July 2014

July is a month that makes me smile. There are long hours of daylight. Schedules slow down a tad, patterns of living change, including, if you are in most parts of the country, there is a lot more outdoor time. (Of course, those in places like the desert and warmer climes head indoors for their change of scenery as the temps climb.) For me, reading time while sitting by the pool, under an umbrella, beside my fabulous outdoor light built by my husband, or while floating my pool chair, make it feel like I am away even when I have only walked steps from my house.

Reminders of the brutal winter have faded away as I look at the colorful flowers in pots around the patio. I am not sure if it was the harsh winter, or just a lack of willpower on my part, but I planted 54 containers of flowers this year --- and also found homes for more perennials. See the amazing hibiscus perennial plant above with flowers the size of dinner plates, as well as the moonflower that popped the other evening, emitting a fabulous fragrance and then disappearing by the early morning.

Flowers make me smile, and I am sure that they do the same for you. Who has not perked up with a floral arrangement arriving at their home? Which brings me to our first contest for this month for THE ART OF ARRANGING FLOWERS by Lynne Branard. It's the story of gifted florist Ruby Jewell, who is reeling from a personal tragedy. It will take an invitation from a man who’s flown to the moon, the arrival of a unique little boy and concern from a charming veterinarian to reawaken her wounded spirit. We're giving 15 groups the opportunity to win 10 copies of the book, PLUS a chat with Lynne --- and for their discussion a gorgeous flower arrangement (similar to the one in this photo) will be delivered to their home. We ALSO will be giving away single copies of the book to 50 additional readers! Enter here by Wednesday, August 6th at noon ET. Doesn't just reading this make you smile?

Our second contest this month is for the New York Times bestselling 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN, the inspiring true story of Don Piper’s journey from death back to life. We’re giving three groups the chance to win 15 copies of the special 10th anniversary edition. Along with the story of his accident, death, return to life and painful recovery, Don offers personal reflections on the impact the book has had on him, his family and the millions who have heard his story. Also included are true stories from readers about the effect 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN has had on their lives, and a publisher's note on the book that started the "heaven" publishing phenomenon. Enter here by Wednesday, August 6th at noon ET.

We also still have an ongoing contest for USA TODAY bestselling author Emilie Richards’ NO RIVER TOO WIDE. When Janine Stoddard finally resolves to leave her abusive husband, she can't resist a chance to see her estranged daughter Harmony and baby Lottie before she disappears forever. Harmony's friend, Taylor Martin, opens her home to Jan, even as she's opening her heart to another newcomer, Adam Pryor. But enigmatic Adam has a secret that could destroy Taylor's trust…and cost Jan her hard-won freedom. When I read this one, I immediately was caught up in the tension of Janine’s flight and felt for women who find themselves in this place. Richards really builds on the emotions Janine is feeling. Enter here by Tuesday, July 22nd at noon ET for your chance to win a copy.

In anticipation of the August 15th release of the film adaptation, we’re featuring award-winning author Lois Lowry’s classic, THE GIVER, in July’s “What’s Your Book Group Reading This Month?” Contest. Set in a “perfect” society that embraces Sameness in order to eliminate pain and suffering, the novel follows 12-year-old Jonas, who has been selected to receive memories from a mysterious man known as the Giver. Many of you may have read this in school and/or noted your children and grandchildren reading it. We see it as a title worth exploring again as an adult, as when you read the story it may take on new meaning. Emily reread it recently and felt that the story still packs a serious punch. It’s part of a "quartet" that includes GATHERING BLUE (2000), MESSENGER (2004) and SON (2012). So once you have enjoyed it, move on to the other books to see how this world continues to unfold. We’re giving three groups the opportunity to win 12 copies. Enter here by Wednesday, August 6th at noon ET. And may we suggest this may be a nice outing with your book group?

This month we have FOUR featured guides to share with you. The first is THE PARIS ARCHITECT, Charles Belfoure’s thrilling debut, which will be out in paperback on Tuesday. In 1942 Paris, gifted architect Lucien Bernard accepts a commission that is as dangerous as it is lucrative: design a secret hiding place for a wealthy Jewish man, a space so invisible that even the most determined German officer won't find it. But when one of his hiding spaces fails, and the problem of where to hide a Jew becomes terribly personal, Lucien can no longer ignore what's at stake. I finished this last weekend and LOVED it. It will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection, and I am kicking myself that I missed it in hardcover last year! But if you too missed it, you can read it now! Click here for the guide.

