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January
26, 2001
Dear
Reader:
At this time of year, many of us hit a mid-winter slump. The holidays
are a distant memory, yet spring is nowhere on the horizon. If the
winter doldrums have hit you, not to worry --- not only do we have
another great lineup of features and reviews, we've also got some
new additions to Bookreporter.com, plus a special sneak preview
of a book that's likely to be on your must-read list.
John Grisham's upcoming novel, THE PAINTED HOUSE,
is notable not just because it's sure to be a bestseller, but also
because it is a departure from his usual legal thrillers. THE
PAINTED HOUSE is a more serious and literary story of life in
rural Arkansas, inspired by his own childhood. The book won't be
available in stores until February 6th, but we've got a
sneak preview and a letter from Grisham to his readers.
We've added a brand new regular feature to our main
screen called One You Don't Want to Miss. Here, every
week we'll note a book a member of our staff has read recently and
is eager to recommend to other readers. We're kicking it off with
my recommendation of a mystery by a debut author, Michael I.
Leahey, who was, in fact, a classmate of mine in college. I
found out about his book BROKEN
MACHINES through a story in the Fordham University alumni
magazine. Michael always was an amazing writer, and I am happy to
share this terrific first book with our readers. (Note: the second
book in the series will be out in the Fall.) We hope that One
You Don't Want to Miss will give us a chance to bring even more
great books to your attention.
Speaking of our staff, the About Us
page on Bookreporter.com is newly updated with our photos and a
little bit about what brought each of us to The Book Report Network.
If you've ever wished you knew more about the people that make Bookreporter.com
happen, check it out.
And finally, if all this isn't enough to lift your spirits, would
adding some new titles to your bookshelves do it? Amazon.com
is offering FREE SHIPPING when you buy five or more in-stock books.
Shipping on the entire order is free, no matter what else is in
your shopping cart. Go
here for details.
Question of the Week
I n the spirit of kicking the winter doldrums, tell us what author
you would like to have dinner with (or any other meal) --- and what
you'd serve.
Previous Question Results
What author have you discovered by reading about him or her online?
Bookreporter.com readers are no strangers to finding great new writers
on the Internet. Read about our readers' favorite online finds here.
NEW
THIS WEEK
Bookreporter.com
Talks To...
Brad
Meltzer
Brad Meltzer reveals some of the secrets behind the intriguing details
found in his latest thriller, THE
FIRST COUNSEL, as well as his methods of characterization, in
an interview with Bookreporter.com's Joe Hartlaub.
Carolyn
Hart
Carolyn Hart, author of THE
RICH DIE YOUNG, reflects on the struggle for recognition for
American women mystery writers and the unrealized potential of older
women in an interview with Bookreporter.com's Ann Bruns.
Bookreporter.com
On The Road With...
M.J.
Rose
In this week's installment, written from a book tour stop in Madison,
Connecticut, Rose tells how the life-threatening illness of a loved
one helped her write IN FIDELITY,
and how she is using her book tour to give back to the doctors and
nurses who saved his life.
Features
SNEAK
PREVIEW: THE PAINTED HOUSE by John Grisham
An early peek at John Grisham's THE PAINTED HOUSE (in stores February
6th) and a special letter from the author to his readers.
PERSPECTIVES:
Breaking the Rules: A Writer's Journey
"It's a new day in publishing," says Maxine E. Thompson as she reflects
on those memorable authors who forged their own paths.
A
DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT by Terry McMillan
Rich in dialogue, this novel highlights the dynamics of families
and serves as a testament to their bonds of love. Reviewed by Maxine
E. Thompson and excerpted.
JOURNEY
by Danielle Steel
Harassed by a stalker and oppressed by an abusive husband, a TV
news anchor finds the strength to save herself and rise above it
all. Reviewed by Marge Fletcher and excerpted.
THE
FIRST COUNSEL by Brad Meltzer
A White House lawyer, the President's daughter, and plenty of hold-your-breath
suspense in this newest Meltzer thriller. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
and excerpted.
THE
RICH DIE YOUNG by Carolyn G. Hart
A student's apparent suicide exposes all the ugly little secrets
lurking behind the walls of a Southern California academy. Reviewed
by Ann Bruns.
FLASHFIRE
by Richard Stark
The villainous Parker of previous Stark novels seeks his inevitable
revenge when double-crossed by his partners in a heist-for-hire.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub 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.
* *
* * * Publisher's Pick * * * * *
"MONEY
CAN BUY YOU HAPPINESS." Financial wisdom for the new economy by
leading financial advisor Stephen Pollan, bestselling author
of LIVE RICH and DIE BROKE. http://www.diebrokeliverich.com
* *
* * * Publisher's Pick * * * * *
Reviews
THE
ROOM LIT BY ROSES by Carole Maso
One woman's poignant journal of the fears and joys of pregnancy
culminating in the miracle of birth. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
THE
TALMUD AND THE INTERNET: A Journey Between Two Worlds by Jonathan
Rosen
A thought-provoking comparison of two sources of knowledge
and the solace Rosen finds in each. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan.
THE
NAME OF THE WORLD by Denis Johnson
Johnson's story of despair over losing a wife and child
approaches a compelling level, but ultimately unravels before reaching
it. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
THE
LECTURER'S TALE by James Hynes
Dark comedy and social satire are the literary motifs in
this tale of a university professor and his magical touch. Reviewed
by Sarah Brennan.
STIFFED: The Betrayal of
the American Man by Susan Faludi
Exploring the collapse of traditional masculinity, Faludi exposes
the myths of success that are destroying the contemporary man. Reviewed
by Jana Siciliano.
THE WHALESTOE LETTERS by Mark Z. Danielewski
Poetic, powerful outpourings of love from mother to son as she
slips little by little toward insanity. Reviewed by Jonathan Shipley.
* *
* * * Publisher's Pick * * * * *
NEVER
ASK PERMISSION
A
biography of the indomitable, charming, and eccentric Elisabeth
Scott Bocock, champion of historic preservation in Richmond, Virginia,
written by her daughter, Mary Buford Hitz.
* *
* * * Publisher's Pick * * * * *
Contests
and Giveaways
This
week on Word of Mouth, enter to win
UNDER THE SKIN by Michel Faber.
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.
Every
month one Bookreporter.com newsletter subscriber wins a $50 Amazon.com
gift certificate. Last month's winner was Adam Palmese, from Orlando,
Florida. For your chance to win, subscribe to the newsletter by
writing 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.)
* *
* * * * *
Bibliophiles
rejoice!
FREE SHIPPING at Amazon.com
when you buy five or more in-stock books.
Click
here for details.
Magazine
Savings at enews.com:
Analog Science Fiction - save 26%
Utne Reader - save 33%
Reader's Digest - save 57%
Find these and many more!
Get
your desk organized for 2001! Find deluxe planners, desk accessories,
and
more at Levenger.com.
Crime
novelist and screenwriter George Pelecanos tells fans to look beyond
his graphic action, and the eBook industry explodes with anger over
the
recent Frankfurt awards in the January issue of BOOK
Magazine.
* *
* * * * *
Our
house is Super Bowl charged this weekend. I confess that I still
am surprised that the Giants are in Tampa. In between rooting for
the home team, there will be reading. Hope you find time for the
same.
---
Carol Fitzgerald ( Carol@Bookreporter.com)
for The Book Report Network: Bookreporter.com * ReadingGroupGuides.com * Teenreads.com * Kidsreads.com *AuthorsOnTheWeb*
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