Articles tagged "Taylor Brown"
Happy #BookBday (3/28/17 Edition)
BONUS: two weeks of new releases in one! Happy #BookBday to:
THE RIVER OF KINGS by Taylor Brown
An April 2017 Indie Next pick with two starred reviews! Two brothers travel a storied river’s past and present in search of the truth about their father’s death in the second novel by the acclaimed author of FALLEN LAND. “Drawing comparisons to James Dickey’s DELIVERANCE and Charles Frazier’s COLD MOUNTAIN, Brown’s impressive second novel is an intense, solidly written story of family loyalty, Southern traditions, and haunting historic landscapes, all bound up in the mythical powers of the Altamaha River.” — Library Journal, starred review
THE COLLAPSING EMPIRE by John Scalzi
The first novel of a new space-opera sequence set in an all-new universe! “Scalzi mixes science, history, and politics with sharp action and intriguing characters. Readers will be thrilled to take another wild ride across the universe with the author of the ‘Old Man’s War’ series.” — Library Journal, starred review
THE HOPE CHEST by Viola Shipman
From the beloved author of Indie Next pick THE CHARM BRACELET comes a story about an heirloom hope chest and the connection it inspires among three people in need of hope: a fiercely independent woman battling ALS, her husband, and their struggling caregiver. “Shipman’s sentimental tearjerker is a good choice for fans of gentle, heartwarming fiction. Readers of Christian fiction may also appreciate its messages of hope and faith in the face of adversity.” — Booklist
BEFORE THE WAR by Fay Weldon
It’s 1922 and Vivien is twenty-four and many other things: six feet tall, intelligent, and a spinster. Fortunately, Vivien is rich, so she can travel to London and bribe a charismatic gentleman publisher to marry her. But what he doesn’t know is that Vivien is already pregnant by another man…. “Fans will relish Weldon’s latest concoction, part domestic comedy, part social commentary, and part bedroom farce, enlivened by her characteristic sly humor and arch tone.” — Booklist
THE ADVENTURES OF JOHN CARSON IN SEVERAL QUARTERS OF THE WORLD: A Novel of Robert Louis Stevenson by Brian Doyle
An inspired take on Robert Louis Stevenson’s planned-but-unwritten picaresque novel and the great Scottish author’s early life in 1880s San Francisco. “It’s a wondrous sort of paradox that a fiction nested inside another fiction can convey many poignant truths. Doyle’s irresistible novel, which practically begs to be read aloud, is a triumphant ode to the power of storytelling.” — Booklist
LENIN ON THE TRAIN by Catherine Merridale
Two starred reviews for this gripping, meticulously researched account of Lenin’s fateful 1917 rail journey from Zurich to Petrograd, where he ignited the Russian Revolution and forever changed the world. “A superbly written narrative history that draws together and makes sense of scattered data, anecdotes, and minor episodes, affording us a bigger picture of events that we now understand to be transformative.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Sneak Peek: April 2017 Indie Next List
The April 2017 Indie Next list includes four Macmillan titles!
THE RIVER OF KINGS by Taylor Brown
Two starred reviews! Two brothers travel a storied river’s past and present in search of the truth about their father’s death in the second novel by the acclaimed author of FALLEN LAND. “Drawing comparisons to James Dickey’s DELIVERANCE and Charles Frazier’s COLD MOUNTAIN, Brown’s impressive second novel is an intense, solidly written story of family loyalty, Southern traditions, and haunting historic landscapes, all bound up in the mythical powers of the Altamaha River.” — Library Journal, starred review
MARLENA by Julie Buntin
A Barnes & Noble Spring 2017 Discover pick and one of Publishers Weekly‘s Most Anticipated Spring 2017 Debuts with three starred reviews! An electric debut novel about love, addiction, and loss; the story of two girls and the feral year that will cost one her life, and define the other’s for decades. “Buntin’s prose is emotional and immediate, and the interior lives she draws of young women and obsessive best friends are Ferrante-esque.” — Booklist, starred review
MERCIES IN DISGUISE: A Story of Hope, a Family’s Genetic Destiny, and the Science That Rescued Them by Gina Kolata
In this work of narrative nonfiction in the tradition of THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS, New York Times science reporter Kolata follows a family through genetic illness and one courageous daughter who decides her fate shall no longer be decided by a genetic flaw. “Kolata delivers an inspiring chronicle of a remarkable family, medical advances, and redefining destiny.” — Booklist readmoreremove
Fiction All-Stars
We’re seeing lots of stars for these upcoming fiction releases:
THE DARK FLOOD RISES by Margaret Drabble – 3 stars!
