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On Monday, I am heading to Memphis for the American Booksellers Association’s Winter Institute, a terrific four-day event that will give me the opportunity to preview books being published for spring and early summer --- and to meet dozens of authors. A bonus will be that I love spending time with booksellers, and hearing what they are reading and are excited about.
Any of our Bookreporter readers in Memphis? I think I have short scattered bits of free time during the day on Tuesday and Wednesday. If you have the same, let me know! Graceland, the National Civil Rights Museum, the ducks at the Peabody Hotel and Sun Records are on my sightseeing schedule. Through the years as I have traveled, I have vowed to see more than the hotel and the airport. With publishing friends in tow, as well as authors and booksellers, there has been a lot of talking books and touring.
As mentioned last week, I am going to be seeing Liz Nugent at a dinner in Memphis. I loved her debut novel, UNRAVELING OLIVER, which I selected as a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection and will be available in paperback on February 6th. Her new book, LYING IN WAIT, is coming on June 12th. Once again, she writes in a style with multiple points of view, which flipped the story around and kept me guessing how it would end --- and the ending was not what I expected. Both her character development and plotting are strong. I ended up vested with the characters in both books, and they were well drawn enough that they were distinctive; sometimes characters can blur when I think back on a book. Even the ones from UNRAVELING OLIVER still remain clear to me. For LYING IN WAIT, the title is so apt. Readers quickly learn that there is a body buried in the yard. It’s literally lying in wait to be discovered, and the weight of it being there overshadows the lives of those who reside in the house on the property.
Now I am reading HALF MOON BAY by Alice LaPlante, which is coming on July 10th. I also will be seeing her at a dinner in Memphis. I was a huge fan of her novel A CIRCLE OF WIVES, which I selected as a Bets On title years ago. The new book is set in northern California in a town where I spent a lovely afternoon with my boys back in 2008. It’s close to Mavericks, where the epic surf breaks offshore, attracting competitive surfers in winter to catch the best breaks.
In HALF MOON BAY, Jane has lost her teenage daughter to an accident. Her world shattered, she has moved to Half Moon Bay to rebuild her life. Shortly after she arrives, a child disappears in the town, and then another. And all eyes are on Jane. I am just a few chapters in, but already Alice has captured me with her character of Jane, and I am invested in her story.
I have been reading a lot of thrillers recently. One of my favorites will be publishing on Tuesday, NEED TO KNOW, by Karen Cleveland. I had mentioned this title months ago when I read it. Karen is a debut author; she was a CIA operative before becoming an author. Thus she is very informed about her character, Viv, who has the same role. In NEED TO KNOW, Viv is looking through files of Russian operatives when she sees the face of someone she knows well, and from there it becomes a question of where her loyalty lies. I cannot share much more without giving the story away (it's so hard to talk about a thriller as what I love best are the endless reveals). But here’s what I can tell you: I read it in four hours. I stopped to eat dinner in the middle. Someone else had to do the dishes so I could get back to it. It will be a Bets On title.
We have a contest for you this week...
Francine Rivers returns to her romance roots with THE MASTERPIECE, our latest Women’s Fiction Author Spotlight title. Although he appears to have everything he could possibly want, artist Roman Velasco is haunted by demons from his past. Meanwhile, his newly hired personal assistant, Grace Moore, is wrestling with ghosts and secrets of her own. She promised herself that she would never let love get in the way of her dreams again, yet she may need to rethink that as she gets to really know her enigmatic boss. But then something so unexpected happens that it changes the course of their relationship --- and both their lives --- forever. The book doesn’t release until February 6th, but we’re giving 25 readers the chance to win a copy and give us their feedback. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, February 1st at noon ET. Francine is a wonderful storyteller; her sense of character is so strong. I am looking forward to finishing this one before it comes out!
And now to the rest of this week’s update…
Kelly Corrigan, the New York Times bestselling author of THE MIDDLE PLACE, returns with TELL ME MORE, a collection of essays on the 12 powerful phrases we use to sustain our relationships. Carole Turner has our review and says, “Each of the 12 phrases, such as 'I Was Wrong,' 'I Don’t Know,' 'Good Enough' and 'No,' has become an entire chapter in which Kelly is both honest and funny. We all, at one time or another, have put our foot in our mouth, sometimes all the way up to our knee. And once those well-meant but ill-advised words have been launched from our lips, there is no taking them back. Kelly has written a chapter called ‘I’m Sorry’ that is quite helpful.” I have had the opportunity to hear Kelly speak about this book twice; both times she made me think how some simple words can make a very big difference.
