The Inner Sanctum

Jodi Picoult, the internationally bestselling and award-winning author of numerous books, and her daughter Samantha Van Leer, have teamed up to write a new teen novel: Between the Lines, planned for release in the Summer 2012 season.

Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several adult novels, including My Sister’s Keeper, House Rules, Handle With Care, Change of Heart and Nineteen Minutes. Her daughter, Samantha Van Leer, is a junior in high school and pitched the idea of the book to Picoult, while she was in the middle of a book tour.

Between the Lines will be published jointly by Simon Pulse and Emily Bestler Books, and will be released on June 2012. This will be Van Leer’s debut book, while it will serve as Picoult’s debut teen book.

And another internationally bestselling adult author, Philippa Gregory, will also publish a series of young adult historical romance titles with Simon Pulse! Her first title is scheduled to release in Summer 2012.

Gregory is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl and The Red Queen, with her Tudor series being adapted as a TV drama and The Other Boleyn Girl as a major film in 2008.

With this new deal, Gregory, and her historical and storytelling expertise, will be exposed to a new generation of young adult readers around the world.

Join bestselling author Jodi Picoult TODAY at 7 P.M EST as she discusses her new book, Sing You Home, with book reviewer Bethanne Patrick of BookMavenMedia.com. The exclusive live interview will take place Monday night at 7pm EST!

RSVP and tune in to livestream.com/atria  to ask questions and watch Jodi answer other fan questions live during the event. $2 from each sale of SING  YOU HOME during tonight’s event will be donated to The Trevor Project. In Jodi’s own words:

“For those around the world who are unable to attend one of my  booksigning events, we’ve made a limited number of autographed books available. A portion of each sale will go directly to The Trevor Project. Each one of us deserves a chance to dream big and achieve big, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The Trevor Project is here for young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning people to help whenever you or a friend might need to talk to someone. With lifesaving programs and information, The Trevor Project works every day to make the future better for all LGBTQ youth.”

Click here to learn more. Hope to (virutally) see there tongiht!

SING YOU HOME tells the story of Zoe Baxter—who has spent ten years trying to get pregnant. After multiple miscarriages and infertility issues, it looks like her dream is about to come true. But a terrible turn of events leads to a nightmare—one that takes away her unborn baby and breaks apart her marriage to Max. In the aftermath, Zoe throws herself into her career as a music therapist. When Zoe is hired by Vanessa, a school counselor, their relationship blossoms, to Zoe’s surprise, from business to love. Eventually Zoe and Vanessa want to start a family, using the frozen embryos she and Max still have.

Meanwhile, Max has found peace at the bottom of a bottle—until he is redeemed by a charismatic pastor determined to fight the “homosexual agenda” that has threatened traditional family values. This mission becomes personal for Max when Zoe and Vanessa want permission to raise his unborn child.

As The Washington Post said, “Picoult has become a master—almost a clairvoyant—at targeting hot issues and writing highly readable page turners.” Sing You Home is no exception and is sure to have people grappling with difficult questions about what defines a family.”

SING YOU HOME includes a CD of Oaccompanying original songs, with music by Ellen Wilber and lyrics by Jodi Picoult.

Click here for the SING YOU HOME Reading Group Guide.

With Hanukah come early this year and Christmas just around the corner, everyone at the Simon & Schuster offices is gearing up for the holiday, gift-giving season.

To tie in with the Books Are Great Gifts program (click here to learn more), we’ll be stocking the office’s lobby display windows with the titles S&S employees are planning to give to their family members and friends.

Check back each week this month for more S&S employee holiday picks!

To: My sister, who deserves great escapist reading after three years in law school
From: Rachel
The Distant Hours, Kate Morton (Atria, 9781439152782)
House Rules, Jodi Picoult (Washington Square Press, 9781451611205)
The Opposite of Me, Sarah Pekkanen (Washington Square Press, 9781439121986)
Eighteen Acres, Nicolle Wallace (Atria, 9781439194829)
The Pursuit of Happiness, Douglas Kennedy (Atria, 9781439199121)

Books really are the gifts that keep on giving. Click here for a post from Flavorwire.com  for “10 DIY Projects for Your Old Books.” My favorite is the invisible shelves for books…made out of books.