Hello
 The best books draw us into the lives of others, allowing us to see the world from a different perspective, which is the case for the books in this issue. North of Crazy by Neltje and Darling Days by iO Tillett Wright have much in common, both are memoirs, both iO and Neltje came-of-age in New York, and both have carved out extraordinary lives for themselves. In Cruel Beautiful World we see life through the young eyes of Lucy, a teenager about to embark on a decision that will alter the course of her entire future, and in News of the World we travel to late 19th century Texas in the company of a grizzled war veteran and a plucky 10-year-old girl. Then it's on to France and the Court of Louis XIV in Kate Braithwaite's debut novel, Charlatan - which you can enter to win. We also hear from Ann Hood about how books help us in difficult times. Lastly, we roundup 24 of the most notable books that published this week. Enjoy! Your Editor, Davina
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  1. First Impressions: Members Recommend
Each month we give away books to U.S. resident members to read and review (or discuss). Members who choose to participate receive a free book about every three months. Here are their opinions on one recent release.  News of the World by Paulette Jiles Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: Oct 2016
Historical Fiction, 224 pages
Number of reader reviews: 25
Readers' consensus: 4.6/5.0
Members Say
"I'm not a big fan of historical fiction but News of the World is as compelling as any contemporary novel I know. 1870s Texas - what a seething cauldron of issues and peoples! (Not unlike our own time.) How interesting to view it through the wry voice of a senior citizen war veteran and a damaged but plucky 10-year old girl. Top-notch author Paulette Giles deftly spins a tale of adventure that asks big moral questions while it entertains. She also describes the beauty of the land with the eye of a true naturalist. Her prose is really lovely. Also lovely: the nifty map of Texas enclosed with the book. I highly recommend this book and think it would be especially suited to book clubs." - Jeanne B. (Albuquerque, NM)
"After finishing News of the World yesterday, I was thrilled to learn that it made the longlist for this year's National Book Award for Fiction. What a justified honor! Captain Kidd and Johanna will linger for some time in my recollections ... I highly recommend this novel and look forward to exploring more by Paulette Jiles." - Kelli R. (Birmingham, AL)
"I will be sending this as gifts to my friends. I love historical fiction and this period in time is a great one. The relationship between the Captain & Johanna is a wonderful one. What a gem!" - Pamela F. (Sun City West, AZ)
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2. First Impressions: Members Recommend
 Cruel Beautiful World by Caroline Leavitt Publisher: Algonquin Books
Publication Date: Oct 2016
Novel, 352 pages
Number of reader reviews: 23
Readers' consensus: 4.7/5.0
Members Say
"Caroline Leavitt's ability to bring complex characters to life in a way that touches the reader to the core is amazing! In Cruel Beautiful World, the reader is immediately absorbed by the main character, Lucy, and her life altering decisions. However, somewhere along the way, the secondary characters and their struggles become just as absorbing to the reader. I found myself completely immersed in each subplot as the novel progressed. This ability to engage the reader in such a complex way is the mark of a great novel! I will recommend Leavitt to all my fellow readers and can't wait to read her other novels! I highly recommend this jolting and heartfelt novel." - Melissa S. (Rowland, NC)
"I had no expectations when I started this book ...I was simply blown away that I couldn't put it down! ... I read this in one sitting...highly recommend!" - Jane H. (Prospect, KY)
"This book will be a great one for discussion for my book group. It is a book I have continued to think about after finishing it. The ending was just right." - Anna R. (Oak Ridge, TN)
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3. First Impressions: Members Recommend  North of Crazy by Neltje Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: Oct 2016
Memoir, 288 pages
Number of reader reviews: 25
Readers' consensus: 3.8/5.0
Members Say
"What is the difference between a memoir and an autobiography that reads like a novel? Whichever this is, memoir or autobiography, North is a fascinating book and reads like fiction...surely it must be fiction. No, truth once again trumps fiction. Neltje, daughter of the owner of Doubleday Publishing experiences abuse and criminal, shocking acts at a very young age. She lives in an environment similar to Gatsby. It is all hard to comprehend for a reader and astonishing that this person could turn out to be such a loving and productive figure in her later life. She abandons all of the East coast lifestyle and moves out west where her heart is captured by openness and freedom. A great book...don't miss it." - Alice W. (Sacramento, CA)
"She is someone I would really like to meet. Anyone who likes to see a woman find her place in life and become self sufficient will certainly enjoy reading this book and it would definitely make for good book club discussions." - Diana P. (Schulenburg, TX)
"An unusual book about a strong, sensitive and brilliant human being. Definitely worth the read, maybe a few times. As with her art, the book challenges it's reader to find how it fits into their own life. Bravo Neltje. Bravo." - Kate E. (Troy, NY)
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4. First Impressions: Members Recommend
 Darling Days by iO Tillett Wright Publisher: Ecco
Publication Date: Sep 2016
Memoir, 224 pages
Number of reader reviews: 11
Readers' consensus: 4.0/5.0
Members Say
"I chose this book because I viewed the "50 Shades of Gay" TED Talk by iO Tillet Wright. I was amazed by the story of her childhood. This book would appeal to readers who enjoyed The Glass Castle. Darling Days is memoir about a child that thrives in spite, not because, of her parents. What a strong voice she has, and what a tale she has for such a young woman. This book will also be a great pick for anybody interested in listening to a voice from the LGBT community. It is very timely with all the debate over the "gender neutral" bathroom facilities. This book would definitely give a book club plenty of topics for discussion!" - Elise B. (Macedonia, OH)
"This is a brilliant memoir, unlike any I've read in recent memory. It unfolds in 51 chapters, each a vivid snapshot of one incident or stage in the author's life from birth to the time she leaves her mother's home in her early twenties ... This book deserves a wide audience." - Jeanne B. (Albuquerque, NM)
"In light of the controversies swirling around LGBTQ issues, this book is a perfect read......please do so!" - Deb T. (Belpre, OH)
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 5. Author Interview |
 6. Published This Week Interested to know what notable books published this week? Click on any of the book jacket images to view info about the book on BookBrowse. More Coming Soon
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 7. Win This Book
 Charlatan by Kate Braithwaite
Published Sep 2016
300 pages
Enter the Giveaway
From the Jacket 1676. In a hovel in the center of Paris, the fortune-teller La Voisin holds a black mass, summoning the devil to help an unnamed client keep the love of the King of France, Louis XIV. Three years later, Athenais, Madame de Montespan, the King's glamorous mistress, is nearly forty. She has borne Louis seven children but now seethes with rage as he falls for eighteen-year-old Angelique de Fontanges. At the same time, police chief La Reynie and his young assistant Bezons have uncovered a network of fortune-tellers and poisoners operating in the city. Athenais does not know it, but she is about to be named as a favored client of the infamous La Voisin.
Reviews "I enjoyed it enormously...you brought The Affair flooding back to me with added excellent detail...It really is a remarkable achievement." - Anne Somerset, author The Affair of the Poisons: Murder, Infanticide, and Satanism at the Court of Louis XIV "This book kept me reading into the night...luxury and squalor, royal scandal and sorcery...how could it not?" - Fay Weldon, author The Life and Loves of a She-devil 3 people will each win a paperback copy of Charlatan. This giveaway is open to residents of the USA, UK, Canada, Australia & New Zealand only, unless you are a BookBrowse member, in which case you are eligible to win wherever you live. Enter the giveaway | Past Winners
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BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
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