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It’s time for Thanksgiving dinner planning to begin. We have a file filled with recipes, and each year we sort through them to plan the menu. Even with the old favorites set to show up on the list, we are always ready for new additions. There will be a trip to the farmers' market on Sunday to select produce and to have yet another discussion about whether to make butternut squash ravioli or carrot soup. Or both. I already have been told that we should double the cornbread stuffing recipe.
My reading has not slowed down. I loved Laura Dave’s THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM; it’s a great follow-up to THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME. It had me rethinking the earlier book --- and what I loved about it. They are perfect companions to one another. It is written so that you can see the screenplay evolving from it. The book will be on sale January 6th and will be my second Bookreporter.com Bets On pick of 2026. You will want to read quickly as the second season of “The Last Thing He Told Me” is based on THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM and picks up five years after the first season's conclusion. It is set to premiere February 20th on Apple TV+.
Now I am reading SOME BRIGHT NOWHERE, which is Oprah's Book Club pick for this month and Ann Packer’s first novel since 2015's THE CHILDREN'S CRUSADE. I am completely engaged with the characters, who are in a very dysfunctional situation. Eliot and his wife, Claire, have had a long happy marriage. Claire has had cancer for eight years, and it’s clear that she's close to dying. Instead of choosing to spend these last days with her husband, she has asked him to leave the house so she can spend her last days with two close girlfriends, an idea that astounds him. The writing is beautiful, and I feel like I am in the room with all of them as the days that they will spend together wind down.
Thinking about this book, I am remembering a story that I read in Redbook magazine years ago. In it, a man is dying, and he asks his wife to leave him each day to take photos. He tells her things he would like to see. He is doing this so she will have a life and memories of more than the hospital after his death. I am curious if the idea of Eliot having a life after Claire’s passing is a reason for her actions in SOME BRIGHT NOWHERE. We will see.
My latest “Bookreporter Talks To” interview is with Brisa Carleton, whose debut novel, LAST CALL AT THE SAVOY, is a Bets On selection.
The inspiration for the book came when Brisa was visiting The Savoy Hotel in London more than a decade ago. She saw a footnote about Ada Coleman in a cocktail menu and was surprised that so little information existed about her. Ada was a prominent mixologist at the hotel from 1903 to 1925, and she invented many cocktails, including the Hanky Panky.
Brisa discusses writing a dual timeline for the book: the historical story about Ada and the modern one featuring Cinnamon Scott, an aspiring New York writer who travels to London to help her pregnant sister, Rosemary, at The Savoy. An award-winning Broadway producer with three Tonys to her credit, Brisa also talks about her role as a producer and how it differs from being a writer. Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast.
We also have our rave review of the book from Amy Gwiazdowski, who has this to say: “I love that Brisa Carleton’s debut novel takes place at a hotel. It makes you feel as if the characters’ problems, while big, are still in transit and not insurmountable…. LAST CALL AT THE SAVOY is a wonderful book. It’s a lovely story of people finding themselves, leaning on others, and loving those individuals who pull us through when we need them most.”
For those of you who are looking for something fun for the holidays, Brisa has created a line of vodka called Literati Spirits, a premium vodka line. They have a Great Gatsby Collection of vodkas available now.
Clare Leslie Hall joined us on Wednesday afternoon for our final “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event of the year. We had a wonderful discussion about her New York Times bestseller, BROKEN COUNTRY, a Bets On title that has received numerous “Best Of 2025” accolades.
Clare talks about her inspiration for the novel, as well as the different paths that she took to writing it. She shares details on the development of her characters and explains how the trial was woven throughout the pages. She also touches on her earlier books, DAYS YOU WERE MINE and PICTURES OF HIM, which released a few months ago in the US as trade paperbacks. Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast.
This is the third time that I have interviewed Clare, and I have enjoyed each discussion more than the one before it. BROKEN COUNTRY is one of my three favorite books of the year. I will reveal the other two in December.
We recently hosted our final “Bookaccino Live” book preview event of 2025. I talked about 29 books releasing between now and January 6th, plus 15 from February, that we wanted to get on your radar. You can watch the presentation here and see a list of the featured titles here.
We are so excited to announce our “Bookaccino Live” Best of 2025 event on Wednesday, December 10th at 8pm ET. Join us for this very special evening as some of our Bookreporter reviewers will be talking about their favorite books of the year. You can sign up by clicking here. We always look forward to hearing which titles resonated the most with our reviewers.
