Hi readers,

Welcome to READ IT FORWARD! October is National Reading Group Month—and we want to celebrate by offering you our hand-picked reading recommendations, downloadable reader’s guides, book group recipes, author chats, book group profiles, creative ideas for your group, and fabulous “Read It First” advance copy giveaways.

If you have written in and received a “Read It First” book, if you keep a blog about your favorite books, or if you would like to share the story of your book group, EMAIL US HERE. We’d love to hear from you!

Read on and enjoy—and happy NATIONAL READING GROUP MONTH!

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READ IT FIRST!

What could be better than learning about great new reads? GETTING FREE ADVANCE COPIES OF GREAT NEW READS!

Email us to request a book—see links below. The first 200 readers to write in will receive the book of their choice. One book request per email address, please. No purchase necessary. While supplies last.  

One morning, Jillian Westfield wakes up seven years in the past. Before her daughter was born. Before she married Henry and had the perfect suburban life. Suddenly she’s back in her post-grad-school Ikea-furnished Manhattan apartment. She’s back in her fast-paced job with the advertising agency. And she’s still with Jackson, the ex-boyfriend and star of her what-if fantasies. She learns that happiness, it turns out, isn’t an either-or proposition. As she closes in on all the things she thought she wanted, Jillian must confront the greatest what-if of all: What if the problem was never Henry or Jackson, but her?

CLICK HERE for the reader's guide.

Creative Idea for Your Book Group
Share your own “What If?” moments with your group and have fun speculating on what could have been. Would you make the same choices if given the chance to go back in time?

To request a copy of TIME OF MY LIFE, EMAIL US HERE and include your mailing address.

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“One doesn’t expect a nonfiction book to be fascinating, chilling, thoughtful, and funny in equal measure. This one is.”
—Kurt Andersen

Spice up your reading list with something completely different: Richard Dooling’s look at the coming era of Singularity, when machines outthink humans. If computers become twice as fast and twice as capable every two years, how long is it before they’re as intelligent as humans? More intelligent? And then in two more years, twice as intelligent? How long before you won’t be able to tell if you are texting a person or an especially ingenious chatterbot program designed to simulate intelligent human conversation?

Creative Idea for Your Book Group
Pair RAPTURE FOR THE GEEKS with one of the classic science fiction novels Dooling discusses. You’ll be amazed at how many things predicted in these works of speculative fiction have already come true.

To request a copy of RAPTURE FOR THE GEEKS, EMAIL US HERE and include your mailing address.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Allison Winn Scotch	A Today Show Top 10 must-read for the season “Scotch's novel is a clever, entertaining look at the compromises women make—and the dangers of getting what you asked for.” —People “After this hilarious read, you may just return to your crazy-busy routine a little happier.” —Redbook “Book pick of the month. Insightful and honest, Winn Scotch keeps it light but delves in the dark doubts of the road not taken.” —Family Circle Book critics agree that TIME OF MY LIFE is a delight, and its author is just as delightful! Learn why reviewers and readers are singing her praises by inviting Allison to join your book group discussion. CLICK HERE for the reader's guide. Visit Allison at AllisonWinn.com. to set up your author chat and check out her blog at AllisonWinnScotch.blogspot.com.
Erika Mailman	In the Q&A featured on her website, Erika reveals the genesis of THE WITCH’S TRINITY: “I was driving my car, listening to an audiotaped lecture series called ‘The Terror of History’ by UCLA history professor Teo Ruiz. Ruiz said something that just blew my mind: that sometimes family members accused other members of witchcraft because they were so hungry. I thought, ‘What kind of hell does your life have to be that you will offer up a family member so that there is one less plate upon the table?’ I was appalled and shaken at this very different interpretation of the word ‘family.’” Learn more by contacting Erika and get the unique insider information that will make your book group meeting extra special! Visit Erika at ErikaMailman.com to set up your author chat and check out her blog at ErikaMailman.blogspot.com.

FAN FAVORITES

THE WITCH’S TRINITY

A San Francisco Chronicle Notable Book of 2007 and a Bram Stoker Award finalist “A gripping, well-told story of faith and truth.” —Khaled Hosseini, bestselling author of The Kite Runner “A disturbingly effective historical novel.” —Boston Globe “Beautifully written, nary a word out of place, and with a few moments that throw you beyond—the way good books do...deeply satisfying.” —San Francisco Chronicle Just in time for Halloween, the paperback of THE WITCH’S TRINITY—a perfect October pick for your book group! The year is 1507, and severe famine strikes a small town in Germany. A friar arrives from a large city, claiming that the town is under the spell of witches in league with the devil. He brings with him a book called The Malleus Maleficarum—“The Witch’s Hammer.” It is a guide to gaining confessions of witchcraft. The friar promises he will identify the guilty woman who has brought God’s anger upon the town, burn her, and restore bounty. Visit ErikaMailman.com for more! BLOGGER REVIEWS • The Literate Housewife Review — October is “Witch’s Trinity Spotlight Month” at The Literate Housewife Review. Don’t miss Erika’s guest blog on October 23 and her interview on October 31! • The Historical Novel Review

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TO HOLD THE CROWN

“Plaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama.” —New York Times Henry Tudor was not born to the throne of England. Having come of age in a time of political turmoil and danger, the man who would become Henry VII spent fourteen years in exile in Brittany before returning triumphantly to the Dorset coast with a small army and decisively winning the Battle of Bosworth Field—ending the War of the Roses once and for all and launching the infamous Tudor dynasty. Jean Plaidy brought the Tudors to life long before the hit Showtime series, and you’ll want to dive right in to the drama with TO HOLD THE CROWN. BLOGGER REVIEWS • Reading, Raving, and Ranting by a Historical Fiction Writer

RECIPES FOR YOUR BOOK GROUP

THE ESSENTIAL COCKTAIL “Dale DeGroff is the Oracle, the Yoda, the Walking Buddha of mixology. Simply put: If you're having an argument about how to make a particular cocktail? Whoever quotes DeGroff wins.” —Anthony Bourdain “With this guide in hand, perfect drinks are no longer difficult alchemy, but easy sipping instead.” —Mario Batali “Dale DeGroff is the Grand Master Chef of cocktail making.” —Bobby Flay Put away that bottle of merlot and kick-start your book group meeting with cocktails that will inspire and enliven your discussion! The diverse recipes here are so creative, you’re sure to find one that ties in perfectly with the book you’re reading this—and every—month. FREE RECIPE! CLICK HERE for the easy and delicious recipe for an Essential Cocktail Toddy.

BLOGGERS WANTED

Have you blogged about a Crown, Shaye Areheart Books, Harmony Books, Clarkson Potter, or Three Rivers Press title? CLICK HERE to see which of your favorite books we publish.

If you have reviewed one of our books, EMAIL US HERE and include a link to your review post. Your blog may be featured in an upcoming issue of READ IT FORWARD!

Thank you, bloggers, for your enthusiastic reviews of great Crown reads!

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