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We recently have added a number of new subscribers, so we wanted to take a moment to welcome you to the ReadingGroupGuides.com newsletter!
Well, it’s the end of January, so it's time to examine what happened to all of those resolutions that were made in the champagne haze of New Year’s Eve.
On my end, I have upped my time at the health club and have organized a lot of my life. I still am juggling reading both print books and audiobooks. I have not carved out enough sitting-in-front-of-the-fire reading time. As the holidays wound down, I pictured Saturdays and Sundays stretched out on the couch much the same way that I do by the pool in the summer --- with a book in hand. Somehow, though, it never worked out like that. Football got in the way a lot. But with just the Super Bowl left on the football schedule, I am turning back to my weekend book reading plan. Let’s see how that goes.
This month, my book group talked about what we read over the holidays instead of discussing an assigned book. But the conversation in the meeting and in our group chat kept bubbling up about THE ANXIOUS GENERATION by Jonathan Haidt, which we have been referencing since the fall. Whether or not a child gets a phone has become the hottest topic of discussion. But so are many other points in the book --- like allowing children a longer leash to play, and ideas for what to suggest to schools, etc. It’s interesting when a book that we didn't pick for a formal group discussion strikes a chord like this and gets discussed by all for months.
We are reading THE GOD OF THE WOODS by Liz Moore for our next meeting. There’s a lot happening on the school calendars in February, so we pushed our discussion of it to the first week of March. I love that we can be flexible. How flexible is your group?
It’s been a busy month on the site, so here’s what’s been going on.
On Wednesday night, Ashley Elston joined us for our first “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event of 2025 to discuss her debut adult novel, FIRST LIE WINS. This #1 New York Times bestseller and Bookreporter.com Bets On selection is now available in paperback.
Ashley talks about her writing process, which includes the brown butcher paper that lines her walls along with colored Post-it notes, and working with the software program Scrivener. She also explains how her past career as a wedding photographer enhanced her writing skills. We learn how the story’s twists and turns came to her, as well as the reveals and how she keeps the tension up.
Ashley recalls how excited she was when FIRST LIE WINS was named a Reese’s Book Club pick (which she initially had to keep secret) and what the past year has been like. Yes, it’s been a whirlwind. And she talks about what’s next for her. Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast.
Our next “Bookaccino Live” Book Group guest will be Lisa Wingate. The event will be held on Wednesday, February 26th at 8pm ET, and you can sign up here for it. We will talk about her USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller, SHELTERWOOD, a Bets On pick that releases in paperback on February 18th. This sweeping novel is inspired by the untold history of women pioneers who fought to protect children caught in the storm of land barons hungry for power and oil wealth.
Just as we did on Wednesday night, there will be a two-part Q&A session after I talk to Lisa. For the first part, those who are asking a question on camera will be featured. This includes spending time with Lisa backstage in our virtual green room before the show starts. If you would like to ask your question "live on screen" this way, please email me with the subject line "Shelterwood" by noon ET on February 26th. Be sure to include your name, city and state, as well as your question. If you do not want to appear on camera but still would like to ask a question, please note that you want to be off camera, and share your question --- adding your name, city and state.
The Books You Loved Reading the Most in 2024
Over the last two months, we asked you to tell us your favorite book that you read with your book group and your favorite book that you read outside your group in 2024. The results are in, and we’re happy to share them with you here!
The #1 pick in both categories is THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah, which we covered extensively on the site and in the newsletter when it released last February. Not only was it a Bets On selection, I thought it was Kristin’s best book. That’s saying a lot as I’ve loved so much of her work throughout the years.
Also worth noting is that THE FROZEN RIVER by Ariel Lawhon and JAMES by Percival Everett came in at #2 and #3, respectively, on both lists. Click here to see the top 10 results in each category.
Congratulations to our contest winner, Simonne C. from South Dartmouth, MA! Simonne won seven books releasing this year that we think book groups will want to discuss: THE FLOAT TEST by Lynn Steger Strong, A FORTY YEAR KISS by Nickolas Butler, GOOD DIRT by Charmaine Wilkerson, MORE OR LESS MADDY by Lisa Genova, PRESUMED GUILTY by Scott Turow, THE QUEENS OF CRIME by Marie Benedict, and THE STOLEN QUEEN by Fiona Davis.