Our second featured guide this month is THE CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF LIES: A Novel of the Great War by Jacqueline Winspear. Set during World War I, it’s the story of two lifelong friends, Kezia Marchant and Thea Brissenden, who are torn apart by Kezia’s decision to marry Thea’s brother, Tom. Thea, scornful of Kezia's future as a farmer's wife, turns to political causes that transform her into a hunted outlaw. When Tom and Thea head off to the battlefields and Kezia takes over the farm, all three are challenged and changed. Because I am a huge fan of Jacqueline’s writing, I found this book notable as it is her first stand-alone novel, a departure from her bestselling Maisie Dobbs series of historical mysteries. Our Bookreporter.com reviewer Terry Miller Shannon said, "Along with an impossible-to-put-down page-turner of a tale, thought-provoking and still timely questions about the nature of war linger on after Winspear’s latest literary success is closed for the final time." Click here for the guide.

Our next featured guide is Erika Johansen’s epic debut, THE QUEEN OF THE TEARLING. On her 19th birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in exile, sets out on a perilous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. But though she may be inexperienced and sheltered, Kelsea is not defenseless: Around her neck hangs the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense magical power; and accompanying her is the Queen’s Guard, a cadre of brave knights led by the enigmatic and dedicated Lazarus. Kelsea will need them all to survive a cabal of enemies who will use every weapon --- from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic --- to prevent her from wearing the crown. I had the pleasure of meeting Erika at a pre-publication luncheon and have been following this book, and thus was thrilled to see it is was both a #1 Indie Next Pick (selected by the Indie booksellers) and LibraryReads Selection picked by librarians. Click here for the guide. We will have our Bookreporter.com review next week.

By the way, Erika shared that she, like me, is a knitter. Which reminds me I need to get her a note with a list of the yarn stores she can visit on her book tour!

We are also still featuring the guide for Daphne Kalotay’s SIGHT READING. It’s the story of three friends --- Remy, an ambitious conservatory student; Nicholas, a wunderkind on the cusp of success and its challenges; and the beautiful and fragile Hazel --- whose lives have crisscrossed, diverged and interlaced since they first met 20 years ago, each discovering how the quest to create something real and true can lead to profound personal revelations --- and the unearthing of long-held secrets. Daphne was kind enough to share a playlist of some of the songs mentioned throughout SIGHT READING. Click here for the guide and here for the Bookreporter.com review.

With more news from our Indie friends…the biannual Indie Next List for Reading Groups is the most requested of any printed list that the American Booksellers Association produces. For your convenience, we've compiled their top 10 book group picks for Summer 2014 here. In addition to booksellers’ Top 10 favorites, the list presents titles in seven discussion-starting categories: Exciting New Voices, Memorable Memoirs, New Works From Old Favorites, Unconventional Delights, Familiar Faces Fictionalized, Engrossing Nonfiction, and Compelling Tales Well Told. To see the list in its entirety, click here or stop by your local bookseller to pick up a copy!

Also updated this month is our Reading Roundup, a listing of titles that have been selected for special note from indie booksellers, librarians, Target and Costco.

Make sure to check out our “Rate Books for Book Groups” feature. As always, we encourage you to share books you think would be good for books groups, and check out books other readers suggest. Please note that these don’t necessarily need to be books that you have read with your book clubs --- they can simply be titles that you think would be great for discussion! All entries will be posted shortly after the August 6th deadline. Last month, many readers recommended Daisy Goodwin’s THE FORTUNE HUNTER and Christina Baker Kline’s ORPHAN TRAIN as good discussion books.

Over at Bookreporter.com, we continue to share some great summer book picks with our Summer Reading Contests and Feature. We are spotlighting a different title on select days throughout the summer, so you have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter. We also are sending a special daily newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here. Click here to see today’s giveaway title and enter to win.

