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June 2014

I have this Paul Simon line stuck in my head these past few weeks --- “slow down you move too fast” --- but there has been no time for that though I am “feeling groovy.” The last month was veeerrrrry busy with the run up to BookExpo America (BEA), the four whirlwind days of the conference and an amazing number of big books releasing in the past few weeks.

June 10, 2014

Breaking Into a Genre: Neil Gaiman Style

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Just before we launched our current feature for Neil Gaiman's THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE, one of our readers, Sue from the Wordsworth Book Club, contacted Carol and asked for a guide for this book, as well as other materials that would enhance her book group's discussion. In her email she said, “Our book club is discussing THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE and whenever I select a Fantasy/Myth/Fairy Tale there is a lot of discussion about ‘what the book is about.’” She went on to say, “I enjoy the books just for the enjoyment of reading it and really don’t try to ‘figure it out.’  I try to select books for our discussions that cover different genre than they would normally read with good response and success. This is one genre they do have a problem with, so I am asking if you can direct me to a good review or discussion on the book that can help them understand the meaning of the story.” Sue’s sister and brother-in-law are published writers and both “have been very insistent that I try all genres to truly enjoy reading, fantasy or science fiction being among those choices.” We shared our guide and this New York Times review that the publisher suggested but, intrigued, we asked her more about her group and their discussion.   

Most Requested Guides for May 2014

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Top 50 Requests

Do you listen to audiobooks?

June 6, 2014, 183 voters

June 6, 2014 - July 8, 2014

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

Tom Franklin, author of The Tilted World

Set against the backdrop of the historic flooding of the Mississippi River, THE TILTED WORLD is an extraordinary tale of murder and moonshine, sandbagging and saboteurs, and a man and a woman who find unexpected love.

Khaled Hosseini, author of And the Mountains Echoed

The deadline for entries is Tuesday, July 8th at noon ET.

Chevy Stevens, author of That Night

Toni Murphy is finally leaving prison after fifteen years. Jailed for a crime she didn't commit, the murder of her sister, she just wants to get on with her life. But her ex-boyfriend Ryan, who was also set up for the murder, is determined to clear their name and get revenge on those who wronged them.

Win 12 Copies of AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED by Khaled Hosseini 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.

Our latest prize book is #1 New York Times bestselling author Khaled Hosseini's AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED, which explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most. We have 12 copies of the paperback edition to give away to three groups. To enter, please fill out the form below by Tuesday, July 8th at noon ET. 

—Jennifer McMahon, New York Times bestselling author of THE WINTER PEOPLE