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On Wednesday morning, I got in my car and the thermometer registered -4 degrees. I somehow have not grasped that my car can be started remotely and warmed up. Instead, my cold hands gripped the steering wheel, and I turned the heat gauge up to 96 degrees. It hit something like 65 degrees by the time I got to the health club. One day I will learn the concept of remote start. Note that I have had this car since 2008, so let’s call this one long learning curve.
It’s been cold throughout so much of the country, and snow has fallen in some of the unlikeliest of places --- like New Orleans, Louisiana, which got 10 inches of snow. So brrrrrr to many of you! I loved seeing a picture of author Mary Alice Monroe sledding on a beach in South Carolina, which definitely falls under the category of things you never think you will ever see.
So many places are not ready for snow, and instead of spreading ice melt or plowing, they spread cinders. One time when we were on the Outer Banks of North Carolina for Christmas, it snowed, and we were told that “the plow” would be coming soon. “The plow” would be clearing the main road, and it was the only one in the area. For us, who ascribe to four-wheel drive every day, snow did not interfere with our plans, but it was so amusing.
Pictured above is Liz from Grand Island, NY, who won all 40 of my Bookreporter.com Bets On picks from 2024. She accompanied the photo with this lovely note:
“Last week, I was shocked to discover that I was the Grand Prize winner of the 2024 Bets On contest...and even more surprised today to see the mail van coming down my long, snow-covered driveway to deliver my four boxes of titles two days earlier than expected!
“I have been a Bookreporter newsletter subscriber for over two decades. It has been my go-to source for the book club I helped found in late 1989, which continues to meet monthly. Every Saturday morning, my routine includes reading the weekly update and forwarding it to my book-loving friends and family members. I will be sharing my contest riches with them and my local library, which I visit several times a week.
“Your inspiration has paved my reading journey for so long! I am constantly over the limit on my library ‘holds’ list that I replenish every weekend after reading the newsletter. One of my book club members asked how long it will take me to read all of these books. The bigger question is: Where to start?
“Thanks again to you and your staff for my windfall and for nurturing readers everywhere.”
Liz, thank YOU for all of your support throughout these 20+ years and spreading the word about what we do. Happy reading…and sharing!
My latest “Bookreporter Talks To” interview is with Tracey Lange, whose new family-themed novel, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS?, will be a Bets On selection. Tracey introduces readers to Kyle and Casey McCray, a divorced couple who are very much estranged. As Kyle returns home to Potsdam, New York, for a family emergency, their shared past haunts them in a way that gives them a chance to come back to one another.
But life gets in the way, again and again. There’s middle-school hockey, which I never thought of as a way to bring a couple together, as well as the small town where people are close and are there for one another. The book is about trying to unwind the past in order to move forward. And yes, Tracey discusses Kyle’s tattoos and why they were included in the story. Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast. And don’t miss my Bets On commentary in next week’s newsletter.
This is your last Weekly Update newsletter reminder to sign up for our first “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event of the year, which will take place on Wednesday, January 29th at 8pm ET.
Our guest will be Ashley Elston, and she will be talking about her #1 New York Times bestseller, FIRST LIE WINS, a Reese’s Book Club pick and a Bets On selection that releases in paperback on Tuesday.
You can register for the event by clicking here. If you have a question for Ashley, please email it to me using the subject line “Ashley” by Wednesday at noon ET. Be sure to also include your name, city and state, and indicate if you’d like to be on camera during the event so you can ask Ashley the question yourself, or if you’d prefer me to ask it for you. Those who appear on camera will be able to chat with Ashley in our virtual green room before the program starts.
FIRST LIE WINS sold a million copies in its first eight months of being on sale and was one of the biggest selling books of 2024. It’s a sharp and fast read! I hope you can join us for what promises to be a great night.
On Wednesday night, we hosted a special “Bookaccino Live” Winter Preview evening program, which 415 people attended live. I presented 60 books that are either out now or soon to be released this winter that we think you will enjoy reading over the next few months. Included are fiction; historical fiction; thrillers and mysteries; and memoirs, biographies and other nonfiction. Click here to watch the presentation and here to see a list of the titles that I talked about. We will be doing a Spring Preview evening program in March!
Next month's “Bookaccino Live” book preview afternoon event will take place on Wednesday, February 12th at 2pm ET. The focus will be on titles releasing between February 11th and March 4th, in addition to a few from April, that we think will appeal to you. Click here to sign up. Those who join us live 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.
