Bookmovement.com, and two reading gems: Nancy Pearl, Hallie Ephron

Somewhere in the heat of things, I missed posting this column, published Dec. 29. Here's a look at Internet link Bookmovement.com, for book groups, and an interview with Hallie Ephron.

There's an Internet link for readers with every kind of shared interest, at which readers will find rich options, both to learn more about literature and to connect.

Bookmovement.com is free, and includes a service that's a little different. 

As with meetup.com, a regional link for all kinds of clubs, Bookmovement gives clubs their own space, but the site is limited to book groups. Each group has its own visual and easily accessible page, “My Club Page,” for listing materials related to upcoming books, authors, meeting times, reading lists and suggested discussion questions, as well as forums to continue discussion online.

If you are overwhelmed by multiple schedules (and who isn't?), this is a place to quickly locate meeting info and book details. Bookmovement provides reading guides for 20,000 books, shows how many clubs are reading each, and gives clubs space for ratings, plot summary and discussion questions. Individuals may join in to add perspective, or add a specific book guide to their club page with a simple click.

There’s a place to post individual “wish” lists, archive books already read, and other book-related info. This definitely tops using ripped-out notebook pages, I'd say.

There’s also a newsletter, book recommendations, new releases, and–always welcome–book giveaways. The site claims to compile the ratings of books discussed at 35,000 clubs. Since not all great books make great club selections, the ratings give readers an idea of which may yield stimulating discussions.

The site also includes books nominated for writing awards, lists of light reading, and reviews. As an added feature, a section dubbed Author Chats reprints author interviews. There are also lists for group leaders, to help them run the meeting and guide the discussion.

The site links to Nancy Pearl (“Book Lust”), a well-known librarian who has abundant advice for book clubs on operating a group, selecting books, and getting the most out of reading. (Genre fiction, she points out, doesn’t lend itself to any discussion, since everything is pretty well spelled out for the reader and nothing is left to question.)

Her recommendations: mark up the pages as you go along—yes, go ahead and write in the margins if it’s your book; look for the tough questions as you read—everyone may have a different answer when it comes time for discussion; analyze the themes and the characters, as getting to know them well provides insight into the story; notice the book’s structure, and decide whether it works for you as a reader, and whether it helps to tell the story; compare the book to other authors and books, considering who else may have written on the same theme.

Hallie on touring:

Hallie Ephron, a Boston area author from a markedly creative family, is often on tour, visiting a lot of book clubs between the conventional book store stops. I asked her about the large number of book clubs on her tour—as opposed to the old bookstore visits.

Clubs, she says, are a natural venue. “Writing and publishing books is gratifying, but it's mostly one-way communication until you actually get to interact with readers. So getting to speak to a book group or a book club is really the icing on the cake. It's been a treat to speak with local book groups at homes and libraries, where there might be a dozen or more readers, and big book clubs with hundreds of avid readers—like the Greenbrook Country Club's Book Club in New Jersey. Lately I've been speaking about my new novel at a string of Jewish book clubs across the United States."

A plus for any visit: She says club members usually have already read the book when they meet. “The neat thing about speaking to book clubs is that anyone in a book club is, by definition, an enthusiastic reader and an informed human being. Which is to say, these are the most interesting people you can hope to meet. Plus they ask the best questions. I'm always delighted when someone spots a theme or a connection or a clue that I didn't consciously put in, and yet, there it is.” 

This column appeared in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette on Dec. 29, 2013. Send your central Massachusetts group meeting info, questions and suggestions to ann.frantz@gmail.com.

Being prepared for book club means reading the book!

There's an adage that goes: You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. The same might be said for some book groups, who discover once-avid readers falling behind in the reading and either skipping meetings or coming unprepared (while eating the munchies and conversing about jobs or kids throughout the discussion).

So how do you keep busy members focused on the next book? Several area book group leaders shared their methods.

"I am very fortunate in that the members of my group really do read the assigned pages," said Betsy Johnson of Holden's book group. "We take our time working our way through books, however, allowing for plenty of discussion along the way (no chit-chat; I allow time at the beginning of our meetings for that)."

Being too busy is addressed by discussing how members want to approach the reading. Some may want more time to read it, with less-frequent meetings, while others meet more frequently or break the discussion into parts. "I suspect that clubs which meet monthly and read a book for each meeting do run into trouble, given the length of many books and the demands on contemporary women's time. We meet weekly," Johnson said.

