Library Love Fest

365 Thank Yous

We at HarperLibrary are very excited about the buzz surrounding an extremely fascinating book entitled, 365 Thank Yous by John Kralik.  Kralik's book, published by Hyperion (on sale now), is an amazing story of how John turned his life around simply by learning the importance of two simple words...Thank you.

John Kralik tells how his life was on a downward spiral, and by simply writing thank you notes to those he interacted with changed his perspective and his life overall.  John was recently featured on the CBS Evening News.  If you missed the interview, you can watch it here!

If you haven't picked up 365 Thank Yous, what are you waiting for?  I know you'll be glad you did...and you can say "thank you" later (hahaha!).

Enjoy!

-Bobby

Stiltsville - Guest Review

We are so happy about the huge response we received for Stiltsville, by Susanna Daniel.  The love for Stiltsville continues! 

We received a great review from Lisa Steckhahn, Reference Librarian from the West Allis Public Library in Wisconsin.  Here is Lisa's review of Stiltsville:

This book is a look at the lifespan of a marriage and a friendship starting at the beginning and checking in at all of the major milestones along the way.  Frances meets Dennis and Marse at the same time.  Marse likes Dennis but he ends up falling for Frances.  Even with this rocky start Marse and Frances become best friends.  This is a testament to the author’s ability to create characters that are likeable but still fully realized with authentic flaws and strengths.  Susanna Daniel manages to avoid clichés and craft a believable story filled with a marriage’s mistakes and triumphs.  The Miami setting is another character in the book that lends an unforgettable setting.  It would be a great book to return to during the coldest days of winter. 

-Lisa Steckhahn
Reference Librarian
West Allis Public Library

Many thanks to Lisa and everyone at the West Allis Public Library.  If you have not added Stiltsville to your reading list, what are you waiting for? I believe you will love Stiltsville as much as we do!

Enjoy,

-Bobby

Brave Girl Eating

When I wasn't busy blogging about Charles Bukowski's birthday (shameless plug, I know), I happened to catch Jezebel's post on Harriet Brown's Brave Girl Eating: A Family's Struggle with Anorexia.  Having come from a family where eating disorders were fairly common, Brown's argument for a family-based method of recovery really hits home.  I appreciate the point she makes regarding our perception of eating disorders: the way we correlate them with extremes, whether it's stick-thinness or morbid obesity.  Many victims do, in fact, suffer invisibly. 

Do you want to know more about Brave Girl Eating? Browse inside the book, and check out these stellar pre-publication quotes:

“Harriet Brown’s Brave Girl Eating is an up close and personal account of one family’s struggle to help a child with anorexia nervosa. What sets this book apart is the author’s incorporation of clinical research findings from the field of eating disorders into the story of one family’s struggle. Ms. Brown’s tale of how her family was able to participate in her daughter’s recovery process is a compelling story of family strength and an inspiring story for all of us committed to treating individuals with eating disorders.”— Evelyn Attia, MD, Director, Center for Eating Disorders, Columbia University Medical Center, Weill Cornell Medical College

“As a woman who once knew the grip of a life-controlling eating disorder, I held my breath reading Harriet Brown’s story. As a mother of daughters, I wept for her. Then cheered.”— Joyce Maynard

“Brave Girl Eating is one of the most up to date, relevant and honest accounts of one family’s battle with the life threatening challenges of anorexia. Brown has masterfully woven science, history and heart throughout this compelling and tender story. Brave Girl Eating was fortunate to have one brave family.”— Lynn S. Grefe, Chief Executive Officer, National Eating Disorders Association

“Brave Girl Eating is a story that gets too close for comfort; it’s an honest account of the toll anorexia takes on the writer’s family and their tenacious, loving efforts to fight back. Harriet Brown is an intelligent, elegant writer and this book offers both solace and useful information for families struggling with eating disorders.”— Audrey Niffenegger  

-Kayleigh

BEA Fun!

If you attended Book Expo America last week, I'm sure your schedule was just like ours...jam-packed!  While we were extremely busy and productive, we did manage to have some fun along the way.  One of my biggest challenges to date has been mastering the art of tying a bow-tie.  I love them, however tying one can be a bit of a problem. 

One of our authors, W. Ralph Eubanks (The House at the End of the Road) took time out of his day to show me the fine art of tying a bow-tie.  Ralph makes it look SO easy.  In fact, he can accomplish this WITHOUT looking in a mirror.  Check out both videos...one where he ties the bow-tie on me and the other where he demonstrates on himself.

In between mastering this fine art if you haven't picked up his book, The House at the End of the Road, PLEASE do yourself a favor and check it out.  You will not be disappointed.  I have to give a special thank you to W. Ralph Eubanks...a true inspiration and a great person!  If I had a Brother, it would be him!

Enjoy!

