Lifetime Book Club
A community for book and movie lovers. From thrilling, crazy twists and turns to unbelievable tales of hope and courage, Lifetime brings your favorite books to screen. Join our Lifetime Book Club Facebook group where we discuss our monthly book selections along with the authors and talent that bring these stories to life.
Lifetime recommends books our editors think you’ll like, and if you buy something through our links Lifetime may get a small share of the revenue.
Book of the MonthOctober
The Gifted School
By Bruce HolsingerBruce Holsinger’s bestselling novel The Gifted School was published this summer and is credited with predicting the headline-grabbing College Admissions Scandal. We are proud to be pairing this entertaining, relatable and cautionary tale with our Lifetime Original Movie, “The College Admission Scandal” premiering on Saturday October 12th at 9PM/8PM Central. Enjoy the read and watch the Lifetime Movie. To dive further into conversations with the author, book giveaways, and exclusive film clips, join us at the Lifetime Book Club on Facebook.
We all want what’s best for our children. But how far would you go to give your kid 'an edge'? Bruce Holsinger has written a wise and addictive story...The Gifted School is one of those books you will pick up and as you witness other parent’s bad behavior unfurl, you will never want this story to end.
The Story: In the idyllic mountain town of Crystal Colorado, The Gifted School portrays a happy group of seemingly lovely parents who lose their moral balance when they hear about a new public charter school for "exceptional gifted learners." We follow four friends, their families, and their housekeeper as the school for gifted students is announced. Quickly a standardized admissions test is scheduled to weed out the less-gifted, and soon the true colors of these true friends emerge: friendships crack, ugly competitions flare up, outrageous secrets & lies start spilling out, and lines of decency and integrity are too easily crossed.
This novel is eerily timely as it dovetails with the true-life College Admission Scandal and steeped in keen observations and frightening relatability. Whether we are following the privileged gal group who meet up weekly for a four-mile run, or the trouble, but brilliant teen-girl video blogger, or spying on a flailing father, his ex-wife, his new wife, and his elite Soccer twin boys, Bruce Holsinger crafts a realistic story of dysfunctional parents in pursuit of the best-of-the-best for their children. It's especially poignant to witness parent navigate their own ambitions with the first twinges of sending kids out into the world.
With page-turning velocity, this book rips apart the idea of "giftedness" and of schools for gifted children that prey on parental anxieties. Bruce gets these parents—and even as he cleverly reveals their panicked foibles, he always manages like them anyway.
Get to know these recognizable characters; the gripping theme, the fast-paced narrative, the well-juggled plotlines, and lots of delicious humor – including plenty of neighborly bitchiness. All the while, the author splashes relatable canvas of very middle-class parents' anxious competitiveness and modern-day teens anxiety about their own identities.
Read and Enjoy The Gifted School and you will ask yourself:
-How off-the-rails might my behavior become to grab 'what's best' for my child?
-How much of my ego is wrapped up in my offspring’s resume?
-What defines success? Happiness? Sustainability?
Join the Lifetime Book Club for further conversations with the author, book giveaways and exclusive peeks at The College Admission Scandal airing on Lifetime on October 12th.
Book of the MonthSeptember
Captive: A Mother's Crusade to Save Her Daughter From a Terrifying Cult
By Catherine OxenbergCatherine Oxenberg—known as American actress in the prime time series Dynasty, and the beautiful daughter of Yugoslavian royalty—was thrust into her greatest role of her life when she became a tireless & brilliant warrior to save her daughter from the grasp of a horribly corrupt cult. Out of this terrifying mother-daughter ordeal came a family's victory, an intense, page-turning book "Captive", and an awesome Lifetime movie airing September 21st.
In 2011, Catherine—a life-long spiritual searcher joined her 21-year old daughter, India, at a leadership seminar for a new organization called NXIVM. Run by the charismatic Keith Raniere who presented himself as a multi-level marketing genius. India was on the threshold of building a new company and mother & daughter thought this seminar program might help India achieve her dream. But quickly, Catherine saw a sinister side to what appeared to be a self-help organization designed to help its clients become the best versions of themselves.
Catherine watched in horror as her daughter fell further and further down the rabbit hole, becoming brainwashed by the organization's charismatic leader, Keith "Vanguard" Raniere who insisted on total loyalty from his female disciples. When Catherine was warned that her daughter may have been branded to be claimed by the Nxivm, that's when Catherine took action.
