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A Week with Four Bookish Nights
This was a week of bookish nights. It kicked off on Monday night when I went to Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, NJ to see Amanda Peters, author of THE BIRTHING TREE, in conversation with Alice Elliott Dark, who was a brilliant interviewer. Amanda discussed her Mi'kmaq ancestry; she is a member of Glooscap First Nation, an indigenous community located in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley. She was inspired to write the novel after hearing stories about a tree where women gave birth. She also talked about a custom where the first voices a baby hears when he or she is born should be that of the mother or father so he or she is united with them, which sounds like a lovely tradition.
Amanda spoke about the huge success of her debut novel, THE BERRY PICKERS, and how surprised she was that it took off worldwide. I am looking forward to interviewing her next week. Please note that Alice's short story, IN THE GLOAMING, is being released on Tuesday as part of the Scribner Shorts program (it was adapted as an HBO film back in 1997), and she has a new novel coming next fall.
On Wednesday, I had a fun evening listening to Harlan Coben talk to a packed house at LifeTown in his hometown of Livingston, NJ about PLOT TWIST, his memoir on writing. Jonah Zimiles, the owner of [words] Bookstore, did a great job moderating. I loved how Harlan shared stories of his multifaceted career and conveyed to the audience smart advice that he abides by, as well as encouragement to the would-be writers who were there. Now that Bookreporter is 30 years old, it's crazy to think that we have covered Harlan's books for decades now!
I drove into New York City last night for a business party and listened to PLOT TWIST, which Harlan narrates and was an excellent use of a four-hour round trip (thank you traffic and construction for extra listening time). I love his guidance on what writing is and what it is not. He cites that buying a notebook, thinking about writing, researching and many other things that writers do are not writing. Writing is writing. He also notes that, for years, wherever he goes he has carried a backpack. In it are his laptop, notebooks, pads of paper and a selection of pens. So if he is inspired to write, he has everything he needs to do that.
We hosted our “Bookaccino Live” Fall Preview event on Tuesday evening. I presented 50 books that are either out now or soon to be released this fall (from September 15th through the end of the year) that we think you will enjoy reading. Included are fiction; historical fiction; thrillers and mysteries; memoirs, biographies and other nonfiction; and five holiday-themed books. Click here to watch the presentation and here to see a list of the featured titles.
Next month's “Bookaccino Live” book preview afternoon event will take place on Wednesday, October 14th at 2pm ET. The focus will be on books releasing between October 13th and November 3rd, in addition to some titles releasing in December, plus January 2027, that we think will appeal to you. Click here to sign up.
Molly Fitzgerald was two months old on 9/11 when her mother went to a doctor’s appointment and never came home. Twenty-five years later, Molly is Rhode Island’s director of emergency preparedness. Just as she and her husband are expecting their first child, something happens that makes her question everything she believes. That’s the intriguing premise of Jodi Picoult’s 30th novel, HOLLOW BONES.
Pamela Kramer has our review and says, “What makes HOLLOW BONES and every other Jodi Picoult novel thrilling, gripping, emotional and heartrending is her incredible ability to take impeccable research and combine it with characters we admire and empathize with as they are put in situations that we can't turn away from. They may be heart-stopping, gut-wrenching and tear-inducing, but they hold us riveted to the pages of the story as we fly through the book to find out how she will make it all right in the end.”
As I noted last week, Jodi employs a premise here that I have thought about since the morning of 9/11. I loved seeing how she handled it.
Emily St. John Mandel, the bestselling author of STATION ELEVEN and SEA OF TRANQUILITY, returns with a breathtaking novel of doubles, shadow worlds and fractured timelines. In EXIT PARTY, which is September’s #1 Indie Next pick, a man disappears from a glittering Los Angeles party, and a woman --- a gunrunner, an art collector, an operative of the State --- searches for answers.
