Books on the Nightstand

 Do you have to like an entire book for it to have merit? Big books, our love and lament. Shirley Jackson and Chip Kidd's new book on graphic design. Notes from this week's podcast -- to get the full Books on the Nightstand experience, listen to the audio. We know many of you enjoy reading our show notes, but the audio show is where the discussion happens. If you are receiving this via email, there should be a link to download the file at the bottom of this message. Just click the file to play. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, you can subscribe via iTunes, or use one of our favorite podcast apps Instacast (for iOS or Mac) or Stitcher (http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/books-on-the-nightstand) (iPhone, Android, iPad or PC) Giving a book partial credit   This week's question is from Kathy, who asks: "When talking about a book, how do you keep your "feelings" about it from coloring the discussion? Lots of books I've read lately have had many fine points - strong plot, great descriptions, thoughtful issues - but if there is something a bit off--don't get me started about endings..authors seem often to run out of steam 3/4 the way through-- or characters who all of a sudden act implausibly - I find my reviews get more critical than helpful. Do you have to "like" an entire book for it to have merit?" What do you think? Can you overcome one flaw if the rest of the book is strong? (If you have a question for us that you'd like answered on the podcast, please fill out this form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZvVSya--Ur1cM_251OfPiafFHpyidI5XLzkfRZE0Bg0/viewform)) (http://www.audiobooks.com/images/abc-logo.png)Audiobook of the week (08:33)   (http://covers.audiobooks.com/images/covers/large/9781442363021.jpg)Ann chose this week's book:  The Rosie Project (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/the-rosie-project/196811) by Graeme Simsion, narrated by Dan O'Grady. Special thanks to Audiobooks.com for sponsoring this episode of Books on the Nightstand. Audiobooks.com allows you to listen to over 40,000 audiobooks, instantly, wherever you are, and the first one is free. Download or stream any book directly to your Apple or Android device. Sign up for a free 7-day trial and free audiobook download by going to www.audiobooks.com/freebook (http://www.audiobooks.com/freebook)     Tomes, doorstops, and big books (12:43)   We recently got an email from listener Lisa: " I just purchased Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17333223-the-goldfinch?from_search=true) and Eleanor Catton's The Luminaries (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17333230-the-luminaries?from_search=true),  both novels well over 500 pages each.  And I got to thinking about how much I have loved big books over the years.  The longer the better especially if written by a favorite author.  Now I am a teacher and have to begrudgingly store them beside my nightstand until Christmas break or summer holidays. What are some tomes you, Michael and some of the Books on the Nightstand listeners have enjoyed over the years? " Some of Michael's favorites: * Pillars of the Earth (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5043.The_Pillars_of_the_Earth?from_search=true) by Ken Follett * Some of the books in the Harry Potter (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3.Harry_Potter_and_the_Sorcerer_s_Stone?from_search=true) series * Middlesex (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2187.Middlesex?from_search=true) by Jeffrey Eugenidies * The George RR Martin books in the Song of Ice and Fire series (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13496.A_Game_of_Thrones?from_search=true). * The Cider House Rules (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4687.The_Cider_House_Rules?from_search=true) by John Irving Soem of Ann's favorites: * The Goldfinch (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17333223-the-goldfinch?from_search=true) by Donna Tartt * Diana Gabaldon's Outlander (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10964.Outlander?

This special episode of the Books on the Nightstand podcast is all about Booktopia: what it is, what happens there, and most importantly, the locations and dates for Booktopia 2014! CORRECTION: Michael gave the wrong dates for our Boulder Booktopia. The correct dates are May 16-18, 2014. Sorry for the confusion! There's lots more information at the official Booktopia website, (http://booktopia.booksonthenightstand.com/) and you can sign up for the Booktopia email list (http://eepurl.com/ee_AH) to receive all of the Booktopia updates in your inbox. We won't be sending out updates via the podcast after this, so if you want to stay in the know about all things Booktopia, the Booktopia email list is the best way to do that.

