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Loving This: Advice from Book Groups to One Another
The other day, I answered a piece of mail from a reader about a discussion guide, and I got a note back saying she was surprised she had gotten a reply. I try my best to answer email either with a response or in our newsletters. I often use the latter when it’s a question that I have posed to the entire group. This week, I tried to answer a reader’s request for a discussion guide --- twice --- and both times her email bounced back to me. Frustrating, as I know she is expecting an answer, and I am trying to get it to her.
One of our readers, Jeanie, wrote me to ask for some suggestions for holiday reads. She said, “I always look forward to your newsletter and would love to pick your brain to see if you have any suggestions for my book club for the month of December. I'm the leader for our book club. We meet monthly in a restaurant and call ourselves 'Dinner With Books.' We've been meeting for six years and meet for a combined November/December meeting each year, since life gets so busy over the holidays. I'm always on the lookout for a good Christmas story for that meeting. We've done Fannie Flagg's A REDBIRD CHRISTMAS, which was tough to follow, and we've read Dottie Frank's THE CHRISTMAS PEARL, as well as Les Standiford's book, THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS, and A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Now I'm stumped for the upcoming holiday season. My group as a whole does not like 'romance'-type stories, and it seems as though so many Christmas-themed books fall into that category. Is there any way you'd consider featuring some Christmas (or holiday) book club suggestions in one of your upcoming newsletters?”
Well, I feel like I am like one of those chain stores where they already are featuring Halloween and Christmas items while we are still enjoying summer, but we received some great feedback to this question from our readers that I am going to share now, as we know some groups plan ahead. I will duck the snowballs that you may send my way.
Lynn wrote, "WINTER SOLSTICE by Rosamunde Pilcher is one of my all-time favorite books. Not only have all three of my book clubs read and discussed it, but several of us reread it every year or two. It's the ONLY book I have read multiple times." Antoinette wrote, I have two recommendations. THE LAST NOEL by Michael Malone. I read it years ago and so loved it. It's time for a revisit, I think. Also, THE CHRISTMAS TREE by Jennifer Johnston. Both books are so excellent. Oh yes, one more --- WINTER SOLSTICE by Rosamunde Pilcher.” Gerry wrote, “Here's a suggestion for the reader who requested a Christmas-themed book for her book club: THE CHRISTMAS MYSTERY by Jostein Gaarder, translated by Elizabeth Rokkan. This is a fantastic five-star read and one I think is worth sharing with your readers.“ Jean suggested David Baldacci's THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN.
We also asked if any groups have read two complementary books at once. We heard from Jeanie, who shared this advice, perhaps as a payback for the other suggestions from readers. “We have done that at least twice. A few years ago, we read MOCKINGBIRD by Charles Shields and (reread or read) TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at the same time. Then we read THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS in conjunction with A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Surprisingly, there were a few people in our group who had never actually read the original A CHRISTMAS CAROL." Pauline wrote, “Two of my book groups have read CIRCLING THE SUN by Paula McLain and the older WEST WITH THE NIGHT by Beryl Markham together, and they gave a stronger feeling for Beryl in the process. In one group I put DIMESTORE and THE LAST GIRLS and others of Lee Smith's books together to look at the author's style and regionalism. Both were quite well received.”
Now to our latest update...
We have two new featured guides to tell you about in this newsletter. First up is STAY WITH ME, Ayobami Adebayo’s much-talked-about debut novel (it has been shortlisted for the 2017 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction, was a BookExpo Buzz book, and is a future Bookreporter.com Bets On selection). Yejide and Akin have been married since they met and fell in love at university. Though many expected Akin to take several wives, he and Yejide agreed that polygamy is not for them. But four years into their marriage, Yejide is still not pregnant. She assumes she still has time --- until her family arrives with a young woman they introduce as Akin's second wife. Yejide is filled with rage and jealousy, and knows the only way to save her marriage is to get pregnant. She finally does, but it comes at a cost far greater than she could have dared to imagine. You can see the guide here and our Bookreporter.com review in the August 25th edition of the Bookreporter.com Weekly Update newsletter. And don’t miss my Bets On commentary in the Bookreporter newsletter going out on September 8th.
