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We had such a good time Thanksgiving weekend! Dinner on Thursday became a multi-course affair as we forgot to cook the yams. We had set up a card table in the garage where it was cold, and all the prepped dishes were out there. My big mistake was sending Greg and Cory there to grab various items (they clearly overlooked something still there), and I misplaced my menu among a stack of recipes (next time I am tacking that on the bulletin board). As we were getting everything onto serving dishes, Tom said, “The Yams! We forgot the yams!” So we told everyone to eat slowly and that yams would be arriving...in 45 minutes. Yes, we all laughed. That was after I had forgotten to make the stuffing for the mushrooms, but we solved that drama when our guests were just late enough for me to toss that together and bake them.
With dinner conquered, we moved on to the rest of the weekend, where there were many more laughs. The hot tub was a hit, and we definitely chillaxed there. Then we did some holiday decorating. Yes, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Of course, if I could find the candles for the windows, it would be nice. This is an annual problem, but I swear I told everyone where I put them when we took them down last year. I confess that I broke down and bought more last night. You know, 'tis the season!
One more Thanksgiving note to share: On Wednesday I heard from Virginia Weber, one of our longtime readers from California, who lost almost everything in a forest fire. Here is what she wrote to our team and our readers:
“I’m sitting in the dining room of our newly rebuilt house. It burned down in December 2017, and we lost pretty much all of our possessions. You were kind enough to share my story with your readers, and they sent me so many books. I’m thankful for all of your help. You lifted my spirits and reinforced the fabric of community for me. Also, this newsletter reminded me that Louise Penny’s new book comes out next week. I used the link in this newsletter to preorder it. Thank you for that too. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone.”
While we write about books here, I am very grateful for the community that we have created as well. I love that Virginia reached out five years later with an update.
November’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Event
On Wednesday night, we hosted our last “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event of the year. Our guest was Charmaine Wilkerson, and she talked about her debut novel, BLACK CAKE, a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick that released in paperback on Tuesday. I interviewed Charmaine in February when the book came out in hardcover, so it was lovely to catch up with her and have more conversation about the story. Three readers appeared on camera to ask Charmaine some questions, and then we opened up the Q&A to the rest of our viewing audience. The video and podcast will be up next week, and we will share those links with you in the next newsletter.
I am happy to announce that Nita Prose will be our next “Bookaccino Live” Book Group guest, our first of 2023. The event will be held on Wednesday, January 25th at 8pm ET, and you can sign up for it here. We will be talking about Nita’s debut novel, THE MAID --- a #1 New York Times bestseller, a “Good Morning America” Book Club pick, and a Bets On selection when it came out in hardcover earlier this year.
Just as we did on Wednesday night, there will be a two-part Q&A session after I talk to Nita. For the first part, those who are asking a question “on camera” will be featured. This includes spending time with Nita backstage in our virtual green room before the show starts. If you would like to ask your question "live on screen" this way, please email it to me using the subject line “The Maid.” For those who are camera shy, there will be a traditional Q&A segment as well.
This is your last newsletter reminder to sign up for our very special “Bookaccino Live” event that will take place this Tuesday, December 6th at 8pm ET. We will be talking to 13 Bookreporter reviewers about their top three books of 2022. Our guests will be Kate Ayers, Sarah Rachel Egelman, Megan Elliott, Harvey Freedenberg, Ron Kaplan, Pamela Kramer, Bronwyn Miller, Rebecca Munro, Eileen Zimmerman Nicol, Ray Palen, Norah Piehl, Stuart Shiffman and Jana Siciliano. Click here to register for the event. This promises to be a fun evening, and we look forward to “seeing” many of you there!
A couple of weeks ago, we hosted our 11 ½ Annual Book Group Speed Dating event for booksellers, librarians, book club leaders and bloggers. Representatives from nine publishers presented more than 50 titles perfect for book groups that will be published between now and next May. You can watch the event here. Please note that we have timestamped the video, so if you would like to hear from a specific publisher, you easily can do that!
If you would like to know more about the books, click here to access a PDF of the PowerPoint presentation of the featured titles, as well as an Excel spreadsheet that lists the books both by publisher and alphabetically by title, along with a sheet to take notes.
Announcing Our Special End-of-the-Year Contest --- and it’s a BIG ONE!
Drum roll please... It gives me great joy to announce the start of our 12th annual End-of-the-Year Contest! One very lucky Grand Prize winner will be awarded all 40 of my Bets On picks from this year, while eight other winners will receive a selection of five of these titles.
