Books on the Nightstand

This week, we're pleased to bring you the Booktopia Petoskey talks from Melanie Benjamin, author of The Aviator's Wife, Jamie Ford, author of Songs of Willow Frost (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19101240-songs-of-willow-frost), and Mary Doria Russell, author of Doc. (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/aviator.jpg)     (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/willow.jpg)     (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/doc.jpg)  

The case of the disappearing paperbacks. Books you may be watching soon. Recommendations for Wake by Anna Hope, and Wondrous Beauty by Carol Berkin. Disappearing Paperbacks? Tiffani from California wondered if books are ever released in paperback, then the paperback is pulled from sale, and only the hardcover remains in print. We discuss a couple of different scenarios where it may seem that a book was out in paperback, but then is not, but in every case we think there's a good explanation. As far as we know, publishers don't ever pull an existing paperback edition and revert to hardcover only in print. (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/audiobooks.jpg)Audiobook of the week (09:12) (http://images.indiebound.com/860/392/9780385392860.jpg)  Glitter and Glue (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/glitter-and-glue-a-memoir/205207) by Kelly Corrigan, read by the author, is my pick for this week’s Audiobooks.com Audiobook of the Week. Kelly is one of our Booktopia Vermont (http://booktopia.booksonthenightstand.com/vermont-2014/) authors. Special thanks to Audiobooks.com (http://www.audiobooks.com/freebook) 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 30-day trial and free audiobook download by going to www.audiobooks.com/freebook (http://www.audiobooks.com/freebook) Books You May Be Watching Soon (11:55) So many books are getting the movie or telelvision treatment in 2014. We give you a quick rundown of many of them in this episode. The titles below link to Goodreads. The movie or TV indication links to more info about the production. * Divergent (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13335037-divergent?from_search=true) (movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1840309/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)) * (http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTYxMzYwODE4OV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNDE5MzE2MDE@._V1_SX214_.jpg)The Fault in Our Stars (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11870085-the-fault-in-our-stars?from_search=true) (movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582846/?ref_=nv_sr_1)) * A Feast for Crows (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13497.A_Feast_for_Crows?from_search=true) (new season (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/?ref_=nv_sr_1) of Game of Thrones) * Orange is the New Black (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6314763-orange-is-the-new-black?from_search=true) (new season (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2372162/?ref_=nv_sr_1)) * The Returned (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17182421-the-returned?from_search=true) (being turned into a TV series called Resurrection (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2647586/?ref_=nv_sr_1)) * The Leftovers (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10762469-the-leftovers?from_search=true) (TV series (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2699128/?ref_=nv_sr_1)) * The Giver (movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435651/?ref_=nv_sr_1)) * This is Where I Leave You (movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1371150/?ref_=nv_sr_1)) * A Long Way Down (movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458413/?ref_=nv_sr_1)) * About a Boy (TV series (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2666270/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_2)) * Redshirts (TV series (http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57618769-1/sci-fi-novel-redshirts-heads-to-fx-as-a-tv-series/)) * The Maze Runner (movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1790864/?ref_=nv_sr_1)) * Gone Girl (movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2267998/?ref_=nv_sr_1)) * Dark Places (movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2402101/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)) * Wild (movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2305051/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)) * Tracks (movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2167266/?ref_=nv_sr_1)) * Unbroken (movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1809398/?ref_=nv_sr_1)) * Mockingjay (movie) * Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (movie