Our lead review this week is the aforementioned SOME BRIGHT NOWHERE by Ann Packer. According to Sarah Rachel Egelman, the book “is heavy but not saccharine. While the story is about Eliot and how he deals with the impending death of his wife, the book examines universal themes of loss, partnership and pain.... Ann Packer has crafted a compelling, though really dark, novel about care and caregiving in the face of ultimate loss.”
Set in remote St. Andrews, Scotland, Gilly Macmillan's THE BURNING LIBRARY is a thrilling dark academic tale of murder, obsession and ruthless ambition. According to Ray Palen in his review, “THE BURNING LIBRARY is an intelligent thriller, and the event behind the novel’s title is one that will have readers recoiling in shock. The characters are quite complex, and the ancient history is exciting and frightening in the best ways.”
Word of Mouth Contest Reminder
SOME BRIGHT NOWHERE and THE BURNING LIBRARY are our current Word of Mouth prizes. 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, December 5th at noon ET.
Our Historical Fiction Author Spotlight of CALDER STRONG by Janet Dailey wraps up this week with our review. In 1929 Blue Moon, Montana, a rugged new generation is taking the helm of the cattle town’s most infamous and powerful families. But even as the future burns bright, old rivalries, heartbreaks, buried secrets and ranching feuds still loom as large as the western sky.
Our reviewer Bronwyn Miller says, “CALDER STRONG is perfect for fans of ‘Yellowstone,’ especially the prequel, ‘1923.’ It’s an adept blend of historical fiction and romance, with a few twists and turns. Despite the title, the story focuses more on Joseph and the Dollarhide family, with the Calders being more peripheral this time out. For readers who really love a deep dive, there are 15 other Calder novels to feast upon.”
We also are featuring reviews of these two books:
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I, MEDUSA: Ayana Gray’s new novel, which is November’s Top LibraryReads Pick, is a new kind of villain origin story as it reimagines one of the most iconic monsters in Greek mythology as a provocative and powerful young heroine.
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DOG SHOW: Former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins captures the essence and mystery of dogs in this special collection of poems inspired by our beloved companions, with striking watercolor canine portraits by Pamela Sztybel. The book appears on Oprah’s “Favorite Things of 2025” list.
Holiday Cheer Contest Update
We gave away EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE by Benjamin Stevenson in this week’s Holiday Cheer contest. Our next contest will be up on Tuesday, December 2nd at noon ET. The prize book will be A SEA GLASS CHRISTMAS by Davis Bunn, in which a bracing Christmas on North Carolina’s Outer Banks opens the door to a second chance at love. As I spent 14 Christmases on the Outer Banks (bringing our tree, presents and holiday decor with us), I am looking forward to reading this one!
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask which of the 20 books that appear on Amazon’s Best Books of the Year list you would pick as your favorites of 2025. Be sure to let us know by Friday, December 5th at noon ET.
The National Book Awards were presented on Wednesday night at a ceremony in New York City that also was streamed live. It was hosted by Jeff Hiller and featured musical guest Corinne Bailey Rae.
The winners were THE TRUE TRUE STORY OF RAJA THE GULLIBLE (AND HIS MOTHER) by Rabih Alameddine (Fiction), ONE DAY, EVERYONE WILL HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AGAINST THIS by Omar El Akkad (Nonfiction); THE INTENTIONS OF THUNDER: New and Selected Poems, by Patricia Smith (Poetry); WE ARE GREEN AND TREMBLING by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, translated from the Spanish by Robin Myers (Translated Literature); and THE TEACHER OF NOMAD LAND: A World War II Story, by Daniel Nayeri (Young People’s Literature).
Two lifetime achievement awards were presented as part of the evening’s ceremony. Roxane Gay, whose books include the essay collection BAD FEMINIST and the memoir HUNGER, received the National Book Foundation’s Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. And George Saunders, who won the 2017 Booker Prize for LINCOLN IN THE BARDO, was recognized with the Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. If you missed the ceremony, you can watch it here.
The longlist for the 2026 Aspen Words Literary Prize has been announced. This annual award is “for an influential work of fiction that illuminates a vital contemporary issue and demonstrates the transformative power of literature on thought and culture.”
