February 2010

As I write you today, snow is falling outside my window. There has been lots and lots of "the white stuff" this winter --- and it's been falling in places where snow usually does not pose that much of an issue, making life what I call "interesting." Last weekend I was in San Jose for a conference (more on that in a moment), and as I was leaving, flakes were flying in the New York area. Worried I would get stuck with nothing to do with a delayed flight, I packed a small carry-on bag with a change of clothes, two books and two sweater projects. I got on the plane for the first leg of my trip and fell asleep after breakfast. For the second leg, I was more productive between naps. We did some circling in Pennsylvania, waiting to land, which was quite amusing since there was a computer at the seat showing where we were flying, and we kept going in a circle. Luckily we only landed 20 minutes late, which was better than how some of my compadres fared, getting in as many as four days late!

I had been in California for the American Booksellers Association's Winter Institute, where 500 booksellers from across the country were in town to talk books, authors and upcoming trends. Lots of great conversations! I had the opportunity to visit stores in the area, including Kepler's, Books Inc, M is for Mystery and Hicklebee's. All are places that I had heard about for years, and it was nice to get a chance to shop and explore. What I like about indie stores is how each has its own personality. Isn't it funny how a reader can walk into a bookstore and immediately feel at home?

I also visited a few knitting shops since I am noodling an idea that would partner bookstores and yarn shops. I still am kicking the tires on this one. Critical to its success would be finding yarn shops that, like bookstores, cultivate a loyal community --- the kinds of places where people feel comfortable enough to spend some time and where the shoppers feel at home just as readers do in a bookstore. If you have a store like this that you know, can you drop me a note and copy [email protected]? More to come as this idea takes shape!

Our lineup here this month reads like we went down my shelves here at the house; here's a bit about just a few of them. We are sharing contests to win two books that have not yet been published --- Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok and The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees. I finished Girl in Translation before I left last week and loved Jean's Kimberly Chang character. Opening The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott brought back memories of the green Girl Scout tent that I used to have in my yard when I was a kid where I would read, and the summer I read Little Women in there. Now I had not thought about that tent in years and how I used to go there to write my own stories, but just seeing the words "Marmee" and remembering the March sisters brought a rush of memories. You can read more about both of these books below.

Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monninger is a love story set against a background of adventure with a determined young woman and the man who loves her, sharing a world where they are living life to the fullest while knowing they are on borrowed time. Little Bee by Chris Cleave is now available in paperback, giving book clubs who "wait for the paperback" the chance to get on their schedules this unflinching, well-told story of a Nigerian orphan and British couple.

If you, or your group, is looking for more ideas or contest books, I highly suggest you check out our Bookreporter.com site. I couldn't be happier with all the amazing titles we've been lucky enough to work with and give away to readers. Thus far in 2010, we've had Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman, One Amazing Thing by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and The Postmistress by Sarah Blake, which is getting rave reviews everywhere. Check out our feature on The Postmistress here. You can also sign up for that weekly newsletter here, if you don't already.

As promised, we have expanded our Coming Soon section on ReadingGroupGuides.com. We are listing books through August by on-sale date and hardcover or paperback format, giving book clubs that plan in advance plenty of opportunity to select titles for upcoming meetings. This section is constantly evolving, so be sure to check back frequently to see what has been added.

As we always like to share news about fun bookish events, I wanted to share some links to Kathy Patrick's Pulpwood Queens Girlfriend Weekend that was held in mid-January. From a post on Facebook and this terrific piece written by Ad Hudler for us, as well as the photos on Kathy's site, it's clear that this was a wonderful weekend. If you know of other events like this, with bookstores or organizations, do let us know so we might share them with our readers. We love to hear about ways books are celebrated like this.

Today’s snowstorm is keeping me from attending an event in the city where Sarah Blake, the author of The Postmistress, is speaking, which I am quite sad about missing. I do plan to be at Kristin Hannah’s reading...talk...signing for Winter Garden tomorrow evening. Both are books that would make for terrific book club discussions. I am planning to read Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez over the weekend. It’s the story of four women who visited Tawawa House, a resort in Ohio popular with slaveowners who brought their black enslaved mistresses there. It’s been getting a lot of attention and I want to see what all the buzz is about! And Dolen was one of our guest bloggers just a few days ago. Check out her piece here.

