October 28th Book News & Upcoming Releases

First things first: have you entered the Spooky Book Giveaway? It ends this Thursday!

As always, there are some great books that will be released soon and with the holidays coming up, there’s always a push with publishing companies to get as many different types of books out as possible. The first one I want to highlight is Harry, a History. This is written by Melissa Anelli, who owns one of the most popular online Harry Potter fan site. From the Borders site comes the description: This personal and in-depth look at the dizzying pop-cultural phenomenon surrounding the Harry Potter series is written by the Web mistress of the most popular and most trusted Harry Potter fan site on the Internet. Release Date: November 4, 2008.

And for all you history lovers, a new book about Andrew Jackson will hit the shelves in November called American Lion. The description reads: From the “New York Times”-bestselling author of “Franklin and Winston” and “American Gospel” comes a magnificent portrait of Andrew Jackson, the man who shaped the modern presidency. Release Date: November 11, 2008.

As a child, I grew up listening to The Beatles with my dad (who gave me a deep love of music as well as books and reading) and John Lennon: The Life looks really interesting to me. Beatles biographer Philip Norman presents the definitive account of a man impossible to define, capturing all his insecurities, addictions, and his undeniable genius. On Shelves Now.

Many people ask me what I’m reading now. Thanks to a friend on Twitter, I’ve discovered the Shop on Blossom Street Series and I’m currently halfway through the second book. If you’re a crafter and a reader, you’ll love these easy to read books. They all center around Lydia, a knitting shop owner, and the women she meets through her store. Be sure to watch for my review on the first book that will be posted on Wednesday the 29th!

Here’s this week’s NY Times Bestsellers List in Fiction:

1. THE BRASS VERDICT, by Michael Connelly. Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller (the Lincoln lawyer) team up to find a killer.
2. THE LUCKY ONE, by Nicholas Sparks. A marine returning home sets out to track down the woman whose photo he found in Iraq.
3. THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE, by David Wroblewski. A mute takes refuge with three dogs in the Wisconsin woods after his father’s death.
4. A LION AMONG MEN, by Gregory Maguire. A looming civil war in Oz, seen through the eyes of the Cowardly Lion; the sequel to “Wicked” and “Son of a Witch.”
5. A MOST WANTED MAN, by John le Carré. Intelligence agencies involved in the war on terror converge in Hamburg when a young Muslim man with mysterious connections shows up.
6. ONE FIFTH AVENUE, by Candace Bushnell. The worlds of gossip, theater and hedge funds have one address in common.
7. HEAT LIGHTNING, by John Sandford. Virgil Flowers investigates murder cases linked by a lemon in the mouth of each victim.
8. THE PIRATE KING, by R. A. Salvatore. In Book 2 of the Transitions fantasy series, Drizzt returns to Luskan, a city dominated by dangerous ­pirates.
9. A WALLFLOWER CHRISTMAS, by Lisa Kleypas. Matchmaking in Victorian London.
10. THE OTHER QUEEN, by Philippa Gregory. The captivity of Mary, Queen of Scots, at the hands of Queen Elizabeth.

And, as an added bonus, here’s the NY Times Bestseller List for Non-Fiction

1. THE SNOWBALL, by Alice Schroeder. The life of Warren Buffett.
2. A BOLD FRESH PIECE OF HUMANITY, by Bill O’Reilly. The Fox News commentator on his upbringing and career.
3. DEWEY, by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter. The kitten left freezing in the returned-book slot of an Iowa public library and his rise to fame.
4. HERE’S THE STORY, by Maureen McCormick. The life of the actress who played Marcia Brady.
5. MULTIPLE BLESSINGS, by Jon Gosselin, Kate Gosselin and Beth Carson. A couple with twins has sextuplets.
6. HOT, FLAT, AND CROWDED, by Thomas L. Friedman. How a green revolution can renew America, by the New York Times columnist.
7. LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER, by Maya Angelou. Reminiscences, appreciations and poems from the author of “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”
8. THE WORDY SHIPMATES, by Sarah Vowell. A contributing editor for public radio’s “This American Life” takes a fresh look at the Puritans and their journey to America.
9. TED, WHITE, AND BLUE, by Ted Nugent. A manifesto by the rock star, gun advocate and host of an Outdoor Channel hunting show.
10. PIECES OF MY HEART, by Robert J. Wagner with Scott Eyman. The movie star offers a memoir of his life, his marriages and his work.

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