In an effort to introduce a new generation of readers to J. K. Rowling’s already-classic Harry Potter series, we’re having a "31 Days of Harry Potter" celebration over on Kidsreads.com. Each day our Editorial Manager, Shara Zaval, is posting a Harry Potter factoid, tribute or newsy item. You can follow along here. We're also giving away FIVE complete sets of the series (all seven books!), along with special bookmarks and posters. This is a great opportunity to share this beloved series with any kids in your life, or to simply win a set of your very own! Enter here by Thursday, July 31st at noon ET for the chance to win a magical reading experience for yourself or a loved one. So many people have told me that the Harry Potter series made their children fall in love with reading. Let’s make that happen for a whole new generation now!

I still remember the night that the last Harry Potter title was published. My older son Greg noted that for children going forward, there never would be the anticipation that his generation felt (he is now 24) as they waited for the next title. He said that tomorrow anyone who starts reading can just have the seven adventures lined up before them. What a perfect way for a child to spend the rest of the summer; we also can channel the inner child in all of us and do the same. If you've already read and reread all the books, note that this week J.K. Rowling released a new short story on the Pottermore website. It's written in the voice of the fictional Daily Prophet's gossip correspondent Rita Skeeter, and its about the the reunion of a grownup Harry Potter and his friends at the Quidditch World Cup Finals.

I would like to bring to your attention a terrific new feature that we have been doing called “Real Talk Publishing: The People Behind the Books.” Conceptualized by Shara, this is a way to give our readers insight into the publishing industry. Through interviews, guest posts and sometimes sneak peeks inside their offices, she’s given our readers an opportunity to learn more about the book industry --- and the work that goes into creating some of the world's best written word. To date, she has interviewed Sarah Harrison Smith, the Children's Book Editor for the New York Times; Chip Kidd, the Associate Art Director at Alfred A. Knopf; Barbara Marcus, the President and Publisher of Random House's Children's Division; school librarian Walter Mayes, who also has worked in a bookstore, at a publishing company, and is known as “Walter the Giant Storyteller” (he’s 6’ 7.5’’ tall); and, most recently, bookstore owner Annie Philbrick. Take a look at these, and we will be sharing more in the weeks and months to come.

This month, we want to know whether you read more than one book at a time. Let us know by taking the poll here.

Whew…that’s a lot for July. For those of you who have your book group registered with us, you will receive another newsletter the week of July 21st. Not registered yet? Then click here. Enjoy July…

Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])

 

We're giving 15 groups the chance to win 10 copies of Lynne Branard's THE ART OF ARRANGING FLOWERS, a chat with the author (to be scheduled for August, September or October) and a beautiful floral arrangement (like the bouquet seen here). We will also be giving away single copies of the book to 50 additional readers! To enter, please fill out this form by Wednesday, August 6th at noon ET.

THE ART OF ARRANGING FLOWERS by Lynne Branard (Fiction)
Ruby Jewell knows flowers. In her 20 years as a florist she has stood behind the counter at the Flower Shoppe with her faithful dog, Clementine, resting at her feet. A customer can walk in, and with just a glance or a few words, Ruby can throw together the perfect arrangement for any occasion.

Whether intended to rekindle a romance, mark a celebration, offer sympathy or heal a broken heart, her expressive floral designs mark the moments and milestones in the lives of her neighbors. It’s as though she knows just what they want to say, just what they need.
Yet Ruby’s own heart’s desires have gone ignored since the death of her beloved sister. It will take an invitation from a man who’s flown to the moon, the arrival of a unique little boy and concern from a charming veterinarian to reawaken her wounded spirit. Any life can be derailed, but the healing power of community can put it right again.
 

We're giving three groups the chance to win 15 copies of Don Piper's bestselling memoir, 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN, the inspiring story of his journey from death back to life. To enter, please fill out this form by Wednesday, August 6th at noon ET.

90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN by Don Piper and Cecil Murphey (Memoir)
In the 10 years since 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN was first published, millions of people worldwide have read the incredible true story of Don Piper's experience with death and life --- and in reading have found their own lives changed.

