Evan Gottlieb

Associate Professor of English, Oregon State University

Where does the popular idea that good poetry is "nice" come from, and what -- if anything -- can or should be said against it? The short answer is that it's a legacy of Romanticism.

Maryka Biaggio

Novelist

In the realm of fiction, diagnosis serves no worthy purpose. In fact, it may even undermine the goal of character exploration.

Lois Alter Mark

Co-founder, StyleSubstanceSoul.com; Winner, BlogHer Voices of the Year "People's Choice" Award

Get ready to take the day off from work tomorrow because Hosseini's new novel, And the Mountains Echoed, is coming out and, believe me, once you start it, you're not going to want to do anything but read.

Jennifer Platow

Teacher

Like many teachers, I pitch poetry around my classroom precariously, like it's an egg toss at a child's birthday party. I don't want to drop it, turn it, or spend too long holding on to it.

Jeffery Self

Actor, writer and vlogger

You'd be surprised by the number of ways you can spot a straight person. As an example, I'm sharing this excerpt from the book, a list of some of the most popular movies amongst Heterosexuals. Non-Heterosexuals might like these movies as well, but I'm here to generalize.

Joelle Fraser

Author, 'The Forest House,' 'The Territory of Men'

I shared the disillusionment that comes from watching your Amazon sales rank ebb and flow, then ebb again. I'd also tasted the same bittersweetness of the mixed review.

Kimberlie I. Leon

Director of Marketing, BookExpo America

It all began a few months ago when some of the girls on my team started to wear the latest craze in bangles. I noticed them immediately because they were not only visually interesting, but also made a pleasing-to-the-ear jingling sound. I was intrigued so I set out to learn more, which brought me to discover Alex and Ani.

M.J. Rose

Author/Marketer

Buy other authors' books when you go to their events. Even if you aren't going to read it. Even if you are going to give it away. Even if you aren't interested. Not just for the author but for the bookstore. It's karma and just plain good manners.

Randy Susan Meyers

Author, 'The Murderer's Daughters,' "The Comfort of Lies,' "What To Do Before Your Book Launch"

I believe the writer has a covenant with the reader. You provide the best possible stories--they will bring you into their heart. And come the day you separate, the moment it's time to say goodbye, do you want to break their heart?

Charles Moore

Author, Margaret Thatcher: The Authorized Biography

Mrs Thatcher came to realize that Reagan's strengths and mental abilities were very different from her own, but she never lost her underlying admiration for him.

Emma Jenner

Child development and behavioral specialist

They say that those who fight the hardest are those who are the most alike, so perhaps it shouldn't have surprised me that when it comes to parenting, the English and the French have quite a bit in common.

Kitty Pilgrim

Award winning international journalist

I see a service in bringing information about this subject to the thriller-reading public. We can learn about new discoveries and science in our thriller plots. But in this case of Dan Brown's scenario, why pin a global pandemic on a legitimate organization? Reality is scary enough.

Peter Van Buren

Author, 'We Meant Well' and the upcoming 'The People on the Bus: A Story of the #99Percent'

Coyne's book is a careful, detailed, academic answer to the real-world question surrounding U.S. reconstruction efforts: How is it possible that well-funded, expertly staffed and, at least rhetorically, well-intentioned humanitarian actions fail, often serially, as in Afghanistan?

Heather Laine Talley

Writer, teacher and sociologist; Editorial Collective member, The Feminist Wire

The "crazy" Zelda that has emerged in our popular imagination is as much Scott's making as The Great Gatsby itself. This is, in and of itself, part of the F. Scott legacy. His work depended on Zelda's silence.

Fr. Gary M. Meier

Author, 'Hidden Voices, Reflections of a Gay, Catholic Priest'

At the heart of every authentic call to ministry is the desire to live a life of integrity. It was my desire to live a life of integrity that led me to the priesthood and it is that same desire that has led me to where I am today.

Val Brown

Brand Strategy and Innovation; Fledgling Librettist

My Name is Val and I'm a rock-star-memoir addict. It all started with Philip Norman's seminal biography of The Beatles, Shout.

Danny Groner

Manager, Shutterstock

A host of new books have already come out this year to inspire you on your next project. (Like many others, we've enjoyed reading Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In as part of a book club this season.)