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A Visit to a FIRST Book Group Meeting
Last night, I spent a lovely evening at the first meeting of the Long Hill Book Club. Tara, a publishing colleague who I had worked with a while back, wrote me to share that she (above left) and her friend, Kathleen (second from left), wanted to start a book club, which would be made up mostly of moms of young children, who were short on time and energy, but who were interested in reading more than books to their children.
She invited me to their first meeting, where they read SMALL GREAT THINGS by Jodi Picoult, a book that I recommended. I felt this book would have enough meat on its bones to get them started. Eleven women were at this meeting; while many had young children, there were a couple of us with high school and college-aged kids. All had read the book, and Tara was prepared to lead with discussion questions. We started by telling a bit about ourselves. Many were lapsed readers who were looking to get back to reading for pleasure as they had missed reading; a few were avid readers. One woman had listened to the month's selection on audio, which later sparked a conversation about how with audio you can log a lot more reading time!
The discussion was lively, talking about everything from Jodi’s ability to be informed to tell this story as a white woman (the conclusion: she did a lot of research, but even that did not assign her the real understanding of what it meant to be a black woman), to the epilogue, which they had different ideas on what they would have wanted to see with it. I loved how they shared stories from their own lives and perspectives from their own careers. Among them were a social worker, a scientist and a hygienist, each of whom brought stories to the table about being thrust into work situations of either power or race. It was refreshing to hear their perspectives.
I was able to talk about things I had learned about the writing of the book, as I had heard Jodi speak about it on more than one occasion. Prior to the meeting, I had shared videos of Jodi with Tara to give her some aid in leading the discussion. It was a very fulfilling evening. They wanted something lighter for their next read, so they will be reading ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE by Gail Honeyman, which I think will be perfect for them. And yes, this was one of the selections that had been recommended by our readers. Thank you again for that.
Nights like this, when I get to spend time with readers, is just lovely for me. I learned so much from them. Oh, and yes, there was wine, but there was a lot of wine left over for the next meeting; they were here to talk about the book. And there were some amazing brownies with espresso that we all discovered as we were wrapping up. I hope their discussions continue to be this interesting as the group evolves, and those who had veered away from reading are motivated to read more. I appreciated being invited to be a part of this inaugural night and would like to return, as my schedule allows. And a huge thanks to Tara for asking me to join them.
Oh, a moment in the evening that made me reflect on having young children was when we settled onto the three couches for a discussion. There was much excitement that six of the seats reclined so people could sit "feet up," and one mom exclaimed, "I am reclining and I am not sitting on Legos!" I loved it as it brought back a flood of memories.
Now to our update, which has FOUR contests and lots of news.
Just as we did for the audio version of Kristin Hannah’s THE GREAT ALONE in February, we’re giving you the chance to win the audiobook of Lisa Scottoline’s new novel, AFTER ANNA, which is narrated by Mozhan Marno and Jeremy Bobb. In this latest BIG contest, 10 book groups will win up to six digital copies of the audiobook and give us their feedback on it. We also are awarding 40 listeners a physical copy of the audiobook.
Dr. Noah Alderman has remarried Maggie Ippolitti, who unexpectedly gets another chance to be a mother to the child she thought she had lost forever: her only daughter, Anna. But events take a heartbreaking turn when Anna is killed, and Noah goes on trial for the murder. A devastated Maggie must face the realization that the man she loves is responsible for such a heinous crime. In the wake of this unthinkable tragedy, new information drives Maggie to search for the truth, leading her to discover something darker than she ever could have imagined.
All the contest details can here found here, and the deadline for your entries is Wednesday, May 2nd at noon ET. Also, be sure to listen to an audiobook clip here, and don’t miss our review of the hardcover in the April 13th edition of the Bookreporter.com Weekly Update newsletter. The discussion questions haven’t been posted yet, but we will add them as soon as they become available. In the meantime, be sure to check out our Mystery & Thriller discussion questions, which may help you in your group's discussion of the book.
