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My Least Favorite Weekend of the Year
So why is this my least favorite weekend of the year? It is because we lose an hour on Sunday morning for Daylight Saving Time. Yes, it will be light later in the evening, but I truly think we should lose an hour on a Monday, not a Sunday. I am losing an hour of reading time, and I do not have that time to lose!
Also, Mercury is retrograde. Longtime readers know what that means. For those of you who are new to us, you can find the explanation here. So if you have had a week where there were lots of miscommunications, you now have the reason. Years ago, when I worked at Mademoiselle magazine, our Promotion Director was an astrologer. When she told us that Mercury was going retrograde, we all paid a lot more attention to the details of what we were working on. It ends on March 20th, the first day of spring!
Last Saturday, Anna Quindlen was at Thunder Road Books in Spring Lake, NJ, where she was interviewed about her latest book, MORE THAN ENOUGH, by Kate Czyzewski. It was a brilliant conversation! The theater where the event was held was packed, and it is clear that the audience was filled with uberfans of Anna. There were some lovely references to her past books in the Q&A, including a very personal one that reading BLACK AND BLUE encouraged one reader to leave a marriage that was not good for her.
Thank you to Kate’s husband, Joe, who took the pictures that you see above.
For humor, my friend, Annmarie Puleio, joined me, and we went backstage before the event to talk to Anna. We headed to the auditorium just ahead of her, so we slipped into the seats at the back just as the event began. So in the group shot above where we are holding up our books, you can see us in the very back. I saw that and had to laugh!
I am listening to MORE THAN ENOUGH now, and once again it’s a terrific read --- or, in my case, listen --- from Anna.
On Wednesday, while our Spring Reading contest for THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR by Wade Rouse was running, legendary award-winning author Kwame Alexander was recommending it as a “feel-good” read on the “Today” show. That is a perfect way to describe the book --- and I will add that it is laced with humor! Click here to watch the segment.
I am so happy to tell you that we now have more than 7,000 subscribers to our YouTube channel. Thanks to all of you who have subscribed. We love bringing you book preview and author videos, and we love knowing that you are enjoying them.
We have lots to share this week, including TWO contests where we want you to give us your feedback. So read on!
Reminder to Sign Up for Our March
“Bookaccino Live” Book Preview Afternoon Event
This is your last Weekly Update newsletter reminder to sign up for this month’s “Bookaccino Live” book preview afternoon event, which will take place on Wednesday, March 11th at 2pm ET.
The focus will be on titles releasing between March 10th and March 31st, along with a few from the second half of April, plus May, that we think will appeal to you. Click here to sign up. Those who join us live will be asked to answer a survey about the books from the presentation that they are most interested in reading and will be eligible to win a prize.
Today we kicked off a special contest for THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB by Susan Patterson and James Patterson, which releases on April 20th. You may remember that Susan and James teamed up three years ago for their joint debut novel, THINGS I WISH I TOLD MY MOTHER, which they wrote with Susan DiLallo.
Here’s the new book’s premise: Between their busy lives and their far-flung residences, the Mother-Daughter Book Club --- four longtime college friends and their five daughters --- more often discuss the books on their nightstands via text than in-person meetings. So it’s an emotional reunion when they finally gather again, this time on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como, all building toward the book club’s trademark “Night of Secrets.” But as the years and the distance cast shadows and doubt, confidences and sympathies turn into surprising revelations.
We are awarding a copy of the book to 25 readers and giving them the chance to share their comments about it with us. Winning means that you are committed to reading THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB and giving us your feedback on it by Friday, April 17th. If you can do this, please fill out this form by Friday, March 20th at noon ET.
Please note: For this contest, you can choose which format of the book you'd like to receive --- the print edition, e-book or audiobook. This is the first time that we're giving you a choice of formats, so we're excited to be doing this!
Also, I plan to interview Susan Patterson sometime next month, and the winners will be able to submit a question that they would like me to ask her. From all the questions we receive, I will select a number of them to ask during the interview.
You have until next Friday, March 13th at noon ET to enter our special contest for WHEN THE CRANES FLY SOUTH. This emotional story of love, friendship, fatherhood, dogs and atonement by debut novelist Lisa Ridzén is an international bestseller and a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection. Be sure to fill out this form by next Friday's deadline.
We are awarding 25 copies to those who will commit to reading the book, answering some questions about it, sharing their comments, and submitting a question for Lisa. All winners will be asked to send us both their feedback and their question for Lisa by Monday, April 13th.
I look forward to chatting with Lisa during an upcoming “Bookaccino Live” Book Group program where I will be asking her some of these questions. Those who would like to appear on camera are welcome to ask Lisa their question directly. And for those who already have read the book, you can sign up here to attend this event, which will be held on Thursday, April 23rd at 1pm ET. Please note the afternoon timing as Lisa lives in Sweden.
Though I read it last year, I still think about WHEN THE CRANES FLY SOUTH a lot. It's for those who loved THE CORRESPONDENT and THEO OF GOLDEN. It, too, has a big emotional tug and gives you an opportunity to ponder life.
Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, the New York Times bestselling author of THE NEST and GOOD COMPANY, is back with LAKE EFFECT, which is March’s Barnes & Noble Book Club pick. Two families are forever changed by one lovestruck decision that will reverberate for decades.
Norah Piehl has our review and says, “Twenty years is a long time in the life of a family and a culture. One of the most interesting aspects of the book is viewing the drama within its cultural context… The result is a kaleidoscopic portrait of a group of people over time who are thrown together by sometimes uncomfortable or painful circumstances but who find new ways of being with each other, with themselves, and in the world they share.”
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
Spring Reading Contest Update
We kicked off our Spring Reading contests this week by giving away the aforementioned THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR by Wade Rouse. Next week’s prize will be DAUGHTERS by Corinne Demas, a moving story about the sometimes volatile but ultimately unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters. I enjoyed the book, and that is a spot-on description of it. The contest will be up on Tuesday, March 10th at noon ET.
March’s New in Paperback Feature
Our New in Paperback roundups for March are now up. We’re featuring paperback fiction reprints from such bestselling authors as Lee Child and Andrew Child (EXIT STRATEGY), Harlan Coben (NOBODY’S FOOL), S. A. Cosby (KING OF ASHES), Karen Russell (THE ANTIDOTE), Emma Donoghue (THE PARIS EXPRESS), and Patti Callahan Henry (THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND); nonfiction titles, including THE DEMON OF UNREST: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson and THE SOUL OF A WOMAN by Isabel Allende; and paperback originals like NO MATTER WHAT by Cara Bastone (this month’s Top LibraryReads Pick) and THE END OF MY LIFE IS KILLING ME: The Unexpected Joys of a Cancer Slacker by Annabelle Gurwitch.
Revisiting My “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews with Marie Benedict and Nita Prose
Out in paperback this week are THE QUEENS OF CRIME by Marie Benedict and THE MAID’S SECRET by Nita Prose, both of which were 2025 Bets On picks. I talked to Marie and Nita 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.
Books on Screen Offerings for March
We’ve also updated our Books on Screen feature for this month. March’s roundup includes the films Reminders of Him and Project Hail Mary; the series premieres of “Scarpetta” on Prime Video, “Jo Nesbo's Detective Hole,” and “Vladimir” on Netflix, “RJ Decker” on ABC, and “Imperfect Women” on Apple TV; the season premieres of STARZ's “Outlander” and Netflix's “Virgin River”; the series finale of HBO Max's “Like Water for Chocolate”; the season finales of “When Calls the Heart” on Hallmark Channel and “Cross” on Prime Video; and the DVD/Blu-ray releases of Hamnet, Killers of the Flower Moon and The Housemaid. I always am in awe of the number of books-to-screen adaptations that Tom Donadio ferrets out.
Enter Our New Word of Mouth Contest
Let us know by Friday, March 20th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll have a chance to win IT GIRL by Allison Pataki and SERVED HIM RIGHT by Lisa Unger in our latest Word of Mouth contest.
IT GIRL is a sweeping novel about America’s first “It Girl,” whose dramatic journey to center stage echoes through the decades. In the gripping thriller SERVED HIM RIGHT, a woman’s brunch with friends quickly turns dark. Both books release on Tuesday, and we plan to review them in next week’s newsletter.
Vote in Our New Poll --- and Check Out Results from the Last Poll
For our latest poll, we’ve listed 35 fiction titles releasing this month, and we’re asking you which, if any, you’re looking forward to reading. Click here to let us know by Friday, March 20th at noon ET.
In our previous poll, we wanted to know the format of the book(s) that you’re currently reading. Here are the results: Hardcover (58%), E-book (44%), Digital audiobook (30%), Trade paperback (28%), Mass market paperback (10%), Audiobook on disc (4%).
March’s “Read with Jenna” Book Club pick is Amy Jo Burns’ latest novel, WAIT FOR ME. Jenna says, “The book spans the lives of two women. We meet Elle Harlow, who disappears in the ’70s right upon her big break as a folk singer, and Marijohn, who, years later, is searching for her own type of future. As these two women’s lives connect, we explore secrets long passed.” She calls the book “an emotional mystery about what connects us” and notes that it is as “beautiful as where it is set.”
For more March selections, including the Indie Next and LibraryReads lists, see our “Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks” feature here.
On Tuesday night, the Audio Publishers Association (APA) announced the Audie Award winners at the 31st Audie Awards Gala.
Suzanne Collins’ SUNRISE ON THE REAPING, read by Jefferson White, was named the 2026 Audiobook of the Year; Kristin Atherton won Best Fiction Narrator for her new narration of OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon; and Blair Underwood was awarded Best Nonfiction Narrator for TRULY by Lionel Richie.
Other winners included one of my favorites of the year, Virginia Evans’ THE CORRESPONDENT, read by a full cast (Ensemble Performance); Taylor Jenkins Reid’s ATMOSPHERE, read by Kristen DiMercurio, Julia Whelan and Taylor Jenkins Reid (Fiction); Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben’s GONE BEFORE GOODBYE, read by Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Kiff VandenHeuvel, Suehyla El-Attar Young, Peter Ganim, Saskia Maarleveld and James Fouhey (Mystery); and Lisa Jewell’s DON’T LET HIM IN, (which I also loved), read by Richard Armitage, Joanne Froggatt, Tamaryn Payne, Gemma Whelan, Louise Brealey and Patience Tomlinson (Thriller/Suspense).
