Not as durable, but much more portable, this month's paperback releases are here! Whether you're looking for a thriller for your travels, a romance for relaxation, or a fantasy to escape your office, this list can help you in all departments. Enjoy these bestsellers now in paperback today!
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As major events occur throughout history, people leave behind many stunning stories for future generations. From tales of overcoming adversity, to triumphs of war, reading about world history is sure to keep you engaged and inspired. The events during World War II have inspired many authors to write the stories of people from all around the world and what they experienced during this difficult time. If you're ready to see the world through someone else's eyes, we recommend these books to read if you like WWII historical fiction. If your passion for historical fiction stretches beyond WWII, you might also like this post. If you like your history with a little suspense, check out this post.
Under the Pong Pong Tree
Hal Levey
Price: Only $3.99!
Release Date: November 24, 2015
In Singapore, Chinese residents face the tyranny of the Japanese invasion. Li Lian Goh becomes pregnant in a military brothel, and hopes to escape to a nearby village with her daughter, Maimunah.
A Pledge of Silence
Flora J. Solomon
Release Date: February 24, 2015
Margie, an army nurse, is sent to the Philippines before the Japanese invasion at the end of 1941. She is captured and taken to an interment camp, where she endures danger, starvation, and loss.
Salt to the Sea
Ruda Sepetys
Release Date: February 2, 2016
As WWII is ending in East Prussia, refugees are hurrying towards freedom. Joana, Emilia, and Florian meet on the ship Wilhelm Gustloff, upon which they face unexpected tragedy and are forced to fight to survive.
A God in Ruins
Kate Atkinson
Release Date: May 5, 2015
This story follows the challenging life of Teddy, a pilot in the Royal Air Force during WWII. He is one of the few pilots who survived the war, and he is forced to live in a future that he never expected he would experience.
The Book of Aron
Jim Shepard
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Aron is a young Jewish boy who was forced into the Warsaw Ghetto after the German invasion of Poland. His family is taken away from him, and he is rescued by a doctor who advocates for children's rights. Is Aron able to escape and spread the word about the atrocities that he experienced?
The Nightingale
Kristin Hannah
Release Date: February 3, 2015
Set in France, this book gives the female perspective of WWII. The story focuses on two sisters who have been separated for years and have to do everything they can to survive.
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New York Times Bestselling Author Robyn Carr has written numerous romance novels about independent women, ranging from stand alone books to critically-acclaimed series. The Virgin River novels are a favorite amongst contemporary romance and women's fiction readers, spanning over 18 novels with a wide variety of characters. Looking for more to read like Virgin River and Thunder Point? Check out this list of books to read if you like Robyn Carr!
All They Ever Wanted
Tracy Solheim
Release Date: March 1, 2016
Miles is an aspiring politician who has to juggle running his campaign and helping his mother run a bed and breakfast. He ends up becoming romantically involved with Lori, a girl who works at the B&B and is harboring a secret that could ruin his political career.
Thrill Me
Susan Mallery
Release Date: July 28, 2015
Maya broke Del's heart ten years ago, and now they find themselves working together to promote the new hometown slogan for Fool's Gold. Del is determined to avoid falling for her, but there are some things that you just can't resist.
The Moonlit Garden
Corina Bomann
Release Date: February 1, 2016
Lily Kaiser, a young widow, was delivered an old violin out of the blue. Along with her friend Ellen, she sets out to find the story behind this mysterious instrument.
Blue
Danielle Steel
Release Date: January 19, 2016
Ginny Carter's life was nearly perfect until an accident changed everything. While she is trying to piece her life together, she meets a homeless young boy named Blue Williams. Although Blue has trouble trusting people, they begin to form a close bond over their similar tragedies.
My Kind of Wonderful
Jill Shavis
Release Date: December 22, 2015
Bailey has grand aspirations for her life— and sticking around Cedar Ridge is not one of them. Hudson is the head of ski patrol at his family's resort, and he finds Bailey incredibly intriguing. He tries to convince her to stay and embark on another kind of adventure, one that Bailey didn't really have in mind.
Some Sort of Love
Melanie Harlow
Release Date: February 9, 2016
Jillian has it all in life, but she has no one to share it with. Then, all of a sudden, her one-night-stand from college appears out of the blue. Levi is as charming now as he was back then, but he doesn't think he's good enough for her. Man, is he wrong...
