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September 2003
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Every month, one subscriber to the Bookreporter.com newsletter wins 5 free hardcover books! This month's selection includes THE LAST NAZI by Stan Pottinger, SOUTHERN LIVING by Ad Hudler, FOUL MATTER by Martha Grimes, THE OTHER SIDE OF AIR by Jeanne Braselton, EXIT WOUNDS by JA Jance. (See the complete contest rules.)
Click here to SUBSCRIBE to the
Bookreporter.com Newsletter!
Also check out our other newsletters on ReadingGroupGuides.com, AuthorsOnTheWeb.com, AuthorYellowPages.com, Teenreads.com, and Kidsreads.com.
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| Old, New, Borrowed and Blue |
| Any of you who read THE NOTEBOOK by Nicholas Sparks years ago are in for a treat. His new one THE WEDDING, which is a sequel is just out. I am about halfway through it and really enjoying it. Wilson and Jane (Noah's daughter) are preparing for their own daughter's wedding, which will take place on their 30th anniversary. Watching the preparations and lending advice is Noah. The same sentiment that made THE NOTEBOOK such a great emotional read is still present here.
I actually started thinking I should do an old, new, borrowed and blue theme in the newsletter here, so here we go...old can be looking back at THE NOTEBOOK, or the news this week that Simon and Garfunkel are touring again. If you were there the first time, you're old!
New is the real joy that comes from discovering a new author who writes with a strong voice and tells a compelling story. This week are sharing two debut thriller authors that we think do just that -- Steve Berry, author of THE AMBER ROOM and William Landay, the author of MISSION FLATS. I read advance copies of both these books months ago and could not believe that either was the work of a debut author. Read on for more details.
Borrowed is the fact that this fall more than 20 books are being made into movies including THE CAT IN THE HAT, COLD MOUNTAIN, MYSTIC RIVER, GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING, UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN, HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG, RUNAWAY JURY, IN THE CUT, MASTER AND COMMANDER, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN and PETER PAN. Our suggestion is always to Read First, Watch Later. So get reading.
Blue is...BLUE SHOE by Anne Lamott that comes out in paperback this month --- and blue is also how I feel when I see the forecast that it is going to rain all weekend.
That ditty done, we also have an interview with Christopher Reich where he talks about his new book THE DEVIL'S BANKER and his admiration for the work of John LeCarre. For those of you who were still vacationing for our last issue, be sure to look for Nelson DeMille's interview with Reich that ran last week.
And we have lots of new reviews to explore including the new Grisham.
For those of you who love bookish events and authors, I wanted to be sure that you are aware that next week is the week of New York is Book Country events culminating in the Street Fair on Fifth Avenue on Sunday, September 21st. Click on the graphic above to go to the New York is Book Country website for more details.
Have a great week....
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
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| Two Debut Titles to Note: THE AMBER ROOM and MISSION FLATS |
THE AMBER ROOM by Steve Berry (Suspense)
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
Atlanta judge Rachel Cutler is leading a good life --- she loves her kids, enjoys her job, and has a civil relationship with her ex-husband Paul. But everything changes when her father, a man who survived the horrors of World War II, dies under strange circumstances --- and leaves behind clues to a secret he kept his entire life about The Amber Room, a part of Russian history stolen by the Nazis. Click on the cover above to read our review.
MISSION FLATS by William Landay (Mystery)
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
Police chief Ben Truman is investigating the murder of District Attorney Robert M. Danziger and joins a manhunt for Harold Braxton, the prime suspect. But soon Ben begins to question Braxton's culpability --- especially when he uncovers a secret history of murder and retribution dating back twenty years to a brutal killing that has been nearly forgotten.
Click on the cover above to read our review.
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Read our reviews of THE AMBER ROOM and MISSION FLATS here.
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| Suspense/Thriller Spotlight: Bookreporter.com Interviews Christopher Reich, Read Chapter One from HELLO, DARKNESS by Sandra Brown and Announcing Our New Author, Richard North Patterson |
Christopher Reich, author of THE DEVIL'S BANKER
New This Week:
-The Bookreporter.com Suspense/Thriller team interviews Christopher Reich. See what he has to say about HIS favorite author, John LeCarre.
In Case You Missed Last Week:
-An Exclusive Feature: Nelson DeMille Interviews Christopher Reich
-Our review of THE DEVIL'S BANKER
Sandra Brown, author of HELLO, DARKNESS, which will be out in hardcover on October 7th;
New This Week:
-Read the first chapter of HELLO, DARKNESS.