Catherine became a clever and tenacious advocate to make sure that justice will be served. She encouraged the FBI to become aware of the organization's tactics...she co-opted other powerful voices to disavow Nxivm...and she began to honestly chronicle her quest in this gripping memoir.
Despite Catherine's best efforts, India cut off ties to her mother and was drawn deeper into the cult, eventually joining a secret, elite "sorority" of women members who are ordered to maintain a restricted diet, recruit other women as "slaves," and India was branded with their leader's initials.
Wisely, Catherine kept a journal as her ordeal was unraveling, and then she sat down with co-author Natasha Stoynoff and wrote this page-turning book: CAPTIVE: A MOTHER'S CRUSADE TO SAVE HER DAUGHTER FROM A TERRIFYING CULT. Her empowering story of maternal advocacy reads like a great thriller—written with such intense love, honesty and depth and delivers a heartfelt guide to any parent who witnesses their child slipping into danger.
In CAPTIVE, Catherine shares every parent's worst nightmare, as she cleverly pushes every limit that a mother will go to save her child. Featuring interviews with past members of NXIVM and experts in the field of cults, Oxenberg draws back the curtain on how these groups continue to lure in members. With relentless strength, Catherine never gives up on her frightening journey to reach her daughter, to save her (and others) from what she knew was a dangerous, mind-controlling cult.
Finally, Catherine's brilliant and determined advocacy was triumphant: Her beloved India returned home, and on June 19, 2019, Raniere was convicted of federal crimes, including sex trafficking, conspiracy, and conspiracy to commit forced labor. Catherine's advocacy continues as she fights to protect all women from the clutches of horrific situations.
Read this compelling book. Join the conversation with Catherine about her intense journey, her victory, and her continued maternal advocacy. And then watch the Lifetime movie premiere on September 21st.
Books of the Month July & August
The Casteel Family Series
By VC AndrewsThis Summer Heaven launches 5 Lifetime movies based VC Andrew's Casteel family Series. The Casteels are the least regarded family living in the poverty-stricken foothills of West Virginia. The eldest daughter, Heaven Leigh Casteel (Annalise Basso), was the smartest girl in the backwoods and determined to redeem her family name and go to college. Heaven's dreams are thwarted when her selfish, drunken father Luke sells her and her four siblings to different families. Heaven is sent to live in the home of Luke's demented ex-lover, Kitty, who torments Heaven as Kitty's husband, Cal, lures Heaven into a forbidden relationship while she fights to reunite her siblings.
Dark Angel picks up directly after Heaven (Annalise Basso) finds a new life with her equally twisted grandmother and grandfather, Jillian (Kelly Rutherford) and Tony Tatterton (Jason Priestley), in their exquisite Boston mansion, Farthinggale Manor. But even in the world of the wealthy, there are strange forebodings, secrets best forgotten. As Heaven reaches out for love, she is slowly ensnared in a sinister web of cruel deceits.
Based on the third book, Fallen Hearts follows Heaven (Annalise Basso), finally happily married to her high school sweetheart and ready to settle back in her hometown. But after a trip to Farthinggale Manor, Heaven is persuaded to stay. Lured by her grandfather Tony Tatterton (Priestley) to live amidst the wealthy and privileged, Heaven seems to have it all until the ghosts of her family's tainted past rise up once more, threatening her precious new life.
Gates of Paradise quickly turns tragic when Heaven's daughter Annie (Boys) finds herself orphaned and crippled. Whisked off to Farthinggale Manor by Tony Tatterton (Jason Priestley), Annie pines for her lost family, especially for her half-brother Luke. Without the warm glow of Luke's love, she is lost in the shadows of despair and forced into submission by Nurse Broadfield (Zuniga). When Annie discovers a cottage hidden in Farthinggale's woods, the mystery of her past deepens. Even as she yearns to see Luke again, her hopes and dreams are darkened by the sinister Casteel spell.
Based on the fifth and final novel of the Casteel series the prequel, Web of Dreams finally unlocks the mysteries of the family. Heaven's mother Leigh (LaPorte) had to escape from Farthinggale Manor and the secrets she harbored. Falling into the arms of Luke Casteel Sr., his unconditional devotion promised her hope as only Luke knew her most shameful secrets. Bravely she bore the suspicions of the hill folk, as she tried to grasp the happiness that long eluded her. With a baby girl, Heaven, on the way, she hoped for a chance at happy ever after.