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Atone is about twenty-four year old Beau Hollis, who was wrongfully convicted at the age of eighteen to a life sentence for the rape and murder of his ex-girlfriend. He spent a little over six years in prison before being released. He missed the formative years of being an adult so he’s struggling to figure out who he is and who he wants to be at a time when most people his age are already firmly walking their path. He meets Vera Swain, a young woman who is not who she appears to be. Beau recognizes himself in Vera and their ensuing relationship changes them both. And if I tell you anymore you won’t need or want to read the book.
Where did you write Atone (your couch, a coffee shop, a bar...hey, we won't judge)?
Do bars have wifi? I’ll have to check that out...I wrote Atone at both my sit down desk and my stand up desk. I find public places distracting when I’m writing, but I love to go to coffee shops to research and plot new books. The change of location helps flip a switch in my brain and I like to think I look pensive and smart when I stare off at nothing. Whereas if I do that at home I just look like I lost my train of thought. Which happens a lot.
You’re hosting a literary dinner party. Which three writers are invited?
I’d want a bawdy group of honest, down-to-earth authors who would drink too much with me and divulge their secrets. So I’d choose Oscar Wilde, Nora Roberts, and J.K. Rowling. If I could add a fourth I’d add Neil Gaiman.
What books are currently on your night stand?
A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev
Warrior of Fate by Debra Mullins
In Plain Sight by Sylvie Fox
If you had to pick one place to vacation for the rest of your life, where would you choose?
I like warm places so I’d have to say Hawaii, but really any tropical beach would do.
What is your favorite thing about living in California?
Did I mention my love of warm places? Besides the weather (which we pay for), I love the diverse landscape of the state from the rocky beaches to the desert to the rolling hills. California has it all. I might be a little biased having been born and raised in California, but it’s true. You can surf in the morning and ski in the afternoon (not that I do either of those things). I like that the north part of the state is so different from the south. I’ve lived up and down the state so I’ve seen a lot of it. Plus we have some of the best wine in the world. Really, I don’t know why anyone would live anywhere else (that’s a very Californian thing to say by the way).
What's your favorite quote or scene from Atone?
The scene where Beau reveals how he really feels about his murdered ex-girlfriend. It’s honest and raw. You’re not supposed to have those kinds of feelings about someone who died, especially someone who died so tragically. You’re not supposed to remember how they let you down and hurt you. You’re not supposed to be angry with them. You’re not supposed to hate them. But sometimes you can’t help the way you feel. He didn’t get to mourn her and work through all of those feelings so more than six years after her death he’s dealing with the grief as though she only just died. It was a powerful, emotional scene to write and I hope I pulled it off the way I wanted to.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
Write hard, die free. Or the coarser, Chuck Wendig motto—Art harder mother-effer.
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HEAR is a thriller about a young woman named Kassandra Black, who’s quite the badass. (She’s the girl I always wanted to be!) Expelled from high school months shy of graduation, Kass is sent to work in the lab of her great-uncle Brian at Henley University. What Kass doesn't know is that the Henley Engineering Anomalies Research lab -- the HEAR lab -- studies ESP. She soon discovers the other teenagers who are there possess startling abilities, and the mind games they play begin immediately. After forming a strong connection with one of the seductive young men in the group, Kass finally becomes aware of the power she's always possessed. But discovering that questionable (and possibly dangerous) forces seek to harness the group's talents, Kass comes to understand that though the future is predictable, people are not.
What's rocking your world this month?
I’ve been a runner since high school but haven’t raced competitively since then. For the last X number of years (and let’s leave it at X, please!), I’ve loved jogging and haven’t felt any need to approach it as more than an enjoyable pastime. But I was recently given this TomTom GPS watch that tracks your distance, mile splits, and heart rate and it’s totally inspiring me to run harder and more efficiently. I had no idea a piece of technology could encourage me to do that, and to bring back the inner competitive warrior in me. So if I bring home Olympic gold--or even a “Well, you finished the race” consolation medal--we can definitely credit this watch!
If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?
