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Interviews…Talking Books...and Talking Authors…
I am excited about this update as we are sharing some fun things with you.
As you may recall, last March Simon & Schuster hosted their Book Club Matinee at the Ed Sullivan Theater. Since then, those who attended (and those who just knew about the program) have been asking if there was a video of the event available. People who were there had enjoyed it so much that they wanted to share it with their book groups. I am happy to let you know that we have links to those interviews, including my interview with Isabel Allende for a fabulous discussion about her writing and personal background. You can see our full conversation, along with other interviews from that day (including Lisa See, Lisa Genova, Ruth Ware and Megan Miranda), on Off the Shelf’s Videos page here. Enjoy!
And if that was not enough, last week I was interviewed by Roxanne Coady, the founder and owner of R J Julia in Madison, CT for her podcast, “Just the Right Book.” I have known Roxanne for years and admire her enormously. Here’s a link to the interview where I talk about some of the books that I have been reading. I come in around minute 35.
I have been toying with hosting a podcast. I am curious if you listen to podcasts and, if so, what some of your favorites are, especially any about books. Send me a note at [email protected] with the subject line “Podcast” to share.
Last month, booklovers and book club members from the New York City Tri-State area gathered at the New York Society for Ethical Culture for Hachette Book Group’s sixth annual Book Club Brunch. Our staffer Rebecca Munro was there with a few friends, and in this blog piece she fills us in on the panels she attended and the authors she heard speak at this fun and informative event.
As this newsletter is being prepped, I am at the Random House “Off the Page” event with Nicole and Rebecca. Our report on this event will be in the next newsletter.
Next weekend, I am heading to the Miami Book Fair. On Saturday, November 18th at 10am in Room 3314 in Building 3, I will be doing a presentation featuring great book club reads for fall and winter. In addition, I will be interviewing Ann Hood about her novel, THE BOOK THAT MATTERS MOST, and her memoir, MORNINGSTAR: Growing Up with Books, as well as her experiences talking to book groups. Click here for more details. At this program, I also will provide a guide to Miami Book Fair sessions of interest to book groups.
Also on that Saturday while I am in Miami, I am going to be interviewing Lisa See, Ann Hood and Will Schwalbe for Facebook Live. Once I have all the times figured out for these chats, I will post them on our Facebook page and will link to these in our next newsletter. If you are headed to the Miami Book Fair, please be sure to say hello!
In our last newsletter, I asked readers what they would like to see added to ReadingGroupGuides.com. A few people noted that they would like to see a listing of upcoming book festivals. We have had this on Bookreporter.com for years (but clearly have not been sharing it well enough) and now have added a link to it here on ReadingGroupGuides.com. The list includes a number of 2018 events for those who like to plan ahead. We also have added that link to the top of this newsletter under "Quick Links to Features on ReadingGroupGuides.com."
The National Book Foundation announced this week that the 68th Annual National Book Awards ceremony, hosted by Cynthia Nixon, will be streamed exclusively on Facebook Live, beginning at 7:20pm EST this Wednesday, November 15th. The ceremony will be available on the National Book Foundation’s Facebook page, and the stream also will be embedded at nationalbook.org. I will be attending and am looking forward to it!
Now to our update, where we have a lot going on...
Our latest “What’s Your Book Group Reading This Month?” contest book is THE HONEYMOON by Dinitia Smith, which releases in paperback on November 14th. The novel recounts George Eliot’s honeymoon in Venice following her marriage to a young man 20 years her junior. When she agreed to marry John Walter Cross, Eliot was recovering from the death of George Henry Lewes, her beloved companion of 26 years. She was left at the age of 60 to contemplate profound questions about her physical decline, her fading appeal and the prospect of loneliness. In her youth, Mary Ann Evans --- who would later be known as George Eliot (author of MIDDLEMARCH and SILAS MARNER, among other works) --- was a country girl, considered too plain to marry, so she educated herself in order to secure a livelihood. We’re giving three groups the chance to win 12 copies of the book; to enter, please fill out the form on this page by Tuesday, January 9th at noon ET. As we know many groups don’t meet in December, we've decided to run this contest for two months.
