Monthly Archives: October 2020

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Your Daily Guide to PRH’s Virtual Events: Share on Social!

Connecting readers with our books and authors is more important than ever in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, ongoing social distancing, racism and police use of deadly force that has mobilized our country. Across Penguin Random House, we are hosting a variety of virtual events, and you can help promote them. Share the day’s complete calendar or your favorite individual listings via the share button, which will allow you to directly deliver all the relevant event information to your social network.
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There’s a Book for That: Cults

Have you been captivated by the HBO documentary “The Vow” about the cult NXIVM and its leader Keith Raniere? Raniere was sentenced this week to 120 years in prison for federal sex trafficking, racketeering and possession of child pornography. NXIUM is just the latest to pique curiosity and concern about the psychology of cult leaders, followers and those who escape their grip. We’ve gathered books that best illuminate the topic from various perspectives, fiction and nonfiction:

Cults Uncovered by Emily G. Thompson CULTS UNCOVERED: TRUE STORIES OF MIND CONTROL AND MURDER by Emily G. Thompson

The shocking truth about some of the most disturbing, criminal cults that have ever existed. Cults Uncovered explores strange and disturbing factions and sects from all over the world to expose terrifying stories of manipulation, coercion, abuse, and murder.

CULT X by Fuminori Nakamura; Translated by Kalau Almony

Inspired by the 1995 sarin gas terrorist attack on the Tokyo subway, Cult X is an exploration of what draws individuals into extremism. It is a tour de force that captures the connections between astrophysics, neuroscience, and religion; an invective against predatory corporate consumerism and exploitative geopolitics; and a love story about compassion in the face of nihilism.

The World in Flames by Jerald Walker THE WORLD IN FLAMES: A BLACK BOYHOOD IN A WHITE SUPREMACIST DOOMSDAY CULT by Jerald Walker

A memoir of growing up with blind, African-American parents in a segregated cult preaching the imminent end of the world.

“Jerald Walker has a remarkable story to tell, and he tells it with a wealth of grace and intelligence at his command.” —Vivian Gornick

The Girls by Emma Cline THE GIRLS: A NOVEL by Emma Cline

Girls, their vulnerability, strength, and desire to belong, are at the heart of this un-put-downable first novel set during the violent end of the 1960s in Northern California. At the start of summer, a lonely and thoughtful teenager, Evie Boyd is in thrall to Suzanne, a mesmerizing older girl, and is drawn into the circle of a soon-to-be infamous cult.

Going Clear by Lawrence Wright GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY, HOLLYWOOD, AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF by Lawrence Wright

The basis for the HBO documentary. Armed with his investigative talents, years of archival research, and more than two hundred personal interviews with current and former Scientologists, Lawrence Wright uncovers the inner workings of the church.

Raven by Tim Reiterman RAVEN: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE REV. JIM JONES AND HIS PEOPLE by Tim Reiterman, John Jacobs

The basis for the upcoming HBO miniseries and the “definitive account of the Jonestown massacre” (Rolling Stone), Raven provides the definitive history of the Rev. Jim Jones, the Peoples Temple, and the murderous ordeal at Jonestown. This PEN Award–winning work explores the ideals-gone-wrong, the intrigue, and the grim realities behind the Peoples Temple and its implosion in the jungle of South America.

Lost Boy by Brent W. Jeffs and Maia Szalavitz LOST BOY: THE TRUE STORY OF ONE MAN’S EXILE FROM A POLYGAMIST CULT AND HIS BRAVE JOURNEY TO RECLAIM HIS LIFE by Brent W. Jeffs, Maia Szalavitz

An insider’s shocking account, Lost Boy portrays life inside the Fundamental Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints from the unique perspective of Warren Jeffs’s nephew, a man who grew up in the group, suffered abuse by its leaders, and witnessed firsthand the events that led to the largest placement of children into foster care in American history.

Triumph by Carolyn Jessop and Laura Palmer TRIUMPH: LIFE AFTER THE CULT–A SURVIVOR’S LESSONS by Carolyn Jessop, Laura Palmer

Carolyn Jessop, New York Times bestselling author of Escape, returns with the moving and inspirational tale of her life after she heroically fled the cult she’d been raised in and hares the sources of strength that allowed her not just to survive, but to flourish in her new life.

Seductive Poison by Deborah Layton SEDUCTIVE POISON: A JONESTOWN SURVIVOR’S STORY OF LIFE AND DEATH IN THE PEOPLES TEMPLE by Deborah Layton

In this haunting and riveting firsthand account, a survivor of Jim Jones’s Peoples Temple opens up the shadowy world of cults and shows how anyone can fall under their spell.

FOR YOUNG ADULT READERS

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes

Ages 14 And Up

An emotionally raw debut about the dangers of blind faith. The cult known as the Community has taken everything from seventeen-year-old Minnow: twelve years of her life, her family, her ability to trust. And when she rebelled, they took away her hands, too. Now their Prophet has been murdered and their camp set aflame, and it’s clear that Minnow knows something—but she’s not talking.

