Imprint Friday: 13 Books to Look for from William Morrow

Yesterday, HarperCollins hosted a video preview of many of the summer books they're particularly excited about. We got a sneak peek at some of the upcoming titles from almost a dozen imprints, covering all kinds of genres, from memoir and history to fantasy, beach reads, and literary fiction.

In today's Imprint Friday, I share all the presented titles from William Morrow Hardcovers and William Morrow Paperbacks and highlight my top pick from each imprint. Ready? Here we go.

William Morrow Hardcovers

Sons and Soldiers by Bruce Henderson (July): Just when you think you've read all there is to read about World War II, there comes along a book that tells us something new. This nonfiction account tells us all about a group of Jewish men who escaped Germany before the war and later became U.S. soldiers who worked in army intelligence, interviewing prisoners of war. Here's the publisher's summary:

In 1942, the U.S. Army unleashed one of its greatest secret weapons in the battle to defeat Adolf Hitler: training nearly 2,000 German-born Jews in special interrogation techniques and making use of their mastery of the German language, history, and customs. Known as the Ritchie Boys, they were sent in small, elite teams to join every major combat unit in Europe, where they interrogated German POWs and gathered crucial intelligence that saved American lives and helped win the war.

Though they knew what the Nazis would do to them if they were captured, they eagerly joined the fight to defeat Hitler. As they did, many of them did not know the fates of their own families left behind in occupied Europe. Taking part in every major campaign in Europe, they collected key tactical intelligence on enemy strength, troop and armored movements, and defensive positions. A postwar Army report found that more than sixty percent of the credible intelligence gathered in Europe came from the Ritchie Boys.

Bruce Henderson draws on personal interviews with many surviving veterans and extensive archival research to bring this never-before-told chapter of the Second World War to light. Sons and Soldiers traces their stories from childhood and their escapes from Nazi Germany, through their feats and sacrifices during the war, to their desperate attempts to find their missing loved ones in war-torn Europe. Sons and Soldiers is an epic story of heroism, courage, and patriotism that will not soon be forgotten.

• The Baker's Secret by Stephen P. Kiernan (May): Historical fiction set in a small town in coastal Normandy, this novel tells the story of one woman's fight to save her town and undermine the German occupation.
• The Lost Ones by Sheena Kamal (July): This is a psychological thriller set in western Canada with themes of parenthood, foster care, and facing the past.
• Cocoa Beach by Beatriz Williams (June): From New York City to the battlefields of World War I to Jazz Age Florida, Willilams's newest novel promises to be a good mix of intrigue, romance, and historical detail as we follow the adventures and heartache of a young woman trying to find her place in the world.
• Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson (June): If it's a Jackson novel, you know it will have family drama, great characters, and Southern charm. A 38-year-old woman becomes pregnant after a one-night stand and must find a way to break the news to her loved ones.
• Same Beach, Next Year by Dorothea Benton Frank (May): I love Frank's mature women characters; her smart, sharp sense of humor; and her good storytelling--perfect for the beach bag. Here we meet two couples with a complicated past who look forward to their annual getaway, as they weather the ups and downs of life.

William Morrow Paperbacks

The Cottingley Secret by Hazel Gaynor (July): This dual time-period novel set in England reexamines the historical phenomenon of the Cottingley fairies, which were photographed by two cousins in the early 1900s. I'm very curious how Gaynor will weave this story. Here's the publisher's summary

1917 . . . It was inexplicable, impossible, but it had to be true—didn’t it? When two young cousins, Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright from Cottingley, England, claim to have photographed fairies at the bottom of the garden, their parents are astonished. But when one of the great novelists of the time, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, becomes convinced of the photographs’ authenticity, the girls become a national sensation, their discovery offering hope to those longing for something to believe in amid a world ravaged by war. Frances and Elsie will hide their secret for many decades. But Frances longs for the truth to be told.

One hundred years later . . . When Olivia Kavanagh finds an old manuscript in her late grandfather’s bookshop she becomes fascinated by the story it tells of two young girls who mystified the world. But it is the discovery of an old photograph that leads her to realize how the fairy girls’ lives intertwine with hers, connecting past to present, and blurring her understanding of what is real and what is imagined. As she begins to understand why a nation once believed in fairies, can Olivia find a way to believe in herself?

• Goodnight from London by Jennifer Robson (May): This is the story of a young American woman journalist who is covering World War II in London. When the Blitz begins, she discovers how strong and caring people can be under duress. Inspired by the experiences of the author's grandmother.
• The Alice Network by Kate Quinn (May): This dual time-period novel brings together a woman spy from World War I and an American socialite searching for a relative in the aftermath of the second war. The book tells the story of real-life Alice Network, made up of women spies. 
• My Sister's Bones by Nuala Ellwood (June): This contemporary thriller touches on issues of PTSD, the war in Syria, and family. A woman journalist returns home to bury her mother and discovers she can't get the war out of her head and may be losing her grip on reality.
• The Sworn Virgin by Kristopher Dukes (August): This sounds like a fascinating bit of historical fiction based on a little-known Albanian tradition of a hundred years ago, which allowed women great freedoms, if they held to a vow of lifelong celibacy. All goes fine for our hero, until she meets an injured stranger.
• The Daughters of Ireland by Santa Montefiore (August): This is the second installment of a loosely tied trilogy that spans the twentieth century and follows three Irish women's loves and losses. An Irish castle, a reconnection with a first love, a difficult choice. This for romance lovers.
• The Marriage Bureau by Penrose Halson (May): This nonfiction title introduces us to two 24-year-old single women who opened a matchmaking service in London on the eve of World War II. This well-research account of how the friends managed their Bond Street business sounds like a great read.

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Imprint Friday: 8 cozy mysteries from Berkley Prime Crime

Is it winter or is it summer? You can't tell by the temperatures here in central Pennsylvania. When life gets crazy, I get cozy -- here are the latest offerings from Berkley Prime Crime Paperbacks, all released either February 7 or March 7 of this year. I love the titles and the covers (click images for clear view)!