According to Ray Palen in his review, “I firmly believe that Emily St. John Mandel is the most brilliant fiction writer of our time. Her words create a language all their own and unlike anything I currently read…. [EXIT PARTY] is both confounding and exhilarating, and it proves once again that Emily St. John Mandel is a must-read author who always delivers with concepts and ideas that broaden your mind’s eye and worldview.”
STORY TELLING is a deeply personal and insightful book in which New York Times bestselling author Isabel Allende delves into her creative process, reflecting on nearly half a century of writing that has captivated millions of readers worldwide. She shares her triumphs, her mistakes, and the lessons learned through the challenges and joys of writing.
Harvey Freedenberg has this to say in his review: “Even if one favors a more structured approach to writing than [Allende's], this infectious enthusiasm for the writing life provides the sort of encouragement that most writers need at some point in their endeavors. Alongside this material, Allende intersperses stories of her vibrant life.” I just downloaded the audio of STORY TELLING, and I look forward to listening to it.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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WE CHASE SHADOWS: In this second installment of Richard Osman’s We Solve Murders series, retired detective Steve Wheeler; his daughter-in-law, Amy; and bestselling crime novelist Rosie D’Antonio take on their first real case after founding their PI agency.
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OUR NOBLE SELVES: Kate Atkinson, the #1 internationally bestselling author of LIFE AFTER LIFE, has penned a thrilling tale of post–World War II London, where the peace proves as tricky to navigate as the past.
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TAIPEI STORY: YELLOWFACE author R. F. Kuang’s latest book is a wryly humorous and profoundly moving coming-of-age novel that grapples with grief, language and culture shock --- all set against the backdrop of an unforgettable summer in Taipei.
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PAPER GHOSTS: Part ghost story, part love story and steeped in magical realism, Sarah Addison Allen’s new novel will transport you to a place where old secrets echo through the years and love finds a way of bringing us home.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
My latest Bets On pick is MOTHER DAUGHTER SISTER STRANGER by Hank Phillippi Ryan. Click here to see why I’m betting you’ll love this book just as much as I did. And if you missed my interview with Hank from last week, you can watch it here or listen to it here.
Fall Reading Contest Update
We gave away THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah, a Bets On selection, in this week’s Fall Reading contest. Our next prize book will be another Bets On title, WHATEVER HAPPENED TO LORI LOVELY? by Sarah McCoy, which revolves around a beautiful young movie star of Hollywood’s Golden Age who gives up her bright career to become a nun. The contest will up at noon ET on the day of its paperback release, Tuesday, September 22nd.
Revisiting My “Bookreporter Talks To” Interview with Kristin Hannah
THE WOMEN is out in paperback this week. I talked to Kristin about the book following its hardcover release in 2024. Be sure to give it a watch or a listen if you haven’t already or would like to revisit it.
Kristin's next novel, THE FIRE, releases on May 4, 2027. According to the publisher, it’s “an exploration of the bonds between women and the transformative power of finding one’s voice.” Click here to read more about the book and preorder a copy. And don’t miss this interview that Elle did with Kristin where she talks about this highly anticipated release and the film adaptation of THE NIGHTINGALE, which will be in theaters on March 19th.
Word of Mouth Contest Reminder
Submit your comments about the books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win two major releases in our Word of Mouth contest: HOLLYWOOD, ENDING by John Green and THE PIRATE QUEEN by Ariel Lawhon. Please do so by Friday, September 25th at noon ET.
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask which of 35 fiction titles releasing this month you have read or are planning to read. Click here to let us know by Friday, September 25th at noon ET.
The longlists for this year’s National Book Awards have been announced. Click here to see all 50 titles in the categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature.
They include THE DISAPPEARERS by Marlon James (Fiction), MOTHER TONGUE by Sara Nović (Nonfiction), HIDE by Carolina Ebeid (Poetry), THE SCHOOL OF NIGHT by Karl Ove Knausgaard, translated from the Norwegian by Martin Aitken (Translated Literature), and THE FIGHT FOR OUR LIVES: AIDS in America, by David Levithan and Gabriel Duckels (Young People's Literature).
