July 11, 2013
Hello
This issue of BookBrowse Highlights includes author interviews, recommendations for book clubs, recommended reading for books with strong female leads, book news and more - including our members reviews of six recently published books they've been reading for First Impressions.
Thanks for reading!
Davina,
BookBrowse Editor
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BookBrowse is for those who enjoy books that do more than simply entertain - we seek out and recommend books that leave you mentally richer than when you started them, such as novels that whisk you to unfamiliar times and places, thrillers that are more than just 'page-turners', and thought-provoking non-fiction. If you'd like to know more about BookBrowse, and how we got started, please click here. For a one-month free membership trial, giving you access to all our content - click here Davina & Paul Witts - Founders
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Readers Recommend
Each month we give away books to members to read and review (or discuss). Members who choose to take part receive a free book (including free shipping) about every three months. Here are their opinions on six recently published books:
 Close My Eyes
by Sophie McKenzie
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 07/09/2013
Thriller, 400 pages
Number of reader reviews: 39
Readers' consensus: 
BookBrowse Members Say:
"This psychological thriller is as sinister and exciting as Gone Girl, but has a much better ending! It's bound to be a big summer read." - Judith M. (San Diego, CA)
"Eight years ago, Geniver delivered a stillborn girl and hasn't been successful in getting pregnant again. A women shows up at her door claiming that her baby was born alive and the doctor took her away while she was still under the anaesthetic. Close My Eyes unwinds as a story that is both complicated and compelling. I highly recommend this book, it was a fascinating read!" - Sue J. (Wauwatosa, WI)
"The characters felt real and the twists of plot held my interest on every page from the first to last." - Portia A. (Mount Laurel, NJ)
"WOW! It's not often that I find a book that keeps riveted right to the end. A masterful read." - Caryl L. (Williamsburg, VA)
"Great escapist reading...I can see someone enjoying this on a beach, drink in hand." - Lori L. (La Porte, IN)
"I highly recommend this book. The characters are all so flawed and suspicious, giving the reader so much fodder for thought." - Julie D. (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA)
Above are 6 of the 39 reviews for this book Read all the Reviews Buy at Amazon |
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Readers Recommend
 The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Laneby Kelly Harms
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Publication Date: 07/09/2013
Novel, 304 pages
Number of reader reviews: 28
Readers' consensus: 
BookBrowse Members Say:
"Two girls named Janine Brown...one enters a contest to win a fabulous house in Maine; the other's aunt enters her name, without her knowledge. The first is SURE she is going to win it, but it turns out that the other one does. Both girls go to claim the house, and things get dicey, when they meet up. The book keeps you hooked, as you read along, waiting for things to blow up." - Diane D. (Blairstown, NJ)
"I expected this book just to be funny. What a surprise to find it poignant as well. Great first book." - Jane C. (Brighton, MI)
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a light, pleasant read, a perfect beach book. It has broad appeal for so many readers. It is the perfect "escape" book. Put your feet up, pour a glass of wine, relax and enjoy The Good Luck Girls." - Joan (Miller Place, NY)
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book and plan on recommending it to my friends. The writing was sharp and entertaining. It deals with human nature, relationships and the importance of family - or more correctly, the making of family. I look forward to reading more by this author." - Lisa G. (Riverwoods, IL)
"It is a delightful read that entertains you from the first page to the last, welcoming you to small town New England, drawing you in to the lives of Janey and Nean Brown, and leaving you longing for more." - Mary Beth S. (Mequon, WI).
Above are 5 of the 28 reviews for this book
Read all the Reviews
Buy at Amazon
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Readers Recommend
 Amy Falls Downby Jincy Willett
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: 07/09/2013
Novel, 336 pages
Number of reader reviews: 18
Readers' consensus:
BookBrowse Members Say:
"It's very hard to describe this book and make it sound interesting. Trust me, if you love books, and love to read, this is for you. Like the characters in the book that discover (or re-discover) Amy Gallup I want to read everything that Jincy Willett has written. This book is very entertaining and at times laugh out loud funny, which I find rarely happens while reading. Her description of the business of publishing is very interesting." - Joan V. (Miller Place, NY)
"The writing is crisp, brisk, and unfailingly funny." - Priscilla M. (Houston, TX)
"From the first page I was fully engaged with Amy Gallup, her basset hound, Alphonse, and the literary and media crowd. Scenes and character descriptions were so vivid that I felt like I was right there with them. Amy Gallup's riffs about publishers and the pseudo mystic of writing were classic irony without the klaxon. Amy Falls Down is a thoroughly entertaining, yet highly thought-provoking story." - Grace W. (Corona del Mar, CA)
"An older writer falls and hits her head...does this sound like a book you would want to read? Do go past the description and read it. No description I write will do the book justice. It is well worth your time." - Portia A. (Mount Laurel, NJ)
"The dead-pan hilarity of everyday quirks and phobias in "Amy Falls Down" is reminiscent of David Sedaris. This book is a reminder that we are all amazing, in spite of ourselves." - Mary R. (San Jose, CA).