Do audiobooks count as reading (redux), Literary elitism and self-congratulations, Dept. of Speculation and The Martian.   Levels of Engagement Kristy in St. Louis disagrees with our opinions that listening to an audiobook counts as reading. She wants to know how listening is any different from watching a movie based on a book. Michael and I talk about our views. What do you think?   (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/audiobooks.jpg)Audiobook of the week (06:00) (http://covers.audiobooks.com/images/covers/full/9780804164740.jpg)  One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories by B.J. Novak, read by Novak and a cast of narrators including Emma Thompson, Rainn Wilson, Mindy Kaling, Lena Dunham, Katy Perry, and a bunch of other people, is my pick for this week’s Audiobooks.com Audiobook of the Week. 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 30-day trial and free audiobook download by going to www.audiobooks.com/freebook (http://www.audiobooks.com/freebook)   The Psychology of Literary Opinion (09:09):   The discussion that Michael and I had when recording this episode is impossibly to summarize. We started with a discussion about two articles we read, and then it evolved into a philosophical discussion on the psychology behind recommending books, and a host of other rather disjointed thoughts. If you listen (and please do), we'd love to hear your thoughts. Our topic was sparked by an article in Salon written by Laura Miller titled "Is the Literary World Elitist? (http://www.salon.com/2014/02/07/is_the_literary_world_elitist/)". It got us thinking. Miller references a piece by author Eleanor Catton (http://metromag.co.nz/metro-archive/eleanor-catton-on-literature-and-elitism/) (The Luminaries). Catton's piece was a reaction to a reader's complaint that a Paris Review article used an unfamiliar word (crepuscular) and was therefore "elitist." Catton asks: " If a reader doesn’t understand a poem, who is at fault — the poem, the poet or the reader?" Miller's article points out that the person who complained about the unfamiliar word was not angry that the article was elitist, but was rather frustrated because it made the reader feel ignorant. Miller's take on "literary insecurity" also includes those who put down popular fiction, even though they haven't read it. We also wonder (aloud) why people review books on sites like Goodreads. Is it to help others, or for our own validation? I hope our discussion makes sense. Honestly, it was very fun to talk about these topics and I enjoyed it while we were recording.   Two books we can't wait for you to read (24:11):   (https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1367929545l/17402288.jpg)   (https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1377707689l/18007564.jpg)   Jenny Offill's Dept. of Speculation is a read-in-one-sitting powerhouse of a novel, full of emotion and gorgeousness. It's a look at a woman who is suffering a crisis in her marriage, written in the form of letters that read like journal entries. This isn't an easy book to describe, but it's a novel that works on many different levels and is quite unique in style. Michael has been dying to talk about The Martian and today's his chance. Andy Weir has written a book that Michael describes as "Robinson Crusoe on Mars," or "Apollo 13 meets Castaway," and that "the pages turn themselves." Full of scientific detail, it's the story of a man who is left for dead on Mars, waiting for the next mission which is not scheduled for four more years.  It's set slightly in the future, but will appeal even to readers who don't read science fiction.

Retiring a few books. Finding more time to read. And recommendations for The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon and One More Thing by B. J. Novak. We're Retiring... a few things It's time to say goodbye to the three Books on the Nightstand books we published through Northshire Bookstore's publishing program. But, you've got one more chance to order. Because Northshire now outsources their printing, a minimum of 25 copies is needed to keep prices reasonable. Between now and March 15th, head on over to the Books on the Nightstand author page at Northshire.com (http://www.northshire.com/search/apachesolr_search/books%20on%20the%20nightstand), for your last chance to order Two Books I Can't Wait for You to Read, Living in Booktopia (http://www.northshire.com/ebm/875647), and Two Books I Can't Wait for You to Read, Volume 2. Any book that has orders of at least 25 copies by March 15 will be printed, and ready for pick-up or shipping on Booktopia weekend, April 11-13. Money will be refunded to anyone who orders a book that does not get reprinted. I know of a few folks who gave some of these books as gifts last holiday season. Order now if you'd like to do the same! (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/audiobooks.jpg)Audiobook of the week (05:19) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/time-mach.jpg)The Time Machine (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/the-time-machine-an-invention/195357) by H. G. Wells, narrated by Sir Derek Jacobi, is my pick for this week’s Audiobooks.com Audiobook of the Week. 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) Stealing Minutes to Read (08:12) In "14 Books You Could Read in the Time it Takes to Watch the Super Bowl (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/fourteen-books-read-time-takes-watch-super-bowl-2/)" NPR writer Kristin Miller discussed... well, the title pretty much says it all, doesn't it? Ann took it a step further, and, using Forbes magazine's statistics of an average reading speed of 300 words/minute, and an average 250 words/page, figured the following: * You can read 702 pages instead of watching a 13-hour season of a TV show * You can read 216 pages instead of going to the movies (travel, and refreshment purchasing time included) * If you're the passenger on a 24-hour drive (factoring in sleeping and distractions from bickering kids in the back seat) you can read 1296 pages * If you take the day off from work you should be able to read a 432 page book. This put me in mind of the blog post Ann wrote six years ago (!) called "10 Ways to Find More Time for Reading (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2008/07/10-ways-to-find-more-time-for-reading.html)." Those ten reasons are all still valid today so check that out as well. Two Books We Can't Wait For You to Read (18:56) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/winterpeople.jpg)     (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/one-more-thing.jpg) I recommend The Winter People by Booktopia author Jennifer McMahon. It's a creepy tale set in a small town in Vermont, where some people are unable to say goodbye to their loved ones who have died. You'll never look at a snow-shrouded forest the same way. Ann raves about One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories by B. J. Novak. You may know Novak best from his role as Ryan on the US version of The Office, but he also studied creative writing at Harvard, and is a real writer whose stories are funny and moving. This collection is earning him critical acclaim. You can read, and listen to,