International publishing questions; World Book Night 2014 titles announced; recommendations for new books by Rob Delaney and Pat Conroy. A quick note for those of you who receive this by email. Don't forget that there is an audio file attached to this email. You can download and listen to our show right on your computer. Just look for the link at the bottom of the email. It came to our attention recently that some of you didn't realize that there was an audio element to our show, and indeed, the audio is the primary way we talk about books. Give it a try if you haven't listened before. Thanks! International Shenanigans Two questions from our Q&A form: Bonny from Adelaide, Australia wonders why books are often published at different times in different countries around the world. Linda from Ohio wonders why series books are sometimes released out of order when translated into English. (http://www.audiobooks.com/images/abc-logo.png)Audiobook of the week (10:58) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/worlds-strongest-300x300.jpg)This week's selection, chosen by Michael:  The World's Strongest Librarian (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/the-worlds-strongest-librarian-a-memoir-of-tourettes-faith-strength-and-the-power-of-family/175162), written by Josh Hanagarne and narrated by Stephen R. Thorne. You can find Josh's blog here (http://worldsstrongestlibrarian.com/). Special thanks to Audiobooks.com for sponsoring this episode of Books on the Nightstand. Audiobooks.com allows you to listen to over 40,000 audiobooks, instantly, wherever you are, and the first one is free. Download or stream any book directly to your Apple or Android device. Sign up for a free 7-day trial and free audiobook download by going to www.audiobooks.com/freebook (http://www.audiobooks.com/freebook) World Book Night 2014 (15:15) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/WBN2014_ApplyAd_300x250.jpg)April 23, 2014 is World Book Night (http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/) and the organizers just announced the list of titles available for giveaway (http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/books/2014). (You can find the UK site here (http://www.worldbooknight.org/uk-home)) It's a wonderful list of books to choose from, including books by three Booktopia Petoskey authors: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, The Lighthouse Road (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13590708-the-lighthouse-road?from_search=true), and The Dog Stars. Other titles we mention include Same Difference, Hoot (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13083.Hoot?from_search=true), Bridge to Terabithia, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Code Name Verity, Kitchen Confidential, The Zookeeper's Wife, Wait Till Next Year, Where'd You Go Bernadette? (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13526165-where-d-you-go-bernadette?from_search=true), 100 Best Loved Poems, Bobcat, When I Was Puerto Rican, Catch-22, and Wild. You have until January 5, 2014, to apply to be a World Book Night Giver, but don't wait! Two books we can't wait for you to read (27:03) I refer to Rob Delaney's book - full title: Rob Delaney: Mother. Wife. Sister. Human. Warrior. Falcon. Yardstick. Turban. Cabbage. - as 80% frat humor and 20% thoughtful recollections of the important events in his life. It is hilarious, it is heartbreaking, it is raunchy, and it is real. Pat Conroy famously said that he would never write about his father - the inspiration for The Great Santini - until he had passed away. Now, we get The Death of Santini, the memoir of his relationship with his volatile father, and how that man affected Pat and his siblings.

