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Those of us who live with people who love golf know that this is Masters weekend. That means that my husband will spend a LOT of time watching golf. I will make a huge batch of pimento cheese sandwiches (somewhere I found the official recipe from The Masters), and then I will head off to read a book. In many ways, this is the perfect weekend for both of us. By the way, my husband finished ALL CARRY by Gene Wojciechowski and loved it. He will be recommending it to his fellow golf lovers. Wait, does this make him “an influencer”?
I currently am reading LAST ONE OUT by Jane Harper. The book is set in the Australian town of Carralon Ridge, where Sam Crowley did not come home on his 21st birthday. He rented a car that was found near three abandoned houses, and there were footprints in and out of one of them. The town has been bought by a mining company. Sam's mother, Ro, has moved to Sydney, while her husband still lives in Carralon Ridge. But she comes home each year to commemorate Sam's birthday and his life that is frozen in time.
Beginning next week, Jane is in the States from Australia for her book tour, and I am looking forward to interviewing her on Monday.
I am continuing to listen to A FAR-FLUNG LIFE by M. L. Stedman, which I am loving. It’s also set in Australia, a place that I want to visit. So between these two books, I am enjoying learning more about the remote places that are part of the country’s landscape.
My latest “Bookreporter Talks To” interview is with Allison Pataki. Her new novel, IT GIRL, is a USA Today bestseller and a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection. Allison shares that her inspiration for the book was Evelyn Nesbit, one of the Gibson Girls of the early 20th century, who became America's first self-made female celebrity and “It Girl,” rising from poverty in Pittsburgh to Broadway stardom.
The story takes place during a transformative period following the Gilded Age with new technology like electricity, automobiles and cameras, and the birth of Broadway as the “Great White Way.” It examines the exploitation of young women in early celebrity culture while exploring themes of survival, agency and female empowerment.
We also talk about our mutual love of audiobooks. As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, I listened to IT GIRL and appreciated Barrie Kreinik’s narration.
Click here to watch the interview or here to listen to the podcast. And if you missed my Bets On commentary from last week, you can see my thoughts on the book here.
April's “Bookaccino Live” Book Preview Event
We hosted this month “Bookaccino Live” book preview event on Wednesday. We plan to have the video up on our YouTube channel tomorrow, and we will share the link in next week's newsletter, along with details about next month's book preview event. In the meantime, click here for a list of the 55(!) titles that I presented.
YESTERYEAR, Caro Claire Burke’s much-talked-about debut novel, is April’s “Good Morning America” Book Club selection, #1 Indie Next pick, Top LibraryReads Pick --- and an upcoming Bets On title. A traditional American woman, a “tradwife” influencer, suddenly awakens in the brutal reality of 1855. She must unravel whether this living nightmare is an elaborate hoax, a twisted reality show, or something far more sinister.
Rebecca Munro has our review and says, “It’s easy to see why this remarkable novel is already being touted as the book of the year. More than that, though, it seems like an instant modern classic that will continue to inform generations of readers about this particularly peculiar moment in our shared history. Fiercely intelligent, wickedly funny, and a searing takedown of tradwife culture, it widens the lens and examines our world in a way that allows the mind to broaden, expand and change.”
I will share my Bets On commentary in next week’s newsletter. As I mentioned last week, I really love YESTERYEAR. I tried to get an interview with Caro, but her schedule is crazy. She talked about the book on “Good Morning America,” which you can take a look at here. My book group wants to read it!
Word of Mouth Contest Reminder
YESTERYEAR is one of our current Word of Mouth prizes, along with the aforementioned LAST ONE OUT by Jane Harper, which we will review next week. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win both these titles. Be sure to enter by Friday, April 17th at noon ET.
In her newly released novel, AMERICAN FANTASY, Emma Straub has written a smart and laugh-out-loud story about what happens when your teenage fantasy comes true after you’re already an adult. It shows us that real passion is never truly lost, that what we love makes us who we are, and that deep meaning can sometimes be found in a sea of screaming fans.
According to Rebecca Munro in her review, the book is “a truly delightful and immersive trip down memory lane” and goes on to say, “Perfect for those who had posters of iconic rockers above their bed, or for anyone at a major crossroads in their life, AMERICAN FANTASY is a glittery, nostalgia-drenched thrill ride that reminds readers of the magic of starting over…and maybe learning that the magic was in you all along.”
This book sounds like so much fun! You can see Emma talk about it on the “Today” show here.
Patrick Radden Keefe, the bestselling and prize-winning author of SAY NOTHING and EMPIRE OF PAIN, is back with another fascinating true-crime book. LONDON FALLING is the spellbinding account of a family devastated by the sudden death of their 19-year-old son, only to discover that he had created a secret life that drew him into the dangerous criminal underworld that lies beneath London’s glittering surface.