Organized by Daniel Palmer and Jeff Ayers, Authors for LA has partnered with the American Red Cross and the fundraising platform Givebutter to raise much-needed funds for immediate relief and support for those who have suffered the most from the devastating wildfires in Southern California.
If you would like to make a donation, please do so here. And for those looking to participate in the Authors for LA auction, you can register here to bid. Auction items include signed books, character names, Zoom meetings, and so much more. The bidding closes on Tuesday, February 11th at 7pm ET.
On Wednesday night, Authors for LA hosted a live event featuring book talks to help raise awareness as well as funds for this important relief effort. Among the authors who appeared on the telethon were Kimberly Belle, C.J. Box, Alafair Burke, Jeffery Deaver, Joseph Finder, Tess Gerritsen, Heather Gudenkauf, Charlaine Harris, Kaira Rouda and Lisa Unger. If you missed this very special event or would like to see it again, you can watch it here on YouTube.
Brad Meltzer (who also appeared on the telethon) and Josh Mensch have teamed up again for their latest collaboration, THE JFK CONSPIRACY. Here, they tell the true, little-known story of the first assassination attempt on John F. Kennedy, right before his inauguration, by a disgruntled sociopathic loner armed with dynamite.
Ray Palen has our review and says, “Knowing the outcome prior to starting THE JFK CONSPIRACY in no way lessens the impact of this story. Meltzer and Mensch are pros at reenacting the past and providing eye-opening details into events that most readers were never aware of. This book is a fun and fast read, and it’s a great way to interact with American history and a dark chapter that had gone all but unnoticed until now.”
I love seeing this latest release as we have been reviewing Brad since his very first book!
THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO meets the aforementioned FIRST LIE WINS in Kate Fagan’s much-talked-about debut novel, which is both the Reese’s Book Club pick and the Target Book Club selection for January. THE THREE LIVES OF CATE KAY is about an elusive bestselling author who decides to finally confess her true identity after years of hiding from her past.
According to Rebecca Munro in her review, “THE THREE LIVES OF CATE KAY is one of those books that reads so seamlessly and naturally, you'll think it's impossible that it was ever written, let alone by a debut novelist. Instead, its documentary format feels like finding your new favorite film, band or author, with all the vibrancy and electricity of discovery and obsession. I think it is safe to say that we can expect great things from Kate Fagan, and I cannot wait to follow her on this exciting journey.”
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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THREE WILD DOGS (and the truth): Markus Zusak tells of his family’s adoption of three troublesome rescue dogs. It’s a charming and courageous love story about making even the most incorrigible of animals family.
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THE HEART OF WINTER: Jonathan Evison’s new novel is about a married couple in their golden years --- from when they met across big ups, deep downs and survive-it-all, opposites-attract love.
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WE DO NOT PART: Han Kang, winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature, tells the story of a friendship between two women while powerfully reckoning with a hidden chapter in Korean history in a novel that blurs the boundaries between dream and reality.
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SAVE OUR SOULS: Matthew Pearl tells the unbelievable true story of a real-life Swiss Family Robinson (and their dog) who faced sharks, shipwreck and betrayal. The book asks us to consider who we might become if we found ourselves trapped on a deserted island.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
BEAUTIFUL UGLY by Alice Feeney and MORE OR LESS MADDY by Lisa Genova, both of which we reviewed last week, are my latest Bets On picks. Click on the titles to see why I’m betting you’ll love these books. If you missed my interview with Lisa from last week, be sure to watch the video or listen to the podcast.
Word of Mouth Contest Reminder
MORE OR LESS MADDY is one of our current Word of Mouth prizes; the other is GOOD DIRT by Charmaine Wilkerson, an upcoming Bets On selection that we will review next week. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read, and you’ll have a chance to win both these titles. Be sure to enter by Friday, January 31st at noon ET.
Winter Reading Contest Update
In this week’s Winter Reading contest, we gave away THE BUSINESS TRIP by Jessie Garcia. Next week’s prize will be PRESUMED GUILTY by Scott Turow, which we reviewed last week. The contest will go live on Tuesday, January 28th at noon ET.
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask which of 30 titles releasing in paperback this month you have read or are planning to read. Click here to let us know by Friday, January 31st at noon ET.
