has made his life impossible and has put him in the pocket of the FBI. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK by Jennifer Hillier
and LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY by Bonnie Garmus
THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK by Jennifer Hillier (Psychological Thriller)
THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK is the first book that I have read by Jennifer Hillier. As this is her seventh, I am trying to figure out how it took me so long to find her work. It kicks off with Paris Peralta in the bathroom with a straight blade in her hand, and her husband dead in a bathtub full of blood. She is arrested, but her biggest fear is not being caught for this murder. She is worried that her picture will be plastered everywhere, and the past that she has so cleverly hidden will come back to haunt her --- and with it, another murder that she could be charged with.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to watch Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Jennifer Hillier.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary
on THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK.
LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY by Bonnie Garmus (Historical Fiction/Humor)
There are times when I “miss” a book and play catchup. That is what I did with LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY by Bonnie Garmus. I think it was because a few people told me that it was similar to another book that I did not like. But then I heard raves from others. So exactly four-and-a-half months after hearing about it, I picked it up. And I found myself not just loving Elizabeth Zott and her quirky ways, but thinking about how this woman was really making strides at a time in the late ’50s and early ’60s when women’s roles were a lot more traditional. Plus, I love clever, which is exactly what this book is.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to watch Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Bonnie Garmus.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY.
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.
August’s New in Paperback Roundups
August's roundup of New in Paperback fiction titles includes BILLY SUMMERS by Stephen King, a can't-put-it-down novel about a top-tier assassin with a heart of gold who suddenly gains a completely unexpected and unlikely companion who opens his heart and becomes his future partner in vengeance; HARLEM SHUFFLE, a gloriously entertaining novel of heists, shakedowns and rip-offs set in Harlem in the 1960s from Colson Whitehead, the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author of THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD and THE NICKEL BOYS; WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS, Lisa Scottoline's pulse-pounding thriller with a tagline that will intrigue you: Your family has been attacked, never again to be the same. Now you have to choose between law...and justice; and THE READING LIST by Sara Nisha Adams, an unforgettable and heartwarming debut about how a chance encounter with a list of library books helps forge an unlikely friendship between two very different people in a London suburb.
Among our nonfiction highlights are FUZZ, Mary Roach's irresistible investigation into the unpredictable world where wildlife and humans meet; THIS WILL ALL BE OVER SOON, a powerful memoir from "Saturday Night Live" cast member Cecily Strong about grieving the death of her cousin --- and embracing the life-affirming lessons he taught her --- amid the coronavirus pandemic; THE SPECKLED BEAUTY, the warmhearted and hilarious story of how Rick Bragg's life was transformed by his love for a poorly behaved, half-blind stray dog; and TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE, a riveting memoir from Ellen McGarrahan, a private investigator who revisits the case that has haunted her for decades and sets out on a deeply personal quest to sort truth from lies.
Find out what's New in Paperback for the weeks of
August 1st, August 8th, August 15th, August 22nd and August 29th.
August’s Books on Screen Feature
Here is a preview of this month's movies, TV shows and DVDs that are based on books. For a complete list of August's offerings, please click here.
