By Ron Charles, book critic for The Washington Post
This year is already off to a good start:
Adam Roth's brilliant new novel, "Amusement World" Steeped in nostalgia, sprinkled with love and sadness. It's New York, 1980: Griffin Hurt is a successful teen actor who just wants to pass his classes, excel on the wrestling team, and date pretty girls, but he must deal with fame, his parents' ambitions, The predatory adult, and his own desire for authenticity.
Drawing from his experience as a child actor, Roth blends the innocence of a child with the wry reflections of a man to create an irresistibly ambitious story.
Read the excerpt: "Game World" by Adam Ross
"Amusement World" Author: Adam Ross (Knopf) Available in hardcover, e-book and audio formats via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and bookstore website
follow Adam Ross on Instagram
As you leaf through this winter's new books, you're unlikely to find a more charming novel. "Truffles." Kira Jane Buxton's tale of truffle mania takes us to Italy and delivers pages and pages of buttery comedy.
It begins with a small Tuscan village dying and a new mayor eager to attract tourists. Luckily, in a nearby forest, a truffle hunter and his dog are about to discover the world's largest truffle.
This is a miracle that may bring immeasurable wealth and world attention, or it may bring unimaginable disaster!
Read the excerpt: "Tartufo" by Kira Jean Buxton
“truffle” By Kira Jane Buxton (Grand Central Publishing), available in hardcover, e-book and audio formats, via January 28 Amazon, Barnes & Noble and bookstore website
kirajanebuxton.com
Tired of winter? In Alafair Burke's New Thriller "Comments" Three women who have been friends for years gather in the Hamptons for a sun-filled vacation.
One night, on their way to dinner, a couple in a white car stopped them and took their parking spot. One of the women angrily left a curse note on his windscreen. It was just a prank after all. But the next day, the driver disappears... and the three friends become embroiled in an investigation that could reveal all kinds of deadly secrets.
Read the excerpt: "Notes" by Alaphile Burke
"Comments" By Alafair Burke (Knopf) Available in hardcover, large print trade paperback, e-book, and audio formats via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and bookstore website
Alafair Burke website
Next month, legendary Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates will publish his first memoir. exist "Source Code: My Beginning" Gates reportedly reflected on his childhood, awkward adolescence and the experiences that led him into the then-burgeoning world of computing.
This memoir promises to reveal the growing up life of one of today's most revolutionary figures - whose products changed the way we work and whose philanthropy is now racing to save the world.
"Source Code: My Beginning" By Bill Gates (Knopf) Available in hardcover, large print trade paperback, e-book and audio formats, by February 4 Amazon, Barnes & Noble and bookstore website
Gates Notes: Bill Gates' website
This is a book report. For these and other suggestions on what to read this winter, talk to your local bookseller or librarian
I'm Ron Charles. Until next time, keep reading!
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Produced by Robin Sanders and Cameron Jimenez. Editor: Libby Fabricatore.
For more reading suggestions, check out Ron Charles’ previous book report features: