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1. Gilead:
A Novel
By Marilynne Robinson
"Robinson's deep and lovely novel is written as an old man's epistle to
his young son. A third-generation minister, John Ames reflects deeply
on the mysteries of faith, particularly as they pertain to his grandfather,
who preached and practiced violence against slaveholders." --Terry Flynn,
Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA
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Night
Fall: A Novel
By Nelson DeMille
"Nelson DeMille proves his superiority in the thriller ranks with a story
that is taut, exciting, and entirely appropriate for the modern world.
This is a powerful work and raises moral questions, like all great fiction."
--Bill Cusumano, Nicola's Books, Ann Arbor, MI
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The
Virgin's Lover
By Philippa Gregory
"Philippa Gregory has done it again! This riveting, fictionalized account
of Elizabeth I's first few years as Queen of England focuses on her intense
relationship with Robert Dudley and the impact it had on his marriage,
her reputation, and the safety of the realm. A real page turner!" --Lori
Underwood, HearthFire Books of Evergreen, Evergreen, CO
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The
Coroner's Lunch
By Colin Cotterill
"Colin Cotterill's unlikely and charming detective -- Dr. Siri Paiboun
-- must cope with the bureaucracy and politics of the Pathet Lao in 1970s
Laos. Siri is a coroner, 'not a very good one at that,' but he still manages
to uncover the truth. Once you start reading, you'll hope that the next
book in the series follows quickly." --Ann Carlson, Harborwalk Books,
Georgetown, SC
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The
Year is '42: A Novel
By Nella Bielski
"To read The Year Is '42 is to read a voice so assured it can carry the
cataclysmic happenings of World War II -- German officers in occupied
Paris and then the Eastern Front -- with a calm, clear narrative voice.
It's a voice that's water-still, clear enough that you can see the bottom.
And the bottom it is: Men who wage war, even as they imagine some other
life." --Rick Simonson, The Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA
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The
Complete Cartoons of the New Yorker
Edited by Robert Mankoff, foreword by David Remnick
"This comic chronicle (with two CDs containing all the cartoons and profiles
and mini-portfolios of key contributors) is the perfect gift for at least
one person on everyone's list -- if you can finish browsing it by the
time you have to wrap it in December." --Leslie Reiner, Inkwood Books,
Tampa, FL
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The
Encyclopedia of Guilty Pleasures: 1,001 Things You Hate to Love
By Sam Stall, Lou Harry, and Julia Spalding
"With 314 alphabetized pages overflowing with 1,001 things that people
hate to admit they like, this little book is must-have conversation piece.
Just open it up to any page and you are bound to find at least one thing
that you would rather die than admit liking. So, go ahead, indulge!" --Stacey
DeAngelo, The Tudor Book Shop and Cafe, Kingston, PA
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Snow
in July: A Novel
By Heather Barbieri
"Eighteen-year-old Erin has had a lot to deal with: the death of her father
and the loss of her older sister to narcotics. She and her mother mirror
the rugged Montana landscape in which they live as they deal with the
fallout of addiction. Barbieri's first novel is at once humorous, tender,
and honest.." --Katrina Denza, The Country Bookshop, Southern Pines, NC
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Welcoming
Wildlife to the Garden: Creating Backyard & Balcony Habitats for Wildlife
By Catherine J. Johnson, Susan McDiarmid, and Edward R. Turner
"A superb idea book for the backyard naturalist in all of us. The authors
have not only packed it with information, plans, designs, and gorgeous
illustrations, but they also speak clearly to the compelling reasons for
creating lovely backyard habitats." --Eric Robbins, Apple Valley Books,
Winthrop, ME
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East
Side Story: A Novel
By Louis Auchincloss
"In this, his 60th book, Louis Auchincloss -- a modern master -- takes
us inside the world of wealthy WASPs and well-connected Gothamites. He
lays bare the rituals of this tribe through four generations of the Carnochan
clan, Scottish immigrants who arrive in New York in 1825 and proceed to
achieve, in addition to ever-increasing financial success, much emotional
devastation." --Jeff Smull, The Toadstool Bookshop, Keene, NH
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Wolves
Eat Dogs: An Arkady Renko Novel
By Martin Cruz Smith
"Arkady Renko is back. The intrepid detective of Gorky Park and Havana
Bay investigates the suicide of one of Russia's new millionaires. The
case leads him to the environmental crime of the century: Chernobyl. Smith
gives the reader an unrelenting paladin searching for truth, social commentary
about a corrupt system, and a look inside the human soul. The writing
is a joy to read." --Jack Gillard, Shaman Drum Bookshop, Ann Arbor, MI
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Nabokov's
Butterfly: And Other Stories of Great Authors & Rare Books
By Rick Gekoski
"Attention bibliophiles: Gekoski will titillate veteran and fledgling
book collectors alike with gossip about great authors and insider tidbits
on the publishing world and the rare book market. You'll find yourself
chuckling as he reflects on his life as a book dealer." --Melissa Olm,
The Reader's Loft, De Pere, WI
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Hello
Kitty Everywhere!