Above are 5 of the 18 reviews for this book
Read all the Reviews
Buy at Amazon
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Readers Recommend
 Letters from Skyeby Jessica Brockmole
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication Date: 07/09/2013
Historical Fiction, 304 pages
Number of reader reviews: 28
Readers' consensus:
BookBrowse Members Say:
"Letters From Skye is a beautifully written gem of a novel. Written entirely as letters spanning 1912 to 1940, it tells the story of Elspeth Dunn, a Scottish poet, and David Graham, an American college student. What begins as a fan letter from David to Elspeth deepens to friendship and eventually love. One of the great strengths of the novel is the honesty and authenticity of the letters, which are sometimes witty and playful, sometimes passionate, sometimes poignant, but always deeply affecting." - Terri O. (Chapel Hill, NC).
"From David's first letter - smart, cocky, with a hint of humor - to Elspeth, I was hooked. And by the time I finished her reply, I was ready to be swept away by their story. This novel has it all - great characters, foreign settings, friendship, love, poetry, war, mystery. Oh, and the ending! A great read all around." - Madeline M. (FL)
"While there will be comparisons to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, this debut novel stands on its own merit. This is a fine example of an author who 'shows rather than tells' and who captures an era. Great for book discussions." - Leslie D. (Le Roy, NY)
"Although it is a novel about a romance, it's not "chick lit" my husband enjoyed it as well!" - Jean T. (Paducah, KY)
"The synopsis I read before requesting the book did not do it justice. It worked on so many levels. In a way, it is a commentary on the power of the handwritten letter." - Christopher R. (Brooklyn, NY)
"I recommend this book to everyone and especially to book clubs since I think there is a great deal in this book to discuss." - Joanne V. (Towanda, PA)
Above are 6 of the 28 reviews for this book
Read all the Reviews
Buy at Amazon
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Readers Recommend
 To the Moon and Timbuktu: A Trek through the Heart of Africa by Nina Sovich
Publisher: New Harvest
Publication Date: 07/09/2013
Memoir/Travel & Adventure
320 pages
Number of reader reviews: 16
Readers' consensus:
BookBrowse Members Say:
"Sovich's combination of history, culture, politics and personal reflections carried this memoir off beautifully. The stories of the people of Western Africa made for great reading, especially those of the women." - Pam L. (Melbourne Beach, FL)
"Nina Sovich has written a book about her wanderlust that anyone who loves to travel will recognize. While she, at 34, takes it to the height of adventure, traveling to West Africa, she writes in a style that keeps the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat to discover what happens next to this bold, gutsy woman. Having recently been to West Africa, I can say her description of how life is there is spot on. I enjoyed this book and could not put it down. It is a great selection for a book club as there are many aspects of her personality and decisions to inspire conversation." - Susan B. (Sarasota, FL)
"She brought her characters to life and you feel as though you know them personally - the trademark of a great story-teller! (Saint Louis, MO)
"A truly relatable book for anybody who wishes for more than what they see out their windows every day." - Angela S. (Hartland, MI)
"Highly recommended for book clubs." - Beverly D. (Palm Harbor, FL)
"This book is definitely recommended for readers, young and old, who love to travel and who would like to learn about places they may never have the chance or inclination to visit." - Rose N. (Saginaw, MI)
Above are 6 of the 16 reviews for this book
Read all the Reviews
Buy at Amazon
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Readers Recommend
 The Mouse-Proof Kitchen by Saira Shah
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: 07/02/2013
Novels, 352 pages
Number of reader reviews: 37
Readers' consensus:
BookBrowse Members Say:
"You will ride an emotional rollercoaster from the depths of despair, to the miracle of love and hope. You can no more mouseproof the kitchen than you can protect your heart from the gift of a child, even one born with many disabilities." - Janice S. (Scotts Hill, TN)
"It takes a special gift to take a difficult subject and make a beautiful story from it. The author's personal experience with a disabled child makes this story shine. This is a story for anyone who has struggled to fit into their life or make their life fit their expectations. It hits exactly the right note; not too cheery to be genuine and not too depressing to enjoy. Excellent read." - Elizabeth L. (Beavercreek, OH)
"I would certainly recommend The Mouse Proof Kitchen. It is a story of life and how messy it can get, how human we are. It is a story of deep friendships, secrets, forgiveness. I am so glad I read this book." - Helen M. (Petaluma, CA)
"This book would be good for book clubs because I think there are many discussion points." - Karen L. (Wilton, IA)
"I really enjoyed this book and will recommend it to my book club. I think the author was able to take a difficult subject and still have the book be entertaining and insightful. It is a book that I will remember." - Penny P. (Santa Barbara, CA)
Above are 5 of the 37 reviews for this book
Read all the Reviews
Buy at Amazon
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Featured Review
