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Gearing Up for Fall Reading
August can be a slow time for book groups as it feels like part of the country is getting into their back-to-school routines and the other half is on vacation. This means that book group scheduling is often on the back burner, which gives you time to do something special if your group is not meeting. Read on to ensure that you have something to suggest for your next read.
My group met this week and discussed MAD MABEL, which is a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection. Sally Hepworth was a new author for many of them. I hope they enjoy more of Sally's books as I have.
Next month, we are reading CITY OF WIDOWS by Nadia Hashimi, another Bets On pick. It is set in Afghanistan during the years when America was embedded there keeping the Taliban at bay. As the calendar turns to August 2021, we are working on getting wheels up and out. The women of Afghanistan, who had felt years of relative freedom, are terrified of what the future means for them. Is leaving on one of those planes a realistic option?
I had the pleasure of interviewing Nadia (more on that later), and she will be joining our group for the discussion, which I am very much looking forward to.
Announcing TWO Upcoming
“Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events
I am THRILLED to announce the guests for our September and October “Bookaccino Live” Book Groups events.
Joining us on Tuesday, September 29th at 8pm ET is Lisa See. We will talk about her latest novel, DAUGHTERS OF THE SUN AND MOON, which is an instant New York Times bestseller and a Bets On selection.
The book tells the story of three Chinese women whose unexpected friendship helps them survive and, despite the odds, thrive in the turmoil of post–Civil War Los Angeles. Roberta O’Hara says this in her Bookreporter review: “As only she can do, See weaves together memorable characters and thorough research into gripping historical fiction that will leave you at once satisfied and wanting to know more at the end.”
I will talk to Lisa and then will turn to readers who would like to share a question for her on screen (we have special sign-in directions for these attendees, and they will get to chat with Lisa in our “backstage green room” before the program starts), followed by audience questions. Click here to register for the event.
If you would like to ask Lisa a question, please fill out this form by Tuesday, September 29th at noon ET. Remember to include your name, city, state, email address and phone number, as well as your question. And indicate if you would like to be on camera or off.
Then, on Wednesday, October 28th at 8pm ET, Kathryn Stockett will discuss her most recent novel, THE CALAMITY CLUB, which is a #1 New York Times bestseller and a Bets On pick. Since the book is over 600 pages, we wanted to let you know about this event now so that those who haven’t read it will have plenty of time to do so.
This bighearted novel from the multimillion-copy-selling author of THE HELP is about a group of unbreakable women, fighting for what’s rightfully theirs --- and the power of friendship to change everything. Pamela Kramer has this to say in her review on Bookreporter: “[D]on't let the book's heft keep you from reading it. You'll race through it. I did. You'll probably love it and think about it for weeks to come. I did.”
The drill here is the same as with Lisa’s event. After I chat with Kathryn for a bit, we will give readers the chance to ask her a question on camera. Then we will turn to questions that have been dropped into Zoom’s Q&A feature. Sign up for the event by clicking here.
If you would like to ask Kathryn a question, be sure to fill out this form by Wednesday, October 28th at noon ET. Please include your name, city, state, email address and phone number, as well as your question. And let us know if you would like to be on camera or off.
We have three new “Bookreporter Talks To” interviews to share with you in this newsletter.
First up is Chris Bohjalian, whose latest novel, THE AMATEUR, is a Bets On title. Chris wrote in an “alchemic frenzy” over 90 days in the summer of 2024 without telling anyone until it was finished. It's his most autobiographical book in nature as he mined the days he spent as a “spectacular golf caddie” when he was in high school.
In THE AMATEUR, Mira Winston hits a golf ball at a driving range. It goes through a net and kills 17-year-old caddie Kenny Foster by rupturing an artery. Chris shares that this prologue reads as if it is a third-person omniscient novel discussing the history of golf balls and country clubs, until the final sentences reveal Mira as the narrator.
The book’s title carries multiple meanings, including class elitism in golf culture and broader themes about Mira's identity and choices. The 1978 setting is integral to the novel's exploration of gender inequality, the dismissal of female athletes, and the systemic failure of adults to protect young women.
Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast. Also, be sure to check out the discussion guide, our review on Bookreporter, and my Bets On commentary.
