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Celebrating 100 with Simon & Schuster
On Monday night, I headed into New York City with our team and some friends to celebrate Simon & Schuster’s 100th anniversary with their “Author! Author!” night. The event featured more than 30 prominent Simon & Schuster authors on stage at The Town Hall. Each shared a story about what brought them to reading, how they feel about writing, what inspired a certain book or books, and other terrific musings. Each spoke for about 4-6 minutes, which kept the program moving along quite briskly.
What we loved was how each author brought something special to the evening, as well as how it highlighted the depth and breadth of their author talent. Rupert Holmes sang “Escape (The Piña Colada Song),” and in what surprised many, Fredrik Backman gave Jerry Seinfeld a run at being the funniest guy presenting!
We had front-row seats, so we took lots of pictures. Click here for the photo gallery we put together. If you hover over a photo, you will see a caption identifying who is in it. And pictured above is me with Tom Donadio, our Editorial Director, and Lisa Hickman, our Contest Coordinator.
Also, a committee was formed at Simon & Schuster to select the Simon & Schuster 100. You can see a video with the committee discussing their selections here. And on this page is a video featuring all 100 titles.
On Tuesday night, I attended another Simon & Schuster celebration where it was rumored that there were over 1,300 attendees --- including authors, Simon & Schuster staffers (both present and past), agents and other contacts of the house. I joked afterwards that I should have made a crib sheet of everyone who I wanted to say hello to. While I caught up with a number of people, there were so many more I would have loved to see.
These two evenings reminded me of why I love this business so much --- and it made me realize how many friends I have made over these past few decades. When we started Bookreporter, Simon & Schuster was just 72!
The week’s adventures did not allow for a lot of reading time, but I am thoroughly enjoying THE PARIS NOVEL by Ruth Reichl, which releases on April 23rd. Between the descriptions of the French food and the art, I feel like I am getting a deeper education in both. And after watching “The New Look” on Apple TV+, I completely understand the infatuation with the Dior dress that figures into part of the story. I look forward to finishing the book, and I am trying to set up an interview with Ruth.
We have lots more to bring you this week!
We have two new “Bookreporter Talks To” interviews to share with you in this newsletter.
First up is Megan Miranda, who returns to “Bookreporter Talks To” to discuss her new thriller, DAUGHTER OF MINE. Here, Megan shares her inspiration for the novel, which will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection, as well as insight into her creative process. She also explains how she laid out the twists that make this story so special. Megan loves the narrator of the audio edition, Inés del Castillo, as she feels Inés sets the right tone for the book. Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast.
Don’t miss our review of DAUGHTER OF MINE in next week's newsletter, followed by my Bets On commentary in the April 26th newsletter. And be sure to check out Megan's book tour schedule on her website to see if she'll be at a bookstore or library near you.
I also had the pleasure of speaking with Simone Gorrindo about her debut memoir, THE WIVES, which will be a Bets On pick as well. Simone explains how she found her way to writing this book when her husband, an Army Special Ops team member, was assigned to a base in Columbus, Georgia. There she found herself with a group of women who had followed their husbands to this area. These wives had one thing in common: their husbands and their work as soldiers.
When the men left town, the women would gather together for support, and any of the typical social lines between them would drop as they commiserated about both their day-to-day lives and the larger role that their husbands were playing on a bigger stage. Simone shares where their lives went after the book ends and what it was like narrating her own story. Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast. We will be posting our review and my Bets On commentary over the next couple of weeks.
We hosted this month’s “Bookaccino Live” book preview event on Wednesday afternoon. I talked about 26 books releasing between now and April 30th, plus 12 from the second half of May and 13 from June, that we wanted to get on your radar. You can watch the presentation here and see a list of the featured titles here.
Next month's “Bookaccino Live” book preview event will take place on Wednesday, May 8th at 2pm ET. I will present titles releasing between May 7th and June 4th, in addition to a few from July, 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.
