 Help Me? Two weekends from now is the Great Thanksgiving Weekend Read. Though I didn’t call it that for the first year in 2008—it was then “Thanksreading”—I am nevertheless firmly attached to my tradition of over-eating (turkey and cranberry sauce) and over-reading. For this year, however, I am going to try something a bit different. Rather than go through my shelves picking out books I am seeking suggestions for books to read. That’s right, I am turning to you, our readers, to give me suggestions for your favorite books. They can be old or new; fiction, nonfiction, or poetry; even children’s or young adult. The only limitation is that suggested books can’t be self-published or vanity-published because if I don’t own the book I have to be able to get it at a used bookstore or through the library. So what say you? What should I put on my literary plate over the four (or maybe five) days for the upcoming GTWR? In what directions do you want me to stretch my reading muscles? What have I missed that you love, or even hated? I can’t promise to read everything—it depends on how many suggestions come in—but I do promise to read what I can. Plus, I promise to report back regardless of how my reading turns out. By the way, our Shopping Gift Guide for booklovers and readers begins next week, November 21. We have more than 350 items plus special deals on books and even some free book giveaways that will make wonderful gifts for your loved ones. For five weeks we will be listing in this letter items that range from free to thousands of dollars—all with literary themes. Regardless of what you are looking for you will likely find something here. And we promise no long lines! Upcoming Book Festivals: The Pub House: It is, in fact, still one of the preeminent independent British publishing houses that has books by twelve Nobel Laureates and six Booker Prize winners. Among their current releases is Saddled with Darwin, the story of the author’s attempt to replicates Charles Darwin’s journey across South America and complete with landslides, sinking mud, and pit vipers as well as he evolutionary changes that have taken place since Darwin’s visit 165 years earlier. If you favor thrillers, especially international ones, then Kolymsky Heights might be for you. The story of a determined scientist working in an underground Russian research station so secret it doesn’t officially exist who wants to get a message out to the world but needs one man’s help to do it. For young adults, The Midas Touch is a re-issue of a story originally published in 1938 that has a young Welshman, a psychic, and a self-made rich, powerful capitalist drawn into an interwoven orbit of self-interest that pulls them ever closer to a fate they cannot control. Imaging Books & Reading: Nah. But you better plan on getting up several times before your bus arrives. Of Interest: Until next week, read well, read often and read on!
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