Among the books you can win are THE LAST HOUSE ON THE STREET by Diane Chamberlain, THE LIES I TELL by Julie Clark, THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST by Allison Pataki, SISTER STARDUST by Jane Green, TRACY FLICK CAN’T WIN by Tom Perrotta, TWO NIGHTS IN LISBON by Chris Pavone, and WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS by Lisa Scottoline. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, January 6th at noon ET.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
My final three Bets On picks of the year are SIGNAL FIRES by Dani Shapiro, THE LIFEGUARDS by Amanda Eyre Ward, and A HEART THAT WORKS by Rob Delaney. Click on each of the titles for my commentary. I am hoping to interview Dani soon!
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache returns in A WORLD OF CURIOSITIES, the 18th book in Louise Penny's beloved series. As the villagers of Three Pines prepare for a special celebration, Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir find themselves increasingly worried. Two individuals have reappeared in their lives after many years. They were young children when their troubled mother was murdered, leaving them damaged and shattered. Now they’ve arrived in Three Pines. But why?
Pamela Kramer has our review and has this to say: “Can a novel be elegant and beautiful yet horribly violent? Penny achieves that juxtaposition just as she forces us to feel the gamut of human emotions as we read about chilling abuse, psychopaths, and those imperfect people who try to fight for what is right and just. As I turned the last page, I had mixed emotions. I was satisfied that Gamache had managed to prevail, but I also wanted to go back and reread the whole book to see what clues I had missed about the outcome.”
The publication of A WORLD OF CURIOSITIES coincides with the series premiere of “Three Pines” on Amazon Prime Video. The first two episodes released today, and two new episodes will be available every Friday, with the first season wrapping up on December 23rd. Here’s a terrific piece from Vanity Fair with Penny's thoughts on the series.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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THE PERSONAL ASSISTANT: Kimberly Belle returns with a deeply addictive thriller exploring the dark side of the digital world when a mommy-blogger’s assistant goes missing.
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RACING THE LIGHT: Private investigator Elvis Cole and his enigmatic partner, Joe Pike, are back in Robert Crais’ brilliant new thriller, which delivers Cole's most dangerous case yet.
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A CHRISTMAS DELIVERANCE: A courageous doctor and his apprentice fight to save London’s poor --- and discover that the hearts of men can be colder than a winter chill --- in Anne Perry’s gripping new holiday mystery.
Holiday Cheer Update
In this week’s Holiday Cheer contests, we gave away MARPLE: Twelve New Mysteries by various authors and A WISH FOR WINTER by Viola Shipman. Next week’s prizes (our final two of the year) will be THE LIGHT PIRATE by Lily Brooks-Dalton and THE QUEEN: Her Life by Andrew Morton. The first contest of the week will go live on Tuesday, December 6th at noon ET.
This Month’s Books on Screen Offerings
We’ve updated our Books on Screen feature for this month. In addition to the aforementioned "Three Pines," December’s roundup includes the season premieres of Netflix's "Firefly Lane," Amazon Prime Video's "Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan" and HBO's "His Dark Materials"; the conclusion of FX's "Fleishman Is in Trouble"; the season finales of "The Peripheral" on Amazon Prime Video and "The Mysterious Benedict Society" on Disney+; the films A Man Called Otto, White Noise, The Pale Blue Eye, Women Talking and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules; and the DVD releases of Bandit and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.
Enter Our New Word of Mouth Contest
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, December 16th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win THREE books: Jane Smiley’s A DANGEROUS BUSINESS and Cormac McCarthy’s two-volume Passenger series: THE PASSENGER and STELLA MARIS.
Vote in Our New Poll --- and Check Out Results from the Last Poll
As we are every year at this time, we’re curious to know if you’re planning to give books as gifts this holiday season. Weigh in by voting in our poll.
In our previous poll, we listed 20 titles releasing in paperback in November and December and asked which of them, if any, you have read or are planning to read. Here are your top five picks: the aforementioned BLACK CAKE by Charmaine Wilkerson (38%), THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY by Brendan Slocumb (33%), THESE PRECIOUS DAYS: Essays by Ann Patchett (20%), RECKLESS GIRLS by Rachel Hawkins (15%), and DARK HORSE: An Orphan X Novel by Gregg Hurwitz (11%). Click here for all the results.
