February 2010

31 Bond Street, Ellen Horan, Historical Fiction, New York

31 Bond Street

February 25, 2010

Now that I've been living in Manhattan for almost three years, I've become fixated on literature that brings the city to life, whether it's historical fiction, social science, or classic novels. So it should come as no surprise that I've been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Ellen Horan's debut novel, 31 Bond Street. 31 Bond Street is a real-life location in Manhattan's Nolita, and if you happen to make the trip down there, you'll be sure to see coffee shops, boutiques, condo developments, and high-rises. Reading about the neighborhood as it was in 1857–carriages, corsets, brand-new townhouses, dirt roads–is pretty incredible. And the story itself, of a New York society dentist and his brutal murder, is salacious–even by 2010 standards. Check out the book trailer below, and be sure to click through the catalog page for more information on this title.

Happy Reading!

-Kayleigh

Bite Me, Christopher Moore, Vampires

Christopher Moore: Bite Me!

February 24, 2010

Here's a letter from the wild and crazy Christopher Moore. Enjoy!

-Virginia

————————————————————-

Hey kids,

Christopher Moore, Author Guy here.

Just a couple of news items.

First, Fool comes out in paperback today, so for those of you who have been holding off, go for it. For those of you who want to have a hardcover for your collection, you should probably grab one soon.

Second, I have a new book, Bite Me: A Love Story coming out on March 23rd and I’ll be doing a national tour as well as four Canadian dates, the first time I’ve been back to the Great White North in ten years.

Full details for the tour (as well as a few FAQs) are here. There are a few ticketed events, so be sure to call ahead to those venues if you plan to attend.

Before you go, “Wait, why aren’t you coming to East Pisspants, South Dakota where I live? I want a signed book!” Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego will be taking orders for signed books and shipping them all over the country, we may even be able to personalize them. I suspect that Canadians need not apply. The link is here.

The ordering link goes live March 1st. Be sure to get your orders in early so they’ll be sure to have enough books for me to sign when I get there.

Hope to see you along the road.

Your pal,

Chris

Visit Chris Moore at http://www.chrismoore.com/

Or read his blog at http://blog.chrismoore.com/

On Facebook http://www.facebook.com/theauthorguy
and Twitter http://twitter.com/theauthorguy

American Library Association, Books, Collection Development, HarperCollins Publishers, Libraries, Marilyn Johnson, This Book is Overdue!

This Book is Overdue Continues to Soar!

February 24, 2010

We at Harper Library are so excited about the buzz continuing to surround This Book is Overdue: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All by Marilyn Johnson. Check out this wonderful article featured on Salon.com that gives a great “shout-out” to the book. The article also features an interview with Marilyn Johnson, where she talks about her motivation to write This Book is Overdue!

I will send free copies of This Book is Overdue to the 10 lucky people who send us a comment or an email at librarylovefest at harpercollins dot com. If you would be so kind as to send a brief review of the book, I would greatly appreciate it!

Enjoy!

-Bobby

Books, Collection Development, Harper Perennial, Rupert Brooke, The Great Lover

Collection Development Alert!

February 17, 2010

Consider yourself warned: The Great Lover is the best piece of literary fiction I've read this year. Sure, it's only February, but it's still a pretty weighty compliment coming from me (I am notoriously picky). The Great Lover is the fictional account of a few years in the life of English poet Rupert Brooke: a charismatic and complex historical figure with an equally complicated love life. Interwoven with Brooke's narration are letters, quotes, and poetry, as well as the distinct voice of Nell Golightly, the housemaid who falls reluctantly–but viscerally–in love with Brooke. For more information on the book, as well as my full review, click here.

-Kayleigh

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith, Books, Brave New World, English 101

English 101: The Modern Classics Book Club

February 5, 2010

Over on The Roaring 20s we've talked a lot about classic novels you love to hate (Melville and Steinbeck were the winners). So, in an attempt to avoid being a Negative Nancy, all this year I'm reading–and gushing about– modern classics. Erica (The Olive Reader) and I have started a book club specifically for this purpose, which we have named English 101. Each month this year we'll be reading a different paperback and discussing the book on our blogs and Twitter (hashtag #english101). January was devoted to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (here's Erica's review, and mine) and this month we're reading one of my personal favorites: Aldous Huxely's Brave New World. Interested in joining us? You don't have to be a 20something! Click here for the full schedule.

Happy Friday!

-Kayleigh