Click here to see a list of all the winners and here to watch the ceremony.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Wendy wrote, “Thank you again for picking me as a winner of BEST BOY! It had been on my list to read when I read the first review of it. The book came in the mail, and I am so thrilled to be a winner of a great new book and to have the chance to be an early reader and reviewer. I am happy to belong to a group that promotes many types of good books and many diverse readers. I always read the newsletters with anticipation and much pleasure to see what you think is great new reading. My friend took the attached picture, but being a senior citizen of a certain age, I am not sure if it would meet your usual high standards of people photos. So please do not feel obligated to use it! Again, thank you so much for making my day with such a fabulous win and prize.” Wendy, your photo shows unbridled enthusiasm, so we love it.
Judie wrote, “Good morning, Carol. I LOVE your 'Bookreporter Talks To' interviews with input from readers, but I must say that the two-hour discussion with Allen Levi was spectacular. It was clear that Levi is Theo; the grace and kindness he showed to the readers was inspiring. I am recommending THEO OF GOLDEN to everyone and telling them they must follow it with your interview of him. I am visiting a friend near Atlanta, and we plan to go to Columbus and the coffee shop there that inspired the book. In these fraught times, we need Allen Levi’s voice. Thank you for all you do for readers!!”
Thank you, Judie. As of today, Allen's event has been watched or listened to more than 25,000 times between the live program, the livestream, the video and the podcast!
Angela wrote, “Your newsletter brings me joy! I read so many of the books you recommend and treasure your interviews. Thank you for all you do!” Angela, thanks to you for that feedback.
“Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette” on FX and FX on Hulu: I confess to being obsessed with this series since I started watching it last weekend. And clearly I am not alone as Instagram is filled with videos talking about it, parodying it, and so much more. This afternoon, I went on Instagram to add one thing for Bookreporter, and BAM, I was down the rabbit hole with “Love Story” parody videos and others assessing the reality of it or not, and even fashion shots talking about the authenticity of Carolyn’s outfits.
I loathe so much about social media, but when people pull together witty pieces on something like this, I confess to being captivated. Francesca and I were joking about the rabbit hole today! And the crazy algorithms of social media ensure that there will be more when I go back to the app. There are pieces in The New Yorker and New York Magazine as well. I loved the little details about working for Calvin Klein, such as only white flowers in the office and only black paper clips.
“Tracker” on CBS: This show is back, and I am watching it. It was tough to pick up on the second part of an episode that aired months ago, but it still worked.
“Marshals” on CBS: This latest offering from Taylor Sheridan, which is a spin-off and a sequel to “Yellowstone”, premiered on Sunday night. We enjoyed it, though we were missing Monica. Writing off a character (often because the actor has decided not to continue with a show) always makes for an awkward setup. It is a show that Husband Tom will enjoy with me, which is nice.
“The Last Thing He Told Me” (Season Two) on Apple TV: There is a sense of urgency to this show that makes me want to go on the run with them without a suitcase in hand! I am ready to watch episode three.
I will be finishing up THE GOLDEN BOY ahead of my interview with the author, Patricia Finn, on Monday. Patricia is publishing her first novel at the age of 71! It comes out on Tuesday. And right behind it, I have the aforementioned IT GIRL by Allison Pataki lined up for reading.
There are so many books that I want to read right now. I am juggling print and audio. This reading schedule has hijacked my winter organization plans. The two closets in my office and half of one attic have been organized. I have been way less efficient than I planned.
From the time they were young, my sons have been amused by my description of March being a lion/lamb month. Well, this year, it came in like a lamb, which makes me fear the end of the month. But hey, it’s going to be 70 degrees in the New York area at the start of next week. May the wall of snow at the bottom of our driveway melt away, melt away, melt away all!
Read on, and have a great week...less one hour.
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!
New Special Contest: Enter to Win One of 25 Copies of
THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB
by Susan Patterson and James Patterson
Share Your Feedback on the Book
and Ask Susan a Question!
Susan Patterson and James Patterson's new novel, THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB, is the follow-up to the New York Times bestseller and book club favorite, THINGS I WISH I TOLD MY MOTHER. It revolves around the emotional reunion of the Mother-Daughter Book Club --- four longtime college friends and their five daughters --- which leads to surprising revelations.
The book doesn't release until Monday, April 20th, but we have 25 copies to give away to those who would like to read it and give us their feedback on it by Friday, April 17th. The winners also will have the option of sharing a question that they would like Carol to ask Susan Patterson during an upcoming interview.
To enter the contest, please fill out this form by Friday, March 20th at noon ET.
Please note: For this contest, you will be able to choose the format of the book you would like to receive --- the print edition, e-book or audiobook. This is the first time that we are giving you this choice!
THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB by Susan Patterson and James Patterson (Fiction)
Between their busy lives and their far-flung residences, the Mother-Daughter Book Club --- four longtime college friends and their five daughters --- more often discuss the books on their nightstands via 2am texts than in-person meetings. And maybe it’s just as well, after what happened at their last get-together.