Marie Benedict, whose debut novel THE OTHER EINSTEIN was a Bets On selection when it released in 2016, is back with another work of historical fiction. CARNEGIE’S MAID introduces readers to the fictional Clara Kelley, who knows nothing about being a lady’s maid. But with her family withering away in Ireland, she jumps at the job. Aiming to make herself crucial to Mrs. Carnegie, she goes about her duties with fervor, knowing her paycheck may mean life or death to her family. What she doesn’t count on, though, is forming a bond with Mrs. Carnegie’s son, Andrew.
According to reviewer Amy Gwiazdowski, “Benedict’s writing is magical. This is one of those books that you plunge into and regret finding that you’ve come to the last page. If you have the chance to pick up CARNEGIE’S MAID, please do it. You will not be disappointed.” CARNEGIE’S MAID will be a Bets On pick; you can read my commentary in next week’s newsletter. How many of you have a Carnegie Library in your city or town? Do you know what this is? In the weeks to come, we will have details on a special contest that her publisher is running that could benefit your local library. I already find myself looking forward to what Marie does next.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include CITY OF ENDLESS NIGHT, the latest installment in Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child’s series featuring FBI Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast; THE GIRLS IN THE PICTURE, a work of historical fiction from Melanie Benjamin about the friendship and creative partnership between screenwriter Frances Marion and movie star Mary Pickford; the psychological thriller THE PERFECT NANNY by Leila Slimani, a #1 international bestseller and winner of France’s most prestigious literary prize, the Goncourt (many thanks to Jesse Kornbluth from HeadButler.com for sharing his review with us; I loved this one); and LIGHT IT UP, the third book in Nick Petrie’s series starring war veteran Peter Ash, who discovers that there may be more to a hijacking than meets the eye. I have never read Nick's work, but I have his three books lined up here for future reading. He has gotten raves since his debut.
Our latest Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight features ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL by Sarah Vaughan, which releases on Tuesday and is one of the most highly anticipated thrillers of the season. James, a British politician, has been accused of a horrific crime. His wife, Sophie, is embarrassed by the accusation, but stands by him as she is convinced of his innocence. However, she also knows that James has a big secret from the past --- one that could haunt him if it’s uncovered. Kate is the lawyer who is staring down James and is determined to have him pay for his action. But which action does she want him to pay for? Next week, we will share with you our review of the book and an interview I conducted with Sarah. Given the news of recent months, ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL has ended up being more timely than I am sure the publisher planned when it was bought. It also will be a Bets On pick, and my commentary will appear in the February 2nd newsletter.
THE WIFE BETWEEN US by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen and THE IMMORTALISTS by Chloe Benjamin, both of which we reviewed last week, are my latest Bets On picks. Click on the titles to see why I’m betting you’ll love these instant bestsellers.
We’re giving you the chance to win the audio versions of THE WIFE BETWEEN US, read by Julia Whelan, along with Lauren Willig's THE ENGLISH WIFE, read by Nicola Barber, in this month’s Sounding Off on Audio contest. All you have to do is send us your comments about the audiobooks you’ve listened to, and you’ll be eligible to win both audio titles. Be sure to enter by Thursday, February 1st at noon ET.
Our Winter Reading feature has returned for a fourth year --- and we have a great lineup of books for you to learn more about...and possibly win! On select days through February 23rd at noon ET, we will be hosting a series of 24-hour contests spotlighting a book releasing this winter (or a book publishing in the spring that we would like to get on your radar now) and giving five lucky readers a chance to win it. We also will be sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here. Our preview email with all the books to be featured will go out on Monday to those who have opted into the Winter Reading newsletter, and our first contest will go live on Tuesday at noon ET. Week one’s prize books will be the aforementioned ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL and THE WIFE BETWEEN US, along with THE SPECTRUM OF HOPE: An Optimistic and New Approach to Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias by Gayatri Devi, MD.
Also, don’t forget our Valentine’s Day contest, which we’ve brought back for a 13th year! Five readers will win seven love-themed books --- including Sophie Kinsella’s upcoming novel, SURPRISE ME --- and some delectable chocolates. Enter here by Wednesday, February 14th at noon ET, and you’ll have an opportunity to win this irresistible prize package.
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, February 2nd at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win the aforementioned NEED TO KNOW by Karen Cleveland and THE WIFE by Alafair Burke, both of which we’re reviewing next week.
