Hope you all have a very happy Labor Day weekend and enjoy the last of the summer days. Don't forget to bring a book to the beach/bbq/in my case, wedding where you will be hanging out, and then let us know what you are reading.
An additional perk would be if you got in your last minute votes for LibraryReads (due September 1) for their October list. Best idea ever? I think so!
Whatever you do, have a happy and safe holiday weekend!
– Annie
Are you feeling dangerous? You might not consider books and the act of reading as traditionally dangerous, but the books you read (or don't read) can definitely have a lasting effect on how you live your life. In The Year of Reading Dangerously, author Andy Miller recounts the entire year he spent reading fifty-two books—books he had started and never finished, or lied about reading in the first place, books that are great and others that are downright terrible—that ultimately turned into a year of discovery, soul-searching, and celebrating the miracle of the book and the power of reading.
“A delightfully irreverent account of reading 50 classic books…. Often very funny….His thesis is universal…we can all be enriched by losing ourselves among the bookshelves.” — Daily Telegraph (London)
“[A] readable, often funny account…. It’s not so much the content of the books that brings rewards, but the process of reading them and the thought this inspires.”— The Independent (London)
Begin your own year of rediscovering the beauty of reading now! The first 10 people to email us at librarylovefest@harpercollins.com will receive a The Year of Reading Dangerously galley to help them start on their next great literary adventure.
-Amanda
Set in a small coastal town in North Carolina during the waning years of the American Revolutionary War, The Story of Land and Sea is a debut novel that follows three generations of a family – fathers and daughters, mother and son, white and slave – whose members search for redemption amidst war, kidnapping, slavery, and violence.
It is a beautifully written book and Barbara's questions really cut to the heart of what motivates and defines the characters. Katy is a very smart and insightful woman and I would highly recommend checking out all the clips for some fantastic behind the scenes thoughts. However, for you busy folks out there, here are some snippets.
Is loss so prevalent because it is a factor of the times, or just a factor of life?
Thoughts on Structure and Language:
Based on 15 years of experience as a private college counselor, Early Decision is Lacy Crawford's debut novel that follows Anne as she helps five seniors craft the perfect essay, get into elite colleges, and appease their parents obsessive need to succeed.
The paperback goes on sale today, so snag yourself a copy. For now, welcome Lacy to LLF!
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The library in my elementary school was sunken, a blocky, 1960s room reached via a set of steps that went down right after the door to the nurse’s office. This was in Illinois, where everything was flat. To be interesting, a thing had to rise: churches, barns, thunderheads. The library felt deadly. Shelves covered every wall and stopped near the ceiling, where a series of windows showed a strip of sky.
Use of the library was structured. Teachers led us down those stairs and back up again. We’d peek into the nurse’s office to see if there was anyone lying on the bed or throwing up or—as happened sometimes—getting an allergy shot.
But one day childcare required that I be picked up late, and the school sent me to the library to read by myself. I huddled in one corner, where Roald Dahl’s books were tucked on the bottom shelf, and where I found an unloved volume, almost new: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (and six more).
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Guest Blogger: Lacy Crawford, author of Early DecisionRead More »
The on-sale date for The Monogram Murders, the first Hercule Poirot mystery after Agatha Christie's death sanctioned by her estate, is fast approaching, and the new novel by mystery writer extraordinaire Sophie Hannah has already gotten some rave reviews, including a starred review from Library Journal:
"Almost 40 years after Agatha Christie's final Hercule Poirot mystery, Hannah…has recreated the sleuth's voice and character as true to the original as anyone could. The egotistical little Belgian, interested in his 'order and methods' and employing the 'little grey cells' is back…. [F]ans of all formats of Agatha Christie and Poirot…will delight in this new foray into the Christie canon."
Not only are the review stars shining on her, but Sophie Hannah also stopped by our offices to star in her own video to share her love of libraries.
Hercule Poirot fans and library lovers unite! Don't miss this continuation of the literary legend, on sale September 9th.
-Amanda
For all you fans who nominated Rooms by Lauren Oliver a LibraryReads pick (!!!), here is a helpful discussion guide to get conversation started.
There is a lot to talk about in this novel, familial relationships, forced companion relationships, secrets, hidden objects, GHOSTS! – and the lives of the living and the dead intersect in very surprising ways.