The final round is now open for the 14th Annual Goodreads Choice Awards, the only major book awards decided by readers. Be sure to cast your votes in 17 different categories by this Sunday, December 4th. The winners will be announced on Thursday, December 8th.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Pam wrote, “I'm excited to be a winner in the Holiday Cheer contest. I won a copy of WEALTH MANAGEMENT by Edward Zuckerman. In addition to being thankful for family and friends, I'm also thankful for Bookreporter.com. Thanks for all the great information you provide about books, authors and pop culture AND for all the generous, fun contests you offer. I'm happy to have a new book to read during the holidays and am looking forward to sharing it with my book club members as well.” Enjoy WEALTH MANAGEMENT; Ed is a very strong storyteller!
Helene wrote about Wednesday evening’s event with Charmaine Wilkerson: “That was wonderful last night. Thank you.” Helene, we agree it was a great night. I am glad you enjoyed it as well.
Gina wrote, “Thanksgiving makes me count my blessings. One of the best parts of my week is Bookreporter.com. Thank you for keeping me up to date on books and authors. Reading is the joy of my life. Your gift is year round. Thank you and your team so much.” Gina, thank you for those very kind words!
Elizabeth wrote about last week’s newsletter: “I think this is the first email I can remember receiving without a picture of Carol Fitzgerald somewhere. Finally.” I shared this with the team, and it made us all laugh. We grab the promo shots from YouTube for all the interviews, so trust me, I too get tired of seeing myself. But it keeps us from having to create new art for the newsletter for every interview. Elizabeth, here's now TWO in a row without my picture!
Bobbie wrote, “I love your white pumpkin flower holders!” I am surprised, but they still are holding up!
Pantone's color for 2023: Viva Magenta. Here you go. I confess that this is not my favorite color, but get ready to see it for home décor and apparel!
The Noel Diary on Netflix: After seeing a lot of authors write about this movie, I watched it. They all were talking about the same scenes, which took place in a bookstore, and they could see their books on the shelves. It had been filmed at R.J. Julia Booksellers in Connecticut. Okay, being honest here: While Justin Hartley is easy on the eyes, the only great scenes in the movie are in the bookstore. Oh, and there is a really great-looking Land Rover that I would love to drive. Greg informed me that the car in pieces in the woods behind our house that he wants to rebuild would look like that. I remain skeptical. I think this was just to give me hope about those pieces.
Tom had a business trip to Texas this week with a lot of equipment to bring, so he decided to go by car instead of flying. Greg, who never turns down an adventure, went along for the drive. Yes, Greg, who has perfected working from away, worked from the passenger seat and the hotel. They were to be back tomorrow, BUT with Greg there always can be a side trip. They have told me that they will be stopping at some Civil War sites on the way back and now will be home on Sunday. Ha, should I expect less? Nope.
I thought being home alone would give me much more time to get things done around the house. But alas, instead I ended up working a lot, as we have a ton going on as the year winds down. Luckily there were lots of leftovers to dine on. By the way, I heartily recommend the packet of brown, red and white rice from the freezer section at Trader Joe’s that can be cooked in three minutes. I got those at the same time as the amaryllis plants in wax, along with the farro that cooks in 10 minutes. Yes, there is a theme here. I did not spend a lot of time cooking during the week. I joke that for lunch I can get a bagged salad into a bowl with dressing and be back up the stairs to my office in less than five minutes.
Cory is heading out with me for pizza tonight. We love a place in the next town that makes really innovative pizzas in a wood-fired oven. It reminds me of Secret Stash in Crested Butte, Colorado, which we loved. Nine years later, we still have their menu on the wall in our kitchen for pizza inspiration.
This weekend will be all about amaryllis planting. I am giving dozens as gifts, and I spend a lot of time trying to figure out who should get which one as I have bought more than a dozen varieties. Yes, I overthink. It’s cold, and I think that this weather calls for chili, so that will be simmering this weekend for whenever the menfolk find their way home. We are supposed to light luminary candles on the curbs through our neighborhood tomorrow night, but I fear the rain that is predicted may move the event to the rain date in two weeks.
