May 11, 2001

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in our reading audience. May you be celebrated --- and have time to escape with a book.

In celebration of motherhood, Bookreporter.com has gathered a selection of fiction and nonfiction titles for you to enjoy. The Mother's Day Round Up includes thought-provoking books like Anne Crittenden's THE PRICE OF MOTHERHOOD and great fiction reads like Mary Higgins Clark's WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN.

By the way, I personally think it should be Mother's Week!

On another note, Jeffery Deaver's new thriller focuses on a computer hacker who plays a life and death game. Most hackers, though, are not that dark and twisted. Have you ever fantasized being a hacker? Enter our new contest to win THE BLUE NOWHERE by Jeffery Deaver! All you have to do is tell us your fantasy hacking scenario. This question has been a hot topic among TBRN staffers this week. Here is what a few of them had to say. One would covet a look at the JFK assasination files, another a chance to change a grade on a college course that still haunts her and the third a moment to view her credit card debts and then hit -- erase! What is your fantasy?

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Last week we asked you if a news story had ever prompted you to read a book. Apparently it has, and we found some of the choices fascinating. Find out which headlines sparked readers' interest in which books in our question replies at Last Week's Question.

This week's Question of the Week:
Have you ever lied about reading a book? Why?

Elsewhere on The Book Report Network this week, take a look at Authors On The Web where we just added a roundtable discussion with 8 prominent Literary Agents and a terrific piece about books that inspire writers called BIRD BY BIRD, WORD BY WORD.

New This Week

Features
HOTEL HONOLULU by Paul Theroux
A frustrated writer flees to the tropics and becomes the manager of a hotel populated by fascinating but quirky residents and vacationers. Reviewed by Roz Shea and excerpted.

STOLEN LIVES: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail by Malika Oufkir
The haunting story of a young Moroccan girl's stolen youth, political imprisonment and eventual flight to freedom. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano and excerpted.

CHOSEN PREY by John Sandford
Dr. Qatar is a respected art professor with a very twisted hobby that becomes the focus of Lucas Davenport's latest investigation. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

HIGH MAINTENANCE by Jennifer Belle
A colorful, humorous story of a New York woman who finds success as a real estate broker after her marriage ends. Reviewed by Josette Kurey and excerpted.

SOMEHOW FORM A FAMILY: Stories that are Mostly True by Tony Earley
Ten personal essays abundant in beautiful prose revealing an honest assessment of the author's life and family.  Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub and excerpted.

Mother's Day Roundup
In celebration of motherhood, Bookreporter.com has gathered a selection of fiction and nonfiction for your reading enjoyment.

See Bookreporter.com for this week's RE-REVIEW, ONE YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS and THIS WEEK IN BOOK HISTORY.

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

Newbery Award-winning author Beverly Cleary now has a website at http://www.beverlycleary.com/. Find out more about how her own upbringing led to the creation of Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins --- and many of her other much-loved characters.

Perspective

IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE CHILDREN AND STILL BE A WRITER?
Jana Siciliano weighs the challenges and successes of women who have and women who haven't tried to balance career and motherhood.

Mark a milestone with a special gift from Levenger.com!

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Reviews

WRITERS ON WRITING: Collected Essays from the New York Times by John Darnton, editor
Personal contributions from some of the most prominent writers of our time on the art of writing. Reviewed by Robert Finn

UNHOLY GHOST: Writers on Depression by Nell Casey, editor
A collection of pieces from a group who've experienced this debilitating disease. Reviewed by Nancy B. Leake

IBM AND THE HOLOCAUST: The Strategic Alliance Between Nazi Germany and America's Most Powerful Corporation by Edwin Black
A shocking perspective of how an American corporation turned its back and profited from the horrors of the Third Reich. Reviewed by James Krouse.

JAYBER CROW by Wendell Berry
An eloquently written story of a young man who finds peace with himself and his faith in his hometown. Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol.

(PB) DREAMBIRDS: The Strange History of the Ostrich in Fashion, Food and Fortune by Rob Nixon
A fascinating combination of tales about ostrich ranchers and other immigrants who chased their dreams in the South African desert. Reviewed by Martha Hostetter.

(PB) WHEN THE FAX LADY SINGS: A Molly Masters Mystery by Leslie O'Kane
When a PTA fundraiser is interrupted by murder, Molly finds there are quite a few secrets behind the scenes at Carlton Central High School. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

(AUDIOBOOK) LEFT BEHIND Series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
When millions of people disappear from Earth, those who remain search for answers to the mystical event. Books One thru Five are reviewed by Marge Fletcher.