Harvey Freedenberg has this to say in his review: “While Keefe ends up advancing a fairly obvious theory of the proximate cause of Zac Brettler's death, it's unlikely that this case will ever be solved in any conclusive way. That by no means diminishes the engrossing experience of reading LONDON FALLING. Driven by a deep empathy for the suffering of Zac's family, peopled with an intriguing and often colorful cast of characters, and written with an unassuming grace, it's a model of books in its genre.”
I have read so much about this book, and it is on my “want to read” list.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF: Writing as Evelyn Clarke, V. E. Schwab and Cat Clarke take readers to a secluded Scottish island, where six struggling authors are given the chance to complete the unfinished manuscript of a legendary writer in just 72 hours. In exchange, they are offered a life-changing sum of money and the chance to turn their floundering careers around.
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JUDY BLUME: Mark Oppenheimer has penned a multidimensional portrait of acclaimed author Judy Blume through extensive interviews with Blume herself, invaluable access to her papers and correspondence, and thoughtful analysis of her beloved novels, including early, unpublished works that shed light on the pathbreaking writer she would become.
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REVENGE PREY: Lucas Davenport must track down a ruthless Russian hit team in John Sandford’s latest thriller. According to our reviewer Philip Zozzaro, “Sandford keeps the narrative engaging by alternating between the points of view of Lucas and his prey.... While REVENGE PREY contains action aplenty, there is an ample amount of humor, and Lucas’ proclivity for pushing buttons continues unabated.”
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MOTHERS AND OTHER STRANGERS: Two estranged childhood best friends reunite as expectant mothers after a mysterious falling-out between their own mothers keeps them apart for years​ in Corey Ann Haydu’s debut novel for adults, which is this month’s Barnes & Noble Book Club pick.
Spring Reading Contest Update
MY FRIENDS by Fredrik Backman was this week’s Spring Reading prize book. Our final two giveaways will be MIDNIGHT, AT THE WAR by Devi S. Laskar and THE LOST SUMMER by Wendy Corsi Staub. The contests will be up at noon ET on Tuesday, April 14th and Wednesday, April 15th. I had a great conversation with Devi yesterday. You can watch or listen to the interview in two weeks, following our review next week.
April’s New in Paperback Feature
Our New in Paperback roundups for April are now up. We’re featuring paperback fiction reprints from such bestselling authors as Percival Everett (JAMES), Chris Pavone (THE DOORMAN), Jeffery Deaver (SOUTH OF NOWHERE), Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham (THE ACADEMY), Anne Tyler (THREE DAYS IN JUNE), Beatriz Williams (UNDER THE STARS), and Julie Clark (THE GHOSTWRITER); nonfiction titles, including BE READY WHEN THE LUCK HAPPENS by Ina Garten and BOAT BABY by Vicky Nguyen; and paperback originals like THE MOUNTAINS WE CALL HOME by Kim Michele Richardson and BERTIE’S THEORY OF ICE CREAM by Alexander McCall Smith.
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask which of 35 fiction titles releasing this month you are looking forward to reading. Click here to let us know by Friday, April 17th at noon ET.
Emma Brodie’s second novel, INTO THE BLUE (following SONGS IN URSA MAJOR), is Reese’s Book Club pick for April. Reese says that the book is “a story that really stayed with me --- about love, timing, and what happens when the past finds its way back into your life. I was so drawn to the way it explores fate versus choice.”
This month’s “Read with Jenna” Book Club pick is UPWARD BOUND by debut novelist Woody Brown, who became the first nonspeaking autistic graduate of UCLA. Jenna calls the book “an extraordinary story about what becomes possible when even one person believes in you.” She goes on to say, “This is a love story about mothers and sons --- a window into a world so often misunderstood. I am confident it will open hearts and change minds.”
For more April selections, including the Indie Next and LibraryReads lists, see our “Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks” feature here. Please note that Oprah will announce her new book club pick on Tuesday, and we will talk about it in next week's newsletter.
It also was announced this week that THE CORRESPONDENT is the grand prize winner of the inaugural James Patterson and Bookshop.org Prize. The runner-up is THE LILAC PEOPLE by Milo Todd.
According to Bookshop.org, the award “honors outstanding full-length debut books published in the United States within the past 12 months. True to Bookshop.org's mission, this award highlights the expertise of booksellers: all nominations and selections are made by booksellers working in qualifying independent bookstores, ensuring that voices of readers in local communities are heard.”
