|
Never Miss a Contest or a Promotion!
Follow and Like Us on Social Media
Getting Ready for the Last Weekend of Summer
I had such a great time interviewing Adriana Trigiani at the Milford Readers & Writers Festival last weekend. We have been friends for decades. I remember reading an advance copy of her first book, BIG STONE GAP, which originally was written as a screenplay, but her agent felt it would work much better as a book. Adriana is celebrating her 25th year of being a published author.
The idea for her latest novel, THE VIEW FROM LAKE COMO, came to her about 12 years ago when she was at a wedding at St. Catherine’s Church in Spring Lake, NJ. She learned that the church was made of Italian marble from Carrara, Italy --- one of only two churches in the country made of this --- and that South Belmar had been renamed Lake Como. These little facts were the seeds for the book.
Later in the day, I was tagged on social media with this amazing drawing of the two of us, which was done by Bob Eckstein, who is a cartoonist, writer, illustrator and humorist. He is best known for his work in The New Yorker. This was a first for me. Fabulous, right?
And for humor, this is Adriana and me taking a selfie. As we left, we joked that we would be sure to “collaborate,” which is what social media is all about when sharing!
Many thanks to Jennifer Ziegler for inviting me to participate. And it was wonderful to spend time with Deb, one of our readers, as Adriana was signing books. I love hearing from readers, and it was lovely to talk books and authors with Deb in person!
Speaking of which, two of our readers recommended THE CORRESPONDENT by Virginia Evans to me. I have been listening to it on audio and am loving the multi-reader experience. It's special as this is a collection of letters that were written to and from Sybil Van Antwerp, a woman in her 70s, who is losing her eyesight. At this point in her life, through her correspondence, she is unraveling many of the mysteries of her life.
I look forward to interviewing Virginia next week, and the book will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection. It’s really lovely to get a suggestion that I enjoyed as much as this one.
We hosted our “Bookaccino Live” Fall Preview event on Tuesday evening. I presented 60 books that are either out now or soon to be released this fall that we think you will enjoy reading over the next few months. Included are fiction; historical fiction; thrillers and mysteries; memoirs, biographies and other nonfiction; and some holiday-themed books.
Click here to watch the presentation and here to see a list of the titles that I talked about. Don’t miss our Winter Preview evening program in January!
This is your last Weekly Update newsletter reminder to sign up for this month’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event, which will take place next Thursday, September 25th at 8pm ET.
Our guest will be Amy Neff, and she will be talking about her debut novel, THE DAYS I LOVED YOU MOST, an international bestseller and a Bets On pick that released in paperback this summer.
If you have a question for Amy, please email it to me using the subject line “Amy” by Thursday 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 Amy 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 Amy in our virtual green room before the program starts.
My latest “Bookreporter Talks To” interview is with Hank Phillippi Ryan. Her new thriller, the instant USA Today bestseller ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS, follows Tessa Calloway, a debut author on a book tour who discovers she may have a stalker. The idea for the book, which we reviewed last week and will be a Bets On pick, came from Hank’s own experiences on book tours, including the realization that her public schedule and locations potentially could be used for harmful purposes.
Hank discusses the creative process behind the novel, including how Annabelle's voice unexpectedly emerged while she was writing and became integral to the plot. She also shares insights about the audiobook narration by Sarah Mollo-Christensen, emphasizing the challenge of finding a voice that effectively immerses readers in the story. And she reveals details about a new book that is in progress.
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.
Elin Hilderbrand, who recently retired from writing her Nantucket novels, has teamed up with her daughter, Shelby Cunningham, for their first collaboration. THE ACADEMY is the irresistible, deliciously scandalous story of one drama-filled year at a New England boarding school.
Bronwyn Miller has this to say in her review: “Hilderbrand’s love of novels like A SEPARATE PEACE and PREP, combined with Cunningham’s real-life boarding school knowledge, have allowed them to create a wonderfully salacious and fun world, one that we hope will become a series. Perfect for cozy fall reading lists, it will engage and delight readers who want a side of scandal with their school tales.”