April’s “What’s Your Book Group Reading This Month?” contest book is THE TEA GIRL OF HUMMINGBIRD LANE by Lisa See, a New York Times bestseller that’s now available in paperback. It was a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection when it released in hardcover and a #1 “Off the Shelf” pick, where readers noted what they were reading or wanted to read.
In their remote mountain village, Li-yan and her family align their lives around the seasons and the farming of tea. For the Akha people, life goes on as it has for generations --- until a stranger appears at the village gate. Slowly, Li-yan begins to reject the customs that shaped her early life. When she has a baby out of wedlock, she rejects the tradition that would compel her to give the child over to be killed, and instead leaves her near an orphanage. Despite being raised by loving adoptive parents, Li-yan’s daughter, Haley, wonders about her origins. Across the ocean Li-yan longs for her lost daughter. Over the course of years, each searches for meaning in the study of Pu’er, the tea that has shaped their family’s destiny for centuries.
We’re giving three readers the chance to win 12 copies of the paperback for their group. Be sure to fill out the form on this page by Wednesday, May 2nd at noon ET. You can see the discussion guide here, our review on Bookreporter.com here, and my Bets On commentary here.
One more note on Lisa: This Friday, April 13th at 3pm EDT, Simon & Schuster's "Off the Shelf" Facebook Live Book Club will be a discussion of THE TEA GIRL OF HUMMINGBIRD LANE. Book giveaways and lively conversation are provided; you bring your own wine. Here's the link.
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: A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW by Amor Towles, HILLBILLY ELEGY: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J. D. Vance, BEHOLD THE DREAMERS by Imbolo Mbue, BENEATH A SCARLET SKY by Mark Sullivan, and the aforementioned THE GREAT ALONE by Kristin Hannah. Scroll further down the newsletter to see the Top 15.
You only have until Wednesday, April 18th at noon ET to enter our other two contests, which we talked about in the last newsletter: AUNTIE POLDI AND THE SICILIAN LIONS by Mario Giordano, the opening installment of a cozy mystery series starring Sicily’s newest amateur sleuth, and THE BRIGHTEST SUN, Adrienne Benson’s debut novel that follows three women in sub-Saharan Africa as they search for home and family. Click on the titles for all the contest details.
Our featured guides this month are DEAR HAMILTON by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, who have followed up on the success of their first collaboration, AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER, with their fictional take on Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, the wife of American founding father Alexander Hamilton; WE OWN THE SKY, Luke Allnutt’s first work of fiction about a husband and father who must navigate the treacherous waters of childhood illness after his young son is diagnosed with a brain tumor (click here to read our review on Bookreporter.com and here for our interview with Luke); and another debut novel, THE LEMONADE YEAR, in which Amy Willoughby-Burle introduces us to Nina, who embarks on a year-long journey to reclaim her life, her family and her happiness.
We also have added guides for THE OTHER MOTHER, a psychological thriller from Carol Goodman that touches on such issues as madness, motherhood, love and trust (click here to read a review), and MUSIC OF THE GHOSTS by Vaddey Ratner, in which a young woman begins an odyssey to discover the truth about her missing father (click here for the review).
For our latest poll, we’ve listed 10 paperbacks releasing this month, and we’re asking you which of them, if any, you have read or are planning to read with your group. Click here to cast your votes.
In our previous poll, we wanted to know which of the books that appeared on our “Reader-Selected Best Books of 2017” list have you read, or do you plan to read, with your group. Here are your top five titles: A MAN CALLED OVE by Fredrik Backman (78%), THE NIGHTINGALE by Kristin Hannah (77%), the aforementioned A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW by Amor Towles (58%), the aforementioned SMALL GREAT THINGS by Jodi Picoult (50%), and BEFORE WE WERE YOURS by Lisa Wingate (48%). Click here for all the results.
