Articles tagged "THE BOOK OF SPECULATION"
Author Spotlight: Erika Swyler (5/2/19)
Erika Swyler is ruling the book world right now with her multi-starred, Library Journal & Indie Next Pick, LIGHT FROM OTHER STARS.
Erika Swyler is the author of book club favorite, THE BOOK OF SPECULATION, a national bestseller, a Barnes & Noble Discover, Indie Next, AND LibraryReads pick. Her essays and short fiction have appeared in Catapult, VIDA, The New York Times, and elsewhere. Erika lives on Long Island (a.k.a Strong Island), NY, with her husband and a petulant rabbit. She writes, bakes, is a casual runner, and has very strong feelings about typewriters.
LIGHT FROM OTHER STARS (on shelves 5/7) is about fathers and daughters, women and the forces that hold them back, and the cost of meaningful work. It questions how our lives have changed, what progress looks like, and what it really means to sacrifice for the greater good.
Four Stars for LIGHT FROM OTHER STARS
The stars are shining on LIGHT FROM OTHER STARS by the author of the June 2015 LibraryReads pick THE BOOK OF SPECULATION, Erika Swyler! This poignant, fantastical novel just received its fourth starred review!
“Swyler’s beautiful story, told in eloquent prose, induces shivers of wonder. This meditation on time, loss, and the depth of human connection is both melancholy and astonishing.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Grand in scope and graceful in execution, Swyler’s latest is at once a wistfully nostalgic coming-of-age tale and a profound work of horror-tinged science fiction.”–Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Brings to mind the quintessential pioneering writer who used science to explore the human condition, Mary Shelley.”–Booklist, starred review
“Swyler’s voice has grown exponentially since her debut, and she offers a moving, often heartrending story with lyrical grace… Simply gorgeous.“–Library Journal, starred review
Happy National Library Week 2018!
It’s National Library Week, and what better way to celebrate than with some of our favorite books by librarians, about libraries, or starring librarians:
DEAR FAHRENHEIT 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks by Annie Spence
A September 2017 LibraryReads pick, Gen X-er librarian Spence’s book is a snarky, laugh-out-loud funny, deeply moving collection of love letters and break-up notes to the books in her life.
MURDER IN THE MANUSCRIPT ROOM: A 42nd Street Library Mystery by Con Lehane
Murder? In the library?! It happens in Lehane’s 42nd Street Library mystery series starring crime fiction curator Raymond Ambler.
THE BOOK OF SPECULATION by Erika Swyler
Swyler’s “whimsically dark debut” (Publishers Weekly) about a librarian who discovers a mysterious book that holds the key to a curse that has haunted his family of traveling circus performers for generations was a June 2015 LibraryReads pick and a Barnes & Noble 2015 Discover Great New Writers selection.
THE INFERNAL LIBRARY: On Dictators, the Books They Wrote, and Other Catastrophes of Literacy by Daniel Kalder
A compelling new history of “dictator literature” in the twentieth century, featuring the prose and poetry of Lenin, Hitler, Mao, and more.
MURDER AT THE BRIGHTWELL by Ashley Weaver
Librarian Weaver’s charming Golden Age debut introduced married couple/amateur sleuths Amory and Milo Ames and was an October 2014 LibraryReads pick. Look for book 5 in the series, AN ACT OF VILLAINY, coming this September 2018.
Plus, Patience & Fortitude are roaring about our New York Public Library Spring 2018 staff picks!
STARFIRE: A Red Peace by Spencer Ellsworth
BAKING WITH KAFKA by Tom Gauld
DON’T GO by Lisa Scottoline
GHOSTS OF THE TSUNAMI: Death and Life in Japan’s Disaster Zone by Richard Lloyd Parry
THE BUTCHERING ART: Joseph Lister’s Quest to Transform the Grisly World of Victorian Medicine by Lindsey Fitzharris
THE ENGLISH WIFE by Lauren Willig
A CROWN OF WISHES by Roshani Chokshi (Young Adult)
Booklist’s Spotlight on First Novels, 2016
Booklist‘s recent Spotlight on First Novels revealed several favorite Macmillan debuts:
Top 10 First Novels: 2016* (full list)
HIDE by Matthew Griffin
Griffin follows the relationship between two gay men living on the fringes of society, in constant fear of being found out, through the decades, recalling in flashbacks how they met and stayed together, and capturing the quotidian moments of life.
