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Big Books of the Week

Dark Sky by C.J. Box (G. P. Putnam's Sons: Penguin) leads holds this week.

Other titles in demand include:

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (Knopf: Random House; LJ starred review)

The Affair by Danielle Steel (Delacorte: Random House)

Later by Stephen King (Hard Case Crime: Random House)

The Dangerous Gift (Wings of Fire, Book 14) by Tui T. Sutherland (Scholastic)

These books and others publishing the week of March 1, 2021 are listed in a downloadable spreadsheet.

Librarians and Booksellers Suggest

There are five LibraryReads selections arriving this week, including the top pick of the month, The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner (Park Row: HarperCollins)

"Caroline travels alone to London after discovering her husband’s betrayal. Looking for a distraction, she finds one while mudlarking along the Thames: a small glass vial. Inspired to research its origins, Caroline uncovers a dark tale of poison and murder in the 1700s, where an apothecary owner with a unique talent, a dark past, and a keen sense of revenge meets a young girl with a curiosity that might lead her astray. A stellar debut that balances two intriguing storylines and three wonderful characters to create one page-turning story. For fans of The Clockmaker’s Daughter, Once Upon a River, and The Essex Serpent.” —Sharon Layburn, South Huntington Public Library, Huntington Station, NY

It is also an Indie Next choice:

"A wonderful melding of two timelines told by a trio of female voices. Each woman is standing at a crossroads; one is just becoming a woman, one is anticipating the end of her life, and one the end of her marriage. A small, blue apothecary bottle links the women and the timelines together. Penner skillfully guides us along the path each woman chooses. I could hardly bear to put the book down, such was the need to know the choice each woman makes and the consequences of that choice." —Sandi Madore, Magnolia’s Bookstore, Seattle, WA

The Conductors by Nicole Glover (John Joseph Adams/Mariner: HMH)

"Hetty and Benjy meet as Underground Railroad conductors, settling in Pennsylvania where they’re known for their celestial magic. Glover does an incredible job of world building in this supernatural mystery. Her cast is almost exclusively Black, and the characters are rich, with Hetty and Benjy’s relationship showcased as a lovely progression of romantic ideals. For readers of N. K. Jemisin and Victor LaValle." —Rachel Reddick, Denver Public Library, Denver, CO

Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay (Minotaur: Macmillan)

"This tightly plotted thriller changes perspective and travels through time to explore a family torn apart by tragedy. The arrest of the oldest Pine son for his girlfriend's murder rocked their small town, was the subject of a high profile true crime documentary, and is followed years later by an even greater tragedy. Could these events be connected? Who is really the murderer? A gripping novel for fans of Mary Kubica or Peter Swanson." —Maggie Thomann, Northbrook Public Library, Northbrook, IL

It is also an Indie Next choice:

"This is a riveting debut crime novel featuring a nonstop propulsive plot with twists and turns that will keep you up at night racing through the pages to figure out what will happen. Finlay has crafted an unforgettable story that glides between past and present while moving from locales in the U.S. to Tulum, Mexico. This will surely earn a legion of fans.” —Cody Morrison, Square Books, Oxford, MS

Float Plan by Trish Doller (St. Martin's Griffin: Macmillan)

"After the death of her fiancé, Anna decides to complete the sailing voyage they had planned, alone. This is a heartfelt story of navigating through grief, and finding oneself and a new direction in life along the way. Good for fans of Pretending and The Fifteen Wonders of Daniel Green." —Sandra Woodbury, Burlington Public Library, Burlington, MA

It is also an Indie Next choice:

"Whenever I pick up a romance novel, it’s generally because I want a happy ending — I want rainbows and heartthrobs, and for everything to turn out perfectly. Float Plan gives us way more than that. We are introduced to a character at her lowest point and through a self-imposed challenge, she ventures through comedy, heartbreak, defeat, and more. A completely lovely story! Also, now I need a sailboat…" —Miranda Atkins, A Little Bookish, Ooltewah, TN

We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker (Henry Holt: Macmillan)

"Compelling and heartbreaking, this story brings together two of the most compelling characters you may ever meet. Duchess Day Radley and Walk are bound together by uneasy threads, each compelled to dig in and survive, even as they try to move beyond their pasts and what seem to be their inevitable futures. For readers who enjoyed The Good Daughter and The Roanoke Girls." —Jennifer Ohzourk, St. Louis Public Library, St. Louis, MO

It is also the top Indie Next choice of the month:

“We Begin at the End is dramatic storytelling at its best, full of layers of intrigue and complex personalities set around the murder of the book’s most vulnerable character. The stoical, 13-year-old Duchess Day Radley takes center stage, and her heartbreaking life unleashes a hero within: self-proclaimed outlaw, bold and courageous, though to her peril not always wise beyond her years. Chris Whitaker has created a character for the ages and an extraordinary reading experience. By turns amusing, frightening, and exhilarating.” —Robin Sung, Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA

There are seven additional titles on the Indie Next list coming out this week:

Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig (William Morrow: HarperCollins)