This week, we kicked off a new contest for Ann Hood’s upcoming novel, THE STOLEN CHILD. This future Bets On title is about an unlikely duo who ventures through France and Italy to solve the mystery of a child’s fate.
Ann Napolitano, the author of DEAR EDWARD and HELLO BEAUTIFUL, calls the book “a lovely story about two artists meeting in the midst of WWI, a missing baby, and an intelligent, lost young woman helping an old man fix the mistakes of his past. I loved Nick and Jenny from the moment I met them, and had all my fingers crossed that they would find not only what they were looking for, but themselves.”
In anticipation of its May 7th publication, we’re awarding an advance copy to 25 readers. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, April 26th at noon ET. Once the book releases, we’ll look forward to sharing our review and a “Bookreporter Talks To” interview that I will be conducting with Ann.
We are featuring Leigh Bardugo’s newly released fantasy for adults, THE FAMILIAR, in our Fantasy Author Spotlight. Luzia Cotado uses scraps of magic to get through her days of endless toil as a scullion in Madrid. But when her scheming mistress discovers that the servant cowering in the kitchen is actually hiding a talent for little miracles, she demands that Luzia use those gifts to improve the family's social position. What begins as simple amusement for the nobility takes a perilous turn when Luzia garners the notice of Antonio Pérez, the disgraced secretary to Spain's king. As Luzia's notoriety grows, so does the danger that her Jewish blood will doom her to the Inquisition's wrath.
Rebecca Munro has our review of THE FAMILIAR and says, “The book is equal parts history, fantasy, political intrigue, coming-of-age and even romance. And true to form, Bardugo doesn’t begin a theme, plotline or twist that she can’t finish successfully. In this case, she knocks each one out of the park. Paired with her lush, precise prose, every single theme --- of empowerment, of radical delight, of identity, of betrayal and even of love --- is expertly explored, gorgeously rendered and employed perfectly to propel the plot and help her characters grow and develop.”
Spring Preview Contest Update
We gave away THE FAMILIAR in this week’s Spring Preview contest. Our final prize book will be DID I EVER TELL YOU? by Genevieve Kingston, a life-affirming memoir about the power of love that will be a Bets On selection. The contest will be up at noon ET on the day of its release, Tuesday, April 16th, and we will feature our review in next week’s newsletter.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
My latest Bets On pick is WHAT HAPPENED TO NINA? by Dervla McTiernan, which we reviewed a couple of weeks ago. Click here to see why I’m betting you’ll love this book just as much as I (and Rebecca Munro) did.
Revisiting My “Bookreporter Talks To” Interview with Linwood Barclay
Out in paperback this week is THE LIE MAKER by Linwood Barclay, a twisty, fast-paced thriller about a man who desperately tries to track down his father --- who was taken into witness protection years ago --- before his enemies can get to him. I talked to Linwood about the book last May when it released in hardcover, so if you missed the interview or would like to check it out again, you can watch it here or listen to the podcast here.
Enter Our New Word of Mouth Contest
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, April 26th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll have a chance to win FUNNY STORY by Emily Henry and the aforementioned THE PARIS NOVEL by Ruth Reichl.
Vote in Our New Poll --- and Check Out Results from the Last Poll
In our latest poll, we’ve listed 15 notable nonfiction titles releasing this month, and we’re asking you which, if any, you have read or are planning to read. Click here to let us know.
Our previous poll asked if you read or listen to more than one book at a time. A combined 61% of you read more than one print book or e-book, or listen to more than one audiobook, while 25% read or listen to just one book at a time. Click here for a full breakdown of the results.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Kathy wrote about winning THE FAMILIAR: “Thank you. I love Bookreporter.com. I use it to find books to recommend for our book club.”
Donna wrote, “I was excited to find a copy of LONG AFTER WE ARE GONE in my mail after I returned from a trip. Thanks for everything you do to encourage reading.”
