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New Author
Interviews |
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S.J. Parris
S.J. Parris writes about her inspiration for Heresy, which masterfully blends true events with fiction into a page-turning murder mystery set on the sixteenth-century Oxford University campus.
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John Hart
In a letter to his readers, John Hart talks about becoming a writer and the challenges he faced in writing The Last Child.
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Adam Haslett
A conversation with Adam Haslett, author of Union Atlantic, a deeply affecting portrait of the modern gilded age, the first decade of the twenty-first century.
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Sarah Blake
Sarah Blake talks about her inspiration for The Postmistress, set in Europe and Cape Cod in 1940.
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| March Recommendations | March 11, 2010
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Hello,
In this issue I invite you to read reviews of six exceptional books, four of
which have been read and reviewed by our members as part of "First Impressions". You can also browse our latest book club chat, catch up on recent book related
news, peruse our recent blogs, and enter
to win copies of The Last Child by John Hart. Best regards Davina Morgan-Witts Editor, BookBrowse.com
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Next Issue:
On March 24 I'll send you "BookBrowse Highlights: April Previews"
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One Month Free Membership
What you see for free in these emails is a fraction of what BookBrowse has to offer. For just $29.95 you could be enjoying a year of good reading about good reading! Start your one month free trial now
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First Impressions
BookBrowse members have the opportunity to receive free review copies
of books, some months before publication. Here are their first impressions on one of the books that has recently published:
 The Journal Keeper: A Memoir
by Phyllis Theroux
Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press
Publication Date: 03/01/2010
Memoir, 305 pages
Number of reader reviews: 15
Readers' consensus: 
From the book jacket: Essayist Phyllis Theroux has long captivated readers with her pitch-perfect rendering of the inner lives of American women. The Journal Keeper is a memoir of six years in her life.
Members Say...
"The Journal Keeper is a
book for people who like to reflect while reading, whether it be on
their own personal lives when something in Theroux's own experiences
resonates or on the bigger picture of the world around us. I earmarked
a large number of pages so that I can go back and delve more deeply
into interesting tidbits, stories, quotes. It seems to be a great book
for a writers' group or writing program. It inspired me to pick
journaling back up. I really enjoyed reading this book!" - Barbara A.
(Roswell, GA).
"A very feminine spirit, opens an extraordinary world to the reader.
Looking at life through her perspective she raises everyday life to
poetry and high drama. What she focuses on becomes vivid and poignant
at the same time. Growing old, falling in love, loss and new
beginnings. Awareness of her inner and outer environment, which is
acute, makes the difference. She notices and enjoys what most of us
hurry by. It shows the freshest imagination and is illuminated in the
most eloquent flights of original descriptions. Her transparent
feelings give voice to my own. A conversation that happily makes one
see the world, oneself and others more distinctly. She is wonderful
company." - Nancy Macy (Rancho Mirage, California).
"A beautifully written book, this book makes me think every time I pick
it up. I read memoirs hoping to learn something about how to deal with
the curve balls life throws at me, and this book helped me springboard
from her journal entries to situations in my own life. Theroux has also
written some lovely essays which I have read." - Carolyn F. (San
Carlos, CA).
"My shelves are overflowing with books, so much so that I can't keep them all; however, I will keep and treasure this book. The Journal Keeper
is a thought provoking, sometimes depressing, sometimes uplifting read.
I have highlighted many passages, and each time I pick it up, I find
more to highlight. The everyday events of the author's life are
intertwined with her writing life. Her themes are universal and honest.
I learned from and often identified with this extraordinary memoir." -
Dotty G. (Roswell, GA).
Read all the Reviews
Buy at Amazon
Compare prices at AddAll
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First Impressions
BookBrowse members have the opportunity to receive free review copies
of books, some months before publication. Here are their first impressions on another of the books that has recently published:
 Secret Daughter: A Novel
by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: 03/09/2010
Novel, 352 pages
Number of reader reviews: 20
Readers' consensus:
From the book jacket: On the eve of the monsoons, in a remote Indian village, Kavita gives
birth to a baby girl. But in a culture that favors sons, the only way
for Kavita to save her newborn daughter's life is to give her away. It
is a decision that will haunt her and her husband for the rest of their
lives, even after the arrival of their cherished son.