Our second new featured guide is for ANY DREAM WILL DO, Debbie Macomber’s new stand-alone novel. Shay Benson adored her younger brother, Caden, which ultimately led to a temporary loss of her freedom. Pastor Drew Douglas adored his wife, but when he lost her, his focus shifted from his congregation to his two children. Shay and Drew meet in church one day and strike up a friendship that eventually turns into something much deeper. But just as Shay’s life starts to turn around and she learns to trust again, Caden returns to town with a potentially disastrous secret. Click here for the guide and here for our review on Bookreporter.com.
There’s still time to enter our “What’s Your Book Group Reading This Month” contest, where three groups will win 12 copies of THE ADDRESS, a Bets On selection. Fiona Davis, whose debut novel was THE DOLLHOUSE (another Bets On pick), has written a novel about the thin lines between love and loss, success and ruin, passion and madness, all hidden behind the walls of The Dakota, New York City’s most famous residence. Please fill out the form on this page by Tuesday, September 12th at noon ET for your chance to win copies of the book for your group. Fiona is coming by the office for a visit in September, and I am looking forward to finally meeting her!
In our previous “What’s Your Book Group Reading This Month?” contest, here are the five books mentioned most frequently as titles that our book groups read: HILLBILLY ELEGY: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance, SMALL GREAT THINGS by Jodi Picoult, LILAC GIRLS by Martha Hall Kelly, A MAN CALLED OVE by Fredrik Backman, and THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 by Ruth Ware. Rounding out the top 15 are INTO THE WATER by Paula Hawkins, BENEATH A SCARLET SKY by Mark Sullivan, COMMONWEALTH by Ann Patchett, THE NIGHTINGALE by Kristin Hannah, ORDINARY GRACE by William Kent Krueger, OUR SOULS AT NIGHT by Kent Haruf, THE SUMMER BEFORE THE WAR by Helen Simonson, THE WOMEN IN THE CASTLE by Jessica Shattuck, BEFORE THE FALL by Noah Hawley, and A PIECE OF THE WORLD by Christina Baker Kline.
But the contests don’t stop there. The Reading Group Center, an online resource of curated book lists, author interviews, original essays and reading group guides, is giving you the chance to win 10 bestselling, award-winning reads that your book club is sure to love. Included in this bundle of book club favorites are titles by Margaret Atwood, Alexander McCall Smith, J. Courtney Sullivan, Anne Tyler and Colson Whitehead, to name just a few. The sweepstakes end at 11:59pm ET on Sunday, September 10th, so be sure to enter by filling out the form on this page.
And please keep in mind our Word of Mouth and Sounding Off on Audio contests on Bookreporter.com, where you’ll always have the chance to win some fabulous hardcovers and audiobooks (the aforementioned STAY WITH ME is one of our current Word of Mouth prizes).
Our poll question continues to ask: When you read a book that you think would be perfect for your book group’s discussion, what do you do? You can either select one or more of the options we’ve provided, or submit an answer of your own. We’ll share these results --- and announce a new poll --- in our next newsletter, which will come your way the week of September 11th.
In our last newsletter, we announced the exciting details of the Hachette Book Group’s annual Book Club Brunch, which will be held at the New York Society for Ethical Culture on Saturday, October 21st from 10am to 3pm. For $50, attendees will be able to listen in on various panel discussions (and hear featured speaker Emma Donoghue discuss her latest book, THE WONDER), enjoy a light lunch, and receive a tote bag with selected free books. If you’re interested in attending this fun and informative event, click here for more info and to purchase your tickets.
Also in the last newsletter, I asked readers who have seen the movie adaptation of THE GLASS CASTLE to email me with their thoughts about it. Marilyn wrote, “My husband and I (retired) see several movies each week. I always want to see the movie if I have read the book. We both enjoyed The Glass Castle very much. Woody Harrelson was indeed very good and so was Naomi Watts, playing a not-so-beautiful woman. We always ask ourselves, 'Any award nominations in this film?’ Maybe yes for this one.”