There was not much on the watching front this week as last weekend we spent two nights at the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival. I want to look into renting more of the films to watch at home, which can be done here. As I joked, I like to watch films of people braver (and perhaps crazier) than me to experience their triumphs vicariously.
This is Masters weekend, which means I will be trying to remember WHICH pimento cheese recipe we liked best. You would think we would just mark it in our recipe book as “the best.” My husband’s birthday is Tuesday, and I am going to make Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies for him. When bananas go black, we freeze them, and they are then used to make the cookies. I make as many as I have bananas for. I do tease that he lets them go black so I make more cookies. Cory has a new technique for making pizza on steel, not a stone, and he will be doing that for us on Sunday. He is a terrific cook and baker.
In between catching up on “We Were the Lucky Ones” on Hulu and “A Gentleman in Moscow” on Paramount+, I am going to check out “The Sympathizer” on Max. I remember getting TV Guide as a kid and folding down the pages of the shows that I wanted to watch. I was hooked on “Adam-12” and had a huge crush on Kent McCord. These days, I feel like I need a spreadsheet to remember what I want to watch and where. Tom just hands me the remote and lets me do the driving. It’s the one time that he lets me drive without a protest.
Tom flew to Texas on Monday morning. I had him drive to the airport instead of me lest I get schooled on which lane I should travel in and what I should be avoiding. It was far less stressful to sit and answer email. I got some pushback about my having to change seats once we got to the airport, but I hung firm.
Read on, and have a great week.
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
P.S. For those of you who shop online, if you use the store links that appear on our site for shopping, Bookreporter.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and IndieBound. As you read our reviews and features, we would appreciate your considering this as you buy!
Now Available: DAUGHTER OF MINE by Megan Miranda
An Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
DAUGHTER OF MINE by Megan Miranda (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Inés del Castillo
When Hazel Sharp, the daughter of Mirror Lake’s longtime local detective, unexpectedly inherits her childhood home, she’s warily drawn back to the town --- and people --- she left behind almost a decade earlier. But Hazel is not the only relic of the past to return. A drought has descended on the region. And as the water level in the lake drops, long-hidden secrets begin to emerge…including evidence that may help finally explain the mystery of her mother’s disappearance. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to visit Megan Miranda's website.
- Click here to see Megan Miranda's book tour schedule.
Watch or listen to our "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Megan Miranda.
Click here to read more about the book.
DAUGHTER OF MINE will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss our review in next week's newsletter, followed by
Carol's Bets On commentary in the April 26th newsletter.
New Fantasy Author Spotlight and Featured Review:
THE FAMILIAR by Leigh Bardugo
THE FAMILIAR by Leigh Bardugo (Historical Fantasy)
Audiobook available, read by Lauren Fortgang
In a shabby house, on a shabby street, in the new capital of Madrid, Luzia Cotado uses scraps of magic to get through her days of endless toil as a scullion. But when her scheming mistress discovers the lump of a servant cowering in the kitchen is actually hiding a talent for little miracles, she demands Luzia use those gifts to improve the family's social position.
What begins as simple amusement for the nobility takes a perilous turn when Luzia garners the notice of Antonio Pérez, the disgraced secretary to Spain's king. Still reeling from the defeat of his armada, the king is desperate for any advantage in the war against England's heretic queen --- and Pérez will stop at nothing to regain the king's favor.
Determined to seize this one chance to better her fortunes, Luzia plunges into a world of seers and alchemists, holy men and hucksters, where the lines between magic, science and fraud are never certain. But as her notoriety grows, so does the danger that her Jewish blood will doom her to the Inquisition's wrath. She will have to use every bit of her wit and will to survive --- even if that means enlisting the help of Guillén Santángel, an embittered immortal familiar whose own secrets could prove deadly for them both.
- Click here to read Leigh Bardugo's bio.
- Click here to visit Leigh Bardugo's website.
- Click here to connect with Leigh Bardugo on Instagram.
Click here to read our review.
Click here to read more in our Fantasy Author Spotlight.