I read THE ACADEMY last Sunday when I was floating in the pool, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots happened at Tiffin Academy!
Edited by David McCullough’s daughter, Dorie McCullough Lawson, and his longtime researcher, Michael Hill, HISTORY MATTERS is a posthumous collection of thought-provoking essays --- many never published before --- in which the Pulitzer Prize–winning historian affirms the value of history, how we can be guided by its lessons, and the enduring legacy of American ideals.
According to Harvey Freedenberg in his review, “McCullough’s fans will enjoy this opportunity to be reminded of his gifts, while those new to his work may find in it encouragement to seek out more of his writing…. Anyone who relished his writing will take great pleasure from this retrospective. Their only possible complaint will be that it’s too short, and one hopes that more material from this beloved writer’s archive may be forthcoming someday.”
When American Nazis plot to assassinate 20 celebrities and spark an insurrection, the world’s two most famous men --- Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin --- fight back with brains, raw courage, and the iron will of the LAPD’s first Black female officer. Inspired by a true story, MIDNIGHT BURNING is the first historical thriller from Paul Levine, who many of you know from his Jake Lassiter series of legal thrillers.
L. Dean Murphy has our review and says, “Aside from Einstein, the genius in this book is Paul Levine, who uses real people and true events to weave an intricate thriller tapestry. Some characters and scenes are fictional, and timelines blur to enhance a tale that has more plot turns than a spiral staircase.”
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
-
FRAMED IN DEATH: Death imitates art in J. D. Robb’s new crime thriller starring homicide cop Eve Dallas. This time, Eve is investigating the death of a young woman who has been posed to resemble the model of a long-ago Dutch master.
-
THE WILDERNESS: Angela Flournoy’s much-anticipated second book, following 2015's THE TURNER HOUSE, revolves around five Black women who, over the course of their 20-year friendship, move through the dizzying and sometimes precarious period between young adulthood and midlife.
-
AMITY: Nathan Harris, author of the Oprah's Book Club pick THE SWEETNESS OF WATER, has penned a gripping story about a brother and sister, emancipated from slavery but still searching for true freedom, and their odyssey across the deserts of Mexico to escape a former master still intent on their bondage.
Fall Reading Contest Update
In this week’s Fall Reading contest, we gave away the aforementioned MIDNIGHT BURNING by Paul Levine. Our final prize book will be I AM YOU by Victoria Redel, a love story that reimagines the life of renowned still-life painter Maria van Oosterwijck during the Dutch Golden Age. The contest will kick off at noon ET on the day of the novel’s release, Tuesday, September 30th. I have started this one, and the story is very compelling.
Enter Our New Word of Mouth Contest
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, October 3rd at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll have a chance to win HEART THE LOVER by Lily King (which I am looking forward to reading) and THE IMPOSSIBLE FORTUNE: A Thursday Murder Club Mystery by Richard Osman. Both release on September 30th.
Vote in Our New Poll --- and Check Out Results from the Last Poll
Our new poll asks which of 30 paperback titles releasing in September you have read or are planning to read. Click here to cast your votes by Friday, October 3rd at noon ET.
In our previous poll, we listed 35 fiction titles that are being published this month for the first time and asked which of them, if any, you are looking forward to reading. Below are your top five picks, and you can see all the results here.
It has been four months since the passing of Joe Hartlaub, our Senior Writer Emeritus and beloved mystery/thriller/crime book reviewer.
Bestselling author Kelli Stanley has had Joe on her mind lately for two reasons: his birthday was last Thursday, September 11th, and she just came back from Boucheron in New Orleans, an annual convention of mystery readers and writers, where in the past she and Joe shared plenty of good times together. This inspired Kelli to write this moving and heartfelt tribute to Joe.
Reading Kelli's piece, you can see how much Joe meant to her and how much she misses him. We miss him too!
We were saddened to hear about the passing of Thomas Perry, who died suddenly on Monday. The bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Jane Whitefield series (among many other novels), Perry received numerous awards, including the Barry for Best Thriller of the Year for HERO earlier this month.
