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1. The
Green Age of Asher Witherow: A Novel
By M. Allen Cunningham
"This is a fabulous debut novel set in the long-gone coal mining towns
of Northern California in the late 1900s. This coming-of-age story about
the son of Welsh immigrants captures the spirit and legends of the time
and place. These were harsh times, and this facet of California history
is not well-known. This beautiful novel will remedy that." --Catherine
Jordan, Orinda Books, Orinda, CA
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Queen
of Dreams: A Novel
By Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
"Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni -- a favorite of many readers -- works surprising,
new ground in her latest novel. She writes both in the realm of spirit
and dreams and in the harsh, traumatized world of prejudice and violence
in the wake of September 11. In here, too, are the 21st century realities
of families and geography that make the world so big and so small. This
may be her biggest, most ambitious book yet." --Rick Simonson, The Elliott
Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA
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Little
Earthquakes: A Novel
By Jennifer Weiner
"Readers will enjoy this nicely woven tale of Becky, Kelly, Ayinde, and
Lia as their lives intersect while they go through the ups and downs of
pregnancy and new parenthood. A real treat of a book!" --Grace V. Roth,
The Town Book Store, Westfield, NJ
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Magical
Thinking: True Stories
By Augusten Burroughs
"This latest collection is vintage Burroughs. As raw as Running With Scissors,
as honest and well written as Dry, Magical Thinking is Burroughs showing
us how chaotic and surreal real life can be." --Jon Chopan, The River's
End Bookstore, Oswego, NY
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The
Love Wife: A Novel
By Gish Jen
"Told by multiple voices, which move the story forward, this charming
book asks as many questions as it answers. In this marriage between a
New England Yankee and a first-generation Chinese immigrant, questions
of identity are writ large. You will laugh and you will sigh, but you
will really enjoy this fine novel." --Carla Cohen, Politics & Prose Books
& Coffee, Washington, DC
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Toast:
The Story of a Boy's Hunger
By Nigel Slater
"Toast is a wonderful memoir, a childhood remembered through food. This
tour through a family's pantry -- tinned ham, lemon drops, bread and butter
pudding -- is a superb choice for foodies or those who enjoy good biographies."
--Suzanne Coopersmith, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison, CT
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California
Girl: A Novel
By T. Jefferson Parker
"This story of three brothers (a cop, a minister, and a reporter) and
the investigation of the murder of a woman they all knew is drenched in
atmosphere, unusual and fascinating characters, and smart dialogue. A
big, sturdy novel that shows Parker at the top of his power." --Len Cowgill,
McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey, MI
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The
Coal Tattoo: A Novel
By Silas House
"Like the characters in his novels, House's writing is pragmatic and fierce.
This novel set in the coal mining region of Kentucky depicts the desperation
of life lived too close to the bone and the deep, abiding attachment that
life has to the land. Mystical, reverent, and elemental, House's books
define the shape of a singular culture." --Gee Gee Rosell, Buxton Village
Books, Buxton, NC
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The
Exile
By Allan Folsom
"The latest thriller from Folsom is even more heart-pounding than The
Day After Tomorrow and The Day of Confession. How can the man continue
to scare us half to death?" --Virginia Hobson Hicks, Books on the Bluff,
Townsend, GA
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The
Falls: A Novel
By Joyce Carol Oates
"Joyce Carol Oates has once again crafted a masterpiece. The awesome backdrop
of Niagara Falls injects a mood of beauty and violence into this absorbing
family drama. Be prepared for a fascinating journey." --Ben Waller, The
Avid Reader, Sacramento, CA
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Outwitting
History: How One Man Rescued a Million Books and Saved a Civilization
By Aaron Lansky
"Passionate college kids studying Yiddish enact a bold plan. The result:
They single-handedly rescue Yiddish culture from historical obscurity.
The magnitude of what they accomplished is enormous, and Lansky's story
is an exciting and moving account of the just-in-time resuscitation of
Yiddish's vibrant literary heritage. Oh, how I loved this book!" --Elaine
Sopchak, The Book Rack & Children's Pages, Essex Junction, VT
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Before
You Know Kindness: A Novel
By Chris Bohjalian
"When Charlotte accidentally shoots her animal-rights-activist father
with a gun owned by her hunter uncle, can the family survive the aftermath?
When family ties and ideologies clash, can there be reconciliation? Through
the viewpoints of various family members, Bohjalian explores the nuances
of loyalty and love with his usual deft touch, in this moving novel."