Also, Dinitia would LOVE to talk to book groups. I have had the pleasure of speaking to her by phone and know she would be an excellent author guest to speak with your book group. A friend’s group had Dinitia join them for an event, and she had the whole group captivated. Interested in lining her up to speak with your group? Click here to get signed up!
In October’s “What’s Your Book Group Reading This Month?” contest, here are the five books mentioned most frequently as titles that our book groups read: BEFORE WE WERE YOURS by Lisa Wingate, NEWS OF THE WORLD by Paulette Jiles, A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW by Amor Towles, THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead, and LILAC GIRLS by Martha Hall Kelly. Scroll further down the newsletter to see the Top 15. I am looking forward to hearing Lisa present at the Random House event!
We have four new guides to tell you about. First up is Karen Harper’s latest novel, THE IT GIRLS, which is based on the lives of two amazing sisters. Elinor and Lucy Sutherland are each other’s fiercest supporters but also most vicious critics. Lucy transformed herself into Lucile, the daring fashion designer who revolutionized the industry with her flirtatious gowns and brazen self-promotion. And when she married Sir Cosmo Duff-Gordon, her life seemed to be a fairy tale. But then came the fateful night of April 14, 1912 and the scandal that followed. Elinor’s novels push the boundaries of what’s acceptable, and her foray into the glittering new world of Hollywood turns her into a world-wide phenomenon. But although she writes of passion, the true love she longs for eludes her. Click here for the discussion guide.
Next up is Isabel Allende’s new novel, IN THE MIDST OF WINTER. Human rights scholar Richard Bowmaster hits the car of Evelyn Ortega --- a young, undocumented immigrant from Guatemala --- during a snowstorm in New York. What at first appears to be a minor inconvenience takes a far more serious turn when Evelyn turns up at the professor’s house seeking help. At a loss, he asks one of his tenants, a lecturer from Chile named Lucia Maraz, for her advice. These three very different people are brought together in a story that moves from present-day Brooklyn to Guatemala in the recent past to 1970s Chile and Brazil, sparking the beginning of a long overdue love story between Richard and Lucia. Click here for the discussion guide and here for our review on Bookreporter.com.
Our third new guide is for THE HOUSE OF UNEXPECTED SISTERS, the 18th installment in Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi are approached by their part-time colleague, Mr. Polopetsi, with a troubling story: a woman, accused of being rude to a valued customer, has been wrongly dismissed from her job at an office furniture store. Never one to let an act of injustice go unanswered, Mma Ramotswe begins to investigate, but soon discovers unexpected information that causes her to reluctantly change her views about the case. Other surprises await her in the course of her inquiries. Mma Ramotswe is puzzled when she happens to hear of a local nurse named Mingie Ramotswe. She thought she knew everybody by the name of Ramotswe, and that they were all related. Who is this mystery lady? Click here for the discussion guide and here for our review on Bookreporter.com.
Finally, we’re happy to be sharing a guide for WONDER, R. J. Palacio’s bestselling middle-grade novel that is soon to be a major motion picture starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Jacob Tremblay (the entire staff wants to adopt him), Daveed Diggs and Mandy Patinkin. August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting fifth grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid --- but his new classmates can't get past his extraordinary face. WONDER begins from Auggie's point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community's struggle with empathy, compassion and acceptance. Click here for the guide (the questions are organized according to theme, such as Family Relationships, Friendship, Overcoming Challenges, Bullying and Betrayal) and here for our review on Bookreporter.com.
The film releases on November 17th, but available now is a special movie tie-in edition of the book. It features an eight-page full-color insert with photos from the film, a foreword by the director Stephen Chbosky, an afterword by R. J. Palacio, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie with anecdotes from the cast and crew, and a family discussion guide. Interested in doing a family book group chat, or one with other mothers and their children? WONDER would be perfect!
Now that Halloween is behind us and we can look ahead to Thanksgiving (the unofficial start to the holiday season), we’re curious to know if your book group does anything special for the holidays. That’s our latest poll question; be sure to answer by Wednesday, January 3rd at noon ET.
Our previous poll asked: How many of your book group members typically attend a meeting? Here are the results: Usually all, or most (47%); About three-quarters (38%); Half (13%); Less than half (2%). It’s wonderful to see that for 85% of book groups, a majority of their members attend their meetings.