Below is part of BookBrowse's review of The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Read the review in full here  The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Hardcover (Jun 2013), 192 pages
Publisher: William Morrow ISBN 9780062255655 BookBrowse Rating:  Critics' Consensus: Review: The Ocean at the End of the Lane is an evocative, and deeply affecting story-within-a-story. A blend of fantasy and reality, it is about a man who returns to his hometown, visits a place he had forgotten existed, and there recalls his lost memories of a time when he was seven-years-old. The volume may seem a bit slim, but do not let appearances fool you. Gaiman's first novel for adults in eight years is multi-layered and rich with meaning, and the many themes suggested by the narrative will inspire some good conversations. The prologue and epilogue, set in the English countryside in the present day, frame the main part of the narrative.. The first-person narrator is a divorced artist in his late 40s who, as the prologue opens, has returned to his childhood hometown to speak at a funeral. Having some time on his hands, he drives to the site of his old house. When he decides to follow the lane to the end, it begins to show physical changes: "The slick black road became narrower, windier, became the single-lane track I remembered from my childhood, became pack earth and knobbly, bone-like flints. Soon I was driving, slowly, bumpily, down a narrow lane with brambles and briar roses on each side." These changes mark that the man is moving from modern to primitive, present to past, mundane world to fairy tale. At the end of the lane the man recognizes a farmhouse that once belonged to the Hempstocks. He remembers that Lettie Hempstock was a childhood friend. As he sits by a pond that Lettie used to love, he tries to remember the name she had for it. Finally, it comes to him:
"Lettie Hempstock's ocean. I remembered that, and, remembering that, I remembered everything. This pivotal moment of remembrance ends the prologue and sets up the first chapter, which brings us into the story of the boy who the man once was. The prologue's relatively bland atmosphere and slow, even pacing, compared with the exciting events in the next several chapters, reminded me of the first 30 minutes or so of the Wizard of Oz movie, which was filmed in black and white/sepia tones to create a stark contrast between the mundane world of the farm, and the colorful, magical land of Oz (filmed in technicolor). Gaiman's framing story has a similar effect. The man's tone in the prologue is matter-of-fact and neutral. It is very "real" and somewhat melancholy compared to the tension and accelerated pace of the upcoming chapters. Continued Reviewed by Cindy Anderson Above is part of BookBrowse's review of The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Read the review and backstory in full here. Also an excerpt
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Beyond the Book
At BookBrowse, we don't just review books, we go 'beyond the book' to explore interesting aspects relating to the story.
Nancy Pearl's Book Lust Rediscoveries Series
 Nancy Pearl has a librarian action figure created in her likeness. You know she must be a dynamic, popular person with that kind of claim to fame! And she is. A librarian and bookseller for years, Pearl's knowledge of and passion for books are both wide and deep. She loves books - this is clear - and she is dedicated to finding the just right book for the right reader. She is known, in fact, for her refreshing lack of pretense. She is not out to get you to read the most prestigious book she can find, but instead wants to connect you with the book that you will most adore. She believes the enjoyment of reading is the foundation for literacy, and she has offered that the more a person reads, the more quality books he or she demands. She is the former Executive Director of the Washington Center for the Book (at the Seattle Public Library), has a monthly television show called Book Lust with Nancy Pearl, based on the wildly popular "guide to good reading" she wrote in 2003, and she appears regularly on NPR's Morning Edition to talk about books. Library Journal also named her Librarian of the Year in 2011.  While at the Seattle Public Library, Pearl created the "If All of Seattle Read the Same Book" program, designed to promote both literacy and community connection. It was so popular that many other cities riffed on her program, and "One City One Book" programs sprouted up all over the country. In 2012, after 20 traditional publishers turned her down, Amazon agreed to publish out-of-print books that Pearl determines necessary to reissue. This project, called Book Lust Rediscoveries, aims to reissue approximately 6 books a year that were originally published between 1960 and 2000. These are books that, in Pearl's opinion, should never have been allowed to fall out-of-print. Pearl writes the introduction to the book, and also offers pointers for book club discussions and further book recommendations. Continued by Tamara Smith Above is part of BookBrowse's review of The Lion in the Lei Shop. Read the review in full here
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Win
Visitation Street
by Ivy Pochoda
Published in hardcover: Jul 2013 Enter the Giveaway Excerpt From the Jacket
Chosen by Denis Lehane for his eponymous imprint, Ivy Pochoda's Visitation Street is a riveting literary mystery set against the rough-hewn backdrop of the New York waterfront in Red Hook.
