Doubleday

Where the River Ends by Charles Martin

Emily — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:26:59 +0000

Charles Martin’s unforgettable novel is a powerfully emotional and ultimately uplifting story of heartbreaking loss and undying love. Doss and Abbie were the unlikeliest of couples, but they knew that fate had united them in a powerfully beautiful, seemingly endless love. When Abbie faces the ravages of terminal illness, their unshakable love is only strengthened, leading them to embark on a remarkable voyage down the mighty Saint Mary’s River. Where the River Ends chronicles their love-filled, tragedy-tinged journey and a bond that transcends all.

What does Doss’s mother teach him in the novel’s opening scenes? What gift does she give him through the words “if you ever find your well empty, nothing but dust–then you come back here … dive in and drink deeply”?
Doss recalls overcoming his suffocating asthma and growing up without a father figure. Abbie had to cope with the death of her mother and life with a domineering father. In what ways did Doss and Abbie heal each other through love?
Discuss the Saint Mary’s River as a character in Where the River Ends. What “personality” is reflected in the variety of scenes depicting the river? How does the timeless symbolism of water–as cleansing, life-sustaining, and ever-changing–shape its power in the novel? Where does the river ultimately take Doss and Abbie?

What versions of beauty are presented in the novel? What does Doss discover about himself by painting Rosalia in chapter 15? Why are some able to see inner beauty, or unconventional physical beauty, while others are not?
What makes Charleston and South Carolina appropriate settings for this novel? How do the region’s beautiful landscape and complex history, encompassing the grim slave trade as well as the rise of an exceptional aristocracy, shape the families depicted in Where the River Ends?
What does the novel indicate about modern medicine and its limits? What was Doss able to do for Abbie that no doctor could?
Doss’s first up-close encounter with Abbie occurs when he fends off her attacker. During their river journey, they must again defend themselves against other threatening characters. What is the nature of such evil in the world? What determines whether victims remain optimistic, like Doss and Abbie, or descend into a quest for vengeance?
How does Doss and Abbie’s journey down the river compare to their fantasy of it? What does it say about them that, despite the lack of creature comforts or security, they are able to savor every moment of the voyage? Why was Abbie better off without traditional hospice care?
Which of the wishes on Abbie’s list seemed the most difficult to achieve? Which one would have been the most exhilarating for you?
What does Bob’s history as a defrocked religious leader say about the frailty of human beings, and the power of second chances? How did the marriage ceremony he performed for Doss and Abbie compare to more lavish nuptials you have witnessed?
How was the storytelling enhanced by the author’s use of flashbacks? In what way did the timeline mirror the way memories are woven into the present?
Were you surprised by the scene of forgiveness in the end? What did Doss and his father-in-law ultimately have in common?
Describe the most important farewell you have experienced. Have you ever served as the navigator for someone who had to endure a difficult journey?
If you were faced with Abbie’s prognosis, what unfulfilled promises and unfinished wishes would you make haste to experience? What would it take to accomplish the dreams on this list even if you were not faced with Abbie’s fate?

Michael Novak’s “No One Sees God”

Kelli — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:20:18 +0000

On Monday, Michael Novak, author of upcoming book, No One Sees God (on sale August 5th) shared his perspective on USA Today online, where he stated “Judaism and Christianity seem very good religions for those who suffer because they bestow on them justice and dignity. The realistic point of Judaism and Christianity is that suffering is a normal part of every human life. Lamentations are a native language. But evil does not mean that God loves us less, or that all is lost, or that good does not win out in the end.”

And, today, a wonderful commentary and interview are featured on David Crumm’s website, Read the Spirit. Here, David claims “Novak’s new book is an important contribution to building bridges between believers and unbelievers. It’s also a great book for small-group study, especially for religious groups trying to grapple with the acidic waves of neo-atheist writing over the past year.”

