RANDOM HOUSE READER'S CIRCLE NEWSLETTER
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Holiday 2009

The perfect books for your bookclub

 
Dear Readers

Here we are, quickly approaching the end of 2009 and one of my favorite seasons! The HOLIDAY SEASON! And I have to say that I am looking forward to a very strong year in 2010. So, eat some turkey, hang some lights, light a menorah and pick up some books!!

We decided to try a new format for this special Holiday edition of the RHRC e-newsletter. As always, we are featuring books that are just on sale, like Maya Angelou's wonderful stories, LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER.

We are also featuring some of our favorite highlights of 2009 in the Looking For Something New section. Hopefully we have listed a few of your favorite books and given you some fun ideas for your next book club meeting or holiday gift.

Enjoy!

Your fellow book lover,
Kathleen
kmcauliffe@randomhouse.com

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song."
Maya Angelou

Author News AUTHOR NEWS




More deliciously dishy tales from author Dominick Dunne! Don't miss A SEASON IN PURGATORY, ANOTHER CITY, NOT MY OWN, and AN INCONVENIENT WOMAN; all in paperback for the first time!

A Season in Purgatory
Another City, Not My Own
An Inconvenient Woman

A Photographer's LifeA PHOTOGRAPHER'S LIFE Legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz traces the story of her life as a photographer, from portraits of public figures to private loved ones; it is a collection filled with poignant personal moments and the iconic images of our times.



Author Phone Chats

Imagine an author visiting you in your very own living room (by phone, of course). Enter your book club to win a phone chat with Jamie Ford, author of HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET or Elizabeth Strout, author of OLIVE KITTERIDGE.


Jamie Ford Jamie Ford
Photo © Laurence Kim
Request Now

Elizabeth Strout Elizabeth Strout
Photo © Jerry Bauer
Request Now

______________________

Who taught you HOW TO SEW A BUTTON?
Why do for ourselves, we shrug, when we can pay someone else to do it for us? Well, in her new book HOW TO SEW A BUTTON: And Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew, author Erin Bried features more than 100 step-by-step essentials that will teach you how to save money, have fun, and take better care of yourself and your loved ones. Email us with your story of who taught you how to sew your first button and you will be entered to win a copy of this extremely helpful how-to guide AND a copy of the novel KEEPING THE HOUSE by Ellen Baker. Be sure to write Button in the subject line and include your mailing address. Good luck!


  Featured Book




Letter to My DaughterLETTER TO MY DAUGHTER
by Maya Angelou
BUY NOW

For both new and devoted readers alike, a new volume of absorbing stories and inspirational wisdom from one of our best-loved writers. Dedicated to the young women Maya Angelou cares so much about, LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER reveals Angelou's path to living well and living a life with meaning. Like the rest of her remarkable work, LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER entertains and teaches; it is a book to cherish, savor, re-read, and share.

Read an excerpt from LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER.


 

A Truth Universally AcknowledgedA TRUTH UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED
by Susannah Carson
BUY NOW

Why do we read Jane Austen? So many writers have been forgotten over the ages, but for two centuries Austen has enthralled her readers. Edited by Susannah Carson with a foreword by Harold Bloom, A TRUTH UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED features essays from 33 great authors and literary critics, offering insights into the timelessness and importance of Austen's novels.

Why do YOU read Jane Austen?
Send an e-mail to rhpg@randomhouse.com and explain (in 500-1000 words) the significance Jane Austen has had on the literary world and in your own life, and you will be entered for the chance to win a signed copy of A TRUTH UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED, along with THE COMPLETE NOVELS OF JANE AUSTEN, VOLUME 1 and THE COMPLETE NOVELS OF JANE AUSTEN, VOLUME 2. Read the official rules here.


Outcasts United

OUTCASTS UNITED
by Warren St. John
The Solemn Lantern Maker

THE SOLEMN LANTERN MAKER
by Merlinda Bobis


Novel Idea

The SnowballWho would have thought that reading about business mogul Warren Buffett would be so interesting? In THE SNOWBALL, author Alice Schroeder not only discusses how this fascinating man has made it to where he is today in the business world, she also shows us, for the first time ever, his fascinating personal life. The only official biography on Buffett gives us love, sex and scandal, what more could a book group ask for?


Looking for Something New

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Shanghai Girls Was SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN an all-time favorite? Is Lisa See's new novel, SHANGHAI GIRLS on your must read list even though it's not out in paperback yet? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you should pick up HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Jamie Ford. It's a book that teaches you about history, the hardships of life, love and the meaning of true friendship all in one amazing story.



Sweeping Up Glass To Kill a Mockingbird The Boston Globe said this about SWEEPING UP GLASS by Carolyn Wall and I don't think that I could agree more: "This extraordinary debut novel... is filled with arresting images, bitter humor, and characters with palpable physical presence. The fresh voice of that clear-eyed narrator reminded me of Scout in Harper Lee's TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. I literally could not put it down."
Boston Globe



All We Ever Wanted Was Everything American Wife Did the drama and intrigue of AMERICAN WIFE by Curtis Sittenfeld catch your attention? If so, you should check out ALL WE EVER WANTED WAS EVERYTHING by Janelle Brown. This family saga is like a well written soap opera... full of love, money, scandal and redemption!