"Willig’s Band of Sisters pulled me in and took me on a journey of complicated friendships that grew and matured in the midst of hardship and trial. Between mishaps with roosters, snowstorms, and reminders of the kindness and resilience of people, this historical fiction is a delight to read." —Laura DeLaney, Rediscovered Books, Boise, ID

Brother, Sister, Mother, Explorer by Jamie Figueroa (Catapult: Penguin)

"One of a number of excellent debut novels already out in the still-new year, this is a singular work. Taking on the coming-of-age from young adulthood into something deeper and more mature, the story follows a sister and brother as they reckon with their mother’s passing and begin to understand what life should and should not be as it gets lived. Their tourist town of Ciudad de Tres Hermanas gives us not only a vivid picture of the present but casts a knowing eye on the layers of the past. Beautifully done." —Rick Simonson, The Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA

The Committed by Viet Thanh Nguyen (Grove)

"In this sequel to The Sympathizer, Viet Thanh Nguyen (and his semi-nameless narrator) once again skewer multiple ideologies with caustic wit, philosophical gravitas, and broad historical understanding. A mix of organized crime and psychological and political thriller, this book offers action (and there is lots of action!) unfolding amidst piercing meditations on colonialism, national identity, and ethics. In other words, The Committed uses much the same recipe as its Pulitzer-winning predecessor and delivers a similarly gripping, enraging, smart, and bleakly funny tale." —Annie Metcalf, Magers & Quinn Booksellers, Minneapolis, MN

Good Eggs by Rebecca Hardiman (Atria: S. & S.)

"Filled with warmth and hilarity, this book reads like a mix of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye and a Maeve Binchy novel. The Irish setting is especially welcome on this side of the pond, and of the three plotlines following different generations, the absolute best paints 83-year-old pistol of a grandma Millie as a delightfully quirky and determined soul. A charming, offbeat novel — perfect to savor as we emerge from this particular winter." —Deb Wayman, Fair Isle Books, Washington Island, WI

Infinite Country by Patricia Engel (Avid Reader: S. & S.)

"Patricia Engel’s new book is a true gem, a family story in which each voice is equally interesting and dynamic as well as a great examination on the brutish nature of the U.S. government and citizens toward people traveling stateside to start a new life. Your heart breaks and mends and breaks all over again for this family. In less than 200 pages, Engel works magic." —James Harrod, Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café, Asheville, NC

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (Knopf: Random House; LJ starred review)

"Klara and the Sun from Nobel-winner Kazuo Ishiguro is a radiant new novel about the bond between Klara, an Artificial Friend, and Josie, her human companion. The setting, a dystopian realm of genetic editing and stark class divisions, is not surprising given the author’s previous work, yet Ishiguro’s immense, unwavering portrayal of kindness is astonishing and revitalizing. Classic Ishiguro themes of loyalty, friendship, and sacrifice weave through the novel, but the thread of love runs deep, giving the book warmth and hope so that the earned twist feels more like a dawn than a sunset. Whether you’re returning to Ishiguro or discovering his voice for the first time, I’m excited for you. This is a chance to bask in the brilliance of one the greatest writers of our time." —Caroline McGregor, Books & Books, Coral Gables, FL

Vera by Carol Edgarian (Scribner: S. & S.)

"Experience the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 like never before — from inside the family of one of the most famous brothel madams. In this story, Edgarian combines lyrical writing and a cast of unforgettable characters, both real and imagined, with themes of love, rejection, graft, and economic disparity, all sprinkled with racism and misogyny. You won’t be able to visit the City by the Bay ever again without looking for Rose and her descendants. I couldn’t put this down." —Gayle Shanks, Changing Hands, Tempe, AZ

In the Media

In this week's issue of People, the "Picks" book of the week is Those Who Are Saved by Alexis Landau (G. P. Putnam's Sons: Penguin). Also getting attention are Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason (Harper) and The Officer's Daughter: A Memoir of Family and Forgiveness by Elle Johnson (Harper). There's a Q&A with Bette Midler, The Tale of the Mandarin Duck: A Modern Fable (Random House Books for Young Readers). The "Picks" section highlights Moxie, based on the book by Jennifer Mathieu, and chats with Sam Heughan, Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other. Also, recipes get featured from Giada De Laurentiis, Eat Better, Feel Better: My Recipes for Wellness and Healing, Inside and Out (Rodale: Random House) and Nadiya Hussain, Time to Eat: Delicious Meals for Busy Lives (Clarkson Potter: Random House).

Reviews

The Washington Post reviews Later by Stephen King (Hard Case Crime: Random House): "The short, to-the-point chapters make for quick reading, the crime-driven plot is propulsive, involving guns, drugs, bombs and kidnapping, but, more importantly, some of the lines just take your breath away."

The L.A. Times reviews The Good Hand: A Memoir of Work, Brotherhood, and Transformation in an American Boomtown by Michael Patrick F. Smith (Viking: Penguin): "What makes Smith’s book matter is the wealth of world-building detail, as well as the journey through pain both physical and psychological." Also, The Low Desert by Tod Goldberg (Counterpoint: Penguin): "...lively, often entertainingly snarky story collection."

