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Hanging with Bookish People
I had such a fun time last weekend at the Morristown Festival of Books. On Saturday, my longtime friend, Beverley Wilson, took the train out from the city to Morristown (which she pronounced as easy to do). Lisa Hickman, our Contest Coordinator, had come to town on Friday night to catch the terrific opening event with my husband Tom and me --- Frank Bruni, who was interviewed by Katy Tur --- and she stayed with us that night.
I was happy once again to have the opportunity to interview Nita Prose, the author of THE MAID. The church where we spoke was filled, and it was such fun to see that almost half of the audience already had read the book. After our conversation, Nita had a crazy long signing line --- and sold out of books!
Next up was Jamie Fiore Higgins, whose book BULLY MARKET: My Story of Money and Misogyny at Goldman Sachs has garnered a huge number of readers who are flying through reading it --- and are loving it. We had another large group here, and you could hear a pin drop as we discussed what she had encountered during her years at Goldman Sachs, as well as what she had shared about her personal life in the book. She then dashed off to sign books and meet with readers.
As a sidebar here: Jamie was a guest speaker at The Reeds at Shelter Haven in Stone Harbor, NJ, for a book group discussion this past Wednesday. She spoke and answered questions from an avid group of more than 100 readers. What’s been interesting is how many book groups already have read --- and discussed --- BULLY MARKET, which came out on August 30th. In fact, my book group is reading it in two weeks.
I closed the day interviewing James Patterson. In preparation, I had read his autobiography, JAMES PATTERSON BY JAMES PATTERSON, which gave me a lot of insight into his writing process. It’s interesting that in 1999 he approached his publisher about a three-book-a-year schedule, and they were surprised by this idea. When we spoke, he shared that there are plans in place not only for 2023, but also into 2024. He’s looking forward to readers discovering the upcoming books that he is doing with Mike Lupica, who he said “has a wonderful sense of humor.” He truly enjoyed writing with Dolly Parton and looks forward to the film adaptation of RUN, ROSE, RUN that he is working on with her.
Patterson did confess that the one thing he has less time for than he once did is reading for pleasure. Juggling a multi-book schedule of both adult and children’s titles does take time away from free reading. Oh, and those co-writers. They each receive an outline and a word count, and then they check in with Patterson every couple of weeks to be sure that the story has stayed on track.
I flipped to audience Q&A earlier than I had originally planned, as I knew there would be a number of questions. And I was right! There was a very touching moment when one reader mentioned that her dad had passed away recently. They had shared a love of Patterson’s books, and she asked if she could shake his hand. While he said, “Let’s not make a habit of this tonight,” he warmly greeted the reader at the stage, and she shook his hand with tears streaming down her face. While I love the virtual events that we bring to our readers, witnessing this moment was a very special reminder of the pleasure of live events.
I closed the evening noting that Patterson has donated more than $100 million to literary causes, which is so impressive.
We hosted this month’s “Bookaccino Live” preview event on Wednesday afternoon. I talked about 29 books releasing between now and November 1st, along with five from December, that we wanted to get on your radar. You can watch it here and see a list of the featured titles here.
Our last “Bookaccino Live” preview event of 2022 will take place on Wednesday, November 9th at 2pm ET. I will present titles coming out between November 8th through the end of the year, in addition to a few from January and February, that we think will appeal to you. Click here to sign up. Those attending the live event will be asked to answer a survey about the books from the presentation that they are most interested in reading and will be eligible to win a prize.
Nelson DeMille is back with his long-awaited new thriller featuring former NYPD homicide detective John Corey, who is called out of retirement to investigate a string of grisly murders much too close to home. Inspired by and based on the actual and still-unsolved Gilgo Beach murders, THE MAZE takes readers on a dangerous hunt for an apparent serial killer who has murdered nine --- and maybe more --- prostitutes and hidden their bodies in the thick undergrowth on a lonely stretch of beach.
Kate Ayers has our review and says, “THE MAZE finally gives DeMille’s readers the John Corey fix they’ve been craving. There’s no other character in modern literature like him. The guy’s sarcasm tops the list of the most clever smart alecks, and his daring deeds make him fun to watch.... Once more, kudos to Nelson DeMille, the master of smart, entertaining suspense.” My husband and I are huge fans of both Nelson and John Corey, so we enjoyed seeing his very irreverent self back on the pages.
