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- 14 February 2012
'The House I Loved' by Tatiana de Rosnay
The author of 'Sarah's Key' takes on Haussman-era Paris, where one woman fights to preserve her home—and the history of her city. Rosnay is exceptional when it comes to writing about French history, and 1860s Paris is a fascinating world that doesn't get much page time in historical fiction.
- 1 March 2012
'The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin'
Journalist Masha Gessen fearlessly takes on the life of Vladimir Putin, the autocratic Russian leader who has hijacked his country and its nominal democracy. Big hit at the Frankfurt Book Fair; there are concerns about Gessen's safety once the book has been published. (Riverhead)
- 13 March 2012
'Arcadia' by Lauren Groff
Groff's playful debut, THE MONSTERS OF TEMPLETON, marked her as an author to watch, and we've been waiting to see what she'll do next. Answer: write a coming-of-age story set in a 1960s commune. Might sound trite, but Groff is one of the most imaginative young writers working these days, and we think her spin on this will be something special. (HMH)
- 27 March 2012
'The Unruly Passions of Eugénie R.' by Carole DeSanti
DeSanti is an editor for Viking who has worked with authors like Tracy Chevalier, Beverly Swerling and Deborah Harkness; now she's taking on the novel directly in this sweeping historical saga set during France's Second Empire, just before the Franco-Prussian war.
'The New Republic' by Lionel Shriver
I'm something of a Shriver evangelist, so I couldn't be more pleased to hear that while she's putting the finishing touches on her current project*, a novel she wrote in 1998 will finally see the light of day. Seems that publishing three bestsellers in a row gives you a little more leeway when it comes to choosing difficult material as your subject.
Shriver says The New Republic deals with terrorism "on a peninsula in Portugal which doesn’t exist—I drew it onto the map. I wrote it in 1998 and at that time I had trouble getting American publishers interested in the manuscript. . . . Now in some ways the US cares too much about terrorism and for a long time I felt it would be wrong to publish something that has a sense of humour about the issue. Enough time has gone by for a droll novel to be well received."
- 3 April 2012
'The Beginner's Goodbye' by Anne Tyler
The Beginner's Goodbye is the story of Aaron, a man who loses his wife suddenly when a tree falls on their house.
Aaron and Dorothy's marriage had been affectionate but not particularly passionate, yet once she is gone he finds himself surprisingly adrift—and continues to see his dead wife everywhere he goes. . Can he figure out a way to say goodbye? (Knopf)
- 10 April 2012
'The Cove' by Ron Rash
Ecco's lead title for spring "captures the wondrous beauty of nature and love and the darkness of superstition and fear in this atmospheric and exquisitely rendered novel set in Appalachia during World War I." (Another for my WWI list!) The catalog also promises that it is "as mesmerizing as the brilliant Serena," which is saying something—if you like memorable heroines, 2008's Serena is a novel that is not to be missed. As reviewer Kristy Kiernan put it in BookPage, Serena "has all the markings of a career-making novel, and should firmly establish poet and novelist Rash as a literary star."
- 24 April 2012
'Farther Away: Essays' by Jonathan Franzen
This is a collection of Franzen's essays and speeches over the past five years, exploring themes of literary rivalry, environmental concern and more. (FSG)
- 1 May 2012
'The Newlyweds' by Nell Freudenberger
No, it's not based on the show starring Nick & Jessica. Literary luminary Freudenberger (she was one of the New Yorker's best 20 under 40) follows her impressive debut novel THE DISSIDENTS with a story of a couple who meet online, marry, and then uncover each other's secrets. A modern take on star-crossed romance.
'Are You My Mother?' by Alison Bechdel
This second graphic memoir from Bechdel—whose FUN HOME was a bestseller that made it onto countless best books lists upon its release in 2006—focuses on her brilliant but distant mother, whose life was both an inspiration and a cautionary tale to her equally talented daughter.
'Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake' by Anna Quindlen
Recently, Anna Quindlen has been focusing on fiction—but readers are sure to rejoice when they hear that the former Newsweek and New York Times columnist will be contemplating life once again this May in Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake (Random House).
- 8 May 2012
'In One Person' by John Irving
This new novel explores the life of a 60-year-old bisexual man and is told in the first person—Irving’s first novel from that point of view since A Prayer for Owen Meany. It's also his first with S&S after leaving longtime publisher Random House.
'Home' by Toni Morrison
The works of Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison go beyond thought-provoking to what could better be called thought-demanding, with their lush prose, deep themes and occasional touches of magic or mysticism. But that's just what readers and critics appreciate about Morrison, who is one of America's most treasured writers. Her next novel, Home, will be published by Knopf on May 8. It's the story of a Korean War veteran who returns to small-town Georgia, disappointed in its racist culture and trying to help his emotionally unstable sister while still recovering from the physical and emotional aftereffects of war.
- 15 May 2012
'The Chemistry of Tears' by Peter Carey
This “portrait of love and loss” from the two-time Booker Prize winner is told from the point of view of a museum curator who throws herself into her job when her secret lover dies suddenly. She finds a 19th-century automaton in a box along with its creator’s diary, and becomes obsessed with uncovering its secrets and its history. (Knopf)
- 22 May 2012
'Canada' by Richard Ford
The first novel in more than five years from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Ford is narrated by 15-year-old Dell Parsons, who flees his Montana home after his parents are arrested for robbing a bank. He ends up on the plains of southern Saskatchewan, taken in by a “charismatic” American who is more sinister than he appears. (Harper)
- 12 June 2012
'Heading Out to Wonderful' by Robert Goolrick
(Algonquin) The author of the smash hit A RELIABLE WIFE returns. This time, the setting is 1948 Virginia, and a mysterious man rolls into town with only two suitcases to his name. But it's when he becomes involved with the wife of the richest man in town that things really get complicated.
