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And Just Like That, the “Year of January” Ends
We have added a number of new subscribers in the last few weeks, so we wanted to take a moment to welcome you to the Bookreporter.com newsletter!
At the beginning of each year, I have lots of ideas about what I want to take on personally and professionally. Now, 31 days later, I think of everything I have done. I got the Christmas ornaments back to the attic, redid my bedroom closet, and celebrated my two sons’ birthdays. We did three big “Bookaccino Live” events, I conducted five “Bookreporter Talks To” interviews, we hosted four Winter Reading contests and two Word of Mouth giveaways, we packed up 80 books for our year-end Bets On contest, we got two sets of “Bookaccino Live” prizes out, and we did five weekly updates.
BUT the “Goals” list was not touched, except at the health club where I added yoga back into my workouts. But even there I did not spend any time on the training floor the way I wanted.
I look at what I thought I could get wrapped up in these last few weeks and laugh. This happens every January, as things move along at a snail’s pace and takes at least twice as long as planned. It makes the month feel like a year --- and that is before snow falls and slows life down even more. Before I get my hopes up for February, I must remind myself that “it” only has 28 days! I am grateful that I look at the list and think, Well, these still are things that I am interested in --- and I still believe in them. THAT is a big win. I remain an optimist!
Note to those of you who live in New Jersey. I am going to be moderating an event for Marie Benedict’s upcoming novel, THE QUEENS OF CRIME, at the Brielle Public Library on Monday, February 10th at 6pm. The program is being presented by BookTowne, the local bookstore. A few friends will be joining me there, and I hope to see some of you as well.
We have two new “Bookreporter Talks To” interviews to share with you in this newsletter.
First up is Scott Turow, whose latest legal thriller, PRESUMED GUILTY, we reviewed a couple of weeks ago. This upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On pick marks the return of Rusty Sabich, following his starring roles in PRESUMED INNOCENT and INNOCENT.
Scott explains his decision to write the book and why this may be the last time we see Rusty as a protagonist in one of his novels. He also shares the reason that he chose to make Aaron a young Black man who was adopted by white people. We talk about the mantle of “accused murderer” and what that means to a person, which is something that two of his characters share.
I point out Scott’s very in-depth courtroom scenes, which leads to a discussion about their significance for the reader, as well as the topic of how justice may or may not be served according to who is on the bench, who is prosecuting and who is defending. And yes, we bring up some books-to-screen news. Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast. Don’t miss my Bets On commentary next week.
I also had a fascinating conversation with Michelle Horton about DEAR SISTER: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds, which has just released in paperback with bonus content and will be a Bets On selection. I met Michelle last October when I interviewed her at the Morristown Festival of Books. I found her memoir to be so compelling that I came up with an idea to feature an interview about one “issue topic” each month. I am kicking it off with domestic violence as the topic.
Michelle shares the harrowing story of how her sister, Nikki, a victim of domestic violence for years, was imprisoned after she killed her long-time partner. Two police officers knocked on Michelle’s door one night and told her that she needed to come to the station to take Nikki’s two- and four-year-old children to her home. She explains what that meant for her and her son, and notes that she and her family were not aware of the abuse that Nikki experienced.
Michelle discusses how the Domestic Abuse Act that was passed in New York led to Nikki’s early release. This law is only in effect in a few states, while others are fighting to get it on the books. She traces what happened at the trial and how information can be suppressed.
Nikki was released on January 4, 2024, and the hardcover came out on January 30th. Michelle talks about including a chapter in the paperback edition to share what that experience was like, as well as the addition of a chapter from Nikki’s point of view. The latter gives insight into how the past 16 years have taken a toll on Nikki and the path to normalcy. Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast. My Bets On commentary will appear in next week’s newsletter.
On Wednesday night, Ashley Elston joined us for our first “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event of 2025 to discuss her debut adult novel, FIRST LIE WINS. This #1 New York Times bestseller and Bets On selection is now available in paperback.
Ashley talks about her writing process, which includes the brown butcher paper that lines her walls along with colored Post-it notes, and working with the software program Scrivener. She also explains how her past career as a wedding photographer enhanced her writing skills. We learn how the story’s twists and turns came to her, as well as the reveals and how she keeps the tension up.