Otto Penzler, who published Perry for 25 years, says, “Tom was not only one of the most distinguished writers of crime fiction for more than four decades, he was an unfailingly kind and thoughtful gentleman that it was a joy and honor to know. We all will miss him, as will his countless fans in all parts of the world.”
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Joan from Calgary wrote about our “Bookaccino Live” Fall Preview event on Tuesday night: “Wonderful presentation and a great selection of books to delve into for fall/winter. As always, Carol and Tom, you did an outstanding curation of new books. Happy Fall reading, and I look forward to your interviews and reviews.”
Stephanie also wrote about Tuesday night's program: “Thank you! I value your recommendations and author interviews.”
Diane wrote, “Your newsletter is always a treat on Saturdays. I read it with pen in hand to make my want list for the library. The photo with Sharon Kurtzman showed you in a lovely dress that looked like a European travel poster. Wow! Very attractive, and I bet you had lots of compliments. Have a great weekend.” I wondered about buying a dress that so boldly had a picture of the Eiffel Tower and other travel destinations on it, but I really love it, and I am getting compliments on it. For years I wore separates, but in the last months I have been buying dresses instead!
Judy wrote about MOTHER MARY COMES TO ME: “I just started this book by Arundhati Roy, and I am finding it so interesting. I am amazed by her relationship with her mother. I always enjoy reading Bookreporter.”
On Wednesday, Tom, Francesca and I attended a conference called People of Publishing, which was run by the Association of American Literary Agents. The program's closing event was a screening of The Librarians, a very moving documentary that looks at book banning across the country. The trailer for it has been viewed more than a million times.
The film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January. There are screenings of it now and upcoming in New York, LA and London, as well as in many places across the country. You can see the entire list here. I was able to spend time talking with Martha Hickson, one of the librarians spotlighted in the movie. She worked in a library a few towns over from where I live.
Sundance reminds me of my memory of Robert Redford, which extends beyond the world of film: the Sundance Catalog. When Redford was a part of this catalog, the featured items were fabulous. They were curated beautifully --- not just clothing and jewelry, but also pieces for the home. An example is the chicken coop crates where I store my yarn stash. Looking around the house, I see so many pieces that were distinctive and were found there. Redford sold his interest in the company years ago, and the quality and diversity of the merchandise declined. Recently I have seen them posting signs that they are closing.
I enjoyed the Emmys, especially the five awards that “The Pitt” won, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Noah Wyle. I loved the way that the series was shot over a 15-hour time period. In his speech, Noah gave notice to “anybody who is going on shift or coming off shift tonight, thank you for being in that job. This is for you.” He wore a black tuxedo designed by the scrubs company FIGS.
“Adolescence” nabbed eight Emmys, including Outstanding Supporting Actor for Owen Cooper, who plays Jamie Miller. At 15, he is the youngest male actor to win an Emmy. The series was filmed with a “one-camera shot” approach, meaning that each of its four episodes was shot in one continuous take. Before starting Bookreporter, I worked on a few documentaries, and let’s just say that one continuous take is very ambitious!
Here's an interesting article in Vanity Fair about Dakota and Elle Fanning, who will star together in The Nightingale. The movie is slated to hit theaters on February 12, 2027 and (as many of you know) is based on the book by Kristin Hannah. “The Fannings waited this long, they say, because they needed a project that would give them equally compelling arcs.” Our readers may remember that they were scheduled to start shooting in April 2020.
Fall rolls in on Monday at 2:19pm ET. September in the tri-state area has been beautiful. Since it really was not lovely here until August, it’s been nice for the weather to still allow for pool floating and reading, which is what I did last weekend and plan to do this weekend as well. I have a lot of author interview prep to do. On Monday, we are celebrating my dad’s 96th(!) birthday with him. Amazing!
