(View entire post here)

Berkley's Skin Trade by Laurell K. Hamilton Debuts at #1 on The New York Times Hardcover Fiction Bestseller List

#1 New York Times bestselling Berkley author Laurell K. Hamilton has done it again. With her eagerly-awaited new Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novel, Skin Trade, Laurell debuts at the coveted #1 slot of The New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list for the week of June 21st. This is the 17th installment in the ground-breaking series that made Hamilton a Grande Dame of modern vampire fiction.

After launching Skin Trade with a huge event in St. Louis, Missouri, Laurell headed to Oak Brook, Illinois. She spoke to another crowd of approximately 300 fans at a Borders store and stayed late into the evening signing books. From there it was on to Las Vegas, Nevada—the setting for Skin Trade—for another well attended event.

The Anita Blake Vampire Series continues to wow fans and critics even 17 books in. Library Journal says, "Right from the start this supernatural thriller grabs the reader's attention and does not let go. Buy multiple copies for all those eager fans." And in addition to the novels, Anita Blake is expanding into other media too. A few months ago, IFC TV announced plans to create an Anita Blake movie based on Hamilton's books. There are also comic book versions available from Marvel Comics. (Pictured above is Laurell with fans and the line to enter her event in St. Louis).

View our feature on Skin Trade by Laurell K. Hamilton to read the first chapter and watch a video trailer.

The New York Times Bestseller Highlights for the Week of June 21st 

Six new Penguin Group (USA) titles debut on The New York Times bestseller lists for the week of June 21st: on the hardcover fiction list, Skin Trade by Laurell K. Hamilton (Berkley) is #1; Medusa by Clive Cussler (Putnam) is #2; and Undead and Unwelcome by MaryJanice Davidson (Berkley Sensation) is #14. On the mass market fiction list, Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb (Berkley) is #3; Demon Mistress by Yasmine Galenorn (Berkley) is #16; and Comanche Heart by Catherine Anderson (Signet) is #19.

Here are more New York Times bestseller highlights:

On the hardcover fiction list, Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris (Ace) is #7 in its fifth week; Wicked Prey by John Sandford (Putnam) is #10 in its fourth week; and The Help by Kathryn Stockett (Amy Einhorn Books/ Putnam) is #15 in its tenth week.

On the hardcover nonfiction list, The Girls from Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow (Gotham) is #6 in its seventh week.

On the trade paperback fiction list, Vision in White by Nora Roberts (Berkley) is #4 in its sixth week; The Beach House by Jane Green (Plume) is #12 in its second week; City of Thieves by David Benioff (Plume) stays at #15 in its tenth week; and The Likeness by Tana French (Penguin) is #17 in its second week.

On the mass market fiction list, The Front by Patricia Cornwell (Berkley) moves up to #5 in its second week; From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris (Ace) also moves up to #11 in its ninth week; Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris (Ace) returns to the list at #14 in its 22nd week; Phantom Prey by John Sandford (Berkley) is #15 in its fifth week; and Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (Ace) is #17 in its 28th week.

On the paperback nonfiction list, Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin (Penguin) holds the #1 slot in its 123rd week; In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan (Penguin) is #3 in its sixth week; Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (Penguin) is #10 in its 124th week; The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan (Penguin) is #13 in its 90th week; and My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor (Plume) is #18 in its second week.

In the young readers sector, on the children's picture books list, Listen to the Wind by Greg Mortenson and Susan L. Roth (Dial) is #2 in its twentieth week; Llama Llama Misses Mama, written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney (Viking) is #6 in its sixth week; and Ladybug Girl and Bumble Bee Boy by David Soman and Jacky Davis, illustrated by David Soman returns to the list at #10 in its 11th week. On the children's chapter books list, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (Razorbill) is #4 in its 33rd week. On the children's paperback books list, Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen (Speak) is #4 in its fourth week; and Three Cups of Tea: Young Readers Edition by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin (Puffin) is #9 in its twentieth week. On the children's series list, Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine (NAL Jam) returns to the list at #10 in its second week.

Penguin Weekly Update, Bestsellers, New York Times, Penguin Books