Film Releases
Bullet Train
Release Date: August 5th (wide release in theaters)
Based on: BULLET TRAIN by Kotaro Isaka
Big Sky River
Air Date: Sunday, August 7th at 9pm ET/PT on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Based on: BIG SKY RIVER by Linda Lael Miller
Series Premieres
"The Sandman"
Release Date: August 5th on Netflix (Season One)
Based on: The comic book series The Sandman by Neil Gaiman
"Five Days at Memorial" (8-episode limited series)
Release Dates: Fridays on Apple TV+; Series Premiere on August 12th (the first three episodes will be available)
Based on: FIVE DAYS AT MEMORIAL: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital by Sheri Fink
"Tales of the Walking Dead"
Air Dates: Sundays at 9pm ET/PT on AMC; Series Premiere on August 14th
Based on: The comic book series The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard
"House of the Dragon"
Air Dates: Sundays at 9pm ET/PT on HBO; Series Premiere on August 21st
Based on: FIRE & BLOOD: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Season Premiere
"Chesapeake Shores"
Air Dates: Sundays at 8pm ET/PT on Hallmark Channel; Season Six Premiere on August 14th
Based on: The Chesapeake Shores series by Sherryl Woods
Season Finale
"Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin"
Release Dates: Thursdays on HBO Max; Season One Finale on August 18th (the final three episodes will be available)
Based on: The Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard
On DVD
The Black Phone
DVD Release Date: August 16th
Based on: The short story "The Black Phone" by Joe Hill
My Donkey, My Lover & I
DVD Release Date: August 30th
Based on: TRAVELS WITH A DONKEY IN THE CÉVENNES by Robert Louis Stevenson
FRANCE: An Adventure History by Graham Robb (History)
Audiobook available, read by Tom Lawrence
Beginning with the Roman army’s first recorded encounter with the Gauls and ending in the era of Emmanuel Macron, FRANCE takes readers on an endlessly entertaining journey through French history. Robb’s own adventures and discoveries while living, working and traveling in France connect this tour through space and time with on-the-ground experience. There are scenes of wars and revolutions from the plains of Provence to the slums and boulevards of Paris. Robb conveys with wit and precision what it felt like to look over the shoulder of a young Louis XIV as he planned the vast garden of Versailles, and the dangerous thrill of having a ringside seat at the French Revolution. Reviewed by Lorraine W. Shanley.
FLYING SOLO by Linda Holmes (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Julia Whelan
Smarting from her recently canceled wedding and about to turn 40, Laurie Sassalyn returns to her Maine hometown of Calcasset to handle the estate of her great-aunt Dot, a spirited adventurer who lived to be 93. Alongside boxes of Polaroids and pottery, a mysterious wooden duck shows up at the bottom of a cedar chest. Laurie’s curiosity is piqued, especially after she finds a love letter to the never-married Dot that ends with the line “And anyway, if you’re ever desperate, there are always ducks, darling.” Laurie is told that the duck has no financial value. But after it disappears under suspicious circumstances, she feels compelled to figure out why anyone would steal a wooden duck --- and why Dot kept it hidden away in the first place. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
THE COUPLE AT NUMBER 9 by Claire Douglas (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Kenton Thomas
When pregnant Saffron Cutler moves into 9 Skelton Place with boyfriend Tom and sets about renovations, the last thing she expects is builders uncovering human remains. Forensics indicate that the two bodies have been buried at least 30 years. Saffy has nothing to worry about --- until the police launch a murder inquiry and ask to speak to the cottage’s former owner: her grandmother, Rose. Rose is in a nursing home, and Alzheimer’s means her memory is increasingly confused. She can’t help the police, but it's clear she remembers something. As Rose’s fragmented memories resurface, and the police dig ever deeper, Saffy fears that she and the cottage are being watched. What happened 30 years ago? Why did no one miss the victims? What part did her grandmother play? And is Saffy now in danger? Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE RABBIT HUTCH by Tess Gunty (Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Scott Brick, Suzanne Toren, Kirby Heyborne and Kyla Garcia
The automobile industry has abandoned Vacca Vale, Indiana, leaving the residents behind as well. In a run-down apartment building on the edge of town, commonly known as the Rabbit Hutch, a number of people now reside quietly, looking for ways to live in a dying city. Apartment C2 is lonely and detached. C6 is aging and stuck. C8 harbors an extraordinary fear. But C4 is of particular interest. Here live four teenagers who have recently aged out of the state foster-care system: three boys and one girl, Blandine. Hauntingly beautiful and unnervingly bright, Blandine is plagued by the structures, people and places that not only failed her but actively harmed her. Now all Blandine wants is an escape, a true bodily escape like the mystics describe in the books she reads. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
THE BOOK OF GOTHEL by Mary McMyne (Historical Fantasy)
Audiobook available, read by Vanessa Johansson
Haelewise has always lived under the shadow of her mother, Hedda. With her strange black eyes and even stranger fainting spells, she is shunned by her village, and her only solace lies in the stories her mother tells of child-stealing witches, of princes in wolf-skins, of an ancient tower cloaked in mist, where women will find shelter if they are brave enough to seek it. Then Hedda dies, and Haelewise sets out to find the legendary tower her mother used to speak of --- a place called Gothel, where Haelewise meets a wise woman willing to take her under her wing. But Haelewise is not the only woman to seek refuge at Gothel. It’s also a haven for a girl named Rika, who carries with her a secret the Church strives to keep hidden. Reviewed by Katherine B. Weissman.
