Alexandra Lebenthal’s bestseller The Recessionistas tracks the lives of affluent New Yorkers caught up in a collapsing economy after the nation plunged into recession in 2009.  This past week Grand Central Publishing released the paperback reprint, and though the economic news is still grim, there is plenty of entertainment value in the spectacle of rich people brought low.

The Recessionistas has been acquired for television series development by Sony Pictures, so read the book and start casting your favorite characters.

From Booklist
In 2008, Lehman Brothers is about to go under, other major banks and brokers are reorganizing, and those who depend on the markets for their income are in deep trouble. Economic reversals are coming for some very rich people, and unlike the rest of the world, the superrich don’t seem to be able to cut back. The $500 haircut, $10,000 gown, private-school tuition, servants, and beach house are essentials and can’t be done without. Some caught in the crash are culpable, some are innocent, and everyone suffers. Sasha and Renee, both smart, beautiful women, serve as the moral center of this topical tale. Other characters are clueless, self-absorbed at best, criminal at worst. In the end, some even find redemption. In her first novel, New York investment specialist and socialite Lebenthal is fluent in luxury brands and conveys a delicious sense of irony, and she is her absolute best when clearly explaining how various investment vehicles worked and failed. The rich surely are different from you and me, but oh so entertaining. –Danise Hoover
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From the Washington Times

For a book about wealthy high-flyers and their spendthrift wives, The Recessionistas is a surprisingly sympathetic tale. Not all Lebenthal’s characters are likeable. Yet there is enough depth in them to keep readers interested while still giving them hope that tomorrow’s post-recession world will be a better one than today’s.

Readers interested in big business and high society will enjoy Lebenthal’s storytelling and might even find themselves fascinated to learn more about business than they every might discover otherwise. For a first novel, The Recessionistas is a triumphant debut.

Heiress, the Janet Dailey novel breakout bestseller, is available once again. E-Reads has just issued it as a trade paperback, where it can be purchased on amazon.com. It’s also available as an e-book download.

In Heiress, two sisters meet at the funeral of one of the most prestigious men in the country, Dean Lawson, their father. Abbie Lawson, the dutiful genteel daughter bred in the lap of luxury and, Rachel Farr, a mistake born of a passionate love affair, are almost identical in appearance but are worlds apart. Only one daughter can be the heir to the endless oil fields and magnificent thoroughbreds. A fierce competition has arisen between the women, not only for the inheritance but also for the proof of a father’s love. They should have been devoted to each other as friends and sisters, but they have become the most embittered of enemies. The Texas men they love watch as the rivals tear themselves apart to become Dean Lawson’s heiress.

E-Reads publishes over fifty classic Janet Dailey Romances including the Americana Series, one novel set in every state in the union.

RC

Honestly, this really happened.

In 1987 Little, Brown published Heiress by Janet Dailey. It was Little, Brown’s first Janet Dailey book after wooing her away from her previous publisher, and Janet really nailed this story of a young woman who, after her father dies, discovers she has a sister. It went on the bestseller list and stayed there for about two months.

There was feverish interest among paperback publishers in bidding for the reprint rights, and an auction closing date was set. That date sounded disturbingly familiar to me. As well it might be. “It’s your son’s fifth birthday,” my wife reminded me, “and we’re having a party that day, remember? Don’t even think of going to your office that day. I need you to take pictures. And besides,” she added, “don’t you want to see the magician?”

And so my wife and I played host to a dozen five-year-olds and a magician on the day that paperback rights were being auctioned by Little, Brown. I gave my home number to the editor conducting the bidding and asked her to call me as the auction developed. And she did – while the magician was performing.

He had just tossed a bunch of colored handkerchiefs into his hat when the phone rang. It was my friend at Little, Brown. “Warner just opened with an $800,000 floor bid!” she announced.
Before I could say anything the children shrieked with joy. “YAYYYYY”
“What the hell is that?” the editor asked. Do you have a cheering section set up for this auction?”
“No,” I stammered. “It’s the magician. He just pulled the handkerchiefs out of his hat and they’re all somehow knotted together. Uh, it’s my kid’s birthday party.”
“I see. Well, I’ll call you if there’s more action.”
And she did. Two minutes later, she had an offer for a million dollars from another bidder.
“YAYYYYY!”
“Rabbit in the hat?” my editor friend asked dryly.
“No, a white dove. I have no idea how he did it!”
“Um, what about the million dollar offer?”
“That’s terrific too,” I said, raptly watching the dove flapping on the magician’s sleeve.
“I’ll be back to you if there’s another offer.”
She did and there was. “It’s up to a million two!”
Now it was my turn: “YAYYYY”
“This time it’s a rabbit, right?” asked my friend.
“Hell no. The magician left half an hour ago. I’m cheering for you!”

And that’s how I’ll always remember Heiress. But you’ll remember it for another reason: it’s a marvelous novel by an author at the top of her game. YAYYYY!

– Richard Curtis