Lastly, I wanted to remind you of our Speed Dating Event at this year's BookExpo, which will take place on Friday, June 1st from 2pm to 3:50pm at the Javits Center in New York. Representatives from more than 20(!) publishers will be in attendance to share selections and book group news from their publishing houses in a speed-dating format designed to give booksellers, librarians and book group leaders an inside look at what book groups will want to know for fall and winter. Galley giveaways and ideas for enhancing book group discussions will be part of this event.
Advance signup is required by Monday, May 21st at noon ET; click here to fill out the form. Once you do so, you will see a note that you have registered. We will not send more information until Friday, May 25th. To attend this event, you must be registered to attend BookExpo on June 1st and have a badge. If you are not, click here to register.
Here’s to a great book group discussion for you and your group.
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 Special Contest: Enter to Win the
Audiobook Edition of Lisa Scottoline's AFTER ANNA
and Share Your Comments on It
ReadingGroupGuides.com is proud to host a very special audiobook contest for Lisa Scottoline's latest novel, AFTER ANNA. Ten book groups will win six digital copies of the audiobook, which is read by Mozhan Marno and Jeremy Bobb, and give us their feedback on it. Additionally, we'll be giving 40 listeners a physical copy of the audiobook. To enter, please fill out this form by Wednesday, May 2nd at noon ET.
In order to qualify as a winning group, your group must be able to commit to listening to and discussing AFTER ANNA, and sharing your group's comments with us, by Friday, July 13th. We strongly encourage all winners to share their experiences on social media, including reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and Bookreporter.com’s “Sounding Off on Audio” feature.
AFTER ANNA Audiobook written by Lisa Scottoline, read by Mozhan Marno and Jeremy Bobb (Thriller)
Dr. Noah Alderman has remarried a wonderful woman, Maggie Ippolitti. Despite her longing for the daughter she hasn’t seen since she was a baby, Maggie is happy too, and she’s even more overjoyed when she unexpectedly gets another chance to be a mother to the child she thought she'd lost forever: her only daughter, Anna. But events take a heartbreaking turn when Anna is murdered, and Noah is accused and tried for the heinous crime. Maggie must face not only the devastation of losing her daughter, but the realization that Anna's murder may have been at the hands of a husband she loves. In the wake of this tragedy, new information drives Maggie to search for the truth, leading her to discover something darker than she ever could have imagined.
Riveting and disquieting, AFTER ANNA is a groundbreaking domestic thriller, as well as an audiobook of emotional justice and legal intrigue. And New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline will keep listeners hooked until the final shocking seconds.
While no guide is available at this time, be sure to check out our mystery/thriller discussion questions, which may help you in your group's discussion of the book.
- Click here to listen to a clip from the audiobook.
Click here to enter the contest.
"What's Your Book Group Reading This Month?" Contest: Enter to Win 12 Copies of THE TEA GIRL OF HUMMINGBIRD LANE by Lisa See 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 TEA GIRL OF HUMMINGBIRD LANE by Lisa See, which is now available in paperback. A Bookreporter.com Bets On pick when it released in hardcover last year, this New York Times bestseller is a moving novel about tradition, tea farming, and the bonds between mothers and daughters.To enter, please fill out the form on this page by Wednesday, May 2nd at noon ET.
THE TEA GIRL OF HUMMINGBIRD LANE by Lisa See (Fiction)
In their remote mountain village, Li-yan and her family align their lives around the seasons and the farming of tea. For the Akha people, ensconced in ritual and routine, life goes on as it has for generations --- until a stranger appears at the village gate in a jeep, the first automobile any of the villagers has ever seen.
The stranger’s arrival marks the first entrance of the modern world in the lives of the Akha people. Slowly, Li-yan, one of the few educated girls on her mountain, begins to reject the customs that shaped her early life. When she has a baby out of wedlock --- conceived with a man her parents consider a poor choice --- she rejects the tradition that would compel her to give the child over to be killed, and instead leaves her, wrapped in a blanket with a tea cake tucked in its folds, near an orphanage in a nearby city.
