Books Are My People Weekly Newsletter
out today, paperback releases and more!
Let Me Help You Discover Books You Might Not Otherwise Read! You can learn more about me by visiting my introductory post here.
Dear Reader,
I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I had at the Culver City Book Festival! It felt a bit vulnerable to be selling my art for the first time in person, but I powered through and did it! The best part was getting to chat with everyone at the fair. My tablemate was fantastic! Check out her book Carry on: True Stories of the Wonder and Heartbreak of Trying to Start a Family. And at the table next to me was my friend Genaro Trejo, founder of Megacity Review.
A few people came up to me to tell me they listen to my podcast, so that was fun! I have a few more stories from the event, but I’ll save them for my next podcast.
Speaking of which…
Podcast News:
I loved having Jane Tara on episode #141 of Books Are My People. She spoke about her recently published novel, Tilda is Visible, in which a 50-year-old woman finds that she is literally disappearing.
Christine Murphy, author of Notes on Surviving the Fire shares a guest recommendation.
Click here to listen to the most recent episode of my book recommendation podcast.
And, if you haven't yet, the greatest gift would be to rate my show, wherever you listen.
Book Giveaway:
I’m giving away a copy of The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez. I loved this historical fiction novel told from many different points of view about the construction of the Panama Canal. I learned so much! I think that fans of historical fiction who enjoy a large cast of characters will also love this novel.
To Enter: Visit my giveaway page. This giveaway will close on Wednesday, March 5th and I will contact a winner on Thursday, March 6th.
This giveaway is open to US mailing addresses only.
Member Corner:
We’re meeting today to share books we’ve been reading and loving. Members can register for the link here.
March: Book to Film Month:
We will be reading and watching The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead in March. I’m really eager to read this novel and watch the movie. Upgrade your membership and join us!
April / May This will be a Read with Me month. Members, we’ll vote on our next book soon!
The best way you can support this newsletter is to click on the books below and purchase them through my Bookshop.org affiliate store. A portion of your spending goes to independent bookstores! A win-win-win! (You win, I win, indie bookstores win!)
Books Are My People: A Podcast Companion Newsletter
Out Today: (I’ve starred the ones I’ve read.)
A book for music lovers: *Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley Two people in their 20’s bond over music and forge a long and deep friendship.
A twist on a serial killer story: Death Takes Me by Cristina Rivera Garza A genre-defying novel about a professor and detective seeking justice in a world suffused with gendered violence.
A quiet, compelling novel: *The Cafe with No Name by Robert Seethaler A vibrant tale of love, companionship, and renewal set against the transformations of 1960s Vienna in a cafe.
I love Prep and Rodham. I’m very excited to read this one: Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittinfeld Sittenfeld’s stories peel back layer after layer of our inner lives, keeping us riveted to the page with her utterly distinctive voice.
A book about marriage: Crush by Ada Calhoun When a husband asks his wife to consider what might be missing from their marriage, what follows surprises them both.
A book about generational trama: Talk to me: Lessons from a Family Forged from History by Rich Benjamin A piercingly powerful memoir, a grandson’s account of the coup that ended his grandfather's presidency of Haiti, the secrecy that shrouded that wound within his family, and his urgent efforts to know his mother despite the past.
Perfectly timed for TV and film award season: The Talent by Daniel D’Addario A group of actresses confront their careers, their secrets, and each other throughout one turbulent awards season.
A Dickens retelling: Fagin the Thief by Allison Epstein A thrilling reimagining of the world of Charles Dickens, as seen through the eyes of the infamous Jacob Fagin, London’s most gifted pickpocket, liar, and rogue.
Paperback Releases:
*Long Island by Colm Tóibín I loved this book so much! An Irish woman living in Long Island grapples with what it means to be an immigrant.
*After Annie by Anna Quindlen A book about grief and how we keep the people alive who mean the most.
American Spirits by Russell Banks Three dark, interlocking tales about the residents of a rural New York town, and the shocking headlines that become their local mythologies.
Grief is for People by Sloane Crosley After the pain and confusion of losing her closest friend to suicide, Sloane Crosley looks for answers in philosophy and art, hoping for a framework more useful than the unavoidable stages of grief.
I really enjoyed
‘s painting greenhouses lesson. I’m always intimidated by images that have A LOT going on, but Char breaks things down into simple shapes and offers great strategies for getting a lot of information on the page without feeling overwhelmed.What books are you looking forward to reading?