library love fest

Summer Debuts to Knock Your Socks Off!

March 13, 2017

In the upcoming March 15th issue of Library Journal, HarperCollins will be running an ad featuring books near and dear to our hearts—summer debuts! Keep reading for further details about the scintillating first novels featured in the ad, and be sure to get your subscription to Library Journal by clicking here.

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The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen A. Flynn
Perfect for fans of Jane Austen, this engrossing debut novel offers an unusual twist on the legacy of one of the world’s most celebrated and beloved authors: two researchers from the future are sent back in time to meet Jane and recover a suspected unpublished novel.
"In her debut novel, Kathleen A. Flynn…creat[es] a vivid portrait of Regency England in all its glory and squalor. Flynn illuminates the stark contrasts between that era and our own, and movingly depicts the heartbreak of those who might try to travel between the two." —Lauren Belfer,
author of And After the Fire and A Fierce Radiance

Click here to download the egalley from Edelweiss

Sycamore by Bryn Chancellor
An award-winning writer hailed as "amazing, sensitive, and thoughtful" by Kevin Wilson makes her debut with this mesmerizing page-turner in the spirit of Everything I Never Told You and Olive Kitteridge: a coming of age story, a mystery, and a moving exploration of the elemental forces that drive human nature—desire, loneliness, grief, love, forgiveness, and hope—witnessed through the lives of one small Arizona town.
"Bryn Chancellor explores the complexities of a small-town girlhood with insight and compassion. A page-turner and a heart-breaker, Sycamore marks the arrival of a shining new voice."
—Tayari Jones, author of Silver Sparrow

Click here to download the egalley from Edelweiss

She Rides Shotgun by Jordan Harper
A propulsive, gritty novel about a girl marked for death who must fight and steal to stay alive, learning from the most frightening man she knows—her father.
"In Polly McClusky, the eleven-year-old girl at the heart of his darkly irresistible debut novel She Rides Shotgun, Jordan Harper gives us a hero for our times. With shades of Mattie Ross but an intelligence and fervor all her own, she is unforgettable."
—Megan Abbott, author of You Will Know Me

Click here to download the egalley from Edelweiss

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DRAGON TEETH by Michael Crichton is Booklist Online’s STARRED Review of the Day!

March 3, 2017

Did you know there is a new book coming out by Michael Crichton? Yes, THE Michael Crichton, author Jurassic Park, Pirate Latitudes, and countless other genre classics. Dragon Teeth, on sale this May, is a recently discovered novel and a rollicking adventure set in the Wild West during the golden age of fossil hunting. Filled with a memorable cast of characters, fascinating real-world science, and a blazing, where-did-the-last-few-hours-go plot, Dragon Teeth is simply an incredible read.

Dragon Teeth is also featured today on Booklist Online as their "Review of the Day." In this STARRED review, Booklist calls Dragon Teeth "one of his best, a beautifully detailed, scientifically engrossing, absolutely riveting story about the early days of paleontology." To read the full review on Booklist Online, click here.

As one of our top staff picks for the May LibraryReads list, we want to get this one in your hands. Are you a public librarian? Email us and we will send you an early galley! The deadline to vote for the May LibraryReads list is March 20th. To see our full list of LibraryReads suggestions, click here.

-Chris

LLF Staff Suggestions for May LibraryReads List

February 22, 2017

Greetings, librarians. So here they are—our recommendations for the May LibraryReads list! There are some serious literary delights to be had, including the latest from Dennis Lehane, a newly discovered novel from Michael Crichton, and a stunning debut from Bryn Chancellor. Remember, the deadline to vote for the May LibraryReads list is March 20th. Happy reading!

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Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane
For fans of: Mystic River and Shutter Island
Since We Fell follows Rachel Childs, a woman on the brink, who worries that her marriage is not what it seems.
"What seems at the start to be an edgy psychological mystery seamlessly transforms into a crafty, ingenious tale of murder and deception—and a deeply resonant account of one woman's effort to heal deep wounds that don't easily show."
—Kirkus Reviewsreview

Click here to download the egalley from Edelweiss
Public Librarian? Click here to request a physical galley
LibraryReads deadline: March 20th

Sycamore by Bryn Chancellor
For fans of: Everything I Never Told You and Olive Kitteridge
An award-winning writer hailed as "amazing, sensitive, and thoughtful” by Kevin Wilson makes her debut with this mesmerizing page-turner: a coming of age story, a mystery, and a moving exploration of the elemental forces that drive human nature—desire, loneliness, grief, love, forgiveness, and hope—witnessed through the lives of one small Arizona town.
"Bryn Chancellor explores the complexities of a small-town girlhood with insight and compassion. A page-turner and a heart-breaker, Sycamore marks the arrival of a shining new voice."
—Tayari Jones, author of Silver Sparrow