The finalists will be revealed on October 6th, followed by the announcement of the winners on November 18th at the 77th National Book Awards Ceremony, which will be livestreamed for all to see. You can sign up to watch it for free by clicking here.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Joyce wrote, “Thank you so much for the advance copy of THE MUNICH AFFAIR. I submitted my feedback on the form that you provided. Bookreporter is a valuable resource and has helped me select my next read since the AOL Book Report days. I appreciate you!!”
Allison wrote about winning THE LOST BAKER OF VIENNA in our Fall Reading contest: “Wonderful! What a treat! I never win anything! Thank you! I will definitely review it when I read it!”
Cecilia wrote about winning BIG LITTLE TRUTHS and THE BIRTHING TREE in our Word of Mouth contest: “Awesome! Thank you so much.”
This week, someone asked me a question that I get asked a lot: How do I get so much done? I am always doing something. It could be reading, but it also could be making notes for the next newsletter that I start drafting on Saturday morning and add to it as things come up. I am the queen of draft emails. I always have a book queued up to listen to in the car. I also have this crazy habit of keeping my calendar in Excel; besides meetings, there are all kinds of things to do that I move around as needed. I am 99% sure that Excel was never marketed to be used like this.
Husband Tom is away playing golf this weekend, so I will be hanging out in the pool reading. I am both reading and listening to Robert Kolker's new book, THE VANISHING FAMILY: Love, Fate, and the Quest to End Dementia, which releases on September 29th. It's a compelling read about a family’s rare form of FTD (frontotemporal dementia), which affects a number of the adult family members as early as when they are in their 40s. However, studying this rare genetic trait might lead to “a breakthrough in the prevention and treatment of all dementia --- including the scourge of Alzheimer’s disease.”
Once again, I am so impressed with Kolker's writing as I feel like I know these family members. Watching the effects of the disease on them and the remaining siblings is both heartbreaking and informational. I read Kolker's previous two books, HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD and LOST GIRLS, both of which I hold up as exemplary reporting journalism and strong storytelling. I will be interviewing him at the Morristown Festival of Books on October 10th, so I am making tons of notes as I read.
Over the break, I had dipped into Bonnie Garmus' next book, PECK & PECK, which will be out on October 13th, and I am looking forward to getting back to it. I am hoping to interview Bonnie in early October, and I will be seeing her at an event in Montclair on October 14th, again sponsored by Watchung Booksellers. My last interview with Bonnie, for LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY, has the most views/listens of any “Bookreporter Talks To” interview that I have done.
I have loved attending multiple author events these past few weeks, especially as so many are taking place near my home and do not require me going into New York City. It's really nice to enjoy them without a long commute. When I was at Watchung Booksellers, I saw that they will be hosting an event on October 6th where Yotam Ottolenghi will be in conversation with Ina Garten, and I immediately bought a ticket for that. I have enjoyed cooking with both of their books. Yotam has a Hot Charred Cherry Tomatoes with Cold Yogurt dip that I have served literally dozens of times. So this will be another program to look forward to.
Wishing an easy fast to those of you who are observing Yom Kippur.
Fall rolls in on Tuesday. It coincides with my dad's 97th birthday, which we will be celebrating with dinner. Note that we will be celebrating his birthday, not the arrival of fall. I still want a glue gun to stick the leaves back on the trees.
Read on, and have a great week.
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
P.S. For those of you who shop online, if you use the store links that appear on our site for shopping, Bookreporter.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop/IndieBound. As you read our reviews and features, we would appreciate your considering this as you buy!
