January 19, 2001

Dear Reader:

Ever wondered what life is like for an author on a book tour? Having attended many book signings and other author appearances, and even having had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful writers, I've never stopped wondering what it's like for an author who is travelling around the country to meet readers and publicize a new book. That's why I am especially excited about an ongoing feature premiering today: On the Road with M.J. Rose. Rose, the author of LIP SERVICE, just kicked off the tour for her new book, IN FIDELITY. As she travels from city to city and bookstore to bookstore, she's sending us her firsthand accounts of her experiences. Her observations and reflections are fun, and you won't want to miss them.

When Rose's first novel was published, there was no book tour or even an advertising campaign (the novel was originally self-published). Where did M.J. Rose reach out to readers and find her audience? Online! More and more authors are using the Internet to connect with readers. Even established authors are finding that the Internet is unmatched in its ability to put them in touch with their fans. This is especially true when authors publish digitally --- meaning eBooks --- since these books are sold online.

I know that many of our readers find that the Internet is a great resource for discovering new authors --- it's like browsing in an enormous bookstore or library, mingling with writers and other readers as you go! In this week's Question of the Week, we want to know: What author have you discovered by reading about him or her online?

If you love finding authors --- both new discoveries and familiar faces --- online, make sure you visit the Book Report Network's new website, AuthorsOnTheWeb.com, where you'll find author profiles, links to author websites, trivia and contests, and much more.

Previous Question Results Last week we asked: Do you remember the first book you read, or any book that was important to you during your childhood? The question inspired a flood of wonderful memories in our readers. Many thanks to those of you who contributed --- I can't tell you how much fun we had reading your responses and reminiscing here in our office.

So many of you mentioned sharing favorite books of your childhood with your own children and grandchildren that I thought I should mention that we produce a newsletter for children much like this one. Coming to kids once a week from the Booker T. Worm, the friendly host of Kidsreads.com, the newsletter delivers book reviews, author profiles, and other reading recommendations. (Pssst...Grown-ups who love kids books can subscribe, too!) And as a parent, let me reassure those of you who worry about Internet privacy issues --- the newsletter is free of advertising and we never sell or share kids' names or e-mail addresses. Click here to read the current issue. To subscribe your child or grandchild, write to newsletter@kidsreads.com and include both the child's e-mail address and yours (for verification of your consent) in your mail.

Finally, for those of you wondering why I have not yet mentioned FOOTBALL...I admit that there are a couple of Giants fans in my house who will be glued to the TV next Sunday! This week's reviews include an amazing football story, FIRST AND LAST SEASONS: A Father, A Son, and Sunday Afternoon Football by Dan McGraw, a powerful memoir by a son who found a way to mend the broken bond with his dying father through their shared love of football and the Cleveland Browns. Good reading this pre-Super Bowl weekend when the whistles and crowds are quiet.

NEW THIS WEEK

Bookreporter.com On The Road With...

M.J. Rose Beginning this week, M.J. Rose, author of the erotic suspense thriller IN FIDELITY and LIP SERVICE, takes readers along on her current book tour through a series of weekly diaries --- an inside view of life on the road.

Features

BEST INTERVIEWS OF 2000! From the numerous features we've presented over the last twelve months, we've selected our favorites from the authors we've been privileged to interview.

PERSPECTIVES: On Inaugural Eve: A Reviewer Waxes Nostalgic Over Bill Jana Siciliano reflects on the triumphs and tragedies of the Clinton presidency, the ever-growing array of biographical books, and the future possibilities.

LICKS OF LOVE by John Updike "Rabbit Remembered," which revisits one of American literature's greatest characters, is the backbone of this short story collection. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman and excerpted.

NOCTURNAL BUTTERFLIES OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE by Jose Manuel Prieto A melodic tale of love and deception for an international smuggler pursuing the rare beauties that elude him. Reviewed by Amee Vyas and excerpted.

EQUIVOCAL DEATH by Amy Gutman Another real-life attorney pens a legal thriller and her debut novel "portends bigger and better things for her future." Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub and excerpted.

AUDIOBOOKS: More Than Just the Written Word... Marge Fletcher highlights some of her favorite audiobooks, along with reviews of DR. DEATH, ROSES ARE RED, THE FIG EATER, MERRICK, and PROTECT AND DEFEND.

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Bill Gates helped create the computer world as we know it and achieved extreme power and unthinkable wealth --- only to be vilified by the government and the public as an arrogant monopolist. In PRIDE BEFORE THE FALL, respected journalist John Heilemann uncovers the secret history of the Microsoft antitrust trial --- and shows how the richest man in the world, icon of the New Economy, sowed the seeds of his own destruction. www.pridebeforethefall.com

Reviews

ELECTRIC GOD by Catherine Ryan Hyde Packed with scenes of rage and self-destruction, Hyde's novel is a disheartening reflection of one man's sad life. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.

FIRST AND LAST SEASONS: A Father, A Son, and Sunday Afternoon Football by Dan McGraw A touching memoir that chronicles the last days of the life of McGraw's father, as well as their shared respect for the Cleveland Browns. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.

THE LAST LOVER by Laura Van Wormer Hollywood and Connecticut are the dual stages once again for Sally Harrington, as murder and romantic comedy complicate her life. Reviewed by Jamie Engle.

EINSTEIN IN LOVE: A Scientific Romance by Dennis Overbye A unique glimpse of Albert Einstein's youth and the woman who became his lifelong soul mate. Reviewed by Jonathan P. Lamas.

(PB) DRAGONS OF AUTUMN TWILIGHT by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman The struggle of good versus evil, and an unlikely group of heroes, in this imaginative addition to the popular Dragonlance saga. Reviewed by Josh A. Fink.

(PB) AN UNCERTAIN CURRENCY by Clyde Lynwood Sawyer, Jr. and Frances Witlin A mind reader uses his talents to assist police in uncovering a serial murderer, in this intriguing whodunit. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

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Attention Elmore Leonard Fans!

Elmore Leonard, best-selling author of 37 novels including GET SHORTY and the recent PAGAN BABIES, now brings his unmistakable style to electronic-publishing with his first original e-book novella, FIRE IN THE HOLE, available at Contentville.com.

Contests and Giveaways

This week on Word of Mouth , enter to win THE LAST LOVER by Laura Van Wormer. To enter, send us an e-mail telling us what you're reading and giving it a mini-review. For details, go to Word of Mouth.

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.)

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Announcing the Amazon.com Outlet where you'll find amazing deals every day on books (under $10!), DVDs (under $15!), computer games (under $20!) and more.

Magazine Savings at enews.com:
Analog Science Fiction - save 26%
Utne Reader - save 33%
Reader's Digest - save 57%
And many more!

Get your desk organized for 2001! Find deluxe planners, desk accessories, and more at Levenger.com.

An in-depth interview with Pulitzer Prize winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa; the tragedies behind Amy Tan's THE BONESETTER'S DAUGHTER; and George Pelecanos's views on literary violence in this month's BOOK Magazine.

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Enjoy the weekend. Spend some time with a good book!

--- Carol Fitzgerald ( Carol@Bookreporter.com) for The Book Report Network: Bookreporter.com * ReadingGroupGuides.com * Teenreads.com * Kidsreads.com