Over the holidays we saw some friends. Presents were piled underneath their tree and I found myself in the role of "gift voyeur" trying to figure out who in the extended family had gotten what gift, especially the books that I was familiar with. I saw a copy of Joel Osteen's book, YOUR BEST LIFE NOW, and asked my friend Beverley who had received that one. She said, "My brother, Graham. In fact, he got three copies." I smiled at this knowing how many times I had almost done the same thing when I knew a book was just "perfect" for a person --- and so did everyone else. When I see Osteen's book so high on the bestseller list I wonder how many people are getting more than one copy, knowing someone just perfect to share the book with.

I am reading Jodi Picoult's book VANISHING ACTS, which is coming out March 1st. I love love love Jodi's use of language. I keep making notes on the pages of lines that I like. It's the kind of book where I wish there were someone in the room that I could read all the poignant phrasing to. This story involves a woman who learns that her father kidnapped her as a child and gave her a new name --- and a new life. She learns this as he is arrested for kidnapping her. This is the topline plot. There is so much more there. The pages are turning whoosh whoosh whoosh and then they flip back the same way as I note what I really enjoyed reading.

This week we have something a bit different for you. While we get to know books and authors, we rarely hear from the editors who acquire these books for publishers --- the people who typically give them their "first read" and then nurture them along the way to publication. Recognizing that the editor often sees a manuscript that is very different from what we see on the shelves, we are sharing a new feature with you this week called "Edited By." Our first Editor who is sharing her story is Jordan Pavlin. The book she is talking about is CAST OF SHADOWS by Kevin Guilfoile, which is our latest Debut Suspense/Thriller title.

Happy Friday! I am just back from a rather whirlwind trip to Nashville where I spent most of this past week at the Christian Booksellers Association. I flew in just in time to put finishing touches on this week's newsletter and lineup. I will write more about my trip this weekend on the Bookreporter.com Blog, including what I read when I was on the road.

Milestone last week --- we now have 1,800 book clubs registered at ReadingGroupGuides.com. We are working on some excitng exclusive Registered Book Club offers for the upcoming months so be sure your group is registered.