A recent New York Times Magazine cover boldly proclaimed, “The best book you’ll read this year is George Saunders Tenth of December.“ Since it’s only January, it’s not surprising that this headline raised some eyebrows. Is Saunders’ short story collection really that good?

If you haven’t read Saunders, don’t be ashamed. Although he’s been popular among other writers, and has a very dedicated fan base, he’s certainly not a household name. But Tenth of December should change that. For this collection, Saunders has once again received glowing praise from his fellow writers:

“Tenth of December shows George Saunders at his most subversive, hilarious, and emotionally piercing. Few writers can encompass that range of adjectives, but Saunders is a true original—restlessly inventive, yet deeply humane.”—Jennifer Egan, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of A Visit from the Goon Squad
 
“George Saunders is a complete original, unlike anyone else, thank god—and yet still he manages to be the rightful heir to three other complete American originals—Barthelme (the lyricism, the playfulness), Vonnegut (the outrage, the wit, the scope), and Twain (the common sense, the exasperation). There is no author I recommend to people more often—for ten years I’ve urged George Saunders onto everyone and everyone. You want funny? Saunders is your man. You want emotional heft? Saunders again. You want stories that are actually about something—stories that again and again get to the meat of matters of life and death and justice and country? Saunders. There is no one better, no one more essential to our national sense of self and sanity.”—Dave Eggers, author of A Hologram for the King

Take a chance on George Saunders, and think about it this way: If he’s really as good as everyone says he is, you’ll have a whole backlist of his books to explore.

Tell Me: Have you read any of George Saunders books?

I don’t know about you, but it’s REAAAAAALLY cold right now where I live, and I've been daydreaming about a nice tropical vacation. While a mid-winter break isn’t in the cards this year, I’ll settle for the next best thing: escaping into the pages of Jackie Collins' latest, The Power Trip.

Like she’s done in her dozens of bestsellers before this, Jackie Collins takes a mix of power and money, then adds a shot of romance and a dash of danger to create the perfect cocktail. This time, that cocktail's a White Russian, as a group of powerful couples set out on an oligarch’s impressive yacht, only to end up entangled with pirates on the Sea of Cortez. Another decadent delight from a master of her trade.

The Power Trip releases on February 12, but you can get a taste of the intrigue with the $0.99 prequel, now available on NOOK. Once you’ve finished the prequel, snap up Collins' full-length novel, Poor Little Bitch Girl—available for just $2.99 for a limited time.

Tell Me: Where would you like to escape with your NOOK this winter?

Contemporary romance writer Jill Shalvis is known for tugging at the heartstrings with relatable characters, complex plots, and impeccable dialogue. In the newest book in her Animal Magnetism series, Rescue My Heart, she hits the mark once again.

When veteran Adam Connelly returns to his Idaho hometown to help run his family’s animal shelter, he’s looking to mend his body and spirit. He certainly doesn’t expect to quickly be reunited with his former flame, Holly, a woman whose heart he broke many years ago, but never forgot.

Holly’s father has gone missing, and she calls upon Adam’s tracking skills to help with the search. As the former lovers take on this harrowing search, long-buried emotions come roaring back, and they’re each confronted with a difficult decision. Shalvis fans—and new readers—will once again find themselves pulled into an unforgettable romantic adventure.

NOOK owners: go to shop and search for “Jill Shalvis” to download her bestselling contemporary romances.

When you’ve been in the book business as long as I have, sometimes it seems like you’ve seen it all. With hundreds of thousands of new books published every year, there aren’t a lot of things that still possess the element of surprise.

When I heard about Tom Angleberger’s book The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee, I have to admit that I was intrigued. This latest addition to the Origami Yoda series centers around a paper fortune-teller Wookiee. You know, one of those tall hairy guys from Star Wars combined with those ‘cootie catcher’ games from school? Not exactly a plot development you run across every day.

This series is perfect for young readers who aren’t considered one of the ‘cool’ kids at school, or who gravitate to quirky, geeky pursuits. The group of friends who populate Angleberger’s books brings to mind the endearing characters from the cult favorite TV show Freaks & Geeks—a menagerie of kids who are far more interesting than the cookie-cutter popular set.

It’s important for all kids to feel like they belong, and this insightful, incredibly fun book will help make those awkward adolescent years a little bit easier. Getting lost in the pages of a hilarious, Wookiee-laden adventure is the perfect antidote to middle school angst.

NOOK owners: go to shop and search for “Tom Angleberger” to download his one-of-a-kind books.

In his mega-bestselling book, The Long Tail, author and Wired magazine editor-in-chief Chris Anderson introduced a new concept that’s changed the way businesses view consumer marketing around the world.

In his new book Makers, he offers a case for another revolutionary idea—that contrary to popular opinion, America will be a world industrial power for many years to come. The innovative spirit brought on by the Internet, and impressive  new 3D-printing technology let inventors and designers turn their dreams into a reality. While most people argue that the heyday of American manufacturing is in the past, Anderson makes a case that it’s still very much alive and well.

If you like thought-provoking books that challenge the status quo, Anderson’s latest should find its way onto your NOOK today.

A free sample excerpt from this book is available on the product page now.