Mary said, “My book group (12 of us) saw the movie version of THE GLASS CASTLE this afternoon. I thought the movie did an excellent job of following the book. I especially liked the little girl playing Jeannette Walls. She portrayed emotion very well for a child actor. Overall, I'd give it a 9 out of 10. Good movie! A word to viewers: stay during the credits as they show pictures and videos of the real people during that time.” Sherrie said, “I just wanted to share about our book club catching The Glass Castle on Monday night. Of course, most of us had the 'the book is always better than the movie' thought in our heads only to be proven wrong! This time the movie was (almost) better than the book! We were all amazed with the writing, directing and overall style the movie portrayed. It is a movie that is sometimes hard to watch and breaks your heart, but so very worth the watch! Love it!”
Lil said, “Members of my book club saw The Glass Castle this past Sunday. We read the book a couple of years ago and also met the author. We enjoyed the movie and felt Woody Harrelson did a very good job. This year we have included on our list HALF BROKE HORSES, also by Walls.” Lory said, “Our book club chose THE GLASS CASTLE as a summer read, so we went out to see the movie opening night. Some members disliked the book strongly, but it seems that this was due to the content. They were mad at Jeannette's parents and were frustrated throughout the book ('That's just not right!'). I, on the other hand, enjoyed the book immensely (I had read it several years ago) and felt the movie did a good job of depicting Jeannette’s ups and downs, her emotional struggles as she came to terms with her childhood, herself, and with the fact that her parents were who they were and that wouldn't change.”
Lil also had this to say: “On your mention of BENEATH A SCARLET SKY...what an amazing read. My favorite this year so far. I participated in a Goodreads book discussion with the author last weekend and was even more impressed. I am fascinated with the life of Pino Lella. My only complaint is that it left me wanting more.
In the last newsletter, we had shared that the film adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s THE NIGHTINGALE was coming in theaters next August. Well, in Hollywood, dates change, and just as we saw this, Dorothy wrote to say that according to the IMDB website, The Nightingale is now being released in January 2019. So please note this, probably in pencil!
Savor the last month of summer as you enjoy planning your next book group discussion --- and we’ll see you again in September.
Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])
P.S. For those of you who are doing online shopping, if you use the store links below, ReadingGroupGuides.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases. We would appreciate your considering this!
New Featured Guide: STAY WITH ME by Ayobami Adebayo
A Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
STAY WITH ME by Ayobami Adebayo (Fiction)
This celebrated, unforgettable first novel, shortlisted for the prestigious Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction and set in Nigeria, gives voice to both husband and wife as they tell the story of their marriage --- and the forces that threaten to tear it apart.
Yejide and Akin have been married since they met and fell in love at university. Though many expected Akin to take several wives, he and Yejide have always agreed: polygamy is not for them. But four years into their marriage --- after consulting fertility doctors and healers, trying strange teas and unlikely cures --- Yejide is still not pregnant. She assumes she still has time --- until her family arrives on her doorstep with a young woman they introduce as Akin’s second wife. Furious, shocked and livid with jealousy, Yejide knows the only way to save her marriage is to get pregnant. Which, finally, she does --- but at a cost far greater than she could have dared to imagine.
An electrifying novel of enormous emotional power, STAY WITH ME asks how much we can sacrifice for the sake of family.
Be sure to read our review of STAY WITH ME in the August 25th edition of the Bookreporter.com Weekly Update newsletter and Carol's Bookreporter.com Bets On commentary in the September 8th edition.
Click here for the featured guide.
New Featured Guide: ANY DREAM WILL DO
by Debbie Macomber
ANY DREAM WILL DO by Debbie Macomber (Fiction)
Shay Benson adored her younger brother, Caden, and that got her into trouble. When he owed money, Shay realized she would do anything to help him avoid the men who were threatening him, and she crossed lines she never should have crossed. Now, determined to start fresh, she finds herself in search of a place to stay and wanders into a church to escape from the cold.