Word of Mouth Reminder
THE MAZE is one of our current Word of Mouth prizes; the other is THE BOYS FROM BILOXI by John Grisham, which we will review next week. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read by Friday, October 21st at noon ET, and you’ll have a chance to win both these titles.
LONG SHADOWS is the seventh installment in David Baldacci’s series starring “Memory Man” Amos Decker, an FBI consultant with perfect recall who delves into a bewildering double homicide. The case appears to be straightforward: A federal judge and her bodyguard have been found dead, the judge’s face sporting a blindfold with two eye holes crudely cut out, a clear sign that she’d made one too many enemies over her years on the bench. However, what at first seems cut and dry is anything but.
According to our reviewer Ray Palen, “David Baldacci has created one of the most unique and interesting characters to ever grace the pages of a thriller. For those who are uninitiated in the ways of FBI consultant and 'Memory Man' Amos Decker, you are in for a treat…. LONG SHADOWS is yet another solid Memory Man thriller, and readers should be eager to spend more time with Amos Decker on his next mission.”
THE SANTA SUIT by Mary Kay Andrews is the latest book we’re featuring in our Paperback Spotlight. When newly divorced Ivy Perkins buys an old farmhouse, she is looking for a change in her life. The Four Roses, as the farmhouse is called, is a labor of love --- but Ivy didn’t bargain on just how much labor. Among the possessions left behind is a Santa suit that is beautifully made and decades old. In the pocket of the suit is a note from a little girl who has one Christmas wish: that her father return home from the war. The note sets Ivy off on a mission where she might find more than she ever thought possible.
We reviewed THE SANTA SUIT when it came out in hardcover last year. Our reviewer Pamela Kramer said, “Sweet stories about serendipity inevitably seem to surface around the holidays. In THE SANTA SUIT, Mary Kay Andrews has written a novella that showcases what she does best: giving readers a story with a soupçon of mystery, a pinch of romance and plenty of southern charm.” Above is a fun photo of MKA with her husband; both are clearly in the holiday spirit as she fittingly holds up a copy of her book!
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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DOWN AND OUT IN PARADISE: Charles Leerhsen’s biography of celebrity chef and TV star Anthony Bourdain is based on extensive interviews with those who knew him intimately. Many thanks to Jesse Kornbluth for sharing his review, which originally ran on his site, HeadButler.com.
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DISTANT THUNDER: During an intense storm in Dark Harbor, Maine, a perplexing murder lands a dead man on Stone Barrington's doorstep in this 63rd installment of the late Stuart Woods’ bestselling series. As secrets swirl around this mystery man's identity, Stone quickly sets out to unravel a web of cunning misdirections and lies.
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THE NIGHT SHIP: Jess Kidd’s new historical novel, which is this month’s Barnes & Noble Book Club selection and Simon & Schuster’s Book Club Favorites pick, illuminates the lives of two characters: a girl shipwrecked on an island off Western Australia and, 300 years later, a boy finding a home with his grandfather on the very same island.
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HESTER: Laurie Lico Albanese’s latest work of fiction is a vivid reimagining of the woman who inspired Hester Prynne, the tragic heroine of Nathaniel Hawthorne's THE SCARLET LETTER, and a journey into the enduring legacy of New England's witchcraft trials.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
NEVER MEANT TO MEET YOU by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans, which I raved about a couple of weeks ago, is my latest Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. Click here for my commentary. I look forward to chatting with Alli and Asha on Tuesday, and we will share my interview with them in next week’s newsletter.
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask if you read before you go to sleep at night. Be sure to let us know by clicking here.
After sending last week’s newsletter, we learned the sad news that Peter Robinson passed away on October 4th at the age of 72 following a brief illness. The bestselling, award-winning author of the Inspector Banks series, he also wrote two short story collections and three stand-alone novels. Among his many honors and prizes were the Edgar Award, the CWA (UK) Dagger in the Library Award, and Sweden’s Martin Beck Award.