Ashley recalls how excited she was when FIRST LIE WINS was named a Reese’s Book Club pick (which she initially had to keep secret) and what the past year has been like. Yes, it’s been a whirlwind. And she talks about what’s next for her. Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast.
Our next “Bookaccino Live” Book Group guest will be Lisa Wingate. The event will be held on Wednesday, February 26th at 8pm ET, and you can sign up here for it. We will talk about her USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller, SHELTERWOOD, a Bets On pick that releases in paperback on February 18th. This sweeping novel is inspired by the untold history of women pioneers who fought to protect children caught in the storm of land barons hungry for power and oil wealth.
Just as we did on Wednesday night, there will be a two-part Q&A session after I talk to Lisa. For the first part, those who are asking a question on camera will be featured. This includes spending time with Lisa 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 me with the subject line "Shelterwood" by noon ET on February 26th. Be sure to include your name, city and state, as well as your question. If you do not want to appear on camera but still would like to ask a question, please note that you want to be off camera, and share your question --- adding your name, city and state.
GOOD DIRT is a multi-generational epic that examines how the past informs our present as the daughter of an affluent Black family pieces together the connection between a childhood tragedy and a beloved heirloom. This latest novel from Charmaine Wilkerson is January’s Top LibraryReads Pick and will be a Bets On selection, just as her debut, BLACK CAKE, was when it released in 2022.
In her review, Jane T. Krebs calls GOOD DIRT an “impressive sophomore effort” and goes on to say, “Wilkerson labels short chapters with the many characters’ names and adds simple titles, such as Disquiet, Potential, Searching and Confrontation. The precision of the naming adds interest and perspective, and I appreciated these details very much…. Ebby Freeman is a character to cherish. We see the deep search for what she has forgotten and what she must remember in order to bring her to a quiet resolution of her own worth.”
Find out why I’m betting you’ll love GOOD DIRT when I share my thoughts on it in the next couple of weeks. I listened to the audiobook narrated by January LaVoy.
Another future Bets On pick is THE OLIGARCH’S DAUGHTER by Joseph Finder, a breakneck thriller in which a young hedge funder falls for an attractive woman he meets at a party who turns out to be the daughter of a Russian oligarch. According to the publisher, the book “marries the dynastic opulence of ‘Succession’ with the tense and disorienting spy craft of ‘The Americans.’”
Ray Palen has our review and says, “Not to give anything away, but the book’s title should give some indication that Tatyana is more than just a loving fiancée. The suspense level is literally at the heart-in-your-throat range, and the pages feel like they are turning themselves. Joseph Finder has another classic on his hands and once again proves that he still has his finger on the pulse of Russian-infused thrillers.” We will feature my Bets On commentary in an upcoming newsletter, and I hope to interview Joe. I am loving this book!
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE COMMON OCTOPUS: Emma Knight’s debut novel, which is both January’s Barnes & Noble Book Club pick and “Read with Jenna” Book Club selection, offers compelling portraits of womanhood, motherhood and female friendship, along with the irresistible intrigue surrounding an extraordinary British family.
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BEEN WRONG SO LONG IT FEELS LIKE RIGHT: In Walter Mosley’s latest 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.
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THE CRASH: In Freida McFadden’s new psychological thriller, a woman who is eight months pregnant is stranded in rural Maine with a dead car and broken ankle. She is rescued by a couple who offers her a room in their warm cabin until the snow clears. But something isn't right, and she soon comes to realize that she’s in grave danger.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
My latest Bets On pick is WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS? by Tracey Lange, a poignant story about the resilience of family, the importance of community, and the magic of middle-school hockey. Click here to find out why I’m betting you’ll love this book. If you missed my interview with Tracey from last week, be sure to watch the video or listen to the podcast.
Revisiting Two “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews
The aforementioned FIRST LIE WINS by Ashley Elston is out in paperback this week, along with WATCH WHERE THEY HIDE: A Jordan Manning Novel by Tamron Hall. I talked to Ashley and Tamron when their books came out in hardcover, so if you’d like to check out these interviews, you can watch the videos or listen to the podcasts using the links below.