As Li-yan comes into herself, leaving her insular village for an education, a business and city life, her daughter, Haley, is raised in California by loving adoptive parents. Despite her privileged childhood, Haley wonders about her origins. Across the ocean Li-yan longs for her lost daughter. Over the course of years, each searches for meaning in the study of Pu’er, the tea that has shaped their family’s destiny for centuries.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
- Click here to read Carol Fitzgerald's Bookreporter.com Bets On commentary,
Click here to enter the contest.
Special Contest: Enter to Win 12 Copies of
AUNTIE POLDI AND THE SICILIAN LIONS
by Mario Giordano for Your Group
AUNTIE POLDI AND THE SICILIAN LIONS is Mario Giordano's first novel translated into English (courtesy of John Brownjohn) and is the opening installment of a series starring Auntie Poldi, Sicily’s newest amateur sleuth. We are celebrating its release with a special contest that will give three readers the chance to win 12 copies of the book for their group. To enter, please fill out this form by Wednesday, April 18th at noon ET.
AUNTIE POLDI AND THE SICILIAN LIONS written by Mario Giordano, translated by John Brownjohn (Cozy Mystery)
On her 60th birthday, Auntie Poldi retires to Sicily, intending to while away the rest of her days with good wine, a view of the sea and few visitors. But Sicily isn’t quite the tranquil island she thought it would be, and something always seems to get in the way of her relaxation. When her handsome young handyman goes missing --- and is discovered murdered --- she can’t help but ask questions.
Soon there’s an investigation, a smoldering police inspector, a romantic entanglement, one false lead after another, a rooftop showdown, and finally, of course, Poldi herself, slightly tousled but still perfectly poised.
This “masterly treat” (Times Literary Supplement) will transport you to the rocky shores of Torre Archirafi, to a Sicily full of quirky characters, scorching days and velvety nights, alongside a protagonist who’s as fiery as the Sicilian sun.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to enter the contest.
Special Contest: Enter to Win 12 Copies of
THE BRIGHTEST SUN by Adrienne Benson for Your Group
We are celebrating the release of THE BRIGHTEST SUN by Adrienne Benson --- an illuminating debut following three women in sub-Saharan Africa as they search for home and family --- with a special contest that will give three readers the chance to win 12 copies of the book for their group. To enter, please fill out this form by Wednesday, April 18th at noon ET.
THE BRIGHTEST SUN by Adrienne Benson (Fiction)
Leona, an isolated American anthropologist, gives birth to a baby girl in a remote Maasai village and must decide how she can be a mother, in spite of her own grim childhood. Jane, a lonely expat wife, follows her husband to the tropics and learns just how fragile life is. Simi, a barren Maasai woman, must confront her infertility in a society in which females are valued by their reproductive roles. In this affecting debut novel, these three very different women grapple with motherhood, recalibrate their identities, and confront unforeseen tragedies and triumphs.
In beautiful, evocative prose, Adrienne Benson brings to life the striking Kenyan terrain as these women’s lives intertwine in unexpected ways. As they face their own challenges and heartbreaks, they find strength traversing the arid landscapes of tenuous human connection. With gripping poignancy, THE BRIGHTEST SUN explores the heartbreak of loss, the struggle to find a sense of belonging, and the surprising ways we find our family and home.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to enter the contest.
New Featured Guide: MY DEAR HAMILTON
by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
MY DEAR HAMILTON: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie (Historical Fiction)
In this haunting, moving and beautifully written novel, Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie used thousands of letters and original sources to tell Eliza Schuyler Hamilton’s story as it’s never been told before --- not just as the wronged wife at the center of a political sex scandal, but also as a founding mother who shaped an American legacy in her own right.
A general’s daughter...
Coming of age on the perilous frontier of revolutionary New York, Elizabeth Schuyler champions the fight for independence. And when she meets Alexander Hamilton, Washington’s penniless but passionate aide-de-camp, she’s captivated by the young officer’s charisma and brilliance. They fall in love, despite Hamilton’s bastard birth and the uncertainties of war.
A founding father’s wife...