-Bobby

Secret Daughter

We are so excited about this amazing new book.  First time novelist Shilpi Somaya Gowda has a true hit on her hands with Secret Daughter, an emotional story that explores motherhood, loss, acceptance and belonging.  The reviews are outstanding!  Here are just a few of them:

"Secret Daughter is an engaging read, with its quick shifts between characters and rapid movement through 20 years of familial narrative...Gowda resolutely refuses to tie up all her loose ends, keeping the novel from settling into banality."
-Boston Globe

"Some of the best contemporary novels about families and what it means to be American are bring written by Indian - or Pakistani-Americans, many of them women.  I've read and admired a lot of them lately, and Secret Daughter, Californian Shilpi Somaya Gowda's debut, is my favorite...her novel is captivating and ultimately very wise...This novel travels far in the world, and deep into the human heart."
-Minneapolis Star Tribune

I had the pleasure of meeting Shilpi Somaya Gowda as she signed copies of Secret Daughter at the Texas Library Association Conference held in San Antonio earlier this month.  She was warm, engaging, and a true hit among the librarians there!

Secret Daughter should be a part of your reading list.  You WILL NOT regret it!

Enjoy!

-Bobby 

A Second Helping - A "New Year's Giveaway"

Author Beverly Jenkins does it again with her new novel, A Second Helping.  A Second Helping, on sale today follows Bernadine Brown and her mission to save a small town in Kansas called “Henry Adams” from financial ruin.  While she’s attending to the task at hand, she discovers additional “projects” that need her help as well…and when her ex-husband comes into town hoping for a second chance, life in Henry Adams is never the same for Bernadine.

A Second Helping has gotten great reviews!  Check them out:

Booklist
Black History Preview (Fiction)
December 15, 2009
http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=show_product&pid=3825110
 
Romantic Times Book Reviews
Mainstream Fiction Review
January 2010
"It's great to know that this is destined to be a continuing series ... The characters are rich, and the kids all have a story to be told ... In this gentle and fulfilling novel of second chances."
http://www.rtbookreviews.com/books_review.php?book=40421&sid=f4622c1eb87e86d524f9aa32ff658bf2

Romance Reviews Online
Fiction Review
January 2010
"Wonderful, marvelous story ... This is so special I urge all to read it and experience a lovely experience that's guaranteed to give you with a smile on your face, over and over again."
http://hcussc105/TitleNet/Reportnet/Files//trade%20publicity/a/a%20second%20helping/romance%20reviews%201.1.10%20jenkins.doc

I would love to hear what YOU think about A Second Helping.  I will send free copies of A Second Helping to the first 25 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!

Happy New Year and Enjoy!

-Bobby

Push, by Sapphire

Here at HarperLibrary we love our books…I mean we REALLY LOVE OUR BOOKS.  Every now and then, you do have to give credit where credit is due.  I’m sure by now everyone has heard the major buzz about the movie “Precious,” which is based on the book Push by Sapphire.  I just had the opportunity to read Push and was BLOWN AWAY!

While reading Push, a multitude of emotions overcame me…anger, sadness, hurt, and hope.  I was angry and sad because of the realization of what this young woman truly had to endure.  Feelings of hurt came because in some way, I wish there was something that could have done to help prevent such a thing from happening in the first place.  Finally, I was hopeful because I realized that by telling Precious’ story, she is helping so many others overcome (and hopefully prevent) similar situations.  Push will help someone make a total turnaround, by turning tragedy into triumph. 

If you haven’t read Push, please make it part of your reading list…and go see "Precious"!

Enjoy,

-Bobby

The Autism Sourcebook

Check out this wild video of a child transformed:
http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2009/12/08/autism-a-journey-of-recovery/

Then check out THE AUTISM SOURCEBOOK by Karen Siff Exkorn (the mother featured in the video.) 

-Virginia

Lit (in more ways than one!)

You might have heard a little something in print, or cyberspace, about the New York Times' list of the 10 Best Books of 2009.  Here at Harper, it was a major thrill to see that Mary Karr's white-hot memoir, Lit, made the list. The New York Times writes:

This sequel to “The Liars’ Club” and “Cherry” is also a master class on the art of the memoir. Mordantly funny, free of both self-pity and sentimentality, Karr describes her attempts to untether herself from her troubled family in rural Texas, her development as a poet and writer, and her struggles to navigate marriage and young motherhood even as she descends into alcoholism. 

Browse inside the book and click here for the full Top 10.

-Kayleigh

That Bird Has My Wings

Earlier in the year, I blogged about a book entitled, That Bird Has My Wings: the Autobiography of an Innocent Man on Death Row, by Jarvis Jay Masters.  That Bird Has My Wings is a compelling memoir about a man who endured an extremely hard life and is now on death row.  Check out my article.

We received a great review from Zandra Blake, Teen and Public Services Librarian for the Capital Area District Library.  Here is the link.

Many thanks to Zandra and everyone at the Capital Area District Library for featuring That Bird Has My Wings on your blog!  I hope you add That Bird Has My Wings to your reading list.

Enjoy!

-Bobby