As I continue to work on plans for a potential Bookreporter podcast, I’d love to know what you think about author interviews. Do you read or listen to them? If so, how do you access them? Through an author’s website? The publisher’s website? Or perhaps on podcasts? Be sure to cast your votes in our latest poll by Friday, February 2nd at noon ET.
Our previous poll asked if you’re planning to keep track of the books you read this year. 38% of you will keep track on paper, 37% via Goodreads, and 12% will keep track online another way. Click here for all the results.
Earlier today, Mystery Writers of America (MWA) announced the nominees for the Edgar Allan Poe Awards. You can see all the finalists here. The Edgar Awards will be presented to the winners at MWA's 72nd Gala Banquet on April 26th at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
I got lots of emails from you about the podcast that I am thinking about doing with lots of great feedback and ideas. Keep the comments rolling my way by dropping me a note with “Podcasts” in the subject line.
Chocolates: I love dark chocolate, so it was such a treat to get a “library” of chocolates from my friend Danielle for Christmas. One flavor pairing has been more spectacular than the next. See a photo of them above, and click here if you'd like to purchase them.
Chewy Peps: One of my favorite candies; definitely will drag you out of any winter doldrums that you may have with some pep! You can order them here.
"Grace and Frankie": Season four kicks off today on Netflix. Watching it will be like hanging out with friends.
"The Alienist" on TNT: The 10-episode series, based on the 1994 book by Caleb Carr, will start Monday night on TNT. Here’s an interesting back story on the series being made.
Lady Bird: Went to see it on Sunday afternoon, and it was terrific. An original story that is so well done. Lots to talk about after seeing it!
Detroit: Watched this on Monday night, which seemed rather fitting since it was Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. It’s very intense and not for the faint of heart as it looks sharply into the 1967 riots in Detroit, where a group of rogue police officers took the law into their own hands. Lots to think about there.
Fennel and Blood Orange Salad: Not sure if I shared this recipe with you. It’s really a winner! I also learned, according to an episode of "The Kitchen" on Food Network, that January and February are when blood oranges are in season. I should make myself a calendar of these kinds of culinary nuggets of when certain ingredients are available.
I have a busy weekend on tap. Tomorrow night will be dinner with our friend Cathy to celebrate her kitchen redesign. On Sunday, we are celebrating Cory’s 23rd birthday with him, as I will be traveling on what we call “the really really day” on Tuesday. Both Cory and Greg are celebrating their golden birthdays this year; a golden birthday is the one where you are celebrating the age that matches the day of the month of your birthday. Have any of you done anything special to celebrate a golden birthday with your family or friends? Both boys want fudge marble cakes; January is never a month for me to diet!
Greg has a curling match on Saturday night, and at some point this weekend more holiday decorations will find their way into storage. There will be football. I do not have a team in the hunt and am mostly looking for these to be good games, like last weekend’s games. If I have to pick, I’d take the Jacksonville Jaguars (given that Tom Coughlin who used to coach the Giants is now their executive vice president of football operations) over the Patriots, and the Vikings because, as a Giants fan, I cannot root for the Eagles. Also, my friends who are Vikings fans still are in shock over last week’s game, and I want them to stay in that happy zone.
I need to pack, which as longtime readers know means I will find myself completely unable to visualize what I should wear. I literally open my suitcase, and from there draw a blank on what to pack, as if I never get dressed every day. I find a need to invent new outfits. I think about knitting a skirt on the plane. I am vowing that my 2018 resolution will be to stop overthinking this!
May there be a fire in the fireplace and some downtime for reading/knitting for at least an hour or so. And some humming of the song "Graceland."
Read on, and have a great week.
Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])
P.S. For those of you who are doing online shopping, if you use the store links below, Bookreporter.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases. We would appreciate your considering this!
Featured Review: CITY OF ENDLESS NIGHT
by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
CITY OF ENDLESS NIGHT: A Pendergast Novel by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Rene Auberjonois
It begins as a manhunt for Grace Ozmian, the missing daughter of a wealthy tech billionaire. At first, the NYPD assumes that Grace has simply sped off on another wild adventure. But the case becomes something altogether different when the young woman's body is discovered, the head nowhere to be found. Lieutenant CDS Vincent D'Agosta quickly takes the lead. D'Agosta knows his investigation will attract fierce scrutiny, so he is delighted when FBI Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast shows up at the crime scene also assigned to the case. But neither are prepared for what lies ahead, as it quickly becomes clear that a diabolical presence is haunting the greater metropolitan area. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read the review.