Halfway around the globe, Somer, an American doctor, decides to adopt a
child after making the wrenching discovery that she will never have one
of her own. When she and her husband, Krishnan, see a photo of the baby
with the gold-flecked eyes from a Mumbai orphanage, they are
overwhelmed with emotion. Somer knows life will change with the
adoption but is convinced that the love they already feel will overcome
all obstacles.
Interweaving the stories of Kavita, Somer, and the child that binds both of their destinies, Secret Daughter
poignantly explores the emotional terrain of motherhood, loss,
identity, and love, as witnessed through the lives of two families -
one Indian, one American - and the child that indelibly connects them.
Members Say...
"Secret Daughter transported me to another world in the way of Shanghai Girls, Honolulu, Cutting for Stone, The Help, and On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, but in addition this book engaged me on a deep emotional level." - Susan J. (Twain Harte, CA).
"Secret Daughter is a tale of two worlds. It is filled
with despair, yet ever hopeful. The author captures the complexities of
blending two very different cultures, made more challenging with
adoption. It is a story for and about women, and you quickly connect
with the characters. Despite the misery and destitution the author
shares with you, the story is uplifting and optimistic. The strength
and common bond of motherhood and "family" is evident no matter what
culture or setting. The women in this story are inspiring and
resilient. I highly recommend this book." - Mary Lou C. (Shenandoah
Junction, WV).
"Have you ever reached the middle of a book and vowed to reread it again? That happened to me when I read Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda." - Lee M. (Creve Coeur, Missouri).
Read all the Reviews
Buy at Amazon
Compare prices at AddAll
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First Impressions
BookBrowse members have the opportunity to receive free review copies
of books, some months before publication. Here are their first impressions on another of the books that has recently published:
 Arcadia Falls by Carol Goodman
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication Date: 03/09/2010
Novel, 368 pages
Number of reader reviews: 19
Readers' consensus: 
From the book jacket: Dire financial straits and a desire for a
fresh start take Meg and Sally from a comfortable life on Long Island
to a tucked-away hamlet in upstate New York: Arcadia Falls, where Meg
has accepted a teaching position at a boarding school. The creaky,
neglected cottage Meg and Sally are to call home feels like an ill
portent of things to come, but Meg is determined to make the best of
it - and to make a good impression on the school's dean, the
diminutive, elegant Ivy St. Clare.
St. Claire, however, is distracted by a shocking crisis: During
Arcadia's First Night bonfire, one of Meg's folklore students,
Isabel Cheney, plunges to her death in a campus gorge. Sheriff Callum
Reade finds Isabel's death suspicious, but then, he is a man with
secrets and a dark past himself.
Meg is unnerved by Reade's interest in the girl's death, and as
long-buried secrets emerge, she must face down her own demons and the
danger threatening to envelop Sally. As the past clings tight to the
present, the shadows, as if in a terrifying fairy tale, grow longer and
deadlier.
Members Say...
"Reading Arcadia Falls
was consuming and rewarding, reminiscent of the magic and witchery in
the novels of Alice Hoffman." - Jeanne M. (Vancouver, WA).
"This is a wonderful book. Moreover, it can be read on various levels -
as a fairytale within a fairytale, a gothic mystery with many twists
and turns, a literary novel, a psychological study, a cultural
discourse regarding women having to choose between career and family,
or as a perspective on the development of an artist. Yet, the novel
also depicts a landscape and atmosphere which suggest a primeval
presence that resonate in our psyches. In all, Ms Goodman uses her
knowledge of mythology, folklore, and fairytales to weave a very
satisfying novel that is superbly written." - Doreen L. (Windsor, CT).
"Arcadia Falls
is an amazing story that explores the idea that the past can hold
secrets that affect those in the present day when discovered in many
different ways. The strong characters and strong plot kept me from
wanting to put it down even to sleep. I will be on the lookout for more
books from Carol Goodman when I visit my library." - Kristen H.
(Lowell, MA).