• Cold Pressed Murder by Kelly Lane: The Olive Grove series is set in Abundance, Georgia, where Eva Knox and her sisters run an upscale olive plantation, entertain the tourists, and solve murders. This second installment involves a food festival, complete with celebrity chefs and a host of quirky characters, some of whom may be guilty of murder. Recipes are included.
• A Wee Homicide in the Hotel by Fran Stewart: The ScotShop series has a paranormal element: protagonist Peggy Winn's ghostly companion, Dirk, a medieval Highlander who comes in handy when there's a murder to solve. Peggy's base is her Scots-themed store, nestled in a small Vermont town. In this third outing, a tourist is found dead in his hotel room, the victim of a bagpipe crime.
• Blown Away by Clover Tate: This brand-new series is set on the Oregon coast and stars Emmy Adler, who is getting ready to open her one-of-a-kind, artisan kite shop. It looked like a wonderful day to let her dreams soar high . . . until she finds a body on the beach, and her best friend becomes the prime suspect.
• Gone with the Twins by Kylie Logan: The League of Literary Ladies Mysteries are set on an island in Lake Erie, where the local book club is earning a reputation for their sleuthing abilities. In the fifth entry, the women get caught up in a murder that may have roots in the island real estate business. It gets personal when the police start to suspect that one of the club members might be guilty.

• No Cats Allowed by Miranda James: A Cat in the Stacks series combines a book-loving cat, Diesel, and a murder-solving librarian, Charlie Harris, who live in a small town in Mississippi. In the seventh installment, local bigwigs decide to make changes to the beloved library, and things heat up, resulting in a murder. Can Charlie and Diesel find the killer before an innocent staffer gets convicted?
• Roux the Day by Linda Wiken: The Dinner Club Mysteries are set in Burlington, Vermont, and revolve around themed dinner parties, with a little murder on the side. In this second installment, dinner plans go awry when one of the guests is found dead before the meal has ended. Police point the finger at our hero, master event planner J. J. Tanner. Recipes are included.
• The Silence of the Flans by Laura Bradford: In the Emergency Dessert Squad series, Cincinnati baker Winnie Johnson has a talent for sweets and for digging up clues. When a student is found poisoned after eating one of Winnie's desserts, she must scramble to clear her name and her shop's reputation. This is the second entry in the series, and it includes recipes.
• War and Peach by Susan Furlong: In this third Georgia Peach Mystery, Nola May Harper, peach farmer and shopkeeper, stays current both with the local gossip and with any murders. When the race for mayor becomes deadly, the town turns against Margie, an area businesswoman with political ambitions. Nola, however, is sure her friend is innocent, if only she can prove it. Recipes are included.

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Imprint Friday: 6 Picks from Picador

Welcome to a special edition of Imprint Friday and today's featured imprint Picador. It's been a while since I wrote an imprint feature, but I'd like to revive my habit of introducing you to great reads from some of my favorite publishers.

The Picador logo means quality, whether you find it on the spine of a hardcover original or paperback reprint. They publish across the genres, as you'll see from the half dozen books I'm writing about today.

Put these excellent books on your wish list or pick them up at your favorite store or library. Read them in print or on your eReader. Just read them!

Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed edited by Meghan Daum. One of my most anticipated books of this spring, this collection of sixteen essays focuses on what it means to be purposely childless. The pieces present a variety of perspectives, but all make the case that having children is not necessarily the primary road to personal happiness, despite the pressures from modern society. It doesn't matter where you are on the parent spectrum--are one, hope to be one, aren't sure yet, or can't even imagine such a thing--Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed will give you much to think about and may even help you understand yourself or your childless friends. There are a world of reasons to not reproduce, and believe it or not, it's really no one's business except the person making the choice. Many of the writers in this collection mentioned how many times people asked them why they didn't have kids. Their answers are enlightening and varied. (March 2015; ISBN: 9781250052933)

The Memory Painter by Gwendolyn Womack. If you love books that are difficult to categorize, you'll love Womack's debut. Bryan Pierce is an artist who has been plagued by nightmares that are set in ancient times: Rome, Egypt, Persia, and so on. He uses his dreams as fodder for his world-famous paintings. Linz Jacobs is a neurogeneticist who has specialized in the biology of memory. When she recognizes, in vivid detail, one of her own dreams in one of Bryan's paintings, she is startled enough to seek him out; their meeting sets off a series of events tied to mysterious deaths, history, dreams, memory, and even romance. A little bit thriller and maybe a whole lot love story, The Memory Painter offers great escape reading for fans of historical fiction, reincarnation, and mystery. (April 2015; ISBN: 9781250053039)

The Domino Diaries by Brin-Jonathan Butler. Most of us are familiar with the many great Cuban athletes who have found fame in professional sports. Often these men and women leave Cuba to train and live with their teammates, but some decide to stay put. Butler's memoir focuses on the ten years he spent immersed in the boxing world and in Castro's Cuba. Part sports memoir and part ethnography, The Domino Diaries examines island culture and traditions as much as it does the boxers themselves. One of Butler's primary questions is why some athletes defect and others choose to stay, basking in the love of their fans but lacking the money and resources of those who left home. This memoir is particularly timely, with the renewal of U.S.-Cuban relations and the continued popularity of boxing, as demonstrated by the recent Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. You can embrace this book with an eye toward its cultural commentary or you can focus on the sport of boxing. Either way, there's plenty to learn. (June, 2015; ISBN: 9781250043702)

A Pleasure and a Calling by Phil Hogan. You might be glad you didn't read this novel in the dark days of winter; the creep factor is strong enough that you'll welcome the comfort of daylight and sunshine. Mr. Heming has had a troubled past but is happy in the small English town he calls home. He sells houses and knows each one inside and out . . . but not just when they're empty. You see, he has kept the keys for each house he has sold over the last seventeen years. He's curious about his neighbors, learning what they do in public and what they do when they think they're safe at home. When his normal routines are upset by a single woman and a married man, Heming decides to take control. This psychological thriller has garnered several starred reviews. Read it if you dare. (January 2015; ISBN: 9781250060631)