New Special Contest:
Enter to Win One of 25 Advance Copies of
THE STOLEN CHILD by Ann Hood, an Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title Releasing May 7th
In THE STOLEN CHILD, an unlikely duo ventures through France and Italy to solve the mystery of a child’s fate. Ann Hood's latest book is an engaging, timeless novel of secrets, love lost and found, and the nature of forgiveness.
We have 25 advance copies of THE STOLEN CHILD to give away to those who would like to read the book, which releases on May 7th. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, April 26th at noon ET.
THE STOLEN CHILD by Ann Hood (Historical Fiction)
For decades, Nick Burns has been haunted by a decision he made as a young soldier in World War I, when a French artist he’d befriended thrust both her paintings and her baby into his hands --- and disappeared. In 1974, with only months left to live, Nick enlists Jenny, a college dropout desperate for adventure, to help him unravel the mystery.
The journey leads them from Paris galleries and provincial towns to a surprising place: the Museum of Tears, the life’s work of a lonely Italian craftsman. Determined to find the baby and the artist, hopeless romantic Jenny and curmudgeonly Nick must reckon with regret, betrayal and the lives they’ve left behind.
With characteristic warmth and verve, Ann Hood captures a world of possibility and romance through the eyes of a young woman learning to claim her place in it.
- Click here to read Ann Hood's bio.
- Click here to visit Ann Hood's website.
- Connect with Ann Hood on Facebook and Instagram.
Click here to enter the contest.
Featured Review: JAMES by Percival Everett
April’s #1 Indie Next Pick
JAMES by Percival Everett (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Dominic Hoffman
When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond. While many narrative set pieces of ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN remain in place, Jim’s agency, intelligence and compassion are shown in a radically new light. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: I CHEERFULLY REFUSE by Leif Enger
April’s Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick
I CHEERFULLY REFUSE by Leif Enger (Dystopian Fiction/Adventure)
Audiobook available, read by David Aaron Baker
Set in a not-too-distant America, I CHEERFULLY REFUSE is the tale of a bereaved and pursued musician embarking under sail on a sentient Lake Superior in search of his departed, deeply beloved bookselling wife. Rainy, an endearing bear of an Orphean narrator, seeks refuge in the harbors, fogs and remote islands of the inland sea. Encountering lunatic storms and rising corpses from the warming depths, Rainy finds on land an increasingly desperate and illiterate people, a malignant billionaire ruling class, crumbled infrastructure and a lawless society. As his innate guileless nature begins to make an inadvertent rebel of him, Rainy’s private quest for the love of his life grows into something wider and wilder, sweeping up friends and foes alike in his strengthening wake. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
» I CHEERFULLY REFUSE is April's Barnes & Noble Book Club pick. On Wednesday, May 8th at 3pm ET, B&N will host a live virtual event with Leif Enger. Click here to sign up.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THE SECRET LIVES OF BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRARIANS by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann
THE SECRET LIVES OF BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRARIANS: True Stories of the Magic of Reading by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann (Biography)
Audiobook available, read by various narrators
To be a bookseller or librarian, you have to play detective. Be a treasure hunter. A matchmaker. An advocate. A visionary. A person who creates “book joy” by pulling a book from a shelf, handing it to someone and saying, “You’ve got to read this. You’re going to love it.” Step inside THE SECRET LIVES OF BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRARIANS and enter a world where you can feed your curiosities, discover new voices, and find whatever you want or require. This place has the magic of rainbows and unicorns, but it's also a business. The book business. Meet the smart and talented people who live between the pages --- and who can’t wait to help you find your next favorite book. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
WHAT HAPPENED TO NINA? by Dervla McTiernan
WHAT HAPPENED TO NINA? by Dervla McTiernan (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
I love reading true crime books, and I have been known to go down the rabbit hole on many a Netflix true crime series. (Oddly, I do not gravitate to true crime podcasts.) So it probably is not surprising that crime fiction in this vein will call my name. WHAT HAPPENED TO NINA? by Dervla McTiernan drew me in from the description.