We will be mailing these prizes to Simonne next week. Many thanks to all who participated!
We have THREE new “Bookreporter Talks To” interviews to share with you in this newsletter.
First up is Scott Turow, whose latest legal thriller is the aforementioned PRESUMED GUILTY. This upcoming Bets On pick marks the return of Rusty Sabich, following his starring roles in PRESUMED INNOCENT and INNOCENT.
Scott explains his decision to write the book and why this may be the last time we see Rusty as a protagonist in one of his novels. He also shares the reason that he chose to make Aaron a young Black man who was adopted by white people. We talk about the mantle of “accused murderer” and what that means to a person, which is something that two of his characters share.
I point out Scott’s very in-depth courtroom scenes, which leads to a discussion about their significance for the reader, as well as the topic of how justice may or may not be served according to who is on the bench, who is prosecuting and who is defending. And yes, we bring up some books-to-screen news. Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast.
I also had the pleasure of speaking with Tracey Lange about her new family-themed novel, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS?, which is a Bets On selection. Tracey introduces readers to Kyle and Casey McCray, a divorced couple who are very much estranged. As Kyle returns home to Potsdam, New York, for a family emergency, their shared past haunts them in a way that gives them a chance to come back to one another.
But life gets in the way, again and again. There’s middle-school hockey, which I never thought of as a way to bring a couple together, as well as the small town where people are close and are there for one another. The book is about trying to unwind the past in order to move forward. And yes, Tracey discusses Kyle’s tattoos and why they were included in the story. Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast.
Last but certainly not least, I had a fascinating conversation with Michelle Horton about DEAR SISTER: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds, which has just released in paperback with bonus content and will be a Bets On selection. We also are featuring the discussion guide in this newsletter.
Michelle shares the harrowing story of how her sister, Nikki, a victim of domestic violence for years, was imprisoned after she killed her long-time partner. Two police officers knocked on Michelle’s door one night and told her that she needed to come to the station to take Nikki’s two- and four-year-old children to her home. She explains what that meant for her and her son, and notes that she and her family were not aware of the abuse that Nikki experienced.
Michelle discusses how the Domestic Abuse Act that was passed in New York led to Nikki’s early release. This law is only in effect in a few states, while others are fighting to get it on the books. She traces what happened at the trial and how information can be suppressed.
Nikki was released on January 4, 2024, and the hardcover came out on January 30th. Michelle talks about including a chapter in the paperback edition to share what that experience was like, as well as the addition of a chapter from Nikki’s point of view. The latter gives insight into how the past 16 years have taken a toll on Nikki and the path to normalcy. Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast. I highly recommend DEAR SISTER for a book group discussion!
January’s Top LibraryReads Pick is the aforementioned GOOD DIRT by Charmaine Wilkerson, which will be a Bets On selection. You may remember that Charmaine’s debut novel, BLACK CAKE, was a “Read with Jenna” Book Club pick and also was a Bets On title when it released three years ago.
In this multi-generational epic, the daughter of an affluent Black family pieces together the connection between a childhood tragedy and a beloved heirloom. The book takes readers from the United States to France and back in time, from the West African shores to the American South. It’s a poignant story but also a hopeful one, reminding us that love, friendship and courage can be found at every turn.
Our Bookreporter reviewer Jane T. Krebs calls Ebby Freeman “a character to cherish. We see the deep search for what she has forgotten and what she must remember in order to bring her to a quiet resolution of her own worth.” Click here to read the full review and here for the guide.
We also have added guides for these five books:
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THE FAVORITES: Inspired by the powerful love and hate that fuel Emily Brontë’s classic, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, Layne Fargo’s latest novel is an exhilarating dance between passion, ambition and what it truly means to win.
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THE HEART OF WINTER: In this big-hearted and profound portrait of a marriage, Jonathan Evison explores 70 years of significant moments in subtle ways, elegantly braiding the Winters’ turbulent history with their present-day battles.
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THE BUSINESS TRIP: In Jessie Garcia’s debut psychological thriller, two women who don’t know each other but are on the same plane go missing after texting their friends the same exact messages about the same man. What exactly is going on here?
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TARTUFO: Kira Jane Buxton’s latest novel is a reflection on the interconnectedness of life in all its manifestations --- and how holding on to harmony in the face of hardship can grow something beautiful and rare beneath the surface.
