Book Buff: Between the Covers

(Courtesy of HarperCollins)

Aside from the expensive textbooks and required novels, sometimes it’s nice to cuddle up with some hot chocolate and a nice book unrelated to class.

On Monday night, the Boulder Book Store hosted Between the Covers, an event that gave its viewers a myriad of book options, some old and some brand new, to devour in the coming year. In a comfortable setting surrounded by shelves of literature, the event drew members from various book clubs in the area. Primed with eagerness and free snacks, the room happily awaited the upcoming best reads.

Stopping by to highlight some of their personal favorites, representatives from Penguin Group USA and HarperCollins spoke about great books they just couldn’t get enough of.  Audience members were given a list of each presenter’s recommendations along with additional recommendations from the bookstore.

After walking through a book list that included many dark novels and a few lighthearted treasures, HarperCollins’ representative, Kate McCune, saved her top choice for last: “Fire Season” by Philip Connors, due to be released in April.

“[Connors] is a real find,” McCune said. “One of the pleasures for us is when you’re at the beginning of someone’s career and you’re there to help people know that this is going to be a really great writer. That’s the way I feel about this guy.”

The non-fiction novel depicts the story of a man who lives in one of the last fire-lookout towers left in America. McCune said the novel takes an intriguing look on nature and what happens when people are left in solitude.

Other books McCune recommended include:

“The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers: An Unconventional Memoir” by Josh Kilmer-Purcell

“Shadow Tag” by Louise Erdrich

“Ordinary Thunderstorms” by William Boyd

Among many others, Penguin Group USA representative Tom Benton, said he highly recommended the novel “You Know When The Men Are Gone” by Siobhan Fallon. The fictional novel, which was just released on Jan. 20, contains several short stories that explore the lives of families living in a military community in Texas.

Benton said the novel was a strong voice for people who society may not remember exist.

“It’s about the women and children at Ft. Hood and the stories of their lives,” Benton said. “It really resonated with me. It also gives you a look behind [the scenes]. We read the headlines, we watch the news, but these are the stories you don’t hear, told in a way I’ve never seen them told. She has a really great voice.”

On a more indulgent note, Benton said he thoroughly enjoyed the new fantasy book, “A Discovery of Witches” by Deborah Harkness, set to be released on March 1. The book, by first time fictional novelist Harkness, is about a woman who unwittingly unlocks a world of supernatural beings.

“If you’ve read the Twilight books and love all those [books], this is the next thing to lose yourself in,” Benton said. “Witches and vampires; it’s really fun.”

Other books Benton recommended:

“How to Read Air” by Dinaw Mengestu

“The Poison Tree” by Erin Kelly

“Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” by Amy Chua

After the two speakers finished, additional book recommendations came from members of the Boulder Book Store Staff. Events Manager Mandy King talked about a moving novel called “Little Princes” by Conor Grennan, now currently being sold at the bookstore.

Grennan’s nonfiction story chronicles his journey to Nepal and his accidental discovery of orphanages that he learns are not housing real orphans. The story follows Grennan’s ongoing quest to return these kidnapped children to their rightful homes.

“I enjoyed it because it’s a very touching story,” King said. “I just love how this one experience that was supposed to be short term ended up revolutionizing his life. It’s also an adventure story because, while he was in Nepal, there were still remnants of the civil war going. It was kind of dangerous for him to travel to these remote locations. It’s very exciting and very heartwarming at the same time.”

For more information about any novels, visit the Boulder Book Store’s website.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Stephanie Riesco at Stephanie.riesco@colorado.edu.