Gated by Amy Christine Parker GATED by Amy Christine Parker

Ages 14 and Up

Lyla Hamilton is a loyal member of the Community. Her family was happy to be chosen by Pioneer to join such a lovely gated neighborhood. Here, life seems perfect. But after meeting Cody, an outsider boy, Lyla starts questioning Pioneer, her friends, her family–everything. And if there’s one thing not allowed in the Community, it’s doubt.

Coming in Spring, 2021

Don't Call it a Cult by Sarah Berman DON’T CALL IT A CULT: THE SHOCKING STORY OF KEITH RANIERE AND THE WOMEN OF NXIVM by Sarah Berman

Sex trafficking. Self-help coaching. Forced labor. Mentorship. Multi-level marketing. Gaslighting. Investigative journalist Sarah Berman explores the shocking practices of NXIVM, a cult run by Keith Raniere and many enablers. Through the accounts of central NXIVM figures, Berman uncovers how dozens of women seeking creative coaching and networking opportunities instead were blackmailed, literally branded, near-starved, and enslaved.

For more on these and related titles visis Cults

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Did you see something on the news or read about something on your commute? Perhaps you noticed something trending on Twitter? Did you think: “There’s a book for that!”? Then please, send it our way at theresabookforthat@penguinrandomhouse.com

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PRH Audio Named Audio Publisher of the Year at 2020 DBW Awards

Penguin Random House Audio was named Audio Publisher of the Year at the recent 2020 Digital Book World Awards, announced online. It was the inaugural year of the Audio Publisher of the Year category, sponsored by AudioFile Magazine. Congratulations to Amanda D’Acierno and the entire PRH Audio team.

To view the full list of 2020 DBW Award winners, click here.

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Watch “Why I Vote” Video Messages From PRH Authors

Book the Vote, a nonpartisan initiative to protect free speech and ensure every voter’s right to participate in elections, was launched by Penguin Random House, PEN America, Out of Print, and When We All Vote. To further enhance this effort, PRH enlisted bestselling authors, including Deepak Chopra, Elaine Weiss, and Kyle Creek, to make sense of America’s history and politics through engaging and informative videos based on their books. “How America Works” episodes – The Right to Vote, Voting for the President, and the Electoral College – have been released throughout the month on Book the Vote and Instagram, and supplemented on social with “Why I Vote” videos featuring 20+ Penguin Random House authors. Continue reading →

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No Tricks Just Treats at Middle Grade Author Creepfest via Zoom (10/29)

It’s a Middle Grade Creepfest, with no tricks, just treats, as Penguin Young Readers authors share their newest books packed with funny characters and spooky plots at this virtual event hosted by An Unlikely Story Bookstore & Café via Zoom on Thursday, October 29 at 7:30 pm (ET). Continue reading →

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Paola Ramos to Discuss FINDING LATINX with Julian Castro via Zoom (10/29)

Paola Ramos, author of FINDING LATINX (Knopf), will be in conversation with Julian Castro, at a virtual event hosted by Changing Hands Book Store (Tempe, AZ) via Zoom on Thursday, October 29 at 9:30 pm (ET). Continue reading →

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Halloween Horror Panel to Feature Penguin Young Readers YA Authors via Zoom (10/29)

YA @ Books Inc. presents a spine-tingling evening with a Halloween Horror Panel of YA authors via Zoom on Thursday, October 29 at 8:00 pm (ET). Continue reading →

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Spooky Installment of “Meet the Bookstagrammer” to Feature Audra of @ouija.doodle.reads via Instagram (10/29)

For this Random House Virtual event, “Meet the Bookstagrammer,” Random House social media associate Megan Tripp (who also runs the Bookstagram account @BooksnBlazers) introduces us to the faces behind some of our favorite bookstagram accounts on Instagram. Meet Audra of @ouija.doodle.reads for a spooky installment of Meet the Bookstagrammer. Audra will talk about @ladiesofhorrorfiction, the tricks and treats on her Halloween reading list, and her favorite creepy reads via @Random House on Instagram on Thursday, October 29 at 12:30 pm (ET). Continue reading →

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Your Daily Guide to PRH’s Virtual Events: Share on Social!

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PRH Supports the All We Can Save Project, Building a Community for Women Climate Leaders

As part of our ongoing efforts to help protect the planet and its future, Penguin Random House is proud to support the All We Can Save Project , created by the editors of One World’s ALL WE CAN SAVE: Truth, Courage and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, Dr. Ayana Johnson and Dr. Katharine Wilkinson. Inspired by the anthology, the new initiative will accelerate the success of the climate movement by providing support and community for women climate leaders — scientists, journalists, farmers, lawyers, teachers, activists, innovators, wonks, and designers, across generations, geographies, and race. Continue reading →

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