Pastor Drew Douglas adored his wife. But when he lost her, it was all he could do to focus on his two beautiful kids, and his flock came in a distant third. Now, as he too is thinking about a fresh start, he walks through his sanctuary and finds Shay sitting in a pew.
The pair strike up a friendship --- Drew helps Shay get back on her feet, and she reignites his sense of purpose --- that, over time, turns into something deeper, something soulful, spiritual and possibly romantic. Even Drew’s two children are taken with this woman who has brought light back into their lives. Perhaps most important, Shay learns to trust again as she, in turn, proves herself trustworthy to her adopted community.
But Caden’s return to town and a disastrous secret threaten to undo the life Shay has tried so hard to rebuild. It will take the utmost courage and faith if she and Drew hope to find healing and open their hearts to a brighter future.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
- Click here to visit Debbie Macomber's website.
Click here for the featured guide.
"What's Your Book Group Reading This Month?" Contest:
Enter to Win 12 Copies of
THE ADDRESS by Fiona Davis for Your Group
Each month, we ask book groups to share the titles they are reading that month and rate them. From all entries, three winners will be selected, and each will win 12 copies of that month’s prize book for their group. Note: To be eligible to win, let us know the title of the book that YOUR book group is CURRENTLY reading, NOT the title we are giving away.
This month's prize book is THE ADDRESS by Fiona Davis, a compelling novel about the thin lines between love and loss, success and ruin, passion and madness, all hidden behind the walls of The Dakota --- New York City’s most famous residence. To enter, please fill out the form on this page by Tuesday, September 12th at noon ET.
THE ADDRESS by Fiona Davis (Historical Fiction)
After a failed apprenticeship, working her way up to head housekeeper of a posh London hotel is more than Sara Smythe ever thought she’d make of herself. But when a chance encounter with Theodore Camden, one of the architects of the grand New York apartment house The Dakota, leads to a job offer, her world is suddenly awash in possibility --- no mean feat for a servant in 1884. The opportunity to move to America, where a person can rise above one’s station. The opportunity to be the female manager of The Dakota, which promises to be the greatest apartment house in the world. And the opportunity to see more of Theo, who understands Sara like no one else...and is living in The Dakota with his wife and three young children.
In 1985, Bailey Camden is desperate for new opportunities. Fresh out of rehab, the former party girl and interior designer is homeless, jobless and penniless. Two generations ago, Bailey’s grandfather was the ward of famed architect Theodore Camden. But the absence of a genetic connection means Bailey won’t see a dime of the Camden family’s substantial estate. Instead, her “cousin” Melinda --- Camden’s biological great-granddaughter --- will inherit almost everything. So when Melinda offers to let Bailey oversee the renovation of her lavish Dakota apartment, Bailey jumps at the chance, despite her dislike of Melinda’s vision. The renovation will take away all the character and history of the apartment Theodore Camden himself lived in...and died in, after suffering multiple stab wounds by a madwoman named Sara Smythe, a former Dakota employee who had previously spent seven months in an insane asylum on Blackwell’s Island.
One hundred years apart, Sara and Bailey are both tempted by and struggle against the golden excess of their respective ages --- for Sara, the opulence of a world ruled by the Astors and Vanderbilts; for Bailey, the free-flowing drinks and cocaine in the nightclubs of New York City --- and take refuge and solace in the Upper West Side’s gilded fortress. But a building with a history as rich --- and often tragic --- as The Dakota’s can’t hold its secrets forever, and what Bailey discovers in its basement could turn everything she thought she knew about Theodore Camden --- and the woman who killed him --- on its head.
- Click here for the reading group guide.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
- Click here to read an interview with Fiona Davis.
- Click here to read Carol's Bookreporter.com Bets On commentary.
Click here to enter the contest.
Win a Bundle of Book Club Favorites
from the Reading Group Center!
When it comes to finding your next great beach read, you know you can rely on your fellow book club members. Whether it’s a classic work or the next breakout sensation, they know which book is best for beach, hammock or poolside reading.
