Because the book is always better than the movie, right?

We’d consider the topic of ‘book vs movie’ to be one of the great debates of our time, wouldn’t you agree? 😉

If you ask people which is better, the book or the movie – it seems more often than not, the answer is the book. We may be a little biased to agree with that statement but you don’t have to take our word for it. 2014 seems to be a big year for books being adapted to film. Our suggestion, start turning the pages on these great reads before they hit theaters then head to the movies and let us know which reigns supreme in your book. (See what I did there – I told you we might be biased).

Happy reading…..and watching!

Orphan and mechanic Peter Lake attempts to rob a Manhattan mansion only to find Beverly Penn, the daughter who resides in the home Peter believed to be empty. Thus begins the love affair between a middle-aged Irishman and a fatally ill young woman in a magical New York City. If you’re looking for a novel laced with fantasy and romance, this is a good place to start.

Release date: 2.14.14 

A classic story of a privileged girl and a charismatic boy whose instant desire sparks a love affair made only more reckless by parents trying to keep them apart. Brilliantly written, Endless Love is the deeply moving story of a first love so powerful that it becomes dangerous—not only for the young lovers, but for their families as well.

Release date: 2.14.14

A small-town father who must find the courage and conviction to share his son’s extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world. When Colton Burpo made it through an emergency appendectomy, his family was overjoyed at his miraculous survival. What they weren’t expecting, though, was the story that emerged in the months that followed—a story as beautiful as it was extraordinary, detailing their little boy’s trip to heaven and back.

Release date: 4.16.14

 

The savage murders of 3 young children sparks a controversial trial of 3 teenagers accused of killing the kids as part of a satanic ritual. Award-winning journalist Mara Leveritt’s The Devil’s Knot remains the most comprehensive, insightful reporting ever done on the investigation, trials, and convictions of three teenage boys who became known as the West Memphis Three.

Release date: 5.9.14

When tragedy pushes Hassan and his family out of India, they eat their way around the world, settling in Lumière, a small town in the French Alps. The family opens an Indian restaurant that becomes wildly popular among the residents, infuriating their French rival Madame Mallory. After she wages a culinary war with the family, Mallory finally agrees to mentor Hassan, leading him to Paris and the launch of his own restaurant. A charming, endearing, and downright delicious read.

Release date: 8.8.14

A thrilling story that follows newlyweds George and Serena Pemberton on their journey to create a timber empire and ruthlessly kill all who fall out of favor. George fathered an illegitimate child, and when Serena discovers that she cannot bear children, she sets out to kill the son George fathered without her.

Release date: 2014

The tale of a passionate, independent woman and her 3 suitors, Far from the Madding Crowd tells the story of Bathsheba Everdene and her relationships with the devoted Gabriel Oak, the dashing Sergeant Troy, and the reclusive gentleman farmer, Mr. Boldwood. Through her wayward nature and a winding path of events propelled by Hardy’s recurring feminist themes, this is an unforgettable narrative of both beauty and devastation.

Release date: 2014

New spies with new loyalties, old spies with old ones; terror as the new mantra; decent people wanting to do good but caught in the moral maze; all the sound, rational reasons for doing the inhuman thing; the recognition that we cannot safely love or pity and remain good “patriots” — this is the fabric of John le Carré’s fiercely compelling work of deep humanity and uncommon relevance to our times.

Release date: 1.19.2014 (Sundance Film Festival)

January: New Release Notables

The end of January is already here! And here in NC, we’ve had 70 degree days and also snow (thank you polar vortex). So whether spring flowers or more winter flurries, what’s better a few January releases that should make their way on to your reading list…but hurry because we promise that February is also bringing some great new books. Books, so many books – and we can’t wait! Happy reading 🙂

What better place to find painfully funny material than in growing up gay, gifted, and ambitious in the heart of the Bible belt? And that’s just the 1st cut: From partying to parenting, from Sunday school to getting sober, these slices of Ham will have you laughing and wiping away salty tears in equal measure with their universal and down-to-earth appeal.

