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Now that spring is here, I am waiting for the buds to appear on the trees. There will be a day soon when the palette outside turns from brown and gray to green. Note: I am not sure why they are talking about the possibility of SNOW on Sunday. I thought we were beyond thinking white.
I also am perusing MARTHA STEWART'S GARDENING HANDBOOK, which came out this week, for ideas for planting. We are moving two big hydrangea bushes, and I am contemplating what goes into those slots.
I am listening to SALTWATER, a thriller by Katy Hays that releases on Tuesday, and I am enjoying it as it is set off the coast of Italy. I feel like I am on vacation, albeit with lots of drama. Katy will be talking about the book at a Barnes & Noble virtual event on Tuesday afternoon. I am looking forward to that.
This is your last Weekly Update newsletter reminder to sign up for this month’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event, which will take place on Wednesday, March 26th at 8pm ET.
Our guest will be Anna Quindlen, and she will be talking about her New York Times bestseller, AFTER ANNIE, which is now available in paperback. Anna’s trademark wisdom on family, friendship and the ties that bind us are at the center of this novel about the power of love to transcend loss and triumph over adversity.
You can register for the event by clicking here. If you have a question for Anna, please email it to me using the subject line “Anna” 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 Anna 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 Anna in our virtual green room before the program starts.
On Wednesday night, we hosted a special “Bookaccino Live” Spring Preview evening program. I presented 61 books that are either out now or soon to be released this spring 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 Summer Preview evening program in June!
Patti Callahan Henry’s latest work of historical fiction, THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND, follows a brilliant woman who disappears, leaving behind a daughter and a sequel to her famous novel in her own made-up language. Patti was inspired by the true literary cold case of Barbara Newhall Follett, a child prodigy who wrote a book and created her own language by the age of 12, and then disappeared in 1939 when she was 25.
We have our review this week from Pamela Kramer, who says, “In Henry's capable hands, the story of a daughter searching for her mother is beautiful, made even lovelier by the choice of two idyllic settings…. While Henry revisits themes of life, loss, sacrifice, forgiveness and love, she does so with a story so compelling that we feel emotionally invested in the outcome…. Threaded through the pages is a subtle condemnation of how we have looked at mental illness and treated those who suffer from it, as well as those who just may have decided to live a life differently from the rest of us.”
Word of Mouth Contest Reminder
THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND is one of our current Word of Mouth prizes, along with the New York Times bestseller BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall, which is my latest Bets On pick. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win both these titles. Please do so by Friday, March 28th at noon ET. If you missed my “Bookreporter Talks To” interview with Clare from last week, be sure to watch or listen to it.
Emma Donoghue, who many of you know as the nationally bestselling author of ROOM, returns with THE PARIS EXPRESS, a sweeping historical novel about an infamous 1895 disaster at the Paris Montparnasse train station.
According to Kate Ayers in her review, “THE PARIS EXPRESS goes far beyond a chronicling of the events of October 22, 1895…. It brings to life the train itself, the crew, and the actual and possible passengers on that fateful day. Emma Donoghue does it in a way that no other author can. She has an uncanny knack for delving deep into the human psyche and making her characters’ emotions burst with passion. This is a retelling of history in its best form.”
THE SUMMER GUESTS is a chilling follow-up to Tess Gerritsen’s 2023 novel, THE SPY COAST. This time, the Martini Club is plunged into the search for a missing teen --- with a startling connection to their own pasts.
Ray Palen has our review and says, “Red herrings run rampant throughout this tale, and various names are bandied about as potential suspects…. As always, Gerritsen does a masterful job with plotting and provides enough clues and suspects to keep readers off balance the entire time. There are some twists and revelations in the book’s last act that are brilliant to behold and make for a highly satisfying thriller.”
I am reading THE SUMMER GUESTS now and am enjoying it. I think that Tess is doing a terrific job of bringing the Martini Club characters to us, and I love seeing their skills as they are ex-CIA agents.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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THE LOVE WE FOUND: It’s been ten years. In case you’re out there somewhere. In case you’re listening, I’m here. And I have so much to tell you. Jill Santopolo’s long-awaited follow-up to the Reese’s Book Club pick and New York Times bestseller THE LIGHT WE LOST is a thrilling love story about the roles that fate and choice play in shaping a life.
