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January/February
2002 Book Sense 76 Picks
Unique and provocative selections from a great diversity of voices...all personally recommended by the independent booksellers of America.
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Passion
of Artemisia, The
by Vreeland,
Susan
(Viking, $24.95, 0670894494) "The incredibly touching and dramatic story
of the life of Artemisia Gentileschi. Set in Renaissance Italy, this novel plunges
you into her constant struggle to succeed in personal and public life. In spite
of many obstacles, she was the first woman elected to the Accademia in Florence.
And Artemisia was not only a painter, she was a remarkable woman and mother."
- Amy Loewy, Garden District Book Shop, New Orleans, LA
 Shooting
Dr. Jack
by Green, Norman
(HarperCollins, $25.00, 0060188227) "A first novel and a gritty, realistic
portrait of low-life Brooklyn that will keep you up late. These are not the Sopranos,
nor even people who dream that high, but you care about them quickly in spite
of themselves. The only book that comes to mind as comparison is Motherless
Brooklyn. This is that good." - Anne Whelan, Brookline Booksmith,
Brookline, MA
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight
by Fuller, Alexandra
(Random House, $24.95, 0375507507)
"This is the witty, sad, and powerful story of a young white girl caught in the web of the Rhodesian Civil War. I am amazed at her survival skills, the family's constant movement of locality, an alcoholic mother, and much more. It is one of those books where you find yourself saying: 'I must reread this.' " - Elly Smith, Madison Park Bookstore, Seattle, WA
 Jazz
Bird, The
by Holden, Craig
(Simon & Schuster, $25.00, 0743212967) "A murder mystery where you know who
the killer is and why he did it, but all of your assumptions will be challenged
by the book's end. Based on the sensational trial of one of America's most famous
bootleggers, the Jazz Age and its excesses are magnificently captured. This terrific
book is perfect for all who loved The Alienist or Ragtime."
- Mary McCarthy, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops, Shorewood, WI
 Hell's
Bottom, Colorado: Stories
by Pritchett, Laura
(Milkweed, $14.95, 1571310363)
"This book exudes the kind of brutal honesty that its title suggests. Pritchett has taken ten linked stories and created a small masterpiece about a ranching family in the Rocky Mountains. Searingly harsh and beautiful." - Amanda Tobier, Third Place Books, Lake Forest, WA
Servants of the Map: Stories
by Barrett, Andrea
(Norton, $24.95, 0393043487)
"Barrett's newest collection of stories is, happily, more of her unique melding of issues concerning scientific curiosity -- often to obsessive degrees -- and richly drawn, complex characters you won't soon forget." - Ann Prewitt, Midsummer Books, Galveston, TX
 Lake
of Dead Languages, The
by Goodman, Carol
(Ballantine, $23.95, 0345450884)
"A teacher returns to the boarding school which she attended twenty years before as a student, and it is not long before the tragedies she faced then begin to plague her again. This story haunts the reader from its very first pages through the slow unfolding of its mysteries. A terrific first novel." - Lois Powers, The Toadstool Bookshop, Milford, NH
 Blackwater
Sound
by Hall, James
(St. Martin's/Minotaur, $24.95, 0312203845)
"I've been a big James Hall thriller fan for a long time, and I really love this new one. It's a little longer and more complex than his others...which is all the better!" - Jeanne Michael, Odyssey Books, Grass Valley, CA
Fast
Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal
by Schlosser,
Eric
(Perennial, $13.95, 0060938455) "Shocking, comprehensive, and carefully
reasoned. Schlosser explains how the fast food industry impacts our health,
our culture, our land and the people who work it. It is an important book, and
has changed me completely." - Kay Marcotte, Page One Books, Albuquerque,
NM
 When
the Elephants Dance: A Novel
by Holthe,
Tess Uriza
(Crown, $24.95, 0609609521) "A fabulous novel with wonderful characters.
In addition to being mesmerizing, the history is fascinating. We were taught
about MacArthur 'liberating' the Philippines, but this book takes us right there,
searching for food and hiding from the fighting. It's an amazing novel; a winner.
I can't wait to start selling it." - Elaine Petrocelli, Book Passage,
Corte Madera, CA
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