When a 6-year battle with brain cancer ultimately stole David’s vision, memory, mobility, and—most tragically of all—his ability to continue teaching, he was devastated by the thought that he would no longer have the chance to impact his students’ lives each day. Based on a beloved teacher’s most popular lesson, The Priority List is a bold, inspirational story of learning, love, and legacy that challenges us to ask: What truly matters in life?

In the riveting follow-up to her acclaimed debut novel, The Affair, Colette Freedman explores the aftermath of infidelity from 3 perspectives–husband, wife, and mistress. Over the course of one tumultuous Christmas Eve, Kathy Walker confirmed her suspicions about her husband’s affair, confronted his mistress, and saved her marriage but the end of the affair may only be the beginning…

In her debut novel, Rachel Louise Snyder chronicles the 24-hours following a mass burglary in a Chicago suburb and the suspicions, secrets, and prejudices that surface in its wake. What We’ve Lost is Nothing illuminates the evolving relationship between American cities and their suburbs, the hidden prejudices that can threaten a way of life, and the redemptive power of tolerance in a community torn asunder.

A fast and fun read – this romantic comedy is a look at being single and being in the dating pool from the vantage point of a woman on the verge of hitting the big 4-0. Molly is savvy and smart, and has learned some hard truths about the odds of finding “the one”. With wit, charm, whip-smart humor, Molly learns to open her heart and suppress her cynicism in this bright, achingly funny novel.

A YA debut novel A girl, who was born on the day her brother Bird died, has grown up in a house of silence and secrets and when she meets John, a mysterious new boy in her rural Iowan town, those secrets start to come out. Entrenched secrets, mysterious spirits, and an astonishing friendship weave together in this extraordinary and haunting debut.

 

New Year, New You!

It’s almost mid January. If your resolutions have lasted this long, hats off to you 🙂 ! We’ve all heard the saying, “new year, new you” but what’s a new year’s resolution without some new books to keep you motivated! Here are some new releases that will keep you pounding the pavement, saying no to those carbs, or yes to green juice for the whole year long. Who said new year’s resolutions had to be in one ‘year’ and out the other? Happy (healthy) reading!

 After selling more than one million copies, #1 bestseller The 17 Day Diet is revised with more than 35% new material, including 3 new chapters. The four 17-day cycles Dr. Moreno presents in this book contain the key to losing weight – variation.  Confusing and boosting your metabolism to help you burn fat rapidly, Dr.Moreno’s plan in this newly released supercharged edition can help you achieve your weight loss goals quickly and permanently.

So maybe you’re not flaunting the latest in saber-tooth style. Or beating your dinner to death with a club hours before you eat it. You’re a 21st-century woman. Life has changed drastically since your ancestors discovered fire. What hasn’t changed is how your body works and the Paleo chic diet for rapid results is a protein-rich, hormone-balancing, and detoxifying diet that helps women to build muscle, catalyze fat loss, and feel gorgeous fast.

One of the world’s leading doctors and bestselling author presents the simple rules everyone should follow in order to live a long, healthy, and productive life. Readers may not agree with each and every rule but A Short Guide to a Long Life is a useful book that contains a collection of simple but smart tips in an easy to read book to help you live an optimal life.

In this inspirational book, beloved broadcast journalist Jane Pauley helps people in the middle of their lives successfully navigate a “reinvention” phase and build a positive, powerful future. Filled with practical ideas, inspiration, and motivation for anyone who knows the yearning for “something different” or “something more, Your Life Calling is a personal and rewarding read.

Who hasn’t heard of juicing? This detoxifying way of life is taking over. From one of America’s foremost and pioneering juicing companies comes a beautifully illustrated guide to creating restorative and energizing juices and smoothies; as well as preparing nutrition-rich, blended superfoods.

