It's Labor Day! At NewInBooks, we think a long weekend is a nice excuse for new books to read. We're all excited to dive into a book this weekend. We thought we'd give you a peek into what the NewInBooks team is reading over Labor Day Weekend in case you're looking for new books to read.
Statios of the Tide is a Nebula award-winning novel for true SciFi aficionados. Chloe got the chance to meet Michael Swanwick (five time Hugo award winner - amazing) at an event at our local bookstore. After hearing him speak (and drinking a cup of tea or two with the author after the talk), Chloe immediately bought several of his books and started reading.
The Knockoff is described as The Devil Wears Prada meets The Social Network. Taylor loved the book and movie version of The Devil Wears Prada (perhaps the movie a bit more, if only for Meryl Streep's amazing facial expressions). She's an online marketer - so The Social Network is very relevant to her life. The Knockoff sounds like a highly relatable read that'll be a ton of fun.
Ferol is still riding a high from reading The Martian, and is solidly on a SciFi kick. Hence Neal Stephenson's new book. Chloe reviewed Seveneves when it first came out, and Ferol is loving it thus far. Highly recommended if you love Snow Crash-era Stephenson.
Ricci is a dedicated literary fiction reader. Her recent favorites were Circling the Sun by Paula McLain and Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies. Let Me Tell You is a natural next step - it's a collection of Jackson's signature short stories, essays about her family, and lectures on what it means to be a writer.
When Ben was in college, Michelle Wildgen read a few pages of this book aloud in one of his classes. The descriptions of food 1) made Ben hungry and 2) made him want to read the book. Now that Ben is out of school and is able to read for fun, Bread and Butter is on the top of his list. It's a story of three brothers who run competing restaurants, full of drama, one-upmanship, and mouth-watering cuisine.
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The top book news for the week of September fourth includes: The littlest, most dedicated bookworm, Jesse Eisenberg, and commentary on the fact that, everyone, no really, everyone, seems to be writing a book these days.
We Understand Your Feels, Littlest Bookworm
This little book loving baby cries as soon as his mommy finishes a book. We know those feels little man, oh do we know them. Think about how many books he will read by the time he is 5 if he can't stand to stop reading!
Jesse Eisenberg, star of the new movie American Ultra, weighs in on books, acting, and writing in last week's New York Times Sunday Book Review. Read More ↦
Have you ever found yourself slowly falling into an addiction to easy, bite sized information and the lightening fast pace of the internet? Ever noticed that it's hard for you to sit down and read a deep novel after a day in front of a screen? Hugh McGuire, literary technologist, had that experience, and began to look into how re-teaching your brain to read long form, printed content, and disconnect from the web, will help you organize the rest of your life. Read what he discovered ↦
Like all life forms (or industries) that want to survive in an ever changing chaotic world, the print industry has been evolving in order to adapt to the changing publishing landscape. Chris Fischbach of Coffee House Press weighs in: Read More ↦
Have you ever noticed that everyone, or close to it, seems to have a book, or is writing a book? Professionals are (often self-) publishing their tips and tricks, and those friends with wild imaginations are finally getting their work into the hands of readers. We know that logistically this is happening because publishing content is easier than ever before, but this week Huffington Post weighed in on why so many people are driven to write their own books. Read More ↦
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In the first book, WELCOME TO THE DARK HOUSE, we learn that Ivy’s parents were tragically murdered several years ago. Ivy was home at the time and saw the killer’s face. Ever since, she’s feared that the killer will one day come back for her. It’s become a real source of paranoia: She thinks she sees his face while walking in town; any weird phone calls or hang-ups she receives, she thinks are from him; she’s become a regular at the police station, reporting any and all irregularities in her life. She knows she can’t go on living this way, and so instead of trying to lay her fears to rest by squelching them, she faces them head on. She enters a contest: submit your worst nightmare for the chance to meet a famed movie director/writer/producer and see his confidential new project. Ivy is one of the seven winners chosen, the result of which isn’t at all what she expects. I don’t want to give too much away, but despite more tragedy – and seeing more loved ones getting hurt – Ivy picks herself up yet again in RETURN TO THE DARK HOUSE to face her fears and do the right thing.
Do you listen to anything while you write? If so, what's your audio of choice?
When writing, I only listen to music if I need to get into a particular mood to write a scene, in which case it’s usually angst-filled love songs. Otherwise, I find music distracting while writing.
Do you have a favorite spot in Boston (food, park, rooftop - anywhere)? Why do you love it?