On the Run by Alice Goffman. We've all heard it, America is supposedly waging a war on crime. Unfortunately, this so-called war has resulted in racial profiling, crowded prisons, and no real halt in the trafficking of street drugs. As the publisher's summary for On the Run puts it: "Goffman spent six years in one Philadelphia neighborhood, documenting the routine stops, searches, raids, and beatings that young men navigate as they come of age." This is a heart-breaking and very real look at what goes in the neighborhoods most of us see only on the news or in movies. If you've been sickened by recent run-ins and violence between police and black citizens living in urban neighborhoods, you need to read this book. Goffman outlines just how difficult it is for decent people to stay decent and to stay out of harm's way. Combining thorough research, personal experience, and excellent journalism, Goffman has created a gripping true story of our times. Whether or not you agree with Goffman's methods and conclusions, On the Run has a place in this important debate. (April 2015 ISBN: 9781250065667)

The Last Pilot by Benjamin Johncock. Americans have always been in love with the space program, especially in its early days. Johncock's debut novel focuses on U.S. Air Force test pilot Jim Harrison and tracks his progress from an isolated military base in the Mojave Desert in the 1940s through the 1960s and the race for the moon. Balancing family life with career ambitions isn't easy; the lure of the young NASA organization is strong. Although Harrison initially does what's right for his wife, fate doesn't treat him well. The Last Pilot is a sharp look at a man torn by personal loss and a desire to reach for the stars. The period details, well-drawn characters, and emotional depth make this the perfect summer read, as we come up on the forty-sixth anniversary of the first moon landing. (July 2015; ISBN: 9781250066640)

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Imprint Thursday: A Teen Quartet

If you're a long-time reader of Beth Fish Reads, don't be thrown off. No, this isn't Friday, but it is imprint day. I love several of HarperCollins's teen imprints, and today I'm featuring Katherine Tegen Books and HarperTeen. Here are my reactions to two recent releases from each imprint.

First up from Katherine Tegen Books is Norah Olson's Twisted Fate. This psychological thriller/mystery is a little bit creepy and maybe even disturbing, so you might want to keep the lights on when you're reading it. Two sisters, Ally and Syd, couldn't be more different, but when a new boy, Graham, moves into the neighborhood, they both eventually fall under his spell. Ally loses her heart completely to Graham, but Syd is less trusting. The story--which involves a missing child, teen romance, and family relationships--is told from several viewpoints. The clues are dropped slowly, and you'll be wondering which sister has the better instincts. The author is a former crime-beat journalist, so you can bet she gets the details just right. (age 13+; 9780062272041)

Kathleen Peacock's Willowgrove is the third book in her Hemlock trilogy (published by Katherine Tegen Books). I have to confess that I haven't read any of the books (Hemlock and Thornhill are the first two) yet because I needed to take a paranormal break. But now I'm back in the mood for some handsome weres, and this action-packed trilogy looks good. The series promises teen love, conflicts between good and evil, questionable medical experiments, and teenage friendships. Apparently Peacock is not afraid to kill off her characters, so there are no guarantees; anything could happen. The overall story starts with a murder, the rise of lupine syndrome (or werewolf virus), and deep secrets. This paranormal/romance is not for the faint of heart. (age 14+; 9780062048714)

What's a young adult roundup without a little dystopian fiction? Tom Isbell's The Prey (from Harper Teen) imagines a world that has been devastated by a mega radiation event, which destroyed all electronics. A couple of decades later, in the Republic of the True America, children are captured and raised for use in medical experiments and for much more evil purposes. The divide between the haves and have-nots has never been wider. Twin sisters Hope and Faith, with the help of some boys, escape their captors, setting off a nonstop-action story as the group fights for survival and freedom. Told from alternating viewpoints, this novel offers a lot of excitement but is a little light on world building. It is the first in a planned trilogy, so perhaps more details will be revealed in the next book. (age 13+; 9780062216014)

Michelle Falkoff's Playlist for the Dead (from Harper Teen) touches on several difficult issues, including bullying and suicide. When Sam discovers Hayden's death by suicide, he uses the playlist suicide note to try to understand what happened. As he works his way through the songs, Sam begins to connect with new people and learns some surprising things about his best friend. Despite some beautifully written passages and a sensitive handling of gut-wrenching topics, Falkoff's contemporary fiction debut doesn't quite hold up. Among the problems, I found the playlist to be a bit gimmicky, often not adding much to the plot, and the pacing had a stop-and-start feel rather than a flow. Although not a five-star novel, readers interested in teen problems, might want to give it a try. (ages 13+; 9780062310507)

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Imprint Friday: Twelve

Have you heard of Hachette Book Group's unique imprint Twelve? The amazing range of books and the singularity of the imprint's philosophy put Twelve on my favorite imprint list. Twelve was founded in 2005 with the idea of publishing a single, significant book each month. As the publisher explains, their goal is to offer:

Works that explain our culture; that illuminate, inspire, provoke, and entertain. We seek to establish communities of conversation surrounding our books. Talented authors deserve attention not only from publishers, but from readers as well. To sell the book is only the beginning of our mission. To build avid audiences of readers who are enriched by these works – that is our ultimate purpose.

I love the concept of finding twelve books that deserve individual attention and that belong on everyone's reading list. The books I'm featuring today (from the 2014 list) meet and exceed the imprint's desire to publish books that will make you think and that will prompt wide discussion. I haven't finished reading all of these titles yet, so look for full reviews in the coming weeks.

The Scarlet Sisters by Myra MacPherson introduces us to two woman who were brazen enough to stand up for what they believed in. Women didn't have many choices in the late 19th century, but sisters Victoria Woodhull and Tennessee Claflin were not easily subdued. Among their many claims to fame, singularly and together, were being the first women to open a brokerage firm, the first woman to run for president, and the first women to publish a right-wing weekly. They were, in fact, considered too radical and scandalous for the U.S. women's movement, so the sisters eventually moved to the UK, where they continued their fight for equality. Author MacPherson is no stranger to gender inequalities or to the repercussions of being a strong, smart, opinionated woman in a man's world. Well-researched and based on firsthand accounts and historical documents, The Scarlet Sisters is as easy to read as a novel but will have you proudly waving your feminist flag.

