Tag: new release

An Odd Pairing?

John GuillenLeave a comment

When it comes to co-writing it seems the practice has taken off in recent years. James Patterson may have been the one to popularize it, but many other authors are doing the same.

It was announced earlier in the week that authors Steve Hamilton (one of my faves) has teamed up with super author Janet Evanovich on a forthcoming book titled The Bounty.

Janet Evanovich has sold more books than just about anyone else. To my knowledge she has also co-written previous works with other authors too. Steve Hamilton (I own every one of his books) has not. On the one hand there’s Hamilton, who has won multiple Edgar awards but only managed to notch two bestsellers. On the other Evanovich can sell a million books in her sleep.

This comes across as a unique pairing. Hamilton is not one of the assembly line authors pumping out book after book after book. I have no more knowledge than anyone, but to me this may be a way to introduce her readers to Hamilton in an attempt to gauge potential interest in him continuing her series once she’s no longer writing. She’s 77 and the book is part of an already established series . But who knows?

I’m not a particular fan of authors teaming up to write, but I’m nobody. What do you think?

The Bounty will be released March 23.

Number 50 – Mexican Gothic

John GuillenLeave a comment

I did it! 50 books in a single calendar year for the first time! I know I’ve been mentioning this quite a bit, but it really makes me happy to have finally accomplished an annual goal I’ve been setting for over a decade. I decided I’m going to start posting every review I write on Goodreads on here too. Tomorrow I’ll have a thorough reflection on 2020 and thoughts on what’s to come in 2021, but today I leave you with my review of one of the most talked about books of the year. Hope you reached your goal!

Noemí Taboada receives a strange letter from her cousin, Catalina and sets off to see she’s okay. What she finds is right out of a horror novel.

This was the first time I’ve ever read a book during it’s original publication year. I’d be lying if I didn’t acknowledge I bought this because of the hype. I am not familiar with the author or any of her previous work. But this book seemed to be everywhere after its release.

What I wanted when starting this book was to read a Mexican story for the first time. Immediately Noemí leaves Mexico City and where does she go? To an English family. It doesn’t come across as any different than a story set in NY.

While reading there were two stories I found myself comparing this to. Dracula and The Strain, but much more heavily toward The Strain. Howard Doyle is a copy of The Master. The major difference is he isn’t building an army to take over the world.

The most enjoyable part of the story is no doubt Noemí. She takes no shit. She stands up for herself and her cousin, and even Francis for some reason.

The author has an enjoyable writing style with vivid descriptions that create stunning images as you read. But the story is incredibly slow to start. If it could have moved along at a quicker pace, it could have been a great book. 2 stars.

A Promised Land Breaks the Bookstore

John Guillen2 Comments

I really thought that was a clever title. 😂

I wrote last week about President Obama’s first volume of his new memoir. Everyone knew it would sell well. But in reality, it sold 1.7 million copies its first week in North America. I haven’t seen the numbers in other regions.

I don’t know what the break even point for the publisher is, but the Obamas received a mammoth publishing deal a few years back of $50M+. How long until the two of them have their own imprint somewhere? It wouldn’t even matter if it focused on a specific genre or set of issues. It has to be in the works, right? What do you think? Did you get the book?

A Highly Anticipated New Release

John GuillenLeave a comment

Today former President Obama’s first volume of his presidential memoirs will be released. It’s likely on par with any new release of the last decade.

I didn’t pre-order and likely won’t be buying it soon, but just its release got me thinking about 2018’s Becoming by Michelle Obama. I read recently it has sold more than 10 million copies. Of you can recall, her book tour was a massive success in cities all over the country and crowds filling arenas to see her speak about her experiences and her book.

There will be no such tour for Barack. With Covid-19 cases surging in many parts of the country and restrictions being put in place again, any event would be virtual. No one here feels sorry for him. He’s living his best life. But I do think having a book tour would have given lots of people the chance to hear from him directly up close and personal. I’m sure he’s still going to sell millions of books.

Malcolm Gladwell Is Publishing a New Book

John GuillenLeave a comment

I’m probably the only person who has read just *one* of his books. Outliers. It was assigned by my university to all incoming freshman when I started there and there was a bit of a discussion afterward.

Now he’s releasing a book titled Talking to Strangers and I’ve just read a little about it. It sounds excellent. Because who of us really has any idea what to do when we’re talking with or interacting with someone we don’t know at all? Not me!

Have you read any of his previous books?

Breaking A Rule

John Guillen1 Comment

I have a rule. The rule is that I won’t read multiple series by the same author at the same time. Then Prime Day happened and anew release was available for $8! It’s the first book in a new series by an author I really enjoy. I’ve resisted the urge to pick it up and start reading for about a month I’m just about ready to break my rule and start it. After all, I haven’t finished anything since February. 

To Meet or Not To Meet

John GuillenLeave a comment

Michael Connelly is coming to Houston next month in support of his new book. I haven’t had the chance to meet him before. I’m thinking I might want to. But of course my schedule has to allow me to.

Meeting authors is always interesting. You gain insight and persepective you can’t obtain any other way. Social media is nice, but it just isn’t quite the same as having them right in front of you speaking about their experience and writing.

I’m thinking I’ll likely meet him. I mean, he created Harry Bosch. 

James Patterson has a new Co-writer

John Guillen2 Comments

AND HIS NAME IS JOHN CENA! 😂

I really can’t resist any opportunity to type that out. I don’t think y’all find it nearly as entertaining as I do. But meh.

The real person Patterson is co writing a book with is President Clinton. No, this isn’t an alternate universe in which Hillary actually won. It’s Bill. Bill Clinton and James Patterson are writing a book together. Welp.

The quality of Patterson’s work is what it is. I simply don’t see how this would do anything to change that. Bill Clinton has never written a novel. But Patterson does whatever he possibly can to sell as many books as he can. This appears to fall in line with the things he’s done before.

Do you have any interest in a book written by President Clinton and James Patterson? I know I don’t.

Two Books I’m Looking Forward to Reading

John GuillenLeave a comment

I haven’t read anything since early February, though technically that isn’t true since I started and stopped The Great Gatsby. I guess I should say I haven’t finished anything since February.

American War

I’ve written about this book on here already. It’s still pulling me to the cusp of purchase, though I’ve held off so far.

Shattered

This is also a new release. It tells the story of Hillary Clinton’s failed bid to win the presidency. On election night I was 24-years-old. I cried. It wasn’t because of the upset victory no one saw coming, it was because I couldn’t imagine Donald Trump leading my country forward into the 21st century. All he’s done is roll back environmental protections, try to ban people from coming here, nominate Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, and is now backing AHCA.

This book will take me back to election night. I’m not sure what I hope to gain from reading it. I’ll gain something.

I’m planning to finally start Thirteen Reasons Why today. So that’s also on my list. 

Wait, What?

John GuillenLeave a comment

Bill O’Reilly is essentially always in the news. Recently it’s been for some serious things that have happened in the past. It was recently reported by the NYT that Fox News has settled multiple sexual harassment allegations made against O’Reilly for millions of dollars.

This isn’t the point of this post because wherever you get your news has surely reported on the latest developments. The point of this is to tell you that a book on “family values” written by O’Reilly was just published during the same week these allegations and settlements have come to light. Hollywood couldn’t write this stuff.

I’m not even surprised by this. It often seems that those who are the worst examples of people want to tell others how they should or shouldn’t act.

The book is called Old School and is available wherever books are sold. I know you’re eager to get your hands on it.