I loved catching up with Shari Lapena about her her latest thriller, GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER, which is an instant New York Times and USA Today bestseller, as well as a Bets On pick. For me, Shari's books are always “one-sit reads” --- once I start them, they are propulsive enough that I don’t stop until they have been read in full.
GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER centers on Jill and Ted, a privileged Manhattan couple who live in a Brooklyn Heights brownstone. Shari chose this as their home due to her personal fascination with these properties. The two kill Ted's wealthy older brother, Greg (setting it up to look like a sailing accident), in order to inherit his estate and preserve their lifestyle. The settings throughout the book become characters of their own, and it is very interesting to see how this murder affects each character.
Paul Ramirez, a special agent with the Coast Guard Investigative Service, immediately senses that Jill and Ted are lying, and he makes it his mission to rattle their cage, even though he lacks evidence.
Watch the video here or listen to the podcast here. And don’t miss our Bookreporter review and my Bets On commentary.
As I mentioned earlier, Nadia Hashimi joined us to talk about her new novel, CITY OF WIDOWS, which is a Bets On title. While the book looks back in time, the arc of it moves towards the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, focusing on Afghan female soldiers, journalists and the chaos of evacuation. Nadia talks about the shock of the total Taliban takeover and the rapid reversal of 20 years of progress for women.
Marjan, Nadia’s protagonist, had been a soldier in an elite unit of women serving with the Afghan army working with the Americans. As the Taliban advance toward Kabul in the summer of 2021 following the U.S. withdrawal announcement, Marjan and her unit go from hunters to hunted, facing a ticking clock to escape or find safety. Nadia talks about the City of Widows, a place in Afghanistan where widowed women built their own homes on a hill, away from the city, creating an independent community.
CITY OF WIDOWS is a stand-alone novel but rewards readers of THE PEARL THAT BROKE ITS SHELL with a deeper understanding of Marjan's origins and transformation.
Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast.
We experienced some technical difficulties uploading the video of my interview with Sophie Chen Keller about LITTLE WONDER, so we shared just the podcast in the July 31st newsletter. The video is now up on our YouTube channel, so be sure to watch my conversation with Sophie by clicking here.
In addition to THE AMATEUR, we have added guides for these books:
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ETNA: Paul Yoon’s latest novel is this month’s #1 Indie Next pick. It features an ex-military dog, Etna, who embarks on an odyssey in the hopes of returning home following a devastating war.
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SUNLIGHT FINDS YOU: Laura Moriarty’s latest novel is August’s “Read with Jenna” Book Club pick and Barnes & Noble Book Club selection. Jenna calls the book “propulsive and drenched in light, just like the title.”
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THE WILD BENEATH: Kelly Anderson’s debut novel is Reese’s Book Club pick for this month. Reese says, “Prepare to get lost in a haunting love story about one woman caught between the man she thought was her future and a mysterious stranger who upends everything.”
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TAKE WHAT YOU CAN: Naima Coster’s new novel is August’s “Good Morning America” Book Club selection. The book explores what it means to be a mother when you have none, a sister without blood ties, and a woman in pursuit of the life she wants.
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THAT NIGHT: What would you do to protect your family? In Gillian McAllister’s new thriller, which was adapted as a Spanish-language limited series on Netflix earlier this year, three siblings are torn apart by the cover-up of a death while on a family vacation in Italy.
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MAJESTIC HILLS: Dawn Turner, the award-winning author of THREE GIRLS FROM BRONZEVILLE, is back with her first work of fiction in 26(!) years. Mary Beth Keane calls this month’s Top LibraryReads Pick “a novel of legacy, identity, and the ways that race and class affect even the most intimate relationships.”
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POINSETTIA GIRL: Based on the true story of Agata della Pietà --- one of the first female composers of the 18th century --- this heartbreaking coming-of-age novel from Jennifer Wizbowski is set in the allure and intrigue of Vivaldi's Venice, and is perfect for readers of Sarah Dunant and Ann Patchett's BEL CANTO.
For more August selections, including the Indie Next and LibraryReads lists, see our “Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks” feature here.