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 ACADEMY
by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham
THE ACADEMY by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Erin Bennett
It’s move-in day at Tiffin Academy, and America Today just ranked Tiffin the number-two boarding school in the country. It’s a 17-spot jump. Was there a typo? The dorms need to be renovated, their sports teams always come in last place, and let’s just say Tiffin students are known for being more social than academic. On the other hand, the campus is exquisite, and they do have fun with lots of parties and school dances. But just as the rarefied air of Tiffin is suffused with self-congratulation, the wheels begin to turn --- and then they fall off the bus. One by one, scandalous blind items begin to appear on phones across Tiffin’s campus, thanks to a new app called ZipZap, and nobody is safe. As the year unfolds, bonds are forged and broken, secrets are shared and exposed, and the lives of Tiffin’s students and staff are changed forever. Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
HISTORY MATTERS by David McCullough
HISTORY MATTERS written by David McCullough, edited by Dorie McCullough Lawson and Michael Hill (Essays)
Audiobook available; read by John Bedford Lloyd and Dorie McCullough Lawson, with a foreword read by Jon Meacham
HISTORY MATTERS brings together selected essays by beloved historian David McCullough, some published here for the first time, written at different points over the course of his long career, but all focused on the subject of his lifelong passion: the importance of history in understanding our present and future. Edited by McCullough’s daughter, Dorie McCullough Lawson, and his longtime researcher, Michael Hill, this book is a tribute to a master historian and offers fresh insights into McCullough’s enduring interests and writing life. It also features a foreword by Jon Meacham. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: MIDNIGHT BURNING by Paul Levine
MIDNIGHT BURNING: An Einstein-Chaplin Thriller by Paul Levine (Historical Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Malcolm Hillgartner
In 1937, clouds of war gather over Europe, and American fascists march at home. While the FBI chases suspected communists, Nazi agents plot an armed insurrection. When the world's two most famous men --- Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin --- uncover the scheme, which includes the assassinations of Hollywood's biggest stars, they fight back with nothing but their ingenuity, raw courage, and the fierce resolve of Georgia Ann Robinson, the LAPD's first Black female officer. A dangerous chase takes our heroes into the heart of darkness, a fascist encampment in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles where a militia armed with machine guns plans its attack. It's brains versus brawn in an explosive, unforgettable finale. Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to visit Paul Levine's website.
Click here to read our review.
Special Contest on ReadingGroupGuides.com:
Enter to Win Copies of Marie Benedict's Solo Historical Novels, Plus a Novella We Want to Get on Your Radar!
Marie Benedict is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction featuring iconic --- and often ignored --- women in history. Her books lead to fascinating discussions, especially among book groups, so we are thrilled to host a very special contest that immerses you in her world.
One Grand Prize winner will be awarded all eight of Marie's solo historical novels --- THE OTHER EINSTEIN, CARNEGIE’S MAID, THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM, LADY CLEMENTINE, THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE, HER HIDDEN GENIUS, THE MITFORD AFFAIR and THE QUEENS OF CRIME --- along with her novella, AGENT 355.
Three additional readers will win up to 12 copies of THE QUEENS OF CRIME for their book group.
» And be on the lookout for Marie's next novel, DAUGHTER OF EGYPT, which releases on March 24, 2026. It's about a young aristocratic Englishwoman who unearths the truth about a forgotten Pharaoh. Read more about the book here.
Click here to enter the contest by Wednesday, October 8th at noon ET.
