When we left off last week I was headed to Texas. I had forgotten my own advice about not flying at night during the summer because of the travel delays that are precipitated by thunderstorms and found myself stuck for hours going both ways. There is only one way to beat this --- a good book to escape with. I had this week's Beach Bag title with me --- THE MANNY --- and I found myself happily ignoring those ominous announcements that go something like "In 39 minutes we will move into position and will be number 22 for takeoff!" Instead I read --- and laughed --- a lot.

Every once in a while I read a book and I hear a line from a song that gets stuck in my head and I think, THAT really sums up this book. For this one it was a line from a not-so-famous Paul Simon song called "The Rhythm of the Saints." You know the album, but trust me, you may not know this song or this line: "Fashion is rich people waving at the door." I had that song cued on my iPod and I listened a few times as I was reading because this IS a story of rich people, fashion and life in a part of New York where people do think life begins and ends. We have an interview with the author, Holly Peterson, this week, and we have a beach bag I had great fun pulling together. I am going back to get one of those 10-game sets for myself!

I confess I am addicted to technology. Seriously. Years ago I owned the precursor to the Walkman, which was something called Astraltunes that I wore when I skied. It was a tapedeck in a padded case that you wore on your chest with headphones that were under your neck like a stethoscope. If you fell, the sheer weight of this thing could break your ribs. I had a cell phone that was like a little suitcase that you carried. I have a closet full of relics like this all because I love tech things. I now love my Blackberry AND my cell phone. Thus, when a link to an online game came across my desk that talked about tech addictions that are part of the storyline of HOOKED, the pop thriller that we are reviewing this week, I HAD to play. I scored a 33. I thought it would have been 93! Seriously. See how YOU score by clicking here and trying it out for yourself.

Karin Slaughter wrote this week and told me about a contest on her site. I always enjoy Karin's books and quickly clicked to see what she was up to since she mentioned it involved knitting. Okay, you have to check this out. She is running a knitting contest on her site where people are going to make a Jeffrey Dahmer Boiled Wool Book Bag or a Ted Bundy Knit Hat. I kid you not. Those of you who have read Karin's books were not expecting cuddly sweaters with lambs or bunnies, were you? Complete details are here. For the record, Karin does NOT knit. Her new book, BEYOND REACH, will be in stores July 31st.

This week I finished Eileen Goudge's WOMAN IN RED. I love stories where there are lots of woven plot lines, and this one definitely treated me to that. I closed it thinking how well it all came together. I then started our new One to Watch featured title, HOW TO TALK TO A WIDOWER, by Jonathan Tropper. He has an honest dry wit that I love, a brisk style and characters who will stick in your head. Fun reading. We have 10 copies to give away to those who want to read and comment. To enter, send your name and mailing address to OneToWatch@bookreporter.com by Friday, June 29th.

As most of you know, there's a book with this guy named Harry Potter hitting stores on July 21st. You might have heard about it. We're curious if you are counting the minutes to its release, whether you are going to the new movie, and a whole lot more. We have a special poll on all things Harry running on Bookreporter.com, Kidsreads.com and Teenreads.com. Weigh in! By the way, I was quoted in USA Today on Thursday saying that the convergence of book and movie "will only build excitement."

A few years ago I read LAUGHING ALLEGRA, a wonderfully written memoir by Anne Ford about raising her daughter, Allegra, who had a number of learning disabilities. Her honesty about the challenges of raising a child with LD struck a chord with me, and over the past years I have found myself recommending it to many parents. In her new book, ON THEIR OWN: Creating an Independent Future for Your Adult Child with Learning Disabilities and ADHD, she looks at life for children AFTER school ends.

While this is the time of year when graduations mean new beginnings and independence, scores of kids graduate from high school or college with their learning disability challenges following them into the workforce and throughout their lives in both social and work situations. Ford takes a look at life when your children are on their own --- but still dependent --- with a frank and open voice that will leave parents empowered. On Thursday, June 28th, "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" will air a special report in their weekly "Making a Difference" segment, highlighting Anne Ford and her new book. It's a segment worth watching, and it's a book worth reading.

The boys and I are headed to Washington, DC today where they are touring and I am attending the American Library Association convention. We're looking forward to this as our official kickoff of summer. We have a full roster for each evening, including one of my favorite DC pastimes --- late-night monument runs. I loathe crowds, so this is something I really enjoy! I hope Greg is up for driving as I have books to read and knitting to do. You know the line...pages to go before I sleep....

Have a great week. Read something good.  

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)