Work and play go hand in hand here in LLF Land as demonstrated by this video which the three of us slaved away on to bring to you lovelies. This is just a taste of the fun to be had at our ALA Book Buzz, so RSVP and don’t miss out!
Congratulations to Madeline Miller! You know we are all super huge fans of this book, so we are beyond happy to tell you that The Song of Achilles has won the 2012 Orange Prize for Fiction! The Orange Prize celebrates excellence, originality and accessibility in women’s writing from throughout the world. At an awards ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall in London, the judges presented Madeline with the Bessie, a limited edition bronze figurine.
Joanna Trollope, Chair of Judges, said: “This is a more than worthy winner – original, passionate, inventive and uplifting. Homer would be proud of her.”
Click through for more information on the Orange Prize.
– Annie
It may be a small world, but these are some big titles!
Be our guest and let us show you a whole new world of pre-pub books at the
HarperCollins Fall Book Buzz
Saturday, June 23, 2012
8:45am – 10am (NEW TIME)
Anaheim Convention Center
Room 204-A
Refreshments will be served and, since everyone deserves a night at the ball, we’re raffling off 2 tickets to the ALA ProQuest Scholarship Bash (must be present at Book Buzz to win).
Seating is limited, so RSVP to librarylovefest@harpercollins.com today!
These are a few of my favorite things….
Matt Ruff is the cult author of hits such as Bad Monkeys and Set This House in Order. His latest novel, The Mirage, came out in February and is an unprecedented, mind-bending psychological thriller in which an alternate history of 9/11 uncovers startling and harrowing truths about America and the Middle East. Intrigued?
Nancy Pearl, who needs no introduction, is a fan of Matt's and invited him to visit her cable show, Book Lust, to discuss. This is what went down….
Any one interested in a copy? First 5 people to leave their comments get one!
– Annie
Very exciting news, friends! The nominees for the first annual Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction have been announced, and Lost Memory of Skin by Russell Banks is among the amazing works selected! The shortlist was chosen by a seven-member selection committee of library professionals from across the country chaired by Nancy Pearl.
As I'm sure you all know, this is the first time ALA has offered single-book awards for adult trade fiction and nonfiction. The winning titles will be announced at a special event at the ALA Annual Conference on Sunday, June 24, in Anaheim, CA, so be sure to get your ticket now!
Also, I recommend checking out the video of Nancy Pearl announcing the winners…
Congratulations to all the nominees!
– Annie
Fans of Carlos Ruiz Zafon's The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game, rejoice! His long awaited follow-up, The Prisoner of Heaven, hits libraries near you this summer.
Full of intrigue and emotion, The Prisoner of Heaven is a majestic novel in which the threads of The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game converge and bring us face to face with the mystery hidden at the heart of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a collection of lost treasures known only to a select few and the very core of Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s enchanting fictional world.
Too impatient to wait till summer? Luckily, I have some connections, and can arrange for some LLF lovelies to get copies. The first five people to comment and tell us what you like best about Zafon's prior novels, get a copy!
– Annie
Kayleigh and I were lucky enough to go to a taping of The Chew yesterday morning (brief pause while I consider how awesome my job is). their book comes out in September, and I highly recommend snagging a copy. The recipes are all affordable and tasty, and the projects will make for excellent gifts.
It was a really fun and interesting experience…there were a million people, each with their own very well orchestrated role, milling about the set. R.C. Smith warmed up the crowd, and kept us laughing through the breaks, instructing us when to clap, laugh, awwww, do jazz hands….I may or may not have felt a bit like a monkey at times, but it did add to the allure of the moment.
I was a huge fan of the sound/d.j. engineer who had exceptional taste in music and got everyone clapping and dancing. Journey o'clock happened much earlier than usual.
Carla and Clinton had an impromptu dance party prior to the start, and can I just say, they are super cutesy. So genuine and friendly. In honor of Mother's Day, Carla's mom was a guest, and she was lovely – very no-nonsense and down to earth – my kind of mom. Daphne Oz is just as gorgeous as everyone says, but also very smart and charming. Mario Batali is… well, he's Mario Batali – orange crocs, pony tail, vest, talent. And last but not least, the oh so entertaining Michael Symon!