“For women of a certain age, it is a pure pleasure to grow older alongside Drabble. For all others, there’s plenty of joy to be had in this thoughtful meditation on aging and mortality.” — Library Journal, starred review
“Searingly sad but often hilarious… Drabble has filled her tale with characters desperately trying to make sense of life and loss, of beauty, talent, missed opportunities, faded passion.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Those who appreciate her able combination of intelligence, wit, and rue will willingly follow Drabble into the sunset.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
CONVICTION by Julia Dahl – 3 stars!
“CONVICTION is a cleverly named compelling chronicle…[about] the very meaning of power and poverty, justice, family, and, best of all, hope. Timely and perfect for twenty- and thirtysomething fans of Megan Abbott and Lisa Lutz.” — Booklist, starred review
“Outstanding… Dahl excels at revealing the inner workings of enigmatic subcultures while maintaining peak suspense. She also provides a terrific ‘whoa, I didn’t see that coming” moment.’” — Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Newcomers to this award-winning series can jump right in with this installment, and be eager to read about Rebekah’s earlier investigations (INVISIBLE CITY; RUN YOU DOWN). The unsettling coercion of a confession from a teenage suspect could make this a good suggestion for fans of the show Making a Murderer. A surefire winner for any mystery or suspense fan. ” — Library Journal, starred review
WALKAWAY by Cory Doctorow
“Doctorow offers a counterintuitive alternate (possible?) future in this gritty yet hopeful sci-fi epic. A truly visionary techno-thriller that not only depicts how we might live tomorrow, but asks why we don’t already.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“The sweeping epic, which covers decades of Walkaway life—despite some difficult-to-read but entirely believable character trauma—is ultimately suffused with hope.” — Booklist, starred review readmoreremove
For Your Consideration: March 2017 LibraryReads Titles
Download, read, and nominate your favorite titles for the March 2017* LibraryReads list!
*Nominations are due January 20! Click here for the full list of 2017 deadlines.
NEVER LET YOU GO by Chevy Stevens
In the new novel from the LibraryReads author of THOSE GIRLS, Lindsey Nash escaped an abusive marriage and has successfully started her life over with her daughter—or so she thought. “Gripping… The difficulty of reading this book as a survivor must be emphasized; those of us who’ve endured domestic violence will recognize our lasting terrors and looking-over-our-shoulder habits in these pages and in this woman, as Stevens’ portrayal is spot-on. At the same time, survivors will want to pass the book on to everyone who ever asked them why they didn’t just leave. A must for public libraries.” — Booklist
Available on NetGalley. To be pre-approved for an e-galley, please email library@macmillanusa.com with the subject “Never Let You Go.”*
EDGAR AND LUCY by Victor Lodato
Two starred reviews for this second novel from the author of the award-winning MATHILDA SAVITCH, about the complicated love a mother has for her unusual child and vice versa, and their drive to create family wherever they can find it. “Through numerous changing viewpoints, the truth is gradually revealed, creating suspense and rewarding readers with unexpected parallels and touching connections. Lodato’s remarkable novel traces a broken family’s spiritual journey toward healing in moving, magical prose.” — Booklist, starred review
Available on NetGalley. To be pre-approved for an e-galley, please email library@macmillanusa.com with the subject “Edgar and Lucy.”*
A TWIST OF THE KNIFE by Becky Masterman
When ex-FBI agent Brigid Quinn is contacted by former colleague Laura Coleman to help exonerate Marcus Creighton, a death row inmate in Florida, Brigid agrees to help, especially since the case is the perfect distraction from her complicated family relationships. “Edgar-finalist Masterman presents a compassionate, clear-eyed depiction of the painful foibles of human nature in her chilling, twist-filled third thriller featuring retired FBI agent Brigid Quinn. A compelling, complex lead, Brigid has no problem skirting the straight and narrow in her quest for justice.”