I love the subtitle of Barbara Ehrenreich's Living with a Wild God: "A Nonbeliever's Search for the Truth about Everything." How does a mature scientist turned objective journalist reconcile her view of the world with a long-repressed spiritual moment experienced by her teenage self? In this frank and thought-provoking memoir, Ehrenreich looks back on her family's difficulties, her lifelong search for the answers to the big questions (What does it all mean?), and her solid atheist beliefs, all colored by a singular mystical moment early on a California morning. Balancing her personal visions with her scientific background, Ehrenreich struggles to find explanations. Her insistence on entering the blurry space between the religious and secular spheres gives her coming-of-age journey an individual slant. In the end, readers will wonder where their own beliefs fall in Ehrenreich's world and whether the author found the peace she was seeking. I bet this would make a great book club selection.

Randi Davenport's novel The End of Always explores tough issues, particularly domestic violence in a Midwest family at the turn of the last century. All young Marie Reehs wants is to escape the fate of her mother and grandmother and leave the fear, cruelty, and beatings behind her. Between the unwanted attentions of an older man and her sister's equally strong desire to maintain the status quo, Marie finds it difficult to sustain hope. When she meets the charming August, she is sure she has found her happy future at last. But like her foremothers, she may have misjudged the man and the brand of love he was able to give. Although fiction, The End of Always is based on the true-life story of the author's great-grandmother and the very real threat of violence women felt then and still feel today. The juxtaposition of the beautiful prose with the ugliness of Marie's situation makes this an engaging read. The fact that the events and people are, for the most part, true will make you cringe. Are women really any safer today than they were then?

Have you ever heard of Laura Bridgman? She was once one of the most famous women in the world. What were her accomplishments? She caught scarlet fever at the age of two, which left her deaf and blind. Five years later, she enrolled in the Perkins Institute and became the first deaf, blind person to learn language--decades before Helen Keller entered the spotlight and history to create an enduring legacy. What Is Visible by Kimberly Elkins gives Bridgman her well-deserved due. The novel opens with a meeting between a very young Helen Keller and an elderly Bridgman. Keller wants to know everything about the older woman, who begins to tap out her tale. I am fascinated with Bridgman's journey to learn to communicate and the circumstances of her rise to fame. Thanks to Elkins's thorough research and deep empathy, the world will once again remember the woman who found a way to preserve her humanity and dignity by learning to spell her thoughts onto the palms of others.

True crime meets wine connoisseur in Maximillian Potter's Shadows in the Vineyard. Who knew that the wine industry could lead to poisoning, suicide, and a full-blown criminal investigation? When the proprietor of the Domaine de al Romanee-Conti vineyard, origin of the most expensive and most coveted wines in the world, received a note demanding that he pay €1 million or the vines would be destroyed, he regretfully failed to take immediate action. Sticking to the facts of the case, Potter weaves a tale that is as well-paced and gripping as any thriller novel. From the history of the famous wine to the details of the French detectives' operations and from the major players to the local traditions and culture, Potter draws us into the drama, building the tension up to and through the perpetrator's confession. The book started out as an article for Vanity Fair, but after interviews, tours, wine tastings, and newfound friendships, Potter knew there was much more to say. Wine lovers and teetotalers alike will love Shadows in the Vineyard.

Every day the news is filled with some kind of scandal: from sports (the latest is the Ray Rice) to politics (most famously Nixon) to business (remember Enron). In Glass Jaw: A Manifesto for Defending Fragile Reputations in an Age of Instant Scandal, Eric Dezenhall talks about how events spin out of control and offers sage advice on what to do when you find yourself embroiled in controversy. You don't have to be among the rich and famous to benefit from his lessons: We can all use some tips on how to avoid stabbing ourselves in the foot, how to think before tweeting, and how to offer a sincere public apology. I'm particularly interested in how social media can be used (or maybe should not be used) to calm the waters, what makes a scandal, and what roles the entertainment industry and twenty-four-hour news channels play in augmenting every little mistake. Dezenhall uses familiar events, from many sectors to illustrate the do's and don'ts of surviving the media heat. The discussion is broken down into easy-to-digest, short sections, and each chapter ends with a succinct takeaway thought. Important reading for everyone who has an on-line presence.

I hope you have found at least a couple of books to add to your wish list. There is so much good reading here, you might want to consider marking your calendar so you never miss the monthly offering from Twelve.

To learn more about the Twelve imprint and to see the complete list of books they've published, visit their website. You can also follow them on Twitter, like their Facebook page, and check out their YouTube channel (be sure to watch the What Is Visible video).

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Imprint Small Press Friday: Graywolf Press

Welcome to a special edition of Imprint Friday which today is actually Small Press Friday. Although I usually celebrate new releases from my favorite imprints in this space, I thought I'd do something a little different and feature great reads from a great independent publisher: Graywolf Press. Take a moment to look through their catalogs and be sure to say congratulations on their 40 years in publishing.

I've been a fan of Graywolf for a long time, and I've always been impressed with their ability to consistently publish smart books that both entertain and make me think. And Graywolf doesn't just find the best in fiction, their poetry and short story collections, their memoirs and essays have grabbed my attention as much as their award-winning novels. Here are five books to put on your list.

I'll start with Vijay Seshadri's 3 Sections, which won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry. I haven't read this collection, but an article about Graywolf would be incomplete without bringing Seshadri to your attention. The poems touch on very contemporary subjects, making the pieces accessible to a wide range of readers. The first section is made up of shorter poems about modern society, life in New York, the perils of aging, and travel. I'm particularly interested in the second section, which is a longer poem about commercial salmon fishing in Alaska. It addresses both the beauty of the environment and the politics of the industry. Making up the bulk of the final section is a poem titled "Personal Essay," which explores, according to Publisher Weekly, "what it could mean to be personal, to be one person and not another, in this crowded age." The hardcover was published a year ago (ISBN: 9781555976620) and the paperback will be available in January.