Lancaster's Off-Track Bookies has at least a dozen members, so leader Sue Billings believes preparation is key. "Have prepared questions ready, to help the group stay focused on the book," she said, "and make the book selections a shared responsibility."

Karen Silverthorn, who leads Thayer Memorial Library's adult evening book group, also in Lancaster, echoes that philosophy. "Group members want a say in what books are chosen to be read," she said. "Hopefully, those less interested in particular ones will see that their choices are part of our yearly list and so will give others' choices a chance. They also like to plan ahead, not choose a new book each month. Since some like fiction, while others not so much, we do fiction one month and nonfiction or a biography the next."

Ann Young of Gardner's Heywood Library says one member mentioned she belongs to a group that meets in someone's home. There, she has to get the book on her own. It is sometimes a problem getting to a bookstore or ordering online, she said. Members prefer the library group, "because Heywood's librarians order the books for us and when we return one book, we can pick up the next," one member said.

But there is no discouragement for nonreaders either. Young adds: "Our group accepts members where they are. If they show up, they are welcome whether or not they have read the book. Some people just do not find it interesting, or do not have the time that month. We give everyone a chance to speak, but some have more to say than others and that is OK." Most members do at least try to read the book. "Because we collaborate in coming up with the books for the year, most people buy into the books we are reading," Young said. "I am not sure that if just one or two people selected the books we would get the same results."

Members are also encouraged to speak out, regardless of their opinion about the book. "One of our principles is to respect each person and the opinion they voice, so that people are comfortable saying what they think about a book — even if it is not in line with the majority."

Celine L. Livingston, coordinator of the New Earth Book Club in Shrewsbury, said she announces on the book club's website (www.meetup.com/newearth/) that it is required to read the book to attend a meeting. "We take turns to talk at the meetings, and each member gets a chance to reflect on the book," she said. The group meets at Shrewsbury Public Library.

In Sutton, the Full Court Press (a group of moms affiliated with a basketball program in Central Massachusetts and Rhode Island), staggers meetings to allow more than a month between selections. "We meet every six weeks (roughly), and we find that with that longer time frame most people usually have time to read the books," said Brenda Yates. "However, we really don't mind if people come to the meeting without reading the book. In general, nine out of 10 people probably have read all, or most, of the book. If someone has not read it, they understand that we can't worry about spoiling the book by talking about it if they haven't had a chance to read it.

"We also try not to pick books that are too long or intensive; that helps increase the odds of people finishing the story. We often get book recommendations from other book groups, so we know that the books have been well received by other book groups, which also helps. For us, the most important aspect of having a book group is the friendship and social time that the meetings provide, so we encourage people to come even if they haven't read the story. In short, we keep a low key, relaxed outlook and that keeps it fun."

The Women's Issues Book Group of Worcester, sponsored by the National Organization for Women, takes another approach, quipped Joan Killough-Miller. "We give away spoilers to ruin the book for those who haven't managed to finish it by the night of the meeting. And we make them sit in the time-out chair."

OK, not really. But she says reading the book is not a big problem within the group. "We're generally tolerant when someone had a hard time getting their hands on the book or hasn't quite made it to the end," she said. "Some of our people will read into the wee hours of the morning, or stay in all weekend to finish the book by Monday night. They're also good about sharing scarce copies. I've seen out-of-print books be passed along three-four times in the course of a month."

She supplements the book choice with related material. For instance, the March selection is "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking," by Susan Cain. The group refers members to the author's website to listen to her TED talk and find links to forums and other resources. They may even take the Quiet Quiz, says Killough-Miller, "though you probably know whether you're an introvert or an extrovert."

Upcoming meetings

The Founding Fathers' Reading Group meets at the Northborough Free Library the last Wednesday of every month, focusing on the Founding Fathers and that period. Interested persons are welcome, says Barbara O'Mara. Next meeting is Tuesday at 10 a.m. Members will discuss the first half of Gordon Wood's Pulitzer-winning "The Radicalism of the American Revolution." For more information: bhomara@gmail.com">bhomara@gmail.com.

Dudley's Crawford Library book group will discuss "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand at 6 p.m. March 6 in the library.

Lancaster's Off-Track Bookies has slated Adam Johnson's "The Orphan Master's Son" for its March 13 meeting.

