The January/February 2003 Book Sense 76

December 19, 2002

1. MICHELANGELO & THE POPE'S CEILING, by Ross King (Walker, $28, 0802713955; Jan.) "I thoroughly enjoyed this 16th century soap opera, starring those larger-than-life personalities Michelangelo, Pope Julius II, and Raphael, and featuring all the intrigue, passion, violence, and pettiness of a Sopranos episode! King's gift is his ability to bring readers back through a maze of time and lead us to an understanding of all that coalesced -- politically, socially, and artistically -- to create great art, great history and, for us, great reading." -- Jeanne Morris, Bethany Beach Books, Bethany Beach, DE Also an Audio Partners Audio (1572703059)

2. THE PASSION OF ARTEMISIA, by Susan Vreeland (Penguin, $13 paper, 0142001821, Dec. 31) "The incredibly touching and dramatic story of the life of real-life 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, but also a remarkable woman and mother." -- Amy Loewy, Garden District Book Shop, New Orleans, LA

3. COAL: A Human History, by Barbara Freese (Perseus, $25, 0738204005; Dec.) "This thought-provoking new book gives the reader a history of this life-altering mineral. Its use has been basic to shipping and canal building, warmth and light in cold climates, and the Industrial Revolution. Society currently faces a conundrum as its use and misuse affects the worldwide environment. A fascinating book." -- Becky Milner, Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA

4. SAMARITAN, by Richard Price (Knopf, $25, 0375411151; Jan. 7) "In this humanly real novel, Ray Mitchell returns to the housing project where he grew up, intending to help, but his efforts result in a vicious attack and a battle for his life. Price explores the shaky equilibrium between the eternal struggle to be a good person and the demands of personal relationships and a very troubled society, a balance that can be upset by the slightest push in either direction." -- Alayne Hopkins, Ruminator Books, St. Paul, MN Also a Random House Audio CD (0739302175)

5. THAT OLD ACE IN THE HOLE, by Annie Proulx (Scribner, $26, 0684813076; Dec.) "A town in the Texas panhandle is home to some of the goofiest, most fiercely iconoclastic characters ever written. The dialogue crackles, making this a joy to read, yet the humor is tempered by an underlying theme of corporate landgrabbing in order to sneak hog farms into unsuspecting communities. This is every bit as good as The Shipping News." -- Kay Marcotte, Page One Bookstore, Albuquerque, NM Also an S&S Audio (0743524977; CD, 0743524985)

6. OLD FLAMES, by John Lawton (Atlantic, $24, 0871138646; Jan.) "It's post-WWII London and Chief Inspector Troy of Scotland Yard is embroiled in a Russian/British diplomatic incident. The gripping plot wends its way across Cold War Europe, twisting through a spy ring and the murder of a Royal Navy officer. Look for more from Lawton, as U.S. fans discover what his fans in the U.K. have known for a while." -- Barbara Peters, The Poisoned Pen, Scottsdale, AZ

7. HAIL TO THE CHIEFS: Presidential Mischief, Morals & Malarkey from George W. to George W., by Barbara Holland (Permanent Press, $28, 1579620817; Jan.) "Not even the most revered of our presidents and their families are spared by Holland as she skips through American history, revealing the foibles and failures of the people who ran the show. Remarkably even-handed and funny." -- Margaret Maupin, The Tattered Cover, Denver, CO

8. FOREVER: A Novel, by Pete Hamill (Little, Brown, $25.95, 0316341118; Dec. 30) "Hamill's long-awaited new novel begins in 1740 when Cormac O'Connor arrives in New York from Ireland. Beholden to his sense of justice, he rescues an African who has been brought to the city in chains. In return, he is granted the gift of immortality…so long as he never leaves Manhattan. Hamill is a gifted storyteller whose years as a journalist give authenticity and immediacy to this magical tale." -- Bobby Teichnor, Annie Bloom's Books, Portland, OR Also an S&S Audio (0743509153)