Book production techniques, a literary tour of the USA, and recommendations of Longbourn by Jo Baker, and Boxers & Saints by Gene Luen Yang. A quick note for those of you who receive this by email. Don't forget that there is an audio file attached to this email. You can download and listen to our show right on your computer. Just look for the link at the bottom of the email. It came to our attention recently that some of you didn't realize that there was an audio element to our show, and indeed, the audio is the primary way we talk about books. Give it a try if you haven't listened before. Thanks! What Are Those Things Called? Starting this week, the first segment of most episodes will feature a question asked by one of you via the Ask Us a Question link (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZvVSya--Ur1cM_251OfPiafFHpyidI5XLzkfRZE0Bg0/viewform) on the Books on the Nightstand homepage. This week Don, from North Carolina asked us three questions about different kinds of production techniques including french flaps, deckle edges (http://www.abebooks.com/blog/index.php/2012/07/16/deckle-edges-or-uncut-edges-on-a-book/), and a relatively new jacket coating called (at least in the UK) Supermatt (http://cpibooks.com/uk/innovation/new-products/supermatt/). It's sort of a waxy/rubbery coating that Ann (and Don) enjoy, and I most definitely do not. (Further Googling revealed other industry names for this coating: Liquid Velvet and Soft Touch) (http://www.audiobooks.com/images/abc-logo.png)Audiobook of the week (13:03) This week's selection, chosen by Ann: Cartwheel, written by Jennifer DuBois and narrated by Emily Rankin (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/cartwheel-258x300.jpg) Special thanks to Audiobooks.com for sponsoring this episode of Books on the Nightstand. Audiobooks.com allows you to listen to over 40,000 audiobooks, instantly, wherever you are, and the first one is free. Download or stream any book directly to your Apple or Android device. Sign up for a free 7-day trial and free audiobook download by going to www.audiobooks.com/freebook (http://www.audiobooks.com/freebook) A Literary Tour of the USA (17:38) Business Insider recently published a map, online, titled "The Most Famous Book Set In Every State (http://www.businessinsider.com/most-famous-book-set-in-every-state-map-2013-10)." There's no explanation of their methodology and some of their choices (Rhode Island and South Dakota) lead to some interesting discussions between Ann and me. Others, like Carrie for Maine, East of Eden for California, and The Sound and the Fury for Mississippi, are the just and proper choice. Given that we've got listeners all over the country, tell us what you would change on this map. Three books we can't wait for you to read (26:41) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/longbourn1-202x300.jpg)     (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/boxers-212x300.jpg)(http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/saints-212x300.jpg) Ann was so drawn into Longbourn by Jo Baker, that all she wanted to do was have tea and shortbread, and lose herself in this re-telling of Pride and Prejudice from the point of view of the servants in the Bennet household. Gene Luen Yang's historical graphic novels Boxers and Saints, masterfully give us the story of the Boxer Rebellion in China, by following one young person on each side of the conflict. The books (which are also available in a boxed-set) have been nominated for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature.

How I read 10 classics in 30 minutes; Books about books, words, and punctuation; Dave Eggers' THE CIRCLE and Donald Antrim's The Hundred Brothers. A quick note for those of you who receive this by email. Don't forget that there is an audio file attached to this email. You can download and listen to our show right on your computer. Just look for the link at the bottom of the email. It came to our attention recently that some of you didn't realize that there was an audio element to our show, and indeed, the audio is the primary way we talk about books. Give it a try if you haven't listened before. Thanks! Today, I read Jane Eyre, Moby Dick, and eight other classics:   (http://www.mycozyclassics.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Cozy-Classics-Pride-and-Prejudice-Friends1-150x150.jpg)   (http://www.babylit.com/wp-content/uploads/book_wuthering_250.jpg) I bought some classics for the new baby of a dear friend. I just couldn't resist, and I couldn't resist telling you about these incredibly cute board books for babies. There are two separate series:  The first  are "BabyLit (http://www.babylit.com/)" books by Jennifer Adams with art by Alison Oliver. These are counting, color, and weather primers all based on classics. The second series, Cozy Classics (http://www.mycozyclassics.com/), are by Jack & Holman Wang. These tell the story of classic novels in just 12 words, illustrated with felted figurines. I just love these, though they may really be a gift for new parents rather than the baby.   (http://www.audiobooks.com/images/abc-logo.png)Audiobook of the week (06:27)   This week's selection, chosen by Michael: Lexicon (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/lexicon/195134) by Max Barry, read by Harry Corrigan and Zach Appelman (http://covers.audiobooks.com/images/covers/full/9781101620328.jpg) Special thanks to Audiobooks.com for sponsoring this episode of Books on the Nightstand. Audiobooks.com allows you to listen to over 40,000 audiobooks, instantly, wherever you are, and the first one is free. Download or stream any book directly to your Apple or Android device. Sign up for a free 7-day trial and free audiobook download by going to www.audiobooks.com/freebook (http://www.audiobooks.com/freebook) Books, Words, & Punctuation (09:52)   Michael and I are both reading (or want to read) books that have words and language as a theme. It's purely coincidence, but we thought it would be fun to tell you about these. Shady Characters: The Secret Life of  Punctuation, Symbols, & Other Typographical Marks (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17573647-shady-characters?from_search=true) by Keith Huston looks at the history of punctuation and other symbols. It's perfect for word and type nerds. A Compendium of Collective Nouns: From an Armory of Aardvarks to a Zeal of Zebras (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17557454-a-compendium-of-collective-nouns?from_search=true) by Jason Sacher is a coffee-table-style book that is highly illustrated and so much fun to read. A Cog of Robots, anyone? A Little History of Literature (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17802957-a-little-history-of-literature?from_search=true) by John Sutherland from the publisher of A Little History of the World by EH Gombrich and other books in the series (http://www.littlehistory.org/). The book features many short chapters about books, literature, publishing, reading habits, awards, and spotlights many authors and classic works of literature. It's fun, very readable, and incredibly interesting.   Two books we can't wait for you to read (22:32)   (https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1320493779l/29831.jpg)   (https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1376419833l/18302455.jpg) Donald Antrim recently won a MacArthur genius grant, and Michael talks about his novel The Hundred Brothers. It's the story of 100 sons who gather together to search for the ashes of their father.

