Debuts

Welcome back to the blog, librarians! We're kicking off the week with some most excellent news about a few of our fine debuts.

- Major congratulations to debut author Amelia Gray who's first novel, THREATS, is one of five finalists for the 2013 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction!! See all of the finalists here.

- In The New York Times Janet Maslin calls Becky Masterman's debut thriller, RAGE AGAIST THE DYING, "pulse-quickening," "scorching," and "invigorating." She says,

"In one final demonstration that she has learned the lessons of crime fiction well, Ms. Masterman hides important evidence in the unlikeliest place: within plain sight. But this book is too cleverly manipulative for readers to get ahead of Brigid in making such startling discoveries."

Read the full article, "This ‘Granny’ Can Dish It Out," now.

Library Journal and Publishers Weekly each gave Masterman's debut a starred review and it has been selected as a March Indie Next Pick! This title will be available tomorrow from Minotaur Books.

- Chista Parravani was interviewed on NPR's All Things Considered about her debut memoir, HER, in which she comes to terms with her twin's premature death. Listen or read "A Twin Carries On Alone In 'HER: A Memoir'" at NPR.org.

- And finally: cats being jerks. As per usual.

Welcome to another week, you gorgeous librarians.

How about those Oscars, hmm? Were you surprised by the winners? Did you call 'em all months ago? Well, if you or your patrons have a sudden increased interest in the inner workings of Hollywood, we recommend Christine Sneed's juicy, hypnotic debut, LITTLE KNOWN FACTS.

"As Sneed illuminates each facet of her percussively choreographed plot via delectably slant disclosures––overheard conversations, snooping, tabloids, confessions under duress, and journal entries, among them—she spotlights 'little known facts' about the cost of fame, our erotic obsession with movie-star power, and where joy can be found." -Booklist (starred review)

"A clear-eyed story that paints a disturbing portrait of how those closest to celebrities are forever shadowed." -Shelf Awareness (starred review)

And speaking of debuts, the German Book Office in New York (a project of the Frankfurt Book Fair) has selected Nele Nauhaus' American debut (and international bestseller) SNOW WHITE MUST DIE as their February Book of the Month! See the GBO Facebook page for details here.

And speaking of debuts, Angela Carstensen from School Library Journal posted a great interview with debut author, R.S. Belcher, about his first book, THE SIX-GUN TAROT (now available from Tor Books). Find out how Belcher come up with his magical Weird West adventure story set in Nevada, 1869, on SLJ.com.

And speaking of debuts, the winner of a signed copy of Ben Schrank's Adult debut, LOVE IS A CANOE, is Carol Lee Saffioti-Hughes, Director of the Wabeno Public Library! Congratulations, Carol.