Skip to main content

The Gratitude Diaries: How a Year Looking on the Bright Side Can Transform Your Life by Janice Kaplan

On New Year’s Eve, journalist and former Parade Editor-in-Chief Janice Kaplan makes a promise to be grateful and look on the bright side of whatever happens. She realizes that how she feels over the next months will have less to do with the events that occur than her own attitude and perspective. Relying on both amusing personal experiences and extensive research, Kaplan explores how gratitude can transform every aspect of life, including marriage and friendship, money and ambition, health and fitness.

Read more »

Sally Hepworth, author of The Things We Keep

Anna Forster, in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease at only 38 years old, resides in Rosalind House, an assisted living facility. There, she meets fellow resident Luke, and a relationship develops between the two. When Eve Bennett is suddenly thrust into the role of single mother, she finds herself putting her culinary training to use at Rosalind House. When she meets Anna and Luke, she is moved by the bond the pair has forged. But when a tragic incident leads Anna's and Luke's families to separate them, Eve finds herself questioning what she is willing to risk to help them.

Read more »

Editorial Content for The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof

Book

The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof

Contributors

Christine M. Irvin

Reviewer (text)

Christine M. Irvin

Minou is a cat, or at least she used to be. She looks like a human, but sometimes she still acts and thinks like a cat. She misses being a cat and wishes she could turn back into one.

Mr. Tibble is a reporter for the local paper. He is on the verge of losing his job because he can’t think of much to write about, other than cats. He thinks they make wonderful stories, but his editor doesn’t share his enthusiasm. Read More

Teaser

 
 
An act of kindness brings shy reporter Mr. Tibble into contact with the unusual Miss Minou. Tibble is close to losing his job because he only writes stories about cats. Fortunately, Minou provides him with real news. She gets the juicy inside information from her local feline friends, who are the eyes and ears of the neighborhood. Tibble is appreciative, but he wonders how she does it. He has noticed that Minou is terrified of dogs and can climb trees and rooftops with elegance and ease...It’s almost as if she’s a cat herself.

Promo

 
An act of kindness brings shy reporter Mr. Tibble into contact with the unusual Miss Minou. Tibble is close to losing his job because he only writes stories about cats. Fortunately, Minou provides him with real news. She gets the juicy inside information from her local feline friends, who are the eyes and ears of the neighborhood. Tibble is appreciative, but he wonders how she does it. He has noticed that Minou is terrified of dogs and can climb trees and rooftops with elegance and ease...It’s almost as if she’s a cat herself. But how can that be?

About the Book

In the tradition of THE CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE comes this charming tale of courage, friendship and what it really means to be human. This classic, which originated in Holland and has withstood the test of time worldwide, will appeal to readers young and old --- and dog and cat lovers alike!
 
An act of kindness brings shy reporter Mr. Tibble into contact with the unusual Miss Minou. Tibble is close to losing his job because he only writes stories about cats. Fortunately, Minou provides him with real news. She gets the juicy inside information from her local feline friends, who are the eyes and ears of the neighborhood. Tibble is appreciative, but he wonders how she does it. He has noticed that Minou is terrified of dogs and can climb trees and rooftops with elegance and ease...It’s almost as if she’s a cat herself. But how can that be?

Editorial Content for Lizzie and the Lost Baby

Book

Lizzie and the Lost Baby

Contributors

Christine M. Irvin

Reviewer (text)

Christine M. Irvin

Along with other children from her school, Lizzie has been sent from her Hull, England home to Yorkshireto avoid German bombers during WWII. While in the countryside, Lizzie and her younger brother, Peter, stay with Elsie, a young woman who has recently lost her baby. Read More

Teaser

 

Cheryl Blackford's debut novel is set in England during WWII and told from the dual perspectives of 10-year old Lizzie, a homesick girl evacuated from bomb-blitzed Hull to the remote Yorkshire valley, and Elijah, a local gypsy boy. When Lizzie discovers an abandoned baby, she goes in search of the child's parents. But Lizzie's quest to reunite the baby with her family leads her to a forbidden friendship with Elijah, and both of them must come to  terms with a world clouded by prejudice and fear.

Promo

Cheryl Blackford's debut novel is set in England during WWII and told from the dual perspectives of 10-year old Lizzie, a homesick girl evacuated from bomb-blitzed Hull to the remote Yorkshire valley, and Elijah, a local gypsy boy. When Lizzie discovers an abandoned baby, she goes in search of the child's parents. But Lizzie's quest to reunite the baby with her family leads her to a forbidden friendship with Elijah, and both of them must come to  terms with a world clouded by prejudice and fear.

About the Book

Cheryl Blackford's debut novel is set in England during WWII and told from the dual perspectives of 10-year old Lizzie, a homesick girl evacuated from bomb-blitzed Hull to the remote Yorkshire valley, and Elijah, a local gypsy boy. When Lizzie discovers an abandoned baby, she goes in search of the child's parents. But Lizzie's quest to reunite the baby with her family leads her to a forbidden friendship with Elijah, and both of them must come to  terms with a world clouded by prejudice and fear.

January 20, 2016

This Bookreporter.com Special Newsletter spotlights a book that releases this winter. Read more about it, and enter our Winter Reading Contest by Thursday, January 21st at 11:59am ET for a chance to win one of five copies of INSIDE THE O'BRIENS by Lisa Genova, which is now available in paperback. Please note that each contest is only open for 24 hours, so you will need to act quickly!

Read More

Boy George

I'm of the opinion that as a DJ you must always play what you love and ignore what's "trendy" because true passion always eclipses what's fashionable. Quality is always fashionable.