Recipe: BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger by Devin Alexander

Mikey — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:50:29 +0000

Ingredients:

4 ounces 96% lean ground beef
Pinch of salt
1-1/2 slices center-cut bacon
1 reduced-calorie hamburger bun
1/2 ounce light Swiss cheese slivers
1 to 2 tablespoons red onion slivers
2 teaspoons barbecue sauce

From The Most Decadent Diet Ever! by Devin Alexander. Can be made in 30 minutes or less / No more than 20 minutes hands-on prep time.

The barbecue bacon cheeseburger is usually a guilty pleasure. Here, I’ve combined these favorite flavors in a reasonable-sized burger that’s even more scrumptious because the ingredients are fresh and guilt free. Please, though, don’t cheat when buying the beef. Some people think that buying 93% lean ground beef isn’t that much different from the 96% lean, but it is. Four ounces of the 96% lean has about 150 calories and 4-1/2 grams of fat. Four ounces of the 93% lean has 170 calories and 8 grams of fat. Yes, the 96% lean is more expensive, but you’re worth it (plus, in the long term, you’ll be saving money on doctor bills)!

Pack the beef tightly together with your hands, and then shape it into a 4-inch-diameter patty on a sheet of wax paper. Sprinkle lightly with salt on both sides, and then place in the freezer for 5 minutes (to help the patty keep its shape).

Preheat a grill to high.

Cut the whole bacon strip in half crosswise. Lay the 3 half strips side by side in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook, flipping them every couple of minutes, until crispy and well done, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel–lined plate to drain.

Meanwhile, remove the patty from the freezer and place it on the grill. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side for medium rare, or until the desired doneness is reached. Toast the bun halves on an upper grill rack for 30 seconds to 1 minute, watching them carefully. Place the cheese on top of the burger for the last few seconds of cooking so it just begins to melt.

Add the patty to the toasted bun bottom. Lay the bacon strips side by side over the top. Place the onion over that. Spread the barbe-cue sauce evenly over the inside of the top half of the bun. Place the bun top atop the sandwich. Serve immediately.

Makes 1 Burger; 1 Serving
Each 3-Decadent-Disk serving (1 burger) has: 304 calories, 33 g protein, 23 g carbohydrates, 10 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 75 mg cholesterol, 3 g fiber, 752 mg sodium

Traditional serving: 484 calories, 29 g protein, 19 g carbohydrates, 32 g fat, 12 g saturated fat, 99 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 712 mg sodium

You save: 180 calories, 22 g fat, 8 g saturated fat

Photograph by Theresa Raffetto

The Dark Side by Jane Mayer

Sonia — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:16:19 +0000

In The Dark Side, Jane Mayer chronicles the terrible and destructive decisions the Bush administration made in the name of fighting terrorism. It has received natioanl attention by both periodicals and politicians alike. Below are some highlights:

In “Answering Terror with Terror,” Salon.com states: The Dark Side is about how the war on terror became ‘a war on American ideals,’ and Mayer gives this story all the weight and sorrow it deserves. Many books get tagged with the word ‘essential’; hers actually is.”
“Mayer’s singular accomplishment is to fuse the years of events that have brought us to this pass into a single compelling narrative and to use her own considerable reportorial powers to fill in important connective and contextual events.” — Los Angeles Times
Readers can find similar praise at Bloomberg.com and The New York Observer

In the nation’s capital? Meet Jane Mayer at Politics and Prose on July 24 at 7pm. View a complete tour schedule, here.

When We Were Romans by Matthew Kneale

Sonia — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:25:39 +0000

Unfolding through the eyes of a perceptive little boy, When We Were Romans showcases the captivating storytelling power of award-winning novelist Matthew Kneale. Narrating a trip you will not soon forget, nine-year-old Lawrence describes the day his mother whisked him and his sister from their home in Britain to Rome. His adventure becomes a poignant path of discovery about his parents, and a quest to understand his place in their hearts. The questions and discussion topics that follow are intended to enhance your reading of Matthew Kneale’s When We Were Romans.

How does Lawrence see the difference between men’s roles and women’s roles? How does he cope with feeling like the man of the family (with tremendous responsibility) as well as his mother’s very young son (with little control over his circumstances)?