Nina and her boyfriend, Simon, head off to his family’s 400-acre estate in Vermont for spring break. Now, mind you, this property is located in the same state as the palatial home of Simon’s family. Yes, we are talking that kind of family money. Nina and Simon spend the day climbing, which they both enjoy. But something happens on one of the climbs that worries Nina.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
Click here to read more of Carol's Bets On commentary.
Bookreporter.com's 13th Annual
Spring Preview Contests and Feature
Spring is in the air! We’ve caught the fever --- and it’s being fueled by some wonderful new and upcoming releases.
Our 13th annual Spring Preview Contests and Feature spotlights many of these picks, which we know people will be talking about over the next few months. We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through mid-April. You will need to check the site to see the featured book and enter to win.
We also are sending a special newsletter to announce each title, which you can sign up for here.
Our final prize book is DID I EVER TELL YOU? by Genevieve Kingston, a life-affirming memoir about the power of love and an upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. The contest will be up at noon ET on the day of its release, Tuesday, April 16th.
This year's contest titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
THE BLUES BROTHERS: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic by Daniel de Visé (Biography/Performing Arts)
Audiobook available, read by Johnny Heller
“They’re not going to catch us,” Dan Aykroyd, as Elwood Blues, tells his brother Jake, played by John Belushi. “We’re on a mission from God.” So opens the musical action comedy The Blues Brothers, which hit theaters on June 20, 1980. Much delayed and vastly over budget, beset by mercurial and oft-drugged-out stars, the film opened to outraged reviews. However, in the 44 years since, it has been acknowledged a classic. Based on original research and dozens of interviews probing the memories of principals from director John Landis and producer Bob Weiss to Aykroyd himself, THE BLUES BROTHERS illuminates an American masterpiece while vividly portraying the creative geniuses behind modern comedy. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
A BETTER WORLD by Sarah Langan (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Cassandra Campbell, with Sean Patrick Hopkins and Sura Siu
You’ll be safe here. That’s what the tour guide tells the Farmer-Bowens when they visit Plymouth Valley, a walled-off company town with clean air, pantries that never go empty, and blue-ribbon schools. On a very trial basis, the company offers to hire Linda Farmer’s husband, Russell, a numbers genius, and relocate her whole family to this bucolic paradise for the .0001 percent. Though Linda will have to sacrifice her medical career back home, the family jumps at the opportunity. But fitting in takes work. The pampered locals distrust outsiders, snubbing Linda, Russell and their teen twins. And the residents fervently adhere to a group of customs and beliefs called Hollow. But what exactly is Hollow? The more Linda learns, the more frightened she becomes. Should the Farmer-Bowens be fighting to stay, or fighting to get out? Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE MURDER OF MR. MA by John Shen Yen Nee and S. J. Rozan (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Daniel York Loh
London, 1924. When shy academic Lao She meets larger-than-life Judge Dee Ren Jie, his quiet life abruptly turns from books and lectures to daring chases and narrow escapes. Dee has come to London to investigate the murder of a man he’d known during World War I when serving with the Chinese Labour Corps. No sooner has Dee interviewed the grieving widow than another dead body turns up. Then another. All stabbed to death with a butterfly sword. Will Dee and Lao be able to connect the threads of the murders --- or are they next in line as victims? Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
DISQUIET GODS: The Sun Eater, Book Six by Christopher Ruocchio
(Space Opera/Fantasy)
The end is nigh. It has been nearly 200 years since Hadrian Marlowe assaulted the person of the Emperor and walked away from war. From his Empire. His duty. From the will and service of the eldritch being known only as the Quiet. The galaxy lies in the grip of a terrible plague, and worse, the Cielcin have overrun the realms of men. A messenger has come to Jadd, bearing a summons from the Sollan Emperor for the one-time hero. A summons, a pardon and a plea. HAPSIS, the Emperor’s secret first-contact intelligence organization, has located one of the dreadful Watchers, the immense, powerful beings worshipped by the Pale Cielcin. Called out of retirement and exile, the old hero --- accompanied by his daughter, Cassandra --- must race across the galaxy and against time to accomplish one last, impossible task: To kill a god. Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard.
