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January
5, 2001
Dear
Reader:
Happy
New Year from The Book Report Network! Are you sorry that the holidays
are over, or are you glad to have time and energy for other things
--- like reading? Have you already read all of the books you got
over the holidays? Did you make any New Year's Resolutions? Booklovers'
resolutions often reflect a love of reading. Personally, I am resolving
to read a more diverse list of authors. This week, we're collecting
your reading resolutions in the Question
of the Week.
We're
asking the same question on ReadingGroupGuides.com,
our website book discussion groups, teachers, and other readers
looking for background information on books and authors. This month
on ReadingGroupGuides.com, find out what other groups said were
the best reading group books of 2000, get menu ideas for favorite
novels, enter to win books for your reading group, and more. We've
also added guides for new favorites, including Plainsong by Kent
Haruf, Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem, Norwegian Wood by
Haruki Murakami, and Offshore by Penelope Fitzgerald.
Previous
Question Results
Our question "What book are you planning to read next?" got a terrific
list of replies. Check and see what your fellow Bookreporter.com
readers are reading.
Authors
on TV You can now find out when and where your favorite authors
will be appearing on TV on our newest website, AuthorsOnTheWeb.com.
In
addition to Authors on TV, AuthorsOnTheWeb.com has author profiles,
feature articles, message boards, contests and games, links to author
websites, and much more. Don't miss this brand new website for readers!
Contests
and Giveaways If you like to talk about what you're reading, you'll
love Word of Mouth, where you can post
a mini-review of your most recent read. Best part --- you are eligible
to WIN a prize, every week, just for contributing. This week, we're
giving away DR. DEATH by
Jonathan Kellerman.
And
don't forget, every month one Bookreporter.com newsletter subscriber
wins a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate. To subscribe and enter the
random drawing, write to newsletter@bookreporter.com.
If you already receive this newsletter in your e-mailbox every week,
why not forward it to a friend? For the official contest rules,
click here.
NEW
THIS WEEK
FEATURES
PERSPECTIVE:
New Reading for a New Year
As you're reflecting on another year gone by, Joe Hartlaub reminds
us how lucky we are to be living in 2001 "A.G." and resolves to
make time for some authors previously missed.
PROTECT
AND DEFEND by Richard North Patterson
A decided departure from his usual courtroom thrillers, reviewer
Joe Hartlaub views Patterson's newest novel as an unobjective docudrama
on the abortion rights controversy. An excerpt is included.
OFF
KECK ROAD by Mona Simpson
A compelling story of small town America and the painful realization
for those who leave that coming back home isn't always easy. Reviewed
by Jana Siciliano and excerpted.
STONE
FIELD, TRUE ARROW by Kyoko Mori
A young woman uprooted from Japan to Minneapolis learns to balance
the past with the present while pursuing her future. Reviewed by
Jana Siciliano and excerpted.
FROM
THE CORNER OF HIS EYE by Dean Koontz
Last week we brought you the review by Joe Hartlaub. This week,
we add an excerpt to give you a taste of Koontz's newest suspense-filled
novel!
ARMCHAIR
TRAVELS: Expand Your Mind, Never Leave Your Home
Highlighting some marvelous adventures in shark hunting, snake handling,
and traversing the world's most formidable waterways; reviewers
Jami Edwards and Vern Wiessner show us how to experience the thrills
vicariously.
BEST
OF 2000
We've chosen what we think were the best books of the year 2000
in fiction, biography and memoir, and books for teens and kids.
Agree with us or argue with us, but don't miss these Top 10 lists.
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* * * * * *
Amazon.com's editors have picked the best of 2000 in books,
music, videos, DVDs and more.
Start
the new year with a new magazine subscription! For hot bargains
and a huge selection, check out enews.com
Get
your desk organized for 2001! Find deluxe planners, desk accessories,
and more at Levenger.com
BOOK Magazine's
January issue takes a look at a more serious John Grisham emerging
with A PAINTED HOUSE, and why Amy Tan's wrenching, autobiographical
novel THE BONESETTER'S DAUGHTER is the most difficult book she's
ever written.
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* * * * * *
REVIEWS:
IN
SUNLIGHT, IN A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN by Kathleen Cambor
A colorful tapestry of characters brings history to life in this
fictionalized reenactment of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania flood of
1889. Reviewed by Sara Leopold.
SALON.COM'S
WANDERLUST: Real Life Tales of Adventure and Romance edited by Don
George
Forty-one essays reflecting on the unforgettable adventures that
can be experienced in the far corners of the world or your own home
town. Reviewed by Dave Taylor.
THE
BEST AMERICAN POETRY 2000 edited by Rita Dove and David Lehman
A collection of both popular and literary expression that represents
the richness that poetry in any form has to offer. Reviewed by Melanie
Okadigwe.
THE
BORDERLAND: A Novel of Texas by Edwin Shrake
The harsh realities of frontier life form the backdrop for the political
struggle to displace Native Americans and establish Austin as the
state's capital. Reviewed by Judy Gigstad.
(PB)
THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE by Steve Pressfield
An engaging tale of a beleaguered war hero recruited to challenge
the two greatest golfers of the era and the caddy who teaches him
the essence of the game and of life. Reviewed by Jonathan Shipley.
(PB)
GRINGOS by Charles Portis
An American expatriate community in Mexico is the focus of the unpredictable
humor and suspense of this novel, by the author of TRUE GRIT. Reviewed
by Joe Hartlaub.
And
in case you missed these last week:
BOOKREPORTER.COM
TALKS TO...
LAWRENCE
BLOCK, the author behind the ironically popular hit man, talks
with Bookreporter.com's Ann Bruns about "Keller," his newest novel
HIT LIST and his future projects.
FAY
WELDON delves deeply into the process of writing, her newest
characters in RHODE ISLAND BLUES, and her perspective of men and
women with Bookreporter.com's interviewer Jana Siciliano.
Have
a great week. Stay warm wherever you are and pick up a great book
to read.
--- Carol
Fitzgerald (Carol@Bookreporter.com)
for The Book Report Network: Bookreporter.com * ReadingGroupGuides.com * Teenreads.com * Kidsreads.com
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