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A MAP TO PARADISE: Award-winning, agoraphobic screenwriter Elwood Blankenship has seemingly disappeared from his house. But how does a person with agoraphobia go missing? Three women with little in common suddenly find themselves thrust together to cover up a harrowing secret in Susan Meissner’s latest historical novel.
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RED SCARE: Clay Risen, an award-winning writer of history and a New York Times reporter, tells the story of McCarthyism and the Red Scare --- based in part on newly declassified sources. For the first time in a generation is a narrative history of the anti-Communist witch hunt that gripped America in the decade following World War II.
Revisiting Two “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews
Out in paperback this week is DAUGHTER OF MINE by Megan Miranda and THE WIVES: A Memoir by Simone Gorrindo, both of which are Bets On selections. I talked to Megan and Simone 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.
Spring Reading Contest Update
We gave away DAUGHTER OF MINE in this week’s Spring Reading contest. Our next prize book will be THE FOURTH GIRL, which releases on April 1st and kicks off Wendy Corsi Staub’s new suspense series, Haven Cliff. The contest will go live on Tuesday, March 25th at noon ET.
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask which of 35 titles releasing in paperback this month you have read or are planning to read. Click here to let us know by Friday, March 28th at noon ET.
The winners of the National Book Critics Circle Awards were presented last night during a ceremony at the New School in New York City. They included MY FRIENDS by Hisham Matar (Fiction), CHALLENGER: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space, by Adam Higginbotham (Nonfiction), CANDY DARLING: Dreamer, Icon, Superstar, by Cynthia Carr (Biography), and THERE'S ALWAYS THIS YEAR: On Basketball and Ascension, by Hanif Abdurraqib (Criticism). Click here for the complete list of winners.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Brumby wrote about winning copies of BLOOD MOON and THE JACKAL’S MISTRESS in our last Word of Mouth contest: “Wonderful news! I will definitely send a picture! That’s amazing. Thank you for letting me be part of such a great community.”
Denise gave me a great idea on what to do about the extra luggage that we have. She suggested that we donate them to an orphanage or a women's shelter.
Gretchen wrote, “I took your advice and ordered BROKEN COUNTRY on March 10th. It arrived on March 13th, and I started it. I am a fast reader, but I promised myself that I would slow down. I finished it on March 17th. I just sat there fascinated by the ending. I will recommend it to all my friends and family. I wonder what the TV or movie industry will do with it!”
Michael Connelly: Here is a terrific piece from the New York Times about the author who has given us both Harry Bosch and the Lincoln Lawyer. Along with other topics, Michael talks about how the fires changed the L.A. that he knew and how he is planning to address that in his next book. Twenty-seven people who work on his television adaptations have lost their homes.
“Shrinking” on Apple TV+: I heard from my friend, Beverley, that some sets used for filming this show had been destroyed in the L.A. fires. I did some research and saw that “several sets used for filming were destroyed in the Eaton Fire, which devastated Altadena, CA in January.” The fire damage is so far-flung.
“Adolescence” on Netflix: I found this British series last Friday night and binged all four episodes. Wow, the story is chilling and disturbing as a teenager is charged with murdering a female classmate. It’s shot with one camera continuously, which gives each episode a very interesting feel. Here is a great piece about it from The Independent.
Another show from the UK on Netflix: This one is called “Toxic Town”, and it's about a town where poisonous dust in the air causes children to be born with missing limbs and other physical abnormalities. It’s based on a real incident in the town of Corby, where toxic dust was linked to birth defects in multiple children. However, there is something amusing here about one of the cast members: British actress Aimee Lou Wood also plays Chelsea on season three of “The White Lotus”. I watched the shows back-to-back on Sunday night and could not believe I was seeing the same actress.
“With Love, Meghan” on Netflix: I confess that I watched this entire series. Wait, let me clarify “watched.” At night I normally have the television on in the background while I work. There are some good ideas here, but I feel like I was watching a person who is self-absorbed and thinks she is so fabulous. And there is so much gratefulness. I have to say that I have never washed my face at night “with deep intention.” A favorite moment was when the camera people told Meghan that something was bubbling too much on the stove. She walked over and said that it's nice and thick, even though it was close to bubbling over or burning. And a lot of things are “important” to do when you entertain. It’s just feeling overly (and thus falsely) sincere.