by Kate T. Williamson with Jennifer Butefish and Maria Fernanda Soares
"This is the gift book for the twenty-something retro crowd. On each page,
a haiku is matched to a Hello Kitty photo vignette. Kitty in the jungle;
Kitty landing a plane; Kitty racing a car. From gardener to bride, astronaut
to superhero, Kitty is everywhere in this delightful book." --Jodi Schneider,
Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley, MA
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Heloise
& Abelard: A New Biography
By James Burge
"Even though I was familiar with the story of these famous lovers, I found
this examination of their lives fascinating. The rich historical detail
brought the period alive, not only the details of their lives, but also
their thoughts and beliefs." --Donna Cressman, Maxwell Books, De Soto,
TX
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Telling
Tales
Edited by Nadine Gordimer
"A glimpse into the brilliance, the unfettered imaginations, the razor-sharp
insight of some of the world's most beloved writers. Entertaining in the
enormous variety of voices, perspectives, and styles -- no two tales in
this collection are alike! All proceeds from this anthology will go to
the Treatment Action Campaign, a nonprofit organization whose funds are
used entirely for the treatment and support of people suffering from HIV
and AIDS." --Dana Parker, Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA
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Rumpole
and the Penge Bungalow Murders
By John Mortimer
"Rumpole's first case, told from the vantage point of old age. Young Horace
Rumpole tricks the Head of Chambers, sasses the Lord Chief Justice, and
questions the heroics of some RAF pilots in his quest to prove the son
of one of them innocent of murder. Rumpole, it would seem, was as iconoclastic,
witty, and irreverent in his first case as in his last!" --Betsy Burton,
The King's English, Salt Lake City, UT
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The
Bones of the Earth
By Howard Mansfield
"Mansfield's brilliant and moving writing focuses on the loss and restoration
of cultural memory as we are asked to meditate on some of the worlds oldest
landmarks -- quite literally sticks and stones. This book should be read
and treasured by all who thirst for a greater sense of belonging in our
increasingly rootless age." --Dan Chartrand, Water Street Books, Exeter,
NH
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Mr.
Timothy: A Novel
By Louis Bayard
"A new world began for Mr. Timothy Cratchit on that certain Christmas
morning. He's not so Tiny now, our Tim, and doesn't use a cane. He does
see ghosts on the streets of London, mostly his father, Bob. These ghosts
don't disturb him; the bodies of terrified young girls that he sees on
the streets do. A truly gripping read, suspenseful and rich, steeped in
the dense atmosphere of Victorian London." --Russ Harvey, Cody's Books,
Berkeley, CA
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There
Are Jews in My House: Stories
By Lara Vapnyar
"This is a very memorable collection of short stories by a young Russian
author who writes in precise, spare, and unself-conscious prose. These
small, surprising gems deal with novelty, anti-Semitism, the line between
innocence and knowledge, and, above all, the truthful underbelly of human
emotions." --Joan Barberich, Food for Thought Books, Amherst, MA
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The
Birth of Venus: A Novel
By Sarah Dunant
"The Birth of Venus is devilishly seductive. You will quickly get caught
up in the life of Alessandra Cecchi and the mystery, romance, sensuality,
and politics of 1492 Florence. Precision plotting, well-defined characters,
and sharp dialogue make this a standout novel for 2004!" --Emery Pinter,
Chapter 11, Lawrenceville, GA
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Banewreaker:
Volume One of the Sundering
By Jacqueline Carey
"I could not put down Jacqueline Carey's latest fantasy novel about
gods waging war in their bid to control a universe. What a great
writer."-Kelly Peroni, High Sierra Books, Portola, CA
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Hannah
Coulter: A Novel
By Wendell Berry
"This is a golden story of family and community, loss and love over
generations, and the land- always the land. Berry's gentle, poetic
prose 'is a comfort ever and always, like hearing the rhyme come
when you are singing a song.'"-Betsey Hill, McLean & Eakin Booksellers,
Petoskey, MI
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McSweeney's
Enchanted Chamber of Astonishing Stories
By Michael Chabon (Ed.)
"A heart-pounding follow-up to McSweeney's Mammoth Treasury of Thrilling
Tales, this collection includes horror, science fiction, and adventure
stories from contemporary literature's best and brightest. Highly
recommended for the reader who demands a steady diet of gravel-voiced
detectives, cursed bridesmaid dresses, and evil spirits." -Brian
Case, Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, NY
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More
Than You Know
By Rosalyn Story
"This is a story of the long route-not scenic-to reconcilation between
sax man L.J. and beauty salon owner/singer Olivia Tillman. Musicans,
jazz lovers, and anyone who has the least bit of interest in music
will welcome how the music provides the staging for the pain, despair,
transition, and transformation of this story."-Emma Rodgers, Black
Images Book Bazaar, Dallas, TX
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The
Red Hat Club
By Haywood Smith
"Haywood Smith is a superb author. Not only did I laugh hysterically
as I read this story of the 30-year friendship of five Southern
women, but I cried when it all came together at the end."-Lee Musgjerd,
Lee's Book Emporium, Glasgow, MT
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A
Watery Grave
By Joan Druett
"When the U.S. Exploring Expedition leaves on its 1838 mission,
its ships carry, along with a large complement of scientists, Wiki
Coffin, son of a Nantucket whaler and the official linguist of the
expedition, and a Maori princess. Falsely accused, then exonerated,
of a murder, Wiki now works to solve the crime in this brilliantly
plotted, well-written thriller packed with lore about the sea."-Kathy
Ashton, The King's English, Salt Lake City, UT
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Best
American Recipes: The Year's Top Picks from Books, Magazines and
the Internet (2004 - 2005)
By Fran McCullough and Molly Stevens (Eds.)
