28 January 2011

Imprint Friday: Pictures of You by Caroline Leavitt

Welcome to Imprint Friday and today's featured imprint: Algonquin Books. Stop by each week to be introduced to a must-read title from one of my favorite imprints. I know you'll be adding many of these books to your wish list.

Last week I offered you a teaser from Pictures of You by Caroline Leavitt. Today I'm spotlighting this fabulous book, and in early February I will treat you to an Imprint Extra from Caroline herself.

But let me step back a minute and tell you why I'm happy to bring this book to your attention. I'll start with the publisher's summary:
Two women running away from their marriages collide on a foggy highway, killing one of them. The survivor, Isabelle, is left to pick up the pieces, not only of her own life, but of the lives of the devastated husband and fragile son that the other woman, April, has left behind. Together, they try to solve the mystery of where April was running to, and why. As these three lives intersect, the book asks, How well do we really know those we love—and how do we forgive the unforgivable?
If you've followed my blog for any amount of time then you know that one of my favorite premises is how one's life can change in a instant: owing to an accident, as the result of a poor decision, because someone else had a meltdown. Pictures of You starts from a similar situation--a day on which the unimaginable happens to two women and two families.

Pictures of You is a book that you (like author Beth Kephart) will read into the wee hours. Reviewers have almost universally praised Leveatt's use of language and her characterizations. Here are the opinions of two bloggers:
  • Robby from Once Upon a Book calls the novel "fantastic, beautifully written, beautifully structured, unique and familiar and completely overwhelming. It wasn’t flawless, but it was pretty close to it."
  • Julie from Booking Mama said that "the story was intriguing and yet heartbreaking, and I loved how complex each of these characters were."
Pictures of You is a book both to savor and to discuss. The novel is my book club's February selection, and I am anticipating a long and fruitful discussion. Look for my review and Caroline's Imprint Extra in early February.

To learn more about Caroline Leavitt and Pictures of You, see her playlist on Largehearted Boy, her blog, and her website. For an interview, check out Algonquin Books blog.

This book was spotlighted as part of both my Imprint Fridays feature and my Get to know Algonquin Books feature. For more information about the imprint, please read Executive Editor Chuck Adams's introductory letter, posted here on January 7, 2011.

Pictures of You at Powell's
Pictures of You at Book Depository
These links lead to affiliate programs.

Published by Algonquin Books, 2011
ISBN-13: 9781565126312
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18 comments:

  1. Julie P.1/28/11, 6:45 AM

    I just adored this book and can't recommend it enough. I hope between a few blogger reviews and your feature post that many people will pick up this book!

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  2. bookspersonally1/28/11, 9:32 AM

    The book sounds wonderful- looking forward to reading it!

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  3. Zibilee1/28/11, 10:15 AM

    I also find it interesting to think about the way that life can change in an instant due to unexpected events, and think that this book sounds wonderful. I am going to be looking forward to your further thoughts on this book!

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  4. Jen Forbus1/28/11, 11:06 AM

    This sounds like a great premise for a book. I'm always fascinated by stories that look at how one small action can have a huge effect...like the butterfly flapping its wings concept.

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  5. Tribute Books1/28/11, 11:50 AM

    Wow - now that's a premise I never heard before.

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  6. Peaceful Reader1/28/11, 12:41 PM

    This is the second time I've read great words about this book. I might have to talk my book club into reading it!

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  7. Martha1/28/11, 1:39 PM

    Your's is the second review I've read today and now I really want to read this. I, too, enjoy books where we life can change in an instant. Thanks for the review.

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  8. Dorte H1/28/11, 1:42 PM

    This one sounds really good indeed.

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  9. Anonymous1/28/11, 2:01 PM

    I used a B&N giftcard for this one the other day. Looking forward to reading it.

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  10. Robin M1/28/11, 2:47 PM

    You sold me. Added it to my nook wish list.

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  11. BookGeek1/28/11, 3:46 PM

    This is intriguing! Thanks for the review.

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  12. Molly1/29/11, 10:09 AM

    Sounds fabulous - and I have already added the title to my TBR list!

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  13. Rebecca Rasmussen1/29/11, 10:14 AM

    I love this book!

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  14. Leslie (Under My Apple Tree)1/29/11, 4:14 PM

    I've read several good reviews on this one. My tbr list is getting out of control!

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  15. bermudaonion1/30/11, 10:37 AM

    I'm getting ready to start this book right now!

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  16. Caitlin1/30/11, 9:34 PM

    Sounds like a fascinating book. Thanks for the recommendation. I just put it on my list. I look forward to reading it. Thanks!

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  17. Athira2/2/11, 7:50 PM

    I've heard so much about this book! I can't wait to read it!

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  18. Alice2/3/11, 4:06 AM

    Those are my favorite premises too. I like the sound of this book!

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