But the union they create --- in their marriage and the new nation --- is far from perfect. From glittering inaugural balls to bloody street riots, the Hamiltons are at the center of it all --- including the political treachery of America’s first sex scandal, which forces Eliza to struggle through heartbreak and betrayal to find forgiveness.
The last surviving light of the Revolution...
When a duel destroys Eliza’s hard-won peace, the grieving widow fights her husband’s enemies to preserve Alexander’s legacy. But long-buried secrets threaten everything Eliza believes about her marriage and her own legacy. Questioning her tireless devotion to the man and country that have broken her heart, she’s left with one last battle --- to understand the flawed man she married and imperfect union he never could have created without her.
Click here for the featured guide.
New Featured Guide: WE OWN THE SKY by Luke Allnutt
WE OWN THE SKY by Luke Allnutt (Fiction)
Rob Coates feels like he’s won the lottery of life. There is Anna, his incredible wife, their London town house and, most precious of all, Jack, their son, who makes every day an extraordinary adventure. But when a devastating illness befalls his family, Rob’s world begins to unravel. Suddenly finding himself alone, Rob seeks solace in photographing the skyscrapers and clifftops he and Jack used to visit. And just when it seems that all hope is lost, Rob embarks on the most unforgettable of journeys to find his way back to life, and forgiveness.
WE OWN THE SKY is a tender, heartrending, but ultimately life-affirming novel that will resonate deeply with anyone who has suffered loss or experienced great love. With stunning eloquence and acumen, Luke Allnutt has penned a soaring debut and a true testament to the power of love, showing how even the most thoroughly broken heart can learn to beat again.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
- Click here to read our interview with Luke Allnutt.
Click here for the featured guide.
New Featured Guide: THE LEMONADE YEAR
by Amy Willoughby-Burle
THE LEMONADE YEAR by Amy Willoughby-Burle (Fiction)
Nina's once-sweet life has unexpectedly turned sour. Her marriage is over, her job is in jeopardy, and her teenage daughter is slipping away from her. Then her father dies, and issues with Nina's mother come to a head; her estranged brother, Ray, comes home; and her sister, Lola, is tempted to blow a big family secret out of the water. They say the truth will set you free, but first it will make a huge mess of things.
All Nina has left is her final photography assignment: shooting images for the book 32 Ways to Make Lemonade. Well, that and the attention of a younger man, but Oliver's on-again-off-again romantic interest in her ebbs and flows so much she is seasick. And then Jack, her ex-husband, shows up, wanting to get back together.
As Nina struggles to find a way through her complicated relationships and to uncover her true path, she discovers just how valuable a second chance at life and happiness can be.
Click here for the featured guide.
April'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 THE FEMALE PERSUASION, Meg Wolitzer’s latest novel about a shy college freshman who meets a woman she hopes will change her life; THE ITALIAN TEACHER, Tom Rachman’s novel about the son of a great painter who strives to create his own legacy; and LAWN BOY by Jonathan Evison, a coming-of-age novel that Kristin Hannah calls “a painfully honest portrait of one young man's struggle to overcome the hand he's been dealt in life and reach for his dreams. It's a journey you won't want to miss, with an ending you won't forget.”
LibraryReads is spotlighting YOU THINK IT, I’LL SAY IT, a first collection of short fiction from Curtis Sittenfeld, who upends assumptions about class, relationships and gender roles in a nation that feels both adrift and viscerally divided; Lisa Jewell’s THEN SHE WAS GONE, a psychological thriller about a woman who, 10 years after her daughter’s disappearance, meets a charming man whose youngest daughter takes her breath away; and OTHER PEOPLE’S HOUSES by Abbi Waxman, a hilarious and poignant novel about four families, their neighborhood carpool, and the affair that changes everything.
April's Target Book Club title is GIRL IN PIECES by Kathleen Glasgow, and Pennie's Pick for Costco is MAGPIE MURDERS by Anthony Horowitz.
Click here for the complete roundup.