Each month, we share the discussion guides that you have accessed most frequently on our site. Here are the 10 most popular guides from July.
We currently are featuring William Kent Krueger’s latest Cork O’Connor mystery, GOD’S COUNTRY, in Bookreporter’s New Release Spotlight. The publisher calls it “an action-packed thrill ride that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.” I agree with this, which is why it will be a Bets On pick.
In his Bookreporter review, Ray Palen says that the book “combines the best elements of crime noir with a complex character beloved by loyal readers.” He adds that it’s “an atmospheric read, and you cannot help but be drawn into Cork’s inner monologue and very outward fears and visions.”
Click here to read more about GOD’S COUNTRY and here to visit Kent’s site, where you can see his extensive book tour schedule. It all started on Tuesday night when he talked about the book at an event hosted by The Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale, AZ. Click here to watch the interview. I will share my Bets On commentary in the next newsletter.
We hosted this month’s “Bookaccino Live” book preview afternoon event last Wednesday. I talked about 28 books releasing between August 11th and September 1st, along with 13 from October, that we wanted to get on your radar. You can watch the presentation here and see a list of the featured titles here.
Next month's “Bookaccino Live” book preview afternoon event will take place on Wednesday, September 9th at 2pm ET. The focus will be on books releasing between September 8th and October 6th, in addition to some titles releasing in November, that we think will appeal to you. Click here to sign up.
On Tuesday, September 15th at 8pm ET, we will be hosting our “Bookaccino Live” Fall Preview evening program. I will be talking about a number of books releasing this fall that we think you will enjoy reading over the next few months. Included will be fiction; historical fiction; thrillers and mysteries; and memoirs, biographies and other nonfiction. Click here to sign up.
Our Bookreporter Fall Reading Contests are Back!
And while we’re on the subject, our 16th Annual Fall Reading feature is now up on Bookreporter. On select days between now and mid-October, we will spotlight a different title and offer a 24-hour contest to win five copies of the book. We also will be sending a special newsletter to announce each day's title. If you have not done so already, you can sign up here to receive these dedicated newsletters.
Enjoy your next book group discussion. See you in September!
Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])
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 check out the discussion guides and various features on our site, we would appreciate your considering this as you buy!
New Guide: THE AMATEUR by Chris Bohjalian
A Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
THE AMATEUR by Chris Bohjalian (Psychological Thriller)
1978: Temperatures are flirting with 90 on an August day when 18-year-old Mira Winston drives a golf ball from her tee toward the practice net near the clubhouse and caddy shack. The golf ball tears through the net, traveling 150 miles per hour, and slams into the temple of high school junior Kenny Foster, rupturing an artery and unleashing a torrent of blood. He’s dead before the ambulance even arrives. In the wake of this terrible accident, Mira looks for comfort in all the wrong places. But when the investigators look more closely at the torn net, when a detective recalls Mira’s history of recklessness, and when Kenny’s father spies Mira with her married lover, the affluent and mannered community turns on this once-promising young woman.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review on Bookreporter.com.
- Click here to watch Carol's “Bookreporter Talks To” interview with Chris Bohjalian.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read Carol's Bookreporter.com Bets On commentary.
Click here for the discussion guide.
New Guide: ETNA by Paul Yoon
August's # Indie Next Pick
ETNA by Paul Yoon (Fiction)
Set in a fictional country in the present day, this is a story told through the eyes of an ex-military dog, Etna. After surviving years of a devastating war, Etna decides one night to leave the men he has fought alongside for years and return home --- to the place where he was taken from when he was young, in the thin but persistent hope that if a home exists for him, it might be there. Thus begins an exhilarating odyssey told through the eyes of a dog as he traverses across ruined landscapes and fights to survive in a world that, even in peacetime, proves to be just as precarious. Along the way, he encounters other animals and humans who are attempting to figure out how to start again. What makes a life when there is no home to go back to? How do we begin to trust each other again after such profound loss?
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review on Bookreporter.com.
Click here for the discussion guide.
