Good Morning America has named Bad Words, by Ríoghnach Robinson, its book club pick for October, and Barnes & Noble has chosen the same novel for its own book club. The book reached shelves on Tuesday, the same day GMA revealed its selection, Woman's World reported.
A Debut, With a Back Catalog
The publisher's description calls Bad Words "A sharp and deeply felt debut about the connections that both inspire and undo us." Robinson is not new to publishing, though. GMA reported that she "previously published six young adult novels under the pen name Riley Redgate." Bad Words, GMA said, "marks her adult debut."
The Story
The novel is about the literary business itself. According to the synopsis GMA published, Parker Navarro's first novel was supposed to define his career, until the critic Selina Chan's review made it "the flop of the decade." The synopsis continues: "Four years later, his new book is his shot at redemption; for Selina, reviewing him again is a professional risk she can't refuse." Her second takedown sets off a viral feud, and both of their fortunes change overnight.
The opening chapter, which GMA excerpted, begins on an October morning when Parker comes home to find his roommate, Arthur, typing furiously and refusing to meet his eyes. Selina has gotten hold of an advance copy of Parker's second novel. The chapter then flashes back four years, to the $1.2 million, nine-publisher auction for his first book, These Extraordinary Times, and to the review that sank it:
"These Extraordinary Times" is a stupefying misfire, ten thousand fine sentences that heroically join forces to say nothing.
What the Clubs Said
"This clever story of ambition, success and sincerity follows debut novelist Parker and literary critic Selina, whose feud goes viral after a scathing review," Barnes & Noble wrote, calling the book a "will-they-won't-they rom-com." Woman's World quoted GMA's announcement post: "Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson is a surprising and thoughtful story with a chemistry-filled slow burn romance." Robinson replied on the post that she was more honored and happy than she could express, the magazine reported.
The book arrives with other endorsements. Publisher copy on the Barnes & Noble listing bills it as the No. 1 Indie Next pick for October and quotes the novelist Mary H.K. Choi: "Full of blistering barbs, incisive takedowns and searing gazes, Bad Words is smart and propulsive."
Free Copies
GMA said it is teaming up with Little Free Library this month to give away copies of Bad Words in Times Square and at 150 locations across the United States and Canada. The show's September pick was Chloe Benjamin's Under Story.
Sources: Good Morning America (ABC News), Barnes & Noble, Woman's World. Plot details are drawn from the synopsis and excerpt published by GMA.
Reported by the RedSquibble books desk from the publications and announcements linked in this story.
