Week of October 26th:

A Strange Coincidence: Michael Connelly comes across a real-life missing persons case while researching NINE DRAGONS, which is #3 on this week's New York Times Bestseller list.

Unbridled Books hosted a Twitter author event during which Masha Hamilton will field readers' questions about her new novel, 31 HOURS. You can read a transcript of the event here.

The "Today Show" has posted a great video about the book NOTES LEFT BEHIND, a diary of a child's cancer battle and the notes she left behind after she died.

Author John Irving shared a special note about his newest book, LAST NIGHT IN TWISTED RIVER.

Miami Book Fair News: One of our sites, GraphicNovelReporter.com, will be presenting "The School of Comics and Graphic Novels: Educational Sessions for Teachers, Librarians and Comics and Graphic Novel Creators." Registration is FREE. Find out more and sign up today!

Stephen King gave an exclusive UNDER THE DOME interview.

The Teenreads.com 2009 Reader Survey was the cover story in the October 26th edition of Publishers Weekly. Carol wrote the piece which addresses the results from readers under 18. The 77-question survey had 4,073 respondents!

Week of October 19th:

USA Today spotlighted Rhoda Jansen in its New Voices feature and posted a video of Josh Lieb of the "Daily Show" who has written a satirical fantasy for teens, I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President.

Barnes and Noble unveils the Nook 3G/Wi-Fi digital reader.

Michael Connelly's promotional NINE DRAGONS commercial was posted.

National Bookstore Day is set for Saturday, November 7th.

Looking for some bookish activities near you? Check out the list of Penguin author events.

Week of October 12th:

Mark T. Sullivan's award-winning, bestselling novels are available for free now in digital format, including files for iPod, iPhone, Blackberry, Kindle, Sony Reader, B&N Reader and a host of others. You can now download THE PURIFICATION CEREMONY, the first of six novels that will be available in the coming months.

John Grisham took the stage at the 2009 National Book Festival and talked about the early days of his career and the new world of publishing in the twenty-first century. Watch his speech here. You can also watch part 1 of a series of conversations with John Grisham about his first collection of short stories, FORD COUNTY.

THE BOX: UNCANNY STORIES by Richard Matheson is a collection of a dozen horror and suspense stories. The standout title story is now a major motion picture starring Cameron Diaz and James Marsden. The Box will hit theaters on Oct. 30th.

Looking for some reading material to help get you in the Halloween spirit? DRACULA THE UN-DEAD by Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt was released this week.

USA Today posted a fiction book roundup.

Are you a fan of graphic novels? Follow GraphicNovelReporter.com on Twitter via @GNReporter!

The 2009 National Book Award finalists have been selected.

Ten coolest indie bookstores in the U.S.; did your fave make the cut?

Labels: Facebook-Roundups

Here is a roundup of some of the topics that were posted on the Bookreporter.com Facebook Page the week of October 5th:

Publisher Weekly interviewed John Connolly, whose new novel, THE GATES, was published by Atria on October 6.

USA Today says Margaret Atwood's THE YEAR OF THE FLOOD is a timely and gripping story and goes behind the scenes with Mitch Albom, the sports columnist turned best selling author of the inspiration books TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN, and HAVE A LITTLE FAITH.

Audrey Niffeneger also talked to USA Today about the success of THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE and her recently released second novel, HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY.

THE GIVEN DAY by Dennis Lehane was released this week in paperback.

Hilary Mantel has won the 2009 Booker Prize for her fictionalized account of William Cromwell's life, WOLF HALL.

The Hollywood Reporter wrote that TNT has given a cast-contingent pilot order to "Rizzoli," a drama pilot based on Tess Gerritsen's Jane Rizzoli mystery novels. Written by Janet Tamaro ("Bones"), "Rizzoli" revolves around the crime-solving team of Boston medical examiner Maura Isles and Detective Jane Rizzoli.