Sacred Hearts The Birth of Venus Sarah Dunant took readers to Renaissance Italy in her book group favorite, THE BIRTH OF VENUS and returns to that time and setting once again in her new novel SACRED HEARTS. Dunant gives us another compulsively absorbing story of love, art, religion, and power that is sure to give you lots to talk about at your next meeting!



The Last Queen The Other Boleyn Girl Did you love reading THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL by Phillipa Gregory? Or maybe you feel like you have learned all you need to know about the Tudors? You should try THE LAST QUEEN by C.W. Gortner. This page turning story on the life of Juana of Castile, or Juana la Loca as she was known, is just as interesting as and possibly even more dramatic than the tales of Henry VIII.



America America The Great Gatsby Like the classic novel, THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ethan Canin brings us a sharp-eyed outsider's perspective on great wealth and privilege in his epic tale AMERICA AMERICA.



The 19th Wife The Lace Reader Many book clubs fell in love with THE LACE READER by Brunonia Barry because it skillfully combined a current day murder mystery with recollections from the past. The same format of past and present tales is artfully mastered by David Ebershoff in THE 19TH WIFE. A current day murder takes place in a polygamous home all while we are taken back to the days of Ann Eliza Young and the building of the polygamous history. As these two narratives build, we are pulled deeper into both mysteries, and ultimately uncover how these two lives and stories connect.



Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Reading Lolita in Tehran READING LOLITA IN TEHRAN by Azar Nafisi has been described as a remarkable exploration of resilience in the face of tyranny and a celebration of the liberating power of literature. This can also be said of GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. This is a moving story about a group of people who are brought together through the written word during the German occupation of the Island of Guernsey. A truly charming novel that is a must read for all book clubs!



An Echo in the Bone Outlander Looking for a book that combines history, romance... and time travel like Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER? After reading this epic novel, millions of people fell in love with the story of reluctant time traveler Claire Randall and eighteenth century Scotsman Jamie Fraser. If you're one of them, be sure to read AN ECHO IN THE BONE, Gabaldon's latest book in the series.



Last Night in Twisted River The World According to Garp Did you enjoy John Irving's classic novel, THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP? Well, the modern American master returns with, LAST NIGHT IN TWISTED RIVER, a novel that has been deemed "classic Irving"—epic in scope and at turns hilarious, frightening and suspenseful. John Irving has once again brought us a compelling story of a writer and a family, creating one of his most riveting novels to date.



Outcasts United Mountains Beyond Mountains If you are looking for an uplifting and inspirational story this holiday season, a la MOUNTAINS BEYOND MOUNTAINS by Tracy Kidder, pick up OUTCASTS UNITED by Warren St. John. This touching story about a refugee soccer team and how it helped bring a small town into a global community is sure to bring some warmth to your heart.



Bubby's Crunch Cookbook Drink This: Wine Made Simple If you like cooking for your book group, try BUBBY'S BRUNCH COOKBOOK and dazzle your fellow readers with your supreme scone-making skills.
If you like a good drink with your good book, try DRINK THIS: Wine Made Simple by Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl and the words will flow like wine!


  Reading Our Readers

Last month, we asked what prompts you to pick up a book at your local bookstore or library. Cover? Title? Author? Here's a sampling of what you had to say!

Jill from Auburn, WA:
All of the above! Since belonging to a book club I now find myself picking up all kinds of books. While a cover probably is the main enticer, so is author, but with that said I am also always searching for a new author to love. One more prompt would be books on the "staff recommends" shelf. I have found some gems there that I would have probably passed over. With so many books in a store it is nice to have a little guidance, but I also love the thought of within all these books there is something perfect in here for me to love and I enjoy the search.

Chris from Claremont, CA:
So many different things speak to me about a book. I tend toward trade paperbacks for the size. I keep up with the bestsellers in the LA Times and NY Times newspapers, and when a book or author I don't know about keeps getting referenced, I will try to look into them further. I have a number of authors for whom I await eagerly their next book. And I am in two book clubs and very active in my local library, so I am always on the alert for books that I expect to enjoy. I am a complete book addict, and go to many different places looking for good deals on new and used books for myself, my friends and family.

Barbara from Naperville, IL:
I will pick up a book usually by author if it is one of my favorites but sometimes a title or cover will catch my attention and if the book looks and sounds interesting by the reviews on the back cover, I will buy it. I mostly buy books based on reviews I have read in the Readers Circle Newsletter, magazines or newspaper.

Enter to Win

Each month we'll ask you, our readers, to share something with us about your book club or about your personal reading habits. By responding, you will automatically be entered to win FREE books. PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST INCLUDE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS IN YOUR RESPONSE IN ORDER TO QUALIFY. Your address will not be used for any promotions or shared with anyone else.

Next Month's Question
What are two books that you would recommend to a friend based on similar themes, topics or writers?

Submit your entries to: rhrc@randomhouse.com

And keep sending in your tips and suggestions for running a smooth book club meeting. Hints are always helpful, and always appreciated! Or if you have a specific problem or concern with how to run a meeting or how to start a club, write in and we'll try to help. Please write in about your experience and also, continue to write in with any more problems or suggestions!