Top 10 First Novels for Youth: 2016* (full list)
AMERICAN GIRLS by Alison Umminger
Anna, 15, escapes upheaval at home by spending the summer with her half-sister, Delia, in L.A., where Anna becomes involved in a project about Charles Manson that helps her comes to terms with her family and herself.
Top 10 First Novels on Audio: 2016* (full list)
THE BOOK OF SPECULATION by Erika Swyler, read by Ari Fliakos
Myths, mermaids, tarot cards, and a family curse flow together in this tale of a librarian who receives an unsolicited package that opens up the secrets of his family history. Fliakos captures character and tone in this splendidly performed tale.
THE FORGETTING TIME by Sharon Guskin, read by Susan Bennett and David Pittu
Guskin’s debut intertwines two imaginative stories: a preschooler continually asks for his “other mother,” and a psychiatrist studies reincarnation in young children. Pitch-perfect performances from Bennett and Pittu add drama and emotion to the complex story.
IF I WAS YOUR GIRL by Meredith Russo, read by Samia Mounts
Russo draws heavily on her real-life experiences as a transgender woman in this powerful coming-of-age novel. Mounts’ moving performance perfectly depicts teenage Amanda’s struggles to find love, acceptance, and safety.
*Titles included were reviewed between October 15, 2015 and October 1, 2016.
Booklist “Best Bets for Book Clubs” Webinar Titles
What’s the best way to get your library’s book club talking? Read and recommend these discussion-worthy Macmillan titles that Talia presented at yesterday’s Booklist‘s “Best Bets for Book Clubs” collection development webinar:
THE BOOK OF SPECULATION by Erika Swyler (download the guide)
Tale of Shikanoko series by Lian Hearn (download the guide for all 4 books)
Book 1: EMPEROR OF THE EIGHT ISLANDS
Book 2: AUTUMN PRINCESS, DRAGON CHILD
Book 3: LORD OF THE DARKWOOD
Book 4: THE TENGU’S GAME OF GO
THE SPORT OF KINGS by C.E. Morgan (download the guide)
THE LAST PAINTING OF SARA DE VOS by Dominic Smith (download the guide)
IN THE COUNTY WE LOVE by Diane Guerrero (download the guide)
IF I WAS YOUR GIRL by Meredith Russo (download the guide)
AN UNRESTORED WOMAN by Shobha Rao (download the guide)
TRULY MADLY GUILTY by Liane Moriarty (download the guide)
THEY MAY NOT MEAN TO, BUT THEY DO by Cathleen Schine (download the guide)
BEING MORTAL by Atul Gawande (download the guide)
Here’s a link to the full presentation slides and you can download the Excel sheet of all titles presented (with ISBNs). You can also view the archived webinar here.
Want more book club ideas? Check out suggestions from the NEA Big Read, Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden & more right here.
Your Next Book Club Pick Is…
Well, only you know what your library’s book club is reading next, but we will happily share these expert suggestions:
The NEA Big Read recently expanded their selection to “offer a selection of books that is contemporary, diverse, and relevant to our times.” Their Macmillan picks are:
CITIZEN: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine
GILEAD by Marilynne Robinson (download the guide)
We’ve also got NEA Big Read author Kao Kalia Yang’s new memoir, THE SONG POET (download the guide)
The recently announced Summer 2016 Indie Next List for Reading Groups features these three Macmillan titles:
ON IMMUNITY by Eula Biss (a Top 10 pick!)
EVERY FIFTEEN MINUTES by Lisa Scottoline (download the guide)
THE BOOK OF SPECULATION by Erika Swyler (download the guide)
Plus our new Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden recommends SHELTER by Jung Yun (download the guide) & THE SPORT OF KINGS by C.E. Morgan (download the guide) in her Summer Reading List!