The troubled characters in Robert Boswell's Tumbledown revolve around ambitious therapist James Candler, the soon to be director of the Onyx Springs Rehabilitation Center. Despite juggling his finances, putting up with a slacker temporary roommate, and second-guessing his upcoming marriage, Candler never forgets the clients who need his support. As we get to know the patients, who suffer from a variety of conditions, we ultimately realize that Candler, haunted by the memory of his older brother and pushed by his need to help others, has forgotten to take care of himself. Although the novel is sometimes funny, Boswell is respectful of mental illness and makes us think about what it takes to be able to function in modern society, what it means to be normal, and what happens when we forget to save ourselves. The hardcover came out last year, but the paperback will be available in September (ISBN: 9781555976866).

Jeffery Renard Allen's Song of the Shank is a novel about the real-life Thomas Green Wiggins, better known as the musical genus Blind Tom. What makes this story so incredible is that Tom, born into slavery, was not only blind but was also autistic. That he learned to play the piano and was allowed to pursue his craft despite his handicaps and color is in itself almost unbelievable. Allen imagines the life of the gifted and troubled pianist, filling in the details where the historical record is missing. We learn of the black child who performed for a president of the United States, the white woman who became his guardian, and the myriad others who either tried to exploit his talents or protect him from the evils of the world. Through Blind Tom's story, Allen takes us from the pre-Civil War South to the early 20th century, exploring the changing climate for American blacks and the particular dependency that was the lot of the talented pianist. Published this summer in paperback (ISBN: 9781555976804).

In Blackboard, Lewis Buzbee explores education in America from a number of perspectives. His treatise is not simply testimony to the negative effects of budget cuts, politics, unions, and technology; instead Buzbee looks deeper into his subject, considering everything from the way our schools are built to the subtle messages students pick up from their teachers. He brings his own experiences as both a student and a teacher to the table supplemented by what he learned from watching his daughter move through the system. He worries about the teacher-student ratio; teachers' salaries; society's respect for education; and the lack of funding for music, art, and libraries. Anyone who is bothered by the educational system's focus on tests and success and wishes that more time were devoted to encouraging the love of learning and to nurturing curiosity will appreciate this short, entertaining, and important book. Out in hardcover this month (ISBN: 9781555976835).

High on my reading list is Ru Freeman's On Sal Mal Lane, which made several top-ten lists when it was published last year. The novel is set in Sri Lanka in the late 1970s, during the period leading up to the country's long civil war. Through the families living on Sal Mal Lane, we see how the children's typical pursuits of love, sports, and friendship are affected and influenced by the building political tensions and cultural attitudes of their parents. Almost every reviewer mentioned how beautiful and moving Freeman's prose is, as she explores the divisions--socioeconomic, religious, and emotional--that are brought into sharp focus as war becomes inevitable. The novel brings these issues down to the personal level as the ripples of a country's larger concerns eventually reach even a quiet street inhabited by ordinary people, whom we have come to know intimately. Out now in paperback (ISBN: 9781555976767).

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Imprint Friday: What's Hot at Ecco

Welcome to a special edition of Imprint Friday and today's featured imprint Ecco. Although my usual format for Imprint Friday is to introduce you to a single title, Ecco has so many great books coming out this season, I decided to highlight six titles I'm particularly excited about.

One reason I love the Ecco imprint is the great variety of genres they bring to press. The group I highlight here spans most of their range, meaning you're sure to find at least one book to call your own.

Probably Not Your Reality

Andrew Sean Greer's The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells, now available from Ecco in paperback, was an Indie Next pick for July 2013. Grieving the loss of her twin brother and the breakup of a long relationship, Greta Wells undergoes treatment for depression. One surprising result is the fracturing of her psyche into three different lives: the woman she thinks she is, a sexy 1918 bohemian, and a devoted World War II wife and mother. As Greta learns the pros and cons of each situation, she is left with the haunting question of what will happen if her treatment is successful: Who is the real Greta Wells? This novel explores depression, choices, homosexuality, social norms, and love.

Out just this month, The Bees by Laline Paull imagines the ebb and flow of life in a regimented bee hive. Flora 717 was born a sanitation bee but manages to rise through the ranks from nursemaid to queen's attendant to forager. The journey is not easy, and Flora must fight not only the strict class system and social expectations but attacks from wasps and mice before she finally understands her true destiny. This novel will appeal to animal lovers, fans of books like Watership Down, and anyone looking for an entertaining read. Paull explores individuality, repressive societies, bravery, sisterhood, and fulfilling one's dreams. I favorably reviewed the audiobook edition (read by Orlagh Cassidy) for AudioFile magazine, so don't hesitate to listen.

It's a Man's World

Two years ago, I couldn't say enough good things about Ron Rash's The Cove. I'm so pleased that Ecco is continuing to work with Rash, and I was happy to see that the paperback edition of his Nothing Gold Can Stay is now available. If you haven't yet read Rash, you won't go wrong starting with this short story collection. Most of the pieces share both their setting (Appalachia) and the exploration of violence or trouble, but the time frames range from contemporary back to the Civil War. The plots include misplanned get-rich-quick schemes, elopement, life on a chain gang, hunting, depression, racial issues, culture clashes, and war. Although the themes have a definite dark side (but some are funny), Rash's characters and descriptive prose are not to be missed.

As you know, I love biography, and I can't wait to sink my teeth into The DiMaggios by Tom Clavin. I got a hint of the personalities of two DiMaggios when I read The Kid because of their association with Ted Williams. Almost all of you will remember Joltin' Joe, but did you know that Dominic (the Little Professor) was an All-Star player for the Boston Red Sox and that Vince also made the All-Star team and played for the Pittsburgh Pirates? Clavin, a journalist, introduces us not only to the brothers' lives as ball players but also to their relationships within the family and with America as a whole. I love the period photographs and the fact that Clavin relied on as many firsthand sources as possible, including the DiMaggio family. You don't have to be a baseball fan to appreciate this examination of three talented brothers.

This and That

Did you know that Ecco publishes graphic novels? I was fascinated with Liana Finck's A Bintel Brief: Love and Longing in Old New York, a graphic novel about emigration, old New York, and the struggles of making a new life while having to leave loved ones behind. Finck drew on letters submitted to the advice column of The Forward, one of the world's leading Yiddish newspapers of the turn of the last century, to write a series of graphic short stories. She imagines that the ghost of the paper's editor has been awakened and begins to remember the letters. The topics cover a wide range of issues: love, parenting, life in America, faith, and stretching a dollar. This is a touching look at tenement life in the Lower East Side.