Picking up where NYT bestseller The New Atkins for a New You left off this new release offers faster, easier, and more effective ways to implement the low-carb lifestyle to help take weight off now and keep it off forever.

Jumpstart Your January: New Releases

It’s just the start of the new year and there are some amazing new books coming out this month! If this is how 2014 starts, we can’t wait to see what’s in store! We are going to go ahead and warn you now that productivity levels may decrease as you find yourself wanting to stay in bed all day and read! But hey, we can’t blame you and we kind of encourage it but shhh – don’t tell! 🙂

 

This debut thriller is a must read for any international thriller fan. Garrett Reilly is that perfect anti-hero, a Wall Street numbers geek with a chip on his shoulder; and soon the only person who realizes that two hundred billion dollars’ worth of U.S. Treasury bonds are being sold around the world at a terrific pace. A thriller spanning from Wall Street to Vegas to the Chinese countryside, you won’t be able to put this one down.

In this stunning new novel, acclaimed author, Ellen Marie Wiseman, of The Plum Tree merges the past and present into a haunting story about the nature of love and loyalty—and the lengths we will go to protect those who need us most. If you’re looking for your next book club book, here’s our recommendation!

A complex, suspenseful psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page. Lana Granger accepts a babysitting job caring for a mentally unstable but brilliant boy named Luke. When Lana’s best-friend Beck goes missing, questioning eyes begin to look more closely towards Lana and all the secrets she has long sought to keep hidden. Told from alternating points-of-view, we learn about both Luke and Lana’s troubled pasts which lead to a surprising and harrowing conclusion.

Artis Henderson’s beautiful memoir, Unremarried Widow, takes its title from the dry, official military designation she receives after her husband’s Apache helicopter crashes in Iraq. Artis reveals her complex marriage, the strangeness of military life, and the pain of loss with us in gorgeous, intimate prose with a fresh and unyielding perspective. A beautiful, revelatory read.

With a cover like that, how can you resist? As someone who was raised by a child psychiatrist, Lamb-Shapiro was always fascinated by the self-help industry, wondering if all these books, seminars, posters, t-shirts, etc. really helped people. In the name of research and to answer this question, she forced herself to face her own phobias by becoming a guinea pig to many self-help practices and the result is an honest, well-researched, deeply personal, and at times hilarious look at this billion dollar industry.

An uplifting novel of one woman’s journey to healing and the surprising soul mate that helps guide her there. Lila survives a traumatic incident and Grace, a formerly abused golden retriever help each other in getting past their mutual horror’s and learn to trust again. Rich in warmth and humor,  An Unexpected Grace is a story of compassion and connection and of finding that what truly makes us whole again may be the love we give away. Dog lovers, this one’s for you.

True love—and world war—is at stake in the conclusion to The Pledge trilogy, a dark and romantic blend of dystopia and fantasy. If you’re a YA fan, the unexpected twists and thrilling action make this ending one for the books.

This cold weather is just what’s needed to cozy up, dive right in, and turn the page on these great new titles. Happy reading!

Up for the Challenge to Read More in 2014? We’re Giving You a Little Incentive!

Is reading more one of your new year’s resolutions? It’s definitely one of ours and what better way to stick with a resolution than having some incentive! Not like the cheeseburger your promise yourself after a good workout – wait, that’s not something you’re supposed to do? 😉  This is the kind of incentive that helps you keep those resolutions plus you get a chance to spread the word about Entitle and pass the incentive along to your friends!

Here are the details to get a jump start on your reading resolution:

1. Join Entitle by 1/15/14
2. Refer 5 of Your Friends within 1-month from your sign-up date
3. At the end of the month, you will receive a FREE 6-month subscription to Entitle! 

How’s that for incentive? Free books to help you read more.

Bring it on 2014, we’re ready for you!

