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Bookreporter.com Newsletter	October 11, 2002
This Week on Bookreporter.com A Historical Frame of Mind Tim O'Brien's JULY, JULY Anne Lamott's New One is BLUE SHOE SHRINK RAP-- Robert B. Parker's Latest This Week's Reviews Just in Time for Playoffs and the Series: More Baseball Books Poll Question of the Week Word of Mouth: 5 Book Giveaway --- and They're SIGNED! Books Into Movies	On The Book Report Network Bookreporter.com Past Reviews Over 970 Reading Group Guides, Including BLUE SHOE by Anne Lamott Pat Conroy is Our Author of the Month
A Historical Frame of Mind I am a voracious reader, but one genre that I rarely explore is historical fiction. Last weekend after reading our Historical Fiction Author Roundtable for AuthorsOnTheWeb.com, I picked up MOUNT VERNON LOVE STORY by Mary Higgins Clark, a book that had been sitting on my shelf for a while. I enjoyed it so much that I will be exploring this genre further in the months to come. After reading our feature, I hope you feel the same way. Or, if you are already a fan, I hope we shed more light on the research process that these authors undertake as they blend fact with fiction. The author roundtable participants include Kevin Baker, Megan Chance, Bernard Cornwell, Karen Essex, Margaret George, Glen David Gold, Tayari Jones, and Matthew Kneale. I am going to Washington, DC today for the National Book Festival. (What a perfect city to travel to when I am in a historical frame of mind --- I wish there was time for a side trip to Mount Vernon after my reading this week!) Tomorrow morning I am attending the Official Opening Ceremony at the White House. Over the past week we have compiled a book of letters from our Kidsreads.com readers where they thank First Lady Laura Bush for encouraging children to read. We hope to present it to her, or someone on her staff. More than 1,500 children shared their comments. For more on the National Book Festival, go to http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/. Next week's newsletter will have my commentary, and we will have a piece by Tony Parker, one of our reviewers, who will be attending the Festival. During the week, I love checking our Poll results. It gives me immediate feedback on what you are thinking on our selected topic. This week's Poll about Fall Titles has been fun to watch as three titles have been jockeying for position at the top of the list. Be sure to cast your vote. The link is located below in this newsletter. We have a full lineup this week, so keep reading... Read the Historical Fiction Author Roundtable
Tim O'Brien's JULY, JULY JULY, JULY by Tim O'Brien (Fiction) In this definitive novel of the baby boom generation, a group of old friends get together for a July weekend of drinking, dancing, flirting, reminiscing and regretting. Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol and excerpted Read a review of JULY, JULY and an excerpt
Anne Lamott's New One is BLUE SHOE BLUE SHOE by Anne Lamott (Fiction) A wry and touching look at life, family, friendship, and love from the point of view of a single mother who is questioning the reality of her own childhood. Reviewed by Jami Edwards and excerpted We also have a reading group guide for this book at ReadingGroupGuides.com Read a review of BLUE SHOE and an excerpt
SHRINK RAP-- Robert B. Parker's Latest SHRINK RAP by Robert B. Parker (Fiction) Beautiful blonde P.I. Sunny Randall trails the stalker of a best-selling author, facing her own personal demons in the process. Reviewed by Roz Shea and excerpted Read a review of SHRINK RAP and an excerpt
This Week's Reviews PHARAOH, Volume II of KLEOPATRA by Karen Essex (Historical Fiction) Reviewed by Kate Ayers Brimming with sex, war and intrigue, this stunning sequel to KLEOPATRA completes the story of one of the most admired and reviled women the world has ever known. HOOT by Carl Hiaasen (Young Adult) Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol In this hysterical foray into the world of young adult fiction, Roy Eberhardt sets off on the trail of a Coconut Cove boy with no shoes, leading to a series of bizarre occurrences. THE STAGGERFORD FLOOD by Jon Hassler (Fiction) Reviewed by Jami Edwards When a flood hits Staggerford, neighbors and friends seek refuge with cranky Agatha McGee for three days and nights, ultimately restoring her distinctive vitality. THE DRIFT by John Ridley (Fiction) Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub In this psychologically complex story, Charles Harmon must leave his upper-middle-class existence to find the niece of the man who once taught him how to survive on the rails. SHOT by Jenny Siler (Suspense) Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum Searching for the truth about her husband's death, Lucy Greene uncovers dangerous information about a secret government-sponsored biological warfare program. BONE MOUNTAIN by Eliot Pattison (Suspense) Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub Leading a Tibetan expedition to find a long-lost idol, Inspector Shan finds himself on the run from the brutal Chinese army, with not only justice but also spiritual survival at stake. CARAMELO by Sandra Cisneros (Fiction) Reviewed by Toni Fitzgerald A multigenerational story of a Mexican-American family whose voices create a dazzling weave of passion: sometimes real, sometimes imagined, always irresistible. P.G. COUNTY by Connie Briscoe (Fiction) Reviewed by Elisa Kai Smith The lives of five diverse women are dramatically revealed in a complex story of love, lust, and dirty secrets in this comic satire of the African American upper crust of Prince George County, MD. HOW I STAYED ALIVE WHEN MY BRAIN WAS TRYING TO KILL ME by Susan Rose Blauner (Self-Help) Reviewed by Curtis Edmonds Sage advice from Susan Rose Blauner, who needed Prozac, a network of family and friends, a therapist, support groups, and three hospitalizations to stay alive. Read this week's reviews here
Just in Time for Playoffs and the Series: More Baseball Books Baseball dodged a bullet when players and owners came to their senses and decided to sign the labor agreement that will calm fans' shaky nerves for the next few years. As the season winds down to the World Series, the media reminds us, through flowery prose, dramatic music and sepia-toned images, of the rich tradition of the National Pastime, despite all the recent problems. Read about the latest baseball titles in a feature written by our favorite baseball reviewer, Ron Kaplan. Read Our Baseball Roundup
Poll Which of the following fall releases are you most looking forward to reading? (Check as many as apply.) Blackwood Farm -- Anne Rice Blue Shoe -- Anne Lamott The Crush -- Sandra Brown Death of a Stranger -- Anne Perry December 6 -- Martin Cruz Smith Jack the Ripper: Case Closed -- Patricia Cornwell The Janson Directive -- Robert Ludlum July, July -- Tim O'Brien The Little Friend -- Donna Tartt The Murder Book -- Jonathan Kellerman My Losing Season -- Pat Conroy Q is for Quarry -- Sue Grafton Quentins -- Maeve Binchy Visions of Sugar Plums -- Janet Evanovich None of the Above Vote and tell us which of these books you plan to read!
Question of the Week Question: What author(s) has you racing to the store to buy his or her book the day it comes out, (if you have not pre-ordered it already)? Write Question@bookreporter.com and let us know.
Word of Mouth: 5 Book Giveaway --- and They're SIGNED! Tell us what books YOU are reading and loving, or even those you don't. FIVE lucky readers will win signed copies of THE MURDER BOOK by Jonathan Kellerman. Send your replies to WordOfMouth@bookreporter.com. Need more details about Word of Mouth? Click here.
Books Into Movies Readers swept away by Janet Fitch's engrossing debut novel WHITE OLEANDER will not be let down by the Warner Brothers film opening on October 11th. The volatile story follows the relationship of an uncompromising mother, Ingrid, and her estranged daughter, Astrid. Click here to read more about this week's Books Into Movies
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