Attribution

Boy George

January 19, 2016

Here you will find books releasing the weeks of January 18th and January 25th that we think will be of interest to Bookreporter.com readers, along with Bonus News, where we call out a contest, feature or review on the site that we want to let you know about so you have it on your radar. This week, we are calling attention to THREE Women's Fiction Author Spotlights and Contests. Be sure to enter for your chance to win some terrific titles and give us your feedback on them.

Read More

Editorial Content for Secrets of Valhalla

Book

Secrets of Valhalla

Contributors

Christi Sheehan

Reviewer (text)

Christi Sheehan

Jasmine Richards, author of the enchanting BOOK OF WONDERS, has penned a mythological masterpiece in the form of her new book, SECRETS OF VALHALLA.

Buzz leads an ordinary life. Aside from his father’s eclectic love of mythology, Buzz’s days are filled with school and soccer games. That is, until he meets the quirky new girl, Mary. Buzz’s acceptance of odd personalities draws Mary to seek out his friendship, and she happily accompanies him on his trip home from school.  Read More

Teaser

 
It’s not every day that you find a famous weatherwoman bound by magic to a tree deep in the woods. Or discover that the weatherwoman is in fact Sunna, the Norse Goddess of the Sun, and one of the seven day guardians who keep time in order. But that’s just what happens to new friends Buzz and Mary --- and it’s only the start of their adventure.

Promo

It’s not every day that you find a famous weatherwoman bound by magic to a tree deep in the woods. Or discover that the weatherwoman is in fact Sunna, the Norse Goddess of the Sun, and one of the seven day guardians who keep time in order. But that’s just what happens to new friends Buzz and Mary --- and it’s only the start of their adventure.
 
Now, as the people of Earth are forced to repeat the same Saturday over and over again, Buzz and Mary must journey to collect the Runes of Valhalla and awaken the other day guardians, before vengeful god Loki can get to them first.

About the Book

Two friends awaken a world of myth and magic in this clever middle grade fantasy perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Anne Ursu.
 
It’s not every day that you find a famous weatherwoman bound by magic to a tree deep in the woods. Or discover that the weatherwoman is in fact Sunna, the Norse Goddess of the Sun, and one of the seven day guardians who keep time in order. But that’s just what happens to new friends Buzz and Mary --- and it’s only the start of their adventure.
 
Now, as the people of Earth are forced to repeat the same Saturday over and over again, Buzz and Mary must journey to collect the Runes of Valhalla and awaken the other day guardians, before vengeful god Loki can get to them first.

Editorial Content for My Second Life

Book

My Second Life

Contributors

Grace P.

Reviewer (text)

Grace P., Teen Board member

MY SECOND LIFE is the debut novel from British author Faye Bird. The book follows 15-year-old Ana who knows that she was a girl named Emma in her past life. She has always missed being Emma, along with all of the people who Emma loved. One day, Ana encounters a woman she recognizes from her past life and must sort through the memories and emotions that emerge from this meeting. Mystery, thrills, emotions and romance ensue and will take you for quite the ride.

The right way to read MY SECOND LIFE is to pick it up and not put it back down until you finish.

Teaser

 

Ana struggles to live a normal life, bombarded by memories of her previous life as Emma. The worst memories are of a little girl who drowned: was Emma responsible? Consumed by guilt, Ana will do anything to uncover the past.

Promo

Ana struggles to live a normal life, bombarded by memories of her previous life as Emma. The worst memories are of a little girl who drowned: was Emma responsible? Consumed by guilt, Ana will do anything to uncover the past.

About the Book

The first time I was born, I was born Emma Trees. I had everything to live for. But I died. I was twenty-two. 

Ana struggles to live a normal life, bombarded by memories of her previous life as Emma. The worst memories are of a little girl who drowned: was Emma responsible? Consumed by guilt, Ana will do anything to uncover the past.

Read More

Editorial Content for Concentr8

Book

Concentr8

Contributors

Aliza M.

Reviewer (text)

Aliza M., Teen Board member

Read More

Teaser

 
In a not-so-distant future London, riots have become the norm. But when the government suddenly stops distributing Concentr8 --- a behavioral modification "miracle" drug akin to Ritalin --- the city's residents rise up fiercer than they ever have before. Amidst the chaos, five teens pick a man seemingly at random and chain him up as a hostage in a warehouse. Blaze is their leader, and Troy has always been his quiet sidekick --- the only person he has ever trusted. But even Troy didn't see this coming. None of them will ever be the same again.

Promo

In a not-so-distant future London, riots have become the norm. But when the government suddenly stops distributing Concentr8 --- a behavioral modification "miracle" drug akin to Ritalin --- the city's residents rise up fiercer than they ever have before. Amidst the chaos, five teens pick a man seemingly at random and chain him up as a hostage in a warehouse. Blaze is their leader, and Troy has always been his quiet sidekick --- the only person he has ever trusted. But even Troy didn't see this coming, and as their story unfolds over six tense days, one thing is clear --- none of them will ever be the same again.

About the Book

In a not-so-distant future London, riots have become the norm. But when the government suddenly stops distributing Concentr8 --- a behavioral modification "miracle" drug akin to Ritalin --- the city's residents rise up fiercer than they ever have before.
 
Amidst the chaos, five teens pick a man seemingly at random and chain him up as a hostage in a warehouse. Blaze is their leader, and Troy has always been his quiet sidekick --- the only person he has ever trusted. But even Troy didn't see this coming, and as their story unfolds over six tense days, one thing is clear --- none of them will ever be the same again.
 
Told from the perspective of multiple characters in a world familiar to our own, this searing look at a group of teens who push back from the margins of society is perfect for fans of thoughtful fiction like Panic and The Program series.