— Publishers Weekly
Download the e-galley from Edelweiss
ALMOST MISSED YOU by Jessica Strawser
A powerful debut that knits parental abduction with devastating secrets unraveling among friends and spouses. “Fans of smart women’s fiction mixed with a fast-paced plot should not miss this startling first novel from the editorial director of Writer’s Digest Magazine.” — Library Journal
Available on NetGalley. To be pre-approved for an e-galley, please email library@macmillanusa.com with the subject “Almost Missed You.”* readmoreremove
PLA Booklist Book Buzz Titles
Talia is about to tell you about her favorite Macmillan titles at this morning’s Booklist Book Buzz in a few minutes, but we didn’t want the #plaleftbehind to be left out. Here are Talia’s top picks:
INHERIT THE BONES by Emily Littlejohn
THE HOMEPLACE by Kevin Wolf
BADLANDS by C.J. Box
ALL THE BIRDS IN THE SKY by Charlie Jane Anders
AN UNRESTORED WOMAN by Shobha Rao
THE CHARM BRACELET by Viola Shipman
CITY OF THORNS by Ben Rawlence
ROSALIE LIGHTNING by Tom Hart
FALLEN LAND by Taylor Brown
THE THINGS WE KEEP by Sally Hepworth
ORPHAN X by Gregg Hurwitz
THE HEART by Maylis de Kerangal
TRULY MADLY GUILTY by Liane Moriarty
ALL IS NOT FORGOTTEN by Wendy Walker
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS by B.A. Paris
REDEMPTION ROAD by John Hart
THE CHILDREN by Ann Leary
IN THE COUNTRY WE LOVE by Diane Guerrero
ALL THE UGLY AND WONDERFUL THINGS by Bryn Greenwood
IF I WAS YOUR GIRL by Meredith Russo
THE TRUE TAILS OF BAKER & TAYLOR by Jan Louch & Lisa Rogak
COLLECTING THE DEAD by Spencer Kope
CITY OF THE LOST by Kelley Armstrong
MURDER AT THE 42ND STREET LIBRARY by Con Lehane
THE HOUR OF LAND by Terry Tempest Williams
THIS IS NOT MY BEAUTIFUL LIFE by Victoria Fedden
WAKING THE SPIRIT by Andrew Schulman
WIDOWMAKER by Paul Doiron
AMONG THE WICKED by Linda Castillo
PARADIME by Alan Glynn
THE PRISONER OF HELL GATE by Dana I. Wolff
THE SPORT OF KINGS by C.E. Morgan
HERE I AM by Jonathan Safran Foer
I WILL SEND RAIN by Rae Meadows
YOU KNOW ME WELL by Nina LaCour & David Levithan
Download the book buzz handout, complete with information about getting whitelisted for Macmillan e-galleys and participating in LibraryReads!
Happy (Belated) #BookBday (1/13/16 Edition)
We needed a day to rest up from ALA Midwinter, so happy belated #BookBday to:
FALLEN LAND by Taylor Brown
A January 2016 Indie Next pick, a SIBA Okra 2016 Winter selection, and THREE stars for Brown’s debut novel about a young couple on the run from pursuers across Sherman’s March through Georgia in the final year of the Civil War. “Much like Charles Frazier’s COLD MOUNTAIN in style, subject, and mood, but also as evocative of the nineteenth-century American landscape as Karen Fisher’s A SUDDEN COUNTRY, this is a masterpiece that deserves a full serving of accolades.” — Booklist, starred review
ROSALIE LIGHTNING by Tom Hart
A January 2016 Indie Next pick, a Winter 2016 Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers pick and THREE stars for Eisner-nominated cartoonist Hart’s beautiful and touching graphic memoir about the untimely death of his young daughter, Rosalie. “ROSALIE LIGHTNING is a masterpiece—and a luminous tribute to a brief, beautiful life.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review readmoreremove
Sneak Peek: January 2016 Indie Next List
The January 2016 Indie Next list includes 3 Macmillan titles!