News & Pop Culture
Bookmarks: Wow, so many of you asked for bookmarks last week that I placed an order for more, and they will be in soon. Once again, if you would like bookmarks that have information about our websites, newsletters, and various online interviews and programs for your friends or your book group, please send me a note with the subject line “Bookmarks.” Include your name and mailing address in the email, as well as the quantity that you would like, so we can get them sent to you!
Reader Mail:
Jean wrote, “Thank you for letting me know that I won THE FORTUNE TELLERS OF RUE DARU in your Spring Reading contest. I am so excited to start reading it! Paris, Russian royalty, a mysterious haunting --- it sounds delightful!” Above you can see a picture of Jean with the book.
Emily wrote about winning a copy of both DAUGHTER OF EGYPT by Marie Benedict and THE KEEPER by Tana French in our Word of Mouth contest: “Thank you so much for the great news!”
Debbie wrote, “I just want you to know how much I enjoy your weekly newsletters. Of particular interest this week is the fact that you are knitting Nature’s Palette. A friend of mine and I each knitted this blanket a few years ago. Absolutely gorgeous.”
I am thrilled to share that I cast off this project last night. I cannot remember when I started it, but knitting a huge project like this in the seed stitch was a challenge. I will share a photo once it is back from the woman who helps me finish work by weaving in ends and blocking. Neither are my strong suit.
Courtney wrote, “I just went to a fabulous in-person talk with Marie Benedict about her new book, DAUGHTER OF EGYPT, through Beyond the Page and am attending another one online with Emily Franklin about her latest book on Mary Shelley's stepsister, LOVE & OTHER MONSTERS.” I LOVE hearing about the book events that our readers enjoy!
In addition to requesting bookmarks, Elise wrote, “First, thanks for all you do. I so enjoy reading your newsletter every week. I've gotten some really good recommendations from you! I wanted to tell you about something that's taking place here in Charlotte, NC, that I think is really cool and so much fun. For the fifth year now, the independent bookstores in the Charlotte area are featuring a book crawl. There are 25 stores that you can visit and get a stamp on your 'passport' to win prizes. The enthusiasm is so encouraging. This will be my fifth year. I love exploring and supporting these wonderful stores!” Here are the details. It is happening the entire month of April.
“The Madison” on Paramount+: We finished watching this series and thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope it really was shot in Montana since the place looked beautiful. It also had many funny moments as this very New York family came to see the place their father loved so much. Michelle Pfeiffer is great in it, and I am looking forward to next season.
Pfeiffer also is in the Apple TV+ series “Margo's Got Money Troubles”, which is based on the book of the same name by Rufi Thorpe. Margo will be played by Elle Fanning. It premieres on Wednesday, April 15th with the first three episodes.
Nuremberg on Netflix: I watched half of this film last night with my husband. The second half is geared up for tonight.
“The Pitt” on HBO Max: Every episode ends with a brilliant cliffhanger. Last night’s was something medical, and I found myself on the show's Facebook fan page to see what actually had happened.
The Easter basket cupcakes came out really well. Dying coconut green was a lot of fun. The egg-shaped cake was pretty much a disaster. First, I decided to take a shortcut and bought a cake mix at the store. Um, it was nowhere near as good as the one I bake from scratch. I made frosting, but it was too soupy. We tried to solve it by putting it in the refrigerator overnight. That did not help. And the brilliant way to color it was anything but smart. Note above how the colors pooled on the bottom of the plate.
Also, there seemed to be dye everywhere; if you came near the plate, your hands got colored. It washed off quickly, but I was washing a lot. After everyone left, my husband let out a shriek in the kitchen. It seems he had touched the plate and then his shirt. Although I assured him that it would come out with just water, I grabbed the shirt and did a load of laundry. Just what one wants to do on Easter night. I will conquer the egg decorating another year. We did a beautiful one years ago, but I could not find that photo for inspiration!
Tomorrow night we are going to Princeton University for the annual Banff Film Festival. These movies were originally shown at the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival last fall. It’s always a nice mix of short and long-form films focusing on a variety of sports. In the past, we have gone two nights in a row, but this year we opted for just the one. We love sharing which films we each enjoyed the most. And we always go to Tortuga’s Mexican Village for Mexican food before we head there. Traditions! I already know what I am going to order. It's nice to have something actually planned in advance as opposed to winging it!
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 IndieBound. As you read our reviews and features, we would appreciate your considering this as you buy!