Anora on Hulu: During the week, I finally got to watch this movie to see why it won so many awards. I am not a prude, but there was so much nudity and so many sex scenes that it was crazy. The movie theater business is really hurting as people aren't watching films in theaters. Anora was made for $6 million, and it grossed $15 million, both of which are very low numbers. I honestly do not get it.
Husband Tom has been on the road all week, so I worked a lot of late nights since no one called up to my office to ask me to come down for dinner. Tom is the weekday cook. He teases that although I can cook and enjoy it, I only make simple things when he is gone. This week, leftover corned beef on rye was perfect!
I am not sure about any weekend plans. I have found two weekend yoga classes that I really enjoy: “Hatha” and “Surrender.” I was hoping there would be some spring-like weather this weekend, but it looks like it will be rainy and chilly. Do I tackle the basement, the attic, or a closet in the guest room? But honestly, reading on the couch sounds pretty great, too.
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 STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND
by Patti Callahan Henry
THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND by Patti Callahan Henry (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Julia Whelan and Theo Solomon
In 1927, Clara Harrington’s magical childhood shatters when her mother, renowned author Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, disappears off the coast of South Carolina. Bronwyn stunned the world with a book written in an invented language that became a national sensation when she was just 12 years old. Her departure leaves behind not only a devoted husband and heartbroken daughter, but also the hope of ever translating the sequel to her landmark work. By 1952, Clara is an illustrator raising her own daughter, Wynnie. One day, a stranger named Charlie Jameson contacts her from London claiming to have discovered a handwritten dictionary of her mother’s lost language. At the Jameson family’s retreat, Clara must find the courage to uncover the truth about her mother and the story she left behind. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THE PARIS EXPRESS by Emma Donoghue
THE PARIS EXPRESS by Emma Donoghue (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Justin Avoth
Based on an 1895 disaster that went down in history when it was captured in a series of surreal, extraordinary photographs, THE PARIS EXPRESS is set on a train packed with a fascinating cast of characters who hail from as close as Brittany and as far as Russia, Ireland, Algeria, Pennsylvania and Cambodia. Members of parliament hurry back to Paris to vote; a medical student suspects a girl may be dying; a secretary tries to convince her boss of the potential of moving pictures; two of the train’s crew build a life away from their wives; a young anarchist makes a terrifying plan, and much more. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THE SUMMER GUESTS by Tess Gerritsen
THE SUMMER GUESTS by Tess Gerritsen (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Hillary Huber
When former spy Maggie Bird retired to the seaside hamlet of Purity, Maine, she settled in for a quiet life with breathtaking views. But enemies from her past soon threatened to destroy everything. Maggie survived, thanks to her wits and the collective intelligence of the Martini Club, the circle of ex-CIA friends in her cocktail-sipping book club. Their handiwork, however, caught the attention of young police chief Jo Thibodeau. Now Jo and her neighborhood ex-spies have an uneasy alliance. After a teenager vanishes --- and Maggie’s neighbor becomes the prime suspect --- she joins the investigation, determined to prove her friend’s innocence. But the girl’s wealthy family pushes for an arrest. And when authorities discover a long-dead corpse in a nearby pond, the case becomes doubly complicated, with unthinkable ties to long-buried secrets. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall
BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall (Historical Fiction)
There are books that are hard for me to describe as all I want to say is “I loved it.” BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall is one of those books. How is this for a description? One night I stayed up until 2:45am reading it, and when I turned the last page, I took a quick picture and posted it on Instagram with some praise attached. It is the first time that I ever have done that in the wee hours of the morning.
I am not sure what I loved the most. Was it the characters, the plot, the twists, the writing…or how all of these elements came together so brilliantly? If I am asked to compare it to another book, the easy reply would be THE PAPER PALACE, as it also is about a woman who has loved two men. But then I think of the way that the farm is so beautifully described, and I am pulled in other directions on how to bring readers to it. Oh, and it takes place in the ’50s and ’60s, the decades that set a tone themselves.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to watch our "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Clare Leslie Hall.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's Bets On commentary.