But where can you turn when your book club needs fresh inspiration? Cue the Reading Group Center, an online resource of curated book lists, author interviews, original essays and reading group guides to help book clubs pick the ideal book for discussion.
Lucky for you, the Reading Group Center is offering a chance to win a bundle of 10 bestselling, award-winning, book club-endorsed reads. This awesome prize pack includes titles by Margaret Atwood, Kevin Kwan, Judy Blume and Colson Whitehead, along with other books by your favorite authors, so save your spot with a bookmark and enter this sweepstakes today!
Click here to enter the sweepstakes.
Hachette Book Group's 6th Annual Book Club Brunch
For those of you who enjoy live events, the Hachette Book Group has announced the details for their annual Book Club Brunch, which this year will be held on Saturday, October 21st from 10am to 3pm at the New York Society for Ethical Culture. The admission is $50, and includes various panel discussions (featuring such authors as Liza Mundy, Betsy Carter and Brendan Mathews), a light lunch, and a tote bag with selected free books. In addition, Emma Donoghue will be a featured speaker to discuss her new book, THE WONDER.
Click here for more info and to purchase your tickets.
August Releases of Interest to Book Groups
THE ADDRESS by Fiona Davis (Historical Fiction)
One hundred years apart, Sara Smythe and Bailey Camden are both tempted by and struggle against the golden excess of their respective ages. But a building with a history as rich as The Dakota’s can’t hold its secrets forever, and what Bailey discovers in its basement could turn everything she thought she knew about her grandfather, famed architect Theodore Camden --- and the woman who killed him --- on its head.
ANY DREAM WILL DO by Debbie Macomber (Fiction)
Shay Benson adored her younger brother, Caden, and that got her into trouble. Pastor Drew Douglas adored his wife. But when he lost her, it was all he could do to focus on his two beautiful kids, and his flock came in a distant third. Shay and Drew meet in church one day and strike up a friendship that, over time, turns into something deeper and possibly romantic.
THE BURNING GIRL by Claire Messud (Fiction)
Julia and Cassie have been friends since nursery school. They have shared everything, including their desire to escape the stifling limitations of their birthplace, the quiet town of Royston, Massachusetts. But as the two girls enter adolescence, their paths diverge and Cassie sets out on a journey that will put her life in danger and shatter her oldest friendship.
EMMA IN THE NIGHT by Wendy Walker (Psychological Thriller)
One night three years ago, the Tanner sisters disappeared. Three years later, Cass returns, without her sister Emma. Her story is one of kidnapping and betrayal, of a mysterious island where the two were held. But to forensic psychiatrist Dr. Abby Winter, something doesn't add up. Looking deep within this dysfunctional family, Dr. Winter uncovers a life where one sister's return might just be the beginning of the crime.
THE LAST TUDOR by Philippa Gregory (Historical Fiction)
Jane Grey was queen of England for nine days. Her father and his allies crowned her instead of the dead king’s half-sister Mary Tudor, who quickly claimed her throne and locked Jane in the Tower of London. When Jane refused to betray her Protestant faith, Mary sent her to the executioner’s block. What will happen when the youngest Grey sister, Mary --- the last Tudor --- defies her ruthless and unforgiving cousin Queen Elizabeth?
MAP OF THE HEART by Susan Wiggs (Fiction)
Widowed by an unspeakable tragedy, Camille Palmer has made her peace with the past and settled into the quiet safety of life with her teenage daughter, Julie, in a sleepy coastal town. Then the arrival of a mysterious package breaks open the door to her family’s secret past. In uncovering a hidden history, Camille has no idea that she’s embarking on an adventure that will utterly transform her.
MORNINGSTAR: Growing Up With Books by Ann Hood (Memoir/Essays)
Growing up in a household that didn’t foster a love of literature, Ann Hood still discovered the transformative power of books. She learned to channel her imagination, ambitions and curiosity by devouring ever-growing stacks. Here, Hood recollects how THE BELL JAR, MARJORIE MORNINGSTAR, THE HARRAD EXPERIMENT and THE OUTSIDERS influenced her teen psyche and introduced her to topics that could not be discussed at home.