Our Most Popular Book Group Selections for March’s
"What's Your Book Group Reading This Month?" Contest
April's New in Paperback Roundups on Bookreporter.com
April’s roundup of New in Paperback fiction titles includes THE TEA GIRL OF HUMMINGBIRD LANE by Lisa See, a moving novel about tradition, tea farming, and the bonds between mothers and daughters; SAME BEACH, NEXT YEAR, which marks a return to Dorothea Benton Frank's magical Lowcountry of South Carolina, where two couples begin a friendship that will last more than 20 years and transform their lives; SECRETS OF THE TULIP SISTERS, Susan Mallery's charming tale about the problem with secrets, the power of love and the unbreakable bond between sisters; and RISE AND SHINE, BENEDICT STONE, a gem of a novel from Phaedra Patrick about family, forgiveness and one man's second chance at happiness.
Among our nonfiction highlights are David Grann's KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON, a twisting, haunting, true-life murder mystery about one of the most monstrous crimes in American history; THE ROAD TO JONESTOWN by Jeff Guinn, the definitive story of preacher Jim Jones, who was responsible for the Jonestown Massacre, the largest murder-suicide in American history; THE RULES DO NOT APPLY, a powerful memoir from Ariel Levy about the choices she makes in her search for adventure, meaning and love; and IN THE GREAT GREEN ROOM, Amy Gary's fascinating biography of Margaret Wise Brown, author of the beloved children’s classics GOODNIGHT MOON and THE RUNAWAY BUNNY.
Find out what's New in Paperback for the weeks of
April 2nd, April 9th, April 16th and April 23rd.
Recent Bookreporter.com Bets On Selections:
EVERY NOTE PLAYED
and THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR Audiobook
EVERY NOTE PLAYED by Lisa Genova (Fiction)
More than two decades ago, a friend told me that his dad had ALS. I still remember his abject sadness as he described how his father was losing functionality. Then, a couple of years ago, our friend, Peter, was diagnosed. He was living in Florida at the time, and my husband and I thought we would fly down to see him in April. It was a well-laid plan, but he passed away in March, stunning both of us. Also, a couple of years ago, I read UNTIL I SAY GOOD-BYE: My Year of Living with Joy, a memoir by Susan Spencer-Wendel, who had ALS and was determined to live every day. That, too, was a Bets On selection.
All this to say that when I read Lisa Genova’s latest novel, which looks at the world of ALS, I was not coming to the subject of this book as a novice. That said, I knew that in Lisa’s hands, it would be deftly crafted and addressed. And indeed it was.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
Click here for more of Carol's commentary on EVERY NOTE PLAYED.
THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR Audiobook written by Sally Hepworth, read by Barrie Kreinik (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
I so enjoyed listening to Sally Hepworth’s latest novel, THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR, which is narrated by Barrie Kreinik. I am a huge fan of Sally’s writing and was lamenting that I had not read this book when our review came out a few weeks ago. Remember Wisteria Lane, the street featured on “Desperate Housewives,” where there always was some drama going on? Sally has a version of that town for you here.
Essie has two beautiful children, one of whom is a young baby. Her mom spoils her children and is a big part of their lives. Essie, at least on the outside, is completely living a dream life. However, there are still whispers behind her back about the time she had a bit of a breakdown and walked away from the park, leaving her daughter behind.
- Click here to read a review of the hardcover on Bookreporter.com.
Click here for more of Carol's commentary on THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR.
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 March 30th to April 13th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE CUTTING EDGE: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel by Jeffery Deaver and I'VE GOT MY EYES ON YOU by Mary Higgins Clark.
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.
Please note: A new Word of Mouth contest will be up
on Friday, April 13th at noon ET.
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 April 2nd to May 1st at noon ET, two lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win the audio versions of Sally Hepworth's THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR, read by Barrie Kreinik, and Alice Feeney's SOMETIMES I LIE, read by Stephanie Racine.
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.