Book overload, hardcovers and paperbacks, Bill Bryson's latest, and Peter Geye's The Lighthouse Road Book Overload   Inspired by a recent episode of The Readers, Michael wanted to talk about having too much knowledge of new books and as a result, too many books he wants to read and not enough time to read them. I'm afraid this turned into a bit of a therapy session. Booktopia Petoskey was filled with book recommendations (https://www.dropbox.com/s/qyop638xvy85tje/Booktopia%20MI%20Title%20Lists.pdf), from authors, from readers, from our rep colleagues, and from McLean & Eakin (http://www.mcleanandeakin.com) bookstore owners Matt and Jess. Sorry, Michael, you'll never be able to read everything you want to read.   (http://www.audiobooks.com/images/abc-logo.png)Audiobook of the week (13:49)   This week's selection, chosen by Ann: Doctor Sleep (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/doctor-sleep/196667) by Stephen King, read by Will Patton (http://covers.audiobooks.com/images/covers/large/9781442362390.jpg) Special thanks to Audiobooks.com for sponsoring this episode of Books on the Nightstand.com. Audiobooks.com allows you to listen to over 40,000 audiobooks, instantly, wherever you are, and the first one is free. Download or stream any book directly to your Apple or Android device. Sign up for a free 7-day trial and free audiobook download by going to www.audiobooks.com/freebook (http://www.audiobooks.com/freebook)   Hardcovers, Paperbacks, and everything in between (18:10)   We received three questions on our Books on the Nightstand Q&A page (http://feeds.feedburner.com/BOTNSPodcast) about hardcovers vs. paperbacks. Thanks to Pat from Chapel Hill, Betsy, and Chanda from Kentucky for your questions. In this segment, we talk about reading paperbacks without breaking the spine, whether books published first in paperback are of lesser quality than those published in hardcover, and the changing perceptions of the publishing and book reviewing community.   Two books we can't wait for you to read (30:34)   (https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1380292864l/17262366.jpg)    (https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1341459239l/13590708.jpg)   One Summer: America 1927 by Bill Bryson is a fascinating look at several events that all happened during the summer of 1927: Charles Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic; Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs; the Great Mississippi Flood happened, still one of America's biggest natural disasters, and The Jazz Singer, the first taking picture, began filming. Bryson looks at all of these events and more, and ties them together in his usual smart and entertaining way. Michael talks about The Lighthouse Road  by Peter Geye, who we met at Booktopia Petoskey. It's the story of Thea, a Norwegian immigrant who is a cook at a logging camp in the 1890s. It's also the story of Thea's son Odd, a rugged man who has a love for the wrong woman. The novel moves back and forth in time, and the frozen northern Minnesota landscape is as much a character as Thea and Odd. Michael and I both loved this book, and we think you should all read it.