Featured Review: YESTERYEAR by Caro Claire Burke
April’s “Good Morning America” Book Club Pick
and an Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
YESTERYEAR by Caro Claire Burke (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Rebecca Lowman
Natalie Heller Mills lives a traditional lifestyle. Her charming farmhouse is rustic, her husband a handsome cowboy, her six children each more delightful than the last. So what if there are nannies and producers behind the scenes, her kitchen hiding industrial-grade fridges and ovens, her husband the heir to a political dynasty? What Natalie’s eight million followers don’t know won’t hurt them. But then one morning, Natalie wakes up in a life that isn’t hers. Her kitchen is warmed by a sputtering fire rather than electricity, her children are dirty and strange, and her soft-handed husband is suddenly a competent farmer. Has she become the unwitting star of a ruthless reality show? Could it really be time travel? When Natalie suffers a brutal injury in the woods, she realizes two things: This is not her beautiful life, and she must escape by any means possible. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to see why the book is this month's “Good Morning America” Book Club pick.
Click here to read our review.
YESTERYEAR will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's commentary in next week's newsletter.
Featured Review: AMERICAN FANTASY by Emma Straub
AMERICAN FANTASY by Emma Straub (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Marin Ireland
When the American Fantasy cruise ship sets sail for a four-day themed voyage, aboard are all five members of a famous ’90s-era boy band and 3,000 screaming women who have worshipped them since childhood. Feeling slightly out of place amid this crowd is Annie --- newly divorced, turning 50 with an empty nest, and here on a lark to appease her sister. Yet when the lights come up and the idols of her youth begin to sing, something is unlocked. Between the slushy alcoholic drinks, the familiar music, and the throngs of middle-aged women acting like lovesick teenagers, Annie finally reconnects to a long-submerged part of herself. By the time she meets one of the band members --- not just a celebrity but someone in need of a friend --- she has accessed a new sense of possibility. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
LONDON FALLING by Patrick Radden Keefe
LONDON FALLING: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe (True Crime)
Audiobook available, read by Patrick Radden Keefe
In the early morning of November 29, 2019, surveillance cameras at the headquarters of MI6, Britain’s spy agency, captured video of a young man pacing back and forth on a high balcony of Riverwalk, a luxury tower on the bank of the river Thames. At 2:24 a.m., he jumped into the river. In a quiet London neighborhood several miles away, Rachelle Brettler was worried about her son. Zac had told her that he had gone to stay with a friend, but then he did not come home. Days later, a police car pulled up, and two officers relayed the dreadful news: her son was dead. In their unbearable grief, Rachelle and her husband, Matthew, struggled to understand what had happened to Zac. He had his troubles, but in no way did he seem suicidal. As they would soon discover, however, there was a lot they did not know about their son. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF by Evelyn Clarke
THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF by Evelyn Clarke (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Fiona Hardingham
Arthur Fletch, one of the world’s bestselling novelists, is a reclusive genius known for his iconic protagonists and fiendish twists. When six struggling authors are invited to spend a weekend on his private Scottish island, they arrive to discover a shocking secret: Arthur Fletch is dead…and his last book is unfinished. Desperate to publish the novel, Fletch’s agent and editor have summoned these writers in the hope that one of them will imagine a worthy ending for this final book. To sweeten the deal, they are offering an irresistible prize: in addition to ghost-writing the last chapter --- for a mind-boggling sum --- they also will help the lucky writer successfully re-launch their own career, guaranteeing future bestsellers. The catch: the writers have just 72 hours to finish Fletch’s magnum opus. It’s the perfect plot. All it needs is a killer ending. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: JUDY BLUME by Mark Oppenheimer
JUDY BLUME: A Life by Mark Oppenheimer (Biography)
Audiobook available, read by Molly Ringwald
Judy Blume’s influential novels turned classics touched the lives of tens of millions of readers. For more than 55 years, her work has done something revolutionary: it rewired the world’s expectations of what literature for young people can be --- frank, candid, earthy, and unafraid to show the messier sides of humanity. But little is known about the real woman behind the iconic persona, and the unlikely journey of her literary ascension, until now. In JUDY BLUME, longtime Blume aficionado Mark Oppenheimer pens a beautiful, multidimensional portrait of the acclaimed author through extensive interviews with Blume herself, invaluable access to her papers and correspondence, and thoughtful analysis of Blume’s beloved novels, including early, unpublished works that shed light on the pathbreaking writer she would become. Reviewed by Pauline Finch.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: REVENGE PREY by John Sandford
REVENGE PREY: A Lucas Davenport Novel by John Sandford (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Robert Petkoff
