10th Anniversary Page and Pictures

The day after Thanksgiving scares me. I feel like I will leave my driveway and become swept up in Black Friday shopping madness. I feel like all roads lead to the malls. The Y where I swim is near a large mall, so as I try to swim off my Thanksgiving calories, I need to deal with mall traffic. Yet another reason I think we should convert our basement into a swimming pool! Seriously, I have dreams of this like I used to dream of our owning a white Country Squire station wagon with wood on the side when I was a child. I know, who else thinks of things like THAT?

I feel like today people are poised at the starting gate ready to shop, and thus I am happy to share a new feature we launched on Kidsreads.com called "Great Books for Boys." I compiled this list with my 11-year-old son, Cory, who LOVES to read. He and his friend Josh trade books like kids used to trade Matchbox cars. I do not think there has ever been a better time for books for boys, so if there is a young boy in your house, or on your list, you'll want to get a look at this feature. And for those of you who cannot handle shopping, may we suggest Amazon gift certificates for all?

Looking for some holiday reading? We have three, count 'em, THREE new features going up this week --- two One to Watch features and one Fantasy feature. Our featured One to Watch authors are Lalita Tademy, author of RED RIVER, which comes out January 3rd, and Julia Navarro, author of THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE HOLY SHROUD, which comes out December 26th. The stories they tell and their writing styles are exceptionally different but equally mesmerizing, and whether your taste leans more towards twisting family drama or provocative historical epic, you're bound to find that both these writers define "One to Watch."

We have 10 advance copies of both RED RIVER and THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE HOLY SHROUD to give away to readers who are interested in reading and commenting on the books. If you are interested, please send your name and mailing addresses to OnetoWatch@bookreporter.com for RED RIVER and OnetoWatch2@bookreporter.com for THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE HOLY SHROUD (please note the slight changes in the addresses) by Friday, December 1st.

Our Fantasy feature has been dormant for some time, but we're bringing it back with Alan Campbell and SCAR NIGHT, which comes out December 26th. SCAR NIGHT is the dark and intense tale of a mystical city Deepgate and its inhabitants of priests, assassins and the angels. Campbell has been compared to Neil Gaiman, and this absorbing first novel will have plenty of readers anxiously awaiting his follow-up. Readers interested in receiving one of 10 advance copies can write to Fantasy@bookreporter.com by Friday, December 1st.

The Miami BookFair was wonderful --- a real treat for booklovers. I encourage those of you who have not attended, to contemplate it for next year. Wondering what happened? I blog about it here. In my haste to fly south last week, I forgot to include a link to our page with the National Book Award winners, which highlights the recipients of awards in the fiction, nonfiction, young people's and poetry categories.

For those who are wondering how our restaurant Thanksgiving dinner holiday ended up, we all gave it a thumbs up. I got to sleep 'til nearly 11, which I never get to do when I am on "turkey cooking duty." I thoroughly enjoyed root vegetable encrusted veal. And if the Pilgrims did not have this on the menu, they were missing something pretty special. And chocolate mousse cake for dessert had me forgetting all about pie. Now, the lack of leftovers does have me wondering how I can do my traditional day after Thanksgiving turkey BLT, but then I reflect on how lovely it was not to do dishes and I figure the sandwich is not a big deal.

Here's wishing you all a bright start to the holiday season. May your shopping be merry and bright. I am off to set up the decorations around here. After failing at Halloween decorating, I am approaching Christmas with new vigor and excitement. Bring on the extension cords, the timers and all the trim. Here goes my cheerleading to get the boys to get the boxes from the attic. Let the negotiations begin.

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)

List of titles reviewed and featured on November 24th.

List of titles reviewed and featured on November 17th.

Each with a slew of international bestsellers in their repertoires, husband and wife Jonathan and Faye Kellerman are two of the world's most popular suspense/thriller authors today. They recently combined their talents to write CAPITAL CRIMES, a pair of novellas in which their respective signature protagonists, Alex Delaware and Peter Decker, make an appearance. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Joe Hartlaub, the Kellermans reveal why they chose to collaborate at this stage in their careers and describe the methods they use to keep the writing process fruitful and harmonious. They also talk about the accomplishments of their son, author and playwright Jesse Kellerman, and share what future projects are in store for each of them.

CAPITAL CRIMES by Jonathan & Faye Kellerman (Thriller)
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
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 set in two cities rich in atmosphere, and featuring appearances by the authors' signature heroes: LAPD lieutenant Peter Decker and psychologist sleuth Dr. Alex Delaware.

DEAR JOHN by Nicholas Sparks (Fiction)
Reviewed by Judy Gigstad
Internationally bestselling author Nicholas Sparks explores the complexities of love -- how it survives time and heartbreak, and how it transforms us forever --- in this incredibly moving novel about a young couple whose commitment to one another is put to the test.

-Click here to read an excerpt from DEAR JOHN.

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 fourth featured title is COLD AS ICE by Anne Stuart --- a sexy and suspenseful thriller that will keep you up all night, turning the pages. Along with two copies of COLD AS ICE 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:

What is the name of Harry Van Dorn's boat?

You can find the answer by reading an excerpt here.

COLD AS ICE by Anne Stuart (Romantic Thriller)
Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol
The job was supposed to be easy: hand-deliver some legal papers to billionaire philanthropist Harry Van Dorn's extravagant yacht and get his signature. But Manhattan lawyer Genevieve Spenser soon realizes she's in the wrong place at the wrong time and that People magazine's "Sexiest Man of the Year" has a sick, vicious side.

