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Fiction meets non-fiction: A mashup

Swapna Krishna — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 11:31:00 -0700

Which is better -- fiction or non-fiction? We've paired some favorite fiction reads with some non-fiction suggestions that explore similar themes in our monthly fiction meets non-fiction mashup!

Must-read: And Laughter Fell from the Sky by Jyotsna Sreenivasan

Swapna Krishna — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:11:00 -0700

The struggle between doing what is expected of you and following your heart is a familiar one across cultures and time periods -- after all, Jyotsna Sreenivasan was inspired to write And Laughter Fell from the Sky after reading Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth. A bright and unique story of an Indian woman struggling to be who her family wants to be, And Laughter Fell from the Sky is a story that will resonate, regardless of your cultural background.

RED HOT BOOK OF THE WEEK: Wool by Hugh Howey

Swapna Krishna — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 08:00:00 -0700

Self-publishing is becoming much more than a trend -- it's a phenomenon, with countless numbers of writers choosing to put their own work in print. While self-publishing usually isn't the road to fame, riches or glory, a few writers -- including E.L. James, author of 50 Shades of Grey and Amanda Hocking, the paranormal author who has since landed herself a traditional publishing contract -- manage to rise up and make a name for themselves. Hugh Howey, author of the Wool series is another of these self-published authors.

RED HOT BOOK OF THE WEEK: Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews

Swapna Krishna — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 09:00:00 -0700

Summer is all about escapist fiction, finding yourself in another place, reading about the lives of people who could be your closest friends. Mary Kay Andrews is an expert at these books -- her delightful novels always have a satisfying romantic twist and are perfect for a relaxing day at the pool. Her latest novel Spring Fever is funny, charming, and compulsively readable, which is why it's our Red Hot Book of the Week.

Fiction meets TV: A Girls mashup

Swapna Krishna — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:00:00 -0700

We all love our television shows. If you’re looking for something to fill your time while you're waiting for the next episode of your favorite series to air, turn to books! Each month, we'll pair a popular TV show with some of our favorite fiction and non-fiction reads to keep you completely satisfied. This month, we're focused on the brand new HBO hit Girls -- and which books you can read to get your Girls fix.

Must-read: What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

Swapna Krishna — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:05:00 -0700

From the movie The Vow starring Rachel McAdams to the slew of recent women's fiction, women suffering from memory loss seems to be a popular topic this year in film and literature. Liane Moriarty's novel What Alice Forgot takes this familiar plot line and makes it fresh and new. We couldn't get enough of Alice and stayed up late into the night to discover whether she would find the happiness she so wanted.

RED HOT BOOK OF THE WEEK: QuickieChick’s Cheat Sheet to Life

Swapna Krishna — Sun, 27 May 2012 07:00:00 -0700

Whether you're a fan of the popular QuickieChick website or are completely new to it, you'll find something to love in QuickieChick’s Cheat Sheet to Life. It contains smart tips for independent, strong women, which makes it our Red Hot Book of the Week.

5 Memorial Day weekend reads

Swapna Krishna — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:17:00 -0700

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to summer -- a weekend of barbecues, grilling and lounging by the pool. Whether you're outside on a beach or inside hiding from the rain -- because it always seems to rain on Memorial Day! -- here are a few book picks to keep you entertained over the weekend.

Adventures in e-reading: Worth the download

Swapna Krishna — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:42:00 -0700

Each month, Swapna Krishna from S. Krishna's Books brings us the hottest titles to download to our e-readers -- from the enhanced e-books everyone is buzzing about to the books you didn't even know you wanted.

RED HOT BOOK OF THE WEEK: Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens

Swapna Krishna — Sun, 20 May 2012 07:45:00 -0700

Chevy Stevens burst onto the psychological thriller scene with her intensely creepy novel, Still Missing. Whether readers loved it or hated it, they agreed that it was compulsively readable, and they raced to finish it. Now Stevens' second book, Never Knowing, is being released in paperback, and it's just as incredible as her first. We stayed up late, breathlessly reading this book, which is why it's our Red Hot Book of the Week.

Fiction meets non-fiction: A mashup

Swapna Krishna — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:50:00 -0700

Which is better -- fiction or non-fiction? We've paired some favorite fiction reads with some non-fiction suggestions that explore similar themes in our monthly fiction meets non-fiction mashup!