Carol went to see Jeannette Walls at an event sponsored by the Clinton Bookshop. Here's a video to give you background on her new book HALF BROKE HORSES, now in stores as well as an article in USA TODAY .

William Kamkwamba recounts his mission to overcome famine and poverty in his village by building a windmill, which he saw in a picture at a library book, in a terrific interview on "The Daily Show."

Frank McCourt was remembered at "An Evening of Reminiscence, Music, Poetry and Laughter," a memorial held in his honor at Symphony Space on Tuesday night. Also, New York City Schools chancellor Joel Klein’s announced that the Frank McCourt High School of Writing Journalism and Literature will open next fall on West 84th Street in Manhattan. Such a fitting honor for Frank!

USA Today posted a book roundup focused on memoirs and motherhood.

Yesterday, the "Today Show" celebrated Read for the Record Day, a campaign to bring preschool kids together to read the same picture book, with Eric Carle and his 40-year-old picture book classic, THE HUNGRY CATERPILLAR. Two nonprofit groups—Jumpstart and the Pearson Foundation—run the event to promote reading among low-income preschoolers.

If you read and loved THE HELP, what book like it would you recommend to readers? Someone asked Carol that and she wants to see what your thoughts are. Here's what some readers had to say:

Kris: Personally I have not read another book of late like "The Help" which is probably why I loved it so much to begin with. However, readers who loved it should also read "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee if they haven't already.

Chris: I would recommend FOUR SPIRITS by Sena Jeter Naslund. Set in Birmingham in 1963 it has a similiarly young, white, protagonist, who witnesses the civil rights struggles going on in her city. Beautiful writing and a story you won't forget soon.

Melissa: THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Sue Monk Kidd --- you will fall in love with these Southern characters!!!

Mary Lou: I haven't read THE HELP but its on my list now for sure!!!!

Suzanne: My book group thought it was in the same vein as TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. We all enjoyed this book very much and hope there is a sequel...we want to know what happened to all the characters.


Margo: BENEATH A MARBLE SKY by John Shors.

Rhonda: I read THE HELP on Carol's recommendation. I loved it, recommended to my sister, who loved it and we both are recommending it to everyone we know who will listen. Kris, I cannot think of anything I have read that is like this book. But,even though this is not the question there is a 1990 movie called "The Long Walk Home" with Sissy Spacek and Whoppi Goldberg that is a wonderful movie and similar in subject matter to THE HELP. Go rent it if you have not seen it. I will keep thinking about the question though and write again if I think of a similar book.

Dicksie: I've got it ordered. Really anxious after hearing and seeing so many rave reviews.

Tammye: THE HELP reminded me of GONE WITH THE WIND. Prissy was wonderful.

Jerri: THE SPACE BETWEEN US' explores the relationship between lady and maid in India.

Julie: RUSH HOME ROAD by Lori Lansens

Belinda: THE AIR BETWEEN US by Deborah Johnson

Suzanne: Loved THE HELP and recommend all future novels by Kathryn Stockett

Rhonda: I remember a book I read years ago. THE COLOR OF WATER by James McBride. It is non-fiction about the author's bi-racial family. An absolutely beautifully written memoir!

Janet: TWO RIVERS by T. Greenwood which came out early this year. Loved it as I did THE HELP.

Mary: THE HELP was one of those books that made you temporarily ignore your life and resent any interruptions. The last book I read like that was PEOPLE OF THE BOOK

Mary Lou: Interesting, I put in a request for this book with my local library, there are over 200 ahead of me in the list. Twice the waiting list for Ted Kennedy's memoir. This is a popular book!!! At this rate I'll be reading it next summer!

Veronica: LOVED THE HELP and agree with the SECRET LIFE OF BEES recommendation, but also wonder if someone who liked help wouldn't also like anything by Connie May Fowler, maybe WHEN WOMEN HAD WINGS.

Julie: I loved THE HELP so much. I am having trouble thinking of something similar, maybe FAMILY TREE by Barbara Delinsky?

Labels: Facebook-Roundups