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Ashley Elston (FIRST LIE WINS) Video | Podcast
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Tamron Hall (WATCH WHERE THEY HIDE: A Jordan Manning Novel) Video | Podcast
Please note that this interview with Ashley is spoiler-free, unlike our book group event on Wednesday night, where we DID talk spoilers.
Winter Reading Contest Update
In this week’s Winter Reading contest, we gave away the aforementioned PRESUMED GUILTY by Scott Turow. Next week’s prizes will be A FORTY YEAR KISS by Nickolas Butler and ISOLA by Allegra Goodman. These 24-hour contests will be up at noon ET on Tuesday, February 4th and Thursday, February 6th.
Enter Our New Word of Mouth Contest
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, February 14th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll have a chance to win the aforementioned THE QUEENS OF CRIME by Marie Benedict (which also will be a Winter Reading prize book) and THREE DAYS IN JUNE by Anne Tyler, both of which release on February 11th.
Vote in Our New Poll --- and Check Out Results from the Last Poll
The Academy Award nominations were announced last week, so we’re curious to know which of the films based on books that are up for an Oscar (in any category) you have seen or are planning to see. Click here to cast your votes in our latest poll by Friday, February 14th at noon ET.
In our previous poll, we listed 30 titles releasing in paperback in January and asked which of them, if any, you have read or are planning to read. Below are your top five picks, and you can see all the results here.
The winners of the 2025 Andrew Carnegie Medals were announced this week. JAMES by Percival Everett won the Fiction medal, while the Nonfiction medal was awarded to A WALK IN THE PARK: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko. The Carnegie Medals “serve as a guide to help adults select quality reading material. They are the first single-book awards for adult books given by the American Library Association and reflect the expert judgment and insight of library professionals who work closely with adult readers.”
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Mark wrote about our event with Ashley Elston: “Thanks, Carol. That was my first one, and I loved it! Ashley was wonderful, as were you!” We hope to “see you” again at another event!
Karen, a winner in our End-of-the-Year contest, said, “What a pleasant surprise for this reader who cannot be without a book! I had not heard of any of the titles, but I look forward to digging into them, one by one.” I hope that you enjoy them as much as I did.
Sue wrote about winning BEAUTIFUL UGLY in our Winter Reading contest: “Oh, what happy news! I am actually one of the winners! I take my husband to dialysis three days a week and pick him up four hours later, so I have four hours to find something to do. I spend a lot of it reading books. I thank Bookreporter for having the contest and the publisher for sending the book. I will send a review when I finish reading it.” We hope your husband does well with his treatments.
Gwen wrote about winning PRESUMED GUILTY in our Winter Reading contest: “Thank you! I love everything about Bookreporter, and winning books just makes it that much better!”
Timothée Chalamet on “SNL”: As the musical guest, he chose to play some lesser-known Bob Dylan tunes. Watch his performances here and here. You will see why I loved A Complete Unknown.
“The Night Agent” on Netflix: I think season one was better, but we are enjoying this season. At one point, though, Husband Tom (as opposed to Editorial Director Tom) told me how bored he was. Tonight he said that it feels formulaic.
The flowers that you see above have been making me smile all week. Some of the ones that were cradled in wax are having third blooms. And the ones from bulbs have new buds bursting through. I LOVE the colors.
A quiet weekend is ahead. I am trying a new yoga class, Root Hatha, on Saturday, but beyond that I am hoping to relax on the couch with a fire in the fireplace and read. I look forward to finishing THE OLIGARCH'S DAUGHTER in print, and I am listening to ISOLA. Alas, there is no football or tennis on the agenda.
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: GOOD DIRT by Charmaine Wilkerson
January's Top LibraryReads Pick
and an Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
GOOD DIRT by Charmaine Wilkerson (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by January LaVoy
When 10-year-old Ebby Freeman heard the gunshot, time stopped. And when she saw her brother, Baz, lying on the floor surrounded by the shattered pieces of a centuries-old jar, life as Ebby knew it shattered as well. The crime was never solved, and because the Freemans were one of the only Black families in a particularly well-to-do enclave of New England, the case has had an enduring, voyeuristic pull for the public. When Ebby's high-profile romance falls apart without any explanation, she flees to France, only for her past to follow her there. And as she tries to process what's happened, she begins to think about the other loss her family suffered on that day 18 years ago --- the stoneware jar that had been in their family for generations, brought North by an enslaved ancestor. Reviewed by Jane T. Krebs.