9. SWEET DREAM BABY: A Novel, by Sterling Watson (Sourcebooks Landmark, $22, 140220017X; Nov.) "This is a coming-of-age novel set in the calm of the late '50s South, but with tension growling beneath the surface. Travis becomes a youthful vigilante who wages his version of justice with deadly results. The motif of rock-and-roll music threads the story like the warp and woof of a turbulent tapestry. A page-turner." -- Mary Kay Watson, Sister Wolf Books, Dorset, MN

10. ONE STEP BEHIND, by Henning Mankell (Vintage Black Lizard, $13, 1400031516; Jan. 14) "In the same vein as the complex police procedurals of Ian Rankin comes these books featuring Dectective Wallander. Set in Mankell's native Sweden, these dark mysteries have a brooding European sensibility. Black Lizard will reissue more of Maxwell's gems in the coming months." -- Georgie Lewis, Powell's, Portland, OR

THE DIMWIT'S DICTIONARY: 5,000 Overused Words and Phrases and Alternatives to Them, by Robert Hartwell Fiske (Marion Street Press, $19.95 paper, 0966517679) "This is not a book that most people would sit down and read as I did, but it is a great and interesting reference!" -- Stephanie L. Roberts, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Lexington, KY (Also from Marion Street Press: The Dictionary of Concise Writing)

OUT OF THE FLAMES: The Remarkable Story of a Fearless Scholar, a Fatal Heresy, and One of the Rarest Books in the World, by Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone (Broadway, $24.95, 0767908368) "This follows the wild history of a heretical work that got its author burned at the stake. It is a must for fans of quirky nonfiction." -- Lisa Wright, Oblong Books and Music, Millerton, NY

EVERY TONGUE GOT TO CONFESS: Negro Folk-tales From the Gulf States, by Zora Neale Hurston (Perennial, $12.95 paper, 0060934549) "This collection of folktales gathered from the turn-of-the-century South offers a deluge of wit and wisdom steeped in cultural dialect and conventions." -- Julie Schmuckie, Hawley-Cooke Booksellers, Louisville, KY

DARE TO REPAIR: A Do-It-Herself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything in the Home, by Julie Sussman and Stephanie Glakas-Tenet (HarperResource, $14.95 paper, 0060959843) "Excellent! The format is great, especially the intro to each project and the ‘tools needed' section." -- Jennifer Bender, College of St. Catherine Bookstore, St. Paul, MN

Q ROAD: A Novel, by Bonnie Jo Campbell (Scribner, $24, 0743203658) "Like Kingsolver's Turtle did, Campbell's gutsy Rachel Crane takes up residence in your brain." -- Charlie Misner, The Bookman, Grand Haven, MI "This book will make you laugh, cry, and understand why small farmers struggle so mightily. It's a great read on many levels." -- Jim Stark, Books, Coffee and Friends, Allegan, MI

THE RURAL LIFE, by Verlyn Klinkenborg (Little, Brown, $20, 0316741671) "A passionate and unsentimental portrait of the joys and hardships of life in the country. Sink into your most comfortable chair and enjoy this wonderful writer." -- Kristine Kaufman, Snow Goose Bookstore, Stanwood, WA

BEHINDLINGS, by Nicola Barker (Ecco, $27.95, 0060185694) "Barker's extraordinarily witty and engaging new novel about a charismatic Englishman and his followers is something else altogether. I haven't had so much pleasure from a novel in quite some time." -- Paul Ingram, Prairie Lights, Iowa City, IA

A BOX OF MATCHES, by Nicholson Baker (Random House, $19.95, 0375502874; Jan.) "An editor of medical textbooks mulls the details of awakening early in a dark house: making the fire, the coffee; chopping wood; recalling an image of his wife nursing his son. Lent whimsy by their obsessive exactitude, the accumulated force of these minute descriptions is both mesmerizing and revelatory." -- Betsy Burton, The King's English Bookshop, Salt Lake City, UT