Click here to download the egalley from Edelweiss
LibraryReads deadline: March 20th

Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton
For fans of: Classic Michael Crichton novels, including Micro and Pirate Latitudes
The legendary author of Jurassic Park returns to the world of paleontology in this recently discovered novel—a thrilling adventure set in the Wild West during the golden age of fossil hunting.
"A very good novel; in fact, taken among all Crichton’s novels, it’s one of his best, a beautifully detailed, scientifically engrossing, absolutely riveting story about the early days of paleontology."
—Booklistreview

Click here to download the egalley from Edelweiss
Public Librarian? Click here to request a physical galley
LibraryReads deadline: March 20th

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Happy Book Birthday to James Grippando’s 25th novel, MOST DANGEROUS PLACE

February 21, 2017

Looking for a great legal thriller to keep you up late into the night? Look no further than Most Dangerous Place by New York Times bestselling author James Grippando! On sale today, Most Dangerous Place marks James's 25th(!!) novel, and number 13 in the Jack Swyteck series.

In Most Dangerous Place, Miami lawyer Jack Swyteck is defending a woman accused of murdering a man who sexually assaulted her in college, and must uncover where the truth lies between innocence, vengeance, and justice. Kirkus Reviews
praised Most Dangerous Place as, "One of his best…. Grippando gets underway with a bang and never lets up, springing a series of carefully calibrated surprises in and out of the courtroom guaranteed to catch even the canniest readers unaware."

Check out the brand new video trailer for Most Dangerous Place below!

Be sure to get your copy here. Click here to check out more of the Jack Swyteck series. Happy book birthday to Most Dangerous Place and congratulations to James Grippando on his 25th novel!

-Chris

What I’m Reading: THE BLINDS by Adam Sternbergh

February 16, 2017

Are you a genre-fiction fanatic? These are exciting times! Alongside authors like Colson Whitehead, Lauren Beukes, and the creators of the Welcome to Night Vale series, Adam Sternbergh, author of the upcoming The Blinds, is turning genre-fiction on its head.

While his Edgar-nominated Shovel Ready blended dystopian elements with a noir-ish sensibility, The Blinds combines hints of classic Westerns, Cormac McCarthy, Jim Thompson, and the Coen brothers, and injects a hearty dose of speculative fiction. All I can say is: Whew! No words are wasted in this taught, fast-paced adventure set in a mysterious experimental town in rural Texas—known as The Blinds—where the inhabitants have no recollection of their checkered criminal pasts. That is, until a suicide and ensuing murder forces the local sheriff to allow shadowy outsiders to investigate. Not all is as it appears.

You'll be glued to the page until you get to the bottom of the dark inner workings of this one-of-a-kind town. Both deviously funny and riveting to its core, The Blinds is sure to delight your patrons when it hits library shelves August 1st. To download the egalley from Edelweiss, please click here.

Enjoy!

-Chris

LLF Staff Suggestions for April LibraryReads List

February 6, 2017

Greetings, librarians. The Library Love Fest team has made it back safe and sound from ALA Midwinter in Atlanta, Georgia and we're eager to kick off a new round of LibraryReads suggestions! Fresh debuts, the return of old friends, love, mystery, and some far-out speculative fiction, there's something here for every reader. Remember, the deadline to vote for the April LibraryReads list is February 20th. Happy reading!

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Miss You by Kate Eberlen
For fans of: Jojo Moyes, Elin Hilderbrand, and Nick Hornby
A wryly romantic debut novel with echoes of One Day that asks, what if you just walked by the love of your life, but didn’t even know it?
"An unashamedly romantic novel, but one that also deals with the ongoing and deep-seated effects of grief. Both intricate and engrossing, its real pleasure lies in Eberlen’s assured writing with its level of detail and rich characterization."
—Sunday Express (London)

Click here to download the egalley from Edelweiss
Public Librarian? Click here to request a physical galley
LibraryReads deadline: February 20th

Song of the Lion by Anne Hillerman
For fans of: Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn and Chee novels
A deadly bombing takes Navajo Tribal cops Bernadette Manuelito, Jim Chee, and their mentor, the legendary Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, back into the past to find a vengeful killer in this riveting Southwestern mystery from the bestselling author of Spider Woman’s Daughter and Rock with Wings.
Praise for Rock with Wings, the previous entry in the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series: "Hillerman uses the southwestern setting as effectively as her late father did while skillfully combining Native American lore with present-day social issues."
—Publishers Weekly

Click here to download the egalley from Edelweiss
Public Librarian? Click here to request a physical galley
LibraryReads deadline: February 20th

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LLF Staff Suggestions for March LibraryReads List

December 23, 2016

Hello again, librarians. The Library Love Fest team has pulled together our favorite upcoming March releases for the March LibraryReads list. Before you dive in, please check out a special video message from Jessica Shattuck, author of the upcoming The Women in the Castle. Don't forget, the deadline to vote for the March LibraryReads list is January 20th. Happy reading!

