In part three of our fall book picks from members of the Book Publisher Representatives of New England session, we select some titles coming from Harper Collins, as highlighted by Anne DeCourcey.
Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu & Erin Mcguire: Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it’s up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,”Breadcrumbs is a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind. (From Harper Collins)
Of the list of books brought to the gathering of booksellers from around eastern Massachusetts, DeCourcey said Breadcrumbs was her “absolute favorite.” Having read the book, she went on to say, “it is my goosebumps book.”
Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver & Kei Acedera: Liesl lives in a tiny attic bedroom, locked away by
her cruelstepmother. Her only friends are the shadows and the mice—until one night a ghost appears from the darkness. It is Po, who comes from the Other Side. Both Liesl and Po are lonely, but together they are less alone. That same night, an alchemist’s apprentice, Will, bungles an important delivery. He accidentally switches a box containing the most powerful magic in the world with one containing something decidedly less remarkable. Will’s mistake has tremendous consequences for Liesl and Po, and it draws the three of them together on an extraordinary journey. (From Harper Collins)
Written during a period of personal grief, children’s book Breadcrumbs by Lauren Oliver and illustrated by Kei Acedera, was called by Harper Collins rep DeCourcey, ” a very quiet book that is very effective.”
Lost Memory of Skin by Russel Banks: Lost Memory of Skin is the story of The Kid, a young sex offender recently released from prison and forced to live beneath a South Florida causeway. When The Professor, a man of enormous intellect and appetite, takes The Kid under his wing, his own startling past will cause upheavals in both of their worlds. At once lyrical, witty, and disturbing, Banks’s extraordinary novel showcases his abilities as a world-class storyteller as well as his incisive understanding of the dangerous contradictions and hypocrisies of modern American society. (From Harper Collins)
According to DeCourcey Banks returns to form with Lost Memory of Skin with a book she called “really readable” and “accessible.”
Micro: A Novel by Michael Chriton and Richard Preston: In the vein of Jurassic Park, this high concept thriller follows a group of graduate students lured to Hawaii to work for a mysterious biotech company—only to find themselves cast out into the rain forest, with nothing but their scientific expertise and wits to protect them. (From Harper Collins)
From a partially finished manuscript from the late Michael Crichton, author Richard Preston steps in to finish this new science thriller from the author of Jurassic Park. DeCourcey told the audience that “lips are sealed” when it comes to the details about this newest book. So secret is this unfinished Crichton book that no galleys have been printed out of concern of piracy. Crichton made thrillers smart, so we’re curious to see how this unfinished work sizes up.
Tags: book previews, Harper Collins book previews, publisher reps recommendations