Reviews Kirkus Starred Review. Rich with characters and mood . . . Red Hook itself feels like a character-hard-worn, isolated from the rest of New York, left behind and forgotten. A terrific story in the vein of Dennis Lehane's fiction. Publishers Weekly Starred Review. Exquisitely written, Pochoda's poignant second novel examines how residents of Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood deal with grief, urban development, loss, and teenage angst. ... Pochoda couples a raw-edged, lyrical look at characters' innermost fears with an evocative view of Red Hook." Library Journal Starred Review. [R]iveting...will keep readers enthralled until the final page. The prose is so lyrical and detailed that readers will easily imagine themselves in Red Hook. A great read for those who enjoy urban mysteries and thrillers with a literary flair.
5 people will each win a hardcover copy of Visitation Street. This giveaway is open to residents of all countries. Enter the giveaway here
Past Winners |
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The Secret Keeper
opens July 15
Coming Clean
opens July 30
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Featured Reading List:
Strong Female Leads
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Author Interviews
Sophie McKenzie, discusses Close My Eyes - a riveting psychological thriller about a grieving mother who finds out years after her daughter's death that her child may still be alive.
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Pulitzer-prize winning investigative journalist Michael Moss discusses Salt Sugar Fat, an investigation into the rise of the processed food industry and how the public can get informed about what it eats and how to fight back.
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Wordplay
Solve this clue "A Man's G T D
W A M G T D" and be entered to win the book of your choice Entry & DetailsAll winners are contacted by email. View list |
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Answer to
Last Wordplay
T M T C, T M T Stay T S
The more things change, the more they stay the same
Background: The first recorded use of this expression is in French critic, journalist and novelist Alphonse Karr's 1849 novel, Les Guêpes: Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
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News
Jul 10 2013:
In a major blow, Judge Denise Cote today ruled that Apple did indeed collude with five major publishers to fix e-book prices in 2010. The decision comes following the June 20 close of Apple's high profile court battle.
"Based on the trial record, and for the reasons stated herein," Cote...(more)
Jul 09 2013:
With its Nook Media strategy floundering, the architect of that effort, William Lynch, resigned Monday as CEO of parent company Barnes & Noble. With Lynch's departure, Michael Huseby, who joined B&N in March 2012 as CFO, has been named CEO of Nook Media LLC and president of Barnes & Noble...(more)
Jul 03 2013:
Cengage Learning, a private equity-backed education company, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday as part of an effort to shrink its $5.8 billion debt load. The company, based in Stamford, Conn., also said that it had entered into a restructuring agreement with lenders who hold $2...(more)
Jul 02 2013:
Starting this fall, public library staff from across the country will select a monthly top-10 list of their favorite new adult releases. The volunteer program, called LibraryReads, has been in the works since 2011; librarians began discussions about creating an initiative analogous to the ABA's...(more)
Jul 01 2013:
The merger of Penguin and Random House (except for Random House Germany) has now officially been completed. Headquartered in New York, the new company employs over 10,000 people, and publishes over 15,000 new titles annually across 250...(more)
Jun 27 2013:
The latest Pew survey indicates that while almost all Americans under age 30 are online, and they are more likely than older patrons to use libraries' computer and internet connections; they are also still closely bound to print, with 75% of younger Americans saying they have read at least one...(more)
Jun 27 2013:
Barnes & Noble plans to open five stores and close 15-20 in the current fiscal year; in the past year, B&N opened two stores and closed 18. The company also said that despite speculation to the contrary, it hasn't reduced book title inventory "substantially" in the past two to three...(more)
Jun 25 2013:
Barnes & Noble reported significantly poorer than expected fourth quarter results: Sales of $1.28 billion were down 7.4 percent from a year ago, and the net loss doubled to $118.6 million ($2.11 per share.). A key contributor to the loss was a $133 million in inventory charges in the fourth...(more)
Read these news stories, and many others, in full.
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