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The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck
For fans of: The Nightingale, Sarah's Key, The Light Between Oceans
Set at the end of World War II in a crumbling Bavarian castle that once played host to all of German high society, this is the powerful and propulsive story of three widows whose lives and fates become intertwined. An affecting, shocking, and ultimately redemptive novel from the author of the New York Times Notable Book The Hazards of Good Breeding.
"The Women in the Castle is a vivid and gripping tale of endurance in the wake of World War II…. The writing is magnificent, as is Shattuck’s ability to render unimaginable circumstances with tremendous clarity and compassion. A joy to read, this is a beautiful and important book."
—Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, New York Times bestselling author of The Nest

Click here to download the egalley from Edelweiss
Public Librarian? Click here to request a physical galley
LibraryReads deadline: January 20th

The Hearts of Men by Nickolas Butler
For fans of: Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal, The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
From the bestselling author of Shotgun Lovesongs comes an epic novel of intertwining friendships and families set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin at a beloved Boy Scout summer camp.
"Butler’s latest delves into the meaning of loyalty and friendship, how some rise to life’s challenges while others fail…. Fans of Butler’s award-winning Shotgun Lovesongs will welcome this impressive work with an outstanding ensemble cast. Top of the class for Butler on this one."
—Library Journal starred review

Click here to download the egalley from Edelweiss
Public Librarian? Click here to request a physical galley
LibraryReads deadline: January 20th

Mississippi Blood by Greg Iles
For fans of: Memory Man by David Baldacci, The Stranger by Harlan Coben
In the exhilarating final volume in the epic Natchez Burning trilogy, Greg Iles’s bold and ambitious story of blood and honor, Penn Cage meets the endgame as the sins of the past continue to haunt the present.
"Iles wraps up his massively ambitious Natchez Burning trilogy with a book that is (in keeping with its predecessors) compelling, dark, surprising, and morally ambiguous…. This trilogy is destined to become a classic of literary crime fiction."
—Booklist starred review

Click here to download the egalley from Edelweiss
Public Librarian? Click here to request a physical galley
LibraryReads deadline: January 20th

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HarperCollins Publishers at ALA Midwinter 2017

December 12, 2016

Frankly, my dears, we DO give a damn what you read!

Visit us at booth #2017 this January 20-23 at ALA Midwinter in Atlanta, GA to catch a sneak peek at our Summer/Fall 2017 titles and meet some literary stars! See below for more information about our adult title presentation, and make sure to take a look at our schedule of events so you don't miss an opportunity to meet some stellar authors.

HarperCollins Adult Book Buzz

Saturday, January 21, 2017
8:30-10:00 am
Georgia World Congress Center, Room A302

Refreshments will be served and seating is limited, so RSVP to librarylovefest@harpercollins.com today!

See you there!
Virginia, Amanda, and Chris

Meet our Authors at ALA Midwinter!

Saturday, January 21
11:00am-12:00pm booth signing
Susan Crawford / The Other Widow

11:30am-12:15pm
BONUS BOOK BUZZ!
HCP/Macmillan/Sterling at Book Buzz Theater
Exhibit Hall: 2100 Aisle

12:00-1:00pm booth signing
Zoe Fishman / Inheriting Edith

1:00-2:00pm booth signing
Stephanie Powell Watts / No One Is Coming to Save Us

2:00-3:00pm booth signing
Christina Kelly / Good Karma

3:00-4:00pm
AAP LibraryReads "Best in Debut Authors 2017"
Featuring Stephanie Powell Watts / No One Is Coming to Save Us
Georgia World Congress Center, Room A312

Sunday, January 22
11:00am-12:00pm booth signing
Joshilyn Jackson / The Almost Sisters

1:30-2:30pm booth signing
Karin Slaughter / The Kept Woman

3:00-4:00pm
AAP Library Family Feud™
Featuring Karin Slaughter / The Kept Woman
Georgia World Congress Center, Room A302

Monday, January 23
10:00-11:00am booth signing
Matthew Quick / The Reason You're Alive

10:30-11:15am
BONUS BOOK BUZZ!
HCP/Harlequin at Book Buzz Theater
Exhibit Hall: 2100 Aisle

2:00-4:00pm
United for Libraries Author Gala Tea*
Featuring Matthew Quick / The Reason You're Alive
Georgia World Congress Center, Room B211/B212

*HarperCollins is a proud sponsor of United for Libraries (UFL).
Call 1-800-545-2433 ext 2161 for tickets

BookPage names NEWS OF THE WORLD the #1 Book of 2016!!!