Happy reading 🙂

Terms and Conditions

1. Referral period will end at 11:59 PM 1-month after sign-up date.

2. Referrals must remain a subscriber past the 7-day free trial to count towards your referral total.

Entitle Founder and CEO, Bryan Batten, on Bloomberg Television: Street Smart

Our founder and CEO, Bryan Batten appeared on Monday’s episode of Street Smart on Bloomberg Television. Speaking with Matt Miller and Julie Hyman, Bryan had the opportunity to discuss Entitle’s business model. We were thrilled to be a part of the show and spread the word about Entitle, check out the clip above!

Note: Clip is a link to Bloomberg TV video that will open in a new window.

Closing the Book on 2013

“This year flew by” — if you’ve said these exact words over the past month, we’re right there with you. Luckily, we were able to enjoy some great books this year and the saying “out with the old and in with the new”….well, we actually don’t mind if these books stay around for a bit. They are going to be at the top of our list for quite awhile.

Stephen King (need we say more?) returns to the characters and territory of one of his most popular novels ever, The Shining, in this instantly riveting novel about the now middle-aged Dan Torrance (the boy protagonist of The Shining) and the very special twelve-year-old girl he must save from a tribe of murderous paranormals.

The Flamethrowers is an intensely engaging exploration of the mystique of the feminine, the fake, and the terrorist. At its center is Kushner’s brilliantly realized protagonist, a young woman on the verge. Thrilling and fearless, this is a major American novel from a writer of spectacular talent and imagination. Selected by the New York Times as one of the best books of 2013 and we definitely agree.

The dramatic and redemptive memoir of a woman whose curiosity led her to the world’s most beautiful and remote places, its most imperiled and perilous countries, and then into 15 months of harrowing captivity—A House in the Sky is an exquisitely written story of courage, resilience, and grace.

A beautifully written novel that doesn’t shy away from complex issues and horrifying histories, each page of the story asks tough questions: when does a moral choice become a moral imperative? And where does one draw the line between punishment and justice, forgiveness and mercy?  In this searingly honest novel, Jodi Picoult gracefully explores the lengths we will go in order to protect our families and to keep the past from dictating the future.

The gap between rich and poor has never been wider…legislative stalemate paralyzes the country…corporations resist federal regulations…spectacular mergers produce giant companies…the influence of money in politics deepens…bombs explode in crowded streets…small wars proliferate far from our shores…a dizzying array of inventions speeds the pace of daily life.  

These unnervingly familiar headlines serve as the backdrop for The Bully Pulpit—a dynamic history of the first decade of the Progressive era, that tumultuous time when the nation was coming unseamed and reform was in the air.

A spectacular look into the rise and fall of the high-rolling whiz kid, Daniel Tzvetkoff, who controlled online poker’s billions. From working at Pizza Hut to raking in as much as $3m a week, Tzvetkoff ended up owing millions to the poker companies and had the FBI hot on his trail. Needing to “pull an ace” from his sleeve to keep from busting out and when he did, it resulted in a day that sent a seismic shockwave through the world of online poker and saw him take the blame.

History is about so much more than memorizing facts. It is, as more than half of the word suggests, about the story. And, told in the right way, it is the greatest one ever written: Good and evil, triumph and tragedy, despicable acts of barbarism and courageous acts of heroism.  Miracles and Massacres is history as you’ve never heard it told and incredible events that you never knew existed.

Tip and the Gipper is a magnificent personal history of a time when 2 great political opponents served together for the benefit of the country. Chris Matthews was an eyewitness to this story as a top aide to Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill, who waged a principled war of political ideals with President Reagan from 1980 to 1986. Together, the two men forged compromises that shaped America’s future and became one of history’s most celebrated political pairings—the epitome of how ideological opposites can get things done.

These are just a few of the books we couldn’t put down this year but the list could go on and on. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2014 because free time is so 2013. We’d rather be reading, wouldn’t you? 🙂

What were your favorite books from 2013? Share with us! We love to add new titles to our Entitle queue! Happy reading!

Spotlight on: Entitle!