DARK DIVE by Andrew Mayne (Thriller/Adventure)
Audiobook available, read by Susannah Jones
After the Underwater Investigation Unit’s disbandment, public outcry ushers Sloan McPherson and her partner, former navy diver Scott Hughes, back into the depths of crime solving. But Sloan’s return comes with a personal case. Longtime family friend Fred Stafford has disappeared. Left behind: his abandoned truck in the vicinity of an unmarked sinkhole and new findings that have Sloan second-guessing everything she thought she knew about the man. There are his gambling debts, his association with a treasure-hunting band of underwater cavern junkies called the Dive Rats, and a discovery in Stafford’s storage shed that raises the stakes even higher and plunges Sloan into an unfathomable mystery. As Sloan’s investigation unfolds, a tragic Florida cold case, local superstitions and a shocking conspiracy collide. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE LIES AMONG US by Sarah Beth Durst (Fiction/Magical Realism)
Audiobook available, read by Soneela Nankani
After her mother dies, Hannah doesn’t know how to exist without her. In fact, Hannah isn’t even certain that she does exist. No one seems to see or hear her, and she finds herself utterly alone. Grief-stricken and confused, Hannah sets out to find new purpose in life --- and answers about who (and what) she really is. Hannah’s only remaining family is her older sister, Leah. Yet even Leah doesn’t seem to notice her. And while Hannah can see and hear her sister, she also sees beautiful and terrible things that don’t --- or shouldn’t --- exist. She learns there’s much more to this world than meets the eye and struggles to make sense of it all. When Hannah sees Leah taking the same dangerous path that consumed their own mother --- where lies supplant reality --- she’s desperate to get through to her. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
GLORIOUS EXPLOITS by Ferdia Lennon (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Ferdia Lennon
On the island of Sicily amid the Peloponnesian War, the Syracusans have figured out what to do with the surviving Athenians who had the gall to invade their city: they’ve herded the sorry prisoners of war into a rock quarry and left them to rot. Looking for a way to pass the time, Lampo and Gelon, two unemployed potters, head down into the quarry to feed the Athenians if, and only if, they can manage a few choice lines from their great playwright Euripides. Before long, the two mates hatch a plan to direct a full-blown production of "Medea." But as opening night approaches, what started as a lark quickly sets in motion a series of extraordinary events. Our wayward heroes begin to realize that staging a play can be as dangerous as fighting a war, with all sorts of risks to life, limb and friendship. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
NO JUDGMENT: Essays by Lauren Oyler (Essays)
Audiobook available, read by Lauren Oyler
Lauren Oyler has emerged as one of the most trenchant and influential critics of her generation, a talent whose judgments on works of literature have become notorious. But what is the significance of being a critic and consumer of media in today’s fraught environment? How do we understand ourselves, and each other, as space between the individual and the world seems to get smaller and smaller, and our opinions on books and movies seem to represent something essential about our souls? And, to put it bluntly, why should you care what she --- or anyone --- thinks? In her first collection of essays, Oyler writes about topics like the role of gossip in our exponentially communicative society, the rise and proliferation of autofiction, why we’re all so “vulnerable” these days, and her own anxiety. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
ONE IN THE CHAMBER by Robin Peguero (Political Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Zion Jang
Cameron Leann is new to Washington, D.C. An Iowa farm boy without a penny to his name, Cam has joined a group of affluent junior staffers working for a powerful cohort of U.S. senators known as The Gang of Six. All of them have one thing in common: They hate their bosses. As they take up the rushed nomination of the first Black chief justice to the Supreme Court, Cam and his friends are plotting against them. But in the game of politics, one’s motivations are never as they seem --- especially true for Cam, the enigmatic figure at the center of it all. When a bombshell revelation threatens to sink the President's Supreme Court pick, the Gang of Six fractures, pitting senator against senator in a confirmation battle for the ages. Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro.