Featured Review: THE LOVE WE FOUND by Jill Santopolo
THE LOVE WE FOUND by Jill Santopolo (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Jill Santopolo
It’s been nearly 10 years since Gabe has been gone when Lucy finds a tiny piece of paper in a box of his old photos. An address in Rome. Why did Gabe keep it, and what was he doing in Italy? Lucy buys a last-minute plane ticket. Impulsive, but Gabe always brought that out in her. Lucy’s journey to uncover Gabe’s secret leads her to Dr. Dax Armstrong, a New Yorker in Italy working with an NGO. His broad shoulders and sad, intense eyes draw Lucy in. His touch reaches her in a forgotten place --- one that no one has neared since Gabe. But her old life awaits, along with an earth-shattering decision --- whether she and Darren should tell their son, Samuel, the truth about his father. How can Lucy move forward while she’s rooted in the past? Fate broke her heart once. Can finding new love set her free? Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: A MAP TO PARADISE
by Susan Meissner
A MAP TO PARADISE by Susan Meissner (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Lisa Flanagan
With her name on the Hollywood blacklist and her life on hold, starlet Melanie Cole has little choice in company. There is her next-door neighbor, Elwood, but the screenwriter’s agoraphobia allows for just short chats through open windows. He’s her sole confidante, though, as she and her housekeeper, Eva, an immigrant from war-torn Europe, rarely make conversation. Then one early morning, Melanie and Eva spot Elwood’s sister-in-law and caretaker, June, digging in his beloved rose garden. After that they don’t see Elwood at all anymore. Where could a man who never leaves the house possibly have gone? As they try to find out if something has happened to him, unexpected secrets are revealed among all three women, leading to an alliance that seems the only way for any of them to hold on to what they can still call their own. Reviewed by Megan Elliott.
- 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: RED SCARE by Clay Risen
RED SCARE: Blacklists, McCarthyism, and the Making of Modern America by Clay Risen (History)
Audiobook available, read by Kevin R. Free
The film Oppenheimer has awakened interest in this vital period of American history. Now, for the first time in a generation, RED SCARE presents a narrative history of the anti-Communist witch hunt that gripped America in the decade following World War II. The cultural phenomenon, most often referred to as McCarthyism, was an outgrowth of the conflict between social conservatives and New Deal progressives, coupled with the terrifying onset of the Cold War. This defining moment in American history was marked by an unprecedented degree of political hysteria. Drawing upon newly declassified documents, journalist Clay Risen recounts how politicians like Joseph McCarthy, with the help of an extended network of other government officials and organizations, systematically ruined thousands of lives in their deluded pursuit of alleged Communist conspiracies. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com’s 14th Annual
Spring Reading 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 14th annual Spring Reading 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 next contest will be up on Tuesday, March 25th at noon ET. The prize book will be THE FOURTH GIRL by Wendy Corsi Staub, which releases on April 1st. On the anniversary of a teen’s disappearance, three friends face a deadly hometown reunion in this first installment of the Haven Cliff series.
This year's contest titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
GALWAY'S EDGE: A Jack Taylor Mystery by Ken Bruen (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by John Keating
Edge, a shadow organization made up of the most powerful figures in Galway society, exists to rid the city of criminals and abusers who have evaded the law. Long wary of the organization, the Vatican is not pleased when rumors start swirling that one of the Catholic Church’s own priests has joined its ranks. An envoy to the Archdiocese shows up at private detective Jack Taylor’s door, asking him to go speak to a priest named Kevin Whelan and dissuade him from any involvement with Edge. Jack accepts the mission, but the next day Father Whelan is found dead. As more Edge members are murdered, the Vatican grows alarmed that someone even worse will take their place. It’s up to Jack Taylor to nail the culprit before Edge is dissolved completely and Galway is thrown into chaos. Reviewed by Roberta O'Hara.