On the massage table at the G2O spa: Best. Massages. Ever. Plus they have a lovely rooftop deck. Otherwise, I love sitting in the Public Garden, window-shopping on Newbury Street, and lunching at Life Alive in Cambridge (the Green Goddess wrap and Carrot Cake Alive are my favorites).
Which books would we be surprised to find on your shelves?
Hmmm… Would you be surprised that I’m a big Gary Zukav fan and that I have all his books? I find his teachings and philosophies fascinating and inspiring. Would you also be surprised to find that I have a large collection of vegan cookbooks? I love cookbooks with lots of colorful pictures (my version of eye candy, complete with two-page spreads) and I’m always looking for new and interesting ways to make healthy food taste good.
What makes your world go round? Why does it bring you joy?
Spending time with friends – laughing, talking, reminiscing, relating. I’m also lucky enough to live by the ocean. I love going for walks on the beach, watching the sunset, having dinner with friends by the water.
Important question. Favorite of the Real Housewives? Why?
Yolanda Foster. I’m fascinated by her lemon groves, her custom-designed see-through fridge, her herbal remedies, and her walk-in closet. I love her taste – from her fashion sense to the place card settings on her dinner table. Now that I think of it, she should really have her own fashion and design show. I’d definitely tune in.
What's your favorite line from Return to the Dark House?
“I'm stronger than my fears, bigger than this moment. What I need to accomplish is more important than being scared."
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
Never make assumptions.
Laurie Faria Stolarz is the author of the new book Return to the Dark House.
Tell us a little bit about your new release, Run You Down.
Run You Down is the sequel to Invisible City and follows NYC tabloid reporter Rebekah Roberts as she investigates the mysterious death of a young Hasidic Jewish mother in upstate New York. The book introduces readers to Rebekah’s mother, Aviva, who left her insular Hasidic community as a teenager and has struggled to create a life for herself outside the ultra-religious world of her youth.
What's rocking your world this month?
I recently finished reading Laura McHugh’s debut novel “The Weight of Blood” and completely fell in love with it. I was reading it, standing up, on crowded subways to and from work. I met Laura at Thriller Fest this year. We were both nominated for Best First Novel and losing to her was, honestly, kind of an honor. I can’t wait to read what she does next.
I also just finished watching “Bloodline” on Netflix. In my fantasy world, I get to write for a moody, intelligent show like that. Ben Mendelsohn’s performance as the eldest son of a prominent Florida Keys family is the best piece of acting I’ve seen in years.
What is the one movie that you can quote the most?
The Big Lebowski, dude.
How does writing about crime for CBSNews.com effect the novels you write?
Being attuned to the news helps me see patterns in crime and criminal justice, and even though I mostly focus on breaking news at my current job, I’m always paying attention to things I see happening over and over: mass shootings, wrongful convictions, family violence. When I’m working on creating a novel, I tend to have a specific injustice (or set of injustices) in mind that I want to tackle. From secrecy in insular communities to the perils of intolerance, it’s usually something I think is worthy of investigation and attention, but that I haven’t been able to delve deeply into as a reporter.
I also think that, in general, being a journalist helps me keep my prose tight, and reminds me that each paragraph and scene needs to have a purpose, and keep the story moving forward.
How do you like to spend a rainy day?
Either sitting on my porch writing, or napping.
Pretend you qualified for the Olympics this year. What sport would you compete in?
Um…napping?
What's your favorite quote from Run You Down?
I’m not sure it’s my favorite (I don’t think I can pick a favorite!), but I definitely like this paragraph from Aviva’s first chapter – when she first experiences life outside the shtetl of Borough Park:
“The ride to Florida was thirty-two hours of sticky floors and sneezing strangers and body odor and anticipation. At a truck stop in Virginia there was food on a conveyor belt. Heaping meals of greasy brown and yellow and white that glowed beneath heat lamps. In North Carolina we put quarters into televisions attached to hard plastic chairs and watched a game show while we waited for a transfer. There was vomit in the sink of the rest stop in Georgia. Bloody menstrual pads overflowing the courtesy bins in the bathroom stalls. Door latches broken, coffee burnt, half-dressed women, dead-eyed men, inconsolable children, and everywhere fluorescent bulbs blinking and buzzing overhead. It was all ugliness and sorrow – exactly as I’d been warned the goyish world would be.”
Do you have a favorite local bookstore we can give a shoutout to?
