It’s fun to attend the 2018 BookExpo America (BEA) each May where publishers introduce their new novels, memoirs, cookbooks, and non-fiction titles. The event is open to trade (and media) – although I think some consumers can participate if they run a book club. I love to stroll the aisles at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City and see what’s trending.
BookCon, a similar show for avid readers, follows BEA in the same venue and is open to all. It hosts entertaining programs with authors on the weekend after BEA.
I met Tony Kushner, author of “Angels in America,” at a book signing.
Setting A Goal To Do More Reading
I tend to do more reading during the summer months while relaxing at the shore. I find I read more when traveling too. One of my goals during my life after 60 is to do more reading. My boyfriend L and my BFF L are both voracious readers — they inspire me. I like reading on a Kindle because I can load several books at a time.
Book publishers exhibit their new books at the 2018 BookExpo America (BEA).
Being a fan of chick-lit, I just finished Lauren Weisberger’s new bestseller, When Life Gives You Lululemons. If you like The Devil Wears Prada, this is a sequel and a quick read. For those who are fellow Jackie O fans, I suggest the biography by J. Randy Taborelli – Jackie, Janet & Lee – The Secret Lives of Janet Auchincloss and Her Daughters, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Lee Radziwill. It’s a fascinating peek into the lives of these glamorous women. For other reads check out my Books page.
“The Tattooist of Auschwitz” is based on a true story.
My next book is The Tattooist of Auschwitz, based on a true story about a tattooist during WWII, who falls in love with a woman from the camp where he is forced to tattoo prisoners’ numbers on their arms. Heather Morris wrote the novel after interviewing Lale Sokolov, a very real person who decided, late in life, to share his experiences. It’s a war story and a love story. I received an advance copy — the book will be available in September.
Igniting A Reading Renaissance
There’s been more talk these days of “igniting a reading renaissance.”
In May, The New York Times “A Year of Living Better” column shared how to tap your inner reader. Journalists Gregory Cowles and Pamela Paul, from the Book Review provided advice in a recent Spotlight.
Better get reading! There’s “A 1,000 Books To Read Before You Die.”
Gregory says, “”Books, when done right, really do take a focused concentration and a chunk of time; you need to make time for it.” He recommends cutting out distractions so you can read, “”For the first five, 20 minutes, you’re thinking ‘I’ve got to check my email,’ but by 20 minutes in, you’re not anymore. And it is one of the great joys and gifts of reading that you drop into the world of the book that you’re reading, and the outside world, with all of its chatter, kind of fades away.” Definitely read Gregory’s article link above about tapping your inner reader.
Pamela, who says she constantly is asked “how do you find the time to read, how do you read all those books” responds: “And I think it is shutting other things out, frankly. So I don’t have a TV, which is to my great sadness. I think I’ll watch TV when I’m retired. But also, I think it is about very deliberately setting aside chunks of time.”
Can’t wait to read Sally Field’s new memoir
Gretchen Rubin, author of multiple books on happiness, says: “For me, making time to read is a key to happiness. Reading is an essential part of my work, an important part of my social life, and — far more important – my favorite thing to do.” She has formed habits to help her read more. “One thing that helps me pick up my pace is checking out books from the library; I have to keep pushing ahead or they’ll become overdue.” Gretchen says “audiobooks are a great way to fit more books into your life.” She offers more tips on creating reading habits on her website.
New Books That Publishers Are Buzzing About
When I visit the exhibitors at BEA I look for what books are being showcased on panels, banners, and displays. I review the BEA catalog to see what books are being highlighted and where there are author signings and giveaways.
So what books are buzzing for the rest of 2018 and early 2019? Below is a curated list of novels, memoirs, and selected non-fiction. There were so many wellness-themed books and cookbooks (many wellness-themed as well), that I’ve decided to share those titles in another post.
“There, There: is a popular new novel.
Novel Ideas
Available Now
♥ The President Is Missing by Bill Clinton and James Patterson (Are you a Patterson fan?)