Visitation Street by Ivy Pochoda, just out in paperback, is a Dennis Lehane book, an imprint of Ecco. This Brooklyn-set novel is high on my must-read list. The mystery focuses on the disappearance of a fifteen-year-old girl and eventually involves many members of the local, multi-ethnic community. Two girls take a nighttime raft trip into the bay but only one returns, washed up on the shore. I'm intrigued because reviews indicate that the story focuses more on the citizens of Red Hook than on the investigation, giving us a look at a neighborhood in transition as professionals and foodies set up household in the traditionally blue-collar town. The novel has earned several starred reviews and has been praised for its beautiful prose. This is at the top of my summer reading list.

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Imprint Friday Monday: While Beauty Slept by Elizabeth Blackwell

Welcome to Imprint FridayMonday and today's featured imprint: Amy Einhorn Books. Stop by most weeks 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.

I know it isn't Friday but I wanted to write about Elizabeth Blackwell's wonderful While Beauty Slept sooner than later. Although this novel has been described as a fairy tale retelling, I'd say it was inspired by Sleeping Beauty rather than being a variation on the familiar story.

Here are my thoughts in a Bullet Review.

• What's it about? The first thing to know about While Beauty Slept is that it doesn't include magic in the ordinary sense. The novel is set in medieval times and involves a king and his brother, two aunts, his wife, and his daughter. In a time of superstition, unexplained illnesses, and political unrest, King Ranolf goes against tradition and declares his only child, Rose, the heir to the throne. This unleashes the fury of his great-aunt Millicent, who curses the girl, predicting that Rose and her kingdom will be destroyed just as she reaches the peak of her beauty.
•  Structure. The story is told in retrospect by Elise, who was first the queen's personal maid and later a companion to Rose. When the elderly Elise overhears her granddaughter telling the story of a beautiful princess who was cursed to sleep in a tower until awakened by true love's kiss, she decides it's time to reveal what really happened within the castle walls.
• Medieval life. As Elise moves between the servants' halls and the queen's rooms, she is privy to much of what happens in the castle and is witness to how Millicent's threats were able to undermine the stability of the court. Through Elise's eyes, we learn about everyday life in the castle, the conflict between romantic love and personal ambition, and the great contrast between expectations above and below stairs.
• Playing on fear. In Blackwell's view, the true power of the curse was the fear it instilled in the king and queen. The threat to their daughter colored every decision they made and biased their interpretation of everything from losses on the battlefield to smallpox epidemics. No magical witch is needed when superstition will do the work for her.
• The making of folk tales. The anthropologist in me loved Blackwell's exploration of the origin of folk tales. Take the truth, remove the science, add fifty years, mix in some romantic notions of court life, and you'll likely end up with Sleeping Beauty waiting for her Prince Charming.
• General thoughts. Elizabeth Blackwell's While Beauty Slept was a Indie Next pick for March 2014, a Bloggers Recommend pick, and the recipient of much deserved praise. If you haven't read this yet, I bet you are put off by either the fairy tale tie-in or the historical fiction label. My advice is to forget all that. You won't find witches and poisoned spinning wheels, and there isn't a Tudor in sight. While Beauty Slept is that perfect sort of novel that transports you to other places, other times and introduces you to characters that soon feel real. Isn't that a classic description of a great book?

To learn more about Elizabeth Blackwell, visit her website, like her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter. Don't miss the Kirkus interview, in which Blackwell talks about one of the primary difference between court life and modern life (hint: not the current lack of tiaras).

Amy Einhorn Books is a featured imprint on Beth Fish Reads. For more information about the imprint, please read Amy Einhorn's open letter posted here on January 25, 2010, or click the Amy Einhorn tab below my banner photo. To join the Amy Einhorn Books Reading Challenge, click the link.

Published by Putnam / Amy Einhorn Books, 2014
ISBN-13: 9780399166235
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

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Imprint Friday: The Colour of Milk by Nell Leyshon

Welcome to Imprint Friday and today's featured imprint: Ecco 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.

I don't know how I missed Nell Leyshon's The Colour of Milk last year, especially because it was an Indie Next pick for January 2013. Leyshon's probably best know as a dramatist, but her fiction has garnered much acclaim. When The Colour of Milk was released in paperback this winter, I made sure to read it.

Before I tell you what I thought, here's the publisher's summary:

Set in England in 1830, The Colour of Milk by Nell Leyshon is an emotionally haunting work of historical fiction--hailed as "charming, Bronte-esque . . . and hard to forget" (Marian Keyes)--about an illiterate farm girl's emotional and intellectual awakening and its devastating consequences.

Mary, the spirited youngest daughter of an angry, violent man, is sent to work for the local vicar and his invalid wife. Her strange new surroundings offer unsettling challenges, including the vicar's lecherous son and a manipulative fellow servant. But life in the vicarage also offers unexpected joys, as the curious young girl learns to read and write--knowledge that will come at a tragic price.

The story belongs to fifteen-year-old Mary, who tells us about the year she was sent away to work for the local vicar. She divides her tale into seasons, beginning each part by reiterating, "this is my book and i am writing it by my own hand. . . . and my hair is the colour of milk."

The first thing I have to comment on is the lack of capital letters and quotation marks in the novel. To be honest, I was initially thrown off, but after about three dozen pages I was so taken by Mary's spunk and straightforward nature, despite her difficult life, that I had to keep reading. I came to accept that the words were indeed as Mary would have written them, and the odd punctuation became part of the experience. Besides, I wanted to know, What was so important that she had "promised my self i would write the truth and the things that happened"?

Leyshon's novel is beautifully written, almost lyrical in its pacing. And Mary is so clearly rendered--with her bum leg, burning curiosity, and head-on approach to life--that you want to protect her, warning her of what life off the family farm could be like. You feel her frustration at having no control over her destiny: she must do as her mother says, her father says, the vicar says. When she finally feels her own power, she does the only thing she can think of. I don't blame her, and I don't think you will either.

