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June 29, 2001
Dear Reader:
A few weeks ago I read the entire Left Behind series --- all eight books. Besides the fact that I
enjoyed the storyline, it was nice to know exactly what I was going to read next. I know
each time I finish a book, I face that moment of indecision wondering what to read next.
From our mail, I know that many of you feel the same way.
With this in mind we developed a special Series
Book summer feature. In it, Ann Bruns looks at 15 book series and collections. Our
recommendation for summer --- in honor of lazy, hazy summer days --- lay in all the books
in advance and just start reading. At one point I was reading a book a day when I was
going through the Left Behind books. I got to the point where I had to ration when I would
start a new one since I had no self control about stopping! May this same fate befall you.
Our other new feature is SIZZLING SUMMER
written by Addelaide Hayes. There is something fantastic about reading these oh so hot
titles during the summer months. This begs our Question of the Week this week --- What is
your guilty pleasure beach book?
We enjoyed reading your responses to last week's question about when you fell in love with
reading. Among the responses is one from Janis Jaquith, an NPR essayist and the author of
BIRDSEED COOKIES: A Fractured Memoir. In the list of responses she shares an excerpt from
her book where she writes about falling in love with reading. Nice to find that in our
mailbox this week. See what Bookreporter
Readers Had to Say.
Please note that we are not publishing a website update next Friday, July 6th. We are
taking an extended weekend for the 4th of July to relax...and read. I am headed out of
town for a few days, and I have books in a pile all ready to go. (Of course, to get
through them all I need to travel around the world for a year!) The clothes I will toss in
at the last moment.
One quick note: Be sure to enter the Surf the Web
for Summer Reading Contest that ends on June 30th. The second wave of the contest,
with another $1,000 prize package, goes live on July 2nd.
NEW THIS WEEK
Bookreporter Talks To:
Neil Gaiman, author of AMERICAN GODS, reflects on the personal journeys
his novel represents and what he finds unique about traveling America in an interview with
Bookreporter.com's Jennifer Abbots and Sarah Brennan. Visit Neil's website at Neil Gaiman.com.
On The Road with Ann Patchett
Criss-crossing the country, Ann Patchett
finds the travel exhausting, but endearing fans and a close encounter with a skunk
brighten her most recent experiences on her book tour. Visit Ann's website at www.annpatchett.com.
Summer Reading -- Two New Features...and One Hot Tip:
BEACH BOOKS & BEYOND! Summer Reading Tip #6:
What to do when the fireworks end.
'TIS THE SEASON FOR SERIES
Bookreporter.com spotlights fifteen terrific book series and collections that will last
you the whole summer long.
SIZZLING SUMMER FEATURE
Steamy, saucy and addictive --- the beach reads that will make your summer a real sizzler.
Features
AUDIOBOOKS: BOOKS TO READ WITH YOUR EYES ON THE
ROAD
Jonathan Lowe highlights some outstanding audiobooks for your driving pleasure.
HALF-MOON AND EMPTY STARS by Gerry Spence
Turning his considerable talents toward fiction, Spence weaves a powerful courtroom drama
exposing the inequities of justice. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman and excerpted.
DANTE: Penguin Lives by R. W. B. Lewis
A detailed examination of the poet's life and works within the context of the historical
and sociopolitical climate of his time. Reviewed by Robert Finn.
AMERICAN GODS by Neil Gaiman
A masterpiece of prose that takes the protagonist on a journey through the disquieting
secrets of American life. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub and excerpted.
Perspective
EMBRACING 30: There Are Authors on
the Other Side
Josette Kurey faces an inevitable milestone in life and applauds the "Chick-Lit"
authors who help to define it with grace and humor.
Re-Review:
Next week marks the anniversary of our nation's birth --- 225 years since we declared
ourselves an independent country! Check out the front screen of Bookreporter.com to
find the book we think you should celebrate with.
More on Bookreporter.com
Be sure to look for One You Don't Want to Miss, This Week in Book History and
Books Into Movies, which includes the title that Spielberg's AI: Artificial
Intelligence is based on .
Reviews
PASQUALE'S NOSE by Michael Rips
A wealth of insight and humor comprise this unusual combination of memoir and travelogue
through the Italian countryside. Reviewed by Ann Bruns.
ANTARTICA by Claire Keegan
Alternating between Ireland and the American South, this collection of short fiction
plumbs the depths of the human soul. Reviewed by Robin O'Brien.
THE ROOT WORKER by Rainelle Burton
The dual voices of an eleven-year-old reveal the horrors of a dysfunctional family
motivated by their cruel, destructive beliefs. Reviewed by Maxine E. Thompson
THE FIVE FACES OF GENIUS by Annette Moser-Wellman
A guide to discovering and utilizing your creativity, the common trait among success
stories from poets to entrepreneurs. Reviewed by Doug McPherson.
SEXING THE BODY by Anne Fausto-Sterling
An annotated study on the individual perceptions and a few misperceptions that have
impacted the theories of human sexuality. Reviewed by S. H. Seppo.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH DORFMAN? by John Blumenthal
The hilarious tale of a Hollywood screenwriter who's convinced that he is succumbing to an
undiagnosed illness. Reviewed by S. H. Seppo.
Browse online at Levenger.com
for all your book-related accessory needs.
CONTESTS AND GIVEAWAYS
Enter the Surf the Web for Summer Reading
Contest with prizes totaling $1,000! Nine different websites about books and
reading have joined together to bring you the ultimate summer contest. Check out each of
the websites to find terrific titles that will keep you turning the pages through the lazy
days ahead. And while you're there, hunt for the special contest word on each site.
Arrange the nine words into a grammatically correct sentence and email your answer to
Contests@bookreporter.com. What could be easier!
Want to win one of two SIGNED copies of AMERICAN GODS? 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.)
Have a firecracker Fourth!
--- Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@Bookreporter.com)
for The Book Report Network
Bookreporter.com * ReadingGroupGuides.com * AuthorsOnTheWeb.com * Teenreads.com * Kidsreads.com
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