reading group

Author On the Bookcase
Claudia Sternbach

I'm excited to welcome Claudia Sternbach, author of Reading Lips: A Memoir  of Kisses. Claudia takes a unique platform to tell her story.  Kisses -- a father's kiss, first love kiss, best friend kiss -- tell the tale about small and, sometimes big, moments in one's life. This book is Claudia's life in her kisses.

Kiss and tell, Claudia! 

One Kiss is Never Enough
by Claudia Sternbach

It wasn't that I sat down one day and decided to write a book about kisses. I am not that clever.

Last weekend, I attended the AWP (Association of Writers & Writing Programs) in Washington, DC. But, some people call it Awesome Writers' Party! It was a blast. Panels, workshops, readings -- all about writers and their craft. I had the honor of hanging with some great writers.

On Thursday, I had dinner with a fun and talented group of women writers.

Around the Bend
Exposure by Therese Fowler

Around the Bend is an On the Bookcase Feature bringing attention to upcoming reading group-appropriate titles.

I'm so excited! Random House sent me an ARC of Therese's new title, Exposure (May 2011). I met Therese at the Virginia Festival of Books (VABOOK) 3 or 4 years ago. (Time flies when you have having fun!) She was on the Reading Group Choices' panel. Therese is a great writer and a fun person. Her previous novels are Souvenir and Reunion - both excellent reading group picks. And, I get to see her next week in DC for the Association of Writers & Writing Progmans.  

Here's the scoop!

Publisher Summary

Amelia Wilkes’s strict father does not allow her to date, but that doesn’t stop the talented, winsome high school senior from carrying on a secret romance with her classmate Anthony Winter.

Around the Bend
Galore by Michael Crummey

Around the Bend is an On the Bookcase Feature bringing attention to upcoming reading group-appropriate titles.

Publisher Summary

When a whale beaches itself on the shore of the remote coastal town of Paradise Deep, the last thing any of the townspeople expect to find inside it is a man, silent and reeking of fish, but remarkably alive. The discovery of this mysterious person, soon christened Judah, sets the town scrambling for answers as its most prominent citizens weigh in on whether he is man or beast, blessing or curse, miracle or demon.

Though Judah is a shocking addition, the town of Paradise Deep is already full of unusual characters. King-me Sellers, self-appointed patriarch, has it in for an inscrutable woman known only as Devine’s Widow, with whom he has a decades-old feud.

An IRRESISTIBLE BookPerk for reading groups in St. Louis.   

Attend a Private Cocktail Party with New York Times Bestselling Author Susan Elizabeth Phillips.                    

Chat with Susan during an intimate evening of hors d'œuvres, wine and desserts at The Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis in St. Louis, MO on January 17, 2011 from 7pm-9pm.

Author On the Bookcase
Ruth Downie

Welcome, Ruth Downie, to On the Bookcase. Ruth has written the fourth novel, Caveat Emptor, in her historical mystery Medicus series (Medicus, Terra Incognita, Persona Non Grata). The series centers around a doctor and defacto investigater, Gaius Petreius Ruso and his companion, (now wife) Tilla, in 2nd century Roman-occupied Britain.

Author On the Bookcase
Paula McLain

I'm thrilled to welcome Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife, to On the Bookcase. Hemingway is one of my favorite writers and have read some biographies of him. Now we can experience him through the eyes of his first wife, Hadley, in Paula's new novel.

Author On the Bookcase
Debra Ollivier

I'm so thrilled to welcome Debra Ollivier, author of What French Women Know: About Love, Sex, and Other Matters of the Heart and Mind, to On the Bookcase. Debra writes that French women don’t give a damn. They don’t expect men to understand them. They don’t care about being liked or being like everyone else. They accept the passage of time; celebrate the immediacy of pleasure; embrace ambiguity and imperfection; and prefer having a life to making a living. American women might learn the basics of the liberating alternatives from the land that knows how to love. 

Bon Jour! Comment ca va?

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of The Printed Page and is being hosted by Julie of Knitting and Sundries for the month of November. 

Author on the Bookcase
Jillian Cantor

I'm excited to welcome Jill Cantor, author of The Transformation of Things, to On the Bookcase. Jillian has crafted a truly fantastic novel about a complicated life made even more complicated. Jennifer Levenworth's husband, a judge, is indicted on bribery charges and her "friends" aren't that supportive. Then the dreams begin. When Jennifer sleeps, she swears she can see—and hear—her friends' and family's most private moments though her dreams.