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A Trifecta of Good Taste – Library Journal, the Romantic Times, and our own Amanda Rountree – were all fans of The Clockwork Dagger, Beth Cato's debut novel about a young woman setting off to heal her broken nation and the adventures she encounters on her way. But wait….there is more!

Entertainment Weekly's Shelf Life had this to say:

“[The Clockwork Dagger takes an] intriguing approach, and a rewarding one. While Octavia doesn’t use violence to solve her problems, she’s no pushover. She’s empathetic and strong of spirit, a believer in the ancient ways of alchemy—which puts her at odds with the encroaching science of her world’s steampunk revolution. And it is her world, not ours; like other steampunk works, The Clockwork Dagger is set in a completely fabricated universe rather than an alternate version of our own. This makes for some dazzling, uniquely detailed backdrops. It also frees Cato from having to haul around the Victorian Era’s real-world baggage—and it helps level the playing field for those who aren’t as familiar with steampunk’s particulars.”

Beth also wrote a fantastic piece about steampunk & genre-bending on The Huffington Post.

If like me, you love Alan Cumming, it will be something you ALSO have in common with Barbara Hoffert who did a splendid job of interviewing him about his new book, Not My Father's Son (on sale 10/7). In his own entertaining voice (too bad we can't actually hear the delightful accent), Alan shares the emotional story of his complicated relationship with his father and the deeply buried family secrets that shaped his life and career.     

You can watch the whole interview here (worth it!), but here are some snippets to whet your interest:

 "What did you discover about your family and why did you turn it into a book?" 

"How did you find the courage to confront your father?"

Watch, Read, Enjoy!  And if you happen to be in NYC, go see Alan in Cabaret! It's magic.

– Annie

If you take a step back and actually think about it, the existence of humankind as we know it is pretty amazing.  In his forthcoming revolutionary work Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Harari draws on both biology and history to form a narrative of how humanity was formed, how we've evolved, and a speculative look at what the future could hold for us.  

To get a taste of the kind of topics discussed, the author has created a great website with a few short videos that introduce some of the ideas he posits in the book, like how humans are the only organisms on the planet that believe in things that exist purely in their imagination and how this has allowed humankind to evolve way beyond anything else.  Check out one of his videos below:

The videos are only short teasers for his arguments, but if you find your appetite whetted for more Sapiens, head on over to Edelweiss to download an egalley. 

-Amanda

Congratulations to Alan Cumming and his amazing memoir, Not My Father's Son, which was chosen as the #4 pick on the LibraryReads October list!

In his book, the acclaimed actor shares the emotional story of his complicated relationship with his father and the deeply buried family secrets that shaped his life and career.

Barbara Hoffert from Library Journal did a great interview with Alan which you can watch here. As ever, her questions are spot on!

Make sure to grab a copy and thanks to all who voted! For information on how to participate, visit the LR site.

In the words of author Alix Christie, Gutenberg's Apprentice tells the story of the of "the world's first tech start-up": the birth of printing.  This debut novel has received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist, and should instantly grab the interest of anyone who loves the printed word.  Ms. Christie stopped by our offices to share some terrific behind-the-scenes info about the novel and the true story that inspired it.

Gutenberg's Apprentice goes on sale September 23, but you still have time to get in an early read by downloading an egalley from Edelweiss.  Enjoy!

-Amanda

I adored Susanna Daniel’s first book, Stiltsville. In fact, I couldn’t stop talking about it!  I was equally crazy about Daniel’s follow up book, Sea Creatures.  I’m thrilled that it has been selected as a September Target Book Club pick.

My colleague Kate McCune has a wonderful blog that you all should check out.  Kate is a rep with a nose for all that is good—and I’m glad she’s included Sea Creatures in her latest posting.

Do yourself a favor and read Susanna Daniel.  She’s a terrific writer.

-Virginia 

While we might not know where New Adult books belong on the shelves, we can definitely be sure that readers want them there.  The New Adult genre has steadily grown more and more popular as people become aware of these stories about men and women in their early twenties, in college, or otherwise just starting out in their adult lives.  Whether you’re a dedicated fan or a new reader to the genre, we have a few forthcoming New Adult books from three of the most popular authors that are definitely worth checking out.

All Broke Down by Cora Carmack: Texas, football, and romance combine in a Friday Night Lights-esque series centered around the fictional Rusk University football team.  This second book in the series (after All Lined Up) follows a chronic champion for lost causes and a football player who realizes he might need some fixing after all.

Wild by Sophie Jordan: This third and final book in the Ivy Chronicles finds the last suitemate, Georgia—previously dubbed “boring” and “predictable” by her ex-boyfriend—deciding to change her image by attending the campus kink club, but finding more there than she bargained for.

Better When He’s Bold by Jay Crownover: The second Welcome to the Point novel, featuring bad boys from the wrong side of the tracks and the women who love them.  This sequel to Better When He’s Bad follows the new underground leader of the Point and the girl who turns to him for protection when she realizes her life is in danger. 

All of these novels can be enjoyed without having read the previous books in their respective series, but dedicated readers will enjoy seeing a little of the happily-ever-after of the previous books’ couples.  Regardless, they’re all available for egalley download from Edelweiss, so get reading!

-Amanda

 This fall, PBS will air a new Ken Burns documentary, The Roosevelts: An Intimate History. The documentary will air in seven parts, premiering Sunday, September 14 at 8 pm, and running to early November. The Roosevelts chronicles the lives of Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and it will be the first time in a major documentary television series that their individual stories have been interwoven into a single narrative.

To prepare for this TV event, check out The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt, a self-portrait no biography can match for its candor and liveliness, its wisdom, tolerance, and breadth of view—a self-portrait of one of the greatest American humanitarians of our time.

Eleanore, Franklin, and Theodore Roosevelt were major figures during very important times in United States history.  Don't miss this opportunity to watch how this family changed the country, and the world.  

-Amanda

 Set in a logging town on the lawless Pacific coast of Washington State at the turn of the twentieth century, The Bully of Order tells the story of the Ellstrom family and the violent social and historical forces that tear them apart.  This novel of darkness, redemption, and western civilization goes on sale today, but before you dive in, author Brian Hart has stopped by to share his love of libraries.

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The Once and Future Librarian

My best friend’s mom was and still is my hometown librarian and everyday after school we would walk the old railroad tracks to the library so he could bum some money from her, maybe steal a few smokes from her purse, then we’d go skate. I woke up often on their couch. I ate their food and lifted clean t-shirts from the dryer, pinched untended cigarettes, maybe a stray beer from the cooler on the porch. Books were stacked up on every flat surface of their house and lined the walls in the mudroom and spilled into hallway and the bathroom. The TV might’ve only picked up a few channels (if you could tweak the antenna on the roof just right) but there was always something to read.

It was too far from town to walk and if me and my friend didn’t get up in time to catch a ride, as was usually the case, we’d be left out there all day to fend for ourselves. We’d read and light things on fire, swim in the canals, climb trees and try and jump to other trees, plummet to the ground, limp home and read some more.

In their backyard  they had an old Airstream where in the evenings me and my friend would be sent to do our homework. I might’ve hacked out one of my first short stories in there, stubbing my fingers on the keys of a Brother word processor.

In 2010 I was in my hometown using one of the public library computers when I finalized the sale of my first novel. My friend’s mom was there working; she was the first person I told and the first person that I hugged. Some people have priests and rabbis, others have bartenders and weed dealers, therapists and psychiatrists—I have a librarian and she’s been there from the beginning. 

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Thanks Brian!

-Amanda

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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Season of the Dragonflies by Sarah CreechRead More »