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BookBrowse Highlights
| February 6, 2014
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Hello,
This issue of BookBrowse Highlights brings you so many books to discover. Historical fiction fans will not want to miss I Shall Be Near To You; history aficionados will be gripped by The Race Underground. Fans of thoughtful family dramas will be drawn into The Deepest Secret; and lovers of medical thrillers may well discover a new favorite in Doing Harm, Dr Kelly Parson's debut novel.
If you're looking for a gift for Valentine's Day check out our "4 Books for Valentine's Day" blog; and if you enjoy our "beyond the book" articles don't miss our feature on the restoration of Leonardo Da Vinci's The Last Supper (the backstory to Saving Italy, which is the basis of The Monuments Men movie). All this and much more in this packed issue.
Thanks for reading!
Best regards
Davina Morgan-Witts, Editor
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 Editor's Choice
I Shall Be Near To You
by Erin Lindsay McCabe
Hardcover (Jan 2014), 320 pages.
Publisher: Crown. ISBN 9780804137720
Critics' Consensus: 4.5/5
Perhaps Gone With the Wind is to blame, but novels about the Civil War are usually assumed to be about the South. Erin Lindsay McCabe's debut I Shall Be Near To You is a welcome deviation from the expected norm. Set in the North about a husband and wife who both enlist to fight for the Union, this story offers tender insights into the sadness of war. It also elaborates on a little-known historical fact: some women dressed as men to fight in the Civil War... continued
Reviewed by Sarah Sacha DollackerMore Editor's Choice featuresAlthough visitors can view a lot of BookBrowse for free, full access to our reviews, previews, backstories and more is for members only. But you will always find four free Editor's Choice reviews and backstories on our homepage.
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 First Impressions: Members Recommend
Each month we give away books to US resident 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 three recently published books:
 Doing Harm by Kelly Parsons
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 02/04/2014
Thrillers, 368 pages
Number of reader reviews: 37
Readers' consensus: 4.3/5.0
"I do not usually read books known as "thrillers" but I sure am glad I read this one. I was immediately drawn into this story of a resident surgeon practicing at an illustrious east coast hospital, hoping to be invited onto it's permanent staff when he finally finishes his residency. The physician author knowingly illustrates the trials and tribulations of such a resident, interesting in and of itself, while he uncovers the incidents and protagonist out to keep him from attaining his goal. I was taught me so much about the inner workings of surgery, most of which I hope I never experience, while thoroughly enjoying a compelling novel with a truly unexpected ending." - Nancy M. (Hillsborough, CA)
"A genuine medical doctor writes a thriller about something he knows from the inside - hospital politics and patient care. Engaging writer. Good successor to Michael Palmer." - Eileen L. (Osprey, FL)
More about this book | Read all the reviews | Buy at Amazon
 The Race Underground: Boston, New York, and the Incredible Rivalry That Built America's First Subway by Doug Most
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 02/04/2014
History, Science & Current Affairs, 352 pages
Number of reader reviews: 25
Readers' consensus: 4.4/5.0
"The vibrancy of an era bent towards inventing what was not yet conceived nor readily accepted possible is what prompted me to pick up this book! Seeing the interconnected threads of rail systems which stretched far outside our own borders is what kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how the feat would eclipse any expectation I had whilst I first turned the page!" - Jorie (Florida).
"A fascinating book that read like a novel. The subways were built with the help of many men who saw the need for underground transportation and had the intelligence, fortitude and money to make it happen. To me it showed the great entrepreneurial spirit of America. I recommend it highly." - Anita S. (Boynton Beach, FL)
"I was completely transported. Highly recommended, especially for history geeks." - Poornima A. (Walpole, MA)
More about this book | Read all the reviews | Buy at Amazon 
 The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley
Publisher: Bantam Books
Publication Date: 02/04/2014
Novels, 448 pages
Number of reader reviews: 21
Readers' consensus: 4.3/5.0
"The writing reminds me of both Jodi Piccoult and Harlan Coben. Like Piccoult, Buckley deals with a family issue which affects the entire family. Like Coben, I had a hard time putting the book down" - Maggie P. (Mount Airy, MD)
"Eve Lattimore worked so hard to keep her family together and one rainy night's tragic occurrence illuminated the reality that each family member was an island harboring secrets against the backdrop of a medical condition that impacted each of their lives. I enjoyed this engaging novel which would foster great discussion for book clubs." - Mary Margaret F. (North Venice, FL)
"I have read Buckley's other 2 books and with this - her 3rd novel - I am a fan." - Kenan R. (Liberty, MO)
More about this book | Read all the reviews | Buy at Amazon |
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Book Clubs & Discussions |
 The BookBrowse Book Club
Please Join Us to Discuss:
 Happier at Home: Kiss More, Jump More, Abandon Self-Control, and My Other Experiments in Everyday Life
by Gretchen Rubin
Published in paperback Dec 2013
320 pages
In the spirit of her blockbuster #1 New York Times bestseller The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin embarks on a new project to make home a happier place. More about this book | Join the discussion
 Discussions Opening Soon |
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Discussion opens Feb 11
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Discussion opens Mar 11
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 Also Recommended for Book Clubs
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Beyond The Book
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 The Restoration of The Last Supper
 Every time we review a book we also go beyond the book to explore a topic related to the book. Here is a recent "beyond the book" backstory for Saving Italy: The Race to Rescue a Nation's Treasures from the Nazis by Robert M. Edsel.  desciple's immediate reactions following Christ's announcement that one of them will betray him before dawn. In spite of the emotional chaos that rings throughout the scene, the composition is ordered and serene. Christ's head is at the center of the composition, and the angling of the walls within the picture lead back to windows that display a view of hills and sky which frame the figure of Christ.