Featured Review: TELL ME MORE by Kelly Corrigan
TELL ME MORE: Stories About the 12 Hardest Things I'm Learning to Say by Kelly Corrigan (Essays/Personal Growth)
Audiobook available, read by Kelly Corrigan
It’s a crazy idea: trying to name the phrases that make love and connection possible. But that’s just what Kelly Corrigan has set out to do here. In her bestselling memoirs, Corrigan distilled our core relationships to their essences. Now, in TELL ME MORE, she’s back with a deeply personal and often hilarious examination of the essential phrases that turn the wheel of life. With refreshing candor, a deep well of empathy, and her signature desire to understand “the thing behind the thing,” Corrigan swings between meditations on life with a preoccupied husband and two mercurial teenage daughters to profound observations on love and loss. Reviewed by Carole Turner.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read the review.
Featured Review: CARNEGIE’S MAID by Marie Benedict
A Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
CARNEGIE'S MAID by Marie Benedict (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Alana Kerr Collins
Clara Kelley is not the experienced Irish maid who was hired to work in one of Pittsburgh's grandest households. She's a poor farmer's daughter with nowhere to go and nothing in her pockets. But the other woman with the same name has vanished, and pretending to be her just might get Clara some money to send back home. Serving as a lady's maid in the household of Andrew Carnegie requires skills he doesn't have, answering to an icy mistress who rules her sons and her domain with an iron fist. What Clara does have is a strong resolve coupled with an uncanny understanding of business, and Andrew begins to rely on her. But Clara can't let her guard down, not even when Andrew becomes something more than an employer. Reviewed by Amy Gwiazdowski.
CARNEGIE’S MAID will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. You can read Carol’s commentary in next week’s newsletter.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read the review.
New Women’s Fiction Author Spotlight & Contest:
THE MASTERPIECE by Francine Rivers
THE MASTERPIECE by Francine Rivers is a story of two lost souls, bound by guilt to their pasts, who discover that the very wounds that hold them captive can lead to the incredible grace needed to set them free. We have 25 copies to give away to readers who would like to read the book, which releases on February 6th, and share their comments on it. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, February 1st at noon ET.
THE MASTERPIECE by Francine Rivers (Romance)
In this unexpected and redemptive love story, successful LA artist Roman Velasco appears to have everything he could possibly want --- money, women, fame. Only Grace Moore, his reluctant, newly hired personal assistant, knows how little he truly has. The demons of Roman’s past seem to echo through the halls of his empty mansion and out across his breathtaking Topanga Canyon view. But Grace doesn’t know how her boss secretly wrestles with those demons: by tagging buildings as the Bird, a notorious but unidentified graffiti artist --- an alter ego that could destroy his career and land him in prison.
Like Roman, Grace is wrestling with ghosts and secrets of her own. After a disastrous marriage threw her life completely off course, she vowed never to let love steal her dreams again. But as she gets to know the enigmatic man behind the reputation, it’s as if the jagged pieces of both of their pasts slowly begin to fit together...until something so unexpected happens that it changes the course of their relationship --- and both their lives --- forever.
New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers returns to her romance roots with this probing tale that reminds us that mercy can shape even the most broken among us into an imperfect yet stunning masterpiece.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read Francine Rivers’ bio.
- Click here to visit Francine Rivers’ website.
- Click here to connect with Francine Rivers on Facebook.
Click here to read more in our Women's Fiction Author Spotlight
and enter the contest.
New Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight:
ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL by Sarah Vaughan
A Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL by Sarah Vaughan (Thriller)
Sophie’s husband James is a loving father, a handsome man, a charismatic and successful public figure. And yet he stands accused of a terrible crime. Sophie is convinced he is innocent and desperate to protect her precious family from the lies that threaten to rip them apart.
Kate is the lawyer hired to prosecute the case: an experienced professional who knows that the law is all about winning the argument. And yet Kate seeks the truth at all times. She is certain James is guilty and is determined he will pay for his crimes.
Who is right about James? Sophie or Kate? And is either of them informed by anything more than instinct and personal experience? Despite her privileged upbringing, Sophie is well aware that her beautiful life is not inviolable. She has known it since she and James were first lovers, at Oxford, and she witnessed how easily pleasure could tip into tragedy.