- 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.
GOOD DIRT will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's Bets On commentary in an upcoming newsletter.
Featured Review:
THE OLIGARCH’S DAUGHTER by Joseph Finder
An Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
THE OLIGARCH'S DAUGHTER by Joseph Finder (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Mark Bramhall
Paul Brightman is a man on the run, living under an assumed name in a small New England town with a million-dollar bounty on his head. When his security is breached, Paul is forced to flee into the New Hampshire wilderness to evade Russian operatives who seemingly can predict his every move. Six years ago, Paul was a rising star on Wall Street who fell in love with a beautiful photographer named Tatyana --- unaware that her father was a Russian oligarch and the object of considerable interest from several U.S. intelligence agencies. Now, to save his own life, Paul must unravel a decades-old conspiracy that extends to the highest reaches of the government. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
THE OLIGARCH'S DAUGHTER will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's Bets On commentary in an upcoming newsletter.
Featured Review: THE LIFE CYCLE OF
THE COMMON OCTOPUS by Emma Knight
January’s Barnes & Noble and
“Read with Jenna” Book Club Picks
THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE COMMON OCTOPUS by Emma Knight (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Saskia Maarleveld
Arriving at the University of Edinburgh for her first term, Pen knows that her divorced parents back in Canada are hiding something from her. She believes she’ll find the answer here in Scotland, where an old friend of her father’s --- now a famous writer known as Lord Lennox --- lives. When she is invited to spend the weekend at Lord Lennox’s centuries-old estate with his enveloping, fascinating family, Pen begins to unravel her parents’ secret, just as she’s falling in love for the first time. As Pen experiences the sharp shock of adulthood, she comes to rely on herself for the first time in her life. Reviewed by Katherine B. Weissman.
» THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE COMMON OCTOPUS is January's Barnes & Noble Book Club pick. On Tuesday, February 4th at 3pm ET, B&N will host a live virtual event with Emma Knight. Click here to sign up.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to find out why the book is this month's "Read with Jenna" Book Club pick.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS?
by Tracey Lange
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS? by Tracey Lange (Fiction)
Tracey Lange is known for writing about families. These working-class individuals deal with issues that people come across every day. The way Tracey handles her characters is what makes her books so special.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS? opens with Kyle McCray seated in a restaurant in Spokane, Washington, where he is pondering heading back home to Potsdam, New York. He has been gone for two-and-a-half years, moseying his way across the country and taking a variety of jobs. His dad has had a stroke and needs his help, which is the only reason he is considering a return to Potsdam.
- 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 on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to watch our "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Tracey Lange.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's Bets On commentary.
Featured Review:
BEEN WRONG SO LONG IT FEELS LIKE RIGHT
by Walter Mosley
BEEN WRONG SO LONG IT FEELS LIKE RIGHT: A King Oliver Novel by Walter Mosley (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Dion Graham
Joe King Oliver’s beloved Grandma B has found a tumor, and at her age, treatment is high-risk. She has only a single, dying wish: to see her long-lost son. King has been estranged from his father, Chief Odin Oliver, since he was a young boy. But Grandma B’s pure ask has opened King’s heart, and he gains a deeper understanding of his father. Although Chief was released from prison years ago, he’s been living underground ever since. Now, King not only must find Chief, he has to prove his innocence. Meanwhile, Marigold Hart, the wife of a powerful California billionaire, has gone missing, along with their seven-year-old daughter. Orr is brutish and dangerous, and King realizes after locating her that it’s in her best interest to stay hidden. But are his motives pure? Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE CRASH by Freida McFadden
THE CRASH by Freida McFadden (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Leslie Howard
Tegan is eight months pregnant, alone and desperately wants to put her crumbling life in the rearview mirror. So she hits the road, planning to stay with her brother until she can figure out her next move. But she doesn't realize she's heading straight into a blizzard. She never arrives at her destination. Stranded in rural Maine with a dead car and broken ankle, Tegan worries she's made a terrible mistake. Then a miracle occurs: she is rescued by a couple who offers her a room in their warm cabin until the snow clears. But something isn't right. Tegan believed she was waiting out the storm, but as time ticks by, she comes to realize she is in grave danger. This safe haven isn't what she thought it was, and staying here may have been her most deadly mistake yet. And now she must do whatever it takes to save herself --- and her unborn child. 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 through February 19th, 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 two contests will be up at noon ET on Tuesday, February 4th and Thursday, February 6th. The prize books will be A FORTY YEAR KISS by Nickolas Butler and ISOLA by Allegra Goodman, both of which release on Tuesday.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
What’s New on ReadingGroupGuides.com
Our Reader-Selected Best Books of 2024
Recently on ReadingGroupGuides.com, we asked you to tell us your favorite book that you read with your book group and your favorite book that you read outside your group last year. The top 10 results in each category are in! The #1 pick in both categories is THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah. Click here for our reader-selected best books of 2024.