Last year we predicted that the movie version of THE REVENANT was going to be huge, and we’re making the same call with SILENCE by Shusaku Endo. This classic novel of enduring faith in dangerous times is soon to be a major motion picture directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson, and Adam Driver. Picador just released a special expanded discussion guide for SILENCE, so we recommend getting ahead of the trend (and maybe even organizing a movie night out!).
Talia’s going to share her picks at tomorrow’s Booklist “Best Bets for Book Clubs” webinar, so here’s what Anne recommends:
Help Choose the LibraryReads 2015 “Favorite of Favorites” List
The long list has been whittled down to 25 titles and you get to vote again to determine the ultimate LibraryReads 2015 “Favorite of Favorites!” Macmillan titles still in the running include:
A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC by V.E. Schwab
FIRST FROST by Sarah Addison Allen
FURIOUSLY HAPPY by Jenny Lawson
THE BOOK OF SPECULATION by Erika Swyler
THE NATURE OF THE BEAST by Louise Penny
Read it? Loved it? Want to make sure it ends up on the final list? Then vote for it and your other top picks from now until November 1. Your votes will determine the ultimate “Favorite of Favorites” list to be revealed on December 1!
What are you waiting for? Go vote!
Don’t forget you can also vote for the next monthly list (December 2015/January 2016, nominations due 11/20)! Check out our suggestions, including the baby Daniel-approved THE THINGS WE KEEP.
Happy International E-Book Day!
Today is the second annual International Read an e-Book Day! Share the love on Twitter with the hashtag #eBookLove and tell us what your patrons are e-reading these days. Here’s what they’re e-reading* and loving from Macmillan:
Top ten picks:
THE NIGHTINGALE by Kristin Hannah
BEACH TOWN by Mary Kay Andrews
EVERY FIFTEEN MINUTES by Lisa Scottoline
ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell
BEING MORTAL by Atul Gawande
BLUEPRINTS by Barbara Delinsky
SUMMER SECRETS by Jane Green
FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell
LANDLINE by Rainbow Rowell
ENDER’S GAME by Orson Scott Card
The rest of the best:
THE PATRIOT THREAT by Steve Berry
KILLING PATTON by Bill O’Reilly
FIRST FROST by Sarah Addison Allen
THE BOOK OF SPECULATION by Erika Swyler
WOLF HALL by Hilary Mantel
BETRAYED by Lisa Scottoline
YOUR NEXT BREATH by Iris Johansen
THE LONG WAY HOME by Louise Penny
LILA by Marilynne Robinson
MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD by Jeffrey Archer
THE SILENT SISTER by Diane Chamberlain
SAVING GRACE by Jane Green
A HIDDEN SECRET by Linda Castillo
And what are librarians e-reading? Here are the most popular titles you’ve recently downloaded from Edelweiss (maybe we’ll see some of them on a LibraryReads list soon!):
HOME IS BURNING by Dan Marshall
THE CLASP by Sloane Crosley
SWEET CARESS by William Boyd
ALL THE BIRDS IN THE SKY by Charlie Jane Anders
THE KILLING LESSONS by Saul Black
A WILD SWAN by Michael Cunningham
RADIANCE by Catherynne M. Valente
THE WEIGHT OF FEATHERS by Anna-Marie McLemore
FUTURISTIC VIOLENCE AND FANCY SUITS by David Wong
*Data as of July 2015, based on the number of checkouts from Overdrive and 3M.
Happy Birthday LibraryReads!
Forget terrible twos, this is a terrific two: Happy Anniversary, LibraryReads!
We’re so grateful for your support of the program that we’re giving away TWO super prize packs of ALL Macmillan LibraryReads picks to date!