Most people would prefer not to try to understand what passes between a man and a woman when they are alone: alone in bed, alone in an embrace, alone in an elevator… Or alone in the moonlit courtyard of an Oxford college, where a girl once stood before a boy, heart pounding with excitement, then fear. Sophie never understood why her tutorial partner Holly left Oxford so abruptly. What would she think, if she knew the truth?
Our review of ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL and interview with Sarah Vaughan will be featured in next week’s newsletter. And don't miss Carol's Bookreporter.com Bets On commentary in the February 2nd newsletter.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to visit the book’s website.
- Click here to read Sarah Vaughan’s bio.
- Click here to visit Sarah Vaughan’s website.
- Connect with Sarah Vaughan on Facebook and Twitter.
Click here to read more in our Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight.
Announcing Bookreporter.com's Fourth Annual
Winter Reading Contests and Feature
Our Winter Reading Contests and Feature have returned for a fourth year! On select days between now and February 23rd at noon ET, we are hosting a series of 24-hour contests spotlighting a book releasing this winter (or a book publishing in the spring that we would like to get on your radar now) and giving five lucky readers a chance to win it. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.
Our first prize book will be announced on Tuesday, January 23rd at noon ET.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
Bookreporter.com's 13th Annual
Valentine's Day Contest: Enter to Win Books
and Sweet Treats for Yourself or Your Valentine!
Valentine's Day is only a few heartbeats away. We can't think of a better way to celebrate this special day than to cuddle up with your loved one...and a good book, of course!
We're giving readers the chance to win one of our five Bookreporter.com Valentine's Day prize packages, which includes one copy of each of our featured titles and some delicious chocolates. Enter between now and Wednesday, February 14th at noon ET for your opportunity to be a lucky (and beloved!) winner.
If you're feeling frisky, share with us your all-time book character crush. Don't be shy, we all got 'em! We'll post the top 10 literary loves and lusts --- along with the five winners --- right after Valentine's Day.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to enter the contest.
Bookreporter.com Bets On: THE WIFE BETWEEN US
by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
and THE IMMORTALISTS by Chloe Benjamin
THE WIFE BETWEEN US by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (Psychological Thriller)
Marriage. There’s a line that one can never know what happens in a marriage. It’s between two people. That’s maybe not quite so in THE WIFE BETWEEN US. Here we have a marriage that unraveled, a marriage that’s about to get started, and a twist I did not see coming.
Vanessa is the ex-wife, who is still licking battle wounds from her divorce. Richard had been her world; he doted on her, gave her everything and sheltered her --- until the day he found another woman. She has learned that he is going to marry again, and she is determined that the marriage to Emma will not happen. What does Vanessa know that she wants to shield Emma from? What lengths will she go to ensure that her plan is a success? And why did Richard and Vanessa’s marriage end?
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read a review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on THE WIFE BETWEEN US.
THE IMMORTALISTS by Chloe Benjamin (Fiction)
I read THE IMMORTALISTS in the spring of 2017 as I was interviewing Chloe Benjamin for the Author Buzz panel at BookExpo, and have looked forward to sharing it with readers since then. The central question from this book has stayed with me: Would I want to know the date of my death?
In the novel, four Gold siblings go to visit a traveling psychic on the Lower East Side of New York in the summer of 1969. It’s a lark of a trip for these four adolescents as it has been rumored that this woman can predict the day a person will die. Each child meets with her individually and hears his or her death date; only one is revealed to readers early in the story.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read a review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on THE IMMORTALISTS.
What’s New This Month on ReadingGroupGuides.com
We currently have three contests running on ReadingGroupGuides.com:
"What's Your Book Group Reading This Month?": Win 12 Copies of BENEATH A SCARLET SKY by Mark Sullivan for Your Group
Each month in our "What's Your Book Group Reading This Month" contest, we ask book groups to share the titles they are reading that month and rate them. From all entries, three winners will be selected, and each will win 12 copies of that month’s prize book for their group. Our current prize book is the #1 Amazon Charts bestseller BENEATH A SCARLET SKY, which is being made into a major motion picture starring Tom Holland. Based on the true story of World War II hero Pino Lella, Mark Sullivan's novel is the triumphant, epic tale of one young man’s incredible courage and resilience during one of history’s darkest hours. Enter here by Wednesday, February 7th at noon ET.
GINNY MOON by Benjamin Ludwig
GINNY MOON by Benjamin Ludwig is a compulsively readable and touching novel about being an outsider trying to find a place to belong and making sense of a world that just doesn't seem to add up. We are celebrating its paperback release with a special contest that will give three readers the chance to win 12 copies of the book for their group. Enter here by Wednesday, February 7th at noon ET.