CHILD OF MY HEART, by Alice McDermott (Farrar, $23, 0374121230) "Pay no attention to the critical reviews; read this book! It's more profound and complicated than it seems, and so passionately written, that you can not put it down. The story of this 15-year-old girl is beautiful." -- Hester Jeswald, Sarasota News and Books, Sarasota, FL

DANCER, by Colum McCann (Metropolitan, $26, 0805067922; Jan. 6) "This novel about Rudolf Nureyev's life is so beautifully rendered, it becomes much more. It is about family, love, history, ambition, and heart. It is glorious in every way, a gift of language to be savored." -- Gabriel Haman, Longfellow Books, Portland, ME

GILLIGAN'S WAKE, by Tom Carson (Picador, $25, 031229123X; Jan.) "What better way to view the pop culture-obsessed 20th century than through the eyes of pop icons -- the passengers and crew of the S.S. Minnow? Carson's imagination is nothing short of scintillating, as is his wordplay, giving us a thoroughly refreshing and memorable novel." -- Candler Hunt, Olsson's Books, Washington, DC

Don't miss the Winter Children's Book Sense 76 list,
now in stores.

HIS MOTHER'S SON, by Cai Emmons (Harcourt, $25, 0151007349; Jan.) "A first novel that beautifully combines the psychological thriller with a nuanced character study. Amping up the vigilance of many of today's parents, Emmons has her heroine on the lookout for signs of her homicidal brother in her six-year old son. A novel of secrets and redemption." -- Leslie Reiner, Inkwood Books, Tampa, FL

MR. LINCOLN'S WARS, A Novel in Thirteen Stories, by Adam Braver (Morrow, $23.95, 006008118X; Jan. 7) "I'm always on the prowl for a new book or writer to spread the good word about. Here's a great new talent -- Adam Braver -- and his debut novel set in the dark thoughts of Lincoln and those around him." -- Robert Segedy, McIntyre's, Pittsboro, NC

OFFICER FRIENDLY AND OTHER STORIES, by Lewis Robinson (HarperCollins, $23.95, 0060513683; Jan.7) "It's been awhile since I've had to pull over to the side of the road because I was laughing so hard at a story being read to me. This is a pleasure to read both quietly and aloud. Robinson is a brilliant writer and storyteller." -- Tim Huggins, Newtonville Books, Newtonville, MA

THE SEDUCTION OF SILENCE, by Bem Le Hunte (HarperSanFrancisco, $25.95, 006052197X; Jan. 7) "A mesmerizing debut novel about an Indian family and the members of different generations seeking spiritual enlightenment. Their successes, failures, and growing pains are mirrored in the grandeur and squalor of modern India." -- Rosemary Pugliese, Quail Ridge Books and Music, Raleigh, NC

SNOW, by Maxence Fermine; translated by Chris Mulhern (Atria/S&S, $15, 074345684X) "A unique work that echoes the narrative style of haiku-prose, haibun, something not seen often in modern literature. Yuko's story is the meditative journey of a young man obsessed with the beauty that can never be bound by words. This is an excellent introduction for western fiction readers; it is concise, expressive and refreshing." -- Jinn Nagaoka, BookPeople Bookstore, Austin, TX

THE ASH GARDEN, by Dennis Bock (Vintage, $13, 0375727493; Jan. 7) "This novel balances the glory of the ‘Greatest Generation' with the scars and emotional crevasses created by war. I was initially reluctant to read more about war, but the art of storytelling and the richness of the characters urged me on." -- Jean Westcott, Olsson's Books, Arlington, VA

BAGGAGE, by Emily Barr (Plume, $13, 0452283825; Jan.) "Barr's voice is wonderful. This wacky character, her lies, and life are as addictive as a game show. A fun book for reading groups!" -- Marian Fleischman, Sedalia Book, Sedalia, MO

BIG STONE GAP, by Adriana Trigiani (Fawcett, $7.50, 0345459202; Jan. 1) "Ave Maria Mulligan is the self-proclaimed spinster of Big Stone Gap. Her mother has just died, and while that can change one forever, no one could have predicted how Ave's mother's death would change Big Stone Gap. Make time to visit here; it's well worth the trip." -- Sheri Kraft, Alibi Books, Glenview, IL