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:
A WORLD OF CURIOSITIES by Louise Penny
A WORLD OF CURIOSITIES by Louise Penny (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Robert Bathurst
As the villagers of Three Pines prepare for a special celebration, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir find themselves increasingly worried. A young man and woman have reappeared in the Sûreté du Québec investigators’ lives after many years. The two were young children when their troubled mother was murdered, leaving them damaged and shattered. Now they’ve arrived in Three Pines. But to what end? Gamache and Beauvoir’s memories of that tragic case, the one that first brought them together, come rushing back. Did their mother’s murder hurt them beyond repair? Have those terrible wounds, buried for decades, festered and are now about to erupt? Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THE PERSONAL ASSISTANT by Kimberly Belle
THE PERSONAL ASSISTANT by Kimberly Belle (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Chelsea Stephens, Chris Andrew Ciulla and Megan Tusing
When Alex first began posting unscripted family moments and motivational messages online, she had no intention of becoming an influencer. Overnight it seemed she’d amassed a huge following, and her hobby became a full-time job --- one that was impossible to manage without her sharp-as-a-tack personal assistant, AC. But all the good will of her followers turns toxic when one controversial post goes viral in the worst possible way. Alex reaches out to AC for damage control, but her assistant, whom she trusted with all her secrets, is now missing. As Alex digs into AC’s identity --- and a woman is found murdered --- she’ll find the greatest threat isn’t online, but in her own living room. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
New Special Contest:
Enter to Win Our End-of-the-Year Celebration,
Featuring All 40 "Bets On" Titles from 2022
We are thrilled to announce our End-of-the-Year Contest featuring Carol Fitzgerald’s Bookreporter.com Bets On picks from 2022. One Grand Prize winner will be awarded all 40 books, while eight other readers will receive a selection of five of these titles. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, January 6th at noon ET.
Here are this year's Bets On titles:
Click here to enter the contest.
ReadingGroupGuides.com’s 11 ½ Annual Book Group Speed Dating Event: Great Books for Book Groups
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
SIGNAL FIRES by Dani Shapiro,
THE LIFEGUARDS by Amanda Eyre Ward,
and A HEART THAT WORKS by Rob Delaney
SIGNAL FIRES by Dani Shapiro (Fiction)
Is it possible that SIGNAL FIRES is the first Dani Shapiro book that I have read? It definitely has me scrambling to see what else I have missed. But before I do, let me tell you why I am betting on this book, which completely grabbed me from the start and held me through 200 pages of characters and plot.
The book is set on Division Street, a quiet suburban block in Westchester County, New York. As it opens in 1985, there is an accident that will forever change the brother and sister who were in the car when it happened --- a terrible tragedy where a young woman died. And the first secret is laid out. From there, we delve deeply into the lives of two families who are neighbors. The accident happens on a night when Sarah Wilf has had too much to drink, and she tosses her car keys to her younger brother, Theo, so he can drive. Their passenger in the front seat is Misty Zimmerman, who dies when Theo loses control and hits an oak tree on the front lawn of their house. The family pledges to keep secret that Theo was driving. But the guilt that the teens feel will be something that they carry with them.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on SIGNAL FIRES.
THE LIFEGUARDS by Amanda Eyre Ward (Fiction)
Amanda Eyre Ward draws her latest work of domestic suspense, THE LIFEGUARDS, from a time of life that many of us know well --- when your friends are the parents of your children’s friends.
Here we have three women --- suburban moms Liza, Whitney and Annette --- who live in Austin’s Zilker Park neighborhood. Their boys --- Charlie, Xavier and Bobcat (Robert) --- are close friends and lifeguards at the same pool. These Three Musketeers, as they refer to themselves, are finally off on their own, or at least their version of this. Their moms hang out enjoying margaritas and conversation. Life is placid and good until one night when the boys ride their bikes to where their moms are drinking. While they were hanging out at one of Zilker Park’s watering holes, they found the body of a young woman. They are quick to note that they have no idea who she is. But something sounds just a bit fishy here.
- 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 Amanda Eyre Ward.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on THE LIFEGUARDS.
A HEART THAT WORKS by Rob Delaney (Memoir)
A HEART THAT WORKS, a memoir by actor Rob Delaney, is my final Bets On selection of 2022. While it’s the saddest book that I read this year, it’s also one that I literally could not put down.
Rob’s son, Henry, was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was just a year old. Rob's family had moved from Los Angeles to London for his work. His wife, Leah, gave birth to Henry there. For a while, their lives were crazy busy, which is what happens when there are three young boys in the house. Then came the diagnosis that changed their lives and took them on a journey that was not going to have a happy ending.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on A HEART THAT WORKS.