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LET’S CALL HER BARBIE: Renée Rosen’s new work of historical fiction excavates the fascinating backstory of Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Barbie, and the trailblazing team that created a one-of-a-kind doll that took the world by storm.
Earlier this month, we hosted a special “Bookaccino Live” Winter Preview evening program, which 415 people attended live. I presented 60 books that are either out now or soon to be released this winter that we think you will enjoy reading over the next few months. Included are fiction; historical fiction; thrillers and mysteries; and memoirs, biographies and other nonfiction. Click here to watch the presentation and here to see a list of the titles that I talked about. We will be doing a Spring Preview evening program in March!
This is your last Reading Group Guides newsletter reminder to sign up for our next “Bookaccino Live” book preview afternoon event, which will take place on Wednesday, February 12th at 2pm ET.
The focus will be on titles releasing between February 11th and March 4th, in addition to a few from April, that we think will appeal to you. Click here to sign up. Those who join us live will be asked to answer a survey about the books from the presentation that they are most interested in reading and will be eligible to win a prize.
Have a great next meeting and discussion with your group!
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, ReadingGroupGuides.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and IndieBound. As you check out the discussion guides and various features on our site, we would appreciate your considering this as you buy!
Our Reader-Selected Best Books of 2024
In our special year-end feature, we asked you to tell us your favorite book that you read with your book group and your favorite book that you read outside your group in 2024.
The results are in! Below is a preview of the books that stood out to you the most last year. You can see the top 10 titles in each category here.
Top Books Read with Your Group:
Top Books Read Outside Your Group:
A special congratulations to our contest winner, Simonne C. from South Dartmouth, MA, who won seven titles releasing this year that we think will be great for book group discussions: THE FLOAT TEST by Lynn Steger Strong, A FORTY YEAR KISS by Nickolas Butler, GOOD DIRT by Charmaine Wilkerson, MORE OR LESS MADDY by Lisa Genova, PRESUMED GUILTY by Scott Turow, THE QUEENS OF CRIME by Marie Benedict, and THE STOLEN QUEEN by Fiona Davis.
Click here for our Reader-Selected Best Books of 2024.
New Guide: GOOD DIRT by Charmaine Wilkerson
January's Top LibraryReads Pick
and an Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
GOOD DIRT by Charmaine Wilkerson (Fiction)
When 10-year-old Ebby Freeman heard the gunshot, time stopped. And when she saw her brother, Baz, lying on the floor surrounded by the shattered pieces of a centuries-old jar, life as Ebby knew it shattered as well. The crime was never solved, and because the Freemans were one of the only Black families in a particularly well-to-do enclave of New England, the case has had an enduring, voyeuristic pull for the public. When Ebby's high-profile romance falls apart without any explanation, she flees to France, only for her past to follow her there. And as she tries to process what's happened, she begins to think about the other loss her family suffered on that day 18 years ago --- the stoneware jar that had been in their family for generations, brought North by an enslaved ancestor.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read our review on Bookreporter.com.
Click here for the discussion guide.
GOOD DIRT will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's Bets On commentary in the next newsletter.
New Guide: DEAR SISTER by Michelle Horton
An Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
Now Available in Paperback
DEAR SISTER: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds by Michelle Horton (Memoir)
In September 2017, a knock on the door upends Michelle Horton’s life: she learns that her sister has just shot her partner and is now in jail. Stunned, Michelle rearranges her life to raise Nikki's two young children alongside her own son. During the investigation that follows, Michelle is shocked to learn that Nikki had been hiding horrific abuse for years. Michelle launches a fight to bring Nikki home, squaring off against a criminal justice system designed to punish the entire family. Since DEAR SISTER’s original publication, Michelle’s fight --- alongside a tireless network of supporters --- has resulted in Nikki’s release from prison. With a new chapter, an update from Nikki, and never-before-seen photographs documenting the homecoming, this edition provides a touching new conclusion to a profound, intimate story of resilience and the unbreakable bond of family.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to watch our "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Michelle Horton.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here for the discussion guide.
DEAR SISTER will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's Bets On commentary in the next newsletter.
