March 9 , 2001

Dear Reader:

If you're a regular reader of Bookreporter.com, you know that we don't only review bestsellers. Every week, we bring you wonderful books by debut and lesser known authors --- books you might miss if you simply browse the front tables at the local chain bookstore. (For example, check out this week's review of THE BONE HOUSE by Betsy Tobin, an amazing literary mystery set in Elizabethan times.)

This week, our commitment to discovering talented new authors shows across The Book Report Network. On Authors On The Web.com, eight debut authors talk about what it's like to see their books in print for the first time and reflect on the journey to this milestone. Bookreporter.com writer Jana Siciliano surveys the debut writer scene and finds more than a few choice reads in this week's Perspective.

You probably can name a few authors that you were lucky enough to discover when they were first published, and maybe you've had the pleasure of watching them become more and more well-known or seeing them develop as writers. This week's Question of the Week is, What author have you been following since the beginning of her or his career?

Last week's question was, Did you ever read something about an author that made you question being a fan? Some of you disappointedly said yes, while others took issue with the very idea of judging an author by her or his personal life. Read the range of responses here.

A New Contest --- We're giving away 8 SIGNED copies of MYSTIC RIVER, the new novel by Dennis Lehane, in a contest that's sure to please mystery aficionados. To enter, you have to tell us who your favorite mystery character of all time is; we'll be publishing your responses later on in a format similar to Word of Mouth. For more details, click here.

Elsewhere on the Network, both AuthorsOnTheWeb.com and ReadingGroupGuides.com now have new content posted for the month of March. On AuthorsOnTheWeb.com, read our profile of Amy Tan, quiz yourself with trivia questions about her life and career, and enter to win a copy of her new novel, THE BONESETTER'S DAUGHTER. Then check out our usual roundups of trivia games and contests from across the web in Fun Stuff , personal news from the lives of authors and gossip from the book industry in Scuttlebutt, and Authors to Watch and author website links on the home page.

On ReadingGroupGuides.com, we've got reading recommendations for St. Patrick's Day and an Irish Soda Bread recipe, ideas for reading books about similar subjects or themes, an interview with a group in Buffalo, New York and much more. If you subscribe to the ReadingGroupGuides.com newsletter , you can win copies of the Orange Prize-winner WHEN I LIVED IN MODERN TIMES for your entire reading group.

In other book news, the latest book to be graced with Oprah's Midas touch is ICY SPARKS, the story of an orphan living in rural Kentucky in the 1950s who at the age of ten becomes afflicted by Tourette's Syndrome. The effects of the disorder on Icy's life are far-reaching and often heartbreaking as she struggles with alienation from her peers throughout her teen years. The story's sadness is tempered with dry Southern humor the charming personality of Icy herself. Read more about this soon-to-be-bestseller (assuming it follows the path to instant success that Oprah's other picks have taken) in our original review of the book.

Finally, BOOK magazine readers, check out our new advertisement on page 13 of the current issue!

NEW THIS WEEK

Bookreporter.com Talks to ...

Dennis Lehane Dennis Lehane gives some insight into his MYSTIC RIVER characters, his creative process, his screenplays, and more with Bookreporter.com's Senior Writer Joe Hartlaub. Check out Lehane's website at: dennislehanebooks.com

Maeve Binchy Maeve Binchy, author of SCARLET FEATHER, discusses Irish food, families, and the growing popularity of Irish literature with Bookreporter.com's interviewer, Sarah Brennan.

Perspective

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK Contemporary literature is alive and well according to Jana Siciliano, who reviews several noteworthy books from the new crop of novelists.

Features

PARADISE PARK by Allegra Goodman A young woman, desperate for enlightenment, journeys through several causes, religions, and relationships before finding love and peace of mind. Reviewed by Dana Schwartz and excerpted.

RIGHT AS RAIN by George Pelecanos A black ex-cop investigates a policeman's death set against a backdrop of drug-filled, racially divisive Washington, DC neighborhoods. Reviewed by Nancy Leake and excerpted.

COLD FLAT JUNCTION by Martha Grimes A precocious young girl, determined to resolve a forty-year-old secret, learns some valuable life lessons in this captivating sequel to HOTEL PARADISE. Reviewed by Ann Bruns and excerpted.

SCARLET FEATHER by Maeve Binchy Engaging characters spring to life in this compelling story of personal dreams and expectations that become complicated by family relationships. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano and excerpted.

MYSTIC RIVER by Dennis Lehane Three friends whose lives take different directions are reunited by a murder in this powerful examination of urban America by a gifted modern writer. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub and excerpted.

Reviews

THE BONE HOUSE by Betsy Tobin An Elizabethan tale of murder and lust that explores social customs, class distinctions and the intimate, sensual world of women. Reviewed by Lillian Newley.

BLOOD LURE by Nevada Barr A DNA research project becomes a grueling search to find a lost boy and an evil killer in the wilderness of Glacier National Park. Reviewed by Jamie Engle.

BUSINESS AS UNUSUAL: The Triumph of Anita Roddick and the Body Shop by Anita Roddick A blend of personal memoir and company history that strives to inspire entrepreneurs to temper capitalism with a social conscience. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.

FATAL NORTH by Bruce Henderson A gripping account of America's first fateful expedition to find the North Pole --- and its 100-year-old murder mystery. Reviewed by Ann Bruns.

(PB) DEAD OF WINTER by P.J. Parrish When a Michigan police department appears targeted by a murderer, Louis Kincaid uncovers a small town's darkest secrets. Reviewed by Dave Taylor.

(PB) A WORLD OF BABIES: Imagined Childcare Guides for Seven Societies by Judy DeLoache & Alma Gottlieb Some fascinating insight on the beliefs and traditions surrounding birthing and parenting in other cultures. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.

(AUDIOBOOK) STAR WARS: Darth Maul, Shadow Hunter by Michael Reaves, Read by Michael Cumpsty A novice Jedi finds herself up against the evil Darth Maul in this action-packed, fun-filled addition to the popular Sci Fi series. Reviewed by Marge Fletcher.

Contests and Giveaways

Win a signed copy of MYSTIC RIVER by Dennis Lehane! Just tell us who your favorite mystery character of all time is, and we'll enter you to win. For details on how to enter, please click here.

One Word of Mouth contributor this week will win SCARLET FEATHER by Maeve Binchy. For details, visit Word of Mouth.

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.)

Modern Library eBooks Tempted to try an eBook? How would you like to have over 50 classic works of literature literally at your fingertips? The respected Modern Library collection is now available in eBook format, at just $4.95 for each title. Now you can download dozens of masterpieces to your computer, with Modern Library eBooks, brought to you by Bookreporter.com.

Quite a lineup this week. Happy reading.

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