Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for the chance to read these essays and excerpts.

I haven't recognized any of the books in the other Algonquin samplers, so I was excited to recognize the titles YOUNG JANE YOUNG and AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE. I know the latter was extremely popular, and I'm happy that a local publisher (I'm in NC) found such success.

YOUNG JANE YOUNG and WOMAN AT 1,000 DEGREES both fell victim to a trend that I've noticed in these essays, where the real-life events are so interesting and vivid that the fictionalized excerpt then pales in comparison. (Also, I am confused -- is Jane Young a character that hasn't appeared yet? Or is Embeth our protagonist and a metaphorical Jane Young, like Jane Doe?) Other essays and excerpts simply didn't catch my interest in the first place.

Yet I am so grateful to this collection for getting me to consider AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE. As mentioned, I'd heard of it and knew it was popular, but never inquired further. Yet both the essay "This Is a Love Story" and the excerpt itself reeled me in and I'm looking forward to reading more of this story.

I received a complimentary review copy of The Algonquin Reader: Fall 2017 from NetGalley.

The first page describes what's in this issue, with a brief paragraph introducing each author and what their content is about. There is a total of 7 book exceprts and 7 essays included. I really enjoyed being able to preview enough of the book to know whether I'd be interested enough to read the whole thing. What makes this sampler really unique is that there is an essay before each novel excerpt.

I love the opportunity to read excerpts of the works of authors I know or want to get to know, even if the books have been around for a bit. These samplers are a privilege to read.

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones was the absolute gem of this collection. Jones inhabits the world of her characters so intensely that you almost forget you're reading a work of fiction. The themes of this story are so deeply important - love, loss, prison, racism, sexism, growth - they manage to be universal in their specificity. Deeply compelling, and a must-read.

After I saw them here I searched and read some of the books you published (although I did not see them all at Netgalley).

A guide to the fabulous publishers upcoming literature looking foward for one for20;20 books they will be publishing #netgalley#algonquinbooks

What a great selection to sample! Young Jane Young and An American Marriage are standouts to me, but I am looking forward to discovering the other titles as well.

The Algonquin Reader is an essential resource for anyone looking for new material, who are also interested in getting to know the Writer.

I adore using this publication for building my TBR to share on my bookstagram account! I request some of the books from NetGalley and put the rest on my library and purchase lists. In addition, the essays add so much depth to my reading experience :-)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I find samplers like The Algonquin Reader Fall 2017 to be exceedingly helpful in selecting choice books to add to my TBR stack. Loved reading the excerpts and essays by authors included in this fine volume. 5/5

Thanks to Algonquin Books and NetGalley for this fun read. Opinions are mine.

#TheAlgonquinReader #NetGalley

More great excerpts from books I haven't had on my radar. Every time I download an issue of Algonquin Reader I find some new titles I wouldn't have otherwise been introduced to. I love that!

I so appreciate the advance "readers" with excerpts from upcoming titles. It's very useful to read what's on the horizon and helps me to plan which titles to read in full. Thank you for offering the samplers.

A terrific book sampler! Before each sample, there is an essay written by the book sample's author. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed each essay. As I read each sample of the books, I found only one problem -- they were too short. I wanted more to read! This has been the first sampler that I read where I enjoyed each book in it. Usually I find myself not liking one or two samples. I have just added them to my next books to buy list.

This is my first sampler of Alogoquin that I have read. It was truly a great surprise to find these exquisite book samples to read. Don't miss out!

Thanks for the 'heads up' for what looks like some great fall reads.

The Algonquin Reader (Fall 2017) presented by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill is a delightful series that highlight and promote new novels by this publisher. Written with selective literary readership in mind, the brief outline chapters introduce new titles and the authors that wrote them. Many of the novelists include bio details, and explain what motivated and inspired them to write their novel—these inside stories are very interesting and not usually found in the final published copy of the book.

The seven novels featured are as follows:
Young Jane Young… Gabrelle Zevin: For 15 years, feminist Embeth has been a political wife, her observations and role as a wife and mother are discussed in detail. The main character of the book Aviva Grossman has an affair with her married boss that permanently alters her life. Zevin recalled her own bid for student office and her decision to appear as presidential as possible wearing a men’s suit.

The Floating World… C. Morgan Babst: Highlights the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the fate of a vulnerable New Orleans elderly woman. Following this natural disaster, with “refugees” sleeping in shelters in their own country, over 300 years of discrimination, political incompetence, and neglect could no longer be politely overlooked.

An American Marriage… Tayari Jones: This intriguing novel was inspired by the 1979-1981 true crime Atlanta murder case of serial killer Wayne Williams. Jones attended school with two of the young victims. Themes of love, longing, race, and loyalty are explored as a husband writes to his wife from prison after being convicted of a crime he didn’t commit.

Shadow of The Lions... Christopher Swann: As two young men prepare for college, cheating on an entrance exam is pretty serious. A students disappearance is the theme of this debut mystery novel . According to some people, there are things better left unknown; as closet doors are opened and previously hidden lives are exposed.

Woman at 1,000 Degrees… Hallgrimur Helgason: A story that takes place in Iceland, an elderly woman recalls her colorful unconventional life before living in a rented garage apartment. Stricken with Emphysema from years of smoking, she can barely function as she contemplates her life and death. Helgason is from a prominent Icelandic society family.

Strangers in Budapest… Jessica Keener: The author originally from Boston moved to Budapest with her husband and their adopted son. Rich in details of WWII, the crumbling impoverished surrounding area of Budapest, a young couple become involved with a determined elderly man who enlists them to help him find his daughter’s killer. Many buried secrets are uncovered and brought to light.

Savage Country… Robert Olmstead: The needless slaughter of large animals that took place in the later part of the 19th century—bear, wolf, elephant, hippopotamus, wiped out by men with guns. The animal populations would never to return to prior levels. In America, the massive buffalo herd of 50 million was reduced to around 500 animals. Widowed Elizabeth Coughlin, had seen too much change her Western 19th century world, and struggled with her brother-in-law Michael, and other good caring people to make things right.
With thanks to Algonquin Books via NetGalley for the direct e-copy for the purpose of review.

What a wonderful tool for librarians to have! I am finding some excellent titles through this sampler, some I'd like to give a further look. I appreciate the opportunity to get a sneak peek to help me with the ordering.

A great resource to have on hand and I used this as a book spotlight for upcoming books on my blog

So wonderful to have a glimpse into what is coming out. Enjoyed the selection given and so exciting. Many thanks for this;

I believe this is my first time reading a seasonal Algonquin Reader, but it definitely won't be my last. It's similar to Buzz Books, but the essays by each author, followed by an excerpt from their book, is brilliant. Having insights into the author's personal experience prior to reading their work adds a great deal of meaning to it, and makes the work itself more appealing. I've definitely added several of Algonquin's upcoming releases to my TBR. And I'm looking forward to future Algonquin Readers.

New Gabrielle Zevin! Be still my swiftly beating heart! I'm also really looking forward to THE FLOATING WORLD and WOMAN AT 1000 DEGREES. SAVAGE COUNTRY is intriguing, but the inevitable scenes of animal cruelty will likely deter me from giving it a try, I think.