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1. Waiting
for Teddy Williams: A Novel
By Howard Frank Mosher
"Fans of Mosher will be delighted with this return to Kingdom Common,
Vermont, where a boy’s most intense desires are to find his father and
for the Red Sox to win the World Series. Mosher’s characters are so well
drawn you see them clearly, with all their faults and idiosyncrasies,
as if they were standing right next to you."—Elaine Sopchak, The Book
Rack and Children's Pages, Essex Junction, VT
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An
Unfinished Life: A Novel
By Mark Spragg
"At times poignant, funny, painful, and redemptive, this novel tells a
profoundly human story of forgiveness. Spragg creates a sense of place
that is both timeless and brooding, artfully echoing the journeys of his
characters."—Lu Walters, The Boulder Book Store, Boulder, CO
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Hissy
Fit: A Novel
By Mary Kay Andrews
"Finding her groom-to-be with her maid of honor at her rehearsal dinner,
Keeley Murdock pitches an old-fashioned hissy fit. However, having jilted
the richest guy in town, she finds herself in a precarious position and
begins to learn that her hissy fit is the least of her worries."—Charity
McMaster, Schuler Books & Music, Grand Rapids, MI
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Sweet
and Vicious
By David Schickler
"Henry and Grace are on the run, with a suitcase full of diamonds and
a savage gangster on their trail. In this follow-up to his marvelous debut,
Kissing in Manhattan, David Schickler creates another modern fairy tale
filled with magic, savagery, and fantastic characters in love with love."—Michael
Wells, Bailey-Coy Books, Seattle, WA
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The
Divine Husband: A Novel
By Francisco Goldman
"Francisco Goldman has dipped his pen into the well of imagination and
produced the most finely formed novel in recent memory—a tale of 19th
century Central America with lots of juicy characters flowing through
geographical, racial, political, and spiritual borders. The magic of this
book took my breath away."—Susan Avery, Ariel Booksellers, New Paltz,
NY
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Broken
For You
By Stephanie Kallos
"Set in contemporary Seattle, this debut novel features a septuagenarian
recluse and a young woman with a broken heart. How these two women come
together, open up to each other, themselves, and those around them makes
a fascinating and compelling book."—Akankha Perkins, The Sun of the
Heart Bookstore, Bridgewater, VT
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Heir
to the Glimmering World: A Novel
By Cynthia Ozick
"Cynthia Ozick’s new novel brings to life the ferment that was New York
in the 1930s, with its traumatized German-Jewish refugees and its homegrown
idealists itching to fight Fascists in Spain. Ozick weaves a dark fairy
tale into the realism of the Depression, creating a moving novel of dreams,
faith, and fortune."—Laurie Greer, Politics & Prose Books & Coffee,
Washington, DC
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Jonathan
Strange and Mr. Norrell: A Novel
By Susanna Clarke
"Susanna Clarke astonishes with a tale full of wonders! The vivid characters,
richly defined world of 1806 England, and mystical elements keep the pages
turning in this story of how magicians helped the English defeat Napoleon."—Emery
Pinter, Chapter 11, Atlanta, GA
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Outside
Valentine: A Novel
By Liza Ward
"Novelist Liza Ward uses the 1959 Charles Starkweather killings as a historical
framework on which to hang a beautiful tale of cause, effect, and survival.