Featured Review: HOLLOW BONES by Jodi Picoult
HOLLOW BONES by Jodi Picoult (Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Rebecca Soler, MacLeod Andrews and Julia Whelan
On September 11, 2001, when Molly Fitzgerald was only two months old, her mother went to an appointment at the World Trade Center and never came home. Her father and the stepmother who raised her couldn’t have loved her more, but she still grew up with a healthy dread of disasters. Now an adult, Molly runs the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Preparedness, mapping out ways to save lives during storms, epidemics and airplane crashes. She and her husband, Jesse --- a police polygraph expert with his own history of crisis --- have found a love that is a solace in a dangerous world. But then the unexpected upends their new marriage, leading them both to question everything they thought they knew. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: EXIT PARTY by Emily St. John Mandel
September’s #1 Indie Next Pick
EXIT PARTY by Emily St. John Mandel (Dystopian/Speculative Mystery)
Audiobook available; read by Kirsten Potter, Kimberly Farr, Peter Ganim, Catherine Ho and James Aaron Oh
Los Angeles, 2031: The first spring after the collapse of the United States, peacekeeping troops withdraw from the city, the Jacaranda trees blossom, and the curfew is finally lifted. Ari Waker and her roommate pass the gauntlet of bomb-sniffing dogs, the shanty towns, and the Red Cross tents as they walk across Silverlake to a party. The mood is ecstatic. But then a bewildered twin, an uncanny doppelgänger, stumbles through the crowd and out into the night, and Kareem, the party’s host, vanishes into thin air. As Ari unravels the mystery of this inexplicable night, Emily St. John Mandel unfurls a story that takes us from a future America splintered by civil war to the seaside cliffs of Greece where weapons dealers hide in an elegant resort, and from the domed city of Paris to a colony on the moon. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: STORY TELLING by Isabel Allende
STORY TELLING: A Writing Life by Isabel Allende (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Victoria Villarreal
In this deeply personal and insightful book, Isabel Allende delves into her creative process, reflecting on nearly half a century of writing that has captivated millions of readers worldwide. For Allende, writing is more than a craft. It is an addiction, a means of preserving memory, and a way to make sense of life. She offers readers an intimate glimpse into her creative world, where stories take shape through intuition, discipline and deep connection to the human experience. It is also a glimpse into the life of a writer who views literature as a portal to understanding the chaos of life. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
MOTHER DAUGHTER SISTER STRANGER
by Hank Phillippi Ryan
MOTHER DAUGHTER SISTER STRANGER by Hank Phillippi Ryan (Psychological Thriller)
Hank Phillippi Ryan's MOTHER DAUGHTER SISTER STRANGER opens with Eliza Ramsey hosting her niece, Piper, while her sister, Bea, is out of town. Although Eliza and Bea are very different, they are bonded by a tragic incident from their past. Their parents were killed in a small plane crash that they survived, though both had significant injuries, and they were raised by their Aunt Margaret.
Each year, Eliza and Bea (accompanied by Piper) gather at their parents' graves on the anniversary of their deaths in what they call Remembrance Day. As the day arrives, Eliza cannot locate Bea and notes that Piper's suitcase contains the white dress that she planned to wear to Remembrance Day, which signifies that Bea did not intend to bring her to the event.
- Click here to read the book description.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to watch Carol's “Bookreporter Talks To” interview with Hank Phillippi Ryan.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's Bets On commentary.