So it’s an emotional reunion when they finally gather again, this time on the spectacular shores of Italy’s Lake Como. Sightseeing excursions, reminiscing fueled by “Como-politans,” and a hint of vacation romance all build toward the book club’s trademark “Night of Secrets.”
These friends, and sometime rivals, are close readers --- of novels, memoirs, and each other. But as the years and the distance cast shadows and doubt, confidences and sympathies turn into surprising revelations.
- Click here to read bios of Susan Patterson and James Patterson.
- Visit James Patterson's website and YouTube channel.
- Connect with James Patterson on X, Instagram, TikTok and Threads.
Click here to enter the contest.
Special Contest: Enter to Win One of 25 Copies of
WHEN THE CRANES FLY SOUTH by Lisa Ridzén
Share Your Feedback on the Book
and Ask Lisa a Question!
An elderly man attempts to mend his relationship with his son before it’s too late in Lisa Ridzén’s debut novel, WHEN THE CRANES FLY SOUTH, winner of the 2024 Swedish Book of the Year Award and a 2025 Bookreporter.com Bets On selection.
In this special contest, we are giving 25 readers the chance to win a copy of this runaway international bestseller, which is translated by Alice Menzies. All winners must be prepared to provide feedback on the book and share a question for Lisa by Monday, April 13th.
Carol will ask Lisa some of these questions during an upcoming "Bookaccino Live" Book Group event (the date and time will be announced shortly). The winners also will be given the option of appearing on camera to share their question with Lisa.
To enter the contest, please fill out this form by Friday, March 13th at noon ET.
WHEN THE CRANES FLY SOUTH written by Lisa Ridzén, translated by Alice Menzies (Fiction)
Bo is running out of time. Yet time is one of the few things he has left. These days, his quiet existence is broken up only by daily visits from his home care team. Fortunately, he still has his beloved elkhound, Sixten, to keep him company…though now his son, with whom Bo has had a rocky relationship, insists upon taking the dog away, claiming that Bo has grown too old to properly care for him.
The threat of losing Sixten stirs up a whirlwind of emotion, leading Bo to take stock of his life, his relationships, and the imperfect way he’s expressed his love over the years.
- Click here to read Carol's Bookreporter.com Bets On commentary.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
Click here to enter the contest.
Featured Review:
LAKE EFFECT by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
March’s Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick
LAKE EFFECT by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Marin Ireland
It’s 1977, and an air of restlessness has settled on the residents of Cambridge Road in Rochester, New York. When Nina Larkin is given a copy of THE JOY OF SEX by her newly divorced friend, she no longer can dismiss the nearly nonexistent intimacy of her marriage. Just as her oldest child, Clara, is falling in love for the first time, Nina finds herself longing for the forbidden: a midlife awakening. An intoxicating fling with a prominent neighbor brings Nina a freedom she never thought possible --- but also risks the reputations of both families and unravels Clara’s world. Years later, Clara, now a successful food stylist in New York City, has never been able to move past the long-ago scandal. Drawn back home by the pull of a family wedding and wrestling with her own demons, she makes a pivotal decision that turns her life upside down. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: I CAME BACK FOR YOU by Kate White
I CAME BACK FOR YOU by Kate White (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Sarah Naughton
Ten years after her daughter, Melanie, was murdered, Bree Winter is finally moving on with a new love, a new home and a new beginning. Then a deathbed confession from the convicted killer throws Bree’s life into a tailspin all over again. He readily confesses to murdering four girls. But not Melanie. At first, Bree and her ex-husband don’t buy a word of it. Until inconsistencies about the crime emerge. So does the dreadful feeling that the monster who shattered Bree’s family isn’t lying. The only way she can get to the truth is to power through the trauma and return to the town in upstate New York where Melanie’s life came to a brutal end. Not only could the real killer still be in their midst, but as Bree begins to dig through Melanie’s past, what she discovers calls into question everything she has believed --- about the crime and about Melanie herself. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: MISSING SISTER by Joshilyn Jackson
MISSING SISTER by Joshilyn Jackson (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Joshilyn Jackson
Twins Penny and Nix Albright grew up doing everything together. But when Nix dies in a tragic accident soon after college, she leaves behind a cryptic voicemail that has Penny guilt-ridden. Five years later, Penny has found new purpose as a rookie cop. She’s working to fulfill Nix’s dream of making the world a safer place. But following that dream becomes a nightmare when she’s called to her first murder scene. When she sees the victim, she knows him instantly: Danny Bowery, one of three men she’s long blamed for Nix’s death. A stunned Penny discovers a blonde in blood-drenched clothes gripping a box cutter. Before Penny can arrest her, the woman reveals that Bowery’s murder is part of a larger story that is far from over. Then she disappears. Now, Penny will stop at nothing to pursue this dangerous woman and learn why she’s avenging Nix’s death. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: LADY TREMAINE by Rachel Hochhauser
Reese’s Book Club Pick for March
LADY TREMAINE by Rachel Hochhauser (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Bessie Carter