A listener asks if we find ourselves recommending our favorite books over and over. We talk about old things. And we tell you about an amazing memoir and a noirish novel of the Jazz Age that is based on a true story. Recycling recommendations: New li...

 The 2014 Tournament of Books contenders have been announced! Disliking a book that everyone else loves. Recommendations for Kids These Days and The Scar Boys. The Rooster is Back!(http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ToB-2013.jpg) Every year it seems that we talk about the Tournament of Books sometime late in March just as it's ending. Not this year! The full list of titles (http://www.themorningnews.org/article/announcing-the-morning-news-tournament-of-books-x) has been announced, and we know that some of you are hoping to read along. We discussed several of the titles, so be sure the click the above link to see them all. Who's your favorite horse in this race? (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/audiobooks.jpg)Audiobook of the week (07:21) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/train-dragon.jpg) How to Train Your Dragon (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/how-to-train-your-dragon/205112) by Cressida Cowell, narrated by the David Tennant, is Michael’s pick for this week’s Audiobooks.com Audiobook of the Week. 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)   When You're the Only One (09:41) An email from Sarah asked if there were ever times when we disliked a book that everyone else loved, and have we ever been judged to be an uncaring person for not liking a book everyone else loved. To the first part of that question, yes, of course. We've always said that we would only talk about books we loved here on the podcast, but, for the first time we each admit to a book we didn't like and didn't finish. For Ann, it was Kate Atkinson's Life After Life, and for me, it was The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt. Moving on the second part of Sarah's question, Ann admits to not having liked The Bridges of Madison County, a book that swept the nation in the 90's, and was loved by many for its romantic story. But she was never judged to be uncaring because of that (that she knows of). Sarah's questioned stemmed from several people judging her for not liking the writing of Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, even though she thought the book covered an important message. Honestly, judging someone's character based on what books the like or dislike is just not right. This brings to mind a recent announcement from the new editor of Buzzfeed Books, who said they would not be running negative reviews. It caused a bit of controversy (http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2013/11/the-reactions-to-isaac-fitzgeralds-buzzfeed-appointment-much-ado-about-niceness.html). In our opinion, it all comes down to a simple question: are you running book reviews, or book recommendations? For us, it's the later. Because honestly, when's the last time you asked a librarian or bookseller to tell you about the books they hated? Two Books We Can't Wait For You to Read (19:56) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/kids-these-days.jpg)     (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/scar-boys.jpg) Over the winter break, Ann read Kids These Days by Drew Perry, a book she describes as a cross between Jonathan Tropper and Carl Hiaasen. It's the story of Walter and Alice (who have a baby on the way), who are forced to relocate to Florida for a free place to live, and a new, shady, job for Walter. I wholeheartedly recommend The Scar Boys by Len Vlahos, a coming of age story starring Harbinger "Harry" Jones. Set in the 80s, The Scar Boys follows Harry's life from a bullying incident at age 8 that leaves his face badly scarred, and him addicted to painkillers,