New Guide: THE FAVORITES by Layne Fargo
THE FAVORITES by Layne Fargo (Romance)
Katarina Shaw has always known that she was destined to become an Olympic skater. When she meets Heath Rocha, a lonely kid stuck in the foster care system, their instant connection makes them a formidable duo on the ice. Clinging to skating --- and each other --- to escape their turbulent lives, Kat and Heath go from childhood sweethearts to champion ice dancers. Until a shocking incident at the Olympic Games brings their partnership to a sudden end. As the 10-year anniversary of their final skate approaches, an unauthorized documentary reignites the public obsession with Shaw and Rocha, claiming to uncover the “real story.” Kat wants nothing to do with the documentary, but she can’t stand the thought of someone else defining her legacy. So after a decade of silence, she’s telling her story.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read our review on Bookreporter.com.
Click here for the discussion guide.
New Guide: THE HEART OF WINTER by Jonathan Evison
THE HEART OF WINTER by Jonathan Evison (Fiction)
Abe Winter and Ruth Warneke were never meant to be together --- at least if you ask Ruth. Yet their catastrophic blind date in college evolved into a 70-year marriage and a life on a farm on Bainbridge Island with their hens and beloved Labrador, Megs. Through the years, the Winters have fallen in and out of lockstep, and from their haunting losses and guarded secrets, a dependable partnership has been forged. But when Ruth’s loose tooth turns out to be something much more malicious, the beautiful, reliable life they’ve created together comes to a crisis. As Ruth struggles with her crumbling independence, Abe must learn how to take care of her while their three living children question his ability to look after his wife. And once again, the couple has to reconfigure how to be there for each other.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read our review on Bookreporter.com.
Click here for the discussion guide.
New Guide: THE BUSINESS TRIP by Jessie Garcia
THE BUSINESS TRIP by Jessie Garcia (Psychological Thriller)
Stephanie and Jasmine have nothing and everything in common. The two women don’t know each other but are on the same plane. Stephanie is on a business trip, and Jasmine is fleeing an abusive relationship. After a few days, they text their friends the same exact messages about the same man --- the messages becoming stranger and more erratic. And then the two women vanish. The texts go silent, the red flags go up, and the panic sets in. When Stephanie and Jasmine are each declared missing and in danger, it begs the questions: Who is Trent McCarthy? What did he do to these women --- or what did they do to him?
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here for the discussion guide.
New Guide: TARTUFO by Kira Jane Buxton
TARTUFO by Kira Jane Buxton (Fiction)
After nearly losing the election to a geriatric donkey, newly installed Mayor Delizia Miccuci can’t help but feel like the sun has finally set on the rural Italian village of Lazzarini Boscarino. All that’s left is Bar Celebrità, a rustic establishment where weary locals gather to quibble over decades-long disputes, submit their poor stomachs to bartender Giuseppina’s volcanic espresso, and wonder what will become of the place where together they’ve spent their entire lives. Little do the villagers know that local truffle hunter Giovanni Scarpazza has just happened upon something that could change everything. A truffle --- un tartufo, that is --- sits beneath the soil with the power to either be the greatest gift or the foulest curse the village has ever seen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here for the discussion guide.
New Guide: LET’S CALL HER BARBIE by Renée Rosen
LET’S CALL HER BARBIE by Renée Rosen (Historical Fiction)
When Ruth Handler walks into the boardroom of the toy company she co-founded and pitches her idea for a doll unlike any other, she knows what she’s setting in motion. It just might take the world a moment to catch up. In 1956, the only dolls on the market for little girls let them pretend to be mothers. Ruth’s vision for a doll shaped like a grown woman and outfitted in an enviable wardrobe will let them dream they can be anything. As Ruth assembles her team of creative rebels, she knows they’re working against a ticking clock to get this wild idea off the ground. In the decades to come --- through soaring heights and devastating personal lows, public scandals and private tensions --- each of them will have to decide how tightly to hold on to their creation. Because Barbie has never been just a doll. She’s a legacy.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here for the discussion guide.
New January Releases of Interest to Book Groups
Here are a number of books releasing in January 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.
BEAUTIFUL UGLY by Alice Feeney (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
The million-copy bestselling Queen of Twists Alice Feeney returns with a gripping and deliciously dark thriller about marriage...and revenge.
CLEVER LITTLE THING by Helena Echlin (Psychological Thriller)
This taut, powerful psychological thriller follows a mother who must confront a sudden and terrifying change in her daughter after the abrupt death of their babysitter.