MR. WHISPER by Andrew Mayne (Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Jennifer O'Donnell, Susannah Jones, Will Damron and James Anderson Foster
Investigator Sloan McPherson finds a frightened vagrant suffering from amnesia living in a Florida swamp --- and then learns he disappeared from Oregon when he was a teenager. To find out how he ended up 3,000 miles from home 30 years later, Sloan enlists the help of two brilliant colleagues. FBI agent Jessica Blackwood and scientist Theo Cray have already made an alarming connection. A female classmate of the Everglades drifter disappeared at the same time, and their high school journals reveal ties to an enigmatic figure they both called Mr. Whisper. Under his influence, they did as they were told. The case is also attracting the attention of corporate security expert Brad Trasker, whose trail is leading to the dark heart of a master manipulator. Jessica, Theo, Sloan and Brad must now bring their unique skills to the table to take down a diabolical adversary. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE MAN NOBODY KILLED: Life, Death, and Art in Michael Stewart's New York by Elon Green (True Crime)
Audiobook available, read by Dion Graham
At 25 years old, Michael Stewart was a young Black aspiring artist, deejay and model, looking to make a name for himself in the vibrant downtown art scene of the early 1980s New York City. On September 15, 1983, he was brutally beaten by New York City Transit Authority police for allegedly tagging a 14th Street subway station wall. Witnesses reported officers beating him with billy clubs and choking him with a nightstick. Stewart arrived at Bellevue Hospital hog-tied with no heartbeat and died after 13 days in a coma. This was, at that point, the most widely noticed act of police brutality in the city's history. THE MAN NOBODY KILLED recounts the cultural impact of Michael Stewart’s life and death. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
THE HAUNTING OF ROOM 904 by Erika T. Wurth (Paranormal Thriller/Horror)
Audiobook available, read by Ina Barrón
Olivia Becente was never supposed to have the gift. The ability to commune with the dead was the specialty of her sister, Naiche. But when Naiche dies unexpectedly and under strange circumstances, somehow Olivia suddenly can’t stop seeing and hearing from spirits. A few years later, she’s the most in-demand paranormal investigator in Denver. She’s good at her job, but the loss of Naiche haunts her. That’s when she hears from the Brown Palace, a landmark Denver hotel. The owner can’t explain it, but every few years, a girl is found dead in room 904, no matter what room she checked into the night before. Olivia’s investigation forces her to confront a mysterious and possibly dangerous cult, a vindictive journalist, betrayal by her friends, and shocking revelations about her sister’s secret life. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE CALIFORNIANS by Brian Castleberry (Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Micky Shiloah, Rob Shapiro, Nancy Peterson and Jim Meskimen
It’s 2024, and Tobey Harlan steals from the wall of his father’s house three paintings by the venerated and controversial artist Di Stiegl. Tobey has just lost everything he owns to a Northern California wildfire, and if he can sell the paintings (albeit in a shady way to a notorious tech bro), he can start life anew in a place no one will ever find him. A hundred years before, German-Jewish immigrant Klaus Aaronsohn inveigles his way into a film studio in Astoria, Queens. He will restyle himself Klaus von Stiegl, a mysterious aristocratic German film director, and end his career directing “Brackett,” a radical, notorious ’60s-era detective show. Weaving between Tobey and Klaus is the story of Diane “Di” Stiegl, Klaus’ granddaughter, raised in Palm Springs, who claws out a career as an artist in gritty 1980s NYC. Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro.
O SINNERS! by Nicole Cuffy (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by JD Jackson and SEVAN
Faruq Zaidi, a young journalist processing the recent death of his father, who was a devout Muslim, takes the opportunity to embed himself in a cult called “the nameless.” Based in the California redwoods and shepherded by an enigmatic Vietnam War veteran named Odo, the nameless adhere to the 18 Utterances, including teachings such as “all suffering is distortion” and “see only beauty.” Faruq, skeptical but committed to unraveling the mystery of the nameless, extends his stay over months, as he gets deeper into the cult’s inner workings and alluring teachings. But as he gets closer to Odo, Faruq himself begins to unravel, forced to come to terms with the memories he has been running from while trying to resist Odo’s spell. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS by Patrick Hoffman (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Jacques Roy
Bunny Simpson grew up poor in Grand Junction, Colorado. Now in his 20s and working in Denver, he has simple dreams: He wants to help his uncle pay rent, save a little money, and maybe start a business one day. His best friend, Jerry LeClair, fantasizes about moving to California. The problem is they don’t have any prospects. Enter Helen McCalla, an attorney with an ax to grind against her ex-husband, who happens to be a judge in the local court. She offers the boys a deal: scare the man, rough him up a little, and she’ll give them a few thousand dollars. It’s simple --- just friends helping friends, right? Reviewed by Lorraine W. Shanley.