The traditional method for painting murals was the fresco technique, in which water based paint is applied to fresh plaster, so that when the plaster dries the painting becomes an integral part of the wall and thus can last for centuries. Da Vinci chose not to use this technique, presumably because he wanted to be able to spend more time on the painting than the fresco method allows, and instead painted The Last Supper on to a dry wall. As a result, the mural began to flake and deteriorate just a few years after it was finished... continued
Read this backstory in full, plus an excerpt & BookBrowse's review More backstories linked from "Editor's Choice" Only paying members have access to all our reviews and backstories but you will always find 4 free on our homepage. |
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 Author Interview
 Mary-Rose MacColl discusses the inspiration behind her book about World War One, In Fallling Snow, and answers some questions about her inspirations and personal life. Read the Interview | In Falling Snow
More in our author section including:
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Blog: Four Books for Valentine's Day
If you're looking for a romantic novel for Valentine's Day (or any other day of the year for that matter) here are four excellent choices. But a word of warning - if you're after gushy regency romances, bare chested cowboys, or the latest 50 Shades knock off, you might as well not bother to click - as that's just not BookBrowse's thing. Instead here are four thoughtful stories which are long on love, relationships and exceptional writing, and short on heavy breathing. Perfect for gift giving, or buying for yourself! continued...
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 N ews Earlier this week, at ALA Midwinter in Philadelphia, the American Library Association Council approved the new Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity... (more) Jan 31 2014: Amazon's shares have fallen by 10% in after-hours trading after the online retailer failed to match analysts' profit expectations in the run up to Christmas. However, the online retailer still reported a significant increase in profit and sales for the October-December period in... (more) Jan 29 2014: In an upset win over established veterans such as Kate Atkinson, Nathan Filer won the 2013 Costa Book Award for his debut novel, The Shock of the Fall. The book was published in the United States as (more) Jan 27 2014: The ALA presented their Youth Media Awards today. The Newbery medal went to Kate DiCamillo for Flora and Ulysses (a second Newbery win for DiCamillo who won in 2003 with The... (more) Jan 23 2014: In his opening address at the plenary breakfast on the first day of Winter Institute 9 in Seattle, Wash., American Booksellers Association president Steve Bercu proclaimed that after an "incredibly positive season for many of us," ... (more) Jan 22 2014: Last week Quercus (who publish the Stieg Larsson books in the UK and recently opened an office in the US) announced a large and unexpected end of year loss. This week it has announced that it is up for... (more) Jan 20 2014: A survey reveals that 54% of traditionally-published authors and almost 80% of go-it-alone writers are making less than US$1,000 a year. More than 9,000 writers, from aspiring authors to seasoned pros, took part in the 2014 Digital Book World and Writer's Digest Author Survey... (more)
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Themed Reading
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 Recommended Books About Animals
Whatever your interests you can find the books that are just right for you by browsing and cross-referencing our recommended reading lists by genre, time period, setting and wide variety of themes - including books about animals:
 A Man of His Own by Susan Wilson
Three broken souls, and one dog: Pax. All three of them need healing. All three of them are lost. And in Susan Wilson's A Man of His Own, Pax, with his unconditional love and unwavering loyalty, may be the only one who can guide them home.
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 Into That Forest by Louis Nowra
Two girls survive a terrible flood in the Tasmanian bush and are rescued by a pair of Tasmanian tigers who raise them in the wild. Ages 12+
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 Animal Wise: The Thoughts and Emotions of Our Fellow Creatures by Virginia Morell
Noted science writer Virginia Morell explores the frontiers of research on animal cognition and emotion, offering a surprising and moving exploration into the hearts and minds of wild and domesticated animals.
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 Readalikes
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Free & Fun
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 Wordplay
Solve this clue "H E A Bigger T H S" and be entered to win the book of your choice: Enter
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 Why Do We Say?
"The Real McCoy"
Find out the origins of this well-known expression, and many others! |
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 Win This Book
Golden State by Michelle Richmond
Publication Date: Feb 2014, paperback original
Enter the Giveaway
From the Jacket Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Jacquelyn Mitchard, and Anna Quindlen, Golden State is a powerful, mesmerizing new novel that explores the intricacies of marriage, family, and the profound moments that shape our lives.
Doctor Julie Walker has just signed her divorce papers when she receives news that her younger sister, Heather, has gone into labor. Though theirs is a strained relationship, Julie sets out for the hospital to be at her sister's side--no easy task, as the streets of San Francisco have erupted into chaos. Today is the day that Californians vote on whether or not to secede from the United States. Today is also the day that Julie will find herself at the epicenter of a violent standoff in which she is forced to examine both the promising and painful parts of her past--her Southern childhood; her romance with her husband, Tom; her estrangement from Heather; and the shattering incident that led to her greatest heartbreak.
Infused with emotional depth and poignancy, Golden State takes readers on a journey over the course of a single, unforgettable day--through an extraordinary landscape of love, loss, and hope. Review "Starred Review. Mesmerizing and intricate... [a] riveting read that can be recommended to fans of Jodi Picoult and Jacquelyn Mitchard." - Booklist 5 people will each win a paperback copy of Golden State.
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 might live.
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