Our first Audiobook of the Week, and the Booktopia Bellingham talks from Caroline Leavitt and Jan-Philipp Sendker. Our First Audiobook of the Week(http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/RPO.jpg) Our first Audiobooks.com Audiobook of the Week is Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. It's a book I'm enjoying re-"reading" by listening to the fantastic audio read by Wil Wheaton. Remember that you can get a free 7-day trial and free audiobook download by going to www.audiobooks.com/freebook (http://www.audiobooks.com/freebook)! Booktopia Bellingham Author Talks This week, we're pleased to bring you the Booktopia Bellingham talks from Caroline Leavitt, author of Is This Tomorrow,  and Jan-Philipp Sendker, author of The Art of Hearing Heartbeats. (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/tomorrow-203x300.jpg)     (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/art-of-hearing-200x300.jpg)  

Introducing our new sponsor. Discussing the changes at the Man Booker Prize. Recommendations for Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford, and At the Bottom of Everything by Ben Dolnick No Pledge Drive Needed Starting next week, Books on the Nightstand episodes will be sponsored by Audiobooks.com. Our official referral link isn't quite active yet, so wait until next week to check out the site, where you can get a free book and a free 7-day trial membership. Lest any of you think this means paid advertising is coming to BOTNS, fear not. There will be a short sponsorship message at the start of every episode, plus a new segment (segment 1.5? segment 1A?) called "Audiobook of the Week,' where Ann or I will discuss an audiobook we've loved, that you can get at Audiobooks.com, as well as any other place you buy audiobooks. Big Changes at the Booker (6:19) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/h_logo_official_large.png) Last week, the Man Booker Prize committee announced (http://www.themanbookerprize.com/press-releases/man-booker-prize-announces-global-expansion) a major change: eligible books no longer needed to be written by citizens of the British Commonwealth. They simply needed to be written in English, and available in the UK. This effectively opens the Man Booker Prize to American authors, as long as their book is published in the UK. I've always loved the "british-ness" of the Booker Prize, and am disappointed that that will change. Ann will miss the opportunity to discover books that have not yet been published here. Here's a New York Times article (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/21/books/the-backlash-to-the-american-invasion-of-the-booker-prize.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0) about the controversy. What are your thoughts on this major change? Two Books We Can't Wait For You to Read (19:16) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/willow-frost-197x300.jpg)     (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/bottom-202x300.jpg) Booktopia Petoskey author Jamie Ford has done it again. Following up on the success of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, he brings us Songs of Willow Frost. Set in Depression-era Seattle, his new novel tells the stories of William Eng, resident of the Sacred Heart Orphanage, and of silver-screen star Willow Frost, who William is convinced is his mother. Ann started At the Bottom of Everything expecting another enjoyable read from Ben Dolnick, but was blown away by the complex and mature story of Adam, a young man unwillingly drawn back into the life of his middle school friend Thomas, a friend he had left behind because of a secret in their past.

 More listener questions, e-books only: to discuss or not?, J.Robert Lennon's Happyland, Matt Fraction's Hawkeye, and Alex by Pierre LeMaitre...    Five questions, four answers   We answer some of the quetions that listeners submitted via our B...