Featured Review:
WE CHASE SHADOWS by Richard Osman
WE CHASE SHADOWS: A We Solve Murders Mystery by Richard Osman (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Nicola Walker
At sunrise, high in the Italian hills, a body is found on the steps of a beautiful private villa. On the body is a threatening note, signed by a mystery man. Back at We Solve Murders HQ, Amy, Rosie and Steve leap at the chance to take on their first proper case. So what if their new client seems to have his own reasons for avoiding the police? All they need to do is uncover who left the note and then find them. Simple. But once they start digging, the suspects keep piling up: there’s Sweden’s most-wanted criminal, a canny ex-wife and a fierce business rival --- yet the murderer keeps evading them. And as the trio chase a villain through the shadows, danger travels closer to home. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: OUR NOBLE SELVES by Kate Atkinson
OUR NOBLE SELVES by Kate Atkinson (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Rupert Penry-Jones
When crime correspondent turned war reporter Harry Flynn returns to Britain from Singapore in 1945, he takes a quiet job with the Festival of Britain, a government-funded endeavor aimed at celebrating the nation’s creativity, grit and ingenuity. There, he joins a team of misfits and eccentrics as they help to ready the Festival for launch. When a Frenchwoman goes missing, Flynn becomes the central suspect in her disappearance --- and possible murder. He was the last person to see her alive, yet he has no memory of the evening they spent together. As evidence against him mounts, Flynn begins to wonder if he actually might be to blame. To make matters worse, he is surrounded by people who have their own secret agenda. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: TAIPEI STORY by R. F. Kuang
TAIPEI STORY by R. F. Kuang (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Carolyn Kang
College freshman Lily Chen is off to spend the summer in Taipei at an intensive language program like so many Chinese American students before her. But a promising start quickly unravels. Her classes are grueling, her roommate is driving her insane, and a reckless trip to the hot springs with a guy she barely knows soon has her classmates viciously gossiping. She feels adrift, a foreigner in a country she thought would feel like home. Then shocking news arrives: Lily’s grandfather has passed away. The loss forces her to grapple with now-unanswerable questions about her family history. As Lily grieves, she’s drawn into a journey of self-discovery --- piecing together memories, stories and silences over a series of hilarious and devastating attempts at connection. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: PAPER GHOSTS by Sarah Addison Allen
PAPER GHOSTS by Sarah Addison Allen (Fiction/Magical Realism)
Audiobook available, read by Marin Ireland
For decades, the women of Wester House have unsettled and fascinated their small, timeless North Carolina town. Their home is full of whispers, old griefs and uncanny knowing. But when Willamena Wester reaches out to the granddaughter she once pushed away, long-buried truths begin to stir. 1976: Restless young Willamena falls for a stranded musician who brings freedom and the promise of another life to her carefully controlled world. Their brief, incandescent love story promises to escape the pull of the Wester legacy until Willamena makes a fateful choice that changes her life forever. Present day: Returning home is the last thing Bailey Wester wants. Yet, as she reconnects with Willamena, the grandmother she feared, Bailey begins to understand the love, heartbreak and impossible choices that shaped the women in her family. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com's 16th Annual
Fall Reading Contests and Feature
Fall is known as the biggest season of the year for books. The titles that release during this latter part of the year often become holiday gifts, and many are blockbusters. In our Fall Reading Contests and Feature, we are spotlighting a number of outstanding books that we know people will be talking about this fall.
We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through mid-October, so you will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter to win. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.
Our next prize book will be WHATEVER HAPPENED TO LORI LOVELY? by Sarah McCoy, which is a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. In this spellbinding novel based on a true story, a beautiful young movie star of Hollywood’s Golden Age gives up her bright career to become a nun. The contest will be up at noon ET on the day of its paperback release, Tuesday, September 22nd.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
FURY IN DEATH by J. D. Robb (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Susan Ericksen
The victim’s corpse is so mangled and damaged it’s hard to believe a lone, unarmed assailant could have managed it. The killer was clearly unnaturally strong --- and smart enough to find a way into wealthy biotech executive Larry Chu’s highly secure building. Most of all, whoever did this was very, very angry. The excessive violence leads NYSPD Lieutenant Eve Dallas to conclude that this was a deeply personal act. And though the motive seems rooted in heated emotion rather than cold hard cash, she can’t ignore the suspicious bank account in the Cayman Islands, or the shadowy, profit-hungry company Chu worked for. The mystery only grows when it turns out that Chu isn’t the only victim --- and Dallas will need to tear through one layer of secrecy after another to reveal what lies behind this explosion of fury. Reviewed by Jennifer McCord.