Among the books appearing on the longlist are CULPABILITY by Bruce Holsinger, KING OF ASHES by S. A. Cosby, THE RIVER IS WAITING by Wally Lamb, SO FAR GONE by Jess Walter, WILD DARK SHORE by Charlotte McConaghy, and THE WILDERNESS by Angela Flournoy.
The shortlist will be announced on March 11th, and the winner will be revealed at a reception in New York City on April 23rd.
This week, the publisher Severn House re-released Jeffrey Siger’s 14-book Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis series with brand-new covers, which you can see above. These new editions are available as both paperbacks and e-books. Siger says that the covers “capture the cinematic essence of each book’s in-depth exploration of Greece’s magical locales, historical significance and contemporary culture while evoking the mystery-thriller intrigues to be found within their pages.”
Siger will kick off his Redacted Man mystery series on February 3rd with the release of A STUDY IN SECRETS, which is about a retired gentleman with a complicated past, a missing priceless treasure, and a young woman in trouble. According to Severn House, it’s perfect for fans of Anthony Horowitz, Robert Galbraith and Ann Cleeves.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Joan from Calgary shared a lovely message: “Not only do I always appreciate and enjoy your Friday newsletters, but your interviews are absolutely great. There isn’t one that I haven’t enjoyed due to your professional interviewing skills to which you always sprinkle in fun personal items or thoughts to make them even more interesting. Nelson DeMille was one of my favourite authors who combined thrills interspersed with humorous tidbits. Alex DeMille was a wonderful interviewee, and I certainly hope he continues his father’s legacy and also expands his own talent in writing. In a difficult world lately, when you can listen to an interview such as this one, it renews faith in people and books! Thank you for all that you and your team do for book lovers.”
Elise, one of our Reader Survey winners, wrote, “I was pleasantly surprised when my friend informed me this morning that I won a $50 bookstore gift card. She beat me to reading the email! My local bookstore, Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga Springs, NY, will be happy as well. In case you haven’t heard, Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library, in conjunction with Northshire, have created a book festival. We just had our fifth annual with authors Wally Lamb, Chris Bohjalian and Amity Gaige. It’s the first weekend of October. Check it out! Many, many thanks. I have enjoyed your work for years.”
Julie, who won the aforementioned EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE in this week's Holiday Cheer contest, wrote, “Yahoo!! Thank you!! I am so excited!! I jotted that book down to add to my TBR list. It looks so good! But almost all the books in the contests look like fabulous reads. Thanks again, and I am looking forward to getting it!”
“All Her Fault” on Peacock: I watched this series, based on the book of the same name by Andrea Mara. Wow, I did not see that ending coming, but I did have one big doubt about it. If you watch it, reach out and I will tell you what I wondered about.
“Landman” on Paramount+: The craziness of the oil fields in the heart of West Texas featuring both roughnecks and wildcat billionaires trying to get rich quick forms a fast-paced storyline here. Crisis executive Tommy Norris, played by Billy Bob Thornton, is a great character, and his wife and daughter will make you laugh as you think, No, that did not happen. And in the first episode, his son hits an oil load with his own venture.
The “Goodnight Moon” Suite: Friends have been sharing this on social media, and I had to learn more. It ends up that Sheraton Hotels is working with HarperCollins, the publisher of GOODNIGHT MOON (written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd) --- which I know many of us have read just a few times --- to share the book's iconic bedroom at the newly renovated Sheraton Boston Hotel. It’s available through April 2026. Talk about the ultimate fun holiday gift --- a night in the “Goodnight Moon” Suite!
Wuthering Heights Trailer: Here is the trailer for the movie, which comes out in theaters on Valentine's Day. Remember back to high school about the book.
I went amaryllis shopping last weekend and am readying my annual gift wrapping of those. I am at the point where I am going to start hiding gifts, and I have to remember where I hide them. I am still missing the small mixing spoons that I bought Tom last year! I also am making potholders to give as gifts. I bought red, green and white loops from Acorn & Twigs, and they included some interesting design ideas. Last year, I started making these to use at our house, and every person who saw it wanted one. So I am reverting to my days as a kid when I made these for the Fresh Air Fund fundraisers.
Read on, and have a great short week. We will be back in your inboxes on Wednesday so the staff can enjoy the long weekend.