MRS. FLETCHER by Tom Perrotta (Fiction)
A 46-year-old divorcee whose beloved only child has just left for college, Eve Fletcher is struggling to adjust to her empty nest when one night her phone lights up with a text message. Sent from an anonymous number, the mysterious sender tells Eve, “U R my MILF!” Meanwhile, Eve’s son Brendan discovers that his new campus isn’t nearly as welcoming to his hard-partying lifestyle as he had imagined.
STAY WITH ME by Ayobami Adebayo (Fiction)
Yejide and Akin have been married since they met and fell in love at university. Four years into their marriage, Yejide is still not pregnant. She assumes she still has time --- until her family arrives on her doorstep with a young woman they introduce as Akin's second wife. Yejide knows the only way to save her marriage is to get pregnant. Which, finally, she does --- but at a cost far greater than she could have dared to imagine.
A STRANGER IN THE HOUSE by Shari Lapena (Psychological Thriller)
You’re home making dinner for your husband. The phone rings --- it’s the call you hoped you’d never get. You jump in your car and race to a neighborhood you thought you’d never visit. You peer into the dark, deserted building. And then, you remember nothing else. The police suspect you were up to no good. But your husband refuses to believe it. Your best friend is not so sure. And even you don’t know what to believe.
UNRAVELING OLIVER by Liz Nugent (Psychological Thriller)
Oliver Ryan has long been married to his devoted wife, Alice. One evening, though, Oliver delivers a blow to Alice that renders her unconscious, and subsequently beats her into a coma. In the aftermath of such an unthinkable event, as Alice hovers between life and death, the couple’s friends, neighbors and acquaintances try to understand what could have driven Oliver to commit such a horrific act.
YOUNG JANE YOUNG by Gabrielle Zevin (Fiction)
Aviva Grossman, an ambitious congressional intern in Florida, makes the mistake of having an affair with her boss --- and blogging about it. When the affair comes to light, Aviva sees no way out but to change her name and move to a remote town in Maine. But when she decides to run for public office herself, that long-ago mistake trails her via the Internet and catches up.
Featured Guide: MRS. FLETCHER by Tom Perrotta
MRS. FLETCHER by Tom Perrotta (Fiction)
Eve Fletcher is trying to figure out what comes next. A 46-year-old divorcee whose beloved only child has just left for college, Eve is struggling to adjust to her empty nest when one night her phone lights up with a text message. Sent from an anonymous number, the mysterious sender tells Eve, “U R my MILF!” Over the months that follow, that message comes to obsess Eve. While leading her all-too-placid life --- serving as Executive Director of the local senior center by day and taking a community college course on Gender and Society at night --- Eve can’t curtail her own interest in a porn website called MILFateria.com, which features the erotic exploits of ordinary, middle-aged women like herself. Before long, Eve’s online fixations begin to spill over into real life, revealing new romantic possibilities that threaten to upend her quiet suburban existence.
Meanwhile, miles away at the state college, Eve’s son Brendan --- a jock and aspiring frat boy --- discovers that his new campus isn’t nearly as welcoming to his hard-partying lifestyle as he had imagined. Only a few weeks into his freshman year, Brendan is floundering in a college environment that challenges his white-dude privilege and shames him for his outmoded, chauvinistic ideas of sex. As the New England autumn turns cold, both mother and son find themselves enmeshed in morally fraught situations that come to a head on one fateful November night.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
Click here for the featured guide.
Featured Guide: THE LAST TUDOR
by Philippa Gregory
THE LAST TUDOR by Philippa Gregory (Historical Fiction)
Seventeen-year-old Jane Grey was queen of England for nine days. Her father and his allies crowned her instead of the dead king’s half-sister Mary Tudor, who quickly mustered an army, claimed her throne, and locked Jane in the Tower of London. When Jane refused to betray her Protestant faith, Mary sent her to the executioner’s block, where Jane transformed her father’s greedy power-grab into tragic martyrdom.
