Who doesn't love true tales of glamourous movie stars? And who better to tell those tales than another glamourous movie star? Frank Langella has certainly led a unique and interesting life, and in his new book, Dropped Names, he gives you a peak into his world of experiences. Watch the video for a little tete-a-tete with Matt Lauer and then go snag the book for more engaging stories.
– Annie
Heaps going on over at Hyperion as they put out some pretty great titles. Let's see what the buzz is shall we?
The House of Velvet and Glass by Katherine Howe – from the author of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane, comes another winner. I really enjoyed this tale of Sybil, a borderline spinster with a special talent, who is still reeling from the death of her beloved sister and mother aboard the Titanic. Set in Boston, Howe's book masterfully weaves together romance, mystery and an element of the mystical all in a very lush period setting.
Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson – a "moving and authentic" (Publishers Weekly) memoir that explores how, in the wake of a near fatal plane crash, the author comes to embrace, more than ever before, the power of love, motherhood, community, faith, and the simple joys of everyday life. Check out the STARRED review over on the PW site.
My Extraordinary Ordinary Life by Sissy Spacek – Another STARRED PW review that states the superstar's memoir is “[A] warm narrative…Like a folk song, Spacek’s storytelling is tender and unhurried.”
One Shot at Forever by Chris Ballard – “This story has obvious parallels to the classic basketball film Hoosiers and in Ballard’s capable hands evokes similar themes of inspiration, camaraderie and the pressure of the once-in-a-lifetime moments…[T]his is first and foremost a sports book, and the core is the dramatic state tournament games that are played out in such detail that it is as if you are sitting in the bleachers with nearly all of the 1,200 residents of Macon. Ballard holds the story of the team together with his conversational prose and boosts the story’s poignancy with a touching conclusion that demonstrates the importance of high school sports and hometown heroes while asking, if not answering, the question of how much “one game,” win or lose, can change a life.” – Publishers Weekly
– Annie
Hello, lovelies! Nothing pleases me more than hearing from a librarian that (s)he loved a book I've sent. So this week was off to a good start when I received this rave review email from Eleanor Bukowsky of the Midwood Branch of Brooklyn Public about Jacqueline Winspear's Elegy for Eddie…
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"I have to put everything right."
In the prologue of Jacqueline Winspear's Elegy for Eddie, sixteen-year-old Maudie Pettit gives birth to a baby boy in the stalls of Starlings Brewery, where she is employed as a cleaner. Maudie, who was born in a workhouse, has additional jobs in a pickle and paper factory; she is determined to provide a better life for her child than she had. As he grows into a man, Maudie's son, whom she names Eddie, develops an almost mystical ability to calm agitated horses.
Forty-six years after Eddie's birth, five costermongers approach private inquiry agent, Maisie Dobbs, whom they knew when she was a little girl. The men are convinced that Eddie, who died in what appears to have been a tragic accident in a paper factory in Lambeth, was actually murdered. Maisie is incredulous, since everyone liked Eddie; most people thought of him as a gentle soul with a special gift for settling restless horses. Partly to help Maudie learn the truth and also to satisfy herself, Maudie decides to look into Eddie's death.
Elegy for Eddie is another well-crafted novel from the gifted Winspear. With the help of her trusted assistant, Billy Beale, Maisie questions Eddie's relatives and acquaintances and reconstructs the victim's final weeks of life. She eventually learns some surprising things about Eddie, whom everyone considered to be "a little slow." Maisie suspects that Eddie was "a pawn in a bigger game; a game he was not equipped to comprehend." Her investigation occurs against the backdrop of Hitler's rise to power; Maisie's reluctance to make a commitment to her lover, Viscount James Compton; her discomfort with her inherited wealth; and a disconcerting realization that her eagerness to help others can sometimes come across as overbearing and intrusive. This is an engrossing, atmospheric, and moving book about an inimitable heroine who is clever, independent, brave, compassionate, and increasingly aware that she has difficult and painful decisions to make concerning her future.
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Thank you, Eleanor, for your input and don't forget to tune into #Maisie month on Twitter. The conversation concludes this Friday, March 30 at 3PM EST with the wonderful Jacqueline Winspear herself!
– Annie
Oh PLA, how do I love thee?
1) Wonderfully engaged librarians!
2) AAP Author Panels
3) This lovely fella
4) Nancy Pearl Book Buzz
5) MEETING BETTY WHITE! (OMG crazy awesome life moment!).