Share Your Favorite Books of 2017 --- and Enter to Win SIX Great 2018 Book Group Titles
By sharing your favorite book that you read with your group in 2017 and your favorite book that you read outside your group, you will be eligible to win six titles releasing this year that are perfect for book group discussions: AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE by Tayari Jones, EDUCATED: A Memoir by Tara Westover, EVERY NOTE PLAYED by Lisa Genova, THE GREAT ALONE by Kristin Hannah, THE IMMORTALISTS by Chloe Benjamin, and THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW by A. J. Finn. Enter here by Wednesday, January 31st at noon ET. We will share our reader-compiled "Best Of" list with you in the early February edition of the ReadingGroupGuides.com newsletter.
Here are our latest featured guides:
Please note that these titles, for which we already had the guides when they appeared in hardcover, are now available in paperback:
Click here to visit ReadingGroupGuides.com.
THE PERFECT NANNY by Leila Slimani (Psychological Thriller)
When Myriam, a French-Moroccan lawyer, decides to return to work after having children, she and her husband look for the perfect nanny for their two young children. They never dreamed they would find Louise: a quiet, polite, devoted woman who sings to the children, cleans the family’s chic apartment in Paris’s upscale 10th arrondissement, stays late without complaint, and hosts enviable kiddie parties. But as the couple and the nanny become more dependent on one another, jealousy, resentment and suspicions mount, shattering the idyllic tableau. Reviewed by Jesse Kornbluth for HeadButler.com.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
THE GIRLS IN THE PICTURE by Melanie Benjamin (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Kimberly Farr
It is 1914, and 25-year-old Frances Marion has left her (second) husband and her Northern California home for the lure of Los Angeles. But the word on everyone’s lips these days is “flickers,” the silent moving pictures enthralling theatergoers. In this fledgling industry, Frances finds her true calling: writing stories for this wondrous new medium. She also makes the acquaintance of actress Mary Pickford, and they hit it off instantly --- their kinship fomented by their mutual fever to create, move audiences to a frenzy and start a revolution. But their ambitions are challenged by both the men around them and the limitations imposed on their gender --- and their astronomical success could come at a price. Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
LIGHT IT UP: A Peter Ash Novel by Nick Petrie (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Stephen Mendel
Combat veteran Peter Ash leaves a simple life rebuilding hiking trails in Oregon to help his good friend Henry Nygaard, whose daughter runs a Denver security company that protects cash-rich cannabis entrepreneurs from modern-day highwaymen. Henry’s son-in-law and the company’s operations manager were carrying a large sum of client money when their vehicle vanished without a trace, leaving Henry’s daughter and her company vulnerable. When Peter is riding shotgun on another cash run, the cargo he’s guarding comes under attack and he narrowly escapes with his life. As the assaults escalate, Peter has to wonder: for criminals this sophisticated, is it really just about the cash? Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
WHEN THEY CALL YOU A TERRORIST: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandele (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Patrisse Khan-Cullors
From one of the co-founders of the Black Lives Matter movement comes a poetic memoir and reflection on humanity. Patrisse Cullors’ story asks us to remember that protest in the interest of the most vulnerable comes from love. Leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement have been called terrorists, a threat to America. But in truth, they are loving women whose life experiences have led them to seek justice for those victimized by the powerful. Here, Patrisse Cullors and asha bandele seek to change the culture that declares innocent black life expendable. Reviewed by Maya Gittelman.
NINO AND ME: My Unusual Friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia by Bryan A. Garner (Memoir)
For almost 30 years, Antonin Scalia was arguably the most influential and controversial Justice on the United States Supreme Court. Based on his reputation for using scathing language to criticize liberal court decisions, many people presumed Scalia to be gruff and irascible. But to those who knew him as “Nino,” he was characterized by his warmth, charm, devotion, fierce intelligence and loyalty. Bryan Garner’s friendship with Justice Scalia was instigated by celebrated writer David Foster Wallace and strengthened over their shared love of language. In NINO AND ME, Garner gives a firsthand insight into the mind, habits and faith of one of the most famous and misunderstood judges in the world. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.