New Guide: SUNLIGHT FINDS YOU by Laura Moriarty
August’s “Read with Jenna” Book Club Pick
and Barnes & Noble Book Club Selection
SUNLIGHT FINDS YOU by Laura Moriarty (Historical Fiction)
It’s 1949, early in the Cold War, but St. Petersburg, Florida is warm, lush, and booming with newcomers seeking sunshine and opportunity. For 17-year-old Nora, St. Pete feels like paradise, especially after she meets and wins over Leonard, the shy, brilliant son of transplanted New Yorkers. Nora and Leonard are soon spending balmy days and evenings together, and in her adoring, encouraging company, he grows more confident. His sophisticated mother welcomes Nora into their lives, but his father distrusts her motives. When his suspicions are seemingly confirmed, Nora is forced to cut contact. In her longing and fear, she takes a chance that changes her life, exiling her from the family she loves and setting off a chain of secrets and betrayals that will follow her into adulthood.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to see why the book is this month's “Read with Jenna” Book Club pick.
Click here for the discussion guide.
New Guide: THE WILD BENEATH by Kelly Anderson
Reese’s Book Club Pick for August
THE WILD BENEATH by Kelly Anderson (Romance/Magical Realism)
Annie MacLeod always knew she was different, growing up on a sailboat in the Pacific Northwest, navigating by stars and swimming with sea creatures alongside her parents and best friend, Evan. But when a tsunami shatters her world, Annie is stranded on land and forced to confront how eccentric she is. In the wreckage, she rescues a wordless man named Walker, who emits a hum only she can hear. His touch gives her visions of the ocean’s hidden world. Yet, even as she is pulled toward him, Evan remains on dry land, offering the stability she may have to leave behind. But then Walker vanishes, along with the answers she needs about who she really is. Six years later, Annie has left the sea and buried the past --- until Walker’s otherworldly sound returns, pulling her back toward the ocean and the life she abandoned.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to see why the book is this month's Reese's Book Club pick.
Click here for the discussion guide.
New Guide: TAKE WHAT YOU CAN by Naima Coster
August’s “Good Morning America” Book Club Pick
TAKE WHAT YOU CAN by Naima Coster (Fiction)
Val and Milly fell in love with France at the same time they fell in love with each other and became immediate best friends. Then they bonded as the only Black students on a study-abroad trip. Now they are in their 30s, each married and with a baby girl on the way. When Milly suggests Val move to New York so they can raise their daughters together, it’s a resounding yes. Despite their excitement, the pair secretly wonders if their friendship has always worked best as a trio. On that first trip to France, these two motherless daughters were taken under the wing of an older woman named Helene. She showered them with money, love and attention and showed them the possibilities of an independent and abundant future. But now, without Helene and her guidance, who are Milly and Val?
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to see why the book is this month's “Good Morning America” Book Club pick.
Click here for the discussion guide.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER by Shari Lapena
and CITY OF WIDOWS by Nadia Hashimi
GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER by Shari Lapena (Domestic Thriller)
Ahhhh the pleasure of holding a Shari Lapena book in my hands and knowing I am headed for what I call “a one-sit read.”
In GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER, we meet Jill and Ted, who are living in a stunning brownstone that they have meticulously finished. They are able to stay on top of the maintenance around the place as Ted earns a substantial salary working in finance. But then the day comes when he makes a big investment, and it does not deliver. It actually tanks --- and with it goes their security as they try to keep up with their day-to-day costs, as well as appearances.
Jill and Ted can’t just lick their wounds and move on. The way things have been leveraged, they are at risk of losing their brownstone, which feels like a character of its own. It's definitely part of their identity.
- Click here to read the book description.
- Click here to read our review on Bookreporter.com.
- Click here to watch Carol's “Bookreporter Talks To” interview with Shari Lapena.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on
GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER.
CITY OF WIDOWS by Nadia Hashimi (Fiction)
When the United States left Afghanistan for the last time in August 2021, the photos of the Afghan people who were racing to leave with our soldiers were embedded in my memory. What was that moment like? What was going to happen to the women of that country as we departed after two decades? It's one of the images that continues to haunt me.
Women had flourished while the US military was there. They had gone to school, gotten jobs and contributed to their families outside of their homes. For nearly 20 years, they had tasted freedom. But then their worlds changed, seemingly overnight. Taliban rule was back as the order of the land, and once again pickup trucks with machine gun-toting soldiers on board were in the streets.