How did your perception of Hannah change throughout the novel? Did you trust her husband?

Is the relationship between Lawrence and Jemima typical? Did it remind you of the way you and your siblings dealt with each other?

What do Cloudio, Beppo, the Vanhootens, and others in Italy seem to think of Hannah? What was Lawrence able to see that the adults could not?

What was the effect of Lawrence’s reports on astronomy? How does he feel about the pending cataclysms of the universe?

What did Lawrence teach you about the Roman Empire? In what ways is his recounting of history refreshing? Were you as knowledgeable about science and history when you were his age?

How does Lawrence understand the lunacy of Nero, Caligula, and others? Does he recognize their narcissism and their sadism?

Do Jemima and Lawrence think of their trip as dangerous or amusing? Do they accept their mother’s depiction of the trip as a grand adventure?

What does Hermann mean to Lawrence? Did you have a similar attachment to a pet when you were young? What do Lawrence’s depictions of the other characters as animals indicate about his imaginative powers?

Compare Lawrence’s voice to that of another child-narrated novel you admire. What makes his voice unique? What powerful qualities does a child’s voice possess?

Discuss the scene of Hannah’s return to Scotland. What do Lawrence’s actions indicate about how loyal and impressionable children can be?

What did Rome represent to Hannah? How did the novel’s varying settings create meaningful backdrops for the episodes in Lawrence’s life?

What hallmarks of Matthew Kneale’s storytelling style appear in When We Were Romans? In what ways does this novel expand on themes in his previous works?

Burned By Love

Sonia — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:21:12 +0000

Click here to watch more videos and read an excerpt.

This is an intense story. Tell your most intense story at burnedbylove.com. Read the most intense love story ever—The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson.

Read more about The Gargoyle at Paper Cuts — The New York Times Book Blog, The Wall Street Journal, and MediaBistro.

Rules of Deception - Trailer 3

Sonia — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:41:42 +0000

Visit Christopher Reich’s website to enter the Rules of Deception Sweepstakes.

Visit Bookreporter’s Suspense Thriller Feature, read Janet Maslin’s review in the New York Times, and Entertainment Weekly’s review.

Watch the trailer and take a short quiz for the chance to enter the Rules of Deception Sweepstakes — if you complete all the answers correctly, you can enter to win an Apple iPod Touch. Visit the Sony eBook Store to download advance previews of Rules of Deception.

Audio Interivew with Charles Martin

Sonia — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:32:35 +0000

“In the tradition of Nicholas Sparks & Robert James Waller, Martin has fashioned a heartbreaking story.”—Publishers Weekly

Charles Martin, author of Where the River Ends, chats about the inspiration and themes behind his new novel, Where the River Ends. Visit Charles Martin’s website to read his blog, watch videos, and view photographs.

Video Interview with E. Lynn Harris

Sonia — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:27:21 +0000

Click here to learn more about Just Too Good To Be True.

Harris serves up a treat that will capture and enchant audiences everywhere—a big, bold, and irresistible novel about football, family, and secrets. Visit www.elynnharris.com for a complete tour schedule and to view photographs. Also, read an interview with E. Lynn Harris on Yahoo! News.

Signed editions are now on sale. Click here for more information.

Enter the Quick, Before the Music Stops Sweepstakes

Sonia — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:29:53 +0000

Win a pair of Stuart Weitzman heels, pictured on the book cover of Quick, Before the Music Stops!

To celebrate the launch of Quick, Before the Music Stops: How Ballroom Dancing Saved My Life, the debut memoir from Town & Country Beauty Director Janet Carlson, Broadway Books partnered with Stuart Weitzman to run a Sweepstakes, in which three lucky winners will win the Stuart Weitzman Fever style heels pictured on the book jacket.

Visit www.quickbeforethemusicstops.com to enter the sweepstakes and for more information about this inspiring memoir of renewal and self discovery that explores the magic of ballroom dancing and its power to bring grace, balance, and passion into everyday life.