Read all the Reviews
Buy at Amazon
Compare prices at AddAll
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First Impressions
BookBrowse members have the opportunity to receive free review copies
of books, some months before publication. Here are their first impressions on another of the books that has recently published:
 Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy
by Melissa Milgrom
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: 03/08/2010
Science/Hobbies/Craft, 304 pages
Number of reader reviews: 18
Readers' consensus:
From the book jacket: It's easy to dismiss taxidermy as a
kitschy or morbid sideline, the realm of trophy fish and jackalopes or
an anachronistic throwback to the dusty diorama. Yet theirs is a world
of intrepid hunter-explorers, eccentric naturalists, and gifted museum
artisans, all devoted to the paradoxical pursuit of creating the
illusion of life. Transformed from a curious onlooker to an empathetic
participant, Milgrom takes us deep into the world of taxidermy and
reveals its uncanny appeal.
Members Say...
"This was a very interesting book and a learning experience. The book
was about Taxidermy. I knew what taxidermy was but never realized how
much went in to it. This is an art. The people involved in taxidermy
take it very serious. They even have contests. If you are up for a
learning experience, I would definitely recommend this book." - Sharon
W. (Two Rivers, WI).
"I thought it was a great book. It brought back my own memories of the
sights and smells of the shop which I hung out in when a boy." - Fred
S. (san diego, CA).
"If you think the title is odd, wait until you meet the characters of
this off-hand, fascinating read. Stuffed animal lovers, lovers of the
creepy, odd and whatever is opposite of the chick-book, read this,
really. It will take you into another world you really never planned on
going to, but will glad once you've arrived." - Anne B. (Fredonia, WI).
"The book is about taxidermy and I requested it to review out of morbid
curiosity. My opinions of taxidermists have not been favorable, but
this book changed my mind. I now believe that they are both scientists
and artists. The book is well written, well organized and entertaining.
It is not overly technical and while always very respectful of the
profession, it is often humorous." - Susan S. (Lakeville, MA).
Read all the Reviews
Buy at Amazon
Compare prices at AddAll
|
Giveaway
The Last Child by John Hart
Publication Date: Mar 2010
Enter the Giveaway
Buy at Amazon
Compare prices at AddAll
Past Winners
About This Book:
An
intricate, powerful story of loss, hope, and courage in the face of
evil.
"
wanted to tell the story of a child whose world is shattered so badly that no
one can make it right: not his parents, or the cops, not the church or the
community. How does the boy cope? Where does he find strength and down what
dangerous path will that strength take him?" - John
Hart
The
Last Child, coming soon to paperback, traverses the wilderness between innocence
and hard wisdom, between hopelessness and faith, and establishes John Hart as a
writer of unique power.
Reviews:
"The young boy at the story's center is a magnificent creation, Huck Finn channeled through Lord of the Flies,
and as a detective in his own right he proves as driven and passionate
as any mystery fan could hope for...Hart is still far too young for The Last Child
to be called a crowning achievement, but the novel's ambition,
emotional breadth and maturity make it an early masterpiece in a career
that continues to promise great things." - The Washington Post, Art
Taylor
"Hart spins an impressively layered tale of broken families and secrets that can kill." - Publishers Weekly
"Starred Review. With his best novel yet, the Edgar
Award-winning Hart firmly cements his place alongside the greats of the
genre. Highly recommended." - Library Journal
"Starred Review. Appealingly character-driven, particularly by
13-year-old Johnny, who's full of likeable traces of Huck Finn." -
Kirkus Reviews
"Teens looking for adventure, and a story in which a kid shows
himself to be smarter than most of the adults around him, will find
this novel wholly satisfying." - School Library Journal (Adult Books
for High School Students)
Five people will each win a paperback copy of The Last Child. This giveaway is open to residents of the USA only, unless you
are a BookBrowse member, in which case you are eligible to win wherever
you live but may receive a different prize.
Enter the giveaway here
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Featured Review: Debut Novel, Hardcover
Below is part of BookBrowse's review of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand.
Read the review in full here
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
by
Helen Simonson
Hardcover (Mar 2010), 368 pages.
Publisher: Random House
ISBN 9781400068937
BookBrowse Rating:
Critics' Consensus:
From the book jacket:
You are about to travel to Edgecombe St. Mary, a small village in the
English countryside filled with rolling hills, thatched cottages, and a
cast of characters. Among them is Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired), the
unlikely hero of Helen Simonson's debut novel.
