characters

This is the second installment of the  Man Booker longlist book selections.

The first was Room by Emma Donoghue.

Today's selection

Parrot and Olivier In America by Peter Carey

First lines

I had no doubt that something cruel and catastrophic had happened before I was born, yet the comte and comtesse, my parents, would not tell me what it was. As a result my organ of curiosity was made irritable and I grew into the most restless and unhealthy creature imaginable -- slight, pale, always climbing, prying into every drain and attic of the Chateau de Barfleur.

Publisher Summary Olivier—an improvisation on the life of Alexis de Tocqueville—is the traumatized child of aristocratic survivors of the French Revolution. Parrot is the motherless son of an itinerant English printer.

Claire Cook, author of The Wildwater Walking Club and Must Love Dogs speaks with us about reinventing ourselves -- a consistent theme throughout her books. Seven Year Switch, her seventh novel, is released today. Here are Claire's tips to reinventing your self.

What's Your Seven Year Switch?

I'm so thrilled to welcome Claire Cook to On the Bookcase. Claire is the author of seven novels, including The Wildwater Walking Club and Must Love Dogs. Her seventh novel, Seven Year Switch, has been released today!! Claire chats about reading groups, crafts, and a trip to Costa Rica?

MUST LOVE READING GROUPS

I'm so please to welcome Hyatt Bass, author of The Embers, to On the Bookcase. Hyatt talks with us about the writer and the reader and the lovely balance between the two.

Soon after I sold The Embers to my publisher, I went

June is Audiobook Month! Last chance for your reading group to receive audiobooks for all your members for your June meeting. PLUS an author, narrator, or producer chat!

Audiobooks can enhance your discussion. How well does the narrator "fit" the characters' personas?

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I'm jazzed about Solar by Ian McEwan (March 30, 2010).

Chris Bohjalian has a video just for Reading Group Choices readers! Secrets of  Eden has just been released and Chris is offering a chance to win a copy. Listen to Chris as he tells you about Secrets of Eden.

Do you have a favorite book that has a twist at the end?

You love a book, relate to the characters, and the book discussion was lively! You tell your friends, family, and sometimes, strangers in the grocery line -- a word-of-mouth campaign!

Tea with The Adriana -- what fun! Adriana Trigiani is just like her books -- fun, interesting, passionate, and real.