♥There, There by Tommy Orange (My boyfriend L already read this.)
♥ A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza (From Sarah Jessica Parker’s new imprint.)
♥ The Occasional VIrgin by Hanan al-Shaykh
♥ Florida by Lauren Groff (These are short stories.)
♥ The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
♥ Confessions of the Fox by Jordy Rosenber
♥ Clock Dance by Anne Taylor
“Vox” is a debut novel due out in August.
Coming In August
♥ Vox by Christina Dalcher
♥ Cherry by Nico Walker
♥ Ohio by Stephen Markley
A new novel from bestselling author Gary Shteyngart.
Coming In September
♥ Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart
♥ The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Mills (This is the book I’m reading now.)
♥ The Man Who Came Uptown by George Pelecanos
I especially liked the cover of this novel.
Coming In October
♥ Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks (Okay, how many Spark love stories have you read since The Notebook?)
♥ The Collector’s Apprentice by B.A. Shjapiro (Ooh, ooh, ooh, this sounds like my kind of read. It takes place in Paris and Philadelphia in the 1920s.)
♥ Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver
♥ The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton
♥ Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak (This is a YA novel by the author of The Book Thief.)
♥ Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel (Also YA, from the play by the same name.)
♥ Consumed by J.R. Ward
♥ A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult
♥ The Witch Elm by Tara French
♥ The Reckoning by John Grisham
Who will solve the case in Lethem’s new novel?
Coming In November
♥ The Feral Detective by Jonathan Lethem
♥ Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
Who is consumed in “Consumed?”
Coming in January/February 2019
♥ The Current by Tim Johnston
♥ The Age of Light by Whitney Scharer
♥ An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
A suspense novel from Tana French.
Memorable Memoirs and Celebrity Chatter
Sometimes I find that memoirs are almost like reading novels. There are so many twists and turns in these people’s lives, especially with the celebrities. And quite a few memoirs become movies. Remember Wild, a memoir by Cheryl Strayed. Did you see the movie with Reese Witherspoon?
Reese Witherspoon wrote a memoir of growing up in the South.
Coming In September
♥ In Pieces by Sally Fields (Sally is one of my favorite actresses.)
♥ Every Day Is Extra by John Kerry
♥ Small Fry by Lisa Brennan-Jobs (This is from Steve Jobs’ daughter.)
♥ Whiskey In A Teacup by Reese Witherspoon
Another memoir I want to add to my reading list.
Coming In October
♥ My Love Story by Tina Turner (I’m a BIG Tina fan! She’s simply “The Best!”)
♥ The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Megan Mullally & Nick Offerrman
♥ My Squirrel Days by Ellie Kemper
“Becoming,” from Michelle Obama is the hottest memoir for fall 2018.
Coming In November
♥ Becoming by Michelle Obama (This book was so hot there wasn’t even an excerpt around.)
Coming in January 2019
♥ Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay and a Mother’s Will To Survive by Stephanie Land
Meeting Book Bloggers and Vloggers At BEA
I met Book Podcast Hosts Chris Wolak and Emily Fine, from the Book Cougars blog, while waiting in line to get a signed copy of Angels In America from author Tony Kushner. Chris and Emily are boomer girls who both live in Guilfford, Connecticut and share their hunt for good books. Chris is a former executive of Borders.
Boomers Emily (left) and Chris host the Book Cougars Podcast and Blog.
I also met Russell Gray who has a very engaging YouTube channel called Ink & Paper Blog where he reviews and talks about books.
If you are interested in book recommendations for yourself or a book club, I suggest you check out their websites. Chris, Emily, and Russell were so upbeat and seemed to be extremely knowledgeable about the literary world. Plus they are fun to listen to!
What’s on your summer reading list? Any titles to share? Leave a comment.
Judi
Reader R said: “Read “When Life Hands You LuLu Lemons” and my mom read the Jackie and Lee book.
Good to have this list of books to look for – especially since my library is so good about getting books.”