April 2009

Books, Libraries, Travel, Very Valentine, Adriana Trigiani, Web/Tech

Book Club Girl Talks to Adriana Trigiani

VeryValentine hc c Set your clocks, add a reminder to your Outlook, just make sure you don't miss Book Club Girl's interview with Adriana Trigiani, tonight at 7 pm EST.  Set your reminder for the show here, and return to that same link to listen live. Remember, if you want to participate in the chat, be sure to register on Blog Talk Radio beforehand so you're not trying to do that as the show begins. (Click register at the top left of the screen). You can call and ask Adriana a question directly at (347) 945-6149. If you can't make the show, but have a question for Adriana, please email BookClubGirl@gmail.com.

To celebrate the show, 25 lucky people will receive a free copy of Very Valentine.  All you have to do is listen to the show tonight, and leave a comment here.  Easy, right? We will randomly select 25 winners from the entries received. No purchase necessary. The last entry will be accepted on Thursday, April 9th. Approximate retail value of each prize: $25.99. Estimated total prize value: $649.75. View rules here: Download Librarylovefest-blog-sweepstakes Leave a comment below for your chance to win!

-Kayleigh

Books, Current Affairs, Debbie Phelps, Michael Phelps, Family, Inspiration, Life Lessons, Memoir, Sports

Debbie Phelps’ Memoir Hits Shelves

9780061780011 In 2008, an astounding 157 million people watched The Beijing Olympics.  Many of them, myself included, watched in the hopes of seeing Michael Phelps break Mark Spitz' record.  But when Michael achieved the impossible with his record-shattering eight gold-medal wins, Debbie Phelps nearly stole the show. Few could forget the homage that Michael consistently paid to the one person most responsible for making it all possible: his mom. While Beijing will forever beremembered the world over, very few know the behind-the-scenes stories as lived by the members of Team Phelps—a roller-coaster ride full of dramatic ups and downs, heartbreaks, and disappointments, yet one guided to triumph by vision, courage, and tenacity. Now at last, in A Mother for All Seasons, we're given the untold story as lived by the mom on the team.  Check out this Associated Press story on A Mother for All Seasons, and Debbie's interview on the Today show. Be sure to let us know what you think of this buzz-worthy memoir!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

-Kayleigh

Books, Cecilia Ahern, Current Affairs, Ireland

Thanks for the Memories- On Sale Today!

ThanksForTheMemories hc c Over at The Roaring 20s I'm talking about Cecilia Ahern's latest novel, Thanks for the Memories, a heartwarming story of hope, love, and second chances—by far, Cecelia Ahern's most magical novel yet.  Library Journal writes: "Ahern has a knack for getting to the heart of human emotions–Joyce’s emotional pain is palpable, as is Justin’s longing for meaning in his life.” Booklist enthuses, "Ahern devotees will enjoy the magical connection that springs up between Joyce and Justin, and will keep turning the pages to find out if the two can make their way to a happy ending together." Head on over and check it out!

-Kayleigh

Books, Current Affairs, Family, Happiness, Inspiration, Libraries, Life Lessons

Start Where You Are

Do you ever have those moments where you allow your mind to wonder about life?  Do you think about where you are and where you are going?  Have you ever thought about a dream you once had, but allowed it to become a distant memory?  Start Where You Are gives realistic strategies on how to put a new spring in your step.

StartWhereYouAre hc cStart Where You Are: Life Lessons in the Pursuit of Happyness, written by Chris Gardner gives over forty lessons on how to not only make your dreams reality, but help you navigate on this crazy road we call “life”.  After each lesson there are “assignments” or exercises that you can do to fully understand that lesson and make it a part of your life. 

Start Where You Are, the follow up to his best-selling memoir The Pursuit of Happyness, answers the two questions he is asked more than any others…”How did you do it” and “How can I do it too?” Start Where You Are, on sale in May of 2009 gives us even more inspiration by showing us examples from Chris Gardner’s life experiences.

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Books, Farming, Libraries, Memoir, Michael Perry

Michael Perry Introduces His Latest Book, Coop

I'm thrilled to be debuting the first trailer for Michael Perry's upcoming book, Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs, and Parenting.  Coop follows Michael Perry, author of Truck: A Love Story and Population: 485, as he migrates to the country with his pregnant wife and daughter, attempting to reconnect with the earth, with neighbors, and with a deeper meaning for life.  Faced with thirty-seven acres of fallen fences and overgrown fields, and informed by his wife that she intends to deliver their baby at home, Perry plumbs his unorthodox childhood for clues to how to proceed as a farmer, a husband, and a father. 

Whether Perry is recalling his childhood ("I first perceived my father as a farmer the night he drove home with a giant lactating Holstein tethered to the bumper of his Ford Falcon") or what it's like to be bitten in the butt while wrestling a pig ("two firsts in one day"), Coop is filled with the humor his readers have come to expect.  Check out the video and let us know what you think!

-Kayleigh

Libraries

Library Love Fest Wants Your Pictures!

City-library-of-stockholm Today I came across this website, featuring photos of the most interesting libraries in the world.  Several nations are represented, including the US, Portugal, Sweden, and Australia.  Gorgeous, right?

We’re a curious bunch here at Harper Library, and we’d love to see what your library looks like.   Send us the best photo of your local library, and we’ll spotlight the Top 5 photos here.  Send your pictures to librarylovefest@harpercollins.com by next Friday, April 10th for your chance to be featured. 

-Kayleigh

Books, Libraries

A Book A Minute- Friday Edition

Today’s post is a bit longer than a minute but with good reason:  we’re touring the office of Bobby Brinson, Senior Manager of Library Marketing.  We thought you’d like to see what the glamorous world of publishing looks like (not!)  Our offices are no doubt just like yours: stacked with papers, books, and a ‘to do’ list a mile long.  So get a glimpse of Bobby’s office and then check out the book trailer for what he’s readingo: In The Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White. This is the incredible true story of being incarcerated in the most unlikely of places–the last leper colony in the continental United States.


Don’t forget, if you’d like to be part of our ‘Book-A-Minute’ video series, borrow a flip camera, press the ‘record’ button and tell us what you’re reading.  We’ll be happy to post your review (and no, it doesn’t have to be a Harper book.  I guess…)


-Virginia





Books, Libraries

A Book A Minute, Thursday Edition

In a minute or less we’ll tell you about the next sure-fire hit from HarperCollins.  Today’s review is from Jeanette Zwart, our Vice-President of Sales. JZ (as she likes to be called) loves a good literary read and today she’s talking about Right of Thirst by Frank Huyler.

And be sure to check out the video trailer for Right of Thirst.  Let us know what you think!

Books, Libraries

A Book A Minute, Wednesday edition

That’s what we’re calling our new video series featuring colleagues talking about the latest book they’re reading – in one minute or less! We told you this was going to be fun, quick and informative and we meant it.

You’ve already watched Kayleigh George speak from the heart about Blue Angel, the book that’s making her miss her bus stop.  Sit back for a minute (literally) and enjoy today’s book review by  Rachel Brenner, National Account Manager for Baker and Taylor and Target. Rachel is loving The Fixer Upper, the forthcoming book by in-house favorite, Mary Kay Andrews. 

Do you have a book you’d like to talk about? We’d love to hear from you. Send us your book review – in a minute or less – and we’ll post it on our blog (and no, it doesn’t have to be a Harper title!)

-Virginia

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