HOLD STRONG by Robert Dugoni, Jeff Langholz and Chris Crabtree (Historical Fiction)
From Robert Dugoni, Jeff Langholz and Chris Crabtree comes an epic and inspiring novel --- based on true events --- about love, heroism and resilience during the darkest chapters of World War II.
MORE OR LESS MADDY by Lisa Genova (Fiction)
MORE OR LESS MADDY is a breathless, riveting novel about a young woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder who rejects the stability and approval found in a traditionally “normal” life for a career in stand-up comedy.
NEVER SAY NEVER by Danielle Steel (Fiction)
#1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel’s deeply moving novel is the story of a woman who finds her life turned upside down while living temporarily in the French countryside.
THE NOTE by Alafair Burke (Psychological Thriller)
A vacation in the Hamptons goes terribly wrong for three friends with a complicated history in THE NOTE, a page-turner of the highest order from one of our greatest contemporary suspense writers.
PRESUMED GUILTY by Scott Turow (Legal Thriller)
Don't miss this new courtroom drama from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of PRESUMED INNOCENT, the phenomenon that redefined the legal thriller and is the basis for Apple TV+’s most-watched drama series ever.
THREE WILD DOGS (and the truth): A Memoir by Markus Zusak (Memoir)
In this poignant, funny and disarmingly honest memoir, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE BOOK THIEF tells of his family’s adoption of three troublesome rescue dogs. It's a charming and courageous love story about making even the most incorrigible of animals family.
TOO SOON by Betty Shamieh (Fiction)
For readers of PACHINKO and QUEENIE comes a funny, sexy and heart-wrenching literary debut that explores exile, ambition and hope across three generations of Palestinian American women.
WE DO NOT PART written by Han Kang, translated by e. yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris (Fiction)
Han Kang’s most revelatory book since THE VEGETARIAN and winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature, WE DO NOT PART tells the story of a friendship between two women while powerfully reckoning with a hidden chapter in Korean history.
Bookreporter.com's 10th Annual
Winter Reading Contests and Feature
Bookreporter.com's Winter Reading contests have returned for a 10th year! On select days through February 19th, we are hosting a series of 24-hour contests spotlighting a book releasing this winter and giving five lucky readers the chance to win it. 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.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
MORE OR LESS MADDY by Lisa Genova,
BEAUTIFUL UGLY by Alice Feeney, and
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS? by Tracey Lange
MORE OR LESS MADDY by Lisa Genova (Fiction)
I have been a long-time fan of Lisa Genova’s work. In fact, her previous novels --- STILL ALICE, LEFT NEGLECTED, LOVE ANTHONY, INSIDE THE O'BRIENS and EVERY NOTE PLAYED --- were Bets On selections. Reading them, I have learned about early-onset Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury, autism, Huntington’s disease and ALS.
In MORE OR LESS MADDY, Lisa takes us inside the world of Maddy Banks, who seems to have normal issues for a college student. But when they escalate, she finds herself in a deeply depressed and dark state, barely making her way through the day. A quick visit to the university’s health facility gets her a prescription for an antidepressant, and all is well for a while.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review on Bookreporter.com.
- Click here to watch our "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Lisa Genova.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on MORE OR LESS MADDY.
BEAUTIFUL UGLY by Alice Feeney (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
If you want a book with twists, then Alice Feeney’s BEAUTIFUL UGLY is the one for you. We open on a happy note as Grady Green has his first New York Times bestseller, and he is ready to celebrate with his wife, Abby Goldman. But Abby goes missing that night. She had been on the phone with her husband just before she disappeared.
A distraught Grady falls into a deep depression and is unable to write. Grief has overtaken him. His literary agent, Kitty, offers him something that may be his salvation. Her former client, bestselling author Charles Whittaker, left her a cabin on Amberly, a remote island off the coast of Scotland. Grady agrees to go there and write as nothing else seems to be happening for him.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review on Bookreporter.com.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on BEAUTIFUL UGLY.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS? by Tracey Lange (Fiction)
Tracey Lange is known for writing about families. These working-class individuals deal with issues that people come across every day. The way Tracey handles her characters is what makes her books so special.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS? opens with Kyle McCray seated in a restaurant in Spokane, Washington, where he is pondering heading back home to Potsdam, New York. He has been gone for two-and-a-half years, moseying his way across the country and taking a variety of jobs. His dad has had a stroke and needs his help, which is the only reason he is considering a return to Potsdam.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read our review on Bookreporter.com.