Where the Wild Things Are: Maurice Sendak Dies at Age 83

Swapna Krishna — Tue, 08 May 2012 16:30:00 -0700

SheKnows would like to pay tribute to Maurice Sendak, children's author and illustrator, who died Tuesday. He was 83 years old.

Must-read: The Lola Quartet by Emily St. John Mandel

Swapna Krishna — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:00:00 -0700

Emily St. John Mandel has found success at Unbridled Books, a small, independent press that focuses on literary fiction. Both Last Night in Montreal and The Singer's Gun brought Mandel widespread critical acclaim for her engaging story lines and beautiful writing style. Now Mandel is back with her third book The Lola Quartet. We couldn't stop reading this impressive book as we were desperate to discover how everything turned out, which is why it's our must-read.

RED HOT BOOK OF THE WEEK: Overseas by Beatriz Williams

Swapna Krishna — Sun, 13 May 2012 10:22:00 -0700

Beatriz Williams' debut novel Overseas has been compared to none other than Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. While it often does a book a disservice to be compared to such a hit author since it can raise expectations to unreasonable levels, in this case, the comparison is a good one. Williams' time travel/romance novel will feel familiar to fans of Gabaldon; it kept us reading late into the night as we frantically flipped the pages to discover what would happen to Kate and Julian, which is why it's our Red Hot Book of the Week.

Fiction meets TV: A White Collar mashup

Swapna Krishna — Fri, 11 May 2012 09:41:00 -0700

We all love our television shows. If you’re looking for something to fill your time in the long wait until the next season, turn to books! Each month, we'll pair a popular television show with some of our favorite fiction and non-fiction reads to keep you completely satisfied. This month, we're focused on the hit White Collar -- and which books you can read to get your White Collar fix.

RED HOT BOOK OF THE WEEK: Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton

Swapna Krishna — Sun, 06 May 2012 09:00:00 -0700

Screenwriter Rosamund Lupton burst onto the writing scene with her debut novel Sister. Haunting and chilling, it followed the story of Beatrice after the body of her younger sister, Tess, is found in a building in Hyde Park, London. Written as a letter to Tess, the book recounts Beatrice's search for her sister's murderer. Now, Rosamund Lupton is back with her second book, Afterwards, about a school fire and a mother's search for the person who tried to kill her daughter. We stayed up late into the night reading this shocking thriller, which is why it's our Red Hot Book of the Week.

5 Paperback original picks

Swapna Krishna — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:15:00 -0700

Hardcover books are great, beautiful on the shelf, but sadly they can be expensive. But did you know that there are books that are released straight into paperback? They're called "paperback originals," and we have five wonderful picks for you that aren't only easy on the wallet, they're a perfect choice for Mother's Day!

Must-read: In the Bag by Kate Klise

Swapna Krishna — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:00:00 -0700

Kate Klise is an author well-known in the world of teen novels, and now she's about to make a splash on the adult scene as well. Her adult debut In the Bag is a fun romance about finding love in the most random of ways -- through a mix-up at the airport baggage claim. The book is actually based on a note Kate once found in her own bag. Readers will love the breezy nature of this book and will stay up late to discover whether these characters find love, which makes it a must-read for us.

RED HOT BOOK OF THE WEEK: The Lilac House by Anita Nair

Swapna Krishna — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:00:00 -0700

The Lilac House is a beautiful portrait of grief. Anita Nair's two main characters mourn the changing winds of life -- all that they have lost, as well as their hopes for the future. The author writes wonderfully about issues facing modern-day India. The complex characters and the hard truths they must face had us reading late into the night, which is why this is our Red Hot Book of the Week.

Must-read: All Woman and Springtime by Brandon W. Jones

Swapna Krishna — Tue, 01 May 2012 06:45:00 -0700

All Woman and Springtime is so complex and beautiful that it's difficult to believe it's author Brandon W. Jones' debut. Jones tackles the land behind the Iron Curtain, North Korea, as he weaves the chilling tale of a girl named Gi who grew up in a forced-labor camp. Jones' wonderful prose, intricate characters and heartbreaking story make this book a must-read for us.