In Case You Missed Last Week:
-Read the Prologue of HELLO, DARKNESS.
Richard North Patterson, author of BALANCE OF POWER will be in stores on October 14th.
New This Week:
See who our 20 advance readers are.
In Case You Missed Last Week:
-About Richard North Patterson
-About BALANCE OF POWER
-Send a comment or question about Richard North Patterson
-Books by Richard North Patterson
-Author Bibliography
-Read an excerpt of BALANCE OF POWER
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Read our Suspense/Thriller feature here.
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| Our Chick Lit Feature: Our First Title --- PUSHING 30 by Whitney Gaskell |
As promised, here is our new Chick Lit feature.
Our first title is PUSHING 30 by Whitney Gaskell. Here are two lines that sum up the story. Ellie Winters, a woman who is dependable and loyal and has a near-phobic aversion to conflict. But as her thirtieth birthday looms ever closer, she starts to feel like she's lost the instruction manual to her life.
It's witty and smart and oh soooooo much fun. I spent a recent Saturday reading PUSHING 30 and while I am "just a tad over 30" now, I just loved it.
See our list of 20 advance readers by clicking on the link below.
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Read our Chick Lit feature here.
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| Bookreporter.com Talks to Margaret Coel, author of KILLING RAVEN and Announces a Contest. Winner Receives a Complete Collection of Coel's Arapaho Novels --- PERSONALLY Autographed |
| Margaret Coel is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of the acclaimed author of the John O'Malley/Vicky Holden series, as well as several works of nonfiction. Originally a historian by trade, she is an expert on the Arapaho Indians.
In this interview with Bookreporter.com's reviewer Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum, Coel discusses KILLING RAVEN, the ninth installment in her O'Malley/Holden series. She also talks about the research she conducts for her books, her fascination with the Arapaho Reservation, and the tenth book in the series due out next year.
KILLING RAVEN by Margaret Coel (Mystery)
Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum
Margaret Coel, who is an expert on the Arapaho Indians, has written a riveting tale about the inner workings of gambling casinos, how corporate corruption can manipulate the odds for everyone, and the impact of personal betrayals --- all of which take place on and around the Wind River Reservation, home of the Northern Arapaho.
Readers have a chance to win a set of personalized signed copies of Margaret Coel's 9 novels in the O'Malley/Holden series, including her latest mystery, KILLING RAVEN. Two other readers will win personally signed copies of KILLING RAVEN.
To enter the contest, email Contests@bookreporter.com with the answer to this question:
What did Lela see that looked like it was "rising out of the ground, clawing at the dirt?"
The answer to the question can be found by reading the KILLING RAVEN excerpt, located at
www.bookreporter.com/community/contests/030905-coel-margaret.asp
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Read our interview with Margaret Coel, a review of KILLING Raven and details about our Margaret Coel Contest here.
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| Don't Miss -- METROPOLIS FOUND: New York Is Book Country 25th Anniversary Collection |
As part of their 25th Anniversary celebration New York is Book Country has published a commemorative book titled METROPOLIS FOUND, featuring original pieces by more than 30 of the most popular authors of today and the past 25 years. The book brings together a splendid array of talent with one thing in common: an undisputed passion for the greatest city in the world. Among the contributing authors are Maya Angelou, Lawrence Block, Meg Cabot, Mary Higgins Clark, Nelson DeMille, Pete Hamill, Susan Isaacs, Frank McCourt and Donald Westlake.
The pieces are each very different --- and capture the spirit of each author. Here are a couple of samples to whet your appetite...Clark places her character Alvirah at the book fair for a day, DeMille talks about the NY restaurant where he decided he was going to become a writer and Edwidge Dandicat talks of her love for the children's classic MADELINE.
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Read more about METROPOLIS FOUND here.
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| This Week's Book Reviews and Features |
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BLEACHERS by John Grisham (Fiction)
Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman
High school all-American Neely Crenshaw was perhaps the best quarterback ever to play for the legendary Messina Spartans. Fifteen years have passed since those glory days, and Neely has come home to Messina to bury Coach Eddie Rake, the man who molded the Spartans into an unbeatable football dynasty. He will use the days as Coach lies dying to revisit his dreams and unravel his life.
STONE GARDEN by Molly Moynahan (Fiction)
Reviewed by Roberta O'Hara
Alice McGuire is a smart young woman who appears to have a firm grasp on her future. But her picture-perfect world is turned upside down when her best friend and soul mate, Matthew Swan, vanishes on a trip to Mexico. Alice and the rest of the close-knit town take it upon themselves to search for answers.