Featured Review: RACING THE LIGHT by Robert Crais
RACING THE LIGHT: An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel by Robert Crais (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Luke Daniels
Adele Schumacher isn't a typical worried mom. When she hires Elvis Cole to find her missing son, a controversial podcaster named Josh Shoe, she brings a bag filled with cash, bizarre tales of government conspiracies, and a squad of professional bodyguards. Finding Josh should be simple, but Elvis quickly learns he isn't alone in the hunt --- a deadly team of mysterious strangers are determined to find Josh and his adult film star girlfriend first. With dangerous secrets lurking behind every lead, Elvis needs his friend Joe Pike more than ever to uncover the truth about Josh, corrupt politicians, and the vicious business cartels rotting the heart of Los Angeles from within. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
A CHRISTMAS DELIVERANCE by Anne Perry
A CHRISTMAS DELIVERANCE by Anne Perry (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Jenny Sterlin
Once a penniless orphan, Scuff is studying medicine at a free clinic run by Dr. Crowe. But lately Crowe has been distracted, having witnessed an altercation between a wealthy former patient of his named Ellie and her controlling fiancé. It seems that someone is forcing Ellie to marry the man. So Crowe sets out to uncover the troubling connection between Ellie, her father and her betrothed. With Crowe engrossed in his investigation just weeks before the holidays, Scuff is left to run the clinic on his own, treating London’s poor and vulnerable. In the holiday spirit, he offers Mattie, a young girl in need, a warm place to stay as the winter chill sweeps through the city. Together, Scuff and Mattie also must fend off the police, who are growing suspicious of Crowe’s amateur sleuthing. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com's
Holiday Cheer Contests and Feature
At Bookreporter.com, we are celebrating the holiday season in style with our Holiday Cheer Contests and Feature. As our gift to you, on select days in November and December, we are spotlighting a book and giving five lucky readers the chance to win it. You have to visit the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter the 24-hour contest. As always, we are sending our special Holiday Cheer newsletter on the days when there are contests. Click here to sign up for these email alerts.
Our next prize book will be announced on Tuesday, December 6th at noon ET.
This year's contest titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
December’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 December's offerings, please click here.
Film Releases
The Pale Blue Eye
Release Date: December 23rd (limited release in theaters)
Based on: THE PALE BLUE EYE by Louis Bayard
Women Talking
Release Date: December 23rd (limited release in theaters)
Based on: WOMEN TALKING by Miriam Toews
A Man Called Otto
Release Dates: December 30th (NY/LA release in theaters); January 6th (limited release in theaters); January 13th (wide release in theaters)
Based on: A MAN CALLED OVE by Fredrik Backman
Series Premiere
"Three Pines"
Release Date: December 2nd on Amazon Prime Video (the first two episodes will be available, followed by two new episodes every Friday)
Based on: The Chief Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny
Season Premieres
"Firefly Lane"
Release Date: December 2nd on Netflix (Season Two, Part One)
Based on: FIREFLY LANE by Kristin Hannah
"His Dark Materials"
Air Dates: Mondays at 9pm ET/PT on HBO; Season Three Premiere on December 5th (the first two episodes will air, followed by two new episodes every Monday)
Based on: His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman
"Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan"
Release Date: December 21st on Amazon Prime Video (Season Three)
Based on: Characters from the fictional "Ryanverse" created by Tom Clancy
Series Finales
"His Dark Materials"
Air Dates: Mondays at 9pm ET/PT on HBO; Series Finale on December 26th (the final two episodes will air)
Based on: His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman
"Fleishman Is in Trouble" (8-episode limited series)
Release Dates: Thursdays on FX; Series Finale on December 29th
Based on: FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Season Finales
"The Peripheral"
Release Dates: Fridays on Amazon Prime Video; Season One Finale on December 2nd
Based on: THE PERIPHERAL by William Gibson
"Three Pines"
Release Dates: Fridays on Amazon Prime Video; Season One Finale on December 23rd (the final two episodes will be available)
Based on: The Chief Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny
On DVD
Bandit
DVD Release Date: December 13th
Based on: THE FLYING BANDIT: Bringing Down Canada's Most Daring Armed Robber, by Robert Knuckle with Ed Arnold
THE PERFECT ASSASSIN: A Doc Savage Thriller by James Patterson and Brian Sitts (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Joshua Kane and Suzanne Elise Freeman
Dr. Brandt Savage is on sabbatical from the University of Chicago. Instead of doing solo fieldwork in anthropology, the gawky, bespectacled PhD finds himself enrolled in a school where he is the sole pupil. His professor, “Meed,” is demanding. She’s also his captor. Savage emerges from their intensive training sessions physically and mentally transformed, but with no idea why he’s been chosen and how he’ll use his fearsome abilities. Then his first mission with Meed takes them back to her own training ground, where Savage learns how deeply entwined their two lives have been. To prevent a new class of killers from escaping this harsh place where their ancestors first fought to make a better world, they must pledge anew: Do right to all, and wrong to no one. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
DUNE: THE HEIR OF CALADAN by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (Science Fiction/Space Opera)
Audiobook available, read by Scott Brick
In this climactic novel in the Caladan trilogy by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, we step into the shoes of Paul Atreides. A not yet a man in years, he is about to enter a world he never could have imagined. The story that began with Duke Leto Atreides' rise to power, then continued with the consequences of Lady Jessica’s betrayal, will now conclude with Paul becoming the leader that he needs to be on the way to his pivotal role as Muad’Dib. Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard.