December 5, 2016

The adoration continues to swell for Paulette Jiles' News of the World, and with so many "Best of 2016" lists beginning to roll in, we don't expect it to end any time soon. The latest? BookPage.com just named it as their #1 book of 2016! Click here to see the full list.

A National Book Award finalist, Paulette Jiles' latest is a fast-paced, heartfelt, beautifully written tale of a most unlikely duo—an aging war veteran and his young charge recently rescued from her Indian captors—as they travel across Texas to the young girl's adoptive aunt and uncle.

The #1 LibraryReads pick for October, News of the World has received widespread coverage and critical praise, a sampling of which you can see below! To celebrate, we will give away a finished copy of the book to the first FIVE people to email us at librarylovefest@harpercollins.com.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS published an insightful feature on Paulette which can be found here.

READER’S BOOKS in Sonoma, California recommended News of the World in a list published in the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE. Click here to read the feature.

THE WASHINGTON POST selected News of the World as one of the "BEST BOOKS OF 2016." Click here for the full list.

THE NEW YORK TIMES included the book in their "8 NEW BOOKS WE RECOMMEND THIS WEEK" feature. See the full article here.

Finally, check out this amazing blurb from THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW: "…at scarcely 200 pages, this exhilarating novel, a finalist for this year’s National Book Award, travels through its marvelous terrain so quickly that one is shocked, almost stricken, to reach the end. So do what I did: Read it again."

-Chris

LLF Staff Suggestions for February LibraryReads List

December 1, 2016

Hello again, librarians. Time for a fresh round of reading suggestions for the February LibraryReads list. As the holidays draw near, you most certainly deserve the gift of a great read. With this list, we're sure you'll find that special something. Don't forget, the deadline to vote is December 20th. Happy reading!

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A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline
For fans of: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
From the author of the smash bestseller Orphan Train comes a stunning and atmospheric novel of friendship, passion, and art, inspired by Andrew Wyeth’s mysterious and iconic painting “Christina’s World."
"With remarkable precision and compassion, A Piece of the World transports us to a mid-century farmhouse on the coast of Maine. But just like the painting that inspired it, this gorgeous novel is about so much more. Heartbreaking and life-affirming." —Nathan Hill, author of The Nix

Click here to download the egalley from Edelweiss
LibraryReads deadline: December 20th

A Book of American Martyrs by Joyce Carol Oates
For fans of: Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver, The Round House by Louise Erdrich
In this striking, enormously affecting novel, Joyce Carol Oates tells the story of two very different American families intimately linked by the assassination of a small town abortion provider.
"This is a book for our times, challenging, surprising, powerful, and unmistakably from the imagination of Joyce Carol Oates." —Elaine Showalter, Professor of English, Emeritus, Princeton University

Click here to download the egalley from Edelweiss
LibraryReads deadline: December 20th

Garden of Lamentations by Deborah Crombie
For fans of: Elizabeth George, Louise Penny, P.D. James
Scotland Yard detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James are drawn into separate investigations that hold disturbing—and deadly—complications for their own lives in this powerful mystery in the bestselling series.
"We can always count on her for fabulous plots…But what puts Deborah Crombie among the greats is her sure hand in raising her characters off the page."
—Louise Penny, New York Times bestselling author

Click here to download the egalley from Edelweiss
LibraryReads deadline: December 20th

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8 HarperCollins Titles Included in the NEW YORK TIMES “100 Notable Books of 2016” List!

November 28, 2016

So many great books came out in 2016. We know, it's daunting! The New York Times "100 Notable Books of 2016" list should help—EIGHT HarperCollins titles were included! See below for more details on the HarperCollins titles selected, and click here to read the full list.

Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson: Set in 1970s Brooklyn, the acclaimed, bestselling National Book Award-winning author of Brown Girl Dreaming delivers a searing tale of friendship, hopes, and the realities of an adulthood coming too soon.

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett: The acclaimed, bestselling author—winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Orange Prize—tells the enthralling story of how an unexpected romantic encounter irrevocably changes two families’ lives.

Don't Let My Baby Do Rodeo by Boris Fishman: The author of the critically admired, award-winning A Replacement Life turns to a different kind of story—an evocative, nuanced portrait of marriage and family, a woman reckoning with what she’s given up to make both work, and the universal question of how we reconcile who we are and whom the world wants us to be.

I Must Be Living Twice by Eileen Myles: A collection of thrilling new and beloved past work from one of America’s most celebrated poets, Eileen Myles, a cult icon and modern favorite.