This countdown to the departure of the Americans is the time period that Nadia Hashimi writes about in her latest novel, CITY OF WIDOWS. We see what is happening day by day in August 2021 and then are brought back in time to what transpired in the last two decades in dated chapters that are woven throughout the book.
- Click here to read the book description.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to read our review on Bookreporter.com.
- Click here to watch Carol's “Bookreporter Talks To” interview with Nadia Hashimi.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on CITY OF WIDOWS.
New Guide: THAT NIGHT by Gillian McAllister
THAT NIGHT by Gillian McAllister (Domestic Thriller)
On vacation in Europe, Frannie makes two urgent phone calls. One to her sister, and one to her brother. The siblings come running, and they find their sister covered in blood, kneeling over an unmoving body. There’s been an accident: Frannie has hit a man with her car, and she needs their help. They bury the body, and they make a promise. They’ll never tell anyone. But when the police come calling, the siblings’ lies start to spiral. They begin to doubt their trust in each other. Because what really happened that night? And who will be the first to crack?
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here for the discussion guide.
New Guide: MAJESTIC HILLS by Dawn Turner
August’s Top LibraryReads Pick
MAJESTIC HILLS by Dawn Turner (Fiction)
Tired of the daily drama in his emergency room, Dr. Langdon Blaque is in search of a place where he can leave the world behind. His wife Josephine, a lawyer, grew up listening to her father’s stories about the Jim Crow South and sundown towns. She prefers the city. Still, she agrees to move with the caveat that they stay for a year and reassess. The tight-knit, predominantly white group of neighbors in Majestic Hills initially welcomes them with open arms. But beneath the veneer of privileged harmony, tensions simmer. When a horrifying crime rocks the community, the illusion of safety is shattered, and Josephine and Langdon find themselves at the heart of a brewing storm that pits neighbor against neighbor, exposes deeply ingrained prejudices, and threatens to implode into violence.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here for the discussion guide.
New Guide: POINSETTIA GIRL by Jennifer Wizbowski
POINSETTIA GIRL: The Story of Agata della Pietà by Jennifer Wizbowski (Historical Fiction)
Ten-year-old Agata’s world is shaken at the sudden death of her mother. Left only with her egregious father, a working musician in Venice, her ailing grandmother sends her to the Ospedale della Pietà, a well-known orphanage. Agata auditions for the conservatory-style music school where music is both salvation and spectacle. Hidden behind ornate metal grates, adorned with poinsettias in their hair, the singers are veiled in mystery, their ethereal music drawing noble audiences. Just as Agata reaches the height of her musical journey, a marriage proposal from someone outside the audience tempts her with the promise of a new life --- a return to the old neighborhood she’s longed for and a home she barely remembers. Is her purpose rooted in the music that shaped her, or in the love that might free her?
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to visit Jennifer Wizbowski's website.
Click here for the discussion guide.
Our Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks for August
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 August'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: ETNA by Paul Yoon
A TENDER AGE by Chang-rae Lee
SEA OF CHARMS by Sarah Beth Durst
MEET ME IN PARIS by Kristin Harmel
THE WILD BENEATH by Kelly Anderson
LibraryReads
Top Pick: MAJESTIC HILLS by Dawn Turner
DREAMLAND by Olivie Blake
YOU'LL BE SORRY by Lisa Gardner
WHEN LEMONS GIVE YOU LIFE by Anna Johnston
PLANT LADY written by Kang Minyoung, translated by Shanna Tan
Barnes & Noble Book Club
SUNLIGHT FINDS YOU by Laura Moriarty
"Good Morning America" Book Club
TAKE WHAT YOU CAN by Naima Coster
PBS Books Readers Club
PROJECT HAIL MARY by Andy Weir
"Read with Jenna" Book Club
SUNLIGHT FINDS YOU by Laura Moriarty
Reese's Book Club
THE WILD BENEATH by Kelly Anderson
Target Book Club
BOLEYN TRAITOR by Philippa Gregory
Click here for August's Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks.
New August Releases of Interest to Book Groups
Here are a number of books releasing in August for the first time, which we aren't currently featuring on the site or in the newsletter, that we think will be of interest to book groups.