- Click here to watch our "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Tracey Lange.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS?
From left to right: Marie Benedict, Emma Knight, Victoria Christopher Murray
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
Here are a number of upcoming virtual book and author events that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links for more info and to register.
Tuesday, February 4th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble Book Club: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Emma Knight for a live virtual event to discuss her debut novel, THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE COMMON OCTOPUS, which is January's B&N Book Club pick. Emma will be in conversation with Lexie Smyth, B&N's Fiction Category Manager.
Tuesday, February 4th at 7pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's presents Maggie Su as she discusses her book, BLOB: A Love Story, with Renée Branum. This humorous and deeply moving debut novel in the vein of BUNNY and CONVENIENCE STORE WOMAN is about a young woman who tries to shape a sentient blob into her perfect boyfriend.
Tuesday, February 4th at 8pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Jonathan Kellerman will talk about his latest novel, OPEN SEASON, a riveting thriller that finds psychologist Alex Delaware and homicide detective Milo Sturgis racing against time to track down a twisted killer.
Tuesday, February 4th at 9pm ET: Killer Author Club: It’s a great day in the club house when the killers --- Kimberly Belle, Heather Gudenkauf and Kaira Rouda --- get to talk to New York Times bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz about NEMESIS, the 10th installment in his wildly popular Orphan X series.
Wednesday, February 5th at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with Victoria Christopher Murray about her first solo historical novel, HARLEM RHAPSODY, which tells the extraordinary story of the woman who ignited the Harlem Renaissance.
Wednesday, February 5th at 8pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Walter Mosley will talk about his new mystery, BEEN WRONG SO LONG IT FEELS LIKE RIGHT, in which a family member’s terminal illness leads P.I. Joe King Oliver to the investigation of his life: tracking down his long-lost father.
Thursday, February 6th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Virginia Feito for a live virtual discussion of her new page-turning thriller, VICTORIAN PSYCHO, as part of their B&N Midday Mystery Virtual Event series. Virginia will be in conversation with the bestselling author of HORROR MOVIE, Paul Tremblay.
Monday, February 10th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Walter Mosley for a live virtual discussion of the latest entry in his King Oliver series, BEEN WRONG SO LONG IT FEELS LIKE RIGHT, as part of their B&N Midday Mystery Virtual Event series. Walter will be in conversation with the bestselling author of ALL THE SINNERS BLEED, S.A. Cosby.
Tuesday, February 11th at 8pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Steve Berry will talk about the latest installment in his wildly popular Cotton Malone series, THE MEDICI RETURN, an adventure that takes Cotton to Italy to solve a 500-year-old mystery.
Tuesday, February 11th at 9pm ET: Killer Author Club: Join the Killer Author Club as they welcome back New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger to talk about her heart-pounding new thriller, CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10, in which an extreme game of hide-and-seek turns deadly.
Wednesday, February 12th at 2pm ET: "Bookaccino Live" Book Preview: Carol Fitzgerald will present titles releasing between February 11th and March 4th, along with a few from April, that we would like to get on your radar. Included will be fiction; historical fiction; thrillers and mysteries; and memoirs, biographies and other nonfiction.
Wednesday, February 12th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Dolly Alderton for a live virtual discussion of her novel, GOOD MATERIAL, which is now in paperback. Dolly will be in conversation with PINEAPPLE STREET author Jenny Jackson, the Vice President and Executive Editor at Alfred A. Knopf.
Wednesday, February 12th at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with Christina Clancy about THE SNOWBIRDS, the page-turning story of a couple who flees winter in the Midwest for Palm Springs, where they find their relationship at a crossroads.
Thursday, February 13th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Carter Wilson for a live virtual discussion of TELL ME WHAT YOU DID as part of their B&N Midday Mystery Virtual Event series. Carter will be in conversation with the debut author of NIGHTWATCHING, Tracy Sierra.
Thursday, February 13th at 4pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Marie Benedict will talk about her latest novel, THE QUEENS OF CRIME, which tells the thrilling story of Agatha Christie’s legendary rival, Dorothy Sayers; the race to solve a murder; and the power of friendship among women.