The author, a granddaughter of two of the victims of this notorious crime
spree, has penned a deeply rewarding novel, an ideal selection for book
clubs."—Linda Hillegass, Lee Booksellers, Lincoln, NE
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Bloodsworth:
The True Story of the First Death Row Inmate Exonerated by DNA
By Tim Junkin
"Kirk Bloodsworth lived everyone’s nightmare after he was convicted of
a crime he did not commit and was sentenced to death. With the help of
dedicated lawyers and advocates, and his own internal strength, he became
the first death row inmate freed, thanks to DNA testing. His story is
gripping and cautionary."—Russ Harvey, Cody’s Books, Berkeley, CA
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Cloud
Atlas: A Novel
By David Mitchell
"The author of the amazing first novel Ghostwritten comes back with another
mind-bending, time-bending treat. Made up of six sections that span millennia
and the globe, this novel is part science fiction, part suspense, part
historical novel, and altogether a wonderful book by a daring young author."—Curt
Witteveen, Annie Bloom’s Books, Portland, OR
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Defining
The Wind: The Beaufort Scale, and How a 19th-Century Admiral Turned Science
Into Poetry
By Scott Huler
"What Dava Sobel did for the chronometer in Longitude, Scott Huler does
for the Beaufort Scale, a scale in which the force of the wind is indicated
by numbers from zero to 12. In a fascinating history, Huler gives us an
amazing account of the measurement of wind."—Bill Cusumano, Nicola’s
Books, Ann Arbor, MI
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Home
to Italy
By Peter Pezzelli
"After a lifetime of living in America, Peppi Pappino returns to his childhood
home in Italy after the death of his wife, Anna. His love of gardening,
bicycle adventures, and meeting with old friends—as well as finding a
new, unexpected, love—endears him to my heart."—Lillian Kinsey, Bohannons’
Books With a Past, Georgetown, KY
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Millard
Fillmore, Mon Amour: A Novel
by John Blumenthal
"A witty, laugh-out-loud funny take on our collective neuroses. Plato
G. Fussell—the author of the definitive 10-volume biography of Millard
Fillmore—is a character you won’t soon forget."—Sarah Carr, McIntyre’s
Fine Books, Pittsboro, NC
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Nine
Hills to Nambonkaha: Two Years in the Heart of an African Village
By Sarah Erdman
"The most beautifully written travel tale I have ever read. Erdman writes
about her experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Ivory Coast
without resorting to stereotypes or condescension. Instead, she relays
her observations with respect, authenticity, and humility."—Julia Pollard,
University Book Store, Seattle, WA
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Prince
of Thieves: A Novel
By Chuck Hogan
"This is the story of four childhood friends from Charlestown, Massachusetts—home
of more bank robberies than any square mile in the world—who rob banks
for their livelihood and for the camaraderie. This is a gritty novel featuring
an intricately woven plot about friends trying to maintain the old town
spirit while watching their way of life disappear."—Sue Richardson,
Maine Coast Book Shop, Damariscotta, ME
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The
Program: A Novel
By Gregg Hurwitz
"U.S. Marshal Tim Rackley descends into the dark, calculated machinery
of a mind control cult to rescue a young woman. Even with all of Tim’s
skills, he’s in very real danger of not just failing to rescue his client,
but also of losing himself."—Maryelizabeth Hart, Mysterious Galaxy
Books, San Diego, CA
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Whirlwind:
A Novel
By Joseph Garber
"Disgraced CIA operative Charlie McKenzie is unapologetic, opportunistic,
and, best of all, bitter over the way he was forced out. Now that his
former superiors desperately need his help, he is determined to make the
experience as uncomfortable for them as possible. Readers are in for a
satisfying thrill."—Kat Kinzer, Warwick’s, La Jolla, CA
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The
Japanese Art of Sex: How to Tease, Seduce, and Pleasure the Samurai in
Your Bedroom
By Jina Bacarr
"Not since The Joy of Sex has there been such a charming and innovative
how-to book on the pleasures of the bedroom. Add a little wasabi to your
love life with this delightful and informative book."—Kathy Ashton,
The King’s English, Salt Lake City, UT
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Another
Bullshit Night in Suck City: A Memoir
By Nick Flynn
"A fascinating, brutally honest memoir of a sometimes social worker and
his homeless father. Written as a series of short vignettes, this is a
memoir like no other you’ve read."—Colin Rea, University of Oregon
Bookstore, Eugene, OR
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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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