A special congratulations to our contest winner, Simonne C. from South Dartmouth, MA, who won seven books releasing this year that we think will be great for book group discussions: THE FLOAT TEST by Lynn Steger Strong, A FORTY YEAR KISS by Nickolas Butler, GOOD DIRT by Charmaine Wilkerson, MORE OR LESS MADDY by Lisa Genova, PRESUMED GUILTY by Scott Turow, THE QUEENS OF CRIME by Marie Benedict, and THE STOLEN QUEEN by Fiona Davis.
Most Requested Guides of 2024
We took a look at all of the guides that you accessed last year, and from there we pulled together a list of the top 30 titles. Your #1 most requested guide from 2024 is THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah. Rounding out the top five are THE FROZEN RIVER by Ariel Lawhon, DEMON COPPERHEAD by Barbara Kingsolver, HELLO BEAUTIFUL by Ann Napolitano, and HORSE by Geraldine Brooks. We love seeing which books resonated the most with you and your group! Click here for the most requested guides of 2024.
Here are our latest featured guides:
Please note that these titles, for which we already had the guides when they appeared in hardcover, are now available in paperback:
Click here to visit ReadingGroupGuides.com.
THE HARDER I FIGHT THE MORE I LOVE YOU: A Memoir by Neko Case (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Neko Case
Neko Case has long been revered as one of music’s most influential artists, whose authenticity, lyrical storytelling and sly wit have endeared her to a legion of critics, musicians and lifelong fans. In THE HARDER I FIGHT THE MORE I LOVE YOU, Case brings her trademark candor and precision to a memoir that traces her evolution from an invisible girl “raised by two dogs and a space heater” in rural Washington state to her improbable emergence as an internationally acclaimed talent. In luminous, sharp-edged prose, Case shows readers what it’s like to be left alone for hours and hours as a child, to take refuge in the woods around her home, and to channel the monotony, loneliness and joy that comes from music, camaraderie and shared experience into art. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
TELL ME WHAT YOU DID by Carter Wilson (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Allyson Ryan and Patrick Zeller
Poe Webb, the host of a popular true crime podcast, invites people to anonymously confess crimes they've committed to her audience. She can't guarantee the police won't come after her "guests," but her show grants simultaneous anonymity and instant fame --- a potent combination that's proven difficult to resist. After an episode recording, Poe usually erases both criminal and crime from her mind. But when a strange and oddly familiar man appears on her show, Poe is forced to take a second look. Not only because he claims to be her mother's murderer from years ago, but because Poe knows something no one else does. Her mother's murderer is dead. Poe killed him. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
FRANKIE by Graham Norton (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Graham Norton
Always on the periphery, looking on, young Frankie Howe was never quite sure enough of herself to take center stage. After all, life already had judged her harshly. Now old, Frankie finds it easier to forget the life that came before. Then Damian, a young Irish caretaker, arrives at her London flat to keep an eye on her as she recovers from a fall. A memory is sparked, and the past crackles into life as Damian listens to the story Frankie has kept stored away all these years. Traveling from post-war Ireland to 1960s New York --- a city full of art, larger-than-life characters and turmoil --- Frankie shares a world in which friendship and chance encounters collide. A place where, for a while, life blazes with an intensity that can’t last but perhaps will live on in other ways and in other people. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE VANISHING POINT: Stories by Paul Theroux (Fiction/Short Stories)
Audiobook available, read by Joe Knezevich
The stories in Paul Theroux’s fascinating collection are both exotic and domestic, their settings ranging from Hawaii to Africa and New England. Each focuses on life’s vanishing points --- a moment when seemingly all lines running through one’s life converge, and one can see no farther, yet must deal with the implications. With the insight, subtlety and empathy that has long characterized his work, Theroux has written deeply moving stories about memory, longing and the passing of time, once again reclaiming his status as a master of the form. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
BRONSHTEIN IN THE BRONX by Robert Littell (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Adam Grupper