Also this week, the finalists for the 2024 National Book Critics Circle Awards were announced in six categories: Autobiography, Biography, Criticism, Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry.
Among the nominees are THE LAST FIRE SEASON: A Personal and Pyronatural History, by Manjula Martin (Autobiography), NIGHT FLYER: Harriet Tubman and the Faith Dreams of a Free People, by Tiya Miles (Biography), JAMES by Percival Everett (Fiction), and WE'RE ALONE: Essays by Edwidge Danticat (Nonfiction).
Other announcements included two lifetime achievement awards, the NBCC Service Award, the winner and finalists for the Nona Balakian Citation, the finalists for the John Leonard Prize for Best First Book, and the shortlist for the Gregg Barrios Book in Translation Prize. Click here for all the nominees.
The awards will be presented on March 20th at the New School in New York City, in a ceremony that will be free and open to the public.
We learned this week that the legendary Jules Feiffer passed away last Friday at the age of 95 due to congestive heart failure.
Feiffer won a number of prizes for his cartoons, plays and screenplays, including the Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning. His books for children include THE MAN IN THE CEILING; A BARREL OF LAUGHS, A VALE OF TEARS; I LOST MY BEAR; BARK, GEORGE; and MEANWHILE... Many of you know him as the illustrator of Norton Juster’s 1961 book, THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH.
Feiffer's first graphic novel for children, AMAZING GRAPES, released last September and was his final book.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
As we were working on the newsletter today, the above photo arrived from Susan, one of the 10 winners in our End-of-the-Year contest, along with this terrific note:
“What a way to start the new year! When I saw the picture in the newsletter of you packing the Year-End Bets On boxes, I never could have imagined one of them was coming to me. It was like Christmas morning! Please accept my heartfelt thanks not only for the lovely books, but for your continued enthusiasm for sharing books, authors, culture and personal passions with your audience of serious readers. I'm sure every one of them is as grateful as I am. Thank you again to you and your staff, and I wish you all continued success in 2025!”
We also heard from another Bets On contest winner, Leslie (pictured above), who expressed her gratitude: “What a lovely surprise to find a box of books on my doorstep, especially since they arrived before my email notification! I can’t wait to read them and share them. Thanks very much!”
A third Bets On contest winner, LaRita, sent us this jubilant message: “Thank you so much! I’m thrilled! I never win contests. I’ve been a fan of Bookreporter since the ‘90s, which makes this even sweeter. Thank you for everything you do!”
Christina wrote about winning the aforementioned PRESUMED GUILTY and WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS? in a previous Word of Mouth contest: “Thank you so much, Francesca and Carol!! I recently discovered the Bookreporter videos on YouTube, and they are awesome!!”
Amy, another Word of Mouth winner, also wrote about winning those two books: “That's such exciting news!!! Thank you so much! This is the first time I've won a book.”
Gretchen wrote about winning a “Bookaccino Live” prize: “I was so happy to receive Liane Moriarty's HERE ONE MOMENT. As soon as I finish the book, I will offer it to my friends and neighbors to read. I love having hardcover books to share. Many thanks, Carol.”
Rose also wrote about winning a “Bookaccino Live” prize: “I was absolutely thrilled to receive a package today from you! Robert Dugoni is one of my very favorite authors, and I have been looking forward to reading this book! Thank you so much!”
Courtney wrote, “I just got my copy of THE STOLEN QUEEN and can't wait to read it.”
Susan wrote, “Carol, I just want to tell you that your website is, in my humble opinion, at the top. I do look at other book websites as well, but it's the variety that you put into your website that makes all the difference for me (as well as others). You have a great variety of authors you interview, and the layout of the website is so easy to use. There are so many things that you do to bring people into reading your website. Thank you and your staff for all that you do!” Susan, this note made my day, and it was shared with the team!
There has not been much television watching or streaming this past week, as there was a lot of football and our Winter Preview evening program. I was two for five with my football predictions last week. I am rooting for the Chiefs (again, I like watching Mahomes) and the Eagles (though my husband will be appalled as we are Giants fans, but the Commanders also are not on the Giants fans' approval list). Given my record, I am not sure if any team wants me cheering for them!
Bookish moment in football: A couple of weeks ago, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown was spotted on the sidelines reading INNER EXCELLENCE: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible Life, by Jim Murphy. This propelled the book to number one on Amazon, and it sold out in many places. Football and books --- perfect together!
