Every month, one subscriber to the Bookreporter.com newsletter wins 5 free hardcover books! This month's selection includes FOUR BLIND MICE by James Patterson, THE LAST PROMISE by Richard Paul Evans, NIGHT WATCH by Terry Pratchett, PREY by Michael Crichton, REVERSIBLE ERRORS by Scott Turow. (See the complete contest rules.)
This week we have a VERY full lineup with 21 reviews! We listened to you and have been expanding our coverage of nonfiction titles in these past months. This week we will break out our review coverage of fiction and nonfiction titles in separate lists. For those of you who are curious, Bookreporter.com reviews are written by a group of volunteer reviewers, some of whom have been with us for more than five years. We have asked them each to tell us something about themselves in a brief bio format, and next week we are going to add this to the website. One of the reasons that Bookreporter.com is special is because of the contribution of these writers, who we appreciate so much.
Your contributions are also a big part of this site. Participate by answering our poll question (More than 600 of you already voted to tell us "How many books you have on your reading pile." You can all imagine my answer, so do not be afraid to give an honest reply!), or our Question of the Week about THE LOVELY BONES, or by writing about your own favorite books at Word of Mouth.
This week Bookreporter.com Senior Writer Joe Hartlaub, Jesse Kornbluth (who co-founded Bookreporter.com with me) and I worked together on interview questions for Christopher Andersen, the author of GEORGE AND LAURA. Melding our different perspectives made this interview special. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did working on it.
Last Friday a small group of librarians, teachers and media folk were invited to tea with Chris van Allsburg, the children's author. It was one of those raw rainy afternoons where tea and book conversation was what everyone needed. Chris gave a wonderful talk about how the game the boys are carrying at the end of JUMANJI and how it inspired ZATHURA. When I hear an author talk about his/her work like that I just love it. So last Saturday I went to the library and got out the complete works of van Allsburg AND rented the video of JUMANJI. Been working my way through the books with fresh eyes. Have any of you ever done this after meeting an author?
We are working on lists of books to buy for holiday gifts. If you have someone specific that you are having trouble buying for, let us know, and we'll try to give you some suggestions. Write me at Carol@bookreporter.com. We'll also be adding ideas on places to contribute donations to book-related charities this holiday season.
Have a great week.
-- Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
New York Times bestselling biographer Christopher Andersen talks to Bookreporter.com about his latest book, GEORGE AND LAURA, his research techniques, and how he chooses which subjects to write about.
A compelling look at George W. and Laura Bush's marriage, and the courage, grace and humor that defines it.
I'LL TAKE YOU THERE (Fiction)
Joyce Carol Oates
Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum
The story of a young, damaged girl who, against all odds, takes control of her life and enables herself to have a chance at fulfillment.
THE TEA ROSE (Historical Fiction)
Jennifer Donnelly
Reviewed by Melissa Morgan
A towering, old-fashioned story imbued with a modern sensibility of a family's destruction, of murder and revenge, of love lost and won again, and of one determined woman's quest to survive and triumph.
QUENTINS (Fiction)
Maeve Binchy
Reviewed by Kathy Weissman
Maeve Binchy's trademark combination of happy-ever-after warmth and fresh, unmannered realism is alive and well in this story of a Dublin restaurant.
BIG DIG (Mystery)
Linda Barnes
Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum
Carlotta Carlyle is back on the scene in Boston to track down a murderer and expose political corruption.
THE STRAW MEN (Thriller Paperback)
Michael Marshall
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
Three seemingly unrelated events intertwine in this electrifying novel, an instant masterpiece of modern suspense and an epic thriller for anyone who has feared that someone is watching us.
A fast-paced Southern suspense novel that paints a portrait of an area and culture in an uneasy transition, as it comes to grips with its past while facing the future.
THE LAST TEMPTATION (Thriller)
Val McDermid
Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum
An international thriller jam-packed with murder, betrayal and ruthlessness, which brings together a group of characters not soon to be forgotten.
DUNE: THE BUTLERIAN JIHAD (Science Fiction)
Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
Reviewed by Pauline Finch
A worthy continuation of Dune's original power to draw even the least passionate reader into fascinating realms of morality, philosophy and sheer rampant surprise.
This updated rewrite of the second entry in the Hardy Boys series, THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF, is sure to please newcomers to the Hardy Boys, as well as those readers who can't seem to get enough of Frank and Joe Hardy's many adventures.
THE ICE MAIDEN (Mystery)
Edna Buchanan
Reviewed by Bernadette Adams Davis
A chance encounter with a stranger changes the life of reporter Britt Montero forever in this novel that features Edna Buchanan's trademark wit, grit and tension.
THE CONQUEST (Latin)
Yxta Maya Murray
Reviewed by Colleen Quinn
An antique book restorer is entranced by the story of an Aztec adventuress and struggles to determine her desires in her own life.
The definitive word on the American shad, written by a master of American prose.
REAGAN'S WAR (History)
Peter Schweizer
Reviewed by Curtis Edmonds
A fascinating and compelling retelling of Ronald Reagan's personal crusade against Communism, and how he led a free nation to a bloodless victory over an evil empire.
Mary Anne Weaver, a journalist who has covered the Islamic world for The New Yorker for over 20 years, has produced a timely book that is as captivating as it is informative.
HALFWAY TO PARADISE (Autobiography)
Tony Orlando
Reviewed by Karen Jenkins Holt
Singer Tony Orlando writes candidly about his music career and his volatile personal life in this warm and heartfelt autobiography that is a must-read for all of his fans.
BILLY (Biography)
Pamela Stephenson
Reviewed by Karen Jenkins Holt
Actress-turned-clinical psychologist Pamela Stephenson discusses, with love and compassion, the dramatic life story of her husband, Scottish comedian Billy Connelly.
Author Gary Wills responds to those who were infuriated by his previous book, PAPAL SIN, and counters with a powerful statement of his Catholic faith.
FIRST AMONG EQUALS (Nonfiction)
Kenneth Starr
Reviewed by Andrew Musicus
Kenneth Starr, most famous for his investigation of President Clinton, examines the delicate balance of personalities and judicial philosophies that comprise the U.S. Supreme Court.
THE LOVELY BONES is one of the most-talked about books of the year climbing up the charts and hitting number one again and again. The buzz started with publishers and booksellers, and quickly spread to readers. So, for this week's question in a departure from our regular format, we'd like to know --- What do you think of THE LOVELY BONES?
Tell us what books YOU are reading and loving --- or even those you don't. FIVE lucky readers will win GEORGE AND LAURA: Portrait of an American Marriage by Christopher Andersen.
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