BLOOD MOON by Heather Graham and Jon Land (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by John Skelley
They may have managed to win a major battle against the powerful enemy determined to destroy civilization as we know it. But the war continues, with high school seniors Alex Chin and Samantha Dixon embarking on a desperate journey to save mankind. The roadmap for their journey lies in a mysterious book, the language of which has never been deciphered, until Alex finds himself able to translate the words that may hold the keys to saving the future. But an ageless foe, long the guardian of the secrets his race has left behind on Earth, arises to stop them at all costs. Over the ruins of the lost Mayan city of El Mirador, a blood moon is about to rise, triggering the end of mankind unless Alex and Sam can prevail in a struggle that will determine the fate of the planet. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE WORLD WE MAKE by N. K. Jemisin (Urban Fantasy)
Audiobook available, read by Robin Miles
Even though the avatars of New York City have temporarily managed to stop the Woman in White from invading --- and destroying the entire universe in the process --- the mysterious capital "E" Enemy has more subtle powers at her disposal. A new candidate for mayor wielding the populist rhetoric of gentrification, xenophobia and "law and order" may have what it takes to change the very nature of New York itself and take it down from the inside. In order to defeat him, and the Enemy who holds his purse strings, the avatars will have to join together with the other Great Cities of the world in order to bring her down for good and protect their world from complete destruction. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
TWO WRONGS MAKE A RIGHT by Chloe Liese (Romantic Comedy)
Audiobook available, read by Charlotte North and Stephen Dexter
Jamie Westenberg and Bea Wilmot have nothing in common except a meet-disaster and the mutual understanding that they couldn't be more wrong for each other. But when the people closest to them play Cupid and trick them into going on a date, Jamie and Bea realize they have something else in common after all --- an undeniable need for revenge. Soon their plan is in place: Fake date obnoxiously and convince the meddlers they’re madly in love. Then break up spectacularly and dash everyone's hopes, putting an end to the matchmaking madness once and for all. But as their final act nears and playing lovers becomes easier than not, they begin to wonder: What if Cupid’s arrow wasn’t so off the mark? And what if two wrongs do make a right? Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
NIGHTS OF PLAGUE written by Orhan Pamuk, translated by Ekin Oklap (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Amira Ghazalla
It is April 1900, in the Levant, on the imaginary island of Mingheria --- the 29th state of the Ottoman Empire --- located in the eastern Mediterranean between Crete and Cyprus. Half the population is Muslim, the other half are Orthodox Greeks, and tension is high between the two. When a plague arrives --- brought either by Muslim pilgrims returning from the Mecca or by merchant vessels coming from Alexandria --- the island revolts. To stop the epidemic, the Ottoman sultan Abdul Hamid II sends his most accomplished quarantine expert to the island --- an Orthodox Christian. Some of the Muslims, including followers of a popular religious sect and its leader Sheikh Hamdullah, refuse to take precautions or respect the quarantine. And then a murder occurs. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
PERIL IN PARIS: A Royal Spyness Mystery by Rhys Bowen (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Jasmine Blackborow
When I receive a letter from my glamorous best friend, Belinda, Darcy suggests we take a trip to Paris to visit her. It seems he also has a spot of business of which to take care, so I will be staying in Belinda’s flat as she works feverishly on Coco Chanel’s fall collection. Darcy has asked me to take on a small chore as a part of his latest assignment. I am to covertly retrieve something from an attendee of Coco’s show. It seems easy enough, but I discover that this little errand could have terrifying consequences for a world on the brink of war. When things go horribly wrong, I am left to find a killer all while trying to fend off a French policeman who is certain that I am a criminal mastermind. Reviewed by Carly Silver.
PAPERBACK JACK by Loren D. Estleman (Historical Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Patrick Lawlor
1946. Fresh from the War in Europe, hack writer Jacob Heppleman discovers a changed world back home. The pulp magazines he used to write for are dying, replaced by a revolutionary new publishing racket: paperback novels. As “Jack Holly,” Jacob finds success as the author of scandalously bestselling crime novels. He prides himself on the authenticity of his work, which means picking the brains of some less than reputable characters. Meanwhile, as Hollywood comes calling, the entire industry also comes under fire from censorious politicians out to tame the paperback jungle in the name of public morality. Targeted by both Congress and the Mob, Jay may end up the victim of his own success --- unless he can write his way to a happier ending. Reviewed by Christine Irvin.