Women's Issues Book Club, Worcester will discuss "Quiet" by Susan Cain at 7 p.m. March 10 (second Monday) in Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 541 Lincoln St., Worcester.

Ann Frantz writes about authors, books and book groups in the Worcester, Mass., Telegram & Gazette. Send club news and suggestions to ann.frantz@gmail.com.   

Matthew Quick launches 'The Good Luck of Right Now' to follow 'Silver Linings Playbook'

Matthew Quick, Holden resident and author of the novel-turned-film, "Silver Linings Playbook," has begun a book tour to promote his latest novel, "The Good Luck of Right Now." That book, too, has been optioned for film by DreamWorks. In fact, all six of his novels have been optioned for film. 

That's pretty good luck as well. 

Though Quick wasn't published until age 34, he's written since his teens. He's won several prestigious book awards and finally met a primary goal in his life: to be a full-time writer. For several years, he taught literature and coached high school soccer. The kids nicknamed him "Q," a moniker that has stuck. 

On Feb. 11, "The Good Luck of Right Now" is being released by HarperCollins, his U.S. publisher. Little Brown & Co. publishes his young adult books: "Sorta Like a Rock Star," "Boy21" and "Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock." His books are published internationally. 

Quick will appear at Porter Square Books in Cambridge at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 to give a talk and sign books. He'll do the same at 6 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Boston Public Library, and at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at Jabberwocky Bookshop in Newburyport. No appearances have yet been scheduled in the Worcester area, though the tour is just getting started. 

Quick loves seeing the finished product. "I'm thrilled," he said. "It's very exciting. I worked so hard on this book; it's exciting to put it into the world. DreamWorks is busy with the adaptation as well. It's still wonderful to me to open up a finished book when I have received by box of new books. A book tour is a nice time to celebrate and mark the occasion of finishing another story. Most writers will tell you it's almost like giving birth." 

Although he keeps writing — his next book is in the wings — Quick finds book tours a wonderful distraction. "The schedule involves traveling every day on airplanes, cars and trains. For me, it's hard to write fiction when I'm not alone in a room. I love talking with people (about the book) but writers mostly sit alone in a room all day by themselves. When they're thrust into society, as they are on tour, it takes a different kind of energy." 

"The Good Luck of Right Now" is written as a series of letters to actor Richard Gere. Reviewers have used terms like "quirky," "off-beat" and (from author Garth Stein): "the greatest feel-good misfit road story." It deals with Bartholomew Neil, a middle-aged man who lives with his mother and is poorly equipped to find his own way in life. When she dies, he finds a "Free Tibet" letter from Gere in his mother's underwear drawer and sets out to find the answers to life from Gere. (Do we see a starring role there?) 

Quick likes that his books are finding their way into film. He's open to looming opportunities to do screenplays, saying, "I will probably try that at some point." In the meantime, he's happy to be living in Holden with his wife, novelist and pianist Alicia Bessette. 

(Ann Connery Frantz writes about authors and book clubs for the Telegram & Gazette, Worcester, and blogs at this site).

Life is good for Della Valle, author of 'Jerks in Boston History'

History doesn't have to be a dry subject. Author Paul Della Valle is having quite a lot of fun with it. After the Sterling resident wrote "Massachusetts Troublemakers: Rebels, Reformers and Radicals from the Bay State" (Globe, Pequot Press 2009), its publisher approached him for a second book, one that was right up this history buff's alley: a profile of people behaving badly, titled "Speaking Ill of the Dead: Jerks in Boston History." A topic more suited to Della Valle's biting wit may not exist.

Della Valle, familiar to locals as a bluegrass musician and journalist, has turned his talents toward teaching and historical writing. He's having as much fun as ever.

A former reporter with the Telegram & Gazette, he founded the Lancaster Times & Clinton Courier, covering both towns with a vigilant eye for nearly a decade before selling the paper several years ago. He teaches English at Clinton High School, having previously taught at Southbridge and Ashburnham public schools. (He has also taught writing at Clark University and journalism at Northeastern.) One can sometimes find one of his bands — Lizzie O'Dowd and the Sheep Shaggers and the Worcester County Bluegrass All Stars — performing at a local nightspot, festival or town square.

His first book launched the second.

" 'Troublemakers' was my idea," he said. "Then, they asked me to do this one, part of a series they have in different states and cities. There must be at least 25 of them with the same title — Jerks in Colorado, Jerks in Arizona." He laughs.