THE ANATOMY OF MAGIC by J.C. Cervantes (Fiction/Magical Realism)
Audiobook available, read by Diana Bustelo
Lilian Estrada is part of a family of fiercely loyal and exceptional women, all bound together by an extraordinary secret. The Estrada women each possess a unique power, and Lily shines with the rare gift to manipulate memories. Yet not even her mystical abilities can shield her from a harrowing event at the hospital, one that sends her powers --- and her confidence --- spiraling out of control. Seeking solace, Lily retreats to her family's ancestral home in Mexico, only to find herself face to face with a ghost from her past --- Sam, the first love she never forgot. Nearly a decade since she last saw him, Sam is hardly the boy she once knew. As old flames spark to life, Lily must navigate the mysteries of their shared history and the depths of her own heart if she hopes to control her unpredictable magic. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
ACCIDENTS HAPPEN AND OTHER STORIES by F.H. Batacan (Crime Fiction/Short Stories)
Audiobook available, read by Amielynn Abellera and Ramón de Ocampo
In ACCIDENTS HAPPEN, F.H. Batacan explores the darkest corners of human experience, depicting with pitch-black humor the systems of class and politics that her characters are trapped in and the moments of violence that can shatter their lives. In particular, Batacan shines an unsparing light on the epidemic of violence against women in the Philippines. When a wealthy politician’s 12-year-old son disappears, the family’s driver witnesses the aftermath. A field investigator for the World Health Organization travels the globe giving presentations about a biomedical enzyme that will lead to the extinction of the human race. And Father Augusto Saenz, the Jesuit priest and forensic anthropologist from SMALLER AND SMALLER CIRCLES, returns to investigate the murder of a woman whose secretive life holds the key to her death. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on March 25th
Below are some notable titles releasing on March 25th 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 March 24th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
ELPHIE: A Wicked Childhood by Gregory Maguire (Fantasy)
What happened to young Elphaba before her witchy powers took hold in WICKED? Almost 30 years after the publication of the original novel, for the first time Gregory Maguire reveals the story of prickly young Elphie, the future Wicked Witch of the West.
FREE: My Search for Meaning by Amanda Knox (Memoir)
Amanda Knox reflects on her world-famous confinement in an Italian prison and her return to an “ordinary” life --- revealing hard-won truths about purpose and fulfillment.
THE INVISIBLE SPY: Churchill's Rockefeller Center Spy Ring and America’s First Secret Agent of World War II by Thomas Maier (History)
Here is the untold WWII story of a former NFL player turned White House insider who worked with Winston Churchill’s undercover agents in New York City to conduct the biggest foreign spy operation ever within the US, and inspired Ian Fleming's James Bond.
LETHAL PREY: A Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers Novel by John Sandford (Mystery/Thriller)
Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers join forces to track down a ruthless killer who will do whatever it takes to keep the past buried.
NOBODY'S FOOL by Harlan Coben (Thriller)
A secret from former Detective Sami Kierce's college days comes back to haunt him. His memory is clear, but all these years later, the facts don’t add up…which is something he cannot ignore.
SALTWATER by Katy Hays (Psychological Thriller)
From the New York Times bestselling author of THE CLOISTERS comes an electrifying thriller about an opulent family retreat to Italy that’s shattered by the resurfacing of a decades-old crime.
SUMMER IN THE CITY by Alex Aster (Romantic Comedy)
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Alex Aster comes her adult debut novel --- a swoony, fast-paced rom-com set in New York City in which a screenwriter and a sexy tech CEO go from lovers to enemies and back to lovers again.
THIS BOOK WILL BURY ME by Ashley Winstead (Psychological Thriller)
From the nationally bestselling author of IN MY DREAMS I HOLD A KNIFE and MIDNIGHT IS THE DARKEST HOUR comes a chilling, compulsive story of five amateur sleuths, whose hunt for an elusive killer catapults them into danger as the world watches.
TILT by Emma Pattee (Fiction)
Set over the course of one day, TILT is a heart-racing debut about a woman facing the unimaginable, determined to find safety.
TWIST by Colum McCann (Fiction)
TWIST is a propulsive novel of rupture and repair in the digital age, delving into a hidden world deep under the ocean.
WHEN THE GOING WAS GOOD: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines by Graydon Carter (Memoir)
From the pages of Vanity Fair to the red carpets of Hollywood, editor Graydon Carter’s memoir revives the glamorous heyday of print magazines when they were at the vanguard of American culture.
