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June 1, 2001
Dear Reader:
As I write this newsletter I'm in Chicago attending BookExpo America, the annual book
trade show. There is something wonderful about being in a place where all the talk is
about books and authors. This morning I stood on a balcony above the convention floor and
just marveled at the miles of aisles of books. From the glimpse I have had thus far, Fall
will be a very exciting season for readers.
But for the moment, let me share titles and authors that you can read right now!
James Grippando's A KING'S
RANSOM is a thriller echoing today's headlines on the growing problem of kidnappings
for ransom in Colombia, South America. In April, 100 employees of a US oil company were
kidnapped and later released; last week 150 peasant farm workers were taken by political
guerrillas. They've not been seen since. Be sure to read our interview with Grippando
for the background on some of the horrific, real life stories that formed the basis for A
KING'S RANSOM. We also have an interview with
Elizabeth McGregor, author of THE ICE CHILD, which is a
book I highly recommended to readers a couple of weeks ago. In fact, I got a letter from a
reader yesterday who told me how much she loved this book. If you have a taste for
chilling adventures, we've got even more selections about polar expeditions in our Beach Books and Beyond Summer Reading
Feature.
For those of you who have discovered the beautiful prose of Chitra
Banerjee Divakaruni, we are featuring her latest literary collection, THE UNKNOWN ERRORS OF OUR LIVES
this week, as well as a book by Leonard Garment which reflects one of the greatest
political mysteries of our time --- IN SEARCH OF DEEP THROAT. We
have even more new features and reviews, so hopefully you'll find something of interest.
Along with our theme of great summer reading, we're so impressed with the lists you've
been sending us in response to our QUESTION OF THE WEEK, What
is on your reading list for this summer?, that we're going to continue asking this
week. In fact, one reader even sent us her reading groups choices for the summer. If you
have a group that's hunting for some quality books to fill your calendar, we have loads of
ideas for you in our Summer
Reading Groups feature at ReadingGroupGuides.com. And be sure to keep checking
AuthorsOnTheWeb.com for our Authors' Summer Reading
Lists.
In addition to all the wonderful selections to browse, we want to remind you of some great
giveaways that you don't want to miss out on. The Surf the Web for Summer Reading
Contest is giving away a total of $1,000 in prizes including a $300 Amazon gift
certificate, so this contest definitely is worth checking out! We also think our readers
are very imaginative, so we're running a Quit Your Job
and Pursue Your Dream Contest. Ten lucky winners will get a copy of CANE RIVER by
Lalita Tademy, as well as an audiobook and a poster.
New This Week
Summer Reading
Last week we began asking: What is on your reading list for this summer? Find out
what books are top on other readers' lists at Bookreporter Readers Say.
Then tell us what you'll be reading this summer.
Bookreporter Talk To....
James
Grippando
James Grippando, author of A
KING'S RANSOM, gives readers some insight into the real kidnapping horrors behind his
latest thriller in this interview with Bookreporter.com's Ann Bruns.
Elizabeth McGregor
Reflecting on her writing process Elizabeth McGregor, author of THE ICE CHILD, gives
Bookreporter.com's interviewer Delilah Hill some heartfelt insight into the impact of her
research.
Recent Interviews: Lalita Tademy, Stephen E. Ambrose, Ana Menéndez, Jeffery Deaver, Mary Higgins Clark, Martha Grimes, Frances Fyfield, Jan Karon, Anita Shreve, Donald E. Westlake, Amy Tan
Pearl
Harbor books, videos and movie footage
at Amazon.com
Also, check out:
Amazon.com
In Theaters
Sign up to get personalized local movie information right in your mailbox!
On The Road With...
Ann Patchett, author of
BEL CANTO
With a lot of trepidation, and a wry sense of humor, Ann Patchett prepares for the first
stop in her summer book tour.
Perspective
ALL
AMERICAN FAST
Bernadette Davis expresses agreement with Eric Schlosser's FAST FOOD NATION and his
critical views on America's obsession.
Features
THE UNKNOWN
ERRORS OF OUR LIVES by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
A collection of poignant stories that embody every aspect of the human spirit by this
remarkably profound, new-millennium author. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
THE GOOD PEOPLE
OF NEW YORK by Thisbe Nissen
The compelling story of a family whose life reflects joy and heartbreak through every
nuance of ordinary human relationships. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano and excerpted.
THE BAY OF ANGELS
by Anita Brookner
Growing up fatherless and impoverished, a woman struggles to cope with a dismal marriage
and her mother's debilitating medical condition. Reviewed by Patricia Howard and
excerpted.
CRANBERRY QUEEN
by Kathleen DeMarco
Set in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, this debut novel is a witty and moving exploration of
the mysterious currents of love and loss. Reviewed by Shannon McKenna.
A KING'S RANSOM
by James Grippando
A complex legal thriller juxtaposed against Colombian terrorism, Grippando's novel
captures the essence of today's headlines. Reviewed by Ann Bruns and excerpted.
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 RIGHTS OF DESIRE
by Andre Brink
A widower's relationship with his boarder evolves against the background of the
decades-old strife in Cape Town, South Africa. Reviewed by Laura Donnelly.
A PERFECT ARRANGEMENT
by Suzanne Berne
When a couple hires a nanny, their seemingly perfect suburban life is exposed to the harsh
light of reality. Reviewed by Kathy Weissman.
FOOL
by Frederick G. Dillen
The story of a lovable character with a knack for hustling himself as skillfully as he
hustles potential stock market investors. Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol.
THE HUNTED
by Alan Jacobson
A psychotherapist suffering from agoraphobia is terrorized by strange events and
revelations about her missing husband. Reviewed by Nancy B. Leake.
MILCH COW
by Kate Margam
The story of a family torn apart by grief interwoven with socio-political and spiritual
undercurrents. Reviewed by Sarah Brennan.
IN SEARCH OF
DEEP THROAT: The Greatest Political Mystery of Our Time by Leonard Garment
An insider to the Watergate events as they unfolded, Garment presents his view on the
identity of the central figure in the downfall of Nixon's presidency. Reviewed by Robert
Finn.
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
Ever fantasize about quitting your job to pursue a dream? If so, write and tell us
what you would do and get entered into our Quit Your Job
and Pursue Your Dream Contest. Ten lucky winners will get a copy of CANE RIVER by
Lalita Tademy, as well as an audiobook and a poster.
Want to win BAY OF ANGELS by Anita Brookner? 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
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Have a great week.
--- Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@Bookreporter.com)
for The Book Report Network
Bookreporter.com * ReadingGroupGuides.com * AuthorsOnTheWeb.com * Teenreads.com * Kidsreads.com
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