A former high-ranking Russian intelligence officer who defected to the U.S. after providing critical information about Russian spies in U.S. government service, Leonard Summers and his wife and son have spent the past year holed up in a CIA facility near Washington. After the CIA makes a deal with the U.S. Marshal Service’s Witness Protection Program (WPP), Leonard’s family is transported to Minneapolis. The plan is to hide them in a wooded Minneapolis suburb that resembles their former home and dacha near Moscow. The Summers are received at their destination by Lucas Davenport and fellow marshal Shelly White. Unbeknownst to them, the WPP group has been tracked by a Russian hit team. As shots are fired and enemies dodged, Lucas must move quickly to uncover where the leak is coming from before the hit team can strike again. Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
MOTHERS AND OTHER STRANGERS by Corey Ann Haydu
April’s Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick
MOTHERS AND OTHER STRANGERS by Corey Ann Haydu (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Beth Hicks
When Sydney and Mae meet on the playground as toddlers, it seems like kismet. Even their very different mothers --- the Type-A Beth Ann and the free-spirited Joni --- agree the girls are made for each other. Then a falling-out draws them apart, and decades later, the loneliness still lingers for the newly pregnant Sydney. Adrift in the absence of her closest friend, Sydney has been drawn into a Multi-Level Marketing scheme. Across the city, Mae is stunned to find herself single, pregnant, and still haunted by the loss of her mercurial late mother, Joni. When Sydney and Mae find themselves back in one another’s lives, each with a baby girl on the horizon, it once again seems like destiny. But soon they will discover a devastating secret at the center of their orbits --- a truth that finally will bind them or shatter them for good. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com’s 15th Annual
Spring Reading Contests and Feature
Spring is in the air! We’ve caught the fever --- and it’s being fueled by some wonderful new and upcoming releases.
Bookreporter.com's 15th annual Spring Reading Contests and Feature spotlights many of these picks, which we know people will be talking about over the next few months. We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through mid-April. You will need to check the site to see the featured book and enter to win.
We also are sending a special newsletter to announce each title, which you can sign up for here.
Our last two contests will be up at noon ET on Tuesday, April 14th and Wednesday, April 15th. The prize books will be MIDNIGHT, AT THE WAR by Devi S. Laskar and THE LOST SUMMER by Wendy Corsi Staub.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
April’s New in Paperback Roundups
April's roundup of New in Paperback fiction titles includes JAMES, Percival Everett's brilliant, action-packed reimagining of ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN told from the enslaved Jim's point of view, which won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award; SOUTH OF NOWHERE by Jeffery Deaver, in which reward seeker Colter Shaw races against the clock to save a flooding town from a full-fledged disaster, where the culprit lurks in plain sight; THE ACADEMY, the irresistible, deliciously scandalous story of one drama-filled year at a New England boarding school from Elin Hilderbrand and her daughter, Shelby Cunningham; THE DOORMAN by Chris Pavone, a pulse-pounding novel of class, privilege, sex and murder; and Beatriz Williams' UNDER THE STARS, an epic tale of family legacy, love and truths that echo down generations.
Among our nonfiction highlights are BE READY WHEN THE LUCK HAPPENS, the long-awaited memoir of beloved Food Network personality and Instagram sensation Ina Garten, who presents an intimate, entertaining and inspiring account of her remarkable journey; MEMORIAL DAYS, Geraldine Brooks' heartrending and beautiful memoir of sudden loss and a journey towards peace; BOAT BABY, in which NBC News anchor and correspondent Vicky Nguyen tells the story of her family’s daring escape from communist Vietnam and her unlikely journey from refugee to reporter with laughter and fierce love; and THE BOOKSHOP by Evan Friss, an affectionate and engaging history of the American bookstore and its central place in American cultural life.
Find out what's New in Paperback for the weeks of
April 6th, April 13th, April 20th and April 27th.
Our Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks for April
Each month, we share top book picks from Indie Next and LibraryReads. We also feature a number of other prominent selections, including the Barnes & Noble Book Club, the “Good Morning America” Book Club, Oprah’s Book Club, the PBS Books Readers Club, the “Read with Jenna” Book Club, Reese's Book Club, and the Target Book Club.
Below is a preview of April's “Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks.” For the complete Indie Next and LibraryReads lists, as well as additional links pertaining to this month's selections, please click here.
Indie Next
#1 Pick: YESTERYEAR by Caro Claire Burke
AMERICAN FANTASY by Emma Straub
THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF by Evelyn Clarke
HONEYSUCKLE by Bar Fridman-Tell
GO GENTLE by Maria Semple
LibraryReads
Top Pick: YESTERYEAR by Caro Claire Burke
JAPANESE GOTHIC by Kylie Lee Baker
THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF by Evelyn Clarke
THISTLEMARSH by Moorea Corrigan
THE DUKE by Anna Cowan
Barnes & Noble Book Club
MOTHERS AND OTHER STRANGERS by Corey Ann Haydu
"Good Morning America" Book Club
YESTERYEAR by Caro Claire Burke
Oprah's Book Club
To be announced on Tuesday, April 14th
PBS Books Readers Club
WILDING: Returning Nature to Our Farm, by Isabella Tree
"Read with Jenna" Book Club
UPWARD BOUND by Woody Brown
Reese's Book Club
INTO THE BLUE: A Love Story by Emma Brodie
Target Book Club
THE LAST LETTERS OF SALLY AND WALTER by Cammie McGovern
Click here for April's Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks.