Review: A good book is like the
perfect fruit tart; how juicy the filling, how flakey the crust depends
not only on using the freshest ingredients but also on the deft hands
of the baker. In her debut novel, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand,
Helen Simonson crafts an enchanting tale, brilliant in its simple yet
profound insight into human nature - a light and crisp perfection. Her
characters etch themselves into your head and heart, lingering long
after the last page has been savored..... continued
Reviewed by BJ Nathan Hegedus
Above is part of BookBrowse's review of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand.
Read the review in full here
Browse the book
Write your own review
Read-Alikes:
A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows
The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
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Book Club Recommendation
The Wives of Henry Oades
by Johanna Moran
Paperback (Feb 2010).
384 pages.
ISBN-13:9780345510952.
From the book jacket: Exploring the intricacies of marriage, the construction of family, the
changing world of the late 1800s, and the strength of two remarkable
women, Johanna Moran turns this unusual family's story into an
unforgettable page-turning drama.
Browse the book jacket, reviews and an excerpt.
Reading Guide
Read-Alikes:
All Other Nights by Dara Horn
Harriet and Isabella by Patricia O'Brien
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff
The Coral Thief by Rebecca Stott
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Book Club Chat
The Milpitas Library Book Group in Northern California has been going
strong since 1999. BookBrowse spoke with librarian Terye Balogh, who
has been instrumental in bringing a wide range of authors to visit. She
shares some excellent advice about how to bring authors to your group,
manage large discussions, and keep your group engaged.
Read the Q&A
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Blogs
Recent Blogs
Click here to browse all recent blogs, or the links below for specific posts.
Author as Advocate
Cathy Marie Buchanan, author of The Day The Falls Stood Still,
offers an impassioned plea to preserve the environment and natural
beauty of Niagara Falls and prevent the planned high-rise development
at the brink of the Falls.
The Story Behind The Forty Rules of Love
Elif Shafak, the most widely read woman writer in Turkey whose books include The Bastard of Istanbul, explains how Sufism influenced her latest book.
How Becoming Published Changed My Life (in ways I did not expect)
By Sandra Gulland, author of the Josephine B. Trilogy, internationally
best-selling novels about Josephine Bonaparte, now published in 14
countries and 7 languages.
Thoughts on Friendships
By Leila Meacham, a writer and former teacher who lives in San Antonio, Texas. Her novel Roses
(Jan 2010) which spans the 20th century, takes place in a small East
Texas town against the backdrop of the powerful timber and cotton
industries, industries controlled by the scions of the town's founding
families. Publishers Weekly describes it as "an enthralling stunner
enthralling" and "delicious doorstop epic".
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Author Interview
S.J. Parris
S.J. Parris writes about her inspiration for Heresy,
which masterfully blends true events with fiction into a page-turning
murder mystery set on the sixteenth-century Oxford University campus.
Read the Interview
Books by this author
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News
Mar 10 2010: Yesterday, Samsung announced the Samsung eReader,
a $299 device which allows you to take notes in the margins and share
content with other Samsung eReaders. Samsung also announced a relationship with Barnes and Noble which
enables the eReader to access more than a million e-books and...(more)
Mar 10 2010: The
electronic book passed another milestone this month, with the number of
books available on the iTunes App Store passing the number of games for
the first time. According to data released earlier this month by the
mobile phone advertising company Mobclix, there are more than 27,000
books now...(more)
Mar 09 2010: In
reaction to the news that Amazon is seeking government approval to
establish operations in Canada, the Canadian Booksellers Association
released a statement demanding that the government reject the online
retailer's application. From the press...(more)
Mar 09 2010: In
a letter sent to "Colorado-based Amazon Associate[s]," the Amazon said
that effective Monday March 8 it was ending its associates program in
the state. Amazon cited newly passed legislation aimed at imposing
sales tax on online retailers for its decision to end the...(more)
Mar 03 2010: For
anyone worried about the future of ebooks and their prices, or bemused
by what is meant by the 'agency model', Macmillan CEO John Sargent's
blog is likely to provide enlightenment...(more)
Mar 02 2010: Update March 1: After questions have surfaced about the validity of other accounts Pellegrino sourced in The Last Train From Hiroshima,
Holt has decided to shelve the title entirely. Holt shipped 18,000
copies of the book and will issue a credit to wholesalers and retailers
on returns of...(more)
Read these news stories, and many others, in full
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Wintergirls by
Laurie Halse Anderson
