Christina Clancy
The best advice my writer friend Lauren Fox gave me when I told her I was going to meet my publisher was this: let them stuff books into your arms! I was like a kid in a candy store in the offices of St. Martin's Press. All the shelves are filled with galleys, ARCs and hard copies of books I want to read, many of which aren't even out yet. Now my TBR pile (To Be Read) is higher than ever, and I can't wait to dive into all the books they gave me. Here are the novels I grabbed. Sorry most of them aren't out yet, but that's what the goodreads "want to read" button is for.
- I've started reading THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY, a book by my "imprint sister" Natalie Jenner. Her book comes out a week before mine, in May, and it's about an unlikely group of people who, in the 1940's, visit the town of Chawton, where Jane Austen lived, and fight to preserve her legacy. I'm loving it so far! She renders the characters with such sensitivity and subtlety, and there's absolutely no doubt that the author has the Austen bonafides to write this novel.
I also snagged Therese Ann Fowler's book A Good Neighborhood, not only because I love her historical fiction and am eager to see this new direction she's taking, or because it's such a talked-about novel already, and it isn't even coming out until February. But also because one of my concentrations for my PhD is suburban literature, and if I could come back in another life, I'd become an urban planner. I just love all the messy dynamics of houses and neighbors, especially when they start behaving badly.
- Another book I keep hearing about -- and, good news, it's out now -- is Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center. Not only is it getting great reviews and lots of buzz, it also has a beautiful cover (can you tell I'm that wine buyer who picks bottles by the label design?). My grandfather was a Fire Chief in Denver, and I love stories set in firehouses.
- Another book that's out and super buzzy with over 32,000 ratings is Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuisten. I heard that all the people in the press were going crazy for this book in the early days of acquisition, and when that happens you know it's good, because publishing industry insiders read so many novels. I mean really, how do they read so much?
Another book that was on my summer reading list that I loved, and didn't pick up at the press, was Karen Dukess's The Last Book Party. I'd heard about the novel long before publication because it is set in Truro, the town next to Wellfleet, where my novel is set. I drove all the way from Madison to The Book Stall in Winnetka last July to attend Karen's reading. She was so kind and smart, and the book is a joy to read. I think I'll re-read it in January when I'm missing summer. If Karen comes to your town, I definitely encourage you to attend her reading.
- I've started reading THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY, a book by my "imprint sister" Natalie Jenner. Her book comes out a week before mine, in May, and it's about an unlikely group of people who, in the 1940's, visit the town of Chawton, where Jane Austen lived, and fight to preserve her legacy. I'm loving it so far! She renders the characters with such sensitivity and subtlety, and there's absolutely no doubt that the author has the Austen bonafides to write this novel.
I also snagged Therese Ann Fowler's book A Good Neighborhood, not only because I love her historical fiction and am eager to see this new direction she's taking, or because it's such a talked-about novel already, and it isn't even coming out until February. But also because one of my concentrations for my PhD is suburban literature, and if I could come back in another life, I'd become an urban planner. I just love all the messy dynamics of houses and neighbors, especially when they start behaving badly.
- Another book I keep hearing about -- and, good news, it's out now -- is Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center. Not only is it getting great reviews and lots of buzz, it also has a beautiful cover (can you tell I'm that wine buyer who picks bottles by the label design?). My grandfather was a Fire Chief in Denver, and I love stories set in firehouses.
- Another book that's out and super buzzy with over 32,000 ratings is Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuisten. I heard that all the people in the press were going crazy for this book in the early days of acquisition, and when that happens you know it's good, because publishing industry insiders read so many novels. I mean really, how do they read so much?
Another book that was on my summer reading list that I loved, and didn't pick up at the press, was Karen Dukess's The Last Book Party. I'd heard about the novel long before publication because it is set in Truro, the town next to Wellfleet, where my novel is set. I drove all the way from Madison to The Book Stall in Winnetka last July to attend Karen's reading. She was so kind and smart, and the book is a joy to read. I think I'll re-read it in January when I'm missing summer. If Karen comes to your town, I definitely encourage you to attend her reading.
More Answered Questions
Shelly Glennon
asked
Christina Clancy:
Hey Christina, We have Shoulder Season on our book club agenda for August this year and I'm hoping you'll have some discussion questions ready by then. Can you share them with us please? Thanks! We're so excited to dig into your newest work! LOVED The Second Home! Shelly
Michele
asked
Christina Clancy:
I just finished THE SECOND HOME and am experiencing a total book hangover; I cannot move on from Cape Cod, Ann, Poppy and Michael. I came on here to see what else you have written and could not exit without leaving a message to tell you how much I enjoyed your first novel. I adore Cape Cod, have visited many times over the years and after reading you book I know I need to visit again. You brought it to life for me?
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