Whoa...self-published? That designation tends to announce the unwanted of New York publishers and agents. But some books end up self-published for reasons other than rejection by the Big Ones, such as Stokes McMillan's pre-civil rights story. Here's the scoop.
This is what guilt is like
Darin Strauss is the acclaimed author of three novels, including his 1999 debut, "Chang and Eng." His new book is a memoir about a car accident he was involved in when he was 18 and how it's affected his life. It won the 2011 National Book Critic's Circle Award for autobiography, and it's a stunning tribute to the human struggle with forgiveness.
A debut novel with a captivating narrator
"The Sojourn" is a new novel published by Bellevue Literary Press. It's beautifully written in first-person prose -- a World War I story and also a coming of age story that's profoundly moving and filled with hope.
A female assassin in this noir classic
Jean-Patrick Manchette's 1977 novel "Fatale" arrived in the mail. Here's why (you can do this, too) plus a brief summary of what the murderous vixen is up to.
10 Good Stories, 10 Good Times
Press 53 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina recently published a short story collection that's got inventive plots, humor and characters from the New Jersey shore that are colorful and memorable. This is the author's debut, and his creativity is a refreshing new voice.
Francisco Goldman’s “Mi Amor”
In the summer of 2007, author Francisco Goldman lost his young wife Aura Estrada in a swimming accident on a beach in Mexico. His new book, "Say Her Name," is a mix of fact and fiction that tells the romantic yet tragic story of their brief years together. It's beautifully written and consuming.
My wallet was a book
It's true. I have a wallet made from a book. You can see it here. Also in this post, a photo of a book with wings, plus information about "Bookwork" to be released this spring from University of Chicago Press.
Jo Ann Beard & Marcia Clark publish novels
The novels of these two authors caught my attention from a list of 12 debuts that Kirkus deems outstanding. Both are scheduled for release in April. And yes, that's Marcia Clark of O.J. Simpson fame.
Purple Jesus: symbol and cocktail
This novel from a small press in Maryland came to my attention via a Twitter exchange with the book critic at The Washington Post. Its subject of small town, trailer trash life in South Carolina's lowland region intrigued me. The story proved, indeed, to be a hilarious, cultural eye-opener.
The incredible journey
Here they come. The spring migrants heading north after wintering in warmer climates. Michael McCarthy, environment editor of London's Independent, has written an engaging book about the annual spring journey of birds from South Africa to England. It's a timely book to be reading mid-March and has surprisingly captivated me.
Joss Whedon is not at the Bodleian Library
There's a new vampire/witch/daemon fantasy novel that's hit the best-seller lists. Here's my experience reading the 579 pages. Slayer fans, if you're wondering why the brilliant Joss Whedon is present, read on. And a heads up to everyone: this is a long post. Settle in, or put on your skimmers.
“You Know When the Men Are Gone”
A great title for a debut collection of stories that focuses on the soldiers of Fort Hood, Texas, and the wives they leave behind when deployed to Iraq. It provided this reader an enjoyable respite from witches and vampires.
Smart, hilarious (better?) book titles
During a week that's been unkind to my reading time, a TLC interlude of humor.
How do you spell Mississippi?
Here's a great novel, one of the contenders for the 2011 Edgar Awards in the category of Best Novel. It's got wonderful characters, intriguing mysteries and a deep south setting so richly evoked you feel like it's just outside your back door.
The kind of question one can never answer
Snooping through the bookshelves of The Little Bookshop in Westerville, Ohio, I came across a novel published in 1949 with interesting copy on the back of the dust jacket. Not the usual plot summary or praises of the book one would expect, rather a commentary about reading, written by the book editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer. A curiosity worth sharing.
The Longest Chapter 