May 18, 2001


Dear Reader:

One of the most interesting --- and fun --- parts of The Book Report is getting an opportunity to read an advanced reading copy (ARC) of a book. It's nice to get a jump on what will be in stores. But, it often means that we read books months before they come out. When we love a book, it's hard to not share it. I felt that way about THE ICE CHILD, a book we are featuring this week. I read it back in February, but had to wait til this week to review it here. Hope you enjoy it, and the other books we are bringing you this week.

Another special moment is knowing an author well enough to have him write for us. I got to know Greg Mitchell from a book he wrote last year called JOY IN MUDVILLE, about coaching his son's Little League team. Last September he wrote a book with Robert Jay Lifton about the death penalty called Who Owns Death? Capital Punishment, the American Conscience, and the End of Executions. This week we have his comments about Timothy McVeigh in a Perspective piece called Condemn McVeigh...To Life.

Please note that next Friday we will be bringing you our summer reading feature called Beach Books... and Beyond. We've pulled together over 150 titles in 16 different categories. We also will be announcing the Surf the Web for Summer Reading Contest that we are doing with six other websites about books. There will be over $1,000 in prizes. Intrigued? Don't forget to read next week's newsletter.

We have another feature in the works for late June. As we plan it, we could use your answers to this new Question of the Week:

Which series or author's complete works would you want to read this summer?

I just read through your responses to lying about reading a book. I've decided that 50% of you are sooooooo honest; the rest are um....liars. Here's what...Bookreporter Readers Say.... Have you ever lied about reading a book? Why? 

New This Week

Features
BACK WHEN WE WERE GROWNUPS by Anne Tyler
Assessing her life at fifty, a woman realizes she needs to resurrect her youthful dreams to find true happiness. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano and excerpted.

THE ICE CHILD by Elizabeth McGregor
A man's obsession with the disappearance of an 1845 Arctic expedition underlies this story of love and family ties. Reviewed by Delilah Hill and excerpted. See a Reading Group Guide for this book here.

JOHN ADAMS by David McCullough
A magnificent perspective of our early history, our forefathers, and the role John Adams played in shaping it. Reviewed by Ann Bruns and excerpted.

DOUBLE FOLD: Libraries and the Assault on Paper by Nicholson Baker
One man declares war on the use of microfilm in a passionate crusade to preserve original books and documents  Reviewed by Robert Finn and excerpted.

THE BOOK OF Q by Jonathan Rabb
An ancient scroll and a contemporary plot to gain control of the Catholic Church send a priest back into his past in Bosnia. Reviewed by Patrick Smith and excerpted.

IN CUBA I WAS A GERMAN SHEPHERD by Ana Menendez
A short story collection that vibrates with emotion in depicting men and women who who fled Castro's regime for the US. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano and excerpted.

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

GIFTS FOR GRADUATES

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

Fountain pens, writing paper, desk accessories,
leather-bound journals, briefcases and PDA cases,
and more of the finest luxuries for readers, writers, students and professionals.

Browse online at Levenger.com

Reviews

THE BURNING TIMES: A Novel of Medieval France by Jeanne Kalogridis
Declared a heretic, a powerful priestess faces the forces of the Inquisition. Reviewed by Amee Vayas

SISTER CRAZY by Emma Richler
A young woman suffers from her desire to remain a child in the comforting surroundings of her beloved family. Reviewed by Josette Kurey

UNHOLY DYING by Robert Barnard
In this classic English whodunit, a priest is accused of immoral behavior and the murder of a vicious tabloid reporter.  Reviewed by Ann Bruns.

DOGS: A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior, and Evolution by Raymond and Lorna Coppinger
A remarkable new theory on the domestication and development of man's best friend. Reviewed by Dave Taylor.

THE HEAD GAME: Baseball Seen from the Pitcher's Mound by Roger Kahn
Early pioneers and pitching greats are featured in this anecdotal history from a veteran New York sportswriter. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan.

BLUESMAN by Andre Dubus III
Unspoken feelings and regrets between a father and son find expression through their shared love for music. Reviewed by Rob Cline

AUDIOBOOK AWARDS - Extra, Extra! Hear All About It!  
The nominees for this year's Audie Awards.

In BOOK magazine this month:
Bill Blass shows off his bibliophilic paradise, and James Ellroy reveals why "the Demon Dog of American Literature" doesn't bite in this month's BOOK magazine.

Contests and Giveaways
Win THE BLUE NOWHERE the new thriller from Jeffery Deaver! For details on how to enter, click here.

Want to win BACK WHEN WE WERE GROWNUPS by Anne Tyler? Submit to Word of Mouth for your chance to win this and other prizes.

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.)

Give your kids a trip to Clever Island! Clever Island's online learning fun is trusted by parents and endorsed by teachers to develop the skills kids need to learn and grow. Perfect for kids ages 3-7.
Click here to try it for FREE for 30 days!

Have a great week!

--- Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@Bookreporter.com) for The Book Report Network

Bookreporter.com * ReadingGroupGuides.com * AuthorsOnTheWeb.com * Teenreads.com * Kidsreads.com