Award-winning journalist and talk show host Anne Holliday interviews some of the most popular authors of the day, including Mary Higgins Clark, Joseph Finder, C.J. Box, Jeffery Deaver, Delia Ephron, Liane Moriarty, Linda Fairstein, Lisa Gardner, Steve Berry, David Baldacci, Gregory Maguire, and many more.
They even explain why video games aren't so bad if your child is a reader -- or you're trying to get him to be one.
Michael W. Smith joined me on 1490 WESB's LiveLine to talk about the book and more.
Listen here: http://www.wesb.com/listen/. Click on the "Local Programs" tab and scroll down to "1-30-14 LiveLine Let Kids Read What They Want."
You can find more information at Scholastic.com.
Do you know which author’s book is number two on the New York Times Bestseller’s list?
Do you know which bestselling author’s latest thriller will be released on Tuesday?
Do you know which two authors will be on 1490 WESB's LiveLine next week?
Answers:
Sue Monk Kidd (The Invention of Wings)
Robin Cook (Cell)
Sue Monk Kidd and Robin Cook
I'll post links to the interviews here after they're on the air.
Nationally renowned sommelier, author and wine educator Marnie Old has put together a book that makes wine tasting -- and everything else you ever wanted to know about wine -- fun and easy.
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The book includes many references to this area including Port Allegany, Oswayo Valley, Roulette, Olean, Wellsville, Andover.
One of the main things you'll get out of the book is that good guys can make it.
You can listen to my talk with Jim here. Click on the "Local Programs" tab and then scroll down to "LiveLine 01-20-14 Josh and Josh, Jim Pransky."
He knew there were better role models and heroes for his children to want to emulate so he had a friend draw a picture of Amelia Earhart and on the back Brad wrote, "I know no bounds." His daughter loved it, and the series was born.
"I Am Amelia Earhart" and "I Am Abraham Lincoln" are the first books in the series. Brad plans books on Rosa Parks, Albert Einstein, Lucille Ball, Neil Armstrong, Jackie Robinson and many others.
You can listen to my conversation with Brad here.
The story takes place in an American about 150 years in the future in which the separation of class and race is more profound than imaginable, there’s little hope of improving your station in life almost everyone can expect to die from a C-illness.
While Fan herself shows that the government can’t control her we also learn that other people, in less dramatic ways, are beginning to rebel by throwing food the fish in the ponds (strictly forbidden!), shaving their heads, painting graffiti pictures of Fan and Reg.
This is a beautifully written book – I had to stop a few times to read passages over again because they were just that good – and incredibly thought-provoking.
You can listen to my interview with Chang-rae Lee here.
5 of 5
Note: I did receive a free copy of this book from the publisher.
The story revolves around two brothers and their wives whose sons have committed a disturbing crime. While the entire country (Holland) knows about the crime through surveillance video aired on an America's Most Wanted-type show they don't know who the culprits are, and surely do not suspect they are the son and nephew of the country's future Prime Minister.
At first I was confused as to why the author would choose a posh, pretentious restaurant as the setting for this book. I eventually realized it was a way to pique the readers' curiousity as each course was served and the manager annoyingly described each dish and other diners or employees were brought into the mix all while we are waiting to find out what the two teenagers did that was so horrible. In the dessert course, the melting ice cream is a brilliant metaphor. I don't like spoillers so I'll let you figure out its meaning for yourself.
This would be a great book for book clubs because of the many questions raised including, how far would/should a parent go to protect his child; mental illness and heredity; genetics; morals of politicians.
An avid reader is one of the best things a person can be. Not only does reading literature enhance your brain's connectivity (because, science!), it also allows you to experience other cultures, and avoid making embarrassing grammatical errors.
There are, however, a handful of irksome situations that book lovers have to face. When is it okay to abandon a so-so novel? What's the most efficient method of bookshelf organization? Is it snobby to dump someone on the basis of his or her dislike of reading? These and other quirky conundrums are perhaps the only downside to loving books with all of your heart and soul.
Read the complete list here.
Right now I'm reading Chang-Rae Lee's "On Such a Full Sea" to get ready for Monday's interview. In a passage I read yesterday the narrator is discussing a main character's former profession, which has become obsolete in this future society. (The story takes place in the next century.)
The narrator goes on to explain that the reason for this person's job is gone "like the old-time writers who at some point found that very few people, if any, actually practiced reading anymore. But at least those writers had time, the change happening over many decades, until readers became rare enough that they were believed to be nearly extinct, like some twitchy, sensitive creatures who lingered in the twilight brush."
Think about that for a while.
Lily isn’t even in settled in yet when she learns The Servant Girl Killer (While doing research Coble discovered there really was a Servant Girl Killer!) has resurfaced, her former fiancé is a guest at Butterfly Palace living under an assumed name, and her mistress is a 23-year-old spoiled brat.
Not only does she have The Servant Girl Killer and mistress Belle to deal with, her former fiancé has some secrets he shares with her and she finds that she still has feelings for him despite the fact he broke her hear. Still, she stays strong and manages to help solve a couple of crimes.
As much as I like Lily, though, I found Belle to be the most intriguing character because of the transformation she makes throughout the story.
If you’re not into romance novels, don’t let the fact that this book falls into that category in some lists sway you from picking it up. The suspense and intrigue more than make up for any romance that may turn you off.
Listen to my interview with Colleen Coble -- and learn about a special offer -- here.
4 of 5
Note: I did get a free copy of the book from the publisher.
And these are just the books that came today! I'm such a lucky gal. Now I just have to read them before the author interviews. I think I'll manage. :)
Tomorrow, I interview Colleen Coble for "Butterfly Palace." I'm looking forward to that! I'm also hoping to have the interview and review up for you by this time tomorrow. Until then, good night and good reading.