Ray Palen considers Peter Robinson to be one of his all-time favorite authors and had this to say about him: “The hardest part about saying goodbye to great authors --- and Peter Robinson was one of the best crime fiction writers around --- is that you also must say goodbye to their characters who have endeared themselves to so many readers. That is the case here with Robinson’s most memorable creation, DCI Alan Banks, who was featured in numerous bestsellers and the hit BBC series ‘DCI Banks.’ Along with being outstanding mysteries, these top-notch reads offered a look into Banks’ eclectic love of music and fine food. I hope that those who aren’t familiar with either the books or the TV series will introduce themselves to the great legacy of fiction that Peter Robinson has left for us.”
News & Pop Culture
“Three Pines” on Amazon Prime Video: Louise Penny shared a preview of what is to come in December with this series based on her Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels, which can be seen here.
“Good Morning America” Segment Set at The Mysterious Bookshop: Otto Penzler’s Mysterious Bookshop was the setting for a great “GMA” segment this week where viewers got a quick virtual tour of the store, which boasts over 20,000 books. Also, there was a terrific session where Otto, the aforementioned Nelson DeMille and Tom Wickersham, the store's Buying Manager, each share their recommendations of books to read. You can take a look at it here.
Luckiest Girl Alive on Netflix: I had not read the book that this film is based on. I watched the adaptation and found myself wondering if the book had been accurately portrayed. Those who have read the book and seen the movie, please weigh in!
I read MAD HONEY by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan this week. It was one very compulsive read. There were a couple of big “aha!” moments in it. There’s lots to unpack reading it; it would make for a terrific book group discussion as it broaches the subject of transgender issues. While this is a hotbed controversial issue these days, once again through storytelling, there was a 360 look at the topic. Jodi and Jennifer appeared on “Good Morning America” this week to talk about the book; click here to watch the segment.
After last week’s busy weekend, this weekend is going to be about catching up. I have my mom’s yarn collection here, and my goal is to get some of this shared with other friends who knit, and more to go out for donation. I finished the knitting piece that I had been working on, and before I go back to the big blanket projects that I have in various stages of being completed, I want to try something small again. And no, not a hat or gloves, since somehow I seem to wear neither of them!
Tom and I are shopping for a hot tub. One ongoing conversation had been where to put it, and we seem to have solved that last weekend. We have narrowed it down to two models, and now we will overthink this some more. Note that I have been lobbying for a hot tub for a couple of years now. My infamous Cleopatra tent was a victim of the wind gusts that blasted through here, remnants of Hurricane Ian. Score: Ian 1, Cleopatra 0. I looked out the window at one point, and it was fine...then poof! Three of the legs were bent in a wind gust.
And yes, around here there will be cries of “Let’s go Yankees!”
Read on, and have a great week.
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
P.S. For those of you who are doing online shopping, if you use the store links below, Bookreporter.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases. We would appreciate your considering this!
Featured Review: THE MAZE by Nelson DeMille
THE MAZE: A John Corey Novel by Nelson DeMille (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Scott Brick
In PLUM ISLAND, Nelson DeMille introduced readers to NYPD homicide detective John Corey, who we first meet sitting on the back porch of his uncle’s waterfront estate on Long Island, convalescing from wounds incurred in the line of duty. A visit from the local Chief of Police results in the legendary Detective Corey becoming involved in the investigation of the murders of a married couple who were scientists at the top-secret biological research facility on Plum Island. THE MAZE opens with Corey on the same porch, but now in forced retirement from his last job as a Federal Agent with the Diplomatic Surveillance Group. When his former lover, Detective Beth Penrose, appears with a job offer, Corey once again has to make some decisions about his career --- and about reuniting with Beth Penrose. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: LONG SHADOWS by David Baldacci
LONG SHADOWS: A Memory Man Thriller by David Baldacci (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Kyf Brewer and Orlagh Cassidy