On this topic, Sharon wrote, “The latest poll that asked how many of our group usually attend meetings: I answered about three-quarters. The reason? This is a group of older folks (women, except for my husband), and there are the usual physical issues with people over 60. Still, most all read the book and often comment on it via email.” She also shared, “This group is composed of people from one church, and it started because I won copies of a Kristin Hannah book, put out a notice that I had copies to share and wanted to start a book club. Most of the members today are the same, although we've lost a few and gained a few. Because we choose to put more money into various missions that our church supports, we do not purchase books for the book club, but are able to get multiple copies from Indiana Humanities (although sad to say, we now need many large print books, and they are harder to come by!). Still, I know that many in this group are avid readers and purchase other books from various sources, as well as use our local library. And the multiple copies of Kristin's book went to Indiana Humanities for others to read.”
She went on to say, ”Thanks for the newsletters, which are a great source of inspiration and guidance! I've never read any of your suggestions that disappointed!” A note like this was so appreciated by me and the staff!
Don’t miss our Reading Roundup and New in Paperback features, which we’ve updated for November. On Bookreporter.com, we have our ongoing Word of Mouth and Sounding Off on Audio contests, where we’re giving away some terrific hardcovers and audiobooks. And our Holiday Cheer contests will be underway very soon; each 24-hour giveaway gives you the chance to win a book that is perfect for holiday giving and that you may want to include on your “to me/from me” list. More details on these contests and features can be found later in this newsletter.
Happy Thanksgiving to all! We give thanks for our readers.
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!
"What's Your Book Group Reading This Month?" Contest: Enter to Win 12 Copies of
THE HONEYMOON by Dinitia Smith 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 paperback edition of THE HONEYMOON by Dinitia Smith, a captivating account of George Eliot’s passions and tribulations that explores the nature of love in its many guises. To enter, please fill out the form on this page by Tuesday, January 9th at noon ET.
THE HONEYMOON by Dinitia Smith (Historical Fiction)
Dinitia Smith’s spellbinding novel recounts George Eliot’s honeymoon in Venice in June 1880 following her marriage to a handsome young man 20 years her junior. When she agreed to marry John Walter Cross, Eliot was recovering from the death of George Henry Lewes, her beloved companion of 26 years. Eliot was bereft: left at the age of 60 to contemplate profound questions about her physical decline, her fading appeal and the prospect of loneliness.
In her youth, Mary Ann Evans --- who would later be known as George Eliot --- was a country girl, considered too plain to marry, so she educated herself in order to secure a livelihood. In an era when female novelists were objects of wonder, she became the most famous writer of her day --- with a male nom de plume. THE HONEYMOON explores different kinds of love, and of the possibilities of redemption and happiness even in an imperfect union. Smith integrates historical truth with her own rich rendition of Eliot’s inner voice, crafting a page-turner that is as intelligent as it is gripping.
If you and your book group would like to talk to Dinitia Smith about THE HONEYMOON, please fill out the form on this page to schedule a chat.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to enter the contest.
New Guide: THE IT GIRLS by Karen Harper
THE IT GIRLS by Karen Harper (Historical Fiction)
They rose from genteel poverty: two beautiful sisters --- ambitious, witty, seductive. Elinor and Lucy Sutherland are at once each other’s fiercest supporters and most vicious critics.
Lucy transformed herself into Lucile, the daring fashion designer who revolutionized the industry with her flirtatious gowns and brazen self-promotion. And when she married Sir Cosmo Duff-Gordon, her life seemed to be a fairy tale. But success came at many costs --- to her marriage and to her children...and then came the fateful night of April 14, 1912 and the scandal that followed.
Elinor’s novels titillate readers, and it’s even asked in polite drawing rooms if you would like to “sin with Elinor Glyn?” Her work pushes the boundaries of what’s acceptable; her foray into the glittering new world of Hollywood turns her into a world-wide phenomenon. But although she writes of passion, the true love she longs for eludes her.
But despite quarrels and misunderstandings, distance and destiny, there is no bond stronger than that of the two sisters --- confidants, friends, rivals and the two “It Girls” of their day.
Click here for the discussion guide.