BIG LITTLE TRUTHS by Liane Moriarty (Domestic Thriller/Mystery)
In this highly anticipated sequel to BIG LITTLE LIES, Liane Moriarty examines the complexities of modern women’s lives, shining light on family dynamics and long-hidden truths with wit and compassion.
DÈY by Edwidge Danticat (Fiction)
From the bestselling author of EVERYTHING INSIDE comes a vivid and timely story of a woman whose sense of self and family are called into question when she gets caught in a random act of violence one sunny Florida day.
FALLEN FOR FRANCE by Elizabeth Letts (Historical Fiction)
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE RIDE OF HER LIFE braids a sweeping novel of love, war, empire and the power of kindness in a world descending into darkness.
MY SISTER IS GOING TO KILL ME by Nina Simon (Mystery)
From the New York Times bestselling author of the runaway hit MOTHER-DAUGHTER MURDER NIGHT comes another fun, family-centered whodunit about two sisters who work together to find a killer as they raft down the rapids of the Grand Canyon.
PROMISE ME NEVER by Liv Constantine (Psychological Thriller)
From the New York Times bestselling author of THE NEXT MRS. PARRISH comes an unmissable thriller about a woman who becomes embroiled in the mystery of her husband’s deceased first wife --- and, after moving to his remote house in the woods, uncovers terrifying secrets.
THE SEEKERS OF DEER CREEK by Thao Thai (Fiction)
From the national bestselling author of BANYAN MOON comes a captivating, evocative story of two estranged sisters on a quest to find a painting by a forgotten Vietnamese artist that holds the truth of their family’s fractured past.
SUNRISE by Téa Obreht (Fiction)
Three lives, 100 years, one ghost town. SUNRISE is an explosive novel about a mysterious place called Sunrise, where the secrets of the past refuse to stay buried.
A TENDER AGE by Chang-rae Lee (Fiction)
A spellbinding exploration of American masculinity and family dynamics as seen through the confused eyes of a prepubescent child of immigrants, A TENDER AGE joins the rich tradition of the American bildungsroman.
TIME TRAVEL FOR BEGINNERS by Jaclyn Moriarty (Fiction)
In her dazzling new novel, award-winning author Jaclyn Moriarty asks the question: If you could revisit one moment in your life, what would it be?
THE TRUE MEANING OF LOVE by Danielle Steel (Fiction)
This powerful novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel is a stirring story of the lives of ordinary people during wartime.
Announcing 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 Bookreporter.com's 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.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
New Release Spotlight on Bookreporter.com:
GOD’S COUNTRY by William Kent Krueger
An Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
GOD'S COUNTRY by William Kent Krueger (Mystery)
Preparing for a family trip into the Boundary Waters, Cork O’Connor is troubled by ominous visions about his future. Ignoring the warnings, he uncovers signs of violence while searching for his missing friend, Cordell Bishop. Soon, he is forced to negotiate with dangerous criminals, the Kennedy brothers, who are seeking their late father’s hidden stash.
Facing escalating danger and difficult choices, Cork grapples with his darkest instincts as he helps others escape and eventually takes justice into his own hands. GOD'S COUNTRY is an action-packed thrill ride that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
- Click here to read our review on Bookreporter.com.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to visit William Kent Krueger's website.
- Click here to see William Kent Krueger's book tour schedule.
Click here to read more in our New Release Spotlight.
GOD'S COUNTRY will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's commentary in the next newsletter.
ReadingGroupGuides.com’s 15th Annual Book Group Speed Dating Event: Great Books for Book Groups
From left to right: Hank Phillippi Ryan, Harlan Coben, Chloe Benjamin
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
Here are a number of virtual book and author events that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links for more info and to register.
Monday, August 24th at 7pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Harlan Coben will talk about his new book, PLOT TWIST, an inspiring, candid memoir filled with indispensable insights and techniques that offers a look behind the curtain at his own writing process.
Wednesday, August 26th at 8pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Linwood Barclay will talk about his latest chilling thriller, NOT A WORD, in which a man’s world is upended after he stumbles upon a grisly crime scene in the family home.
