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

The New York Times Reviews Furious Love!

You might remember my preternatural attachment to Richard Burton from earlier posts...in case you don't, here's my first review of Furious Love, the dual-biography of the Burtons by Nancy Schoenberger and Sam Kashner.  The New York Times recently ran a stellar write-up of Furious Love, calling it "an indulgent, plenty-of-fun book about Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s traveling circus of money, booze and mutual obsession." I couldn't agree more.  Reviewer Ada Calhoun writes, "There’s a lesson here for couples: marriage doesn’t have to be a partnership of equals. It can be a bodice-ripping, booze-soaked, jewel-bedecked brawl that survives even death. It’s a tough way to live, but it makes for a good beach book." If that doesn't make you want to stuff Furious Love inside your beach-bag, I don't know what will.  Browse inside the book, and click here for the full review!   

-Kayleigh

Meet Dolen Perkins-Valdez

If you are a follower of Library Love Fest, you know I am a fan of a book entitled, Wench, by Dolen Perkins-Valdez.  Wench is the story of three female slave mistresses and the friendship they built despite living in a period of oppression.   If you missed my article, read it right here.

Check out this video where author Dolen Perkins-Valdez goes into her motivation for writing Wench and why it was such an important story to tell:

If you haven't read Wench yet, please add this to your reading list.  You will NOT be disappointed!

Enjoy!

-Bobby

32 Candles

I blogged about a book entitled, 32 Candles, by Ernessa T. Carter.  Ernessa's book, 32 Candles is the story of a self-proclaimed ugly duckling who finds her voice and finds herself.  Check out my article.

We received a great review from Lisa Steckhahn, Reference Librarian for the West Allis Public Library.  Here is what Lisa thought of 32 Candles:

"32 Candles is a look at the life of a very unique girl who moves to Los Angeles after enduring abuse from her mom and high school classmates.  Davie enjoys Molly Ringwald movies and wants her own “Molly Ringwald Ending”, a sentiment shared by many girls of her generation.  When she arrives in LA she transforms herself into another person and becomes a nightclub singer.  After establishing a life there, she encounters her high school crush who makes her relive all of the memories she ran away from.  It was a very entertaining read and I couldn’t help but root for Davie even though she is flawed.  The flaws are what makes her interesting and cause the reader to hope that she finally finds her “Molly Ringwald Ending”.  

-Lisa Steckhahn, Reference Librarian
West Allis Public Library

Many thanks to Lisa and everyone at the West Allis Public Library!  I hope you add 32 Candles to your reading list.

Enjoy!

-Bobby

Monday Madness...32 Candles

So if you are anything like me, you are probably sitting in front of your computer reading this and wondering to yourself "where on EARTH did the weekend go?" 

I know one great way to get over the "Monday Blues"...talk about and give away good books!

I am very excited about an upcoming book entitled, 32 Candles, by Ernessa T. Carter.  32 Candles, on sale in June tells the story of Davie Jones, a self-proclaimed ugly duckling from Mississippi, who feels her life couldn't be any worse than it already is.  She's teased at school, and doesn't have the greatest relationship with her mother.  On top of all this, she's in love with a handsome football player, who doesn't know she's alive.  After watching the movie Sixteen Candles,she believes that in spite of it all, if Molly Ringwald can have a happy ending, so can she!

After she realizes she can't take the drama anymore, Davie decides to try her luck at fame and fortune in the big city of Los Angeles, where she reinvents herself and becomes a successful nightclub singer.  As if life couldn't get any better, the handsome football player walks into the club one night.  He doesn't recognize her and her dreams of love become reality. By all accounts, everything is just perfect, until something from Davie's past threatens to haunt her and tarnish her bright future. 

I presented 32 Candles at the ALA Midwinter Conference during our Title Presentation.  To hear my "buzz" on the book, click here!

I am SO excited about this book and would love to hear your comments.  I will send free copies of 32 Candles to the 11 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! 

Please be sure to check out Ernessa's blogs (32candles.com and fierceandnerdy.com) I hope you find 32 Candles fun and heart-warming as I have.

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 

The Map of True Places

I am always amazed at how an author can keep presenting one hit title after another.  Brunonia Barry is no exception.  She wowed us with her New York Times bestseller, The Lace Reader and now she's back again! I am so excited about her newest title The Map of True Places, on sale in May.  I presented this title at our Seasonal Book Buzz at the American Library Association Midwinter Conference this past January.  To hear my "buzz", click here!

I know once you start reading The Map of True Places, you will not want to stop! 

Enjoy!

-Bobby

More Praise for Wench!

Last month, I blogged about a book entitled, Wench, by Dolen Perkins-Valdez.  Wench is the story of three female slave mistresses and the friendship they built despite living in a period of oppression.   Check out my article.

We have gotten such a great response for this book...and the praise keeps coming!  USA Today just gave Wench an awesome review.  Read it right here!

If you haven't read Wench yet, please add this to your reading list.  You will NOT be disappointed!

Enjoy!

-Bobby 

Wench

Last month, I blogged about a book entitled, Wench, by Dolen Perkins-Valdez.  Wench is the story of three female slave mistresses and the friendship they built despite living in a period of oppression.   Check out my article.

We received a great review from Jennifer M. Winberry, Principal Librarian, Extension Services, Acquisitions and Programming for the Hunterdon County Library.  Here it is:

Set in the decade prior to the American Civil War, Wench tells the story of Lizzie and three other slave women who are brought to Tawawa Resort in Ohio each summer by their masters who have taken these women as their mistresses.  Lizzie, from all appearances, and in her own mind, is treated very well, is considered a favored slave on her plantation, and Drayle shows a considerable amount of affection toward her and toward the two children she bore for him.  Over the years, Lizzie, Reenie and Sweet have formed a strong summer friendship and are mostly accepting of their roles in life until the summer a fourth woman, Mawu comes into their midst and says the word aloud that until now the others only dared say to themselves:  freedom. Dangerous and determined to escape, Mawu sets off a chain of events that brings tragedy to each woman, but that also offers a chance for each woman to change the course of her own destiny, whatever may come. The women will slowly work their way into your mind and heart, especially Lizzie who grows so much over the course of the book, as each searches for her own freedom and the strength to live with her decisions.

-Jennifer M. Winberry
Hunterdon County Library

Many thanks to Jennifer and everyone at the Hunterdon County Library! I hope you add Wench to your reading list.

Enjoy!

-Bobby