When Amos Decker is called to South Florida to investigate a double homicide, the case appears straightforward: A federal judge and her bodyguard have been found dead, the judge’s face sporting a blindfold with two eye holes crudely cut out. What at first seems cut and dry is anything but: Not only did the judge have more enemies than Decker can count, the bodyguard presents additional conundrums that muddy the waters even further. Who was the real target in this vicious attack? Meanwhile, Decker must contend with a series of unsettling changes, including a new partner --- Special Agent Frederica “Freddie” White --- and a devastating event that brings Decker’s own tragic past back to the present and forces him to reckon with his future. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: DOWN AND OUT IN PARADISE
by Charles Leerhsen
DOWN AND OUT IN PARADISE: The Life of Anthony Bourdain by Charles Leerhsen (Biography)
Audiobook available, read by Vikas Adam
Anthony Bourdain’s death by suicide in June 2018 shocked people around the world. Bourdain seemed to have it all: an irresistible personality, a dream job, a beautiful family and international fame. The reality, though, was more complicated than it seemed. Bourdain became a celebrity with his bestselling book, KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL. He parlayed it into a series of hit television shows, including Food Network’s “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” and CNN’s “Parts Unknown.” But his charisma belied a troubled spirit. DOWN AND OUT IN PARADISE is the first book to tell the true and full Bourdain story, relating the highs and lows of an extraordinary life. Reviewed by Jesse Kornbluth for HeadButler.com.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
New Paperback Spotlight:
THE SANTA SUIT by Mary Kay Andrews
THE SANTA SUIT by Mary Kay Andrews (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Kathleen McInerney
When newly divorced Ivy Perkins buys an old farmhouse sight unseen, she is definitely looking for a change in her life. The Four Roses, as the farmhouse is called, is a labor of love --- but Ivy didn't bargain on just how much labor. The previous family left so much furniture and so much junk that it's a full-time job sorting through all of it.
At the top of a closet, Ivy finds an old Santa suit --- beautifully made and decades old. In the pocket of a suit she finds a note written in a childish hand: it's from a little girl who has one Christmas wish, and that is for her father to return home from the war. This discovery sets Ivy off on a mission. Who wrote the note? Did the man ever come home? What mysteries did the Rose family hold?
Ivy's quest brings her into the community, at a time when all she wanted to do was be left alone and nurse her wounds. But the magic of Christmas makes miracles happen, and Ivy just might find more than she ever thought possible: a welcoming town, a family reunited, a mystery solved and a second chance at love.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read Mary Kay Andrews' bio.
- Click here to visit Mary Kay Andrews' website.
- Connect with Mary Kay Andrews on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Click here to read more in our Paperback Spotlight.
Featured Review: DISTANT THUNDER by Stuart Woods
DISTANT THUNDER: A Stone Barrington Novel by Stuart Woods (Thriller/Adventure)
Audiobook available, read by Tony Roberts
During an intense storm in Dark Harbor, Maine, a perplexing murder lands a dead man on Stone Barrington's doorstep. As secrets swirl around this mystery man's identity, Stone quickly sets out to unravel a web of cunning misdirections and lies. Soon enough, he is embroiled in an elaborate game of cat and mouse between the CIA and nefarious foreign forces, including a bewitching new companion who comes under his protection. But when Stone's actions draw the attention of an old enemy, one who will stop at nothing to prevent the truth from getting out, Stone realizes he may have finally met his match. Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE NIGHT SHIP by Jess Kidd
October’s Barnes & Noble Book Club Selection
and Simon & Schuster’s Book Club Favorites Pick
THE NIGHT SHIP by Jess Kidd (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Fleur De Wit and Adam Fitzgerald
1629: A newly orphaned young girl named Mayken is bound for the Dutch East Indies on the Batavia, one of the greatest ships of the Dutch Golden Age. Curious and mischievous, Mayken spends the long journey going on misadventures above and below the deck, searching for a mythical monster. But the true monsters might be closer than she thinks. 1989: A lonely boy named Gil is sent to live off the coast of Western Australia among the seasonal fishing community where his late mother once resided. There, on the tiny reef-shrouded island, he discovers the story of an infamous shipwreck. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
» THE NIGHT SHIP is this month's Barnes & Noble Book Club pick. On Tuesday, November 8th at 3pm ET, B&N will welcome Jess Kidd for a live virtual event to discuss the book. Click here to sign up.
» The book is also this month’s pick for Simon & Schuster’s Book Club Favorites. On Tuesday, October 25th at 1pm ET, members of the S&S team will talk to Jess Kidd about her new release. Click here to RSVP.