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:
SOME BRIGHT NOWHERE by Ann Packer
Oprah’s Latest Book Club Pick
SOME BRIGHT NOWHERE by Ann Packer (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Will Damron
Eliot and his wife, Claire, have been happily married for nearly four decades. But eight years after Claire was diagnosed with cancer, the end is near, and it's time to gather loved ones and prepare for the inevitable. Over the years of Claire’s illness, Eliot has shifted into the role of caregiver. But as he focuses on settling into what will be their last days and weeks together, Claire makes an unexpected request that leaves him reeling. In a moment, his carefully constructed world is shattered. What if your partner’s dying wish broke your heart? How well do we know the deepest desires of those we love dearly? As Eliot is confronted with this profound turning point in his marriage and his life, he grapples with the man and husband he’s been, and with the great unknowns of Claire’s last days. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to see why the book is this month's Oprah's Book Club pick.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THE BURNING LIBRARY by Gilly Macmillan
THE BURNING LIBRARY by Gilly Macmillan (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Rose Robinson and Steph de Whalley
On a frigid, windswept day in Scotland’s Western Hebrides, Eleanor Bruton’s body is discovered on the shore. Little did Eleanor’s family know that she was harboring a dark and all-consuming secret --- a scrap of fraying embroidery that seems worthless at first glance. For over a century, two rival organizations of women have gone to deadly lengths to secure the valuable artifact in the hopes of finding the original medieval manuscript from which it was torn. When Dr. Anya Brown garners international attention for her translation of the cryptic Folio 9, she is handpicked by Diana Cornish, a professor and high-ranking member of the Fellowship, to join the exclusive Institute of Manuscript Studies in St. Andrews. Unbeknownst to Anya, she’s been recruited at great personal danger to translate ancient texts that the Fellowship believes critical to their mission. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
LAST CALL AT THE SAVOY by Brisa Carleton
A Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
LAST CALL AT THE SAVOY by Brisa Carleton (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Christine Lakin
Six years ago, Cinnamon Scott was a young writer on the rise in New York City. But since the sudden loss of her parents, she's been stuck in place. Despite their tragic loss, she and her older sister, Rosemary, have always had each other to lean on. But now, with Rosie living in London and about to give birth to twins, Cinnamon feels more lost than ever. When Rosie is put on bed rest, Cinnamon flies to her sister's side, where she's temporarily living at The Savoy. She’s immediately swept away by the beauty and history of the legendary hotel and its famed American Bar. When the late-shift bartender tells her the story of Ada Coleman, the woman who crafted the cocktail recipes The Savoy popularized in its famous handbook a century ago, Cinnamon is inspired by the bartender's vivid stories of Ada's fearlessness and can't understand why Ada's name is nowhere to be found. Reviewed by Amy Gwiazdowski.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read Carol's Bookreporter.com Bets On commentary.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to watch our "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Brisa Carleton.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: CALDER STRONG by Janet Dailey
Our Latest Historical Fiction Author Spotlight Title
CALDER STRONG by Janet Dailey (Historical Romance)
Audiobook available, read by Graham Winton
At 24, Joseph Dollarhide is struggling to find his place as the future head of his ranching family. His childhood friend, Chase Calder, has inherited the rival Calder operation, and longstanding battles over water and grass continue. But there’s yet another weight on Joseph’s shoulders. Years ago, he abandoned his teenage love, Annabeth, to court glamorous Lucy Merriweather, a seductive trickster. The affair imploded, and Annabeth went on to marry a farmer, Silas Mosby, and have two children. But now Joseph has spotted Annabeth and her family in town...and he has no doubt that her oldest, a boy, is his. Joseph’s love for Annabeth never died --- and Annabeth, too, still has feelings for him, though they’re tainted by anger. Learning that Silas is involved in a bootlegging ring leaves Joseph troubled. Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read Janet Dailey's bio.
- Click here to visit Janet Dailey's website.