Now you can experience the continuing story of 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN with this special anniversary edition. Along with the story of his accident, death, return to life and painful recovery, Don offers personal reflections on the impact the book has had on him, his family and the millions who have heard his story. Also included are true stories from readers about the effect 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN has had on their lives, favorite Scriptures and quotations on heaven from Don, a photo insert and a publisher's note on the book that started the heaven publishing phenomenon.

Discover for yourself the book that everyone has been talking about --- and watch your life change for the better.

-Click here for the reading group guide.
 

We're giving away 10 copies of USA TODAY bestselling author Emilie Richards' NO RIVER TOO WIDE, a poignant tale of mothers, daughters and friendship. To enter, please fill out this form by Tuesday, July 22nd at noon ET.

NO RIVER TOO WIDE by Emilie Richards (Fiction)
Some betrayals are like rivers, so deep, so wide, they can't be crossed. But --- for those with enough courage --- forgiveness, redemption and love may be found on the other side.

On the night her home is consumed by fire, Janine Stoddard finally resolves to leave her abusive husband. While she is reluctant to involve her estranged daughter, she can't resist a chance to see Harmony and baby Lottie in Asheville, North Carolina, before she disappears forever.

Harmony's friend Taylor Martin realizes how much the reunited mother and daughter yearn to stay together, and she sees in Jan a chance to continue her own mother's legacy of helping women in need of a fresh start. She opens her home, even as she's opening her heart to another newcomer, Adam Pryor. But enigmatic Adam has a secret that could destroy Taylor's trust…and cost Jan her hard-won freedom.

-Click here for the reading group guide.
 

Let us know what your group is reading in July, and you will be entered in a giveaway to win multiple copies of a book for your group! In anticipation of the August 15th release of the film adaptation, our latest prize book is the New York Times bestseller, THE GIVER, the classic dystopian novel by award-winning author Lois Lowry. We have 12 copies of the paperback edition to give away to three groups. To enter, please fill out the form on this page by Wednesday, August 6th at noon ET.

THE GIVER by Lois Lowry (Dystopian Fiction)
Lois Lowry’s New York Times bestseller, THE GIVER is the quintessential dystopian novel, followed by its remarkable companions, GATHERING BLUE, MESSENGER and SON. Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. When Jonas turns 12 he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

-Click here for the reading group guide.

Just so you know! Thanks to your participation last month, we learned that the three most popular books among book groups in June were ORPHAN TRAIN by Christina Baker Kline, THE GOLDFINCH by Donna Tartt and THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green. Keep posting so we see what else is trending on our site!
 

THE PARIS ARCHITECT by Charles Belfoure (Fiction)
Like most gentiles in Nazi-occupied Paris, architect Lucien Bernard has little empathy for the Jews. So when a wealthy industrialist offers him a large sum of money to devise secret hiding places for Jews, Lucien struggles with the choice of risking his life for a cause he doesn’t really believe in. Ultimately he can’t resist the challenge and begins designing expertly concealed hiding spaces --- behind a painting, within a column or inside a drainpipe --- detecting possibilities invisible to the average eye. But when one of his clever hiding spaces fails horribly and the immense suffering of Jews becomes incredibly personal, he can no longer deny reality.

Written by an expert whose knowledge imbues every page, this story becomes more gripping with every life the architect tries to save.
 

THE QUEEN OF THE TEARLING by Erika Johansen (Fantasy)
Magic, adventure, mystery and romance combine in this epic debut in which a young princess must reclaim her dead mother’s throne, learn to be a ruler --- and defeat the Red Queen, a powerful and malevolent sorceress determined to destroy her.

On her 19th birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in exile, sets out on a perilous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. Plain and serious, a girl who loves books and learning, Kelsea bears little resemblance to her mother, the vain and frivolous Queen Elyssa. But though she may be inexperienced and sheltered, Kelsea is not defenseless: Around her neck hangs the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense magical power; and accompanying her is the Queen’s Guard, a cadre of brave knights led by the enigmatic and dedicated Lazarus. Kelsea will need them all to survive a cabal of enemies who will use every weapon --- from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic --- to prevent her from wearing the crown.