Twice-widowed, Lady Etheldreda Verity Isolde Tremaine Bramley is solely responsible for her two children, a priggish stepdaughter, a razor-taloned peregrine falcon, and a crumbling manor. Fierce and determined, Ethel clings to the respectability her deceased husband’s title affords her, hoping it will secure her daughters’ future through marriage. When a royal ball offers the chance to change everything, Ethel risks her pride in pursuit of an invitation for all three of her daughters --- only to see her hopes fulfilled by the wrong one. As an engagement to the future king unfolds, Ethel discovers a sordid secret hidden in the depths of the royal family, forcing her to choose between the security she craves and the well-being of the stepdaughter who has rebuffed her at every turn. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to see why the book is this month's Reese's Book Club pick.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THE SECRET LIVES OF MURDERERS’ WIVES
by Elizabeth Arnott
March’s “Good Morning America” Book Club Pick
THE SECRET LIVES OF MURDERERS' WIVES by Elizabeth Arnott (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Saskia Maarleveld and Karissa Vacker
Beverley, Elsie and Margot are wives of convicted killers. During the sun-drenched summer of 1966, they form an unlikely friendship after the discoveries of their husbands’ brutal crimes. With their exes --- some of California’s most infamous murderers --- dead or behind bars, they are attempting to forge a new future for themselves. They know people look at them and think only one thing: How could they not have known what their husbands were doing? How much are they to blame? And yet, when a string of local killings hits the news, the three women --- underestimated, overlooked, shrewd --- decide to get to work. After all, who better to catch a killer than those who have shared their lives and homes with one? Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to see why the book is this month's “Good Morning America” Book Club pick.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com’s 15th Annual
Spring Reading Contests and Feature
Spring is in the air (or will be very soon)! We’ve already caught the fever --- and it’s being fueled by some wonderful new and upcoming releases.
Bookreporter.com's 15th 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 10th at noon ET. The prize book will be DAUGHTERS by Corinne Demas, a moving story about the sometimes volatile but ultimately unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
March’s New in Paperback Roundups
March's roundup of New in Paperback fiction titles includes EXIT STRATEGY by Lee Child and Andrew Child, the page-turning 30th installment in the long-running series starring Jack Reacher, who will make three stops today --- not all of which were planned for; NOBODY'S FOOL, a stunningly twisty thriller from Harlan Coben in which a secret from former Detective Sami Kierce's college days comes back to haunt him; KING OF ASHES by S. A. Cosby, a Godfather-inspired Southern crime epic and dazzling family drama; Patti Callahan Henry's THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND, the sweeping story of a legendary book, a lost mother, and a daughter’s search for them both; and THE LOVE WE FOUND, Jill Santopolo's long-awaited follow-up to THE LIGHT WE LOST, a thrilling love story about the roles that fate and choice play in shaping a life.
Among our nonfiction highlights are THE DEMON OF UNREST, in which Erik Larson brings to life the pivotal five months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the start of the Civil War --- a simmering crisis that finally tore a deeply divided nation in two; Isabel Allende's THE SOUL OF A WOMAN, a passionate and inspiring meditation on what it means to be a woman; YOKO, David Sheff's intimate and revelatory biography of Yoko Ono; THE MAN NOBODY KILLED by Elon Green, the first comprehensive book about Michael Stewart, the young Black artist and model who was the victim of a fatal assault by police in 1983; and TRAVELING, in which celebrated NPR music critic Ann Powers explores the life and career of Joni Mitchell in a lyrical style as fascinating and ethereal as the songs of the artist herself.
Find out what's New in Paperback for the weeks of
March 2nd, March 9th, March 16th, March 23rd and March 30th.
March’s Books on Screen Feature
Here is a preview of this month's movies, TV shows and DVDs/Blu-rays that are based on books. For a complete list of March's offerings, please click here.
Film Releases
Reminders of Him
Release Date: Friday, March 13th (wide release in theaters)
Based on: REMINDERS OF HIM by Colleen Hoover
Project Hail Mary
Release Date: Friday, March 20th (wide release in theaters)
Based on: PROJECT HAIL MARY by Andy Weir
Series Premieres
"Scarpetta"
Release Date: Wednesday, March 11th on Prime Video (all episodes of Season 1 will be available)
Based on: The Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell
"Jo Nesbø's Detective Hole"
Release Date: Thursday, March 26th on Netflix (all episodes of Season 1 will be available)
Based on: THE DEVIL'S STAR by Jo Nesbø
Season Premieres
"Outlander"
Air Dates: Fridays at 8pm ET/PT on STARZ; Season 8 Premiere on March 6th
Based on: GO TELL THE BEES THAT I AM GONE by Diana Gabaldon
"Virgin River"
Release Date: Thursday, March 12th on Netflix (all episodes of Season 7 will be available)
Based on: The Virgin River series by Robyn Carr
Series Finale
"Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette" (9-episode limited series)
Release Dates: Thursdays on FX and FX on Hulu; Series Finale on March 26th
Based on: ONCE UPON A TIME: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, by Elizabeth Beller
Season Finales
"Cross"
Release Dates: Wednesdays on Prime Video; Season 2 Finale on March 18th
Based on: The Alex Cross series by James Patterson
"When Calls the Heart"
Air Dates: Sundays at 8pm ET/PT on Hallmark Channel; Season 13 Finale on March 22nd
Based on: The When Calls the Heart series by Janette Oke
On DVD and Blu-ray
Hamnet
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: Tuesday, March 3rd
Based on: HAMNET: A Novel of the Plague by Maggie O'Farrell
The Housemaid
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: Tuesday, March 17th
Based on: THE HOUSEMAID by Freida McFadden
Killers of the Flower Moon
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: Tuesday, March 24th
Based on: KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
Click here to see our Books on Screen feature for March.