This week, a special episode answering all of your questions about audiobooks! Thanks to all of our listeners who submitted questions. I hope our answers make sense! We tackle such tough questions as: * Do audiobooks "count" as actually having read the book? (Michael and I disagree on abridged audios, though). * How do you decide what you're going to read and what you're going to listen to? * What do we think of "performed" accents in audiobooks? * Is it possible to like a book better on audio than in print? * How do the number of listening hours relate to the number of pages in a book? * Can we play snippets of audiobooks on the podcast when we talk about our Audiobooks.com audiobook of the week? (Short answer: no, but we always link to a sample in the show notes for each podcast episode). * Who are the best fiction audiobook readers? * How are footnotes included in audiobooks? * How do you listen to audiobooks when other people are around? Specific audiobooks that we mention in this episode: * The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/the-sweetness-at-the-bottom-of-the-pie/55084) and other books in the Flavia De Luce series, read by Jayne Entwistle * The Harry Potter (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/862267.Harry_Potter_and_the_Sorcerer_s_Stone) series by J.K. Rowling, read by Jim Dale * To Kill a Mockingbird (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2655.To_Kill_a_Mockingbird) by Harper Lee, read by Sissy Spacek * On Chesil Beach (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/on-chesil-beach/52804) by Ian McEwan, narrated by the author * Guests on Earth (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/guests-on-earth/198118) by Lee Smith, read by Emily Woo Zeller * The Goldfinch (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/the-goldfinch-a-novel/197043) by Donna Tartt, narrated by David Pittu * The Stand (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/the-stand/122303) by Stephen King, read by Grover Gardner * Carrie (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/carrie/135269) by Stephen King, read by Sissy Spacek * Game of Thrones (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/a-game-of-thrones/135990) and rest of The Song of Ice and Fire books by George R.R. Martin, read by Roy Dotrice   (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/audiobooks.jpg)Audiobook of the week (35:24) (http://covers.audiobooks.com/images/covers/full/9781461846901.jpg) The Swerve (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/the-swerve-how-the-world-became-modern/102252)by Stephen Greenblatt, read by Edoardo Ballerini,  is my pick for this week’s Audiobooks.com Audiobook of the Week. 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)

I was very honored to be able to interview Charles Duhigg on the publication day of The Power of Habit in paperback, out today, January 7. (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/habit.jpg) We discuss the genesis of the book, how to instill good habits in your children, the best habit for readers, "reward salience," and the new afterword included in the paperback edition. Thank you again to Mr. Duhigg for taking the time to speak with me!   (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/full-sea.jpg)     (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/keep.jpg) For our "Two Books" segment, Charles recommends On Such a Full Sea, by Chang-rae Lee, a novel set in a near-future America whose labor-class is Chinese people forcibly relocated from an environmentally ravaged China. He also recommends The Keep by Jennifer Egan (author of A Visit from the Goon Squad). Lately, Charles has been reading feature length articles via Longreads.com (http://longreads.com/). Two other sites that offer this kind of content  are Longform.org (http://longform.org/), and Byliner.com (https://www.byliner.com/). Audiobooks.com Audiobook of the Week (26:52) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/habit-au.jpg)Not surprisingly, The Power of Habit (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/the-power-of-habit-why-we-do-what-we-do-in-life-and-business/196858) by Charles Duhigg, narrated by Mike Chamberlain is this week’s Audiobooks.com Audiobook of the Week. 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)

Our reading plans and goals for 2014, and some of the gifts that we put under our trees this Christmas.   Our 2014 reading plans: Michael is not making any reading resolutions for 2014.  Instead, he's given himself permission to read whatever he wants, because he's felt too restricted with reading plans and resolutions. My plan for 2014 is less intensive than 2013's Project Short Story (http://booksonthenightstand.com/project-short-story): I am going to focus on literature in translation this year. My goal is to read 10 books of literary fiction that have been translated from another language. I'm not going to put further restrictions on it than that. My first book in this category will be Jose Saramago's Blindness (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2526.Blindness?from_search=true). My other goal this year is to read classics aloud together with my daughters. We've started with Great Expectations, and it's been a lot of fun. If you have any reading plans or challenges for 2014, let us know!   (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/audiobooks.jpg)Audiobook of the week (09:24) (http://covers.audiobooks.com/images/covers/full/9781619696754.jpg) Parasite (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/parasite/201164) by Mira Grant, narrated by Christine Lakin,  is Michael’s pick for this week’s Audiobooks.com Audiobook of the Week. 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 we wrapped: (12:12)   Jane, the Fox and Me (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17214302-jane-the-fox-and-me?from_search=true), by Fanny Britt and illustrated by Jane Arsenault Ann and Nan are Anagrams (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17785997-ann-and-nan-are-anagrams), the sequel to Mom and Dad are Palindromes, both by Mark Shulman The Complete Sherlock Holmes (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/841597.Complete_Sherlock_Holmes) by Arthur Conan Doyle National Geographic Kids Almanac 2014 (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17190361-everything-i-need-to-know-i-learned-from-a-little-golden-book?from_search=true) 1001 Golf Holes You Must Play Before You Die (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15797940-1001-golf-holes-you-must-play-before-you-die?from_search=true) by Jeff Barr What Does the Fox Say? (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18778917-what-does-the-fox-say?from_search=true) by Ylvis The Rosie Project (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16181775-the-rosie-project?from_search=true) by Graeme Simsion Everything I Need to Know, I Learned From a Little Golden Book (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17190361-everything-i-need-to-know-i-learned-from-a-little-golden-book?from_search=true) by Diana Muldrow   Michael and I are taking next week off, so there will be no episode next week. We hope you find time to read a book or two, and maybe listen to an audiobook. Thanks for all of your support this year. We'll be back in January!    