NO SONG FOR THE DEAD: A Department Q Novel by Jussi Adler-Olsen, Stine Bolther and Line Holm (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Steven Pacey
Carl Mørck, the former head of Department Q, comes across a disturbing audio recording and turns it over to his former colleagues, who are struggling to keep the old department up and running on their own. That is, until a new transfer unexpectedly arrives --- Helena Henry, a Frenchwoman who throws herself into the investigation with gusto, but who may also have secrets of her own. When the team realizes that the audio recording might shed new light on a supposedly open-and-shut murder-suicide case from years earlier, suddenly everything they thought they knew is called into question. Meanwhile, a spurt of seemingly random violence leads the Department Q team to investigate a possible connection to a different long-ago dark and sinister event. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
SAVING NOAH by Lucinda Berry (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Carrington MacDuffie
Noah is the boy everyone admires --- an honor student, a champion swimmer, a hometown success story. Until he confesses to sexually abusing young girls during swim practice. In a single moment, his future evaporates, and his family shoulders the fallout. After 18 months in a juvenile sexual rehabilitation center, Noah returns home. But the town recoils, and his father refuses to let him back into their family's life. Noah's mom, Adrianne, is forced into an impossible role: the mother of a child no one believes deserves saving. As devastating truths emerge, she must confront the darkest question of all: When does standing by your child become a betrayal of everyone around you? Reviewed by Ray Palen.
PICTURES OF YOU by Josh Malerman (Supernatural Thriller/Horror)
Audiobook available, read by Beth Hicks
After a magical night out on the town with her boyfriend, Jack, Emily wakes up alone in a huge bed. But the beautiful, well-lit room is nothing like the hotel she and Jack rented, and she has no memory of this place from the night before. Where is she? A woman’s voice directs her to remain in bed. And beyond the end of the bed is a picture frame upon an easel --- a frame with no canvas, no painting, no art. But there is the silhouette of a person Emily does not recognize. A person emanating demand, danger and evil. And the way the woman talks...and the things she says. She’s acting as if Emily herself is the painting. The still life. The art. Emily is as scared as she is confused. But it’s immediately clear that Jack’s life is on the line with her own. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
SOMETHING OF A CALLING by Zoje Stage (Psychological Thriller/Horror)
Audiobook available, read by Jenn Lee
Detective Andy Cooper is about to retire and isn't sure what's next. She'll need to do something, if only to distract herself from how empty her life has become. Everything changes when bodies begin to turn up. Murdered, but how? Not by knife, gun or any obvious weapon. Instead: teethmarks. Chunks missing. Like they'd been chewed on. And not by humans. As she's struggling to solve her final case, an unexpected new friendship seems like just what Andy needs. Where she is detached from life, Fiona embraces it. Where she is a homebody, Fiona roams. Yet the women are drawn together by a shared love of nature and wildlife. Until Andy learns the dark truth behind Fiona's smile. A secret that threatens to unravel the world as she knows it. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
THANK YOU FOR REMEMBERING by Emily Harding (Romantic Comedy)
Audiobook available, read by Allyson Ryan
Growing up, Marnie Stephens believed that destiny was real and the universe had a plan. But at 30, real life has become more difficult than divine. Especially when Marnie wakes up at a hospital in Boston with no memory of how she got there...or the last year of her life. Her doctor tells her she suffered a head injury; her boyfriend, Matt, insists they broke up months ago; and her hair is somehow eight inches shorter. Before she knows it, she finds herself in an apartment she doesn’t remember with a new neighbor, Ben Morgan, she’s sure she won’t forget. As Marnie sets out to retrace the last year of her life, the last thing she needs is to start falling for Ben, the grumpy (and incredibly attractive) neighbor helping her. But the universe has other plans. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
THE THREE GRACES OF PEARL STREET by Elizabeth Wellington Rollins (Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Carlotta Brentan, Vivienne Leheny and Janet Metzger