NPR reviews Love Is for Losers by Wibke Brueggemann (FSG: Macmillan): "Phoebe maintains an air of apathetic snark reminiscent of Jaye Tyler from Wonderfalls — I found myself barking out loud at her biting commentary on a regular basis." Also, Infinite Country by Patricia Engel (Avid Reader: S. & S.): "Engel packs a lot of event and emotion into a slim novel."

USA Today reviews The Committed by Viet Thanh Nguyen (Grove), which earns 3 stars: "Readers who found new ways to think about race and the refugee experience in 'The Sympathizer' will find plenty more to explore here."

Briefly Noted

The longlist for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction is out.

Time lists "14 New Books You Should Read in March."

The Millions previews the best books out this month. So does Amazon.

USA Today picks five books for the week.

Publishers Weekly highlights some new releases out this week.

CrimeReads suggests 10 books out this week.

Book Riot lists "2021 LGBTQ Books By Black Authors."

Jacqueline Woodson shares Black History Month book recommendations with Amazon.

The March pick for the Vox book club is The Power by Naomi Alderman (Little, Brown: Hachette).

E.L. James, author of the Fifty Shades trilogy, is launching an as-yet unnamed imprint at Sourcebooks, which will "focus on entrepreneurial female authors." Entertainment Weekly reports.

Willie Nelson's Letters to America (Harper Horizon) from the 87-year-old singer is due out June 29. USA Today has details.

Lambda Literary's "May We Present…" column features Hari Ziyad, Black Boy Out of Time: A Memoir (Little A: Amazon) with Lambda Literary.

Entertainment Weekly interviews Max Brooks, Minecraft: The Mountain (Del Rey: Random House). Also, its "What's in a Page" column features Terrence Terrell, My Little Black Book (iCrownedMe).

Christine Pride and Jo Piazza talk about the challenges of co-writing the novel We Are Not Like Them with People.

The Washington Post has a Q&A with Anne Lamott, Dusk, Night, Dawn: On Revival and Courage (Riverhead: Random House).

The Book Marks "Questionnaire" goes to Ted Dodson, An Orange (Pioneer Works).

Talia Hibbert discusses Act Your Age, Eve Brown (Avon: HarperCollins; LJ starred review) with Kirkus.

BookPage speaks with Tori Telfer about Confident Women: Swindlers, Grifters, and Shapeshifters of the Feminine Persuasion (Harper Perennial).

"Water is dangerous, the ocean is dangerous, yet we’re drawn to those dangers," says Kathryn Smith, Self-Portrait with Cephalopod (Milkweed), in an interview with The Rumpus.

Maurice Chammah discusses Let the Lord Sort Them: The Rise and Fall of the Death Penalty (Crown: Random House) with HuffPost.

CrimeReads dives into the history of "Lee Child's 'Letters to The Editor' of The New York Times."

NPR talks with Brooklyn Public Library's Tenzin Kalsang about her popular (one video has more than 20,000 views) bilingual storytime.

After its current owners lost an attempt to change the facade, the NYT gives the history of the Manhattan building once owned by publisher McGraw-Hill that still features its name in Art Deco lettering.

Republican Senators sent a letter to Amazon regarding the removal of the book When Harry Became Sally by Ryan T. Anderson (Encounter) for sale from its site. Deadline has details.

The NYT looks at recent "women novelists intent on exploring their female characters’ propensity to act out their unhappiness on their bodies."

Mystery writer Margaret Maron has died. The Raleigh News & Observer has an obituary.

Authors on Air

Nomadland, based on the book by Jessica Bruder, won the Golden Globe for best picture drama.

Ta-Nehisi Coates is writing a Superman feature, which J.J. Abrams will produce. Shadow and Act reports.

See a trailer for Shadow And Bone, inspired by the Grishaverse series by Leigh Bardugo. It premiers on Netflix April 23.

CBS Sunday Morning features The Committed by Viet Thanh Nguyen (Grove) and three other recent releases in a book review segment.

NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday interviews Viet Thanh Nguyen, The Committed (Grove). Also, a talk with John Porcellino, King-Cat Classix (Drawn and Quarterly). Plus, The Picture Show speaks with Regis and Kahran Bethencourt about their photo book GLORY: Magical Visions of Black Beauty (St. Martin's: Macmillan).

Natalie West, editor of We Too: Essays on Sex Work and Survival (Feminist Press at CUNY), appears on the First Draft podcast.

CBC's The Next Chapter interviews Kerry Clare, Waiting for a Star to Fall (Doubleday Canada: Random House). Also, a chat with Timothy Caulfield, Your Day, Your Way: The Fact and Fiction Behind Your Daily Decisions (Running Press: Hachette; titled Relax Dammit in Canada).

Catherine Lacey discusses Pew (FSG: Macmillan) with the CBC's Writers and Company.

Kenneth Cukier, Big Data: A Revolution That Will Transform How We Live, Work, and Think (Eamon Dolan/Mariner: HMH), discusses the role of technology during the coronavirus on the Keen On podcast.

The Today Show features What's Mine and Yours by Naima Coster (Grand Central: Hachette).

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