 A look back at 2013, our reading goals and our favorite books of the year. Reminder: The Books on the Nightstand 2013 Holiday Gift Guides (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/11/the-2013-holiday-gift-guides-are-here.html) are available for download here (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/11/the-2013-holiday-gift-guides-are-here.html). We really do think there's a gift for everyone on your list so please spread the word and share the link! Our Year in Reading In addition to Project Short Story, Ann committed to reading 52 books this year. With only 2 to go, she's confident she'll meet her goal. She also started a printed reading journal, noting everything she read, whether she finished or not. My only goal was to try to read 78 books this year (13 more than last year), but one thing that has changed is that I've started reading many comics digitally, an experience I'm enjoying, but will still collect physical graphic novels of some of my favorites. Many comic publishers have their own apps. Comixology (http://www.comixology.com/) is an app and website that will allow to purchase digital comics from Until August, Ann succeeded in reading a short story every day. It was an illuminating experience that taught her much about short stories. She explored more through the book Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose. She even took several writing classes at Grub Street (http://www.grubstreet.org/) in Boston. (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/audiobooks.jpg)Audiobook of the week (15:29) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/tiny-beautiful.jpg) Tiny Beautiful Things (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/tiny-beautiful-things/135062) by Cheryl Strayed, narrated by the author,  is Ann's pick for this week's Audiobooks.com Audiobook of the Week. 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) Our Favorite Books of 2013 (17:55) Michael's Two Cheat books, read this year, but published long ago The Stand by Stephen King (originally discussed here (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/11/botns-255-peter-heller-jill-mccorkle-and-bill-roorbach-live-from-booktopia-mi.html)) 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff Ann's Favorite Short Story of the Year "Anything Helps" by Jess Walter (from the collection We Live in Water) Ann's Top 5 (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/marker.jpg) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/claire.jpg) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/goldf.jpg) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/woman.jpg) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/trees.jpg) A Marker to Measure Drift (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16156289-a-marker-to-measure-drift?from_search=true) by Alexander Maksik (originally discussed here (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/07/botns-240-does-the-name-on-the-jacket-matter.html)) Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat (originally discussed here (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/09/botns-246-what-we-read-on-our-summer-vacation.html)) The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (originally discussed here (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/09/botns-246-what-we-read-on-our-summer-vacation.html)) The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud (originally discussed here (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/05/botns-229-books-into-movies-movies-on-to-books.html)) The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagahara (originally discussed here (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/05/botns-229-books-into-movies-movies-on-to-books.html)) bonus,