Featured Review: FRAMED IN DEATH by J. D. Robb
FRAMED IN DEATH by J. D. Robb (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Susan Ericksen
Manhattan is filled with galleries and deep-pocketed collectors who can make an artist's career with a wave of a hand. But one man toils in obscurity, his brilliance unrecognized while lesser talents bask in the glory he believes should be his. Come tomorrow, he vows, the city will be buzzing about his work. Indeed, before dawn, Lt. Eve Dallas is speeding toward the home of the two gallery owners whose doorway has been turned into a horrifying crime scene overnight. A lifeless young woman has been elaborately costumed and precisely posed to resemble the model of a long-ago Dutch master, and Dallas plunges into her investigation. Reviewed by Jennifer McCord.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE WILDERNESS by Angela Flournoy
THE WILDERNESS by Angela Flournoy (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Aja Naomi King and Ashley Nicole Black
Desiree, Danielle, January, Monique and Nakia are in their early 20s and at the beginning. Of their careers, of marriage, of motherhood, and of big-city lives in New York and Los Angeles. Together, they are finding their way through the wilderness, that period of life when the reality of contemporary adulthood --- overwhelming, mysterious, and full of freedom and consequences --- swoops in and stays. As these friends move from the late 2000s into the late 2020s, from young adults to grown women, they must figure out what they mean to one another --- amid political upheaval, economic and environmental instability, and the increasing volatility of modern American life. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: AMITY by Nathan Harris
AMITY by Nathan Harris (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by André Santana and Angel Pean
The Civil War might be over, but formerly enslaved Coleman and June have yet to find the freedom they’ve been promised. Two years ago, the siblings were separated when their old master, Mr. Harper, took June away to Mexico. Coleman stayed behind in Louisiana, clinging to the hope that one day June would return. When an unexpected letter from Mr. Harper arrives, summoning Coleman to Mexico, Coleman thinks that finally his prayers have been answered. What Coleman cannot know is the tangled truth of June’s tribulations under Mr. Harper out on the frontier. And when disaster strikes Coleman’s journey, he is forced on the run with Mr. Harper's daughter, Florence. Together, they venture into the Mexican desert to find June, all the while evading two crooked brothers who will stop at nothing to capture Coleman and Florence and collect the money they're owed. Reviewed by Megan Elliott.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com's 15th Annual
Fall Reading Contests and Feature
Fall is known as the biggest season of the year for books. The titles that release during this latter part of the year often become holiday gifts, and many are blockbusters. In our Fall Reading Contests and Feature, we are spotlighting a number of outstanding books that we know people will be talking about this fall.
We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through October, so you will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter to win. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.
Our final Fall Reading contest will be up on Tuesday, September 30th at noon ET. The prize book will be I AM YOU by Victoria Redel, an unforgettable love story that reimagines the life of renowned still-life painter Maria van Oosterwijck during the Dutch Golden Age.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
BILLION-DOLLAR RANSOM by James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Cynthia Farrell
Five members of a billionaire’s family. In different locations. All kidnapped at the same moment. Two children taken from a private-school bus. A film producer and a movie star grabbed at a hideaway resort. A beautiful wife whisked off the streets of Beverly Hills. A patriarch wants his family back. The cash, gold, jewels and crypto are all ready. There’s only one problem: a brilliant, very stubborn FBI agent. Special Agent Nicky Gordon doesn’t want to pay the kidnappers. Not a dime. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE GIRL WITH ICE IN HER VEINS: A Lisbeth Salander Novel by Karin Smirnoff (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Simon Vance
Sweden’s far north is growing colder; even in springtime, the town of Gasskas is buried under a relentless snow. As temperatures drop, tensions rise between a global corporation shamelessly exploiting the area's natural resources and wary locals who have scores to settle. A bomb blasts apart a crucial bridge. Soon after, a young journalist is found murdered. Meanwhile, Lisbeth Salander is at home in Stockholm, looking to fill the void her last lover left behind. When she discovers that fellow hacker Plague has been kidnapped and taken up north, and finds her niece, Svala, on her doorstep, she has no choice but to return to Gasskas --- with Mikael Blomkvist at her side. Blomkvist takes the helm at Gasskas' newspaper, and Lisbeth tries to locate Plague. But then Svala goes missing, and Lisbeth's worst fears come to haunt her. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
