10th Anniversary Page and Pictures

Monday night I attended Nelson DeMille's book party for WILD FIRE, which was ---- as any event that Nelson is involved with --- a lot of fun. People in attendance who had read the book were quoting Corey-isms as they walked around chatting. Let's just say that I feel I learn a lot about how men think about women by reading Nelson's books. He also pens one of the wittiest newsletters that I read. You can read and sign up for it here. We have a review of WILD FIRE this week as well, but don't worry --- Kate Ayers, our reviewer, does not divulge the good jokes. Or give away too much of the plot.
 
This weekend is Veterans Day, a holiday that sadly many of us do not associate with much more than sales in stores. No matter where you stand on the war in Iraq, there are soldiers from this war and previous combats, who certainly deserve recognition and thanks on this day. Last April I had the chance to meet Paul Rieckhoff, the founder of IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, formerly Operation Truth) and the author of CHASING GHOSTS. He held an audience at the Los Angeles Book Fair in awe as he talked about his book and he received rousing applause. In the spirit of this holiday, we bring you a review of this book this week --- one Veteran's look at the war in Iraq. As our reviewer, Jen Krieger, says, he gives us a view that is better than that of any embedded reporter.
 
I am reading DEAR JOHN by Nicholas Sparks, which I keep picking up this afternoon instead of doing what's on my list. I see that as the mark of a good book --- one that keeps me from the tasks at hand. This fall there are sooooooo many books coming out by authors who I like --- in rapid succession --- that I want to just disappear and read read read. In fact, I made a decision that we are going to go out for Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant this year so I have more time to read. Kidding. Seriously we are going out to eat since my parents are going to see my sister in Atlanta and I really don't love making turkey and I did not think I could get away with my line about "I think the Pilgrims ate lobster since they were in Massachussetts" again. What's surprising me is how many people think this is a good idea when I tell them. People tell me they are thinking of doing it too. I guess they have a lot of books to read too!
 
One of my favorite things is hearing authors talk about their books and their inspiration for them. This week I got a real treat when I received a copy of a DVD that Adriana Trigiani has done for book clubs, which has the author talking about not just one book, but all of her books. She also offers readers a tour of Greenwich Village, where she lives and whose Commerce Street formed the backdrop to one of my favorite books of hers, LUCIA, LUCIA. In a book club? Then click here for details on how your group can get this DVD.
 
Confession here: I love watching movies on Lifetime. I was out with the publishing colleague, Bibi Baksh, a few weeks ago and we found ourselves chit chatting about these movies. We had both enjoyed The Mermaid Chair. I am happy to share that The Last Chance Cafe, based on Linda Lael Miller's bestselling book of the same name, will be airing on Monday night (November 13th) on Lifetime, with a repeat on the 19th of November. If you, like me, like movies based on books, be sure to tune in. Check out Linda's website for more details.
 
I am speaking at a conference in Chicago from Sunday through Tuesday, then back that night to celebrate the book release of Laura Pedersen's THE BIG SHUFFLE, which is our Holiday Basket of Cheer title this week. Laura's character, Hallie Palmer, is quirky and fun and her stories always make me smile. If you have a teen in your house, it's fun reading for them too. Actually this is a great book for many people on your holiday shopping list.
 
Next weekend I will be at the Miami Book Fair. I have heard from some of you who will be there. Others going? Drop me a note. I'll get back to you during the week this week. By the way, I wrote a blog this week with some election thoughts as well as a followup to Halloween for those who were asking about how that holiday ended up. I have been told it's amusing so you might be entertained by it. Happy reading.

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)

List of titles reviewed and featured on November 10th.

List of titles reviewed and featured on November 3rd.

WILD FIRE by Nelson DeMille (Thriller)
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
In post-9/11 America, terrorism is on everyone's mind. A small group of men wants to change that --- forever --- but the tactics they intend to use mean the deaths of millions. Federal agent John Corey, returning from his adventure in NIGHT FALL, joins forces with FBI agent Kate Mayfield, also his wife, to stop this frightening and all-too-plausible plot.