KISMET by Amina Akhtar (Thriller/Dark Humor)
Audiobook available; read by Dilshad Vadsaria, Kimberly Woods and Rhett Samuel Price
Lifelong New Yorker Ronnie Khan never thought she’d leave Queens. She’s not an “aim high, dream big” person --- until she meets socialite wellness guru Marley Dewhurst. Marley isn’t just a visionary; she’s a revelation. Seduced by the fever dream of finding her best self, Ronnie makes for the desert mountains of Sedona, Arizona. Healing yoga, transcendent hikes, epic juice cleanses... Ronnie consumes her new bougie existence like a fine wine. But is it, really? Or is this whole self-care business a little sour? When the glam gurus around town start turning up gruesomely murdered, Ronnie has her answer: all is not well in wellness town. As Marley’s blind ambition veers into madness, Ronnie fears for her life. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE OTHER GUEST by Helen Cooper (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Sofia Zervudachi
One year ago, Leah’s feisty 21-year-old niece, Amy, mysteriously drowned in the beautiful lake near her family-owned resort in Northern Italy. Now, Leah’s grief has caught up with her, and she decides to return to Lake Garda for the first time since Amy’s death. What she finds upon her arrival shocks her --- her sister, brother-in-law and surviving niece, Olivia, seem to have erased all memories of Amy and fought to have her death declared an accidental drowning, despite murky circumstances. Leah knows she must look beyond the resort’s beautiful façade and uncover what truly happened to Amy, even if her digging places both her family ties and her very life in danger. Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum.
SOME OF IT WAS REAL by Nan Fischer (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Sarah Naughton and Pete Cross
Psychic-medium Sylvie Young starts every show with her origin story, telling the audience how she discovered her abilities. But she leaves out a lot --- the plane crash that killed her parents, an estranged adoptive family who tends orchards in rainy Oregon, and panic attacks. After a catastrophic reporting error, Thomas Holmes’ next story at the L.A. Times may be his last, but he has a great personal pitch. “Grief vampires” like Sylvie who prey upon the loved ones of the deceased have bankrupted his mother. He’s dead set on using his last-chance article to expose Sylvie as a conniving fraud and resurrect his career. When Sylvie and Thomas collide, a game of cat and mouse ensues, but the secrets they’re keeping from each other are nothing compared to the mysteries and lies they unearth about Sylvie’s past. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
NEW YORK’S GREATEST THOROUGHBREDS: A Contemporary History by Allan Carter (Sports/History)
From Saratoga to Belmont Park, New York hosts some of horse racing's most important races, but many of the most successful thoroughbreds of the past five decades also have called the state home. Say Florida Say seemed to only improve with age, winning 33 times throughout a seven-year career that made him a regional favorite in the 1990s. The first-ever New York horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Funny Cide, rose to national prominence in 2003, winning both the Derby and the Preakness in incredible fashion. The thoroughbred Audible shared owners with triple-crown winner Justify; though embroiled in some controversy as a result, he was also an elite race horse during a brief career. Reviewed by Carly Silver.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on August 9th
Below are some notable titles releasing on August 9th 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 8th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
BARK TO THE FUTURE: A Chet & Bernie Mystery by Spencer Quinn (Mystery)
Spencer Quinn's BARK TO THE FUTURE continues the adventurous New York Times and USA Today bestselling series that Stephen King calls “without a doubt the most original mystery series currently available.”
THE FAMILY REMAINS by Lisa Jewell (Psychological Thriller)
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell comes an intricate and affecting novel about twisted marriages, fractured families and deadly obsessions in this stand-alone sequel to THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS.
THE FIFTH ACT: America's End in Afghanistan by Elliot Ackerman (Memoir)
THE FIFTH ACT is a powerful and revelatory eyewitness account of the American collapse in Afghanistan, its desperate endgame and the war’s echoing legacy.