RORY: The Heartache and Triumph of Golf's Most Human Superstar by Alan Shipnuck (Sports/Biography)
Audiobook available, read by Alan Shipnuck
Rory McIlroy contains multitudes. He can overwhelm a golf course with his transcendent talent and then, at the next tournament, look utterly lost. McIlroy is golf’s most eloquent ambassador and a trash-talking troll, sometimes in the same press conference. The child of a working-class family from a small town in a war-torn homeland now commutes to work in his own private jet and counts billionaires as confidants. A dozen years ago, McIlroy asked Alan Shipnuck a question about the player he had modeled himself after, Tiger Woods: “What’s he really like?” As McIlroy enters the last act of his highly eventful career, this book is a chance to redirect that old question and try to understand a man of deep complexity and contradictions. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.
GUILT written by Keigo Higashino, translated by Giles Murray (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Tim Lounibos
Homicide Detective Godai of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is assigned to investigate the death of a lawyer, Kensuke Shiraishi, whose body was found on a Central Tokyo riverbank. His investigations lead him to one Tatsuro Kuraki, who claims to have had limited contact with Shiraishi. But, surprising the investigators, Kuraki confesses not only to the lawyer's murder, but to another one from 30 years ago --- for which another man was arrested and died in custody before trial. This brings unexpected resolution to two cases, but there is one problem: to Detective Godai, the confession rings false. As Godai investigates further, he discovers that the relation between the murder of 30 years ago and the recent one is complex, raising multifaceted questions of guilt and innocence. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
DOG PERSON by Camille Pagán (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Mark Bramhall
Harold may be an aging mutt --- but Amelia May, the romance novelist who adopted him, taught him a thing or two about the human heart before she died. And she left Harold with a final task: to help her partner, Miguel, find love again. Unfortunately, the grief-ridden recluse rarely goes out, not even to the bookstore he and Amelia owned together. Now it’s in danger of going under, and to make matters even worse, a renowned author doesn’t show up for his event. Miguel and Harold set out to find the no-show and insist he fulfill his obligation. Instead they’re greeted by his sister, Fiona, who is intent on protecting her brother’s privacy. But her precocious 11-year-old daughter, who’s also named Amelia, immediately befriends Harold…and he can’t help but wonder if his Amelia was right when she said there are no coincidences in life. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
AGNES SHARP AND THE WEDDING TO DIE FOR written by Leonie Swann, translated by Amy Bojang (Mystery/Humor)
Audiobook available, read by Moira Quirk
Sunset Hall is abuzz with anticipation of Bernadette’s upcoming wedding. But her best friend, Agnes Sharp, isn’t a fan of her plan to leave the house share and its residents behind. Nevertheless, Agnes and the not-so-sprightly gang of pensioners launch into wedding-planning mode after a spot opens at the high-class Foxglove Manor --- in just two weeks. Just when they think they have the guest list squared away, a threatening note appears at the house. Agnes and the others decide to handle it themselves, not wanting to cause the betrothed stress. With some assistance from a private investigator, Agnes digs into the case of the poison-pen letter, determined to ensure the wedding goes off without a hitch…aside from the bodies they’ve already had to hide from the bride. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
BLOOD TRAIL by Matt Query and Harrison Query (Supernatural Thriller/Horror)
Audiobook available, read by Shaun Taylor-Corbett
Clark Rickert was once the most prolific big game poacher throughout the Rocky Mountain west, but when he lost his wife and son, he turned away from hunting. Now a game warden working for the very law enforcement officers who once pursued him so aggressively, Clark is overwhelmingly successful at his job. So when there’s a string of disappearances in rural Montana, Clark is selected to join a task force on an operation targeting a mysterious, violent cult in the area. As he works to uncover the truth, Clark begins to be plagued by visions and starts to realize that there is a deeper purpose to his assignment. The cult might be up to something far more terrifying than anyone could have guessed. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE MUSEUM OF UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE: A Psychic City Mystery by Erica Wright (Mystery)