News about Sherman Alexie's campaign to put authors to work at bookstores; what we read on our summer vacation, Five Days at Memorial and Claire of the Sea Light..   (http://www.bookweb.org/sites/default/files/gallery/S_Alexie_209x299.jpg) Indies First: This week, author Sherman Alexie wrote an impassioned letter to authors (http://www.bookweb.org/indies-first) ("Hello, hello, you gorgeous book nerds" is how he began). Alexie wants authors to spend Saturday November 30th working as a bookseller at their local independent bookstore. It's a fabulous idea, and we hope that we will see lots of authors participate in the project. Kudos to the American Booksellers Association for jumping in and helping with the plan. Keep an eye on your bookstores' newsletters and social media, and on your favorite authors, too. Maybe you can buy a book from an author. We'll update you once we learn more about Indies First, including who's participating and where. In the meantime, authors and booksellers, you can sign up to participate here, or just talk with your favorites. Authors or readers, looking for a local bookstore? Here's a handy Indie Bookstore Finder. (http://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder)   Summer Reading Recap (5:26): Summer is officially over, and it's time to close the books on our summer reading. Michael and I check in with each other about our summer reading resolutions, and what we read on our summer vacation. Michael read a lot of manuscripts for work, but they won't be out for 6-8 months. He says he doesn't tease us too much, but he also tells us that head Amy Bloom's new novel, and Delicious (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/11/business/media/random-house-acquires-novel-by-ruth-reichl.html?src=twr&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed&_r=0), the first novel by former food critic Ruth Reichl. I'd call that a tease, considering they won't be out til spring! Beyond that, Michael read a bunch of graphic novels, Ex-Communication (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17229633-ex-communication?from_search=true) by Peter Clines, the audio of The Wizard of Oz, and finally finished The Phantom Tollbooth (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/378.The_Phantom_Tollbooth?from_search=true). I don't think that's too bad. I also did a lot of work reading, but deliberately read only non-work books during vacation. I began Lonesome Dove (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/256008.Lonesome_Dove?from_search=true) and stopped after page 250 because I had a stack of other books I wanted to read during break. I liked it a lot, and put it down only temporarily. I will go back to it. First up was The Maid's Version by Daniel Woodrell - Woodrell is quickly moving up on my list of favorite authors and though this book is very different from Winter's Bone (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112525.Winter_s_Bone?from_search=true) or The Death of Sweet Mister (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112529.The_Death_of_Sweet_Mister?from_search=true), I liked it a lot. Help for the Haunted (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17348985-help-for-the-haunted?from_search=true) by John Searles is a quick-paced read that is a mystery with a paranormal element. It's difficult to describe, and it kept me guessing and turning the pages. Exactly what I wanted in a vacation read! Dare Me (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17348985-help-for-the-haunted?from_search=true) by Megan Abbott, which author Gillian Flynn describes in a blurb on the cover as "Lord of the Flies set in a high-school cheerleading squad." How could I resist that? Fun, if disturbing can be fun. My favorite book, which will be out on October 22nd, was The Goldfinch (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17333794-the-goldfinch?from_search=true) by Donna Tartt. It's phenomenal. It's very long, but I read it almost nonstop. It's one of those books that when you are not reading it, you're wishing you were reading it. Put this one on your list.  

Commonplace Books, a look at Southern fiction, and recommendations for Late Wife: Poems and The Funeral Dress. I'm very pleased to welcome Susan Gregg Gilmore to the podcast, as my guest co-host this week! A Commonplace Book Many years ago, I came upon the concept of a "commonplace book," which, according to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonplace_book), was historically something used "to compile knowledge, usually by writing information into books. Such books were essentially scrapbooks filled with items of every kind: medical recipes, quotes, letters, poems, tables of weights and measures, proverbs, prayers, legal formulas." These days, commonplace books are often used to note quotes from books, something that I began doing in 2006, then put aside in favor of Goodreads. I recently rediscovered my commonplace book, and I intend to start writing in it again. How do you keep track of literary quotes you love? What is Southern Fiction? (4:20)(http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/serena-202x300.jpg) I couldn't pass up the opportunity to discuss Southern Literature with Susan. Of course, saying something is a "Southern" book indicates the setting, but Susan believes that setting consists of religion, dialect, food, and culture, as well as the actual physical topography. Susan discusses the importance of story in the Southern culture, possibly stemming from the storytelling traditions of the Cherokee and Scotch-Irish residents and settlers. (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/how-far-she-went.jpg) Susan recommends Serena, by Ron Rash, as a wonderful example of setting in Southern fiction. It's also a book you should read before the movie comes out later this year. Other recommendations include Lee Smith's novels Oral History, Fair and Tender Ladies, and Saving Grace. For short fiction, Susan suggests the title story in Mary Hood's collection How Far She Went as being perfect for fans of Flannery O'Connor's A Good Man is Hard to Find. In fact, you can find the whole story here (http://engl611-nixon.wikispaces.umb.edu/file/view/Hood,+How+Far+She+Went.PDF). Lastly, she recommends the works of Larry Brown (http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/31125.Larry_Brown?from_search=true) and William Gay (http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/62659.William_Gay?from_search=true), two Southern writers the literary world lost too soon. Two Books We Can't Wait For You to Read (18:00) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/late-wife-183x300.jpg)     (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/funeral-194x300.jpg) Susan tells us about Late Wife, a collection of poetry by Claudia Emerson which explores her first husband, her new husband, and grief, through epistolary novels. Susan feels it's important to read poetry, especially for writers, because they can learn economy of language. I chose to tell you all about Susan's new book The Funeral Dress (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17262127-the-funeral-dress?from_search=true), but I didn't think about how hard it would be to describe her book while she was sitting right next to me. Nerve-wracking! I truly loved Susan's story of Emmalee Bullard, a young, unwed mother, who loses Leona, her only ally in town, then does what she thinks is right to honor her friend. Beautiful characters and the wonderful Appalachian setting make this a novel worth reading, discussing, and recommending.