"Every year I wait for the next installment in this series, and
I'm never disappointed with their foolproof and fresh selections.
The editors have again scoured magazines, supermarket flyers, contest
entries, and the recipe files of celebrated chefs. I promise you'll
add a couple of recipes to your tried-and-true standbys."-Carla
Jimenez, Inkwood Books, Tampa, FL
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The
Children's Blizzard
By David Laskin
"This account of an 1888 epic prairie snowstorm makes our summer
of hurricanes here in Florida seem tame and almost bearable. Not
so for the children of the Dakotas as this gripping tale describes.
For fans of Isaac's Storm and, yes, even Plainsong." -Hester Jeswald,
Sarasota News & Books, Sarasota, FL
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John
James Audubon: The Making of an American
By Richard Rhodes
"One of our greatest pioneers-less for his trailblazing than for
his singular appreciation for our landscape and wildlife-is brought
vibrantly to life by one of our finest historians. A marvelous combination
of narrator and subject, this book is as lyrical and boisterous
as an old-time ballad."-Jim Hardcastle, Olsson's Books & Records,
Alexandria, VA
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Over
the Edge of the World: Magellen's Terrifying Circumnavigation of
the Globe
By Laurence Bergreen
"Bergreen has done a wonderful job of bringing the Age of Discovery
to life and placing Magellan in the context of his times."-Chris
Wilcox, City Lights Bookstore, Sylva, NC
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The
Pat Conroy Cookbook: Recipes of My Life
By Pat Conroy
"The cooks, chefs, and Pat Conroy fans on everyone's Christmas list
will fall in love with his new cookbook. Even non-cooks will be
tempted, and then there are the stories-you will laugh out loud."-Christine
Stanley, Bay Street Trading Co., Beaufort, SC
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So
Many Books, So Little Time: A Year of Passionate Reading
By Sara Nelson
"Funny and opinionated and a pleasure to read. Nelson's personal
library of floor-to-ceiling cherry wood shelves filled with books
is every book lover's dream."-Ellen Davis, Dragonwings Bookstore,
Waupaca, WI
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The
Sweet Science
By A. J. Liebling
"Liebling doesn't just write about boxing-he writes about the fans,
the managers, the training camps, the saloons he visits before and
after the fights, and even the trip to and from the fight locations,
along with gripping, blow-by-blow descriptions of ring action. This
book is a delight from beginning to end!"-Carol Schneck, Schuler
Books & Music, Okemos, MI
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To
Rule the Waves: How the British Navy Shaped the Modern World
By Arthur Herman
"Here is the story of how an island nation, a geographically insignificant
appendage on the edge of Europe, exploited its connections to the
sea to build the greatest navy ever seen. This is a stirring tale
in the best seafaring tradition."-Nicola Rooney, Nicola's Books,
Ann Arbor, MI
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Will
in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare
By Stephen Greenblatt
"This new biography of Shakespeare is the best book I've read all
year. I loved it, and I will be surprised and disappointed if it
doesn't win a Pulitzer come spring." -Trish Keady, Christopher's
Books, San Francisco, CA
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False
Profits
By Patricia Smiley
"Los Angeles management consultant Tucker Sinclair must turn amateur
detective to save her job and credibility. This is an enjoyable
and light read with some unexpected twists."-Gwen Harding-Peets,
Merritt Books, Millbrook, NY
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Foul
Matter
By Martha Grimes
"'Foul matter' is a term that publishers use for original manuscripts
before editing, but the foul matter in this mystery is something
very different. With dry humor, Martha Grimes takes us into the
business of publishing, the lives and relationships of the authors,
and the world of a unique pair of contract-killers you can't help
but like. Foul Matter is sure to entertain."-Sally Simon, Tudor
Book Shop and Café, Clarks Summit, PA
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Lake
of Sorrows: A Novel
By Erin Hart
"In Lake of Sorrows, Nora Gavin and Cormac Maguire of Hart's stunning
debut, Haunted Ground, are back mucking about in triple-death killings
in the bogs of Ireland, and this time it is Cormac who is hip-deep
in trouble."-Laura Hansen, Bookin' It, Little Falls, MN
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Speak
Now
By Margaret Dumas
"When wealthy heiress Charley Van Leeuwen returns from a year's
sabbatical to study repertory theater with her handsome, retired
U.S. Naval officer husband of three days, she discovers a dead,
naked woman in the bathtub of her hotel suite. Is there more to
her husband's past than he admits? With a likable, funny protagonist,
this is a very enjoyable read."-Bob Spear, The Book Barn, Leavenworth,
KS
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| Something
Surprising.... |
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