Graziella, a 96-year-old former nun, spends her days running the parish’s food kitchen, convinced it is her responsibility to keep everyone fed in their working-class New York neighborhood. Her daughter, Grace, a respected psychology professor, appears accomplished and composed, yet she finds herself unmoored as her personal life falters. Ella --- Graziella’s granddaughter and Grace’s daughter --- is weary of defending her vegan diet and anti-capitalistic lifestyle. Blind to her own brilliance, she longs, above all, for a place to belong. Living together again, the three Graces reckon with the distances that have shaped them, and with what it means, at last, to be fully known. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
THE BOOKSHOP WOMAN: My Year Transforming Lives — One Book at a Time written by Nanako Hanada, translated by Cat Anderson (Memoir)
Nanako Hanada is a passionate book lover who manages the Village Vanguard, an iconically eccentric bookstore in Tokyo. But her story takes a turn with the breakdown of her marriage. Spending her nights alone in Tokyo's four-hour capsules, she’s finding herself rather isolated. That's until Nanako finds the meet-up site Perfect Strangers, where people meet for 30-minute bursts to find friendship or romance, build a network, or just share ideas. She sets up her profile promising to recommend people “the book that will change their life.” In the ensuing year, Nanako meets hundreds of people, a ragtag range of strangers who happen to believe in the power of a great book. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on September 21st and 22nd
Below are some notable titles releasing on September 21st and 22nd 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 available the week of September 21st, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
September 21st
THE MUNICH AFFAIR by James Patterson and David Ellis (Historical Thriller)
This suspenseful thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling authors James Patterson and David Ellis spans a century --- set in motion by the murder of Adolf Hitler's young lover by his own hand.
September 22nd
BETWEEN CHAPTERS: How I Started Over, Took Some Chances, and Found the Plot by Zibby Owens (Memoir)
Bestselling author Zibby Owens is known for sharing relatable moments with a warmth and openness that make readers feel seen. In BETWEEN CHAPTERS, she offers a front-row seat to her decade of reinvention.
THE FIRST SCARLET DOOR: A 4MK Thriller by J.D. Barker (Thriller)
Discover where it all began in the first of three prequels to New York Times bestselling author J.D. Barker's wildly popular 4MK series.
HOLLYWOOD, ENDING by John Green (Fiction)
#1 bestselling author John Green makes his much-anticipated return to fiction with a behind-the-scenes Hollywood love story about finding someone to trust in an untrustworthy world.
INCARNATE by Alma Katsu (Psychological Thriller/Techno-Horror)
From beloved horror maven Alma Katsu comes a terrifying reimagining of THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY for the internet age.
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK by Clare Mackintosh (Psychological Thriller)
An unsettling, groundbreaking novel that crackles with immediacy, IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK masterfully delivers a thriller steeped in current tensions and thought-provoking characters.
MURDER AT THE GRAND ALPINE HOTEL: A Miss Marple Mystery by Lucy Foley (Historical Mystery)
In 1950, a violent snowstorm traps a postwar mix of guests inside the Grand Alpine Hotel. When a guest is found dead in the hotel gondola, poisoned in a murder staged to look like a tragic accident, the hotel becomes a sealed world of suspects with nowhere to run.
SECOND NATURE by Joyce Carol Oates, writing as Rosamond Smith (Psychological Thriller)
Obsession and depravity shatter suburban life and academia in this compelling double dose of psychological suspense, pairing two complete novels and two rare short stories, from six-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Joyce Carol Oates.
SWAN SONG: Diana, my sister by Charles Spencer (Memoir)
Beautiful. Beloved. Hunted. SWAN SONG recounts the extraordinary life and death of Diana, as told by her brother, Charles.
AN UNEXPECTED LIFE: A Memoir by Gloria Steinem (Memoir)
In her final memoir, Gloria Steinem offers a candid, inspiring portrait of her early life and journey as an activist, while looking ahead to the next chapters of the fight for equality --- a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of feminism’s most enduring voices.
Click here to see the latest “On Sale This Week” newsletter.