 This week we talk about reading plays, try the "page 69 test," and tell you about 2 books we should have put in our Holiday Gift Guide.   The play is the thing   "DM loves Prufrock" asked if we had any favorite plays, classic or modern. Michael has been in a few plays and has read them for that purpose, and so he primarily sees it as a performance media. With the exception of Shakespeare, he has one play on his shelf: Noises Off (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/160194.Noises_Off?from_search=true) by Michael Frayn. On my reading list is the play "Lucky Guy," which is included in The Most of Nora Ephron (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17316511-the-most-of-nora-ephron?from_search=true), and The Sunset Limited (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12496.The_Sunset_Limited?from_search=true) by Cormac McCarthy.   (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/audiobooks.jpg)Audiobook of the week (07:02) (http://covers.audiobooks.com/images/covers/full/9780062249852.jpg)  (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/hoot/161725)Frozen in Time (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/frozen-in-time-an-epic-story-of-survival-and-a-modern-quest-for-lost-heroes-of-world-war-ii/173835) by Mitchell Zuckoff, narrated by the author is Michael’s pick for this week’s Audiobooks.com Audiobook of the Week. 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)   Judging a book by page 69 (10:50):   I first heard about the "page 69 test" on the blog (http://www.psduffy.com/essays.html) of P.S. Duffy, author of The Cartographer of No Man's Land (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17605530-the-cartographer-of-no-man-s-land?from_search=true). So I Googled, and found an article from The Guardian (http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2008/jul/23/tofindyourperfectnovelsee) that explains: this is a theory put forth by Marshall McLuhan that says, to find out if you might like a particular book, open the book to page 69 and read the page. So Michael and I each tried it out. To varying degrees, Michael found that reading page 69 made him want to read all of the books he tried it on. For me, the page 69 test definitely gave me a sense of the writing style on its own, and a sense of the mood and pacing of the book. Michael and I debate the merits of the page 69 test. What do you think? Some of the books we used for the test: * A Wizard of Earthsea (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13642.A_Wizard_of_Earthsea?from_search=true) by Usula K. LeGuin  - the first paragraph grabbed Michael right away * I, Robot (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41804.I_Robot?from_search=true) by Isaac Asimov * The Mists of Avalon (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/402045.The_Mists_of_Avalon?from_search=true)by Marion Zimmer Bradley * City of Bohane (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10277268-city-of-bohane?from_search=true) by Kevin Barry * A Canticle for Leibowitz (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/164154.A_Canticle_for_Leibowitz?from_search=true) by Walter M. Miller, Jr.     Two books we should have put in the Holiday Gift Guide (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/11/the-2013-holiday-gift-guides-are-here.html) (25:40)   (https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1364865083l/17347674.jpg)   (https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1385915281l/18493259.jpg)     It never fails -- we hit "publish" on the Holiday Gift Guide and then find out about some new books that we wished we had known about earlier. So today, we each chose one book that we wished we had included. Michael chose The Hole by Oyvind Torseter,

Strategies for reading a trilogy; literary charities worth donation to; Princesses Behaving Badly and The Most of Nora Ephron. Reminder: The Books on the Nightstand 2013 Holiday Gift Guides (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/11/the-2013-holiday-gift-guides-are-here.html) are available for download here (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/11/the-2013-holiday-gift-guides-are-here.html). I really do think there's a gift for everyone on your list so please spread the word and share the link! Trilogy Troubles Elizabeth A. from Massachusetts asked about reading trilogies; do we wait until all three books are out before we start or do we dive right in? Ann and I are both unlikely to wait, though that can lead to problems, like losing track of details from book to book, or losing momentum mid-series. Though trilogies seem to be the norm now, books are sometimes planned as a stand-alone, but prove so popular that more installments are added. Conversely, if the first book in a planned trilogy does not meet sales expectations, it's possible future books will not be released. So, it's not always easy to tell for sure whether a book is part of a trilogy or not. What are your thoughts on trilogy reading? (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/audiobooks.jpg)Audiobook of the week (09:02) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/hoot.jpg)Hoot  (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/hoot/161725)by Carl Hiaasen, narrated by Chad Lowe is Ann's pick for this week's Audiobooks.com Audiobook of the Week. 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)   Literary Giving (12:27) The end of the year is a very popular time for charitable giving, both for philanthropic and tax reasons. Many people have favorite charities to support, but in case you're looking for a new place to donate, we cover several literary organizations: Toys for Tots (http://www.toysfortots.org/) - not a literary organization per se, but books are welcomed by this organization. Here's a wonderful sheet (http://www.toysfortots.org/literacy/The%20UPS%20Store%20Book%20List.doc.pdf) they put together recommending titles in various categories and age groups. Reading is Fundamental (http://www.rif.org/) - through 12/31, donations to this wonderful organization will be matched. If your company also matches funds, that means your funds could be tripled. I also mention their link to an article called "15 Reading Materials That Aren't Books (http://www.scholastic.com/parents/blogs/scholastic-parents-raise-reader/15-reading-materials-arent-books?cid=PAR/smd/20131017/facebook/rrblog15readingmaterialsnotbooks//PAR/content/9am)." Reach Out and Read (http://www.reachoutandread.org/) - a national organization that provides books at pediatrician well visits. Thanks to an anonymous benefactor, donations to Reach Out and Read are also being matched this holiday season. I mention Literacy Volunteers of America, but it turns out they are now part of an organization called ProLiteracy (http://www.proliteracy.org/) which formed in 2002. 826National (http://826national.org/) - with 8 locations in cities around the US, 826 teaches literacy by offering tutoring and teaching kids to write. Two Books We Can't Wait For You to Read (26:42) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/princesses.jpg)     (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/nora-ephron.jpg) Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie is a fun, accessible walk through history's most un-princess-like princesses. From sex parties, to Nazi spies,

Some announcements and updates, and an interview with Lauren Lovett of Reading Opens Minds (http://readingopensminds.org/), a nonprofit devoted to enriching lives through books and conversation.  