THE STOWAWAY: A Young Man’s Extraordinary Adventure to Antarctica by Laurie Gwen Shapiro (History)
Audiobook available, read by Jacques Roy
It was 1928: a time of illicit booze, of Gatsby and Babe Ruth, of freewheeling fun. The Great War was over, and American optimism was higher than the stock market. What better moment to launch an expedition to Antarctica, the planet’s final frontier? This was the moon landing before the 1960s. Everyone wanted to join the adventure. Rockefellers and Vanderbilts begged to be taken along as mess boys, and newspapers across the globe covered the planning’s every stage. The night before the expedition’s flagship launched, first generation New York City high schooler Billy Gawronski jumped into the Hudson River and snuck aboard. Could he get away with it? Reviewed by Lorraine W. Shanley.
THE ONLY GIRL IN THE WORLD: A Memoir written by Maude Julien, translated by Adriana Hunter (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Elisabeth Rodgers
Maude Julien's parents were fanatics who believed it was their sacred duty to turn her into the ultimate survivor --- raising her in isolation, tyrannizing her childhood and subjecting her to endless drills designed to "eliminate weakness." But they could not rule her inner life. Befriending the animals on the lonely estate as well as the characters in the novels she read in secret, young Maude nurtured in herself the compassion and love that her parents forbid as weak. And when, after more than a decade, an outsider managed to penetrate her family's paranoid world, Maude seized her opportunity. Reviewed by Amy Haddock.
THE AFTERLIVES by Thomas Pierce (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Kirsten Potter
Jim Byrd died. Technically. For a few minutes. The diagnosis: heart attack at age 30. Revived with no memory of any tunnels, lights or angels, Jim wonders what, if anything, awaits us on the other side. Then a ghost shows up. Maybe. Jim and his new wife, Annie, find themselves tangling with holograms, psychics, messages from the beyond, and a machine that connects the living and the dead. As Jim and Annie journey through history and fumble through faith, they confront the specter of loss that looms for anyone who dares to fall in love. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
BETWEEN ME AND YOU by Allison Winn Scotch (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Julia Whelan and Tim Campbell
When their paths first cross, Ben Livingston is a fledgling screenwriter on the brink of success; Tatum Connelly is a struggling actress tending bar in a New York City dive. They fall in love, marry, become parents, and think only of the future. But as the years go by, Tatum’s stardom rises while Ben’s fades. Now all they can do is think back. A life of passion, joy, tragedy and loss --- once shared --- becomes one as shifting and unpredictable as a memory. As the pieces of their past come together, as they explore the ways love can bend and break, Ben and Tatum come to see how it all went wrong --- and wonder what they can do now to make it all right. Reviewed by Leah DeCesare (www.leahdecesare.com).
THE NIGHT MARKET by Jonathan Moore (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by James Patrick Cronin
It’s late Thursday night, and Inspector Ross Carver is at a crime scene in one of the city’s last luxury homes. The dead man on the floor is covered by an unknown substance that’s eating through his skin. Before Carver can identify it, six FBI agents burst in and remove him from the premises. He’s pushed into a disinfectant trailer, forced to drink a liquid that sends him into seizures, and then is shocked unconscious. On Sunday he wakes in his bed to find his neighbor, Mia, reading aloud to him. She says she saw him being carried into their building by plainclothes police officers, who told her he’d been poisoned. Carver doesn’t really know this woman and has no way of disproving her, but his gut says to keep her close. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
A MAP OF THE DARK by Karen Ellis (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Lisa Flanagan
A teenage girl has disappeared from Forest Hills, Queens, and during the critical first hours of the case, a series of false leads obscures the fact that she did not go willingly. With each passing hour, as the hunt for Ruby deepens into a search for a man who may have been killing for years, FBI Agent Elsa Myers’ carefully compartmentalized world collapses around her. Everything she has buried --- her fraught relationship with her sister and niece, her self-destructive past, her mother's death --- threatens to resurface, with devastating consequences. Can our most painful childhood secrets be forgotten? Or will they always find their way back into our adult lives? Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
THE TRANSITION by Luke Kennard (Dystopian Fiction/Satire)
Audiobook available, read by Joe Gaminara
Do you or your partner spend more than you earn? Have your credit card debts evolved into collection letters? Has either of you considered turning to a life of a crime? You are not alone. We know. We can help. Welcome to the Transition. While taking part in the Transition, you and your partner will spend six months living under the supervision of your mentors, two successful adults of a slightly older generation. Freed from your financial responsibilities, you will be coached through the key areas of the scheme --- Employment, Nutrition, Responsibility, Relationship, Finances and Self-respect --- until you are ready to be reintegrated into adult society. At the end of your six months, who knows what discoveries you’ll have made about yourself? Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on January 22nd and 23rd
Below are some notable titles releasing on January 22nd and 23rd that we would like to make you aware of. We will have more on many of these books in the weeks to come. For a list of additional hardcovers and paperbacks releasing the week of January 22nd, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
January 22nd
ALL-AMERICAN MURDER: The Rise and Fall of Aaron Hernandez, the Superstar Whose Life Ended on Murderers' Row by James Patterson and Alex Abramovich, with Mike Harvkey (True Crime)
Aaron Hernandez's every move as a professional athlete played out in the headlines, yet he led a secret life --- one that ended in a maximum security prison. ALL-AMERICAN MURDER is the first book to investigate --- from the unique vantage point of thriller writer James Patterson --- Hernandez's first-degree murder conviction and the mystery of his own untimely and shocking death.