Our Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks for March
Each month, we share top book picks from Indie Next and LibraryReads. We also feature a number of other prominent selections, including the Barnes & Noble Book Club, the "Good Morning America" Book Club, Oprah’s Book Club, the PBS Books Readers Club, the "Read with Jenna" Book Club, Reese's Book Club, and the Target Book Club.
Below is a preview of March's "Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks." For the complete Indie Next and LibraryReads lists, as well as additional links pertaining to this month's selections, please click here.
Indie Next
#1 Pick: AND NOW, BACK TO YOU by B.K. Borison
BRAWLER: Stories by Lauren Groff
AGNES AUBERT'S MYSTICAL CAT SHELTER by Heather Fawcett
KIN by Tayari Jones
THE RED WINTER by Cameron Sullivan
LibraryReads
Top Pick: NO MATTER WHAT by Cara Bastone
THE SECRET LIVES OF MURDERERS' WIVES by Elizabeth Arnott
TWO KINDS OF STRANGER by Steve Cavanagh
THIS STORY MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE by Tiffany Crum
LADY TREMAINE by Rachel Hochhauser
Barnes & Noble Book Club
LAKE EFFECT by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
"Good Morning America" Book Club
THE SECRET LIVES OF MURDERERS' WIVES by Elizabeth Arnott
Oprah's Book Club
To be announced
PBS Books Readers Club
The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy
"Read with Jenna" Book Club
WAIT FOR ME by Amy Jo Burns
Reese's Book Club
LADY TREMAINE by Rachel Hochhauser
Target Book Club
THE LIBRARY OF AMORLIN by Kalyn Josephson
Click here for March's Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks.
A BETTER LIFE by Lionel Shriver (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by George Newbern
Gloria Bonaventura, a divorced mother of three living with her 26-year-old son, Nico, in a sprawling house in Brooklyn, decides to participate in a new city program that would pay her to take in a migrant as a boarder. Gloria is thrilled when sweet, kind, helpful Martine arrives. But Nico is skeptical. A classic live-at-home Gen Zer with no interest in adulthood, Nico resents any interruption of his “hovercraft repose.” As the months go by, Martine endears herself to both Nico’s sisters, while finding her way into Gloria’s heart and even, briefly, Nico’s. But as Martine’s disturbingly dodgy compatriots begin to show up, Nico conceives a dark twin hostile to both his mother’s altruism and the “migrant crisis” in general --- and turns out to be anything but a reliable narrator himself. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
THE TREE OF LIGHT AND FLOWERS: A Jane Whitefield Novel by Thomas Perry (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Joyce Bean
A violent car crash brings on the premature birth of the baby that Jane Whitefield and her husband have hoped for. But within weeks, Jane’s peaceful time as a new mother in a safe, harmonious home starts to revert to her harrowing previous life. She had spent over a decade rescuing and sheltering people from dangerous foes, taking them to new locations, and teaching them to live under new identities. Nearly simultaneously, as though the events were connected, people who are thousands of miles apart in vastly different circumstances start to move. All of these travelers are soon on their way to the old house in western New York. Suddenly the people requiring Jane’s special skills include not only multiple fugitives, but also Jane herself, her husband and their newborn, as the danger she faces comes from people who know how to find her. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE STORY OF MARCEAU MILLER written by Marceau Miller, translated by Howard Curtis (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Saskia Maarleveld, Stephanie Németh-Parker and Jean Brassard
In the beautiful and dangerous landscape of Lake Geneva, in the shadow of the Swiss Alps, renowned writer Marceau Miller is found dead. In the wake of the tragedy, his wife, Sarah, discovers a manuscript he's left behind, entitled The Story of Marceau Miller. With the support of close friends, Sarah struggles to hold herself together while caring for her two children and coping with the mounting questions surrounding her famous husband's death. Was it an accident or part of some darker game? Compelled to find the truth, Sarah unravels secrets that make her question everything --- and everyone --- around her. Who can she possibly trust? Her journey from grief to revelation captures the nuance of marriage to a man who remains an enigma. Who is Marceau Miller, really? Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
ADRIFT by Will Dean (Domestic Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Emma Wilkes and Luke R Francis
Peggy and Drew, both aspiring writers, move to an isolated canal boat with their 14-year-old son. Peggy is the glue that holds their family together, even as their son is bullied relentlessly for his physique and his family’s lack of money. But when Drew becomes frustrated by his wife’s sudden writing success, he moves their boat further and further from civilization. With their increasing isolation, personal challenges become harder to ignore, even as they desperately try to break toxic generational patterns. But when Drew’s gaslighting becomes too much for Peggy to take, it sets off a catastrophic series of events. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE WAR WITHIN A WAR: The Black Struggle in Vietnam and at Home by Wil Haygood (History)
Audiobook available, read by Cary Hite
Drawing on the lives of soldiers and officers, doctors and nurses, journalists and activists, artists and politicians, Wil Haygood illuminates a generation caught between two battles: one on the front lines in Vietnam and another for justice and dignity in America. Among those at the heart of the story are Air Force pilot Fred Cherry, the first Black officer captured by the North Vietnamese and a hero to millions back home; and Elbert Nelson, a doctor who came to Vietnam after watching TV footage of the Watts riots in Los Angeles and soon found himself amid rising Black soldier protests overseas. Surrounding their experiences are the cultural and political forces of the era, including Martin Luther King Jr., Marvin Gaye, Berry Gordy and Lyndon Johnson, whose voices and actions shaped a decade of turbulence and transformation. Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro.