The snow is now falling harder, which means I just want to get a fire going in the fireplace and read on. Once it stops, I will attempt some cross-country skiing before the streets get plowed, but I have no interest right now in playing in swirling snow. I am marveling at the number of people strolling up and down the street even as the flakes fly. I want to invite them in and give them a book because, trust me, if you had a good book you would NOT be out walking in the snow for pleasure right now!

There's a lot of variety in our selections this month. I am betting you will find something that will call out to you to read in addition to your book club book. And while we are on that subject, answer our poll this month and let us know how many books you read beyond your "required title" for book group. Inquiring minds here want to know!

And on that note...read on....and enjoy.

Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])

We are celebrating the spring release of The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor McNees --- a deft mix of fact and fiction that imagines the love affair that inspired the story of Jo and Laurie in Little Women --- with a special contest. 100 readers will have the opportunity to each win one advance copy of The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott, which will be in stores on April 1st, for their group.

More about The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott:
Readers across generations have fallen in love with Little Women. But how could Louisa May Alcott --- who never had a romance --- write so convincingly of love and heartbreak without experiencing it herself? In The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott, Kelly O’Connor McNees deftly mixes fact and fiction as she imagines a love affair that would threaten Louisa’s writing career --- and inspire the story of Jo and Laurie in Little Women.

-Click here for the reading group guide.
 

We are celebrating the release of Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monninger --- a love story that unfolds along some of the world’s most famous rivers --- with a special contest. 50 readers will have the opportunity to each win one copy of Eternal on the Water, which will be in stores on February 16th, for their group.

More about Eternal on the Water:
From the day Cobb and Mary meet kayaking on Maine's Allagash River and fall deeply in love, the two approach life with the same sense of adventure they use to conquer the river's treacherous rapids. But rivers do not let go so easily...and neither does their love. So when Mary's life takes the cruelest turn, she vows to face those rough waters on her own terms and asks Cobb to promise, when the time comes, to help her return to their beloved river for one final journey.

Set against the rugged wilderness of Maine, the exotic islands of Indonesia, the sweeping panoramas of Yellowstone National Park, and the tranquil villages of rural New England, Eternal on the Water is at once heartbreaking and uplifting --- a timeless, beautifully rendered story of true love's power.

-Click here for the reading group guide.
 

Two women in the Rocky Mountains, one as old as the other is young, form an unlikely friendship --- one in which the deepest of hardships are shared and the darkest of secrets are confessed over the making of a quilt. Combining the raw brutality of gold mining with the comforts of home craftsmanship, Sandra Dallas has pieced together a novel that goes to the heart of the American experience. A journey through love and sorrow, forgiveness and redemption, Prayers for Sale is ultimately a revelation of the finest parts of the human spirit --- and a novel no reader will soon forget.

When reporter Ellen Gleeson gets a “Have You Seen This Child?” flyer in the mail, she almost throws it away. But something about it makes her look again, and her heart stops --- the child in the photo is identical to her adopted son, Will. Her adoption was lawful, but she’s a journalist and won’t be able to stop thinking about the photo until she figures out the truth. As she investigates, Ellen uncovers clues that no one was meant to discover, and when she digs too deep, she risks losing her own life --- and that of the son she loves.

THE HAPPINESS PROJECT: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun, by Gretchen Rubin

In this lively, compelling narrative written in the style of Julie and Julia and Eat, Pray, Love, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Gretchen Rubin chronicles her adventures during the 12 months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Filled with practical advice, sharp insight, charm, and humor, The Happiness Project manages to be illuminating yet entertaining, profound yet compulsively readable.

From the bestselling author of Moloka’i comes a rich, unforgettable story of a young “picture bride” who journeys to Hawaii in 1914 in search of a better life. After escaping her oppressive family and in Korea, Jin makes her way to a strange and beautiful small capital just as it’s beginning its maturity into the great multicultural city it is today. But paradise has its dark side, whether it’s the daily struggle for survival in Honolulu’s tenements, or a crime that will become the most infamous in the islands’ history. With passionate knowledge of people and places far off the tourist track, Honolulu is a spellbinding tale of four women in a new world, united by dreams, disappointment, sacrifices and friendship.
 