DARK RENAISSANCE: The Dangerous Times and Fatal Genius of Shakespeare's Greatest Rival by Stephen Greenblatt (Biography)
Audiobook available, read by Edoardo Ballerini
In repressive Elizabethan England, artists are frightened into dull conventionality; foreigners are suspect; popular entertainment largely consists of coarse spectacles, animal fights and hangings. Into this crude world of government censorship and religious authoritarianism comes an ambitious cobbler’s son from Canterbury with a daring desire to be known --- and an uncanny ear for Latin poetry. For Christopher Marlowe, it’s a secret portal to beauty, visionary imagination, transgressive desire and dangerous skepticism. What Marlowe seizes in his rare opportunity for a classical education brings about a spectacular explosion of English literature, language and culture. His astonishing literary success will nourish the talent of a collaborator and rival, William Shakespeare. DARK RENAISSANCE illuminates both Marlowe’s times and the origins and significance of his work. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
BEYOND HER REACH by Melinda Leigh (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Christina Traister
In a quiet suburban neighborhood in upstate New York, single mom Kelly Gibson is slain in her home --- the victim of a rage killing. Right away, Sheriff Bree Taggert has three persons of interest: an angry soon-to-be ex-husband, a furtive rebound boyfriend, and an obsessive neighbor. But as Bree and investigator Matt Flynn work together to narrow the field, there’s a shocking twist in the case: a second woman is murdered in the same brutal fashion. While investigating, Bree is attacked and left for dead. When another woman is kidnapped, Bree and Matt must act quickly to unravel the deceptions in Kelly’s life and death and find a killer before someone else dies. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
MAKE ME COMMISSIONER: I Know What's Wrong with Baseball and How to Fix It by Jane Leavy (Sports)
Audiobook available, read by Jane Leavy
As a pioneering female sportswriter, Jane Leavy eventually turned her talent to books, penning three of the all-time best baseball biographies about three of the all-time best players: Sandy Koufax, Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth. But when she went searching for a fourth biographical subject, she realized that baseball had faltered. The Moneyball era of the last two decades obsessed over data and slowed the game down to a crawl. Major League Baseball has begun to address issues too long ignored, yet the questions linger: How much have these efforts helped to improve the game and reassert its place in American culture? Leavy takes a whirlwind tour of the country seeking answers to these questions. What she uncovers is not only what’s wrong with baseball --- and how to fix it --- but also what’s right with baseball. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan (www.RonKaplansBaseballBookshelf.com).
THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING CRIME WRITER by Ragnar Jónasson (Mystery)
Audiobook available; read by Cicely Whitehead, Jane Slavin and Rufus Wright
One winter evening, bestselling crime author Elín S. Jónsdóttir goes missing. There are no clues to her disappearance, and it is up to young detective Helgi to crack the case before its leaked to the press. As Helgi interviews the people closest to her --- a publisher, an accountant, a retired judge --- he realizes that Elín’s life wasn’t what it seemed. In fact, her past is even stranger than the fiction she wrote. As the case of the missing crime writer becomes more mysterious by the hour, Helgi must uncover the secrets of the writer's very unexpected life. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
HOT WAX by M.L. Rio (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Helen Laser
Summer, 1989: Ten-year-old Suzanne is drawn like a magnet to her father’s forbidden world of electric guitars and tricked-out cars. When her mother remarries, she jumps at the chance to tag along on the concert tour that just might be Gil and the Kills’ wild ride to glory. But as the band blazes up the charts, internal power struggles set Gil and his group on a collision course destined for a bloody reckoning --- one shrouded in mystery and lore for decades to come. The only witness to a desperate act of violence, Suzanne spends the next 29 years trying to disappear. She trades the music and mayhem of her youth for the quiet of the suburbs and the company of her mild-mannered husband, Rob. But when her father’s sudden death resurrects the troubled past she tried so hard to bury, she leaves it all behind and hits the road in search of answers. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