Want to learn more? In the following seven-minute interview with Sandeep Mahal from Fiction Uncovered, Nell Leyshon talks about The Colour Milk.

Beth Fish Reads is proud to showcase Ecco books as a featured imprint on this blog. For more information about Ecco, please read the introductory note posted here on July 15, 2011. Find your next great read by clicking on Ecco in the scroll-down topics/labels list in my sidebar and by visiting Ecco books on Facebook and following them on Twitter.

Published by HarperCollins / Ecco, January 2014 (paperback)
ISBN-13: 9780062192066

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Imprint Friday: The Secret of Magic by Deborah Johnson

Welcome to Imprint Friday and today's featured imprint: Amy Einhorn Books. Stop by most weeks 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.

Deborah Johnson addresses a number of sensitive issues in her new novel, The Secret of Magic, the most obvious being race relations in the Deep South during the postwar years, just before the civil rights movement took on a powerful life of its own. I was initially attracted to Johnson's novel because it is loosely based on real events.

Here's the publisher's summary:

In 1946, a young female attorney from New York City attempts the impossible: attaining justice for a black man in the Deep South.

Regina Robichard works for Thurgood Marshall, who receives an unusual letter asking the NAACP to investigate the murder of a returning black war hero. It is signed by M. P. Calhoun, the most reclusive author in the country.

As a child, Regina was captivated by Calhoun’s The Secret of Magic, a novel in which white and black children played together in a magical forest.

Once down in Mississippi, Regina finds that nothing in the South is as it seems. She must navigate the muddy waters of racism, relationships, and her own tragic past. The Secret of Magic brilliantly explores the power of stories and those who tell them.

Although Regina's initial interest in the murdered veteran is based on her fond memories of Calhoun's children's book, she soon becomes determined to learn the truth of Joe Wilson's death. Thus, against Marshall's advice, she travels to Mississippi to begin an investigation. Once there, she discovers the darker side of the South and the seemingly unbridgeable gap between black and white.

Johnson's strength is in creating an interwoven, multilayered story that connects complex characters and deals with difficult truths. She perfectly captures an era, a season, a people, and a town, telling it as it was, for better or worse. It is clear that The Secret of Magic is personal story for Deborah Johnson, whose grandfather fought in World War II and held Thurgood Marshall in high esteem. That passion shines in her writing.

I love books that evoke strong emotions, and The Secret of Magic fills the bill. Because of this, it would make a fantastic book club pick. The major discussion topics are prejudice, social change, cultural norms, the power of stories, and the courage it takes to stand up for one's beliefs. The Penguin website includes eleven questions, in case you need more ideas.

To learn more about Deborah Johnson, visit her website, where you can learn about her writing and where she'll be touring this spring. You can also find Johnson on Facebook. For more on the background of The Secret of Magic, see Johnson's interview with Chatelaine.

Amy Einhorn Books is a featured imprint on Beth Fish Reads. For more information about the imprint, please read Amy Einhorn's open letter posted here on January 25, 2010, or click the Amy Einhorn tab below my banner photo. To join the Amy Einhorn Books Reading Challenge, click the link.

Published by Putnam / Amy Einhorn Books, 2014
ISBN-13: 9780399157721
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

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Imprint Friday: The Last Dead Girl by Harry Dolan

Welcome to Imprint Friday and today's featured imprint: Amy Einhorn 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.

Because I loved the first two David Loogan books--Bad Things Happen and Very Bad Men--by Harry Dolan, one of the books I was most looking forward to this month was The Last Dead Girl, the third novel starring the mysterious Loogan. Before I tell you what I thought (hint: I wasn't disappointed), take a look at the publisher's summary:

David Loogan’s dark past is revealed in this prequel to Bad Things Happen—the critically acclaimed mystery that Stephen King called a “great fucking book.” On a rainy night in April, a chance encounter on a lonely road draws David into a romance with Jana Fletcher, a beautiful young law student. Jana is an enigma: living in a run-down apartment and sporting a bruise on her cheek that she refuses to explain. David would like to know her secrets, but he lets them lie—until it’s too late. When Jana is brutally murdered, the police consider David a prime suspect. But as he sets out to uncover the truth about Jana, he begins to realize he’s treading a very dangerous path—and that her killer is watching every move he makes.

Harry Dolan is a master of suspense, twists, noir, and creepy. Seriously, keep your shades drawn, don't talk to strangers, and never get in a car with someone you don't know.

The Last Dead Girl takes us to Rome, New York, where David Loogan still went by the name of David Malone. Only twenty-six and self-employed as a real estate inspector, David has trouble in love: His fiance cheated on him and the beautiful young woman (Jana) he then turned to was killed just ten days after he met her.

Driven not so much by a need to clear his name, David is instead obsessed with finding out who Jana was and why someone would want to kill her. The story switches among a few viewpoints and two time periods, as Dolan builds the tension steadily and carefully, planting clues and throwing us off track until David (and we) finally discover the murderer . . . just as he is about to strike again.

I loved this look at a younger Loogan and how he was swept up in danger, love, heartbreak, and death--by increments and without intention. Harry Dolan brilliantly filled in some of the missing back story of one of the coolest, darkest protagonists out there. Put the The Last Dead Girl on your must-read list and hope that Dolan has many more Loogan stories yet to tell.

If you're an audiobook fan, don't hesitate to pick up the unabridged edition (Tantor Audio; 12 hr, 53 min), read by Michael Kramer. Although I'm often thrown off when a series changes narrators (the first two Loogan novels were read by Erik Davies), Kramer did a great job capturing Dolan's style, both the humor and the noir.

To learn more about Harry Dolan,visit his website, where you can learn more about him and his Loogan books. You can also find Dolan on Facebook and Twitter. And don't miss his latest GoodReads interview.

Amy Einhorn Books is a featured imprint on Beth Fish Reads. For more information about the imprint, please read Amy Einhorn's open letter posted here on January 25, 2010, or click the Amy Einhorn tab below my banner photo. To join the Amy Einhorn Books Reading Challenge, click the link.

Published by Putnam / Amy Einhorn Books, 2014
ISBN-13: 9780399157967
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

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Imprint Friday: Three from HarperTeen

Welcome to Imprint Friday and today's featured imprint: HarperTeen. 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.

