BEA 2012: The Books
Since this was my fourth Book Expo America, I tried to be selective when it came to books, turning down those that were outside of my comfort zone or didn’t appeal to me for one reason or another. Because of that, I’m excited about all of the books I picked up but thought I would highlight the titles that I’m the most giddy about. I tried to narrow it down to five books but found that to be an impossible task and came up with six, plus four runners-up. Here they are, in no particular order:
TIGERS IN RED WEATHER by Liza Klaussmann
This story of two women whose lives haven’t turned out the way they expected was highly recommended by the folks at Hachette. The book is set around World War II and the late 1950s – both time periods I love. Throw in the discovery of a dead body and I’m totally hooked.
Release date: July 17, 2012
LAURA LAMONT’S LIFE IN PICTURES by Emma Straub
The people at Penguin were really enthusiastic about this book and I was lucky enough to meet Emma Straub and chat with her about it. Young Elsa loves to act in plays and escapes to Hollywood when tragedy strikes her family. She’s remade into Laura Lamont and strives to stay true to herself once she becomes overwhelmed with fame.
Release date: September 4, 2012
THE LIGHTHOUSE ROAD by Peter Geye
I’ve heard such wonderful things about Geye’s first novel, Safe From the Sea, I was really excited to see he has a new book coming out soon. This is the story of a first generation American and the woman he loves trying to escape their past. Set in Minnesota in the 1920′s, this book promises to be full of emotion.
Release date: October 2, 2012
ONE LAST THING BEFORE I GO by Jonathan Tropper
The washed up drummer of a one-hit wonder rock band refuses lifesaving heart surgery so he can spend time trying to repair his relationship with his teenaged daughter. Since it’s written by Tropper, it’s sure to be heartbreaking and humorous all at the same time.
Release date: August 21, 2012
IN THE SHADOW OF THE BANYAN by Vaddey Ratner
Since this book was featured in the Editor’s Buzz panel, I heard about it weeks before BEA and was thrilled to get a copy. Raami is a young Cambodian girl used to a life of privilege when the Khmer Rouge take over the country. As she fights for survival, Raami clings to the only thing the Khmer Rouge can’t take from her – the stories her father shared with her.
Release date: August 7, 2012
FLIGHT BEHAVIOR by Barbara Kingsolver
Kingsolver is a favorite author of mine so I’m excited about just about anything she writes. In this novel she weaves environmental issues (notably global warming) into the story of a young girl trapped in Appalachia.
Release date: November 6, 2012
_________________________________________
RUNNERS-UP
THE PROPHET by Michael Koryta
GOLD by Chris Cleave
THE MIDWIFE OF HOPE RIVER by Patricia Harman
WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE by Maria Semple
What upcoming books are you excited about?
nice choice. I keep buying books you recommend, hope I can find time to read them!
These all look so good. I don’t know how you could choose.
Nice choices here!
Having heart palpitations over the Geye, the Tropper and the Koryta. Major heart palpitations.
Oh, great choices! There are a few I’m really looking forward to reading as well…but I was told by someone that if I left with one book, it should be IN THE SHADOW IF THE BANYAN. I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on that one, as well as the others!
Love your choices! They all sound so good – I’ve already jotted down a few of the titles
Can’t wait to read your thoughts on them!
So excited about the books you picked up at BEA! I did a quick glance through your BEA posts and it does look like you enjoyed the trip a lot! Looking forward to the reviews!
Oh shoot I missed the new Maria Semple! I have the others and can’t wait to get reading.
Lots of nice books! I didn’t know there was a new J. Tropper book on the horizon! I love his writing.
Great Bea books
They all look good! Especially Tigers in Red Weather. Happy reading.
I bet it was difficult to narrow it down! I’m looking forward the Barbara Kingsolver’s newest too. And I have a copy of Tigers in Red Weather that I’m anxious to get started on.
What a great selection of books kathy. I see that we have one title in common and that is The Midwife. It sounds really good. I am curious to what else you picked up this time around hehe
Enjoy and I am sure you will love them.
Kathy, what are you doing to my TBR list? Being a girl from Minnesota, you know I have to read The Lighthouse Road. Also, just put Safe From the Sea on hold at the library.
I want a picture of your giddiness.
These all look wonderful. I snagged Flight Behavior from Edelweiss but haven’t started it yet.
Looks like you have some great books to choose from there! I think I’d be most tempted by nonfiction and science fiction if I were browsing at BEA.
Tigers in Red Weather sounds wonderful to me! Enjoy all your nice new reads.
These are all great but I can easily think of at least five more. SO MANY GREAT ONES!
I am so excited about Geye’s book! I loved his first one so much. IN THE SHADOW OF THE BANYAN by Vaddey Ratner is one that caught my eye in this list and would love to get my hands on. Happy reading.
I am really excited about The Lighthouse Road!
Enjoy! Looking forward to your thoughts on these.
Boy do we have different tastes in books.
I’m super excited about these too, especially Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures, In the Shadow of the Banyan, and the Tropper one!
I think we have somewhat the same taste in books! I’m printing out this list. LOL
I think you made great choices, and I look forward to learning more about your choices.
I just finished The Lighthouse Road and definitely recommend it. It has a great ending!
What restraint!! These all sound great and I love learning about new books and seeing what drew your attention!!
So many great books on this list! I’m looking forward to Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures, Flight Behavior, and The Lighthouse Road as well. I think I have all three of them waiting on my TBR shelf. *eyes shelf wearily* SO much good reading to be done in the coming months!
I love the cover of In the Shadow of the Banyon.
Some great books on your pile, have managed to order a couple of these as they sound like my type of read.
I really want to read Tigers in Red Weather. Looks like some great finds!