New Guide: IN THE MIDST OF WINTER by Isabel Allende
IN THE MIDST OF WINTER by Isabel Allende (Fiction)
IN THE MIDST OF WINTER begins with a minor traffic accident --- which becomes the catalyst for an unexpected and moving love story between two people who thought they were deep into the winter of their lives.
Richard Bowmaster, a 60-year-old human rights scholar, hits the car of Evelyn Ortega, a young, undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, in the middle of a snowstorm in Brooklyn. What at first seems just a small inconvenience takes an unforeseen and far more serious turn when Evelyn turns up at the professor’s house seeking help. At a loss, the professor asks his tenant Lucia Maraz --- a 62-year-old lecturer from Chile --- for her advice. These three very different people are brought together in a mesmerizing story that moves from present-day Brooklyn to Guatemala in the recent past to 1970s Chile and Brazil, sparking the beginning of a long overdue love story between Richard and Lucia.
Exploring the timely issues of human rights and the plight of immigrants and refugees, the book recalls Allende’s landmark novel THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS in the way it embraces the cause of “humanity, and it does so with passion, humor and wisdom that transcend politics” (Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post). IN THE MIDST OF WINTER will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
Click here for the discussion guide.
New Guide: THE HOUSE OF UNEXPECTED SISTERS
by Alexander McCall Smith
THE HOUSE OF UNEXPECTED SISTERS: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (18) by Alexander McCall Smith (Mystery)
Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi are approached by their part-time colleague, Mr. Polopetsi, with a troubling story: a woman, accused of being rude to a valued customer, has been wrongly dismissed from her job at an office furniture store. Never one to let an act of injustice go unanswered, Mma Ramotswe begins to investigate, but soon discovers unexpected information that causes her to reluctantly change her views about the case.
Other surprises await our intrepid proprietress in the course of her inquiries. Mma Ramotswe is puzzled when she happens to hear of a local nurse named Mingie Ramotswe. She thought she knew everybody by the name of Ramotswe, and that they were all related. Who is this mystery lady? Then she is alerted by Mma Potokwani that an unpleasant figure from her past has recently been spotted in town. Mma Ramotswe does her best to avoid the man, but it seems that he may have returned to Botswana specifically to seek her out. What could he want from her?
With the generosity and good humor that guide all her endeavors, Mma Ramotswe will untangle these questions for herself and for her loved ones, ultimately bringing to light important truths about friendship and family --- both the one you’re born with and the one you choose.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
Click here for the discussion guide.
November’s Reading Roundup: Top Picks from
Indie Next, LibraryReads, Target and Costco
Each month, we share top book picks from Indie Next and LibraryReads, as well as the Target Book Club title and Pennie's Pick for Costco.
This month's Indie Next titles include IT’S ALL RELATIVE, A.J. Jacobs’ account of his hilarious, heartfelt quest to understand what constitutes family and his attempts to untangle the true meaning of the “Family of Humankind”; SMILE, a bold, haunting novel from Roddy Doyle about the uncertainty of memory and how we contend with the past; and Megan Hunter’s debut novel, THE END WE START FROM, a modern-day parable of rebirth and renewal, of maternal bonds, and the instinct to survive and thrive in the absence of all that’s familiar.
Library Reads is spotlighting THE STORY OF ARTHUR TRULUV by Elizabeth Berg, an emotionally powerful novel about three people who each lose the one they love most, only to find second chances where they least expect them; FUTURE HOME OF THE LIVING GOD, in which Louise Erdrich paints a startling portrait of a young woman fighting for her life and her unborn child against oppressive forces that manifest in the wake of a cataclysmic event; and THE LIBRARY AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, Felicity Hayes-McCoy’s U.S. debut about a local librarian who must find a way to rebuild her community and her own life.
Click here for the complete roundup.
Our Most Popular Book Group Selections for
October’s "What's Your Book Group
Reading This Month?" Contest
New Guide: MERRY AND BRIGHT by Debbie Macomber
MERRY AND BRIGHT by Debbie Macomber (Romance)
Merry Smith is pretty busy these days. She’s taking care of her family, baking cookies, decorating for the holidays, and hoping to stay out of the crosshairs of her stressed and by-the-book boss at the consulting firm where she temps. Her own social life is the last thing she has in mind, much less a man. Without her knowledge, Merry’s well-meaning mom and brother create an online dating profile for her --- minus her photo --- and the matches start rolling in. Initially, Merry is incredulous, but she reluctantly decides to give it a whirl.