We currently are featuring the following guides on ReadingGroupGuides.com:
AFTER ANNA by Lisa Scottoline (Thriller)
Riveting and disquieting, AFTER ANNA is a groundbreaking domestic thriller, as well as a novel of emotional justice and legal intrigue.
AUNTIE POLDI AND THE SICILIAN LIONS written by Mario Giordano, translated by John Brownjohn (Cozy Mystery)
For fans of A MAN CALLED OVE and the novels of Adriana Trigiani comes a charming, delightfully sexy and bighearted novel starring Auntie Poldi, Sicily’s newest amateur sleuth.
THE BABY PLAN by Kate Rorick (Fiction)
Kate Rorick's adult fiction debut introduces readers to the wacky world of modern pregnancies, where everything is Google-able and crowdsourced; where over-the-top "gender reveal" parties happen before the baby is even born; and where every move a mother makes is scrutinized and criticized.
THE BRIGHTEST SUN by Adrienne Benson (Fiction)
THE BRIGHTEST SUN is an illuminating debut following three women in sub-Saharan Africa as they search for home and family.
EVERY NOTE PLAYED by Lisa Genova (Fiction)
From neuroscientist and New York Times bestselling author of STILL ALICE comes a powerful and heartbreaking exploration of regret, forgiveness, freedom and what it means to be alive.
THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT by Chris Bohjalian (Psychological Thriller)
From the New York Times bestselling author of THE GUEST ROOM comes a powerful story about the ways an entire life can change in one night. A flight attendant wakes up in the wrong hotel, in the wrong bed, with a dead man --- and no idea what happened.
THE LEMONADE YEAR by Amy Willoughby-Burle (Fiction)
Nina has found herself somewhere she didn’t want to be. What will she do with the lemons life has given her? Join her year-long journey to reclaim her life, her family and her happiness in THE LEMONADE YEAR.
MUSIC OF THE GHOSTS by Vaddey Ratner (Fiction)
When a young woman begins an odyssey to Cambodia to discover the truth about her missing father, she uncovers long-buried secrets and confronts her own distant memories to discover that what has been lost can be forgiven and even, sometimes, restored.
MY DEAR HAMILTON: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie (Historical Fiction)
From the New York Times bestselling authors of AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER comes the epic story of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton --- a revolutionary woman who, like her new nation, struggled to define herself in the wake of war, betrayal and tragedy.
THE OTHER MOTHER by Carol Goodman (Psychological Thriller)
From the author of the internationally bestselling THE LAKE OF DEAD LANGUAGES comes a gripping novel about madness, motherhood, love and trust.
WE OWN THE SKY by Luke Allnutt (Fiction)
ME BEFORE YOU meets ONE DAY in this tender story of love, loss and finding hope in the face of tragedy. Both a heartrending exploration of grief and a celebration of life, WE OWN THE SKY is a beautiful reminder that even when all seems lost, there is always love.
Please note that these titles, for which we already had the guides when they appeared in hardcover, are now available in paperback:
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?
THE TEA GIRL OF HUMMINGBIRD LANE by Lisa See (Fiction)
#1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa See has penned a moving story about tradition, tea farming, and the enduring connection between mothers and daughters.
This Month's Poll: Which April Paperbacks Have You Read, or Are You Planning to Read, with Your Group?
Which of the following paperbacks releasing in April have you read, or do you plan to read, with your group? Please check all that apply.
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THE GOOD DAUGHTER by Karin Slaughter
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KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, by David Grann
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MAP OF THE HEART by Susan Wiggs
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THE MARRIAGE PACT by Michelle Richmond
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THE ROAD TO JONESTOWN: Jim Jones and Peoples Temple, by Jeff Guinn
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THE RULES DO NOT APPLY: A Memoir, by Ariel Levy
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SAME BEACH, NEXT YEAR by Dorothea Benton Frank
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SECRETS OF THE TULIP SISTERS by Susan Mallery
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THE TEA GIRL OF HUMMINGBIRD LANE by Lisa See
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TRAJECTORY: Stories, by Richard Russo
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None of the above
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