LaRose by Louise Erdrich: In this literary masterwork, the author of the National Book Award-winning The Round House and the Pulitzer Prize nominee The Plague of Doves wields her breathtaking narrative magic in an emotionally haunting contemporary tale of a tragic accident, a demand for justice, and a profound act of atonement with ancient roots in indigenous culture.

Mister Monkey by Francine Prose: The acclaimed bestselling author weaves an ingenious, darkly humorous, and brilliantly observant story that follows the exploits and intrigue of a constellation of characters affiliated with an off-off-off-off Broadway children’s musical.

Moonglow by Michael Chabon: Following on the heels of his New York Times bestselling novel Telegraph Avenue, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon delivers another literary masterpiece: a novel of truth and lies, family legends, and existential adventure—and the forces that work to destroy us.

I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong: Joining the ranks of popular science classics like The Botany of Desire and The Selfish Gene, a groundbreaking, wondrously informative, and vastly entertaining examination of the most significant revolution in biology since Darwin—a “microbe’s-eye view” of the world that reveals a marvelous, radically reconceived picture of life on earth.

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And this just in…Time Magazine has named Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly as one of their "Top 10 Nonfiction Books of 2016!"

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We hope you get a chance to check out a few of these marvelous releases. What must-reads made your 2016 "best of" list? We'd love to know! Email us at librarylovefest@harpercollins.com.

-Chris

I’LL TAKE YOU THERE definitely takes you there!

November 22, 2016

Happy Birthday to Wally Lamb's latest, I'll Take You There, which hits shelves today.

Did you ever wish you could step back in time and observe your younger years as it played out in real time?

That's what Felix Funicello, the narrator of Mr. Lamb's latest heart-tugger does as he examines his relationship with the key women in his life. Through this time travel he gains a greater understanding of these women and what was happening in their lives. Felix was first introduced to us in Wally Lamb's novella, Wishin' and Hopin'. It was set in 1962 and young Felix is navigating his way through 5th grade Catholic School. It's hilarious and heartwarming. Very much like that great TV show The Wonder Years. In I'll Take You There, Felix has grown up—in more ways than one.

I'll Take You There was most deservedly a LibraryReads pick for the month of November.

Pick up a copy (or request one by emailing us at librarylovefest@harpercollins.com) and let us know what you think.

Happy Book Birthday, I'll Take You There.
Congratulations, Mr. Wally Lamb, my literary husband.

-Virginia

Something Special: ANOTHER BROOKLYN by Jacqueline Woodson

June 8, 2016

As the praise pours in for acclaimed YA author Jacqueline Woodson's return to adult fiction with Another Brooklyn, the feeling that we have something special on our hands is palpable. This beautiful book is the story of four friends whose lives take very different directions as they transition from adolescence to adulthood in 1970s Brooklyn. Check out the four (that's right, FOUR) starred reviews below. Another Brooklyn goes on sale August 9th, so head on over to Edelweiss to check out the egalley and see what all the buzz is about.

"An evocative portrayal of friendship, love, and loss that will resonate with anyone creating their own identity and will have YA crossover appeal." —Library Journal (Starred Review)

“The novel’s richness defies its slim page count. In her poet’s prose, Woodson not only shows us backward-glancing August attempting to stave off growing up and the pains that betray youth, she also wonders how we dream of a life parallel to the one we’re living.” —Booklist (Starred Review)

“Woodson crafts a haunting coming-of-age story of four best friends in Brooklyn, New York…Here is an exploration of family—both the ones we are born into and the ones we make for ourselves—and all the many ways we try to care for these people we love so much, sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing. A stunning achievement from one of the quietly great masters of our time.” —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

“Woodson…combines grit and beauty in a series of stunning vignettes, painting a vivid mural of what it was like to grow up African-American in Brooklyn during the 1970s…Woodson draws on all the senses to trace the milestones in a woman’s life and how her early experiences shaped her identity.” —Publishers Weekly, (Starred Review)

Be sure to check out the egalley on Edelweiss and let us know what you think. We are about two months away from the on sale date and this powerful book will undoubtedly be one this summer's most talked about titles and one you'll hold near and dear for a long time to come.

-Chris

Watch the livestream of Neil Gaiman’s UK event with Audrey Niffenegger this Tuesday

May 27, 2016

Tune in to Neil Gaiman’s Facebook page on Tuesday, May 31 at 2:45pm ET/11:45am PT, as Neil streams live from his book launch event in London!

To celebrate the publication of Neil’s collection of non-fiction, The View from the Cheap Seats, the award-winning author will be joined by Audrey Niffenegger, bestselling author of The Time Traveler's Wife, at a rare public event in London. These two literary heavyweights will discuss Neil’s latest work, among myriad topics sure to delight fans.