The Oscar nominations were announced this week, and I realize how few of the films I have seen. So there will be some catching up to do before the ceremony on March 2nd.
I want to finally watch “The Agency”, which has been on our list for a while. We saw one episode but somehow with half-attention!
The Australian Open women's final airs at 3:30am ET tonight/Saturday morning, and the men's final will air at the same time on Saturday night/Sunday morning. I have seen none of the earlier matches, so I want to make time to watch the finals (though most likely I will catch the encore broadcasts later in the day on Saturday and Sunday). Tom Donadio, our in-house tennis expert, is pulling for Madison Keys over Aryna Sabalenka, and Jannik Sinner over Alexander Zverev.
Tomorrow’s goal is to get the Christmas decorations back into the attic. All is packed up, but I am determined to have every box labeled right and to look at what we have not used and see if those pieces may be earmarked to leave the house.
I am reading and loving PRESUMED GUILTY, though there have not been enough hours in the days this week to enjoy it. Scott Turow's writing of the courtroom scenes is excellent. I am interviewing him on Tuesday and want to be ready for that.
We are going to celebrate Cory’s birthday on Sunday. Bring on the marble cake with chocolate frosting. We are so looking forward to this!
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!
Featured Review: THE JFK CONSPIRACY
by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch
THE JFK CONSPIRACY: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy — and Why It Failed by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch (History)
Audiobook available, read by Scott Brick
John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, is often ranked among Americans’ most well-liked presidents. Yet what most Americans don’t know is that JFK’s historic presidency almost ended before it began --- at the hands of a disgruntled sociopathic loner armed with dynamite. On December 11, 1960, shortly after Kennedy’s election and before his inauguration, a retired postal worker named Richard Pavlick waited in his car on a quiet street in Palm Beach, Florida. Pavlick knew the president-elect’s schedule. He knew when Kennedy would leave his house. He knew where Kennedy was going. From there, Pavlick had a simple plan --- one that could’ve changed the course of history. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THE THREE LIVES OF CATE KAY by Kate Fagan
Reese’s Book Club Pick
and the Target Book Club Selection for January
THE THREE LIVES OF CATE KAY by Kate Fagan (Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Marin Ireland, Tessa Albertson, Genevieve Kingston and Imani Jade Powers, with a full cast
Cate Kay knows how to craft a story. As the creator of a bestselling book trilogy that struck box office gold as a film series, she’s one of the most successful authors of her generation. The thing is, Cate Kay doesn’t really exist. She’s never attended author events or granted any interviews. Her real identity had been a closely guarded secret, until now. As a young adult, she and her best friend, Amanda, dreamed of escaping their difficult homes and moving to California to become movie stars. But the day before their grand adventure, a tragedy shattered their dreams, and Cate has been on the run ever since, taking on different names and charting a new future. But after a shocking revelation, Cate understands that returning home is the only way she’ll be a whole person again. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to see why the book is this month's Reese's Book Club pick.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THREE WILD DOGS (and the truth)
by Markus Zusak
THREE WILD DOGS (and the truth): A Memoir by Markus Zusak (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Markus Zusak
What happens when the Zusak family opens their home to three big, wild, street-hardened dogs --- Reuben, more wolf than hound; Archer, blond, beautiful, destructive; and the rancorously smiling Frosty, who walks like a rolling thunderstorm? The answer can only be chaos: There are street fights, park fights, public shamings, property damages, injuries, hospital visits, wellness checks, pure comedy, shocking tragedy and carnage that must be read to be believed. There is a reckoning of shortcomings and failure, a strengthening of will, but most important of all, an explosion of love --- and the joy and recognition of family. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
BEAUTIFUL UGLY by Alice Feeney
and MORE OR LESS MADDY by Lisa Genova
BEAUTIFUL UGLY by Alice Feeney (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
If you want a book with twists, then Alice Feeney’s BEAUTIFUL UGLY is the one for you. We open on a happy note as Grady Green has his first New York Times bestseller, and he is ready to celebrate with his wife, Abby Goldman. But Abby goes missing that night. She had been on the phone with her husband just before she disappeared.