Tuesday, September 1st at 4pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Janice Hallett will talk about her latest mystery, THE SILENT APPEAL, in which the Fairway Players put on Agatha Christie’s play, The Hollow, and find themselves embroiled in murder, blackmail and betrayal once again.
Tuesday, September 1st at 9pm ET: Killer Author Club: Kimberly Belle, Heather Gudenkauf and Kaira Rouda will talk to Charlie Donlea about his most recent thriller, GUESS AGAIN, which is now available in a deluxe paperback with stenciled edges and designed inside covers.
Thursday, September 3rd at 8pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: J.T. Ellison and Jennifer Herrera will talk about their latest novels. J.T.'s YOU KNOW WHY is about identity, revenge, and the dangerous secrets kept hidden from the ones we love most. Jennifer's SIREN SAYS is about a tenacious young woman who must harness her family’s dangerous magic to put a stop to the sacrifices they’ve been making for more than a century.
Tuesday, September 8th at 9pm ET: Killer Author Club: Kimberly Belle, Heather Gudenkauf and Kaira Rouda will talk to Eriq La Salle about LAWS OF SOLOMON, the fourth entry in his Martyr Maker series. The book can be read as a stand-alone novel, making it the perfect entry point for readers new to La Salle's writing.
Wednesday, September 9th at 2pm ET: “Bookaccino Live” Book Preview Afternoon Event: Carol Fitzgerald will present titles releasing between September 8th and October 6th, along with a few from November, that we would like to get on your radar.
Wednesday, September 9th at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with F&F's own Kristy Woodson Harvey about her latest novel, FALLING FOR PEACHTREE BLUFF. Peachtree Bluff is a cozy coastal town where family secrets refuse to be washed away by the tide, and close-knit community is everything.
Friday, September 11th at 7pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Hank Phillippi Ryan will talk about her new thriller, MOTHER DAUGHTER SISTER STRANGER. What if your own family history turns out to be a terrifying lie? Every family has its story, and this one is deadly. Two sisters. One secret. And a race against time to find the explosive truth.
Tuesday, September 15th at 8pm ET: “Bookaccino Live” Fall Preview Event: Carol Fitzgerald will talk about a number of books releasing this fall that we think you will enjoy reading. Included will be fiction; historical fiction; thrillers and mysteries; and memoirs, biographies and other nonfiction.
Tuesday, September 15th at 9pm ET: Killer Author Club: Kimberly Belle, Heather Gudenkauf and Kaira Rouda will talk to Tess Gerritsen about THE SHADOW CLUB, the third installment in her Martini Club series. In this harrowing and emotional thriller, ghosts of the Cold War return with a vengeance --- and cannot be outrun.
Wednesday, September 16th at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with Chloe Benjamin about her new novel, UNDER STORY, which invites us to consider the promise of this life, what might lie beyond it, and how far we would go for more time with the people we love.
"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 are our latest interviews:
Other authors we've interviewed recently include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Hank Phillippi Ryan (MOTHER DAUGHTER SISTER STRANGER)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
We currently are featuring the following guides on ReadingGroupGuides.com:
THE AMATEUR by Chris Bohjalian (Psychological Thriller)
When a young woman, a golf prodigy, kills a caddie with a stray ball at the country club, the investigation of this freak accident reveals a dark and shocking tale of secret affairs, predatory men and a teenager on trial.
BEGINNING MIDDLE END by Valeria Luiselli (Fiction)
From the beloved, award-winning author of the modern classics LOST CHILDREN ARCHIVE and TELL ME HOW IT ENDS comes her most powerful and page-turning novel yet: the tale of a mother and a daughter starting over, searching for a new story.
CITY OF WIDOWS by Nadia Hashimi (Fiction)
An epic saga of fear, resistance, change and reinvention, CITY OF WIDOWS gives voices to the unforgettable Afghan women at a crossroads of history.
ETNA by Paul Yoon (Fiction)
Beloved author Paul Yoon, winner of The Story Prize, is back with the unforgettable story of a working dog, Etna, who, after a devastating war, embarks on an odyssey in the hopes of returning home.