A real treat this week: author readings from Booktopia Bellingham WA. (http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1362958055l/17086126.jpg)   (http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1363836966l/16041814.jpg) Jonathan Evison charmed us all as he read from The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13604611-the-revised-fundamentals-of-caregiving?from_search=true). Please note that there is some spicy language, so you may want to send the kids out of the room before you listen. The lovely Maggie Shipstead reads from Seating Arrangements, a funny, gorgeous novel set during a wedding weekend on a fictional New England island. Next week Michael will be back, with a special guest host, so be sure to tune in.

Michael Crichton's pseudonym revealed. Can you be a reader without being a collector? Bookish love for The People in the Trees and Night Film. Another Author Pseudonym Revealed(http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/zero-cool-199x300.jpg) Hard Case Crime (http://www.hardcasecrime.com/), publisher of very cool pulp paperbacks, has just announced (http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/08/11/michael-crichtons-secret-life-reprinted-in-paperback/) that they will be publishing 8 early Michael Crichton novels, books the author published, while he was still in Med School, under the pseudonyn John Lange (http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12619.John_Lange). Ann and I discuss the use of pseudonyms, and how some authors use them today to differentiate between the different genres in which they write. I, for one, can't wait to read these new/old Michael Crichton books when they are released in October (exact dates to be announced). Can You Be a Reader and Not a Collector? (7:42) We recently got a question online, though we can't remember where the question came from. (More reason to use our Ask a Question form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZvVSya--Ur1cM_251OfPiafFHpyidI5XLzkfRZE0Bg0/viewform), we don't lose track of those!) Can you be a reader, but not a collector? Do true "readers" need to be surrounded by books? Ann and I both agree that you're a reader whether you keep what you've read or not. Ann tends to not keep most of what she reads, hanging on to only some signed books and multiple copies of her favorites, so she always has them on hand to introduce to new readers. I, on the hand, keep far too many of my books, though I am getting better. I should do a huge purge of my book collection, but frankly, I'd rather spend that time reading. How about you? Book hoarder? Minimalist? Somewhere in between? Two Books We Can't Wait For You to Read (17:00) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/trees-197x300.jpg)     (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/nightfilm-198x300.jpg) Ann recommends The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara. It's a novel about an anthropologist and a  young doctor, and their 1950 trip to a remote Micronesian island. It's told in the form of the manuscript of the doctor's memoir, as dictated to his assistant, and it completely immersed Ann in the story. Click here (http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/58682-books-are-broken-limbed-baby-dolls-pw-talks-with-hanya-yanagihara.html) to read a wonderful interview with the author. I"m thrilled to finally tell you about Night Film by Marisha Pessl, though I really can't tell you much. The daughter of a reclusive cult filmmaker Stanislas Cordova commits suicide, or does she? Investigative journalist Scott McGrath has already been burned by the Cordova family once, but can't resist looking into Ashley's death. Filled with web pages, mental hospital intake forms, photographs, obituaries, I call this a "novel with stuff." That stuff will extend beyond the book via a free app that releases on August 20, the same day as the book. Trust me and just read this book. We decided, spur of the moment, during the recording of this episode, to take next week as a vacation week. I'll be away, hopefully reading a ton of books (more likely watching my kids to make sure they don't run headlong into the oncoming waves). Ann didn't mention that she'll be guest hosting episode 15 of the Book Riot podcast (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/book-riot-the-podcast/id647720354?mt=2), because it's sort of still a secret, so shhhhh...  It will likely go live this coming weekend, so check it out!