Don't think that means Della Valle simply filled the book with tried-and-true tales, however. This book is a quirky, funny read, bursting with choice bits of history, employing his trademark candor. He applied both wit and skill from his newspaper years toward researching his choice of 18 notorious bad guys. The publisher insisted that his subjects be dead for at least 50 years. ("You can't libel dead people," Della Valle quips.)

He talked Pequot into letting him break that rule, however, to profile Charles Stuart, one of Boston's most shocking modern-day killers. Stuart joins Albert DeSalvo (the Boston Strangler), Charles Ponzi and Mayor James Michael Curley in the book. Perhaps less predictable were historical figures like A. Bronson Alcott (father of author Louisa May Alcott) and Gov. Henry J. Gardner, whose drive to rid Boston of Irish scum personified the Know-Nothing Party of the mid-1850s. Even Abe Lincoln criticized Gardner's viciousness toward Irish immigrants.

From the get-go, Della Valle had some characters in mind: "My grandmother loved James Michael Curley because he gave a pillow to her brother in the Fernald School (in those days, pillows weren't always standard issue); she loved him for that. That's the way he operated — he gave things to people; he sealed loyalties. The 'mayor of the poor' was also a total crook. I love the joke line from the times — when the City of Boston bought his house after he died, it was the second time they'd paid for it. Curley was outrageous and powerful, with friends as staunch as his enemies."

Another subject in the book is serial killer Jane Toppan. "Karen (his wife, poet Karen Sharpe) came up with Jane. I had never heard of her before. She killed at least 31 people. She did it for sexual kicks; she'd get in bed with her victims as they were dying. And she was remorseless."

He wanted to profile more women, but couldn't find suitable subjects. "There aren't that many females that are jerks," he said. He opted to leave Lizzie Borden out, since so much has already been written about her case.

He has one regret. "I would have loved to put in Whitey (Bulger)," he said. But the incarcerated mob leader doesn't fit the profile: "You can't have someone who is still alive."

Della Valle has woven historical tidbits with wicked twists. With an 18-month window to write, he chose to cram the work into six months before its due date. The guy still prefers being on deadline.

"I need to have the gun to my head," he said. "I worked during vacations and school breaks, but not much at night, 'cause you're tired from teaching; there's so much you have to do for teaching, to prepare and such."

He has another book in his head, and is working on a plan for it, centered on the concept of "banned in Boston."

"I love histories that reveal the stuff the history books didn't teach you," he said. "The Mass Bay founders were hateful, despite what good they did. A lot of people say the U.S. is a Christian nation, but Thomas Paine was so anti-Christian. He wanted complete separation of church and state. It was the age of reason, of free thinkers. The Founding Fathers did not intend us to be just a Christian nation."

He's also fascinated by Horace Mann, whose accomplishments inspired Della Valle to become a teacher.

In the meantime, he has his English classes, and he's started an acoustic café on Thursdays at the high school, having discovered a multi-national chorus of voices at the school when he brought his guitar to class. "They love it. Kids are so talented," he said. "They all know every word of every pop song. They all know the harmony parts. One class said we should just do some after-school stuff. There are about 20 kids a week who come, and they're from all over."

On his own, Della Valle can sometimes be found playing with the Sheep Shaggers — a band his son, Rocky, and daughter, Lisa, are involved with — at the Black Sheep Tavern, or, in better weather, golfing. And then there are the grandkids, 4 and 1, to occupy him. Life is good.
    

Hank Phillippi Ryan: From first line to Finish, a thriller

She waits for a really great plot idea and the perfect first line before starting, but once in motion with a new novel, Hank Phillippi Ryan launches ahead without any outline. Before she stops, she'll have created another complex, authentically detailed crime story that's witty, absorbing and fast-paced.

Since the Sept. 10 release of her latest, "The Wrong Girl," Hank Phillippi Ryan has experienced — alongside its rise to The Boston Globe's bestseller list — a national book tour and continued prominence as an award-winning crime writer. The real mystery about her, though, is how she manages to juggle full-time writing and touring, a full-time role as an on-air investigative reporter at Boston's NBC affiliate, Channel 7, and her role as a wife and grandmother. Each is part of a life she loves despite its chaotic claim on her time.