HOT GIRL MURDER CLUB by Ashley Winstead (Psychological Thriller)
From nationally bestselling author Ashley Winstead comes a buzzy, bloody new thriller about success, sisterhood, and demanding justice...by any means necessary.
MAJESTIC HILLS by Dawn Turner (Fiction)
A Black couple leaves their downtown Chicago condo for a new suburban subdivision, only to find themselves at the center of a maelstrom.
MEET ME IN PARIS by Kristin Harmel (Fiction)
Love Actually meets The Notebook in a tale of love, loss and finding your way home, all set over the course of one life-changing week in Paris.
THE PARISIAN HEIST by Jo Piazza (Historical Mystery/Thriller)
From the bestselling author of THE SICILIAN INHERITANCE and EVERYONE IS LYING TO YOU comes a propulsive dual-timeline mystery drenched in art-world intrigue and brimming with family secrets, betrayal and the intoxicating lure of power.
POINSETTIA GIRL: The Story of Agata della Pietà by Jennifer Wizbowski (Historical Fiction)
Based on the true story of Agata della Pietà, one of the first female composers of the 18th century, POINSETTIA GIRL is a heartbreaking coming-of-age novel set in the allure and intrigue of Vivaldi's Venice.
SINGLE GIRLS by John Searles (Historical Fiction)
SINGLE GIRLS is an infectious and utterly charming fictionalization of the iconic Helen Gurley Brown’s early years at the helm of Cosmopolitan and the intrepid group of women she took under her wing to create one of the most talked-about magazines of all time.
SUNLIGHT FINDS YOU by Laura Moriarty (Historical Fiction)
A forbidden love blows open the world of a teenage girl, altering the trajectory of her life, in SUNLIGHT FINDS YOU, which ultimately is a love story set in the past that has much to say about our present.
TAKE WHAT YOU CAN by Naima Coster (Fiction)
From the New York Times bestselling author of WHAT’S MINE AND YOURS comes a rich, panoramic exploration of friendship, class, new motherhood and independence.
THAT NIGHT by Gillian McAllister (Domestic Thriller)
From the author of the Reese’s Book Club pick WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME comes an electrifying thriller about three siblings torn apart by the cover-up of a death while on a family vacation in Italy.
THE WILD BENEATH by Kelly Anderson (Romance/Magical Realism)
THE WILD BENEATH is a fierce, haunting story of one woman caught between her first love and a mysterious stranger who upends everything --- and the two worlds that won’t let her go.
Please note that these titles, for which we already had the guides when they released in hardcover, are now available in paperback:
ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS by Hank Phillippi Ryan (Psychological Thriller)
Is a debut author's blockbuster bestseller about to ruin her life? A glamorous book tour becomes a deadly cat-and-mouse chase in this captivating thriller by USA Today bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan.
I AM YOU by Victoria Redel (Historical Fiction)
A mesmerizing historical novel, I AM YOU is a meditation on gender, an ode to artistic creation, and an unforgettable love story that reimagines the life of renowned still-life painter Maria van Oosterwijck during the Dutch Golden Age.
LIKE FAMILY by Erin O. White (Fiction)
After a near-stranger dies in their small town, a tight-knit group of friends can no longer ignore their long-dormant desires and unfulfilled dreams in this moving debut about the complicated joys of chosen family.
THE LOST BAKER OF VIENNA by Sharon Kurtzman (Historical Fiction)
THE LOST BAKER OF VIENNA is a historical novel inspired by the experiences of the author's own family after the Holocaust, a sweeping saga about survival, loss, love and the reverberating effects of war.
MY OTHER HEART by Emma Nanami Strenner (Fiction)
A missing child. Two girls in search of their true identities. MY OTHER HEART is a stunning novel of mothers, daughters and best friends.
PEOPLE LIKE US by Jason Mott (Fiction)
In this riveting novel by the author of the 2021 National Book Award winner and bestseller HELL OF A BOOK, two Black writers are trying to find peace and belonging in a world that is riven with gun violence.
WRECK by Catherine Newman (Fiction/Humor)
The acclaimed bestselling author of SANDWICH is back with a wonderful novel, full of laughter and heart, about marriage, family, and what happens when life doesn’t go as planned.
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