Rational and cynical Aly Orlean’s life in her psychic hometown of Wyndale, Florida, couldn’t be more hectic. It’s all about running her business, raising a teenage sister, sending out holiday greetings --- and her new task: finding a killer. For her Museum of Unusual Occurrence not only houses odd curiosities but now has a brand-new display: the body of Rose Dempsey, a local 20-year-old, set up in one of the exhibits as if she has been ritually sacrificed. With the police clueless, Aly is worried that this is a vicious warning for her and her solitary way of life. Fearing for her sister Merope’s well-being, she’s determined to find out why the killer murdered Rose and how her body was placed in Aly’s museum. But might the killer be someone hiding in plain sight? Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE GLOWING HOURS by Leila Siddiqui (Gothic Horror)
Audiobook available, read by Rachel Petladwala
Summer 1816: London is a hostile place for the newly disembarked Mehrunissa Begum, who’s come to deliver her brother’s letter of inheritance before returning to her comfortable life in Lucknow, India. But she can’t find her brother anywhere and has no money for the return trip. With nowhere else to go, Mehr finds refuge in a boardinghouse for Indian maids. She is soon hired at the English estate of Mary and Percy Shelley. Mary asks Mehr to accompany the Shelleys and her stepsister, Claire --- as well as the eccentric Lord Byron and his physician, John Polidori --- to Lake Geneva for the summer. Almost immediately, she notices strange, ghostly events at the villa. As Mary begins work on what will become her earth-shattering literary phenomenon, Mehr finds herself trapped in the villa as the rest of its inhabitants descend into madness. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on April 14th
Below are some notable titles releasing on April 14th 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 April 13th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
CHERRY BABY by Rainbow Rowell (Fiction)
#1 New York Times bestselling author Rainbow Rowell returns with a breathtakingly honest novel about a woman who lost everything --- and isn't sure she wants it back.
DEATH TIMES SEVEN: A Daniel Pitt Novel by Anne Perry and Victoria Zackheim (Historical Mystery)
Two violent crimes challenge the investigative skills of young Daniel Pitt and his wife, Miriam, in the final novel of iconic mystery writer Anne Perry's beloved Daniel Pitt series.
EXTRA SAUCE: The Good, the Bad, and the Onions by Zahra Tangorra (Memoir)
In this raw and raucous memoir about the great meals and great loves of her life, chef and writer Zahra Tangorra reflects on family, friendship, grief and the solace that can be found through food.
FAMESICK: A Memoir by Lena Dunham (Memoir)
In this rowdy, frank reflection on illness, fame, sex and everything in between, the remarkable mind behind the hit series “Girls” and the bestselling author of NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL asks if fulfilling her creative ambitions has been worth the pain.
GO GENTLE by Maria Semple (Fiction)
The New York Times bestselling author of WHERE'D YOU GO, BERNADETTE returns to form in her most exuberant and life-affirming novel yet with the story of one woman’s cheerful determination to live a life of the mind only to have the heart force its way in.
HOPE RISES by David Baldacci (Thriller)
Walter Nash began a journey down a dark path of seemingly no return, and now he finds himself questioning everything that got him there in this thrilling sequel to NASH FALLS from #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci.
I CHOOSE ME: Chasing Joy, Finding Purpose & Embracing Reinvention by Jennie Garth (Memoir)
Beloved actress, designer and entrepreneur Jennie Garth opens up in this fiercely honest book about pursuing happiness, aging with confidence, and learning to love and prioritize yourself.
JAPANESE GOTHIC by Kylie Lee Baker (Gothic Horror/Mystery)
In this lyrical, wildly inventive horror novel interwoven with Japanese mythology, two people living centuries apart discover a door between their worlds.
LAST ONE OUT by Jane Harper (Mystery/Thriller)
From the New York Times bestselling author of EXILES and THE DRY comes a captivating novel set in a modern ghost town that explores what lingers after tragedy when a mother revisits her son's missing person case five years later.
LEAVE YOUR MESS AT HOME by Tolani Akinola (Fiction)
LEAVE YOUR MESS AT HOME is a poignant exploration of forgiveness, unconditional love and becoming who you want to be, asking the question: What do we owe to our families, and what do we owe to ourselves?
THE LEFT AND THE LUCKY by Willy Vlautin (Fiction)
The acclaimed Willy Vlautin returns with a heartbreaking and tender novel about two young brothers, the vicissitudes of fate and unexpected connection.
THE LOST SUMMER by Wendy Corsi Staub (Psychological Thriller)
A girl’s vanishing draws a detective into the crimes and mysteries of her own past in a shocking novel of psychological suspense by the New York Times bestselling author of THE FOURTH GIRL.