Last week was a busy week for us here at Entitle! We publicly launched and we rebranded as Entitle – we know eReatah wasn’t your favorite name and we agreed 🙂 . With a new name, we’ve updated and added some exciting new features that we wanted to highlight so you’ll are able to enjoy Entitle as much as we enjoy our readers!

• Our website has a new look & feel that has been completely redesigned to make browsing and finding your next favorite read even easier! Check it out at entitlebooks.com

• We’ve added over 25,000 new titles bringing our library to 125,000+ ebooks so that you can find a new favorite, anytime!

• Gift subscriptions are now available for the readers in your life (or for yourself – because everyone deserves to treat themselves once in a while 🙂 ) so why not give the gift of reading all year-long?

• We’ve made it easier for you to read on your Nook, Kobo, and Sony Reader! Besides these devices and our Android/iOS availability, you can also read your books on any device that supports Adobe DRM. Adobe has a complete list of all the devices that you can transfer your books to.

• Not only is it easier to read on your devices, it is just as easy to read on your computer! Our books support Adobe Digital Editions, which is a free download and we outline the easy steps for you on this page.

  

• We have added the curated sections found on our website to the mobile app to give you additional ways to search for your next book!

These are just a few of the exciting new features we have up our sleeve. Be sure to check back to see what’s new! And if you have any feedback or suggestions, drop us a line at support@entitlebooks.com – we’d love to hear from you!

Happy reading!

Notables: Weeks of 11/26 and 12/3

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only once.”  ― George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons

Books transform us, they educate us and give life to characters and places we may not otherwise know. Here are a few picks from the eReatah team that caught our attention and imaginations this week.

 

Gold

Matthew Hart

(Business & Economics)

From the lost empires of the Sahara to today’s frenzied global gold rush, this novel by Matthew Hart, the award-winning author of Diamond is a blazing exploration of the human love affair with gold. Hart weaves together history and cutthroat economics to reveal the human dramas that have driven our lust for a precious yellow metal.

 

The Unarmed Truth: My Fight to Blow the Whistle and Expose Fast and Furious

John Dodson

(Political Science)

A very controversial book that gives us the detailed story behind the 2010 secret government activity known as “Project Gunrunner,” later named “Fast & Furious” by the ATF and media. Federal agent John Dodson, put his career and reputation on the line to tell this story and Dodson’s insightful perspective on life at ATF and the larger story of deciding to blow the whistle and living with the consequences is both captivating and informative.

 

Game

Anders de la Motte

(Mystery & Thriller)

The groundbreaking thriller trilogy taking the world by storm: a deadly game that blurs the line between reality and fiction. Henrik “HP” Petterson, a slacker with a big ego and no impulse control, finds a cellphone that invites him to play a mysterious, high-stakes game. HP loves the thrill, but it soon becomes clear there is something more sinister at play. First in a fast-paced and riveting trilogy, Game will leave you guessing. Follow the rules, and everybody gets hurt . . .

 

Searching for Someday

Jennifer Probst

(Romance)

Kate, a successful business owner of Kinnections matchmaking agency who has a special ability to tell if the person your with is your soul mate. Slade is the top divorce lawyer in the state. When he finds out his sister is using Kinnections he signs up to be a client with every intention to show his sister that the place is a sham.  A fun, cute love story in a sizzling new series that is easily a guilty weekend pleasure.

 

Star Trek: The Fall: The Poisoned Chalice

James Swallow

(Science Fiction)

The 4th book in “The Fall” series continues the stunning events via the crew of the Titan. One simple act, and the troubles of the United Federation of Planets have grown darker overnight. The mystery behind the heinous terrorist attack that has rocked the Federation to its core grows ever deeper and William Riker finds himself beset by rumors and half-truths as the U.S.S. Titan is ordered back to Earth on emergency orders from the admiralty. Who can be trusted when the law falls silent and justice becomes a quest for revenge?