January 12, 1917: An ocean liner docks in New York Harbor. Among the disembarking emigrants is Lev Davidovich Bronshtein --- better known by his nom de guerre, Leon Trotsky. Bronshtein has been on the run for a decade, driven from his beloved Russia after escaping political exile in Siberia. He lives for --- and is ready to sacrifice his life for --- a workers’ revolution, at any cost. But is he ready to become an American? In the weeks leading up to the February Revolution that eventually will see Lenin’s Bolsheviks seize power, Bronshtein haunts the streets, newspaper offices and socialist watering holes of New York City, wrestling with the difficult questions of his personal revolutionary ideology, his place in his own family, his relationship to Lenin, and, above all, his conscience. Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro.
THE MAILMAN by Andrew Welsh-Huggins (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Peter Berkrot
Mercury Carter is a deliveryman who takes his job very seriously. When a parcel is under his care, he will stop at nothing to deliver it directly to its intended recipient. Not even, as in the current case, when he finds a crew of violent men at the indicated address who threaten his life and take the woman who lives there hostage. That’s because Carter has special skills from his former life as a federal agent with the postal inspection service. After Carter dispatches the goons sent to kill him, he enters a home besieged by criminals --- but the leader of the gang escapes with attorney Rachel Stanfield before the mailman can complete his assignment. With Rachel’s husband, Glenn, in tow, Carter takes off in pursuit of the kidnapper and his quarry. Along the way, he slowly picks off members of the crew and uncovers a far-reaching conspiracy and a powerful crime syndicate. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE LOTUS SHOES by Jane Yang (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Catherine Ho and Katharine Chin
1800s China. Tightly bound feet, or "golden lilies," are the mark of an honorable woman. When Little Flower is sold as a maidservant --- a muizai --- to Linjing, a daughter of the prominent Fong family, she clings to the hope that one day her golden lilies will lead her out of slavery. Not only does Little Flower have bound feet, she is extraordinarily gifted at embroidery, a skill associated with the highest class of a lady. Resentful of her talents, Linjing does everything in her power to thwart Little Flower's escape. But when scandal strikes the Fongs, both women are cast out to the Celibate Sisterhood, where Little Flower’s artistic prowess catches the eye of a nobleman. His attention threatens not only her improved status, but also her life. If Linjing finds out, will she sabotage Little Flower to reclaim her power, or will she protect her? Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
THE KILLING FIELDS OF EAST NEW YORK: The First Subprime Mortgage Scandal, a White-Collar Crime Spree, and the Collapse of an American Neighborhood by Stacy Horn (True Crime)
Audiobook available, read by EJ Lavery
On a warm summer evening in 1991, 17-year-old Julia Parker was murdered in the Brooklyn neighborhood of East New York. An area known for an exorbitant level of violence and crime, East New York had come to be known as the Killing Fields. In the six months after Julia Parker’s death, 62 more people were murdered in the same area. In the early 1990s, murder rates in the neighborhood climbed to the highest in NYPD history. East New York was dying. But how did this once thriving, diverse, family neighborhood fall into such ruin? The answer can be found two decades earlier. A compulsively readable hybrid of true crime and investigative journalism, THE KILLING FIELDS OF EAST NEW YORK reveals how white-collar crime reduced a prospering neighborhood to abandoned buildings and empty lots. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
A SEA OF UNSPOKEN THINGS by Adrienne Young (Mystery/Magical Realism)
Audiobook available, read by Christine Lakin
James and Johnny Golden were once inseparable. For as long as she can remember, James shared an almost supernatural connection with her twin brother, Johnny, that went beyond intuition. So when Johnny is killed in a tragic accident, James knows before her phone even rings that her brother is gone. When James arrives in the secluded town of Six Rivers, California, to settle her brother’s affairs, she’s forced to revisit the ominous events of their shared past and finally face Micah, the only other person who knows their secrets --- and the only man she has ever loved. But as James delves deeper into Johnny’s world, she realizes that their unique connection hasn’t completely vanished. The more she immerses herself in his life, the more questions she has about the brother she thought she knew. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on February 4th
Below are some notable titles releasing on February 4th 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 February 3rd, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
BONDED IN DEATH by J. D. Robb (Mystery/Thriller)
#1 New York Times bestselling author J. D. Robb spins an epic tale of loyalty, treachery, murder and the long shadow of war.