HANNIBAL LECTER: A Life by Brian Raftery (Performing Arts/Biography)
Audiobook available, read by Brian Raftery
This unique biography traces the many lives and crimes of Hannibal Lecter: his disturbing debut in Thomas Harris’ 1981 novel, RED DRAGON; his rise to infamy in beloved films like Michael Mann’s Manhunter and Jonathan Demme’s Academy Award–winning The Silence of the Lambs; and his unexpected comeback in the cult-hit TV series "Hannibal." It also dives into the untold life and career of Harris, the secretive bestselling author whose passion for reporting, eye for grisly detail, and connections to the FBI helped birth not only Lecter, but also the modern true-crime genre. Along the way, the book documents the many ways that Lecter’s rise reflected America’s ever-growing obsession with real-life serial killers. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE NEW NEIGHBORS by Claire Douglas (Domestic Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Sophie Rundle, Kristin Atherton, Justin Avoth and Sebastian Humphreys
When Lena overhears a conversation between her next-door neighbors, she thinks she must have misheard. The Morgans are a kind, retired couple who recently moved to their sleepy suburban street in Bristol where nothing ever happens. But to Lena it sounded very much like they were planning a crime. Her family and friends tell her she must be mistaken. Yet Lena can’t stop thinking about that strange conversation. What if they really are about to do something terrible? What if she can prevent it? Especially when doing something might help ease her conscience about her own dark past. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
HOW SIMI GOT HER GROOM BACK by Sonali Dev (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Natasha Chandel and Soneela Nankani
The Naik sisters escaped their traumatic past in Mumbai to come to the States, but their journeys have been vastly different. Simi is working toward a bright future as a pediatric nurse in a small town in Kentucky when Rupi shows up at her door in distress, on the run, and dragging trouble in her wake. With Rupi’s safety in jeopardy, the sisters hatch a desperate plan to keep her in the country: Rupi must get married --- and fast --- even if it means Simi recruiting the man she’s been secretly dating as her sister’s groom. As the big day inches closer, Simi and Rupi face a storm of wedding shenanigans and romantic surprises, not to mention sisterly jealousies. As the stakes and tensions rise, will their secrets tear them apart, or will they find a way to risk everything for love? Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on March 9th and 10th
Below are some notable titles releasing on March 9th and 10th 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 9th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
March 9th
JUDGE STONE by Viola Davis and James Patterson (Legal Thriller)
Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis and the world's #1 bestselling author James Patterson’s JUDGE STONE “delivers first-class courtroom drama, small-town excitement, and strong characters all wrapped in a moral dilemma.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
March 10th
ADULT BRACES: Driving Myself Sane by Lindy West (Memoir/Humor)
In New York Times bestselling author Lindy West’s ambitious memoir, she brings readers along on an uproarious cross-country road trip as she unpacks her last few tumultuous years, rediscovers herself and reinvents her marriage in the process.
THE BEST DOG IN THE WORLD: Essays on Love edited by Alice Hoffman (Essays)
Fourteen beloved authors celebrate the life-changing bond with their canine companions in this heartwarming essay collection edited by New York Times bestselling author and lifelong dog lover Alice Hoffman.
THE DARK TIME: A Peter Ash Novel by Nick Petrie (Thriller)
At the suggestion of his girlfriend, June, Peter Ash rides to the aid of an investigative reporter who may have stumbled on a story more explosive than even he can handle in this propulsive new thriller in the bestselling and award-winning series.
A DAY OF JUDGMENT: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery by Charles Todd (Historical Mystery)
Inspector Ian Rutledge of Scotland Yard travels to England’s windswept coastline to investigate a murder in a place where, several years after the end of World War I, the memory of the war still runs strong.
THE GOLDEN BOY by Patricia Finn (Fiction)
An unexpected letter sends a man and his wife into their pasts --- and offers them both a shot at redemption --- in this captivating debut about love, mercy and second chances.
IT GIRL by Allison Pataki (Historical Fiction)
From the New York Times bestselling author of THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST comes a sweeping, sensational novel of America’s first “It Girl,” whose dramatic journey to center stage echoes through the decades.
JUDY BLUME: A Life by Mark Oppenheimer (Biography)
This highly anticipated biography of one of the world’s most treasured literary voices showcases a life as triumphant and inspiring as the stories she crafted.