Despite her royal blood, Kelsea feels like nothing so much as an insecure girl, a child called upon to lead a people and a kingdom about which she knows almost nothing. But what she discovers in the capital will change everything, confronting her with horrors she never imagined. An act of singular daring will throw Kelsea’s kingdom into tumult, unleashing the vengeance of the tyrannical ruler of neighboring Mortmesne: the Red Queen, a sorceress possessed of the darkest magic. Now Kelsea will begin to discover whom among the servants, aristocracy, and her own guard she can trust.

But the quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny has only just begun --- a wondrous journey of self-discovery and a trial by fire that will make her a legend…if she can survive.

This book will be a beautifully designed package with illustrated endpapers, a map of the Tearling and a ribbon marker.
 

The biannual Indie Next List for Reading Groups is the most requested of any printed list that the American Booksellers Association produces. For your convenience, we've compiled their top 10 book group picks for Summer 2014 here.

In addition to booksellers’ Top 10 favorites, the list presents titles in seven discussion-starting categories: Exciting New Voices, Memorable Memoirs, New Works From Old Favorites, Unconventional Delights, Familiar Faces Fictionalized, Engrossing Nonfiction, and Compelling Tales Well Told. To see the list in its entirety, click here.

1. ORDINARY GRACE by William Kent Krueger
2. THE BOYS IN THE BOAT: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
3. BENEDICTION by Kent Haruf
4. LIFE AFTER LIFE by Kate Atkinson
5. GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn
6. A PLACE AT THE TABLE by Susan Rebecca White
7. THE TELLING ROOM: A Tale of Love, Betrayal, Revenge, and the World's Greatest Piece of Cheese by Michael Paterniti
8. THE ROSIE PROJECT by Graeme Simsion
9. THE INVENTION OF WINGS by Sue Monk Kidd
10. LIFE AFTER LIFE by Jill McCorkle

Rate the books you have read to let us know if you think they would be good selections for book groups. You can add books that you have read personally or with your book group. Share the title and the author, and please pay attention to proper spelling. Capitalize words as appropriate! All submissions will be reviewed before they are posted on Wednesday, August 6th, thus your post will not appear immediately.
 

Summer is just around the corner! At Bookreporter.com, this means it's time for us to share some great summer book picks with our Summer Reading Contests and Feature. We will be hosting a number of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days throughout the summer, so you will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter to win. We also will be sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.

This year's featured titles include:

• ALL GOOD THINGS: From Paris to Tahiti: Life and Longing by Sarah Turnbull
• ALL THOSE VANISHED ENGINES by Paul Park
• THE ASTRONAUT WIVES CLUB by Lily Koppel
• BIG LITTLE LIES by Liane Moriarty
• THE CURSED by Heather Graham
• FAIR PLAY by Deeanne Gist
• THE FAMILY BEACH HOUSE by Holly Chamberlin
• FLYING SHOES by Lisa Howorth
• THE FORTUNE HUNTER by Daisy Goodwin
• THE GLASS KITCHEN by Linda Francis Lee
• GOOD AS GONE by Douglas Corleone
• THE GOOD GIRL by Mary Kubica
• GUESTS ON EARTH by Lee Smith
• HEADHUNTERS ON MY DOORSTEP: A True Treasure Island Ghost Story by J. Maarten Troost
• THE IDEA OF HIM by Holly Peterson
• THE MAJOR'S DAUGHTER by J.P. Francis
• MY ACCIDENTAL JIHAD: A Love Story by Krista Bremer
• NECESSARY LIES by Diane Chamberlain
• NO RIVER TOO WIDE by Emilie Richards
• THE PARIS ARCHITECT by Charles Belfoure
• SAVE THE DATE by Mary Kay Andrews
• SCARED SCRIPTLESS by Alison Sweeney
• THE STORIES WE TELL by Patti Callahan Henry
• SUMMER DAYS by Lisa Jackson, Elizabeth Bass, Holly Chamberlin and Mary Carter
• THE SUPREME MACARONI COMPANY by Adriana Trigiani
• The Tangled Series (TANGLED, TWISTED, TAMED) by Emma Chase
• THAT NIGHT by Chevy Stevens
• THE THIRD SON by Julie Wu
• THE TRUTH ABOUT THE HARRY QUEBERT AFFAIR by Joël Dicker
• WE ARE ALL COMPLETELY BESIDE OURSELVES by Karen Joy Fowler

