First Novel Race
The Gargoyle, which has been touted as the next hot debut novel of the summer comes out tomorrow. It happens that two other debut novels with similarly high expectations came out last Tuesday; The Lace Reader and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. All three have had major media and review attention and are getting major retailer promotion.
Library ordering patterns for each title are similar, but holds reveal another story. Adding up the holds at four large library systems, one title is clearly in the lead:
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society — 447 holds on 59 copies
The Lace Reader — 281 holds on 86 copies
The Gargoyle — 145 holds on 68 copies
Here’s what each book has going for it:
The Gargoyle, Andrew Davidson, Doubleday, 8/05, 978-0385524940
[ewbooks id=”19″]
Prepub stories:
in BOTH USA Today and the Wall Street Journal
Numbers:
Sold for $1.25 million
125,000 copy first printing
Major reviews:
Cover of this week’s Washington Post Book World
Daily NYT review by Janet Maslin
Entertainment Weekly – the above are positive,
but EW gave it a “D”
Librarian support:
Williamsburg Regional Library site
Comments on Early Word
The Lace Reader, Brunonia Barry, William Morrow, 7/29, 978-0061624766
[ewbooks id=”159″]
Backstory covered by:
Originally self-pubbed, then picked up for
a reported $2 million, two-book deal
Retail support:
“Pennie’s Pick” in August Costco Connection
Featured as one of seven “Best of the Month” for August on Amazon
Major reviews:
Daily NYT review by Janet Maslin
Washington Post Book World, 8/03
People Pick, 8/11 issue
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, Dial Press, 7/29, 978-0385340991
[ewbooks id=”160″]
Prepub story:
The Wall Street Journal, 7/12
Numbers:
Shipping over 100,000 copies
Retail support:
#1 Indie Next List selection for August
“B&N Recommends” title for August
Librarian support:
Mary Ellen on Booklist‘s Book Group Buzz says
it’s an “imperfect book,” but perfect for book
clubs, because, like Water for Elephants,
it “provides multiple avenues for discussion.”
Major reviews:
Daily NYT review by Janet Maslin
August 4th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
There is also a review of “The Guernsey . . . ” in the 8/4/08 NEWSWEEK, p. 76.