CAPTAIN SATURDAY, by Robert Inman (Back Bay, $13.95, 0316089737, Jan.) "Brilliant. Inman has always been a favorite for our store, but Captain Saturday has blown us away. It's a comic tale of a male midlife crisis with universal appeal for both men and women." -- Sally Brewster, Park Road Bookstore, Charlotte, NC

EDINBURGH, by Alexander Chee (Picador, $13, 0312305036) "The aftermath of a choir director's abuse of many of the boys in his choir is the subject of Chee's haunting first novel. The effects of this and other betrayals lead to a stunning plot twist. I couldn't put down this quietly beautiful novel." -- Karen Maeda Allman, Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA

FAIR WARNING, by Robert Olen Butler (Grove, $12, 0802139566; Jan.) "Butler's main character is an auctioneer unlike any you've read about. Your fate will be sealed as soon as you read the first sentence of this novel. Fair warning!" -- Mary Gay Shipley, That Bookstore in Blytheville, Blytheville, AR

FIFTH LIFE OF THE CATWOMAN, by Kathleen Dexter (Berkley, $13, 0425186180) "A fairy tale/love story/social commentary about two people brought back together after four lifetimes. I loved Kat's past lives and all that she strove to imbue in her students. This is so quirky it works!" -- Cheryl Townsend, Cat's Impetuous Books, Kent, OH (This was a 76 pick two years ago when self-published, and now it will reach an even larger audience.)

FINGERSMITH, by Sarah Waters (Riverhead, $15, 1573229725) "I open every carton of books hoping there is a new one by this author. This latest, just out in paper, was shortlisted for the Booker and Orange Prizes. It's back to Victorian England for the author, with a thrilling story of two orphans: one a young lady, the other a thief. Waters is a scholar of that era and no one brings it to life better." -- Kelly Justice, Fountain Bookshop, Richmond, VA

GOULD'S BOOK OF FISH: A Novel in Twelve Fish, by Richard Flanagan (Grove, $14, 0802139590; Jan.) "This fictional journal of a penal island convict who relates brutal and hilarious tales of the island's eccentric inhabitants and the atrocities they perpetrate. This vast, artful epic is the most audacious yet from this wonderful Tasmanian novelist." -- Jamie Kornegay, Square Books, Oxford, MS

THE LOVE OF STONES, by Tobias Hill (Picador, $14, 0312311311, Jan.) "A literary novel as well as a compelling thriller, rich in historical detail and characters obsessed with precious gems. It's fabulous!" -- Susan Wasson, Bookworks, Albuquerque, NM

ON GREEN DOLPHIN STREET, by Sebastian Faulks (Vintage, $14, 0375704566; Jan. 7) "The orderly days of a diplomat's wife in DC are turned inside out by a New York reporter. But the sights and sounds of 1960 Greenwich Village are as irresistible to her as they are to the reader, and the affair that follows is as captivating as it is heartbreaking." -- Michele Sulka, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH

THE SIEGE, by Helen Dunmore (Grove, $13, 0802139582) "I love this novel set in 1941 Leningrad for its detail, the beautiful writing, and its message of hope: that the human spirit can indeed survive what seems to be utter disaster." -- Nicola Rooney, Nicola's Books, Ann Arbor, MI

SOPHIE AND THE RISING SUN, by Augusta Trobaugh (Plume, $13, 0452283493) "A charming story wrapped in current themes and issues. What is it about Southern writers that allows them to capture a sense of time, temperature, and place so very well? This is a treasure I have placed in the hands of many readers who voice the same enthusiasm." -- Marilyn R. Scheerbaum, Bickerton and Ripley Books, Edgartown, MA