-Click here to read an excerpt from WILD FIRE.
-Click here to visit Nelson DeMille's website, www.NelsonDeMille.net

Historical fiction author Jeff Shaara began his career by writing a prequel to his late father's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, THE KILLER ANGELS, and has since gone on to publish a number of books centered on major wars in history. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Stephen Hubbard, Shaara discusses the personal accomplishment of completing his father's work and explains why he focuses his writing on characters during wartime. He also describes the effort he put into making his latest novel, THE RISING TIDE, as historically accurate as possible and shares some surprising facts he learned while researching important figures in World War II.

THE RISING TIDE by Jeff Shaara (Historical Fiction)
Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard
A modern master of the historical novel, Jeff Shaara has painted brilliant depictions of the Civil War, the Revolutionary War and World War I. Now he embarks upon his most ambitious epic, a trilogy about the military conflict that defined the 20th century --- World War II.

Each week from November 3rd through December 15th we will spotlight a different title, and readers will have the chance to win one of five holiday baskets filled with winter-themed items as well as two copies of the featured book. Why two? One is to keep, of course, and one is for someone on your holiday gift list. We will also include festive wrapping paper and a ribbon to make the gift-giving hassle-free.

Our second featured title is THE BIG SHUFFLE by Laura Pedersen --- a wry and funny tale of a totally untypical teenage girl. Along with two copies of THE BIG SHUFFLE and green-and-tan checkered wrapping paper and coordinating ribbon --- winners will receive a Cinnamon Sugar Scented Illuminations candle, Ghirardelli Rich Dark Hot Chocolate mix, gourmet vanilla marshmallows, sweet-smelling cinnamon sticks, delicious Chewy Peps peppermint candies, adorable winter-themed cookies, a snowman-themed wooden tray and soft comfy fluffy socks (colors on this may vary from what is pictured). 

To enter to win, answer the question below:

How old are Hallie's parents?

You can find the answer by reading an excerpt here.

THE BIG SHUFFLE by Laura Pedersen (Fiction)
Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman
When the death of her father leaves her mother in a state of shock, card shark Hallie Palmer --- the fiery protagonist from BEGINNER'S LUCK and HEART'S DESIRE --- returns home from college to bravely deal herself in as head of a chaotic household and care for her eight younger siblings.

CHASING GHOSTS: A Soldier's Fight for America from Baghdad to Washington by Paul Rieckhoff (Memoir)
Reviewed by Jen Krieger
Iraq veteran and political activist Paul Rieckhoff's memoir of 10 months spent fighting in the war-torn Mideast nation tackles a complex and politically incendiary topic with clean prose and incisive observation. Impossible to put down, CHASING GHOSTS should be required reading for our divided country.

-Click here to read an excerpt from CHASING GHOSTS.
-Click here to visit Paul Rieckhoff's website, www.PaulRieckhoff.com.

Our newest Suspense/Thriller feature spotlights the powerhouse husband and wife literary team of Jonathan and Faye Kellerman, whose new page-turner is CAPITAL CRIMES. The book hits shelves November 21st and, with two thrillers in one, is bound to be a runaway bestseller.

-Click here to read a new excerpt from CAPITAL CRIMES.
-Click here to see our Advance Copy Winners.
-Click here to read Fast Facts for Jonathan and Faye Kellerman.
-Click here to read Faye Kellerman's backlist.
-Click here to read Jonathan Kellerman's backlist.

More about CAPITAL CRIMES:
Internationally bestselling husband and wife Jonathan and Faye Kellerman team up for a powerful one-two punch with CAPITAL CRIMES, a gripping pair of original crime thrillers.

MY SISTER'S KEEPER: BERKELEY
Some of progressive state representative Davida Grayson's views have made her unpopular. Although her foes are numerous no one suspects that any buttons Davida might push could evoke deadly force.

But now Davida lies brutally murdered in her office, and Berkeley homicide detectives Will Barnes and Amanda Isis must unravel Davida's complex, before the killer pulls off a repeat performance.