I'm a fan, and if you haven't read it, I highly recommend you downloading an egalley on Edelweiss.
– Annie
Ilona Andrews, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Kate Daniels and The Edge series, comes to HarperCollins with Burn for Me, the first book in a new romantic urban fantasy series featuring action-packed fights, awe-inspiring magic, and toe-curling romance.
Nevada Baylor runs her family’s investigation business, specializing in tracking down insurance fraud and cheating spouses. Her gift of sensing lies—along with her no-holds-barred attitude—makes her especially adept at closing cases. But when the larger firm that owns the Baylor Investigative Agency forces her to accept a particularly dangerous case, Nevada finds herself drawn into the machinations of Houston’s most powerful families and needs some additional muscle to help her survive the coming fight. Enter, the extremely powerful (and sexy) ex-military super soldier Connor “Mad” Rogan, who can level an entire city and smolder like you wouldn’t believe. Together, Nevada and Rogan race to capture the fire-wielding son of a powerful family gone rogue and save the city from the imminent conflagration.
I loved the sometimes hostile, sometimes sizzling repartee between Nevada and Rogan and the promise of more delectable encounters throughout the series. But the magic and world-building are as equally intriguing as the romance. Nevada is a great heroine: she’s independent, kicks serious butt, can stand up to the overwhelming Rogan, and is only just beginning to uncover the full potential of her unique magic. The series is sure to be just as sexy and thrilling as readers have come to expect from Ilona Andrews, and I can’t wait to discover what the husband and wife writing team has in store for Nevada.
Get a jump start on this fantastic new series by downloading a Burn for Me egalley on Edelweiss today.
-Amanda
David Nicholls, author of mega-hit, One Day, and (soon to be mega-hit?) Us sat down with Library Journal's Barbara Hoffert to discuss his new book. It is one of Virginia's faves, and it tells the story of Douglas and Connie, a long-married couple whose marriage is in trouble and the epic road trip embarked on to save it.
Click on the clips below or visit our YouTube page to watch the whole interview. You can also snag an egalley on Edelweiss.
Why did you tell the story from Douglas’s perspective?
Is it fair to call this a novel about a failing marriage that is really a novel about love?
Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy by Karen Abbott reveals the never-before-told story of four real-life women who risked everything to take on a life of espionage during the Civil War. The author stopped by our offices to share more about the four women and the background behind her book.
It's also gotten some great reviews:
“Gripping… a remarkable story of passion, strength, and resilience.”
— Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
“Karen Abbott’s powerful narrative is first rate American history about a fascinating, little-known chapter of the Civil War, as well as a compulsive, thrilling saga of espionage. Brilliant storytelling, highly accessible, and impossible to put down.”
— Gilbert King, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Devil in the Grove
“With this book, Karen Abbott declares herself the John le Carré of Civil War espionage–with the added benefit that the saga she tells is all true and beautifully researched.”
— Erik Larson, bestselling author of Devil in the White City
Check it out on Edelweiss now!
-Amanda
Library Lovefest Takes the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!
The other night I was nominated by author (and friend?!?) Wally Lamb to take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
Never one to shy away from ice or a good cause, I accepted.
If you’re inclined to do the same, grab a bucket of ice water and have at it. Then dry off and go to www.alsa.org and hit the “Donate” button!
So thanks, Wally Lamb. You got me and I’m glad you did.
Now I challenge my sister, Margaret Stanley as well as my fellow Library Lovefest teammates Annie Mazes and Amanda Rountree to fill their buckets!
Go!
We've all been there: the new person at the office, just learning the ropes, not yet comfortable in our position. According to Liz Wiseman, author of the forthcoming Rookie Smarts, this state of uncertainty, while uncomfortable, is actually the mindset we need to produce our best work. In the video below, she explains more about how cultivating a perpetual rookie attitude is the savviest career and business strategy.
If you want to find out more about bringing out your inner rookie and the benefits of learning over knowing, check out Rookie Smarts on Edelweiss today.