The event will be live-streamed across the globe via Facebook, so anyone unable to attend can also enjoy this unique event. Added bonus: Neil will be answering questions from viewers at home. Submit your questions for Neil starting Friday, May 27, via Twitter using the hashtag #CheapSeats.

Be sure to secure your hardcover, ebook, or audio copy of The View from the Cheap Seats today. Purchase from your favorite bookstore, using the links below.

PURCHASE FROM HC.COM

Gender and Identity: These Titles Don’t Shy Away From Tough Topics

May 24, 2016

Gender and identity politics have never been more visible. From income equality to bathroom rights, issues abound for the modern person. Intimidated? Overwhelmed? Read up on these vital issues with the help of some of the brightest and most observant voices working today. Without further ado…

Sex Object by Jessica Valenti: Called “one of the most visible and successful feminists of her generation” (Washington Post), Jessica Valenti shines a vibrant, searingly honest light on the contemporary female experience. Drugs, sex, class anxiety, and so much more—Valenti won't just open your eyes, she'll guide them towards the deeply ingrained social realties women face, pulling from her own fascinating life. The book goes on sale June 7th, but you can still download the egalley on Edelweiss.

Darling Days by iO Tillett Wright: A leading activist, artist, and thinker in identity politics, iO Tillett grew up in the fascinating bedlam of 80s New York. A fiery kid raised by an equally fiery and free-spirited mother, “iO Tillett Wright is nothing short of a force of nature…She has packed a lot in her young years and in her extraordinary memoir she has created something brave and true, as devastating as it is inspiring.” —Jill Soloway, Emmy-award winning creator of Transparent. The egalley is available on Edelweiss.

How to Win at Feminism by Reductress, Beth Newell, Sarah Pappalardo, and Anna Drezen: The issues facing women today are no laughing matter…unless the ones telling the jokes are the brilliant, satirical creators of the wildly popular “feminist Onion” humor website, Reductress. Subversive and illuminating, How to Win at Feminism will leave you in stitches…and more prepared for such challenges as "How to Love Your Body Even Though Hers is Better." Check it out on Edelweiss!

There's plenty to ponder here and, as always, we'd love to hear your thoughts. What are some of your recent favorite gender-centric reads? Drop us a line at librarylovefest@harpercollins.com. There might be some free-book-goodness in return!

-Chris

Alison Anderson’s THE SUMMER GUEST is Almost Here!

April 27, 2016

Eager to be whisked away by the next great piece of historical fiction? You won't have to wait long—Alison Anderson's The Summer Guest goes on sale next month. This dual-narrative-driven story follows the lives of two modern women hoping for professional and personal salvation as they work to translate and publish a diary that once belonged to an ailing Ukrainian doctor who shared a blossoming friendship with an emerging musical talent by name of Anton Pavlovich Chekhov beginning in the summer of 1888. The praise is pouring in, so be sure to pre-order a copy here.

“…This alluring and deceptively ingenuous novel demands close consideration from its readers, contains an internal mystery, and packs a heartbreakingly lovely emotional punch.” —Booklist (starred review)

“A gorgeous elegy to a great Russian writer.…also a moving account of three women separated by time, nationality, and geography and how each comes to terms with her own life…An exceptional novel about the transcendent possibilities of literature, friendship, and contemplation.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“The Summer Guest gives us all of the pleasures of a superb mystery novel, but most of all it is a profound meditation on the power, and necessity, of the imagination. What a deeply moving novel.” —Ron Rash, New York Times bestselling author of Serena and Above the Waterfall

“A richly researched and subtly nuanced mystery that explores the intimate relationships of one of Russia’s best loved writers and poses intriguing questions about the fine line between art and deception.” —Kathleen Tessaro, New York Times bestselling author of The Perfume Collector

Can’t Join Us at the NYPL Fiction/Nonfiction Book Buzz? Here’s What We’re Talking About…

March 31, 2016

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Can’t Join Us at the NYPL Fiction/Nonfiction Book Buzz? Here’s What We’re Talking About…Read More »

High-Stakes Military Thrillers Coming Your Way!

March 7, 2016

Perusing the "Spine-Tingling Mysteries and Thrillers" section of our Library Catalog on Edelweiss, you might notice a sudden embarrassment of riches for hungry military thriller fans. High-stakes, heart-pounding stories are coming from some of the biggest names in the genre as well as some of our most exciting up-and-coming debut novelists. Check out below what we have in store!