I am incredibly lucky to live in a place (New York City) with a wealth of bookstores. Personal favorites are Book Court, Mysterious Bookshop, Community Bookstore, and Greenlight Books.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
I have two:
“Talk about a dream, try to make it real.” – Bruce Springsteen
“The ancient commission of the writer has not changed. He is charged with exposing our many grievous faults and failures, with dredging up to the light our dark and dangerous dreams for the purpose of improvement. Furthermore, the writer is delegated to declare and to celebrate man’s prove capacity for greatness of heart and spirit – for gallantry in defeat – for courage, compassion and love.” – John Steinbeck
Julia Dahl is the author of the new book Run You Down.
Have you ever been casually listening to a song and wonder how it came to be? Maybe a specific lyric, or something about the mood reminds you of something you've experienced before. There isn't always a story behind the tune, but thats not the case with these nine songs. If you've felt particularly inspired after a good read you aren't alone; the producers of these songs, popular and otherwise, were also inspired by works of great fiction writers.
This song was inspired by Nabakov's most famous novel, Lolita. The story of a tutor with a strong attraction to an alarmingly young pupil practically screams out in the chorus ("don't stand so close to me"), and the music video only makes it easier.
Sufjan Stevens' music has been inspired by art ranging from the BQE to the Bible, Royal Robertson to Flannery O'Connor. It's not hard to believe then that Stevens was once an aspiring writer before he devoted his life to music and, while he has never tried to hide his appreciation for Flannery O'Connor, his poetic lyrics are proof enough of the path not taken. A Good Man is Hard to Find is named after one of O'Connor's best known works of fiction, a story about a family traveling through the rural South, lead astray by the failing memory of an aging grandmother. It's a quick read and, while a little longer than a three minutes listen, well worth your time.
Jimmy Page and Robert Plant love The Lord of the Rings. They make that very clear in this and a few other songs (The Battle of Evermore, Misty Mountain Hop). Even the beginning lines of "Ramble On" are reminiscent of a Tolkien poem, but the direct references to Mordor and Gollum make this song, which initially seems to be about finding a certain girl, appear to be about something more...precious.
This song has more than a little history behind it. Bloc Party was a band that became fairly popular in the early 2000's, this track leading off their 2006 release "A Weekend in the City". The song was inspired by Brett Easton Ellis' first book Less Than Zero (which, funny enough, is named after the Elvis Costello song of the same name) and captures the hedonistic, nihilistic tone of the debut novel. This same book was also adapted into a film Robert Downey Junior attributes to the tipping point of his early career (he later buried the clothes of his character in an act of giving up his previous lifestyle).
What could inspire a song as simple and goofy as Whip it? Parodies of cliche American songs and poetry present in Thomas Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow. A novel that garnered a great deal of attention and even won , Gravity's Rainbow has been slated as the American version of Ulysseus and other confusing/rewarding works. This song? Less so, but inspired none the less.
Aldous Huxley's A Brave New World has a very iconic feature: the drug named Soma. When The Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas wrote this song it was to convey drug use for the purpose of fitting in. A perfect society conforms, right?
"Do you know where the wild things go?" Joe Newman croons in each verse, a direct reference to the beloved children's picture book Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. While the song itself follows a dangerous. obsessive relationship, the dark references to wanting something so bad you're willing to hurt it pull from the pages of a book you probably haven't held since you were a child.
A musician that takes their name from a Victorian era writer might have a few songs inspired by stories. The novel that inspired this song was actually written by the artist's brother, Mark Z. Danielezwski. House of Leaves is a well known psychological horror story renowned for its multiple layers and unconventional form. This song may be easier to follow than the three tiered story, but both are worth spending time on.
The National casts a similar spell in nearly all of their music; a deep melancholy broadcast in both the bittersweet melodies and the deep baritone of Matt Berninger's voice. Ever read a story that dropped you right in a mood so quickly you felt like you sat in a puddle? Ever read The Brothers Karamazov? This song, originally titled Karamazov, stirs with the hopeless hopefulness seen in the humanity of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's (arguably) greatest work.
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New adult fiction follows the lives of protagonists who are, as the name suggests, newly adults. If you love young love (but want to read something starring characters who are no longer teenagers), try one of these new adult romance books. In our humble opinions, they're perfect reads to wind down after a hot summer day. Let's soak up the last days of summer sunshine with a great book while we can!
Our picks for new adult romance books span a wide array of sexiness. If you want something red hot, try Meredith Wild's Hacker series. If you're in the mood for a second chance story, pick up Before We Were Strangers. If you want a love story that will make you laugh, cry, and swoon (perhaps simultaneously), Capture by Rachel Van Dyken is for you.