We're bringing back our Fantasy Feature with Alan Campbell and SCAR NIGHT, which comes out December 26th and is Campbell's first novel. With its distinctive blend of mystery, thrills and the fantastic, Campbell is destined to make a name for himself in the fantasy genre.

We have 10 advance copies of SCAR NIGHT to share with readers who would like to read the book and comment on it. Interested? Then send your name and mailing address to Fantasy@bookreporter.com by Friday, December 1st.


More about SCAR NIGHT:
Suspended by chains over a seemingly bottomless abyss, the ancient city of Deepgate is home to a young angel, an assassin, and a psychotic murderer hungry for revenge --- or redemption. But soon a shocking betrayal will unite all three in a desperate quest.....

Headed out to do some holiday shopping? Before you go, check out our What to Give/What to Get feature with ideas in 13 categories.

We are spotlighting the various categories in the newsletter this week and in upcoming weeks. This week we're featuring Great Choices for Booklovers, Faces & Places and Mystery Madness & Thrilling Reads. First up --- Great Choices for Booklovers.

Got someone on your list who loves great fiction and nonfiction reads? Our Great Choices for Booklovers category is bound to give you some ideas for what to get the avid reader(s) in your life.

Our featured titles in this category are:

THE ANGELS OF MORGAN HILL by Donna VanLiere
THE BALANCE THING by Margaret Dumas
THE BOOK THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: 71 Remarkable Writers Celebrate the Books That Matter Most to Them by Roxanne J. Coady and Joy Johannessen 
COLD AS ICE by Anne Stuart 
DEAR JOHN by Nicholas Sparks 
ECHO PARK by Michael Connelly 
FOR ONE MORE DAY by Mitch Albom
GLAD TIDINGS by Debbie Macomber 
THE GUY NOT TAKEN by Jennifer Weiner
I, MONA LISA by Jeanne Kalogridis 
READY FOR LOVE by Debbie Macomber 
VINCE & JOY by Lisa Jewell 
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen

Have a memoir-lover on your list? We have some great suggestions on our Faces & Places list for those who are fascinated by people and the lives they lived.

Our featured titles in this category are:

THE 101 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE WHO NEVER LIVED by Allan Lazar, Dan Karlan and Jeremy Salter
BLOOD AND THUNDER: An Epic of the American West by Hampton Sides
BY MYSELF AND THEN SOME by Lauren Bacall 
THE DOORS by The Doors and Ben Fong-Torres
I SHOULDN'T EVEN BE DOING THIS: And Other Things That Strike Me as Funny by Bob Newhart  
LOVE AND LOUIS XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King by Antonia Fraser 
MEMORIES OF JOHN LENNON by Yoko Ono
THE WOMAN AT THE WASHINGTON ZOO: Writings on Politics, Family, and Fate by Marjorie Williams, edited by Timothy Noah
WOMEN'S LETTERS: America from the Revolutionary War to the Present by Lisa Grunwald and Stephen J. Adler

Have a mystery and thriller fan on your list? Make sure to check out our Mystery Madness & Thrilling Reads category --- featured titles for suspense-lovers.

Our featured titles in this category are:

BOGEYMAN by Gayle Wilson
THE BOOK OF FATE by Brad Meltzer
THE COLLECTORS by  David Baldacci
NINE LIVES by Sharon Sala
WILD FIRE by Nelson DeMille

LIMITATIONS by Scott Turow (Mystery)
Reviewed by Kathy Weissman
Scott Turow has written a compelling legal thriller --- originally commissioned and published in the New York Times Magazine --- that lets us spy on the inner chambers of the court system and the private life of a judge who struggles with ethical quandaries, personal griefs and guilty memories.

A CHRISTMAS SECRET by Anne Perry (Mystery)
Reviewed by Jennifer McCord
Anne Perry, well known and loved as a mystery writer, offers readers a wonderful holiday tonic with A CHRISTMAS SECRET. In her new book, Perry brings back two secondary characters from her Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels, and gives them their own story.

THE VIEW FROM CASTLE ROCK: Stories by Alice Munro (Fiction/Short Stories)
Reviewed by Alexis Burling
In her latest short story collection, Alice Munro turns her attention inward and delves deeper into her own experiences than ever before. These 12 stories are slight variations and half-true fabrications of actual events that took place over the last few centuries on one side of her family's history.

QUEEN OF FASHION: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution by Caroline Weber (Biography)
Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman
Caroline Weber approaches the life story of Marie Antoinette from a totally unique perspective: what the queen chose to wear (and what was chosen for her to wear) at various stages in her life. Weber suggests that her fashion choices reflect her attempts to assert her identity and to gain power in a culture where she was expected to be a passive representative of the throne.

BLOOD AND THUNDER: An Epic of the American West by Hampton Sides (History)
Reviewed by Ron Kaplan
In his powerful examination of politics, racism, religion, adventure and history, Hampton Sides weaves an intricate tale with Christopher "Kit" Carson --- the legendary trapper, scout and soldier who embodies all the contradictions and ambiguities of the American experience in the West --- as the focal point.

November 22nd Entry:
-Miami: Where the Books and Authors Are

November 7th Entry:
-I Approve This Message

Note: You can read past blogs here as well.
 
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What book would you most like to receive this holiday season?
 

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 BROTHER ODD by Dean Koontz and HOLLYWOOD STATION by Joseph Wambaugh.

Please note that our next Word of Mouth update will be on December 1st.