--Susan Taylor, Wellesley Booksmith, Wellesley, MA
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The
First Desire: A Novel
By Nancy Reisman
"This story of a family's loss is a stunning debut novel from a remarkable
author. I was instantly drawn in as the main character says she must savor
the summer to remember during the long, harsh winters. So, too, will I
savor this prose -- the first sentence and myriad others." --Elizabeth
Reynolds, Norwich Bookstore, Norwich, VT
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The
Plot Against America: A Novel
by Philip Roth
"Roth's alternate history novel of WWII America under 'President Lindbergh'
is provocative and sobering. His themes cause us to address longstanding
issues in American society in ways that may surprise and arouse. You will
be a better person for reading it." --Russ Lawrence, Chapter One Book
Store, Hamilton, MT
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The
Fall of Baghdad
By Jon Lee Anderson
"I could not put down this street-side view of our ongoing war. Anderson's
comments and interviews with people of all classes in the city -- during
and after the siege -- are incredible and enlightening. Highly recommended
for anyone who cares about our world." --Deal Safrit, Literary Book Post,
Salisbury, NC
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The
Know-It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the
World
By A.J. Jacobs
"You wouldn't think a book about self-education could be funny, but once
you dive into The Know-It-All, you'll wonder why more of them aren't.
Jacobs' attempt to read the entire Encyclopaedia Britannica gives us an
alphabetical look at what it means to gain knowledge and apply it to life."
--Tara O'Donnell, Paperbacks Plus, Bronx, NY
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The
Secret Goldfish: Stories
By David Means
"David Means' latest collection of short stories (following the astonishing
Assorted Fire Events) should find a large and enthusiastic audience. He
is an extremely gifted writer with a seemingly limitless imagination.
Allow yourself to be struck by 'Lightning Man,' the opening story, and
you may find yourself an instant fan." --Stan Hynds, Northshire Bookstore,
Manchester Center, VT
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Shantaram:
A Novel
By Gregory David Roberts
"This magnificent novel, set in the underworld of contemporary Bombay,
is a huge book with enormous heart. It's hysterically funny, romantic,
shocking, brutal, riveting, radiant, and so beautifully written it will
take your breath away. You will love this exceptional reading experience."
--Susan Wasson, Bookworks, Albuquerque, NM
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About
Grace: A Novel
By Anthony Doerr
"Landscape. Memory. Dreams. Family. Doerr weaves this quartet into a beautifully
complex story. Forgiveness is the spiritual destination of this novel
as the protagonist travels from Alaska to Ohio to the Caribbean and back
again. At the end, the reader can only echo one of the characters: 'Isn't
all of (life) so damn outrageously beautiful?'" --Jan Owens, Millrace
Books, Farmington, CT
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Chicken
Dreaming Corn: A Novel
By Roy Hoffman
"It's difficult to think that Roy Hoffman's Chicken Dreaming Corn isn't
a factual history of the settlement of Jewish merchants from eastern Europe
in the South. It's a delicious read, even if you aren't a Southerner descended
from eastern European Jewish merchants -- as am I." --Jake Reiss, The
Alabama Booksmith, Birmingham, AL
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The
Book of Proper Names
By Amelie Nothomb
"Amelie Nothomb is my favorite author. Her short novels are full of simple
yet profound prose that leaves me stunned at its beauty. Readers looking
for a quirky author to discover will love Amelie Nothomb." -- Morgan
Spring, Full Circle Bookstore, Oklahoma City, OK
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The
Disinherited
By Han Ong
"When Roger Caracera inherits $500,000, which he does not want from the
family he has carefully disowned over the years, his solution is to give
the money away, every last penny. The plot of The Disinherited is full
of twists, yet is totally credible; the writing is fluid, inventive, and
always accessible. A brilliant book." -- Edward Gaulke, Stacey's Bookstore,
San Francisco, CA
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I,
Fatty
By Jerry Stahl
"In the early days of the silver screen there was Fatty Arbuckle. After
childhood years of abuse and abandonment, he used his skills and humor
to become a movie star, and, then, at the peak of his career, he was accused
of a crime that toppled him overnight. His story is presented here in
a novel that is witty, offbeat, honest, and thoroughly entertaining."
-- Kris Hawley, Vroman's Bookstore, Pasadena, CA
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Fruit
By Brian Francis
"Brian Francis has written a sensitive but humorous portrayal of the chaos
that takes place in the bodies and emotions of adolescents." -- Holly
Frakes, Schuler Books & Music, Okemos, MI
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Liberating
Paris
By Linda Bloodworth Thomason
"This well-loved and respected screenwriter applies her considerable talent
to a rollicking cast of characters in Paris (Arkansas, that is), and the
results are totally unpredictable! An indictment against big-box retailers
combined with enduring friendships and all-forgiving love make this book
a page-by-page treat for the reader." -- Molly Beck, Quail Ridge Books,
Raleigh, NC
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Life
Mask
By Emma Donoghue
"More than one drama unfolds as we get a behind-the-scenes look at the
relationship of Eliza Farren, a stage actress; Lord Derby, who is trapped
in a loveless marriage; and Anne Damer, who is more than a friend to Eliza.