This week we talk about the painful exercise of culling your library when you just have too many books. Also, A Novel Cure and Empress Dowager Cixi.   Help us play publisher:   (http://www.northshire.com/files/northshire/imagecache/product_full/944911.jpg) We're thinking about organizing another Books on the Nightstand book for 2014, and we'd love your ideas. We had such fun putting together Two Books I Can't Wait For You To Read (http://www.northshire.com/search/apachesolr_search/books%20on%20the%20nightstand) and Two Books I Can't Wait For You To Read, Volume Two (http://www.northshire.com/search/apachesolr_search/books%20on%20the%20nightstand). Your book recommendations have given us two great books that we look at often. Should we publish a volume 3?  We will need your participation, so if you think we should go a different direction, we'd love to hear your ideas. You may also consider this a reminder that our previous books are still available. You can order copies via links on our Shop BOTNS page (http://booksonthenightstand.com/shop-botns). Please leave your ideas for our next book in the comments of the show notes (use this link (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/11/botns-256-how-to-cull-a-library.html ) if you get this via email) by the end of December. Thanks!   (http://www.audiobooks.com/images/abc-logo.png)Audiobook of the week (07:18)   (http://covers.audiobooks.com/images/covers/full/9781427235275.jpg) Havisham (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/havisham-a-novel/201329)by Ronald Frame, narrated by Anne Flosnick is my pick for this week's Audiobooks.com Audiobook of the Week. 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)   How to cull a library (10:26)   Listener Colleen, an avid book collector for most of her life, asks how to begin culling her library. Michael and I are faced with this problem quite often, and we've put together a few tips: * Start with your '"impulse" purchases. If you can't remember why you bought a particular book, or if you can't remember ever buying it in the first place, get rid of it. * When possible, donate to an organization that will make you feel good about the donation. * If you are not a habitual re-reader, keep only your very, very favorites to re-read. * Incentivize your culling: for every x books you donate, allow yourself to buy one new book. Note: this should not be a 1:1 ratio. * Or do the reverse: tell yourself that for every book you keep, you have to donate a certain number. Once you've donated your target number, allow yourself a new book. * Don't take a job in publishing, bookselling, or book blogging. The books replicate faster than you can cull. Do you have any tips? Let us know in the comments.   Two books we can't wait for you to read (22:38)   (https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1368427066l/17707738.jpg)  (https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1367929789l/17857634.jpg) Michael's recommendation this week is called The Novel Cure: From Abandonment to Zestlessness, 751 Books to Cure wWhat Ails You. This is a collection of reading "prescriptions" --all novels, from classic to contemporary -- to get you out of a funk and make you feel better, no matter what your ailment. Lack of seduction skills? Try Richard Mason's History of a Pleasure Seeker. There are also several great lists of books: the 10 Best Break Up Novels, for example. There are also recommendations for "reading ailments" -- one of which is "Overwhelmed by the number of books in your house." The prescription: cull your library.

Booktopia Petoskey talks from Peter Heller, Jill McCorkle, and Bill Roorbach. 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) (http://www.audiobooks.com/images/abc-logo.png)Audiobook of the week   (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/stand.jpg)Michael chose this week's book:  The Stand (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/the-stand/122303) by Stephen King, narrated by Grover Gardner. 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) Peter Heller, Jill McCorkle, and Bill Roorbach (05:05) This week, we're pleased to bring you the Booktopia Petoskey talks from Peter Heller, author of The Dog Stars, Jill McCorkle, author of Life After Life, and Bill Roorbach, author of Life Among Giants (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17433975-life-among-giants). (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/dog-stars-194x300.jpg)     (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/life-after-200x300.jpg)     (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/among-giants-200x300.jpg)