A NEW NEW ME by Helen Oyeyemi (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Fleur De Wit
Kinga is a woman who is just trying to make it through the week. There’s a Kinga for every day. On Mondays, you can catch Kinga-A deleting food delivery apps. By Friday, Kinga-E is happy to spend the days soaking, wine-drunk, in the bath. Kingas A–G, perhaps unsurprisingly, live a varied life. Between them is a professional matchmaker, a scent-crazed perfumer, and a window cleaner, all with varying degrees of apathy, anger, introversion and bossiness. At least three of them are Team Toxic. It’s an arrangement that’s not without its fair share of admin, grudges and half-truths. But when Kinga-A discovers a man tied up in their apartment, the Kingas have to reckon with the possibility that one of them might be planning to destroy them all. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
CRAZY SPOOKY LOVE: A Melody Bittersweet Novel by Josie Silver (Paranormal Mystery/Romantic Comedy)
In the leafy, charming town of Chapelwick, the Bittersweet family has been a fixture on High Street for as long as anyone can remember. Their rambling black-and-white building houses all three generations of ghost-sensitive Bittersweet women and their business, Blithe Spirits. On her 27th birthday, Melody Bittersweet converts the disused back storeroom into her office and opens her own business. Right away, the freshly minted Girls’ Ghostbusting Agency takes on its first case: a grand old house that won’t sell because a trio of incumbent ghost brothers raise merry hell whenever prospective owners arrive to view it. Leo Dark, Melody’s rakish ex and business rival, is also on the case, along with the TV crew that trails him. To make matters worse, the sarcastic and skeptical (and annoyingly good-looking) local reporter Fletcher Gunn has his nose in the story as well. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on September 23rd
Below are some notable titles releasing on September 23rd 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 September 22nd, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
107 DAYS by Kamala Harris (Memoir/Politics)
For the first time, and with surprising and revealing insights, Kamala Harris tells the story of one of the wildest and most consequential presidential campaigns in American history.
AWAKE: A Memoir by Jen Hatmaker (Memoir)
Jen Hatmaker --- the beloved New York Times bestselling author and host of the "For the Love" podcast --- has penned a brutally honest, funny and revealing memoir about the traumatic end of her 26-year-long marriage, and the beginning of a different kind of love story.
CIRCLE OF DAYS by Ken Follett (Historical Fiction)
From Ken Follett, the bestselling author of epic fiction, comes the deeply human story of one of the world’s greatest mysteries: the building of Stonehenge.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF TENSION: New and Selected Stories by Jonathan Lethem (Fiction/Short Stories)
This dazzling, genre-defying collection from Jonathan Lethem features seven major stories published since his last collection, along with his best work spanning more than three decades.
END GAME by Jeffrey Archer (Mystery/Thriller)
William Warwick and Ross Hogan return, for one last time, in a gripping and unputdownable finale.
FAMOUS by Blake Crouch (Psychological Thriller)
A man goes to terrifying extremes to adopt his celebrity doppelgänger's life in this darkly comedic psychological suspense novel from the New York Times bestselling author of DARK MATTER and UPGRADE.
THE LONELINESS OF SONIA AND SUNNY by Kiran Desai (Fiction)
In an epic of love and family, India and America, tradition and modernity, the fates of two young people intersect and diverge across continents and years.
THE PHOEBE VARIATIONS by Jane Hamilton (Fiction)
The acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of THE BOOK OF RUTH and A MAP OF THE WORLD returns with a stunning coming-of-age novel about girls, mothers and finding one's way in the world.
THE SISTERHOOD: A Lady Emily Mystery by Tasha Alexander (Historical Mystery)
Lady Emily investigates the murder of a glamorous debutante in the next irresistible mystery of Tasha Alexander’s New York Times bestselling series.
A SLOWLY DYING CAUSE: A Lynley Novel by Elizabeth George (Mystery)
Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers and Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley are back in the next Lynley novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth George.
SOFTLY, AS I LEAVE YOU: Life After Elvis by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley with Mary Jane Ross (Memoir)
This long-awaited memoir by Priscilla Presley chronicles her difficult, inspiring journey beyond the walls of Graceland and behind the elegant image the world sees.
WHAT WE CAN KNOW by Ian McEwan (Dystopian Science Fiction/Romance)
From the Booker Prize–winning, bestselling author of ATONEMENT and SATURDAY comes a genre-bending new novel full of secrets and surprises --- an immersive exploration, across time and history, of what can ever be truly known.