THE HARMON CHRONICLES, by Harmon Leon (ECW Press, $13.95 paper, 1550225278) "Leon makes David Sedaris read like George Will. The author will take you along as he finds out how hard it is to get fired from a fast food joint, or how easy it is to buy a gun or join the armed forces. He'll bring you along, as he becomes a telephone psychic and a rental clown. I can't think of anything I've read that made me laugh so hard and so often." -- Jon Lee, River City Books, Northfield, MN

KICK ME: Adventures in Adolescence, by Paul Feig (Three Rivers Press, $12.95 paper, 0609809431) "While it will inevitably be compared to Sedaris' work, Feig's memoir features its own kind of hilarious adolescent pain. You don't want to believe these things really happened, that a mother would draw butterflies on her son's underwear that would be seen by his entire gym class. Funny stories, but also a painful look at the damage of gender roles and homophobia even in the life of straight guys." -- Pam Harcourt, Women & Children First Bookstore, Chicago, IL

THE MALCONTENTS: The Best Bitter, Cynical, and Satirical Writing in the World, edited by Joe Queenan (Running Press, $29.95, 0762413441) "Queenan has assembled an all-star team of bad attitudes in this compendium of satire, cynicism, and downright misanthropy. The 19 authors represented here provide eloquent and often funny arguments against putting our trust in Homo sapiens." -- Ken MacLennan, Bookshop Benicia, Benicia, CA

AN ARMY AT DAWN: The War in North Africa, 1942-1943, by Rick Atkinson (Holt, $30, 0805062882) "A detailed history of the American army in its first battle on the shores of North Africa. It is not a part of World War II history that is often told, and the author make the misjudgments made by Eisenhower, Marshall, and on down, very vivid." -- Pat Kehde, The Raven Bookstore, Lawrence, KS Also an S&S Audio (0743527151)

DEATH AT THE PRIORY: Love, Sex, and Murder in Victorian England, by James Ruddick (Grove, $13 paper, 0802139744; Jan.) "This was the O.J. Simpson case of its time; all of England was in an uproar over the multiple suspects and illicit sex. The story of murder in 1875 is a window onto Victorian England, with all its hypocrisy and oppression of women." -- Carla Cohen, Politics & Prose, Washington, DC

THE DEVIL THAT DANCED ON THE WATER: A Daughter's Quest, by Aminatta Forna (Atlantic, $25, 0871138654; Jan.) "Forna eloquently describes her processing of her father's historic struggles as an activist in Sierra Leone. She grasps the reality of how he was surrounded by people who were not ready for democracy and possibly are not prepared for it now." -- A.M. Dirks, Tattered Cover, Denver, CO

EARLY MORNING: Remembering My Father, William Stafford, by Kim Stafford (Graywolf Press, $26, 1555973728) "Into his enigmatic father's letters, journals, and poetry, Kim Stafford pours his own memories in a language so rich it must be savored in slow draughts." -- Scott Foley, Grass Roots Books & Music, Corvallis, OR

THE FROZEN-WATER TRADE: A True Story, by Gavin Weightman (Hyperion, $23.95, 078686740X; Jan.) "A great retelling of one man's dream to harvest and sell ice. It's a wonderful story about the guts and obstinacy it took to be an entrepreneur in the early 19th century." -- Jim Bolce, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH

HIGH AND MIGHTY: SUV's -- The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got That Way, by Keith Bradsher (PublicAffairs, $28, 1586481231) "I feel in danger every day I commute; I welcome this important exposé of the very powerful and ruthless automobile industry." -- Matt Astrella, UCI Bookstore, Irvine, CA

LUNAR MEN: Five Friends Whose Curiosity Changed the World, by Jenny Uglow (Farrar, $30, 0374194408) "In the 1760s, a group of friends, including Erasmus Darwin and Josiah Wedgewood, met monthly for an exhange of ideas and experiments, essentially starting the Industrial Revolution. A wonderful work of history that reads like a novel." -- John Potterat, Chinook Bookshop, Colorado Springs, CO

MEMOIRS: A Twentieth Century Journey in Science and Politics, by Edward Teller (Perseus, $18.95 paper, 0738207780) "A fascinating read by and about a brilliant man who has been involved in some of the most important events of this century." -- Joanne Crenshaw, Front Street Books, Alpine, TX