A distraught Grady falls into a deep depression and is unable to write. Grief has overtaken him. His literary agent, Kitty, offers him something that may be his salvation. Her former client, bestselling author Charles Whittaker, left her a cabin on Amberly, a remote island off the coast of Scotland. Grady agrees to go there and write as nothing else seems to be happening for him.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on BEAUTIFUL UGLY.
MORE OR LESS MADDY by Lisa Genova (Fiction)
I have been a long-time fan of Lisa Genova’s work. In fact, her previous novels --- STILL ALICE, LEFT NEGLECTED, LOVE ANTHONY, INSIDE THE O'BRIENS and EVERY NOTE PLAYED --- were Bets On selections. Reading them, I have learned about early-onset Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury, autism, Huntington’s disease and ALS.
In MORE OR LESS MADDY, Lisa takes us inside the world of Maddy Banks, who seems to have normal issues for a college student. But when they escalate, she finds herself in a deeply depressed and dark state, barely making her way through the day. A quick visit to the university’s health facility gets her a prescription for an antidepressant, and all is well for a while.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to watch our "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Lisa Genova.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on MORE OR LESS MADDY.
Featured Review: THE HEART OF WINTER
by Jonathan Evison
THE HEART OF WINTER by Jonathan Evison (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Kimberly Farr
Abe Winter and Ruth Warneke were never meant to be together --- at least if you ask Ruth. Yet their catastrophic blind date in college evolved into a 70-year marriage and a life on a farm on Bainbridge Island with their hens and beloved Labrador, Megs. Through the years, the Winters have fallen in and out of lockstep, and from their haunting losses and guarded secrets, a dependable partnership has been forged. But when Ruth’s loose tooth turns out to be something much more malicious, the beautiful, reliable life they’ve created together comes to a crisis. As Ruth struggles with her crumbling independence, Abe must learn how to take care of her while their three living children question his ability to look after his wife. And once again, the couple has to reconfigure how to be there for each other. Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
WE DO NOT PART by Han Kang,
Winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature
WE DO NOT PART written by Han Kang, translated by e. yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Greta Jung
One winter morning, Kyungha receives an urgent message from her friend, Inseon, to visit her at a hospital in Seoul. Inseon has injured herself in an accident, and she begs Kyungha to return to Jeju Island, where she lives, to save her beloved pet --- a white bird called Ama. A snowstorm hits the island when Kyungha arrives. She must reach Inseon’s house at all costs, but the icy wind and squalls slow her down as night begins to fall. She wonders if she will arrive in time to save the animal --- or even survive the terrible cold that envelops her with every step. Lost in a world of snow, she doesn’t yet suspect the vertiginous plunge into the darkness that awaits her at her friend’s house. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: SAVE OUR SOULS by Matthew Pearl
SAVE OUR SOULS: The True Story of a Castaway Family, Treachery, and Murder by Matthew Pearl (True Crime/History)
Audiobook available, read by George Newbern
On December 10, 1887, a shark fishing boat disappeared. On board the doomed vessel were the Walkers --- the ship’s captain Frederick, his wife Elizabeth, their three teenage sons, and their dog --- along with the ship’s crew. The family had spotted a promising fishing location when a terrible storm arose, splitting their vessel in two and leaving those onboard adrift on the perilous sea. When the castaways awoke the next morning, they discovered they had been washed ashore --- on an island inhabited by a large but ragged and emaciated man who introduced himself as Hans. It turned out that Hans had a secret. And as the Walker family gradually came to learn more, what seemed like a stroke of luck to have the mysterious man’s assistance became something ominous, something darker. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com's 10th Annual
Winter Reading Contests and Feature
Our Winter Reading contests have returned for a 10th year! On select days in January and February, we are hosting a series of 24-hour contests spotlighting a book releasing this winter and giving five lucky readers the chance to win it. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.