"Bookreporter Talks To" Videos & Podcasts
“Bookreporter Talks To” is a video and podcast series that delivers a long-form, in-depth author interview every week. 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:
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Michelle Horton (DEAR SISTER: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds) Video | Podcast
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Tracey Lange (WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS?) Video | Podcast
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Scott Turow (PRESUMED GUILTY) Video | Podcast
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Marie Benedict (THE QUEENS OF CRIME)
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 BUSINESS TRIP by Jessie Garcia (Psychological Thriller)
Twist upon twist, layer upon layer, where nothing is as it seems, THE BUSINESS TRIP takes you on a descent into the depths of a mastermind manipulator. But who is playing who?
DEAR SISTER: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds by Michelle Horton (Memoir)
In this powerful and touching memoir, a woman fights the criminal justice system to release her incarcerated sister after she kills her long-time abuser.
THE FAVORITES by Layne Fargo (Romance)
THE FAVORITES is an epic love story set in the sparkling, savage sphere of elite figure skating starring a woman determined to carve her own path on and off the ice.
GOOD DIRT by Charmaine Wilkerson (Fiction)
The daughter of an affluent Black family pieces together the connection between a childhood tragedy and a beloved heirloom in this moving novel from the New York Times bestselling author of BLACK CAKE, a "Read with Jenna" Book Club pick.
THE HEART OF WINTER by Jonathan Evison (Fiction)
Jonathan Evison's THE HEART OF WINTER is about a married couple in their golden years --- from when they met across big ups, deep downs and survive-it-all, opposites-attract love.
HOMESEEKING by Karissa Chen (Romance)
HOMESEEKING is an epic and intimate tale of one couple across 60 years as world events pull them together and apart, illuminating the Chinese diaspora and exploring what it means to find home far from your homeland.
LET’S CALL HER BARBIE by Renée Rosen (Historical Fiction)
She was only 11 ½ inches tall, but she would change the world. Barbie is born in this bold new novel by USA Today bestselling author Renée Rosen.
THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE COMMON OCTOPUS by Emma Knight (Fiction)
This witty, atmospheric and brilliantly told novel offers compelling portraits of womanhood, motherhood and female friendship, along with the irresistible intrigue surrounding an extraordinary British family.
A NEW EARTH: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
(Spirituality/Personal Growth)
Illuminating, enlightening and uplifting, A NEW EARTH is a profoundly spiritual manifesto for a better way of life --- and for building a better world.
RENTAL HOUSE by Weike Wang (Fiction)
From the award-winning author of CHEMISTRY comes a sharp-witted, insightful novel about a marriage as seen through the lens of two family vacations.
THE STOLEN QUEEN by Fiona Davis (Historical Mystery)
From New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis comes an utterly addictive novel that will transport you from New York City’s most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo and back.
TARTUFO by Kira Jane Buxton (Fiction)
From the author of HOLLOW KINGDOM comes a fantastically funny story featuring a cast of colorful characters in a dying Italian village --- and a giant truffle that changes their fate forever.
THE THREE LIVES OF CATE KAY by Kate Fagan (Fiction)
THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO meets FIRST LIE WINS in this electric, voice-driven debut novel about an elusive bestselling author who decides to finally confess her true identity after years of hiding from her past.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS? by Tracey Lange (Fiction)
From New York Times bestselling author Tracey Lange comes a poignant story about the resilience of family, the importance of community, and the magic of middle-school hockey.
Please note that these titles, for which we already had the guides when they appeared in hardcover, are now available in paperback:
FAMILY FAMILY by Laurie Frankel (Fiction)
While promoting her most recent movie, a film about adoption, India Allwood does something she knows you should never do --- she tells a journalist the truth.
FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE by Elle Cosimano (Mystery/Humor)
From New York Times bestselling author Elle Cosimano comes FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE, the fiercely anticipated next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series.
FIRST LIE WINS by Ashley Elston (Psychological Thriller)
Evie Porter has everything a nice Southern girl could want: a perfect, doting boyfriend, a house with a white picket fence and a garden, and a fancy group of friends. The only catch: Evie Porter doesn’t exist.
GOOD MATERIAL by Dolly Alderton (Fiction)
From the New York Times bestselling author of GHOSTS and EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT LOVE comes a story of heartbreak and friendship and how to survive both.
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