September 24, 2001


Dear Reader:

In light of this week's tragic events around the country, we will not be doing our regular weekly update at Bookreporter.com. We know that you, like us, have eyes directed elsewhere at this time.

Apologies that this newsletter is arriving in your mailboxes on a Monday instead of Friday. Last week our web server was one of the tens of thousands hit by the NIMDA virus. Clearing this wreaked havoc on our production schedule. Things are now on course. Please note that we still plan a regular update on Friday, September 28th.

This week we share with you a robust list of authors and titles, including FIVE new interviews --- Jonathan Franzen, Clive Cussler, Glen David Gold, Kathy Hepinstall and Karen Essex. It's quite a lineup. Also, I review one of my personal favorite fall books ---Susan Isaacs' LONG TIME NO SEE. It was worth waiting over twenty years for this sequel. After reading the poll results and the answer to the Question of the Week, we know you are eagerly anticipating this one as well.

These last weeks it was tough for me to concentrate on reading. I found myself in withdrawal when I was not consuming news on television and the Internet, and in newspapers. We wondered if you felt the same way. Could you read a book these past two weeks? If so, was there any book that brought you true comfort? If so, please let us know by writing Question@bookreporter.com.

Many readers shared ideas for books on Grief and Recovery that have helped them in the past. We will add some of these to our list in the weeks to come. Here is one title and the message that a reader shared:

"I lost my husband to cancer 17 weeks ago.  One of the terrible questions that nagged me, and continues to do so, is "Are you ok? Is everything all right now?".  The book, FOREVER REMEMBERED, A Gift for the Grieving Heart, was compiled by Dan Zadra with Marcia Woodard. It is just a beautiful, easy companion to refer to when the heart aches for some sense of comfort. I have given it as a source of  comfort and strength to a friend who recently lost a daughter, and would recommend it to all of those who are suffering with the loss of friends and loved ones from last week's tragedy.  I keep it with me all the time.  I hope others can find solace, too."

As we all work together to rebuild, two quick notes.

1) Think about supporting the economy by buying a book this week. Take a look around Amazon.com and or click through one of the Buy The Book links on Bookreporter.com.

2) If you wish to donate to the charities that will support the relief and recovery effort, the home page of Bookreporter.com has a link to Helping.org. There you can find links to a number of well-established organizations providing relief.

This Week's Question

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks is there any book that brought you comfort?

To answer the Question of the Week, please send your response to Question@bookreporter.com.

New This Week

Bookreporter Talks To:

Jonathan Franzen, author of THE CORRECTIONS, reflects on the evolution of his novel and his writing in a thought-provoking interview with Bookreporter.com's Sarah Brennan. Note: today Oprah selected this as her new Book Club title.

CARTER BEATS THE DEVIL spells success for author Glen David Gold who shares his views on the fascination with magic in an interview with Bookreporter.com's Bob Ruggiero.

Karen Essex, author of KLEOPATRA, expresses her thoughts on the portrayal of women in history, and Kleopatra in particular, in an interview with Bookreporter.com's Kate Ayers.

Kathy Hepinstall shares her feelings on sibling relationships and what sparked the focus of her novel, THE ABSENCE OF NECTAR, in an interview with Bookreporter.com's Joe Hartlaub.

Clive Cussler, author of VALHALLA RISING, reveals the plans for the upcoming Dirk Pitt movies and his other NUMA projects in this interview with Bookreporter.com's Ann Bruns.

Last Week's Poll Results

Which of the following books are you most looking forward to reading?
28% said LONG TIME, NO SEE by Susan Isaacs
23% said A BEND IN THE ROAD by Nicholas Sparks
22% said PARADISE SCREWED by Carl Hiaasen
18% said THE ASSOCIATE by Phillip Margolin
9% said MIDDLE AGE by Joyce Carol Oates

Bookreporter Readers Say....

Which new book are you most looking forward to reading this fall?

Perspectives

"ON THE ROAD" TO THE MOVIES
Jana Siciliano recounts her attempt to mimic the free spirit of a Kerouac-style beat generation writer.