MUSIC CITY BREAKDOWN: NASHVILLE
Baker Southerby was a child prodigy performer. But something leads him to become a Nashville cop. His partner, Lamar Van Gundy, is a would-be studio bassist who earned himself a detective's badge. As part of Nashville PD's elite Murder Squad, they catch a homicide that's high-profile even for a city where musical celebrity is routine.

CAPITAL CRIMES is page-turning, psychologically resonant suspense ---- just what we've come to expect from two of the world's most successful crime writers.

Have a teen in your life? Our Holiday Basket for Teens kicks off next week. Five winners will each receive a basket that includes up to 10 books, along with holiday-themed items such as holiday goodies and a kit to make a gingerbread house and more! 

Stumped on what to get for all the people on your Holiday List? Get a jump on holiday shopping with our What to Give, What to Get Holiday Gift Guide, which spotlights books in a host of popular categories such as cookbooks, humor, sports, games, stocking stuffers, fiction, mysteries, and more. It will be live on Friday, November 17th. It also includes holiday gift ideas for kids and teens!

A HEDONIST IN THE CELLAR: Adventures in Wine by Jay McInerney (Memoir)
Reviewed by Alexis Burling
Christened "the best wine writer in America" by Salon, Jay McInerney is truly the master of the grape, sans pomposity. In A HEDONIST IN THE CELLAR, McInerney combines his extensive and perpetually growing knowledge of wine with a penchant for telling a good cocktail hour story to create a collection that is thoroughly pleasurable to read and digest.

THE ECHO MAKER by Richard Powers (Mystery)
Reviewed by Judy Gigstad
After flipping his truck late one night, Mark Schluter, who sustains a traumatic head injury, is being nursed back to health by his older sister. But when he emerges from a protracted coma, Mark believes that this woman is actually an identical impostor. Armed only with a note left by an anonymous witness, Mark tries to learn what really happened the night of his inexplicable accident.

LAST SHOT by Gregg Hurwitz (Thriller)
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
A seemingly impossible prison escape. A powerful and corrupt company. And a little boy's life hanging in the balance. Three startling plot threads come together as deputy U.S. marshal Tim Rackley faces the most deadly adversary of his career --- a man whose lethal skills, cunning and single-minded determination make him a mirror image of Rackley himself.

JIMMY STEWART: A Biography by Marc Eliot (Biography)
Reviewed by Ron Kaplan
Jimmy Stewart's all-American good looks, boyish charm and deceptively easygoing style of acting made him one of Hollywood's greatest and most enduring stars, though his life was more complex and sophisticated than most of the characters he played. Bestselling biographer Marc Eliot finally tells the previously untold story of one of our greatest screen and real-life heroes.

INSIDE MY HEART: Choosing to Live With Passion and Purpose by Robin McGraw (Memoir)
Reviewed by Evelyn Bence
Robin McGraw shares the story of her journey as a free-thinking woman, mother and wife of America's favorite therapist, Dr. Phil. She inspires women to embrace and celebrate the many roles they play and encourages them to make deliberate choices that lead to a richer, happier and more meaningful life.

THE LAST MATCH by David Dodge (Thriller)
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
In this never-before-published novel by the bestselling author of TO CATCH A THIEF and PLUNDER OF THE SUN, sparks fly when a handsome swindler working the French Riviera meets a beautiful heiress on the beach at Cannes. But so do bullets --- and soon he's forced to flee the country with both the police and the heiress on his trail.

November 7th Entry:
-I Approve This Message

October 6th Entry:
-Bouchercon 2006 --- A Prairie Escapade

Note: You can read past blogs here as well.
 
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If you owned a bookstore, what authors (up to five) would you like to have at store readings or events?
 

Tell us what books YOU are reading and loving --- or even those you don't.

This week we have two great prizes: FIVE readers each will win a copy of NATURE GIRL by Carl Hiaasen and WILD FIRE by Nelson DeMille.

Please note that our next Word of Mouth update will be on November 17th.