Our ReadingGroupGuides.com Blog continues to be a big hit among our readers. Throughout the month we are sharing postings from regular contributors --- including authors, librarians, book club facilitators, booksellers and experts in the publishing industry --- as well as special guests. The latest blog can be found here, and here are quick links to some recent posts:

-Overcoming Bookpickaphobia
-Variety is the Spice of Life
-Starting the Discussion: How do you break the ice?
-Starting the Discussion: Part 2
-Dolen Perkins-Valdez: Wench
-So Many Books, So Little Time
-Teaching an Old Book Club New Tricks
-Jacqueline Luckett: Searching for Tina Turner
-Best of Lists: New Favorites
-Best of Lists: Ongoing Favorites
-Best of Lists: Enduring Favorites
-Talking with Janice Y. K. Lee about The Piano Teacher - Part 1
-Talking with Janice Y. K. Lee about The Piano Teacher - Part 2
-Ad Hudler: Guy at a Girlfriend Weekend
-Book Clubs in the News

For those of you who use RSS feeds to keep track of your favorite blogs, you can now add the ReadingGroupGuides.com blog to your list by clicking the link on the blog page. Also, receive updates by email here.
 

The following guides are now available on ReadingGroupGuides.com:

Addition by Toni Jordan: Grace Lisa Vandenburg, the narrator of this pleasant neurotic-girl-meets-boy debut, is 35 years old and has been addicted to counting since she was eight, but begins rethinking her odd behavior after a chance encounter.
The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World by Jacqueline Novogratz: More than just an autobiography or a how-to guide to addressing poverty, The Blue Sweater is a call to action that challenges us to grant dignity to the poor and to rethink our engagement with the world.
Blue Water by A. Manette Ansay: From the New York Times bestselling author comes an unforgettable story of two families united by tragedy --- and one woman's deeply emotional journey toward a choice she'd never thought possible.
The Bread of Angels: A Journey to Love and Faith by Stephanie Saldaña: This unforgettable memoir celebrates the beauty of faith, the necessity of self-discovery and the possibility of true love.
Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monninger: Set against the rugged wilderness of Maine, the exotic islands of Indonesia, the sweeping panoramas of Yellowstone National Park, and the tranquil villages of rural New England, Eternal on the Water is at once heartbreaking and uplifting --- a timeless, beautifully rendered story of true love's power.
Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok: This inspiring debut centers on a young immigrant in America, a smart girl balancing schoolwork and factory labor, custom and desire, a girl who is forced at a young age to take responsibility for her family’s future, with decisions she may later regret.
Good Things I Wish You by A. Manette Ansay: The acclaimed author of Vinegar Hill returns with a story of two unlikely romances --- one historical, the other modern-day --- separated by thousands of miles and well over a century.
The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin: Rubin chronicles her adventures during the 12 months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier.
Honolulu by Alan Brennert: With passionate knowledge of people and places far off the tourist track, Honolulu is a spellbinding tale of four women in a new world, united by dreams, disappointment, sacrifices and friendship.
The Hungry Season by T. Greenwod: From the acclaimed author of Two Rivers comes The Hungry Season, a compelling and beautifully told story of hope, family and, above all, hunger --- for food, sex, love and success --- and for a way back to wholeness when a part of oneself has been lost forever.
Little Bee by Chris Cleave: The lives of an English traveler and a Nigerian girl collide in the aftermath of a horrible accident.
Look Again by Lisa Scottoline: A journalist’s world is upended when the boy on a missing child flyer looks suspiciously like her adopted son.
The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor McNees: McNees deftly mixes fact and fiction as she imagines a love affair that would threaten Louisa’s writing career --- and inspire the story of Jo and Laurie in Little Women.
Lowboy by John Wray: A mother desperately searches for her schizophrenic son as he embarks to change the world and stop global warming.
Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough by Lori Gottlieb: Suddenly finding herself 40 and single, Lori Gottlieb said the unthinkable in her March 2008 article in The Atlantic: Maybe she, and single women everywhere, needed to stop chasing the elusive Prince Charming and instead go for Mr. Good Enough.
The Memory Thief by Rachel Keener: When Angel sets fire to her childhood home, it isn’t the end --- it’s the beginning as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
One Good Dog by Susan Wilson: A disgraced man recovers from an embarrassing crime with the help of a dog trying to escape the pit fighting arena.
The Patience Stone: “Sang-e Saboor” written by Atiq Rahimi, translated from the French by Polly McLean: Winner of the Prix Goncourt, The Patience Stone captures with great courage and spare, poetic prose, the reality of everyday life for an intelligent woman under the oppressive weight of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
Postcards from a Dead Girl by Kirk Farber: Postcards from a Dead Girl is a touching, almost cinematic debut novel featuring the eccentric, slightly disturbed, and unique character Sid, who finds himself obsessed by the mysterious postcards that arrive in the mail from his missing ex-girlfriend.
The Spare Room by Helen Garner: In her first novel in 15 years, Helen Garner writes about the joys and limits of female friendship under the transforming pressure of illness.
Tales from the Zirzameen by Brian Hanson Appleton aka Rasool Aryadust: Tales from the Zirzameen is a nonfiction collection of short stories in chronological order about the author's experiences in Iran before, during and after the revolution in 1979.
The Three Weissmanns of Westport by Cathleen Schine: Overtones of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility underscore this story of an estranged wife bonding with her children in the seaside town of Westport, MA.
The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar: Filled with satisfying real characters and glowing with local color, The Weight of Heaven is a rare glimpse of a family and a country struggling under pressures beyond their control.
The Wife’s Tale by Lori Lansens: On the eve of their Silver Anniversary, Mary Gooch’s husband disappears. Mary begins a desperate search, and is forced to finally confront personal demons and secrets that have haunted her.
The Women by T.C. Boyle: Bestselling author T.C. Boyle examines the life of celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright and his relationships with a few very different women.
The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey: A family's future is in the hands of one very brave young Irishwoman in this debut set between World War I and the growing violence of the Irish war of independence.