THIS FRESH EXISTENCE: Heart Teachings from Bhikkhuni Dhammananda by Cindy Rasicot (Biography)
Bhikkhuni Dhammananda defied convention to become the first woman fully ordained in the Thai Theravada Buddhist tradition. Dubbed “Rebel Monk” by the Thai press, she faced enormous opposition from the media, the public and senior orthodox Thai monks. She has given a fresh existence to the ancient tradition. American author Cindy Rasicot became her student and disciple in 2005. This compelling book tells the story of Venerable Dhammananda’s remarkable path from TV personality, author, academic, wife and mother to ordained bhikkhuni. Cindy Rasicot writes beautifully of their relationship and shares Bhikkhuni Dhammananda’s gentle wisdom and direct insights about how to live a more powerful and compassionate life. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on April 16th
Below are some notable titles releasing on April 16th 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 April 15th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
A CALAMITY OF SOULS by David Baldacci (Historical/Legal Thriller)
Set in the tumultuous year of 1968 in southern Virginia, a racially charged murder case sets a duo of white and Black lawyers against a deeply unfair system as they work to defend their wrongfully accused Black client in this courtroom drama from #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci.
CLOSE TO DEATH by Anthony Horowitz (Mystery)
In New York Times bestselling author Anthony Horowitz’s ingenious fifth literary whodunit in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series, Detective Hawthorne is once again called upon to solve an unsolvable case --- a gruesome murder in an idyllic gated community in which suspects abound.
DID I EVER TELL YOU?: A Memoir by Genevieve Kingston (Memoir)
Like CRYING IN H MART by Michelle Zauner and THE LAST LECTURE by Randy Pausch, DID I EVER TELL YOU? is a riveting book filled with unexpected twists and powerful life lessons. Through her mother’s fierce and courageous love, Genevieve Kingston was granted the tools not only to move through grief but to cherish life.
EVEREST, INC.: The Renegades and Rogues Who Built an Industry at the Top of the World by Will Cockrell (Travel History/Adventure)
Featuring original interviews with mountain guides and climbers --- including Jimmy Chin and Conrad Anker --- this vivid and authoritative adventure history chronicles one of the least likely industries on Earth: guided climbing on Mount Everest.
FELINE FATALE: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown (Mystery)
Politicians fight like cats and dogs, but when things take a deadly turn at the Virginia House of Delegates, Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen calls on her beloved pets to help her crack the case and stop the fur from flying in this latest mystery from Rita Mae Brown and her feline co-author, Sneaky Pie Brown.
INDIAN BURIAL GROUND by Nick Medina (Supernatural Thriller/Horror)
A man lunges in front of a car. An elderly woman silently drowns herself. A corpse sits up in its coffin and speaks. On this reservation, not all is what it seems in this new spine-chilling mythological horror from the author of SISTERS OF THE LOST NATION.
IT HAD TO BE YOU: An Under Suspicion Novel by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke (Mystery/Thriller)
In the latest thrilling entry of the bestselling Under Suspicion series by Queen of Suspense Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke, television producer Laurie Moran investigates the unsolved murder of a beloved couple celebrating the college graduations of their successful twin sons.
KNIFE: Meditations After an Attempted Murder by Salman Rushdie (Memoir)
From internationally renowned writer and Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie comes a searing, deeply personal account of enduring --- and surviving --- an attempt on his life 30 years after the fatwa that was ordered against him.
THE MURDER INN by James Patterson and Candice Fox (Thriller)
When ex-cop Bill Robinson takes over The Inn by the Sea, all he wants is a quiet escape from the city. But when a crime boss moves into town and begins terrorizing Bill's friends, he can't just sit back and watch. It's not long before local criminals are turning up dead and The Inn comes under attack.
