Can't Wait Wednesday AND Book Expo 2018**

  

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tessa at Wishful Endings which spotlights and discusses forthcoming books that bloggers are looking forward to reading. Generally it's about books that haven't been released yet. This meme is based on Waiting on Wednesday, formerly hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

There are so many exciting new books on the horizon, so without further ado, this week's Can't Wait For book is . . .

Publisher:  Berkley, a Penguin Random House Imprint

Publication Date:  August 7, 2018

From GoodReads:  Emerson, Georgia, and Marley have been best friends ever since they met at a weight-loss camp as teens. When Emerson tragically passes away, she leaves one final wish for her best friends: to conquer the fears they still carry as adults.

For each of them, that means something different. For Marley, it's coming to terms with the survivor's guilt she's carried around since her twin sister's death, which has left her blind to the real chance for romance in her life. For Georgia, it's about learning to stop trying to live up to her mother's and brother's ridiculous standards, and learning to accept the love her ex-husband has tried to give her.

But as Marley and Georgia grow stronger, the real meaning of Emerson's dying wish becomes truly clear: more than anything, she wanted her friends to love themselves.

My Thoughts:  I enjoy stories about long-term female friendships, and this one fits the bill with a mix of sadness and strength.

**P.S.  As you read this post, I'll be embarking on the event I eagerly await each year.  While its official title is Book Expo, I lovingly refer to it as "book heaven."  In addition to the activities at the Javits Center in New York City, as a librarian I get to participate in other events, mingling with publishers' representatives and authors.

This will be my last post for the week, but I will return next week with news from the book front.  It will also be a little while before I visit your posts, read your picks and posts, and comment.  Today I'll be at Library Journal's Day of Dialog, a series of panels led by publishers and authors, book signings, and sparkly ARCs.  Authors scheduled to appear include Gary Shtenyngart, M.C. Beaton, Lisa Unger, Ruth Ware, Susan Orlean, Susanna Kearsley, Kate Morton, B.A. Shapiro, and Beatriz Williams. Afterwards I'll be going to the LibraryReads dinner at the Yale Club, with author speakers Marie Benedict, Barbara Kingsolver, Charlaine Harris, Walter Mosley, Casey Gerald and Andre Dubus III.

On the agenda for Thursday and Friday are a Penguin Random House author breakfast, LibraryReads lunch, and a book speed dating session.  As I said earlier, book heaven!

This Can't-Wait Wednesday post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution.  Retweeting and sharing this original post on Google+ are appreciated.

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 

                                                      

 

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach, where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon.  

Today I'm featuring an upcoming read, The Girl I Used to Be by Mary Torjussen.  The excerpts shared are from a trade paperback version borrowed from the library.

Prologue

Fifteen years ago

Thursday, August 15

When I think of that night now, I remember the heat, clammy and intense on my skin, and the sense of feverish excitement in the air.  I think of the taxi ride to the party with my friend Lauren, her body soft and scented against mine as we sat crushed into the backseat with her boyfriend, Tom.  The radio was on, the windows were wide open, and "London Calling" started to play.  I remember the surge of happiness I felt then; I'd just been accepted by London University and would be there within a month.  Whenever I hear that song now, it takes me straight back there, to that taxi ride to Alex's house.  It's as though I am that girl, the girl I used to be.

But I'm not.

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Part One

One 

Present day

Friday, June 16

When I saw him for the first time, I didn't t think he'd be trouble.  He was tall and broad, built like a rugby player, nice enough, I suppose, but not the kind of man you'd necessarily look twice at in the street.  At first glance he looked harmless enough. That's how men like him operate, I suppose.

What do you think?  Would you continue reading?

The author creates an ominous feeling of suspense in both the prologue and the first chapter.  As the reader, I can sense that something dangerous is about to happen, and am urgently drawn toward these characters and their unfolding story.

This First Chapter ~ First Paragraph post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution.  Retweeting and sharing of this original post on Google+ are appreciated.