A GHOST OF CARIBOU by Alice Henderson (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Eva Kaminsky
When a remote camera on a large, rugged expanse held by the Land Trust for Wildlife Conservation picks up a blurry image of what could be a mountain caribou, they contact Alex Carter to investigate. After all, mountain caribou went extinct in the contiguous U.S. years ago, and if one has wandered down from Canada, it’s monumental. But when Alex arrives on scene in the Selkirk mountains of northeastern Washington state, she quickly learns that her only challenge isn’t finding an elusive caribou on a massive piece of land. The murdered body of a forest ranger is found strung up in the town’s park, and Alex learns of a backcountry hiker who went missing in the same area the year before. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
ROSE POINT: And Other Exoplanets by Mimoza Hafizi (Fiction)
Proxima b is a planet discovered in 2016. It revolves around our nearest star, Proxima Centauri. Rose Point is an artistic name, given to the planet in this scientific novel. The narrative grows through real and imaginary events, episodes and announcements through dialogues, conversations, discussions, meditations and thoughts, occurring in some scientific centers of space research: an observatory, ESO Garching, ESO La Silla, Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, NASA Ames, Boulder University, Johns Hopkins University, SETI, ESA. The characters are researchers --- invented persons and names, but with temperaments and personalities similar to several people whom author Mimoza Hafizi met in her scientific life. They share the same mission: the discovery of new planets outside the solar system. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on December 6th
Below are some notable titles releasing on December 6th 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 December 5th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
BRYANT & MAY: PECULIAR LONDON by Christopher Fowler (Mystery)
Thinking of a jaunt to England? Let Arthur Bryant and John May, London’s oldest police detectives, show you the oddities behind the city’s façades in this tongue-in-cheek travel guide.
A DANGEROUS BUSINESS by Jane Smiley (Historical Mystery)
From the beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning and bestselling author of A THOUSAND ACRES comes a rollicking murder mystery set in Gold Rush California, as two young prostitutes follow a trail of missing girls.
ELIZABETH TAYLOR: The Grit & Glamour of an Icon by Kate Andersen Brower (Biography)
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE RESIDENCE and FIRST WOMEN comes the first ever authorized biography of the most famous movie star of the 20th century, Elizabeth Taylor.
THE LIGHT PIRATE by Lily Brooks-Dalton (Fiction)
THE LIGHT PIRATE is a hopeful, sweeping story of survival and resilience spanning one extraordinary woman’s lifetime as she navigates the uncertainty, brutality and arresting beauty of a rapidly changing world.
NIGHT SHIFT by Robin Cook (Medical Mystery/Thriller)
In this exhilarating medical mystery-thriller by Robin Cook, fan favorites Laurie Montgomery and Jack Stapleton are lured into the dark underbelly of hospital dangers when an internist is murdered.
NO ONE LEFT TO COME LOOKING FOR YOU by Sam Lipsyte (Mystery/Humor)
NO ONE LEFT TO COME LOOKING FOR YOU is a page-turning suspense novel that also serves as a love letter to a bygone era of New York City where young artists could still afford to chase their dreams.
A PRIVATE SPY: The Letters of John le Carré written by John le Carré, edited by Tim
Cornwell (Literary Collection/Letters)
A PRIVATE SPY is an archive of letters written by the late John le Carré, giving readers access to the intimate thoughts of one of the greatest writers of our time.
QUEENS OF THE AGE OF CHIVALRY: England's Medieval Queens, Volume Three by Alison Weir (History)
Packed with dramatic true stories from one of European history’s most romantic and turbulent eras, this epic narrative chronicles the five vividly rendered queens of the Plantagenet kings who ruled England between 1299 and 1399.
SHOWSTOPPER: A Peter Diamond Investigation by Peter Lovesey (Mystery)
The cast and crew of a hit British TV show are rumored to be cursed. But are these spooky deaths coincidences or murder? It's up to Bath detective Peter Diamond to find out.
SO LONG, CHESTER WHEELER by Catherine Ryan Hyde (Fiction)
Unlikely road trip companions form an unexpected bond in an uplifting novel about the past --- lost and found --- by New York Times and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde.
STELLA MARIS by Cormac McCarthy (Fiction)
The bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of THE ROAD returns with the second volume of The Passenger series. STELLA MARIS is an intimate portrait of grief and longing, as a young woman in a psychiatric facility seeks to understand her own existence.