- 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: HESTER by Laurie Lico Albanese
HESTER by Laurie Lico Albanese (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Saskia Maarleveld
Isobel Gamble is a young seamstress carrying generations of secrets when she sets sail from Scotland in the early 1800s with her husband, Edward. An apothecary who has fallen under the spell of opium, his pile of debts have forced them to flee Glasgow for a fresh start in the New World. But only days after they've arrived in Salem, Edward abruptly joins a departing ship as a medic --- leaving Isobel penniless and alone in a strange country. When she meets a young Nathaniel Hawthorne, the two are instantly drawn to each other. As the weeks pass and Edward's safe return grows increasingly unlikely, Nathaniel and Isobel grow closer and closer. Together, they are a muse and a dark storyteller; the enchanter and the enchanted. But which is which? 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.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
NEVER MEANT TO MEET YOU
by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans
NEVER MEANT TO MEET YOU by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans (Romantic Comedy)
NEVER MEANT TO MEET YOU is the second book from the writing team of Alli Frank and Asha Youmans. Their first, TINY IMPERFECTIONS, was a 2020 Bets On selection. Remembering how funny it was, I could not wait to see what they would write next. From chapter one, I found myself laughing.
Marjette Lewis is a kindergarten teacher in a tony private school. Right before the school year starts, Marjette’s next-door neighbor, Noa Abrams, loses her husband, and Marjette is not quite sure what to do. The woman is sitting shiva, and Marjette knows that food would be a great thing to bring. So she fries up some chicken and brings it next door in what may be the first time fried chicken made its way to shiva.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary.
Don't miss Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with
Alli Frank and Asha Youmans in next week's newsletter.
THE FURIES by John Connolly (Supernatural Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Jeff Harding
John Connolly pits private investigator Charlie Parker against two separate --- but vitally connected --- investigations, which prove to be among the most complicated of his entire career. In “The Sisters Strange,” criminal Raum Buker arrives in Portland, only for a shocking act of theft to threaten not only his own existence but those of his former lovers --- the enigmatic sisters Strange. And in the title novel, “The Furies,” Parker must protect two women under threat as Portland shuts down in the face of a global pandemic. Unbeknownst to him, however, these clients are more capable of taking care of themselves than anyone could have imagined. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
SANTA'S LITTLE YELPERS: An Andy Carpenter Mystery by David Rosenfelt (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Grover Gardner
Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, are surrounded by holiday cheer. It’s even spread to the Tara Foundation. The dog rescue organization, not used to having puppies, has their hands full with a recent litter. Eight puppies are a lot to handle, and Andy is relieved when his co-worker, Chris Myers, agrees to foster them. Myers, a newer employee at the Tara Foundation, did time for a crime he swears he didn’t commit. When Myers discovers a key witness against him lied on the stand, he goes to Andy to ask for representation in getting the conviction overturned. Myers thinks they can have this wrapped up by Christmas. But when the witness is murdered, and Myers is arrested for the crime, things go from bad to worse. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
DINOSAURS by Lydia Millet (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Paul Heitsch
DINOSAURS is the story of a man named Gil who walks from New York to Arizona to recover from a failed love. After he arrives, new neighbors move into the glass-walled house next door, and his life begins to mesh with theirs. In this warmly textured, dryly funny and philosophical account of Gil’s unexpected devotion to the family, Lydia Millet explores the uncanny territory where the self ends and community begins --- what one person can do in a world beset by emergencies. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
1989: An Allie Burns Novel by Val McDermid (Thriller)
Allie Burns is now running the northern news operation of the Sunday Globe, chafing at losing her role in investigative journalism and at the descent into the gutter of the UK tabloid media. But there’s plenty to keep her occupied. The year begins with the memorial service for the victims of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, but Allie has barely filed her copy when she stumbles over a story about HIV/AIDS that will shock her into a major change of direction. The world of newspapers is undergoing a revolution, there’s skullduggery in the medical research labs, and there are seismic rumblings behind the Iron Curtain. When murder is added to this potent mix, Allie is forced to question all her old certainties. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
SPELLS FOR FORGETTING by Adrienne Young (Mystery/Romance)
Audiobook available, read by a full cast
