February 9 , 2001

Dear Reader:

Last weekend I was fighting a wicked cold, and I decided that a day of reading was going to be part of my recovery. I plucked A PAINTED HOUSE, the new book by John Grisham, from my shelf, collapsed on the couch and started turning the pages. I stopped after midnight, forcing myself to leave the last 20 pages for the following day. Aside from the fact that as a mother of two boys (ages six and eleven) I found the lead character to be VERY precocious for a seven-year-old --- he really should have been a ten- or eleven-year-old --- I thought the book was terrific. It's a special moment when a reader can escape into a book like this. It's a strong recommendation to say that a book is that "unputdownable." In this week's Question of the Week, we want to know what books you have not been able to tear yourself away from.

Question of the Week Have you ever read a book in one sitting? If so, what was it?

If you'd like to read A PAINTED HOUSE, or if you've already read it and would like to add a signed copy to your bookshelves, enter our Painted House Giveaway Contest. You could win one of five copies of A PAINTED HOUSE signed by the author. Read on for details.

If you're looking for a book to lose yourself in this week, why not try one of the super romantic reads suggested by readers in response to the previous Question of the Week, which asked, "What's the most romantic book you have ever read?" Topping the list were GONE WITH THE WIND, MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE, and THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. I was guessing you would say LADY CHATTERLY'S LOVER or LOLITA. Read the rest of the replies here. One of these books might make a great Valentine's Day gift if your sweetheart is a booklover with a soft spot for romance.

And finally, this week's One You Don't Want to Miss was chosen by Dana Schwartz, our departing Editorial Manager. The book is SHOPGIRL by Steve Martin. Dana calls it "a poignant tale of a woman lost in her life." You'll find the rest of her comments on our home page.

NEW THIS WEEK

Bookreporter.com Talks To...

Kathy Hepinstall Kathy Hepinstall reflects on the inception of her bestseller THE HOUSE OF GENTLE MEN, her surprise at the overwhelming response, and her next novel in an interview with Bookreporter.com's Senior Writer Joe Hartlaub.

Bookreporter.com On The Road With...

M.J. Rose M.J. Rose meets some fascinating people on her book tour this week and, at one bookstore, has a very poignant reunion.

Features

SNEAK PREVIEW - THE BONESETTER'S DAUGHTER THE BONESETTER'S DAUGHTER by Amy Tan won't be in bookstores until February 19th, but readers can get an early peek with this excerpt from Tan's most personal and heart-wrenching novel.

PERSPECTIVES: Classy Love, Edith Wharton Style Love is a complex struggle between heart and mind, and for Jana Siciliano Wharton's prose reflects this truth.

BAD BOY by Olivia Goldsmith A young girl does a makeover on her best friend, and predictably falls in love, in another made-for-Hollywood Goldsmith novel. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano and excerpted.

BOOKS VIA THE STARS: An astrological guide to Valentine's gift giving From ancient rituals to chocolates and flowers, Valentine's Day has quite a history. Find out how it all started, then check our astrological book giving guide.

THE HOUSE OF GENTLE MEN by Kathy Hepinstall This brilliant, poetic first novel that delves deeply into love, grief, and redemption has become a highly recommended bestseller with both men and women. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub and excerpted.

A PAINTED HOUSE by John Grisham Leaving the courtroom far behind, Grisham draws from his own life experiences to create a novel about growing up and the loss of innocence that has a distinctly Southern flavor. Reviewed by Katie Brennan and excerpted.

BOOKS TO MOVIES One of the most talked-about novels of our time, HANNIBAL by Thomas Harris, created a major sensation in the literary world. Now the evil Dr. Lecter returns to the big screen this weekend! We look at this and other books being made into movies this Spring.

* * * * * Publisher's Pick * * * * *

Shamus Award-winning author
DENNIS LEHANE
whose new book MYSTIC RIVER is now in bookstores has a new home on the web:
http://www.dennislehanebooks.com/

"The superb detective novels of Dennis Lehane became a kind of lifeline for me."
— Stephen King

"Get Dennis Lehane's Mystic River. Boy does he know how to write."
—Elmore Leonard

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Reviews

CAUSE CELEB by Helen Fielding This novel of shallow, wealthy Londoners and the less-than-endearing heroine who tries to redeem her life through charity is a literary disappointment. Reviewed by Sara Leopold.

DEADLY DEPARTURE by Christine Negroni This journalist's account of the disaster of TWA Flight 800 focuses on the facts, the investigation, and the victims and draws a chilling conclusion. Reviewed by Robert Finn.

LEONARDO DA VINCI by Sherwin B. Nuland >From the popular Penguin Lives series, Nuland's biography of a "Renaissance Man" who excelled in art, engineering, philosophy, math and science. Reviewed by Jonathan Shipley.

ALL WE KNOW OF LOVE by Katie Schneider A young artist pursues her career while juggling her romantic admirers, in a rather bland tale of revelations, inspirations and dreams. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.

(PB) THE EARTH SHALL WEEP: A History of Native America by James Wilson With the intent to relate events rather than judge them, Wilson covers a broad spectrum of Indian history from the pre-European era to the 20th century. Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol.

(PB) HOWARD HAWKS: The Grey Fox of Hollywood by Todd McCarthy An in-depth biography of the director's controversial career and turbulent personal life, including an overview of Hollywood from the backlots to the boardrooms. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan.

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Browse book heaven: Amazon.com.

Try your favorite magazine risk-free and lock in amazing low prices at enews.com.

Send your sweetheart a heart-shaped journal for Valentine's Day, from Levenger.com.

Professor Don Foster, known for solving the mysteries of literary authorship, and Robert Halmi, the prolific producer of great literary classics for television, are among the featured personalities in the current issue of BOOK Magazine.

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Contests and Giveaways

Win a signed copy of John Grisham's new novel, A PAINTED HOUSE! Find out how here.

This week, one Word of Mouth contributor will win LOVE, ETC. by Julian Barnes.

Every month one Bookreporter.com newsletter subscriber wins a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate. To subscribe to the newsletter and automatically be entered to win, send an e-mail to newsletter@bookreporter.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. 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.

Have a great weekend and a wonderful week full of good books!

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