CLEAVAGE: Men, Women, and the Space Between Us by Jennifer Finney Boylan (Memoir/Gender Studies)
What is the difference between men and women? Jennifer Finney Boylan examines the divisions --- as well as the common ground --- between the genders and reflects on her own experiences, both difficult and joyful, as a transgender American.
A FORTY YEAR KISS by Nickolas Butler (Fiction)
From the critically acclaimed author of SHOTGUN LOVESONGS comes an exquisitely written, small-town story about one couple's hard-won second chance at love, 40 years after their divorce.
HARLEM RHAPSODY by Victoria Christopher Murray (Historical Fiction)
She found the literary voices that would inspire the world. HARLEM RHAPSODY is the extraordinary story of the woman who ignited the Harlem Renaissance, written by the New York Times bestselling coauthor of THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN.
ISOLA by Allegra Goodman (Historical Fiction)
A young woman and her lover are marooned on an island in this epic saga of love, faith and defiance from the bestselling author of SAM.
JUNIE by Erin Crosby Eckstine (Historical Fiction)
A young girl must face a life-altering decision after awakening her sister’s ghost, navigating truths about love, friendship and power as the Civil War looms.
LAST TWILIGHT IN PARIS by Pam Jenoff (Historical Fiction)
A Parisian department store, a mysterious necklace and a woman’s quest to unlock a decade-old mystery are at the center of this riveting novel of love and survival.
MEMORIAL DAYS: A Memoir by Geraldine Brooks (Memoir)
The bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of HORSE has penned a heartrending and beautiful memoir of sudden loss and a journey towards peace.
OPEN SEASON: An Alex Delaware Novel by Jonathan Kellerman (Psychological Thriller)
Psychologist Alex Delaware and homicide detective Milo Sturgis race against time to find a twisted killer in this riveting thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman.
ROBERT B. PARKER'S BURIED SECRETS: A Jesse Stone Novel by Christopher Farnsworth (Mystery)
Police chief Jesse Stone investigates the mystery behind a dead body found strewn with photos of murder victims and placed on top of $2 million in cash, before a mob of hit men converge on Paradise.
SEEKING SHELTER: A Working Mother, Her Children, and a Story of Homelessness in America by Jeff Hobbs (Biography/Social Science)
From the bestselling author of THE SHORT AND TRAGIC LIFE OF ROBERT PEACE comes a powerful portrayal of American homelessness that follows a single mother of six in Los Angeles courageously struggling to keep her family together and her children in school amidst the devastating housing crisis.
THE SNOWBIRDS by Christina Clancy (Fiction)
THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME meets FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE in this page-turning story of a couple who flees winter in the Midwest for Palm Springs, where they find their relationship at a crossroads.
SOURCE CODE: My Beginnings by Bill Gates (Memoir)
SOURCE CODE is the origin story of one of the most influential and transformative business leaders and philanthropists of the modern age.