If I could choose anyone, it would be my dad. He died almost seven years ago and I’ve missed him every day since. He gave me perspective on things, made me laugh all the time, and would tell me to knock it off when I was acting like an idiot or doing something that wasn’t in my best interest. He was smart and kind and generous, and I’d give anything to be able to sit down and have another meal with him.
What is the one movie that you can quote the most?
I don’t tend to see movies repeatedly (I’d much sooner read a new book!), but I have a soft spot for When Harry Met Sally. From its great jokes (that I fear I resemble):
Harry Burns: There are two kinds of women: high maintenance and low maintenance.
Sally Albright: Which one am I?
Harry Burns: You're the worst kind; you're high maintenance but you think you're low maintenance.
To its moments of tear-jerking romance:
“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
Where is your happy place? Why does it bring you joy?
I spent a lot of time thinking about this answer, but I don’t think I have a happy place, per se. I feel incredibly fortunate to be a person who can be happy almost anywhere, especially if my friends are with me and I have easy access to Coke Zero.
What books are currently on your night stand?
I just finished two very different books, Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff, and On The Run by Alice Goffman. I’m currently reading Veronica by Mary Gaitskill. The next book in the queue after that will be A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James.
What's your favorite quote or scene from HEAR?
I think my favorite scene in the book is near the beginning when Kass confronts her Uncle Brian about what he’s doing in his lab in the Engineering department. I think it gets to the heart of doubt: just because we don’t understand something doesn’t mean it can’t or doesn’t exist.
“You run an ESP lab?” I demand.
“Here, I got your favorite,” he replies cheerily, ignoring my brusque tone. He pulls out a carton and peels the top off the bucket of Edy’s Slow Churned and then tips the green mint chocolate chip in my direction. I have to hand it to him: if he’s trying to distract me, it’s working. Green mint chocolate chip ice cream is what heaven tastes like.
“My dad told you my favorite flavor of ice cream?”
“No,” he says.
As I take the frozen tub from my uncle’s hand, a chill runs through me. “Then how did you—”
“Just a guess,” he interrupts. He motions to the table. “Have a seat. It’s my favorite too. And to answer your question, yes, I do run an ESP lab. You know, Kass, those with closed minds are always suspicious of those at the forefront of science.”
I remain standing. “I wouldn’t say that I have a closed mind. I would just say a lot of the people who claim to have psychic abilities are big phonies.”
“And by extension ESP can’t be real because we don’t have proof; is that your thought?” He takes two bowls down from the cabinet above the table and then reaches into a drawer for spoons. “But before people learned that the Earth was round, what did they think? Automobiles, airplanes, the Internet—none of these things were even conceivable until one day, ‘suddenly,’ they were. So to think that we already know everything that we’re going to know about how this works”—he sets the spoons down and taps his head—“is, if I may say, pure folly. And my job as a scientist is to explore and explain that which is not understood.”
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
I quoted this in my high school yearbook and I still repeat it all the time: “You can’t win unless you play.” It comes from an ad run by the Pennsylvania Lottery.
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If you have never sat and cried through a John Green novel, we suggest you go do that before finishing this blog post. Seriously. Go. Right now. You can thank us later. When you have done that, you will find yourself exactly where we are: craving new books like Paper Towns and other John Green classics. These young adult romantic and emotional journeys have the ability to wrench your heart out and leave you a better person on the other end. It’s no wonder more than one John Green book has ended up as a bestseller, and we wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a few more films in the coming years. We’ve written before about authors like John Green, but in this post we want to give you a few suggestions for new books like Paper Towns. (Free advice: you might want to grab a tissue box or ten for some of these books).
Julie Murphy
Release Date: September 15, 2015
A story about identity and coming to terms with yourself, Dumplin’ tells the story of Willowdean who has never been self-conscious about her weight…until an insanely attractive boy is attracted to her. Fans looking for new books like Paper Towns will fall in love with the funny and compelling Willow in this romantic and clever novel.
Carolyn Mackler
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Five friends meet at freshman orientation. Four years later, they are as different as can be, but they keep a promise to find each other again after graduation. A beautiful story of teenagers walking through the highs, the lows, and the just plain middles of high school, readers who loved Paper Towns will not want to miss this chronicle by award-winning author Carolyn Mackler.