September 2015
#7 FURIOUSLY HAPPY by Jenny Lawson
August 2015
#2 THE NATURE OF THE BEAST by Louise Penny
#5 EVERYBODY RISE by Stephanie Clifford
#9 LORD OF THE WINGS by Donna Andrews
July 2015
#6 THOSE GIRLS by Chevy Stevens
June 2015
#3 THE BOOK OF SPECULATION by Erika Swyler
#8 THE PRECIPICE by Paul Doiron
May 2015
#10 LITTLE BLACK LIES by Sharon Bolton
February 2015
#7 A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC by V. E. Schwab
#8 A MURDER OF MAGPIES by Judith Flanders
January 2015
#9 FIRST FROST by Sarah Addison Allen
December 2014: “Favorite of Favorites”
#4 FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell
#9 LANDLINE by Rainbow Rowell
October 2014
#6: THE BOY WHO DREW MONSTERS by Keith Donohue
#9: MALICE by Keigo Higashino
#10: MURDER AT THE BRIGHTWELL by Ashley Weaver
August 2014
#4: LOCK IN by John Scalzi
July 2014
#1: LANDLINE by Rainbow Rowell
May 2014
#9: SIXTH GRAVE ON THE EDGE by Darynda Jones
April 2014
#8: THE AXE FACTOR by Colin Cotterill
March 2014
#8: PRECIOUS THING by Colette McBeth
January 2014
#3: LOST LAKE by Sarah Addison Allen
December 2013
#7: DANGEROUS WOMEN, edited by George R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois
#9: THE TRIP TO ECHO SPRING by Olivia Laing
November 2013
#2: THROUGH THE EVIL DAYS by Julia Spencer-Fleming
#8: THE RAVEN’S EYE by Barry Maitland
September 2013
#1: FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell
#2: HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN by Louise Penny
To enter the giveaway, simply email Library@MacmillanUSA.com from your professional/library-issued e-mail address (subject: LibraryReads 2) by Sunday, Sept. 13. Make sure to include your library’s mailing address to be placed in the random drawing. Read on for the fine print. Good luck!
Update 9/14: This giveaway is closed. Congratulations to our winners, Gregg Winsor of Johnson County Library, Overland Park KS and Sheri Stevens of Lockport Public Library, Lockport NY!
St. Martin’s First – Spring & Fall 2015 E-Samplers
Our friends at St. Martin’s Press have put together two fabulous debut chapter samplers just for you!
The samplers are available for direct download on Edelweiss (and each have a corresponding Edelweiss collection) and are Read it Now! titles on NetGalley.
Spring/Summer 2015 titles include:
EVERYBODY RISE by Stephanie Clifford (an August 2015 LibraryReads pick!)
MAKE YOUR HOME AMONG STRANGERS by Jennine Capó Crucet
MURDER AT BARCLAY MEADOW by Wendy Sand Eckel
LETTERS TO THE LOST by Iona Grey
THE DEVIL’S MAKING by Seán Haldane
THE EVIDENCE ROOM by Cameron Harvey
THE CASUALTIES by Nick Holdstock
THE SECRETS OF LAKE ROAD by Karen Katchur
BETWEEN THE TIDES by Susannah Marren
STILL LIFE LAS VEGAS by James Sie, illustrated by Sungyoon Choi
FISHBOWL by Bradley Somer
HELLO, I LOVE YOU by Katie M. Stout
THE BOOK OF SPECULATION by Erika Swyler (a June 2015 LibraryReads pick!)
HANGMAN’S GAME by Bill Syken
THREE RIVERS by Tiffany Quay Tyson
THE ART OF BAKING BLIND by Sarah Vaughan
Download a PDF of the Spring/Summer 2015 sampler from Edelweiss and view the collection of sampler titles. Download the Read It Now! file from NetGalley.
Fall 2015 titles include:
AVELYNN by Marissa Campbell
THE MAN ON THE WASHING MACHINE by Susan Cox
THE DEBT OF TAMAR by Nicole Dweck
A GOOD FAMILY by Erik Fassnacht
DARK RESERVATIONS by John Fortunato
HOW TO BE BRAVE by E. Katherine Kottaras
DREAM THINGS TRUE by Marie Marquardt
THE WEIGHT OF FEATHERS by Anna-Marie McLemore
BLISS by Shay Mitchell
THE MARRIAGE PACT by M.J. Pullen
TIME OF DEPARTURE by Douglas Schofield
IN BITTER CHILL by Sarah Ward
Download a PDF of the Fall 2015 sampler from Edelweiss and view the collection of sampler titles. Download the Read it Now! file from NetGalley.
Happy Reading!
