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Does the length of a book factor into your decision to read it?

October 19, 2007, 773 voters

October 19, 2007

I am writing from Coral Gables, FL where I am in town for the Books & Books 25th Anniversary activities, which include the Book Club Twister Mixer on Sunday afternoon where I will be sharing book ideas with book clubs. You can read more about all of the Books & Books events here, and if you are attending be sure to look for me to say hi.

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Author Talk: Ken Follett, author of World Without End

Oct 19, 2007

October 19, 2007

Though known primarily as a writer of suspense/thrillers, author Ken Follett credits his 1989 bestseller THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH --- a historical novel that chronicles the construction of a cathedral during the Middle Ages --- as his greatest work to date. His most recent book, WORLD WITHOUT END, revisits the cathedral town of Kingsbridge 200 years later, during the pivotal time of the Black Plague. In this interview, Follett discusses the shifts in social and religious thought during those two centuries that ultimately gave rise to modern medicine and explains some of the real-life inspirations behind the book's fictional happenings. He also talks about why he chose to write a sequel after 18 years, elaborates on the connections between the two books in terms of setting and characters, and shares topics he'd possibly like to cover in future projects.

October 2007

As October races by, it is finally starting to feel like autumn in New York. Our building’s air-conditioning system went silent on Monday as the temperatures outside hover in the high 50s and low 60s. The trees outside my window still are green, but each passing breeze seems to leave behind a golden shimmer in the leaves. When the sun sets, I feel an unfamiliar chill and I know summer really has left us. This month’s FaithfulReader.com update features titles that will be a great companion during those cool autumn days ahead.

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October 12, 2007

Last Saturday morning, after getting up earlier than I would have liked to see my older son off to the SATs, I sat down in my home office and started "wandering around" on the Internet. You know what I mean by this. You sit down and think about something. From there you start clicking, and you keep clicking, and all of a sudden you are searching things you never thought about looking for online, like turquoise cowboy boots.

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Interview: Peter Pezzelli, author of Italian Lessons

Oct 12, 2007

October 12, 2007

Peter Pezzelli has made a name for himself writing poignant works of fiction about everyday Italian-American families, such as EVERY SUNDAY, FRANCESCA'S KITCHEN and HOME TO ITALY. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Alexis Burling, Pezzelli explains what prompted him to write his latest book, ITALIAN LESSONS, and elaborates on the recurring theme of love's unpredictability, which is predominant in his work. He also discusses what he hopes readers will learn about life and love from his novels, recounts his bold decision to pursue a career as an author and shares what he thinks Americans can learn from Italian culture.

Interview: David Gibbins, author of Crusader Gold

Oct 12, 2007

October 12, 2007

Bestselling author David Gibbins drew from his experiences as a marine archaeologist to write his latest work of fiction, CRUSADER GOLD, in which a group of scientists set out to find one of the great lost treasures of the world --- a gold menorah looted from the Temple of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

Author Talk: Scott Westerfeld, author of Extras

Oct 10, 2007

October 2007

Scott Westerfeld's EXTRAS --- the companion to his hugely popular Uglies trilogy --- is a science fiction novel about a futuristic society that completely revolves around fame.

Interview: John Hart, author of Down River

Oct 5, 2007

October 5, 2007

John Hart is the author of the acclaimed bestseller THE KING OF LIES, as well as the newly released DOWN RIVER. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Joe Hartlaub, Hart explains why he chose to set both of his books in Rowan County, North Carolina, and describes how the plots of his novels are dictated by the characters and their emotional issues. He also discusses his unusual career path, speculates on the rich literary history of the South and shares his experiences in overcoming writer's block.

Interview: Joshua Henkin, author of Matrimony

Oct 5, 2007

October 5, 2007

It’s been 10 years since writing instructor Joshua Henkin published his debut novel, SWIMMING ACROSS THE HUDSON, but MATRIMONY proves to readers that it was worth the wait. His sophomore effort tackles the complex relationships of marriage, friendship and parents and children over the course of more than a decade. In this interview, Bookreporter.com’s Cindy Crosby talks with Henkin about his latest book, what he believes is his most important task as a novelist, why he doesn’t recommend that young writers live in New York City and the one thing he hopes no one ever leaves on his pillow.