This week at Imprint Friday, I'm highlighting three recently released books from HarperTeen, which publishes quality fiction for young adults (and older adults) in a wide range of genres, including contemporary, dystopian, romance, fantasy, and literary. If you've read Meg Cabot, Melissa Marr, Chris Crutcher, Veronica Roth, or Candace Bushnell, then you're already familiar with HarperTeen's strong commitment to excellence.

The Brokenhearted by Amelia Kahaney (ISBN-13: 9780062230928): Set in a dystopian urban environment, this first in a series introduces us to Anthem Fleet, a smart teen who is on her way to becoming a professional ballerina. One night, however, she attends a party in a questionable part of town and her life takes a new turn. Saved from death thanks to a mechanical heart, Anthem discovers she has gained not only a second chance at life but also superhuman abilities. Now leading a dual existence, she pretends to be a regular teen in public while hiding her involvement with the darker elements of the city. Action, love, and girl power pump up this futuristic take on the classic superhero story.

No Angel by Helen Keeble (ISBN-13: 9780062082275): A teenage boy never had it so good! Rafael Angelos arrives at his new boarding school to discover he's the only male enrolled at St. Mary's. What could be bad about having the dorm--and the girls--to himself? Actually, quite a bit. As Raf soon learns, his name is no accident, and when he sprouts wings and a halo, he's understandably freaked out. Then when he realizes the students of St. Mary's are really she-demons, things really begin to heat up. Can this newly fledged angel keep his typical teen-boy thoughts and feelings under control long enough to help the weak without succumbing to the temptations around him? This story of angels and demons is purposely campy; get ready for some devilish fun.

Find Me by Romily Bernard (ISBN-13: 9780062229038): Being in a foster home offers little security or peace for sisters Wick and Lily, especially considering their father's ties to the crime world. The apple don't fall far from the tree, though, and Wick spends her spare time learning the tricks of computer hacking, earning a little side money when she can. So when an old friend goes missing, Wick takes up the case, with a little help from the cute guy next door. Tension builds as Wick hides her activities from both the cops and the suspects and then reaches the breaking point when threats hit close to home. This well-written technological thriller has plenty of creep factor as Wick uses her skills to hunt down the bad guy and protect those she loves.

For more on HarperTeen, visit their website, where you can learn about your favorite authors, sign up for the "HipLit Newsletter," and enter contests. The imprint is active in social media, so you can follow them at your favorite sites: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr.

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Imprint Friday: Seven for a Secret by Lyndsay Faye

Welcome to Imprint Friday and today's featured imprint: Amy Einhorn 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.

About eighteen months ago, I raved about Lyndsay Faye's Gods of Gotham, noting that she "brilliantly captures the heart and soul of the seedier and more dangerous side of New York in the 1840s." This month, Faye's second Timothy Wilde book, Seven for a Secret, was released, and I can't wait to finish this fabulous novel.

Here's the publisher's summary:

Six months after the formation of the NYPD, its most reluctant and talented officer, Timothy Wilde, thinks himself well versed in his city’s dark practices—until he learns of the gruesome underworld of lies and corruption ruled by the “blackbirders,” who snatch free Northerners of color from their homes, masquerade them as slaves, and sell them South to toil as plantation property.

The abolitionist Timothy is horrified by these traders in human flesh. But in 1846, slave catching isn’t just legal—it’s law enforcement.

When the beautiful and terrified Lucy Adams staggers into Timothy’s office to report a robbery and is asked what was stolen, her reply is, “My family.” Their search for her mixed-race sister and son will plunge Timothy and his feral brother, Valentine, into a world where police are complicit and politics savage, and corpses appear in the most shocking of places. Timothy finds himself caught between power and principles, desperate to protect his only brother and to unravel the puzzle before all he cares for is lost.

Although I haven't yet finished Seven for Secret, I'm completely caught up in Timothy's conflicted emotions in this novel. Despite being loyal to the fledgling police department and respectful of the law, he has his own ideas of what is morally and ethically right. This can be a problem for a copper of any era, but for Timothy, the dilemma is particularly difficult and personal.

I can also assure you that Faye has avoided the all-too-common sophomore slump. Seven for a Secret once again brings New York—its people, sounds, and smells—to life, allowing me to easily visualize the characters and setting. I am particularly fascinated with the political and social climate of the pre–Civil War city; for example, some people found it easier to talk the talk of abolition than to expend energy helping their black brethren.

Fans of the Wilde brothers will be happy to know that the relationship between Timothy and Val is still central to the plot. In addition, Faye reveals details about their background and gives some of the recurring secondary characters more page time.

I don't know how the novel ends or how all the plot lines come together, but I love being in Timothy's world. Faye's writing is so evocative of the times, with its spot-on dialogue and vivid period details. Here's Timothy describing the behavior of some of the political big-wigs they were charged with protecting:

My chief's voice was thunder-dark and thick with worry. I didn't blame him. Vices in and of themselves are almost badges of honor amongst the scoundrels of the political machines—you whored down the Bowery like a kitchen maid doing the marketing, you gambled away hundreds in rooms with locked doors and then earned it back in bribes the next morning, you drank enough champagne for your brains to feel they were melting come daybreak and then drove off the tremors with a hot mug of rum. (p. 239; uncorrected proof)

Makes you wonder if anything has changed over the last 170 years, doesn't it?

Lyndsay Faye's Seven for a Secret will appeal to a wide range of readers, from mystery lovers to fans of historical fiction and literary fiction. I have no doubt Seven for a Secret will end up being one of my top reads of 2013.

To learn more about Lyndsay Faye,visit her website, where you can see her tour schedule and discover her full range of writing. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter. Beer and cooking enthusiasts won't want to miss her Beer Meets Food blog.

Amy Einhorn Books is a featured imprint on Beth Fish Reads. For more information about the imprint, please read Amy Einhorn's open letter posted here on January 25, 2010, or click the Amy Einhorn tab below my banner photo. To join the Amy Einhorn Books Reading Challenge, click the link.

Published by Putnam / Amy Einhorn Books, 2013
ISBN-13: 9780399158384
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

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