Click here to see the latest “On Sale This Week” newsletter.
Carol's In-Person Events Schedule
From left to right: Amy Neff, Patrick Ryan, Jane Hamilton
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
Here are four upcoming virtual book and author events that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links for more info and to register.
Tuesday, September 23rd at 7pm ET: Barnes & Noble and Waterstones: Join Barnes & Noble and Waterstones as they welcome Patrick Ryan for a live virtual event to discuss his eagerly awaited new novel, BUCKEYE. Patrick will be interviewed by internationally bestselling author Ann Patchett for this special event.
Tuesday, September 23rd at 9pm ET: Killer Author Club: Kimberly Belle, Heather Gudenkauf and Kaira Rouda will talk to Chevy Stevens about her latest book, THE HITCHHIKERS, which is a chilling, twist-laden ride to the final page.
Wednesday, September 24th at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with Jane Hamilton about her new book, THE PHOEBE VARIATIONS, a stunning coming-of-age novel about girls, mothers and finding one's way in the world.
Thursday, September 25th at 8pm ET: “Bookaccino Live” Book Group: Carol Fitzgerald will talk to Amy Neff about her debut novel, THE DAYS I LOVED YOU MOST, a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick that is now available in paperback. Amy also will answer questions from guests who will be “on stage,” as well as from other members of the audience.
"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:
-
Hank Phillippi Ryan (ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS) Video | Podcast
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Upcoming interviews include:
-
Virginia Evans (THE CORRESPONDENT)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll:
September Paperback Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following titles releasing in paperback in September have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
-
THE AUTHOR’S GUIDE TO MURDER by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White
-
BATTLE MOUNTAIN: A Joe Pickett Novel, by C. J. Box
-
THE BLUE HOUR by Paula Hawkins
-
BONE OF THE BONE: Essays on America by a Daughter of the Working Class, by Sarah Smarsh
-
A CHRISTMAS DUET by Debbie Macomber
-
THE CITY AND ITS UNCERTAIN WALLS written by Haruki Murakami, translated by Philip Gabriel
-
CLIVE CUSSLER DESOLATION CODE: A Novel from the NUMA Files, by Graham Brown
-
ENTITLEMENT by Rumaan Alam
-
FIRE AND BONES: A Temperance Brennan Novel, by Kathy Reichs
-
GOING HOME IN THE DARK by Dean Koontz
-
THE GREAT HIPPOPOTAMUS HOTEL: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (25) by Alexander McCall Smith
-
GUIDE ME HOME: A Highway 59 Novel, by Attica Locke
-
THE HOUSE OF CROSS: An Alex Cross Thriller, by James Patterson
-
INTERMEZZO by Sally Rooney
-
THE LIFE IMPOSSIBLE by Matt Haig
-
THE MEDICI RETURN: A Cotton Malone Novel, by Steve Berry
-
MIDNIGHT AND BLUE: An Inspector Rebus Novel, by Ian Rankin
-
PLAYGROUND by Richard Powers
-
QUEEN MACBETH by Val McDermid
-
A REASON TO SEE YOU AGAIN by Jami Attenberg
-
THE REST IS MEMORY by Lily Tuck
-
REVENGE OF THE TIPPING POINT: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering, by Malcolm Gladwell
-
THE SECOND COMING by Garth Risk Hallberg
-
THE SEQUEL by Jean Hanff Korelitz
-
SHE-WOLVES: The Untold History of Women on Wall Street, by Paulina Bren
-
SHRED SISTERS by Betsy Lerner
-
THAT LIBRARIAN: The Fight Against Book Banning in America, by Amanda Jones
-
WE’RE ALONE: Essays, by Edwidge Danticat
-
THE WOMEN BEHIND THE DOOR by Roddy Doyle
-
YOU LIKE IT DARKER: Stories, by Stephen King
-
None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, October 3rd 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 September 19th to October 3rd at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of HEART THE LOVER by Lily King and THE IMPOSSIBLE FORTUNE: A Thursday Murder Club Mystery by Richard Osman.
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.
|
