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May 26, 2023

The peony buds have burst into flowers. I have never seen them as lush as this year. I think the mild winter may have something to do with it. And they are not shedding their petals as quickly as they usually do. I have been cutting some and arranging them around the house. They look like delicate snowballs.

I am crazy about the plants that the boys gave me for Mother’s Day. Greg gave me the pink and white dahlia, and I dashed out to get one to match it. Cory’s gift was a pentas plant, and it too has pink flowers. Last year, I planted some seeds; at the end of the summer, there were some green stems growing, but they did not have any buds on them. I left it outside, they wintered over, and it’s Sweet William flowers. Who knew? I also bought two clematis plants, and I am trying to figure out where I want to plant them.

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Do you listen to digital audiobooks?

May 26, 2023, 451 voters

May 26, 2023 - June 9, 2023

Here are reading recommendations with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars for the contest period of May 26 - June 9.

The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews

Hattie Kavanaugh went to work restoring homes for Kavanaugh & Son Restorations at 18, married the boss’s son at 20, and became a widow at 25. Now, she’s passionate about her work, but that’s the only passion in her life. “Never love something that can’t love you back” is advice her father-in-law gives her, but Hattie doesn’t follow it and falls head-over-heels for a money pit of a house. She’s determined to make it work, but disaster after disaster occurs, and Hattie’s dream might cost Kavanaugh & Son their livelihood. Hattie needs money, and fast.

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Interview: Daniel Weizmann, author of The Last Songbird: A Pacific Coast Highway Mystery

May 25, 2023

THE LAST SONGBIRD is a gritty, fast-paced neo-noir that explores the consumptive nature of fame, celebrity and motherhood through the lens of a driver lost in the gig economy. In this interview conducted by Michael Barson, Senior Publicity Executive at Melville House, Daniel Weizmann talks about his inspiration for his debut mystery novel, which is the opening installment in his Pacific Coast Highway series, and what he learned during the writing process that will help him as he begins working on the second book. He also pays tribute to some of his favorite writers from the classic age of LA mystery fiction and reveals which musical artists from the past he would like to incorporate into a future story.

The 2023 International Booker Prize

The winner of the 2023 International Booker Prize is TIME SHELTER by Georgi Gospodinov, translated by Angela Rodel. This is the first novel originally published in Bulgarian to win the prize. In the book, a "clinic for the past" offers a promising treatment for Alzheimer’s sufferers: each floor reproduces a decade in minute detail, transporting patients back in time. But soon the past begins to invade the present.

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May 24, 2023

Ronald K. Fried Remembers Martin Amis (1949-2023)

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By Ronald K. Fried
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Ronald K. Fried is a veteran TV producer; the author of three novels, most recently FRANK COSTELLO; and a frequent contributor to The Daily Beast. In this piece, which originally ran on HeadButler.com, Fried pays tribute to Martin Amis, who passed away on May 19th at the age of 73 following a battle with esophageal cancer. Amis wrote 15 novels, including INSIDE STORY; the memoir EXPERIENCE; two collections of stories; and seven nonfiction books.

Ronald K. Fried

Ronald K. Fried is the author of three novels --- MY FATHER'S FIGHTER, CHRISTMAS IN PARIS 2002 and FRANK COSTELLO --- and the nonfiction title CORNER MEN: Great Boxing Trainers. He is a regular contributor to The Daily Beast, and his work has appeared in The New York Times and other publications.

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May 23, 2023

In this newsletter, you will find books releasing the weeks of May 22nd and May 29th that we think will be of interest to Bookreporter.com readers, along with Bonus News, where we call out a contest, feature or review that we want to let you know about so you have it on your radar.

This week, we are calling attention to our Father's Day contest, which we have brought back for an 18th year. From now through Friday, June 16th at noon ET, readers can enter to win one of our five prize packages, which includes all six of our featured titles. Click here to read more about the books and enter the contest.

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May 23, 2023

This Bookreporter.com Special Newsletter spotlights a book that we think is a great summer reading selection. Read more about it, and enter our Summer Reading Contest by Wednesday, May 24th at noon ET for a chance to win one of five copies of THE HOMEWRECKERS by Mary Kay Andrews, which is now available in paperback. Please note that each contest is only open for 24 hours, so you will need to act quickly!

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