This week, we're pleased to bring you the Booktopia VT talks by Steve Yarbrough (The Realm of Last Chances), Amy Brill (The Movement of Stars), and Will Schwalbe (The End of Your Life Book Club). (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/realm-201x300.jpg)   (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/movement-198x300.jpg)   (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/end-of-your-193x300.jpg)   Ann and I will be back next week with a new episode. Until then, happy reading!

An ampersand wreaks havoc in book world; summer reading check-in; book to television adaptations; a new novel from Steve Yarbrough and Michael rediscovers The Virgin Suicides. The Woes of the Ampersand   (http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1366106280l/16041879.jpg) Michael is currently reading & Sons by David Gilbert. The ampersand in the title is deliberate, and is causing some frustration when readers are searching for the title. The ampersand was deliberately chosen, and since the book is getting such amazing reviews, it is a book that readers are definitely seeking out. Read more about this interesting wrinkle: The Ampersand in David Gilbert's '& Sons' is Kind of Driving Us Nuts (http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2013/07/ampersand-david-gilberts-sons-kind-driving-us-nuts/67511/) That &%$! book title (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2013/07/23/that-book-title/) Michael will talk more about the book in a future episode (once he finishes). (Goodreads has it listed as "And Sons.")   The ampersand is adding stress to our summer reading plans as well. Our mid-summer check-in reveals that both Michael and I are a little behind on what we committed to reading in episode #236 (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/06/botns-236-abandoning-books-and-summer-reading.html). I have started Henry James' Portrait of a Lady (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/264.The_Portrait_of_a_Lady), and Michael has started Great Expectations (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2623.Great_Expectations), but neither of us has started Crossing to Safety (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9820.Crossing_to_Safety), and I have not touched Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/256008.Lonesome_Dove). I am going to do my best to complete my mission this summer, but time is ticking.... How are your summer reading plans coming along?   Adaptations That Work (12:51)   (http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1375062117l/18209465.jpg) I confess that some of my reading time has been stolen by the new Netflix series Orange is the New Black (http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Orange_Is_the_New_Black/70242311?locale=en-US), which is based on the book by Piper Kerman (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6314763-orange-is-the-new-black). They released all of the season's episodes at once, and so I binge-watched all thirteen episodes over just a few days. The book and the series are quite different, but they are great companions. The book is the true story of Piper Kerman's year in prison, while the series is fictionalized and highly dramatized. One of my favorite features of the show were the characters, which were fleshed out more than the book could ever do. So this made me wonder if a television series, especially from an independent producer to air on a cable or similar channel, is a better way to adapt a book (as opposed to a feature film). Michael and I talk this through, looking at series like Game of Thrones (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13496.A_Game_of_Thrones), The Walking Dead (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30071.The_Walking_Dead_Book_One), Dexter (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17231.Darkly_Dreaming_Dexter), and the upcoming Starz production of Outlander (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10964.Outlander), which starts filming this fall.   Two Books We Can't Wait for You to Read (24:00)   (http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1356448201l/16156311.jpg)   (http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1319032910l/10956.jpg)   The Realm of Last Chances by Steve Yarbrough (on sale August 6th) is my pick for this week's recommendation. Steve was an author at Booktopia Vermont 2014 and his book was a hit with all of the Booktopians who had a chance to read the early copies that we distributed. If you like the writing of Richard Russo, Richard Yates, or Russell Baker, you should check out Yarbrough's work.