Serena Diaz, a promising young science teacher, is falsely accused of sexually abusing a male student. As she tries to clear her head after the allegations are brought to light, she comes in contact with members of the sex-trafficking ring, and the man who saves her life. Eventually she begins working with the people who are trying to bring the ring down. Along the way, we learn that she is also being played by members of the ring.
From nearly the very beginning of the story we know who is running the ring, and who is trying to stop it. The fun part is putting the pieces of the puzzle together as the main characters do. Along the way Serena also gets some help from an unexpected ally. She also, ultimately, discovers her true calling in life.
Erin Healy's books have a bit of the paranormal in them as well, and it's interesting to see how the things Serena sees come true -- or not.
Listen to my interview with Erin here
4 of 5
Note: I did get a free copy of the book from the publisher.
We discussed her book “Before I Fall,” which we described as a cross between “The Lovely Bones” and the movie “Mean Girls.” I fell in love with the book and became a fan of Young Adult fiction. Well-written Young Adult fiction, that is. Unfortunately, it’s not all well-written. But that can be said for all fiction, I suppose.
Shortly before she is scheduled for the “Cure” and to live blandly ever after with the man she’s been matched with Lena meets Alex, a young man who infiltrates the town by pretending he’s been cured. He teaches Lena about the Wilds – where the non-cured “Invalids” live. They soon fall in love and plan to escape over the guarded fences of the town and run away together.
The rest of the trilogy takes us through their adventures. I don’t want to give away too much so I’ll stop there with the story. But I do have to say that Alex and Lena, along with the other characters, are seem so real that when I had only 100 pages to go in “Requiem,” the third book, I posted on Lauren’s Facebook page that I wanted to find out how the story ended, but I didn’t want to say good-bye to the characters. She said she felt the same way.
Now, thanks to Lauren, I will browse the Young Adult section of a book store and I’ve gotten some wonderful surprises there. “Stupid Fast” by Geoff Herbach and anything by Gayle Forman come to mind. Another great surprise was “Itch: The Explosive Adventures of an Element Hunter” by Simon Mayo. I’ll admit I got the book for free prior to my interview with the author but I would have paid for it. In fact, as much as I hate giving away books I love, I gave it to my nephews.
If you take a look at YA fiction and like it you can thank me if you want, but the real thanks should go to Lauren Oliver.
Feel free to comment!
To say I was disappointed in the book would be an understatement.
Besides not liking the major characters, the other problem I had with the book is that some of the subjects the author brought up were not fleshed out enough. Why were the mothers of Sally and Clare the way they were? What exactly is Sally's daughter's problem? What was causing Ted's tremor? Also, she spent too much time on Clare's brothers but really didn't tell us anything about them. It almost seemed as if she added the brothers just to reach a word count.
I've read other reviews of this book and some people seem to really like it so I'm not going to say I don't recommend it. Reactions to books are such personal things that it's unfair to say that just because I don't like it you won't either. But, now you have my opinion.
2 out of 5
I'd love to read your opinion!
This is what a psychological thriller should be!
Onto the story: Adeline and Shana are daughters of a notorious serial killer and, after his death, are put on different paths in life. Adeline is adopted by a doctor doing research on a genetic condition she has that doesn't allow her to feel pain. She grows up to be a psychiatrist. Shana is put in a series of foster homes until, at age fourteen, she is convicted of murdering a 12-year-old boy. In prison, she kills three more times and is destined to be locked up for the rest of her life.
Forty years after their father's death -- and 20 years after the sisters reconnect -- a serial killer emerges who is using part of their father's MO. Detective D.D. Warren, Adeline and others, at first think Shana may somehow be involved even though she is in solitary confinement.
The story from there takes several twists and turns that are as exhilarating as the scariest roller coaster ride you've ever been on. In my opinion, Lisa Gardner has written the perfect psychological thriller.
The Husband's Secret:
When I talked to the author she told me she got the idea while reading about deathbed confessions and coming across a man who wrote one, but didn't die.
But Cecilia isn't the only one dealing with changes. Tess -- my favorite character -- is dealing with the fact that her husband and business partner thinks he's in love with Tess's cousin, the once fat but now beautiful Felicity, who is also a business partner.
And there's Rachel, who is still dealing with the unsolved murder of her daughter, Janie. She thinks she knows who the killer is, and even thinks she has evidence. If she's right, Tess is now dating him.
The lives of the three women are entwined in such interesting ways and the author does a great job of keeping the action going -- even after we know the secret and think we've figured out a few more things.
This is a real page turner and I can hardly wait for her next book.
Both books get 5 of 5
How do you feel about either one, or both?
You can listen to my interviews with the authors here. Click on "Local Programs."
Note: I received a free copy of each book from the publicists.
Mary must also deal with her mother, with whom she has long-standing issues. Partly to shut her mother up Mary joins a knitting circle her mother suggested. The group of women (and one man) in the circle are dealing with loss as well. Some recent; some long ago; some impending.
As the book progresses, we learn about the other members of the knitting circle as they open up to Mary. This, in turn, eventually, allows her to open up about her feelings concerning the death of her daughter. We also learn why Mary and her mother have the relationship they have.
And the knitting? Knitters know how relaxing it can be and how it feels to create something after you’ve lost something very important to you. Not that a scarf could ever replace a 5-year-old girl, but creating something brings you back into the world of the living.
My mother passed away five months before Pat suggested this book to me. Her mother died 40 years ago. I think part of the reason she let me borrow the book is that – although she’s told me – losing your mother never really gets any easier but you can always find someone to talk to about it.
I give "The Knitting Circle" 4 of 5:
Have you read it? What do you think?