Please note that these titles, for which we already had the guides when they appeared in hardcover, are now available in paperback:

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese: An epic novel that spans continents and generations, Cutting for Stone is an unforgettable story of love and betrayal, compassion and redemption, exile and home that unfolds across five decades in India, Ethiopia and America.
Pictures at an Exhibiton by Sara Houghteling: Set in a Paris darkened by World War II, Sara Houghteling’s sweeping and sensuous debut novel tells the story of a son’s quest to recover his family’s lost masterpieces, looted by the Nazis during the occupation.
Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas: A journey through love and sorrow, forgiveness and redemption, Prayers for Sale is ultimately a revelation of the finest parts of the human spirit --- and a novel no reader will soon forget.
The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly: Forced out of the Los Angeles Times amid the latest budget cuts, newspaperman Jack McEvoy decides to go out with a bang, using his final days at the paper to write the definitive murder story of his career.

The following new guides are now available for Christian book groups:

A Distant Melody: Wings of Glory, Book One by Sarah Sundin: Walt and Allie meet at a wedding and instantly connect, setting in motion a relationship that unfolds through letters between Walt’s bomber base in England during World War II and Allie’s palatial mansion.
Listen by Rene Gutteridge: Nothing ever happens in the small town of Marlo…until the residents begin seeing their private conversations posted online for everyone to read.
The Promise of Morning: At Home in Beldon Grove, Book 2 by Ann Shorey: Ellie Craig grieves the loss of three infant children, and when long-hidden secrets are brought to light, she must find a way to contact the family of her long-lost father while her husband, Matthew, loses grasp of his church.
Scattered Petals: Texas Dreams, Book 2 by Amanda Cabot: Longing for adventure, Priscilla Morton leaves Boston and heads for Texas, never dreaming that the adventure she seeks will leave her badly injured and her parents dead nor that she’ll begin the healing process with a handsome cowboy.

 

Aside from the books that you read for your group, how many books do you read each month?

1
2-3
4-5
6-7
8-10
More than 10
None
Not sure
I am not in a book club.