A NAME OF HER OWN, by Jane Kirkpatrick (WaterBrook Press, $13.99 paper, 1578564999) "Marie Dorion was the only woman with the first group of white men to travel overland from Missouri to Oregon after the Lewis and Clark expedition. It's also an early feminist tale: Marie, a young Native American mother who is only called "femme," seeks to create her own identity as she struggles to keep her family intact and alive. A must-read for all the fans of Ambrose's work" -- Jeanne Anderson, Dark Horse Books, Teton Valley, ID

ROWING TO LATITUDE: Journeys Along the Arctic's Edge, by Jill Fredston (North Point, $14 paper, 0865476551) "Fredston talks about the 15 years of rowing in the Arctic she and her husband have done. Her descriptions of the land are superb, her insights into the risk of this type of travel are deeply thoughtful, and her adventures are downright incredible." -- Barb Wieser, Amazon Bookstore Cooperative, Minneapolis, MN

SIXTEEN SCANDALS: 20 Years of Sex, Lies, and Other Habits of Great Leaders, by William Strauss, Elaina Newport, and the Capitol Steps Comedy Troupe (Sourcebooks MediaFusion, $24.95 book & CD, 1570718903). "Few are more hilariously adept at poking fun at the foibles of our political leaders than the Capitol Steps, whose ability to set embarrassing moment to music has made them an institution. This collection features their greatest and most acerbic hits of the last 20 years. " -- Joe Murphy, Olsson's, Washington, DC

SOUL OF NOWHERE: Traversing Grace in a Rugged Land, by Craig Childs (Sasquatch, $22.95, 1570613060) "Childs explores the less visited sections of the American West, where he disappears for weeks at a time. He is an enthusiastic, adventurous, and open writer, and the mystery and grandeur of these places comes alive beautifully in Childs' new book." -- Curt Witteveen, Annie Bloom's, Portland, OR

THE WOMAN WHO WOULDN'T TALK: Why I Refused to Testify Against the Clintons & What I Learned in Jail, by Susan McDougal (Carroll & Graf, $25, 0786711280; Jan.) "I am one that is very skeptical of political tell-all books, but this one is different. It is a story of strength, courage, and loyalty, something very much lacking in recent history." -- John Presta, Reading on Walden Bookstore, Chicago, IL

FOOL'S ERRAND: The Tawny Man, Book 1, by Robin Hobb (Bantam Spectra, $6.99 paper, 0553582445) "Hobb returns to the story of a tormented assassin with powers he doesn't quite understand, drawing together the threads of her previous fantasies into one grand epic." -- Chris Aylott, The Space-Crime Continuum, Northampton, MA

KILN PEOPLE, by David Brin (Tor, $7.99 paper, 0765342618; Jan. 7) "This story combines the archetypical detective story with classic SF themes. What is individuality in a world where people can make clay copies of themselves to serve their every need? I love the way that Brin combines a wonderful story with science, philosophy, and humor." -- Rachel King, Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, NY

THE MAQUISARDE, by Louise Marley (Ace, $23.95, 044100976X) "Late in the 21st century, a flutist living with her family in Paris safely inside the ‘Line of Partition' flees in grief after a tragedy and becomes a Maquisarde, a member of the resistance who must face the truth about the forces that have brought evil to the world. Marley's strong women characters and compelling action will draw in even those who think they don't read this genre!" -- Cheryl McKeon, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA

Worth at least a moment's reflection in these strange times

THE ENIGMA OF ANGER: Essays on a Sometimes Deadly Sin, by Garrett Keizer (Wiley, $22.95, 0787957283) "A thoughtful, intelligent, and accessible book of essays, especially welcome in this age where it seems people often fail to stop and reflect. This is an important book, and we are lucky to have Keizer living among us." -- Linda Ramsdell, Galaxy Bookshop, Hardwick, VT

See the Mystery 76 Top Ten, coming in February!

Topics: Book Sense,