"I'm always on the go; some days I don't realize what city I'm in when I wake up in a hotel — but how lucky am I to be doing that?" she said laughing. "It's wonderful. In life, we do what we choose to do. We make priorities, we make selections; I try not to worry because worrying just takes up time."

Lucky, she said in an interview Thursday, because she began writing fiction in 2005, after first spending 30 years in television news, a career now approaching its fourth decade. Always an avid reader, from Nancy Drew on up to Agatha Christie and Mary Higgins Clark, she secretly desired to write mysteries. And one day, she just up and did it.

"One day in my office at Channel 7, I got a call from a woman, telling me the story of how a relative had been reunited with her birth mother and realized the adoption agency had made a mistake. She said, 'Can you believe it? They sent the woman the wrong girl.' I got goosebumps. I knew I had the idea for a novel. I remember sitting at my desk, thinking 'This will be a fabulous mystery.' I became obsessed with writing "Prime Time," which won the Agatha for best first mystery novel. My career has taken off since that time. I wanted it, and the universe provided ... and that has been what the second half of my life is about."

"Prime Time" was the first of four Charlotte McNally mysteries, but it was the Boston world of Jane and Jake that burst into the world of national readership and fame.

Her newest novel follows "The Other Woman" (2012), winner of the Mary Clark Higgins Award and a nominee for every major mystery writing award out there. "The Wrong Girl" is the second in a series featuring a Boston setting and characters. She expects to see the third published in the fall of 2014.

The series features the same protagonists, reporter Jane Ryland and her boyfriend, Boston police Detective Jake Brogan. In the latest mystery, Ryland, a disgraced TV reporter now working in a newsroom, and Brogan, a gruff, dedicated officer with a soft spot for Ryland, uncover deceptive practices within a foster care agency. Like her other books, it is based on a world that Ryan has known intimately as an investigative reporter. She calls her experiences and knowledge into play as fictional reality in her books, bringing a distinct ring of authenticity to her themes.

"New England is almost a character," she said. "Certainly, my books have a special draw for people who live in New England and can recognize all of the places and (types of) characters."

In one scene, for instance, a character patiently explains Boston's peculiar ethics surrounding lawn chair-trash can markers to save shoveled-out parking spots.

"It's completely inexplicable, unless you live here and understand that social contract," she said.

Authentic touches such as that are throughout her work, but so is skilled, smart writing. From an early image of "blood and Cheerios" at a crime scene to a sadly wise reflection on foster care ("It's not their fault, and there's no way the system can save them all. I'm supposed to send them to new homes, but how can I be sure they'll thrive and flourish? They so often don't."), she injects reality alongside the grim wit of those who deal with crime and grisly murders, Ryan writes masterfully.

"It's very hard work," she said.

"Writing a novel is astonishingly difficult. It's 100,000 words, every one of which has to be perfect. It has to be new, fascinating, unique, riveting and compelling."

Working without an outline requires tenacity — and faith. "I truly believe I'll be able to solve the mystery, because that's what I'm doing, laying out the groundwork for a real event in my head. It's just as true as if something had really happened, so the end has to be what really happened. I'm a reporter, so I'm going to find that out. Like the detective in the book, I am solving the mystery."

She could not have done this 20 years ago, she says.

"I wasn't the person I am now. I was 55 when I started writing, and it turned out that it was the perfect moment in my life to start this new part of my career. I didn't plan it, didn't look for it, and wasn't expecting it. But I've learned to be aware when a door is opened for you, and I think at that moment, that's what happened."

It wasn't easy then, and isn't easy now. Ryan's schedule is busy from start to finish, and more than one person has called her a juggler. Heck, she uses the term on herself.

"I take it one item at a time. I plan, I organize, I schedule. There are things I give up. My husband and I haven't had a vacation for five years, maybe six. I write on weekends; I never have a day off." Something, obviously, had to give, she said. "Cooking was first to go, then sleep. My fun level is very low; I don't think my husband and I have been to a movie in years. We don't have any dinner parties now. Is it a sacrifice? Sure, but I feel I'm getting so much more than I'm giving up. To be following your dreams at midcareer is lucky. I always wanted to be a writer, and I count my blessings every year."

This chaotic, happy career is enough, she says.

"My days are fulfilled, but they're full of joy and full of love and full of delight that I have followed my dreams through so much success."

By Ann Connery Frantz
From the Telegram & Gazette, Dec. 6, 2013

Sweet Holy MotherWHATing??? What a book!