War Hawk by James Rollins and Grant Blackwood: Fan-favorite Tucker Wayne and his war dog Kane come to the aid of a former military colleague whose life—and the life of her son—is on the line. To protect them, Tucker and Kane must set off on a mission that could alter the political and social landscape of the world over. Join the adventure by checking out the egalley here.

Shadow War by Sean McFate and Bret Witter: McFate, a former high-level covert operative, is the real deal and it shows on every page. Tom Locke, an elite warrior part of one of the world's most successful private military contractors, finds himself in the middle of a geopolitical chess match featuring his enigmatic boss and a rescue mission in Ukraine that has world-wide repercussions. The egalley is available here.

Predator by Wilbur Smith: This contemporary thriller features former operative and full-time badass Major Hector Cross as he faces down a powerful old enemy and a new emerging threat hell-bent on global domination. Dive into the egalley here.

Hell's Gate by Bill Schutt and J.R. Finch: In the midst of WWII, a wise-cracking zoologist is sent on a perilous journey to Central Brazil to investigate a diabolical Axis plot involving biological experiments gone awry. The galley is available on Edelweiss here.

For more downloadable egalleys, please check out our catalogs on Edelweiss!

-Chris

Starred Reviews Pouring in for Joe Hill’s THE FIREMAN!

February 19, 2016

Three ★starred★ trade reviews for Joe Hill’s THE FIREMAN!

“In Hill's superb supernatural thriller, the world is falling apart in a maelstrom of flame and fury… Hill has followed 2013's NOS4A2 with a tremendous, heartrending epic of bravery and love set in a fully realized and terrifying apocalyptic world, where hope lies in the simplest of gestures and the fullest of hearts.”

– PUBLISHERS WEEKLY★

“Like his father, Stephen King, Hill has a talent for depicting fascinating characters caught in terrible situations….With a full cast of characters and multiple story lines to keep the reader hooked, Hill’s enthralling fourth thriller hits another home run.”

– LIBRARY JOURNAL★

“[R]eaders will be hard-pressed to stop turning the pages. Add in the well-developed cast of characters (both good and evil), fun pop-culture references, and a satisfying but open ended conclusion, and the story becomes infectious… Take the ideas, characters, and tone of Station Eleven (2014) and add a large helping of the action, villains, and unrelenting menace from Doctor Sleep (2013) and you have The Fireman, an excellent example of the very best that genre fiction has to offer readers today.”

– BOOKLIST★

Boy Reads Romance – Because of Miss Bridgerton

January 28, 2016

Note from a rookie romance reader: I don’t read romance. Well, I didn’t read romance. My allegiances can be won, and this charming, undeniably sharp release from New York Times bestseller Julia Quinn opened my eyes to a truth many of you have long known: romance reads are a damn fine way to enjoy one’s day. So let's begin…

Because of Miss Bridgerton is the first of a new prequel series detailing the lives and romances of those who came before the 8 siblings featured in Quinn’s beloved Bridgerton series. Billie Bridgerton, fiercely independent and equally charming, has little time for romance. But a woman of her time, Billie knows she will inevitably be wed…she just never expected George, the eldest and least-tolerable son of the Rokesby family, to be part of the equation.

I forced myself outside my comfort zone for this book and soon found myself curled up one cold night, my blackened heart having grown three sizes, giggling madly at just how cute these two stubborn characters were as they continually butted heads. George's tendency to say exactly what he doesn't mean at the most inopportune times truly resonated, as I too often suffer from foot-in-mouthitis. Billie's overwhelming charm but instant discomfort outside the familiarity of her family's estate is instantly appealing to all us homebodies out there. This romance never feels preordained. It feels earned. And Julia Quinn has earned a new fan: a boy…who now reads romance.

To all you wonderful romance readers, I'd love to know your thoughts. What keeps you coming back to your favorite romance reads? Any particular sub-genre that holds a special place in your heart? Share your pearls of wisdom via the comments section below or drop me a line at librarylovefest@harpercollins.com! And don't forget to check out the Because of Miss Bridgerton egalley, now available on Edelweiss.

-Chris

What I’m Reading – Peter Robinson’s NO CURE FOR LOVE

January 4, 2016

Peter Robinson’s Inspector Banks novels (22 in all!) have cemented his status as a master of mysteries and thrillers. The upcoming release of his standalone No Cure for Love brings the fast-paced whirlwind of twists and turns that’s garnered him legions of fans but, for the first time, takes us on an America-set mystery. And not just any America, but the topsy-turvy glitz, glamour, and grit of Hollywood.

The story follows rising star Sarah Broughton, a Brit still uncomfortable with the oddball culture of show business. Sarah has a past that runs far deeper than the name she left in England, Sally Bolton. Someone is sending her increasingly threatening letters…letters that know too much. When obsession turns to murder, Sarah must rely on Detective Arvo Hughes—a specialist in Hollywood stalkers—as the two discover just how hard it is to outrun the past and to keep a secret buried.