Book of the Month June
Tempting Fate
By Jane GreenJoin the Lifetime Book Club and kick-off your summer beach season with three Lifetime premieres adapted from three beloved Jane Green novels. Our first book Club pick for June is the captivating and risqué Tempting Fate which premieres on June 15th and stars Alyssa Milano.
Jane Green is the author of 20 novels, including 17 New York Times bestsellers. She has over ten million books in print, including huge hits Jemina J and The Beach House. Her latest book The Friends We Keep will be released June 2019. Jane Green is credited with being one of the founders of modern “chick lit” and once again, Tempting Fate welcomes us into her compelling insights into the human heart.
Tempting Fate has been described as "A Scarlet Letter for the 21st Century" and is an unforgettable novel about the risks and rewards of "having it all." With a page-turning fervor Temping Fate unpacks a female mid-life crisis and portrays how any extra-marital adventures can have heartbreaking consequences. And ultimately redemption.
Gabby and Elliot have been happily married for 18 years. They have two thriving teenage daughters, a lovely home and they both seem content with the perks and wrinkles of their pleasant life. Yet suburban contentment might not be enough for Gabby…as middle-age approaches, she craves something more. One night out with the girls Gabby meets a flattering younger man and in one reckless adulterous moment she hurts everyone she loves when she becomes pregnant with a child that is not her husband's.
Lifetime is bringing Tempting Fate from Book To Screen premiering June 15th at 8/7c starring Alyssa Milano. And then get ready for two more compelling Jane Green Books to Screen Premiers: To Have and to Hold—on June 22nd; and Family Pictures—on June 29th Visit your Local Library, Borrow or Buy Tempting Fate on Amazon here and download the Tempting Fate Readers guide. Dive into this vivid and timely read and join the lively community at the Lifetime Book Club.
Book of the Month May
Very Valentine
By Adriana TrigianiAdriana Trigiani is the New York Times bestselling author of 18 books in fiction and non-fiction, beloved by millions of readers around the world for her “dazzling” novels (USA Today). She is an award-winning playwright, television writer/producer, and filmmaker. She wrote and directed the major motion picture Big Stone Gap based on her debut novel. In 2018, her epic novel of the big band era (Trigiani wrote the lyrics) Tony’s Wife was released, and she directed the feature film Then Came You in the Highlands of Scotland. She adapted her novel Very Valentine, for television, produced by Larry Sanitsky. She lives in Greenwich Village with her family.
In Very Valentine The Angelini Shoe Company, one of the last family-owned businesses in Greenwich Village, has been making exquisite wedding shoes since 1903 but now teeters on the brink of financial collapse. To save their business from ruin, thirty-three-year-old Valentine Roncalli—apprentice to and granddaughter of master artisan Teodora Angelini—must bring the family's old-world craftsmanship into the twenty-first century. Juggling her budding romance with dashing chef Roman Falconi, her duty to her family, and a design challenge presented by a prestigious department store, Valentine returns to Italy with her grandmother in a quest to build a pair of glorious shoes to beat their rivals. And in the course of discovering her true artistic voice and so much more in la bella Italia, Valentine will be turning her life and the business upside down in ways she never expected.
Lifetime has taken Very Valentine from Book to Screen, premiering July 8th at 8/7c. Buy the book on Amazon here and download the Very Valentine Reading Guide here.
Book of the Month April
Someone Has Led This Child to Believe
A Memoir by Regina LouiseRegina Louise sheds light on her own experience growing up in (and aging out of) the US foster care system, and the many ways that system failed her. In this powerful memoir, Louise details her eventual departure from the foster care system after her difficult and fragmented adolescent years. Someone Has Led This Child to Believe is a remarkable story about courage, determination, and renewal that will inspire readers.
Lifetime has taken this book to screen with, "I Am Somebody's Child: The Regina Louise Story." The movie is based on author and motivational speaker Regina Louise's personal experience navigating the broken system. Ginnifer Goodwin ("Once Upon A Time") and newcomer Angela Fairley ("GodComplx"), a foster child herself, star in the movie. Watch the movie here until August 30, 2019. Buy the book on Amazon here.