In an effort to introduce a new generation of readers to J. K. Rowling’s already-classic Harry Potter series, we’re having a "31 Days of Harry Potter" celebration over on Kidsreads.com. Every day, we have a new blog post dedicated to some element of the Harry Potter universe, be it a glossary of terms, some information on a beloved character, a recipe for a classic Harry Potter treat or a guest post from a famous children's authors about why they love the series. Plus, we're giving away FIVE complete sets of the series (all seven books!), along with special bookmarks and posters. This is a great opportunity to share a book with any kids in your life, or to simply win a set of your very own! Enter here by Thursday, July 31st at noon ET for the chance to win a magical reading experience for yourself or a loved one.
 

The following guides are now available on ReadingGroupGuides.com:

90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN: A True Story of Life and Death, 10th Anniversary Edition by Don Piper and Cecil Murphey (Memoir)
Ten years later, Don Piper reflects on his bestselling memoir, 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN, the inspiring story of his journey from death back to life.

THE CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF LIES: A Novel of the Great War by Jacqueline Winspear (Historical Fiction)
The New York Times bestselling author of the Maisie Dobbs series turns her prodigious talents to a World War I standalone tale of romance and intrigue --- to be published in time for the Great War’s centennial.

THE GIVER by Lois Lowry (Dystopian Fiction)
If everything is ordered, then everyone is calm. If everyone is calm, then everyone is safe.

THE PARIS ARCHITECT by Charles Belfoure (Historical Thriller)
A gifted architect reluctantly begins a secret life devising ingenious hiding places for Jews in Nazi-occupied Paris.

THE QUEEN OF THE TEARLING by Erika Johansen (Fantasy)
A brilliantly imagined adventure --- the first novel in an eagerly awaited trilogy --- in which an untested young princess must claim her throne, learn to become a queen and combat a malevolent sorceress in an epic battle between light and darkness.

THE STAGER by Susan Coll (Fiction)
A comedy about rabbits and real estate from the acclaimed novelist Susan Coll, THE STAGER chronicles one family’s surreal descent into madness and discord as they attempt to sell their faux “Flemish villa.”

Please note that these titles, for which we already had the guides when they appeared in hardcover, are now available in paperback:

THE CURIOSITY by Stephen P. Kiernan (Thriller)
A powerful debut novel in which a man, frozen in the Arctic ice for more than a century, awakens in the present day and finds the greatest discovery is love...

THE FIRE WITNESS by Lars Kepler (Thriller)
Flora Hansen calls herself a medium and makes a living by pretending to commune with the dead. But after a gruesome murder at a rural home for wayward girls, Hansen begins to suffer visions that are all too real.

THE GIRL YOU LEFT BEHIND by Jojo Moyes (Fiction)
“Hopelessly and hopefully romantic” (Chicago Tribune), Jojo Moyes returns with another irresistible heartbreaker that asks, “Whatever happened to the girl you left behind?”

LAY IT ON MY HEART by Angela Pneuman (Fiction)
This piercing, sly debut novel tells the story of one unforgettable month in a Kentucky girl's 13th year.

THE LOWLAND by Jhumpa Lahiri (Fiction)
Masterly suspenseful, sweeping, piercingly intimate, THE LOWLAND is a work of great beauty and complex emotion --- an engrossing family saga and a story steeped in history that spans generations and geographies with seamless authenticity.

THE NIGHT GUEST by Fiona McFarlane (Fiction)
THE NIGHT GUEST, Fiona McFarlane’s hypnotic first novel, is a tale that soars above its own suspense to tell us, with exceptional grace and beauty, about aging, love, trust, dependence and fear; about processes of colonization; and about things (and people) in places they shouldn’t be.

THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS by Elizabeth Gilbert (Fiction)
As Alma Whittaker's careful studies of moss take her deeper into the mysteries of evolution, the man she comes to love draws her in the opposite direction --- into the realm of the spiritual, the divine and the magical.