I took the opportunity to read No Cure for Love over the holiday weekend and was quickly absorbed. I’m not the only one—#1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly provides a fantastic forward and some not-so-subtle praise: “Terrific…that rare book that entertains, enthralls, and also teaches. No Cure for Love has something to say about right now.” The egalley is available on Edelweiss, so be sure to check it out here.

-Chris

WHAT SHE KNEW is a LibraryReads Pick for January!

December 10, 2015

It's sunny and pushing 60 today in New York—so why are we shivering? Blame the mixture of excitement and thrills that come with Gilly Macmillan's hair-raising debut novel, What She Knew, being chosen as a LibraryReads pick for January!

This stunning piece of psychological suspense follows Rachel—still reeling from a painful divorce—as she comes face-to-face with every mother's worst nightmare: the sudden and unexplained disappearance of her son. Now the target of media scrutiny and public ire, Rachel must carefully wade through elusive clues and a growing suspicion that no one can be trusted, her own increasingly fragile psyche included.

A huge thanks to all who voted for LibraryReads this month! Want to join in the fun? Check out the LibraryReads website to find out how and to see the entire January list.

-The LLF Team

Happy Thanksgiving – It’s Time for Loved Ones, Turkey, and Book Club!

November 25, 2015

A warm welcome goes out to Chris Connolly, the new addition to the Library Love Fest team, as we talk about great book club picks for November. Now let’s get to the books!

Above the Waterfall by Ron Rash: “Combining suspense with acute observations and flashing insights, Rash tells a seductive and disquieting tale about our intrinsic attachment to and disastrous abuse of the land and our betrayal of our best selves.” —Booklist starred review

The Uninvited by Cat Winters: “The Uninvited is an affecting novel, dark in fiction and in fact. Set in 1918 against the parallel epidemics of the Spanish influenza and an equally terrifying strain of “superpatriotism,” Cat Winters’ latest offers resonant characters, a stunning twist, and an emotional, satisfying conclusion.” —Michelle Gable, international bestselling author of A Paris Apartment

If you’ve read these titles and love them as much as we do, let us know! If you haven’t yet read them but would like to find out more…let us know again! Give us a shout at librarylovefest@harpercollins.com.

–The LLF Team

All Hands on Deck! LLF Setting Sail for ALA MW in Boston

November 23, 2015

Ahoy Everyone!

Seas the day and come visit us this January 9th—11th at ALA Midwinter conference in Boston (Booth #2021)! With a haul of amazing authors and books in tow, you're sure to find something that floats your boat. Bouy, we'd love to see you there!

For more details, give the below video and event schedule a look-sea. If you'd like to attend, please visit ALA's website here for instructions on registering.

If you have any questions, please drop us a line at librarylovefest@harpercollins.com.

-The LLF Team

Unforgettable Reads – The Silent Boy

October 27, 2015

EDIT: Thank you for your interest. This giveaway is now closed.
Say nothing. Not a word to anyone. Whatever you see. Whatever you heard. Do you understand? Say nothing. Ever.

So begins the aptly named historical thriller THE SILENT BOY by multi-award-winning author Andrew Taylor.

One of the best writers of commercial historical fiction working today, Taylor, the author of such blockbusters as THE AMERICAN BOY and THE SCENT OF DEATH delivers another powerful, brilliant page-turner — this one set in Paris during the French Revolution.

Terror reigns as the city writhes in the grip of revolution. The streets run with blood as thousands lose their heads to the guillotine. Edward Savill, working in London as agent for a wealthy American, receives word that his estranged wife Augusta has been killed in France. She leaves behind ten-year-old Charles, who is brought to England to Charnwood Court, a house in the country leased by a group of émigré refugees.

Savill is sent to retrieve the boy, though it proves easier to reach Charnwood than to leave. And only when Savill arrives there does he discover that Charles is mute. The boy has witnessed horrors beyond his years, but what terrible secret haunts him so deeply that he is unable to utter a word?

THE SILENT BOY was published first in the UK to critical acclaim:

“Taylor has not only succeeded in constructing a labyrinthine plot that is gripping to the last page, but he also created an entirely believable child, traumatized but resolute, whose plight is the fuel for true suspense” —Guardian

Now Harper 360 is proud to announce the US publication which has already received glowing praise including this starred review from Booklist: “This compares well to the suspense and sheer adventure of Robert McCammon’s Matthew Corbett mysteries and even Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped.”

If you’d like to dive into the world of Andrew Taylor, send us an email and we’ll send you a copy of this unforgettable read.

—Virginia