Journalist John Grogan is best known for his debut work of nonfiction, MARLEY & ME, an international bestseller that will soon make its way to the big screen in a film adaptation starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston. His latest book, THE LONGEST TRIP HOME, is a coming-of-age memoir about growing up in the 1960s and his struggle to find himself despite his family's conflicting values. In this Author Talk, Grogan explains why he chose to explore this particular aspect of his upbringing and discusses the difficulties of portraying people and events honestly while still respecting the privacy of those who have played roles in his life. He also describes how his parents' "pack rat" tendencies helped him recapture memories that spanned a 40-year period, elaborates on the universal appeal of his writing and muses on how life has changed since the unexpected success of MARLEY & ME.

THE LONGEST TRIP HOME: A Memoir by John Grogan (Memoir)
Long before Marley entered John Grogan's life, the Catholic Church was the center of his parents' lives. They expected the same from him. But when John realizes he's a skeptic, this knowledge tears a rift in the family. That chasm adds thought-provoking layers to this poignant love letter to his mom and dad, detailing the author's often hilarious upbringing, the sorrow he feels as his parents decline, and his love for them. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

-Click here to read a review of THE LONGEST TRIP HOME.
-Click here to read an excerpt from THE LONGEST TRIP HOME.

BURN OUT by Marcia Muller (Mystery)
Traumatized by a recent life-or-death investigation, Sharon McCone flees to her ranch in California's high desert country to contemplate her future. A chance encounter with a troubled, highly secretive Native American woman begins to haunt McCone’s dreams. Even though she is determined not to investigate anything during her stay --- and perhaps not ever again --- McCone is drawn into the plight of the young woman and her dysfunctional family. Reviewed by Roz Shea.

-Visit Marcia Muller’s official website, www.MarciaMuller.com.

This November brings one of the most exciting Books into Movies lineups of the year, with three highly anticipated films that promise to live up to every bit of the intense hype surrounding them.

November 7th marks the release of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, an incredibly moving (and, well, insanely depressing) adaptation of John Boyne's award-winning bestseller about the Holocaust, told from the innocent eyes of a Nazi officer's young son. Keep the tissues handy --- the surprise ending will leave you sobbing long after you leave the theater.

Already causing quite a stir on the film festival circuit before its November 12th drop date is Slumdog Millionaire, by director Danny Boyle of Trainspotting, The Beach and 28 Days Later fame. Part Dickensian drama, part romance and part life-affirming fantasy, this indie release follows an 18-year-old orphan as he recalls the experiences that took him from the slums of Mumbai to being just one question away from winning India's version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" --- all for the love of a girl.

After months of teaser trailers, magazine articles, movie-poster sightings and Internet buzz, fans of the wildly popular series by Stephenie Meyer only need to wait until November 21st before Edward and Bella come to life on the big screen in Twilight. This paranormal teen romance about a 16-year-old girl who falls in love with a vampire will surely draw in record-breaking crowds of all ages in Harry Potter-like proportions.

And let's not forget about two DVD releases on November 18th, which will have teens smiling from ear to ear: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, adapted from Ann Brashares's FOREVER IN BLUE: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood, and The Clique, a direct-to-DVD film based on Lisi Harrison's bestselling series about five girls who belong to The Pretty Committee, the most popular clique at Octavian Country Day School.

Poll:

When you read, do you multitask? Check as many as apply.

No, for me, it's all about the book.
I only multitask when I am reading a cookbook or a how-to book.
I also watch television.
I also listen to music.
I also knit or crochet.
I also exercise.
I also do household chores.
I also eat or drink.
I also drive (if it's an audiobook).
Since I read so much, there are way too many multitasking things going on to list them all here.
Other (Please specify)
I am not sure what I do.