From left to right: Ariel Lawhon, Charlotte McConaghy
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
Here are two upcoming virtual book and author events that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links for more info and to register.
Monday, September 21st at 7pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Charlotte McConaghy for a live virtual discussion of her instant New York Times bestseller, WILD DARK SHORE, which is about the impossible choices we make to protect the people we love, even as the world around us disappears. Charlotte will be in conversation for this special event.
Wednesday, September 23rd at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with Ariel Lawhon about her new novel, THE PIRATE QUEEN, which channels the untamed beauty and harsh realities of 16th-century Ireland, as seen through the eyes of an unforgettable heroine who rightly became “the Pirate Queen of Ireland.”
"Bookreporter Talks To" Videos & Podcasts
“Bookreporter Talks To” is a video and podcast series that delivers long-form, in-depth author interviews. For years, Carol has moderated book festivals and author events around the country. But we know that readers often do not live where they can attend an author event. Our goal is to bring these author interviews to readers, wherever they may be. Watch on video, or listen as a podcast. (The podcasts include audio excerpts.)
Here is our latest interview:
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Hank Phillippi Ryan (MOTHER DAUGHTER SISTER STRANGER) Video | Podcast
Other authors we've interviewed recently include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Amanda Peters (THE BIRTHING TREE)
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Jonathan Santlofer (TEN PERFECT GUESTS)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: September Fiction Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following fiction titles releasing in September have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
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AGRIPPA: A Novel of Ancient Rome's Descent into Dictatorship, by Robert Harris
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AMERICAN HAGWON by Min Jin Lee
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THE BIG CATS DANCE PARTY: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (27) by Alexander McCall Smith
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THE BIRTHING TREE by Amanda Peters
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DEAD BEAT by Leigh Bardugo
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THE DISAPPEARERS by Marlon James
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EXIT PARTY by Emily St. John Mandel
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FALLING FOR PEACHTREE BLUFF by Kristy Woodson Harvey
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THE FRENCH ILLUSION by John Grisham
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FURY IN DEATH by J. D. Robb
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GALINDA: A Charmed Childhood, by Gregory Maguire
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HOLLOW BONES by Jodi Picoult
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HOLLYWOOD, ENDING by John Green
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INCARNATE by Alma Katsu
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IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK by Clare Mackintosh
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THE MANY PRIVATE LIVES OF MISSY COOKE by Jane Green
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MOTHER DAUGHTER SISTER STRANGER by Hank Phillippi Ryan
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THE MUNICH AFFAIR by James Patterson and David Ellis
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MURDER AT THE GRAND ALPINE HOTEL: A Miss Marple Mystery, by Lucy Foley
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NO SONG FOR THE DEAD: A Department Q Novel, by Jussi Adler-Olsen, Stine Bolther and Line Holm
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ONE SPLIT SECOND by Robert Dugoni
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OUR NOBLE SELVES by Kate Atkinson
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PAPER GHOSTS by Sarah Addison Allen
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PICTURES OF YOU by Josh Malerman
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THE PIRATE QUEEN by Ariel Lawhon
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QUEENIE IS WORKING ON IT by Candice Carty-Williams
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SECOND NATURE by Joyce Carol Oates, writing as Rosamond Smith
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SOPHIE, STANDING THERE by Meg Mason
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SWITZY by Emma Cline
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TAIPEI STORY by R. F. Kuang
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TEN PERFECT GUESTS by Jonathan Santlofer
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THE THOROUGHBREDS by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham
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UNDER STORY by Chloe Benjamin
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WE CHASE SHADOWS: A We Solve Murders Mystery, by Richard Osman
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THE WITCHES OF CAMBRIDGE by Alice Hoffman
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, September 25th at noon ET.
Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What
You've Read --- and You Can Win Two Books!
Tell us about the books you’ve read with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from September 11th to September 25th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of HOLLYWOOD, ENDING by John Green and THE PIRATE QUEEN by Ariel Lawhon.
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.
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