KIDS, WAIT TILL YOU HEAR THIS!: My Memoir by Liza Minnelli, as told to Michael Feinstein (Memoir)
Global icon Liza Minnelli shares her inspiring story: stepping out from the long shadow of a mega-star mother and legendary film director father, fighting a lifetime battle with Substance Abuse Disorder, and emerging from it all to become a once-in-a-lifetime artist.
NORTH OF ORDINARY: How One Woman Left It All Behind for Wilderness and Wonder in Alaska's Frozen Frontier by Sue Aikens with Michael Vlessides (Memoir)
Unflinching and inspiring, NORTH OF ORDINARY is a memoir of resilience, reinvention, and the extraordinary power of choosing your own way through the world.
ONCE AND AGAIN by Rebecca Serle (Fiction)
New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Serle returns with an unforgettable tale of a family of women with an astonishing gift: the ability to redo one moment in their lives.
SERVED HIM RIGHT by Lisa Unger (Psychological Thriller)
A woman’s brunch with friends quickly turns dark in this gripping thriller from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger.
THIS STORY MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE by Tiffany Crum (Domestic Thriller/Mystery)
Best friends Benny and Joy like to say they’ve been saving each other’s lives since the moment they met. Until the day that Joy disappears and Benny is suspected of murder.
Click here to see the latest “On Sale This Week” newsletter.
From left to right: Allison Pataki, Lucy Score, Rachel Reid
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.
Sunday, March 8th at 2pm ET: Barnes & Noble and Waterstones: Join Barnes & Noble and Waterstones as they welcome Rachel Reid for a live virtual discussion of the books in her Game Changer series, the inspiration for the epic enemies-to-lovers hockey romance “Heated Rivalry.” Rachel will be in conversation with bestselling author Talia Hibbert, whose latest novel is A GIRL LIKE HER.
Monday, March 9th at 7pm ET: Kemmerer Library – Harding Township: Join Kemmerer Library for a discussion about Allison Pataki's new book, IT GIRL, a historical novel based on the life of Evelyn Nesbit --- America's first “It Girl” --- a famous model and showgirl in the early 1900s. The event will be moderated by fellow bestselling author Marie Benedict.
Wednesday, March 11th at 2pm ET: “Bookaccino Live” Book Preview Afternoon Event: Carol Fitzgerald will present titles releasing between March 10th and March 31st, along with a few from the second half of April, plus May, that we would like to get on your radar. Included will be fiction; historical fiction; thrillers and mysteries; and memoirs, biographies and other nonfiction.
Wednesday, March 11th at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with Lucy Score, whose smash hit THINGS WE NEVER GOT OVER captured millions of hearts. In MISTAKES WERE MADE, Lucy invites readers back to Story Lake for a swoon-worthy new small-town romantic comedy.
"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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Patricia Finn (THE GOLDEN BOY)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: March Fiction Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following fiction titles releasing in March have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
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BLOODLUST by Sandra Brown
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THE BOOKSTORE DIARIES by Susan Mallery
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THE DARK TIME: A Peter Ash Novel, by Nick Petrie
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DAUGHTER OF EGYPT by Marie Benedict
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A DAY OF JUDGMENT: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery, by Charles Todd
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EVERYONE IN THIS BANK IS A THIEF by Benjamin Stevenson
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A FAR-FLUNG LIFE by M. L. Stedman
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FINLAY DONOVAN CROSSES THE LINE by Elle Cosimano
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THE FORTUNE TELLERS OF RUE DARU by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
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THE FOUNTAIN by Casey Scieszka
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A GHASTLY CATASTROPHE: A Veronica Speedwell Mystery, by Deanna Raybourn
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THE GOLDEN BOY by Patricia Finn
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I CAME BACK FOR YOU by Kate White
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IT GIRL by Allison Pataki
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JUDGE STONE by Viola Davis and James Patterson
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THE KEEPER by Tana French
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LADY TREMAINE by Rachel Hochhauser
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LAKE EFFECT by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
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LIFE: A Love Story, by Elizabeth Berg
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MISSING SISTER by Joshilyn Jackson
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THE MOONLIGHT RUNNER by Karen Robards
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THE NEWS FROM DUBLIN: Stories, by Colm Toibin
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THE NIGHT WE MET by Abby Jimenez
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ONCE AND AGAIN by Rebecca Serle
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PYTHON'S KISS: Stories, by Louise Erdrich
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THE SECRET LIVES OF MURDERERS' WIVES by Elizabeth Arnott
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SERVED HIM RIGHT by Lisa Unger
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SON OF NOBODY by Yann Martel
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THE STORY OF MARCEAU MILLER written by Marceau Miller, translated by Howard Curtis
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STRANGERS IN THE VILLA by Robyn Harding
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THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR by Wade Rouse
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THIS STORY MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE by Tiffany Crum
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THE TREE OF LIGHT AND FLOWERS: A Jane Whitefield Novel, by Thomas Perry
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WAIT FOR ME by Amy Jo Burns
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WANT TO KNOW A SECRET? by Freida McFadden
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, March 20th 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 6th to March 20th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of IT GIRL by Allison Pataki and SERVED HIM RIGHT by Lisa Unger.
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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