Of course this group of very skilled chefs made the meal preparation look easy, but I think they are actually doable – even to someone with less than stellar kitchen abilities. The smells made my stomach growl, and I came very close to jumping over the row in front of me to get to the table where audience members were partaking in the delicious meals. Make sure you check out the recipes for some brunch ideas.
And if you want to see my and Kayleigh's TV debut, you can watch our episode.
Happy Friday!
– Annie
I found a plastic knife in Virginia's office, the kind that retreats into the handle when you stab yourself, making it seem so realistic that you freak out your friends. Anywho…Kayleigh was reminded of her youth when she used a similar knife to portray the grieving Juliet in what I can only assume was the best high school production of Romeo and Juliet this side of the Hudson. Hence…this video.
Enjoy your weekends!
– Annie
Author Jamie Saul is back with another sure-fire winner with his new novel, The First Warm Evening of the Year, which explores the complex, intricate relationships between friends and siblings, husbands and wives, and shows that true love can be discovered in the most unexpected places.
June O, The Oprah Magazine/“10 Titles to Pick Up Now
“In this engaging novel, a Manhattan man finds romance––and a few other surprises––when he goes to settle the estate of an old friend.” (#1 Pick)
“The First Warm Evening of the Year is a gripping and evocative novel that resonates on every page with the joys and pains of being alive. It is a novel that more than satisfies the promise of the author’s debut, Light of Day.”
3/27 Romance Reviews Go Round Review
“This is a warm character driven romance starring two protagonists struggling with their shocking instant attraction to one another . . . Fans who relish a profound insightful psychological relationship drama will want to read The First Warm Evening of the Year.”
Saul’s first book, Light of Day, about a father grappling with his son’s apparent suicide, received a starred review from Booklist and rave reviews too many to list. It was hailed as “an exhilarating emotional roller-coaster ride” by The Washington Post Bookworld. Sena Jeter Naslund, author of Ahab’s Wife and Four Spirits wrote: “Like an arrow to the heart, Jamie Saul’s page-turner novel sears through the psyche to hit bedrock.”
Dip into The First Warm Evening of the Year. Let us help you! The first 15 people who write to librarylovefest@harpercollins.com get a free copy.
– Virginia
Today we have a special treat for you, beloved LLF Readers. Instead of my ramblings, we have the eloquent stylings of Katherine Hall Page, prolific author of the Faith Fairchild series. Her latest book, The Body in the Boudoir, celebrates it's Book Birthday today, so please click through, and join me in welcoming her to our library land!
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…
Ok, at some point in the not-distant-future-at-all, I am aware
my fan girl fawning over Wiley Cash and his beautiful book, A Land More Kind Than Home, will get old. But please, gentle LLF readers, humor me just one more time. I mean, once you read these tweets from his EarlyWord chat, it will be apparent why we enjoy his book so much. His eloquence in 140 characters of abbreviated text is to be admired!
Wiley’s description of his book: The novel tells the story of the bond between two young brothers and the evil they face in a small town in the mountains of N.C.
On the title: The title hints at something beyond the present that awaits us, some kind of place that is more suited to who we are or want to be
On Children's perceptions: Kids do know and intuit a lot of things we don't understand. Only diff is kids don't know how to respond to knowledge like that
The thrill of seeing your book in a library: Mom sent me a text pic of my book in the library in Oak Island NC. Seeing it all wrapped up in the library with a call number: that's real
Ok, I'm done. Thank you for indulging me!
Have a very happy weekend!
– Annie
With three books out in 2012, Spin, Arranged and Forgotten, it has been a very busy year for Catherine McKenzie! It has also been a very good year if this starred Booklist review is any indication:
On Arranged:
“This is chick lit for real women, featuring a smart, competent heroine with a hopeless romantic streak, relatable friends, and a chic urban lifestyle, without a brand name dropped anywhere. The humor ranges from biting sarcasm to slapstick, and the narrative voice is compulsively readable. It’s a ridiculous conceit, but McKenzie makes an on-a-whim marriage seem like a good idea. Even more impressive is the way she makes the relationship between the heroine and (spoiler alert!) the hero believably difficult and charmingly real. If you’re not rooting for Anne’s happy ending, you must not believe in love. Fans of Jennifer Weiner and Jennifer Crusie have found a new author to watch.”