-Amanda
Steampunk fans, romance fans, and fantasy fans, I present to you Beth Cato’s debut novel, The Clockwork Dagger. Air ships, magic, and a slow burn romance combine for a fun and exciting story of a young woman setting off to heal her broken nation and the upsets and adventures she encounters on her first mission, including a cute gremlin sidekick, a sexy undercover assassin, and a conspiracy that reaches to the royal family itself. I loved the action, intrigue, and unique magic system that the author introduces in this series opener, and I’m certainly not the only one:
“The action is pretty much nonstop in this debut steampunk fantasy. The attraction between Octavia and Alonzo is sparked right away, but it's hard for the former to know whom to trust as her talents have made her a pawn between two political powers. Although readers will enjoy the satisfying climax of this adventure, there is plenty to the plot for a sequel from promising novelist Cato.” —Library Journal starred review
“This rousing tale… keeps itself grounded with a story as disarming and forthright as its appealingly capable heroine…. Ample action and a delectably delayed romance propel the story toward a riveting finale, marking Cato as an author to watch.” —Publishers Weekly
“Not only does Cato create an intriguing universe, but she also develops a one-of-a-kind, kickass heroine who is determined to forge her own path. Adventure, magic, unexpected romance and heart-breaking betrayal all combine for a thrilling tale.” —Romantic Times, four star review
But don’t just take our word for it. Check it out for yourself now on Edelweiss.
-Amanda
Whether lighting up the small screen on SCTV or stealing scenes on the big screen in My Big Fat Greek Wedding (who could forget this hilarious moment) or starring on the stage in her recent Tony award winning role in Pippin, Andrea Martin is sheer brilliance.
The multiple Tony and Emmy-awarding winning actress and comedienne recently stopped by the HarperCollins office to discuss her forthcoming memoir, Lady Parts. This is a heartwarming, funny and insightful collection of essays about her life in – and out – of show business.
When I introduced myself to her as the Director of Library Marketing she literally grabbed my hand, kissed it and said, “Libraries!!! I LOVE libraries! I wrote about them in my book!” Her response was so passionate and heartfelt that we told her we’d like to share her essay about libraries on Library LoveFest. She was thrilled. Libraries were a haven to her – and her children. As a young girl she would lose herself in the stacks of the Portland Public Library in Maine. As an adult, she brought her young children to the Runnymede Branch of the Toronto Public Library at least 4 days a week.
Enjoy this lovely recollection of how libraries influenced her life – and what a life it is!
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Andrea Martin: Star of Stage & Screen is in LOVE with Libraries!Read More »
Good day! Today's guest blog come from Mary Vensel White, author of The Qualities of Wood. A young woman is found dead, a young wife suspects her husband, but is he actually to blame? Christina Baker Kline, author of #1 NYT bestseller, Orphan Train, says this book is "a haunting and provocative debut," so I would surely snag a copy now.
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During a recent visit to my hometown of Lancaster, California, I drove over to the library we frequented when I was a kid. It’s boarded up now—the city built a new library in the 1990s—but you can still catch the Sixties vibe from the curvy ridges of the exterior walls and its practical, cube design. The blue, horizontal stripe painted around the building came later; this is one of the memories that surfaced as I stood there. I recalled, too, many sensory impressions from the inside: the whoosh of the door when you stepped from the bright desert heat into the cool tranquility, the smell of pressed paper, of old paper, a sense of the mystery of countless books and what they might hold. And I remembered the clicking sound of the huge Rolodex-type file when the librarian searched for that pink card with my name typed at the top, and the feeling of belonging when she found it.
When I was young, I was extremely shy and the library was a safe, comfortable place. I knew the system, knew where things were. An environment where speaking is prohibited may be the most welcoming kind for a quiet child. And yet, the library was one of just a few places where I had the bravery to speak to someone I didn’t know. Librarians were always friendly, they always spoke in hushed tones, and they always, always were happy to help. That’s a universal truth that holds to the present, when I take my own children to the library. A trusted breed, librarians are enthusiastic, curious, and always ready with the right book at the right time. Often, that’s just what a kid needs.
Today marks the on sale date for the paperback of We Are Water, Wally Lamb's latest multi-starred and beloved book. Library Journal's illustrious editor, Barbara Hoffert, interviewed Wally and asked the insightful, clever questions that she is so good at.
These are just a few snippets of the interview, but the whole thing can be viewed here. Enjoy!
In the tradition of Alice Hoffman, Adriana Trigiani and Sarah Addison Allen, Sarah Creech's debut novel, Season of the Dragonflies, is beguiling. A story of flowers, sisters, practical magic, old secrets and new love, set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I recommend you check it out. And lucky for you, it goes on sale today! Sarah stopped by to say hello.