THE KILL CLAUSE by Gregg Hurwitz (Suspense)
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
The life of Deputy U.S. Marshal Tim Rackley is shattered by the brutal murder of his precious daughter and the subsequent release of her killer on a legal technicality. Wanting nothing more than to avenge his daughter's death, Rackley joins "the Commission," a vigilante group that permanently rids the world of predators who are set free. Little does Rackley know the dangers that lie ahead.
ALMOST FRENCH: Love and a New Life in Paris by Sarah Turnbull (Memoir)
Reviewed by Bethanne Kelly Patrick
In a surprisingly personal memoir by Australian writer Sarah Turnbull, readers will learn what it is like to make the transition to Gallic culture ---and take the leap of faith into a permanent relationship.
THE NAMESAKE by Jhumpa Lahiri (Fiction)
Reviewed by Stephen M. Deusner
This first novel from Pulitzer Prize-winning short story writer Jhumpa Lahiri has all the ingredients for an absorbing read: subtly rendered settings, complex characters, and engaging ideas about the differences between cultures and generations.
RESOLVED by Robert K. Tanenbaum (Thriller)
Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum
Robert K. Tanenbaum brings back his familiar Karp/Ciampi characters in a riveting tale about the impact violence has on people in their daily lives and the unending hatred that permeates our post-9/11 world. However, he manages to tell his tale without undermining the spirit of all who aspire to peace.
LAST LESSONS OF SUMMER by Margaret Maron (Mystery)
Reviewed by David Exum
Heir to her family's successful children's book and merchandising business, Amy Stedman arrives in North Carolina with the task of clearing out the house of her deceased grandmother, whose murder remains unsolved. When she begins to have doubts about her own mother's passing, an apparent suicide, Amy becomes determined to learn the truth behind their deaths.
A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND by Elizabeth Young (Fiction)
Reviewed by Marie Hashima Lofton
Elizabeth Young has written a lighthearted story about a young woman who is so positive her boyfriend is "Mr. Right" that it takes her a while to realize that perhaps not everything is so rosy in the love department.
OTHER FISH IN THE SEA by Lisa Kusel (Short Stories)
Reviewed by Bethanne Kelly Patrick
In this debut collection, Lisa Kusel offers ten stories linked by a woman named Elly Fisher. Sometimes Elly is the protagonist, sometimes she is one of several characters, and sometimes she is almost on the periphery --- but she is always there, a free-floating presence that never quite drops anchor.
I NEVER WALKED ALONE: The Autobiography of an American Singer by Shirley Verrett, with Christopher Brooks (Autobiography)
Reviewed by Robert Finn
Shirley Verrett, one of opera's most acclaimed and beloved stars, discusses her rise to the top --- despite racial prejudice, moral dilemmas, professional rivalries, and a devastating illness.
HOW TO PEE STANDING UP: Tips for Hip Chicks by Anna Skinner (Reference/Self-Help)
Reviewed by Maggie Harding
Stuck with a boss from hell? Trying to escape a bad date? Looking for a way to fix a friendship or make it through your next family reunion? The solutions to each of these dilemmas (and many more) can be found in this witty and humorous self-help book.
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Read this week's reviews and features here.
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| Poll: Did you read as much as you wanted this summer? |
Did you read as much as you wanted this summer?
Yes, I am very pleased with the books I read.
No, I wanted to read more.
I am not sure how I feel about my summer reading.
Overall rate the books that you read this summer:
They were some of the best books that I have read.
While I read some terrific titles, others were surprisingly inferior.
They were not as good as books I have read in the past.
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Answer the Poll here.
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| Word of Mouth: Tell Us What You're Reading and Win a Copy of THE WEDDING by Nicholas Sparks |
Tell us what books YOU are reading and loving --- or even those you don't.
Five lucky readers will win one of five copies of THE WEDDING by Nicholas Sparks. Please note that our next Word of Mouth update will be on September 19th.
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Need more details about Word of Mouth? Click here.
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As always, here are a few housekeeping notes. If you are seeing this newsletter in a text version, and would prefer to see the graphics, you can either read it online (see the link on the upper right) or change your preferences below.
Those of you who wish to send mail to the general mailbox at Bookreporter.com, please write to: Mail@bookreporter.com. If you would like to reach me, please write Carol@bookreporter.com. Writing any of the respond buttons below will not get to us.
Quick observation --- we have noticed that many of you have been changing your Internet providers in the past month. If you do, please be sure to "take us along" by signing up for the newsletter in your new name!
Happy reading....and don't forget to forward this newsletter to a friend.
--- Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
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