- Click here to read more in our Historical Fiction Author Spotlight.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: I, MEDUSA by Ayana Gray
November’s Top LibraryReads Pick
I, MEDUSA by Ayana Gray (Historical Fantasy/Adventure)
Audiobook available, read by Tyla Collier and A'rese Emokpae
Out of place next to her beautiful, immortal sisters and her parents --- both gods, albeit minor ones --- Meddy dreams of leaving her family’s island for a life of adventure. So when she catches the eye of the goddess Athena, who invites her to train as an esteemed priestess in her temple, Meddy leaps at the chance to see the world beyond her home. In the colorful market streets of Athens and the clandestine chambers of the temple, Meddy flourishes in her role as Athena’s favored acolyte. But when she is noticed by another Olympian, Poseidon, the course of Meddy’s promising future is suddenly and irrevocably altered. When her locs are transformed into snakes as punishment for a crime she did not commit, Medusa must embrace a new identity --- not as a victim, but as a vigilante --- and the chance to write her own story as mortal, martyr and myth. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: DOG SHOW by Billy Collins
DOG SHOW: Poems written by Billy Collins, with watercolors by Pamela Sztybel (Poetry)
Audiobook available, read by Billy Collins
Billy Collins’ DOG SHOW celebrates the joy of our canine best friends, honoring the love we feel for the animals who play such vital roles in our lives. In 25 poems, Collins distills the many ways dogs warm our hearts, from the happiness we experience as we watch a dog run unencumbered by our burdens, to the silliness of cradling a dog in our arms as we step on the scale together. Turning his inimitable eye and ear to the complexities of dog behavior, Collins ponders all that these winning creatures give us and what we learn from them about ourselves. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com's 20th Annual
Holiday Cheer Contests and Feature
At Bookreporter.com, we kick off the holiday season in style with our Holiday Cheer Contests and Feature. As our gift to you, on select days in November and December, we are spotlighting a book and giving five lucky readers the chance to win it. You have to visit the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter the 24-hour contest. As always, we are sending our special Holiday Cheer newsletter on the days when there are contests. Click here to sign up for these email alerts.
Our next contest will be up on Tuesday, December 2nd at noon ET. The prize book will be A SEA GLASS CHRISTMAS by Davis Bunn, in which a bracing Christmas on North Carolina’s Outer Banks opens the door to a second chance at love.
This year's prize books are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
Bookreporter.com’s “What to Give, What to Get” Guide:
“Reader Perfect” Suggestions
for Holiday Giving and Getting
We at Bookreporter.com know that readers crave ideas for gift-giving --- and getting --- at the holidays. With this in mind, we are offering a "What to Give, What to Get" Guide with four "Reader Perfect" suggestions.
BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL by V. E. Schwab (Historical Fantasy)
The bestselling author of THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LaRUE has written a genre-defying, generations-spanning novel of vampires, sapphism and hunger --- for blood, for life and, above all, for freedom.
GIRL DINNER by Olivie Blake (Horror/Dark Humor)
Good girls deserve a treat. From the New York Times bestselling author of THE ATLAS SIX comes a darkly fun novel about power, lust and eating your fill, as wealthy moms and sorority girls practice a sinister new wellness trend.
GIRL LOST by Kate Angelo (Romantic Suspense)
Officer Luna Rosati and Special Agent Corbin King are at odds over their failed teenage romance, but they reunite on a mission and must put their past aside. When they encounter a kidnapping, missing bodies and a murder, the secrets Corbin and Luna keep from one another are only the beginning of the threats they face.
THE SANDS OF SEA BLUE BEACH by Rachel Hauck (Romance)
Can anything rekindle the summer love between former sweethearts facing old wounds and a divided town? This poignant tale of second chances and the enduring power of love includes themes of small-town romance, dual-time storytelling and complex family dynamics.
Click here to see our "What to Give, What to Get" Guide.
SHADOWS UPON TIME: The Sun Eater, Book Seven by Christopher Ruocchio (Science Fiction/Space Opera)
Audiobook available, read by Samuel Roukin
After his victory at Vorgossos, Hadrian Marlowe finds himself a fugitive, on the run not only from the Extrasolarians, but from his own people, the Sollan Empire he betrayed --- and who betrayed him. Hidden safely beyond the borders of human space, Hadrian awaits the arrival of the one ally he has left: the Jaddian Prince Kaim-Olorin du Otranto. What's more, the inhuman Cielcin have vanished, unseen for more than 100 years. The armies of men have grown complacent, but Hadrian knows the truth: the Cielcin are preparing for their final assault against the heart of all mankind. Only Hadrian possesses the power to stem the tide: an ancient war machine, forged by the daimon machines at the dawn of time. The mighty Demiurge. With it, Hadrian must face not just the Cielcin horde, but their Prophet-King, and the dark gods it serves --- the very gods who shaped the universe itself. Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard.