HEAT 2 by Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner (Thriller)
Four-time Oscar-nominated writer-director Michael Mann teams up with Edgar Award-winning author Meg Gardiner to deliver his first novel, an explosive return to the universe and characters of his classic crime film --- with an all-new story unfolding in the years before and after the iconic movie.
I REMEMBER YOU by Brian Freeman (Psychological Thriller)
From New York Times bestselling author Brian Freeman comes a gripping psychological thriller about a woman haunted by terrifying memories --- of someone else’s life.
SISTER FRIENDS FOREVER by Kimberla Lawson Roby (Fiction)
This emotional novel from New York Times bestselling author Kimberla Lawson Roby follows four lifelong friends as each faces a crisis in family, love and forgiveness.
WIDOWLAND by C. J. Carey (Alternate History/Dystopian Thriller)
For readers of Margaret Atwood's THE HANDMAID'S TALE comes 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 WWII.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Mohsin Hamid, Amanda Jayatissa, Jillian Medoff
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, August 6th at 7pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's, in partnership with Books & Books and Miami Book Fair, presents Mohsin Hamid as he discusses his new book, THE LAST WHITE MAN, with Danzy Senna.
Monday, August 8th at 7pm ET: East City Bookshop: East City Bookshop welcomes Amanda Jayatissa for a virtual discussion of her new thriller, YOU'RE INVITED. What could be worse than your ex-boyfriend marrying your childhood best friend? Getting accused of her murder.
Tuesday, August 9th at 7pm ET: Literati Bookstore: Literati Bookstore is pleased to welcome Jillian Medoff to their "At Home with Literati" series in support of WHEN WE WERE BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL. She will be joined in conversation by Lacy Crawford.
Wednesday, August 10th at 2pm ET: "Bookaccino Live: A Lively Talk About Books": Carol Fitzgerald will present titles releasing between August 9th and September 6th, along with a few from October, that she would like to get on your radar.
Thursday, August 11th at 7:30pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Amanda Jayatissa will discuss her latest novel, YOU'RE INVITED, a dangerously addictive thriller about a lavish Sri Lankan wedding celebration that not everyone will survive.
"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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Bonnie Garmus (LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY) Video | Podcast
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Casey Sherman (HELLTOWN: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer on Cape Cod)
Video | Podcast
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Scott Shepherd (SHOULD I FALL)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: August Fiction Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following fiction titles releasing in August are you planning to read? Please check all that apply.
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BABYSITTER by Joyce Carol Oates
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BLACK DOG: A Stone Barrington Novel, by Stuart Woods
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CARRIE SOTO IS BACK by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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DAISY DARKER by Alice Feeney
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THE FAMILY REMAINS by Lisa Jewell
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FOX CREEK by William Kent Krueger
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GANGLAND by Chuck Hogan
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GIRL, FORGOTTEN by Karin Slaughter
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HAVEN by Emma Donoghue
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HEAT 2 by Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner
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THE HUNT: A Decker/Lazarus Novel, by Faye Kellerman
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THE INK BLACK HEART: A Cormoran Strike Novel, by Robert Galbraith
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THE LAST WHITE MAN by Mohsin Hamid
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THE MANY DAUGHTERS OF AFONG MOY by Jamie Ford
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MERCURY PICTURES PRESENTS by Anthony Marra
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MIKA IN REAL LIFE by Emiko Jean
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OTHER BIRDS by Sarah Addison Allen
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OVERKILL by Sandra Brown
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PROPERTIES OF THIRST by Marianne Wiggins
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RECKONING: An FBI Thriller, by Catherine Coulter
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THANK YOU FOR LISTENING by Julia Whelan
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WHAT SHE FOUND by Robert Dugoni
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WHEN WE WERE BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL by Jillian Medoff
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WIDOWLAND by C. J. Carey
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WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME by Gillian McAllister
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, August 19th 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 August 5th to August 19th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE FAMILY REMAINS by Lisa Jewell and PROPERTIES OF THIRST by Marianne Wiggins.
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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