Emma Mills
Release Date: October 13, 2015
First time author Emma Mills delivers a winner debut in this story of Devon, the girl who didn’t want to fall in love – but accidentally did anyway. If there are any lingering Jane Austen fans in the room, they will appreciate the references to her characters, but overall this is a lighthearted story about unexpected love for boys, family, and self.
Adi Alsaid
Release Date: August 4, 2015
For anyone who has ever fallen in love with a best friend, this book will hit home. These best friends had rules that they were never going to date, fall in love, or break any of their rules. Until they broke them. If you have been looking for new books like Paper Towns, look no further and curl up with this novel by Adi Alsaid.
A.S. King
Release Date: September 22, 2015
In the middle of life’s anxieties, tragedies, and dangers, four teenagers find four different ways of coping in this beautiful story by A.S. King. You will laugh, cry, and be blown away as you read this surrealist picture of life as a modern teenager. John Green fans will find a new author to love in King.
Jennifer E. Smith
Release Date: September 1, 2015
One couple has one night to decide if they will say goodbye for good or goodbye for now. Curl up and get lost in this beautiful and bittersweet story of first love, perfect for fans looking for new books like Paper Towns. Jennifer Smith explores all the best (and hardest) parts of love in this novel about following your heart and your future.
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What or who inspired you to become an author?
I’ve always been preoccupied by capturing detail – whether that was keeping a diary as a kid or taking photographs. Maybe it’s because memory is fickle, but I’ve always worried about “losing” the past. My desire to write was born out of the same sentiment – it’s partly about helping me remember. It’s also about wanting to start a dialogue with readers. When you publish a book, you’re saying to people: ‘This is how I see the world, what do you think?’
Name a book that you feel has impacted your life significantly. Why was it so impactful?
Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles. I was a student doing a summer job in London when I read it. I’d got off a bus, was late for work and about 30 pages from the end, but just stood by the side of the road outside the office and carried on reading. I simply had to finish it. My boss even walked past me at one point and asked me if I was alright! If ever I need reminding of the power of books, I think of that moment..
What makes your world go round? Why does it bring you joy?
I love being in the company of people I’ve known for a long time – people who know about the best things I’ve done and the worst things I’ve done and are still there for me. Just being in the same room as friends I’ve known for, say, 25 years, gives me a deep sense of joy, calm and excitement.
How do you like to spend a rainy day?
I’m a TV box-set addict, particularly US shows. I loved The Wire, House of Cards, Mad Men and Homeland. I also thought The Affair was stunning; the way it played with perspective was fascinating and there was a scene in Season 1 where Cole Lockhart had a heart-to-heart on a city sidewalk with Alison which was just heartbreaking. My current indulgence is Breaking Bad, which pretty much everyone else seems to have watched. It’s an incredibly brave bit of TV – not just in terms of the subject matter, but because the main character does such terrible things. It also can shift genre, virtually on a scene-to-scene basis, leaving you unsure what exactly you’re watching. It’s utterly compelling, though.
If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?
My younger self. Not because that person would be good company – they’d probably be boring, introspective and naïve – but I’d tell my younger self to relax, enjoy life more and take more risks.
What's your favorite quote or scene from What She Left?
Rather than my favourite, can I tell you about a bit I particularly remember writing please? It’s a scene where Alice Salmon has a weekend away by the seaside town with her boyfriend. Often, writing can be a slow process but occasionally, just occasionally, you find yourself totally immersed in the fictional world you’re creating. After I’d finished that session at my computer, I headed into my local town. It’s only two miles away and I’ve made that journey hundreds of times, but I got lost. I left the house and intended to get the train, but walked in the wrong direction for the train station. So I decided to get on a bus, but I got on the wrong one. I then even managed to get off at the wrong stop! The only excuse I can make for such ridiculous behaviour was that I was still in my characters’ heads and hadn’t recalibrated myself to reality.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
I could be worthy and say something like “do unto others as you would they do to you”, but the things I believe in tend to be more practical.
I believe in the benefits of work. OK, that might be easy for me to say because I’m lucky and do a job I love and I might not say that if I was working 16 hours a days in a job I hated, but work does give us a sense of purpose, a feeling of achievement and helps define our place in the world. I also believe in loyalty and, if someone’s good to you, you shouldn’t ever forget that. And here’s one thing I don’t believe in – “luck”. Luck is merely a coming together of your efforts and circumstances, so is largely within your own control...