Emery Blackwood’s life changed forever the night her best friend was found dead and the love of her life, August Salt, was accused of murdering her. Years later, she is doing what her teenage self swore she never would: living a quiet existence on the misty, remote shores of Saoirse Island and running the family’s business, Blackwood’s Tea Shoppe Herbal Tonics & Tea Leaf Readings. But when the island, rooted in folklore and magic, begins to show signs of strange happenings, Emery knows that something is coming. The morning she wakes to find that every single tree on Saoirse has turned color in a single night, August returns for the first time in 14 years and unearths the past that the town has tried desperately to forget. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
BEFORE I DO by Sophie Cousens (Romantic Comedy)
Audiobook available, read by Emma Sidi
Head-in-the-stars Audrey is about to marry down-to-earth Josh. Though they are polar opposites, they have a healthy, stable relationship. But romance should be unpredictable and full of fireworks, and as the big day approaches, Audrey has found herself wondering if Josh really is "The One." So when Josh’s sister shows up to the rehearsal dinner with Fred, Audrey’s "What If? guy" --- the man she met six years ago and had one amazing day with --- Audrey finds herself torn. When everything that could go wrong with the wedding starts to go wrong, Audrey has to ask herself: Is fate trying to stop her from making a huge mistake? Or does destiny just have a really twisty sense of humor? Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
LITTLE EVE by Catriona Ward (Gothic Horror/Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Carolyn Bonnyman
On the wind-battered isle of Altnaharra, off the wildest coast of Scotland, a clan prepares to bring about the end of the world and its imminent rebirth. The Adder is coming, and one of their number will inherit its powers. They all want the honor, but young Eve is willing to do anything for the distinction. A reckoning beyond Eve’s imagination begins when Chief Inspector Black arrives to investigate a brutal murder, and their sacred ceremony goes terribly wrong. And soon all the secrets of Altnaharra will be uncovered. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
THE STRANGE INHERITANCE OF LEAH FERN by Rita Zoey Chin (Fiction)
Born in a carnival trailer, Leah Fern begins her life as "The Youngest and Very Best Fortuneteller in the World." When Leah is six, her mother --- magician Jeannie Starr --- leaves her at the home of Edward Murphy, a kindly older man with whom Leah shares one fierce wish: that Jeannie Starr will return to them. After 15 years as a small-town outcast, Leah decides to end her life on her 21st birthday. But the intricate death ritual she has devised is interrupted by a surprise knock on her door. Her mysterious neighbor, art photographer Essie East, has died and left Leah a very strange inheritance. Through a series of letters, Essie will posthumously lead Leah on a journey to nine points on the map, which will reveal the story of Leah's mother. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
- Click here to read an interview with Rita Zoey Chin.
BILLIE STARR'S BOOK OF SORRIES by Deborah E. Kennedy (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Elizabeth Dwyer
In a small town where everyone knows everyone’s business, down-on-her-luck single mother Jenny Newberg is on a first-name basis with the debt collector at the bank, who is moving toward foreclosure. She is constantly apologizing to her precocious young daughter, Billie Starr, who is filling a book with her mother’s sorries. Then a pair of strangers in black suits offers her a hefty check to seduce someone known as the Candidate. But nothing ever goes as Jenny plans, and she is swept into the Candidate’s orbit. Surrounded by a wide universe of new ideas, she realizes how constrained her life has been by the expectations of everyone around her, and she starts to see how much more she might be capable of. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on October 18th
Below are some notable titles releasing on October 18th 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 October 17th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
AND THERE WAS LIGHT: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham (Biography)
Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer and #1 New York Times bestselling author Jon Meacham chronicles the life of Abraham Lincoln, charting how --- and why --- he confronted secession, threats to democracy and the tragedy of slavery to expand the possibilities of America.
THE BOYS FROM BILOXI by John Grisham (Legal Thriller)
#1 New York Times bestselling author John Grisham returns to Mississippi in his most gripping legal thriller yet --- the riveting story of two sons of immigrant families who grow up as friends, but ultimately find themselves on opposite sides of the law.
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT by Debbie Macomber (Romance)
Two lifelong friends decide to trade places the week before Christmas and end up finding love along the way in this delightful novel from the queen of holiday stories, #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.
DEMON COPPERHEAD by Barbara Kingsolver (Fiction)
From the New York Times bestselling author of UNSHELTERED and FLIGHT BEHAVIOR comes a brilliant novel that enthralls, compels and captures the heart as it evokes a young hero’s unforgettable journey to maturity.
THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF AN ORDINARY MAN: A Memoir written by Paul Newman, edited by David Rosenthal (Memoir)
Here is the raw, candid, unvarnished memoir of an American icon. The greatest movie star of the past 75 years covers everything: his traumatic childhood, his career, his drinking, his thoughts on Marlon Brando, James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor and John Huston, his greatest roles, acting, his intimate life with Joanne Woodward, his innermost fears, passions and joys.
EYES TURNED SKYWARD by Alena Dillon (Historical Fiction)
From the author of MERCY HOUSE and THE HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD comes a brilliant, dual-timeline novel about a daughter discovering her mother’s past as a female pilot during World War II and the consequences of women’s contributions remaining unrecognized.
THE FAMILY GAME by Catherine Steadman (Psychological Thriller)
Harriet Reed, a novelist on the brink of literary stardom, is newly engaged to Edward Holbeck, the heir of an extremely powerful family. News of the couple’s marital bliss has the Holbecks inching back into their lives. As Harriet is drawn into their lavish world, the family seems perfectly welcoming. But looks can be very deceiving.
THE FAVOR by Nicci French (Psychological Thriller)
In this twisty new stand-alone novel from internationally bestselling author Nicci French, a young woman agrees to do a favor for her first love --- but when things go horribly wrong, one small task turns into a murder investigation that completely upends her life, ensnaring her in a deadly web of secrets and lies.
A HEART FULL OF HEADSTONES: An Inspector Rebus Novel by Ian Rankin (Mystery)
In a brand-new series installment, New York Times bestselling author Ian Rankin returns to his legendary detective. It’s not the first time Rebus has taken the law into his own hands, though it may be the last.
THE LAST CHAIRLIFT by John Irving (Fiction)
John Irving, one of the world’s greatest novelists, returns with his first novel in seven years --- a ghost story, a love story and a lifetime of sexual politics.
LIBERATION DAY: Stories by George Saunders (Fiction/Short Stories)
In his first collection of short stories since TENTH OF DECEMBER, Booker Prize winner George Saunders explores ideas of power, ethics and justice and cuts to the very heart of what it means to live in community with our fellow humans.
POSTER GIRL by Veronica Roth (Dystopian Mystery)
For fans of Anthony Marra and Lauren Beukes, #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth tells the story of a woman's desperate search for a missing girl after the collapse of the oppressive dystopian regime --- and the dark secrets about her family and community she uncovers along the way.
SIGNAL FIRES by Dani Shapiro (Fiction)
On a summer night in 1985, three teenagers have been drinking. One of them gets behind the wheel of a car --- and, in an instant, everything changes.
WHEN WE HAD WINGS by Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner (Historical Fiction)
From bestselling authors Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner comes an interwoven tale about a trio of World War II nurses stationed in the South Pacific who wage their own battle for freedom and survival.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: George Saunders, Dani Shapiro, Andy Davidson
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.
Monday, October 17th at 8pm ET: Random House Studio Sessions: Random House Studio Sessions is Random House's new event series featuring live conversations with the biggest names on your bookshelf, filmed in their studio and broadcast virtually to wherever you are. Join George Saunders as he discusses his new short story collection, LIBERATION DAY, with Tina Fey and Robert Carlock.
Wednesday, October 19th 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 Lisa Jewell, whose most recent thriller is THE FAMILY REMAINS, a stand-alone sequel to THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS.
Wednesday, October 19th at 7pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Andy Davidson will be in conversation with special guest host Jason Rekulak about his new horror novel, THE HOLLOW KIND, which is about the spectacular decline of the Redfern family, haunted by an ancient evil.
Friday, October 21st at 6pm ET: Random House: Join Random House for a special virtual event featuring Dani Shapiro. She will be in conversation with Katie Couric about her highly anticipated new novel, SIGNAL FIRES, her first work of fiction in 15 years.
"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:
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Alli Frank and Asha Youmans (NEVER MEANT TO MEET YOU)
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Scott Shepherd (SHOULD I FALL)
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Thrity Umrigar (HONOR)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: Nighttime Reading
Do you read before you go to sleep at night?
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Every night
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Most nights
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Some nights
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Never
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, October 21st 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 October 7th to October 21st at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE BOYS FROM BILOXI by John Grisham and THE MAZE: A John Corey Novel by Nelson DeMille.
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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