Intrigued? You're not alone. The new adult genre has skyrocketed in the past years. One only has to look at the Google Trend graph for new adult fiction to see the massive surge in popularity, particularly for new adult romance books:
Pick up one of the above novels and see what all the fuss is about when it comes to new adult books.
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Tell us a little bit about your new release, White Crocodile.
My debut thriller, White Crocodile, is set in the killing fields of the beautiful, but dark and tragic country Cambodia.
In Battambang, Cambodia, danger is not just confined to the lethal minefields. Young mothers are being abducted from villages around the minefields, while others are being found gruesomely mutilated and murdered, their abandoned babies by their side. And in this superstitious society people live in fear of the white crocodile, a creature that brings death to all who meet it.
Back in England, emotionally damaged mine-clearer, Tess Hardy, has found the strength to leave her abusive husband, Luke. Then she receives a call from Cambodia where Luke is working and Tess realizes that he has changed. But there is no opportunity for them to be reconciled because, two weeks later, he is dead. Despite her better judgement, Tess travels to the killing fields of Cambodia to find out what has happened to him. What she uncovers in her search for the truth is far more terrifying and globally wide ranging than she could ever have anticipated - a web of secrets and lies stretching from Cambodia to another murder in England and a violent secret twenty years old.
White Crocodile has received universally great reviews in the paper, magazine and online press and on Amazon, which is wonderful, particularly as it is my first novel and I had no idea what to expect!
Which book from your childhood or teenage years has stuck with you as an adult?
I have always loved to read and write, and much of my childhood was spent immersed in stories. The book that really captured my imagination as a child, and that I have re-read a number of times since is Lord of the Flies. It was the debut novel of Nobel Prize-winning English author William Golding, published in 1954. Lord of the Flies is about a group of British boys stuck on an uninhabited island who try to govern themselves with disastrous results. It is a classic, challenging, incredibly well written and thoughtful novel.
What is the one movie that you can quote the most?
It has to be Dirty Harry. “Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?”
What are you currently craving?
It is eight o’clock at night as I write this, I’ve just put my children to bed and I’m currently craving a very cold glass of Californian sauvignon!
How do you like to spend a rainy day?
As I mentioned before, I love to read and write, so a rainy day would have to include time spent lost in a great crime novel or thriller, plus some more time writing my own. I live in London, but spend as much time as I can in the country or by the sea, so after a morning spent reading and writing, I would probably go for lunch with my husband and three children in one of our quaint English country pubs and then put on some wellingtons and a waterproof jacket and go for a walk.
What's on your writing desk?
I am not a tidy person - something the Army tried and failed to knock out of me - and so my workspace is a litter of paper and post-it notes. I spend a couple of months laying out a detailed plot on the wall above my desk with post-it notes before I start writing. In addition to my post-it note map – above the desk - I have my Apple computer, the obligatory cup of coffee, a bottle of water and a notebook that I use to write down any ideas that occur to me, either when I’m writing or when I’m out and about.
What's your favorite quote from White Crocodile?
My favourite quote is probably where the heroine Tess and the mysterious Croatian mine clearer, Alex Bauer, are sitting by the Mekong River one night, talking. They are clearly attracted to one another, but Tess still hasn’t found out who or what the ‘white crocodile’ is, the body count is mounting up and she doesn’t trust Alex one bit:
“Buddhists believe that everyone has an aura.” Tess heard Alex say. “The colour that your body exudes which tells everyone what kind of a person they are. Blue is happy, pink is loving.” He twisted a lock of her hair around his fingers. “Red is passionate.” Jamming her eyes shut to block him out, she tugged it out of his grasp and smoothed it down with exaggerated care. “Red is for ‘Danger!! Mines!!’ signs. Red is for blood.”
Do you have a favorite local bookstore we can give a shoutout to?
I live in Wimbledon, very close to the Wimbledon tennis courts and we have a lovely local bookshop in the Village called Wimbledon Books and Music. They were very supportive when White Crocodile first launched in the UK, giving it pride of place on their shelves and telling all their customers what a fantastic thriller it is, so I owe them a lot for all their support.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
The philosophy that I live by is to persevere, or as Albert Einstein put it:
“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”
KT Medina is the author of the new book White Crocodile.
This week in celebrity memoirs and best non fiction books includes Kym Gold's, cofounder of True Religion jeans, memoir and, for the bibliophiles out there, The House of Twenty Thousand Books.
Top of this week's list of books to read: The Girl in the Spider's Web, the continuation of Stieg Larsson's Millennium Series. This is week is also heavy in historical mysteries that will take you from 18th c. China to Victorian England.