“Learn you to die” was the advice Jane wrote to her younger sister Katherine, who has no intention of dying. She intends to enjoy her beauty and her youth and fall in love. But she is heir to the insecure and infertile Queen Mary and then to her sister Queen Elizabeth, who will never allow Katherine to marry and produce a Tudor son. When Katherine’s pregnancy betrays her secret marriage, she faces imprisonment in the Tower, only yards from her sister’s scaffold.
“Farewell, my sister,” writes Katherine to the youngest Grey sister, Mary. A beautiful dwarf, disregarded by the court, Mary keeps family secrets, especially her own, while avoiding Elizabeth’s suspicious glare. After seeing her sisters defy the queen, Mary is acutely aware of her own danger, but determined to command her own life. What will happen when the last Tudor defies her ruthless and unforgiving cousin, Queen Elizabeth?
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
- Click here to read an interview with Philippa Gregory.
Click here for the featured guide.
Featured Guide: WATCH ME DISAPPEAR
by Janelle Brown
WATCH ME DISAPPEAR by Janelle Brown (Mystery/Thriller)
It’s been a year since Billie Flanagan --- a Berkeley mom with an enviable life --- went on a solo hike in Desolation Wilderness and vanished from the trail. Her body was never found, just a shattered cell phone and a solitary hiking boot. Her husband and teenage daughter have been coping with Billie’s death the best they can: Jonathan drinks as he works on a loving memoir about his marriage; Olive grows remote, from both her father and her friends at the all-girls school she attends.
But then Olive starts having strange visions of her mother, still alive. Jonathan worries about Olive’s emotional stability, until he starts unearthing secrets from Billie’s past that bring into question everything he thought he understood about his wife. Who was the woman he knew as Billie Flanagan?
Together, Olive and Jonathan embark on a quest for the truth --- about Billie, but also about themselves, learning, in the process, about all the ways that love can distort what we choose to see. Janelle Brown’s insights into the dynamics of intimate relationships will make you question the stories you tell yourself about the people you love, while her nervy storytelling will keep you guessing until the very last page.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
Click here for the featured guide.
Featured Guide: THE MARRIAGE PACT
by Michelle Richmond
A Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
THE MARRIAGE PACT by Michelle Richmond (Psychological Thriller)
Newlyweds Alice and Jake are a picture-perfect couple. Alice, once a singer in a well-known rock band, is now a successful lawyer. Jake is a partner in an up-and-coming psychology practice. Their life together holds endless possibilities. After receiving an enticing wedding gift from one of Alice’s prominent clients, they decide to join an exclusive and mysterious group known only as The Pact.
The goal of The Pact seems simple: to keep marriages happy and intact. And most of its rules make sense. Always answer the phone when your spouse calls. Exchange thoughtful gifts monthly. Plan a trip together once per quarter...
Never mention The Pact to anyone.
Alice and Jake are initially seduced by the glamorous parties, the sense of community, their widening social circle of like-minded couples.
And then one of them breaks the rules.
The young lovers are about to discover that for adherents to The Pact, membership, like marriage, is for life. And The Pact will go to any lengths to enforce that rule.
For Jake and Alice, the marriage of their dreams is about to become their worst nightmare.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
- Click here to read our interview with Michelle Richmond.
- Click here to read Carol's Bookreporter.com Bets On commentary.
Click here for the featured guide.
Recent Bookreporter.com Bets On Selections:
A STRANGER IN THE HOUSE and EMMA IN THE NIGHT
A STRANGER IN THE HOUSE by Shari Lapena (Psychological Thriller)
I enjoyed Shari Lapena’s A STRANGER IN THE HOUSE as much as her mega-hit from last year, THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR. It’s the kind of book where my head was swiveling while I was reading as the plot twisted one way and the next. I love swift plot changes, as they keep me reading! Shari also has a very distinctive voice and style after just two books. Just reading the opening paragraphs, I knew she was the writer.