Our next contest will be up on Tuesday, January 28th at noon ET. The prize book will be PRESUMED GUILTY by Scott Turow, in which retired judge Rusty Sabich returns to the courtroom to defend his girlfriend's son against first-degree murder charges.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
THE BIG EMPTY: An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel by Robert Crais (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Luke Daniels
Traci Beller was 13 when her father disappeared in the sleepy town of Rancha. The evidence says that Tommy Beller abandoned his family, but Traci never believed it. Now, 10 years later, Traci is a high-profile influencer with millions of followers and the money to hire the best detective she can find: Elvis Cole. Elvis heads to Rancha where an ex-con named Sadie Givens and her daughter, Anya, might have a line on the missing man. But when Elvis finds himself shadowed by a gang of vicious criminals, the missing persons cold case becomes far more sinister. Elvis calls his ex-Marine friend, Joe Pike, for help, and they follow Tommy Beller's trail into the depths of a monstrous, hidden evil. The case flips on its head, victims become predators, predators become prey, and the question becomes: Can Elvis Cole save them all from this nightmare? Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE FAVORITES by Layne Fargo (Romance)
Audiobook available, read by a full cast
Katarina Shaw has always known that she was destined to become an Olympic skater. When she meets Heath Rocha, a lonely kid stuck in the foster care system, their instant connection makes them a formidable duo on the ice. Clinging to skating --- and each other --- to escape their turbulent lives, Kat and Heath go from childhood sweethearts to champion ice dancers. Until a shocking incident at the Olympic Games brings their partnership to a sudden end. As the 10-year anniversary of their final skate approaches, an unauthorized documentary reignites the public obsession with Shaw and Rocha, claiming to uncover the “real story.” Kat wants nothing to do with the documentary, but she can’t stand the thought of someone else defining her legacy. So after a decade of silence, she’s telling her story. Reviewed by Megan Elliott.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
ROBERT LUDLUM'S THE BOURNE VENDETTA by Brian Freeman (Thriller/Adventure)
Audiobook available, read by Scott Brick
A hacked database known as the Files has upended the intelligence community. Careers are being destroyed. Dirty deals are showing up on the front page. Assassinations are spreading from Europe to the U.S. The new head of Treadstone sends Jason Bourne on a mission to find out who has the Files and get them back --- or destroy them. But Bourne isn’t alone in this race. The Chinese want the Files. So do the Russians. And the only woman who may be able to help him is a treacherous spy known as Johanna, Bourne’s former lover, who sees the Files as the key to her own vendetta against Treadstone. Bourne has a rule for friends and enemies alike: Trust no one. That rule may be the only thing keeping him alive, because the hunt for the Files soon takes him inside a twisted labyrinth of murder and betrayal, where everyone has a hidden agenda. Including Bourne himself. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
I DREAM OF JONI: A Portrait of Joni Mitchell in 53 Snapshots by Henry Alford (Music/Essays)
Audiobook available, read by Henry Alford
Joni Mitchell’s life, psyche and evolving legacy are explored here in vivid technicolor --- from her childhood in Saskatoon, Canada, to her arrival in Laurel Canyon that turned her into, as Henry Alford puts it, “the bard of heartbreak and longing.” Each period of Mitchell’s life is observed via the artists, friends, family and lovers she encountered along the way, including James Taylor, Leonard Cohen, Georgia O’Keeffe, Prince and, most significantly, Kilauren, the daughter Mitchell gave up for adoption at birth but then reconnected with decades later. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
TO SAVE THE MAN by John Sayles (Historical Fiction)
In September 1890, the academic year begins at the Carlisle School, a military-style boarding school for Indians in Pennsylvania, founded and run by Captain Richard Henry Pratt. Pratt considers himself a champion of Native Americans. His motto, “To save the man, we must kill the Indian,” is severely enforced in both classroom and dormitory. As the young students navigate surviving the school, they begin to hear rumors of a “ghost dance” amongst the tribes of the west --- a ceremonial dance aimed at restoring the Native People to power and running the invaders off their land. As the hope and promise of the ghost dance sweeps across the Great Plains, cynical newspapers seize upon the story to whip up panic among local whites. The US government responds by deploying troops onto lands that had been granted to the Indians. It is an act that seems certain to end in slaughter. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
THE SECRET OF THE THREE FATES: A Ruby Vaughn Mystery by Jess Armstrong (Gothic/Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Emma Love
American heiress Ruby Vaughn still hasn't entirely forgiven her octogenarian employer and housemate, Mr. Owen, for bringing the occult into their lives during her recent trip to Cornwall. He claims their journey to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders is simply to appraise and acquire illuminated manuscripts for their rare books shop. But when Ruby discovers there are no manuscripts and receives news of a séance to be held that very night, she begins to grow suspicious about the true reason why they have come. Mr. Owen is desperate to speak to his dead son, but he doesn’t want to face the spirits alone. When the séance --- hosted by a trio of mediums billing themselves as The Three Fates --- goes awry, Mr. Owen’s secrets begin to unravel. When Ruby finds one of the Three Fates murdered the night of the seance, she and Mr. Owen quickly become the prime suspects. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
GOBSMACKED!: The British Invasion of American English by Ben Yagoda (Linguistics/Reference)
The British love to complain that words and phrases imported from America --- from French fries to Awesome, man! --- are destroying the English language. But what about the influence going the other way? Britishisms have been making their way into the American lexicon for more than 150 years, but the process has accelerated since the turn of the 21st century. From acclaimed writer and language commentator Ben Yagoda, GOBSMACKED! is a witty, entertaining and enlightening account of how and why scores of British words and phrases --- such as one-off, go missing, curate, early days, kerfuffle, easy peasy and cheeky --- have been enthusiastically taken up by Yanks. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan (www.RonKaplansBaseballBookshelf.com).