A “fictionalized” memoir with the unlikely title of “Sweet Holy Motherfucking Everloving Delusional Bastard?” I wasn’t even going to bother with it. But then I read, in the prologue, that jail time is involved, though he warns that this book is no jailhouse confessional. Instead, he says, it’s the story of what happens to his fictionalized self between college graduation and incarceration. (You’ll have to read the book to understand this trajectory.) Now I became at least curious. Could the author manage to avoid the pitfall of poor-poor-pitiful-me whining that infects post-jail memoirs?

Oh, man. Could he ever.

Jerome Segundo may have been born to be a stand-up comic. At the very least, he’s a hell of a good writer and storyteller, whose next book will be about the ultimate diet regimen: punishment. But sticking to the present topic, Segundo’s tongue-in-cheek adventure in the world of self-discovery, friendship, dating and sex is one of the liveliest, most entertaining stories I’ve read in years. Really. He’s witty, in a self-immolating sort of way. He’s smart, and a clever writer. With his best buddies, he’s coarse—but aren’t they all. Bottom line: his heart is really, really in the right place, even if his head is reeling with confusion.

Segundo will swear it’s fiction, but the truth lies within the pages, and draws readers deeper and deeper into his crazy young life, then breaks their hearts before he’s finished with them, incarcerated as the result of a complex set of circumstances that don’t add up to a well-defined crime.

Segundo is, however, one of those people who grows and finds a new self in the process. His book does not concern jail time—it covers the crazy set of circumstances which put him there. Throughout this preposterously named book (and the title fits once you’ve read it), Segundo’s misadventures with his friends, his conversations with women and the trials of his goofy 20-something life make a great read. He and his two main pals are sardonic and blissfully unaware of life’s pitfalls, experiencing one after another with aplomb. Though naïve, they mature within a society that sees fit to ignore them—especially in the job market. They are the temporary slobs, slackers and posturers of society, the brothers every sister loves and can’t stand at the same time.

Segundo is young during the time period of this memoir. He is at once hopeful and skeptical—and far from politically correct. Yet he is the boy next door, who captures a unique story in a fresh style; his writing skills prove that he paid attention, at some point in his life, to good literature and good writing. Skirting the sharp edge between fiction and reality, with a tale of quite credible impact, Segundo leaves the reader hang-jawed, shouting, “Don’t do it, you idiot!” as he ventures into each mishap. Pick your favorite, whether it involves borscht and burritos, angry bees, prostatitus cures, “schlepping” flowers, or “speds” field trips (I warned you—not politically correct). This memoir, with its hard-to-remember but impossible to forget title, will win you over.

His gift for description and dialogue is well established, and sure to bring readers much more fun down the line.

Because of the way the book deals with the incident that puts him in prison, however, any young man out on his own ought to read this book—forewarned is kind of important here.

“… The verdict was the malformed product of a binary system of jurisprudence that proclaims either guilt or innocence and ignores the plight of those caught in between. A reasonable case could be made that I am both guilty and innocent. Or neither guilty nor innocent. I’m still grappling with the issue myself,” he writes.

I don’t mean to get into a lecture on the rights or wrongs of criminal acts. I mean only to say this is a good book, a funny book and—in fact—an important book. It has a bit more sex than I like to read, but younger (and more contemporary) readers will like it just as much. I am, after all, his mother’s age.

Segundo—keep writing. You’re un-holy funny and pretty darn smart about yourself and your friends. But next time, choose a title that won’t keep you off the shelves, ok?

New England's authors aren't idle for long - what's new

With the October release of the much-anticipated sequel to Maine author Stephen King’s “The Shining,” namely, “Dr. Sleep,” readers welcome the first in a raft of pending releases from favorite authors. I’m not referencing the umpteen new releases by self-published authors, but those who are traditionally published, as book clubs tend to prefer. Scribner published this one, in which Danny is a middle-age alcoholic working at a hospice in New England. But, dear us, he’s in for some trouble with a caravan of weirdo human parasites seeking children with “the shining.” Gulp.

Others with New England ties are busy publishing, or preparing, new work:

Andre Dubus III, who grew up along the Merrimack River (read “Townie”) and teaches at UMass Lowell, has just released “Dirty Love.” He can write heartrendingly about emotional loss, and in this series of linked novellas he explores our deepest, most painful needs and weaknesses.