MY BELOVED MONSTER: Masha, the Half-wild Rescue Cat Who Rescued Me by Caleb Carr (Memoir)
The #1 bestselling author of THE ALIENIST tells the extraordinary story of Masha, a half-wild rescue cat who fought off a bear, tackled Caleb like a linebacker --- and bonded with him as tightly as any cat and human possibly can.
PAY DIRT: A V.I. Warshawski Novel by Sara Paretsky (Mystery)
Legendary detective V.I. Warshawski uncovers a mystery with roots dating back to the Civil War in this edge-of-your-seat thriller from New York Times bestselling author Sara Paretsky.
AN UNFINISHED LOVE STORY: A Personal History of the 1960s by Doris Kearns Goodwin (Memoir/History)
AN UNFINISHED LOVE STORY by Doris Kearns Goodwin, one of America’s most beloved historians, artfully weaves together biography, memoir and history. She takes you along on the emotional journey she and her husband, Richard (Dick) Goodwin, embarked upon in the last years of his life.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Salman Rushdie, Mary Kubica, Nick Medina
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
Here are five upcoming virtual book and author events that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links for more info and to register.
Saturday, April 13th at 3pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's presents Timothy Schaffert as he discusses his new book, THE TITANIC SURVIVORS BOOK CLUB, with bestselling author, actress and award-winning documentarian Leslie Zemeckis.
Monday, April 15th at 7pm ET: Murder By The Book: Mary Kubica will talk to Mystery & Thriller Maven’s Sara DiVello about her new novel, SHE'S NOT SORRY, a chilling thriller about an ICU nurse who accidentally uncovers a patient’s frightening past.
Monday, April 15th at 8pm ET: Murder By The Book: Sara Paretsky will talk to Mystery & Thriller Maven’s Sara DiVello about PAY DIRT, the latest installment in her V.I. Warshawski series, in which the legendary detective uncovers a mystery with roots dating back to the Civil War.
Tuesday, April 16th at 8pm ET: Random House Publishing Group and PEN America: Random House Publishing Group and PEN America are proud to present internationally renowned writer, free speech advocate and Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie as he discusses his new book, KNIFE: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, with Suleika Jaouad, the New York Times bestselling author of BETWEEN TWO KINGDOMS.
Thursday, April 18th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Nick Medina for a live virtual discussion of INDIAN BURIAL GROUND as part of their Midday Mystery Virtual Event series. Nick will be in conversation with the bestselling author of SUCH SHARP TEETH, Rachel Harrison.
"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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Ann Hood (THE STOLEN CHILD)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: April Nonfiction Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following nonfiction titles releasing in April have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
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ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE: The Beatles in Their Own Words, by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines
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THE BACKYARD BIRD CHRONICLES by Amy Tan
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THE DEMON OF UNREST: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War, by Erik Larson
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DID I EVER TELL YOU?: A Memoir, by Genevieve Kingston
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EVEREST, INC.: The Renegades and Rogues Who Built an Industry at the Top of the World, by Will Cockrell
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FI: A Memoir of My Son, by Alexandra Fuller
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KNIFE: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, by Salman Rushdie
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MY BELOVED MONSTER: Masha, the Half-wild Rescue Cat Who Rescued Me, by Caleb Carr
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THE RULEBREAKER: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters, by Susan Page
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THE SECRET LIVES OF BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRARIANS: True Stories of the Magic of Reading, by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann
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SOMEHOW: Thoughts on Love, by Anne Lamott
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AN UNFINISHED LOVE STORY: A Personal History of the 1960s, by Doris Kearns Goodwin
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WE LOVED IT ALL: A Memory of Life, by Lydia Millet
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THE WIDE WIDE SEA: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook, by Hampton Sides
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THE WIVES: A Memoir, by Simone Gorrindo
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, April 26th 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 read with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from April 12th to April 26th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of FUNNY STORY by Emily Henry and THE PARIS NOVEL by Ruth Reichl.
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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