These characters will haunt your memory long after the final curtain falls."
-- Tara O'Donnell, Paperbacks Plus, Bronx, NY
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Look
For Me
By Edeet Ravel
"A love triangle set in modern Israel-Palestine from the author of the
notable Ten Thousand Lovers. Dana Hillman's life is complex -- her husband
has been missing for 11 years, she demonstrates in peace marches, and
her father has returned to Belgium to marry again following the death
of her mother. And just as she discovers leads about the whereabouts of
her husband, she falls in love with another man. Ravel again explores
the struggle of those living in war in the modern world." -- Lillian
Kinsey, Bohannons' Books With a Past, Georgetown, KY
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The
Namesake
By by Jhumpa Lahiri
"What's in a name? For Gogol Ganguli, born in Massachusetts shortly after
his parents arrived from India, his odd name defines his awkward place
in American society. Lahiri deftly crafts a view of immigrants trying
to mesh old and new, and her portrayal of parent/child struggles strikes
a universal chord." -- Cheryl McKeon, Third Place Books, Lake Forest
Park, WA
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A
Perfect Divorce
By Avery Corman
"A Perfect Divorce is a great insight into how two people can be amicable
about divorce. But there are always problems with any separation, and the
novel also reflects what happens to young people even when the parents are
still talking and hoping for the best for their children." -- Donna Henrich,
The Bookseller, Cherokee, IA |
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The
Second Life of Samuel Tyne
By Esi Edugyan
"This is a strange dark novel but a fascinating read. It is easy to understand
from reading the book why madness descends upon the main character." --
Virginia Hobson Hicks, Books on the Bluff, Townsend, GA
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The
Turkish Lover
By Esmeralda Santiago
"Childhood has a charm all its own, but writing a coming-of-age story
for someone in their 20s, well, that needs the kind of perspective, wit,
and courage that Esmeralda Santiago brings to real life. As she makes
her escape from Brooklyn to Florida, Texas, and, finally, Harvard, we
care about her, her family and her friends, and how she handles her flawed
relationship." -- Alicia Greene, Olsson's Books & Records, Washington,
DC
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Better
Together: Restoring the American Community
By Robert D. Putnam, Lewis Feldstein
"In Better Together, Putnam and longtime civic activist Feldstein describe
some of the most innovative ways in which American civic renewal is taking
place today. Putnam and Feldstein introduce us to a thriving country of
activists, from Maine to California, whose experiences offer valuable
insights into how we may revitalize all American communities in the 21st
century." -- Kyle McAfee, Fact & Fiction, Missoula, MT
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Gellhorn:
A Twentieth-Century Life
By Caroline Moorehead
"I rushed through this biography of noted writer and journalist Martha
Gellhorn and then wished it was not at an end. Fascinating, entertaining,
and informative." -- E. Lorene Yordi, The Bookseller, Ardmore, OK
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A
Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life
By Parker J. Palmer
"Parker J. Palmer's latest book is a gift, and it comes when our world
needs it most. In his compassionate, deeply insightful way he offers a
guide for living that is in congruence with our deepest, truest selves.
This book is heart opening and transforming." -- Maryjude Hoeffel,
Bookin' It, Little Falls, MN
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Mountains
Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the
World
By Tracy Kidder
"Dr. Paul Farmer is an infectious-disease expert, anthropologist, winner
of a MacArthur genius grant, founder of Partners in Health, and a brilliant
and tireless worker in bringing healthcare to the world's poorest people.
He proved radical change is possible with his work in Haiti. If Kidder
brings wider attention to this remarkable man, it will be one of the most
important books published this year." -- Carole Horne, Harvard Book
Store, Cambridge, MA
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PERSEPOLIS
2: The Story of a Return
By Marjane Satrapi
"The observant and revolutionary graphic novel memoir Persepolis 2 stands
as an equal to her Satrapi's book, Persepolis. Here, she continues the
story of life in post-Islamic Revolution Iran. The talent of Marjane Satrapi
measures up to such predecessors as Art Spiegelman." -- Brian Case,
Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, NY
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TRIANGLE:
The Fire That Changed America
By David Von Drehle
"By depicting the stirring events leading up to the Triangle shirtwaist
factory fire, Von Drehle fully engrosses us in the plight and carnage
of some of the young women who went on strike for better working conditions
and then, ultimately, became martyrs for their worthy cause" -- Nell
Young, Locust Books, Westminster, MD
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