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Becoming lost in the stacks at the library became my precursor for becoming lost in the pages of a novel. I visited the small public library on Memorial Avenue with my single mother. We went multiple times a week. While she searched the stacks for the ten or more books she’d check out that day ( by nightfall they’d be strewn about her bed and on the floor like jacks) I had no choice but to play in the nearby stacks, touching the rough spines of adult books I was not allowed to read. Someday, though, I would be able to, my mother promised me, and maybe even write novels once I grew up.
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I can't believe LibraryReads has been through a whole year already! It feels like yesterday we were announcing Help for the Haunted on the inaugural list, and now we are in September again! This month we have two fan favorites, Rooms by Lauren Oliver and The Witch with No Name by Kim Harrison.
Thank you everyone for voting and congratulations to LibraryReads for their first year in business. Keep your votes coming (here's how to participate) and if you have any LibraryReads displays in your library, we'd love to see them!
– Annie
HarperCollins is thrilled to be publishing David Nicholls’ forthcoming book, Us. This is one of my favorite books on the Fall 2014 list, AND it made the 2014 Man Booker Longlist!
It’s a terrific read about one man’s efforts to salvage his marriage—and repair his troubled relationship with his teenaged son—during the course of a trip around Europe.
I couldn’t put this one down. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The characters were so perfect in their imperfections.
I absolutely loved this book, and hope you do, too. Complimentary copies to the first 20 people to write to us at librarylovefest@harpercollins.com!
Tell us what you think!
-Virginia
Yes, it's my birthday, yes, I reign supreme over this blog, yes, the power has gone to my head and I will post all about me!!
What's that? Clean out my desk? Ok, ok I'll write about something relevant.
I can't think of anything better to write about today than the sale of Bad Feminist. This book has been getting lots of advance praise and TIME magazine firmly supports this being the year of Roxane Gay (her debut novel, An Untamed State, came out this year too).
Bad Feminist is a collection of essays that are at times funny, at times heartbreaking, and always insightful. Gay discusses Scrabble, race, The Hunger Games, love, Green Girl…as Sheila Heti says, she is "great at weaving the intimate and personal with what is most bewildering and upsetting at this moment in culture."
I most HIGHLY recommend getting yourself a copy and jumping into Roxane's world. Then follow her on Twitter cause she is one smart and entertaining lady.
– Annie
The day has come! Way back at the beginning of June, we gave away a limited number of Neil Gaiman posters made exclusively for librarians. At that time, we hinted that we would be giving away a year’s subscription to Booklist magazine later in August, and that day has finally arrived.
Neil Gaiman stopped by our offices to share how much he loves and values libraries, librarians, and everything you do.
Now for the giveaway! Post the video on your library’s website or Facebook page. Make sure you grab the url and simply fill out this registration form by September 1 to be entered for a chance to win a year’s subscription to Booklist magazine and Booklist Online.
We hope this video brings new readers to your library where they can discover endless worlds and possibilities – just as Neil Gaiman did!
Good luck!
LLF
Mary Daheim's newest novel in her delightfully charming Bed-and-Breakfast mystery series, Clam Wake, follows innkeeper and irrepressible sleuth Judith McMonigle Flynn and cousin Renie as they face off against a cold-blooded killer in a beach community. Mary stopped by to share her own love of libraries and the effect they've had on her and her writing.
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Library Unchained
I was an early reader. At ten, I'd started reading adult fiction—mysteries, historical novels, and just about any book set in England. A couple of years after Kathleen Winsor's Forever Amber debuted in1946, I told my mother—who made weekly trips to our library branch—that I wanted to read the book. Mom, as a Catholic, knew it had been condemned by the Church as well as banned in several states. She hedged, but being broad-minded, asked her best friend (a staunch Episcopalian) if she'd read the novel. She had, and said she couldn't put it down even while she was cooking dinner.
Mom headed off to the library, requesting the scandalous book. Seattle, always being of a liberal bent, had the Winsor tome (over 900 pages, as I recall) not only available for sale, but in the library system. When Mom asked where she could find a copy, the librarian told her she'd have to get the book from where it was chained up in an out-of-the-way area. Naturally, Mom was a bit put off.
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