DEFINITELY BETTER NOW by Ava Robinson (Fiction/Humor)
Audiobook available, read by Karissa Vacker
Emma is an alcoholic, but she’s been officially sober for an entire year. That’s 12 months of better health. But it’s also been 365 days of not dating. And with her new dating profile, Emma is ready to put herself back out there. Being assigned to plan her office’s holiday party feels like icing on the suddenly very overwhelming cake until her estranged father reappears with devastating news. But then there’s Ben, the charming IT guy who, despite Emma’s awkwardness and shortcomings, seems to maybe actually get her. Sobriety is turning out to be far from the flawless future Emma had once envisioned for herself. But as she allows herself to open up to Ben and confront difficult past relationships, she’s beginning to realize that taking things one day at a time just might be the perfectly imperfect path she’s meant to be on. Reviewed by Christine M. Irvin.
CHILDREN OF A HARSH BLISS by Rishi Waterman (Memoir)
Dive into the extraordinary world of CHILDREN OF A HARSH BLISS, a spellbinding memoir that blends deep spirituality with the raw realities of homesteading. Rishi Waterman, a California native, shares his riveting journey within the New Vrindaban Krishna community in rural West Virginia, offering a unique exploration of alternative living. In this captivating narrative, Waterman paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by a small group of spiritual enthusiasts striving to live off the land in the 1970s. Brace yourself for a wild ride through cold weather, local conflicts and even a confrontation with a biker gang. This isn't just a tale of survival; it's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on January 28th
Below are some notable titles releasing on January 28th 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 January 27th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
BEEN WRONG SO LONG IT FEELS LIKE RIGHT: A King Oliver Novel by Walter Mosley (Mystery)
A family member’s terminal illness leads P.I. Joe King Oliver to the investigation of his life: tracking down his long-lost father. Meanwhile, a new case pits King’s professional responsibility against his own moral code.
THE CRASH by Freida McFadden (Psychological Thriller)
The nightmare she's running from is nothing compared to where she's headed in #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden's new psychological thriller.
GOOD DIRT by Charmaine Wilkerson (Fiction)
The daughter of an affluent Black family pieces together the connection between a childhood tragedy and a beloved heirloom in this moving novel from the New York Times bestselling author of BLACK CAKE, a "Read with Jenna" Book Club pick.
HEAD CASES by John McMahon (Mystery/Thriller)
HEAD CASES follows an enigmatic group of FBI agents as they hunt down a murderer seeking his own justice in this electrifying --- and commercial --- series debut.
HOLD STRONG by Robert Dugoni, Jeff Langholz and Chris Crabtree (Historical Fiction)
From Robert Dugoni, Jeff Langholz and Chris Crabtree comes an epic and inspiring novel --- based on true events --- about love, heroism and resilience during the darkest chapters of World War II.
THE OLIGARCH'S DAUGHTER by Joseph Finder (Thriller)
From the New York Times bestselling author of HOUSE ON FIRE comes a breakneck thriller that marries the dynastic opulence of "Succession" with the tense and disorienting spycraft of "The Americans."
ORDER OF SWANS by Jude Deveraux (Fantasy/Romance)
In this spellbinding, fantasy-rich romance, a woman is swept into a world where she has the power to alter fairy tales and change a kingdom’s destiny.
TARTUFO by Kira Jane Buxton (Fiction)
From the author of HOLLOW KINGDOM comes a fantastically funny story featuring a cast of colorful characters in a dying Italian village --- and a giant truffle that changes their fate forever.