T.R. Richmond is the author of the new book What She Left.
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This week has releases from best sellers and debut authors across several genres. Looking for a romance? Atone by Beth Yarnell follows a man pulled into the dark world of a beautiful woman searching for her sister, while A Girl's Guide to Moving On follows two women that leave their marriages in search of better lives. If literary is more your speed, Shari Goldhagen's In Some Other World, Maybe unforgettable characters are tied by a cinema showing in their adolescents. Maybe you'd prefer a mystery? Try Out of the Blues by Trudy Nan Boyce, a story about a detective digging through the cold case of a murdered jazz musician.
Jill Sorenson is a favorite amongst fans of the romantic suspense genre. She's written a wealth of great stand alone novels and series, and all of them include gripping stories with a romantic edge. Have you devoured all of her books and are looking for more thrilling love stories? Have no fear! We've put together a list of books to read if you like Jill Sorenson. Now grab a glass of wine and buckle up: it's probably going to be a bumpy ride.
Atone
Beth Yarnall
Price: Only $2.99!
Release Date: February 23, 2016
Beau just got out of jail and found a job the private investigation firm that cleared his name for the crime he didn't commit. Vera shows up to the firm one day, and their lives are never the same. Their love is addictive, but dangerous.
Distraction
Aurora Rose Reynolds
Release Date: February 2, 2016
When Sven and Maggie become romantically involved, they face many obstacles that will test their relationship. Neither have committed to relationships well in the past, so can they do it now?
Hell Bent
Becky McGraw
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Even though he vowed to never go back to Texas, Cade must return from the military to protect his sister. When he arrives, he encounters Cee Cee Logan, a girl he hasn't seen in years. Cee Cee is the only person who can help save his sister, but will he risk putting her in harms way to do that?
Wherever It Leads
Adriana Locke
Release Date: February 14, 2016
Brynne thinks that she can use Fenton as an escape from reality. Everything about him is too good to be true, so how could it last? Despite her plans, he turns out to be so much more...
Spider Game
Christine Feehan
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Trap is on a mission to find Cayenne, a girl who has a dark past and a heart full of pure venom. With a troubled past of his own, he understands what she's going through and wants to help her.
Defenseless
Corinne Michaels
Release Date: January 19, 2016
When it comes to Mark Dixon, Charlie is defenseless. However, Mark doesn't realize that his games with Charlie could cost them both their lives. Can she do all that it takes to keep herself alive?
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What books are currently on your night stand?
Edwidge Danticat’s Untwine, Elizabeth Strout’s My Name is Lucy Barton, Lucia Berlin’s A Manual for Cleaning Women.
Which books would we be surprised to find on your shelves?
I like old Superman and Batman comics. I also read Archie Double Digest more than you might think.
Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest?
Disregarding death, I’d invite John Williams, my old teacher, and ask him to read “The Dead” aloud. Best hour ever.
Where is your happy place? Why does it bring you joy?
I like sitting on warm bleachers watching a little league baseball game. If the sun in shining and I have a coke, I could sit there all day. I love watching kids play baseball, even if they’re not my own kids. I love being warmed by the sun, even if it’s shining in my face and I have to put my hand above my eyes to see the batter. I love the sound of bat on ball, the smell of hot dogs, and the warm gust of wind that blows a cloud of infield dirt into the outfield. On a few occasions I have actually drifted off at a baseball game, not because I’m bored, but because I’m so relaxed. If the bleachers are not warm, it’s no longer my happy place. The warm bleacher is the essential ingredient in the above scene.
Of all the stories you've written, which one is your favorite?
Usually the story I’ve written most recently is my favorite. But I can say, looking over the collection as a whole now, that probably “Indulgence” is the one I like best.
What's your favorite quote or scene from Why They Run The Way They Do?
Writing the end of “Indulgence” felt like getting on the highway and accelerating to 150 miles per hour, and feeling complete control over the speeding car, and having no fear of being killed or arrested. The ends of “Michael the Armadillo” and “Treasure” felt similarly.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
I really try to remember to be grateful.
Susan Perabo is the author of the new book Why They Run the Way They Do.
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