Soon Merry finds herself chatting with a charming stranger, a man with similar interests and an unmistakably kind soul. Their online exchanges become the brightest part of her day. But meeting face-to-face is altogether different, and her special friend is the last person Merry expects --- or desires. Still, sometimes hearts can see what our eyes cannot. In this satisfying seasonal tale, unanticipated love is only a click away.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
- Click here to visit Debbie Macomber's website.
Click here for the discussion guide.
New Guide: THE RULES OF MAGIC by Alice Hoffman
THE RULES OF MAGIC by Alice Hoffman (Historical Fiction)
For the Owens family, love is a curse that began in 1620, when Maria Owens was charged with witchery for loving the wrong man.
Hundreds of years later, in New York City at the cusp of the '60s, when the whole world is about to change, Susanna Owens knows that her three children are dangerously unique. Difficult Franny, with skin as pale as milk and blood red hair; shy and beautiful Jet, who can read other people’s thoughts; and charismatic Vincent, who began looking for trouble on the day he could walk.
From the start, Susanna sets down rules for her children: No walking in the moonlight, no red shoes, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles, no books about magic. And most importantly, never, ever, fall in love. But when her children visit their Aunt Isabelle, in the small Massachusetts town where the Owens family has been blamed for everything that has ever gone wrong, they uncover family secrets and begin to understand the truth of who they are. Back in New York City each begins a risky journey as they try to escape the family curse.
The Owens children cannot escape love even if they try, just as they cannot escape the pains of the human heart. The two beautiful sisters will grow up to be the revered, and sometimes feared, aunts in PRACTICAL MAGIC, while Vincent, their beloved brother, will leave an unexpected legacy.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
- Click here to read an interview with Alice Hoffman.
Click here for the discussion guide.
November’s New in Paperback Roundups
on Bookreporter.com
November’s roundup of New in Paperback fiction titles includes Michael Crichton's DRAGON TEETH, a thrilling adventure set in the Wild West during the golden age of fossil hunting; Wally Lamb’s I'LL TAKE YOU THERE, an evocative, deeply affecting tapestry of one Baby Boomer's life and the trio of unforgettable women who have changed it; ROBERT LUDLUM'S THE BOURNE INITIATIVE by Eric Van Lustbader, in which the U.S. government is convinced of Jason Bourne's treason and is doing everything in its power to kill him; and DIFFICULT WOMEN, a collection of stories from Roxane Gay that tells of hardscrabble lives, passionate loves, and quirky and vexed human connection.
Among our nonfiction highlights are PRINCE CHARLES, Sally Bedell Smith's biography of the oldest heir to the throne in more than 300 years, and the first authoritative treatment of Charles’ life that sheds light on the death of Diana, his marriage to Camilla, and his preparations to take the throne one day; LIVING OUT LOUD, a moving and inspiring memoir from beloved sports broadcaster Craig Sager on his battle with leukemia and how he maintained a positive outlook on life in the face of incredible circumstances; and COUNTDOWN TO PEARL HARBOR by Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Steve Twomey, a fascinating look at the 12 days leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor --- the warnings, clues and missteps.
See what's New in Paperback for the weeks of
November 6th, November 13th, November 20th and November 27th.
Bookreporter.com’s Latest Bets On Selections:
THE LAST MRS. PARRISH and THE DIRTY BOOK CLUB
THE LAST MRS. PARRISH by Liv Constantine (Psychological Thriller)
In THE LAST MRS. PARRISH by Liv Constantine (a pseudonym for the sister writing team of Lynne Constantine and Valerie Constantine), Daphne Parrish lives a fairy-tale life with a gorgeous home in Connecticut, a lake house, and a luxury lifestyle with her real estate mogul husband, Jackson, and two darling daughters. It’s the life that Amber Patterson wants.
Amber deeply envies Daphne and sets out to oust her from her marriage so that she can become THE Mrs. Parrish. Amber initiates her plot by insinuating herself in Daphne’s life and taking up a cause that is dear to Daphne: cystic fibrosis, the disease that killed her sister, Julie. Amber invents a sister with the disease for herself, and from that dark moment, all bets of how she will twist her life to oust Daphne are off. There is fawning, trickery and lots of games being played. But who is playing who here?