THREE-EDGED SWORD by Jeff Lindsay (Thriller)
From its vivid, remote locales to its John Wick-meets-Deadpool dialogue, this gripping heist novel from Jeff Lindsay, author of the Dexter series, is an utterly escapist, must-read novel of espionage, thievery, love and betrayal.
TOM CLANCY RED WINTER: A Jack Ryan Novel by Marc Cameron (Thriller/Adventure)
In this previously untold adventure, a young Jack Ryan goes behind the Iron Curtain to seek the truth about a potential Soviet defector in the most shocking entry in Tom Clancy's #1 New York Times bestselling series.
W. E. B. GRIFFIN THE DEVIL'S WEAPONS: A Men at War Novel by Peter Kirsanow (Historical Thriller/Adventure)
Dick Canidy and the agents of the OSS scour war-torn Poland looking for a rocket scientist who holds the secrets to the Nazis' most dangerous weapon in this new entry in W. E. B. Griffin's New York Times bestselling Men at War series.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Jeff Lindsay, Kimberly Belle, Richard Paul Evans
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, December 5th at 7pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome #1 New York Times bestselling author Louise Penny for a live virtual event to discuss A WORLD OF CURIOSITIES, the 18th spellbinding novel in her beloved series, featuring the return of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. She will be in conversation with Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Monday, December 5th at 7pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Jeff Lindsay will talk about his new novel, THREE-EDGED SWORD, the third installment in his wickedly funny, wildly twisty series starring super thief Riley Wolfe.
Monday, December 5th at 7:30pm ET: “Lisa Live!”: Join Lisa Scottoline every Monday night as she hosts her weekly “Talking LOYALTY” video series and Facebook Live events leading up to the publication of her historical novel, LOYALTY, on March 28, 2023. And be sure to enter the LOYALTY Pre-order Sweepstakes!
Monday, December 5th at 8pm ET: Murder By The Book: Kimberly Belle will talk to Mystery & Thriller Maven’s Sara DiVello about her new book, THE PERSONAL ASSISTANT, a deeply addictive thriller exploring the dark side of the digital world when a mommy-blogger’s assistant goes missing.
Monday, December 5th at 8:30pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Richard Paul Evans will talk about his latest book, A CHRISTMAS MEMORY, a poignant, deeply felt novel about loss, grief, the healing power of forgiveness, and the true meaning of the holiday season.
Tuesday, December 6th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble Book Club: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Katy Hays for a live virtual event to discuss THE CLOISTERS, November's B&N Book Club pick. She will be in conversation with Shannon DeVito, the Director of Category Management at B&N, and Miwa Messer, B&N’s Editorial Director.
Tuesday, December 6th at 3pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Peter Lovesey will talk about his new mystery, SHOWSTOPPER. The cast and crew of a hit British TV show are rumored to be cursed. But are these spooky deaths coincidences or murder? It's up to Bath detective Peter Diamond to find out.
Tuesday, December 6th at 8pm ET: "Bookaccino Live" Reviewer Event: Join us for a special “Bookaccino Live” evening event as 13 Bookreporter reviewers will be talking about their favorite books of 2022. Our guests will be Kate Ayers, Sarah Rachel Egelman, Megan Elliott, Harvey Freedenberg, Ron Kaplan, Pamela Kramer, Bronwyn Miller, Rebecca Munro, Eileen Zimmerman Nicol, Ray Palen, Norah Piehl, Stuart Shiffman and Jana Siciliano.
Wednesday, December 7th 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 Louise Penny about A WORLD OF CURIOSITIES, her 18th mystery featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. Appearing on the Aftershow will be Rae Meadows, whose new novel is WINTERLAND.
"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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Dani Shapiro (SIGNAL FIRES)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: Giving Books for the Holidays
Are you planning to give books as gifts this holiday season? Please check all that apply.
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I am planning to give print books (hardcovers and/or paperbacks).
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I am planning to give e-books.
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I am planning to give audiobooks.
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I am planning to give a gift card that will allow the recipient to buy a print book, e-book or audiobook.
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I am not planning to give any books or book gift cards this year.
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I am not sure what I am doing.
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Other (Please specify)
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, December 16th at noon ET.
Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What
You're Reading --- and You Can Win THREE 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 December 2nd to December 16th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win A DANGEROUS BUSINESS by Jane Smiley and the two-volume Passenger series by Cormac McCarthy: THE PASSENGER and STELLA MARIS.
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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