MIDNIGHT, AT THE WAR by Devi S. Laskar (Fiction)
MIDNIGHT, AT THE WAR is a novel about a reporter chasing the biggest story of her career as she contends with a tense newsroom, a dangerous global conflict, and all the problems she’s running away from at home.
THE PATCHWORK PLAYERS: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini (Fiction)
The cast of a smash TV show arrives at a quilter’s retreat for a week of camaraderie and creativity that takes some surprising twists in this heartwarming new installment of Jennifer Chiaverini’s much-beloved Elm Creek Quilts series.
PORCUPINES by Fran Fabriczki (Fiction/Humor)
PORCUPINES is a fresh and witty debut about a young immigrant mother and her increasingly inquisitive daughter, who wakes up one day and decides to find out who her father is.
SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE by Jay McInerney (Fiction)
Jay McInerney gives us the stunningly accomplished and profoundly affecting final volume in the tetralogy charting the marriage of Russell and Corrine Calloway, now in their 60s, against the backdrop of various crises that have bedeviled our society in the past 40 years.
Click here to see the latest “On Sale This Week” newsletter.
From left to right: Sally Hepworth, Willy Vlautin, Tana French
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
Here are three upcoming virtual book and author events that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links for more info and to register.
Tuesday, April 14th at 9pm ET: Killer Author Club: Kimberly Belle, Heather Gudenkauf and Kaira Rouda will talk to Sally Hepworth about her new novel, MAD MABEL, a twisty tale of justice, redemption, and one irrepressible woman who’s not done breaking the rules just yet.
Tuesday, April 14th at 10pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Willy Vlautin will talk about his new book, THE LEFT AND THE LUCKY, a heartbreaking and tender novel about two young brothers, the vicissitudes of fate and unexpected connection that illuminates the power of friendship and how it can save lives in multiple ways.
Wednesday, April 15th at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with Tana French about her latest novel, THE KEEPER, which is the final installment in her million-copy-bestselling trilogy featuring retired Chicago detective Cal Hooper.
"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:
Other authors we've interviewed recently include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Jane Harper (LAST ONE OUT)
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Devi S. Laskar (MIDNIGHT, AT THE WAR)
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Susan Patterson (THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: April Fiction Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following fiction titles releasing in April have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
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AMERICAN FANTASY by Emma Straub
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BERTIE'S THEORY OF ICE CREAM: A 44 Scotland Street Novel, by Alexander McCall Smith
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CERTAINTY by John Twelve Hawks
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CHASING THE CLOUDS AWAY by Debbie Macomber
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CHERRY BABY by Rainbow Rowell
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CLAWED AND DANGEROUS: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery, by Rita Mae Brown
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A CRUISE TO DIE FOR by Heather Graham
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A DEADLY EPISODE by Anthony Horowitz
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DEATH TIMES SEVEN: A Daniel Pitt Novel, by Anne Perry and Victoria Zackheim
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DOG PERSON by Camille Pagán
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THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF by Evelyn Clarke
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GHOST TOWN by Tom Perrotta
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THE GIRLS TRIP by Ally Condie
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GO GENTLE by Maria Semple
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HOPE RISES by David Baldacci
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HOW TO CHEAT YOUR OWN DEATH: A Castle Knoll Murder Mystery, by Kristen Perrin
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IN THE SPIRIT OF FRENCH MURDER: An American in Paris Mystery, by Colleen Cambridge
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INTO THE BLUE: A Love Story, by Emma Brodie
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JAPANESE GOTHIC by Kylie Lee Baker
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LAST NIGHT IN BROOKLYN by Xochitl Gonzalez
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LAST ONE OUT by Jane Harper
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LIDIE: The Further Travels and Adventures of Lidie Newton, by Jane Smiley
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THE LITTLE BOOKSHOP BY THE HARBOR by Jean Stone
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THE LOST SUMMER by Wendy Corsi Staub
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MAD MABEL by Sally Hepworth
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MIDNIGHT, AT THE WAR by Devi S. Laskar
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THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB by Susan Patterson and James Patterson
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THE MOUNTAINS WE CALL HOME: The Book Woman's Legacy, by Kim Michele Richardson
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NO WAY HOME by T.C. Boyle
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PARADOX by Douglas Preston and Aletheia Preston
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THE PATCHWORK PLAYERS: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel, by Jennifer Chiaverini
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REVENGE PREY: A Lucas Davenport Novel, by John Sandford
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THE SAPPHIRE SEA by Davis Bunn
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SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE by Jay McInerney
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YESTERYEAR by Caro Claire Burke
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, April 17th 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 April 3rd to April 17th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of LAST ONE OUT by Jane Harper and YESTERYEAR by Caro Claire 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.
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