THE TODAY SHOW Launches Online Book Club

By: Tyler Peterson Aug. 20, 2013

TODAY is putting a new spin on an old classic with the launch of the TODAY Book Club- a unique discussion series connecting book lovers with engaging reads from both up-and-coming new authors to some of their seasoned favorites.

Revamping the book club experience for the digital age, the TODAY Book Club will meet regularly using Google Hangouts, where members can directly connect and interact with the TODAY team, the featured author and other special fans who share a passion for great books.

As was announced on the show this morning, the TODAY Book Club is kicking off with the highly-anticipated novel The Bone Season, available in stores on Tuesday, August 20th. Natalie Morales will host the first TODAY Book Club Google Hangout on Monday, September 16thwith the novel's 21-year-old author, Samantha Shannon-who wrote the book while attending college at Oxford University. The Bone Season is Shannon's riveting first installment in a seven-part fantasy series set in a dystopian futuristic London where the story's clairvoyant heroine struggles against a totalitarian government and its Supernatural overlords.

TODAY Book Club members will have the opportunity to connect with Shannon directly about her highly buzzed-about debut during the Google Hangout. Readers can go to TODAY.com/BookClub now to sign up for the Google Hangout and the TODAY Book Club newsletter to keep up with the club community. In addition, members can read an exclusive excerpt of The Bone Season on TODAY.com, as well as find the latest author and book news, must-read lists, giveaways and more.

Part of a continuing series, the TODAY Book Club team will choose unique books across every major genre, and selections will be announced on TODAY a few weeks in advance of each of the Google Hangout discussions. All TODAY fans are invited to participate and will be able to sign up for these special discussions upon each announcement of a new book selection. TODAY Book Club discussions will be archived and available to replay on demand at TODAY.com/BookClub.

The Bone Season is published by Bloomsbury and film rights for the book have been optioned by The Imaginarium Studios.