- Click here to read more of Carol's commentary.
- Click here to read a review.
THE DIRTY BOOK CLUB by Lisi Harrison (Fiction)
Confession: When I first heard the title of this book, THE DIRTY BOOK CLUB, by Lisi Harrison, I was hesitant. Would this be for me? I am happy to say it completely is!
At the start, a book group tossed aside “serious reading” a few decades ago and picked up books that were “against the rules” that governed their society-ordered worlds. They talked honestly about love and real life --- and, yes, sex --- against the backdrop of these books, which included FEAR OF FLYING. These women guided each other through the messy parts of life --- you know, the ones where things happen to people instead of the sanitized ones that are all over social media --- with a trust among them. What happens at the book club stays at the book club.
- Click here to read more of Carol's commentary.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here for more books we're betting you'll love.
Announcing Bookreporter.com’s
Holiday Cheer Contests and Feature
At Bookreporter.com, we kick off the holiday season in style with our Holiday Cheer Contests and Feature. As our gift to you, on select days in November and December, we will spotlight a book and give five lucky readers the chance to win it. You have to visit the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter the 24-hour contest. As always, we will send our special Holiday Cheer newsletter on the days when there are contests. Click here to sign up for these email alerts.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
Enter Our Ongoing Bookreporter.com Contests:
"Word of Mouth" and "Sounding Off on Audio"
The following guides are now available on ReadingGroupGuides.com:
THE HONEYMOON by Dinitia Smith (Historical Fiction)
Based on the life of George Eliot, famed author of MIDDLEMARCH, this captivating account of Eliot’s passions and tribulations explores the nature of love in its many guises.
THE HOUSE OF UNEXPECTED SISTERS: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (18) by Alexander McCall Smith (Mystery)
Precious Ramotswe learns valuable lessons about first impressions and forgiveness in this latest installment of the beloved and bestselling No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series.
IN THE MIDST OF WINTER by Isabel Allende (Fiction)
New York Times and worldwide bestselling author Isabel Allende returns with a sweeping novel about three very different people who are brought together in a mesmerizing story that journeys from present-day Brooklyn to Guatemala in the recent past to 1970s Chile and Brazil.
THE IT GIRLS by Karen Harper (Historical Fiction)
From New York Times bestselling author Karen Harper comes a novel based on the lives of two amazing sisters. One sailed the Titanic and started a fashion empire. The other overtook Hollywood and scandalized the world. Together, they were unstoppable.
MERRY AND BRIGHT by Debbie Macomber (Romance)
Christmas is the season of the heart, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber is here to warm yours with a delightful holiday novel of first impressions and second chances.
PUPCAKES: A Christmas Novel by Annie England Noblin (Fiction)
SIT! STAY! SPEAK! author Annie England Noblin’s novel takes one woman starting over, adds an aging pug named Teddy Roosevelt, and proves the power of a well-baked dog treat.
THE RULES OF MAGIC by Alice Hoffman (Historical Fiction)
Thrilling and exquisite, real and fantastical, THE RULES OF MAGIC --- the spellbinding prequel to PRACTICAL MAGIC --- is a story about the power of love, reminding us that the only remedy for being human is to be true to yourself.
WONDER by R. J. Palacio (Fiction)
This special movie tie-in edition of WONDER features an eight-page full-color insert with photos from the film, a foreword by the director Stephen Chbosky, an afterword by R. J. Palacio, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie with anecdotes from the cast and crew, and a family discussion guide.
This Month's Poll: Celebrating the Holidays
with Your Book Group
Does your book group do anything special for the holidays? Please check all that apply.
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Yes, we have holiday-themed meetings.
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Yes, we read holiday-themed books.
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Yes, we prepare special meals for our meetings.
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Yes, we go to a restaurant.
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Yes, we exchange gifts.
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Yes, we do a charity-related project.
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Yes, we do a cookie exchange.
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Yes, we do a book swap.
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No, we meet as usual.
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No, we take a break from meeting during the holiday months.
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Other (Please specify)
Click here to vote in the poll by Wednesday, January 3rd at noon ET.
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