(Yes, we have a major trekkie on our team 🙂 )

 

And of course we wanted to pick a book that didn’t make us feel too guilty for eating all those carbs and sugar last week, right? We’re headed to the gym right after we finish this one!

Evolution: The Cutting Edge Guide to Breaking Down Mental Walls and Building the Body You’ve Always Wanted

Joe Manganiello

(Health and Fitness)

 
WANT IT. The mind: If you are ready for change—real change, no looking back change—this is where you need to be.
DO IT. The tools: Everyone possesses the capability to look the way they want.
EVOLVE. The results: The evolution never ends. You’ll live it every day, with an insane amount of internal confidence and absolutely no regrets.

Happy reading friends!

Thankful Hearts, Helpful Hands….and a Feast of Great Thanksgiving Reads

As we prepare for Thanksgiving and all the craziness that ensues, here are a few books whose storylines center around the holiday we celebrate this week. Some may make you laugh, some may make you cry, and some just remind us what it is that we have to be thankful for.

From our eReatah family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

The Pursuit of Happiness

Douglas Kennedy

Manhattan, Thanksgiving Eve, 1945. A great, tragic love story; a tale of divided loyalties, decisive moral choices and the random workings of destiny.

 

Thanksgiving Night

Richard Bausch

Both a comedy and a love story, Thanksgiving Night is about the real meaning of family, and one particular clan that has many reasons to be thankful.

 

The Ghost At The Table

Suzanne Berne

Two sisters strikingly different since childhood and leading dissimilar lives now continue to struggle with different versions of a shared past, their conflict escalating to a dramatic, suspenseful climax as Thanksgiving day arrives.

 

Strangers at the Feast

Jennifer Vanderbes

Set on Thanksgiving Day 2007, Strangers at the Feast is at once a heartbreaking portrait of a family struggling to find happiness and an exploration of the hidden costs of the American dream.

 

Winter Birds

Jim Grimsley

On a snowy Thanksgiving day in NC, a dreamy 8-year-old is pushed headlong into the adult world by a violent quarrel between his parents. A brilliant 1st novel, this is a shattering story of heartbreak, violence, and the endurance of the spirit.

 

Turkey Day Murder

Leslie Meier

Lucy intends to discover who left Metinnicut Indian activist Curt Nolan deader than the proverbial Thanksgiving turkey–with an ancient war club next to his head. But if she’s not careful, she just may find herself served up as a last-minute course, stone-cold dead with all the trimmings. . .

Thanksgiving 101

Rick Rodgers

With foolproof recipes, detailed menu timetables, and down-to-earth advice, Thanksgiving 101 is the holiday cook’s best friend.

 

 

Here are a few fun Thanksgiving reads for our young readers too!

Thanksgiving Day

Dorothy Goeller

Thanksgiving is not much fun for the turkey. Beginning readers count and learn rhyming words to find out the story of one little turkey.

 

What is Thanksgiving?

Elaine Landau

When was the first Thanksgiving? How do we celebrate today? Learn all about this holiday’s symbols and traditions with this fun and easy-to-read book.

 

Franklin’s Thanksgiving

Paulette Bourgeois

Thanksgiving just won’t be the same without guests around the table, so Franklin decides to invite some friends for dinner. What a nice surprise it will be for his parents. Only Franklin’s mother and father have the same idea, and on Thanksgiving Day all their friends show up for the festivities!

The Nancy Drew Notebook Series By Carolyn Keene

Turkey Trouble – Who would steal a turkey? Will Nancy be able to catch the turkey-snatcher with no clues—or feathers—in sight?

The Thanksgiving Surprise – Nancy decides to investigate and finds out something very unexpected about  her house guests and about having fun on the holidays.

 

Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew: The Thanksgiving Thief 

Carolyn Keene

When Thanksgiving food around town starts to disappear, the Clue Crew realizes that someone is trying to destroy the holiday! Can the Crew catch these birdbrained bandits? Or will Thanksgiving dinner be a recipe for disaster?