January 23rd
ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL by Sarah Vaughan (Thriller)
Sophie’s husband James is a loving father, a handsome man, a charismatic and successful public figure. And yet he stands accused of a terrible crime. Sophie is convinced he is innocent and desperate to protect her precious family from the lies that threaten to rip them apart. Kate is the lawyer hired to prosecute the case. She is certain James is guilty and is determined he will pay for his crimes.
FALL FROM GRACE by Danielle Steel (Fiction)
Sydney Wells’ perfect life with her wealthy, devoted husband vanishes when he dies suddenly in an accident. Widowed at 49, she discovers he has failed to include her in his will. With Andrew’s vicious daughters in control of his estate, Sydney finds a job in fashion. Naïve, out of her element, and alone in a world of shady international deals and dishonest people, she is set up by her boss and finds herself faced with criminal prosecution.
NEED TO KNOW by Karen Cleveland (Thriller)
In pursuit of a Russian sleeper cell on American soil, CIA analyst Vivian Miller uncovers a dangerous secret that will threaten her job, her family --- and her life. After accessing the computer of a potential Russian operative, Vivian stumbles on a secret dossier of deep-cover agents within America’s borders. A few clicks later, everything that matters to her is threatened.
POINTS NORTH: Stories by Howard Frank Mosher (Fiction/Short Stories)
From a loquacious itinerant preacher who beguiles the reticent farmers and shopkeepers of a small New England town, to a proposed dam that threatens the river that Kinneson men have fished for generations, the scandalous secret of a romance and its violent consequences, and a young man’s seemingly fruitless search for love, POINTS NORTH is a full-hearted and gently comic last gift to those who treasure Howard Frank Mosher.
THE WIFE by Alafair Burke (Psychological Thriller)
When Angela met Jason Powell, a brilliant economics professor, she assumed their romance would be a short-lived fling. To her surprise, they married the following summer. Six years later, Jason has become a cultural lightning rod. But when a college intern makes an accusation against Jason, and another woman comes forward with an even more troubling allegation, their perfect life begins to unravel.
WINTER by Karl Ove Knausgaard (Memoir)
In WINTER, we rejoin Karl Ove Knausgaard as he waits for the birth of his daughter. In preparation for her arrival, he takes stock of the world, seeing it as if for the first time. He writes about the moon, water, messiness, owls, birthdays --- to name just a handful of his subjects. He fills these oh-so-familiar objects and ideas with new meaning, taking nothing for granted or as given.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
Our Latest Poll: Author Interviews
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Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, February 2nd at noon ET.
Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What
You're Reading --- and You Can Win Two Books!
Tell us about the books you’ve finished reading with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from January 19th to February 2nd at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of NEED TO KNOW by Karen Cleveland and THE WIFE by Alafair Burke.
To make sure other readers will be able to find the books you write about, please include the full title and correct author names (your entry must include these to be eligible to win). For rules and guidelines, click here.
- To see reader comments from previous contest periods, click here.
Sounding Off on Audio Contest: Tell Us What
You're Listening to --- and You Can Win Two Audiobooks!
Tell us about the audiobooks you’ve finished listening to with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars for both the performance and the content. During the contest period from January 2nd to February 1st at noon ET, two lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win the audio versions of Lauren Willig's THE ENGLISH WIFE, read by Nicola Barber, and Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen's THE WIFE BETWEEN US, read by Julia Whelan.
To make sure other readers will be able to find the audiobook, please include the full title and correct author names (your entry must include these to be eligible to win). For complete rules and guidelines, click here.
- To see reader comments from previous contest periods, click here.
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