Longtime Massachusetts resident and Dedham native Anita Shreve releases a new novel, “Stella Bain,” in November. The title character suffers from shell shock (we call it post-traumatic stress disorder) and is taken in by a London surgeon’s family during World War I. An American nurse, she has no recollection of what happened to her on a French battlefield.

Jenna Blum, of “Those Who Save Us” and “Storm Chasers” fame is a Boston regular now living in the Midwest. She says she just finished a novella called “The Lucky One” for an anthology to be released next summer. All of the contributors to “Grand Central” are women writing about World War II, with the action in each set within Grand Central Station on the same day in 1945. Pretty cool sounding. “I had the joyous surprise of falling in love with my own story while writing it,” Jenna said. “I hope you’ll enjoy it too.”

Hank Phillippi Ryan—yes, the indefatigable journalist and mystery writer who ferrets out the dirt in consumer fraud for WHDH TV, Boston—is on a book tour now for “The Wrong Girl.” Her latest in the new Jane Ryland series, ‘Wrong Girl’ is winning kudos among reviewers. You can meet and greet her at a reading on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in Southboro Public Library. This “nerve-wracking” thriller (mystery writers love to hear that!) delves into an adoption agency scandal.

On tour lately as well is Chris Bohjalian, Vermont columnist and author of numerous novels, including “Midwives” and “The Sandcastle Girls.” His latest, released three months ago, is “The Light in the Ruins.” I flew through this World War II-era mystery, which includes a little romance, thank you. He’s unpredictable in his book topics, and this one’s a thriller which takes place on an Italian estate during the Nazi “collaboration.” Be prepared for romance and murder.

When Jodi Picoult addressed a packed Hanover Theatre in 2012, she was speaking about “Lone Wolf,” a new novel. Now, a year later, she has been touring for a newer novel—“The Storyteller”—which is about the Holocaust (paperback will be out in February). Picoult, of Hanover, N.H., is already at work on another book for release next year, “Leaving Time.” It’s a novel about grief, loss and, umm … elephants.

Concord resident and presidential biographer Doris Kearns Goodwin releases her latest, “The Bully Pulpit,” next week. This history explores the friendship between Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft leading up to their battle for the presidential nomination in 1912. Their fight divided the progressive wing of the Republican party and resulted in Woodrow Wilson’s election. Kearns Goodwin also writes about the legendary “muckraking” press, which gave birth to a spirit of reform supporting Roosevelt. On the side, she writes about baseball.

Speaking of history, Cape Cod resident and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian (twice) David McCullough completed his French fixation with “The Greater Journey” (about American artists who lived in Paris) and is researching a work on early aviation history by reading dozens of books on the subject. Expect it in a year or two! On his own, though, he’s an avid Ruth Rendell mystery fan.

Book groups in the region

NOW Book Group in Worcester will discuss “At Home in the World” by Joyce Maynard on Nov. 11. Maynard was only 18 when she received a letter from author J. D. Salinger, who claimed that they were soul mates—although they’d never met. After a few visits, Salinger persuaded her to leave college and move in with him. This is a memoir of their relationship and Maynard’s struggle to move beyond it.

The Douglas Library Book Group reports, through member Ellie Chesebrough: “We're reading ‘And the Mountains Echoed’ by Khaled Hosseini, for discussion on Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m., a novel about how we take care of one another, and how the choices we make resonate through generations.” Call the library 508-476-2695 to reserve a copy of the book. New members are welcome, and homemade refreshments inspired by the title will be served.

The C.S. Lewis Society Book Club meets Nov. 2 to discuss the second part of Edith Nesbit’s “Five Children and It.”Meeting is at 9 a.m. in Auburn public Library. A second session, “Fifty Years On: Reflections on the Life and Legacy of C.S. Lewis,” is slated for 9 a.m., Nov. 16. Members also plan to watch and discuss the film, “The Life and Faith of C.S. Lewis: The Magic Never Ends.”

The Pearle L. Crawford Library in Dudley has begun a book group, reports Karen Wall, director. On Nov. 7, at 6 p.m., members (readers welcome) will discuss Jenna Blum’s “Those Who Save Us,” an absorbing novel about a mother’s courage in tragic circumstances during World War II. Coming up on Dec. 5 is “Clara and Mr. Tiffany,” by Susan Vreeland.