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RT Reviews also had some pretty great things to say about it (4 ½ out of 5 stars):
“Anyone who has ever looked for love in all the wrong places will love McKenzie’s latest tale of romance found in the place one least expects it. A real page-turner, Arranged is a perfect beach read. McKenzie will have readers laughing and crying right along with her heroine.”
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I'm thinking with summer coming up (side note: I am going to be HERE two months from today!),it is time to stock up on some beach reads, and Catherine McKenzie's books seem just the ticket.
Anyone want to get a head start? I'll send the first 5 people to comment on their summer vacation plans a copy of Spin.
– Annie
Hi LLF friends!
First, I just want to thank all the librarians who stopped by our booth at TLA. Holy-moly what a great week in Houston! 7000+ incredibly lovely people, so kind, friendly and engaged. It was a pleasure interacting with you all! Pictures to follow shortly.
Now, on to important business things like Wiley Cash chats and giveaways! Tuesday, April 24th, Wiley, 4pm EST, author of the beloved A Land More Kind Than Home, will be chatting on Twitter through the fabulous people at Earlyword. I know many of you participate in their galleychats on the first Tuesday of every month, and this will operate in the same fashion.
Tune in at 4pm EST, follow #ewwccht and begin a dialogue with this talented and charming young man whose book, Kirkus says, is "an evocative work about love, faith, and redemption." He'll answer questions, discuss his book and also give away a prize to one lucky winner.
CONTEST:
At some point in the Twitter chat, Wiley will pose this question:
"Who is the fiction writer that taught at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and greatly influenced my (Wiley's) own writing?"
The first person to email librarylovefest@harpercollins.com with the correct answer wins a 30"x 20" poster of the book jacket signed and dated by the author himself. How great would that look in your library?!
So tune in and get chatting with #ewwccht!
– Annie
Guess what? Tres exciting news! Back in March we were thrilled because 
the Orange Prize longlist came out, and The Song of Achilles and State of Wonder were both on it (woot!). Welllll….THEY BOTH MADE THE SHORTLIST TOO! :::Pause for effect:::
Congratulations to two stellar books by two stellar women! If you haven't read them, please add them to your wish list. Summer reading? Mother's/Father's Day? Random Wednesday evening? There are plenty of occassions for a present from a loved one (hint, hint kids) or from yourself.
In other news, we are all currently in Houston, booth unpacked and looking fab, awaiting this evening and the opening hours of TLA. Stop by Booth 1613 and say hi if you are around. Would love to see you!
– Annie
Whether you love them or hate them (I'm looking at you fellow Mets fans), the New York Yankees have an epic history and have touched countless lives. And now for your reading pleasure, Rob Fleder, acclaimed Sports Illustrated editor, has put together a collection of original pieces by prominent contemporary writers on America’s quintessential sports dynasty. Damn Yankees is a completely fresh look at this iconic team from the likes of Jane Leavy, Pete Dexter, Colum McCann, Dan Barry, and Daniel Okrent (You should totes click those links for some excellent excerpts).
Once you have read those bits, check out the website and Tweet at Rob or find him on Facebook to tell him what you think.
What is your best baseball related memory? First 5 people to comment and tell us, will get a copy!
– Annie
The time has come dear LLF readers….Adriana Trigiani's new, epic, heartwarming novel, The Shoemaker's Wife, comes out tomorrow, April 3rd! Virginia discussed at Midwinter how much she loved this book, Adriana recorded a librarian greeting to tell you all about it, and now she is going to appear on CBS THIS MORNING, Tuesday morning (4/3/12).
Lee Woodruff will take viewers inside Adriana's home, and follow her as she does readings and leads a walking tour of the book through Little Italy. Adriana will also appear live in studio.
This book is a departure for Adriana, the "book [she] was born to write" (Trigiani). It is the fictionalized account of her grandparents love story from the Italian Alps to the Lower East Side to the Midwest, and it's so beautifully crafted that the settings become as much the characters as the people.
Want to snag a copy? First 5 people to comment and tell me which Trigiani book is your favorite and why get a copy.
– Annie
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…