- Click here to read more of Carol's commentary.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
EMMA IN THE NIGHT by Wendy Walker (Psychological Thriller)
In EMMA IN THE NIGHT by Wendy Walker, the two Tanner sisters, who were 15 and 17, disappeared three years ago leaving almost no clues behind. Now the younger one, Cass, has returned. But where is Emma, her older sister? Cass, who shares a story of her escape from captors, has many of the clues. Or does she?
- Click here to read more of Carol's commentary.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
Click here for more books we're betting you'll love.
Enter Our Ongoing Bookreporter.com Contests:
"Word of Mouth" and "Sounding Off on Audio"
Word of Mouth Contest:
Tell Us What You're Reading --- and You Can Win Two Books!
Tell us about the books you’ve finished reading with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from August 18th to September 8th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of STAY WITH ME by Ayobami Adebayo, SULFUR SPRINGS by William Kent Krueger, and Y IS FOR YESTERDAY by Sue Grafton.
To make sure other readers will be able to find the books you write about, please include the full title and correct author names (your entry must include these to be eligible to win). For rules and guidelines, click here.
Click here to enter the contest.
Sounding Off on Audio Contest:
Tell Us What You're Listening to --- and You Can Win Two Audiobooks!
Tell us about the audiobooks you’ve finished listening to with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars for both the performance and the content. During the contest period from August 1st to September 6th at noon ET, two lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win the audio versions of Wendy Walker's EMMA IN THE NIGHT, read by Therese Plummer and Julia Whelan, and Louise Penny's GLASS HOUSES, read by Robert Bathurst.
To make sure other readers will be able to find the audiobook, please include the full title and correct author names (your entry must include these to be eligible to win). For complete rules and guidelines, click here.
Click here to enter the contest.
The following guides are now available on ReadingGroupGuides.com:
THE ADDRESS by Fiona Davis (Historical Fiction)
Fiona Davis, author of THE DOLLHOUSE, returns with a compelling novel about the thin lines between love and loss, success and ruin, passion and madness, all hidden behind the walls of The Dakota, New York City’s most famous residence.
ANY DREAM WILL DO by Debbie Macomber (Fiction)
Beloved and bestselling author Debbie Macomber returns with a powerful stand-alone novel about a woman forced to start her life anew, embarking on the most courageous journey of all --- to a place where she learns what love and trust really mean.
THE LAST TUDOR by Philippa Gregory (Historical Fiction)
The latest novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory features one of the most famous girls in history, Lady Jane Grey, and her two sisters, each of whom dared to defy her queen.
THE MARRIAGE PACT by Michelle Richmond (Psychological Thriller)
In this relentlessly paced novel of psychological suspense, New York Times bestselling author Michelle Richmond crafts an intense and shocking tale that asks: How far would you go to protect your marriage?
MRS. FLETCHER by Tom Perrotta (Fiction)
Sharp, witty and provocative, MRS. FLETCHER is a timeless examination of sexuality, identity, parenthood, and the big clarifying mistakes people can make when they’re no longer sure of who they are or where they belong.
STAY WITH ME by Ayobami Adebayo (Fiction)
This celebrated, unforgettable first novel, shortlisted for the prestigious Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction and set in Nigeria, gives voice to both husband and wife as they tell the story of their marriage --- and the forces that threaten to tear it apart.
WATCH ME DISAPPEAR by Janelle Brown (Mystery/Thriller)
The disappearance of a beautiful, charismatic mother leaves her family to piece together her secrets in this propulsive novel for fans of BIG LITTLE LIES --- from the bestselling author of ALL WE EVER WANTED WAS EVERYTHING.
This Month's Poll: Suggesting Titles for Your Book Group
When you read a book that you think would be perfect for your book group’s discussion, which of the following do you do? Please check all that apply.
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I immediately email my book group to let them know about the book.
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I make a note and mention it at my next book group meeting.
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I save it on a list for when my book group makes its selections.
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Our book group has an online page, and I share it there.
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I usually forget to share it with other book group members.
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Other (Please specify)
Click here to vote in the poll by Tuesday, September 12th at noon ET.
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