It was great to meet so many of you and I loved chatting about some of our fave titles:
1) Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
2) Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes
3) Never Tell by Alafair Burke
4) With My Body by Nikki Gemmell
5) The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay
Be sure to check out all our pictures on Flickr!
– Annie
By now you’ve probably seen all of the rave STARRED reviews The Cove by Ron Rash, the New York Times bestselling author of Serena. In The Cove, Rash returns to Appalachia following WWI to tell the story of a German prisoner who escapes an internment camp in North Carolina and the woman who saves his life.
Check out the reviews and then check out the book!
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“Lonely young woman meets mysterious stranger. What might have been trite and formulaic is anything but in Rash’s fifth novel, a dark tale of Appalachian superstition and jingoism so good it gives you chills… Even better than the bestselling Serena (2008), for here Rash has elevated melodrama to tragedy.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“The gripping plot, gothic atmosphere, and striking descriptions, in particular of the dismal cove, make this a top-notch story of an unusual place and its fated and fearful denizens.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Rash effortlessly summons the rugged Appalachian landscape as well as the small-mindedness and xenophobia of a country in the grip of patriotic fervor, drawing striking parallels to the heated political rhetoric of today. A powerful novel that skillfully overlays its tragic love story with pointed social commentary.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Rash develops his story masterfully; the large cast of characters is superbly realized, as is the xenophobia that accompanies the war, and Rash brings the various narrative threads together at the conclusion of the novel with formidable strength and pathos.” — Library Journal (starred review)
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Be one of the first 10 people to comment and we’ll send a copy of the book to you!
-Virginia
Raise your hands if you love Maisie Dobbs? 1, 2, 3…..45*,302,3u1 – that's what I thought. Well March is your month, my friends, as I am sure you are aware. Starting tomorrow, Twitter is going to have weekly chats with various members of the Maisie family, including author extraordinaire herself, Jacqueline Winspear. Just follow the conversation with #Maisie.
- Nancy Pearl, Thursday, March 8th at 1pm EST
- Jennifer Barth, Friday, March 16th at 3pm EST
- Elaine Petrocelli, Friday, March 23 at 3pm EST
- Jacqueline Winspear, Friday, March 30 at 3pm EST
It all culminates on March 27th when Elegy for Eddie, the latest and most personal Maisie Dobbs mystery hits shelves. So tune in, and be sure to check out Jacqueline's Facebook page for more events and giveaways!
Maybe Elegy for Eddie can become a favorite read-aloud book?
– Annie
It's finally here, and we could not be more thrilled. After what feels like years of anticipation (and was, in fact, at least a year of it in-house), Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles hits shelves today! At this point, I'll do myself more trouble than good to wax ecstatic again, so let's take a look at the completely unbiased raves.
Check out Kayleigh's culling of quality clips for The Song of Achilles…
Ok, by this time, if you are not familiar with Madeline Miller's debut novel, The Song of Achilles, you clearly have not been reading this blog. We are certainly fans, as are Library Journal and PW who gave it starred reviews, and a few other people you might be familiar with. Well now everyone can become a fan because it goes on sale Tuesday, March 6th!
Click through for a list of events that Madeline Miller will be doing, and if she is near you I strongly suggest going because she is so lovely and incredibly interesting and smart and will be very happy to see you!
…
Sing Out, Sing Out: Song of Achilles is Almost Here!Read More »
At PLA (which is quickly approaching!), the indefatigable Nancy Pearl will host a book buzz with some rock star library marketing folks, including our very own Virginia Stanley.
Wednesday, March 14
10:30 AM–12:00 PM
Pennsylvania Convention Center–Grand Ballroom B
It will highlight some of the best upcoming books for adults from across the publishing industry, so do not miss out! Click through to print the handout with the titles Virginia will be presenting.
Found this friendly scene on my desk when I came back from lunch…3 guesses who left me the fruit salutations?
Hint: She really likes silly hats.
Happy Weekend!
– Annie
Jacqueline Winspear is bringing us another stellar Maisie Dobbs mystery; Elegy for Eddie, goes on sale March 27 and we are celebrating with some excellent Twitter conversations for the entire month leading up to it. Simply mark your calendars, follow #maisie and start chatting with:
For more details visit:
www.facebook.com/jacquelinewinspear
www.maisiedobbs.com
– Annie