NOOK owners: go to shop and search for “Chris Anderson” to download his groundbreaking books.

# 1 New York Times-bestselling author Barbara Freethy is one of NOOK readers’ most-beloved authors. Her charming contemporary romances have resonated with a generation of readers, and her most recent books have climbed to the top of the NOOK charts.

In Freethy’s newest book, When Wishes Collide, two desperate strangers make a wish, only to discover that sometimes a wish can take you down an unexpected path ... straight toward a life-changing love.

Adrianna Cavello's life changed in an instant when a break-in at her restaurant took the life of her boyfriend and left her too traumatized to return to work. Months later, with everything she's ever wanted on the line, Adrianna makes a wish by tossing a coin into a fountain known for making miracles. 

Wyatt Randall is also in need of a miracle. Two years earlier, his ex-wife kidnapped their daughter, and Wyatt is desperate to find his little girl. A new lead raises his hopes, but quickly fizzles out. When his coin clashes with another, he sees what little hope he has flying away. 

Adrianna and Wyatt soon learn that they have more in common than two coins that collided. In fighting for the lives they lost, they must learn how to trust again. Only then will they discover that meeting each other and falling in love might not be what they wished for, but exactly what they need. 

NOOK owners: go to shop and search for “Barbara Freethy” to download her many bestselling books.

T.C. Boyle is one of the most dynamic novelists writing today. His books range from a fictionalization of Frank Lloyd Wright’s love life, to the misadventures of 1970s commune life. What unites all of his novels is a dedication to authentic storytelling that comes from meticulous period research.

In Boyle’s latest book, San Miguel, he again mines the riches of a very particular time and place—the remote California island of San Miguel during the late 19^th and early 20^th century. First, an ill woman and her Civil War veteran husband land on the desolate island seeking a return to health and a chance to start anew. But this isolated and lonely life is a difficult adjustment for these city folk, and their daughter soon rebels against their simple lifestyle.

Next the story transitions to the 1930s, when a World War I veteran and his wife stake a claim on the same island. While the new life suits them, as another war looms on the horizon, the family worries that living on an island off the Pacific coast may pose dangers they hadn’t anticipated.

Publishers Weekly says of the author’s latest, “the novel is primarily a history of the land itself, unchanging despite its various visitors and residents, and as beautiful, imperfect, and unrelenting as Boyle’s characters.”

A free sample excerpt from this book is available on the product page now.

NOOK owners: go to shop and search for “T.C. Boyle” to download his one-of-a-kind bestselling novels.

Colleen Houck’s bestselling Tiger’s Curse series comes to an explosive conclusion in book number four: Tiger's Destiny. Houck’s breathtaking storytelling has enthralled young adult readers with a complex, passionate story of two shape-shifting tiger-prince brothers and the woman whose heart they both aim to capture.

In this series-concluding fourth book, Oregon teenager Kelsey sets off on a dangerous subterranean adventure with were-tiger brothers Ren and Kishan. While the epic battles and heart-pounding cliffhangers keep the plot in motion, it’s the unresolved love story that will have most readers turning the pages. Who will Kelsey choose, and will any of the parties in this love triangle live to enjoy happily-ever-after?

 
A free sample excerpt of this book is available on the product page now.

NOOK owners: go to shop and search for Colleen Houck to download this bestselling paranormal series.

Loved by generations of children, and considered one of the greatest storytellers of all time, Roald Dahl—whose 96^th birth anniversary is today—is a literary legend.

In celebration of today's anniversary, many of Dahl’s best-loved books are now available on NOOK for the first time—including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. I’ve never been much of a re-reader, but as a kid my copy of Charlie was falling apart at the seams. The author’s darkly humorous and utterly witty stories are the perfect combination of childish wonder and young adult skepticism of the adult world. That recipe is what endeared millions of fans over the years, and what keeps Dahl’s stories fresh even for adult readers.

It’s always exciting to announce the addition of classic titles for NOOK, and for me personally, these are some of the best yet.

Free sample excerpts from these books are available on the product pages now.

NOOK owners: go to shop and search for “Roald Dahl” to download his many classic novels.

“Ambitious, densely written, sometimes very funny, and fabulously over the top, here's a rare book that really could be the great American novel.” – Library Journal

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon always tackles big subjects in a uniquely relatable style. His novels—like The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, Wonder Boys, and The Yiddish Policemen’s Union—feature larger-than-life characters who still feel completely human.

In his latest impressive effort, Telegraph Avenue, Chabon explores a wide range of social and cultural issues, with a small, struggling record store at  the metaphorical center. It’s 2004 at the crossroads of Berkeley and Oakland, where Brokeland Records is taking its last gasp. Vinyl records still have cache, but the sliver of profit margin may soon disappear, as a former football star promises to open a nearby chain store that would likely bankrupt Brokeland.

Subplots of race relations, political turmoil (this is, of course, the year of the Bush/Kerry election), lifelong friendships and unexpected family drama all play a part in this nostalgia-filled romp. In true Chabon style, you can expect plenty of pop-culture references and inventive asides that give this particular time and place a distinctive and palpable presence.

NOOK owners: go to shop and search for "Michael Chabon" to pre-order this impressive novel now.