AND THEN THERE WAS YOU by Sophie Cousens (Romantic Comedy)
Audiobook available, read by Kerry Gilbert
Stuck in a Production Assistant job and living at home with her parents after a painful breakup, 31-year-old Chloe Fairway isn’t where she wants to be in life. The last thing she needs is to face the people who once voted her "most likely to succeed" at her upcoming 10-year college reunion. And she definitely doesn’t want to see her former best friend, Sean Adler, who is now a hotshot film director living the life Chloe dreamed of. Desperate to make a splash --- and to save face in front of the man who might be the one that got away --- she turns to a mysterious dating service. Enter Rob, her handsome, well-read and charming match, the perfect plus-one to take to her reunion. The more she gets to know him, the more perfect he appears to be. As Chloe reconnects with old friends, she begins to question everything she thought she wanted. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
BRIGANDS & BREADKNIVES by Travis Baldree (Fantasy/Humor)
Audiobook available, read by Travis Baldree
Fern has weathered the stillness and storms of a bookseller’s life for decades. But now, in the face of crippling ennui, she transplants herself to the city of Thune to hang out her shingle beside a long-absent friend’s coffee shop. What could be a better pairing? Surely a charming renovation montage will cure what ails her! If only things were so simple. It turns out that fixing your life isn’t a one-time prospect, nor as easy as a change of scenery and a lick of paint. A drunken and desperate night sees the rattkin waking far from home in the company of a legendary warrior, an imprisoned chaos-goblin with a fondness for silverware, and an absolutely thumping hangover. As together they fend off a rogue’s gallery of ne’er-do-wells trying to claim the bounty the goblin represents, Fern may finally reconnect with the person she actually is when nothing seems inevitable. Reviewed by Curtis Edmonds.
SON OF THE MORNING by Akwaeke Emezi (Paranormal Romance/Fantasy)
Audiobook available, read by Indigo Brown
Tenderhearted Galilee was raised by the Kincaids, a formidable clan of Black women sequestered deep in the weeping willows and dark rushing creeks of their land. Galilee has always known that she’s different --- that there is an old and unknowable secret around her very existence. Lucifer Helel is fronting as the head of security for her wealthy friend Oriaku’s family, protecting a mysterious, ancient artifact. But from the moment she lays eyes on him, Galilee knows he’s not human. From her first incendiary touch, Lucifer knows something even Galilee herself doesn’t --- that she isn’t human either. Leviathan, Lucifer’s most trusted prince of Hell, is determined to eliminate the intolerable danger that is Galilee before she brings death and disaster to those he loves. But Lucifer and Galilee’s attraction threatens to bring all the structures of their existence crashing down around them. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
THE GRACEVIEW PATIENT by Caitlin Starling (Psychological Thriller/Gothic Horror)
Audiobook available, read by Xe Sands
Margaret’s rare autoimmune condition has destroyed her life, leaving her isolated and in pain. It has no cure, but she’s making do as best she can --- until she’s offered a fully paid-for spot in an experimental medical trial at Graceview Memorial. The conditions are simple, if grueling: she will live at the hospital as a full-time patient, subjecting herself to the near-total destruction of her immune system and its subsequent regeneration. The trial will essentially kill most, but not all, of her. But as the treatment progresses and her body begins to fail, she stumbles upon something sinister living and spreading within the hospital. Unsure of what's real and what's just medication-induced delusion, Margaret struggles to find a way out as her body and mind succumb further to the darkness lurking throughout Graceview's halls. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
IMPOSTOR SYNDROME by Andrew Mayne (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Susannah Jones and Jennifer O’Donnell
The FBI calls on former agent Jessica Blackwood to look at a puzzling crime. A wildlife officer has found the body of a popular YouTuber encased in an obelisk made of salt in a remote refuge. When the agency is tipped off to a second body, that of a TikTok star chained to the bottom of Nevada’s Pyramid Lake --- her hands clasped in prayer --- Jessica recruits a trusted colleague of her own: Floridian underwater investigator Sloan McPherson. It appears to be the work of a ritualistic serial killer preying on influencers. That tracks when a third victim --- a fantasy-game live streamer --- barely survives a pipe bomb attack. As the threats multiply across the country, Jessica and Sloan fear they’re playing with something more extreme than they imagined: a killer’s endgame that could be nothing less than apocalyptic. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE by Alissa Lee (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Joy Osmanski
Although they started out as roommates at Harvard, Sara, Bee, Dina, Allie, Wesley and Claudine soon became family. They had their whole bright lives ahead of them --- until their senior year, when a shocking tragedy changed everything. Twenty years later, five of the roommates still indulge in a secret tradition they’ve kept alive since their campus days: the Circus, a harmless elimination-style “killing” game played across the private rooms and hidden alleys of New York City. The game is a nod to their younger selves and a tribute to the sixth roommate they lost too young. But this year, Sara wants out of the game --- until she discovers there is a small fortune awaiting the winner of this final round. As the Circus unfolds, Sara begins to suspect that the others aren’t playing by the rules. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on November 25th
Below are some notable titles releasing on November 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 November 24th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
BEST OFFER WINS by Marisa Kashino (Thriller/Dark Humor)
An insanely competitive housing market. A desperate buyer on the edge. In Marisa Kashino’s darkly humorous debut novel, the white picket fence becomes the ultimate symbol of success --- and obsession. How far would you go for the house of your dreams?
NYPD RED 8: THE 11:59 BOMBER by Marshall Karp (Thriller)
NYPD Red Detectives Kylie MacDonald and Zach Jordan face their most twisted case ever, as they race against the clock in search of one man who has vowed "to destroy New York City the way it destroyed my family."
ROBERT B. PARKER'S SHOWDOWN: A Spenser Novel by Mike Lupica (Mystery)
Spenser may have uncovered an explosive secret that threatens the career of a controversial figure in this latest installment of Robert B. Parker’s beloved series.
TOM CLANCY EXECUTIVE POWER: A Jack Ryan Novel by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson (Thriller/Adventure)
An international incident may fracture the Ryan family in this latest installment of the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
Click here to see the latest “On Sale This Week” newsletter.
From left to right: Mike Lupica, Gilly Macmillan
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
Here are three upcoming virtual book and author events that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links for more info and to register.
Monday, November 24th at 7pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome singer-songwriter and musician Lionel Richie for a live virtual discussion of his newly released memoir, TRULY. Lionel will be in conversation with actor Blair Underwood.
Monday, November 24th at 7pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Mike Lupica will talk about his new book, ROBERT B. PARKER'S SHOWDOWN. In this latest installment of Parker’s beloved series, Spenser may have uncovered an explosive secret that threatens the career of a controversial figure.
Tuesday, November 25th at 9pm ET: Killer Author Club: Kimberly Belle, Heather Gudenkauf and Kaira Rouda will talk to Gilly Macmillan about THE BURNING LIBRARY. Set in remote St. Andrews, Scotland, Gilly's new novel is a thrilling dark academic tale of murder, obsession and ruthless ambition.
"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:
Other authors we've interviewed recently include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Vicky Nguyen (BOAT BABY: A Memoir)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: Amazon’s Best Books of the Year
Amazon has announced their top 20 books of 2025. Which of these, if any, would you select as your favorite books of the year? Please check all that apply.
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BUCKEYE by Patrick Ryan
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THE CORRESPONDENT by Virginia Evans
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THE BOYS IN THE LIGHT: An Extraordinary World War II Story of Survival, Faith, and Brotherhood, by Nina Willner
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THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS by Ocean Vuong
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WILD DARK SHORE by Charlotte McConaghy
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THE INTRUDER by Freida McFadden
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AWAKE: A Memoir, by Jen Hatmaker
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ATMOSPHERE: A Love Story, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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REPLACEABLE YOU: Adventures in Human Anatomy, by Mary Roach
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THE LONELINESS OF SONIA AND SUNNY by Kiran Desai
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BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall
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PAPER GIRL: A Memoir of Home and Family in a Fractured America, by Beth Macy
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KATABASIS by R. F. Kuang
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CURSED DAUGHTERS by Oyinkan Braithwaite
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NEXT OF KIN: A Memoir, by Gabrielle Hamilton
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KING OF ASHES by S. A. Cosby
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THE BEAST IN THE CLOUDS: The Roosevelt Brothers' Deadly Quest to Find the Mythical Giant Panda, by Nathalia Holt
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HEART THE LOVER by Lily King
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THE BOOK OF GUILT by Catherine Chidgey
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BALDWIN: A Love Story, by Nicholas Boggs
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, December 5th 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 November 14th to December 5th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE BURNING LIBRARY by Gilly Macmillan and SOME BRIGHT NOWHERE by Ann Packer.
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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