ROSALIE LIGHTNING by Tom Hart
Eisner-nominated cartoonist Hart’s beautiful and touching graphic memoir about the untimely death of his young daughter, Rosalie, is also a Winter 2016 Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers pick and has THREE starred reviews. “ROSALIE LIGHTNING is a masterpiece—and a luminous tribute to a brief, beautiful life.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review
FALLEN LAND by Taylor Brown
Three stars for Brown’s debut novel about a young couple on the run from pursuers across Sherman’s March through Georgia in the final year of the Civil War. “Much like Charles Frazier’s COLD MOUNTAIN in style, subject, and mood, but also as evocative of the nineteenth-century American landscape as Karen Fisher’s A SUDDEN COUNTRY, this is a masterpiece that deserves a full serving of accolades.” — Booklist, starred review
THE SOUND OF GRAVEL by Ruth Wariner
A Maximum Shelf Awareness selection! Jeannette Walls’ THE GLASS CASTLE meets ESCAPE by Carolyn Jessup, THE SOUND OF GRAVEL is the remarkable true story of one girl’s coming-of-age in a polygamist Mormon Doomsday cult. “This well-written book is hard to put down and hard to forget.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review
2015 Thanksgiving Reads
Thanksgiving is almost here! After all the cooking, cleaning and shopping, why not take a minute to relax and read? Here are 5 bestselling titles out now and 5 of our favorites coming out in 2016 that you can read and recommend:
Available Now
THE NIGHTINGALE by Kristin Hannah
THE GIVENNESS OF THINGS by Marilynne Robinson
HUMANS OF NEW YORK: STORIES by Brandon Stanton
UNSTOPPABLE by Bill Nye
KILLING AND DYING by Adriane Tomine
Coming Soon
ALL IS NOT FORGOTTEN by Wendy Walker
REDEMPTION ROAD by John Hart
FALLEN LAND by Taylor Brown
EVERY ANXIOUS WAVE by Mo Daviau
IF I WAS YOUR GIRL by Meredith Russo
*Don’t see the green button? Get whitelisted and don’t forget to nominate your favorite for LibraryReads!
Adult Books for Teens
Librarians often ask for recommendations of adult titles that their teen patrons will enjoy. These adult titles are in-house favorites at Macmillan, and are perfectly appropriate and accessible to teens. Mix it up by giving them a taste of reading choices that they won’t find on the young adult shelves.
MAKE YOUR HOME AMONG STRANGERS by Jennine Capó Crucet
A “heartfelt first novel” with “sharp cultural observations and terrific dialogue.” —New York Times Book Review
“Here, perfectly articulated through Lizet, is the experience of being a first-generation child of immigrants in America… But above all, in Lizet’s story, we have a thrilling, deeply fulfilling journey of a young woman stepping into her own power.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“While Crucet’s bildungsroman is specific to Cuban American Lizet Ramirez and her quest to find out who she is amid the cacophony of life in the United States, it succeeds on such a universal level that she could easily be a coming-of-age poster child.” —Booklist, starred review
“Told largely in flashback by an older and wiser Lizet, this coming-of-age story achieves a wry and wistful tone. Debut novelist Crucet depicts with insight and subtlety the culture shock, confusion, guilt, and humiliations of the first-generation college student.” —Library Journal
WEIGHTLESS by Sarah Bannan
“In this finely crafted debut, Bannan skillfully delivers a tale of modern-day bullying… Bannan’s provocative novel will stay with readers long after they finish it, and should be an especially effective read for teens.” —Publishers Weekly
“Raises haunting and urgent questions regarding personal responsibility and the culture of bullying in the age of social media.” —Booklist
“Bannan’s first novel takes a skillfully nuanced approach to the high school mean girls drama plot. No easy emotional pull of championing vindication for a victim here; expect instead to experience the unease of tangled intentions and perceptions that leave no clear answers while offering deep insights.” —Library Journal readmoreremove
Stars for FALLEN LAND
We’ve come out of our candy comas, shaken off the cobwebs, and are ready to tell you about our favorite Winter 2016 debut: FALLEN LAND by Taylor Brown.
It’s a January 2016 Indie Next pick and has received THREE starred reviews and comparisons to Charles Frazier’s COLD MOUNTAIN:
“This bleak, harrowing account of a young couple’s journey in General Sherman’s wake describes the ‘fallen land’ with wrenching detail, in language both lyrical and heartbreaking. Much like Charles Frazier’s COLD MOUNTAIN in style, subject, and mood, but also as evocative of the nineteenth-century American landscape as Karen Fisher’s A SUDDEN COUNTRY, this is a masterpiece that deserves a full serving of accolades.” — Booklist, starred review
“Brown’s expressive language captures the harsh realities of the South at the time. A nail-biting journey from first page to last.” — Library Journal, starred review
“Like McCarthy’s Border Trilogy or Frazier’s COLD MOUNTAIN, this is American literature at its best, full of art and beauty and the exploration of all that is good and bad in the human spirit.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“This is a Civil War odyssey in the tradition of Charles Frazier’s COLD MOUNTAIN and Daniel Woodrell’s WOE TO LIVE ON, written in a vernacular that resurrects the era and fully brings alive Callum and Ava’s adventures on the road. At the center of the story is the couple’s growing love for each other, which powers the story to a suspenseful ending and a satisfying epilogue.” — Publishers Weekly