THIS IS A LOVE STORY by Jessica Soffer (Fiction)
An homage to New York City, to romance and even to loss, THIS IS A LOVE STORY tenderly and suspensefully captures deep truths about life and marriage in radiant prose. It is about love that endures despite what life throws at us, or perhaps even because of it.
VICTORIAN PSYCHO by Virginia Feito (Gothic Horror/Dark Humor)
From the acclaimed author of MRS. MARCH comes the riveting tale of a bloodthirsty governess who learns the true meaning of vengeance.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Victoria Christopher Murray, Walter Mosley, Emma Knight
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
Here are seven upcoming virtual book and author events that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links for more info and to register.
Tuesday, February 4th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble Book Club: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Emma Knight for a live virtual event to discuss her debut novel, THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE COMMON OCTOPUS, which is January's B&N Book Club pick. Emma will be in conversation with Lexie Smyth, B&N's Fiction Category Manager.
Tuesday, February 4th at 7pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's presents Maggie Su as she discusses her book, BLOB: A Love Story, with Renée Branum. This humorous and deeply moving debut novel in the vein of BUNNY and CONVENIENCE STORE WOMAN is about a young woman who tries to shape a sentient blob into her perfect boyfriend.
Tuesday, February 4th at 8pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Jonathan Kellerman will talk about his latest novel, OPEN SEASON, a riveting thriller that finds psychologist Alex Delaware and homicide detective Milo Sturgis racing against time to track down a twisted killer.
Tuesday, February 4th at 9pm ET: Killer Author Club: It’s a great day in the club house when the killers --- Kimberly Belle, Heather Gudenkauf and Kaira Rouda --- get to talk to New York Times bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz about NEMESIS, the 10th installment in his wildly popular Orphan X series.
Wednesday, February 5th at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with Victoria Christopher Murray about her first solo historical novel, HARLEM RHAPSODY, which tells the extraordinary story of the woman who ignited the Harlem Renaissance.
Wednesday, February 5th at 8pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Walter Mosley will talk about his new mystery, BEEN WRONG SO LONG IT FEELS LIKE RIGHT, in which a family member’s terminal illness leads P.I. Joe King Oliver to the investigation of his life: tracking down his long-lost father.
Thursday, February 6th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Virginia Feito for a live virtual discussion of her new page-turning thriller, VICTORIAN PSYCHO, as part of their B&N Midday Mystery Virtual Event series. Virginia will be in conversation with the bestselling author of HORROR MOVIE, Paul Tremblay.
"Bookreporter Talks To" Videos & Podcasts
“Bookreporter Talks To” is a video and podcast series that delivers a long-form, in-depth author interview every week. For years, Carol has moderated book festivals and author events around the country. But we know that readers often do not live where they can attend an author event. Our goal is to bring these author interviews to readers, wherever they may be. Watch on video, or listen as a podcast. (The podcasts include audio excerpts.)
Here are our latest interviews:
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Michelle Horton (DEAR SISTER: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds) Video | Podcast
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Scott Turow (PRESUMED GUILTY) Video | Podcast
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Marie Benedict (THE QUEENS OF CRIME)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: This Year’s
Oscar-Nominated Films Based on Books
Which of this year’s Oscar-nominated films that are based on books have you seen or do you plan to see? Please check all that apply.
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Black Box Diaries (based on BLACK BOX by Shiori Itō)
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A Complete Unknown (based on DYLAN GOES ELECTRIC!: Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties, by Elijah Wald)
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Conclave (based on CONCLAVE by Robert Harris)
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Dune: Part Two (based on DUNE by Frank Herbert)
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Emilia Pérez (based on ÉCOUTE by Boris Razon)
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I'm Still Here (based on AINDA ESTOU AQUI by Marcelo Rubens Paiva)
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Magic Candies (based on MAGIC CANDIES by Heena Baek)
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Nickel Boys (based on THE NICKEL BOYS by Colson Whitehead)
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Nosferatu (based on DRACULA by Bram Stoker)
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Wicked (based on WICKED: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire)
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The Wild Robot (based on THE WILD ROBOT by Peter Brown)
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, February 14th 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 31st to February 14th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE QUEENS OF CRIME by Marie Benedict and THREE DAYS IN JUNE by Anne Tyler.
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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