TOO SOON by Betty Shamieh (Fiction)
For readers of PACHINKO and QUEENIE comes a funny, sexy and heart-wrenching literary debut that explores exile, ambition and hope across three generations of Palestinian American women.
TRUST ISSUES by Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands (Thriller)
This fresh take on the classic conman chase novel follows two adult siblings forced to play nice in hopes of tracking down the man they believe killed their mother and ran off with their sizable inheritance.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Ashley Elston, Lisa Genova, Fiona Davis
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.
Tuesday, January 28th at 9pm ET: Killer Author Club: Join the Killer Author Club for a killer chat with bestselling author Joshua Moehling about the third book in his critically acclaimed Ben Packard series, A LONG TIME GONE.
Wednesday, January 29th at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with Lisa Genova about MORE OR LESS MADDY, a breathless, riveting novel about a young woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder who rejects the stability and approval found in a traditionally “normal” life for a career in stand-up comedy.
Wednesday, January 29th at 7pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Fiona Davis will talk about her latest work of historical fiction, THE STOLEN QUEEN, an utterly addictive novel that will transport you from New York City’s most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo and back.
Wednesday, January 29th at 8pm ET: "Bookaccino Live" Book Group: Carol Fitzgerald will talk to Ashley Elston about her #1 New York Times bestseller, FIRST LIE WINS, a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick that releases in paperback on January 28th. Ashley also will answer questions from guests who will be "on stage," as well as from other members of the audience.
Thursday, January 30th at 7pm ET: Byrd's Books: Join Byrd's Books for a very special event with Kira Jane Buxton as they celebrate and discuss her new book, TARTUFO, a fantastically funny story featuring a cast of colorful characters in a dying Italian village --- and a giant truffle that changes their fate forever. Kira will be in conversation with Book Riot senior contributing editor Liberty Hardy.
"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:
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Tracey Lange (WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS?) Video | Podcast
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Michelle Horton (DEAR SISTER: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds)
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Scott Turow (PRESUMED GUILTY)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: January Paperback Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following titles releasing in paperback in January have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
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ARGYLLE by Elly Conway
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THE BEZZLE: A Martin Hench Novel, by Cory Doctorow
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THE BOOK OF FIRE by Christy Lefteri
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THE BOY WHO CRIED BEAR: A Haven's Rock Novel, by Kelley Armstrong
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DEAR SISTER: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds, by Michelle Horton
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DEATH OF A SPY: A Hamish Macbeth Murder Mystery, by M. C. Beaton with R.W. Green
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END OF STORY by A. J. Finn
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EVERYONE ON THIS TRAIN IS A SUSPECT by Benjamin Stevenson
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FAMILY FAMILY by Laurie Frankel
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FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE by Elle Cosimano
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FIRST LIE WINS by Ashley Elston
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THE FOREST OF LOST SOULS by Dean Koontz
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GOOD MATERIAL by Dolly Alderton
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GOODBYE GIRL: A Jack Swyteck Novel, by James Grippando
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A HITCH IN TIME: Reflections Ready for Reconsideration, by Christopher Hitchens
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KING: A Life, by Jonathan Eig
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LONE WOLF: An Orphan X Novel, by Gregg Hurwitz
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LOST BIRDS: A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel, by Anne Hillerman
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THE LOST TOMB: And Other Real-Life Stories of Bones, Burials, and Murder, by Douglas Preston
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THE NEW COUPLE IN 5B by Lisa Unger
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NONE OF THIS IS TRUE by Lisa Jewell
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ONLY THE BRAVE by Danielle Steel
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PASSIONS IN DEATH by J. D. Robb
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THE PRINCESS OF LAS VEGAS by Chris Bohjalian
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RED STAR FALLING: A Luke Daniels Thriller, by Steve Berry with Grant Blackwood
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SENTINEL: An Armored Novel, by Mark Greaney
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STILL SEE YOU EVERYWHERE by Lisa Gardner
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TOM CLANCY ACT OF DEFIANCE: A Jack Ryan Novel, by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson
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WATCH WHERE THEY HIDE: A Jordan Manning Novel, by Tamron Hall
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YELLOWFACE by R. F. Kuang
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, January 31st at noon ET.
Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What
You've Read --- 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 January 17th to January 31st at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of GOOD DIRT by Charmaine Wilkerson and MORE OR LESS MADDY by Lisa Genova.
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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