Friday Focus: The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings

It's Friday . . . time to share book excerpts with:

• Book Beginnings on Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, where bloggers share the first sentence or more of a current read, as well as initial thoughts about the sentence(s), impressions of the book, or anything else that the opening inspires.  
• The Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice, where you grab a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% of an ebook), find one or more interesting sentences (no spoilers), and post them.

I'm having some technical difficulties sharing excerpts from my current read, The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, as you may be able to tell from the formatting of this post.  I received a hardcover version from the publisher at the Public Library Association Conference in Philadelphia in March.  Clicking on the book title will take you to the GoodReads summary.

I'm reading this book for an upcoming book club discussion and am really enjoying it.  Hannah captures the wild beauty, harsh weather, and isolating remoteness of Alaska in her story about a troubled family and a quirky group of rugged individuals living off the grid.

This Friday Focus post was originally written and/or compiled and published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution.  Retweeting and sharing of this original post on Google+ are appreciated. 

Can't-Wait Wednesday

  

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tessa at Wishful Endings which spotlights and discusses forthcoming books that bloggers are looking forward to reading. Generally it's about books that haven't been released yet. This meme is based on Waiting on Wednesday, formerly hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

There are so many exciting new books on the horizon, so without further ado, this week's Can't Wait For book is . . .

Publication Date:  June 26, 2018
Publisher:  St. Martin's Press

From GoodReads:  Mackenzie Cooper took her eyes off the road for just a moment but the resulting collision was enough to rob her not only of her beloved daughter but ultimately of her marriage, family, and friends―and thanks to the nonstop media coverage, even her privacy. Now she lives in Vermont under the name Maggie Reid, in a small house with her cats and dog. She’s thankful for the new friends she’s made―though she can’t risk telling them too much. And she takes satisfaction in working as a makeup artist at the luxurious local spa, helping clients hide the visible outward signs of their weariness, illnesses, and injuries. Covering up scars is a skill she has mastered.

Her only goal is to stay under the radar and make it through her remaining probation. But she isn’t the only one in this peaceful town with secrets. When a friend’s teenage son is thrust into the national spotlight, accused of hacking a powerful man’s Twitter account, Maggie is torn between pulling away and protecting herself―or stepping into the glare to be at their side. As the stunning truth behind their case is slowly revealed, Maggie’s own carefully constructed story begins to unravel as well. She knows all too well that what we need from each other in this difficult world is comfort. But to provide it, sometimes we need to travel far outside our comfort zones.

My Thoughts:  I've been a fan of Barbara Delinsky since reading Coast Road, which was published in 1998.  She is a prolific author, and what I've liked most about the many novels of hers that I've read is the character development.  Her female protagonists are strong and resourceful.  When I start a new Delinksy novel, I know I am in for a story that will touch my heart and characters that will remain with me long after I've come to the book's end.  She has become one of my go-to authors who never disappoints.

This Can't-Wait Wednesday post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution.  Retweeting and sharing this original post on Google+ are appreciated.

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 

                                                      

 

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach, where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon.  

Today I'm featuring an upcoming read, Why Mommy Drinks, The diary of an exhausted mom . . . A novel by Gill Sims.  The excerpt shared is from a hardcover version borrowed from the library.

September

Tuesday, 8 September

First day back at school.  I am going to 100 per cent nail being a school mummy this year.  I can absolutely do this.  This year my school runs will go like this:

6 a.m.  Wake up, have a shower, put on the stylish and elegant outfit from my minimalist capsule closet that I laid out last night, before applying some light but sophisticated makeup, as suggested by Pinterest, complete with chic, flicky eyeliner.  Dry hair, then style into an 'easy' chignon - again according to the diktats of Pinterest - thus creating an overall 'look' the is modern yet classic, with an individual edge.  Now looking perfect, I'll tidy up the house so that we have a calm and welcoming environment to return to at the end of the day.

What do you think?  Would you continue reading?

The first paragraph really sums up the demands on the modern mother, and it was exhausting just reading it.  It did take me back to my own days of young motherhood, which thankfully occurred before all the pressure created by the internet and social media.  Times were a bit more relaxed then.

******************** 

This First Chapter ~ First Paragraph post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution.  Retweeting and sharing of this original post on Google+ are appreciated.