YOKO: A Biography by David Sheff (Biography)
YOKO is a harrowing, moving, propulsive and vastly entertaining biography of a woman whose story has never been accurately told. The book not only rehabilitates Yoko Ono’s reputation but elevates it to iconic status.
Click here to see the latest “On Sale This Week” newsletter.
From left to right: Emilia Hart, Anna Quindlen, Susan Meissner
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, March 25th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Katy Hays for a live virtual discussion of SALTWATER as part of their B&N Midday Mystery Virtual Event series. Katy will be in conversation with the bestselling author of THE HEIRESS, Rachel Hawkins.
Tuesday, March 25th at 4pm ET: Killer Author Club: Join the Killer Author Club --- Kimberly Belle, Heather Gudenkauf and Kaira Rouda --- for an afternoon chat with dynamo killer author duo Nicci French about their latest thriller, THE LAST DAYS OF KIRA MULLAN.
Wednesday, March 26th at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with Emilia Hart about her new book, THE SIRENS, a spellbinding novel about sisters separated by centuries but bound together by the sea.
Wednesday, March 26th at 8pm ET: “Bookaccino Live” Book Group: Carol Fitzgerald will talk to Anna Quindlen about her New York Times bestseller, AFTER ANNIE, which is now available in paperback. Anna also will answer questions from guests who will be “on stage,” as well as from other members of the audience.
Thursday, March 27th at 7pm ET: Save Ellis Island's Author Series: Susan Meissner will be in conversation about her new novel, A MAP TO PARADISE, with fellow historical fiction author Kristina McMorris as part of Save Ellis Island's Author Series.
"Bookreporter Talks To" Videos & Podcasts
“Bookreporter Talks To” is a video and podcast series that delivers long-form, in-depth author interviews. 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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Jeff Hobbs (SEEKING SHELTER: A Working Mother, Her Children, and a Story of Homelessness in America) Video | Podcast
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Georgia Hunter (ONE GOOD THING)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: March Paperback Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following titles releasing in paperback in March have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
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ANITA DE MONTE LAUGHS LAST by Xochitl Gonzalez
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THE BIRD HOTEL by Joyce Maynard
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THE BLACK BOX: Writing the Race, by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
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THE BLUES BROTHERS: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic, by Daniel de Visé
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BREAKING THE DARK: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel, by Lisa Jewell
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BURN BOOK: A Tech Love Story, by Kara Swisher
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CAMINO GHOSTS by John Grisham
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CLOSE TO DEATH by Anthony Horowitz
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DARLING GIRLS by Sally Hepworth
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DAUGHTER OF MINE by Megan Miranda
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THE FAMILIAR by Leigh Bardugo
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FELINE FATALE: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery, by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown
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FINDING MARGARET FULLER by Allison Pataki
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THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB by Robyn Carr
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THE FURY by Alex Michaelides
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GHOST DOGS: On Killers and Kin, by Andre Dubus III
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GLORIOUS EXPLOITS by Ferdia Lennon
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A GOOD BAD BOY: Luke Perry and How a Generation Grew Up, by Margaret Wappler
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THE HAZELBOURNE LADIES MOTORCYCLE AND FLYING CLUB by Helen Simonson
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THE HUSBANDS by Holly Gramazio
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THE LAST MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Stuart Turton
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LEAVING by Roxana Robinson
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LION & LAMB by James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski
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LUCKY by Jane Smiley
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MONA OF THE MANOR: A Tales of the City Novel, by Armistead Maupin
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THE MORNINGSIDE by Téa Obreht
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THE MUSEUM OF LOST QUILTS: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel, by Jennifer Chiaverini
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ONE PERFECT COUPLE by Ruth Ware
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PARASOL AGAINST THE AXE by Helen Oyeyemi
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RED SIDE STORY: A Shades of Grey Novel, by Jasper Fforde
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THE RESCUE by T. Jefferson Parker
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THE SUMMER WE STARTED OVER by Nancy Thayer
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THE UPTOWN LOCAL: Joy, Death, and Joan Didion: A Memoir, by Cory Leadbeater
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A VERY PRIVATE SCHOOL: A Memoir, by Charles Spencer
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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, March 28th 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 March 14th to March 28th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall and THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND by Patti Callahan Henry.
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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