'The Red House' by Mark Haddon
An dazzlingly inventive novel about modern family, from the author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. (Doubleday)
'Beautiful Ruins' by Jess Walter
Jess Walter's latest is a little lighter than his last two novels—it deals with Hollywood and unrequited love rather than the aftermath of 9/11 or the implications of our financial crisis. The action begins on the coast of Italy in 1962, where a young man glimpses a beautiful actress and falls in love. Fifty years later, he heads to Hollywood to find her. (Harper)
- 19 June 2012
'Mrs Robinson's Disgrace' by Kate Summerscale
From the author of the bestseller THE SUSPICIONS OF MR WHICHER comes another investigation of a famous case that shook the foundations of middle-class Victorian life. This time, it's a divorce scandal. (Walker)
- 10 July 2012
'Gold' by Chris Cleave
We can't wait for Chris Cleave's take on the friendship between two female athletes who, on the eve of the Olympics, must make a choice between their personal and professional goals. (S&S)
- 24 July 2012
'Broken Harbor' by Tana French
From the publisher: In Broken Harbour, a ghost estate outside Dublin - half-built, half-inhabited, half-abandoned - two children and their father are dead. The mother is on her way to intensive care. Scorcher Kennedy is given the case because he is the Murder squad's star detective. At first he and his rookie partner, Richie, think this is a simple one: Pat Spain was a casualty of the recession, so he killed his children, tried to kill his wife Jenny, and finished off with himself. But there are too many inexplicable details and the evidence is pointing in two directions at once. (Viking)
- 31 July 2012
'Where We Belong' by Emily Giffin
A successful TV producer in her 30s sees her life come crashing down when the child she gave up for adoption 18 years ago comes knocking on her door.
- 21 August 2012
'The Devil in Silver' by Victor LaValle
The author of BookPage favorite 'Big Machine' returns with a gripping haunted house story.
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Category Archives: guest posts
Romance: A real, feel-good read
guest post by Larissa Ione Okay, single ladies, raise your hand if you’ve ever seen that tiresome criticism that goes something like this: Single women who read romances will develop unrealistic expectations of men. Ha! And again, ha! Reading romance … Continue reading
The long road to a book deal
So many readers are would-be authors, and many of us are curious about the publication process. How do people with day jobs manage to write an entire book? What is it like for them emotionally while they attempt to find … Continue reading
A Caldecott for Daisy
Last week, author-illustrator Chris Raschka won the 2012 Caldecott Medal—the children’s book equivalent of an Oscar—for his touching picture book, A Ball for Daisy. Which made us wonder: What was it about this particular book that led the awards committee … Continue reading
Five things you didn’t know about your DNA
guest post by Megan Smolenyak, author of Hey America, Your Roots Are Showing! Mention DNA and many instantly think of crime shows and medical dramas, but did you know it can also tell you about your past? As an incurable … Continue reading
Writing the series character
guest post by Jaden Terrell Readers never tire of reading about their favorite characters. Sherlock Holmes’ fans were so insatiable that his author killed him off and was forced to resurrect him through a series of prequels. When I started my … Continue reading
Best books for boosting willpower
‘Tis the season for New Year’s Resolutions — time to take stock of your life and make plans for the future. As you take steps toward your goals, the right book can be an invaluable source of insight and encouragement. … Continue reading
Behind the interview: Adam Johnson
Happy New Year! One of the lead stories in our January issue is an interview with novelist Adam Johnson, whose new book set in North Korea became even more topical after the sudden death of the “Dear Leader” whose regime … Continue reading
Mystery and suspense—just another day on the job
Dennis Palumbo is a former Hollywood screenwriter-turned-psychotherapist. He’s also the author of the Daniel Rinaldi mystery series, about a psychologist who has a knack for solving murder cases. Book one in the series, Mirror Image, came out a year ago, … Continue reading
A self-published author lives the dream
A former real estate agent in a small town near Nashville, D.B. (Debbie) Henson had dreamed of becoming an author since she was a girl. When she wrote her first novel, a murder mystery, her husband read the manuscript and … Continue reading
An author’s take on the Southern Festival
Now that you’ve heard about our interviews, the parties and the panels, it’s time for a look at the Southern Festival of Books from an author’s point of view. Panelist Sandra Brannan was a first-time author attendee, in town to … Continue reading
Trailer Tuesday: ‘Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow’
Daniel Nayeri’s innovative collection of novellas for teens, Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow — written entirely on an iPhone — will be published by Candlewick Press on October 25. A native of Iran who has worked as an … Continue reading
A writer’s look at the mystery convention
guest post by Leslie Budewitz “My wife is going to a mystery convention,” my husband told a friend. The confused reply: “She doesn’t know where she’s going, or what it’s about?” It’s about books. And it could be almost any … Continue reading
Top 5 literary affairs that are so, so wrong
guest post by Rebecca Coleman author of The Kingdom of Childhood Highbrow or lowbrow, blockbuster or art film, it’s hard not to love a good love story—especially one in which the obstacles to happily-ever-after seem (almost) insurmountable. But there’s one … Continue reading
Laura Caldwell on aging Izzy McNeil
From earthquakes to hurricanes, it seems like weather has been on everyone’s mind lately. Here in Nashville, it has literally gone from 100° and sunny to a chilly mid-60s in a matter of days. In a guest post for The … Continue reading